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9/27/2022 • Blog, Cruises •
My family enjoys Disney and the quality of service that is synonymous with the Disney name. So, when we travel, Disney is our go-to company. Because we love to travel and see the world, we hop on a Disney Cruise and explore. The port excursions offer a variety of options that are both family-friendly and also selections that are for adults only. Disney Cruise Line has a variety of itineraries throughout Europe and they will be introducing new ports of call in 2023 and 2024 when they add Australia to one of their amazing destinations. My family always makes sure to add a couple of days to either the beginning or end of our sailing to truly experience one city more in-depth than just a port of call. We plan this in our own, but many of the embarkation/debarkation cities also have Adventures by Disney tour options that can be […]
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9/20/2022 • Cruises, Walt Disney World •
Look up, look down, and pay attention to the detail created by Disney Imagineers and Cast Members because hidden surprises are around every corner. Looking for Hidden Mickeys is a fun activity and provides an opportunity to explore all the creativity the Imagineer’s put into designing Disney. They can be found throughout the resorts, parks, Disney Cruise Line, and even on some Disney products. Or, it can even be as simple as a Cast Member being creative with the placement of dinnerware on the tables at a restaurant. Our family makes a game to see who can find the most Hidden Mickeys. We noticed it forces us to slow down and truly enjoy our surroundings and appreciate the little touches of magic that goes into creating all the magic. Since there are thousands of hidden Mickey’s all over Disney World, there are enough to keep you busy to discover new […]
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8/30/2022 • Adventures by Disney, Tips •
Have you heard of Adventures by Disney? I have found that many Disney lovers are not aware of Adventures by Disney and all it has to offer. Traveling with Adventures by Disney is a hidden Disney gem that is best known for immersing guests in the cultures and stories of unique worldwide destinations. There are so many fun and interesting destinations to choose from. If you are interested in seeing more of the United States, you might consider touring New York, San Francisco, Wyoming, Arizona, Philadelphia or Washington. If you decide to embark on an awesome International adventure, you might consider Australia, China, Italy, France, Ireland, Switzerland, South Africa or the Canadian Rockies just to name a few. This best kept secret offers an amazing value for your vacation dollars. Here are some of the reasons to inquire about traveling with Adventures by Disney. Hotels – Disney chooses hotels that […]
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8/23/2022 • Cruises, Tips •
For most cruisers, packing for a warm weather destination cruise is a piece of cake. However, sailing to Alaska can require a little more thought. For our Alaskan cruise, I was concerned about having enough variety of clothes for all potential weather while still being able to pack light. I didn’t want to pack a lot of heavier clothes that would add to the number of pieces of luggage. Layers, layers, layers was our motto. For most days, we started in jeans, t-shirts, a fleece jacket and windbreakers. As the day went on, we peeled off layers. We also purchased waterproof hiking shoes that were perfect for all of our excursions and our feet stayed dry. They were our go to shoes for rainy weather or hiking out to the base of a waterfall. Hats and gloves were only necessary when sailing through Tracy Arms. It got rather breezy and […]
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8/16/2022 • Blog, Disneyland, Holidays & Events, Walt Disney World •
There’s so much that we share that it’s time we’re aware, it’s a small world after all! It’s one of the most iconic and recognizable attractions at the Disney parks, and its accompanying song is known the world over, but do you know the history behind “the happiest cruise that ever sailed?” Back in 1964, Walt Disney was given the task of creating an attraction for the World’s Fair in New York with the theme “peace through understanding.” After much thought, he decided featuring children from all over the world would be the basis for carrying out this theme. Walt turned to famed artist Mary Blair to design what would become the most recognizable Disney attraction ever built. Mary had worked on other Disney projects, namely the storyboards for a number of animated feature movies, but this would be her biggest undertaking of all. For Small World, she created stylized […]
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8/9/2022 • Blog, Tips, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World •
My clients often come to me wanting to plan the perfect Orlando getaway but question which theme park is the best fit for their family. Both Universal Studios and Walt Disney World offer unforgettable experiences and tons of fun for everyone, however, they are unique destinations with many differences. While the decision can be difficult, I’m here to point you in the direction of your perfect vacation! One of the main differences between the resorts is the size. Walt Disney World is much larger than Universal Studios. Some people love the endless possibilities, while others find this overwhelming. If you fall into the latter category, don’t let this discourage you! You will not be able to see everything Disney has to offer on your first visit. Disney becomes more manageable if you make a list of must-dos before your trip. The attractions you choose will depend on the ages of […]
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6/13/2023 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios •
If you are weighing the idea of staying on property or off for a Universal Orlando vacation, consider the following list of benefits of enjoying one of Universal's incredible properties. • Early Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Volcano Bay. You are able to get in 1 hour prior to the public. • Shuttle busses to the theme parks and CityWalk, however, all of the resorts are within walking distance if you would like to take a leisurely walk to and from the parks. • Charging privileges with your room key. • Complimentary transportation to Sea World and Aquatica. • If golf is on your agenda, you are given priority tee times and complimentary transportation to select area golf courses. • Shop, shop, shop throughout the Universal property and enjoy complimentary delivery of packages to your resort. • Being on-site also provides easy access to and from […]
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7/19/2022 • Cruises, Tips •
Your Disney cruise is booked and the countdown clock is tickin’! You’ve scoured the internet for tips, booked excursions, scheduled a princess meet and greet, and are ready to order your Mickey bar at midnight from room service, but what should you expect on embarkation day? Let’s break it down so you make the most of your first afternoon exploring the ship! Online Check-In - 30 days prior to sailing, you can begin the online check-in. Add your flights, ensure your names and passport details are correct and select a port arrival time. Port Arrival - Unless you are arriving by DCL transfers, do not arrive early or you will be turned away from the port until your documented port arrival time. Luggage - If you have received DCL luggage tags, make sure those are attached to your luggage. * If taking DCL transfers, you will receive your DCL luggage […]
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7/12/2022 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
With summer upon us, the heat and humidity in Florida can send even the most southern of families screaming for some cooling relief. We know you’ve been eagerly anticipating your Disney World vacation for months and we don’t want you to miss out on any of the fun that Disney has to offer because of the heat. Here are some tips to help you survive the hottest and most humid of Disney days: 1. Take advantage of Disney’s Extra Magic Hours. By staying on property at Disney, you qualify to go early or stay late at Disney’s parks. The extra magic hours are the coolest of times to visit the parks not to mention the least busy times. Not a morning or a late person? Go back to your hotel during the hottest part of the day to rest so that you’ll have the energy for the extra magic hours. […]
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6/21/2022 • Reviews, Tips, Universal Studios •
When choosing table service restaurants for your next Universal Orlando vacation, look no further than Vivo Italian Kitchen. Located in Citywalk, you don't need park tickets to enjoy this delicious meal. Vivo has a modern look, with ample seating and an open kitchen. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked and smelled absolutely amazing, making us want to go back for another meal the next day. Each meal begins with a homemade loaf of Italian bread. Olive oil is provided at the table for dipping. Although all of the appetizers were tempting, we decided on the fried ricotta. The creamy rosemary and lemon ricotta was breaded and fried and served on a bed of homemade tomato sauce. It was so delicious we used the rest of the bread to mop up the tomato sauce. Entrees were an even more difficult decision. I was stuck between the lasagna made with […]
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