12 Must-Have Items to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise. Pack light but smart versatile items to enjoy your Alaskan cruise to the fullest!

Items to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise!

12 Must-Have Items to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise! It’s been a few years since our honeymoon trip, but it remains our favorite trip of all time. We can’t wait to do it again. Since the pandemic, people are starting to cruise again and this post is trending. I thought it would be a good idea to update the post with some new information. If you are considering an Alaskan cruise, do it! We had so much fun and created so many wonderful memories on this trip. This is the complete packing list, but I also have some posts with more information that will help you create the perfect experience!

• 10 Reasons to go on an Alaskan Cruise!
• 18 Princess Alaska Cruise Secrets
• Must Do: Alaska Cruise Excursions Off the Ship
• 10 Must-Try Dishes on the Princess Alaskan Cruise
• Behind the Scenes on an Alaskan Cruise

Make the most out of your packing room and trip with these 12 must-have versatile items!

We had the time of our lives on our Alaskan Princess Cruise for our honeymoon! When we decided we were going to Alaska I really wondered what to bring. It was September and still really hot in Utah and I wondered how much colder it would be in Alaska. Of course when you think of Alaska you think of snow and glaciers. I also didn’t want to bring a HUGE suitcase, so I really tried to be practical in packing. There were also SO many fun activities that we were going to do on our land excursions, plus events on the boat; I knew I needed a full range of clothes.

And after going on the cruise and coming home I have SO many tips and ideas that I want to share with you, in case you decide to go on an AMAZING Alaskan Cruise!!

What to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise

I have compiled a full list at the bottom of the post to make it easier if you do reference this post for a trip! But I thought it would be fun to share some of the stand-out things that I think are essential in packing for an Alaskan cruise!

Items to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise

1.A Lightweight, Warm Coat

Of course this seems like a no-brainer. But I found a coat that is perfect for this cruise. It’s a down coat so it’s warm. But it folds into a pouch that comes with it. When its folded it’s very small so you can tuck it in your purse or backpack when you are on the deck of the ship or on a land excursion. And since it’s so small it’s perfect for packing and keeping your suitcase small.

2. Boots

I wanted a boot that would look good on the ship with nice pants or jeans but also was warm and rugged enough to hike in. Plus I was looking for a boot that is waterproof. These Sorel boots are amazing. I also took them on our Iceland trip last year and wore them every singe day in Iceland. I hiked a glacier in these boots. They are comfortable, waterproof, warm and they look great every day. I wear them all the time in the winter and they have held up great. I brought them on the Alaskan cruise and wore them on the ship almost every day, to dinner, miniature golfing, watching the Northern Lights, everything! They are truly my favorite boots.

3. Smart Phone Gloves

Gloves are needed on an Alaskan cruise. you want gloves that are warm, easy to wear and store when you don’t need them and also compatible with your smart phone. You don’t want to see a whale on your whale-watching night cruise and have to take your gloves off to get a picture. You will miss the moment. So look for gloves with a sensor that can work with your smart phone. Another great item to bring is a hat. A stocking hat or baseball hat are nice for sunny days but also for days when it rains. I wore my hat in Juneau when it was rainy and it kept my hair dry.

4. A Wool or Cashmere Scarf

Wool or cashmere scarf. A wool or cashmere scarf is lightweight but very warm. I wore mine with my jacket on days that was cold. If it warmed up I could take it off and put it in my bag. I also wore the scarf as a shawl with my little black dress on formal night.

5. Comfortable Work Out Pants

A good pair of high-quality work out pants can be used for many things. Of course you can use them to work out on the ship. The Ruby Princess had a wonderful workout facility and spa with all kinds of amazing classes, treadmills and machines. If you get a plain pair of good work out pants you can also use them as leggings and they are great to use in layering outfits.  I wore my workout leggings with tunics and sweatshirts on the cruise. You can dress them up by pairing them with the Sorel wedge boots I mentioned above and they are comfortable and fashionable! I wore them when we played miniature golf on the ship! Plus workout leggings are great for the land excursions.

6. Layering tunics

The key to packing for an Alaskan cruise is layering items. You can pack a sweater and then tunics to wear underneath. When the sun is out it can be pretty warm on the deck of the ship. So you can start out with a cardigan or your light-weight down jacket on and then take it off if it gets too warm. Colorful tunics will be pretty and are comfortable to wear with jeans or leggings and are perfect for any of the activities on or off the ship.

7. A Little Black Dress

A little black dress is perfect for the formal dinner nights. You can dress it up with jewelry. Also if you get a short sleeved or sleeveless dress you can combine the dress with your beautiful scarf and it keeps you warm while adding color to your outfit! You can find little black dresses that are made out of material that won’t wrinkle and they are perfect for traveling!

8. A Swimsuit

Don’t forget your swimsuit on your Alaskan cruise! Princess ships have beautiful pools that are heated as well as hot tubs. And they are located right under the big screen. You can sit in the hot tub with a cool drink and watch a movie one night. How fun! I love this classic one-piece suit with the twist detail – beautiful.

9. Binoculars

Binoculars. I didn’t bring binoculars and I really regretted it! Thankfully on our whale watching excursion in Juneau they provided binoculars. But it would have been so nice to have a pair on our train excursion and on the ship. We sailed through Glacier Bay and the glaciers crashing into the ocean was so breathtaking. It would have been amazing to have binoculars to see it even closer. Also, there were whales off the Princess Ruby that we could see from a distance as well as dolphins and sea otters. Binocular would have been so great to have!

Tripod. If you bring your DSLR or even your smart phone and want to try to get pictures at night, especially of the the Northern Lights, bring a tripod. You can get small tripods that would work and the night we saw the Northern Lights was so magical. I couldn’t record it though because I didn’t have a tripod. If you see the Northern Lights on your Alaska cruise it will be something you will want to take a photo of and show people.

10. Magnetic Clips

Did you know that your cabin rooms and even the cabin door is magnetic?? I didn’t either. Another blogger on the trip tuned me into this tip. Bring some cheap plastic magnetic clips and you can hang things in your room like your itinerary or even hang a jacket from the clips. It was a great idea!

11. Backpack or Tote Bag with Compartments

Even when you are on the ship you will have things you want to bring with you while you are out of your room. I always wanted my good camera as well as my book or notebooks to read or write in while I was up on deck. You also might need to bring your down jacket and gloves, hat, sunglasses and a water bottle. It’s nice to have a good tote bag or backpack with different compartments so you can find things easily! This one is also a purse and fits a laptop. So it would make a great carryon bag.

12. Comfortable, Stylish Jeans

Another basic you want to pack is a couple pair of comfortable, stylish jeans. I read through the clothing suggestions for Princess cruises and it said not to wear jeans with holes. Good Threads jeans are very comfortable and are perfect for land excursions but can also be dressed up while on the boat with a cute pair of heeled boots or pumps. Plus they are super affordable.

