Has traveling through Australia always been a big dream of yours, but you’ve always thought it would probably cost you a fortune? If the answer is Yes, you’ll be happy to know that visiting the Land Down Under does not have to cause bankruptcy in your household. In fact, if you travel off season and do your research on time, you’ll be able to afford a comfortable vacation without breaking the bank.


BOOK YOUR TRIP IN TIME
Planning is an essential part of traveling. Even though many of us prefer to be spontaneous, planning will, however, be a much better choice for your budget. If you think about going to Australia during summer, start looking for accommodation and transportation options even six to eight months before the trip. This will allow you to get much more affordable deals on hotel room booking, or even flight tickets. Many airlines will have great deals for early birds, so if you book your flight 8-12 months in advance, you’ll be saving a lot of money.

FLY WITH LOW-COST AIRLINES
If you plan to travel through Australia in only a few weeks, flying will be your best transportation solution. However, don’t make a big mistake by choosing some of the most famous airlines, but go with low-cost ones instead. Use search engines that will easily locate the most affordable airline for your trip, and compare them for you, giving you the chance to pick a flight that’s most affordable and convenient. Also, you should try to be as flexible as possible with your trip planning, because the tighter the timing and the more precise the dates of your departures, the lesser the chances you’ll find an affordable deal.


TRAVEL OFF-SEASON
March to May and September to November are the months you want to visit Australia. The months in the off-season will allow you to truly enjoy all the sights and wonders Sydney, Perth, Canberra or some other city in the Land Down Under has to offer, because there won’t be so many tourists as during peak season. Furthermore, everything is cheaper during the off-season, including accommodation and main traveling expenses, which means you’ll be able to save up to 30% more money.

STAY IN AN APARTMENT
Accommodation is one of the most important choices you must make when traveling to a new destination, and you can find good deals on it too. If you’re going to Sydney and you’d like to see some of its lovely suburbs while you’re at it, Annandale accommodation will be one of the best choices if you’re looking for cozy and affordable apartments. Your extended stay in Sydney will be unforgettable, and you’ll have all the comfort you need to lounge and unwind in your apartment. This is a much better choice than a hotel, because you’ll have all the privacy you need, and more space for you and your travel buddies at a very affordable price.

CAMPSITES ARE A GREAT OPTION TOO
If, on the other hand, you want an even more cost-effective accommodation, and you don’t mind sleeping outdoors, camping might be your cup of tea. With a wide range of campsites in the Land Down Under, you won’t have any trouble finding the one that’s closest to your traveling location. Many National Parks allow camping for only $5 a night, so you’ll be saving a lot of money on accommodation. Thanks to the excellent facilities most of the campsites have, you’ll be able to make delicious BBQ, shower, and even have exciting nights by the fire pit, without going broke. Look for the campsites online, and make sure you book your site on time.


GO WITH AFFORDABLE FOOD OPTIONS
Why splurge on fancy restaurant meals, when you can prepare delicious food by yourself? Think about utilizing kitchen facilities in hostels, campsites or your apartment to make the trip as budget friendly as possible. Shop groceries in supermarkets and always have fresh food with you, which will not only benefit your wallet, but your health as well. To make lunch even more thrilling, go on a picnic to the nearest beach or a park. With free public BBQs, you’ll be able to make delicious burgers and enjoy fresh air altogether. Visit local markets to try local produce and cuisine, and stock up on cheap fresh groceries, and support local business all at once. To save up on drinks, feel free to buy your favorite liquor at the supermarket, and start partying at your accommodation, before going to the local pub or club.

LOOK FOR FREE SIGHTSEEING ACTIVITIES
You know how they say all the best things in life are free? Well, the same goes for Australia’s sights. You won’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on tours, because you can see all the mesmerizing sights for $0. Australian National Parks are wonderful, and guess what – it won’t cost you a dime to walk through them. Whether you opt for Daintree or Noosa National Park, you’ll be equally astonished by their beauty, and unless you want to camp there (which usually costs about $5), you’ll be able to admire all the wonders for free. If you’re a museum aficionado, Australia offers heaps of free museums where you can spend an entire day admiring the finest of arts. From National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne to Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy every second of these glorious sights.


