Marvelous Mouse Travels

Discover Palm Springs!

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Thank you to Jaclyn Vercillo for this fun look at Palm Springs, California!

Palm Springs is about a 3 hour drive from Los Angeles and we love to head there for a quick retreat. California is so big, and has so many different types of destinations. My kids marvel at how each location is so different, but in the same state. Palm Springs feels like a desert oasis filled with lush palm trees while surrounded by beautiful mountains. This time the top of the mountains were covered in snow which was crazy for us! We were in 85 degree weather and our scenery was snow covered mountains!

This time we decided to stay at the Parker Palm Springs. It’s an iconic hotel, originally built as an estate, and designed by the very talented Jonathan Adler. The details and design of this hotel blew me away. It was exquisite and quirky at the same time. Many people come to visit the Parker since it’s so iconic and it has amazing restaurants. What’s great about the hotel is that only hotel guests are allowed past the lobby and restaurant area so you have the grounds all to yourself. And believe me, they are amazing! They have fire pits, hammocks, croquet fields, 2 pools, chess and ping pong, and lush gardens. They also have the most adorable lemonades stand offered only to hotel guests. They have yummy food, amazing lemonade, and adult beverages too.

There are so many great things to do in Palm Springs. Most people go to relax and soak up the sun, but it’s also known for golf and tennis. Traveling with kids we knew we would need a few adventurous items on our itinerary besides lounging by the pool. We decided to visit The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens are first day and we were very impressed. It’s beautifully maintained and they have amazing add ons like feeding the giraffes and camel rides. My kids also really enjoyed the model train exhibit and so did the adults! If you want a little more adventure you should wear your hiking gear and take one of the amazing trails there.

After the zoo we headed back to our hotel for some lounging before our dinner at the amazing French restaurant Mr. Parker’s. Heading to dinner the hotel had completely transformed into a big nightlife crowd. Palm Springs definitely has a night scene! Our dinner was fantastic and they even made my kids pizza so all were happy.

The next day we decided to hit the pool and before we took off for home we visited the Palm Springs Air Museum. To say it was incredible is an understatement. They had so much inventory from the cold war, WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. The museum was huge! Best part was that it is attached to the Palm Springs airport and you get to watch fighter jets and old bombers take off! And if you are really brave, you can take a ride in them!

Basically, Palm Springs has something for everyone. We met a lot of friends coming in for the weekend from cold places trying to escape the snow for a few days and enjoy the heat, a bachelorette party, a babymoon, family trips, couples retreat, and even single travelers just looking to relax.

We loved the Parker Palm Springs but we have visited many other hotels in Palm Springs and they all offer so many unique features that going to Palm Springs is always a new adventure!

Turn Your Red-Eye Into Some Shut Eye

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Thank you to Heath Hullihen for these great tips on flying!

Sleeping well on a plane has developed into a certain kind of art and into a healthy business with savvy travelers constantly scoping out new ways to make long flights more conducive to actual rest. Here are a few that really seem to have some payoff.

Splurge on a better seat. Sure, not everyone can afford a premium seat in first or business class, where you can take advantage of fully- or almost-fully-reclining seats and loads of leg room. But for long-distance flights, it can still be worth it to spend the extra money on an exit-row seat, a bulkhead seat, or a window seat. Flying on off-peak days, like a Tuesday evening, will also increase the likelihood that the flight will be less crowded and quieter.

Do the best you can with flight times and direct flights. While crossing many time zones always poses its own sleep challenges, do your best to pick a flight time and schedule that will sync up most naturally with your sleeping and waking times. Leaving in the evening will work better than trying to get REM at three in the afternoon.

Know your cues. Which side of the bed do you sleep on at home? Book on that side of the plane. Do you usually have a cup of tea before bed? Bring a few packets of your favorite herbal. And grab your own small travel blanket and comfy slippers while you’re at it (the airline pillow or blanket can be used for extra cushioning or lumbar support if you like). Spritz your pillow with a mild lavender essential oil. The more familiar things you can do, the more your brain will recognize the cues that it’s time for rest.

Sweet darkness, sweet silence. On most trans-oceanic flights, you’ll see the blue glow of nearly every seat-back screen flickering, no matter the time. We know that the type of light emitted by screens is proven to disrupt sleep. For any rest at all — let alone good rest — keep your screen off. Bring an eye mask or cap to block out as much light as possible. Use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to create the quietest environment you can.

Buckle up over the blanket. When the plane hits turbulence, flight attendants are required to make sure people are safely buckled in. If they can’t see that your seat belt is fastened, they have to disturb you to check. Make it easy for them and for you — simply click the buckle over the blanket.

