Kim's Magical World Vacations

18/06/2024

Just a few of the trips I've booked and/or quoted in the past week for my clients! What can I look into for you?

NCL Alaska Cruise
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya/Secrets St James Montego Bay
Disney World (and did some dining reservations this morning)

14/06/2024

Already got your Royal Caribbean cruise booked? Grab your extras today! Great deals on almost all activities, dining packages, shore excursions and beverage packages.

12/06/2024

Cannot wait to see the new show. I've missed the show at Hollywood Studios. Ariel and Ursula are my favorites.

Exciting announcement

“The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure” will be opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios later this year - expected for fall 🧜🏻‍♀️

The theatrical production will be in the theater in Animation Courtyard.

Disney has announced that there will be a live-version of Ursula on stage as well as large, animated version as well 🐙

19/05/2024

What are your summer break vacation plans?

24/04/2024

Hmm....

21/04/2024

Make sure you check the weather before heading to the beach.

Not at the beach? Let me know and let’s plan your next vacation!

09/04/2024

We used the Attraction Assistance Pass at Universal a few weeks ago. If you've been around here long enough you'll know I have 3 kids, 2 of whom are AuDHD (Autism+ADHD) - my oldest son, who's now 14, and my girl twin, who is now 11. (The boy twin is as neurotypical as me...which maybe isn't 100% but we get by.)

Universal's AAP, once you're in the park, works like the DAS pass at Disney back before it went online. You walk up to the person at the express pass lane and hand them your AAP card. They look at the standby wait time, then write a return time on your card. You are free to do other things and can return to the express pass line anytime after that return time. (It doesn't have to be right at it.) You then go through the express pass lane, which does frequently still have a wait. (After returning to the Minion line after our wait time, we still waited nearly 40 minutes in the express pass line.)

Getting the pass is a completely different process. Universal uses an outside company, the IBCCES, to vet for the pass. You go through an online application process, including uploading information from a doctor, therapist or school, for verification of need. Personally I like this process and wish Disney would do something like it. I see people in Disney groups frequently trying to find some way to get DAS so they can have a "free genie+." (Remember back in the day when you could "rent" a disabled person to get you to the front of all the lines?) It really upsets me, since it's going to end up getting taken away from those of us who truly need it.

Once you're approved by the IBCCES, you get a few emails, one saying someone from Universal will call you, but no one ever called me. The email further instructs you to go to guest relations upon arriving at the park to pick up the pass. (However, apparently not everyone reads since I witnessed a mom trying to get a return time for a ride in front of me and showing the person the "card" on her phone. I had to explain to her that she had to go to guest relations and showed her what to pick up.)

At guest relations it was quick - the person verified who the pass was for (we went with Lucas even though I had done the process on both kids - Lucas likes all the rides). They filled out the card and gave it to me, linking it to our tickets via a barcode. We were there early for the resort guest early admission, so the line at guest relations was not long yet.

We ended up using the pass 3 times throughout the day. We didn't have a laundry list of rides we were trying to do - we were just having a chill day between 2 days of driving and getting on the cruise. James and I had both been to Universal and done most of the rides we wanted to do, so we were just letting the kids guide us.

I think it was worth the hassle of getting it, but if you are truly trying to hit universal hard and in a short period of time and have the money to burn, I think you'd get more out of an express pass than the AAP.

Have you used the AAP before? What was your experience?

05/04/2024

Fire up that Disney Visa card already!

🚨 SPECIAL OFFER COMING SOON 🚨
If you have a Disney Visa and thinking about going to Disney in July, September or December contact us soon and get on our list for when this offer is dropped!!

04/04/2024

We had an absolutely fantastic time on Allure of the Seas! The kids loved it and we loved introducing them to cruising. They all said they want to go on another cruise ASAP.

I’d love to help you and your family spend quality time together cruising! 🚢🌴

28/03/2024

Best thing about Universal hotels? They have legit Starbucks in the lobby!

28/03/2024

Checked into Universal’s Endless Summer Dockside today. As a family of 5 finding an affordable space for all of us, especially now that the kids are pretty much the size of full grown humans, can be a challenge. The family suites here are absolutely perfect. Great location, awesome pool, easy check in…no complaints at all!

