Why We Decided to Blog

We’ve been doing this blogging thing for a few months now. And many of you might be wondering why we started this blog and the YouTube channel. I figured it was time that we talked a little bit more about our adventure and why we’re sharing it on this blog.

As I’m sure you’ve deduced, we’ve always loved Disney and we’ve spent a lot of time planning and going on Disney adventures.  Now that we’re living here, we thought it might give us an opportunity to share some of that knowledge and experience. And with our close proximity, we could keep updating information and make things fun too! We know there are a lot of travel bloggers and vloggers out there and plenty of them specialize in Disney. But we have our own unique perspective on things and thought others might benefit from that.

We also wanted a way to chronicle our own adventures. In a way, this blog and videos are a kind of journal for us. We can keep track of our own adventures and what we learn from our experiences out here.

There are a lot of people out there making money from blogging and vlogging. And while we don’t expect to make our millions and quit our day jobs, it would be nice if we could make a little money from our blog and help us pay our bills and student loans. I’ve done a little research and we became Amazon Affiliates so we could post links of products we like and recommend and possible make a little side income from the blog. We’ve only just begun, so things are still struggling to get up, but hopefully our hard work will pay off (literally…we’d like to pay off our student loans)!

Anyway, so as you read through our blog and notice Amazon ads or our affiliate links, that’s why. We’re out here working out tails off during our Disney College Program, but we’re also working hard to make our Blog and YouTube Channel successful. We’d love your help with that! Please share our blog and YouTube Channel with your friends who might be interested!

And we would love your feedback on our content! Are there things you’d like to hear about? Please leave comments! We’re just kind of playing it by ear right now and hoping we can guess what our audience wants. But it would be better if you told us! Do you want to hear more about us as a couple and our journey here? Or would you like more Disney dining details? Attractions recommendations? Planning tips? Weather reports? Movie reviews? We want to give you what you want to read!

Leave some suggestions in the comments! We want to get to know our readers!

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We Love Having Visitors!!!

We loved having these cuties (and their parents) come visit last week! They add an extra incentive to follow along on our adventures from the last week. They did pretty well on this Magic Kingdom day, even though they had flown in on a red-eye.

It’s fun to have our Disney adventures with just the two of us, but kids bring a special magic to any Disney trip. And these ones definitely love their Disney and they loved getting to help make videos.

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Insider Tips for Conquering Hollywood Studios Park

Hollywood Studios has kind of been overlooked for the last few years as it’s been going through big changes. With the opening of Toy Story Land just recently and the expected opening of several other new attractions, including Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios is about to become a much busier park.

In this post, you’re going to get a few tips to help your visit to Hollywood Studios be more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone! They’re in no particular order, just kind of as they popped into my brain!

1. Don’t take photos at the Mickey and Brooms topiary first thing in the morning. You’ll thank me later. The morning might seem like a great time to take photos because everyone is still happy and not sweaty. But for the Mickey Topiary, morning is just not ideal. The sun will be RIGHT IN YOUR EYES! Even if it’s cloudy, you’ll still be squinting with the brightness. Do your whole family a favor and get that photo in the afternoon/early evening.

2. Get to the park for rope drop/opening. With Toy Story Land being BRAND NEW, the crowds are just really crazy. There is currently not a single-rider line for Slinky Dog coaster and it’s wildly popular. Get to the park at least 20 minutes before it’s scheduled to open as sometimes the park will open early. I’ve heard from multiple guests that if you get in right when it opens, you’ll be able to ride all of the rides, multiple times in some cases.

3. If you’re not an early morning person, you need to stay at a Disney Resort hotel and book your FastPasses 60 days in advance. You’ll still only be able to book one (1) FastPass for a Toy Story ride. I would suggest Slinky Dog as your FastPass ride. That line seems to be the longest. If you’re going to be able to visit Hollywood Studios on more than one day, you can get a FastPass for a different Toy Story ride for that other day.

4. Be aware that there is not a ton of shade, especially in Toy Story Land. Come prepared to hydrate and stay cool. Have your cooling towels and water bottles ready. Wear hats. Plan to see some of the shows throughout the day so you have sit-down and cool-down time.

5. Know which eating locations have indoor seating. Of course the Table Service restaurants will have indoor seating with beautiful Air Conditioning. But those are not your only options. Backlot Express will have some limited indoor seating, but they also have outdoor seating. Backlot Express can be found over by Star Tours. ABC Commissary has quite a bit of indoor seating and is located behind the Hyperion Theater (where the Frozen Sing-a-long shows).

6. The First Order marches every hour on the hour (except for 1:00 pm). So if you have a Star Wars crazed kid, you’ll have ample opportunities. It is pretty cool and lasts around 10-15 minutes so you can catch it and move on. Also, on the half hour, there is a Star Wars character show as well. Coordinate well and you can hit the First Order and then the Character show since they happen in the same place.

