Travel | Devine Fairytale

How to Make a Walt Disney World Park Pass Reservation

To help manage capacity numbers and ensure that guests are able to social distance, there is a new step you will need to take when planning your vacation to Walt Disney World at least for the foreseeable future.

After you’ve booked your vacation package and have your park tickets (pssst…if you haven’t done this part yet, send me an email and we’ll get you set up!), make sure you have it all linked to your My Disney Experience account. This will allow you to make a theme park reservation through the Disney Park Pass system. This is something that is new and began when the parks reopened in June 2020. All guests over the age of 3 must have both valid admission and a park reservation for the same park on the same date. This is limited to one park per day (park hopping did just become available after 2pm with a valid ticket, but you don’t need a park reservation for a second park at this time). These reservations are limited and subject to availability. If you have multi-day tickets, you will need to make a park reservation for each day. This is something you will need to do in advance and certain parks on certain days DO fill up (Hollywood Studios has been filling up the quickest), I recommend doing this as soon as you purchase your tickets. Also note, this currently can only be done on a website browser and not on the My Disney Experience app on a phone.

There are three tiers of available dates: Walt Disney World Resort Guests, Ticket Holders, and Annual Passholders. You can check the availability calendar, just make sure to select which calendar applies to you!

When you’re ready to make your reservation, here are the four steps to follow:

Make sure you have set up an account on My Disney Experience and confirm your admission is linked to your account.
Create your travel party. Select the family and friends you’d like to include if they’re already on your Family & Friends list or select the option to add a guest if needed. Keep in mind…if you are making park reservations for multiple people, everyone in that party must have the same type of park admission. For example, reservations for Annual Passholders and theme park ticket holders cannot be booked at the same time. Depending on your admission type, you may need to make more than one theme park reservation to include all members of your party.
Select a date and a park. View the calendar and select one of the available dates for your visit. Then select the theme park. It will show the park hours for the day, but you are able to enter the theme park at any time during the day of your reservation. After you select your date and theme park, you can confirm your reservation.
Review and confirm your plans. If you need to make any changes, select “Back” to revise your selections. Before confirming, you’ll have to agree to the Terms & Conditions, including an updated COVID-19 liability waiver. After you’ve done that, select “Confirm” to complete your park reservation. It will then show under “My Plans.” If you need to make another park reservation, you can just select “Make Another Reservation” to continue planning.

While this may not be an ideal situation, especially for spur of the moment trips, it does seem to be working. Let me know if you have any questions I can help answer in the comments or send me an email and we can chat more!

Categories: Disney, Travel

Dinner at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs

Exterior Wine Bar George restaurant at Disney Springs

This blog post features a hosted meal by Wine Bar George; all opinions are my own.

Wine Bar George should be at the top of your list if you’re visiting Disney Springs! Disney Springs is an entertainment district featuring a variety of restaurants, shops, and activities. It’s a great spot to spend a day off from the parks on your vacation or head to in the evening for dinner and drinks. There is something for everyone! A favorite spot of ours is Wine Bar George. You are able to make a dining reservation on their website as well through your My Disney Experience account or app.

During our most recent Disney trip earlier this month, I was able to celebrate my birthday here with a special dinner. I cannot say enough good things about our experience at the restaurant, from the food to the service, everything was exceptional!

The inside features industrial decor with a large bar on the first floor. The perfect spot to sit a grab a drink and small plate because the atmosphere is great! We sat upstairs for this meal. We were seated indoors, but there is also a small patio area overlooking walkway out front and the lake. This restaurant is a go-to spot for adults at Disney.

We were extremely impressed with their COVID-19 safety measures. The menus were contactless and easily accessible by scanning a code with our smartphone’s camera. We saw regular and active cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces as well as socially distant open tables. Our server provided paper bags to place our face masks in once we sat down at our table and were able to remove them. What a great idea! If you’re interested, you can view all of the menu options here.

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Adults Disney Date Night

We started off our celebration by trying the latest venture from George Miliotes (one of only 268 Master Sommeliers in the world), The Hoot featuring Hooten Young American Whiskey.

