Family Travel Blog

The Ugly Truth about Disney Vacations

2009-06-29T07:15:00.002-05:00

As a member of a popular online Disney community I came across a post that sort of made me laugh a little. The gist of the message was that this particular person was upset because one of her relatives came back from a Disney vacation and all she said was that she was “very worn out”. It didn’t say she had a bad time, but nothing about how exhilarating the experience was or how magical of a time she had experienced. The poster was upset because she was missing her Disney fix and couldn’t believe how ungrateful this relative was being. The overwhelming response was that of disbelief, how could she not appreciate this trip and what was she thinking being “tired!”.

Let me be honest...We were there less than a week ago. And when I came back - I was tired. I mean jet laggy, spacy, I left my card in the ATM machine and drove off tired. It was HOT - 107 degrees hot. My 4 year old didn’t go for more than 20 minutes at a time without throwing a major tantrum because she was so uncomfortable. We have one family picture with Mickey Mouse and I swear she would have smacked him upside the head with her autograph book if we would have let her. She was over it.

And based on the conversations we heard around us. Many of the kids were over it and so were the parents. I don’t think I have experienced a trip to Disney where I personally overheard so many children being yelled at, parents bickering, overall crankiness in the air.

I know as a person who books travel this isn’t the best story to “sell”, but honestly I’m a mom first and foremost and to “sell” the idea that a Disney vacation will be perfect and have a happily ever after ending just isn’t always realistic. But here is the other side of the story....

In the same trip, my 4 year olds star struck glaze as she got Cinderella’s autograph couldn’t help but make me smile, the goose bumps I got watching Tinker Bell fly before the nightly fireworks show was truly a magical experience and the joy my 6 year old exhibited when I was drenched going on Splash Mountain with her for our annual ride gives me something to look back on with fondness. Every trip we take with the kids mark new milestones. Whether its that they grow a couple of inches and they are able to experience some of the new attractions, or they have a new obsession with a Disney character and they get the chance to meet them during the trip, or the fact that as they get older they are able to do more and appreciate all of the little extras Disney has to offer.

The thing about at Walt Disney World vacation is that there is always the good, the bad and the ugly moments (that we forget about when we think back on our vacation memories). But there is something about the Disney magic that leaves you wanting more even during the most tiring of trips.

Magic Kingdom - Dining with Kids

2009-06-28T07:18:00.010-05:00

Kids and Eating... One of the biggest dilemmas that parents deal with on a daily basis. From picky eaters to over eaters, eating and diet seems to be a universal challenge in the parenting world. My kids are no exception. At 6, my oldest is the epitome of picky eating. She likes chicken, but only if it is in the form of a nugget, loves macaroni and cheese (but only the Kraft variety) and she considers ranch dressing one of the basic food groups. The kids menu at most restaurants are ideal for her palette and provide all of the choices she is looking for in a meal. The 4 year old on the other hand is more adventurous and would prefer to eat pretty much whatever we are eating as opposed to the kids choices.

So as a traveling mom, learning about all of the different options available is very important to me. Food eats up (no pun intended) a large chunk of the vacation budget so finding good, kid friendly locations with food the kids will actually eat is key to a successful vacation experience. As frequent travelers to the Walt Disney World Resort, we have had an opportunity to take our kids to many of the restaurants. Here are our a few of new favorite meal options at the Magic Kingdom Park:

Tony's Town Square - Located in the front of the Magic Kingdom, Tony's Town Square somehow has always been overlooked by our family. Perhaps because we have been more quick serve type people in trips past, and always seem to be somewhere in Tomorrowland during lunchtime. However this trip we found with the tremendous heat factor that having a sit down meal is a great way to give everyone a break and have a more relaxed, enjoyable meal than a quick serve location can offer.

Based on the restaurant from the Lady and the Tramp. The decor and surroundings were quite relaxed and comfortable. The kids menu offered some good choices. For a full menu be sure to check out AllEarsNet.com. Our kids chose the Spaghetti and Meatball option with the side of carrots, celery and ranch dressing. What I have to say I really liked about this restaurant is that the potions were big enough that the kids could share one of the meals instead of having to order two. The other finding we had was that the kids meals include dessert in the price. We opted out of dessert, knowing we would most likely get a "sugar" treat later in the day and as a mom I try to limit those treats to one per day. Sorry kids :( But the fact that it was included in the price made the cost very reasonable.

