Let's Talk Disney!

What more can you say about Disney, but it’s magical.  A three-day banking conference turned into a mini vacation for me and the kiddos.  When in Orlando, you must visit an amusement park.  We decided to do Hollywood Studios.   From the moment we got to the park to the time we left it was nothing but fun and excitement.  There were times of crankiness but for all the cranky moments we double in moments of happiness and laughter.  Here are some of my tips and tricks for surviving a day at Disney.

The most important thing is to study the park map.  Knowing how to navigate through the park will save you time and hassle.  Make sure to pack a bag with snacks, beverages, and sunscreen.  Get yourself a nice cooler backpack to keep your drinks nice a cold.  Sunscreen is so important in the summer in Florida.  Take it from the one who didn’t pack any and got burnt.  Hats are important because it will protect your head and face. 

Once you have studied the map the next step is to plan your day.  Don’t forget to add rest times for your kiddos, they will need the downtime to regenerate and get the energy to keep going.  I highly recommend that you invest in the Genie +/lightning passes.  This will save you time waiting for rides and from unhappy children. 

Disney App/Disney Genie +

You will have to download the Disney app in order to get access to the Genie+ and lighting passes.  The app will also organize your day and give you estimated ride times.  The park map can also be found on the Disney app.  The app is not the easiest to navigate through, so I suggest you study and learn the app before you visit the park.  You can purchase the Genie+/lighting passes at 12 am on the day of your visit, and yes, I did wake up to get these passes.  It will cost you $15.00 per person but so worth. 

Once you have purchased your Genie+ passes, you can start reserving rides once the park opens, and then every two hours after that up to three times. What I mean by this, is once you have booked your first lighting pass ride you will have to wait two hours to book your next ride. Choose wisely, because you are only allowed 3 reservations.  I had set my timer every two hours so; I would not miss a chance to book a ride.  Things are a little different for pass holders and those staying in a Disney resort.  This applies to those who are one day passes and not staying in a Disney resort. You can do a lot with the Disney app, so make sure you get familiar with it. 

 Our Favorite Rides and Game Plan

Here was my game plan for getting on the most popular rides.  As soon we were allowed to enter the park, my kids and I sprinted to the Star Wars:  Rise of the Resistance ride.  Once we got into the line, I booked our first lightning pass which was Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad.  Lightning passes for the Resistance ride was sold out before we even go into the park.  It was a 120 minute but so worth it.  I played “heads up” with my kiddos while waiting and the time passed by quickly. 

Once we were off the ride it was time to book our next ride which was the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.  In between Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad and the Smugglers Run ride, we waited in line for the Slinky Dog Dash ride in Toy Story Land.  Again, another long wait but worth it.  While waiting in line I was able to book another lightning pass which was Toy Story Mania.  We finished our day with the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show.  

Food and Snacks

If you want to save money, then pack sandwiches and snacks.  I choose to have lunch at the park.  While waiting in line to get into the park, I put in a mobile food order for Woody’s Lunch Box.  Super cool feature and you don’t have to wait in line.  This is done through the Disney app and there are multiple restaurants that offer this feature.  I found a place underneath an umbrella where we could sit and have lunch. 

You must try the Milk Stand at Galaxy’s Edge.  Blue or green milk for a nice treat. Tastes like cotton candy and your kiddos will find in amusing.  For the adults, you can add booze to it and trust me you will need it after waiting in line the for the Rise of the Resistance.  The Star Wars inspired popcorn is also amazing.  Do try the Galactic Coffee drink in Galaxy’s Edge.  A delicious cold brew with a twist.  Add Godiva liquor for a nice adult beverage.

Disney Extra’s

I surprise my boys with the making of their own droids.  The droid depot was an amazing experience.  My boys got to pick their pieces to make their own specialized droid.  Once they pick all the pieces, and with the help of a cast member, they put their droids together.  Once it was all put together, they programed the remote control to each droid.  The coolest thing about the droids are how they interact to each other and how realistic they are.  If you have the change to do it, I highly recommend it.  It does cost a $100 but it was money spent well.  I highly recommend doing this toward the end of the day, so you are not stuck carrying a box with a droid in it.   I have to say, I have never had a bad day at Disney.  Hollywood Studios is now my favorite park among all Disney parks.  We will be going back!

     

 

 

Welcome to Our Adventure Blog!

I haven’t posted a blog entry in a long time.  Life got a bit crazy and COVID happened.  Anyhow, for those who do not know us here is our history.  My husband and I started dating in 1998.  We got married in 2004 and had our first child in 2015.  Our first trip together was to Brazil in 2003.  This trip would be the start to many more trips together.

My passion for traveling started at a very young age.  My first international trip was to Brazil at the age of 6 months, and it did not stop there.  As a young girl I had traveled to both Brazil and Portugal several times.  We went on several road trips up the east coast of the United States.  Traveling came natural to all of us.  It was something we look forward to every summer.

My husband got his first taste of international travel in 2003 when my parents invited him on our family vacation to Brazil.  As a young boy, he did some travel within the United States but never out of the country.  His trip to Brazil would be the start of many more international trips.  Our son Liam who is 10 years old, travel for the first time to Portugal at the age of 8 months.  Noah our youngest son was 1 years old when he went on his first international cruise to Europe on the Disney Cruise Line. 

As a family we have traveled to 9 European countries.  Some of those countries we returned multiple times.  We have traveled to 6 US states and have explored different cities within Florida.  We did this all this in the last 10 years.  Traveling with our children was never a question.  We knew from the beginning they would come along for the adventure.  Seeing the world through their eyes is by far the most memorable experience we have ever had.

