While this is primarily a quick guide for those new to traveling with food allergies, maybe it will be a good refresher for those of you who do it all the time! 

Winter is almost over, and thoughts keep turning to one thing...vacation! Whether you are planning spring break, or summer trips, if you or a family member have allergies, it takes a little more planning that usual. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you get ready to get going! 

1. Do a little research

Just like we talk here about getting a plan before you go, getting an idea of the restaurants that will be on the way, and also at your destination. If possible, check for allergy friendly places, or stick with chains that you are familiar with. Bring snacks just in case, and always, always check with staff before you order! 

You might even consider printing some Chef's cards, and handing them to the waitstaff. There are some great free ones from F.A.R.E, jut click the underlined link here! 

2. Don't forget the phone numbers! 

Bring along the number to the doctor or allergist, just in case you do have a reaction, or a question. 

3.Pack the Epipens, and a few extras, too! 

You probably are in the great habit of always bringing your Epipens, but if you were to need them on a trip, it is better to have a few extras with you, not just because you may need more than one, or one may malfunction, but because after you have been treated, you are going to need to replace the ones you've used. With the current Epipen shortage, it might be harder to find a pen, especially in an unfamiliar town. 

4.  Keep your extra medicines where you can get them, and at the right temperature! 

Those extra Epipens aren't going to do you any good if they are packed in a suitcase, in the bottom of a massive stack. They also might be subject to too much heat, or cold, which can reduce the effectiveness of the medicine. Always keep your Epipens with you, and never in a hot car. 

You can find insulated, or even evaporation cooling bags online, those will help a lot when you are out in the hot sun! 

5. Travel with Apps

If you have a smart phone, there are several great apps for you, or access to helpful websites. remember to ALWAYS verify the information on there yourself, but these are great for getting you started, or getting reviews from others. Here are two that we really like. You can click on any of these to learn more. 

AllergyEats
Spokin (sadly, not available yet for android they are working on it, just iphone but the website is still amazing)


Traveling with an allergy is a little more difficult, but it doesn't have to be impossible. Food allergies make life more difficult, but they don't have to take away the fun of traveling! Just like anything else, plan a little in advance, pack your epipens, and always check before you eat! 

Happy Travels! 

 

Ahhh... rain! The spoiler of fun, the maker of more difficult and dangerous driving... I don't usually mind rain unless I've got some where to go, and I bet you are the same way. Nothing is worse than rain at Disney on vacation, right? 

WRONG! 

Rain at Disney actually isn't TOO bad. It's the storms with the lightning and thunder that can put a stop to the fun, but plain old ordinary rain? It actually can be a great thing on your vacation, and here's why! 

With your poncho draped around you, you are going to find: 

1. Smaller Crowds

When it's just plain rain, or one of those afternoon storms Florida is famous for, you will see three kinds of people. Those, who start to run for the exit, those who check the weather radar and make their call, and those, the tiny little group who enters the park. Why?

People start to leave the parks in droves when it rains, maybe because they aren't familiar with how fast some of those storms cam push through, or maybe they just don't want to get their one and only pair of sneakers soaked. (That's why we recommend you take two!)


If you can stick it out for a little in a gift shop, or find an indoor attraction to enjoy, and don't mind your damp poncho clinging to you a bit, you're going to find...


2. Rides Still Stay Open

Unless there's lightning, Disney is going to keep rides open. This is another reason for your poncho, no one wants a wet tush, and your tush WILL get wet on most any ride, even if it's indoors, like It's A Small World, just from someone else dripping on the seat! 

Best of all about the rides being open? 


3. Lines are shorter

It is just simple math! Less people, less wait time! Now, you won't get to meet some of Mickey's pals if they are usually outdoors, but there are still a lot of friends to meet that have indoor area! 

If you aren't at the park, or switched your days because tomorrow will be sunny? 

We have some...

 
4. Non Park Suggestions

Ever wanted to resort hop? Do it! Take the monorail, drive by car, whatever, go explore! You might find your next resort, or you might discover a new restaurant. Each resort is themed differently, so just hopping from place to place is such fun! 

Disney Springs has bowling, movies and lots of shopping! Visit a spa, or HYPE, hit an arcade, relax watching all the Disney your eyeballs can handle, or rest up for tomorrow! 

There's one more great thing about those rain storms...


5. It Drops the Temperature

Ahh!! It's some temporary relief from the blistering heat that Florida often gives visitors (at absolutely no charge, too!) 

Next time you have rain, don't immediately consider the day a wash. Whatever you want to do, if you do it with the attitude of I'm at Disney, and I'm going to enjoy it!, then you will have a great time. After all, isn't a rainy day at Disney, better than most anything else? I think it is!! 

Have you ever been only a few hours into your first park day when your feet start hurting? Maybe your toes feel squeezy, maybe your toenails seem to pokey, or maybe your heel keeps slipping. What the heck? You've got a LOT of walking to do, there's no time for this! 

There's a simple solution, and it's not a new pair of shoes! Even better it is FREE! I'm talking about it's all in how you lace your shoes! 

When I discovered this a while back, it was seriously life changing. My toes don't feel squeezy anymore, and these simple tricks can make ANY pair of sneakers fit like they were custom made. 

Did I mention it's FREE?!

There's an awesome infographic, you can click right here to go to Run Repeat and see 12 amazing ways to lace your shoes. They seriously have a lacing trick for every problem! Try it out! It's cheaper, and more comfortable than a new pair of shoes! 

Here are a few more ideas from a previous post on what you need for the perfect theme park shoes, so you can dance down main street, not hobble! 

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The reports are rolling in that most places you might get a beverage at in Disney World are either offering a straw with no lid, a lid with no straw, or no lid and no straw. 

I'm not sure about you guys, but if I pay $4 for a soda, I like it to stay in the cup, as I try and carry my tray of food through the gauntlet of pushing, impatient people jockeying to order their food or for a table. 

We all knew this day was coming when Disney said they were going to make eco changes (and save money at the same time), but while a few have embraced it, I'll be honest, I haven't. 

If you are like our family, and want a lid and a straw, while it is not ideal, I'm sure you already know you can bring a handful of straws, but what about that lid? 

Glad Press and Seal Wrap! I cut off a small piece, and it adheres wonderfully to anything! A paper cup, a plastic cup, a Styrofoam cup... it's awesome! See? Even when you get it a jiggle or shake! 
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While it is one more thing to stick in my bag, I have been experimenting with cutting out squares, and putting them in a ziplock bag. So far they have unstuck for me pretty good. Maybe it's an idea for you! I know we plan to try it. 

We were watching a Touring Plans video on Youtube the other night, when they said something very casually. I thought I heard wrong, so I rewound. 

The person giving the tour, said that the average person visiting Disney World does 10 attractions a day, basically, 1 an hour. 

Could that be true? 

I did some googling, and couldn't find any answers, but when you think about it, if you spend 40 minutes in a standby line, 5 minutes loading into a ride, then riding it, then 10 minutes to walk to your next ride, that isn't too far off, and if you do standby for Peter Pan's Flight, or Slinky Dog or something, you are looking at a much longer wait. Maybe you'll only do 6 rides, if you want to eat lunch. 

I don't know about you guys, but I think that number sucks. I don't save up for so long, and make such a long drive just to do 6 attractions in a day. That's why I think plans are so important! 

If you research a little ahead of time, and make a list of what you want to do, you'll have more fun, and you'll get more than 10 attractions done in a day! 

Not sure how many you can do? You can click HERE for all of my FREE touring plans, and you'll be surprised just how much you can fit in the first half of the day.