Jen Theisen - Chasing More Vacations

  • Home
  • Jen Theisen - Chasing More Vacations

Jen Theisen - Chasing More Vacations Take the stress out... I'm here to help your family create magical vacation memories!

I could not be more excited- they are bringing the animation back to Animation Courtyard! From playful and interactive m...
22/07/2025

I could not be more excited- they are bringing the animation back to Animation Courtyard!

From playful and interactive moments like portraits coming to life and learning to draw your own sketches to an INDOOR PLAYGROUND (it’s like they heard all of my great ideas finally) and character greetings… I love everything about this concept.

Animation Courtyard will continue to be home to the new “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” and a new Disney Jr. show will replace the Disney Jr Play & Dance (the current show will close September 25th).

This building is currently home to Star Wars Launch Bay, with no official closing date for that attraction (let me know if I missed it). The new project is expected to open in 2026! 🤩

What do you think- is it time for Darth Vader to make way for something fresh?

Happy official reopening to Test Track over at EPCOT! Currently it’s at an almost two hour wait an hour after park openi...
22/07/2025

Happy official reopening to Test Track over at EPCOT! Currently it’s at an almost two hour wait an hour after park opening.

One of my favorite non-ride activities at Walt Disney World is pin trading! I’ve been pin trading a long time (more than...
21/07/2025

One of my favorite non-ride activities at Walt Disney World is pin trading! I’ve been pin trading a long time (more than 20 years), and it’s changed some over the last couple of decades. This is a really fun activity to do with kids or as solo adults! A few tips:

Tip #1:  The bulk bags you buy on eBay are typically “scrappers,” which are copies of pins Disney has made and sold. This is also true of those touristy gift shops outside of Disney World, which have bins and walls of what looks like pins straight from the parks! While these pins (and almost anything with a Disney trademark) are considered tradable, I typically recommend trading authentic Disney pins to put “good pin karma” on the boards. 🙂 
Tip #2: Looking to start, but don’t want to trade scrappers? A few ways to get authentic trading pins that are more on the affordable side are the Disney outlet stores outside of Walt Disney World, pin trading groups on Facebook, or you may get lucky with a smaller lot of legit pins on Mercari or eBay. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions!
Tip #3: Focus! What are you looking to collect? You might start with a favorite character and look for those on the boards and lanyards, or maybe you want to start and finish a certain collection. You’ll have an easier time making choices if you focus on just a few ideas!

I think pin trading is such a fun way to explore the parks and resorts. I’ve also met and traded with some cool people who are visiting Walt Disney World just like me! Just note that it’s up to a Cast Member’s discretion if they want to trade, and there are some boards around the parks that are “kids only.” Kindness is key at the Most Magical Place on Earth! 🫶

Have you tried pin trading?

Here’s a breakfast stop you may not be thinking of! Trattoria al Forno serves breakfast from 7:30am to 10:30am at the Bo...
19/07/2025

Here’s a breakfast stop you may not be thinking of!

Trattoria al Forno serves breakfast from 7:30am to 10:30am at the BoardWalk Resort. Trattoria is a short walk from the EPCOT Skyliner station and/or International Gateway if you aren’t staying at one of the Crescent Lake resorts (BoardWalk, Beach/Yacht, Swan/Dolphin)! Otherwise, you could have a rideshare drop you off for your reservation.

Here’s what I like about this restaurant.

🍽️ The food is great! From steak & eggs to avocado toast (and a few Italian inspired dishes in between), we were so happy with our meals.
💰 It’s relatively inexpensive for a Disney restaurant! My husband’s steak & eggs was $21, and my florentine frittata was $17.
⏰ It’s not a super busy restaurant, making this an easy spot to have a quick bite before your day at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios!

Once upon a time, you could meet Rapunzel and Ariel (and their princes) here, but that did not return post-pandemic. I still think the food is worth a stop if you’re looking for a quick and easy sit down breakfast! (They also serve Italian fare for dinner, but my family has yet to try that.)

Have you been to Trattoria al Forno?

!

One of my favorite Disneyland memories was waiting around patiently for Loki to come out, so I could finally meet him. M...
17/07/2025

One of my favorite Disneyland memories was waiting around patiently for Loki to come out, so I could finally meet him. Meeting a special character isn’t just for kids- it’s also for adults like me, who find fun and joy in a fandom like Disney or Marvel. You can see the excitement in my face- I look like I’m meeting a celebrity! We were having a conversation about my anti-hero shirt, and why he’s a HERO hero. 🤣

What’s your favorite Disneyland memory? Today is Disneyland 70th birthday! (Even though DCA came later, I think this memory still counts.)

Walt Disney World dessert parties are a popular way to see the Happily Ever After fireworks from a prime viewing locatio...
15/07/2025

Walt Disney World dessert parties are a popular way to see the Happily Ever After fireworks from a prime viewing location in Magic Kingdom. Let’s break down the different parties!

