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Chances are, if you have planned a trip to Walt Disney World for the the Fall or Winter months you have considered buying a special party ticket for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs select nights at Magic Kingdom beginning mid-August through Halloween, then Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party kicks off after Halloween and runs through the Christmas season, also at Magic Kingdom park. The party tickets can be pricy. The cost is typically anywhere between $109-$199 per person. When added on to an already expensive Disney vacation, it can sometimes be difficult to justify this additional cost. The truth is, these parties can be a great way to pack a LOT of extra magic to your Walt Disney World Vacation, and adding on the party doesn't have to break the bank. Below are a few of my dos and don'ts to save money and make the most of these special events! Don't purchase a park ticket for the day of the party. The party ticket allows you entry into Magic Kingdom as early as 4pm. Spend the morning sleeping in and enjoying resort activities. This will leave you and your family with more energy to enjoy the late night party. By eliminating a day of park tickets (and Genie +, which is not needed or even available for special events) you save money and the cost of the party ticket is often not that that much more than you had already planned to spend that day. Additionally, with the smaller crowds and shorter wait times you will get more in during the evening party than you would during the day at the park. Do plan your outfits ahead of time. Not everyone will dress up in theme, but it definitely makes the experience more fun. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a great opportunity for matching sweaters or Christmas pjs. You can use the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party as an excuse to dress up as your favorite character or even ride like my family did this year! Don't miss out on special ride overlays! I'm not a fan of Space Mountain. In fact, that might be a little bit of an understatement. I don't enjoy being on a very fast roller coaster in complete darkness. The rest of my family likes the ride, so I always reluctantly end up riding. During Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party I was able to ride Space Mountain with the lights on and Christmas music playing. It was a completely different experience and I loved it! There are overlays for select rides during both parties. Check the party map or your My Disney Experience app for details! Do bring your own glow! There are plenty of opportunities to buy overpriced light up toys at the park. If you plan ahead and bring your own glow toys you can save a lot of money. I purchased light up necklaces from the local craft store for $2.50. These were very similar to the ones being sold at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party for $20. Don't go to the first parade if you can make it to the second. There are two parades, an early parade around 9:15 pm and a later parade around 11:15 pm. The early parade tends to draw a larger crowd. If you can make it to the second parade, skip the first parade and take advantage of the lighter crowds elsewhere. My family likes to use this time to go on our favorite rides! When it's time for the parade, you don't have to be directly in front of the castle for a great view. The parade starts in Frontierland and turns by the castle then travels down Main Street. There are some great viewing areas in Frontierland. You can also get a nice view by the bridge leaving Liberty Square heading towards the castle. Do take advantage of the FREE extras! There are many extras that are included with the price of your party ticket and you don't want to miss out! During Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party this past year each member of our group was able to pick up a beautiful ornament and commemorative print. There were also plenty of places to grab a cup of hot cocoa, cider and cookies. At Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you will receive a bag upon entry to stash all you candy. There's plenty of stations to grab candy as you move around the park. We left with a ton of candy, including many new flavors of our favorites we had not seen or tried yet, which was super fun! Don't miss the fireworks! Unlike the parades, the fireworks only run once a night. They are in-between the two parades, around 10:15 pm. Be sure to check the time and arrive early to get a viewing spot. I like to set a timer on my phone as a reminder. For the fireworks the best viewing areas are in front of or by castle. This will allow you to see projections on the castle. You won't want to miss the holiday themed show! Do grab a map when you enter the party. The map and your my Disney experience app will show you where you can find ride overlays, special party treats, dance parties, showtimes and more! Below are maps from Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. My family likes to have an early dinner reservation, around 4:30 pm so we can sit down, enjoy a meal, look through the map and discuss our plans for the evening. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Do book your Walt Disney World Vacation with a travel agent. Travel agents can save you money and time. Most travel agents will not charge you anything extra than you would pay if you were booking your trip on your own through Disney. Good agents will price monitor your trip and rebook it when offers become available that can lower the price of your trip. Agents can provide you will as little or a much assistance planning your vacation as you like. Hi, I'm Irene! I'm a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! Request a no obligation quote here .

