Mel Dupell
Mel is a Disney-loving mom of two littles and a travel planner specializing in Walt Disney World vacations for young families. She knows firsthand how special and overwhelming these trips can be, and uses her real-life experience traveling with kids to simplify the planning process so every trip feels magical, manageable, and made for your family.
Specialties: Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Disneyland Resort, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Beaches Resorts and Sandals Resorts, and Disney Planning with Littles
Posts by Mel Dupell
Ranking the Best Disney World Resorts for Kids Ages 0–5
June 30, 2026
Choosing the best Disney World resorts for kids can feel overwhelming. There are so many things our little humans require! Every family has different priorities, but when I am staying at Walt Disney World with little kids, I care most about a few things: easy transportation, room setup, food options, pools, recreation, and how manageable … Ranking the Best Disney World Resorts for Kids Ages 0–5
7 Mistakes I’ve Made at Disney World With Littles
June 24, 2026
Doing Disney World with littles has given me some of my favorite family memories, but it has also humbled me more than once. Sometimes it teaches me something sweet, like how much joy a toddler can get from riding the monorail in a giant loop. And sometimes it teaches me something the hard way, like … 7 Mistakes I’ve Made at Disney World With Littles
Disney World With Toddlers: 6 Tips to Avoid Burnout
June 16, 2026
Going to Disney World with toddlers can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming. You picture the magical moments first. The castle photos. The character hugs. The matching outfits. The core memories you’ve been dreaming about for your family. Then reality sets in. You’re also trying to navigate naps, overstimulation, picky eating, unpredictable moods, and the … Disney World With Toddlers: 6 Tips to Avoid Burnout
Disney’s Riviera Resort With Kids: Why It’s Better for Littles Than You Might Think
June 9, 2026
On paper, Disney’s Riviera Resort might not seem like the most obvious pick for a Disney trip with little kids. It feels elegant, calm, and a little more grown-up than some of Disney’s louder, brighter resorts. And if your kids are drawn to giant character statues, colorful buildings, and in-your-face theming, Riviera may not be … Disney’s Riviera Resort With Kids: Why It’s Better for Littles Than You Might Think
5 Disney World Date Night Ideas for Parents Who Need a Break
June 2, 2026
If you’re heading to Orlando with little kids, a Disney World date night might not be on your radar. Naturally, most of that vacation is going to be planned around what they want to do: character meals, pool breaks, stroller logistics, ride heights, snack stops, and whether anyone is going to make it to fireworks … 5 Disney World Date Night Ideas for Parents Who Need a Break
Are Disney World Stroller Rentals Worth It? I Forgot My Stroller and Found Out
May 26, 2026
As a Disney travel planner who gives stroller advice to families all the time, forgetting my own stroller on a recent trip to Walt Disney World was…humbling. We arrived at the Contemporary, started unloading everything, and suddenly realized our stroller was very much not with us. Not ideal. After a brief moment of panic (and … Are Disney World Stroller Rentals Worth It? I Forgot My Stroller and Found Out
Ranking the Best Disney World Character Breakfasts for Toddlers
May 19, 2026
If you’re trying to choose the best Disney character breakfasts for toddlers, the options can feel surprisingly overwhelming. These meals are expensive, reservations can be competitive, and when you’re spending that kind of money, you want to know it’s actually going to be worth it for your family. As a mom of two littles, I’ve … Ranking the Best Disney World Character Breakfasts for Toddlers
7 Smart Ways to Budget at Walt Disney World Without Sacrificing the Magic
May 13, 2026
Taking a family vacation to Walt Disney World is expensive. I won’t pretend that it’s not. But doing Disney on a budget doesn’t have to mean cutting out all the fun. In my experience planning trips for families (and traveling with my own two littles), setting a smart budget upfront and finding creative ways to … 7 Smart Ways to Budget at Walt Disney World Without Sacrificing the Magic
