Travel Tips & Tricks Archives - Page 2 of 6

Good to Know Information about Disney Cruise Line

July 1, 2019 by Kelly Dedeaux

When you go on a Disney Vacation, it’s a premium experience filled with entertainment and lots of fun – but it may be hard to picture what a Disney vacation is like without the parks. What makes Disney Cruise Line different from other cruises, and why should you take this year’s family vacation out to sea? Everything you wanted to know about Disney Cruise Line is right here, from the meals to the port adventures and the fun Disney on-board youth clubs.

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Y’all know how much I love cruise vacations, and I’m hopeful one day I can take my family on a Disney one! We’ve heard of all the magic and wonder that you’re use to finding in the parks is well alive on sea, as well, and can’t wait to try it for ourselves.

The Fleet

First of all, the Disney Cruise Line has four ships in its fleet. The Magic and The Wonder are the two smaller ships, and the Fantasy and the Dream are the bigger and newer ships. Each pair offers similar venues on board. The Dream and Fantasy are more similar to each other and a more modern feel; and Magic and Wonder feel just a little bit more quirky and dated, but only by comparison. Which ship you take depends largely on where you plan to take your cruise. Although the newer ships have a couple of updated features that are really desirable, the older ships are still great and have the benefit of being less crowded, due to fewer staterooms on board.

The Food

As with most cruises, the food is mostly included in your price, whether you go to the buffet or to the rotating restaurants. There are two dinner services each night and you will be assigned seating, this is so your server can consistently wait on you throughout your cruise. You’ll have the same crew assigned to you for the whole trip, making it more customized & familiar service. Even at regular table service restaurants, you can order as much as you like of anything on the menu – I love that this allows you to be more bold and try new things without much worry! Room service is likewise complementary, and is available 24 hours. Palo and Remy are two fine dining restaurants that require you to pay more to dine there (there’s other available, as well) – this is why it’s ‘mostly’ included in your price, but that’s ultimately up to you.

The Activities

There are amazing excursions and adventures to sign up for, and you should try to do this in advance of your trip because space is limited on most port activities. Depending on where your Disney cruise takes you, you can take amazing sight seeing tours, go snorkeling and even take fishing and boating excursions. Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island in the Bahamas and it’s mostly undeveloped, ecologically protected land cared for by Disney scientific researchers and conservationists. Kids and teens can enjoy age specific activities, as well.

The Clubs

On board there is plenty of family fun and entertainment to keep everybody busy. However, for those moments when everybody needs a break, there are age appropriate sections of the ship where adults can have fun and so can the kids in special clubs for kids, tweens and teens. These clubs feature imaginative play areas, video games, dancing, karaoke and more. It’s a great way to make unexpected friends, too!

The Fun

There are so many Disney elements on Disney Cruise Line, from the hidden details of the decor to the Characters bustling around in nautical attire. Themed days for Marvel, Star Wars, and Pirates keep things interesting. The outdoor live shows and fireworks are just a small part of the magic. There are also broadway caliber productions and Disney movies in other on board theaters….not to mention character dining, which I still really enjoy as an adult.

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If you’ve been, what’s your favorite part about Disney Cruise Line?

Best Disney World Ride Hacks

January 10, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

When you wait over an hour to finally experience a Disney attraction, you want the experience to be an incredible one. In most cases, the experience is more or less the same no matter where you sit, or what you do. However, sometimes you need to make a request in order to have the most fun. In some cases, it’s essential to avoiding disappointment. Here are five of the Best Disney World Ride Hacks for an even better attraction experience.

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Top Center– Soarin’ Soarin around the world is an exhilarating attraction full of breathtaking sights… for about 1/3 of the passengers. Unfortunately, the film’s focus on towering structures often undermines the intended illusion. The curvature of the images get more distorted the further you are from center. Given how long the wait can sometimes be, make sure you ask to be seated in the center. Ask for Row B1 (top center), or B2 (dead center) for the best view. Front of the Train — Expedition Everest In most cases, Roller coasters are best experienced from the back of the train. Disney has a few exceptions to this rule and Expedition Everest is one of them. Spoiler alert, if you’ve never been on the ride or seen it in action– it goes backwards. Besides the backwards motion, the show elements leading up to the reversal are way more impressive from the front of the train. Cast members are very accommodating if you request to wait for a front row seat. Do this on Space Mountain as well, as the ride is even more thrilling when nothing is in front of you.

Best Disney World Ride Hacks #waltdisneyworld #familytravel #travel #disney

Back of the Train — Big Thunder Mountain Big Thunder is a classic coaster and it definitely works best from the back of the train. It’s more fun the way you get whipped around, particularly when you get pulled down over the inclines. The front of the train gets far less out of the drops and the view is obstructed by the engine. Read the Warnings — Mission Space Mission Space is a controversial ride. It’s a lot of fun, for some people, but others get sick. It’s important that you take the cautions seriously and consider taking the less intense version of the ride, or not riding at all. Personally, I think this is a great ride overall and don’t want to put it down, but I can’t ride it anymore due to the motion sickness and head vertigo it gives me. It’s so important that you don’t have a negative experience on this intense simulator attraction, so make the best choice for you.

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Galactic Hero — Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin This is one of the best ride hacks, and I learned it from my friends at Michael’s VIPs! It’s up to you if you want to share this trick with your friends and family, or just let them marvel at your Galactic Hero stature. All you have to do to max out your score on this ride is hit three targets. They aren’t even difficult targets – you just have to hit them hard when they come around! The first target is the inside of the orange robot’s right arm. Hit it with everything you’ve got and then wait for target two to come around. Target two is the volcano. There are two volcano targets, so aim at the top one. Finally, you will confront Emperor Zurg. On this stage, fire as much as possible on the target at the bottom of Zurg’s rocket. These three targets are the highest scoring and if you really go after it, you will have no trouble reaching the scoring threshold.

