In May we did something kinda crazy and took our kiddos out of school and headed on vacation. Somehow we managed to talk my sister and her family into joining us and let me tell ya, we had a BLAST! We did so many fun things in Orlando I just couldn’t wait to share them with all of you.

If you have any inkling of heading to Orlando, keep reading and I think you’ll be convinced. So many fun things to do and there really is something for everyone.

Fun Things to do in Orlando:

Disney World-

Let’s start with the obvious draw to Orlando…Disney World and Universal Studios. People are definitely flocking to Orlando to visit these fun theme parks, us included. None of us had been to Disney World but since we are Disneyland fans we had to give it a try.

Disney World has lots of the same rides and lands as Disneyland but they are separated into 4 different parks. And because they are separated by a large distance, your best bet is to choose one park a day. We decided we would only hit two of the parks because we wanted to experience more in Orlando than theme parks: Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. It was fun to experience some old classic Disney rides mixed with new ones. We had such fun riding rides and eating our way through both these parks. Here are some of our favorite treats at Disney World.

10 Best Disney World Snacks

Universal Studios-

Ok guys, Universal Studios was thee BEST! And it was hands down one of our favorite things we did in Orlando. My whole group absolutely loved it. We went to Islands of Adventure and left wanting more Universal. If you have teens and adults (like we did) Universal Studios is definitely a must go. I would leave yourself two days for Universal Studios so you can do both parks. There is so much to see and do at there.

Our group loved the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster, hands down everyone’s favorite roller coaster ever! The other ride we all loved and is a must ride is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures. It is a really fun and different ride with unexpected twists. I won’t say more so you can be surprised!

Airboat Rides In Florida-

Have you ever been on an airboat? If not, now is the time. Seriously, such a fun experience and the perfect way to spend some time in Orlando.

My biggest recommendation for having fun in Orlando is to experience more than the theme parks. While they are so much fun, Florida has so many unique things happening. Make sure to leave time to experience some of everything.

We booked our tour through Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours. They were really knowledgable about the wildlife in Florida and worked really hard to find interesting things for us to see. Wild Willy’s is about 45 minutes outside of Orlando. I recommend booking an early tour so you have time to hit the beach after your tour. At that point you are already half way there. We headed to Cocoa Beach which was another 45 minutes from Wild Willy’s.

It wasn’t peak alligator season when we went so they were a little harder to find, but we manage to still spot one. The best time to see alligators is when the temperatures are low because they come to the top. When it’s hot out, they tend to dive deep. We were there in May so the alligators weren’t up top on the water. But we still saw this little guy…and by little I mean this 7 foot fella.

He was gracious enough to sit perfectly still while we chatted about him and took tons of pics. It was really a fun experience.

When our tour was over we were able to hold this baby alligator. I loved this shot with my cute niece, I think the alligator was even smiling.

Swimming with Manatees-

While we are talking about fun things to do in Orlando, this next activity is a must try! Swimming with Manatees.

Did you know that there is a large population of manatees in Crystal River, Florida? Well, there is and that means that you can swim with manatees year around. We went when the population of manatees was low because they move out of the area for the summer, but there was still plenty of manatees for us to swim with.

Our manatee swim was booked with Explorida and they are amazing. They made sure we found some great places to swim where the manatees were hanging out. It was such a different experience, the manatee are so large so when they come in close it takes your breath away but it’s AMAZING.

Crystal River is about an hour and a half west of Orlando, toward the gulf coast. We booked the first tour (yes, that meant getting up before the sunrise) but it was totally worth it. The earlier the better for clear water. And if you go early, you still have plenty of time for lunch and the beach…which is exactly what we did.

Once you are all suited up, Explorida takes you out on this boat and you head to the manatees. When manatees are spotted everyone jumps in the water and starts to snorkel near the manatee. They are very friendly, curious animals and often swam near us. It was so different and exciting.

Fun Places to Eat in Orlando-

I’m not sure if this is just me but I really love finding fun new places to eat while I’m on vacations. One of the best tips to finding great places to eat is asking the locals. That’s how we found this gem…The Crab Plant.

The Crab Plant-

This restaurant is located just around the corner from Explorida in Crystal River and it was the lovely people at Explorida that recommended this place and it was delicious.

First of all, let’s talk about the location. Does it get any more perfect? We chose to eat outside right on the water and it was literally perfection. And the food is absolutely amazing. When a group of 11 are all happy with their meals, I think that means we found a winner of a restaurant.

When you are in Florida I think it might be mandatory to eat some fried alligator? So we gave it a try and agreed, it tastes like chewy chicken. We also tried fried frog legs, which was a first for all of us.

