Book Review - The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line 2025

The Unofficial Guide is a wonderful resource for Disney planning (check out their website for lots of good info and tips). This updated book is a valuable resource full of deck plans, reviews of each of the current Disney ships (and a blurb about the future ships as well). There are detailed information on Disney's unique rotational dining with different restaurants and adults-only options as well. Lots of good information on Disney's new port at Fort Lauderdale. Helpful guides on preparing for your trip, packing, what to bring/not bring, embarkation and debarkation. Reviews of popular cruise itinerary destinations.

Title: The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line 2025 (Unofficial Guides)
Author: Tammy Whiting with Len Testa and Erin Foster
ISBN: 978-1628091625
Pages: 404

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Book Review - 100 Things to do in Texas before you Die by E.R.Bills

Texas is a huge state (it takes hours to get from one area to another). This book would have been better if there had been a map to illustrate how far apart the sights are from each other. This book was published in 2018 so be sure to verify operating hours and whether the location is still open to visitors (as a lot of businesses were negatively affected by Covid).

This book is separated into useful chapters - Amusements and Entertainment, Parks and Recreation, History and Culture, Food and Drink, Road Trips and Photo Ops.

Try to find a copy in your local library if you can.

Title: 100 Things to do in Texas before you Die
Author: E. R. Bills
ISBN: 978-1-68106-183-2
Pages:178

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Book Review - 100 Things to do in Dallas Fort Worth before you Die by Tui Snider

Since I live in DFW, I thought this would be a fun book to purchase to get ideas of new things to visit around town. Since this book was published back in 2018, a lot of information is outdated but some of the big sights are still viable. Always check locations before you head out as hours have changed and some places might have been hit hard by Covid. It would have been nice if this book had included a map because Dallas Fort Worth is a large area and locations are very spread out. Keep in mind highways are jam-packed during rush hours in the morning and evening. Weekends are usually decent except during big events (like the State Fair).

Try to find a copy in your local library if you can.

Title: 100 Things to do in Dallas Fort Worth before you Die
Author: Tui Snider
ISBN: 978-1-68106-170-2
Pages:142

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Book Review - Lonely Planet Hong Kong Travel Guide

I've been planning out a trip to see the other Disneyland parks of the world. Of course, considering how expensive airfare to Asia can be, might be a several years down the road plan, but I've been checking books out for Shanghai and Hong Kong from the library. Lonely Planet is one of my favorite travel guide series and this book on Hong Kong was fantastic.

This book just came out in December so the information is pretty recent (keep in mind the publishing process takes time so always verify information before visiting especially with hours and prices).

There are several things I love about this guide. One, you will find little side bubbles filled with useful tips from experts or influencers who are very familiar with the area or topic. Second, I love the little food/coffee/bar tips that are shown along the bottom for every area. There are full colors maps plus walking trail guides.

Not to mention there are two pages dedicated to Hong Kong Disneyland.

On page 203 you will find the "Toolkit" with useful info on visiting. And on page 217 there's a "Storybook" which talks about the culture and history of Hong Kong.

This book is definitely a keeper, IMO.

Title: Lonely Planet Hong Kong
Author: Thomas O'Malley, Orlando Crowcroft, Angela Hui
ISBN: 978-1-83869-365-7

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Book Review - Insight Guides - Shanghai City Guide

Our family love Disney World and Disneyland and we have the desire to visit the other parks in China, so I picked up this Shanghai City Guide at the library. It's a bit old (I think there's a newer version out there on Amazon) but the general information is still valid. PLUS, this book comes with a FREE ebook that you can take with you!

I do want to warn you that there's only a paragraph's worth of information for Shanghai Disney Resort and the authors recommend other parks instead. So if you're planning a trip solely for Disney, you may be disappointed with this guide.

That being said, I do like how this book is laid out by area or neighborhood. They have some useful full-color maps. The app that is advertised inside the cover of the book is no longer available but the eBook is and I was able to download it without any issues.

The really useful information is found starting on page 255 in the back of the book - getting around, money, etc.

