SeaWorld’s Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, is opening next week at SeaWorld Orlando, and we’re going to be there!  I’ll be checking out Discovery Cove before the media preview on Thursday.  I hope to have behind the scenes videos, pictures, and interviews – keep an eye out on my Twitter and Instagram accounts for immediate updates.

The park expansion opens to the public on May 24, 2013, and is the largest attraction expansion in history.

Disclosure: Our travel to SeaWorld Orlando will be hosted by SeaWorld.

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Last year, my daughter and I visited the Cayman Islands on a press trip, and we had such a great time.  I wouldn’t normally think of traveling to the Caribbean in the summer, but the rates are lower and the weather is just perfect.  I definitely hope to return to the Caymans again soon – with my whole family.

This summer, the Cayman Islands are offering some great savings and summer experiences for bookings before July 31 for travel between June 1, 2013 and September 1, 2013.  Here is an overview of some of the promotions:

Enjoy a fifth night free at participating hotels, including The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa and the Marriott Grand Cayman Beach Resort. Select properties also offer $100 resort credits.  Upon check-in, guests will receive an ‘Only in Cayman’ savings card, which offers discounts on restaurants and top attractions.

This summer, there are some great events going on in the Caymans:

• The 21st annual Flowers Sea Swim June 15, where participants can enjoy a one-mile open water swim along the coast of Seven Mile Beach.
• Culinary Week, August 17-24, offers a taste of Caymanian’s epicurean scene, which boasts more than 200 restaurants in a variety of settings.
• The Miami Dolphins football team will be hosting a free summer camp for children July 24-25. The Cayman Islands invites kids and their families to enjoy a special package with exclusive offers on accommodations, airfare and attractions: http://ow.ly/kziTC
•  The Orlando Magic will also be hosting a youth basketball camp on July 24-25.

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The Snook Inn on Marco Island

Although our hotel suite at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort had a kitchen, we ate all of our lunches and dinners at restaurants or on the beach.  I had a difficult time finding information about family- friendly Marco Island restaurants, so I spent quite a bit of time asking for recommendations on Twitter and using the Yelp app (we also got lots of great information from the staff at the resort).  Here are my favorite of the Marco Island restaurants that we ate at.

The Snook Inn

One of the valets at the Snook Inn recommended that we eat at the Snook Inn, which is located right on the waterfront.  We arrived shortly after the happy hour from 4-6pm, and had to wait a few minutes for an outdoor table.  This restaurant is very casual, but the view can’t be beat.  The food was good – not great, but the drinks and the atmosphere makes it a worthwhile stop.  They don’t take reservations, so arrive early if you don’t want to wait.

Philly’s Grill

This nondescript restaurant in a mini mall is a hidden gem.  Filled with locals who know how good it is, this place fills up early.  The menu includes sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads, along with kids’ options.  I found it on Yelp, and would have passed right by it if I didn’t read all of the great reviews.

The Crazy Flamingo

A friend on Twitter recommended the Crazy Flamingo, which is tucked away in the back of a mini mall anchored by Publix.  This place is super casual and self-service.  The bar, which was crowded even at an early hour, serves only beer and wine.  This was the best food that we had on our entire trip, however, and I wish we’d gone back on our last night.

Captain Brien’s Seafood & Raw Bar

Captain Brien’s Seafood & Raw Bar, which doubles as an evening comedy club, was just a short walk from our hotel.  The service was pretty average, but the food and drinks were definitely above average.  There was a pretty large bridal shower going on in the corner of the restaurant, so that may have affected the service.  I’d definitely return – the food was definitely worth it.

We traveled off the island for one meal (which was not worth it!), and ate most of our lunches at the beach.  I hope to return to Marco Island next year, and would eat at all of these places again.

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This past January, when I was researching hotels in the Fort Myers area for our spring break family vacation, I came upon the Marco Beach Ocean Resort.  It had fabulous reviews on TripAdvisor, but I couldn’t find any information about how kid-friendly it is.  I sent a quick inquiry to the hotel and was assured that plenty of families stayed there, so we decided to book our spring break there.

