VIP Tour at Walt Disney World: All You Need to Know..

Matching outfits aren’t a must but….

We’ve officially fallen in love with VIP Tours… but the question I keep getting over and over is:

“Is it actually worth it…” & “Where do we even start?!?”

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We’ve done multiple VIP Tours at this point, so I feel like we have a really good understanding of what they actually look like day-to-day.

So let’s break it down… what you can really expect, what you actually get, and whether it’s actually worth it.

The Starters:

A VIP Tour at Walt Disney World is a private, guided experience where a dedicated Disney cast member plans and manages your entire day (or carries out your predetermined plan)…giving you expedited access to attractions, backstage transportation between parks, and a fully customized itinerary.

The first things you need to know about a VIP Tour at Walt Disney World:

• There is a 7-hour minimum, and yes… those hours must be consecutive

• Pricing varies depending on the time of year (and demand) and can generally be booked up to 60 days in advance

• You can request a specific tour guide, but it is not guaranteed, and you won’t know your guide until the day of

• You can have a maximum of 10 people total… and that includes everyone (even a 1-day-old baby)

• If you have more than 10 people, you’ll need to book an additional VIP Tour guide and pay for a second tour in full

• Park admission is NOT included… everyone still needs valid park tickets (and Park Hopper if you plan to visit multiple parks)

• Gratuity is not included … tipping your guide is customary, but not required (we ALWAYS tip)

Now that we have a few basic down let’s move on to one of the most important things…

Picking Our Start Time:

Your first decision you will be faced with, besides picking your tour date, will be picking your starting time and location of your tour. So let’s start with time…

We almost always schedule our VIP Tour to start 7 hours and 15 minutes before Magic Kingdom fireworks… and here’s why:

There is a VIP fireworks viewing area

Included in your tour is a private veiwing area & the best part…. fireworks do NOT have to fall within your 7-hour tour window so it doesn’t eat into your tour time. You just need to time your tour so it ends right before fireworks.

I know it feels like we are jumping to the end before we even start but this is honestly one of the most important pieces to the VIP experience IMO!

Once your guide brings you into the reserved viewing area, your tour is essentially complete.
They can leave at that point, and you’re free to stay and enjoy the fireworks.

If you’ve ever tried to watch fireworks at Disney… you already know 😅

It’s chaos.
It’s staking out a spot way too early.
It’s someone jumping in front of you at the last minute, putting their kid on their shoulders… after you just waited two hours.

With VIP… none of that exists.

You’re brought into your reserved section (typically in the Plaza Garden area right in front of the castle) and you just… stand there and enjoy it.

We’ve done this multiple times and it has never felt crowded.

No stress.
No planning.
No “is this a good spot?” internal spiral.

This is something you do not get with Premier Pass or lightning lanes. You can get a somewhat similar experience with a dessert party (their viewing area is adjacent to VIP), but it’s still not quite the same level of ease or exclusivity.

🎠 While we’re talking VIP areas… the parade viewing area is also elite…

Again, I know we are getting ahead of ourselves a little but another perk that doesn’t get talked about enough…

VIP Tours can also get reserved parade viewing at the train station on Main Street at MK as well.

And this might be one of the best parade spots in the entire park.

It’s elevated (so you can actually see)
It’s less crowded
And when it’s over… you’re already near the exit

This is one of those perks that’s really hard to replicate any other way.
It’s just… another one of those little things that makes the whole day feel easier and elevated… literally 😂

Bonus, we did a VIP tour leading up to Christmas and watching the Christmas parade up here was so fun!

Making sure you are able to hit the things that you know are your musts before booking your date and time are important, and for us, the fireworks and parade are.

So now we have a date and a time… now…

What does a VIP Day look like start to finish?!?

We had several people with us on this particular tour where this was their one full day at Disney, so we really wanted to pull out all the stops and get is all done.

Because you need a Park Hopper ticket (or annual pass) if you plan to visit multiple parks during your VIP Tour, we decided to start our day at Animal Kingdom before our tour officially began.

With early park hours at AK and a little rope drop strategy, you can knock out most (if not all) of Animal Kingdom before your VIP time even starts.

If Animal Kingdom isnt on the list, finding a park where you want to see a show or just hang would be time well spent as you are not going to want it to take up time during your tour…or at least we don’t!

Starting the Official Tour at EPCOT (and why we chose the back entrance)

After AK we popped over to met our VIP Tour guide at the back entrance of EPCOT near France, which is where we chose to start our tour.

This was very intentional.

And before we move on, this is something really important to understand about VIP Tours…

🚐 Backstage Transportation (this is a game changer)

Once you scan into your first park, you’re in for the day.

That Means No more:

• Security lines

• Bus waits

• Re-scanning into parks

You will never go back in a main entry and will be transported backstage between parks.

And if you’ve ever waited for Disney transportation at the wrong time… you know how much time this saves.

Instead of losing 30–60 minutes to buses, boats, or skylines, you’re moving between parks in minutes.

Which means:
👉 More rides
👉 More time actually in the parks
👉 Way less frustration

We knew that the typical backstage exit point is near Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, so we planned our route to naturally flow through the park.

Instead of zig-zagging all over EPCOT, we were able to:

• Enter through France

• Work our way around the World Showcase

• Move into the Test Track / Mission: SPACE area

• And finish at Guardians

It made the entire experience feel seamless… instead of rushed.

👀 A quick note about backstage

There is no video or photography allowed backstage.

But I will say… it’s one of the coolest parts of the experience.

You get to see parts of Disney World that most guests never see…
how things operate, how the parks connect, and just a completely different perspective of it all.

It’s one of those things that makes you appreciate the scale of Disney even more.

⏱️ What this actually looked like in real time

Remy’s was clocking in at a 95 minute wait on this day….

Just to give you an idea of how quickly things move…

We met our guide at 2:15
→ On Remy’s by 2:25
→ Walking into Frozen by 2:50

(Test Track was down because of rain… because of course it was 😅)

So instead, we made our way over to Guardians and were there by 3:25
(stopped to talk to Star-Lord for a minute because… priorities)

And then just like that… we were out the backstage exit.

Hollywood Studios:

From EPCOT, we were taken backstage in a 10 person passanger Mercedes van and brought into Hollywood Studios arriving by 4:30. , where the VIP entrance is located behind Tower of Terror.

