Disney’s Fastpass+ System Explained

*This post has been written with Walt Disney World Orlando in mind*

Disney’s Fastpass+ System is, in essence, a free way to skip the lines of your favourite rides and attractions, that can really enhance the magic of your Disney visit by minimising wait times. The Fastpass+ system is included in the price of your admission, though not all guests are aware of the system, even though it is user-friendly and easy to control with an app on your smartphone.

Read on to find out how to use the Fastpass+ system to make your visit to Disney that much better.

So, how does Fastpass+ Work?

The Fastpass+ system allows guests to preselect a window of time to ride or see an attraction, giving them the opportunity to bypass the general queue and enter the shorter and swifter Fastpass+ queue.

Your selections are made using the Disney app on your smartphone.

So what’s the catch?

There are some restrictions on the Fastpass+ system that you should be aware of

It isn’t unlimited.

Each guest receives three Fastpass+ selections. You must use your three selections before you can make another.

Your ticket or package can change how you use the Fastpass+ system:

If you have a general ticket to the parks, you can access the Fastpass+ system 30 days before your visit, while guests staying at a Disney Resort can access the system 60 days before arriving at the parks

So how do I use my Fastpasses+ in the Parks?

There are two ways to use your Fastpasses+ and both involve using the Disney app on your phone or smart device.

If you have a general ticket or park admission, you will receive a card, (resembling a credit card) upon your entry to the park. This is linked to your park ticket, and thus to your preselected Fastpasses+. When it is time to use your Fastpass+, you simply touch the sensor at your chosen attraction, and enter the Fastpass+ line.
If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you will receive a Magic Band, which is also linked to your pre-selected Fastpasses+. When you need to use your Fastpass+, you simply touch your sensor at the start of Fastpass+ line at your chosen attraction.

Our top-tips for Fastpasses+ :

Time is of the essence:

Our tip is to take advantage of your Fastpass selections as soon as they become available to you. Whether you have 30 or 60 days to make your choices, it is wise to use the time you have because allocations for your favourite attractions will fill up!

Check back!

Checking back on the Disney app after you’ve made your three selections can pay off big time. Slots for the most popular rides and attractions often open up unexpectedly, and you can come across some of the most coveted Fastpasses+ by keeping an eye on the app. This is especially important to do while you are at the Parks!

Go in all guns blazing

Have a favourite ride? A character you simply have to meet? Don’t wait, grab a Fastpass+ for it whenever you can, because chances are it’s someone else’s must-do attraction too!

Our top-tip for first timers:

Familiarise yourself with the must-do rides and must-see attractions that Disney World has to offer before you even get to the Parks. If you need some help, see our list below of valuable Fastpasses+ to pick up if you come across them.

Space Mountain
Haunted Mansion
Autopia
Dumbo
Pirates of the Carribean
Big Thunder Railroad
It’s a Small World

Saving Money in New York

October 17, 2018January 8, 2019 ~ Xen18 ~ Leave a comment

By Laura Jemetta

I have visited New York on a limited budget, and had the time of my life! Below are some tips for saving money in New York. Make sure you also check out my post on free things to do in New York.

Take Advantage of the Subway

New York’s subway system is not only well-run and convenient, it is an inexpensive way to see New York City, in fact, I don’t think you’ve really seen New York until you’ve taken full advantage of the subway.

The beating heart of New York City, the subway system is actually very user-friendly, and can get you anywhere you need to go in Manhattan or the outer boroughs, quickly and easily. While the multi-coloured map with it’s criss-crossing lines can seem overwhelming at first, once you get the hang of it, catching the subway is really simple.

Each subway line is denoted by a colour and a number or letter, and these are displayed on the entrance to each subway station. All you need to do is find your nearest subway station, check that it’s serviced by the line you need, and know whether you’re heading uptown or downtown.

My advice: don’t bother with New York’s taxi’s. Though the sheer abundance of them can be alluring, because of the traffic, it takes significantly longer to get anywhere in a taxi, and they are prohibitively expensive. Instead, try relying on the subway, (and your own feet), to carry you around New York; you won’t find a cheaper, or more quintessentially ‘New York’ experience than this.

Check out TKTS

Do you love the theatre? Then if you’re in New York, I’m sure you’re excited for Broadway. Theatre in New York can certainly be expensive though, especially tickets for the most sought after shows, but luckily there are ways that you can save money on Broadway tickets.

