Laughing Lindsay

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Universal Holiday Tour Review

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Having just returned from Florida to enjoy Christmas offerings, I am ready to write several new posts. Today, I am reviewing the Universal Holiday Tour at Universal Orlando Resort! It is one of two add on options offered during the holiday season. The other is breakfast with the Grinch, which I also did. I will provide a look at it next week as well as a post with an overview of Christmas at Universal Orlando. However, this tour was a whopping 5 hours and I felt it deserved its own post.

Universal Holiday Tour

Universal Holiday Tour

As stated above, this is a 5 hour walking tour crisscrossing between the two parks! What the tour includes appears to change from year to year. However, it is held every night of the Christmas season at Universal Orlando. My mom and I paid $79.99 (plus tax) each for the tour but the price appears to go up with time. So, pro tip: book early before it goes up or sells out!

Beginning the Tour

One of the emails we received mentioned allowing 45 minutes to check everyone in. However, it also said to arrive early. We left the parade early and lined up about 10 minutes before our scheduled tour time. I think we should have just finished the parade and lined up afterwards as almost the whole first hour of the tour was spent standing in line waiting to check in. It felt like a huge waste of time. I know in previous years, there was a special roped off parade viewing area for the tour. I wish they had included that this year.

Everyone began the tour by watching the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular with reserved seating. You can catch the show several times throughout the day. However, it was nice to have the reserved seating. Also, the show is really good. I love the music with Mannheim Steamroller and story that combines both familiar movies.

Universal Studios Florida

After the show, the tour groups went their separate ways. Mine went to Universal Studios Florida while some other groups went to Islands of Adventure. We proceeded to spend even more time waiting around. It seemed like maybe there were too many tour groups and not enough for them to do. We looked at some holiday decor in the park. Then, we went upstairs in the building of the Jimmy Fallon ride and looked down on an empty park.

Next, we met Santa! This is the only way you can currently meet Santa at Universal Orlando Resort, which is odd to me. Nonetheless, we did it. I believe in previous years they gave you a physical photo and souvenir ornament at this point in the tour. However, we received a digital download and no ornament. So, that part was a touch disappointing. After meeting Santa, we went back downstairs and into the park to look at the huge Christmas Tree. We took photos in front of the tree with a nearly empty park.

Next, we were ushered into the Holiday Tribute Store. While I love the Tribute Store, I didn’t find this to be a very beneficial part of the tour as you can visit the Tribute Store anytime. Upon exiting, we stood around waiting some more. Our tour guide ended up asking everyone their favorite Christmas movie/song, etc. and then looked up some Home Alone trivia.

Our last thing in Universal Studios Florida was a ride on the Jimmy Fallon ride. It was very unfortunate that a member of our tour group couldn’t get a seat belt to go around them and had to exit the ride. I felt really bad for them and their group ended up leaving the tour early. I believe they were extremely embarrassed and it left the group with a weird mood.

Islands of Adventure

Finally, we headed back to Islands of Adventure. We were led to Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous for some food and meet and greets. Unfortunately, there were several other groups in here at the exact same time. So, there was not enough time to meet The Grinch, Max (the only time you can do so), and grab a bite to eat. Thankfully, we met The Grinch at breakfast. So, we focused on Max and the food. I appreciated the addition of Pizza Tots, Who Hash, popcorn shrimp, and chicken and waffles as previous years had only cookies.

Following our allotted 45 minutes there, we headed over to a closed Hogsmeade. It was neat to see it almost empty. However, it would have been awesome to have some additional shops open. We were able to grab some Butterbeer at Hog’s Head, which was great. However, there was a somewhat long line for it.

We hurried with our Butterbeer over to the castle for an after-hours showing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle. It was nice to have some room between us and other guests as we watched the beautiful show. It was a great way to end the long night.

Universal Orlando Holiday Tour Conclusion

As you can imagine, this tour involved lots of standing and walking. Unfortunately, I saw a few people who clearly weren’t physically ready for this type of tour and I felt for them. As such, I don’t recommend this tour for anyone who can’t walk and stand for long periods of time. Being an add-on event, it’s up to each person to decide if the money is worth it. However, the only things you don’t have to access to as a regular park guest included in the tour are: Santa meet, after hours park, after hours castle show, meeting Max and access to some food, and reserved Grinchmas seating. So, if those things sound like something you want, then sign up quick!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Review

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I just got back from a very busy trip to Orlando on Wednesday. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Walt Disney World for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Having attended the party a few times in the past, I feel like I can give a fair review of the event and provide a few tips.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Just in case you don’t know, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an add-on ticketed event held at the Magic Kingdom after normal park hours to celebrate the holiday season. Typically, it’s held from early/mid-November until right before Christmas. The party includes special character meet and greets, a Christmas parade, holiday stage and fireworks shows, ride overlays, as well as free cookies and drinks!

