Moments of Musing

Universal Orlando Resort with Little Kids

Filed Under: travel with baby, travel with kids, universal orlando //



Last month, my family and I went on vacation to Kissimmee Florida. While there were days full of relaxation, there were days full of nonstop fun. One of the best family theme park days we had during our vacation was at Universal Studios Orlando and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The boys tasted Butter Beer, enjoyed the Hogwarts Express & had so much fun in Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone and Seuss Landing. 

My favorite part of these parks is that there’s thrilling fun for everyone in the family! Here is more detail about what to bring to the parks, what to do and about our time with young kids:

WHAT WE BROUGHT

Stroller – Since We brought our double stroller since we had our 5-year-old, 3-year-old and 4-month-old with us. In hindsight, I wish we would have rented an additional single stroller, which we did at parks going forward during our trip, because our 3-year-old did not want to give up his stroller seat so our 5-year-old had to walk, or be carried, quite a bit.

Baby wrap/carrier – This was a must for our baby. There were times he wanted to be held rather than sitting or laying in the stroller. The carrier allowed me to carry him (sometimes while nursing him) hands-free.

Backpack with snacks and drinks – As a parent, I’ve found it’s best to be over prepared. That’s why I suggest bringing your kids sippy cups and favorite snacks. If they are happy and enjoying their time, then so will you!
Change of clothes for kids – Being prepared in case kids are messy (inevitable) or have an accident helps alleviate any added stress, and helps to ensure the kids remain comfortable throughout the day.
Rain ponchos, weather dependent – It can downpour in Florida, especially during Florida’s rainy season (July through September). I pay attention to the weather and bring ponchos if there is any chance of rain. 
Sweatshirts – Bringing extra layers for the air conditioned indoors and/or chilly evenings is a good idea for the whole family, kids especially.


WHAT WE DID



Universal Studios Florida has fun for the whole family. Our family favorites include Shrek 4-D,  Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl, and the kid zone roller coaster. Our big kid and adult favorites include Revenge of the Mummy and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coasters.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans both parks and as its name suggests, is a little world within each. Must-do’s are taste butter beer, ride the Flight of the Hippogriff coaster with your kids and, of course, the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey coasters! My favorite experience there was the Hogwarts Express, which connects both Wizarding World of Harry Potter  lands.




Universal’s Islands of Adventure is my favorite of the parks. There are more roller coasters and thrilling rides. The kids section, Seussland, is also much more elaborate than the KidZone. I always ride the Hulk but one of my favorites is Spider-Man. My kids loved Seuss Landing, which is 

 
In years past, we have also gone out in and dined at Universal CityWalk, which is an epicenter of restaurants, lounges, entertainment (i.e. mini golf and a movie theater) and shops that connects Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. It definitely has a fun vibe!

YOU SHOULD VISIT, TOO!

We make sure to visit at least one of the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks whenever we vacation in Kissimmee, and you should, too!  They offer a fun variety of rides for everyone in the family that is truly unique to its parks. 



Summer 2019 Vacation Destination

Filed Under: travel with kids //

This post is sponsored by VISIT FLORIDA but all opinions are my own.

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By now you might have realized that we love to travel.  Over the years we have traveled abroad (honeymoon | “annimoon“), throughout the country and here in New York. One thing my husband and I knew when we had kids was that we wanted to take them along with us on our travels as much as possible.  While traveling with kids makes traveling more complex it also makes it more memorable. We love that we are helping them build traveling memories of their own From young ages. We also recognize that sometimes we just all need a break kids included. 


This summer we are headed back to a place we went a couple of years ago.  We are excited for R to make his very first memories at Walt Disney World and for S to return and make memories that he possibly will remember. 

We are planning on a bit of an extended vacation in Florida and we are planning to visit a new city this time. As you might or might not know my first time visiting Florida was when I was 11 months (see photo of me I yellow bathing suit above)  old. I’ve been many times since so I have been well over 20 times. Yet each time I visit, I am experience new things and activities and I make new memories. 
It’s become pretty clear to me that no matter how many times a visit I can always experience a first. That’s what makes Florida so great to me and why we hope to continue visiting throughout the years.



