Category Disney

What’s in my Disney Water Parks Bag!

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Since Summer is here! (Yay!!) We love the Walt Disney World Water Parks and try to go to the water parks at least once a month. The Disney water theme parks are our favorite because they have plenty of water attractions for everyone in our family, and if you’re a land lover like me, no worries there are plenty of chairs and loungers to soak up that Florida sun! Plus, the Disney water parks are by far the cleanest water parks I have ever been to which, is always an added bonus. So let’s dive right on in and check out whats in my Disney water parks bag…

Sunscreen– Living in the Sunshine State I never leave home without sunscreen. You can never pack too much when traveling to Florida in my opinion. It’s better to be safe, than sorry!

Disney Parks face masks purchased at Disney Springs

Face Masks– I like to carry extra ones for each of us when we travel. Especially since Florida is so hot and humid it is so nice to change your mask mid day. My favorite ones are the Disney Park masks these can be purchased at any store on park grounds, at any Disney hotel on property, at Disney Springs, or online at shop Disney.

Hand Sanitizer– Disney has done a wonderful job of keeping the hand sanitizer stations accessable around the parks. It feels like everywhere you turn there is a hand sanitizer station. However, I like to pack my own travel size bottle.

Reusuable water bottle– I can not stress enough how important it is to stay hydrated especially during the summer months. You can refill your water bottle with ice and water for FREE, at any soda fountain refill station around the waterpark.

Towels– I prefer to bring my own towels from home. However, if you are staying on property you can always bring towels from the resort. Towels are also available to rent at both Disney water parks for a small fee.

Flushable wipes– I will forewarn you that the water parks use very cheap toilet paper… and what two things don’t mix well cheap toilet paper and wet bodies. So take it from me if you have kids and you don’t want to deal with toilet paper sticking to their behinds all day bring the flushable wipes.

Waterproof phone case from ShopDisney.com

Waterproof phone case– Best purchase I have ever made! Need I say more…. I mean really, this wonderful plastic case keeps my phone safe and I get to capture the magic of our water park adventures and share them with you. I picked up this beauty on shopDisney.com a few years back.

Portable phone charger– Since I spend all day taking photos, my phone won’t hold a charge for very long. So that’s when this beauty comes in handy and saves the day, so I highly recommend picking one up. If you forget to grab one before hitting the parks no worries, Disney has you covered, because they also sell them in the parks!

Wet/dry bag– Since it is a water park I suggest putting anything you don’t want getting wet into one of these wet/dry bags. I picked up one in the Target Dollar Spot a few summers back and it has come in handy ever since.

Shampoo/conditioner/soap– One of my favorite things about the Disney water parks is that they offer changing rooms and showers. They do have an all in one soap/shampoo in the showers however, it is very generic so I do recommend bringing your own supplies from home. I love that they offer changing rooms and showers because we have a two hour drive home and this means after a long hot and sandy day at the water parks we get to rinse off and change into clean fresh clothes before heading home. To take this one step further, bring a brush, and a blow dryer…. you’re welcome!

Mickey Ice Cream Bars
(a wonderful park sweet treat to help you cool off from that summer heat!)

Snacks– You can never pack too many snacks in my opinion! The more the better…and if you run out, no worries! Disney has you covered, because guess what they have the best snacks.. HELLO, have you tried their Mickey Ice Cream Bars they are AMAZING!!

Water shoes– Normally I am not one to promote water shoes because I think they are not the cutest shoes in the world. However, the sand on the beaches at the waterparks are so incredibly hot especially when that sun has been beating down on them all day and same goes for the pavement. I will say that Disney does a pretty good job of attempting to keep the pavement cool and has installed sprinklers throughout the water park especially on long stretched of pavement so it does not get to hot for your feet. But it doesn’t hit every square inch of the park. So buy the ugly shoes, your feet will thank you!

My Disney Water Park Bag purchased at Disney Springs

So there you have it folks, I can’t wait to hear what magical things you pack in your Disney Water Parks Bag! For those who are asking my park bag came from Walt Disney World. I love it! It also makes a great carry on bag for plane trips! If you are looking for other Disney packing tips be sure to check out, What’s in my Disney Park Bag. Also, comment below with your favorite water park packing tips!

Happy Travelin’

Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by Walt Disney World or any other Disney company.

