Moments of Musing

Universal Orlando Resort with Little Kids

Filed Under: travel with baby, travel with kids, universal orlando //



Last month, my family and I went on vacation to Kissimmee Florida. While there were days full of relaxation, there were days full of nonstop fun. One of the best family theme park days we had during our vacation was at Universal Studios Orlando and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The boys tasted Butter Beer, enjoyed the Hogwarts Express & had so much fun in Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone and Seuss Landing. 

My favorite part of these parks is that there’s thrilling fun for everyone in the family! Here is more detail about what to bring to the parks, what to do and about our time with young kids:

WHAT WE BROUGHT

Stroller – Since We brought our double stroller since we had our 5-year-old, 3-year-old and 4-month-old with us. In hindsight, I wish we would have rented an additional single stroller, which we did at parks going forward during our trip, because our 3-year-old did not want to give up his stroller seat so our 5-year-old had to walk, or be carried, quite a bit.

Baby wrap/carrier – This was a must for our baby. There were times he wanted to be held rather than sitting or laying in the stroller. The carrier allowed me to carry him (sometimes while nursing him) hands-free.

Backpack with snacks and drinks – As a parent, I’ve found it’s best to be over prepared. That’s why I suggest bringing your kids sippy cups and favorite snacks. If they are happy and enjoying their time, then so will you!
Change of clothes for kids – Being prepared in case kids are messy (inevitable) or have an accident helps alleviate any added stress, and helps to ensure the kids remain comfortable throughout the day.
Rain ponchos, weather dependent – It can downpour in Florida, especially during Florida’s rainy season (July through September). I pay attention to the weather and bring ponchos if there is any chance of rain. 
Sweatshirts – Bringing extra layers for the air conditioned indoors and/or chilly evenings is a good idea for the whole family, kids especially.


WHAT WE DID



Universal Studios Florida has fun for the whole family. Our family favorites include Shrek 4-D,  Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl, and the kid zone roller coaster. Our big kid and adult favorites include Revenge of the Mummy and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coasters.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans both parks and as its name suggests, is a little world within each. Must-do’s are taste butter beer, ride the Flight of the Hippogriff coaster with your kids and, of course, the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey coasters! My favorite experience there was the Hogwarts Express, which connects both Wizarding World of Harry Potter  lands.




Universal’s Islands of Adventure is my favorite of the parks. There are more roller coasters and thrilling rides. The kids section, Seussland, is also much more elaborate than the KidZone. I always ride the Hulk but one of my favorites is Spider-Man. My kids loved Seuss Landing, which is 

 
In years past, we have also gone out in and dined at Universal CityWalk, which is an epicenter of restaurants, lounges, entertainment (i.e. mini golf and a movie theater) and shops that connects Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. It definitely has a fun vibe!

YOU SHOULD VISIT, TOO!

We make sure to visit at least one of the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks whenever we vacation in Kissimmee, and you should, too!  They offer a fun variety of rides for everyone in the family that is truly unique to its parks. 



FREE 2018 Disney Vacation Planning Videos

Filed Under: disney, travel with baby, travel with kids, travel with toddler, vacation //

This post is sponsored by Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Lines. All opinions are my own.


If you are dreading another work week and dreaming of vacation, I have something great for you! Start planning your visit to Disney World or Disney Cruise today. Here are a couple FREE videos that can help you get excited and make planning easier:

Included in the above vacation planning videos are:

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  • Affordable ways to play play and stay during your Disney vacation, plus personalized tips and info on special events.

You’ll receive your free videos just by clicking above and filling out your information.

If you know me or have been reading my blog for some time, then you know I LOVE Disney. In fact, I could not be more excited to take S last summer. The morning we woke up to visit Disney World felt like Christmastime, which is also a favorite of mine. 

For those who say Disney with a toddler is too hectic, I say give it a try. It was actually fine and totally doable! (Check out my tips so you have an easy breezy time, too!) Plus, S’s reaction when he met Mickey was a top 10 favorite life moment for me. In fact, just the other day, my husband brought it up and said if he could relive that moment over and over, he would. It was that special.

 So, what are you waiting for? Watch the videos now to start planning your own special Disney vacation! And tell my old pal Mickey I say hi when you see him!

