Introductions + Disney World Tag!

Hello! My name is Elizabeth, and I am excited to welcome you to Carpe Magiam! This is your one-stop shop for Disney planning advice, reviews, and fun facts. As someone with a theme park obsession, and love of planning, and approximately nineteen years of Walt Disney World experience, I like to thing I'm qualified to help you along your Disney journey. Whether you're a first-time vacationer trying to get a lay of the land, or a season pass holder seeking new experiences, I hope you find Carpe Magiam most useful!

I'm a sucker for a good get-to-know you game, so here, I'm going to be responding to the 30-question Walt Disney World Tag Challenge (Credit to EECC Travels; https://eecctravels.com/). Hopefully this paints a better picture of who I am, why I love Disney so much, and how I can be of service to you in your future travels! 1) First time you went to Disney World? I was young. My brother (henceforth known as "Doubledip") was born when I was almost two, and my first time going to the parks, my mom was pregnant with him. My parents always talk about me sitting in my stroller, holding my Backyardigans plushies out so they can see the parks. The first time I really remember, though, I was four. We went to Chef Mickey's, and that was pretty unforgettable at that age :) 2) Favorite Disney World park? Good question! EPCOT undoubtedly has the best ride (more on that later), and Hollywood Studios has the best overall collection of rides. But in terms of overall raw atmosphere, I have to say Magic Kingdom. Nothing beats walking up Main Street U.S.A. on the first day of your trip. Truly magical. 3) Favorite Land in Magic Kingdom? Another good question. I like Fantasyland a lot. But as a Haunted Mansion truther, I'm very loyal to Liberty Square. I'm also a history nut, so that's my final answer. 4) Favorite On-Site Hotel? I know it's one of the more expensive options, but Grand Floridian is just tough to beat. The monorail and boat access is handy, you can see Magic Kingdom from the hotel, and the atmosphere is gorgeous. But truly...I don't think I've experienced a bad Disney hotel. 5) Favorite Snack? I had to think about this one. It's a weird choice, given all of the really amazing options, but I can never pass up the Joffrey's sprinkle donuts. It doesn't look like anything special, it's literally just a sprinkle donut. But it's just so sweet and soft, and the sprinkles aren't overpowering or waxy. They're easy to do as a quick pseudo-breakfast at the parks before you really get started. My other choice would be a Gideon's Bakehouse chocolate chip cookie. They're absolutely phenomenal, probably top five chocolate chip cookies of my life. But they're so hard to get, I've only ever actually had two. So it's hard to place as my favorite. 6) Favorite Souvenir? I was going to ask 'generally or specifically?', but it's actually a similar answer either way! Every time my family goes to Disney World, we get one of those customized Mickey head bauble ornaments. I always look forward to going to the Disney Days of Christmas store in Disney Springs to pick out our ornament! And now our Christmas tree is dominated by Mickey Mouse, which is really funny. Then more specifically: Last December, when my boyfriend joined my family for our trip, he and I got matching Beauty and the Beast cameo-style ornaments. It was lovely to get to include him in our family tradition, and now when we get married, we'll already have two ornaments for our tree!

Beast ornament from Disney Days of Christmas--the other side is Belle!

7) Favorite Table Service Restaurant? Be Our Guest. If you couldn't tell, I love Beauty and the Beast. This restaurant beautifully replicates Beast Castle, is a great show of force perspective from the exterior, and also has delicious food! I recommend the poulet rouge chicken. You can also get the 'grey stuff' for dessert, which is, true to the song, delicious!

My boyfriend and I at Be Our Guest. This mosaic is right in the entry way to the dining room, and is just the tip of the iceberg in regards to how beautiful the restaurant is!

8) Favorite Counter Service? I am a Satu'li Canteen loyalist until the day I die. It's the only counter service place I insist on every single trip. We tried it once on a whim because a tour guide suggested it, and their protein bowls are delicious. Highly recommend. We also had a cast member give us a free dessert last year, which was super sweet!

9) Favorite Character Dining?

Technically Be Our Guest is character dining. But if I need to pick a different one, Cinderella's Royal Table. There's just something about eating inside Cinderella's Castle that's incredibly charming, and this princess actresses are generally so much fun, even with adult tables. Three friends and I went when we were 17-19, and they were all still perfectly willing to take pictures with us!

