Orlando Science Center $10 Admission Day is coming!

Head over to the Orlando Science Center  – enjoy all that it has to offer for ONLY $10 Per Person. ONE DAY ONLY

Sunday April 9, 2017 from 10a – 5p

ABOUT: Join Orlando Science Center for a special day to engage in science learning and fun for a discounted price on Sunday, April 9! Limited tickets are available so people are encouraged to purchase them in advance online before they’re gone. Normally general admission fees are $19.95 for adults and $13.95 for children, but only on April 9, everyone can purchase admission for just $10 — a 30–50 percent savings per ticket.

You can purchase your tickets in advance HERE

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BUSCH GARDENS & ADVENTURE ISLAND OFFER UNLIMITED REASONS TO VISIT ALL YEAR – LAST CHANCE FOR 2017 BOGO FUN CARD DEAL!

LAST CHANCE!  Through April 30, guests who purchase a 2017 Fun Card will receive a FREE Adventure Island Fun Card. Time is limited to take advantage of Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay’s 2017 BOGO Fun Card deal which allows guests to pay for a day and come back all year to both premiere Tampa parks.

Check out all of the fun events coming up this year:

Food & Wine Festival: Saturdays and Sundays, Now – April 30

With Busch Gardens’ Food & Wine Festival in full swing, Fun Card holders get unlimited access to concerts like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gilberto Santa Rosa and more. This year, the Festival boasts all-new dishes, wines from around the world and an expanded lineup of craft brews, including some of Tampa’s local breweries.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun Kids Weekends:  May 6, 7, 13, and 14

Back by popular demand, the Sesame Street® Safari of Fun events are crafted just for kids and feature animal encounters, parades, dance parties and your favorite Sesame Street®friends. The first weekend will feature fun activities inspired by the cookie connoisseur himself, Cookie Monster and the second weekend will include a scavenger hunt for Ernie’s Rubber Duckie throughout the Safari of Fun play area.

Jack Hanna Weekend:  May 27 – 28

Join “Jungle Jack” Hanna for two days of wild animal shows, autograph signings and special meet-and-greets when he visits Busch Gardens. The internationally-known animal expert will share animal facts and his travel tales during animal shows at the Stanleyville Theater.

Summer Nights: Select dates June 16 – August 6

The biggest party heats up at Busch Gardens during the reimagined Summer Nights.  Dance into the night at themed party zones throughout the park, ride Florida’s top thrill rides in the dark, enjoy all-new entertainment and savor a stellar lineup of sensational summer cuisine.

Island Nights: Select dates June 16 – August 6

Celebrate the summer island-style during Island Nights! The sunset celebration occurs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at Adventure Island from June 16 to August 6, with extended park hours and tropical entertainment.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun “Halloween” Kids Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays, Oct 7-29

Sesame Street® Safari of Fun is hosting a Halloween party every weekend in October! Enjoy uniquely themed weekends, festive arts and crafts, trick-or-treat candy stations, hay bale maze and more.

Christmas Town: Select dates November 24-December 31

Unwrap a beautiful family tradition at Christmas Town™, where Busch Gardens transforms into a holiday wonderland of Christmastime entertainment and attractions, holiday shopping, treats and more than two million twinkling lights.

The BOGO Fun Card deal is available online for a $5.00 savings until April 30 for $99.99. For more information, visit buschgardenstampa.com.

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Seven Seas Food Festival Begins TODAY!

Head to Sea World for flavorful food and drink items combined with many of the hottest Hispanic artists to bring the festival to life. To complement the Saturday schedule, the event has added performances on Sundays May 7 and May 14, giving guests more opportunities to experience all the Seven Seas Food Festival has to offer.

Seven Seas Food Festival Headline Entertainment:

While new flavors tempt guests’ taste buds throughout the park, weekend live entertainment will have guests out of their seats, dancing and singing to the beat. Popular reggaeton, salsa, Latin pop and merengue concerts excite attendees each weekend at SeaWorld Orlando’s Bayside Stadium. All concerts start at 3 p.m. and are included park admission.

• Oscar D’León (Saturday, April 22)    
• Olga Tanon (Saturday, April 29)        
• Grupo Mania (Saturday, May 6)
• El Gran Combo (Sunday, May 7)
• Zion y Lennox (Saturday, May 13)
• Grupo Niche (Sunday, May 14)        

Seven Seas Food Festival Coastal Cuisine:

Beginning today, Saturday, April 22, the event takes delicious inspiration from Latin American flavor and tradition. Brand new menu items, prepared exclusively by SeaWorld’s Executive Chef Hector Colon, bring the distinct flavor of Latin American cuisine to life. Guests can savor:

• Churrasco- Skirt steak marinated in house-made chimichurri, then grilled over an open flame
• Lechón Asado- Traditional, roasted pork rubbed with Caribbean seasonings
• Pincho con Tostones- Skewered, flame-grilled chicken or pork with a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce and served with fried plantains
• Tripleta Sandwich- roast pork, chicken, steak and cheese, served with potato sticks and SeaWorld’s special sauce on a fresh baguette
• Empanadilla de Pizza- Pastry filled with mozzarella cheese and zesty tomato sauce
• Empanadilla de Carne- Pastry filled with savory ground beef
• Empanadilla de Pollo- Pastry filled with seasoned pulled chicken
• Bacalaítos- Thin, crispy salted codfish pancake

The new menu items coincide with the Festival’s existing 11 global markets and their unique Asian, European, North Atlantic, and Polynesian inspired dishes. To accompany each plate, guests can also enjoy 55 local and international craft brews, flavored mojitos, margaritas, and sangria. A complete menu of the Seven Seas Food Festival delights can be found online atSeaWorldOrlando.com/SevenSeas.

