Terri Davies - Dream Designer - My Mickey Vacation Travel

Terri Davies - Dream Designer - My Mickey Vacation Travel As a Dream Designer I will help you build your family's dream vacation!

Walt Disney World spring savings are here! If your family has been dreaming of a Walt Disney World vacation, now is the ...
09/10/2026

Walt Disney World spring savings are here!

If your family has been dreaming of a Walt Disney World vacation, now is the time to reach out for a quote.

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🍩 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Traveling to Universal Orlando with a Food AllergyOne thing I don't talk about...
09/03/2026

🍩 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Traveling to Universal Orlando with a Food Allergy

One thing I don't talk about often enough when planning vacations is something that impacts many families...

Food allergies.

My daughter has food allergies, and one of the things I was curious about before our Universal Orlando trip was how easy (or difficult) dining would be.

Disney has an amazing reputation for allergy-friendly dining, so I’ll admit—I wondered how Universal would compare.

I’m happy to share that our experience was very positive.

Every location where we mentioned her allergy took it seriously, answered our questions, and explained how they handled allergy concerns.

One experience that stood out was Voodoo Doughnut.

My daughter LOVES doughnuts, but because of cross contamination concerns, bakeries are often places where she doesn’t get to participate.

Before ordering, we talked with the team about her allergy and they walked us through their procedures. We felt comfortable moving forward, and she was able to enjoy something she normally has to miss out on.

And honestly?

Watching her get excited over a doughnut was one of those little vacation moments that means so much.

💡 My Travel Advisor Tip: If someone in your family has a food allergy, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Communicate your needs when ordering, talk with the team members, and make the dining team aware of your concerns. Taking that extra step can make a huge difference in feeling confident while traveling.

I also want to share more about our food allergy experience at Universal because I know this is a big concern for many families when they leave the destinations they already know and trust.

✨ If I Were Planning It Again...
I would absolutely still communicate our allergy needs ahead of time and at each dining location. A little extra preparation helped us feel much more relaxed and allowed my daughter to enjoy the food experiences along with the rest of us.

👇 If you travel with food allergies, what is the biggest thing you worry about when choosing a vacation destination?

✨ A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Disney or Universal? My Honest Take After Doing BothAfter spending a full week...
08/31/2026

✨ A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Disney or Universal? My Honest Take After Doing Both

After spending a full week at Universal Orlando with my family, I came home with a much better understanding of something I tell my clients all the time:

The "best" vacation is the one that fits your family.

And after experiencing Universal in a deeper way, my honest answer is...

I am still a Disney girl at heart. ❤️

But I also understand exactly why so many families love Universal.

For me, Disney is about more than the parks.

It's the nostalgia.

I can still picture my kids riding down Main Street in their strollers. I remember dressing my daughter in a Festival of Fantasy-inspired dress for the parade at Magic Kingdom. Those memories are a huge part of why Disney will always feel like home to me.

Disney also wins for:
✨ Characters
✨ Storytelling details
✨ Resort theming
✨ Food variety
✨ Customer service
✨ Creating experiences for younger kids and multi-generational families

Disney has a way of making you notice the little things—the sights, sounds, smells, and details that make you feel completely immersed.

But here's what Universal does incredibly well...

🎢 Thrill rides.

There is no question that Universal is the winner for families who love big thrills.

My son absolutely loved Hulk and Stardust Racers, and I could see Universal potentially becoming his favorite because of the rides.

Universal is also amazing for:
✨ Teens who love coasters
✨ Harry Potter fans
✨ Families who have done Disney several times and want something different
✨ Families who want a shorter, easier-to-navigate theme park vacation

One thing I really appreciated about Universal was how easy it felt.

The parks are smaller, getting around is simple, and with Express Pass, you can experience so much without feeling like you need a detailed strategy for every minute of your day.

And Epic Universe?

I was extremely impressed.

The lands are immersive, the details are incredible, and I think it may actually be the most well-rounded Universal park for families with kids of different ages.

So...would I recommend Universal?

Absolutely.

Would I replace Disney with Universal?

For my family? No.

Would I recommend Universal to a family who has done Disney several times, has thrill-seeking kids, or wants to try something new?

100%.

💡 My Travel Advisor Tip: Don't choose Disney or Universal based on which one is "better." Choose based on what your family loves. A family with thrill-seeking teenagers may have a completely different dream vacation than a family with younger children who want characters and classic Disney magic.

✨ If I Were Planning It Again...
For our family, I would absolutely return to Universal—but I would plan it differently. Now that we've experienced everything, I would likely do a shorter Universal trip with two park days and Express Pass. For first-time visitors, though, I would still recommend allowing more time to explore and enjoy the experience without rushing.

