Blog Posts by Amy Sowinski

Attraction Spotlight – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

11/6/2020 • Blog, Disneyland, Walt Disney World • Oh 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways… Let me start by saying this is/was my absolute favorite attraction ever at Walt Disney World. It’s older sister, Submarine Voyage at Disneyland, is right up there with it...but 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was just *chef’s kiss* the complete embodiment of wonder, suspense, and magic. Based on the 1872 novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea , by Jules Verne, and the 1954 Disney movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea starring Kirk Douglas and James Mason - this attraction took much of what made Submarine Voyage great, and turned it into something even more spectacular. On opening day of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea could be found nestled back in Fantasyland, within a huge lagoon that spanned from Pinocchio’s Village Haus to the Grand […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Benefits of the Hyatt Regency at Orlando International Airport

8/28/2017 • Reviews • The Hyatt Regency at Orlando International Airport is a lovely alternative for a 1 night stay surrounding your full vacation.  Located on B side terminal, the Hyatt provides restaurants, bars, waiting areas, free lobby wi-fi, conference rooms and ballrooms to guests and visitors. To those staying at the Hyatt, free in-room wi-fi, plush bedding, in-room fridge, flat screen tv’s, room service, and a rooftop pool (with poolside room service!) are just some of the luxurious amenities provided. Surrounding the terminal, large rooms provide guests with a soundproof experience, black out curtains for uninterrupted sleep, and valet service for bags and/or your car.   Soundproof rooms are not a misnomer. While there are some terminal sounds you may hear, if your balcony faces it (other rooms face the outer perimeter of the airport), you will have a quiet night sleep.  My family could not tell we were at the airport! The […]

A Different Way to View WDW Fireworks

3/8/2024 • Tips, Walt Disney World • “The perfect spot to view the Magic Kingdom Fireworks”... is a very subjective opinion. For those who have seen Magic Kingdom Fireworks before, they might suggest to you, “Why not…”: Main Street by The Plaza Restaurant?  The Hub?  The Rose Garden? Tomorrowland Terrace? Main Street USA near the Train Station?  Liberty Square bridge?  These are all amazing spots...but I’m suggesting you take a different and more adventurous approach to your fireworks viewing experience!   ***this is a suggestion for those who have seen the fireworks before, or don’t feel like grabbing a spot early to view them in their entirety***   First, check your My Disney Experience app to see when the evening Fireworks will be offered the day you will be visiting the Magic Kingdom. Times may vary depending upon extended evening hours, special events, holidays, etc. Second, arrange a Lightning Lane for a time that overlaps evening fireworks […]

The Ganachery at Disney Springs

4/2/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • You will find all this and more at The Ganachery, located in The Landing at Disney Springs. This fancy chocolatier has a wide variety of sweet in which to indulge. Samples are often given of fillings to entice passersby...much like I was with an amazing peanut butter filling. The display case was filled with the fanciest squares of chocolates I had ever seen. We chose 6 chocolates to sample:  2 peanut butter chocolate, 1 mint, 1 raspberry, and 2 salted caramels.  We then took our delights into Jock Lindsey’s Hangar bar to enjoy with a cocktail.  It was a refreshingly wise choice! Our chocolatier boxed our chocolates in delicate wrapping, within a designer box, which was then wrapped in special Valentine ‘end’.  Expertly crafted chocolates and presentation.  Unboxing our chocolates was almost as fun as eating them!  The loveliest part was discovering an inspirational quote on the back of The […]

Visiting Marceline, MO – Walt’s Boyhood Home

2/19/2016 • Disneyland, Walt Disney World • No Disney Fan’s adventures would be complete without a trip to Walt’s boyhood home of Marceline, MO!  Nestled about an hour and a half north of Columbia, MO, this quaint town exudes charm and Disney History around every corner! Take the Disney tour of Marceline - the Walt Disney Hometown Museum containing personal letters, photos, and other Disney artifacts - guided by volunteers who met and housed Walt himself on his numerous visits “back home”. See where the Original Midget Autopia from Disneyland Park was relocated to at Walt Disney Municipal Park. You can then visit the Disney Family Farm and the Disney Barn...as well as see (what’s left of) Walt’s Dreaming Tree - where it’s said that Walt dreamed of being a cartoonist. In the barn, leave your legacy by signing the interior walls, and bask in the wide open spaces of the surrounding farm. Next, walk down the […]