Travel Tips Archives

Make-up and Hair Essentials for Traveling

Girls, I have the best list of traveling essentials to keep you looking and feeling your best on your next vacation! Being prepared for everything while on vacation is nearly impossible, but I’ve got the ultimate list for you!

Traveling can be filled with fast paced, hot and sweaty, and picture filled days, so we want to make sure that you are covered! To do this we have teamed up with hair and makeup artist, Holly Renfrow. Holly is located in Florence, Alabama and specializes in hair and makeup for weddings and pageants. Holly loves to travel and has found the best items to make sure you are covered.

Here is what she has to say:

I recently got married and our bucket list for traveling is constantly expanding! I’m personally taking this crazy time to research destinations and plan future trips!

Compiled below is my Ultimate Survival Guide to Traveling to help with your hair and makeup. These range in pricing and are close to drugstore pricing. They are good for on the go so you can get to your next destination looking good as new.

1) Simple cleansing wipes: Throw these in your bag with you to use throughout the day!
2) Cetaphil cleanser- The best facewash to clean your face after a long day! This also comes in travel size!
3) Batiste dry shampoo- The BEST! This quick and easy magic will save you time and not waste your day styling your hair.
4) Chi Iron Guard- If you’re going to be in the sun all day, then make sure your hair is protected!
5) Teleties- MUST HAVE when you leave the room. These are a lifesaver.
6) Milani Setting Spray- Trust me, your makeup isn’t going anywhere with this spray. It will hold your perfect look all day. I use it on all my clients.
7) Real techniques sponge- great dupe for a beauty blender!
8.) Wet n wild foundation- Buildable coverage and not heavy on skin to make your skin feel healthy all day!
9) Tarte shape tape- The BEST! Run and go get this right now!
10) Kat Von D shade and light palette- The powder version of this palette is amazing. This product will really give you those natural vacation looks.
11) L’Oreal telescopic mascara- Get the longest and fullest lashes! Be sure to pick up the waterproof version to last your spontaneous beach swims.
12) EOS lip balm- I have one of these in my home, car, and on my makeup vanity. Be sure to keep some with you at all times to keep those lips moisturized while in different climates.

Holly Hargett

Event Hair & Makeup for Weddings,

As well as Prom, Pageants, and Pictures!

Message me for pricing, availability, or any questions!

@hmubyholly

Click here to Follow me on Facebook

5 Money Saving Must Sees in London, England

Welcome to the Royal City of London! While I can’t guarantee that you will run into the queen herself, I can guarantee that these 5 steps will give you the royal experience. London can be expensive if you don’t navigate it correctly. Here are some tips to live like a Royal while on a budget.

Buckingham Palace

Head straight to Buckingham Palace for your chance to see the royals. There is always something going on out front and you never know what or who you might see. The changing of the guards happens at 11:00am but get there an hour early so you can get a good view.

Visit all the free museums

There is so much to see for free in the London Museums. These include: The Museum of London, the British History Museum, the Natural History Museum, The science Museum, The National Gallery and the Tate Modern!

Oyster Card

Don’t waste your money on a taxi! Taxis in London traffic can add up super quick. Make a stop at the airport or any metro station and purchase an oyster card! This prepaid card will save you up to 50% of your metro rides. The Metro looks a little confusing at the first glance, but once you get on, it’s not hard at all! There is an even an app to download to better help you navigate the Metro and watch your prepaid balance.

Snag a last-minute theatre ticket

Of course, you have to see a show while in London and I recommend one of the classics such as Wicked, Les Misérables, and Lion King, and Phantom of the Opera. Head to Leicester Square and find the TKTS booth. They sale tickets at half price on the day of the show and discounted tickets up to a week in advance.

Camden Market

Spend the day walking around Camden Market. There is so much to explore in these several market areas. There are 6 markets and each one has a different feel. Camden Lock Village is the most famous, Camden Lock Market offers food from all over the globe, The stables market offers a vintage gothic feel, the Bucks Street Market is full of a clothing and jewelry, Camden High Street is full of shopping and pubs, the Buck Street Market also focuses on jewelry and clothing, and the Inverness Market has local fruit and vegetable markets. There is a lot to see so dedicate the whole day to people watching, buying a souvenir, then grabbing a drink and some street food and siting down for live music from all around the world.