TKTS is one of them; this discounted ticket vendor has a booth in Times Square, and if you are willing to line up, you can get same-day tickets for most of the best shows at up to 50% off! Now, the queues can be something close to horrendous, but the line does move quickly, and I really believe the wait is worth it for the huge discounts you can get. Keep in mind, you can also check out the other two TKTS locations, where the lines are likely to be shorter.

By utilising TKTS and being willing to wait a while, I was able to afford to see several Broadway shows instead of just the one full priced one, which made my New York trip so special. Make sure to check out Kate’s article ‘How To Save Money on Broadway Tickets’ for some more tips on ways to get discounted tickets.

Visit New York’s Museums

Taking advantage of the many museums in New York, is an inexpensive way to experience the city. Many of New York’s museums run on a ‘suggested donation’ system, where you are not obligated to pay anything to gain entry into the museum. Rather, there is a suggested amount that you can donate towards the running and upkeep of the museum.

This is a great honesty system; the idea being that you pay what you can afford at the time. If you can’t afford to donate much when you visit the next time, perhaps next time you are in New York, you will be in a position to donate more.

The Skyscraper Museum, the Museum of Chinese America and the New York City Fire Museum are all inexpensive to visit, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum both run on the suggested donation system. And even better, you can see the Frick Collection for free on Saturdays 11-1pm, and you can get into the MoMa on Fridays between 4-8pm for free too!

A (Bad) Day in Paris

Featured ~ Xen18 ~ 5 Comments

By Kate Arnold

Paris is undoubtably a beautiful city but when I visited I didn’t have a great experience. This was down to a few reasons, some in my control, some not. Travelling isn’t always a breeze and it isn’t alway awe inspiring, character building and life affirming. Sometimes it’s just a bit shit.

Here’s a sonnet I found in my journal that I wrote, holed up in my hostel in Paris:

— Dear Paris, fuck you

So it goes, I did not love this city
such as I always thought I would
It smells like piss, ev’ry surface gritty
It did not look like I thought it should.
Beautiful monuments not worth the cost
Local’s hatred for tourists: resolute
Pick-pockets prey on the young and the lost
Oh — that was an actual prostitute.
In the time it took to buy one ticket
three men asked for any change I mightn’t need.
I have never seen so many children
and their mother’s living on the street.
Dear Paris, fuck you, your unkind natives
And fuck the four days that I’ve wasted.

Yeah. It’s not the best poem I’ve ever written and I never thought it would ever see the light of day (that half rhyme of ‘ticket’ and ‘children’? not my finest work), and needless to say this was not the adoring poem I thought I’d be writing to this famed city of love. I was mad. Mad at the city, mad at the locals, mad at the other tourists.

Time and Money Wasted

It’s no secret that travelling isn’t cheap and I felt like I’d wasted so much money going to a place where I felt alone, unsafe and in general, unhappy. It would have been better for me to have stayed in London, which I love, and I would have enjoyed myself more. I kept thinking that I was wasting so much time. This trip was little over a month long and I felt like I needed to enjoy every minute of it. Sure, I went and saw Ground zero, Notre Dame, Shakespeare & Co. and of course, the Eiffel Tower. I went to the Louvre and saw Mona Lisa. I went on a cruise along the Seine. There were shinning moments but in general I was les misérables.

The Football (or Soccer)

Here’s a big mistake I made: I didn’t check to see if the soccer (I’m Australian so that’s what I’m going to call it) was on. Why would I? I don’t care about sports. It didn’t even cross my mind except when I was trying to book the Euro Star and thought Huh, I wonder why tickets are £300? It didn’t occur to me that this would mean the city would be more crowded than usual. The flow on effects of this were immense:

Everything cost more,
Locals were sick of tourists, which meant that
They could be pretty nasty, and there were
Large groups of men were EVERYWHERE and they were
Drinking from 10am in public (where there are minimal free public toilets), thus
EVERYWHERE (I’m talking the streets, the stations, the eateries, the shops) smelled like urine

I Was Alone

By this I don’t mean that I was unhappy to be alone in this city of love and romance. I mean that I got lost. I was targeted by pick-pockets and people asking for money. I couldn’t overcome the language barrier well. I found the public transport difficult to navigate. My mentality when travelling and getting lost is always just to ask someone, but whenever I did I was met with such hostility. I felt very unwelcome in Paris.