When you arrive at HS there is usually a snack area waiting for you which is a great pick me up. You can 100% stop to eat “real food” (which is not included in the price of your tour) if you want but also time is money so….

All drinks and snacks were included with the price of our VIP tour!

At HS Every single guide we’ve had has suggested starting with Rise of the Resistance first.

Why? Because it has the highest likelihood of going down throughout the day.

From there, we just let the day flow naturally through the park:

• Rise of the Resistance first

• Then into Toy Story Land (Slinky & Toy Story Mania)

• Working our way back toward the main area (Mickey & Minnies)

• Mobile ordered ABC Commissary and ate while we walked back to the van located back on Hollywood Boulevard

This all took until about 6:30

A snack we love to get on our tours in these detinator sodas in Galaxy Edge!

Magic Kingdom (the grand finale)

Our last stop was Magic Kingdom, and we came in via the back stage entrance by the base of Main Street.

We headed straight to Pirates of the Caribbean, getting off around 7:00 PM.

From there, we made our way to TRON because it was a must-do and the weather was starting to look a little questionable.

We were off TRON by 7:45 PM (One HUGE bonus of a tour guide here is we did not have to get a locker for Tron which is almost always a neccesity as you can not take anything on! ) and headed up to the train station platform for the electrical parade.

🎠 The parade plan (and real life 😅)

Up there, they had:

• popcorn

• water

• and honestly just a really calm place to sit and reset with an amazing view

Our guide even took our order when we got off Tron, put in the order and went to grab Starbucks for us while we relaxed and waited (included in cost of tour).

Which… again… is one of those moments where you realize you’re not doing Disney the way you normally would.

Unfortunately, the parade ended up getting rained out…

…but the good news was, we still had time left on our tour…so we pivoted.

🛍️ A little VIP perk

You also get 1 VIP tour pin per person which is included in the price of your tour!

Before jumping back into rides, we made a quick stop at the VIP Tour-exclusive gift shop located only inside Magic Kingdom.

This is only accessible if you’re on a VIP Tour, and it’s one of those little things that just feels… fun and different.

🎢 Ending with rides

After that, we went right back into ride mode:

• Haunted Mansion

• Peter Pan

• And ending with Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at 9:09 PM

Ending the night (the best part)

Our tour officially wrapped at 9:15 PM, when we were brought into the VIP fireworks viewing area.

But not before our guide handed us Mickey bars to enjoy while we watched the fireworks

And this is where everything just kind of comes together…

After a full day of moving, riding, and not having to think…

you’re just standing there, in a perfect spot, ending the night.

🤍 What our guide was actually doing the whole time

While we were just walking, talking, and enjoying the day…

our guide was:

Shout out to the Amazing Cast Members!

• scanning us into rides (some rides you use the Lightning lane but some rides have secret passages like Haunted Manson)

• coordinating timing behind the scenes

• adjusting our plan in real time (like when Test Track went down and the parade was canceled)

• guiding us through the fastest routes

• handling park-to-park logistics

…but also:

Some cast members end up feeling like family by the time you are done with the tour!

• handing out ponchos FOR EVERYONE when it started raining

• grabbing waters/sodas for us for when we got off Guardians and felt a little motion sick

• literally holding an umbrella over my head while I recorded an Instagram story 😅

• taking pictures of all of us so no one was left out

• Holding our bags so we didn’t have to squish them by our feet on the rides or get a locker at Tron

• Chaufering us between parks in heated/air conditioned vehicles (yes they had them prepped)

• Telling us fun Disney facts

• Pushing strollers (if we had them) and playing games/riding rides with the kids or Watching the kids while adults ride!

Something I should add is your guide can be as involved (or not involved) as you would like. They are there for YOU and going to go off your vibe.

Kids screaming… no problem the will grab them a treat. Wanna walk in silence… 🤐. This is all about making your day exactly what you want and need and every tour guide we have had has done just that.

We have went in groups as big as 18 with the majority being small kids, 10 random adults all coming together for a fun day, and just our family of 4 and all of the experiences have been exactly what we needed.

💰 The cost (because this is the question)

I feel like this is the part everyone is really wondering…

VIP Tours are priced hourly, with a 7-hour minimum.

Pricing can range anywhere from:
• ~$450/hour on lower-demand days
• Up to ~$900/hour during peak times

So realistically, you’re looking at:
👉 ~$3,150 – $6,300+ for the day (plus park hopper tickets if you are not an annual passholder)

📅 When is it cheaper vs peak?

From what we’ve seen:

Lower pricing tends to be:
• Late August – September
• Early January (after the holidays)
• Some weekdays during slower seasons

Higher pricing (peak):
• Spring break
• Summer
• Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s)
• Race weekends / big events

They also have special discounts sometime for DVC members I have seen!

👯‍♀️ Splitting the cost

This is where it starts to make a lot more sense for some.

You can have up to 10 people total on a VIP Tour.

So if you split it:

• 10 people → ~$315–$630 per person
• 2 families → often very doable
• Special occasion → makes even more sense

VIP Tour v Premier Pass?

Premier Pass helps you skip lines…but it’s limited to one park per day, and you can only ride each attraction once.

A VIP Tour removes the stress of the entire day.

With Premier Pass:
You’re still planning
You’re still navigating
You’re still checking your phone
You’re still figuring out what’s next

With a VIP Tour:

It’s a whole vibe!

Who a VIP Tour is actually for:

A VIP Tour is worth it if:

• You want to maximize a limited amount of time
• You’re celebrating something big (birthday, trip, milestone)
• You don’t want to spend your day planning and managing logistics
• You’re traveling with a group and can split the cost
• You want your day to feel easy… not overwhelming
• You value a more elevated, concierge-style experience where everything is handled for you

A Premier Pass might be better if:

• You’re comfortable navigating Disney on your own
• You’re trying to stay within a tighter budget
• You only want to visit one park a day (although this could get pricy over time)
• You are all about THE RIDES and just want faster access…not a fully guided experience

💬 If you’re considering it…

If you have questions about VIP Tours, message me or comment on my video over on insta…I’m always happy to share what we’ve learned.

On a last note…one time we did a double tour so I made this multi-group schedule to help us all stay on track. But VIP tours can be as go go go or relaxing as you want to make them!