Marco Beach Ocean Resort

Marco Beach Ocean Resort is an all-suite hotel located right on the main road on Marco Island.  The hotel only offers valet parking, which is sort of a mixed blessing.  While it’s nice to have valet parking, it’s kind of a pain to get your car from valet every time you want to run out to get some Starbucks or ice cream.  We ended up only getting our car once per day, and ate all of our lunches right on the beach.

Service at the hotel is amazing – definitely on par with high-end hotel chains like the Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton.  Even after our midnight arrival, we were greeted with a smile by both the hotel valet (who also helped us bring our luggage up to our suite) and the front desk clerk.  The pull out couch was already set up too – so we could just get the kids in their pajamas and go right to bed.  Over the course of our stay, everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful – from the valets to the concierge.

The Rooms at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort

The Marco Beach Ocean Resort offers suites – all of which feature a pull out couch for kids and a full kitchen.  It was great to have two rooms since the kids go to bed earlier than us, but the suite was very small.  The only drawers to put clothes was a small lingerie dresser in the closet.  We had to keep the two suitcases fully packed and stored on the coffee table in the living room.  It was still worth having the suite, and I’d stay there again, but I wish there were just a bit more space.

We had a garden-view room and were pleasantly-surprised with the little private patio area that we had.  Higher-level rooms have a small balcony and we saw lots of people enjoying their breakfast and coffee on them.

Amenities at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort

The real draw at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort is the beach.  While the hotel isn’t directly on the beach, you just have to walk down a small path to get to it.  Beach attendants set up umbrellas and chairs for guests in the morning, and you can get lunch and drinks delivered right on the beach.  We spent almost every day sitting on the beach, and found it to be so relaxing, even during the busy spring break season.  Parasailing and other water activities can be scheduled right from the beach.

The Marco Beach Ocean Resort also offers a rooftop pool, located on top of the parking garage.  While I preferred the beach, my kids really loved hanging out at the pool.  Food and drink service is also available poolside.

There are several restaurants on property, including a high-end restaurant that we didn’t check out (it’s not kid-friendly).  We did eat breakfast at the Terrace restaurant on the first day, and the view and food were both excellent.  We also ate almost all of our lunches by the beach – the fresh fish sandwich was my personal favorite and I had one almost every day.  The resort also offers an on-site spa, but we (sadly) didn’t visit it.

I’d definitely recommend a stay at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort – both for a family vacation or a couples retreat.  To learn more, visit their website.

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Disclosure: I paid for my admission to Disney Social Media Moms, but we’ll receive lots of complimentary perks.

Very early Thursday morning, we’re headed out to Orlando, Florida for our third Disney Social Media Moms.  I attended the conference in 2011 without my family – my daughter was still nursing a broken arm so we decided that I should go alone.  Last year, we surprised my kids with the trip, but this year, they know all about it.

Disney always does a great job with this conference, offering some amazing special experiences including fabulous meals, fun speakers, and great gifts.  Attendees have already received a complimentary suitcase from American Tourister (review to be published soon), and clues have been posted about some of the great surprises.

We’ll be staying at one of my favorite Disney hotels, The Contemporary, and I’ll be back here or on Mom’s Favorite Stuff with a full update about the experience.

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The Great Wolf Lodge, the popular indoor water park resort chain that we reviewed earlier this year, has announced a resort-wide expansion plan, including new water slides, upgraded beds, indoor mini golf, and bowling.  Here are the highlights:

Traverse City, Michigan is getting a brand-new whitewater rafting attraction for families, Ten Paw Alley bowling, and an expanded Scooops Kid Spa.  We visited the Ten Paw Alley bowling lanes at the Great Wolf Lodge in Pennsylvania last winter, and the kids really enjoyed it!

Howl at the Moon Glow Golf is already at the Poconos location that we visited, and later this month, both Grand Mound, WA and Mason, OH will also offer indoor mini golf.

Kids’ Shopping – My kids loved the gift shop and creation stations at the Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos, so I know this will be huge!  Grand Mound, WA; Mason, OH; Williamsburg, VA; Concord, NC; and the Pocono Mountains, PA locations will all offer Great Wolf Kids’ shops, including Creation Stations, “like me” shirt decorating (one for them and one for their stuffed animal), and character-branded souvenirs.
Dining Additions – Once we arrived at the Great Wolf Lodge, we didn’t want to leave and chose to eat all of our meals on site.  We saw lots of other families doing the same, so I know that these new dining options are going to be well received.  For starters, Dunkin’ Donuts is coming to both Williamsburg, VA and Traverse City, MI.   New family-style dining will be offered in Grand Mound, WA, Grapevine, TX, and Concord, NC.

