Orlando Local Summer Bucket List | 2024

May 21, 2024 Emma Jones

Orlando Local Summer Bucket List | 2024

We have lived here for just under four years and we decided it was time to finally check some of the things we have always wanted to do here in Orlando off of the list! Since summer is in full swing we as Orlando locals know that this season is filled with endless possibilities and adventures and we need to be taking full advantage of them. SO many things from theme parks to outdoor water activities, our city is bursting with opportunities to make memories and soak up the sunshine. With that being said, there are so many options, it is hard to know where to even begin? We decided to write them down and actually try to check off items from our Summer Bucket List. Honestly this list can be for anyone, whether you're a long-time resident or a first-time visitor here on vacation, this bucket list has anything and everything you need to make the most out of your summer in Orlando. From hidden gems to must-see attractions, I feel like this list will keep you entertained all season long. So grab your sunscreen and get ready to explore our city like a true local!

Unleash Your Inner Adventurer: Orlando Locals Summer Bucket List

Glass Bottom Kayak Tour at Rainbow Springs -

I have always wanted to do this, all of the videos I see on Instagram look so pretty! You can go in a 1 person or a 2 person kayak and the website that I found looks like it will be $70 a person! They also had a ton of availability which was awesome because this kind of thing seems like it could fill up pretty quick.

Spend an afternoon at Lakeridge Winery -

I have wanted to come to this winery since we moved here and we’ve driven past it a bunch but never stopped in. This one seems like it will be an easy one to check off! They have live entertainment on the weekends as well as a food court and then obviously the wine bar!

Go in the hot air balloon at Disney Springs -

For those of you who don’t know, Dustin and I actually got married in this balloon and we have never been back up in it. We will be celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary on July 1st so that seems like the perfect time to do it again! For those who are curious it is $30 a person to go up in the balloon!

Beach day at St. Pete Beach -

Not all of the things on this bucket list are huge, we have been to this beach many times before but not too often. The beach feels juuuuuust out of reach for us to go often with the puppies being at home, so planning a beach day for us will be much more likely that we end up going!

Winter Garden Farmers Market Date -

Again not a huge thing, we have been a few times but I wanted to add it to the list because it’s something not to miss! We love spending at Saturday in Winter Garden at the farmers market and then getting lunch somewhere and doing a bit of shopping! We love eating at Urban on plant and we also love the bookstore that they have there called Writers Block! I also feel like I should share that we also love going to the Clermont Farmers market! Both are awesome for their own reasons! Like the Clermont area has really cool shops like the record store!

Swim with the manatees at Blue Springs State Park -

This has been on my list since before we moved down to Florida and I am shocked that we haven’t been yet. I REALLY want to make it happen this summer!

Spend the day at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon -

Our Disney passes include the Disney water parks and we’ve been passholders for two years, this might even be our third year of being passholders, and I can’t believe that we’ve never been to one of the water parks! I’m not a huge waterpark person, but I do think that I would enjoy spending time at a waterpark that was Disney themed!

Watch the 4th of July fireworks from Lake Minneola -

We actually do have plans to do this this summer, our friends invited us out on their boat to watch the fireworks and I’m so excited! I think it’s gonna be so cool watching them from the water!

Brunch at Root and Branch -

This is one of those smaller bucket list items but eating at this restaurant has been on my list for awhile now so I want to make it happen this summer!

Morning hike at Lake Louisa State Park -

We love going to Lake Louisa, but we’ve never actually gone hiking there, I am excited too go though! There are so many pretty in the state park and I think hiking through it will be a fun way to see them!

Visit the Clearwater Aquarium -

Again, I have followed the Clearwater aquarium on Instagram since we lived in Boston and have always wanted to go that I’m surprised that we haven’t been yet. But much like the beach it is just far enough away that we haven’t made the trip yet. Definitely hoping to cross this off the list this summer.

Concert date night at Epcot Eat to the Beat -

This will be a late summer activity, we love going to the concerts that are in the American Pavilion at Epcot. It’s such a fun date night and there are usually some pretty cool bands to watch! We will most likely go to more than one of these concerts but such a fun and easy night out if you are a Disney pass holder!

Spend time at The Acre -

I’m pretty sure this opened up in the fall of last year and so many people have made such cool videos about the acre, from what I understand it’s like an outdoor food live music hang out picnic situation… Lots of people bring their dogs. It looks like such a fun time!

Bioluminescence Stand Up Paddle Tour at Indian River lagoon -

I’ve heard that this is such a fun thing to see, it’s standup paddle boarding but at night and there is bioluminescent algae that makes the river/lagoon light up… I’m not even sure if I’m explaining it correctly but my geeky science loving heart is so excited for this

Weekend Trip to the Everglades National Park -

I would absolutely love to make this happen this summer, the Everglades is a topic that I learn about a lot in my school and classes… The Florida Panther has come to be one of my favorite things to learn more about and I have done many projects over the topic. Seeing this in person would be such a cool experience.

Disney World - 4 Parks in 1 Day -

I’m pretty sure we’ve done this before, but not in an intentional way and with a lack of organization… I would love to do this again though and make goals for each park to really be able to say that we’ve done four parks in one day! But definitely something I want to do!

As Orlando locals, we are no strangers to the heat and humidity of summer and truly there is some level of embracing the heat and still enjoying summer activities that need to happen! We are so looking forward to getting outside and exploring all that this city we call home has to offer. Like I mentioned before, there are so many options from theme park adventures to hidden gems off the beaten path, our summer bucket list has something for everyone and we can’t wait to start checking these off the list. Are any of these things on your bucket list in Orlando? Or did you add anything from this list to your own list? I would love to hear if there are things that I should add as well! Comment below or you can always email me at tarynintotravel@gmail.com and I will get back to you as quickly as possible!

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Drinking Around the World at Epcot: My Favorites

March 26, 2024 Emma Jones

I think the best tip that I could give you guys is which drink I order in each country when I am drinking around the world at Epcot! I feel like when I used to Google which drink was the best I would get so many mixed suggestions, maybe that will feel like this for you guys too but maybe it will help! Here are my favorite drinks from each country and where you a find them! Keep in mind these are all gluten-free and because of that, there isn’t any beer or dark liquor in these drinks!

