Horizon Explorers Travel Company

08/17/2026

Okay, hear me out… I booked Disney Club Level because I thought it could actually SAVE us money. 😂

We recently spent one night Club Level at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for our daughter’s 6th birthday. The upgrade from the Savanna View room we were already planning to book was $210.

So did we eat and drink $210 worth of Club Level food?

Spoiler: Two comparable Disney breakfasts alone would have cost our family about $248. 👀

And those were only TWO of the meals we ate.

I broke down exactly what we paid, what we ate (including an embarrassing number of Mickey bars 😂), and why I’d absolutely do it again.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Disney Club Level is actually worth the price, this one is for you! 🦒🥂🍦

👇 Read the full breakdown and see if the Disney math works for your family.

Club Level at Disney World sounds like a splurge, and it definitely can be. But on our recent stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, I actually booked Club Level partly because I thought it m…

08/03/2026

🚢 Booking a Disney Cruise soon?

One of the questions I hear most often is:

"What should I book first when my booking window opens?"

The answer isn't always obvious- and not everything needs to be reserved the moment your window opens.

In my newest blog post, I break down:
✨ What to reserve first
👑 Which princess experiences require reservations (and which are FREE!)
🍹 Which adult-only experiences are available to book
🏝️ How quickly Castaway Cay cabanas disappear
💆‍♀️ When it's actually better to wait to book your spa treatment
📸 Special experiences like the Haunted Mansion Parlor portraits on the Disney Destiny & Treasure
…and much more!

Whether you're sailing for the first time or you're a returning Castaway Club member, this guide will help you prioritize what matters most and take some of the stress out of planning.

Have a Disney Cruise question? Drop it in the comments - I'm always happy to help! 💙

Published by Alicia, Owner & Travel Advisor, Horizon Explorers Travel Co. What Is a Disney Cruise Booking Window?My Priority List1. “it’s a small world” Nursery Reservations2.…

08/03/2026

When people ask me about Disneyland Paris, they almost always ask one of two questions:

🇫🇷 "Is it worth it if we've already been to Walt Disney World?"

🏨 "Which hotel should we stay at?"

After spending four nights there with my family and splitting our stay between the Disneyland Hotel Castle Club and Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel I came home with one big takeaway:

** Disneyland Paris shouldn't be compared to Walt Disney World.**

The moment I stopped expecting it to be a European version of the 4 parks in Florida, I fell in love with what makes it uniquely its own.

From attractions like the BEST Big Thunder Mountain version and the unique Phantom Manor to unforgettable dining and beautifully themed hotels, Disneyland Paris impressed us in the best possible way.

I put together a detailed review covering:
✨ Our honest thoughts
🏨 Which hotel each family is best suited for
🍽️ Our favorite restaurants
🎢 The attractions you shouldn't miss
💡 Planning tips I'd absolutely use again

If Disneyland Paris has been on your travel wish list, I hope our experience helps you decide if it's the right fit for your family.

📖 Read the full review at the link below.

Have you been to Disneyland Paris - or is it still on your Disney bucket list?

https://horizonexplorerstravelco.com/2026/07/24/is-disneyland-paris-worth-it-our-familys-honest-review-tips-after-staying-at-the-disneyland-hotel-marvel-hotel/

Love, Alicia

Published by Alicia, Owner & Travel Advisor, Horizon Explorers Travel Co. When people ask me about Disneyland Paris, it’s usually followed by one of two questions: “Is it worth visi…

07/28/2026

One of the biggest surprises for first-time Disney cruisers is that vacation planning doesn't stop once you've booked.

In fact, some of the most popular experiences can book up quickly when your booking window opens.

If you're hoping for Remy or Palo Steakhouse brunch, a Rainforest Room Pass, a Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay cabana, or certain limited experiences onboard, having a plan before your booking window opens can make all the difference.

One tip I share with my clients: don't feel like you have to book everything. Every family vacations differently. I'll help you prioritize what fits your travel style, budget, and must-do experiences so you can spend less time stressing and more time getting excited for your cruise.

Have questions about your booking window or wondering what should be at the top of your list? I'd be happy to help. ⚓✨

07/26/2026

🎉 Just Booked! 🎉

Another family is headed aboard the Disney Destiny! 🚢✨

They’re setting sail on a 3-night Halloween on the High Seas cruise this September, complete with:
🎃 Halloween entertainment and décor
🏴‍☠️ Pirate Night
🏝️ Disney Castaway Cay
🌴 Nassau, Bahamas

Thinking about a Disney cruise? I’d love to help you compare ships, itineraries, and stateroom options to find the perfect fit for your family.

📩 Send me a message or request a free quote to get started!

NassauBahamas FamilyTravel CruiseVacation TravelAdvisor DisneyVacationPlanner

07/26/2026

After years of sailing Disney Cruise Line with my family, I’ve finally put together a list of the products I actually pack and recommend.

