Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida 2023 Jambo House- Resort Layout & Rooms With Frontier Airlines flights for $50/per person direct from Norfolk, we couldn’t resist a trip to Walt Disney World in Orland for our late November 3-day weekend. We booked two nights at the moderate-level Coronado Resort followed by… Continue reading 24 Hours at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, 2023
Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, 2023 Gran Destino Tower, Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, 2023 Resort Layout & Rooms From Coronado it is a short bus ride to Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Magic Kingdom sometimes feels like a bit of a hike by… Continue reading Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
With Frontier Airlines flights for less than $50/per person roundtrip and direct from Norfolk, we couldn’t resist a trip to Walt Disney World in Orland for our late November 3-day weekend. We booked two nights at the moderate level Coronado Resort followed by one night at the deluxe tier Animal Kingdom Lodge. On Saturday, October… Continue reading Epcot in a Day- The International Food & Wine Festival Edition, 2023
Universal orlandoresortaugust 2023 To do everything in our itinerary at Universal Studios park (especially during August) three things were essential.....We Stayed at a Universal ResortThis was our first family trip to Universal Orlando Resorts since May of 2021. To maximize our short time, we spent three nights total on Universal property, two at Universal's Aventura… Continue reading How We Did All the Things In 8 Hours at Universal Studios Orlando
Islands of adventureSummer 2023 August 2023 HogsmeadeIslands for FamiliesAdvanced AdventureFaraway Lands This was our first family trip to Universal Orlando since May of 2021. To maximize our short time, we spent three nights total on Universal property, two at Universal's Aventura Hotel and one at Loews Royal Pacific Resort. By changing to a Premier resort… Continue reading Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure
Lowes Royal Pacific A premier resort UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA During our stays in 2019 and 2023, Loews Royal Pacific was in the Premier category of Universal Orlando Resorts. There were three resorts in this tier, and the biggest benefit (aside from being walking distance to CityWalk and all three Universal Orlando Parks) is that each… Continue reading Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios Florida
UNIVERASAL STUDIOS FLORIDA Aventura hotel august 2023 Universal's Aventura Hotel, Orlando, Florida, 2023 As one of the newest hotels on the property, the resort and rooms integrate technology into the stay. The proximity to Sapphire Falls and Cabana Bay Resort is also a plus, especially because Universal Orlando allows you to pool hop as long… Continue reading Universal’s Aventura Hotel
Disney Wonder Day 4: Skagway June 2023 Exploring TownWhite Pass RailwayLiarsville Gold Rush Camp gateway to the gold rush There were multiple options for excursions in Skagway from the Disney Wonder. With a long day in port (6:45am-8:00pm), passengers were able to get out into the wilderness on a hiking trip, see sled dogs, whale/wildlife… Continue reading Port of Call: Skagway, Alaska
day 1: Botanical gardens & granville island June 2023 botanical gardensgranville islandGastown Gardens of Vancouver VanDusen Botanical Garden VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, Canada, June 2023 The draw for us to visit VanDusen Botanical Garden was to see a collection unique to the Pacific Northwest and other temperate rainforests. We also enjoyed seeing how the climate… Continue reading Disney Wonder Departure Port: Vancouver, Canada, Day 1
day 2: seawall & stanley park June 2023 seawallstanley parkvancouver aquariumdowntown Visiting Stanley Park could easily have been a full day affair if we weren’t jet lagged. We walked one mile from the Hilton Vancouver Downtown along the Harbor front, pausing often to look into the water for starfish and other aquatic creatures. We also… Continue reading Disney Wonder Departure Port: Vancouver, Canada Day 2
Wizarding World of Harry Potter2023 August 2023 Hogsmeadediagon alleydiningattractions This was our first family trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando since May of 2021. To maximize our short time, we spent three nights total on Universal property, two at Universal's Aventura Hotel and one at Lowes Royal Pacific. By changing… Continue reading Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Disney Wonder 2023Day 6: Ketchikan June 2023 Exploring TownSaxman Village tourlumberjack show Fishing town Ketchikan, our final port on the 7-day Disney Wonder Alaskan cruise, was smaller than Juneau but larger than Skagway (our first port further north).Our excursions didn’t start until 1pm, so in the morning Alex and I were able to spend some… Continue reading Port of Call: Ketchikan, Alaska