10 Magical Things to do at Walt Disney World without a Theme Park Ticket!

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In our house we love all things Disney! But most of all we love visiting Walt Disney World. My family and I like to visit multiple times a year. Since my husband is in residency and we are on a tight budget, Disney vacations for a family of five can get costly quick, so I have to get creative. Here are a few budget friendly ideas that are sure to bring that Disney magic to your vacation just without the additional theme park ticket cost!

 Spend the day relaxing by the pool– The number one complaint I always seem to have about our vacations is I always wish we had more down time. So make sure to plan a day to do just that. Pool days are my favorite days to sit back and relax! Be sure to pack a bag filled with drinks & snacks. Don’t forget the sunscreen and some pool toys for the kiddos! The one benefit for staying on Disney property is they have the best pools (in my opinion). They also have life guards and cast members who have all kinds of fun events and pool activities. My kiddos have made Mickey Tie-dye t-shirts, played bingo, and have played Disney trivia. The amazing pool bars are also a huge benefit, too!

Spend the day at Disney Springs– I love to shop and ever since Downtown Disney has become Disney Springs it has nearly doubled in size and doubled in fun! We have gone at least a dozen times and still have not seen or done everything they have to offer. Disney Springs has a little of everything for everyone in your family. They have several toy stores for your kiddos to choose from. They also have amazing boutiques for the fashionista in your family. For the little ones in your family they have a carousel and a small train they can ride for a small fee. For the adventure seekers in your family, be sure to check out Characters in Flight. If you love bowling and billiards be sure to check out Splitsville, which is a luxury bowling alley. Maybe you are in the mood to kick back, see a flick and grab a bite to eat? If so, then head on over to the AMC theater in Disney Springs. For the car lovers in your family you can ride in a vintage amphicar at the Boathouse. These guided tours are the thrill of a lifetime as they drive on land and into the water. As you can see, there is a little something for everyone!

Go miniature golfing– Disney has two miniature golf experiences just outside the parks. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf is located in the Epcot Resort area just outside the Walt Disney World Swan hotel. This course is great for families and beginner golfers. I love the Fantasia theme, it makes you feel like you stepped into the movie! The Winter Summerland miniature golf is the second course. My family loves this one because you can choose either the winter side or the summer side. Both take you on a crazy adventure that lead you to Santa’s workshop in the end. My kiddos love the magical surprises you come across as you make your way through the course.

Check out the Disney Resorts arcade– All Disney Resorts have arcades. Now I know what you are thinking, I must be crazy listing this as a suggestion. But on our most recent trip to Disney the weather was not the best and this was a great way to entertain the kiddos for a few hours. They even have a few massaging chairs for the adults to relax in while the kiddos are off playing games. We also found that not all the games cost money, which is always a plus when you’re on a budget! We found a few that were free of charge and those ended up being my kids favorite games. Disney uses an arcade card system which is usually located at the entrance of the arcade. You can load cash or card onto an arcade card which is then used to swipe at all the arcade machines. These arcade cards can be reused so be sure to hold onto them for future use. Some of our favorite games were pinball and the air hockey table!

Ride the Monorail– My kids love to spend a few hours every Disney vacation riding the monorail. We have to do it every trip we take. My kids love to stop at all of the monorail resorts and go into all of the shops. Plus, the views of the Magic Kingdom and the Disney Resorts are spectacular. It is such a magical and unique element that only Disney offers. Another fun up and coming ride is the new Disney Skyliner! We still have yet to ride it, but if you have then it let us know if you enjoyed it in the comments below!

Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing Along at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Explore other Disney Resorts– If you are looking for a fun way to add a touch of Disney to your vacation be sure to explore the Disney Resorts. You can grab a bite to eat, shop in the resort boutique, rent bikes, or even take a stroll to take in the unique Disney decor. Some of my favorite resorts to explore are Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. I love Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort because it’s one of the only places to get a Dole Whip outside the parks! Right now, if you head on over to the Barefoot Pool bar you can even check out the Lime Dole Whip Margarita which features Disney’s Special Heart of Te Fiti Lime Dole Whip with margarita mix. I can’t wait to try it myself on our next trip! I love Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground because they offer an archery experience (which makes me feel like Merida, from the Disney movie Brave!). They also offer Horse-drawn carriage rides, pony rides and wagon rides. Be sure to check out the Chip ‘N’ Dale Campfire Sing-A-long, for some good ole’ fashion fun roasting marshmallows over the campfire. I also love Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge because it feels like you just stepped into the heart of Africa with the exotic animals to view on the savannah and the spectacular African decor. Don’t forget to grab a Zebra dome and some Jungle Juice in the quick service on property called the Mara. While you’re exploring the resorts be sure to check out the amazing restaurants on property.

