‘Tis the season of gift-giving! Do you have someone in your life who loves to travel? Or maybe you are the one who is fulfilled by traveling, and you’re wondering what to put on your wish list! 

Based on my research, my travel experiences, and input from the Me and the Magic community, here are the best travel gifts to give and receive. I’ve arranged the items by category, starting with general travel and then getting more specific about the types of travel. You’ll find gift ideas for international trips, road trips, theme park trips, and cruises. 

Any Type of Travel

Unless you’re going on a backpacking adventure, there is one item you need for just about any type of travel… a good suitcase! The debate about hard-sided versus soft-sided luggage is not for here. Instead, I’ll share my favorite suitcase brand’s best carry-on: the Travelpro Maxlite 5 softside expandable upright 22-inch suitcase. It comes in a variety of colors (I’m partial to the blue). I have been using Travelpro luggage for years, and it has held up very well. Plus, I’m always amazed at how much I can fit into these suitcases. 

I love packing cubes! They are a game-changer in how I pack. There are many great brands on the market. I’ve been using eBags for well over a decade, and they are very durable. Plus, the eBags pack-it-flat toiletry bag has been my go-to toiletry bag for years. I can fit so much into this bag! The hook is great to hang it off a towel rod in a bathroom, and the flat design allows for easy packing and storage as you travel. 

Do you stress about how much your luggage weighs at the end of a trip, after you’ve packed it with your souvenirs? This portable luggage scale will save you the stress of realizing at the airport that your suitcase is over the allowed weight limit for checked bags. If you’ve had that happen before (and I have!), then you know the pain of trying to repack your carry-on to accommodate more from your checked luggage at the airline baggage counter. This portable scale will help you (or someone you love) avoid that unpleasant experience. 

If you are checking luggage, or even if you have a carry-on or a laptop bag and want to have a way to track their location, then AirTags are the way to go. I have peace of mind with my AirTags. Plus, they make great stocking stuffers, along with these very handy AirTag silicone cases with keychains! 

It’s important to always stay hydrated, especially when traveling! Take a reusable water bottle with you, such as this HydroFlask insulated bottle with a flex sip lid. 

Good quality sleep while traveling allows you to enjoy your travels so much more. I always bring with me these soft foam ear plugs on trips. Also, I like a really dark space to sleep. This sleep mask has helped me block out unwanted light so I can fall asleep more easily. 

Finally, it’s important to capture your memories as you travel. These notebook journals are the perfect size to slip into your day bag, and I love the different colors to choose from. Or bundle and save with the 6-pack for all the colors. 

International Trips

International travel is very exciting, and it comes with some packing needs that are different than a domestic trip.

Depending on your destination, you may need to bring a universal power adapter such as this one. 

To stay connected at all times, bring a portable charger. This portable charger is compatible with both iPhones and Androids. Also, use a privacy screen to help protect your personal information in public spaces. 

Consider carrying a personal safety alarm such as this one, in case of emergencies. I purchased this personal alarm designed by women for women. 

Wearing your passport, money, and credit cards is a great way to keep these items safe. Consider this money belt with an RFID passport holder or a travel security belt. 

Cruises

If you or a loved one will soon sail away on a Disney cruise, this Disney Cruise packing list has all the necessities for a magical cruise. Here are a few of these items that apply to all types of cruises.

This 3-in-1 charger is great for Apple users and great for limited USB or plug-in ports, as it takes only one cord to charge an iPhone, an Apple watch, and Airpods. 

If you buy nothing else for a cruise, buy this nightlight. It is specifically designed by a cruise company, though it can be used anywhere. It’s battery-operated, and it has a motion sensor. It’s perfect to put in the bathroom so you don’t have to turn on the bright light at night. Or stick its magnetic base to a wall at a low point, so when you get up, it comes on but doesn’t wake up others in the cabin. Can you tell I LOVE it? 

Also for your cabin, if you like some air circulation, this foldable fan is great for just that! Plus, it’s easy to pack since it folds up. 

Magnetic hooks are a must for cruises, since the walls and doors are usually all metal. They increase your storage space and help you hang fun door decorations! 

If you are heading to the beach on your cruise, this mesh beach bag is roomy and great for a day on the beach! I used mine recently on Castaway Cay, and it was perfect. 

Theme Parks

If you’re planning time at Disney parks, Dollywood, Universal Studios, or other theme parks, there are some items that will make your day much more pleasant!

I’ve already mentioned above a reusable water bottle and a portable phone charger. Both are great to take to the theme parks! 

If you’re in Florida, especially between June – October, expect rain. You can purchase ponchos in the park, but why not come prepared with your own poncho that you can easily reuse? Or bring a small travel umbrella to be prepared for those Florida storms. 

Theme park days during summer months, and most months in Florida, can get very warm. This rechargeable personal fan will make such a difference in helping keep you cooler. Or bring cooling towels that you just need to wet to bring a nice cooling effect to your skin. It really does help! I use these cooling towels after my workouts, and they are very durable (just let them air dry). 

Road Trips

It’s always good practice to pack an emergency car kit for road trips. Hopefully, you’ll never need it, but in case you do need jumper cables, other tools, ponchos, or first aid items, this kit has it all. 

There are all kinds of coolers to take in a car. If you need a smaller cooler, try this soft cooler pack and seat back organizer with bottle holders. 

If you plan to also go camping and won’t be near a water source, this 6.6-gallon water container will help with your water supply.

If you enjoy your shakes and smoothies each morning, you don’t need to give that up on the road. This portable blender is USB rechargeable and will meet your blending needs.

Lastly, while we rely on GPS for most directions, in some areas cell service isn’t reliable. Or sometimes, we just want a really big atlas! The Rand McNally 2024 Large Road Scale Atlas is perfect for meeting all your navigational needs. I have the 2022 version of this atlas, and I took it with me on my Fall 2022 road trip through 8 states. When I didn’t have cell service in the Smoky Mountains National Park, I pulled out my atlas. It was also great to plan the road trip. The spiral binding makes it very easy to flip through the pages. This atlas also covers Canada and Mexico. 
What travel gifts will you give or put on your wish list? Email me at am****@***********ic.com, or share in the Me and the Magic community.

I’ve highlighted several packing list items below, with links where you can purchase some items. I have purchased and used most of these items on Disney cruises, so I know that they add to the magical experience! 

At the end of this article, you’ll find a link to not just download this Disney Cruise packing list, but you can access the Google sheet, copy it, and save it to your own Google Drive, or to Numbers or Excel. Then have fun making it your own packing list! Or simply save it as a PDF.  

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Essentials

First, let’s cover the bare necessities (cue the Baloo-inspired dance moves).

• Passport/ID: Your golden ticket to international waters.
• Travel Insurance Documents: Because it’s better to be safe than sorry!
• Cruise Reservation Details: Bring your Port Arrival Form to the terminal.
• Cash and Cards: Bring smaller bills for tips for room service, luggage porters, and excursion operators.
• Lanyard: This will hold your Key to the World card, plus your ID to show when you need an adult beverage! Here are some fun cruise lanyards. If you’re in Disney’s Castaway Club,  you’ll receive a free lanyard in your stateroom to use.

Disney Must-Haves

Plan to immerse yourself in the Disney magic to make your time even more special on your Disney cruise! Here are some fun Disney items to bring.

• Mickey/Minnie Ears: You’ll see a lot of these beauties on your cruise.
• Disney Attire: Bring your best Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars outfits and accessories.
• Costumes: Be ready for themed events, like Pirate night for southern sailings or Frozen night on Alaska voyages!
• Disney Pins for Trading: Yes, pin trading is a thing even at sea. Look for pin boards hanging outside staterooms to trade.
• Autograph Book and Pen / Sharpie: Capture the signatures of your favorite characters.

