If you don’t follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may not have known that our family has been suffering through job loss for nearly a year now. In that time Mathew and I have rarely eaten out, haven’t made purchases that weren’t necessary, and haven’t done any traveling other than Addie’s Make A Wish trip to Disney. It has been a very hard road, but thankfully God has provided a job for Mathew and we are so excited for his new endeavor. We’ve had to be very creative this past year since we haven’t done any traveling, and we’ve come up with some really fun at-home staycation ideas that won’t break the bank! At-home staycations are such a great idea when you’re on a budget, and they make great memories for every family!
Harry Potter Camping Marathon is something Mathew and I like to have as often as we can. It’s been a tradition since we were newly married and it’s just downright fun! We pitch our camping tent in the living room, pull out the blow up mattress, and add lots of cozy blankets and pillows. We start from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and take several days to get all the way to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 2. Addie loves laying in the tent and we eat Fizzing Whizzbees and Chocolate Frogs during the marathon. If you’re brave, grab some Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans– they mean every flavor! You’ll feel like you’re really there!Bringing the vacation to us is another thing our family enjoys. We pull out inflatables for the kids to swim in outside, grill some fish for fish tacos, and tell Alexa to play some Spanish music (psst- can’t go wrong with Gypsy Kings.) I also like to go through our fun fiesta decorations from my 30th birthday party and pull them out for extra fun. Don’t forget the mini drink umbrellas!
Staying in bed all day is definitely one at-home staycation I miss. When Mathew and I were newlyweds we would throw on some relaxing music and we would just hang out in bed all day. We would bring Scrabble (This is the actual version I have. We are legit like that!) or Monopoly Deal into bed and play games for hours, would cook comfort food and eat in bed, and we would keep all the lights off- letting the sun shining through the windows be all of our light. If your kids are gone for the day with grandparents, definitely take advantage of this relaxing staycation.Playing Chopped is another fun at-home staycation we have often. If you’ve never seen the a Food a Network show, Chopped, the premise is that chefs get a basket of mystery ingredients and have to make a meal from those ingredients. They come up with some great and not-so-great ideas, and we love recreating that idea. Mathew will go through the pantry and fridge, grab random food, and then I work my magic to try to come up with a delicious meal. It’s hilarious, fun, and is a great way to rid of things in your pantry that you haven’t used. I like to turn the tables on him sometimes and have him come up with a dessert with ingredients I’ve chosen. Definitely makes for a fun night! Grab some chef hats and put the timer for an hour to make it feel like you’re on the show.
S’mores night at home is a creative at-home staycation idea. Order a newly released movie or hop onto Disney + or Netflix, and get to s’mores making! Buying different types of candy bars or even flavored or gourmet marshmallows can make s’mores night interesting. Pro tip- turn your stove burner on, skewer your marshmallow with a fork, and roast it over the burner. It tastes a million times better than microwaved marshmallows. Let every person in your family come up with their own creation, then do a taste test! To make things extra special, google and print out a cheesy certificate for the winner so celebrate their s’mores masterpiece.Setting up yard games is another great at-home staycation. If you’ve got horseshoes, giant yard Jenga, cornhole, massive Connect Four, or a ladder toss set, take them outside and compete with family or friends. Tell those you invite that it’s a pot luck so you don’t have to worry about cooking for lots of guests. We love inviting friends over and definitely don’t do it enough. Life is always better with friends!
Dance parties are a great at-home staycation idea that we do really often. They help break up stress, induce giggles, and just give everyone a chance to let loose. We love our Amazon Echo for dance parties! I like to use Spotify to find a playlist but if you have older kids you could create a custom playlist and tell Alexa to play it! It’s a great way to kick off a staycation or end one with a bang. Here’s Lawson enjoying one of our regular dance parties to Moana above.Crafting weekends are another at-home staycation idea I have always enjoyed. When I was on bed rest during my pregnancy with Addie, I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere or do anything other than sit or lay down. So I made a wreath for her room and other fun things! It was so fun! Go through your craft supplies, find something fun to recreate on Pinterest, and enjoy yourself!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my favorite at-home staycation ideas. Let me know which one you’re looking forward to doing most! If your budget allows for you to get out of the house and do things around town, check out these incredible ideas from my readers here on Facebook and here on Instagram. They have so many amazing and creative ideas! Definitely leave your ideas at either one, too!