Go For a Round of Golf– Tee off and hit the greens! Disney has four gorgeous golf courses on property:

  • Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course
  • Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
  • Disney’s Palm Golf Course
  • Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course

Disney offers discounts for Florida Residents, Annual Passholders, Cast members, DVC as well as Resort Guests. They also offer FootGolf, which is a 9 hole course that is like traditional golf but instead of a golfball you use a soccer ball.

Run in a Fun Run at select Disney Resorts– As you all know there is nothing I love more than running and Disney. Well I am here to tell you that select Walt Disney World Resorts host Fun Runs pretty much all time! (how cool is that, right?!?) Here is the list of resorts that participate:

  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter Resort
  • Disney’s All Star Movies Resort

Be sure to check with your resort for times and weekly schedules as well as Fun Run fees!

Rent a Boat or Sea Raycer- Set sails on Seven Seas Lagoon! I will be honest this is a bucket item for us. Every trip we talk about renting Sea Raycers and we never have enough time but that is not going to stop me from telling you all about this nifty little activity! The Sea Raycers seat up to two people and cost $32 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be at least 12 years old and at least 5 feet tall. There are two kinds of boat rentals you can rent in Disney. One is the Boston Whaler Montauk. This love boat seats up to six people and costs $45 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be 18 years of age. Lastly, you can rent a Sun Tracker Pontoon boat which seats up to 10 people for $45 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be 18 years of age. Disney also offers Specialty Cruises but those are very pricey and I could never afford them on a residents budget.

Jellyrolls dueling piano bar located at Disney’s Boardwalk

Check out Disney’s Boardwalk– Our favorite time to head to the Boardwalk is just after dinner once the sunsets, this is when the fun is just about to begin on the Boardwalk. You never know what kind of entertainment you will find from magicians to jugglers. You can even have a caricature artist draw a picture of you to capture the magic! My daughter loves to get her hair wrapped and beaded by the hair wrappers. They also have some carnival games, for a fee of course! One of my favorite things to do on the Boardwalk is grab a slice of pizza from the Boardwalk Pizza Window the head on over to the Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas stand and grab myself a frozen strawberry margarita! (They are sooo good!) Then my husband and I like to get a sitter and head on over to Jellyrolls which is a dueling piano bar (Don’t be fooled by the name, trust me this place is rowdy and a ton of fun!) They do have a cover charge of $15 and doors open at 7:00pm. If you love to dance head on next door to the Atlantic Dance Hall where you can dance the night away… well actually only on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:00pm-2:00am. The Boardwalk also has restaurants and shops so while you are there, be sure to check them out!

I hope you enjoyed my tips and I can’t wait to hear what your favorite non-Disney park day things your family enjoys to do! Be sure to check out my article, What’s in my Disney Park Bag for Disney packing tips! I hope you have a magical trip!

Happy Travelin’

Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by Walt Disney World or any other Disney company. If you are looking to rent a boat please contact Walt Disney World, as I can not rent boats on your behalf.

Our Summer Bucket List

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Just like Olaf, I’m at my happiest in the summer! It must be that summer sun!☀️Lucky for us we moved to the Sunshine State and are blessed with 265 days of summer a year, haha just kidding (it’s actually probably more than that! 😉) Looking for ideas when little voices are whining they’re bored? My kiddos and I have put together a list of our favorite things to do in the summer. Enjoy!

1. Go to the Beach

2. Enjoy a day at the pool

3. Eat ice cream for dinner… this is my favorite summer activity!

4. Meet up with friends at the playground

5. Go for a family bike ride

6. Go mini golfing

7. Go see a movie -we love to check out the $1 movie’s that play at our local theater on select days

8. Have a water balloon fight

9. Roast marshmallows & make s’mores

10. Go camping -since our kiddos are “glampers” we like to camp in our living room

11. Check out your local Children’s Museum or Science Museum

12. Have an PJ day and watch old movies

13. Have a picnic

14. Go for a hike

15. Go to a water park -our favorite water parks are Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park near Orlando, FL check out our review of Disney’s H2O Glow Nights a special ticket event on select nights this summer.

