Christmas

  • The Polar Express Hot Chocolate Party
    Christmas,  Disney Themed Dinners,  Holidays

    Polar Express Hot Chocolate Party

    As winter nears, we happily anticipate twinkling Christmas lights, quiet evenings with family, and a magical ambiance in the air.  Cozy season is officially here, and one of the best ways to get cozy is with a cup of cocoa.  So, this week we enjoyed a hot chocolate party themed to The Polar Express! I loved reading The Polar Express as a child, and now I read the very same copy of the book to my children.  It’s a touching story about the spirit of Christmas and believing in magic that applies to young and old alike. My youngest two also enjoy the 2004 animated film of the same name. …

  • Noelle Themed Dinner
    Christmas,  Disney Themed Dinners,  Holidays

    Noelle Themed Dinner

    This week, we enjoyed a Christmas themed dinner to the Disney+ holiday comedy, Noelle! Noelle Kringle is the daughter of Santa Claus.  After her father retires, it is Noelle’s job to support her brother (Nick) and ensure he is ready to inherit the Santa role.  Unfortunately, Nick gets cold feet and flees the North Pole.  To save Christmas, Noelle embarks on a search-and-recover mission to retrieve her brother from the unfamiliar world outside the North Pole. Noelle is a charming story full of holiday fun that we look forward to watching every year!  There are several fun food references that inspired me to create this Noelle themed dinner.  Some of…

  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at Christmas
    Christmas,  Holidays,  Vacation Planning Tips and Tricks

    Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at Christmas

    This week, we are covering all the Christmas offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! Walt Disney World goes all out when decking the halls for Christmas, especially at the Disney Resorts!  Guests visiting over the holidays are treated to massive Christmas trees, larger-than-life gingerbread displays, and exquisitely themed ornaments and lights.  The décor at the resorts is so spectacular, many guests plan a day to simply resort hop to take in the amazing displays.  If this sounds like you, then check out our Top 10 Disney Resorts to Visit During Christmas! Each resort offers something unique, and Animal Kingdom Lodge is no exception.  Animal Kingdom Lodge tends to fly under…

  • Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll
    Christmas,  Holidays,  Vacation Planning Tips and Tricks

    Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll

    This week, we’re covering everything you need to know about the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs! Christmas trees are my favorite part of the holidays.  Taking in the twinkling lights, colorful ribbons, and shiny baubles puts me in a jolly mood!  If you feel the same, then you won’t want to miss this yuletide tradition at Disney Springs – the Christmas Tree Stroll!  What is the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll? The Christmas Tree Stroll is a showcase of extravagantly decorated Christmas trees scattered across Disney Springs.  And in true Disney fashion, each Christmas tree celebrates various Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel favorites.  This annual event takes place…

  • Christmas Vacation Themed Dinner
    Christmas,  Disney Themed Dinners,  Holidays

    Christmas Vacation Themed Dinner

    This week’s themed dinner was inspired by the classic holiday comedy, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation! In Christmas Vacation, family man Clark Griswold strives to host the perfect “old-fashioned Christmas” for his family and extended relatives.  But his well-intentioned plans go awry, and mayhem ensues. This film is full of hilarious scenes and quotable moments, not to mention some great food references.  So, this year, I decided to join in on the “old-fashioned Christmas” fun and have a Christmas Vacation themed dinner! Creating our Christmas Vacation themed dinner menu was a lot of fun.  I took inspiration from Clark’s colorful family members as well as several hilarious food references in the…

  • Jock Lindsey's Holiday Bar Review
    Christmas,  Holidays,  Reviews,  Vacation Planning Tips and Tricks

    Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar – A Review!

    During the holiday season, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar transforms into a festive hidden gem.  And today, we are reviewing the experience! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is a family-friendly lounge located in Disney Springs.  This watering hole is designed to resemble an airplane hangar-turned-dive bar.  And who should be the proprietor of such a location?  Well, none other than Indiana Jones’s high-flying and adventure-seeking pal, Jock Lindsey! Fans of Raiders of the Lost Ark will remember Jock Lindsey (and his boa constrictor, Reggie) helping Indy with a daring escape during an expedition in Peru.  And as the story goes, after adventuring with Indy in central Florida, Jock decided to settle down…

  • The BEST Dishes from EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays
    Christmas,  Holidays,  Reviews,  Vacation Planning Tips and Tricks

    The BEST Dishes From EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays

    We recently returned from a Christmastime trip to Walt Disney World, and one of the highlights was snacking around World Showcase during EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays! EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays is a celebration of traditions and cuisine from around the world during the holiday season.  In 2022, the festival takes place from November 25th to December 30th.  We timed our trip just right to catch the very beginning of the festival. Guests attending EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays will enjoy various seasonal offerings around World Showcase including holiday storytellers, festive decorations, musical performances, and special events.  But the big draw of this festival for many is the…

  • Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer-Themed-Dinner
    Christmas,  Disney Themed Dinners,  Holidays

    Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Themed Dinner

    This week, we watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer while enjoying a special dinner themed to the film! When I think of a Christmas classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer always comes to mind.  Reflecting on my earliest Christmas memories, I remember being so excited to pop in my recorded Rudolph VHS tape and watch the movie.  Yes, you read that right!  My childhood go-to Christmas movie was recorded straight from TV onto VHS, with Christmas commercials and all.  And in all fairness, those commercials were some of my favorite parts! Fueled by nostalgia, I decided this was the year I would prepare a Rudolph themed dinner for the kids to enjoy. …

  • Christmas Cookie Recipes From the Disney Parks
    Christmas,  Disney Themed Dinners,  Holidays,  Recipes

    Christmas Cookie Recipes From the Disney Parks

    This week, I’m sharing Christmas cookie recipes from the Disney Parks! Baking festive treats for friends and family is one of my favorite holiday traditions.  And I’m especially excited to infuse some Disney magic in my holiday baking with these Christmas cookie recipes from the Parks! These recipes hail from Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disneyland.  Which of these Disney Christmas cookie recipes will you be baking for the holidays? Mickey Chocolate Chip Cookies – Disneyland Paris Disneyland Paris puts a festive spin on traditional chocolate chip cookies by incorporating pecans, dried cranberries, and a dark chocolate drizzle.  These cookies will make the perfect addition to…

  • Nightmare Before Christmas Themed Dinner
    Christmas,  Disney Themed Dinners,  Halloween,  Holidays

    Nightmare Before Christmas Themed Dinner

    This week, we had a spooky and merry time enjoying a Nightmare Before Christmas themed dinner! The Nightmare Before Christmas is the perfect mashup of Halloween and Christmas spirit.  There is a hot debate as to whether it’s considered a Halloween or Christmas movie, but I personally believe it’s a Christmas movie for the following reasons: It’s our family tradition to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas after a night of trick-or-treating to conclude Halloween and welcome the Christmas season!  (Yes, I’m that person that jumps right into Christmas in November). But while considering the food references in the film, I decided the menu had a much more *Halloween* feel.  So,…