Hello my Wander Friends! ☀️
Let’s just start with this: Tokyo Disneyland is cheaper than the U.S. parks… and way more crowded. Like “did I accidentally come on the busiest day of the year?” crowded. 😄 Reservations sold out on my day, and apparently this is a common occurence.
But here’s the thing—it’s still magical, joyful, and absolutely worth every step (and you will get your steps in… trust me).
If you go in a little more prepared than I did, you’re going to have an even better day.
I stayed at Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay
Beautiful property, lovely breakfast, and close to Tokyo Disney. They have a free shuttle that starts at 7am to get you to the park early. Read on, and you'll see why that is so very helpful!
Kyoto is where old Japan meets cool Japan—and somehow they blend together effortlessly. One moment you’re standing in front of a centuries-old shrine, and the next you’re wandering into a hip café serving impossibly fluffy pancakes or spotting a geiko gliding through lantern-lit streets. Kyoto isn’t just historic; it’s vibrant, stylish, and full of surprises around every corner. Ancient temples sit comfortably beside ramen counters, vintage shops, and tiny cocktail bars tucked behind wooden doors. The city has a way of feeling both timeless and totally modern at the same time. It’s the kind of place where the best plan is simply to wander, turn down interesting alleys, and follow the delicious smells drifting through the air. And somehow, between all the exploring, temple hopping, and snack stops, we still managed to get our 10K steps in every single day. ✨🚶♀️Check out the videos I have linked throughout to get a feel of the places.
Sometimes the best adventures start long before the sun even rises. The alarm goes off while the world is still asleep, bags are packed, and there’s that electric mix of excitement and anticipation in the air. The streets are quiet, the sky is still dark, and it feels like you’re getting a head start on something special. Usually, I wouldn't be very excited about waking before 4 am to catch an Uber, but hey, we're going to Japan!
Shoes laced, bags in hand - we are off to adventure! Let's go!
Japan is a dream trip for so many — and for good reason.
Ancient temples. Neon skylines. Bullet trains. Onsens. Incredible food. A culture that feels both beautifully traditional and wildly modern at the same time. It’s bucket-list magic.
But let’s be honest — planning Japan can feel overwhelming.
Multiple airports. A complex train system. IC cards. Cash vs. credit. Where to stay. How many cities to visit. How to avoid exhaustion. It’s easy to fall down a research rabbit hole and suddenly feel more stressed than excited.
That’s where WanderLyn comes in.
Because the truth is, Japan becomes absolutely incredible when you plan it well. Choosing the right airports, mapping your itinerary intentionally, booking hotels in strategic locations, and understanding transportation ahead of time makes all the difference.
We’re not just visiting Japan.
We’re experiencing it.
We’re getting our 10K steps in.
We’re doing it smart.
In this series, I’m sharing exactly how I planned my 10-day adventure through Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto — so you can skip the overwhelm and go straight to fabulous.
Let’s get you ready to board. ✈️💕
New Year’s Day at Universal? Yes, please.
After stacking up those park miles all week, we kicked off January 1 with a slightly later start — 10 AM gate entry — ready for a day that leaned less on coaster chaos and more on immersive shows, more magic, and experiences people often walk right past.
Because sometimes the real magic isn’t the longest line in the park — it’s the thing hiding in plain sight. Like Voodoo Donuts - we walked by so many days, and today was the day. AMAZING - they have such a wonderful variety and good coffee to boot. We started the day on a fabulous sugar high.
Hey, Wanderers!
Today, I’m diving into one of the most electric days I’ve spent at Walt Disney World — New Year’s Eve at Hollywood Studios. If you think NYE at Disney is just fireworks and crowds, think again. It’s a full-on experience packed with heart-pumping rides, jaw-dropping shows, mouthwatering food, and the kind of energy that gets you dancing in the streets (or at least on Hollywood Blvd).
Ready to relive the day with me? Lace up and let's jump in!