16. Make slime

17. Go roller skating

18. Read a book-check out your local library and bookstores for summer reading programs.

19. Make play dough

20. Have a dance party

21. Have a family game night- our family favorites are Bingo & the game of Life

22. Play flashlight tag

23. Go bowling

24. Have a lemonade stand

25. Take a road trip- If you are looking for Road Trip tips, be sure to check out our article 8 Fabulous Tips for Surviving Road Trips with Kids!

I hope you enjoyed our list and I can’t wait to hear what your favorite things to do in the summer are! Be sure to comment below! Just remember sunshine is the best medicine! Happy summer! ☀️

Happy Travelin’

Disney’s H2O Glow Nights

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Now that summertime is almost upon us, it is the perfect time to check out Disney’s H2O Glow Nights at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Our family loves Disney’s water parks, especially Typhoon Lagoon. We love the waterslides, the lazy river Castaway Creek and the Surf Pool so you can only imagine how excited we were when we found out that Disney Parks Blog had chosen us to check out Disney’s H2O Glow Nights before opening night.

This special ticket event is held on select Thursday and Saturday evenings beginning May 30 through August 24, 2019. Ticket prices start at $54 for children ages 3-9 and $59 for adults ages 10 and up. Once the regular park hours close at 5pm, the park transforms and the toys take over. It is as if you stepped into the bath tub with Partysaurus Rex in the Toy Story short. The entire park glows with florescent lights, the DJ is playing party music all night long and you can even meet Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jesse, and a blow up Forky!

Since this is a special event, Disney has created unique food and beverages. We did not have time to check out any of the food offerings however they smelled delicious. We did have time to check out some sweet treats and they did not disappoint. In fact, they were quite amazing! I highly recommend the Pineapple Dole Whip with the Raspberry Slushie. It was the best thing I have eaten in Disney in awhile. It was so refreshing and the flavors work so well together. The cast members were calling it their secret menu item since it was not listed on the menu yet and explained that it was designed to look like the Pixar ball.

During the party we were able to ride Miss Adventure Falls, Keelhaul Falls, and Mayday Falls, all with little to no wait at all. Even the Surf Pool, which is usually filled with people, was pretty empty. So if you are looking to check out Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and are not a fan of crowds then this is perfect for you! We were a little nervous that our son with autism wasn’t going to have a good time because of the lights and how loud the music was but he had a blast! He loved how empty the park was and was dancing on the beach! I would even recommend this to any parents with special needs kiddos however plan to bring some noise canceling headphones just in case!

As we were exiting the park, we peeked into Singapore Sal’s and checked out all the special event merchandise. Disney has created a H2O Glow Nights T-shirt unique for the event as well as a Tervis tumbler. We also checked out the Toy Story merchandise. I was a little sad to see no Forky merchandise on property though. Also, the three pack of Toy Story cars is just a repackaging of the cars they used to sell separately in the past and my car-loving kiddo was quite disappointed to see that.

So this summer, when the sun goes down at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, the fun gets turned up! Grab those flip flops, get out those glow sticks and meet Partysaurus Rex on the beach because he sure knows how to throw an H2O Glow Party! What are you waiting for? Head on over to the Walt Disney World website and get your special event tickets before the summer is over! A special thank you to Disney Parks Blog for the invite! We can’t wait to party with the Toy Story gang on the beach again!

Happy Travelin’

Disclaimer: My family and I were hosted by Disney Parks Blog for this event. All magical opinions are my very own.

The Traveling Fab Five hosts a Disney Kids Family Vacation Party

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Besides traveling my next favorite hobby is party planning! I love to plan, decorate and host events. Who doesn’t love hosting a good party, am I right?!? Especially parties that are Disney themed. This past spring I was selected to host a Disney Kids Party for Walt Disney World. The theme of this party was a Family Vacation Party. It was to show our family and friends how much fun Disney Kid vacations can be at Walt Disney World. This was a dream come true for me since Disney runs through my veins and our favorite place to travel is to… you guessed it, Walt Disney World!!! The event was held at my home in South Carolina and I had the pleasure of inviting all my Disney loving family and friends.

