Blog Posts by Monica Zucol

Think You Don’t Have Time for a Vacation? Try a Weekend Cruise

4/8/2026 • Blog, Cruises, Tips • 3 Days, Endless Fun — Why a Weekend Cruise Is Totally Worth It! Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I really need a vacation… but I just don’t have the time”? Between work schedules, family commitments, and everyday life, taking a full week away can feel almost impossible. But what if you don’t need a full week to recharge? Sometimes a few days at sea—with great food, entertainment, and friends—is exactly what you need. Some of my team and I recently took a quick weekend cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas and it reminded me of how much fun you can pack into just a few days. From the moment we boarded, it felt like the world’s biggest weekend had officially begun. So how much fun did we pack into our three-night cruise? Quite a lot! During our weekend getaway we spent time: Relaxing by the pools with […]

A Perfect Day in Paradise: Our Family’s Overwater Cabana Experience at CocoCay

11/11/2025 • Blog, Cruises • When Royal Caribbean named their private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, they weren’t exaggerating — especially if you’re lucky enough to spend it in one of their Overwater Cabanas at the Coco Beach Club. Our multigenerational family, ranging in age from 16 to over 70, decided to splurge on one of these luxurious cabanas for our group's big birthday celebration during our island day. And honestly? It was worth every penny. A Private Slice of Paradise The moment we stepped into the Coco Beach Club, we felt the difference. The atmosphere is calm, refined, and exclusive — like being part of a private resort within the island. Our attendant welcomed us with chilled towels and refreshments, then escorted us down a boardwalk that stretched over the sparkling turquoise water. Our Overwater Cabana was stunning — complete with loungers, overwater hammocks, and even a private slide straight into the ocean (a […]

A Day at Epic Universe with Universal Orlando’s Attraction Assistance Pass

6/10/2025 • Blog, Universal Studios Orlando • Epic Universe, one of the most immersive and exciting theme parks ever created, is now open — but for guests with certain disabilities or special needs. Navigating a busy park day can be overwhelming, and possibly dangerous. Thankfully, Universal Orlando Resort offers the Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP) to help make the experience smoother and more inclusive for everyone in your group. We don’t mind sharing our journey, so I’ll let you know - my son has epilepsy and with that, certain factors inside the park could be a trigger for seizures. As with most parents and caregivers, we try to avoid things that could cause issues, but we still want him to have the same exciting experience that Epic was made for and with the AAP, we can help make that happen. We recently returned from a Universal Orlando trip, where we utilized the Attraction Assistance Pass for my son. […]

Living the Suite Life on Royal Caribbean

4/22/2025 • Blog, Cruises • Have you ever sat on the bed inside your cruise cabin and thought “more space sure would be nice”? Well, it is possible, and it’s not that far out of reach when you sail with Royal Caribbean! My “kids” are both taller than me now, so we take up more space than in previous years. When planning our latest cruise, we knew space would be an issue, so I started comparing our normal cabins with different suite options and was surprised at how affordable a suite would be for us. Royal Caribbean has 3 different Royal Suite Classes - Sea, Sky and Star Class, and they vary by ship, so be sure to match what class and amenities you want with your ship when talking with your Me and The Mouse travel specialist. My family cruised on Allure of the Seas in a 2-bedroom Grand Suite, which is a Sky […]

Jump on the Red Carpet because You’re the VIP at Universal Studios Hollywood

10/29/2024 • Blog, Universal Studios Orlando • Valet parking, private dining, skipping the WHOLE line, and more fun facts than you can imagine – these are all included when you purchase a VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood. I recently experienced this tour myself, and let me tell you, it is the way to go! Most theme parks offer VIP tour options, which your Me and The Mouse Travel Specialist can help you book, but Universal Hollywood’s VIP Experience is extra special, and you should absolutely consider upgrading your tickets to include this option during your next visit. It’s no surprise that my main reason to go to Universal Hollywood was to see the brand-new Super Nintendo World, which was "toadally" awesome (toad…get it)? My son loves all things Mario and once he heard about this new land, I knew we would have to go check it out for ourselves. You have many different ticket options for […]