Dear Curious Reader: Why Do We Self-Sabotage?

It seems success does not always bring the peace one expects. In fact, for some, it brings something far more unsettling… the quiet belief that it still isn’t enough.

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Today someone said something to me that made me cry.

Not in a dramatic, something-is-wrong kind of way…
but in that weird way where your body reacts before your brain can catch up.

She said:
“It still floors me that you don’t feel good enough. You’re killing it.”

I smiled. And then I sat there thinking… wait.
Why did this make me cry?

If I’m being honest, I’ve noticed something about myself lately. The second I meet someone new or see someone I haven’t seen in a while, the word vomit starts. And it’s not just over-sharing, it’s self-deprecating. Like immediately jumping to “what I do is dumb,” “this is honestly so cringe,” “I don’t even know how I got here.” I go out of my way to explain how I don’t care or how bad I know I am before they can even think it, say it, or judge me.

So where is this coming from?

When you grow up with anxiety, with absolutely no tools to navigate it and no words to even describe what you’re feeling, the effects can be life altering. Then you add in another layer… religion. And not the good kind. The kind that makes you believe that fear, that constant feeling deep inside you that won’t go away, is something wrong with you. Something you just need to pray away.

So you pray. And you pray. And you pray. But the feeling doesn’t go away. So you start to wonder why. Why me? Why doesn’t God love me? Am I not worthy?

I think part of me decided really young that I just wasn’t lovable. The anxious kid. The overweight kid. The one who felt like she was too much and not enough all at the same time. And if God couldn’t even love me as I was, what did that say about me?

So you find ways to numb it. You look for anything that makes the feeling stop. Maybe it’s food. Maybe it’s external love. Maybe it’s something else entirely. At different points in my life, all of those have served their purpose. Or at least I thought they did, but they were really just adding to the chaos.

Until you find something that actually works.

For me, that was sports. And everything changed. Because for the first time, people showed up. People noticed. People were proud of me. Not because I was Paula, but because I was winning. So without even realizing it, I started to connect the two. If I do well, I’m loved. If I win, I’m enough.

With sports, you get first, you PR, you get the scholarship. It’s clear. It’s defined. It’s safe. You know when you’re doing well. You know when you’re enough.

But life doesn’t work like that.

And I think this is the part that followed me into adulthood… and eventually online. Not the sport itself, but the need to prove that I was enough—and the fear of what it would look like if I wasn’t.

You can’t win motherhood. You can’t PR being a wife. You can’t get first place in doing enough. There is always going to be someone doing more, doing it better, looking like they have it more together.

But without that scoreboard… how will people know to love you?

So your brain fills in the blank…
They probably won’t.

So you say it first. I know it’s dumb. I know it’s cringe. I know I’m not that good. Because at least then you’re in control of it.

I’m still working through this. Because there is no “best” in life. There is no gold medal for getting through the day, no scoreboard for being a good mom, no clear win that tells you that you did enough. Most days, it honestly feels like more of a loss than a win.

But that message… “you don’t feel good enough, you’re killing it”… it broke something open in me. Because both of those things felt true at the same time, and I don’t think I’ve ever let those two things exist together before.

So now I’m trying something different.

I’m trying to take care of her. The little girl who thought she wasn’t lovable. The one who thought she had to earn it, prove it, perform for it. The one who was told love was conditional.

Therapy has been a huge part of that.

And for the first time, I’m not trying to win. I’m trying to heal. I’m trying to show her that she was always enough.

Maybe this isn’t self-sabotage. Maybe it’s protection. Maybe it’s what happens when you grow up learning that love is something you have to earn, and then spend your life trying to prove that you did.

And maybe the real win isn’t being the best.

It’s becoming someone your younger self would finally feel safe being… and not caring what anyone else thinks about it.

Dear Curious Readers: how well do we truly know one another?

We are not simply who we present ourselves to be…We are the sum of every fear, voice, and expectation that came before. And so, dear reader… how well do we truly know one another?

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The first reel I ever shared online may have been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

Because no one judges you more than the people who claim to cheer you on the loudest.

And when you show your true self online, the side you’ve mostly hidden just to fit in, people will judge. Because let’s be honest, unless you’re a celebrity, or at least adjacent to one, everyone starts from nothing online.

And when you finally share something that comes from the heart, even if it’s something as simple as a silly video about your love of Disney, the people closest to you usually won’t get it.

Because up until that moment, your world has been limited by proximity.

And the second you take that first step online, that boundary is broken.

But before you can branch out, you have to wade through the side-eyes. The confusion. The quiet judgment from friends and family who don’t understand, and if we’re being honest, sometimes don’t want to.

If you find yourself there, just remember this.

They are living the life they chose, with boundaries that feel safe to them. And when someone steps outside of those boundaries, it disrupts that safety. It forces people to consider that maybe, just maybe, the world is bigger than they thought.

That people can be a little more quirky. A little more different.

And that’s not a bad thing.

So be prepared.

When you start showing up online, the people you are closest to, the people you see every day, may disappoint you.

And even if you try to hide it from them, they will find you.

But they may not follow you.

But you will also find others.

People who don’t look at you as something to be understood, but someone to be accepted. Someone to be loved exactly as you are.

But if I’m being really honest.

Some of those people will disappoint you too.

And even in a space filled with thousands of people who get it, you can still feel completely alone.

But before I dive deeper into that, I think it matters to go back.

Back to the beginning.

To understand how we ever got here in the first place.

Because none of this started online.

Looking back, there are three themes that feel like they shaped my childhood more than anything else.

The first was fear.

From a young age, fear played a major role in my life. And when you don’t have the tools to understand or process it, fear has a way of taking over. It fills in the blanks. It twists things. It makes you question what’s real and what’s not.

The second was weight.

And I mean that literally.

Growing up, my body was something that was talked about a lot. And if you were someone who grew up in the 90s-00s diet culture you will surely understand this too.

It wasn’t just comments here and there. It was being left out. It was the quiet understanding that I wasn’t quite enough as I was.

The constant messages, spoken and unspoken, that if I didn’t lose weight, I wouldn’t be good enough.

And when you hear that enough, it stops being something people say and starts becoming something you believe.

