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Castaway Cay is one of Disney's two private islands reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests on Bahamian and Caribbean cruises. Some links in my blog posts are affiliate links. This means, if you click on a link to one of these products and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This Bahamian oasis can be visited by booking a three to five night Disney cruise to the Bahamas and five or more night Disney Caribbean cruises. A few five night Disney Bahamian sailings stop at Castaway Cay for two days! One of the amazing things about this island is there are so many ways to enjoy your with little to no additional cost to your Disney cruise. Below are just a few. Bike, float and snorkel! Cost: $50 (ages 10 and up), $30 (ages 5-9) Each of these experiences can be booked separately, but when you book the Castaway Cay Getaway package you can book all three for extra fun and savings. Explore the island with a a bike rental, explore the lagoon with a snorkel rental, then relax in the water with a float rental. Build a sand castle or lounge on the beautiful white sand beach! Cost: Free or almost free (if you are buying sand toys) Bring a collapsable sand bucket (these pack easily) or buy a few sand toys from the gift shop and keep them as Castaway Cay souvenirs! If you are planning on lounging on a beach chair, get out early to grab your preferred spot on the beach. Take in the scenery and take some pictures! Cost: Free There is so much to see and explore on Castaway Cay. Find a few quiet places and take some beautiful pictures. Consider framing your favorite when you arrive home to keep as a one of a kind souvenir. Take a walk along the beach Cost: Free! Castaway Cay has plenty of shoreline to explore and walk along! Send mail from the Castaway Cay Post Office Cost: Postage Mail yourself or friends a postcard or letter from Castaway Cay. Do note, this post office is not always open and mail can take long to arrive. Explore the different beaches. Cost:Free This island offers beach fun for all ages! You can find family fun and excitement at Castaway Family Beach with access to music, dancing and sports. If you are looking for some adult time to relax away from kids, drop kids ages 3-12 off at Scuttle Cove Kids Club and head over to Serenity Bay, an area reserved for adults only. Do you have teens in your party that want to escape and meet new friends in their own piece of paradise? They can head to the Teen Hideout for guests ages 14-17. Hang with celebrities! Cost: Free Be on the lookout for your favorite characters making rounds, enjoying the beach and at dance parties! Capture photos with your favorite Disney pals on the beach! Ride on a glass bottom boat! Cost: $59 (ages 10 and up) $39 (ages 0-9) This hour long experience is full for all ages! During this boat ride you'll be able to feed fish and observe them through the bottom of your boat in their natural environment. Take a ride down the Pelican Plunge Cost: Free Take a refreshing ride on one of two waterslides! The prices posted are current prices as of the posting of this blog. Prices are subject to change. Check out Castaway Cay's entire list of port adventures here . Would you like to learn more about a cruise with Disney? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here or email me Irene@mouseketrips.com with any cruising questions!

I LOVE visiting Disney during the holiday season. Disney does everything BIG and the holidays are no exception. Decorations, food, music, ride overlays, every detail is just perfect and leaves me feeling merry and bright. This past December I stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I've always been a huge fan of this Disney resort, but I especially enjoyed it over the Christmas season. Below are 6 reasons this resort is a perfect fit for the holiday season. 1- It's cozy and Christmasy It's a lodge with a grand entrance which lends itself to a beautiful cozy feel when decorated for the Christmas. There's rustic seating areas and a large fireplace. The huge Christmas tree in the center is a great spot for pictures. If visiting early in the season you can even take your family holiday Christmas card photo in front of the big tree! 2- There's plenty to do during the day and during non-park time. This is a resort I always like to have a least one resort day at and the holiday season is no exception. In fact, it's the perfect time to do this. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is available select nights during the holiday season. (If you want to learn more about Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party read The Do's and Don'ts of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.) You can enjoy lower crowds during this evening party and spend the day at the resort. New this year, there is a second evening holiday party, to check out, Disney's Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios! In addition to a beautiful pool with a beach entrance and a waterslide, Animal Kingdom Lodge has plenty of animals on site to visit. Animal Kingdom Lodge also offers a painting class for guests who want to try their hand at art and leave with a unique souvenir or special holiday gift. 3-There's plenty do here after dark as well. Animal Kingdom Lodge has an area with night vision goggles where you can view animals during evening hours. There's a Starlight Safari available for booking that allows you to take an after dark safari tour. In addition, you can watch movies under the stars or roast marshmallows! 4-Animal Kingdom Lodge is great for all ages. It's always nice to travel with extended family, but the holiday season is an even better time to be together. This resort provides everything you need to keep family members of all ages entertained and happy. There's always something to get into and you can also very easily find a quiet spot to relax and take in the beauty of this resort. If you have booked a savanna view room you can view animals right from your balcony. You can also find many nice locations around the resort to sit down and take in the animals and scenery. 5- Ginger-affe and Debra the Zebra are a holiday gingerbread tradition at Animal Kingdom lodge. Where else will you find a gingerbread giraffe a story tall? These gingerbread animals are really fun. You can even purchase gingerbread cookies make by the pastry chef on site to take home! 6- Dining I'm a huge fan of dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The food here is consistently good. Boma has the best breakfast buffet I've had in all of Disney, I'm really not a fan of buffets in general, but I absolutely love this one. They also have large tables available which is perfect if you are traveling with extended family. Another great spot I like for breakfast is Sanna. Sanna is located in Kidani Village, serves quick service breakfast, and has an amazing view of the savanna. Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here.

