2plus3travelers with Katie Smith, Key to the World Travel

09/22/2024

coming at ya from The Great Smoky Mountains! What a view to wake up and go to bed to for a few nights.

Thanks for the prompt but while she’s away taking over! :)

Great Smokies, Dollywood, mountain, mountain getaway, hiking, outdoors

09/15/2024

A moment of calm and peace in the Journey of Water, while all the kids of other parents were running around, I got to just stand in peace and take in the moment of a warm sun and the beautiful surroundings.

Getting a Moment during a busy trip is always great. It’s super helpful to take 5 minutes if you can away to get recentered and be present.

How do you get a moment to yourself on a Disney vacation?

from the vantage point of Moana for a (thanks for the prompt )

Epcot, Walt Disney, Disney world

09/06/2024

Want to save some money and bring your own food into the theme parks?
Headed to the parks soon? Like and save this post so you can check it before your next trip!

Yes, you can do that but there are some rules that you must follow.

Make sure that you have things that can withstand being tossed around in your backpack or soft-sided cooler! You'll want to keep things cold, so make sure you have ice packs and no loose or dry ice. And when you're walking in the parks, make sure you alert a cast member that you have a cooler of food.

We typically bring some snacks for the kids into the parks when we go. A mandarin orange or some grapes are a great snack and can keep everyone going!

What is your go-to snack that you brought from home in the parks?

09/04/2024

Should you stay at a Walt Disney World resort?
That depends on a lot of factors, so let's break down some of the benefits to staying on-property at a Disney World resort.
You get complimentary transportation on all of the WDW transportation including the monorail, busses, skyliner and boats. You get in earlier than day guests-- 30 minutes to be exact and that could make sure that you get 1 attraction completed off your list before others even get to get in the parks. That is a huge time saver!

You also can make your reservations earlier-- such as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and you can book for the length of your stay.
You get to book lightning lanes earlier.

And often... the value resorts do not cost much more than off-property resorts and you're getting all those benefits. If you factor in the $30/day for parking at the theme parks, add that onto your hotel price and I bet it is quite comparable.

So, what is your preference? On-site or off-property? I'll tell you for us-- it's ALWAYS on property!

Walt Disney World, Disneyworld, Disney Tips, traveling tips, disney resorts, disney hotels

09/03/2024

09/02/2024

To dining plan or to NOT dining plan? What is your preference?

The last time that we did went to the parks as a family, we DID dining plan and it allows me to say so many more "YES" answers to my kiddos. They can:
-get the snacks they want
-get whatever kind of drink they want from the freestyle machine and as many times as they want
-they learn to budget their snacks and pick what they really want!

I also try to "game" the system. I want to get the best BANG for my buck. So, best advice, even if you're getting some Mickey Waffles for Breakfast, make sure you grab your canned alcoholic beverage per adult meal and stick that in your fridge for when you come back to the room later. Every quick-service and table-service meal includes an alcoholic beverage. This is where you really make up the price of the plan. Those drinks add up-- so make sure that you take advantage.

So, do you do a dining plan when you go?

Dining Plan, Disneyworld, Disney, Disney Princesses, Disney tips, Disney Travel, Disney with Kids, Traveling tips, travel, amusement park

08/30/2024

Loved finding the fun MNSSHP photo pass locations!! This one is fun. And memorable for our fam be used my BIL loved this movie when we was a kid. 😂

Did you look for or want to do any of the special photo pass shots?

with

08/28/2024

Love that this little tiki dude welcomes you into the Polynesian.

Each of the lobbies of the hotels is unique. Even down to the smell. Some are more elaborate than others. Some have more theme.
Some of the scents I cannot stand. I know that’s an unpopular opinion. But the Riviera ranks tops on the resorts I cannot stand.

Do you have a scent you love or hate?

Share with us below.
with r

08/27/2024

It’s all about the details.

thanks for the prompt .to.the.magic

Polynesian, Disney, Disney travel, details, travel details

08/25/2024

Happy .
Not going to say how long I waited for this photo… it was a little while. But it was also me delaying in using leaving from the Polynesian! It was our first stay there and I will have to say— we should be back!

Also, only a couple more resorts then I’ve stayed at all of the on-property resorts!

What’s your favorite on property resort?

08/17/2024

Num Num Cookie!! Good balance of a soft cookie with some crunch to it. A great shared snack for a group of 4 or 5 too. Thanks for the prompt See you Later!
Hollywood Studios. Disneyworld. The incredibles. Pixar. Disney snacks.

08/15/2024

The wonder of the world through the eyes of a child.

Happy , thanks for the prompt

I love how Disney makes me pause and see their wonder. Days are so busy sometimes that this time lets us make these memories.

Walt Disney world, Disney world, animal kingdom

08/14/2024

Sometimes you just have to take a picture of something you see so many times. But for this, we can only think about the Beverly.
little with

08/13/2024

An appreciation post.

Thanks for the with .to.the.magic

Animal Kingdom, dinorama, Walt Disney, Disney world

08/10/2024

Happy from Universal Studios Orlando! It was a fun adventure getting to tool around the “other” park in Orlando. I am waiting for the day to take the kiddos.

Waiting for:
1. Them to be tall enough to ride a majority of the rides. 2. For them to live the Harry Potter series that they make sense and want to enjoy the land.

Until then it will be an adults only adventure— which I’m okay with. Got a couple more trips planned to that “other” theme park this year!

Do you also venture to UO?

08/09/2024

Happy Friday!
It’s the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for 2024 and it coincides with with

This is also a in that this was our trip to Not So Scary last year! We’re excited to go again in just over a week. It’s becoming a tradition in our house.

We’re in the mood for spooky season, so I need to pull out my pumpkin items and start packing! I’m excited for all of the tasty treats during the party. Are there any species treats you’re looking forward to or have had in the parks during the fall?

08/04/2024

Happy hosted by
This scene is one I forget about when we’re in this park… but it’s a great spot. Do you know where it was taken?

Walt Disney world, Disney, travel with kids, photography, travel, Mickey Mouse

08/02/2024

Helllooo (thanks for the prompt )
This one make me laugh. It should be a really. I put the hand up to block my face. The tiny one doesn’t know what he’s looking at. We’re a hot mess — but guess what. It’s okay! We were having fun at Disney and that’s a great memory!

Any fails for you, but hey you’re at Disney? Thank make it okay?

Walt Disney world, WDW, Mickey Mouse, tree of life, summer in Florida, travel, family travels

07/31/2024

I’m dreaming of the day we get to come back to this spot. But couldn’t pass up sharing this shot for with (thanks for the prompt)

07/06/2024

Happy with
Live from our 4 parks challenge!

Follow along live and see how we’re doing!! One snack. One ride. One character. One photo pass.

Let’s see how we do!!

Walt Disney world, Hollywood studios, four park challenge, Disney with kids

07/03/2024

Hey Mickey!! We’re coming for you!!

Follow along on our Fourth of July adventure. It’s becoming a tradition for us!!

Will you be in the parks??

07/01/2024

Did you Know?!

The iconic Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom stands at 189 feet tall and serves as the park's central visual landmark.

But, do you know WHY it's only 189ft tall??

Comment below and I'll let you know if you're right!