Title: Insight Guides City Guide Shanghai
Author: Insight Guides
ISBN: 978-178-671-845-7

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Book Review - The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2025

Our family visits Walt Disney World several times a year, but it's been while since we've gone to the other coast to Disneyland. So I went ahead and bought this book to see what has changed (a lot!) so we can plan a visit.

The goal of this book is to save families money and time at one of the most popular (and crowded) amusement parks in America. This book has over 400 pages of very useful information. Every restaurant, ride, activity, hotels, and more are discussed in detail throughout as well as when to go, how to maximize your number of days, where and how to get discounts, etc.

Another thing I love about these guides are the ratings provided for each ride and activity with regard to preschool child, grade school child, teens, young adults, over 30 adults, and seniors and then whether the ride is seasonal and/or has Lightning Lane options.

There's a small section on Universal Studios Hollywood in case you plan to add that to your trip.

The back of the book features pull-out maps to take with you (for those who don't enjoy relying on the park apps).

Notice - there is currently a 25% off coupon on this book for a limited time!

Title: The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2025
Author: Seth Kubersky, Bob Sehlinger, Len Testa
ISBN: 978-1-62809-155-7

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Belton - Central Texas State Fair Spring Music Fest - April 10-13, 2025

Belton, Texas - Central Texas State Fair Spring Music Fest
April 10-13, 2025
Cadence Bank Center
Venture out to the family-friendly Central Texas State Fair in Belton, right between Waco and Austin. Emjoy headlining acts like comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Igelsias, musical act All American Rejects, and more. Carnival rides and attractions. Animal shows (such as Arabian Horses and Sea Lions). Food vendors. Merch. So much to do and see!
Address: 301 WEST LOOP 121, Belton, TX 76513
Hours: Check Website
Fees: Different activities have fees (see website), Show Tickets may include admission to fair grounds, Parking is FREE
For more information - https://www.centraltexasstatefairspringmusicfest.com/

Book Review - Moon Death Valley National Park

Browsing through the library for places to visit in the future, I found this book on Death Valley National Park which is on my bucket list of places to visit. It's not really a place to visit during the summer break due to the super high temperatures (and a lot of local businesses actually close for parts of the summer due to the heat).

You know I love the Moon Travel Guides for their full-color maps and highlights in addition to the tips and beautiful photographs. This book is divided into sections - Death Valley National Park itself, Furnace Creek and the Amargosa Range, Stovepipe Wells and the Nevada Triangle, Scotty's Castle and the Eureka Valley, Panamint Springs and the Saline Valley and more. Within each section is a detailed map, highlights, where to go, when to go, visiting in a single day, accommodations, recreation, etc.

What's really valuable is knowing where you will need a high-clearance vehicle or a 4WD vehicle because some of the roads and trails are not appropriate for normal passenger cars or even RV's or trailers.

The first 20 or so pages highlight the top 6 experiences followed up a very useful chart of In-Park lodging options.

Title: Moon Death Valley National Park: Hiking, Scenic Drives, Desert Springs
Author: Jenna Blough
ISBN: 978-8-88647-040-6

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Lake Jackson - Sea Center Nature Day - April 5, 2025

Lake Jackson, Texas - Sea Center Nature Day
April 5, 2025
Sea Center Texas
The Sea Center Aquarium and Fish Hatchery is hosting a Family Fun day with catch-and-release fishing, live reptiles interactions, and a Birds of Prey show.
Address: 302 Medical Drive, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566
Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Fees: FREE
For more information - https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/sea-center/sea-center-nature-day

Book Review - Moon Tahoe and Reno

As you know from previous posts, I've been researching places to visit with my family this summer. While I was exploring the Travel Section at the library, I narrowed down my search to places I haven't been to in a very long time or at all. One of the places I have been wanting to visit is Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas so I picked up this book.

What I love about the Moon Travel Guides (and you'll hear this from me a lot) are the full-color maps and the little highlights in each section.
Just a side note, this book was published in 2020, so be sure to research locations for updated hours and prices before heading out.

