Where in the (Walt Disney) World Wednesday-Goofy's Candy Company

One of my favorite parts of planning my Disney trips is the food. There are just so many amazing treats to enjoy but this classic is my favorite--The Mickey Rice Krispie. It hands down takes the cake as my favorite way to spend a snack credit. Recently I discovered that at Goofy's Candy Company in Downtown Disney you can customize your own Mickey Rice Krispie! Also available to customize are candy apples, 3 pretzel rods, 4 marshmallows on a straw, or a ginger bread cookie. How can you possibly decide?

Once you've made the decision of what to customize you get to pick out all the delicious toppings. Disney makes it super easy for you by providing a check list of all the options. Write your name at the top of the paper, check off what treat you want, what kind of chocolate you want it dipped in, one topping, and finally chocolate drizzle. You may add additional toppings for an extra $1.00 each. 

Then you hand in your completed form and watch a cast member bring your delicious creation to life. Try not to drool. When it's done they'll call your name, make sure you pay before you rip that bad boy open to get a taste! 

Are you done yet? Are you done yet? Are you done yet?

This is a great treat for kids and adults to partake in, and I found that the create your own treats typically are a little larger than the equally priced pre-made options. So next time you have a sweet tooth while in Downtown Disney, make sure to stop by Goofy's Candy Company!

Yum! Ready to dig in!

QOTD: What kind of treat would you make?

Where in the (Walt Disney) World Wednesday-Movies Under the Stars

This week our "where" for Where in the WDW is all over property at each resort. As cast members, there's always a plethora of fun free things to do on property and this was one of my favorites. A bunch of us would head over to one of the resorts and watch whichever Disney movie was playing that night--us and all the kids.

Movies Under the Stars can be found in your recreation guide when you check in and is typically listed under children's activities (but everyone's a kid at Disney, right?). Each night of the week a different animated film is shown on a large blow up screen outside at every resort. The movie may not be the same at every resort though so you can pick and choose where you want to go/what you want to watch.

My favorite place to watch movies under the stars is at the Polynesian Resort. Not only do you get to watch a movie on the beach, when the movie is finished the music for Wishes is piped in and you have a front row seat for the fireworks. 

Other resorts such as Yacht/Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, etc also host a campfire before the movies as well. Smores, and a Disney classic?! Sign me up. 

If you're ever looking for something low key to do at night after pounding the parks all day, this is a great option. 

QOTD: Have you ever watched movies under the stars during your WDW stay?

Also, a big thank you to Lauren at Lauren's Glass Slipper for nominating us for a Liebster Award! We'll get working on those questions and have a post for you tomorrow!

Lauren

I'm Going to Disney World!

I don't know about all my fellow North-easterners, but I am over all the cold and snow that we've been having! After living in Florida for 2 years this has been my first real winter back in NJ and it has been brutal. I have been lacking serious motivation to get out and train for my next half at the end of April. 

Fortunately, I have a little weekend getaway planner to the most magical place on earth to help me make it through these last few weeks! By tonight I'll be in Florida for a mother-daughter weekend and it couldn't have come at a better time! 

I had mentioned previously that my mom is a Disney Travel Planner, so our trips to WDW are often called "work research." Since I'm such a fantastic daughter, I'm always willing to help with this important research. We're excited to ahem research the following this weekend:

-Talking Mickey
-Macaroons in France
-Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwiches in France (YUM)
-Spice Road Table in Morocco
-Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian
-The Villas at the Grand Floridian

If you couldn't tell from that list we like to eat, we're Italian, we can't help it. Sadly we'll just be missing the beginning of the Flower and Garden Festival so I won't have much to report back to you on that front.

We'll be staying at no less than three resorts between Friday and Monday (holy magic bands batman!). I can't wait to check out the various running trails at the resorts we'll be staying at. A nice run in the warm weather is exactly what I need to kick my butt into gear! I'm also super excited to see how much I walk at the parks with my fitbit (nerd alert). 

Be sure to keep an eye on our Instagram (@halfwaytothecastle) and our Facebook this weekend as I'll be posting pictures daily! 

-Lauren

QOTD: What's your favorite "must do" activity at WDW?

Where in the (Walt Disney) World Wednesday-Be Our Guest

Every Wednesday we're going to be posting "Where in the (Walt Disney) World Wednesday." These posts will be our favorite places, activities, tips, restaurants etc about the Walt Disney World Resort.

Our first installment will feature Be Our Guest Restaurant. We chose Be Our Guest as the restaurant where we celebrated our completion of Wine and Dine. It was Kayla's first experience here but I had dined here once before for a lunch and a dinner. Overall it is still new and novelty to me so I was not opposed to going back! When we arrived we checked into the host stand and were given a buzzer. We waited a few minutes and then we were summoned across the bridge into the Beast's castle. Once inside you're greeted by spectacular views of the ballroom, which is where we were seated. There are two other rooms open, the west wing (where the rose is kept), and the garden room. All three rooms are open during lunch as well.

The Ballroom

Our waitress happened to be a fellow runner and training for Dopey. She suggested protein for dinner to help with our recovery. Kayla ordered the Salmon and I ordered the Lamb Rack. Our food came out quickly and was absolutely delicious, no complaints here. 

Refueling after hitting the parks all day!

 Even though we were stuffed we had to try the gray stuff. Let me tell you it was delicious, especially when it comes on top of a brownie. Previously, you had to be celebrating something and the gray stuff was brought to you at the discretion of your waiter/waitress. Now everyone is free to order it off the menu. 

Try the gray stuff, it's delicious!

Periodically during dinner the master (Beast) would walk through the ballroom then greet guests in the library (the same room where lunch quick-service orders are taken). Once you had finished your meal you were free to go have your photo taken with the Beast. 

Beast was jealous of our medals.
We were jealous of his castle.

We made our reservations 180 days in advance (the earliest you can make them) which is always recommended. In a past trip I have gone up to the host stand around 4/4:30 and asked if they were taking walk ups. Occasionally they will take you right around 4 without a reservation but it's not always a guarantee. Also, in the days leading up to your visit, there may be some cancellations so keep checking! 

All in all we were very happy with our Be Our Guest experience and think it is well worth the 1 sit down credit if you are on the Disney Dining Plan. Don't forget that if you can't get a dinner reservation you can always go for the quick-service lunch. We both look forward to dining at Be Our Guest again in the future!

Lauren

QOTD: Have you dined or would you like to dine at Be Our Guest for dinner? What were your impressions?