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13 Reasons Why Disney Does Halloween Better

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As you all must know, today is Friday the 13th – the last one for the rest of 2018, to be exact. Every time this day rolls around, I have an itch for a new tattoo and crave all things Halloween. There’s no one that does a spooktakularly friendly Halloween – my favorite kind of haunted – than Disney, so what better way to brighten your day except to give you thirteen reasons why Disney does Halloween better.

#13 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – worth it.

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Every year, Magic Kingdom gets spooky. Music blaring down a smoky Main Street to see a pumpkin laden castle before you. Once you’ve entered, you know it’s going to be a magical night.

#12 Dressing up is encouraged.

Luckily for you (or us?), Halloween is the time of year where you can come dressed up as preferably your fave character even though we’ve found Disneybounding works wonders the rest of the year.

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#11 There are 999 happy haunts in the mansion, but there’s always room for one more.

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Not gonna lie, this ride has a wicked line during this event, but nothing a little ghost couldn’t handle.

#10 Who doesn’t love themed food?

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Be it dirt and worms from Peco’s Bill or a cake pop with a chocolate Jack Skellington sitting on top, Disney has your themed food covered – or should I saw under-wraps?

#9 Jack Sparrow is a cool addition.

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You can’t go wrong meeting the devilishly handsome, rum laden captain of the Black Pearl, it’s always a good time with Captain Jack Sparrow.

#8 Hallowishes is a pretty rad fireworks show.

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Pyrotechnics. Hauntingly wicked renditions of classic villainous songs. Halfway to panoramic. It’s a show you don’t want to miss.

#7 DCOMS. DCOMS. DCOMS. (Even if it’s not party related, it’s still Disney, so.)

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Not even sorry that this made the list. Halloweentown, Under Wraps, Don’t Look Under The Bed. Disney was on top of the Halloween original movies and never once will I regret watching them all every October. Worth every second.

#6 Trick or treating is a must – even if you’re considered an adult.

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Treat spots are found throughout the Magic Kingdom where cast members scoop handfuls of goodies for you to enjoy and adults won’t be judged for joining, I may have experience in this.

#5 The “Boo To You” parade is probably the greatest parade you’ll ever see.

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Hands down, the best parade on property. Flag twirling pirates, ballroom dancing ghosts, grave diggers sparking shovels on the ground. 10/10 experience – would watch forever.

#4 Hocus Pocus

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That’s all you need for a reason.

#3 Characters are dressed up in the most adorable Halloween costumes.

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This is the cutest reason to ever want Halloween this early. Minnie is dressed as a witch. Mickey is a magician, but when is he not? Eeyore is a precious clown while Pooh is a honey bee. It never gets old.

#2 Jack Skellington, period.

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Real talk, who needs an explanation?

#1 Villains on villains around every corner.

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This is the one and only time you can meet villains in the park. From Cruella DeVil to the Queen of Hearts, Maleficient and The Evil Queen are ready to make your night nothing short of spooktacular.

Halloween is almost upon us, this is just a reason to be as excited as I am for August 25th to arrive – the first of many Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties to attend. July 13th, the last Friday of this date for a year. You know what that means – it’s time to rewatch Hocus Pocus in light of waiting for the real month.

Why Epcot is Orlando’s worst theme park

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An unpopular opinion

I can’t tell you about my first trip to Epcot because I don’t remember it; nor does any individual trip I’ve ever taken to Epcot stand out in my mind. What I remember about my pre-postgrad days at Epcot are: rides on Horizons and being able to choose your ending (I always went with space). Walking in, and always starting with Spaceship Earth; walking out, and finding our picture on the boulders. My rides on Body Wars, the best motion simulator Disney has made to date (in my opinion). Being lifted over the barrier around Mission Space by my Dad so that I could get a clear visual of the beautiful building façade. To me, Epcot has been a toe touch park; you plan when you’re going to leave before you even get in.

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5 Tips to Beat the Crowds at Disneyland

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Disneyland is known as a locals park. I have heard estimates of around 1 million Annual Passholders for the Disneyland Resort.  AP’s visit the park daily and the streets are crowded and lines are long. AP’s love the parades and fireworks. They line up with their blankets, board games, cards, and iPads to pass the time while the wait for hours on the curb. AP’s love to see openings or re-openings first or be the last ones to ride if the ride is closing.  They will line up outside the gates early to be the first to see the new ride, show, or parade!  Some Disneyland Facebook groups having running jokes on how crowded it will be.  The real answer is: Disneyland is ALWAYS crowded! But, I have a few tips on how to beat those crowds and enjoy your day or your vacation at the Happiest Place on Earth.

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Info: 5 Tips for Traveling Disney World with Your Teenagers

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I have been going to Disney World ever since I was 10 days old. Seriously, my parents brought me to Magic Kingdom a week and a half after I was born. I lived through 17 Food and Wine Festivals, the relocation of the Dumbo ride, and even the dawn of MagicBands. I’ve seen countless moms scouring Pinterest, looking for tips on traveling the parks with their 4 year old in hand. However, traveling WDW with teenagers is a bit trickier. As a teenager myself, I know exactly how to take your trip to the next level with your family.

