Jen Theisen - Chasing More Vacations

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Jen Theisen - Chasing More Vacations

Jen Theisen - Chasing More Vacations Take the stress out... I'm here to help your family create magical vacation memories!

04/09/2025

Where to Stay Wednesday!

It’s here, and it’s opening a little early! For arrivals beginning April 16th, enjoy a sunlit sanctuary where light, life and laughter abound. This is the brand new Universal Helios Grand Hotel!

Rising above the waters of Celestial Park, Universal Helios Grand Hotel (a Loews Hotel) puts you at the doors of Universal Epic Universe. A shining gateway to adventure, this all-new hotel isn't just near the park; it's the sun that overlooks it!

Epic Universe opens to all guests on May 22nd. I’m ready to help you plan your visit! Universal is definitely going to be more than a two day destination this summer. 🌞

04/08/2025

Tip Tuesday!

If Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is important to you, you may want to time out when you plan to ride it to see the most animals. Orlando can get very warm during the day, and its not unusual to see sleepy animals if you ride midday.

Early morning or right around dinner time/sunset are both great times to see active animals! Lions, for example, sleep most of the day. We saw this beauty up and roaming on our recent sunset Safari!

Another great time is right after it rains. But- if my choices are limited, any time on this beautiful safari is a great time!

Who’s your favorite animal on Kilimanjaro Safari?

04/07/2025

BABY GIRAFFE AT ANIMAL KINGDOM, THIS IS NOT A DRILL

04/05/2025

As my family brings another fun Walt Disney World trip to a close, I just want go over some of my favorite vacation locations I can help you travel to!

- Walt Disney World
- Universal Orlando Resort
- Disneyland
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Disney Cruise Line
- Aulani
- Adventures by Disney

I love helping families of all kinds shape their adventures, so please get in touch if you want an expert guide to book and plan your next trip!

04/04/2025

Gorgeous views this morning from atop the Riviera Resort after our delicious breakfast at Topolino’s! This breakfast features Mickey, Minnie, Daisy and Donald in different artist costumes. The food is plated (rather than buffet) and runs $33 for kids ages 3-9, and $52 for kids at heart over 10.

We always have a good time here! The food is excellent and the characters are too cute.

04/03/2025

The Easter eggs at the Grand Floridian are always one of my favorite things to check out over our spring break, but the Contemporary had Muppets this year!! These eggs are designed by the confection team at the participating resorts; you can also find egg displays at Yacht & Beach Club.

Who’s your favorite Muppet? I love Kermit, but Pepe (not pictured) also makes me laugh!

04/01/2025

GREAT NEWS- all SIX Walt Disney World parks will be open this summer!

Slide into both Blizzard Beach AND Typhoon Lagoon from May 21st-September 7th.

Love to hear Disney is plussing up their free water park entry on Disney resort check-in day with more space for guests!

03/31/2025

Today’s adventure- we met Jao the rhino!

Up Close with Rhinos is a fun educational tour that showcases the white rhinos housed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. During the tour you listen to one of the keepers talk about rhino facts, and then meet a rhino (you may even get to give him/her a scratch on the side).

This tour only rolls out once per day, and only for 12-14 people- so it’s difficult to book. I recommend booking at the end of a vacation for the best chance!

03/29/2025

A day to relax is so important to build into your Walt Disney World vacation if you’re taking a longer trip! Today we are spending some time at the Animal Kingdom Lodge pool, doing a couple of the enrichment activities to add beads to our String of Memories, and plan to head to Disney Springs this afternoon so the tween can hit Sephora. 🤣

Hoping to roast a few marshmallows in the early evening , and then hit Animal Kingdom for a quick ride on Expedition Everest at night! A day of resort fun is a great way to recharge in between park days. 🙂

03/28/2025

Something new today!

I took my daughter over to Grand Floridian Spa for a children’s manicure. This manicure is for children ages 8-13, and the service cost is around $35 (with the option to add on things like a Mickey head or shellac), plus 20% gratuity. They gave her hands a little treatment, painted the nails and made her feel very pampered! I did pay extra for shellac, as I wanted it to last.

I think this is a really nice activity for girls who feel a little too old for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, but are still a little young for a full spa treatment. The spa is located at Grand Floridian, in a building closer to the Polynesian.

03/27/2025

Hello from Walt Disney World!

My family is in the middle of a four park challenge today! We’re doing “Kit’s Faves;” we started with Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom, and followed up with Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom. We have Rock n Roller Coaster booked for Hollywood Studios and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. (We are utilizing Lightning Lane MultiPass today!)

Another goal besides a photo with each park icon is to get photos with the 8 main characters: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Daisy, Donald, Chip and Dale. 🤞

Wish us luck! The parks are pretty crowded for spring break, but we’re having fun!

03/26/2025

Awesome news from Disney’s Hollywood Studios! The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After will BOTH debut at Disney's Hollywood Studios on May 27th!

Are you excited to check these two new shows out this summer?

03/25/2025

Tip Tuesday!

Manage your expectations at Walt Disney World! You won’t be able to do everything, and you won’t be able to see everything. Rides break down. Crowds happen. Weather does weathery things.

Be ready to change plans as needed, and you’ll have a much more enjoyable trip!

03/24/2025

My favorite Monday!

What’s my favorite quick service at Walt Disney World? I think Satu’li Canteen still reigns supreme for me! This Pandoran restaurant in Animal Kingdom offers noodle bowls & hash bowls for adults, and cheeseburger pods, hot dogs and quesadillas for kids (or kids at heart).

