Blog Posts by Monica Zucol

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 […]

Marriott Hotels & Resorts

5/10/2022 • Blog • Theme Park and cruise vacations are the best, right?! But have you ever wanted something different? For an awesome beach vacation, or trip to explore a lively city, Marriott properties might be just what you are looking for. Marriott has 25+ brands offering everything from single-night hotel stays to all-inclusive resorts and even a luxury yacht collection. I recently stayed at two of the luxury hotel properties – The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort and The JW Marriott Marquis Miami. In this piece, I’ll go over some of the fantastic options each hotel has to offer. First up, The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort – Wow, what a great resort! Marco Island, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida is connected to the mainland by bridges near Naples. The entire island is less than 25sq miles and this resort encompasses 3 of those miles […]

Welcome to Miami – Bienvenido a PortMiami!

2/18/2022 • Blog, Cruises • Disney Cruise Line has adapted and changed quite a bit since relaunching after the COVID shutdown. Whether you are a first-time cruiser, or frequent Castaway Club member, knowing what to expect when you arrive for embarkation is imPORTant. PortMiami sits inside Biscayne Bay on Dodge Island. This port is among the nation's busiest ports, moving around six million passengers and transporting goods by the billions. Disney Cruise Line is one of the many companies that occupy PortMiami. When you cross the bridge and arrive on the island, you will see cruise and cargo ships galore! Right in the middle of it all is Cruise Terminal C - Disney’s terminal. When you pull up, those giant red and black stacks with a giant Mickey head will let you know you’re in the right place! Whether you are parking in the main garage directly across the way or being dropped off, you […]

Themed Drinks at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter {Review}

12/2/2021 • Reviews, Universal Studios Orlando • Traveling between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade takes you on a journey through The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You can see, feel, and even taste, yes taste what it’s like to live a day in the life of Harry Potter. Many great food and snack options are available, but the specialty drinks are something that’s not to be missed. It gets HOT in the Florida sun so cooling down with a refreshing drink will make your time much more enjoyable. I’m sure all the loyal Harry Potter fans are aware you can get Butterbeer, the staple drink in the Wizarding World. It can be found in several locations in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. I love Butterbeer in all it’s forms, cold, hot, frozen, and even ice cream! The creamy butterscotch flavor can’t be beat and contrary to its name it is completely family-friendly. During my last trip to Diagon […]

Jurassic World Kid’s Suite

11/23/2021 • Reviews, Universal Studios Orlando • Some 65 million years ago dinosaurs ruled the earth. Today an encounter with one of these massive creatures is impossible unless you visit Universal Orlando, then it’s totally possible! If you have a Dino loving kid in your family then a stay in a Jurassic World Kid’s Suite at Loews Royal Pacific Resort is a must. These 670 square feet 2-bedroom suites take you on an adventure to the Isla of Nublar. 2 twin-size gyrospheres in the kid’s room offer not only an awesome place sleep but a bit of separation from the adult’s room. The Jurassic World theming is all over the kid’s room from the valley mapping carpet to the massive landscaped scenery on the walls. A lighted desk which has a large map of Nublar above it, a full-size closet, and an entertainment center with a large TV are also included in each of the kid's rooms. […]

Snorkeling at Disney’s Castaway Cay

3/26/2021 • Cruises, Reviews, Tips • Nothing is more exciting than going on a Disney Cruise.  The best thing about a Disney Cruise in my opinion is Castaway Cay – Disney’s Private Island! Most Disney cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean include one and sometimes two stops to this amazing destination. This location has many activities to be enjoyed for the young to the young at heart. My must-do during the day at Castaway Cay is to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. Castaway Cay has a 22-acre snorkeling lagoon just off the family beach area. The snorkeling path is filled with all kinds of sunken treasures including a shipwreck and even some hidden Mickeys. The treasures are marked with buoys so that you know which direction to go while in the water. Plenty of different fish will also be swimming all around you. A net does surround the area to prevent large marine life from coming […]

WAKE UP! It’s Time for Early Park Admission at Universal Studios Orlando Resort!

10/29/2019 • Tips, Universal Studios Orlando • Time to set that alarm! Yes, I know, you’re on vacation but trust me, you do not want to miss a minute of Universal Orlando Resorts early park admission.  This awesome perk is for Universal resort guests and other select groups to access either Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, or Volcano Bay one hour before the scheduled opening. During extra busy times, it could be both parks but remember valid theme park admission is required. When checking in, be sure to ask a team member which park has early hours as it does change often. With early park admission, you’ll not only get the chance to walk around and take pictures in an almost empty theme park, you can also ride some of your favorite attractions without any wait time or in some cases without anyone else on the ride. During a recent stay at Universal Orlando, I was able […]

Shopping at Disney’s Character Warehouse Outlet Stores

9/6/2019 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Sometimes, when you hear “We’re going to Disney World”, all you see are dollar signs. As with everything at Disney, great planning can help you to save money and stay right on budget! One of my favorite, not-so-little secrets, is to save some serious cash and go shopping for souvenirs at Disney’s Character Warehouse. When park merchandise isn’t sold, some of it is shipped to one of the two Character Warehouse outlet stores to be sold at heavily discounted prices. You can find anything from keychains, stuffed animals and shirts, to name brand designer bags. Both stores are located at a premium outlet mall, a short off-property drive. The mall names are very similar, but they are in different locations around Orlando. The nearest to Disney’s property is just to the east at Orlando Vineland Premium Outlet and the other location is northeast and closer to Universals property at Orlando […]

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

3/1/2019 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Roughing it, glamping, becoming a Wilderness Explorer, or whatever you wish to call it, can be done at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. I recently had a chance to stay in the cabins at Fort Wilderness and from the moment we pulled up to the reception outpost (check-in area), it was obvious this was not your typical Disney resort. This is a full-service campground, so accommodations for anything from tents to luxury RV’s are available but for now, we are just going to discuss the cabins. Upon arrival, you are given a wealth of information about the property and a detailed map. Fort Wilderness is 750 acres and has miles and miles of roads and loops that will lead you to your assigned site. The cabins, all 365 of them, are the largest standard accommodations on all of Disney’s property. They are just over 500 square feet. Your value […]