Marvelous Mouse Travels

Resort Spotlight: Disney’s Beach Club Resort

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Thank you to Stephanie Novarro for this great post on Disney’s Beach Club resort!

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a deluxe resort in the Epcot resort area and the sister resort to Disney’s Yacht Club. This resort is by far my favorite on property. I have 2 small children, ages 3 and 1, with a soon to be 3rd child on the way. I love the convenience of being able to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. If I don’t feel like walking they are both a quick boat ride away. What is great about the boats is that if your kids are in a stroller, there is no need to take them out and fold it up; you can leave them in the stroller while on the boat. This is a mom win for sure! I also love walking over to Epcot and hopping on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom instead of using the busses. Right across Crescent Lake is Disney’s Boardwalk. On our most recent trip, we had a daily routine of walking around the lake to the Boardwalk. This was one of my daughter’s favorite things to do. I absolutely love the pool area, Stormalong Bay! It has a lazy river, water slide, and a sand beach.

The best part of the pool area has to be Beaches and Cream! This is quite the hidden gem, offering classic diner food but also ice cream! Every night we would swing by the take out window and grab some ice cream and bring it up to our room and the best part is that you can use a snack credit. There is a Character breakfast right in the lobby at Cape May Café. Not having to get up early and rush to another resort for a character meal is a big win in my book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another great thing about being so close to Epcot is being able to watch the fireworks without having to go back into the park. If you haven’t checked out the Beach club yet, I highly recommend it. You wont be disappointed!

Tree House Hotels – Costa Rica

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A big thank you to Nicole Martinez for this great post on Costa Rica!

Tree House Hotels Costa Rica has 7 private tree houses situated on 12 beautiful gated acres.  Surrounded by a 76 acre wildlife refuge, this is a dream come true for adventurers and animal enthusiasts alike!  Each unique tree house comes with A/C, hot shower, refrigerator, and a wraparound porch furnished with wood carved rockers, and a table and chairs to sit out and enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Just before sunrise, magical employees tip toe up the steps to your deck and leave you hot coffee/tea and delicious fresh squeezed fruit juice!  They also put fresh fruit in the bird feeders for your viewing enjoyment! A full and delicious breakfast is served each morning in our rancho.  Hummingbirds abound at breakfast time as they too are enjoying fresh fruit.  After breakfast, you can (and should) take a stroll through the rain forest down to the small waterfall. 

Along the way, keep your eyes and ears open for wildlife.  Howling monkeys are in the trees above and very visible!  Sloths are present too, but harder to find since they move slowly and without much sound.  Clues on the forest floor will offer hints as to where they may be!  Poison dart frogs are in abundance as well, look down on the large green leaves or you’ll miss them! 

 

 

While at the Tree House Hotels, enjoy a night hike with Rolando free of charge. He will point out things you missed on your own!  Tree House hotels also partners with the best companies in the area and will set up your tours and excursions for you. Journey into town for local cuisine during the day and evening.  Travel a little further (45 minutes or so) to enjoy some natural hot springs!  If you are looking for a unique get away – don’t miss this wonderful location!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package

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A big thank you to Jessica Almanzan for this fantastic post! Don’t miss out on this special offer!

Are you the ultimate Harry Potter fan looking to visit Universal Orlando? Here is the definitive vacation package for you! Spend your days exploring all Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay Waterpark have to offer including both parts of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. You will feel as though you have been transformed into a witch or wizard as you wander Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. Dine at the Leaky Cauldron, pop into Ollivander’s for your wand, purchase all your novelty toys and tricks at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, get your family photo taken at Shutterbuttons and so much more! Experience the excitement of Escape from Gringotts as you head underground on this multi-dimensional thrill ride while you try to avoid Bellatrix LaStrange, trolls, and Voldemort. You can even get yourself lost in the dark and secretive Knockturn Alley! After you have explored you can head to Kings Cross and jump on the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade Station and start your journey exploring the village and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

               

In the charming village of Hogsmeade, located at Islands of Adventure, you can stroll through Honeydukes and pick up a chocolate frog, mail a letter at Owl Post, cheer on students from Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang as they lead the excitement for the Triwizard Tournament and more. Proceed into Hogwarts Castle for an unforgettable ride on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Flight of the Hippogriff is another fun coaster to give you a thrill but is very family friendly! In June 2019, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will keep you even more entertained as you go on a journey into the Dark Forest. Don’t forget to step into The Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer!
Then you can explore all that the parks have to offer! Including Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay Waterpark. There are attractions for all wizards and witches no matter their age. Check out the inclusions to the Exclusive Harry Potter Package here:
5 Night Hotel Stay Accommodations- In any of the 7 onsite Universal properties and select good neighbor options.

3 Park 2 Day Park-to-Park Tickets with 3 FREE Days! Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay Waterpark. Valid for bookings now though December 20, 2019 (Blackout dates apply). Must book your package before June 12, 2019.
Breakfast at Three Broomsticks in Islands of Adventure, one per person.
Breakfast at Leaky Cauldron in Universal Studios, one per person.
One Shutterbuttons Photography Studio Session at Universal Studios’ Diagon Alley
Access to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk

If you would like more information and a free quote for this magical vacation package, please reach out to your Marvelous Mouse Travels agent or email ContactUs@MarvelousMouseTravels.com.

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!

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