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Sheila E, 98 Degrees, MercyMe, Tauren Wells Bring Magic to 2018 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

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New to this year’s concert series will be percussionist extraordinaire and singer Sheila E and ‘80s Canadian rockers Glass Tiger. 98 Degrees – featuring brothers and “Dancing With the Stars” alums Nick and Drew Lachey – also bring their smooth harmonies to the festival. Maybe they’ll sing “True To Your Heart” from Disney’s “Mulan”? And, if that weren’t enough, entertainer Jim Belushi brings his rhythm-and-blues band The Sacred Hearts to the festival this year.

The lineup so far is:

  • 8/30-31 – Blue October – “Into the Ocean”
  • 9/1-3 – Tiffany – “I Think We’re Alone Now”
  • 9/4-5 – MercyMe – “I Can Only Imagine” NEW
  • 9/6-7 – Glass Tiger – “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) NEW
  • 9/8-9 – Tauren Wells – “Hills and Valleys” NEW
  • 9/10-11 – Postmodern Jukebox
  • 9/12-13 – TBD
  • 9/14-16 – Baha Men – “Who Let The Dogs Out”
  • 9/17-19 – TBD
  • 9/20-21 – Living Color – “Cult of Personality”
  • 9/22-23 – Sheila E – “The Glamorous Life” NEW
  • 9/24-26 – Sugar Ray – “Every Morning”
  • 9/27-28 – David Cook – “Light On”
  • 9/29-30 – Jeffrey Osbourne – “On The Wings of Love”
  • 10/1-2 – Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts – Various Hits
  • 10/3-4 – Everclear – “Santa Monica”
  • 10/5-7 – Mark Wills – “19 Somethin’”
  • 10/8-10 – Air Supply – “All Out Of Love”
  • 10/11-12 – TBD
  • 10/13-14 – TBD
  • 10/15-16 – 98 Degrees – “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” NEW
  • 10/17-18 – 38 Special – “Hold On Loosely”
  • 10/19-21 – Devon Allman Project – “Ragged and Dirty”
  • 10/22-23 – TBD
  • 10/24-25 – Billy Ocean – “Get Outta My Dreams”
  • 10/26-28 – Starship featuring Mickey Thomas – “We Built This City”

Explore the New Bourbon Trail at Disney Springs

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There’s something exciting – and tasty! – coming to Disney Springs on May 1. Kick off your summer by exploring this brand-new Bourbon Trail, where guests ages 21 and older can discover bourbon-inspired beverages and food pairings. Meander through the many shops and restaurants throughout the area and find your favorites!

Each of these drinks has been carefully paired with a delicious dish, and there’s even a map that shows where to find all of them! Whether you’re a bourbon aficionado, or just enjoy sipping and savoring new drinks, this trail is perfect for an afternoon stroll or a night out with friends.

Disney Springs Bourbon Trail Map

I’ve put together this guide to everything being offered on the trail, so be sure to read up and prepare your taste buds, because these offerings will only be available through June 17 and you won’t want to miss out! You might even find me strolling about and sipping on a tasty beverage myself …

Homemade Bread Pudding and Fine and Mellow at House of Blues Restaurant & Bar on the Disney Springs Bourbon Trail

House of Blues Restaurant & Bar

  • Fine and Mellow – featuring Knob Creek Bourbon, St. Elder, lemon juice, strawberry, and rhubarb bitters
  • Hurry Sundown Old Fashioned – featuring Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Benedictine, butter pecan syrup, bitters, and caramel pecan bacon
  • Smoked Brisket or Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich
  • Homemade Bread Pudding – topped with toffee sauce and bourbon butter

BBQ Chicken Pizza and The Trifecta at Splitsville Dining Room on the Disney Springs Bourbon Trail

Splitsville Dining Room

  • The Trifecta – a stirred concoction of Old Forester 100, Carpano Antica Vermouth, Benedictine, and Pimento Dram
  • BBQ Chicken Pizza – smothered in BBQ sauce, topped with marinated grilled chicken, BBQ sauce, smoked gouda, mozzarella, cilantro, and red onion

Bongos Cuban Café

  • Angel’s Envy Bourbon Mojito – featuring Angel’s Blue Envy Bourbon, simple syrup, soda water, and fresh mint leaves
  • Authentic Cuban Style Churrasco Certified Angus Beef – a 10-ounce skirt steak hand-cut and served with house-made chimichurri sauce, white rice, and beans

YeSake

  • Strawberry Bourbon Sour Slushie – bourbon, sweet strawberry puree, and lemonade
  • Citrus Fresh – salmon, green leaf lettuce, cucumber, onion, spinach, and jalapeño tempura crunch wasabi ponzu sauce (available as a bowl or wrap)

Bulleit Old Fashioned and BBQ Ribs at Planet Hollywood Observatory on the Disney Springs Bourbon Trail

Planet Hollywood Observatory

  • Bulleit Frontier Old Fashioned – featuring Bulleit Bourbon, sugar, and bitters
  • BBQ Ribs – fall-off-the-bone St. Louis-style ribs, slow cooked in-house, smothered with BBQ sauce, and served with triple fries