5 Tips for Road Trips with a Baby

Filed Under: travel with baby, traveling //

This post contains affiliate links, for which I may receive compensation if a purchase is made using the links. 
We have been on quite a few road trips thus far, with another planned for this weekend. Our first one with our son was just three hours (each way) when he was one month new (such a little guy!). He wailed two and a half hours in so we pulled over to calm him, and had to do the same afterwards. Still, it was not a long ride — we figured it was a good test trip for our 10 hour drive the next month. We have done that drive four times now and thankfully, they have gone very well.
It is my hope that these tips will make your road trips with your baby/babies go smoothly, too:

1. Use a safe car seat.
This should go without saying but a car seat for your baby is required by law. (In fact, kids under 80 pounds have to be in child restraints and then booster seats.) We have used this car seat and highly recommend it. It seems very comfortable, which is key. As for the included newborn headrest, it was very supportive and holds the head in place well. There’s never been a need for any extra support, which is not recommended anyhow. For car seat safety tips, go here.
2. Leave during naptime or bedtime, especially if it’s a long drive.
Many babies do not love staying in their car seats for extended periods of time. Deciding on the right time to leave just might alleviate–or even prevent–meltdowns. If you want to leave during the day, try to leave earlier than usual so your baby will still be asleep. For longer car trips, it can be helpful to leave late at night either right around bedtime or after he’s fallen asleep. This way, the baby sleeps and you avoid traffic. (If your baby is having trouble falling asleep, try playing classical music or white noise.) Just be careful driving and make sure to rest up during the day so you do not get sleepy during the drive.
3. Have plenty of formula/milk, food/snacks and toys in the car.
If you leave during a time when the baby is awake, be prepared to feed them when they get hungry and try keeping him occupied with toys. On a recent podcast I listened to, Jacqui Saldana of Baby Boy Bakery said she brings a new toy for her daughter when they travel so her daughter is not already bored of the toy. If you agree with her idea, you can head on and find interesting educational yet fun Montessori travel toys from this new website I found. That seems like a good tip. I also know breastfeeding moms bring wireless pumps so they can pump in the car.
4. Be prepared to stop as much as is needed.
Fortunately, babies wear diapers so you don’t have to stop every time they wet their diaper. You will eventually have to stop to change them, though, because you wouldn’t want your baby to get a diaper rash and be uncomfortable during the ride. As for dirty diapers, you probably would want to stop as soon as they get a dirty diaper to maximize their comfort and avoid a rash. You will also want to stop to feed and burp your baby if they are still really young, so plan accordingly.
5. Take your time. 
Do not rush. Pay attention to the road. Get comfortable– maybe consider bringing along a lumbar support pillow or roll. Stop when you have to. Stop if you feel tired, or if your baby’s crying is getting to you. Safety is key. Your and your family’s lives are far too important to risk speeding or driving recklessly.
Have fun where you’re going!

7 Tips for Vacationing with a Baby

Filed Under: travel with baby, traveling //

     Disclosure: Affiliate links are present. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase using any of my links. 

Before speaking about what it is like to vacation with a baby and sharing my tips, you should read my tips for flying with your baby so your vacation is off to as stress-free a start as possible. I decided to separate the posts because each presents its unique challenges.

Here are seven tips I hope you find helpful the next time you go away with your little one:

1. Be patient.
I start off with the last tip I gave for flying with your baby because patience is key. Be prepared to take more breaks and spend more time in the hotel room than you probably normally would. A baby’s naps don’t stop just because you want to lay out longer or swim in the ocean. If you’re a parent then you know very well that mostly everything takes longer, from walks to dining out, with a little one in tow. That’s okay–they’re worth all the time in the world.

2. Apply (and re-apply!) the SPF!
Sunblock is SO important. Aside from pampers and formula (if applicable), this is the most essential thing you’ll need if you’ll be in the sun with your baby (i.e. Coppertone Baby Sunscreen).  In line with sunblock are a baby UV-protective hat and rash guard, if they’ll be exposed to the sun for periods of time, as well as a UV-protective tent for beach days that is easy to travel with. Ultimately, try to keep the little one in shade as much as possible. Try to avoid the strong afternoon sun and keep him hydrated and well fed to avoid dehydration. 