Disney_Welcome_Favor copy

You are probably wondering how do you get chosen to host an event like this. First off, I have no idea how Disney selects people to host. That being said, your first step is to head on over to Ripple Street (also known as House Party) and sign up (it’s free!) to host events for brands like Disney. Once selected to host, you will be able to complete brand activities to help you get picked to host other events in the future. So what are you waiting for go sign up and start hosting your next sponsored event!

The Traveling Fab Five hosts (1)

Prior to the event the Walt Disney World Company sent a party pack planning box to my house. Inside the party pack, to my surprise was an American Tourister Sofia the First suitcase filled with a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal, Mickey Mouse gift bags, coloring activity books, sunglasses, and all sorts of Disney decorations! My kiddos were over the moon with this Magic Mail. We couldn’t wait to share all of these treats with our family and friends.

@TravelingFabFive

The morning of the party fell on the same day as my husbands graduation from Medical School. Yayy, Congrats babe!! With that being said, most of my party prep had been done the night before! As our guests began arriving at our house they were greeted by Mickey Mouse and our autograph book. Even though the characters could not make it to our event we made sure to get their autograph’s ahead of time. Once our guests signed the autograph book they grabbed a pair of Mickey or Minnie Mouse ears and joined in on the fun.

Our guests then headed on over to our very own Disney inspired photo booth where our guests could try on different Mickey, Minnie and other Disney character hats, headbands, and sashes. Say Cheese!

Once all of our guests had arrived we handed out lanyards for everyone to wear with Disney pins (from Disney Parks, purchased on our last trip) on them and we pin traded with each other. This is one of our favorite things to do in the Walt Disney World Parks so it was important for us to show our guests how much fun it can be to trade with one another. In the Parks we love to seek out cast members that have pin trading lanyards or boards!

After pin trading was over we had our guests find 25 hidden Mickey’s that were carefully placed throughout our home. My family and I love how Disney Imagineers hide Hidden Mickey’s throughout the Walt Disney World property. It is so fun to try to find them all! When our guests had found all the hidden Mickey’s they received a special surprise… Mickey candy bracelets! Yum!

My favorite part of the day was when we took our guests on a virtual tour of Main Street U.S.A. and stopped at our favorite shops and restaurants to try our favorite Disney Park foods. First stop Main Street Confectionery for some Mickey shaped rice crispy treats and delicious Mickey inspired baked goods. Next stop was a popcorn cart for buttery popcorn that melts in your mouth. We then headed on over to Casey’s Corner for hot diggity dogs. Our guests could choose what special toppings they wanted to put on their hot dogs such as cole slaw, pulled pork and the creamiest mac n cheese! All of these special treats sure made my guests thirsty so it was a good thing we had plenty of Jungle Juice for them to enjoy!

Before our guests packed up and headed home we gave them goodie bags filled with all the treats that the Walt Disney World company had sent over in our party pack. The kids loved that they got to take home a piece of the magic from this special day. My family and I had a blast hosting the Disney Kids Family Vacation Party for Walt Disney World company. We loved sharing our love of the Disney Parks and magic with our friends and family. Stay tuned for more hosted party events!

Happy Travelin’

Disclaimer: This party was sponsored by Ripple Street and the Walt Disney World Company. The only materials provided for the party were those given in the Party Pack we received. All opinions are my own and were not otherwise compensated for. 

The Traveling Fab Five’s Hidden Gem: Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

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One of our favorite Disney Resorts you will not find in Florida or California. I know what you’re thinking, how is it possible that our favorite Disney Resort is not even near a Disney Park? Crazy right?  Well, if you are a lover of the beach and all things Disney like me then this is the place for you! The resort is Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort and it is located in the beautiful Hilton Head Island, SC it is also a Disney Vacation Club Resort. We love to travel here during the fall when the resort has low capacity and amazing weather. Disney has done a wonderful job with the decor at this resort. It feels like you have stepped into a glamorous rustic fisherman’s cabin (I know what your thinking “how could a cabin be glamorous” …..trust me it is!). I am not a lover of fishing myself but I can assure you that Disney has sprinkled their pixie dust all over the resort and it is stunning! I am a northern girl living in the south and Hilton Head Island is my favorite place to visit in the south for their laid back manner and southern charm. Don’t be surprised if you are greeted with a Mickey hand wave and a “Hey y’all!” upon arriving!

