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The Just Add Magic Travel® Blog

Why Adventures by Disney's London, Paris & Rome Tour Is the Ultimate Family Trip to Europe

6/5/2026

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If you've ever dreamed of standing beneath Big Ben, gazing at the Eiffel Tower, and walking through the Colosseum on a single vacation, Adventures by Disney has created the ultimate European journey. The London, Paris & Rome: Iconic Europe adventure combines three of the world's most celebrated cities into one extraordinary experience, blending history, culture, food, and exclusive Disney touches that transform a sightseeing trip into something unforgettable.

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Monstropolis Is Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios: Everything We Know So Far

6/5/2026

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Disney has shared exciting new details about Monstropolis, the highly anticipated Monsters, Inc.-inspired land coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.
While construction continues behind the scenes, Disney is beginning to reveal the story, setting, and immersive experiences guests can expect when they eventually step into the monster world. If you're a fan of Sulley, Mike Wazowski, and the beloved Pixar film, this expansion is shaping up to be one of the most exciting additions to Walt Disney World in years.

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Disney Bounceback Offers for 2027: Everything You Need to Know

6/2/2026

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One of the most valuable Walt Disney World discounts is not widely advertised, not posted on Disney’s homepage, and not sent out to the general public. It's called a Bounceback Offer, and it is available exclusively to guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
If you are currently at Walt Disney World, or you recently returned home, this offer could allow you to save on a future 2027 Disney vacation, but only if you act within a limited window.

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Low-Stimulating Attractions at Universal Studios Orlando

5/30/2026

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Universal Studios is known for its thrilling, colossal roller coasters and massive simulator rides that fill your day with adventure. If you are traveling with neurodivergent family members, though, planning your trip can feel like an adventure in itself. From analyzing ride descriptions and POV videos to dissecting restaurant menus, creating an itinerary that your entire family will enjoy can be exhausting. As a special needs-focused travel agency, we understand the complexities and nuances of planning a vacation for everyone in your family. Fortunately, there are more services available than ever before that accommodate guests of all abilities, so everyone can feel included. While Universal Studios is often thought of as an adrenaline-junkie’s dream, many rides offer a much-needed break from more immersive rides. Whether you are traveling with neurodivergent family members or simply need a break from high-thrill rides, this list of toned-down, low-key sensory experiences is for you!

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Adventures by Disney: The Disney Vacation Most People Don’t Realize Exists

5/27/2026

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When most people hear “Disney vacation,” their minds immediately go to castles, cruise ships, or theme parks...and, yes, "that" mouse, too. But there’s another side of Disney travel that feels entirely different, and for many travelers, it becomes one of the most memorable trips they ever take.

That’s Adventures by Disney.


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The Best Club Level Disney Resorts to Book For Your Next Vacation

4/29/2026

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Upgrading to a club level room is one of our favorite ways to instantly level up your Disney vacation and add extra magic to your stay. Club Level is available at all Disney Deluxe Resorts and at the Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs. Club level rooms include perks such as upgraded amenities, elevated theme park and resort views, and more. The largest perk, though, is access to an exclusive lounge at each resort. Each lounge offers complimentary refreshments throughout the day (typically 6:30 am to 10 pm) with 24-hour self-serve access. Every club level Disney Resort is unique, which can make choosing a resort challenging. While club level Disney resort is amazing, here are the best club level resorts we're loving right now:

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Low Sensory-Friendly Attractions at Disney

3/27/2026

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When you're planning a vacation with neurodivergent family members, the logistics alone can feel overwhelming at a time when everything already feels like too much. As a travel agency that caters to families with special needs, we understand the complexities and nuances of planning a vacation that everyone in your family will enjoy. Fortunately, many major travel destinations, including Disney Parks and Resorts, offer many accommodations for guests with special abilities, and there are plenty of attractions your neurodivergent loved ones can enjoy without feeling stressed or overwhelmed. 