Party Entertainment

One of the main draws of the party is the unique entertainment options. One key difference between this party and the Not So Scary Halloween Party though is that these shows will eventually be included with the regular park admission as you get closer to Christmas. However, if you are visiting before that time, then you can only experience the holiday parade, stage show, and fireworks show at the Christmas Party. Personally, I absolutely adore seeing the toy soldiers marching down Main Street, USA!

Food

During the Halloween Party, you can trick-or-treat for candy. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can go around the park for free cookies and beverages! These treats are only available at the party. However, this year they were pre-packaged Cheryl’s cookies. So, if you want to try them outside the party, you can order some for yourself.

Now that you have an adequate understanding of the party itself, allow me to share some tips with you!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tips

  • Arrive early. The party starts at 7 PM, but your ticket allows you to enter the park at 4! Use this time to eat dinner or get in line for any big characters you want to see.
  • Get a spot for entertainment early. Stake out your spot for the parade early. In previous years, the second parade was less crowded. However, this year it appeared that this advice has been read by everyone and it’s no longer the case. My mom and I sat on Main Street for the first parade and it was less crowded than the second parade! So, just know that if you want a prime spot, you need to get there at least 30-45 minutes early.
  • Pick up an event guide. When you first enter the park, pick up an event guide that features a map with treat locations as well as times guide. I highly recommend picking one up to reference throughout the night.
  • Make a list of must-do’s. You aren’t going to be able to see and do everything at the party. It’s just too short/too crowded. So, do your research and know the things that are priorities for your group.
  • Enjoy the ambiance. You could be annoyed that you have to stake out a spot for the parade so far in advance or that you have to be so close with so many people. You can also choose to enjoy just being in the park while it’s decorated for the holidays and snowing! I truly believe your attitude impacts your experience. Make the best of it and you will enjoy it.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can be a delightful holiday addition to your Disney World trip. I promise that there’s nothing else like it!

Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg Review

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My mom and I take a trip every year around this time to remember my dad and to experience the holidays somewhere new. Last year, we stayed at the Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg in Tennessee! Here’s a look at our room and what we thought about it.

Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg

Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg

As I said in my Margaritaville Island Inn Pigeon Forge Review, my mom grew up going to the beach. These beach themed resorts are perfect for her! That’s why I’ve made an effort to have us stay at all but one of these places in the Great Smoky Mountains. Plus, having stayed at several now, I know that I can trust these hotels for a great room and restful night’s sleep.

The Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg is even more unique because of its location. I loved being able to just walk down the street to enjoy everything the town has to offer! The hotel being on the main drag of Gatlinburg is definitely a huge perk of staying here! Plus, it’s towards the beginning of the street, so you don’t have to fight much traffic to arrive here. I will admit that the parking was somewhat limited. However, we were able to find a spot every time we needed one.

The Room

The rooms at the Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg are really nice! I love the color scheme as it’s really relaxing! In fact, the blue/turquoise reminded me a little bit of my blog’s color. I also enjoyed having a balcony that looked out on main street and Anakeesta! The beds were very comfortable too. One particular aspect of the room that stood out to me was the bathroom. It was the biggest bathroom I’ve ever had in a hotel! I couldn’t believe it had a separate tub and walk-in shower! You can see them in my Instagram post above.

In conclusion, I can easily recommend a stay at Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg if you are planning to visit the area. Its walking distance to many popular attractions as well as relaxing vibes make it easy choice. Have you ever stayed here or at another Margaritaville Resort?

Dolly Parton Stampede Christmas Dinner Show Review

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I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee several times over the past couple of years. In that time, I’ve been able to enjoy all three of the dinner shows. I’ve previously reviewed the Pirates Voyage Pigeon Forge Dinner Show and the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud Show. Today, I’m highlighting the third and final one, Dolly Parton Stampede!

Dolly Parton Stampede Christmas

Dolly Parton Stampede

The Dolly Parton Stampede dinner show typically features a rivalry between the north and south. Personally, harkening back to the Civil War doesn’t exactly make me hungry. However, beginning in early November, the show gets a Christmas makeover! It then becomes a battle between the North and South Poles! My mom and I enjoyed a showing of the Christmas version last year and thought it was great!