24/03/2024

It’s getting real up in here. Passports in the waterproof bag, luggage tags printed, packing lists started….

22/03/2024

This is an amazing deal! Wonder if I could take an extra week off after our cruise in August and pop down to Jamaica…

20/03/2024

What’s my toxic trait?

Tell me at 12:15 you have plane tickets to orlando and need a night at Disney and park tickets?

I’ll have your trip booked in a 30 minute break at work and payment made within 4 hours.

16/03/2024

We are headed to Orlando in just over a week! This is a family trip, and the kids are doing a few firsts - first time at Universal Orlando and first cruise!

UO has a much different system for disability access than Disney World. This will be our first time utilizing it.

Right off the bat, Universal does not make the decision, like Disney does, on who can use the system. Prior to arrival you have to apply with IBCCES. (This is the same credentialing board that I have my Certified Autism Travel Professional credential from.) This takes the place of the video chat with Disney that is required within the 30 days window of travel.

I finished the application process for both of my autistic kiddos today. Right now their cards say temporary. I used their school IEPs as their supporting documentation.

I'll let you know as the process continues!

14/03/2024

DCL bookings for summer 2025 open next week! Are you ready to cruise?

Exciting News!!!
Reservations for Disney Cruise Line’s 2025 Summer Itineraries will open for bookings starting next Monday, 3/18/2024.
Contact us for more details

05/03/2024

Yay!

Starting April 5, 2024, at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort , Star Tours – The Adventures Continue will be taking guests on some all-new adventures. These new additions will feature characters and locations from some of guests favorite Disney+ new series – “Ahsoka”, “Andor”, and “The Mandalorian”.

26/02/2024

Big News!!

Disney World rooms and tickets for Jan-Oct 2025 are available for booking TOMORROW.

AND

Free admission to a water park (Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach) on your check in date in 2025! No more awkward waiting around for your room to be ready...hang out at the water park for a few hours instead!

Need a quote? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/4BVHJKSZWbc11ZnF9

Make your reservation with only a $200 deposit! Let's plan some magic!

24/02/2024

The color of the water…I just can’t…

19/02/2024

So, I've been home for a few days from my Virgin Voyages adventure. I ended up taking two days to get home (even though I was bound and determined to drive it all in one day). I made it about 700 miles on Friday after the literal quickest and easiest disembarkation from a ship EVER. I spent the night in a hotel in Kennesaw, GA due to rain in the mountains (and snow at home). I then drove the rest of the 400 miles on Saturday and got home around 2:30pm.

I had a wonderful time on board the Scarlet Lady. Plenty of time for relaxation, but also ample opportunities to socialize when I wanted. Everyone I met on board, from "sailors" (other guests) to all the crew were amazing. I never felt weird about being a solo traveler, either. Everything was easy to figure out, including finding our way to shore excursions.

Virgin definitely has a different vibe than "traditional" cruising or "family" cruising. And if different is what you're looking for, Virgin Voyages is definitely for you.

Feel free to message me any questions about Virgin Voyages. I would love help you find the perfect cruise vacation for you.

17/02/2024

Day 5 was Bimini!

I booked a cultural tour for Bimini and thoroughly enjoyed learning the history and seeing Bimini. There’s a lot of pictures of the beaches because they are just gorgeous. The weather was perfect as well and the entire island looked like it was straight out of a painting.

After the tour I went to Virgin’s beach club for lunch. The food was excellent and the Beach Club itself was hopping. Not quite my scene so after touring it I went back to the ship to do some work. I had dinner at Pink Agave, which of course ended up being my favorite restaurant on board because, well, guacamole. 🤣

Then it was sadly time to pack. 😞

15/02/2024

Day 4

This was another day at sea. After breakfast I did a trivia game (did not do well 🤦🏻‍♀️) and then a painitng class. After lunch I did Bingo with The Diva (and did not win 🤦🏻‍♀️). I relaxed for a bit after than then went to another show, then dinner at Test Kitchen.

Today is Bimini! Then packing tonight…😢

14/02/2024

If you are wanting to book a Virgin Voyages cruise, reach out to me ASAP. With a $300 deposit before I debark Friday I can snag a MNVV placeholder for you. You then have 60 days to choose the voyage and dates that are right for you.