Quick Service Mobile Ordering from Your My Disney Experience App

Walt Disney World Quick Service dining locations now require mobile ordering on the My Disney Experience app or by using a QR Code. We wanted to provide you with step by step instructions as well as some useful tips.

First, make sure you have downloaded the My Disney Experience app and set up your account.

Step #1: Open the app, click the (+) at the bottom of the screen and then click “Reserve Dining”

You will want to have your phone setting to allow the app to use your current location. This will populate restaurant options that are close by.

Step #2: Select the restaurant time frame you want to pick up your food.

Step #3: You can click the “View Menu” for options and then order your food.

Step #4: Review your order or modify If you need to make changes.

Step #5: Click the “I’m here, Prepare my Order” so they will begin to prepare your food. Remember, your food is prepared fresh.

You will see this screen next. You should receive a notification on your phone letting you know the order is ready for pickup. However, we have found notifications are not always initiated.

Tip: We recommend you keep the app open so you can see when the order is ready or keep checking the status.

Step #6: Once your order is ready, see the cast member at the front of the food court. There is one entrance in the food court and one exit so you will have to follow the directions of the cast member and the arrows. This is for your safety.

Step #7: Look for the number on the floor that matches your pickup number. You will see a bag with your name and order information on it. Pick up your food and then move to the next counter for drinks (bottled water will be in your bag), napkins, condiments, and silverware.

We hope you found this beneficial and please let us know if you have any questions.

We would be honored to help you plan your next Magical Disney vacation. Email us at [email protected] for a complimentary quote!

Travel Day or Park Day?

Should we visit a Theme Park on the day we arrive and/or the day we travel home? It’s a question we are asked quite frequently. We understand you want to get the most of out of your money and your trip. So, do you hit the ground running or do you pace yourself?

I have found through both personal experience and listening to my client’s testimonials, unless you are local to Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando, I would recommend declaring both your first and last days at the destination, a travel day.

To put it simply, travel days are hard at any age. In most circumstances, you have an early flight to catch. Then you have the hustle and bustle of getting through TSA and your flight to your destination. With family in tow you know that someone is bound to be hungry as well. What should the plan be when you finally arrive at your resort?

I find this is the best time to take a rest, then explore your resort and see all they have to offer. Take a swim in the pool to refresh and rejuvenate the tired eyes, grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants on site to keep yourself and your family full and happy. Perhaps enjoy a movie under the stars to unwind and relax from your day of travel if your resort has that feature.

You can also choose to visit Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort or CityWalk at Universal Orlando. Both of these are shopping/dining districts where you do not need a ticket to visit. There are many entertainment venues built in as well that you can visit to keep the family happy.

Once your trip is over, most everyone in the family is exhausted. You will have walked what will seem like a million miles. You may just be looking forward to getting back home and seeing your family pet that you’ve had to leave behind. Some choose to make this last day a travel day so that they can slowly begin the “back to reality” routine.

However, there are many of you that still want to squeeze in those last-minute items that you either didn’t get to or would like to revisit. If you decide to make a go of it, please be sure you factor in the following things. Your transportation to the airport from your resort will pick you up anywhere between 2-3 hours before your flight home. Also, think of everything after you land at home, grabbing bags, getting home and settled.

In conclusion, you as a family have to decide what is right for you. Only you know your family and what they can handle. If you are rockstars and can keep going without skipping a beat – more power to you! If you’re the average family, like mine, I think leaving your travel days as such are the way to go!

Christine Ruszkay has over 3 + years specializing in all Disney destinations, Cruises, and Universal Orlando. Her joy of planning your vacation comes from her passion to help others experience the happiness and excitement while making memories on your AMAZING trip! Her concierge services offer insider tips and tricks, plus helping you maximize your time with your family to experience what matters most to you!

