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Posts Tagged ‘babies’
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
JetSetBabies is providing one lucky family with a $100 gift certificate for children’s travel supplies. With JetSetBabies you can order necessities and gear for babies, toddlers, and children to be shipped to vacation destinations. Choose from diapers, baby food, bath toys, toiletries, and more. JetSetBabies packages everything up and sends it to your hotel, vacation rental, or grandma’s house so it’s ready and waiting for you upon arrival. This can save your sanity (no worries over forgetting something), money (no expensive airline baggage fees), and time (no wasting precious vacation time at the grocery or drug store).
There were 72 entries in this JetSetBabies giveaway. To enter, I asked readers to share why you would like win $100 to spend at JetSetBabies. Heather (a contest entrant) summed it up pretty well when she said, “Who doesn’t need essentials when on a trip?! I absolutely love that with JetSetBabies, I wouldn’t have to lug around a whole bunch of extra stuff, but that it could all be conveniently waiting for us when we arrive at our destination…how cool is that!”
The winner of the $100 JetSetBabies gift card is a regular Travel Mamas reader and contest entrant. Congratulations, Phxbne (a.k.a. Michele)! Why did she want to win? “To make a trip to the beach easier.” With $100, she can stock up on all sorts of goodies like sand toys, sun block, snacks, and kiddie sun glasses. Surf’s up!
The winner was selected at random using Random.org. If the winner does not claim the prize within 48 hours of email notification, the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.
Even if you didn’t win, you can still take advantage of the awesome JetSetBabies service! Get a 15% discount off your JetSetBabies order just by using entering the coupon code travelmamas at check-out. Want to save even more? Use the coupon code fall2011 to get free shipping on orders over $75.
You might also like:
• Huntington Beach with Kids – The Ultimate Surfer Town
• 10 Best Beach Hotels for Kids
• Top 10 Disneyland Rides & Attractions for Babies & Toddlers
• Wilmington, North Carolina for Families
A Note from The Travel Mama: As a Travel Mamas advertiser, JetSetBabies received a discounted rate to run this giveaway. Want to advertise with Travel Mamas or run a giveaway with us? Click here to learn more.
Tags: babies, children, diapers, giveaway, jetsetbabies, toddlers, toys, travel, vacation
Posted in Family Vacations, Giveaways, Toys & Gear | No Comments »
Monday, November 7th, 2011
When traveling it can be an expensive hassle to tote all of the paraphernalia that children require. Wouldn’t it be nice if everything was ready and waiting for you at your destination instead? Read on to find out how to win a $100 JetSetBabies gift certificate to save your back and your bank account when traveling with babies, toddlers and children.
Make your travels easier!
With most airlines now charging for checked bags, traveling with children and all their accouterments has become even more costly. It can be stressful trying to cram your children’s diapers, medicines, toys, and snacks into your luggage — all while trying to keep your bag’s weight under the airline’s 50 pound limit. Depending on where you’re headed, you might be able to load up on some of these items after arrival, but who wants to take time out of your precious, hard-earned vacation to shop for these necessities?
With JetSetBabies you can pre-order wipes, baby formula, and bath toys to be delivered to your hotel or to grandma’s house. The company even calls ahead to make sure your package arrives safely and on time.
Shipping items ahead is not only handy when traveling with babies and toddlers, but also when on the go with children of all ages. Order some big kid snack items or sand toys or get some cleaning supplies for your trip like laundry detergent, dish soap, and paper towels.
Worried about sticking to the liquid limits on an airplane? Order your sunblock, shampoo, shaving cream, and toothpaste from JetSetBabies instead.
I especially like their Travel Packs– pre-made travel packages for the woods, beach, slopes, or pool.
Save!
Get a 15% discount off your JetSetBabies order just by using entering the coupon code travelmamas at check-out.
Want to save even more? Use the coupon code fall2011 to get free shipping on orders over $75.
Win!
JetSetBabies will provide a $100 gift certificate to make travel easier for one lucky Travel Mama or Travel Daddy.
- Just make a comment below about why you’d like to win the JetSetBabies giveaway. (Generic comments like “I want to win” will be disqualified.)
- Bonus entry! Tweet the following on Twitter:
I wanna make my travels with children easier with $100 from @JetSetBabies & @TravelMamas http://tinyurl.com/78dkcbp
- Bonus entry! “Like” JetSetBabies and Facebook and make a comment on their page about which items you would order if you won the Travel Mamas giveaway.
You can enter using each method of entry one time, for a total of three entries. Be sure to leave a separate comment below for each entry to count!
This contest ends on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. Per the sponsor’s request the contest entry deadline has been extended to Monday, November 21, 2011 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. A winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. The winner will be notified via email. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook or Twitter.
You might also like:
• Residence Inn Giveaway – A Traveling Family’s Residence for All Seasons
• Tips for Staying in Hotels with Kids
• Top 6 Reasons to Take a Thanksgiving Vacation
• Travel Sleep Tips for Babies, Toddlers & Children
A Note from The Travel Mama: As a Travel Mamas advertiser, JetSetBabies received a discounted rate to run this giveaway. Want to advertise with Travel Mamas or run a giveaway with us? Click here to learn more.
Tags: babies, children, diapers, discount, giveaway, jetsetbabies, toddlers, travel
Posted in Family Vacations, Giveaways, Toys & Gear | 72 Comments »
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
When staying in a hotel with kids, there are some simple things you can do to make your family vacation as fun and stress-free as possible. That starts, of course, with finding the right hotel for your family. Once you check in, set up your room for vacation success.
Above is an en-suite kitchen at the Residence Inn by Marriott Beverly Hills, one of over 135,000 hotels listed on Hotels.com (Photo from Hotels.com)
What to look for in a family-friendly hotel:
Try to book a suite whenever possible to have more space to spread out and to allow for better sleep for all members of the family. A well-rested family is a happy family.
Look for a hotel with included breakfast. This saves precious vacation money and time, and it’s a tasty way to start your day.
An en-suite kitchen or at least an in-room refrigerator is another hotel bonus. If breakfast isn’t included, you can stock up on yogurts and juice for a morning meal. It’s also handy for keeping snacks and sodas cool for an afternoon treat. A fridge can be a lifesaver for parents traveling with a baby for keeping formula or breast milk chilled.
A fabulous pool makes a hotel stay all that more special, especially for children. Fountains and waterslides for the kids and swim-up bar for mom and dad? Yes, please!
With profiles of over 135,000 hotels in more than 60 countries, Hotels.com makes finding a hotel easy. Choose your location and travel dates, then play around with a bunch of options to find the best hotel for your family. You can specify amenities (like free breakfast, a pool, or a gym) as well as type of hotel (family-friendly: check!). Then narrow down your search by price, star ratings, and guest ratings. You can even view photos and read past guests’ reviews before making your decision.
Discover family-friendly hotels and resorts from around the world, like the Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Orlando, Florida (Photo from Hotels.com)
Tips for setting up your hotel room for vacation success:
After my family arrives at a hotel, my husband and I unpack and set up the room right away. Before I had kids I was a drop-my-bags-and-go kind of a gal. Nowadays, I know that an organized room makes for a more enjoyable vacation.
Set up the room into four areas: dressing, playing, dining, and diapering (if you still have a non-potty-trained tyke).
Rather than digging through suitcases every day, set up a dressing area. Put all clothing into drawers or hang items in the closet for easy retrieval and to keep outfits looking fresh. Keep dirty clothes off the floor by tucking them into a plastic bag for washing later.
For a playing space, put all toys and children’s books in one area. Your kids will know where to find them, and more importantly, where to return them when playtime is over. Toys strewn all about can cause accidental falls and create a chaotic environment to return to after a long day of site-seeing.
If you don’t have a kitchen, create a dining space, preferably on a table near a sink. Stack up all bottles, sippy cups, and snacks here.
For families in the diapering phase, choose a spot to take care of this task. Lay down a hotel towel and place a changing pad over that. Place a stack of diapers and a box of wipes within arm’s reach.
