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Plus Size Fashion

BIG NEWS!!! – Planning the Magic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


I’m SO excited to finally announce that I’m officially a Disney travel agent!!!

This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time and I recently got hired by a great agency called Straight Away Travel! They’ve been amazing to work with- so knowledgeable and kind!

As you know, I’ve been going to Disney my whole life. It’s my happy place and I’m super excited to share that passion with others! Planning the vacation is a huge part of the fun for me! But if you’ve never been to Disney it can definitely be overwhelming! Disney World is HUGE, with 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, multiple hotels, Disney Springs and more, it can be a lot! That’s why it’s great to have someone like me help you plan and navigate it all!

My services are 100% free! I’m currently able to book any Disney parks, cruises, adventures AND Universal theme parks! Complete the form below today for your free trip quote!

** Call me beep me if you want to reach me!* You can email, DM, complete the questionnaire, call me, anything! I’m available for you! 🙂

Here’s the Questionnaire to get started!


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Summertime at Disney/Universal – Planning the Magic
Plus Size Fashion

Summertime at Disney/Universal – Planning the Magic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Anyone who knows me knows I rarely go to the parks in the summer. I’m NOT a fan of that Florida heat! But this year I went on a trip with my travel agency and my mom! I won’t lie, I was pretty nervous before I left. I was meeting everyone in the agency (in person) for the first time and I was definitely anxious about how I’d handle all day in the parks with the heat! I’ve had family members have heat strokes and I tend to get really bad migraines when I get too hot. So leading up to the trip I did lots of research and panic buying from Amazon 😅. I’ve tried out ALL the things to help beat the heat so you don’t have to! Here are some of my main tips and some items that helped me through my theme park vacation!

First of all, take the heat seriously! Anyone can have a heat stroke or get sun poisoning and it happens fast. Even kids can have heat strokes so keep those little ones cool too! Listen to your body, drink lots of water, and take break! Anywhere in the parks you can ask for a cup of water & they’ll give it to you for free. I always bring a reusable water bottle with me and fill it up several times throughout the day. If you feel yourself getting too hot, step into a store or restaurant and take a break for a while. The hottest times of the day are from 1-4. During that time I usually spent at least an hour inside somewhere just chilling and resting.

The best times to be doing the most in the parks are first thing in the morning and at night. It starts to noticeably cool off around 6pm. If you can get into the parks first thing in the morning you can usually get a lot done before the heat of the day kicks in!

This past weekend I discovered Disney & Universal are different in a few key ways when it comes to the heat. All of Disney’s stores are connected. You can walk into one entrance essentially walk down a street via the store and come out the other side. This helps a lot with cooling off! Universal is not that way. Their stores have one entrance and are not connected. So you can walk in and be inside for a bit to cool off but you won’t advance through the park. Another big different is the ‘flooring’ of the parks if you will. Universal has mainly asphalt whereas Disney has different types of concrete. This can make a big different with the heat. My biggest takeaway from these differences was be sure you have your water bottle filled, fan charged, and cooling cloth wet BEFORE you enter Universal. Once you get in there it is HOT.

Some items that really made a huge different for me were my neck fan and cooling cloth! My mom bought be the cooling cloth from Disney and I was skeptical but it was great! I also used these ‘sweat block’ cloths I’d seen on TikTok. Again, I was very skeptical but they made a huge difference. You use them the night BEFORE you’re going to sweat on areas where you sweat the most. I still sweat some in those areas but very little and nothing like I would have normally! It made my days much drier and more pleasant. I do have very sensitive skin but they didn’t break me out! My last favorite item didn’t have to do with the heat so much has foot pain. I always have plenty of energy in the parks but after the first day or so my feet start to hurt so bad! I found a numbing foot spray and decided to give it a try. I really feel like it helped! I was able to walk a lot longer and further! I tend to get blisters on the bottoms of my feet and toes so I tried out this glide stick? I still got one small blister but much better than usual. I also always bring 2 pairs of tennis shoes and switch them out. You can shop all these items here: https://liketk.it/4bAcA

I hope those tips will help you beat the heat this summer! If you still need to book a vacation for this year or next year please allow me to plan it for you! My services are free and you can request a vacation quote here: https://forms.gle/c9xKU9vAy1ctMgfi8


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Plus Size Fashion

I’ve been sleeping on Universal…here’s why – Planning the Magic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


I’ll be totally honest. It had been a hot minute since I’d been to Universal up until this past weekend. I had an annual pass when I used to live in Florida but I hadn’t been back since I moved home 8 years ago. I learned SO much this past weekend about what makes Universal a great option for families and also for adults!

Universal is a lot smaller than Disney World. If you’ve ever been to Disneyland the layout of Universal is more similar to that. You could walk to the theme parks from any of the hotels. Some would be an easier/fast walk that others of course but still, it’s possible! I love that aspect. One thing I don’t love about Disney is that it’s so huge you’re walking 8 miles a day and are totally exhausted everyday. Universal feels more chill and less rushed since you should have enough time to do everything especially if you have an Express Pass.

The Express Pass is another thing that is very different from Disney’s Genie+. It’s no secret that most of us don’t love Genie+. It’s expensive, confusing to use, and causes you to spend half your day on your phone. The Express Pass is also pricey (if you don’t stay at a premier resort) but it’s a lot more user friendly. You literally just show your pass at the entrance of the line and you’re in the express pass lane! You can use this once per participating rides. You can also purchase the Express Pass unlimited- this allows you to ride in the Express Pass line an unlimited amount of times. With this system you just walk to whatever ride you want and get in line. No getting up at 7am and booking lightning lanes, no checking your phone constantly booking the next one and seeing what’s available and no zig zagging all over the parks to get to your next ride! I love this system and I think it’s totally worth the money!

