florida – Passports and Park Maps

Pinch me, it was an Epic Day! A First Look at Orlando’s Newest Theme Park!

July 18, 2025July 18, 2025 by Meredith, posted in Travel

You know those emails you have to read twice just to make sure they’re real? That was me when the invitation for an exclusive preview of Universal’s Epic Universe landed in my inbox. My jaw might have actually dropped. For a mom who spends most of her theme park days armed with snacks, strollers, and carefully timed schedules, the idea of a girls’ trip to see a brand-new park—and stay at the new Universal Helios Grand Hotel during its opening week!—felt like a dream.

It was time to hang up the diaper bag, grab my favorite colleagues, and experience the magic from a whole new, and let’s be honest, much quieter perspective!

Checking In to a Dream: The Helios Grand Hotel
From the moment we walked into the Helios Grand Hotel, the vibe was just… special. We were practically giddy, like kids on the last day of school. For a few days, there were no schedules to keep, no little hands to hold—just pure, grown-up fun.

But let me tell you about the best part, the holy grail of theme park perks: the hotel is located at the back of Epic Universe and has its own private entrance. Forget the usual mad dash to the main gates with the morning crowds. We could just wander from our hotel lobby, through a gorgeous garden path, and step right into the park. It felt like having a secret VIP key, and my feet were already thanking me. It’s a total game-changer, and I don’t think I can ever go back!

Stepping into New Worlds
With our spirits high and comfy shoes on, it was time to explore. The park is set up like a giant compass, with the beautiful Celestial Park at the center and portals that transport you to four completely different worlds, perfect for each guest in your travel party. Universal did so well with this one there is something for everyone to enjoy in this theme park.

Celestial Park & The Constellation Carousel
This area is the stunning heart of Epic Universe. It’s home to the Constellation Carousel and the magnificent coaster, Stardust Racers. This isn’t your average carousel. Instead of horses, you ride on sparkling, celestial creatures that glide under a canopy of stars. It’s one of those simple, beautiful attractions that just makes your heart happy.

Dark Universe
Okay, let’s talk about Dark Universe, because WOW. As a spooky fan, I think a part of my soul now lives in this world. You walk through a massive portal etched with “It’s Alive! It’s Alive!” and are immediately transported to the village of Darkmoor, where Universal’s classic monsters roam. You can practically feel the crackle of electricity in the air. My absolute favorite ride here was Monsters: Unchained, a dark ride that takes you deep into Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s laboratory. It is brilliantly spooky and so well done! This world is a masterpiece.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic
Just when I think The Wizarding World can’t get any more magical, they go and create 1920s wizarding Paris and the British Ministry of Magic. My inner Harry Potter nerd was doing a happy dance. Walking through the Floo Network-inspired entrance, with its iconic green tiles, honestly felt like stepping right into the movies. We stopped for a drink, and I tried the Beau Thé Bleu d’Occamy—a beautiful blue tea that, with a stir of a “magical” tea bag, transforms into a glittering purple. Seriously, how do they come up with this stuff? Pure magic in a cup.

Super Nintendo World & Donkey Kong Country
The wave of nostalgia that hits you when you enter Super Nintendo World is no joke. I was instantly 10 years old again, sitting cross-legged in front of the TV trying to beat a level of Super Mario Bros. The same goes for Donkey Kong Country. Seeing the mine carts gave me a little flash of anxiety from all the times I tried to beat Donkey Kong—if you know, you know! That level still haunts me.

And while this was a girls’ trip, the mom in me couldn’t help but make a mental list of everything my kids would flip out over. The How to Train Your Dragon land, Isle of Berk, went straight to the top of that list. It looks absolutely breathtaking, and I can already picture their faces.

A Well-Deserved Toast at Bar Helios
After logging more steps than I can count (all worth it!), we capped off our epic day back at the hotel with reservations at Bar Helios. It felt so luxurious to just sit down and have someone bring you a fancy cocktail and amazing food while you overlook the park twinkling at night. If you’re staying at the hotel, you have to do this!

We were ready to eat, and the menu did not disappoint. My absolute must-try’s:
-Wagyu Beef Sliders: So juicy and flavorful.
-Hot Butter Crispy Calamari: It had a unique, delicious kick.
-The Night Goddess: The perfect, refreshing cocktail to end the day.
-The Shattered Rose: A dessert that’s as fun to watch them make at your table as it is to eat!