Brexit

This one is another example of poor timing. I arrived off my sleeper bus from London at 9am on the day that it was announced the UK was leaving the EU. As an English speaker (as I’ve said my French is très mal) locals assumed I was British and did not treat me favourably for it.

Homeless Mothers and Children (and Prostitutes)

I’ve never been anywhere that I’ve seen mothers and their children living on the streets. It was profoundly disturbing to see this. I had so little money, being close to the end of my trip, that I didn’t have much to give any of them. I have great guilt about walking past homeless people, even in Melbourne, but I know that I can’t stop and talk to every one of them and I can’t give them all money. Seeing young children sitting on bridges and outside train stations while their mothers beg for money, while I was privileged enough to be travelling outside my own country made me feel as though I was wasting my money on my own self indulgences, when I should be donating to homeless shelters and charities that would help these people out.

Similarly, I was on my way to Notre Dame when I passed a woman standing on the street and I just thought: She is a prostitute. An actual prostitute. It was like something out of Les Misérables. I saw a man, at least twice her age, walk up to her, take her hand and she led him into the building. I felt so sad for her. And look, I’m not naive enough to think that there aren’t homeless mothers and children and prostitutes in the world but it’s one thing know it and another to see it and seeing theses people in these terrible situations in such a beautiful city was extremely confronting.

Here on Xen. we talk so much about how travelling is so wonderful and life affirming, but it isn’t always the case. Travelling can be lonely, you can feel homesick or lost. You can be in an iconic, beautiful city, somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, and not know why you’re there. I don’t want to discourage anyone from travelling alone. It is an amazing experience that I think everyone should experience at least once, if you have the chance. Just know that, like in life, travelling has its ups and downs. And don’t worry, my trip got much better after this. I headed to Amsterdam and had a great time. Check my article on the hidden gems of Amsterdam here!

I’d love to hear about any travelling experiences that didn’t live up to your expectations and why that was. Leave a comment and let me know.

How To Save Money on Broadway Tickets

Featured ~ Xen18 ~ 4 Comments

By Kate Arnold

Broadway New York City Times Square — Photo by Daniela Echavez on Pexels.com

If you love theatre as much as I do (which is A LOT), then you’ll know that going to shows isn’t cheap. I went to New York last year and I was determined to see as many shows as I could on (and Off) Broadway but I was on a serious budget. Here’s how I saved money on Broadway tickets and a few other methods as well.

TKTS Booth

The TKTS Booth is in Times Square and you can buy rush tickets for select shows that same day. You won’t find tickets for Hamilton or The Lion King but there are always great deals on great shows. Laura and I got our Anastasia tickets through this method and saved around 40%. You can get up to 50% off shows but there’s no way to know which shows will have tickets available until the day of. Theatres give the booth the tickets that they haven’t sold yet so that the shows are more likely to sell out. This means there’s no way to know how good the seats available will be until you get to the window and ask and you probably won’t have a lot of choice. If you’re interested in seeing a play check out the ‘Plays Only’ line, which tends to be much shorter. You can buy up to six tickets from the booth but ONLY buy from the windows at the booth. NEVER trust people standing on the street or walking through the lines claiming to be employees of TKTS, they are scammers. As it gets closer to curtain rising the lines will get shorter and prices may get cheaper but more and more shows will sell out so if you don’t have one show in mind that you really want to see it might be worth waiting but you may also be disappointed. You can ONLY buy tickets from TKTS in person, never over the phone or online.

Return Ticket Line

While I was in New York I was dying to see Dear Evan Hansen and I was entering the lottery every day, which I never won. Finally, on my last day I decided to try the return ticket line and I ended up getting an unclaimed lottery ticket for only $42! It was a standing ticket but I had a great view and it was completely worth spending the two hours in line. If you are going to try the returns line there are a few things you should know:

It’s first in best dressed. I recommend looking up the time the box office opens and aim to get in line by that time if not a bit before
You could be standing in line for hours, in my experience each time has been around two hours but it could definitely be longer
You will be offered a ticket that someone has phoned it to get a refund on because they cannot attend the show, you will have to pay face value for the ticket and you don’t get a choice where you get to sit or how much you have to pay
You can pass up a ticket if it’s too expensive for you or if you’d like something with a better view but there’s no guarantee that something better (if anything) will come along
There is no guarantee that you will get a ticket