Our First Immediate Family Vacation — and Why I Want to Make it a Tradition

Filed Under: family vacation, motherhood, travel with kids //

Our vacation in Puerto Rico was our first vacation as a family of four. It was also the first time we went away to spend time as a family — as in our immediate family consisting of myself, my husband and my kids. Aside from the occasional weekend road trip to the Poconos or Jersey Shore, we have not gone on an extended trip alone with the kids.  

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Though we live together as an immediate family unit, my and my husband’s lives are hectic and busy. Our work schedules are sometimes opposite and there could be times we go 24-48 hours without seeing one another. It doesn’t compare to our long distance days but it does stink sometimes. 

That’s why I really wanted to just get away together and I’m so glad we did. It gave us an opportunity to bond and make memories together with our kids without the hustle and bustle of our work schedules and without being limited to weekend time. 

I really hope to make it a tradition of ours. There are a couple of reasons I feel this way:
  • Growing up, I wish my parents, brother and I went away alone more. My dad had a crazy work schedule, and my brother and I spent all day at school. So family dinners were not necessarily a thing — oftentimes, my dad’s schedule was opposite my and my brother’s schedules. I think family of 4 vacations would have been a nice way to catch up extensively and without day-to-day interruptions. 
  • The recent loss of my cousin Abby really reminded me of how precious time together is. There are some days my boys spend most of their time with my mom (because my husband and I both work). I think getting away with just them and my husband can help us to reconnect and make memories they can hold on to and look back on. 

That being said, I really do enjoy going on extended family vacations, as well. We all get to bond and make memories together and I think that time together is important and enjoyable, too. I just want to be sure my husband, kids and I get quality time together, too. 

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How I Worked Remotely —and was Still Present on Family Vacation

Filed Under: family vacation, travel with kids, unplug, vacation //

Last time we visited Puerto Rico (two years ago), I made it a point to unplug for the most part. You can read about why I wanted to unplug and how I unplugged here. This vacation, I simply could not. I worked remotely and so, I had work that had to be done. I did try my best to not let my work interfere with family time, though. 



Here’s how I was able to work remotely and still be present on our vacation:


1. I got as much work done in advance as I could.

Since I knew I would be working remotely, I planned accordingly. I did as much work as I could in advance. When I did have to do work, I did most of it after my husband and kids were asleep. It meant a couple late nights for me but that was worth it to me. Regarding smaller tasks, I took a few minutes each day to do them (since I planned most ahead it didn’t take much time during the day). 


2. I limited my work to my full-time job.

I prefer unplugging on family vacations. Therefore, I wanted to limit my phone time as much as possible. In order to do this, I took a break from and paused my blog / Instagram sponsored work. That being said, I did photograph some (non-sponsored) content but it was casually done during our days, not photo shoots or anything, and photos I’d normally take if I wasn’t a content creator. 


3. I limited my photo-taking. 

Of course, I took many photos of the boys. But as I previously alluded to, I actually took less than I thought I would. You’d probably be surprised. I shot most of my content for Instagram and my blog the first day (which is why I’ll be in the same rainbow swimsuit in most photos). After the first day, I did not take many photos of myself. I focused on the kids and on family photos but even then, I tried putting my phone away after I completed my work tasks. Do I wish I took more photos? Slightly. Do I regret not taking more? No because it means I was more present rather than behind the lens during the memory-making moments. 


FREE 2018 Disney Vacation Planning Videos

Filed Under: disney, travel with baby, travel with kids, travel with toddler, vacation //

This post is sponsored by Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Lines. All opinions are my own.


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If you know me or have been reading my blog for some time, then you know I LOVE Disney. In fact, I could not be more excited to take S last summer. The morning we woke up to visit Disney World felt like Christmastime, which is also a favorite of mine. 

For those who say Disney with a toddler is too hectic, I say give it a try. It was actually fine and totally doable! (Check out my tips so you have an easy breezy time, too!) Plus, S’s reaction when he met Mickey was a top 10 favorite life moment for me. In fact, just the other day, my husband brought it up and said if he could relive that moment over and over, he would. It was that special.

 So, what are you waiting for? Watch the videos now to start planning your own special Disney vacation! And tell my old pal Mickey I say hi when you see him!