Jen Theisen - Chasing More Vacations

Jen Theisen - Chasing More Vacations Take the stress out... I'm here to help your family create magical vacation memories!

UNIVERSAL NEWS!This one stings a little: after 36 years, Animal Actors on Location! at Universal Studios Florida will cl...
09/02/2026

UNIVERSAL NEWS!

This one stings a little: after 36 years, Animal Actors on Location! at Universal Studios Florida will close permanently on November 2nd to make “way for a future experience.”

An opening day attraction (then called Animal Actors Stage), this leaves only E.T. and the Horror Make-Up Show as far as what remains from 1990.

I really liked this little show; we always had fun watching the animal hijinx and how great the trainers were. And it was nice to sit in the shade and just enjoy a non-thrilling attraction!

I do look forward to hearing what will go in this space (hopefully something else great for families). We’ll miss you, Animal Actors on Location!

Did you know they have allergy-friendly treats at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Cast members will give you a sp...
09/02/2026

Did you know they have allergy-friendly treats at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Cast members will give you a special bag if you ask when you walk in, making your allergies more recognizable to Cast Members at the treat stations.

They used to hand out tokens at each treat station that you would cash in for treats at Guest Services. Tokens have been retired; many stations have a Cast Member wearing a teal apron with Smarties in it, but you still visit Guest Services in Liberty Square to load up on the big stuff! Most of the treats are Free2B and YummEarth.

I love that they make the trick or treating at the party more accessible in this way! 🎃

My Disney kid is back to school today! Starting 7th grade, and still writing that she wants to be a Cast Member some day...
08/31/2026

My Disney kid is back to school today! Starting 7th grade, and still writing that she wants to be a Cast Member some day. 🙂

We love sneaking in a trip at the end of August because so many schools go back earlier than us. Do you prefer to visit a Disney park during your school breaks, or miss a little school for a trip?

Big Thunder is back and SO SMOOTH! Those sensitive to loud noises may still need ear plugs or headphones, as the lift hi...
08/25/2026

Big Thunder is back and SO SMOOTH!

Those sensitive to loud noises may still need ear plugs or headphones, as the lift hills are smooth but still noisy. The attraction no longer feels like it’s going to knock those kidney stones loose; sorry to those hoping to use this attraction as medical intervention! 😆

08/24/2026

So many characters in Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios! Pluto just plopped down next to my daughter on the new green space. The courtyard looks really nice!

Rounding out our summer vacation with a few days at Walt Disney World! Trying something new to us this trip; bringing al...
08/23/2026

Rounding out our summer vacation with a few days at Walt Disney World!

Trying something new to us this trip; bringing along a friend for Kit. It can be hard sometimes, traveling with an only child!

We’re all looking forward to a split stay at Beach Club & Grand Floridian, as well as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. 🎃 The girls have costumes planned from a couple of their favorite non-Disney fandoms, because you don’t HAVE to wear a Disney costume (or any costume).

See ya real soon, Mickey!

08/20/2026

A little Thursday throwback… six years ago this weekend our family traveled to Walt Disney World, about a month after they reopened from the pandemic shutdown. It was an absurd time to be at Disney… we never felt unsafe, but that was probably because we were practically the only people there. 😆🤦‍♀️

This was late morning at EPCOT, August 27th of 2020, with hardly a soul around us. We REALLY missed the International Cast Members that trip.

The F family booked an awesome Walt Disney World vacation for this holiday season! They took advantage of the special ho...
08/19/2026

The F family booked an awesome Walt Disney World vacation for this holiday season! They took advantage of the special holiday promotion (up to 20% off select rooms) at Port Orleans French Quarter, which has quickly climbed the ranks as one of my very favorite Moderate category resorts at Disney World. 

What I love most about this resort is how quiet and small it is! You could probably walk from end to end in five to eight minutes, nothing feels too far away. This family is booked in the Preferred category, which is just steps from the lobby, food and main pool.

The pool area at this resort has an amazing splash pad for smaller kids, and the serpent slide is also really cool!

The rooms have had a refurbishment in the last few years, so they feel super fresh and are very well appointed with storage space. I loved the layout of these rooms!

And of course, I also have to mention the lovely walking path to Port Orleans Riverside if you want to visit, as well as the boat to Disney Springs. It’s a beautiful ride along the Sassagoula if you want to hit the Springs for shopping or dining! 

Have you stayed at French Quarter? I’d love to hear your thoughts… or just enjoy photos from my family’s visit last year!

Your Tuesday tip! A lot of people don’t realize that you can bring your own drinks and snacks into a Walt Disney World p...
08/18/2026

Your Tuesday tip! A lot of people don’t realize that you can bring your own drinks and snacks into a Walt Disney World park. The main rules are no glass containers (except baby food), nothing you have to heat up in a microwave or has a strong smell, and no alcohol. Coolers must be soft-sided and no larger than 24"x15"x18", using reusable ice packs instead of loose ice.

But- you can definitely bring in your refillable water bottles and a few snacks if you want to cut down on buying expensive sleeves of clementines (or bags of jellybeans)! Sandwiches, fruit, chips, etc are totally fine to bring into the theme parks.

08/16/2026

Who’s been following the D23 Disney Parks news in the last 24 hours? Are we finally getting a refurbishment for the Figment attraction???

They also announced fixing the disco yeti at Expedition Everest (date tba), a Spaceship Earth refurb (date tba) and plans to revamp Tomorrowland in Disneyland (date tba). Soooo… a lot of potential Blue Sky projects, but fingers crossed we finally get a Tom Hiddleston Spaceship Earth since Disney Imagineering seems to take all of my good ideas!

Did you have a favorite bit of parks news?

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