Recommendation RoundUp: Travel Edition

Salutations from the new website friends! It's been a weird transitional period with a lot of hiccups but I think Wonders of Life is ready to move forward into its new era! Much of the content from the old website has not yet made it over here, but due to the amount of time it takes to do the transfer (about the same as writing a scratch, new blog post) I’m going to do that on an intermittent basis and get back to blogging as usual.

That being said, it's almost 2025 and I realized it's been a hot minute since I’ve done a Recommendation Round-Up! This is a compilation of content, experiences, and entertainment I recommend personally. This post’s emphasis is travel! I do not make money from these posts, they are for my enjoyment and hopefully yours.

As a travel agent, I want to constantly improve my knowledge of and my ability to travel. So I am constantly taking in information and trying new things to be in the know for my clients, and myself because…well, I didn’t become an agent because I dislike travel and all its fun goodies.

So here’s some of my recommended things surrounding travel in recent times. Hopefully this will come in handy when you’re getting ready for your next trip and let you know just how dedicated I am to planning a great trip for me, for you, or anyone!

Content:

Travel content is a huge space and can be intimidating. Just searching “Disney World Travel Log” will get you thousands of results on Youtube from huge influencers to a family making a video to send to grandma. It was long before I became an agent that I started curating my favorite creators in this space. Here’s a sampling of the ones a keep going back to.

Youtube:

• Mammoth Club

Mammoth Club is the creation of The Queen of Disnerds, Molly McCormick, her husband Allan and their bestie, Max. Whether you’re already a Disney parks/travel super fan or you’re just learning your lands vs worlds, this channel is informational, entertaining and comprehensive. If you’re spending time in the Orlando area soon, you’ll find review videos for almost anything. This is Molly’s second Disney travel company that she’s founded and there is no one better out there. I could be planning a trip, not planning a trip or actively on a trip and I will have a tab with a Mamfam video playing up.

• Emma Cruises

Emma is the friendliest, most passionate host as she brings us on her many cruise adventures. She reviews foods, experiences and the ships themselves, while also giving handy tips to make travelling easier and more fun. If you want to compare vessels or figure out which line is for you, her content will be massively helpful. Even before I booked travel, Emma helped me demystify the cruise experience and understand what makes cruising fun and relaxing. Emma is honest and diplomatic about her reviews so you get a real sense, with no dramatics of what spending a voyage on each ship is like.

• ThePughTwo

There are many, many vloggers who make Disney videos with some Universal content, Tyler, however, focuses on Universal. He shows the restaurants many influencers pass by for the newest and busiest options. Tyler’s dry and witty sense of humor is fun but never over the top or inauthentic. He gives honest opinions and covers every square inch of Universal Orlando resort and every seasonal event. When it comes to the upcoming Epic Universe opening, there’s no one’s content I’m looking forward to more. If you’re having trouble finding Universal content, look no further.

• Shay Spence

Short form more your thing? Food reviews across the theme parks and the world in bite sized (heehee) pieces! Shay is succinct and descriptive.

• Wright Down Main Street

She’s on a quest to eat at every Walt Disney World restaurant and she’s taking us with her! A super fun and detailed food review channel. If you want to know if a particular restaurant would be a good pick for your family, this is a great spot to check.

• Abroad in Japan

Chris Broad is a british man who has lived in Japan for over a decade. He makes travel vlogs like a tourist, but with all the insight of someone who truly understands Japanese culture. His thoughts on tourism are helpful for anyone heading out on their first trip to Japan, and the antics and adventures keep you interested in where he’s headed next. If you’re the kind of traveller who wants to visit places beyond those that are the most famous, Chris has got you covered.

• TDR Explorer

Another Japanese travel specialist, but this channel frequents Japanese theme parks like DisneySea, Universal, Tokyo Disneyland and more! Calming and thoughtful videos that focus on food and seasonal merch.

Podcasts:

Podcasts are an amazing resource for deep travel research and for entertainment during long travel days. That being said, there are just two travel centric ones for this recommendation round-up that I feel the need to pass along to you. One that I've been listening to for years and one that's a more recent, but just as beloved fave.

• The Bowery Boys

If you're a history nerd traveler and heading to The Big Apple, this podcast will give you a new appreciation for all your surroundings in NYC. From spooky, to classic Americana, to fascinating obscurity, this NYC history deep dive will capture your imagination. I especially love to listen around Halloween for their haunted history additions.

• For Your Amusement

Watcher’s Ryan Bergara and Byron Marin give a full breakdown of the history of theme park attractions around the world and then decide if the attraction ranks as world class. If you’re already a fan of theme parks this will tickle your fancy and teach you more than you knew existed about your favorite rides. They also bring along other famous theme park nerds like Offhand Disney and Jenny Nicholson. This is a thorough review and love letter to these attractions. When I listen, I catch myself engaging in the discourse like I personally am being asked about the world classness of the attractions. As a Watcher mega fan and a theme park enthusiast I plan on listening to every last episode. The Frozen Ever After ep is great one to start with if you want to follow along.

Travel items:

Though I do my best to be a minimalist travel packer, I can't help but devise new ways to keep myself refreshed and amused throughout my adventures. These are the most recent items that have snuck their way into my travels. After all, the difference between traveling and traveling in comfort often comes down to the things you bring with you from home. Items will be linked into the headings.

• Kanoodle:

After it being on my list for a while, I got this one-person puzzle game for Christmas this year. A perfect little brain teaser that is reusable again and again, built into its own compact carrying case. This will be a standard item in my backpack for car trips and flights. It scales in difficulty so it's perfect for the whole family. If everyone has their own, you can race to fit the tetris like pieces together in the right combo.

• Stage Sing Free Wireless Bluetooth Microphone

This mic can bluetooth to your phone and play music from the built in speaker while you sing along. Go one step further and then connect the mic to your radio and serenade the whole room or car. I took this with me on a friends’ trip and we had a ball. We even got an adamant nonsinger to take a crack at it. It's also come in handy during family vacation as an evening activity that takes no planning or agreeing to a place. People have begun requesting I bring it along! If you or a loved one are a sing in the car person, this mic will add to the fun.

• Haunted Mansion Weighted Blanket

I don’t currently have a link for this, but it's popped up off and online and as a slightly different park exclusive at Memento Mori in Magic Kingdom. Though, it sells out, so if you see it, grab it. My blanket is 15 pounds and throw-blanket sized. It's perfect for those that crave the pressure of a weighted blanket but want something of a manageable size for travel. I tend to have a hard time getting into a deep sleep during travel due to the vibration and bumps of the car and this calming blanket (that is also super cute, Haunted Mansion fans) is perfect for comforting and stabilizing my body.

• Cerave Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser Bar

This face wash bar is creamy and very lightly exfoliating with no microplastics. It makes a creamy lather that still feels light on the face, with just enough grit for daily use. The solid bar makes it extra travel friendly, no more packing those mini bottles up!

• Car Power Inverter

This car power strip is the BEST car accessory at my disposable. My husband and I literally vie for getting to have this thing in our respective cars, we probably need a second. It had two regular plugs for chargers with boxes, laptops, or other electronics and ups the usb count from 2 to 4. We can both charge our phones on road trips and even work on our computers if needed. The four-foot-long cord also is so nice for any back seat guests that may also need a spot to plug in, so it's great for the fam.

There we have it, folks. The final round up of 2024. This has been a big year for me. Thank you for following along, from the new socials to this new website; I think WoL Blog has grown by leaps and bounds this year, and there's so much more ahead. I hope you'll join me on next year's adventures!