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*Disclaimer: There are affiliate links throughout this blog post where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
Coming off the heels of the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot is the International Festival of the Arts! From January 17 through February 24, Epcot will turn into a giant artist showcase - and, because it's Disney, they'll have some seasonal food options around the world.
Festival of the Arts is my second favorite festival (only behind Flower and Garden!) for two reasons: it's colorful and highlights some amazing talents, but also because they don't go as heavy on the food offerings as some of the other festivals (while still having samplings all around the world), which is a relief for Weight Watchers wanting to sample without dipping into too many Weekly SmartPoints. Let's dive right in to the menu for this year's festival! Worth noting that I'll be sharing my Magically Fit recommendations of Disney's menu for just the food: I don't drink alcohol so it's not my expertise, and if you are looking to cut back on SmartPoints then I always recommend going for a non-alcoholic option as that will down on it quite a bit, 
The Deconstructed Dish
Food:
Magically Fit's recommendation: The Deconstructed BLT sounds like it packs a good amount of protein thanks to the pork and egg without sacrificing on flavor thanks to the tomato jam. The Deconstructed Reuben has a few extra things like the Jarlsberg Cake and dressing that are probably sneaky when it comes to calories, so the BLT is the champ here. ​
Cuisine Classique
Prepare to be amazed with these hearty braised bites and traditional Old World delights! Food:
The Artist’s Table
Satisfy hunger with these savory plates—all prepared using oven and stove-top techniques! Food:
Pop Eats!
Unearth the tasty treasures and tantalizing textures of modern art-inspired eats! Food:
Decadent Delights
Indulge in a gallery of divine delectables that transform dessert into a fine art! Food:
​The Masterpiece Kitchen
Raise your glass and celebrate this fabulous fusion of food and wine—cheers! Food:
And now, let's head to the World Showcase!
Magically Fit's recommendation: This is one of my favorite booths, both because the sushi donut is a great, colorful, and protein-packed choice, but the taiyaki is a fantastic option if you really want a sweet treat since it's small and, per My Fitness Pal, only roughly 210 calories or so. Plus it's something out of the norm from what you get at a grocery store, so you'll be treating yourself to something that is special if you're like me and try to avoid sweets.
El Arista Hambriento – Mexico Pavilion
Food:
Refreshment OutPost – Outpost
Food:
Refreshment Port – Showcase Plaza
Food:
The Painted Panda – China
Food:
L’Art du Cuisine Francaise – France
Food:
Mosaic Canteen – Morocco
Food:
L’Arte di Mangiare – Italy
Food:
And, of course, if you're worried about temptation sneaking up on you, then I always recommend brining a snack! I love having a Built Bar handy since I have such a sweet tooth, and most flavors are only 3 SmartPoints on Weight Watchers (but they max out at 4 SmartPoints, and that's really just for the peanut butter bar!). I like to keep them in the fridge, so if I pack it with me to the parks, it doesn't get super melted unless its a really hot day (as any product with real chocolate would). If you're worried about melting, you could even freeze it prior to leaving for the park! Get 10% off your order of Built Bar and their other products (like Built Boost, a flavor packet loaded with vitamins for your water) when you shop with the coupon code MAGICALLYFIT.
Another reason I love this festival is there are a ton of fun photo opportunities, so its another great way to distract yourself if you are worried about raking in the SmartPoints. Focus on enjoying the experiences and you'll find yourself pretty occupied between the art and the interactive ways you can become art (photos below from 2019's Festival of the Arts)!
Which Epcot festival is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!
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*Disclaimer: There are affiliate links throughout this blog post where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
As promised in myreview of Paddlefish for Christmas, it’s time to review its next door neighbor at Disney Springs: Terralina Crafted Italian! Italian food can be admittedly really difficult to eat out when you’re on any sort of meal plan. Pasta and cheese can be high in Weight Watchers SmartPoints no matter what plan you’re on (because, even if you’re on myWW Purple, it’s only the whole wheat variety that is Zero SmartPoints!); if you’re on a plan like the South Beach Diet or keto there are carbohydrates abound; and even if you’re just tracking your calories or macros on an app like MyFitnessPal, it’s very easy to go overboard at an Italian restaurant. 
But, there’s no need to fear at Terralina - there are a few options that you can make work, especially if you are mindful. However, I recommend just enjoying your night and using this restaurant as a “cheat meal.” Don’t forget, you’re likely getting a ton of walking in on your Disney vacation - even if you’re a local who visits often like me, it’s easy to rake in over 10,000 steps without trying at Disney in a relatively short period of time.
