Laughing Lindsay

Disney World Halloween vs Christmas: Holidays Compared

Lindsay — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:00:00 +0000

With the holidays quickly approaching, I thought I would write a post comparing Disney World Halloween vs Christmas!

Disney World Halloween vs Christmas

I’ve seen lots of folks online wondering if they should plan a trip to Walt Disney World during the fall months to experience Halloween or wait to experience Christmas. Today, I’d like to help people decide which one is right for them by comparing Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

The Decor

Let’s start with the most obvious difference – the holiday decor! For Halloween, you can expect to see Main Street decked out in orange with lots of pumpkins! Plus, there’s fun character pumpkin wreaths around the park. For Christmas, there’s garland and Mickey wreaths. Don’t forget the huge tree at the front of Main Street!

For me, I think I prefer the Halloween decor because it’s unique. I can see Christmas wreaths back home and around town. However, you don’t see near as much fall decor or specialty fall wreaths around.

The Entertainment

I wrote a Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Guide with Tips a few years ago and took a look at all of the different entertainment options at the party. From a parade to fireworks and special castle stage shows, there’s lots to see and experience. My Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Review briefly touched on the entertainment at its party. However, it is very similar offerings at the Christmas party, with fireworks, a parade, and stage show too.

Again, I would pick Halloween for this one. However, I feel like lots of places offer good Christmas shows that the whole family can enjoy. Once again, I think it’s harder to find a good Halloween offering that is family friendly.

The Treats

Who doesn’t love to go trick-or-treating? I love visiting the Halloween party and coming away with a full bag of candy! It’s fun to go around the park and see what all goodies you can get! The Christmas party hands out cookies and drinks. I enjoy that too. However, I can eat several pieces of candy and only a few cookies. Full disclosure: the vast majority of candy and cookies typically come home with me to be enjoyed for days to weeks to come.

I think the candy has to win due to being able to enjoy several different pieces of it versus just a few cookies.

Outfits

Lots of folks dress up in costumes for the Halloween party. I enjoy sitting on Main Street and watching people walk by in their outfits. At Christmas, people wear a variety of Christmas outfits. Typically, it’s a Christmas shirt/sweater or pajamas. I think the Halloween costumes are more fun.

Ambiance

Halloween will get some of the catchy tunes stuck in your head “It’s really not so scary…. boo to you!”. However, there’s something special about watching it snow on Main Street! So, I’ll give Christmas this one.

Weather

Unfortunately, Halloween takes place during hurricane season. So, you will have to deal with the heat and potentially storms if you visit during Halloween. By Christmas, hurricane season is mostly over and it’s cooled down. I’ve got to hand this one to Christmas. Granted, it can be chilly at Christmas parties, but I’d rather deal with that than the heat of summer/fall in August.

Other Offerings

People can visit just for the parties, but they often visit the other parks on their trip. So, I will say that Halloween is mostly concentrated at Magic Kingdom. Epcot will have Food & Wine in the fall. Hollywood Studios may have a few Halloween treats and their character dining gets a Halloween layover. Animal Kingdom usually doesn’t do much of anything, but may get a few Halloween treats.

Christmas at Disney is a whole thing. Every park has special decor and events! Hollywood Studios has Jollywood Nights. Epcot has Festival of the Holidays. Animal Kingdom has the merry menagerie. Disney Springs even has specially themed trees! The resorts get in on the fun too with special trees and decor.

So, if you are wanting a full holiday experience, then you have to go at Christmas!

Should you visit Disney for Halloween or Christmas?

I love visiting Disney for both holidays. However, I’ve been hard pressed to find a comparable Halloween experience. Meanwhile, I love Christmas and can be happy with the offerings at lots of different places. So, I will vote for Halloween but just know that I don’t think there’s a bad answer here. You are going to Disney and it’s going to be great!

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Disney World Skyliner Resorts Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I’d like to highlight the Disney World Skyliner Resorts, or the four hotels that are located along this easy and favorite transportation line in Walt Disney World!

Disney World Skyliner Resorts

For those who don’t know, the Skyliner is a gondola transportation system in Walt Disney World. In connects four resorts and two theme parks (Epcot and Hollywood Studios). Today, I want to highlight those four resorts. I have personally stayed at three of them, but have visited all four multiple times.

Pop Century

I’ll start with the resort I’ve spent the most time at: Pop Century. It was the second resort I stayed in at Disney World and I’ve stayed here many time since that first 2014 visit. It’s a laid back resort that harkens back to various decades of the 1900’s. It’s considered a value resort and will typically offer the lowest nightly rates of any hotel on the Skyliner. It’s great for adults on a budget as they tend to enjoy the nostalgia of years gone by. You can read my full Disney’s Pop Century Resort Review to get a better idea of its pros and cons.

Art of Animation

Across the water from Pop Century is Art of Animation! While technically classified as a value resort, it’s the most expensive value resort with its highly themed rooms and family suites. I’ve stayed here twice, both times in a Little Mermaid standard room. My most recent stay was in December 2025 with my mom. You can read about that adventure in my Disney World Little Mermaid Rooms Review. Additionally, I posted a Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Review a few years back with a closer look at the resort as a whole.

Caribbean Beach Resort

There’s one moderate hotel on the Skyliner – Caribbean Beach Resort! I’ve stayed here a few times as well. It is the hub hotel for the Skyliner as both the Epcot and Hollywood Studios lines meet here. I posted a Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review a while back. However, I will say that my biggest complaint about this resort is its size. It’s a sprawling resort with lots of rooms and buildings.

Riviera

Lastly, there’s the newest hotel on the Skyliner and it’s a Deluxe/DVC resort – Riviera! I haven’t been so lucky as to stay here yet. However, I love how compact this hotel is. I have enjoyed Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast a few times here. If you have the funds, I’m sure this is a wonderful resort to stay at!

