Blog Posts by Tressa Krippel

The Rider Switch Pass at Walt Disney World

1/29/2021 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Ever wonder if you’ll miss out on riding an attraction at Disney World because you’re traveling with someone either not tall enough or who does not want to ride? No worries! Disney offers a Rider Switch pass for guests in this situation. WHAT IS RIDER SWITCH? Rider Switch (also known as child swap or rider swap) allows an adult who has waited off the attraction with a child or guest unable to ride, the ability to enjoy the ride after the remainder of his/her party returns from the line. REASONS FOR NOT RIDING *Height restrictions *Guests with disabilities *Child chooses not to ride HOW DOES IT WORK? 1. The entire party goes to the front of the line of the attraction they wish to ride (either the standby line or FastPass line, if they have one). 2. Let the Cast Member at the front of the line know you need […]

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

7/22/2026 • Walt Disney World • Mickey's-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a special ticketed event that happens on select nights between August and October at the Magic Kingdom. On nights when the event is taking place, Magic Kingdom will close early at 6 pm for those who do not have a party ticket for that evening. The party hours are from 7:00 pm to 12 AM, but party guests can arrive as early as 4:00 PM. The last show is at 12 AM, and guests can spend a little time to shop the exclusive event merchandise for a short while after the last show. Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party offers exclusive character greetings, Halloween-inspired ride overlays, specialty food items, Trick-or-Treating, unique shows, a firework show that is exclusive to the party, and the "BOO-To-You" Halloween Parade. When party guests arrive, they will receive a special wristband to indicate they have the party ticket for that evening. In addition, guests […]

TOPOLINOS TERRACE: The NEW “Must Do” Character Meal at Walt Disney World!

2/21/2020 • Walt Disney World • Last weekend, while Me and The Mouse Travel specialists visited the Festival of the Arts, we had the opportunity of enjoying breakfast at Topolino's Terrace, which is located at the top of Disney's Riveria Resort. The restaurant not only has an amazing menu but offers spectacular views of the resort and nearby parks. The artists in residence at this character breakfast include Mickey (a painter), Minnie (a poet), Donald (a sculptor), and Daisy (a ballerina), who meet guests during breakfast only. This character meal is only 1 table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan.  (While dinner is also served in the restaurant, it is not character meal and is 2 dining credits on the Disney dining plan) At dinner, you can view the fireworks from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. When entering the restaurant, our team was awestruck with the gorgeous setting of this unique restaurant, named for Mickey Mouse (Topolino is Mickey […]

Packing the Perfect Bag for the Parks

11/3/2023 • Tips, Walt Disney World • As you prepare for a magical day at the parks, you might decide that you want to bring a bag along with you.  While Disney and Universal Studios allow guests to bring bags into the parks, here are a few helpful tips for packing the perfect bag to bring on your next vacation. What’s the Ideal Bag? Select a bag that is easy to carry and lightweight. We love a small backpack, sling bag, or crossbody-style bag.  Remember that what you pack in your bag in the beginning of the day, may feel like an extra 20lbs at the end of the day.   At the park, your bags will be screened and searched.   To help you move through security faster, we recommend selecting a bag that doesn’t have a lot of compartments nor bring multiple small makeup bags.  All bags will be opened and searched before you can proceed into the parks. What Should I […]

Dining in Andy’s Backyard – Woody’s Lunchbox!

3/14/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Howdy, Partner! It's time to roundup the TOYS and have a delicious meal at one of the best Quick Service restaurants at Hollywood Studios! Woody's Lunchbox is the newest Quick Service restaurant located in the new Toy Story Land. Woody’s Lunch Box features classic American food, old-fashioned soda floats and other Toy Story-themed specialties (try the Mystic Portal Punch). Woody’s Lunch Box participates in the Disney Dining Plan as a counter service credit and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You will delight in seeing how items from inside Andy’s lunchbox form the restaurant’s structures and seating area. From the lid of Andy's lunchbox, to his Woody's Roundup thermos and a note from Andy's mom, guests will delight in this immersive experience in dining in Andy's backyard. What is there to eat in Andy’s backyard? BBQ Brisket Melt, Tomato-Basil Soup, Three-Cheese Sandwich, “Totchos" (potato barrel nachos), and Lunch Box […]

Fantastic Foods Only Found at Disneyland!