FINAL THOUGHTS
Traveling to Australia can be a massive undertaking, but it doesn’t have to make you go broke. All you need to do is start planning your trip on time, look for affordable accommodation, travel off-season, look for affordable food options and check out free sightseeing activities and you’ll have a lovely cost-effective trip through the Land Down Under.

Winter is officially here! When winter approaches, many of us have a list of to-do’s to prep for the chilly season ahead. From putting snow tires on our vehicles and winterizing our lawns to revisiting our favorite slow-cooker recipes, there are lots of little things we need to do to get ready for cooler weather. In many cases, that includes shopping for winter clothing.


It’s essential to ensure you and your family are well-equipped with cold-weather clothing during the colder months of the year. Spending time out in the elements without the right clothes can be miserable, and not only that, it can get you sick. While there are plenty of items, you’ll likely add to your winter clothing shopping list, like sweaters, gloves, hats, and boots, no single piece of winter clothes is as important as your winter coat. The final layer of protection between you and the cold, wind, and snow, it can have a significant impact on your personal warmth and, ultimately, your ability to enjoy the season.

While shopping for a coat for yourself isn’t necessarily the most straightforward task in the world, finding one for your kids can be a little more challenging. Fortunately, I’m here to help! If you’re gearing up to go shopping for cold-weather gear, here are a few things you’ll want to consider to help you choose the right winter coats for your kids:


WHAT WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE MOST COMMON IN YOUR AREA? 
Winter coats are made to suit different conditions. Before you invest, it’s smart to think about what winter weather looks like where you live and choose a jacket that’ll keep your kid comfortable most, if not all, days. If you live in a place where temperatures regularly dip below freezing - or worse, fall into the negatives - you’ll want to look for a coat able to withstand those conditions. Colder conditions will call for a coat with a higher fill weight, if you opt for down filling, or a substantial synthetic filling if you go that route.

You’ll also need to consider water and wind. If you live in an area that receives a decent amount of rain or snow during the winter months, you’ll want to make sure you choose a coat for your kid that’s waterproof or water-resistant. And the same goes for wind - if you live in a place prone to windy conditions, make sure your little one’s winter coat is wind-resistant, too.

WHAT WILL YOUR CHILD BE DOING OUTSIDE? 
You’ll want to keep mobility in mind as you choose a coat for your kid. If your child only plans to wear their winter coat when walking to and from the bus stop, you can invest in something heavier or more structured. But if you expect them to spend hours running and playing outside in their winter coat, you’ll likely want to look for something a little more lightweight and easy to maneuver around in. You may even want to consider a coat with layers that can be added or removed, depending on the condition, so your little ones can peel off their outer shell when they break a sweat!


HOW LONG WILL YOUR CHILD BE ABLE TO WEAR THE COAT IN QUESTION?
If your little one is at a point where they likely won’t grow much in the coming year, it might make sense to splurge and invest in a more expensive piece they can wear a few years in a row. On the other hand, if your child is in the middle of a growth spurt, you may want to drop your budget a little bit, given that you’ll likely be on the market for another coat when next winter rolls around.

One great feature you can look for in a coat when shopping for a growing kid is extendable sleeves. You won’t find these on every winter coat, but some come equipped with the ability to extend the cuff on the sleeves to buy you a little more time before you need to buy another coat for your child.

This winter, after doing some research, I decided to pick up one of these Canada Goose jackets for Madison. It may be a little pricey, but it’s definitely worth the investment - it’s comfortable, stylish, and most importantly, it’s warm. Whether we’re hanging out at home in Colorado or facing sub-zero temperatures in Canada on vacation, I know this coat will keep her snug and protect her from whatever harsh weather we encounter.


Wherever you and your family find yourselves this winter, equip yourself and your little ones with the winter coats and other gear you’ll need to keep you warm and having fun outdoors.

The first day of the new year generally marks the end of the holiday season. It’s the last day many of us have away from work, and many schools require students back in class the following weekday to resume learning. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t an occasion to celebrate! On the contrary, there are plenty of ways to make New Year’s Day a special and memorable time in your home. An easy way to do this? Incorporate a few traditions into your family’s annual plans to participate in year after year.

If you’re looking for a few meaningful traditions to add to your family’s New Year’s Day plans, consider these:


DONATE SOME THINGS YOU'LL NO LONGER NEED.
If you didn’t go through the process of donating clothes, toys, and other things your household doesn’t need before the holiday season began, start the year off with a clean(er) slate by getting rid of your excess stuff. Challenge everyone in your home, including your children, to come up with some things they can afford to give to someone who needs them more than they do - and help them understand how thankful someone else is going to be for their generosity.

