Emily here. It’s no secret that I’m a little bit obsessed with all forms of Butterbeer. Did you know there are SEVEN kinds you can find in the Universal Orlando Park??
My absolute favorite form is the Soft Serve, from Florean Fortescue’s. It is so perfect for a hot Florida Day!
You may be surprised to learn that there IS soft serve—there’s also ICE CREAM! This comes prepackaged and is different level of sweetness (to me). I’ve created a Butterbeer Bingo Card for you to download for your next visit!
Let us know in the comments what you’re preferred way to eat Butterbeer would be!
It’s okay, I didn’t have any either, but I LOVE to talk about the snacks at Disney and Universal, so let’s explore some of my top ice cream treats of ALL times!
First of all, throwback to this iconic Rapunzel Cone at Storybook Treats in Magic Kingdom. This was a lemon soft serve that was absolutely divine. Put an edible flower on ANYTHING and you’ve won me over forever.
Whenever I’m aboard Disney Cruise Line, I am ALWAYS ordering Sundaes. This one is my absolute favorite and I can not call it a cruise without! This is the Cookies and Cream Sundae–just look at the adorable chocolate on top!!
This is the Butterbeer Soft Serve, located in the Wizarding World (Diagon Alley to be exact) at Universal Orlando. And here this!! This is the BEST flavor of all times. To be clear and look like a true pro, order the SOFT SERVE, because there is also an ice cream and its’ different. Soft serve wins.
These beauties are the ‘mini kitchen sinks’ located at both Disney World AND Disneyland. This particular sink, is a chocolate chip cookie sink from Clarabell’s!! World and Land both have similar but different takes on the mini-sinks so you’ll need to just grab a spoon and try them ALL!
The tried and true Mickey Bar!! It’s just not Disney without having one of these, because they taste like home and joy and love and happy. AMIRIGHT?
What’s your favorite Disney or Universal ice cream treat? Let us know in the comments!
Halloween is arguably one of the BEST seasons for movie watching. There are so many classics! Here are six of my favorites, in no particular order. Oh, and best part? You can find the all on DisneyPlus.
1. Wizards of Waverly Place, The Movie AN OG SHOW! Selena Gomez fan-girl aside, this series always spoke to my HP loving heart. Alex and Harper were friendship goals, and this movie is the ultimate cheese in teamwork. Just watch it.
2. Halloweentown DUH. The ultimate in Disney Halloween movies. This is charming, redemptive and adorable. I am here for all the versions of this movie–all hail the Queen of Halloweentown, Kimberly J. Brown!!
3. Coco I can practically hear the mingling and bustle of the family making their offerings, setting out their pictures and talking about their loved ones at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration. This movie is all the feels–they get me with the Grandma EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. So good.
4. Hocus Pocus No Halloween movie list could ever be complete without this spooky tale–it has it all. Your haunted house. Your meddeling kids. Your accidental release of a coven of witches who want to become immortal and now they must be stopped. HA!! Also, google it–you can order drinks at Starbucks based on the Sanderson Sisters!
5. Toy Story Tower of Terror I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. THIS MOVIE IS TERRIFYING. Just…go watch it.
6. Haunted Mansion If you haven’t seen this haunted movie with Eddie Murphy, you NEED TO before you head back to the parks and ride this ride! Cheesy? Kind of. Predictable? Of course. But amazing? TOTALLY. Check it out!
Tell me your favorite Halloween movies in the comments!! Thanks for reading!
I brag about our Agency all the time, to anyone who will listen. I truly think we are the best team out there, and we’ve only gotten stronger during this past year (surviving a pandemic will do that to ya!!).
We work hard and we play hard, visiting all the destinations we can, to keep you up to date and in the loop. With over 200 agents, someone always has a picture or an answer if the other needs to ask.
Our hard work and dedication to our clients has awarded us with special credentials I want to share with you.
Disney has awarded us their coveted Platinum Earmarked status–which was the highest honor, up until a few years ago when they released the Diamond Tier. We all have a Diamond Mindset and know we will get there, but this tier is very special to us. We are so proud of this achievement despite the changes that have come our way as our org has shifted and grown. As agents, we are allowed a lot more visits (on a discount) so we can get back to the magic. We also have dedicated phone lines that help us get thru faster, on promo days and during the times you need us most, like a family emergency or a pandemic.
At Universal Studios, we are a Gold UPreferred Partner, soaring right past Bronze and Silver on our Nimbus 2000’s! Our love for Universal has grown so much over the past few years–with their amazing resorts, and great deals, it’s no wonder we are on a quick path to the top with this Destination. Many of our Agents (including me and Laura) got invited to stay and play on their dime last year! They take great care of their Agents–the thing I love the most is the extra media they give Preferred Partners. We have special images and pictures just for you that we get to share as we prepare you for your vacation.
Last but not the least by far, our most recent award is becoming a Preferred Partner with Sandals and Beaches. We did not put our pandemic year to waste by any means. Our entire team spent time training, learning, attending webinars, and traveling on many gifted resort stays to Sandals Destinations all over the world! These All Inclusive Properties have something for everyone, whether you’re looking for Adult Only or for your entire family!
We are dedicated to YOU. We have the combined knowledge and know-how to get you safely on your way to the destination of your choice. When you book with Fairytale Journeys, you can rest easy knowing that you truly have experts on your side.
