Every vacation provides an opportunity to add more souvenirs to your collection. From shirts to keepsakes and anything else you can fit in the suitcase!
There are over 65 merchandise locations at Walt Disney World that carry pins and pin accessories, but not every one is equal. In fact, there are only a handful...say 10...that we at Steps To Magic would suggest you visit!
As you can imagine, we've bought a few items from Walt Disney World. Some are amazing and find their way directly onto a bookshelf or beside my workstation in the office...while some stay in the packaging or don't even make it back on the plane.
When at Walt Disney World for your birthday, you want to feel special! Anyone can get a FREE birthday button, but did you know that for a small charge...you can get a PERSONALIZED birthday button?
EPCOT is known as the park with awesome food, but does every restaurant match up? Not really...in fact, most of the locations can show up on a "must-eat" or a "must-avoid" list depending on the preferences of the individual who's sharing the information.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has a number of exciting things to check out, but it's important to know before you go exactly what you should be looking for.
At certain quick service locations at the theme parks, there are drink stations that are in the middle of the dining area. When you purchase a fountain drink, the cast member gives you a cup and then you make your way to the station to pick your drink before getting your lid & straw.
Memory Maker is a product that you can buy at Walt Disney World, which gives you unlimited digital Photopass photos captured throughout the resort by way of photographers, on-ride photos and so many more opportunities.
There are a handful of attractions within Walt Disney World that can turn something as basic the smell of an apple pie into something that the merchandise teams can monetize;)
When you're talking about Disney World, it's important to know that each theme park is unique and completely different on many levels. One of the ways that I've seen folks differentiate the parks is by the actual number of rides.
When you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World, the choices can be overwhelming at every turn. From attractions to resorts and everything in between, the one thing that may be a stress-relief is to know that you're not alone with feeling like every decision is a "make or break".
Disney Springs is huge, which could be difficult to find a good meal if you're not prepared for the adventure! For us, we're very rarely at Disney Springs during the day because of our preference to be in the parks as much as possible - but what about arrival days, departure days or times that you just need a grab a bite to eat and find yourself at the district?
If you've spent time on our site, you're aware of the importance of tips and secrets to plan your day and spend as little time wandering as possible. Well when you go through your plans before 11am...what do you do before lunch? What do you do in the evening before dinner? What about that awkward time between 8pm and fireworks?
Getting a job at Walt Disney World requires candidates understand the hiring process from start to finish, and be prepared with the right skills and insider insights. Anyone interested in working for the worldwide leader in family entertainment will benefit from the following tips.
Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom are absolutely breathtaking and magical! But as soon as the last mortar is shot into the sky...you and a sea of guests surrounding you on Main Street USA go from dreams into reality.
Walking around Walt Disney World is an experience that will cause a little bit of an appetite, and you sometimes require a little extra boost to make your way from one Dole Whip to the next.
There are hundreds of hidden gems at the Walt Disney World Resort. From nods to classic Disney movies to insider details put into the parks by Imagineers, you can find gold when you know where to look.
We also believe that a birthday doesn't have to be "in your face" for it to be something celebrated. If you don't want a birthday button, don't get one. This is your day! 🙂
Creating memories before you've actually woken up is difficult, which is why it's important to know where you can get your first (or second, third, forth, etc) cup of coffee while on vacation.
What goes up, must go down. What goes forward, must go backwards? Not sure that's the catchphrase, but in this article, my goal is to share some light onto the attractions that have a secret...and it's one that most people get surprised about.
If you've spent time on our site, you're aware of the importance of Genie+ reservations to plan your day and spend as little time in line as possible. Well when you go through your plans before 11am...what do you do before lunch? What do you do in the evening before dinner? What about that awkward time between 8pm and fireworks?
Disney Imagineers are a crafty bunch of folks! When they were presented with a blank canvas for an area of Fantasyland that needed some much needed love after the Skyway building was demolished...the ideas started to run wild.
Being in Florida, the Disney Parks can be incredibly hot at times and require additional planning to make sure that you're a) not becoming dehydrated and b) not paying out the nose for bottled water.
If you're someone like me and can see individualism and creativity as a bonus...then these shops should definitely be on your radar. With over 85 stores, there are plenty to choose from!
“If you had to offer a first time visitor just one tip before they arrived, what would it be?” This list is packed with 20 things that we wished someone would have told us before our first trip to Walt Disney World! (In no particular order, although the first one does involve the possibility of getting more Dole Whips!)