Join us on a magical journey through Epcot at Disney World and discover the top drink choices, handpicked by our experts. From classic cocktails to unique creations, satisfy your thirst and elevate your Disney experience with our insider tips. Don't

Mexico - I love the Spicy Mentirosa from La Cava del Tequila, this is technically an alcohol-free drink but I add tequila and it is literally SO SO delicious! It is made with Lyre’s Italian Orange, Lyre’s Dry London, lime juice, cucumber and jalapeño juice, agave nectar, and the rim is a hibiscus salt, so good, and then I added tequila!

Norway - Here I get the Troll Kreme which is at the cart right when you walk into Norway, it is a frozen vanilla and cranberry that is topped with Dragon Berry Rum and it’s yummy and cooling on a hot Florida day!

China - I always get the Kung Fu Punch, which is at the cart that is called Joy of Tea, it’s not inside the pavilion but right next to the little shop that is at the entrance to the China Pavilion. The drink includes vodka, triple sec, and then a combination of mango and orange juice!

Outpost - If I am being honest, I really can’t remember the last time I got a drink from here. I think there is beer which I can’t have and other than that I’m not sure what they offer. Next time I am there I will check it out in person and report back!

Germany - Here we like to go into the bar that is attached to the gift shop with ornaments called Weinkeller and get chocolate shots, it is in a small round bottle and it really just tastes like a shot of hot chocolate, it is so good! We have also gotten this bottle for the house, it is called Mozart Gold Chocolate Liqueur, we love it!

Italy - I usually grab a glass of wine when I am here, that isn’t super directive but I love red wine and it always tastes good coming off of the chocolate shot in Germany. I don’t think you can go wrong here with red, white or rose!

America - Here I usually just get an Angry Orchard from Regal Eagle Smokehouse, I know that is pretty boring but it’s safe and I know I can have it!

Japan - This drink can be kind of hit or miss for me, I get the Violet Sake from Garden House which is Japan’s outdoor Sake Bar, but sometimes it can be way too sweet. This drink has dry sake, ronin desert pear syrup, sweetened lime juice and water. If I am just casually drinking around the world I might skip it, if I am committed to the cause of drinking around the world haha this is what I will get! If you have any other suggestions though let me know what I should try.

Morocco - I go to the bar that is inside Spice Road Table and I always get the Pomegranate Acai! It has the acai blueberry pomegranate Vitaminwater, dragon berry rum, lime juice, agave, and soda water- so good! 10/10 recommend this one!

France - This seems like the most basic answer but I love the Grand Mariner Slush, it is at the booth called Les Vins des Chefs de France and its the orange slush that you will see most people carrying around! It is a slushy that has Grand Mariner, Rum, Grey Goose orange and orange juice in it and it is so dangerously delicious!

United Kingdom - This is another stop where my choice isn’t all that exciting but I love Strongbow and have a hard time finding it here in Florida aside from the United Kingdom pavilion at Epcot and the local British pub that we go to a lot. So my choice here is to stop into the Rose and Crown and get a glass of Strongbow!

Canada - I have never successfully found a gluten-free beverage in Canada unfortunately. I will always keep my eyes open but unfortunately, I’ve never had luck.

Hopefully, this will help you guys a little but I am always here to answer any questions that you have or advice on different Disney facts or suggestions for food or drinks! Please feel free to comment below with any questions that you might have or let me know if these tips worked for you and your trip to Disney!

Much Love,

Emma

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Experience the best of Epcot with these 10 essential tips. From dining options to must-see attractions, make the most of your day and create unforgettable memories. Don't miss out, plan your perfect Epcot adventure now!

10 Must-Know Tips for an Unforgettable Day at Epcot

March 12, 2024 Emma Jones

Attention all Disney World fans, get ready to take your Epcot experience to the next level! Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro, there's always something new and exciting to discover at this beloved theme park. With its eclectic mix of cultural attractions, thrilling rides, and mouth-watering cuisine, Epcot truly has something for everyone. In this article, we'll share 10 expert tips to help you make the most out of your Epcot adventure. From must-see pavilions to hidden gems, we'll provide insider knowledge to elevate your visit and leave you wanting to come back for more. So grab your Mickey ears and let's dive into 10 Tips for Epcot that you won't want to miss!

1. Try Mobile Ordering:

Especially with a gluten allergy, it is hard to know which booths have gluten-free options. If you are wanting an actual meal, save time and satisfy your taste buds with mobile ordering. Again, having any dietary restrictions or allergies, the app makes it easy to find suitable options at each restaurant. My favorite quick-service restaurants at Epcot are Connections Cafe and Regal Eagle Smokehouse!

2. Keep an Eye on Wait Times:

While waiting in line for a ride, keep an eye on wait times for the next attraction you plan to visit on the app. It's a strategic way to plan your route and make the most of your day. Keep in mind, when you are at Epcot, if you want to visit all of the countries as well you will want to plan your rides accordingly so you aren’t hiking back and forth all over the park all day long. Try to hit all of the rides in the front of the park or the ”future world” before 11-12 pm. Then you can do the countries in the afternoon and once you are starting to get hungry, especially if you are there during a festival.

3. Enjoy Rides Right Up Until Park Close:

Again, just like at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, you can hop in line for any ride right up until park closing time. So, if there's one last attraction you've been itching to experience, go for it especially if there has been a long wait all day! For Epcot, the ride I would get in line for at the end of the day is Test Track!

4. My Favorite Drink in each Country:

This honestly feels like the best tip that I could give you guys! Here are my favorite drinks from each country and where you a find them! Keep in mind these are all gluten-free and because of that, there isn’t any beer or dark liquor in these drinks!

Mexico - I love the Spicy Mentirosa from La Cava del Tequila, this is technically an alcohol-free drink but I add tequila and it is literally SO SO delicious! It is made with Lyre’s Italian Orange, Lyre’s Dry London, lime juice, cucumber and jalapeño juice, agave nectar and the rim is a hibiscus salt, so good and then I added tequila!