Here is a complete list of what I would bring on a 7-Day Alaskan Cruise:

• I little black dress (and nylons or tights if wanted)
• 4 tunic tops
• 1 zip-up sweatshirt
• 1-2 cardigan sweaters (or a blazer If you want to wear it with nice jeans or pants to dinner on the ship)
• 1-2 workout shirts or tank tops
• 2 pair good-quality workout pants (leggings)
• 2 pair jeans (one pair black jeans or black pants)
• 1 pair nice pants (optional if you want to use black jeans for your nice pants you can)
• Nightgown or PJ’s
• Underwear, socks and bras
• Swimsuit (you can ask for robes to use in your room so you don’t have to bring a cover-up)
• Nice tote bag or backpack to use as a carry-on and on the ship/destinations
• Water bottle
• Magnetic clips (optional. to organize things in your room)
• Makeup and cosmetics
• Curling iron or straightener (there is a hair dryer in the room)
• Jewelry (especially for formal night)
• Scarf, hat, smart phone gloves, sunglasses
• Shoes (hiking boots, workout shoes, heels for formal night and to dress up jeans on board, flip flops to wear to the hot tub. I also brought another pair of cute boots/shoes to wear with jeans on the ship and on some of the excursions but you can substitute this extra pair of boots for work out shoes if you want)
• Binocular, camera and tripod
• Identification papers
• Zip Lock bags to separate clothes in your suitcase and to keep liquids from spilling all over everything while traveling.

More Alaska Cruise Tips

And to find out about all of the amazing things you can do on and off the ship on a Princess Alaskan Cruise, be sure to check out my Honeymoon Cruise Post!!

Why We Chose a Romantic Alaska Cruise

10 reasons we decided to go on a Alaskan Cruise for our honeymoon. It’s the perfect romantic trip for a honeymoon or anniversary!

Email me if you have questions! I would love to answer them — tatertotsandjello @ gmail.com

And share this post with someone that might be thinking about going on an Alaskan Cruise!! You can even forward it to your significant other as a little HINT for an anniversary coming up!

Have an Adventurous Day!

xox

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Chasing Adventures Bright and Colorful Paper Line

My Pebbles Chasing Adventures line is one of my favorites. It’s perfect for documenting ALL your adventures — whether in a different country or in your own backyard.

Bright and Colorful Papers

The line is full of bright and happy colors. Some of my favorite papers are the pineapples, the llamas and all of the gorgeous different floral papers. There are also taxis, planes and ocean papers.

Bright and Colorful Icons For Every Kind of Trip

Chasing Adventures is also full of cute and usable icons. I love the girls in the line. They are hiking, bicycling and going on trips. There are also sunglasses, luggage, llamas, pineapples, flamingos and more!

Create Bright and Colorful Parties with the Chasing Adventures Line

You can also use these fun icons to create summer and travel parties like this Summer Party!

Die Cuts are Great for Cards, Scrapbooking and Home Decor

The die cuts are so usable. You can use them to create cards, scrapbook pages and even banners.

Create Bright and Colorful Paper Banners with Chasing Adventures

I made an adorable “Adventure Banner” that is hanging right now in our kitchen eating nook. It reminds us of all of the adventures we are going on this summer.

Chasing Adventures Paper Pad Makes Creating Easy

There is also a really awesome Chasing Adventures paper pad! This paper pad makes creating SO easy! It has papers from the line as well as die cuts, thickers and plain papers that coordinate with everything!

Two Different Thickers that Coordinate Together

Two different thickers are part of the Chasing Adventures line. There is a beautiful alphabet as well as another thicker package that contains words that go along with the Chasing Adventures theme — Adventuer, Vacay, Road Trip and more. You can see how we used the thickers in this fun Adventures Journal. It’s the perfect project to create and record all of your summer adventures as you are on-the-go!

Puffy Shaker Stickers are Three-Dimensional

The Puffy shaker stickers are really cool because they are three-dimensional and they have elements that move around inside. Like the flamingo, pineapple and island in a bottle. I love the way the gold glitter looks as it moves.

Planner Stickers Make Being Organized Fun

Do you keep organized with a planner? There are stickers in the Chasing Adventures line that are smaller in size and perfect for planners! Make your planner into a journal by adding colorful and bright Chasing Adventure stickers to record all of your family adventures. There are arrows, flags and all of the cute icons from the line that will look so great in your planner.

Washi Tape is Perfect for Every Project

I have had a love affair with washi tape for years. It is the ultimate accessory for every project – cards, scrapbooking, planners, home decor and parties! The Chasing Adventures line has the most BEAUTIFUL washi tapes. There is a gorgeous gold, city skyline, an amazing floral washi — even a LLAMA washi. How cute is that???

Check Out Chasing Adventures at Spotlight Stores

So if you are in Australia, pop over to your local Spotlight store and check out my new Chasing Adventures line! And send me a photo if you spot it! I would love to see my line in the land down under! You can tag me on Instagram at @tatertotsandjello or send me a DM!

And if you are in the US, you can find my Chasing Adventures line in JoAnn Stores.

Do you love paper crafts? What kinds are your favorites? Scrapbooking, Card Making, Journaling or Home Decor?

Have a Creative Day!

xoxo

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We are so happy it’s Summer Break! For our first week of Summer Break we went on a trip to California and spent a day in San Francisco. It was so amazing! I took my 13-year-old daughter and mom and we explored. Beforehand I asked people on my Instagram feed for suggestions on places to go in San Francisco with a teen and I got SO many great ideas from people on my Instagram page!

I compiled all of the things we did based off of those suggestions and I am sharing —

12 FUN things to do in San Francisco with your teen or tween in ONE day!

Get a All-Day Trolley/Street Car Pass

Taking mass transit while in San Francisco makes total sense. You don’t want to rent a car in a city that you don’t know. Each time you get on a street car, trolley or bus you have to pay a fare. You can skip the stress and save money too by getting a MUNI all-day pass. The trick to doing this is getting the pass at the Trolley Museum by the Ferry Building. We took BART into San Francisco and got off at the Embarcadero stop which is right by the Trolley Museum where they sell the all-day MUNI passes. You have the option of getting a 1,2 or 3 day pass, depending on how long you will be in the city. The 1 day pass was $22 which ended up being a steal with the amount of buses and trolleys we rode for the day. That way you can hop on whatever bus or trolley you want and explore the city SO much faster.

The Ferry Building

After we bought out MUNI passes we walked across the street to the Ferry Building. I LOVE the Ferry Building because it is chock full of cute and amazing things. The inside has small handmade shops, restaurants and even little markets. It’s kind of set up like a cute indoor mall. We got all kinds of food here and I have more about what we ate in the FOOD section below. There is also a gorgeous outdoor seating section outside that faces the bay where you can eat your food and there are all kinds of beautiful photo ops which your teen or tween will love to post about!

