I am glad that you enjoy my travel posts. As a Florida resident, I am blessed to have Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Universal Studio Orlando, and 5 major cruise ports within a few hours drive. As a travel agent, I want you to have the best information possible before you book your vacation and while you are planning your vacation activities, so that is what I try and provide.

Top 5 Travel Posts of 2019

#5 Christmas at Animal Kingdom– This Christmas at Animal Kingdom will introduce the biggest holiday season in its history, with festive new entertainment and holiday décor in every land.

#4 Epcot Forever A Review– Across the canvas of a darkened sky, the new Epcot Forever nighttime spectacular that debuted 10-1-19 at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates the past, present and future of Epcot. We have seen Epcot Forever twice so far and we love it!

#3 Carnival Mardi Gras Now Accepting Reservations– Mardi Gras guests can choose from more than 20 different stateroom categories and multiple levels of spacious and luxurious suites, more than on any other Carnival ship.  The Mardi Gras sails in October 2020.

#2 Top 10 Disney Fastpass Tips– The current Disney Fastpass system has been in place for a few years now but first time guests and those who don’t travel to the parks regularly continue to have trouble getting the system to work in their favor.

#1 Celebrating Halloween on Carnival Cruise Line– Every Carnival Cruise that departs in October is filled with Halloween activities for the whole family! Why not plan your fall getaway today?

The Mom Maven’s Top Travel Posts of All Time

#5 Top 10 Must-Do’s for Your First Trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom– There is so much to do at this huge park? What are the must-dos? I’ve got them right here!

#4 Top 10 Must-Do’s for Your First Trip to Epcot–  Epcot is the Disney park that has morphed and changed the most over the years and it is undergoing major changes again.

#3 Top 10 Must-Do’s for Your First Trip to the Magic Kingdom– Since I have been visiting Walt Disney World since 1972, one of the things I love to do is take people who have never been and make sure they see the most important things. 

#2 Top 10 Must-Do’s at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party–

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is my favorite special event at the Magic Kingdom all year long. It is truly fun for the whole family.

#1 Top 10 Must Pack Cruise Essentials– Mom Maven recommends these Top 10 Must Pack Cruise Essentials for every cruise vacation.

Just a reminder, I am a Certified Disney Vacation Planner with a Disney Earmarked Travel Agency. I am also certified with Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. I am available to plan your next vacation. Just Email me, I’m ready to help.

The post Top Travel Posts of 2019 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The 90-day event continues through June 3, featuring dozens of Disney-crafted topiaries and beds of multi-colored blooms that will transform the Epcot landscape into a floral extravaganza. As just one example of this metamorphosis, nearly 70,000 festival blooms will surround the lakes in Future World, while on the water, hundreds of colorful mini-gardens will be set afloat.

Here is a look at some of the discoveries guests will make this year:

• The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series will expand to every day of the festival, featuring chart-topping artists performing three shows daily on the America Gardens Theatre stage. That’s 270 concerts – more than ever before – featuring new and returning fan favorites spanning multiple genres. Returning favorites like The Spinners and Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will be joined by artists new to the festival like TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman and Colin Hay of Men at Work.
• Creative new culinary dishes and several new outdoor kitchens will debut this year. AdventHealth will host a kitchen along with a nearby playground where the whole family can learn fun and interactive ways to stay healthy.
• Woody and Buzz Lightyear will welcome Bo Peep and her sheep to their Toy Story topiary near the Family Play Zone in Future World East.
• Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration family scavenger hunt will be more fun than ever this year with new locations to discover along the garden pollination trail. Guests can also commemorate their scavenger hunt experience with select merchandise offerings featuring everyone’s favorite bee, Spike. Another guest favorite returning to the festival April 5-21 (while supplies last) is the Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt, where guests can search for Disney character-themed eggs around World Showcase.
• In celebration of Disneynature’s “Penguins,” opening April 17, a 9-foot-tall art sculpture made from recycled marine debris will be on display in Future World featuring an adult and baby Adélie penguin. Created by the non-profit organization WashedAshore.org, this work of art is designed to inspire Guests to keep our oceans and waterways clear of plastic pollution.

Among the returning gardens and exhibits, guests will once again enjoy the Goodness Garden Butterfly House presented by GoGo squeeZ where nearly 1,000 native butterflies willfly among the garden’s two dozen nectar plants. Additionally, several World Showcase pavilions will include gardens with floral life representative of plants in those countries, such as the Kokodema Garden and Bonsai Collection in Japan, the Urban Spice Garden in Morocco and the Alpine Container Garden in Germany.

As Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival goers take in all these floral wonders, they will find fine tastes to savor along their journey. In addition to the Outdoor Kitchens, raised-bed or in-ground gardens of herbs and produce will offer the perfect inspiration for learning to grow healthy ingredients. Several Epcot food-and-beverage locations – including Taste Track and Refreshment Port– will offer festival-themed eats and libations. Additionally, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at 15 popular Epcot restaurants and guaranteed seating for a nightly concert with a Garden Rocks Dining Package. Dining packages are now booking at FreshEpcot.com or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.

Guided tours are also available for guests interested in learning more about nature’s magic. In Behind the Seeds – The Land, guests can explore the fish farm and four greenhouses that make up The Land at Epcot. Additionally, two guided experiences exclusive to the festival include:

• The Royal Tea Garden Tour, presented by Twinings, which takes place each festival morning at the United Kingdom. For a small fee, guests can follow a knowledgeable guide through the tranquil tea garden setting to learn the history and artistry behind growing and blending tea. A post-tour treat of tea and scones is included. The shorter, complimentary English Tea Garden Tour also will be offered on select days.
• During the Gardens of the World tour, guests will join a Disney horticulturist for a three-hour walking tour to explore the award-winning topiaries and gardens that make the festival so special. Guests will learn about the unique role landscaping plays at Walt Disney World and discover new plant materials and gardening techniques to use for home gardens.

Guided tours are offered select days throughout the festival for an additional fee. Epcot admission is required. Reservations for tours open January 2019. For more information or to make a reservation, call (407) WDW-TOUR.

Guests can also commemorate their visit to the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival with official event merchandise. They can dig up a charming array of whimsical apparel and headwear designed to capture the splendor of spring, garden tools and accessories, and magical Disney keepsakes to adorn their homes and gardens.

There is still time to plan your trip to this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Just Email Me and we will get to planning!

The post The 26th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Opens March 6th appeared first on The Mom Maven.

 Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras  is now open for sale of its inaugural schedule for 2020. The Carnival Mardi Gras will begin sailing from Port Canaveral November 14, 2020.

Guests can choose from more than 20 different stateroom categories and multiple levels of spacious and luxurious suites, more than on any other Carnival ship.  A large range of stateroom options provides guests the opportunity to further personalize their vacation experiences and includes special staterooms and suites such as Family Harbor, Havana Cabana and Cloud 9 Spa accommodations, as well as a wide selection of suites, balcony, ocean view and interior staterooms.  Don’t forget to bring the items on my Top 10 Must Pack Cruise Essentials List.

Carnival Mardi Gras Inaugural Schedule

Mardi Gras will kick off its seven-day program from the Space Coast November 14, 2020, offering two different three-port, seven-day itineraries, alternating weekly to the eastern and western Caribbean featuring some of the region’s most beautiful and popular ports. This is almost a month later than originally planned.

On December 20, 2020 Carnival announced that the ship will be delayed and it canceled several European and repositioning cruises as well as 4 sailings that were planned from port Canaveral.

“We have been working closely with Meyer Turku executives to keep the Mardi Gras delivery on schedule, and while we deeply regret disappointing our guests, this change in the delivery date is required to make sure all of the ship’s systems, features and technology will be fully operational, so that we can give our guests the vacation they expect,” said Ben Clement, Carnival Cruise Line’s senior vice president of newbuild. “Our commitment is to deliver a great and innovative ship, and Mardi Gras will definitely be that when it arrives in North America.”

Book Now

I am dreaming of cruising on the Mardi Gras, aren’t you? I may need to get together a quote and show it to Ron tonight! Would you like to cruise on the Carnival Mardi Gras? Just Email Me and we will start planning!

I am so excited to check out this huge ship! It has so many new amenities. Carnival is going to be sharing more of that info over the next few weeks so make sure you have liked my travel agent Facebook page so you won’t miss any of the information!

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The Mom Maven’s Most Popular Travel Posts of 2018

#5 Paradise Nights at Discovery Cove

Paradise Nights was a limited time promotion from Discovery Cove in Orlando where guests could dine near the dolphin lagoon and see a dolphin presentation. This offer is not currently available.