ANNUAL PASS OFFER:

The best way for guests to experience all that SeaWorld has to offer is with an Annual Pass. For a limited time, guests who purchase a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass also receive Aquatica Orlando included for free. SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando Annual Pass Members enjoy unlimited admission and free general parking for 12 months with no blockout dates for as low as $14 /month.

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The 2017 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing. The weather here in Florida is sunny, warm, and inviting. A perfect spring day at Epcot should be at the top of everyone’s to do list. Nothing can beat the gorgeous weather, beautiful blooms, delicious food, and rocking entertainment happening now at Disney’s Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival! Come on out and get your Flower and Garden Festival Passport and get ready to make your way around the world showcase to discover the wonder and beauty for yourself.

BEAUTIFUL TOPIARIES

Discover nature at Epcot with gorgeous topiaries throughout the park.

There are over 100 dazzling topiaries to admire throughout Epcot! Here are just a few examples of what you will see:

• Anna and Elsa from Frozen
  Located at Norway Pavilion

• Bambi & Friends
  Featuring Bambi, Flower and Thumper
  Located at the Canada Pavilion

• Beauty and the Beast
  Located at the France Pavilion

• Belle – NEW!
  Located at the France Pavilion

• Donald, Daisy, Huey, Dewey and Louie
  Located at the Main Entrance

• Lady and the Tramp
  Located at the Italy Pavilion

• Mickey, Minnie and Pluto
  Located at Showcase Plaza

• Peter Pan, Tinker Bell & Fairy Houses from Pixie Hollow
  Located at the United Kingdom Pavilion

• Phineas and Ferb – NEW!
  Located near Odyssey Bridge

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
  Located at the Germany Pavilion

• Stitch
  Located on the fountain side of MouseGear

• The Lion King
  Featuring Mufasa, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Sarabi, Simba and Timon
  Located at The Outpost between the Germany and China Pavilion

DELICIOUS FOOD at the OUTDOOR KITCHENS

Discover a delicious selection of farm-to-table dishes featuring the freshest locally sourced ingredients available! We tasted the delicious Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue from the Florida Fresh station located between the France and Morocco Pavilions.

We also sampled this delicious Crabless cake with crispy vegetable slaw. Every dish we sampled was delicious and so fresh!

Don’t forget all of the delicious beverage pairings. We learned that this Orange Blossom Pilsner originated here in Orlando!

ENTERTAINMENT:

Rock out and get your groove on with some of the hottest throwback beats at America Gardens Theatre. Throughout the 2017 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, you’re invited to soak up the sounds of over a dozen chart-topping musical acts, including a few new artists sprouting from the Garden Rocks stage for the very first time. Showtimes for the Garden Rocks Concert Series take place Friday through Monday at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM.

Upcoming guests include (but not limited to) Little River Band, The Guess Who, and The Spinners. Head on over to the Garden Rocks page for more guest listings.

Don’t miss all of these upcoming events at Epcot:

– Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: August 31-November 13, 2017
– Holidays Around The World: November 24-December 30, 2017
– Epcot International Festival of the Arts: Early 2018
– Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival: Spring 2018

Disclosure: I was provided with tickets to review the festival. All Opinions are my own!

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We LOVE going to the movies on date night. We also like to head to the movies as a family. But paying for 6 people, 4 of whom are now considered “adults” when purchasing tickets, can get pricey. Below are some of our favorite tips to get great deals on movie tickets so you can enjoy your favorite movies on the big screen!

Go in the afternoon

Most theaters offer matinee show rates. See your movie before 5p (theater times vary) and you can save as much as $5 per ticket. That can add to a nice savings, especially with my family of 6!

ASK for discounts

Many theaters offer senior discounts, military discounts, student discounts, and more. Just ask!

Check your cell phone perks

T-Mobile AND AT&T offer special Tuesday deals. Sometimes, those include savings on movie tickets. Recently T-Mobile offered BOGO tickets.

ONLINE Discounted Gift Cards

This is what my family uses the most! Raise.com offers discounted gift cards. Plus, when you sign up, you get $5 to spend right away! Example, the last gift card I grabbed was a $14 Regal gift card that was marked down to just $10.15. If you’re a NEW Raise customer, use your $5 code and pay just $5.15 for that $14 gift card. ALSO, share your link with others and if they buy a gift card, you get $5 credit! Sweet!

Check for coupons or discount days

Some theaters offer discount days. For example, we have a theater near our mall that offers “Sunday Specials” on all movies. We tend to always see our movies on Sunday to take advantage of this deal. It’s all day long, so we can even go for date night in the evening and still save!

WAIT until your movie hits the discount theaters

Do you have a dollar theater near you? Or a deeply discounted theater? Yes, the movies have been out for awhile, but if you want to head to the theater to see it on the big screen, this is a great choice. Ours is a little bit of a drive But they charge only $1.75 ($1 on Tuesdays)!! Saving an average of $10 per ticket x 6 people is a huge deal. We will pay the extra $5 in gas any day.  *For my local readers, this theater is in Altamonte Springs.