Bonus: Epcot Resorts

Technically, the three resorts behind Epcot aren’t considered Skyliner resorts. However, Boardwalk Inn, Yacht Club, and Beach Club are all walking distance to the Skyliner station at Epcot. Granted, those resorts can also take a boat or walk over to Hollywood Studios as well. It’s just worth mentioning that it’s a transportation option for those three resorts too.

Disney Skyliner Resorts

So, there you have it. The four Disney World Skyliner Resorts are: Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera! Which one is your favorite?

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Dollywood’s Ember & Elm Restaurant Review

Lindsay — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Having eaten at Dollywood’s Ember & Elm Restaurant several times now, I thought I would give a review of it.

Dollywood’s Ember & Elm Restaurant

For those who don’t know, Dollywood’s Ember & Elm Restaurant is located at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge! It is the primary sit-down restaurant located at this newer hotel at Dollywood. I stayed at HeartSong for two nights back in 2025 and enjoyed several meals here. I’ve also returned once more to get the cinnamon bread French Toast with my mom on a separate trip when we weren’t staying here! In this review, I will look at both breakfast and dinner.

Note: I have not posted my review of the hotel yet, but feel free to look at my DreamMore Resort review.

Breakfast

During breakfast, you can have the buffet or you can order a la carte from the menu. I have done both options. The buffet, lovingly called the Heartsong Breakfast Table, is currently $24/adult. It includes a variety of options including pastries, cereals, eggs, sausage, waffles or pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and an omelet station. I thought the breakfast flatbreads were a unique and tasty option. I also liked getting an omelet made to order. Overall, it’s definitely a great way to kickstart your day with lots of choices for everyone. I truly think there’s something for everyone on this buffet.

The other morning of my stay, I tried the chicken and waffles. I liked that they have the option to make it spicy. However, I went with the classic. I found it to be sweet, but not overly so. I enjoyed the chicken for some protein.

I also must mention the Cinnamon Bread French Toast that you can only get here! It was very good. In fact, it wasn’t on the menu when I stayed here, so my mom and I made a trip over here when we visited the area on a separate trip just to try it. If you like the cinnamon bread found in the park, then you will like this. It is sweet, but very good. Although, I recommend getting a side of some protein for balance.

Dinner

While the breakfast menu tends to remain roughly the same, the dinner menu switches up seasonally with the park’s festivals. However, you always begin the evening meal with some biscuits, butter, and pepper jelly. I really enjoyed those biscuits with jelly and think about them whenever I think about eating dinner here.

For dinner one night, I selected a festival item that consisted of a piece of fish wrapped in pastry. It was so good! It was accompanied by asparagus and potatoes. I really enjoyed this meal. In fact, it was some of the best asparagus I’ve ever had. However, it was a lot of food. I took the leftovers back to my room.

The other night of my stay, I tried a brick oven-fired flatbread. I believe it was the Margherita one. It was a basic pizza flatbread, done well. The edges were a little too crispy for me, but it tasted good. I would love to try some of the seasonal options in the future.

Should you eat at Dollywood’s Ember & Elm Restaurant?

I have enjoyed everything I’ve ever eaten at this restaurant. I think it’s a must do, particularly if you are staying at this resort. It’s so convenient to go down a few floors for a meal and then walk back to the room. I don’t know that it’s worth going out of your way to try this place though. Although, the cinnamon bread French toast is unique and good. So, if you want a breakfast that screams Dollywood without much wait, then this might be a good option for you.

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Solo Universal Orlando Tips

Lindsay — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Having taken a few solo Universal Orlando trips, I thought I would post a quick guide with tips for other folks considering doing the same.

Solo Universal Orlando

Several years ago, I posted Halloween Horror Nights Solo Tips to help people who were considering attending HHN by themselves, like I did. However, I never posted about visiting the parks by yourself during the day. So, I thought I would share a quick list of tips for making the most of a solo trip to the Universal Orlando parks!

Tips

Move at your own pace – I say this in every solo travel post, but it’s true. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to set your own pace or change your mind without needing to explain it to someone else.
Ride as many rides as you want – If you want to try to ride every ride in a particular park, go for it! If you want to take it slower and see some shows, do that!
Consider Single Rider Line – There are several rides at each park that feature a special Single Rider Line that you can take advantage of to ride rides sooner!
Eat wherever and whenever you want – If you want to take the time to eat at a sit down restaurant, then do that. If not, grab something quick and keep moving!
Have a list of things you want to do – You don’t have to have an exact schedule (unless you want one), but having a general idea of things you’d like to experience is always a good idea!
Enjoy a show or parade – Solo trips are great for making time to see a show or parade!
Visit with characters – I love seeing characters on solo trips because I don’t feel bad for making someone else wait.

Going to Universal Orlando Resort Alone

As you can see, the possibilities for a solo Universal Orlando trip are endless! So, what are you going to do on your trip?

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Disney Springs Resorts Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Having previously highlighted the official Disney World hotels located nearest the four theme parks, it’s time to go over the Disney Springs Resorts!

Disney Springs Resorts

I previously posted a Magic Kingdom Resorts Guide, Epcot Resorts Guide, Disney Hollywood Studios Resorts Guide, and an Disney Animal Kingdom Resorts Guide looking at the official on-site hotels located near those theme parks. However, there’s still one other location to consider when booking your hotel – Disney Springs! For those who don’t know, Disney Springs is Disney’s shopping and dining district. Unlike the parks, you don’t need a theme park ticket to visit Disney Springs. Plus, if you stay at one of these four hotels, you can take a boat over to Disney Springs (instead of a bus)!

It’s worth mentioning that are lots of off-site hotels located near Disney Springs. However, this post is going to look at just the four Disney owned ones.