While some of the pricier dining options at Walt Disney World, character dining can be worth budgeting for, especially if you are visiting with kids. Beginning in 2024, with the return of the Disney Dining Plan , guest will have the option of redeeming table-service meal credits for character meals. In many cases, this can be a great value. Most table-service meals will cost you one table-service meal credit on the Disney Dining Plan. Fine/signature dining experiences, dinner shows and a few character meals require two table-service meal credits. If using table-service meal credits, consider going for lunch or dinner rather than breakfast. Lunch and dinner menus are priced higher than breakfast, so you are getting more value for your table service meal credit. Please note, that Akershus Royal Banquest Hall , will charges 1 table service credit for breakfast, and 2 dining service credits for lunch and dinner, so this character dining experience is an exception to that rule. Many dining locations offer discounts when paying out of pocket for annual pass holders, DVC members and Disney Visa card holder. If paying out of pocket, be sure take advantage of these offers. Below are some of my favorite character meals, the pros and cons of each, along with discount and dining plan information to help you plan your visit. Menus and pricing can be accessed by clicking on each heading. Story Book Dining at Artist Point Storybook Dining at Artist Point is located inside Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort . This dining experience is Snow White themed. Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy visit tables and sign autographs. At the end of your dining experience you are summoned by the Evil Queen for a picture. Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location. Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location Cost-2 Table Service Meals on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan Serves dinner only Pros This is a sit down prix fixe meal. Food and drinks here are excellent and very in theme with the Snow White experience. The presentation of the food and the dining room are very beautiful. The characters are entertaining. Dopey and Grumpy are very dopey and grumpy . The Evil Queen was quick and witty with her evil responses when we interacted with her at the end of our meal. This dining experience is located at the Wilderness Lodge, not inside a park, for this reason this reservation does not require a park reservation. Cons If you are not staying at the Wilderness Lodge and don't have a car, this will require a Lyft ride if you want a direct route from your resort to the meal. Alternatively, you can take Disney transportation to Magic Kingdom and a ferry from the Magic Kingdom to the Wilderness Lodge. Tusker House Restaurant This character meal is located in Disney's Animal Kingdom . Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, with breakfast being slightly less expensive. Guests are greeted by Donald and his friends while eating this buffet full of African inspired flavors. Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location Cost-1 Table Service Meal on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Pros While I'm generally not a fan of buffets, the food here is very good. The characters greet you in safari gear which makes for great pictures in theme with Animal Kingdom Park. Cons Characters are Donald and "friends". Don't expect to see the whole crew. On one visit my girls were looking forward to seeing Minnie Mouse, but we were told she was out taking Pluto for a walk, so she wasn't at the meal. Topolino's Terrace Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends Located on top of the Disney's Riviera Resort this breakfast with Mickey & Friends serves breakfast with a nice view. Expect to see characters in Art inspired outfits. You will order breakfast off a prix fixe menu. Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location Cost-1 Table Service Meal on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan Serves breakfast only for character dining Pros The food is great and I enjoy ordering off a menu and having food brought to me. The presentation was really nice in theme with the dining experience. I was able to order my favorite breakfast, salmon on a bagel and there were plenty of other breakfast favorites my family enjoyed. Each meal came out in the beautiful presentation. This dining experience is located at the Disney's Riviera Resort which is connected to the Skyliner. This is very accessible for guest staying at any of the Boardwalk Resorts, The Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation or Pop Century and does not require a park reservation. Cons If you are not staying at a Skyliner resort and do not have a car you will not have a direct route to this resort. Again, just like Tusker House, you may not see all of Mickey's friends. Cinderella's Royal Table This prix fixe meal is located inside Cinderella's Castle in Magic Kingdom and serves breakfast lunch and dinner. As you enter the restaurant you will have the opportunity to meet Cinderella prior to being escorted to your table. Once seated you will order off the menu which includes an appetizer, entree and dessert. Located next to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique , young guest are encouraged to dress up. Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location Cost-2 Table Service Meals on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Pros This dining experience gets you inside the iconic Cinderella's castle. You will be able to look out the stain glass windows of the castle as you dine. A souvenir star wand or sword and wishing star is included with the visit. The princesses will be announced and visit each table. Cons If you are coming to see Belle, you will not see her there. Her dress to too big to walk around the restaurant, so she is not one of the featured princesses. If you would like to dine with Belle you will need to go to Storybook Dining at Arkersus Royal Banquet Hall inside Epcot. Cinderella's Royal Table will cost you two dining credits on the Disney Dinning Plan. If visiting for breakfast, this will not be the best value for dining credits, consider paying out of pocket. Chef Mickey's Mickey and friends visit tables while you enjoy this buffet inside the main tower of Disney's Contemporary Resort . Chef Mickey's serves both breakfast and dinner. Dinner pricing is a little more expensive and both will cost you only 1 credit on The Disney Dining plan. If using dining plan table service meal credits, dinner will be a better value. Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location Cost-1 Table Service Meal on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan Serves breakfast and dinner Pros Located inside Disney's Contemporary Resort this is very convenient for anyone staying at any of the monorail resorts. Chef Mickey's is not located inside a park, so a park reservation is not needed, making it a great option when you are taking a day off from the parks. While I'm not a fan of buffets, the food is good and it will only cost you 1 dining credit on the 2024 Disney Dining plan. If you are going for dinner, Chef Mickey's is a really good value, as it's only priced slightly less than some 2 table service dining credit meals. Cons This reservation can be more difficult to book. If you want this reservation it is best to book it as soon as your dining window opens because it fills up quickly. Chef Mickey's is not located inside a park, so there will not be any direct transportation to this meal, unless you are staying on the monorail. However, the Contemporary Resort is walkable from Magic Kingdom. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Located at Norway in Epcot , this buffet provides guests an opportunity to dine with princesses. Upon your arrival you will be greeted by Belle and have a photo opportunity before being escorted to your table. While dining princesses will make their way around the castle. Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location Cost-1 Table Service Meal on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan (Breakfast) Cost-2 Table Service Meals on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan (Lunch and Dinner) Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Pros If visiting for breakfast, this will cost only one table-service credit and can be less expensive alternative to Cinderella's Royal Table. The restaurant truly feels like a medieval castle. If you want to dine with Belle, this is at the meal for you. Positioned next to the Frozen Ever After , and Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus , Akershus is conveniently located for princess fans. Cons While the castle is beautiful and the character experience was great, I really don't care for the food here. Akershus almost didn't make my list of favorites because of my strong dislike for the food. Crystal Palace Dine in a Victorian Greenhouse with friends from Winnie the Pooh at this character buffet on Main Street in Magic Kingdom . Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location Disney Visa card holders receive 10% off at this dining location Cost-1Table Service Meals on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan Serves breakfast lunch and dinner Pros If you want to dine with characters from Winnie the Pooh, this is the only place you'll find them in all of Walt Disney World. This is also the least expensive character meal at Magic Kingdom, costing only 1 dining credit on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan. This is also one of the few character dining locations that offers a Disney Visa card holder discount (The other is Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club resort). Cons Reservations can go quickly, so you'll want to grab this one as soon as your dining window opens. Be Our Guest Dine in The Beast's castle at Magic Kingdom and enjoy a three course prix fixe menu featuring French inspired dishes. This meal is technically not considered character dining by Disney, but you will see The Beast while you dine, although he does not sign autographs at your table. Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location. Cost-2 Table Service Meals on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan Serves lunch and dinner Pros I love this experience for the atmosphere. You really feel like you are stepping straight into the movie Beauty and the Beast. There are 3 dining rooms, The Grand Ballroom, the West Wing, and The Rose Gallery, each uniquely themed. The Grand Ballroom is an exact replica of the ballroom The Beast and Belle share their famous dance. The West Wing is dark and has a completely different feel. You will hear thunder and lightning. This is also where the enchanted rose can be found. The Rose Gallery holds portraits of Belle and and The Beast. Cons This meal is very pricey. If using the Disney Dining Plan, this meal will set you back 2 table-service meals. You can find better tasting food at Disney, but you are paying for the atmosphere here. Read my Be Our Guest Review and Tips Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here .

