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3/14/2023 • Blog, Disneyland, Walt Disney World •
The wait is over! MagicBand+ has made its much-anticipated arrival in Walt Disney World and Disneyland! But what is MagicBand+ and how does it compare to the original MagicBand that debuted a decade ago? Which version will best serve me during my trip? MagicBand+ is a new, interactive wristband to enhance your Disney World vacation. When the first generation MagicBand was introduced 10 years ago, it provided the ultimate convenience for your Disney World trip- the ability to have your tickets, room key, FastPass selections, room charges, and Memory Maker photos all on one bracelet. No more reaching into your wallet every time you need to scan into a queue for your FastPass or reaching for your wallet when you need to charge that Mickey Bar to your room! MagicBand revolutionized the way we vacationed at Disney! MagicBand+ has the same functionality as the original MagicBand, but with some new […]
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3/7/2023 • Blog, Cruises •
With over $600 of included amenities on your Virgin Voyage, you can count on room service as one of those amenities as well! “ShipEats!” is a unique onboard room service option that can be ordered from your Virgin Voyages app, or your in-room tablet. While aboard the Scarlet Lady, I wanted to be sure I experienced as much of the food as I possibly could! And who wouldn’t - with Michelin chefs on board, everything was absolutely amazing. But sometimes, sometimes you just want to hang out on your balcony in your hand crafted hammock and snack, or maybe early mornings at a restaurant just aren’t your thing. ShipEats! is your solution! ShipEats! menus are accessible via your VV app, and include meals, snacks, and drinks, that are included with your voyage cost. Some items on the menu are from the various restaurants on the ship. There are some items, […]
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2/28/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World is an exciting experience for the whole family, but it can also be stressful if you have family members who are not as enthusiastic about the trip as you are. Here are some tips on how to get everyone excited about your upcoming Walt Disney World adventure and make it a truly magical experience for everyone. Include everyone in the Planning Process Research Together Download the My Disney Experience app and view park maps, attractions, dining menus, and character meet and greets. Watch YouTube Videos Talk About Favorite Disney / Pixar / Star Wars characters and films! Is there a favorite character someone would LOVE to meet or see in a parade? If you have Star Wars fans, you’ll want to be sure to take a closer look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and plan for extra activities. Wish […]
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2/7/2023 • Blog, Tips •
300,000+...That is the number of adventures offered through Viator, an online marketplace to book your travel excursions. From small remote corners of the world to major cities, Viator is likely to have something for you. Have you ever gone on a vacation and wondered what exciting things await you there? With Viator, your Me and The Mouse Travel Specialist can send you customized links to explore the many options available. Then when you find the perfect excursion, you can book right from that link. One of the best things about Viator is the “Reserve Now & Pay Later” option. With this, it doesn’t charge you for the excursion until about 1 week before. This gives you the peace of mind that you won’t miss out by securing your spot, but also the flexibility to update and/or cancel if your plans were to change. Some of the options below are just […]
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1/31/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
The BoardWalk Deli (formerly the BoardWalk Bakery) is located right on Cresent Lake near the Boardwalk Inn. This newly renovated quick service is inspired by the Northeast and offers a huge variety of sweet and savory treats from warm breads to hot and cold deli sandwiches, subs, and pastries galore. They also offer a large selection of premade salads, wraps, and sandwiches that you can grab and go. The Boardwalk Deli is known for their famous warm pastrami Ruben and their New Jersey inspired crumb cake and they look delicious! Seating is outside overlooking the beautiful lake. The BoardWalk Deli serves guests from 6:30AM to 11PM. Reservations are not accepted. If you are staying at the Boardwalk Inn, Beach or Yacht Club, I highly recommend popping over for a tasty treat and enjoy the scenery!
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1/24/2023 • Blog, Cruises, Tips •
For many people, the stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is the highlight of their cruise! Here are some tips to make the most of your visit on this amazing island. You are headed ashore, what should you put in your beach bag? You will want to make sure you do not get off the ship without your Key to the World card and adults will need a picture ID. Throw some sunscreen, your phone or a camera, sunglasses, and some water or a reusable water bottle in your beach bag. If you are traveling with kids you might want to bring a few sand toys. Don’t worry if you forget any of these, you can buy all of this on the island. Outside of the ship, you can pick up some towels for the day. There are more towels by the beach as well. Cast members will have […]
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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 […]
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1/30/2024 • Tips, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World •
In the last 40 years, Walt Disney World has been the reason that millions of families visit Orlando each year. However, with the full Harry Potter experience and so many additions to Universal Orlando, many families want to do both, but don’t know where to start. This can get very expensive and overwhelming if you haven’t done your research. One of the questions I get asked most is “how much time do I need at Universal?” Several factors do come into play here, but I generally recommend 3:1. For people doing three days at Disney, add 1 day at Universal and for six days at Disney, add 2 days at Universal. Of course recommendations can change based on your family’s individual preferences, but it is certainly a good place to start. Another question asked frequently is “should we get tickets only or purchase a Universal package as an add on?” […]
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6/23/2023 • 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 […]
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1/9/2024 • Blog, Reviews, Sandals & Beaches •
My husband and I absolutely love Sandals All-Inclusive Resorts. I know, no surprise there. From the beaches and relaxing nature of the resort to the incredible food and lavish excursions, what’s not to love?! But one of our favorite “why’s” of why we love Sandals is from the financial aspect of the resorts. Our love affair with Sandals and Beaches All-Inclusive Resorts began in 2016 when we honeymooned in Grenada in the Caribbean. We actually fell into it at the recommendation of a friend because I was quite exhausted from planning our destination mountain wedding during the previous year and a half. Nothing sounded better than an all-inclusive where I didn’t have to plan a thing except what spa experience to get! Now, if you’ve ever checked out a Sandals vacation, you know that the initial price can seem like a lot. But what I have found is by the […]
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