Looking back on 2022, I was lucky enough to take many trips, trainings and see and do lots to build up my knowledge bank as a travel agent.
2022 Travel
Category: Travel
Information on travel destinations, promos and specials for your next family vacation.
MSC Cruise
MSC is an Italian cruiseline is the world’s third-largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region and Southern Africa, with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is are also the fastest-growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.
We had the opportunity to sail in October 2022 from Miami abroad the MSC Seashore. My daughter and I went over Fall Break to the Caribbean. We stopped in St Juan, St Thomas, Puerto Plata and Ocean Cay, MSc’s private island.
The ship was at max capacity so it was full, you could tell when you ordered a drink, how busy they were. The staff were great, and our room steward was on top of things. The crew worked so hard to accomadate all the guests. But oh boy, you could tell we were at full capacity.
The Spectacular Bridge of Sighs Glass-Floor Infinity Bridge on Deck 16. This bridge is located at the AFT of the ship on deck 16 and is approximately 72 feet above the Infinity Aft Pool.
The ship was gorgeous, they had a Times Square theme in Liberty Plaza, where we played cards while listening to live music many nights and there were beautiful crystal staircases and blown glass sculptures.
One sea days, we enjoyed the hot tub, walking around and exploring the massive ship.
The food was good, but the buffet got old after a while, and we got lost many times in the buffet room, it was huge. We enjoyed the main dining room and made friends with our tablemates. They were running a special BOGO half off at the Mexican Specialty restaurant, Hola Tacos and Cantina, it was delicious Mexican food, all you could eat. And it was a nice break from the main dining room for a night.
They had the best cappuccinos, I’ve ever had, it was so nice everyday getting up and going to the bar and getting a refreshing cappuccino.
Overall it was a beautiful ship, the port stops were great, thier private island Ocean Cay was gorgeous. MSC is a different type of crusing style, I wouldn’t say it’s not for everybody but we enjoyed our time adoard the Seahsore.
There are many cruiselines and cabin types, which one is right for you? Using a travel agent will help narrow down the perfect cruiseline, cabin and itinerary for you.
Contact Christine@YourParadiseVacation.com to start planning your next cruise vacation.
All About The Butterbeer
It’s no secret that I adore Butterbeer at Universal Studios Orlando. I have visited three times this past year alone and I get it multiple times a day, hot, cold and frozen, I love them all. And it also comes in other forms besides drinks.
Did you know at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure you can only get Butterbeer in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventures and you can go back and forth with the Hogwarts Express?
Butterbeer comes in many forms in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Cold
In Diagon Alley, you’ll find cold Butterbeer at The Leaky Cauldron, The Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Hopping Pot. In Hogsmeade, you can locate it at The Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head and two Butterbeer street carts.
Frozen
In Diagon Alley, frozen Butterbeer is available at The Leaky Cauldron, The Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Hopping Pot. In Hogsmeade, you can get it at The Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head and two Butterbeer street carts.
Hot
Hot Hot Butterbeer is available at The Leaky Cauldron and The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley and The Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade. Hot Butterbeer is now available year round.
Ice Cream
In Diagon Alley, you can get Butterbeer ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour or The Hopping Pot. In Hogsmeade, you’ll find it at The Three Broomsticks. Add some Butterbeer ice cream to the cold and make your own Butterbeer float.
Fudge
Grab Butterbeer fudge at Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop in Diagon Alley or Honeydukes in Hogsmeade.
Potted Cream
Pick up Butterbeer potted cream at The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley or The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade.
Although the recipe is top secret, I found a copycat recipe to try yourself. The only ingredients you’ll need to make Butterbeer in your own kitchen are vanilla ice cream (1 scoop) , cream soda (1 cup), butterscotch ice cream topping (2 tablespoons) and whipped cream as a topping. Blend it all to make it a frozen treat. Try making it at home and let know what you think.
Interested in planning a trip to Universal Studios? I can help you and my services don’t cost you any extra, which means you’ll get all my trips and tricks for free.
Click below to get started planning your Universal Vacation.
National Travel Advisor Day
May 4 is National Travel Advisor Day, a day to celebrate and promote travel advisors.
I started my business because I love to plan and research trips. I love exploring new destinations, looking for tips and tricks, and passing along all that information to my clients.
I started preCOVID and saying that travel looks different nowadays is an understatement. Everchanging entry protocols, airline cancelations/delays, and testing requirements, all make planning very stressful these days and changeling to boot.
