I am going to say something that might sound dramatic for a water park review: I don't know how people do Volcano Bay without a cabana. I genuinely don't. And I went into this day fully prepared to think that was an exaggeration other people made for content. It is not. It is just true. Here's what happened.

I have done Disney World more times than I can count. I have done the early mornings, the rope drops, the Lightning Lane strategy spreadsheets, all of it. So when I tell you that a Disney VIP Tour was one of the best Disney days my family has ever had, I want you to understand that is coming from someone with a fairly high bar for what makes a great park day. This one cleared it. Easily.

Welcome to the very first review on the blog! I figured if I'm going to kick things off, I should do it with something worth talking about — and oh, do I have thoughts. My family of five just spent a few days at the brand-new Universal Helios Grand Hotel at Epic Universe, and I'm giving you the full, unfiltered download: the good, the great, and the "stunning property, but here's what they're not telling you."