Tips Archives - Cooking with Character

Hitting the Road – Make a Disney Car Bag for under $20!

By cookwcharacter | July 8, 2017 | Comments 2 comments

Our trip is a little less than a month away! Since that is the case, I’m starting to prep for Disney. Setting things aside that I plan to take, and trying to be more organized and proactive. (it’s good to have goals, right?) We are going this year with my parents, and my in-laws. This means we’ll be taking two cars. Its a long ride down to Orlando, so I thought it would be nice to have a bag of goodies in each car to keep people occupied. Just because we’re all adults doesn’t mean we don’t get bored!

I think the total for everything in both bags was probably around $30-40 bucks. Mainly because I bought extras of a few things that are not strictly for the car, but for the trip in general. If you were only making one bag, you could easily get everything for under $20. Everything was from the Dollar Store, with a few items from Five and Below thrown in as well. I was super excited to find Disney bags at the Dollar Tree!

What’s Inside?

First, we have the silly “Magic Towels” that they sell. There were tons of them – I ended up with 6. One for each of us. I picked all Disney characters, but they had tons of Marvel characters and others like Paw Patrol. These are actually pretty handy. They are tiny, so they pack well, they expand in water, so you could use them as a quick clean up in the parks or on the road with a little dribble of water from a water bottle, and they can be used and washed, or used and tossed. At one point our dollar store used to sell a version of towels like this that were a little smaller than a laundry tab and came multiple ones in a package. they were plain white, but they were excellent as disposable towels for a trip like this. Sadly, I haven’t been able to find them again.

Now we’ve got everyone’s favorite – travel tissues. These are always handy. ‘Nuff said.

The Dollar Tree near me always has a lot of Disney themed things – especially things like coloring books, activity books and the like. I picked up some puzzle books and coloring books (hey – grown ups like coloring too!) and a packet of pens, and a multi pack of these crayon sets. They’re cute, and I’ll use them even if no one else does!

Okay, many, many years ago I splurged (or my dad did) and got a mister fan from Disney World. I still have it, and I’ll be bringing it with me again because it is WORTH IT to me. But I did find these handheld fans at the Dollar Tree, so I picked up about four. I figured that others on the trip may want them, and if they break, they were a dollar. I also bought a fold out fan at the same time, because it actually moves more air in the end, and I thought it might come in handy. You know, for when I run out the batteries and don’t want to pay the price in the gift shop for the ones at Disney.

I also picked up ponchos in the Dollar Tree. They are thin and flimsy, but I thought it would save us from paying so much for them in the parks. That being said, my husband has zero intention of wearing his (he was way more polite about saying it though), and I actually hate wearing them as well. Most times, I’d rather be a little damp, but you never know. Better to be prepared, right?

Okay, I was SUPER excited when we came across these in the Dollar Tree. I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid we had these heavy cardboard games with little pink plastic slide windows and you slid it over the little box every time you saw something on the trip. Did any of you have those?

I can’t tell you what was on there anymore, but I know my brother and I spent a lot of time playing with those. I wish we still had them! We also spent a lot of time playing the license plate game and the alphabet game. So these were a no brainer when I saw them. I mean, for a buck, why not?

I didn’t photograph everything, but I did include a few more. I found a couple travel versions of games at Five and Below, so I bought the Chomp game with the Alligator, where you push a tooth down and try not to get your finger chomped, as well as a deck of Old Maid cards. They had lots of other options, but I figured two was enough. We can always switch games at a rest stop if needed. I also put snacks, water bottles, pens, pencils, and a small USB port that plugs into the cigarette lighter in the car. In my own bag I included a $5 quick charger pack from Target, and a popup laundry basket. These aren’t really car items, but they are great in the hotel room. I thought the laundry hamper especially would be useful. We can keep all the dirty things in one place until we are ready to pack up.

Anyway, I hope that these ideas will help you create a bag of fun for your gang in the car during your next road trip, whether it be to Disney or to the mountains or across town! For under $20 you can put something together that will suit your family’s tastes and help keep everyone occupied while on the road.

