Wordless Wednesday | There Be Pirates!

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Welcome to The Wordless and Almost Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we get together to blog hop, link up and share our Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday, Disney travel related picture posts.

I can't believe it's almost time for our trip! Time sure does fly when you are having planning fun. 

Which brings me to the theme for the week, the letter "P".

Pirates for those of us who are still talking like a pirate and Pirates of the Caribbean my favorite attraction in Magic Kingdom and one I am planning to ride as soon as we arrive.

Where is your favorite attraction?

Time to link up your Wordless Wednesday ...

The Wordless and Almost Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop | Happy First Day Of Summer!

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Hi over there!
This is the latest edition of The Wordless and Almost Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we get together to blog hop, link up and share our #DisneySide Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday, Disney related picture posts.

Happy first day of summer! Also known as the summer solstice, or the longest day of the year and the official start of summer for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.
The theme or topic of this week's hop is Summertime.

In summers past I've been to Stonehenge, enjoyed the beaches of the Hamptons and Jersey Shore, boating on Great South Bay, the Long Island Sound and Jersey waters, lounging around the pool, camping, road trips, cruises, the annual balloon festival and flights to exotic and not so exotic locations. Always accompanied by lots of food, family, and fun. The most family fun trips hands down have been at Disney World and on Disney Cruises.

Summer time at the Disney Parks is hot, hot, hot! 
I decided to share a few of my favorite ways we stay cool besides drinking copious amounts of water whilst spritzing ourselves with misters, hopping from shop to shop, attraction to attraction based on the air conditioning, and swimming after hours. 

Who doesn't love The Yacht & Beach Club and Animal Kingdom Lodge pools to swim away the heat?
Or zipping around on water mice by the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge. And a cool frosty Blue Raspberry Goofy Glacier at Animal Kingdom.

Don't forget to join the Instagram photo challenge. Tag your IG pics with #disneyphotohop.

Time to link up your Wordless Wednesday ...

Almost Wordless Wednesday | Happy Earth Day 2017!

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Hey there Disney photography fans. Welcome to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we get together to share our #DisneySide Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.

This week our theme is Disney Nature in celebration of the 47th Earth Day which is Saturday, April 22nd.

Disney Parks celebrates Earth Day every day in The Animal Kingdom Park in Florida which opened on April 22, 1998. I'd like to share a few shots of  The Tree of Life the iconic centerpiece of the park and symbolizes the beauty, diversity, and grandeur of our animal life on Earth.

It is covered in beautiful animal carvings that you can see from every angle. The closer you get the more you can see the intricacy of each carving around the base and branches. At night the tree comes alive with The Tree Awaking light show.

"You've probably heard people talk about conservation. Well, conservation isn't just the business of a few people. It's a matter that concerns all of us. It's a science whose principles are written in the oldest code in the world, the laws of nature. The natural resources of our vast continent are not inexhaustible. But if we will use our riches wisely, if we will protect our wildlife and preserve our lakes and streams, these things will last us for generations to come."  

"I have learned from the animal world, and what everyone will learn who studies it is, a renewed sense of kinship with the earth and all its inhabitants."

~ Walt Disney 

Now for my favorite, Kilimanjaro Safaris. This is a popular attraction so you will experience a wait. If you can grab a Fastpass or arrive early. The animals are most active in the morning and during the rain which usually happens in the afternoon. You can read about it here.

How will you celebrate Earth Day? I'll be planting seeds in my garden.

Have a magical day!

Time to link up your Wordless Wednesday photo...

Wordless Wednesday - Happy International Woman's Day!!

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Today is March 8th and we are celebrating International Woman's Day #Disneystyle. The day focuses on social, political, cultural, economic achievements and contributions of women in the world.

I thought it would be fun to feature a few of my favorite strong female characters and on a more serious not a video of Emma Watson speaking to the UN on women's issues in 2015.

"well-behaved women seldom make history." ~ Louise Thatcher Ulrich


And now it's time to link up your Disney photos to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we gather to link up and share our #WW #DisneySide Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.

We're hopping all week so don't feel as though you've missed the Linky party if you don't post today.

