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Let’s Explore Universal Cabana Bay!

June 22, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels Leave a Comment

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!

Universal Orlando Parks & Resorts are now OPEN!

June 6, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Marvelous Mouse Travels was there for the opening of Universal Orlando Resort to share all of the new protocols and procedures! Universal has done an amazing job taking the guidelines and policies that they have put in place and continuing the tradition of making it an EPIC experience for travelers! We arrived to the resort on June 3rd. The parks were open on June 3rd and June 4th to annual passholders and open to the general public on June 5th.

Here is some information for you on Universal’s opening experience!

When checking into our resort we entered the lobby and there is a screener setup there to take your temperature. Once your temperature is taken and is under 100.4 degrees you are given a wristband to wear. The color of the wristband changes daily and once you receive your daily wristband you are not required to have your temperature checked again until the next day. Access to the parks and resorts are granted with the wristband as an indicator that you are temperature free.

Upon arriving at our resort at around noon our room was ready. They did inform us that housekeeping services are halted and that if we needed anything to call the front desk and they would send it right up. We later found out that upon check out they are keeping the guests rooms empty for 24-48 hours before checking new guests into the rooms. There are hand sanitizing stations throughout the resorts and signage regarding social distancing. It is stated that only 1 family at a time use the elevators. Masks are required while in all common areas within the resorts. Pools are all open and masks are not permitted in the pools themselves. You are required to wear the mask until you arrive at your pool chair and are then free to take them off. Note that at this time pool hopping is not permitted between resorts.

Social distancing is being practiced across transportation vehicles. Busses have reduced capacity and water taxis are skipping rows to promote social distancing.

Parks are operating on reduced capacity and limited attendance. While those numbers have not been released to the general public it is important to realize that those guests staying at an onsite resort have guaranteed entrance! Upon entering the parks you will notice social distancing markers everywhere. These are generally 6 feet apart and are used in areas where there are outdoor areas of gathering such as the Blues Brothers show and throughout attraction lines.

Signage throughout the park is used in full effect to promote the use of virtual lines, handwashing, social distancing, and to remind guests of guidelines.

The use of virtual lines is a new concept for Universal and overall it has been well executed. You are able to make a virtual line reservation either through the Universal app or by use of signs spread throughout the parks. You are able to be placed in 2 virtual lines at a time. You simply pull up your app, look to see what attractions are participating in the virtual system, and what times are available to sign up. This is a first come system. It is important to realize that attractions with the virtual lines do not have standby lines. You must be in a virtual line or have an express pass where applicable to ride. The virtual line system does not replace the benefit of express passes. Once your timeframe opens you can enter the standby line for that attraction. All lines are socially distanced with markers on the floor.

While in the lines ride vehicles are being sanitized, socially distanced seating, and there are attendants that are giving out hand sanitizer to all riders prior to them loading on the ride vehicles.

Character experiences are still plentiful throughout the parks. While parades are not currently performing you will see floats throughout the day individually moving down the streets. Characters are all out and around the parks in areas and in a way that social distancing is possible. Guests are free to stand near the characters and/or take a selfie from a safe distance! During our time in the parks we saw characters from Shrek, Betty Boop, Hello Kitty, Penguins, Marilyn Monroe, The Simpsons, Dora and Diego, Trolls, The Cat and the Hat characters, Super Heroes and others throughout the parks!

Masks are required to be worn throughout the parks. I was pleasantly surprised that it was way more manageable then what I thought it would be. If you are feeling as though you need a break from the mask there are 2 areas within each park and 1 in Citywalk labeled as U Rest where you are able to take off the mask. At Universal these spots can be found at Central Park and at Fear Factor. At Islands of Adventure these areas can be found at the Port of Entry and back near Sinbad. There is one location at Citywalk as well! While dining at any locations you are also permitted to remove your masks as well.

The cleaning protocols put into place were nothing less than impressive. EVERYWHERE you look there are employees sanitizing. I even saw them sanitizing a concrete bench. In Citywalk there are attendants at the moving sidewalk continually cleaning and sanitizing the moving handrail.

Freestyle mugs are still being sold. Each Freestyle machine is staffed with an attendee that is there to sanitize it fully after each use.

Universal has thought of everything! Even Caricatures are still being crafted with modifications. Now you provide a selfie or a photo for the caricature artist to draw.

Volcano Bay is the one theme park in which masks will not be required. They are not permitted on the water rides and in the pools and are suggested for use when social distancing cannot be maintained throughout the park. The only place they will be required at Volcano Bay are in stores and in the restaurants before you are sitting at your table.

