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1/19/2021 • Cruises, Disneyland, Tips, Walt Disney World •
You booked your Disney vacation over six months ago. The anticipation is unbearable! Here are some fun ways to help your kids (and you) count down to the magical day! 1. Make a paper chain. Remember counting down to Christmas using those? Use Mickey colors or favorite princess colors. 2. Watch Disney movies. One week before the trip, stack up seven movies, and watch one each night. This will help the kids countdown the days and get reacquainted with the characters. 3. Mickey Dry erase board. Print off a Mickey-themed picture and place it in a cheap frame with glass. Use a dry eraser marker to count the days down. 4. Paper bag surprise. A week before your trip, fill a paper bag with a Disney goody such as stickers, autograph books, penny bags for the penny-press, spending money, etc. Staple each bag and number the bag. Let the […]
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1/15/2021 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
I grew up going to Disney World. My parents took me, my brother, and two sisters multiples times while we were young. We went at different times and when we were of different ages. The first time my brother (the youngest of the four of us) made the trip was when he was 4 years old. During that visit, I was 12 and it never crossed my mind if Jared was old enough to go or could have gone when he was younger. Fast forward a bunch of years. Just 10 weeks after I gave birth to my second child, my husband had a work trip taking him to Florida so the kids and I tagged along and we took them to Disney. Some of my friends and family said my baby boy was too young while others said no you are fine. That is a question that so many […]
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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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1/5/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Disney’s Riviera Resort opened on December 16, 2019, and is inspired by the magic of Europe that Walt Disney fell in love with. This is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resort and offers an array of room options and based on availability, non-DVC members can experience the Villa difference. Prepare to be whisked away by the influences of Europe and the Mediterranean that can be found throughout the Resort. There are grand archways and porticos. As you approach the entrance, there is a terrace with seating and a serene bubbling fountain. When entering the main lobby, it is quaint and intimate with a mix of modern and classic 20th-Century furnishings. There is a small retail shop, La Boutique, with a variety of Disney and resort-themed merchandise, necessities, as well as grocery items that can be prepared in your Villa. Le Petit Café can also be found here! Named after the […]
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1/1/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Disney’s Hilton Head Island resort in South Carolina didn’t disappoint our family. We were there for a 4-day trip and we left wishing we had booked more time! We were traveling with 2 adults and 2 kids (17, 7, and 6) and there was something for everyone, and yes, even in December, when the highs each day were in the 50s! The rooms are spacious and comfortable with large balconies. The resort always feels pretty quiet, even when you are overlooking the pool. A beloved cast member at Hilton Head Island was Carol from NJ. Everyone knows her and loves her. At the end of our 2nd day, our kids felt like she was part of the family. If you run into her on your first trip she will happily give you a tour of the resort and you won’t regret it! It is the perfect getaway, no matter the […]
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12/18/2020 • Blog, Cruises •
Virgin Voyages is new to the Cruise Line scene - and will be one of the best! With their maiden voyage on the Scarlet Lady in 2021, there’s so much to explore on this adult-only vacation at sea! The Scarlet Lady will set sail for voyages within the Caribbean and Mexico - with a home port of Miami, FL. Later in 2021. The Valiant Lady will take its maiden voyage, venturing through the Mediterranean and on TransAtlantic voyages. With the state of the world, you might be wondering what sets this cruise line apart from others in terms of health and safety? Well, both state-of-the-art ships are equipped with the leading technology in cleaning, air purification, and sanitation through their Voyage Well program and Expert Advisory Group. Touch-less stateroom entry and mobile app will keep transactions at a minimum. You can rest easy knowing that every precaution will be taken […]
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12/15/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
When visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, it always seems that time just goes way too fast. Before you know it, you’re back home thinking of all of the fun and magical memories that were created. A special part of these memories is the photographs that capture these special moments. They are ones that you’ll look back on in years to come to relive the magical time you had. Disney recognized how important it is to be able to look back on these memories. This, in turn, brought about the creation of the Disney PhotoPass. A recent addition to the different Disney PhotoPass options is the Super Zoom Magic Shot. The Super Zoom Magic Shot is a great way to get everyone in the picture in front of some of Disney’s iconic structures and lands. Disney PhotoPass photographers are roaming by Cinderella’s Castle, Batuu, and the Millennium Falcon at […]
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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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12/4/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
Disney has changed how one thinks about quick-service food in a theme park. Instead of just hamburgers, hotdogs, and pizza, their offerings reflect the many tastes and personalities of their guests which makes quick service dining an experience to look forward to. But let’s be honest, we all hate waiting in lines. When visiting Walt Disney World, lines are inevitable, but Disney’s mobile dining orders can give you some of your time back and minimize the lines you experience at the parks. Mobile ordering is available for most quick-service locations and a recent addition is some table service locations. Table service locations are listed in your app with the words “To Go” at the end of the restaurant name. To start your order, 1. Click on the “+” on the bottom of the home screen of the My Disney Experience app. 2. Then, click “Order Food”. 3. Alternatively, click on […]
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11/27/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
There is so much to think about when planning a Walt Disney World vacation. While your focus is probably on booking hotels, getting your hands on park tickets, and making sure everyone has enough clean clothing to last the duration of your trip, it is easy to overlook a very important part of your vacation...the stroller. Now, don’t panic! If you find yourself stroller-less as you disembark your flight, or stumble out of your car after a road trip that felt like it would never end, there are plenty of options available to you once you reach Orlando. When choosing a stroller option there are three things to consider. 1. Convenience 2. Needs 3. Price What Options are Available? Bring a stroller from home. Bringing a stroller from home can be a great option. It makes sense if you have room in your car, or don’t mind bringing an oversized […]
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