SET SOME GOALS TOGETHER.
Whether you want to call them New Year’s resolutions or something else, pick a few things to work toward to improve yourselves. You can kick a bad habit or reinforce a good one, strive to progress in your career or reach some other milestone or challenge yourself to focus on your priorities - whatever those may be. Setting goals as a family will allow you to keep one another accountable, helping to ensure you all make progress together.


ENJOY A SPECIAL MEAL.
In many households, where there’s a reason to celebrate, there’s a reason to feast! New Year’s Day is easily viewed as a day to indulge in a delicious meal. Serve up your family’s favorite dish, grill up something memorable, or see if your favorite restaurant is taking reservations. If you love to host, feel free to invite nearby family and friends over to join. As lovely as it is to catch up with everyone during the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it can be a bit more relaxing to spend time together once you’ve made it through them.

TAKE A PHOTO.
If your family isn’t great about taking tons of pictures together, use the new year as a reminder to take an annual family portrait. Have fun with it by donning matching pajamas or take a serious approach with more formal, well-coordinated attire. You probably won’t have much luck booking a professional photographer on New Year’s Day, but that’s OK! Purchase a small tripod and a trigger, or try to master your camera’s self-timer function,


However you choose to spend New Year’s Day, it’s important to start your year off on the right foot by enjoying yourself and spending time with those you love. Incorporate one or two of these traditions into your family’s plans on January 1, or come up with your own traditions to celebrate together.

Anyone else out there who completely neglects to decorate for the holidays until just a few weeks before Christmas? I know I'm not alone in this. The last few months of the year are absolutely filled with so many events, holidays, and things, that by the time we get to December, I'm a little bit burned out.

Decorations for Halloween have gone up and down, Thanksgiving festivities have begun and ended, and now we've arrived in December, holidays abound. My Christmas tree is nowhere to be seen, my front door is not adorned with a wreath, and pine is the farthest thing from what my home smells like. If you're like me and scrambling to get things decorated, here are a few last minute ideas!


MAKE A WALL TREE 

Don't have time to go get a Christmas tree? The perfect understated solution to replace a Christmas tree is a wall tree. There are a few different ways to make and decorate a wall tree. You can use almost anything. Garlands, Christmas lights, a string of pom poms, the possibilities are endless. You'll just attach your material of choice to the wall in a zig-zagged, tree pattern. You can add ornaments, and decorate it as much or as little as you'd like. This is also a fun idea for children's rooms! Instead of getting individual trees for those rooms, you can let them decorate a wall tree with you. This makes it extra fun and engaging for them, and makes your home look just a little bit more festive.

GARLANDS, GARLANDS EVERYWHERE 

A garland is really one of the best ways to celebrate for the holidays. You can use them just about anywhere in your home, to add a bit of festivity and color to your home. Tack them up along the edges of your countertops, mantle, and tables. You can craft them into wreaths to place on the fronts of doors, the possibilities are virtually endless! Garlands are also super inexpensive, and you can choose anything from pine to pom poms, to anything in between.


FAUX LUMINARIES 

If you haven't had a chance to string Christmas lights around the exterior of your home, than luminaries may be perfect for you! Traditionally, luminaries are candles placed inside of a paper bag, with designs cut out of the bag. You can line them up along walkways and paths. An easier, and safer, way to do this, is to use those little faux tea lights! You can also skip the designs in the paper bag, because it’s still a beautiful decoration with the light just coming through the bag. Put a scoop of sand in the bottom of the bag before putting the candle in, so the bag will stay put and won't get caught up in a strong winter breeze and end up in your neighbors' yard.

USE CANDY IN  YOUR DAILY DECOR 

Who doesn't love a little bit of holiday candy? Besides it being some of the best seasonal candy available, it's beautiful! The stripes and colors are perfect, so why not use them in our holiday decor? Grab a vase, and fill them with your favorite brightly colored peppermints or candy canes, and put it out for the viewing pleasure of all of your house guests!
Get into the holiday spirit with these simple tips and get your decorating skills in action. You'll be amazed at how easy it all comes together.