With Lawson’s birthday in 10 days, I’m thinking about what to get him. I’m not sure about you guys, but my kids have way too many toys. I don’t buy them many toys, but when birthdays and Christmas roll around, it seems like we get an abundance of them. While I’m thankful for any gift given to my kids, I personally love to buy them experience gifts! Experience gifts create memories and fun- something they’ll remember for a lifetime. They can be magical and creative and so very special. After talking to you, my readers, on social media, I comprised this fun list. Ready for some of the most surprising experience gifts for kids? Here they are!
Gift Cards for the bookstore to choose new books– We have an extensive home library (and are adding more special needs books) but there’s something so great about taking kids to a book store with a gift card and having them pick out a book. Instilling reading in kids early on is so important, and as a former teacher, it’s very high on our priority list. Pass to Little Land Play Gym– If you don’t follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may not know how obsessed we are with Little Land Play Gym in Waco, Texas. It’s an indoor play place where kids can enjoy themselves by playing in various rooms. They learn lots of different fine motor and gross motor skills there through play. I can see such a difference in Lawson from taking him at least weekly! Make sure you bring some socks and don’t forget the snacks for the cafe! Playing makes kids hungry! We love this bento box to keep the snacks organized and the mess to a minimum. Tell them we sent you! Disney World/ Disneyland Annual Pass– Ok I’m not a kid, but can I be one for this purpose? I kid, I kid…maybe. A Disney World/ Disneyland Annual Pass is a great investment for the family that enjoys traveling or lives close to one of the parks. There is something new to see every time you visit Disney and no visit is ever the same. Gift your passes with a gorgeous princess dress or coordinating family shirts for extra pizazz. Cooking class lessons– Lawson loves to say, “Up please” when I’m cooking in the kitchen. I can tell that he sees how much I enjoy it, and that it brings him joy too. Cooking class lessons are such a surprising experience gift for kids and one they can really enjoy. Rather have cooking lessons at home? I love this pizza cooking set and cake pop making set for kids! Swimming lessons– If you’ve gotta little fish like I do, swimming lessons are a great way to encourage kids to swim safely and have fun. Grab a gift bag, throw in a cute swimsuit or swim trunks, and let your child know when lessons start. They’ll surely be excited!
Zoo or Aquarium season pass– This one is probably our most received. Addie loves the zoo and aquarium. Ever since she was little we’ve asked for memberships to take her. Boy, do those things get used! A fun fan with water spray bottle and the pass are a perfect gift combination to make this a fun and surprising experience gift for any kid. Waterpark season pass– Last year we received season passes to our local water park, Schlitterbahn. It was so much fun! Our kids love passes like these because we can take a little day trip, have fun all day, and then come home and sleep in our nice, warm beds. Succulent fairy garden kit– Last summer we got Addie succulents and a fairy garden kit with small gardening tools and it was such a fun gift! We all went outside as a family, mapped out how we wanted it to look, and went to town. Addie enjoyed it so much and it was great that we did it together. Kids will love this experience gift and will want to go plant their succulents right away! Tickets for a train ride– I had no idea how big of a deal trains were for kids until I stumbled upon train YouTube videos and showed them to Lawson. He’s so obsessed that he is actually having a train themed birthday party. Tickets for a train ride with a cute conductor hat and bandanna are a great experience gift to give any kid. I actually bought this whistle for Lawson and can’t wait to give it to him. Sports jersey and baseball/football tickets– One of the most fun trips we’ve had lately was when Toyota invited us to a soccer game. It was a blast and definitely something we would love to do again. If your kid enjoys sports, grabbing a jersey and tickets will be such an exciting experience gift that they’ll never forget.
Camera to take on trips– If you have an older kid, this is a perfect experience gift! Kids will have fun taking their camera everywhere they go and it’s so fun to see life through their eyes. This camera is durable and kids love shaking the Polaroid pictures when they come out.Weekend trip to Great Wolf Lodge– It’s almost like a kid bucket list thing to visit Great Wolf Lodge. It’s such a fun place and we got to visit last year and fell in love. Kids of all ages will love GWL and the best part is- it doesn’t matter what time of year you give the gift because their water park is indoors! So gift your favorite swimming bag and tickets, and have a blast! Disney on Ice tickets– Any Disney fan will appreciate Disney on Ice tickets. Grab your favorite Disney costume to add to this experience. Your kid will be so thrilled to see all of their favorite characters and it will definitely be very memorable. Alphabet silicone mold for crayon making– As a kid, I always enjoyed making various craft projects. This one needs adult supervision, but gifting an alphabet silicone mold and some crayons can make for a fun project. Break the crayons, add to the molds, and melt in the oven. Once they’re melted, kids can enjoy making art with their creative color combinations. At home spa day pampering– This one is an Addie favorite. Grab some relaxing essential oils (Addie likes Young Living Lavender and Gentle Baby), a cute owl diffuser, fuzzy headband, clay mask, and lotion to put in your gift bag. Treat your kid to a relaxing spa time and you never know, you might get some relaxing time, yourself.
