travel

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

Christmastime in Nashville!

March 31, 2020 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

It’s never too early to think about Christmas travel! Thank you Arlene Sealy for this fantastic information about your visit!

If you’ve ever considered Nashville at Christmastime, the Gaylord Opryland Resort is the place to visit! We visited for New Year’s Eve and also got to experience the Christmas decorations throughout the resort. The resort has 9 acres of indoor gardens and waterfalls. They also have so many areas to explore including the numerous restaurants, stores, and an indoor/outdoor water attraction park. I stayed there and had a wonderful experience. Our room had a view of the light show that happens every night. Within that area of the hotel we experienced a water show with music.

The entire hotel was decorated plus there were numerous activities for both children and adults. We experienced the ICE show, with the theme of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. All sculptures are made of ice which means the auditorium had freezing temperatures. You need to bring your weather gear, but you are provided with a full-length parka to be worn as you explore.

I was blown away by the Christmas decorations in every area of the resort. Make sure to carry the map they provide, because you will get lost. The resort also provided opportunities for Sleigh Rides, visits with Santa, gingerbread decorating contests, Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Feast, a riverboat cruise in the hotel, and many more family-oriented activities prior to the New Years celebration.

For New Year’s Eve we got tickets to the Bluebird Café and listened to music in the round. What an amazing experience. We were entertained by Grammy Award winning song writers. They entertained us with their music and stories about how they wrote songs. I plan on taking another trip with my granddaughter so we can experience the magic of Christmas in Nashville.

Aulani ~ A Disney Resort & Spa

November 1, 2019 By Marvelous Mouse Travels

Thank you Nikki Kennedy for this post on Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa!

When you get to Hawaii you are exhausted, and even though you just want to sleep the 4-6-hour time change just doesn’t let you! When we stayed at Disney’s Aulani we used this extra couple hour of being awake the best way possible, with a delicious meal overlooking the sunrise over the ocean at ‘AMA ‘AMA! Could there be anything more gorgeous?

I ordered the Captain Crunch French Toast – It’s vacation right? Calories don’t count? It was so dang good I actually tried to make it when we got home!

Of course, since we were in Hawaii we had to order the pineapple as well, soooo yummy! Be sure to schedule your reservations before you arrive on the Aulani website! These reservations go quick! Of course, if you book with me, I will take care of all of that for you!

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/