Happy New Year to all of our readers! Since 2013 is here, we bet you are already thinking about your New Year's Resolutions, or rather have decided NOT to think about resolutions... Anyway, no matter what you have planned for this new year, we have some Disney inspired New Year's Resolutions from us here at A Glass Slipper Vacation! Are you ready? Here we go!

10. Try More World Showcase Snacks-In our opinion, Epcot's World Showcase is the best place to eat at WDW; but since we usually eat here for dinner and consume as much as possible, we rarely have any room left to sample some of World Showcase's famous and delicious snacks!

9. Experience the new Test Track-Test Track has been refurbished with a whole new futuristic twist and has recently been reopened! As this was always one of our favorite attractions, we are resolved to try it out this coming year.

8. Visit Typhoon Lagoon-While we are big fans of Disney's water parks, we haven't visited Typhoon Lagoon in a few years; but this year, we aim to get back and enjoy the park's awesome wave pool!

7. Try a Cupcake from Kusafiri Bakery-Located in the Africa section of Animal Kingdom is a small bakery that sells some really unique cupcakes that we are determined to try! We are especially looking forward to sampling the Cotton Top Tamarin Cupcake!

6. Check out The Legend of Jack Sparrow-This new Hollywood Studios attraction just opened and is all about everyone's favorite pirate! Naturally, we are excited to experience it for ourselves.

5. Sample Something from Beaches and Cream-We enjoy spending time at the Yacht and Beach Club; and their old fashioned diner offers some unique and sweet treats! So we definitely have it on the agenda to try something for ourselves on our next trip.

4. Experience Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid-This new Fantasyland attraction is definitely high on our list because The Little Mermaid is one of our all-time favorite Disney films. As strange as it sounds, we are especially excited to see the queue as it is filled with awesome details and even a game!

3. Visit Disneyland-Despite being major Disney fans, we have never made it to Disneyland to see and experience Walt's original vision; but if possible, we will this year!

2. Dine at Be Our Guest-Fantasyland's newest restaurant is straight out of our own fantasies! We really want to dine here for dinner in the ballroom, so we can see the snow falling outside! Those gourmet cupcakes look pretty good too.

1. Stay at the Villas of Wilderness Lodge-We recently stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge's villas and it was awesome; and with Wilderness Lodge being our favorite WDW resort, staying in their villas is now at the top our list for 2013!

Do you have any Disney resolutions? Share with us!

We are ready for another trip to Disney World, how about you? Silly question, we know! But while we're still here in reality, we can still dream, can't we?

Well we have been dreaming about our next WDW vacation and decided to make a to-do list of things we want to see and do! As you might have guessed, a huge part of the list deals with the Magic Kingdom's new Fantasyland Expansion, which is officially opening soon! But we also have a few other new experiences, and some old that we just haven't gotten around to in the past. 

Are any of these things on your next to-do list?

1. Eat at Be Our Guest. Who doesn't have this on their to-do list? I definitely want to see the snow falling outside the ballroom windows!

2. Try School Bread from Epcot's Norway pavilion. School Bread is a custard filled pastry topped with coconut; and we here it's delicious!

3. Visit the Little Mermaid and Lion King wing of the new Art of Animation Resort. We've seen the Cars and Finding Nemo wing, but the Little Mermaid and Lion King are two of our all-time Diseny movies!

4. Buy something from Bonjour Gifts! I really like the dishes and pillows.

5. Ride Journey of the Little Mermaid. Can't wait to experience this new ridge, it looks great!

6. Have Breakfast at Kona Cafe. Some Tonga Toast sounds yummy!

7. Have a Dole Whip Float. This should be on every Disney to-do list.

8. Stay at the Beach Club! We haven't stayed here in several years, but our last stay was wonderful and we are looking forward to enjoying a stay there again. Stormalong Bay, here we come!

9. Go to Typhoon Lagoon! This water park's wave pool alone is worth the visit, and we are big fans of the topsy, turvy, windblown decor.

