Me and the Magic

Do you love to travel and want ideas for your holiday gift wish list? Or maybe you have a friend or family member who is planning a special trip next year, and you need some gift ideas to help their trip be even more special.  In this episode, I share my top 10 travel gifts to give and receive. These travel gifts are for various types of trips, starting with general travel, and then covering inter...

Do you want to plan a trip to Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota? This travel guide to the Twin Cities will help both first-time visitors and returning travelers plan a wonderful visit to this area of Minnesota. We share what is famous about the Twin Cities, the best month to visit Minneapolis, the foods Minneapolis is famous for, and what to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Plus, learn what to ex...

Prepare to be hungry, as Amanda shares her list of the best restaurants in Walt Disney World. There are restaurants on the list in each of the four parks, around the Disney resorts, and of course at Disney Springs. See if your favorite restaurants made the list, and discover new places to dine on your next visit to Walt Disney World! Resources Check out these past Me and the Magic episodes that Am...

Are you going on a Disney cruise, but you're not sure what to pack? Join Amanda as she shares the ultimate Disney cruise packing list, cultivated from lessons learned on her several Disney cruises and from interviewing cruise experts and others who love sailing on Disney cruises.  Want more details? Visit Me and the Magic for an in-depth article about this Disney Cruise packing list, and also expl...

There's a lot that goes into planning a Disney cruise. This ultimate Disney Cruise checklist will help you plan your next cruise vacation. Learn the steps to be ready for booking activities and excursions. Listen as Amanda shares her lessons learned for the online check-in process.  Want more details? Visit Me and the Magic for an in-depth article about this Disney Cruise checklist. Download your...

What is it like to experience small group adventure travel? Have you considered overseas adventure travel but weren't sure where to go or how to make that trip happen? Owner and founder of JUMP Adventures Jackie Nourse, also known as Traveling Jackie, shares how she plans small group adventure trips and why these types of trips are ideal for solo travelers. So if you are looking for solo adventure...

Grace Korba and Jaime Williams are back to share their top tips for saving money as you plan your next trip, and how to travel on a budget. We all share money-saving tips specifically for solo travelers as well. Connect with Grace online on Facebook , or email Grace at grace.korba@mei-travel.com . Connect with Jaime online at Journeys by Jaime Leigh and on Facebook . Also, you may contact Grace an...

Have you ever considered a staycation? There are many reasons why a staycation may be the perfect type of vacation for you! Learn different ideas for a staycation and how to make the most of your time off, even if you stay home. Resources New York Times: " How to Make a Staycation Feel Like an Actual Break " by Catherine Pearson, July 8, 2023. New York Times: " Reconsidering the Staycation " by Me...

In this episode… Air travel issues have been in the news a lot lately. We are going deep into everything  you need to know to have the best experience possible in airports and with air travel overall. Connect with Angela Batista at AdventuresByAngela.com , on Facebook and on Instagram . Resources: Samantha Brown just released an excellent article, My Ultimate Airport Survival Guide .  Learn more a...

In this episode… Jim Smith is back, as we pick up with Part 2 of where to find Walt Disney's influence around the Walt Disney World Resort.  Connect with Jim Smith at Disney Facts and Figment . Enjoy Jim's 2-part article, The Very Best Places to Appreciate Walt Disney in Walt Disney World, on the Me and the Magic website .  Join Our Community Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share y...

In this episode… Come with us on this tour of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Part 1 of where to find Walt Disney's influence around the Walt Disney World Resort.  Connect with Jim Smith at Disney Facts and Figment . Enjoy Jim's article, The Very Best Places to Appreciate Walt Disney in Walt Disney World, on the Me and the Magic website .  Join Our Community Join the Me and the Magic Facebook...

In this episode… The Moving to the Magic series is back, this time with Amanda sharing her best moving and packing tips. Amanda has moved 4 times in the last 5 years, including a big move from New York City to Tampa, and a very recent move. Also, check out Amanda's packing and moving essentials list for a smooth move. Resources Listen to the rest of the Me and the Magic series: Episode 028 - Movin...