We ordered a variety of food from seafood to Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and they were all delicious.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company-

Located at Universal Studio’s Citywalk, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company has something for everyone. We went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. during our Universal Studio day. It was amazing to have a yummy and relaxing meal in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the theme park.

Not only was the food amazing at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company but the service was out of this world fantastic. Our server kept giving us Forrest Gump trivia questions…which we got correct almost every time.

I ordered shrimp (because is there anything else to order at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company) and it was simple divine. But if you aren’t a seafood lover no biggie, there are lots of other options.

My son ordered this drink and it came in this cool cup that lit up and we got to keep it. Such a fun take away.

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen-

While you are visiting Universal’s Citywalk you may want to stop by the Chocolate Emporium for a sweet treat. They have anything you might be craving…plus some.

We thought these truffles were so beautiful. And guess what? They tasted as good as they look, maybe even better. We also tried several flavors of fudge but we ate that too fast to take a good picture.

Gator’s Dockside-

Another fun place to eat in Orlando is Gator’s Dockside. This came as a recommendation from our friends at Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours. Gator’s Dockside is a chain restaurant so you can find them in many locations. What I liked about this restaurant is the large menu with a wide variety of food options. Again, our group of 11 found something perfect. Definitely a good option for all ages and all group sizes.

Best Beaches Near Orlando-

We can’t talk about fun in Orlando without talking about beaches! Orlando is located in the middle of Florida which makes it perfect to hit both coasts which is what we did. Both coasts offer something totally different. On the Atlantic coast we visited Cocoa Beach. Cocoa beach offered bigger waves which the teens (and adults) loved. We all played in the water and had a blast. On the Gulf of Mexico coast we went to Clear Water Beach. Clear Water Beach is everything a beach should be…warm, soft white sand and amazing water. It was really a beautiful beach. The waves were smaller, but I thought it was perfection. If you are heading to Clear Water Beach allow plenty of driving time. There is only one way in and out and traffic gets quite backed up, but we thought it was totally worth it.

We had such a fun vacation and found lots of fun things to do in Orlando. We can’t wait to go back.

Have Fun on your visit to Orlando!

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Are you planning a trip to Disney World? If so, I’m here to introduce you to some yummy must try Disney snacks you need to taste.

We all know Disney World is full of some really amazing rides and attractions, but have you tried all of the fun Disney World treats? Well, it’s time to start eating your way through your Disney experience.

One of the things that have changed at Disney World is how to get treats. When you download your Disney App (which is a must), you’ll see a cell phone next to the dining areas that need to be pre-ordered. Don’t let this scare you from trying your favorites because it’s super simple. You can order your food from your App and they will let you know when you can come get your order. It’s really quite convenient.

Best Disney World Snacks:

Green and Blue Milk (Galaxy’s Edge)

Pre-Order

If you are going to be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios you are probably going find yourself immersed in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. And as much fun as the Rise of the Resistance ride is, you may want to consider another stop while you are there. Located at the Batuu Milk Stand, you’ll find blue and green milk. While both are delicious and slushy, our group voted blue as our favorite.

Wookie Cookie (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)

If you need something a little more than a quick drink in Star Wars Land this Wookie Cookie is quite a treat. It’s a soft oatmeal cookie with a creamy frosting middle. And the best part is that this cookie is large enough to share with the whole family.

Cake Pops (Trolley Car Cafe)

While you are taking a stroll in Disney World’s Hollywood Studio don’t forget to check out Trolley Car Cafe. This charming little cafe offers lots of Starbuck options to drink and some very tasty bakery treats. This time around we found these little tasty morsels and we were not disappointed. Chocolate cake pops that were on point! If you need just a little something, I highly recommend giving these cake pops a try.

Lemon Pound Cake (Trolley Car Cafe)

Every time we go to Disney, we make sure to snag some of this lemon pound cake. It’s FANTASTIC!! It’s a moist, dense cake with a lovely lemon flavor. And that frosting is perfection. We were so excited when we found this at Disney World because it’s a favorite at Disneyland. Give this a try, you’ll thank me.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcake (Trolley Car Cafe)

Okay, I admit I only bought this little fella because it was too cute to pass up, but man it was amazing! It’s a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting finished with peanut butter crunch and Mickey ears. Could there be anything better?

Seriously, head to Trolley Car Cafe and see what’s waiting on your next visit.

Dole Whips At Disney World

Kakamora Float (Aloha Isle)

Pre-Order

I’m sure it’s no surprise that the tasty treats from Aloha Isle made my list of the best of Disney World snacks. You really can’t go wrong with any of the selections but I’ll highlight our favorites. This Kakamora Float is so yummy! Coconut soft serve on top of pineapple juice blue Curacoa syrup and finished off with a chocolate cake pop. So unbelievably good! And look how pretty it is!

