Marvelous Mouse Travels

Top 7 Tips for Planning a Vacation to Universal Studios

June 29, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels Leave a Comment

Thank you Katie Eadie for these awesome vacation tips!

Are you planning a trip to Universal Studios soon and looking for information on the best way to start
planning? Look no further! I have the post for you!

1. First things first, use a travel agent! Here at Marvelous Mouse Travels, we are highly trained in
all things Universal! We know the best resorts to stay in, we have access to the same deals that
Universal has on their website, we send free tips and information for the parks, and best of all,
it’s FREE to book with us! Another awesome perk of booking with Marvelous Mouse Travels is
that no matter if you’re staying on property in one of Universal’s resorts or off property in a
hotel or rental home, you still get early entry into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and
Volcano Bay! How amazing is that??
2. Stay at one of Universal’s Studios on-property Resorts. There are 8 resorts to choose from and a
resort for everyone’s budget! If you choose to stay in one of the three Premier Resorts on
property, you receive complimentary Express Passes for your length of stay! That’s an awesome
perk! On property resorts also have transportation to and from the parks! There’s no need to
drive your car over to the parks because Universal Resorts have you covered! You can hop on a
bus or boat (depending on your resort) and be there in no time at all! If you stay at Cabana Bay
Resort, resort guests have a private entrance to Volcano Bay!
3. Make sure to purchase Park to Park Tickets. I always emphasize this because there’s so much to
do in both parks and you want to make sure to experience it all! If you are a Harry Potter fanatic
like me, you definitely don’t want to miss out on the Hogwarts Express! Hogwarts Express runs
between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, so the only way you are able to ride it is if
you have the Park to Park Ticket option! It also is a good option because if one of the parks
closes early, you will be able to hop over to another park to finish out the evening!
4. Splurge on the Unlimited Express Pass. If you want to make the most of your visit and your time,
the Express Pass is for you! The Express Pass gives you the opportunity to skip the line and have
a much shorter wait time! If you have the Unlimited Express Pass, then you can do it multiple
times! Also, remember that if you stay in one of Universal’s premier resorts, you get the
complimentary Unlimited Express Pass!
5. Consider the Dining Plan! Universal Studios has several options for dining plans while on
vacation, and there are so many snacks and restaurants choose from! Pre-purchasing the dining
plan allows you to leave the stress of worrying about your food behind! There is an option for
everyone and every budget, so make sure to ask your travel agent about your options for dining.
6. Plan a day at Volcano Bay. Volcano Bay is a wonderful edition to Universal Studios and a great
option on a hot day! There are tons of water slides, a lazy river, a giant wave pool, smaller areas
to play for the little ones, and more! And if you book an on property resort or with a travel
agent, you can get in an hour earlier than other guests!
7. Don’t stress! Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing, and planning a Universal Studios
Vacation should be just that! With the help of a Marvelous Mouse Travel Agent, planning should
be a breeze!
Make sure to contact Marvelous Mouse Travels to begin planning your Universal Studios Vacation now!

Let’s Explore Universal Cabana Bay!

June 22, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels Leave a Comment

Thank you Brittani Quezada for this great look at Universal Cabana Bay Resort!

Universal Cabana Bay Resort is prime value onsite resort at Universal Orlando. This resort is fantastic for a family on a budget that wants to enjoy their time at their hotel as well as in the parks. The resort is bright and has retro styled themed through the main areas and rooms. The 50’s and 60’s style continues in to the pool and food court areas.

Cabana Bay offer many features to enjoy on a break day from the parks or even if you just head back for a few hours or rest. With 2 outdoor pools, a lazy river, bowling alleyand arcade, your family has plenty of options for some down time.

For dining options your family can pick 3 dining locations. Bayliner Diner food court offers selections wraps, sandwiches, international meals, pizza, burger, salad, dessert and frozen yogurt. The options are endless. They also offer a grab and go area if you are in a rush to get to the pool or park. The Hideaway Bar and Grill offers adult beverages, wine by the glass or bottle, cocktails as well as smoothies and mocktails for the kids. They also serve nachos and burgers as well as other fast food options. Galaxy
Bowl Restaurant is located inside the bowling alley. They serve snacks, appetizers, full entrees and have a full-service bar!

One of the best things about Cabana Bay is that it offers a wide range or room accommodations. Family suites that can sleep up to 6, two-bedroom suites that can accommodate up to 8, and standard rooms for a family of 4, this resort can something for every family. Rooms that open to the outside pool area or inside are also options for you. Want a room with a view? Many rooms offer pool view, but my absolute favorite view is the Volcano Bay view!!! For just a few dollars more a night you can look out your
window and see the stunning water park! Nothing quite beats waking up the Krakatau Volcano outside the window.