Since the resort is an exclusive Disney Vacation Club Resort all the rooms are either studio, 1 bedroom villa or 2 bedroom villa. The rooms are stunning and so spacious for our family of five. I love it when a resort combines the comforts of home such as adding a washer and dryer with the elements of a relaxing vacation, like the amazing views from our balcony. The views of Hilton Head Island alone are worth a stay at this resort in my opinion. They were so gorgeous that I even decided to snap some photos of my kiddos for our holiday card. My kids thought it was so much fun getting dressed up and couldn’t wait for to share these memories with our friends and family this holiday season.

The biggest downside for me is the fact that the resort does not have a sit down restaurant or offer any character meals. The resort does have two quick service dining options though. Both were very good! Signals is located at the Beach House and is only open seasonally from April to October. They have a large variety of sandwiches, salads, and sweet treats! You can even purchase a refillable mug that you can use throughout your trip. My favorite treat to get at Signals is the famous Dole Whip! It is the best sweet treat to enjoy poolside! Tide Me Over is the resorts main quick service restaurant that is open year round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They offer some of South Carolina’s specialities such as the Carolina pulled pork sandwich and the Southern Fried chicken sandwich! They also offer seasonal treats such as the Halloween Mickey waffle sundae and a Jalapeno cheese stuffed pretzel. While the resort does not have a sit down restaurant they are within walking distance to many restaurants as well as restaurants that offer delivery.

My kids not only loved the beach but they also loved the resort pools. The resort has two pool locations: One on the resort property and one next to the beach at the Beach House. We loved the Big Dipper pool because it has a water-slide. It also has a small pool for little ones and a hot tub. In the afternoon Cast member’s play games poolside. So be sure to check out the daily schedule to see what games will be offered. The Beach House pool is perfect for those who want to sit pool side while still enjoying that beach breeze. The Atlantic Ocean is steps away and they have a private walk way  and secure gate for the Beach House, so don’t forget to bring your key card! You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas from outside vendors or bring your own. Disney does provide beach towels, just be sure to grab them on your way to the beach. The Beach House also has a quiet recreation room for those that may not want to enjoy the beach or pool. If you’re looking for a quite place to sit back relax, maybe enjoy some TV or play a game and escape the southern heat than this is the place to for you! The Beach House also offers a beach ball themed splash pad which my kiddos loved! They have a pool table, foosball table and a ping-pong table for your enjoyment. One of my favorite amenities, believe it or not, is the bathroom facilities at the Beach House (I know, pretty silly right?!?). I love how they have shower facilities with shampoo, conditioner & body wash to clean off all that sand before heading back to the resort. There is nothing I can’t stand more than spending all day at the beach then spending hours cleaning the beach sand out of my car the next day.

The cast members, like many Disney resorts, are top-notch! From check-in to check-out we were greeted with smiles. Over our stay we became quite close with the cast members and we were calling them by name by the end of the trip. Everyone you come in contact with at Disney Hilton Head Island Resort is well-mannered and will do anything to ensure your stay is simply magical. Chrissie was by far our favorite cast member who went above and beyond to make sure my son’s birthday was amazing. She brought him a special birthday surprise and treated us like family throughout our stay. It was a nice touch to make you feel welcome and at home.

The Magic of Disney is overflowing at this resort. It’s unlike any other Disney resort you may have ever stayed at in the past. For one, it has it’s own beach!! The resort also offers their guests free parking at the resort and the Beach House. If you don’t feel like driving to the Beach House don’t worry, leave the driving to Disney and take their free Beach House shuttle. Stan was our van driver during our most recent stay and he was another one of our favorite cast members. He has been driving for the Disney Hilton Head Island Resort for years and knows all the best places to grab a bite to eat on the island. The longest we ever waited for the shuttle was five minutes. If you happen to wait longer, feel free to pick up the shuttle phone and let them know you are waiting. I don’t know about you but I always seem to forget something at home. The Broad Creek Mercantile Shop has all the necessities you will need. They also offer exclusive Disney merchandise such as Goofy’s Candy shop candy and Disney Parks merchandise and food (be sure to grab a Mickey ice cream bar here!). The Broad Creek Mercantile Shop is conveniently located next to the Tide Me Over quick service restaurant and the Bend and Stretch Exercise Room. I can’t tell you much about the exercise room because I had little ones in tow that were unfortunately not interested in letting Mommy exercise during our trip. I still got my fair share of exercise in chasing them around the resort and spending hours in the pool with them.