Let’s talk resorts. My husband and I love a nice resort. I was so excited I got to tour the Universal Resorts! I was surprised how much I loved them! The pools are amazing, even at the value resorts! They have great large gyms, arcades, bars & restuarants and the higher level resorts have pool side services! I really feel like staying in a higher level Universal resort could give you the ability to have 2 vacations in one- a poolside high end resort vacation and a theme park vacation!

For years Universal has kind of advertised themselves as a place for adults and teens. Maybe even to their own detriment. I think they’re trying to change that stereotype and show that are also for families and younger kids! There’s tons of rides the little ones can go on so trust me they won’t be bored! As someone who is NOT a roller coaster fan there’s plenty for me to do as well! They have lots of great 3-D rides, shops and dining!

We will definitely be spending more time at Universal and their resorts! They have some great deals going on right now including 30% off a 5 night stay! Complete my form here to get started on booking your next adventure! https://forms.gle/fFwg5mY2mN5wb4CMA

**Disclaimer** Universal is not as plus size friendly as Disney. They do have tester seats in front of the rides and I’d encourage you to try those first if you think you might have an issue fitting on something.



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Plus Size Fashion

Comparing All Three Ship Classes – Planning the Magic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Exploring Disney Cruise Line: Comparing All Three Ship Classes

I’ve had the pleasure of sailing on all three classes of Disney Cruise Line ships, and I’m excited to share my honest feedback! As a devoted Disney enthusiast, Disney Cruise Line holds a special place in my heart. It’s my favorite cruise line for a reason: it’s more “all-inclusive” than many others, and no one does entertainment quite like Disney. That said, each class of ship offers unique experiences, with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Let’s dive into the details!

The Magic Class: Magic and Wonder

The Magic and Wonder are sister ships with similar layouts but distinct theming and shows. While they are the smallest and oldest ships in the fleet, don’t let that discourage you. They’re still brimming with Disney magic! Here are some highlights and considerations:

Positives:

  • Incredible Shows: These ships have my favorite entertainment lineup of all three classes.
  • Spacious Adults-Only Areas: I particularly enjoyed the hot tubs in these areas.
  • Animator’s Palate: The interactive dining experience is especially enchanting on these ships.

Considerations:

  • Smaller Size: The ship’s size means there’s less to explore compared to larger vessels.
  • Food Options: While none of the food was bad, it was my least favorite compared to the other classes.

The Dream Class: Dream and Fantasy

The Dream was my introduction to Disney cruising, making it extra special to me. These mid-sized ships strike a balance between intimacy and spaciousness, and they’re ideal for families and Disney fans alike.

Positives:

  • Memorable Shows: “The Golden Mickeys” was a standout for me.
  • Interactive Fun: The detective game onboard is a fantastic way to spend a day at sea.
  • Balanced Size: The Dream and Fantasy feel just right in terms of scale—not too big, not too small.

Considerations:

  • Adults-Only Areas: These felt lacking compared to other classes. The hot tub space was limited, and the pool area was small and chilly.
  • Restaurant Theming: Aside from Animator’s Palate, the restaurants didn’t offer much in terms of immersive decor or entertainment.

The Triton Class: Treasure,Wish, & Destiny

I had the incredible opportunity to experience a preview cruise on the Treasure, and it exceeded my expectations! As the newest and largest ships in the Disney fleet, the Treasure and Wish set a new standard for cruising magic.

Positives:

  • Stunning Decor: The detailed theming and artwork throughout the ship are breathtaking.
  • Exceptional Food: From the main dining rooms to the pool deck, the culinary offerings were the best of all three classes.
  • Adults-Only Infinity Pool: This area was spacious and beautifully designed, making it a highlight for relaxation.
  • Coco-Themed Dining Experience: The food and accompanying musical show were deeply moving and memorable.

Considerations:

  • Limited Show Variety: The Treasure currently offers only two full productions—“Moana” (which is spectacular) and “Beauty and the Beast” (a bit overplayed for me).
  • Exclusively Seven-Night Sailings: While the longer sailings are a treat, the limited show options felt like a missed opportunity.

My Personal Rankings

While each ship class has its own charm, here’s how I rank them overall and in specific categories:

  • Overall: Treasure, Dream, Magic
  • Rooms: Treasure, Magic/Dream (tie)
  • Food: Treasure, Dream, Magic
  • Kids’ Clubs: Treasure, Dream, Magic
  • Shows: Magic, Dream, Treasure
  • Shopping: Treasure, Magic, Dream
  • Adults-Only Areas: Magic, Treasure, Dream
  • Bars/Lounges: Treasure, Dream, Magic
  • Service: Magic, Dream, Treasure

Ready to book your next vacation?! Contact me today at kathryn@straightawaytravel.com!

Final Thoughts

These rankings reflect my personal opinions and preferences, and every ship in the Disney fleet has something magical to offer. Ultimately, the best ship for you will depend on your priorities, whether that’s the itinerary, onboard amenities, or show offerings.

If you haven’t sailed with Disney Cruise Line yet, I’d love to help you plan your dream vacation. No matter which ship you choose, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience! What’s your favorite Disney ship? Let me know in the comments or reach out to start planning your next adventure!



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