Which gift on the list is your favorite?
I had a reader approach me early last week about books about special needs life after reading my post on Secrets Special Needs Moms Won’t Tell You But Wish You Knew. I knew of a few books but really wanted to come up with a resource for not only her, but for those curious about different special needs, families looking for books about special needs for siblings, or books about special needs for children with those special needs so they have someone that they can identify with in a book. I polled my special needs mom friends on Instagram and in my Special Moms Summit (an upcoming respite retreat for special needs moms) Facebook group, and got everyone’s input.These books about special needs are all incredible and I hope you’ll make it a goal to grab all 25 books to add to your library. The first book is near and dear to my heart- Giraffes Can’t Dance, as it’s a book we’ve read to Addie hundreds of times since her days in the NICU. My friend Lauren gifted us a copy of it, and it makes me teary every time we read it. I hope you love each and every book on this list, that they teach you things you didn’t know, that they inspire you and give you hope, and that they teach you more and more of acceptance, love, and living life without limits.
1| Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae – A touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. with crooked knees and thin legs, it’s harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.2| The Girl Who Thought in Pictures by Julia Finley Mosca– When young Temple as diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her inquisitive mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe3| Billy’s Sister: Life When Your Sibling Has a Disability by Jessica Leving– Growing up with a sibling who has a disability can be hard. But it can also be awesome! Based on the author’s real-life experiences, this unique and touching children’s book explores how siblings of kid with disabilities are special, too.4| Chromosome Kids Like Me by Annette Fournier– A sweet, fun story that takes something complex- understanding chromosome disorders- and compares it to something we can all understand- socks! This charming book is the perfect way to teach children and adults about chromosome abnormalities and what makes the people who have them special.5| El Deafo by Cece Bell– Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful and awkward hearing aid.
6| Lemon the Duck by Laura Backman– Neurological issues make Lemon unable to walk, but with the support of a compassionate teacher and her students, Lemon is still able to become one happy duck! Through caring for Lemon, the students share in her victories and learn that acceptance, love, and extra special care can go a long way. They also come to understand that her difference doesn’t make Lemon any less special.7| Happy Dreamer by Peter H. Reynolds– This empowering picture book reminds children of how much their dreams matter, and while life will have ups and downs, he enlists readers to stay true to who they are, to tap into their most creative inner selves, and to never ever forget to dream big,8| My Friend Has Down Syndrome by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos– In this reassuring story, two children, one with Down syndrome and one without, learn that they are both good at different things and that by helping each other overcome their fears and difficulties they can accomplish a great deal together.9| The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game by Nancy Churnin– All William Ellsworth Hoy wanted to do was play baseball. After losing out on a spot on the local deaf team, William practiced even harder- eventually earning a position on a professional team. But his struggle was far from over. In addition to the prejudice he faced, he could not hear the umpires calls. One day he asked the umpire to use hand signals: strike, ball, out. That day he not only got on base but also changed the way the game was played forever.10| Some Kids Use Wheelchairs by Lola M. Schaefer– This book teaches diversity and tolerance to young readers, and helps them understand and appreciate those children who have health differences. Colorful photos show kids with disabilities enjoying activities with their peers.
11| Daniel’s New Friend (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) by Becky Friedman– Daniel and Miss Elaina are visiting Prince Wednesday’s castle for a play date. When they arrive they are so excited to meet a new friend Chrissie! Daniel has so much fun playing with his new friend! Then he notices that Chrissie wears braces on her legs to help her to walk. Even though Chrissie may walk differently than Daniel, she loves the color red and playing pretend just as much as he does! Daniel is thrilled to make a wonderful new friend. This delightful story is perfect for helping little ones understand that despite small differences, anyone can become a new friend.12| Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson– This powerful and winning picture book tells the story of a young man overcoming the odds. Born in Ghana with one deformed leg, Emmanuel was dismissed by many, but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability.13| Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis– Told in rhyme, this story follows Susan through a series of familiar activities. She swims with her father, works hard in school, plays with her friends, and even ride a horse. Lively, thoughtfully drawn illustrations review a portrait of a busy, happy little girl with Home at younger readers will identify. Not until the end of the story is it revealed that Susan uses a wheelchair.14| Don’t Call Me Special by Pat Thomas– This delightful picture book explores questions and concerns about disability in a simple and reassuring way. Younger children can find out what a disability is, and learn how people deal with their disabilities to live happy and full lives.15| A Rainbow of Friends by P.K. Hallinan– Friends come in all colors and sizes; they can be funny or serious, musical or athletic, outgoing or quiet. This book reminds children to celebrate their differences because that is what makes each of us so special.
