Seeking The Magical

06/08/2024

We have asked Disney characters to sign many things for us over the years. From Mickey signing an actual mousetrap to Donald Duck signing a pair of underwear, our requests tend to be a little out there and surprising for most. So, imagine our surprise when a Disney Princess asked us to sign something for her!

It was unexpected but incredibly sweet when Princess Tiana asked us to sign friendship fireflies in this, our twenty-second installment of our exclusive series, “Will You Sign My…?” featuring our most memorable interactions obtaining autographs from Disney characters. Check it out at https://youtu.be/POWBcpegagc?feature=shared, and view the rest of the series on our channel!

We have asked Disney characters to sign many things for us over the years. From Mickey signing an actual mousetrap to Donald Duck signing a pair of underwea...

02/01/2024

Have you heard of the major change Disney Vacation Club made to its policy regarding early registration for Moonlight Magic? DVC made the change very quietly—as in essentially silently—before the start of the year. Regrettably, many members are unaware and will face a rude awakening when they attempt to early register today for events at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in February and April.

THE CHANGE: DVC Members with access to “Membership Extras” like Moonlight Magic can no longer make normal reservations at any WDW resort and qualify for early registration. This means a reservation at Art of Animation, for example, booked online or by calling the WDW customer service line for publicly available rates no longer qualifies. Now, the only reservations that qualify for early registration are:

1. Standard DVC vacation point reservations
2. Reservations made for the "Disney Collection" through DVC—these are the same rooms that can be booked for normal, non-DVC reservations, but they are MUCH pricier, and there is a $95.00 transaction fee
3. Reservations made at a DVC resort by calling the DVC phone number and paying in cash

While it’s great that this change goes a long way in assuring guests staying on vacation points have access to early registration, the fact that DVC didn’t publicize it or advertise that as the goal belies the money grab aspects of option 2 and 3.

Check out our blog post at https://seekingthemagical.com/disney-vacation-club-implemented-a-2024-moonlight-magic-policy-change/ for all the details about this major change and what it means for you!

because reality is magical at Disney.

Disney Vacation Club has very quietly made a major change to their policy on which resort reservations qualify for early registration to all 2024 Moonlight Magic events. Disney Vacation Club has very quietly made a major change to their policy on which resort reservations qualify for

07/01/2023

Raiders of the Lost Candles! Indiana Jones—the man, the myth, the legend—was born on July 1, 1899, so while this Mickey Celebration Cupcake from the 30th Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios a few years ago is dozens of candles shy of the actual number, it almost counts as an artifact now! Thus, we think Indy would appreciate it anyway. It would probably be as hard as a rock at this point, but the doctor certainly has experience with boulders!

Did you celebrate by seeing, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”?

06/22/2023

Here’s a new concept for critiquing Snow White’s Story Book Dining,
A sing-song review done entirely by rhyming.
Step inside Snow White’s fairy tale realm,
Where dining delights take the helm.
The atmosphere straight out of a dream,
With forest-themed décor, a perfect theme.
The food, the ambiance, a true delight,
We’ll take you on a wondrous foodie flight!
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/JyBbxQx-4NE (link works in bio),
And see a princess, a queen, and dwarfs who sing, “Heigh-ho!”

Here's a new concept for critiquing Snow White's Storybook Dining.A sing song review done entirely by rhyming.And timed, to celebrate the restaurant's first ...

06/21/2023

Like water reflects its surroundings, Disney vacations return what you put into them…usually. There are extenuating circumstances of course, but approaching park days with high expectations, lengthy must do lists, and packed schedules is not the best way to make magic. It is hard to slow down and be in the moment when there is so much to see and do, but reflecting on what you want your trip to look and feel like in the end makes a big difference! We are all for planning and establishing reasonable priorities and timelines, but the most stellar plans turn out better with a generously padded schedule and ample flexibility.

When you reflect on your favorite Disney memories do you see perfectly executed plans or unanticipated events that required you to be flexible and present in the moment?