It shapes how you see yourself.
How you show up.
How much space you allow yourself to take up in the world.

And even when no one is saying it anymore, you still hear it.

The third was religion.

I grew up Nazarene, (think footloose without the cool dance scenes) which meant even thinking a bad thought could feel like it carried eternal damnation.

That kind of pressure doesn’t just shape your behavior.

It shapes how you think.
How you see yourself.
How you question everything.

And more importantly it confuses love and fear in a way that it hard to unravel.

Because no matter what you do, how much you pray, you still feel like you are failing and unworthy of love. So eventually you may start wondering…why even try????

I now understand what I experienced (and still experience) was a medical condition I needed treatment for, not a curse I needed prayed away, but again…another story for another time…we will get there i promise.

Now when you take those three things, fear, weight, and religion, and layer them together, you get me.

A very simplified version, of course.

There were other people, other moments, other experiences that shaped who I am. Sports being a huge one.

But these felt like the foundation. The most influential pieces of the story.

So when I say this is my content creation journey, I don’t just mean the internet.

I mean everything that led me to it. What I think draws a lot of people to it.

The search for connection.
For expression.
For a place where your voice finally feels like it belongs.

And then the gut punch reality that that voice always comes with a cost.

Which is why, when I received an invite to a content creator only cruise with Virgin Voyages and TikTok (if you need context this means an entire ship full of media, creators and influencers coming together to create content and share their experience), leaving next month, my first thought was excitement.

But then just as quickly, it turned into.

“No way I’m doing that.”

But the questions remain.

Why?

What happened to make me like this?

And…

Am I going?

I guess we will see…

Dear Curious Readers: being human is no simple task…

It is a truth seldom spoken, yet deeply felt, that being human is no simple task. And in this modern age, where one’s life may unfold before an unseen audience… it becomes even more complicated…

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When I first started posting, it felt freeing. Sharing my creativity and leaning into something I was passionate about became an escape from a life that, at the time, had started to feel… unrecognizable. Complicated. A little lost (we’ll come back to this).

This wasn’t something I planned. But in many ways, it became a gift, something I needed… just not in the way, or for the reasons, I thought. It is something I’m still grateful for… but also something that would challenge me in more ways than I expected.

I was quickly thrust into spaces and groups I instinctively knew I didn’t really belong in… but it felt good to be there. I was green. I was eager…maybe too eager. And after years of putting others first, chasing other people’s dreams for me, and just wanting to feel like the main character in my own story for once… it felt exciting.

But time has a way of revealing things.

And reality has a way of catching up with you when your head hits the pillow at night… no matter how fast you run or how high you try to climb.

Recently, after spending time in the place where so much of this journey began, I found myself reflecting on how far I’ve come… but also on the MANY stories behind how I got here.

Because as “influencers,” creators, or whatever label we’re given… we’re often asked to do the impossible:

Be authentic… but follow unspoken rules.
Be yourself… but be careful how much you share.
Support others… but watch who you align yourself with.

It’s a constant balancing act.

And the truth is… no one can be fully transparent online. Not really.

Because at the end of the day, we’re all tied to something… or someone. Myself included.

But this isn’t about anyone else. This is about my journey.

You may recognize some of the moments, the places… maybe even the stories. But what matters most is how I got here…and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Because I’m not innocent in all of this.
And facing those truths… is part of the story, too.

But the question remains…

Is this a phase brought on by my recent obsession with Bridgerton paired with my ADHD?
Or will writing my story continue to provide the outlet my soul has been seeking?

Honestly… time will tell.

But I have a feeling it won’t be quiet. 👀

Amtrak Auto Train Family Travel

All Aboard: Family Adventure on the Auto Train to the Most Magical Place on Earth

The Amtrak Auto Train is a long-distance passenger train service in the United States that allows passengers to bring their vehicles along for the journey (The ONLY AUTO TRAIN IN THE US). Operating between Lorton, Virginia (near Washington, D.C.), and Sanford, Florida (near Orlando), the Auto Train offers a convenient way for travelers to transport their cars, motorcycles, SUVs, and small boats between the Northeast and the Southeast. Passengers can relax in their seats or private accommodations while their vehicles are safely carried in specially designed rail cars. The Auto Train provides a unique travel experience for those looking to avoid the hassle of driving long distances or flying.

Benefits of Taking the Amtrak Auto Train with Kids

When planning a family trip to Florida, choosing the mode of transportation is a crucial decision. While flying and driving are popular options, taking the Amtrak Auto Train can offer several advantages for families with kids.

Cost-Effective

One of the main benefits of opting for the Amtrak Auto Train is that it can be a cost-effective choice for families. When comparing the total cost of airfare for the whole family along with rental cars and other associated expenses, the Auto Train can provide a more budget-friendly alternative. Flight prices vary depending on the destination, time of booking, and the airline. In contrast, the Amtrak Auto Train offers a unique travel experience where passengers can bring their vehicles along.

Flying might be more cost-effective for solo travelers or small groups on shorter trips, especially if booking tickets well in advance or catching a sale. However, for families or individuals looking to bring their vehicles along and avoid the hassle of driving long distances, the Auto Train can offer convenience and potentially save on rental car expenses at the destination.

Ultimately, the price comparison will depend on individual circumstances such as group size, vehicle transportation needs, flexibility in travel dates, and personal preferences. Travelers should weigh these factors to determine which option provides the best value for their specific situation.

We hear there is a deal coming in May!!! We will keep you updated or you can keep checking here !!!!!

Convinience

Traveling with kids can be challenging, especially when navigating airports or spending long hours in the car. The Amtrak Auto Train offers a convenient way to travel to Florida without the hassle of airports or constant stops for rest breaks. Families can enjoy a comfortable journey with the flexibility to move around, relax, and even sleep in their own vehicle.

Also, getting to leave all of your luggage in your car, especially when traveling to a place like Walt Disney World or Universal, is a HUGE bonus and allows for you to bring those extra ears!

Entertainment and Amenities

Unlike long drives where kids may get restless or flights with limited space, the Auto Train provides onboard entertainment and amenities. From scenic views to dining options, families can make the journey itself an enjoyable part of the vacation. Kids can move around, play games, or simply enjoy the experience of traveling by train.