Disney Wonder 2023Day 5: juneau June 2023 Exploring TownRainforestglacier alaska state capital Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls, Juneau, Disney Wonder Alaskan Cruise, June 2023 Fun Fact: there are no roads to Alaska’s State Capital, Juneau. Residents and visitors can only get there by boat or plane. There were a ton of excursion options, and we… Continue reading Port of Call: Juneau, Alaska
The Disney wonder June 2023 State roomspools & spaDining & loungesactivitiesphoto package In June of 2023 we set sail for a 7-day cruise to Alaska on the Disney Wonder. This blog entry primarily focuses on our time onboard the ship. To learn more about our daily itinerary and ports of call, check out the Disney… Continue reading On Board the Disney Wonder, 2023
Disney WonderAlaska Cruise June 2023 Vancouver, BCOnBoard The WONDERSkagway, AKJuneAU, AKKetchikan, ak Day 1: Departure from Vancouver, BC Departure from Vancouver, Canada on the Disney Wonder Cruise to Alaska, June 2023 We stayed at the Hilton Vancouver Downtown for three nights before the cruise. The port was within walking distance, but with bags we decided… Continue reading
With two hours of unexpected down time during a training at the Boardwalk Resort Conference Center, I decided to walk to the Skyliner at the Epcot World Showcase gate and head to the Art of Animation resort to check out the larger than life character décor. The "Disney Bubble" Resort (but not pool)… Continue reading WDW Resort Hopping by Skyliner: Art of Animation
The Itinerary There are multiple versions of the 4-parks-in-one-day challenge; some people choose to try to ride the most popular attraction at each park; others put more emphasis on photo ops and snacks. My goal in May of 2023 was to use the App and Disney Genie+ to focus on my favorite rides… Continue reading Walt Disney World 2023- Four Parks in One Day Challenge
The photos on this post are from my spring 2023 trip to Walt Disney World for an Agent Education Program. Because I was traveling solo and looking to spend down time in a quieter setting, Port Orleans Riverside was a great option. Resort Layout The neighboring Port Orleans French Quarter Resort is just… Continue reading Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts: Port Orleans Riverside
With character topiaries, themed gardens, food kiosks, and educational signage, EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival easily wins as my favorite of the four festivals (with the Holiday Festival in second, the Festival of the Arts in third, and Food & Wine in fourth). This year seemed even more lush and colorful… Continue reading 2023 Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort
The two resorts are connected physically but distinct in theming. The Yacht Club is more “sailor sporty” and it sometimes hosts conventions. This can make it feel a little less kid-oriented than some other resorts, but on our trip we liked the break from the chaos when we returned in the evenings. Both resorts have… Continue reading Yacht & Beach Club Resorts at Walt Disney World in Florida (Featuring the Famous “Kitchen Sink”)
The American Museum of Natural History was scheduled for Sunday morning on our long weekend itinerary, and we used our New York Pass by GoCity for admission. We arrived at 9:45am for the 10am opening, and the entry line had started to wrap around the museum along Central Park. For an hour we were able… Continue reading American Museum of Natural History, NYC
With just three days to visit parks on this trip, we spent less time at Animal Kingdom than other trips. We were able to experience nearly all of the major attractions in just half a day, but with more time we would have watched the shows and spent some time at Conservation Station. 7am- We… Continue reading Animal Kingdom with Disney Genie+, 2023
Blizzard Beach Waterpark, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, 2023 Blizzard Beach Water Park, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, 2023 We arrived at opening, and by the end of the first hour there were still more Cast Members than visitors in the park. All of the slides had little to no wait the entire… Continue reading One Day in Blizzard Beach Waterpark, 2023
Port Orleans French Quarter, Walt Disney World, 2022 Port Orleans French Quarter is the smallest of the Moderate WDW resorts, and the size is the biggest benefit. Bus transportation only includes one stop, so getting to the parks can be a much shorter trip. The pool is slightly smaller than the other moderate resorts, but… Continue reading Walt Disney World Resort: Port Orleans French Quarter
