A Disney Blog | Parks, Cruise, Lifestyle

Disney Yacht Club vs Beach Club – what’s the difference?

Disney Yacht Club vs Beach Club – what’s the difference?

When traveling to Walt Disney World, one of the first things you need to decide is where you’ll stay. But there are so many options, how do you choose?! We have so many posts about Disney resorts and choosing the right one. So, we decided…

Chefs de France EPCOT Disney World Restaurant Review

Chefs de France EPCOT Disney World Restaurant Review

Chefs de France at EPCOT Park is one of those mainstay restaurants that doesn’t come with a ton of extra flair, but still offers up authentic French cuisine at a decent price. And while you won’t find any Disney characters here, you can still count…

Dahlia Lounge at Coronado Springs

Dahlia Lounge at Coronado Springs

If you’re looking for the best lounges at Disney World, look no further. Whether you’re on a girl’s trip to Disney, an adult only trip, looking for a good date night spot, or just want somewhere to take a nice break, Dahlia Lounge fits the…

Disney’s All Star Sports Resort Review

Disney’s All Star Sports Resort Review

Looking for a getaway to a sports themed hotel at Disney for your next Disney trip? Add in fun Mickey and Friends graphics in the food court honoring all things sports. Basketball, Football, Baseball, Tennis and Surfing are all part of the atmosphere. Featuring standard…

Best Pools at Disney World at Where to Find Them

Best Pools at Disney World at Where to Find Them

When you’re planning a Disney World vacation, choosing a resort can be tough! There are so many good options to choose from, but which is best? Well, if you’re planning on spending time at your resort, then the resort pool may be something to consider. …


Easter at Walt Disney World 2024

Celebrating Easter at Disney World 2024 Events, Displays and Treats

Celebrating Easter at Disney World 2024 Events, Displays and Treats

Spending Easter at Walt Disney World is all about spring. There is so much to do, see, and eat! From fun Easter Snacks at Disney to Brunch and Easter Egg displays. There’s nothing like taking the time to take it all in. However, as it is also the busiest time of year at Walt Disney World, if you’re visiting Disney World for Easter, be prepared for crowds. Springtime at Walt Disney World brings flowers, Easter displays, and the Flower and Garden Festival. But, you can also find Easter-specific things to do, if you’re visiting for the holiday. Easter is March 31, 2024, and these events are for a limited time only. 

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Disney Travel and Lifestyle Blog Welcome to Polka Dots and Pixie Dust

Welcome to Polka Dots and Pixie Dust, a Disney Travel and Lifestyle Blog. Here you’ll find everything you need to help plan your Disney Parks Vacation, plan your Disney Cruise, and add more Disney to your Lifestyle. We are sisters with a passion for all things Disney and Harry Potter. Not to mention holidays, food, and movies, all of which you’ll find here at Polka Dots and Pixie Dust. From blogging about Disney vacations to the best copycat recipes from Disney Parks, we’re always ready for the magic we try to fit a little Disney into every day.

On this Disney Blog, you’ll find trip reviews for Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Aulani. Plus you’ll get an inside look at resorts, restaurants, snacks and even cruise ships, if you’re vacationing with Disney.  And that includes at home too! So you’ll also find Disney Recipes, Disney DIY Projects, and everything you need for a Disney Home. If you’re planning a Disney Cruise, you can find guides for each Disney Cruise Ship, and Cruise Destination Reviews. And of course, no lifestyle blog would be complete with recipes, gift guides, movie nights and things to get you inspired. You can find it all separated by category in our drop down menus on this page!

We also review Disney Special Events, and report on the Epcot Festivals every year! Do you need a list of everything you’ll find in each park? You can grab our Free Disney E-Book with Visitor Guides for each Disney Park by signing up for our newsletter.  We promise to share everything you could hope for from a WDW Tourist Blog, and maybe some other Disney stuff just for fun! Our goal is to add more faith, trust and pixie dust to whatever you’re goals. 

