My Virgin Voyages' balcony room had a nicer bathroom and these cabins tend to be a good value.
However, my balcony room on the Utopia was bigger and had way better storage solutions.
I've taken more than 50 cruises with a range of lines, and I love a good balcony room.
I book them on most sailings so I can enjoy the ocean views and breeze first thing in the morning, and then in the evening as I wind down.
Some of my favorite lines to sail with are Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages, as both have ships with tons of activities on board that go to interesting destinations. However, each line's rooms can be pretty different across ships.
Royal Caribbean balcony rooms tend to be small but efficient.
My balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas left no space wasted.
Megan duBois
When I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, my space was small — just 181 square feet with a 50-square-foot balcony — but the room was clearly set up with efficiency in mind.
The cabin had a king bed that could convert to two twins, plus a couch that turned into a double sofa bed. I loved that the bed was high enough that I could put my suitcase under it after I unpacked.
Utopia balcony cabins have plenty of storage space.
The dresser easily fit all of my clothes.
Megan duBois
Since Utopia generally sails three- and four-night itineraries out of Port Canaveral, Florida, I didn't need to bring a lot of stuff.
Even so, there was plenty of storage even if I had. My room had two closets and a set of drawers in the main living area, which fit everything for a three-night sailing.
The balcony felt big enough for two people.
Our balcony had two chairs — one for me and one for my guest.
Megan duBois
I traveled with a guest, and I found the balcony was big enough for both of us, with two chairs and a small table.
I did not like the bathroom in my room on the Utopia, though.
I wish the bathroom was more spacious.
Megan duBois
Cruise-ship bathrooms are notoriously small, but this one made me feel like I needed to shrink to the size of a child to comfortably fit inside it.
Although there was a shelf above the sink and one below it, I didn't have a ton of counter space for my toiletries.
The shower wasn't very big, either.
I wish the shower had been even a little larger.
Megan duBois
The lack of storage in the bathroom and the dark, small shower was a big letdown for me.
On the other hand, my balcony room on the Valiant Lady was even smaller.
Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady is an adults-only ship.
The room had a minimalistic design with a queen bed that could be split into two twins. I didn't like that the beds weren't raised enough for me to put my suitcases below it, as this limited my storage space.
My room also had a single chair if I didn't want to sit on the bed.
I kept wishing I'd had more storage.
My suitcase took up the bulk of the closet.
Megan duBois
In terms of storage, there was a small set of shelves attached to the desk and a closet with a curtain covering.
The closet had some shelves with bins for things like socks and swimsuits. It would've been nice to have a dresser.
My balcony felt large, and I loved the hammock.
The hammock was a fun touch.
Megan duBois
I love how spacious the balconies tend to be on Virgin Voyages ships.
On this sailing, my outdoor space had two chairs, a small table, and a red hammock. I spent many afternoons gazing out over the ocean in the hammock.
In my opinion, this bathroom was nicer than the one on the Utopia.
The bathroom was still small.
Megan duBois
Although both ships have tiny bathrooms, I liked the setup of Virgin Voyages' better.
The toilet was across from the shower instead of next to it, which felt more comfortable. The bright lighting around the space helped the bathroom feel bigger, too.
The shower also had a light inside.
I didn't mind the shower as much in this cabin.
Megan duBois
The shower felt fairly bright and also had a rainfall showerhead, which felt like a luxurious touch.
I'm not sure if this shower was technically bigger than the one on the Utopia, but it certainly felt like it was.
Overall, I think Royal Caribbean's Utopia had the better balcony room.
I would sail with Royal Caribbean again.
Megan duBois
If I had to choose which ship to sail on again based strictly on the balcony rooms, I'd pick the Royal Caribbean Utopia.
I loved the ample storage in my room, even though the bathroom was not my favorite. For most travelers, however, cost is going to be the biggest factor when choosing a ship.
When comparing two upcoming four-night sailings for the Utopia and Valiant Lady, the balcony rooms on Virgin were much cheaper. A balcony room for two in April is about $2,300 on the Valiant Lady and about $3,400 on the Utopia.
However, prices change often, and cabins aren't necessarily the only deciding factor when booking a cruise. It's important to also look at each ship's perks and ports before selecting your next sailing.
Dolly Parton's Southern theme park impressed me with its entertainment and photo opportunities.
I appreciated how the park highlighted the singer's history in multiple ways.
I've lived close to Disney World for my entire life. I've been over 100 times and still visit as often as I want as an annual pass holder.
Recently, though, I was excited to try a different theme park that's been on my radar for years: Dollywood.
The Dolly Parton park has been nestled among the Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for decades.
After spending two days exploring Dollywood, here's everything that surprised me.
I appreciated how Parton's history was highlighted throughout the park.
The Dolly Parton Experience was fun to walk through.
