I’ve been blogging for five years now and every year I’ve quietly hoped to be invited to a blogging conference called Disney Social Media Moms. It’s a very big deal in the social media community, or seems to be. Besides getting an opportunity to delve into the world of social media with other women for a weekend, you get to bring your family along to experience Walt Disney World in a very magical way with Disney as host.

When I didn’t make the cut the first year, I thought I’d make it eventually. But when I didn’t make the cut the next year, I began to think I wasn’t the right pedigree as many of my peers were selected and went the next three years in a row. I told people that the rejection didn’t hurt me, but it did. I felt like the awkward girl in high school again, the one who didn’t get invited to the prom.

Side bar: I actually really didn’t go to the prom, so I know what it feels like NOT to be invited.

But guess what? After five years, when I didn’t ever expect the invitation to ever hit my in box, it did. I was on a press trip with my son last weekend and hardly had time to focus on the fact that I got invited or that the invite said that I had to book quickly. All I do know is that the invite felt very validating. The world of blogging has taken to me to places and helped me to explore parts of myself that I didn’t know existed, and I’m grateful, and now it would take my kids back to Disney. After telling my tween aged daughter about it for several years, I would finally fulfill a dream of mine to take her to Disney in a way I would never be able to otherwise. Sure, we’ve been, but this conference would be a different experience.

But unfortunately, we can’t go. The weekend the conference is scheduled is the same weekend as the daughter of an old friend’s Bat Mitzvah. When I noticed the date, I told myself that I would talk to my friend, that of course we wouldn’t miss Disney. But I knew deep down that would be the wrong thing to do. This friend told us to save the date for her Bat Mitzvah six months ago. Our presence at the event would mean the world to her, and when we got the invite in the mail, I quickly sent our confirmed RSVP back, not just for my husband and I but also for the entire family.

So, I scheduled lunch with her in the city to have a conversation about my dilemma, but in the process, the conference filled up and registration closed. I got an email that I might be put on the waiting list and that they were trying to open more spaces after filling up in 72 hours.

Lunch with this friend also got called off and I was glad that we never had a chance to discuss the situation. I would have hurt her feelings and our friendship might not have recovered.

I took it all as a sign. I have a lifetime of opportunities to go to Disney, but I don’t have a lifetime to fix destroyed relationships.

It wasn’t easy for my daughter to understand but ultimately, I believe in her ability to know how to do the right thing and I am the only one who can teach her how to.

So, in the end, the conference taught me about priorities. It taught me to put others before myself. I hope I get invited next year, but if I don’t, I’ll have to be happy with this year’s decision, and that is one thing I know for sure.

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Last week I was invited to tour Kissimmee, Florida and I jumped at the chance. I was curious about the town neighboring Orlando and what it has to offer tourists. After all, how can one compete with the lure of Disney? I can honestly say I was surprised with just how much the city has to offer in terms of luxury hotels, great restaurants and a plethora of activity for families looking to do something other than amusement parks.

Here’s a wrap-up of what I did, where I stayed, where I dined, so you can plan your next visit to Kissimmee…with or without the kids!

Where I Stayed

Source: TodaysOrlando.com

Omni Orland Resort at ChampionsGate is a lovely hotel ducked behind formal arches. The welcoming lobby is adorned with fancy chandeliers and a marble floor and it overlooks a lazy river, pools, whirlpools, cabanas, a golf course and a perfect skyline view. The hotel consists of 16 stories, with two-and-three bedroom villas off to the side with full kitchens and washer/dryer.

I stayed in the hotel, in a lovely room with a cozy King-sized bed, master bath, flat-screen TV, accessible Wi-Fi and a beautiful view of the pools. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite hot enough to take a dip but just being away from the New York winter weather was good enough for me. Plus, being in this lavish hotel was a thrill. I dined at Zen, where I enjoyed unique, yummy Chinese dishes, as well as sushi on a boat (my favorite). The hotel also has the Mokara Spa & Salon, an 18-hole golf course and shuttle service to the Disney theme parks. They also offer great seasonal packages, which you can find more information about here.

Omni Orland Resort at ChampionsGate is located at 1500 Masters Boulevard, ChampionsGate and the phone is (407) 390-6664.

What I Did

To say I was impressed by the diverse selection of activity in Kissimmee is an understatement. There’s a lot for adults and kids alike, and since the weather is pretty much guaranteed to be sunny all year long, it’s easy to plan family activities.

Orlando Tree Trek

I’m always up for adventure and my trip to Orlando Tree Trek was nothing less. I spent two hours swinging through trees, zip lining and going through obstacles in a 15-acre tree canopy. The park has six color-coded courses, each with obstacles that include Tarzan-like swings, ladders, suspended bridges, scramble nets, swinging logs, surfboards and more. At first, I was scared, I will admit, but with each obstacle, I gained confidence. Flying through the trees was exhilarating and I’d do it again. I faced many of my own fears in just a few hours, and it felt wonderful. The Trek is located at 7625 Sinclair Road in Kissimmee. The owners, a married couple who hail from Montreal, take great pride in what they do. It may seem off the beaten path, but it’s great exercise, a thrill and great for kids as young as 7. They offer a course for children ages 7-11 that includes 2 courses and 21 games.

