by Neverland Diva
There are many reasons why our family continues to choose the Walt Disney World Resort as our vacation destination and the Resort hotels and campground certainly play a huge part in bringing us back! When visiting WDW, staying on-property is pretty much non-negotiable for me, I want to be completely immersed in the magic and leave the outside world behind. Since our children are still small, 4 and 2, i’m finding that our visits move at a much slower pace and downtime is really important. Our Resort hotel needs to provide more than just a place to sleep, we need playgrounds, dining options, a place to swim, a convenient location, I could go on and on. Nobody goes above and beyond like Walt Disney World, between movies under the stars, pool activities and celebrations, theming and recreation, you want for nothing! The downside to all of these amazing activities is that you may not have time or energy left to actually enjoy them. Personally I love to schedule in a resort/pool day allowing more time for these resort extras!
On our latest trip to the World, we purposely chose to focus on our Resort, I highly recommend giving this a try! We finally had a chance to do something I’ve been talking about for years, roast marshmallows! Prior to booking, I was aware of evening fires at Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Campground as well as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge but I was very excited when I read that this option was also available on the beach at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa! The location was peaceful with Bay Lake and Disney’s Polynesian Village as a backdrop. While it doesn’t seem all that original, I assure you that there is nothing more magical than roasting over an evening fire at Walt Disney World!
So how can you fit this into your upcoming trip? Here are a few tips!
1) When researching resorts, you can check under the recreation tab to see if an evening fire is offered. Be sure to read your Resort Recreation and Activities Guide that you receive upon check-in to determine the time and location of the fire. We received a guide via email about one week prior to our arrival date, allowing plenty of time to plan! Prior to attending, we scoped out the location so we could arrive on time and ready for some fun!
2) The evening begins with an introduction by one of Disney’s fabulous Cast Members, which includes some safety tips and rules. Children must be accompanied by an adult, this isn’t a drop off activity. Marshmallows and roasting sticks are provided by the Resort and Guests are allowed all they can eat! If you want to turn it up a notch, bring your own graham crackers and chocolate, these items are not provided.
3) Check the weather before heading out and dress accordingly. Our evening was a bit cool and due to the proximity to Bay Lake, it was also windy. We chose to wear long sleeves and truth be told, pants would have been a good choice too! If you plan to stay a while or even to walk around on the beach afterward, you may want to bring some bottled water. Lastly, don’t forget your camera, you’ll want to remember this!
4) My little guy was pretty much done with this activity by marshmallow #3, 4 year olds aren’t known for their attention span! We stayed behind and enjoyed the soft sand and beautiful sunset. If you happen to be staying at a Resort with a beach, this is absolutely the way to end a relaxing evening!
A vacation at Walt Disney World Resort is packed with loads of activities, all exciting and incredibly fun! Just as with many things in life, it’s important to remember to slow down and take it all in. Vacation time is a really special opportunity for families to make some lasting memories and no resort provides that chance like Disney! Happy toasting!
