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27 Mar 2015

Universal Orlando Theme Parks are One Wild Ride

by Jennifer Wieland

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to Universal Orlando Theme Parks along with ten other bloggers for a girl’s getaway weekend. While we were there we were treated to a VIP tour of both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. I have always been a big fan of fun, fast, exhilarating rides that leave you breathless and eager for more. Both Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure do not disappoint! Both Universal Orlando theme parks are one wild ride!

Universal Orlando Resort has two separate theme parks – Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Both parks are full of fun and adventures that your family will not want to miss.

The Universal Studios Florida park boasts the impressive rides and attractions that include Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Twister… Ride It Out, Revenge of the Mummy, Men In Black Alien Attack, Springfield, E.T. Adventure, Terminator 2: 3-D, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3-D and Shrek 4-D.

One of my favorite attractions was Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. It is a fun and family friendly ride that will take you on an adventure with Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and of course those lovable minions.

I am a roller coaster junkie and was super excited to get to go on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit! It was so much fun and my butt rarely touched the seat which is one of my measures of a good roller coaster. I really liked that when you get seated that you get to pick a music genre and then select a song from a display on your lap bar. The music you picked then plays while zipping around on the coaster.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure is equally just as much fun. Here you can go on such rides and attractions as Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripshaw Falls, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, The Cat in the Hat, The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride and Poseideon’s Fury. My favorite ride in this park is and has always been The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

I know what some of you are thinking at this point. She hasn’t mentioned any of the Harry Potter stuff. Well there is a reason for that. I believe that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and the Hogwarts Express need to be talked about all by themselves. I am not what you would call a Harry Potter fan. I have seen most of the movies. I have never read one of the books. I liked the movies that I did see and found the story interesting but was never one of the cult followers. That has now changed. I am now a Harry Potter convert who is planning to read the books to her kids and watch all of the movies after.

Walking through the streets of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade are like taking a little trip out of reality and into the land of magic and mystery where anything is possible and with the right spell it can happen. From being able to sample your first Butterbeer, to letting your wand pick you at Ollivanders Wand Shop or your first trip on the Hogwarts Express you will not want to miss this.

If you are looking for a little fun and adventure on your next vacation then Universal Orlando theme parks are something that you don’t want to miss. Click on the links for more information on Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

Categories: Advertisements, Kid Friendly, Orlando, Travel, Travel | 4 Comments »

25 Mar 2015

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando

by Jennifer Wieland

There is nothing like getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Getting to head to a great destination where you can relax, unwind and enjoy some fun in the sun is just what I was hoping for when I was invited to be a part of Universal Orlando Resort Girl’s Getaway with ten of my favorite bloggers. We were invited to stay at the luxurious Loews Royal Pacific Resort and boy was I happy with our accommodations!

The Loews Royal Pacific Resort boasts an impressive 1000 rooms and suites! Where you can get anything from a standard room, to a pet friendly room and even kid themed suites. Upon your arrival to the hotel you are greeted with a beautiful bamboo bridge that stretches across a tropical lagoon. This will leave you feeling as if you have left the United States and ventured to a tropical paradise instead. The rooms carry on with this tropical theme but in a beautifully, tasteful fashion. My room had a lovely view full of tropical plants that completely made me feel like I had been swept away on a South Pacific vacation.

The pool at Loews Royal Pacific is surrounded by lush palm trees that provide shade and help to continue on the feel of being in the South Pacific. The pool area also has hot tubs, beach volleyball and the Royal Bali Sea, a fun play area for kids. There is plenty of seating available and the staff comes around regularly to ask if you need anything or want to order food or drinks. So you can just sit back and relax and enjoy your trip.

In addition to all of this the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando offers their guests a variety of dining options on site. The dining experiences at Loews Royal Pacific Resort include a sushi bar in the lobby, Pan Asian cuisine from Islands Dining Room and Emeril’s Tchoup Chop. Every Sunday, Jake’s hosts a character breakfast where guests can meet some of their favorite Universal Orlando characters. While there I dined each morning at Islands Dining Room where you can order from the menu or opt for items from the breakfast buffet. I also enjoyed appetizers and drinks at Jake’s when I first arrived at the hotel.

