EP 50 - Cruising Is Changing: Alaska Crowds, Private Islands, and the Real Cost of Your Cruise

EP 50 - Cruising Is Changing: Alaska Crowds, Private Islands, and the Real Cost of Your Cruise

Cruising is booming, but that growth is changing where ships go, how they are built, and what passengers experience once they arrive. In this solo episode, Meg looks beyond the latest cruise headlines to explore two of the biggest trends shaping the industry. Alaska cruising has grown dramatically, bringing more ships, longer seasons, new ports, and concerns about overcrowding in small communities. Meanwhile, Caribbean cruise lines are racing to create bigger and more elaborate private islands and beach clubs. Meg also shares what she will be watching during her upcoming Virgin Voyages Alaska cruise, why choosing the right ship matters just as much as choosing the itinerary, and how added costs such as gratuities can change the real price of a vacation. Plus, Carnival Pride is back in Baltimore, giving East Coast travelers another way to cruise without flying to Florida.

EP 49 - Disney World Christmas 2026: What's New, What's Worth It, and What to Skip

It's the end of June, which means it's officially halfway to the holidays. Disney just dropped everything about Christmas 2026, so Meg and Rob are breaking down the whole season. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the Epcot Festival of the Holidays, Jollywood Nights, resort gingerbread, the Disney Springs tree stroll, and yes, the choo choo. They cover ticket on-sale dates, which party is better for grown-ups, and a quiet rule change that just made resort hopping a lot harder. If a Disney Christmas is on your list, this is the planning episode to start with. Party day, dining, resort choices, and ticket strategy all matter more than you think during the holidays. Need a hand putting it together? That's what Grey Mice Travel is here for.

EP 48 - Boardwalk's New Bar, a Brand New DVC Resort, and the Discounts You've Been Waiting For

Big things are happening down in Disney World, and Meg is breaking it all down solo this week. First up, the Boardwalk is finally getting some love. Jelly Rolls has moved out, and a new waterfront lounge called Hurley Burley is moving in. Family friendly trivia and games by day, then 21 and over live music and coastal cocktails by night. Meg has thoughts on whether this is the grown up evening spot the Boardwalk has been missing. Plus Basin is bringing in handcrafted bath goodies (yes, you can press your name into a bar of soap), and a new quick service is on the way. Then there's Lakeshore Lodge, the brand new DVC resort opening summer 2027 on Bay Lake. Think zero entry pools, a lazy river, waterfront lake houses, and an adults only pool where you can watch Magic Kingdom fireworks from the hot tub. Meg covers the good, the gorgeous, and the one transportation catch you'll want to know about before you fall in love. And the part you've actually been waiting for. The end of year discounts are finally here. Up to 25% off rooms with the Disney Plus Perks deal (yes, even Thanksgiving week), plus a separate room only discount up to 20% that runs right up to Christmas. Meg walks you through who qualifies, the dates that matter, and how to play the calendar so you save the most. Quick, packed, and exactly what you need to know. Hit play.

EP 47 - Disney Adults, Universal Might Be Your New Favorite Thing (Don't Tell Mickey)

If you've always dismissed Universal Orlando as the theme park you do on a leftover Tuesday before flying home, this episode is going to make you rethink everything. Meg and Rob have been Disney people their whole lives. Honeymoon at Disney. Kids' trips at Disney. The works. But Universal has quietly grown from a one-park add-on into a full week's worth of experiences, and they're not keeping quiet about it anymore. In this episode they dig into what Universal does brilliantly, from the jaw-dropping immersive theming at Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley to the buzz around Epic Universe, the brand new park that just hit its one-year anniversary. They talk hotels, Express Pass, how to actually structure your days without running yourself into the ground, Horror Nights, Mardi Gras, and yes, the fact that you can walk around with an adult beverage. They also get into who Universal is really for, and who it probably isn't. The big takeaway? Stop squeezing Universal into a leftover day at the end of your Disney trip. It deserves better than that. So do you.

EP 46 - Disney Dining Reservations Worth the 6 AM Alarm, And the Ones That Aren’t

Disney dining reservations can feel weirdly intense. Suddenly you’re setting alarms, refreshing the app, and wondering if missing one restaurant means your whole trip is ruined. In this solo episode of The Adventures of Two Grey Mice, Meg breaks down which Walt Disney World dining reservations are actually worth the stress, which ones may not be worth the hype, and how to choose restaurants based on the kind of day you actually want to have. She talks about favorites like Topolino’s Terrace, Story Book Dining at Artist Point, Boma, Tiffins, Hollywood Brown Derby, Jiko, and Yak & Yeti, while also getting honest about highly hyped spots like Cinderella’s Royal Table, Space 220, Chef Mickey’s, Be Our Guest, California Grill, and ‘Ohana breakfast. The big takeaway? The best Disney dining reservation is not always the hardest one to get. It’s the one that makes your day better instead of taking over your whole trip.