If you are considering a trip to Walt Disney World, there's a strong possibility you have spent a little time thinking about dining. Magic Kingdom park offers many great table service options. With so many to choices, planning dining can get a bit overwhelming. Here are a few top picks along with my favorite spot revealed, and it might not be what you think! Guests planning their first visit to Walt Disney World have probably heard about Cinderella's Royal Table , located inside Cinderella's Castle in the heart of Magic Kingdom. This is a great option for any princess who would like to meet Cinderella. If you want to make this experience extra special, plan a princess make over at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique before your meal (or save a little money and do your own princess DIY makeover by packing your own princess dress and tiara). Not too far away, you'll find Be Our Guest (read my review here ) , where you will not meet any princesses, but you may catch a glimpse of The Beast. This dining location is known for serving the "gray stuff" featured in Beauty and the Beast. (you may enjoy this copycat recipe) Pooh fan? Head over to The Crystal Palace , where you can enjoy a breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet with Winnie the Pooh and friends in a Victorian greenhouse themed setting. Tony's Town Square is the famous location of Lady and The Tramp's first kiss! In addition to being a great spot to view afternoon parades, this Italian restaurant has yummy apps and makes it's own fresh pasta on site! While all of these are great options, my favorite table service restaurant is not one of the of the restaurants listed above. If you are up for a little adventure, a few laughs and great food, I recommend heading over to Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen in Adventureland. This Disney dining destination has become my family's go to spot whenever we visit Walt Disney World. Here are a few reasons we love it. The staff are not just friendly, but truly "cast" members. This restaurant is themed after Jungle Cruise and the staff working here take the theming very seriously. They are in full character delivering constant puns and play on words humor providing an immersive Jungle Cruise dining experience. The food is consistently good. Many dishes can be bold and flavorful. If you are not a fan of spice, I suggest requesting the the dish to be prepared mild or asking for any sauce to be served on the side. The restaurant tropical, adventurous, cozy and bright. There are three dining areas. Disney describes the three rooms as the crew’s colonial-era Mess Hall (which is not messy at all, thank you very much); the Jungle Room, former family parlor of Dr. Albert Falls himself; and the S.E.A. Room—a once-secret meeting place for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers! This meal fits our budget. The entrees start at $23 and there are discounts available. If you are an annual passholder or Disney Visa Card holder you can enjoy 10% off your meal. If you are using the Disney dining plan, this meal will only set you back 1 table service credit. (all prices and offers are as of the publish date of the blog post) Brazilian Cheese Bread (secret menu item!) If you want to book a reservation at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen or any other Walt Disney World dining location, book 60 days ahead of your stay or visit for best availability. Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here .

Getting ready for some sizzling fun in Florida? The Sunshine State can really turn up the heat, especially in the summer months. But fear not! To ensure everyone in your crew stays cool, comfortable, and cheerful, why not plan some refreshing breaks? Check out these fantastic recommendations at each park, carefully selected for their convenience, entertainment, and relaxation. Let's beat the heat and make the most of our adventure! Magic Kingdom Space Mountain queue Mickey's Philarmagic - Put on your opera glasses, take a seat in the concert hall and get immersed in this show! Wait times are short and the show is entertaining for the whole family! Once inside there's cool air conditioning, comfortable seating and a great 4D show (Spoiler alert- you may even get sprayed with a mist of water during the show! ) Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover - Board an elevated tram for a leisurely voyage through Tomorrowland. During your narrated tour, go behind the scenes of attractions like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin , Space Mountain and Star Traders retail shop! (These are also great places to beat the heat, however wait times can be long for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin and Space Mountain, so check the app and consider booking a lightning lane pass). Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin Monsters Inc Laugh Floor Step inside this cool air conditioned comedy club and the only laugh factory in Monstropolis! Hosted by Monster of Ceremonies Mike Wazowski. These scare-acters love to engage the audience. Don’t be surprised if you become part of the show! Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid -Board a clamshell and enjoy a musical adventure through scenes from The Little Mermaid. Most of this queue is shaded or indoor and the line generally doesn't get too long. Pirates of the Caribbean - Set sail on a swashbuckling voyage to a long-forgotten time and place when pirates and privateers ruled the seas! This boatride is cool and indoors. The wait can be long at times. Be sure to monitor wait times using my Disney Experience or book this ride ahead of time using Lightning Lane Space Mountain Blast off in this indoor space themed rollar coster. This ride has a 44in height requirement and is great for thrill seekers. Wait times can be long, so I recommend using lightning Lane. Epcot Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros -Located in the Mexican Pavillion, this festive and gentle boat ride is a perfect spot to relax and cool off. There is often little to no line here. Club Cool - Visit Club Cool and sample Coca-Cola products from around the world! You will also find cool souvenirs. Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival - Enjoy 3 short films with amazing 4-D effects! This experience lasts about 18 minutes and there is little to no wait time. Turtle Talk with Crush - Take a seat at Turtle Talk theater and watch as the turtle from Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo swims up close. Through the amazing technology of the hydrophone, he can communicate directly with land-based dudes and dudettes about almost anything that’s on their minds. This experience last about 15 minutes and is fun for the entire family. Afterwards explore Sea Base located in the same building. Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future -Located as you exit Spaceship Earth, this interactive play area allows guests to build, create, compete and play in a series of exhibits that bring innovative ideas and technologies to life. Advanced Training Lab - Train for your next Mars mission at a high-tech play area featuring space-themed games and activities for all ages located at the exit of Mission Space . Animal Kingdom Drink from Pongu Pong It's Tough to Be a Bug - Step inside the "Tree of Life" and become an honorary bug during this 3-D movie with Audio-Animatronics figures and in-theater 4D surprises! While this is appropriate for all ages, the theater can get dark and loud at times, so use caution if you have little ones who frighten easily. Kali River Rapids - Set out on a whitewater adventure through a jungle! This ride does have a height requirement of 38 inches, and some guests may get very wet. Riders will experience anything from a light mist of water to a complete soaking. At times the line can be long, so be sure to check my Disney Experience for wait times or use Lightning Lane to skip the line. Pongu Pongu - Grab an out of this world frozen drink at the Avatar themed drink stand. Non-alcoholic and adult beverages are available. Na'vi River Journey - Located in Pandora, this mysterious and visually stunning boat ride is cool and relaxing. I did however debate adding this one to the list because it generally has a very long wait time. While a lot of the queue is covered, it is still outside and can get very hot. If you want to include this in your visit, you may want to Lightning Lane so you can skip the line and schedule a ride time in advance. Hollywood Studios Toy Story Mania Disney Junior Play and Dance - This attraction is great if you have preschoolers. The show lasts 10 minutes and is located inside an air conditioned area. Star Tours - Board your Starspeeder 1000 and prepare for takeoff! When a series of mishaps unwittingly causes your starship to launch too soon, protocol droid C-3PO takes the controls. This attraction now has more than 250 storylines, meaning there's a good chance you will enjoy a new adventure with each ride. At time this attraction can have shorter wait times, it's a good idea to monitor wait times using your my Disney experience app. The queue is mostly indoor, cool and comfortable. Toy Story Mania ! - Board a carnival-inspired tram and use your spring-action shooter to take your best shot at an array of moving targets! This attraction has no height restrictions but can have longer waits at times. Most of the queue is indoor, though is an outdoor section. Be sure to monitor wait times using my Disney Experience. Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy -Learn what it takes to be a champion racer from the legendary Lightning McQueen at Sunset Showcase. Located right next to Rock 'n" Roller Coaster , this is a great indoor attraction to cool off and kill time while any thrill seekers in the group are living life in the fast lane on Rock 'n" Roller Coaster. Vacation Fun - An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie- Step inside a cool theater and enjoy an animated short featuring everyone’s favorite mouse and his leading lady. Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here .

A Family Adventure Awaits Going on a Disney cruise is a fantastic way to escape the long, chilly winter. I didn’t think twice about booking my family a Caribbean cruise this past January. My oldest daughter was studying the Mayans and learning Spanish at school, so a cruise stopping in Progreso, Mexico, was the perfect fit. My husband and I surprised the girls with the trip on Christmas, and we sailed out of Galveston, Texas, on the Disney Magic three weeks later. The Itinerary: Cozumel and Progreso The cruise was scheduled to stop at Cozumel and Progreso. While I love my beach time, I was most enthusiastic about visiting Progreso and exploring the Mayan Ruins. Disney offers several port adventures to the Mayan Ruins. After a little research, I chose the Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins port adventure. Chichen Itza is recognized as one of the seven new wonders of the world. Although it’s a 130-minute drive from the Progreso port, which was a slight downside, it seemed worth it for this exciting adventure. Weather Woes Well, as much as I planned and prepared for our Chichen Itza port adventure, the weather had different plans! We experienced very rough seas and heavy winds the night before our stop in Progreso. I received an alert on my phone that our Chichen Itza port adventure had been canceled. Since it wasn’t guaranteed we could dock on time, the 130-minute drive made this adventure no longer viable. As you can imagine, we were a bit disappointed. A Silver Lining This disappointment was short-lived. I headed to the port adventures desk on board for assistance. The crew member was very knowledgeable and helpful. She booked us the Uxmal Mayan Ruins port adventure instead. This Mayan site was only a 90-minute drive from the port! My experience kept getting better. The next morning, we woke up excited for our Mayan ruin adventure. The tour guides greeted us with an air-conditioned bus at the Progreso port, sharing fascinating facts about Progreso and the Uxmal Mayan Ruins along the way. Our guide mentioned that these impressive ruins are less visited than Chichen Itza because they are not as close to Cozumel, which receives many more cruise ships. Progreso averages about 25 cruise ships a month, and its primary industry is fishing, not tourism. Our guide also shared the current US dollar to peso conversion rate, which was very helpful. Exploring Uxmal Once we arrived at the Uxmal Mayan Ruins, we had a guided tour. Our guide spoke English, while most others who worked there did not. We received a wealth of history, had the chance to ask questions, and enjoyed time to walk around. There were very few people there, and no other tour groups at the time we visited. I’m thrilled with the pictures we captured with so few people around. There are a few small shops, drink stands, and a restaurant. We grabbed frozen drinks for the kids before heading out. If we had more time, I would have loved to eat at the restaurant and enjoy some authentic Mexican food. Our experience was wonderful. The only upgrade I would add to this experience is a little more time! Why Choose a Disney Cruise? If you want to visit Progreso and experience the Uxmal Mayan Ruins, Disney Cruise Line currently offers 4 to 5-night cruises out of Galveston sailing from November through March! The combination of Disney's exceptional service and the allure of the Mayan Ruins makes for an unforgettable family vacation. Planning Your Magical Adventure Would you like to learn more about a cruise with Disney? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free, and I price monitor to save you time and money! Request a no-obligation quote here or email me at Irene@mouseketrips.com with any cruising questions! Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking In conclusion, a Disney cruise to Progreso is more than just a vacation; it’s an adventure filled with memories that will last a lifetime. From exploring ancient ruins to enjoying the magic of Disney, every moment is special. So, if you’re considering a getaway, I highly recommend this experience. You won’t regret it!