Raspberry and Pineapple Dole Whip Swirl (Aloha Isle)

Pre-Order

This Dole Whip swirl is such a refreshing treat on a hot day at Disney World. You can order raspberry, pineapple, coconut, and vanilla Dole Whips at Aloha Isle. All these can be swirled with pineapple Dole Whips as well. We loved the coconut and the raspberry swirls.

LeFou’s Brew (Gaston’s Tavern)

If you are visiting Magic Kingdom you need to make a stop at Gaston’s Tavern. Of course it’s adorable, but the snacks are some of our favorites! LeFou’s Brew is a big sip of tasty and perfect on a hot summer day. It’s frozen apple juice with a hint of marshmallow and topped with a passion-fruit mango foam. It’s really quite amazing, and such a delightful surprise.

The Grey Stuff Cupcake (Gaston’s Tavern)

Try the grey stuff…it’s delicious! They aren’t lying, it really is delicious. What I love most about this cupcake is that it’s not overly sweet. With that much frosting I wondered if it would be too much, but it’s really perfectly sweet. And can we talk about how cute this cupcake is? Seriously, just too much fun!

Warm Cinnamon Roll (Gaston’s Tavern)

I think you can see just how large this bad boy is by the picture…it’s really big making it perfect to share. If you love cinnamon rolls, this one is perfection. It’s not doughy at all which is a big plus in my book. And because they are served warm, it just melts in your mouth!

Have FUN selecting your Disney World snacks.

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We all know that Disney California Adventure has fun rides, shows, characters, shopping and more. But did you know they also manage to fit in several festivals throughout the year?  Starting in March and running for about a month, Disney California Adventure has a Food & Wine Festival-and it is amazing!  Disney food and wine festival highlights California flavors and gives a little sample of what the beautiful state of California can produce.  In addition to wonderful food, the festival offers events such as-culinary demonstrations by star chefs, JR. chef classes, live music, wine and beer tastings, and more!  Such a fun way to spend a day at Disney California Adventure!

Disney Food and Wine:

There are more than a dozen Festival Marketplace kiosks and this Disney Food and Wine Festival, each having it’s own theme and flavor.  Each kiosk offers 3 different samples of the theme.  This delicious looking slider was found at the “Garlic Kissed” kiosk, and it was absolutely superb!  The meat was so tender it fell apart when you took a bite, and the flavors were perfection.  This is where we started our tasting and this “Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider with Garlic Chimichurri Sauce” did not disappoint!!

Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider with Garlic Chimichurri Sauce:

I think I might lose you at the name of this cake pop but stay with me, I promise it will be worth it! This “Creamy Artichoke & Dark Chocolate Cake Pop” was recommended by one of the California Adventure employees so we knew we needed to give it a taste.  I had no idea what to expect with an artichoke cake pop, but this did not disappoint.  The inside of this cake pop was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted, creamy, smooth, sweet, and just a hint of artichoke in the background.  The outer shell had been dipped in pistachio nuts which was perfection.  This was one of my very favorite things we sampled.

Creamy Artichoke & Dark Chocolate Cake Pop:

Have you ever heard of Jackfruit?  I hadn’t either until we tasted these fantastic “Jackfruit Carnita Banh Mi Nachos.”  Apparently Jackfruit is a sweet fruit when it’s ripe, but when it’s picked before it’s ripe it becomes a meat substitute.  It shreds like meat having the same texture and takes on any flavor.  Trust me, you can’t tell you’re not eating meat with these nachos!  Really flavorful, with the Jackfruit soaking in all of the yumminess.  These were found at the “Off the Cob” kiosk.

Food and Wine Festival Disneyland:

Jackfruit Carnita Banh Mi Nachos:

I’m not sure you will guess what kind of whoopee pie this is?  We found this deliciousness at the “Bacon Twist” kiosk, and yes, it has bacon in it!  This “Maple-Bacon Whoopie Pie” tasted like eating a yummy pancake with just a hint that you served bacon with the breakfast!  It was super soft and chewy, and middle filling is sent straight from heaven!  I definitely could have had more of these little guys.

Maple-Bacon Whoopie Pie:

This “Warm Olive Focaccia with Olive Oil & Sea Salt” was on my husband’s must try list.  It was served warm, drizzled with olive oil, and topped with sea salt and it was delicious!  The olives are baked in the bread adding little bursts of flavor to the soft bread.  We found this at the “Olive Us” kiosk, and it was yummy.