14/02/2024

Day 3 was busy!

After breakfast I debarked the ship in Cozumel for an excursion to Punta Sur Eco Park. Our tour (in some sketchy safari vehicle) stopped by the crocodile viewing area (but no crocs were out), then went to the lighthouse. I climbed it, then went through the museum. There were also some vendors nearby hawking their wares. We then went to a beach club for lunch and back to the ship.

I relaxed for a bit before my dinner at Razzle Dazzle. For the record, this was my favorite meal so far. Amazing. Then back to the room for a bit to talk to James and the kids, then saw the stand up comedian before a bite at the burger place before bed.

Today is at sea. I have a few activities planned to check out, and plan to try to get some pictures of the spa and workout areas.

13/02/2024

Day 2 was an At Sea day. I honestly didn’t do much all day. I sat on comfy chairs and read my book, watched a movie in my room (learning how to work the tablet thing). I also ordered some Ship Eats (room service) just for fun. 🤣 I then had some activities picked out in the evening. I went to a bracelet making class, then saw Duel Reality, then the dinner show, It’s a Ship Show. Both were amazing, and the stunts…wow.

All in all it was a nice, relaxing day. We’re now docked in Cozumel and I have an excursion to an ecological park (with a lighthouse, of course), but the weather is pretty crappy. I haven’t gotten notice that it’s cancelled yet. 🤞

12/02/2024

Virgin Voyages Riviera Maya cruise Embarkation Day!

I drove in from Orlando yesterday. I parked and dropped my luggage off and was about 1 hour early for my assigned time. However, I was told my time was already boarding. I went in, checked in, and got my band (I keep calling it a magicband because I’m a Disney adult). All I had to present to check in was my passport and my room number (which I knew from the app). I went through security and was on the ship in less than 30 minutes.

By the time I got on board my room was ready. I went and checked it out and dropped off my bag. I watched the muster video on the tv (which is controlled by a tablet) and spoke to my room steward who stopped by.

By this time, I was starving as it was after 3 and I hadn’t had lunch yet. I found my way to The Galley, which is kind of like a mall food court, but it is Virgin’s idea of a buffet. The fried avocado tacos were amazing.

Then I wandered around the ship for a bit and found my muster location and checked in there (as required by international law).

Then I grabbed a pizza to go to snack on since my dinner reservation wasn’t until 8:45. I went back to the room and unpacked and relaxed for a bit.

I went up to the top deck for sail away (and a free glass of champagne!). It was a loud space, but they did turn the music back down after about 30 minutes.

I relaxed in my room a bit (and figured out the WiFi) and talked to James then had dinner at Extra Virgin. It was absolutely amazing, especially the bread and oil/balsamic. The ship was a little rocky last night but I didn’t get sick. 🙂

Woke up to open sea views and am about to embark on day 2! First up coffee then breakfast at The Wake!

10/02/2024

This was one of our favorites on our first trip back in 2017. So glad it’s FINALLY re-opening!

Exciting announcement!!!

1900 Park Fare is re-opening at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on April 10. This iconic restaurant will feature returning guest favorites along with a newly refurbished dining room and other special touches.

06/02/2024

When you’re going to be Disney World adjacent for 12 hours you make the best of it!

05/02/2024

One of the most fun aspects of staying on property at Disney World is the theming. Many times that theming is subtle, and finding the "hidden Mickeys" can be a game!

The Contemporary Resort has Incredibles-themed rooms. If you hadn't seen the movies, you may just think it was a room with a mid-century vibe. But look closely, and you'll find the hidden theming!

04/02/2024

I cannot express in words the level of excited I am about this. One week from today I will be dropping my husband off at Magic Kingdom first thing in the morning, then driving to Miami for my first Virgin Voyages cruise.

The on board activities have shown up in my app and so many interesting and unique offerings are available - not just your usual trivia and belly flop activities found on traditional cruises.

I cannot wait to share all this with you! While I am on board I am able to purchase "My Next Virgin Voyage" vouchers. If you are serious about booking a Virgin Voyages cruise in the near future, let me know and we can talk about how to get you these extra perks! (More details here: https://www.virginvoyages.com/my-next-virgin-voyage?item=f7498dd7-8ae8-4329-bd63-b35f7be013ec )