Fantastical Vacations By Leslie Jenkins

You know that saying, the early bird gets the worm? Well when visiting Disney World, you get the extra magic hours! This is the best way to beat the crowd and even potentially save you some money! If your Disney vacation is approaching and you or maybe your family are not morning people but you want to be faster to the fun than others, this blog is for you!

In this blog, we will explain what these benefits are and go over how to prep for those early mornings and take advantage of those onsite benefits that are offered to you. Learn how to use these tips and tricks to be able to maximize your overall experience! Let’s jump into it! ✨

You might be asking yourself, what does it mean to “rope drop”?

“Rope drop” is Disney terminology for the time when a theme park, or part of a theme park, opens for the day!

💡Helpful Tip:

The Disney World theme parks are least crowded in the first hour or two of the day. This is why preparing and planning ahead is so important!

What are the benefits?

Wait times are significantly lower! For example, Space Mountain was a walk on compared to the normal 60-75 minute wait during the day. At rope drop in Magic Kingdom, we were able to ride Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin & the people mover within 30 minutes of rope dropping. That’s a huge time saver and 3 attractions off of our list for the day! We hurried over to The Haunted Mansion and walked on the ride at park open since we were already in the parks. If you are only in Magic Kingdom for one day, that’s a huge deal! That’s 4 attractions completed by park open!

Here are the current attractions at each park that benefit from early arrival if you don’t have Genie+:

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios- Slinky Dog Dash or Rise of the Resistance. Also, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run but only if you are in the first wave of riders.

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom- Avatar Flight of Passage or Kilimanjaro Safaris.

• Disney’s Epcot- Frozen Ever After, Test Track or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

• Magic Kingdom – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, or Space Mountain.

By rope dropping these rides early, you will get more out of your day because you can focus on other attractions during your visit. Have a plan when you enter the park on exactly what you want to rope drop. By having a plan, you can plan out what you will use Disney’s Genie+ for if you wish to still purchase that for your park day. If you are only focused on one ride that you know you absolutely have to ride and can ride it at rope drop then maybe Disney’s Genie+ isn’t for your family on that park day. That could be a huge money saver, especially if you have a large family! It could also save you money on some of the Individual Attraction rides, since you aren’t required to purchase Disney’s Genie+ in order to enjoy those but you could be paying a hefty fee as the price fluctuates daily.

If you’re looking to capture some of the iconic attractions, like Cinderella’s Castle or the Tree of Life, early entry is the perfect time. The park is also less crowded, so you’ll have an easier time getting the perfect shot without other guests in the background.

Lastly, early entry helps you beat the hottest part of the day! In Florida, the temps & humidity can get pretty high! Enjoy rope drop for a few hours then head back to your resort to rest and cool down, if needed. Enjoy nap time or cool down in the pool before you head back into the parks at night. Enjoy the day however you wish but these are a couple of great tips!

How to prepare for rope drop-

✨Prep for your morning routine- Lay all your clothes out the night before. I’d go as far as lining out your daily make up, skincare routine products, medications, etc. on the bathroom counter. Every little thing that you can prep for the night before will make a huge difference when trying to beat the crowds in the morning!

✨Prep your park bag- After you lay out your items, get your park bags, water bottles, sunscreen, etc. packed the night before. Don’t forget to charge all electronics including your battery pack. Set these charging items close to your park bag so that these aren’t forgotten. Place each magic band on each bag or charge these nightly, if they are a magic band+. Don’t forget those park maps, charging chords for battery packs and snacks. Make sure to check out what I pack in my park bag blog. It’s very helpful! If you have a stroller, prep that as well as the diaper bag down to the sign for your stroller. It’ll save you from forgetting an item and having to go back to the room.

✨Prep yourself- Now that you have your clothes lined out and your park bag prepared, focus on prepping yourself! Take that much needed shower at night. Use this time for shaving, washing and drying your hair, etc. If you have kiddos, maybe one parent can bathe the kiddos, while the other parent is packing the park bag. Then you can trade off. Find what works for your family!

✨Rest your mind & body- This may be hard if you are going from rope drop to park close but try to sleep as early as you can when you can. Your body will thank you!