Old Key West

Old Key West is a sprawling DVC/Deluxe Resort. In fact, it was the very first DVC resort that Disney built. That’s why the resort’s main hall and restaurant have much more of a family/community vibe. It was meant to entice folks to buy into DVC and make repeat stays here as members. I stayed here once, back in 2019 by myself. It was a relaxing trip that I remember fondly as I was in desperate need of a pick me up to chill out and this location provided just that. The blog image above was taken on the balcony of my room here. Although, you do have long bus rides here as this resort has multiple bus stops.

I have enjoyed the table service restaurant here, Olivia’s Cafe a few times. They have some good fried chicken and fantastic bananas foster dessert! If that doesn’t suit your fancy, you can always go over to Disney Springs to enjoy a plethora of dining options there!

Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

I have stayed at the moderate Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter multiple times. In fact, I would call it one of my favorite Disney Resorts. You can read a full review in my Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort Review. However, I can summarize that post to tell you that I love how compact this resort is. There’s only one bus stop here and you don’t have to spend all night walking back to your room. Plus, there’s warm and tasty beignets! Yummy!

Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

This is a moderate sister resort to French Quarter. Riverside is another sprawling resort with multiple stops. I have stayed here a few times as well. I posted a Disney Port Orleans Riverside Resort Review as well for a more in-depth look at this resort. I also enjoyed dinner here and detailed it in Boatwright’s Dining Hall Review.

They used to have princess themed rooms, which I reviewed in my Disney World Princess Room Review. However, those rooms have been refurbished and are now called “Royal Guest Rooms”. The update looks modern and clean with a few embellishments. The headboards still have some fun touches as well.

Saratoga Springs Resort

Lastly, there’s another Deluxe/DVC – Saratoga Springs! It’s very similar to Old Key West in that it’s large with multiple bus stops and boat transportation to Disney Springs. However, it’s themed after the late 1800’s in New York versus Florida. Unfortunately, I’ve never stayed or even eaten here. Perhaps, someday I will visit and update this post with a more detailed look at it.

Should you stay at a Disney Springs Resort?

I think Disney Springs Resorts are great if you plan on visiting Disney Springs. The boat transportation is really nice. I think all of these resorts make lovely options for adult only trips as their themes are more laid back. However, all but the French Quarter are pretty large with multiple bus stops. So, have you stayed at one of these resorts? What did you think?

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Hollywood Studios Table Service Restaurants Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

When planning a Disney World trip, it can be difficult to decide where to eat. So, I thought I would post a Hollywood Studios Table Service Restaurants Guide to help people plan their trips.

Hollywood Studios Table Service

Before we dive into the options, just a reminder that Disney calls sit down restaurants table service. If you are on a Disney Dining Plan with Table Service Credits, then you can use the credits at one of these restaurants. I previously posted a Magic Kingdom Sit Down Restaurants Guide. So, today I am going do to the same thing at Hollywood Studios! Hollywood Studios has some iconic themed restaurants. Most feature some basic comfort food, but they are done well.

The Hollywood Brown Derby

I will start with the restaurant you are most likely to encounter first upon entering the park – The Hollywood Brown Derby. Located in Hollywood Boulevard, it’s technically a Signature Restaurant. That means it will require 2 Table Service Dining Credits to eat here if you are on the Dining Plan. This restaurant is supposed to harken back to the Golden Age of Hollywood with its warm wood paneling. It’s the perfect location for a nicer meal in the park. It’s known for its Famous Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to eat here yet. When I do, I will update this post with my review. However, it looks like a nice place to eat if you are looking for somewhere nicer to eat in the park.

Hollywood & Vine

Located in Echo Lake is the park’s character dining buffet – Hollywood & Vine! The best thing about eating here is the rotation of the seasonal theme in the menu and character costumes! I’ve eaten here several times over the years. As I mentioned in my Disney World Character Dining Guide, I hate that they have lost Donald Duck from the rotation of characters here. Nonetheless, it’s a great place to eat to kick-off Jollywood Nights as the characters are wearing Christmas outfits. During Minnie’s Seasonal Dining you can see the characters dressed up for Summer Dine, Halloween Dine, Holiday Dine, Silver Screen Dine, or Springtime Dine! I intend to post my full review of the Holiday Dine closer to the holidays and will link it here when it goes live. This is a 1 Table Service Credit character buffet serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner! It’s a great use of Dining Credit and a fun way to see the characters in different outfits.

50’s Prime Time Cafe

Located beside Hollywood & Vine (and sharing a restroom with it) is 50’s Prime Time Cafe! It is where the blog image used above was taken. Additionally, I posted a full 50’s Prime Time Cafe at Walt Disney World Review to give you a good idea of what to expect here. My mom loved eating here. The 50’s theme was full of nostalgia for her. I loved my peanut butter and jelly milkshake! Overall, it was a good meal of comfort food that everyone can enjoy. It’s 1 Table Service Credit on the Dining Plan and it’s a pretty good use, depending on what you order! Just come hungry! It’s an excellent value when part of the Fantasmic Dining Package when using the Dining Plan.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

In Toy Story Land, there’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ. This is the newest Table Service restaurant in the park. It’s themed to Toy Story and features family platters of meats and sides. I’ve yet to experience this one, but it seems like a fun time for any family. You would need to order a special beverage here to make good use of the 1 Table Service Credit it uses though.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Lastly, there’s the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater located in Commissary Lane towards the back of the park. I posted a Fantasmic Dining Package Review at Sci-Fi Dine-In a few years back. We weren’t overly impressed with the food here. However, we really enjoyed the set up and watching old sci-fi film clips on the big screen. This is another restaurant where you have to be intentional about what you order to get a good use of the 1 Table Service Credit it requires, unless you get the Fantasmic Dining Package like we did.