Do you know any Disney World Ride Hacks?

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Free Printable Disneyland Ride Lists

January 10, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

If you’re like me, you’re counting down until Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opens at the Disney parks – and for Disneyland in California, it’s just a couple of weeks away! I’m eager for all the pictures, thoughts and stories from visitors able to go at that time, and will be eating up all the tips I can for when hubby and I tackle the one at WDW later this fall. Whether you’re going this month or later this year, here are some updated Free Printable Disneyland Ride Lists with height requirements for you to enjoy!

I’ve had many people asking if we would be updating our previous version of our Free Printable Disneyland Lists for all the changes in attractions (no more Bug’s Land, Jessie’s Critter Carousel, etc.) plus the addition of the long-awaited Star Wars area. I wanted to make sure to wait long enough in case of other switches, but now it’s ready for you to print off and use on your next trip to Disneyland and California Adventure.

Free Printable Disneyland Ride Lists with Height Requirements - now updated for Star Wars Land! Also includes Free Printable California Adventure Ride List

Download and print your Disneyland Ride Lists HERE

While only the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will be opening with the area on May 31st at Disneyland (and August 29th for Disney World), I still wanted to include Rise of the Resistance on this list for those preparing for their trip later – especially since we don’t have an open date for that attraction as of yet.

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What’s YOUR favorite Disney ride?

Disney Activity & Autograph Book

7 Things to NEVER Bring to Disney World + 10 You MUST! #disneyworld #familyvacation #wdw #disneyparks #disneytrip #waltdisneyworld #disneytips

7 Things to NEVER Bring to Disney World – and 10 You MUST!

How to AVOID LINES at Walt Disney World

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Preparing for Star Wars Land

April 8, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

Disney travel has been a hot topic since opening dates for their new Star Wars Land were announced. With Disneyland’s opening May 31st and Walt Disney World’s opening August 29th, it’s earlier than most had anticipated (especially Disney World, which was originally ‘late fall’!). This means many who had planned to travel around the openings to avoid the chaos and crowds are having to rethink their trip dates. Whether you’re switching things around to avoid anytime near the opening, hitting up opening week or aren’t quite sure – here’s some tips on Preparing for Star Wars Land!

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(some photos courtesy of Disney, used with permission)

While nobody REALLY knows what to expect from these huge openings – since there’s nothing really to compare it to except perhaps the Harry Potter lands at Universal – we can make some assumptions and plan as best as possible. What we do know is that for Disneyland’s opening, it will be on a ‘reservation basis’. The details are still a bit fuzzy, but it seems that instead of getting to the park hours ahead of time with the hopes of getting in, people will reserve what ‘time’ they can return to enter into Star Wars Land. Disney World’s version – located in the Hollywood Studios park – won’t be doing a reservation system, and neither park will be doing FastPass/FastPass+. While some are upset at this, I read an article that explains some of the math behind this, which makes sense and actually benefits pretty much everyone.

After several conversations with others, looking at similar times such as Universal’s Harry Potter openings and Pandora over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there’s some tips we’ve all agreed upon that can help us prepare for Star Wars Land the best we can, given the overall uncertainty of how things will be.

1 – It WILL be crowded

There’s no sugar-coating it, the park WILL be insanely crowded – and not just opening week, but for quite a long time after. If you look at when Pandora opened, there were still long waits for Flights of Passage more than a year later, and this is STAR WARS (so a much more crazy fan base – I can say that because I’m included!). Yes, the few weeks or months after opening will be the absolute worst, but it won’t die down significantly until much later. Also, only the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run will open at first – their second attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, won’t open until a bit later (still no open date for it). That means you’ll have the crowds coming first for the whole area (food, sites, shops, etc.) and one ride, then a big surge AGAIN when they open the second attraction. Some people will wait until both are open, so it’s likely that the second surge will be as busy – if not more so – than the first.

As you plan, just accept that there will be crowds (and if you’re not okay with that, perhaps plan for a year or two out when it may start to mellow) and go in with that as your expectation. Plan to be more patient, wait around longer, be more crowded, and certainly not able to fit in as much into your day. Decide if that’s worth it to you when picking your travel dates.

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2 – Arrive early

Since Disneyland is doing a reservation basis for awhile, this applies mostly to Walt Disney World – get to the gates early. If you’re staying on-site, try to catch the first or second shuttle to the parks to help you be some of the first there. Note: This is for a bit AFTER opening day, as they’re anticipating people may even camp out for that part! But after that initial time, just try your best to get there early enough that you should be in the first few groups allowed into Star Wars Land. As they did with Pandora’s opening, it may be that a certain amount of people get in first, then they have a time limit inside the ‘land’. Once that’s up, another group or number of people get in, and so forth. Not sure if that’s how they’ll handle crowds this time, but given the amount of people and limited room inside the area, they’ll have to limit it somehow. Being early helps ensure you’ll be able to get in at least some point.

3 – Plan a whole day

Since there’s no guarantee how long it’ll take to get INTO the area, or how long you’ll be allowed once in there, it’s probably best to just plan a whole day for that park. Arrive early so you can get in sooner than the later arrivals, be prepared for lines and waits – then after you enjoy what we’re expecting to be an INCREDIBLE experience in Star Wars Land – you can decide where to go from there based on how long all of that took in the day. Perhaps schedule FastPass/FastPass+ for later in the day, just in case – but you’d hate to have a reservation around 11am only to arrive and find out you will barely be entering that land around then. Don’t rush yourself, as that will add stress and pressure – which isn’t helpful on vacation!

4 – Set priorities

If you’re a huge Star Wars fan (like us!) then you’ll likely put attendance here at the top of your list for your vacation must-dos. If crowds and long lines aren’t your style, and you aren’t too disappointed about waiting longer to see it all, then perhaps waiting a year or so until the crowds die down is the best choice for you. Decide what YOU really want for your vacation. Maybe you’ll still go and have a blast at the other parks, and just avoid this one for now because it isn’t as important to you. For us, we arranged our entire trip schedule so we can attend two days at Hollywood Studios, hoping that will be enough to see and do it all at Star Wars Land – but that’s because it’s high on our priorities.