Today Tix

Today Tix is a website or smartphone app that can give you great discounts on tickets for popular shows. You’ll find tickets for Mean Girls, Come From Away and Book of Mormon from $69, School of Rock, Anastasia and Lifespan of a Fact starring Daniel Radcliffe from $59, Chicago and Waitress from $50, Avenue Q from $45, Fun Home from $35, Puffs! The Play from $22. I never got around to getting a ticket from Today Tix, I had my eye on a performance of Come From Away but sadly I ran out of time.

Broadway Box

Broadway Box is similar to Today Tix but there are select shows that have discounts, usually mid-week and matinees, and you use a discount code to get the special prices. You can buy these discounted tickets through the Broadway Box website or app or you can give the code to your sales person at the box office and get the ticket in person. I bought tickets for both Chicago and Puffs! The Play though this website using various discount codes. On Broadway Box you can get Waitress tickets up to 70% off, Kinky Boots up to 40% off, Anastasia and Chicago up to $50 off, Puffs! The Play up to 29% off, Avenue Q up to 38% off and many more.

Lotteries

Sadly I didn’t win any lotteries but they’re worth giving a try. Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are all shows that are expensive to go to, hard to get tickets to and often sold out so I’d recommend trying these ones.

To enter the Hamilton lottery you need to download the Hamilton app. You can enter to get up to two tickets and if you win, tickets only cost a Hamilton ($10 each). There are lottery tickets available for every show.

The Dear Evan Hansen lottery is also online and you have until midnight the day before the performance to enter and you can win up to two tickets. Winners for matinee performances will be drawn and notified around 9am on the day of the performance and will receive email instructions on how to proceed. You must complete your purchase of the tickets by 11am and you can pick up you ticket 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the show. The protocol for evening performances is similar. You will be notified around 2pm and you must complete your purchase by 4pm.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child does lotteries a little differently. They call it the Friday 40 where they release 40 tickets for every show in the upcoming week for $40 ($20 per part). The Friday 40 opens at 12.01 every Friday morning (Thursday night) and is open until 1pm on Friday afternoon. Winners will be notified between 1 and 5pm and will have one hour to buy the tickets. Due to the split nature of the show, Cursed Child runs four performances each week. Again, you can win up to two tickets and you can enter the lottery here.

NOTE: If you have your heart set on seeing any one of these three shows I’d recommend buying them full price in advance as chances of winning any of these lotteries is slim.

Being a theatregoer isn’t a cheap hobby so I look for discounts wherever I can get them, especially while travelling. Let me know how you scored cheap theatre tickets or if you’re going to try any of the methods I outlined above. If you’re headed to New York sometime soon check out Laura’s articles on 5 Free Things to do in NYC and how to use the New York Subway System.

10 Free Things to do in Melbourne

October 14, 2018January 8, 2019 ~ Xen18 ~ Leave a comment

By Kate Arnold

Visiting Melbourne can be kind of expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s plenty of free things you can do if you are on a budget. Here’s 10 free things to add to your to do list if you’re travelling in Melbourne.

1. Take a Tour of the Street Art

Melbourne is renown for it’s graffiti and street art culture, so while you’re in the city you’d be remiss is you didn’t seek any out. Hosier Lane is the most famous graffiti street, which you find off Flinders Lane. Continue on to AC/DC Lane and Union Lane to see more incredible street art.

2. Say Hi to the Penguins on St. Kilda Pier

On a sunny day the St. Kilda beaches are full of swimmers, sunbathers and kite-surfers. Take a towel and a book and spend a chilled day reading on the sand, or bring your swimmers and take a dip in the sea if it’s a warm enough day. But don’t go away when the sun goes down; at sunset you’ll see the fairy penguins returning to land.

3. Jump on the City Circle Tram

Trams in Melbourne are a way of life for locals but the City Circle Tram (route 35) is completely free and audio guide will tell you all about the sites that you pass on your commute. You’ll see places such as Federation Square, Melbourne Aquarium, Docklands, Parliament House, the Princess Theatre and the City Museum as you travel in on of Melbourne’s classic W-Class trams. The City Circle runs in both directions every 12 minutes from 10 am – 6 pm Sunday to Wednesday and from 10 am – 9 pm from Thursday to Saturday.