A Magical Trip for the Books
I’m still buzzing from this whole experience. Getting to be a “grown-up” at a theme park and just soak it all in with friends was such a treat and so different from our usual family adventures.

And here’s a quick tip if you’re planning your own trip: there is SO much to see and do. If you’re trying to tackle Epic Universe in just one day, I would absolutely recommend getting an Express Pass. It’ll help you maximize your time and make sure you get to see everything without spending your day in line.

But you know what? Even on a girls’ trip, the mom-heart is always there. As I rode the Constellation Carousel, all I could see were my daughters’ faces lighting up with that same goofy grin. As I walked through the Isle of Berk, I could almost hear my son’s squeals of delight. This trip was an incredible adventure for me, but the best part is knowing the next adventure here will be with them. And that, right there, is the real magic.

Disney with a Diaper Bag: Best & Worst Rides for Little Ones

September 24, 2024September 24, 2024 by Meredith, posted in Travel

Taking your little one on their first Walt Disney World adventure? It’s a magical milestone, but let’s be real – it requires a bit of planning. Navigating the parks with a baby in tow is a whole different ballgame, and choosing the right rides is key to ensuring everyone has a fantastic time. From gentle boat rides perfect for naps to high-flying adventures best saved for older siblings, let’s explore the must-do (and must-avoid) attractions for your tiny traveler!

We take our babies to Disney before they can fully immerse themselves in the magic. Why? Because even if they don’t remember the trip, the memories we create will last a lifetime!

Our youngest daughter experienced her first Disney trip at 14 months old, and our son marked his first birthday at Disney World. He even joined us for trips to Disneyland and Disney World while in utero, but who’s keeping track?

What we’ve learned over the years from visiting theme parks with babies and toddlers is that even if some rides have no height requirement, it doesn’t mean your baby should be on them. Here’s why:

▪️Frozen Ever After – It’s themed after Anna and Elsa, what can go wrong? This attraction features a dark setting, including the queue area, has a roaring snow monster, and includes a segment where the ride moves backwards downhill.
▪️Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – Don’t get me wrong, I adore this ride but maybe not so much for littles. It’s dark, it’s very loud, and you get whirled around, so hold on tight to those babies.
▪️Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway – This one I do not recommend for anyone under toddler age unless you have a baby in an infant carrier. Some older kids get scared of the tornado scene, so take that into consideration as well. This ride features dark sections, is quite noisy, and can jostle even adults in their seats, so make sure to hold on to those little ones tightly!
▪️N’avi River Journey – This one isn’t too bad. For children who are frightened of the dark or “creepy crawlies,” it might be best to avoid this. My daughter was afraid of it until she reached the age of six.
▪️Pirates of the Caribbean – This dark ride features cannons firing and includes a very tiny drop.
▪️Toy story Mania – just hold onto those babies tight when the ride spins.
▪️The Haunted Mansion – The ride is dimly lit with ghosts and flashes of lightning, yet my youngest was eager to see everything. 😆 Meanwhile, his older sister only started to enjoy it about two years ago, as she previously found it too spooky.

With that being said, you know your kiddos best, so use your judgement. We recently took our one-year-old on several rides, ensuring that he was secure in our arms on each ride. The rider switch feature is the best invention for families who cannot all ride together on certain attractions. If you’re traveling with a little one, make sure you utilize that feature, especially if you aren’t sure if your kiddo will enjoy the ride.

Our little guy took every ride like a champ (I was nervous of course). We had a blast exploring the classic attractions with our one-year-old, proving that even the simplest rides can create cherished memories. So, pack those diapers, rent that stroller, and embark on your own unforgettable Disney adventure with your little one! The magic awaits, and it’s even more special when shared with the ones you love most.❤️

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Empty Streets and Magical Moments: Our Extended Evening Hours Adventure in Magic Kingdom

September 16, 2024September 24, 2024 by Meredith, posted in Travel

“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”

Nothing beats that early morning stroll down Main Street, USA: the freshly cleaned streets, the sun rising over Cinderella Castle, catching the Main Street Trolley Show and Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire performances as the sweet aroma of Main Street Bakery fills the air. We all have those special memories of Magic Kingdom in the daytime, but have you ever stayed until after park closure?

As my children grow up, we spend less time rushing back to our room in the evenings for bedtime routines and spend more time enjoying the parks in the evenings as the crowds began to disperse. One of our favorite amenities when staying at a Disney deluxe hotel is the Extended Evening Hours benefit. This is when a certain park will stay open later on select nights only for guests of Disney deluxe hotels.

