If you’re thinking about visiting Mickey and all of his friends this summer, you’re coming at the perfect time. Starting at the end of May, all four Disney parks will be seeing some additions, upgrades and changes, and your family will be one of the first to check it out first hand!
Animal Kingdom
May 27th is the kickoff of a spectacular nighttime experience at Animal Kingdom. The infamous Tree of Life will light up with breathtaking animation! Keep an eye out for dancing fireflies and animal spirits, and watch the Tree of Live come alive! There will be new “after the sun goes down” experiences on some of Animal Kingdom’s most popular rides, like Expedition Everest and the Kali River Rapids. Many families leave Animal Kingdom when it gets dark, but with these upgrades, you’ll want to stay and see what happens after dark!
Then on May 28th, the classic tale of Mowgli, Baloo and Bagheera and their Jungle Book friends will star in a nighttime showing of The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic, which takes place along the Discovery River in Animal Kingdom.
And if you’re coming this summer, make sure to be one of the first to check out the brand new restaurant, Tiffins, which offers African, Asian and South American flavors, located on Discovery Island. (Try the Roasted Market Vegetable Curry or the Berbere-spiced Lamb Chop!)
Epcot
And if you’re a fan of Elsa, Ana and their frozen pals, you’ll be delighted to see what magical adventures are in store for you at Epcot. Starting July 21st, the Frozen Ever After attraction and the Royal Sommerhus will allow guests to meet and greet their favorite Frozen characters!
If you are a fan of Soarin’, the simulated flight ride at Epcot, you’ll be happy to hear that it is also seeing some upgrades this summer. A third screening room and new digital screens brings the ride to life, even better than before!
Kids who love talking to Crush in the interactive show, “Turtle Talk with Crush” will be excited to see that Crush is now joined by some very special friends who join in on the interaction.
Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire is a brand new show featuring classic and contemporary Disney characters, and takes place right in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Mickey Mouse and his close group of friends band together with ten different characters from other Disney movies, and together they amaze the audience with new music, dance and fireworks!
Elena of Avalor, Disney’s first Latin inspired princess, will also be making her debut at Disney World this summer!
Hollywood Studios
Star Wars Nerds: This is your park! A new fireworks show will premiere June 17th and include lasers, special effects, video projections of characters, all set to the music you love so much. Jedi Training, a new live stage show and so much more has been added to Hollywood Studios, and Star Wars fans will not leave disappointed.
Disney Springs and Water Parks
There are two things we can be absolutely sure of this summer: it’s going to be hot and it’s going to rain. That’s just how it is. Fortunately, it’s easy to beat the heat in Disney’s family water parks. At Blizzard Beach, Olaf will be basking in the summer sun and hosting the “Frozen Games,” a series of fun, friendly competitions that run through the middle of August.
When the clouds roll in, Disney Springs (formally known as Downtown Disney) is a great place to stay dry. New stores such as Anthropologie, Lucky Brand, Pandora and Kate Spade New York will debut, giving guests plenty of options and places to show while it rains. Shopping can work up an appetite, and Disney Springs is home to many culinary hot spots. Treat your family to Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza (think: Chipotle but with pizza. Go crazy picking toppings, sauces, cheeses and extras and design the pizza of your dreams!) Or check out STK Orlando, a modern steakhouse and lounge. From Pan Asian street fare to pizza, Disney Springs has a lot of new places to dine!
If you’re on the fence about coming to Florida this year, hesitate no more! There are so many new and wonderful things to experie
So you’ve got a new member of the family, and you’re planning a dream vacation to Orlando? Congratulations, on both your new bundle and your bravery! Traveling to the Sunshine State with kids under the age of 3 can be done, and we’ve got a few tips and tricks to make things flow smoothly:
One of the first things you learn as a parent is that timing is everything. You become the master of perfectly timing play dates around nap times, you’ve learned to recognize periods of silence and know the difference between safe quiet and “he’s up to something” quiet. You’ve learned quickly that sticking to their schedule is one of the best things you can do to ensure a stress-free day. Traveling to the theme parks is all about timing.