Headed on a Bahamian cruise with Disney or thinking about one? I have you covered! Disney currently offers year-round 3 to 7-night cruise itineraries sailing to the Bahamas out of Florida and Texas on 5 of its cruise ships, with stops at one or both of Disney's private islands, Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay . Some itineraries may be themed, such as Pixar , Halloween on the High Seas , or Merrytime . Bahamian cruises have so much to offer. You'll want to make sure to be prepared and organized if you are headed on one of these adventures to make the most of your vacation! To help simplify your trip, I have a packing checklist along with outfit inspiration to keep you organized as you plan for your Bahamian cruise. Some links on this website are affiliate links. This means, if you click on a link to one of these products and make a purchase,  I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.  I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Embarkation Day Basics Pack these items in a day bag and/or crossbody to keep with you, as your luggage may not arrive at your stateroom until a few hours after the ship leaves port: Medication (in their original containers) Passport and/or  required citizenship documentation Phone charger/portable charger Extra prescription glasses or contact lenses Sunscreen or hat Swimsuit and cover-up Attire and Accessories While you may envision the Bahamas as a warm destination, nights at sea, the theater and dining can be cool, so keep this in mind when packing your outfits. Be sure to pack a few layering pieces. Jeans, pants or leggings Sunglasses T-shirts Shorts Sundresses Sandals or sneakers (rubber-sole shoes for some Port Adventures) Windbreaker/rain jacket Sweater or other clothes you can layer Dinner attire (see below) Exercise clothing if you plan on taking advantage of the fitness center Dining Attire Disney Cruise Line ships feature an array of diverse dining experiences, from casual to upscale. Be sure to follow the dress code for your restaurant: Main Dining  Dining attire is cruise casual in all 3 main dining restaurants, meaning no swimwear or tank tops. Guests often like to dress up, but this is optional. Adult Exclusive Dining   Adult-exclusive restaurants aboard Disney Cruise Line ships are elegant dining experiences and Guests are requested to dress in a manner consistent with the restaurant’s ambiance. Formal or semi-formal attire is recommended. Also permitted is dress-casual attire with a polished look, such as dress pants, jeans in good condition, collared shirts, dressy tops and lifestyle shoes. For brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse, dress shorts are acceptable. Clothing such as T-shirts, swimwear and sports attire are not permitted. Formal Night  On 7-night sailings and longer cruises, the ship offers themed nights, including a formal night, and you're encouraged to dress up and participate in the evening's festivities. You'll see guests in everything from sundresses to very formal attire. There are many opportunities for photos. Pirate Night Most sailings do include a pirate night with a themed dinner and deck party. Guests do not have to dress up, but many do. You can wear matching themed shirts or full pirate costumes. There will be many photo opportunities. Other Themed Cruises - Check your sailing to see if you are on a themed cruise such as Halloween on the High Seas, Merrytime, or Pixar. Most guests on these sailings will wear themed shirts or dress in costumes for at least one day of the cruise. Extras Here are a few optional items you may want to include: Cabin Door Magnets Most guests on Disney cruises decorate their cabin door. It's fun to see everyone's creativity and also helpful in locating your room! Fish Extenders If you are participating in a fish extender gift exchange group, don't forget to pack your fish extender and gifts. Hair tools such as a curling iron, flat iron or both. Each stateroom has a small mat to lay these on, just be sure to use it to protect stateroom surfaces. Make up, skin care, toiletries organized in separate make up bags. or a make up box . Band-aids and aloe can come in handy, but are also available at the gift shop if needed. Binoculars can be fun to check out nature and wildlife from your verandah A water-resistant beach day pouch can be used for some port adventures if you want to change out of a wetsuit or for day one on the ship before you have access to your stateroom. Tote ,   crossbody  or insulated backpack cooler for port adventures. What Not to Pack Everyone on board a Disney ship must comply with specific safety guidelines mandated by US Customs and Port Security. This includes not packing certain items. Please DO NOT bring: Firearms and ammunition, any kind of knife, sword, dagger, bullwhip or any other type of weapon. These items are not allowed on the ship under any circumstances. Guests found in possession of any weapons or similar prohibited items on their person or in their baggage may be denied boarding and are subject to severe legal penalties. Homemade, precooked or other perishable items. Irons, bottle warmers, sporting equipment, balloons, candles, musical instruments, illegal drugs inclusive of medically prescribed and synthetic marijuana. Coolers, except those carrying medications, baby food or items related to dietary constraints. Always check the Prohibited Items FAQ Looking for outfit inspiration? Below are some ideas and some of my favorite brands. Resort and Swimwear Bahamin cruises offer plenty of beach time, and time to lounge by the pool. Below my go-to brands for resort and swimwear. Beach Riot What you'll find: Fun designs in vibrant colors, matching mommy and mini dresses, swimsuits and even holiday sweaters , which is great for those themed cruises! La Blanca Swimwear What you'll find: Figure-flattering one and two-piece swimsuits that work for a variety of body types. Both my teenage daughter and I have found favorite suits from La Blanca. They also carry cover-ups and resort wear . Sea Level Swimwear What you'll find: Classic simple designs, nice textures (I love the spinnaker) and great support. If you are looking for the perfect bikini to chase kids around on the beach, look no further than their cross front top which comes in the bra top , tankini and one piece . They also carry a variety of linen pants, blouses and resort dresses . Formal Night You will see a variety of attire for formal night, from very fancy long evening gowns to sundresses. Here are a few of my favorite brands for formal dresses and sundresses. Dress the Population What you'll find : Beautiful evening dresses at reasonable prices. For my last cruise, I found a great little black dress from Dress the Population. If you are on the petite side, they have many styles that will work for you and require no hemming. Their styles range from sequins to floral prints , and even jumpsuits . Lilly Pulitzer What you'll find : Bright colors and fun patterns. Lilly Pulitzer is a popular resort wear brand so you will likely see some designs aboard your cruise and possibly in the gift shop. There are many beautiful bright patterns to choose from and some solid designs . as well. (Also consider their tops, sweaters and shorts for the casual rotational dining). Petal & Pup What you'll find : A variety of dresses from evening to casual. Petal & Pup has beautiful prints , and styles at great prices. They also offer pants and short sets . Pirate Night You'll want to join in the fun for Pirate Night. You can choose to dress in a full pirate costume, wear themed t-shirts, or pirate accessories. Disney provides each guest with a pirate bandana, which makes a fun accessory and souvenir. T-Shirts Try this: For my last cruise, I created my own version of a Let the Pirate Shenanigans Begin shirt using my Cricut . I added "Shenanigans Coordinator" to the back of the kids' shirts, and "Shenanigans Investigator" to the back of my husband's and my shirt. Pirate Costumes and Accessories Try this:  Many guests will wear full pirate costumes. Here's a few great options: Girls Pirate Dress Boys  Pirate Costume Pirate Ears Stay tuned for packing lists for additional cruise destinations! Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , and I would love to help you plan a vacation that meets your needs and budget! My planning services are free, and I price monitor, saving you time and money! Request a no-obligation quote here . Have you subscribed to my blog yet? It's free and packed with resources to help inspire and simplify Disney travel. Visit my home page and subscribe and never miss a new post!

