Travel with kids

Exploring Legoland Florida

Posted on January 9, 2013 by tvaldeegan

We were going to Florida for a combination vacation and work trip. I didn’t want to go to DisneyWorld for just a day or two because it always feels so rushed and not everyone gets to see what they want with that limited time – not to mention that it costs more for a shorter amount of days.

We chose Legoland for our one-day funday. Since it had recently opened in Florida, we thought we’d see what the Florida version had to offer. We had been to the California Legoland a few years ago.

Of course, I’m always searching for the best deals so I read online that the Lego magazine had a free kid’s ticket with a paid adult. Luckily, we still had one laying around so I was able to get both kids’ tickets for free.

We chose Christmas day for our trip. We flew to Florida on Christmas Eve, stayed at the Embassy Suites in Lake Buena Vista, and drove to Legoland for the day. When we woke up at the hotel, Santa had left two Lego bags with cash in each for our day. At the park, parking is $12 ($11 something plus tax, magically totaling $12) and the lot was fairly empty when we arrived.

Legoland had some nice holiday touches – a large Christmas tree (made of Legos, of course), santas hidden throughout miniland and some other sites throughout the park.

The weather was overcast but not cold, making it a perfect day to walk around a theme park. The waterpark was closed because of the off-season but everything else was up and running.

I really like this park for the kids, who are 10 and 8. The rides are just their size and they especially love the driving school (unlike most theme parks where cars are on a track, these cars are on “roads” with stop signs and stoplights and the kids learn to navigate them.

The only problems we ran into, which were minor, were with food. Cap’n Brickbeard was listed on the printed map as “All American food” but when we walked over there, the sign said “Cap’n Brickbeard’s Burgers.” I know burgers are American but I was expecting more than only that, so we headed over to the all-you-can-eat pizza and pasta buffet. My son burned his finger on one of the pizza pans and the workers there would not give us any ice. They said we had to go to the first aid station and that they would get in trouble if they tried to help us. So I ended up using a bunch of napkins to put ice in for his finger.

We also walked around Cypress Gardens, a former park that Legoland preserved, and found the giant Banyan tree. The kids also liked finding the Travelocity gnomes that were placed around there, too.

Other than the incidents, the food was typical and filled us up for more explorations. My son was thrilled with the Star Wars miniland and was doing his best to find all of the santas (we ended up being a few short). My daughter was excited with the new Lego Friends store and seeing one of the characters outside.

All in all, it was a great Christmas day and we’d definitely visit again.

Note: No compensation was received for this post. We traveled and attended on our own.

Categories: Me and my family, Travel with kids | Tags: Legoland age groups, Legoland Florida | Leave a comment

A Visit to Orange Lake Resort Holiday Inn Vacation Club

Posted on January 7, 2013 by tvaldeegan

Ah, the weather. When you’re in Florida in December, it’s like a box of chocolates where each day can be something completely different. Our first day at the Holiday Inn Vacation Club’s Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, we were just headed out to check out the pool complex and video arcade when it started to rain.

Coming from Michigan, my kids immediately ran out into the rain and danced around. Warm rain is a novelty in the north so it did not deter them. Luckily, our spacious unit had a washer and dryer so the clothes were OK.

The condo unit in our East Village location was like having our own apartment on the road – two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, washer, dryer and balcony.

We had dinner at the Legacy Sports Bar & Grill, which was in our village. And you really need to realize this place has villages – it’s so large that it could be its own small town. When you arrive, you’re provided with a map of all of the villages and areas, much like when you visit a theme park, although I think the resort may be larger!

Our second day, we headed out to the River Island complex. We experienced the Putt-Putt golf, the hippo inflatable water slide, the lazy river, hot tub and the arcade. Whew, it took us the better part of the day but the kids weren’t to be deterred – even without super warm weather. The pools and river were heated and the hot tub is good in any weather.

At night, we headed out as a family to the Legends Walk golf course, a family-friendly (read: easier than usual courses) that’s lighted for night play. My kids played and giggled and ran around in the night.

