Blog sites and discussion boards

It is obvious that as a blogger I may have some insight that others do not when they are planning a trip. This was the main basis when I started this blog so many years ago. I have had readers contact me and given me wonderful things and places to research and blog about.

But even I have my limits on what I know about travel. When I am planning a trip I also look to the internet discussion boards, and travel bloggers. These are great places to gain insight on Disney Cruise and a visit to Walt Disney World. I would be a fool not to visit WDW Prep, Disney on Wheels, and Disney Food Blog. These are run by people who have been to WDW many, many times and offer tips I just don't have. I highly recommend them as a great place to gain ideas on what attractions to hit first, what is the must-have salty snack and a variety of things I just don't have the space here to blog about. They, however, do and have blogged about them so if you are going, be sure look them over. They all have wonderful pictures, and as a photographer, that always makes the site better in my opinion. Here is what I like and look for on these blogs.places. 

WDW Prepschool: This site is crammed full of useful information to assist "clever people" with their vacation planning. It has great tips, wonderful trivia to keep you and your family interested in the parks, schedules, and a ton of what I think of as inside information. I thought I knew a lot about Disney but she makes me feel like I have just seen the tip of the Disney iceberg. Facebook her for updates and tips. 

Disney on Wheels: I am in a wheelchair so I feel that this site has some great tips for getting around the park, finding the appropriate place to queue for a ride, best spots for parades and fireworks, and also food. She too has many pictures of the Disney parks, and cruise ships that she has been on that give details that the Disney site may not cover in enough depth for those of us with mobility issues. I recommend liking this page to keep apprised of what is going on with the Disney machine.

Disney Food Blog: This is a great site. It is written by folks who are extremely knowledgeable about the food and has tons of great pictures that are guaranteed to make you hungry. They also have super tips for picky eaters, and for folks who may be on the adventurous side of the food spectrum. If you are planning a Disney trip, make sure to Facebook this blog for gastronomical updates.

As for discussion boards I really like Frommers, DISboard, Cruise Critic, and of course Trip Advisor. Here you can post and get recent info from recent travelers and travel professionals alike. They also might have insiders that will give their opinions. This will make your knowledge more well-rounded than simply reading your guidebooks (which I recommend too), or going in totally fresh to an area you may not know or knew a LONG time ago (this I don't recommend at all).

DISboard: They know everything, I swear it. Their members post videos, discuss past/present/or future trips in as much detail as you want. If it is Disney travel check this site out.

Frommer's or Fodor's: These guys actually wrote the book on traveling so their discussion boards are filled with people who have a ton of information as well as questions. A great place to post questions and maybe help out a new friend with their query.

Cruise Critic: I go here to hear what other people's experiences on certain cruises were. I also like it because you can get very specific answers from people that may have just returned from their cruise (such as room size, cleanliness, and whether they dock or moor).

TripAdvisor: This is the site I go to to see if I have to worry about creepy crawlers in the mattress, or mold growing in the shower. Sure you can't please everyone but you CAN please a large percentage of us.

We as a travel community, both able-bodied and mobility impaired, must use all the tools at our disposal if we want to make our travels successful and enjoyable. To ignore any knowledge or experience is just foolish. To all those bloggers and travel board posters out there, I would like to send my own personal thanks for making my travels smoother. 

Disney Cruise wear. 5 clothing items for guys to bring

Like most people we have a tendency to over pack. This is especially true for the first Disney Cruise we took back in 2008. We had been given advise about cruise wear from people who had not been on a Disney Cruise, and therefore were a bit more formal than you need to be on a Disney cruise. Now that isn't to say that you can or should be a total slob on a DCL boat. But unless you really want to put on the Ritz you can leave your tux at home. I do want to quantify I am not saying that you should dress tacky or in any way against local customs. I am going to give you my own personal ideals of what you should bring.

1. A nice polo shirt or short sleeve button up shirt (no Aloha shirts please). This will usually get you into all the dining rooms and also into Paulo without any fuss. It should be clean, free of holes, and logo free if possible. I like the polo option because it folds nicely and because you are in the tropics cotton will be your friend.

2. Cargo shorts. I actually like cotton cargo shorts for the obvious reason, storage. I have several nice pair that are no issue for going to lunch or a casual dinner. Also cotton not denim because it dries faster and stays cooler. Add this to the fact that they pack tightly and you have a winner.

3. Sandals. Sandals ( not flip flops) are a great option to sneakers when traveling in the tropics. A good pair of Keens will set you back $70.00 but are sturdily constructed and offer what few sandals can, toe protection.

4. Khaki or linen pants. These types of long pants will be the most versatile and easiest to pack and most likely to be wrinkle resistant or steamable. they are going to look the nicest so you can wear them to your nice dress up dinner as well as other meals. They can be washed so you can take advantage of laundry service if you get curry sauce on them and they are breathable and look pretty nice with just about anything.

5. Sun Glasses (extra sunglasses). This is a must as sunglasses (as well as batteries, film, SD cards, band aids, etc) can be very pricey when you are in a touristy area. I was forced to buy a pair of sunglasses on St Martin and it ran me about $40 for a cheapo pair. Be prepared for the fact that you may leave them somewhere and buy a pair for in case of emergency.

Honorable mentions:

A. a Hat. You are not going to be used to this type of sun and you will need covering of some type. That is unless you like a third degree sun burn.

B. raincoat. It does rain and if you happen to be in a down pour you will want to have a light rain jacket to keep dry. If you are visiting WDW you should consider a poncho (I know dorky but you will be dry)

C. Age and status appropriate swim wear. What does this mean? Simple, (Guys) no one wants to see a man in a pair of Speedos. No one wants to explain to their child why that man is wearing his undies on the beach. (Ladies) think about what you will be doing on the beach. Are you going to be playing with your kids around other kids/tween/teens/adult males? Do you really want to be in that string bikini and have a body part fall out? Maybe a nice one piece would be a better idea. You can still look like the hot mom but respect your children enough to cover up some. Also please cover up, I really don't want to have to talk to my son about a thong.