Go Beyond the Amusement Park! 3 Must-Visit Orlando Areas for Families

June 22, 2016 by Kathryn 29 Comments

If there’s one city that’s really perfected the art of family fun, it’s Orlando, Florida. From its many amusement parks to its top-notch attractions and entertainment, there’s no shortage of things to do when you’re visiting this sunny Florida metropolis.

But because its amusement parks are such a big part of its appeal, some of Orlando’s other areas tend to get overlooked. And that’s a shame, because there are so many places in the city worthy of a visit! Wondering what areas you should check out? These three locations are my top picks for must-visit Orlando hotspots!

ICON Orlando 360

This brand new complex on International Drive is home to a ton of fun-filled attractions, including the hugely popular ICON Orlando, a 400 ft. observation wheel that opened just last year. In addition to ICON Orlando, the indoor complex also holds Madam Tussauds Wax Museum and the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. A ticket for any one of the attractions is $25, while tickets for all three are $49, making this a great bargain choice.

I have to admit that I was impressed by just how much fun the wax museum was. In large part, Madam Tussauds is a place for photos, and I loved the fact that it included props and costumes so that visitors could pose in style as they snapped their pictures. But many of the displays also included fun facts about the famous figures and entertaining mini games to keep even the youngest visitors entertained.

Whether I was shooting hoops with Shaquille O’Neal, busting a move with Michael Jackson or taking an intelligence quiz beside Einstein, I was constantly entertained during my experience. And of course, getting a few pictures with my favourite wax celebrities was tons of fun too! [Read more…]

Only Have Time to Visit One Walt Disney World Park? Here are 4 Reasons to Choose Disney’s Animal Kingdom

May 27, 2016 by Kathryn 57 Comments

When it comes to visiting Walt Disney World, spending a few days exploring the four different parks is almost a must. With so much to see and do, my ideal Walt Disney World vacation would involve spending at least one full day in each park. Sometimes, though, time just doesn’t let that be an option. I’ve already shared my outline for exploring the best of all four Walt Disney World parks in one day. But if you’d rather spend the day at just one single park this summer so that you can experience it to the fullest, make it Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Wondering why? Here are my four reasons this should be your must-visit Walt Disney World park.

You’ll Learn as You Explore

Like every park at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom has plenty of fun rides and entertaining shows. But above and beyond that, the park has learning experiences and one of the best is the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride. Journey on an African safari so authentic that you’ll almost believe you’ve travelled to another continent. The effort that Walt Disney World has made into both providing a natural habitat for its animals and preserving some of our world’s most endangered creatures is admirable. And the animals clearly feel at home in the environment, which means there’s ample opportunity to see them up close. The guides on the tour are full of facts about the animals and it’s impossible not to come away from the ride feeling a deeper connection to the many fellow creatures that share our planet. For those that prefer walking, the Maharajah Jungle Trek lets visitors view tigers, birds and lizards up close on a green and pleasant walking trail. [Read more…]

Step Into the World of Knights for a Night at Medieval Times-Giveaway

April 15, 2016 by Kathryn 52 Comments

I have a lot of friends in the Toronto area, so I’ve heard of the Medieval Times experience in the past. In fact, I’ve often read about my best blogging friend’s trips to Medieval Times Toronto with her boys in envy…the idea of watching live jousting and sword fights while enjoying a medieval feast sounded like so much fun! So when I had the chance to visit Medieval Times Orlando with my boys and their grandparents on a recent trip to Florida, I was thrilled. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was sure the night would be entertaining!

The fun started as soon as we arrived and walked towards the towering castle. We all had the immediate impression of being transported back in time and Zackary couldn’t wait to get inside. When I picked up our tickets, we learned that we would be sitting in the green section and cheering for the Green Knight. After receiving our crowns and entering the main hall, we had just enough time to get a pre-dinner drink, buy the boys each a green flag and admire the suits of armour. Then we were ushered to our seats so the tournament could begin!

[Read more…]

Whether You’re a Kid or an Adult, Everything is Awesome at the LEGOLAND Florida Hotel!

March 18, 2016 by Kathryn 25 Comments

When I heard the news about the opening of the new theme hotel last year at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, I couldn’t help but want to check it out firsthand. With two LEGO-crazed boys at home and a pretty solid love of the interlocking bricks myself, I was sure it would be a place to remember.

And recently, my dream came true when the LEGOLAND Florida Hotel invited us to spend the night on our recent trip to the Orlando area. With bags packed, my boys, their Nanny and I set off to see just what this new hotel had to offer.

Everything is LEGO!

From the second we drove up to the hotel, we knew that our experience was going to be an amazing one. The exterior of LEGOLAND Florida Hotel provides a vibrant, LEGO-filled welcome that illustrates the type of experience to be found upon walking through the doors.

Almost life-sized LEGO creations, including a dragon, a knight, a pirate and more dominate the front of the hotel, while brightly coloured brick detailing on the outer walls gives the entire hotel a LEGO look. But as much as the exterior of the hotel impresses, the interior is even better.

The check-in desk was one of my personal favourite features. Behind the large LEGO man riding a bicycle (a moving feature that’s an immediate draw for the eye), an entire wall of Minifigures are on display. LEGO Minifigures have always been something I loved, so I could have studied the wall in detail for hours.