What things would you change or include that I didn’t? I ‘d love to hear!

Don’t Forget Mousekeeping!

By cookwcharacter | June 23, 2017 | Comments 0 Comment

I’m going to take a brief moment today to remind you of one of the most important Cast Members at Disney – and one of the ones you don’t often actually see or think hard about – Mousekeeping!

Without Mousekeepers, the resorts would be a mess. Think about it – they come in, clean up the rooms we’ve left messy, remade beds, restocked the soaps, emptied the trash, and a hundred other jobs I wouldn’t want to do, in HUNDREDS of guests’ rooms. Every. Day. They also make sure that all those gorgeous lobbies and restaurants and shops stay sparkly clean.

So if you’re planning a trip to Disney, don’t forget about your Mousekeeper. Leave them a tip. It doesn’t have to break the bank. I’ve heard that you leave a dollar a person, per day. That’s not so bad, considering how much they do every day. For our trip, I started saving my dollar bills and fives months in advance. I put them all in one envelope until I had enough set aside. That way, it wasn’t coming out of the vacation budget right before the trip (or during).

Now, you can just leave the money on a nightstand and write a little note on the pad they leave (which is what I do in a normal hotel, usually). But this is Disney – why not help spread a little magic and make something for the Mousekeeper?

You can (or the kids!) decorate a simple envelope with stickers and crayons. You can make something super fancy with a cutting machine. You can find tons of printables online. Whatever makes you happy!

I’ve tried to make some printables that you can download that are both something you can print, but also allow you to personalize them a little. They’re just the line art – made for you to color in! Markers, colored pencils, crayons, whatever medium suits your fancy! You can print them on regular computer paper, or make something more substantial from cardstock (though it really isn’t necessary – regular copy paper holds up just fine once it’s all glued and folded.)

If you want to access these (and there are more things already there, and in the works) you will have to subscribe to the blog. Hopefully since you’re already here reading this, that won’t be a problem! Once you subscribe, you’ll be given the password, and you can click on the “Resources” tab, enter the password, and download the PDF files for these envelopes!

10 Ways to Deal with the Heat at Disney World

By cookwcharacter | March 28, 2017 | Comments 0 Comment

I am a teacher. My parents are teachers. As such, we have always had to schedule any trips to Disney around school vacations. Because of this, we’ve always gone in August. Now, I’m sure you know that Orlando in August is a sauna, to put it mildly. I have always had issues with the heat, after getting what my parents think was a minor case of heatstroke as a kid. It doesn’t take much to make me want to melt into the pavement.

But I love Disney World, and I’m not going to let the temperature stop me. (Though someday, SOMEDAY, I’m going to go when I can wear jeans and a sweater.)

These tips are useful, and they usually help me when I’m getting to my limit.

Drink water. A lot of it.

This one is a bit self-explanatory. You have to stay hydrated, even when it seems like its oozing out your pores as fast as it comes in. Bring bottles of water with you, buy them, or ask at any quick service for ice water. Just make sure you’re drinking.

Take advantage of the AC.

Disney World, as a whole, has a lot of places where you can get out of the heat. The only park where I find this a challenge is Animal Kingdom, and I must admit that while I love the animals, I frequently opt for a shorter visit in the park just because it seems hotter than all the others. Regardless, take a break inside a shop or restaurant and cool off a little when you need to.

Use a mini fan, folding fan, or misting fan.

Some people may argue against this one, but several years ago, I was too hot, and my Dad was concerned and bought me one of the misting fans at Epcot. They’re expensive, but I’ve still got it, it still works, and I’ve pulled it out to pack and take with us this year. You can buy mini ones that clip onto your bag, you can just buy a little battery operated fan, or even a folding fan. (In the China pavilion, they’ve got lots, and they’ll personalize it!) They really are useful for moments when you can’t get into air conditioning, or your waiting in line for a ride, or you just need a little extra air. And as a bonus, when you eat lunch, ask for a cup of ice and put it into the mister bottle to keep the water REALLY cold.