Ahoy! Headed on a Disney Cruise? Here is a step-by-step checklist of 6 things you should do before heading out to sea. Be sure to save this so you can be prepared and organized for a great vacation! Check your dining time. There are two seating times for dinner. The main and most popular is the 5:45 pm seating. This one goes first. When you book, you are asked which time you would like, and if the main time is full, the default is the second seating, which is 8:15 pm. Both seating times allow you to see the evening entertainment. There are always two shows, and you will eat opposite your showtime. So if you have the 5:45 pm seating, you will see the show after dinner; if you have the 8:15 pm dinner, you will see a show before. While guests with very young children often feel the 8:15 dining time is too late, I think it comes with many benefits. First, your dining and showtimes are less crowded, and you can come back from your port adventure later. There is no rush to return to the ship to get dressed for dinner. If you are hungry before dinner, there is always food available for a pre-dinner snack on the pool deck. Knowing your time will help you prepare as you are booking port adventures and onboard fun later. Be sure you have travel documents. Approximately 30 days prior to sailing, you will complete online check-in. At this time, you will need to have your travel documents available and ready to scan. All guests must provide a government-issued ID, and most itineraries also require a valid passport. Information on your sailing can be found here . Create a My Disney Experience Account. Create a My Disney Experience  account and download the mobile app. Through this account you will: Link your resort reservation Count down to to sailing date Book port adventures, upgraded dining and onboard fun Connect with family and friends traveling with you View daily activities View restaurants, dining times and menus See showtimes Chat with crew mates See maps of the ship Many of the features will not be accessable to you until you reach the port. Prior to sailing you will us the App mostly just to book onboard fun and port adventures. While onboard you will find this extremely helpful for a variety of uses. Mark important dates on your calendar. First time cruisers are eligible to book onboard fun and port adventures 75 days prior to sailing. Returning guests may have earlier booking windows. Check with Disney or your Travel Advisor for your booking dates. Book when your booking window first opens for best availability. First time cruisers complete online check in 30 days prior to sailing. Returning guests may have earlier check in windows. Check with Disney or your Travel Advisor for your check in date. During online check in you will upload important travel documents and receive your port arrival time. Look into themed nights so you can prepare. Cruises often feature themed nights, making it fun to dress up. Cruises lasting seven nights or more include a formal night, while shorter cruises offer a semi-formal or optional formal night. Additionally, many cruises have a pirate nigh t or a Frozen-themed night . For specific details about your cruise, contact your Travel Advisor or call Disney Cruise Line. Review packing lists and prohibited items I like to create a packing list for each member of my family. Disney Cruise Line offers suggested packing lists for each cruise destination. Packing lists can be found here . These lists can be a great starting point when creating your own personalized list. You'll also want to be sure to check what items are not allowed aboard your ship. Prohibited items can be found here . Do note, under the alcohol policy that each adult may carry on 2 bottles of wine or 6 beers. Work with a Disney Vacation Planner . Most Disney Vacation Planners do not charge any extra for their services and can help you with all of the steps to prepare for your vacation, as well as provide personalized recommendations. Another benefit of working with a Disney vacation planner is having someone who can price monitor your trip. Disney often releases new offers, and if a new offer becomes available that can lower the cost of your trip, most will apply the offer for you automatically, saving you money. If you have booked your trip within the past 30 days, you may be able to transfer the booking to a Disney Vacation Planner . Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , and I would love to help you plan a vacation that meets your needs and budget! My planning services are free, and I price monitor, saving you time and money! Request a no-obligation quote here . Have you subscribed to my blog yet? It's free and packed with resources to help inspire and simplify Disney travel. Visit my home page and subscribe and never miss a new post!

It's that time of year again! If you are looking to check off your holiday shopping list for your favorite Disney traveler, look no further! I have the perfect gifts for every Disney traveler, whether they are headed to a Disney destination this year, or just want to feel like they are. Christmas at Animal Kingdom Lodge Some links on this website are affiliate links. This means, if you click on a link to one of these products and make a purchase,  I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.  I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Gifts For Travel Collapsable Sand Buckets Image from Amazon These collapsable sand buckets  are great for anyone headed off to one of Disney's private islands, Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Loungefly Mini Backpack Image from Amazon Loungefly  has a themed bag that will fit every Disney style. These bags come in very handy as you are traveling both to and from your destination, but you will also see they are very popular at the parks and on cruises. Consider filling the bag will small Disney themed items such as Lip Smacker Disney Princess Flavored Lip Balm ,  Mickey Mouse Mad Libs , Mickey Mouse Sleep, Mask Mickey Mouse Pimple Patches , or Minnie's Magic Glow Face Masks Disney Havaianas Image from Amazon Disney Havaianas  are great for cruises, lounging by the resort pool, and throwing in your park bag in case it rains. Disney Sand Cloud Towels Image from Sand Cloud Sand Cloud Towels are very soft and repeal the sand making them perfect for any beach trip. Sand Cloud has both a Disney and Star Wars collection with really creative designs. Use this  link for $15 off your first order. A White Stanley Cup and Metallic Sharpies A white Stanley Cup  and Metallic Sharpie Markers   from Amazon make a great gift for anyone looking to collect character autographs. For more character autograph ideas, check out this blog post. Portable Fan Image from Amazon Any traveler headed to Florida during the summer months will really appreciate a portable fan. This one comes with a lanyard, is very light, and has joined me on quite a few park visits. CamelBak Quick Stow Flask Image from Amazon A collapsable water bottle is a great addition to a park bag. I like this CamelBak Quick Stow Flask . It will save space, money (fill with free cups of ice water available at quick service kiosks throughout the park), and it's very lightweight. I have four of these and no leaks! Luxury Gifts Once Upon a Vine Wine and JoyJolt Disney Glasses Image from Amazon Once Upon a Vine Wines can be found at Disney Parks and Resorts, but this wine can also often be found at your local beer and wine store. If you don't see it on the shelf, ask at the register, sometimes it can be special ordered! Pair a bottle with fun Disney glasses from JoyJolt. They carry an entire Disney Line. Check out their online store here . Magic Candle Company Candles Magic Candle Company Candles  are the BEST Disney scented candles. The scents capture the resorts and attractions perfectly. I will be gifting myself some new scents this year. The website frequently runs sales, so I would definitely check them out. Disney socks, Blankets, Wraps and More From Barefoot Dreams Image from Amazon Image from Amazon Did you know Barefoot Dreams has a Disney collection ? If you haven't yet experienced Barefoot Dreams, they create just about the softest fabric you can imagine. What better way to relax and watch your favorite Disney movie on a cold winter night, then wearing a cozy pair of Disney Barefoot Dream socks or wrapped in a Disney Barefoot Dreams throw or robe. You'll find gifts for everyone from babies to adults (even pets) on their online store . Corkcicle Disney Tumblers, Waterbottles and Accessories Image from Amazon Image from Amazon Corkcicle offers some great Disney and Star Wars designs. Check out their online store . I especially like the Star Wars