Upgraded Rooms – New Great Wolf Lodge Cabin Comfort Collection mattresses, new sleeper sofas, and new carpets are coming to guest suites in the Pocono Mountains, PA, Williamsburg, VA, and Traverse City, MI.  The resorts are also receiving brand-new televisions and energy-saving automatic thermostats.

To learn more, visit the Great Wolf Lodge website.

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On our recent Marco Island, FL family vacation, we planned to spend most of the time at the beach, soaking up the sun and playing in the Gulf of Mexico. But I didn’t want to spend our entire vacation lying on the beach, so I planned a few afternoon activities.  Our favorite was The Dolphin Study Eco-Tour and Cruise, which is the only Florida attraction featured in National Geographic’s 100 Places That Can Change Your Child’s Life.

The Dolphin Study offer two cruises per day, and we booked an afternoon cruise.  The marina was just a short ride from our hotel, and we enjoyed shopping at the Marina shop before boarding.  The Dolphin Explorer does offer cold water on board, and guests can bring food.  We ate lunch right before our cruise, but brought snacks for the kids.

At boarding time, we were introduced to both our ship’s captain and naturalist.  The naturalist walked around the boat offering small clipboards with activity booklets for the children, as well as binders with laminated sheets featuring each of the dolphins they’ve cataloged.

During our three-hour eco-tour and cruise, we saw somewhere between 13 and 18 different dolphins, including the playful one pictured above.  My kids had a great time identifying the different dolphins by comparing fins to the dolphin photos in the book.  The naturalist took photos and printed them right on board, so the kids could see the fins better.  The naturalist spent the breaks in the action talking to the kids about the wildlife and habitats of the area – my children especially loved to see the osprey nests located throughout the Gulf.

During the cruise, we also had the opportunity to stop at an uninhabited island to do some swimming and shelling.  Each person was given a shell bag, and we walked around the waterfront collecting the best shells we could find.  The naturalist walked around, answering questions, and taking photos of each family (which were printed on board and offered at no cost).

My kids had a great time, and so did we. They are already asking if we can go back next year and do the tour again.

You can find out more, and book your tickets (definitely book in advance) at the Dolphin Study Eco-Tour and Cruise website.

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Virginia Beach

Although my kids have to make up 6(!) snow/hurricane days this June, their summer vacation is still right around the corner. For us, summer is the perfect time to travel, because we have a lot more flexibility with travel dates, and don’t need to worry about our kids’ vacation or travel schedule.

Wondering where to go on vacation with your kids during the summer?  Here are Family Travel Magazine’s top destinations for summer family vacations.  Let us know if we’ve missed your favorite summer spot.

Summer Vacation Destinations for Families

Smuggler’s Notch/Stowe, Vermont

Canoeing, kayaking, swimming, arts and crafts, alpine slides, and kids’ camps are just a few of the activities that families can enjoy in Vermont in the summer.  Our recommendations are Smugglers’ Notch and the resorts of Stowe (Stoweflake and Stowe Mountain Lodge are two that we’ve reviewed).  Families can enjoy fun family activities, beautiful weather, and the crisp, clean, Vermont air.

Quebec City, Quebec

Bonjour!  Expose your children to European culture without leaving the continent. Quebec City is a great place to visit in the summer, with fun sidewalk cafes, great hotels, outstanding culture, and beautiful sights.  Fly into the convenient airport (stay in the Old City, and you don’t even need a car), or drive the short distance over the border.

San Diego

San Diego has the same beautiful weather year round, so summer is as good a time as any to visit.  Attractions like Legoland, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo are perfect for families with younger children.

Seattle, WA

Years ago, I did an internship with Microsoft in Redmond, Washington, and I fell in love with Seattle (I also fell in love IN Seattle, but that’s another story).  While Seattle is known for their rainy, damp winters, the summer is usually beautiful.  If you are vacationing there for a week or more, consider a trip up north to Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

 Virginia Beach, Virginia

Not only is Virginia Beach a beach, it’s also home to one of the best aquariums in America.  Make sure you spend a day out on the Eastern Shore, and then drive out to Williamsburg for Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens.