Roomettes, Bedrooms and Family Rooms include a 3 course dinner and breakfast in the trains dinning car.

Time-Saving

While driving to Florida can take hours or even days, and flying involves waiting times at airports, the Amtrak Auto Train can save families valuable time. By combining travel time with overnight accommodation, families can arrive in Florida refreshed and ready to start their vacation.

All seating and room types have access to a lounge car where you can play games, buy food, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We have never had a problem finding a place to sit and play!

Family Bonding

Traveling on the Amtrak Auto Train offers a unique opportunity for families to bond and spend quality time together. Whether enjoying meals in the dining car, playing games in the family room, or simply watching the landscape pass by, the train journey can create memorable moments for kids and parents alike.

Stop Waiting for the Destination and enjoy the Journey

In conclusion, taking the Amtrak Auto Train kids to Florida can offer a cost-effective, convenient, entertaining, time-saving, and bonding experience for the whole family. Consider these advantages when planning your next family trip for a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience.

We added to the adventure by brining things to decorate our room. The twinkle lights gave it an added touch of magic and was fun to plan and do as a family!

Check out our Instagram Highlight for a more indepth look of our Amtrak Travels HERE

Our Stay at Sweet Escape!

Recently, we had the opportunity to spend a night at Sweet Escape, a rental property located in Clermont, Florida which is about 45 minutes away from Walt Disney World and about 35 minutes away from Universal Studios Florida. And for everyone used to driving in the greater Orlando area, the route did not include I-4 so traffic was not a problem for us during our travels. To say the stay was amazing is an understatement - this property had everything imaginable to keep our family entertained and we think it would be a fun adventure for your family too!

So, let’s start with the basics. The property has over 8,400 square feet of space and is situated on 5 gated acres. The property can accommodate groups of up to 52 people. Just to be sure that you understood that last sentence correctly, the property can accommodate groups of up to 52 people! We only had 15 in our group, so finding a bedroom was not a problem for anyone!

On the grounds there were plenty of activities available. Our family played disc golf, miniature golf, basketball and volleyball - all which are easy with the included equipment. Another favorite of our kids was the swimming pool (shocker) which is shaped like a giant ice cream cone. Any of the pictures we included here or were able to find on the internet do not do this pool justice, you really need to see it for yourself. The hot tub, slide and splash pad were also nice outdoor additions and gave us a feeling of being at a resort, not a rental property.

Not to minimize how amazing the outdoor setup is, but now let’s move into the really impressive part of the stay - the house and guest house.

As we mentioned above, the house and guest house provide over 8,400 square feet of space and 11 bedrooms.

Some of our favorite bedrooms in the main house were the Lollipop Ballpit Bedroom, the Cotton Candy “Carnival Sweet”, the Dessert-ed Bedroom and Milky Way Laser Tag Bedroom. Each room is heavily themed and well appointed and includes a game that can be played. Our kids especially loved laser tag (which was extra fun at night with the disco ball in full effect)! One of the adult favorites was the sauna, which is located in the Hot Cocoa Sauna & Spa Bedroom (also, it can be arranged to have a massage therapist visit the house for any adults that need extra relaxation).

The main house also included a karaoke lounge, arcade, virtual reality gaming, movie theatre and huge kitchen/living room. Another really cool feature that we discovered was the ability to play movies poolside with the automatic dropdown screen and speakers on the back of the house.

At the guest house, there was another arcade (yes, you read that correctly too) as well as a couple more bedrooms themed just as well as the main house. This is the perfect place to sleep for the adults who like to be part of the fun, but then escape the house full of kids who were up all night playing arcade games and singing karaoke (believe us, we know from experience). The guest house also included an interactive family game “The Mystery of the Cereal Killer” where your family uses clues to solve the mystery and find the killer! Our kids want us to point out that we did, in fact, find the killer.

As you can tell, our family really did have a blast on this adventure. Even though we were able to spend a night at this wonderful property, it wasn’t nearly enough time to really enjoy all of the amenities it has to offer. If you are in the Orlando area and looking for something different (or housing an entire football team) you should check this place out!

P. S. Here is a link to their website.

Have a Magical Day!

The Colonies at Williamsburg – Vacation Village Resorts Review

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of staying at The Colonies at Williamsburg – Vacation Village Resorts. The resort is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and is close to numerous area attractions and family adventures (more on this later). Whether you are looking for a long-weekend or a week-long adventure, there are plenty of reasons to visit!

This post will highlight our stay and showcase the many benefits we experienced at this amazing property! Spoiler alert: our family loved this resort and think yours will too, so click here for your special offer to plan your next trip!

To make this easier, we will break down our stay into 3 main categories – the rooms, the amenities, and the location. But, before we get started, we wanted to bring special attention to all of the staff we interacted with during our stay. They were all helpful, courteous and worked to make our experience as good as it could possibly be!

Last thing before we get started - in the lobby of the main resort building there is a coffee machine (complimentary) that mixed all types of different drinks and was a highlight for our family throughout the weekend.

The Rooms

Throughout the resort there are multiple room setups that can fit families of almost any size, and for our trip we stayed in a two-bedroom lock-off suite, which is two one-bedroom suites with a common foyer. If your family is larger do not worry, the resort also offers a four-bedroom floor plan. Quick mention - the rooms are all equipped with a washer and dryer.

Parking is also a breeze: the resort is set up like a condominium complex where the parking for a given unit is generally right in front of the door. This is especially helpful after a long day of exploring when everyone is just ready to get back to the room to relax!

If you haven’t been able to tell yet by the pictures, these rooms are HUGE. Each one-bedroom suite had a spacious living room, equipped with a fireplace, as well as a dining area and a full kitchen. The kitchen was well-stocked and included all of the basic appliances to make your trip more comfortable (including a blender if it happens to be margarita season?).

Coffee and breakfast in the morning was easy and the kids enjoyed having all the extra space to spread out while they watched their morning cartoons.

The bedroom had an extremely comfortable king bed and plenty of storage space for our suitcases. Even more impressive was the oversized bathroom complete with a vanity, bathtub, and shower. It also had a separate vanity with a sink – so getting ready for our day was easy!

For additional sleeping locations, the couch converts to a queen bed – which we utilized for our kids. Normally they despise sleeping on a pull-out couch, but the quality of these pieces led to no complaints!

