Fantastical Vacations by Katie Matzenbacher

🤩 Our first visit to Super Nintendo World @universalstudioshollywood did not disappoint! 🤩 🚨 Pro Tip: 🚨 Spend the extra money for the Early Access Pass! It lets you into this land an hour before park opening. 🌟 We were able to purchase our Power Up Bands,* play all the games with little-to-no wait, and soak in all the details before the land became overrun with people. 🌟 👉 Recommended strategy for Early Access: If you are at the front of the line when entering the land, head straight to the queue for 🏎️ Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge and ride it first. 🎮 If not, play all the games first. 📱Scan the QR code for Toadstool Cafe and get in the Virtual Queue to eat there for lunch. 🍄 Then, right before the park opens to regular guests, hop in line for Mario Kart! When you get done, you can focus on meeting characters. 📷 *The Power Up Bands are not required to experience the land but they do add an immersive element that makes it even more playful and fun. 🤩 I can't wait to experience the expanded Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe in Orlando! The Donkey Kong ride looks sooooo fun! 🚨 Epic opens May 22. 🚨 Wanna experience a Universal Resort at either coast? Reach out and let's start planning! #universalstudioshollywood #universal #themeparks #supernintendoworld #travelplanning #themeparkstrategy #traveladvisor #traveltipsandtricks

We 💜 decorating for Halloween! . #halloweendecorations #countdowntohalloween #spookyseason

Well, that was anti-climatic 👀😂 🧚‍♀️ Sometimes when you try to force the magic it just... doesn't happen. 🤪 👉 And EVEN THOUGH you saw another creator's kids get suuuuper excited, it doesn't mean your kiddos will react the same OR that the trip is ruined because they didn't react the way you thought they should. 🥱😴 In this particular case, my kids were tired and chilly because their crazy mom made them wake up at the crack of dawn to get to the parks early. 😂 🥰 We ended up having a fabulous day at Magic Kingdom and closed the park down! 😁 I have sooo many happy memories from this trip! The castle reveal just wasn't one of them. Ha! Has this ever happened to you? Drop a 💯 if you can relate! . #magickingdom #magicalmoments #magicalmemories #magicalvacation #WaltDisneyWorld #disney #disneytips #disneytraveladvisor #makingmemories #fantasticalvacationsbykatiematz #ropedrop #vacationfeels #feelings #disneymom

Why is no one talking about this?! 👇 👀 There are SO MANY fun and unique characters you can meet at Universal Orlando Resort! 👀 💛 If your kiddos (or you!) love meeting characters, have I got a list for you! 👉 But FIRST: ✨ Save this post for your next visit to Universal and share with a friend who wants to travel there with you! ✨ 🥁 And now, drumroll please...All the characters you can *currently* meet at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida (in no particular order): 🐶Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Gang 💡Doc Brown 🎙️Marilyn Monroe 🏚️Beetlejuice 😻Hello Kitty 🫏Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey 🏠Gabby from “Gabby’s Dollhouse” 🔫The Minions, Gru, Margo, Edith, and Agnes 👩‍🎤Characters from the film “Sing” 🚗Transformers 😂The Simpsons 🧽SpongeBob SquarePants and friends 🚌Knight Bus Operator 😎Mummy Pharoahs 🐼#ThePanda from The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon 🎒Dora the Explorer 🦸‍♀️Marvel Superheroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm and Rogue. 📚Dr. Seuss characters like The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax, Sam I Am, Thing One and Thing Two, and the Grinch. 🦖Blue, the Velociraptor 🥋Kung Fu Panda characters ⛵Popeye and Olive Oyl 🚂Hogwarts Express Conductor 👩‍🎓Students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang Whew! Did I miss anyone? If you could meet ONE character from this list, who would you want to meet? I’ll go first: The Grinch! I haven’t met him yet, but I’ve heard he’s a hoot! . #universalorlandoresort #uor #universalstudiosflorida #islandsofadventure #hogwarts #wizardingworldofharrypotter #scoobydoo #kungfupanda #transformers #harrypotter #jurassicworld #jurassicpark #spongebobsquarepants #backtothefuture #beetlejuice #shrek #hellokitty #drsuess #marvel #captainamerica #spiderman #xmen #thesimpsons #doratheexplorer #thepanda #charactermeetandgreets #characters #themeparkcharacters #themeparks

The Disney cast members add so much magic to your experience ❤️💛💜 Drop a 💛 if you've had a magical interaction with a Disney cast member! 👇 . #disneycastmember #disneytraveladvisor #disneymagicmoments #disneymagic #travelplanner #waltdisneyworld #makethememories #corememories #fantasticalvacationsbykatiematz

Every vacation ever: it's all fine until…it isn't. It took me a long time to realize…perfect vacations don’t exist. 😬 After many trips when days ended in tears or hurt feelings, etc. here's what I've learned to do👇 🩷 Make a list of the top 2-3 must-dos and let everything else be a bonus. ❤️ Talk with your travel party before leaving and manage expectations up front. Missed expectations are some of the hardest things to overcome. 🧡 Plan rest days and drink plenty of fluids. Traveling can be exhausting. 💛 Remember that when traveling with kiddos, they’re still your kiddos. You’re simply moving them to a new location. They won't magically be able to handle long days and new routines seamlessly. 💚 Issues may (probably will) arise. Late flights, missed connections, bad weather, lack of sleep, changing routines, eating new foods that don’t settle well, transportation break-downs… The list goes on. Recognize it could happen, face it if/when it does, and don’t let it ruin the whole trip. 💙 Sometimes, the in-between moments are the most magical. 💜 Focus on making memories and everything really WILL be fine. 👉 What do you think? Is this list helpful? What are your top tips for having a magical vacation? . #travel #travelplanner #traveladvisor #takethetrip #makethememories #vacation #vacationmemories #fantasticalvacationsbykatiematz #magicalmoments

🎃🧙‍♀️💀 I don't know about you, but once i get to July 5th, I start planning for Halloween! Luckily, Halloween starts SO soon at Walt Disney World and Disneyland! It's not too late to join the spooky fun! 👇 The first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party debuts on August 9 at Magic Kingdom. The party dates for 2024 are: 👉August 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30 👉September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29 👉October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31 🎃 No tricks here, there are 🌟FIVE🌟 new treats — plus returning favorites — for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2024! 🌟1. Mickey and friends will have NEW Halloween costumes. 🌟2. There will be MORE villain sightings. 🌟3. Guests can let loose and show off their best villain at the DescenDANCE Party, taking place at Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland. This new rave is inspired by the upcoming Disney Original Movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red;” premiering on Disney+ July 12. 🌟4. It’s time to talk about Bruno! For the first time during the party, guests can meet the clairvoyant character from “Encanto” alongside Mirabel at their Casita in Fairytale Garden. 🌟5. New earlier start time for “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade”! This year, the fan-favorite parade will take place a full hour earlier, 8:15pm to be exact – perfect for those guests attending with little ones who want to enjoy the spooky fun before it’s bedtime. 🎃 That’s everything that’s brand new, but what about what’s back for more tricks (and treats) this year? Returning favorites include: 💀“Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular” fireworks show, hosted by Jack Skellington 🧙‍♀️the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show 🍬🍭and trick-or-treating throughout the park. 🎃In addition, enjoy popular attractions with special Halloween twists, including Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Space