We understand that everyone’s sensory needs are different. While you may have a sensory seeker who wants all the thrill rides and input (like Just Add Magic Travel® Founder Aileen’s kids), others may crave less stimulating experiences. Below, we profile some of our favorite lower-key sensory-friendly attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Magic Kingdom

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Walt Disney World Railroad
Hop aboard the train station just above the Magic Kingdom entrance and take a relaxing ride to Fantasyland. It can also be a relaxing way to get from the back of the park to the front during highly congested times, such as during parades.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant
An iconic Disney attraction that's great for families. Riders can control the up-and-down movements of each elephant, so you can lower the elephant if the height gets too intense. There is also an indoor play area inside the ride’s queue, where you can use your park ticket to reserve your spot in line while your little ones play.
    
Casey Jr. Splash and Soak Station
A small splash pad area in Fantasyland with water fountains and misters. You will get wet, so bring a change of clothes!

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"It’s a Small World"
This gentle boat ride is full of vibrant colors, and everyone's favorite catchy tune that you either love or hate. Take time to notice easily missed details like hidden Mickeys and the intricacies of the dancing dolls' traditional garb from around the world.  
  

Prince Charming Regal Carousel
A simple and “charming” carousel in the middle of Fantasyland with a traditional organ that plays classic Disney songs as you spin around.
   
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Spin and soar above Adventureland on your own magic carpet. It has a similar ride structure to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, allowing you to control the carpet's up-and-down movements.

Swiss Family Treehouse
This hidden gem is a larger-than-life treehouse and play area in Adventureland. Climb near the top for unique views of Cinderella Castle and Main Street, U.S.A.
  
Animatronic Stage Shows
Magic Kingdom has several indoor audio-animatronic shows that run about 20 minutes each, including the Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland, the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square, Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland, and Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland. Several of these attractions are original and some of the first attractions at Magic Kingdom, so they’re full of nostalgic vibes, too. These shows provide a refreshing break from the Florida heat, are spread out across the park, and run continuously. It's a great place to take a breather when you need some time to relax. 
 
The PeopleMover (TTA)
Take a tour of Tomorrowland on this elevated, 10-minute tram ride through Tomorrowland. The ride briefly takes you through Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, and the Star Traders gift shop.

Mad Tea Party
This classic teacup attraction is basically a rite of passage and the backdrop for many family vacation pics. The teacup's center wheel lets you control how fast or slow your teacup spins.

EPCOT

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Spaceship Earth
This slow-moving dark ride inside EPCOT’s iconic “ball” takes you through thousands of years of innovation and into the 21st century. The animatronic figures move gently, and Judi Dench's calming narration is a beautiful serenade that helps you relax.
  
Living with the Land
Great for garden lovers! Take a boat ride through the working greenhouses at The Land Pavilion, which grow some of the food featured on restaurants and festival kiosk menus.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
This interactive walking trail opened in 2023. It features reactive water fountains, waterfalls, and more, inspired by Moana’s love of the ocean. You can choose two paths depending on whether you want to get wet.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Hop on a clamshell and ride through the ocean with Nemo and Friends. Viewing windows throughout the ride give you a glimpse into a real-life aquarium and marine creature habitat. Once you exit the ride, spend some time at Sea Base, the nation's second-largest aquarium! There are many observation windows to view sea turtles, dolphins, tropical fish, and even a shark or two. There are plenty of sensory-friendly activities inside, too, like Turtle Talk with Crush.
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Cultural Films in the World Showcase
Learn more about the culture of the countries in the World Showcase with short feature films. These offer a quick break and are often some of the least crowded attractions in the park. You can find films in China, France, and Canada.

The American Adventure
This 30-minute multimedia presentation blends animatronic figures of several founding fathers, original songs, and video to bring American history to life.