The Plaza Restaurant - Another great hit with the kiddos! Located at the end of Main Street. The Plaza is themed as a typical ice cream parlor but has some great food choices for meals too for kids and adults alike. This time the kids got their own meals instead of sharing. They each got the kids turkey sandwich which was shaped like Mickey Mouse and the perfect size so that they each actually ate the whole thing! Their meals started out with a cup of Chicken and Rice soup which wasn't listed on the menu, but seems to be a normal alternative to the Tomato soup that is listed on the menu as the starter for the meal. After their soup they had the turkey sandwich with a side of apples and carrots and celery. Very healthy and they enjoyed it all. At the end they each got a fun dessert which included an ice cream sundae with a cone on top and chocolate ears. A fun way to end dinner and it all was included with the meal!

Those are 2 of our new favorites...stay tuned for more!

Travel Sites We Love :)

2009-05-24T11:12:00.003-05:00

As a Disney certified Travel Agent I am always reviewing resources for family travel. I came across the Travel Mamas site which is filled with great tools and resources for young families. Go check it out at http://www.travelmamas.com.

And...don't forget to book your Disney vacation and take advantage of some great deals including free dining for trips to Walt Disney World this fall. Contact me at teri@timeless-tales.com or go to the Main Street Travel Co. web page for more details!!

Big Kids Have Fun at Disney Too

2009-05-02T07:30:00.002-05:00

For the last 6, almost 7 years, trips to Disney World have been about the kids. As in "oh look at that?", "Do you want to see Mickey Mouse?", "Well we can take turns on this ride...". Park visits have been earlier with more breaks, include mastering the art of stroller navigation and relocation "where did they put our stroller now?", and being out of the park before the fireworks when the tears start because they are just "too loud mommy!".
That is not to say that we haven't had fun with the kids, but it is a different experience for sure. So when my parents graciously offered (after only asking once) to watch the kids so we could travel to the World without them we were packed and ready to go.

Some benefits to a grown up vacation at Disney World include:

1. No plan... Really just walk in the gate and meander through the shops, actually observe what is happening and make the choice to go on the attraction depending on the length of the line. However, still make sure to utilize the fast pass system for the really popular rides.
2. Have the freedom of making fewer dining choices ahead of time, but do plan those "special" meals in advance. Not having whining, hungry kids in tow when meal time comes is a huge freedom.
2a. 3 meals a day isn't mandatory without the kids. Eat breakfast later, enjoy more snacks and have happy hour treats.
3. Go on rides together. Instead of doing the rider switch, enjoy being able to stand in line together.
4. Watch the fireworks.
5. Go to bed whenever you want without the bedtime battles.

Road Trip to FL or Bust

2008-10-28T11:42:00.003-05:00

Well we made our 3rd trip to the Walt Disney World Resort this Fall. This is what I have learned. You can overdo Disney and I think we have. It is time to take a break - oh nothing major - maybe just waiting until next summer or fall. I don't think we could go a whole year without a Disney fix, but doing Disney every 3 months seems to take away a bit of the magic.

However if you are going to Disney every 3 months taking advantage of the different resort options is key. This time we stayed at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. This resort is an adventure in itself. Being able to look out the window first thing in the morning and see the animals roaming the savanna is just an amazing experience for kids and adults alike. And the resort also has great opportunities for the kids to earn beads by participating in various activities including playing authentic African instruments and doing different crafts. Of course these are the activities we never had enough time to participate in but always wish we had more time to do.

One surprising aspect of the trip was the level of crowds. Columbus Day weekend seems to be a new busy time as many schools have fall breaks or long weekends and the crowd level definitely showed it. Still an enjoyable trip, but something to be considered when making next years fall plans.

Want to share your favorite Disney adventures! Send me a message to post it here.

To Utah, FL and Back Again

2008-07-25T07:16:00.000-05:00

Wow its been a whirlwind summer! First we went to SLC, Utah to visit my parents and then over to WDW to visit the parks while on a business trip. It was a little overwhelming to say the least! But here's how it ended up...

