Blog Posts by Nancy Wideman

The Wand Ceremony at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

10/8/2021 • Universal Studios • Are you a Harry Potter fan dreaming of visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando or Hollywood? If so, do not overlook the famous Wand Ceremony at Ollivander’s, Makers of Fine Wands. It was a very hot and sunny Summer day at Universal Studios Hollywood. The line was about an hour wait. My daughter, Hunter, was the only one excited about waiting in line to enter the shop. This was her ONE request for our visit. So, we all waited as the line slowly moved around the queue until we finally reached the front of the line. (You can visit the shop without going through the ceremony room). The staff at Ollivander’s brings you in small groups into the ceremony room where one of Ollivander’s wand makers chooses one lucky guest to be selected by a wand. The room is dimly lit. There are stacks and stacks […]

Disneyland’s Grand Californian – Review

10/1/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews • Our home away from home. Goodness, I love this place! For the past several years, my family has chosen to stay at the Grand Californian at the Disneyland Resort. We have stayed at other Disney hotels as well as several Good Neighbor hotels, but we keep coming back to the Grand Californian because it simply has everything we are looking for! Disneyland's Grand Californian Resort Going OUT! The location of this beautiful hotel cannot be beat. Laying at the edge of Disney’s California Adventure Park, it has its own private entrance into the park, and it is just a quick walk to the gates to Disneyland. Many rooms offer premium views of the pool, a theme park, or even Downtown Disney which is just outside the hotel for immediate access to fun! Coming IN! Days can get quite warm in Southern California, and it’s nice to have a comfortable place […]

How to Best Prepare for Travel and Leave the Worries at Home…a Checklist!

9/29/2021 • Tips • As your departure day quickly approaches, here are some helpful tips for preparing for your next vacation!   Preparing Your Work: Tie up loose ends at work so you can better avoid calls while you are on vacation. Set your voicemail and email to alert colleagues and customers of your days away from the office.   Preparing Your Home: Ask a friend or neighbor to pick up your daily mail and news flyers and hold them for your return. Ask a friend or neighbor to water your lawn, if needed. For winter months, ask them to plow your driveway if it snows and drive up your driveway to create tire marks in the snow. If you are kenneling your animals, remember most boarding services require up to date health care for your dogs and cats. Set timers on lights in your house. For exterior lights, use automatic lights around entrances. […]

Disneyland Resort – Top Attractions, Food, and Experiences

9/20/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews • Are you excited to finally plan your FIRST visit to the Disneyland Resort in California?! As a first-timer, even if you know Disney World like the back of your hand, there are certain things at the Disneyland Resort that are unique to this resort and are quintessential Disney magic. Classic attractions:  The Disneyland Railroad, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean are all amazing, classic rides, and Walt had a hand in designing each of them. Fun fact: Pirates of the Caribbean is twice as long at Disneyland as it is at Walt Disney World! Best Attractions Unique to the Disneyland Resort:  At Disneyland, Indiana Jones Adventure tops my list for favorite attractions despite the fact that it is still a newer ride, having opened in the mid- 90’s. For those seeking a calmer experience, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is an original dark ride in Fantasyland. Over at […]

Disney Cruise Line – Alaskan Adventures Continued… Embarkation Day at Canada Place

7/7/2021 • Cruises, Tips • Embarkation day for your Disney cruise is quite exciting. If you’re like me, you want to get to the port early even if you have a later check-in time. But where will you go? Is there food available? Will you have to lug your luggage around with you? These were all questions I had the morning we were to set sail from Vancouver to Alaska. I’m happy to tell you that Canada Place is in a great location set up to help keep you comfortable and entertained while you wait to board. Food and a Quick Break: Immediately across the street from Canada Place is the Waterfront Centre Food Court, complete with Tim Horton’s, McDonald’s, and plenty of other offerings where you can grab a bite to eat and relax. Restaurants open early, wi-fi is available, and youcan make a quick stop to the restrooms. Stowing Luggage: Make sure you […]