Animal Kingdom

Animal Exploration Trails
View simulated natural habitats of animals like gorillas, tigers, and monkeys with walking trails that wind through Discovery Island, Asia, and Africa.
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Kilimanjaro Safaris
One of the most popular rides at Animal Kingdom is also sensory-friendly! Enjoy a nearly authentic African safari and get a close-up view of some of Africa’s most famous animals, like elephants, giraffes, hippos, African birds, and much more.

Feathered Friends in Flight
A live show featuring the exotic birds that live at Animal Kingdom and how they’re cared for. Pro Tip: Sit in the upper stadium seats if your kids are skittish. The birds fly over the lower seating area.

Hollywood Studios

Beauty & the Beast - Live on Stage
This theatrical retelling of the classic Disney tale takes place during the day in an outdoor theater, which makes the lighting and special effects less stimulating than in a traditional dark theater.
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For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along
Any Frozen-obsessed fan will enjoy this show, and parents who can recite most of the movie by heart will appreciate the funny commentary by the show’s Arendelle Historian hosts.
  
Walt Disney Presents
Walk through several hallways filled with Disney memorabilia and artifacts from Disney’s 100-year history, past and present. End with a 15-minute film about Walt’s life that plays on a loop.
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Disneyland Park

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Storybook Land Canal Boats
This gentle, open-air boat ride takes you through miniature Storybook Land, featuring a dozen replicas of locations from iconic Disney films, including The Little Mermaid, Frozen, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Tangled, Cinderella, and more. It’s a low-stimulating attraction that gives you a break from the crowds.

Casey Jr. Circus Train
Get a bird’s eye view of the miniatures in Storybook Land on this circus train. You’ll see many of the same fairy-tale miniatures as you do on the Storybook Land Canal Boats, just from above. Whether your loved one is a boat or train lover, they can point out iconic locations from some of Disney’s most beloved films.

Main Street, U.S.A. Vehicle Rides
Hop a “horseless carriage” (aka vintage car) aboard, get on the back of a vintage fire engine, take a spin on the omnibus, or take the horse-drawn streetcar up to the castle hub from the park entrance.
  
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln / Walt Disney—A Magical Life
These two animatronic shows rotate at the Main Street Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A. Mr. Lincoln was the first animatronic Walt made. Last year, Disney opened its first-ever Walt Disney animatronic show, making it the first of its kind.

Mark Twain Riverboat & Sailing Ship Colombia
Cruise around the Rivers of America on an authentic 19th-century-style riverboat or a full-scale replica of an 18th-century sailing ship. Both ships take you around the Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island and give you unique perspectives of Frontierland, New Orleans Square, and Chick-A-Pin Hill in Bayou Country.
  
Tom Sawyer Island
This outdoor adventure area in Frontierland is on the opposite bank of Rivers of America, a short log boat ride from Frontierland. The island includes explorer trails, caves, play structures, and even a secret Pirate’s lair.

King Arthur Carrousel
The classic, iconic carousel that sits in the heart of Fantasyland was one of the open attractions on opening day in 1955. Many of the horses are over 100 years old, having been part of a carousel in Canada in 1922.
  
Bluey’s Best Day Ever
See Bluey and Bingo in real life at this newly opened attraction at the Fantasyland Theater. This interactive dance show features a live band performing music from the animated series, with special appearances by Bluey, Bingo, and their imaginative friends, including the Grannies, Chattermax, and Unicorse. Play games like “name that friend” and dance along to the live band as they perform music from the hit series.

California Adventure

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Luigi’s Rollickin' Roadsters
Hop in a 1950s-style vintage Italian convertible and “dance” around Luigi’s Casa Della Tires storage yard to Cars-inspired vintage tunes like “Tire-antella” and “Mambo Italiano.” The cars gently guide around the dance floor in smooth patterns, making it a great sensory-friendly experience for the whole family.

Animation Academy
If your loved one has an eye for art and drawing, this is a can't-miss experience. Learn step-by-step how to draw a popular Disney character from a live animator. Classes occur every 30 minutes, so pop in throughout the day. Disney characters you can draw can also rotate, so you can get a different experience each time.