4. Hang Out at the State Library of Victoria

Libraries are a great place to take a breather (and charge your phone!) while travelling. If you’re desperate for some free wifi and somewhere to sit in peace and quite you’ll find it at SLV. The library has some of Melbourne’s most famous architecture is a free exhibition of full of old books and texts that is always available to visit.

5. Have a Picnic at the Royal Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens are the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon. Take some lunch for a picnic or take advantage of the free walking tours that are held everyday. These tours begin at 10:30 am and 2 pm and each run for about an hour and a half. A guide will talk you through the different types of flora and fauna in the gardens while you take a stroll though the park.

6. Pay Your Respects at the Shrine of Remembrance

While you’re at the Royal Botanical Gardens you might as well look in at the Shrine of Remembrance, where you’ll find a memorial to the Victorian soldiers who fought in World War I, relics from the war and the eternal flame, which has been burning since 1954 when it was lit by the Queen to commemorate those who perished in World War II. From the Shrine you’ll see stunning views of Melbourne skyline

7. National Gallery of Victoria International

On your way back to the city from the Shrine of Remembrance you’ll pass the NGV International, where their ongoing collection of international art at the Ian Potter Centre is always free to visit. You’ll find a range of names that you recognise such as Picasso and Monet on as you wander around the gallery. NGV International is also the home of the worlds largest stained glass ceiling, where you will find people lying on the floor to get a good view.

8. Head to Spleen Bar on Burke Street for a Free Comedy Show

Every Monday night Spleen Bar holds free comedy nights (though a gold coin donation is appreciated). Some of Melbourne’s best comedians, such as Wil Anderson, Claire Hooper, Tom Ballard, Frank Woodley, Sammy J and Josh Thomas have performed at Spleen. Grab a drink and get ready for some laughs

9. Trivia Night at Common Man at South Wharf

Tuesday night is Trivia Night at Common Man, which is free to enter, grab some friends to form a team and test your knowledge. Drink specials are also on offer as well as $10 pizzas to complete your bargain evening.

10. Check Out a Market

Melbourne is full of markets that you can take a stroll through, the most famous being the Queen Victoria Markets, where you will find gadgets, clothing and toys as well as food and fresh fruit and vegetables. The Camberwell Markets are on every Sunday mornings and though they do require a gold coin donation for entry, you’ll find secondhand and vintage clothes, jewellery, shoes, books and other bric-a-brac. The Rose Street Artists’ Market in Fitzroy is full of local artwork. There’s also Esplanade Market in St Kilda and the Sister’s Market in Brunswick. A trip to any one of these markets would be a great excuse to get out of the CBD and check out one of these ultra hip suburbs.

Spending a day in Melbourne doesn’t have to be expensive. There’s so much to do in this city that doesn’t cost a cent. If you check out any of these places, let us know! What’s your favourite free thing to do in your city? Don’t forget to check out Laura’s article on free things you can do in New York City!

How to Save Money at Disney World

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By Laura Jemetta

In this post, I share my tips for visiting Disney on a budget.

Plan Your Meals

Planning your meals carefully can be really good for your wallet. When I was at Disney, I made sure to eat a filling breakfast before getting to the Park – this was my first defense against unnecessary spending. When I was hungry again, I snacked on inexpensive things like popcorn, and instead saved my money for a nice quick service meal for dinner.

Stay Hydrated Without Breaking the Bank

Staying hydrated at the Parks is essential, especially in Orlando and California. Did you know that you can get free iced water at any kiosk or quick service restaurant? All you have to do is ask. My advice: skip the expensive sugary drinks in favor of the healthiest and cheapest option – good old water!

Take Advantage of Disney’s Free Experiences

Can’t afford character dining or the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique? Don’t worry – some of the most magical Disney experiences are actually free. Grab a spot on Main Street, or outside Adventureland and catch the Parade. It is a spectacle of colour, music and dance, and you can see all your favourite characters pass by. Of course, the Parade ends with everybody’s favourite; Mickie and Minnie, and the kids will love getting a wave from them from atop their float. There are also heaps of opportunities to meet your favourite character for free. Meet Ariel in her grotto, the Princesses at Fairytale Hall, or be lucky enough to spot a rare character out and about around the Park. Make sure you also catch the fireworks – trust us, you’ve never seen fireworks like Disney does fireworks. The show is magnificent, (and free!) – spectacularly set to your favourite Disney songs and bursting with colour, don’t be surprised if they move you to tears!