Megan duBois
One of my favorite park areas was the Dolly Parton Experience, where I learned all about Parton and her life through a range of exhibits and displays.
In the park, I was also able to step onto one of Parton's old tour buses and view many of her glamorous outfits and jewelry pieces.
The park's most famous food is actually easy to find throughout the park and its resorts.
I picked up Dollywood's famous cinnamon bread at Spotlight Bakery.
Megan duBois
As many theme-park foodies know, Dollywood and cinnamon bread are synonymous.
Since the treat is so popular, I worried I might have to wait in long lines to order it or get up early to track it down before it sold out. Fortunately, it was even easier to find than I expected.
Plenty of it was available at Grist Mill and Spotlight Bakery inside the park. Plus, the bread could be purchased at Dollywood resorts DreamMore and HeartSong — or even ordered using room service.
The park's entertainment was top-notch and varied — and even included a show featuring Parton's niece.
I saw "Heidi Parton's Kin and Friends" while at Dollywood.
Megan duBois
Throughout the park, I found all kinds of impressive entertainment, including performances from a country string band and a Southern gospel singing group.
The park even had an educational show featuring birds of prey.
One show I especially loved was "Heidi Parton's Kin and Friends," where Parton's niece, Heidi, and a crew of talented performers sang songs across a range of genres.
There's an entire land dedicated to kid-friendly attractions, which seems great for families.
The Country Fair area of Dollywood seems ideal for little kids.
Megan duBois
The rides at the park are quite varied, from attractions for preschool-aged kids to high-speed roller coasters that thrill seekers would love.
One area that surprised me was the Country Fair, where kid-friendly attractions are all clustered together. This setup makes it easy for families with little kids to hang out in one spot and enjoy multiple attractions.
Country Fair also features carnival games, a picnic pavilion that looks like a classic red barn, and a splash pad.
Dollywood's rotating festivals throughout the year seemed good enough to compete with Disney's.
I visited Dollywood during the I Will Always Love You music festival.
Megan duBois
The park hosts five different festivals throughout the year, and each has a different theme. Similar to Disney parks, Dollywood has exclusive entertainment and special foods during each of its festivals.
I visited during the park's first festival of the season, the I Will Always Love You music festival, which runs through mid-April.
Other festivals at Dollywood include the Flower and Food Festival in spring, the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration through the summer, the Harvest Festival in fall, and Smoky Mountain Christmas during the holiday season.
A simple but pricey parking upgrade added surprising value to my trip.
I didn't wait long at the preferred-parking entrance.
Megan duBois
Parking at any theme park can be pricey. At Dollywood, standard parking costs $25, and preferred is $50.
Much to my surprise, I'd recommend paying more for the latter. It was a surprisingly good value. With preferred parking, I got to keep my car in the closest lot to the park and access an exclusive security line and entrance.
When I arrived, the park's main entrance had a big line out front and a wait time of about 45 minutes to get inside. At the preferred-parking entrance, I only waited about 10 minutes.
I love that my upgrade allowed me to spend more time in the park instead of waiting in line outside of it.
There are a ton of good pop-up photo spots around the park.
Photos are a great way to remember your trip.
Megan duBois
I love just how many photo opportunities I found at Dollywood, especially in its Showstreet area.
The main entry area of the park features a giant Dollywood sign that's a perfect backdrop for family photos. Plus, I found tons of cute art installations that are swapped out throughout the year.
While I was at Dollywood, big shimmering sequins hung over part of Showstreet, and a fun "LOVE" sign was displayed at the end of the road — both nodding to the current festival theme.
I go on about six cruises a year, so I've tried a number of different routes.
Megan duBois
I've been on over 50 cruises (at least six a year), and some routes are better than others.
I now try to avoid cruises that make stops at Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas.
My favorite cruise I've ever been on was a Mediterranean voyage from Barcelona.
I've taken over 50 cruises with family and friends, and I'm always looking to try out new routes with different port stops.
Before I ever book a cruise — which I do about six times a year — I try to find either a new-to-me ship or a new-to-me route. If neither of those options works for my budget or timeframe, I opt for a familiar favorite.
Here are my favorite cruise routes that I'm always happy to book, and the ones I don't need to sail again.
My favorite route is a Mediterranean cruise that starts and ends in Barcelona.
I think Mediterranean cruises are underrated.
Megan duBois
Mediterranean cruises start and end in various ports of call around Europe, typically throughout the summer sailing season.
Last year, my family and I took a Disney Cruise that started and ended in Barcelona, with stops in France and Italy.
My favorite part of this trip was splitting a day between Nice and Eze in the French Riviera. I was able to walk through cobblestone streets overlooking the ocean while sipping on limoncello.
I love Caribbean cruises along the western ports.
I enjoyed spending a day in Honduras on a Caribbean cruise.