Hollywood Studios Table Service Restaurants

Well, there’s the list of the sit down restaurants located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Which one is your favorite?

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Biltmore Antler Hill Village Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Prior to my visit to the Estate, I wish I had known how much there was to see and do at the Biltmore Antler Hill Village! So, I thought I would make a guide to it!

Biltmore Antler Hill Village

I feel like most people only consider the house when they visit the estate. However, there’s a whole other little shopping/dining/attractions area on the estate. That’s the Antler Hill Village! I didn’t realize how much there was to do here until I visited and we walked around during our visit. Without further ado, here are the things you can enjoy when you visit here.

Winery and Tastings

The Biltmore has its own winery and its located in the Village! There are a couple of chances to try their wine around the estate, including in the Tasting Room located in the Village. There’s also a Wine Bar and Wine Shop. We aren’t big drinkers, so we didn’t visit any of these locations, but I know it’s popular with lots of folks!

The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad Exhibition

One of the highlights from our trip, was visiting this exhibition. This is where lots of Vanderbilt family artifacts are on display. The one that excited us the most was a chess set that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte! It was nice to learn about the historic family as well as the historic pieces on display. This is a must-see for any history buff!

Barn

Towards the back of the Village, there’s the Antler Hill Barn. It was nice to walk around here and see some old farming equipment and to learn about the farming efforts of the estate. There’s also a short film playing with seating that goes over some of the history. Additionally, there are some craft demonstrations happening here. Unfortunately, I can’t find the hours for any of those craftspeople and there weren’t many there on the day we visited. We did see some broom making though.

Farmyard and Playground

To the side of the Barn is the Farmyard! Here is where you can see live animals! This is a great learning opportunity for children and we noticed several families enjoying their time here. It’s also great for adults to relax and take in some mother nature. Also, for people with children, you will be happy to know there’s the Pisgah Playground near the Barn/Farmyard. We obviously didn’t play on it, but it looked like kids were having fun.

Shopping

The Village has four shops: Antler Hill Outfitters, The Barn Door, Traditions, and Wine Shop. I got some discounted Christmas bowls (non-Biltmore branded) at The Barn Door! So, there’s a nice assortment of items to pick from at these shops.

Dining

There are also several great dining options here. I reviewed the lunch we had at Cedric’s Tavern as well as our meals at the Village Social (located in the Village Hotel) and the treats we got before leaving at The Creamery in my Biltmore Estate Restaurants Guide. I didn’t eat anything bad at the Estate, so I wouldn’t hesitate to try anything here.

Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate

Lastly, the Village Hotel is located at the Village! You can read my full Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate Review, but it was so convenient to stay here. We simply had to walk out the back of the hotel and up a few stairs to find ourselves in the Village!

Antler Hill Village

As you can see, there’s lots to enjoy in the Biltmore Antler Hill Village! From learning to shopping and dining, you can easily spend several hours just roaming around here. So, have you visited?

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Home2 Suites by Hilton Boone Review

Lindsay — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Earlier this month while visiting Land of Oz, my mom and I spent the night at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Boone. So, I thought I would review it.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Boone

This is a newer h o tel located centrally in Boone, North Carolina and is walking distance to Appalachian State University. It comes with free parking and free breakfast! Plus, it had affordable rates thanks to the Hilton Honors rate.

2 Queen Beds Studio Suite

Given that this is a Home2 Suites hotel, every room here is a suite with a kitchenette! This would be perfect for a longer trip as it comes with a refrigerator, microwave and even a dishwasher! It was more than adequate for our one night. In fact, the room was so nice and large that my mom kept mentioning that we should return to stay for a longer trip. She was really impressed with the room having a dishwasher!

The bathroom was more than adequate with a nice shower. Although, the shower doors never seem to close well. In fact, one opened up pretty good while I was in the shower. I also wasn’t particularly impressed with the water pressure. Then again, that’s almost expected with hotel showers these days.

The bed was pretty comfortable. We both slept well. However, it did feel like the top sheet was made of polyester. I prefer cotton due to some polyester fabrics irritating my skin and not being breathable. Thankfully, we still slept well here. No complaints on that. Plus, it was pretty quiet.

I was also happy about the number of plugins found in the room. There were plugins on each side of the beds. So, there was no fighting over plugins here.

Free Breakfast

We decided to take a look at the included free breakfast and were impressed. First, we made waffles. We added some chocolate chips on top and it was tasty! What was most unique was the breakfast sandwich station. They had several different breads and proteins to make your own breakfast sandwich. I made an egg bite and chicken sausage croissant sandwich. Was it the best I’ve ever had? No, but it was good. It was better than lots of other free hotel breakfasts. I like that we didn’t have to hunt down breakfast and it allowed us to hit the road with full bellies.

Also, of note is the free water/tea/coffee that’s available all day in the lobby. I used the water dispenser to get some hot water to make some hot chocolate and then topped it off with some cold water. That made it a lukewarm chocolate that was great for the warmer weather.

Pros

Every room is a suite – There’s plenty of room to spread out here!
Includes a kitchenette – It’s great for storing and heating up leftovers! Plus, the dishwasher keeps things tidy and from smelling.
Comfy bed – No complaints about sore backs here!
Free breakfast – This is a pretty good breakfast with the breakfast sandwich station. Plus, the people working here were friendly and kept it well-stocked.
Good rates – We paid $157 with taxes using a nonrefundable Hilton Honors rate. We thought that was an excellent value for the room and breakfast!

Cons

Not the best sheets – Again, this is me being nitpicky. I think the top sheet was polyester. While I didn’t have any trouble with it, I prefer cotton.
Shower doors don’t close securely – The doors on the shower will pop open easily. It’s definitely not a deal breaker, just something to be aware of.

Should you stay at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Boone?

