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Slow down and reflect

November 8, 2016 By Nicole Loomis Leave a Comment

As a business owner and mom I know how easy it is to have the calendar fill up and quickly the days turn into weeks and it seems as if the to do’s are never done. As we enter November and kick off a traditionally busy time of the year for many as we plan events with family and friends, I am challenging myself to slow down. Slow down and be more present, as well as more selective on what gets my time and attention. November is also a great time to plan for 2017 and I have been spending time focusing on my business and personal travel plans for 2017.

This summer my husband and I took our 2 children for a relaxing long weekend in the Florida Keys. We are usually busy vacationers, it is usually Disney or somewhere that feels like we need a vacation after the vacation. This was a nice break and we had long days with just the beach and snorkeling, it was amazing. By day 2 we all got into such a more relaxed and playful routine none of us wanted to leave and return to our busy days. My young daughter and I sat watching a bird at sunset off the beach diving for his supper and we talked about the type of things that I had not realized she even thought about. When planning this year I am going to make sure that while we will still visit our beloved Walt Disney World, we will also take time to just relax and slow down.

Walt Disney World with the Grandparents

June 11, 2015 By Nicole Loomis Leave a Comment

We celebrated my son’s birthday with a trip to Walt Disney World. My son’s birthday wish was for Grandma and Grandpa to come with us. We usually like to go to Disney during the Winter when it is cooler. My parents can not walk very far and the heat and all of the action tires them out. Thanks to the wonderful Walker Mobility Company they actually made it to the park closing at Magic Kingdom!

We rented two scooters from Walker Mobility and they delivered them directly to the Resort we were staying at, the Polynesian Village Resort.

Walker Mobility set up an hour drop off window and they were very prompt and met us right in front of the resort. It was a very quick process. We chose to stay at the Polynesian because of the Monorail. We had previously stayed at the Art of Animation and also rented scooters but it was a bit of a process taking the bus. Since this was a shorter trip we did not want to tie up so much time going back and forth on the bus. The monorail is very easy to board with a scooter, the Disney employees have a ramp that they quickly put down for the scooters to load onto the monorail.

Having the scooters delivered right to the resort helps the grandparents too since the resorts are typically large and require quite a bit of walking. We settled in at the pool while we waited for our room to be ready. The moment you walk onto the Polynesian property you begin to relax, it is beautiful. The pool area can keep the kids busy all day.

There is a water slide in the main pool and another splash area with a smaller water slide.

The views from the pool are beautiful. You can also walk out onto a little beach area and there is a boat launch.

You can also see the new Disney Vacation Club Bora Bora Bungalows.

When you are ready to head to the Magic Kingdom you head back to the main building. You can stop and grab a Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai, which we did and they were so delicious and refreshing! There is dining, shopping and the monorail is upstairs.

And don’t miss looking up for even more beautiful decor.

We made it to the Magic Kingdom and had a Fabulous Day! It was a very special trip and the kids really enjoyed sharing all of the rides with Grandma and Grandpa. We took it a little slower than we might normally have done, adding in some of the rides we don’t always get to see like the Carousel of Progress and it was a really great trip. We made reservations at the Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch and they brought out a cupcake for my son’s birthday and all of the waiters came and sang Happy Birthday Patriot! It was a lot of fun. Can’t wait to go back! Traveling with the grandparents is such a special thing for children. Taking everyone out of the daily hustle bustle and experiencing new things together is such an amazing memory I hope they keep forever. I loved sitting next to my Dad and Son listening to them discuss American History as we sat in Epcot’s American Adventure. Watching my Mom and Daughter ride Dumbo together as they both laughed was really so much fun. We love to go to Disney because of the reason Walt Disney himself said

“We believed in our idea – a family park where parents and children could have fun- together.”

Walt Disney

Fun picture tip when you walk down Main Street you will see the balloon sellers, they will kindly hold the balloons for a very fun photo op 🙂

Top Five Tourist Towns For Families

June 3, 2015 By Nicole Loomis Leave a Comment

According to FamilyFun Magazine these 5 towns are the top tourist destinations. They took feedback from 2,000 families across the country and asked them their top towns for parents to have fun with their children.