Also decide if just dealing with lines for the RIDE is what matters, then you choose to hurry out of there to less crowded areas – or perhaps you can’t wait to try the FOOD at the various locations, so those lines are a better use of your time. Also, even if you WANT to see everything, still list out your priorities for once you’re in Star Wars Land in case it takes more time than you planned. For example, if you really want to do the ride AND try the foods, but the waits were too long and time will be out after you do the ride and only one quick service place, know beforehand which one will take that spot out of your schedule.

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5 – Be ready

Overall, you need to not only have your expectations set realistically and have a good plan – because who knows how timing or crowds or lines will work out – but also make sure YOU are ready. Do you have something to keep yourself (or your kids) entertained in a several-hours-long ride line? Do you have the proper bag and supplies to last you through a very crowded, long day? Be sure you have things like water bottles, great shoes (because all the walking and standing), sunscreen and maybe a hat, plus snacks. After all, if the line wait is 7 hours long, you’re gonna get hungry! Be sure to take care of yourself while tackling Star Wars Land, for your sake AND for the sake of those around you – nobody wants to be in a crowd full of cranky, miserable people when they’re in the happiest place in the galaxy!

Are you going to Star Wars Land this year?

Over 100 Staycation Ideas

March 18, 2019 by Kelly Dedeaux

Don’t have the budget to swing an expensive vacation this summer? Even though Disneyland, cruises, and road trips are super fun, for the normal person it’s just not practical to splurge on one every single year. It’s still nice to have some type of family vacation, though, right? Well, here’s the list to save your vacation woes…Over 100 Budget-Saving Staycation Ideas!

Yesterday was Wonder Woman’s last day of 2nd grade, so our house is on ‘official’ summer break mode. Seriously, WHY do kids go crazy the DAY it’s summer break? Do they have a switch? Whatever it is, I do find it slightly annoying. Anywho…since we’re trying our hardest to get out of debt, we’re putting the big N-O to any big vacation plans this year. I don’t want to do NOTHING, though, so went on the search for some awesome Staycation Ideas. This list of over 100 ideas will have us spending plenty of staycation time together, and I’m sure there’s something perfect for your family, too!

Here’s 25 Awesome Staycation Ideas over at Living Well Spending Less

The Extreme Coupon Professors have 100 Staycation Ideas for Your Summer Fun

Six Sisters’ Stuff shared these 30 Cheap Staycation Ideas, and they’re fabulous!

Forbes has a list of 16 Things To Do On a Staycation that’ll help get your brainstorming going

My family (and sometimes just Hubby and I) will surely enjoy some of these 123 Amazing Staycation Ideas from the lovely Dating Divas

What better way to relax and enjoy yourself than with these 22 Ways to Turn Your Home Into a Staycation Resort from This Old House?!

Have you done any Staycations in the past that you absolutely loved? Please share in the comments below!

7 Things to NEVER Bring to Disney World, plus 10 You MUST!

December 28, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

We’re definitely not Disney newbies anymore – that ship sailed long ago, and we consider ourselves veterans at this point. With our many visits to the parks, we’ve learned well what items are truly useful to bother bringing, but also items that should be left at home or in the hotel. There’s many times when I’ve been going through security and saw a frazzled family being stopped because what they thought would be a wise packing choice ended up being a big regret. Save yourself the hassle, and avoid these 7 Things to NEVER Bring to Disney World, plus 10 You MUST!

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I previously shared about what you should pack for Disney trips, and even one that’s specific to Disney World packing ideas, but after so many people loved our 7 things to never bring on a cruise plus 10 you must – and asked us to do a Disney park version, we couldn’t resist! You don’t want to get to security – excited for all the rides, foods, parades, characters and fireworks – just to be told you have to either throw something away or even take it back to your hotel room.

Keep in mind, Disney has an extensive list HERE that tells more specifically what isn’t allowed in the parks. Security is thorough, so don’t try to be sneaky and dishonest – this causes risks for everyone, and you don’t want to be responsible for ruining anyones magical vacation, especially yours!

Things to NEVER Bring to Disney World:

Selfie Stick – not only can this be annoying to others on a ride or trying to walk through the already-crowded streets, but it can be a hazard on rides
Glass – bottles, containers, even glass make-up things can be declined. One year they almost emptied my bag because I had a square lip balm in there, and the clear plastic looked like glass. They ended up letting it through once they realize it wasn’t glass, but wow
Hard-Sided Coolers – you can bring in smaller soft-sided ones, but leave the hard outsides either at your hotel, rent a locker, or just leave them home. This is probably to avoid theft, or the risk of someone bringing in items they shouldn’t
Drones – while it’s fun to get cool aerial shots, I’m sure you can see the chaos and danger with bringing these, so just leave them home
Shoes with built-in wheels – while this may seem a good idea for the kiddos to ‘roll’ along instead of walk, they’re not allowed at Disney because it could cause too many bumps, bruises, falls or plain chaos. Imagine everyone running around – that’s about the crazy of kids rolling around
Bags with Wheels – I’ve seen people trying to bring in their rolly-bags, only to be stopped and given a firm NO. Totally understand not wanting to carry a bag on your back all day, but it’s such a tripping hazard in the crowds
Folding Chairs – I know, long lines make you want to rest, but then you’re a bit SOL on the ride, huh? Also may seem smart for parades, but just bring a blanket (that you don’t mind getting dirty) and planning ahead

BONUS: Wrapped Presents – a birthday party or other celebration at a Disney park sounds amazing, but they have to be able to inspect everything you bring in, so sadly if you bring a wrapped present, they’ll have to open it up. Just do a cute gift bag instead!