It was a short stay but I could see a family spending more than a week there. We never made it to the tennis courts, beach and other villages. There’s so much to see and do here – you may never make it to the nearby theme parks.

Note: My husband and our family received complimentary lodging. This review was not part of the agreement or expected, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Categories: Family Friendly Resorts, Travel with kids | Tags: Orange Lake Resort Holiday Inn Vacation Club, Orlando area kid resorts | Leave a comment

Review: Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista

Posted on January 4, 2013 by tvaldeegan

I was searching for a hotel for my family to stay at the night before we were headed to Legoland Florida. Legoland is not right by all of the attractions in the Orlando area but rather midway between Tampa and Orlando. We flew in to Tampa but didn’t need to stay there.

I was looking for a few things in a family-friendly hotel – free parking, a decent room, a decent price and breakfast would be a bonus. Because we flew in mid-afternoon, I wanted my family to be able to go outside and enjoy the day, as well.

Ultimately, I chose the Embassy Suites in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Just outside of Orlando and very close to Disney, this hotel had a bedroom, breakfast included as well as the manager’s reception in the evening. It also has a heated pool, hot tub, tennis court, basketball court and sand volleyball – enough to entertain my energetic family.

We arrived on Christmas Eve, so I knew we weren’t going to have many options outside of the hotel that would be open and if open, not crowded. After we checked in, we found a note that said happy holidays with some wrapped sugar cookies and a milk in the fridge. Also, they had left a couple of packets of hot chocolate on the counter. Our kids were thrilled.

After exploring the grounds, we went back to the room and grabbed our tennis rackets. We wanted to hit the courts before the early darkness came. Mother Nature has hit the courts a bit so parts are bumpy but it’s good enough for messing around and hitting the ball. Outside of the fence, there are ponds on both sides, so we were able to see some wonderful Florida birds and a crazy squirrel running around.

After tennis, we changed into our suits. The pool was heated but a tad chilly for mom, so I supervised as the kids splashed and laughed. I joined them in the hot tub, although we couldn’t seem to get the jets going.

We then went to the manager’s reception and the kids loved the slushies. Of course, mom and dad liked the sangria and margaritas. Because it was the holidays, they had a hot snack of egg rolls along with the chips and popcorn.

We were only at the Embassy Suites in Lake Buena Vista for one night but it was a great choice and a short 40-minute drive to Legoland the next day.

Note: I did not receive any compensation for the stay or this post. It was purely on our own and I wanted to review my experience.

Categories: Family Friendly Resorts, Travel with kids | Tags: Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista, Embassy Suites near Legoland, Legoland hotels for kids | Leave a comment

Preparing for a road trip with kids

Posted on November 19, 2012 by tvaldeegan

We’re facing a 10- to 12-hour car ride with the kids this Thanksgiving and it’s not our first long car trip with them. Since they were young, we’ve braved planes, cars and ferries (no trains yet) with the kids to get where we want to go and to show them the larger world out there.

And the key to mostly sane travel is to prepare. (Unlike the one time my husband was on a flight with our infant son, who had an unfortunate blowout and another set of clothes were in checked luggage.)

Electronics, depending on how you view them, are a necessary evil. We were once on a flight from Michigan to Florida and the elderly lady next to me asked if she could give my kids $20 to split at the end of the flight. Because both kids were wired to their movies and games, neither made a peep for the entire flight and my row companion was clearly relieved and delighted. (We took the money because we were going to Disney, but we had a long talk with the kids about money from strangers, parental permission, etc.)

Books are essential but you also have to plan for when it’s too dark. On a 12-hour car ride, this is bound to be the case. The kids are somewhat starting to outgrow activity books, but they enjoy a good mad lib and that’s a fun game for everyone in the car.

At times, we resort to the tried-and-true car games – license plates from A-Z, “owning” animals on your side of the car window and one that my sister-in-law taught us with the alphabet sentences and alliteration: Auntie Arrived Already, Brad Bothers Babies, etc. The kids giggle away at those as they come up with their own.