Sanibel, Florida – JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Baily-Matthews Shell Museum, Beaches
Gatlinburg, Tennessee – Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, Zip Gatlinburg
Savannah, Georgia – The Pirates’House Fort Jackson, Georgia State Railroad Museum
St. Augustine, Florida – Adventure Landing, Alligator Farm, Fort Menedez
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin – Ghost Out-Post Haunted House, Pirates Cove Family Fun Center, Dells Mining Co

Ritz Carlton Amelia Island – Seaside Elegance & Family Fun

May 22, 2015 By Nicole Loomis Leave a Comment

Looking for a unique summer vacation spot for the family this summer? Consider a stay at the Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island. Famous for its beautiful beaches, Amelia Island is 13 miles long and 4 miles wide. Amelia Island is a one of a chain of barrier islands that stretches along the east coast from South Carolina to Florida. The Ritz Carlton is an oceanside resort residing on a bluff of dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Experience a mix of true Southern charm, fine dining, kids activities, golf and tennis.

Property Features & Amenities

1.5 miles of dune-lined beachfront
18 holes of PGA championship golf
Four restaurants (one outdoors and seasonal)
Four cocktail lounges (one outdoors and seasonal)
The Ritz-Carlton Spa
Full-service beauty salon
24-hour fitness center
Indoor and outdoor heated pools with whirlpool
On-site tennis facilities
More than 48,000 square feet of function space plus several ocean side outdoor venues, accommodating groups of 15 to 1,000 people
Ritz Kids® program, children’s pool, playground
Retail gift shops
Two universal car charging stations
Three Tesla car charging stations

The Ritz Kids Program

“As Jean-Michel Cousteau says, “All kids start out as scientists, constantly asking ‘Why? What’s that? How does it work?’” Our resort’s experiences tap into that innate curiosity by introducing our youngest guests to both the natural wonders and the rich cultural traditions of our family resort’s barrier island location. Immersive and adventurous, the experiences provide your child with enthralling activities during your family vacation. With a diverse collection of activities based on the four pillars of the program – water, land, environmental responsibility and culture – kids are swept away by everything from sand dunes and ancient forests, to recycling and sustainability, storytelling, art and even food.”

Ritz Kids is designed for children ages 5 through 12, the supervised program entertain kids with educational games and activities featuring different themes throughout the week. Ritz Kids programs are offered seasonally. The history of Amelia Island is rich in Pirate tales and treasure and that theme is woven througout the kids programs. Your kids can entertain their friends when they return from vacation with tales of how they were tucked in by a Pirate and his Parrot serving him milk and cookies. There are a lot of things to do for the kids from a shark tooth hunt, crafts, junior tennis clinic, storytime, fish feeding and more. Parents can relax and head out to one of the four restaurants while the children are taken care of during Kids Night Out watching movies and having their own special dinner.

Activities and schedules vary but here is a sample of what the children might learn about:
Monday – TRASH BASH – When we throw something away, where is away? What really happens to our trash? Learn how to help save our planet through art, games and, you guessed it, TRASH!

Tuesday – OCEAN MYSTERY – Ever wonder why ocean creatures look so strange to us? There is a reason-the ocean is full of mysteries and through challenge activities and games, we reveal the mysteries of the ocean.

Wednesday – SHARKS – Discover the world of sharks through games, activities and videos; learn about different kinds of sharks, why they are so misunderstood and how important they are to us and to the ocean.

Thursday – CORAL REEFS – Discover who the security guard is, the doctor is and who is responsible for keeping it all clean by playing games like Race to the Reef, while exploring the inner workings of a coral reef

Friday – MYSTERIES OF THE MICRO WORLD – Have you ever wondered what the world looks like to an ant or a bug? We must look like giants! Imagine all the little things they see that we cannot because we are too big?

Saturday – CELEBRATE NATURE – Nature inspires creativity in many ways. In this activity look and listen to nature, as well as create your own art, music and dance as we explore the natural world around us

Sunday – WHAT GOOD IS A TREE – Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein lead you in variety of games and activities that emprises how important trees are and why they are so special.

2016 Disney Cruise Line

May 20, 2015 By Nicole Loomis Leave a Comment

Click to see the 2015-2016 Disney Cruise Line Itinerary

Sailings from popular home ports return for limited-time engagements.

In the fall of 2016, Disney Cruise Line will return to New York for a limited time with sailings to the Bahamas that include a visit to Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida. New seven-night Caribbean cruises from Miami, Florida and a return to Galveston, Texas round out the season.

Return to New York
On Oct. 7, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on an eight-night Bahamian cruise that includes stops at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; Nassau, Bahamas; and Port Canaveral, Florida, which is located just one hour from the Walt Disney World Resort.