EAT FIRST

Movie theater food and drinks are over priced. We like to head to dinner before our movie on date nights. And if we’re bringing the family, we’re sure to feed them before leaving.

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Get ready to be wowed by the Guardians…again! It’s rare that a sequel surpasses the awesomeness of the original. Very rare. This is the exception. There, I said it out loud…. I loved Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 more that 1. Here’s why:

We laughed out loud….

Over and over I, along with my teenage daughter and the rest of the theater, laughed out loud. We didn’t giggle, we laughed… again and again. My favorite character changed with this movie. Guardians of the Galaxy 1 my fave was Chris Pratt. I mean…swoon… and he is funny, adorable, and I love that he loves Gamora!

But, Dave Bautista, Drax, stole my heart in Vol. 2.  His jokes…his laugh! Obviously I love Baby Groot. How can you not? But Drax is right up there with Baby Groot.  So, get ready for big laughs from the big guy.

VISUALS….

I was able to watch the prescreening in 3D. “Wow” is all I can say. I have been very disappointed over the last year with 3D movies. To the point that I just don’t see the point in paying extra money to see movies in 3D. They tend to start off with great graphics and 3D images. After the first 10 minutes, the 3D viewing fades and the glasses become pointless. Not with Guardians. The 3D graphics are present throughout. The colors, action scenes, and sci-fi effects will wow you and the kids..promise! From the details of the ship to the terrain on the planets. All of it is done very well.

STORYLINE…

I won’t ruin it for you. But I will say that Kurt Russel plays “EGO”, Peter Quills dad, which I’m sure you’ve seen in the previews, and he does an amazing job! There are also some surprise guests, some harder to notice as others, so keep your eyes peeled. There is also a little bit of romance…

Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries from invaders. When it is discovered that Rocket has stolen the items they were sent to guard, the Sovereign dispatch their armada to search for vengeance. As the Guardians try to escape, the mystery of Peter’s parentage is revealed.

Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 are by far my favorite “superhero” movies. Instead of all sci-fi and fighting etc, there are some very relatable storylines and characters. The language is understandable and relatable. And it’s funny. I love that you don’t have to be a superhero expert to understand what is going on in the Guardians movies. While I love the storyline of Vol. 2, it really had me hooked during the fun bickering and bantering amongst themselves. I guess you can say our family loves the sarcastic joking amongst family and friends. I highly recommend seeing this movie….and in 3D if you can!

Parents: As a mom, I will say that the PG-13 rating is on point. I will not be taking my 9 year old daughter for a few years. My older kids and teens I will be taking on opening night. There is more language in this movie than the first. There are a few sexual references and of course a lot of killing (of monsters etc). Only you know what your child can handle based on their maturity level. I just know that sometimes I can’t understand why the PG-13 or R rating is in place. This time, it’s right on. mature 13 & up!

Check out my previous interviews from the first Guardians of the Galaxy:

Vin Diesel Interview – Groot from Guardians Of The Galaxy #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyEvent

Interview With James Gunn – The Genius Behind “Guardians of the Galaxy”

Interview With Dave Bautista “Drax the Destroyer” Guardians of the Galaxy

Zoe Saldana Interview – ‘Gamora’ Guardians of the Galaxy #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyEvent

IN THEATERS MAY 5

Don’t miss this post:

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Are you planning to head out and see the new  Baywatch movie featuring Dwayne Johnson & Zac Efron? If so, grab a ticket for just $5  by heading on over to Atom Tickets where they are offering ONE Baywatch Movie Ticket for ONLY $5 when you enter the promo code BAY5 at checkout – limit 1 per customer! Note that this offer is valid today only!

To take advantage of this offer, head here, log in or create an account with Atom Tickets, choose a theater near you showing ‘Baywatch‘, click on a showtime, add one ticket to your cart, enter your payment information and then use promo code BAY5 at checkout. SIMPLE!

Purchase TODAY ONLY

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FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY, head on over to atomtickets.com and grab BOGO tickets to the movie Snatched. Use promo code  SNATCHEDBOGO at checkout.

To take advantage of this offer, simply head on over here, log in or create an account with Atom Tickets, choose a theater near you showing ‘Snatched‘, click on a showtime, add two tickets to your cart, enter your payment information and then use promo code SNATCHEDBOGO at checkout.

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Legoland Beach Retreat is now open and it is truly AWESOME for both kids and adults. The retreat is located across the street from the theme park’s entrance and is designed to create a relaxing and different experience for guests.

I took my family there to check it out the week it opened. One of the first unique experience we had was the moment we pulled into the resort. There is a drive-through check-in process. Yes, I said DRIVE-THROUGH. That means, without taking all the kids out of the car, I can check in. Guests simply pull up to a window to check in. You will receive your map and room key. Then, head right to your room…well your bungalow!

Legoland Beach Retreat has a  total of 83 bungalows. These bungalows are located with 13 coves. Each cove has a fun name like “fisherman’s cove” and “surfer’s cove” etc.  Each cove is shaped like a circle, with a few bungalows in each cove. In the middle of the cove is a fun playground. This is perfect for parents to keep an eye on the kids from the front porch of their bungalow.

Each bungalow has a front patio with tables and chairs. This is where we sat for our morning coffee and hot chocolate. A great way to start the morning before heading to Legoland or before spending a day at the pool.

Our room had a main room with a large kingsize bed, TV, mini fridge, coffee maker, and a safe.

