Reviews

Product Review: Magic Candle Company

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The magic of Disney is a perfect blend of the sights, sounds and smells of the parks and resorts. It’s that magic that brings us back to Walt Disney World year after year (after year). Who hasn’t thought about picking up and moving to the Happiest Place on Earth? Seeing as that’s unlikely for most people, the Magic Candle Company has found a way to bring a little bit of that magic into your home. Yes please!

One of our family’s favorite unofficial Disney products are the candles from Magic Candle Company. This brand specializes in theme park and resort inspired fragrances, and they truly are incredible! It’s not easy capturing the unique scents of Walt Disney World, but somehow they do it perfectly. We’ve purchased several of the scents – from our favorite resorts to our favorite rides – and have never been disappointed.

Our all time favorite candle is the Beach Resort scent. Every time our family walks into the lobby of the Beach Club Resort, we stop to take a sniff. While this might sound odd, the smell of the Beach Club lobby is the BEST. We look forward to that incredible smell as much as some of our favorite rides.

Magic Candle Company’s Beach Resort scent is like you’re standing right there in the lobby. I’ve burned through that candle faster than any other (three of those candles, actually). After years of staying there, the smell brings back so many magical memories for me. Coming home and lighting my Beach Resort candle is the perfect way to end the day.

Have a favorite resort or ride? Magic Candle Company has a huge selection of scents, so check out their website and see if your favorites are there!

Shop here

Use the code wdwparkplanners10 to get 10% off of your next purchase!

Planning Tips

Top 5 Must Do Rides at Epcot

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When non-Disney people think of Walt Disney World, Epcot typically isn’t the park that comes to mind. Sure, they might recognize the Epcot icon – the giant golf ball (Spaceship Earth) – but it’s not the park that people race to for the rides.

One of my all-time favorite rides is in Epcot (see #1 on the list), along with lots of other great, but underrated ones. If you do want to hit them, you can definitely do it in one morning. It’s worth half a day of your vacation if you can squeeze it in!

That’s why I’ve pulled together our family’s Top 5 Must Do Rides at Epcot. Here’s the countdown…

5. Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros

This one probably isn’t on most people’s list of must-do’s, but it’s a family favorite of ours. Tucked away in Mexico’s San Angel Inn restaurant (inside the pyramid), this family friendly boat ride stars Donald Duck. Cruise through different cities in Mexico as Donald’s friends try to find him. You’ll be singing along by the end of this one – good luck getting the catchy tune out of your head!

WDW Park Planners Recommendation: for all ages/heights


4. Mission Space

This thrill ride takes you on a mission to Mars and has two options for intensity (green – low, or orange – high). Our family usually splits for this one – the orange option has intense G-forces that can definitely make you nauseous if you have a weak stomach.

WDW Park Planners Recommendation: for the “big” kids and adults

Height requirement: 40 in. or taller for both options


3. The Seas with Nemo and Friends

If you love Finding Nemo or Finding Dory, then you definitely need to add this to your list. Cruise through scenes of the movie in a shell and see all of your favorite characters underwater!

WDW Park Planners Recommendation: for all ages/heights


2. Test Track

This is one of the most popular rides in the park, and for good reason. Create your own vehicle as you wait in line, and then get to experience your creation on the track. You’ll hit 60mph on the outside loop – this is the best part of the ride. Try to get a Fast Pass+ for this, as this line is always one of the longest around. If you don’t mind not riding together, you can also wait in the Single Rider line which we’ve done a few times and made it through without a terrible wait.

WDW Park Planners Recommendation: for the “big” kids and adults

Height requirement: 40 in. or taller


1. Soarin’ Around the World

This is one of my favorite rides in all of the parks!!!! Soarin’ Around the World takes you hang gliding over beautiful places like the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and the Serengeti. Without ruining the magic, this 4D experience is truly one of the best and should be ridden more than once to fully appreciate it. The pre-flight video is a family favorite of ours, as is the soundtrack for the ride 🙂

WDW Park Planners Recommendation: for the “big” kids and adults

Height requirement: 40 in. or taller


Click here to check out the other rides at Epcot!

Reviews

Bar Review: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto & Tiki Bar

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WDW Park Planners Rating:

Location: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Age restrictions: Must be 21+ after 8pm

The Polynesian Village Resort is a family favorite, and Trader Sam’s has been a fun addition to the already great resort. They have tasty island themed food, but are really known for their exotic, tropical cocktails. Try to stop in for a drink before or after dinner at ‘Ohana.

Trader Sam’s is not your average tiki bar. As if you didn’t already feel like you were transported to the Polynesian islands at this resort, Trader Sam’s really makes you feel as if you’re on another island. The theming is unbelievable, as we’ve come to expect from Disney. But, it’s the cast members that make the experience truly memorable. Without giving away too much of the magic, different drinks trigger different events at the bar. That being said, don’t base your drink choice on what you think will “happen” – you’re going to see it all during your time there (shout out to our awesome waitress who told us that. And she was right).

WDW Park Planners Tip:

Because it’s such a small spot, there is typically a wait in the evening to get into Trader Sam’s, especially if it’s high season at WDW. Put your name in and they’ll text you when a table is available (you have a ten-minute window to return). A few suggestions for killing time: hang out at the beach (walk down to the new over-water bungalows and check them out), sit at the outside tables of Trader Sam’s (food and drinks are available there, too), or head over to the Grand Floridian.

When my husband and I visited this past August, we put our name in for a table and they told us it was a 60+ minute wait*. Ben had never been to the Grand Floridian Resort, so we took advantage of the time and made the ten minute trek over there. It was fun to explore the little shops and check out the different restaurants in the Grand. Before we knew it, they had texted us saying there was availability in Trader Sam’s. We ended up running back (okay, so Ben did the running…) and made it back just in time. Trust us, Trader Sam’s is worth the wait.

*Disclaimer: When I went with my mom and sisters later that same week, there was no wait at all! We walked right in and got a table for 5. Sometimes the magic is on your side!