Megan duBois
I've taken many western Caribbean routes over the years on Carnival and Disney Cruise Line, and they never disappoint.
The route usually includes stops at Cozumel, Mexico, and Georgetown, Grand Cayman. But it may also include ports of call at Falmouth, Jamaica; Costa Maya, Mexico; or Roatán, Honduras.
I always get off the ship in Cozumel, even if it's just to have lunch at a taco shop. Don't get lured into the restaurants right at the docks because the best food is in the spots farther down the main street.
I also love getting off in Roatán. On a semi-recent cruise, I took an excursion to Roatan Island Brewing Company to try different beers made with local ingredients.
I also enjoy routes that only stop at private islands.
Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas.
Megan duBois
Every once in a while, I can find a short three-night cruise on Royal Caribbean or Disney that only visits the brand's private islands.
These short cruises are ideal weekend getaways and go to some of my favorite ports of call, like Royal Caribbean's CocoCay and Disney's Castaway Cay.
I love both of these destinations because there's so much to do — you really can spend the entire day at the beach or exploring the various parts of the island. I also love that food and drinks are all provided, so I don't have to return to the ship for lunch.
On the other hand, I don't need to go to Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas again.
Nassau is beautiful, but I've already seen most of it.
Daniel Korzeniewski/Shutterstock
I love short cruises from Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but they often mean stopping at Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas.
I don't really think there's much to see at either stop once you've done it once or twice. If my route includes them, I usually stay on the ship to enjoy the less crowded pool and spa.
The trade-off for these two ports is often getting to visit a cruise line's private island, so I think it's worth it for that. However, I don't need to go on another long cruise through the Bahamas.
I'm also not a big fan of Bimini, Bahamas.
I like stopping in spots with more than just a beach.
Megan duBois
Many cruise lines, like Carnival and Virgin Voyages, are now taking cruisers to Bimini for an easy beach day.
In my opinion, though, if you're not a big fan of chilling at the beach, there's not much else to do on the island.
I'd also skip cruising to Key West because I'd rather spend more time there.
I would prefer to spend more than a day exploring Key West.
Megan duBois
I love Key West in the Florida Keys, but as a port stop, it was hard to see a lot of the island and explore beyond Duval Street.
I'd prefer to spend a few days in the destination to explore all that it has to offer instead of making it a cruise stop.
This story was originally published on February 20, 2024 and most recently updated on March 17, 2025.
Theme parks aren't built with every body type in mind, fans say.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Certain theme-park rides aren't accessible for larger body types, fans say.
Solutions presented at the parks, like test seats, don't always fix the problem.
Some midsize and plus-size visitors say they steer clear of anything that may leave them embarrassed.
This story was originally published in July 2023.
When the new Tron coaster opened at Disney World's Magic Kingdom back in April, theme-park reporter Madison Blancafor, couldn't wait for her chance to ride the high-speed coaster, based on the popular sci-fi franchise.
But when her opportunity to test-ride the Florida attraction, renamed Tron Lightcycle / Run, during a preview event finally came, the ride attendants told her she wouldn't be able to sit in the regular seat because of her size. Blancafor wears a US size 20 and identifies as plus-sized.
"The cast member up front was kind and gave me a few tips for how to shimmy my legs deeper into the knee hold for the seat," she told Insider, referring to the ride's bike-style vehicles. "But there was no amount of wiggling my hips or changing the angle of my knee or sucking in my stomach that was going to make that metal bar fit over my calf to lock me into place."
When the ride was still in previews, plus-size — typically size 18 and up in the US — Disney employees and early riders began sharing first-person accounts of not fitting safely on the new attraction because the seat didn't lock into place. Their only alternative was to ride the more accessible bench seat attached to some of the trains, which required waiting in a second line.
"I get a small spike of anxiety every time I step in line for a new coaster these days: Am I going to fit? If I don't, will the other riders in line be rude as I try? Will the ride operators be frustrated that I attempted?" Blancafor said.
Insider spoke to seven other US theme-park fans who said riding roller coasters isn't accessible, let alone comfortable, for every body type.
Theme parks have a size problem, fans say
What started as an innovative way to experience an attraction with bike-style ride vehicles is now causing issues for anyone with a larger body type.
"As I tried to board the bike, the employee who was helping me started pushing the bar near my knees until I felt like I'd get bruises," Molly Kay Nelson, a size-16 content creator who regularly visits Disney World and Disneyland, told Insider of her experience on Tron.
Representatives for Disney did not respond to Insider's request for comment.
The theme-park fan said she eventually asked to ride in one of the more accessible bench seats because she was so uncomfortable.
"It was also embarrassing, and it made my ride experience entirely unenjoyable because of my own mental block," Nelson told Insider.
Screen showing the restraints on Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom.
Kim Renfro/INSIDER
Animal Kingdom's Flight of Passage, an Avatar-themed flight-simulation ride that opened in 2017, has a similar bike-like ride vehicle with back and leg restraints.