Former Special Operations Soldier Master Sgt. Norm Hooten and Tim Young have partnered with their closest friends, which includes George Miliotes, to create an American Whiskey that honors the brave men and women of the armed forces. Rare distillation and barrel aging practices, coupled with over a decade’s rest, have produced an American Whiskey with notes of maple, vanilla, ripe apple and a long smooth finish. The Hoot also includes G.E. Massenez Creme de Cassis and a splash of Ginger Beer ($15). This was a great combination that had a hint of sweetness. Although the two of us are not typically whiskey drinkers, we were impressed.

Wine Bar George Disney Springs The Hoot Hooten Young Whiskey — The Hoot

The menu features several options for small plates. Always get the Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites ($12) because they are our favorite! I promise that this option will not disappoint. If you are dining with a group of friends, these starters are perfect to share.

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites Small Plate — Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites

We also tried the House-Made Meatballs served with cheesy polenta ($14). This plate was delicious as well. Two thumbs up!

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Housemade Meatballs Small Plate — House-Made Meatballs

Before entrees, we ordered another round of drinks. This time I opted for one of their specialty frozen cocktails, the Friezling ($13) made with Dole Whip Lime, riesling, and vodka. This was my first time trying this and I loved it! Because of the lime, this drink had the perfect amount of tart. I already knew I was a fan of the Frozcato ($13) from a previous visit, a similar frozen drink made with Dole Whip Pineapple, moscato, and vodka. If you love Dole Whip, then these cocktails are a must try. Definitely unique!

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Friezling Frozen Cocktail — Friezling Frozen Cocktail

Wine Bar George (and The Basket next door) sell different variations of branded stemless wine Corkcicles ($35 + tax and includes a complimentary frozen cocktail). If you bring your Corkcicle back, you can get a small discount on a refill! Additionally, these are a great souvenier from your trip and are useful for drinks back home.

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Neon Pink Corkcicle — Neon Pink Corkcicle

The dinner menu features two individual entrees and two family-style plates. We opted for one of each of the individual entrees. One is the Bell & Evans Chicken Breast. This was my husband’s absolute favorite, evidenced by a completely clean plate at the end of the meal.

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Bell & Evans Chicken Breast — Bell & Evans Chicken Breasts

The other option was Santa Carota Short Ribs. The meat literally fell off the bone because these ribs were so tender. I thought that the flavor was incredible and the vegetables and potatoes were the perfect compliment. I could have easily shared this with someone else because this was a huge meal!

Wine Bar George Disney Springs Santa Carota Short Ribs Dinner Entree — Santa Carota Short Ribs

Finally, I was brought out the Key Lime Pie dessert ($7) with a special piece of “Happy Birthday” chocolate and a candle. This was the perfect ending to a wonderful night!

Wine Bar George Key Lime Pie Birthday Dessert — Key Lime Pie

Additionally, Wine Bar George features a Wine Country Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. They offer some brunch classics, such as Eggs Benedict ($22), Sausage Gravy & Biscuits ($17), and the popular Burrata ($22). We have been previously and will definitely be back!

Make sure to stop by Wine Bar George at Disney Springs on your next visit! Without a doubt, I know you will enjoy your experience.

Categories: Disney, Travel

What It’s Like to Go to Walt Disney World Right Now

Walt Disney World in Orlando certainly looks different compared to a few months ago in March of this year. The four theme parks opened up again in mid-July since closing due to COVID-19. My husband and I are Annual Passholders and since we were already going to be in town, we decided to try a short visit to the Magic Kingdom a week after its reopening.

Things are changing constantly, so for the most accurate and up-to-date information make sure to check out this website: Know Before You Go

The first step to planning a Disney trip now is checking the new Park Pass Reservation availability calendar to see if you are able to go to the certain park you want to visit on a certain day. Currently, there is no park hopping so you get one park per day. You can leave and come back to the same park on the same day if you want to take a break though. Make sure you select the correct view for the type of tickets you have (or will have)…tickets only, tickets with a resort reservation, or annual passes. You can learn how to make your Park Pass Reservations here.

So, what is it like going to the theme parks with all of the new health and safety measures in place? I’ll admit…it was a little strange, but there is still magic there. I may or may not have teared up when we walked down (an almost empty) Main Street USA to see the new paint job on Cinderella’s Castle.

To get here though, we parked at the Transportation and Ticket Center, masked up, and went through our first temperature check. It took a couple seconds and we were both good to go on the first check. If you (or anyone in your party) has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, you will be asked to wait under a tent and they will check your temperature again. If your temperature is still too high, you will not be able to enter the parks.

