DisneyWorld, Florida

March 25, 2017

MAGIC KINGDOM


THINGS TO DO:
  • Look at Cinderella's Castle with your own two eyes! And take tons of pictures!
  • Visit the Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland. It's a musical show presented by mechanical parrots that sing! This 10 minute show allows you to sing along to "Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" while being in a room full of color and sound.
  • When it's time to take a break from all the rides, get autographs from your favorite characters!
  • Try the food! There are so many colorful, delicious, Mickey Mouse shaped goodies everywhere you look.
  • To end the night, see the firework show "WISHES" at Cinderella's Castle:

RIDES:
  • Space Mountain! This ride is one of my favorites. It is located in Tomorrowland. You are strapped into a rocket-designed cart and zip into the dark. This rollercoaster is full of dips, high speed, and it's all in the dark with the exception of a few lights here and there. The line is usually on the longer side, so I recommend getting a Fast Pass and hopping on then.
  • The Haunted Mansion. I have bad memories with this ride. The first time I went on it, I was nine. There is no height or age limit. Located in Liberty Square, this ride takes you through a thrilling, dark, slow tour of The Haunted Mansion with flickering lights, ghosts, and moving pictures on the wall. This one gave me the goose bumps all over.
  • Splash Mountain. This water ride is found in Frontierland. You sit in 1 of the 4 rows of the log. You slowly enter the mountain and hear Disney songs such as "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" playing, you get soaked, you get talked to by mechanical animals, and then you feel the ultimate rush when you go down the big drop!
  • Pirates of the Caribbean. This ride is for guests any height and any age and is found in Adventureland. Similar to Splash Mountain, its a water ride. For 9 minutes, you ride along in a small, boat-sized cart and listen to songs and see characters while feeling like you're in the actual movie!

WHAT TO EAT:
  • Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Be Our Guest Restaurant. You feel as if you're in Beast's castle while indulging in french toast, crepes, croissants, vegetable quiche, and other delicious French-inspired meals.
  • Turkey Legs are everywhere you look. I went into a gift store, and there were t-shirts with Turkey Legs (with no words) on them... for sale! People go NUTS for Turkey Legs. Any food place in Liberty Square is the place for a guaranteed Turkey Leg. Turkey Leg's are Disney's bestselling food; they sell 1.8 million pounds of it a year. 
  • Mac & Cheese hot dog from Casey's Corner on Main Street. A classic foot-long hotdog gets topped off with mac and cheese and bacon bites. Yum!

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS


THINGS TO DO: 
  • Meet different characters and get their autographs! 
  • Go to the live puppet show:Voyage of The Little Mermaid! This show is 17 minutes and is for all ages.  Sit down in a large auditorium and watch characters come to life as they talk and sing songs from the movie!
  • In June 2015, one of the funnest attractions closed: The Hollywood Studio's Animation Pavillon. My family drew Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, and Grumpy. Each session was taught by a well-trained employee in 30 minutes. The drawing class closed down because Disney plans to use the space to create a Star Wars-themed Land which is scheduled to open in 2019.
  • End the night with the water show, Fantasmic! Located next to the Tower of Terror, the water show showcases music, actors, characters, water effects, and lasers that display songs and scenes from Disney movies! It's a great way to finish off the tiring day of rides and walking, while still being entertained! 
RIDES:
  • Rock 'n' Rollercoaster. This high-speed rollercoaster is found on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood Studios. The cart is designed to look like a stretched limo. Similar to Space Mountain, this ride is in the dark. This ride is fast, and features 4 songs from Aerosmith that play repeatedly.

  • Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. This is another haunted ride, but it's even worse because it's an elevator ride. Eeek! When you fling up to the 13th floor, you'll see images and hear sounds from the movie The Twilight Zone.  When you shoot back down, you're turning left and right, flying back in fourth in your seat. Man, that elevator shaft is creepy!
  • Toy Story Mania. You can be any age and any height for this ride! Unfortunately, when I was at Disney last, this ride was under construction so I didn't get a chance to ride it. But, this 4-D shooting ride takes you through a world of Toy Story!