I immerse myself in travel news and updates daily, so my clients don’t have to worry. My job is to take your stress away so you can travel with ease.
My clients enjoy a stress-free vacation and I help them with their planning every step of the way.
Travel is tricky these days, I can help you stress less and travel more.
It’s never too early to start planning your next vacation, and I can help you navigate the new travel world.
Please reach out today to start planning your next vacation, as always my services are complimentary when you book a vacation package through Paradise Travel by Christine.
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Disneyland
We had an amazing time in Disneyland for Spring Break.
I hadn’t been to Disneyland since I was in college and went went to California Adventure for the day. For Spring Break, we decided to ditch Orlando and head to California. It was a shorter flight to Cali and we were in our hotel Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in no time.
This was my first time staying on Disney property and it was super convenient, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa as an amazing resort and so close to the parks. I mean it has it’s own entrance to California Adventure and a super quick walk to Disneyland as well.
We spent 2 days at each park and a rest day in between, which I always receommend to my clients. Staying in property allowed us to enjoy all Disney has to offer, the food, the activities and that Disney magic.
To start planning your next Disney adventure email Christine@YourParadiseVacation.com
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this fall during the resort’s 50th Anniversary celebration!
This fall, ghosts and ghouls of all ages are invited to don their favorite costumes and celebrate all things haunted during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Taking place on 37 select nights Aug. 12 through Oct. 31, 2022, this special event haunts Magic Kingdom Park after normal park operating hours from 7 p.m. to midnight.
As a part of this limited-capacity event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party attendees will encounter event-exclusive entertainment, notorious Disney villains, frightfully delicious menu items and more! Here’s some of what’s in store:
•The Headless Horseman will ride his ghostly steed down Main Street, U.S.A as a prelude to “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” which features floats filled with Disney Characters dressed in their Halloween best, Disney villains and the Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers.
•During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests can go trick-or-treating for Halloween favorites at locations throughout Magic Kingdom Park. And new this year, guests will also receive a reusable trick-or-treat bag featuring a keepsake 50th Anniversary celebration and Halloween design.
•Join the Sanderson Sisters during the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show at Cinderella Castle as they call upon their frightening colleagues to conjure the ultimate Hocus Pocus Party Potion.
•Celebrate the season alongside favorite Disney characters as they take over the park for their favorite party of the year.
•Overlays themed for the occasion will return to several popular Magic Kingdom attractions: Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
•The Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington, will host “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular.” This can’t-miss nighttime extravaganza features projections, special effects and lighting mixed with fireworks, music and Disney characters.
•Discover sweet and savory menu items inspired by fall flavors and the Halloween season.
•NEW! In honor of the 50th Anniversary celebration, we’re adding even more fun to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year in the form of event-exclusive step-in photo opportunities. And in addition to the reusable trick-or-treating tote bag, guests will also receive a Halloween-themed 50th Anniversary celebration commemorative print.
•These dated event tickets do not require an additional day theme park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation. The event dates are:
August: 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
September: 2, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30
October: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
We had a great time at the party when the girls were younger. We loved the dance party, parade with The Headless Horseman and all the character meet and greets. We did it our 1st night in FL and it was nice to have a park preview before we did our full park days.
I can help you plan your Fall 2022 trip to Disneyworld. Please reach out today for a quote. I will help you plan the entire trip, all you need to do is pack and enjoy. As always my planning services are complimentary when you book a vacation with me. Click here to get started!
Pier 8 Market
Endless Summer Resorts Dockside Inn and Suites in Orlando FL was our home for a few nights while we were visiting Orlando earlier this month.
We decided against the dining plan since there were just the two of us and my nine-year-old is quite a picky eater. We primarily ate lunch at the park, brought some snacks with us, so that’s left us with breakfast and dinner for a few days.
In the hotel was a wonderful food court slash food market, Pier 8. We ended up getting cereal, milk, and some fruit for breakfast.
Coolers were stocked with drinks, soda, juice, and water. They also had a soda fountain, coffee machines, a toaster, and a microwave available by the seating areas.
Dinner options included pizza, burgers, fried chicken, and much more. They have fresh salads, fruit and veggie cups, and a wonderful dessert bar.
Pier 8 was conveniently located between the lobby and the towers, easy to grab a meal to eat at the pool, in the huge dining room, or bring directly up to your room that has a dining table, sink, and microwave.