FUNNY BONUS: Cremated Remains – yes, I’m serious. Plenty of people have been caught trying to bring in vases or other vessels holding remains of their loved ones (either to ‘enjoy the park with us’ or to try and spread them around, especially at the Haunted Mansion). They’ll catch you, you’ll get in trouble – so just don’t

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Things you MUST Bring to Disney World (or at least really should):

Lip Balm – between the sun, lots of food (and hopefully plenty of hydrating) and rides, your lips are definitely going to be needing it
Sunscreen – I understand some people burn easier than others, but wouldn’t you rather be extra safe just in case, instead of risking all the pain of a sunburn for the rest of your trip?
Blister Prevention – If you haven’t been to a Disney park before, you may not understand when people say a LOT of walking – it’s a whole new level of LOT! Your toes, heels and pads of your feet will be screaming by the end of the day, so be sure to have moleskin and blister bandaids in case
Flexible Bag – you know you need a bag to carry things (tickets, phone, etc) but make sure it’s not TOO big or TOO rigid, or you’ll have a hard time stowing it on the rides
Ziploc Baggies – several sizes; you’ll need them for putting things in you don’t want wet (on water rides or in the rain), store leftover snacks, or even if someone gets sick and you just can’t get to a garbage or bathroom in time (yes, I’ve seen this happen at the parks plenty)
Battery Backup – we all love our phones, especially for those awesome photos of the kiddos, but make sure you have enough spare juice to last you the entire day
Sanitizer/Wipes – with that many people, I don’t even want to think about how many germs are there. Wash your hands often, and bring sanitizer for those random moments (a sticky handrail isn’t a nice surprise) and nab a pack of wet wipes like this one for the many messes!
Sunglasses – it’s bright, the wind blows in your face (even on fast indoor rides), so give your peeps some protection
Tissues – the last thing you need is getting a runny nose, watery eyes (totally happens to me on the fast indoor rides!) or whatever that you need a tissue fast, but aren’t close to a bathroom
Collapsible Water Bottle – it’s super important to stay hydrated, but you can’t (and don’t want to) take a full water bottle on the rides. These water bottles have been amazing for all of our trips, hold enough water for awhile, then we just finish it off and fold them up for the rides. Love it!

BONUS: Rubber Bands/Hair Bands – if you get a caricature like us, or the kiddos make a drawing at one of the kid stations in Epcot, you need to be able to roll it up to safely transport it home, so secure it with a rubber band or hair tie!

Enjoy some Disney-themed trip planning printables in our ‘busy family pack‘ – and don’t forget our Autograph & Activity book!

Tour guides for couples – is it worth it?

Tour guides for families – what you need to know

How to avoid lines at Walt Disney World

7 things to NEVER bring to Disney World – and 10 you MUST!

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Save BIG at the Disneyland Resort. Grab a geat discount as much as $86 per person on all 3-Day Disneyland Resort!

Meet Michael’s VIPs

April 8, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

I was provided tour guide services to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are mine alone and I will only promote services I truly enjoy and recommend.

Since I don’t want to overwhelm y’all with a zillion posts from my incredible trip to Florida, I’ll be spreading them out over the next couple months because there’s SO MUCH to share with you! For now, I’m thrilled to let you Meet Michael’s VIPs, the amazing private tour guide company that I had the privilege of working with and trying out their services. Guys, they were PHENOMENAL, and made the trip a million times less stressful – plus we got to experience a lot more – than if we’d tackled the parks by ourselves.

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So what exactly is Michael’s VIPs? They’re a private tour guide company in Central Florida you can hire for your trip to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World – or even other locations in the area! They’ve learned the ins and outs of all these parks, and I was astonished all the knowledge they have of the history, operations and happenings. So why choose Michael’s VIPs?

Michael’s was founded by a former Walt Disney World VIP Tour Guide in 1999, and they’ve grown like crazy from the amazing recommendations they receive from happy clients. Once people experience the parks with such a valuable guide, they learn that it’s the best way to vacation! Now, normally they try to put you with the same guide for the duration of your trip, but since we wanted to get to know a few of their guides and see what each of them had to offer, we were joined by a new guide each day for a different park. Without further ado, let me introduce you to the great staff we got to enjoy for our trip!

Renee – Magic Kingdom

You know those people that are so sweet, full of sunshine and energy, and you can’t help but absolutely adore? That would be Renee! She was so much fun, and her bubbly personality made the Magic Kingdom that much more magical – it was almost contagious. We loved hearing about her previous jobs at Disney, and got to ride everything we wanted that day. When our Jungle Cruise fast passes were going to make us late for our reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table for lunch, she worked some magic and fit it in afterwards without much of a wait. She knew where all the fun play areas for kids were around the park, as well as some entertaining cue lines.

She talked about the families she’s worked with before (many repeats, because you can’t help but love Renee!) with such fondness, you could tell she really loves her job. We called her our ‘walking, talking guide map‘ because she knew exactly where to go, including some shortcuts, so we didn’t waste time wandering lost. Since she’d worked for Disney before, she was able to tell us a lot about the changes made in the past, how certain things are done, how the shows and entertainment has evolved, and much more. Oh, and we had a great time chatting everything Star Wars!!!

With her excitement for all the magic of Disney, plus how much she got into the spirit of it and totally adored the kids all around, I highly recommend her for families with kids. Or just a girls day – since it was just my mom and I, it was a great start to the trip! She even checked in on us later in the week to make sure we were having a great time. Thank you Renee!

Jason – Universal Studios

While there’s rules in Disney that their employees can’t also do an outside guide service, Universal doesn’t – so Jason does Michael’s VIPS AND works in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Needless to say, this made him super knowledgeable and perfect for these parks. I lost count of how many people working said ‘hi’ to him as we were there. Like all the guides, Jason knew exactly where to go, the best order/ways to do rides, and when shows were happening. He was also full of information so we could learn more about the history and operations of Universal.