16| Keep Your Ear on the Ball by Genevieve Petrillo– Even though Davey is blind, he is quite capable – until he tries to play kickball. After several missed cakes and a trampled base keeper, no one wants Davey on the team. But maybe, just maybe, there’s a solution that will work for everybody.17| Moses Goes to a Concert by Issac Millman– Moses and his school friends are deaf, but like most children, they have a lot to say. They communicate in American Sign Language, using visual signs and facial expressions. Today, Moses and his classmates are going to a concert. They are teacher, Mr. Samuel’s, has two surprises in store for them, to make this particular concert a special event. Isaac Millman tells Moses’s story in pictures and written English, and in ASL, introducing hearing children to the signs for some of the key words and ideas. At the end of the book are too full conversations in sign language and a page showing the hand alphabet18| Wonder by R.J. Palacio– August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more 5an to be treated as an ordinary kid- but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. The book begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.19| My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay by Cari Best– Zulay and her three friends Are all in the same first grade class and study the same things, even though Zulay is blind. When their teacher asks her students what activity they want to do on Field Day, Zulay surprises everyone when she says she wants to run a race. With the help of a special aide and the support of her friends, Zulay does just that.20| A Boy and A Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz– Alan loves animals, but the great cat house at the Bronx zoo makes him sad. Why are they all alone in empty cages? Are they being punished? More than anything, he wants to be their champion – their voice – but he stutters uncontrollably.
21| Just Because by Rebecca Elliott– This heartwarming picture book about being perfectly loved, no matter what, tells of a brother’s love for his sister. He is so enthusiastic about just how loving and special she is, and delights in telling us about all the fun things they do together. Only as his tale unfolds does the reader begin to realize that his sister has special needs… and by then we just accept as he does all the wonderful things about her. This amusing and touching story encompasses the issue of disability in a charming celebration of sibling friendship to which all children can relate.22| Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco– Patricia Polacco is now one of America’s most loved children’s book creators, but once upon a time, she was a little girl named Trisha starting school. Tricia could paint and draw beautifully, but when she looked at words on a page, all she could see was jumble. It took a very special teacher to recognize little Trisha’s dyslexia: Mr. Falker, who encouraged her to overcome her reading disability. She will never forget him, and neither will we.23| The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon– Ginny suffers from undiagnosed double vision, and seeing two of everything is causing her difficulty in school. On vision screening day, a nurse discovers the problem, and the prescribed eye patch gives Ginny a new identity– the pirate of kindergarten. With the help of her pirate patch, Ginny can read, Ron, and even snip her scissors with double the speed!24| Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor– Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes, Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges – and looks at the special powers those kids have as well. As the kids work together to build a community garden, asking questions of each other along the way, this book encourages readers to do the same: when we come across someone who is different from us but we are not sure why, all we have to do is just ask.25| Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability by Shane Burcaw– Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which hinders his muscles’ growth. As a result, his body hasn’t grown bigger and stronger as he’s gotten older – it’s gotten smaller and weaker instead. Not So Different offers a humorous, relatable, and refreshingly honest glimpse into his life. Shane tackles many of the mundane and quirky questions that he’s often asked about living with a disability, and shows readers that he’s just as approachable, friendly, and funny as anyone else.
Which special needs book looks most interesting to you?
My daughter Addie has a chromosomal abnormality that has given her a myriad of medical complications. The first year of her life she spent 6 months in the NICU, came home for 6 days, then spent 4 months in the PICU. It was a very tough first year. Since that first year Addie has had her share of hospitalizations, but most of them were just a few days long. Most recently though, in October, Addie spent over a month in the hospital. Many people over the past 5 1/2 years have asked us how they can support us best during times like these and I wanted to create this post on the best ways to support families with special needs children in the hospital as a resource. My hope is that special needs families will pass it on to their loved ones that ask how they can help and it lessens the burden for them coming up with ideas!