Skip Most of the Souvenirs

Don’t get me wrong – you don’t have to forego the souvenirs entirely! Just be smart about what you buy. Skip the edible treats and the balloons – they won’t last past your trip to the Parks, and you won’t be able to carry that balloon back with you on the plane. Perhaps give the Mickey ears a pass too, (I know; unpopular opinion) – will you ever wear them again once you get home? Think about getting practical things instead; things that you will be able to use or look at every day. One of my favourite souvenirs is the Magic Kingdom mug I picked up at the Starbucks on Main Street. I use it every day, and it makes me think of the magic of Disney each time.

What are your tips for saving money at Disney World or Disneyland? Let me know in the comments below if any of my tips are helpful to you! And don’t forget to check out my post about our day at the Magic Kingdom.

Travel Accessories You Don’t Need

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By Laura Jemetta

Photo by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels.com

Here is my list of travel accessories you don’t actually need in order to travel comfortably. The travel industry is saturated with travel accessories, so read on to find out what you don’t need to bother buying before going away!

A Travel Pillow

Possibly a controversial choice, but hear me out: you probably don’t need to take one of those neck pillows on the plane with you. They are not only a cumbersome thing to have to carry with you, but they take up room in your carry-on that you probably don’t have to spare. I would happily and easily leave my travel pillow at home on every trip I take from now on; it didn’t actually make it easier for me to sleep, and took up too much room in my luggage when I wasn’t using it. I didn’t even bother to take it out on some flights. My advice is: use the pillow they give you in economy; it’s there for a reason. That, or your rolled up jacket or cardigan makes just as good a pillow as you will need on a plane.

If you’re really attached to your travel pillow, consider a blow-up version. Just blow it up when you need it, and let it out and fold it away when you don’t.

Carry-On Suitcase

I’m sure some people swear by their four-wheeler carry-on’s, but I would never travel with one again. Large and cumbersome, carry-on suitcases are hard to lift into the overhead compartments, and difficult to access during your flight. While a carry-on suitcase can made a good foot-rest while I was waiting for flights; that was just about the only thing it was good for; having a small and large suitcase to deal with through airports and in and out of cars and ubers, was more trouble than it was worth.

My tip: Skip the carry-on suitcase and invest in a great backpack. You can fit a huge amount in the right backpack, and the best part is, you don’t carry it, you wear it! Backpacks are easier to hoist into the overhead compartments, or like me, you can usually stuff them under the seat in front of you without trouble.

Lonely Planet Travel Guides

Don’t get me wrong! I love Lonely Planet Guides, I do. I would buy every one of them if I could, but they can be expensive, and I find them cumbersome to actually take away with me on holiday.

My top tip: download the free Lonely Planet app from your app-store, where you can find shortened e-versions of Lonely Planet guides. Now, you can’t find every city or country on the app, but it does feature some of their most popular destinations, and a really good selection of well over 60 guides. The app version of the travel guides are so handy to have when you’re overseas as they still feature recommendations for places to eat and the best sights to see, as well as an offline map!

Our Day at Magic Kingdom

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By Laura Jemetta

Last year we spent a day at Magic Kingdom. Yes, it was just one day, but between our days at Universal Orlando, and the time constraint of our next destination, (San Francisco!) this was all we could fit in! We made the most of our day though, staying from rope-drop to fireworks, and cramming in as many rides and attractions as possible.

So, how did we do it?

We went in armed with the Fastpass+ System, and a plan of attack that included our must-do rides and experiences. Having already chosen our Fastpasses+ we already had a general plan of where we needed to be and when, so all we needed to do was fill in the blanks.

Importantly, we left time for rest breaks and for spontaneity, so that we wouldn’t feel as though we were following a regimented schedule on holiday!

What our day looked like

Our day started as everybody’s does – with a walk down Main Street. We headed towards the Castle, and stopping for some pictures before heading into Fantasy Land. We had our first Fastpass+ at It’s a Small World, so we explored Fantasy Land before boarding our Small World boat, and ticking our first must-do ride off our list.