10. Find Some New Disney Pins. That's always one of our favorite WDW pastimes.

11. Try a Cupcake from the Kusafiri Bakery at Animal Kingdom. I'm thinking the Cotton Top Tamarin Cupcake?

12. Discover the New Changes to Pirates of the Caribbean! What will it be?

13. Discover Some New Hidden Gems and WDW Tips for You, Our Readers!

So you're going to Walt Disney World! Yay! Immediately your imagination is flooded with dreams of seeing Cinderella Castle for the first time, riding Dumbo, meeting your favorite character, and screaming as you drop 13 stories on Tower of Terror; but as you begin to research and plan, you discover that there is A LOT to see and do and that Disney World is literally its own "world."

So you begin to wonder, what can you skip? Can you do it all? Is it even worth trying? What if you miss something? You finally ask yourself just how are you going to be able to enjoy the total Disney World experience in one trip with only a few days and can it be done?

Well, while you can't do it all in one trip, you can have the total WDW experience in one trip with a little planning and prioritizing; and we are here to help you do just that!

In this new series, we are going to take you park by park and list and explain what you have to do for the total Disney experience, including shops, restaurants, and extras. We will also discuss the best Disney resorts for the total experience, as well as tackle the water park question and what not to miss there and more!

In today's second segment of the series, we are discussing:
Epcot!

Walt Disney World is about experiences and memories, and there are several things to see and do and places you must visit for a total Disney experience at Epcot!

Picture of Spaceship Earth: No matter how many times we've seen it, we are still struck with awe every time we see Spaceship Earth; and because of this, and because it is Epcot's icon, you just have to get a picture of Spaceship Earth during your visit!

MouseGear: Located at Future World, MouseGear is a massive store selling a vast variety of Disney merchandise. Guests should definitely check it out for some souvenir shopping, or at least walk through to cool off in its icy air conditioning.

Club Cool: Also located at Future World, this spot sells Coca-Cola merchandise and features soda fountains. But these soda fountains are different in that they offer soft drinks from around the world which you can sample for free! It's a cultural experience and a money-saver!

World Showcase: Probably one of Epcot's biggest draws, the World Showcase is the name for the section of Epcot which has pavilions representing different countries from all over the world. Here you can experience these respective countries cuisine, architecture, history, and merchandise. World Showcase even features three attractions, many popular restaurants, and dozens of shops! For a total Epcot experience, set aside a portion of your day to enjoy World Showcase.
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The biggest draw at WDW is, of course, attractions! Epcot is home to many popular attraction, so here are the ones you must see for the most fun and Disney magic.

1. Soarin'-This popular attraction, located inside The Land pavilion, lets guests experience what it's like to fly over some of California's most beautiful landscapes. This attraction is thrilling in that it lets you experience the sensation of flight; but since the thrills are mild, it's great for all ages to enjoy! Don't miss!

2. Test Track (currently closed for renovation)-While this ride is being redone, it's hard to go wrong with fast cars!

3. American Adventure-Located at the American Adventure pavilion, this massive audio-animatronic show, hosted by Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, covers highlights of American history. During this show, history comes alive in an inspiring and entertaining way, and it leaves you feeling patriotic. We highly recommend it for all ages!

4. Spaceship Earth-This attraction is a definite requirement for the total Epcot experience because it is located inside Spaceship Earth! Really! This dark, slow moving ride takes guests through the past to learn about the history of mankind and information.

5. The Seas with Nemo and Friends-This pavilion begins with a dark, kid-friendly ride into Nemo's world before dropping you off at a pavilion displaying massive tanks and aquariums for you to discover! A big favorite is a few small tanks featuring the same kind of ocean creatures you see in Pixar's Finding Nemo, as well as a part of the aquarium housing dolphins!

Just like everything at Disney World, dining is also an experience! Some restaurants transport you into other times and places, and some even have Disney characters! Take a look at a few places that you have to check out on your visit to Epcot.

1. Le Cellier-This restaurant is one of the best in all of WDW and is located at the World Showcase's Canada pavilion. The dining room is small, making it difficult to get a reservation, but the food here is incredible!  If you can, we highly suggest you visit Le Cellier for a the best meal at Epcot.