✨Prep for travel time- When using onsite transportation, you should be at Disney transportation locations as early as 1-1.5 hours before magic hours or park open. I know this sounds crazy, but if Magic Kingdom opens at 8:30 am for early entry, you will want to be there at 8:30 am to take advantage of that perk. In order to do so, you will have to wait in line and ride transportation to the parks. If the buses start running at 7:30, there will already be lines outside your resort waiting to make the early bus as well.

✨Save some time & money on breakfast- Uncrustables and prepackaged meals are good for on the go mornings. If you are rope dropping before a big on-site meal, eat a snack when in line for the bus or while in line for a ride. Please note that you aren’t allowed to eat or drink on transportation. If traveling to onsite reservations, always allow enough time to get to the restaurant. They do allow a 15 minute grace period.

✨Prep for the unexpected- Do your best! Give yourself and your family grace! Some mornings won’t go as planned and that’s okay! Maybe your alarm doesn’t go off and you over slept or you had to go back to the room for something, breathe! It’s okay! By planning ahead the night before, that in itself is a huge accomplishment.

As a travel advisor specializing in Disney vacations, it is my job to prep you as much as possible. When on Disney vacation, you are taking time away from your normal everyday life to be here. Some are away from family and others are away from their careers. This is a time that you have planned to capture the magic. With these tips and tricks, my goal is to maximize and plan the magic for you as much as possible! You’ve spent a lot of time and money to be at Disney World and I want you to have the most magical experience ever!✨

Hello beautiful people and welcome back to my blog! Today we are sitting down with the newlywed couple, Lizzy & Caleb Slauf! Today we are hearing their trip report from their recent honeymoon! Waikiki Beach is not only the most famous beach in Hawaii, but also one of the most recognized Oahu beaches in the world. Today we will be reviewing one resort in particular, the Hilton Waikiki Beach Resort. This is a beach front resort and is located around so many activities & restaurants in the area. From the airport, jump into a shuttle service of your choice and you’ll arrive in about 30 minutes. Lucious palm trees, gorgeous beaches and painted sunsets are what this amazing location is known for. Now lets jump into the trip report and hear their experience!

Q: How long was your flight from Tulsa, OK?

A: We flew two different flights with a total fly time of 10 hours.

Q: How did you travel to and from the resort from the airport?

A: We used Roberts Hawaii Airport Shuttle.

Q: How much was the fare?

A: $50 for two people one way so we spent $100 total.

Q: How long did the shuttle take?

A: 30 min

Q: Would you use them again?

A: Yes!

Q: Great! Thank you for that feedback. Now let’s jump into the resort. How was check in?

A: Super easy. The resort attendants were very helpful.

Q: I’m glad they were helpful! Now let’s discuss the pros and cons of the resort room.

A: Pro – beautiful room, but nothing crazy special. Clean and simple. Nice walk-in shower. Beautiful Mountain View (see picture below). Con- no bath tub. Also, we were only allowed one deep clean for every 5 days we stayed there. Wasn’t a huge fan of that.

Q: Great! Thank you for that intel. Yes, I’d prefer more frequent cleanings myself. How were the beds?

A: Great and comfortable. No complaints.

Q: Good to hear! A comfortable bed is definitely desired for a restful and enjoyable stay. What did you think of the resort?

A: It was good for what we paid for, but their online information needed to be updated. A couple of things that we had expected but didn’t receive were no complimentary sodas (website says two each day), no rooftop pool and restaurant (being renovated).

Q: I understand. That is very helpful feedback. I will pass that along to the resort. How was the dining?

A: Dining was great! Many restaurants within walking distance. We found some REALLY good spots.

Q: What were your favorite things about staying here?

A: Within walking distance of the beach, many restaurants, the zoo, the aquarium, and convenience stores.

Q: How convenient is that?! What activities did you do while staying at the resort?

A: No resort activities.

Q: Did y’all do any tours?

A: Yes, we had a 10 hour island tour that was amazing! The company is Rainbow Island Tours. The prices were around $75.00 per person. It had many great stops.

Q: Wow! That sounds amazing! What an adventure that must’ve been! Did ya’ll do any snorkeling?

A; Yes. Part of the tour was stopping to snorkel.

Q: That sure sounds amazing! Did ya’ll do any shopping off site?

A: Yes, there were many places to do so within walking distance.

Q: Where did you explore in the area?