America - Here I usually just get an Angry Orchard from Regal Eagle Smokehouse, I know that is pretty boring but it’s safe and I know I can have it!

Canada - I have never successfully found a gluten free beverage in Canada unfortunately. I will always keep my eyes open but unfortunately I’ve never had luck.

5. SKIP MISSION SPACE:

This honestly sounds dramatic but I went on that ride once when I was probably 17 and haven’t been on it since. It is a ride that you get into and it just shakes you up and makes you sick! I wouldn’t waste ANY time going on that ride, I promise! Don’t feel like you need to check that off the list by any means, you aren’t missing anything!

6. Ride Test Track at Night:

Not to give away too many spoilers but as I mentioned earlier, you can get in line right at the end of the day and then ride this ride after the park has closed. I recommend doing this because the best part of the ride is when you go outside and seriously riding Test Track at night feels 100x faster in the dark and it is fantastic! Another side note for Test Track is that there is a single rider line for this one and this is how we usually ride it! If you don’t mind being separated from your group it is so worth the amount of time that this saves you from not waiting in the line.

7. Just start in Mexico, honestly:

Depending on how you are setting up your day, 9 times out of 10 I suggest starting in Mexico. The only time I feel like it’s okay to start in Canada is if you have a fast pass to ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France, other than that the flow of your drinks and snacks is going to be much better starting in Mexico.

8. Getting to Ride Guardians of the Galaxy:

There are two times in the day when you can get in the virtual queue for this ride, the first is at 7 am and you don’t have to be in the park, you can be at home. The second time you can get in the virtual queue is at 1 pm and you have to be inside Epcot to be able to get in the virtual queue. You can also buy a lightning lane pass for this, depending on how busy the park is, these are usually gone around 2pm ish, I usually think that people buy these if they can’t get in the virtual queue. I am going to link to a blog post where they go into detail about getting to ride Guardians of the Galaxy HERE. But if you can get on this ride it will be your new favorite, it is such an amazing and well-done ride! I would say it is my favorite ride!!

9. Hidden Rides and Attractions in the Countries:

Here are some of the rides and attractions that are in the countries that are often looked over. I didn’t know about most of these (except the main ones) until I started going to Epcot more frequently! I wanted to list them so you didn’t overlook them if they were interesting to you or a favorite of yours!

-Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros in Mexico

-Frozen Ever After in Norway

-Reflections of China in China

-Many concerts in America

-Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-long in France

-Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France

-Concerts/live music in the United Kingdom

10. Starbucks Location:

Starbucks is now located in the same building as Connections Eatery, this is new since they did the renovations! A note, you cannot use mobile ordering in the parks like you can in Disney Springs which is unfortunate. But I will say the lines move pretty quickly, they are very efficient in those locations! You should also keep in mind that you can use gift cards at these locations but you can’t use points to pay for your drinks in the parks.

We love Epcot and I would say that it is the park that we visit the most! It’s fun to go for the evening, grab a drink and a couple of snacks and then head out for the night. In my mind it seems like the most casual park to hang out in if you are a local! But some might say the same about Hollywood Studios! I am always here to answer any questions that you have or advice on different Disney facts! Please feel free to comment below with any questions that you might have or let me know if these tips worked for you and your trip to Disney!

Much Love,

Emma

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9 Destinations on our 2024 Travel Bucket List

February 13, 2024 Emma Jones

9 Destinations on our 2024 Travel Bucket List

Start planning your 2024 travels with our list of the top 9 must-visit destinations, from breathtaking natural wonders to historic cities. Don't miss out on these dream travel experiences, book your trip now!

I always like creating a travel bucket list, I don’t do it every year but when I do I like to think that it sets the tone and focus for what I want to get out of my year. I like to think that having a travel bucket list is important because it also keeps me motivated with something to look forward to. When I first started my travel blog back in 2017, I made a travel bucket list and I think it was one of our biggest travel years that we ever had, we were so excited to have those trips to look forward to! This year we have talked about what we wanted our year to look like and what kind of travel year we wanted to have, things like a bigger trip with some of our dream destinations, smaller destinations in the USA, road trips, etc. We decided to do one bigger trip with a couple of dream destinations and then some USA weekend adventure trips sprinkled here and there, I am really excited for what this year has in store. Without further ado, here is our travel bucket list for 2024. I will start with spots that are already booked and then end the list with places we’d like to book later!

Mackinac Island

Last year when we went to Arizona it was a big family reunion to honor my grandpa who passed away in February of 2021. My grandpa absolutely loved traveling and did it his whole life as often as he could. When he passed away, the one thing that my grandpa asked us to do as a family was to continue traveling and he wanted us to do it as a big family. So that is what we started last year and it was the most special trip. I honestly have memories that I will remember forever. After last year we decided that every other year we wanted to do a bigger trip and the opposite years we would still get together away but on a smaller scale. This year I think we might do Mackinac Island in Michigan. I went there with my grandpa when I was about 12 and still have memories from that. When Dustin and I moved to Boston back in 2019 we stopped there on our drive out to the east coast and again, I have some of the best memories from that trip as well. I’m hoping that this trip happens but in my close family two babies are being born (January and March) so it might not happen, we will see but I still wanted to add it to this year’s bucket list!

Mexico - at some point

We have gone to Mexico at some point each year over the last three years since moving to Florida and we love it. When we do vacations in Mexico, they lean more towards the relaxing type of trip and it’s time for us to be able to sit and do nothing. We are both pretty go, go, go and this gives us a chance to do nothing if we want. We are members of the Unlimited Vacation Club with Secrets and Hyatt and have been since 2020, we have really enjoyed it so far! If you have questions about it I would be more than happy to share more about our experience with the Unlimited Vacation Club so far! I think if we go to Mexico this year it will most likely be in the fall and I would guess that we try a new resort this time, there are so many to choose from!

