Blog Posts by Julie Stewart

Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival

3/16/2021 • Holidays & Events, Tips, Walt Disney World • Epcot is in full bloom every spring during my favorite time of year: The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival!  From now until July 5th, guests from all over the world can experience the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of Epcot in this sense-indulging experience. Epcot is never more beautiful than during the Flower and Garden Festival.  Character topiaries not only greet you at the park entrance but can be found all over Future World and World Showcase. Fan favorites like Mickey and Minnie, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Anna and Elsa, and many more are arranged beautifully with various plants and flowers.  My personal favorite is the Beauty and the Beast display in France.  Not only do they look gorgeous, but the aroma is every bit as tantalizing.  There are more than 100 topiaries all over Epcot, making for some wonderful photo opportunities. Tip: Make sure you purchase Memory Maker if you are […]

Why Universal Orlando is Heaven for The Roller Coaster Lover in Your Family

7/3/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios • You’ve been to Disney many times. The food, the characters, the music, and the shows are all reasons for you to keep coming back. The roller coasters are themed well and so fun, but maybe a 5/10 on the thrill factor and you’re looking for an adrenaline rush. Look no further than Universal Orlando! There are so many high-intensity roller coasters at Universal Orlando that you will finish your day not knowing if you’re standing right side up! Here are a few of my “can’t miss” coasters at Universal Orlando: 1) Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure – Other than the fact that it being Harry Potter-themed automatically makes it awesome, this is the longest roller coaster ride in Florida. With speeds up to 50mph, this one isn’t slow either, and incorporating the story of being a student in a Magical Creatures Class, truly makes this coaster have it all. Location: […]

Fantasmic Dinner Package at Disneyland’s River Belle Terrace

5/8/2020 • Disneyland, Reviews • If you’ve been to Walt Disney World, chances are you have seen Sorcerer Mickey battle evil in this live show.  On my recent trip to Disneyland, I got to see the West Coast version of Fantasmic up close and personal and it did not disappoint.  Knowing that viewing areas are hard to come by in Disneyland, I opted to try one of the dining packages at River Belle Terrace. River Belle Terrace is located in Disneyland park in New Orleans Square next to Pirates of the Caribbean and right in front of Rivers of America.  This is an outdoor café and makes for a truly beautiful experience to sit out in the California sun and have a nice meal.  The menu for the Fantasmic Package is a Prix Fix Menu which includes a non-alcoholic beverage, an appetizer, which was a choice between a salad or corn chowder, main dish, which […]

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Beverage Packages Explained

3/31/2020 • Cruises, Tips • If you are traveling on a Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s important to know your options regarding extra purchases and packages.  The most common question I get from clients is about beverages and beverage packages.  Here is what you need to know: What’s included: There are a few select options available to you at no charge.  Tap water, coffee, iced tea, milk, lemonade, flavored water, juice, and hot chocolate are available to all guests free of charge.  If you want a little more variety, you may want to add a beverage package to suit the needs of your family. What are my options? If the free beverages don’t quite cut it, there are affordable options for anyone on a Royal Caribbean Cruise.  The three main beverage packages are the Classic Soda, Refreshment and Deluxe. Classic Soda Package:  With this package, you will receive a free refillable cup for the duration of your […]

I Just Booked a Royal Caribbean Cruise! Now What?

11/12/2019 • Cruises, Tips • Booking a cruise is so exciting, but can also feel overwhelming if you aren’t sure what steps to take next.  To plan your next Royal Caribbean Cruise and arrive feeling calm and collected, follow these four important steps: 1. Make sure you have all of the required documentation for every member of your party.  At Me and The Mouse, we always encourage our clients to have passports.  While this is not required for cruises embarking and debarking in the United States, it will protect you in the event you would need to fly out of the country.  Make sure to check your passports and renew any that expire at least 10 weeks before your cruise.  If you do not have a passport, make sure all adults have their government-issued photo IDs and original birth certificate.  Double and triple-check that all required documents match the birthdates and spellings that are listed […]