3/13/2024 • Disneyland, Reviews • We all love the amazing entrees, snacks and treats found at Disney parks across the the globe. Most of us know of the many great options at Walt Disney World but to me it all goes back to the original in Anaheim. Here are some of the most delicious, delectable and divine Disney dishes one can find. So let’s get started! #5. Monte Cristo Sandwich Take some ham, turkey and Swiss cheese between two slices of bread then deep fry the thing and dust in powdered sugar and don’t forget the berry dipping sauce then you have the world-famous Monte Cristo. Yeah, that’s right it’s a deep-fried sandwich. This mammoth mountain of food is found at Cafe Orleans or Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square. After tackling the sandwich I’m pretty sure you won’t be riding Space Mountain anytime soon. Your food induced coma will have you riding the […]

Character Dining at Walt Disney World

5/7/2018 • Walt Disney World • Clients often ask “Where can I see Mickey Mouse or Cinderella?” While most characters have Meet-n-Greet locations in one of the four theme parks that make up Walt Disney World, Character Dining is a great way to spend a little more time with your favorite Disney character without having to stand in line or use one of your pre arranged Fastpasses. You will find character dining both inside the parks, as well as at select Walt Disney Resorts on property. Character dining is very popular and can be booked up to 180 days in advance of your arrival. As a Me and The Mouse client, your Travel Specialist is happy to make all your dining reservations for you. (Please note that characters are subject to change without notice). Below is a helpful aid in looking at and comparing the Character Dining experiences offered at Walt Disney World. You will find […]

Via Napoli – A Taste of Southern Italy at EPCOT

11/29/2017 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Tucked away in the World Showcase at EPCOT, guest can enjoy authentic Italian cooking at one of my favorite restaurants…  Via Napoli!  This family-friendly restaurant and pizzeria is not to be missed on your next visit to EPCOT. Family style the Italian way is felt with the large table that stretches all across the whole width of the dining room.  Via Napoli is a warm, welcoming restaurant where guests can enjoy a culinary tour of Southern Italy with authentic Italian cooking, including hearty pastas, fresh salads and thin-crust pizzas that are perfected in a wood-burning ovens named after the 3 active volcanoes in Italy - Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli. These mouth-watering pizzas are made with fresh mozzarella cheese, San Marzano tomatoes and real Caputo flour imported from Southern Italy. Water for the dough is even sourced from a spring similar to Italy's Campania region. Via Napoli is designed […]

Disney’s Carousel of Progress

3/15/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow..............."  If you are singing along at this point, you are familiar with my favorite classic attraction at Walt Disney World.  While some may walk by this classic attraction, this is a "MUST DO" on every visit to the Magic Kingdom for my family. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress was personally created by Walt Disney for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair.  In 1975, the attraction moved to its current location in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.  This nostalgic attraction holds a special place in many people's hearts because it is one of the only attractions at Walt Disney World to have been touched by Walt Disney himself. The Carousel of Progress exemplifies Walt's love of history and progress.  This attraction highlights the industrial advances over the past century and how they have changed everyday living for the American family. While this show does not typically […]

Journey Down the Na’vi River at Pandora

3/28/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Nestled in the Valley of the Mo'roa on the moon of Pandora, explorers are invited on a mystic journey down the Na'vi River. At the water's edge, explorers will board small reed boats to begin their journey.  As your travel begins, you are met by a Na'vi warrior, who grants you passage into the rainforest and your eyes are open the wonderment of Pandora. A spectacular bioluminescent rainforest surrounds you as you discover exotic flora and the sounds of Pandoran creatures in the distance.   As the voyage continues, you hear music in the distance and encounter unique creatures, like viperwolf, who seem to be traveling down river with you as you in search of the Na'vi "Shaman of Songs". Finally, you see the Shaman holding a musical ceremony while playing an instrument and singing along.  Her music sends positive energy throughout the rainforest of Pandora.  Na'vi River Journey is one of two new […]