Interested in learning even more about the Loews Royal Pacific Resort then head over here for reservations and more details.

Categories: Advertisements, Food, Food & Drink, Kid Friendly, Orlando, Places to Stay, Travel, Travel | No Comments »

22 Mar 2015

Change Girl’s Night Out to Girl’s Weekend at Universal Orlando CityWalk

by Jennifer Wieland

Girl's Getaway at Universal Orlando CityWalk and THe CowFish #UORGirlsGetaway #universalorlando

Last week I was lucky enough to get invited to go to Universal Orlando with ten of my favorite bloggers for a Universal Orlando Girl’s Getaway. I’m sure like a lot of people I never thought about having a girl’s weekend at Universal Orlando but I have to tell you that Universal Orlando CityWalk has all the elements you’d want for a fun-filled time with all of your BFF’s. From the amazing food options, to the shopping to the nightlife Universal Orlando CityWalk has it all for the perfect mommy and wife break.

The dining options at Universal Orlando CityWalk are top-notch. They definitely have something that will fit any taste from fast food to fine dining. While there though we stuck with the sit down places to eat. For me I enjoyed being able to sit down in a restaurant and take my time to enjoy a meal and drinks without the worry of one or more kids deciding to act up.

Our first night at Universal Orlando we got the chance to eat at The Cowfish. It is a sushi, burger and bar place. I am not going to lie. I was a little leery of heading here. Sushi is not my cup of tea but I am definitely a burger, fries and milkshake kind of girl. I ended up really enjoying the fusion of the two vastly different food types though.

The classic Americana food combined with Asian food and flare made for some delicious appetizers, unique entrees, and out of this world desserts and drinks. Anyplace that makes spiked milkshakes, Parmesan, truffle fries and sushi-burger combo bento boxes is a must try!

Girl's Getaway at Universal Orlando CityWalk and The CowFish #UORGirlsGetaway #universalorlando #universalcitywalk @cowfishorlando

Thanks to Joy at http://joyfulmusings.com/ for capturing a few of these food photos!

Of course the night doesn’t end after dinner when you are having a girl’s weekend! Perish the thought! Why opt for sleep without a husband hogging the bed or a kid kicking you all night when you can stay up late and have fun? We did just that nightly at our favorite night spot, CityWalk’s Rising Star Karaoke. I am not a fan of karaoke. I can’t carry a tune in a bucket and usually find karaoke boring to watch and listen to. Rising Star takes karaoke to a whole other level though. People get to go up on real stage complete with an announcer, full band, backup singers/dancers and light guys to make them look like stars. It was such a blast!

Now, no girl’s weekend would be complete without some retail therapy. The family needs souvenirs and you of course will just need some presents to celebrate your own awesomeness. Aside from the Universal Studios shops and merchandise you would expect to find at Universal Orlando CityWalk there are also a lot of fun little shops with unique items, clothing stores, tattoo parlors and of course the much-needed caffeine jolt from Starbucks. The lovely ladies with me below are Robin from Masshole Mommy and Alice from Thrill of the Chases!

For more information on Universal CityWalk and all the wonderful, restaurants, shopping and entertainment to be had there head on over here.

Categories: Advertisements, Food, Food & Drink, Kid Friendly, Orlando, Travel, Travel | 1 Comment »

18 Mar 2015

Universal Studios Orlando Mardi Gras

by Jennifer Wieland

The glitz, the glamour, the decadence of Mardi Gras are known around the world. From the costumes, to the lights, music, food and beads… lots and lots of beads. Mardi Gras is a once a year celebration that I have wanted to attend for a very long time but heading to New Orleans and trying to find someone willing to watch the kids for me has just not been an option. So learning that I could have all the fun of Mardi Gras but in a family friendly environment at Universal Studios Orlando Mardi Gras made me one excited tourist! Lucky for me I was invited to attend Universal Studios Orlando Mardi Gras with a group of my blogging buddies. Don’t worry though you can have the same fun I did now through April 18th on Saturdays and select other dates.