The bathroom is located in the main area and has a large tub/shower combo.

There is a side room separated by a curtain with bunk beds and a toy box with LEGOs. The rooms are painted with bright colors just like your favorite LEGOs! There are also Lego people painted on the walls along with lots of great artwork featuring Legos of course.

It’s a short stroll to the main building where you can grab a meal, snack, drink, or shop. The pool is also located right outside the main building. Sandy’s Castle restaurant offers breakfast and dinner buffets. For lunch, there is the Bricks Beach Bar offering a light menu. I checked out the menu and found takeout pizza, sandwiches, and delicious drinks.

Our family thoroughly enjoyed the pool area. The pool is large with floating Legos to play with. There are plenty of lounge chairs, a playground, and a sand area. There is a place for games next to the pool. Towels are available pool side. And the bar and snack bar are right next to the pool.

It was so nice to come back to a nice relaxing room after a long day at the park. The kids had a great time unwinding while playing legos.

Room rates for Beach Retreat start at $135 per night and vary by season, date and availability. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort. Breakfast is included with your stay. The resort also offers complimentary transportation to Legoland Florida. You can find more information and check out rates and availability HERE.

You can also sign up to receive deals and updates HERE.

Disclosure: we received a complimentary one night stay to help facilitate our review. All opinions are my own!

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YES YES and YES! We can’t wait to get to Shipwreck Island this summer. So much fun and so much to do for all ages. My kids are going to love it…they even have batting cages, which if you have been following my blog at all, you know that all four of our kiddos play baseball/softball.

**** Use Coupon Code OFF for additional savings – ENDS TODAY****

ABOUT: Our summer time showcase is Shipwreck Island Water Park, featuring the Little St. Johns River, Typhoon Lagoon – a half million gallon wave pool, and 4Xtreme slides:

• The Rage
• The Hydro Half-Pipe
• The Eye of the Storm
• The Undertow

Plus a wave pool, lazy river, and MORE!

The Shipwreck Island Play Village is the centerpiece attraction for kids, young and not so young. Multiple slides, water cannons and water falls ensure hours of fun.

GO HERE

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Escape rooms are all the rage right now. They are so much fun for families, girls night out, couples, and so much more. Have you tried one yet?

The American Escape Room is located in Orlando and has received awesome reviews. The American Escape Room has multiple rooms to choose from and the price is budget friendly.

About: American Escape Rooms brings visitors some of the most fun and exciting challenges they’ll ever face in an escape game experience. During each 60-minute game, groups of friends meet up and collectively prove their mental prowess and test their instincts. They must always remember that to solve the complex tasks demanded of them, teamwork, a good mix of skills, and a variety of styles and backgrounds can only help teams with their time…and time is the most prized possession. Groups have up to 60 minutes to complete any of the following mission quests, with a heap of glory and secret rewards awaiting those who notch up the fastest times in each mission.

The Missions:

• Zombie Apocalypse: A deadly virus threatens to re-write DNA, the very code of our existence, and alter humanity forever. Find the cure and stop the Zombie Apocalypse from becoming a reality. Groups have an hour to save mankind. Players: 1–8; difficulty: 4/5.
• Cold War Crisis: It’s October 27, 1962, the Cold War’s temperature is at its boiling point and about to go nuclear. Groups must infiltrate an enemy base and diffuse a nuclear bomb planted by a rogue agent before civilization as we know it becomes a curious afterthought for future Earth pioneers, destroyed by nuclear armageddon. Players: 1–8; difficulty: 5/5.
• The Mad Professor’s Asylum: Everyone’s worst nightmare has just happened: discovering they are trapped in a sadistic professor’s lab of pure evil and darkness. Teams will have to face their deepest fears and mentally out-duel this madman to escape his horror show while retaining whatever fragments of their humanity they can. This challenge will definitely cause an adrenaline rush, and is not for the faint of heart. Players: 1–8; difficulty: 4/5.
• Mind-Boggling: The human mind is a chaotic and frightening place if not tended to. Those trapped in this room will find themselves questioning their sanity as they are confronted with left- and right-brain puzzles and riddles teetering on the edges of reason. The only way out of this maze of absurdities is to cling to each other and work as a unit. Players: 1–6; difficulty: 3/5.

Go Here –> ESCAPE ROOM DEAL

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Are you ready to make an impact?

I recently had the opportunity to cruise to the Dominican Republic aboard the beautiful Adonia with Fathom Travel. What an amazing and rewarding experience. Fathom gives travelers the rewarding opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic and give back to the struggling local communities at the same time. While I did have some time to enjoy the beauty and culture of the Dominican Republic, I was also working closely with a team of fellow cruisers to make an impact in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Fathom has, in my opinion, created a life changing vacation opportunity. This experience has changed my life in many ways. I have a new desire to do social good on every future trip I take. It has motivated me to dig deep and find what it is that I can offer to others.

While aboard Fathom’s Adonia,  I was able to choose from various “Impact Travel” activities. Choose from categories like education, local entrepreneurship, clean water access, environmental awareness and creative arts, music and sports. I personally chose to teach Spanish in a local community and I also took part in a reforestation project. My cabin-mates also took part in some of the local entrepreneurship opportunities. You can read about my experience HERE.