Rather than paying more for less in the airport, do some quick research before you leave to find the best travel pillow for you. There are dozens to choose from, and they range widely in price, portability, and visual quirkiness. Check out reviews like this one  http://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-accessories/best-travel-pillows#therm-a-rest-compressible from the Travel + Leisure — and note how the reviewer coordinates the best pillows with each type of sleeper. Chances are, there’s a pillow out there that will support your head and neck and give you the rest you need.

What are your best tips for getting good sleep on an airplane? I’d love to hear them. And if you’re ready to plan your next (well-rested) journey, we are here to help! You can reach us today at www.MarvelousMouseTravels.com

 

2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

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A big thank you to agent Ginger Pierce for this awesome trip report!

If you love Epcot as much as I do, then you probably already know that Epcot is home to
several festivals throughout the year. My family’s personal favorite is the Epcot International
Flower and Garden Festival, which takes place every spring. During this festival, Epcot comes
alive with the colors of spring and elaborate themed topiaries can be found throughout the park.
There are also special festival booths and kiosks that offer festival merchandise and seasonal
food and drink offerings. On our most recent trip to Disney World, my family and I took a day to
experience the festival and I can’t wait to share some of our favorites!

One of our favorite things to do at the Flower and Garden Festival is to take photographs of all
the beautiful flowers. If you have an interest in photography, or if you simply want to capture and
preserve family memories, you’ll find great subject matter during the festival. My husband is an
avid photographer and he captured all the beautiful photos you see in this post.

My husband is all about photography during the Flower and Garden Festival, but I’m all about
the food! There is so much great food to be enjoyed at the festival booths throughout Epcot and
some of my favorites were the Pizza Toscana at Primavera Kitchen in the Italy pavilion, the
Tarte au Chevre at Fleur De Lys in the France pavilion, and the ever popular Violet Lemonade
at the Pineapple Promenade. Violet Lemonade is a festival staple and has become so popular
that there’s even special merchandise commemorating it!

My favorite part of Epcot is World Showcase, and during the Flower and Garden Festival there’s
even more to love about this part of the park. Of course the gardens throughout World
Showcase are in full bloom during the Flower and Garden Festival, but each pavilion also has
unique topiaries, food items, and often special activities to take part in. For instance, the UK
pavilion offers a tea garden tour where you can learn all about what goes into brewing all the
different teas we enjoy. The Garden Rocks Concert Series in the America pavilion brings in live
entertainment by artists you know and love. Best of all, these concerts are included with your
regular park admission! You can check out this year’s lineup here.

If you’d love to visit the Flower and Garden Festival, but you’re concerned that your children
wouldn’t enjoy it, rest assured that there’s so much for kids to do at the festival! There’s a
special play area set up for children with plenty of seating for tired moms and dads as well. And,
for $6.99 plus tax, your children can purchase a map and take part in Spike’s Pollen Nation
scavenger hunt. This scavenger hunt takes participants all throughout the Flower and Garden
Festival asking them to find the bee Spike as he pollinates various flowers. Once the scavenger hunt is finished, kids can redeem their completed map for a special prize. To give you a little
help, I’ve revealed one of Spike’s locations in the photo below!

There’s so much to see and enjoy at Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival and I
hope that you’ll get the chance to experience all this year’s festival has to offer. It runs now
through June 3rd, so be sure to book your vacation soon so you don’t miss out. As always, our
team of agents at Marvelous Mouse Travels is here to help you plan a magical vacation. Our
planning services are complimentary if you book your vacation through us and it costs the same
to book with us as it does to book on Disney’s website. Visit our website to select an agent to work with today or send an email to contactus@marvelousmousetravels.com!

Paradise Awaits at Beaches Turks & Caicos!

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A big thank you to Katie Eadie for this fantastic review of her visit to Beaches Turks & Caicos!

In September of 2018, I had the opportunity to travel to Beaches Turks and Caicos with Marvelous Mouse Travels for a few days of exploring and experiencing the resort, and learning more about the Sandals/Beaches brand. Below is a review of my experience at the resort.

Beautiful is an understatement when it comes to describing the water, the beaches, and the resort. My room was beautiful and the fridge was kept stocked with beer, sodas, water, and wine. (We’re off to a good start right?) I had a room that would sleep 5. It had a king size bed in one room, and in the other, a bunk bed that also had a trundle underneath! There was a big bathroom with a huge tub, double vanity, and a shower. There was also a small sink area in the kids’ room that would make it convenient for the kids to get ready if someone else was in the bathroom. The room had a great layout and is a perfect area for a family of 5.