Jason was sure to show us all the kid areas, too, since Universal does lean more towards older kids. I hadn’t realized there were some really fun places for the younger group, too! He was great to not tell us if a ride was ‘good’ or not beforehand, letting us judge for ourselves. And since my mom was worried about getting sick on Forbidden Journey – the ride he actually works as Lead on – he had tips to help keep the motion sickness at bay. When Hogwarts Express was down for the day for repairs, he smoothly adjusted our plans and schedule without missing a beat. Amazing!

It was such a fun day, and we had a blast talking with Jason! It’s one thing to look around the parks and ride the rides, but it was even better because we were learning about it all, as well. I think Jason’s the perfect guide for Universal & the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and think he’d do great with a family with teens – they’d love chatting with him and going on the bigger rides! Oh, and he was such a gentleman, helping us carry our ridiculous amount of bags 😀 Thank you Jason!

Chris – Animal Kingdom

Chris is a former entertainer/stuntman for Disney, and you can tell he has the entertainer personality! Just super friendly, easy to chat with, and as with all of Michael’s VIPs he knows all the ins and outs of the parks. He joined us for breakfast to start off the day, and helped us take photos with characters and throughout the park (the Tree of Life was incredible, y’all!). He talked with us throughout the day on how WE wanted to spend out time, when we were ready to call it a day, and what we thought of the rides and shows we did. He even knew the best spots for each of the shows, so we had a great view.

He was even prepared with ponchos for Kali River Rapids – check out how ‘cute’ my mom and I are in this picture he snapped for us from the bridge…

Chris is the perfect private tour guide for a high-energy group looking for an exciting, stress-free, fun-filled time with lots of entertainment and stories! Thanks Chris!

Rob – Hollywood Studios

You know those people who can spout out amazing facts about pretty much everything? Yup, that’s Rob when it comes to Disney World things, including Walt Disney himself! We learned so much, and had a great time touring Hollywood Studios. When we went longer than expected at lunch, Rob took care of switching fast passes (during lunch, without anyone noticing – these guys have such a knowledge of the My Disney Experience App and can fix things on the go!) so our afternoon wasn’t thrown completely off. We got to try every ride and show we wanted, and even though the layout of this particular park is wacky, he knew right where to go.

He knew I was a Star Wars fan, just like him, so he made sure to wear his Millennium Falcon shirt for our day together! Kylo Ren wasn’t too fond of it though – haha! Rob would be especially great for those groups looking to not only have a super fun time in the parks, but also learn more about their history AND future plans (Toy Story Land & Star Wars Land – can’t wait!). Oh, and he takes GREAT ride photos 😉 Thanks Rob!

Adam – Manager of Michael’s VIPs

For the past 7-8 months of planning (remember, you have to do dining 180 days prior, and fast passes 30-60 days), I’ve been in contact with Adam, the head guy now over at Michael’s VIPs. He was super helpful when we were deciding plans, recommending things and answering my million and one questions with ease. Once we agreed on a plan, he took care of the fast passes and meal reservations for me so I didn’t have to figure out the system or wake up super early for those hard-to-get dining times!

He stopped in a couple of times during our visit to check on things, and was ‘That Guy’ in the Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor show, which was hilarious for us. Not only was Adam professional and helpful with all the planning – and patiently dealt with any changes I needed – but also is just a downright friendly and easy to talk to guy. The guides had nothing but amazing things to say about him – and you know someone’s a great person if their employees think that highly of them! You rock, Adam!

Thank you so much Adam & the rest of the team at Michael’s VIPs for an unforgettable trip! Hopefully we’ll see you again soon!

For tickets or hotel deals, be sure to check out Get Away Today for the best prices – plus use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper for even more savings!

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Healthy Disney World Snacks under $7

April 8, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

While many don’t really give it much thought, you actually CAN eat healthy at Disney World – sometimes you just need to implement a few tricks like ordering an entree without the sides, or snacking on various salads. There are all kinds of variations of salads alone that I could do a list on. While I totally recommend enjoying a variety of foods as you make your way through the parks, it’s good to look for healthy snack options occasionally, too. You can easily find them at the fruit stands and counter service locations. Here are five Healthy Disney World snacks for under $7.00.

Sweet Thai Chili Shrimp $6.99

This is the priciest snack on the list, but you’ll understand why. This cute Little Mermaid inspired dish has a gorgeous presentation and it’s perfect for shrimp lovers (like my hubby). It’s found at Prince Eric’s Village Market, where you can find other healthy snack items as well.

Chicken Corn Chowder $4.69

Sunshine Seasons in Epcot is one of the best counter service locations you can go to for healthy snacks, as well as variety! They have tons of grab and go options, and most of them are pretty good for you. If you prefer to get something hot, try the Chicken Corn Chowder. It’s under $5 and is fantastic. There’s also a black bean soup you can try if you don’t eat meat.

Carrot and Celery Sticks with Hummus $4.49

One of the most prevalent and easy to find healthy snacks in Disney World is this little pack of veggies and hummus. You can find them in fruit stands all over the parks and resorts, including Sunshine Seasons. These cost only $4.49 and are among the healthiest treats you can eat while on vacation at Disney World. They’re also a big hit with kiddos who just need something to munch on!

Good Health Veggie Chips $2.99

Sunshine Seasons is so full of healthy choices, I couldn’t help but include one more option. While the Carrot and Celery pack is available all over Disney World, I’ve only seen these chips at Sunshine seasons. This is a great substitute snack option if you are a really heavy chip eater. Fruits and veggies are great if you typically like to eat fruits and veggies, but if you want something that feels a little more indulgent while on vacation, these veggie chips are kind of like the best of both worlds.