06/20/2023

The Disney operated food trucks at Disney Springs were never really something to taco bout. They were an easy option for a quick bite, but the many iterations that have come and gone (or will soon be going as the Disney operated trucks close this summer) were better left unwrapped. We taco chance on this Springs Candy Taco from the now shuttered jalopy, “Cookie Dough & Everything Sweet”, and it was so sweet it put us in a sugar tacoma! In queso you need a better option, taco your time and head over to the non-Disney owned and operated “4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck”. Fittingly, they are the taco Belle of the ball!

06/20/2023

Do you remember the scene in “The Mighty Ducks” where Casey Conway, Charlie’s mom, points to an iconic building in Rice Park in Saint Paul and says that when she was little, she “used to pretend that, that was an ice castle, and that was [her] room—that window right up there”? Have you ever done that with Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom? The main levels of the castle are taken up by the walkway, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Cinderella’s Royal Table, the Cinderella Castle Suite (which is not open to the public), and other cast member areas, but we wonder what is behind the windows on the top floors and what is hiding in all the spires and turrets.

If we were to pick a room in the castle, it would be the one Tinker Bell flies out of every night during the fireworks show. How about you—what room would you pick?

06/19/2023

“Don’t be a high-strung fellow
Kick back and keep it mellow
Woah, woah, woah
Go with the flow!” – Crush

To all the totally awesome dads who know how to navigate the currents of life and fatherhood with grace and a sense of humor, we wish you a happy Father’s Day! And to everyone out there trying to navigate the choppy seas without a rocking father figure like Marlin and Crush, know that your character and value are not defined by your parental relationships. You are whole as you are, and you are important and loved.

06/18/2023

Rub-a-dub-dub,
Two ducks in a tub,
And so much food dye for me!

The specialty treats at Disney H2O Glow After Hours may be a little heavy handed on the food coloring, but that is just part of the fun! The other parts include character dance parties, funky misty bubble machines, specialty and included snacks, giant waves, shorter/nonexistent lines, and lazy river time under the stars! It’s a blast, but the party time does fly by! Have you experienced the Glow?

06/17/2023

No flash photography please! We wouldn’t want to interrupt Stitch’s concert with that and need to clear out Ohana in the aftermath. We will just let Stitch have a rocking good time on the ukulele and see what shenanigans he can get into with Lilo. Check out our video meeting the pair at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at https://youtu.be/3SE9wCNWGAc and take your shot at guessing some lesser-known movie trivia in the process!

During this challenging time, we’re comforted by our love of Disney and finding hope and inspiration in the messages of many iconic Disney songs and attracti...

06/16/2023

From a new special ticketed event in Hollywood Studios to the traditional snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom, there are so many things to look forward to this holiday season in Walt Disney World! We can’t wait to share can’t miss elements of the new offerings and the returning favorites with you, so you can make the most of your Disney time and money. To that end, the announcement that Disney’s Animal Kingdom will host the Merry Menagerie again did not receive the fanfare of the new offerings, but it should not be forgotten! The Merry Menagerie features life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets, gifted puppeteers, and musicians interacting with guests on a one-on-one basis in unique and adorable ways. It’s whimsical. It’s fun. It’s the embodiment of , and it earns a resounding can’t miss distinction!

06/15/2023

A famous movie mom once exclaimed, “This is Christmas—the season of perpetual hope!” We’re sticking with that and hoping the rumors are wrong. Please , surprise us by bringing back the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights!

UPDATE: The rumors are apparently true, as Disney announced on Thursday, June 15th that there will be a new “Frozen”-inspired Cinderella Castle stage show this holiday season that features Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the Snowgies. The show, a “Frozen Holiday Surprise,” will run on regular park days and during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and it “will illuminate the castle in a whole new way” according to Disney. While we do not know exactly what that means, the picture that Disney released with it makes it clear that the Dream Lights are not returning this year. We’re admittedly disappointed, and we hope the “whole new way” is something much more than simply new projections on the castle. What do you think about this announcement?