Jessie’s Critter Carousel
This Toy Story 2-themed carousel in Pixar Pier features Jessie and her desert critter friends.

Pixar Pal-Around
Take a spin on one of Disney California Adventure’s landmarks with this classic Ferris wheel that soars 150 feet above the park with fantastic views of Disneyland Resort. The attraction offers both swinging and stationary gondolas, so you can pick the one that your family will enjoy most. Each gondola features a unique Disney or Pixar character.

Golden Zephyr
This multi-person swinging ride is modeled after retro spaceships featured in 1920s sci-fi flicks.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
Explore, play, and climb on this wilderness-themed trail that highlights some of California’s natural wonders. The area features a nature trail, a rock climbing wall, a water log ride, a zip line, and more.
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Plan Your Sensory-Friendly Vacation with Just Add Magic Travel®

We want to help make your vacation magical for everyone in your family. Whether you want to plan a trip to Disney or Universal, a cruise, or an all-inclusive vacation in the Caribbean, our travel agents can help. Let's plan that sensory-friendly trip today. Get a free quote to get started!
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The Best Underrated Attractions at Epic Universe

2/25/2026

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Universal Orlando’s newest theme park opened last May and was the first new theme park to open in the Orlando area in 25 years. The amount of detail and the park's captivating atmosphere truly elevate Universal’s offerings to be on par with the storytelling and immersive experiences people love at Disney Parks. This is where Epic Universe truly shines! A lot has been said about Epic's major attractions, but you can spend just as much time enjoying some unique and underrated experiences at the park that (in our opinion) don't get the attention they deserve. Here's our list of the best underrated attractions at Epic Universe you should definitely add to your must-do list:

The Untrainable Dragon

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The Untrainable Dragon live show brings the dragons of Berk to life using larger-than-life puppetry, live percussionists, dancers, singers, and visits from Viking friends from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. The most memorable part? Toothless and Hiccup soaring high over the audience in an epic flight that will wow kids of all ages (and may make you shed a tear). The show is about 20 minutes long, so it's a great way to take a break from an epic day of adventures and the Florida heat.​

Dragon & Viking Meet Ups

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Head to Haddock Paddock, the Isle of Berk's primary character meet and greet location, to get up close with the dragons and Vikings that call Berk home. This is the primary location to snap a pic with Toothless, who fully interacts with you throughout your experience. Hiccup will guide you through how to properly approach the dragon and gain approval before petting its nose and taking a picture together. Other Viking friends like Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and their dragons also appear there. These extremely lifelike dragons create an immersive experience that feels simply magical. You can also spot other vikings and dragons roaming throughout the land at certain times of day. In addition, there are interactive dragon animatronics and images throughout Berk (30 in all) that you can spot while you explore Berk.​

Eats and Treats Inside Super Nintendo World

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Mario characters and lifelike game theming are everywhere in Super Nintendo World—including on your plate. From whimsical treats to themed entrées and innovative popcorn buckets, these edible works of art help bring the stories of Super Nintendo World to life. Visit Yoshi’s Snack Island near Mount Beanpole for turtle-shell-shaped calzones. The Green Shell is plant-based, and the Red Shell is filled with Italian meats. Head over to Donkey Kong Country and try the DK Crush Float at Bubbly Barrel. This crazy-sweet float combines banana cream Dole Whip soft serve and Pineapple Fanta soda, and is topped with caramel popcorn, chocolate, and toffee pieces served in a waffle bowl. Get it in a souvenir DK barrel to take home for extra fun!​

Power Up Bands™

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These highly themed wearable bracelets give you the power to complete challenges, collect coins, and interact with various elements inside Super Nintendo World. Once your band is activated, you can explore Super Nintendo World and complete challenges like punching brick blocks and mini-games as you earn coins, stamps, and keys. Connect your band to the Universal Orlando Resort app to keep track of your progress, earn digital rewards, and keep track of your scores. The band also keeps "team" scores for everyone who has the same character band that day. Complete three of the five "key challenges" to access an exclusive game: a showdown with Bowser Jr. in a hidden part of the land. The band can also keep track of your scores when you ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge.

