Blog Posts Tagged Planner

I Just Booked a Royal Caribbean Cruise! Now What?

1/10/2023 • Cruises, Tips • Booking a cruise is so exciting, but can also feel overwhelming if you aren’t sure what steps to take next.  To plan your next Royal Caribbean Cruise and arrive feeling calm and collected, follow these four important steps: 1. Make sure you have all of the required documentation for every member of your party.  At Me and The Mouse, we always encourage our clients to have passports.  While this is not required for cruises embarking and debarking in the United States, it will protect you in the event you would need to fly out of the country.  Make sure to check your passports and renew any that expire at least 10 weeks before your cruise.  If you do not have a passport, make sure all adults have their government-issued photo IDs and original birth certificate.  Double and triple-check that all required documents match the birthdates and spellings that are listed […]

Universal’s Aventura Hotel

12/27/2022 • 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 […]

Disney’s Aulani – a Hawaiian Experience

7/6/2022 • 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 […]

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

3/22/2022 • 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, […]

Universal’s Endless Summer Resorts

12/18/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios • Surf’s up! Endless Summer: Surfside Inn and Dockside Inn, are two incredible new options for lodging during your next Universal stay! Located adjacent to each other, both Dockside and Surfside offer rooms with two queen beds with either a standard or pool view, but they also offer a second option for larger parties – two-bedroom suites! And the price point for these rooms is phenomenal! While the standard two queen rooms will comfortably sleep four, the family suites are larger at 440 square feet and will sleep up to six people! Both room types offer a single bathroom (the suite with double sinks), queen beds, ample storage, as well as a small kitchenette. Each kitchenette includes a microwave, a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, and a picnic table – perfect for families! Downstairs you will find a full quick-service restaurant with grab and go options as well as made to order […]

Resort Spotlight: Loews Royal Pacific at Universal Orlando

10/22/2021 • Reviews, Universal Studios • Staying “on property” at Universal Orlando definitely has its perks, but what you might not expect is the high quality of their hotels.  I had the pleasure of staying at Loews Royal Pacific during my last visit and had one of my most enjoyable hotel stays to date in Orlando. Loews Royal Pacific is a tropical, “South Pacific” themed resort just tenths of a mile away from the entrance of Islands of Adventure.  While you are just walking distance away from Universal Studios, you feel a surprising sense of peace and relaxation in this gorgeous resort hotel. Room types include water view and garden view rooms available with one king bed or two queens at 335 square feet as well as suites, including the popular Jurassic Park kids’ suites. These rooms provide an incredibly comfortable night’s rest so you are refreshed and ready for Early Entry to the Wizarding World the […]

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen

10/20/2021 • Reviews, Universal Studios • Looking for a unique experience while visiting Orlando?  So was I - on Valentine’s Day while visiting my daughter. What comes to mind when you think of Valentine’s Day?  Perhaps flowers and candy?  Perhaps chocolate?  Yes, indeed. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal’s CityWalk is perfect for a Valentine’s Day celebration.  Let’s be honest - this place is perfect to visit any day of the year!  If I lived closer – I would be sure to visit frequently so I could try practically everything on the menu. The Chocolate Emporium is a full-service restaurant, bar, and confectionary with a steampunk theme.  It is two stories with seating on both levels.  The menu offering is tremendous making it hard to choose just one item.  Their brunch menu is served all day featuring unique crepes, waffles, French toast, and quiches.  Also served are soups and salads, sandwiches and […]

The Wand Ceremony at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

10/8/2021 • Universal Studios • Are you a Harry Potter fan dreaming of visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando or Hollywood? If so, do not overlook the famous Wand Ceremony at Ollivander’s, Makers of Fine Wands. It was a very hot and sunny Summer day at Universal Studios Hollywood. The line was about an hour wait. My daughter, Hunter, was the only one excited about waiting in line to enter the shop. This was her ONE request for our visit. So, we all waited as the line slowly moved around the queue until we finally reached the front of the line. (You can visit the shop without going through the ceremony room). The staff at Ollivander’s brings you in small groups into the ceremony room where one of Ollivander’s wand makers chooses one lucky guest to be selected by a wand. The room is dimly lit. There are stacks and stacks […]

Pixar Pier at Disneyland- Review

9/27/2021 • Disneyland, Reviews • On-property or off-property? For visitors to Disneyland this is a huge decision to be made. Is it worth the extra funds in the budget to stay on property? Are the rooms really nice? What about the amenities and the convenience to the parks? Are early morning magic hours necessary? With the compact nature of Disneyland and off-property resorts right across the entry, staying on property at Disneyland has never been a huge priority for me. I wasn’t convinced that the on-property resorts were going to be worth the extra fee for a long weekend. But this year, I learned how wrong I was as I spent a long weekend at the Pixar Pier resort at Disneyland California. First impressions make a big difference and from the moment I entered the hotel, the cast members were exceedingly helpful and friendly.  As soon as I had my room key, I head up […]

What is Included in The Cost of a Disney Cruise?

8/27/2021 • Cruises, Tips • The cost of a Disney Cruise includes so many benefits that it truly makes it a great value for your money. One of the most important inclusions is the outstanding Disney service that my family has come to enjoy whether traveling with children or on one of their adult-only cruises. What is included in the cost of your cruise? All meals are included when dining in 1 of the 3 main restaurants, Cabanas buffet, the pool deck quick service locations, and the restaurants on Castaway Cay. In addition, there are locations throughout each ship that offer snacks during the day. Soft drinks and coffee are included with your meals and obtained at the self-service stations on the pool deck and Cabanas. Many of the items on the room service menu are included and available 24 hours/day in case you have a craving in the middle of the night. There are […]