Walt Disney World 2024

Things at Walt Disney World are looking up for 2024. With the main opening being Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, construction projects may be on a break, helping the parks get back to “normal.” With a completed EPCOT World Celebration and new restaurants the main projects will be resort renovations. A New Little Mermaid Show at Hollywood Studios, an Updated Country Bears Jamboree in Magic Kingdom, and the brand new nighttime spectacular Luminous at EPCOT Park. 

The biggest Disney Vacation Tips we can offer is to review the Walt Disney World Calendar of Events 2024 so you know what to expect when you visit. Whether it’s larger traveling groups at Disney that may take over your hotel, or clog up lines at Disney World, we share dates and details in the post. And if you’re visiting to run your next race, check out the runDisney Events at Walt Disney World 2024 to get a handle on registration dates and themes. 

Walt Disney World Planning

Planning a Disney Vacation can get complicated. Thankfully, we’ve done a round-up of all the information you need. If you’re ready to dive in, we have tips on how to plan a Disney Vacation and everything you need to know about Walt Disney World Parks. Grab our Disney Checklists so you know what to see, do, and eat in all four parks. Or check out our Disney Tips to have a better vacation.

If this is your first Disney Vacation you can also peruse our information on the Disney Dining Plan, How to get to Walt Disney World from Orlando Airport, and What to pack for Disney. Check out which Resorts at Walt Disney World we like best and Disney Restaurants you can’t miss. If it’s been a few years since your last visit, be sure to check out all the new Disney Attractions.

Disney Parks

Just like all Disney Blogs, we have loads of info to help you plan your visit to the parks. Walt Disney World has 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, the Disney Boardwalk, over 25 resorts, and Disney Springs. That’s a lot to fit into any Disney Vacation. Below, you can check out our pages on all the Walt Disney World Parks. 

  • Animal Kingdom: Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Walt Disney World’s largest park and features animal habitats and themed rides, restaurants and spaces honoring Africa, Asia, and Pandora. 
  • EPCOT: Walt Disney’s favorite project for a city of tomorrow can be found at EPCOT Park, home to Spaceship Earth, and the World Showcase, offering a variety of restaurants and rides themed to different cultures. 
  • Hollywood Studios: Featuring old-school Hollywood, Toy Story Land, and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios is all about film. Home to the Tower of Terror and Rise of the Resistance.
  • Magic Kingdom: Home to Cinderella’s Castle Magic Kingdom is Disney World’s smallest park, and most popular. With over 25 rides, if you love classic Disney films and characters, you can find them here. 

Free Disney Areas to Visit

And if you’re just vacationing in Orlando, Florida, but looking for free things to do at Disney, there is more than you realize! Check out the Boardwalk, Disney Springs and Resorts below, for some of the best places to visit during your trip. 

  • Disney’s BoardWalk: Found just outside EPCOT Park, you can visit the Disney Boardwalk for free to explore the Boardwalk Resorts, restaurants, and Entertainment available. 
  • Disney Springs Shopping Center: Disney Springs is Walt Disney World’s free, public shopping center, filled with restaurants and shops to browse, and explore. Perfect for finding your next Disney Gift. 
  • Disney Resorts: Walt Disney World has over 25 Disney Resorts, across all categories. While some feature characters, others are simply themed to Walt’s favorite things. Disney Resorts are free to visit and make for the perfect non-park ticket day. 

Things to Do

Our favorite parts of any Disney Vacation often have nothing to do with the rides. We love the extra special things that you can find when you’re not just checking off your Disney checklist. Be sure to check out all our posts on the fun free Disney Games we’ve found in the parks and all our favorite Disney Snacks in each park. If you’re visiting EPCOT, chances are you will visit during one of the EPCOT festivals.

Check out our Best times to visit Walt Disney World post for which months each festival happens. And if you’re visiting during the holidays you can grab tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom.

