Beyond the Attractions

14, January 2010 by ·

Oh, I wish I would have had this book in December!

Beyond the Attractions by Lisa Bauttista is a necessity if you are planning a trip to Disney World with your children.

From what to pack and where to stay to the best places to meet characters, this is the best guide to Disney World with preschoolers.

I tried to do a lot of research before we went on our vacation in December but I learned a lot from this book. So much in fact that I am now kicking myself for not doing some things I read about and I am eagerly awaiting our next visit which sadly won’t be anytime soon.

In addition to 12 chapters covering every aspect of the parks there are also 7 quick reference appendices that cover resort playgrounds/pools, dining and recreation rates, must-do lists and more.

Here is just one of the many tips that you can find in the book:

“Groceries. Depending on your accommodations, you may wish to purchase groceries to prepare simple meals. There are local delivery services that will deliver groceries to your Walt Disney World hotel (see Appendix A). The bell stands have the capability to refrigerate perishable groceries until your arrival. Additionally, you can ship non-perishables to your hotel. Contact your hotel for specifics on holding and delivering the groceries to your room.”

And again, this is just the tip of the iceberg! There are some really cool things that I don’t want to tell you about because I don’t want too many people to know about them. :) So if you want to know all the ins and outs of Disney World with preschools then buy this book!

Of course, what’s better than going to Disney World? Winning Beyond the Attractions!

That’s right, special thanks to the author, Lisa Bauttista, for supplying one lucky reader with their own copy of the book!

I’m going to make this easy. There will be 1 mandatory entry and 3 extra entries. If the mandatory entry is not complete, the extra entries will not count.

MANDATORY:

  1. Visit www.BeyondtheAttractions.com and leave a comment listing one of the updates that was made to this version of the book.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

  1. Subscribe to this blog.
  2. Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect.
  3. Add my button to your blog/site.

You must be at least 18yrs of age and only one entry (per method) per household. The contest will end on January 25th at 3pm EST. The winner will be notified by email (make sure to use a valid email when leaving a comment) and have 48 hrs to respond or a new winner will be chosen. *Please see my “Policies” page for further rules*

Beyond the Attractions Pick

GOOD LUCK!

*Disclosure: I received Beyond the Attractions for free in exchange for my opinion of the book and hosting this giveaway.*

Filed Under: Books, Giveaways · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Leavin’ on a Jet plane – with kids!

4, December 2009 by ·

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER!

Picture 1Picture 2Thank you all for entering.

********************************

By the time this posts I will be at the airport waiting to board a plane with my 2 and 4 year old. This will be their first time on a plane, their first time leaving the state, their first time traveling further than 200 miles away from home.

I’m excited, nervous and a little bit scared. I don’t know how my kids are going to react. We will be on the plane for a LONG time and they have a hard time sitting still for a 90 minute movie.

Southwest2So I’ve been trying to come up with some ways to occupy and distract them. See, my kids don’t know we are going to Disney World. As a matter of fact currently they have no idea that we are going anywhere. We are going to stay the night near the airport the night before and we plan on telling them we are going to visit their grandparents that night. It’s not lying. We really are going to see their grandparents while in Florida. We are just selectively leaving out the whole Mickey and Minnie Mouse thing.

Anyway, back to the plane ride. My friend Sarah had told me about a really great thing she and her husband did when they flew with 2 of their 4 kids for the first time. They were flying for the holidays so to make it special she wrapped up several small presents and stashed them in her bag for the plane. When the kids would start to get restless she would pull out a present for each of them and they would be good to go for a while.

So I’ve taken that idea :) . I’ve actually procured some super cute items that are Disney themed and some that are not. My plan is to give them to the kids throughout the flight. I’ve also got the portable DVD player packed with Disney movies of course and each of my kids will have a backpack that they can pack a few toys in to take on the plane and I’ll put some snacks and a drink in there too.

Picture 3One of the items I have (although not Disney themed) is a super cute product from Little Journeys Baby World.Chalkboard Placemats. This is one of her So, I actually let the kids play with this one already. It is so cool to have when at a restaurant. The kids have fun drawing on the “chalkboard” side and then when their meal comes we flip it over and they have a special placemat.

I also like the fact that they roll up and have a ribbon tie and fit easily in my purse, which I will admit is a bit oversized, and are great to carry around to use not just for eating out but for doctors office or any other appointments where you need to occupy the kids.

The only drawback that I could find with them is that since they are stored rolled up, when you first untie and open them you really have to smooth them out to get them to lay flat. This is all me though because the kids don’t seem to mind that they have to hold one side down when trying to draw on them. And when you flip them over for the placemat they lay down fine.

Could you use a chalkboard placemat? Well, then today is your lucky day! The fine folks at Little Journeys Baby World have been kind enough to offer one of my readers their very own!

You must complete the required entry before doing any of the additional entries. Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to use a valid email address. Contest closes on Dec. 11th at 3PM EST. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and notified via email.