Next was the security screening, which was relatively similar to how it’s been in the past.

We rode the monorail to the park. Only one family was in each section of the monorail with new dividers in between each normally open section.

(Note: My husband’s face mask with the valve is no longer acceptable at Walt Disney World.)

To get through the park entrance, all you need to do is scan your Magic Band or ticket. They are not using the fingerprint scanners.

Our first stop was Starbucks and the line had two groups ahead of us. If you frequent this spot, you know this was a huge shock for us!

We got to see our first Character Cavalcade after we got our drinks with Winnie the Pooh and Friends. They are not currently doing any parades, but instead are doing different cavalcades around the park (basically a small parade but not at a particular time, they just happen randomly throughout the day as to not draw a large crowd).

Y’all Florida is hot in the summer, so wearing a mask all day outdoors is not fun. Trust me when I say, no one enjoys it. I definitely think if we continue to have park days with these restrictions, they will be short days where we can also enjoy the resort we’re staying at. I would recommend bringing multiple masks for everyone in your party to change out throughout the day. We got some of the Disney face masks (size large for adults) and they were comfortable and not too hot. There are cast members enforcing the new safety measures, as well as announcements every so often over the speakers.

Here’s Cinderella’s Castle in all of her new pink and blue glory! I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this but it is starting to grow on me.

Mask: shopDisney

Shirt: For the Love of Pixie Dust

We did one of the Magic Shots with a PhotoPass Photographer and I couldn’t believe how empty the park looked once we saw the photos on the My Disney Experience app.

We were able to ride several rides with minimal wait times. Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train with a 10 minute wait??! There are no Fastpasses, so you’ll need to check wait times in the app and wait in the line with everyone else. Make sure everyone in your party (and ride vehicle if another group is with you – spaced out) wear their masks for the entire ride or you will not get your ride photos on your account. They also did a great job sanitizing all of the ride vehicles on the ones we rode. Some of the queues have plexiglass dividers to block interaction with others in the line, as well as social distancing markers. There are hand sanitizing stands at the entrance and exit of each rides and also throughout the park.

There are several options for mobile ordering. We got lunch from Pinocchio’s Village Haus and it was ready quickly. Tables are blocked off inside to keep everyone spread out. You can also mobile order Dole Whip which was a win in my book!

There are a few relaxation stations where you are able to sit (spaced out) and remove your masks both indoors and outdoors. We checked out the one inside Pete’s Silly Sideshow by Storybook Circus and it was relatively empty and freezing cold. This is definitely a great spot to cool down!

So there aren’t any parades, fireworks, shows, character meet and greets…but Disney has found some fun ways to spread some magic safely. We got to wave goodbye to Goofy, Max, and some other friends over the train station on our way out!

I have seen several people say they felt “safer at Disney than the grocery store,” and while I don’t know that I would go that far, I did feel like the correct safety measures were in place and neither my husband or myself ever felt like we were in a situation that made us uncomfortable.

I’m not here to tell you whether you should or should not go to Disney right now, you need to make the decision based on what’s best for you and your family. I will say though, that I would not recommend taking your (or someone in your party’s) first trip right now. It just isn’t quite the same and you won’t understand what everyone thinks is so magical. If you’re an experienced park goer who has done all (or almost all) there is to do, you are more able to enjoy and appreciate the current situation and still get your Disney fix.

Stay tuned for a post on what items are currently in my park bag!

xoxo Shannon

Categories: Travel

How To: Pack for a Trip

Does packing for a trip stress you out?

I am not one of those people on Pinterest who can pack an entire week’s worth of items in a single carry-on bag, although I totally give them props! I will share with you how I pack for a trip and make it a little less stressful. We travel pretty often so I have a bit of a routine that I follow to get ready for a trip.