PRE-PARTY: Enjoy your desserts at a scheduled time BEFORE the fireworks, and then watch the fireworks from priority standing space in the hub grass.

SEATS & SWEETS: With this dessert party, you’ll enjoy desserts and take a seat on the Tomorrowland Terrace patio while the fireworks happen! 

POST-PARTY: Enjoy your desserts at a scheduled time AFTER the fireworks, but first watch the fireworks from priority standing space in the hub grass.

Prices can range from $99 to $129, depending on the party. There are pros and cons to each of these, in my opinion!

-With the Pre-Party, you’re free to go after the fireworks… But you might not have the best spot, as the Post-Party guest will get access to the hub grass before you.
- With the Post-Party, you get first dibs on a place to stand, but you’ll be eating dessert late during the summer months.
-Seats and Sweets lets you sit down, but the roof overhang may obstruct some of your vision.

Along with dessert, all guests have access to a variety of cheese and non-alcoholic beverages.  Guests who are 21+ may also enjoy alcohol.

We found this experience to be a fun way to watch the fireworks! I’m not sure it really saves you any time, as you still have to check in ahead of the fireworks display. But you can spend time eating dessert or lounging in the hub grass, rather than standing for an hour. :)

Have you done a dessert party at Disney?

This Monday morning I could use an extra shot of “wake up” after traveling home from New Orleans all day yesterday… if I...
14/07/2025

This Monday morning I could use an extra shot of “wake up” after traveling home from New Orleans all day yesterday… if I were in Walt Disney World, where would I get coffee?

Joffreys stands and Starbucks shops are pretty plentiful around Disney World, but my top pick would be La Petit Café in Disney’s Riviera Resort. A short walk from the Skyliner station at Riviera, this shop serves some delicious pastries (loved my chocolate almond croissant) as well as some top tier coffee. I tried the Cinnamon Cold Brew, which features some house-made honey almond whipped cream for $5.79. It was so refreshing, and sweet without being TOO sweet.

What’s your favorite coffee in Walt Disney World?

dsds

Happy Spaceship Earth Sunday! I think the sphere is even prettier at night. Did you know- there are 1,861 individual Poi...
13/07/2025

Happy Spaceship Earth Sunday! I think the sphere is even prettier at night. Did you know- there are 1,861 individual Points of Light on the surface of Spaceship Earth, and roughly 60 miles of cable were installed to light it all up!

10/07/2025

If you could build a Disney park anywhere in the world, where would you build one?

It’s time to party… holidays at Walt Disney World are coming! Event dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party have b...
09/07/2025

It’s time to party… holidays at Walt Disney World are coming!

Event dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party have been announced. This celebration is fun for the whole family! Party dates will run on select nights from Friday, November 7 to Sunday, December 21. Dates are:

Nov. 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30
Dec. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21

Disney’s Jollywood Nights also returns to Hollywood Studios! Jollywood Nights will light up the Studios with glitz and glam on select nights from Nov. 8th to Dec. 22nd. Note that November dates are set for select Saturdays and Mondays, while December dates fall on select Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Dates are:

Nov. 8, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29
Dec. 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 22

Tickets for both parties will go on sale for guests of Walt Disney World hotels on July 16th, and all other guests on July 22nd. Both events are an absolute blast, and I’m happy to help you secure your tickets!

Let’s gooooo 🎄 Festival of the Holidays returns to EPCOT ON November 28th! This is possibly my favorite EPCOT festival; ...
08/07/2025

Let’s gooooo 🎄 Festival of the Holidays returns to EPCOT ON November 28th!

This is possibly my favorite EPCOT festival; the storytellers around World Showcase really make the fest. I’ll leave more info from Walt Disney World below! ✔️

It’s My Favorite Monday, where I talk about some of my favorite theme park things! What’s my favorite ride at Disney’s C...
07/07/2025

It’s My Favorite Monday, where I talk about some of my favorite theme park things! What’s my favorite ride at Disney’s California Adventure? 

Given how much I loved this park, this one is hard for me to choose! I think in terms of fun and how many times I rode it, I’m going with the Incredicoaster. (Pay no attention to that supposed “fun wheel” next to it, I wouldn’t even get on it.) This is a good old-fashioned steel coaster, which launches fast at 55 mph and is just fun Incredible-themed vibes the rest of the almost three minute ride. There is one inversion/loop, and a height requirement of 48 inches. I enjoyed this ride so much I rode it four times over three days! 🙂

Do you have a favorite ride at DCA?

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Jen Theisen - Chasing More Vacations posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Jen Theisen - Chasing More Vacations:

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Claim ownership or report listing

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Travel Agency?

Share