and Princess tumblers. Star Wars Stackable Drinking Glasses Image from Amazon May the fun be with you! Glasses don't get much cuter than these Star Wars Stackable drinking glasses from JoyJolt. BaubleBar Disney Jewlery Image from Amazon BaubleBar is known for good quality and great design and they carry and Disney line. Check out their online store for anyone on your list who likes jewelry. Gifts for the Family Disney Board Games Image from Amazon Image from Amazon What's not to love about a Disney twist on a classic game? These would be great additions to family game night! Consider Disney Villains Clue, Chutes and Ladders: Disney Princess Edition , Uno Star Wars . or Stitch Yahtzee The Offical Disney Parks Cookbook Image from Amazon Some of the best vacation moments happen during a great meal, and this collection of official Disney parks recipes is the perfect ingredient to sharing similar food, love, and laughter with friends and family at home! The Offical Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault is a great gift for the family or any foodie on your list. Picnic Time Cutting Boards and Cooler Totes Image from Amazon Image from Amazon Image from Amazon Picnic Time carries an adorable line of cutting boards and totes perfect for movie night or a family picnic. Check out their online store . Holiday Themed Gifts Disney Ornaments I love these ornaments from It All Started With A Flag . They make hand crafted wood ornaments for virtually every Disney resort and destination. The owner, who happens to be a former Disney Cast member, is very easy to work with and will personalize these ornaments for you upon request. This year, I ordered my daughters Boardwalk Resort ornaments and had their names and the year engraved on the back in celebration of our summer vacation. Disney Advent Calendar Image from Amazon Image from Amazon Mini Brands Disney Advent Calendar includes 24 minis for an exciting holiday countdown. MAD beauty makes a 12 day advent calendar with bath and body goodies fit for any princess. Minnie and Mickey Lip Balm and Lip Scrub This lip balm and lip scrub set in holiday scents is perfect for a stocking stuffer. Gifts Sure to Please the Kids Disney Crocs Image from Amazon Yup, Crocs has a Disney line . You can order Disney Crocs and Jibbitz in a variety styles and Disney characters. Check out their online store . Princess Lip Smacker Glam Bag Image from Amazon The Princess Lip Smacker Glam Bag makes a great gift for any little princess. Winne the Pooh MAD Beauty Hand Warmers Image from Amazon These are perfect for cold walks to school or the bus stop. A set of Winnie the Pooh hand warmers from MAD Beauty makes for a great stocking stuffer. MAD beauty has a complete Disney line of bath, body and skincare products. Check out their online store . Alice in Wonderland Limited Edition Box Makeup Set Image from Amazon This Alice and Wonderland themed make up kit by Wet n Wild is perfect for any tween on your list. Star Wars Choose Your Own Destiny Chapter books Image from Amazon These books provide hours of fun and adventure. Check out Star Wars: An ObiWan & Anakin Adventure: A Choose Your Destiny Chapter Book , or other books in this series. Disney Pixar Storybook Collection: Tales to Finish: Color Your Own Storybook Collection! Image from Amazon What kids doesn't want to color their own storybook! This book is great for artists who love to read as well as reluctant readers who love to color. Disney "Up" House LEGO Set This Disney Pixar Lego set is great for LEGO enthusiasts ages 9 and up. Disney LEGO Celebration Train Image from Amazon This LEGO Disney Celebration Train includes a variety of loved characters and is for children ages 4 and up. MAD Beauty Disney Mulan Bath Milk Image from Amazon Know someone loyal, brave and true? This lotus flower and peony scented bubble bath milk will be the perfect gift. Be sure to check out the matching mirror and hand care set ! The Perfect Gift for EVERYONE A Disney Vacation Nothing makes a better gift than the gift of lasting memories. Check out this blog post to learn 5 fun ways to surprise your family with a Disney vacation . What memories will you create in the new year? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to help you plan your next Disney adventure! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here .

With the holidays right around the corner, I wanted to share a few ways to surprise loved ones with the gift of lasting memories! As an added bonus, all of these ideas include ways to slide in a little learning before your trip! Some links on this website are affiliate links. This means, if you click on a link to one of these products and make a purchase,  I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.  I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Present a countdown calendar. A countdown calendar can take on many forms, but a common and simple way to create one is to print out a month view page of a calendar. Children in preschool to second grade generally have a month view calendar in their classrooms that is used for daily skill building. Creating a month view Disney countdown calendar for home can not only be a fun way to count down to a Disney vacation, but it can help reinforce skills that are being taught at school, such as one-to-one correspondence, patterns, days of the week, and even months depending on how far out you make your calendar. For younger children, it may be best not to make the countdown too far out (a month or less). Great questions to ask as you are counting down towards your vacation are, "How many days have we crossed off?" and "How many more days until our trip?" Calendars can be easily made for free using Canva, or you can find free printable calendars by searching Google Images. Wrap up puzzle pieces that reveal the surprise. Purchase a blank jigsaw puzzle and write the surprise message, such as "We are going to Disney World!" Puzzles are great for problem-solving, reasoning, and building spatial awareness. This blank jigsaw puzzle from Amazon comes in an 8-pack. Consider writing one word on each puzzle for an extra challenge! Just be sure to keep each puzzle in separate baggies to prevent pieces from getting mixed up. Send your family on a a Disney scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts are always fun, and you can get really creative by mixing in problem-solving or math problems. Start with a clue that leads to the next clue until you reveal the final surprise. Below are some clues you could use to get started: Captain Hook hid your clue in a treasure chest, but first, you'll have to solve this problem! (Use a combination lock on a box, give a math problem where the solution is the code for the box. Ex: There are 357 pieces of gold and 482 gems. How many treasures are there in the box?) Mirror mirror on the wall, you'll find the next clue here! (tape the clue to a mirror) Pluto hid your next clue (tape the under a dog dish, or by dog food) Sleeping beauty knows where to find your next clue. (hide the clue under a bedroom pillow) When the clock struck midnight, this got left behind, and so did your clue (hide the clue in a shoe) I'm hiding under a dinglehopper. (hide the clue in the silverware drawer) Use a guess box. In a bag or box, put several items related to the vacation. Gather the family together. Tell them you have several items that you will reveal one at a time, and it's their job to put the clues together to guess the theme. Start with the least obvious item, such as sunglasses. Items may include bathing suits, tennis shoes for lots of walking, flip-flops for the pool or beach destinations, mini Disney backpacks, Disney or matching t-shirts, ears, magic bands, fish extenders or door magnets for cruises, etc. Take items out one by one and let the fun begin! Heading on a cruise or Adventures by Disney? Write a letter in the language spoken at the destination. This is so fun and works great for older children (and adults)! Last Christmas, we surprised the kids with a cruise with stops in Mexico. My oldest happened to be taking Spanish at school. We decided to wrap up a letter describing the trip and what we would be doing, all written in Spanish. The kids had to translate the letter to learn about the trip and our planned excursions. Google Translate can help you translate any text into whatever language you are looking for. Ready to give the gift of family travel? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here or email me Irene@mouseketrips.com with any questions! Have you subscribed to my blog yet? It's free and packed with resources to help inspire and simplify Disney travel. Visit my home page and subscribe and never miss a new post!