Related articles: Ways to get more steps at Walt Disney World! 
There aren’t a lot of options at Terralina that are Weight Watchers friendly, however you can get a salad and add a grilled protein (my recommendations are the chicken or shrimp). I’m trying to cut back on my refined carbohydrates and incorporate more healthy fats into my diet, so I switched to the myWW Green Plan for the 30 Daily Points and opted for the Terralina Crafted Italian Salad topped with grilled chicken. It was super delicious and filling! The fresh mozzarella made for a filling fat to replace any carbs, but there wasn’t so much of it that it was overkill. Also worth noting that this salad also normally includes salami and pepperoncini, but I’m not a fan of either, so I asked for them to be omitted (hence them not being in the photo). I tracked it as 10 SmartPoints using some generic foods I found in the WW app. I found that the salad was lightly dressed with red wine vinaigrette, but you could also try asking for it on the side and measuring it out with some tools you bring yourself if you wanted to get really specific with your tracking.
If you aren’t avoiding carbs, I also recommend trying one of their pizzas. My mom got their margherita pizza, which was very flavorful. It's a larger sized personal pizza with six slices, so if you’re concerned about portions, consider splitting it with your family or a friend! The crust was thin, too, so that knocks another SmartPoint off of it in your tracker! You could probably also ask for a grilled protein to be placed on top of the pizza; not sure if they do that, but it’s always worth asking! Plus if you are worried that you won’t have enough, you can get a side of broccoli for an additional $8 (a bit pricey for a side, in my opinion, but that’s Walt Disney World for you!).
What’s your go to Italian dish when you’re trying to stick to your plan as best as you can? Let’s discuss!
*Disclaimer: There are affiliate links throughout this blog post where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
For Christmas Day, since it’s just my fiancé, parents and I, we like to keep things pretty lowkey. We got a reservation at Paddlefish for lunch, which I was excited about since I’ve been here before for a company Christmas party and knew it would be good but also manageable for my SmartPoints budget.
Let’s take a look at some of my recommendations for a delicious lunch you can enjoy even on myWW (Weight Watchers): the chicken breast, fish tacos, and blackened catfish sandwich. 
We got the shrimp cocktail for an appetizer, which is a good choice on really any diet plan. I didn't photograph it, but it came with about seven large pieces of shrimp, some cocktail sauce with horseradish, and a lemon for squeezing. If you're trying to either go low-carb or resist temptation, also note that our server did not bring bread to our table - I'm sure they would have if we asked, but we didn't, so that was nice to know that I wouldn't be loading up on just straight carbs before my meal.
I opted for something I knew to help me track it on Weight Watchers that I also knew was really good: the chicken breast. You get a large portion of chicken between some salad greens and a succotash, and it’s cooked in a Carolina mop sauce, which is flavorful yet light since it’s vinegar-based. The mop sauce from the chicken is also on the bacon succotash, which consists largely of edamame and corn with some real bacon bits thrown in the mix (not a lot of bacon in there to worry about it, and if you aren’t a fan it’s easy enough to pick out). This made for a lower in SmartPoints dish that was extremely filling and satisfying to my tastebuds. It’s also a great option if you’re carb-cycling and on a low carb day.
My mom enjoyed her fish tacos which included a red cabbage slaw, papaya-mango salsa, sweet chili aioli on top of whatever the catch of the day was. In her instance it looked like tilapia or flounder. The tortillas weren’t massive, so this is another dish I’d recommend if you’re trying to not overdo it but also not sacrifice on taste or being filled!
My dad ordered the blackened catfish sandwich - he said the bun wasn’t buttered, so that’s a plus! However he said for sides, the asparagus was delicious but, in his words, you’d be just as good off getting the French fries (unless you’re doing a high fat diet like keto) due to how much oil the asparagus was sitting in. This is definitely something worth noting! If you do opt for a veggie side, my fiancé got the green beans for his, which had significantly less oil but still some in the dish. But as for the sandwich itself, the fish was light and flavorful without being super oily. Definitely a good choice if you’re in the mood for a sandwich!
On top of everything else, the atmosphere and the view is awesome at Paddlefish. You have a gorgeous view of the water and Disney Springs while you dine, and is definitely one of Disney’s finer-dining locations without being super expensive. Prices here can get pricey for certain seafood dishes, but it’s really comparable to anywhere else at Disney Springs that isn’t a quick-service place.
Tips for Success
For New Year’s Eve I’ll be at Terralina, so look forward to that review next! But in the meantime, I want to hear from you: what’s your favorite restaurant at Disney Springs?