The Creative Director, Jason Horne at Universal Studios Orlando has left none of the pomp and circumstance out of their Mardi Gras celebration. Each week a different band comes in straight from New Orleans to entertain the masses and set the perfect mood for all of the Mardi Gras entertainment. These bands have the guests dancing along all while visiting Universal Studios Orlando’s French Quarter Courtyard where tourists can nosh on some delightfully authentic Creole food.

The fun doesn’t stop there though. No, as the sun sets the real fun begins! That is when the Mardi Gras parade happens! This parade is filled with jaw dropping floats that are all beautiful with their glitter, bold paint and bright lights. People line up early for this parade so that just like in New Orleans they can try to catch some beads from the passing floats. (Don’t worry though no flashing of goodie bits is required or allowed.) We were lucky enough to get to ride on the King and Queen float and throw beads. It truly was one of the funnest things I have done in a long time. Seriously, it’s exciting when you throw those beads out and they make it into the hands of that adorable child, hyper adult or when you ring them around someone’s hand while they are taking pics.

Even after all of that excitement though we still weren’t done for the night! On select nights Universal Studios Orlando has live concerts with some of the top performers in music. The night we were there was no exception. We were lucky enough to get to see MKTO in concert and even got a chance to meet the guys before the show. I swear to y’all you don’t know embarrassment until you are singing a song you love completely off-key and have the artists walk up behind you and join in. They were so nice though and the concert was so much fun! If you want to see the complete list of artists you can head over here and take a look. There are still a lot of great shows yet to come!

For more information on how you can get in on all of this Mardi Gras fun head on over to the Universal Orlando Resort website here and get the planning started on your own trip.

Categories: Advertisements, Kid Friendly, Orlando, Travel, Travel | 5 Comments »

17 Jan 2015

Carefree RV Resorts – Affordable Florida Vacation Homes

by Jennifer Wieland

Thanks to Carefree RV Resorts for sponsoring today’s discussion.

I am not a person who is cut out for the cold weather I get half of the year in Chicago. I spend the entire time telling my husband that we need to move someplace warm and sunny. The gray and cold get to me and I dream of sunshine, sandy beaches and me being there. Just last month we went to Florida to celebrate my 40th birthday and I kept thinking it would be so nice if we could hop on a plane and come down here whenever we wanted. The idea seems so nice and what seems even nicer? If someday when we retire we had our very own vacation home there. I’ve considered it but honestly, I thought that was just a pipe dream until I found out about Carefree RV Resorts and that with them affordable Florida vacation homes are within reach.

What is a Park Model Home?

A Park Model is a smaller, single-wide home that is considered a recreational vehicle. Park Models are designed for placement in RV resorts, campgrounds, or locations where smaller trailers are an acceptable living environment.

A typical Park Model is a single structure and is shorter and narrower than a Manufactured Home. They typically have one bedroom, one bath, an eat-in kitchen and living room. Park Models are typically eight to thirteen feet wide and have one or two bedrooms. They are under 500 sq ft.

About the Carefree RV Resorts

With 34 RV Resorts in Florida, Carefree RV Resorts have something to suit any budget or need. They have homes ranging from under 20K for pre-owned to 50K for brand new, fully customized homes. There is an additional lot rent paid either seasonally or annually. They have homes located in Orlando, Tampa, Daytona Beach, Key Largo, Naples and Sarasota. All of the top vacation spots in Florida

Lifestyle

The lifestyle is really what sets Carefree RV Resorts apart. For those in or nearing retirement, this is their time to do the things they’ve always wanted to do. Learn how to play the guitar, join the pickleball team, finally take a class on using your new iPad… its all up to you! With our wide range of lifestyle offerings you can be as active as you want to be!

Retirement just isn’t what it used to be and Carefree RV Resorts and Communities provide an active lifestyle unlike any other in our industry. Launching this year, their lifestyle program offers a range of social, mental, and physical activities and programs that keep our residents hearts, bodies and minds active. Buying a home in a Carefree resort provides all of this within a warm, sunny setting!