7. Speaking of Star Wars crazes…the Jedi Training Academy show is a really cool experience for kids age 5-12. They get to work with a Jedi Master and then fight elements of the dark side (i.e. Kylo Ten and Darth Vader). There are photographers on site to take photos too so you can just watch your kid be in Star Wars heaven. But if this is an experience you really want your kid to have, you need to get to the park as soon as it opens and go right to sign up. The sign up is located over by the Indiana Jones show, just down the way from 50’s Prime-Time Diner. There are quite a few shows, but this is an experience that is in high demand so you’ll want to follow these instructions so your kid can get into the show.

8. The Tower of Terror height restriction is 40″. Please keep in mind that just because your kid is tall enough, doesn’t mean they are ready for this ride. It can be quite scary. And while I’m all for encouraging children to step out of the comfort zone, let’s make sure we’re not scarring them for life.

I hope these tips help you out in your planning! If you have any questions about Hollywood Studios, feel free to comment below!

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An Afternoon in Epcot

Epcot is one of our favorite places. And we’re not just talking in terms of Disney Parks. I mean Epcot is one of our favorite places ANYWHERE! We love World Showcase and all of the cultural and eatery offerings. We love how educational so much of Epcot is. And we love that it has a more chill environment than, say, Magic Kingdom. 
We spent the afternoon in the park and went to SOME of our favorite places. Really we only visited a small handful. We love so many things in this park. Watch the video to see what we love!

Featured locations include:
MouseEars
Test Track
Three Caballeros
Living with the Land
Via Napoli
Journey Into Imagination

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What to Wear to the Parks – Guys Edition

Hello everyone!

Recently Wendi wrote an awesome post about what to wear when you travel to Disney or any other theme park. It was catered more to women, but I’m here to help out the guys! A lot of the same principles will apply, but guys get the advantage of having deep pockets and usually comfortable shoes. As Wendi mentioned in her post, it’s really nice to go into a park without having to take a bag. That way you can go through security quickly and not have to lug a lot around. I’ll tailor my suggestions to that end. Here are my tips!

#1. Comfortable shoes

When you go to a theme park, you will do a LOT of walking. When I’ve traveled to the parks I often log about 25,000 steps per day. Most guys’ shoes are comfortable already, but maybe avoid things like high tops or other kinds of shoes that could rub against your heal. I usually just wear my running shoes or similarly built sneakers. Like THESE Nike Pegasus Running shoes from Amazon.

#2. Fun shirts!

It’s not required, but walking into the parks with a fun nerd shirt is the best (to clarify, it is required to wear a shirt). I’ve gotten multiple compliments on my pixilated Star Wars shirt or my Zelda: Breath of the Wild shirt. It’s just fun! I also recommend finding some shirts that are made of breathable material, like workout shirts. I have a Spiderman and Captain America shirt with that material and they breathe really well. If you plan to attend a park during the rainy season, you must plan to get wet. These shirts will be super helpful since they dry so easily. If you don’t have any nerdy shirts, get some! Here’s a similar Spider-Man shirt on amazon for only $12.99!

#3. Comfortable shorts

I’ve gone to Disney many times with normal khaki shorts and I’ve loved them, but recently I’ve found something even better. Costco was (is?) selling long Adidas basketball shorts with zipper pockets. These ones on Amazon look similar! They are amazing. I often get really anxious riding a rollercoaster that my phone is gonna fly out of my pockets. Not with these babies! They also breathe well, so Splash Mountain recovery is quick!

#4. Sunglasses/glasses and a microfiber cloth

I often like to wear my glasses into the park so I can see the shows better. I have sunglass attachments that I keep in my pocket. One thing that drives me nuts is going on a rollercoaster and hooking my glasses onto the inside of my shirt, because then it creates smudges all over. That’s why I bring a small microfiber cloth to clean them off afterward. It’s made a lot of difference.

#5. If rainy season, a poncho

Disney sells ponchos in every gift shop in the park, but they cost $10 each. If you can find a small poncho that folds down well, you should be able to slip it into your pocket and “save it for a rainy day.” In Florida it will often pour rain for about 20 minutes or so, then clear up. On other days, it will rain the whole day. I was at work yesterday without my poncho and got to experience the joy of that firsthand. Save yourself some trouble and some money by buying a poncho BEFORE you get into the park.

#6. Sunscreen/hat

If you can sunscreen yourself before entering the park, that is a good idea. I usually don’t bring it into the park myself, but thought it was important to mention it here so y’all don’t get burnt. It’s also handy to try to wear a hat. They don’t take up much space and they usually have bins on the fast rollercoasters so you can store them during the thrills. Make sure you SPF is at least 30! This Neutrogena is one of our favorites!

