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!

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.

 

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!

Thank you to our awesome MMT agents Chelsea Gianna and Marisha Gordon for this helpful information for the phased opening of Universal CityWalk!

 

Universal CityWalk has officially reopened as of 4pm today! While it is open again, things are a little different than they were before. Hours are from 4pm-10pm and only a limited number of venues are open.  Currently open venues are: Bubba Gump Shrimp co Restaurant & Market, Margaritaville ( Lone Palm & outside dining only), Red Oven Pizza Bakery (Mobile Orders only), Voodoo Doughnut, Universal Studios store, Hart & Huntington Tattoo (retail store only), select merchandise carts and Hollywood Drive-In Golf. In order to help keep guests safe, all open venues will be operating at limited capacity.  This will help ensure social distancing is followed.  Team members will also be continuously and thoroughly disinfecting all high touch surfaces, tables & chairs and cashless payments will be accepted at all open venues. Parking is complimentary at this time and only self parking is available.  To actually get into CityWalk you will go through a temperature screening process with touchless thermometers, then move through security screening and finally down the walkway into CityWalk.

All guests and team members must comply with the following: 

• Temperature checks will be required and anyone with a temperature of 100.4+ will not be admitted.
• Face mask required for all guests ages 2 and up starting at the security checkpoint. If you do not have a mask there will be paper masks available for free at the temperature checkpoint as well as cloth masks for sale. (Current pricing is 1 for $6 or 3 for $15)
• Practice social distancing and keep at least 6 of space in between your travel party and others. There are markers on the floor indicating this distance, and Universal asks that you please stand on the markers until the travel party ahead of you moves forward.

These are the current guidelines, hours, and open venues as of today.  As things change we will keep you updated as always!

 

Even if you have visited a destination in the past, it is still a great idea to use a travel agent to book you vacation and here is why…