Marvelous Mouse Travels

Aulani ~ A Disney Resort & Spa

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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

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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/

Turn Your Red-Eye Into Some Shut Eye

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Thank you to Heath Hullihen for these great tips on flying!

Sleeping well on a plane has developed into a certain kind of art and into a healthy business with savvy travelers constantly scoping out new ways to make long flights more conducive to actual rest. Here are a few that really seem to have some payoff.

Splurge on a better seat. Sure, not everyone can afford a premium seat in first or business class, where you can take advantage of fully- or almost-fully-reclining seats and loads of leg room. But for long-distance flights, it can still be worth it to spend the extra money on an exit-row seat, a bulkhead seat, or a window seat. Flying on off-peak days, like a Tuesday evening, will also increase the likelihood that the flight will be less crowded and quieter.

Do the best you can with flight times and direct flights. While crossing many time zones always poses its own sleep challenges, do your best to pick a flight time and schedule that will sync up most naturally with your sleeping and waking times. Leaving in the evening will work better than trying to get REM at three in the afternoon.

Know your cues. Which side of the bed do you sleep on at home? Book on that side of the plane. Do you usually have a cup of tea before bed? Bring a few packets of your favorite herbal. And grab your own small travel blanket and comfy slippers while you’re at it (the airline pillow or blanket can be used for extra cushioning or lumbar support if you like). Spritz your pillow with a mild lavender essential oil. The more familiar things you can do, the more your brain will recognize the cues that it’s time for rest.

Sweet darkness, sweet silence. On most trans-oceanic flights, you’ll see the blue glow of nearly every seat-back screen flickering, no matter the time. We know that the type of light emitted by screens is proven to disrupt sleep. For any rest at all — let alone good rest — keep your screen off. Bring an eye mask or cap to block out as much light as possible. Use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to create the quietest environment you can.

Buckle up over the blanket. When the plane hits turbulence, flight attendants are required to make sure people are safely buckled in. If they can’t see that your seat belt is fastened, they have to disturb you to check. Make it easy for them and for you — simply click the buckle over the blanket.

Rather than paying more for less in the airport, do some quick research before you leave to find the best travel pillow for you. There are dozens to choose from, and they range widely in price, portability, and visual quirkiness. Check out reviews like this one  http://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-accessories/best-travel-pillows#therm-a-rest-compressible from the Travel + Leisure — and note how the reviewer coordinates the best pillows with each type of sleeper. Chances are, there’s a pillow out there that will support your head and neck and give you the rest you need.

What are your best tips for getting good sleep on an airplane? I’d love to hear them. And if you’re ready to plan your next (well-rested) journey, we are here to help! You can reach us today at www.MarvelousMouseTravels.com

 

Park Bag Essentials

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Thank you so much to Katie Eadie for this helpful information on what to pack for a day in the parks!

Going to Walt Disney World can be so much fun, but in my opinion, it’s good to be prepared for the long day ahead! That’s why it’s important to me and my trip to have the right things in your park bag.  Not everyone chooses to carry a backpack, and that’s okay, but when I go and have my kiddos, it’s important to me to keep all the essentials in a bag that they will need! And if you’re in Disney and have a cute Disney Bag, it’s even better!

If you do decide to carry a park bag, it’s important to not over pack it with things you don’t need! Here’s a list of 10 things I put in mine:

1. Ziploc Bag: I talked about this in another post, but Ziploc Bags are good for everything! Wet clothes, keeping things from getting wet, leftover snacks, etc. One thing I have always done is pack a gallon Ziploc bag with an extra pair of socks for everyone that way if your shoes and socks get wet on a Splash Mountain, you at least have a fresh new pair of DRY socks!

2. Baby Wipes: They’re good for everything! Sticky hands and faces, wiping up some ice cream someone might have spilled on a bench, even for a little refreshing cool down on a hot summer day!

3. Hand sanitizer: Because germs are EVERYWHERE! Use this!

4. Band-Aids: Accidents happen! Boo boos happen! Blisters happen! Band-Aids are your best friend! And I’m sure you can find some cute Disney ones to make the boo boo heal faster because the Band-Aid is obviously more magical if it’s Disney. ☺

5. Gum: Because Disney doesn’t sell it, so if you want it, you have to bring it!

6. Portable Charger: Good for charging your phone up to make sure you have enough battery to take pictures of EVERYTHING!

7. Chapstick and Sunscreen: That Florida Sun is HOT! Sunscreen is a must to keep your skin healthy and safe!

8. Light Jacket: For the evenings if it gets chilly.

9. Snacks: Snacks at Disney are expensive unless you’re on the dining plan, so it’s always a good idea to bring some extras just in case! We like to pack things like goldfish, trail mix, granola bars, and more easy stuff that is just grab and go!

10. Small Fan: We always find small battery operated fans at Walmart to keep in our bags for those hot afternoons! And the ones that are mist fans, are even better!

Resort Highlight: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

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Resort Highlight: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

When you are planning your next Walt Disney World vacation, make sure to check out Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.  This Southwestern-themed Moderate resort is located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort area and features over 1900 rooms in 3 areas (Casitas, Ranchos & Cabanas), 6 on-site restaurants, the Dig Site – a large pool and recreation area – in addition to 3 leisure pools, jogging trail, playground and arcade. The newly refurbished rooms are comfortable, modern and still bring a bit of character fun into each room!

Our king-sized water view room in the Casitas area welcomed us with crisp, white linens, Southwestern colors and décor, a Mickey towel decoration with welcome letter and so many “upgrades” that you cannot see in the photo! Each bedside table came equipped with USB charging stations, personal reading lamps on each side of the headboard, and large surfaces for all of your travel items!

           

As you can tell by the photo, the updated dresser/desk combination provided tons of storage in addition to a coffee/tea station with Joffrey’s coffee stocked each day!

The refurbished bathrooms at this resort are a Deluxe feel at a Moderate price.  Check out all of this storage! We were able to fully unpack our luggage and have plenty of room left over to store bags of souvenirs from the parks!

 

Thank you to Lindsay Smith for sharing her experience at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort! Reach out to Lindsay or any of our marvelous agents when you are ready to plan your next adventure!

Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Sandals Preferred Agency
Univeral Orlando Authorized Travel Planner
FTAF Selected Travel Advisor
CLIA
American Society of Travel Advisors
Mark Travel

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