Traveling with children can at times be difficult and challenging, but it outweighs the memories you will make.  Do not believe the lie that children under the age of 5 are two young to remember anything.  Let me tell you, Liam our oldest still remembers taking the elevators up the Eifel Tower with us and his grandmother.  You guys, he was 3 years old!  The question is not if they will remember but, will you remember?  Memories are never wasted.  We need to enjoy life when we can.  Today is not promised, so take that trip and make those memories.  Do not be afraid to take your babies along for the ride.  Life is too short not to travel. 

Come and join us on our family adventures. We will give you tips and tricks that have worked for us.  We cannot wait to share our fondest memories with you and your family.

 

 Barcelona, Spain 2018

Welcome! Receber! Welkom! Bienvenidos! Karibu! Benvenuto! Bienvenu! Willkommen! Witam!

 

Father's Day!

 

Hello Everyone! 

 

We did it again!  A day spent in the sun and salty air.  This time we chartered a fishing boat to help celebrate Father's Day.  We surprised the man of our house with a private fishing trip along the intercoastal.  The pontoon boat was in good condition with plenty of seating.  The charter included the fishing rods, bait, and cleaning of the fish.  I booked the charter through a fishing Booker company; however, I recommend booking directly through a fishing charter.  It will save you a few dollars and you will deal directly with the captain of the boat.  We went with Catch 22 fishing charter.  The captain was super nice and took the time to show us how to property cast the rod and reel the fish in.  The captain was very knowledgeable about the waterways and the fish that swam underneath us.  The boys were super excited about catching some fish.

The day started at 8 am with a nice breakfast on the boat.  I made bacon French toast with yogurt parfaits for breakfast.  It was super easy to make and to take along with us.  For the parfaits, I used my husband's favorite yogurt (Siggis) and topped with the fresh berries.  Siggis is an Icelandic yogurt.  It can be a bit tart and sour, so  I used Greek yogurt for myself and the boys.  Siggis is not my favorite nor my boys’ favorite, but it was Father's day and I had to treat my husband to the things he enjoys.  The day was about him and celebrating him.

The morning was beautiful and the waterways were calm and quite.  We started the trip at the Jensen Beach Boat Ramp and headed south on the intercoastal.  We made a couple of stops and cast our fishing rods.  We used fresh and frozen shrimp for our bait.  The morning was slow and the fish were lazy. When headed south for a while and then turned around and headed north.  We spent fours trying to catch our lunch.  We had tons of bites but no fish.  We are definitely not experienced with fishing but at least we tried.  It wasn't until the last hour that we were able to hook some fish.  They were not big enough to keep so we put them back into the water.  We caught a blowfish and a few small snappers.  The excitement on the boys' face was epic!

Our morning ended with an amazing lunch at Conky Joe's.  My husband had their famous fried coconut shrimp and I had the jerk octopus.  We also had conch fritters which were amazing.  The most delicious item was their corn and banana bread which comes with the meals.  The banana bread was so moist and packed with favor.   The kids had their typical lunch, chicken nuggets and pasta.

Fishing in the intercoastal was amazing and relaxing.  It was a morning spent well.  We hope to instill the love of the outdoors in our boys.  Nature has a true healing power.  Connecting with the outdoors and nature brings peace into our lives.  With all that is going on we all need some time to reconnect with ourselves and bring peace into our soul.  We live in this amazing world and we should enjoy what God has created.  Take the time and enjoy the outdoors.  Your mind, body, and soul will thank you.  Your family and friends will thank you also!

Web address for 22 Catch Fishing Charter : http://www.catch22fish.net/

Sun and Saltly Air Does a Body Good!!

It's been a while since I have posted a blog, but life got a little busy and crazy.  I come to you with a great way of getting your little humans out of quarantine and out for some sole healing.   I have lived in Florida almost all my life and never been boating.  I have always wanted to get out on a boat and just cruise our waterways.  I have been on tons of cruises but never on a single engine boat.  Quarantine had final mentally gotten to me and my family.  We all just needed a day of peace away from these walls surrounding us.  At the very last minute, literally two hours before seeking out, we decided to rent a boat for 4 hours.  I called a couple of companies with no success, again this was a last-minute thing, so I was not expecting to get anything.  I tried one more company and they happen to have a deck boat available for us.  We had two hours to get to the dock.  I gather the kids, packed our bags, and out the door we went.  My kids were super excited so getting them out was not a problem.  I must admit I was a bit nervous.  My husband has not navigated a boat in over 20 years, and I just did not know how our boys would behave.  I had total faith in my husband and knew he could navigate the boat.  When we arrived at Beach Water Sports, they gave my husband a 30-minute lecture on the waterways and how to drive the boat, and off we were cruising the inter-coastal.   

The excitement on my boys’ face was worth every single penny we paid to rent this boat.  It was not the cheapest thing to do, but the memories we made that day was priceless.  We cruised the inter-coastal from Stuart to Jupiter Island. We admire all the beautiful scenery and houses along the way.  The boys were dying to jump off the back of the boat, so on the way back we pulled into a small private island, anchored the boat and the boys jumped off and into the water.  This little private island, and what I mean by "private" is only boaters can get to it and is located right on the 19th marker.   There is this little path on the island that leads to the beach and ocean front.  Super cool!  They kiddos were beside themselves when the discovered this "secret" path.

Four hours was not enough time.  The boys did not want to leave the island and to be honest I was enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the waterways.  The day was beautiful!  It was sunny and warm.  A perfect day for boating. Something about the salty air, water, and sun really does a body good.  It was super relaxing for all of us.  We were sad to give the boat back, but we knew this was not going to be the last time we rented a boat.  Memories were made on the water and I cannot wait to do it again. If you have a chance to do it, do it!  It's worth every penny.  We only live once so go out a make memories and do not be afraid to do it with your kiddos!   Here is the link to Beach Water Sports:

https://www.bwsfl.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb