Phoenix Weather Has Been So Perfect… It Almost Makes Us Forget July/August 😅 (+ New Disney Destiny Day 2 Vlog!)
If you live in Phoenix, you know the deal: we earn our winters. And lately? The weather has been so ridiculously beautiful that it almost tricks us into thinking July and August aren’t coming. Almost.
It’s that season where you want to keep the windows open, find any excuse to be outside, and squeeze in every “this is why we live here” moment before the real heat shows up. We’ve been soaking up all of it—sunshine, patio time, and those evening walks that don’t feel like survival training. It’s wild how a perfect stretch of weather can instantly boost everyone’s mood.
But there’s also a funny thing that happens when Phoenix weather is this good: it makes us feel like we can do everything… and it makes us start daydreaming about travel again. Which is exactly why this week’s post feels like the perfect match for the vibe—we’re sharing our newest weekly vlog from our Disney Destiny inaugural cruise, and Day 2 was one of those days that felt like an entire vacation packed into one episode.
New Weekly Vlog: Disney Destiny — Day 2 (Castaway Cay + Pro Photos + Maleficent + Fireworks!)
This week’s vlog is Day 2 on the Disney Destiny during our inaugural sailing—and it’s a mix of relaxing beach time, helpful planning info, and those big Disney “wow” moments.
🎥 More Disney Destiny videos (tours, tips, reviews + vlogs)
If you’re new here, our goal with these vlogs is to keep them entertaining, but also actually helpful—the kind of details you’d want to know before spending the money and planning your own cruise. And this vlog has a lot of those “good-to-know” moments.
Castaway Cay: Beach Day + The Professional Photo Session (All the Details)
We started the day at Castaway Cay, and it was exactly what you want from a Disney private island day—easy, beautiful, and so family-friendly. It’s the kind of place where you can make the day as chill or as busy as you want. Some people go full adventure mode… and some people (hi, it’s us) are perfectly happy finding a good spot and soaking up the scenery.
One of the biggest highlights—and something we know people genuinely search for—was the Castaway Cay professional photo session. In the vlog we walk through the details people actually want to know, including:
Cost
Timing and how long it takes
Where you meet up
What you get
And whether it feels worth it once you see the final photos
We know that “Disney pro photos” can sound intimidating, like it’s going to be stressful or overly formal, but this experience was the opposite. It was simple, it was quick, and it felt very “Disney”—easy to follow, super friendly, and honestly fun.
And a huge shoutout to our photographer, Polly—she made the whole thing feel effortless. She gave great direction without making it awkward, kept things moving so it didn’t drag on, and somehow managed to capture our family in a way that looks both natural and polished. We’re genuinely obsessed with how the photos turned out.
Also… the kids decided they needed their own mini photoshoot too, and it ended up being one of the cutest moments of the day. The confidence. The posing. The commitment. It was hilarious and adorable all at once.
Beach Time: The Kind of Day You Want on a Disney Cruise
After the photos, we made time for what Castaway Cay does best: beach time. We love having at least one day on a cruise where the goal is basically just to slow down. No rushing, no schedule stress—just enjoying where we are.
This is one of the reasons we love cruises for family travel: everyone can have their own version of a “perfect day.” The kids can run around and play, and the adults can actually sit down for a minute and relax without feeling guilty. It’s one of the few vacations where we come home feeling like we truly got a break.
We Headed Back Early… For a Less-Crowded Ship Tour
After Castaway Cay, we headed back to the ship earlier than most people, and it was intentional. Cody wanted to film a full ship tour while the Destiny was quieter—because if you’ve ever tried to film on a ship when everyone is back onboard, you know it can get chaotic fast.
And it was SO worth it. You’ll see way more of the ship without wall-to-wall crowds, which makes it easier to actually understand the layout and appreciate the details. If you’re someone who likes to “research” before cruising (we get it), this part of the vlog is going to be super helpful.
Maleficent Meet & Greet (Iconic)
We also met Maleficent, and she was everything you’d hope she’d be—dramatic, iconic, and slightly intimidating in the best way. Disney villains just hit different, and this meet & greet was one of those moments that feels like a highlight even if you’ve done a million character meets before.
If you love villains, don’t skip this part.
Pirate Night Fireworks + a Late-Night Surprise
We wrapped the night with Pirate Night fireworks, which always feels like a core memory moment. There’s something about being on a ship at night, music going, everyone in pirate mode, and then fireworks over the ocean—it’s such a classic Disney Cruise Line feeling.
And then… later that night during the 11PM Grand Hall lights & music show, there was a surprise balcony appearance that had everyone looking up at once. We’re keeping it spoiler-light here because it’s more fun to experience it in the vlog, but it was one of those “wait… did that just happen?” moments that makes Disney feel extra magical.
Bonus: Aquamouse Ride Video
We mention our Aquamouse ride video in the vlog—if you want to watch it, here it is:
Back to School + More Videos Coming
This week we’re shifting back into real life because the kids are going back to school. After living in cruise mode, it’s going to feel weird trading swimsuits for backpacks—but we’re also ready for the routine again. And honestly… Phoenix weather being this perfect makes the back-to-school transition a little easier.
The best part is that school weeks usually mean we can get more consistent with editing and uploads. We’ve got more Disney Destiny content coming soon, including the rest of our vlogs from this trip and our full, honest Disney Destiny review—what we loved, what surprised us, what we’d do differently, and who we think this ship is really best for.
If you’ve been following along, thank you. And if you’re new here—welcome. We’re so glad you’re here, and we’ve got a lot more Disney Destiny content on the way.
💜Noelle