Citywalk is operating with modifications as well! Restaurants are open and when sitting and eating masks are not needed to be worn. Menus are disposable and thrown away with each use. Sanitized silverware is brought to the table upon arrival and condiments upon request. It was great to be able to sit on the patio at Margaritaville, drink a few margaritas, and listen to some live music. For just a little while the world seemed “normal” again”

Overall I am so happy to have been able to be back in a theme park and be there for the historic event of Universal reopening. I was so impressed by how well the entire thing was managed and that even with modifications and slight adjustments the experience was just as awesome as ever before! There was not a period of time during my stay that I did not feel as though my health and safety was not at the forefront of the mind of Universal. I left with an Annual Pass in hand and plans to bring my family back in just a few weeks!

One thing that I learned from this experience is the use of a travel advisor is more important now than ever before. With changing policies an procedures there are very specific strategies that can be used to make sure that your getting the most of your trip, waiting in line the least amount of time, and experiencing the parks to the fullest extent. One benefit of working with Marvelous Mouse Travels is the early entry that is an additional perk with tickets alone. The early entry can be invaluable for ensuring park admittance and starting your day off in the best possible situation! Reach out to our agents today to take advantage of their expertise in planning your next EPIC Universal vacation!

www.marvelousmousetravels.com/contactus

Top 7 Tips for Planning a Universal Orlando Vacation

October 1, 2019 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

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!

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??

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

To find out more about Universal Orlando parks and resorts be sure to visit our website at https://marvelousmousetravels.com/uor/

Disney’s Very Merrytime Cruise

September 18, 2019 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Thank you Megan Guinnup for sharing with us a few of the fun things waiting for you on Disney Cruise Line’s Merrytime Cruise!

The holidays are such a magical time of year that it only makes sense that the Disney Cruise
Line would celebrate the magic of the season on board their ships each year from November
through just after December 25th. You can even spend actual Christmas on a Disney Cruise!*
Here are some of the activities and events that are unique to a Disney Cruise with a Very Merry
Time itinerary:

Santa Claus Meet and Greet
Characters in their holiday attire
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Gingerbread Decorating (by reservation and books up quickly)
Themed Activities and Crafts for Kids
Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Mickey’s Winter Wonderland Ball – frozen fun in the lobby

*Plus, on December 24 and 25, enjoy these additional treats on a Very Merrytime Cruise:
Cookies on Christmas Eve
Special holiday towel animals
Caroling with the kids and crew!

Merry time sailings start as early as November 1st so you can start the holiday celebrations as
soon as the day after Halloween!
Contact a Marvelous Mouse Travels Agent to set up your magical holiday sailing.

Now More than Ever! D23 Recap

August 30, 2019 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

A big thank you to Molly Davis for putting together this awesome information and Suzanne Sevier for the pictures!

Now More than Ever. That is the phrase used to describe all things Disney and how NOW more than EVER is going to be the time to visit all of the Disney theme parks! Marvelous Mouse Travels had the great opportunity to visit the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, and learned about all of the latest and greatest updates and what is to come in the next couple of years for all things Disney.

Special thanks to Suzanne Sevier for sharing her pictures from the D23 Expo!

Disneyland: Anaheim, California

Disneyland will be getting a new parade called, “Magic Happens,” featuring new floats, an all-new musical soundtrack, characters than have never been in parades before (including Moana, Cocoa, which are just to name a few!) This will debut in Spring of 2020!

Disney California Adventure: Anaheim, California

The Avengers Campus will feature the first Spiderman attraction. Guests will be able to slink webs just like Spiderman. The Pym Test Kitchen as well as Ant Man and the Wasp will also be part of Avengers Campus and guests will have the opportunity to meet characters along with Black Panther, Thor, Ironman, and others as part of their meet and greet! The WEB (World Wide Engineering Brigade) will allows guests to play and create new inventions including the web slinger vehicle. These features will also be available at Disneyland in Paris, France!

Disney’s California Adventure will also be getting an all new E-ticket attraction where guests will be able to fly to Wakanda!

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Disneyland’s castle in Hong Kong will not be inspired by any of the princesses, rather instead they will be inspired by the heroines. This castle will be called Castle of Magical Dreams.

Hong Kong will also get 2 new Frozen themed attractions! One of these will be a near clone of Maelstrom at Walt Disney World’s Epcot.