Bring meals. One of the best ways to support families with special needs children in the hospital is to bring meals. When our kids are in the hospital, we don’t want to leave their side. Bringing meals helps so special needs parents can eat without having to leave the hospital or walk down to the cafeteria. Here’s how this best looks: call or text either of the special needs parents and tell them you’d like to bring lunch. Ask what they like, and bring it to them. You can gauge whether or not it’s a good time to chat by body cues from the parent and if they’re ok with it, stay and chat. If things look busy or the parent looks frazzled, it’s best to give them a big hug, tell them you love them, and leave lunch with them. If a parent is home during this or the special needs family has other children, asking if you can bring something to drop off for dinner is always appreciated too. After a long day at the hospital no one wants to cook. Having dinner waiting at home is always so helpful.
Give gift cards. Visa gift cards, gift cards to Starbucks, a gift card for a date night, or even an Amazon gift card is always appreciated by special needs parents. This is a favorite way to support families with special needs children in the hospital because they’re pretty universal but are so helpful. Special needs families can use gift cards for gas, bills if the parents need to take off work for an extended time, groceries, date night for after the hospitalization, or even just a hot cup of coffee. Throw in a thoughtful card and you have just blessed that family immensely with your gesture. Drop it off at the front desk with a room number for an anonymous surprise, or visit and slip it to the family before you leave. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
Bring snacks. Typically families with special needs children in the hospital are there for days, weeks, and sometimes months. Bringing snacks is a great way to show you’ve been thinking about your loved ones. Ask them what their favorite snacks and drinks are. They’ll thank you because that means less spending money at the vending machines where choices are sub-par. Someone got this snack box for us once and it was pretty amazing.
Offer to do housework. This one might sound crazy, but you have no idea how much this will support families with special needs children in the hospital. Ask if you can take their trash cans out to the curb on trash day and put them up. Ask if you can come work on laundry that’s piling up. Ask if you can come take care of the dishes that no one’s been able to tend to because they’ve been at the hospital all day and it’s the last thing they want to do when they come home. Ask if you can stop by a couple times during the day to let their pets go outside. Here’s the kicker though- YOU need to come up with how you want to help them. The brains of special needs parents are fried. They make so many decisions during hospitalizations that when you say, “Hey, how can I help you?” they usually reply, “I’m not sure.” or “Let me get back with you.” They simply don’t have the energy to tell you how they need help. BUT if you offer specific help, you’ll most likely get a swift answer back that they will appreciate your help.
Join them on holidays. It’s hard being in the hospital during holidays. Our family has spent 2 Halloweens, 2 Thanksgivings, 1 Christmas, 1 New Year, 1 Valentine’s, 1 St. Patrick’s Day, and several other holidays in the hospital. It’s heartbreaking for us. We want so badly to do what “normal” families do on holidays. Visiting special needs families in the hospital during holidays is so welcomed. It means you were thinking of us enough to take time out of your special day to help make ours a little more normal. If that doesn’t say love, I don’t know what does. Bonus points if you bring something festive like glow bracelets, holiday headbands, or fun themed socks to wear at the hospital.
Pray. This one is so important. If you want to support a family you know with special needs children in the hospital then offer to pray. Pray with them in person, call and pray over the phone, send a prayer through text, or pray on your own. Reach out and ask others to pray as well. Whichever route you choose, know that this means so much to special needs families and your prayers and God’s love sustain us during these horribly rough times. I love gifting Jesus Calling so families can read a small devotional daily and pray.
Provide time wasters. Sending or bringing a goodie basket with time wasters like a hand lettering practice book, a nature puzzle with a roll up mat, sudoku, or even a word search are great. Hospital life is busy but also really slow. Bringing these is a great way to keep their mind off of the harsh realities of being in the hospital yet again, and are very appreciated by special needs families.
Wait for updates. There is nothing more exhausting to a special needs family than getting tons of phone calls and texts wanting updates on the status of the child. While we know you mean well, there’s a lot that goes on in the hospital and things can change rather quickly. Please wait for families to update you as they can. Whether they update in group texts, email blasts, Facebook posts, or phone calls- it is easiest for them to gather as much information as they can from the day and then relay it to everyone once there’s a steady game plan from the hospital team.
I hope this list of ways to support families with special needs children in the hospital has been so helpful to you! If you’re a special needs family, bookmark or Pin this so you can send it to your loved ones during hospitalizations. If you’re a loved one, thank you for visiting so you can best help those you love!
In December, our family was blessed with a Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World and there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t wish we were back and enjoying all the rides, characters, and amazing food Disney has to offer. We have so many favorites from our trip, but one thing is for sure, 1900 Park Fare is a must on your Disney vacation, and we will make sure to go every time we’re at Disney from now on.
