Though we're fans of Disney family travel, we were cruising newbies before we departed for our three-night cruise on the brand new Disney Fantasy. As active family travelers, we worried a cruise would limit our adventurous travel style, feel overcrowded, and be all about the food. Now that we've experienced the Disney Fantasy, we're back with Disney cruise line tips you can put to use! Disney … [Read more...]
Disney Fantasy photos: Three days at sea and Castaway Cay
April 1, 2012 By
Preparing for your Disney cruise? Enjoy Disney Fantasy photos! Embarking upon the Disney Fantasy: Pools and deck spaces on the Disney Fantasy: Disney Fantasy Oceaneer's Club and Lab, and tween Edge Club: Castaway Cay: Disney Fantasy at night: : (A small sample of) Disney Fantasy character sightings: Disney Fantasy deluxe family stateroom: … [Read more...]
How to prepare for a Disney cruise
March 14, 2012 By
At Pit Stops for Kids, we cover all modes of family travel. However, there's one major category of family travel we've neglected (until now): family cruising. On March 26th, the Pit Stops kids and I will be embarking upon the brand new ship in the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Fantasy. We'll be reporting on our experience here and for Expedia.com. There's only one problem: we don't know what the … [Read more...]
Disney Done Right: a spring break review of Lots to Do in Line
March 8, 2012 By
If your family is headed to the Disneyland Resort this spring break, you're not alone. That's the bad news! The good news is, there's a brand new way to help kids handle long wait times in the Happiest Place on Earth. When author and mom Meredith Lyn Pierce sent me Lots to Do in Line: Disneyland for review, I wasn't sure I could endorse anything geared toward coping with long lines at … [Read more...]
Aulani, a Disney’s Resort and Spa: what’s included in the Aulani value
September 28, 2011 By
There's no doubt about it: Aulani, Disney's new Hawaiian resort on the leeward side of Oahu, is jaw-droppingly fabulous. Throughout my stay, I experienced first class service, amenities, and activities across the board. For the average traveling family, however, it's also jaw-droppingly expensive. Utilizing a quick room rate and availability search on Aulani's reservations page, I was hard pressed … [Read more...]
Disney done right: how to survive (and thrive!) in summer crowds
August 12, 2011 By
The first advice I offer any family asking how to get the most from their Disney theme park experience is to visit in the off-season. Of course, such a plan isn’t always realistic. If your only option is to visit Walt Disney World or the Disneyland Resort in the summer season, take heart! It is possible to best the crowds and the heat and have a fabulous time. During our three-day visit to … [Read more...]
Disney done right: a stay at the Disneyland Hotel
August 11, 2011 By
Until last week, my family and I had never stayed on-site at the Disneyland Resort, despite numerous trips to the theme parks. After last week’s stay, I may never visit Disney any other way. Our night at the newly improved Disneyland Hotel granted both tangible and intangible perks I don’t think I could do without! We arrived at the hotel in the morning before park opening, and the front … [Read more...]
Disney Done Right: Star Wars Weekends at Disney Studios
May 30, 2011 By
Summer's here, and family travel is at its best! What better way to celebrate the end of another school year than with a weekend at Walt Disney World? If you have a Star Wars fan, there's no better time: Fridays-Sundays through June 12th, Star Wars Weekends are ongoing at Disney Studios. The best part is, all special activities, shows, and parades are free with the cost of admission. Last … [Read more...]
West Coast Mouse: five Disney experiences not found in Florida
April 18, 2011 By
If you're a west coast family (like ours), you may associate certain things with Disney that those visiting the Florida theme parks do not: the original Disneyland Hotel, driving the 5 or 405 into Anaheim with excited kids bouncing in the back seat (or maybe you were such a kid?), the beloved Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Sleeping Beauty's--as opposed to Cinderella's--castle. When you close your eyes, … [Read more...]
Disney done right: Dining in the ‘World’
February 2, 2011 By
If you're looking for tips on how to save money on meals in Disney World, this is not the place. Nor will this article tell you where to find the best fries, best pizza, or best cinnamon roll (although that would be the Main Street Bake Shoppe). Instead, this article is all about how to make dining in Disney easier...on you, your kids, your schedule, and your sanity. Because let's face it, during … [Read more...]