Onboard the Adonia

The 700-passenger Adonia is beautiful. It is smaller than most of the ships I have been on, which was a surprisingly better experience. It was “cozy”. Sailing on the inaugural trip, there were just 400 aboard and I got to know quite a few people. Being on a smaller ship meant I was running into the same passengers over and over. I met so many wonderful people and learned so many peoples stories. This doesn’t happen so much on the bigger ships. We shared meals, played cards, danced, and even painted with our new found friends.

The ship has gorgeous artwork throughout. There are plenty of dining rooms, a large pool with 2 hot tubs, fitness center, salon, card room, plenty of deck space to soak in the sun, and my favorite, a fully stocked library featuring amazing books and shelves full of board games, cards, and puzzles. Everything you need for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation.

And you will NOT go hungry!

Take a class!

I highly encourage you to challenge yourself to take the classes aboard the Adonia. I took a Spanish class that helped me get comfortable with common phrases. I came onto the ship knowing “hola” and “si”. I knew that was not going to suffice while teaching and communicating with the people of Puerto Plata, so I took the class and learned enough phrases to feel comfortable going into the community.

Here is a small sample of the classes available. Again, I highly encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and take these life enriching classes:

WHEEL OF LIFE:

The wheel of life takes you through the process of discovering imbalance in your life. Reflect on various aspects of your day and maximize your ability to control balance through small actions. Creating balance is an act of changemaking.

DESIGN YOUR LIFE:

Design thinking is about using insights to create new opportunities through the tools of design like brainstorming, prototyping, and storytelling. Through this class you will use this thinking to discover your passions and learn to turn your smallest ideas into big opportunities!

STORY CIRCLE:

Flex your personal storytelling skills amidst a group of peers and facilitators. This coaching session will help tell the story of you with group feedback, and more.

TAKE A DANCE CLASS!!

Can you see how this is not your typical cruise ship? Relax, learn, and grow while you travel to make an impact.

Amber Cove

This brand new port is full of fun, shopping, and relaxation.

Enjoy the large pool, swim up bar, winding water slides, or just soak up some sun. There is so much beautiful scenery. I could not stop taking photos. If you’re hungry, check out the restaurants located at the port. There is plenty of shopping as well. I enjoyed the free wifi in port as well as a delicious cup of hot coffee at the cafe. We also headed up a hill to check out a bar that has the best views around.

We headed up there to catch an amazing sunset.

There are also activities you can enjoy for a fee:

Ziplining $12 for the entire day! (Kids are discounted)
Boating
Kayaking
Paddleboarding
AND MORE…..

We also ventured out for a walk around the local community. And we grabbed a cab for a tour all around the city. You can read about our trip on the Teleferico Cable Car here.

As you can see, my family and I were impacted. We learned so much about ourselves while on the Adonia. Our lives were impacted as we dug deep to find our passions and overcome obstacles we were facing. I have not even TOUCHED on the impact activities that helped OTHERS on the ground. Stay tuned for another post focusing on the amazing impact we made in Puerto Plata, DR.

Plan your trip with FATHOM TRAVEL.

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Disneyland’s California Adventure Park is celebrating a Summer of Heroes and YOU’RE INVITED!

It just so happened that my very first trip to Disneyland fell during the Summer of Heroes celebration. What a treat! Let’s jump right into my top 5 things to do at California Adventure during Summer of Heroes.

The RIDES!!

The highlight of it all is definitely the all new Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Do you LOVE thrill rides? If a little thrill is what you’re seeking…scratch that… a TON of thrill, this is YOUR ride. Let me start by saying, this ride is not for the faint of heart. But if you’re a thrill seeker, you are going to absolutely LOVE it! It truly was an amazing ride. For me, once and done. I get motion sickness. If it wasn’t for my motion sickness, I would be on it again and again.

If you’ve been on Tower of Terror, you will know what to expect. It’s similar, but let me tell you, it is 10x better. There are MORE drops, MORE screams, and MORE fun. Plus, you get to listen to some great music. Your ride will feature one of these great tunes:

• “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar
• “Give Up The Funk” by Parliament
• “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
• “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5
• “Free Ride” by The Edgar Winter Group
• “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley

The FOOD

Super hero inspired food can be found throughout the “Hollywood” area of the park. Those delicious spiderman treats above, by far, my favorite. Everyone has to try this vanilla ice cream-filled macaron with the Spidey design. Yum!

photo credit: Disney

How about some Jalapeño-Cheese Groot-Shaped Bread? This one came in second for me. Although, first on the cuteness scale!

Meet the SUPERHEROES

I don’t care  how old you are, everyone loves superheroes. I’m sure you have a fave, right? I have always loved Hulk…that was…until Guardians of the Galaxy came out. Now I have a whole new love. The problem is I can’t choose between them. Cutie Pie Groot, Drax who just kills me with his laugh, and then there is Star-Lord….

During the Summer of Heroes you can meet Captain America and Spiderman. Keep an eye out for Star-Lord and Gamora as you may catch them out and about as well.

PHOTO OPPS

Oh yes, the scenery. Everywhere I looked I saw photo opportunities. From the super hero foods to the life like buildings taken right out of our favorite movies, to tons of apparel and toys to get some photos of (and buy!). Hmm I should have put shopping on here too. There are tons of toys and fun super hero apparel items to purchase too.