Here are a few on our list

Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya

Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa

Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun

The Everglades

This is a place that I have obviously always known about and heard about and thought was so cool. But since I started getting my degree in Wildlife Conservation this National Park has been a topic that I do a lot of research on in my classes and I have grown to love it, I love learning about it and getting emails about park updates and conservation efforts. I am hoping to check it off of my bucket list this year! It seems like a trip that we could take possibly in the fall once Florida cools off a bit again. The Everglades would be the perfect long weekend getaway from the Orlando area, it is about a three-hour drive to the middle of the park!

Iowa

We will be making lots of trips (per usual) to Iowa this year, I mean we usually travel here a ton because both of our families live there but this year my sister is having a baby and I can imagine there will be many weekends spent there snuggling that nugget! My other sister also graduates high school this year and we will be back for that as well which we are so excited for!

Denmark

Denmark is another stop on our cruise, it is actually the last stop on our cruise this summer and I am soooooo excited to see the iconic sights that are in Copenhagen! I didn’t know this but Copenhagen was originally a fishing town which makes sense with the canal that runs through the colorful buildings! I’m looking forward to riding bikes and the cobblestone roads and architecture. We are also staying here for a couple of days after the cruise so send any recommendations that you might have our way!

Sweden

This is a special place to us because Dustin travels here 1-2 times a year for work and this will be the first time that I get to go with him to see the area. I’m not going to lie, Sweden wasn’t ever really high on my list but now that Dustin has been there a few times I think it would be cool to visit!

Scotland

This is a stop on the cruise that we are going on this summer with my parents. We have one stop in Scotland and we will only be there for a day. But we will be going back at some point within the next couple of years with Dustin’s parents and that will be fun. It will be cool to see it but I know we will be thankful that we will get to spend more time there in the future. My sister (who is having the baby) lived in Scotland for two years so we will have some awesome insider tips to have an amazing trip!

Iceland

I’m sure everyone has a story like this but we had been planning a trip here in 2020 and obviously didn’t end up going but we had always wanted to go and it was at the top of both of our lists as a dream destination. Well, this summer we are making it happen. I mentioned that we are going on a cruise with my parents and this is where the cruise starts (it ends in Denmark) and we are going to stay in Iceland for a few days before the cruise starts to see some sights and I can’t wait! If you have any recommendations please send them my way!

New Orleans

When this post goes live we will just be getting back from our weekend away in New Orleans. This town has been on my bucket list for at least ten years and I am so excited to be checking it off. This trip was my Christmas gift from Dustin. If you were around last year you might remember that we went to New York around Valentine’s Day and that was my gift to him for Christmas. I should start brainstorming destinations for his Christmas gift because it will be my turn to plan it next! Any destinations in the US that I should look into?! Let me know! I will be sharing all the things soon, gluten-free foods, what we did, where we stayed- the works!

I think everyone should plan their travel bucket list, even if it is just one place that you would like to go to this year, it’s so great to have something to look forward to, especially if any of the following things were on your resolutions for the year, “more adventure”, “visiting a dream destination”, “creating more memories” or something along those lines that go with travel goals. I would love to hear your travel bucket list for 2024 in the comments! I hope that this list gave you some inspiration and you can follow me on Instagram for more travel inspiration and updates for when we are in our bucket list destinations.

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Navigating Disney's Animal Kingdom: Insider Tips for an Unforgettable Visit

January 16, 2024 Emma Jones

My top 10 tips for visiting Animal Kingdom at Disney

10 Essential Tips to Make the most of Disney's Animal Kingdom

Hi friends! 🐭✨

Happy Tuesday! We just recently back from a visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom and I figured it was a great time to share some updated tips. Animal Kindom at Disney is full of wildlife, rides, and awe-inspiring experiences. From the best time to ride Flight of Passage to hidden gems like Rafiki's Planet Watch, here are some essential tips for exploring the Animal Kingdom.

Beat the Crowds at Flight of Passage
To maximize your chances of experiencing the mind-blowing Flight of Passage, aim to visit between 12:00 and 12:30. I found that typically this is when most visitors are taking a lunch break so you will get to experience shorter lines, allowing you to soar through the breathtaking world of Pandora with minimal wait times!
The Tree of Life is a hidden gem
Don't rush past the iconic Tree of Life when you are walking into Discovery Island. Did you know there over 300 animals are intricately carved into the tree's bark? It's a stunning work of art that you won’t want to miss because you are rushing in the gates. You definitely get lost spending some time looking at it!

Don't miss these crowd-favorite buffalo chicken nachos at Trilo-Bites, a must-try for food lovers at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

3.Do Kilimanjaro Safari in the morning for extra excitement

For an up-close animal encounter, embark on the Kilimanjaro Safari in the morning. Why the morning you ask? Well, this is when the animals tend to be more active, providing an authentic safari experience. Keep your camera ready because you won’t want to miss some amazing pics!

4. Get an extra thrill if you do Expedition Everest at night

If you are a thrill seeker, this one is for you. Expedition Everest feels even faster and more exhilarating when experienced at night. The combination of darkness and surprise twists and turns adds an extra layer of excitement to this roller coaster!

5. Creature Comforts: Animal Kingdom's Starbucks

When you need a caffeine boost, head to the Starbucks in Animal Kingdom, known as “Creature Comforts”. It's conveniently located on Discovery Island, making it an ideal pitstop during your adventures.

6. Bring a ziplock at Kali River Rapids to keep your belongings dry

If you plan to take on Kali River Rapids, a ziplock bag is your best friend. Safeguard your phone and any other belongings you don't want to get wet. This is one of my favorite pro tips!

7. If you are gluten-free, eat breakfast before you arrive at Animal Kingdom

For those with dietary preferences like gluten-free (GF), it's essential to note that breakfast options are limited in Animal Kingdom. Plan ahead and have a satisfying breakfast before entering the park to keep your energy up throughout the day.

8. The best way to beat the heat is by seeing the shows in the afternoon

When it comes to shows, you will thank yourself if you plan to catch them in the afternoon when the sun is at its peak. One must-see show is the "Festival of the Lion King" offering an entertaining and air-conditioned escape from the Florida heat and humidity. Another one we like is Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond!