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Home2 Suites by Hilton Boone. It was a comfy place to spend the night with a good breakfast. The rates were affordable and it was centrally located.

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Land of Oz Tea with Dorothy Review

Lindsay — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Land of Oz Tea with Dorothy in North Carolina! So, I thought I would provide a little review of the experience for other folks planning on attending.

Land of Oz Tea

For those who don’t know, Land of Oz is a Wizard of Oz theme park located in Beech Mountain, North Carolina. It originally opened in 1970 and continued operations until 1980. Beginning in 1993, the owners started hosting an annual fall event at the theme park. You can only visit the park during that event or another special event, such as this one. I’ve been wanting to visit this theme park for several years now, but couldn’t fit it in my schedule for 2023 or 2024. Then, it was closed in 2025. So, I was excited when this new summer event was announced.

I have been going to teas since I was a little girl. My mom took me to my first one and we’ve enjoyed going to them ever since. So, it seemed like the perfect event for us. A smaller event with tea and access to the park? Count us in!

Tea with Dorothy

We arrived at 1:15 for the 2 o’clock show and there was already a line! They allowed folks to enter the event space to pick seats around 1:30 PM. We chose our seats and then got a picture with Dorothy! We were delighted to see Aunt Em and the boys serving tea and greeting everyone in to the space.

The park never released a menu for the tea, so we weren’t expecting much. We were pleased with the variety of treats available. First, there was a plate with a berry scone and three sandwich wedges: chicken salad, pimento cheese, and cucumber salad. The scone was good albeit a touch dry, but that’s scones! The chicken salad was good, a little basic. The cucumber sandwich was good. My mom doesn’t care for cucumbers, but she still liked this one. My mom refused to even try the pimento cheese, so I ate them both. Haha! I thought it was pretty good.

As for the sweet treats – there was a macaron, mini cupcake, chocolate chip/candy pieces cookie, and a lemon bar. There was some variation for the sweets. We both got chocolate cupcakes, but some folks had vanilla. There were two types of macarons. My mom got chocolate and I gave her my orange one. I ate both of the lemon bar slices. We both liked the cookie.

There was three types of tea to try, all from Twinings. I tried English Breakfast and Lady Grey. The third type wasn’t available near me, so I didn’t get it. Since the performers were the ones serving water for the tea, we didn’t get any more tea once the show started. So, be sure to get your fill before the performance. Although, there aren’t real bathrooms at the park. So, don’t drink too much!

Wizard of Oz Theme Park

Following the tea and show, we rode a literal school bus over to the historic theme park for a guided tour along the Yellow Brick Road! I enjoyed learning about the park from the banners displayed and our tour guide. The park itself is wonderful! The ability to immerse yourself into the Wizard of Oz story is so fun! The house was interesting, especially with the twister and the after effects!

In the park, we were able to meet and take photos with the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch! The Wicked Witch really hammed it up for our photos and I love them! I think it may have been some of my favorite character interactions ever – it reminded me of The Grinch at Universal Orlando.

This event also included access to the Overlook, which they charge extra for during Autumn at Oz. Given that it’s 90+ steps, my mom didn’t go up. However, I went up and enjoyed the view of 5 states. I don’t think I will ever pay extra for that view though. It was nice it was included in this event.

I wish the Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow were at this event. However, I guess that’s what the Autumn at Oz event is for!

Tip for Visiting

Sign up for the pre-sale emails – I received a link and code to purchase tickets 24 hours before the general public by signing up for the pre-sale emails! That meant that there was plenty of availability when I went to get tickets.
Have dates/times in mind – After waiting in a brief online line, I was able to purchase tickets. There was a choice of two time slots: 10 AM or 2 PM. We didn’t know about the different times, but I had a few dates in mind already. So, be sure to have dates and times in mind when you try to get tickets.
Arrive early – They allow you to pick your seat when you arrive. The show takes place in the same space and the actors move around. So, there’s not really a bad seat. However, some of the treats had flavor variations you may prefer. We picked two plates with chocolate cupcakes versus the vanilla. There’s also some Land of Oz merchandise that you can purchase at this time. It’s also a good time to use the restroom.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes – I know that everyone wants to walk the Yellow Brick Road dressed as Dorothy. However, I noticed that some folks had to continually adjust their outfits during our tour. So, I recommend dressing for a day in a theme park. Red tennis shoes perhaps? I wore a simple “There’s no place like home” necklace with red slippers on it.
Visit the gift shop – The official Land of Oz gift ship is located down the mountain from the event space/theme park. We visited it after the event to get a couple things. So, don’t feel bad if you don’t have time to look at merch during tea. The gift shop also has a restroom that you can use prior to leaving the mountain.

Is the Land of Oz Tea with Dorothy worth it?

This experience cost $231.42 including taxes and fees for my mom and I to do. So, it’s not a cheap experience. However, my mom and I had a blast! It was a great experience with fabulous character interactions. The park itself is amazing and immersive. The tea was pretty good and the show was fun. This experience is great for people who prefer smaller events. We were told that we were touring the park in groups of ~30 people while the Autumn at Oz welcomes 3,000 guests per weekend! This is a great event for folks who enjoy tea or want a slower pace of visiting. Overall, we enjoyed it immensely and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for people with the budget who want to visit the park and enjoy tea.

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The Best Things in Epic Universe

Lindsay — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I want to wrap up my series on the best of Universal Orlando Resort with a look at the Best Things in Epic Universe!

The Best Things in Epic Universe

At the beginning of 2026, I started a series looking at the best things at Universal Orlando with The Best Things in Universal Studios Florida. A few months later, I shared The Best Things in Islands of Adventure. Today, I want to wrap up this series with a look at the newest theme park at Universal Orlando Resort – Epic Universe!