👇 If you've done both Disney and Universal, which one feels more like "your" vacation style?

🍩 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | What We Ate (And What I'd Recommend)One of my favorite parts of any vacation i...
08/28/2026

🍩 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | What We Ate (And What I'd Recommend)

One of my favorite parts of any vacation is trying the food, and Universal Orlando definitely did not disappoint!

After spending a full week exploring the parks and staying at three different resorts, we tried a pretty good variety of food—from resort meals and snacks to some of the most talked-about Universal treats.

Here are a few things that stood out:

🍩 A Must-Do: Voodoo Doughnut

I know a doughnut stop might not be the first thing you think of when planning Universal, but I would absolutely add this to your list.

I tried the Maple Bar, and it was delicious!

One thing I appreciated as a travel advisor (and mom) was how well Universal handled my daughter's tree nut allergy. We asked questions, they explained their allergy procedures, and we felt very comfortable with her getting to enjoy a doughnut experience that she normally doesn't get at bakeries.

(I'm going to share more about traveling to Universal with food allergies in a future post because I think this deserves its own conversation!)

🌴 Favorite Resort Food: Hard Rock Hotel Poolside Dining

After long park days, sometimes the best meal is one where you don't have to get dressed up or go anywhere.

We enjoyed eating poolside at Beachclub.

Our favorites:
🥪 Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich
🥗 Greek Power Bowl

The Greek Power Bowl was actually a really nice surprise. With quinoa, cucumber, avocado, tomato, garbanzo beans, kale, and feta, it was a lighter option compared to many of the heavier theme park meals.

🌴 Sapphire Falls Favorites

Sapphire Falls was another highlight for food.

We loved:
🌮 Beef Braised Tacos
🧀 Tampico Nachos with Beef Picadillo

The food was one of the things that really impressed us about Sapphire Falls. It was a great option for a resort meal without needing to head into the parks.

🍳 Stella Nova

Stella Nova was perfectly fine for a quick breakfast option.

I had the avocado toast, which was really good, and my son enjoyed the chocolate chip pancakes.

That said, since we were only there a few days and wanted to maximize our park time, we found ourselves eating more in the parks rather than relying on the resort dining. The menu felt a little repetitive after a couple of days.

🌎 Favorite Park Food Finds

Epic Universe had some really fun options:

🍞 Hooligan's Grog & Gruel — the Classic Mac & Cheese in the giant bread cone was a hit (and the bread was surprisingly delicious!)

🥟 Star Sui Bao — the pork soup dumplings were one of my favorites

🍄 Toadstool Cafe — not just a meal, but an experience. The theming was adorable, and the mushroom pizza was a fun Super Nintendo World stop.

Over at Universal Studios Florida:

🍔 My son loved the Krusty Burger from Moe's Tavern.

And of course...

🧈 Don't leave Universal without trying Butterbeer!

Whether you choose frozen or classic chilled, it is such a unique Universal experience. It’s one of those things you can’t really recreate anywhere else.

💡 My Travel Advisor Tip: Don't treat food as an afterthought at Universal. Just like Disney, some of the best experiences come from slowing down and enjoying the details. I always recommend making a few food priorities before your trip, especially if there are restaurants or snacks your family is excited about.

✨ If I Were Planning It Again...
I'd make sure we built in time for more some table service dining. After busy park days, having a relaxing meal back at the resort or City Walk can be just as memorable as the attractions.

👇 What is one food or snack you would consider a "must-do" on a theme park vacation?

🌴 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Which Resort Had the Best Pool?One thing we intentionally built into our Unive...
08/26/2026

🌴 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Which Resort Had the Best Pool?

One thing we intentionally built into our Universal vacation was pool time.

We knew we'd be spending long days in the parks, so having a chance to slow down and enjoy the resorts was just as important as the rides.

Since we stayed at three different Universal resorts, we were able to experience three very different pool atmospheres.

🥇 My Favorite: Hard Rock Hotel

This was, hands down, my favorite pool of the trip.

It had a fun, upbeat atmosphere without feeling overwhelming, plenty of seating, great food, and it was somewhere I genuinely looked forward to spending an afternoon.

If I were planning another Universal vacation, I'd absolutely schedule another pool day here.

🌴 Most Beautiful Setting: Loews Sapphire Falls

Sapphire Falls is a gorgeous resort. Between the tropical landscaping, the island-inspired theme, and the water taxi, it really feels like you've escaped to the Caribbean.

