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“’Cause down the shore everything’s all right.” ---Tom Waits, JERSEY GIRL Some see the Jersey Shore as a travel destination, a place to take the family for a couple of...
Teens sometimes get a bad rap. People think they’re hard to please and harder to travel with. But the key to traveling with teens—and keeping the whole family happy—is to...
This month we are hosting our first Traveling Moms Instagram meme and we would love to have you join in the fun!
Summertime's almost here – time to start planning your summer travels! We've taken the guesswork out of your planning by seeking out advice from top family travel writers from across...
Midwest winters can seem endless. The payoff? Perfect summer temperatures! Each year I vow to savor every minute of the warm weather. Although I can’t put everything on hold, I...
Summer vacations for some families mean active adventures, while for others the summer is a perfect time to start exploring college campuses. Imagine being able to do both in one...
Thomas Jefferson advised the we should have a revolution every 20 years. He meant government, but the idea applies to anything: If we don’t continually rethink how we do what...
Air travel can be stressful nowadays with long lines, flight delays and cramped seating. Add luggage, children, strollers and even pets to the mix and you have a veritable powder...
Planning your family vacation can be overwhelming--where to go, what to do, how to get there, you name it. There are a lot of details to planning a summer vacation....
There’s a reason “Follow the Honey,” in Cambridge, Massachusetts is not just a simple honey store. For founder and owner, anning, traveling the world on her personal journey led her to open a shop filled with honey stories to tell, and products with a conscience.
In Search of Healing an [ ... ]
Must we trade brunch dates and Bloody Mary’s for barely edible pancakes and sippy cups once we have kids? Hardly. Chicago restaurateurs, many of whom now claim the title of parents themselves, know how to host a good brunch which welcomes us and our progeny. Unlike some downtown areas which only [ ... ]
For those living in the middle of Missouri, there are only a few options for hitting the "big city" -- St. Louis, Mo., or Memphis, Tenn. Last spring, my gal pal Jessie and I chose to visit Memphis for the first time.
Our trip to Memphis might be one of the most unorganized trips I've ever take [ ... ]
I’m a sucker for an old-fashioned candy shop. I just love the candy-filled bins, the drugstore-feel complete with a bar and soda jerk…it makes everyone feel like a kid. With unique treats like Elvis Bark and chocolate-covered bacon, the Big Top Candy Shop in Austin, Texas is a fun treat for any [ ... ]
When planning out your summer road trip don't overlook Devil's Tower, Wyoming. It is one of my favorite side trips and possibly one of the most overlooked National Parks.
The first time I drove through Wyoming was in the summer of 1981 on a road trip with my my Mom. Somehow, in a pre-Internet [ ... ]
Vegetarian travel gets easier in the summer, when farmers markets and their bounteous produce draw tourists and local chefs. Summer is also know for outdoor eating, and New York City has one of the best (I’m slightly biased) eating extravagnzas, orgasburg. Actually, make that two. Smorgasburg ha [ ... ]
You could visit South Florida without paying homage to the Everglades, but why would you want to? And paying proper homage to the Florida Everglades requires an airboat ride.
In the end, it was a Disney princess that changed my mind.
You see, I didn't think I was a Disney World kinda girl.
When it comes to family travel, I loathe the idea of huge crowds, overpriced concession food and long lines, especially when the payoff is just a 2-minute ride or a cheesy photo-op. I don't even like Mickey Mouse. (Come on, that voice...)
Yet every parent I know -- even the hipster ones -- gave Disney a big thumbs up. I never understood why.
So when Disney World hosted the TravelingMoms for a weekend in February, I arrived with my nose in the air, ready to critique everything I saw and did. Within hours, I found myself thinking, "Hey, this place is kinda awesome."
What sold me?
* The rides are nothing like you'd find at your run-of-the-mill amusement park. They're high-tech, creative and memorable.
* There's a certain childhood nostalgia to most of what you're seeing. Example: the "It's a Small World" boat ride.
* The attention to detail is stunning. If not for all of the Bugaboo strollers, walking through the Himalayas in Animal Kingdom actually felt pretty Himalayan-ish.
* The cultural offerings. Many restaurants serve gourmet food. And at Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge, there were people from Africa who walked around and shared facts about the zebras, giraffes and birds they were seeing. And this was just in the HOTEL.
* Everything's clean, well maintained, and really organized. I love organization. And it's so easy to get around.
* They successfully keep massive amounts of people moving, at the airport, hotels and parks. That's a big deal, because no parent wants to wait in a non-moving line with kids. When there are lines, they move. It took us 40 minutes to get on "It's a Small World," but I don't think we stood still for more than a minute or two. And, with the Fast Passes Disney gave us, I waited exactly 1 minute to ride one of the most popular roller coasters, Exhibition Everest (see future blog about the awesomeness of that ride).
* The staff everywhere -- even the people cleaning the bathroom -- are extremely pleasant. It's off-putting.
* Disney movies play on the bus ride between the airport and the resorts. Good call, Disney.
The point where I drank the Kool-Aid
What really sold me on Disney World was a scene I witnessed in Epcot.
An adorable little girl, probably about 3 years old, patiently waited in line to meet Princess Tiana from "Princess and the Frog." When it was her turn to go up, her little eyes lit up. In her mind, she was meeting the real princess. She believed in princesses. She shyly and innocently held out her arms for a hug, as Princess T beautifully played the part, and I just about started boo-hooing right there it was so cute. All of those "magical" feelings they hype? This, I must admit, was a pretty magical sight.
I'm not saying Disney's flawless. It's crowded. With a family of four, I can picture money pouring through my hands, and my kids whining with exhaustion after a day walking through these enormous theme parks. The shuttle buses can be crowded, annoying-long rides.
But I'll tell you what: Disney World is now on our family's Places-To-Go list.
One glimpse of Skagway and it’s easy to see why this quaint Alaskan town is a popular port for cruise ships sailing along Alaska’s Inside Passage. Skagway offers beautiful [ ... ]
Police, Fire and EMS Appreciation Days return in May. Police officers, fire fighters and EMS employees can receive a free single day admission to LEGOLAND Florida, along with [ ... ]
Get a jump on your summer vacation with free activities all weekend in Vermont June 8 and 9. The Green Mountain State serves up a bevy of free family fun.
Free at parks
All we [ ... ]