#4 The Plaza Restaurant A Hidden Gem in the Magic Kingdom

I am so excited that a few of my friends have dined at The Plaza after they read my review. We have actually gone back a second time, and would have gone earlier this month except there were no ADRs available. The food at The Plaza is great and so are the prices, especially for a table service restaurant at Walt Disney World. Pin The Plaza Restaurant to your Disney or Family travel board.

#3 What’s New at the 2018 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

I was so excited to attend the 2018 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party after missing it the last few years. Unfortunately, I was exhausted, hot, and miserable and we ended up leaving early because I was in a lot of pain in my feet and back. Hopefully we will be able to go next year. This post outlined the new twists they added throughout the park for 2018. Our favorite were the live pirates on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride! Keep posted, I’ll always let you know about upcoming Disney events. Make sure you’ve read about what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2019!

#2 2018 Walt Disney World Free Dining Offer

Historically Disney offers limited packages with free Disney Dining plan for select fall travel dates and select resorts. Over the past few years the offerings have been getting slimmer and slimmer. Many of us believe free dining will be going away soon because the parks are full and they no longer need to lure guests with free food. IF free dining becomes available for 2019 it is usually released near the end of April. Make sure you are subscribed to my travel newsletter so that you will be among the first to know.

#1 2018 Rock the Universe Artists Announced

For the last 20 years Rock the Universe, a Christian music festival, has taken place at Universal Studios in Orlando each September. The artist announcement was made in April and tickets would go on sale in May. In 2019 Rock the Universe is flipping the script. The event is being help February 1-2, 2019! The artists have been announced and tickets are on sale. For more information read Rock the Universe 2019.

Top 5 Most Popular Travel Posts of All Time

All 5 of these posts are from my “Must-Do” series!

• #5 Top 10 Must-Dos for Your First Trip to the Magic Kingdom
• #4 Top 10 Must-Dos for Your First Trip to Epcot
• #3 Top 10 Must-Dos for Your First Trip to Animal Kingdom
• #2 Top 10 Must-Pack Cruise Essentials
• #1 Top 10 Must-Dos at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Don’t forget, I am a certified Disney travel planner and my services are free to you! Just Email Me and we can get started planning your magical Disney vacation.

The post The Most Popular Travel Posts of 2018 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

#6 BCOZZY–The Chin Supporting Travel Neck Pillow

The BCOZZY is am amazing upgrade to the typical neck pillow because it supports your chin making you much more comfortable. The BCOZZY can also be folded multiple ways to keep you comfortable no matter how you are seated. I used the BCOZZY the regular way with the chin support and folded in half because I like to rest with my head tilted to the right. Ron actually stretched it out and used it as lumbar support after he had driven a long leg. The BCOZZY now lives in our car to be available even on short drives. The BCOZZY is available on Amazon for $29.97 and up depending on the style.

#5 The iExit app

The iExit app is available in both the App Store and Google Play store for FREE. Open the iExit app on or near any interstate nationwide and watch the magic unfold. It finds you automatically, shows you exits ahead, and allows for easy searching. Your GPS will tell you how to get there, but iExit will tell you where to stop along the way. This app is such a time saver when we needed gas or food I just opened the app and it told me what was on the upcoming exits. The only downside is that part of our trip was on state roads through Michigan, not interstates so it couldn’t give us any information on that part of the trip.

#4 Unlimited Data

We had been dragging our feet for almost a year on switching to Unlimited data on our iPhones through Verizon Wireless. Unfortunately there were many months when we would run out of data or have to seriously limit ourselves during the end of our billing cycle. When I finally looked into it our bill was only going to increase $6.00 per person per month! That was a no-brainer. With unlimited data we had the freedom to stream music, surf the web, and use our GPS app without worrying about using all of our data.

#3 Bluetooth FM Transmitter

You may be blessed and have a newer car that has the built-in capability to play the music from your phone, I do not. I have a 2004 Ford Escape that I have owned for almost 5 years and I love it! Due to its age there are no factory bluetooth settings, it does have a 6-disk CD player though Knowing that I would need a lot of different music for this road trip I ordered the VONT Wireless In-Car FM Transmitter. Thanks to this device I can play music from my phone through my car speakers for less than $20.00. It works great I’ve been using it for over 6 months. The sound quality is much better than I expected. I use it corded, just to keep my phone charged but you can just Bluetooth to it. It also works with a micro SD card if you save your music that way.