The pool itself is large and perfect for families with younger children, but for our family, it was much busier and louder than we expected.

Would I still recommend Sapphire Falls? Absolutely.

Would I personally plan another full pool day there? Probably not.

✨ Best Budget-Friendly Pool: Stella Nova Resort

Stella Nova's pool was exactly what I expected from a value resort.

It was clean, well-maintained, and a nice place to cool off after a day at the parks—but it wasn't really a destination on its own.

If you're spending most of your time at Epic Universe, it's a perfectly good option. If relaxing by the pool is a big part of your vacation, I'd probably steer you toward one of the Signature Collection resorts instead.

One thing this trip reminded me is that not every family uses their resort the same way.

Some families spend every afternoon by the pool.

Others barely see it.

Neither is wrong—which is why choosing the right resort is about more than just the room.

💡 My Travel Advisor Tip: Before choosing your resort, think about how you'll actually spend your vacation. If you love resort downtime, it's worth paying a little more for amenities you'll enjoy. If your plan is to be rope drop to park close every day, you may be happier putting that money toward tickets or Express Pass instead.

⭐ Would I plan another pool day? Absolutely... at Hard Rock. It struck the perfect balance of fun, convenience, and a place where I actually wanted to slow down and relax.

✨ If I Were Planning It Again... I'd happily spend another pool day at Hard Rock. It offered the best mix of atmosphere, comfort, and convenience for our family.

👇 When you're on vacation, are you someone who loves spending time at the resort pool, or are you in the parks from open to close?

08/20/2026

🎢 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Four People, Four Different Favorite Rides

One of my favorite parts of this trip was realizing that we all experienced Universal a little differently.

If you asked each member of my family what their favorite attraction was, you'd get a different answer—and I think that's exactly what makes Universal so much fun.

👨 My husband's favorites:
⭐ Stardust Racers
💚 Incredible Hulk Coaster
🦖 VelociCoaster
🏍️ Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

If it was fast, thrilling, and worth riding more than once, he was ready to get back in line!

🎢 My 15-year-old son's favorites:
💚 Incredible Hulk Coaster
⭐ Stardust Racers

Those two were clear winners for him, and he happily rode them every chance he got.

🦖 My 20-year-old daughter's favorites:
💙 VelociCoaster
🏍️ Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
⭐ Stardust Racers

She loves an amazing coaster, but she also appreciated the storytelling that makes Hagrid's such a unique experience.

🌟 My favorites:
🐉 Hiccup's Wing Gliders
🏍️ Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
🦍 Mine-Cart Madness

Before this trip, I had talked myself out of riding Hagrid's on three different visits. This time, I finally decided to go for it... and I'm so glad I did! It absolutely lived up to the hype.

The biggest surprise, though? Hiccup's Wing Gliders. Before our trip, I never would have guessed it would become one of my favorite attractions, but it completely won me over!

What I loved most wasn't that we all agreed on the "best" ride.

It was seeing each of us find something that made us excited to say, "Let's ride that one again!"

That's one of the reasons I enjoy helping families plan Universal vacations. There really is something for everyone, whether your group is full of thrill seekers, Harry Potter fans, or someone like me who enjoys a mix of exciting attractions and immersive experiences.

💡 My Travel Advisor Tip: Before your trip, ask each person in your family to pick their top three "must-do" attractions. It helps set priorities for the day, and everyone feels like they had a say in the vacation.

⭐ Would I ride these again? Without a doubt! Hagrid's, Hiccup's Wing Gliders, and Mine-Cart Madness have officially earned a spot on my "must-do" list for future Universal vacations.

👇 I'd love to know... what's your all-time favorite Universal attraction?

🎢 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | My First Impression of Epic UniverseBefore this trip, we'd never been to Epic ...
08/18/2026

🎢 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | My First Impression of Epic Universe

Before this trip, we'd never been to Epic Universe.

So when I planned our vacation, I scheduled two full park days because I wanted to make sure we had enough time to experience everything.

Here's what surprised me...

By the end of our first full day, we had done everything we hoped to do. And my son had ridden EVERY SINGLE RIDE!

Were there attractions we could have ridden again? Absolutely.

But we didn't leave feeling like we'd missed out.

Instead, we realized something important...

For our family, we'd rather spend the next afternoon cooling off at Volcano Bay than trying to squeeze more time into Epic just because that's what our original itinerary said.

And honestly? It ended up being one of the best decisions we made all week.

As for Epic itself...

I completely understand why people are excited about it.

The lands are incredibly immersive, and every area feels thoughtfully designed.

One of my biggest surprises was How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. It ended up being one of my favorite areas in the park, and Hiccup's Wing Gliders was easily one of my favorite attractions of the entire trip!