The Best Land

I was most hyped for the Harry Potter Ministry of Magic land heading into my visit to Epic Universe. However, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk really impressed me. I loved everything about this land! It feels so immersive. Plus, there’s dragons! Also, I really enjoyed the food here. While it did feel like the hottest land at Epic, it was my favorite.

The Best Meal

My favorite meal at Epic Universe was at Cafe L’Air De La Sirene. For starters, it feels like a nice little restaurant in Paris. The ambiance is on point. Then, the food was really good. I enjoyed the Quiche Lorraine with Frozen Butterbeer for a drink! Plus, it meant that I didn’t have to wait in line for Butterbeer! I’d like to return to try a sandwich next time or breakfast! Also, I loved the Bieraubeurre/Butterbeer Crepe!

I want to give a shoutout to the tasty BBQ I had at The Oak & Star Tavern! I enjoyed the beautiful stained glass window tree and the general vibes of this restaurant. I also appreciated the variety of sauces available.

The Best Snack Location

I had an amazing chocolate/brownie cake pop from How to Treat Your Dragon in Isle of Berk. It was an unassuming little treat on a stick that I grabbed on my way back to the room for a break. However, it was rich and delicious! I can’t tell if they still have it on the menu or not, but I highly recommend it for a little sweet treat! You can see photos of it towards the end of the Instagram Carousel below.

The Best Ride

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to ride the popular Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry when I visited. However, it looks amazing! I was impressed with Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment though. I enjoyed the attention to detail here and the monsters, of course!

The Best Show

While I really enjoyed both shows available in the park, I think Le Cirque Arcanus was my favorite. I just enjoyed seeing the different magical creatures being brought to life. However, I also liked The Untrainable Dragon show. I just have more of a connection with the Harry Potter world. I recommend watching both.

The Best Stuff at Epic Universe

While I’ve only spent two days at Epic Universe prior to its official opening, I really enjoyed my time there. So, what are your favorite things in this park?

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Biltmore Estate Tips for Visiting

Lindsay — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Having just visited for the first time, I thought I would share some Biltmore Estate tips for anyone else planning a trip.

Biltmore Estate Tips

For those who don’t know, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned residence in the United States! It’s located in the Blue Ride Mountains of North Carolina in Asheville! The estate actually consists of the 100,000+ square foot mansion in addition to the grounds and gardens. There’s so much to see and do that you can easily spend several days here without leaving the estate. That being said, there were a few things I wish we had known before arriving. So, here are a few tips to help make your trip better!

Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate

Pay attention to the hours – We arrived around 9 AM on our full house day because the site’s hours of operations said that’s when the admission gate opened. However, we realized upon arrival that meant just the gate and gardens were open. The house and shops didn’t open until 10 AM. So, if you want to know when the house opens, look at the shop hours.
You can walk around the gardens before and after a house tour – Since we arrived an hour early, we roamed the Italian Gardens, which were mostly empty. The gardens are also open later than the house and shops. So, you can view them at your leisure.
Pre-purchase tickets – We actually had a hotel package that included breakfast and tickets that didn’t require house reservations. However, if you buy a one day ticket, then you will need to make a reservation for the time you plan to enter the home. Those reservations can sell out. So, buy your tickets and reserve your time as soon as you know what works best for your schedule.
You can’t carry much inside the house – They have free storage lockers outside the home. However, I left my hat in the car when we were touring the home. Also, pay attention to the bag size allowance of 19″ x 14″ x 9″. It’s best to just leave most things at home, in a locker, or in the car.
Bring a hat for the gardens – I strongly recommend having a hat to wear while roaming the gardens. There’s very little shade available, so you will be happy to have a hat.
Visit the house when it’s cooler – The house does NOT have air conditioning. So, plan to visit the house early in the morning before it gets too hot.
The estate is cashless – The front desk at the hotels are about the only places that will accept cash on property.
Stay for a few days – We spent two nights here and still didn’t see everything. Although, it was in spring with plenty of plants to see. I’m not sure that the colder times of the year would offer as much to see. However, I can see staying for several days during the warmer months.

Visiting the Estate

So, have you ever visited the Biltmore Estate? Do you have any tips that I didn’t mention?

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Disney Animal Kingdom Resorts Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I am continuing my look at the Walt Disney World hotels with the Animal Kingdom Resorts!

Animal Kingdom Resorts

Having already posted the Magic Kingdom Resorts Guide, Epcot Resorts Guide, and Disney Hollywood Studios Resorts Guide, this is my last resort guide for the four theme parks at Walt Disney World! Once again, I am going by Disney World’s website for this list of hotels as this is how they designate these resorts. Unfortunately, there’s no special transportation connecting these resorts. There’s just bus transportation to take you the parks here.

All Star Resorts

Disney has three All Star Resorts – All Star Sports, All Star Movies, and All Star Music. Each of them is considered a value resort and offer the lowest priced rooms on property. All of them also feature giant statues that fit the resort’s theme to designate different areas of the resort. I wrote a Disney’s All Star Resorts Overview post a couple of years ago if you would like a closer look at these three resorts. I’ve also posted a separate Disney All Star Sports Review from my solo Christmas stay in December 2024.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe/DVC resort. I’ve stayed here only once and it was almost a decade ago. That’s why I haven’t posted a separate review of it. If I ever return, I will post a review of it. However, it is typically one of the cheaper Deluxe options at Disney. It can still be pricey, especially those Savannah view rooms. It’s just typically cheaper than most of the other Deluxe resorts. This resort is built around an artificial savannah that has real animals! It’s the perfect location for animal lovers as you don’t need a park ticket to enjoy the animals here! Also, the food is pretty good here too!

Coronado Springs

Lastly, there’s Coronado Springs! This is another sprawling moderate resort that I’ve covered a few times: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Review and Gran Destino Tower – Disney Coronado Springs Resort Review. It also has the distinction of being the very first Disney World resort I stayed at! It has several good food options as well! I would stay here more frequently if it didn’t have so many bus stops.