Now it’s your turn! What are your tips for staying in hotels with kids?
Go to the Hotels.com Facebook page and share your tips there!
You might also like:
• Keeping Up with Laundry While Traveling With Kids
• Nickelodeon Suites Resort: A Hotel & Water Park for a Splashing Good Time
• 10 Best Kid-Friendly Hotel Pools in the USA
• Tips for Family Ski Trips from a Former Scaredy Cat Skier
A Note from The Travel Mama: I received compensation to write this post. The content and tips are my own. I would never recommend something I don’t actually like. In fact, I’ve been recommending Hotels.com on Travel Mamas for years without any payment.
Tags: babies, children, family, hotel, hotels.com, kids, pool
Posted in Family Vacations, Hotel Reviews, Travel Tips | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011
Go Baby Go! makes vacationing with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers easier for parents. To streamline your travels, this San Diego company offers such handy rentable items as full-size cribs (or travel cribs), high chairs, bouncy seats, humidifiers, and even beach necessities. Baby equipment rentals save on baggage fees and the stress and backaches caused by lugging gobs of gear through the airport. Plus, some children just sleep better in a full-size crib or refuse to nap without a baby swing.
Take a peek at all that Go Baby Go! has to offer. To receive a 15% discount off your travel gear rental order, just enter “Travel Mamas” at check-out.
Congratulations to Susan @ Real Life Travels! You are the winner of a $75 baby equipment rental from Go Baby Go!
The winner of the Go Baby Go! Giveaway was chosen at random using Random.org. If the winner does not claim the prize within 48 hours of notification another winner will be selected.
You might also like:
• Disney’s New Ship Is a Dream for Babies, Toddlers, and Children
• How to do a Home Exchange – Part 1
• Keeping Up with Laundry While Traveling With Kids
• 10 Reasons to Rent Baby Travel Gear
A Note from The Travel Mama: As a Travel Mamas advertiser, Go Baby Go! received a discounted rate to run this giveaway.
Tags: babies, baby equipment rental, giveaway, Go Baby Go, preschoolers, toddlers, travel, travel gear
Posted in Family Vacations, Giveaways, Toys & Gear | No Comments »
Saturday, October 15th, 2011
Halloween was magical when I was a kid. I got to dress up like a pretty pink ballerina. I was allowed to take candy from strangers. After a parental perusal for razor blades, I would sort my sugary bounty into categories: chocolate, suckers, gum and other. With a mouthful of nougat, the trading began. My big brother, master of persuasion, would convince me to hand over two mini Snickers for a measly Bazooka Joe. I went to bed with a distended belly, sticky hands, and a smile.
Then came the confusing teen years when I continued trick-or-treating “to be ironic” and accepted a beer from the young dudes at one house. In college there was the inevitable scramble to find a last-minute party and corresponding last-minute homemade Marsha-from-Brady-Bunch-get-up. By my twenties, Halloween had become a source of stress and a competition to find the adequately sexy (yet not slutty) costume.
With the birth of my first child, the wonder and innocence of a childhood Halloween returned. My family makes the most of this holiday with trips to Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland, Brick-or-Treat Nights at LEGOLAND California, and our local pumpkin patch and Halloween carnival. This World Tour of the Web is a collection of all things fun and festive for Halloween this year.
Top 9 Ridiculously Funny Halloween Costumes for Baby - Deals 4 Dummies
Still debating how to dress up your baby for Halloween? How about as a pine tree air freshener or baby Elvis? These will make you chuckle…or cringe…or both.
Photo Essay: Incredible Pictures of Pumpkin Patches – Sharing Travel Experiences
Take a peek at the world’s largest pumpkin patch, around-the-world patches, and even a glass pumpkin patch in this gorgeous post celebrating all photos pumpkin.
Dinner in a Pumpkin – Macaroni Kid
Kids will be happy to eat this healthy stew served in its jack-o-lantern cooking container. Boo apetit!
Halloween Jokes for Kids – Coupons are Great
What does a bird say on Halloween? Trick-or-tweet. Sweet jokes like these are simple enough for little ones to remember and re-tell (over and over and over!).
10 Easy-to-Make Halloween Cupcakes - Atlanta with Kid
From mummy cupcakes made from marshmallows to spider cupcakes made with pretzel sticks for legs, a chocolate truffle body and cinnamon candy red eyes, these treats look like a fun way to get in the Halloween spirit. These would make a monstrous treat at a Halloween party.
You might also like:
• Halloween Fun at LEGOLAND California
• Halloween Hotel Packages for Families
• Halloween with a Disney Twist
• World Tour of the Web – Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.
Tags: babies, children, costumes, cupcakes, Halloween, jokes, kids, pumpkin, recipe
Posted in Mixed Baggage, World Tour of the Web | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 9th, 2011
When my husband and I had our first baby earlier this year, we were determined to continue our active lifestyle. We plan to raise children who are well-traveled and knowledgeable about the world. Plus, we want our own lives to stay just as fun and interesting as always! It does take a little more effort, but traveling with babies is totally doable. Our 4-month-old has already been on multiple road trips, seen busy tourist destinations, and stayed overnight in hotels and friends’ homes. My advice for traveling with little ones is to plan ahead and invest in a few key products to make the trip hassle-free. Here are my favorite picks for the best travel gear for babies.
On-the-Go organizer
Often called “car organizers,” these handy contraptions can help corral your baby’s stuff whether you’re in a plane, train, boat or automobile. The Tuffo Family Car Organizer keeps toys and diapers handy and even has insulated pockets to store bottles. Best of all, its lid is sturdy enough to serve as a makeshift table when you need somewhere to jot down notes or grab a bite to eat while baby’s napping.
Seatbelt strap holder
Why is it that all car seats seem to inhale the seatbelt straps? Every time I put the baby in there it’s like I’m playing tug-of-war just to get my son buckled up. The Buckle-Pals Seatbelt Holder is a bendable cord that wraps around the car seat and pulls those belts to the side so they don’t fall behind the baby. This saves quite a bit of aggravation when taking off on a trip.
SippiGrip
With their lack of hand-eye coordination, babies have a hard time keeping a hold on their toys. When they are able to firmly grasp things, they think it’s hilarious to repeatedly chuck stuff (bottles, rattles, spoons, you name it) across the room and watch their parents retrieve it. This is particularly bothersome while traveling because these objects end up on the floor of public transportation vehicles instead of your spotless kitchen. Yuck. Put an end to the constant game of fetch with the SippiGrip, a handy strap that connects toys and other objects to a stroller or car seat.
Car seat head support
Parents want to stretch their budget as far as possible and get products that grow with their child, so car seats are being made to fit babies from from infancy all the way to toddlerhood. The fact is, however, babies don’t come in one size! Extra accessories are needed to really give them a comfortable ride. We used the Kiddopotamus Snuzzler Support when our son was really little and now use the Kiddopotamus Cradler Head Support to keep his head from bopping around on the go. This keeps him from slumping when he falls asleep, and I feel better knowing that he’s safe and securely tucked in for any bumps along the way.
Sleeping cover
I’m thrilled that my baby is alert and enjoys interacting with the world around him. There are times, however, when he’s cranky and I want him to just go to sleep already. The SnoozeShade is a breathable shade I can put over his car seat to block the sunlight out so he can catch a nap when we’re on the go. Another bonus? It keeps strangers’ hands away when going through the airport or grocery store. They even make a bigger SnoozeShade to fit over strollers, so tired babies can get some rest anytime, anywhere.
As someone who keeps a careful eye on my budget, I’m always hesitant to buy new products that will only be used for a short period of my son’s life. The best part about most of these accessories is that they grow with the child and will come in handy for a long time. Spending a small amount on convenient products will make travels easier and save tons of time, leaving you free to focus on making memories with the family.
Chelsea Day blogs at Someday I’ll Learnwhere she and her husband tackle domestic life…one day at a time! They blog about cooking, parenting, organizing, money management and more. The pair lives in San Diego and enjoys traveling to snowy destinations for a change from the norm. They’re currently planning a cross-country road trip with their baby.