Whole Fruit $2.29

Last, but not least, we come to fruit. It’s the lowest cost healthy snack option and you can find it almost anywhere these days. You can find easily accessible fruit stands with grapes, apples, clementines, pineapple… fruit is a healthy and sweet treat that is very convenient when you’re eating healthy on-the-go in the parks. Some fruit markets are less beneficial than others, though – Anaheim Produce at Hollywood Studios only offers beverages and pretzels on the menu, but Harambe Fruit Market is a true fruit stand with a variety of options in whole fruit and fruit servings. This fruit stand is located in the African section of Animal Kingdom Park. There are fruit stands in Magic Kingdom at Liberty Square, Epcot at (you guessed it) The Land Pavilion, and of course in the resorts as well.

What’s your favorite healthy Disney World snack?

7 Things to NEVER Bring on a Cruise Ship, plus 10 You MUST!

December 28, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

I received this Carnival cruise complimentary to help facilitate this post. All opinions are mine alone. #CruisingCarnival

During all the excitement leading of to you cruise vacation, it may be hard to focus on packing. I’m a bit of an obsessive packing-list-maker, but even I was struggling with what I’d need for our Carnival Cruise last month! I decided to ask the staff onboard what they thought were the have to or definitely don’t brings, from their own experiences working there. We heard some entertaining stories, that’s for sure, and they all helped us compile a list of 10 Things to NEVER Bring on a Cruise Ship, plus 7 You MUST! Some of these may seem like no-brainers, but if it’s on the list it means somebody at some point has tried it!

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Now, this is definitely not an all-inclusive packing list – do NOT only take what we tell you are ‘have to bring’ items. I’m not putting clothes on here because, really, if you can’t remember clothing then perhaps you’re already too drunk to go on a cruise. This are just some things that many people may not think to take – or may consider taking that really aren’t allowed, or even safe!

Things to NEVER Bring on a Cruise Ship

Towels
- Guys, there are plenty of towels on the ship – and you can even take it with you to port (just be sure to bring it back!), so there’s no need taking up precious suitcase space with bulky towels.
Bottled Drinks/Alcohol
- They do allow a limited amount of canned drinks – like soda – per person brought on board. Bottled drinks (like the 16/20 oz. bottles), bottled waters and any alcohol are not allowed and will be either discarded or confiscated, to be returned to you at the end of the cruise. See your cruise line for their specific rules on this.
Too Many Clothes
- One crew member told of a couple that brought FIVE huge suitcases for the two of them on just a week-long cruise. They wanted multiple outfits each day, several swimsuits, lots of shoes and everything. Every time he saw them – even on the same day – they were wearing something different. The problem was there was no free space in their room and they kept complaining about it – but it was simply because their luggage took it all up! So I guess this one is more of a ‘highly recommend not doing’, but it’s your call.
Candles/Fireworks/Fire Hazards
- Fire is one of the most dangerous things that can occur on a cruise ship, so they are VERY strict on any fire hazards. Don’t bring anything like candles, cooktops (yes, people have tried this), or especially fireworks. Instead of candles, if you’re looking for a special scent to your room, just get one of those plug-in scents.
Bad Attitude
- This will ruin not only YOUR entire trip, but risks affecting others on the ship as well – both guests and crew. The people on cruise ships are amazing, and if you have a good attitude, it’s nearly impossible to have a crappy vacation. And you never know what a good attitude may get you!
Lots of Snacks
- Yes, you may need a few for before getting on the ship, but that’s about it. There’s SO MANY places to eat at any point in the day, and room service is just a call away. From the main dining rooms, to the buffet, to other spots like a pizza or burger spot, specialty restaurants and more – you will not have a shortage of food or snacks!
Drone
- I can see the temptation, as this would be really fun – but it also causes risks so drones aren’t allowed on cruise ships. Not only can it be seen as a risk of spying into other people’s rooms, but it’s a distraction and could affect the navigation of the cruise ship. Drones are just another thing you should never bring on a cruise, or you may loose it!

Now that we’ve got those out of the way, check out this ten things that are SUPER great to bring on a cruise, that you may not have thought of to include in your packing list! We make sure to bring all of them for every cruise, since they make a huge difference for the trip.

10 Things You MUST Bring on a Cruise Ship

Power Strip
- There’s not many plugs in a cruise cabin, and since most people have multiple things needing to be plugged in (phones, tablets, etc.), it’s a good idea to have a strip with more outlets so you can utilize it better. NOTE: I’ve heard from some that while power strips are fine, be sure it’s not a surge protector type because some ships/cruise lines may not allow those.
Ziplock Baggies
- These come in handy for so many things – taking along random little things (hair elastics, seashells, etc.), packing some snacks for a shore excursion or to take back to your room, bigger ones can hold wet clothing instead of dripping it all down the hall, and to store liquids that may leak into your suitcase.
Overdoor Hanger
- While most people think these are only good for shoes (they’re great for shoes, but that’s not all), this is handy so you can put your ‘need to grab easily’ items like sunscreen, chargers, notebooks, maps, etc. You can also organize it so the next day’s outfit/shoes are there ready to grab first thing!
Waterproof Lanyards
- I first used mine in Hawaii, and now LOVE taking it on vacations with me! It was great for our excursion to Atlantis, and since many people tend to spend a lot of time at the pools on the ship, this allows you to keep your phone (and room key/cards) handy, but still safe from the water.
Clips for Towels
- It can get really windy up on the decks at sea, and you don’t want your towel or swim cover-up to blow off your chair, so bringing clips to fasten them as you lounge or swim is a great idea.
Highlighter
- Each day you’ll get the pamphlets with all the happenings and schedules for the ship, and since there’s SO MUCH to choose from, having a highlighter so you can mark things makes it much easier. You can even do different colors – like pink for ‘have to do’, yellow for ‘maybe’ or green for ‘the kids and blue for ‘the adults’.
Flat Shoes
- Crew members said how often people, particularly women, bring just fancy or nice shoes with heels, then hate how bad their feet are hurting or have a hard time walking on a moving ship. It’s a good idea to bring a pair of flats, just in case.
Clock
- There are no clocks in the cruise cabins, so if you’re like me and practically HAVE to be able to see what time it is during the night (or day), bring your own. I recommend a small, cheap one that’s easy to pack/transport.
Conditioner/Lotion/Etc.
- Our previous cruises had shampoo and body wash in the showers, but no conditioner or body lotion. If you may need those, bring your own just in case there isn’t some supplies. Also bring your own shampoo and other personal products if you’re very picky as to the brand.
Blanket/Shawl/Jacket
- In the theater, and up on deck, it can get a bit chilly at times, so it’s a good idea to have something you can wrap around yourself. I love taking one of my soft, fluffy blankets with me – especially if we plan to watch one of the movies on the big screen by the pool!