Capturing the Magic

Whether you are sailing solo or with friends and family, you’ll want to capture every magical moment.

• Camera: Whether it’s a DSLR or your smartphone, just make sure it’s waterproof.
• Portable Charger: You’ll be snapping pics all day; make sure you have the juice for it! Here’s my favorite portable charger.
  • If you are an Apple user, this 3-in-1 device charger for your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple watch is great because it only needs 1 USB port or outlet. 
• Travel Journal: Preserve your memories by journaling each day about your activities, who you’ve met, and what you still want to do. 

Go the Distance

Be like Hercules, and stay healthy and hydrated by bringing these items, so you feel your best as you cruise!

• Sunscreen: In any climate, protecting your skin from the sun is always a good idea, especially when you’re out to sea. Don’t forget the lip balm with SPF, too!
• Sunglasses: Just like you need to protect your skin from the sun, you also need to protect your eyes! Those sunbeams reflecting off the water can be very bright.
• Hat: Use a sun hat, bucket hat, or baseball cap to shield your face from the sun. I love this sun hat for beach days. 
• Refillable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while helping the environment. There are lots of great brands; here’s an insulated water bottle I like. 
• Snacks: Pack some Disney-themed or personal favorites. Just make sure they are in their original sealed packaging. 
• First Aid Kit: Basic medicines, band-aids, and seasickness pills. You can purchase it all on the ship, but it’s cheaper to bring it yourself.
• Prescription Medications: Don’t forget to pack these to feel your best! Here’s my new favorite pill organizer with a sleek design for a 7-day pill supply.

For Your Stateroom

Make your stateroom more like home with these items to make your stay more comfortable.

• Magnetic hooks: Did you know that your stateroom’s walls and most other surfaces on cruise ships are made of metal? Use magnetic hooks to increase your storage potential by hanging your lanyards, hats, umbrella, bags, and more.
• Battery-operated night light: This is one of my must-pack items! I LOVE this night light that has a magnetic base, pivots, and senses motion. LOVE!!!
• Compact fan: If you like air movement when you sleep, this foldable fan is for you.
• Earplugs: If you’re a light sleeper or are rooming with a snorer, invest in these great earplugs. 
• Eye Mask: This eye mask is great for a midday nap when the stateroom isn’t dark (unless you’re in an interior stateroom).

All About Comfort

Last but not least, let’s not forget the basic comforts.

• Comfortable Clothes: Whether you’re playing BINGO or trivia, or busting out your best dance moves at the silent DJ dance party, you want to be comfortable.
• Comfortable Shoes: There will be a lot of walking and exploring, both on and off the ship. Also, consider water shoes like these for hot pool decks or rocky beaches and ocean floors.
• Swimming gear: Bring a bathing suit that you’re comfortable in, because you will want to enjoy the pools and hottubs on the ship! If you’re sailing in warmer climates, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy beaches as well. 
• Layers: Even if you’re sailing in warmer temps, bring a cardigan, hoodie, or sweater for the cooler air-conditioned restaurants, bars, and theaters.
• Light Jacket: For cooler or more windy times on the deck and on excursions.

Let’s Go Exploring

As Mr. Ray says, feel free to explore! Enjoy your shore excursions even more with these items.

• Day bag or beach bag: Handy to have for towels, sunscreen, and all the things you’ll need for a day off the ship. 
• Portable Lockbox or Locksack: Especially for solo travelers, this helps ease your mind if you want to enjoy a swim in the ocean. Lock up your valuables in one of these, and secure them to your beach chair. 
• Snorkeling gear: You can rent gear on Castaway Cay, but it may not be available if you do a beach day excursion elsewhere.
• Towel Clips: Great to secure your towel to a beach chair on a breezy day.
• Umbrella: In case you get caught in the rain on outdoor excursions. I like this travel umbrella. 
• Travel-Size Binoculars: Zoom in for more detail from your sightseeing bus or boat. These are also great to use on the ship when docking in ports. I always enjoy watching the hard-working Disney crew prepare for the ship to dock at Castaway Cay. 

Almost There

It’s nearly time for your cruise, and as Tiana says, you’re almost there! Now it’s time to pack! Here are items you’ll need, and some that I recommend, to help you pack more efficiently and save space.

• Carry-on Bag: Don’t make it too heavy, because you’ll be lugging it around the ship until your stateroom is ready! 
• Suitcase: You decide if you prefer hard-sided or soft-sided.
• Packing Cubes: I love to use these! They make packing and unpacking so easy. Use a different color for each person. There are several great brands. I’ve had my eBags for over a decade, and they are great!
• Toiletries Bag: Here’s my favorite one that holds a lot but still manages to be fairly flat.
• Jewelry Case: I love this foldable jewelry bag because it’s thin but still holds a lot, and it’s so soft!

Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

“There’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow

Shining at the end of every day

There’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow

And tomorrow’s just a dream away.”

Songwriters: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

This packing list will help you be organized and ready when it comes time to pack for your cruise. I enjoy packing, and I want you to enjoy it as well! It’s the start of your vacation, after all!

To aid in amping up the excitement and anticipation, I have created some fun Disney cruise playlists. I love playing this music in the weeks (okay, who am I kidding, months!) leading up to my cruise, and especially when I’m packing. 

Enjoy one or all of these playlists!

• Disney Cruise playlist (for any type of sailing)
• Disney Very Merrytime Cruise playlist
• Marvel Day at Sea Cruise playlist
• Disney NOLA Cruise playlist (that’s New Orleans, Louisiana!)

Click here to download your free Disney Cruise packing list in Google sheets.

Also, listen to Episode 115 for more details on the ultimate Disney Cruise packing list.

Have a magical cruise! Bon Voyage! 

I’m going to go through the steps in this article. You can also download the Disney Cruise checklist PDF by scrolling down to the form.

Be sure to listen to the Me and the Magic podcast Episode 114: The Ultimate Disney Cruise Checklist, for even more Disney cruise tips.

The Two Most Important Dates Prior to Your Cruise

There are two important dates for you to know leading up to your cruise: your booking window date and your online check-in date. The booking window is when you can book your onboard activities, like adult dining, spa appointments, alcohol tastings, and more. This is also when you can book port excursions. The online check-in is when you upload a lot of information (detailed below) and select your Port Arrival Time. 

Castaway Club Levels and Concierge Booking Windows

Disney’s Castaway Club is Disney Cruise Line’s loyalty program. The more you sail on Disney cruises, the more benefits you receive.

There are four levels of the Castaway Club:

• Silver: Your 2nd to 5th Disney cruise
• Gold: Your 6th to 10th Disney cruise
• Platinum: Your 11th to 25th Disney cruise
• Pearl: Your 26th or more Disney cruise

You must complete a cruise sailing before you advance a level. For example, on my 5th Disney cruise, I was Silver level. Once I debarked (that’s cruise lingo for getting off the ship) back at the home port, I changed to Gold level since I had completed that 5th Disney cruise.

If this is your first Disney cruise, the good news is that after you sail on your cruise, you will automatically be in the Castaway Club at the Silver level.

There’s another category of Disney cruise guest that is unrelated to the Castaway Club, and that’s Concierge. There are benefits only for Concierge guests, including an exclusive lounge, earlier booking dates (more on that in a moment), first choice of seats in the theater for evening shows, and more. 

Now that we’ve covered all the guest categories, let’s see the important dates for each one.

