MouseHunters Travel- Kristi B

06/25/2024

Starting July 24th, no more getting up at 7am on vacation to book your first Genie+ attraction!!!

New updates for Lightning Lane Experiences!

⚡️Up to three Lightning Lane experiences at one Theme Park can be pre-planned in advance, at the time of purchase.
⚡️ Experiences at Magic Kingdom® Park, EPCOT ®, and Disney’s
Hollywood Studios® are divided into two groups. Guests may pre-plan up to one experience from Group 1 and the remaining experiences from Group 2.
⚡️ Throughout the day, once a selection has been redeemed, a new one can be booked from any group (subject to availability).
⚡️ If your admission includes Park Hopper® benefits, Guests may select experiences in any of the four Theme Parks after their first selection of the day has been redeemed.

🎉 Onsite Guests - 7 days prior for the entire length of their vacation up to 14 days
🎉 Offsite Guests/APs - 3 days prior to the ticket start date for the duration of the tickets

04/09/2024

🚨 Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort will soon be making changes to their Disability Access Service - DAS. These changes will become effective May 20, 2024, at WDW and on June 18, 2024, at DLR. 🚨

DAS was previously in place to assist guests who have difficulty tolerating long queues due to a disability. The updated system is intended to accommodate "only those guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar," are unable to wait in long lines.

Disney will work with Inspire Health Alliance's health professionals to help Cast Members (when necessary) determine a guest's DAS eligibility. DAS is for guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in line for a long period of time.

Effective May 20 at WDW, guests meet virtually with a Cast Member before arrival to determine eligibility. Day-of registration must also be done via virtual chat. Effective June 18 at DLR, guests can meet virtually with a Cast Member before arrival or day-of at Accessibility Services window.

Notable changes:
- DAS Advance pre-arrival attraction selections will no longer be a default offering to every DAS guest
- Current DAS guests will need to re-apply
- DAS party size max 4, limited to immediate family members (exceptions may be made for larger families with minor children)
- DAS enrollment eligibility increases from 60 to 120 days

Disney will also introduce a defined "return to queue" process for guests who need to leave a queue and re-enter. More information about this process will be shared closer to launch of the new system.

For those with questions or who need to explain more about their situation, Disney encourages guests to reach out to the DAS team for a conversation.

Both websites have been updated with the new information.

Walt Disney World: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/

Disneyland: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/

02/16/2024

☝️✈️ 🏰 Want to know a secret in having an amazing Disney vacation? Travel solo! It sounds scary I know. So many “what ifs”. On this “No One Eats Alone Day” let’s look at the best things about visiting Disney destinations SOLO because let’s face it, not everyone loves Disney the same:

😴 You can get up and go to bed when you want

🙄 No waiting around for the slow pokes in your party

🌹 You can stop and smell the roses if you choose

🍔 You can eat when and how you want

🎢 You can hop on the Single Rider lines

If you’re worried that you will be bored or lonely at a table service meal, do a character meal! You will get so much special attention by the Cast Members and the characters! Take selfies or ask a Cast Member to take a picture for you to commemorate your fun solo moments. You are NEVER alone at at Disney! 🤗

How does solo Disney travel sound to you? Would you do it? Any questions we can answer if you are on the fence? Or if you have gone alone, what other tips do you have for us? ✨

02/14/2024

💗✨💝 Happy Valentine’s Day! Today is the perfect day to have a chat about Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. This resort OOZES romance and is ideal for couples. If you’re lucky enough to have a partner whose love for Disney matches yours, you will both appreciate and welcome the tranquil atmosphere to wake up and return to after a day of non-stop action in the parks. With 3 table service restaurants, 2 lounges, 2 bars, 3 quick service locations and a pool area that rivals those at the deluxe level, you may find yourselves skipping rope drop in favor of a morning stroll around Lago Dorado and a leisurely breakfast of chicken stuffed Mickey Waffles with a mimosa flight at Rix Cafe. 🧇🥂

02/13/2024

🎷💜💚💛 🐊 Want to turn up the fun to Level 10 at Universal’s Mardi Gras? Become a Bead Thrower! Anyone can, all you have to do is either reserve a spot in advance via the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine dining experience or join the Virtual Line and hope to snag one the day of. For $84.99 (plus tax, gratuity is included) you get a choice of four restaurants where you can enjoy an appetizer, entree, dessert and one non-alcoholic beverage, plus a secured spot on a float tossing beads to a fun crowd! Talk about a unique experience you’ll never forget!

