Expert Reviews

Castaway Cay Cabana Experience

7/23/2021 • Cruises, Reviews, Tips • One of the most sought-after experiences of a Disney Cruise is having a cabana at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.  Our family has been fortunate to experience this luxury, which we like to label “peace, quiet and solitude.”  The cabana experience includes: Bottled waters, cans of soda, and cold towels in a refrigerator Fresh fruit, granola bars, and chips Towels and sunscreen Fresh water shower including foot rinse Hammock Lounge areas, changing area, storage, safe, ceiling fan, music, and outlet Floats and tubes and one-hour bike rental The Family Beach includes a private beach experience with beach loungers, chairs, umbrellas, snorkel equipment, and sand toys Cabana host and service button Twenty cabanas grace the Family Beach – including one accessible cabana – while four are at the adults-only Serenity Bay. The Experience The experience is especially good for families traveling with heat-sensitive guests, elderly or small children.  My 80-year-old mother-in-law […]

Swimming with the Stingrays – Castaway Cay

5/28/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • Those traveling on a Disney Cruise in the Bahamas or Caribbean can experience an exciting day on the white, sandy beaches of Disney’s Castaway Cay. Whether you are an adult, a couple, or a family, there is much for everyone to enjoy. But what if you could partake in a unique experience that not only creates fun memories but also helps to preserve native wildlife? Sounds exciting, right?! Then why not try the Stingray Adventure at Castaway Cay? You and your family can schedule this amazing excursion once your excursion date has opened and you have paid your cruise fare in full. At $52 per adult (10 and up) and $41 for kids (5 to 9), you will have an hour of exclusive time with multiple stingrays in ‘Stingray Lagoon’. It is important that your children are at least 5 years old and are comfortable swimming with life jackets and […]

Disney Cruise Line’s Cove Café

5/7/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • Taking a vacation at sea does not mean it will be a vacation without your daily gourmet coffee. Disney Cruise Line has the Cove Café, which is an adult-only location on each of their cruise ships which offers gourmet coffees such as lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, and hot tea. One of my favorite ways to start the day on a Disney Cruise is to stop in and grab a pastry and an Americano. This is also a great place to try something different from your typical routine! You can find the Cove Café, on the Disney Magic and Wonder, on Deck 9, and if you're on the Dream and Fantasy, it is located on Deck 11 adjacent to the adult pool. The Cove Café isn’t just for morning coffee and breakfast treats. You can visit it all day long for different delightful treats! Throughout the day, they offer snacks and desserts […]

Disney Cruise Line – Chill Spa for Teens

4/30/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • The word chill is an adjective meaning very relaxed or easygoing. Disney Cruise Line has the goal of giving teens aged 13 to 17 a very relaxed experience by offering a menu of spa treatments on all four of their ships at the teen exclusive Chill Spa. If your teenager is interested in visiting Chill Spa, you must wait until you board the ship before you can book a treatment as this is not an option to book online. Head to the Senses Spa and request your appointment type and treatment as soon as you can – appointments will go fast, especially for your days at sea. Treatments include facials, massages, hair care, and beauty and wellness treatments such as wraps, manicures, and pedicures. Is your teen interested in attending a boot camp? Chill Spa also offers a Fitness Frenzy option that includes 3 specialized boot camp classes a personalized […]

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

3/13/2024 • 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 […]

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 […]

Aulani- The Perfect Adult Getaway

5/21/2024 • Aulani, Blog, Reviews • Pack your bags and visit the oasis you've been dreaming of... Every once in a while it's good to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and take an adult only vacation. You are able to visit a destination like never before and experience different events, activities, and places you might not have with kids. Disney is known for its fabulous parks and magnificent cruises, but what many people often forget is Disney's amazing island getaway on Ko Olina, Hawai'i.  Aulani is Disney's Hawaiian Resort. This tropical oasis is a perfect spot to plan an adult vacation getaway. The cast member's at Aulani work hard to provide you with an authentic Hawaiian experience. All of the living spaces include pieces of the Polynesian culture and make you feel right at home. If you're looking for a vacation spot with plenty to do, Aulani has you covered! If adventure is […]

Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Day Activities

1/26/2021 • Reviews, Tips, Walt Disney World • Are you looking for a new way to experience Walt Disney World on your next vacation? I’d like to recommend spending a day at Animal Kingdom Lodge. This resort is a destination unto itself with most activities are available to all guests and activities are available from morning until after sunset. You can view the animals on the savanna throughout the day and into the evening hours. There are multiple overlooks of the savannas at both Jambo House and Kidani Village. Guides will teach you about wildlife and the African culture. After sunset, night vision goggles will allow you to see the animals from a new perspective. The String of Memories is a favorite activity of children {and parents} that teaches them about African culture and wildlife conservation in a fun and memorable way. You will receive a unique bead as your reward for completing each activity. If you choose to […]

A Universal Studios Orlando Experience

1/8/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios Orlando • Visiting Universal Studios Orlando after 20 years feels like it's the first time ever experiencing it again! Everything I remembered has changed, and boy, have I been missing out! I would like to share with you about my recent “first” experience at Universal Studio’s Orlando destination. It was pretty incredible 20 years ago and now…it’s bigger, better, and more jaw-dropping than ever!! This was the first time I have ever stayed at Universal Studio Orlando Resorts. I decided to try out the 50-60 beach resort inspired Cabana Bay Beach Resort. I chose this resort because it says it all in its name…Cabana Bay Beach Resort. I love the beach and Cabana’s, so I selected this one! What’s a vacation without feeling some sand in between your toes? I loved coming back to this resort after a long day at the park. It felt like I was on the beach to […]

Resort Spotlight – Disney’s Riviera Resort

1/5/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World • Disney’s Riviera Resort opened on December 16, 2019, and is inspired by the magic of Europe that Walt Disney fell in love with. This is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resort and offers an array of room options and based on availability, non-DVC members can experience the Villa difference. Prepare to be whisked away by the influences of Europe and the Mediterranean that can be found throughout the Resort. There are grand archways and porticos. As you approach the entrance, there is a terrace with seating and a serene bubbling fountain. When entering the main lobby, it is quaint and intimate with a mix of modern and classic 20th-Century furnishings. There is a small retail shop, La Boutique, with a variety of Disney and resort-themed merchandise, necessities, as well as grocery items that can be prepared in your Villa. Le Petit Café can also be found here! Named after the […]