My family has enjoyed a meal at Be Our Guest quite a few times over the years. The theming in this castle is truly magical. You really do feel like you are stepping into a fairytale. The menu and dining structure has changed over the years. At one point this restaurant even offered a quick service option for breakfast and lunch! Be Our Guest is located in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and currently serves a three course prix-fixe menu featuring French inspired dishes. This restaurant is themed after the Beast's castle from "Beauty and Beast". Lunch is served from 10:00 am -2:55 pm, and dinner is served from 3:00 pm -10:00 pm. The pricing and menu for both meals are the same. A prix-fixe meal at Be Our Guest can be pretty pricey. Currently they cost for guests 10 and older is $67 per person, and $39 for children ages 3-9. If you plan to use the dining plan available in 2024 this meal will cost you two table service credits. You might be wondering if this dining reservation is right for your family. Here's a review from my recent visit to help you decide. Let's start with the castle itself. First, there are 3 dining rooms. The West Wing, The Ballroom and The Rose Gallery. The West Wing is dark and you will hear the sound of thunder crashing. It also houses the enchanted rose. When lighting strikes if you look at the painting of the prince above the fireplace, it changes for a brief second! This room can be scary for some younger children, so that is something you might want to keep in mind. The Ballroom is beautiful. It's an exact replica of the ballroom the Beast and Belle had their famous dance in. If you look really hard at the ceiling in the clouds you might be able to spot the only hidden Mickey in the castle! The last room is The Rose Gallery. This room is pretty, but not my favorite. There are gallery paintings, and in the center there is a statue of the Beast presenting Belle with a music box. When you arrive for your reservation you can request a dining room. The staff, who I have found to be very welcoming and kind, will do their best to get you seated in your requested room, but they can never guarantee a seating assignment. After you eat, you can walk through the other rooms. I highly recommend doing this. Be sure to stop by The West Wing for a picture with the enchanted rose. Don't miss another great picture opportunity at the entrance of the castle. If you turn to the left upon entry of the castle you will see a beautiful mosaic of the Beast and Belle. You can take a picture here after you have checked in and are waiting for your table or as you are exiting after your meal. Now on to the food. Once you are seated you will be given the prix-fixe menu. You will choose an appetizer and main meal. The French onion soup is very good. For the main dish, I ordered the filet mignon and my husband ordered the trout. Our main dishes were OK. We have had better meals at Disney for less money. We did not choose our desserts. Guests 10 and older received a dessert trio. This consisted of a lemon jam macaroon, a chocolate tart (this included the grey stuff), and a dark chocolate truffle. My youngest, who was able to order off the kids menu, received a different dessert. This was a white chocolate chip cup she could paint. This was really cute. Her dessert also included the grey stuff, a macaroon and truffle. Everyone's favorite was the grey stuff. There were mixed reviews on the other desserts. I personally enjoyed the dark chocolate truffle. This was very rich, chocolatey and delicious! The Beast does make an appearance during your meal, but it's a bit different than other Disney character meals. He does not visit each table signing autographs and stopping for pictures. During our meal the Beast walked around a few times and waved at guests. In the past, The Beast used to offer a photo opportunity at the end of the meal. I asked our server about this and he informed us this may be returning in the future. We did receive a signed card from the Beast for each child. For our family, I would say this reservation was worth making for the experience, not the food. We have had better tasting meals for less money, but you can't beat the beauty and magic of the Beast's castle. For the cost, this is not something we would book every time now that they have moved to the prix-fixe menu, but if you are looking for a splurge to add something special to your vacation, this meal is for you! 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 .

