Search Results for: disney
Things to Do in Disney Springs during Orlando Vacation
This post about things to do in Disney Springs has been sponsored by Disney. All opinions are my own. Things to Do in Disney Springs for Families We have always included at least an afternoon at Downtown Disney. Now with the recent renovations, the newly renamed Disney Springs in Walt Disney World has become the […]
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista a Disney Springs Resort for Famillies
We were invited to spend two nights at the recently renovated Wyndham Lake Buena Vista in the Disney Springs area of Walt Disney World. We truly enjoyed our experience and highly recommend the resort for families wishing to stay close to Disney Springs. During our visit, we stayed in a Disney-view Tower room with two queen beds. […]
Disney Getaway to Blizzard Beach with Kids & a Scared Mom
A quick Disney getaway included visiting Blizzard Beach with kids. We had never visited a Disney Water Park as a family and were eager for the experience. Our daughters are 3 & 7. The older one is super adventurous – she rode Space Mountain and Rockin’ Roller Coaster in Walt Disney World during our trip […]
Spanish Disney Website for Bilingual Exposure
My kids – like your kids, I’m sure – appreciate computer/iPad time. As a former educator and educational technology specialist, I really encourage applications and programs that provide learning opportunities. The new Spanish Disney website, Disney Ajá, makes a debut during Hispanic Heritage Month to provide kids with additional exposure to a second language, in a […]
How I Pay It Forward in Disney
To Pay It Forward is to do something unexpectedly nice to another person. This goes beyond holding the door open or picking up a paper that fell. When I Pay It Forward I surprise someone with true kindness in a way that isn’t always what’s expected. Remember when I payed it forward at Starbucks and […]
Disney World is for Florida Moms
Florida moms love Disney. I especially do. From start to finish, getting to the entrance at Magic Kingdom is 250 miles – as the car drives. That usually comes out to just an under 4 hour drive. There are no airport security lines, delayed or cancelled flights or limitations on what you can pack. Yes, […]
3 Reasons to Hit Up Downtown Disney
As South Floridians we’ve been to Walt Disney World about 12 times in the last 5 years. Yes, we go a lot. Nearly every trip includes at least a morning in Downtown Disney. Why? Besides the fact that even my older one still thinks it’s one of the Disney Parks (cheap date!), I have 3 […]
Disney Baby Little Character Contest: My Ballerina Moment
A big thanks to Disney Baby for sponsoring this post and the Disney Baby “Little Character” Contest. That transition from infant to toddler is more than just a birthday. My youngest turned 1 in May. It’s bittersweet. There are many parts of infancy that a mother loves. The 1st gurgles and smiles. The 1st time she […]
The Complete Walt Disney World 2011 Book Review
This Smart Mama family has been to Disney 14 times in the last 5 years. Yes, we know Disney. But, Julie & Mike Neal, authors of The Complete Walt Disney World 2011 know better, having tallied over 1500 visits! Most guidebooks focus on the magic of Disney but their guide goes beyond that with great tips […]
Smart Home: Timmy Time, Disney’s New Friend!
[ad#Google in Content]A great new stop-motion series, Timmy Time, is joining Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney on Monday, September 13! Timmy Time, is already a favorite in my household after we got a chance to enjoy two preview episodes! Are you a Shaun the Sheep fan? Most of us are! Timmy Time is made by Aardman […]
Smart Deal: Free Shipping at DisneyStore.com, limited time!
How many princesses and pirates will be knocking on doors next month? The selection for these adorable costumes is unbelievable at The Disney Store at the mall and even better online. Today through Monday, September 6, 2010, you can get FREE SHIPPING on your entire order when you use the promo code FREESHIP at DisneyStore.com! […]
Disney Parade Tip, Reuse Parade Toys
Who says you can’t reuse parade toys? You certainly don’t buy new beach towels each time you go to the beach? Do you? I’m thinking you buy them ahead of time and then reuse them with each beach trip. Well, you shouldn’t go to a parade, particularly a Disney nighttime parade, without your pre-purchased parade […]
Disney in a Weekend! Planning a Weekend Disney Getaway!
What a weekend! Spent three great nights with family in Disney World. Yes, we travel to Disney A LOT! We actually went 6 times just in 2009! It sounds a bit excessive, don’t you think? There are lots of reasons for our repetitive WDW getaways. First and foremost, we were given season passes last year – […]
Disney on Budget Ideas!