What is your favorite travel gear for traveling with babies or children? Please tell us in the comments below!
You might also like:
• Road Trip Snacks, Toys & Games for Children
• Savvy Sassy Mom Travel Picks for Kids
• 10 Reasons to Rent Baby Travel Gear
• Travel Sleep Tips for Babies, Toddlers & Children
Tags: babies, baby, toddlers, travel gear
Posted in Family Vacations, Toys & Gear, Travel Tips | 2 Comments »
Friday, July 29th, 2011
Travel BaBees provides baby and toddler travel equipment rentals to lighten parents’ loads when traveling. You can choose from an array of items to make your life easier when traveling with a little one, from strollers and nursing pillows to car seats and full-size cribs. Check out the Travel BaBees website now!
Two lucky readers are the winners of the Travel BaBees Giveaway on TravelMamas.com. They will each receive a $30 voucher to spend on a travel gear rental on their next family vacation.
The winners were drawn using Random.org. The first winner is fritter, who said, “I would take the Full Size Crib with linens (two of them) when we would go see my sister in the DC area!” The second winner is Kimberly Rotter, who also wants to use her Travel BaBees voucher when visiting family. Congratulations, Travel Mamas! If the prizes are not claimed within 48 hours of email notification, new winners will be drawn.
You might also like:
• Road Trip Snacks, Toys & Games for Children
• 10 Reasons to Rent Baby Travel Gear
• Tips for Visiting Family & Friends
• Top 10 Disneyland Rides & Attractions for Babies & Toddlers
A Note from The Travel Mama: Travel BaBees is a paid advertiser on this site but I did not receive any money to host this giveaway. Travel BaBees will provide the prizes to the winners.
Tags: babies, toddlers, Travel Babees, travel equipment, travel gear
Posted in Giveaways, Toys & Gear | No Comments »
Monday, July 25th, 2011
There are three wonderful things about road trips with children: 1) You can pack oodles of snacks, toys, and games for the trip; 2) You can go at your own pace and take breaks for playing, potty time, and site-seeing; and 3) If the kids have a meltdown and start driving you nuts, at least they’re only driving YOU nuts instead of a whole planeful of passengers!
Pack Travel Snacks
My favorite way to keep kids’ hands (and mouths) busy on road trips is with snacks, snacks, and more snacks. Start with healthy goodies like whole grain crackers and cereals, trail mix, and sliced fresh fruits. I also like soy crisps and protein bars because many travel snacks are carbohydrate-laden and I want to squeeze some protein in there. Keep everything in separate containers and dole them out sloooowly to get the most bang for your snacking bucks.
Travel Mama Maria Pilar Clark of One Mom Media says, “We love handheld cooler-friendly snacks (like) hard-boiled eggs, Babybel cheeses, yogurt, (and) baby carrots.” She also recommends sneaking a pack of wipes in the cooler to keep kids’ and parents’ hands and faces fresh in hot weather. Great tip!
For babies and toddlers, Travel Mama Farrah Ritter suggests the squeezable fruit and vegetable blends offered by Peter Rabbit Organics and Plum Organics. She says, “My toddler loves them as do my nine-month-old twins. No mess!”
After snacktime, move on to other diversions for awhile before pulling out mealtime items like sandwiches on whole wheat bread, cheese sticks, and maybe a pasta salad with lots of fresh veggies. To save money and time, you might want to consider eating meals on the road or stopping for a picnic lunch outdoors where kids can run around and get their wiggles out. Plus, kids who have been stuck in a car for hours may not be so good at remaining still and using their “inside voices” during a meal in a restaurant.
Reserve some “forbidden snacks” to share as you get closer to your destination for bribery purposes. I like to dole out small, colorful candies like mini M&Ms one at a time for good behavior. Play the “Who can be quiet the longest” game with small treats for the winner of each round.
Take On-the-Go Toys
Of course, you can bring along electronic doo-dads to keep kids content during long road trips, but I suggest holding off on the iPods, Gameboys, and portable DVD players until the last leg of your journey. Start instead with old-fashioned fun like books (a few favorites plus a new title or two), travel puzzles, coloring and activity books, a travel arts and craft kit, and sticker scenes. You can purchase a lap travel tray to help facilitate these activities. It always helps if an adult can ride in the backseat for at least a portion of the trip to help entertain kiddos (and break-up sibling fights)!
I am constantly on the outlook for new toys to bring along on our next vacation but I also keep a separate hidden stash of toys and books to minimize my efforts and keep things feeling fresh for each trip. If you don’t have the time or interest to assemble your own travel packs, check out TravelKiddy’s selection of pre-made actvitiy kits.
Bring Road Trip Games
With all of the modern-day stresses and electronic diversions, road trips are a wonderful time to connect with children. Play old-school games like 20 Questions, Travel Bingo, or I Spy. Travel Mama Joann Wooley, owner of Sign 4 Baby sign language school, says of her family road trips, “We look for American flags and letters of the alphabet and play simple math games.”
Travel Mama Stacey Crumrine – creator of Positively Kids, a site for parents, caregivers, and teachers – suggests simple paper and pen games like Hangman and Tic-Tac-Toe. And on the way home from a recent trip to Florida, she kept her young daughters busy by having them color collected sea shells with crayons. Brilliant!
Many favorite family board games are available in travel versions. For young children, check out Candyland, Hi Ho Cherry-O, and Zingo. Older kids might like Connect 4, Loaded Questions On the Go, Travel Backgammon, Battleship, and Travel Chess.
Pack Safety & Sanity Too
No matter the meltdowns and detours you might encounter during your road trip, the most important thing is that your family arrives safely at your destination (with sanity intact). Allstate insurance has a new Good Hands Roadside Assistance program that can help you do just that. Put your mind at ease knowing that help will be on the way if you need it while on the road. You do not have to have Allstate insurance to use this service. You only pay when you use it; there are no monthly fees. Pre-registering for Good Hands Roadside Assistance provides faster service at time of need on the road. Those that pre-register will also receive a welcome kit in the mail containing a wallet card, key fob and window cling with the phone number for roadside help. Find out more about the Allstate Good Hands Roadside Assistance program.
What’s your favorite road trip snack, toy or game?
You might also like:
• Best Music for Family Road Trips
• Children’s Motion Sickness No More
• How to Stay Healthy & Fit While Traveling
• The Best Travel Toys and Activities for Kids, from Babies to Teens
A Note from The Travel Mama: I was compensated by Allstate to write this post. I was not required to sign up for the program but I did because I like to be safe on the road. It’s free, so why not?!
Tags: Allstate Roadside Assistance, babies, children, games, kids, road trip, snacks, toddlers, toys
Posted in Family Vacations, Toys & Gear, Travel Tips | 8 Comments »
Friday, February 4th, 2011
My biggest (and only) complaint about my family’s two-night cruise on Disney’s new ship, Dream? There simply was not enough time to experience all this ship has to offer! Disney’s Dream is 40% larger than its predecessors, Wonder and Magic, offering the same outstanding customer service and delightful details plus some incredible new frills. Unfortunately, we couldn’t squeeze it all in. We did, however, thoroughly explore Dream’s fabulous amenities for babies, toddlers, and children.
Dream docked at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private Caribbean island
Nemo’s Reef
One of the most spectacular features for babies and toddlers sailing on a Disney Cruise, is their splash areas for children who are not yet potty trained. On most cruises, parents must pack an inflatable baby pool if they want to allow tots to join in any water fun since non-potty-trained children are not allowed in cruise ship pools for sanitary reasons.
On Disney’s other ships, Magic and Wonder, the splash area is simply one small round play area with a steady stream of shooting water. Don’t get me wrong, my daughter adored this option on our 2007 Disney Mediterranean Cruise when she was a toddler, but Nemo’s Reef on Dream blows that out of the water! This splash area, adjacent to the family pools, is resplendent with characters from Finding Nemo which spray, sprinkle, and mist water for giggling children. There is also a small stingray-shaped waterslide, perfect for the preschooler set.