• Hop around and get to know everyone linked up. People will be more likely to visit your blog if you visit and comment on theirs. I love reading your comments!
• Place the button code provided below in your sidebar and/or your post. 
• Spread the word. This is the Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog hop hosted by Deb at Focused on the Magic.com.
• Need help? Check out The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop Information page.

The great success of this hop is your doing! Thank you!

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~ºoº~

An InLinkz Link-up

• Planning the Paw-fect Walt Disney World Vacation for Puppy Pals during the Dog Days of Summer
• Foodie Friday: Big Top Treats - Menu
• #Disney Wordless Wednesday Linky Party: Popular Pinterest Pins!
• Focused on the Magic Disney Wordless Wednesday Linky Blog Hop: March
• Wordless Wednesday ~ Illuminations

2017 Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival features new gardens, topiaries, entertainers and tasty foods

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Celebrating 24 years the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will jump-start spring with blooms aplenty and gardens of edibles including toothsome morsels from the new Northern Bloom and The Berry Basket Outdoor Kitchens. A new, next-generation Belle topiary from “Beauty and the Beast” will debut in France, and a redesigned “Cars” play garden will introduce a colorful new character topiary sure to capture children’s imaginations.

The 90-day festival, runs March 1-May 29 2017 and will feature an irresistible array of new gardens and character topiaries, popular entertainers and tasty food and drink offerings.

Rustico Leather Travel Set Review

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There's nothing like traveling with stylish leather accessories! The smell, feel and durability of fine leather goods makes it all feel a little better. Whether it's in my handbags, boots, shoes or coats I love it. And as a travel memory keeper I have always lusted after leather bound travel journals. They seem so permanent and remind me of the classic journals of 19th century world travelers filled with profound prose. Maybe I've seen too many Indian Jones movies.
My collection of journals are filled with notes, pictures, poems, doodles and thoughts. It's an eclectic collection of tattered loose leaf notebooks and worn spiral notebooks. None of them are real journals but I do enjoy reading back through them and reminiscing.
When I was given the opportunity recently to review a Rustico Leather Travel Set I was delighted to put it mildly. 

{Disclosure: I am a participating Influencer at The Entertainment New Media Network. I have received free product for review to facilitate this post. I was not compensated for this review and all expressed opinions are strictly my own.}

Disney World Holiday Events

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Disney elves blend yuletide traditions and Christmas cheer to create a wintry wonderland ready for holiday revelers at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line. Highlights:
Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will have magical nights from November-December. For a quarter century, Walt Disney World Resort guests have been mesmerized by this must-see event, a grandly festive tradition immersing families in the holiday spirit.

Beginning at 7 p.m. (after regular park hours), guests with special event tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can enjoy all the holiday splendor with lively stage shows, spectacular fireworks, a unique holiday parade and favorite holiday traditions including complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. Guests can enjoy new experiences and attractions at New Fantasyland.
NOTE: this is a hard ticket special event after regular park hours; purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Entertainment, Fireworks and More: Santa’s elves have transformed the Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland with festive wreaths, bows, garland, sparkling lights, parades and towering Christmas trees. The fun includes the Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season nighttime fireworks spectacular, plus live entertainment with Disney characters all dressed up for the holidays.

Favorite Walt Disney World Resort

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This month's topic is A thousand worlds in one - which resort is "home" to you and why?

My favorite Walt Disney World  Resort and one I call "home" is The Boardwalk Villas. We became members of The Disney Vacation Club (DVC)  in 1998 at The Boardwalk Villas. After staying across Crescent Lake at The Yacht/Beach Club a few times we got to know and love the Epcot resort area.  

The Boardwalk Villas (BWV) charm and elegant turn-of-the-century seaside resort theme  makes me feel as though I were stepping back in time. A time when woman carried parasols and men straw boaters. The attention to detail is amazing and there seems to be a beautiful Victorian story related to the details.

The miniature carousel in the lobby was hand-crafted in the early1900s at NY's Coney Island by M.C. Illions, a master designer and manufacturer of merry-go-rounds.

Everywhere you look there's something to remind you of that wonderful era. It is also such a good feeling to hear "welcome home" after a long day of travel or park touring as you enter the lobby. 