Utah Trip: Always fun to visit grandma and grandpa, the kids enjoyed playing all day while we enjoyed a little time off. What I love about visiting UT is not only the grandparents, but also we get to eat at our favorite restaurants. Our favorite pizza place Sweet Home Chicago is a highlight of the trip. We also love Chin Wah, Chinese, but unfortunately we picked the only week of the year that they are closed :( And of course a Costa Vida Taco Salad ranks high on the list.

Other less fattening activities of the trip included a trip up in the mountains for a picnic and gold mining expedition. Kellie really wants to find gold. I think grandpa found a few "golden" flecks for her. We also visited The Gateway for some shopping fun. (Had to hit the Apple store) and also went to Thanksgiving Point where the kids enjoyed the petting zoo which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Then, on to the mouse 2 days after the first trip ended. Which for you travelers with kids, or even without, 2 days is not enough! While it is possible to get the laundry done and the suitcases repacked, I would recommend at least 4-5 days between vacation if you have to do them that close together. The kids weren't even back on their normal sleep schedule which made for a difficult 2nd journey....

We stayed at the Boardwalk Resort which is a beautiful resort, but not my first pick for a vacation with kids. While we did enjoy the daybed for another sleeping option for the kids so they didn't have to sleep together, we found the options at the resort to be more appropriate for an older set. We missed having a food court, although if you have the refillable mugs you can refill them at the Bakery (they actually give you a second disposable cup instead of refilling the mug). There is a pool on the Inn side (the quiet pool), but the kiddie pool is over on the Villa side which was a bit of a walk from our room.

The kids and I were on our own for a couple of days so we hit Epcot and did the Kidcot Fun Stops. The kids, ages 3 & 5 loved stopping and coloring. At each stop around the countries, the kids got a stamp and a new mask. We also started collecting the pressed pennies found in each country. The secret, I've decided, to taking the kids to a theme park on my own, is finding the small stuff that the kids will enjoy. This is what is so great about Disney. They have these little extras that you can enjoy without having to go on the rides. Epcot was a great highlight of the trip!

The downside of our trip was definitely the weather! Orlando in July is very, very hot and not the time I would recommend for a family vacation. However if not extremely hot, it was also raining which is very common this time of year as well. We were either soaked with rain or sweat...neither of which leads to very happy campers...

As the grand finale of our adventure, my husband took the kids for a couple of hours so that I could visit the Disney Saratoga Springs Spa. This was awesome! Very relaxed environment, wonderful services. If you are planning a trip and can work it into the plan I would highly recommend it!

So that was our Disney/Utah travel adventure of Summer 2008! Traveling to 2 cities across the country: Exhausting, Getting back home to our own comfy beds: Priceless

Its No Fun to Fly Anymore

2008-07-10T14:23:00.000-05:00

Flying used to be fun. Granted I'm not a business traveler and I usually average about 2 flights a year, but it used to be fun - an adventure to look forward to. I loved packing to get ready, spending time at the airport with friends and family who would hug you good bye at the gate and be there to greet you as you exited the plane. Watching the movie and in flight entertainment was fun, even eating was fun. The food was usually not good, but it was interesting to see what you got to eat, and to open all of the packages.

Now, you have to be interrogated going thru security. Take off your shoes, don't carry liquids, don't dare think of bringing a drink on board!! Don't pack too much because you will be charged by the bag, don't bring too large of a carry on and only one please. If you're hungry you can now buy some food on the plane, if you want to watch a movie you can now buy that too. And when you land, there is no longer the fun and excitement of seeing your friends and families faces as you exit the plane after a long journey. Now you have to wind thru the airport to the baggage claim area where you can finally meet up with your pick up ride, although most seem to opt for just being picked up at the curb. Why pay to park??

Flying is no longer an adventure, but just a means to get from here to there. I wish my kids could have known a different world.

Eating Sensibly on Vacation

2008-05-26T07:36:00.000-05:00

Anyone on a diet? Anyone worried that their upcoming vacation is going to completely blow the progress they have already made? Vacations have all of the ingredients to ruin a diet. Lots of fun foods, eating at strange hours, and some additional stress. To combat these challenges I've compiled a list to help keep the progress moving forward even on vacation!

1. Bring Your Water with You. If you are driving to your vacation destination, pack the bottled water. One of the biggest challenges I have had is keeping up with the water intake. However if you have the water on hand it is much easier to remember. If flying, stop at the store at your destination. Also pick up some fruit and veggies for snacks.