If your family is looking for a FUN and affordable onsite Universal hotel, Cabana Bay is a great option. With the free shuttles to the parks, endless food options and tons of fun on property, this resort is my personal favorite in the value category!

Universal Parks for the Little Ones!

June 18, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels Leave a Comment

Marisha Gordon is a Marvelous Mouse agent and lives in the backyard of the Orlando theme parks! Having two small children of her own, she debunks a common misconception that Universal is only for older children!

It’s a question I hear a lot! “But what is there to do for little kids at Universal?” Well I’m here to tell you just about 2 of the MANY things there are for kids of all ages at Universal Studios, Orlando.

Over in Woody Woodpeckers’s KidZone is Fievel’s Playland. Here you will find large movie props inspired by the animated movie American Tail. Kids can run and explore all the fun while even enjoying some cool water splash areas. There are bridges to cross, fountains to splash you, a large spider web to climb if you dare, and a huge kid sized water slide! It’s over 3 stories tall and you can ride in the raft alone or with a parent. Riders must be 40 inches tall.

Right next door is Curious George Goes To Town. There’s a small playground there for kids of all ages, but it’s aimed at those under 5. It’s shaded and a nice place to relax out of the sun. Plus you never know who might stop by to say hello… hint: it might just be Curious George himself!

The large outdoor interactive play area is a huge hit for kids of all ages. They can run around, get some energy out and even get wet! You might want to throw a change of clothes in the bag if you plan to visit this area.

In the back of the Curious George play area is Man in the Big Yellow Hat’s Ball Factory. There are literally thousands of foam balls that can be thrown, caught, and launched at others within the play space. It’s lots of fun for everyone and again, a nice play to hang out in the shade. My kids love the suction cup hose that sucks the balls right up for them to gather and then shoot others with! Enter with caution as there is no safe space from the foam balls once inside! 🙂

What’s your favorite place in Universal Studios to take little ones to? Let me know in the comments below and stay tuned for more of my favorite locations.

Universal Orlando Parks & Resorts are now OPEN!

June 6, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Marvelous Mouse Travels was there for the opening of Universal Orlando Resort to share all of the new protocols and procedures! Universal has done an amazing job taking the guidelines and policies that they have put in place and continuing the tradition of making it an EPIC experience for travelers! We arrived to the resort on June 3rd. The parks were open on June 3rd and June 4th to annual passholders and open to the general public on June 5th.

Here is some information for you on Universal’s opening experience!

When checking into our resort we entered the lobby and there is a screener setup there to take your temperature. Once your temperature is taken and is under 100.4 degrees you are given a wristband to wear. The color of the wristband changes daily and once you receive your daily wristband you are not required to have your temperature checked again until the next day. Access to the parks and resorts are granted with the wristband as an indicator that you are temperature free.

Upon arriving at our resort at around noon our room was ready. They did inform us that housekeeping services are halted and that if we needed anything to call the front desk and they would send it right up. We later found out that upon check out they are keeping the guests rooms empty for 24-48 hours before checking new guests into the rooms. There are hand sanitizing stations throughout the resorts and signage regarding social distancing. It is stated that only 1 family at a time use the elevators. Masks are required while in all common areas within the resorts. Pools are all open and masks are not permitted in the pools themselves. You are required to wear the mask until you arrive at your pool chair and are then free to take them off. Note that at this time pool hopping is not permitted between resorts.

Social distancing is being practiced across transportation vehicles. Busses have reduced capacity and water taxis are skipping rows to promote social distancing.

Parks are operating on reduced capacity and limited attendance. While those numbers have not been released to the general public it is important to realize that those guests staying at an onsite resort have guaranteed entrance! Upon entering the parks you will notice social distancing markers everywhere. These are generally 6 feet apart and are used in areas where there are outdoor areas of gathering such as the Blues Brothers show and throughout attraction lines.

Signage throughout the park is used in full effect to promote the use of virtual lines, handwashing, social distancing, and to remind guests of guidelines.

The use of virtual lines is a new concept for Universal and overall it has been well executed. You are able to make a virtual line reservation either through the Universal app or by use of signs spread throughout the parks. You are able to be placed in 2 virtual lines at a time. You simply pull up your app, look to see what attractions are participating in the virtual system, and what times are available to sign up. This is a first come system. It is important to realize that attractions with the virtual lines do not have standby lines. You must be in a virtual line or have an express pass where applicable to ride. The virtual line system does not replace the benefit of express passes. Once your timeframe opens you can enter the standby line for that attraction. All lines are socially distanced with markers on the floor.

While in the lines ride vehicles are being sanitized, socially distanced seating, and there are attendants that are giving out hand sanitizer to all riders prior to them loading on the ride vehicles.