Selecting Your Stateroom for Your Disney Cruise

5/25/2021 • Cruises, Tips • You’ve selected your perfect Disney Cruise Line itinerary. With all the exciting destinations offered, you have completed the hardest step! Next, let’s help you determine what kind of stateroom will best fit both your family’s needs as well as your budget. There are four main categories of staterooms on a Disney ship: Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, and Concierge. An inside stateroom (no windows to the outside) is the least expensive category. If you really want to cruise but see your room as only a place to sleep, or if the price difference between an inside stateroom and a verandah is make or break for you going on the cruise, an inside stateroom might be the answer for you! is a larger space and offers fresh light and a beautiful view. Depending on the ship and stateroom, you may have 1 or 2 non-opening portholes to look out of. If you would […]

Discovering the Last Frontier with Disney Cruise Line

4/27/2021 • Cruises • A Disney cruise to Alaska – something for everyone in your family with the HUGE added bonus of exploring some of the most gorgeous, natural beauty in the world. Our family checked off a huge item on our bucket list – exploring the Last Frontier: Alaska. The beauty of Alaska is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. For fellow travelers we met on our journey, many of them were returning to Alaska for their 3rd, 4th, even 7th time, and now I understand why. Combine a journey into the wilds of Alaska up the Pacific Ocean with the service and entertainment onboard a Disney cruise ship, and you’ve got a perfect family vacation. Before we had even boarded the ship, we were meeting friendly faces from our cruise group Facebook page where we had all shared plans and hopes for our families’ vacations. We continued to […]

What to Expect on Embarkation Day

4/6/2021 • Cruises, Tips • Your Disney cruise is booked and the countdown clock is tickin’! You’ve scoured the internet for tips, booked excursions, scheduled a princess meet and greet, and are ready to order your Mickey bar at midnight from room service, but what should you expect on embarkation day? Let’s break it down so you make the most of your first afternoon exploring the ship! You've selected a Port Arrival Time when you did your on-line check-in. This is when you can arrive at the port and start the boarding process. Before arriving at the port, make sure all your check-in luggage is tagged. It will go through a screening process and then magically appear outside your stateroom later in the afternoon. Be sure you retain all your travel documents, including your passport, as well as medications and anything else you might need for the afternoon. Check your luggage and then continue through […]

Why the Winter Season at Walt Disney World Is a GREAT Time to Visit!

3/23/2021 • Holidays & Events, Tips, Walt Disney World • I have loved visiting Walt Disney World in all four seasons. I especially love Fall when I can experience Halloween or Christmas in the parks. However, my absolute favorite time of the year to visit the parks is that sweet spot in January and February – the holidays are over and you can finally breathe again, life quiets down a little, and you can enjoy a little “you” time again. That’s what this time of the year feels like for me at Walt Disney World. Crowds have calmed down, allowing you to enjoy the parks with a little more wiggle room between you and fellow guests The weather is no longer hot and humid. January thru March see average temps in the mid-70s. As is always the case in Florida, there is some rain, but it’s well past hurricane season. Starting around mid-January, it’s no longer peak season, and you’ll […]

Enjoying runDisney Events for Non-Runners

3/19/2021 • Cruises, Disneyland, Holidays & Events, Tips, Walt Disney World • I am not a runner…at all…but that didn’t stop me from joining friends in my first runDisney marathon weekend! Whether you are up every morning for that morning run, or if you simply want to experience a runDisney event, here are several reasons to love runDisney races! The Challenge! Hopefully, all races are a challenge no matter your level of experience. For this girl, I’ll admit I didn’t train nearly enough knowing what I do now. Disney recommends a pace time of 15 minutes or under per mile whether you run or walk {or a combination of both}. “Balloon Ladies” {and sometimes Balloon Men!} keep the pace from the back and encourage you to keep going. If you fall behind, you will eventually get picked up and taken to the finish. I was able to stay ahead of them, but I saw faces of defeat on those who were not […]