2. Pack a Snack Too. If you are out touring all day, pack a backpack with supplies including snacks. Great snacks include apples, oranges, 100 calorie packs, anything you would normally use on plan that is ok without refrigeration. Snacks are so important on vacation to keep your metabolism going and avoid the hungry, famished feeling that ends up in an end of day feeding frenzy.

3. Plan Your Meals. If possible plan your meals in advance at times you would normally eat. Planning also allows you to check out the menu to ensure there are some healthy options.

4. Plan a Cheat. You are on vacation and there will be lots of cheats to chose from. While you could stay on track and avoid all temptations, I have found it much more satisfying to stay on plan for the most part, but allow the occasional temptation. Knowing there is a special treat planned usually gives me additional motivation to be good for the rest of the trip.

5. Write it Down. If you are in the habit of keeping a food diary, keep it up even on vacation. Its amazing how keeping track of your eating, keeps you motivated.

6. Split a Meal. Oversized portions are a dieters nightmare. In addition to choosing veggies and fruits whenever possible, split meals to avoid overeating. Also if in a situation where eating a sandwich or burger, ditch the top bun to avoid too many starches.

7. Keep Moving. Walking all day in an amusement park is exercise (but doesn't quite justify the fudge brownie sundae), however if you can make it to the hotel gym or do a few laps around the resort its all the better.

8. Enjoy your vacation. Just as your diet is part of your normal life, it can also be part of your vacation without it being the only part of your vacation.

With a little upfront planning you can enjoy your time and feel great when you come back home knowing you are still on track!!

The Perfect Disney Vacation

2008-04-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

We have returned from another successful Disney adventure. After working for the mouse for 10+ years and having the parks available anytime, going back is a mixture of going home again and being able to actually have a true vacation experience which we couldn't have while working there. When we lived in the area, we could go into a theme park for a couple of hours and then leave if the kids were acting up, it was too crowded, etc. Now we have to be like the masses "We are going to Disney and you will have fun...its now or never!!"This has resulted in some very long, exhausting days as we try to fit in everything, plus our local favorite restaurants and maybe even meet a few old friends along the way.
So we have been trying to find the balance between doing too much and not seeing everything we want...which is a tricky balance. This trip we actually had days while my husband was in a conference that we didn't go into any theme parks, but instead opted to play around the resort instead which was way cool. If you have ever had the opportunity to stay at a Disney resort, you know there are tons of things to do there, and often no time to do it. While at the Disney Yacht Club Resort we walked the loop to Boardwalk, enjoyed the bakery, sat and watched the boats, swam in the very fun sand bottom pool, let the kids build sand castles and played on the beach. I think the kids actually had more fun not going into the theme parks. As much fun as it seems to take the kids to Disney, I have noticed on more than one occasion that they spend the majority of time sitting in a stroller & waiting in line than actually having fun. Then we had 3 full days of the parks, and while we did take a bit more time out during the day to go back and enjoy the pool, we also let our kids stay up a bit later and enjoyed the park at night as well.
As a result I think we almost found the perfect balance...almost because we still missed some of the parts of the parks we would have enjoyed but due to cranky kids and naps, had to miss...but then again I guess that gives us a reason to go back and try again!

Disney World Vacation Tips

2008-03-18T20:55:00.000-05:00

Disney Tip of the Day

As fun as going to Disney is, it is also a high energy, marathon vacation, especially if traveling with children. From the moment you step out of your hotel room, until you put your head on your pillow at night, you will be standing, waiting, walking, waiting, eating, waiting...well you get the idea. There is alot of hurry up and wait, however with proper planning you can also have a great time.

Should you stay on Disney property? Well it is more expensive, but for our family it is worth it. After staying at some of the different hotels in the area nothing compares to staying on Disney property. For some people, the convenience of Disney transportation is the allure (for us, waiting for buses means, more waiting so we opt for our own transportation), but I think its the quality of the stay that makes it worthwhile for us. All of the resorts are themed in one way or another, from the most expensive to the economy, each resort has themed decor throughout the lobby and rooms, pools, restaurants and gift shops. Here is a rundown of a few of the options available!

