This past February, my family experienced a new Enchanting Extra that I now recommend to all families that go to Walt Disney World!
Capture your Magic is a new extra offered by Disney’s Photopass Services that is perfect for celebrating life events and remembering your Disney vacation.
The details:
Capture your moment sessions are 20 minutes long and your family will be assigned a photographer and an assistant photographer to take photographs at special less crowded locations within the theme parks. Advanced reservations are required and they open 60 days before check-in. Occasionally there is some same-day availability by going to the check-in locations in the morning at park arrival. The cost is 79 dollars and it is available at all 4 parks (note that Hollywood studios packages do not include locations in Galaxy’s Edge at this time). The limit for a single session is 8 guests and back-to-back reservations are required for more than 8 individuals. All the photos will go to the My Disney Experience account of the ticket or magic band swiped. If Disney’s Memory Maker has been purchased prior to the vacation ($169 if purchased at least 3 days in advance), the downloads are included with all the other photos from the vacation. If Memory Maker has not been purchased in advance, a one-day download pass can be purchased for 69 dollars or 199 for a 30-day span.
Our Experience:
We did our Capture your Moment session at EPCOT in February. My bestie Kelly and I were celebrating our Princess 10k accomplishments and my son Liam was announcing some very exciting Connelly family news. Upon check-in at the American Pavilion in World Showcase, our photographer John told us we could pick one of five countries: Germany, Morocco, Italy, Japan or America. We chose Italy for its flowers and view of Spaceship Earth. John made us a cute sign and I showed him the special ears I had made for Liam. Our group was a bit hodge-podge and consisted of my son Liam, my friend Kelly, my mom, Kelly’s mom (the moms are also besties from high school!!), my Aunt Sharon, and myself. We knew we wanted some group photos but also nice ones of mother/daughter groups, sister pair, showing off medals etc. We were prepared with all of the information and shared it with John so he was quick to switch out groups and we got all the pairings we wanted. In 20 minutes we visited two locations within the Italy pavilion and wound up with 108 photos! We had pre-purchased a memory maker for our trip and had so much fun downloading and sharing our (NUMEROUS) favorites at brunch.
Overall impression
We are a photo-loving group and thought this experience was very much worth it. We enjoyed the personal attention of a Photopass photographer and appreciated that we could have photos in locations not typically available with photo pass photographers. It was also worth it for our group since we planned on using Memory Maker for our 6-night trip. This experience could feel expensive if you were not planning on Memory Maker. (Side note… as a mom who winds up with 53450267659 photos of Liam and my husband on vacation but very few that include our whole family, I ALWAYS recommend a memory maker. I love being able to stay in the moment and have memories where I am included). I definitely recommend arriving at the Capture your Moment photo session at least 15 minutes before it starts to meet and discuss your session with the photographers and give yourself a minute to check a mirror. If there are certain small group photos that are important, communicate that with the photographer and be ready to switch in and out quickly. Back-to-back sessions are required for groups over 8 guests and can be useful for a single-family also if you are looking for multiple locations within the park. Confession time, I loved this experience so much that I actually have one booked at EACH of the 4 parks for our small family trip in July. My husband, son and I have never done a family photo shoot and I think a few 20-minute sessions will be better for the attention spans for both my 4-year-old (and my 36-year-old husband).
Plus, on this trip we get to see the updates to my favorite photo taken in February……
When you hear people tell you that a week at Walt Disney World won’t even scratch the surface of things you can see and do while vacationing there, we really aren’t kidding. And there is still SO much to do beyond the parks. I always suggest planning a few days away from the parks where you can enjoy the pool and not feel rushed to run from one ride to another.
Did you know you don’t need to be INSIDE the parks to experience a special fireworks party? Or that you can enjoy a dinner show outside of the parks? If you’re able to plan in advance, here are three excellent opportunities to experience a little extra magic outside of the parks.
Fireworks Cruise: Want to watch the fireworks in style? Fairytale Fireworks is a great way to view Enchantment from the Seven Seas Lagoons — and dessert is included! Since this doesn’t take place in the park, you don’t even need a park ticket on the day you add this to your vacation. Reservations can be made as early as 60 days prior to your vacation arrival date.
Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue: If you’re looking for some fun entertainment with your meal, you won’t want to miss the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. This takes place at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resorts 3 times a day and you’ll love every energetic minute of this experience. Reservations are required and can be made as early as 60 days prior to your vacation arrival date.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: The time has almost arrived! Disney has announced that Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will finally be reopening on August 25, 2022…but just inside the Magic Kingdom! You’ll be waiting a little longer for the Disney Springs location to reopen. Your little ones will be able to receive their beautiful makeovers again soon. You’ll have the option of just doing the hair/makeup/nails (you can bring your own costume or not), or go all out and purchase the package that includes full princess attire. There are multiple locations (both inside the parks and outside the parks) to receive your makeover, but the Disney Springs location is the largest and thus is the easiest to get a reservation at. Reservations can be made as early as 60-days prior to your vacation arrival date. Stay tune for the reopening date!