I loved all the options we had for food and the options of where to eat. I was pleasantly surprised at the healthy food choices, hot foods, and desserts.
I didn’t get a chance to check out the hot breakfast options since we got our cereal and fruit the night before since we wanted to get up early and take advantage of the early park admission we acquired by staying at a Universal Property.
Rain Ponchos
So when I got invited to Universal as a Travel Agent, it was a last-minute trip and if you know me, I’m a planner, I usually start planning a trip months before, making lists, gathering items, etc. With COVID, this was my first plane ride in over a year, so add, hand sanitizer and wipes to the list.
Since there were only two of us, it was easier to plan and pack, and going to amusement parks as a child and as a mom, there was one item I knew we had to bring…the rain poncho.
For $1.16 at Walmart friends, it is such a versatile item to have with you on your vacation.
First of all, going to Orlando, you get that daily afternoon rainstorm that rolls in and rolls out just as fast. But when it rains, it pours. So the poncho comes in so handy.
Besides a rainstorm, going on a ride where they promise you will get soaked like Jurassic Park River Adventure or Disney’s Splash Mountain, you can simply pull out your trusty poncho and ride and not get wet. Simply toss it away when you are done.
I remember putting it on the seat of a ride before I sat down on a ride as well, so my bottom didn’t get wet.
I’m telling you bringing the rain poncho with you is worth it’s weight in gold.
A Very Disney Birthday
My younger daughter just turned 10 last and it made me reminisce about when she turned five, we were at Disney World.
We didn’t plan the trip because of her birthday, those dates just happen to fall on her special day but I have to say it was so magical to be at Disney for your birthday, especially as a little girl, who LOVES Minnie Mouse.
We picked up a “I’m celebrating” button and everyone, I mean every team member, wished her a happy birthday.
On our trip, we did a trip to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique the night before her birthday and the next morning we went to Chef Mickey’s for a character breakfast. It was such an amazing trip for a five-year-old girl and for mom as well!!
Pro Tips:
#1 Schedule your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique trip at Disney Springs instead of inside The Magic Kingdom, you’ll save valuable park time. We had our appointment on a non-park day and enjoyed Disney Springs afterward.
#2 Purchase your Disney princess dresses before you travel to save money and bring it out while you are on vacation. I let my girls wear them to their new dresses to their Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointments.
#3 I bought them Disney Princess pajamas that look the costume dresses, much lighter and easier to wear around the parks all day in Florida. The Disney Store, Amazon, or Kohls is a great place to pick these up.
#4 Schedule your character breakfast again on an off park day, we did the breakfast option, a little cheaper than dinner and better food options for picky eaters.
Packing Must-Haves for The Parks
We just got back from Universal Studios Orlando and this was out first visit since COVID-19. They did such an amazing job with masks, social distancing, hand washing stations and sanitizer given to each guest before you get on each ride.
Some must-haves that we found useful for Universal Studios or even Disney World, are lanyards, rain ponchos, little individual Wet Ones to wipe down rides tables and hands, extra paper masks, a water bottle, little packets of Propel, or a bottle of MIO to put in your water bottles. All of these items we picked up at Walmart or The Dollar Store before we left.
The water bottles came in handy at the hotel and I placed them in the mini fridge we had in our room overnight to chill. Adding the extra flavoring just made the water taste better as you are refilling with tap water.
Those rain ponchos get expensive at the parks and we were asked a few times as the rain was pouring down where we got them. Orlando is know for their quick afternoon showers, especially on those summer months.
Extra masks were helpful, we especially loved the paper ones, easy to change and dispose of, we definitely went through quite a few masks during the day.
Fanny packs are back, baby, and a great option while in the parks. Not too big and bulky and easy to store in the lockers while you ride the roller coasters or under your seat.
An extra phone battery or better yet, those backpacks that have a charger are a great option. Maps were few and far between and mostly checking your phone for wait times, showtimes, where the bathrooms are located plus taking pictures you definitely will run down your battery.
Snacks that are quick and easy to eat while waiting in those lines. I recommend ones that won’t melt, like granola bars with no chocolate coating. Goldfish are a must have if you have kiddos.
I hope you found this list helpful, it made out trip easier to have these things already purchased so you can save some money while you are travelling. And double check you have swim goggles, the one item I forgot and had to pick up at the hotel gift shop.
Seems like there is always one thing you’ll end up forgetting, but a quick trip to a drug store or the hotel gift shop and you will look like a hero or heroine to your family.