Just one section of Nemo’s Reef
Family Pools
My kindergartner, Karissa, had a grand ol’ time swimming about in Donald’s Pool for families and Mickey’s Pool for smaller sailors. She was quite heartbroken to discover Dream’s AquaDuck water coaster has a 48-inch height requirement. Instead, younger kids can take a spin on a winding yellow waterslide and have almost as much fun.
Dream’s family pools and waterslides
It’s a Small World Nursery
This darling nursery for infants and toddlers ages three months to three years is painted in the fanciful style of the Disney ride for which it is named. Toddlers enjoy crafts, toys, books, and games at tables just their size. The back of the nursery is a serene space for nap time filled with numerous cribs. They even have several strollers on-hand for babies and toddlers who need a little ride to induce sleep.
Plans are in the works to install a one-way window to allow parents to peek at little ones without disturbing their play. This was a handy tool on our first Disney Cruise on Magic when my husband and I would drop off a crying toddler and return five minutes later to find our daughter happily at play.
Trying to decide whether to place your newly potty-trained child in the nursery or the camps for older kids? While officially children should be at least three to participate in Oceaneer Club or Oceaneer Lab, younger children who are potty trained are welcomed on a case-by-case basis. Oceaneer children are expected to find and use the restrooms on their own, without reminders from counselors. While children are given freedom to explore these play areas on their own terms, it proved to be too much independence for our not-yet-three-year-old boy, Leo. After one accident, we placed our son in the more attentive care of the It’s a Small World Nursery.
There is an additional $6 per hour charge for children in the nursery. Space may be limited, especially during peak times like spring break and summer. Reservations can be made online before cruising.
My son having a ball in the It’s a Small World Nursery
Oceaneer Club & Oceaneer Lab
You might have a hard time convincing your children to depart the Oceaneer camps, which are designed for children ages three to ten. The Oceaneer areas are joined, allowing kids to wander between the two choosing which space and activities appeal to them most. Both feature a Magic PlayFloor, where kids’ movements control the action. For example, children can step into the futuristic world of Tron for a team-based game or pretend to fly over the streets of London like Peter Pan.
Kids having a stomping good time with the Magic PlayFloor in the Oceaneer Lab
Oceaneer Club is geared toward the younger children within this age group, with themed play areas like Andy’s Room from Toy Story, Pixie Hollow from Tinkerbell, the Explorer Pod a la Finding Nemo, and Monster’s Academy for fans of Monsters, Inc.
Play in the Oceaneer Lab is focused on exploration, where children can create their own computer-animated characters in the Animator’s Studio or record pop songs in the Song Studio (with the help of a counselor).
For those traveling with older kids, there is also a club for tweens, Edge, and one for teens, Vibe.
My daughter playing in Andy’s Room in the Oceaneer Club
Family-Friendly Dining
As on the other Disney ships, evening meals are eaten in three rotation restaurants on Dream. Dining in rotation means you keep your same tablemates and waitstaff, but eat in a different restaurant each evening.
Animator’s Palate differs on Dream from the restaurant of the same name on Disney’s older ships. Dream’s version features video screens with characters from Finding Nemo that come to life when the sea turtle, Crush talks to diners.
Enchanted Garden is a whimsical restaurant filled with colorful flowers and vine-shaped trellises at the center of which is sweet tiered fountain topped with a Cupid Mickey Mouse.
The Royal Palace is the most elegant of the rotation restaurants, designed to make guests feel like royalty as they are immersed in lavish surroundings inspired by Disney princess movies.
Enchanted Garden
For a casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner option there is the beach-themed Cabanas food court, a buffet of sorts with an overwhelming variety of offerings to meet the needs of even the pickiest child (or adult). I love how they cater to cruisers from around the world with breakfasts of bagels and lox, miso soup, eggs and bacon, musli, and more.
Snackers will be satisfied with additional options available poolside like sandwich wraps, chicken tenders, fresh fruit, and frozen smoothies. And what kid doesn’t love free-flowing soft-serve ice cream?
Sand castle art depicting the different Disney theme parks adorns the walls of Cabanas
Family-Friendly Staterooms
Disney Cruise Line staterooms are designed to be family-friendly with larger floorplans than most cruise lines, a privacy curtain between the children’s area and the parents’ bed, and two separated sinks to make getting ready for the day a breeze. Plus, bathtubs are featured in all rooms (a rarity on cruise ships), making it easy to bathe babies, toddlers, and other little ones while at sea.
My daughter gleefully climbed into her top bunk in our stateroom both nights. For you nervous mamas like me, her bed was secured with a safety railing and we received a removable safety railing for my son’s lower bunk. Karissa adored sleeping beneath a painted nighttime sky dotted with stars – just another delightful Disney detail!
Inside staterooms on Dream are outfitted with Magic Portholes, which show live video views outside the ship. Plus, Disney characters like Dumbo or Nemo sometimes float past the portholes to surprise guests.
Here’s our Deluxe Family Stateroom with Balcony, all turned down for the evening
Other Special Disney Touches
Disney character meet-and-greets, Broadway-caliber live shows, first-run Disney movies in the ship’s movie theatre, and fireworks at sea add to the magic of a Disney Cruise. But what really makes a Disney cruise special is over-the-top attention to detail and incredible customer service. Every effort is made to ensure that all guests are entertained and cared for, from babies and toddlers, to children, tweens, teens, and adults.
When I requested sides of ranch and ketchup to accompany my son’s chicken at dinner, our server created Mickey Mouse artwork from the condiments!
Dream Itineraries & Beyond
Dream offers three, four, and five night cruises to The Bahamas, with a day or two spent at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. If you plan to sail on Dream (and you should!), I’d go for the longest cruise you can afford. I felt an incredible sense of “hurry up and have fun” on this two-night cruise.
This short taste has me absolutely pining for another Disney Cruise! As a West Coast Travel Mama, my latest dream is to sail on one of Disney’s cruises on board Wonder departing from my part of the world. I’m imagining a tropical vacation on board a six to ten night cruise from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera or a scenic seven-night voyage from Vancouver to Alaska! Find out more about Dream’s Caribbean cruises and other Disney destinations on the Disney Cruise Line website.
Check back soon for my reviews of Castaway Cay’s island adventures and the grown-up fun available on board Disney Dream!
Are you dreaming of a Disney Cruise too? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
You might also like:
• Disney Cruise – The Ideal Family Vacation
• Disney Dream’s Christening Ceremony – Dreams Do Come True
• The Travel Mama’s Guide to Orlando & Kissimmee with Kids
• Travel Apparel Giveaway from Fresh Produce
A Note from The Travel Mama: Disney provided my airfare, my family’s two-night media cruise, and some other expenses related to the Disney Dream Christening Cruise. I was singing the praises of Disney Cruise Line long before I was a travel writer!
Tags: babies, children, Disney Cruise, Dream, It's a Small World Nursery, kindergartner, Oceaneer, Pools, potty train, preschooler, toddlers, waterslide
Posted in Family Vacations, Theme Parks | 12 Comments »
Sunday, August 29th, 2010
Whether splashing in the waves, searching for fishies while snorkeling, or sipping a tropical drink from a lounge chair, nothing says “family vacation” more than a day at the beach! I asked some of the best family travel bloggers to tell us about their all-time favorite family-friendly beach hotels. From where to take a dip with babies and toddlers to the best beach hotel for active families, there’s sure to be something on this list that will appeal to you. As a beach-loving mama, I couldn’t resist including a favorite of mine too!
Last summer I posted a story about the 10 Best Family-Friendly Hotel Pools. There must be a lot of water lovers out there because this is consistently one of the most popular posts on Travel Mamas. Grab your sunscreen and sand toys - this year we’re headed to the beach!
