Blog Posts by Amy Sowinski

Transportation Options from Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)

8/21/2020 • Blog, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World • If you are reading this blog post, chances are you have found cheap flights from Allegiant to Orlando and are curious about your best options for transportation to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort. Allegiant flies into Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB) in Sanford, FL, which is northeast of Orlando, FL, and is considerably farther away from your travel destination than Orlando International Airport (MCO). One way to Universal Studios is about an hour’s drive. And for Walt Disney World, about an hour and twenty minutes. Both travel times depend upon construction, and I-4 traffic! Because of this, Having safe, reliable transportation to/from SFB is very important! So what are your options? There are no complimentary transportation services available at SFB to either theme park destination, but there are paid services available. Me and The Mouse Travel recommends the following, and can assist you with these booking options. Please note […]

Sheraton Vistana Resort-Review

6/24/2020 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • In what seems like a lifetime ago, I lived next door to a resort while attending my Walt Disney World College Program. We never gave this resort much attention but thought it looked fun and dreamed of visiting someday. Fast forward many years to a reunion trip with my former CP roommates, that dream came true. The Sheraton Vistana Resort in Lake Buena Vista (situated on 535, just off of I-4), is minutes away from Disney Springs and the World Gateway entrance to Walt Disney World. As a Marriott timeshare vacation destination, it boasts many amenities attractive to those who wish to stay in sunny Orlando at length. We stayed only 3 nights, but found this was the absolute best choice for our reunion weekend! The reception/check-in area was inviting, modern, and easy to navigate. Once checked in, you are ushered to the events desk where you are informed of […]

Black Tap: Casual Dining Experience at Downtown Disney in Disneyland Resort

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 […]

Lockers 101 – Universal Studios Orlando

2/4/2020 • Tips, Universal Studios • At Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando, most major attractions have a strict ‘no loose items’ policy - and that encompasses change, wallets, purses of any kind, backpacks, sunglasses, hats, etc. There are a few solutions to this:  asking a party member to hold everything while you enjoy the attraction is one solution, but a better one is to utilize Short-Term Lockers. Various locations throughout the theme parks, strategically located close to attractions with these requirements, will house banks of lockers with a digital kiosk.  Using the kiosk allows you to ‘rent’ a short-term locker by either using a fingerprint and code or your theme park admission ticket. You will then be assigned a locker for your belongings, which are roughly big enough for a standard-sized backpack. What’s great about these lockers?  They are FREE for the first hour, typically.  The FREE use of the locker is based […]

World of Color Dining Package: Carthay Circle – A California Adventure Dining Experience Review

1/24/2020 • Disneyland, Reviews • Journeying to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, for the first time as a family was an exciting experience. Such an experience required a proper celebration of food…and Carthay Circle fit that bill! Carthay Circle, located in California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street at the Disneyland Resort, boasts a grand marquee reminiscent of a movie theater of bygone eras. Inside, you’ll find this is exactly the aesthetic they planned for. Modeled after the Carthay Theater in Los Angeles where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs first premiered, you’ll find beautiful décor, intricate woodwork, and ambient lighting – you’ll feel like you should be wearing your best red-carpet attire! The lobby houses tables and chairs while you wait. There is also a lobby sushi bar, which I am told, has some of the BEST sushi in Anaheim!  The second floor (accessible by a grand staircase or fancy elevator), is the ‘theater’ floor. […]

Treehouse Villas Tour at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

7/12/2019 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • When larger parties are traveling to Walt Disney World, it’s good to know that unique lodging options are available.  At Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, guests have the opportunity to book a stay at the Treehouse Villas and experience an amazing getaway! The Treehouse Villas are great for parties up to 9 adults.  Each treehouse is secluded into a cozy wooded area, with views of woods or water, with a private deck and seating area, as well as a ‘park-style’ grill for some lovely evening hotdogs. Raised above the earth to look as if they are part of a tree, these villas are really exciting to see! Inside, the Treehouse Villas are beautifully decorated in a rustic, cabin style - boasting a queen bed, a bunk bed, a convertible couch, chair, shared bathroom, as well as a master suite with queen bed and bathroom. An in-room washer and dryer […]

Pre-Cruising at the Hyatt Regency MCO

4/30/2019 • Cruises, Tips • In a previous blog - Benefits of the Hyatt Regency MCO - I’ve discussed the awesome accommodations at the Hyatt Regency located inside of Orlando International Airport. I hope to enlighten you now to the benefits of a Pre-Disney Cruise stay here as well! We recommend arriving for your Disney Cruise and leaving from Port Canaveral at least 1 day early to avoid any hiccups with transportation. What better way to spend your pre-cruise night than in a plush hotel with a rooftop pool and with restaurants and shopping within walking distance?! How do you book the Hyatt Regency MCO?  Your Me and The Mouse Travel Agent can seamlessly add a night’s stay to your current Disney Cruise Line reservation. Rates are competitive, but the benefit of this seamless addition means you know that Disney trusts this resort to give you the quality and service you’re used to with a […]

Silent DJ – Fun for Adults on Disney Cruise Line!

2/8/2019 • Cruises, Reviews • Who said a Disney Cruise was only for kids?? Surely, not your travel specialist at Me and The Mouse Travel!  A Disney Cruise is fun for all ages and the adult entertainment on any Disney Cruise is exciting, entertaining, and just what you need to unwind at night! So, send the kiddos to the Oceaneer’s Club for the evening then over to the Nightclub and Lounge district on your ship after 9 pm. This is a chance to experience adult-themed entertainment such as game shows, trivia, karaoke, and so much more!  Disney knows that adults expect nightlife and they do deliver! On most nights, one event scheduled let’s you get your groove on without disturbing anyone else on the ship!  Late night, around 10:30 or 11:00 pm, the nightclub aboard your ship will turn into a dance club...silently! “But HOW” you might be asking?  Well, with a very cool activity […]

Storybook Dining at Artist Point {Review}

1/11/2019 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Artist Point, located in Disney Wilderness Lodge, is a favorite signature dining restaurant in Walt Disney World. They recently made a change (in December 2018), to a character experience known as Storybook Dining! This new family favorite restaurant will not only delight your taste buds but will also excite the kid in all of us with a unique character experience! Upon arrival, a brief ‘story’ is told of who will visit you during your dinner experience as well as the proper way to address The Queen! Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy will also visit guests with The Queen. You will notice lovely woodland decor at every turn, twinkle lights, and a storybook in the center of the dining room.  A Lazy Susan at your table resembles a great oak tree with leaves designed to hold both your appetizers and desserts! Signed ‘apples’ tie your silverware together. Snow White is introduced […]

Experience the Blue Man Group-Review

11/27/2018 • Reviews, Universal Studios • When traveling to Universal Orlando Resort, families and groups can experience world-class entertainment, one-of-a-kind thrills, and some of the most unique ‘eats’ available. Universal Orlando Resort offers so much for everyone, it is often easy to overlook those gems that not only are appealing to all ages but seem to never grow old themselves. One such gem is the Blue Man Group. Back in 2007, the Blue Man Group was added to Universal Studios’ line-up of entertainment choices on soundstage 18. After a successful run, it became a staple to Universal Orlando Resort - tweaking ever so slightly over the years to remain relevant, fun, and appealing to all! In May, I had the pleasure of experiencing a Blue Man Group performance. For anyone, young or old, who have never experienced live theater before, this is a GREAT introduction to it. You will have fun learning how live theater works, […]