Dude Ranches (Various locations)

For more of a family adventure, consider staying at one of the many dude ranches located in the Western part of the United States.  These ranches offer loads of activities for families, including horseback riding, fishing, whitewater rafting, and more, and many offer meals as part of a lodging package.

Boston, MA

I anticipate lots of tourism inflow into Boston this summer after everyone in the nation has seen what a strong, vibrant city it is.  It’s also a wonderful place to visit with kids, with loads of things to do.

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See that cute polka-dot blanket on my daughter on the photo above?  It ended the evening in a blue Jetblue trash bag, covered in vomit.

I’ll backtrack.

Our trip to Marco Island started with a flight delay.  We were already going to arrive late – after 10pm at the Fort Myers airport, about an hour away from our final destination. But we got to our hotel rather uneventfully, although late (1:30am).

Two days into our vacation, the Marathon bombings happened.  We were glued to our hotel bedroom television (while our kids peacefully watched the Disney Channel in the living area).  We were devastated and incredibly sad, but also proud of our strong city.  Our trip was too short, and when Thursday rolled around, we weren’t ready to leave.

Check out time was noon, and our flight wasn’t until 7:52pm that evening.  The hotel was fully booked, so we weren’t allowed to get a late check-out.  Thankfully, our hotel had a private beach club attached, and they allowed us to shower there.  We hung around by the pool almost all day, and left the hotel after 3pm.

As we headed back towards Fort Myers, we had a plan.  We’d return the rental car, go through security, and sit and relax as we ate a nice dinner.  We purposely left with lots of time because we weren’t sure if security at the airport would be more stringent.  We were just about in Fort Myers when I got a text from TripIt (as an aside, I subscribe to TripIt Pro and highly recommend it to anyone who travels frequently) that our flight was delayed.  Instead of arriving at 10:30pm, it was scheduled to arrive at 1:30am!

Most of the Boston flights were delayed because President Obama had been in Boston earlier in the day.  We sat down to a much longer dinner than we expected, I bought the kids some blankets, and we settled them in to nap.  My daughter napped.  My son pretty much just posed for this photo.
When our flight arrived, we were efficiently boarded and took off a few minutes earlier than expected.  The kids and my husband fell asleep immediately.  We hit some turbulence, but it settled quickly.  I put my Bose headphones on and flipped between the cable news shows, until my daughter tapped me on the shoulder.  She pointed to her mouth, and then proceeded to vomit all over herself and my purse.

Our Jetblue flight attendant leapt into action.  She gave me several trash bags, water, ginger ale, paper towels, and sanitizing wipes.  She comped us a new blanket, and asked what else we needed.  I cleaned up as best as I could, and my daughter quickly fell back to sleep.

Thankfully, that was the end of the vomit.

We arrived at Logan Airport at 1:30am, but our luggage didn’t come through until after 2am.  At that point, I was seeing Facebook posts and Tweets about the MIT police office shooting and the Watertown situation.  To get home, we had to drive through Watertown, and I crossed my fingers and said a prayer.  We didn’t actually go through any of the police activity, but we could see it from the highway, and passed numerous police cars speeding past in the opposite direction.

When we arrived home, I couldn’t take my eyes off the internet.  At that point, they hadn’t caught either of the suspects.  I went to bed when the first one was caught.

It was a rough ride back, but I was sure glad to be home.

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Last year, we did a review of Stowe Mountain Lodge, a luxurious, kid-friendly resort located in Stowe, Vermont.  My kids loved it so much that they hid behind the curtains when we were ready to leave.

If you are thinking of taking a trip to Stowe this summer, Stowe Mountain Lodge is offering some great deals to those who book ahead.  The earliest bookings get the best deals!

Stowe Mountain Lodge Deals

Book by April 30 and save 30%

Book May 1 – May 15 and save 25%

Book May 16 – 31 and save 20%

The Countdown to Summer offer is valid on travel through September 3, 2013, and cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.  Not valid for groups and blackout dates apply.  Good for new reservations only. Book online at www.stowemountainlodge.com or call toll free, 888.478.6938.

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