Blog Posts by Beth Foster

Pack like a Travel Agent: Toiletry Bag Edition

10/28/2025 • Tips • Welcome back to my series “Pack like a Travel Agent.” Today’s topic is toiletry bags and how best to maximize your space for all those essentials! Stick with me and I’ll show you how I pack my own toiletry bag. If you plan to pack your toiletries in your checked baggage, you don’t have to worry about the size of the containers quite so much. You still need to comply with the TSA’s restrictions about what can be packed in carry-on and checked luggage. Please see the TSA’s website for the most accurate and up-to-date information: Travel Tips: 3-1-1 liquids rule | Transportation Security Administration (tsa.gov) The Toiletry Bag: When selecting a toiletry bag, I would stick with a few key characteristics. I would highly recommend a toiletry bag with a hook to hang it from the towel bar or shower hook when you get to your destination. I’ve also […]

Resort Spotlight: Pixar Place Hotel

7/1/2025 • Blog, Disneyland • Once you arrive at the Disneyland Resort, there is no denying the magic that awaits you in the parks, but what’s even better than visiting the magic? Why staying in the magic, of course! My favorite Disneyland Resort hotel is the newly renovated Pixar Place Hotel. Located just outside of the Downtown Disney District, Pixar Place Hotel has so much to offer! Rooms Newly renovated rooms are beautifully themed in the Pixar animation style! You’ll notice subtle nods to some of your favorite characters from your favorite Pixar movies from the moment you step inside. Inside each room you’ll notice a mural of some classic Pixar pals, and don’t forget to take a look at the decorative pillow on your couch for a fun nod to the original “Pixar Ball” that we all remember! The standard room can sleep up to five adults, making it a great option for families! […]

Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point!

1/28/2025 • Blog, Cruises • Both Disney Cruise Line veterans and newbies alike have all been waiting in anticipation for Disney’s newest port visit- the all-new Lookout Point at Lighthouse Cay! Those familiar with Disney Cruise Line’s private Island, Castaway Cay, will understand what a highlight of the cruise it is for so many families. Now that Lookout Point at Lighthouse Cay has been opened, let’s get into the details of this newly-opened island and what is offered! Before you make your way down to the island, make sure you have the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app on your phone, to check out the schedule on land and sea! As with any port visit, make sure you have your Key to the World Card or DisneyBand+ with you before you disembark the ship. You will not be allowed off the ship or back on without that. And double check the all aboard time before departing […]

Pixar Fest at Disneyland!

6/25/2024 • Blog, Disneyland • Disneyland is known for being the original family theme park- for classic characters and attractions that we all know and love. Disneyland’s Pixar Fest is a new, in-park experience with some of the more recent characters you love in the most magical of settings- Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure. From now until August 4, you can catch your favorite Pixar characters at several specially themed events daily. In Disney’s California Adventure, make sure you catch the daily parade, “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” in Pixar Pier with Pixar-themed floats, songs, and characters. From UP, to Luca, to Inside Out- there you will see more than two dozen fun and rare characters to see in the parade each day! There’s just nothing like a Disney parade, and with this Pixar twist, it’s a parade like no other! Disney California’s Adventure is also the place to be if you’ve brought […]

Pack like a Travel Agent: Hat Edition

5/15/2024 • Blog, Tips • There are so many reasons to bring a hat with you on your vacation- no matter the destination. I always bring a hat for sun protection or warmth depending on the destination but have struggled with how to pack or carry my hat without causing damage to it. After years of trial and error, I am happy to share my best tips with you! The first thing you need to decide is how you’d like to carry your hat. If it’s an expensive hat, you probably want to pack it in its original box that it came with or simply wear it. If that isn’t an option. Here are some options for carrying your hat with you outside of a bag. The Bag Method If you need to keep your bag with you, a specialty tote bag made for hats is a great option. This allows a little extra protection […]

Disney Springs 101

9/19/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World • As I am assisting families with planning their vacations, I am often asked for recommendations for activities during a day when they will not be visiting the parks or leaving the parks early. One of my most frequent suggestions is a visit to Disney Springs! Disney Springs is a bit of a lesser-known gem at the Walt Disney World Resort. If you visited Disney World in the past, you may also know it by its previous name- Downtown Disney. Here you will find a plethora of entertainment, dining, and shopping options for the whole family. Disney Spring is in the southeastern corner of the Walt Disney World Resort property, and just across the lagoon from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. You can arrive via bus from any of the on-site Disney resort hotels or if you’re staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, it’s a simple walk to the eastern entrance. If […]

The Magic of Disneyland Character Dining!

9/5/2023 • Blog, Disneyland • What is a Disney vacation without the characters? While many will line up for lengthy wait times to visit their favorites, a huge time saver in the parks is character dining! There is nothing like enjoying a meal in the comfort of one of the Disneyland Parks and Resorts restaurants while the characters come to you! Thankfully, Disneyland offers several opportunities to see your favorite Disney pals while enjoying delicious meals! Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park (Disneyland Park) If you’re looking for character dining inside Disneyland Park- this is the meal meal for you! Taking place daily in the Victorian elegance of The Plaza Inn adjacent to Main Street, USA- this breakfast includes an all-you-can-eat buffet of tasty favorites, such as bacon, eggs, cereals, fruit, omelets, and more! As you take in the view of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, you can expect to see Minnie and a number […]

Magical Military Discounts

5/19/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World • With the sacrifices that military families make daily, a small token of appreciation that corporations and retailers can offer is a military discount. If you are headed to Disney World as a military family- your dollar will go farther with a number of discounts available to you! Disney World Room Discounts In addition to the convenience and location, there is just something about the Disney resorts that adds that extra bit of magic and pixie dust to your stay. And for eligible servicemembers and their spouses, Disney offers a great discounted room offer! Traveling with a large family in multiple rooms? No problem! Up to three rooms may be reserved using the discount. Some resorts are excluded from the military discount— including Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and the Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (suites are eligible for the discount). Just remember, a […]

All about MagicBand+

3/14/2023 • Blog, Disneyland, Walt Disney World • The wait is over! MagicBand+ has made its much-anticipated arrival in Walt Disney World and Disneyland! But what is MagicBand+ and how does it compare to the original MagicBand that debuted a decade ago? Which version will best serve me during my trip? MagicBand+ is a new, interactive wristband to enhance your Disney World vacation. When the first generation MagicBand was introduced 10 years ago, it provided the ultimate convenience for your Disney World trip- the ability to have your tickets, room key, FastPass selections, room charges, and Memory Maker photos all on one bracelet. No more reaching into your wallet every time you need to scan into a queue for your FastPass or reaching for your wallet when you need to charge that Mickey Bar to your room! MagicBand revolutionized the way we vacationed at Disney! MagicBand+ has the same functionality as the original MagicBand, but with some new […]

Life Hack: Landry’s Card to the (Dining) Rescue!

9/6/2022 • Blog, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World • Their names are synonymous with fun family dining- T-Rex and Rainforest Café. Both restaurants are housed at Disney Springs and attract families from all over to dine and experience the food and unparalleled atmosphere they offer! Because of their popularity, reservations should be made as close to 60 days in advance of your room check-in as possible. But what if you couldn’t get dining reservations? No worries- they Landry’s Select Club to the rescue! Both T-Rex and Rainforest Café are Landry’s restaurants, and as such, they are eligible for the benefits associated with Landry’s Select Club. Joining the club is a one-time $25 fee, and you receive $25 off of your bill the first time using the card at any Landry’s location! You also receive a $25 gift on your birthday as well as PRIORITY SEATING! Yes! If you show your Landry’s Select Club card at the hostess stand, you […]