The Happiest Blog on Earth

Benefits of Staying On Property at Universal Orlando

12/1/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios • If you are weighing the idea of staying on property or off for a Universal Orlando vacation, consider the following list of benefits of enjoying one of Universal's incredible properties. • Early Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Volcano Bay. You are able to get in 1 hour prior to the public. • Shuttle busses to the theme parks and CityWalk, however, all of the resorts are within walking distance if you would like to take a leisurely walk to and from the parks. • Charging privileges with your room key. • Complimentary transportation to Sea World and Aquatica. • If golf is on your agenda, you are given priority tee times and complimentary transportation to select area golf courses. • Shop, shop, shop throughout the Universal property and enjoy complimentary delivery of packages to your resort. • Being on-site also provides easy access to and from […]

Stroller Options at Walt Disney World

11/27/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World • There is so much to think about when planning a Walt Disney World vacation. While your focus is probably on booking hotels, getting your hands on park tickets, and making sure everyone has enough clean clothing to last the duration of your trip, it is easy to overlook a very important part of your vacation...the stroller. Now, don’t panic! If you find yourself stroller-less as you disembark your flight, or stumble out of your car after a road trip that felt like it would never end, there are plenty of options available to you once you reach Orlando. When choosing a stroller option there are three things to consider. 1. Convenience 2. Needs 3. Price What Options are Available? Bring a stroller from home. Bringing a stroller from home can be a great option. It makes sense if you have room in your car, or don’t mind bringing an oversized […]

Attraction Spotlight: Spaceship Earth

11/24/2020 • Blog, Walt Disney World • In today’s attraction spotlight, I am going to feature my favorite attraction on all of Disney property, Spaceship Earth. This attraction is near and dear to my heart because, during my time as a Disney Cast Member, this is where I got to create Disney magic. Spaceship Earth is a large geodesic sphere and is the icon of Epcot theme park. It opened with the theme park on October 1, 1982. Spaceship Earth stands at 180 feet tall, 160 feet wide, and is covered by 11,324 triangles. Many Disney guests comment about how it looks like a large golf ball. If you were to hit Spaceship Earth like a golf ball, you would need to be 7,714 feet tall! A concern many guests always inquired on was how it holds up with the Florida hurricanes and rain. Spaceship Earth’s 6 legs are connected to pile groups that go down 160 […]

Restaurant Review: Mythos at Islands of Adventure

11/20/2020 • Reviews, Universal Studios • When you think of theme-park food, it doesn’t usually conjure up images of delectable cuisine, but Mythos at Islands of Adventure (IOA) changed that perception for us and all by happenstance. Jason and I just recently took a trip to Universal Orlando Resort and wanted to hit up IOA to ride Hagrid’s after a very relaxing day at Volcano Bay. (Side note: Hagrid’s might be the best ride I’ve ever ridden. I highly recommend it). Anyway, we were making our way through IOA when we encountered the “towering rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and ancient figures carved” into the rock that is the restaurant which was intriguing in and of itself. We took one look at the menu and knew right away we had to eat there! We were extremely fortunate as they were able to seat us in the indoor dining room within 10 minutes without reservations, although they do […]

Fantastic Holiday Treats Around the Magic Kingdom!

11/17/2020 • Holidays & Events, Walt Disney World • Fantastic Holiday Treats Around the Magic Kingdom! If there has ever been a time we have needed to feel the magic of the holidays, it’s now in 2020, and Walt Disney World is pulling all the stops with the treats and goodies that are being rolled out for the season! Our goal: find and taste as many of the holiday treats at the Magic Kingdom before time runs out or our tummies explode! That’s right! We took one for the team to find you the best of the best! For guests looking for something different: Let It Snow Taco, available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn A sugar cookie taco shell filled with salted caramel and a spiced chocolate mousse. The cinnamon and salted caramel made this dessert! Orange Bird Christmas, available at the Sunshine Terrace Orange-scented white chocolate mousse with orange curd. It is, perhaps, one of the cuter […]