What You Need to Know about Walt Disney World’s Reopening

We stayed onsite for the reopening of the Walt Disney World theme parks. There are so many things we want to share with you. First, my walk down Main Street U.S. A. in Magic Kingdom was overwhelmingly emotional. The cast members clapped us in the park like a pep rally and shouted welcome back and welcome home. Being a part of this was truly Magical and heartfelt! If you want to view those videos, click here!

Here are the most important things we learned:

Face Masks are required in all areas of Walt Disney World, including the resorts. You can stop to eat or drink and remove your mask as long as you are social distancing. Find a spot away from everyone.
Before entering the theme parks, you must go through the temperature screening tents and have your temperature checked.
You can leave the park and come back in the same day. However, you will have to have your temperature checked each time you return. Remember, no park hopping is allowed at this time.
Security checkpoints are different. Currently, the only thing you place in the bins are umbrellas, metal drink containers, and aerosol cans. Everything else you keep on you and walk through the screening point.
You scan your Magicbands but you do NOT use the finger scanner anymore.
Check your park maps for “relaxation stations” in each park. These are mask free zones and are cool comfortable areas to take a break.
There are hand sanitizer dispensers throughout each park, plus at the entrance and exit of attractions and shows.
Be patient please. They must stop certain attractions and clean them. If you are waiting in line, this is a fast-thorough process. Remember, there are no FastPass+ for rides or attractions currently.
There is only one entrance and one exit at the food courts, attractions, and stores. Follow the flow for safety and physical distancing.
There are Disney PhotoPass photographers. You will have to wear your mask for photos. You will also not receive Memory Maker photos if you remove your mask during any ride.
You MUST use the My Disney Experience app to order food at quick service locations or use the QR code. I find the My Disney Experience app is easiest.
All restaurants, quick service locations, and snack kiosk are running on limited menus. Not all snack and quick service locations are open as well. We will have more on the dining situation in another blog post for you.

We hope this helps all of our great travelers! Let one of our travel designers plan your next Magical vacation! Get your quote here:

Ready to Wear a Mask in the Theme Parks?

We recently visited Universal Orlando because we wanted to share our experience with our clientele. It is not my favorite thing to wear; however, I would wear one to visit the theme parks. Here is what we learned with some tips!

Find a mask that is comfortable to you. You will wear your mask at all times unless you are in your room, dining/eating, drinking, or swimming.
If you plan to wear disposable masks and will be visiting the theme parks multiple days, bring extra. It is hot and the smell is not appealing after a hot day in the parks.
The worst time to be in the parks in a mask is from 1pm to 3pm or whenever it is the hottest time of the day. This is the perfect time for a break!
If a cast member reminds you to wear your mask, please be nice. They are doing their best to ensure the safety guidelines are being followed by all guests. Remember, we are all in this together!
Wear a hat or sunscreen to prevent those crazy mask tan lines.
Keep your face and skin hydrated.
We experienced what I call “phantom mask” at night. You have your mask on all day and feel like your mask is still on, even after you have removed it. This could be irritable for the little ones, so I suggest practicing with them before your trip.
Drink lots of water, staying hydrated is best during the warm summer months in Florida!
Contact us for your next vacation. We are always here working for you!

Tammy Richardson designs vacations for families and couples with a focus on identifying your vacation needs and dreams. At Fairytales and Sunsets Travel, we specialize in the destinations we book and we also research by visiting them.

Click here to discover your next adventure with us!

When should you book your Walt Disney World Vacation?

Have you ever been curious about how far in advance you should consider booking your Walt Disney World vacation with us? We suggest at least seven months before your vacation start date. Why? This gives you a better advantage for the best room category, dining reservations, and FastPass+ selections.

We suggest the following tips to help you decide on when you should book your next Magical vacation with Fairytales and Sunsets Travel.