"I waited in the long line with friends and then was the only one who didn't fit and couldn't ride," Erynn Leighton-Herrmann, who's a size 20, told Insider. "It's embarrassing as everyone watches you struggle and then be escorted to wait for your party outside."
The problem is not unique to Disney parks or the new wave of bike-like seats. Blancafor has also run into issues on some of the big-ticket classic rides at Universal Orlando in Florida.
"It is still discouraging and disheartening and, frankly, embarrassing every time it happens," she said. "As someone who has always loved roller coasters, it's sad that one of my favorite things is now also a source of insecurity and shame."
Brittany Cannon, who's a size 18, had trouble locking her seat on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a high-speed X-coaster with a thrilling drop at Universal Orlando, and ultimately wasn't able to ride, even after trying two different cars.
"They moved me to another 'more spacious' car and the lap bar still didn't lock," she said. "I heard some negative comments from other guests in line and ran as fast as I could to get away from the ride."
Any attractions with individual seats or lap restraints can be difficult for riders like Melani Avila, who's a size 20 and told Insider she carries most of her weight around her hips and thighs. In particular, she said, SeaWorld's Mako roller coaster, one of the fastest and tallest coasters in Orlando, is her "worst enemy."
"Some days, I can go on it, but I have had times where I've waited in line and gotten up there and the ride attendants weren't able to get the restraint to lock," she told Insider.
Representatives for SeaWorld Orlando did not respond to Insider's request for comment.
Other fans say ride vehicles can be uncomfortable for a wide range of body types
Rides like Haunted Mansion at Disney World and Disneyland along with Men in Black Alien Attack at Universal Orlando offer more comfortable seating for a wider range of body types. But even "family-friendly" coasters like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom can be hard for adults to ride because of the smaller seats and the type of restraints used.
This is especially true on kid-targeted rides that require an accompanying adult for children under 7, said Sarah Gilliland, a size-12 theme-park reporter. Even though she's considered a mid-size woman (between size 10 and 16), her 5-foot-7 height can affect her ability to ride with her child.
"Not only are my legs crunched for space in those, but my hips and midsection often make it difficult to lock down the restraints to properly restrain myself and my 3-year-old," she said.
Guests share a teacup-ride vehicle on the Mad Tea Party ride.
Kim Renfro/INSIDER
Height can also be a concern for riders like Gavin Doyle, the founder of the popular Disney fan site MickeyVisit.com and the best-selling author of "Disneyland Secrets." He's 6-foot-4 and, due to his height, struggles to fit into attractions at parks around the world.
At Disney World and Disneyland, he said, the Mad Tea Party attraction "always gives me a moment of anxiety" since multiple riders have to sit on a circular bench together. "My legs are just too long to comfortably fit down into the vehicle with multiple people," he added.
At Universal Orlando, the Escape from Gringotts attraction has also caused issues for Doyle because there's an "uncomfortable" shin guard in addition to a lap bar.
"The seat is also low so my legs are really bent out of shape," he told Insider. "This was the closest I was to opting out of a ride at Universal."
Most major US theme parks don't have clear guidelines for people with larger bodies
Although theme-park fans have recently been more open about issues with size-inclusivity on rides, the parks themselves don't currently offer many solutions.
Disney World doesn't have guidelines for those who have difficulty fitting into attraction seats. There's only a height-requirement page on its website and a note about reading the signage at each individual attraction for health and safety advisories along with guidelines for accessibility for those with disabilities. The same goes for the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
SeaWorld Orlando has a 21-page PDF safety guide with a section called "Riders of Size" that lists out certain attractions guests might have trouble riding. But there aren't really any guidelines beyond using the test seats — ride vehicles typically located outside an attraction's queue that guests can try out before riding.
Tron Lightcycle / Run is the newest attraction at Magic Kingdom.
Megan duBois
Universal Orlando has a 63-page PDF guide for rider safety and accessibility that lists over 20 rides that may not accommodate people who have a waistline of 40 inches or more. According to the guide, guests at the park who think they may not fit "are strongly encouraged to try the test seats provided at the entrance of the attractions to ensure their ability to ride."
But test seats aren't always a one-to-one fit. Cannon told Insider that even though she was able to fit into the test seat on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, once she got on the actual ride, the lap bar didn't close.
A representative from Universal said this can be a result of wear and tear on the test seats, and that they are working to ensure test seats are accurate to the ride vehicles.
In Nelson's experience, test seats are often used by people taking photos. This adds a level of embarrassment for riders, who told Insider they don't always want other fans watching as they test their ability to ride.
Beth Shenker, a size-16 theme-park fan, told Insider, "Seeing people not be able to do rides, or being put in a test seat which is being used as a photo op while everyone watches you, is truly mortifying."