Embarcadero

After we were done at the Ferry Building we walked down the Embaracado. You can continue on this street and it will take you all the way to Pier 39 and Ghiradelli Square. On the way are lots of restaurants shops and more. But if you are short on time you can also hop on a trolley or street car and take it down the Embarcadero and get off at any of the stops. The ferry to Alcatraz leaves from Pier 33.

Pier 39

Pier 39 is known for amazing seafood. We ate some amazing things. More about the food is below in the FOOD section. Also you can rent bikes, tiny cars and even Segways! So fun!

Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghiradelli Square

If you continue walking you will hit Fisherman’s Wharf, There are some fun things to do at Fisherman’s Wharf like Madame Tussauds, the Ghiradelli factory and it is also the place to catch the three streetcar lines. At the end of the pier is a vintage arcade which is free to go in. There are some really old and cool games from by-gone eras which are fun to see. There area also classic games we loved playing like pin ball machines, Centipede, Pac Man and Asteroid. SO fun! You can get on the streetcars and they will take you to places like Nob Hill, China Town, Russian Hill and the Painted Ladies.

The Painted Ladies

We took the streetcar to the Painted Ladies. In case you haven’t heard of them they are the fictional home of the Full House series and a great photo op. Your teen or tween will love posting pictures of themselves in front of these colorful stately gems.

Street Food

Throughout this day you will see so many amazing food ideas. We ate fish tacos, pizza and Italian creme-filled donuts at the Ferry Building. Then we ordered fresh fish and chips and a clam chowder bowl at Pier 39. Then the most amazing ice cream sundays at Ghiradilli Square. While we were exploring the architecture around the Painted Ladies we stumbled onto a TINY little french bakery and had filled cookies while we waited for the bus to the shops on Sacramento. We ate amazing hand-churned ice cream in Pacific Heights.

Murals

One of the most important things my daughter wanted to find in San Francisco were hand painted colorful murals. We happened to go right past a whole building of murals while we were on the bus to the shops on Sacramento so we hopped out and there were probably 12 different murals that we found. ( address 0 Geary + Filmore) Then we discovered that we were only a few blocks away from the shopping and while we were walking we stumbled across a few more. I read somewhere that there are over 150 murals in the city. Great photo ops for teens and tweens!

Quaint Shops

My sister who lives in the East Bay told us about an area in Pacific Heights with amazing shopping, restaurants and places to see. Right off of California Avenue there are some great places to shop. Nest SF is a home decor and more – 2300 Filmore Street. You teen or tween will love all of the bright pillows! We also discovered Smitten Ice Cream. They offer hand-churned ice cream that is out of this world.

Refurbished Radio Flyer wagon benches and a milk crate chandelier harken back to Robyn Sue’s wagoneering days as a part of San Francisco’s street food revolution. Take shelter from the summer fog (we see you, @karlthefog!) in “Smitten Alley”, a charming patio decked out in hand-painted murals, flowering vines, and hanging string lights. Get a slice of pizza next door with the masters at Delfina, and remember: ice cream is an essential part of a balanced meal!

Record Store Shopping

You can’t visit San Francisco with your teen or tween without hitting some record stores! All of my kids LOVE music. We hit the biggest, and I think best, record store – Amoeba Records. Located in The Haight you can get to on MUNI buses. And it’s right next to Golden Gate Park so you can hit that too if you have time. Another record store option is Rasputin Records, near Union Square on Powell. It’s smaller but also excellent. If you have a hard time figuring out a way to get to Amoeba on MUNI you can always take a Lyft car there. That’s what we ended up doing because we were running out of time. I think it cost about $9.

The Museum of Ice Cream

Museum of Ice Cream is a venue that you need to make reservations for BEFORE your trip. Sadly they didn’t have any openings while we were in town. But I know people who have gone and it is amazing. Especially for teens and tweens because there are all kinds of bright and colorful photo ops you can take inside with sprinkles and more. Be sure to check out their website and order your tickets in advance.

San Francisco Haunted Walking Tour

There is so much history in San Francisco. I knew my teen daughter would be thrilled and chilled to go to a after-dark haunted tour. There are a few to choose from. We chose the San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour. It was the first haunted walking tour in San Francisco and I heard it was really great. The tour is a one mile walk in a safe, residential area so I thought it would be great to go on with my teen daughter. The tour ended up being full on the day we went. But it is definitely one that we will go on the next time we are in town. You hear about all kinds of weird happenings and spooky stories from the area. The tour lasts 1.5-2 hours and starts at 5pm. You need to book your tickets ONLINE in advance. So be sure to do that before you get into the city. These photos are from the San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour website. 

If you have two days in San Francisco also check out —

Exploritorium

The Exploritorium is located at Pier 15. There are more than 650 exhibits –  Step inside a tornado, turn upside down in a curved mirror, walk on a fog bridge, and more!

Step inside a tornado, turn upside down in a curved mirror, walk on a fog bridge, and explore more than 650 hands-on exhibits. You’ll find all of this plus unique programs, discussions, and events; a café and restaurant; two stores (one with an Art-O-Mat machine); and more at our beautiful San Francisco bayside location.

Alcatraz

Alcatraz is a fun place tour to take with your teen.

Step back in time and experience the legendary island that has been a civil war fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history. This memorable tour includes: 45 minute audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour,” featuring actual correctional officers and prisoners who lived and worked on the Island; orientation video by Discovery Channel; ranger and docent tours; historic gardens and abundant wildlife.

You need to purchase your Alcatraz tickets in advance. There are day tours and night tours. The day tours are 2.5 hours long. The night tours are also 2.5 hours long.

The Aquarium

The Aquarium of the Bay  is another destination your tween or teen will love seeing. It’s located at Pier 39.

Discover the beauty and diversity of Northern California aquatic life at Aquarium of the Bay. Located on the historic San Francisco waterfront at PIER 39, the Aquarium is home to more than 20,000 marine animals including sleek sharks and rays, secretive octopus, hypnotic jellyfish, sparkling anchovies, frolicking river otters, and many more.

A variety of San Francisco Bay living habitats house the diverse animal collection, including walk-through tunnel exhibits, and transparent touchpools. Nature enthusiasts have the opportunity to learn about the most important environmental challenges of the day like climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans, and habitat loss.

If you have been to San Francisco and have any other ideas, let us know in the comments!!

We would love to hear your ideas!!

Have a wonderful day! 

xoxo

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Disney’s Copper Creek Cabins Walt Disney World. Make your Walt Disney World trip even more special by staying at an equally magical destination. Here are 11 reasons we loved staying at Disney’s Copper Creek Cabins Walt Disney World. 

We just got back from Walt Disney World!! It was our first time there and we had the BEST time! We stayed in the most amazing cabins — Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge property. It was a MAGICAL trip – not only because we were at Walt Disney World (although it IS the most magical place on earth), but for a few reasons.