Then, especially this time of the year, it becomes dark but it’s not anywhere near bedtime. The electronics come out, the headphones go in and peace overcomes the car ride, only to be interrupted with “I can’t find my movie case” or “When are we stopping for a restroom?” Chargers, cords and headphone wires aplenty when it’s times four but well worth it when everyone is seated in front of their glowing monitors.

And the golden rule of traveling with kids (which mine still don’t always do but quickly learn a lesson): when you stop (at an airport, hotel or restaurant), plug it in and charge it up.

Good luck out there on the open road.

Categories: Me and my family, Travel with kids | Tags: Car travel with kids, Kids car games | Leave a comment

Under construction: The Sheraton New Orleans

Posted on November 15, 2012 by tvaldeegan

If you stay at the Sheraton in New Orleans in late 2012, they’ll tell you when you check in that construction will happen between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Some of the rooms available are newly renovated and some are renovations-in-waiting, one of which I stayed in.

Overall, the hotel and conference areas are an ideal location. Right on Canal Street, in easy walking to the sites and sounds that New Orleans is known for, the Sheraton towers above most buildings and faces the Marriott.

I didn’t make it to the pool or workout area but when I walked by, fitness enthusiasts were all full steam ahead in a brightly lit and clean area.

The Pelican bar, in the lobby, is an open, airy place where you can grab a drink, see a game on a giant projector screen and get a bite from a bar menu. I had the four-cheese pizza, of which I was only able to tackle a portion.

I was in a to-be remodeled room and I could immediately see why they are under construction. After choosing the “green choice” for room service, I was dismayed to find that the bathtub faucet had a persistent drip that I could not stop. The showerhead was detaching from the wall and sprayed like a sprinkler when turned on. Based on the noise level during the day, the room is in line to be refurbished very soon.

But oh, what a view. When these rooms are completed, it will be a perfect place to stay in the Crescent City. The floor-to-ceiling windows look directly over Canal Street and at times you can hear the sounds of jazz drifting up.

I walked many places while here – along the river, to the quarter and to some indulgent restaurants. The Sheraton New Orleans is a central location and would be great for couples and families visiting the city. The Starbucks in the lobby gives you the boost you need in the morning, as well as the in-room coffee service that also has Starbucks.

Categories: Family Friendly Resorts, Travel with kids | Tags: New Orleans hotels for kids, Sheraton New Orleans | Leave a comment

Summer travel recap – Pure Michigan, 5 states and Mexico

Posted on October 3, 2012 by tvaldeegan

At the beginning of summer, I had outlined our travel plans and added a couple of possible trips and a wish list. We ended up pretty much on track with a couple of additional trips thrown into the mix.

Here’s what we did with our summer vacation (not that I was on vacation all summer but it sure seems like it by looking at this list!)

The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor: This is one of our favorite places. We kicked off summer on Memorial Day weekend with a trip to Northern Michigan.

Cabo San Lucas: Gorgeous resorts, swimming with the dolphins and kayaking on the ocean. Definitely on my list to return.
Charlotte, NC: Besides my favorite blogging conference, Type A Parent Conference, Charlotte was a great place to visit – and eat.

New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania: We had a whirlwind family tour of the big city, a waterpark and a relaxing riverside retreat. A perfect combination.

Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City: No Michigan summer is complete without a visit to Traverse City. The water was so warm in August.

Kohler, Wisconsin: We ended our summer with a Labor Day drive to Wisconsin. Golf, tennis, spa and the best french toast I’ve ever had.

A trip to Ontario, Canada, that I had mentioned ended up being just my husband for his work in the fall. Niagara Falls is still on my list as a family trip.

Onward and upward: What started as planning for a family trip to London during Easter break is morphing into a trip to Hawaii in mid-January. We’ll have to take the kids out of school for a couple of days but I think it’s worth it for the life experiences that they will gain. My husband’s job is requesting that he go, so we’ll tag along in the background.