 WHAT TO EAT:
  • Mickey-shaped pretzel! These salted pretzels are delicious and a great choice for vegans. You can order a side of cheesy dipping sauce (which most do), but that makes it no longer vegan. You can also found the pretzels in Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom.
  • Mickey-shaped waffle! I swear these waffles are better than any other. Maybe it's the indents from Mickey's face that allows butter and syrup to soak into the waffle, or the satisfaction when the syrup sits perfectly into the indents on Mickey's face. Anyways, you have to try a waffle when you come here. These are also found in Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.
  • Chocolate dipped Disney ear Ice Cream Bar! This dessert is found in Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom. You can't go wrong with vanilla ice cream covered in hardened chocolate on a stick.

    EPCOT


    THINGS TO DO: 
    • Walk around!
    • Look at all the countries and check out the different things in their gift shops!
    • Try all different types and kinds of food.
    • Take pictures of everything and anything!
    RIDES:
    • Soarin'. By far the best ride in Epcot. The line is on the longer side due it's popularity, but let me tell you, it is worth it. PLUS, there are games on a screen for the whole line to enjoy and work together at. This makes time go by while having fun playing games before boarding! I love this ride. You sit in a bench-like structure that has a parachute hanging off the top to give off a flying feel. Next, you rise off the ground so our feet can dangle in the air-conditioned room. Lastly, the screen turns on and you're Soarin' over trees, oceans, deserts, and through the sky. It's truly an amazing experience.
    • Test Track. Here, you are buckled into a 6-passenger car and drive on a test track that you designed. The idea is that you design your car, and then you "test" it on the track. The actual ride is not a free for fall (meaning drive wherever you want), but instead the car is linked to the ground following a certain course.
    • DO NOT GO ON Mission Space. My dad, brother, and I all came off this ride with a pounding headache and other families came off puking. This ride traps you in a tight spaceship-type of cart. You're standing straight up and the whole ride you have to focus on the screen that rests inches away from your face. To boot, you're dizzy stepping off from adjusting to no longer looking at the screen of Mars.
    WHAT TO EAT:
    • The countries & their restaurants that are particular to them! Up for Chinese food? Head over to China! Have a sweet tooth? Head over to the Werther's Caramel STORE in Germany! It smells heavenly and you feel like a kid in the candy store (literally). Want an Italian dish? Italy's got it!

    PARK MAPS

    Magic Kingdom's Park Map
    Hollywood Studio's Park Map
    Epcot's Park Map

    Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

    March 20, 2017

    Nantucket is a small island in Massachusetts, isolated off Cape Cod. This island is a popular summer destination in the United States. Nantucket is known to have amazing beaches, restaurants and high end boutiques.

    WHERE TO STAY:

    The White Elephant:
    The White Elephant is one of the most expensive yet luxurious hotels on the Island. This hotel looks right over Children's Beach and the Nantucket Harbor. It is also a five minute walk right to downtown Nantucket.


    The Nantucket Inn: 
    The Nantucket Inn has great features such as a pool and complimentary breakfast. This island is 2.8 miles from the airport. This inn is very popular for college or young people to come when they visit the Island. 



    WHAT TO DO: 

    Nantucket is known for its amazing beaches. There is a beach for everyone, whether you want to go surfing with some big waves or if you have small children and want to go to Children's Beach. My favorite beach is Cisco beach because it is great for swimming and tanning. 



    Biking: 
    Every summer when I go to Nantucket my family and I do sixteen miles around the Island. It is great for a cloudy day when you do not want to go to the beach. It is also great because you get to see different parts of the Island depending on where you bike to. 


    WHERE TO EAT:

    The Lemon Press Nantucket: 
    This place is nice if you want to go grab a quick breakfast or lunch while on the go. The Lemon Press is also all vegan foods. I am personally not vegan, but I LOVED all the food they had to offer including avocado toast. 


    Millie's: 
    This resterant offers a relaxed and casual scene overlooking the beach. This place is great for dinner because you have an amazing view of the sunset along with amazing food. 


    HOW TO GET AROUND:

    Walk: 
    It is super easy to walk from place to place while in Nantucket. You definitely can't walk everywhere, but you can walk to most places. The past years my family has stayed in the town area, so it was super easy to walk to restaurants or to go shopping downtown. 



    Drive: 
    Fortunately, there are ferry's that allow you to bring your car onto the island. My family has always done this because it is so convenient and only an hour drive from our home to the ferry. When we have rented houses in the town area we have always had to drive to beaches, but you could also take the bus or taxi. 


