Character Meet and Greets

Character meet and greets at Walt Disney World are some of the best things you can experience! Even meeting the same characters more than once are awesome because they are different every single time! Here I'll tell you about some of the meet and greets they offer and my experiences!

Mickey Mouse with Ally Delauter
Mickey Mouse is obviously a necessary meet and greet when visiting WDW. You can meet him in many different places. BUT if you meet him in Town Square in Magic Kingdom, he actually TALKS! Yep, he sure does. It's pretty awesome and definitely a must do.

Queen Elsa

 Queen Elsa is a pretty fun meet and greet too! You can meet Princess Elsa with her too (I couldn't find the picture with her). They are probably two of the most popular characters in all of WDW, so if you want to meet them without waiting over two hours, definitely get a Fastpass for them. 

Rafiki

Rafiki is another fun one to meet. He can't talk or anything, but everyone loves him! He's probably a character you wouldn't think you would get to meet, but you can!

Anastasia, Drizella and Lady Tremaine with Sidny Groves

Probably one of the BEST meet and greets is the evil step sisters and the evil stepmother. They are some of the funniest ones and have the best guest interaction! One of my favorites for sure.

Ariel

Since Ariel is one of my favorite Disney princesses, she is always a must for me! I love getting to meet a mermaid in real life. And everyone tells me I look like her, so that's a bonus too! 

Flik with my brothers Ben and Harrison

Flik is one that Disney just recently brought back and we HAD to meet him when we saw the short line for him at AK. A Bug's Life is one of my favorite Disney films, so we had to get a picture!

Darth Maul with Sidny Groves

Chewbacca with Cassandra Przyhocki and Vickie Hartlep

Darth Vader with Vickie Hartlep and Cassandra Przyhocki

ANY Star Wars character is awesome to meet and if you're even a Star Wars fan in the slightest, you have to meet them! Recently, Chewbacca and Darth Vader became regular meet and greets when the new Star Wars Launch Bay opened and man are they cool. Not only are they HUGE, but they talk too! Super awesome. Sidny and I were lucky enough to spot a short line for Darth Maul during Disney's Hollywood Studios' Star Wars Weekend. Usually the lines are crazy long for them, but he had just came out and there were only a few people waiting for him, so we of course had to hop in line! Star Wars characters are definitely up pretty high on my list. 

Rapunzel with Vickie Hartlep

Rapunzel is a very peppy character to meet. She's very energetic and always ready to meet some new friends! Try asking her where Pascal is and see what she says. 

Cinderella with Cassandra Przyhocki

She isn't all that necessary to meet in my opinion, she doesn't really do anything special. But if you like Disney princesses, then you'll definitely want to meet her!

Green Army Man 

The little green army men from Disney Pixar's Toy Story are often hard to find, but if you're in the right spot at the right time, then it'll definitely be worth your time. You can find them just wandering around outside of Toy Story Midway Mania!

Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws

 This is a character I have not been lucky enough to meet yet! During Halloween, you can meet Jack in his normal outfit along with Sally and during Christmas, you can meet him in his Sandy Claws outfit. BUT you can only meet them at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which are separate ticketed events. If you get to go to either of these parties, be sure to meet him!

Disney meet and greets can be some of the most magical moments of a WDW trip! Definitely be sure to meet your favorite character, even if you don't feel like meeting any others!

See ya real soon!

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." -Walt Disney

Top 6 Pixar Movies

Pixar movies are always a favorite of mine. As an aspiring animator, I am always in awe of their incredible animation in their movies. Pixar Animation Studios produces some of the best work and it definitely doesn't go unnoticed. 

6. Toy Story - 1995

As the first Pixar movie ever made, it obviously has to be on this list. Toy Story was one of a kind and gave Pixar Animation Studios a huge start. The film won an Academy Award and was nominated for three others. Its success lead them to release a sequel, and later another one. Toy Story goes to show how kids change their minds about toys, but that their first one is also one of their favorites. It also teaches kids how they can be friends with others who may be totally different than them. 

5. Brave - 2012

Brave is another personal favorite of mine. After seeing this movie, Merida instantly became one of my new favorite Disney princesses. With her big, red, curly hair, she is clearly brave and daring. Merida teaches us that we have the power to decide our own fate, not anyone else, not even our parents. There's also quite a bit of humor in the movie with Merida's younger brothers, who are triplets. She's also good with a bow and that's pretty cool. 

4. Monsters Inc. - 2001

Another Pixar classic, Monsters Inc. definitely gave us an eye as to how the monster world would work. At first they portray the monsters as being mean and scary as they try to collect screams from human children. Then they get you up close and personal with two very likable characters: Mike and Sully. You learn that not all monsters are scary and that not all human kids are "bad" when Boo comes along into their lives. 

3. Inside Out - 2015

One of the newest Pixar films, this is definitely one of my new favorite Disney Pixar movies. It takes you inside a girl named Riley's head and shows you just how your emotions work. And it will definitely get your own emotions going too; it's sad, funny, happy, and everything you could think of... I mean, it is a movie about your emotions. This movie teaches that you may have to go through bad times to get to the happy ones.