The Tahoe and Reno book is organized by area - South Shore, North and West Shore, East Shoe, Carson Pass, Reno, and Nevada's Frontier Towns (Virginia City, Carson City, etc). Each section contains maps, trip highlights or must-sees, tips, and info about restaurants, recreation, shops, accommodations, and tips. Plus, there are tips on "getting there" which is very helpful.

Title: Moon Tahoe and Reno: Local Spots, Getaway Ideas, Hiking and Skiing
Author: Nicole Szanto
ISBN: 978-1-64049-759-7

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Book Review - Moon Nashville

Following our Road Trip exploration last week, I went ahead and got the Nashville Travel Guide from Moon. It is almost 300 pages of really good info on exploring Nashville and maximizing your time visiting the city.

What I love about the Moon Travel Guides are the colorful maps and the highlights for each area of the city (such as Downtown, Germantown, Midtown, and more). The book is sectioned out by area with details such as places to eat, where to go, music joints, entertainment, etc. The "Where to stay" section is in the back of the book along with "Day Trips" to areas nearby and an "Eseentials" section full of good info for those visiting the city (or even America) for the first time.

The first thirty pages or so highlight some of the most popular places to visit and some tips for exploring.

Keep in mind this book was published in 2022, so be sure to research a chosen location's hours, prices, and updated info before heading out.

Title: Moon Nashville: Can’t-Miss Experiences, Food and Music, Local Favorites
Author: Margaret Littman
ISBN: 978-1-64049-623-1

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Lewisville - St. Paddy's Texas Style - March 15, 2025

Lewisville, Texas - St. Paddy's Texas Style
March 15, 2025
Wayne Ferguson Plaza
Get your Irish on at this super-fun St Patrick's Day festival. Kids will enjoy bounce houses and mini trains. There will be Luche Libre Wrestling! Food and drink vendors. Irish dancing and music.
Address: 150 W. Church St., Lewisville, Texas
Hours: 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Fees: Admission is FREE; some activities cost money
For more information - https://www.cityoflewisville.com/city-hall/city-departments/community-relations-tourism/special-events-festivals/st-paddy-s-texas-style

Book Review - Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip

I'm starting to research some options for summer vacation with the family and while browsing through the library, I saw this little gem. Normally, being from Texas, I would just drive across state into Louisiana directly and then heading down to New Orleans from Shreveport. But, going from Tennessee down to New Orleans or even vice versa would be a great change. And this book has a lot of great stops and tips.

What I like about this book is it is divided into sections. So if you don't want to do a full trip, you can pick and choose key areas. For example, if you want to start from Tennesse, you can head out of Nashville or you can head out of Memphis. Or if you want to start from Alabama or Mississippi, you can. It's very customizable. Or, you can work backwards and plan going up.

Each section in the book discusses places to visit, museums, parks, food options, accommodations, shopping, and other entertainments. Keep in mind this book was published in 2021, so be sure to look up the places you plan to stop at ahead of time for hours, prices, etc. Also, the colorful maps are great.

The end of the book has a nice "Essentials" section with a lot of information for both American-based travelers and those coming from abroad.

Title: Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip: Hit the Road for the Best Southern Food and Music Along the Natchez Trace
Author: Margaret Littman
ISBN: 978-1-64049-924-9

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Event - #Travel #Texas - Calliham - Birding Festival at Choke Canyon State Park - March 8, 2025

Calliham, Texas - Birding Festival at Choke Canyon State Park
March 8, 2025
Choke Canyon State Park
Tucked away about half-way between San Antonio and Corpus Christi is Choke Canyon State Park which promises outdoor family fun. The birding festival features a Live Bird Show plus lots of wildlife viewing walks. There will also be guest speakers, kid friendly activities, and native plant for sale.
Address: 358 Recreation Rd. 8, Calliham, TX 78007
Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Fees: $5 entry fee for ages 13 and up
For more information: https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/choke-canyon/birding-festival

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Spring Branch - Star Party at Guadalupe River State Park - March 8, 2025

