How is it possible that Disney has not only invented a good for you icy treat, but it also tastes wonderful, and if you enjoy it while walking/sweating burns more calories than you take in? Magic, my friends. Disney Magic. 

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The regular Dole Whip has 80 calories. 80! The float has a little more, because it's floating in pineapple juice, but still. Cold, healthy, delicious... why can't everything taste this good? 

Are you a Dole Whip fan or have you never tried one? They are fabulous...! 

Now, you can even make them at home with the same mix they use at Disney! Just click here to find out how! You don't have to worry now...Dole Whips will never be far away!

Sometimes getting kids to save money is like navigating through the living room in the dark with Lego landmines. It almost feels like a no win situation. Just like every store is full of shiny, colorful, super awesome things you can't help seeing, no matter how well you thought you picked up, there's a stay Lego waiting to pierce the most delicate part of your foot.


When it comes to pretty new treasures, let's be honest, most of us adults feel that way too. Money tends to burn a hole into our pockets on vacation. Whether it's the thought of, “I'm on vacation! I'm going to splurge!” or, “Ohhh if I buy this, I'll remember that!” or even “It's such a good price! I will regret it if I don't buy it,” we tend to want it all. We adults have the advantage though of a bit more income than the little people do. That's why in our house, I make saving up before a trip a major priority.


We all know once we are surrounded by a sea of plush toys, action figures, light up everything and Mickey ears galore, the hard part isn't finding something we want, it's figuring out how much we can spend.


To ease the heartache for your kids of finding the perfect THING on an empty wallet, we've got some tips so that shopping is a fun experience, not a stressful or tearful one, for both you, and the kids!




1. Making saving a priority


Just like you tuck away a little bit for a rainy day, your kids should to. Even moreso, if you know there's a family trip coming up. The earlier to start, the more they will have. Designate a dollar of each allowance into a Hands Off area. It can be an envelope, an old peanut butter jar (my kids choice), that piggy bank from Grandma, or even an old sock hidden under the bed. Just make sure your kids commit to it and have some part it making their home for their savings. At first, and possibly even along the way, you are going to have to remind them to put that dollar aside, but after a while, and as the trip or other big purchase they want draws closer, they are going to see how those dollars are adding up!




2. Think about the future


Most kids get money of some sort for a holiday. Birthday, Christmas, maybe a few dollars for Easter in the egg hunt. Up front, before that happens, let them know that a little bit of that is going to go into their savings fund for the future. Chances are, they won't argue, but if they do, a reminder of how unhappy they'd be standing in the middle of Disney World and not able to buy anything might change their mind.




3. Teach them to manage money


One of the things I've had the most fun with, is around age 4, giving my kids 8 quarters on a Saturday morning, then turning them loose (holding my hand, of course) at yard sales to see what treasures they want to spend their quarters on. I always tell them any quarters they don't spend, they get to keep. With my oldest, it was almost 2 months before he realized that if he used his quarters on that toy, he didn't have any left when at the next sale, there was a better toy. I was gobsmacked when the very first week, my youngest, who does not like to let dust gather on his dollar and can always find a toy he wants, was reluctant to spend it. Something about those quarters jingling in his pocket, and the realization that his pile would get smaller and smaller really spoke to him. I almost wonder if because a pile of quarters seems like it's more than a few dollars if that's it. No idea.


4. Encourage them


This one is so important. Encourage your kids. Tell them how proud you are that they chose not to get that toy that's so similar to others they have, but instead, are saving up for something bigger and better. The more you encourage them and praise them, the quicker they feel that pride in their actions even when you aren't around.


5. Show them how to save


While it is super important to help them save, and to make sure they do, there's something about see others do it that really motivates you, or makes you feel like you aren't the only one doing it. It's just like when you are around other adults who are making healthy food choices, kind of makes you want to do it too. Or at least save those calories for later! Be sure you kids not only see you saving, no matter how much it is, but hear you talking about it too. When they want ice cream, suggest buying a carton at the grocery store for $3, versues $9 for cones for everyone. Talk about how you'd rather save that money up for something else, something that's more special, not just something that you eat then it's gone. After a while, kids completely get that concept. That's not to say that you cna't splurge, go ahead if it fits in your budget, but make sure, if you are looking at the $4 t-shirt and the $11 t-shirt and get the cheaper one, you tell them why you did it. Help them learn. Take every opportunity you see to point out good choices and not so good choices with spending.


6. Give enough and offer them ways to earn extra


If it fits in your budget, find a fair amount to give you kids, and offer them a chance to make a little extra if they want. It doesn't have to be a lot, but even those small amounts add up, and it's not really so much the amount size, but the teaching of work = reward/pay. It's important for a kid to have ENOUGH money to actually manage. A kid who just get's 50 cents sepdning money a week (And I have seen that) will have to save up for a very long time to buy anything, therefore they are either going to spend it on dollar store stuff or candy, because that's cheap and didn't take long to save for, or else is going to get so discouraged, they have no desire to learn to manage their money. 