• If this is your first Disney cruise, your booking window for activities opens 75 days before you sail, and your online check-in date is 30 days before you sail.
• If this is your 2nd to 5th first Disney cruise (Silver Castaway Club level), your booking window for activities opens 90 days before you sail, and your online check-in date is 33 days before you sail.
• If this is your 6th to 10th first Disney cruise (Gold Castaway Club level), your booking window for activities opens 105 days before you sail, and your online check-in date is 35 days before you sail.
• If this is your 11th to 25th first Disney cruise (Platinum Castaway Club level), your booking window for activities opens 120 days before you sail, and your online check-in date is 38 days before you sail.
• If this is your 26th or higher first Disney cruise (Pearl Castaway Club level), your booking window for activities opens 123 days before you sail, and your online check-in date is 40 days before you sail.
• If you are a Concierge guest, your booking window for activities opens 130 days before you sail, and your online check-in is 40 days before you sail.

Disney Cruise Checklist

Now, let’s go through the Disney cruise checklist. Here are the steps to help you have the best Disney cruise!

Before Your Booking Window Opens

Your cruise is booked, either directly with Disney or through your travel agent. One very important step to take, before you are allowed to book activities or excursions, is to pay the balance on your cruise. Also, if you wish to purchase travel insurance (and I highly recommend that you do!), you need to purchase that prior to your final payment on the cruise.

Another step to take before your booking window opens is to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app onto your mobile device that you will take with you on the cruise. If you have more than one upcoming Disney cruise, you’ll see each of them in the app. If they aren’t in the app, then you can link your reservation number so they do appear in the app. There’s a fun countdown for your cruise. Plus, there’s important information that helps to have it readily available, like your stateroom number, your reservation number, your online check-in date, and the ship’s deck plans. I recommend that you download this app before your booking window opens in case you have problems with the website working when you are trying to book activities. If that happens, then you can switch to the app and book activities through the app, under the My Plans tab.

I also recommend that, as soon as you book your Disney cruise, to find the Facebook group for  your sailing and join it. Nearly every sailing will have its own Facebook group, created and run by volunteers. I have found these groups to be helpful in answering questions. You can also join in on different gift exchange sign-ups, everything from fish extenders and magnets to recipes and ornaments.

When Your Booking Window Opens

On the date your booking window opens, be ready at 12:01 AM EST to book activities and excursions. You can look at the Disney Cruise website beforehand for your ports to see excursions offered. This is one of my favorite planning moments before each cruise, when I can start to put plans into place! Some favorite onboard activities of mine are Palo brunch and a facial in the Senses Spa, but of course there is something for everyone. Have fun exploring the activities available each day. If you  have your heart set on a certain activity that is shown as sold out, do not despair! Continue checking if that activity becomes available as the cruise gets closer. Often, people will book several activities and then will cancel some later on. Once you’re on board, check if that activity has a waiting list. 

Pro Tip: If you want to experience adult dining, but there is no more availability shown online, go straight to the dining help area as soon as you board the ship and check availability.

Depending on your category, you will have anywhere from 45 to 90 days between your booking window date and your online check-in date. If you haven’t already planned your travel to and from the port, now is the time. You will need to input your travel information for online check-in, which is the next step. 

Online Check-in (30 to 40 days Before Your Cruise)

Your online check-in window opens at 12:01 AM EST on your online check-in date. Plan ahead to have the following items available for fast uploading into the online system:

• A solo photo for each person in your travel party. I suggest taking a photo from the shoulders up of each person with a blank background, like a wall.
• A photo of each person’s passport or citizenship documents. Check ahead of time for your cruise destinations for what exact documents are required.
• The credit card you will use for onboard purchases. Also, be prepared to decide who else in your travel party can charge to that credit card.

You will also need to input your travel party’s travel information to and from the port, and flight information before and after your cruise if applicable. Have everyone’s contact info and an emergency contact ready to input into the system.

Port Arrival Time

The last step for the online check-in will be to select your Port Arrival Time (PAT).This time is exactly as it sounds, the time that you should plan to arrive at the cruise terminal. At the terminal, you will not be allowed to check in until your PAT. Of course, you can arrive after your PAT. If you know you’ll arrive later than your PAT, I recommend you select a later PAT so others who want to arrive earlier can use that earlier PAT. 

The earliest PAT available is 11:00 AM, which typically are taken up by Concierge and Pearl cruisers. Concierge guests actually don’t need to select a PAT and can arrive at any time. Each PAT is typically staggered in 15-minute increments. 

Pro Tip: After you complete your online check-in, you will receive a Port Arrival form. Have this form emailed to you. I recommend you print this form out for each person in your travel party. You can also save this form electronically, including to your Apple wallet for my fellow iPhone users. 

If you elect to take Disney ground transportation to the port, your PAT will automatically be assigned to you, depending on the shuttle schedule.

Get your FREE Disney Cruise Checklist!

If you would like all of this information in one PDF file, get your FREE Disney Cruise checklist. Also, be sure to listen to Episode 114 of the Me and the Magic podcast for more details about planning your next Disney cruise. 

Scroll down to continue reading about planning before your cruise.

Final Planning Before Your Cruise

Your cruise is so close! The excitement is building. This is when the really fun planning happens to set yourself up for a magical cruise!

The Month Before Your Cruise

Now is the time to create a packing list. Plan your outfits, especially if you are going to partake in any special events like Pirate Night, Marvel Day at Sea, or Formal Night. All of these events are optional. If you are going to experience adult dining, there is a dress code that is enforced. Check the Disney Cruise website for that dress code so you can pack accordingly.

The month before my cruise is when I like to build the anticipation even more by watching some Disney movies that have ties to the ship. For example, I’ll soon be sailing on the Disney Fantasy, where the current shows are “Frozen” and “Aladdin”. So I will likely have those movies on in the background as I plan my itinerary (yes, I create my own itinerary in a Google spreadsheet).

If you enjoy playing music as you plan or just as you are driving or doing other activities, I have created Disney cruise themed playlists on Spotify that are free for you to enjoy! There’s a main Disney Cruise playlist, a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise playlist, a Marvel Day at Sea Cruise playlist, and a Disney NOLA Cruise playlist (that’s New Orleans, Louisiana). 

About 7 to 10 days before your cruise, I suggest checking the weather forecast. That may also factor in to what you’re going to pack. If you are sailing during hurricane season (June through November), it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on any storms as well that may affect your cruise.

The Day Before Your Cruise

You should receive in the mail a few weeks before your cruise luggage tags from Disney Cruise Line. The day before your cruise, decide which bags you will check at the cruise terminal, and put the luggage tags on those bags. This saves you from rushing to put on the luggage tags when you arrive at the terminal.

I also recommend that you give your travel info to anyone who may need to contact you. Disney cruises have Wifi packages, and some cruisers also receive texts with no issues. It all depends on your cell phone carrier service and where you are cruising to. There is contact info that you can give to loved ones in case they need to contact you on the ship.

The Morning of Your Cruise

When you wake up the morning of your cruise, check your email. You should have received an email from Disney Cruise Line with a link for you to complete an online health questionnaire. This is a quick process with just a few questions to answer, but the online health questionnaire must be completed before you can check in at the port, so don’t wait until you are checking in to do it.

Pro Tip: Only one person in each stateroom needs to complete the questionnaire for the entire stateroom.

Then, make your way to the cruise terminal, check in, go through security, and have the most magical cruise!

Get your FREE Disney Cruise Checklist!

If you would like all of this information in one PDF file, get your FREE Disney Cruise checklist. Also, be sure to listen to Episode 112 of the Me and the Magic podcast, where I go into more detail about planning for your next Disney cruise. 

Welcome back to Walt Disney’s World. Come along for Part Two (read Part One here) of our Walt-inspired tour of the Most Magical Place on Earth. You don’t have to visit Disneyland in California to walk on the same ground Walt once walked. In the final years of his life, Walt visited the swampy Florida landscape several times. By the time of his death, he had purchased all the property he needed, and planned the first stages of development for what he was going to call Disney World (it was only after Walt passed that his brother Roy insisted on calling the resort Walt Disney World). 