Heading to Disney? Here is a step-by-step checklist of 5 things you should do before arriving at your resort. Be sure to save this so you can be prepared and organized for a great vacation! Create a My Disney Experience Account. Create a My Disney Experience  account and download the mobile app. Through this account you will: Link your resort reservation Connect with family and friends traveling with you View attractions, height requirements and wait times Purchase Lightning Lane passes View restaurants and menus Make dining reservations and complete online ordering See bus times Get maps and walking directions Complete online check in Get comfortable with this app prior to your trip. Make a list of your "must do" attractions. Check out restaurants and begin to think about which ones are the best fit for your travel party. Mark important dates on your calendar. If you are a resort guest, 60 days prior to your check-in date you can begin booking dining reservations. 7 days prior to your stay, you can book Lightning Lanes passes. If booking a resort package, the final payment will be due 30 days prior to check-in. Review the Disney park calendar Review the Disney park calendar . Make note of the opening and closing times of each park, extended evening hours, parades, and night show times. This will help you determine which park you would like to be at each day. Check the weather for your stay. Are you visiting during a hot or rainy season? Make sure you have everything you need to make the most of your stay. Below is a table that shows what you can expect during each month. As you get closer to your stay, be sure to check the weather app as well. Month Avg High / Low (°F) Rain Crowds Notes January 71 / 49 Low Low Cool mornings, mild days February 74 / 52 Low Moderate Warming up, great for outdoor days March 78 / 56 Moderate High (Spring Break) More crowded, comfortable temps April 83 / 60 Low High Warm, less rain, busy May 88 / 66 Moderate Moderate Hotter, humid starts June 90 / 72 High High Rainy afternoons, start of summer heat July 92 / 74 High High Hottest month, humid, storms likely August 92 / 74 High Moderate Similar to July, fewer crowds late in month September 89 / 73 High Low Still hot, hurricane season October 84 / 66 Moderate Moderate-High Pleasant weather, Halloween events November 78 / 58 Low Moderate-High Cooler, start of holiday crowds December 73 / 52 Low High (Christmas) Cool, festive, crowded later in month Prepare to travel the parks. Disney World requires a lot of walking. You'll want to make sure you have comfortable walking shoes. If anyone in your party has mobility issues, consider renting a scooter. ScooterBug will drop off a scooter right at your resort. Don't underestimate the need for a stroller, even for older kids. ScooterBug also rents strollers. Alternatively, strollers can be rented at each park, either daily or for the length of your stay through Disney. Work with a Disney Vacation Planner . Most Disney Vacation Planners do not charge any extra for their services and can help you with all of the steps to prepare for your vacation, as well as provide personalized recommendations. Many will even book your dining reservations for you if you like. Another benefit of working with a Disney vacation planner is having someone who can price monitor your trip. Disney often releases new offers, and if a new offer becomes available that can lower the cost of your trip, most will apply the offer for you automatically, saving you money. If you have booked your trip within the past 30 days, you may be able to transfer the booking to a Disney Vacation Planner . Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , and I would love to help you plan a vacation that meets your needs and budget! My planning services are free, and I price monitor, saving you time and money! Request a no-obligation quote here . Have you subscribed to my blog yet? It's free and packed with resources to help inspire and simplify Disney travel. Visit my home page and subscribe and never miss a new post!

We are just two weeks away from the opening night of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Today I'm sharing some fun, creative, and simple Disney-themed costume ideas that will make you stand out and keep you comfortable! Some links on this website are affiliate links. This means, if you click on a link to one of these products and make a purchase,  I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.  I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Tower of Terror Transform into a Tower of Terror Bellhop with this Hollywood Terror Hotel patch from Etsy, which can be ironed onto a tank or tee. Add these Tower of Terror themed ears , and you are set to go! This "Take the Stairs Shirt" pairs great if you want to add a little humor! Sassy Princess Crew Grab your girls and give a nod to your favorite princess with a sassy tank and a princess-themed set of ears! Cinderella Has anyone seen my glass slipper? tank Ears Snow White Original Princess tank Ears Aurora Being a Princess is Exhausting tank Ears Belle My Weekend is Booked tank Ears Moana Hei Hei is My Spirit Animal tank Ears Ariel Mermaid Hair Don't Care tank Ears Rapunzel I Have Magic Hair That Grows When I Sing tank Ears Jamine World Traveler tank Ears Tiana Tired of Kissing Frogs tank Ears Haunted Mansion Happy Haunts Feeling spooky? Dress as one of Haunted Mansion's 999 happy haunts! With the help of a Cricut Explore 3 you can DIY your own shirt or tank with glow in the dark heat transfer vinyl or wear this cute Haunted Mansion dress or Beware of Hitch Hiking Ghost Shirt . Accessorize with creepy claw clips ! Wilderness Explorers Channel your inner camper with this Wilderness Explorer t-shirt or tank and accessorize with a hat and bag . (The bag is a great place to stash extra candy as you are trick-or-treating around the park!) Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here . Have you subscribed to my blog yet? It's free and packed with resources to help inspire and simplify Disney travel. Visit my home page and subscribe and never miss a new post!