What would YOU add to this list for a cruise vacation?

Check out our other posts from our Carnival Cruise fun!

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Everything You Need to Know about Disney Vacation Club

February 6, 2019 by Kelly Dedeaux

If you’ve been to Disney World, or at least looked into a trip there, you’ve likely heard of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC). Maybe you wondered what it was, or if it was something that could be beneficial for your family. I was curious myself, because while I have rented DVC points before on my first Walt Disney World trip, I didn’t know much else about this whole thing. Luckily, today I’m sharing Everything You Need to Know about Disney Vacation Club!

Overview of Disney Vacation Club

Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare service that allows members long-term investment in Disney property. When you buy into DVC you choose a home resort in which you will own a real estate interest. What you are buying is points that can be used at DVC resorts across the board at fluctuating values. The point value of a span of time in a DVC resort depends on the value of the resort and time of year. You also pay a small annual maintenance fee on the points you own.

Benefits of Disney Vacation Club

DVC only buys you the accommodations for your Disney Vacation. That’s usually the largest chunk of the vacation cost, especially considering where you get to stay. However, there is more to consider in the cost of your vacation than just where you stay. The admission into the parks for one is a sizable amount, so for families it can really add up. While DVC members don’t get discounts on park tickets, they do get discounts on annual passes. As a DVC member you also qualify for a Tables in Wonderland card, which grants discounts at most restaurants in Walt Disney World.

Besides the discounts that become available, you also have access to exclusive lounges and events such as members only workshops, seminars, and fishing tournaments. Members also have access to more events that are not available to the general public.

Cost of Disney Vacation Club

Depending on how often you travel to Disney World, DVC may (or may not) be a worthwhile decision. You’ll gain access to premium accommodations and other perks, but it shouldn’t be viewed as a money saver or an investment, unless you have a proven record of frequently indulging in Disney vacations and are ready for more of a commitment. That said, there is surprising flexibility with how you can use your points. You can bank them for the following year, borrow them from the following year, and even sell them to another party.

You can buy DVC directly through Disney, or you can buy somebody else’s contract for less. The cost per point is $182. You can purchase a minimum of 100 points which comes to $18,200 plus closing costs and a monthly maintenance fee. Financing is available with a 10% down payment ($1,820) for a monthly payment of around $217. The number of nights that your points are good for vary by accommodations. You could redeem the same points for a week in a deluxe studio, or a couple of nights in a 2 bedroom villa.

Disney Vacation Club Resorts

There are 15 total DVC resorts, 11 of which are located at Walt Disney World. Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge each have two. Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge has a starting price of 9 points per night. Old Key West starts at 10 points. 11 points will get you a night at Saratoga Springs or Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge. These are Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs areas, so they are valued lower because of location. However Boardwalk Inn is also a 10, which is a steal.

From there it is a leap to a minimum 14 points per night at Bay Lake Tower, and 15 for Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club. One of the top resorts in Disney World, the Polynesian Village Resort, starts at 16 points per night. The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, having the most luxurious accommodations according to many, has a starting price of 17 points per night.

The Grand Californian Resort and Spa at the Disneyland Resort on the west coast is also 17 points to start. Other DVC resorts outside of Disney World are Aulani in Hawaii, with rooms from 16 points per night, Hilton Head Island Resort from 6 points per night, and Vero Beach at 10 points.

As for renting points, I’ll share all about my experience with that soon 😉

Have you considered the DVC?

Childcare at Disney World

April 9, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

Childcare has always been a strong feature in a Walt Disney World vacation. After all, children are a major factor in the creation and enjoyment of the Disney Parks! Sometimes mom and dad need a date night, though, so Disney has historically made that possible through kids clubs within various resorts. Unfortunately, that all came to an end earlier last year – however, there are still ways that Disney makes it possible to enjoy some time separate from catering to the needs of you little ones. Below is some info on Childcare at Disney World to help you out!

Photos used with permission from Disney.

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Pixar Play Zone

While the kids clubs have been done away with, the Contemporary Resort now offers a very immersive and entertaining experience for children that includes character encounters, fun games and activities and dinner as well. If you’re planning a special night for two and need to make arrangements for the kids, this is probably the best thing you could do for everybody involved! If you play it right, they won’t even know you’re doing it for you! The experience is $65 plus tax and runs from 6:00p-10:30p.

In-Room Babysitting

Another option you may choose to employ, depending on the length of time you plan to be out, is in-room babysitting. This is offered through Kids Nite Out and has a starting rate of $18 per hour for the first child. There’s a raise of $2 more per hour for each additional kid and the rate increases by $2 per hour after 9:00p. There’s also a $10 transportation fee. If you’re comparing to Pixar Play Zone, under the precise circumstances In-Room babysitting is $108 for one child as opposed to $65 plus tax. Whereas the other Disney World child care options are for children 4-12, this option is available to babies as young as 6 months.

Baby Center

Every Park in Disney World has a Baby Center. These are lifesavers if you need a little extra time or space to prepare food for your baby or toddler. Baby centers are a restful place for feeding, changing and finding some quiet time. This is also the place children are taken to if, heaven forbid, they’re separated from their parents.