A representative from Universal told Insider the company is experimenting with placing test seats for certain rides in more private locations at the Orlando parks. The representative added that the parks are also looking to improve size accessibility through "a company-wide task force actively working to safely increase access to our experiences."
One of the most inclusive sources Insider found was a blog post written by a plus-size theme-park fan on the official Dollywood website that mentions which rides in the Tennessee park owned by legendary country artist Dolly Parton are the most plus-size-friendly.
Mid- and plus-size fans say theme-park designers and engineers should take their experience into consideration
Slinky Dog Dash ride in Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World.
John Raoux/AP
Ride restraints like lap bars and shin guards are ultimately there to keep riders safe, but if they don't work for a wide range of body types, they may be causing bigger problems.
Theme-park fans Insider spoke with seemed optimistic that, in the future, rides can be built for every body. Attraction designers and engineers would just need to take larger and taller builds into account from the very beginning of the design process.
"Size 16 is what is considered the national average size for women as of 2023 and if an 'average'-sized woman can't fit on a theme-park ride, we've got a lot of work to do," Nelson said.
Cannon explained how "frustrating" it can be to be turned away from a ride on a family vacation because of your size.
"Theme parks have the ability to cater to everyone, they just need to be more mindful about it," she told Insider.
Beyond making the start of the design process more inclusive of size, other fans have suggestions for how rides should be built. Avila, for instance, suggested making seats a little wider or building ride vehicles without rigid seat dividers.
"I understand that safety is a huge factor when making these rides, but I believe there are ways to make it safe while also including more people, especially on mid-thrill rides," she told Insider.
Gabriella Stewart, a former Disney Imagineer who helped design rides for the company from 2011 to 2019, told Insider that "size and inclusivity" is a priority in the US. Part of the process of building and opening a new attraction, specifically at a Disney theme park, includes collaboration between Imagineering and other divisions, including operations and facility-asset management.
But Justin Martin, a themed entertainment art director who worked for the Universal Parks between 2018 and 2019, told Insider that "size-inclusivity was never a conversation point that was made."
He added that safety was much more of a priority when it came to ride-vehicle design. But he's hopeful that recent accessibility features, like the bench seat on Tron, will become the norm.
"We really need to continue to push having vehicles that are sensible for everybody," he said, later adding, "I think diversifying the voices in the room will ultimately help change the trajectory of how these rides are designed."
The hourlong ride takes passengers through a chain of lakes to see beautiful homes and learn the history of Winter Park.
One of the best parts is that you can bring your own food and drinks. Sometimes, I'll stop at a nearby bakery to grab a breakfast pastry and coffee to enjoy on the ride.
Stopping by a Michelin restaurant in town is always a treat.
Capa is a Michelin-stared steakhouse.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
There are a host of wonderful restaurants in Orlando, and I love trying them with friends and family.
For a fancy night out, I suggest Capa at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, which has one Michelin star and exceptional dining.
Although it's technically a Disney partner hotel, it definitely feels far enough removed from the theme parks. The rooftop restaurant does offer great views of Disney World's nightly fireworks, though.
If I'm looking for something more affordable but just as delicious, I love Michelin-recommended Bombay Street Kitchen.
The Indian street-food restaurant is known for its stuffed dosas, chaats, and tandoor-fired meats. Don't skip dessert either — the frozen malai kulfi is a delightful mix of flavors and textures.
I always find something new to do while exploring downtown Orlando.
The Tea Room Experience is high on my list of things to do in Orlando.
Megan duBois
Downtown Orlando and its surrounding neighborhoods have a ton to offer.
For example, on a recent trip, I explored Thornton Park and took an hourlong candle-pouring class at Artifact Candle Foundry. I mixed oils to create a custom scent and hand-poured the wax into the candle base.
The Tea Room Experience is another downtown highlight. Its enchanting afternoon tea is filled with tasty bites, a large menu of teas, and fantastic service. I also loved how cute the room is with its floral decor and teacups on display.
There's live music across the city, but Judson's Live is one of my favorite spots.
I love watching local artists perform at Judson's Live.
Megan duBois
There are a lot of live-music venues around Orlando, but Judson's Live at the Dr. Phillips Center is a personal favorite.
The cute spot feels more like a speakeasy than a concert hall, and I love that the roster of performances mostly features local artists.
Most shows are about an hour long, which makes it easy to enjoy some live music alongside my other nighttime plans.
I love having a spa day in the city.
The water garden at the Conrad Spa Orlando is beautiful.
Megan duBois
There's nothing better than a spa day. One of my favorites is Conrad Spa Orlando, which is close to the local theme parks but feels worlds away from the crowds and chaos.
It offers a full menu of treatments and a beautiful inside lounge. However, the real star is the outdoor water garden.
The space is filled with lounge chairs, a heated pool, a cold plunge, and a vitality pool guests can use before or after a treatment.