Christmas is almost here! Thank god for Amazon Prime, right? If you're needing a last minute gift for your support system or if you're looking to treat yourself, here are my favorite Weight Watchers gift ideas.
*Disclaimer: There are affiliate links throughout this blog post where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog! 
protein cake mix
You may have heard me talk about how much I love Lil Buff Proteinon my Facebook page before. This is a great product to help people enjoy sweets like cake and not feel deprived. The recipe calls for egg whites and unsweetened apple sauce (or pumpkin puree) so you're really cutting back on the fat and calories, and the protein count in this makes even half of a cake mix (they're single serving bags) super filling! There are other similar brands out there too like Andrea'sif you're wanting to also get mixes for other baked goods.
Instant Pot accessory kit
Instant Pots and slow cookers are my best friends in the kitchen because I love being able to come home to a healthy, low Smart Points dinner prepared and ready to eat (or only a few minutes away from being done)! There are a few different accessories you can get for it to make life easier, and this is a great way to try new recipes. Accessory kits for Instant Pots give you a bunch in one go!
Air Fryer ACCESSORY kit
Air fryers are the other hot ticket item that every Weight Watcher seems to have in their kitchen these days. While they're a great way to treat yourself if you haven't gotten one yet (and smaller ones aren't that expensive anymore!), one useful gift is - similarly to the Instant Pot - hooking someone up with the accessory kit. I've gotten one from my mom and am so excited about all the new ways I can play with my air fryer.
Cookbook
Ask any Weight Watcher and they'll probably tell you the same thing: you eventually get very bored of chicken and fish! That's why I think cookbooks, especially ones by Weight Watchers or bloggers like Skinnytaste, make for wonderful gifts. Even if every recipe isn't going to be a favorite, chances are it will still create a spark of inspiration to modify it so you can keep trying new things and not letting your taste buds get bored while staying on track.
Charm Bracelet
I know what you might be thinking: "Jess, how on earth is this relevant to Weight Watchers?" Well, you need somewhere to store all your charms, right? Lots of members like to go beyond the traditional key chain to display their achievement charms (given for seasonal events or for hitting certain weight loss and fitness milestones) by putting them on a charm bracelet (Pandora style) or by putting them on a necklace chain. Getting them one of these with a note explaining it's for them to show off their accomplishments is really thoughtful if you ask me!
Built Bars
While not through Amazon Prime, Built Bars are another great gift idea for two reasons. If they're new to Built, you can get them a sample box to try a bunch of different flavors, or you can help them stock up on one of their favorites or a seasonal item with an 18 count box. There are also Built Bites, a tub of mini bars that makes for a great gift, and Built Boost to make getting in your water much more flavorful. If you want 10% off this order (while supporting the blog at no additional cost to you!), you can shop their products by clicking this link or using the coupon code MAGICALLYFIT at checkout!
Wine Glass with Smart POints marked
What are you hoping Santa leaves under the tree? Let me know in the comments!
*Disclaimer: There are affiliate links throughout this blog post where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
It's the most wonderful time of the year... unless you're dreading having to go to countless holiday parties between work and families and you know that holiday deserts threaten your healthy lifestyle and weight loss goals. Just when you think Epcot is safe territory because the Food and Wine Festival is over, in rolls the International Festival of the Holidays, which used to showcase just different cultures' wintertime traditions... but now is just as loaded with food and drink as Food and Wine is.
Have no fear - the menu is out so we can peruse in advance! As I always say with the Epcot festivals, what's great about these seasonal events is that most of the options are in a smaller, sample-sized portion - that means you shouldn't worry too much about food guilt if you do indulge. I've snagged the menu right from Disney so that way you can see what's what and I'm also highlighting some of my recommendations if you're still trying to count your calories or Weight Watchers SmartPoints. GF = Gluten/wheat friendly | KA = kid-approved 
Photos in this graphic are from DisneyParksBlog!
Feast of the Three Kings (Near the Mexico Pavilion):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendation: Despite the queso, I'd actually reach for the Arepa with Shrimp - you've got a little protein from the shrimp, and it's a leaner protein than the beef option. Holiday Sweets & Treats (Promenade Refreshments):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendation: This is a tricky one because it's all sweets - definitely know your food triggers before hitting up this food stand! If you're worried about calories, the sugar cookie is probably the lesser of two evils here. And while I'm not saying not to have any alcoholic beverages, option for the hot cocoa without any booze will help cut back on some calories too. Want something sweet but don't want to set off any food triggers! I always like to bring a 3 SmartPoint Built Bar! Flavors range from 110-130 calories (except for the 4 SmartPoint, 170 calorie peanut butter flavor) and they're coated in real chocolate. It's a great way to curb your sweet tooth but since it's a protein bar, it'll be much more filling! Plus the coupon magicallyfit gets you 10% off. Pro tip: I like 'em refrigerated! 