The Amenities

Whether you are looking for relaxation or action, this resort has something for you. Some of our families’ favorites included the indoor pool and the arcade room. It was a little late in the season (end of September) for the outdoor pool, but the size and water features had our kids asking to return in the summer months so they can experience all the fun!

In addition, the daily scheduled activities were a big hit with our family and the kids were excited to make their own stuffed animals (complete with an outfit) and their own hand scrub to bring home as a souvenir. Other family activities included DIY Bookbag Patches, Open Crafting and Scavenger Hunts.

For the adults, an outdoor hot tub is always satisfying as well as the available fitness center and tennis courts to burn off some of those vacation calories. Pro tip: we brought grandparents along for this trip and with all the kid’s activities it is the perfect resort to leave the kids and escape for some adult relaxation time!

The Location

Possibly the best feature of this resort is its proximity to tons of things to do! Our trip was focused on Busch Gardens Williamsburg (20 minutes away) and the travel was efficient and easy to and from the park. We were also situated closely to Water Country USA, Jamestown, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg (only a 10 minute trip). About a mile from the resort is Williamsburg Premium Outlets so all our shopping (and eating) needs were met without any hassle. Another tip: there is a grocery store located in this shopping complex so stocking up your room with all of your essentials is easy!

A few other area attractions include Virginia Beach Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Williamsburg. With all of the available options, it is easy to see how a family could visit the area and never run out of things to do!

So that is it, our review of our stay at The Colonies at Williamsburg – Vacation Village Resorts. Our family truly had a memorable time, and we can’t wait until our next visit (our kids have already requested to visit again)! If your family is looking for a new adventure or somewhere new to stay in the Williamsburg area, this resort should be at the top of your list.

Have a magical day!

What’s in our Disney Park Bag?

As many of you already know, one of the most important aspects of a Disney vacation is being prepared for what could happen. Circumstances change quickly at Disney - it can go from sun, to torrential downpour, back to sun in the blink of an eye. And our kid’s attitudes can change even quicker! We have found that having the proper supplies in your ‘park bag’ can save the day, especially when the unexpected occurs. (Quick side note: The unexpected will occur! It always does, and for us that is part of the fun that comes with every Walt Disney World adventure!)

So what does our typical ‘park bag’ look like? First, it depends on what kind of park day we’re planning. If it is a longer day we are planning we generally take a backpack. If a shorter park day, we opt for the fanny pack/crossbody.

Backpack

First and foremost, we think about the weather. We make sure everyone has either an umbrella or a poncho for when the rain arrives (notice I said when, not if). We don’t like to move around the parks in the rain, but when we think the rain is about to end we generally move to our next attraction and want to be as dry as possible on our way (this is a great way to get on an E-Ticket attraction with a lower wait). If we think there is a really good chance of getting wet, we will also take a change of clothes, especially for the kids. Believe me, you haven’t experienced feeling cold until you’ve tried to eat in a Disney World restaurant while soaking wet! Lastly, depending on the time of year, we may pack a long-sleeve shirt for the evenings when the temperature falls.

Next, we think about charging supplies. If you haven’t noticed, we film in the parks constantly and need to charge our phones several times throughout the day. We use portable chargers and fuel rods. At Walt Disney World, fuel rod exchange is free so after you make the initial investment staying charged in the parks is easy. This may not be as much of a concern when you aren't filming your trip, but with the necessity of using the My Disney Experience app to navigate your day, keeping a fully charged phone has never been so important.

Then we think about comfort. This is where we make sure everyone has sunglasses or a hat and that we have plenty of sunscreen. We also carry basic medical supplies such as band-aids, Dramamine, and Advil. All of these items have saved our day on at least one occasion, and have helped stop a kid meltdown about a million times.

Lastly, we include a few miscellaneous items like a waterproof case (to store our phones on water rides), chapstick (because Frank is addicted to it), cash (because even though it has never happened, how would you pay for anything if your magicband didn’t work?) and portable fans (see our favorite fans here). It is also worth a mention that when our kids get tired of wearing their Mickey ears the backpack is a perfect place for Mom or Dad to carry them around.

Fanny Pack/Crossbody (click here to see our favorite)

Removing any of the items from the backpack list above is tough for us, but when we are planning a shorter park trip we don’t like carrying a large bag around.

Again, the most important thing to remember: plan for the weather. Even in Florida, the weather outlook over a period of several hours is fairly reliable. If it is going to rain, we dress accordingly. If it is sunny, we just wear sunglasses or hats. And after we apply sunscreen in the room (for a short trip) we know it will last for the duration of the visit and reapplication won’t be needed. Also, if you had a true weather emergency, these supplies can always be bought in the parks but we generally advise against this given the high prices you will pay versus using your pre-bought items.

We also leave our medical supplies in the room. Each park at Walt Disney World has a first aid station. It is common that someone in our party will get a headache or will scrape their knee. When this happens, a simple visit to the first aid station gets you the attention that you need! We have always found it interesting that the parks sell Tylenol and Advil - and it is quite expensive - but if you visit the first aid station they will give you a dose of the same medicine for free!

So what actually makes it into our fanny pack/crossbody? Phone chargers, of course, and cash. But not much else because the space is so limited. Sometimes we can fit a single portable fan, but this just turns into an argument later in the day over who gets to use it. And our general rule when carrying a fanny pack/crossbody? If you take it from the room with you, you are wearing it (or carrying it) the rest of the night!

Just remember when planning your vacation that every family is different and has different needs so be sure to pack your "park bag" to fit your family!

Have a Magical Day!

What is the Best Season at Walt Disney World?

We wanted to dedicate this post to a question we get all of the time - when is the best season to go to Walt Disney World? And for the purpose of this post, let's all be comfortable with "any season" being an unacceptable answer.

For a lot of families, we know the decision of when to go to Walt Disney World is the first step to planning. Between festivals and special events, each season at Walt Disney World has unique experiences that aren't offered all year around. Crowd planning is also something that can play into this decision, but since COVID we feel like this is becoming less important (we will expand on this later). So, here we go, this is our guide to which season is best at Walt Disney World.