Disney Animal Kingdom Resorts

So, there you have the Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Resorts! Which one are you staying at? Do you have a favorite?

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Biltmore Estate Restaurants Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 20 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

If you are planning a trip and wondering which Biltmore Estate Restaurants you should eat at, this post is for you!

Biltmore Estate Restaurants

Having just visited the Biltmore for 3 days back in April, I’m happy to report that there are loads of tasty options when considering where to eat here. From the Stable Cafe in the House to the Village Social located in the Village Hotel and little places to grab a snack, there’s something for every palate! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to try every restaurant on this trip. So, if I am lucky enough to visit again in the future, then I will return to this post and update with additional reviews.

I’ll start this guide by mentioning how big the portion sizes are here. We started out ordering our own entrees, but were splitting them by the end of the trip as we kept having leftovers. So, just something to keep in mind.

Stable Cafe for Luminere Dinner

I figured I might as well start with the restaurant located in the basement of the House – Stable Cafe! This is literally where the stables were located when the house was lived in! We ate here twice during our trip. Our first meal here was for dinner during Luminere. We enjoyed some fresh salads for the mains. The chicken was a little dry on my salad, but overall it was a good dish. I really enjoyed my special mocktail here for Luminere. It sweet, but the ginger cut it nicely.

The real star here was the desserts though! My husband got the Blueberry Mousse Cake. It was a good combination of sweet and tart with the lemon-passionfruit cremeux. I got the Raspberry Parline Profiterole and was thrilled with it. Once again, it was the perfect combination of sweet and tart with the raspberries cutting the sweet chocolate. This meal was the perfect way to begin our Luminere evening.

Stable Cafe Lunch

After touring the house, we enjoyed lunch the next day here as well. We split The Appalachian Sampler (pictured in the blog image above) and had more than enough food for the two of us. We enjoyed trying the seasonal Ancho Chili Blueberry Barbeque sauce with the chicken and pulled pork. I would love to try other seasonal sauces in the future. Again, the chicken was a touch dry, but the sauces really helped. The pulled pork was so flavorful it didn’t really need the sauces.

The smoked baby carrots were simple but tasty. We also loved the truffle mac and cheese. The potato salad looked like mashed potatoes but tasted as it should. My husband enjoyed the house pickled vegetables. We also tried the blackberry lemonade and strawberry lemonade. They were fine, but I think I would get something else next time. We ended the meal by splitting the Toffee Fudge Cake, which was amazing! It was rich and chocolatey! I loved it.

Cedric’s Tavern

Moving over to Antler Hill Village, we enjoyed lunch upon arrival at Cedric’s Tavern. My husband ordered the Tavern Rueben and was pleased with it. It was a good combination of flavors and a great value for the $20 charged. I selected the Lobster Roll, which had a shocking amount of lobster (1/2 pound) on it! I truly enjoyed it, but it was too much food for me. We both left this meal with a box of leftovers. We ended up finishing them later that night in the hotel room. I think it’s worth noting that the dessert menu posted online was out of date when we visited.

Village Social – Breakfast

We had a breakfast package that allowed us to enjoy breakfast both mornings of our trip at the Village Social, which I highly recommend. I absolutely loved the Pecan Waffles I ate both mornings. On the second morning, my husband and I actually split an order of the waffles and an order of biscuits and gravy. This restaurant is fantastic because they will physically split your dishes on two separate plates for you! So, that was super helpful! Although, I see that the online menu now lists a Blueberry Waffle instead of the Pecan. I’m sure it’s great too!

One thing to note: There was a 25 minute wait for a table for two people here on Saturday morning, versus no wait on Friday morning. So, maybe send someone ahead to get on the waitlist on the weekends.

Village Social – Dinner

This was our last dinner here and it was really good. We split the Fried Chicken. The chicken was good and moist with the added hot honey (although, not really spicy). The smashed red skin potatoes were good too. I even ate some of the estate pickled coleslaw! Overall, it was a good dish that I don’t regret eating.

I was tickled to be able to get the Luminere mocktail Nightfall here again. My husband got a coconut mocktail that was tasty. For dessert, I got a strawberry rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream. I was pleased to see that it didn’t contain an artificial red strawberry slush, but was kind of natural red/brown. I was also happy that I could actually taste the tart rhubarb. It was a good dessert. My husband enjoyed a cake, but we can’t recall what it was. Unfortunately, they don’t have the dessert menu posted online.

The Creamery

One of the last places we stopped at on our visit was The Creamery, located in the Village. I got an amazing banana pudding milkshake! My husband got an orange creamsicle float that was pretty good. We also grabbed a pastry for the road. I got the mixed berry and he got ham/cheese. Both of those were really tasty, even hours later when we ate them at home after a long drive.

Biltmore Estate Restaurants

As I stated above, this is not an exhaustive look at all of the restaurants on property. Rather, it’s an overview of where we’ve eaten so far. If I make a return trip, I will come back and update this post with more locations – like the Dairy Bar or The Dining Room at the Inn. So, where do you enjoy eating when visiting The Biltmore Estate?

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Are Dollywood Guided Tours Worth It?

Lindsay — Wed, 13 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I want to examine if the seasonal Dollywood Guided Tours are worth your money and time.

Dollywood Guided Tours

Last year, I was lucky to take several guided tours while visiting Dollywood. I already posted my I Will Always Love You Tour at Dollywood Review, Dollywood Summer Festival Tour Review, and Dollywood Christmas Guided Tour Review. Today, I want to talk about those experience more generally and to help others decide if they should book a guided tour.