The very first order of business in developing Walt Disney World was to create a Disneyland-style park, which would attract visitors and fund future Florida projects. Magic Kingdom fit the bill perfectly and included many of the whimsical touches Walt infused into Disneyland, as we explored in Part One. Resorts and other parks followed, and have combined to make Walt Disney World the top vacation destination in the world. Here in Part Two of our series, let’s connect with Walt in other Walt Disney World parks and resort hotels.

EPCOT

“But the most exciting and by far the most important part of our Florida project… in fact, the heart of everything we’ll be doing in Disney World… will be our Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow! We call it E.P.C.O.T.”

EPCOT was by far the most progressive portion of Walt’s Florida project. What was once meant to be a prototype for future living, transformed, after Walt passed, into a demonstration of scientific concepts and cultural ideals. Disney artists, designers, and Imagineers incorporated two key elements of Walt’s EPCOT dream – technology and world culture – into the two facets of a World’s Fair-style exposition.

World Showcase

As much as the 1964 World’s Fair was a celebration of…well…the world, in actuality it shone brightest as a showcase for Walt Disney’s imagination and his talented team. Walt was always interested in world culture, as evidenced by some of his more internationally-flavored films such as Pinocchio, Mary Poppins, Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, Darby O’Gill and the Little People. These stories, and others, are celebrated throughout World Showcase.

The Germany Train

Many guests breeze right by the dynamic model train set dutifully running its loops outside the Germany pavilion. Others (such as myself and a great many other kids) are entranced by the sense of peace and purpose embedded in this tiny society. As we know, Walt Disney was a train enthusiast through and through. While this set doesn’t (to my knowledge) have a direct link to Walt, just the presence of a working train system like this is enough to connect with him.

Future World (now World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature)

Walt Disney wanted to entertain his guests first and foremost, and secondarily, help them learn something. While Disneyland and Magic Kingdom weighed heavily on entertainment, EPCOT’s Future World skewed more in the direction of education, matched with a healthy dose of entertainment. This philosophy, dubbed “edutainment” – a phrase used by Walt as early as 1954 – set EPCOT apart from all other theme parks in the 1980s.

The educational component of Future World has faded over the last couple decades, with most of the original pavilions being replaced with more story-based rides. Still, plenty of EPCOT’s World’s Fair flavor remains, including the immensely popular seasonal festivals, celebrating food, art, and culture from around the world.

The Monorail

The introduction of the Disneyland Monorail is the stuff of legend. Just ask Disney Legend Bob Gurr how the first official ride in that Monorail went. The look of the Disneyland Monorail circling above Tomorrowland directly inspired the way Walt Disney World’s EPCOT beam Monorail circles above the Future World portion of the park.

Diving a little deeper into the Monorail, we learn that Walt Disney didn’t just want the Monorail to be a ride. He wanted it to be a fully functioning mode of transportation. Today, almost sixty years after Walt’s death, the Monorail is still running strong in Florida.

Nighttime Spectaculars

When viewing the nighttime spectaculars in EPCOT (and other parks for that matter) keep an ear out for Uncle Walt. You just may hear his smooth, comforting voice stopping by to shmooze the crowd. Of particular note in EPCOT, the intermittent fireworks display “EPCOT Forever” features Walt giving part of the quote you read at the top of this section. It’s always nice to hear Walt.

Coming Soon – “Walt the Dreamer” in Dreamers Point

For several years now, EPCOT has been in a state of transformation, as Future World has been changing over to the trio of lands to be known as World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature. Coming soon to World Celebration, right behind Spaceship Earth, guests will have a new way to thank Walt. A “Walt the Dreamer” bronze statue will show Walt sitting at the top of a handful of steps (to be called Dreamers Point), gazing out at the endless possibilities of the world in front of him. Guests will be able to step right up to Walt, for a quick photo or just to pause and reflect.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly known as Disney-MGM Studios) was created to honor the world of cinema and film, and celebrate the glitz and glamor of Hollywood and moviemaking. According to previous Disney CEO Michael Eisner, the park celebrates “a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was—and always will be.” Of course, this romantic version of Hollywood lines up precisely with Walt Disney’s heyday in Tinseltown, and it’s only appropriate that the first entry on our list for this park is the only attraction in Walt Disney World specifically dedicated to celebrating the life of Walt Disney.

Walt Disney Presents

Perhaps the most complete (yet amazingly compact) way to learn about Walt and connect with him in Walt Disney World is by visiting Walt Disney Presents. This self-guided mini museum tour walks guests through the life of Walt Disney, starting with his childhood, continuing through his early career in Hollywood, the building of an animation and film empire, Disneyland, Disney parks worldwide, and looking toward the future. Originally opened to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Walt’s birth, the gallery includes a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind sketches, photos, models, costumes, artwork, and more. Guests looking for a quick break from the Florida heat can easily spend 10-15 minutes strolling through and cooling off. But Walt superfans like myself may spend an hour or more exploring the nooks and crannies of this trip through the life of a creator, dreamer, and doer.

At the end of Walt Disney Presents, guests often have the opportunity to catch a quick 15-minute documentary film called Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream. This short film showcases the life and times of Walt, featuring audio recordings, historical footage, and rarely seen home movies. If you are looking for a shot of inspiration, One Man’s Dream will certainly do the trick. Occasionally, One Man’s Dream is replaced with sneak peeks of upcoming Disney or Pixar films. While those sneak peeks are fun too, I’ll take a short film on Walt any day.

Hollywood Boulevard

Entering Hollywood Studios, guests first find themselves on Hollywood Boulevard – the “Main Street, USA” of the park. This chrome and neon-adorned thoroughfare immediately puts guests back into Walt’s heyday.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

At the far end of the boulevard, guests will find a full-scale replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre – the famous Hollywood landmark. Grauman’s Chinese Theater notably hosted premieres of Mary Poppins in 1964 and The Jungle Book in 1967. Disney’s theater facade proudly honors Walt’s greatest creation – Mickey Mouse – with an attraction all his own (of course, park purists still lament the loss of the theater’s former attraction – the much missed Great Movie Ride). In the theater’s forecourt,  guests can explore over 100 celebrity imprints, including Audrey Hepburn, Tom Cruise, Dick Clark, Donald Duck, Michael J. Fox, Michael Jackson, Angela Lansbury, Roger Rabbit, George Lucas, and Robin Williams, among many others.

Echo Lake and Gertie the Dinosaur

So you know that tall green brontosaurus happily wading in the lake to the left of the Chinese Theater? It’s not a misplaced resident from Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand U.S.A. It’s Gertie the Dinosaur – a pioneer of animation! Gertie is an homage to one of the earliest animation pieces, created by Winsor McKay in 1913. Early animation pieces like Gertie were among the largest influences of an up-and-coming animator named Walt Disney.

As for the lake Gertie is using to cool off? That is Echo Lake – based on a small lake of the same name in Northern Los Angeles. Being conveniently located in LA, the lake has been the filming location of many movie scenes. Are you a Star Wars fan like me? You may have mistakenly thought Echo Lake was named after Echo Base – a location from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Given the nearby proximity of Star Tours and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this is a perfectly understandable mistake to make!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Opening alongside the Polynesian Resort and Magic Kingdom in 1971, Disney’s Contemporary Resort has Walt’s urban planning fingerprints all over it. The skeleton of the unique A-frame building was constructed in place, but the individual rooms were actually built off-site, then lifted by crane and slid into place in the frame, with the intention that rooms could be replaced when needed, based on the need for updates. In keeping with Walt’s historical insistence of cohesive theming, the modern-looking hotel blends nicely with the futuristic feel of nearby Tomorrowland.