Have you experienced any of these before? Being a girl mom, my girls love Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – we are very excited for it to reopen!!
When you hear people tell you that a week at Walt Disney World won’t even scratch the surface of things you can see and do while vacationing there, we really aren’t kidding. And there is still SO much to do beyond the parks. I always suggest planning a few days away from the parks where you can enjoy the pool and not feel rushed to run from one ride to another.
Depending on what your family may be looking to experience, check out all the different activities you can find at various resort hotels across Walt Disney World… there’s something for everyone!!
Daily Resort Activities: Beyond the nighttime movie, there are always all kinds of activities available at your Disney Resort hotel. Whether you want to make your own tie-dye shirt, roast marshmallows at night, or play games and scavenger hunts, Disney always has something going on to keep you entertained while you’re at the resort. Some activities may have a small fee — check your resort schedule for times and pricing.
Resort Hopping: This one is so simple and completely free… It’s always fun to experience what the other resorts have to offer — whether you just want to explore or perhaps check out which resorts you may want to visit on your next vacation to Walt Disney World. Resort hopping is especially exciting around the major holidays.
Ride the monorail, skyliner, boats and ferries: It may sound silly, but even just riding Disney’s transportation can be fun! Kids love the iconic monorail ride around the Seven Seas Lagoon; the Skyliner provides views never seen before over some of the Epcot resorts, and who doesn’t love a leisurely boat or ferry ride? No park ticket needed to hop on any of these and ride around – and it’s completely free to do this (unless of course you make purchases when you stop somewhere). Adults enjoy a monorail or skyliner restaurant/bar crawl – sample food and drink from the options along either of these lines – and maybe even catch some fireworks too!
Start a Pressed Penny Collection: Interested in starting a new collection of something Disney Resort inspired? You can make pressed pennies across all of the parks and resorts — these keepsakes will last forever, so when you resort hop, don’t forget to make a pressed penny to remember your vacation!
Character Dining at Resorts: Some of my favorite character dining experiences are actually at the resorts — not the parks!! These are great opportunities to dine with some of your favorite characters on days you don’t have a park ticket — or you can enjoy dinner on the day you arrive to kickoff your vacation — or breakfast the day you leave to stretch out your vacation for a little while longer. Check with your Travel Advisor to see which resorts are currently offering character dining.
Nighttime movies at the resort: Did you know that every Walt Disney World Resort hotel offers a wide variety of activities so every member of the family will have fun, even while not at the parks? Make sure you check out the movie schedule at your resort — there will be one playing every night during your say!
Electrical Water Pageant: You won’t want to miss this classic that takes place every night on the Seven Seas Lagoon. This 15 minute show runs every night and can be viewed along the Seven Seas Lagoon from Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Maybe book dinner at one of these resorts so you can catch this show afterward (and maybe the fireworks too!)
Watch fireworks from select resorts: Did you know that you can see fireworks from several of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels? There are some great spots to catch Enchantment at Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower — and even from Wilderness Lodge! Same goes with Harmonious from Disney’s BoardWalk, Beach and Yacht Club, as well as the Swan and Dolphin. While it may not be a prime viewing location and not a substitute for seeing these nighttime shows in their respective parks, you can surely catch a glimpse and enjoy the view from these resorts, especially if you have a guest room facing the right direction and higher up.
Rent a boat: Groups of 10 or less can rent a pontoon boat by the half-hour. A fun way to explore the waters at Walt Disney World! Kayaks and canoes are also available for rent. Reservations are not required, however, rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Go fishing: Did you know that fishing excursions are offered at Walt Disney World? You can book a 2- or 4-hour guided fishing excursion for up to 5 people. They’ll provide everything you need to enjoy your time out on the water. These excursions are available at the following resorts: Disney’s Fort Wilderness, Caribbean Beach, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Polynesian, Port Orleans – Riverside, Wilderness Lodge and Yacht Club Resorts. There are also dockside fishing options available at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and Fort Wilderness Resort. Fishing reservations are highly encouraged and can be reserved as early as 60-days prior to your vacation arrival date.
Rent a Cabana: Guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, as well as Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts will have the opportunity to rent a cabana by the day if they’d like! Pricing can fluctuate based on the day and season – advance reservations are highly encouraged and can be made as early as 60 days prior to your stay.
Rent a surrey: 2- and 4-person surrey bikes are available for rent at Disney’s BoardWalk, Old Key West, Port Orleans – French Quarter, Port Orleans – Riverside, and Saratoga Springs Resorts.