What the Tours Include

You can see which tours are available during your trip and what they include on the Special Experiences page on the website. However, in general, the tours attempt to include some festival entertainment (like reserved seating for a show during IWALY or reserved standing viewing of the drones/fireworks during the summer) along with a snack and/or beverage. They also sometimes include rides where you can skip the lines. All of them come with a tour guide or two that tells you about the park and the offerings you get.

I will say these are best for people without mobility issues. They tend to involve a good bit of walking and Dollywood has a few good hills. I also don’t know that I would recommend them for children as there can be lots of listening.

Pros

You get a brief guided tour of the park – It can be helpful for people who don’t know much about the park or its offerings to learn from a park employee.
Skip some lines – It was awesome to ride the train during the Christmas tour without waiting in line. You have to read the fine print though as not all tours offer rides and it seems like the rides offered can differ from year to year.
Some reserved seating – Again, you have to read the fine print to see what the tour includes. However, you sometimes get a reserved (near the front) seat for shows that you don’t have to stand in line for.
Snack and a drink – Often, it’s a festival goodie. However, at Christmas we received a mini cinnamon bread and hot chocolate. I’d consider it an added bonus, not exactly a selling point.
Adds something for experienced visitors – It can be a fun way to do something different if you have visited the park before.
Can be good for solo trips – If you are visiting the park alone and feel more comfortable in a group, this is the perfect opportunity to join a group.

Cons

Added expense – These tours are an added expense on top of a park ticket. Plus, they went up $10 from 2025 to 2026. Currently, they are $89/person with a small discount available for some passholders. So, not exactly a budget friendly event.
Takes up time – If you want to visit the park at your own pace, this isn’t for you. You don’t really have much time to stop and enjoy the scenery or take pictures. I don’t recommend this for people who are visiting for the first time on the first day. Maybe the second day or return trip.
Limited offerings – The specific rides/shows offered varies from festival to festival and even year to year. So, read the site carefully to see if you are interested in most of the things listed before spending the money.
You can do most of the things on your own – Most of the tour experiences can be had on your own. The real perk of these tours is the guide and the ability to skip the line or have reserved seating.

Are Dollywood Guided Tours Worth It?

I think the value of any purchase is subjective. However, if you have children, are a first time visitor, have mobility issues, or on a tight budget, then I don’t think it’s worth it. If you are a return guest who navigates the park easily with room in the budget, then go for it! So, have you ever taken a tour at Dollywood? Did you think it was worth it?

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Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate Review

Lindsay — Wed, 06 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Last month, my husband and I were able to stay two nights at the fabulous Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate! Today, I am giving my review of that experience.

Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate

There are two hotels on the Biltmore Estate property. The Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate is the more moderate resort with slightly cheaper rates than The Inn. Located in the Antler Hill Village, it gives you easy walking access to the shopping and dining there. It also makes it super convenient to visit the House and Gardens since you are staying on property.

Village King Bed

We booked a king sized bed room for this trip and enjoyed having the huge bed! The mattress and bedding was super comfy. I was also impressed with how quiet our stay was. No complaints about noise here. The room itself is nice without being too much. It takes a basic hotel room and adds some little touches to upgrade the experience.

The bathroom is really nice. There’s a huge shower that is great for relaxing in. The sink is outside the bathroom, allowing two people to get ready in the morning. There’s also a mini refrigerator in the room. A microwave is located in the lobby.

Overall, this room provided a very comfortable two night stay for us.

Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate Location

This hotel is perfect for visiting The Biltmore. There’s a complimentary shuttle bus that takes you over to the house/gardens. However, there’s also free parking. We chose to drive around the estate instead of waiting for the shuttle. It was nice to not have to traverse Asheville while visiting though. Also, I was pleased with the amount of parking available. When we came back to the Hotel after 10 PM after Luminere, there was still plenty of parking available.

This hotel is technically located in the Antler Hill Village. That makes it a great option for folks wanting to enjoy the Village’s dining, shopping, and activities. Village Social is the restaurant located on the second floor of the hotel. We enjoyed breakfast here both mornings and dinner once. It was so convenient and tasty!

Hotel Package

While you can simply book a stay here, the Biltmore also offers various package deals. We booked the Estate Escape Offer Package. This included breakfast at Village Social both mornings as well as length of stay tickets to the Biltmore House. I highly recommend booking any of the packages the includes breakfast. I also highly suggest you try the Pecan Waffles at the Village Social.

Although, I will note that Saturday morning had a 25 minute wait for breakfast. Friday morning had no wait. So, maybe head down to get on the waitlist early if you are visiting on the weekend.

Also, the tickets with the package allowed us to visit the House at our leisure. That meant that we didn’t have to make a reservation at the house and could go in whenever. That was nice.

Pros

Nice accommodations – This hotel is a very relaxing resort in the mountains of North Carolina. What’s not to like?
Location – It’s located in the Village and is walking distance to everything it offers. Plus, it makes visiting the Biltmore House and Gardens easy.
Peaceful – This was one of the quietest hotels I’ve ever stayed in. It was awesome.
Book a breakfast package – I like that you can book a package to prepay for breakfast and it’s convenient to eat in the hotel.
Comfortable – It’s easy to get a good night’s rest here. The bed is very comfy.
Cookie/Wine Hour – There’s a Wine Social from 5-6 PM and Cookie Hour from 8-9 PM in the lobby. We enjoyed those on Friday night and then spent some time sitting at the firepit.

Cons

Pricey – While this was cheaper than staying at the Inn, it wasn’t a cheap trip. You can definitely stay somewhere cheaper off property.
Few hooks – I know this is random and tiny. However, I would like more hooks for towels in the bathroom and a coat rack in the room for jackets/hats/purses.

Should you stay at the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate?

I really enjoyed our stay here and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to other folks. If you can afford it and want to visit the Biltmore, this is a great way to do it. Have you ever stayed here?

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