2. Akershus Storybook Dining-Located at the Norway pavilion, Akershus is one of the best character meals in all of WDW! A variety of Disney princesses drop by for a visit in this Norwegian castle as you enjoy tasty Norwegian fare, (really it's good, but they are also open for breakfast if you have picky eaters). You also get a chance for a special picture with Belle from Beauty and the Beast. This restaurant is win for the whole family as adults get a cultural experience and your own little princess gets to meet with her heroes; and the bill is much smaller than what you find at Cinderella's Royal Table!

3. Yorkshire Fish and Chips-At the United Kingdom pavilion, drop by this stand for some classic fish and chips! Find a seat down by the water and enjoy a favorite U.K. meal.

4. Kringla Bakeri og Kafe-This Norway bakery is very popular. It offers a variety of sweets and sandwiches, including some favorite items among Disney regulars, such as Schoolbread! You can't visit Epcot with sampling some delicious, foreign pastries, so make it a priority to drop by.

So you're going to Walt Disney World! Yay! Immediately your imagination is flooded with dreams of seeing Cinderella Castle for the first time, riding Dumbo, meeting your favorite character, and screaming as you drop 13 stories on Tower of Terror; but as you begin to research and plan, you discover that there is A LOT to see and do and that Disney World is literally its own "world."

So you begin to wonder what can you skip? Can you do it all? Is it even worth trying? What if you miss something? You finally ask yourself just how are you going to be able to enjoy the total Disney World experience in one trip with only a few days and can it be done?

Well, while you can't do it all in one trip, you can have the total WDW experience in one trip with a little planning and prioritizing; and we are here to help you do just that!

In this new series, we are going to take you park by park and list and explain what you have to do for the total Disney experience, including shops, restaurants, and extras. We will also discuss the best Disney resorts for the total experience, as well as tackle the water park question and what not to miss there and more!

Today, we are starting with the most iconic and magical park of them all:
The Magic Kingdom!

Walt Disney World is about experiences and memories, and there are several things to see and do and places you must visit for a total Disney experience!

1. The Hub-This area is located right in front of Cinderella Castle and is where you find the iconic "Partners" statue (as pictured above). There are other little statues in this area; and it's a great place for a perfect Disney photo!

2. Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade-Every day at 3 o'clock, this parade of magical floats and popular Disney characters takes to the streets! This is a Disney parade at its best and a great way to see a lot of great characters at one time.

3. Wishes-Wishes is the Magic Kingdom's nightly firework display; and after you see this show, every other 4th of July will pale in comparison! This show tells a story, narrated by Jiminy Cricket, and features popular Disney songs and a moving soundtrack. Also, be sure to keep your eyes up to see Tinker Bell fly from the top of the castle and over the park! Seriously!

4. Main Street Electrical Parade-In addition to the Share a Dream Come True parade, the Magic Kingdom also offers a parade at night where characters and floats are lit by lights! It's truly magical, a big kid pleaser, and a Disney tradition!

5. Main Street U.S.A.-This part of the Magic Kingdom serves as the entry into the park and is themed after a turn of the century town. While there are no attractions here, there are lots of shops, plenty to do, and a lot of Disney history to discover. Be sure to take some time out to explore it for a total Disney experience!

6. Personalize Mouse Ears-A Disney tradition since the beginning, every first time guest to WDW has to purchase their own pair of Mouse Ears and have their name personalized on the back, no matter what their age! But don't be concerned, everyone is a kid at WDW and no one thinks anyone about it.

The biggest draw at WDW is, of course, attractions! The Magic Kingdom is home to many popular rides and shows, so here are the ones you must see for the most fun and the Disney magic.

1. Splash Mountain-This ultimate log flume ride is the perfect family attraction as it offers fun scenery for the little ones and thrills for the adults; but the fun and thrills are not too intense for either respective party. Plus, you get the most bang for your buck on this ride in that it's one of the longest at WDW. Splash Mountain is VERY popular between young and old alike; and a great example of what Disney does best!

2. Pirates of the Caribbean-One of Disney's most famous attractions, Pirates of the Carribean is a classic but still as popular as it was when it first opened. This ride begins with an ominious passage into the pirate world; but after one dark drop, and a cruise through some cannon fire, the ride becomes hilarious with amusing, detailed scenes of pirates looting and running amuck. Kids are also sure to enjoy seeing Captain Jack Sparrow popping up now and again too! In all, this ride is pure Disney, a classic park attraction, and a big crowd pleaser!