Disney's Pop Century Resort: Themed for all of decades of the century, the Pop Century resort experience is great fun and a very affordable, family friendly option. Everywhere you look in the resort, you will find items to inspire nostalgia. From the rubix cube shaped stairwells in the 80's building to Mr and Mrs Potato Head statues in the walk ways, there is fun around every corner.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: This African inspired themed resort is a deluxe resort and priced accordingly. The beauty of this resort is the animals! Looking out your resort room window at any given time, you will see zebras, giraffes, buffalo, antelope and more. It is an amazing experience. Additional seating areas feature rocking chairs to sit and enjoy the view no matter where you happen to be in the resort.

Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort: Themed for the New England Seashore, this classy, deluxe resort offers some great amenities including a beautiful sandy pool. Within walking distance of the Boardwalk Resort and Epcot there is plenty to do and see right outside you room! Be sure to take in a clambake at the Cape May to fully experience the New England shore.

Stay tuned for more...

Chattanooga, TN

2007-07-20T10:35:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Chattanooga Tennessee!! A last minute weekend trip allowed us the opportunity to check out some of the area attractions. While the Marriott we stayed in was a bit disappointing - the featured social hour included a bowl of chips and some peanuts, and don't even get me started about the breakfast bar (which is normally a great benefit of staying at a Marriott). However the town did offer some unique and fun opportunities for the kids. Our favorite unique restaurant experience was the Mellow Mushroom. They feature pizza, calzones and some great looking sub sandwiches and salads. The pizza was great! Good crust, seasoning, the right amount of cheese and toppings and the salad was pretty tasty too. We tried both the Greek and Chef and enjoyed the fact that they do offer both full and half sizes. The atmosphere is very casual with TVs featuring sports. Our only complaint was the smoking section that sort of overlooked the nonsmoking booths - ick.

Ratings 1=Best Ever, 2= Pretty Good, 3= So,so, 4=Not So Much, 5=Not Worth It

Kid Friendliness Factor: 2
Worth the Money Factor: 1
Level of Fun: 1

The Chattanooga Children's Museum was great fun for the kids. We were disappointed that the museum was not part of the reciprocal network of museums for our membership so we had to pay, but it was worth the money. The water works section is huge which the kids love and there is a great climbing area - big enough for the parents to play too. There was also a great music section where the kids could try out different instruments or push buttons to make them play songs. We spent about an hour in this section alone. Overall alot of fun for the kids - the hardest part is to keep them moving along :)

Ratings 1=Best Ever, 2= Pretty Good, 3= So,so, 4=Not So Much, 5=Not Worth It

Kid Friendliness Factor: 1
Worth the Money Factor: 1
Level of Fun: 1

The Tennessee Aquarium - the big draw for the area, ended up being our least favorite. It is a great facility, but unless you really like looking at lots and lots of fish for many hours, it really gets old very quickly, especially with kids. There are 2 buildings. One focused on the Ocean and the other on the River. Throughout the Ocean building - our first building - the kids were fully engaged in the experience and enjoyed the stingray pond where they could pet the stingrays. Unfortunately after that one interactive experience, the rest of the tour was just looking. By the time we got to the River building most of the fish were looking similar despite the different parts of the world that the various fish came from. While I can't say anything really bad about the Aquarium, I do think its a one time attraction.

Ratings 1=Best Ever, 2= Pretty Good, 3= So,so, 4=Not So Much, 5=Not Worth It

Kid Friendliness Factor: 2
Worth the Money Factor: 3
Level of Fun: 3

Cheeseburger in Paradise - Algonquin, IL

2007-06-21T09:47:00.000-05:00

This Jimmy Buffet inspired themed restaurant was so much fun! Fun and colorful with an island theme and feel, Jimmy Buffet music playing in the background and tasty food to boot. The kids enjoyed the mini cheeseburgers while my husband and I tried out some of the wraps. I had the sweet potato chips - very yummy and we also tried out the spinach and crab dip for an appetizer which was also very good. The prices were very reasonable and we were very impressed by the service as well. A kitchen mixup had a couple of our parties' entrees out a bit later than the rest and they fully comped both meals and offered us a free desert for the inconvenience. Wow! we were impressed. This chain has restaurants throughout the east and midwest and we would highly recommend a visit.