Hilton Waikoloa Village on The Big Island, Hawaii
(Photo courtesy of Sharlene Earnshaw)
Most Superb Slice of Tropical Paradise by Sharlene Earnshaw, Trekaroo
With its lagoon surrounded by white sandy beaches, three unique pools, relaxing spa, two championship golf courses, and dolphin program, it’s hard to beat the family friendly fun at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii. Where else can you snorkel with sea turtles, slide down a 175-foot waterslide, take a luxurious coconut milk bath, and chow down Polynesian style at a luau without ever leaving the resort? Kids will love the crafts, games, and water activities they can participate in at the resort’s Camp Menehune, while parents experience some child-free time participating in one of Waikoloa Village’s many activities or simply savoring some peace and quiet at the adults-only pool. With so much to do at this tropical island resort, your family may never want to board that airplane home!
Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado, California
(Photo courtesy of Hotel Del Coronado)
Grande Dame of Beach Hotels by Colleen Lanin, a.k.a. The Travel Mama
Lucky for me, the Hotel Del Coronado on the Coronado peninsula across from downtown San Diego is a mere half-hour drive from my home. A tourist attraction in its own right, many people stop by “The Del” (as it is known to locals) just for the day to eat its famed brunch, enjoy its immaculate stretch of beach, peruse its fancy-schmancy shops, or snack on fresh crab legs and sip martinis in its swanky seaside bar. Adding to its old-school charm and glamorous vibe, many movies have been filmed here, most notably Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe. This is a favorite place to bring out-of-towners; its stunning beach and turreted architecture always elicit oohs and ahhs. After years of daydreaming of spending the night at this grande dame of beach hotels, my husband, then baby daughter, and I checked in for a long weekend. It lived up to all of my inflated expectations…and then some! During the summer, the resort offers family-friendly activities like S’mores Night on the beach and Flick N’ Float movie night, where kids can watch a film from an inner tube. For the holidays visitors and guests alike can take a spin on its oceanside outdoor ice skating rink!
Holiday Inn on the Beach Destin, Florida
(Photo courtesy of Jennifer Close)
Most Affordable Beach Hotel for Busy Kids by Jennifer Close, Two Kids and a Map
Holiday Inn on the Beach Destin, Florida is perfect for parents on a budget who are looking for activities to keep their kids busy. The hotel’s KidSuites come complete with bunk beds, a separate area for mom and dad, and video games. The Buccaneer Program for kids runs through the summer and includes carnivals, treasure hunts, Parent’s Night Out and much more. There is a DVD rental box for watching movies in your room but there is plenty to keep the kids busy in the clubhouse area. Besides sitting on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, there are two pools (one of which is inside for those rainy afternoons). The hotel is also very close to many family friendly activities like Big Kahuna’s Waterpark, miniature golf, and tasty restaurants.
Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico
(Photo courtesy of Corinne McDermott)
Best Beach Resort for Babies & Toddlers by Corinne McDermott, Have Baby Will Travel
Sapphire-blue Pacific water meets the golden sand of Playa Quieta to create a wonderful setting for a fabulous resort that welcomes every member of your family. Club Med Ixtapa Pacific offers spacious, renovated rooms, lush gardens and grounds, two great pools, plus all the usual Club Med activities. There’s the Mini Club for kids four and up, the Petit Club for guests aged two to four, and the Baby Club, for babies as young as four months. You’ll also find baby-welcoming amenities like cribs, high chairs, baby baths, baby food and snacks, as well as several stations for preparing baby’s food and bottles.
Viva Cala Mesquida Resort on Mallorca, Spain
(Photo courtesy of Andrea Fellman)
Best Quiet Island Beach Retreat by Andrea Fellman, Have Kids Still Travel
Mallorca is just off the coast of Spain and is apart of the Baleric Islands. It is the hottest European vacation destination and for good reason, it has over 200 beaches! Unlike the neighboring party island of Ibiza, Mallorca is a great family destination. Viva Cala Mesquida Resort is a perfect choice for a private family getaway. The hotel even has a mascot, Bufo the Galactic Super Hero! Bufo entertains the kids nightly at the Bufo Disco. Plus, the Bufo Mini Club offers childcare daily from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. The resort has two sandy playgrounds complete with all of the buckets, shovels, and toys your kids will need. The kiddie pool has a few different slides and is shallow enough to splash around with young ones. The beach is only a short walk down a paved path and it is set in a very private and secluded bay.
Forte dei Marmi, Italy
(Photo courtesy of Amie O’Shaunessy)
Beachy Destination Most Worthy of the Journey by Amie O’Shaunessy, Ciao Bambino
Most people think of Cinque Terre or Positano when they dream about the coast in Italy. Both are incredible and must be experienced. For families with young children, however, these destinations can be tough with rugged terrain and limited open space for running around. Not so in Forte dei Marmi. A plethora of beach clubs offering chairs, umbrellas, and fresh meals plus calm waters and a flat sandy beach make this venue a joy for a family beach holiday, Italian style. We recommend the California Park Hotel in Forte dei Marmi on Ciao Bambino. This hotel is just blocks from the beach with friendly service and a comfortable atmosphere for all.
Azul Beach in Riviera Maya, Mexico
(Photo courtesy of Kara Williams)
Top Pick for Pampering by Kara Williams, The Vacation Gals
I have at least a half-dozen favorite family-friendly beach hotels, but one that really stands out among my frequent tropical vacations in Mexico is the all-inclusive 98-room Azul Beach. Kids are greeted with smoothies (parents get champagne!). The resort partners with Fisher-Price, so you can borrow toys for use during your stay. Also on complimentary loan for little ones: a baby monitor, stroller, bathtub, bottle warmer and more. For older children (ages four to 12), every day brings fun activities at the Azulitos Kids’ Club. My family loved lolling on one of the comfortable beach beds just steps from the ocean, especially because we enjoyed the services of our very own beach butler! He brought us cold drinks and offered snacks, and when we left our bed to frolic in the mellow waves, he’d fluff the pillows, tidy it up, and leave our kids towel animals! If Azul Beach is booked when you’re looking to travel consider the sister property, Azul Sensatori, just down the beach. This is a newer and bigger property, with 438 spacious rooms, including guaranteed family connecting suites. Both Azul properties are near Puerto Morelos, on the Riviera Maya, a short 20-minute drive from Cancun International Airport.
The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida
(Photo courtesy of The Breakers)
Awesome Active Family’s Resort by Amie O’Shaunessy, Ciao Bambino
I get restless on the beach so it’s always important for us to find beach hotels that have plenty of alternate activities. The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida fits this requirement in every way. Golf, tennis, a world-class spa, boating, croquet, shopping, excellent restaurants…check! They also offer top-notch children’s amenities including a kids’ club for ages three to twelve and an enormous game room. There’s no getting bored at this hotel, even in bad weather. Top it off, the service is exceptional and there is nothing that staff won’t do to ensure every age is happy and relaxed while on vacation. Read our complete family-friendly hotel review about The Breakers for more information and offers.
Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club on Kauai, Hawaii
(Photo courtesy of Glennia Campbell)
Beach Resort Most Deserving of Multiple Visits by Glennia Campbell, The Silent I
My favorite beach hotel in the world is the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club on Kalapaki Bay in Kauai, Hawaii. My family likes to try a new place for every vacation, but Kauai Marriott is one of the few places we go back to repeatedly. The hotel is situated on a strip of golden sand overlooking peaceful Kalapaki Bay. The beach is usually far less crowded than Poipu on Kauai’s South Shore. If you don’t want to get sand in your suit, there is a narrow strip of grass shaded by palm trees where you can pull up a deck chair and read while the kids frolic in the gentle waves. The last time we visited, our nine-year-old took a surfing lesson right in front of the hotel while we sat and watched from the patio at Duke’s Canoe Club, tropical drinks in hand. The hotel also boasts the largest single-level pool in the state. We love the Kauai Marriott so much, we bought a half timeshare so we can go back “home” every other year.
Crystal Cove Beach Cottages in New Port Beach, California
(Photo from www.CrystalCoveBeachCottages.com)
Coziest Seaside Cottages by Debbie Dubrow, Delicious Baby
Crystal Cove Beach Cottages in Newport Beach, California are the perfect place to recuperate after a few days at Disneyland. These restored historic cottages, located in a secluded cove, aren’t fancy, but you and the kids will be outdoors enjoying the sunshine, the sand, and the tide pools all day anyway. Each cottage has a microwave and refrigerator, so while you won’t be doing any heavy cooking, you can certainly pour yourself a cold glass of wine after the kids are in bed. Reservations can be made up to seven months in advance and the cottages fill up quickly.
