Jennifer Price, Author at Kingdom and Cruise Travel

Ollivander’s Wand Selection: A Review

Harry Potter fans will not want to miss their chance to truly feel like a wizard! Ollivander’s wand shop has two locations: one in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and one in Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. You can simply enter the shop and browse and purchase the wand that speaks to you. Choose between custom wands or the wands of the popular Potter characters themselves. But why have a regular shopping experience when you can have the wand maker himself guide the wand to choose you in the unique Ollivander’s wand selection show?

Wand Selection

Fans will want to make sure to arrive early to sign up for this experience. Advance reservations were not available at the time of publication. You may sign up BEHIND Ollivander’s main entrance to the shop- in the central courtyard by the Museum of Muggle Commodities. You will be given a return time and you will be asked for the name of the witch or wizard who will be purchasing the wand. This entrance is also where you will be returning to for your appointment. The appointment itself is full of fanfare. Ollivander is just as you would expect- mysterious and wise. He takes his craft seriously. Watch below as my wand chooses me.

Practice Your Craft

Wizards do not have to purchase the wand from the show and the show is complimentary. I purchased my wand. It was $55 plus tax and comes with a map. On one side of the map is Hogsmeade and on the other is Diagon Alley. Spots are indicated on the map (and then marked on the cobblestone ground) where witches and wizards can practice their craft by casting spells. I was able to use the Meteolojinx spell to make it rain!! This by far was my favorite experience in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I would recommend that all Potterheads make time for this unique Ollivander’s wand selection show during your next trip!

Packing for the Parks- COVID19 Edition

If we’ve learned anything this year, it is that things have changed.

As we all start to get comfortable with the “new normal”, some are starting to head to the parks again. If you have gone to Walt Disney World before, I am sure you had your list of items to bring to the park; well now we need COVID19 edition items! So with your usual list of items to bring to the park we also suggest the following:

Masks

Right now, Walt Disney World requires you to wear a mask at all times while outside. Here are the official rules on masks from Disney:

Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.

All face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) must:

Be made with at least 2 layers of breathable material

Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin

Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

Be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the Guest to remain hands-free

At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings.

Since Orlando can be very hot and humid, I recommend bringing multiple masks with you, so if they get all sweaty you have extras!

Hand Sanitizer

All around Walt Disney World you will be seeing extra hand sanitizing stations, but I still think it is important to have your own. Disney has a few cute hand sanitizer holders too that you can clip onto your bag. Target is selling cute Disney Character ones right now.

I also bring along a small container of sanitizing wipes. I use these to wipe down eating surfaces, little kid hands sometimes, and some high touch areas in the hotels

Water

Pre-COVID I would bring my reusable water bottles and fill them up at the water fountains found throughout the park or ask any kiosks for a glass of ice water. Although water fountains are open currently, I don’t see this as the safest option. They also are currently not giving out the free ice water at kiosks. I suggest you bring a large water bottle with you and if that doesn’t last for you, you can always buy a bottle of water.

Park Bag

Before all the madness, I would bring a park bag and even have items hanging off of it. Not everything would be contained in the bag. I now want to make an effort to bring as little with me as possible, and make sure everything fits in my bag so there is less contact between my belongings and all of my surroundings.

Gratitude

This is the most important one! We just recently lived in a time where all Disney Parks, Resorts, and Cruise ships were completely closed. Thousands of people lost their lives, thousand lost their jobs, and we were told to stay home all day. Although things are not back to normal, some of the parks are open, some cast members are back to work and we’re slowly moving toward a new normalcy. Please be mindful that Cast Members are getting used to the new normal; this is all new to them too! Be grateful, even waiting in lines. Remember there was a time we would have been so happy to wait in any line instead of sitting alone in your houses. Enjoy your time and, in keeping with the theme of 2020, embrace the changes, be ready to pivot, and have fun!

Is it Safe to Fly in the New Age of COVID?

Air travel has undoubtedly taken one of the hardest hits since the Coronavirus began. As the nation begins to slowly come out of quarantine and look to some sort of normalcy, we begin to wonder- how safe is it to fly now?