My kitchen seems to be the room in my home that gets the messiest the fastest, and that just becomes more true (and more messy) during the holiday season. Between cooking for friends and family, making holiday treats, and gathering with loved ones, it's all too easy for your kitchen to get entirely out of control. Dirty dishes pile up in the sink, the floor is covered with sticky spots from little footprints, and it slowly gets worse and worse. The biggest issue here is that because it gets messier more quickly, it gets out of hand in the blink of an eye. Neglecting the kitchen for an evening used to be fine, but after a dozen trays of Christmas cookies come out of the oven, leaving your kitchen for the next morning is simply a recipe for disaster. So, how do you keep this mess under wraps and maintain your kitchen during the holidays?


ORGANIZE YOUR KITCHEN BEFORE THINGS GET TOO BUSY 

The best way to be successful is to set yourself up for it before you get started. Pay attention to the most unorganized areas of your kitchen, and get to work.

Start with the fridge. Throw out anything that has expired, looks questionable, or you don't remember putting into the refrigerator. Designate different shelves for different categories of food, to ensure that you are able to keep it organized. One shelf for leftovers, another for meats and dairy, and produce and snacks on another.

Get organizational containers for your pantry, and label them! This will keep you from just tossing random objects onto a shelf when you’re cooking or baking. Getting organized motivates you to stay motivated.

CLEAN UP AS YOU GO 

A simple baking project often yields dirty dishes covering your kitchen countertops. Before you get started in the kitchen, make sure the room is clean, to set yourself up for success. As you are waiting for your cinnamon rolls to rise, rinse the mixing bowls and put them in the dishwasher. If you get easily overwhelmed with multitasking, ask a partner or one of your children in to place your cookware into the dishwasher as you finish with it. You can promise them one of the holiday treats you are preparing in exchange. Cleaning up the kitchen as you go also prevents pests from finding their way into the kitchen to make their home with you for the winter.


ALWAYS CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN BEFORE GOING TO BED 

We all have times where we walk past the disaster of a dirty kitchen as we are heading to bed, and promise ourselves we will wash the dishes first thing in the morning. But after making breakfast the next day, you tell yourself you'll wait until after lunch. When lunch rolls around, you don't have enough clean cutlery to eat with, and are now stuck in a bind you could've avoided if you had cleaned the kitchen the night before like you had told yourself you would.  It's easier to clean the kitchen when it's one load of dishes, so why wait until it loads up beyond that?

DON'T DO IT ALONE

The holidays are best when shared with your loved ones, and this is true for every single aspect of the holidays. Including cooking and baking. If your family members are getting to enjoy the benefits of you spending all day in the kitchen, then they should be willing to help keep the kitchen clean and under control. Don't let yourself feel the pressure of doing it all alone, and let your friends and family pitch in to help you maintain your kitchen during the holidays.


These simple steps will not only save your sanity but enable you to maintain a clean kitchen during the holidays.

As we near the end of 2018, it’s time to turn our gaze forward and start to consider the year ahead. What goals do you want to achieve in 2019? What habits do you want to change? How do you want to improve?



There are lots of areas in life to focus on, but when I sit down to make a plan for the year ahead, one area I always try to focus on is my budget. How will I manage my money next year? How will I make smarter spending decisions? How do my savings accounts look? Saving money is always a priority, and as I gear up for 2019, I’ve started to consider some ways that I can save more in the new year.

Today, I’d like to share some smart tips in collaboration with Navy Federal Credit Union, I’ve found that will help you save money in 2019:


UNDERSTAND YOUR CURRENT SPEND. 
When was the last time you sat down and analyzed your bank statements? If it’s been more than a month, it’s time to sit down and scan your transactions. It’s important to know where your money is going, and it can be all too easy to forget about monthly subscriptions or realize how quickly all those fast food lunches are adding up.

REVIEW YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
If you have a savings account - or multiple accounts with cash stored away - you should give them a quick review to make sure you’re in the best position possible. If you’re keeping thousands of dollars in savings in an account with a 0.1% interest rate, see if you can find accounts with better rates that offer a higher return on your money.

And if you don’t already have a savings account? Sit down with a banker and determine how much you can commit to saving each month - then open an account with a bank like Navy Federal Credit Union and watch your nest egg grow!