Did your favorite make the list? Leave comment below about which beach hotel you like most and why!
Learn more about these fabulous family travel bloggers:
Glennia Campbell (Beach Resort Most Deserving of Multiple Visits) writes and publishes the family travel blog, The Silent I, chronicling her family’s adventures around the world. The three of them have traveled to 25 countries, kid in tow, including Greenland, Libya, and the Galapagos. She is co-founder of MOMocrats, a political collaborative blog for progressive moms, and is a contributor to the Korean-American parenting blog, Kimchi Mamas.
Jennifer Close (Most Affordable Beach Hotel for Busy Kids) loves to explore and take new adventures with her family. She writes about her adventures on her family travel blog, Two Kids and a Map, and writes about exploring Pensacola at Pensacola with Kids.
Debbie Dubrow (Coziest Seaside Cottages) blogs about traveling with her three kids (ages five, three and one) at DeliciousBaby.com. Check out her kid friendly city guides for ideas about things to do with kids in cities around the world. Follow her on Twitter at @deliciousbaby.
Sharlene Earnshaw (Most Superb Slice of Tropical Paradise) is the Blog Editor in Chief for Trekaroo, and mother to two travel addicted toddlers. If you can’t find them enjoying the day at one of California’s spectacular beaches, then they are probably off discovering something new on one of their many travel adventures. Follow her on Twitter at @doubleadventure.
Andrea Fellman (Best Quiet Island Beach Retreat) is a mom who hasn’t lost her style to Motherhood. She is the creator of Savvy Sassy Moms an online destination and information source for everything fun and fashionable for moms, babies and kids. She also writes about her passion for traveling with kids over at Have Kids Still Travel.
Colleen Lanin (Grande Dame of Beach Hotels) Hey! That’s me! I’m the creator/editor of TravelMamas.com, a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in Babytalk Magazine (sister publication of Parenting), San Diego Family Magazine, and 101 Things To Do San Diego. Want to know more about me? Check out About Travel Mamas. It would be sweet if you would follow me on Twitter too at @TravelMamas.
Corinne McDermott (Best Beach Resort for Babies & Toddlers) is the mother of two and the founder of Have Baby Will Travel: Your Online Guide for Travel with Babies and Small Children. She’s appeared on Canada’s top-rated talk and morning shows delivering tips on travel with tots, and her writing’s been featured in such magazines as Canadian Family and Oh Baby magazines. Corinne contributes a monthly column to parent resource sites across North America as a Family Travel Expert. Connect with Corinne online at Have Baby Will Travel or on Twitter at @hvbabywilltrvl.
Amie O’Shaughnessy (Awesome Active Family’s Beach Resort & Beachy Destination Most Worthy of the Journey) is a mom with perpetual wanderlust and the editor of Ciao Bambino, a worldwide family travel resource providing the insight and information parents need to plan everything from weekend getaways to multi-week vacations with kids. Ciao Bambino makes it easy for families to uncover the best of where to go, where to stay, and what to do once they get there.
Kara Williams (Top Pick for Pampering) is a freelance writer who co-owns TheVacationGals.com, where she and her buddies cover all things related to family travel, girlfriend getaways and romantic escapes. She makes her home in the Colorado Rockies with her husband and two school-age children. Follow her on Twitter at @karasw.
You might also like:
• Child-Friendly Accommodations
• JW Marriott San Antonio – Where Luxury Combines with Good Ol’ Family Fun
• Nickelodeon Suites Resort: A Hotel & Water Park for a Splashing Good Time
• 10 Best Family-Friendly Hotel Pools in the World
Tags: babies, beach, family travel bloggers, golf, island, kids, kids' club, luau, pool, resort, snorkel, spa, surfing, tide pools, toddlers, tropical drink, waterslide
Posted in Family Vacations, Hotel Reviews | 11 Comments »
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
Headed to San Diego with a baby or toddler? Check out my latest article for San Diego Family Magazine Baby It’s Hot Outside about summer fun spots for tots in my sunny hometown. Want to see the pretty version with the photos? Click here and flip to page 94.
The Seeds of Wonder Children’s Garden miniature train
at the San Diego Botanic Garden
The article covers four places that are particularly popular with little ones, including the San Diego Botanic Garden with its two children’s gardens, the San Diego Zoo’s best attractions for wee ones, San Diego’s most baby-friendly beaches, and what to be sure to see at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps when visiting with a young child.
What is your favorite San Diego attraction for babies and toddlers? Leave a comment below!
You might also like:
• Roar & Snore Campout at the San Diego Wild Animal Park
• San Diego’s Birch Aquarium: A Worthwhile Alternative to SeaWorld
• San Diego Botanic Garden – An Enchanting Place for Children
• San Diego Zoo’s Best Beasts, Eats, and Treats
Tags: aquarium, babies, beaches, botanic garden, San Diego, toddlers, zoo
Posted in Family Vacations | 1 Comment »
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010
From themed rides and LEGO brick building stations to musical fountains and roller coasters, LEGOLAND California has something to please everyone. Read on to learn about the best this park has to offer for babies, toddlers, tweens, teens, and grown-ups.
LEGOLAND California’s Miniland Cruise Ride
Last month I spent a day at LEGOLAND California with the woman who literally wrote the book on LEGOLAND. My daughter and I rode rides, explored play areas, and ate apple fries with the author of The Unauthorized Guide to LEGOLAND, Bridget A. Smith, and two of her three kids. It was like having our own personal tour guide to the park! From questions about the best rides for my five-year-old, to where we could find the closest bathroom, Bridget was there to guide the way.
Bridget is a LEGOLAND aficionado and mom to Justin (age 11), Destiny (age six), and Jared (age five). She decided to write this guidebook because, “I live down the street here in Carlsbad. LEGOLAND is a wonderful park but there were things I thought I could share that would help families with children. And there are a lot of undiscovered areas people may have never explored before.” The book helps you navigate varying height and age restrictions; which rides can only be ridden by a solo child; and when to hit certain attractions to avoid long lines. She even lists fun indoor activities for rainy days. You can read Bridget’s blog and purchase her book at FamilyAdventureGuidebooks.com.
Bridget with her daughter, Destiny, at LEGOLAND
While I am not as knowledgeable about this park as Bridget, I have been to LEGOLAND numerous times and I like this amusement park more each time I visit. I asked Bridget to share her thoughts on the LEGOLAND’s best attractions and food. Here are some of her picks with a few of my favorites sprinkled in.
Attraction that Makes You Fall in Love with LEGOLAND
Water Works Magical Fountain (Explore Village: All Ages)
While Bridget and I watched our kids playing at the Water Works Magical Fountain, I said, “This is my favorite attraction at LEGOLAND.”
Bridget said, “Me too!” She bubbled, “This fountain is why I fell in love with LEGOLAND. I came here with the kids and we saw this fountain and I thought, Why haven’t we been here before? This place is awesome!”
The Water Works Magical Fountain is made of musical instruments formed from LEGO bricks. Kids stomp on the circles in front of the drum, trumpet, harp, or other instrument and its musical sound chimes in. It’s just a joyful, unique experience.
My daughter, Karissa, making music at the Water Works Magical Fountain last year
Toddler Time
If you will be visiting LEGOLAND with a baby or toddler be sure to check out What to Do When You Are 2 for ideas to keep young children content.
DUPLO Playtown (Explore Village: All Ages)
This play area is filled with slides, pretend vehicles and buildings, and a crawl-through maze. This is a great place to relax a bit while the kiddies play.
My son, Leo, exploring DUPLO Playtown
LEGOLAND Express (Explore Village: All Ages)
This adorable train ride is tucked into a corner of DUPLO Playtown. Bridget recommends this train even for ride-phobic little ones. In her guidebook she says, “I love the mix of real California crops and LEGO brick produce. Make sure to point out the artichokes and fresh strawberries.”