Photo: Disney

Summer of Heroes Experiences for the whole family

Check out this list provided by Disneyland:

• Guests have a chance to be dazzled by the beloved and iconic “Main Street Electrical Parade,” with an extended run through Aug. 20.
• The spectacular nighttime “Fantasmic!” show re-opens at Disneyland this summer, and the classic Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America attractions return to delight park guests.
• Also in Disneyland, Star Wars and Disney fans will step into out-of-this-galaxy adventures at Star Wars Launch Bay, meeting some Star Wars characters and getting an up-close look at replica props and models from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”
• Across both parks, guests will meet characters familiar and new – from Moana and Chewbacca to the stars of Summer of Heroes, including Groot, Captain America and Spider-Man. Photos with Groot are sure to be a big hit as he makes his first appearance in a Disney park.
• “Disney Junior Dance Party” debuts Friday, May 26, at Disney California Adventure, creating a fun concert experience where adults and kids can sing and dance along to the music. Popular Disney Junior characters from Disney Junior TV shows “Doc McStuffins,” “Sofia the First” and “The Lion Guard” will be joined by characters from the new series “Mickey and the Roadster Racers.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, head over to the Disneyland Website!

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Disclosure: I was provided with a one night stay at the Drury Plaza Hotel to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own!

The very kid-friendly Drury Plaza Hotel in Franklin, Tennessee in an ideal location for families traveling to or through Franklin, Tennessee or Nashville, Tennessee. Our family of 6 traveled through the area and stayed at the Drury Plaza Hotel and honestly wish we were able to spend more time there. I was very impressed with the Drury Plaza Hotel and after researching have found that all of the Drury Hotels offer all of the perks you’re going to read about below. Not only is the hotel family friendly, but they have very budget friendly rates.

We were on the tail end of our 8-day vacation and had a stop to make in Nashville. My husband was attending a concert in the evening in downtown Nashville and the following morning we had a reservation to check out The Escape Room also in downtown Nashville. We researched hotels in the downtown area and couldn’t find one that was a fit for our family. Most did not have a pool or a hot breakfast available, two very important factors in our hotel criteria. We also couldn’t find one that would fit our family of 6 within one room, another important factor. And, parking looked to be an issue everywhere in the city.

Then, I found the Drury Plaza Hotel in Franklin. It was located just 14 miles from the heart of downtown. Franklin reminded me of the quaint quiet town I live in except it had a much better view! We could see beautiful mountains in the distance. Something we don’t get to see here in Florida. We were happy to be out of the hustle and bustle of the city, yet close enough to get there for our sightseeing.

This was our first time staying at the Drury chain of hotels. We stayed in the two room suite which was perfect for our family. It gave our family lots of space to spread out. The deluxe two-room suite featured a quiet bedroom with a king size bed that was separated by a door from the living area, which included a pull-out queen sofa sleeper. My youngest always sleeps with us, so we took the king bed.

The bathroom had a large jetted tub, plenty of counter space, and toiletries. There was a separate door for the toilet which is perfect for families. You can utilize the mirror and changing area while someone else has plenty of privacy using the restroom.

The shower was separate from the tub. There was plenty of space in this walk in shower. And there were full bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash available for use. This is great for those times that we forget to pack something.

I wanted to point out the long hallway between the bedroom and the living area where the kids slept on the pull out couch. This was where the bathroom was located. But, I just loved how much space was placed between the rooms. We could not hear the kids tv (or loud conversations and antics) at all! It was perfect for us.

The three other kiddos shared the pull out sleeper. I loved that each room included an LCD TV. The kids could watch their show, while my husband and I watched ours.

I also appreciated the in-room amenities. We had a microwave, refrigerator, iron, ironing board, hairdryer, and a coffee maker with all the extras needed for a great cup of coffee. Both of the beds were very comfortable and soft. It’s rare to find a pull-out sofa bed that is as comfortable as the one we had at the Drury Plaza Hotel. The television had plenty of channels to choose from. We had free fast wi-fi in our room as well.

Other features that we loved were the indoor/outdoor swimming pool. And a very large hot tub. We spent most of the evening in the pool while my husband was downtown enjoying a concert. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep the kids busy, but they didn’t get out of the pool until it closed! I was able to sit and watch them while while catching up on some computer work. Free parking at the hotel was another great perk.

Now, let’s talk about the biggest perks that my husband and I loved. Your stay at a Drury Plaza Hotel includes a free hot breakfast. Not bagels and yogurt, but a full hot delicious breakfast. Pancakes, potatoes, eggs, oatmeal, sausage, and so much more.

Plus, families will love the late afternoon snacks/appetizers that include fresh salad, hot hors d’oeuvres, and cold drinks. During our stay, they served soft taco shells with all the fixins including salsa, taco meat, cheeses, sour cream, and more. There was also a salad bar and nachos.

There was so much food that we didn’t have to go out for dinner that evening. That means our family saved over $60 on dinner alone. Breakfast we saved at least $35! Also, you can enjoy popcorn, soda, and coffee almost all day long. A perfect perk for our hungry teens and little ones.

After a delicious dinner, a long swim in the pool, and a movie and popcorn in our room, we headed to bed, where the kids and I had a great night sleep.

The morning brought a super easy checkout. Just leave the key in your room and you’re done!

Heading to the Nashville area? Check out the Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Franklin here. Or, you can check out all the Drury Hotel Locations HERE. 

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CAN YOU ESCAPE?

Solve million dollar heists, decode secret service missions, and navigate through prison passageways. You have one hour! 