There are some award winning restaurants in many of Orlando’s theme parks, and you’d really be missing out if you skipped them. The lines and the crowd can be a deterrent, but again, it’s about timing. If you’re checking out Sharks Underwater Grill at Sea World, head over during one of the major shows of the day. The 5,000 people who will be watching the show won’t be at lunch, and will give you a great opportunity to eat an upscale lunch with an unbeatable view of great white sharks and other sea life right by your table. Many of the best theme park restaurants will allow you to make reservations months in advance, so take advantage of the opportunity to cut your wait time by calling ahead. Take into consideration the parades, fireworks and shows that you want to see, and plan your dining on where you’ll be in the parks at a certain time. There’s nothing more stressful than realizing you have 10 minutes to get all the way across the park, and dealing with lost sippy cups or temper tantrums or potty mishaps.
Other great ways to save time include taking advantage of Express Passes, Fast Passes, and any other “passes” that allow you to bypass the long lines that you’re bound to run into at any of the parks. Speaking of lines, take advantage of “child swap” an option that (no, it doesn’t allow you to switch your kid for someone else’s) allows you and your adult companions to ride the ride without leaving the kids behind or having to wait in line twice.
Getting to the parks early is another simple way to beat the long lines and save time, and you’d be surprised at how many people don’t utilize this option. By getting to the gate early, you can head right to the most popular rides and avoid the lines. Before you get to the gate, take a picture of your parking spot. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending all day at the theme park and then having to lug sleeping kids and all of their new toys around the parking lot, in the dark, looking for your car. Save yourself the stress by having a picture in your phone as reference.
One last helpful, baby friendly tip: When you arrive at Disney, locate the Baby Care Centers on the park map. These welcoming centers throughout the park give you a place to rest, feed, and change your baby without having to maneuver through the crowded public restrooms. Most of the Baby Care Centers have private rooms with rocking chairs for nursing, kitchens with microwaves and sinks, and an onsite store to purchase more diapers, wipes or baby sunscreen if you happen to run out. These Baby Care Centers can be a lifesaver for parents with little ones, and saves families from having to navigate the cramped, germy quarters of the public restrooms.
Taking this guide into consideration before you arrive at any of the Orlando area theme parks will help to make one of your first family vacations with your kiddo a fun and memorable trip for the whole family.
Ahhh, the tweenage years. Not quite a teenager yet, but still way to cool to be considered a kid. They can’t drive, but they’ve got plenty of social events that usually involve you chauffeuring them around. They can’t get a real job yet, but they want to spend time (and your money) at the mall and out with friends as often as possible. They’re starting to speak that foreign teenage language that parents have a hard time understanding, but they still cry when someone hurts their feelings at school. It can be an awkward, fun, and frustrating learning experience for both the child and the parent. But no matter how cool your 9,10 11 or 12 year old is, they’re never too cool for Disney. Here are a few ways you can win a few cool points with your tween when traveling to see The Mouse:
Get Them Involved: Once you’ve decided that you’re going to Disney, let your kids in on the idea and get them involved in planning. Encourage them to do online research, or even go old school and find a guidebook that will introduce them to all of the things there is to do at Disney. Get their advice about where to eat. Have them create lists of places they want to see, and things they want to do. You may be surprised that you’re “too cool for school” tween is looking forward to eating breakfast with a princess. Disney restaurants take reservations months in advance; so once they’ve made up their mind on where to eat, book it! Letting the kids be part of the planning process can help create a trip that everyone is looking forward to.
Let Them Sleep: Back in the day, when they were little and woke up at the crack of dawn, getting to the parks before it opened was a little easier. Now, when getting your sleepy head out of bed is like pulling teeth, trying to get everyone to the gates before the park opens can cause stress and frustration for everyone. Instead of ruining everyone’s morning, let them sleep in a little, enjoy breakfast, and get there when you get there. Take advantage of the late hours of the parks and stay until they close. Parents with young ones will leave in the evening (the good ‘ol days) making the park a little less crowded when the sun goes down. Grab a coffee and hang in there, your well rested tweens will be happier and easier to get along with, and you will still be able to enjoy everything the parks have to offer.
Mix Up The Rides: A common tip to navigating Disney is to hit “the mountains” first. Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain. These thrill rides are very popular and can have extended wait times, so do those first. Take advantage of fast passes so you’re not waiting for hours. When you’ve checked the big rides off of your list, visit some of the classics, like The Haunted Mansion or Country Bear Jamboree. Your tween might roll his/her eyes and act like they can’t believe you’re taking them on these rides, but deep down, they love it.