Spring Branch, Texas - Star Party
March 8, 2025
Guadalupe River State Park
Located north of San Antonio, this natural wonder will be alive at night with the help of the San Antonio Astronomical Association with telescopes and binoculars to view the night sky (assuming no clouds). This event will be held in the large overflow parking lot (just up the road from the big river parking lot). Look for the big blue "Stargazing Tonight" sign on the park road just across from this parking lot.
Address: 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070
Hours: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Fees: Entry fee $7 for ages 13 and up
For More Info - https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/guadalupe-river/star-party-with-the-san-antonio-astronomical-association

Book Review - The Best Places for Everything by Peter Greenberg

While I was browsing through the Travel section at my local library, I wandered further up the aisle and I found this large volume of inspiration by well-known travel author and television travel show host, Peter Greenberg. The book is a bit outdated (published in 2012) but many of the places are still operating. Always be sure to check ahead of visiting for operating hours, fees, entry restrictions/timed tickets, etc.

So basically this book is a guide to some of the "best" locations for different categories (like Best Beer) based on Peter Greenberg's extensive travel experiences. Listings include both domestic spots and international spots. Also, there are suggestions for finding deals and callouts for interesting related things to do/try.

Here are a few categories you can find in this book: Outdoor Adventures (including Bird-Watching, Fall Foliage, Zip-lining, Whitewater Rafting, etc), Great Foods and Drinks of the World (Chocolate!), Educational Travel (Digging for Fossils, Literary Travel, etc), Shopping (like Specialty Shopping and Street Markets), and so much more.

Title: The Best Places for Everything: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to the Greatest Experiences Around the World
Author: Peter Greenberg
ISBN: 978-1-60961-829-2

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Beaumont - Mardi Gras Southeast Texas - February 28 - March 2, 2025

Beaumont, Texas - Mardi Gras Southeast Texas
February 28 - March 2, 2025
Dogget Ford Park
Come out to Southeast Texas for some Mardi Gras fun! There will be a TON of Mardi Gras (also known as Fat Tuesday) parades throughout the weekend including a fun Golf Cart/ATV one on Friday and a kid-sized one on Sunday. Enjoy food vendors and artisans. There will be a Kid Kingdom with bounce houses and a foam factory. Friday night's music concert features Kody West, Kolby Cooper, and Southall. Saturday night's concert features DJ John L, C and C Music Factory, and FloRida. Sunday night's concert features Ignacio Legacy, Lunada, and La Tropa Estrella. Your concert ticket includes entry to the festival grounds.
Address: 5115 I-10, Beaumont, TX 77705
Hours: See website
Fees: Festival Only $10; Concert and Festival $20-$45; Parking Free
For more information: https://mardigrastx.com/

Event - #Travel #Texas - #Navasota - Texas Birthday Bash - March 1, 2025

Navasota, Texas - Texas Birthday Bash
March 1, 2025
August Horst Memorial Park
Enjoy country or Tejano music? Come out to the Texas Birthday Bash to enjoy music, food vendors, craft vendors, and more. Kids will enjoy activities and fun at the Kid Zone. Made-in-Texas crafts and foods. On the Main Stage, country guest stars include Clay Walker, Randall King, Braxton Keith, Dylan Wheeler, and Julie Roberts. Siggno, Grupo Zenzio, and Amanda Solis (Selena Tribute) will entertain on the Tejano Stage. A side stage features many other talented musical guests.
Address: 100 Airport Road, Navasota, TX 77868
Hours: Opens at noon
Fees: $35 online or $45 at gate
For more information: https://www.texasbirthdaybash.com/

Book Review - DK Eyewtiness Travel - Family Guide to Washington, DC

I took my family to Washington DC back in 2021 when Covid still had many locations shut down, many places had limited hours, museums had timed entries (some still do!), or, sadly, some favorite locations shut down completely. This year I am looking to return to the area and, especially, to visit the new pandas at the zoo. So, I picked up this guide book at the library to see what has been updated (and what is no longer available).