9. Don’t miss out on Trilo-bites’ Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Foodies, make sure to sample the buffalo chicken nachos at Trilo-bites, located at the entrance of Dinoland. They are a taste sensation that's not to be missed. Not to mention, they are gluten-free!

10. Create some animation at Rafiki's Planet Watch

Don't overlook Rafiki's Planet Watch, a hidden gem within Animal Kingdom. You get to participate in the drawing animation experience, which is not only fun but also a fantastic way to do something you wouldn't normally have access to with it being more of a behind-the-scenes activity that happens at the parks!

I hope these tips for Disney's Animal Kingdom are ones that make your trip an unforgettable one. Whether you're into fun rides, wildlife, or simply soaking up the park's unique atmosphere, there's something for everyone. Comment below with any questions that you might have or let me know if these tips worked for you and your trip to Disney! Also, if you're planning a trip to Hollywood Studios, I've got some valuable insider tips that you can read here to make your visit even more enjoyable.

Much Love,
Emma
XO

Catch the animals at their most active on the Kilimanjaro Safari during the early morning hours.

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10 Updated Tips for Hollywood Studios | 2023

October 24, 2023 Emma Jones

10 Essential Tips to Make the Most of Disney's Hollywood Studios

Hello, fellow Disney friends! 🐭✨

If you asked me about five years ago if I recommended spending a day at Hollywood Studios on your Disney vacation I would have honestly told you ABSOLUTELY NOT. But since then, it has slowly become one of my favorite parks to spend time in!! These are some of my tips and tricks for getting the most out of your day at Hollywood Studios!

Try Mobile Ordering for Convenience 🍔🍟🍗:
Save time and satisfy your taste buds with mobile ordering. Plus, if you have dietary restrictions or allergies, the app makes it easy to find suitable options at each restaurant. My favorite quick-service restaurant at Hollywood Studios is either Woody’s Lunch Box or Backlot Express.
2. Keep an Eye on Wait Times 🎢:
While you're waiting in line for a ride, keep an eye on wait times for the next attraction you plan to visit on the app. It's a strategic way to plan your route and make the most of your day.
3. Enjoy Rides Right Up Until Park Close 🤗:
Again, just like at Magic Kingdom, you can hop in line for any ride right up until park closing time. So, if there's one last attraction you've been itching to experience, go for it especially if there has been a long wait all day!
4. Utilize the My Disney Experience App 📲:
The My Disney Experience app is your trusty sidekick throughout your visit. From ride wait times to dining reservations and mobile ordering, it's a treasure trove of information. Keep it handy for quick access to everything you need!
5. Take the Skyliner over to Epcot:
If you want to take a break from Hollywood Studios, you can take the Skyliner over to Epcot or just take a couple of laps while you take some downtime! We like doing this to take a break from the heat or if we are overwhelmed with people, it is also a nice way to see a few of the resorts that are on Disney property as well!
6. Genie+:
This is the park that I would do Genie+ if you are considering getting it. I don’t think that you need it for all parks but Hollywood Studios has just enough bigger rides with longer lines that makes me feel that getting the Genie+ service is worth the money! It really just lets you get everything done that is on your list while also still getting to enjoy your meals, shows and parades without feeling super rushed.
7. Be Flexible with Your Plans ✔️✔️:
While having a list of "must do's" and "must eat's" is great, remember that Disney magic happens when you're flexible. Don't stress about sticking to a strict schedule; let the day unfold naturally.
8. When to get in line for Fantasmic:
I had never seen the show until last winter and now I just love it so much! The music is fun, I love all of the characters that are in it and it is just a good atmosphere! I would say to get in line for this show at about 8:45-8:50 for the 9:30 showing, if you want to sit in the front of the bleachers. You can bring food and drinks into the show and there are stands selling both food and drinks once you get in through the line.
9. Plan Your Breakfast Ahead if You are Gluten Free 🍽️:
Hollywood Studios doesn't offer many, or really any, gluten-free breakfast options. To start your day right, have breakfast before you arrive, possibly at your hotel, or bring something to munch on with you into the park.
10. Single Rider Lines:
Hollywood Studios has two single rider lines and in my opinion, one is VERY worth it, and one is completely never ever, ever worth it. The ride that I always do single-rider lines for is Smugglers Run in Star Wars Land. The line that is absolutely not worth the wait is Rock n’ Roller Coaster, the single rider line and the regular line take the same amount of time and the cast members that are working the line will tell you that if you ask! Obviously, this is just my opinion, but I would back this up 100 times.
Hollywood Studios has grown on me as a park in the last few years and I hope your trip to the park is filled with so much fun and that you make memories that will last you a lifetime! ✨
Comment below with any questions that you might have or let me know if these tips worked for you and your trip to Disney!
Much Love,
Emma

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10 Updated Tips for Magic Kingdom | 2023

October 10, 2023 Emma Jones

Hello, fellow Disney fans! 🐭✨

If you're planning a magical day at the Magic Kingdom, you're in for a treat! This Magic Kindom post is definitely something you will want to check out. It is filled with awesome adventures for all ages. For those of you who don't know, I live super close to the Disney parks so I’d like to say at this point I feel like a Disney Vacation pro. That being said, I wanted to share a list of my favorite tips and tricks for a day at Magic Kindom!