Orlando Tree Trek is located at 7625 Sinclair Rd., Kissimmee and the phone is (407) 390-9999.

The Osceola Country History Society’s Pioneer Village

Who knew that just miles from Disney would be a historical village comprised of authentic, original buildings from over a hundred years ago at Osceola Country History Society’s Pioneer Village? On my walking tour around the village, I was introduced to an 1898 “Cracker House,” a 1900 general store, pioneer artifacts, blacksmith shop, sugar cane mill and an eight-acre pristine nature preserve under 100-year-old trees. It was a serene, tranquil break and a worthwhile educational visit for families.

Osceola Country History Society’s Pioneer Village is located at 750 North Bass Road, Kissimmee and the phone is 407-396-8644.

Boggy Creek Airboat Rides

A highlight of my trip to Kissimmee was my ride on Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, where I had the opportunity to ride the waves of the headwaters of the Everglades, spotting wildlife all along the way. It was a cold morning but the ride was so exciting that I hardly noticed, and instead looked for alligators among the Florida everglades and ended with a chance to get up close and personal with a baby gator.

Boggy Creek Airboat Rides is located at 2001 E. Southport Rd., Kissimmee, FL 34746 and the phone is (407) 344-9550.

The Paddling Center in the Everglades

Another highlight of the trip for me was my paddling trip down Shingle Creek. The Paddling Center offers a helpful team to help choose and rent kayaks or canoes for one or two persons. Then you take a self-guided tour (or guided tour) through braided channels in a cypress forest along a 32-mile trail extending from from Kissimmee to Wekiva Springs Street Park and from Orlando to Mascotte. The multi-use trail runs along Shingle Creek, which are the headwaters of the Okeechobee-Everglades ecosystem. It’s a very impressive experience – we saw vultures, frogs, birds and other forms of wildlife.

The Paddling Center is located at 4266 W Vine St, Kissimmee and the phone is (407) 343-7740.

Universal Studios

Naturally, a trip to Universal Studios is a must, especially since they added The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, complete with a life-size and incredibly realistic Hogwarts Castle. I loved joining the Harry Potter addicts waving Harry Potter wands and rode the new Dragon Challenge roller coaster and imposing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which cast its shadow over the town of Hogsmeade. The cobbled street of shops and attractions including Madam Malkin’s Robes For All is where wannabe wizards can pick up their uniform and is almost off a movie set. Kids can select a wand at Magical Menagerie and Ollivanders and use them interactively throughout the Wizarding World. My favorite part oft the experience was arriving at Diagon Alley via the interactive Hogwarts Express, an English steam locomotive which features such attention to detail it will impress even the most die-hard train spotter. Patrons will even see themselves jump through the wall of the train to board.

The park also features rides such as Transformers: The Ride-3D, the Simpsons and Jurassic Park and really merits a full day or two.

Universal Studios is located at 6000 Universal Blvd. and the phone is (407) 363-8000.

What I Ate

I was so impressed by the variety of culinary options in Kissimmee, all with a tremendous amount of appeal to adults and kids alike. Here is a short list:

Shula Burger

In the heart of Kissimmee sits Shula Burger, founded by Don Shula of NRL fame. Their Signature Burgers include classics or special burgers with caramelized onions, red peppers, mushrooms, Swiss cheese or blue cheese, to name a few ingredients. Kids options include cheeseburgers, chicken bites or grilled cheese. This is a casual, cozy, yummy option that’s easy with kids. It’s fast dependable service and good quality food. Don’t skip the fried pickles! (pictured above)

Shula Burger is located at 8124 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy and the phone is (407) 238-1999.

The Bohemian Bar and Grill at the Bohemian Hotel Celebration

The Bohemian Bar and Grill is a complete respite from the action of nearby Disney. Located right on the lake, the atmosphere is laid back and relaxing with comfortable chairs, big chandeliers and a scrumptious menu that includes Citrus Glazed Scallops, the Bohemian Burger, Sautéed Mussels, Pan Seared Grouper, Crab Cakes and Filet Mignon Egg Rolls. Kids can enjoy chicken fingers and shirley temples.

The Bohemian Bar and Grill is located at 700 Bloom Street and the phone is (407) 566-6000.

