St George Island State Park, FL

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park is located on the eastern end of St. George Island, a barrier island in Franklin County on Florida's Panhandle. This state park boasts beautiful beaches, nature trails, and camping facilities. While our family has vacationed on the west side of the island for years, we decided to experience accommodations at the state park and camp as a family for the first time.

St. George Island welcome sign, April 2016

We arrived at the Park at 3pm, which was check-in time. After signing in at the ranger's office, we headed to the campgrounds. The camping area was located on a looped street with 60 camping spots and two bathrooms located within the loop. We quickly set up our tent and the kids got comfortable with their surroundings. 

Camping S'mores are a must! April 2016

Our campsite had vegetation on both sides, and aside from seeing the neighboring site's boat, we felt we had sufficient privacy. The site was very open to the road, but with our vehicle parked on-site, it provided additional coverage. It was your typical Florida state park campsite - fire ring, picnic table, water tap and electrical outlets. I wasn't expecting a gravel base at the campsite, but with the tarp beneath the tent, it wasn't too uncomfortable.  

Since we were camping on an island, with a beautiful beachfront as well as bay access, we intended to swim and kayak. Unfortunately, it was a bit too chilly and windy for either activity. We did see a gorgeous sunset from the beach though! 

While Spring weather in Florida can be unpredictable, we sure didn't expect the very windy night we endured. There were times during the night where the whole tent swayed and swelled. I was afraid that any minute the stakes would be pulled loose from the ground and the tent would collapse on us! The kids slept well, but my husband and I were awake most of the night, debating whether or not to escape the tent and just sleep in the car.

In the end, our tent held up well and we got some sleep. The next day we explored the trails around the park and then headed home.    

For our first family camping experience, I would say it was a success. There were several things I would have done differently. Mainly I would camp for more than one night. We planned for one night since we weren't sure if we would like camping as a family. Even so, it is a lot of work packing and preparing for a camping trip, so I feel like the effort would be better spent on two or more nights camping.

The next issue was the weather. Obviously, the weather is not something that can be controlled, but we had intended to spend most of our time at this park in and on the water. I guess a month or two later would have enabled us to utilize the Park's aquatic amenities. The hiking trails were nice, but there were not a lot of other things to do.

Duration: at least 1 night, preferably 2
Fun Meter: 4 thumbs up

Visit date: April 2016    

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - Magic Kingdom

Our family LOVES Disney! We have visited the Disney theme parks many, many, many, many times. And while we still enjoy every single trip we take there, we were ready to try something new. This time we decided to attend Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and we are so glad we did! 

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is held at the Magic Kingdom (MK) on certain nights from August to October. The Halloween Party is a separately ticketed event, meaning if you purchase a regular park admission ticket for the day, or are an Annual Passholder, you will have to purchase a separate, special event ticket to enter and stay for the party. Tickets range in price from $70-$120, increasing the closer it gets to Halloween. We felt it worth going in October - Friday the 13th to be exact - for the full "Halloween experience". 

Of course, for the full "Halloween experience" you need costumes! My girls dressed as Princess Belle and a Haunted Mansion guest while my husband and I donned pumpkin shirts. Fun and unique costumes are plentiful at the Party, but be aware that Disney has restrictions on what is allowed. Be sure to visit their website for a full and up-to-date list of Costume Guidelines before deciding on the perfect costume. 

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, October 2017

The Halloween Party times are officially 7PM until midnight. However, the MK allows Party guests to begin entering the Park at 4PM. We took advantage of the early entrance time and were even able to schedule two Fast Passes between 4 and 7PM. Fast Passes are not available during the actual Party. 

Upon arrival, signage directed us down a side street next to Tony's Town Square Restaurant. Here we were greeted by cast members bedecked in Autumnal-colored costumes handing us trick-or-treat bags and the first of many candies to come. *Note on the trick-or-treating aspect of the party - While kids may think unlimited candy is the best part of the whole night, know that there are about a dozen trick-or-treat locations. If you don't pick up candy at the first or second spot, no worries! There are plenty more opportunities throughout the park. Is it worth your time to stand in line for candy or for a ride?   

Speaking of rides, that was the best part of the whole night! Ride lines were minimal and during stage shows and parades, almost non-existent! We rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad three times in a row (running back through an empty queue line each time) during the early parade. While not all of the MK's rides are operational during the Party, a good number of them are. We hopped from ride to ride throughout the night, never waiting more than about 15 mins to ride.   

"Belle" on the Mad Tea Party ride, October 2017

Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride, October 2017

List of rides open during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2017: 

Adventureland                                                      

Swiss Family Treehouse                                            

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin                                  

Pirates of the Caribbean  

Frontierland

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 

Country Bear Jamboree

Liberty Square                                                      

Haunted Mansion    
                                               

Fantasyland  

"It's a Small World"

Peter Pan's Flight   

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid

The Barnstormer         

Dumbo the Flying Elephant         

Mad Tea Party          

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh      

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train        

                                          

Tomorrowland                                                       

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor                                     

Tomorrowland Speedway                                        

Space Mountain                                                         

Astro Orbiter                                                             

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover 

Buss Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin   
                       

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party brochure, October 2017

While my family wanted to spend time riding rides, there was certainly a lot more to do during the course of the evening. Meet-and-greets are said to be amazing. The usual characters are dressed up in Halloween attire and there are even some unusual characters to greet like Jack Skellington, Sally, and the Seven Dwarfs! There were also fun specialty food and merchandise like Candy-corn ice cream at Auntie Gravity's Galatic Goodies and commemorative Halloween Party 2017 trading pins for sale. 

As for entertainment, the Happy HalloWishes Fireworks show did not disappoint from almost anywhere you happened to be in the Park! The stage show "Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular" was offered three times that evening, while the "Boo-to-You" parade could be viewed twice during the party. 

We opted to view the last "Boo-to-You" parade, thinking it would be less attended. And while we did get a good curb-side seat on Main Street, it was not exactly less attended.     

Boo-to-You Parade, October 2017 

Ghostly Dancers in the Boo-to-You Parade, October 2017

Nevertheless, I am glad we decided on the later parade. We were tired by this time and ready to sit down. We got to take a few moments and really look around Main Street and see all of the Halloween decor. As usual, Disney did not disappoint. Upstairs windows housed shadowy figures and spooky sounds could be faintly heard from across the street. While a slight drizzle was to blame for the Headless Horseman not leading the parade, we loved the characters in costume, the ghostly dancers, the gravediggers scrapping their shovels down the street, and of course, all the villains!  

The Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, October 2017

We ended the night very tired, but very happy. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was a fabulously different way to enjoy the Magic Kingdom!

Duration: 8 hrs.
Fun Meter: 4 thumbs up
Visit date: October 2017