L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (Between Morocco and France):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendations: Latkes - especially sample-sized ones - probably won't be too much of a heavy hitter, so I'd reach for one of those to feel more festive. Shoutout to the smoked salmon one for packing some extra protein and a healthier fat than the sour cream! Refreshment Port (Near the Canada Pavilion):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendations: Not really many options here - just your eggnog, really, and the turkey poutine which I'd personally stay away from. If you really want these things, it would be much more satisfying to just have a Thanksgiving-style meal instead of a copycat version of it on French fries!
Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada Pavilion)
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendations: I'd go for the Canadian Wild Rice and just be cautious of the size of the pretzel roll due to everything that comes on the salmon! Plus there are other healthier salmon options at different stands. Canada Popcorn Cart (Canada Pavilion):
UK Beer Cart (United Kingdom Pavilion):
UK Tea Caddy (United Kingdom Pavilion):
Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen (France Pavilion):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendation: I'd go for the Turkey and Mushrooms - even though it's in a cream sauce, you can push some of that out of the puff pastry if you've got a lot of it that you're worried about. L’Artisan des Glaces (France Pavilion):
Boulangerie Patisserie Les Halles (France Pavilion):
Sapphire Holiday Kitchen (Morocco Pavilion):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendation: This is another good pavilion to visit if you're set on sampling around the world showcase! Your Lamb Kebab is grilled, and the Chicken Drum comes with mostly-healthyish (for a theme park, anyway) options. I'd probably lean towards the lamb, though - less sugar! Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan Pavilion):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendation: Japan always offers up some of my favorites, and for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, it's no exception! Buckwheat soba noodles are Zero SmartPoints on the MyWW Purple Plan, so even though there's some vegetable tempura going on, it makes for a good option. The sushi Christmas tree is also adorable and a great option! However, don't be fooled by the matcha creme brulee - even though matcha is packed full of health benefits, this is a sugar-loaded dessert! However, if you're looking for something sweet that won't necessarily trigger a chocolate craving and don't want to bring your own dessert or aforementioned Built Bar, then this may be a good choice of indulgence. American Holiday Table (The American Adventure):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendations: Either of your options here probably are comparable, so you're looking at two options with decent protein! The cranberry sauce with the turkey and the sweet potato casserole are probably a trade-off as far as a sugary side dish goes. However, if you are worried about having more sides, I'd go for the ham. If you're here for something sweet, the gingerbread cookie will probably pack some similar flavors to the tart without as many calories from the whipped cream and sauce!
Funnel Cake (The American Adventure):
Fife & Drum (The American Adventure):
Food Items:
Block & Hans (The American Adventure):
Beverage Items:
Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy Pavilion):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendation: I'd go for the Bianca Neve flatbread; beef is protein, but it's white-wine braised and not the leanest of protein options. You're also getting to skip out on "caramelized" and "creamy" aka dressings that are high in SmartPoints even in tiny amounts. Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany Pavilion):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendation: I'd split the cheese fondue in the bread bowl with a friend and hog the baby vegetables! Prost! (Germany Pavilion):
Beverages:
Refreshment Outpost (African Outpost):
Food Items:
Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China Pavilion):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendation: I'd opt for the barbecue pork with steamed rice - easier to control your carb count than a bao bun! Norway- Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway Pavilion):
Magically Fit's notes: In case you aren't sure what this is, typically a Norweigen holiday rice cream is essentially a leftover rice porridge refresher with whipped cream, vanilla, and/or sugar added. It's usually topped with a red berry or fruit sauce. Similar to my Matcha Creme Brulee note on the Japan Pavilion's offerings, this might be a good dessert option for someone who doesn't want to bring their own sweets but would rather indulge in Disney's without triggering a chocolate craving, and would likely be a lighter sweets option than a Christmas Yule log cake or a pumpkin spice funnel cake. Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico Pavilion):
Food Items:
Magically Fit's recommendation: Because it's a leaner protein, my vote goes to the Tamal de Pollo. However if you're watching your carb intake, the Tostada de Puerco might be easier since you can just opt to not eat the tostada it's served on. Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company:
Future World East: Choco-Latte: Latte with Chocolate Sauce and Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur
Canada: Ginger Chai Madness: Chai Latte with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Gingerbread Syrup Showcase Plaza: Coconut Snowstorm: Latte with RumChata and Coconut Syrup The American Adventure: Toffee Coffee: Latte with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Sea Salt Caramel Toffee Sauce
The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays starts on November 29th and runs through December 30th! What are you most looking forward to trying? Let me know in the comments, on Instagram or on Facebook!