How was your summer?

Categories: Family Friendly Resorts, Travel with kids | Tags: family travel, Michigan summers, Summer travel, trips with kids | Leave a comment

A family affair at the Kohler Resort area and The American Club

Posted on September 12, 2012 by tvaldeegan

Most people know Kohler for the kitchen and bathroom hardware but it’s also a lovely resort town in Wisconsin. The golfers out there know Kohler for its golf – Whistling Straights and Black Wolf Run – but I know Kohler for its family-friendly accommodations, fabulous Waters Spa and indulgent food.

When my husband had to go to Kohler for a work trip, the family tagged along. And I do have to say, the hotel shower was exceptional. While there, we explored the Sports Core fitness facility, complete with indoor pool (and another adult pool), indoor and outdoor hottubs and a beach area with a raft that you can swim out to. The beach area is actually a small lake and connects by trail to the Inn at Woodland Lake, where we stayed. Kohler has a few hotels, and the most well-known is the historic American Club.

In the middle courtyard of The American Club is an adorable stained glass greenhouse, imported from England, which houses an ice cream parlor and café. We also had a memorable brunch in the Wisconsin Room, with the best French toast ever – crème brulee!

One evening, the kids went to the Dinner & A Movie kids club and my husband and I went out to dinner at the Horse & Plow pub at the American Club. In true Wisconsin fashion, we had cheese curds, beer cheese soup and cheddar burgers – a cheese lovers’ paradise.

The kids had a great time at their event, too. They played croquet and bean bag toss on the lawn and then settled into a conference room to watch their movie on fun bean bag chairs. Also part of the kids club, they received a goody bag on arrival, with a hat, activity book and a fold up Frisbee.

My other indulgence for the weekend was a trip to the spa, where I experienced the new Hamman Water Ritual. Pours of warm water, a body scrub and hair treatment had me relaxed and rejuvenated for the rest of the weekend.

The most memorable meal for my kids was the s’mores dessert at the BlackWolf Run Restaurant. Served with a blue flame, homemade graham crackers and homemade marshmallows, the dessert was a fun activity to end the meal.

We took a few walks around the pond and on one of the marked trails, as well as grabbed our tennis rackets and headed to the high school tennis courts. We all had a great time exploring the town, the activities and the food. It’s a great place for a family retreat.

Categories: Family Friendly Resorts, Travel with kids | Tags: Inn at Woodland Lake, Kohler Wisconsin, The American Club | 1 Comment

Kitchen and bath, designed by Kohler

Posted on September 6, 2012 by tvaldeegan

My family rolled their eyes when I said I wanted to check out the Kohler Design Center while we were in Kohler. But, as an HGTV addict and Pinterest remodeling enthusiast, I knew I wanted to check it out.

The first thing we saw when walking in was a demonstration chair with heat technology. This translates into a hottub or whirlpool that could have heated walls with the push of a button.

Moving along, we moved into the kitchen area with gorgeous sinks and faucets (yes, sinks and faucets can be gorgeous. In the back of the room is the infamous Great Wall of China, or more accurately, a great wall of the Porcelain Gods.

The kids got an education with the toilet demonstrations that included built in bidet functions. They had fun getting into a few of the tubs and testing shower heads.

Moving to the lower level, this was another love of mine – history. This floor told the story of the Kohler family, the Kohler company and how they’ve changed the way people function, including the development of the first electric washing machine (thank you, Kohler!). The company started with plows and then enameled a cast iron horse trough, and the rest is history.

The Kohler Design Center was a fun diversion for the family and also include some education. I recommend a visit if you’re ever in the area.

Categories: Travel with kids | Tags: Kohler Design Center, Kohler Sink, Kohler Toilet Wall | 1 Comment

A sleepover at Country Inn and Suites in Gurnee, Ill.