Disney’s Copper Creek Cabins Walt Disney World

One reason was it was the first trip we have taken with our new blended family. We weren’t able to take all of my kids, but we did take one of my daughters, her friend and my husband’s daughter.

I really wanted it to be a wonderful travel experience and the first of many, many more for us. As I’ve gotten older I have found that I want to focus more on MEMORIES than on things. And trips are a huge part of these memories.

We stayed right on the lake in the most adorable cabins. I am telling you – I want to LIVE there!! They have every. single. thing. you need. Several bedrooms (depending on which cabin you book), a big kitchen/family room to relax with a FIREPLACE. The kitchen was HUGE with full-size appliances. We even made cookies one night! We had a big porch with our own hot tub that looked out onto the lake right across from Walt Disney World. My husband was obsessed with the HUGE shower and it had a waterfall feature (his dream). And an outdoor hot tub (my dream). AMAZING!

On the grounds of Walt Disney World, Copper Creek Villas face onto Bay Lake on Disney’s Wilderness Lodge property. It’s a GORGEOUS woodsy resort right around the bend from Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Relaxed cabins come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, kitchenettes and sofa-beds, plus living areas and patios. The cabins also have whirlpool tubs and full kitchens. Upgraded waterfront cabins offer stone fireplaces and patio hot tubs. They are all 2 bedroom units that sleep 8. (master with 1 king-size bed, second bedroom with 1 queen-size bed and single pull-down bed, living room with queen-size sleeper sofa and single sleeper chair). The villas go from studio to 3-bedroom unit (that does sleep 12). All information is on the Disney World website under the ‘Deluxe Villa’ category.

11 Reasons We LOVED Staying at Disney’s Copper Creek Cabins –  Walt DisneyWorld

An adventurous setting

Disney’s Copper Creek Cabins Walt Disney World. We were enchanted by the woodsy feel of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The setting is right on the lake that is across from the Magic Kingdom. The whole resort is nestled in the middle of tall beautiful trees and lush greenery. The style of the entire resort is very Pacific Northwest in feel with timber columns, log cabin–style facades, dormer windows and modern design. The lodge’s lobby in the main building boasts an 82-foot-tall stone fireplace and two 55-foot Pacific Northwest totem poles. Timber pillars, giant tepee chandeliers, and stone, wood, and marble floors accentuate the lobby’s rustic luxe feel. It’s gorgeous!!

Around the bend from the Magic Kingdom

It’s so easy to get to Walt Disney World! Take a ferry to the Magic Kingdom at the end of the Disney Wilderness Lodge pier. They depart every few minutes and the Magic Kingdom is right around the bend. There are also buses departing in front of the main lodge that go to ALL the Walt Disney World resorts every few minutes.

Many different configurations – 1-4 bedrooms!

Disney’s Copper Creek Cabins Walt DisneyWorld. Copper Creek Cabins and Villas accommodate many different sized groups. The cabins come in different sizes from 1 bedroom all the way to 4 bedrooms. Ours had two bedrooms and slept 6 people! There are also villas which range in size from 1 bedroom to a 4 bedroom unit that sleeps 12!  Our cabin came with EVERY feature we could need – including a washer and dryer, vacuum, iron and ironing board, games, and a full-sized kitchen! And there was an ingenious bed in one of the bedrooms that looked like a cabinet but you opened it and a bed pulled out. So cool. ALSO – our magic bands locked and unlocked the door – NO keys were needed. How cool is that??

Your very own Hot Tub

Enjoy dining outside on your very own screen-in porch, complete with a private Jacuzzi. Soak your feet in your Jacuzzi after a fun day running all over Walt Disney World! One of our favorite parts of our stay at Copper Creek Villas was being able to sit out on our porch and watch the River Parade every night on Bay Lake. It stopped right in front of our cabin and is a very special part of our vacation memories.

Pools and activities

There’s so much to do at Copper Creek Cabins on the Disney’s Wilderness Lodge property. Not only is Walt Disney World minutes away but there are many things to do on the resort itself. The grounds are beautiful and are adjacent to other beautiful hotels. We loved renting bikes at the resort and exploring!  There is also a barbecue pavilion so you can grill to your hearts content. We loved the two pools on the property and soaking in the hot tubs (there are 3!).  The bigger pool has a 67-foot water-slide – SO fun! Our kids loved coming back from Watt Disney World and spending time in the pool each night after dinner. There is also an hourly Fire Rock Geyser right next to the pier with awesome 102-foot eruptions. And you can also rent boats! Guided fishing expeditions is another amazing activity to consider.

S’mores and movies under the stars

Join in nightly s’mores around the Wilderness Lodge Campfire. The resort brought our s’mores kits right to our room! And after the campfire watch a special outdoor movie under the stars!

Full Kitchens

One of our favorite parts of staying at Copper Creek Cabins was the kitchen. It is full-sized with everything you need to cook and enjoy the vacation! We made cookies one night. The villas and cabins are equipped with plates, utensils, baking dishes, serving ware as well as a full-sized stove, cook-top, microwave and dishwasher. It’s just like home, only better! And in case you didn’t rent a car or don’t have time to hit the grocery store, you can get your groceries delivered right to your cabin or villa. So easy!

Restaurants only steps away

Of course if you are on vacation you might not want to cook. Disney Wilderness Lodge has a few different delicious restaurants! From the casual Geyser Point Grill, an outdoor bar/restaurant; and full dining too in the lodge! You can eat at the restaurant or get your food and take it back to your cabin! There is also a full room service menu with all kinds of yummy foods you can order in!

Extras like full salon, fitness center and spa

While I was getting ready for our trip I didn’t have time to get a manicure. So it was fun to book a manicure right at the resort at the Salon by the Springs! I had my relaxing manicure while the kids and my husband took the ferry over to the Magic Kingdom. Then when I was done I met them over there. Bliss! There is also a FULL salon with treatments AND a fitness center.

Reunion Station

Reunion Station is a beautiful space created especially for Disney Vacation Club Members and special guests! Located adjacent to Geyser Point Bar & Grill (which was right next to our cabin), Reunion Station is a relaxing retreat where Disney Vacation Club members can dine, unwind and participate in an array of engaging activities. They have different classes members can sign up for – from wine tasting, entertaining,  photography classes and MORE. I took an amazing entertaining class one afternoon!

It’s romantic

My husband and I have only been married for a few months and we are still newlyweds. But whether you are a newlywed or have been married for 30 years, you want to connect with your partner. It was nice to stay in a place where we all had room to spread out and have space. We also LOVED the hot tub for a little alone time each night. The porch looking out onto the lake is really beautiful and romantic. We also loved walking around the property and sitting out at the bar together and having a snack while the kids swam (there are lifeguards at the pool – yay). We also loved sitting in front of the fireplace, talking and listening to music at night together. It was really a magical trip!