Eleven at Reunion Resort

For a more upscale experience, head to the roof top lounge at Eleven at Reunion Resort. With 360 degree views including nightly views of Walt Disney World® Resort fireworks, the restaurant offers a beautiful menu of prime cuts of beef and fish. I had the Bourbon Glazed Salmon with a sweet corn, which was delicious.  The hotel is gorgeous and boasts 10 swimming pools and a water park as well, so you can spend the day splashing around the water park, or play tennis on one of the six lighted tennis courts should you choose to stay there.

 Eleven is located at 7593 Gathering Drive and the phone is (407) 396-5290.

Gaylord Palm’s Villa de Flora at Omni Resort

We had breakfast at Gaylord Palm’s Villa de Flora at Omni Resort. Voted Critic’s Choice for Best Brunch by the Orlando Sentinel, the meal, inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, was a treat. The Palms is built around a massive courtyard, separated into three Florida sections: Key West, St. Augustine, and the Everglades. Villa de Flora is located into the St. Augustine area of the courtyard and offers fresh food, something for everyone in the family.

Gaylord Palm’s Villa de Flora at Omni Resort is located at 6000 West Osceola Parkway and the phone is (407) 586-0000.

To enter Kissimmee’s Kiss the Cold sweepstakes, text “warm” to 82257, or enter online by visiting the official campaign website, KissColdAway.com from now through April 12, 2015.  Four Grand Prize Winners will each receive a getaway package for up to four people. The 6-day/5-night prize package includes:

·      Round trip airfare for four

·      Hotel accommodations at a Kissimmee Resort

·      Rental car

·      Four 1-day, 1-park tickets to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

·      Four 1-day/2-park tickets to Universal Orlando Resort

·      Four tickets to Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park 

·      A 1/2-hour airboat tour for up to four people at Boggy Creek Airboat Rides

·      A 2-hour guided tour for up to four people The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek

In addition to the four Grand Prize vacation packages, weekly winners will each receive a “Box of Sunshine” that will include various items representing Florida warmth. Limit 1 entry per person, per day. For Eligibility, Official Rules, and complete prize details, visit KissColdAway.com.

Disclosure: I went on a press trip to Kissimmee hosted by Experience Kissimmee to gather this information but all opinions are my own. I have nothing to do with the contest other than this promotional post.

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Solo travel can be so…

Empowering.

Restorative.

Enlightening.

My recent trip to the Hawks Cay Resort was all of those things and more. For just a few days, I left my family at home, well taken care of, and went to cover the new renovations at Hawks Cay Resort. The resort is on Duck Key, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Key Largo is 46 miles north, and Key West is 61 miles south. It was a 2-2-1/2 hour journey from Miami, where I flew into.

For a few days, I’d explore the hotel with a group of writers and have experiences that are more complicated with kids in tow. Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling with my children, but when we want to take a few hours to ourselves to go out on the water or have a quiet meal, we have to worry about childcare and finding entertainment for them. The agenda was full of experiences like jet skiing, fishing, spa treatments, a dolphin encounter, a sunset cruise and a visit to the adult-only pool.

Hawks Cay, while ideal for families and couple getaways, which I’ll be writing about extensively, is also idea for solo travel. It’s the ultimate destination for self care, indulgence and self fulfillment, and it all starts as soon as you get to the airport. The drive is relaxing and full of scenic views. The staff is friendly, and upon arrival, checked me right in. I’d say my visit was akin to being on a private island. It was a few days or tranquility and serenity, not having to be anywhere on a certain time and soaking up the sun (which I desperately needed coming from snowy NYC).

Hawks Cay sits on 60 acres on the islet of Duck Key and consists of a main hotel and separate condo units. I stayed in the hotel with a gorgeous view of the adult-only pool and ocean, one of several. The hotel also has tennis courts, a kids club, a full service marina, a saltwater lagoon for swimming, the Dolphin Connection and much more. My hotel room was spacious and comfortable, with a King-sized bed, flat screen TV, desk with chair, bathroom, Wifi access, a Keurig coffee maker and a lovely porch. I took great pleasure in drinking coffee while sitting outside, really enjoying the silence I don’t typically get while traveling with my kids.

There were many highlights of my visit, ranging from relaxation to water sports. On my first morning, we were taken to the Dolphin Connection. The experience takes place in a protected ecosystem that was built to support and nurture Hawks Cay’s resident pod of dolphins. The experts have been studying bottlenose dolphins since 1990. The resort also offers a more complete experience that involved swimming with them in the water. While our experience wasn’t as comprehensive, together with a certified trainer, we were able to interact with two dolphins which was an absolute delight.

Later we headed to the resort’s marina, which features 85 boats and an ice-cream shop, as well as a Starbuck’s and opportunities to go scuba-diving, snorkeling, paddle-boarding and kite-boarding, as well as fishing charters and kayak rentals. We opted for an afternoon of jet-skiing, letting me glide quickly through the majestic islands. The water was clear and the space open enough to provide a terrific ride. I felt free as a bird pushing the pedals to gain speed, feeling confident that my time on the jet skis will propel me into a better space when I got home.