#2 Amazon Music

I knew we would need more music than what I keep on my phone. We would also need a more diverse playlist than I usually keep. To accomplish this I signed up for the 30 day free trial of Amazon Music Unlimited. This gave me access to tens of millions of songs. My 4 music genres are Contemporary Christian, Broadway Show tunes, Disney, and 80s. I was able to locate some awesome playlists and download them. When we got bored with those specific playlists we were able to stream others, because we have unlimited data. Now that we are home I cancelled my Amazon Unlimited Music subscription but I am using the 2 million song Amazon Music Prime that is included with my Amazon Prime Account. I usually only listen to music in the car and when I’m cooking so I don’t need everything that Amazon Music Unlimited has to offer so I am thankful that I can enjoy some of my playlist via Amazon Music Prime.

#1 Waze App

I have been using Waze on my iPhone for about 4 years. I use it for long trips, short trips, and just driving around town. Why? Waze is so much more than a GPS app, it is crowd sourced traffic and safety info as well. Waze is great when you are driving alone but it is even better when you have a passenger. The passenger can interact with Waze in ways the driver shouldn’t. Waze alerts you to road hazards and the passenger can let Waze know if that hazard still exists. You can also report hazards and accidents as well as slow traffic so that other drivers can be made aware or even re-routed. If you have never tried Waze, I suggest you do. It is the most up-to-date navigation and traffic app available and it is FREE!

I hope you found at least one new road trip essential to add to your travel arsenal. Do you have one I didn’t cover? Let me know about it in the comments so I can check it out. Happy traveling!

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This was our eighth Carnival Cruise, our first aboard the Magic. We have never eaten in the Carnival Steakhouse before for one reason…it costs extra. Ron is frugal when it comes to dining out. If we can’t eat for under $40 at a restaurant, we don’t go to that restaurant, period. So paying $35 per person to eat on a cruise, when amazing food is available in the Main Dining Room or on the Lido Deck, just doesn’t make sense to him. Thankfully, we were blessed to be able to give it a try.

We booked our dinner in the Carnival Steakhouse from the phone in our stateroom. You can also book online before your cruise, or at the Carnival Steakhouse kiosk on the ship. We chose to dine at 6:00pm, the same time we would normally eat in the Main Dining Room so that we would remain on schedule with the rest of the family for the evening.

We checked in at the steakhouse just before 6:00pm. We were seated right away. We had two very attentive waitresses. The steakhouse seats approximately 50 people so it is a more intimate and quiet dining experience. You are still very close to the other tables so it is nice but not super romantic.

My 18oz Spice-rubbed Prime Ribeye Steak

The Carnival Steakhouse Food

The menu for the Carnival Steakhouse is full of delicious sounding choices. First we were brought a small tomato soup and some different breads to choose from. Next they brought by a tray with the different cuts of meat on it so that you could see the size and cut you would be choosing. We placed our orders for our appetizer, salad, and entree with side dish. I chose the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Sliced, Sun-Ripened Beefsteak Tomato, the 18oz Spice-rubbed Prime Ribeye Steak, and Baked Potato with all the trimmings. Ron ordered the Grilled Portobello Mushroom, Classic Caesar Salad, the 18oz Spice-rubbed Prime Ribeye Steak, and the Steamed Broccoli.

Our meals were amazing. Everything was cooked to perfection. The ribeyes were done just as we asked and were very flavorful. I thoroughly enjoyed my beefsteak tomato. The meal is well paced, you don’t feel rushed, but you also don’t notice too much lag time either. We were amazed that we each polished off an 18oz ribeye! It was just so good, you HAD to keep eating. As we were sitting there stuffed to the gills, the waitress came and asked what we would like for dessert. Did we have room for dessert? Well, I ordered the Cheesecake with Hazelnut Biscuit and Ron ordered the Sherbet. Honestly, the cheesecake was a let down. It was rather dry. Since I wasn’t very hungry I didn’t mind leaving most of the cheesecake behind. Next time I’ll order the Chocolate Sampler.

Is the Carnival Steakhouse Worth the Extra Money?

In one word, yes. I would love to return to the Carnival Steakhouse on a future cruise. While Ron would never be persuaded to pay for it, I would, just like I do all our “fancy” meals when we travel. I usually set aside money when we travel for 1 or 2 dining experiences that don’t fall in Ron’s budget. On future cruises, I will take us to the Carnival Steakhouse. The quality of the food, the ambiance, and the entire dining experience are worth the extra cost.

