Blog Posts Tagged Tips

Pack like a Travel Agent: Toiletry Bag Edition

10/28/2025 • Tips • Welcome back to my series “Pack like a Travel Agent.” Today’s topic is toiletry bags and how best to maximize your space for all those essentials! Stick with me and I’ll show you how I pack my own toiletry bag. If you plan to pack your toiletries in your checked baggage, you don’t have to worry about the size of the containers quite so much. You still need to comply with the TSA’s restrictions about what can be packed in carry-on and checked luggage. Please see the TSA’s website for the most accurate and up-to-date information: Travel Tips: 3-1-1 liquids rule | Transportation Security Administration (tsa.gov) The Toiletry Bag: When selecting a toiletry bag, I would stick with a few key characteristics. I would highly recommend a toiletry bag with a hook to hang it from the towel bar or shower hook when you get to your destination. I’ve also […]

12 EPCOT Photo Locations You Need to Visit!

10/23/2025 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World • 12 EPCOT Photo Locations You Need to Visit! EPCOT is full of amazing locations to capture fantastic memories for your family photo album or your social media accounts. While some are easy to identify, like Spaceship Earth, there are many hidden gems throughout the park that make spectacular backdrops for your vacation photos.   Checkout these 12 photo spots on your next visit to Epcot! 1.  Spaceship Earth -   The icon of this park, Spaceship Earth can be seen and photographed in various locations in the park due to its size (It's 180 feet tall!!).  With themed garden beds as you enter the park, this always makes this location a "must do" on any visit to Epcot.  Plan to get pictures both during the day and night as it twinkles and changes colors at night. 2.  Bubble Gum Wall (#bubblegumwall) - This location continues to be a trend for park goers and their photos! […]

Taking a Disney Vacation with Grandchildren – Where Should We Go?

10/15/2025 • Adventures by Disney, Aulani, Blog, Cruises, Disneyland, Walt Disney World • You know you want to travel with your grandchildren (and maybe their parents!) on a Disney vacation, but which Disney destination is going to fit your family’s personality best? From Walt Disney World in Florida, to Disneyland in California, from Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii to the Disney Cruise Line, and even Adventures by Disney trips around the globe—each option has something magical to offer for multigenerational families. The key is to match the experience to your family’s travel style, the ages of the kids, and how active you want your trip to be. Let’s explore which one fits your family best! Walt Disney World—The Ultimate Adventure for Active Families Walt Disney World is the best choice for very active grandparents with plenty of energy and time to travel. With four major theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) plus two water parks, you could […]

Discovering Greece with Adventure by Disney

9/2/2025 • Adventures by Disney, Blog • Imagine standing at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, gazing up at the Parthenon as stories of gods and goddesses come alive around you. Or picture yourself strolling through Santorini, whitewashed villages cascading down cliffsides, while the sky turns pinks, and gold at sunset. This isn’t just a vacation, it’s a journey into history, culture, and indescribable beauty. Greece had always been on our dream list, and this journey turned it into a story we’ll never stop telling. We got to experience Greece through an Adventure by Disney guided tour, and it was unlike any other trip we’ve taken. Disney takes care of every detail, so you can fully be present in the magic of the destination. Athens: Walking Through Ancient History Your adventure begins in Athens, where ancient ruins and lively modern streets blend seamlessly. With Disney’s expert, friendly guides leading the way, you’ll explore the Acropolis, hear […]

Universal Orlando Refillable Mug Options – What You Need to Know

8/26/2025 • Blog, Universal Studios • Planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort? Keep in mind, you’ll be busy walking, riding, laughing, exploring, making memories, and working up a thirst! That’s where Universal’s refillable mug options come in handy. Whether you're staying at a Universal hotel or heading into the parks, there are ways to save on drinks and stay refreshed. Resort Refillable Mugs If you're staying at a Universal hotel, you can purchase a refillable resort mug for unlimited drinks at your hotel only. That includes soda, coffee, tea, and slushies at the resort’s self-serve stations. How it works: *Buy once, refill throughout your stay *Use only at your hotel (not in the theme parks and not at other resorts) *Great for coffee in the morning or a soda by the pool *Cost: Usually $10–$20, depending on length of stay* Park Refillable Freestyle Cups Inside the theme parks and CityWalk, you’ll find Coca-Cola Freestyle refillable […]

Get Ready for a Pirate Parlay on Your Disney Cruise!