Spring

We love visiting Disney in the spring - the weather has generally been favorable for us and we seem to get a good mix of Florida sunshine (and heat) without too much rain. Although the experiences are fairly standard at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, Epcot has the Flower and Garden Festival which is our second favorite festival in Epcot. If you haven't been to the Flower and Garden Festival, think of a scaled back version of Food and Wine with some impressive flower arrangements and topiaries on display. With the exception of spring break, the crowds are generally manageable this time of year and we have been lucky to experience some spring weeks where we had extremely low crowds.

Summer

The best way to describe central Florida in the summer is HOT. Having been on this planet for 36 years, there is nothing that feels hotter than a summer day walking around Walt Disney World in 100 degree heat. (PSA - Honestly the heat in the summer there is no joke. We see people getting sick over and over because they seem to push themselves too hard. Stay hydrated and take breaks!) There are also no real special events to enjoy - and before you say Food and Wine Festival starts in July, try "enjoying" different foods from around the world while getting melted by the sun and dripping in sweat. Food and Wine is a fall festival for us.

The crowds in the summer are generally increased as well, mainly because kids are out of school and it is the time when a lot of families take their vacations. In our opinion, this has become less of an issue since the park reservation system has been in place because it seems the crowds are managed better and spread more evenly throughout the year. We could be way off on this, but that is how it feels for us.

Fall

This is the time of year when a lot of things come together at Disney: the festivals, the special events, the weather, the crowds. This used to be our favorite season at the parks, and if you go this time of year there are a lot of awesome things you can explore. Let's start with the Food and Wine Festival - one of our favorite things to do at Epcot is explore the different offerings while walking around the World Showcase. There is generally live music, an energetic crowd and if you are there in the evening you won't be melted by the Florida sun. Over at Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) is taking place and is an amazing event to experience at least once in your life. Even if you skip the Halloween event, Magic Kingdom still showcases its fall decorations and generally offers different deserts fitting for the season.

This has historically been a less-crowded time in the parks as well. As we mentioned above, we feel like this is becoming less important but still something that should be considered. One of the downsides to fall at Walt Disney World - all of the fun at the Food and Wine Festival, MNSSHP and some of the seasonal offerings come at a price - and those can add up if you're trying to "experience it all" when you visit.

Winter

As someone who doesn't live in Florida, we have to remember that Florida doesn't actually have winter. We are coming from piles of snow and freezing temperatures to watch the great citizens of Florida wear winter coats when it is 65 degrees outside. To us, this weather is perfect because the days get hot - but not too hot. The nights get cool - but not too cool. It is the perfect time to experience the parks in long sleeves or pants, and not be sweating every minute of the day.

During the month of December, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is happening over at Magic Kingdom. Although we don't enjoy this event as much as MNSSHP, it is still a great experience for families and should be on your to-do list. Over at Epcot, the Festival of the Arts begins in January, which is an extremely under-rated event. It brings in some of the elements of both Food and Wine and Flower and Garden festivals, while showcasing Disney art and artists throughout the park. (This is the time in this post where Paula interjects and wants to say the Festival of the Holidays is also a great event at Epcot. It is an ok festival, but you certainly shouldn't plan your vacation around it.)

Probably the most intriguing aspect of this season is the crowds. The lowest crowds we have ever experienced at Walt Disney World were during the winter months, with the exception of Christmas and New Years. If riding rides is your main goal, this is definitely the time of year for you!

So, now that we went through our thoughts on each of the seasons at Walt Disney World, which is our favorite? Currently, it is winter - the combination of weather and crowds coupled with festival and special event offerings fits our family perfectly at the moment. There have been times when we would have said spring, and times we would have said fall (sorry summer) and we imagine that as our family continues to grow all of our opinions may change.

Have a magical day!

Our Top 3 Walt Disney World Resorts

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As you may know, we have had the pleasure of staying at every Walt Disney World Resort. Each resort is different and the offerings between the resorts can vary greatly, even within the same resort category. We have resorts that we love, and ones that we love less. In this post we’re going to tell you why we love our Top 3 Resorts and why we think your family would love them too!

Disclosure: At Walt Disney World there are Deluxe Villas, Deluxe Resorts, Moderate Resorts and Value Resorts. Comparing Value Resorts to Deluxe Resorts isn’t exactly fair, so we will do a future post related to our favorite resorts in each category. 

Another Disclosure: These rankings are completely our opinion and are not based on any measurable objectives. Whether you agree or disagree, feel free to comment here. 

So without further hesitation here is our Top 3 Resorts at Walt Disney World:

Number 3 - Riviera Resort

This resort is in our top 3 for obvious reasons; it is beautiful, has great transportation options, and it’s new! 

 The hotel is designed with European inspiration and has amazing views over most of Walt Disney World.  Some of the best views (and food) on property can be found at Topolino’s Terrace. The rooms are wonderfully designed and they all feel close to the action since this resort is built upward (instead of spread out like moderate resorts). 

When it comes to transportation, there are few places on property that are better. Getting to Epcot and Hollywood Studios is easy using the skyliner, and the other parks feel close with the resort's dedicated busing and central location on property. After a long park day, having efficient transportation makes our trip better - especially with children! Speaking of making life easier with children, our current favorite character breakfast is at the resort which is really convenient when getting your family up, ready and on time to those early reservations.

Lastly, this resort is the newest resort on property that isn’t the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. New isn’t always better, but the quality of the bedding, state of the furnishing and decorations, and optimal use of the space in the rooms is on point. This resort truly makes us feel like we are at home, if our home was on a European Riviera!

Number 2 - Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House

There are few resorts we have been to anywhere that match the scale and beauty of the lobby at Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House. This is the resort our family has visited more than any other, and it is one of our home resorts we own through Disney Vacation Club. The rooms are decorated in the same African theme of the lobby, and between Jiko and Boma good food is easy to find. 

Quick Interruption: Paula wants to mention the distinct smell of the Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House. She says it smells like "wood" and "warm", whatever that means.   

If you choose a savannah view room, you will have the unforgettable experience of seeing animals right from your balcony. In our experience, it is common to come home from a long day in the parks to be greeted by giraffes right outside of our room. If you are going to Walt Disney World for once-in-a-lifetime/never want to forget memories, then this resort should be at the top of your list.  