Take A Break: Although the days of naptimes are over (bummer) your older kids may still benefit from a break in the middle of the day, especially if you’re visiting when the temps are in the high 90’s. Whether you’re in a hotel or vacation home, it may be helpful to head home, grab lunch, take a swim, sleep, change, and then head back out for the evening. This quick break from walking, waiting, map reading, and crowd navigating can be just what the whole family needs to recharge.
Being a parent to a tween definitely has its challenges, but traveling together as a family doesn’t have to be a battle. It’s still very possible to have a magical vacation that your child will want to post, tweet and snapchat about. Let them take their selfies, and maybe even get in a few of them! By following some of these easy tips, you can earn some cool points, and create vacation memories that last a lifetime.
Tired of giving the same old gifts year after year for Valentine’s Day? We don’t blame you. You’ve been there & done that when it comes to chocolates, teddy bears, and jewelry. What about a little something different this year? Give the gift of a lasting memory when you give your Valentine a special getaway! Chocolates only last so long, but a memory will last a lifetime.
When you book select homes for 5+ nights in April, August, September or October*, Magical Stays Vacation Homes wants to give you a little something sweet: free nights! When you book 5-6 nights, you’ll get 1 extra night free. Book 7+ nights, get 2 extra nights free.
Make it extra sweet when you add our special Romance Package, featuring champagne and strawberries, chilling in the fridge upon your arrival.
Call or email now to book your perfect romantic getaway! 863-420-1010 or vacation@loyaltyusa.com
*Off season dates in April, August, September or October. Not all homes qualify. Ask your Magical Stays vacation planner for more information.
Visitors to the Orlando area come for many reasons: theme parks, nearby beaches, family, conventions and (my personal favorite) world class shopping. Nothing beats finding the must have items, whether it’s a gift for friends or family or a gift for yourself. Orlando can’t be beat with our amazing shopping spots! But you may be wondering “where should I start?” Have no fear! We’ve got your ultimate guide to shopping in Orlando right here!!
Love mall shopping? We have two amazing malls to fit your needs!! Looking for upscale or luxury items? Check out the Mall at Millenia, where you’ll find Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany & Co, Brietling, Chanel, Apple and more. This luxurious mall features 2 stories of shopping plus a spacious food court with Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen and many fast food options. Looking for something a little less luxurious? No worries! Check out the Florida Mall, Orlando’s largest major shopping mall! Enjoy shopping at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, JC Penney, plus smaller specialty shops such as H&M, The Disney Store, Gap, and more! You’ll even find ThinkGeek’s first brick & mortar store and the brand new Crayola Experience. While the food court is smaller, you’ll still find plenty of options!
It’s not just the name brands that bring people down here for shopping trips…It’s the outlet shopping trips. If you’re a bargain hunter, get your wallet ready because Orlando is home to Orlando Premium Outlets (with 2 locations! One on International Drive and one closer to the Disney area on Vineland Ave) and the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. You’ll find outlet shops for everything, ranging from Betsey Johnson to Nike to Neiman Marcus Last Call to Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th to Coach and more. Housewares, kitchen gadgets, clothes, shoes, accessories…everything! You’ll find it at great discounted rates at our great outlets.
If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, try the new Artegon Marketplace, located across from the Orlando Premium Outlets on International Dr. Artegon is a collective of local run shops, housed in the repurposed Festival Bay Mall building. Here, you’ll find art, skate shops, Gods & Monsters (a comic & pop culture shop), home décor, jewelry and so much more. Marketed as an “anti-mall”, Artegon is unique for sure. Still want a unique shopping experience but with an outdoor option? Don’t worry! Stroll the streets of downtown Kissimmee and Celebration and you’ll find trendy boutiques with clothes, accessories and home furnishings. Or take a trip north of Downtown Orlando and visit Winter Park’s downtown Park Ave for luxurious shopping & dining.
Mixing shopping with fun and games is made easy with a trip to Kissimmee’s own Old Town. Here, you’ll find a roller coaster & ferris wheel, right alongside quaint & eclectic shops and dining. Plus, on Saturday nights, you can enjoy the weekly Nite Cruise for you can watch class cars cruise by. Other weekly events include street parties and muscle car showcases. It’s a fun filled spot where you can get your shopping fix while the kiddos head to the family fun center to play arcade games.