If you are considering a trip to Walt Disney World, do it! We had a wonderful time. It can be as  busy or relaxing of a trip as you want. Booking a place that is comfortable and has other activities to do can be a nice addition to the joys of the parks. It was nice to get away from the crowds at the end of the day, enjoy the property, the pool and each other.

Feel free to email me at jennifer.hadfield@yahoo.com if you have any questions about our stay or leave a comment here! I am happy to answer any questions!

You can find out more about Copper Creek Villas & Cabins: 

Disney Copper Creek Villas & Cabins

DIsney Vacation Club

Have a Beautiful Day!

xoxo

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10 Must-Try Dishes Aboard Ruby Princess Alaska Cruise. The BEST dishes to try during your Princess Alaska Cruise. From breakfast omelets to fish tacos, burgers, gorgeous desserts and more!

10 Must-Try Dishes Aboard Ruby Princess Alaska Cruise

The food aboard Ruby Princess Alaska was out of this world good! I never realized that an experience could be so intense. The scenery of Alaska combined with the food was unbelievable! Here are some of our favorite from our ROMANTIC Ruby Princess Alaska cruise!

Ernesto Burger from Salty Dog Gastropub

Fresh ground rib eye and short
rib patty, grilled pork belly, caveaged
Gruyère, caramelized kimchi
beer battered jalapeño, charred
onion aioli, smoked salt & pepper
brioche bun

Hand-Tossed Pizzas on deck – the pizza was AMAZING! I know it sounds lame but I loved the pizza. You can grab it anytime. There is always the traditional Margarita. But they change it up everyday with a specialty pizza that is new. It was fun going by and seeing what the pizza of the day was. Also the pizza is out where the GIANT screen is and it was fun to grab a slice and watch a game or grab a slice and watch the movies under the stars!

Custom Omelets from the buffet – the buffet had lots of scrambled eggs and even poached eggs ready to go. My favorite part was ordering a custom omelet. You can fill out a paper with the exact toppings yow want and they will bring it right out to you. So good!

10 Must-Try Dishes Aboard Ruby Princess Alaska Cruise  

Fish Tacos. The pizza place also serves tacos! One day were were strolling past the pizza stand and notices a very large line. We learned that they were giving out fish tacos that day. YUM!

Toffee Cheesecake From SHARE – soft, understated and decadent. An amazing dessert.

Seafood from the buffet – the seafood was so good! They had shrimp, crab legs and even lobster. So fresh and SO good!

Ernesto’s Dip Sticks – The perfect appetizer!

Crunchy bread sticks, beer-cheddar fondue, flaked smoked salt

BEEF SHORT RIB POUTINE – the meat was done to perfection!

Braised in Cabernet wine,
rosemary gravy, potato frites,
cheddar cheese curds

Breakfast on the Balcony – we ordered breakfast on our balcony the morning that we sailed through Glacier Bay. It was THE most romantic breakfast ever!

10 Must-Try Dishes Aboard Ruby Princess Alaska Cruise  

Shrimp Salad, Lemon Gel, Turnip, Citrus Salt, Brioche at SHARE by Curtis Stone (on board Ruby Princess). A beautiful, light salad.

There is so much more I can say about the food and everything about the trip. It was THE most magical honeymoon. We couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was such a wonderful way to start off our life as a married couple! If you ever have a chance to go on a cruise, consider a Princess Alaskan Cruise. It is an amazing experience!

There is also something new — the Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion program. A free, wearable device that facilitates extraordinary guest vacation experiences to make cruising more personal and simple than ever before. The Medallion holds your unique digital identity which is encrypted and communicates with thousands of sensors on-board and in port. It lets the Crew see information they can use to serve you better. That’s in addition to using Medallion for payments, unlocking your stateroom door, speeding up embarkation and much more. Such a cool idea!

Check out the other posts about our Alaskan honeymoon:

10 Reasons to go on a Romantic Alaska Cruise 

12 Items to Pack on Your Alaskan Cruise

18 Princess Alaska Cruise Tips

Behind the Scenes Princess Cruise Alaska Food 

And a huge THANK YOU to Princess Cruises for sponsoring our honeymoon. It was a dream come true!

You can find out more about how to plan YOUR Princess cruise:

Princess Cruises website 

Princess Cruises Instagram 

Princess Cruises Facebook

Have a beautiful day!

xoxo

The post 10 Must-Try Dishes Aboard Ruby Princess Alaska Cruise! appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Behind the Scenes on an Alaskan Cruise – The Food

We had SUCH a fun time on our Princess Alaskan honeymoon cruise. We were hosted by Princess and the Princess staff did a wonderful job showing us around! Because the cruise was hosted by Princess we able to do some cool things that not every cruise-going has access to. I thought it would be fun to share some behind-the-scenes things with you! We were able to dine at all of the restaurants and buffets aboard the ship. It was fun to try all of the AMAZING Food! 

We also were able to tour the kitchen. I met some of the chefs too! 

When you go on a cruise you don’t realize how much effort goes into making everything work. I found out all about how the food is created, prepared and served. There is so much thought put into making the cruise a once-in-a-lifetime special event!

Did you know that ALL of the food on the ship is fresh? Because there are so many people with food allergies like gluten allergy, it’s imperative that the Princess Ruby food is made fresh. That way the staff knows all of the ingredients in every dish so that they can serve guests with food allergies confidently.

It all starts with a shopping list consisting of food from all over the world. Cheeses from Italy, England United States, Scandinavia and France, choice of selected beef, as well as choice selected fresh fruits and vegetables from California and Florida. On a single cruise, the list usually consists of between 100-155 TONS of food that much be delivered for EACH TRIP! Kind of mind-boggling.

Different menus are offered each day in the Dining Rooms, out on deck and in the Horizon Court Buffet and there is also the room service menu! There are over 1,100 staff members on each Princess Rub Cruise. Many of those work in the kitchens in some capacity. There are storekeepers, butchers and fish and vegetable preparation specialists who work on such a tight schedule to prepare everything in the correct way in the time allotted. In the galleys teams of chefs, cooks and pastry-men use their skills to turn all of this raw food into amazing, delicious meals. And the most amazing thing to me is that the menus rotate every single day!

Here are a few other DAILY statistics: 

Average amount of fish prepared – 1,700

Poultry – 1,400 pounds

Beef – 1,700 pounds

Veal – 300 pounds

Lamb – 200 pounds

There are five butchers, three assistants and helpers in the meat preparation area. Three butchers in the fish preparation area. In the Garde Manger (cold kitchen) there are 11 crew members, 13 members of staff work preparing soups, pastas and vegetables. Ten bakers work in the bakery making sweet rolls, croissants, bread rolls, bread sticks, pizzas and biscuits. The Pastry Shop is busy 24  hours a day with 13 people working.

DAILY

Pastries made – 6,000

Ice cream prepared – 100 gallons

Cakes and pies made – 300

Fruit and Cheese Pastry has 6 employees working.