I like the beautiful rooms and amenities at the Villas at Disneyland Hotel.
The rooms at the Villas at Disneyland Hotel have special touches.
Megan duBois
I love the Villas at Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California. These Disney Vacation Club rooms can be booked by timeshare owners using points or other guests with cash.
I've stayed in the deluxe studios, which can be themed to Disney animated classics "Sleeping Beauty" or "The Princess and the Frog."
My favorite part of the hotel is the rooms, which have special design details nodding to the movie that inspired them. The deluxe studios have ample storage space, a pull-down Murphy bed, and a large bathroom.
Even better, both Disneyland theme parks nearby are just a 10-minute walk from the tower.
Disney's Vero Beach Resort is a perfect seaside getaway just a few hours south of Disney World.
The Disney Vero Beach Resort looks almost like a beach house from the outside.
Megan duBois
Disney's Vero Beach Resort is a cute retreat on the Atlantic Ocean about two hours from Disney World. The hotel is known for its beach access, ocean views, and sea-turtle nesting grounds.
On a recent visit to the resort, I was lucky to be walking on the beach at night when a nest of sea turtles began hatching. I watched in awe as they popped out of the sand and made their way to the ocean.
During sea-turtle-nesting season, guests can head to the beach to watch the Disney Conservation team protecting new nests and counting eggs.
Coronado Springs Resort is my favorite more budget-friendly hotel.
Coronado Springs Resort can sometimes have rooms for $200 or less.
Megan duBois
If I'm looking for a budget-friendly stay at Disney World, I book a room at Coronado Springs Resort. Although prices vary by time of year and availability, I've seen rooms go for about $200 or less.
The Southwest-themed hotel has multiple smaller buildings filled with rooms, plus the 545-room Gran Destino Tower. Each style of room I've had has been spacious and comfortable for me and my travel companions.
I love that Coronado Springs Resort feels like a quiet retreat. It's slightly isolated since it's not directly connected to any of the parks.
I also love the rooftop bar at Gran Destino Tower, Dahlia Lounge, which has great views of Hollywood Studios in the evening and good drinks.
Aulani has my favorite theming of any Disney hotel I've stayed at.
Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, is in Hawaii.
Megan duBois
I recently stayed at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, for the first time, and I already can't wait to return.
The island resort was filled with incredible amenities like a lazy river, an adults-only restaurant, an on-site luau, and photo opportunities with special characters.
Above all, I love the stunning resort's theming and artwork inspired by Hawaiian heritage and culture, including the lobby's massive mural depicting local history.
During my stay, I also enjoyed going on one of the resort's complimentary art and culture tours where I learned about how Disney Imagineers showcased the traditions of Hawaii on the property.
I love that I can see wildlife from my hotel room at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is a fun spot for those who want to see animals from their hotel.
Carly Caramanna
One of my favorite places for a staycation is Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World. I love that I can watch African wildlife like zebras, giraffes, and gazelles from most of the rooms here.
The resort also has a sprawling pool and incredible dining options. When I stay here, I try to make reservations at the lodge's restaurant, Jiko, which has an impressive collection of South African wine.
My favorite time to stay at the hotel is around the holidays, when a towering Christmas tree takes over the center of the lobby.
I spent 35 days at Disney World in 2024, and there are some things I try to do every visit.
I always take pictures with Mickey Mouse somewhere in the theme parks.
I have to get my favorite treat, a Mickey-shaped ice-cream sandwich.
I love going to Disney World, and as an annual passholder, I can pretty much visit whenever I want.
This year, I spent 35 days exploring all four theme parks, staying at nearly every hotel, and eating my way through Disney Springs.
On nearly every trip, I have some absolute must-dos — they're not optional in my brain. Even after visiting Disney World hundreds of times over the past 30 years, these six things never get old.
I always mark my visits by taking a picture with Mickey Mouse.
This tradition is long-standing.
Megan duBois
You can see Mickey Mouse at all four theme parks, and when I visit, I stop in and say hi.
I especially love seeing Mickey at Hollywood Studios because he's in his sorcerer outfit from "Fantasia."
You can also catch Mickey at Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom, Adventurers Outpost at Animal Kingdom, and CommuniCore Hall at Epcot.
I love visiting Epcot during each of the festivals.
I like to paint the mural during the International Festival of the Arts.
Megan duBois
Epcot is known for its incredible annual festivals.
The first part of the year brings the International Festival of the Arts, which happens to be my favorite. You can also experience the International Flower and Garden Festival in spring, the International Food and Wine Festival in summer and fall, and the Festival of the Holidays in winter.
I love that the festivals all have food booths where I can try unique items. I also make a point to see the incredible entertainment at the America Gardens Theater, like the celebrity-narrated Candlelight Processional during the Festival of the Holidays.