There’s a new Weight Watchers plan coming around, and I’m so excited about it! As many of you know, I lost the bulk of my weight with Weight Watchers during their Beyond the Scale program that launched in 2015 and introduced SmartPoints. But I struggled immensely when they updated to Freestyle, and have switched to a third party knock-off WW app to continue using my 30 points per day program that actually worked for me. Many of us wished to Return to 30, but many did see success with Freestyle because one size does not fit all with weight loss programs.
This post contains some affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Read more here!
This is why I am so excited for the new WW program launching, myWW. MyWW launched in Australia already, so we have a sneak peek at what it will look like for those of us in other parts of the world, and it launches here in the United States on Monday, November 11.
myWW is being advertised as their most ground-breaking program ever because it’ll be, to a degree, customizable. Here’s what we know so far… 
There are three plans offered
Which one is right for me?
This is all so exciting because I’ve so desperately tried to make Freestyle work for me, but it hasn’t. I think giving users the option to try different things that all have similar cores is a great idea and will help people find success without feeling trapped!
Are you looking forward to myWW? Let's discuss!
*Disclaimer: There are affiliate links throughout this blog post where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
There are so many exciting changes coming to Epcot, and if you missed out on D23 Expo, there’s another, new chance to check out what was showcased at the convention - The Epcot Experience! This exhibit gives us a close up look at what’s coming to Epcot in the near future, including a 360 degree view. Let’s check it out!
Where is it?
The Epcot Experience is where the old Odyssey restaurant used to be (and the structure is still the same) - if that’s not ringing a bell, it’s because it hasn’t been used much over the last few years, most recently housing some Flower and Garden Festival merchandise earlier this year. The building has some new signage and a fresh coat of paint, and is located on your way to the World Showcase from either the main bridge or the area by Test Track -- it’s where the bathrooms and first aid are located on the water near the Mexico Pavilion.
What's inside?
There are a few little pieces on display, including Remy in a jar and Chef Gusteau’s book in one, and some Mary Poppins memorabilia in another. The main focus, though, is the 360 degree experience and the photo ops located throughout the building. There’s also a spot to grab a snack and a drink with some tables and chairs near the posters of all the old and new attractions coming to Epcot (if you saw the posters at D23 Expo, it’s those!). You can also buy some Epcot merchandise featuring the new logo! You can also see a huge mural of the concept of how the park will look once completed, especially the front by Spaceship Earth.
What’s the 360 experience?
There’s a film that’s from floor to ceiling, featuring projection mapping on a model of Epcot’s layout, that showcases what’s coming. Whereas D23 focused more on concept art, we have more actual footage this time. The whole cycle is only 12 minutes long and you can expect to see a teaser for the upcoming Moana attraction, the upcoming Mary Poppins attraction in the UK Pavilion, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Spaceship Earth, the new fireworks show HarmonioUS (coming 2020), the play pavilion, the Guardians of the Galaxy ride (called Cosmic Rewind), and more!
What photo ops are available?
We found Photopass photographers ready at four different photo ops that put you inside a difference aspect of Epcot; there were two on each side of the experience. One side features you in Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and also floating away on some balloons, and the other side puts you in the heart of Food and Wine Festival (featuring Remy and Emile!) and standing on Spaceship Earth looking to the stars.
All in all, this is a great way to see what’s coming to Epcot in its multi-year expansion that won’t take a ton of time out of your trip. What are you most looking forward to? There are so many things coming over the next few years, and I’m excited to see what the future holds!
*Disclaimer: There are affiliate links throughout this blog post where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
September 29 marked two fun dates — my anniversary with Anthony (soon to be celebrated in January!) and the opening of Disney’s new Skyliner! Anthony and I decided to make a fun little date day activity out of the new gondolas in the sky, park at Hollywood Studios, and do the full route to check it out and relax.
Overall, this was a really peaceful way to enjoy the parks and see it from a new angle, especially some of the resorts we haven’t explored yet (living so close, we don’t ever really stay on property, and when I was in Fort Myers we often stayed at the resorts closer to Disney Springs since you can get great deals on non-Disney resorts that are just as nice… but I digress!). 