My first cruise was 7 years ago and it wasn't a trip I thought of going on initially. At that time I envisioned cruising as buffet lines and crowed pool decks. I had no idea what I was missing. My parents, who in their retirement, had become "cruisers", wanted to cruise with the grandkids, so that placed me on my first cruise, a Star Wars themed Disney Cruise Line cruise with stops at Tortola, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. It was amazing! I have been hooked ever since! Here are a just a few things I learned about a Disney Cruise Line 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.  Disney Cruise Line has sit down rotation dining Disney offers sit down rotational dining each night. This means each night you are assigned to a nice sit down restaurant, where you will order off a menu and the food is served to you. Your servers will follow you to each restaurant your entire stay. They get to know you and your travel party. They know your drink preferences, names and may even show you a magic trick or two at the end of your meal! If you are a smaller group you may be sat with another group. If you want a private table, be sure to request this at the time of booking. Your travel agent can assist you with this request. There are additional upgraded and quick service dining options as well. There is a buffet available on each ship, which is very well organized and has a variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can choose to visit this buffet if you like, but if buffets are not your style, you can enjoy your cruise without ever experiencing a buffet. Room service is FREE That's right, you can order as much room service as you like at no cost (alcohol excluded), just be sure to tip your server. One of my favorite things to do on a cruise is order room service in the morning for breakfast and enjoy it on our verandah. It's so peaceful to watch the ocean while I sip my coffee. My kids love the muffins, danishes and fresh fruit available on the room service menu. You can book connecting verandahs You may have traveled with friends or family before and booked connecting rooms. On a Disney cruise you can book connecting cabins as well. Many of the connecting verandah cabins also have the option to open the verandahs to provide one very long verandah! Connected rooms with open verandah on an Alaskan cruise (11:30 pm- check out the sun!) View from connecting verandah at Tracy Arm There's something for everyone on the ship Upon arrival you can connect to your ships wifi and through your Disney Navigator app you'll be able to see a plethora of daily activities. Among them are drawing and cooking classes, arts and crafts, comedy shows, trivia, movies and much, much more. You will also find three kids clubs, one for kids, tweens and teens, a spa and fitness center, and adult only activities and areas. Senses Spa Oceaneer Kid's Lab Oceaneer Kid's Club Oceaneer Kid's Lab Walt Disney Theatre Upper deck on the Disney Wonder, one many places you can relax with a drink or a book. Disney has two private islands Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing from Florida will stop at at least one of Disney's private islands. Castaway Cay is Disney's first private Island and welcoming guests in 2024 is Disney's newest island Lighthouse Point. There are a few itineraries that stop at both islands! Castaway Cay, Bahamas Castaway Cay, Bahamas Bike ride on Castaway Cay, Bahamas Disney works with local vendors to provide many safe and reliable port adventures. Disney has a variety of port adventures available for booking through your Disney Cruise Line account. The vendors have been vetted by Disney and can be sorted by the type of experience you are looking for, such as "athletic, moderate or mild", or "nature, sightseeing, cultural, beach, private.." You're sure to find the perfect fit for you. Disney Cruise Line port adventure, hike to Mendenhall glacier Junior Detectives can put their skills to work at sea. If you are sailing on the Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy there is a mid ship detective agency. This is a really fun activity where you pick up a crime card, then go to various stations all over the ship to unlock clues that are hidden in pictures. By holding a QR code to what looks like an ordinary picture, the picture comes to life and provides a clue. Detectives must use deductive reasoning to solve the crime. Unlocking clues on the Disney Fantasy Disney cruisers and fun, welcoming and like to build community. I have to mention pixie dust, fish extenders and the rubber ducks. I could probably write a whole blog post on this one, but I'll try to keep this short. On our first cruise my girls were randomly pixie dusted (this is where someone secretly surprises you with a gift), with Minnie Mouse stuff animals. This was such a nice surprise and so kind of the person who left them on our door. On another cruise someone pixie dusted us with a beautiful handmade magnet that had our ship name and the sail date on it. It was such a nice and unique souvenir. Since then, I have always made a few extra magnets prior to our cruises and I let my girls find a few doors to "pixie dust". While walking around the ship you may randomly see a rubber duck hidden behind a curtain or under a table or some strange place. This is not a child's lost toy, this was hidden for you to find. It's like a savenger hunt. You can take it and re-hide it. It can be fun to see how many you can find. Lastly, you may have heard the term "fish extenders". There are fish extender gift exchanges on Disney cruises. This is an optional gift exchange similar to a secret Santa between a group of 10 cabins or so. It's called a fish extended because you hang your basket to gather gifts on your door's fish hook. None of these activities are organized by Disney, they are organized by passengers on the ship. If you want to connect to shipmates prior to your sailing you can usually find a Facebook group by searching your ship name and sail date. I do recommend joining a group. Often times people will organize met ups the first day so kids can make friends, you can chat about port adventures and onboard fun and this is where you will be able to find sign ups for fish extender groups. If traveling on your first cruise, I don't recommend joining a fish extender group because it can be a bit overwhelming. Disney allows you to carry on your own alcohol There are limitations to this one. Currently, Disney Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage and at each port of call. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage. Always be sure to check the Disney Cruise Line website prior to travel for additional details and please note that the Disney Cruise Line alcohol policy is subject to change without notice. Bahamian and Caribbean Cruises have a pirate night Pirate Night on a Disney cruise is a really fun themed night where many guests dress up. It often includes a pirate entertainment and menu at dinner and a deck party. Guest are also given a special Pirate Disney Cruise Line bandana. Disney is the only cruise line that offers fireworks at sea Most Disney cruises offer fireworks at sea one night of your cruise. Be sure to check your Disney Cruise Line navigator for the dates and times, this is an experience you won't want to miss! There will be a dress up or formal night. This is a great opportunity to dress up and get some nice family pictures. You don't have to dress up and you will see a wide range of attire, but dressing up can definitely be fun. This is another great reason to get the photo package, which you can purchase for the length of your entire cruise. Here are the dining dress guidelines by Disney Cruise Line: 3-night cruises: One cruise casual night—no swimwear or tank tops One pirate night themed deck party One optional “dress-up night"—jacket for men, dress or pantsuit for women 4-night cruises: First night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops One pirate night themed deck party One optional dress-up night—jacket for men, dress or pantsuit for women Final night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops 7-night cruises: First night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops One pirate night or other themed deck party 3 additional cruise casual nights—no swimwear or tank tops One formal and one semi-formal night—both give you the opportunity to dress up and take advantage of the onboard photography services. Though optional, we recommend dress pants with a jacket or a suit for men, and dress or pantsuit for women Characters dress up too! Disney offers themed cruises Disney offers many themed cruises. Currently the themed cruises are Marvel, Pixar, Merrytime and Halloween on the High Seas. These cruises include character appearances, special themed activities and decorations. The Disney Magic dressed up for a Merrytime cruise Chistmas tree at Castaway Cay, Bahamas Decorating your door is not only fun, but helpful. Many guests choose to decorate their cabin doors with magnets. Planning out magnets to represent your style can be a lot of fun. You can make magnets yourself, find custom designs on Etsy or order Disney themed magnets from Amazon. Melissa & Doug makes great inexpensive Disney magnets . Once on board you'll find having a decorated door makes finding your stateroom much easier. It's also nice to look at other doors and use them as landmarks when walking to your stateroom. I f you get lost on the ship, look down. The stars on the floor, not only serve as decor, but a navigation system. The top of the star points to the front of the ship. At Animators Palette you get to become a guest animator. Animators Palette is one of the dining options on the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream. On select sailings (7 or more nights long) you can try your hand at drawing your very own character! This creation becomes part of the animated dinner show, dancing alongside some classic Disney characters. Character sightings are common. While there are a few character meet and greets you can sign up ahead of your visit, characters will be seen around the ship throughout your visit. Captain Hook running by mysteriously Donald Duck excited to ride the Aquaduck Many meals come with entertainment Each night there will be a show available at the Walt Disney Theatre before or after your meal, but in addition many nights you will experience entertainment DURING your meal. You may be surprised by a visit from Mickey and his friends, it could be a crew of pirates on pirate night or if you are dining at a restaurant that is the home to a famous princess, she might come and sing for you! Rapunzel singing at Rapunzel's Royal Table on the Disney Magic Surprise visit from Mickey Mouse at Lumiere's on the Disney Magic Disney partners with hotels close to the port Disney has partnerships with select hotels close to ports of departure and offers pre and post stays that can be added on to your cruise. These partnerships help simplify your travel plans and make travel seamless and hassle-free. In most cases you can also add ground transfers and Disney will even pick up your bags from your Disney partner hotel room! Your room may. not be ready when you first arrive on the ship. On arrival day, your bags will be collected and run through security. They will later be delivered to your stateroom. You will be allowed to enter the ship and your room may not be ready. You'll want to have a day bag with you with any items you want for your first few hours. Consider packing a swimsuit if you want to head straight up to the pool deck. Arrival day Ready to start cruising? 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!

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!