The staff was PHENOMENAL. They saw to every need we had, made sure that we were happy, and they seemed genuinely happy to be doing their jobs. Anytime we would pass a member of the staff, they would say hello and ask if we needed anything. It really made them stand out because they want to make sure your every need/want is met.

The food and beverages were out of this world! And they made sure you always had a drink in your hand! The general manager even came up to us one time and asked if we needed drinks, and brought some back to us. Talk about service! You can eat as many times as you want because it is ALL INCLUDED. We had agents eat 1st, 2nd, and 3rd dinners. It was all included, so why not? My favorite place we ate was Barefoot by the Sea. The beef was cooked to PERFECTION! My favorite drink was a Miami Vice. I wish I was drinking one right now.

The pools are all HUGE and so beautiful. We spent most of our pool time in the Italian pool because this was the village we stayed in for training. There is a huge swim up bar in the pool, and at every pool. So you can take a dip in the pool, and enjoy a drink. Ultimate relaxation! They even have drinks for kids at the swim up bar. One little girl I saw was drinking a milkshake! YUM!

Pirates Island Water Park was so much fun! I loved it as an adult! And they have the CUTEST swim up bar for kids. You can order ice cream there. They also have two food trucks at the water park, Mr Mac’s, and Curls and Swirls! If you’re a fan of Mac and Cheese, you definitely need to check out Mr Mac’s. The Mac and Cheese was DELICIOUS! And again, it’s all included!

We had the opportunity to see someone setting up for their wedding, and the back drop was absolutely beautiful! Can you imagine the backdrop of the beautiful blue water behind you as you say your vows to the one you love? I would highly recommend it for a destination wedding. And if you stay 3 nights or more, it’s FREE!

So, would I recommend a Beaches resort to you? 100% YES. The service alone is enough for me to sell it to you. This is a place for everyone: Wedding parties, big families, girls’ trips, guys’ trips, whatever; it is the ultimate vacation destination. I can’t wait to travel back and take my family soon.

Universal Orlando’s Early Park Admission What It Is, How to Get It, and Why It’s Worth It!

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A big thank you to Molly Davis for this great information on Universal Parks & Resorts!

Early Park Admission is a great benefit that Universal Orlando offers their hotel guests and other select groups. Early Park Admission allows guests to access one theme park each morning (either Universal Studios or Universal’s Islands of Adventure depending on the date) along with specific attractions an hour before the scheduled opening. Remember, valid theme park admission is required! This benefit can help you get a jump on the crowds, allowing you to experience specific attractions with little to no wait and see areas of the park with little to no guests in it.

For most of the year, Early Park Admission at Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure begins at 8:00 am, and the parks open to everyone else at 9:00 am. During busier seasons, this shifts up an hour, with Early Park Admission starting at 7:00 am while everyone else gets in at 8:00. (It is important to note that it is also possible for both theme parks to be open for early admission during busier seasons.)

Weather permitting, Universal Orlando hotel guests and other select groups can access Universal’s Volcano Bay with valid theme park admission every day. This Early Park Admission also starts an hour before the scheduled opening.

How to Get Early Park Admission

All of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels offer Early Park Admission, which is why staying on Universal property is a great convenience! Not only are you getting into the parks early, but you are steps from the parks.

A unique benefit to booking your next Universal Orlando trip through a Marvelous Mouse travel agent is that we have arranged for Early Park Admission for all of our clients, regardless of whether you stay in a Universal Orlando Resort or not! This is an exclusive and complimentary benefit for booking through Marvelous Mouse Travels.

How to Use Early Park Admission

To make the most of your extra hour in the park, we recommend you arrive 30-45 minutes before the start of Early Park Admission. This allows you to pick up your tickets from the ticket kiosk (which only needs to be done once on your first day at the park!). If you are staying on property, you will need your hotel room key and park tickets to enter the park. Getting to the parks early allows you to get through security and be ready to enter the parks right when the parks open.

Picking Up Park Tickets

There are 2 easy ways to pick up your Universal park tickets. You can pick them up at your Universal hotel, or you can go directly to the park entrance to the ticket kiosks. There is NO wait at the kiosks. You simply put in the credit card you used to purchase the tickets along with your ticket confirmation code, and out pop your tickets! These ticket kiosks are not to be confused with the guest services window. Now THAT will have a line. You don’t need to wait in this line if all you are doing is picking up your tickets with your credit card and ticket confirmation number. See below for picture reference on where you will go to pick up your tickets!

Park Ticket Pick Up Kiosks:

Guest Services Windows:

Ready to book your next trip to Universal Orlando? Make sure to e-mail Contactus@marvelousmousetravels.com for a free quote! Remember, Early Park Admission is just one of the many benefits of booking with one of our agents!

 

 

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