Here are a few noteworthy things about my experience:
2. Even though it was opening day, we didn't have to wait very long to board. The cabins only seem to stop moving when you’re boarding a wheelchair accessible one, but those have a separate line. Looks like those cabins have their own separate part of the track they can go on for boarding before merging with the rest of the cabins when they take off.
3. The ride itself was super smooth, and it didn’t feel rocky or sway much except for when we got briefly stuck for two or three minutes. But even then, it was pretty steady, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it if you are prone to motion sickness. 4 The longest trip was from Caribbean Beach to Epcot, but that’s largely because there was a stop to the new Riviera Resort on the way, and their station isn’t open yet. I imagine this won’t feel as long of a ride when you have to reboard at Riviera.
5. That being said, it’s worth noting that you have to reboard at every station. That means that it’s not the quickest way to get to Hollywood Studios from Epcot (or vice versa), but definitely nice if you want to try something different and aren’t in a rush to get anywhere.
6. The entire route took us about 90 minutes (we started at Hollywood Studios and went to Epcot from Caribbean Beach, then back, to Art of Animation/Pop Century, back again and then Studios), including waiting in line after getting off and back on again at every stop. So, if you’re heading from a resort to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, it will only take you a few minutes!
Like I said, this was super peaceful and relaxing, and Anthony and I really enjoyed the ride! Not the fastest method, but definitely a great one, especially if you’re heading from a resort to a park.
Are you planning on trying out the new Skyliner?
*Disclaimer: There are affiliate links throughout this blog post where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
Whether you’re going to Disney World or you’re going on a business trip, let’s face it - when you have goals you want to hit, it’s hard to stay on track while you’re away, and even when you try your best, you may still end up feeling bloated with water weight. Is there any way to beat this? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. When I started this blog, I didn’t live next to Disney like I do now - I was living only three hours away and taking short, overnight trips to enjoy the parks and just had to pack a backpack rather than for a few days, where the stakes for my weight loss goals would be higher. But now as I’m trying to shed the last few pounds before my wedding, I had a work trip come up in Colonial Williamsburg for four days. Seeing as I hadn’t been on a plane for a vacation or anything like that since I was in high school, this was new territory for me! Taking my experience into account, let’s dive in to what I did (and didn’t do that I wish I did!) so you can get some ideas for what might work best for you. 
Before the trip, establish a goal. What are you looking to do while you’re away for your goals? You know that whatever happens, it’s not a permanent new thing, so that should help alleviate some anxiety. It’s important to set a goal before the trip - whether that be to lose weight, maintain, be okay with a potential small gain, or to use the hotel gym a certain amount of times on your trip - so you can establish and manage expectations before, during, and after your stay. This is more for mental clarity than anything else, but I’ve found that mental clarity is the most important factor of any fitness or weight loss regimen. Your thoughts can steer the course, so make sure you have a set vision for the process.
Flying? Do some research on the free snacks! I say this for two reasons: one is so you can see if they’re any good or not, and the other so you can plan ahead if you plan to eat them. I flew JetBlue for our flight and they had some amazing snacks, but I looked them up in advance so I could know which one I’d not only enjoy the most as far as taste, but doing the least amount of damage. But if you think you may be tempted by free in-flight treats and you’re dead-set on avoiding them, just see what they offer online in advance to see if it’s even worth the temptation. It might not be, or it might be lower in calories than you think!
If you can, meal prep. If you’re going on vacation, hopefully you’ll have some time in your schedule to meal prep in your hotel room - depending on your flight schedule, this could even be after you check in. And when I say meal prep, I don’t mean strictly mean the typical cook a bunch of chicken, rice, and veggies in meal prep containers (though if you’re staying in a villa with a full kitchen, or a suite that has room for you to microwave some chicken up and throw it in a meal prep container, that’s the most ideal scenario!). Meal prepping could be planning a bunch of peanut butter sandwiches in advance for yourself.
But, especially if you are traveling for business with coworkers, you might not have time to meal prep and it may not be practical. If you can’t meal prep, do the best you can. What was a lifesaver for me on my work trip was that I bought myself a box of low point protein bars to have for breakfast every day, plus I had some fruit handy. We were very much on the go and running around all weekend, so it was important to me to have something that was consistent every morning that would fill me up and be within my control. I didn’t want to be eating out for all three meals, so doing damage control where I could really was a lifesaver.