Ratings 1=Best Ever, 2= Pretty Good, 3= So,so, 4=Not So Much, 5=Not Worth It

Kid Friendliness Factor: 1
Worth the Money Factor: 1
Level of Fun: 1

The Parthenon - Nashville,TN

2007-06-13T13:47:00.001-05:00

"EXCUSE ME...PLEASE GET AWAY FROM THOSE ROPES. THEY ARE THERE FOR YOUR PROTECTION. PEOPLE HAVE BROKEN THEIR ANKLES CLIMBING NEAR THOSE ROPES!" yelled the PR director for The Parthenon Museum in Nashville, TN as my two children and their 2 cousins were playing near the benches in the exhibit. Mind you the kids weren't playing Red Rover or jump rope with the ropes or even really playing on them. They were following around my 2 year old who was walking over to the benches on the other side of the "safety" ropes that "protected" everyone from the 1 1/2 inch step between the exhibit area and the sitting area. Oh yes there were some cool pieces of art and the re-creation of the Parthenon and all its glory was cool, but this was the most memorable part of the trip by far.

Overall not a great place to take small children. Better for the older observer who can spend time reading all of the placards and observing the works. Fortunately it is only $5 per adult and free for kids 4 and under.

Ratings 1=Best Ever, 2= Pretty Good, 3= So,so, 4=Not So Much, 5=Not Worth It

Kid Friendliness Factor: 5
Worth the Money Factor: 3
Level of Fun: 4

Batter Up! - Louisville, KY

2007-06-13T13:32:00.000-05:00

On a recent weekend trip to Louisville KY, we began our journey focused on the Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Adventure Park. Although the water park was not yet opened for the year, we were hopeful that the theme park would provide enough entertainment to satisfy our withdrawal from the Disney theme parks. To say the least, we were disappointed.

Financially, we thought that the $29.95 season pass that we purchased at Kroeger's in advance was a steal so we bought 3. Our youngest is 2 and doesn't need a pass quite yet. So with passes in hand we made the 4 hour drive from Nashville. Upon entering the park, we were directed to the season pass office which was completely chaotic, yet surprisingly not too long of a wait to get our info put into the system and our photo badges processed. We still had hope...

Making our way to the kids area of the park however, it was quickly evident that we would struggle to spend more than a couple of hours in the park. There were a handful of rides that both of our children could enjoy and very little enthusiasm by the park employees to make any sort of memorable experience. Children were climbing all over the planters, taking cuts in line, running throughout and there was little to no effort by the parents or the employees to regain any type of order. The show we caught the end of seemed cheesy and forced. "Are you having fun!!!" No not really... And of course there was the "snack" that we opted to buy. Some soft pretzels and a drink for $8.95... and they were out of toppings. Almost $10 bucks for soft pretzels without cheese...what a ripoff...'well we have some mustard'.

Ratings 1=Best Ever, 2= Pretty Good, 3= So,so, 4=Not So Much, 5=Not Worth It

Kid Friendliness Factor: 3
Worth the Money Factor: 3
Level of Fun: 4

Since the amusement park ended up being a bust, we weren't going to return there and had one more day in Louisville KY. Fortunately we came across the Louisville Slugger Museum. This is the factory where Louisville Slugger bats are made. While the ideal age for this tour is probably more in the 5 and up category, my 2 and 4 year old actually did pretty well. The museum and tour includes a short movie about baseball and a re-creation of a baseball field complete with players. There is also a section where, by pushing a button, you can pitch a baseball, or play a video to learn more about the history of the game. The kids enjoyed those parts and really enjoyed the Peanuts section of the museum that was being featured. They sat in baseball shaped bean bag chairs and watched Charlie Brown while we looked at the exhibits which made for a very enjoyable experience for parents and kids alike! Even the factory tour moved along at a pace that the kids didn't get bored and get into trouble.

Ratings 1=Best Ever, 2= Pretty Good, 3= So,so, 4=Not So Much, 5=Not Worth It

Kid Friendliness Factor: 2
Worth the Money Factor: 1
Level of Fun: 2

Bloggin' Across the USA

2007-06-13T13:25:00.001-05:00

Check out our latest expeditions traveling from coast to coast with 2 kids in tow...
Ratings for Kid Friendliness, Worth the Money Factor and Level of Fun in every post!