A: Besides Waikiki Beach, our tour let us see a lot of the island, which we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. A lot of amazing views and some really cool stops.

Q: That is incredible! How were the beaches?

A:Waikiki Beach was beautiful! Very populated but wasn’t hard to find a comfortable spot.

Q: Highlights of the trip?

A: Definitely the tour and a lot of time at the beach!

Q: With ya’ll traveling in February, how was the weather that time of year?

A: Beautiful! Stayed in the 70s and rained sporadically.

Q: That weather sounds like perfection! For my readers, what are your tips and tricks from this experience?

A: Call the hotel first to make sure their website is up to date. Also, we had PB& J’s for lunches so that we could eat good for dinner. The cost of living here is expensive!

Q: I love that y’all enjoyed PB& J’s for lunches. That is so real and very money saving. Thank you for sharing that.

Q: Do ya’ll have any regrets?

A: We don’t have any!!

Q: What are the must do’s in your opinion?

A: Island tour is a must! Be a beach bum! Eat all the things!

Q: Did you eat anywhere off site that you recommend?

A: Yes! Our favorite restaurant was a 40 minute walk to a hole in the wall Japanese restaurant called House of Wong.

Q: Any additional information you’d like to share to help future travelers?

A: We really enjoyed this trip at a reasonable cost. Definitely recommend!!

Lizzy & Caleb, thank you so much for your time and for your honest trip review. I really appreciate your feedback and thank you so much for supporting me and my small business! I’m so honored that you trusted me with your honeymoon and congratulations on your marriage! This is such a special time and I am truly honored that you allowed me to be a part of this journey with you!

This concludes this blog. I hope that this interview was insightful, which is always my goal. If you are looking for your next family vacation or maybe a romantic getaway, maybe a cruise is for you! If you would like quotes or are looking to book, give me a shout. I’d love to work for you! Until next time, see you real soon!

Hello beautiful people and welcome back to my blog! Today we are sitting down with the Jeffus family and hearing their trip report from their recent cruise! With 25 ships and counting, this makes Carnival Cruise Line the world’s largest travel leisure company. Today we will be reviewing one ship in particular, the “Breeze”. This ship holds up to 3,960 guests and has a lot to offer. Carnival has fun for the whole family, from a 320-foot-long “Twister Waterslide” to the “Serenity Adults-Only Retreat”, everyone in the family is guaranteed to unwind! Up for a family outing? Enjoy the comedy club at night after dinner or join in on the trivia competitions after lunch! Carnival has so much to offer and something for everyone! After all, it is the fun ship! Maybe you want to travel the world but you aren’t sure where to go? A cruise is a great way to sample and explore new locations around the world on an affordable budget. Now lets jump into the trip report and hear their experience!

Q: How many days did you sail?

A: We enjoyed a 5 day cruise.

 

Q: Who all attended this vacation?

A: Me, Wendy and my husband, Steve. I wanted to do something big to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary so I surprised my husband with a cruise!

 

Q: Have you and Steve cruised before?

A: No! This is our first cruise! Steve was skeptical but this cruise was a great experience he is ready to cruise again!

Q. Which port did you sail from and how did you travel there?

A. We departed from the Galveston port. We left a couple of days before our sail date and drove down to visit Steve’s parents on the way. We also stayed at a lovely hotel in Texas City on the night before our sail date. This hotel was only about 20 minutes from the port. On the day of the cruise, we parked our vehicle at “Galvestons Park N Cruise”. It is indoors and secure. We were really happy with the set up and the price was reasonable. Also, it’s within walking distance to the ship.

 

Q. What time of year did you go? And how was the weather?

A. We went in January. The weather was cold and rainy when in Galveston but overall nice during the trip. It was warmer in Costa Maya, Mexico.

 

Q. What kind of cabin did you stay in? What is your opinion of the cabin quality?

A. We stayed in a spa level balcony cabin. The room was nice and very comfortable. Our luggage and sail cards arrived almost immediately from when we arrived to our room. We didn’t have to wait long to access the room either. It was really nice to have a balcony as well! We just loved looking at the water. It was so pretty! Also, since we stayed on the spa level, we were able to enjoy the free perks such as the hydration pool, robes and the saunas as much as we wanted. An extra bonus was the whole floor smelled amazing, including our room. You could smell all of the aromas that were used in the spa such as essential oils and it just smelled so nice! The sunset was so beautiful!

