Blog Posts by Janene Jaroscak

Airport Transportation – Disney’s Magical Express

7/31/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World • Disney’s Magical Express is the start of your magical vacation at Walt Disney World as they transport you from the Orlando International Airport to your Walt Disney World resort. This service is complimentary for all Walt Disney World resort guests. If you have used this service in the past, things have changed slightly with new procedures during their Covid-19 updates. Your Arrival to the Orlando International Airport (MCO): *From your gate, take the monorail to the main terminal *If you have checked bags, proceed to Level 2 and collect your bags *Proceed to Disney’s Magical Express Welcome Center on Level 1, Side B (look for the signs) *Present your Magic Band or Magical Express documents & you will be directed to the correct line for the bus to take you to your resort On your departure day: *The day prior to checkout, you will receive a notice hanging on your […]

The Boardwalk Entertainment District

6/5/2020 • Walt Disney World • If you are looking for evening activities, head over to the Boardwalk resort area where you can experience shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. The Boardwalk is a short boat ride or walk from both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It is a quarter of a mile-long promenade created around Crescent Lake and designed to look like a quaint Mid-Atlantic seaside village from the early 1900s. Crescent Lake is surrounded by 3 Deluxe category resorts (Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk), restaurants, and a variety of entertainment venues.  You can stroll the Boardwalk any time of the day and enjoy the extras that are only a few steps out of your resort door. If you are a sports fan and want to watch your favorite NFL team on a Sunday or take in a big sporting event, you can stop in the ESPN Club which hosts live. Schedules vary so check out ESPN […]

Finding the Best Location for You on a Disney Cruise Ship

2/11/2020 • Cruises, Tips • One of the most common questions we receive from cruise clients is the best location when selecting a stateroom. If you are sensitive to motion, having a stateroom center ship and on a lower deck may provide less movement of the ship. Selecting a stateroom with a verandah or an oceanview will also help if you begin to feel queazy so you have the ability to look at the horizon. The verandah stateroom is also an added benefit for the ability to step outside for fresh air. Many people feel being high up on a ship is more desirable. If this is your preference, it’s important to know that staterooms on the deck right under the pool deck tend to have noise early in the morning as they move the deck chairs around the pool getting ready for the day. Therefore, if you are a light sleeper, this location may […]

Items Not Permitted on a Disney Cruise

12/10/2019 • 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 […]

Hidden Mickey Scavenger Hunt – Disney Style

10/4/2019 • Cruises, Walt Disney World • What is a hidden Mickey? A hidden Mickey is generally 3 circles in the shape of Mickey’s head and can come in a variety of different forms. It can be as simple as a Cast Member being creative with the placement of dinnerware on the tables at a restaurant, a design incorporated in a chandelier, or a a Mickey head etched into the pavement. They are located throughout the parks, resorts, restaurants, select merchandise, and on each ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Pay attention to the detail created by Disney Imagineer’s and Cast Members because hidden surprises are around every corner. Looking for Hidden Mickeys is a fun activity and provides an opportunity to explore all the creativity the Imagineer’s put into designing everything Disney. So when you’re standing in queue for a ride, look around and see if you can locate a hidden Mickey. If you want […]

What is Included in The Cost of a Disney Cruise?

8/2/2019 • 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 […]

Tiffins Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

5/29/2019 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Tiffins Restaurant is a Disney Signature restaurant located in the Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The menu contains items representing African, Indian, and South American and is open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is inspired by the travels of the Imagineers explorations when they were creating the Animal Kingdom park. When dining at this location, be sure you take time to visit each of the three separate dining rooms. The separate rooms are referred to as galleries because they are themed and filled with select artwork. The waitstaff is eager to share the background of each room and art pieces. By having the restaurant separated by rooms, it helps makes your dining experience feel more intimate and is a quieter type of setting. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, this will be a 2-credit table service reservation since it is a signature restaurant. You can also add to […]

Baseball Events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

4/5/2019 • Walt Disney World • Summer and baseball go together like peanut butter and jelly. Whether you are a baseball fan or simply looking for something to do outside of the theme parks, stop over to ESPN Wild World of Sports which is located on Walt Disney World property. 2019 wrapped up the final year that the Atlanta Braves will be using the facility for their Spring Training, but other fun tournaments are scheduled over the summer. This beautiful complex will be hosting youth baseball games during select dates this summer. May 25 – May 27, 2019 Disney Memorial Day Baseball Classic – 8U – 16U June 21 – June 28, 2019 AAU Summer Baseball  - 8U – 14U June 30 – July 12, 2019 Disney International Salute to Baseball – 8U – 18U August 31 – September 2, 2019 – Disney Labor Day Baseball Class – 8U – 16U Transportation to the venue is […]

Using Water Transportation Around Walt Disney World

1/30/2019 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Getting around Walt Disney World property takes many forms including buses, the monorail, and walking. But my favorite way is taking a leisurely boat ride to and from select locations. Location of water transportation: Magic Kingdom Area: Sailing on the ferry from the Transportation Center to Magic Kingdom Boats run between Magic Kingdom, the Grand Floridian Resort and the Polynesian Resort There are a variety of routes that will transport guests between Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, the Contemporary resorts and Magic Kingdom.   Epcot and Hollywood Studios Area: This is my favorite area to use the boats to move between Hollywood Studios and Epcot. If you are not staying at the following resorts but have dining reservations in this area, you are able to take the bus to Hollywood Studios. Before the park entrance on the right-hand side, you will see the boat launch area. Simply hop on the boat […]

Doing Laundry on a Disney Cruise

12/4/2018 • Cruises, Tips • Doing laundry on a Disney Cruise is a great way to help if you are a light packer and/or you do not want to return home with dirty clothes. Disney makes it easy and convenient. Each of the Disney Cruise Line ships have 24-hour self-service laundry rooms. Cost $3.00 Washer $3.00 Dryer $1.00 Laundry Detergent *Please note that prices are subject to change. Paying is easy and you don’t need to lug quarters around. You simply use your Key to The World Card to purchase credits that can be used for each wash/dry cycle. The amount will be charged to your stateroom account. You will also will be given the option to share your credits with others in your stateroom at the time of purchase. I prefer to pack a few detergent pods before leaving home. Since clothes irons and steamers are not permitted in any stateroom, the laundry rooms […]