The resort is located only a short walk from Magic Kingdom, but it also offers the convenience and whimsy of hopping a ride of the Monorail, which passes directly through the hotel’s Grand Canyon Concourse. The name of the concourse was inspired by the giant floor-to-ceiling mural created by Disney Legend Mary Blair. Blair was one of Walt’s favorite artists. She and her husband Lee both had the privilege of joining Walt on his South American goodwill tour, as part of “El Grupo.” Blair’s use of color and simplistic designs appealed to Walt, and her style directly influenced films like Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan, and the iconic attraction “it’s a small world.”

The Pueblo Village Mural wraps around all four sides of the Contemporary’s center support (which also functions as the main elevator bank). The mural stands 90 feet (nine stories) tall, and includes over 18,000 one-foot-square tiles. 

Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Always a kid at heart, Walt Disney enjoyed a lifelong fascination with trains. They were a part of his life from his earliest days in Marceline, Missouri. The Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge celebrates Walt’s love of trains. This peaceful place doesn’t attract many visitors. It is not in a heavily traveled area, and there are no cast members offering tours. Functionally speaking, it is one of those quiet little nook rooms that Walt Disney World sprinkles outside the main lobbies of most of its moderate and deluxe resorts. There are a few tables, a handful of chairs, a stone fireplace…and an awe-inspiring collection of memorabilia and imagery celebrating Walt Disney’s romance with the rails.

The centerpiece of the room, carefully protected in a plexiglass case, displays two cars from the Lilly Belle train that circled Walt’s backyard of 355 Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Nearby on the wall, guests can see photos of Walt and his visitors (many of them children) enjoying the train in his yard. Other pieces in the room include models of other Walt-centered trains, memorabilia, photos, paintings, and notes. This room is a must-see for fans of Walt Disney, railroad enthusiasts, and anyone who just wants to rekindle a bit of that childlike sense of wonder. You can read my full experience of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room here.

Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

One of the newest additions at Walt Disney World is Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The sixteen-story tower is themed with a modern twist to classic Spanish style, and celebrates the relationship of Walt Disney and Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali, who jointly created the breathtaking short film Destino.

This film was literally 58 years in the making. Production on the collaboration began in 1945, but was put on hold in 1946 (conjecture on the reason for pausing production ranges from financial constraints to creative differences). True to the “No Good Idea Ever Truly Dies” spirit of the Walt Disney Company, the project was resurrected by Walt’s nephew Roy E. Disney in 1999, during production of Fantasia 2000.  The short was completed and released in 2003.

The story is largely set in the surreal world of Dali’s paintings, and features the ill-fated love story of a mortal woman named Dahlia and the immortal Chronos, who personifies time.  Though the two wish to be together forever, their destiny will not allow for it.

The influence of Salvador Dali and Destino can be found all throughout Gran Destino Tower, in the art and decor. Dahlia is specifically represented in a beautiful portrait in the main lobby, across from a similar portrait of Walt and Mickey. Destino plays on several screens in the main lobby and in the Dahlia Lounge, located on the tower’s 16th floor.

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Thank you for coming along on our Grand Circle Tour of Walt Disney’s inspirations in Walt Disney World. Keep Walt’s spirit alive by leading an inspired, creative, and positive lifestyle. You just may be surprised at what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it!

What’s your favorite way or place to connect with Walt Disney? Let us know with a comment to this article, or on social at:

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Disney parks worldwide offer guests a chance to shed the weight of “real life” and experience a bit of magic and whimsy for a few days. The essence of Walt Disney is embedded into each and every Disney park, and specific connections and tributes are plentiful, if you know where to look. Disneyland may be the “holy grail” of Walt Disney connections, but Walt Disney World has more than its share of inspiration from the man who started it all.

In this two-part series, let’s take a look at the best places to appreciate Walt Disney in Walt Disney World. Since Magic Kingdom is chock full of Walt’s spirit, we’ll start there in Part One, and move on to the other parks and a few resorts for Part Two.

Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is the closest thing Florida has to Walt’s original Disneyland park. So it is unsurprising that the majority of Walt Disney connections reside firmly in this park. Let’s go for a walk. You’ll notice many of these highlights mirror what you’ll find in Disneyland (and that’s perfectly ok).

Main Street Train Station

The very first place guests go on the way into the park is beneath the famous Disney train tracks. Much like in Disneyland, Magic Kingdom’s train tracks lovingly wrap the park, encircling guests inside Walt’s wondrous world. The station’s exterior is modeled after a former Saratoga Springs railroad station, which no longer exists today. The most notable homage to Walt on the outside of the building is the famous window reading “Walt Disney World Railroad Office – Keeping Dreams on Track – Walter E. Disney – Chief Engineer.”

The bottom floor of the train station (which is primarily used for stroller rentals) is chock full of images celebrating Walt’s love of trains. The ground floor also features a bulletin board displaying train arrivals and departures. The destinations on this board are full of subtle Disney references, including Kimball Canyon (named after Disney Legend Ward Kimball), Medfield (named after Medfield College – the setting for a number of Disney films, including The Absent Minded Professor, Son of Flubber, and The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes), and Harrington (the town depicted in the Disney film Pollyanna), among others. Even if you have no need for a stroller, a visit to this space is well worth the time.

To ride the rails, guests must first ascend to the second floor loading platform. There, guests might catch a ride on one of four trains, No. 1 – Walter E. Disney, No. 2 – Lilly Belle (named after Walt’s wife), No. 3 – Roger E. Broggie (head of the Disney Studios machine shop and fellow train enthusiast, often considered the first Disney Imagineer), and No. 4 – Roy O. Disney (Walt’s brother). There’s no better place to ride with Walt than on a “Grand Circle Tour” around his wonderland.

Main Street, U.S.A.

The ideals of Walt Disney’s America began in the place where Walt spent his most vividly memorable childhood days – Marceline, Missouri. Main Street, U.S.A. captures the romantic spirit of America’s small town yesterday, nestled in between the train station and Cinderella Castle. This early 20th-century throwback is a combination of Walt’s boyhood home of Marceline, mixed with a bit of Fort Collins, Colorado (the childhood home of Disney Legend Harper Goff).

On Main Street, time stands still, so feel free to take it slow, relax, and enjoy a trip into the idealistic past. The smells of popcorn and pastries waft through the air. The klip-klop of horse-drawn buggies and the ringing bells of busy trolleys ping the ears. If you’re there at the right time, the Dapper Dans will fill your soul with the musical melodies from a simpler time.

Walt Disney was the ultimate American. As he himself stated, “If you could see close in my eyes, the American flag is waving in both of them and up my spine is growing this red, white and blue stripe.” At Disneyland, Walt insisted that the American flag be respectfully raised up the Town Square flagpole every morning, and safely tucked away each night – a tradition that continues to this day (even during the COVID park shutdowns!). Flag raising and retreat ceremonies are part of daily life on Magic Kingdom’s Main Street as well.

You may wonder about all the flags atop the other buildings along Main Street? Those flags are of a slightly different design, with a slightly different number of stars and stripes. As such, those flags don’t qualify as Old Glory, and serve instead as pennants, which wave proudly through day and night, but don’t carry the same protocol of maintenance.

Speaking of Town Square, don’t forget to say “hi” to Walt’s brother Roy, who sits comfortably “Sharing the Magic” on a bench with Minnie Mouse. Roy was not only Walt’s brother, he was a tireless business partner 100% invested in Walt’s dream, who worked behind the scenes to help his brother’s whimsical dreams come reality. After Walt passed, Roy postponed his own retirement so he could guide the opening of Walt Disney World. He courageously delivered Magic Kingdom’s Opening Day speech on October 1, 1971, and sadly passed away only a few months after the park opened.

Walking up Main Street towards Cinderella Castle, don’t forget to look up. Many windows along the Main Street shops pay homage to folks who helped make Disney magic a reality. Disney Legends like Buddy Baker, Mary Blair, X. Atencio, Tony Baxter, John Hench, and Walt Disney himself (among many, many others) are memorialized here in beautifully crafted, clever nods to greatness.