 

Q. Tell me about how you filled your days. What did they have to do as far as activities around the ship?

A. On our first day, we enjoyed a couples massage. It was very relaxing and they did a great job. The spa is very beautiful. I’d be interested in getting a facial next time. We loved the Serenity deck! They had hot tubs, which we were able to enjoy and it was very relaxing. We stopped in to check out the casino and we played some bingo as well! They even have live shows and entertainment.

 

Q. Where did the cruise visit during the sailing?

A. Our cruise visited Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Although we didn’t purchase or attend any excursions, we enjoyed shopping off the port and sticking our feet in the sand. I do however wish we were able to enjoy the water and sand more during our visits to each destination.

 

Q. What were the highlights of the trip?

A. The ice cream! Haha, it is located on every corner. The private balcony was a nice bonus. We went at our own pace and took our time. The hot tub time was nice and relaxing. Visiting the different ports was fun. The shopping was great and you couldn’t beat the prices! $4 for t-shirt! What a deal! Guy’s Burger Joint was delicious. We really enjoyed the dining room meals including chocolate molten cake with ice cream at dessert too. Steve loved how the tv showed a map of where you were when sailing and how it also showed our speed. The crew members were very sweet. We had a nice anniversary cruise and they celebrated us on our last night with a song, card and a dessert. Let’s book another one! How about a 7 day cruise?!

Q: Did you purchase any extras for the cruise?

A: Yes, we did purchase the middle level internet package. It worked really well. I was able to share photos with the family and post to social media just fine. We also had pre-ordered some sodas, bottles of water and cookies to our room. We didn’t purchase the Bubbles or Cheers program. Water, tea, lemonade and coffee are complimentary beverages included in our package.

Q: Looking back on this trip, what would you have done differently?

A: The first thing is I wish I would have purchased a professional photo from one of their photographers from formal night. I wish I would have budgeted for us to do extra items such as pay for extra photos. I should have had Steve download the cruise app as well so that we could have communicated on the app chat to find each other on the ship. There was a time on the ship where we couldn’t find each other. When visiting the different ports, next time I want to schedule out at least 30 mins to get into the sand and water to really enjoy it more. When eating on the ship, we had paid extra money to enjoy the seafood shack. It was over cooked and we couldn’t even enjoy it. The food everywhere else included on the ship was very good though. We did get a massage on our first day. I would recommend maybe saving that for your last day because we were so sore after.

Q: Are you ready to go on another cruise anytime soon?

A: Yes! We actually want to start looking for a cruise! We are thinking about April of 2024. Steve would like to look at the 7 day cruise options as well!

Wendy and Steve, thank you so much for your time and for your honest review. I really appreciate your feedback and thank you so much for supporting me and my small business! I’m so honored that you trusted me with such a special trip and congratulations on celebrating 35 years of marriage together! That is absolutely remarkable!

This concludes this blog. I hope that this interview was insightful, which is always my goal. If you are looking for your next family vacation or maybe a romantic getaway, maybe a cruise is for you! If you would like quotes or are looking to book, give me a shout. I’d love to work for you! Until next time, see you real soon!

Are you looking to stay at a Disney resort while visiting Disneyland? Have you heard about Disney’s Paradise Pier!? I recently spent 3 nights at this resort and I really enjoyed it! Not only is this hotel a close walk to both of the parks, but it is also right next door to the Disneyland resort and Disney’s Grand Californian resort. The Uber ride was an affordable 15 minute ride from the John Wayne Airport. Score!

I visited Disneyland in December, which is around the holidays. As I stepped foot into the resort, I was immediately greeted by a live acapella singing group, who were spreading Christmas cheer to all with Christmas carols. I even got to meet Santa!

Along with the convenience aspect, when you stay at this resort, you also get to enjoy the perks at the other resorts such as Disney’s Grand Californian. We would start our day by walking across the street and using our room key to access this amazing resort. You simply cross the street, scan your room key at the side guest gate and you are in! It is that easy! This access gets you into the resort, both parks, Downtown Disney and the restaurants that are at the resort as well! I loved that I could enjoy the other resorts within walking distance without having to be an exclusive guest. Our resort was so convenient that one day I walked back to the hotel to rest and freshen up before park hopping. After a 10 minute walk from the park, I was able to rest my feet and layer up my clothing for the chilly evening weather. Knowing that I didn’t have to take any extra transportation was so nice! If you have small children, this location is perfectly convenient for nap time!