After riding the Tea Cups, we headed into Tomorrow Land, where we rode Autopia and the People Mover, before stepping back into Fantasy Land to brave the lines for the Carousel. Feeling a little strange amongst all the children with their parents, we made it onto the Carousel, and were glad in the end that we waited out the line. Laura’s choice was Under the Sea – for her favourite Disney film, The Little Mermaid. We were grateful that we applied sunscreen that morning, because part of the line offers no shade from the harsh sun.

Our next Fastpass+ was for the Jungle Cruise, so we made our way over to Adventureland, where we visited Pirates of the Caribbean and explored the Swiss Family Treehouse while waiting for our time slot.

After grabbing some popcorn for lunch, (we were saving our money for a quick service dinner), we grabbed spots for the parade, which were fairly good considering we only got them about fifteen minutes before the parade started. One of Laura’s favourite Disney traditions, the Parade was spectacular as usual.

With the parade done, we were losing stamina after so long on our feet. We trudged back to Tomorrow Land with Space Mountain in mind – another one of our must-do rides. We weren’t to be swayed by the two-hour wait time, instead stopping off at a kiosk to pick up some slurpees to drink while waiting in line. This idea proved to be great – the drinks cooled us down as we waited out of heat, and made the sometimes stagnant line a little bit better. You can read about Space Mountain here.

When we got out of Space Mountain, dusk was approaching and we headed over to our net Fastpass+, The Haunted Mansion, which you can read about here. We found ourselves back in Fantasy Land for an early dinner at Pinocchio’s Village Haus. The food was nice and inexpensive, and we were definitely glad to off our feet for a while.

Fueled up and ready to go again, we walked to Frontier Land to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We found this queue to be the hardest of the day, as it proved to be a colossal wait time in a confined, almost airless space. We both agreed that the wait was worth it, though, for the thrilling rollercoaster that turned out to be one of the best rides of the day.

By the time we exited the ride, night had fallen, and it was time to get spots for the fireworks. After a little souvenir shopping on Main Street, we took our placed to watch the fireworks. Kate had never seen Disney fireworks, and we both agreed that they were spectacular, and one of the highlights of the day.

We both agreed that after the fireworks were over, it was time to call it a day. We went to the Starbucks on Main Street and got Iced Tea for the ferry ride, and made our way out of the park.

Short and sweet, our Disney was exciting, and full of colour, light and music. Laura got her Disney fix, Kate saw Disney for the first time, and we left exhausted, perhaps a little sunburned and filled to the brim with Disney magic.

What is your favourite Disney memory? Let me know in the comments below!

5 Free Things to do in New York City

Featured ~ Xen18 ~ 6 Comments

By Laura Jemetta

5 free things to do in new york_Pinterest

There are so many ways to explore the real New York City that are actually free! Keep reading to discover some of my favourite free things to do in New York.

Explore Central Park

This is such a fantastic thing to do in New York, and the fact that it’s free is just a bonus. Central Park is just massive, it could take several days to explore the whole thing, which can make it a little overwhelming to start with. My approach has always been to explore Central Park bit by bit; taking it easy and enjoying whatever I have time to see while I’m in New York.

There is something for everybody to see in Central Park. Book lovers can take a stroll down the Mall and Literary Walk, and music lovers can discover Strawberry Fields – the tribute to the Beatles’ John Lennon, who was assassinated blocks away. Take kids, or the young at heart to the popular statue of Alice in Wonderland, or the nearby Hans Christian Andersen. You can watch the boaters on the lake at the Loeb Boathouse, check out the famous Central Park Carousel, and explore Belvedere Castle, a victorian folly right in Central Park.

Whatever you do in Central Park, I know you will love it like I do; sprawling and beautiful, rambling through Central Park is one of the best ways to explore New York.

Visit the New York Public Library

This is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. The New York Public Library is open to the public, and there are some interesting things to be found there; see the first Guttenberg Bible in the new world, visit the library’s free exhibitions, or see the real life toys that inspired AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, in person. This library is a must-see for any book lover, if only for the fantastic gift shop and the stunning architecture. Put it on your itinerary – you won’t be disappointed.