DAILY

Butter used – 400 pounds

Fresh fruit – 6,000 pounds

Coffee – 470 gallons

Coffee Cream – 62 gallons

Sugar – 400 pounds

Of course there are also people that clean up and wash all of those dishes and glasses! There are 57 members of the crew that clean up and keep all of those items clean including all of the pots and pans and baking ware that gets dirty creating all of that food!

DAILY

Dishes washed 70,000

Glasses washed 21,500

I was AMAZED learning all of the statistics that go into running a cruise ship. And I was SUPER impressed by the quality of the food, the friendliness and competancy of the Princess Ruby staff and the skill everyone had doing their part to make our experience SO wonderful. Thank you again!!

Plus they are rolling out a new Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion program. A free, wearable device that facilitates extraordinary guest vacation experiences to make cruising more personal and simple than ever before. The Medallion holds your unique digital identity which is encrypted and communicates with thousands of sensors on-board and in port. It lets the Crew see information they can use to serve you better. That’s in addition to using Medallion for payments, unlocking your stateroom door, speeding up embarkation and much more. Such a cool idea!

If you ever consider going on a cruise, look into Princess. They made our experience once-in-a-lifetime! 

And a huge THANK YOU to Princess Cruises for sponsoring our honeymoon. It was a dream come true!

You can find out more about how to plan YOUR Princess cruise:

Princess Cruises website 

Princess Cruises Instagram 

Princess Cruises Facebook

xoxo

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18 Princess Alaska Cruise Secrets

We had such a wonderful time on our Alaskan Princess Honeymoon Cruise. I learned so much during the cruise I thought it would be fun to share a few cruise secrets in case you might go on an Alaskan cruise in the future! It was such an amazing experience. I can’t wait to go on another cruise. I am just trying to decide where!! Here are a few Princess Alaska Cruise Secrets:

• Get a cheap shoe back to hang on the back of the bathroom door for organization of toiletries – you can even find them at the Dollar Store.

• Go to the casino and ask for a lanyard. They will punch a hole in your cruise card and give you a free lanyard. Having a lanyard means you are less likely to misplace your cruise card.
• One of the dining rooms will be open for lunch on embarkation day.
• You can send e cards for free to family and friends at the internet cafe so you don’t have to use up your minutes.

• Bring two battery operated candles- one to put it in the bathroom at night as a night light and the other to put on your balcony. It’s much more romantic having a small light than the floodlights on the balcony.
• The “Sea Bands” bracelets are very effective for motion sickness. There is also a behind the ear patch you can get before you go on the cruise.

• You can request free Princess robes to use during stay. (Choose this option through the cruise preference link)

18 Princess Alaska Cruise Secrets

• Ask steward for feather pillows on arrival- they are only available upon request.

• Small alarm clock- no clock in cabin. Or just put your phone on airplane mode and use your phone as an alarm clock.

• Get a mesh laundry bag or those pop up ones from the Dollar Store to keep your dirty laundry.
• You can order room service sandwiches the night before when doing an excursion so you can take with you on your day’s outing!
• Take part in the activities and shows. There are tons of games and interactive shows like The Voice of the Sea (kind of like The voice) and the Newlywed and Not So Newlywed games. Be sure to get there early to get a good seat. There are also trivia games and prizes too. It’s fun and you can meet new friends.
• There are laundry facilities on each floor. There are also irons in the laundry rooms. They don’t keep them in the room because of fire hazards.

• Wait until the 2nd day to purchase your coffee card and you will get a 20% discount plus there’s a free coupon for the coffee mug in the Princess booklet.
• Bring a small magnetic whiteboard. All of the walls and doors are magnetic. So you can hang it on the outside of your door if you are going with a large group of people for people to leave messages on your door. Or you can hang it inside your cabin so you can write messages to your partner or room companion during the cruise.
• On-board text messages to other passengers are free using the free Princess Onboard at Sea site.  Bring your mobile device and also access daily schedules, your account, and the ship’s itinerary.

18 Princess Alaska Cruise Secrets

• There are special warm fleece blankets to wrap up in on deck. They keep them by the pool and you can each keep one in your room as long as you turn it in at the end of the cruise. They are perfect for keeping warm while watching the movies under the stars.
• If the Northern Lights are happening when you cruise, bring a tripod and go out on your deck if you have one. It’s hard to see them on the main decks because the lights are so bright.

Also the Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion program is going to be awesome. This November, Princess will debut Ocean Medallion – a free, wearable device that facilitates extraordinary guest vacation experiences to make cruising more personal and simple than ever before. The Medallion holds your unique digital identity which is encrypted and communicates with thousands of sensors on-board and in port. It lets the Crew see information they can use to serve you better. That’s in addition to using Medallion for payments, unlocking your stateroom door, speeding up embarkation and much more. Such a cool idea!

Aren’t those awesome tips??

Be sure to check out my other posts —

Romantic Reasons to Choose an Alaskan Princess Cruise for a Honeymoon or Anniversary

What Clothes to Pack for a Princess Alaska Cruise

Have you ever been on a cruise? 

Do you have any tips? 

Share them in the comments!!

Have a Beautiful Day!

xoxo

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Princess Cruise Alaska – Things To Do Off the Ship

You might think “cruise” and imagine never getting off the ship. Yes, there is SO much to do onboard and it’s super fun! But the excursions were some of favorite memories from our Alaskan Princess® Honeymoon Cruise! We stopped at three gorgeous, colorful and amazing Alaskan towns – Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. We had never been to Alaska before so were SO excited to explore!

Princess Cruise Alaska – Things To Do Off The Ship

After you book your Alaskan cruise, be sure to pour over the HUNDREDS of shore excursion options! There is something for EVERYONE – sightseeing, adventure, exploring wildlife and nature. You can book your shore excursion with Cruise Personalizer® from approximately 180 days before travel, and up to 5 days before you depart. Learn more about Princess Cruise ports and excursions.

Here’s what chose for our shore excursions!

Juneau

We were booked to go on a helicopter ride over the glacier but it started to snow and was cancelled. So we explored Juneau during the morning. It was beautiful! We climbed up over the town and walked along all of the colorful houses. Then for lunch we had fish tacos at Twisted Fish. The fish was SO fresh. It was delicious!!

Juneau – Sunset Whale Watching Excursion 

A few of the fun excursions we went on were the Juneau Whale Watching Tour. The guides were so knowledgeable about Alaskan wildlife and I found out that they name all of the whales and they can recognize each one by different markings. We also went by a GIANT group of sea lions. We saw so may whales PLUS we had the most delicious buffet dinner. It was amazing!