🎭 Universal Studios celebrates Mardi Gras in such a fun, safe and exciting way. The party continues through April 7th this year so there’s still time to book your spring Universal vacation, enjoy beignets and have the time of your life! Send me a message if you're interested!

02/12/2024

🎄🐭🚢🎁More memories, less stuff has been a fun journey for many families. Over the years, kids forget the toys, we forget the sweaters and the closets just get more full. Why not try something this year and take the family on an exciting holiday adventure! Disney Cruise Line’s Merrytime sailings are the perfect blend of sun, sand and holiday magic. I bet Santa would prefer to walk through sand over snow any day to deliver your stockings of goodies.

Booking early helps guarantee you get the stateroom you want, and your preferred dining time. What questions do you have about these fun themed cruises and how the holidays could look for your family?

09/13/2023

06/15/2023

Announcing a new holiday party coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates and more at Walt Disney World! Take a look and start planning your holiday trip. 🎁 🎄 ❄️ http://di.sn/6183ONT8d

05/08/2023

Lots of news released today! 2024 bookings will open 5/31, including dining plans.

BREAKING NEWS! 📣 We’re excited to announce the return of Disney dining plans, updates to theme park reservation requirements and more coming to Walt Disney World in 2024 to make planning your visits easier. 🤩✨ Full details: http://di.sn/6182Ob0Ow

04/01/2023

Look what showed up in my Memory Maker!!! When we had our passholder preview last month, they told us the photos weren’t working. What a nice surprise! His face is priceless. Sadly, Aubrey’s hasn’t shown up yet.

It’s nice that it shows up from both sides.

03/24/2023

03/15/2023

Lots of Disney news….

What’s your favorite Disney Thrill? Whether it’s giving a beloved character a big hug, showing off the perfect pair of Minnie ears or giggling your way through an exciting adventure with your entire family, everyone can enjoy all kinds of thrills at Walt Disney World Resort.

Today, we’re excited to share all the new experiences coming to Walt Disney World over the next few months!

New Character Greetings Debuting Soon

Let’s start with one of the most magical moments: meeting Disney favorites face to face. We recently saw the return of fan-favorite character experiences including Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto and Pete’s Silly Sideshow at Magic Kingdom Park. New friends will make their debut soon.

Just in time for the 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Moana will greet fellow voyagers on Discovery Island for the first time, starting April 22.

Later this summer, Guests will get the chance to hug long-time EPCOT icon Figment at the Imagination! pavilion.

And this fall, Mirabel from the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film “Encanto” will greet Guests in the Fairytale Garden at Magic Kingdom, which will be transformed with whimsical décor inspired by La Familia Madrigal.

EPCOT Transformation Comes to a Crescendo Later This Year

If you’ve been to EPCOT recently, you’ve likely seen the amazing progress happening around World Celebration and World Nature as part of the park’s multi-year transformation. Well, get ready because it will all be completed later this year!

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will debut this fall in World Nature. This self-guided exploration trail will take you through the natural water cycle – from the skies to oceans and all the way back again. Just like Moana, Guests are encouraged to become a protector and friend to our natural resources.

When CommuniCore Hall opens in World Celebration later this year, it will be the center of festival programming throughout the park. In new renderings released today, Guests can see this will be home to a new character greeting location called Mickey & Friends. Guests will be able to meet Mickey Mouse and some of his best pals in this colorful space.

CommuniCore Hall will also be the home of a dynamic exhibition space that will transform with each festival throughout the year, as Guests can see here in one possibility imagined for EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. Playing with light, shapes and reflections, the architecture of this building was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering to celebrate the legacy of EPCOT and the original CommuniCore buildings.

Commemorating Disney100 at Walt Disney World

EPCOT will host the Disney100 celebration at Walt Disney World Resort to commemorate this monumental milestone later this year. As well as all the new attractions and experiences I've mentioned, there will be even more magic.

As we honor the legacy of Disney storytelling and unforgettable characters that have entertained and inspired people of all ages for a century, now is the time to relive those beloved Disney memories and delight in making new memories with friends and family in our theme parks. Enjoy all-new experiences as we celebrate this momentous anniversary and the culmination of the EPCOT transformation – from meeting Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their platinum attire to snapping a selfie with a platinum sculpture of the one who started it all and watching Spaceship Earth illuminate the evenings with a special lighting design.

Plus, a new nighttime spectacular will debut at EPCOT later this year, inviting everyone to gather around World Showcase Lagoon for a show that will unite us through commonalities of the heart in a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music and light. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.

Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation & Conservation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

We can’t wait to celebrate 25 years of magic at Disney’s Animal Kingdom next month on Earth Day! Since it opened on April 22, 1998, this one-of-a-kind theme park has offered awe-inspiring animal encounters, thrilling attractions and larger-than-life musical stage shows. Since 1995, with support from The Walt Disney Company and guests, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed $120 million to support nonprofit organizations working with communities to save wildlife, inspire action and protect the planet. Additionally, the Disney Conservation team leads best-in-class scientific programs to conserve wildlife in Disney’s backyard and beyond, connects people to build a network for nature, and cares for the planet through everyday actions.

In April, there will be new ways to join in the celebration for Earth Day and this milestone, including new sweet and savory treats, specialty merchandise and limited-time character sightings in the park. There will be more surprises on April 22, when the park officially turns 25. Stay tuned to Disney Parks Blog for more details coming soon.

Summer House on the Lake Opens Later This Year at Disney Springs

A stunning new restaurant will open at Disney Springs in late 2023. Summer House on the Lake embodies a breezy, beach house vibe that will pair perfectly with the sweeping views of Lake Buena Vista.

Guests will be able to enjoy a California-inspired menu featuring simple, sustainable ingredients – from pizza and pasta to fresh salads and sandwiches. Plus, Guests can savor the restaurant’s exclusive Summer House Rosé along with a selection of wine, beer, handcrafted cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. Just imagine sipping a favorite drink on one of three expansive outdoor patios with a lake view. Those of us with a sweet tooth will be delighted to hear about The Cookie Jar, a dessert-focused market within this space serving up freshly baked cookies and house-made pastries.

Corkcicle Opening First-Ever Retail Location at Disney Springs

Just announced today, Corkcicle is coming to Disney Springs! A local Orlando business, Corkcicle creates innovative, obsession-worthy, high-performing insulated drinkware, coolers and accessories in a variety of gorgeous colors that elevate every sip and bring delight to everyday moments. This kiosk will be Corkcicle’s first-ever retail location and will open later this spring.

Tiara-topped Water Tower Coming Soon to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom

Construction on Tiana's Bayou Adventure continues to take shape, and later this summer, a tiara-topped water tower emblazoned with the Tiana’s Foods logo will make its way to Magic Kingdom. Read more here to learn new details about the attraction’s queue and Tiana’s next chapter in her story as she continues to grow her business with Tiana’s Foods.

Disney Parks guests will get to experience Princess Tiana’s story like never before following the attraction’s debut at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in 2024, and what a party it will be! The story will pick up where the film left off as guests join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure down the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind celebration during Mardi Gras season where everyone is welcome. Along the way, Guests will encounter familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou to original music inspired by songs from the film. Lots of memorable fun in store!

TRON Lightcycle / Run Launches April 4, 2023

You may have heard that one of the fastest coasters at any Disney park is launching soon in Magic Kingdom. Starting April 4, Guests will be able to race across the Grid in TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise. As members of Team Blue, this will be the chance to board a high-speed Lightcycle and compete against a fierce group of Programs known as Team Orange

Merchandise fans can gear up for the Grid with racing-inspired apparel, collectible pins, must-have toys and light-up accessories inspired by the TRON films and the attraction itself.

03/14/2023

Just got back from a quick trip! I was able to snag a passholder preview for the new Tron ride this past Saturday. The highlight of this quick trip was it falling on my son's 8th birthday! I asked him where he wanted to spend his birthday, and he said EPCOT so he can ride Test Track....so that's what we did. We did hop over to Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom though to make good use of our Genie+

01/28/2023

Tuesdays are a great day for me to spend at the computer….just saying!

01/26/2023

Remember the foster pups? Here’s Daphne. I can’t even pick her up anymore to weigh her. She’s the sweetest “little” thing ever.

01/25/2023

01/25/2023

☕️☕️Coffee Talk☕️☕️

What is your family’s favorite dinner for busy weeknights? Do you have any go-to make ahead or crockpot meals that your family loves?

Austin would love to eat hotdogs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day! If he doesn’t like it he won’t eat it. If it doesn’t look good to him, he won’t even try it. He is not very adventurous with food. Tyler loves eating salmon and sushi (fully cooked) so he’s a little adventurous. And Aubrey will at least try everything. She’ll *usually* suck it up and eat something she doesn’t like to make me happy.

I need more kid friendly quick or make ahead meal ideas. I don’t have the time or patience to have to babysit cooking.