Preschooler & Kindergartner Play
Volvo Junior Driving School (Fun Town: Kids Ages 3-5)
What kid doesn’t want to drive a miniature car around a track all by himself? To quote the Unauthorized Guide, “This ride is a great rite of passage. At the end of the ride your child will receive an official LEGOLAND driver’s license.” The Volvo Driving School is next door for kids ages 6-12.
The Royal Joust (Castle Hill: Kids Ages 4-12 & Height Restrictions)
This is a favorite of both Bridget’s daughter, Destiny and my daughter, Karissa. Kids straddle pretend horses that trot through a forest dotted with life-sized LEGO knights and other characters.
Destiny aboard a Royal Joust horse
Grade-Schooler Stuff
Build & Test (Imagination Zone: All Ages)
I never really understood the appeal of this attraction until I saw how much Bridget’s son, Jared, loved playing with LEGO bricks at this and other hands-on building stations. The guidebook advised, “At the main desk big kids check out a set of wheels with axles, then build vehicles with a wide assortment of big kid LEGO bricks. There are a number of tracks with timers, and the kids can race their vehicles to see who has the fastest car.”
Bridget’s youngest son, Jared, playing with LEGO bricks at Build & Test
The Dragon (Castle Hill: Height Restrictions)
Karissa and I love this roller coaster! It starts out with a mellow riding tour through a castle filled with humorous LEGO medieval scenes. Then, as the guidebook explains, “Suddenly the roller coaster takes hold and you find yourself outside in a roller coaster that has some zip to it.” I like that it’s fast enough to get your heart pumping a bit, but not so scary to deter brave young children. I also appreciate the details of the funny markers on the gravestones in the make-believe cemetery through which you wind if the line is long.
The Hideaways (Castle Hill: All Ages)
Bridget and I had a grand ol’ time yapping away here while our kids zipped up, down, and through this play area. According to the book, “This is one of the best places to get a lot of energy out. Kids can climb, slide and wiggle through a variety of obstacles…Luckily the entrance to the Hideaways is also the exit so you can stake out a spot nearby and make sure you catch your little one before he or she can escape. Don’t plan to see your kids anytime soon however, this area is so engaging it may be a while before they are willing to leave.”
Teenager Rides
Knight’s Tournament (Castle Hill: Height Restrictions)
This is Bridget’s oldest son, Justin’s all-time favorite ride. The guide says, “It is not for the faint-hearted. I have never seen anything like it at another park. Giant robotic arms like the one used in automotive assembly plants to weld on car doors spin you around and almost dip you into a slimy moat.” Riders can pick the intensity level of the ride.
The Knight’s Tournament is LEGOLAND’s most thrilling ride
Lost Kingdom Adventure (Land of Adventure: Height Restrictions)
This is one of my family’s favorites. It’s like a ride plus a carnival game all rolled into one during which you explore Egyptian ruins made of LEGO bricks. In the Unauthorized Guide Bridget says, “Blast targets with laser guns in order to recover stolen treasure…A computer records every shot, so at the end you can compare scores with your riding companions.”
Family-Time Fun
Fairy Tale Brook (Explore Village – All Ages)
This is a ride all ages can enjoy it together. As described by Bridget’s guidebook, “Take a sweet boat ride through a LEGO world populated by many of your child’s favorite story book characters…This ride provides a quiet break and is good for small children.”
Miniland USA (All Ages)
Bridget says, “This signature attraction of LEGOLAND California is fun for the whole family. Miniland is a collection of American landmarks from seven different geographical regions of the United States constructed with more than 20 million LEGO bricks at a 1:20 scale.”
The U.S. Capital Building in Miniland USA
Tastiest Eats
Granny Apple Fries (Castle Hill)
Bridget describes this unusual sweet treat as, “The fried Granny Apples are dusted with cinnamon and sugar. They are served with a vanilla cream dipping cream. Everyone in our family loves this treat.”
Fun Town Market Restaurant (Fun Town)
My husband always insists we eat at this made-to-order buffet-style restaurant for its outstanding Philly cheese steak sandwiches. You can find something to meet everyone’s needs here from oriental chicken stir fry, to an extensive soup and salad bar, and kids’ meals. We save money (and room in our bellies!) by splitting a sandwich so we can indulge in Granny Apple Fries afterwards.
Best Way to Cool Off
Pirate Shores (Various Age and Height Restrictions)
On a hot day, you will definitely want to bring swimsuits and towels for the kids and head over to Pirate Shores. This area encompasses several splashing attractions. Bridget explains, “This is one of the most fun areas at LEGOLAND and a great place for parents to take a break. There is only one entrance to the area, so you can keep an eye on the kids. Any kid who loves water play will want to stay there for hours.”
SEA LIFE Aquarium
With a LEGOLAND/SEA LIFE Hopper pass you can visit the adjoining SEA LIFE Aquarium during a visit to LEGOLAND California. There are plenty of fish and marine life on display in educational, fun displays. Pop-up bubbles where kids can get a feel for what it would be like to live under the sea make this aquarium stand out from others.
Karissa peering at fish through a plastic pop-up bubble at the SEA LIFE Aquarium
Enter to Win!
Post a comment below about which LEGOLAND feature you would most like to experience and why to win a four-pack of 1-Day LEGOLAND/SEA LIFE Hopper passes plus a copy of The Unauthorized Guide to LEGOLAND. THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Find out who won!
LEGOLAND will provide the park hopper passes (worth $308) and Bridget A. Smith will provide the guidebook (worth $17.95).
This contest ends at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on Saturday, May 15, 2010. The winner will be selected at random using Random.org and will be notified by email. If no response is received within one week, the first winner will forfeit the prize and another entrant will be selected.
You can enter a maximum of four times, using each method of entry once. The first option is required for entry. For each bonus entry, you must add an additional, separate comment to this blog post.
• REQUIRED ENTRY: Leave a comment below about which LEGOLAND feature mentioned in the post you would most like to experience and why. Please be specific! General comments like, “Thanks for the contest” or “I want to go to LEGOLAND” will be disqualified.
• BONUS ENTRY: Follow @TravelMamas on Twitter and tweet this contest. Be sure to add a link to your tweet below! Copy the following phrase into Twitter:
Win a 4-pack of @LEGOLAND_CA park hopper passes on @TravelMamas http://bit.ly/cemnsU
• BONUS ENTRY: “Like” Travel Mamas on Facebook and add a comment. Copy and paste the following phrase (filling in your answer) on the Travel Mamas Facebook Page. Be sure to come back here and repeat the phrase in a separate comment on this blog post!
I want to win tickets to LEGOLAND on TravelMamas.com because________________.
• BONUS ENTRY: Become a Travel Mama to receive bimonthly e-newsletter updates. If you already receive the e-newsletter, that counts! Just be sure to make a comment below saying that you are on the distribution list!
You might also like:
• Epcot’s Best Rides & Hidden Treasures for Kids
• San Diego’s Birch Aquarium: A Worthwhile Alternative to SeaWorld
• San Diego Zoo’s Best Beasts, Eats, & Treats
• Top 10 Disneyland Rides & Attractions for Babies and Toddlers
A note from the Travel Mama: My family recently received free 1-Day LEGOLAND/SEA LIFE Hopper passes to LEGOLAND California. We have visited many times on our own dime too. In fact, we have purchased two years worth of annual passes in the past. I also received a PDF version of The Unauthorized Guide to LEGOLAND from Bridget A. Smith for purposes of this blog post.
Tags: aquarium, babies, California, legoland, roller coaster, San Diego, sea life, teen, toddlers, unauthorized guide
Posted in Family Vacations, Giveaways, Theme Parks | 140 Comments »
Sunday, October 18th, 2009
Getting babies, toddlers, and even older children to sleep well while traveling can be a struggle. If your child doesn’t sleep well, then mama doesn’t sleep well. And we all know, if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!