    Door County, Wisconsin

    March 18, 2017

    Sometimes it can be easy to think you need to travel to other countries to find adventure.  One of my favorite places to visit is a small lake-side area in the Midwest.  If you think of Wisconsin as a mitten, Door County is the thumb and consists of roughly 8 small towns.  Surrounded on three sides by water, it makes the perfect summer getaway with absolutely stunning sunsets!  However, it is also a great place to visit year-round because the leaves are gorgeous in the fall and the quiet is the perfect peaceful retreat come winter.



    WHERE TO STAY:
    There are numerous types of places to stay in Door County including bed and breakfasts, hotels, cottage houses, rental homes, cabins, camping, etc.  I guarantee you can find something perfect for whatever adventure you are looking for.

    • Newport Resort: Located in Egg Harbor, this is great walking distance to main shops and the water.
    • White Gull Inn: Located in Fish Creek, this inn has a wonderful restaurant attached.
    • The Waterstreet Inn: Located in Ephraim, this place has a spectacular view of the water and therefore amazing sunsets.

    WHERE TO EAT:
    If I'm being honest, you really can't go wrong with any restaurant in Door County, I very rarely find myself having a bad meal anywhere but here are a few of my favorites.
    • Al Johnsons: Known for its Swedish breakfast, I highly recommend the delicious Swedish pancakes with a side of Swedish meatballs.  Also, Al's has an entirely grass roof and every summer they have goats on the roof! Also as a plus, they serve breakfast all day.
    • White Gull Inn: This restaurant won Good Morning America's Best Breakfast in America for their Cherry Stuffed French Toast and it is delicious!  While this is traditionally a breakfast place (served until 2pm) they also have delicious dinners and the traditional Door County fish boil.

    • Sister Bay Bowl: Why not get in a round of bowling while you wait for your table?  Sister Bay Bowl has your classic American food and an old school bowling alley attached.
    • Coyote Roadhouse: This pub-style restaurant has delicious burgers and the most amazing cheese curds in all of Wisconsin (if I do say so myself!).
    • Wickman House: This is the more upscale of restaurants in Door County, while there aren't many, the ones that exist are delicious.  Wickman House has delicious drinks and a superb seasonal menu with fresh local ingredients.

    WHAT TO DO:

    • Hike: Door County has quite a few trails and hikes to keep you occupied for hours.  Get a day pass to Peninsula Park and you can easily spend a day taking in the beautiful vistas.  One of my personal favorites is Cave Point which has a beautiful overlooks of of cliffs on Lake Michigan.
      • Light houses: All along the coastline are numerous light houses to help guide ships into Sturgeon Bay.  One of my favorites is the Cana Island light house
    • To the beach: Each of the small towns has their very own public beach so spend a day enjoying sun and sand.
    • All things cherry: Door County’s geography, climate and soil make it prime real estate for growing bountiful cherry trees. With 2,500 acres of orchards, people flock here every year to witness the spring blossoms and pick the summer harvest!  Depending on the timing of your trip, you might be able to pick your very own basket of cherries.
      • The best cherry pie is at Shartners Farmer's Market!

    • Art: Every summer and fall, Door County artists host numerous art galleries and showings that are always fun for the whole family.

    HOW TO GET AROUND:
    Unfortunately, Door County is pretty spaced out and you definitely need a car to get around.  If you have bikes, that is definitely a great alternative!  There is not public transportation system or large taxi service.  If you are interested in tours however, there is a trolley tour that goes all around the area.

    Italy

    March 11, 2017



    When you think of pasta, pizza, and wine, what comes to mind? Italy! I went to Italy with my family of five in 2010. Italy is beautiful, and the food is even better than it looks. Almost everyone knows English, so ordering at restaurants is no problemo! Their culture, history, food, and language are all aspects that make the country so fascinating. There is so much to do, so many places to go, and so much to see! So pack your bags, grab your passport, and head over to Italia!