My favorite dish: the Combination Braised Beef and Wood-Grilled Chicken bowl, with noodles and the creamy herb dressing. For smaller appetites who don’t mind skipping beef, you can also get a kids meal with just the chicken. 🙂 They also offer a pretty tasty breakfast now! I recently tried the Tropical Pandoran Fruits with yogurt, and thought it was quite good.

And don’t forget to save time with mobile order! You can even schedule your lunch or dinner for later.

PRO TIP: Grab a Night Blossom outside at Pongu Pongu before you come in! It’s my favorite slushy treat.

Have you eaten at Satu’li, and what did you think?

03/22/2025

Snacky Saturday!

Let’s take a peek at another snack from the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival!

Hopping over to the Morocco pavilon, we have some tried and true snacks housed in Tangierine Café. One of those is the Orange Blossom-Saffron cake, which even my picky daughter loved! A pistachio cake topped with an orange cream shell, this cake is light and just right sweet. At only $5.25, this is a delicious dessert that can be shared!

Is the Morocco booth a must do for you during any festival?

03/20/2025

Happy First Day of Spring!

What does the first day of spring look like where you are? It’s lightly snowing here! 😭

03/19/2025

Which extinct Universal Orlando attraction would you bring back: Jaws, Back to the Future: The Ride, or the Ghostbusters Spooktacular?

03/18/2025

Tip Tuesday!

We have a bit of a change for Early Entry rope drop at Magic Kingdom! Early Entry Is a perk for guests of Walt Disney World resort hotels, which allows for a little extra park time in each of the four Disney World theme parks each morning.

Previously at Magic Kingdom, Cast Members would hold guests at the bridges to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland until the start of Early Entry. As of yesterday, they are now allowing you to proceed into each of these two lands BEFORE Early Entry begins, and you may queue up for the attraction you wish to ride. This is a fantastic change, as you are now ready to go at the start of Early Entry!

Note that not all attractions may open with Early Entry; TRON often delays until 9AM, although you may be able to use your pre-park opening time to line up. Adventureland, Frontierland and Liberty Square are not open for Early Entry.

What’s your favorite attraction to do during Early Entry at Magic Kingdom?

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Videos

Christmas at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom… is it my fault there’s so much cute stuff?! 🎄 #disneyholidays #HolidaySeason #familytravel #wdw #disneyparks #waltdisneyworld #disneyreels #Christmas

Still smiling after seeing Boyz II Men at Eat to the Beat last night in EPCOT! Love these short concerts, which are included in your EPCOT ticket when a festival is going on. Food & Wine Festival is always a great time! #travel #wdw #disneyparks #waltdisneyworld #disneyworld #epcotfoodandwinefestival #epcot #BoyzIIMen #disneyreels

How would you describe Avengers Campus at Disney’s California Adventure? #familyvacation #familytravel #disneytrip #visitcalifornia #reelsfacebook #avengers #marvelcomics #marvel #mcu #disneyland #californiaadventure #disneyreels

Why does it always seem like my family is exhausted from a day at Magic Kingdom, and then Happily Ever After ends and suddenly we NEED to ride the Peoplemover? #familyvacation #disneytrip #disneytravel #disneyreels #disney #disneyworld

Check out the new headband creation station at Disney Ever After in Disney Springs! So many cute options… at time of recording, we saw Mickey & Minnie, Daisy & Donald, Chip & Dale, Pooh & Tigger, Buzz/Lotso/Aliens, and Stitch! Do we think they’ll get more characters and headbands if these are popular? #disneysprings #disneyeverafter #disneyeverything #disneyfit #disneyfashion #fitoftheday #disney #disneycute #disneyreels #reels

Where to Stay Wednesday! On my recent trip to Disneyland, I stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. This iconic hotel is a 10 to 15 minute walk to the parks, and I loved the modernized 1950s feel! Also, the quick service food was particularly good, in my opinion. Walk through this famous hotel with me! #familyvacation #disneytrip #disneyvacation #disneyfamily #disneyparks #disneylandhotel #disneylandpark #disneylandresort #chasingmorediscoversdlr

Happy Star Wars Day! May the “fourth” be with you… is anyone sassier than a Storm Trooper in Galaxy’s Edge? #hollywoodstudios #galaxysedge #starwars #StarWarsDay #maythe4thbewithyou #stormtrooper

If you’re going to go rope drop to park close at Walt Disney World, PLEASE take a midday break of some sort! It’s going to make your trip so much more enjoyable if you’re not completely zonked. #familyvacation #familytravel #travellife #disneytrip #disneymemories #wdw #waltdisneyworld #disneyparks #disneyreels #MemeMonday

Happy Sonny Eclipse Day to all who celebrate #disney #disneyworld #wdw #waltdisneyworld #disneyparks #disneymemes #disneyreels #reels #sonnyeclipse #solareclipse #eclipse #familytravel #familyvacation

When Biscuits in the Oven comes on at Chef Mickey’s, I cannot be stopped. Do you have a favorite character meal at Walt Disney World? #familyvacation #familytravel #disneyparks #chefmickeys #disneydining #disneyfood #disneyreels #disneysnacks

That song will bring me back to life every time. Who else loves Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom? #familytravel #disney #wdw #disneyparks #familytrip #waltdisneyworld #disneyreels