No random gadgets. No unnecessary extras.

Just tried-and-true favorites that help keep our stateroom organized, make packing easier, and take a little stress out of vacation.

You’ll find things like:
✔️ Magnetic hooks
✔️ Packing cubes
✔️ Kids’ travel gear
✔️ Organization essentials
✔️ Stateroom favorites
✔️ And a few things most first-time cruisers don’t think to bring!

Whether you’re sailing on the Wish, Treasure, Destiny, Fantasy, Dream, Magic, Wonder, or Adventure, I hope this helps you feel a little more prepared for your adventure.

You can explore the full guide and/or the list with shipping links anytime through the link below.

Have a Disney Cruise packing essential you swear by? I’d love to hear it in the comments!



Full Guide: https://horizonexplorerstravelco.com/2026/07/26/the-ultimate-disney-cruise-line-packing-list-2026-guide/

List with Links: https://horizonexplorerstravelco.com/alicias-disney-cruise-packing-essentials/

Everything you need to pack for a magical Disney Cruise vacation, plus my favorite family packing tips after years of traveling with kids. Planning Your Disney Cruise Starts Before You Board One of…

07/24/2026

🏴‍☠️ What exactly is Pirate Night on a Disney Cruise?

Pirate Night is one of Disney Cruise Line's signature traditions, and for many guests, it's the highlight of the voyage. One evening, the entire ship transforms into a swashbuckling celebration with themed entertainment, special dining, and plenty of pirate fun for all ages.

Here's what you can typically expect:

🏴 A pirate-themed dinner with a special menu and festive atmosphere.

🎭 Disney characters dressed in their pirate best, creating some of the most fun photo opportunities of the cruise.

🎶 A lively Pirate Deck Party with music, dancing, storytelling, and appearances from your favorite Disney friends.

🎆 Fireworks at Sea on most Bahamian and Caribbean itineraries (weather, itinerary, and local regulations permitting). Disney Cruise Line is the only major cruise line that regularly offers fireworks at sea.

✨ Pirates League at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. On Pirate Night, the boutique typically offers pirate makeovers, complete with themed costumes, accessories, and makeup for kids and adults who want to fully embrace the adventure. Reservations are limited, so it's worth booking early if it's on your must-do list.

🧣 A complimentary pirate bandana is also typically waiting in your stateroom before Pirate Night, so everyone has an easy way to join the fun.

Whether you wear a pirate T-shirt, put together a themed outfit, or go all out in a captain's coat, Pirate Night is all about making memories and joining in the fun.

⚓ Which look would you choose?

1️⃣ Keep it casual
2️⃣ Step it up
3️⃣ Go all out 👑

07/23/2026

🍂 Is anyone else already feeling the end-of-summer blues? I know I always love having another trip on the calendar to look forward to. ❤️

If you’ve been thinking about a quick getaway before fall gets busy, these Halloween on the High Seas sailings are some of the best values I’ve seen lately!

✨ Option 1: NEW Disney Destiny (Aug. 24–28) from $1,994 for 2 adults

✨ Option 2: Disney Wish (Sept. 25–28) from $1,826 for 2 adults

🎃 Halloween entertainment
👻 Mickey & Friends in festive costumes
🍬 Trick-or-treating (Yes - for adults, too!)
🌴 A magical escape before the holiday rush begins.

I’d love to help you find the perfect stateroom and take care of every detail. Just send me a message! 🧡

Pricing is for 2 adults, includes taxes, fees, and port expenses, and is subject to availability.

07/21/2026

100 reservations. 🤯💙

I honestly can’t believe I get to say that.

Thank you to every family who has trusted me to help plan their vacations. Being part of your memories is something I’ll never take for granted.

To celebrate this milestone, I’m giving back! 🎉 Book a new Disney Cruise Line vacation with Horizon Explorers Travel Co. by December 31, 2026, and I’ll include a $100 onboard credit—on me! ✨

Here’s to the next 100 adventures! 🚢

07/20/2026

One of my favorite parts of vacation isn’t actually the vacation…

It’s the anticipation. ✨

The countdown begins. You start planning outfits, picking excursions, dreaming about sunsets at sea, and finding those little details that make the trip feel even more special.

As your travel advisor, I love helping with all of it—from choosing the perfect itinerary to sharing fun finds that make your vacation even more magical.

A friend recently opened an Etsy shop, and I immediately thought how perfect these handmade accessories would be for a Disney Cruise! They’d be so fun for sail-away, pirate night, park days before or after your cruise, or just adding a little extra magic to your vacation wardrobe.

Because planning the trip should be almost as exciting as taking it. 💙

Who else starts shopping for vacation the minute they hit “Book”? 🙋🏼‍♀️