I grew up going to my Memaw and Pepaw’s house after school every day and would throw in my VHS tape of Cinderella. My mother even introduced me to the Lesley Ann Warren version of Cinderella, and I grew up loving the Cinderella with Brandy. Every version of Cinderella I have loved, and when Addie was born, I quickly introduced it to her. In fact, it was the first Disney movie I ever let her watch! She fell in love and even had a Disney themed princess party last Summer and dressed as Cinderella. So when it came time to plan our Make-A-Wish trip, it was very important to us that we have at least one character meal for Addie to enjoy. Who better than to dine with Cinderella?
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A Few Quick Facts on Dinner at 1900 Park Fare:A three-course dinner is $60+ per adult and $39+ for children 3-9 years oldDinner counts as 1 credit on the Disney Dining Plan and is a buffetIt’s wise to make your reservations 180 days in advance if possible or check out Mouse Dining to notify you of openingsCharacters at 1900 Park Fare include: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Anastasia, Drizella, and the StepmotherYou can find it downstairs at the Grand Floridian
The Atmosphere: If you’ve never walked into the Grand Floridian, you will be blown away at how breathtaking it is. The tall chandeliers, bright white paint, gold accents- it’s stunning. Add in Christmas decor in the winter, and your jaw will drop. Bonus, if you head to the Grand Floridian during Christmastime you’ll see the massive gingerbread house in the middle of the hotel. It is an incredible sight! The Grand Floridian will give you the perfect atmosphere to make your dinner at 1900 Park Fare at Disney one you’ll never forget.
The Excitement: Early in the morning of our reservation for dinner at 1900 Park Fare, we took Addie to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique knowing we would have dinner there in the evening. The excitement of getting dolled up just knowing we were going to have dinner with a princess was more than Addie could bear! She loved it! Once we checked in for our reservation, we were quickly shown to our tables, and everyone from toddler to adult was so excited to meet Cinderella and the rest of the characters. Sure you can see characters in the parks, but it is so magical to have a meal with them!
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The Food: There’s literally something for everyone when you have dinner at 1900 Park Fare. Addie’s nurse had us laughing because she grabbed an entire plate of gummy bears for herself as dessert! Besides delicious gummy bears you can eat for dessert, there’s different mouthwatering gourmet pasta, chicken, beef, vegetarian, and seafood options. Our favorite part of it was the carving station. I think almost everyone in our party enjoyed prime rib. Don’t be afraid to ask them to cut it thicker or go back for seconds. I won’t even start on how delicious every dessert was! Yum! Each station in the buffet represent different kingdoms from around the world ensuring everyone is full and happy when you have dinner at 1900 Park Fare. If you’ve got picky kids, there’s also lots of kid-friendly options. It’s really a win-win and not a person in our large party had a negative thing to say about the food.
The Experience: While you’re enjoying your dinner at 1900 Park Fare, Cinderella and Prince Charming come out. It is so magical! Cinderella and Prince Charming danced together and even found guests eating nearby to dance with. It was such a fun thing to watch! After they danced, Cinderella and Prince Charming split and talk to guests throughout the restaurant. This was our chance to take pictures with them, talk to them, and get their autographs! As a Make-A-Wish family we got to have lengthy conversations with all characters in the parks, but it was so nice to have Cinderella and Prince Charming come to us and spend time with us. They never made us feel rushed and indulged us for every picture and conversation. They were as regal as could be and I cherished the time Cinderella spent talking to Addie and the rest of our family.
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The True Stars: As I mentioned before, I’m a huge Cinderella fan and so is Addie, so this may come as a shock to you… Cinderella isn’t the star of the show when you have dinner at 1900 Park Fare. Yep, I said it. The true stars? Anastasia and Drizella. Cinderella’s step-sisters are so hilarious that they are worth every dollar to see here. They made us laugh (and everyone else in the restaurant), doted on Addie so much, and had great conversation with us. They truly are attention-stealers and are some of the most fun characters you’ll meet at Disney. Oh, if you have tweens, watch out because they’ll joyfully embarrass them, and it’ll be so fun to experience.
Overall, dinner at 1900 Park Fare is one you don’t want to miss. There are so many fun details to this character dinner that make it such a unique experience for guests of all ages. I promise you, you’ll have a blast! If you are looking for a character dining experience for dinner, get some laughs, and have a fun night out at the Grand Floridian.
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Have you ever enjoyed dinner at 1900 Park Fare before?