Your Passport to Paradise – You Stay We Pay

The “Passport to Paradise” offer allows you to plan a 4-night stay vacation home visit at prime Florida destinations based on your interests and preferences. Carefree will select properties that have everything you are looking for (and more) to preview during your personalized visit to ensure it’s everything you dreamed it would be before you purchase.

If at the end of the visit, you do decide to buy a vacation home, your 4-night stay will be free and you will receive a $1,500 check within 15 days after the close of your new vacation homein Florida.

For more information call Sheri at 855-999-9812

Thanks to Carefree RV Resorts, you are able to live the Carefree life you have always dreamed of at an affordable price!

Categories: Advertisements, Home, Orlando, Places to Stay, Travel, Travel | No Comments »

16 Jan 2015

SeaWorld Orlando – The Beauty, Magic & Wonder of Your First Visit

by Jennifer Wieland

Thank you so much to SeaWorld Orlando for sponsoring today’s post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The week before Christmas my family and I had the chance to travel down to Orlando for a vacation. Aside from visiting my parent’s vacation home in Wisconsin Dells this was our first real family vacation since my ten-year old was a baby. To say that this was a much-needed thing for us would be an understatement! We felt that our two boys who are on the Autism Spectrum were finally doing well enough developmentally for us to attempt a big trip. (Go big or go home, right?) While we were there SeaWorld Orlando was kind enough to have us come and spend a day at the park.

Prior to our trip I was the only one in my household who had ever been to SeaWorld and it had been at least 25 years since I went. I was so excited to take my husband and the kids because I remember my trip to SeaWorld still after so many years. It was one of my favorite tourist attractions of all time and I wanted it to be that for my kids too.

We do have quite a nice aquarium here in Chicago and they already love going there whenever we can but I knew SeaWorld would be unlike anything they were used to. I had tried to prepare them but I think in their minds they just figured it would be like going to the aquarium here. You walk around and look at a lot of small to medium-sized fish in glass tanks and get to touch a couple of small to medium sea creatures. They have seen the Beluga whales at the local aquarium so I think they thought the whales at SeaWorld would be about the same size.

The reality of the whole day though was so much more exciting than I could have ever possibly hoped for! The kids were all smiles and were in awe of so many of the things that they saw. From the silly and boisterous seals and sea lions, to the reality that many sharks are not as big or as scary as they thought, to the beauty, magic and wonder of seeing a Orca (killer whale) for the first time and realizing how huge and beautiful they are all at once. The even better thing was watching my husband help them feed the animals and think it was just as cool as the kids did.

Something that was new for me that was not there when I went as a child were the rides. While we skipped the big, loud and scarier rides we did make a point of heading to Shamu’s Happy Harbor for the kids to play and go on some rides. The kids really loved playing here!

This kid was all smiles all day long and getting him to smile is a huge thing. Seeing smiles this big made my day.

My ten-year old is not much for rides but when he saw the Net Climb his face lit up and he played here for a long time while the other two went on all of the rides. The Net Climb was four stories of netting, tubes and slides just perfect for loads of fun for any child who loves to climb.

My seven and five-year olds were all about hitting the rides. They went on the Jazzy Jellies, Ocean Commotion, Sea Carousel, Swishy Fishies, The Flying Fiddler and of course the Shamu Express. When we reached Shamu’s Happy Harbor my seven-year old was getting a bit tired and lagging a bit. As soon as he saw the rides though he perked back up and they had a blast before joining my ten-year old on the Net climb.

My thoughts on the day? My family loved it here! The kids learned so many new things all while having fun. Their favorite fact they learned? Humans are much more dangerous to sharks than they are to us.

If you’d like more information on any of the SeaWorld parks then be sure to visit their website for information and to see any current specials. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook or if you are like me with kids at home you can follow their YouTube channel. There you can watch some great animal videos with the kids and play some fun games and apps.

Categories: Kid Friendly, Orlando, Travel | No Comments »