Hello there, my wander friends 👋✨
You know those travel days where everything just clicks? The weather behaves, the rides cooperate, the snacks hit, and somehow you end the night with sore feet and a very happy heart? This was THAT day.
EPCOT gave us the full dream package — big thrills in the morning, slow scenic strolls in the afternoon, twinkling lights by evening, and a passport full of flavors from around the world. The mission was simple (and delicious): walk a lot, ride smart, and taste everything. And let me tell you… we understood the assignment. ✔️
Hello there, my wander friends! And ohhh, this trip already felt different in the best way.
If you read about our last Tahoe adventure, you know we showed up to a green mountain. Beautiful? Yes. Ski-ready? Not exactly. So this time, as we made the drive up into the mountains, we were practically glued to the windows like excited children.
And then… it happened. 🌨️
Patches of snow started appearing along the roadside. Then full blankets of white across the trees. The higher we climbed, the more the world turned into a winter postcard. Every turn in the road felt more magical than the last — snow-dusted pines, rooftops frosted in white, and that soft alpine glow that only happens when winter really shows up.
By the time we rolled into South Lake Tahoe, it was official: winter had arrived, and so had our ski smiles. There is just something about seeing sparkling snow that instantly lifts your mood. Suddenly, the cold feels cozy, the mountains feel alive, and you just know you’re in for a very good time.
So grab your ski boots and your beanies; we are on an adventure!
Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
(No Express Pass, Still Magical)
Hello there, my wander friends 👋
Today’s adventure proved something very important: you don’t need an Express Pass to have a magical day at Universal—you just need a good plan, comfy shoes, and a wand at the ready 🪄
This day was all about enjoying the magic by leaning into immersive worlds (hello, Harry Potter), catching shows, and riding a few rides with smart timing and single-rider lines. Let’s wander…
Stretch those legs, tighten those laces, and do not forget your wand—because today we’re stepping straight into the future of theme parks. This adventure takes us to Universal EPIC Universe, where immersive storytelling, next-level tech, and a whole lot of walking collided in the very best way.
Theme of the day: fully immersive worlds, jaw-dropping attractions, and eating very well (because balance 😉).
Wander tip: Rope drop is your secret weapon. We arrived around 8:30-ish AM, and while it takes a bit to journey from the parking lot to the queue, the park was already welcoming guests by 8:45 AM. A little patience early on pays off in magical ways.
EPIC Universe is built around five massive lands, each accessed through its own portal—and once you step through, the outside world completely disappears. You first arrive in Celestial Park, which is absolutely stunning (don’t worry, we’ll come back to it). But this morning? We had a mission. Wands ready. Step tracker on. Magic to be made.
Let’s go ✨
Hello there, my wander friends 👋
Day two in Orlando was all about strategy, speed, and spells. With Park-to-Park tickets and Express Passes in hand, our mission was clear: ride the best attractions, live our best Harry Potter lives, eat well, and avoid getting soaked. Spoiler alert—we crushed our step count and our itinerary. To let you know, most rides had 2-3 hour lines, and we spent less than half that time [more like a quarter] on any ride. The Express passes are pricey, but so worth it if you really want to ride the rides. And you'll notice, even with the pass, we left a lot of rides behind as there are just so many. Not to worry, we knew we had 3 more days in the parks to get to most of it.
Hello there, my wander friends 👋
If you’ve ever tackled Orlando during the holidays, you already know—it’s not for the faint of heart. But with a little planning, a lot of patience, and very comfortable shoes, it can be absolute magic. This trip clocked in at New Year’s week (Dec 26–Jan 2), and today I’m sharing Part 1: pre‑travel planning, travel day, and arrival day. Spoiler alert: we earned those steps before even stepping into a park.
Hello my Wander Friends! ☀️ This week we traded schedules, responsibilities, and “what’s for dinner?” for ocean breezes and endless horizons...
