Disney Destinations Archives - Explore With Catherine

How To Choose Between Disney or Universal For Your Next Vacation

June 8, 2026

If you’re trying to decide between Disney or Universal, you’ve probably already gone down the rabbit hole. You’ve watched Youtube videos, read the blogs, and asked questions in three different Facebook groups. And somehow you still don’t have a clear answer. That’s usually because everyone is comparing rides, hotels, and ticket prices. And yes, those all matter. But, it’s not usually the thing that makes a family choose…

Planning 101• Vacation Budgeting• Vacation Planner• Walt Disney World

Do Travel Agents Actually Save You Money On Disney Vacations?

May 20, 2026

A Travel Agent Mickey ears with a broken donut

Planning a Disney vacation is supposed to feel exciting. But somewhere between the Facebook groups, TikToks, Reddit threads, and “expert” advice from your coworker’s sister who went once in 2019, it starts feeling like you’re studying for an exam instead of planning a vacation. And somehow, despite spending hours researching, you feel even less confident than when you started. That’s usually when people start asking the question I…

Planning 101• Vacation Planner• Walt Disney World

The Biggest Disney Planning Mistake Families Are Making Right Now

May 14, 2026

Mom and baby meeting Mickey Mouse in EPCOT

Somewhere along the way, planning a Disney vacation stopped feeling exciting and started feeling like a second job. You’re not imagining it. You’ve probably watched TikToks, joined the Facebook groups, and scrolled Instagram. You have access to all the information you need. And somehow, you feel less ready than when you started. And that’s because the biggest Disney planning mistake families are making right now isn’t missing a…

Money Saving Deals• Planning 101• Vacation Planner• Walt Disney World

What is the Walt Disney World Free Dining Promotion?

March 17, 2026

Vegan Totchos in Disney's Hollywood Studios. You can find it at Woody's Lunchbox

Every time Disney releases a new Free Dining promotion, the word spreads fast. Families start talking about it. Social media fills up with posts about it. And suddenly everyone is wondering if this is the deal that will finally make their Walt Disney World trip more affordable. Food is one of the biggest expenses during a Disney vacation, so getting your meals included is an incredible value. So,…

Money Saving Deals• Saving For A Vacation• Vacation Budgeting• Walt Disney World

Disney Has a Lot Going On This Year (And It’s Easy to Miss the Good Stuff)

January 10, 2026

Refurbished rooms at the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World Resort

If you’ve been thinking that 2026 is the year you finally take that Disney vacation, this is for you. Walt Disney World already has some really great deals and perks. And they’re making a big difference for families who know how to use them. Most people I talk to aren’t actively planning yet. They’re just starting to think, “Maybe this is the year we finally do it.” And…

Disney Dining• Planning 101• Saving For A Vacation• Vacation Budgeting• Walt Disney World

How to Stay on Budget While Eating at Walt Disney World

July 3, 2025

Let’s talk about how to keep your Walt Disney World food budget from totally ruining your plans. I’m heading to Walt Disney World solo soon for a work trip. And while it’s short timing, I’m doing something I always recommend families do way before they go. I need to figure out how much I’m actually going to spend on food. Ideally, you’d do this months—or even a year—before…

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