Vacation Planner Archives - Explore With Catherine

Is a Walt Disney World Resort Better Than an Off-Site Hotel?

August 28, 2026

A photo of 2 beds in Disney's Contemporary Resort, decorated to the movie, The Incredibles

Tell me if you’ve said this before: “Do we really need to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort? We’re only going to sleep there.” I get it. If you’re planning to spend most of your day in the parks, spending more on the hotel can feel unnecessary, especially when you can find plenty of nice hotels nearby. But here’s the thing. Your hotel can affect a lot…

Disney Cruise Line• Planning 101• Vacation Budgeting

Disney Cruise Hidden Costs First Time Cruisers Forget to Budget For

July 28, 2026

The biggest reasons families hesitate to book their first Disney Cruise aren’t necessarily the costs. It’s the unknown. It’s easy to compare cruise fares online, but without knowing if you’re forgetting something, figuring out what your vacation is actually gonna cost you isn’t always as straightforward as it may seem. The good news is that none of these expenses have to come as a surprise. You just need…

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

How to Enjoy a Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort For The Day Without Staying In One

July 17, 2026

Friendship boats sign at Hollywood Studios. Transportation to Swan and Dolphin hotel. yacht club, beach club, boardwalk, and the EPCOT international gateway. Boats depart every 20 minutes until one hour after park closes.

When people think about upgrades at Walt Disney World, they usually think it has to be their resort and it has to last their entire trip. But, one of my favorite parts of planning vacations is helping families decide where an upgrade will make the biggest impact. Sometimes it’s booking Club Level. Other times it’s choosing a room with a better location. And sometimes it’s adding one incredible…

Disney Cruise Line• Disney Destinations• Planning 101• Walt Disney World

Should You Choose Walt Disney World or a Disney Cruise

July 1, 2026

Walt Disney World or a Disney Cruise? Many families are asking themselves the same exact question. But what if I told you there was a way to do both? Instead of choosing one over the other, you can combine both into what’s called a Disney land and sea vacation. And for the right family, it can be one of the best ways to experience a Disney vacation. The…

Planning 101• Universal Studios Orlando• Vacation Planner• Walt Disney World

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…

Older Posts