REDUCE YOUR RATES.
One of the easiest ways you can save money - now, and in 2019 - is to see where you can reduce your recurring costs. If you’re working to pay down a balance on a credit card, give the provider a call and see if they can lower your interest rate by a few percentage points.

Spending a ton each month on cable? Call up Comcast and see if they have any discounts or packages that might score you a better deal. From your auto insurance to your cell phone bill, there are plenty of opportunities to cut back costs - and you’ll quickly see how a lot of little savings can add up fast!

MAKE A PLAN - AND STICK TO IT. 
It may sound silly to some, but there’s something powerful about writing down your budget and your financial goals. By bringing them out of your mind and into the world, you’ve made them real, and you’ll be much more likely to follow the guidelines you set for yourself when you can quickly review them in moments of weakness. Track your budget on a spreadsheet or in an app, and write down your goals in a notebook, on a whiteboard, or somewhere you’ll be forced to revisit them often.


See all the ways you could earn and save with Navy Federal Credit Union, and become a member.

If you’re trying to figure out how to keep your kids busy during Christmas break, you aren’t alone. When the kids are out of school for days or weeks at a time, it can be tough to find ways to keep them entertained - and unless your little one is particularly self-directed, they’re probably going to come to you for inspiration when boredom strikes.

It can be easy to let technology do the heavy lifting for us when our kids run out of stuff to do. We could give our kids a tablet or turn on their favorite television show - but is that really the best way for them to spend their time? Instead, consider one of these eight screen-free ways to keep your kids entertained during the holidays:


BUILD A FORT. There are few things more fun than building the biggest, best pillow fort you possibly can. Pull out all of your spare blankets, sheets, and pillows and let your little ones go wild. And don’t leave yourself out of the fun - offer to lend a hand when they need some help hanging things up high.

HEAD TO THE LIBRARY. Remind your little ones that books can be fun! Pay a visit to your local library while the kids are out of school and help your kiddos pick out a few books to read throughout the holidays. See what else your library is willing to lend - some will share DVDs, games, and even cool equipment like telescopes!

GET DRAMATIC. You can have a ton of fun acting out scenes from your child’s favorite movie or show - or come up with your own creative Christmas story to share. Write a script, make some costumes, and gather your audience (stuffed animals are totally OK) - and let the show begin!

DECORATE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE. This classic Christmas activity is a fun and easy way to keep the kids busy. Equip them with frosting, icing, gumdrops, candy canes, and other candies they can use to adorn their gingerbread house and challenge them to be as creative as possible as they design their delicious masterpiece.


FAMILY GAME NIGHT! Turn off the gaming consoles and spend some time playing board games together. From well-loved classics like Sorry and Life to newer family favorites like Spontaneous - The Song Game and Double Ditto, there are plenty of games to choose from to keep your whole family occupied and entertained.

CREATE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. If your children look forward to arts and crafts, dedicate some time over the holidays to creating some homemade holiday decorations. They can make snowflakes from construction paper or popsicle sticks, ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree, or handmade cards to decorate the mantle and send to friends and family.

GO BOWLING. Bowling can be a fun, low-tech way to have fun as a family, and you don’t even have to head to a bowling alley to do it! While renting a lane at a local alley can be a blast, especially if the weather’s only so-so, you can DIY a little bowling action in your own home! Set up empty water bottles or 2-liters at the end of a hall and take turns rolling a ball toward your “pins” to see who can knock down the most.

GET OUTSIDE. Unless your child is fighting a cold or some other sickness, the cold weather is no excuse to stay inside. Instead, bundle up and head outdoors for a little old-fashioned fun. If you like somewhere with snow, you can go sledding, build a snowman, have a snowball fight, or make snow angels. No snow on the ground? Bike to a nearby playground or go for a nature walk together.


From fun holiday traditions to family excursions, there are plenty of ways to keep your kids entertained during the holidays without letting technology turn their brains to mush! With a little out-of-the-box thinking, you’re sure to find even more ways to help your little ones have fun - no technology required.

Holiday traditions mean a lot to me and my family, and we are always finding ways to add new ones. When we're not baking cookies together or singing along to carols using my Amazon Echo, you can find us relaxing reading Christmas classics. Today in collaboration with Amazon, I'm here to share how you can embrace holiday traditions with the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet.



