The Biz on Diz: {A}

Woo hoo! Let's do this.

{March Magicalness} has officially begun!

For the 2 trips we've taken with the Twinados to Diz, we consulted dozens of blogs, Pinterest boards, Facebook groups and articles. You name it - we probably read it! It was overwhelming. Happily overwhelming. But, wayyyyy too much to take in all at once. We had to just stop.

I don't care what anyone says - you'll never be able to see or do EVERYTHING Disney has to offer.

And, that's the fun of it, right?! It keeps ya wanting more! It's constantly evolving, while still upholding tried and true traditions. There are surprises and sentiments around every inch of that preciously perfect place. Disney's what YOU make of it. So, I thought I'd chime in with our D-World thoughts to get your wheels turning for your next vacation yearning.

In keeping with my bloggy fashion, the next dozen posts or so will be heavily haphazard with a big sprinkle of random. I'm going to attempt to chart out our Happiest Place on Earth thoughts alphabetically. An A-Z of dear Dis-ney!

Here's where YOU come in! Did I miss something in a particular letter that's special to you? {Tell me!} Send me a pm on Facebook. {Tell me!} Drop me a line under this post. {I'm serious - tell me!} I want to make this a collaborative adventure, so hit me up with a few lines and send me a pic or two. I plan to go back into each post and update them with your commentary. {You'll totes get props. I'll add your initials under the excerpt for an extra secret agent-ish kinda vibe.}

Let's go...

{Adventureland}
We spent a bit more time in this lil land this year - and it was cute! Freakin' Dole Whip, man. I'm saving my ode to it for {F}, but it needs to be mentioned first. Here's where ya find it - at Aloha Isle right next to the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Speaking of him, he and Jasmine park it near one of the gift shops close by - get your camera out. They're super friendly and they will let you pose near the Genie's lamp during the meet and greet. The Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean are here also - both very popular rides. Keep an eye out near the Jungle Cruise entrance...because your Fast Pass+ kiosk awaits! Used up all of your 3 Fast Passes already? Get your toosh over to that kiosk and add a 4th one, honey. Don't forget to make yourself into a Pirate at the Pirates League and make a pit stop at Sunshine Tree Terrace for a refreshing citrus treat. {Can I get an Amen that Orange Bird is quite possibly the cutest lil birdie ever?!} Swiss Family Tree House was a true treat!

Really diggin' this area.

{Akershus}
Located in Epcot's {Norway} area, we found a dinner spot fit for a princess. Literally! The Twinados met 5 of their new BFFs during a character dinner - Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Snow White and Ariel. They stationed Belle right smack at the entrance way  along with a photographer. We were able to scan our Magic Bands for a keepsake pic with a castle backdrop. During dinner, the princesses made the rounds to each table. Seeing the girls rock Cheshire Cat-style smiles at each beauty was worth Every. Single. Penny! {Note: It's wicked pricey. So...order up as many Cokes as you can stomach. They come with the meal!} All kids were invited to take part in a parade, and each area of the restaurant was assigned to a particular princess. Ariel was ours. The decor was old-timey and rustic...just how we like it. The girls enjoyed mac and cheese. You know I'm a burger and fries {or big buffet} kinda gal, so this menu was quite a stretch for me. Alas, I stocked up on cheese and bread off of the all you can eat appetizer bar...and I saved room for goat cheese ravioli for the main course. I totally stole several bites of the beef dish The Hubs ordered. GET THAT ONE. Just get it.

Jarlsberg for days.

{Aladdin and Jasmine}
Goodness gracious, they're stunning! We met them in Magic Kingdom's Adventureland just a stone's throw from Aloha Isle and right across from the magic carpet ride. They were adorable - really playing up the part of love birds - giving each other googly eyes, holding hands and criss-crossing their arms.

Gorge.

{Adventurer's Outpost}
Located in Animal Kingdom, this lil Meet-and-Greet is super cozy. We originally had this booked as a FastPass+...but you never know what's going to happen on the big day. The lines here looked semi-decent, so we used the FastPass+ app to switch out our passes for another attraction. The lines moved fairly quickly and we got to meet Mick and Min all decked out in their safari gear. We had this on our Bucket List because it was a chance to see the Marvelous Mice in vacation outfits. 

Safari Squeezies.

{Alice}
We met her last year right near the Tea Cup ride in the Magic Kingdom - right near the Cheshire Cafe. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum often join her...as well as the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit. Her English accent is on point. I had BIG plans to bring a tea set with us so the girls could have a little fun with her this year in a pic...but I remembered that idea...as we were standing in line. {D'oh! Airhead.} Next year. It's on.

Little loves blondes.

{Ariel}
T-2's most favorite of faves. We saw her at the Akershus character dinner and also in her grotto in MK. Both times, her dialogue with the girls was just jolly. Everything was happy go lucky and centered around the sea. She's just like all of the red heads I've ever known  - a true rock star.

