Walkee vs. Mouse Wait

Hello Mouseketeers and happy Friday!  Today we are comparing two apps that can be used to help determine wait times when visiting the Disneyland Resort.  One is free and one is $3.99 (there is a free version too, but it is very basic).

Starting with the Walkee app...This is the $3.99 one and I am not one to pay for apps, but so far I'm liking this one.  This is the home screen when you open the app...

There are lots of options you can use with the maps, you can have just the rides highlighted or just food, or things you have already done.  It's cool to have the different categories and be able to pick and choose.  This is what the maps look like when you click on them...

Walkee also has information about the dining options available in the park, showing you where they are located and the price range...

You can also click on the restaurant for more info, including the menu...

Walkee also has the park schedule so you can check out show times and hours...

And of course, ride wait times...

One super cool feature of the Walkee app is the Fastpass reminder alarm.  Put in the time of your Fastpass and the app will alert you when it is time to go to the ride...

Mouse Wait has a lot of the same features, however, I don't find the app visually as appealing as the Walkee.  This is their wait time screen...

The one thing Mouse Wait has that Walkee doesn't is Annual Pass blackout days, which is an awesome and important feature for all AP's.

They do have the restaurant information, again, not as pretty as Walkee...

The home screen of Mouse Wait tells you the crowd index, which is how full the parks are on a scale of 100...

Overall, if Walkee had AP info, I would definitely use it over Mouse Wait, but since it doesn't, I have both.  Mouse Wait will work just fine if you don't care much about the graphics and visuals, but you do get a little something extra with Walkee.  Bottom line: If you don't mind shelling out the cash, Walkee is a great way to go!

Restaurant Review: ESPN Zone

Hello Disney and sports fans!  Today is the first post in what will be a series of restaurant reviews from inside and all around the parks so you know where to go and what to eat!  We are starting with ESPN Zone, which is located at the end of Downtown Disney. 

We are frequent fliers at ESPN Zone, mainly because I have to let the hubs watch some sports if he is going to hang with me at Disneyland all day long.  Fair is fair and compromise and all that jazz.  Sports are the obvious theme here and there are tons of TV's and cool sports memorabilia all over the place so if that is your thing, you will love the atmosphere here.

The menu at ESPN Zone is very typical for a sports bar type restaurant, lots of burgers, chicken wings, and other delicious and totally unhealthy entrees.  The good news is they do have some options that are not ridiculously bad for you, and they let you choose fruit or salad as your side dish, which is an option I love.

This time around, I ordered the grilled chicken breast sandwich, which came with provolone and pesto on ciabatta bread.  I had actually never had this option before and it was pretty tasty.  Plus, I liked that it was a reasonably healthy option.

The hubs went with his usual, burger with cheese and bacon and fries.  There is nothing spectacular about their burgers, but all in all, they are pretty tasty.

And of course, one of the highlights of ESPN Zone is their wide selection of beers on tap.  They have a ton of different options for beer, plus a variety of mixed drinks and wines (but let's be honest, this is a beer kind of place).

Overall, if you are looking for reasonably priced and tasty bar food, ESPN Zone is the place to be.  Be warned that at peak meal times, and anytime there is a big game on (especially during football season) the place is packed.  Try to make a reservation or go at an off time.  We typically sit in the bar because the wait for a table is usually too much for us; if you have a small party, the bar is a great option.  Well, now that I'm hungry, I'm heading off to make a tasty meal of my own!  Hope to see y'all back here tomorrow!

Halloween Time at Disneyland!

Halloween is one of my absolute favorite times at Disneyland.  It's been in the last decade or so that Disneyland has gone all out for the holidays and every year seems to get better and better.  It started with the induction of the Haunted Mansion Holiday, which originally was just at Christmas, and has now expanded throughout the park.  There is tons of cool stuff happening at Halloween Time, these are some highlights from my most recent trip!

You can spot these adorable sweet treats in the window of Marceline's Confectionery in Downtown Disney...

The park entrance is all decked out in its Halloween finest...

Main Street is one of the coolest places during Halloween Time, with all kinds of decorations lining the street...

Of course, the highlight of Halloween Time is Haunted Mansion Holiday.  Every year the Haunted Mansion is transformed into Jack Skellington's playground and it is one of my favorite things about the holidays in the park.  Getting pics inside the ride is tough since the ghouls and ghosts don't appreciate flash photography, so these are from the line outside the ride.  One of the greatest things about Disney is how entertaining they make those long lines!  There is a ton of stuff to see outside Haunted Mansion Holiday!

You might even catch sight of Jack himself!

I did manage to get one shot inside the ride when we got stuck for a minute, of the big guy himself!

Hope you are in the Halloween spirit now like I am!  What's your favorite part of Halloween at the park?

Pin of the Week!

Happy late Friday everyone!  We are wrapping up our second week here at Two Disney Darlings, and I don't know about you guys, but we are having a blast!  This week we took a look at some cool vintage Disney posters, made an awesome DIY Disney phone case, met the second Disney Darling Brianna, and got some fun ideas for custom Disney shirts.  And here is our Disney pin of the week!

Come back next week for some special Halloween Disney info!

DIY Disney Shirts

Check out the details for this post on my new blog here!

Pardon my late arrival!

I know it's been a bit quiet on my end, but I've finally made it! I'm Brianna, the second half of Two Disney Darlings. I am also a young teacher, dreamer, and lover of all things Disney.

When I was a child, my love of Disney began with Ariel. Her melodic voice and handsome prince sent me on a downward spiral of obsession, passion, and addiction: Must. Have. More. Disney. My fondest memory was of my first time in the park. It was my fifth birthday. I remember riding the Matterhorn and running around the park with my brothers and my best friend. I felt like Disneyland would be a faithful friend after that first visit and I was right.

From birthdays to anniversaries and even bachelorette parties, I've spent many a special day at the park. In 2006 my love of Disney was pushed to the next level when the park held the very first Disneyland Half Marathon. My husband and I are currently Legacy Runners (haven't missed a run yet!) and proud of it!

Here at Two Disney Darlings, I'll be sharing some park-themed recipes, fun running costumes, crafts, tips, and beautiful park photos. Follow along for more fun to come!

DIY: Vintage Disney Phone Case

Please visit my new blog for the tutorial for this project!

 

Vintage Disney Posters

I don't know about you, but to me, there is absolutely nothing cooler than vintage Disney.  I love the old designs, old posters, and old pictures.  I really want to incorporate some vintage posters into a room somewhere in my house (maybe my office at some point) and I love the idea of doing a vintage Disney party.  These are some of my favorite vintage Disney poster prints.  (Click print for original source, all pics via Pinterest.)

 

Pretty cool, huh?  I especially love the Date Night posters.  Think of how awesome those date nights would have been with dinner and dancing and people getting dressed up.  So fun!  Wish I could have been there for those!  Instead, I will live vicariously through the artwork!