Blog Posts Tagged Orlando

A Universal Studios Orlando Experience

1/8/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios • 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 […]

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

1/1/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World • Disney’s Hilton Head Island resort in South Carolina didn’t disappoint our family. We were there for a 4-day trip and we left wishing we had booked more time! We were traveling with 2 adults and 2 kids (17, 7, and 6) and there was something for everyone, and yes, even in December, when the highs each day were in the 50s! The rooms are spacious and comfortable with large balconies. The resort always feels pretty quiet, even when you are overlooking the pool. A beloved cast member at Hilton Head Island was Carol from NJ. Everyone knows her and loves her. At the end of our 2nd day, our kids felt like she was part of the family. If you run into her on your first trip she will happily give you a tour of the resort and you won’t regret it! It is the perfect getaway, no matter the […]

The Jurassic World VelociCoaster Coming to Islands of Adventure in Summer 2021!

12/29/2020 • Blog, Universal Studios • Something BIG is coming to Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure in Summer 2021. The all-new Jurassic World VelociCoaster will take you back some 65+ million years to the age of the dinosaurs. You’ll come face to face with terrifying raptors while traveling past a velociraptor paddock and twisting and turning over the water and through the jungle while on a high-speed chase. The VelociCoaster is slated to be Florida’s tallest and fastest launch ride, and if you have been inside the park over the past few months, you’ll know why; this coaster is massive! Traveling up to 70 miles per hour and soaring through four complete loops might seem like child’s play after climbing almost 155 feet straight up because remember, what goes up, must come down! Once completed, this new species of roller coaster will be one of three major rides in the Jurassic Park area as well as […]

Disney PhotoPass: Super Zoom Magic Shot

12/15/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World • When visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, it always seems that time just goes way too fast. Before you know it, you’re back home thinking of all of the fun and magical memories that were created. A special part of these memories is the photographs that capture these special moments. They are ones that you’ll look back on in years to come to relive the magical time you had. Disney recognized how important it is to be able to look back on these memories. This, in turn, brought about the creation of the Disney PhotoPass. A recent addition to the different Disney PhotoPass options is the Super Zoom Magic Shot. The Super Zoom Magic Shot is a great way to get everyone in the picture in front of some of Disney’s iconic structures and lands. Disney PhotoPass photographers are roaming by Cinderella’s Castle, Batuu, and the Millennium Falcon at […]

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 […]

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 […]