As you probably know, Madison and I are huge fans of the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet. I’ll be honest; it took me a little while to warm up to the idea of handing my child a tablet of her own. However, the Fire Kids Edition won me over for a few reasons:

• It’s virtually indestructible. The Fire Kids Edition is super durable and comes with a kid-proof case, so it’s designed to withstand bumps and drops. And if your little one happens to break it, you’re in luck - each device comes with a two-year warranty, so you’re covered! Amazon will send a free replacement if your device breaks, no questions asked. 

• Each new Fire Kids Edition comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, which gives you access to tons of educational and fun kid-friendly content. From books and audiobooks to movies, games, and kid-friendly websites, your child will have tons of options to choose from.

• You can access parental controls through the Parent Dashboard, which lets you adjust age filters, enable web browser access, and review the content your child is consuming. You also get the ability to manage all kinds of time limits to ensure your kid isn’t staying up too late or spending too much time using their tablet. And you can set educational goals, too, so you can ensure your little one spends some time learning while they have fun.

With all of that built-in, it’s easy to see why the Fire Kids Edition tablets are the #1 kids’ tablets in the U.S. I know it’s the #1 kids’ tablet in my home, and as the holidays approach, we’ve found some fun ways to transform our holiday traditions to incorporate our new Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet. Here are just a few of the ways we use our Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet to enjoy our favorite Christmas traditions:


READING CHRISTMAS STORIES. While there’s something about reading a real book that just can’t be replaced, there are a few benefits to e-readers that you just can’t pass up. With our Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet, we have virtually any book we want to read available at our fingertips, and when the holiday season rolls around, that means it’s easy for us to revisit our favorite Christmas stories together. From Audible books like The Night Before Christmas and Corinna the Christmas Elf to ones you can read along together, like The Snowy Day, there is no shortage of options to choose from.

BAKING CHRISTMAS COOKIES. One of my favorite holiday traditions is spending time in the kitchen, baking tray after tray of Christmas cookies to share with friends and family. We used to copy recipes from the web or print off instructions, but not anymore! Now, we use or Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet to browse the web and find recipes to try together. Then, we keep the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet in the kitchen to refer back to as we bake!



WATCHING CHRISTMAS MOVIES. The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet is perfect for watching shows and movies. When the holidays roll around, what better way to celebrate the spirit of the season than to watch a fun Christmas film? We’ve enjoyed Arthur’s Perfect Christmas and The Littlest Angel so far, but there are tons to choose from!

SURVIVING HOLIDAY ROAD TRIPS. The holiday season always involves at least one or two road trips to visit family and friends who don’t live close to home. Our Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet has been an absolute lifesaver on the road. With Offline Mode, you can download content to view when you don’t have access to the Internet, so your kids will never find themselves without a story to read or a movie to watch!


As you can see, we’ve found plenty of ways to use our Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet to celebrate the holiday season and digitize our favorite holiday traditions. Just think of all the ways you and your family could put one to good use this Christmas - and add it to your wishlist if you don’t already own one!

If your family loves all things, Disney, you may want to consider a Disney cruise for your next vacation. Boasting four fun-filled ships in their fleet, you’ll find your family whisked away on an amazing adventure as you sail across the ocean and explore someplace new. While you’ll be hard-pressed to have a horrible time while you’re on a Disney cruise, there are certainly some things you can do to optimize your experience. Keep the following tips in mind as you get ready for your Disney cruise:


1 - DO YOUR HOMEWORK. 
Don’t wait until it’s time to set sail to learn about all the things there are to see and do on the ship. Most cruises only allow you a few days to truly enjoy all the ship has to offer, and Disney does a phenomenal job of outfitting them with a seemingly endless array of shops, restaurants, activities, artwork, and other things you won’t want to miss. Make sure you know what your must-see’s and must-do’s are before boarding your cruise. Otherwise, you may miss out!

2 - CHOOSE THE EARLY DINNER WHEN TRAVELING WITH LITTLE ONES. 
One thing you’ll need to decide when you’re getting ready to set sail is which dinner rotation you’d like to join. The early rotation seats closer to 6:00 p.m., while you’ll be stuck waiting until 8:00 or even 8:30 p.m. if you opt for the later time. While this may not be a big deal if you’re traveling with an older party, you’ll be amazed to see how tired your little ones are after a day of play at sea. To minimize meltdowns and allow everyone to settle down a little sooner, snagging seats at the first dinner rotation can be a smart move.


