Blog Posts by Tressa Krippel

Resort Spotlight: Disney’s POP Century Resort

8/16/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World • Walk-mans, Big Wheels, giant Mickey phones, Rubik's Cube ...these things are embedded in pop culture and their symbolism of the decades they represent will forever bring us back to those times in our lives. Disney’s Pop Century Resort celebrates iconic memorabilia from the 1950s to 1990s by making them the focal point of this fan favorite value resort! Pop’s appeal is without question its cleanliness, affordability, style of rooms, Disney Skyline access, proximity to Art of Animation, and the fun culture surrounding each turn. Rooms Rooms at this resort sleep up to 4 people. Each room has a small table, two chairs, coffee maker, mini fridge, spacious dresser, and counterspace with a large flat screen TV hanging above and a lot of USB ports to charge electronic devices. You’ll also see ONE queen size bed. But wait…pull down the handle near the table to reveal another queen size bed. Being […]

Don’t Miss This View of Alaska! -ZipRiding at Icy Strait Point

6/6/2023 • Blog, Cruises • You've booked your Disney Cruise to Alaska! If your cruise itinerary includes a visit to Icy Strait Point, don't miss the opportunity​​​ for a spectacular view and a ​thrill of a lifetime. ​While I love roller coasters at the Disney theme parks, I admittedly don't seek adventure or big thrills. After my sons researched and watched a video online, I knew we had to include this once in a lifetime excursion as part of our itinerary and so we booked the World's Largest ZipRider (IS0​6) ​​through Disney Cruise Line. This exciting excursion provided a breathtaking view of the Disney Wonder and a glimpse of Glacier Bay National Park and would be a highlight of our entire family vacation. After enjoying lunch onboard the cruise ship, we headed out for our next adventure. We rode the transporter (gondola ride) up to the check-in point for the excursion. After signing our waivers, […]

Whale Watching at Icy Strait Point – Excursions for Your Alaskan Cruise

7/30/2024 • Blog, Cruises, Reviews, Tips • Whale Watching at Icy Strait Point - Excursions for Your Alaskan Cruise You've booked your Disney Cruise to Alaska! Now it's time to decide which excursions you will want to experience while you are at a port of call. If your cruise itinerary includes a visit to Icy Strait Point, don't miss the opportunity to go whale watching in Alaska. We booked Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise (IS01) directly with Disney Cruise Line. This particular excursion caught my attention as they guaranteed seeing whales or they would refund your money. Since we had never been to Alaska before, I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to include this in our itinerary. Plus if we didn't see whales, we could try again at another port ... I wasn't prepared for the spectacular sights that awaited us!! Passengers met in Preludes then waited in the Walt Disney Theatre for all guests […]

Enjoying Butterbeer at Universal Studios Orlando – The Ultimate Guide

5/29/2024 • Blog, Epic Universe, Reviews, Universal Studios Orlando • A trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort wouldn't be complete without enjoying a  Butterbeer. A perfect day at Universal Studios Florida starts with a visit to Diagon Alley and a Butterbeer.  We like to start our day with a ride on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts when wait times are low due to our early access to the parks as a resort guest. Enjoying a Butterbeer at Universal is just one of the many ways to feel immersed in this magical world. Butterbeer comes in six delicious forms of tasty treats! Which version should you try? Each treat offers something unique, so the Me and The Mouse Team is here to give you a full breakdown of Butterbeer at Universal Studios and where to find it in the Wizarding World. COLD BUTTERBEER The traditional cold drink (secret recipe) is often described as a cream soda with butterscotch and shortbread flavors. It’s a sweet […]

SMUGGLER’S RUN: CHEWBACCA MODE

10/11/2022 • Blog, Disneyland, Tips, Walt Disney World • Since the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run has been one of the most popular attractions. On this immersive attraction, guests can take flight on the iconic ship along with a team of five other passengers, each of which has their own designated duty (pilots, gunners, and engineers), in order to complete their smuggling mission. You and a crew of pilots, gunners, and engineers can embark on a smuggling mission through space inside Han Solo’s famous ship. While aboard, your team is assigned a mission with the help of Han Solo’s pal, Chewbacca, and pirate Hondo Ohnaka. Your goal is to acquire as much coaxium as possible and smuggle it back to the base. TRUE Star Wars fans will love a hidden “easter egg” within this attraction as you unlock “CHEWIE MODE”, which allows you to turn off Hondo Ohnaka […]