The next day, we started with a very early day  again on the warm water at the marina, this time boarding a boat with fishing experts who took us into the ocean to catch fish, and that we did. Trout, snapper – they came fast & furious. I did actually get a bit sea sick, which I guess comes with being a woman over 40. Our entire group fished, creating a sense of competition disguised in genuine camaraderie, catching enough for a fabulous dinner. The resort calls the experience “Hook and Cook,” and we enjoyed munching on the fish we caught as a team.

Later, for a bit of relaxing, we headed to the Calm Waters Spa. The spa was voted Best Hotel Spa in the U.S. by the readers of Travel + Leisure in 2009, and I can understand why. I opted for a one-hour facial, which left me glowing. I also took extra time in the sauna and steam room to make the most of my spa afternoon. It was truly the first time in many months that I felt completely relaxed and I hope to take some of that feeling into the operating room next month. To top off my visit, I rented a bike to see the island, which took me through local neighborhoods bathed in rich and vibrant colors. Riding a bike is something I love to do. As I peddle, my brain unhinges.

There’s a variety of restaurants at Hawks Cay, and I experienced all of them. All offer delectable seafood with healthy options. At Alma, which offers a menu of Latin-influenced dishes. The fish dishes were tender and the wine perfect. For a more casual meal and for breakfast, we dined at Ocean, featuring a menu of sustainable seafood, fresh pastas, and signature pizzetas.Their buffet option is a great one for families. For lunch daily, we dined at The Beach Grill, my personal favorite, and munched on fish tacos, burgers and salads. I highly recommend the watermelon salad with mahi mahi. We were able to order from their menu while sitting at the adult pool, too, where I ordered a yummy virgin pina colada.

All in all, my solo adventure to Hawks Cay was invigorating. A brief trip on my own was what I needed to clear my head and come back with a new energy to take on motherhood. I highly recommend a visit.

To book a trip, head to Hawks Cay’s web site: www.hawkscay.com.

Disclosure: I was on a press trip at Hawk’s Cay, but all opinions expressed are my own.

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This year, Passports with Purpose, a travel blogger’s fundraiser that I am participating in, is supporting Room to Read.  If you read this blog regularly, you know that giving back and travel are two of my passions so I’m thrilled to be involved.  You might also be interested to know that I am very involved in the local chapter of this terrific organization and that we just raised 20K for them.  Here is a photograph of CEO and co-founder Erin Ganju at our recent event in Westchester.

Room to Read believes that World Change Starts with Educated Children. They envision a world in which all children can pursue a quality education that enables them to reach their full potential and contribute to their community and the world.  Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, they develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.

For Passports with Purpose, this translates into specific, concrete efforts — they plan to raise enough money to fund the establishment of two libraries, their exact locations TBD, in under-served communities in Zambia. The program will put books in the hands of kids that don’t have them. There are corresponding goals — bring in good teachers and librarians, engage the libraries in supporting regional education programs, increase literacy and, by doing so, change lives for the better. There’s lots of information on the Room to Read site about their programs, please go read up if you want more detail.

This is where The Culture Mom comes in.

Lending a hand is simple. We’re joining over 100 other bloggers who have all secured fantastic prizes. Blog readers like you have the opportunity to check out the assortment of prizes. Then, for each $10 donation, you get entered into a drawing for the prize(s) of your choice.

This is where our prize sponsor comes in.

Earlier this year, my family and I stayed at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek® while in Disney World and it was the perfect place to stay for afamily our size.  It’s comfortable, convenient, and quite luxurious.  Even to this day, my kids keep asking when we are going back.  The resort has so much to offer: location, activities, accessibility, spacious rooms, amenities, free shuttle service to all the Disney parks, five fabulous pools scattered around the resort, miniature golf, club rooms, an extremely kind staff and more. It’s the perfect kind of trip for a family that wants something for everyone.

In support of PwP, Wyndham Bonnet Creek® is offering a complimenary three-night stay in a 2-bedroom deluxe unit: Located in Lake Buena Vista, Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort is mere minutes from the gates of Walt Disney World®. You’ll not only enjoy free scheduled transportation to and from the Disney Theme Parks, but a very rewarding stay on site. From the full activities calendar to special touches like the tranquil Lazy River, beautiful pool and private lake, this is no ordinary stay.  Valued at $713.52.   Certificate must be presented at check-in. This offer expires12/23/2012. Based on availability. No cash value.

This is where you come in.

Do you have $10 to spare?  Want the warm feeling that comes with giving back? Follow these steps:

1. Head on over to the prize catalog / donation page.
2. Select Wyndham’s prize (and/or whichever strikes your fancy) and make your tax deductible donation via PayPal for a chance to win.
3. Wait patiently.  Prize winners will be announced on December 23rd.

Check out the PwP website for full details or let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below and finally, watch this video about the program:

Disclosure: This prize was provided to me free of charge as a entree in this fabulous campaign to help people in other countries.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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Tree of Life

When I started planning our trip to Disney World, I decided that on this trip to all the parks, I had to visit Animal Kingdom. It was the only park I had never visited, and I really didn’t expect it to be as good as it is. After a day in Magic Kingdom, which was really, really crowded due to spring break and Easter weekend, Animal Kingdom was much more manageable and far more enjoyable than I ever imagined. I’m not sure why I doubted for a minute that this park would be any less of a park than the others.  Animal Kingdom with kids is the perfect day out.

It definitely helps that the park was built across 500 acres. That’s far larger than the Magic Kingdom. That acreage includes lush wildlife habitat for the park’s animals, which includes everything from tigers to giraffes to gorillas. The central feature of Discovery Island at Animal Kingdom is the Tree of Life, which is the first thing you see when you walk in and it’s truly a spectacle. In keeping with the Disney tradition, it’s fake, made out of concrete and plastic, but it sure looks real. Its amazing to see, towering over the surrounding vegetation and carved with the visages of countless animals. 

What I didn’t realize was just how marvelous the park’s rides would be. After a few days of exploring Disney inside and out, I knew the tricks to getting around the crowds and the tricks work on this park, as well, as the popular rides do have long lines. We got to Animal Kingdom close to the park’s opening time, for one thing, when the crowds are thinner than other parts of the day. For the more popular rides, we typically got Fast Pass tickets and went away to do some of the smaller, less popular rides, before coming back. For Fast Pass tickets, you get to the ride you desire, check to see if it utilizes Fast Pass, put your tickets in one at a time and get a time slot (an hour) to come back later in the day. By doing that, you are guaranteed a 10-15 minute wait, which can be a huge time saving and a way to squeeze so much more into your day.

There are also some great opportunities for meeting characters all over Animal Kingdom. Lines aren’t as bad as in the other parks. Camp Minnie Mickey features character greeting (Greeting Trails) areas where you can stand in line to meet Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, and Donald Duck. I was quite bummed that we’d already waited 30-60 minutes to meet the same characters at Epcot on our first day. Check for times as soon as you enter the park.

The parade is also pretty terrific and unlike at the other parks, where swarms of people head to the parades, my kids were able to sit happily on the ground and watch. It’s also very much in the vein of the Animal Kingdom theme, with characters from Lion King and the jungle and is really adorable. It features great music and dancing, too.

Parade at Magic Kingdom

 

Exhibition Everest

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: This was, by far, my kid’s favorite ride at Disney, and I was really glad my son wastall enough to ride it (44”). It’s a high-speed train that zips around a mountain. At one point, it goes backwards and is absolutely terrifying, but exhilarating. Definitely get the Fast Pass for this ride.   Check out my kid’s faces on the left after we finished the ride – priceless.

Kali River Rapids: If you’ve heard the rumors that you get soaked on this ride, they’re true, but it’s 100% worth it. It’s a whitewater ride in a round boat that holds about 8 people that rides the turbulent waters of the Chakanadi River. We did actually get very, very wet, but this ride was another thrill for all of us. This is another Fast Pass ride.

Kilimanjaro Safari: Another ride worth getting a Fast Pass for, as the lines can be up to “two weeks long” as revealed by park staff members. You board a jeep-like vehicle that takes you though the jungles of Africa, passing giraffes, rhinos, elephants, lions and more. I loved it when the vehicle had to stop in its tracks to watch an elephant cross the road, and I loved my children’s expressions as we rode through the jungle in a bumpy truck as they gazed at terrifically large animals we don’t often get to see.

It’s Tough to Be a Bug: A good stop when you’re really hot as the theater has AC. Inspired by the film, “A Bug’s Life”, this 3-D experience features Flik and Hopper, and some creepy creatures coming out of the screen and from the sides and roof of the theater. It features some fantastic effects, like when the exterminator sprays the bugs to rid of them and the spray gushes across the room, and when we felt bugs crawling underneath our bottoms. I can see how this show could terrify a very young child, but my own were riveted. What a bonus to come out of the theater and be introduced to the real bugs as presented by Disney team members.

Dinosaur: Another Fast-Pass ride. This is a thrilling time machine that takes you back 65 million years to save the last dinosaur. It’s a fast, dark ride that we all loved, but and we weren’t so happy when it broke down at the end of our ride. But in Disney fashion, the attendants gave us free passes to return later.

And I have to throw in a 6th choice as a runner-up, the Boneyard: This is a child-friendly discovery playground you can easily spend an hour in – mine did. It’s a great way to give the kids a different kind of exercise, crawling around dinosaur bone excavations, climbing on nets and slides, and playing in a giant sandbox. There is a bridge built out of a dinosaur skeleton and much. My kids loved it and it gave me a bit of a break.