3 - PACK WISELY. 
One of the luxuries of cruising, rather than flying, is the fact that you don’t have to deal with such intense luggage restrictions. While you do have more flexibility to bring the things onboard you need to stay comfortable, you should be careful not to overpack for your stay. If you’re only at sea for a few days, you won’t need two week’s worth clothing. Additionally, you should familiarize yourself with Disney’s policies onboard the ship - some of which directly address what can and cannot be brought aboard. Unlike many cruise lines, Disney will actually allow you to bring up to two bottles of wine or champagne on board, which can save you a substantial chunk of cash if you’re planning to drink on the ship.

4 - DON'T SKIP THE EVENING PERFORMANCES. 
Disney is known to put on a good show, and the reputation carries over onto their cruise ships. Every evening, you’ll find some new kind of live entertainment to experience - and on a Disney cruise, it’s going to be a Disney-themed performance. Depending on the ship you choose to cruise on, you’ll find everything from a musical performance of Frozen or Tangled to Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story.

5 - INSTALL THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE NAVIGATOR APP. 
One thing that differentiates Disney cruises from others is the convenience. Disney does a great job of making things easy, and one way they’ve done this is through the creation of the Navigator app. While you will be charged to connect to the ship’s wireless internet to browse the web or send messages, the Navigator app lets you connect free of charge and puts an incredible amount of information at your fingertips. You can search activity schedules, message family and friends on the ship with you, book excursions and experiences, and more.


A Disney cruise can be a truly memorable experience for you and your family. Equip yourself with these tips and look forward to smooth sailing!

Known as The Most Magical Place On Earth, it isn’t hard to feel the energy and excitement in the air when you arrive at Disney World for vacation. With thrilling rides, incredible scenery, and a variety of parks to experience, you can spend days enjoying everything the parks have to offer and leave perfectly satisfied. However, if you’re looking to kick things up a notch, there are some things you can do to create an even more incredible experience for yourself and your family.

Want to take your Disney vacation to the next level? Here are five ways you can make your trip to Disney World extra magical:


STAY ON DISNEY PROPERTY. 
One of the easiest ways to amp up your Disney experience is to stay in one of the many hotels you’ll find on Disney property. You’ll find a surprising variety of options, ranging from the Value Resorts like the Pop Century and All-Star Sports, to the Deluxe Resorts like the Animal Kingdom Resort and the BoardWalk Inn. The Disney magic you experience in the parks carries over to their on-premise hotels, where you’ll find excellent customer service, well-planned themes and decor, and comfortable guest rooms. The fact that you can get to the parks much more easily when staying on property is another excellent reason to consider this option.

BOOK A SPECIAL CHARACTER MEAL. 
Disney character meals can be found at restaurants throughout the parks and on-property hotels. These meals offer your family the opportunity to interact with much-loved Disney characters on a more personal basis than you would at the meet-and-greets you’ll find in the parks. You’ll need to make a reservation, and spots fill up quickly, so do some research to determine which character meal will provide the best experience for your family and make it happen!

SCHEDULE A WAKE-UP CALL FROM A BELOVED DISNEY CHARACTER! 
This one only works if you’re staying at one of the Disney hotels, but it’s a great perk to take advantage of. You can use the phone in your room to schedule a wake-up call. Instead of being greeted in the morning by a hotel receptionist, however, your child will be surprised to hear Mickey Mouse or Olaf from Frozen on the line, encouraging them to start their day.


GET TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM BEFORE IT OPENS. 
If you’re able to wake the whole family up in time to get to the Magic Kingdom before the park opens for the day, you’ll be treated to a sight not all visitors get to experience - the opening ceremony. Magic Kingdom lets guests into the Main Street U.S.A. area an hour before opening time, at which point you’ll be treated to a quick show right in front of Cinderella’s Castle. As a bonus, you’ll be able to ride a few rides before the crowds really start to build.

VISIT DURING A HOLIDAY. 
While Disney World is worth a visit at any time of the year, experiencing the parks during a major holiday can be truly magical. The parks go all-out for Christmas, changing up the usual decor and live performances to a more festive variety and organizing special events and parties to celebrate the season. For holiday memories your family will cherish forever, visiting one of the parks at Disney World is a perfect place to make them.


Try one - or all - of these recommendations to make your next trip to Disney World more magical than ever!