Relax at the spa: Relax and unwind at one of the spas at the Walt Disney World Resort. Senses at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa features both spa treatments and salon services. Senses at Saratoga Springs has spa treatments only. There is also Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin. There are even some basic spa services available for younger guests to enjoy some pampering.
Holiday joy will unfold at Magic Kingdom as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns this year! On 24 select nights, Nov. 8 – Dec. 22, 2022, this separately ticketed event will invite guests to Magic Kingdom for an evening of merriment.
Join Mickey and his pals at the Cinderella Castle stage for the ultimate must-watch Christmas extravaganza – “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.” The show features nostalgic and modern medleys of holiday music paired with dance performances.
Minnie Mouse orchestrates a sparkling spectacle over Magic Kingdom as a part of “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Full of holiday magic, the show includes dazzling castle projections, fireworks and seasonal songs.
With his famous flying reindeer leading the way, Santa Claus will join Mickey Mouse and friends in the must-see “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” as it makes its way through the park.
Speaking of Santa Claus, he isn’t the only one who likes cookies during the holidays. Partygoers can indulge in complimentary cookies and hot cocoa at locations throughout Magic Kingdom.
Magic Kingdom attractions will get a special dose of yuletide cheer. Holiday magic will once again transform the Jungle Cruise into the Jingle Cruise. And, as an exclusive treat for event attendees, Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and Mad Tea Party will all receive a special holiday makeover.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café becomes the coolest place to get down when denizens of the North Pole drop by for an intergalactic dance party!
Also at Magic Kingdom, dance the night away alongside favorite Disney characters during an out-of-this-world holiday show, “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” on the Rockettower Plaza Stage.
The fun continues for young partygoers and Disney Junior fans of all ages at Storybook Circus during the “Disney Junior Jingle Jam” as Disney Junior characters take part in a fun-filled dance celebration.
NEW! In honor of the 50th Anniversary celebration, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party attendees will discover three jolly new photo opportunities. Guests will also receive a special 50th Anniversary commemorative keepsake, themed for the holidays.
Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are limited and may be purchased online beginning July 7, 2022. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can begin purchasing tickets as early as June 30, 2022. Ticket prices will range from $149 – $199 per person. Event dates are:
When you hear people tell you that a week at Walt Disney World won’t even scratch the surface of things you can see and do while vacationing there, we really aren’t kidding. And there is still SO much to do beyond the parks. I always suggest planning a few days away from the parks where you can enjoy the pool and not feel rushed to run from one ride to another.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is a bit off the beaten path. Many people don’t realize how much there is to see and do there – and you don’t need to be staying at Fort Wilderness to enjoy these fabulous experiences.
Make it a point to visit Tri-Circle D Ranch. One of the best kept secrets at Walt Disney World is the Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.Stroll through the stables to see Cinderella’s Ponies and the majestic horses of Main Street, U.S.A.. Discover the Dragon Calliope—the horse-drawn musical instrument that Walt Disney purchased for the Mickey Mouse Club Circus Parade at Disneyland Park in the 1950s. Animal lovers of all ages will delight in the variety of breeds that live at Tri-Circle-D Ranch, including Appaloosas, Arabians, Belgians, Clydesdales, paint horses, Percherons and quarter horses, plus Shetland ponies.
Horseback riding is available here and advance reservations are highly encouraged. Riders must be at least 9 years old, taller than 48 inches and less than 250lb. Are you traveling with children that are not quite old enough for horseback riding? Pony rides are available for children 2 years and older; they must be no taller than 48 inches and weigh less than 80lbs. Reservations are not needed for pony rides.
The whole family can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride (bonus for you if you’re visiting during the holiday season – you can even experience a Sleigh Ride!!) Wagon rides are also available here if you’d prefer to experience an old-fashioned ride through the resort grounds. (Note: Horse Drawn Carriage Rides are also available at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside).
You can even mine for gems at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Purchase a bag at the Bike Barn and you can get sifting in no time!
And of course, there’s the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. If you’re looking for some fun entertainment with your meal, you won’t want to miss this exciting experience. This takes place at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resorts 3 times a day and you’ll love every energetic minute of the show. Reservations are required and can be made as early as 60 days prior to your vacation arrival date.
If you visit during the holidays, guests go ALL OUT decorating their campsites… definitely take some time to explore the resort and take lots of pictures!!
Have you visited Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground? What did you do there?
When you hear people tell you that a week at Walt Disney World won’t even scratch the surface of things you can see and do while vacationing there, we really aren’t kidding. And there is still SO much to do beyond the parks. I always suggest planning a few days away from the parks where you can enjoy the pool and not feel rushed to run from one ride to another.
I feel like so many people overlook Disney Springs. They figure there’s plenty of dining options at the parks and resorts – but there is SO much more to Disney Springs than just dining and shopping. Check out just a few of the special experiences you can partake in at Disney Springs… and remember, no theme park ticket is required to visit!!!