Transforming Disneyland’s Paradise Pier Hotel into Pixar Place Hotel

10/3/2023 • Blog, Disneyland • So many great things are happening during the current floor to ceiling refurbishment at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and I can't wait to see the final product of Pixar Place come to life. The most notable change will be the new name, from Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel to Pixar Place Hotel. This hotel has undergone several name changes and transformations since originally opening in 1984, but the current theme, Paradise Pier, has been around for a little over 20 years now, so this is definitely a welcomed change. During a recent stay, I was literally seeing these changes happening before my eyes. The new lobby is filled with great Pixar touches including characters from the whole Pixar collection. When walking through the lobby, be sure to look up and down because there are special touches everywhere. The pool area, now known as Pixel Pool, includes splash pads and a waterslide. […]

Say Mickey! A Look inside Disney Springs PhotoPass Studio!

3/17/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World • Did you know there is a professional photography studio at Disney Springs where you can have family and individual portraits taken? It's true! Located in the Marketplace of Disney Springs is where you'll find this not-so-hidden gem with unique backdrops and fun props. The best part is that it's free of charge if you have already purchased the Memory Maker photo package! No reservations are needed. Just stop by and get in line! My family popped in for a quick 15–20-minute session during our Disney Spring/break day and got some great shots. We arrived about 15 minutes before they opened and were second in line. By the time the studio opened, however; there were about 20 people behind us, so plan accordingly because it can get busy. Hours change daily, so be sure to check your My Disney Experience app before arriving. Even though the sessions are quick, the photographers […]

Explore More with Viator!

2/7/2023 • Blog, Tips • 300,000+...That is the number of adventures offered through Viator, an online marketplace to book your travel excursions. From small remote corners of the world to major cities, Viator is likely to have something for you. Have you ever gone on a vacation and wondered what exciting things await you there? With Viator, your Me and The Mouse Travel Specialist can send you customized links to explore the many options available. Then when you find the perfect excursion, you can book right from that link. One of the best things about Viator is the “Reserve Now & Pay Later” option. With this, it doesn’t charge you for the excursion until about 1 week before. This gives you the peace of mind that you won’t miss out by securing your spot, but also the flexibility to update and/or cancel if your plans were to change. Some of the options below are just […]

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

12/6/2022 • Cruises, Reviews • Are you an adventurer looking for endless thrills? Are you foodie hoping to expand your culinary experiences? Maybe you are just a little stressed from the constant full schedules on a daily basis. Whatever your reasons, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line could be just what you’ve been looking for! With 20+ ships in the fleet and 7 different classes this cruise line could surely have the perfect itinerary for you. My family’s awesome adventure took us on an 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise with stops in Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, & St Maarten. Each Caribbean or Bahamian itinerary also includes a stop at one of Royal Caribbean’s private islands, either Labadee Haiti or Perfect Day at Cococay. Each private destination allows you to chill on beautiful beaches. Thrill yourself on things like ziplines, waterslides, or unwind like you mean it at swim-up bars or overwater cabanas. Even though Caribbean is in their […]

The Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

11/22/2022 • Blog, Walt Disney World • INCREDIBLE!! This is how I would describe my recent after-dark safari tour through the savannas at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was kind of like that old cowboy song, you know...." Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam, Where the deer and the antelope play ". Okay, it’s not exactly like that, but you get where I’m going. From a giraffe who practically stuck her head inside our open-air safari vehicle, to a few zebras who had no intention of moving off our path, and the giant Ankole cattle who's only concern was finishing his dinner. My family and I were amazed at the amount of wildlife we saw during our 1-hour tour. The Starlight Safari is currently offered nightly, weather permitting, at 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm, and the cost is $75 - $89 per person, before tax. Reservations are required, and payment is due at time of […]