When you reach the hub at the top of Main Street, take a moment to thank Walt for the magic that surrounds you. In fact, feel free to take a picture with him. The “Partners” statue of Walt and Mickey stands proudly at the center of the park.

Nods to the 1964 World’s Fair

The later 1950s and earlier 1960s was a time of explosive creativity for Walt Disney and his storytellers and artists. Disneyland’s Tomorrowland was given a major expansion and update in 1959 with the addition of the Monorail, Submarine Voyage, and the Matterhorn. In the early 1960s, prominent corporations came calling for Walt when they wanted show stopping attractions for the upcoming 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Walt and his team wowed the world when they created four unforgettable attractions (and one very cool tower) for the fair. Three of those attractions are represented in Magic Kingdom.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Originally created for General Electric, the Carousel of Progress is a four-scene play, following the American family through four eras of life, seen through the progression of technology. The father, John, narrates the journey from a central, fixed stage. The audience revolves around the central stage, giving the carousel its name. The Carousel of Progress wasn’t the first attraction to feature audio-animatronics, but the previous pioneering of this technology paved the way for this show. The Carousel of Progress was moved from its location at the World’s Fair to Disneyland in 1967, and then eventually to Magic Kingdom in 1975.

Of course, no discussion of the Carousel of Progress would be complete without acknowledging the legendary Sherman Brothers, who penned the show’s original theme song “It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” as well as a one-time replacement theme song “The Best Time of Your Life.” Before you head into the theater, take a few minutes to watch the video of Walt Disney with Richard and Robert Sherman, playing the show’s signature song as a sort of “pitch” to General Electric. The video perfectly showcases Walt’s unending charisma.

“it’s a small world”

Another World’s Fair inspiration, “it’s a small world” was created for Pepsi Cola (way back when Pepsi was still a major partner with Disney). This journey around the world of children was of particular importance to Walt, who himself always maintains the spirit of a hopeful child. The Magic Kingdom version doesn’t quite match the caliber or spectacle of the Disneyland version, but it still speaks to Walt’s unfailing optimism. And you know that infectious earworm song? You can thank the Sherman Brothers for that little tune.

Hall of Presidents

Another of Walt’s big splashes at the World’s Fair was Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, created for the state of Illinois. Lincoln was, at the time, the most advanced animatronic ever attempted by Disney, and he wowed guests from all over the world with his lifelike movements. The original Mr. Lincoln moved to Disneyland after the conclusion of the Fair, and he resides there to this day.

But over at Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square, A second Lincoln leads a cast of every president ever to serve the United States in the Hall of Presidents. Lincoln once again recites his famous Gettysburg Address, and George Washington recites a speech as well. The current U.S. president recites the presidential oath.

Walt’s patriotism is fully on display here, as evidenced by several photos of Walt with former presidents. There’s also a bust of Walt in the attraction’s lobby. And perhaps the coolest nod to our Founding Fathers is the The Great Seal of the United States, which is only displayed in two locations – the White House and Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents.

When you leave the Hall of Presidents, be sure to walk across the square to check out the Liberty Tree and its hanging lanterns, made famous in Disney’s 1957 film Johnny Tremain. Next to the Liberty Tree, check out the state flags of the original 13 states and a replica of the Liberty Bell. Walt would be proud of this homage to colonial America.

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

The birthplace of Disney’s famous audio-animatronics is Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland. This roughly 15-minute show treats guests to a relaxing “tropical serenade” including over 150 singing and dancing birds, flowers, tikis, and even a singing waterfall.

Walt originally conceived of the Tiki Room as a restaurant where guests could enjoy a meal while being serenaded and entertained. Rolly Crump – one of Walt’s favorite creators – led the artist design of this legendary attraction. This attraction, along with the Carousel of Progress, are the only ones in Walt Disney World which are titled “Walt Disney’s…” Tip: grab a Dole Whip nearby before entering the attraction – you can enjoy it during the show!

Country Bear Jamboree

One of the last projects Walt Disney was working on before his death in 1966 was the Mineral King Ski Resort in California. While not a great skier, Walt enjoyed a good day on the slopes. His dream ski resort in the Sequoias would have included upwards of 14 ski lifts and a gondola system that would connect eight mountain peaks above the resort’s village. Dining options would include ten restaurants and cafes, and a 150-seat coffee shop set atop Eagle’s Crest Ridge, which would be called Walt Disney’s Sky Crown.

Entertainment at one of Walt’s restaurants would be provided by none other than a group of audio animatronic bears, straight out of the Sequoias. Disney Legend Marc Davis designed the show with a healthy portion of his classic humor and wit.

After Walt’s death, environmental concerns over the development of this pristine land stalled the project. With growing environmental opposition, and without Walt to champion the romance of the project to success, the Walt Disney Company eventually dropped the idea. But out of this failure was born the Country Bear Jamboree, an attraction which lives on to this day in Magic Kingdom.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

Transportation and urban planning were among Walt Disney’s passion projects. Walt’s fascination with transportation improvements led him to employing the short-lived Viewliner in Disneyland, which was followed by the world-famous Monorail. A slightly more casual way of traveling around Tomorrowland was the PeopleMover. While this attraction no longer exists in Disneyland, it is still wildly popular in Magic Kingdom.

While the transportation aspect of this attraction is a worthwhile Walt connection in and of itself, an even more poignant connection to Walt resides along the PeopleMover’s route. When cruising above Tomorrowland on the way to Space Mountain, attentive guests will notice a small diorama of a “city of the future” along an inside portion of the route. This is a portion of Walt’s Progress City/EPCOT model. This model formerly resided outside the window of the last scene in Disneyland’s Carousel of Progress. When the attraction moved to Magic Kingdom, the model was displaced, and a portion of it was installed along the PeopleMover’s route.

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Did you find enough of Walt Disney in the Magic Kingdom? He’s all over the place, once you know where to look. Connect with Walt in other parts of Walt Disney World in Part Two of our series, where we’ll explore other Walt Disney World parks, as well as a few resorts.

While we are talking about Walt, do you have a favorite Walt Disney quote? Share it with us with a comment to this article, or on social at:

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I have moved 4 times between 2018 and 2023, and I’ve learned quite a lot about the best items to use for packing and moving. I shared in Episode 107 my top 25 packing and moving tips. To go along with those tips, here are my packing and moving essentials for a smooth move.

Essential Items for Packing

Let’s start with the obvious… boxes and containers. Some stores, like groceries, liquor stores, and office supply companies, offer heavy-duty boxes. If you are a member of your neighborhood’s Facebook group, you can post in there to see if anyone has boxes they’re willing to donate as well. The main home supply stores, including Home Depot and Lowe’s, have all kinds of boxes, as does Amazon. I found certain boxes to be very helpful, including a TV moving box that could also be used for moving a large piece of artwork. 

If you need a bunch of new sturdy boxes, I really like Bankers boxes because they have handles, and I like how the bottom folds down so it doesn’t have to be taped. It just seems sturdier to me. 

There are also great storage totes that are very sturdy. I use these Rubbermaid storage totes for storing holiday decorations. For linens, pillows, and clothes, I really like these blue jumbo heavy-duty moving bags. They have come in handy for all kinds of uses!

One more container, so to speak, is a mattress bag to protect your mattress during the move. Check with your movers to see how much they will charge you for a mattress bag, and compare that to purchasing one yourself. 

Let’s move on to the packing and cushioning materials. Use your own linens to wrap items. If you have a box that is already heavy but has a lot of space still in it, a pillow is a great item to stuff that box to the top. I use a combination of wrapping materials. Bubble wrap and foam wrap are common, and I have used them both. Two more economical and environmentally-friendly options are honeycomb packing paper and newsprint packing paper sheets. The honeycomb packing paper can be easily torn apart as you are wrapping items. The newsprint packing paper can also be used for crafts. Both are recyclable. 

