family

Experience Disney’s Castaway Cay!

January 31, 2021 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Anyone else miss cruising? Today agent Nikki Kennedy takes us on a tour of Disney’s Castaway Cay! When you are ready to travel reach out to Nikki https://www.facebook.com/NikkiMMT or any of our Marvelous Mouse agents! https://marvelousmousetravels.com/contactus/

So what’s so great about Castaway Cay? Let me just start with saying.. EVERYTHING…from the beaches, to the staff, excursions, food, unlimited ice cream, snorkeling trails, kids’ clubs, teen clubs, shopping… I could go on and on!

Grab your towel they have ready for you and lets head to the island!

Let’s start with the important part – ADULTS ONLY BEACH! Serenity Bay is on the far side of the island, and like I mentioned its only for 18+! the water is so clear, the sand is beautiful, and you honestly wouldn’t even know all the craziness happening on the other beaches is so close!

If you are thinking you won’t be able to enjoy that side of the island because you will have kiddos with you, think again! Just like on the ship, there is a play area for kids with the counselors they already know and love! Same with for teenagers and the nursery is also open on the ship!

Now let’s talk inclusions! There are wagons, strollers and wheelchairs on the island for your use, self-serve ice cream and sodas and of course FOOD! There are 3 Cookies BBQ locations, including one on the adult side that is 18+! The food is so good however the birds know it as well, when I left my plate to go get a drink, they got my chicken! By the time I got back the head server had already replaced it and was waiting there to tell me what had happened.. I was gone maybe a minute. The service isn’t just on the ship! and of course it’s delicious for humans not just birds.. its food on Disney’s private island! How could it not be?

There is an underwater snorkeling course, including sunken ships and a Mickey Mouse statue! The play area complete with fast slides isn’t just for the kids and the items you can buy are exclusive to Castaway Cay AND they will take them back to the ship for you to pick up in the gift shop!

After your day of fun in the sun you can walk or take the tram back to the ship! You will be greeted with flavored waters and air conditioning!

Medical Care While On Vacation

December 9, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Thank you to our Marvelous Mouse agent Megan Guinnup for sharing her experience on receiving medical care for her little while while on vacation at Walt Disney World!

I know – it’s that taboo topic no one wats to talk about, because it’s not something you want to deal with on your vacation…. Unfortunately, I had to on one of our recent Walt Disney World vacations!

What happened? My youngest woke up in the middle of the night and was burning up. He had recently had surgery, so the fever warranted a trip to the ER. After consulting my Medical Care Tips sheet in my client packet, I contacted the Front Desk at our resort, and they called Reedy Creek EMTs to transport us to Celebration Hospital ER in an ambulance. Everyone made sure he was safely secure on the gurney before we even left the room and the manager gave us a voucher for a taxi back – totally unexpected and very much appreciated!!! My little guy loved the ride, the EMTs were super kind and very considerate with my (then) 1 year old! We were well taken care of at the ER, we left with a prescription and instructions on how to fill it, and used our taxi voucher to head back to the resort.

When we arrived back at the resort (still basically the middle of the night), the Cast Member at the Front Desk asked us to wait a moment while she got the manager. The manager asked which park we were headed to the next day, and gave us some extra fast passes so that we could sleep in a bit but not miss out on too much!!! They also gave us the card of a pharmacy that will fill and deliver your meds to you on property – either at your resort or in a park (they will meet you at First Aid or at the gate).

Nope, that’s not all! The manager had noticed we were celebrating my husband’s safe return from yet another deployment to Afghanistan, so she arranged for a gorgeous and tasty treat to be delivered to our room, along with some goodies for my kids! What started out as a nightmare vacation turned into the most magical and pixie dust filled visit we’ve ever had!

So if you have any sickness or medical trouble while at Walt Disney World, make sure you head to First Aid (if you’re in the parks) or call down to the Front Desk at your resort to ensure you receive the care you or your family member needs!

For more information on a Walt Disney World vacation of your own, please contact us here at Marvelous Mouse Travels!

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!

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

Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas!

July 14, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Thank you Jen McGurn for this inside look at Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas!

The Grandeur sails out of Baltimore, making it a great option for residents of
Maryland and Pennsylvania who want to cruise while avoiding the added
expensive of a flight.
While the Grandeur of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s older and smaller
ships, she is still a beauty!

Throughout my tour, I was able to see every Stateroom category. We started with
the 1 and 2 Bedroom Suites and let me tell you, these are stunning!
At 1,119 square feet, the Royal Suite has 1 Bedroom, a whirlpool tub, Private
balcony and a baby grand piano!

The 2 Bedroom Grand Suite sleeps 8 and offers 2 Bathrooms and Private Balcony. From the Junior Suites and Balcony Cabins to Oceanview and Interior staterooms, there is something for every budget and every need!

As with all ships, there is no shortage of complimentary dining options.
The ships main dining room, Gatsby’s, is absolutely beautiful. Gatsby’s serves
breakfast lunch and dinner.

Windjammer is the ship’s buffet dining option and serves global cuisine for all
three meals.
Grandeur of the Seas is home to three of Royal Caribbean’s most popular
speciality dining options.
Izumi Asian Cuisine offers sushi and hibachi in a beautiful setting reminiscent of
a Japanese Garden.

Giovanni’s Table serves Italian Family style meals with a contemporary flair.
Lastly is the very popular, Chops Grille. Chops is a signature steakhouse with the
only dry-aged steaks at sea.

While I wouldn’t recommend this ship for family’s with adventurous teens or tweens, it is a great option for young family, older adults or couples taking a kids-free vacation. There is plenty to do at any time day or night.

The ship offers complimentary Kid’s Clubs with a wide variety of activities for
kids of all ages. There is also a nursery for the youngest sailors. The nursery
does charge a nominal fee.
During the day, families can lounge at the pool and adults can enjoy the adults
only solarium. This area has a pool, 2 hot tubs, a retractable glass ceiling and a
bar of its own.

In the evening, you can enjoy broadway style shows, the Casino Royale, dance parties, and 8 bars and lounges.

Of course, one of the best parts of a cruise is where it takes you. Grandeur of the
Seas has some amazing itineraries! She sails to Bermuda, the Bahamas and
Canada/New England. Select sailings also include a stop at Royal Caribbean’s
completely renovated CoCo Cay!

So hopefully this blog entry has you dreaming of sailing away on either the
Grandeur of the Seas, or another beautiful ship when they return to service!
So, have you sailed with Royal Caribbean? Do you have a favorite ship?