The Dolly Parton Stampede show itself is very good. We were entertained by the fast horse riding and tricks! The injection of Christmas songs and costumes really put us in the Christmas spirit! We also enjoyed some of the friendly competitions between the North and South Poles. Similar to other dinner shows I’ve reviewed, I don’t think it truly matters which side you sit on in the end.

This was actually our first dinner show and we weren’t sure what to expect. While we enjoyed the food, we didn’t like that the meal was served during the show. Attempting to eat while trying to watch the show made me feel like I missed parts of the show. This is a big reason why we prefer the Hatfield and McCoy dinner show as they serve food before the show. I guess this way does add to its repeatability though. Plus, I’m sure different seats provide different views of the show as there is so much to see!

The Food

One of the neat things about eating at Dolly Parton Stampede is that every person is given their own small chicken! It’s probably a Cornish hen, but it’s very tasty nonetheless! I like that you start the meal just like at the other dinner shows with the creamy vegetable soup and a biscuit. The corn on the cob was pretty good too. Admittedly, my potato was really dry, as it was at the Pirates show. The pork was just ok. I enjoyed dessert – a flaky apple turnover! Overall, it was a pretty good meal. I would say it’s second place in terms of food at dinner shows in Pigeon Forge. You can’t beat Hatfield and McCoy’s food!

Overall, a meal at Dolly Parton Stampede is an experience you won’t forget. It’s a great show, especially at Christmas time! However, it is pricey and I recommend looking for a coupon (code) before purchasing tickets to save some money.

Discovery Cove Review and Tips

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When I went to the SeaWorld Spooktacular last month in Orlando, I also visited Discovery Cove for the first time! My mom and I were able to swim with dolphins and enjoyed our day here. Keep reading to learn my tips for visiting.

Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove is a tropical paradise with various marine life to interact with. Admittedly, it is an expensive experience. However, keep an eye out for special deals as they tend to run them frequently. Additionally, the further out you book your day, the cheaper it will be. I also saved money on our passes by using my SeaWorld Orlando passholder discount!

Dolphin Swim

There are a variety of add-on experiences you can do at Discovery Cove. However, the main purpose of our visit here was to do the dolphin swim. In fact, we booked our day here solely because we saw the pictures of it at SeaWorld in February. I guess that marketing worked on us. Ha!

I will say that I’m glad we arrived early (a little after 7 AM). The weather forecast was calling for some afternoon showers prior to the arrival of Hurricane Ian, so we wanted to make sure we got to do what we came for – swim with dolphins! They do have a rainy day guarantee, but we didn’t have extra days in our trip, especially with the approaching hurricane. Thankfully, we got a 8:00 AM swim time and were able to swim right away!

Swimming with dolphins is something I will never forget! My mom and I had so much fun! It was both informative and wildly fun! You learn lots about dolphins while seeing them perform neat tricks. I also realized that each dolphin has their own personality, similar to humans!

Tips

I could write several more hundred words about Discovery Cove. However, I think it would be best to sum everything up with some helpful tips:

  • Arrive early. For starters, this will allow you to get your money’s worth. However, it also ensures you will get an early time slot for any add-on experiences you booked since they assign times on a first come, first serve basis.
  • Buy the photo package. I know that it adds even more to an already expensive day. However, you are going to want those photos. Besides, you aren’t allowed to bring in any devices to the dolphin area to protect the dolphins from eating/swallowing items. Although, I would strongly encourage you to follow the photographer immediately after the swim to pick out the photos. We were told that we didn’t have to and that added some headache to retrieving our pictures later in the day. It was still possible, it just made it more complicated and time-consuming.
  • Come hungry. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are included with your ticket! We actually didn’t get to eat breakfast until after our swim and were really hungry by then. Then, we ate lunch just a short while later. I think a 9:00 AM swim may have been more ideal for timing, but I was relieved to have the swim over since the hurricane was approaching.
  • Walk around. There’s so much to see and do at Discovery Cove. Take a walk around and enjoy the beautiful scenery, if nothing else.
  • Bring half of what you think you need. Seriously, I packed way too much stuff for here. They supply sunscreen, swim vests/wetsuits, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and towels. You really only need a swim suit, hair brush, deodorant, sunglasses/hat/cover up, water shoes, and a change of clothes when you visit here.

I highly recommend a visit to Discovery Cove if you can afford it, especially if you are traveling with a dolphin fan! Have you been? What is your favorite thing to do here? Do you have any other tips?