Andi Steen with Caffeinated Compass Vacations

Blog

Welcome to my blog where I give honest opinions based on my personal travel experiences. I’ll also provide tips and tricks that work for me, my family, and friends, as well as my favorites and not-so-favorites. From time to time, I will discuss inspiration for upcoming vacations as well. I hope you enjoy! Subscribe to receive updates.

  • Wicked Enough?
    I’ll admit it, I haven’t seen the movie yet. Or the theater production, although it is on my list. But if you are fan of the Wizard of Oz or Wicked than you will enjoy the new Wicked experience in Universal Studios Orlando. I say experience because it is a museum display / store all… Read more: Wicked Enough?
  • Calling all chocolate lovers!
    If you’ve been disappointed in decedent chocolate desserts in the past, head to Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. They create beautiful sweets that taste better than they look!
  • Bigfire
    Yummy food and drinks in a modern, open atmosphere, where many of the menu items are a presentation not just food. Hint try the Tableside S’mores.
  • Loews Royal Pacific Resort
    Loews Royal Pacific Resort located on Universal Studios Orlando resort property is a relaxing Premiere Resort with a relaxing and peaceful vibe. It is close to the action and is has amenities like Express Pass Unlimited to increase the value of your stay.
  • Canopy by Hilton
    In the past two years we have stayed at two Canopy by Hilton properties the Boston Downtown and the London City locations. And let me tell you we have enjoyed our stays at both. Both properties look like smaller boutique hotels. The decor in the London City location shown here was more modern and the… Read more: Canopy by Hilton
  • Grace During Hurricane Recovery
    This is a different kind of blog post for me but it is my current situation and is weighing on my heart. I live in the Tampa Bay area and have been without power since Wednesday night. Now I have a better understanding of all the little things that people who recover from natural disasters… Read more: Grace During Hurricane Recovery
  • Movie Classics
    Universal Studios Orlando is leaning into the popularity of throw-backs or classics from our youth. Movies like ET, Ghostbusters, and Back to the Future, are currently or have been rides or even haunted houses during Halloween Horror Nights. But they have also created gear fans to gush over. Whether you are a super fan of… Read more: Movie Classics
  • Favorite Beach
    Being a native Floridian I’ve been to many beaches in my lifetime. Here are some of my favorites. Favorite “local” beach. I use this label lightly. But my favorite day trip beach is Fort DeSoto North Beach. It offers the same beauty as the popular Clearwater and St. Pete beaches without quite as many crowds.… Read more: Favorite Beach
  • Best Theme Park Food?
    Universal Studios’ Mythos Restaurant has a banner hanging over the door claiming to voted the “best theme park dining”. So of course I had to check it out. I’ve actually dined at this location twice. Once for lunch and once for dinner. The outside theming is great and we were able to walk up and… Read more: Best Theme Park Food?
  • Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
    This past weekend I took a girl’s trip to Universal Studios Orlando. My marvelous Mom treated us to a night at The Hard Rock Hotel. A premiere resort, the Hard Rock Hotel is the closest to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure making getting into all the action extremely easy. You can easily walk to… Read more: Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
  • Dreams that Soar!
    There are only a few days left to catch Disney’s drone show, Dreams that Soar at Disney Springs. Each night you can catch one of two shows at 9:00 pm or 10:45pm. September 2nd is the final date posted on Disney’s website. I for one hope there is only a brief lapse and that the… Read more: Dreams that Soar!
  • Adventure is out there!
    During a recent visit to the Walt Disney World Resort we booked the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. It is a 2 hour Segway X2 tour around the campgrounds and is a fun activity to do without having to go into the parks. The tour starts at the Bike Barn at… Read more: Adventure is out there!
  • Disney Date Night
    Are you looking for a more upscale dining experience at the Walt Disney World Resort? Are you a foodie looking for your next delectable bite? The California Grill atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort is for you then. For my husband’s birthday I planned dinner at the California Grill. Our reservations were for 9:00. I was a… Read more: Disney Date Night
  • Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast
    During our recent visit to Walt Disney World I wanted to schedule at least one character experience and Donald Duck is my husband’s favorite. So this was a perfect choice. I had being hearing a lot of hype on Topolino’s character breakfast and it lived up to the hype. Topolino’s Terrace is located on the… Read more: Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast
  • Disney’s POP Century Resort
    My husband and I took a long weekend and stayed at POP Century to celebrate his birthday. We had such a phenomenal time! I can’t wait to share it all with you. As you can see from the video the room was pretty basic. POP Century is considered a value resort. There was plenty of… Read more: Disney’s POP Century Resort
  • Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
    Last year, my daughter, daughter in law, mother, and sister had a girls trip to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for the first time. We loved it SO much. If you are on the fence do it. We had a blast picking out, planning, and getting ready for the night. My daughter found… Read more: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
  • Jurassic World’s VelociCoaster
    The theming of this ride is incredible both inside and out. There is so much to look at. Fun for fans and those who really aren’t alike. This coaster goes upside down so much I was not actually in my seat most of the ride. The fact that there is only a lap bar made… Read more: Jurassic World’s VelociCoaster
  • Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theming
    One of my favorite themed areas in Orlando are the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagonal Alley. Not only do these areas have fantastic rides, food, and shops, but the whole area feels like you are in the movies. And you don’t have to be… Read more: Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theming
  • Epic Universe!
    Last week I spent some time at Universal Studios Orlando. While I was there I visited the Epic Universe Epic Preview Center. Can I just say Universal is doing a great job getting fans hyped up about Florida’s newest theme park opening in 2025. Not only did Universal pre-release some souvenirs developed for each of… Read more: Epic Universe!
  • Happily Ever After?
    Last night my husband and I decided to catch the Happily Ever After fireworks show. Usually we use this time to catch lower wait time on rides or see the fireworks from less crowded obstructed locations. About an hour before the show we headed to the Hub. We grabbed a bite to eat at Casey’s… Read more: Happily Ever After?
  • All American Magic Kingdom Snacks
    During our afternoon visit to Magic Kingdom today I tried 2 cult classics and all American favorites in celebration of the 4th of July weekend. Our first stop was at the Golden Oak Outpost for Tiana’s Famous Beignets. I know I questioned the all American too but New Orleans is in the US. These beignets… Read more: All American Magic Kingdom Snacks
  • Universal’s Endless Summer Dockside
    I just returned from a conference at Universal Studios Orlando’s Endless Summer Dockside Inn. Unfortunately I forgot to take any of my own pictures so those you see are stock images sorry about that. I was a little overwhelmed with all the new things I was learning. Endless Summer is made up of 2 resorts… Read more: Universal’s Endless Summer Dockside

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