Walk the Highline

Built on the tracks of a disused railway system, the Highline is now a beautiful walking trail 30 feet above the Manhattan streets. This perspective makes for some terrific and unique views of New York City, and the walk itself is both low-impact and lovely. The entire length of the Highline is 2.33km, stretching from the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues. My advice: put on your walking shoes, take yourself to the Meatpacking District, and take a nice stroll down the whole length of the Highline, stopping at all the lookouts, and taking in this unique perspective on New York City.

Ride the Staten Island Ferry

Riding the Staten Island Ferry is a fantastic – and free – way to see the Statue of Liberty! You could spend a fortune paying a very pushy tour company to take you onto Ellis Island, and (possibly) up to the viewing part of the statue. Don’t get me wrong; this is worth doing once in your life. But if you are in New York for the second time, or are strapped for cash, then taking a trip on the Staten Island Ferry is such a terrific way to get closer to Lady Liberty.

The Staten Island Ferry is a free ferry to – you guessed it – Staten Island. The ferry leaves every 30 minutes from the Whitehall Ferry Terminal, and travels to Staten Island, where you will need to disembark. You have the option of staying to look around Staten Island, or you can get straight back onto the ferry for the return trip. The ferry is a great opportunity to get some sunshine, as well as some terrific photos of the Statue of Liberty, as well as some unique ones of the New York skyline from the water.

It’s a lovely way to spend a morning – standing on the deck of the Staten Island Ferry, on the water, watching the iconic Lady Liberty grow nearer. I highly recommend taking the subway down to the financial district and riding the ferry – it’s such a valuable free service, and you won’t regret the spectacular views you get from the water.

Top-Tip: As you approach the Ferry Terminal, there will be hawkers from the expensive Statue of Liberty tour company’s. They will say, (or shout), anything to stop you from seeing the Statue of Liberty for free; including that tourists aren’t allowed to ride the Staten Island Ferry: Don’t listen to them. Tour company’s station hawkers at the ferry terminal to trick unwitting tourists into paying for unnecessary tours, but the Staten Island Ferry is a completely free service available to anybody who wishes to make use of it. Just keep walking, and enjoy the free ride you are entitled to!

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

Haven’t you always wanted to walk all the way across the Brooklyn Bridge? I have – and last time I was in New York, I did it! It’s a fantastic way to spend a sunny afternoon, and I highly recommend it to anybody wanting to see the city from a different perspective.

The pedestrian walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge is 2.09km long, and a slow walk all the way from Manhattan to Brooklyn should take about 45 minutes. It’s important to be aware of how crowded the Brooklyn Bridge can get, mainly due to it’s popularity with tourists. I would make sure to avoid peak times, when New Yorkers use the bridge to get to and from work, and be aware that you will probably be sharing the bridge with hundreds of other people, no matter what time you go.

My advice: take yourself down to the financial district mid-morning, hop onto the bridge, and go for an easy stroll all the way to Brooklyn. Make sure to take in all the sights from the bridge, don’t let the crowds deter you, and spend the rest of the day exploring Brooklyn!

There are so many fantastic and free things to do in New York City – it can actually be a really budget friendly city. I would love to hear if you have enjoyed any of the free things on this list, or let me know below your favourite free thing is to do in New York!

Places You Have to See: Oahu

Featured ~ Xen18 ~ 3 Comments

By Laura Jemetta

20180810_175351 — View of Diamond Head from the air

Oahu: this is the Hawaii you imagine when you dream of Hawaii. Possibly the most popular destination in Hawaii, Oahu is home to stunning beaches, beautiful natural scenery and fantastic shopping and dining experiences. There are so many natural wonders to be found on Oahu – look out of your hotel window to one side and you will see the bluest ocean, and to the other, luscious green mountainside. Oahu really is a spectacle of colour and natural beauty.

view from diamond head.jpg — View of Oahu from top of Diamond Head

Oahu has something to offer everybody; from nature lovers and shopping addicts, to history buffs and foodies. The main strip offers great shopping and dining, Pearl Harbor is a moving experience for anyone who has studied 20th Century history, and the Diamond Head and Waimea Valley offer an interesting and authentic cultural experience for those interested in Hawaiian culture and history. Oahu is a place for families, couples and group of travellers, as well as solo-travellers, who will be welcomed by the naturally friendly Hawaiian locals.

Have you been to Oahu? What do you love about it? Let me know in the comments if you love Hawaii, or if you’d love to go!