Being a lover of the beach, I felt all of the nostalgia vibes of my childhood while staying here. All of the staff were super helpful and friendly! Our room was spacious and accommodating. The views from our room were breathtaking with the pool and mountains on one side and Disney’s California Adventure park on the other! This resort doesn’t miss a beat. They even have nice gift shop, where I was able to bring some magic home with me. If you are looking for a place to stay while visiting Disneyland, I highly recommend staying at Disney’s Paradise Pier!

Trying to decide what to do for your next family vacation? Is the ocean calling but Cinderella’s castle is your second home? How about planning a Disney “Land and Sea” vacation package?! This option is the best of both worlds and everybody wins. On this vacation, accomplish those beach vibes while also enjoying the classic rides in the parks at Walt Disney World! Who wouldn’t want that?!

The process is simple! First, contact a Disney travel agent. 🙋🏻‍♀️ Next, set up all of the Disney details. Start with which cruise ship and sailing dates work best with your schedule and then build your Disney World dates around them. I can help you decide which resort to enjoy and how many park ticket days is best for your family. Once we have the cruise and Disney World details set up, we can schedule the shuttle. This shuttle will include two steps. The first shuttle will take you straight to Walt Disney World from the airport. Once the “land” trip portion is concluded, another shuttle will take your family to the “sea”! Arrive at Port Canaveral and embark on your Disney cruise ship. While on the cruise, almost everything such as food, drinks, and entertainment is all inclusive. Don’t worry about a thing! Did you know Disney has their own private island called “Castaway Cay”? This beautiful island is located in the Bahamas! How cool is that?! Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch while swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing on the island for the day. Next stop is an international port, we will be visiting Nassau, Bahamas on our cruise next year! I’m super excited!

If this “Land and Sea” vacation package sounds like the perfect vacation for you and your family, give me a call! I’d love to work for you! Together we can customize the ultimate vacation experience perfect for everyone’s needs!

This wraps up this weeks blog. Until next time, see ya real soon!✨

Do you want to eat dinner in Epcot but your family wants to start the day in Magic Kingdom? Maybe your favorite restaurant in Animal Kingdom only has an opening for dinner the same day your family scored an early ride pass for Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios. With a park hopper ticket, everyone wins! By purchasing a park hopper ticket, the opportunities are endless! When we visited earlier this year in February, our trip was so much more enjoyable by adding this ticket feature. We were able to get the full experience out of each day. For example, Magic Kingdom had opened at 8 am. We started our day there and then park hopped at 2 pm to Epcot, which was open until 11 pm. Epcot didn’t open until 11 am, so by visiting Magic kingdom first, we were able to adventure more on our day. Also, Epcot has so many dining options, so we had a lot of fun planning our dining arrangements. Another scenario is starting your day in Hollywood Studios and enjoy all of the rides that you can and then hop over to Animal Kingdom for a nice dinner at Tusker House or Yak & Yeti and then enjoy Pandora at night. We had planned each day differently to our liking and didn’t miss out on anything! With the park hopper, we feel as if this is the best way to enjoy Disney World after visiting for several years. Are you only in Disney World for one day? You could visit all 4 parks in one day. I’ve yet to try it myself but I’ve heard stories from people who have done this! If you are interested in adding this feature to your ticket, it’s really simple! Have your travel agent add this feature to your ticket package. It’s that easy! As an agent specializing in Disney, I can suggest the best way to travel from park to park as well as offer the best dining options! Try exploring Disney World in a new way by adding the Park Hopper option today.

This wraps up this blog. If your family is looking to visit Disney World, Universal, book a cruise, or maybe even a beach destination, give me a shout! I’d love to work for you! Until next week, see ya real soon!✨

Did you know that Disney has a beach resort in Florida? Today we are diving into Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. This resort is located in Vero Beach, Florida just two hours southeast of Walt Disney World Resort. To learn more about this resort, I interviewed my sister-n-law, Christian Hayes. She enjoyed a wonderful time here with her family a couple of years ago. Let’s jump into the interview to hear more about their trip:

 

Q: How many days did you stay?