Ok, but what about antiques and collectibles? Well, if you don’t find anything that meets your needs at Artegon Marketplace, you won’t have to go far! The historic downtown areas of Kissimmee and St. Cloud feature many options for collectors, plus art galleries, doll shops, local dining and more. If you don’t mind a longer, but more scenic drive, take a day trip to Mount Dora to find some really great antiques! We promise you won’t regret this “off the beaten path” antiquing trip.
The avid shopper in your family will love knowing that they have plenty of options while visiting Kissimmee. The best part of all of this? When you stay in a Magical Stays Vacation Home, you don’t have to worry about tripping over shopping bags in your already cramped hotel room! You’ll have plenty of space to fill with your great bargain finds and more.
It’s holiday time at Disney World, which means the Disney World parks in Florida have some great events going on for visitors. Magical Stays Vacation Homes wants to make sure that our guests have a comprehensive guide for spending Christmas at Disney.
1. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. 2015 is the last year of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, which means you need to visit. For the past 2 decades, Disney goers have walked the Streets of America at Hollywood Studios and enjoyed the shimmering lights. As a daily experience, the dancing lights begin at dusk for all guests to enjoy. It’s open now through January 3, 2016, so be sure to make your way over to Hollywood Studios before you miss seeing this spectacle entirely!
2. Holidays Around the World at Epcot. Disney advertises this event as “An International Yuletide Extravaganza”, featuring holiday heritage from around the world. Try seasonal food favorites and experience traditions at each of the country pavilions for this Yule. But that’s not all that’s going on at Epcot. A gospel showcase features jazz, R&B, and urban music for a unique blend of music at “Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season.” Famous celebrities, such as Neil Patrick Harris, Edward James Olmos and Amy Grant, narrate the Christmas story, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir for Candlelight Processional. And of course, it wouldn’t be Epcot without the beautiful fireworks display! Disney has a grand finale to the year with a bigger & more beautiful fireworks display for IllumiNations. While all of these are included in your regular admission, we recommend booking a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package so you are guaranteed a good seat since the event does fill up very quickly.
3. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Enjoy shimmering lights on Cinderella’s Castle and a special Frozen Holiday Wish featuring Anna & Elsa on the Castle Stage with special appearances by Kristoff and Olaf! Every Frozen fan will want to catch this show. Then, enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, featuring Disney characters, Santa and more. Kids of all ages will enjoy special character meets, special shows, free cookies & hot cocoa, breathtaking fireworks, and even a magical snowfall on Main Street, USA! This Christmas party is only available select nights and it is extra, but well worth the price.
These are the main events at the Disney World theme parks in Kissimmee, FL. But, that’s not all; Make sure to take a ride on the Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom for a special Christmas version of the safari, or enjoy the special Sparkling Dessert Party at Epcot during IllumiNations, or meet Santa Claus at the Marketplace in Disney Springs. Enjoy this magical time of year at the most magical place on earth, and make your family’s holiday dreams come true.
Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival is an annual celebration of food & drink from around the world. Over the years, the festival has grown to epic proportions. Disney takes their time to create delicious dishes, select great drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), host world class entertainment for the Eat to the Beat series, and present seminars & demonstrations from top chefs. Megan, Magical Stays Vacation Homes’ marketing & reservations manager, recently made a trip to the Food & Wine Festival and has a few recommendations for Must Try Dishes for your trip!
1. Australia’s Lamb Chop. If you love lamb, or if you’ve never tried lamb, this is an absolute must. Forget the lamb meatball at the New Zealand booth and walk across the way to Australia (literally, they are right across from one another between the entrance to World Showcase & the Mexico pavilion). The lamb meatball from New Zealand is good…but not great. And the bread thing it’s served on is dry and flavorless, doing nothing to enhance the flavor of the meatball. The lamb chop, however, is grilled & topped with flavorful mint pesto and crispy potato bits.
2. Liquid Nitro chocolate truffle. I almost missed both “Chew Lab” and “Sustainable Chew” booths, as they’re not in World Showcase. Instead they’re between Club Cool and Captain EO. Anyway, don’t skip these booths! But especially don’t skip the chocolate almond truffle at Chew Lab. They drop a big scoop of chocolate into liquid nitrogen for a minute, then pull it out and drizzle warm whiskey caramel on top. It is one of the tastiest desserts at Food & Wine Fest this year!!
3. Grilled Beef Skewer. Stop by the Patagonia booth for the grilled beef skewer served with chimichurri sauce and boniato puree for a real meaty treat. The meat is tender and the sauce really adds to the overall flavor.
4. Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup and Chicken Sausage with creamy polenta. Canada’s booth is so good that it deserves two mentions here. Both the cheese soup and chicken sausage can’t be skipped. Seriously. The chicken sausage is on the spicy side, but the creamy polenta and Minus 8 onion jam really evens out the flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Other notable picks include all of France’s booth menu offerings, the bratwurst in pretzel roll from the Germany booth, both of the sweet waffle offerings from Belgium, chicken gyro from Greece, Teriyaki gyoza bun from Japan, Ricotta & zucchini ravioli from Sustainable Chew, and the cheese fondue from Cheese Studio. Disney really does a great job with these tapas style offerings, and honestly I have yet to have anything that wasn’t delicious (minus that bread thing the lamb meatball from New Zealand is served on).
As far as drinks, I get a little frustrated paying $6 for a mini serving of wine or beer, so keep in mind that every pavilion has a selection of beer & wine (or cocktails) from that country anyway. The servings you get from the booths for Food & Wine Festival offer smaller servings, and do allow you to try wines and beers from those specific countries. Each booth has a suggested pairing for a dish plus drink, and their recommendations are always spot on.
If you love food & drinks, this is definitely a festival not to miss. They really do a wonderful job! Pro tip: go on a week day during the day to avoid the long lines that weekends have!
If you’re visiting Orlando & Kissimmee during the month of October, you may be wondering what Halloween events are going on. You’ve probably heard of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Howl O’Scream at Busch Gardens, and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios, but what else is available? Good news! We’ve got a comprehensive guide for you about alternative haunted houses and Halloween events open during the month of October!
- A Petrified Forest. Located in Fern Park, north of Orlando, this annual attraction has grown year after year. Recommended for ages 13+, this scary haunt has grown over the years. Located on a particularly dark and spooky lot on State Road 436, this year’s A Petrified Forest is pirate themed as you go through a “ghost ship of lost souls” according to their website. You can do a single trail for $15 or do both trails for $25. Their “Total Eclipse” nights are an extra $5 and are sure to scare you as you walk through the houses with nothing but a glow stick!
- Terror on the Lake. This haunt is a closer to Magical Stays’s vacation homes, just located in Clermont at Cagans Crossings. This year’s theme is “Blood Moor Manor” haunted house, and is appropriate for ages 10+. They have a pumpkin patch and a kid friendly hay ride, so your whole family can have some spooky fun! You can get a single ticket for $13, or a value pack of 4 tickets for $40. They have additional add-ons (incarceration experience and buried alive) for an additional fee.
- The Shallow Grave. Rated at the “Very Scary” scare factor, this haunted house is not recommended for anyone under 12, even if accompanied by adults!! This year, The Shallow Grave features 2 houses (go on both for $25), ADHD (Attention Deficit Haunt Disorder) and Haunted Hills: The Rage. As a self-described “highly detailed spine tingling scarefest”, this is one you won’t want to miss!
- Scream-A-Geddon. Voted “Best Newcomer” of USA’s Best Haunted Houses gets you 6 attractions for 1 price, including a cursed Western themed hayride, trails, haunted houses and the Monster Midway. Located in Tampa, this is a bit of a drive, but from what we hear, the drive is well worth it. Ticket prices vary depending on day.
- Haunted Woods of Ladylake. Open Friday & Saturday nights through out October, this ¼ mile walk through haunted woods is not recommended for children under 8. The $15 price includes a hayride, and is northwest of Orlando near The Villages.
Want to find more Haunted Houses while you’re staying with Magical Stays Vacation Homes? Check out www.orlandohauntedhouses.com
Accommodation in Disney Vacation Homes is a Wonderful Experience
For most of the families, a vacation spent at Disney World is a lifetime memory. But when you are planning for a trip to Disney World you should plan it in advance so that you can get best deals on accommodation. Orlando is theme parks heaven with 4 Disney parks, 2 Universal parks, Sea World plus numerous water parks and it has various smaller attractions to offer visitors.
If you plan properly, you can save money and enjoy all of the world class theme parks. It’s hard for the average American to afford a 5 star hotel on top of visiting theme parks, but there are other options. Have you ever heard of vacation homes? Vacation villas often run the same price as a hotel room but are a home away from home accommodation!
Which Home is Best?