Other attractions not to miss: Festival of the Lion King, Wildlife Express Train, Flights of Wonder, Primeval Whirl and Tricera Top Spin.

It's Tough to Be a Bug

One last tip, like with other parks, it’s helpful to being in bottles of water and some snacks or sandwiches. I actually did prefer the food in this park to the others, but it’s helpful in terms of cost and convenience to have food and water readily available for your kids who will get thirsty often. It gets really, really hot and you’ll be happy to avoid lines (and saving money never hurts either).

Animal Kingdom was an unexpected delight, and next time we come to Disney, we will start with this park. It’s a wonderful Disney park for a child who doesn’t like crowds and requires some peace and quiet. It walks to a different beat; it’s not as crowded as the other parks, but it still requires a bit of foresight into what you want to see. Be ready to pull out your ticket to get a Fast Pass when necessary, and give your children breaks when they get tired. The great thing about Animal Kingdom is that you can stop to look at flowers or explore the wildlife.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary ticket by the folks at Visit Orlando, but all opinions expressed are my own.

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We really didn’t know what to expect before we arrived.  We were anxious to see what timeshares were all about.  In our time spent here, I can honestly say that I understand why people invest in timeshares.  Staying in a timeshare is far more comfortable and economical than your average hotel stay, especially in a place like Disney World.  You can avoid the cost of meals out, transportation to the theme parks and parking fees.  Plus, your family won’t be squeezed into a small room.  Everyone who stays here seems very content, and many are return visitors year after year.   The Wyndham Bonnet Creek is really the perfect destination for a family.

When we walked into our suite for the first time, we were immediately impressed and somewhat relieved to find a full kitchen, two bedrooms, living space, two bathrooms and lovely balcony.  Oh, and did I mention an eat-in kitchen and washer and dryer? Seriously, it’s like a home away from home. Given the fully equiped kitchen, we’ve been able to make healthy meals, which, if you’ve been to Disney, is a huge time and cost saving, as well as a relief that you are feeding your kids right while away.  The beds are lush and the bedding is really comfortable.  There’s a jacuzzi in the master bedroom suite which is fantastic after a day out in the parks (particularly for aching feet).  The rooms have flat screen TVs and WIFI (in the new towers, the others towers are soon to adopt new TVs).   Check out some of the photos of our room:

And the views…ahh, the views.  The view from our balcony is stunning.  We can see the tops of all 4 Disney parks  and the lake in the middle of the Wyndham towerssurrounded by lush palm trees, swimming pools, water slides, bars, pathways and …it’s in full view.  It’s wonderful to wake up to.

Another bonus of staying here is that you truly have everything you need.  Five pools, some with water slides for the kids (and for mom), an arts & crafts room, a playground, miniature golf, club rooms with games for kids including board games and Wii, ping pong and billiards tables keep my kids entertained so much so that it’s not necessary to leave on the days we are not at Disney.  The pools are shallow, not much more than 3 feet, which is helpful for us with a child who just learned to swim.  The kids are having an absolute ball, and I love that after a busy, hot day at the pool, we can come back to our suite and vegetate, yet not be on top of each other.  There is also a full fitness center in each building.  In addition, the property offers activities throughout the day – ice-cream socials, bingo games, karaoke, music.  It’s been a pleasure to just hang out here rather than run to the parks everyday.

My kids particularly adore the water slides.  Our tower is located by a nice sized pool centered around a pirate ship with a furiously fast water slide (trust me, I tried it), with hot tubs on both sides.  The tower next door has the “Lazy River” which we all love – a pool that goes in a loop, with large-size tubes for us all to float in.  My son, the newly trained swimmer, can float, swim or walk around the pool that doesn’t go deeper than 3 feet.  It’s amazing to see how much his swimming skills have improved since we’ve been here.

The bars have pool food – pizzas, chicken nuggets, snack-ish food for when the kids are hungry and we don’t have to carry ID or credit cards.  It’s a money-less environment, it can all go on our room charges.  It’s all pretty inexpensive, too.  For more plentiful food, it’s important to have a car to get to the grocery store which is only a few miles away, and Wyndham provides free parking passes to all residents.  Another bonus is that one of the bars below delivers pizza to all the rooms in the resort, which I took advantage of once or twice for my kids.  But the beauty of staying here is that we can go to the grocery store and come back and make homemade meals.  They have grills on the main grounds for anyone who wants to grill outside.  We’ve prepared burgers, fish and hot dogs.  In the mornings, I’ve been preparing french toast and cereal for my kids.  For lunch, we pack sandwiches to take with us.  It’s a huge savings on the food bill.