Know your limits.

Maybe I should have made this one the first post, because it really is important. You have to know when to quit. There’s no point in powering through the parks, only to collapse somewhere between Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Be Our Guest just because you didn’t say you needed a break. These people you’re likely with are your family and friends. They care about you. If people in your group want to go do their thing, let them. Having someone get seriously ill because of the heat will be way worse than slowing down and having to postpone a ride or two. My husband can handle heat far, far better than I ever could. He can go for hours. I can’t. I’ve learned that I have to say when I need a break, because he won’t always know. (Though he’s pretty good at realizing.)

Pace yourself.

This goes with the last one. Take your time. Its Disney! Don’t run through the parks (unless, of course, you’re doing a marathon or something. Then, by all means, run.) – enjoy yourself. Along with this, if you are staying on property, make sure you look up the Extra Magic Hours for the days you are staying. If a park opens earlier in the day, it might be a good bet to try that park. Same thing with staying open late. Nighttime is so much more comfortable!

Take a break midday.

This one really applies the most if you are staying on property (and I totally recommend you do. But that’s another blog post.) because otherwise it isn’t necessarily worth the loss of park time. If you are, however, I recommend taking a midday break back at your resort. You can go back, get a drink in the food court, and then relax in the air conditioning. You can nap, take a swim, or just freshen up a little. Even just an hour back at the resort will help you get cooled off and recharged for the rest of the day.

Morocco Pavilion at Night — One reason for a midday nap? Extend your visit into the evening. Its cooler, and things just look beautiful!

Wear a hat or visor and use sunscreen.

For myself, I am not really a hat person. I think they make me hotter. However, a visor is perfect for this. It will help keep your face shaded (and therefore not so sunburned) which is much more important than you think. Maybe you are lucky enough to be able to withstand some sun, but I go from pastry to crispy critter in less time than it takes Pooh to eat a jar of honey. You don’t want to be sunburned. It hurts, and it doesn’t help you stay cool. Not to mention all the other things it can lead to. Let’s just put on the SPF and prevent all that.

Get a cooling towel.

Okay, so maybe this is a personal preference, but I really like these cooling towels. I bought one when I still rode a motorcycle occasionally, and when I bought it, I was super skeptical about what it was going to do for me. And then I tried it, and it really did help. So well I went out and bought my dad and brother each one. They’re pretty simple, and you can get a small one that doesn’t take up too much space. When you want to use it, just soak it in some water from a sink or fountain and drape it around your neck (or wherever.) I’d bring a small baggie to put it in when you don’t want to use it anymore, that way it can’t get things damp in your pocket, purse, or bag.

Wear appropriate clothing.

This should be a no-brainer, but I’m putting it here because I’m so guilty of doing this. If the temperatures are forecast to be in the 90’s (or higher) choosing to wear denim capris may not be the best choice. And let’s not even think about jeans. Wear light colors and light fabrics. Cottons, things that breathe. And while I say light colors, don’t wear white. The Florida afternoon summer thunderstorm will come. And if you’re a lady and you’re wearing a white shirt, things could be a little more…transparent…than you’d like.

Know the warning signs.

You and those you are traveling with (not just those who are sensitive to it) need to be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. I was once at another theme park near my house in Virginia. I watched a teenager go from smiling to passed out in her friend’s arms in about three seconds, and when the park medics came, she revealed she hadn’t had a drink in hours. It was almost 100 degrees that day. Its no joke. You don’t want to be ill ever, but definitely not on vacation at the Happiest Place on Earth. Drink fluids, stay cool, and take care of yourself and each other!

I hope these tips help you on your vacation. Its certainly been a good reminder for myself, and I’ve added a few items to my packing list. (Where did I put that cooling towel?) Do you have other tips for beating the heat? I’d love to hear them in the comments!