     Dine at The Atlantic

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The newest fish in the pond of Orlando theme park eateries is one of the most underrated attractions at Epic Universe. This fine dining restaurant is located in the heart of Celestial Park, Epic Universe’s central hub and entrance portal. The circular, tiered-story design mimics the ocean: you enter on the top “surface” level with vintage nautical wood carvings that remind you of an old schooner ship’s interior. Walk down a curved staircase into the "sea" where an array of stained glass fish lamps, glass bubble chandeliers, and ocean figures dance over your head. The dining area juts out into Neptune Lagoon and has floor-to-ceiling windows with park views. Book a nighttime dining reservation to see the dazzling multi-colored fish lamps and bubble chandeliers come to life. Pair it with Celestial Park's lighting and ambiance at night for a truly stunning experience.​

Character Interactions at Dark Universe

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For a land completely dedicated to Universal’s classic monsters, you’ll enjoy some pretty hilarious character interactions at Dark Universe. This lightens the mood and helps ease the tension of even the most skittish guests. You may run into Victoria’s assistant, Ygor, who is on a mission to collect as many parts as possible for Victoria’s latest experiment. He may ask you to lend your hand for the task. You will definitely want to watch if you see him roaming around. Stop to take a picture with Frankenstein’s Monster and Bride of Frankenstein, who are usually confused about the fashion, customs, and technology of the modern era. You may also spot the Invisible Man sneaking around town and occasional musicians who will tell you legends and lore about Darkmoor.​

Book Your Epic Vacation with Just Add Magic Travel®

There is still plenty of time to plan your trip to Universal Orlando this year! Whether you are looking to plan a last-minute spring break getaway or spend the holiday season at Universal, we can help you plan a stress-free vacation that allows you to experience all the immersive offerings at Epic Universe. Get your vacation quote here to get started. For more updates and travel news about your favorite travel destinations, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.
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Sandals Butler Suites: Inclusions, Perks, and Is It Worth the Splurge?

1/27/2026

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Sandals Resorts® has been the epitome of all-inclusive romantic escapes in the Caribbean for over 40 years, catering to couples seeking relaxing, rejuvenating getaways. With 17 resorts at the most beautiful destinations in the Caribbean, Sandals offers unique and awe-inspiring accommodations that will make you feel like you’re in the lap of luxury, which is why we're proud to be Sandals Certified Specialists. Booking a Butler Elite Suite is one of the best ways to splurge at Sandals, providing the most luxurious, carefree vacation imaginable. Booking a Butler Elite-level accommodation is the perfect way to celebrate an engagement, honeymoon, or milestone anniversary. Learn more about Sandals butler suites and whether you should consider booking one for your next Caribbean all-inclusive vacation below.

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What Is A Disney EarMarked Agency And Why  Should You Work With One?

12/30/2025

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There are many travel agencies to choose from when planning your next vacation. However, not all agencies specialize in the type of vacation you want to plan—especially when you're planning a Disney vacation. While planning a Disney vacation may feel stressful, partnering with the right travel agency (and adding just a touch of magic) can make it the experience of a lifetime. Whether you're planning a trip to one of Disney's world-renowned theme parks or traveling the world with Adventures by Disney, it’s vital to choose a Disney EarMarked℠ travel agency to help you plan your trip. EarMarked agencies, like Just Add Magic Travel®, have been officially recognized by Disney for planning exceptional Disney vacations. Below, we discuss the details of Disney’s EarMarked travel agency program and why you should work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner when planning a Disney vacation.

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  • Home
  • About the Agency
    • About Aileen Mullee-DiTuri
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    • About Meghan Sepich
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    • About Bethany Chavers
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  • Quote Request
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