Sound like fun???? I had heard from many friends how much fun Escape Games were, but I didn’t really understand the concept until I went to my very first Escape Game. You definitely have to try it to get the full understanding of what’s involved. Once you try your hand at one, I promise you will want to go back again.

We went to our very first Escape Game as a family. All 6 of us. My husband, myself, and our four kids, ages 16, 14, 11, and 9, headed to The Escape Game in downtown Nashville.  It was our first time for all of us, so we really had no idea what to expect. I had read reviews from friends, the older kids had friends that had been, the younger kids had no idea what to expect. I knew that everyone would enjoy it. We got so much more out of it than an hour of fun. We made memories. The kids had to work together as a team to figure out how to reach our goal and “escape”.

SCREEN-FREE Fun

There were no video games or phones needed for our adventure. In fact, all phones were put in moms purse and left locked in a room for the….entire…game! And, not once during the entire adventure did anyone ask for their phone. There was no Snapchat photos taken, no text messages received, no headphones were blaring. We had real, interactive, family fun.

How It Works

Before making our reservation, I scoured the website to see which room our family would enjoy. After emailing them, the employee we spoke with recommended a room that would be perfect for our kids ages. I was glad for the expert opinion, since this was my first time going to a room, I didn’t even think about the difficulty for the younger two kids.

We signed up for GOLD RUSH, which requires 2-7 players and has a difficulty of 7 out of 10.

About GOLD RUSH:  For nearly two centuries, the hope of gold has lured people to the hills of Northern California. No one was captivated more than Clyde Hamilton, a greedy gold prospector who loved to gamble. Clyde made too many bets with the wrong crowd and now he’s missing. You’ve been tipped off to where he stashed his gold…But so has the mob. Finders keepers.

We made our reservation and arrived 20 minutes early to fill out some paperwork. Once that was completed, we were taken to the first room and given instructions and flashlights. It was a little dark in the first room. You could see, and it was not scary at all, but the lighting was not at 100% so flashlights were great to see under things and to read!

Once all instructions were given, the 6 of us were basically locked in a room (with a button that would let us out at any time if needed) and had to solve a series of different kinds of puzzles to find clues to escape the room. This took us to another room and then a third where we did the same. The employee was available via camera and TV screen to help us out and give us clues as needed. We could ask for a total of 3 clues OR if they saw we were struggling, they could give us free clues. We had one hour.

The clues were fairly difficult for younger kids. I would recommend 10 & up. However, our 9 year old was happy with the tasks we gave her. Once the older kids would figure out a clue that would, for example, give us a key, we would give her the key to do the unlocking of the door. At one point we had a puzzle to put together. The older kids found the pieces and she put the puzzle together for us!

TEAMWORK

This was my favorite part of the Escape Game. My kids had to work together to solve problems. At home, the kids can get extra busy with sports schedules, schoolwork, and their electronics, that they don’t really get to work together or play together as often as I’d like. This hour together was the perfect chance to work on those sibling bonds. I wasn’t allowed to take pictures in the rooms, so I had to take some mental shots of these moments!

DID WE ESCAPE?

We didn’t. But that’s okay! We worked hard until that very last second. We had one full hour to reach our goal. I’m convinced that if we had about 10 more minutes, we would have figured it all out.

I fully believe that the next time we go to an Escape Game, we WILL reach our goal. We were so close. And I think since it was our first time ever trying an Escape Room, we were getting our feet wet. We will definitely be back.

Heading to Nashville? Be sure to check out the Escape Room! They offer TWO locations in Nashville.

Not in Nashville? The Escape Room have locations in Orlando, Pigeon Forge, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, and Minneapolis. Check out their corporate site HERE.

Disclosure: We were provided with tickets to help facilitate our review. All opinions are 100% mine! 

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Our family loves to travel. I’m a planner and I strive to stay on a budget during travel. With a family of six, I have to be very creative to make that happen.  CityPASS is a perfect option for traveling families both big and small. Travelers get to experience the top attractions while saving up to half off the cost of regular admission prices. Visit multiple attractions for one low price. CityPASS makes it easy to plan ahead as well. You will receive your CityPASS booklet before you leave for your trip. The booklet contains tear out tickets to use at each location. Another perk of CityPASS booklets that I found were coupons located in the back of the booklet for other attractions in the area.

We recently took an 8 day family road trip from Florida to Tennessee to visit family. We stopped for 2 nights/3 days in Atlanta to sightsee. We made a list of everything we wanted to see and do and then I checked the CityPASS site. Almost everything on our list was included in the Atlanta CityPASS booklet! This was our second time using CityPASS. You can see our CityPASS adventure in Tampa HERE.

Your Atlanta CityPASS Includes:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• CNN Studio Tours
• Zoo Atlanta OR Center for Civil and Human Rights
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History OR College Football Hall of Fame

Our first stop was the CNN Studio Tours. No cameras are allowed during 98% of the tour, but I grabbed a few on the way in!

More about the CNN TOUR: Get exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the world headquarters of CNN with this tour experience. You will take a 50-minute walking tour with your very own guide through the halls of CNN Center and get an inside look at how a live broadcast is produced and sent to viewers all over the world. You will also get a more in-depth look at how the world’s largest news organization operates. From the historic first newscast to the now living legacy, learn how CNN became the worldwide leader in news.