Those are the items I regularly bring. Pretty simple. That’s the best way to experience the parks, in my opinion. If you bring a backpack, you will get super sweaty from the humidity. Disney has free water at every quick service food location, so you should be able to effectively stay hydrated. If you want to save a few bucks on money, maybe you can pocket a protein bar or two. But I personally love to keep it simple.

I hope this helped! If you have specific cases or questions, please contact us and we’ll help you pack according to your needs. We’d love to hear from you!

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Sun Survival Tips for Work or for Play

This post contains affiliate links. When you follow these links I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

With my new job, I spend a lot of time outside. Like A LOT. Especially since right now I’m only trained to work in the daytime. And while I come from the desert climate of Utah and am well adjusted to heat, Orlando heat and humidity for a 6 or 8 hour shift can be rough.

As an added “bonus” I discovered I have some weird skin conditions that rear their grotesque heads after intense exposure to the sun and heat. When I’ve traveled to Disney or other theme parks, I spend time outside, but I also go inside frequently for attractions, shows and eating. My job has me outside all the time for now. So I didn’t realize until the last couple of weeks how intense these issues were.

But, because of that, I’ve got some really useful tips and product suggestions for surviving work or fun in the sun!

#1- WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!

Whether you are going to be outside playing in the sun or working in the sun, the first thing you want to make sure you have is Sunscreen. SPF 30+ is recommended. Personally, I try to find SPF 50+. And I make sure I have some on me so I can reapply throughout the day. Honestly, the reapplication part is my biggest struggle. I’m going to give you a couple of suggestions for SPF and you can choose what works best for you.
Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70 Spray Sunscreen- $8.97 on Amazon
The spray-on option is nice because it makes application pretty easy. Although, you should rub in the sunscreen after you spray it on. For the most part, I really like how this goes on. My only problem is that I developed a weird allergy and needed to switch sunscreens. Which leads me to recommendation #2…
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin SPF 60+- $9.97 on Amazon
If you have skin that is sensitive or prone to eczema, this is a great option! It’s a cream sunscreen. But it helps to lock in the moisture and it’s specially formulated to not cause break outs or rashes. This is my new best friend. I simultaneously discovered that I have a weird stress-triggered eczema AND I am very sensitive to prolonged heat/sun exposure. This product solved my issues. Now I can prevent sunburn and keep my skin sensitivities at bay.

#2- STAY HYDRATED!!!

This is another vital step! When I work, I keep a water bottle clipped to my belt and we are encouraged to drink a bottle of water per hour. Because I am often busy helping guests, I don’t usually get a bottle per hour, but when I go on my breaks I try to make up for it. Also, remember to pre-hydrate before you get to you sunny activities. If you start out as a grape, it will take longer to get to the raisin point. If you’re already mostly raisin, you’re gonna have problems. Drink water on your way to work/fun time. Here are a couple of products that I really like and help me with my hydration needs.
Bai- $17.99 for 12 pack on Amazon
This is my beverage of choice for my lunch break. It tastes great, has only 5 calories per serving and contains natural caffeine for a little extra boost. On my long shifts, it really helps to have the caffeine boost. But I don’t like soda. And frankly, you need to be careful about soda and coffee anyway. They will dehydrate you more quickly. Water is always a first choice, but sometimes you need to switch it up.
nuun electrolyte tablets- $18.04 for 40 tablets on Amazon
My friend introduced these to me and I’m excited to give them a try! They plop right into your water bottle and dissolve to give you subtle flavor and as well as electrolytes. Try them out on your next vacation or even when you’re doing your workouts!

#3- PROTECT YOUR FACE

Your face can definitely take a roasting in the sunshine. And you can’t just use any regular sunscreen on it because they could cause breakouts. So here are some options for your face protection-
Neutrogena UltraSheer Face and Body Stick SPF 70- $8.16 on Amazon
I’ve tried this one and I really like it. It’s like a stick of deodorant that you rub on your face. SPF 70 is fantastic protection too! It glides on easily over or under your make up (or use without make up). 
ELF Beauty Shield SPF 50- $12 at Target
This has kept my face completely protected. I can tell it’s working because if I miss a spot or don’t get close enough to my hairline, I get a little spot of sunburn. It goes on smoothly and SPF 50 on my face without break outs!!!! It’s the dream!
Neutrogena Revitalizing lip Balm SPF 20- $6.29 on Amazon
Don’t forget to protect your lips! Blisters and cold sores on your lips are not fun! This lip balm has several great color options and is so moisturizing AND has SPF 20! I love it. I have one that I keep at home and one that I carry with me while I work so I can reapply! 

#4- ACCESSORIZE!!!