The lobby also featured numerous large LEGO creations including a pirate bed big enough for a child, characters including a waiter and a porter, and another perching dragon. [Read more…]

Ford Shows Off 4 Top New Innovations at the 2016 North American International Auto Show #FordNAIAS

February 2, 2016 by Kathryn 31 Comments

For anyone that loves cars, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is a chance to indulge in endless eye candy and new auto innovations to the heart’s content. But it’s also a chance for manufacturers to show off their latest and greatest developments. And Ford Canada is always at the forefront with vehicles, technology and transportation debuts that go above and beyond expectations.

This year was no exception, and I was honoured to be among a select group of Canadian bloggers that were offered the chance to attend the show with Ford and experience the future of the company firsthand. Toys, trucks and transportation innovation are all part of Ford’s plan for the next year. These are four of the ways Ford is blazing into 2016 in style!

Ford Partners with LEGO

If there’s one thing my boys love more than cars, it’s their beloved LEGO sets. And now they can have both thanks to a partnership between the beloved brick company and Ford! Available this March, LEGO is offering two fabulous Ford vehicle sets in its LEGO Speed Champions collection: the Ford F-150 set and the Ford Mustang set. The Mustang features 185 pieces and retails for $14.99. The F-150 set, complete with a custom garage, contains 664 pieces and retails for $49.99. The attention to detail on these sets are what had my heart racing…the truck even features a working suspension system! [Read more…]

Enjoy a Las Vegas Family Vacation at These 6 Kid-Friendly Attractions

September 10, 2015 by Kathryn 27 Comments

Though it might not be the first place to pop into your mind, Las Vegas can be the perfect vacation for a family. If you’re bringing your little ones on your next trip to the Strip, make sure you plan some exciting and fun family-friendly activities. Just because Vegas is riddled with casinos, shows, and parties, doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of family vacation spots in the mix. From high-flying thrills at amusement parks to learning about history at local museums, your family vacation in Las Vegas will be memorable for everyone! Take a look at these six kid-friendly spots.

Adventure Dome

As America’s largest indoor amusement park, the Adventure Dome spans 5.5 acres of land all under a glass encasement. Whether you like thrills or just a day with the family, Adventure Dome has something for everyone. Make your family vacation complete with a visit to this adventure park. With typical Vegas flare, the roller coasters are perfect for older kids while the carnival rides, mini golf, and games are just right for a younger crowd. If you’re traveling during Halloween, there’s no other place in Vegas that celebrates like the Adventure Dome. With ghosts and ghouls around every corner, you’ll get a fright from more than the coaster loops. What’s best about this family vacation spot is that you can have fun rain or shine! [Read more…]

The Best of Walt Disney World-A Guide to Experiencing All Four Parks in One Day

March 11, 2015 by Kathryn 25 Comments

It’s easy to spend multiple days exploring the four different parks that make up Walt Disney World and see new things every day. But if time is short and you want to make the most of your visit, this is the information you’ve been looking for. Enjoying the best of all four parks in twelve hours might seem impossible but with some strategic planning and a little luck, it can be done. On a recent trip to Orlando, I decided to prove that with a 1 day park hopper pass and a whirlwind day that took me from the plains of Africa to the surface of Mars!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Since Disney’s Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other parks, it’s a great place to start the fun. The Tree of Life is a must-see, with its stunning carving depicting over 300 different animals. After taking a few minutes to admire the tree, I was off to Expedition Everest, one of the park’s most popular roller coasters. As a first ride, it’s a great one with a fast-paced coaster and a very close encounter with the Abominable Snowman. In fact, it was such a great ride that I just had to go on it twice!

Then it was off to walk through the Maharaja Jungle Trek and see the giant fruit bats, tigers, tapirs and other animals inhabiting the area. With the fun of seeing animals up close fresh in my mind, heading to the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris ride was my next top pick. Watching lions, elephants, giraffes and more roaming in expertly designed areas that simulated their natural landscapes was thrilling.

After all that walking, I was ready for a break. And watching the hugely popular 4D live show It’s Tough to be a Bug was the perfect way to relax while enjoying some great entertainment. Featuring 3D special effects, smoke, scents and more, it’s one of the top attractions in the park for good reason! My personal favourite moment was right at the end when the seats simulated the feeling of bugs crawling away underneath me! [Read more…]

Don’t Miss These Top 3 Orlando, Florida Activities for Adults

February 26, 2015 by Kathryn 30 Comments

Orlando is a favourite family destination for good reason. With a variety of fun-filled theme parks perfect for kids of all ages, it’s easy to spend a full week in the area just checking out all the rides, attractions and entertainment available. But there’s a lot more to Orlando, Florida than just amusement parks and activities for kids! These three adventures are the perfect way for adults to enjoy some time in the area.

Orlando Balloon Rides

In front of the Orlando Balloon Rides hot air balloon basket, ready to head to the sky!

Sailing through the sky in a hot air balloon is something everyone should try at least once. There is nothing more peaceful than drifting on the breeze and looking down on the world below, especially in an area as picturesque as the Orlando region. Orlando Balloon Rides is one of the top companies offering hot air balloon adventures and provides an experience that you’re sure to remember for a lifetime. Just be prepared to get up early!

balloon assembly — Filling the balloon with air. I love how small the men holding the sides look!

For me, one of the highlights of the ride was watching and participating in the set-up and takedown of the balloon. I’d never realized just how big these balloons were until one was being filled right in front of me! And while filling the balloon with air was a job that could be done by just a handful of staff, packing it away after was a task that required everyone, participants included, to lend a hand! [Read more…]