My oldest daughter, 14, really enjoyed learning what goes on behind the scenes of the network. She was intrigued and had lots of great questions. Our guide was very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this tour! My younger daughter shopped the CartoonNetwork store after the tour:

CNN Tours are priced around $15 per person, but is included in your ATLANTA CityPASS!

Meanwhile, the boys enjoyed themselves at the College Sports Hall of Fame.

We continued on to the Aquarium and the famous World of Coca-Cola.  I love that we can do multiple things in one day, or spread our the stops over our vacation. We had 3 days in Atlanta and were able to see so much. Never a dull moment.

Ready to get your CityPASS?

CityPASS is currently available for these cities:

ATLANTA
BOSTON
CHICAGO
DALLAS
HOUSTON
NYC
PHILADELPHIA
SAN FRANCISCO
So CAL
TAMPA
TORONTO

We had an amazing time in Atlanta and stayed on budget thanks to the CityPASS.

Disclosure: we were provided with two complimentary CityPASS books to help facilitate our review. We paid in full for the others.

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Sesame Place Birthday Ticket Flash Sale!

• Limited-Time Offer expires July 20
• Valid for one visit July 24 – August 6
• Savings of $25
• 23 months and younger do not require a paid admission ticket
• May be upgraded to an Any Day Ticket or Season Pass for an additional fee at any ticket window

Sesame Place Birthday Ticket Flash Sale!

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photo courtesy of Loews Hotel

The next time your family visits Atlanta, be sure to stop by the Loews Hotel. The accommodations are top notch. The food is delicious and the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable of the Atlanta area. Loews Atlanta Hotel is located in midtown Atlanta. If you have not been to midtown Atlanta, you’re in for a treat. There are plenty of things to do and a variety of places to eat and drink within walking distance of the Loews. We parked our car at the hotel and didn’t use it for two days. Everything was so close by!

Upon arriving at valet, you will be welcomed by some of the most friendly concierge I’ve ever met. Have a pet? No worries. Loews rooms are pet friendly upon request. And, you will notice a hydration station for your pet as you walk in, not far from the human hydration station that is full of lemon water, cucumber water, and more. Plus, there is a room service menu that caters to your pet! How cool is that? Both cats and dogs will feel like they are at home at the Loews Atlanta. We saw some of the cutest pups in the lobby, I’m bummed that I didn’t take a pic!

Once we checked in, we headed up to our suite. Our room was the perfect size for our larger family. The large king bed had an extra comfortable Sealy mattress. Although the room was not completely separated from the living room, the wall placement between the two areas provided enough separation that we could watch our flat screen TV while the kids watched a separate TV in the “living room” area.

The kids recharging their electronics & checkout the score of the Braves game

Our room had other perks as well. A desk to work at, plenty of plugs for charging all of our electronics, a fridge full of goodies to purchase if we chose to, the must-have Keurig machine, complimentary Wi-Fi in every guest room and in public spaces, and an amazing view of the city. Not only did our room have a great view, we found great views in floor to ceiling windows at the end of our hallway.

We were exhausted from our long drive, so we hit the sack early. My daughter and I woke up extra early to hit the gym. The Loews Atlanta had no ordinary hotel gym. It was huge. There was no waiting on machines. There were plenty. From bikes to treadmills, free weights, and more, the Loews had it all. The fitness area was connected to the Exhale Spa. The spa offers an array of treatments from acupuncture to detox therapy and plenty of yoga classes, cycle classes, and more.

Another HUGE perk was the Starbucks located in the lobby of the Loews hotel. We grabbed our morning coffee fix and enjoyed it in the gorgeous lobby. The Loews has a large sitting area, fully stocked bar, restaurant, and lots of artwork in the lobby area.

We brought breakfast up to the kiddos that were still sleeping. My 11 year old enjoyed breakfast in bed for his birthday!

The Loews Atlanta was perfect for our family. The hotel does not have a pool, but my kiddos were so busy with the nearby activities, they didn’t even notice. Atlanta is full of things to do. The Coca-Cola factory, CNN building, and aquarium are right around the corner. We also attended the Braves game, headed to Six Flags, and Stone Mountain. Like I said, so much to do! While my family loved the Loews, as a business owner, I also noticed what a great hotel this is for business travel. Free wifi, plenty of workspace in the room and lobby, and a huge area for conferences.

For more information on the Loews Hotel Atlanta, head to the Loews website.

Disclosure: we were provided with accommodations at the Loews hotel to help facilitate our review. All opinions are my own.

The post Our Family LOVED The Loews Atlanta Hotel | Loews Atlanta Hotel Review appeared first on Florida Bloggess.

Save BIG on tickets to LEGOLAND Florida!

Head on over and save $30 off the price of an upcoming one-day LEGOLAND Florida Resort ticket or LEGOLAND Florida Resort 2 Park Hopper ticket when you use the code 2087 at checkout. These discounted tickets will be valid October 1st through November 19th including Brick or Treat weekends; note that there is a limit of 6 discounted tickets per transaction and print-at-home tickets may take up to 48 hours to receive by email.

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Traveling before Jan 30, 2018?  Travelocity is offering up 15% off select Hotel Stays when you use the promo code HOTEL15 at checkout. Keep in mind, the travel dates must be between now and January 30, 2018.

This special coupon code can only be redeemed towards your stay at a qualifying stand-alone hotel and not a hotel booking in combination with any other product or package (example: Flight + Hotel + Car packages).

GO HERE

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