Princess Cruise Alaska – Things To Do Off The Ship

Skagway 

Skagway – Whitepass Summit Excursion Train Ride

In Skagway we went on the Whitepass Summit Excursion. This forty mile round trip excursion climbs from tidewater at Skagway to the Summit of the White Pass – a 2,865 foot elevation. The fully narrated tour passes through two tunnels, over sky-high trestles and cascading waterfalls. During the train ride the guide told us all about the history of that region during the gold mining days. It was incredible to hear how dangerous it was to build the train tracks up over that summit so gold miners could get to the gold mining fields. They literally hung over cliffs tied up with rope. The train takes you into Canada. After the train ride we went to a mining town reenactment called Liarsville. Everyone at the mining town was dressed as they had been during the gold mining days. They served us fresh smoked halibut, accompanied by all the fixings like salads, baked beans and cornbread. It was so fun! Some Juneau excursions include Mendenhall Glacier Tour, Whale Watching and Salmon Bake, Helicopter Icefield Excursion, Dogsledding, Kayaking, Gold Mining and Panning. There are so many to choose from!

Princess Cruise Alaska – Things To Do Off The Ship

Ketchikan 

In Ketchikan we explored Creek Street which has quite a notorious history. Apparently it was a well-known brothel back in the day. The buildings have been lovingly restored. The museum at Dolly’s House gives you a glimpse into the bawdy ways of frontier life, though Ketchikan’s red-light district wasn’t shut down until 1953. There were also some amazing totem poles in Ketchikan. Legends of a different sort are recorded on totem poles. Boasting the world’s largest collection of Northwest totems, Ketchikan offers plenty of places to see these fascinating works of art. Among some of the off-shore Ketchikan excursions is the lumberjack show which sounds really awesome! Some of the Ketchikan excursions are the Mistry Fjords National Monument, Ketchikan Rain-forest, Potlatch Totem Park, Bering Sea Crab Fisherman Tour!

Also, the ship bartenders are like hidden concierges. They are an excellent source of additional cruise excursion tips or advice on ports. They learn the best and the worst while talking to passengers every day. And, many crew members have been to the ports multiple times.

And I just found out about Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion program. This November, Princess will debut Ocean Medallion – a free, wearable device that facilitates extraordinary guest vacation experiences to make cruising more personal and simple than ever before. The Medallion holds your unique digital identity which is encrypted and communicates with thousands of sensors on-board and in port. It lets the Crew see information they can use to serve you better. That’s in addition to using Medallion for payments, unlocking your stateroom door, speeding up embarkation and much more. Such a cool idea!

This is also a cool fact – once you have purchased a Princess Shore Excursion, if you find that same shore excursion elsewhere at a lower price, you can receive 110% of the difference in price in the form of a non-refundable on-board credit.

If you are thinking about planning an Alaskan Cruise – be sure to check out my other posts about our wonderful Princess Alaskan Honeymoon!

10 Reasons to Choose a Romantic Alaskan Cruise

What to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise

Princess Cruise Alaska – Behind the Scenes Food

18 Princess Alaska Cruise Tips

xoxox

A HUGE thank you to Princess Cruises for making our honeymoon dream come true. I love working with companies I admire!

The post Princess Cruise Alaska – Things To Do Off The Ship appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

It’s so cold here.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to win a trip to the Caribbean???

Five Reasons I Love Staying at All-Inclusive Vacation Resorts

Lay in the sun. Eat amazing food. Stay in a BEAUTIFUL room at an All-Inclusive Playa Resort. Relax and enjoy the gorgeous sun and scenery.

Be sure to check out the details on how YOU can win at the bottom of this post. 

Girls Trip * Anniversary Trip * Second Honeymoon * Vacation

But first let me tell you why I LOVE staying at all-inclusive resorts.

I had the opportunity to attend the AMAZING Click Blogger Retreat in November in JAMAICA. I feel so incredible grateful and blessed for my life. Especially over the past couple of years with the move and everything that has happened in my personal life. I was able to get away and connect with amazing business owners and friends. If you are interested in learning about how to grow an on-line business and learn new photography skills be sure to attend the next CLICK Retreat.

We flew into Montego Bay and stayed at the GORGEOUS  Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall.  Fun Jet vacations made getting our travel plans super easy. Both Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall resorts  are connected. the Hyatt Zilara property is adults-only. Both resorts are right on the ocean and have GORGEOUS views. Here’s why love staying at all-inclusive resorts and this one is my favorite:

1. Luxurious Rooms.

Our rooms and bathrooms were so beautiful. They were large with lots of amenities. I LOVED the huge private balcony.

Five Reasons I Love Staying at All-Inclusive Vacation Resorts

The wall of windows at the end of the room opened up and the big balcony had a sectional which was perfect for kicking off our shoes and having long chats.

The bathrooms? So beautiful. Spacious with gorgeous finishes. There was even a HUGE stand-alone tub that would be SO romantic if you come with your significant other!

Beautiful! 

2. The food! 

Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall have over 14 restaurants, bars and dining options. Plus, room service! It was fun to try out the different restaurants and all of the FOOD!

Five Reasons I Love Staying at All-Inclusive Vacation Resorts

The fancier restaurants were fun but so were the casual options like this Barefoot Jerk Shack right on the BEACH!

I was SO inspired by the food that I experimented when I got home and made a Coconut Beans and Rice dish for my family! I will share that in a post later this week!!

Probably my favorite place to eat was the buffet for breakfast! You can get almost any type of breakfast food – ready made eggs, sausage, fruits, breads. I loved having a custom omelet each morning with fresh fruit and then sitting on the patio looking out at the ocean. BLISS!

And we also ate at a nice restaurant on the beach where we had our own chef who made us some local Jamaican dishes like Foil-wrapped Snapper, Ox Tail and Jamaican Beans and Rice!

3. Location!

When you stay at an all-inclusive resort you can concentrate on your surroundings. You don’t have to worry about costs. Hyatt  Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall are right on the ocean. The properties are beautiful and there is so much to do. The pools are beautiful. You can order food and drinks right to your lounge chair!

Five Reasons I Love Staying at All-Inclusive Vacation Resorts

4. Memories.

When you stay at an all-inclusive resort you can concentrate on memories. Like a girls trip. Or a second honeymoon. Or a wedding! Hyatt  Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall is also an amazing location for a Destination Wedding. We saw quite a few bridal parties while we were there. What a beautiful place to start a new life together!

Five Reasons I Love Staying at All-Inclusive Vacation Resorts

If I ever get married again I would love to get married at the Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall . So beautiful!

5. All costs are up front.

By knowing what the costs are I feel more likely to try new foods and activities that otherwise I might shy away from, like Ox Tail — LOL.

5. Everything you need is included.

All-inclusive Resorts like  Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall have everything you need so you don’t need to leave. There are so many places to eat and amazing entertainment during the day and night that you can just relax and enjoy. No need to go anywhere else. And the entire staff is there to help make your vacation the best EVER. I loved getting to know the  Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall staff.

Five Reasons I Love Staying at All-Inclusive Vacation Resorts

I definitely plan on coming back to Jamaica and I will return to  Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall/Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall!!

And YOU can win!!

Yippee! Playa Resorts is giving away 4 days / 3 nights to ANY one of their luxurious resorts!