3. Bring a lighter weight stroller. 
Our Baby Jogger City Select is entirely way too heavy and bulky (and expensive) to be placed under an airplane and lugged around on vacation. So, we bought this stroller and recommend it. The one downside is the small size of the umbrella but the company makes a slightly more expensive version that could work just as well. 
4. It’s best to over pack for your baby.
Some might disagree with me on this one but I am an over packer. I used to over pack for myself but now, not so much. I do over pack for my little one and I have not regretted it yet. Babies are notorious for going through multiple outfits in a day. If you don’t over pack what are you going to do when all the clothes is dirty, especially if there are no washing machine facilities in your hotel? Just pack extra for them. Their cute little clothes doesn’t take up much space, anyway. 🙂
5. Relax when you can. 
The biggest difference when vacationing with kids is how much less relaxation and downtime there seems to be. Even when the baby is sleeping, there are bottles to be cleaned, organization to be done, and possibly catching up on social media or writing if you unplug while the baby is awake. Days spent laying out by the pool or on the beach will likely only happen on a parents-only vacation. But if you are vacationing with family or friends, don’t hesitate to take them up on their offer to play with the baby while you lay out. It’s actually a win-win. Your baby will be kept occupied and you’ll be able to relax, if even just for 15 minutes.
5. Soak in all of your baby’s experiences.
There might be a lot of firsts happening (first swim in the pool and/or ocean) and simply fun times being had by your baby. Relish in your baby’s joy. My baby’s happiness makes me happy. Needless to say, I was ecstatic our whole vacation.
6. Enjoy!
There might be some stress, whether it be from traveling with the baby or the baby’s routine being messed up. Just remember: you went away to relax. To spend time together. To make memories. To have a good time. Don’t forget that.


10 Tips for Flying with a Baby

Filed Under: travel with baby, traveling //

So far, my husband and I have traveled on four flights and four 10+ hour car rides with our little one, with more trips planned this year. Before going away for the first flight, which was much more nerve wracking than driving, my husband and I researched and asked around a ton. Then, we traveled and figured out what works for us–and most likely will for you, too. 

I’ve compiled a list of tips that I think are most helpful if you are flying with your baby soon.  I hope you find them helpful. If any of you have additional tips, feel free to drop a comment!

1.     Bring your baby carrier/wrap. This makes it much easier to get through security because you can wear your baby through the metal detectors!
2.     On the subject of security, keep in mind that you are allowed to bring breast milk, ready to feed formula, and water for formula (we put it in a baby bottle) through security. I have also been asked whether I’d like it put through the X-ray scanner or not. *For more TSA traveling information, go here.
3.     Try to take flights around naps/ sleep time and/or feedings. This way your baby will be quietly asleep or feeding. 
4.     Make sure you have an “Infant” boarding pass for your little one because it’s required during boarding.
5.     Take advantage of early boarding, though if you miss it it’s OK. I missed the announcement last time we flew because I was changing Sebastian’s diaper and the gate attendants refused to let us on before our row was announced… Needless to say I was not happy with them or their decision, but regular boarding went fine.
6.     Give your baby a pacifier or bottle, or nurse during takeoff and landing to prevent ear aches.
7.     Have toys handy in the under seat storage to keep your baby occupied. If you have toddlers, here’s a link to some travel toys that are educational and fun for your toddler from a website that specializes in Montessori toys.
8.     If possible and safe to do so, walk your baby up and down the aisle to give him a way to release any extra energy he might have from this new experience.
9.     If you have the option of being on the same flight as family members or friends, do it. Extra people = extra hands = extra help.
10.   Be patient with your baby. I think we often forget so much of the world is still new to them and can be overstimulating. If your baby is crying or restless, try to soothe him and try not to get upset. People around you have likely flown with a baby before–in fact, some might have firsthand experience traveling with a baby. If you feel there are people judging you, that’s their problem. Yours won’t be the first or last crying child they encounter on a flight. Such is life. (Also, some people forget that they, too, were babies once…)
Something to keep in mind is the younger the baby, the more he will sleep and the easier it will probably be (this was the case for our first flight). Once the baby begins crawling or walking, he is probably less likely to want to stay still (this was the case for our most recent flights). 

Again, be patient. 

On our last flight, our little guy kept trying to reach over to my neighbor and touch him, grab his phone, head phones, etc. At the end of the flight, I told the young man I hoped he wasn’t too bothered [by the invasion of his personal space] by us and our little one. The young man replied, “Not at all. He made my day better.” 

I leave you with that story to let you know that there are good and understanding people out there who realize that babies are, well, babies. Cute, curious, and full of energy.

I wish you all a safe flight and fun trip wherever you are headed to next!