Watch the Afternoon Parade from the Train Station 🚂:
This is my pride and joy secret for Magic Kindom! For an incredible view of the afternoon parade, head to the train station. You'll get a bird's-eye perspective of all the enchanting floats and characters as they pass by. It's a magical photo opportunity you won't want to miss out on!
2. Utilize the My Disney Experience App 📲:
The My Disney Experience app is your trusty sidekick throughout your visit. From ride wait times to dining reservations and mobile ordering, it's a treasure trove of information. Keep it handy for quick access to everything you need!
3. Try Mobile Ordering for Convenience 🍔🍟🍗:
Save time and satisfy your taste buds with mobile ordering. Plus, if you have dietary restrictions or allergies, the app makes it easy to find suitable options at each restaurant. My favorite is Columbia Harbour House!
4. Save Shopping for the End of the Day 🛍️:
Don't weigh yourself down with bags of souvenirs all day. Enjoy your adventures worry-free, and save your shopping spree for the evening. The shops will still be open, and you can explore without carrying extra baggage. Plus you might as well kill some time looking around because the lines for the monorail to get back to your car will be long!
5. Early Birds Get the Castle Photos 📷:
If you dream of capturing that perfect castle photo with minimal crowds in the background, arrive as early as possible. You'll have the park nearly to yourself, and your photos will truly shine.
6. Be Flexible with Your Plans ✔️✔️:
While having a list of "must do's" and "must eat's" is great, remember that Disney magic happens when you're flexible. Don't stress about sticking to a strict schedule; let the day unfold naturally.
7. Experience Magic Kindom Rides After Dark 🎆🌝:
Two of our favorite rides, Big Thunder Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train take on an extra touch of magic after the sun sets. The evening ambiance adds an entirely new level of excitement.
8. Enjoy Rides Right Up Until Park Close 🤗:
Here's a little insider tip: you can hop in line for any ride right up until park closing time. So, if there's one last attraction you've been itching to experience, go for it!
9. Plan Your Breakfast Ahead if You are Gluten Free 🍽️:
Magic Kingdom doesn't offer many gluten-free breakfast options. To start your day right, have breakfast before you arrive or bring a tasty treat with you.
10. Keep an Eye on Wait Times 🎢:
While you're waiting in line for a ride, keep an eye on wait times for the next attraction you plan to visit on the app. It's a strategic way to plan your route and make the most of your day.
I hope your Magic Kingdom trip is filled with so much fun, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime! ✨🏰
Comment below with any questions or let me know how this worked for your trip to Disney!
Much Love,
Emma

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A Weekend in St. Augustine

April 22, 2022 Emma Jones

It has sort of become a tradition in our house that we go away for our birthdays and celebrate them pretty big. We usually like to fly somewhere but since we have moved to Florida we have so many places that are drivable on our bucket lists and so we decided {well Dustin did} for his birthday that we should check one of those off for his birthday. We had heard so many good things from friends about St. Augustine so we choose to head there for the weekend! We spent two nights and the majority of three days there and it was great! We packed up the car and drove the short two and a half hours up to St. Augustine and started the birthday weekend!

www.tarynintotravel.com | St. Augustine Travel Guide | Gluten Free Food in St. Augustine | Travel Diary | Florida Travel Guide | Things to do

WHERE WE STAYED

This was my first time ever staying in an AirBnb and I really had no idea what to expect. But after deciding that we wanted to split our time between the beach and downtown St. Augustine for this trip we decided right in the middle would be perfect to have the best of both worlds. I found this airbnb and was skeptical of it being a part of someones house but was PLEASANTLY surprised and would 10000% stay here again! Katrina had the cutest welcome sign and note, tons of information on restaurants and things to do in the area, the coffee bar was stocked, there was a mini fridge and microwave. There were tons of little added things that she did to make our stay perfect and not really need to worry about a thing while we were there! We had our own parking space and entry way in to the room on the back of the house and we felt comfortable and safe the entire time which is really all I could ask for! It seemed like their house or at least the suite we were staying in had just been renovated, it was so nice inside! They also had the cutest dog named chance that came out and said hi to us while we were on the patio one morning when we were headed out for breakfast!

WHAT WE ATE

I learned my lesson from St. Pete and took a lot more photos of food while we were in St. Augustine and I am so glad I did because we had a lot of good food and I want to share it with you. Not all of these are not going to be full reviews because I will do a gluten free review in the near future but as I write each of them I will add the links to this blog post so you have an easy way to get to it!

BREAKFAST

Kookaburra Coffee - I literally think that the Honey Badger coffee that I got from here was the best coffee I have ever had and I feel like I have tried a lot of coffee in my day! I got it iced and Dustin got it hot and we both loved them! I also tried the pumpkin donut and that was pretty good as well. You can read the full review here!

Beachside Diner - We went here on our last day in St. Augustine for breakfast and it was so yummy. I think they had the best hash browns I have ever had. It was a very simple breakfast of hash browns, eggs, gluten free toast and bacon! It was great! Dustins breakfast was 20x more exciting than me, he had the spicy chicken and waffles and he said they were delicious. He brought the leftover chicken and ate it as leftovers and loved it for the second time. He said it was spicy, great, and he would get it again and again!

LUNCH

The Conch House Restaurant - We went here the first afternoon that we were there and besides the view that was really all that was good in the gluten free category. I had the nachos that were on the appetizer menu and they were literally disgusting. The taco meat wasn’t like taco.. it was like ketchup was mixed into it with the grossest cheese. I also got a cup of the seafood chowder and it tasted like that weird vegetable soup we used to get as kids with bits of fish in it. I wouldn’t recommend this place beyond maybe getting a drink, sitting in one of the outdoor tables and looking at the view!

Green Papaya Thai & Sushi Cuisine - This is where we ate the second day for lunch and it was SO good! I started with the spicy California roll and Dustin got some “sushi” but other places I have been they call it nigiri. He liked them all! Then we realized that they had otoro as a special and we each got a piece of that. If you haven’t tried it is a melt in your mouth piece of fish that we look for everywhere we go! It is the “most desirable part of the tunas belly”. YUM! Then as our main entree we both got chicken pad Thai and it was a 10/10. I got a spice level 2 and I think I could have done a 3! I will be writing a full review on Green Papaya and you will be able to read that review here!

DINNER

The Floridian - We absolutely loved this place! We both actually had the Fried Chicken Sandwich which we really try not to do when we go out to eat, but oh well, we did this time. We also got the Biscuits and Belly as our appetizer to share and it was seriously 100%! I would go back just for the gluten free biscuits! You can read my full Gluten Free Review of The Floridian here!

Casa Maya - We stopped into Casa Maya for a drink and some appetizers. Dustin is a huge ceviche fan and they had shrimp or octopus civiche that he wanted to try. We both also got drinks, I got the Smokey Granada which was Ojo De Tigre, Grand Marnier, rosemary simple, pomegranate and lime. Dustin got the 400 Rabbits which was Montelobos, lime, Oregat, Boomerang and grilled pineapple. To eat I got the chips and guacamole and both dishes were pretty good. I believe that they brought us these chips because they were safe for me to eat with my gluten allergy. Plus they had live music and that was fun!