Carnival Steakhouse Details

• The Carnival Steakhouse experience is available on the following ships:Spirit,Legend, Miracle, Pride, Conquest, Glory, Valor, Liberty, Freedom, Splendor, Breeze, Dream, Sunshine, Vista, and Magic.
• There is a kid’s menu available for children ages 11 and under for $10. I don’t recommend taking your young children.
• You need reservations.
• The attire is cruise casual/cruise elegant based on the night so make sure you dress appropriately.

Are you ready to book your Carnival Cruise vacation? Email Me and let’s get started.

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I packed all of Ron’s clothes for the entire cruise, except for his dress shirts which went in my hanging garment bag, in the Stow-n-Go. I folded it up, clipped it shut, zipped up the case,  and placed it in our large rolling duffle bag and then packed my clothes around it in packing cubes. I was afraid that the Stow-n-Go wouldn’t fit, hanging in the stateroom closet…but it did! We just took it out of the suitcase, hung it in the closet and opened it up. Ron used it the entire cruise to keep his clothes neat and tidy. When we were ready to head home, we used the Stow-n-Go for our clean clothes that we didn’t wear on the cruise, that way they would stay clean and not get mixed in with our dirty laundry.

About the Stow-N-Go Portable Luggage System

The Stow-N-Go Portable Luggage System is made of polyester with high strength steel hooks. Save space, time and stay organized with this three-tiered portable shelving unit with laundry pocket. It fits in suitcases 20″ and larger, which means it fits in most carry-ons! Just hang; load; collapse & latch; Stow-N-Go. Makes unpacking a breeze and acts as a portable shelving system when you travel. Hangs in closet or on shower curtain rod. Zippered compartment at the bottom is great for dirty laundry. The Stow-N-Go Travel Hanging System is available on the Grand Fusion Housewares site as well as Amazon and at Bed, Bath & Beyond online for $29.99..

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

I loved the Stow-n-Go. It made packing and unpacking very easy. We overstuffed it for our trip there, but it was the first time using it. I’m thinking of getting another one for my clothes for our fall vacations. This will come in very handy for our weekend trips to Disney because I always unpack my suitcase, no matter how long or short my trip is.

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With all of these cruises under our belts, we have learned a few things like what to pack and what not to pack. Today we are going to talk about non-clothing cruise essentials that I always take with me on a cruise. Most of them are inexpensive items that you shouldn’t leave the port without. Most of these items can be purchased on Amazon so that makes it super easy.

Top 10 Must Pack Cruise Essentials

10. Towel Clips

It gets windy up on deck and towels flap all over the place. Secure your towel to your lounge chair so that it doesn’t fly away. Take these on your beach excursions as well so that your towel stays off the sand. This set of 8 towel clips from Nuolux sells for $6.99.

9. Magnetic Hooks

The walls in your stateroom and bathroom are metal. Magnetic hooks are great to use to hang up lanyards and hats in the bedroom as well as swimsuits and bath poufs in the bathroom. This set of 6 magnetic hooks from CMS holds up to 18 pounds each and sells for $8.99.

8. Waterproof Phone Pouch

I got one of these for our family cruise in 2015. I used it on one excursion then I loaned it to Summer and Aaron…and I never got it back! I need to order another one. I love the fact that I had the ability to take pictures out on the water while Ron snorkled and I wasn’t afraid of ruining my phone. This 2 pack of Mpow Waterproof Dry Pouches sells for $8.99.

7. Small Bills

Yes, when you are onboard the ship you are in mostly a cashless society. According to the Pennsylvania online casino research conducted, most cruisers put a credit card down on their account and any beverages and souvenirs, and gambling that they do is charged to that card. Even your cruise gratuities are charged there…for the most part. You will want small bills to tip room service waiters, excursion leaders and porters who handle your luggage at the port. None of these people make change for you so come prepared, or they will enjoy that $20 tip!

6. Day Bag or Backpack

If you are going on any excursions you might want more than just your usual purse. Depending on where you are going and what you are doing you may want a towel, sunscreen, hat, bug spray, sunglasses, and more. Think ahead and bring a bag or tote that will comfortably carry whatever you will need. This Waterfly Sling bag sells for $15.99.

Top 5 Must Pack Cruise Essentials

5. Wireless Flash Drive

My SanDisk wireless flash drive was the best thing I bought before our last cruise. This item is pricier but since we use our iPhones as our cameras it was a necessity. Using the SanDisk Connect app you can transfer photos and files from your phone or tablet to the flash drive via Bluetooth. Then, when you return home you can pop the drive into your computer and download the photos. This 64 gb flash drive sells for $34.19, other sizes are available.