You may be asking, what exactly is a timeshare?  It’s vacation ownership, and I think it’s a great idea. It’s a program in which a group of people shares ownership of a resort or club by dividing among themselves the rights to use the property or club for specific time periods. Management and upkeep are handled by a professional management company, and costs are shared among all owners.  Wyndham Vacation Ownership offers point-based timeshare products.  Owners receive an allocation of points for usage either annually or biennially, depending on their purchase agreement. Each unit at each participating resort is assigned a points-value. Owners use their points towards their vacation, allowing them the freedom to select their resort, unit size and dates of travel, subject to availability. Ownership may include deeded real estate at a “home resort.” Owners work up to different statuses, and the Presidential reserve is the highest level of ownership.

So, you basically put up a certain amount of money upfront that guarantees you to a room for life at locations around the world.  Not bad!

Another plus is that there are 89 Wyndham properties in the U.S. and 150 worldwide, and members are entitled to stay at any of the resorts.  Seeing that Bonnet Creek is located in Orlando, you have to book 11-13 months out for better availability.  Depending on the number of points you have, you can come for certain periods of time.  Everyone wants to go to Disney World, and the Bonnet Creek is certainly popular.  There are 1149 rooms in the entire resort.  The tower we are staying in is called tower 6.  It opened in June of last year and has 300 rooms, and everything in the building is state-of-the-art.

It is certainly easy to clean and the resort has everything you need to keep it clean without having to worry, and the room is laid out in such a way that you can spread out your belongings .  But in case you were wondering, as I would if I were you, do you have to clean up everyday if this is not a hotel?  The simple answer is no – cleaning fees are included in your monthly maintenance fees, and you don’t have to worry about anything while you’re here.

It’s just that easy.  I like that.  Timeshares are certainly appealing and something to consider if you’re looking for an easy, economical way to travel with your family for years to come.

Looking around today as we spent the entire day at the resort, what did I see?  Big smiles on the faces of my own kids and everyone else staying here.  You can tell how much people love the Wyndam Bonnet Creek.  I asked several people their thoughts about staying here and they only had positive reports.  One man told me happily that this is his 11th year here!

And my kids…if you ask them their opinions, they’d gladly tell you what they enjoyed:

Sliding down water slides:

Playing miniature golf:

Swimming in the various pools:

Eating ice-cream sundaes at an ice-cream social:

Playing chess on the playground:

Watching the fireworks at Epcot from our balcony:

Our experience at Wyndham Bonnet Creek has been truly magical and one that I’d recommend to anyone looking to invest in future family vacations.  If you are interested in finding more about the timeshare offerings at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, call 800-210-0948 or go here.  You can also visit their Facebook page or join their Twitter handle over at @WyndhamDeals.

To get an even better idea of what Wyndham Bonnet Creek or another time share like this has to offer, watch this video:

Disclosure: Our visit was made complimentary by the team at Wyndham Bonnet Creek to facilitate this review, but all opinions expressed are my own.

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But there’s something about a beach vacation that gets all of us really excited.  Knowing that we’re going somewhere warm, especially after the winter that we’ve had in New York, where we can ride the waves and sit under the sun, is a good thing.  We’re headed to Florida in a few weeks, and we all can’t wait to get there.  We’ll be taking out our swim suits, suntan lotion, sunglasses and beach toys.  It’s been a long winter in NY.

When the kids were very young, we would go online and do a search for good family holidays.  Our kids were born 19 months apart and we needed a break.  When you’re working and raising kids, there is simply no time to relax, yet alone plan a trip.  At the time, there was not a good web site to find the information.  Times have changed.  Now there is a tremendous amount of resources to help plan a beach holiday, but it’s important to know what you’re looking for before you start the research. Here are some factors for consideration when planning a family holiday at the beach:

Jamaica

Destination: Where do you want to go?  Do you want to stay domestic or international?  We always like to go to the Caribbean beaches, like Jamaica, or even Mexico.  They tend to be affordable destinations for U.S. residents and have plenty of activities for kids.  But when we travel abroad, which we do every year, we check out the gorgeous beaches in Italy, Spain and Greece.  But American beaches are pretty terrific, too.  From Florida to the Gulf Coast to California to Hawaii to the Jersey Shore, kids will love the warm sands and blue skies.

Budget: Going all-inclusive for a beach holiday can be a huge savings. If you are pre-paying for an all-inclusive resort, it means that you know exactly how much you’re paying ahead of time, and you don’t have to worry about going over-budget.  It’s a relief not to have to carry money around the resort.  Feeding a family of four, five, or six can be enormously expensive; it helps when the trip payment is behind you.  However, if you’re planning to travel a la carte and break things up, do your research.  Google family beach holidays and find resources that offer the best discounts on flights and hotels.

Kid’s Clubs: One of the most important considerations is whether you want where you’re staying to have a kid’s club.  If you do, you can be rest assured that there will be enough activities and entertainment for your children, and you’ll manage to get some time to yourselves, too. My husband and I tend to need some time alone while on holiday.  You can have breakfast with your children and then drop them for their own day of fun, which consists of activities catered to their interests.  We always pick them up after lunch for a day at the beach and for a swim in the pool.