Burrito Works Taco Shop - We went here late on the second night as we were realizing that everything was closed after listening to the live band. Dustin got a huge burrito and I got some chicken nachos which were really good. We also got chips and queso to share. I honestly was nervous about if I was going to get glutened or not but it actually was fine and the nachos were probably the safest thing for me to get because it was on tin foil the whole time and never touched anything it shouldn’t have. We got ours to go and took it back to the airbnb and sat in bed, watched Jurassic Park and devoured our meals! It was a great way to end the trip!

DRINKS

Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge - When we first were moving to Florida I started like a little bucket list of things that I wanted to do while we lived here.. big or small, I just wrote it down! Well I must have seen a TikTok or something about this cute bar and wrote it on my Florida Bucket list and forgot about it. When we were sitting at the bar ordering a drink it dawned on my that THIS place was on my Bucket List and I didn’t even realize it! But there we were ordering YUMMY and fun drinks from this bar and I was able to cross it off my list!

There was an option on the menu to ask the bartender to just come up with something for you to drink so that’s what we both did. I told him I couldn’t have whiskey and he went with it! He made me something called a Dead Spicy Lady which was like smoky mezcal, Aperol, falernum and Scrappy’s Hellfire bitters is what made it spicy. I am not even a huge tequila person but it was SO good! The bartender made Dustin called a Paper Plane and it had like bourbon, aperol and Amaro Nonino Quintessentia and I believe he put the hellfire bitters in it as well to make his spicy! This bar was a lot of fun and the food looked good as well but we just stopped for a drink!

Slugs Pub - We stopped in here on the way downtown the second night to grab a drink because we noticed that they had a pool table but there were about 10 people in the whole place and 6 of them had just started playing pool. We each grabbed a cider but didn’t stay long. We decided to finish our drinks and keep walking! I also feel like I should show you the weird phone, TV, cartoon picture collage situation that was in this bathroom!

Prohibition Kitchen - This is where we ended out night on the second night out! But there was a live band, a good vibe and a lot of fun! We had some French fries from here and they were so good. I will link their menu for those of you who are interested! I was either starving or they had the best ranch that I have ever tasted in my life! I couldn’t even believe how good it was. We didn’t get anything crazy to drink here. Dustin stuck to his normal whiskey ginger situation and I had a cider just because I was worried about mixing the few tequila drinks that I had from earlier with more things. Might just be me though! Haha. But we liked the band and stayed there until about 1:30 before heading to find a snack! I will also link to their drink menu because it looked like there were some fun ones to try that we might have missed out on!

WHAT WE DID

Like most of our trips we mostly just jumped from place to place finding delicious food and drinks! This trip started off being REALLLL rough. On our drive there we were in a tornado warning that was literally heading right towards us and we were in the pouring rain. Once we finally made it out of that and to the beach to walk about before the next patch of rain, we rolled down our window to pay for parking and our window would not roll back up. It was stuck and we didn’t want our car to get rain damage so we headed to the Toyota dealership. After sitting there for the majority of our day we finally were given a rental car and told to come back tomorrow to get our car from them. So our first day wasn’t really spent doing anything besides taking a much deserved nap and eating and doing a little walking around in the downtown area. We didn’t take advantage of the history tours like I thought we did but we were really all that sad about missing them. It was nice to have no agenda and just go where we pleased.

But the second day we did go mini golfing near our airbnb and that was a lot of fun. We went to Anastasia Mini Golf and it was a lot of fun. Not too crowded, they had drinks available to buy and it was a fun course. We had a blast and we don’t usually mini golf so it was fun to do something different. Besides that we did do some wandering around downtown St. Augustine. We popped in and out of shops, saw tons of dolphins watching from the bridge and we really liked the live music at the Prohibition bar which I wrote about above!

RECOMMENDATIONS

Before our trip started we got a few recommendations that we didn’t get a chance to try but I wanted to list them here for you guys! Someone said that we should try a restaurant called Columbia and another person recommended the A1A Ale Works Restaurant & Taproom as well! For some shopping we got a recommendation to check out Two Sparrows boutique! We didn’t get to do these but maybe next time!

I know that you probably get to the bottom of my blog posts and the last paragraph I probably sound like a broken record but I just want to make sure I cover all my bases and let you guys know that you are more than welcome to reach out or comment below with questions that you might have! I also wanted to link my 24 Hour in St. Pete Beach blog post just in case you’re headed there as well!

A weekend at St. Pete Beach

March 31, 2022 Emma Jones

This blog post is going to be a combination of the surprise birthday trip for my cousin back in November and then also the 2 night trip we took with Dustins parents last weekend. I never got around to writing the blog post in November and I feel like combining them is perfect! So this will be less of a travel diary and more informational! Which sometimes I like these posts more than travel diaries because they are more to the point when you are looking for some information on something specific!

www.tarynintotravel.com | St. Pete Beach Travel | Gluten Fre St. Pete Beach | Weekend Beach Getaway

WHERE WE STAYED

Back in November we stayed at Bellwether Beach Resort which had just been remodeled and was absolutely beautiful! It was newly remodled and the staff there were so nice. We actually ended up getting upgraded to a room with an ocean view for free which was amazing! They had free parking and free Wi-Fi, which was great. It was also within walking distance to literally everything that we needed to get to like the beach and restaurants. The amenities like the cabana and beach bar were so great, the person working in the cabana made sure that we had everything we could pretty much ever need sitting in the beach chairs all day long! They had towels for us as well which was very nice. We were able to just bring a cooler and drink on the beach, making it fairly inexpensive. The second day we were there we grabbed a drink from the bar and I believe it was around $12 which is pretty standard for a cocktail in Florida.

