Blog Posts by Beth Foster

Toddling Around the Universal Parks

1/14/2022 • Blog, Universal Studios • Universal has a reputation as the perfect destination for thrill-seekers, foodies, Muggles, and Wizards, but what about toddlers? Will my family with varying ages be able to find entertainment for everyone- even the littles? Happily, I can answer- yes! My three children span ages 12 to 2 years old. With varying interests and thrill levels, we found that there was plenty to enjoy for each age. Here are some specific areas of interest and some tips to help you with your next trip to Universal with little ones! Tip #1: Ride the Hogwarts Express! Sure, the Hogwarts Express is like a train, but in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal, it’s so much more! The train will take you between Kings Cross Station in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. This 10-minute trip is not only a mode of transportation, but also an attraction in itself! […]

Universal’s Endless Summer Resorts

12/18/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios • Surf’s up! Endless Summer: Surfside Inn and Dockside Inn, are two incredible new options for lodging during your next Universal stay! Located adjacent to each other, both Dockside and Surfside offer rooms with two queen beds with either a standard or pool view, but they also offer a second option for larger parties – two-bedroom suites! And the price point for these rooms is phenomenal! While the standard two queen rooms will comfortably sleep four, the family suites are larger at 440 square feet and will sleep up to six people! Both room types offer a single bathroom (the suite with double sinks), queen beds, ample storage, as well as a small kitchenette. Each kitchenette includes a microwave, a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, and a picnic table – perfect for families! Downstairs you will find a full quick-service restaurant with grab and go options as well as made to order […]

Attraction Spotlight: It’s a Small World

9/10/2021 • 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 […]

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

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 […]

Pregnancy and The Parks

6/18/2020 • Tips, Walt Disney World • *The following blog post contains anecdotal information about travel during pregnancy. It is not presented or intended to be used as medical advice. Consult your OB/GYN or advanced practice provider before you travel for medical advice specific to your circumstances. A Disney vacation is something the entire family can look forward to! With the attractions, characters, shows, and so much more, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy! But as a travel specialist, I am occasionally let in on some joyous news, often before families are ready to announce it publicly– someone in the family is expecting a baby! While this is incredibly exciting, mothers-to-be are often understandably nervous about what they will be able to do during their vacation. Will they be able to enjoy the Disney experience with the rest of the family? In my personal experience- YES! I have visited Disney World three times […]

Navigating a Disney Split Day

2/14/2020 • Tips, Walt Disney World • A Disney vacation is such a thrill and getting started with your planning begins with the resort hotel you select for your stay. But what if you can’t decide on just one resort? Don’t worry; you aren’t alone! Many families are torn between two or more resorts for their trip. Fortunately for you, there is an option that will allow you to try multiple resorts— a Disney split stay! What is a split stay? A split stay is a change from one resort to another during the course of your uninterrupted trip. Want that amazing pool at Disney’s Beach Club resort, but also would love to give your child the experience of a room overlooking the African animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? What about the ease of the monorail access at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, but also wanting the theming of a Cars suite at the Art of Animation […]

6 Tips for Single Parents at Walt Disney World

11/22/2019 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Thinking about a Disney vacation, but you are going as a single parent? Don’t worry! There are several tips and tricks that will make your Disney World vacation as a single parent a breeze! Schedule table service dining Anytime I take my children to Disney by myself, I make sure to reserve table service meals for us while in the parks. This prevents me from needing to get up from our table for napkins, condiments, drink refills, etc. I make sure to use our quick service credits from our dining plan for breakfast at our resort or a later dinner and make lunch our largest meal while in the parks. You also might want to avoid buffets if you have young children so you don’t have to leave the table at all. Your Me and The Mouse Travel Specialist can help you choose the best table service choices for your […]

Out of this World Dining at Oga’s Cantina

10/8/2019 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Dining in Hollywood Studios' Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is something that is not to be missed! At Oga’s Cantina in the heart of Batuu- you can experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the land! Dining reservations are highly recommended for Oga’s Cantina, but you can always inquire about walk-in seating. There is both a standing-room-only bar as well as some booths with seating along the periphery of the cantina. It’s hard to escape the upbeat atmosphere of Oga’s! With a deejay robot spinning the hits of the galactic airwaves- it’s hard not to get swept up into the excitement and energy of the cantina! And while the atmosphere alone is reason to visit Oga’s- I was pleasantly surprised by the food and drink I ordered! While looking at the menu- you will notice that there are a number of different options throughout the day- and several options for alcoholic […]

Dinner with Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare

7/2/2019 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • My favorite part of any Disney vacation is seeing my children experience the magic and wonder of the Disney parks. Part of that magic is meeting their characters! Having two young daughters- they are both excited to see each and every princess, but Cinderella is their current favorite! How perfect that we can see Cinderella, Prince Charming, the stepmother and the stepsisters all in one place- 1900 Park Fare in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort! Located just minutes from Magic Kingdom park- the Grand Floridian is my all-time favorite resort. Nestled on the first floor you will find 1900 Park Fare with a nightly dinner buffet featuring your favorite characters from the classic movie Cinderella. Upon arrival you will take a picture in front of the beautiful mural just outside the restaurant; this photo is included with your Memory Maker if you have chosen to add that to your resort package! […]

Dining at Blue Bayou in Disneyland

6/14/2019 • Disneyland, Reviews • Nestled in a quiet section of Orleans Square in Disneyland Park, you will find one of my favorite dining experiences! Blue Bayou, a restaurant whose name lives up to its creole-inspired cuisine, is an unassuming, but delicious dining experience with ambiance to match. As you enter this restaurant with an outdoor aesthetic, you can catch a glimpse of the boats from Pirates of the Caribbean coming by as they are taking off on their adventure. The sound of the water gently running by, the crickets and soft music- all seem to transport you out of Disneyland Park and onto the Louisiana bayou. Once seated, we couldn’t help but notice the beautiful lanterns hanging overhead against the seemingly black sky, even though we were comfortably seated indoors! As we opened our menus, we were treated to a surprise – though Blue Bayou is dimly lit, our menus included built-in flashlights to […]