Catch a Big Wave at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

10/10/2019 • Walt Disney World • For the last 25 years, Disney guests have been splashing around at one of the greatest overlooked experiences on Disney property - Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon!  Disney is known for its great theming and Typhoon Lagoon does not disappoint. The details show evidence of the island paradise once wiped out by a typhoon; most notably, Miss Tilley’s shipwrecked shrimp boat on the top of Mount Meyday which erupts into a geyser every 30 minutes. Typhoon Lagoon is home to a wide range of “mild to wild” water attractions, and is a great place to cool off during the hottest Disney summer months. At the center of the park is the surf pool, which is the largest man-made wave pool in North America.  The huge waves of the surf pool is one of the biggest draws to Typhoon Lagoon. Want to learn how to surf like a pro? Guests can before park […]

Top 5 Things to do at Perfect Day Coco Cay Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Private Island

9/10/2019 • Cruises, Tips • As a long-time cruiser with Disney Cruise Line, I have always enjoyed the stop at Disney’s Castaway Cay.  On my recent, first trip on Royal Caribbean, this is where they had to reach the bar that Disney has set so high in the category of private islands.  I am happy to report that Perfect Day Coco Cay was everything and more than what I expected.  There is so much to do on this island and not enough time so with that in mind, here are my top 5 “must-do” activities: 1. Zip Lining – By far, this was my favorite activity and the best way to get some spectacular views of the island.  There were 3 segments, all very mild and low-key.  Each segment lasted about 20 seconds and whisked you over the top of several different areas of Coco Cay.  Even those who are not huge thrill-seekers will enjoy […]

All You Need to Know About My Universal Photos Package

7/19/2019 • Tips, Universal Studios • Want to relive the time you rode the Hulk? Do you want to forever keep the moment you posed with a dinosaur? My family and I still love looking at our photos from Universal and reliving our fabulous memories there.  I am so glad I purchased the My Universal Photos photo package and you will be too! Here’s what you need to know: What is My Universal Photos?  My Universal Photos is a package you can purchase ahead of time or in the parks.  It gives guests the advantage of unlimited downloads for a specified time of the photos taken in the park with characters, on rides, or fun family photos with the big park icons.  Not only are the photos better quality, but having these photos gets the whole family in the photo without the hassle of carrying around a camera all day. Where do we purchase My Universal […]

Top 5 Be Our Guest Breakfast Tips

9/11/2018 • Tips, Walt Disney World • One of the most sought-after dining reservations in all of Walt Disney World is Be Our Guest at the Magic Kingdom.  On my last trip, I took my family to try out the breakfast and we really enjoyed it! Here are a five tips to make sure to get the most out of your breakfast at Be Our Guest: Make Your Advanced Dining Reservation 180 days out:  Be Our Guest is a popular restaurant at Walt Disney World and reservations are maxed out quickly.  Be sure to have your vacation booked at least 6 months out and your reservation for Be Our Guest made when your dining window opens at 180 days.  If you miss your window and can’t get your reservation on the first try, just keep looking.  Often-times reservations will cancel and you will be able to get a reservation a little closer to your travel dates. Add […]

Universal 101: Universal Studios Florida

6/18/2018 • Tips, Universal Studios • Welcome to part two of my tour of Universal parks!  Last month, I took you on a virtual tour of all of my must-dos at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.  There is also so much to experience at the park on the other side at the original Universal Studios Florida theme park. First, make sure to have your camera ready at the entrance of Universal Studios Florida.   At the entrance of Universal Studios is the iconic globe, a must-take photo for guests. Once you have gone into the park, there are four attractions making up Production Central.   My first tip here before you do anything is to take your motion sickness medicine!   Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Shrek are both great “screen” attractions while Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a high-flying roller coaster adventure with a choose-your-own soundtrack option.  Also popular in this area is Transformers the Ride 3D, which is […]