Blog Posts Tagged Planning

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

12/6/2022 • Cruises, Reviews • Are you an adventurer looking for endless thrills? Are you foodie hoping to expand your culinary experiences? Maybe you are just a little stressed from the constant full schedules on a daily basis. Whatever your reasons, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line could be just what you’ve been looking for! With 20+ ships in the fleet and 7 different classes this cruise line could surely have the perfect itinerary for you. My family’s awesome adventure took us on an 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise with stops in Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, & St Maarten. Each Caribbean or Bahamian itinerary also includes a stop at one of Royal Caribbean’s private islands, either Labadee Haiti or Perfect Day at Cococay. Each private destination allows you to chill on beautiful beaches. Thrill yourself on things like ziplines, waterslides, or unwind like you mean it at swim-up bars or overwater cabanas. Even though Caribbean is in their […]

The Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

11/22/2022 • Blog, Walt Disney World • INCREDIBLE!! This is how I would describe my recent after-dark safari tour through the savannas at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was kind of like that old cowboy song, you know...." Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam, Where the deer and the antelope play ". Okay, it’s not exactly like that, but you get where I’m going. From a giraffe who practically stuck her head inside our open-air safari vehicle, to a few zebras who had no intention of moving off our path, and the giant Ankole cattle who's only concern was finishing his dinner. My family and I were amazed at the amount of wildlife we saw during our 1-hour tour. The Starlight Safari is currently offered nightly, weather permitting, at 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm, and the cost is $75 - $89 per person, before tax. Reservations are required, and payment is due at time of […]

How to Best Prepare for Travel and Leave the Worries at Home…a Checklist!

11/15/2022 • Tips • As your departure day quickly approaches, here are some helpful tips for preparing for your next vacation!   Preparing Your Work: Tie up loose ends at work so you can better avoid calls while you are on vacation. Set your voicemail and email to alert colleagues and customers of your days away from the office.   Preparing Your Home: Ask a friend or neighbor to pick up your daily mail and news flyers and hold them for your return. Ask a friend or neighbor to water your lawn, if needed. For winter months, ask them to plow your driveway if it snows and drive up your driveway to create tire marks in the snow. If you are kenneling your animals, remember most boarding services require up to date health care for your dogs and cats. Set timers on lights in your house. For exterior lights, use automatic lights around entrances. […]

Enjoying Butterbeer at Universal Studios Orlando – The Ultimate Guide

5/29/2024 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios Orlando • 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 […]

A Trip-of-a-Lifetime to Costa Rica with Adventures by Disney

12/10/2025 • Adventures by Disney, Reviews • When you hear the name Disney, you probably think of Mickey Mouse and theme parks. In addition to many other experiences and destinations, Disney also offers organized land tours across the U.S. and around the globe. Adventures by Disney allows families, friends, and even solo guests to explore amazing destinations together knowing that they will receive the same level of entertainment, service, accommodations, safety and VIP access that comes with the Disney name. Adventures by Disney’s Costa Rican itinerary is geared towards adventurers and thrill seekers excited to navigate the waters and rainforests of Costa Rica while enjoying the culture, traditions, food, and the beautiful scenery and wildlife that make up this gorgeous part of the world. This is a very active adventure with highlights including white water rafting, zip lining above the canopy, and snorkeling.  There is always a secondary option for guests who are unwilling or unable to […]

Sandals Resorts in St. Lucia Compared (2025): Grande vs Halcyon vs La Toc

10/25/2022 • Blog, Reviews, Sandals & Beaches • If you’ve already chosen St. Lucia, you know it’s a breathtaking paradise—like Hawaii, but without the long flight if you're coming from the East Coast. Now, the big question: which Sandals resort is the best fit for you? With three stunning options, there's something for everyone. 👉Take advantage of up to 65% off! Sandals Grande St. Lucian Our first stop is Sandals Grande St. Lucian, a vibrant and stunning resort located on Gros-Islet, offering breathtaking views of Rodney Bay and the iconic Pitons—volcanic peaks draped in lush tropical greenery. Grande is known for its stunning over-the-water bungalows and beachfront rondovals with private pools and butler service, laid out on a mile-long stretch of white sand beach. The resort is always buzzing with energy, boasting 12 diverse restaurants and an exciting lineup of activities. From Reggae Night on Saturdays and the Caribbean Carnival Beach BBQ on Mondays to daytime foam parties […]

Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment

10/18/2022 • Blog, Walt Disney World • The Magic Kingdom fireworks display highlights every family’s Disney vacation. Most people fight the crowds to get the perfect spot in front of Cinderella’s castle. What if I told you there was a way to get a perfect view of the show without competing with the crowds and your whole family being treated like royalty for the night? There is no better way to celebrate Magic Kingdom’s 50th anniversary than watching fireworks at the Disney Enchantment Dessert Party. You will be granted special access to a private firework viewing area with a picture-perfect castle view. You will be fully immersed in the all-encompassing experience of a Magic Kingdom firework display from the character-themed castle projections and the movie-inspired surround sound musical accompaniment. There are three different ways to experience the fireworks show and all-you-can-eat dessert party. You can watch the show from your prime location in the Plaza Garden for […]

SMUGGLER’S RUN: CHEWBACCA MODE

10/11/2022 • Blog, Disneyland, Tips, Walt Disney World • Since the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run has been one of the most popular attractions. On this immersive attraction, guests can take flight on the iconic ship along with a team of five other passengers, each of which has their own designated duty (pilots, gunners, and engineers), in order to complete their smuggling mission. You and a crew of pilots, gunners, and engineers can embark on a smuggling mission through space inside Han Solo’s famous ship. While aboard, your team is assigned a mission with the help of Han Solo’s pal, Chewbacca, and pirate Hondo Ohnaka. Your goal is to acquire as much coaxium as possible and smuggle it back to the base. TRUE Star Wars fans will love a hidden “easter egg” within this attraction as you unlock “CHEWIE MODE”, which allows you to turn off Hondo Ohnaka […]

How Young is Too Young for a Visit to Disney?

10/4/2022 • Tips, Walt Disney World • We all want to share that special Disney magic with our children, but determining when is the right time to start visiting the Happiest Place on Earth can prove more complicated than a simple visit to meet Mickey Mouse. Here are some tips to help you decide if your child is ready to experience all the magic that the World of Disney has to offer! When is the right time? Everyone around you will offer differing opinions, but no one knows your child like you do. When determining if your child is ready, there are several things you should factor in: Does your little one require a nap? Do you have a schedule that is hard to stray from without major meltdowns? Does your child have any special requirements that will require extra planning or assistance? You can plan half days for playtime in the park which would accommodate naps back at the resort, or you […]

Seeing the World with Disney Cruise Line

9/27/2022 • Blog, Cruises • My family enjoys Disney and the quality of service that is synonymous with the Disney name. So, when we travel, Disney is our go-to company. Because we love to travel and see the world, we hop on a Disney Cruise and explore. The port excursions offer a variety of options that are both family-friendly and also selections that are for adults only. Disney Cruise Line has a variety of itineraries throughout Europe and they will be introducing new ports of call in 2023 and 2024 when they add Australia to one of their amazing destinations. My family always makes sure to add a couple of days to either the beginning or end of our sailing to truly experience one city more in-depth than just a port of call. We plan this in our own, but many of the embarkation/debarkation cities also have Adventures by Disney tour options that can be […]