01/24/2023

☕️☕️Coffee Talk!☕️☕️

This weekend was rough. So so so rough with my children’s behavior. I cried, I yelled, and our household was just plain ugly all weekend. I know routines help, but it’s difficult to implement routines with our varying daily schedules. I’ve removed most internet usage, and the results have not been super noticeable. So I started looking into their diet.

I remember a while back seeing articles bringing attention to the correlation between artificial food dyes and negative behavior in children. Especially red 40. I never really thought too much about it. Now that our lives have become quite busy, we have more of a grab and go lifestyle. Always having easy to make/grab familiar foods that I knew the kids liked on hand.

As I was making my son’s lunch today, I started reading labels. The Kool-aid juice boxes they drink quite a bit of daily= red 40, the Doritos I usually throw in as a side=red 40. Today they had bagels with cream cheese, but on a different day I wouldn’t have hesitated letting them eat one of the “fun” cereals we have which obviously contain red 40. When I stopped to think about how much red 40 I was ignorantly allowing them to consume is alarming, and makes me believe it’s worth trying to eliminate to see if we make improvements. After all, there’s a reason other countries have banned this from their foods.

If you have struggled with negative behavior in children, what changes did you make that showed positive results? What are your thoughts on the food dyes in our food?

01/23/2023

☕️Coffee talk!☕️

It’s been a while since I’ve made a coffee talk post. Life has been crazy as I’m sure you’ve noticed by my lack of posting on this page.

Here it goes. Random thoughts……While I was showering and drying my hair this morning, it got me to thinking about how many times hair stylists have told me to stop washing my hair daily. They say it’s damaging to our hair even though I don’t usually dry it. Which is why it’s usually always in a mom bun. I have tried taking some time between washing, but by day #3 I can’t take it anymore. I wouldn’t dare going in public with day #3 hair.

How many days do you go between washings, and what do you do to keep it looking fresh?

01/22/2023

Today’s the last day of Splash Mountain as we know it. I’m so glad my son convinced me to ride it one last time earlier this month.

Show me your trips down Splash Mountain!

01/19/2023

Austin was the strongest of the land! I wish I would have caught video, but I didn’t bother since I truly didn’t expect him to pull it out. He acted like he was not surprised, and it was no big deal 😂💪🏻

01/11/2023

JUST ANNOUNCED: Universal Parks & Resorts plans to bring a new concept for families with young children to Frisco, Texas!

01/10/2023

Lots to talk about today!!!

Disney World:

✨Complimentary parking at Disney resorts returns starting tonight.
✨Within the next few months, Annual Passholders can enter any theme park after 2pm without a park reservation with the exception of Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays.
✨Tron will be officially opening April 4th!
✨Attraction photo downloads will be included with Disney Genie+ service within the next few months.
✨Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular will be returning to the Magic Kingdom.
✨Harmonious will be ending in EPCOT, and "EPCOT Forever" will be replacing it as an interim show debuting April 3rd followed by a brand-new EPCOT firework show debuting later in 2023

Disneyland:

✨Newly reimagined Mickey's Toontown is reopening March 8th.
✨ New "Magic Happens" parade begins February 24th
✨ Park hopping begins at 11 am PT
✨ More opportunities to visit with a $104 park ticket
✨ 2 new nighttime spectaculars beginning January 27th.
✨ Complimentary Disney PhotoPass digital attraction photos for all ticketed guests starting February 4th.
✨ More opportunities to join the Magic Key program throughout the year.

2023 will be a great time to return to the magic!!!

01/10/2023

10/10/2022

I love After Hours. I’m so excited they’re coming back!

Disney After Hours events are BACK at Walt Disney World, starting January 2023! 🌙 Tickets are now on sale for these fan-favorite experiences. 🎟

10/10/2022

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I’m still here. Kids and dogs keep me busy!

Here’s a little update for those who were following my foster story….

The puppies are now 15 weeks old. 2 of the puppies were adopted by WONDERFUL people who happen to be friends! Those two girls will still see each other on occasion…and really even if they didn’t, I couldn’t have asked for better families for them.

As for the 3rd pup…..I’m keeping her. She has stolen my heart, and the funny thing is I disliked her so much when she was little. I think she knew that, and made it her mission to change my mind. She’s my favorite thing now!

I weighed her last week, and she was 32 lbs!!! One of her siblings’ new owners ran a DNA test, and the 2 primary breeds were Rottweiler and American Bulldog.

09/12/2022