The Baby Center in Magic Kingdom is on the left side of the hub between Casey’s Corner and Adventureland. They have plenty of room and high chairs. There’s even a regularly playing Disney Movie and some activities for kids!

The Baby Center in Epcot is not as good, but still functional. It’s located at the halfway point between Test Track and the Mexico Pavilion where Future World and World Showcase meet.

The Baby Center in Hollywood Studios is to your immediate left as you enter the park.

In Animal Kingdom park it’s located on the left side of Discovery Island near the bridge to Africa.

Don’t forget to see Get Away Today from great Disney vacation prices – use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper

In Park Assistance

Few people are aware of this, but you can even reserve a child care specialist to accompany you to the parks and provide assistance as needed! This is accomplished through Kids Nite Out. The same rates apply and are subject to change.

Treasure Hunt

Another way for the little ones to have some fun without the parents is to go on a treasure hunt. There are pirate cruises that depart in either Crescent Lake or 7 Seven Seas Lagoon. These kids-only cruises involve snacks, stories, character meet and greets, and – of course – hidden treasure. The two hour swashbuckling adventures run from $39-$49 per child.

Have you tried any of these Disney World childcare options?

5 Best Places to Rest in Magic Kingdom

April 9, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

During the course of your busy day running all around Disney Parks, you will likely need a break for at least someone in your party (such as an exhausted toddler or worn out spouse). The park gets hot and crowded, not to mention all that walking tends to wear you down. If your day is getting not so fun, consider taking a short break in one of these 5 Best Places to Rest in Magic Kingdom!

Planning a Disney vacation? Get awesome prices at Get Away Today – use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper

Swiss Family Treehouse

At the base of the Swiss family Treehouse there are benches in the shade that most people are too busy to notice as they run into Adventureland. That’s alright, because that makes it a great place to take a break in Magic Kingdom. In addition to the shaded benches the area is also close to Sunshine Tree Terrace, so it’s a convenient place to enjoy a Citrus Swirl as well. There are plenty of other food kiosks in the park that have available seating, but they’re either too popular or lack the same quality scenery.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

Well, next to anyway. There’s a large tent in Dumbo’s Storybook Circus that serves no other purpose right now than as a place to take a break in Magic Kingdom. The open space is completely shaded and there are plenty of chairs for sitting. This is a great location because it’s near the back of the park and more or less in the center. It’s a convenient place to catch your breath at a point where you may need the break.

On The Liberty Belle

I love this solution when I’m feeling worn out and need to take a break in Magic Kingdom. A slow scenic float around the rivers of America is great for recharging my batteries. This is just like taking a break in a bench except the scenery moves, and sometimes you can get a nice breeze. The Walt Disney World Railroad is also a relaxing choice, however, for the scenery it is not nearly as good as the riverboat. One advantage to taking the train, however is that it can drop you at the other side of the park and you don’t have to walk.

Catch a Show

Another way you can take a break in Magic Kingdom while crossing some attractions off your to do list is to take in a show. If you plot your day right you can do several shows in a short time. The shows are continuously running, which means short but relaxing waits, followed by a relaxing show in an air conditioned space. The Enchanted Tiki Room and The Country Bear Jamboree are in close proximity and not far from them is the Hall of Presidents.

“it’s a small world”

I know, not everyone’s absolute favorite (but it’s a classic, come on!), but it’s so nice to rest in a smooth boat ride full of music and fun displays to entertain you. Plus, another ride checked off the list while you rest your tired feet – bonus!

Don’t forget to see Get Away Today from great Disney vacation prices – use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper

Columbia Harbor House

If you want to grab some refreshments and have an indoor break Columbia Harbor House will serve nicely. This is a counter service restaurant near the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. If you go upstairs you will find plenty of seating. This is a relatively quiet place to enjoy a meal in comfort and regroup before heading back out to finish the rest of your day in the Magic Kingdom. There are other quick service eateries around Magic Kingdom as well, but this is the most peaceful and relaxing location for now.

The Fleet

The Food

The Activities

The Clubs

The Fun

If you’ve been, what’s your favorite part about Disney Cruise Line?

Do you know any Disney World Ride Hacks?

What’s YOUR favorite Disney ride?

1 – It WILL be crowded

2 – Arrive early

3 – Plan a whole day

4 – Set priorities

5 – Be ready

Are you going to Star Wars Land this year?

Things to NEVER Bring to Disney World:

Things you MUST Bring to Disney World (or at least really should):

Enjoy some Disney-themed trip planning printables in our ‘busy family pack‘ – and don’t forget our Autograph & Activity book!

Renee – Magic Kingdom

Jason – Universal Studios

Chris – Animal Kingdom

Rob – Hollywood Studios

Adam – Manager of Michael’s VIPs

Thank you so much Adam & the rest of the team at Michael’s VIPs for an unforgettable trip! Hopefully we’ll see you again soon!

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Sweet Thai Chili Shrimp $6.99

Chicken Corn Chowder $4.69

Carrot and Celery Sticks with Hummus $4.49

Good Health Veggie Chips $2.99

Whole Fruit $2.29

What’s your favorite healthy Disney World snack?

Things to NEVER Bring on a Cruise Ship

10 Things You MUST Bring on a Cruise Ship

What would YOU add to this list for a cruise vacation?

Overview of Disney Vacation Club

Benefits of Disney Vacation Club

Cost of Disney Vacation Club

Disney Vacation Club Resorts

Have you considered the DVC?

Pixar Play Zone

In-Room Babysitting

Baby Center

In Park Assistance

Treasure Hunt

Have you tried any of these Disney World childcare options?

Swiss Family Treehouse

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

On The Liberty Belle

Catch a Show

“it’s a small world”

Columbia Harbor House

Where’s your favorite place to rest in Magic Kingdom?