Another type of packing material is stretch wrap. It comes in all sizes and can be used to wrap different items. I used this 5” x 1000’ roll of stretch wrap to wrap rolling drawers with my scrapbooking supplies, as well as my silverware organizer with my silverware still in it. That way, when I unpacked, I just had to remove the stretch wrap, and my silverware was already organized and could simply be placed in the drawer. Plus, this stretch wrap lasts a long time! I’ve used this 2-pack of stretch wrap in 3 moves now, and I still have some left over!

I recommend labeling a box as you pack it. There were many boxes that I half-packed and then left open to search for items to fill it up with, and then a week later I had to dig through the box again to remind myself what I had originally packed in it. Sharpies are the go-to permanent markers for a reason. I always use Sharpies for labeling boxes.

Of course, packing a box is not complete until it is closed and taped up. This is not an area where you want to skimp! Scotch Heavy Duty Packaging Tape is the gold standard, in my opinion. Some people like a tape gun, but I often struggle with them and just prefer using a good tape hand dispenser. 

Essential Items for Moving

One item to have on hand throughout your move is a first aid kit. Whether it’s someone cutting themselves, tripping, or getting stung by a wasp, having a first aid kit helps when you’ve already packed up your bathrooms. You can quickly find any first aid needs with a kit that’s readily available. 

Another item to have on hand is a multipurpose tool set. This tool set isn’t too bulky and has just about everything you would need during a move. 

One last item to have available during a move is a folding stepstool. I like this sturdy stepstool because it has 3 steps, a high weight limit (remember to calculate your weight plus whatever you are lifting), and wide anti-slip pedals. It’s large enough to reach most heights while also being able to fit in most vehicles. 

Essential Items for Your New Home

Now that you are in your new home, it’s time to unpack! You will have a lot of boxes to open, and probably also some stretch wrap that either you or the movers wrapped your furniture with to protect drawers and other items from shifting during the move. This fully auto retractable box cutter is the best, and the safest, one I’ve found. In fact, my brother found it and bought it for my parents during their last move, and I then bought one for myself. I also recommend investing in quality pair of heavy-duty all purpose scissors. I have used these scissors countless times over the last month, before and after my move!

I’ve found that I enjoy using a shelf liner, particularly in kitchen cabinets and drawers. Some shelf liners stick to dishes and become bunched up, which is a pain. This Duck Smooth Top EasyLiner, available in various sizes and patterns, is my favorite – it’s non-adhesive, but it stays in place and does not stick to my dishes and glasses. 

In many apartments and houses, the closet and pantry shelves are the coated wire shelves. My problem with these shelves is that items fall through the spaces. I need an even surface! This Shelf-It Liner for wire shelving with locking tabs is perfect! It comes in different sizes, which is perfect because I needed the 12” deep liner for my closets and the 16” deep liner for my pantry. 

I can’t tell you how many times before and after my move that I have needed to measure a space or furniture. When I’m by myself, the tape measure can be cumbersome. I love using a good laser measure like this RockSeed digital laser distance meter. 

What are your packing and moving essentials to help you have a smooth move? Email me at am****@***********ic.com with your input.

Solo travel can be an incredibly enriching and empowering experience. The main concern for many solo travelers is their safety.

Here are my top 10 safety tips for solo travelers.

Tip #1: Research your destination.

Understand the local customs and traditions, and research any potential safety concerns. Check for any travel advisories. If you’re traveling to another country, register with your country’s embassy.

Tip #2: Share your itinerary, where you’ll be staying, and your contact information with a family member or a trusted friend.

Update your friends and family regularly during your trip. Talk with them before you leave so they know how often to expect you to check in, and talk about what actions you’d like them to take if you haven’t checked in when you were supposed to. 

Tip #3: Plan ahead of time where you will stay, and choose reputable accommodations.

Choose centrally-located accommodations.  Check out the most recent online reviews. Also, even if you are in a private room with locks, consider bringing a security alarm that wedges under the door to alert you if anyone tries to enter the room while you are sleeping or are in the bathroom.

Tip #4: Be cautious with your personal information.

Don’t share too much personal information with strangers, such as your full name, your address, where you are staying, or other travel plans. Be careful how much you share on social media about your travel plans and your real-time location.

Tip #5: Keep your valuables secure.

Use a hidden money belt or a RFID travel pouch to store important documents, cash, and cards. Also, consider putting tracking devices in your suitcase and other bags, like AirTags.  To use the AirTag, you just press it to activate it, put it where you want it to track an item, and then use the Find My app on your iPhone. There are also various types of protective covers, like keychains, to put your AirTags in. There’s also a safety feature about AirTags that I really like. It’s designed to alert you if someone else puts an AirTag in your stuff to try to track you. If an AirTag that isn’t yours is near you, you’ll get an alert on your iPhone that reads “AirTag found moving with you.” At that point, you can open the Find My app and disable the tracking of that AirTag, or you can choose to have the AirTag play a sound. If you have an Android phone, you can use the Tracker Detect app. If you haven’t found it in a certain amount of time, the AirTag will start playing a sound, a beep. Another part of keeping valuables secure is to avoid showing in public expensive items like jewelry, smartphones, or cameras. If you use your phone in a public place, consider putting a privacy screen protector on your phone, and it’s always good practice to have a phone case to protect your phone if you drop it.

Tip #6: Blend in with the locals.

Dress so that you blend in with the local culture. Also, learn a few basic phrases in the local language to improve communication with locals. 

Tip #7: Always stay aware of your surroundings.

Be vigilant, especially in crowded or unfamiliar areas. Trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy or unsafe, don’t hesitate – move somewhere else. Also, avoid using headphones or being distracted by your phone in public places. Avoid walking alone at night, particularly in unfamiliar or more desolate areas. Instead, take a taxi or ride-sharing service. Consider carrying a self-defense tool, such as pepper spray or a personal safety alarm. I like this pepper spray because it has a practice spray. If you are traveling in the United States and you plan to carry or purchase pepper spray, read the pepper spray laws for the states you’ll be traveling in. Pepper spray is legal in all 50 US states, but several states have certain restrictions. 

Tip #8: Use reputable transportation:

Choose well-known, licensed providers for taxis or any other public transportation. Avoid accepting rides from strangers. Use the official taxi line or a ride-sharing service, or go on public transportation if you consider it safe. Always know the route before you start your trip. On rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft, share your location with a friend or family member so they can receive your driver’s information and see where exactly you are.

Tip #9: Be cautious with your food and drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Limit your alcohol consumption, and never leave any drink unattended. When traveling to different countries, know where the tap water comes from. If you have any doubts about its safety, only drink bottled water.  Also, be cautious when trying new foods, especially street food. Go to reputable places. When you arrive, observe their food handling practices if you can.

Tip #10: Always have a backup plan.

Carry photocopies of important documents (your passport, visas, driver’s license, insurance cards) in case you lose them or they are stolen. Save emergency contact numbers, including a friend or family, and if in another country, your country’s embassy, on your phone, and keep a physical copy. Keep some extra cash in a separate location for emergencies. Also, be prepared to not be able to charge your phone for a long time – carry an external charger for your phone. 

With some pre-trip preparation and then awareness and alertness while you are traveling, you can have a safe solo traveling experience that you will enjoy.

JOIN AMANDA BAUNER AND THE ME AND THE MAGIC COMMUNITY FOR OUR VERY FIRST DISNEY GROUP CRUISE!

Our cruise will be November 11-18, 2023 on the Disney Fantasy! This 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise will depart from Port Canaveral with stops at Tortola (British Virgin Islands), St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands), and Disney’s Castaway Cay (Bahamas).