I recently learned how to pack in restful vacations for the whole family during an interview with Davis Ehrler, post-partum doula and creator of the 3-Day Sleep Solution workbook and educational DVD. Her program teaches parents of kids ages newborn to eight years how to instill good childhood sleep habits through understanding children’s biological needs.
As the mother of three daughters, Davis knows how challenging it can be to get a good night’s rest while traveling with children. Here are her vacation sleep tips to help you on your next trip.
Be patient
According to Davis, it will take two to three nights for your child to adjust to the new surroundings and schedule while traveling. She says, “The first couple of nights you don’t sleep well on vacation. We adults might watch TV until we fall asleep or read longer than usual, even if we don’t do that at home. And some of us will even have a glass of wine or two.”
Davis advises, “Children are no different than we are. Parents expect too much from themselves and from children while traveling. Know that (children) need some time to adjust. Period.”
Squeeze in naps
If your child is still taking naps, Davis suggests returning to the hotel room to put your child down midday. When I asked what she thinks of using long car rides or stroller walks to induce vacation naps, Davis said although she insists on regular naps in the child’s crib or bed at home, “On vacation the naps may take place in strollers and in cars and at the beach. It’s sleep, but it’s junky sleep. But you have to do what you can to make (the naps) happen.”
Arrive before bedtime
According to Davis, reaching your destination before your child’s bedtime allows you to start off your vacation on the right foot. Getting a good first night of sleep is better than playing catch-up throughout your stay.
Recreate bedtime routines
Davis says, “You (might) blow their naps, but be sure get them to sleep at night.” To do that, you should stick to at-home bedtime rituals even while on vacation, such as reading stories, taking a bath, or singing lullabies.
Make it feel familiar
Davis suggests bringing along your own crib sheets so the new environment will feel like home. This is because babies and young children rely much more on their sense of smell than do older kids and adults.
Book more than one room or divide the room in two
Davis recommends booking more than one room while traveling with children. She says, “If you can, get a suite or condo. It will always make your vacation so much better.”
If you must bunk down with the kids, Davis recommends using a visual barrier by hanging a bed sheet so your children can’t see you. “If they can see you, they’re going to want mommy and daddy.”
Break some rules
You should follow strict guidelines for ensuring good sleep 80 percent of the time, according to Davis. She says, “Break the rules 20 percent of the time. Vacation should be your 20 percent.” She compared strict sleep habits to a strict diet while on vacation, saying, “No one wants to eat salad every night on vacation!”
Sleep Specialist Davis Ehler with her three daughters
Get back on track at home
Davis says, “Have a blast on vacation. Then, have the tools to get back on track when you get home.” She warns that it will take another two to three days for the family’s schedule to return to normal after the trip, just as it took a few days of adjustment at the start of the vacation. To do that, get back into a regular nap and bedtime routine right away. “Don’t bring your vacation habits home with you.”
Do you agree with Davis’s suggestions for getting children to sleep on vacation? Do you have any sleep tips you’d like to share? Please leave a comment below!
For more information on this topic see:
• How to Travel Like a Local
• Tips for Flying Standby & Handling Flight Delays with Kids
• Top 10 Travel Tips from Parents of Tots
• Travel Mamas Child-Friendly Accommodations
Tags: babies, children, davis ehrler, toddlers, travel sleep tips, vacation
Posted in Family Vacations, Travel Tips | 2 Comments »
Monday, May 25th, 2009
Before I brought my daughter to Disneyland to celebrate her first birthday, some well-meaning friends warned, “It’s better to wait until she’s five or six to go. What’s the point in taking her now? She won’t even remember it.” But when I held my birthday girl in my arms as we soared through the air on Dumbo’s back and she clapped her hands, grinning and baring her two teeth, I knew that moment mattered. Even if she doesn’t remember it, for that moment she and I were soaring through joy.
As a Disneyland enthusiast and former Annual Passholder, I have since visited the Happiest Place on Earth a multitude of times with my two young children. Many parents worry there are not enough rides for babies and toddlers, but amusements for all ages abound at Disneyland. The best part is the entire family can enjoy most attractions together.
Here are my favorite Disneyland rides and attractions for babies and toddlers:
1. Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Fantasyland
After failing to get my daughter (then age three) to ride Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and instead taking my infant son, who clawed at my face with fear throughout, I have given up waiting out the ridiculously long lines for the dark rides in Fantasyland. Instead, we head to everyone’s favorite flying elephant.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
2. It’s a Small World in Fantasyland
It is worth getting the cutesy Small World song stuck in your head all day for the smiles this ride will induce for your child. Plus, you get a big return (an eight-minute ride) for your small investment (typically a brief wait in line).
It’s a Small World
3. A Bug’s Land at Disney’s California Adventure
This area includes three rides for little ones that you can hit pretty quickly since the lines tend to be minimal. While Tuck and Roll’s Drive’Em Buggies bumper cars are fun for preschoolers, the other two rides are wonderful choices for kids and babies alike. There is Flik’s Flyers, which is a slightly less magical version of Dumbo’s ride, and Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, for which you board a talking caterpillar who chews his way though a garden of sweet-smelling treats like watermelon and animal crackers. Wait until kids are older to brave the 3-D film It’s Tough to Be a Bug! I took my daughter when she was a little over age two. Too scary!
Tuck and Roll’s Drive’Em Buggies
4. Minnie’s House in Mickey’s Toontown
When you tire of waiting in lines, this walk-though attraction keeps toddling kids busy with dials and buttons galore.
Minnie’s House
5. Jungle Cruise in Adventureland
Here’s an old-school ride for the whole family. Adults will chuckle (or groan) at the humorous commentary of the adventure guides. As for the kids, I remember believing I had actually been to Africa and back when I embarked on this ride during my first trip to Disney World at age four.
Jungle Cruise (Photo: armadillo444, Flickr Creative Commons 2.0)
6. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country
This brightly colored, sweet ride is one of my daughter’s all-time favorite rides! I keep hoping my (ride-shy) son will warm to it, but perhaps the psychodelic Heffalump scene and loopy feel are not his cup of milk. Most non-ride-phobic kids will love this one.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
7. Mickey’s Fun Wheel at Disney’s California Adventure’s Paradise Pier
Formerly the Sun Wheel, this huge Ferris wheel provides a great aerial view of the park. Skip the long lines for the swinging, scarier gondolas and opt for the milder, merely-swaying ones.
Mickey’s Fun Wheel
8. Disneyland Railroad
I have yet to meet a child who is not enthralled by choo-choo trains! You can climb aboard or disembark at Main Street U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown, or New Orleans Square. The best part is the “surprise” trip through the Grand Canyon and Primeval World (a scene of Animatronic dinosaurs) between Tomorrowland and Main Street.
Historic photo of Walt Disney aboard the Disneyland Railroad (Photo Courtesy of Disneyland)
9. The Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland
Birds and flowers serenade the audience in this pleasant indoor show, giving you time out of the sun (or rain, as the case may be) to rest your tootsies while the baby nurses or sips a bottle. Beware of a brief, somewhat scary tropical thunderstorm at the end of the show.
The Enchanted Tiki Room
10. King Triton’s Carousel at Disney’s California Adventure’s Paradise Pier or King Arthur’s Carousel in Fantasyland
Whether you choose Triton’s underwater-themed carousel with seahorses, whales, and other ride-able sea creatures or you choose Arthur’s classic hand-carved horses, most tots love a carousel! It may seem like a boring choice to grown-ups, but not so for the kiddos!
King Triton’s Carousel
What are your favorite rides for young children at Disneyland or Disney World? Leave a comment below!
For more information on this topic see:
• Disney’s New Ship Is a Dream for Babies, Toddlers, and Children
• Epcot’s Best Rides & Hidden Treasures for Children
• LEGOLAND Splash Zoo for Toddlers & Beyond
• Which Disneyland Character Meal is Best for Your Family?
Tags: babies, California, Disney's California Adventure, disneyland, rides, toddlers
Posted in Family Vacations, Theme Parks | 12 Comments »
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