The transportation is split between Jambo House and Kidani Village, but each location only has one stop, so this doesn't negatively impact the experience too much. If you can’t tell, resorts that do not have their own busing or have multiple bus stops are generally not our favorite. One of the obvious downsides to the resort is its distance from just about anything on property but the lush setting, 11,000 square foot pool and animal filled savannas make the extra travel time worth it for our family. 

We're not really sure why (maybe because the resort is secluded?) but this resort feels relaxing to us - more relaxing than any other on property. It is always quiet, The Mara (quick service restaurant) always feels empty, and the pools never feel over-crowded. The rooms have been going through an upgrade so depending on where that process is at it is possible that the rooms could feel a little worn, especially when compared to a resort like Riviera.

Quick Note: Whoever at Disney made the decision to switch to clothes steamers in the rooms (instead of irons) made one of the best decisions in recent memory at the resorts. The steamers they chose work wonderfully, and we have tried to buy one from the resort every time we have visited recently because we cannot find the same steamer anywhere!

Number 1 - Grand Floridian

This is probably not a surprising choice to anyone, but it is very hard to compete with a resort this elegant that is within walking distance of Magic Kingdom. The night-time views of Cinderella's Castle from the Grand Floridian are some of our favorite on property, and if you're willing to spend some extra money, there are food options at this resort that are second to none (cue Victoria and Albert’s). The rooms are wonderfully appointed, and, in the words of Disney, you will experience "Victorian elegance meets modern sophistication at this lavish Disney Resort hotel". 

All of our room views have been amazing and they consist generally of Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon, or the monorail. Transportation to Magic Kingdom is easy with a short monorail ride (or boat ride) and to Epcot is efficient with a few monorail rides. We are not really a fan of the transportation options to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom (shared busing with another resort) and, because of this, our stay at Grand Floridian was Magic Kingdom/Epcot focused.  

The pools at the Grand Floridian are all great experiences, and it has the added benefit of a full-service spa and salon onsite. Although it is temporarily unavailable, there is a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the resort as well. 

Lastly, being on the monorail gives you easy access to all monorail resorts and the amazing experiences that are at each. One of our favorites is stopping over at Trader Sam's (at the Polynesian) for a late-night drink. Although this is not part of the Grand Floridian, its proximity is an added bonus for our family. 

We hope you enjoyed reading about our favorite Walt Disney World Resorts. As always, you can visit us on Instagram (@practicallyperfectfamily) to follow along with our adventures!

 Have a magical day!

Why Disney?

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How can you go to Walt Disney World so often? There are other places to vacation! Don’t you get bored?

These are questions we get frequently because, admittedly, we go to Walt Disney World a lot! It has been our family’s preferred vacation destination for the past decade and we continue to make lifelong memories with every trip.

We are so grateful that you have followed along with our adventures so far (@practicallyperfectfamily) and here we wanted to give you a more in-depth look at why we are a Disney family and why we visit Walt Disney World every chance we get!

But why Walt Disney World? That is simple - we first visited Walt Disney World because that is what parents do, right? We didn’t love Walt Disney World prior to our first visit. We didn’t even understand everything it has to offer. And we certainly didn’t know anything about the history or origin of the parks.

Our love for Walt Disney World came long after our love for what we now call the ‘Disney’ lifestyle. And by the 'Disney' lifestyle, we are not talking about cartoons and stuffed animals. Nor are we talking about turkey legs and churros. In fact, when we started living our ‘Disney’ lifestyle we weren’t even associating it with Disney at all!

For us, the ‘Disney’ lifestyle we are talking about is a life of adventure, curiosity and creativity. We are talking about a life of endless possibilities and one where you can work to achieve anything you can imagine. We are talking about a life where not only can you read about different areas of the world and different cultures, but one where you can pack your bags and experience them yourself. We are talking about a life where tomorrow should be different than today, where we keep being innovative, and where we aren't constrained to do something just because it has always been done that way.

When we chose to become a family, and then chose to expand our family, this 'Disney' lifestyle is how we envisioned to live. So far, (almost) every decision we have made has been with these principles in mind. We are always looking for something new to experience, something new to learn and something new to create memories.

So, it's true, just like millions and millions of other families in 2012, we first visited Walt Disney World simply for the thrills that are provided by a theme park. We were looking for another adventure; another place to spend our hard-earned vacation where we can forget the stresses of everyday life. But what we found was actually quite different. We found a home. Not a physical home (unfortunately), but a home for the way our family was striving to live.

The same principles that are the foundation of our family vision are at the core of Walt Disney World and were central to the way that Walt Disney lived his life. It was these concepts that physically manifested themselves into Mickey Mouse, then further into the emergence of a full-length animated feature, and ultimately into the construction of Disneyland (and later Walt Disney World). And it is these concepts that continue to shape Walt Disney World to deliver amazing experiences for families to enjoy together!

So now that you have been there and done that, why would you keep going back? Well, this is where it gets really interesting in our journey. Over the years, we have been able to fill our buckets over and over with the different experiences that Walt Disney World has to offer. We have seen our children get their first haircuts, watched them overcome their fears by riding new rides, renewed our wedding vows, ran half-marathons, stayed in amazing resorts, and had world-class dining experiences. And although we have created some of our best memories with these experiences, we realize that we could have created similar memories almost anywhere!

What makes us come back to Walt Disney World time and time again is how we feel when we leave - inspired. Inspired to go home and try that new idea. Inspired to start that new career. Inspired to not care what other people think about our plan. Inspired to keep living our family vision. And most importantly, inspired by knowing that even when faced with a setback (or outright failure) Walt Disney was able to go from bankruptcy to Disneyland because he had a vision and was committed to that vision. It is this inspiration that has served us well as parents and professionals, this inspiration that is responsible for @practicallyperfectfamily and this inspiration that will be responsible for all of the amazing things that are coming next!

So what is next? Well, as long as we continue to leave inspired, we will continue to visit Walt Disney World. The rides, resorts, food and cast members only make the decision easier for us! (Quick shout out to all Walt Disney World cast members, they truly keep the magic alive!)

We have loved sharing our adventures with you and we are so grateful to be on this journey! This past year has been amazing and we know the next will be even better! In the meantime, watch out for @practicallyperfectfamily whether it is at Walt Disney World or living our best 'Disney' life!

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Have a Magical Day,

The Practically Perfect Family