Are you looking for an answer to the question "Does anyone know how I can get from Disney World to Universal Orlando and back WITHOUT having a car?"Let's break this down to be as simple as possible:)
When you step into Disney's Hollywood Studios, the checklist of things to accomplish are already on top of mind. From the attractions, character interactions and everything in between...a Disney Park is a living and breathing experience that you have to take in on foot and with your own eyes.
From the hidden gems to the e-ticket experiences, you're able to spend hours exploring and escaping the real world in one of the most unique theme parks in the world!
Let's be honest, the idea of travelling to Walt Disney World for a week is a daunting task. You're trying to forecast the weather, foreshadow your mood for hats, in addition to putting your entire life in a suitcase that has to weigh less than 49.9 pounds!
If you're searching for some Friday night plans that don't involve scrolling through Instagram or watching DisneyPlus, here are the best Disney World jigsaw puzzles for now and future adventures.
Prepare to be wowed by the dazzling works of art that inhabit this shop—from beautifully framed prints to figurines to souvenir postcards. Plus, renowned Disney artists often make special appearances and sign their pieces.
This is a game-changer for anyone who had ever stood in line behind guests who just didn't know what they wanted for every member of their extended family while all you wanted was a simple bacon cheeseburger meal!
Let's be honest...you're excited to get your vacation started. Most of us have spent months planning the perfect experience, from amazing ADRs, to Lightning Lane Reservations, to what snacks we want to eat.
Walt Disney World has over 370 restaurants, ranging from Quick Service to Table Service...but there's something that bring all the experiences together. Disney's culinary professionals are tasked with the day-to-day challenge of staying ahead of the game in the ever-changing theme park dining industry.
Those of us who may not be able to be at a Disney Park daily often overlook the awesome stuff found on YouTube to supplement their daily dose of Orlando (MCO) Theme Parks!
Walt Disney World is full of attractions that offer on-ride photos that you're able to post on all your social media accounts. Now here's the question...what's the best?
Ever since Disney and Starbucks came together in a marriage made in an iced grande triple shot vanilla 2% extra whip extra caramel drizzle caramel macchiato, the game has changed so much!
From free to not-so-free, my goal is to look at the things that I've bought that have evolved from a single purchase into a collection. These may be a single item to remember a specific event or a more general thing that you are able to buy online to add to a rotating item of fashion.
Staying hydrated at Disney World is one of my favorite tips to share, but outside of the Free Water options...are there things that would benefit from pre-planning?
Walt Disney World can be incredibly expensive, but there are things that you can skip without having a huge impact on your vacation. These may be activities, transportation, dining or souvenirs...the end goal is to keep extra cash in your pocket for experiences that will be memorable!
When you're thinking about EPCOT, it's important to respect the size of this park! It's huge! Just to walk around the World Showcase lagoon is 1.3 miles!
Each year, the Magic Kingdom plays host to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party which delights guests with holiday offerings that bring a smile to anyone who loves to see snow on Main Street USA!
Taking into account that your vacation is already expensive from the moment that you start planning, there are a number of items that we've anticipated will be too pricey to justify buying at Walt Disney World.
Starting early morning at Disney's Animal Kingdom is more than an idea to think about, it's a concept that you'll want to plan around. Rope Drop is integral for the opportunity to experience a living and breathing theme park that needs to be explored without thousands of people around you.
Visiting a destination resort like Universal Orlando can be overwhelming for some. Usually, you only have a couple of days to cover everything, and want to make sure you soak it all in.
The best sports bars in Walt Disney World are filled with fans from around the world, and it gets loud and incredibly exciting! You're not in Kansas anymore Toto, surrounded by like-minded fellow fans who are die-hard Cheeseheads!
The park's name, Epcot, was previously an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, a utopian city of the future planned by Walt Disney, often interchanging "city" and "community."
When you walk through the turnstiles of Islands of Adventure, there are a number of experiences that top of mind. From the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Jurassic Park and everything in between...you're going to be in awe of a coaster that you just can't help but notice.
A growing trend is to gift kids “experiences” instead of "stuff" toys for birthdays and holidays. When you're planning a trip to Disney, why not get them excited by sharing something that they get to do.
If you're someone like me and can see individualism and creativity as a bonus...then these shops should definitely be on your radar. With over 310 stores, there are plenty to choose from!
