family travel

Experience Kennedy Space Center!

August 24, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels Leave a Comment

Thank you Megan Guinnup for this fun look at Kennedy Space Center!

Kennedy Space Center is located in Port Canaveral, Florida and is the perfect way to spend a day before or after you cruise. Many people like to come in a day before their cruise so that they can make sure that travel delays don’t prevent them from making it to the ship on time and to get a head start on their vacation if they get an early boarding time (some ships board as early as 10:30 am!).

On an agency training trip to Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach Area, we were able to spend a day at Kennedy Space Center. There are so many interactive exhibits and opportunities to learn about space exploration.

We started off with a bus tour out to the launch sites and buildings where they assemble to rockets for launch. At one time, the vehicle assembly building at the Kennedy Space Center was considered the largest enclosed structure in the U.S! As part of the bus tour, we visited the Apollo/Saturn V Center where the full Apollo shuttle is located on display (spoiler alert: it was never sent to space). It is absolutely amazing to stand underneath such a massive structure. At this center, there are exhibits about the first landing on the moon, the invention of the space pen (and other inventions that have come out of the space program like memory foam, cochlear implants, and prosthetic limbs). Kids and kids at heart will also enjoy touching an actual moon rock!

One of the other impressive things to visit at the Kennedy Space Center is the permanent home of the actual space shuttle Atlantis. In the same building you can strap yourself in for liftoff at the Shuttle Launch Experience®. There is also a model play station for kids designed after the International Space Station and a two story tall Rocket slide that kids can play on to entertain themselves while the big kids explore the exhibit.

One of the coolest things we experienced, however, was the add-on experience Lunch with an Astronaut. There was a catered buffet lunch in a conference room and while we were enjoying the meal heard from a real life Astronaut, Steve Smith, who was fortunate enough to experience four space flights covering 16 million miles and seven space walks totaling 49 hours and 25 minutes. He told his story about applying to the space program, what it was like to prepare for a mission and to be in space. Then we got to ask him whatever questions we wanted for about 20 minutes. It was fascinating and I highly recommend it as an add-on experience if you are spending a full day at Kennedy Space Center.

It really was a great way to spend the day learning and appreciating the history of the U.S Space Program. Make sure to ask your Marvelous Mouse Travels agent about adding this experience onto your pre or post cruise plans or even onto a Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando vacation as a break day from the parks.

Traveling With Children Who Struggle With Anxiety

August 19, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Anxiety? It’s a word that we hear very often today! Does your child struggle with anxiety and does this make you anxious and maybe even prevent you from traveling.? If so, here are some tips to help:

Include your child in the planning phases so they know what to expect.

Give them a copy of the travel schedule (if old enough of course). My son does well with a calendar with times and events so this may help when traveling as well.

Plan, plan, plan and plan again. Make sure that your vacation is planned and your son or daughter is aware of the plans.

Pack some things that you child loves and that may bring them comfort (stuffed animal, blanket, pillow, etc).

Go in with low expectations. I know this may be viewed in a negative manner, but we always travel knowing that it might not go the way we planned. If you have a picture perfect vacation in your head, it probably won’t happen.

Know when your child has had enough and needs a break. Being over-stimulated and riding rides for 12 hours straight may call for a break. Monitor your child’s body language, mood, etc.

I hope this has helped gain some ideas on how to travel with an anxious child. Please don’t let anxiety stand in your way of traveling. You can do it! Life is short, take the trip, and make the memories.

Thank you to our Marvelous Mouse agent Brenda Schruefer for these helpful tips! Many of our agents specialize in helping families with special needs. Reach out when you are ready to plan your next vacation, we would love to help!

Visiting Haleakala National Park

August 13, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Haleakala means House of the Sun and has been a sunrise visitor attraction since Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) wrote “It was the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed, and I think the memory of it will remain with me always”.

Sunrise and Sunset are extremely popular and beautiful times to visit. A sunrise visit requires a reservation 60 days before you arrive. Sunset does not require reservations. These can also be the busiest times at the park.

The weather is highly unpredictable, especially at Sunrise. Dressing in layers is suggested. When I went, it was the middle of the day, however we did see the temperature change from the base to the summit as we drove.