What makes this book different are all the colorful maps and floor plans for most of the locations featured as well as restroom locations (very helpful!) and ways to let your kids blow off steam (because we all know how hard it can be for them to endure too much time in museums without any play time).

If you've never been to DC (District of Columbia) before, be forewarned that parking is very challenging during weekdays and the rush hour traffic is a nightmare. Try to avoid those times if possible. Luckily, a lot of the museums are within walking distance of each other. Be sure to plan ahead in case any of them require reservations/timed entry tickets.

Title: DK Family Guide Washington, DC
Author: DK Travel
ISBN: 978-1-4654-6817-8

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Review - Florida - Orlando - Disney's Wilderness Lodge (Easter Weekend)

Disney's Wilderness Lodge is a great centrally-located resort with easy access via boat to Magic Kingdom. We stayed during Easter Weekend and found decorations and special activities. Even on non-holidays, they have activities available both for free and for small cost.
Disney's Wilderness Lodge, 901 Timberline Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-8426; (407) 824-3200

There are several methods to get to the resort - Disney's free transportation buses, ride-share programs, Airport transfer buses, and driving yourself. If you're arriving from Magic Kingdom, take the Resort Ferry right over.

As you drive through the winding road, you will see this "Bear Crossing" sign and pullout where you can take a photo of the entranceway ahead.

	After you stop at the guard shack and check-in (only resort staying guests may park at the resort), you will drive along some more scenic roads to the parking lot. It's quite a walk from the parking lot to get to the lodge. Feel free to drop off guests who have difficulty walking at the lodge entrance first before parking.

The bus stop is a bit of a walk from the lodge's entrance. If you're planning to go to one of the parks via bus, be sure to check the bus's marquee sign for which park they will drive to/from.

Some pics I took inside the resort's lobby. The hotel is inspired by National Park lodges with lots of rough-hewn wood accents, a bubbling fountain, buffalo-themed decor, and more. Really inspires one to want to travel to places like Yellowstone.
The Mercantile - the one stop shop with lots of convenience items, merch, and more. Tucked in the back of the lobby.
The attention to detail in the signs, lamps, and even the interesting decor is amazing.
Directory and a Her Story sign for Women's History Month
One of the three restaurants on property - Roaring Forks. Save time waiting in line during business times (like breakfast) by using the Disney World app to place a mobile order. The other two restaurants include Whispering Canyon Cafe (reservations recommended) and Geyser Point Bar and Grill (only serving Lunch and Dinner).
This map shows how a boat crosses the Seven Seas Lagoon to get to Magic Kingdom.

Walking to the Resort Ferry landing where you can take a boat directly to Magic Kingdom or to one of the other nearby resorts.

Head to the Lobby and get a list of current activities (like an Easter holiday list) and the Hidden Mickey Scavenger Hunt activity sheet. Plan at least one hour for scavenger hunt. The Hidden Mickey one was actually quite challenging.
Tucked away at the edge of the property is a sport court (basketball, four-square) and BBQ grill. It's also lighted at night.
Rivers, bubbling pools, and the Fire Rock Geyser that shoots off hourly between 9am and 10pm. Just a little past the geyser in front of the Geyser Point Bar and Grill they hold a campfile every night from 6:30pm to 7:30pm (and it closes down right at 7:30pm) with free marshmall roasting (smores are $extra).
Guests can watch the Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks. There are chairs along the walkway that provide a comfortable view.

The Electrical Water Pageant - a fun, musical parade of lit-up boats - runs along the shoreline every night at 9:30pm.

Some other activities - nightly movies on the lawn (bring the bug spray), pool/billiards table, ping pong table, foosball table, bags with 2 goals, and running trail. Of course, there's a really nice swimming pool and a kid's area.
Easter-specific Activities Board, the Easter Kite-themed Scavenger Hunt (allocate at least an hour to complete), the Candy Scramble (on Easter Day at 11am, bags provided).
A few more pics outside the lodge:
A few pics of the model train, some seating areas, and the wooden carvings
For more information on this resort, https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/wilderness-lodge-resort/ <