Warm Olive Focaccia with Olive Oil & Sea Salt:

If you are in the mood for some really good Mac & Cheese this “Smoked Bacon Mac & Cheese” found at the “Bacon Twist” kiosk will not disappoint!  This is comfort food at its finest.  Creamy mac & cheese topped with crispy bacon and fried onion straws equals a perfect combination of flavors.   There were definitely oohs and awes happening when we took our bites!

California Adventure Food:

Smoked Bacon Mac & Cheese:

This was probably my very favorite, a lemon flavored macaron with a little splash of blueberry in the center…just heavenly!  Macarons are typically smaller, but this one was the size of a normal cookie.  We found this at the “Lemon Grove” kiosk and I’m so happy we did.  If you love macarons, this one is a MUST try…I promise you will fall in love!!

Meyer Lemon Macaron with Blueberry Marmalade: 

I’m convinced that we would have loved any of the food samples at this festival.  It was apparent to me that so much attention has been given to every flavor at this festival, but what else would we expect from Disney…they are the best at what they do!  Come check out the festivals next time you are at California Adventure, they are marvelous!

Have fun with Disney!

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Friends, I just got back from a trip to Disneyland and it was PERFECT! It was the Disney trip I’ve been waiting for for 14 years. The weather was perfect, the lines were short, it was Halloween time which was wonderful, the kids loved it. It was a perfect trip.

And, because I love you all so much, I worked my way through the parks trying all the different treats so I could share with you the BEST treats in the place! I’m giving like that. So here you go-10 Best Treats to Try at Disneyland!

I’d love to hear your favorite foods and treats at Disneyland! Everyone has their favorites!

10 Great Snacks to Try at Disneyland:

Olaf on a Stick: 

I bought this little guy at the Pooh Corner Bakery (where I bought a lot of these treats because I had heard it was the best and guess what? It was!) What I didn’t know before I bit into this guy was that he was not only marshmallows dipped in chocolate, but that there was a layer of caramel under the chocolate. SO YUMMY! And so cute. And they come in different characters as well.

Minnie Mouse Caramel Apple:

I’m a lover of caramel apples any time, but cover it in chocolate and it’s even better! Then make it all cute and Minnie Mouse shaped AND add Halloween decorations to it and it’s just perfect. And it tasted just as good as it should. I did need a knife to cut it up and it was messy, so I waited till I was back at my hotel to eat this one.

Mickey Cake Pops:

Who doesn’t love a cake pop? I loved that these ones were all fun and Halloween-y. But let me tell you, more importantly, that these tasted GREAT! One of my very favorites of the treats that we tried. We split this among several of us because they are rich! And yum.

Cookie Bits Sundae:

OK, this came from the Ghirardelli Factory in California Adventure and it was my FAVORITE of all the treats in this post. SO good. So good. It cost like $13 but we split it between 4 people. And did I mention that it was so good? That whole store is full of wonders-my guess is that any sundae you try there will be wonderful.

Churros:

Now I know that this one is not something hard to find-these stands are everywhere! But they’re my kids’ very favorite treat in Disneyland so I had to include them. We got these at a stand in California Adventure where they made them fresh while we waited. And yes, they were good!

Flavored Churros:

If you want a spin on the classic Churro, try a flavored one! I found these in Downtown Disney at a little stand and they had all different flavors-fruity, chocolate dipped, nutella, cookies and cream, and this one, caramel! These were also a big hit with my kids.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie:

This one was a favorite of my mom’s! It’s a soft and chewy peanut butter cookie with chocolate chunks in it. It came from the Pooh Corner Bakery also and it’s simple but fantastic!

Nestle TollHouse Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich:

This one’s not exclusive to Disney, but it’s a favorite of ours every time we are there, so I had to include it! It’s a Nestle Tollhouse Ice Cream Sandwich. They are good, especially on a hot day. They can be found at stands in either park.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie:

This was another from the Pooh Corner Bakery and it was deceptively good! I mean, I knew you couldn’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter, but I was surprised HOW good this one was. It’s dense and yummy and we broke it into pieces and all shared and it was perfect. Definitely recommend this one.

Mickey Mouse Rice Krispy Treat:

This is a rice krispy treat on a stick covered in chocolate and peanut butter and pretzels. Sounds dreamy right? They have other flavors too and it just looks so Disney-ish, it’s fun! It was good, though not quite as good as the other treats on this list. Still, a fun, yummy treat.

OK, so I’d love to hear some of your favorites too! Tell me in the comments!

Have FUN eating the best treats to try at Disneyland.

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