Character experiences are still plentiful throughout the parks. While parades are not currently performing you will see floats throughout the day individually moving down the streets. Characters are all out and around the parks in areas and in a way that social distancing is possible. Guests are free to stand near the characters and/or take a selfie from a safe distance! During our time in the parks we saw characters from Shrek, Betty Boop, Hello Kitty, Penguins, Marilyn Monroe, The Simpsons, Dora and Diego, Trolls, The Cat and the Hat characters, Super Heroes and others throughout the parks!

Masks are required to be worn throughout the parks. I was pleasantly surprised that it was way more manageable then what I thought it would be. If you are feeling as though you need a break from the mask there are 2 areas within each park and 1 in Citywalk labeled as U Rest where you are able to take off the mask. At Universal these spots can be found at Central Park and at Fear Factor. At Islands of Adventure these areas can be found at the Port of Entry and back near Sinbad. There is one location at Citywalk as well! While dining at any locations you are also permitted to remove your masks as well.

The cleaning protocols put into place were nothing less than impressive. EVERYWHERE you look there are employees sanitizing. I even saw them sanitizing a concrete bench. In Citywalk there are attendants at the moving sidewalk continually cleaning and sanitizing the moving handrail.

Freestyle mugs are still being sold. Each Freestyle machine is staffed with an attendee that is there to sanitize it fully after each use.

Universal has thought of everything! Even Caricatures are still being crafted with modifications. Now you provide a selfie or a photo for the caricature artist to draw.

Volcano Bay is the one theme park in which masks will not be required. They are not permitted on the water rides and in the pools and are suggested for use when social distancing cannot be maintained throughout the park. The only place they will be required at Volcano Bay are in stores and in the restaurants before you are sitting at your table.

Citywalk is operating with modifications as well! Restaurants are open and when sitting and eating masks are not needed to be worn. Menus are disposable and thrown away with each use. Sanitized silverware is brought to the table upon arrival and condiments upon request. It was great to be able to sit on the patio at Margaritaville, drink a few margaritas, and listen to some live music. For just a little while the world seemed “normal” again”

Overall I am so happy to have been able to be back in a theme park and be there for the historic event of Universal reopening. I was so impressed by how well the entire thing was managed and that even with modifications and slight adjustments the experience was just as awesome as ever before! There was not a period of time during my stay that I did not feel as though my health and safety was not at the forefront of the mind of Universal. I left with an Annual Pass in hand and plans to bring my family back in just a few weeks!

One thing that I learned from this experience is the use of a travel advisor is more important now than ever before. With changing policies an procedures there are very specific strategies that can be used to make sure that your getting the most of your trip, waiting in line the least amount of time, and experiencing the parks to the fullest extent. One benefit of working with Marvelous Mouse Travels is the early entry that is an additional perk with tickets alone. The early entry can be invaluable for ensuring park admittance and starting your day off in the best possible situation! Reach out to our agents today to take advantage of their expertise in planning your next EPIC Universal vacation!

www.marvelousmousetravels.com/contactus

Five Simple Tips to Manage Your Vacation Photos

May 20, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Thank you Karen Fitting for these great photo tips!

Following these simple tips will not only help you have a more enjoyable vacation, but also an easier, faster time compiling the memories later for a photo album to show off your travels.

Vacation photo tip #1: Prepare. Have a system in place for capturing the memories you collect before you leave. Consider an accordion file, pre-labeled with each day of the trip, something like a coupon organizer. Pre-fill it with paper and an archival pen. Better yet, get some themed Journal Cards and colored markers. While on vacation, this stays open in the room so you can drop receipts, brochures, maps, postcards, anything picked up along the way into the proper section.

Vacation photo tip #2: Re-cap every day. Allow 15 minutes every day to jot down significant memories. Remember that funny story, places visited, how you felt doing different activities. To maximize your efficiency, use journal cards and an archival pen. Each day’s notes can be slipped into the proper section of your organizer. This can become a fun family activity with each person writing their own memory from the day.

Vacation photo tip #3: Get at least two. That’s two copies of brochures, maps, postcards, flyers, etc. One can be used to cut, tear and used while traveling as well as used in your scrapbook (if you wish). The other can be retained to help you write important things about the place or event when you return home.

Vacation photo tip #4: Photos to capture. Signs, streets, view from your hotel room, view from the pool/water back to your hotel room. I use these pictures to help me document where we have gone, activities we participated in and the place(s) we stayed. Remember to get into some of the pictures! If you can afford the photo package for your destination, it’s an easy way to get pictures of everyone.

Vacation photo tip #5: Delete. Yes, this is OK. Delete the bad pictures – the ones that do not contribute to the story. Use waiting time to delete from your device(s).

Bonus vacation photo tip: If you like to send holiday cards with family photos, consider bringing props, like Santa Hats, on vacation. These are often the best times to get the annual holiday card shot!