With a wide variety of homes, you can opt for Disney vacation homes with themed kid’s rooms or even cinema homes with private movie rooms, all within your needs and also budget. All of our homes are located within just a few short miles to Disney World, and have access to either a resort style community pool or a private pool in your own backyard! All homes have a fully equipped kitchen, multiple bathrooms, and enough space to sleep your entire family, no matter how big or small.
Relax with Your Family
Once you have booked a Disney vacation home, you can enjoy your vacation to its fullest. No need to wait for each person to take a shower in one tiny hotel bathroom, instead everyone can have their own bathroom. No need for everyone to watch the same movie with TV’s in each bedroom and the living room. No need to follow hotel pool rules and leave the pool area at 10pm when you have your own private pool that you can relax in after a long day at the parks!
Advance Planning is Budget Friendly
Planning in advance can broaden the chance of getting your preferred vacation home so that you can save some money and also enjoy your trip with a luxurious stay. You should always book a vacation home that is licensed by the State of Florida to ensure a safe stay. Most of the vacation homes are located near the Disney theme parks with rates that are highly competitive compared to hotel rooms. Save money by only needing one vacation home instead of two hotel rooms, and use the money to hit the outlet malls for shopping or treat your family to an extra special meal with Disney characters!
Imagine yourself in a tiny room, with only a bed, TV and a weird painting of a beach hanging crooked on the wall. Now add three large suitcases, 9 phone chargers, 2 laptops, an Ipad, a beach ball, 2 fluffy comforters and 6 bags of groceries. Feeling cramped yet? We’re not done. Now add in a little man, who doesn’t speak English, has anger issues, has the attention span of a goldfish, who wets the bed and has no concept of personal space, appropriate sleep times, or ability to go 6 seconds without touching something. THIS, my friends, is what it feels like to stay in a hotel with a toddler.
All parents have those friends who aren’t parents yet, who suggest a fun family vacation to Disney. They imagine taking happy, clean, well rested kids bouncing off to Disney, to wait patiently in lines and giggle with glee when they meet Mickey, and fall peacefully asleep in their stroller after the fireworks show. As parents, we want to punch these friends in the face. They. Have. No. Idea. And so when they suggest adjoining hotel rooms, your heart races a little because you know that when you have little kids, vacations aren’t vacations. They are doing what you normally do, in a different place, around different people, and without all of your stuff. Hotels and toddlers just don’t mix. And they can paint Mickey Mouse on the door of your hotel room, and call the pool “Snow White’s Sparkling Smiling Spalsh Pool” and cut their chicken nuggets into the shape of Goofy hats, but a hotel is still a one (sometimes two, if you’re lucky) roomed space to confine your toddler until you’re ready to brave another day at the parks.
And this is why parents with toddlers don’t do hotels anymore. They’ve learned that there are other options that can save the vacation experience. They stay in vacation rentals. Vacation rentals give families an entire house to spread out in, to unload all of their stuff in, to rest and relax and play in. They offer full kitchens so you can make lunch at home and not pay $9.00 for three pieces of chicken shaped like Goofy. They offer individual bedrooms so you can put cranky-pants down for a nap while you enjoy the pool, and even head back out to Disney once they wake up to catch the fireworks show. They have game rooms, movie theatres and private offices so you can work and play without feeling cramped and uncomfortable. What are we thinking? Our comfort comes secondary to our little precious ball of sunshine, which is why vacation homes offer high chairs, pack n plays, strollers, baby toys, and other kid related items to help your toddler adust to the change. It also helps a lot when airlines are charging an arm and a leg for any extra ounce of luggage you have over the weight limit. You focus on getting your kid here, the vacation home will make sure he/she is comfortable when they get here.
Most vacation homes have private pools, allowing families to enjoy the pool in privacy. Meltdowns about wanting to wear the Minnie bathing suit and not the Littler Mermaid one? No problem, no judgmental glances from strangers here! Want to swim at 2am once the kids are asleep? Done. Having your own pool, and ypur own house for that matter, allows you to be in charge of your vacation and do things on your time (or, let’s be honest, on toddler time.)
Traveling with toddlers doesn’t have to result in therapy sessions and too many Margaritas. Picking the perfect vacation home for your family will take the stress off of you and will help your young kids adjust easier to the change in scenery. It can also be the difference between sharing a small space with this little alien that only eats mac and cheese and cries if she can’t turn off the light by herself, and relaxing in the space and comfort of a fully furnished home that everyone can enjoy.
Diana Eastman