10) Favorite ride? I referenced this earlier. In terms of pure enjoyability, it's easily Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. No question at all. I haven't been the same since the first time I rode that. But as someone who loves the ~spookier~ side of life, I very much enjoy Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror, and they fill out my top three!

My first time on Cosmic Rewind. If this isn't a glowing endorsement, I don't know what is!

11) Least Favorite Ride?

...I plead the fifth. Ultimately, it's Flying Carpets of Aladdin. It's just less nostalgic Dumbo.

12) Favorite Show?

My family has really never been show people, but I do very much respect the game. Not counting firework shows, I would say my favorite is the Beauty and the Beast show at Hollywood Studios. Because of course it is.

13) Favorite Parade?

I can not describe how much I miss the Electric Lights parade. That said, the Festival of Fantasy parade is very fun! I love the Rapunzel float.

14) Favorite Fireworks?

Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks! Besides it being super cute and festive, I also had my first kiss during this show. So it has a special place in my heart!

15) Favorite EPCOT Pavilion? I could answer this so many ways. I think, ultimately, I have to go with Norway. The Kringla Bakery has amazing food, the Frozen ride is super fun, and I love the viking vibes. Japan is a close second.

16) What was your last Magic Band color?

I had a red, Christmas-themed Cinderella's Castle band!

My boyfriend and my Magic Bands from last trip

17) Favorite Face-Character Meet&Greet?

So...I'm assuming I can't include Galactic Starcruiser characters, right? Right? Well, if I can, Sammie from that experience was super friendly, and I really hope the actor is doing well now! Otherwise, we got a Peter Pan meet&greet during the Magic Kingdom Christmas party last year, and that was very fun! I also distinctly remember meeting Aurra Sing at a Villain's Night when I was...probably eight or so? And I thought she was super cool.

My brother (Stitch) and I with Sammie. Man, I miss the Starcruiser ;-;

Off to Neverland!

18) Favorite Non-Face Character Meet&Greet?

This meeting with Lotso Huggin' Bear during Jollywood Nights was really fun!

19) Favorite Character You Haven't Met, But Want To?

I've seen some phenomenal Gaston actors, but I've never actually met him myself! So I would love to do that.

20) Favorite Attraction That is No Longer There?

RIP Dinosaur, you will be missed ;-;

21) Your Best Disney World memory?

I have so many, it's hard to choose a favorite. One historical one I go back to is my family staying at an After Hours Magic Kingdom event, and riding Buzz Lightyear over and over and over! Then more recently, the first time I ever actually met my then long-distance boyfriend in person was at Disney! It's very hard to top a first kiss with the love of your life in from of the Cinderella's Castle firework show.

22) Favorite Time of Year to Attend Walt Disney World? I've been conditioned to say early December, during the Christmas events, because that's when we usually go. And believe me, it is wonderful. I do love the Halloween season, though, and would love t

o get to do that again!

Me, practically a fetus (age 12), at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Alice meeting Alice!

23) Favorite Disney Waterpark? Admittedly, I haven't been to the Disney waterparks in ages. That said, I do recall preferring Typhoon Lagoon.

24) Favorite Disney Waterpark Waterslide?

I honestly don't remember...probably Crush 'n' Gusher?

25) Monorail or Ferry Boat?

Definitely ferry boat! Sailing away from Magic Kingdom at night with the park lights reflecting off of Seven Seas Lagoon is just magical!

26) Movie You Would Love to See Represented More in the Parks?

Not so much a movie, but I would LOVE some Gravity Falls representation! Unfortunately, I don't think Alex Hirsch would ever go for it. But it would be SO COOL!

27) Favorite Dance Party?

The Christmas dance party in Tomorrowland is always super cute!

28) Favorite Main Street Shop?

Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers! I love seeing the beautiful crystal works and the giant Cinderella's castle!

29) Favorite Disney Springs Shop?

I have a LIST. Ganachery, Arribas Bros., Basin (I'm weirdly obsessed with soap), the art gallery, and, of course, Disney Days of Christmas!

30) Favorite Seasonal Event?

Even though I love Halloween events, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party does edge it out. There's just something about the parks being decorated for Christmas that's a little extra magical.

And there you have it, folks! Thirty questions about Disney World to get to know me better! I look forward to posting more facts, reviews, and planning tips in the very near future! See ya real soon!