7. Finally, admit your mistakes


Just like you've shown your kids how you save and how you choose to spend money and why, make sure you tell them about the mistakes you've made too. How quickly you blew your money on a bunch of piddly little things that were only a quarter each, then BAM! That $20 was gone, or how you got a little too hooked on a new snack or drink and bought so much because it was on sale only to discover you really didn't like it after all and wasted your spending money for the month. (Yep, both of those are me!) Remind them everyone makes mistakes with their money, but the best thing to do is just do better in the future.


Do you think any of these tips will be useful in your house? Have you ever had a money mistake you'd like to pass on so others can learn from it? How do you save up?   

This week, Focused on the Magic has Nostalgia as the theme. I feel the most nostalgic with Hollywood Studios, what with all of the changes that have happened in the last year, and continue to be made. Without a doubt, I loved the Streets of America, and was almost in tears seeing it torn down. It's funny though, when we first visited, we did the Backlot Tour. Just as an afterthought sort of "Oh, look at that!" I snapped a photo of the Earful tower. Who would have guessed, certainly not me, that in a year it would be gone, and that a few years after that, nothing of the back section would remain. An important less and reminder to snap those photos! You really may never get to see it again. Even if the photos are blurry, because your tram driver must have been a former NASCAR driver, it's ok! Blurry is better than none! 

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​Want to see more photos? Just click the button above! 
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Have you ever wondered just how much you can do in a morning if you have a touring plan? Look at that map, The Magic Kingdom is HUGE! Disney Magic Mommy is going to show you how you can make the most of a morning at Magic Kingdom and do 10 attractions including headliners in just 3 hours. Even better? WITHOUT fastpasses, so you can save those for your afternoon when the lines get longer, or for park hopping!


We are starting out our day when the gates open.  Do these attractions in this order, and you're going to get to do TEN awesome things including headliners in just 3 hours! That includes walking time from place to place. There is so much to experience at the Magic Kingdom, I hope you will have the chance to explore it, if you haven’t already.


Want to have a touring plan for the other parks? We've got a 4 week series for you!


Click here 9 Attractions in 3 hours at Epcot
Click here for 10 Attractions in 3 hours at Animal Kingdom 
Click here for 10 Attractions in 3 hours at Hollywood Studios


It's important to start the morning off right. Do your best to get to the park with enough time to get through security before your starting time. Usually 30 to 45 minutes does the trick.


Magic Kingdom Overview

When you hear the word's Disney World, whethere you are a Disney Novice, you a frequent visitor, chances are good you think about Cinderellas Castle, and Magic Kingdom. In fact, a lot of tourists call Magic Kingdom Disney World, even though the park has it's own name. With themed areas such as Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and more, there's an area for any taste, and a ride for any guest!


Follow our plans, and you can do TEN things in just 3 hours! That includes walking form place to place. Follow the steps in order!


          1. Peter Pan's Flight: Enjoy the interactive queue and get sprinkled with pixie dust then                      take to the sky in a flying ship!


         2.  The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: My personal favorite! Bounce along in a                        honey pot to a sweet tale of a rainy day!


          3. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin: Fight Zurg and save the galaxy in this awesome                     interactive ride!


          4. Space Mountain: An iconic Disney coaster!


          5. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin: Go up! Go down! Avoid the spitting camel!


          6. Big Thunder Mountain: Climb aboard the train in his family coaster


          7. It's a Small World: A wonderful boat ride (air conditioning!) with a catchy song!


           8. Seven Dwarves Mine Train: A fun coaster that gives you a glimpse of all those gems                      the dwarves are mining!


           9. Mad Tea Party: An absolute Disney must! Climb into a giant teacup and spin round and                round!


           10. Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid: Board a clam shell and go under the sea                   to see how Ariel loses her voice, then gets her prince!


Finish all of that by just after 11am! We suggest an early lunch to avoid the crowds. Maybe you can get in at Be Our Guest, or another favorite, and not far from where you stop, Cosmic Ray's! After lunch you've got your whole afternoon, AND you still have your fast passes open to go back on favorite rides, or get to others you didn't have a chance for! Adventureland might be beckoning with the pirate treasure hunt! 

Don't forget to pick up your map at your Resort, or at the entrance to the park! 

Have you got a favorite first stop? Do you use a touring plan? 

I think I have Rapunzel on the brain because my boys and I watched Tangled two nights ago. It's such a great movie!! My oldest asked a question though, and I don't know the answer...do you? 

He wants to know why at the end of Tangled her hair turned brown, but in the new animated Tangled series, it's yellow again. Any ideas? 

This week are two pictures from the small Rapunzel area at Magic Kingdom. The first, her beautiful tower (Make sure you look up, it's easy to miss if you aren't looking up, at least a little!) 

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The second photo is a lovely little cottage in the Rapunzel area at the park. While there is no ride unless you need to stop and visit "The Rapunzel" (a.k.a. the restroom) there is a wonderful area to sit and admire the brickwork, and flowers, and that is also the stroller parking for several nearby attractions. 
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There are so many fun details hidden around this area, I encourage you to stop, even if you don't need to park a stroller or use the restroom!