A: We stayed here for 6 days. 

 

Q: Who all attended this vacation?

A: Myself, Andy, and Leilani. This was our baby moon before our new son Liam entered the world.

 

Q. How did you travel to the resort?

A. We flew to Orlando’s MCO airport and then drove the 1.5 hours with our rental car. 

 

Q. What time of year did you go? And how was the weather?

A. We went in October. The weather was actually perfect. It barely rained but I have to say that the ocean was very choppy that time of year. 

 

Q. What kind of stateroom did you stay in? What is your opinion of the stateroom quality?

A. We stayed in a standard double queen room. The quality was up to Disney standards. It was really nice and clean. Not to mention I was pregnant. Hello, I needed back support! Haha!

 

Q. Tell me about how you filled your days. What did they have to do as far as activities around the resort?

A. You could visit the beach, swim in the pools and they had a lot of kid’s activities. They even had s’mores on the beach! Since this trip was before Disney+, they had every Disney movie available in the gift shop for a free rental. We thought that was really neat. They also offer free put-put golf for the family.

 

Q. How would you compare this pace to a regular Disney vacation?

A. This was very laid back, slow paced and relaxing. There was a very chill beach vibe the whole time.

 

Q. What were the highlights of the trip?

A. Enjoying time at the pool. It kept our daughter Leilani occupied the whole time. She was so happy and loved it. Offsite there was this nature habitat park that had a bunch of animals. It was fun and we loved it. 

 

Q. What goals did you want to achieve with this trip? 

A. We wanted to enjoy our family of 3 while we could before my son was born. This trip was all about Leilani and making her feel special.

 

Q. Were there any negative items that you would like to add?

A. The only negative was the beach. Seaweed was everywhere and I didn’t see any efforts of them cleaning this up. 

Q. Do you have any recommendations on items to bring or pack that caught you off guard?

A. I would say bring your own beach toys as they don’t provide any. Snacks to save you money. A sunhat and sunscreen as those items are pricey in the gift shop. 

 

Q. How was the dining at the resort?

A. The food was so good. They even have refillable mugs like the parks! While we were at the pool, we would eat from the quick service option the Wind & Waves Market. We would enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinners at the Wind & Waves Grill as well. The food was delicious, our plates were clean. It was a really nice restaurant and be sure to make reservations.

 

Q. With Disney World so close, did you visit?

A. Yes, we went to Magic Kingdom on our second day. It provided a good mix to our vacation. 

 

Q. Overall as a family, what were your favorite things?

A.  Andy loved the waterslide. Leilani loved the waterslide, making a shark tooth necklace and she won the fastest time on the waterslide race in her age bracket! I enjoyed chilling next to the pool. Being 7 months pregnant, it was very comfortable to lay next to the pool and I enjoyed watching them play.

 

Christian, first of all, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to complete this interview with me. I am very appreciative. Secondly, thank you for your thoroughness. I was able to learn a lot about this destination from your experience.

 

This concludes this blog. I hope that this interview was insightful, which was my goal. If you are looking for your next family vacation, give this place a look! If you would like quotes or are looking to book, give me a shout. I’d love to work for you! Until next week, see you real soon!✨

☀️ The Sun Essentials- They don’t call Florida the Sunshine state for nothing! Keep your eyes protected by packing your favorite sunglasses, your eyes will thank you! Having a hair tie handy can be a lifesaver if you need to pull your hair up. Protecting you skin is so important. Don’t forget about packing and applying sun cream with a good SPF regularly to prevent the family from sunburns. Who wants to go through vacation with a painful sunburn?💡: If you do run into a sunburn, I recommend keeping aloe vera in your hotel fridge. When you return at night, you can slather the cooling gel onto your hot skin for instant relief. This is also great for sore & hot feet. You will thank me later. Other options such as a mini fan & cooling towels are sure to bring you relief on a hot day.

☔️Weatherproofing- It is almost guaranteed to rain at least once on your Disney vacation, but don’t let this put a damper on your trip. I suggest packing large Ziplock bags, a small umbrella or poncho. Rain jackets also come in handy and are lightweight. 💡: Ziplock bags are not only great for storing wet umbrellas or rain gear but you can also store your electronics, autograph book or snacks to keep them dry from the rain or water rides.