3. "it's a small world"-While this ride gets a bad rap, it's one of the most iconic Disney attractions of all time! This boat ride takes you past scenes and dancing dolls reflecting cultures and countries from around the world to learn that it really is a small world and we are more like than we realize. Adults appreciate the message and the innocence, and all young kids really enjoy it; and whether you find it charming or not, you can at least say that you have done it.

4. Peter Pan's Flight-This is yet another classic Disney attraction that is still popular today! On Peter Pan's Flight, you board pirate ships that hang from the ceiling and literally fly out of the Darling children's bedroom, over a tiny, glowing London below, and through Neverland where you will see Mermaid Lagoon, the Indians, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, more from Peter Pan. Young and old will enjoy this ride and it's definitely a must-do!

5. Space Mountain-This is the Magic Kingdom's most thrilling attraction as it is a roller coaster in the dark! On Space Mountain, you enter a space port where you will board a rocket which then shoots you up and down a long track through space! This ride is brisk and a little jerky; and due to the darkness, you can't see where you will drop next! For many guests, Space Mountain is the big kid's Dumbo and a rite of passage at Disney World.

6. Jungle Cruise-On this attraction, you will explore the major rivers of the world; but be prepared to laugh! This classic Disney attraction lets guests enjoy a cruise through the jungle as they encounter exotic wildlife (audio-animatronic) such as hippos, elephants, , and more. Your boat captain and tour guide is more of a comedian than anything; and their scripted jokes have been making guests chuckle for years!

7. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin-Located in Tomorrowland, this attraction lets guests become Space Rangers and help Buzz Lightyear defeat the Zurg! How? By shooting laser cannons attached to your slow moving ride vehicle at targets! While this attraction is mainly a kid friendly attraction, adults really enjoy competing for the best score; and its one of the park's most popular rides!

8. Dumbo-Dumbo is a classic attraction, a Disney icon, and a rite of passage for any kid who visits WDW. Disney has recently redone Dumbo so future generations can enjoy this traditional ride in a new and exciting way.

9. Mickey's Philharmagic-In this 3-D show, you are at a concert hall where the Mickey and the gang are about to perform, with a little help from the magic hat from Fantasia. However, Donald gets a hold of it and takes the audience on a wild ride through main musical numbers from classic Disney films, such as The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Aladdin, Peter Pan, and more! Seeing Mickey and the gang in an attraction, as well as experiencing Disney movies like never before, makes this a must-do for a total Disney experience!

10. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad-Next door to Splash Mountain is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, where you can ride a runaway mine train through the wild west! This coaster is relatively tame, but it does offer plenty of quick dips and sharp turns; and be sure to keep an eye out for all the details packed into this attraction!

Just like everything at Disney World, dining is also an experience! Some restaurants transport you into other times and places, and some even have Disney characters! Take a look at a few places that you have to check out on our Disney vacation.

Crystal Palace-This is one of the best character meals in all of WDW due to its gorgeous building, view of Cinderella Castle, and Winnie the Pooh characters. The Crystal Palace is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features these characters at each meal; and even if you don't have kids, you can still come! Many adults and older kids do!. We always eat here for breakfast; and with the great food, setting, and charming characters, we believe its one of the best character meals on property.

Cinderella's Royal Table-While expensive, and often difficult to get a reservation for, this character meal is the most magical of them all in that the dining room is located inside the castle overlooking Fantasyland and princesses drop by to visit with you! If you have a Disney princess fan in your family, this is a must-do, if possible, for a total Disney experience!

Casey's Corner-For a quick meal, drop by this quick service spot with its vintage baseball theme for awesome hot dogs, cracker jacks, and their famous corn dog nuggets! The decor is amazing and the food is delicious!

Aloha Isle-This is a quick snack spot in Adventureland where you can enjoy a cult classic Disney treat, a Dole Whip! A Dole Whip is pineapple flavored soft-serve that truly tastes like fresh pineapple; and all Disney regulars, including ourselves, say it's a must-do!