I enjoy sitting in a wicker rocker at The Bellevue Room reading or having cocktails before dinner. Also, a great place for the boys to grab a morning snack and hang out while mom is getting ready for the day;)

Food is more than just sustenance for us when we are on vacation. It's become a large part of our trips. During The Food & Wine Festival it is the trip! The BoardWalk area is full of great dining options that are insanely good. 
For a full sit down breakfast we frequent Kouzzina and Cape May Buffet. On days we're eating in DS will do a "muffin run" with our refillable mugs and bring back tasty fresh baked treats from The Bakery with coffee.They also make very good lunches and breakfasts that are 1C credit on the Disney Dining Plan. 

The atmosphere on the BoardWalk day and night is great, there's always something to do. 


Out on the BoardWalk there's entertainment with jugglers, musicians and fun games for all ages. When my kids were old enough to, I didn't mind letting them wander around a bit while we sat on a bench and relaxed. It's a safe fun place to be. Now they like to hang out and make friends on their own. DH & I enjoy the dueling pianos at Jellyrolls and Wed. night is DVC night at Atlantic Dance which I can't seem to drag DH too;) My sister and I had fun there but the night's not over until we stop in at Seashore Sweets for a "Black & White" soda..YUM! If you've never had one, the ingredients are chocolate syrup, milk, ice cream, vanilla extract and fountain/club soda. Try it sometime!!


The  activities at the BWV's are numerous and you can't possibly do every activity. I usually read the newsletter when we first arrive to plan what we'll be doing at the resort. 
Some of the things we like to do are renting "water mice" to buzz around Crescent Lake or a fishing excursion. There are standard bikes to rent at the community hall and outside in front of the resort you can rent surrey bikes that will fit up to 6 people. 

The kids have fun riding the 200-foot-long Keister Coaster water slide at the Villa's circus-themed Luna Park Pool, and the really little ones enjoy  splashing around under the water spouting elephants . DH & I enjoy the quiet pools or spas at night. There's Muscles & Bustles Health Club, with state-of-the-art exercise equipment that we've only walked through. I don't exercise while on vacation unless you count all the walking around the parks. There's also an arcade that we enjoy on rainy days. The Community Hall has lots of games and DVDs to borrow.

The BWV's, are located exactly where my family likes to be too, halfway between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS). It's a nice stroll over to Epcot or you can take one of the Friendship boats.The walk to Epcot is about 5-10 minutes and the walk to DHS is about 20 min depending on my energy level.

Hi Ho!!!!!!

My sons and even DH would rather walk than take the Friendship boats back and forth to Epcot or DHS. I'm the one that has to be convinced and eventually I'll give in to their requests. Secretly, I enjoy these leisurely walks (even after a long day walking around the parks) because it's the perfect time to have a long uninterrupted conversation with them. Walking and talking while sharing a lot of laughs. Like this candid moment. No warning just a "Look Mom!" 

Over the years we’ve stayed in just about all the different sizes of accommodations, views and locations that are available, except the grand villa. Studios, one bedroom villas, two bedroom villas separate and lock-offs. I don't have a preference. Each one has offered its own unique experience for us. 

I love having a kitchen and laundry right in the villas. I don't cook big sit down meals when we're on vacation but it's nice to have sandwiches or light meals. I do laundry and when DS would visit from college I did a lot of laundry. 

When our two boys were small we would stay in a one bedroom with the boys sleeping on the pull-out couch in the living room.As they got bigger and older we started staying in a two bedroom if we traveled all together. 

It's very relaxing and quiet. I've never had a problem with noisy neighbors (unlike some other resorts) or sounds coming from the BoardWalk. If you're on the canal side you do hear the boat horn as it goes under the Swan & Dolphin bridge, but I like that. One of our favorite things to do is sit on the balcony at the end of a long day, eat popcorn, sip wine and chat about the days events. 

The Boardwalk Villas has so much to offer our family. As you can imagine over the years I've built up quite a sentimental affection for the BWV. That's why it's our favorite WDW resort!

Do you have a favorite WDW resort? 

Related articles

• Deluxe Resorts ~ Disney's BoardWalk Resort (focusedonthemagic.com)
• Favorite Disney Bakery (focusedonthemagic.com)
• Top 3 Favorite Disney Resorts (focusedonthemagic.com)