The suspension was long, it was hard on the industry, the crew, and those that love to sail. While the world started to open up, travel started to ramp up, but not for cruise lines, they were still told no. BUT NOT ANYMORE.
Slowly but surely the CDC released guidelines for the cruise lines to follow, test sailings began, and here we are, back to sailing. Of course, if you are ready.
I am beyond ready so guess what?? I sailed on Disney’s first sailing in over 15 months aboard the Disney Dream on August 9th. Now I’ll share what it was like.
Boarding picture taken in the terminal where the Concierge/Platinum check-in used to be
First the Important Stuff
I’m not going to lie, it is a lot different now, there are new protocols but honesty, did you expect no covid protocols?? You will have to use a new website called Safe Passage to upload test results or if you CHOOSE, your covid vaccination card. Everyone (even Platinum Castaway Club members has to pick a port arrival time (PAT). Concierge guests may arrive when the port opens and right now that is 1pm.
If you don’t upload proof of vaccine or are not vaccinated, you will be tested at port. If you are 12 and older it is at your expense. Children under 12 are not charged.
Don’t arrive at port before your port arrival time; don’t try it, not to sound mean but no one is that special, you will be turned away! Literally turned away.
If you haven’t completed any forms in Safe Passage you WILL NOT be boarding the ship. Please let this sink in. They left people at port, please read all instructions carefully.
Masks: must be worn inside the ship unless stationary while eating or drinking. They are not needed outdoors or in your staterooms.
Onto the Fun Stuff…
Where to begin, I was home, I finally heard the words “Disney Dream welcomes the Greco family” and yes, I ugly cried…more like sobbed. We were the 2nd family onboard. They welcomed about 10-15 families at a time and did a welcome show in the Atrium. I looked up and saw JIMMY, (cruise director), he saw me and it was such an emotional moment. You can hear it if you saw my live video. He kept saying how emotional it was, both of us sobbed. I think the magic began that very moment.
Jimmy and I on the last night
The muster drill is totally different, you scan the letter on the deck through the DCL app and that’s it. Right before you sail they show the video with directions, I was in The District having my chocolate martini 😁
After we scanned in for the drill, we had lunch at Royal Palace, this is where Concierge guests go for lunch on embarkation day. Then off to the pool.
We watched the Fantasy sail off and we had an epic horn battle…MAGICAL
There wasn’t one crew member that didn’t say thank you for coming back, wasn’t truly grateful for being there. The energy was real!
Speaking of crew, you know you’re home when you are sitting at Satellite Falls and one of the crew members comes up to you and says “hi, it’s good to see you, do you remember me?” Of course I remember Soy, but the fact he remembers me is crazy.
Then Burak, my head server, I request him when I sail and he was there waiting for me. Why? Because I never lost touch with him, we have kept in touch and he made sure to grab my reservation. My family wanted for nothing, we had the best seats in the house, Crush even spoke to us at Animators Palate!
The Dining rooms are still magical, there are even a few surprises!
Crush New Character show at Enchanted Garden
Let’s Talk aboutCastaway Cay…
We stopped there twice…how sweet is that? We got a double dip! We had a cabana both days, I can’t tell you how great that was. There were tons of port adventures to choose from, feeding stingrays, paddle boarding, hobie cats, bikes, glass bottom boats, so many to choose from. Not running were any that were operated by nearby islands.
The BBQ, ice cream, soda stations, and bars were all open. The 5k was not officially running BUT you could run it on your own and they gave you a medal. Don’t worry, I had my oceanburger!!!
The Ship…
The Dream is beautiful, she hasn’t changed. Onboard they had 2 shows, Disney’s Believe and Beauty and the Beast. They were shown two nights each. The movies were Jungle Cruise, Black Widow, and Star Wars. When I boarded there was no food or drink allowed in the theaters, night 2 they allowed drinks into the theaters…this is very fluid and things change by the minute.
Preludes reopened on night 2
Around the ship
Fireworks at sea….
Yes, they still have them, even without deck parties. Disney Cruise Line still has magic up the their sleeve and shoots the fireworks off on 2 different nights, one night for early seating and one night for late seating. Your invitation will appear on your app and once on deck you will be told what dot to stand on. Please do everyone a favor and go on your assigned day and stand on your dot.
Did I feel safe???
Absolutely, a lot safer than in my grocery store at home. DCL is not messing around. They make you follow the rules, why? Because if you don’t and there is a covid outbreak THEY DON’T SAIL!! There are social distancing markers all over the ship. Follow them. There are testing rules, follow them. There are capacity rules in the pools and theaters, don’t get mad, follow them. If they say don’t move the lounge chairs, don’t move them. This is why Disney has zero cases so far. Be grateful, they are back and people are working again.
My biggest takeaway is that this cruise only felt different because the ship was so empty. Wearing a mask to walk inside the ship and to shop was not a big deal, I was outside a bulk of the time anyway. If you have never sailed before and think that you are ready, you aren’t missing anything. The characters are actually closer to you on the ship then at Disney World. They are walking around more frequently.
I can’t wait to get back onboard!!! I would love to answer any of your questions so don’t hesitate to ask!!
Your Journey Starts Here 