Let’s break it down…

I try to start early and plan everything out. Feeling prepared helps manage my stress level prior to traveling.
I plan out my outfits based on the number of days we will be gone and the activities we will be doing. I lay out my outfit, shoes, accessories, and anything else I might need for a certain outfit.
I try to stay within a color scheme as much as I can. That way shoes, purses, and basic jewelry will go with everything. That way you aren’t trying to pack a pair of shoes for every outfit!
I have a general packing list saved on my computer that I print ahead of time. I then add anything special for a particular trip, like Magic Bands and ears for Disney. As things are packed, I cross them off and I can make sure nothing is left at home. I also have a spot that I can add any items that need to be taken care of before leaving, for example placing our mail on hold if we will be gone for an extended period of time.
I use packing cubes in multiple sizes to keep items organized in my suitcase so I can easily find what I need.
If I have a lot of bulky clothing items, I will use space saving or vacuum bags for those items…they are AMAZING!
I’m always cold so I throw in a lightweight sweater in my carry on (usually a large tote or backpack) for airports and planes.
I tend to wear a pair of sneakers on travel days and they don’t have to take up space in my suitcase.
Airports can charge steep prices for food and drinks. Obviously, you can’t take liquids through security, but you can prepare ahead of time with your own snacks. I always stash some in my carry on. Things like nuts, crackers, freeze-dried fruit, protein bars, etc. Great idea for road trips too!
I try to pack travel-sized toiletries if possible. It saves a lot of space and makes packing easier. Ulta has a great selection of items (usually by the checkout), as well as Target. I’m able to leave most of these items packed and ready to easily grab to pack. I use the eBags Classic Large Pack-It-All Flat Toiletry Kit. It holds a ton of items, packs flat, and has a hook you can hang it with while traveling.
I have a travel case that I pack all of my jewelry in with compartments. This keeps it all together and untangled. I also have another pouch that I use to hold other accessories, like headbands or clips.

What are your best packing tips and tricks? Let me know!

Categories: Travel

Savannah, Georgia: Highlights

The sweet city of Savannah, Georgia is a city full of history, beautiful scenery, and plenty of unique shops and restaurants. It’s one of my favorite places to visit! I love to explore and find new spots around the town each time I go.

Here are some highlights from a recent trip!

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar: Chocolate covered strawberries were waiting for us when we checked into our room at the DoubleTree by Hilton located in the Savannah Historic District. They were amazing and definitely lived up to the hype! Lulu’s has been voted the best desserts in Savannah since 2008.

Old Savannah Trolley Tours: Savannah is a town best explored on foot. We opted for an all-day on and off trolley tour with almost 20 stops to make sure we could fit all of the best spots into our one full day. It was so convenient and it was full of historical information. It is a great way to see most of the historic parts of the city, especially if you’ve never been before. We didn’t have to worry about finding parking in the busy areas and were able to get further than if we were only walking. The tickets were $35 per adult.

The Pirates’ House: We had a great lunch at The Pirates’ House, one of the oldest buildings in Georgia and where Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a part of the novel, Treasure Island. The seafood was delicious! This is pretty popular spot and I would definitely recommend trying to get a reservation ahead of time.

Belford’s: City Market is full of shops, restaurants, and bars. It is a must see in Savannah. We shopped at a few boutiques before eating dinner on the patio at Belford’s Seafood and Steak. The weather was perfect and I loved the lobster ravioli. It was voted Best Entrée by Southern Living Magazine at the 2006 Taste of Savannah. The white chocolate bread pudding they brought us for dessert was another winner.

Ghosts and Gravestones: Whether you believe in a ghosts or not, it is still a unique activity to add to your trip. Savannah is widely considered to be America’s Most Haunted City. The stories and the history alone are interesting enough! We rode on a trolley and made a few stops at some “haunted” spots. I would definitely recommend this over a strictly walking ghost tour. The tour lasts about an hour and a half. You can save on ticket prices if you purchase online ahead of time, but regular adult tickets are about $35 per person.

Broughton Street: The best shopping is definitely on Broughton Street which features local boutiques and higher-end national chains. Some of my favorites: Kate Spade, Free People, The Paris Market, and Lucy Lu’s. Leopold’s Ice Cream is another great spot to stop for a sweet treat.

River Street: A wonderful spot to explore! There is so much history with a number of shops and restaurants as well. Vic’s on the River and The Shrimp Factory are a couple of spots worth checking out. You may also want to take part in a Riverboat Cruise. The Savannah Candy Kitchen is another little spot to find some tasty treats that also make great gifts to bring back!

Have you ever been to Savannah? I would love to hear your favorite places because I am sure we will be back! If not, I hope some of these hot spots can help you plan your next getaway.

Need some packing help? Check out these tips!

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