YAY!!!! That’s right Playa Resorts has NINE different, gorgeous resorts from you to choose from in Jamaica AND Mexico.

Choose where YOU want to spend YOUR dream vacation – on the  beautiful beaches of Montego bay OR in the sun and the ocean views in gorgeous Cancun.

Here’s how to Enter! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find out more about Playa Resorts and Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall here:

Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall:  Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Playa Resorts: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Rose Hall 
Rose Hall Rd.
Montego Bay, St. James
Jamaica

I can’t wait to see who wins and who YOU bring on your dream vacation!!

Have an AMAZING day!!

xoxo

Thanks  FunJet Vacations and Hyatt Ziva / Playa Resorts for sponsoring my trip. All opinions are my own!

The post 5 Reasons I love staying at All-Inclusive Vacation Resorts and Win a Caribbean Dream Vacation! appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

14 Amazing Disneyland Foods!

Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth for our family. We have been going there at least once a year for almost 20 years. And since it’s usually our one big vacation trip a year we love to plan it out. And that includes food! Over the years we have been able to eat almost everything that Disneyland restaurants, cafes, carts and shops have dished out. We look forward to the food almost as much as we look forward to the rides every year! Each person in the family has a favorite Disneyland food that they HAVE to get while we are there. And since we just got back from our annual Disneyland trip, I thought it would be fun to share everyone’s favorites with YOU!

So here it goes – our FAVORITE Disneyland foods:

Lobster Roll – Harbor Galley in Critter Country.

This was my son Nicks favorite Disney food this year. Big chunks of lobster in a creamy, tangy sauce on a buttery soft brioche roll. The roll also comes with a side of kettle chips.

Monte Cristo Sandwich – Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square.

This sandwich is HUGE. The original Monte Cristo sandwich has ham, turkey, swiss cheese, and is then deep fried and dusted with powdered sugar. Don’t skip the jelly – the sweetness brings all of the flavors together. There’s also a 3 cheese version for vegetarians which is awesome.

14 Amazing Disneyland Foods!

Matterhorn Macaroon – Jolly Holiday Bakery on Main Street.

It’s a giant macaroon with a delightful coconut flavor. It’s soft on the inside but slightly crisp on the outside and with coconut flakes on top. The top of the macaroon is sugary which makes it even better. And we loved that it was shaped like the Matterhorn.

Beignets – Mint Julep Bar at New Orleans Square.

They come in 3-packs. Make sure to always shake the bag to evenly distribute the powdered sugar on every crevice before you enjoy them. They come out of the bag freshly fried, piping hot and SOOO delicious. They also have seasonal flavors such as pumpkin, butterscotch, and gingerbread during the holidays.

Corn Dog – Little Red Wagon Corn Dog Cart on Main Street.

This cart is truly “tucked away” at the end of Main Street and off to the right (if you’re facing the castle). The batter on the corn dogs is crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. I am not usually a big fan of corn dogs but these corn dogs are delicious.

24 Layer Cake – Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel.

You can order the cake and get it delivered in the lobby if you don’t want to eat at the restaurant. The cake is HUGE – very tall. It’s 24 Layers of Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Sponge Cake, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Nutella and Mint Chocolate Chip Gelato. ($12)
You can watch a video of how they make it here: (youtube.com/watch?v=jcRd…) It’s a must try!

Loaded Potato – Troubadour Tavern in Fantasyland.

They have three different types of baked potatoes. This one is the sour cream and bacon. You can ask for extra butter and condiments too. We all love potatoes so this one was a favorite for us!

14 Amazing Disneyland Foods!

Tigger Tails – Disneyland Bakery on Main Street.

Tigger Tails are marshmallow covered in caramel, then white and dark chocolate and finished with  a sugar coating. They are very sweet but perfect to share if you need a sweet treat between rides.

Pomme Frites – Cafe New Orleans in New Orleans Square.

Pomme Frites are garlic fries tossed in parmesan cheese served with a Cajun cajun remoulade dipping sauce. The fries come in a big basket that makes them the perfect shareable appetizer/side. They come with two pots of dipping sauce but will bring you more if you ask!

Gumbo in a Bread bowl – Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square.

This is a little hidden gem in Disneyland. It’s located in New Orleans Square by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. If there are lines for food in the park, this service window restaurant usually has a small line. It’s the perfect place to get some food without having to wait. The menu is very simple –  vegetarian or steak gumbo or clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl. The bread bowls are so soft and chewy, the gumbo had a nice spice to it and the steak is tender and well cooked. We love eating the bread bowl too!

New Orlean Fritters – Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square.

This trip, my family also tried the banana fritters, which were also quite good. They have banana inside, which is soft and creamy and a nice balance to the fried skin of the fritter.

14 Amazing Disneyland Foods!

Dole Whip – Tiki Lounge in Adventureland.

These might be our favorite food inside the park. We have tried Dole Whip from different ice cream and frozen custard places around the country and they never measure up to the original Dole Whip at Disneyland.  They are fantastic, You can get either the soft serve or a float that includes pineapple juice, maraschino cherry and an umbrella!! Insider tip…if the line is super long outside of the tiki room court yard.. Go in the tiki room court yard!! There is a line inside the court yard. It’s always shorter!  Then if you don’t want to stay for the tiki extravaganza. You can walk right back out of the court yard!

+

Grilled Cheese and Roasted Tomato Soup – Jolly Holiday Bakery on Main Street. 

This is grilled cheese made with Texas toast and several cheeses melted inside. The grilled cheese is toasted just enough so it the perfect balance of soft and crispy, while the sandwich is generous with the cheese and it tastes very buttery. The grilled cheese sandwich dipped in the  tomato soup is a perfect combination.

Chili Lime Corn – Turkey Leg Cart in Adventureland.

The Chili Lime Corn is really good grilled corn and a nice change of pace from the usual theme-park food. The kernels themselves are adequately fresh and juicy, with a satisfying, clean crunch as you bite into the corn. And the chili lime flavor isn’t super sour or spicy. It has just the right amount of spice with a slight kick. You can get the corn from the Turkey Leg Cart in Adventureland but they also sell them at a stand near Fantasyland and another stand near It’s A Small World.

14 Amazing Disneyland Foods!

We had such a fun time there this year. We got our tickets through Park Savers.

Park Savers offers discount Disney Theme Park Tickets and they have a special now that I just found out about:

Now on Parksavers.com when you book a hotel and tickets together you can receive up to $7 more off each already discounted ticket!

Plus all of our hotels are backed by our Price Match Guarantee so you know you’re getting the best price out there!

You can save money on your trip by booking it through www.parksavers.com

What is YOUR favorite Disneyland food? 
Let us know in the comments so we can try it out the next time we go!!

xoxo

We are proud to partner with ParkSavers to share our favorite Disneyland foods with you!

The post 14 Foods you HAVE to Try at Disneyland! appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.