For those lunches and dinners where we’d be eating out, there wasn’t a way for me to do the never-failing Weight Watchers trick of checking the menu in advance since I was with coworkers and we didn’t have set plans for lunch or dinner until it was time to eat them. All you can do in that situation is your best, which is often taking a long look at the menu before you order and trying to stick to something you’ll enjoy, but also will serve you in a way that you want. 
Plus, having healthy snacks snacks handy is something I wish I did a better job of. If you keep some healthy snacks on hand, you’ll probably find yourself less tempted to pick at the fries that you didn’t realize were included with your sandwich at a restaurant later.
But, even if you do enjoy those fries because you’re on vacation and you know this isn’t your normal, be sure to take into account how much you’re walking. My Garmin fitness tracker was my best friend the whole four days, and since I was constantly on the go and on my feet even when I wasn’t actively moving around, I easily burned about 700 calories every day without trying. Also, stay hydrated! You’ll want to be drinking plenty of water both for your own health and to help prevent you from feeling super bloated (which you'll probably experience if you're eating out a lot more than usual; don't worry too much about it and just know that it'll flush out of your system in a few days). If you’re on the go as much as I was, a reusable water bottle is great if you’re in an area where you know there will be water fountains or refill stations. This way, you won’t ever be without.
Most importantly, know yourself and your limits - but don’t deprive yourself! Deprivation is never a good thing - everything in moderation will help you from feeling food guilt or like you were missing out on something for your vacation, but it is also important to know your limits. For example, when I was in Colonial Williamsburg, I treated myself to one ginger cake cookie because I knew it was something I wanted to try and was pretty unique to the area. However, I also knew that it was a dessert that would not send me into a spiral of craving more desserts when I got home. Knowing your food triggers is so important, so finding that balance is so important so that way you can not sweat it too much when you’re away without backpedaling on your progress.
Plus, I recommend to continue tracking your food even when you are on vacation or a business trip. This ties back in to my comment about setting goals before you go. Even if you’re just guesstimating most of your Weight Watchers points or calories, it’s important to keep on tracking so you don’t break that habit and can very easily transition back into the swing of things when you get home. If you don’t know where to start with a goal, committing to tracking every single day as honestly as you can is a good one. How do you define staying on track and being successful while you’re away, whether it’s for business or pleasure? The beauty of it is there’s no right or wrong way to go about it so long as you’re doing what works best for you, so I want to hear your thoughts! 
On Saturday, August 17, a moment that had been building up for years after waiting with the patience of a Jedi Master arrived - I got to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (thanks to my passholder preview)! After having an incredible six and a half hours (yes, I know the time slots they gave were only four hours, but no one checked and we had so much fun that time flew by), I've finally found myself in an emotionally capable place to whip up the 9 things I think you ought to know before visiting Batuu, specifically in Hollywood Studios (though these things will likely apply in Disneyland, as the lands are near mirror images of each other).
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1. It's immersive - like, really immersive!
There are also some local phrases you'll hear. It may be handy to be familiar with them such as:
There's more that you'll hear, but these are the phrases I heard most. Also don't forget that if you ask, "What movie is that from?" that there are no movies on Batuu because this is their reality! It may be better to ask something like, "Where do the legends say this is from?" 
2. Smuggler's Run is meant to be ridden multiple times.
The story for the ride is really fun and something that kids and adults can both enjoy, especially if you've seen The Clone Wars and/or Star Wars: Rebels (the animated series) and thus know Hondo Ohnaka. Hondo, for those of you who are unfamiliar, is a space pirate who is ultimately out for himself (mainly, his wallet) but does have a good heart at the end of the day. He's acquired the Falcon and is recruiting you to help him smuggle some coaxium (not sure what coaxium is? They cover this in Solo: A Star Wars Story!). You'll get a cut of the profits, but it depends on how good of a condition your ship is in and if you can get one or two shipments.
After going through the queue of the workshop where they run some tests, you get some beautiful views of the top of the Falcon from above, and then you get to board the famous Corellian freighter after meeting Hondo himself. The Hondo animatronic is beyond realistic and absolutely mind blowing; I didn't bring my DSLR, so my zoomed in iPhone pic doesn't do him justice!
You walk through the hallways and are given a card for one of three positions: pilot, gunner, or engineer (two of each per ride). You then get to hang out by the Dejarik board and take a seat (and photo!) while you wait for your boarding group to be called. Your boarding group is the color of your card stating your position. Then, behold the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon. I'm not going to lie, you guys - I got really teary eyed. The first time I rode it, I got to pilot with my dad (my fiance was a gunner for us) and I was the one to launch the ship into take off and also to pull the lever for us to make the jump to lightspeed, and that's when teary eyed switched to full streaming tears. The surrealness and immersion of it all was a lot, and I loved every second.
