Blog Posts by Janene Jaroscak

Disney’s Aulani – a Hawaiian Experience

7/6/2022 • Aulani, Blog, Reviews • Visiting Hawaii is always a special vacation, but taking it a step further and spending your Hawaiian time at Disney’s Aulani is a magical treat for the entire family. From the time you are greeted at the resort entrance with your lei your luxury vacation as begun. This is truly a vacation that can be as relaxing or as active as you like. With spa services to exciting excursions, there is something for everyone. Activities/Pool There are plenty of activities to keep every member of your family busy. Excursions include Pearl Harbor, horseback riding, surfing lessons and shopping.  The Daily ‘Iwa will list the daily activities, which is broken down by age group and family focused, including character appearances. There are pools and whirlpools scattered throughout the pool deck catered to both children and adults. The highlight for many is the lazy river, which runs throughout the pool deck.  By […]

Frontera Cocina in Disney Springs

4/7/2022 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • My family loves to spend part of our Walt Disney World vacations visiting Disney Springs to explore the new restaurants and shops. This is a great way to use a day you may not be visiting a park or on your arrival or departure days and you need a few hours to fill your day. One of our new favorite eateries is Frontera Cocina by celebrity chef Rick Bayless. They offer delicious Mexican food with a “twist”. They are open for both lunch and dinner and offer specials Monday – Thursday. The inside of the restaurant is bright and inviting or you can be seated outside where it is a peaceful setting overlooking a small lake and great for people watching. A nice way to unwind after a busy day at the parks. The outside seating area is small and provides a more quaint and quiet dining experience. Even if […]

Virgin Voyages Shore Excursions

3/29/2022 • Blog, Cruises • If your vision of a cruise shore excursion is following a guide and a flag, you haven’t experienced a Virgin Voyage excursion. Virgin Voyages has taken the typical shore excursions and kicked it up a notch. The group sizes are small, and they offer experiences that are immersive by taking you off the beaten path. Virgin refers to their excursion as “shore things”. They can be booked through your travel agent or directly through the Virgin app. They are an excellent way to experience the culture and the area of each port. They give you memories to take home with you. For example, In Puerta Plata, in the Dominican Republic, I explored the jungle and mountains via a dune buggy. We had a small group of 28 people. This was a great way to explore the non-tourist area of the city. We got dirty – ok, VERY muddy riding through […]

Virgin Voyages: Adult Only Cruising

2/1/2022 • Blog, Cruises • Virgin Voyages launched their first cruise ship in the US in October 2021 and they have set the bar high for adult only cruising experiences. Virgin is different than other cruise lines for a variety of reasons. For me, it is a very laid-back environment that gives you the feel of sailing on a yacht vs a cruise ship. Again, it is adult only for anyone 18+, which provides a wonderful opportunity to reconnect. What’s included in the cruise fare? • All dining locations are included • No surprise costs at the end of your cruise and gratuities are included • Free internet onboard • Fitness classes • Soft drinks (Tea, filter coffee, non-pressed juices, water, and sparkling water, and Sodas) Dining and Lounges • The dining experience is beyond the typical cruise line with 10 different eateries all included. Menus have been created by Michelin star-rated chefs for experiences […]

Cabana Bay Beach Resort – Universal Orlando

10/25/2021 • Reviews, Universal Studios • Step back to a simpler time in this retro-style resort. Depicting the feel of the 1950s and ’60s, this resort makes you feel you have walked onto the set of Mad Men and the Brady Bunch. Cabana Bay may be considered a value resort, but it is a fabulous well-appointed, and clean resort and perfect for families with their spacious family suites, that sleep up to 6 people or their 2 Bedroom suites, that sleep up to 8. All family suites make dining more convenient for busy families with each suite fully equipped with kitchenettes complete with microwaves, mini-refrigerators, and a kitchen sink. Each living area also has its own flat-screen TV. If water fun is on your agenda, you can enjoy two large pools, one is complete with a lazy river. In my opinion, the best part of Cabana Bay is the fact it is adjacent to the all-new […]

What is Included in The Cost of a Disney Cruise?