During one special holiday trip while we were staying at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, which just so happens to be my favorite Disney resort during the holiday season, we grabbed dinner at Geyser Point (view menu here). Afterwards, my eldest daughter and I took the 7pm ferry to Magic Kingdom Park to delight in magical mother-daughter bonding time and closed down the park.

The ferry is our favorite method of Disney transportation. The Magic Kingdom ferry will take you from Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground to Magic Kingdom.

Entering Magic Kingdom Park at night offers a distinctly different experience compared to the morning. By later in the evening most guests, especially those with younger children, are exiting the park for the day. A holiday stroll down Main Street, USA with my seven-year-old in hand was magical. Since we were two ladies enjoying the evening, I did not have to worry about bringing the usual caravan of bags or a stroller. We had four hours to enjoy the park until it closed for the night, and we did just that.

Since most of the crowds had left for the night, we enjoyed our favorite rides without waiting in a long line or reserving our spots ahead of time! We had a 30-minute wait for Peter Pan’s flight and a 20-minute wait to take the Floating Lantern photo by Rapunzel’s Tower. Other than that, we breezed right through each line. We were able to ride our favorite nighttime attractions: Pirates of the Caribbean, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

As the crowds began to race for their exit and transportation, we decided to head for the train station where we took our last photo of the night in front a vacant Main Street, USA.
We both fell asleep snuggled up on the last ferry heading back to the Wilderness Lodge at midnight. Magical moments were made that night at Magic Kingdom Park.

… And just like that, our magical night at the Magic Kingdom came to a close. As we drifted off to sleep, the memories of the empty streets, twinkling lights, and special moments filled our dreams. It was a night we’ll cherish forever.

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Your Resort is Calling (and It Has a Pool!)

September 5, 2024September 24, 2024 by Meredith, posted in Travel

Lightning Lane, Virtual Queue, firework schedules, dining reservations, park hopping, phew I’m getting tired just thinking about it all. We’ve all experienced that moment, trying to ensure we maximize the value of our vacation, but what is the true meaning of value when it comes to our family trip?

During my family’s first trip to Walt Disney World, we were working on a very tight schedule. We park hopped, we darted through the gates for Extra Magic Hours, and we made sure we were never late for a FastPass+. Dining reservations? We secured them all. There was one little detail that was missing. Every evening upon returning to the resort, after fireworks of course, we would walk past the pool and my daughter would ask to go for a dip. Our response was “maybe tomorrow night Hunny, we have another early morning, you get to meet XYZ”. She would respond with an enthusiastic “okay!”, then off to the room we would go to rest up for another long day in the parks met with the same question upon our returned. By our very last night, we walked her down to the arcade then down to the pool and watched her swim her little heart out. And as I sat there with her baby sister asleep in the stroller, I realized that this was her vacation after all. We took our girl out of school to relax and have fun, not to run around on another schedule all day. She just wanted to be a kid, and kids need to have down time and run around, but also relax just like we adults do. Being at Disney and seeing all the magical things was so amazing in her eyes, but just staying in a Disney Resort and going to the playgrounds, pools, and arcades was also just as spectacular to her.

Fast-forward to 8 magical Disney trips later, I’d say we have learned a bit about the kind of vacationers we are. Sometimes the girls want to wake up early and run straight to Slinky Dog Dash for Extra Magic Hours, ride Tower of Terror and Rock’n’Rollercoaster and leave me in the dust, and other times they want to sleep until 10 am and get to the parks later in the afternoon. These days we don’t park hop as much as we used to, and we definitely don’t stay in the parks from rope drop to fireworks. We like to go back to the resort and swim in the afternoon, maybe head back to the parks after dinner. We thoroughly enjoy our table service meals, especially if they have a good theme, and we’ve decided the hotel amenities are what adds value to our vacations. We relax our muscles most nights in the hot tub, where we always make new friends, especially if someone is listening to an LSU game nearby, and we try to stay at a different resort each trip.

**Our girls swimming mid-day at Old Key West**

Some of our favorite things happen right at our resort. Such as trivia nights by the pool, outdoor movies under the stars, morning yoga sessions, s’mores around the campfire, the Electrical Water Pageant, and of course, savoring a Dole Whip while watching the fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian! So, take it from me; when planning your next Disney vacation, remember to also schedule some time for rest and relaxation.