Hats are in! Just ask the Queen of England! But really, if you’re going to spend a lot of time outside, do yourself and favor and get a hat. For work, I’m provided with a wide-brimmed hat. I wear it…sometimes. Honestly, sometimes it kind of feels like it gets in the way. But it does keep my ears from getting sunburned and protects my face and neck as well. I also have a baseball cap that I wear when I know I’m going to spend a day in the sun. And of course, if you’re super sensitive to the sun, consider wearing long sleeved Sun Protection Shirts.
UV/Sun Protection Shirts- $21.99 at Amazon
I am not currently using one of these because I’m afraid I’ll sweat even more and end up dehydrated, but I’ve definitely considered it and if you’re SUPER sun sensitive, please consider it.

#5- AFTER SUN PRODUCTS

Even if you do everything right, you still need to take care of yourself AFTER you’ve spent significant time in the sun. This is something I’ve been spending some time honing these last few weeks. Just like pre-hydration, I need to come home and post-hydrate as well. I usually come home and down a Powerade. My skin also needs some extra TLC after.
BananaBoat After Sun Gel- $13.99 for 2 pack on Amazon
Find a good after sun gel. This isn’t the one I use. I actually use the MaryKay after-sun replenishing gel. It’s a limited edition item and not always available, so I gave you link to a similar product available on Amazon. Even if you only get a little sun, use the gel! If you get sunburned, DEFINITELY use the gel! It keeps things cool and moisturizes your sunburn. It’s saved my life. I’ve definitely been getting sun, but because I’ve been using my after sun gel, I haven’t been peeling!
OZNaturals Vitamin C Mask- $13.49 on Amazon
Vitamin C is vital to sun exposure recovery. This mask has all of the important ingredients to help you skin recover. It’s also mild enough that it can be used daily. It helps my skin rebound after a day in the sun. I definitely see and feel the difference.
Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb sheet mask- $14.19 for a 6 pack on Amazon
It’s all about the hydration after sun exposure. Moisturizing sheet masks are great to add a little extra moisture to your face. My face definitely feels softer and happier after I use a moisturizing sheet mask.

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Disney College Program Series: How to Cope with DCP Rejection

This post contains affiliate links. When you follow these links I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!


As I write this, I imagine you reading this and thinking “How do you know how to deal with DCP rejection?” While I did get accepted to the DCP (and on my first try), I know plenty about coping with rejection. Being a performer, I have definitely been on the receiving end of rejection. I have my own methods for coping, honed over years of failed auditions and other opportunities missed.

I’m not telling you this is the only way to cope with rejection, but these are some of the tools I find helpful. Feel free to try some, all or none of them. And of course, if you have your own coping tools, I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Coping with REJECTION

#1- FEEL THE FEELINGS!!! 
Sometimes we just want to shove things down and try to move on quickly. But it’s really a lot healthier and more helpful to actually feel things. It’s ok to be disappointed. It’s even okay to be angry. My sub suggestion on this is to 
#1a- Have a Venting Buddy
Your Venting Buddy should be someone you’re close to. Find someone who will let you word vomit your feelings for about 20 minutes (tops) and then talk you down off the ledge. Your Venting Buddy will help you feel your frustrations and then help you move on.
#2- TREAT YO SELF
It doesn’t need to be anything extravagant. I mean, if you’re auditioning or job searching etc, you might be going through this cycle fairly regularly. So your treat could be a cupcake from your favorite place. Or you could get those shoes you’ve had your eye on (Dorothy Oka-B is what I’ve got my eye on). Buy yourself some new pens or face mask or running leggings.

#3- Find a New Project
Now that you’ve felt things, and treated yourself to things, you are ready to find a new project to put your energy into. Sometimes this could be moving on to the next audition, job application, interview, project, whatever. Maybe it means getting a new hobby. Maybe you should start planning a vacation for the future. Vacation planning gives you something to look forward to. And it’s something that is more in your control. Also, who doesn’t love to spend hours working on vacation spreadsheets? Oh, just me? Awkward…
#4- Learn and Grow
Sometimes we have to get a little distance from an experience before we can truly learn and grow. It’s frustrating to have to examine the experiences that make us feel the most vulnerable. But we can learn valuable things from each rejection. Maybe your resume could use some sprucing. Maybe your interviewing or audition skills need some refining. Look at things and see if you clan improve. Sometimes, it just isn’t meant to be. You can do everything right that you possibly can, and the stars just don’t align. That’s okay too. You have to learn which experiences to learn from and which ones you just move past. Which brings me to my last tip…
#5- Put the Past Behind you
Don’t carry the rejection with you. That’s not going to be helpful for anyone. It’s not going to make your next attempt any more successful if you keep carrying the baggage of your last failure. Let you past make you stronger, not weigh you down. Let it go, as the song says. 
Like I said, these are just some coping mechanisms that I use when dealing with rejection. Everyone is different and something else might work better for you. I want to hear your suggestions about coping with rejection! Leave a comment below.
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