2. A Bug's Life - 1998

The second movie produced by Pixar, was A Bug's Life and I love it! To be completely honest I'm not even sure why I love this one so much because I hate bugs. Maybe it's because all of the funny moments and just the way this story goes. An outsider makes a mistake and tries to fix it as much as he can, ends up succeeding and then is finally loved. This movie really couldn't have been any better.

1. Finding Nemo - 2003

Finding Nemo has always without a doubt been my favorite Pixar film. It came out into theaters when I was in kindergarten and I was instantly obsessed. My mom probably took me to see it at least five times and to this day I could still watch it over and over again. The animation is done so well in captivating the under water looks, this is one of those that leaves me awe struck. Teaching you that family is always the most important thing, this movie will definitely keep you laughing and crying. 

Pixar films are always a hit in my heart, especially these, and I hope you love them just as much as me!

See ya real soon!

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them," -Walt Disney

Top 8 WDW Snacks

8. Popcorn

Disney's popcorn is some of the best popcorn you will ever taste... it's not just "popcorn."

7. Mickey Pretzel

Salty and delicious, the Mickey pretzel will always satisfy your salty cravings. It clearly does for my brother Harrison and my cousin Baylee!

6. Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie

Karamell-Kuche 

All the chocolate and caramel you could ever want in one snack! Definitely one of my favorites.

5. Caramel Popcorn

Karamell-Kuche

I didn't know caramel popcorn could taste this good until I tried Germany's! Now I always have to get a bag to take home when I'm in Epcot. As you can see, Kristen and I were really craving some Germany caramel goodies this night.

4. Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich

A Disney classic and a must for me. Filled with cookies 'n' cream ice cream, this snack never fails to be delicious!

3. Red Velvet Cake Pop

Big Top Souvenirs

This snack is a recent discovery of my family's and oh is it good! We love the red velvet, but they also have vanilla and chocolate cake filled; even some that are white chocolate coated with colored sprinkled sugar.

2. Caramel Apple

Karamell-Kuche

If it's not noticeable... I LOVE caramel, a lot. These apples covered in caramel from Germany are one of my favorite Disney snacks!

1. Dole Whip

A Disney classic, this snack is ALWAYS a must if I'm at Magic Kingdom. This snack is only served at a few select places. In MK in Adventureland at Aloha Isle, at Disney's Polynesian Resort at Pineapple Lanai, and more recently they now offer them at DAK at Tamu Tamu Refreshments, so take advantage of those places!

Disney food is clearly a very important thing to me and these are just a few of my favorite snacks they have to offer! 

See ya real soon!

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." -Walt Disney

Top 5 Must See WDW Shows

5. It's Tough to be a Bug 

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Not always a fan favorite, but another personal favorite. This Bug's Life themed show takes place inside the Tree of Life, which was always cool for me to go inside of the tree. This is 3D show and Flik is your host and introduces you to different types of bugs and how it really is tough to be a bug. Hopper and some "bad bugs" even make an appearance. This is another must see as well, so make sure to check it out! And (I only have pictures of the tree and of the animals you can see on the walk way to the show because photography isn't allowed during this show).

4. Voyage of the Little Mermaid 

Disney's Hollywood Studios

This one has always been a particular favorite of mine, probably because Ariel has always been my favorite princess. It uses live actors and puppets. Now you hear "puppets" and probably think of the Muppets or something like that, but no. They black out the entire stage and you black lights to light up the puppets. When you see the Under the Sea number, you'll fall in love. It even covers the entire Little Mermaid movie in just about 10 minutes, but done well of course. Definitely go see this one too! (I only have pictures of the outside of the theater because photography isn't allowed during this show).

3. Mickey's PhilharMagic 

Magic Kingdom

Now this is not a show with actors and dancers, but is still one of my favorites. This is another 3D show featuring Donald Duck and what happens when he messes with Mickey's sorcerer hat. Donald ends up in all kinds of different Disney movies, anywhere from The Lion King to Peter Pan. I love seeing Donald interacting with all of characters from different movies. This show rarely has a long wait, so definitely take advantage of that and go see it!

2. Beauty and the Beast 

Disney's Hollywood Studios

This is another incredible show at Disney. The dancing and the costumes are what got me the first time. Being a dancer, I loved to watch all of the numbers.  If I get to be a dancer during my time in the DCP, this would be my second choice. I'd love to be one of the dancers in this show, like the girl pictured below. The actors are always amazing and can sing like no other. This show demonstrates the story of Beauty and the Beast so well it's like you're watching the movie.  

1. Festival of the Lion King 

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Best show on all of WDW property. This amazing work of art will bring you to tears during the last number. Not only does it feature the oh so popular music from The Lion King, but it incorporates gymnastics, dancing, fire, stilts, and incredible costumes. FoLK is 100% a must see show for me every time, sometimes even twice. With its Broadway style, this show will captivate you and keep you in awe the entire time. My dream role for the DCP would to be a dancer for this show, that's how much I love it. If you're ever in DAK, please make sure to see this one. Please, for me.

Make sure to check out these amazing shows if you're ever in  WDW! 

See ya real soon! 

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."  -Walt Disney