    WHERE TO STAY
    • ROME
      • Villa Spalletti Trivelli Hotel. This elegant hotel is conveniently located in the center of Rome. It's just a couple minutes away from the Trevi Fountain, Rome's shopping districts such as Via Del Corso and Via Condotti, and other of Rome's fascinating historical museums and churches. This hotel features an interior decorated with antiques, showing a sense of Italy's artistry and history. It's curb appeal and top-deck floor that displays a beautiful view of the city definitely sways any tourist to stay here!
    • VENICE
      • Ca' Pisani Hotel. This hotel is rated 4.5 stars out of 5 due to a combination of it's tasty breakfast, prime location, friendly service, and large variety in picking the room that's just right for you. Located just behind the Accademia Museum (home of Michelangelo's David), this hotel provides prime location for tourists to sightsee and explore while located adjacent to the historical bridge over the Grand Canal.
    • FLORENCE
      • Santa Maria Novella Hotel. Just this hotel's eye-popping view of the Florence Cathedral Duomo Di Firenze is worth the bang for your buck. The luxury of having walking distance to Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo di Firenze, and San Lorenzo Church, all of which are individually important to Italy's history, makes this hotel a top destination for any tourist. It's interior is gorgeous and classy, and it's exterior displays the typical architectural look and beauty that Florence pertains.
    WHAT TO DO
    • ROME
      • Tour the Colosseum! The Colosseum is a HUGE part of Italy's history and a mega tourist spot. You can't go to Italy and not see the Colosseum with your own two eyes. Taking a tour is the best way to go. Getting a tour guide to walk you around the arena and provide you with history and interesting facts (such as the fact that there are 32 trap doors underneath the floor of the arena) is the way to go. That way you avoid trying to teach yourself the history! The tour I went on was mind blowing, insightful, and it was amazing getting the opportunity to actually walk around inside the Colosseum. 
      • Check out The Sistine Chapel located just outside of Rome in Vatican City. The Sistine Chapel is the site used during the process of choosing a new pope. Inside you can look up and see the unbelievable ceiling that was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. Aside from it's beauty, you can learn from informational pamphlets and tour groups waking around that Michelangelo painted the ceiling from a standing position. In order to reach the ceiling, he created a wooden structure that hung from the ceiling, allowing him to stand straight up with his back against the wooden structure.
    • VENICE
      • If you're tired of walking around but don't want to sit around in the hotel while you're vacationing, then taking a ride in a Gondola is the perfect route to take! Rates are as follows: $51 per adult, and children ride for $33 each. A ride in a Gondola will allow you to live a sight-seeing experience like no other. You sit in a cushioned boat, traveling on Italy's blue water, passing century-old buildings, gliding under bridges, and glaring at the most dazzling views Venice has to offer.
    • FLORENCE
      • Explore the Uffizi Gallery. This museum is one of the most famous of the world. This art museum features work that dates back to the periods between the 12th and 17th centuries with pieces from famous artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo Di Vinci, and Raffaello to list some of them. This gallery gets over a million visitors every year. 

     WHERE TO EATALY
    • ROME
      • Trattoria Monti. This casual restaurant serves homemade pasta, mouth-watering desserts, fresh salads, and warm bread. This busy restaurant is great for children and families. Typically, a person spends €11-21 for their meal.  It is located next to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, another touristy hotspot. That being so, I recommend that you make a reservation since the waiting time is usually long.
    • VENICE
      • Ristorante Rosa Rossa Pizzeria. This restaurant is located in the prime of Venice; just a block away from the Grand Canal. This modern and hip restaurant serves great quality wine and many selections of meals fill the menu. However, stick to the pizza here. The pizza is delicious and what they are known for. Johnny Depp was also spotted here!
    • FLORENCE
      • Boutique Della Pasta Fresca. Word on the street is this boutique sells the best homemade pasta around town, and that stands. This pasta is complimented because of it's freshness and appetizing taste. The menu is simple and cheap, but make sure you beat the lunch crowd; this place closes at 2:30pm!
    HOW TO GET AROUND
    • Walk! Renting a car in Italy is not a smart move. The roads are narrow, jammed with cars, and the driving skills on the road are not up to speed. It's ironic because those Italians have no problem going above the listed speed. 
    • In places like Venice, traveling by Water Taxi and/or Gondola is super fun and a great way to get from Point A to B. I mean wow, you are in a boat on the gorgeous blue water while traveling through the city, sightseeing as you go.
    • Do not get a moped. They seem fun, but they cause many accidents, especially if you are unfamiliar with how to drive one!