REQUIRED

  • Leave a comment with a tip or technique about traveling with kids

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES

  • Follow @littlejourneys and @madhattermom on Twitter, leave your username (1 entry)
  • Follow this blog through Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
  • Subscribe to this blog, if you don’t already ;) (1 entry)
  • Tweet about this contest using the format below and leave a link to your tweet (1 entry per day)

I entered to win a @littlejourneys Chalkboard Placemat from @MadHatterMom! Contest ends Dec. 11th 3PM EST http://bit.ly/8oeYmo

GOOD LUCK!

Plane photo by Bob Reck

Filed Under: Giveaways, Kids, Travel · Tagged With: , ,

HAPPY ANNIVERSAY!!! TO ME!

22, November 2009 by · 5 Comments

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of this blog.

In the last year I haven’t written as much as I should have, but it’s been a wonderful ride!

HappyBlogiversaryIt honestly does not seem likes it been a  year yet! I have met so many fantastic people through writing just the mundane thoughts and emotions that this mom goes through. I would have never thought starting out that so many people would find what I write entertaining and am truly grateful for those of you that come back to read.

Through this little piece of blogging heaven I have had some great opportunities. I’ve worked with a wonderful PR firm in the Portland area who have allowed me to have a pedicure with an elephant, hold and awesome Portland Pixie Dust Hunt contest, and have a blogger meet up at Disney on Ice!

And then there are all the great companies I have been able to work with. There are too many to list them all but I am truly blessed to be given the opportunities that I am.

I to end this I have to thank the 3 people who have truly been awesome to me. The people that answered my questions and pleas for help in different arenas of learning the ins and outs of blogging..

Elizabeth Norton – The first person I actually DM’d with on Twitter :) and the lady who took a chance and made me her new partner at the Party Planning Professor. Elizabeth was patient and informative when I was just in the 2nd month of having this blog. She offered support, became a sounding board and even helped get my name out there by offering me articles to write for her site.

Carissa Rogers – The gal who said, “Let’s get you a page rank of 3!” Carissa has answered my questions, called me to offer support when I was feeling inadequate and has even recommended me to companies that she has worked with. She never ceases to amaze me on Twitter with her networking skills ;) .

Greg aka Telling Dad – I am the bono to his Pro! When I sent a tweet asking for any company to sponsor me to BlogHer ’10 the only response I got back was from Greg. No he’s not sponsoring me to BlogHer but Greg did offer his help to find a sponsor. He has been just unbelievably giving with his time to create an awesome sell sheet for me to submit to companies. Have I been sponsored yet? No, and even if I’m not it won’t matter. The help Greg offered me showed me the true community of the blogosphere.

So here’s to another year in the blogosphere! Hopefully, I’ll be meeting some of you at BlogHer or Blog World Expo next year.

CHEERS!

Filed Under: mommy bloggin' · Tagged With: , , ,

Mickey and the Military

10, November 2009 by · 3 Comments

I have to say that I just love companies that do good things for our men and women in the armed services. Of course I’m a bit biased since my hubby is in the Air National Guard, but that’s also why I am much more appreciative to those that are so supportive.

mickey_military_image

During our trip to WDW we’ll be taking advantage of the Disney’s Armed Forces Salute. My hubs will get a free 5-day park hopper ticket that includes admission into some of the water parks. In addition to that he can also purchase 5 more 5-day tickets for $99 each! There are some restrictions on these tickets, like the fact that they aren’t park hopper tickets, but we can add that feature on for an additional $25.

Unfortunately, Disney’s Armed Forces Salute ends on the 23rd of December. I have been searching all over the web and even asking Disney folks on Twitter if they will perhaps extend this, but currently it’s not sounding like they will.

You can still get discounted tickets though if you are a military family. Magic Your Way, Stars and Stripes tickets can be purchased at the Shades of Green Resort. All you need to do is present a valid Military ID when purchasing the tickets. There are several ticket options and you are not required to stay at a resort. Although, in my research I discovered that by staying at a WDW resort the tickets you purchase give you more park options than the ticket options you are given if you are staying off Disney property.

If you’re not familiar with Shades of Green, it is an Armed Forces Recreational Center. One of only 2 in the states! Now, if we were planning our vacation ourselves and not going while hubs was at a conference we would stay at Shades of Green. The rooms are much bigger than the average resort rooms. For instance at Coronado Springs the standard room sleeps a maximum of 4. At Shades of Green, (which has the same in room amenities,) the stand room sleeps 5, because in addition to 2 queen size beds there is also a single sleeper sofa bed!

DumboNot only that but Shades of Green offers some great seasonal packages. Their Winter Package (valid during a stay from Jan. 29th, 2010 to Feb. 28th, 2010. Price is based on 2 adults in a standard room,) includes accommodations for 2 to 8 nights, breakfast buffet each day, dinner buffet each day, and gratuity. The price starts out at $136 a night. Again, this price is based on 2 adults in a standard room. I don’t know what each additional person/child would cost.