That said, I don't think every family needs to plan multiple days at Epic Universe.

If it's your first visit, I'd recommend thinking about your family's travel style, how many attractions are on your must-do list, and what kind of pace you enjoy before deciding how much time to dedicate to the park. Do you have teens that feel comfortable using the single rider line is another question to consider.

💡 My Travel Advisor Tip: It's okay to adjust your plans once your vacation begins. A good itinerary should give you direction—but it shouldn't keep you from making the most of what your family is enjoying in the moment.

⭐ Would I visit Epic Universe again? Absolutely. But next time, I'd likely plan one full day and spend the extra time exploring other parks or relaxing by the pool.

👇 If you could visit just one Epic Universe land first, which would you choose?

🎢 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Is Universal Right for Your Family?One of the questions I get asked most is......
08/13/2026

🎢 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Is Universal Right for Your Family?

One of the questions I get asked most is...

"We LOVE Disney... but we're thinking about trying Universal. Do you think we'd like it?"

After spending a full week exploring Universal Orlando with my family, here's my honest answer:

It depends on what kind of vacation you're looking for.

I'll always be a Disney girl at heart. There's something about the storytelling, the nostalgia, and the little details that keeps me coming back year after year.

But after this trip, I have an even better understanding of who I think will absolutely LOVE Universal.

🎢 Universal is a fantastic fit for:

✔️ Families with teens who love thrill rides and roller coasters
✔️ Harry Potter fans (the Wizarding World truly is incredible!)
✔️ Families who have been to Disney a few times and are ready to try something new
✔️ Guests who want an action-packed vacation with some of the best attractions anywhere

If your family falls into one (or more!) of those categories, Universal has so much to offer.

That doesn't mean Disney and Universal are competitors in my mind—they're simply different vacations.

Some families will always be Disney families.

Some are all about Universal.

And many will find that they love both for different reasons.

That's why I never believe in a one-size-fits-all recommendation. My job isn't to tell every family where to go—it's to help them choose the vacation that's the best fit for their family.

💡 My Travel Advisor Tip: If you're trying to decide between Disney and Universal, don't start by comparing the parks. Start by thinking about your family. What excites your kids? Do they love characters and immersive storytelling, or are they all about big thrills and roller coasters? The answer often makes the decision much easier.

⭐ Would I recommend Universal? Absolutely—but especially for families with older kids, teens, Harry Potter fans, and thrill seekers. For the right family, it's an incredible vacation.

👇 Tell me—if your family could only choose one for your next vacation, would it be Disney or Universal? I'd love to hear why!

🎢 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Is Unlimited Express Pass Worth It?If you've started planning a Universal Orla...
08/11/2026

🎢 A Disney Planner's Guide to Universal | Is Unlimited Express Pass Worth It?

If you've started planning a Universal Orlando vacation, you've probably asked one of the biggest questions...

Is Unlimited Express Pass really worth the extra cost?

After spending two full park days at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure using Unlimited Express Pass, my answer is...

For our family... absolutely.

But here's the important part—it depends on how you're planning your vacation.

Because we had Unlimited Express Pass, we were able to experience so much in just two park days without spending the entire day standing in line.

Now, there is one important exception...

🎢 Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure does NOT accept Express Pass, so you'll still want to plan for that standby line. (And yes... after chickening out on my previous three visits, I finally rode it! 😊 I'm so glad I did!)

For everything else, having Express meant we spent more time enjoying the parks and less time watching the wait-time signs.

One thing I always tell my clients is this:

Don't just compare the price of the hotel. Compare the value of what's included.

For our trip, staying at Hard Rock Hotel included Unlimited Express Pass, and for our family, that perk alone made the resort well worth considering.

Would I recommend Unlimited Express Pass for everyone?

Not necessarily.

Here's who I think gets the most value:
✔️ Families visiting during busy times like holidays or spring break
✔️ Families with teens who want to ride the big attractions multiple times
✔️ Guests who only have one or two park days
✔️ Anyone who wants a more relaxed park day with less waiting

If you're visiting during a slower time of year or planning several park days, you may not need it—and that's exactly the kind of planning I love helping my clients with.

💡 My Travel Advisor Tip: Before purchasing Express Pass separately, price out the Premier resorts that include it with your stay. Depending on your travel dates and family size, it can sometimes be the better overall value.

👇 If you were planning a Universal trip, would you rather pay more to skip the lines or save the money and wait? I'm curious where everyone lands on this one!

⭐ Would I recommend it? It depends on your vacation goals. Let's chat!

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