*Please be aware that this post contains affiliate links. By clicking on any of these links and purchasing the product, I receive a small commission from Amazon.

5 Reasons to Love Disney as an Adult (Small)

Top 5 Reasons to Love Disney as an Adult

By cookwcharacter | March 26, 2017 | Comments 0 Comment

Disney World is an amazing place. But there are some people who will look at you and wonder, “Why bother going to Disney as an adult? Isn’t it just an overpriced place for the kids, with no real thrills?”

Clearly, they’ve never looked at it the right way.

There are lots of reasons a Disney fan can give as to why they love the parks. As this is one of my first blog posts, I thought it would only be appropriate to mention a few of the reasons why I love it so much.

At Disney, it’s okay to release your inner child.

Do you remember the excitement you felt as a kid when the newest Disney movie came out? Or when you got to go to a theme park for the day? Or come home after school and watch cartoons? Of course! Being a kid, you were allowed to geek out over a cartoon character, or play with stuffed animals, and daydream about how the movie would have been if you were the princess (or prince!). At Disney World, you can let go of all the adulating for a while and just let yourself enjoy being a kid again. You can get your picture taken with Mickey, you can laugh at the jokes in the Enchanted Tiki Room, and you can generally let yourself believe in a little magic again. Or just ride Space Mountain for the nth time. There’s plenty of time for the real world. But at least for a little while, you can let it go (pun intended) and just soak up the magic.

There is more to see and do than standing in line for Mickey and buying a stuffed animal.

Spend real time walking through the World Showcase areas. Morocco has some really amazing views and things to look at and enjoy!

Disney World was built as a place for families to be entertained, and kids were the biggest portion of that vision. But don’t let think the adults have been left out! There are lots of opportunities for adults to enjoy themselves. For me, EPCOT is the most “adult” of all the park. I can see where a kid might think the countries of World Showcase boring. But as an adult, they are pretty awesome to wander through, look around, and enjoy the taste of another culture and country. Beyond that, there are lots of things sprinkled in the park that you will appreciate as an adult that may go over the kids heads, and there are many things that only an adult who has seen some of the older movies and Disney shows will appreciate.

The Food.

This blog is food-centered. So it’s no surprise that the food makes an appearance on here. In my experience, most kids are pretty mundane eaters. Don’t get me wrong – some are adventurous, but as a rule, kids just want food so they can get back to the park. Adults, on the other hand, more often can appreciate the joys of a great meal in an awesome setting. No matter what restaurant you pick, the worst meal at Disney is still likely to be miles better than the normal chain restaurants from home. The themes are amazing, and the food is made with great attention and care. It tastes good, looks good, and there are so many restaurants to choose from, you should be able to find something you like!

As an adult, you can appreciate the detail.

Come on, not too many kids would find this as entertaining as I did.

This kind of goes with #2, but adults can appreciate some of the inside jokes in things (Jungle Cruise, anyone?). The Imagineers dropped little things all over the park. Some of the labels on boxes in the Agrabah area of Magic Kingdom, for instance, may seem familiar to an adult. And only someone who isn’t on overload with sugar and Mickey and OMG another ride, will be able to see it. As an adult, you can take your time, breath, and enjoy yourself. No one will mind if you buy a dole whip, take a seat on a bench next to the castle and people watch for awhile. (And you totally should!)

There is always something new.

This one goes for everyone – not just adults. Unless you’re going to Disney World every day (and even then you may argue that it still applies) there is always something new to see. It may not be new to the park, but it may be a feature you missed, a show you haven’t seen, or a new world added since the last time you visited (Anyone else excited to see Pandora?). As adults, sometimes we have a tendency to check off a place we’ve visited on our mental list, crossing it off as being “done.” But I’ve never had a trip to Disney where it became boring because I knew what to expect. There are always hidden secrets, an inside joke, or a new attraction to pique my interest. And on the subject of food, there are so many great restaurants with so many dishes, I’ll never be able to get through them all!

What do you like best as an adult at Disney?

Category: Tips