Weekend/Sunday Brunch Options at Disney Springs: Disney Springs is well known for the incredible dining options for lunch and dinner, but did you know that there are also some BRUNCH options on the weekends?! House of Blues, Terralina, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Wine Bar George, Maria & Enzos, The Edison, Raglan Road and STK all offer brunch on the weekends! The Boathouse even offers a Captain’s Sing-along Brunch that you won’t want to miss!! Some of these restaurants only offer brunch on Sunday while others do offer brunch on both Saturday and Sunday, so make sure you double check the days you’re looking to dine.
Float on the Aerophile at Disney Springs: Aerophile at Disney Springs will allow you to soar sky-high during an 8-minute tethered adventure in the world’s largest hand-painted helium balloon. This balloon ascends up to 400 feet and will allow you to see panoramic views of up to 10 miles away on a clear day! Advanced reservations are not required. This operates weather permitting.
Bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes: Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Disney Springs is a great rainy day or non-park day activity that will be fun for the whole family. Whether you choose to dine there or just bowl, it’s sure to be a hit with all ages. What’s feather bowling? A bit of a cross between bocce ball, curling, shuffleboard horseshoes, and cornhole. There are also pool tables, tons of flat screen TVs, and music to keep the fun moving. I advise booking your lane ahead of time on their website.
Catch a Movie at AMC: Want to do something a little more relaxing? Or perhaps it’s a rainy day and you’d rather not go into the parks. AMC Dine-In at Disney Springs will allow you to catch the latest movies while you enjoy a meal. There’s even a full bar!
Disney PhotoPass Studio: If you purchased the MemoryMaker, make sure you stop by the Disney PhotoPass Studio! Many people don’t realize that you can stop into this studio at Disney Springs and have the amazing PhotoPass photographers snap pictures of you and your family with many fabulous backdrops — and it’s included in the price of your MemoryMaker! This is especially great if your kiddos just got a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (reopening later in 2022 — date TBD) — capture those moments so they last forever!
Ride an Amphicar at Boathouse: The BOATHOUSE is the only place in the world that offers the unforgettable & thrilling experience of a Captain’s Guided Tour in a vintage Amphicar. These rare cars drive on land and enter the water with a splash, taking you on a Captain Guided, 25-minute tour of the landmarks of Disney Springs. Their fleet of Amphicars were purchased from private collections worldwide – there were less than 4,000 of these unique amphibious vehicles produced during the 1960’s. Less than 400 exist worldwide today. These tours are first come, first served – so double check when they open and get there early!
Cirque de Soleil’s Drawn to Life: Set your imagination in motion with Drawn to Life—a love letter to the art of Disney animation. In this first-ever collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, journey into a world where an animator’s desk becomes the stage and drawings come alive. The show is a celebration of life, accentuated by the delightful, mesmerizing movements of Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic mastery. Advance reservations are highly encouraged.
Live Irish Music and Dancing at Raglan Road: If you’re in the mood for some awesome Irish food and entertainment, you won’t want to miss Raglan Road at Disney Springs. The menu offers traditional Irish Pub fare and there’s a live Irish band and dancing every evening! They even offer brunch on the weekend!
Enjoy a Concert at House of Blues: Concerts have returned to House of Blues at Disney Springs! If there’s an artist heading to House of Blues that you’d like to see, check out the concert lineup and reserve your tickets ASAP!!!
Complete the Ultimate Taste Test at Coca Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar: You’ll find fun for all ages at the Coca-Cola Store in Disney Springs. Not only will you find the Freestyle Experience with up to 5 refills within an hour of your initial purchase, you’ll also find a create-your-own beverage experience where you can play mixologist to craft your own drinks, plus you can sample up to 16 different beverages from various countries around the world when you order an International, float or combo tray. They also offer adult libations for guests ages 21 and older.
Get a silhouette: Did you want to get a silhouette portrait done when you were in the Magic Kingdom but just didn’t have time to stop? At Disney Springs, artisans are available to hand-cut paper silhouettes of you and the whole family! The Silhouette Portraits Cart is located in the Marketplace near Arribas Bros.
Ride the carousel and train at Disney Springs: I know, you’ve been riding rides for days in the parks, but if your little ones still feel the urge to ride a ride, there is a small carousel and kid-sized train that you can purchase ride tickets for at Disney Springs (in the Marketplace). I may have bribed my daughter more than once to behave at dinner and then we’d let her ride the rides after. Just a thought if you need it!
Pick a Pearl at Disney Springs: Bring home an oyster’s precious gem—experience the thrill of discovering your very own pearl treasure at the Pearl Factory Kiosk in the Marketplace at Disney Springs.
And this list only scratches the surface of everything you can see and do at Disney Springs. What’s your favorite thing to do when you visit – did we miss it? Is there something new you learned from this list that you want to check out next time? We want to know!