Posted on September 5, 2012 by tvaldeegan

Most people staying at the Country Inn and Suites are there for one of two main attractions: Six Flags amusement park or the Gurnee Mills outlet shopping center.

Unfortunately, we were there for neither. Ultimately, we were headed to Kohler, Wisc., and needed a place to stay for the night. My son, who is in football, was scheduled to have practice until 8 p.m. the day we left, so I searched for a hotel north of Chicago that we could stay at the for the night. Then, we could wake up, not have to battle Chicago traffic and have a short drive to our final destination.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, my son fractured his finger in a practice earlier in the week, so we were in the clear to leave after I got out of work. We had decent traffic and found our way easily to the hotel.

We checked in and got to the room when I checked in on Foursquare and found that we would receive a free pay-per-view movie for the check-in. When I went to the front desk, the young lady there didn’t know what Foursquare was and didn’t even know that the hotel had pay-per-view. She said she’d contact her manager and get back to us but we never heard from her again (and decided to just head to sleep).

In the morning, we got up for the included breakfast. Our kids love the waffle machines at hotels, ,along with being able to select from several types of cereals (and always on the lookout for a blueberry muffin). The hotel had all of these and breakfast was efficient and satisfying enough to get us up and moving.

We did not use the pool but it looked sufficient, yet small, for a stay but the hottub had a cover on it with caution tape. The workout room had two treadmills and an elliptical machine.

We checked out, grabbed a couple of fresh chocolate chip cookies from the counter and were on our way. Overall, the hotel meet our needs for a family overnight stay.

Categories: Travel with kids | Tags: Country Inn and Suites, Gurnee Illinois hotels, kids and Country Inn | 1 Comment

Summer in Traverse City is a Grand experience

Posted on August 16, 2012 by tvaldeegan

In the summer, we go north. A lot of people who live in Michigan head “up north” each summer – to the small towns near rivers, lakes and beaches to camp, stay in a cabin or in a nice hotel or resort.

This August, we hit I-75 all the way up to Traverse City and stayed at the Grand Traverse Resort. Just outside of Traverse in Acme, Grand Traverse Resort is a hotel, golf course, spa, swimming pools, beach and a whole host of restaurants and retail shops.

New to us this year, Grand Traverse now has a Dylan’s Candy Bar. We recently saw the original Dylan’s in New York City so we were so excited to see one in our home state. On Saturdays, Dylan’s has a make-your-own sundae and make-your-own cotton candy times to keep the kids – and adults – entertained.

But the real attraction for the kids is the indoor pool. With a water slide, floating pads, splash area and smaller kiddy pool, our kids could spend all day in one location. The pool area also has a couple of ping pong tables and some video games.

We didn’t make it to the outdoor pool at the hotel this time but we did take the short drive to The Shores, Grand Traverse’s beach and outdoor pool area. There’s a snack shack, hottub, heated pool and a beach area with volleyball, beanbag toss and ladderball. In August, the beach water is nice and warm and the swimming area is fairly shallow.

Back at the hotel, we walked around outside of the spa and health club and found the outdoor tennis courts (they also have indoor ones). After an hour or so of family tennis, we once again landed at the indoor pool to cool off.

For an adventure off the resort, we walked around Traverse City’s front street, with a customary stop at Cherry Republic and some other stores. We also have a tradition of putt-putt up north, so this year we hit both hot spots – Pirates Cove and Pebble Creek. The kids were big enough this year to try the ropes course at Pirate Cove and they both did a great job. I’m happy that we’re raising our kids to be adventurous, even if mom is standing on the sidelines watching!

Sad to see our weekend end, the kids begged for more fun – more pool, more tennis! – but sadly we had to head out for the drive home. But if you’re thinking of a finding a destination for the family, Traverse City and the Grand Traverse Resort will not disappoint.

Categories: Family Friendly Resorts, Travel with kids | Tags: Dylan's Candy Bar, Grand Traverse Resort, northern Michigan vacation, Traverse City with kids | 1 Comment