8/27/2021 • Cruises, Tips • The cost of a Disney Cruise includes so many benefits that it truly makes it a great value for your money. One of the most important inclusions is the outstanding Disney service that my family has come to enjoy whether traveling with children or on one of their adult-only cruises. What is included in the cost of your cruise? All meals are included when dining in 1 of the 3 main restaurants, Cabanas buffet, the pool deck quick service locations, and the restaurants on Castaway Cay. In addition, there are locations throughout each ship that offer snacks during the day. Soft drinks and coffee are included with your meals and obtained at the self-service stations on the pool deck and Cabanas. Many of the items on the room service menu are included and available 24 hours/day in case you have a craving in the middle of the night. There are […]

Items Not Permitted on a Disney Cruise

8/17/2021 • Cruises, Tips • Packing for a vacation is an important part of the planning process, but rarely do people think about what they should NOT bring onboard a Disney cruise.  This is a broad overview of some of the items you should leave at home in order to provide a safe environment for all guests. If you have any questions about specific items, your Me and The Mouse Travel Specialist will be happy to assist. What NOT To Bring On Your Disney Cruise Absolutely no weapons or anything that may resemble a weapon. Includes explosives, ammunition, flares, knives or scissors exceeding 4”, or anything highly flammable. If you made a stop at Hollywood Studios prior to your cruise and bought a lightsaber, plan on shipping it home since it won’t be allowed on the ship. Scuba diving equipment, however, snorkeling equipment (mask, fins) are allowed. Air mattresses The only alcohol permitted to be […]

Boarding Day on a Disney Cruise

8/13/2021 • Cruises • You have been looking forward to your first cruise. You have reviewed your packing list a dozen times, booked your airfare but you still are not sure what will happen on the first day of your cruise. This is a quick rundown of what to expect. To make your boarding day easy, It’s important to do your online check-in prior to leaving home. Remember to get select your boarding time, print your documents and sign them. To make a smooth arrival, it helps to have your luggage tags on your bags prior to arriving at the port. A porter will take your bags from you and the next time you will see them will be in your stateroom. However, your stateroom won’t be ready until about 1:30 PM, so it is important to keep any items with you that you may need prior to getting access to your stateroom, like […]

Disney Cruise Line – Express Walk-Off

7/30/2021 • Cruises • It is always a sad day when it is time to disembark from your wonderful Disney Cruise vacation. Even though you don’t want the cruise to end, you may be anxious to get off the ship to spend time at Walt Disney World or to get to the airport to catch a flight. Disney Cruise Line has created Express Walk-Off to allow passengers to be the first off the ship. As a general rule, you will be able to walk off the ship around 7:15 AM if you participate in Express Walk-Off, however, please keep in mind it does depend on when Customs clears the ship, which may cause delays. There are a few important steps to follow in order to use this process:   1. You MUST be able to carry your own bags off the ship, which means you will not be following the regular procedure of setting your […]

Disney Cruise Line Discount Rates

7/27/2021 • Cruises, Tips • How many times have you had an itch to get on vacation, but the thought of making a reservation at the last minute would cost an arm and a leg? Disney Cruise Line may have a solution for last-minute planners. Many times, Disney Cruise Line releases promotional rates called IGT (Inside Guaranteed), OGT (Oceanview Guaranteed), and VGT (Verandah Guaranteed). Granted, you may receive a lower fare if you book as soon as Disney releases their new itineraries, but many people have a hard time planning that far in advance. If you happen to discover you have extra vacation days at work or you just need a little time away, these fares may be right up your alley.  They are usually quite a discount from the regular fares that you would book last minute. Disney generally releases these fares after the pay in full date, which for most sailings and stateroom […]