Blog Posts Tagged Planner

Disney Cruise Line Discount Rates

7/27/2021 • Cruises, Tips • How many times have you had an itch to get on vacation, but the thought of making a reservation at the last minute would cost an arm and a leg? Disney Cruise Line may have a solution for last-minute planners. Many times, Disney Cruise Line releases promotional rates called IGT (Inside Guaranteed), OGT (Oceanview Guaranteed), and VGT (Verandah Guaranteed). Granted, you may receive a lower fare if you book as soon as Disney releases their new itineraries, but many people have a hard time planning that far in advance. If you happen to discover you have extra vacation days at work or you just need a little time away, these fares may be right up your alley.  They are usually quite a discount from the regular fares that you would book last minute. Disney generally releases these fares after the pay in full date, which for most sailings and stateroom […]

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 […]

How to Tackle Sensory Overload at Disney!

7/16/2021 • Disneyland, 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 […]

Top 5 Reasons To Visit Walt Disney World BEFORE Your Disney Cruise!

5/11/2021 • Cruises, Tips, Walt Disney World • The anticipation of a Disney Cruise can be grand. There’s so much to plan, and for most travelers, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Your Me and The Mouse Travel Specialist will guide you in the best options for your travel party: before, during, and after your cruise.  One such option, is visiting the Walt Disney World Resort for a few days before embarking on your cruise that leaves from a Floridian port! There are benefits to visiting the Most Magical Place On Earth BEFORE your cruise… Here are the Top Five! 5. You will be too relaxed (and tired) to visit the Walt Disney Resort! Cruising changes your mood, and changes your routine, to a Hakuna Matata lifestyle!  To then switch gears and amp up for a theme park visit is exhausting. Rest your tired feet, be pampered, and end your vacation refreshed! 4. By arriving a few days early, […]

Beverage Tastings Onboard Disney Cruise Line

5/4/2021 • 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 You are now able to reserve our tastings online after your booking window opens in the “Onboard Fun” portion of […]

Five Reasons You’ll Love MeandTheMouse.Com

3/5/2021 • News, Tips • It’s been a while since our BIG launch, and we hope you’re enjoying our new space as much as we are! Today, we are going to share with you five reasons why you are going to LOVE our new website. Let’s get started! 1. Easy to Navigate This website is about 200x easier to navigate than our previous website. Take a look at our easy to comprehend home page! This page is one of my favorites because it gathers all the best parts of our website into one page! You can also see all of our social media feeds in one location! 2. Vacations Page Our new vacation page is a fun place to check out. You can browse through all of the destinations and learn more about each location. We hand-picked information to help you have plenty of knowledge about each destination without feeling overwhelmed! You can browse through […]

Aulani- The Perfect Adult Getaway

2/12/2021 • 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 […]

Show Your Disney Style – Making Your Own Ears

2/9/2021 • Tips • Mickey Ears – you can find them everywhere at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. They are a fashion statement on everyone from babies to seniors. Some people, including myself, even have a small collection of ears to suit every occasion. Everyone has a desire to look like Mickey Mouse but what do people do who don’t want to blend in with the crowd? Show your Disney style by making your own Mickey ears. This is an easy craft with options for people that are super handy with a sewing machine and those who are close friends of the glue gun. It’s a perfect craft idea for crafty tweens and teens too as you can make a pair of Mickey ears in less than 30 minutes. DIY Mickey Mouse Ears Materials: Headbands {thicker ones work best} Cotton Balls Ribbon Glue Gun Cardboard Sewing Machine {optional} Fabric of choice {enough to […]

Disney’s Aulani – a Hawaiian Experience

2/5/2021 • Aulani, Blog, Reviews • Visiting Hawaii is always a special vacation, but taking it a step further and spending your Hawaiian time at Disney’s Aulani is a magical treat for the entire family. From the time you are greeted at the resort entrance with your lei your luxury vacation as begun. This is truly a vacation that can be as relaxing or as active as you like. With spa services to exciting excursions, there is something for everyone. Activities/Pool There are plenty of activities to keep every member of your family busy. Excursions include Pearl Harbor, horseback riding, surfing lessons and shopping.  The Daily ‘Iwa will list the daily activities, which is broken down by age group and family focused, including character appearances. There are pools and whirlpools scattered throughout the pool deck catered to both children and adults. The highlight for many is the lazy river, which runs throughout the pool deck.  By […]

The Rider Switch Pass at Walt Disney World

1/29/2021 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Ever wonder if you’ll miss out on riding an attraction at Disney World because you’re traveling with someone either not tall enough or who does not want to ride? No worries! Disney offers a Rider Switch pass for guests in this situation. WHAT IS RIDER SWITCH? Rider Switch (also known as child swap or rider swap) allows an adult who has waited off the attraction with a child or guest unable to ride, the ability to enjoy the ride after the remainder of his/her party returns from the line. REASONS FOR NOT RIDING *Height restrictions *Guests with disabilities *Child chooses not to ride HOW DOES IT WORK? 1. The entire party goes to the front of the line of the attraction they wish to ride (either the standby line or FastPass line, if they have one). 2. Let the Cast Member at the front of the line know you need […]