I'm a big fan of celebrity chefs, so Disney Springs is my favorite place to eat.
I spent my birthday dining at eet by Maneet Chauhan and meeting the celebrity chef.
Megan duBois
Disney Springs is filled to the brim with restaurants. Most of them are great, but I tend to find myself dining at celebrity-chef-owned spots more often than not.
A few of my favorites are Chicken Guy by Guy Fieri for a quick meal, Masaharu Morimoto's Morimoto Asia for a snack at the bar, and Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' for incredible fried chicken.
I've planned some visits around chefs' special events and have been lucky enough to accidentally run into other chefs at their restaurants.
In fact, my birthday treat this year was dining at eet by Maneet Chauhan. She and her team curated a special menu of dishes, and she did an open question-and-answer session for the group of diners.
I save room for my favorite treat: the Mickey-shaped ice-cream sandwich.
I like the ice-cream sandwich better than the ice-cream bar.
Megan duBois
No matter what time of year I go to Disney World, I have a Mickey-shaped ice-cream sandwich.
The cookies-and-cream ice cream is a refreshing treat, and I've found that the sandwiches don't melt nearly as quickly as the equally popular Mickey premium ice-cream bars.
Staying at a Disney resort makes things easier.
All-Star Movies Resort is always a fun one.
Megan duBois
There are hundreds of hotels around Orlando, but I like to stay at a Disney resort when I visit Disney World.
I love the theming of the hotels, how easy it is to get to the parks with complimentary transportation, and that I'm not bursting that Disney-bubble feel.
My favorite budget-friendly hotel is Disney's All-Star Movies, and my favorite splurge option is Disney's Riviera Resort.
The All-Star Resorts are a little farther from the theme parks, but the rooms are well-appointed, and I love the nostalgia. This is where I often stayed as a kid.
Riviera Resort is ultra-luxe, and the Disney Skyliner provides direct service to Epcot. I also love watching the fireworks from the rooftop lounge attached to Topolino's Terrace.
I get into virtual queues for attractions instead of paying to cut the line.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure replaced Splash Mountain earlier this year.
Megan duBois
A few new attractions at Disney World, like Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot, use virtual queues.
I always try to make reservations for these two attractions during the 7 a.m. drop on the day I want to visit the park. If I'm unsuccessful during the morning drop, I try again at 1 p.m. after I've checked into the park.
If I can't get a virtual queue spot, for some reason, I skip the attraction. I visit often enough that the extra cost isn't worth it to me — I'll be able to try again soon.
I was excited to see what the city had to offer since my friends and family had hyped it up.
I loved exploring Bryant Park, but I wish I never visited Times Square.
New York is one of the most iconic cities in the world, and even though I travel 100 days out of the year, I'd never been until recently.
I finally took my first trip to the Big Apple in November. As my plane landed, my headphones blared Taylor Swift's "Welcome to New York," and I couldn't have been more excited to see what was in store for me.
In the end, my four-day trip surprised me — in both good and bad ways.
Riding a hop-on, hop-off bus was a great way to start the trip.
I'm glad I booked our hop-on, hop-off bus.
Megan duBois
I love riding a hop-on, hop-off bus on my first day in a new-to-me city.
In New York, the bus got me around town with ease since there were a dozen different stops along the route, including near Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Bryant Park.
I appreciated that I could get off as many times as I wanted so I could really take my time exploring.
My day ended with some incredible views of the bright NYC skyline from the bus windows.
I was pleasantly surprised by Bryant Park, which already had its holiday market going.
Bryant Park is located in Midtown Manhattan.
Megan duBois
One of my favorite areas of the city to explore was Bryant Park, which is in Midtown Manhattan near the main branch of the New York Public Library.
There were dozens of small stalls selling goods from local vendors and restaurant pop-ups serving some of the most incredible holiday dishes.
I especially enjoyed my sandwich with bresaola, onions, gherkins, and raclette from the raclette-cheese stand.
The food scene in New York City lived up to the hype.
I ate my way around New York City.
Megan duBois
Everyone I talked to before my trip praised the food scene in New York City, so I tried everything from authentic bagels and dim sum to classic Italian food and Indian fusion.
Everything I ate and drank was incredible.
One of the best things I did in the city was a Hell's Kitchen food tour. The neighborhood tour was led by an expert guide, and our small group of six got to try five dishes at five different restaurants.
My favorites were the Georgian cheese boat from the aptly named Cheeseboat restaurant and a chicken-tikka-masala taco from Taco Mahal.
Going to the top of the Rockefeller Center was one of the best parts of my trip.
From peeking through a window at Studio 1A to see the "Today" show filming to exploring the iconic FAO Schwarz toy store, it ended up being one of the best parts of my trip.
The pinnacle of my visit, however, was going to the top floor of the Rock for 360-degree views of the city — I could see everything from Central Park to One World Trade Center.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy Times Square one bit.