Enjoying Butterbeer at Universal Studios Orlando – The Ultimate Guide

11/13/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios • 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 […]

A Seven Year-Old’s Highlights of Walt Disney World

11/10/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World • Have you ever wondered what Disney World looks like through the eyes of a seven-year-old?  Do they really appreciate all the magic or do we just convince ourselves of that? Sitting down with my seven-year-old son the other night, we had a conversation that went down the Disney path (which frequently happens with our conversations) and it led me to ask him some pointed questions. Questions that might just help you as you plan your trip with a school-aged child and I thought some of his answers were great! Note: this particular seven-year-old has been to Disney over....well, a lot in his short life so far.  He knows the parks inside and out and has been on every single ride that he is able to go on due to height restrictions. Some he may never go on again because the thrill just isn't for him (i.e. Space Mountain & Everest). I had him […]

Attraction Spotlight – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

11/6/2020 • Blog, Disneyland, Walt Disney World • Oh 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways… Let me start by saying this is/was my absolute favorite attraction ever at Walt Disney World. It’s older sister, Submarine Voyage at Disneyland, is right up there with it...but 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was just *chef’s kiss* the complete embodiment of wonder, suspense, and magic. Based on the 1872 novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea , by Jules Verne, and the 1954 Disney movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea starring Kirk Douglas and James Mason - this attraction took much of what made Submarine Voyage great, and turned it into something even more spectacular. On opening day of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea could be found nestled back in Fantasyland, within a huge lagoon that spanned from Pinocchio’s Village Haus to the Grand […]

The Orange Bird-Walt Disney World

11/3/2020 • Blog, Walt Disney World • If you grew up in the ’70s, have you ever taken a visit to the Sunshine Tree Terrace, or have ever walked around in Adventureland? Chances are, you may have noticed the Florida Orange Bird a time or two. But do you really know the story about the Orange Bird? A Little Backstory… In 1941, the first partnership between the Walt Disney Company and Florida’s Natural growers evolved. The first deal featured Walt Disney World’s very own Donald Duck selling their Orange Juice. Then as some time went on, The Orange Bird was born. The Orange Bird is a small bird that looks like an orange for the head, has a body of a bird, and wings made out of leaves. Do you remember him yet? Nearly 3 Decades later… In 1969, a deal was made and the Florida Citrus Commission sponsorship was in full swing for the Sunshine Pavilion. […]

Universal’s Aventura Hotel

10/30/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios • Universal’s Aventura Hotel is one of Universal’s newer hotel options. It’s located between Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. It’s also within walking distance to Volcano Bay and offers views of all 3 Universal Orlando theme parks. Aventura is definitely a resort to consider when visiting Universal Orlando. Aventura is a smaller, modern resort with a lot to offer. Not only does it have standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and kids suites, but you can also upgrade to a Skyline View for breathtaking views from the highest floors of the tower building. With the upgraded view, you’ll be sure to see all of the parks from your window. It makes you feel more part of the excitement of being in the middle of it all! The food and drink offerings at Aventura are like none other. At the Urban Pantry food hall in the main lobby, you’ll […]

Review of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

10/27/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World • The newest Walt Disney World ride, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, is not one to miss! This new family-friendly attraction offers a state-of-the-art ride vehicle with visual effects technology. This ride can be found in the previously occupied Chinese Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The glowing sign offers an exciting entrance to an attraction unlike any other at Walt Disney World. I had the opportunity to enjoy this attraction in March and again since the phased re-opening. The first thing I noticed was the similarities to the Great Movie Ride. When you first enter the queue and step into the building, it was reminiscent of the previous attraction. As you moved through the queue, a noticeable difference would be the newly added movie screens that feature the animated Mickey shorts. Prior to the closing of Disney Park’s in March, the experience in the waiting queue was different. The animated short, […]