Disney Festivals and Parties

No matter what time of year you visit Walt Disney World there is always something fun going on. On our Disney Blog, we write these a lot; from the Boo To You Parade lyrics to the Food and Wine Festival Menus, there is so much to share when these events arrive each year. EPCOT Festivals are included with your park ticket, while other parties and after-hours events are available at an extra cost. 

EPCOT Park

  • Festival of the Arts: The Festival of the Arts at EPCOT takes place every winter from mid-January to mid-February and features artists, performances, and culinary creations. 
  • Flower and Garden Festival: EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival begins in early March and runs all the way to early July, offering fresh foods, garden and flower displays across the park, and performances. 
  • Food and Wine Festival: The most popular festival, the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival runs from mid-July to mid-November. And showcases foods and wines of all kinds, stretching across the World showcases countries with cultural cuisine, and special performances at the Eat to the Beat concerts. 
  • Festival of Holidays: The Festival of Holidays runs from just after Thanksgiving through December and fills the holiday season with specialty food, festive performances, and the unforgettable Candlelight Processional performance. 

Magic Kingdom

Available with the purchase of an extra ticket, the parties at Magic Kingdom are some of the best. Our best advice is to skip the day park ticket, and instead just buy the party ticket for the day of your visit. Party attendees can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4pm and stay through close, giving you a better chance to ride the rides, with fewer crowds! 

  • Mickey’s Halloween Party: This annual Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom is all about family fun. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is offered on select nights beginning in early August and running through Halloween. 
  • Mickey’s Christmas Party: Magic Kingdom at Christmas gets more beautiful at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party with snowfall on Main Street and the Once Upon a Christmas Time Disney Christmas Parade. Offered select nights from mid-November through mid-December. 

Hollywood Studios

This glitz and glamour party takes place after hours at Hollywood studios and offers a chance to dress up, and enjoy themed events across the park. You can see exclusive shows at this event and enter the park as early as 7pm to start your party night. 

  • Jollywood Nights: Christmas at Hollywood Studios was already pretty festive, with kitschy decorations and the Sunset Season’s Greetings show. If you’re looking for even more fun, offered select nights, Jollywood Nights offers up exclusive party entertainment, snacks, and limited capacity in the park. 

Disneyland Park

While we don’t get to our favorite Disney Park on the West Coast as much as we’d like, we’re pulling together all the things to know about vacationing at Disneyland Resort. Check out the 15 Best Hotels within Walking Distance of Disneyland and take on the Ultimate Disneyland Bucket List Challenge. As Walt Disney’s happiest place on Earth, Disneyland Resort includes two parks- Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. You can also visit it’s 3 signature resorts on property an the Downtown Disney shopping area too. 

Disney Aulani Resort

If you’re hoping to travel to Hawaii and take your dream Disney Aulani Vacation, then check out the posts we’ve written so far! From the 5 Things to Do on an Oahu Road Trip to How to afford Disney Aulani on a Budget. We’ll be adding even more Disney Parks info to the blog as we learn more to share. 

Disney Cruise Vacation

We are constantly adding new Disney Cruise Blog content here. From the best ways to Save Money on a Disney Cruise to our favorite Disney Cruise Lounges.  And if you’re looking forward to sailing the high seas, be sure to check out our Disney Cruise Vacation Guides for everything you need to know about sailing with Disney Cruise Line. From departure ports to destinations to restaurants on each Disney Cruise Ship. Here is a Disney Cruise Ship Guide to get you started. 

If you’re Planning a Disney Cruise be sure to check out our Disney Cruise Tips for Beginners post, filled with tips from what to pack, to when to board, and all the activities onboard. And if you’re looking to save some money, check out everything we recommend for a Disney Cruise On a Budget. As an all-inclusive Disney Vacation, you get more than you think included in your cruise package. And if you’re hoping to travel on a Holiday Disney Cruise, check out our posts for Halloween on the High Seas and Disney’s Very Merrytime Cruise

Disney Vacation Planning

While many people will be up against work, school, and family schedules, choosing WHEN to visit Walt Disney World is your first step. Consider what you’re hoping to do when you go. Are you planning on visiting an EPCOT festival? During Halloween or Christmas? Once you’ve decided which dates you will be visiting, then you can decide where to stay. Check out our Best Times to Visit Walt Disney World post for some ideas on when to visit. 