We suggest you book at least seven months in advance.
When you book your Disney vacation in advance, you can book your dining reservations 180+ days in advance. This is a significant part of your vacation planning, especially if you are searching for character meals.
As a Disney onsite guest, you can book your FastPass reservations 60 days in advance before you ever leave home. This is crucial for those hard to get FastPass+ selections!
Layaway Plan! Yes, you can book your Walt Disney World vacation using the layaway plan! How? You can confirm your Disney reservation with us for a minimum down payment of $200.00 per room. You can make payments of any amount at anytime as long as you are paid in full at least 30 days in advance before your vacation start date.

We hope this helps you decide on when to book your next Magical vacation!

Contact us for a quote for your next Walt Disney World vacation and enjoy our complimentary concierge planning services. Simply click the “Ready to Discover Your Vacation Dreams?” below.

Rainy Day at Disney

One of the commonly asked questions when it comes to Disney is “What do you do when it rains at Disney?” The answer is quite simple, “you still go to the park!” Rain drives many people away from the parks, so this is a prime window for you, The Rain Warrior, to suit up and enjoy the short wait times.

This exact scenario happened to me and my family last December, only it wasn’t just rain, it was a Tornado warning!! Luckily, we were still at the resort and waited the warning out but it left us to think – what do we do? We put some bags over our socks, stuffed them in our sneakers (to keep our feet dry), put on our rain ponchos and made our way to Epcot.

Was it not the ideal weather conditions to be walking around outside? Of course not, but did it ruin our fun?

Nope!

Experiencing the World with Your Kids Is So Important

Experiencing the World with Your Kids Is So Important!

Our agency helps families experience the world together. This brings so many benefits for you and your children. We want to share why this is so important for you to use those vacation days and take your family on an annual vacation.

Here are our top five reasons to let us help you plan your next getaway.

It strengthens family bonds. In our world today we are so busy with work, extra-curricular activities, attached to our phones and social media, that we rarely have time for dinner together. Think about it, how much time do we really have with each other at night?
It enriches their minds and helps them experience different cultures and new things. Best of all, this all happens with you and creates a lifetime of memories.
You all unplug and come back recharged. If you’re lucky, your kids may even come back and actually like each other.
You, yes you, get to let loose and enjoy life! Living in the moment and experiencing captivating moments with your family can bring you to tears.
Be a part of your kid’s firsts: first time to ride a roller coaster, first time to walk the beach in the Caribbean or Hawaii, and first time using their Passport.

These are moments your kids will embrace and remember for years to come. It will be memories they will share with their kids. You’ll be ready to experience it all over again with your grandkids and grown children.

We would love to help you plan your next family vacation or adults only getaway. Let our concierge team help you plan your next vacation because travel moments turn into cherished memories.

Vacation Layaway Tips

Vacation Layaway Tips

The New Year brings lots of new beginnings and the cold weather has us all focused on planning our vacation getaways. We love to travel with our significant other to adult only resorts and with our family to fun filled top destinations! No matter the type of travel you are planning, be sure to make Vacation Layaway work for you!

A seamless stress-free vacation should be filled with priceless memories. Here are some tips we have compiled to help you utilize vacation layaway.

1. Book Early and save money! For example, Walt Disney World vacation packages require a $200.00 deposit per room to secure your reservation. Bonus: Your package paid in full date is 30 days before your vacation is to begin! Pay your $200.00 deposit and you can pay as you go; the same as most layaway plans.

2. A Universal Orlando vacation is unique. First, book early to save money as they utilize dynamic pricing. This means the sooner you book your package, the cheaper your rate! Second, you will have a wider variety of resorts and room categories to choose from.

3. Yes, we do have layaway plans for Hawaii, the Caribbean, Cruises, Mexico, destinations around the world, plus, other destinations in the United States. Most deposits will range from 7%-20%. This will vary by locations and suppliers. Cruise Line pricing is best when rates are released so booking early is your best savings!

Fairytales and Sunsets Travel makes your vacation planning seamless and stress-free.

We listen to your travel wishes and make suggestions that fit your travel style.
Our services are complimentary for our clients.
We provide you with our expertise tips.
We monitor all promotions and make sure you are getting the best deal.
We stay on top of travel trends and changes that may affect your travel.
We will be your advocate from the beginning of the planning, during travel, and even after you return home.