Blog Posts Tagged Orlando

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 […]

Transportation Options at Walt Disney World

10/23/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World • When it comes to transportation at Disney, you may envision a flying carpet, pumpkin carriage, or a sprinkle of pixie dust with happy thoughts. The Disney Resort is quite large at 39 square miles so when it comes to transporting the thousands of guests that visit daily, Disney has many options. Making sure you know the basics of their transportation options are very important. Walt Disney World provides on-site transportation to their guests via: *Magical Express *Bus *Monorail *Ferry, water taxi, or boat *Disney’s Skyliner *Magical Express Walt Disney World Resort guests who will be flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO) will enter the magic of Disney soon after exiting their flight. They will go to the main terminal and head down to Level 1, Side B, and prepare to board the “Disney’s Magical Express”. Disney’s Magical Express will transport guests to their resort from the airport and back again […]

My Experience with Social Distancing Protocols at Universal Orlando Resort

10/20/2020 • Blog, Universal Studios • I recently returned from a wonderful Mother/Son trip to Universal Orlando Resort where we got to experience all of the social distancing guidelines firsthand. Thinking about what going into the parks with all the restrictions would mean not only myself but all our Me and The Mouse clients, had me a bit worrisome. I must tell you after my visit; I was IMPRESSED! We only had a few minor issues, both of which I will discuss, and neither had to do with the restrictions that were in place at Universal Orlando. Upon arrival at our resort, Loews Royal Pacific, we were greeted with a health check station right at the entrance to the lobby. We were asked a few questions and temperature screened. After passing the screening you are given a colored wristband that you are to wear the rest of the day. This will let resort employees and security […]

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

10/13/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World • Disney’s Beach Club Resort it truly one of my favorite resorts on property! From its incredible location just steps away from Epcot, to its pool and dining options, there are so many reasons to stay at Beach Club on your next Disney vacation. This resort looks like it’s right out of the pages of a New England architectural journal. Painted in pastel blue and white hues with lighthouse-style architectural features, this resort is appealing from the moment you pull up to its drive. Upon entering, the lobby includes seaside and nautical touches. Dining: Just off the lobby, you’ll notice several of the resort’s table service restaurants. Here you can dine at Ale and Compass, a New England steakhouse, Cape May Cafe, a character breakfast and seafood buffet lunch and dinner, and Beaches and Cream- a seaside-style soda shop with a variety of boardwalk foods. You can also relax and take […]

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort- Review

10/9/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World • In my 8 years of planning Disney vacations, one of the most common questions I get is, “What is your favorite resort on Disney property?” I don’t even hesitate with my answer, "Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort." “The Poly”, as it is often referred to as, is one of the three deluxe resorts on the monorail loop. The Polynesian is one of the original resorts that opened along with Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971. The theme of this resort is a Pacific Island paradise. Upon arrival, you will notice lush greenery and colorful flowers that leave you feeling like you have just been planted into the tropics. With a short walk through the beautiful greenery, you enter The Great Ceremonial House which is the lobby of the resort where you will be welcomed with a warm Aloha. Dining at the Polynesian resort is a must-do in my opinion even […]

Walt Disney World Relaxation Stations

9/25/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World • If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation during COVID-19, I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind, "How will I be able to handle wearing a mask all day in the Florida heat?" Well, as usual, Disney has thought of everything. Each Walt Disney World theme park has introduced new Relaxation Stations, designated areas where visitors can remove their masks in a safe and socially distanced environment. How does this work? Much like dining at a restaurant, visitors are required to wear masks until seated or standing at their designated place within the mask free zone. Only once in their designated space may guests remove their face coverings and take a breather. Upon leaving the Relaxation Station, guests are required to replace their masks. Luckily, many mask free zones are available to guests in each park, so no matter where you are, you will have one nearby! Magic Kingdom […]

Exploring Hogwart’s Castle at Universal Orlando

9/18/2020 • Blog, Universal Studios • For every Harry Potter fan, a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is a bucket list item but for true Potterheads. It's the extra Easter Eggs that are hidden that can make the experience truly magical. While magic appears around every corner in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, let’s explore the hidden items in Hogwart’s Castle that you’ll want to take note of on your next vacation. Here are my top 5 hidden items for you to find! 1. Mandrakes- The first hidden item is located outdoors, in the greenhouse. If your visit to Hogsmeade has low crowds, you may miss the Mandrakes, but pause just before you enter the castle and check out these restorative plants located behind a fence so that they cannot be accidentally pulled out of their pots, subjecting you to their screams. 2. Four Founders of Hogwarts: The Hall of […]

Our First Visit to Walt Disney World Since the Phased Re-Opening – Part 2

9/15/2020 • Blog, Walt Disney World • This the continued two-part blog post series, focusing on the modifications to existing procedures that were implemented upon the phased re-opening at Walt Disney World. Recap: My family and I, after careful consideration and research, made the decision to visit Walt Disney World. We observed many changes since our last visit in March. We frequently reviewed the information that Disney provides and frequently updates in the Know Before You Go and theme park updates page. We also received frequent communications via email and My Disney Experience app notifications about the safety measures and policies. Parking Changes We Observed When We Visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This was the only park we chose to drive vs. taking the bus from our resort. There were signs as we approached the auto plaza recommending cashless payment. To aid in physical distancing guidelines, we noted that parking was every other space. It allowed us to […]

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Hollywood

9/11/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios • With fall finally upon us, my thoughts start going to Halloween. As a huge fan of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, I decided to give some love to Universal’s festivities and attend Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Hollywood last year. While all parties are canceled for 2020, this is a great time to start thinking about next year! First of all, if you think you are going to a light event like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, this is not the atmosphere at all! Once you walk through the gates, prepare to be chased with chainsaws and basically scared out of your mind. You think you can go into a souvenir shop for a break, but no! They chase you in there too! The scare actors do a wonderful job of startling you all the way through the park. The only good news for me, and what I […]

Shopping for Disney Collectables

9/4/2020 • Blog, Disneyland, Walt Disney World • Let’s face it, we all love having that bag full of goodies handed back to us after finding the perfect souvenir, keepsake, or gift at a Disney park or in a Disney store. Sometimes, it even feels like we have gone on a scavenger hunt to seek out something that is exactly right. A simple fun souvenir purchase can turn into a growing collection before you know it. That innocent buy is precisely how my Disney ornament collection began. A long long time ago (2011), in a theme park far far away (Disneyland), I bought a Christmas tree ornament to remember our very first Disney family vacation. Little did I know that purchase would start a tradition to buy one or two ornaments each time I visited a Park or went on a Disney Cruise. My favorite ornaments have the year displayed, so I can remember when I got it, […]