The second time we visited we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach and it was equally amazing in all of the same ways as the other hotel. Again there was free parking and Wi-Fi and was also within walking distance to everywhere we needed to go. The room was very nice and so was the lobby. The food truck/bar had a couple of gluten free options which was nice. It was raining like crazy when we were here so I’m not able to speak on the beach cabana service because no-one was out there when we were on the beach, but again I think it had something to do with weather. The best part of this hotel was the bar that was next to it, it was called Jimmy B's Beach Bar and there was live music each night we were there that was so much fun!! Like I would honestly go back and stay just to be able to go to that bar, it was such good music!

WHAT WE ATE

I should start off this whole “what we ate” by saying that I did not take one picture of any of my food the entire time {honestly both times} that I was there and I have no idea why! Also, these are all my experiences with a gluten allergy at each restaurant. If you also have an allergy please ask your server before ordering your food!

Breakfast

Kraft Cafe- I was SO HAPPY to find this place! I thought it was going to be a sit down breakfast spot but it was more of a quick service vibe. Nonetheless, they are a 100% gluten free facility and the food was SO good! I probably could have cried happy tears walking in there. They had everything from gf blueberry or chocolate chip pancakes, breakfast pizzas, pastries, sandwiches, different types of toast, omelets.. literally a dream! I got the bacon, potato, sausage and egg breakfast pizza… FREAKIN YUM. So good! I will 100000% be coming back to try more foods. They have two locations in St. Pete, the one downside is that it isn’t on the beach, its downtown. But totally worth the 8 minute drive to get there, I promise!

Frog Pond- This was another local place for sure, it was decorated with frogs and had this like old time-y beach vibe to it. There wasn’t a dedicated gluten free menu but I talked to the server and we decided that the omelet was probably my safest route. She also said that the home fries which were like breakfast potatoes were gluten free and even went back and talked to the chef to triple check. I got the Hangover Omelet that had onions, peppers, cheddar cheese and bacon inside and it was very good. I could have split it with someone thought, it was huge! I recommend this place for sure just make sure you’re in the mood for an omelet!

Lunch

Coconut Charlies - There was really only one time I have been there where it was lunch time and we were still sort of full from breakfast but dinner was still a few hours away so we decided to split the chicken tacos from Coconut Charlies which is the food truck/bar that is on the back of The Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach. We also got a side of chips and salsa, honestly with the first bite of the salsa I knew it was Pace salsa that you can buy at the store but I at least knew it was safe to eat. The tacos were also good and had a yummy chipotle sauce and some sort of cabbage slaw on top of them! It was good but a little pricey for what we actually got.

Dinner

Shells Seafood - This place was surprisingly good. I’m not gonna lie I was concerned about how it was going to all go down because the waitress didn’t seem confident but I didn’t get sick and my meal was seriously delicious! I had a couple of oysters on the half shell which was good. For my main meal I got the Salmon Felix which was fresh salmon topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and roasted red peppers in a lobster cream sauce. That salmon with that sauce may have been the best salmon I have ever had! I got mine with parsley potatoes and asparagus and it was the perfect combination! The only thing I wish we would have done differently was eat outside, so definitely ask to do that when you go!

Snappers - If you’re going for a low key evening afterwards, this would be a good place. I found this on Find Me Gluten Free and I don’t know how much I would recommend it before a night of drinking if I am being honest. Don’t get me wrong, it was really good! I got the Fresh Spinach Salad and added on a salmon filet. But the options for gluten free were really just salads and that was NOT enough sustenance for the many vodka cranberries and green tea shots that would soon be entering our bodies!

RumFish Grill - Honestly, do not waste your time or money trying to eat here. I was so unimpressed with my gluten free meal. My meal alone was $36 and I got Grilled Ahi Tuna with a ginger carrot puree on an arugula salad, it was supposed to come with roasted potatoes but was told that they weren’t safe for a gluten allergy. SO I basically had ahi tuna on a bed of spicy lettuce. Idk, if I didn’t have an allergy it might have been good but I just think you should save your money and go to one of the MANY other good restaurants.

Drinks

MacNastys Sports Bar - This was on the beach strip and was definitely a locals bar. We walked in and I think the three of us were the only girls there with the exception of like 2 others. It was a pretty weird vibe, we had one drink and then decided to leave. I think it would have been more fun if we could have played pool or darts but they were pretty much used by the same people while we were there.

Jimmy B’s Beach Bar - This was such a fun place to spend time! It was like an indoor/outdoor bar with live music every single night of the year! We went there both nights after dinner with Dustin’s parents and had a blast listening to the live music! I would 10/10 recommend going here once while you are on your trip!
Ricks Reef - This place had really strong drinks which was honestly great haha but it took FOREVER for anyone to come take our order after we were sat and told we couldn’t grab a seat at the bar. We actually ended up going up to the bar to order and after we got our drinks from the bar was when someone came over to see if we needed anything.

Five Bucks Drinkery - When we asked someone at dinner where we should go if we were headed downtown, they suggested this place. We spent the majority of our night here. It was a good atmosphere and they had a fun vending machine with alllll sorts of things in there hahah!

Pour Judgement - We had a couple of green tea shots in here! They had fun music playing and the bartenders were a lot of fun to talk to! They also made really cool drinks, defiantly recommend!

Crafty Squirrel - Honestly, I can’t remember if we got a drink in here or if we just say outside for awhile after 5 Buck sort of making a game plan. But it looked cool inside and there were like three dogs outside so I was just happy to be there sitting by the dogs lol!

WHAT WE DID

If I am being honest, we mostly just hung out at the beach, ate food and found drinks in various places for both trips but the first trip I took there we found these scooters on the side of the road and we rented three of them and had a BLAST going up and down the main roads sidewalks for about 30 minutes. It was such a fun completely unplanned thing to do. We had to download the GoX app to ride. I think it was about $8 per scooter for like 30-35 minutes, totally worth it!

Both trips were so much fun and I will absolutely be going back. We love the shells on the beach and the soft sand and warm water. Its like a version of paradise just 2 hours from our house. Its a quick and easy trip! If you have any questions or think I left something out please let me know! Have you been to St. Pete Beach? What did we miss?! Let me know in the comments!