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1/8/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios •
Visiting Universal Studios Orlando after 20 years feels like it's the first time ever experiencing it again! Everything I remembered has changed, and boy, have I been missing out! I would like to share with you about my recent “first” experience at Universal Studio’s Orlando destination. It was pretty incredible 20 years ago and now…it’s bigger, better, and more jaw-dropping than ever!! This was the first time I have ever stayed at Universal Studio Orlando Resorts. I decided to try out the 50-60 beach resort inspired Cabana Bay Beach Resort. I chose this resort because it says it all in its name…Cabana Bay Beach Resort. I love the beach and Cabana’s, so I selected this one! What’s a vacation without feeling some sand in between your toes? I loved coming back to this resort after a long day at the park. It felt like I was on the beach to […]
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12/8/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Do you love Thanksgiving? If you're anything like me you do. Liberty Tree, located in the Magic Kingdom, serves up delicious Thanksgiving favorites, family-style, and year-round. Located in Liberty Square, Liberty Tree Tavern serves an all you care to eat family-style feast. The theme of this restaurant is a colonial style and even the cast members are dressed in traditional clothing that makes you feel as if you have gone back in time to 1776. To begin your meal, you will be served the Declaration Salad consisting of mixed greens and a house-made dressing. The main course, The Patriot's Platter, serves up all of your Thanksgiving favorites including roast turkey, pot roast, roasted pork, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, vegetables, and of course stuffing. I can never seem to have enough turkey and stuffing. The best thing about this meal is that it serves up something for everyone. My kids […]
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11/10/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Have you ever wondered what Disney World looks like through the eyes of a seven-year-old? Do they really appreciate all the magic or do we just convince ourselves of that? Sitting down with my seven-year-old son the other night, we had a conversation that went down the Disney path (which frequently happens with our conversations) and it led me to ask him some pointed questions. Questions that might just help you as you plan your trip with a school-aged child and I thought some of his answers were great! Note: this particular seven-year-old has been to Disney over....well, a lot in his short life so far. He knows the parks inside and out and has been on every single ride that he is able to go on due to height restrictions. Some he may never go on again because the thrill just isn't for him (i.e. Space Mountain & Everest). I had him […]
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10/13/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Disney’s Beach Club Resort it truly one of my favorite resorts on property! From its incredible location just steps away from Epcot, to its pool and dining options, there are so many reasons to stay at Beach Club on your next Disney vacation. This resort looks like it’s right out of the pages of a New England architectural journal. Painted in pastel blue and white hues with lighthouse-style architectural features, this resort is appealing from the moment you pull up to its drive. Upon entering, the lobby includes seaside and nautical touches. Dining: Just off the lobby, you’ll notice several of the resort’s table service restaurants. Here you can dine at Ale and Compass, a New England steakhouse, Cape May Cafe, a character breakfast and seafood buffet lunch and dinner, and Beaches and Cream- a seaside-style soda shop with a variety of boardwalk foods. You can also relax and take […]
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10/9/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
In my 8 years of planning Disney vacations, one of the most common questions I get is, “What is your favorite resort on Disney property?” I don’t even hesitate with my answer, "Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort." “The Poly”, as it is often referred to as, is one of the three deluxe resorts on the monorail loop. The Polynesian is one of the original resorts that opened along with Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971. The theme of this resort is a Pacific Island paradise. Upon arrival, you will notice lush greenery and colorful flowers that leave you feeling like you have just been planted into the tropics. With a short walk through the beautiful greenery, you enter The Great Ceremonial House which is the lobby of the resort where you will be welcomed with a warm Aloha. Dining at the Polynesian resort is a must-do in my opinion even […]
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10/6/2020 • Blog, Disneyland, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
One of my family's favorite attractions in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World is The Haunted Mansion. Set in a Louisiana plantation mansion, the attraction is home to 999 happy haunts. I love the queue, where you'll find a horseless drawn hearse, tombstones, and other interactive haunted objects to make your wait a little more fun. Upon entering the mansion you will be escorted into a room with no windows and no doors. Watch the walls and ceiling as the room seems to grow before your very eyes. As lightning strikes, you will follow the passageway to your "Doom Buggy". This slow-moving ride takes you through the most haunted rooms of the mansion, where you will learn some interesting facts about the mansion's most popular and permanent residents. As you twist and turn down the halls you will see spooky paintings, statues, books, and more. On your way, you will […]
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5/8/2020 • Disneyland, Reviews •
If you’ve been to Walt Disney World, chances are you have seen Sorcerer Mickey battle evil in this live show. On my recent trip to Disneyland, I got to see the West Coast version of Fantasmic up close and personal and it did not disappoint. Knowing that viewing areas are hard to come by in Disneyland, I opted to try one of the dining packages at River Belle Terrace. River Belle Terrace is located in Disneyland park in New Orleans Square next to Pirates of the Caribbean and right in front of Rivers of America. This is an outdoor café and makes for a truly beautiful experience to sit out in the California sun and have a nice meal. The menu for the Fantasmic Package is a Prix Fix Menu which includes a non-alcoholic beverage, an appetizer, which was a choice between a salad or corn chowder, main dish, which […]
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3/27/2020 • Disneyland, Reviews •
After a long day in the theme parks, many visitors in the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, like to spend their evenings in Downtown Disney. Shopping, dining, and live music are always a treat and Downtown Disney has no shortage of any! At Black Tap, a fast, casual dining location, you’ll find a long line. A line that one might not want to wait in just for a burger and milkshake. But oh, it is very worth it! Because it’s not just a burger or just a milkshake… Black Tap has the line-wait down to a science, really! What looked like an hour wait, was about 20 minutes to get to the ordering counter. Once in line, your party name and size are taken, and you are offered a menu to start planning your meal. This is a quick-service location with a large dining area, so it holds and moves […]
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2/7/2020 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
With so many fabulous table service restaurants in Disney World, it can be difficult to choose. While I have never personally been disappointed at any of the locations I’ve dined at, there are still a few my family has yet to try. We have a bucket list of restaurants that we haven’t dined at, and on each trip, we make sure to try at least 2 or 3 different restaurants. On our last family trip, we finally checked Rose and Crown off our dining bucket list. Nestled in the UK pavilion of Epcot, this family-friendly British pub boasts some truly delicious food. We were seated waterfront for our dinner. Had we chosen a later reservation it would have been the perfect spot to view the night show Epcot-Forever. Outside seating is covered, providing shade from the Florida sun, while inside looks like you’ve walked right into a traditional pub in […]
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1/17/2020 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
From the moment you walk in Takumi-Tei, you will begin a culinary experience that rivals any at Walt Disney World. Here you are enlightened to Japanese culture through an amazing dining team and incredible artisan food. In this blog, I will tell you why I chose this new restaurant at Epcot to celebrate my birthday at Takumi-Tei. Takumi-Tei is Japanese for “house of artisan” and your entire dining experience is one that is truly that. You are greeted by the dining staff outside the restaurant door. Here you will be guided inside into a hallway with water, wood, earth, stone, and washi paper displayed. This is an intimate area where you are educated on the importance of each and how your dining is influenced by them. It’s important to note there is no waiting area inside. Once you walk in you are now part of the dining experience. You are […]
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