Times Square was crowded, loud, and hard to get around.
Megan duBois
Every New Year's Eve, I watch the ball drop in Times Square from the comfort of my home in my pajamas. Since it was my first time in New York City, I knew I wanted to finally see this part of the city for myself.
Once I got to the tourist destination, however, I was severely let down.
It wasn't nearly as big as I expected it to be after seeing it on TV. With all the flashing billboards, shops, food carts, and knock-off mascot characters walking around, the area was also very overwhelming
Since I felt too overwhelmed by local public transit to use it, I found it difficult to get around the city.
I was a little intimidated by the subway.
ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images
Although New York City has a famously robust transit system, I didn't end up using it.
I live in a part of Florida where public transit isn't really a thing, so learning how to ride the local subway and bus lines — and figuring out which ones to take and where to get off — felt daunting.
Unfortunately, I quickly learned that rideshares and taxis cost a pretty penny and often take a long time to get from point A to point B because of the sheer amount of traffic in the city.
I didn't mind walking to some neighborhoods if they were close to where I already was, but it wasn't always convenient or easy.
Unfortunately, this limited the amount of exploring I could do, so I mainly spent my trip in and around Midtown.
I will never buy hot coffee from a park or resort in the morning.
I'm also no longer buying ponchos at the parks since they are cheaper elsewhere.
I've been going to Disney World for over 30 years and visit the Orlando theme parks multiple times a month.
Over the years, I've bought my share of souvenirs and merchandise. However, I've also narrowed down what's not worth the money at the parks and resorts.
Preparing for a new year is a prime time to reassess my travel budget.
Here are some of the things I don't plan on buying at Disney World in 2025.
It doesn't make sense to buy plain coffee when I can make it at my hotel.
I just make my own morning cup of coffee in my hotel room.
Megan duBois
I inevitably need a morning boost at Disney World, especially after spending a few days in the parks. But I try not to buy cups of hot black coffee.
I'm always at a hotel when I visit the parks — usually a resort on the Disney property — so I have access to at least a single-serve coffee machine that makes a decent cup at no added expense to me.
Even better, when I stay at a Disney Vacation Club villa, there are usually larger machines that brew full pots instead of single cups. I can bring my own ground coffee and filters for my perfect cup.
I skip buying ponchos in the parks since they're cheaper elsewhere.
It rains at Disney World a lot, so I always come prepared.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Rain and Disney World seem to go hand-in-hand. When it rains at one of the theme parks, you'll likely see people donning thick, branded ponchos from the gift shops that cost about $12.
I've been guilty of buying these when I've been ill-prepared in the past, but I can get much cheaper disposable ones on Amazon or at Target before the trip.
The thinner, disposable ones are smaller anyway, so it's easy to pack multiple in any bag I have with me. Then, when it's done raining, I can simply throw the poncho away instead of carrying around a wet bundle of plastic.
Simple room upgrades usually aren't worth the extra cost.
I don't spend a ton of time in my hotel room at Disney World anyway.
Megan duBois
I like to stay at the Disney World resorts, but I usually skip upgrading my booking from a standard to a preferred room closer to the hotel's front or its transportation options.
I imagine this is a nice feature for families with kids, but the rooms themselves seem to be exactly the same. Plus, it only saves me a couple of minutes of walking.
Prices vary depending on which kind of resort you're at — value, moderate, or deluxe. Sometimes, it's only about a $20-a-night difference between standard and preferred, but I could use that money on plenty of other things.
Dining packages for fireworks shows are overpriced.
You can pay extra to eat dinner near the "Fantasmic!" theater.
Megan duBois
Disney World sometimes offers dining packages for its bigger shows, but I often find them to be of poor value. I'd rather grab something quick and easy and save my money.
For instance, you can book a dining package to watch "Fantasmic!" at Hollywood Studios. The price includes your meal, a drink, and guaranteed seats to the show, starting at $57 for adults.
That's much more than I'd normally spend on a meal at Disney World, and as long as I get to the theater early, open seats are usually plentiful.
I don't think Lightning Lane Single Passes are worth it.
You can buy line-skipping passes for rides, but they're expensive.
Megan duBois
If you're not as familiar with Disney World, all the different ticket add-ons can be confusing — plus, they always seem to be changing.
For now, there are still times when I think it makes sense to pay $15 a person per day for a Lightning Lane Multi Pass that I can use to expedite three lines at certain attractions. However, the individually priced Lightning Lane Single Passes for the most popular rides cost $10 to $25 each.
I understand that some people only have one opportunity to visit the parks and get on these rides, but I'm there often enough that the added expense isn't worth it.
Instead, I just get to the park early or stay late since lines are usually shorter during those times. I also keep my eye out for virtual queues on rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. When they're open, you can reserve one a day for free on the My Disney Experience app.