Six months after the initial crisis began in our country, the TSA reports that they’ve definitely seen a rise in air travel since Labor Day, but that rise is still only about a quarter of the volume they see in typical years. And let’s examine the facts. First, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 transmission on any US flights. This begs the question, does that mean there is no risk? What are the odds of getting sick in the air? One common fear is the notion that the recycled air throughout the cabin will be a natural breeding ground to quickly transmit the virus among all of the passengers should a COVID positive passenger be on board. This is FALSE. According to the CDC, most viruses in fact do NOT spread easily on flights because of the way the air is filtered and then circulated from the ceiling to the floor. Carriers have been using HEPA filters on board since well before the Coronavirus pandemic. These filters capture at least 99.97% of airborne microbes by circulating the cabin air once every 2-4 minutes. Combine this with the strictly enforced policies of wearing a mask for the duration of the flight, leaving the middle seat open, limiting passengers, enhanced cleanings, temperature checks and health screenings and the probability of contracting COVID in flight goes down even more.

The bottom line is use your common sense. Research the various airline carrier to make sure you’re comfortable with their health and safety protocols. Maintain a social distance in the airport. Wash your hands often. Use hand sanitizer. Wipe down the arms of your seat, your window shade, tray table and control buttons. Wear your mask at all times. Don’t touch your face. Apply for your TSA Pre-Check to minimize the need to stand in line for security. Pack lightly so that you don’t need to go to a crowded baggage claim carousel. And, most importantly, be vigilant. Travel will come back and we will all be ok.

Top 8 Rides for your MousekeToddlers at the Magic Kingdom

When traveling to Disney World with toddlers, it can be overwhelming and tiring. The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is home to a ton of options for your littlest travelers, and deciding which rides fit your toddler can be tough. I have been to the Magic Kingdom with my three kids at every stage of baby and toddler and have outlined the top 8 rides for toddlers so you know what rides not to miss!

#8. Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

This colorful ride has everything your toddler is looking for: comfy seating in a shell, colorful characters, entertaining music, and little scare factor. Plus, after the ride you can go directly to Ariel’s Grotto to meet Ariel herself. Lines aren’t typically too long and the que line has shells in the ground that the kids will love trying to pick up!

#7 The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

There is nothing better than

climbing into a honey pot to start your journey to the Hundred Acre Wood. This ride bounces, floats, and lifts through the story books. It will keep your little one entertained, and pointing out all their favorite characters. One of the best things is the queue which has many activities to keep your little one occupied.

#6 Tomorrowland Speedway/Jungle Cruise

Listing two? That’s cheating, right? Hear me out!

Children under 2 head to the Jungle Cruise, an easy cruise through the jungle with lots to see, while the adults are entertained by the boat skipper’s commentary.

Over 2 head to Tomorrowland Speedway. I have never heard my sons laugh so hard as when they were driving me around the track. That’s right, a 2-year old takes the wheel of the car and you control th

e gas and brakes. Since the car is on a track they can swerve to their hearts desire and taking Mom and Dad for a spin will be remembered for years to come.

#5 Mad Tea Party

A ride for the littlest and the oldest travelers in your party. You can spin the wheel as fast or as slow as your little one would like. It is also a great photo opportunity for all your family fitted into a tea cu

p. Hearing my boys argue about who made Mommy dizzier was a highlight!

#4 It’s A Small World

Going to the Magic Kingdom and not going to It’s a Small World is like having a birthday party without blowing out the candles. It’s a classic Disney ride for the whole family. A slow-moving boat takes you through lands around the world while singing the familiar “annoying” song. There are so many colors, animals and items from the ceiling to the water that your little ones wi

ll love taking a relaxing ride around the world. Great place to give a baby a bottle too!

#3 Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

This ride is a must in my house, and a ride that is talked about for many months after. A 2-person ship takes you into Buzz Lightyear’s Ranger program where you will fight off the evil Emperor Zurg. Each person gets a laser gun, easy to use for the little ones and they can spin your ship around and around. Although the adults will try to get the highest score, your little one will love spinning you and shooting at the targets with their own sound effects of course!

#2 Peter Pan’s Flight

I’ll be honest, I never understood why this ride always had high wait times, until I had kids. You board a 2-person pirate ship and away you go, flying into the London night and off to Neverland! There is no scare factor to this ride as it is all colorful fun. There are so many objects to point out to your little one, and it is a very smooth ride even for infants. This ride can have high wait times, so try going first thing in the morning!

And #1 Dumbo the Flying Elephant

There is nothing more classic than Dumbo. Kids of all ages will love that they can control whether you go higher or lower, and flying over Fantasyland makes Dumbo a perfect ride for your toddler. A plus is after you get off the ride they added a stationary Dumbo so you can take your little one’s picture on Dumbo!