Blog Posts Tagged Me and The Mouse

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 […]

Big Box Stores vs Travel Planners Who Specialize in Disney

5/15/2018 • Tips, Walt Disney World • You are planning a trip for your family to a Disney destination and are looking for a great deal, but where do you start? You can do the research yourself and book directly with Disney, book with a Big Box Store like Costco, visit your local AAA office, or book with a travel planner who specializes in Disney destinations. If you enjoy planning and know exactly what you want, booking directly with Disney is an easy decision. If you have a Costco membership and want to see what they can do for you, Costco Travel can book your vacation for you. AAA agents can also help book your family vacation if you are a AAA member. What next, though? Well, if you book with Disney, you will handle all details – payments, keeping tracking of planning dates, booking advanced dining reservations and FastPasses for the theme parks or excursions and […]

Disney Springs Polite Pig Restaurant

8/7/2017 • Walt Disney World •   Run, don’t walk to the Polite Pig at Disney’s Town Center! My family and I recently tried the Polite Pig for the first time, and I guarantee it will not be our last!!  We were a party of 9 and I wanted to try one of everything, but we did have to leave a few items to try for the next visit!  We placed our order at the counter and then found a seat and a server brought the order to us.  They were then incredibly helpful and made suggestions of their available sauces and they were right! As you enter the restaurant you are met with an amazing smell of smoked meats and spices!  It was difficult to choose from the expansive menu.  We did order a variety of entrees and sides.  You can even make a meal out of the sides!!!  You have the option of choosing […]

Beat the HEAT Dance Party!

7/21/2017 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • As many of you know, Florida is quite HOT in the summer. When visiting the area, many families are trying to figure out the best way to CHILL out! On our last day trip to Disney Springs, we stumbled upon one the coolest new FREE things to do for the kids {and adults}! It was the Beat the Heat Dance Party!!! This fun dance party is located at a water fountain area. It's nestled near Once Upon a Toy, the Carousel and Earl of Sandwich! The Beat the Heat Dance party has a live DJ, umbrellas for the parents that need a little shade, hula hoops and water toys and of course WATER!!  Spinning the latest hits, the DJ’s keep the party going from 1pm – 5pm {and again in the evening from 6pm – 10pm} all summer long!  It reminded me of the Resorts’ pool interactive recreation activities they have […]

The Pandora Experience

6/13/2017 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • On May 27, 2017 (The opening day for Pandora) lines for the rides were 250+ minutes.  Thankfully, we are Walt Disney World Annual Pass Holders.  We had the opportunity to sign up for an EXCLUSIVE Pass Holder Preview that took place a week before the land opened to the public.  WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. The “land” is like none other at Walt Disney World. As soon as you step in, you feel as if you are on another planet or 4.4 light years away.   We were able to explore the “planet” and ride both The Flight of Avatar and The Na’vi River Journey without a wait.  You will be entertained on your way to the ride. As the line queues themselves are full of incredible sites.   The Flight of Avatar begins with a process in which an “Avatar” is made for each rider.  This will link you to a […]

Disney Springs 101

6/6/2017 • Reviews, Tips, Walt Disney World • During discussions with my clients I often bring up visiting Disney Springs while on vacation.  I have uncovered that many Disney first timers were unaware of this not-so-hidden oasis at Disney World.  So the homeschool mom in me has put together today’s lesson: Disney Springs 101.   Lesson 1: The History behind Disney Springs This area of Disney World opened on March 22, 1975 as Lake Buena Vista Village and was Disney’s first shopping area.  The shopping area was actually set up to serve residents who were supposed to be living on Disney property.  The plans changed and with that so did the name and purpose of Lake Buena Vista Village.   The first name change took place in 1977 to Walt Disney World Village and the idea behind it now was to keep Disney guests on Disney property.  With that idea in hand Walt Disney World Village transformed into […]

Caramel Confections at the Karamell-Küche

5/16/2017 • Reviews, Tips, Walt Disney World • Looking for something sweet while at Epcot? Caramel Confections at the Karamell-Küche" Nestled inside the quaint village-like setting of Germany at Epcot's World Showcase is one of my favorite treasures...Karamell-Küche {Caramel Kitchen}. This charming confectionary is a "must-do" on every trip to EPCOT.  The rich smell of Carmel entices you in as you walk by the front door.  Guests are immediately greeted with the smell of the fresh caramel popcorn that is being made in the store.  Don't be afraid of the line.  It will move fast and the wait is definitely worth it!!!  At quick glance, many will see the caramel popcorn identified as a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan.  While I highly recommend this use of your snack credit, don't think you are limited to just the savory hot caramel popcorn.  As you wait your turn, you will get a glimmer of the delicious, heavenly treats that are […]

Dining with Disney Royalty at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

4/18/2017 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is located at Epcot's Norway Pavillion. It is a fantastic opportunity to meet and greet with Disney Royalty on your next Walt Disney World vacation.   Join the Disney Princesses for Storybook Dining inside a medieval castle setting in heart of Norway.  When you arrive, guests are immediately greeted by Belle in her gorgeous yellow ballgown.  Don't worry, a Photopass photographer is present! This means you will have a fantastic photo on your Memory Maker photo account. You will be able to enjoy later and send out to family and friends.   After your visit with Belle, guests are are seated in one of two rooms reminiscent of great hall inside a storybook castle.  On my most recent visit, our waiter Paal explained the menu and made suggestions from the menu.  At lunch and dinner, every Guest’s royal feast begins with a “Taste of Norway”. This features Scandinavian seafood, […]

Visiting Marceline, MO – Walt’s Boyhood Home

2/19/2016 • Disneyland, Walt Disney World • No Disney Fan’s adventures would be complete without a trip to Walt’s boyhood home of Marceline, MO!  Nestled about an hour and a half north of Columbia, MO, this quaint town exudes charm and Disney History around every corner! Take the Disney tour of Marceline - the Walt Disney Hometown Museum containing personal letters, photos, and other Disney artifacts - guided by volunteers who met and housed Walt himself on his numerous visits “back home”. See where the Original Midget Autopia from Disneyland Park was relocated to at Walt Disney Municipal Park. Currently, the Walt Disney Hometown Museum is campaigning to restore this attraction - follow the link above to find out how to help! You can then visit the Disney Family Farm and the Disney Barn...as well as see (what’s left of) Walt’s Dreaming Tree - where it’s said that Walt dreamed of being a cartoonist. In the barn, […]

Walt Disney World Packing List

11/2/2015 • Walt Disney World • While this list was compiled with a Walt Disney World visit (by airplane) in mind, it can certainly be modified for any Disney destination. Carry-On / Immediate Access ο      Wallet with ID, credit cards (including Disney Visa for discounts!), cash, ATM card, and insurance cards. While children do not require a photo id for domestic flights, it's a good idea to have a recent, clear, close-up photo of each child in case they are separated from you ο        Airline confirmation and boarding passes ο        Rental car information or Magical Express documents ο        MagicBands ο        Resort reservation information (including confirmation number, park tickets or annual passes, special event tickets, dining reservations and FastPass selections ο        Smartphone with MDE installed (with login and password), phone charger ο        Medication (adult's and children's) ο        Antacid ο        First Aid […]