Walt Disney World: Orlando, Florida

Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort has announced that Cirque du Soleil is back with a live action show inspired by Disney animation. The classic Disney characters will interact with live performers of Cirque du Soleil. This show will also feature a soundtrack that will compliment the acrobatics and stunts being performed. This show begins previews on March 20, 2020 and will open to the public on April 17, 2020.

The Disney Skyliner will open on September 29^th.

The 50^th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort will take place in all 4 parks in 2021.

Disney Genie is a new digital offering coming to Walt Disney World. This feature will suggest options and attractions based on your likes and preferences and can be changed on demand. This will debut in late 2020.

Reflections: A Lakeside Lodge and Resort will open as a reimagined classic country lodge. It will feature various hotel rooms like A-Framed villas and tree houses, and the first of its kind “Princess and the Frog” themed restaurant.

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Hotel will be available for 2 days and 2 nights. It will immerse adults and children in the world of Star Wars and include a new attraction where guests will face a training robot that fires lasers while guests wield lightsabers. Guests will also be able to access the bridge of Halcyon and pilot it.

Epcot will receive its biggest reconstruction EVER attempted for a Disney park! Epcot will be divided into 4 new neighborhoods including World Discovery, World Celebration, World Nature, and World Showcase.

World Showcase: Celebrates culture, cuisine, and traditions.

In the China pavilion, a new film called “Wondrous China” will take guests on a journey across the country filmed and presented in a 360-degree digital format.
“Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” will debut in 2020 in the Canada pavilion featuring a new story.
France will now have two films called “Impressions de France” and a “Beauty and the Beast” sing along that will debut in January 2020. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will open in Summer of 2020, where you will shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant. A new restaurant will also open in the France pavilion called La Creperie de Paris, which will offer both table and quick service options.
The United Kingdom pavilion will feature its first attraction inspired by Mary Poppins. You will go back in time and walk down Cherry Tree Lane and enter Number 17, which is the home of the Banks family, where you will begin your adventure.
In 2020, “HarmonioUS” will debut as the largest nighttime show in Disney’s history. This will follow the limited time run of “Epcot Forever.”

World Celebration: World Celebration will offer new experiences that connect us to one another and the world around us.

A new 3-tiered festival pavilion will be added. The pavilion will be the perfect place for live events and the home base for Epcot’s signature festivals. It will provide a stunning elevated view of the entire park and an ideal spot to witness Epcot’s nighttime spectacular. This three-level structure will have amazing designs featuring a plaza level, a middle expo level, and a park that sits in the sky on the top level.
Spaceship Earth will remain in its iconic location, but will be reconstructed to include new scenes, different narrations, a new guide, and different exit locations. Dreamers Point will also host a new statue of Walt Disney as you exit Spaceship Earth. This will also feature a garden, wishing tree, and an interactive fountain.

World Discovery: Stories about science, technology, and intergalactic adventure are brought to life.

Guardians of the Galaxy coaster which is currently under construction at Epcot, will be called “Cosmic Rewind” featuring the first backwards launch coaster for any Disney park!
Mission Space will add a new restaurant called Space 2020. This restaurant is currently already under construction and expected to open Winter 2019.
The Play Pavilion will feature Huey, Dewey, and Louis in a water balloon fight attraction. This will open in 2021.

World Nature: Dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty of the natural world. This will include the Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion.

Awesome Planet will open in January 2020 to showcase the beauty, diversity, and story of Earth.
The Moana attraction called “Journey of Water” will open and teach guests about the water cycle and why it is important to be saving our water resources.

Disney Stores: Nationwide

The Disney Store will be coming to 25 different Target stores! Various Disney products will now be available at select Target stores and will also be available on Target’s website.

Disney Cruise Lines

Disney Cruise Line’s new second private island will be called Lighthouse Point on Eluthera in the Bahamas. Disney will create a new experience that preserves the natural environment and culture. Disney will work with local artists on the island to create the artwork. It will be a place unlike any other!

Disney Cruise Line’s new ship will be called Disney Wish. The 3-story atrium will be inspired by Disney fairytales and will sail in January 2022. The character on the stern will be Rapunzel. Disney has helped grant over 150,000 wishes, which coincides with the name of the new Disney ship. Nearly 1 in 3 wishes are Make a Wish grants for Disney!

Ready to book your next trip to a Disney destination? Now more than ever is the time to visit, especially in the next coming years! Make sure to e-mail Contactus@marvelousmousetravels.com for a free quote!

Let’s Explore Universal Cabana Bay!

Top 7 Tips for Planning a Universal Orlando Vacation

Disney’s Very Merrytime Cruise

Now More than Ever! D23 Recap

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