Wondermakers Travel - Ashley Cook

08/16/2025

Where is your favorite place to vacation under the stars?

I absolutely LOVE spending as much time as possible in The Hub at Walt Disney World at night! Staring at that glowing castle makes me feel like all my hopes and dreams really can come true!

The "kiss goodnight" is just the perfect way to end the day and head back home or to my Disney resort room.

I do miss the Dream Lights (the lights all over the castle in some of the pictures) since they haven't done them in years and it was also so much more magical, but the castle having pink on it now helps ease the lack of lights for me a bit.

Another plus of being near the castle at night is the lack of sun, making it so much cooler than melting in the sun during the day!

You can watch Happily Ever After and other seasonal shows from The Hub as well! It's the best!

As you can tell by the pictures, it's been awhile since I've been able to spend some time under the stars at Magic Kingdom (because ALL of my one day trips since we moved have been to Hollywood Studios, and once to EPCOT)! I can't wait to be back "home!"

08/04/2025

We continued our way back to Washington from Southern California. My 12 year old has been dying to see the Golden Gate Bridge! I picked this retro and eclectic hotel called Hotel Del Sol for our one night in San Francisco! The kids had their own room. We were right between Presidio of San Francisco and Fisherman's Wharf. I loved that parking was on property and gated! There was a great breakfast in the morning!

On the way we had to stop by Pixar, so we could see the sign! The kids asked for "San Francisco pizza, like Inside Out." Broccoli on the pizza was not the way they asked for it though!

While the trip wasn't really Disney related, if you know me, you know I WILL find Disney, so we went to The Walt Disney Family Museum. I definitely need to go back either when my kids are older or without them. I could've stayed in there ALL day!

08/03/2025

Did you know Chicago is the busiest railway hub in the US? I grew up just south of Chicago, so getting stopped by a train was quite often a daily occurrence, no matter where you were going. I'm thinking this is why I have such a big desire to send some families on an Amtrak adventure! East coast. West coast. Everything in between! Let's get you there, by train!

Have a place you'd love to go? Hate flying? Don't want to put the miles on your car? These are all great reasons to hop on board the train and go!

07/22/2025

After our stay near Sea World in San Diego, we headed Downtown in Gaslamp Quarter. I wish we had more time to explore that area, but we were there for one main reason, BASEBALL! The proximity of The Residence Inn Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter to Petco Park is one of the best! We're chasing that visit every stadium, before my 12 year old turns 19!

The walk to Petco Park is 3 minutes, MAYBE! That walk will take you to the gate along the 3rd baseline/outfield. It's also decently positioned to access the convention center, which would be ideal for one of San Diego's biggest conventions of the year, San Diego Comic Con! To say all of our San Diego trips this summer didn't fall later into July to be able to go makes me so sad!

There is valet parking, under the building. They also allow valet parking for the baseball games, if they have the space. There are multiple restaurants and bars right out the front door and within a few blocks.

Every room is equipped with a kitchenette complete with a microwave, full size refrigerator, cook top, sink, and dishwasher. This also means you're stocked with glasses, plates, silverware, and anything you may need for a possible extended stay.

There is a gym and outdoor pool and a continental breakfast is included! It was one of the better breakfasts we've had in a hotel in a long time! We went down with less than half an hour left of breakfast service. I was expecting a mostly picked over selection, but all the hot items had been recently filled. It was a really great experience!

07/17/2025

Our first hotel was one we were familiar with, as we'd stayed there 6 weeks earlier.

Wyndham Garden San Diego near Sea World

There are multiple buildings here, all two floors with elevators. You receive free wifi during your stay. There are rooms with a King bed, 2 Queen beds, 1 King bed with sleeper sofa, and an Executive Suite that includes a King bed, sleeper sofa, and kitchenette.

There is an outdoor pool and hot tub.

Within the parking lot is a Panera Bread, that you can receive a discount at for staying at the hotel. In addition to the Panera Bread, there are plenty of other restaurant options within walking distance. There is a Target along with other stores also within walking distance or a very short drive away. A little further away, but still not too far of a drive is Corvette Diner and Gamers Garage. We had such a fun time there!

Sea World San Diego is less than 10 minutes away. You can hear the fireworks on the nights they have fireworks. I'm not sure if they're visible because we didn't get out of the room to check. For my military families, you can access free tickets once a year via Waves of Honor! I found it was cheaper to Uber to and from Sea World from the hotel than it was to park there!

Across the street is Pechanga Arena where you can catch a range of live sports and entertainment. Disney Descendants Zombies Tour happens to be making a stop there tomorrow!

You have easy access to I5 and I8. Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument are 20 minutes away!

07/15/2025

Who thinks I only book Disney and Universal? 🙋

What if I told you my kids and I just got back from 11 days in California nowhere near Disney or Universal? I booked us four different hotels within those 11 days!

Below you'll see a sneak peek of where we stayed! I'll give you the details this week about all of them (once I've recovered a bit)!

07/13/2025

Who is ready to see it snow in Florida?! Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is such a fun time!

Hear those sleigh bells ringing? Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns November 7! 🎄🔔 http://di.sn/60034tNB1

04/20/2025

Who else is really hoping the bunny skips the chocolate this year?

03/22/2025

🐍Today's the day for me and my fellow snakes!!! 🐍

Do you know when your house pride day is?

03/20/2025

Spring is here!!!! It's definitely a wet first day here in Western Washington! What's the first day of spring been like where you live?

03/19/2025

The 'C' family is considering a pre-Christmas break trip to experience all Universal Orlando Resort has to offer, to include the newest Kid's Suite, How to Train Your Dragon!!!

03/19/2025

The B-W Family is heading to Walt Disney World for Spring Break!!!

It's not too late to plan those Spring Break trips!