Blog Posts by Michelle Browne

Show Your Disney Style – Making Your Own Ears

2/9/2021 • Adventures by Disney, Cruises, Disneyland, Holidays & Events, Walt Disney World • Mickey Ears – you can find them everywhere at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. They are a fashion statement on everyone from babies to seniors. Some people, including myself, even have a small collection of ears to suit every occasion. Everyone has a desire to look like Mickey Mouse but what do people do who don’t want to blend in with the crowd? Show your Disney style by making your own Mickey ears. This is an easy craft with options for people that are super handy with a sewing machine and those who are close friends of the glue gun. It’s a perfect craft idea for crafty tweens and teens too as you can make a pair of Mickey ears in less than 30 minutes. DIY Mickey Mouse Ears Materials: Headbands {thicker ones work best} Cotton Balls Ribbon Glue Gun Cardboard Sewing Machine {optional} Fabric of choice {enough to […]

Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Day Activities

1/26/2021 • Reviews, Tips, Walt Disney World • Are you looking for a new way to experience Walt Disney World on your next vacation? I’d like to recommend spending a day at Animal Kingdom Lodge. This resort is a destination unto itself with most activities are available to all guests and activities are available from morning until after sunset. You can view the animals on the savanna throughout the day and into the evening hours. There are multiple overlooks of the savannas at both Jambo House and Kidani Village. Guides will teach you about wildlife and the African culture. After sunset, night vision goggles will allow you to see the animals from a new perspective. The String of Memories is a favorite activity of children {and parents} that teaches them about African culture and wildlife conservation in a fun and memorable way. You will receive a unique bead as your reward for completing each activity. If you choose to […]

Mobile To Go – Ordering at Walt Disney World

12/4/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World • Disney has changed how one thinks about quick-service food in a theme park. Instead of just hamburgers, hotdogs, and pizza, their offerings reflect the many tastes and personalities of their guests which makes quick service dining an experience to look forward to. But let’s be honest, we all hate waiting in lines. When visiting Walt Disney World, lines are inevitable, but Disney’s mobile dining orders can give you some of your time back and minimize the lines you experience at the parks. Mobile ordering is available for most quick-service locations and a recent addition is some table service locations. Table service locations are listed in your app with the words “To Go” at the end of the restaurant name. To start your order, 1. Click on the “+” on the bottom of the home screen of the My Disney Experience app. 2. Then, click “Order Food”. 3. Alternatively, click on […]

Exploring Hogwart’s Castle at Universal Orlando

9/18/2020 • Blog, Universal Studios • For every Harry Potter fan, a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is a bucket list item but for true Potterheads. It's the extra Easter Eggs that are hidden that can make the experience truly magical. While magic appears around every corner in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, let’s explore the hidden items in Hogwart’s Castle that you’ll want to take note of on your next vacation. Here are my top 5 hidden items for you to find! 1. Mandrakes- The first hidden item is located outdoors, in the greenhouse. If your visit to Hogsmeade has low crowds, you may miss the Mandrakes, but pause just before you enter the castle and check out these restorative plants located behind a fence so that they cannot be accidentally pulled out of their pots, subjecting you to their screams. 2. Four Founders of Hogwarts: The Hall of […]

Celebrate Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando

7/10/2020 • Blog, Tips, Universal Studios • If Mardi Gras is about music, parades, floats, food, and excitement, then Universal Orlando has a memorable celebration you won’t want to miss. Held each spring during portions of February and March, Universal Studios Florida is set up for a party like none other, and for many guests, the music itself is reason enough to make sure your trip is timed for this great event. Listen to an amazing concert from some of the biggest names in pop, rock, country, R&B, and more at the Music Plaza stage on select nights, all included with your park entry ticket. You’ll be entertained not just by the concerts, but each night Universal hosts their own parade with original and authentic floats designed by Kern Studios who also build the floats for the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade. From these floats, beads will be tossed to you so make sure to line up […]

Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along

6/25/2020 • Walt Disney World • One thing that we have learned over the past few months is that everyone loves joining a sing-along. It doesn’t matter your age nor your singing ability, the chance to join your voice with the lyrics of some of your favorite tunes resonates with all of us. The new Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along is located at the back of France in Epcot. This is another treasure that Disney has in the World Showcase that you won’t want to miss. Located indoors, it has the added benefits of the perfect place to cool off in the heat, warm up in the winter cold, relax your feet in comfortable seating, and a darker room for kids that need to slow down a bit and reenergize. You will want to enter the building well before the start of a show so that you can enjoy the memorabilia of French classic stories that […]

Rise of the Resistance – Will You Escape?

5/26/2020 • Disneyland, Walt Disney World • For any Star Wars fan, visiting the planet Batuu on the outskirts of the galaxy is a dream come true and the ultimate ride is Disney’s Rise of the Resistance. This combines new technologies for a multi-layered experience. As a hugely popular ride, you will need to arrive before park opening to make sure you can get into their virtual queue called a Boarding Pass, the moment the park officially opens. Boarding passes allow you to enjoy the rest of Batuu and the parks until your turn to join the line. This can only be obtained through the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone. You can set your phone to alert you when your boarding group is called or watch My Status to find out when it’s time to get in line. If you are in the middle of an Oga’s reservation or building your own lightsaber or droid […]

5 Tips for Making the Most of Each Day at Disney

11/19/2019 • Tips, Walt Disney World • There is a lot to see and do on any Disney vacation. Between the rides, the shows, the meals, how can you do it all? While there’s not enough time to get everything done on any single trip, there are tips to make the most out of each day at any Disney destination so you can see and do more than other guests. Here are 5 tips to make the most of each park day. 1. Start your day early and start it with an attraction. The days are long and filled with fun but sleeping in will only minimize the fun you can do. The shortest lines are at the opening of each park day so get up early and “rope drop” when the park opens. In order to be ready for all that fun though, you’ll need to have energy. Eat before the park opens so you can […]

Comparing Princess Meals at Walt Disney World

9/13/2019 • Tips, Walt Disney World • For families with little girls, booking a princess meal at Disney World is high on the must-do list but with multiple princess meal options – which one is best suited for your family? Cinderella’s Royal Table is located in Cinderella’s Castle. Hosted by Cinderella, you will have your family picture taken with her as you wait to be seated. After heading upstairs, other Disney princesses stop by your table to visit, allowing for pictures and autographs. For those with a dining package, this meal will cost two table service credits per person. Without a dining package, the cost per person will be one of the more expensive meals on property.  As this restaurant is small in seating capacity, you may need to be flexible with your preferred dining time. Located in Epcot, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a wonderful choice. This meal features multiple princesses that visit your table. At […]

9 Tips for Keeping Cool in the Disney Summer Heat

7/16/2019 • Tips, Walt Disney World • With summer upon us, the heat and humidity in Florida can send even the most southern of families screaming for some cooling relief. We know you’ve been eagerly anticipating your Disney World vacation for months and we don’t want you to miss out on any of the fun that Disney has to offer because of the heat. Here are some tips to help you survive the hottest and most humid of Disney days: 1. Take advantage of Disney’s Extra Magic Hours. By staying on property at Disney, you qualify to go early or stay late at Disney’s parks. The extra magic hours are the coolest of times to visit the parks not to mention the least busy times. Not a morning or a late person? Go back to your hotel during the hottest part of the day to rest so that you’ll have the energy for the extra magic hours. […]