We enjoyed the drive to the summit, stopping many times to take short hikes/walks and to see the landscape. The summit (over 10,000 feet) was amazing and the view were spectacular! It was mid-afternoon and quite warm on the day in late October, when we visited. Thankfully there was parking, as it can be limited during peak seasons and times.

This is part of the US National Park system and the entrance fees work like many other parks. Typically, it’s a single fee per vehicle. However, the entrance has limited staffing so there are self-pay machines which accept credit card only.

The park typically offers free fee days a couple of time a year! Check the website for more information.

Official National Parks Website: https://www.nps.gov/hale/

There are many tours that include Haleakala such as a Sunrise Bike Tour or Helicopter tour. Your Marvelous Mouse Travels Planner can assist with planning your Hawaii vacation!

Thank you to our Marvelous Mouse agent Karen Fitting for sharing her experience at Haleakala National Park!

What You Need to Know About Walt Disney World’s Reopening!

July 15, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Reopening Review

A fellow agent friend and I traveled to Walt Disney World last week to attend the Annual Pass Preview. We got to see what the airports, airlines, transportation services, hotels, and theme parks are doing to manage the health and safety of their guests.

The #1 thing: masks are required at all times, inside and outside. You can remove them while eating or drinking, but to keep you and everyone around you safe, masks are required.

The #2 thing: I felt very safe with the procedures in place. We flew from the Atlanta airport to Orlando and back, flew Southwest round-trip, rode Disney’s Magical Express, stayed at Contemporary’s Bay Lake Tower, went to Universal’s City Walk, Disney’s Disney Springs, and Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Temperature checks were required to enter the parks along with normal security procedures.

We sweat a lot, but we had the best time! It was awesome, and when you feel comfortable traveling again, I know you will have an amazing time! I can’t wait to help you plan your next vacation!

We enjoyed short wait times, characters showing up at random times either on a stage/a balcony or in a cavalcade. Social distancing was enforced and well marked. If there was a snake in the line, plexi-glass was installed so you weren’t on top of anyone. On rides, rows were kept empty between different parties like you see on the Small World boats in the collage. For shows, rows were marked “closed,” and seats were marked between parties. See image below at the Carousel of Progress. Speaking of a carousel, see the collage to the left? The Cast Member between the horses is spraying every horse and pole/handle down between rides.

Seeing characters, like the County Bears, was such a fun treat. I have only seen them in the show (Animatronics) or in special parades, so for them to just appear was a great way to get that Disney magic we all crave.

When can I take off my mask?

Dining is one of the best parts of any vacation, and now, it was also a great time to take a rest from the mask. Table-service dining is now a must on your park day; you can enjoy the AC and take off your mask.

At the dining locations, you can scan menus, scan a QR code to check-in to your table-service reservation, or place a mobile order at quick-service locations.

There are relaxation areas to have a snack/take a break from your mask.

We took advantage of these areas!!

Disney Springs and Disney’s On-Site Bus Transportation

We shopped till we dropped, and no Disney Springs visit is complete without some Ghirardelli’s! We rode Disney’s bus transportation from Disney Springs back to our on-site hotel. The social distancing was really easy to maintain! Masks were required on the bus and while you wait in line. Also, in the restaurants and shops, you had to wear your mask and keep your distance. Stores were limiting the number of guests allowed inside at one time, so we waited outside along the “please wait here” ground markings until it was our turn.

As you can see, Walt Disney World is doing things right considering the circumstances.

I would be remiss to not add a section about Universal Orlando; we didn’t go into their parks, but we did check out the Hard Rock Hotel and City Walk. Like WDW, we were comfortable and pleased with their health and safety procedures as well.

As you enter the hotels, employees will check your temperature

and give you a colored band (changes each day) to show that you

have been checked and are below 100.4 degrees.

COVID warnings and social distancing markers are throughout the property.

Social distancing continues on the boats that take you between City Walk and the hotels.

So lets get your trips to Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World booked. I can book you through 2021 for Universal Orlando and through 9/26/2021 for Walt Disney World. I was so impressed with both companies, not that I am surprised, during these difficult times; they really put health and safety above all else without skimping on the magic. Let me help you get there! Contact me today!

alyssa@marvelousmousetravels.com

Let’s Explore Universal Cabana Bay!

June 22, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

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!