8/19/2025 • Blog, Cruises, Tips • Ahoy Matey!!! Get ready for a Pirate Parlay on your Disney Cruise! Swashbucklers and Scally-wags of all ages won't want to miss this Pirate Bash at Sea! Special character meet and greets, dance parties, pirate games, and more are waiting for you on the high seas! You will delight in seeing some of your favorite characters dressed for this Buccaneer Bash on this special night available on select Disney Cruise itineraries. Mickey, Minnie, and friends are ready to embrace the pirate life for just one night! Be on the lookout for two of the most infamous Pirate Captains at sea - Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Hook! Weigh anchor and head to your Pirate themed dinner at your assigned restaurant onboard your Disney Cruise. Here landlubbers will discover bountiful choices on a specialty cultivated pirate-themed menu created just for you! If your gold doubloons are shaped like Mickey ice cream […]

Discover the 1820 Society on Disney Cruise Line

6/24/2025 • Blog, Cruises • For those in that in-between stage, beyond the traditional kids’ club age and not able to participate in all of the adult activities, a Disney cruise has activities for you! Disney Cruise Line created the 1820 Society specifically for young adults ages 18 to 20. This unique social group offers a fun way to meet others your age and enjoy activities designed just for you while you cruise. The 1820 Society is all about connecting and encouraging shared experiences among 18 to 20-year-olds. Scheduled meetups and activities are listed in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. The first gathering is typically a casual meet-and-greet, offering a relaxed setting to get to know others who are part of the group on your particular sailing. Unlike the structured environment of kids’ clubs, the 1820 Society offers a more flexible, casual experience. Activities take place in various locations throughout the ship. However, on […]

Virgin Voyages Quick Tips!

5/6/2025 • Blog, Cruises • Whether this is your first Virgin Voyage, or you’re an experienced sailor, these helpful tips will make your voyage that much smoother! Forgot to add a Bar Tab? Want to add more Bar Tab to your account? Great news! You will still be able to add Bar Tab while at the port! Before you board the ship, visit any desk with a Bar Tab sign (like below), to add Bar Tab to your voyage. Bar Tabs are great ways to pre-pay your drinks (alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, juices, and non-alcoholic specialty drinks). Sometimes, bonus Bar Tab is offered with that purchase. Remember - Bar Tabs cannot be purchased onboard! Want to reserve a pool lounge chair? You can! But if your belongings are abandoned for more than 40 min, personal items (not belonging to VV) will be taken to Lost and Found. Any pool attendant can direct you! Forget to […]

Tipping at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando

4/29/2025 • Blog, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World • There are so many people on a Walt Disney World vacation that add to the magical feeling of your vacation that it’s easy to get confused on who to tip and how much is appropriate to thank them for helping you out so here’s a list of people to thank and general ranges for appropriate amounts to help answer your questions. Transportation Once you arrive in Orlando, if you are not renting a car, as many people don’t, you need to get to your resort and may have a rideshare driver, a shuttle service, or a private car driver. Rideshare apps will give you some options for tipping, usually 15-25%. Shuttle service drivers are usually tipped for handling your baggage – usually $1-3 per bag. Lastly, private drivers should be tipped between 15-25% of your ride fare of which some companies will charge an amount in advance. Bring along cash […]

Living the Suite Life on Royal Caribbean

4/22/2025 • Blog, Cruises • Have you ever sat on the bed inside your cruise cabin and thought “more space sure would be nice”? Well, it is possible, and it’s not that far out of reach when you sail with Royal Caribbean! My “kids” are both taller than me now, so we take up more space than in previous years. When planning our latest cruise, we knew space would be an issue, so I started comparing our normal cabins with different suite options and was surprised at how affordable a suite would be for us. Royal Caribbean has 3 different Royal Suite Classes - Sea, Sky and Star Class, and they vary by ship, so be sure to match what class and amenities you want with your ship when talking with your Me and The Mouse travel specialist. My family cruised on Allure of the Seas in a 2-bedroom Grand Suite, which is a Sky […]