📱Electronics- If you are like me and like to capture every moment at the parks by snapping tons of pictures, you better bring back up. A backup battery pack that is. Spending all day in the parks is sure to drain your battery. By packing a charging option, you can rest assured that all those magical moments will be cherished!

🩺 Health items- Expect the unexpected. Sometimes things happen, so be prepared. Disney food may cause heartburn or indigestion. Keep Tums or Pepto Bismol tablets handy. Purchasing these items beforehand will not only save you a ton of money but will also be very convenient. Small World give you a headache? Stash some Tylenol or IB Profen in your bag. Venturing in the parks all day is very tiring on the body and can cause inflammation. Having these meds on hand will provide relief. Germs are everywhere! Don’t forget those Wet wipes or hand sanitizer to keep you fresh and clean. Anyone in the family have food allergies? Disney allows you to bring in your own snacks to the parks! Stay hydrated by packing a refillable water bottle. Between the sun and thousands of steps, staying hydrated is crucial. 💡: Did you know Disney provides complimentary ice water anywhere in their parks? Take advantage of this! They even offer complimentary bug spray! Ask any cast member for the nearest location in each park.

🦶🏻Foot Care- The average amount of steps taken daily in a Disney Park is around 10,000 steps. Always wear your most comfortable shoes to the parks! Between blisters and other possible foot pain, it’s good to prevent these occurrences by wearing proper footwear. The last thing you want to do is ruin your feet on your first day. I like to take it to the next level and wrap my pinky toes in mole skin. Since my pinky toes tend to get rubbed from walking, this prevents blisters.

🍬Chewing Gum- Did you know that Disney does not sell gum simply because of the mess it would make? Because of this they don’t want it readily available to guests. If you enjoy chewing gum, be sure to pack this before you step on property.

✨Pack the Magic- Don’t forget your tickets! They can be via magic band or on a card but either way, this is your ticket to the magic! Sport your favorite ears for festivity & photos! When in person “meet and greets” return, don’t forget the Autograph book and sharpie!

💫Well folks, these items are what I keep on my park bag. Knowing that I have these items on hand, I have peace while in the parks. Whatever obstacle approaches me, I have a solution! Until next week, have a magical day! See you real soon!

✨Magical Tip #1: Make a Plan! Have you ever heard that phrase “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail?” This is definitely the case at Disney World. I encourage your whole family to sit down together and make a list of “ must-do items” that are your families top priorities. Where would you like to eat? What rides must you ride while visiting? Making a plan is sure to help ease off family stress and assure that no ones dreams get left behind. Who wants FOMO (Fear of missing out)? Not me! 🙋🏻‍♀️

✨Magical Tip #2: Use a travel agent! I must confess that this is a shameless plug. As an agent specializing in Disney travel, I’m able to work for you! Put me to work and let me work out the details for you and your family! I love planning the magic and I genuinely want you to have a great time! I offer experience, honesty, a sense of urgency, and a love for Disney. Are you having problems with your My Disney Experience app? Maybe your family members aren’t linked up to their tickets properly. Let me sit on the phone for you and find a solution with Disney. Do you need advice on where to eat? Let’s chat! I’ve eaten at several restaurants since I’m a foodie. I’d love to help with these items. Sit back and spend time with the family while I iron out the details with Disney. Hankuna Matata!

✨Magical Tip #3: Create realistic expectations! We live in an interesting time right now. Disney isn’t “Disney World” during these times to many. During the pandemic, my husband and I ventured to WDW for Valentine’s Day. Disney was different while there were no fast passes, dining plans, fireworks, or character “meet and greets” going on. Even though some things were not in “classic Disney style” ,a lot of items still remain the same. The Disney magic is still there and we had a great time! We enjoyed the spontaneous cavalcades and random character sightings through out the park! The parks still feel like home while being cleaner than ever! The rides haven’t changed and still tell a story. They bring you back to your childhood. Cinderella’s castle still brought me those emotions and had me all misty eyed. The food is delicious! Having expectations for any trip is realistic. At the end of the day, the trip is what you make it!