Caribbean Beach Resort, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, 2023 We chose Caribbean Beach Resort for our January 2023 vacation for a few reasons. Because we intended to spend most of the trip in the park, a moderate level hotel felt like the best value. Often on these types of trips we have opted for… Continue reading Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, 2023
Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, 2023 Day 1: Sunday, January 29 Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, 2023 With Park Hopper we divided our visit over two days; the first on a Sunday evening. Because Passholders cannot go to the parks on weekends, we found this one to… Continue reading Hollywood Studios with Disney Genie+, 2023
My top reason for this visiting Epcot his year was to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for the first time, and I splurged for individual Lightning Lane instead of chancing it with the Virtual Queue. "With a three-day ticket, we used our park hopper to divide our Epcot visits over two days. This… Continue reading Epcot: Park Itinerary, Festival of the Arts & Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, 2023
This was our second year at Walt Disney World during the 50th anniversary celebration, and our second time using the new Disney Genie+ system. Some of the decorations and photo filters will expire in a few months, as the parks return to pre-anniversary operations. At 7am, we chose Haunted Mansion for our first Lighting Lane… Continue reading Back in Magic Kingdom, Winter 2023
Cruising to Bermuda We sailed to Bermuda from NYC on the Disney Magic, docking at 10am and boarding to leave at 4pm the following day. Much of our planning revolved around considerations for weather and the fact that we arrived on a Sunday. Bermuda was sunny with a high in the mid-80s during our first… Continue reading 24 hours in Bermuda
Departure from NYC The Manhattan Cruise Terminal was a breeze for us compared to Port Miami, although the size of the ship may have accounted for that also. We arrived at the tail end of our 11:30am-12pm boarding time and walked through security/check-in and onto the ship with no lines. We spent the afternoon on… Continue reading Cruising on the Disney Magic NYC-Bermuda
When we travel to Walt Disney World, we often choose a moderate resort for the portion of the trip that we plan to spend most of our time in the parks, and hop to a deluxe resort for some more relaxing down time. In general, Deluxe Resorts have the benefits of interior room entry, private… Continue reading Where Should We Stay? Breaking Down the Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts
Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay in the Bahamas, June 2022 Castaway CayBahamas We spent our second full cruise day at Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas. As we got off the ship we were given towels. Disney Characters and other photo options along the way made the ¼ mile walk to… Continue reading Excursions on the 5-night Disney Dream Cruise from Miami
Atrium Lobby on the Disney Dream, June 2022 Inside the Disney Dream Our port arrival window at Miami Cruise Terminal was 11:15am, and within an hour we had boarded the ship through the Atrium Lobby. We were required to check in on deck four and watch a video about emergency procedures. A few locations were… Continue reading The Disney Dream, June 2022
My last trip to Universal Orlando Resort was in May of 2021. My return this year was part girls' weekend and part theme-park research trip. Cloudy with a Chance of a Tropical Storm Because people weren’t sure of the impact of Tropical Storm Alex, many resort and park reservations had been cancelled or postponed. Islands… Continue reading Universal Orlando Resort, June 2022
The Ervings Return to WDW Day 4- Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane & Park Opening Park opening still had a line for Flight of Passage snaked all the way to the land’s entrance, and we were glad we had secured the paid Lighting Lane for later that day. We used our first Genie+… Continue reading Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, January 2022
The Ervings Return to WDW- Epcot Epcot was divided over two days using our Park Hopper tickets. The first day was a short visit hop between Hollywood Studios via the Skyliner, with the main destination being Space 220. After dining we took some time to walk through the World Showcase. On this busy Saturday night… Continue reading Epcot at Walt Disney World, January 2022
The Ervings Return to WDW- Day 3 Lightning Lane & Park Opening Prior to 2020, I loved the challenge of securing as many attractions as possible in one day using the FastPass System (17 was my record), so I was anxious to give the new Genie+ a try. Jungle Cruise was our… Continue reading Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, January 2022
See a timeline of how we tackled Disney Genie+ for the first time.