If you are looking for the daily resort activities list check out the Today’s Happenings Board on the deck of the Tide Me Over quick service restaurant. It lists all the days events such as beach walks, a meet and greet with the resorts special pup “Shadow”, a nightly movie playing under the oaks and campfire time. It also lists the High and Low tide times for the day. My kiddos and I loved watching movies under the oak located next to the playground. We also loved the campfire. It was unlike any other campfire we had ever been to. It was filled with songs, dancing and roasting marshmallows for s’mores! Some other unique and fun things to do around the resort are the shuffle boards, plenty of Disney themed corn hole’s, free mini golf, a butterfly walk through garden, a gated playground and lots of hammocks to relax in. I was quite surprised how many things there were to do in and around this resort. There is also a place to rent bikes if you would like to explore the island or just for riding around the resort grounds.

Disney Hilton Head Island Resort is truly a gem!  Disney is by far the best place to travel to if you want to receive top of the line service for an affordable price.This resort is the perfect place to enjoy the magic of the south or is also a great place to stay for a night or two on your way to Walt Disney World. It is located off I-95 and is just a short drive away. The only downside for us while staying here is that we didn’t stay long enough! Even if the weather is gloomy the resort still has plenty to do. While the resort is covered with hidden Mickey’s the theming is definitely not over the top Disney like some of their other resorts in Orlando, FL. So if you are looking for a nice place to stay with the Disney touch this is the place for you! Don’t forget to say “Hi!” to Chrissie and Stan for us!

Happy Travelin’

The Traveling Fab Five turns 2!!!

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It’s our Blog-aversary!! Rebranding my blog two years ago was such a blessing in disguise. I have accomplished so much and have been honored to write guest articles for  Life of a Med Student  and The FPIES Foundation , hosted sponsored parties for the Walt Disney World company as well as Publix/A&W Root Beer and have been apart of the Chick-fil-A Moms Panel. I am so grateful for all of those who have followed along on our traveling adventures. Our journey in Medical School has come to an end but the next chapter in Residency has just began. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for us and I am excited to see what new adventures are ahead! Thanks again for all the love and support!

Happy Travelin’

Traveling to Walt Disney World with FPIES

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As many of you may know my youngest was diagnosed with FPIES (Food Protein Induced Entercolitis Syndrome) as an infant. FPIES forever changed our lives. The outside world suddenly became a terrifying place to bring my infant son because all it would took was a single crumb to turn our day into a medical nightmare. The FPIES foundation was not only an amazing resource but also a ray of light in the darkness of this disease. They became our only support and guided us to where we are today. I am forever grateful for them, their support and their resources. 

Recently, the FPIES foundation reached out to me and asked if I was interested in writing a blog article for them about traveling with FPIES. Not only was I honored to have the opportunity to give back to them for all they have done for us but they also asked me to write a Disney article! (One of my favorite subjects!) Please join me in spreading FPIES awareness. I hope you enjoy my article Traveling to Walt Disney World with FPIES

Happy Travelin’

5 Lessons I’ve Learned From Running

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A year ago I made a New Years Resolution to start running. It has been a long hard year of training and learning what my body is capable of. I am proud to say I have exceeded my accomplishments of running and making more time for both myself and my health. In the last year I have run two 5K races and a runDisney 10K. Along the way I have learned a few things…