As a child of the 80s, Star Wars brings a sense of nostalgia. I spent many Sunday afternoons watching the original Star Wars trilogy on VHS at my grandparent's house with cousins, and many summer days running around my neighborhood with school friends playing "Star Wars". One of my first Disney memories, and the most ingrained, was a visit to Disneyland in the late 80s when the Star Tours attraction had just opened. My family waited in a VERY long line to experience this super high tech attraction. It was ahead of its time and out of this world. Oga's Cantina When Oga's Cantina , part of Star Wars Galaxy's Edge , opened, I was eager to check it out. Oga's Cantina, along with the other new Star Wars attractions can be found inside Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Park at Disneyland. Since it's opening I have been there a handful of times. While I have personally enjoyed each visit, reviews for this watering hole have been mixed. Here's a few things I think you should know before planning your visit so you can arrive ready to make the most of your experience. Disney describes Oga's Cantina as a " local cantina, where bounty hunters, smugglers, rogue traders, and weary travelers of all ages come together to refuel, enjoy music, and conduct meetings—no questions asked." This stand up bar is located just outside of Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run, which makes it a it's a great spot to grab a drink right after taking a ride on the fastest ship in the galaxy. You'll need a reservation. Reservations can be made up to 60 days prior to your visit. Oga's Cantina is a stand up bar. You are visiting for a drink or two. Don't arrive expecting a meal. There's limited seating. Guests will be taken to a stand up table, counter space at the bar, and a few guests will be seated at tables. Spaces are not private. You will most likely be grouped with other parties. You are limited to two drinks and 45 minutes for your stay. Be sure to view the menu prior to your visit. The menu can be found on the Walt Disney World or Disneyland website as well as on your mobile device by visiting the my Disney experience app. There are fun galactic drinks for guest of ALL ages. (My kids love the Carbon Freeze, this drink uses dry ice to create bubbles.) Manage your expectations prior to your visit. This stand up bar is an experience . Some guests question a time limit, drink limit and community seating, but keep in mind you are there to experience the Cantina. Enjoy a creative concoction, take in the scenery, say hi to your table-mates. When you are done you can always grab a bite to eat and a private table at a the quick service Star Wars restaurant Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo , which does not require a reservation and is located very close by. Docking Bay 7 Fun Fact: Did you know starting April 5, 2024, when you ride the Star Tours attraction at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland you can embark on exciting new Star Wars adventures featuring characters and locations from some of your favorite Disney+ series? With these additions, you’ll have the opportunity to experience one of more than 250 storyline variations, including a visit to the planet Seatos from Ahsoka . 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 .

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!

With Father's Day around the corner, it's the perfect time to share top picks for the Disney Dad! Treat Dad to LaFou's Brew a warm cinnamon roll at Gaston's Tavern in Magic Kingdom! 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.  Dad can unleash his inner Jedi with this Jedi Knight Sports Chair with side table! Perfect for sporting events, camping and picnics! This travel chair has an adjustable shoulder strap plus two handles for easy transport! Image from Amazon Pair this chair with a Star Wars cooler backpack!Nothing is cooler than this far out Star Wars backpack cooler by Picnic Time ! This backpack is great for keeping dad's favorite beverage or snack cold and fresh! Image from Amazon Get Dad a Disney themed shirt! Dad can look official in this Princess Security t-shirt . It's fun for any Disney trip or princess outing. This Incredible Dad t-shirt is anot her great option! Image from Amazon Dad will feel like a superhero with this Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Marvel Spider Man watch in stainless steel! Image from Amazon Cheesed to meat you! Dad will love charcuterie on this Death Star cheese board ( available in two sizes)! Image from Amazon Dad can stargaze while he builds the Galactic Empire's ultimate fire in this Death Star fire pit ! Image from Amazon Who doesn't love Jack Sparrow? Dad will get a lot of laughs wearing this Jack Sparrow 2024 t-shirt . If you have plans for a Caribbean or Bahamian cruise, this shirt is great for pirate night! Image from Amazon Cruising Alaska? Get Dad this Ice Master of Arendelle t-shirt to wear on Frozen night! Image from Amazon Give the gift that keeps on giving! The Mickey Mouse BBQ grill scraper with a built-in bottle opener is the essential grilling utensil. After the meat is served, this is the item that finishes the job, and the one that gives Dad the opportunity to drink while doing it. Made of parawood and with a hanging rope loop, this scraper was built to last and made with easy storage in mind. Image from Amazon Dad will feel cozy, stylish and comfy in this Barefoot Dreams Classic Disney men's hoodie ! Pair with the matching joggers and slippers or socks for a complete set! Image from Amazon Finally, the PERFECT gift for anyone is the family is the gift of lasting memories. Check out this blog post to learn 5 fun ways to surprise your family with a Disney vacation . 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 .

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!