On Oct. 15, 22 and 29, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on seven-night cruises that stop at Disney Castaway Cay and Port Canaveral.

Adding to the magic on each of these Bahamian cruises will be the opportunity to visit the Walt Disney World Resort when the ship stops at nearby Port Canaveral. Each Guest on these sailings will receive a 1-Day Theme Park Ticket with Park Hopper Option and round-trip transportation for the short trip between the ship and the Walt Disney World Resort.

On Oct. 2, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on a five-night cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. In these charming Canadian ports, Guests can soak in splendid natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit quaint cafes and shops, and browse Canada’s oldest farmer’s market.

New Seven-night Cruises from Miami
For the first time, Disney Cruise Line Guests will be able to enjoy a season of seven-night voyages from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. On Nov. 20 and Dec. 4, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from Miami to the Western Caribbean including Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Disney Castaway Cay. On Nov. 27 and Dec. 11, the Disney Magic will sail to the Eastern Caribbean including Tortola, St. Thomas and Disney Castaway Cay. On Dec. 23, the Disney Magic will sail to Tortola, San Juan and Disney Castaway Cay.

Additional Miami sailings include a four-night Bahamas cruise departing on Nov. 16, a five-night Bahamas cruise departing on Dec. 18, and a six-night Western Caribbean cruise departing on Dec. 30, 2016, Each sailing will include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Return to Galveston
In late 2016, Disney Cruise Line returns to Texas with a lineup of seven-night itineraries, including Bahamian sailings that stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. On Nov. 18, Nov. 25, Dec. 9, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, 2016, the Disney Wonder will sail on a seven-night Bahamian itinerary from Galveston to Key West, Disney Castaway Cay and Nassau.

On Dec. 2, the Disney Wonder will sail on a seven-night Caribbean itinerary from Galveston to Falmouth, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. On Dec. 16, the Disney Wonder will sail from Galveston on a seven-night cruise to Cozumel, Costa Maya and Grand Cayman. Two four-night sailings to Cozumel on Nov. 10 and Nov. 14, round up the sailings from Galveston.

Most of the late 2016 cruises include either Halloween or winter-holiday events that bring special entertainment, activities and décor to the Disney Cruise Line ships.

Choose your Summer Adventure Cruise

March 25, 2015 By Nicole Loomis Leave a Comment

Royal Caribbean has a lot to offer families looking to take a summer cruise. Right now you can book a 9 night voyage out of Cape Liberty Buy 1 Guest get 50% off the 2nd Guest as well as $50 On Board Credit as you cruise on the Liberty of the Seas to Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Why not vacation far far away from the everyday?

Set sail with Royal Caribbean International and DreamWorks Animation and discover the DreamWorks Experience.

Guests onboard will be surprised with DreamWorks-themed activities throughout their cruise vacation, featuring characters year-round from some of DreamWorks most popular feature films; Shrek^®, Madagascar^®, Kung Fu Panda^® and more. And the service you get will be just as amazing, with our signature Gold Anchor Service^™ on every ship.

Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and all related characters and properties TM & © DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.

Allure of the Seas

Premiers the DreamWork Experience upon her arrival.
● Aqua Theater show featuring the characters from Madagascar^® (As of December 12, 2010)
● Ice skating show featuring characters from How to Train Your Dragon^™
● Character Meals
● DreamWorks characters parade
● Photo opportunities with the characters
● 3-D Movie Theater
● First-run DreamWorks films onboard
● Special DreamWorks programming in your stateroom TV
● Adventure Ocean activities with your favorite characters

Oasis of the Seas

Debuting February 26, 2011
● Character Meals
● DreamWorks characters parade (As of May 20, 2011)
● Photo opportunities with the characters
● 3-D Movie Theater
● First-run DreamWorks films onboard
● Special DreamWorks programming in your stateroom TV
● Adventure Ocean activities with your favorite characters.

Freedom of the Seas

Debuting March 27, 2011
● Character Meals
● DreamWorks characters parade
● Photo opportunities with the characters
● 3-D Movie Theater
● First-run DreamWorks films onboard
● Special DreamWorks programming in your stateroom TV
● Adventure Ocean activities with your favorite characters.

Liberty of the Seas

Debuting January 30, 2011
● Character Meals
● DreamWorks characters parade
● Photo opportunities with the characters
● 3-D Movie Theater
● First-run DreamWorks films onboard
● Special DreamWorks programming in your stateroom TV
● Adventure Ocean activities with your favorite characters.