We spent three Christmas breaks at the Walt Disney World Resorts. Disney changes its event and attraction offerings every year for the holidays. No matter when you go, you can always expect world-class decorations and entertainment, as well as no shortage of themed merchandise. Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom offers ticketed after-hours parties through the holiday… Continue reading The Holiday Season at Walt Disney World
Almost any time of year Epcot is hosting a themed festival. For more info, check out My Previous Blog. NOTE: Due to COVID, many of the experiences in Epcot are currently suspended, including character meet and greets and much of the live entertainment. I’ve still included them in the blog; some specific acts will be… Continue reading World Showcase Pavilions In Epcot
We were a bit disoriented on our first visit to Volcano Bay, so two long afternoons in the park ended up being perfect for feeling like we had really experienced all the park has to offer. Getting acquainted with the TapuTapu system was our first step, and we quickly caught on to choosing a ride,… Continue reading Volcano Bay- Universal Orlando, May 2021
Make a reservation in advance for any of the Table Service restaurants at Magic Kingdom and take some of the stress out of your busy park day! These themed dining options each give you a chance to relax (in air conditioning) and enjoy some time away from the walking and the crowds. And as a… Continue reading Table Service Dining at Magic Kingdom
Animal Kingdom Lodge- Rooms & Activities Animal Kingdom Lodge is the resort that our family could visit for a week, never leave, and never get bored. With two sections, Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Disney Vacation Club's Kidani Village, guests have access to two pools and multiple onsite family activities.Disney has taken great care to… Continue reading Animal Kingdom Lodge & Kidani Village at Walt Disney World Resort
It's been two years since our first visit to Universal Orlando. Little has changed in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with the exception of one GIANT addition, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure The queue for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure starts just behind Hogsmeade village. During our visit we… Continue reading Universal Orlando- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, May 2021
Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a prime-value level resort located directly next to Volcano Bay Waterpark (you even get a dedicated entrance)! The retro mid-century modern themed lobby and central spaces make it fun for both kids and grown-ups alike. Details like VO5 brand “cream rinse” in your room and pay phones transport you to… Continue reading Universal Orlando- Cabana Bay Beach Resort, May 2021
Resort Grounds Lowe’s Portofino Bay Universal Resort is a world away from the busy Universal Theme Parks. (I mean this figuratively; the location is actually conveniently close to City Walk & Park Entrances.) It is modeled after a real Italian waterfront town, with scooters for photo ops and colorful sailboats moored in the harbor. The… Continue reading Universal Orlando- Lowe’s Portofino Bay Resort, May 2021
Animal Kingdom Park is divided into multiple themed areas. Each is home to attractions, animal exhibits, dining, and performances that educate about the wildlife that live in that part of the world. Additionally, the park celebrates and introduces guests to the culture and art of people that live around the world. The photos posted are… Continue reading Animal Kingdom- Africa
Living with the Land Obviously, as an EE professional that works at a Botanical Garden, I'm going to think Living with the Land is totally rad. However, unless they are just humoring me, the other members of my family are totally into it also. (I think) it is fascinating to learn where your food comes… Continue reading Epcot for Science Nerds
When they announced that Disney World's next expansion would be based on a more than a decade old R-rated movie, I think we were all a little skeptical. It doesn't hurt to watch the movie in advance and to show the milder scenes to your kids. However, you can also have an immersive experience on… Continue reading Animal Kingdom’s Pandora: The World of Avatar
Sure, you could wait in line for two hours for a 2-minute ride on 7 Dwarfs Mine Train. Or, you can explore three classic attractions in that time. An easy walk between Frontierland and Liberty Square gets you to the raft to Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Bell Steamboat Cruise, and the Country Bear Jamboree.… Continue reading Old Time Adventures at Magic Kingdom
Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, 2023 Instead of lining up for character meet and greets, Cast Members act out the story; Rey and Chewie work on their spacecrafts and the Stormtroopers try to keep law and order. Shopping Galaxy's Edge, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World 2022 Galaxy's Edge… Continue reading Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios
Coronado Resort holds a special place in our hearts as the very first Disney property we ever visited. We've stayed at the resort on five of our trips, most recently in the new Gran Destino tower. Coronado Resort at Walt Disney World From Coronado it is a short bus ride to Animal Kingdom, Epcot and… Continue reading Coronado Resort at Walt Disney World
In May of 2019, we met a fellow Muggle Family from Ohio at Universal Orlando Resort for a three-day trip. Alice played hooky, and we visited on weekdays in May when the park was less crowded. We also stayed a a Premier Resort, the Lowe's Royal Pacific, located within easy walking distance to the parks.… Continue reading THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER, Universal Orlando Resort, 2019
International Festival of the Arts International Festival of the Arts is held in the late winter months. They brought Broadway stars to the stage to perform songs from the stage productions.We spent a large portion of our time searching for Figment, cleverly hidden in famous works of art in each country. (There is a photo… Continue reading Epcot at Walt Disney World- Festivals