Anthony said that being a gunner was just okay - it was the more boring of the three positions - so we went on again to see what luck we'd have for positions that time. We both ended up engineering, and it was a ton of fun. You don't see a ton of action since you have a lot of buttons to push - especially if your pilots crash a lot - but you get a nice theater view of the cockpit when you do have a second to sit back and enjoy it.
Worth noting: this ride is not necessarily friendly for those who are prone to motion sickness. If you do not fare well on Star Tours, I would think twice before boarding - it is very similar, but you don't wear 3D glasses.
3. And yes, if you're a bad pilot, they will call you out.
4. The Batuu residents (aka cast members) all have their own stories, so they're worth talking to.
Each of them has taken so much time and care into crafting their characters that it is definitely worth chatting with them on your travels! They will tell you when the Resistance and First Order arrived, and they may have even picked a side that they sympathize with. If you really want the full experience, definitely take a few moments to have some conversations - you'll learn the local lore and find yourself even more immersed.
5. You'll see some fan-favorites roaming the area, but it is not your typical photo op.
6. Some of the food offerings are better than others, so pack a snack if you're picky.
While my fiance enjoyed the ribs at Docking Bay 7 and I've heard good things about some of the other options, I was not a huge fan of the yobshrimp salad (kid's menu version pictured below; the noodles reminded me of cellophane noodles) and there weren't very many snack options. The Ronto Wrap seems to be a fan favorite, but is the same price as a regular meal (and they're all pretty pricey), and the only real snack available at the park that isn't a cupcake is sweet-and-spicy popcorn. Oh, and I've heard many people say how excited they are to have dinner at Oga's Cantina - don't get too thrilled because they really only serve drinks. If you're a picky eater or follow a strict diet, then definitely bring your own snacks if you don't plan on leaving Galaxy's Edge. Otherwise, I'd recommend other quick service places outside of Batuu within Hollywood Studios. From now on, I'll be bringing a Built Bar with me! If you want to plan ahead with the Galaxy's Edge menus, you can check out my dining guide for Galaxy's Edge (featuring some highlights of healthier options) here.
7. There's more to the merchandise than meets the eye
Many of the offerings on Batuu for merchandise are interactive, like the Salacious Crumb Anthony got for himself or the kyber crystals that can be used in the holocrons (which are filled with Jedi or Sith knowledge and messages) and the lightsabers at Savi's. Lots of it is shrouded in lore, whether it be something as simple as Darth Nihilus' logo on a notebook or more intricate like Hera's kalikori (pictured) or Padme's headdress. Even the droids at the Droid Depot can have personality chips added to them so they have some spunk to your liking - oh, and the headbands you get there can talk to each other. Holocrons will talk to each other, too.
8. Savi likes to keep his lightsaber operation on the downlow, but there are plenty of options for sabers once you're in the door (or even if you opt not to build a lightsaber)
The Gatherers don't want Kylo Ren to think the wiser of them, so the operation is pretty lowkey. There are different themes to your lightsaber and its elements, but be warned - these lightsabers are heavy. I got to hold one in my hand and while it would be really cool as a display piece, it's not something I'd want to carry around if I was cosplaying a Jedi. If you're looking for a more lightweight piece, check out the Den of Antiquities; there are some legacy lightsabers there (aka lightsabers from characters) that are much more lightweight and a hair cheaper, too. I think that Savi's Workshop is a super cool experience and, seeing that real deal lightsabers that are battle ready are pretty expensive no matter where you get them, there's some added value with the experience added to it. But the weight is something to consider depending on what you'll be using it for!
9. You get to choose your own story.
Remember how I said the land is incredible interactive and immersive? That continues on mobile! There's an app that Disney has called "Play Parks" which really can help you create your own story in Batuu with the Star Wars Datapad, which is available while you are located in Black Spire Outpost.
There you have it! Overall, I had an absolutely amazing time on Batuu and foresee myself going for many evening walks throughout the park and spending a little more time there than the rest of Hollywood Studios. I am so excited for everyone to experience this for the first time. Even my mom, who isn't super privy to everything Star Wars and didn't ride the Falcon (she gets motion sickness), found herself feeling really immersed in the land and enjoying herself.
What are you most excited for in Galaxy's Edge? Let's discuss in the comments and on social! |
SearchAuthorJessica is a huge Disney and Star Wars nerd who channeled that love into motivation to lose 75 lbs. Categories
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