Blog Posts Tagged first

Beverage Tastings Onboard Disney Cruise Line

8/2/2017 • Cruises • If you are sailing on a Disney Cruise and looking for adult onboard activities, Disney offers tasting events for guests that are at least 21 years old. This is a fun activity that you can experience on select days, generally sea days. I have personally experienced the tastings with a group of friends, but I have also signed up for wine tastings by myself. It is a fun and comfortable environment and a great way to meet other people on your cruise. Here are a few examples of the types of tastings offered, but they can vary by sailings and the length of the cruise:   Wines Tasting hosted by a sommelier Beer Tasting Martini and Tequila/Margarita tastings Rum Tasting Cognac Tasting + A variety of other options based on availability   Beginning July 13, 2017, you are now able to reserve our tastings online after your booking window opens […]

The Uncle Tim Effect

6/12/2017 • Adventures by Disney, Aulani, Cruises, Disneyland, Tips, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World • A strategy for successfully navigating your next vacation! Over the past several months, I have written many blogs about different strategies that my family has utilized to help make our visits to Walt Disney World successful {You can read those here & here!}. My oldest son, Matt, is living with Fragile X Syndrome. It is the leading cause of inherited mental impairment and leading known genetic cause of Autism.  My son often struggles with becoming overwhelmed by even preferred activities, and this can lead to less than desirable behaviors.  We have used many strategies as I have discussed in previous blogs.  This blog is focused on our most successful strategy.  We affectionately call it “The Uncle Tim effect”! Over the years, we noticed a marked difference in my son. When we would have someone else visiting the parks with us, he would have a better ability to manage his environment and to […]

How a Trip to Disneyland Changed My Life

4/11/2017 • Disneyland, Reviews • Growing up in Western Nebraska, we took yearly trips to South Dakota or Colorado. I remember going on these vacations during my elementary school years. It was during my 5th grade year, my parents made the vacation decision that forever changed my life - a trip to Disneyland! This is the story of why that trip changed my life as a child and as an adult. We had never gone a trip of such magnitude. I remember going to our local travel agent with my mom and seeing that sticker of Mickey Mouse on the window that said “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.” As a child I thought to myself “wow, this is really happening!” After taking home a stack of Disneyland brochures and a few weeks of planning, we settled on our hotel and our tickets.   It was almost a year a way, but I was excited as if […]

Meet BB-8!

2/20/2017 • Walt Disney World • Hey all you Star Wars fans - you now have more to look at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at Walt Disney World® Resort. Disney is has added more Star Wars fun as BB-8, the new droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens has now made its way to the park! BB-8 is greeting guests at the Star Wars Launch Bay. BB-8 appears with Kylo Ren and Chewbacca. In addition to the fun character meet-ups, you can enjoy all the fun and activities of the Launch Bay! The Launch Bay includes galleries packed full of Star Wars memorabilia and authentic replicas of Star Wars artifacts. The Launch Bay also included new pieces from the new film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. You can also relax while watching the daytime show, "Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away". Children ages 4-12 are eligible to sign up to become a Jedi in the Jedi Training {read more about that, here}! There are also several additional activities […]

First Time Disney Magic

2/9/2017 • Walt Disney World • Everyone wants that unforgettable first trip to Walt Disney World.  Let me tell you about mine...   It was probably sometime in June, 1982, when the family packed up the car and drove to Florida.  My parents, brother, cousin, and I, took off to see the Mouse himself!   I don’t remember much, being 2 years old - who would, in all honesty?  I’ve been told stories of me threatening to throw up on my cousin in the back seat; how my eyes instantly lit up from meeting Mickey himself, and learning to ride my tricycle when I got home because of him.  Three very different points in time.  I remember my new Mickey stuffy being with me at all times after.   As you can see, the 80s was a time of ‘Free Roaming Characters’. Character handlers would guide them through the park, and anyone could run up and […]

How to Tackle Sensory Overload at Disney!

1/16/2017 • Cruises, Disneyland, Tips, Walt Disney World • It wasn’t until my oldest son, who is living with Fragile X, was almost 3 that I began to have a greater understanding of his sensory integration challenges.  Fragile X is the leading cause of inherited intellectual impairment and the leading known genetic cause of Autism. I was attending an education workshop, and I participated in an exercise that helped me understand what someone with Fragile X/Sensory integration challenges experiences. I began to view the world with a different perspective.  On our next trip to Walt Disney World, It was as if I was experiencing it for the first time.  Guests are immersed in their experience even before entering the gates.  Our senses are constantly bombarded.  As my son grew older, it was clear that the sensory input, at times, was too much.  If we wanted to continue to enjoy traveling to Disney destinations, we needed to come up with […]

Staying Active in Disney to Minimize Scale Shock

1/2/2017 • Tips, Walt Disney World • With the new year comes the promise of a better us, spiritually or physically.  Then people start to think…’how can I be healthy in Disney?’.  I’m the LAST person to give you advice on eating healthy while in Disney.  I am there to indulge in the yummy goodness that the amazing culinary cast members produce and I enjoy every minute of it! What I can give you advice on, is how to stay physically active so those calories and carbs you consume can have less of an effect on your waistline. WALK! You cannot help but do this at Disney, you walk everywhere!  Track your steps and wear a pedometer (I’d wear one instead of using a pedometer app to preserve your phone’s battery life).  Just by doing your daily vacation agenda, you can burn a ton of calories.  I clocked over 10 miles PER DAY on my last trip! […]

Don’t Get Overwhelmed!

12/20/2016 • Tips, Walt Disney World • A former Cast Members guide for first time Disney guest After working for Walt Disney World for nearly five years I’ve seen a lot of overwhelmed faces from first time Disney guests. So the question is how not get overwhelmed by all that Disney World has to offer. I’ve compiled my list of things that may help a first time guest to vacation capital of the world. Much of what will help keep you from getting overwhelmed can be done before you even get on the plane.   Tips for First Time Disney Guest Get familiar with what Disney World has to offer ahead of time. Disney has many resources to help families prepare for their first visit. Research Disney World’s website and explore the 27,000 acres the resort covers. What I found helpful before I ever worked at Disney was talk with someone who knows the lay of the […]

Marvel Day at Sea

12/9/2016 • Cruises • Looking for a new way to experience the magic of Disney, Marvel, and cruising? Disney Cruise Line and Marvel have teamed up to present you with Marvel Day at Sea. This fun cruise is for the superhero lover in your family. Your family will be able to discover Marvel's superheroes, comics, films, and more! One epic day. Seven select sailings. If you're interested in sailing on one of the seven select trips, contact a Me and The Mouse agent today.

Dinner at Boma at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

11/23/2016 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Boma is located inside the Jambo House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  This restaurant has a wonderful décor and African drummers provide a lively authentic atmosphere at the entrance.  Dinner is served buffet style with a wide variety of food choices and included is a soft-drink selection with refills.  Drink orders are taken by a waitress.  You may want to enjoy premium drink options with an African flair for an additional cost.  Disney characters do not make appearances here, but the restaurant provides character and charm. Boma is paradise for food lovers.  You will need a big table to provide plenty of room to try all of the unique dishes along with the classics.  The food has an African flair and provides a unique dining experience.  A variety of favorite American classics are offered as well.  The food has amazing flavor without being overwhelming.  It is one of my top […]