All these things are great, but by far the greatest offer they have is their vacation discounts for servicemen and women who have served a minimum of 270 consecutive days in either OEF or OIF location. The service members and their dependent children will get 20% off their stay at Shades of Green for a 1 to 14 day vacation. On top of that they will also receive another 20% off all of the dining options at the resort (excludes Poolside Grille and Express Cafe.)

Mylanta!! There are so many great deals to be had if you are a military family. For Disney deals check out WDW Military Discounts page or Military.com, they both feature deals that you can use to make your Disney experience WONDERFUL!!

Next installment of the Mad Hatter Does Disney series: Leavin’ on a Jet Plane..with kids!

Photo by Joe Penniston

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Disney On Ice Meet ‘n Greet

28, October 2009 by · 1 Comment

I know, I know! I’ve been talking about posting this for like 2 days!

But here it is!

So, this past Friday I, (along with my family,) was given the opportunity to head to a meet and greet for the bloggers that helped out my friends at R-West PR with their Disney on Ice campaign. We hosted a local contests on our sites for family packs of tickets to the show.

The meet and greet was such a cool surprise too. I had already posted my 3rd Tinkerbell Tuesday when sweet Molly from R-West sends me an email that the meet and greet is in the works. I was super excited to meet some other bloggers from the Pac NW. Before the contest I only knew of 2 others even though I’m sure that are TONS of us out there.

MM_DOIIn addition to the meet and greet we were able to meet Mickey and Minnie AND were given tickets to the show! We were able to hang out in the Courtside Lounge at the Rose Garden and snack on popcorn, chicken strips, and various drinks.

My very favorite part was meeting the bloggers!

Angela and Rebecca from Frugal Living NW. They were both super nice and Angela is my new hero! This lady showed up after giving birth 2 DAYS before!! And when I told her how unbelievable it was she replied, “Like I was going to miss this!” If you live in the NW go check out their blog. These ladies are awesome at finding great deals. They are Couponista’s!

I was also able to meet Jen, the Thrifty NW Mom. This lady drove all the way from NW Washington to join in on the fun! Jen is another frugal momma. She posts great deals and coupons from your favorite stores and websites.

We were a little rushed, so I was bummed we didn’t get to spend as much time getting to know each other but I’m now frequenting their blogs and am looking forward to Angela and Rebecca’s Coupon Express class starting in January!

Now, I’m going to get kind of mushy on you all.

See, R-West is truly a blessing to me. We are a single family income. (I do work part time but that just covers the bills my husbands income doesn’t.) Our family is on a pretty strict budget. That’s not to say that we don’t budget money for entertainment but typically that entertainment is a movie or video game rental.

Because of R-West and their willingness to work with this mommy-blogger, my children have had the opportunity to experience some truly unbelievable things. (Check out Pedi’s with a Pachyderm.) They’ve also been able to do things we otherwise wouldn’t afford. For instance it would have cost our family close to $100 to go see Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus when they were at the Rose Garden, but because of R-West my kids were able to see animals that they have only seen in books and watch unfathomable feats. Because of R-West my kids STILL talk about seeing the elephants and clowns 3 months later!

AinDOIAnd now I have R-West to thank for seeing the wonder on my kids faces as they watch the amazing spectacle of Disney on Ice.

It was when my daughter yelled “No!” at the tops of her lungs when they announced intermission just how thankful I was.

Then I watched her as Tinkerbell skated across the ice. Her eyes were glued to the ice, not even cotton candy could draw her away.

I actually became somewhat emotionally watching her and my son. Knowing that if it weren’t for R-West that moment wouldn’t have been possible.

THANK YOU R-WEST!

YOU ARE NOW A PART OF OUR FAMILY.

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Mama ain’t having it!

21, October 2009 by · 8 Comments

Now I have to tell ya. My husband is often asked to go to conferences for the military. And when he goes to said conferences and I get stuck at home with the kids. My hubs has been to Washington DC, Mississippi, errr..and a couple more places that I can’t think of off the top of my head. Now granted he consistently tells me that he is there for work and not play but still!

So, THIS time we came to a mutual understanding that there was no way the kids and I were going to get left at home when he got to go to Florida. In December. Yes, there was no way we were going to get stuck in Oregon in the cold, rainy maybe snowy December, while he went off and wore shorts the whole time. NOPE, we decided against that.

All I have to say is….

mickeymseDISNEY WORLD HERE WE COME!!!

That’s right. My hubby is having a conference at Walt Disney World!! YEE HAW!

We’ll be staying at the Coronado Springs Resort, which is where the conference is being held. This will be our first family vacation and we’ve decided it will be our family Christmas present. We also aren’t telling the little kids until we get there.

I bet you’re wondering if I’m just writing this post to rub it in..well a little. :) But this is also the first in a series I will be writing about our plans for Disney and preparing my kids (ages 2 and 4) for their very first flight.

Stay tuned for the next Mad Hatter does Disney segment: Mickey and the Military

Photo by J.E.S

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