Love the sleeves.

{Airborne}
This is a tip. An order! You don't want to get sick. Stock up on this ish before, during and after your trip. Ya hear me?!

Note: I'm not a doc, so before ya rock...
read the deets...you capiche?

{Aloha Isle}
I'll probably find a way to reference this place in every letter of the alphabet. Find this counter in Adventureland and order up a Dole Whip. Do it.

Swoon.

{American Dream}
Located in the America section of Epcot, you'll find a cult classic at the Fife & Drum walk up counter - a red, white and blue beauty with sweetness for days. The tart cherry and blue raspberry flavors pair well with the creamy vanilla ice cream at the bottom. It'll cost you about 5 beans.

Mocktails with Mama.

{Animal Kingdom}
We heard mixed emotions on AK, so we really didn't know what to think when we first rolled up. I saw leopard and zebra print Mickey ears for sale, so it didn't really take me that long to warm up to the place. The atmosphere transported you to a faw away place. We dug it. It was super heavy on the nature end...something sort of foreign to us...but we embraced it.

Loved seeing Chip and Dale. Tried to stop for Pocahontas {she has a special Meet-and-Greet area}, but the family wanted to head out. We booked a Fast Pass+ for Adventurer's Outpost because we wanted to guarantee we saw Mr. and Mrs. Mouse in safari gear. We couldn't find Rafiki, but it's rumored he shows up during the Maharaja Jungle Trek.

My chicks rode Expedition Everest. I thought. I'd. Die! They're young...but their legs are long...so they juuuuuust hit the minimum height requirements. The Hubs and The Inlaws kept saying they should go on it - so I had no choice but to give in. {Peer presh at its finest.} I ended up riding in the front cart. Epic! I worried that the girls would be scared of the Yeti. No dice. They laughed!

The ride area of the park was adorable. My gals didn't make the cut for Primeval Whirl, but Tricera-Tops fit the bill very nicely. A big Gertie the Dinosaur statue was back in that area - she's the first dinosaur to make an appearance in an animated film. You bet "Jurassic" we stopped to look at her. {Ha!}

Had a nice lunch at Rainforest Cafe. It was pricey...even for lunch...but, it's vacation. One of my littles stared for almost 10 minutes at a gift shop's mug display - trying to find her name on the cup. Poor baby. Her name is particular to a nationality, and we switched out one of the vowels for another, so sadly, she won't find it. The other dumpling has one of the most common names in recent years, so even though her name is there, the products are almost always out of stock.

Would we go back? Probably if we had park hopper passes...just so we could ride Everest again.

This tree. I want it. 

A quick glance at the ride area. 

I brought two 5 year olds on a ride through a mountain with a monster.
Nice.

{Autograph Books} 
Have the kiddos bring some autograph books to the Meet-and-Greets. It's cute! It's tradition! It also gives them a convo starter with the characters. Some people DIY their own...or you can be like us and pick up one from the Dollar Store with a bunch of princesses on the front. A big rule of thumbelinas - make sure you have them ready to go when it's your turn to greet your favorite friend...and keep a big fat pen quickly accessible for the character. {Help a pal out and remove the cap!} 

I had high hopes to bring the matte from a frame with me so all of the characters could sign around it, we could pop a family pic in the middle and eventually hang it in the girls' Playroom...but the thought of carrying a delicate {8 x 10} shape around and not getting it smooshed and squished gave me the OCD shakes somethin' fierce! SO! I'm going to transfer {trace} all of the autographs onto the matte myself and see what happens. Hopefully it's done by {F} so you can see what I mean! 



{Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies}
Stop here for frozen treats. It's located in Tomorrowland.

{Animation Courtyard}
We stumbled upon this awesome area in Hollywood Studios. Sophia, Jake and Minnie {in a Clubhouse setting!} were there in full effect! Short lines. Quick wait. It was just around the corner from this sort of secret area to meet Mickey in his Sorcerer hat. He was in an air conditioned room - sort of out of the way. We waited for about 3 minutes total. Score! Star Wars Launch Bay is right in the back of this area.

The dude himself.

{Art of Animation}
We stayed here in the Little Mermaid rooms during our first visit with the girls last year. Terrifically themed! Just enough room. GREAT on the wallet {just over a hundred clams}. Loved that there was a shuttle service to the park. Big parking lots to dock your ship for the week. Very quiet. Raindrop shower heads. Holla!

Thingamabobs all around.

{Aurora}
Didn't get to see her last year, so she was for certs on our list this time. She doesn't have an official Meet-and-Greet, so we tracked her down at Akershus. She's only a "possibility" there...so we got really lucky! The chicas love all of the princesses...like whoa!...but in true twibling fashion, each sister has made claim to certain beauties. Aurora is the only one they share equally.

Another day...another blonde!

Up next...{B}...see ya real soon!

Thanks and love if you click for me above!