✨Magical Tip #4: Be prepared! Being prepared puts me at ease. It’s the little things that truly help an experience at the parks such as packing appropriately. I encourage my clients to wear comfortable and breathable clothing. Pack broken in and supporting shoes. I personally prefer a nice pair of broken in Nikes. I don’t recommend wearing uncomfortable or new shoes while walking at least 10 miles a day at Disney. Your feet will thank you! Plus that could put a damper on your trip. In Florida, its guaranteed to rain. Pack your umbrella or Pancho. Take it one step further and pack a large ziplock bag. When you want to get on a ride or eat dinner, simply fold the item and place it into the Ziploc bag. Now you don’t have to worry about getting other items in your backpack soaking wet and your hands are free. We did this on our last trip and it was life changing. Pack a back pack or small bag with snacks, drinks, a back up phone charger, rain gear, and anything else you may need. I like to have medicine for any unexpected headaches and sunscreen of course to protect my skin. I’ll do a separate blog on what to pack in your park bag. Now in these times, a mask is crucial. I suggest packing several per person. It’s humid and they get sweaty. Also, with the rain it could get soggy. Who wants to feel deal with that?

✨Magical Tip #5: Enjoy Yourself! Now that you’ve planned out your trip and made all of the arrangements, enjoy it! Disney requires a lot of planning and isn’t the cheapest family vacation. Make sure that you take it all in. Try new snacks! Take pictures and capture those memories with the family and make the absolute most of it! Buy that souvenir before you go home that you can’t stop thinking about. Take the magic home with you! At Disney World, there is something for everyone and you are sure to have a great time. You are worth it! ✨

This wraps up this blog. Until next time! Have a magical day and we will see you real soon! 💫

Eating breakfast at Ohana is a staple on our Disney world family vacations! The vibrant atmosphere, POG juice, and characters are what bring me back! Not to mention this character meal is served family style. There is something for everyone. Enjoy delicious “all you can eat” breakfast favorites such as Mickey waffles, biscuits, eggs, sausage, breakfast potatoes and bacon. Stopping here before starting our day in the parks keeps us fueled for hours. Wouldn’t you love to know how to recreate this meal at home? Well you can! Come along and see how you can taste the magic at home!

✨Ohana Pineapple Breakfast Bread

Ingredients for the bread mixture:

1 3/4 C. Water

1 Egg Yolk

2 T. Shortening

4 1/2 C. High Gluten Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/3 C Sugar

1 T. Instant Yeast

Ingredients for the Coconut Mixture:

1 C. Crushed pineapple

1 C. Unsweetened coconut

1 C. Sugar

2 T. Cornstarch

Directions:

Start by making the coconut mixture first. Mix the pineapple and coconut in a bowl. Next combine the sugar and cornstarch in separate bowl and mix well. Add sugar and cornstarch mixture into the pineapple and coconut mixture and mix well. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Now let’s move into the bread portion!

Combine all the ingredients in order of the recipe in a mixing bowl, and mix with a dough hook until the dough picks up on the hook and the sides of the mixing bowl are clean. Let dough rise until it doubles in size. Once this has happened, roll out the dough onto a floured surface until it is about 2 inches thick. Next spread pineapple/coconut mixture over the top of the dough. Fold the dough onto itself, capturing the pineapple and coconut mixture inside. Cut the dough into pieces with a pizza cutter and spread out cut pieces evenly into a greased 9″ x 13″ pan. Let the dough rise in warm oven (110 degrees)– about half way up the pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let the bread cool, cut and serve!

💡: You may want to brush on a thin, sweet glaze. You can melt some butter & mix in maple syrup for the top. A vanilla icing is delicious as well. Honey is another alternative.

✨POG Juice

No Polynesian breakfast is complete without the famous POG Juice! Simply mix equal parts of Passionfruit juice, Orange juice & Guava Nectar. That’s it! You can purchase these juices at your local grocery store.

✨Don’t forget the Mickey Waffles!

Did you know you can purchase your Mickey waffle maker from Amazon?! Walmart also sells Mickey waffles in the frozen section for a more affordable option.

✨Create the Ohana Atmosphere!

Want to create the Ohana atmosphere at home? Purchase some lei’s from Amazon! These lei’s are bringing the Ohana vibes & super festive!

✨I hope these recipes and ideas are helpful! I encourage you to create your own magic at home. Until we meet again Ohana & friends! Have a magical day everyone!✨