And to make this cruise even more special, it is a Very Merrytime sailing! The ship will be decked out in holiday grandeur, with numerous holiday events on board, including a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus! Click here to read more about Very Merrytime Disney cruises.

To my fellow solo travelers… Contact me at am****@***********ic.com if you’re interested in sharing a stateroom to cut down on costs, and I’ll connect you with other solo travelers looking to do that as well!

Your next step is to click here to request a quote from our exclusive travel partner, MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel. Request a quote now, and a Travel Advisor will reply with options.

You must book with the official group to be part of all the group activities (and surprises!).

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!

On that very first Disney trip back in October 2004, I was undoubtedly nervous. Not because I had no idea what Disney had in store for us, I had been there when I was ten and loved it even then. My nervousness was largely due to the ring strategically hidden in the pocket of my shorts for the past few days. Day two went by, and then day three, as I was constantly searching for an opportunity to steal away a moment with Colleen to create the perfect memory.

The time never seemed to be right, even when we met up with friends in Magic Kingdom, which would allow us the time to get away on our own. Finally, late that night on a moonlit beach at The Contemporary Resort, as Karen drifted off to sleep, I seized the moment. During a short stroll with Colleen, just yards from our garden suite patio, as I commented on the resort lights reflecting at the water’s edge, I took a knee and bought into the magic before me. The warm night air, that moonlit beach, and most importantly of all, the woman who came to mean so much to me throughout those past 11 months. And she said yes!

I’m sure there are many stories like that and more just as spectacular in their own way. The one thing they have in common is the magic surrounding them as they choose to make their dream come true. This has always been the basis of our love of Disney, and specifically Disney World. Whether it is the grand gesture of a proposal or the added sparkle in a little girl’s eyes when they discover the delight of breakfast at Cinderella’s Castle, the magic is there if you search for it.

That little girl became a big sister twice in two years, thoroughly enjoying sharing with her brothers all things Disney. Beginning with movies and then onto Disney World, that little girl became an accomplished guide for her brothers as they all found a bond with the magic they discovered together. Colleen and I entertained the idea of buying into the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) in 2009 but ultimately decided it wasn’t the right time.

Finally, in 2012, on our fifth vacation to WDW, we took the plunge and literally bought into the magic. We chose our Home to be Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary, which was literally built in the area I had proposed. The magic there has held a deeper meaning to us all ever since.

Becoming DVC Members has allowed us to stay at top-tier resorts, known as deluxe resorts, in a way we couldn’t otherwise. Split-stays between two resorts during one vacation, for example, is not something we would have typically been able to do financially without our DVC membership. The ability to stay at a resort we most likely wouldn’t have been able to have given us memories we cherish to this day.

Once such memory was a split-stay between Bay Lake Tower and Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL). We booked a week-long trip which ended with two days at AKL. At the time, our daughter was in high school and beginning to question the appeal of yet another Disney trip. In fact, for that trip, we had her bring a friend to help with the potential “Disney again” attitude. When we arrived on the fifth day of our trip to our Savana-view rooms, our daughter and her friend were so taken by our new resort that they asked why we hadn’t booked our stay longer than two days at AKL. They absolutely loved it!

For planning purposes, being a DVC Member has also allowed us to plan way ahead – 11 months ahead for our Home Resort, Bay Lake Tower, and seven months ahead for all other resorts. The result? It has been a rare incident when we’ve found it difficult to book a room exactly when we needed it.

Being a Disney-loving family based in the midwest, it is important for us to be able to book a reservation for the resort we want during the dates we have available. We don’t typically have much flexibility with our dates and would like to stay as long as we can when we book. Planning with confidence has always been a benefit you rarely hear about, but which, for us, has been priceless.

When it comes right down to quality rooms and amenities, which are appreciated and have come expected, DVC resorts deliver. They consistently deliver spacious rooms with amenities that have grown with our children, including fitness facilities, walking/running paths, pools, gift shops, and various locations. Even in vacationing it can be all about location, location, location. As our kids have grown, they’ve come to want to experience different locations.

Boardwalk has been one such location that has benefited our children as they’ve gotten older. EPCOT has become a must-do and a full-day park. Several quality resort choices located right next to EPCOT on Crescent Lake allow access to EPCOT through the International Gateway entrance and become an attractive option for growing families.

No matter how you achieve your stay in Walt Disney World, traditional bookings, or DVC-specific resorts and villas, one thing is the same; the magic. It’s still there, even if, at times, the magic is self-made. A game of cards while sitting out a short rain storm behind Drinkwhallah in Animal Kingdom, asking for a once-in-a-lifetime ride up front on a Monorail (when it was possible), or watching your children’s eyes light up for the 50th time they watch Happily Ever After because within those fireworks are memories… the magic is still there. We chose to buy into the magic long before we bought into DVC. And how could we not? It was and is everywhere.

Sometimes it’s the magic created by the performer in a show or the magic of an exhilarating ride, or possible, on occasion, it’s the magic in the memories we make ourselves because of where we are and what that makes us feel.

I was blessed to spend the week of my 40th birthday with 13 friends and family at Walt Disney World. It was an amazing trip, all of us together like that. We stayed at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. We loved the convenience of the quick walk or boat ride to EPCOT (bonus: it was during the Food & Wine Festival!) and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I can’t tell you how often my dad and I went down the awesome water slide in Stormalong Bay, the Yacht Club, and Beach Club’s water park area. I had two solo days at the end of that trip when everyone else had gone home. While I enjoyed my solo time at a slower pace (this was on Days 7 and 8!), what I remember most from that trip are the memories that my loved ones and I created together.

In December 2018, my family once again went to Walt Disney World to celebrate a milestone birthday for my mom. What my mom didn’t know was that I had been planning since July with my Aunt Carol and Uncle Ray for them to come and surprise her! My mom noticed on My Disney Experience that we had 2 extra people on our dining reservations – I told her that it was an error on Disney’s part (sorry, Disney!), and that I’d call and correct it. She truly had no idea that they were coming. We had so much fun surprising her like that, and then the rest of the Disney vacation was just magical. This was my aunt and uncle’s first trip to Walt Disney World! We really had a wonderful time together.

In January, my aunt became ill. She sadly passed away at the end of February. At her memorial services, people close to my aunt told my mom and me how much joy it gave my aunt to plan that trip with me and to surprise my mom. They told me how my aunt told them how wonderful a time we all had together on the vacation. Our shared memories are all the more cherished by us, with my aunt having passed so recently, just a few months after our trip together.

People sometimes save up for months, if not years, to take their family to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. They plan and have a set itinerary; then they are stressed during the trip to make every FastPass and dining reservation. Don’t get me wrong, I am a HUGE planner! I love planning Disney trips. I recommend using the My Disney Experience app in the parks to make FastPasses, reserve dining, and for mobile ordering at the counter service locations that offer it. Here’s what I also recommend – be flexible with your plans. Allow for contingencies because things will happen. There will be a downpour when you plan to watch fireworks (it’s Florida!). You will miss a bus or a boat to a park. Someone you’re with will get sick on your trip, and then you will get sick! I’ve had all these things happen on my Disney trips.

What Matters Most is Being Together and Creating Magical Memories Together

The Disney parks are the perfect background for these memories, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you missed your character breakfast dining reservation. So when you’re feeling stressed on your next Disney vacation, take a deep breath, and relax. Put your phone away. Watch your loved ones as they smile and laugh on rides. Talk to each other in the line queues (did I mention putting your phone away?). Be present.

Now, go find a loved one to hug, and then plan your next Disney vacation to create more magical memories together.

What are some of your favorite ways to create magical memories with your loved ones? In my next few posts, I’ll discuss different ways to make some magic with your friends and family – inside and outside the Disney parks, and on the Disney Cruise Line! If you’re looking for fun activities for adults without needing a park ticket, here are some ideas for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort areas.