  1. Don’t give up! Long runs definitely get the best of me sometimes but while my legs are giving out, I push hard to keep my body going. It is so easy to talk yourself out of accomplishing a goal but don’t give up… keep going! When you feel like stopping remember why you started.
  2. Running really is cheaper than therapy! The best way to clear your mind and escape life’s chaos is to run. Nothing beats the feeling of lacing up your running shoes, jamming out to your favorite music and leaving your worries behind. They say the best things in life are free, right?!
  3. The best runs are on days when you don’t feel like running. The irony is not lost on me…. but it is so true. Some of my most accomplished runs were on days I almost didn’t go at all. No matter how slow you go you can still lap those who are at home sitting on the couch.
  4.  Speed doesn’t matter! I still don’t consider myself a runner but I can hold my own. Every run makes my body stronger than the last. When I began running a year ago, I thought my fastest run would make me feel the most accomplished however that has not been the case. Distance has become the top priority for me over speed. It doesn’t matter if you run a 5 minute mile or a 15 minute mile, they both end at a finish line. Don’t worry about being better than someone else. Conquer the distance not the clock!
  5. Set goals! It is important to set goals that both scare you and excite you at the same time. Just the thought of running a marathon (or even a half marathon!) seems like a painful nightmare to a newbie like me right now.  But there is magic in misery when it comes to running and I’ll bet the feeling as you cross that finish line is worth every ounce of pain.

 

My New Years Resolution for 2018 is to eat healthier, be more accountable for taking care of myself and continue to pursue my running goals. Here’s to a New Year filled with new goals, dreams, chances and new beginnings!

Wishing you peace, love and laughter in the New Year!

Happy Travelin’

Traveling on a Med Student Budget

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I am a stay at home mama on a limited budget. We are constantly cutting corners to stay afloat. Medical school was not built for families, especially one like ours with children who have medical problems. We live off student loan checks that only come twice a year and a per-diem paramedic job that my husband has on the side to help us get by. So now you are probably wondering how we manage to travel so much on a shoestring budget. Well let me tell you it’s not easy!

  • We budget. I know this is a given since we are in medical school but everything we do is budgeted for. We even budget on vacation. It’s important to make a plan of all your travel expenses including hotel, food, and souvenirs. We even try to over budget in order to make sure we have some room for unplanned necessities.
  • We put a little bit aside each week. Taking as little as $25 out of your paycheck every other week can add up to $650 at the end of the year! That can easily pay for a relaxing getaway or a fun family weekend.
  • We stay with family whenever possible. Not only does that save us on hotel cost but it also fills our “home sickness” gap since we live in SC and most of our family live up north.
  • We drive everywhere! Our mini van was the best purchase we have ever made! It can easily turn into our home away from home when traveling. Plane tickets for a family of five would cost a fortune. So we drive, and if we can’t drive or afford to fly then we don’t go. Someday my husband and I dream of traveling the world on a “Doctors salary” but until then no First Class for us!
  • We bring food from home! Not only does this save us some serious cash but also since I have two children with food allergies it gives us the peace of mind that everything they eat is safe. We always make sure to pack breakfast and snacks since those are the most convenient meals to travel with. We do enjoy eating out every once in awhile but only if it’s in the budget! Another way to save some money while on vacation is by splitting or sharing meals. We can order two adult meals and it will easily feed four of us. We also eat a lot of pizza when traveling because a large pizza will feed us all, and it is so cheap!
  • We use travel points from our credit card. We put gas and groceries on our credit card each week then pay it off. By doing this we earn points that we use to pay for things like airfare & hotels. We love using the Disney Chase card because we can convert our points to Disney dollars and use it when we vacation in Disney. Nothing makes a Mickey bar taste sweeter than knowing it was purchased using your free credit card points!
  • We use websites like Priceline, Orbitz & Hotels.com. Last year we had to travel to Boston quite often because of my son’s medical condition. Over the course of a year we stayed in over ten hotels. If you book ten hotel nights using the Hotel.com website you earn a free night stay. We just recently used our free hotel night and stayed at a gorgeous hotel in Charlotte, NC. Priceline comes in handy when we have an idea of where we want to stay but also a price point to stick to.  It has been super helpful to be able to stay on budget while finding fabulous four and five star hotels. Priceline is also good for last minute travel deals. Orbitz is a great tool because you can earn Orbucks. Every time you book with them you can earn a number of Orbucks, then you can use the Orbucks to pay for future travel on the Orbitz website. You have to sign up to earn rewards though!

My husband and I made a pact prior to him starting medical school that we would never get too busy making a living that we forgot to make a life.  Now go out and see the world! Go to as many places as you can! You can always make money but you can’t always make memories (especially Disney memories)!

I look forward to hearing other ways you and your family save on travel!

 

Happy Travelin’

 

Disclaimer: These are my own opinions and experiences. I do not work for Disney, Orbitz, Priceline, or Hotels.com. I do not receive compensation of any kind from these companies.