Experience the Rainforest on Your Disney Cruise

8/10/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • When you are sailing onboard your Disney Cruise, take time to pamper yourself and make a reservation at the SENSES Spa.  The full-service spa includes massages, manicures, pedicures, and salon services. When cruising, I recommend treating yourself to the Rainforest Deluxe Cruise pass.  This fantastic spa package is available on all sailings and includes unlimited access to the scented showers, aroma steam, sauna rooms, and private jacuzzis.  Depending on your Disney Cruise ship, you can also enjoy the warm loungers that overlook the ocean (Disney Dream and Fantasy cruise ships) or relax and unwind with the tranquil sounds of water in an exclusive relaxation room (Disney Magic and Wonder cruise ships).  This package also includes scented body scrubs of your choice to use to exfoliate while enjoying the Rainforest showers and saunas. No appointments are necessary for you to use your Rainforest Spa package.  Simply check-in with your stateroom key at the […]

Tipping Onboard your Disney Cruise

8/3/2021 • Cruises • You are ready to set sail on an amazing, unforgettable vacation onboard your Disney Cruise ship. What do I need to know about tipping onboard my Disney Cruise? Gratuities for services given throughout your cruise, including your stateroom hosts and restaurant servers are customarily given at the end of your cruise.        Standard Gratuity Suggestions (per person, per night) $4.75 (per passenger, per night) in automatic gratuity for your Server. $3.75 (per passenger, per night) in automatic gratuity for your Assistant Server. $1.25 (per passenger, per night) in automatic gratuity for your Head Server. $4.75 (per passenger, per night) in automatic gratuity for your Stateroom Host. Gratuities for spa services, room service, etc. can be added to your stateroom bill as you sail. Some Drinks have a gratuity automatically added – any drinks, non-alcoholic or alcoholic, you order from a bartender will automatically have a 15% gratuity added. In addition, […]

5 Don’t Miss Opportunities on the Disney Dream

4/9/2021 • Cruises, Tips • The Sail Away Deck Party is not to be missed! This event marks the beginning of your adventure on your cruise. Go to the pool deck, or the deck above that looks down onto the pool deck and enjoy the party.   The Sail Away Deck Party is full of excitement has lots of music and dancing, and you get a chance to see many of your favorite Disney characters decked out in their cruising attire. Be on the lookout for Captain Mickey Mouse and his friends Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto, who want you to join in on the fun!! Pixar's animation process. From the dining room chairs that are patterned after Mickey Mouse’s pants to the paintbrush butter knives, you won't want to skip your dinner at this magical restaurant. As you dine, a complete animated “cel” is drawn, starting from sketches of the main characters, adding background elements to the finished art. […]

Fun Awaits at the Oceaneer’s Club Onboard Your Disney Cruise Ship

6/17/2026 • Cruises, Reviews • The Oceaneer’s Club onboard the Disney Cruise Line fleet is a special themed area for children (ages 3 -10). It’s a wonderful place to explore, play, and have fun in a secured area while cruising onboard your Disney Cruise. We recommend you register your child for Disney’s Oceaneer Club online after booking your cruise, but you can register at the terminal or once onboard your ship as well. On Embarkation Day, parents are invited to tour the facility, meet the counselors, and learn more about the exciting activities hosted at Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab throughout the cruise. On your first visit to the club area, your children will be given a MagicBand to use to enter the Oceaneer’s Club. You can decide who is able to check your children in and out of the club area. You will also have a personalized code word to give the […]

Top 10 Cool Treats to Enjoy at Walt Disney World

2/2/2021 • Tips, Walt Disney World • As the summer fun continues to rise at Walt Disney World, your family will enjoy the opportunity to cool down and enjoy some delicious tasty treats while visiting the parks.  We're sharing our list of Cool Treats to enjoy at Walt Disney World in 2021!!! Enjoy!! 1. Night Blossom:  This fun drink can only be found at Pongu Pongu inside Pandora - The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom Park.  The Night Blossom is a non-alcoholic limeade slushy with apple and pear flavors topped with passion fruit boba balls.  {1 snack credit on the Disney Dining plan} 2. Dole Whip Float:  Identified as my FAVORITE snack on the property, the Dole Whip Float should NOT be missed on a trip to the Magic Kingdom. You will find this amazing treat made up of pineapple soft serve surrounded by freshly squeezed pineapple juice only at the Aloha Isle in Adventureland at […]