Blog Posts Tagged Vacation

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 […]

Disney Cruise Line – Alaskan Adventures Continued… Embarkation Day at Canada Place

7/7/2021 • Cruises, Tips • Embarkation day for your Disney cruise is quite exciting. If you’re like me, you want to get to the port early even if you have a later check-in time. But where will you go? Is there food available? Will you have to lug your luggage around with you? These were all questions I had the morning we were to set sail from Vancouver to Alaska. I’m happy to tell you that Canada Place is in a great location set up to help keep you comfortable and entertained while you wait to board. Food and a Quick Break: Immediately across the street from Canada Place is the Waterfront Centre Food Court, complete with Tim Horton’s, McDonald’s, and plenty of other offerings where you can grab a bite to eat and relax. Restaurants open early, wi-fi is available, and youcan make a quick stop to the restrooms. Stowing Luggage: Make sure you […]

Having Fun with Hidden Mickeys

6/4/2021 • Cruises, Walt Disney World • Look up, look down, and pay attention to the detail created by Disney Imagineers and Cast Members because hidden surprises are around every corner. Looking for Hidden Mickeys is a fun activity and provides an opportunity to explore all the creativity the Imagineer’s put into designing Disney. They can be found throughout the resorts, parks, Disney Cruise Line, and even on some Disney products. Or, it can even be as simple as a Cast Member being creative with the placement of dinnerware on the tables at a restaurant. Our family makes a game to see who can find the most Hidden Mickeys. We noticed it forces us to slow down and truly enjoy our surroundings and appreciate the little touches of magic that goes into creating all the magic. Since there are thousands of hidden Mickey’s all over Disney World, there are enough to keep you busy to discover new […]

Marvel Day at Sea

6/1/2021 • Cruises, Tips • Leaning upon the success of Star Wars Day at Sea cruises, Disney Cruise Line recently launched Marvel Day at Sea cruises. We recently sailed on the Disney Magic and experienced this special day…and we were not into Marvel movies before the cruise. Character Experiences Character experiences are available through three different methods. Advance tickets: When your booking window opens, Guests can reserve tickets to see Groot and the Heroic Encounter (Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Tony Stark/Ironman). Groot times are available throughout Marvel day and Heroic Encounter is available multiple days and times. Posted times: Times are listed in the daily Navigator and on the DCL app for Thor, Loki, Black Widow, and Captain America meet and greets. They are held multiple times throughout Marvel day. Roaming: Hawkeye, Doctor Strange, Star Lord, and Gamora roam decks three and four and are available for photos and autographs. Most of the Marvel characters […]

Swimming with the Stingrays – Castaway Cay

5/28/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • Those traveling on a Disney Cruise in the Bahamas or Caribbean can experience an exciting day on the white, sandy beaches of Disney’s Castaway Cay. Whether you are an adult, a couple, or a family, there is much for everyone to enjoy. But what if you could partake in a unique experience that not only creates fun memories but also helps to preserve native wildlife? Sounds exciting, right?! Then why not try the Stingray Adventure at Castaway Cay? You and your family can schedule this amazing excursion once your excursion date has opened and you have paid your cruise fare in full. At $52 per adult (10 and up) and $41 for kids (5 to 9), you will have an hour of exclusive time with multiple stingrays in ‘Stingray Lagoon’. It is important that your children are at least 5 years old and are comfortable swimming with life jackets and […]

Selecting Your Stateroom for Your Disney Cruise

5/25/2021 • Cruises, Tips • You’ve selected your perfect Disney Cruise Line itinerary. With all the exciting destinations offered, you have completed the hardest step! Next, let’s help you determine what kind of stateroom will best fit both your family’s needs as well as your budget. There are four main categories of staterooms on a Disney ship: Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, and Concierge. An inside stateroom (no windows to the outside) is the least expensive category. If you really want to cruise but see your room as only a place to sleep, or if the price difference between an inside stateroom and a verandah is make or break for you going on the cruise, an inside stateroom might be the answer for you! is a larger space and offers fresh light and a beautiful view. Depending on the ship and stateroom, you may have 1 or 2 non-opening portholes to look out of. If you would […]

Sailing Concierge Level on Disney Cruise Line

5/21/2021 • Cruises, Tips • If you are looking to receive a pampering level of service on your next Disney Cruise, sailing concierge-level may be the perfect fit for you and your family. For some, the additional cost to sail concierge is worth the extra expense. The benefits begin while you are still at home. Shore-side services will reach out to you before the 120 days prior to your sail date to secure adult dining reservations at Palo or Remy and spa reservations. This booking window is prior to Gold, Silver Castaway Cay members and first-time guests. If you desire a cabana at Castaway Cay, they will also help you reserve the very coveted cabana. They are also available to book shore excursions and offer suggestions. On your embarkation day, you may wait to board in a separate lounge at the port, and you are given priority boarding ahead of the non-concierge guests. Once on […]

Disney Cruise Line – Very Merrytime Cruises

5/18/2021 • Cruises • If you love Christmas and you love Disney, sailing away on a Very Merrytime Cruise with Disney Cruise Line should be added to your Christmas list. I was fortunate to experience my first Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream with my Me and The Mouse team in early November this year. I love the holidays and was so excited to get a jump start on Christmas music, decorations, and holiday traditions. Disney’s expertise in creating a “Magical Christmas” sailing is something I was thrilled to have the opportunity to experience. I especially enjoyed the magic of snow in the tropics. Holiday activities and offerings are subject to change by ship and itinerary, but I am excited to share a sampling below: Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party-Where your Disney pals know how to get the holiday party started with dancing and games such as candy cane limbo. Mickey’s Tree […]