When planning a Disneyland vacation, location matters more than almost anything else. After spending all day zigzagging through Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, the last thing most families want is a long walk back to their hotel. That’s why I always recommend choosing a hotel within walking distance of Disneyland whenever possible. The hotels…
During my son’s senior spring break trip, he chose Philadelphia as our destination. As we planned the trip, one attraction quickly rose to the top of our list: the Philadelphia Zoo. My son has always loved red pandas, and we even booked a special red panda experience as part of our visit. Unfortunately, just a…
Thinking about taking your first cruise? You’re not alone. Before my wife and I stepped aboard our first cruise ship, we had plenty of questions. What documents do we need? How does cruise dining work? What if someone gets seasick? Are shore excursions worth the cost? After taking two cruises to Ensenada, Mexico, one as…
Our June visit to Triberg turned into one of the highlights of our extended family trip through Germany. What started as a stop in the Black Forest quickly became a place we wished we could have stayed even longer. Between the famous waterfalls, handmade cuckoo clocks, traditional German clothing, incredible food, and scenic mountain views,…
Disney pin trading has always caught my eye. I’ve collected pins for years — usually one or two during each visit to mark a special moment — but I’ve never fully jumped into trading. I’ve watched countless videos, browsed pin boards, and admired cast member lanyards from a distance. Even without being a hardcore trader,…
This Medora North Dakota travel guide comes from our firsthand experience spending a long weekend in one of the most unexpectedly fun towns we’ve visited. Medora wasn’t supposed to be anything more than a quick stop on our quest to visit all 50 states. My wife and I simply needed a place to camp in…
The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia is one of the best hands‑on science museums in the country — a place where you can easily spend an entire day exploring interactive exhibits, watching live science demonstrations, and enjoying a show in the planetarium. During our visit, my teenage son spent a long time in Wondrous Space, diving…
I’ve been trying to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum for years. Every time I’m in Los Angeles, I tell myself, “This is the trip I finally make it happen.” But LA is a lot bigger than you think. Simi Valley sits about 1.5 hours from Disneyland — in good traffic — so…
When my wife and two of our teenage sons visited Stockholm in April, one of the highlights of our trip was exploring the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet). It’s one of Europe’s largest palaces still used for official royal duties, and stepping inside felt like walking through centuries of Swedish history. If you’re planning a trip…
Planning a Disneyland vacation is exciting — but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming. Between choosing the right hotel, figuring out ticket options, comparing prices, and trying to time your visit just right, there’s a lot to juggle. Over the years, I’ve booked Disneyland trips in several different ways: directly through Disney, directly…