4. Cellphone Lanyard with Card Holder

I just got a cellphone lanyard with card holder for this cruise. I saw it on a TV show and knew I had to have it. I will also be using this whenever we visit the theme parks. A lot of my outfits don’t have pockets and I hate carrying a purse around the ship just for my phone and room key. No longer will that be an issue with the FabSelection Universal Phone Lanyard. This case is available in multiple colors and sells for $10.20.

3. Hanging Shoe Organizer

No, I don’t pack a lot of shoes when I cruise. The hanging shoe organizer is for on the back of the bathroom door! There is very little stoarge space in cruise ship bathrooms. Hang a shoe organizer on the bathroom door and let that hold your makeup, shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, and other bathroom necessities. This Zober Clear Shoe Organizer sells for $9.95.

2. Portable Phone Charger

The last thing you want is for your cellphone battery to die while you are trying to take pictures on an excursion. I always carry a portable phone charger with me. I have one that lives in my purse at all times. I have several models from EasyAcc and they all work great. This EasyACC 6000mAh Powerbank is the one I carry with me daily. It works great and sells for $18.99.

1. Power Strip with Surge Protector

Most cruise ship staterooms don’t have enough plugs to charge all of the devices we carry onboard. Using a power strip with surge protector while you are in the stateroom is the easiest way to stay charged up. I like this Belkin 6 Outlet Power Stip with surge protector and 6 foot cord which costs $8.00.

Bonus Tip

Don’t forget the sunscreen! I will never understand why so many people walk around fried to a crisp when sunscreen is so readily avalable. Enduring a sunburn while on vacation is not fun and can be easily avoided by following directions on the sunscreen of your choice.

So, who is ready to go on a cruise? I am! If you would like a quote on a cruise vacation please just Email Me and we will get started.

Bon Voyage!

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Top Travel Posts of 2016

5. The Lion Guard Adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Unfortunately, the Lion Guard Adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom was a short-lived. This scavenger hunt through the park to find the characters of the Disney Junior TV show, The Lion Guard was a fun added adventure to your family’s day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Thankfully, Disney keeps adding these fun, interactive activities to their parks. Who knows what they will think of next.

4. New Summer Fun at Walt Disney World

While this post outlines lots of new offerings that started in the summer of 2016 at Walt Disney World, all but two are still available to guests. The “Frozen Games” are no longer taking place at Blizzard Beach. Also, “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic barely lasted the summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We saw this show and June and we were bored, especially after the long wait to get into the theater.

You can now ride Frozen Ever After and meet Anna and Elsa in their Sommerhaus in Epcot. I highly recommend Mickey’s Friendship Faire in the Magic Kingdom as well as many of the other new events and attractions that were unveiled this summer.

3. 2016 Candlelight Processional at Epcot

The 2016 Candlelight Processional at Epcot was an amazing experience as always. This year we saw Robby Benson narrate the Christmas story and I swooned! He even did a little of his Beast voice in his opening and closing remarks! As always, there was a wonderful selection of narrators sharing this Christmas tradition.

2. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2016

We love attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and 2016 was no exception. It really helps us Floridians get in the Christmas spirit, especially while temps are still in the 80s! The Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and the Holiday Wishes Fireworks are not to be missed.

1. Top 10 Must-Dos at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Even though we haven’t been invited to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party the last 2 years, I wanted to make sure you knew what not to miss. This is our #2 favorite Disney event all year, second only to Candlelight Processional. Check out this post, or pin it for later so that you know what not to miss when you attend next year’s event.

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Since we were just going overnight I was able to pack both of our undergarments and pajamas in the TUO with plenty of room to spare. I can’t wait to use it next month when we go on our weekend beach getaway!

Did you know that on average, only half of travelers unpack their luggage at a hotel while on vacation or a business trip causing clothing and small items to become unorganized as they are rifled through each morning. Personal items like undergarments can quickly disappear among the chaos resulting in stress and delays. The new TUO ultimate travel undergarment organizer will allow travelers to organize their undergarments or small items neatly in a foldable bag which acts as a portable closet for their trip. Are you an unpacker or a suitcase dweller? I am an unpacker and then I use the suitcase for dirty clothes.

Check out how much you can pack for her and for him using the TUO.

TUO is available on the Origami Unicorn website for  $49.50 and comes in 5 designer styles. TUO is a great investment for frequent travelers. I need to order a second one so that when we go on our next cruise or longer trip we each have one to pack with.

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