STK Orlando

  • Double Down – featuring Woodford Reserve and lemon juice
  • Double Smoked Bacon – served with date chutney, oven-dried tomatoes, and crispy garlic
  • Bag O’ Donuts – enhanced with dulche de leche filling and spice chocolate and raspberry sauces

Enzo’s Hideaway

  • Enzo’s Bourbon Swizzle – featuring Bulleit Bourbon, lemon juice, ginger syrup, bitters, and fresh mint sprigs with notes of spice, rye, and cedar
  • Salumi and Formaggi Board – an impressive selection of meats and cheeses

DB Clothesline Candied Bacon at The Edison on the Disney Springs Bourbon Trail

The Edison

  • Peach Tree Downs – a refreshing peach mint julep with a nutty pecan finish featuring Knob Creek Bourbon and Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey, with a rich, sweet, woody, full-bodied and almost-fruity flavor and aromas of toasted nuts, grain, and oak
  • DB Clothesline Candied Bacon – maple and black pepper-infused bacon served with a sour pickle

Paradiso 37, Taste of the Americas

  • Kentucky Sunrise – featuring Jim Beam Bourbon, orange juice, and grenadine
  • Argentinian Skirt Steak – 10-ounce char-grilled skirt steak topped with caramelized onions and chimichurri and served with wasabi or truffle fries

The Ganachery

  • Woodford Reserve Bourbon – comprised of more than 200 delectable flavor notes, from bold grain and wood to sweet aromatics: spice, fruit, and floral notes

Dub Schpuds and The Gold Cup at Raglan Road™ Irish Pub & Restaurant on the Disney Springs Bourbon Trail

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant

  • The Gold Cup – featuring Bulleit Bourbon, Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and muddled mint, lime, and cucumber
  • Dub Schpuds – herb roasted potato wedges with a Smithwick’s & Dubliner cheese dip

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

  • Coffee Old Fashioned – Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee, Vanilla Syrup, Aromatic Bitters, and served with a coffee ganache square
  • Snakebite Sliders – three gourmet beef sliders with tomato-bacon jam, house-made pickles, shredded lettuce and cheese

Orlando Pride and Calamari at The Boathouse on the Disney Springs Bourbon Trail

The Boathouse

  • Orlando Pride – featuring Old Forester Bourbon and a homemade blackberry citrus purée
  • Calamari – hoisin chili marinated calamari rings lightly fried with a medley of peppers and served with a side of hoisin chili sauce

Southern Sangria at Paddlefish on the Disney Springs Bourbon Trail

Paddlefish

  • Southern Sangria – featuring Medley Bros. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, peach liqueur, Tempranillo, and seasonal fruit with warm notes of caramel, oak, and spices that are followed by touches of creamy vanilla, milk chocolate, and caramelized sugar
  • The Pork Chop – a 10-ounce pork chop served with house-made applesauce and fresh green beans

The Polite Pig

  • Winner’s Circle – featuring Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Pamplemousee grapefruit liqueur, and elderflower tonic, with a rich and complex flavors and hints of vanilla, toffee, and candied fruit
  • The Southern Pig Sandwich – mouthwatering pulled pork, fennel-apple slaw, tangy mustard BBQ and Dukes Mayonnaise

Frontera Cocina

  • Bórbon Néctar – featuring Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, 3 dashes of organic agave, 5 drops of Elemakule Tiki Bitters, and orange peel with lean oak, corn, and caramel flavors and finishes of warm toffee, spice, and drying wood
  • Carne Asada – garlic and red chili-marinated Creekstone Natural Black Angus Steak, black beans refritos with queso fresco, and caramelized plantains with crema and Cotija cheese and served with tomatillo salsa and warm tortillas
Smoked Bourbon Gelato Shake at D-Luxe Burger on the Disney Springs Bourbon Trail Southern Burger at D-Luxe Burger on the Disney Springs Bourbon Trail

D-Luxe Burger

  • Smoked Bourbon Gelato Shake – vanilla gelato blended with Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon, hickory smoke, and dark chocolate sauce and topped with a bacon strip
  • Southern Burger – signature blend beef patty topped with a fried green tomato, pimento cheese, lettuce, grilled onion, and bacon

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’

  • The Old Fashioned Elder – featuring Michter’s Bourbon and St. Germain Elderflower
  • Basil Hayden’s Mint Julep – featuring Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, simple syrup, and sprigs of fresh mint
  • Famous Thigh High Chicken Biscuits – three biscuits topped with Chef Art’s fried chicken thighs, drizzled with hot honey, and served alongside bread and butter pickles

Smoked Brisket and Hurry Sundown Old Fashioned at House of Blues® Restaurant & Bar on the Disney Springs Bourbon Trail

Everything on this tasty Bourbon Trail will be available at Disney Springs from May 1 to June 17, so come on out, grab a drink and a snack, and take a walk with us! You can even pick up a Bourbon Trail Passport that contains all of this info and more at the Disney Springs Welcome Center and at any participating location.