Disney At Home

Since we can’t travel all of the time, we LOVE adding more Disney at Home to this Disney Blog. We share Disney Recipes to help bring a little of the parks back home with you. Check out Tiana’s Beignets for your next Disney Movie Night or if you’re hosting a Disney Party. We love all things Disney Lifestyle, so you’ll also find Disney Quotes, Disney Gifts, and Things to Buy before your vacation. Looking for Disney Home Decor, we got that too. And since we run a Disney Shop with Apparel and Accessories you can always count on us to write about a little Disney Style. 

Since we’re not always traveling and need to find ways to nurture our love of Disney, we often add it wherever we can. As such you’ll find loads of Disney things for the Holidays on this blog. As well as Disney Recipes, Disney Movie Nights and Disney Home Decor. Or perhaps you’re planning your next Princess Tea Party and need Disney Party Ideas or just looking for some great Disney Books to add to your collection. We have them all here on this Disney blog just for you. And if you’re anything like us, as you build your Disney Lifestyle, you’ll be looking for Disney Gifts and Things to Buy for your Disney home, wardrobe, and more. 

Disney Movies and Disney+ Plus

One of our favorite parts of being Disney fans, is getting the chance to dive into our favorite stories over and over again. From classic Disney movies to Disney Plus originals, there is a lot of storytelling going on! Check New Disney Shows and Movies on Disney+ Plus in 2024, and All the New Disney Movies for 2024 and Beyond! Continued stories for Star Wars, Marvel and National Geographic, join new specials featuring Mickey and Minnie, Disney Princesses and the Disney Channel. 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Quite often we find fans of Disney are also fans of Harry Potter. Us included!!! As a result, we’ve added even more Harry Potter at Home posts. Filled with Butterbeer and everything. We’ve even rounded up recipes, activities and all the movies for a Harry Potter Movie Marathon Weekend. Perfect for a cozy weekend at home. 

Having visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter we know it can get confusing. From making your trip a little easier to just indulging in all the Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter Movies, to all our info on Universal Studios. From early park passes to annual passes, we’re sharing tips along the way. Here is everything you need to know if you’re hoping to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in One Day. Or get away with a budget-friendly Universal Studios vacation with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter On a Budget. And if you’re looking for where to cast spells, get butterbeer, or how to ride Hagrid’s new ride, check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter First Timer’s Guide.

If you’re visiting Universal Studios during your Orlando vacation, be sure to check out a Road Trip to somewhere near the Disney Parks.

Universal Studios Orlando

If you’re adding Universal Studios Orlando to your vacation plans, be sure to check out our top posts. This can help you get a lay of the land. Universal Studios in Orlando Florida consists of three theme park areas, including a variety of favorites from Jurassic World to Dr. Suess to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. From getting a Season Pass to Universal Studios Orlando to Universal Studios Resorts within walking distance.

Disney shirts

Disney Shopping

Are you looking for the perfect Disney Gifts or Everything you Need to Buy for your Disney Trip? We have cute Disney Family Shirts over at Polka Dot Pixie Shop. And a slew of Disney Shopping Lists for Travel, Birthdays Holidays, and more, we’ve got you covered. 

A Little More Pixie Dust

And if you’re ready for a little more Pixie Dust in your week, sign up for our Polka Dot Pixies Newsletter. Every Friday we share new posts about all things Disney. Plus new design releases from Polka Dot Pixie Shop, our Disney Inspired Apparel, and Accessories Shop. Plus, you’ll be on the list for special Disney News, all our Holiday fun, and exclusive access to sales! Thanks for being here….and Have a Magical Day!