In this episode… Today, Lindsay Dollinger, host of The Purpose and Pixie Dust Podcast, joins me to share her experiences with both group travel and solo travel in Europe and South America. Enjoy this fun discussion, including several tips for women traveling solo. Connect with Lindsay at LindsayDollinger.com and on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube , and Pinterest .   Join Our Community Join the Me a...

In this episode… Amanda is in the process of moving and will resume new episodes starting July 10th.  Join Our Community Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with new friends. Plus, share your thoughts and questions on this episode with the community! Connect with Me Is there a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email Amanda at amanda...

In this episode… Today, we are sharing Disney Cruise insider tips from a crew member. That crew member is Jessy Voris, who recently worked on the entertainment team on the Disney Wish for several months. Enjoy this fun conversation about what it's like to live and work on a cruise ship for months and Jessy's recommendations for enjoying the Disney Wish. Plus, we discuss the ports of call for the D...

In this episode… Beci Mahnken, founder and CEO of MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel , returns as we talk about Adventures by Disney and dive into the details of the Me and the Magic 2024 group trip, Adventures by Disney to Southern California and Disneyland in September 2024. Join Our Community Join the Me and the Magic Facebook community to share your love of solo travel, Disney travel, and more with...

In this episode… It's time to return to the Moving to the Magic series, as I prepare for yet another move! This time, I'm moving locally, happy to stay in the Orlando area and near my favorite happy place. I'm sharing my experiences and research on the Orlando area real estate market, the best places to live close to the magic, factors to consider when selecting a location, and the pros and cons o...

In this episode… Introducing the Loungewear: Parks Edition for fellow Walt Disney World fans like us who also love the parks' more adult spaces, including the lounges, bars, and restaurants.    Online Shop Explore the various designs of Loungewear: Parks Edition inspired by Me and the Magic! Buy the Loungewear shirts and other fun travel and pop culture shirts and more, at the Me and the Magic onl...

In this episode… Katie Smith returns as we discuss what's new at Dollywood in 2023. Katie is a Dollywood Insider and has been frequenting Dollywood since she was a kid. Her love of Dollywood and this area in eastern Tennessee shines through, as we talk about the festivals this year, a new roller coaster, and the new resort opening this fall. Listen to previous episodes featuring Katie Smith: Episo...

In this episode… What better way to welcome in the next 100 episodes than to return back to the basics? Welcome to Solo Travel 101! Learn the steps to take to plan your next solo trip! Resources  In Episode 077 , I share the Top 10 Tips to travel solo without feeling lonely. In Episode 087 , I talked about various travel styles and how those affect trip planning. Listen to Episode 094 for the Top...

In this episode… It's Episode 100! We are celebrating Me and the Magic together with members of the Me and the Magic community and return guests of the show! We share favorite episodes and moments, plus our memories of being together virtually and in person. Then, we talk about what may come in the next 100 episodes.  Connect with our guests! Connect with Tim Bigonia online: Book a stay at the Lak...

In this episode… We are sharing our best vacation rental tips for your next trip, from the perspectives of experienced renters and a vacation rental owner. Learn how far in advance to book a vacation rental, what to expect from the owner in communication and service, and why staying in a vacation rental may save you money and be a great fit for you and your travel companions. Thanks to Tim Bigonia...

In this episode… We dive deep into how to create a budget for solo travel, whether you are planning a trip to another country or a road trip not too far from home. Learn the big picture questions to ask yourself when you first start planning, how to create a spending schedule, and then how to create a detailed budget. Resources  A Little Adrift shares how to budget for a trip around the world. Bud...

In this episode… We discuss what's new at Walt Disney World this spring, as well as what's returning, including nighttime shows, the TRON Lightcycle/Run attraction opening, special events, and restaurants. If you're interested in coming to Walt Disney World in the spring, this episode will share what it's like with the crowds, Easter activities, and Earth Month.  Connect with Me Is there a topic y...

In this episode… Jaime Williams returns to discuss exploring Alaska solo, her journey on land and sea. We talk about the two different cruises she took to and from Alaska, her solo time camping and road tripping in Alaska, and how she planned for it all. Connect with Jaime Connect with Jaime online at Journeys by Jaime Leigh and on Facebook . Also, you may contact Jaime through MEI-Travel and Mous...