Well the bags are nearly packed, the portable DVD player is charging and the juice boxes are lined up! Thank you Smart Mamas for some great ideas about staying on a super tight budget on my next Disney trip! Here are some tips I you have shared: – look into the FREE Disney Dining Plan […]
Disney World on a Food Budget!
We are season passholders and Florida residents, so we tend to do a number of Walt Disney World trips each year. Our trips have been both on a budget and extravagent. We’re gearing up for a Disney trip soon! We’ll be there for 3 nights/4 days. Our tickets are paid (season passholders) and our French […]
Recall Wednesday – personal cooking system, XBi ALU skis, Playhouse Disney “Handy Manny” Toy Tool Sets, & Evenflo Activity Centers
Below are the CPSC recalls I received this past week. Note that 2 of the product of “child” toys: Evenflo exersaucer & Handy Mandy Tool Set. All information comes directly from the listserve email sent by the CPSC. Please see the CPSC website for further, more detailed information on all recalled products mentioned below.Smiles 🙂Smarty […]
Family Weekend Getaway at the Hilton Orlando
The Hilton Orlando Resort provides guests with the luxuries of a well-known hotel chain with personalized attention one sees in a smaller property. My family was provided with a two-night stay and resort credit at the Hilton Orlando, just in time to kick off their summer activity program, Orlando Splash. Our goal was to experience […]
How to Choose Kids Luggage
How to Choose Kids Luggage When they are babies, you share luggage. If you have a separate suitcase for them, it is typically full of diapers. Soon enough they want it ALL BY MYSELF. We first purchased our oldest her own suitcase when she was 3. She loved it. She would fill it with her “stuff,” […]
Surprising the Kids with a Carnival Vista 5-Night Sailing with the Family
Want to surprise the family with a cruise on the Carnival Vista or other ship? Check latest cruise prices & reviews for the Carnival Vista on Expedia!. Their Carnival Vista Dreams My oldest said she was, “paralyzed in happiness,” when we surprised the kids that we were going on the Carnival Vista! They didn’t have a clue. Ever since […]
Waldorf Astoria Orlando for Family Travel
Heading to Disney and want to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando? Check latest hotel prices & reviews for the Waldorf Orlando on TripAdvisor. Our Visit to Waldorf Astoria Orlando Staying at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a Smart Mama choice for families visiting the Disney theme parks or wanting to just escape to a beautiful resort in Central […]
Leadership Activity for Girls Inspired by Princess Elena of Avalor
Look at your daughter. What do you see? Is she strong? Smart? Fearless? Is she willing to help others before herself? You are looking at a leader. Does she know that? As moms, we need to encourage our daughters to be leaders and to see it within them. We need to guide them to identify […]
What to Buy Cruise Travelers
Based on my experience cruising with our family, I want to share with you what to buy cruise travelers. Will you be cruising in the coming year? Or is a friend or family member? When you are thinking of what to buy those cruisers, take a peak at the list I’ve put together based on […]
How to Plan a Family Cruise
I’ll never forget the first time I set out to plan a family cruise. We were invited by Carnival to enjoy their new ship, the Carnival Breeze. My youngest was nearly 19 months and the oldest was 6. Making the decision on taking the family on the cruise was difficult. I had no idea what to expect […]
Polaroid Cube Review for Family Travel
The Polaroid Cube arrived in the mail. Sitting in a box, the girls and I tore into it, anxious to know what this 0.9 lb piece of technology would do. We were invited by Polaroid to experience the Cube. We charged it up and got to work. (See our Polaroid Camera Reveal video) For nearly […]
Book the Concierge Upgrade at Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando
We wanted to weekend getaway. We wanted to have fun and enjoy time together as a family. An opportunity became available to book a concierge upgraded suite at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. We packed our bags and headed North. The Rosen Shingle Creek is located just over 10 miles from Walt Disney World, but […]
Easy Motion Sickness Remedies
Nothing ruins a great vacation like being hit with motion sickness. I had my 3rd date with my husband ruined because I turned green in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay after rocking on a friend’s boat for no more than 30 minutes. That date ended quickly and I vowed never to get motion sick […]