Activities: Do you want to be near places to explore or do you mainly care about staying close at bay to enjoy water sports?  Most hotels/resorts offer tours to sites, ruins or towns.  It depends what kind of trip you are trying to have.  When we were at Tulum in Mexico, we took our kids on a few day trips.  They were ages 2 and 3.  I won’t lie, it wasn’t always easy but we were determined to see a bit of the country outside the resort.

Going where you won’t see your neighbors: I don’t know about where you live, but up here people go to Cape Cod, the Jersey Shore or Long Island for their family beach holidays.  When we’ve told them we were going to these exotic destinations, they’re always shocked…and impressed.  When we started venturing off to far away destinations, the kids were just a few months old.  No one can ever understand why a sane adult would spend so much money to go somewhere far away to deal with their own children.  Think again.  It’s less money then they’re spending to go an hour away; and your children will enjoy the trip as much as you will.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, however the views and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

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EpicMix allows skiers to track vertical feet and runs skied and recognize special achievements by rewarding guests with collectible digital pins.  The mobile app will also alert guests when their Facebook friends are on the mountain, and can be used to send private messages to meet up.   EpicMix is a fun way for families to work together to achieve their goals of runs skied, trails explored, and pins earned.

What is truly unique is the company’s use of RFID technology on season passes and lift tickets to allow for completely passive “check-ins” so that guests can participate without the use of a phone or GPS device, or in any way changing the way they have always skied around the mountain. There is nothing for them to buy or wear other than their ski pass, which has an embedded RFID chip.

Here’s a short list of a few other properties that offer unique technology components targeted at families:

Vail Resorts’ EpicMix Kids– Bring technology to new heights- the mountains!- with EpicMix Kids. Try out the new mobile and online application from Vail Resorts where families can work together to track their runs, progress, and unlock collectible digital pins for special achievements. EpicMix Kids is one of the first social media platforms designed for children under 13. For privacy reasons, children under 13 are only allowed to be “friends” with their family members. It’s available at all Vail Resorts mountains: Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek and Heavenly (in California).

The application is a cross between Nike+ (tracking your physical activity) and FourSquare (recognition of location-based accomplishments), with the ability to connect and share with friends on Facebook (for users over the age of 13) and Twitter.  The application can first be tried when Keystone Mountain opens for the season on November 5, 2010. Stay during one of Keystone’s Kidtopia Festivals and kids can participate in activities including: a glow stick parade down the mountain, disco tubing, glow bug skate night on North America’s largest outdoor rink and an on-mountain barbecue night. “Ski Free Stay Free” package rates starts at just $71 per person per night and includes lodging for four in a two-bedroom condominium and a three-day lift ticket per person. Blackout dates apply. Plus, Keystone introduces the ULTIMATE winter play area with the world’s largest snow fort at the top of Dercum Mountain. The fort will be 60 by 40 feet with 12-foot walls, complete with a drawbridge, lookout tower, and its very own dragon. Kidtopia Festivals will take place: Dec 27 – Jan 2; Jan 14 – 17; Jan 29 – 30; Feb 18 – 21; March 12 – 20. www.KeystoneResort.com / 877-204-7889. For more information, visit www.epicmix.com.

AKA at Atlantis, Paradise Island – Find technology in paradise at this new 8,000-square-foot state-of-the-art kid’s club – Atlantis Kids Adventures (AKA). AKA incorporates cutting-edge technology for both the entertainment and educational value it provides young adventurers. Throughout the club, kids discover interactive, touch-screen walls, tables and floors, providing creative game play and artistic expression. AKA features themed spaces from a performance room with its own sound booth, to a culinary kitchen, to a computer room with 13 iMac stations for gaming and creative projects.

Partial and full-day participation at AKA is available, as well as special evening programs, including Candy Carnival and Buccaneer’s Bash themed nights.  Prices for AKA programming range from $40 to $65 per session. For more information visit www.atlantis.com.

Gamers delight in Florida – The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida is letting guests take today’s hottest games for a test drive. Vue (virtual user experience) is a unique and sleek lounge at the resort where guests can kick back with the latest in technology and entertainment.  Other hotels may offer gaming technology for their guests, but Vue goes above and beyond with a modern space including everything from Mac stations, iPod docks, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Nintendo Wii, Playstation and more. The lounge even hosts Wii fitness classes and bowling tournaments. And for guests (maybe parents!) who are new to this world, Vue stands out with on-staff gamers that act as your “roadies” as you discover your inner rock star.  Best of all, it’s all complimentary to resort guests. More details can be found at http://www.ritzcarlton.com/Naples.

EpicMix Kids is one of the first social media platforms designed for children under 13. For privacy reasons, children under 13 are only allowed to be “friends” with their family members.

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