Florida - Pitstops for Kids

Educational Travel for kids: Orlando beyond the theme parks

December 17, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

When most families think of Orlando, two words come to mind: theme parks. We understand; after all, we offer Disney World tips for families and reviews of Disney attractions. However, families looking for educational travel ideas, whether as pit stops en route elsewhere on Florida vacations, or during an Orlando vacation, will find much to engage kids’ minds. At the following Orlando attractions, Mickey may be absent, but fun is present and accounted for.

Orlando Wonderworks:

The building of the Orlando location for the Wonderworks chain of kid zones is upside-down…a sure sign that kids rule at this indoor play-and-imagination-mecca. Kids will immediately think Wonderworks is all about fun, but with over 100 interactive exhibits on science, perspective, and technology, they’re learning more than is let on. When they do catch on that lessons are being imparted, there’s always laser tag for ‘recess’. Admission is $24 ($19 for kids) but is not all-inclusive…be prepared to spend more. Located centrally on International Drive.

Orlando Science Center:

It’s tough being a science center in the theme park capital of the world…Orlando Science Center has steep competition for kids’ attention. However, once here, yours will most likely not want to leave. With an interactive Sesame Street exhibit for toddlers and preschoolers and science labs and a science ‘park’ for older kids, everyone will be occupied. Located on 777 E. Princeton Street, admission is $19 for adults and $13 for kids…a tad lower than your standard theme park admission costs. Read reviews of the Orlando Science Center.

Orange Country Regional History Center:

Need a new perspective on Orlando after too much stimulation, creative landscaping, and ‘experiences’? The History Center shows kids what Orlando looked like before Disney, starting with natural history and native plants and animals, then progressing through First People, First Contact, and pioneering history. And yes, there’s a permanent exhibit on Walt, too. The building is big and bright, and families get the feeling of being out-of-doors while still enjoying the A/C. Located at 65 East Central Blvd, the museum does close at 5 pm daily. General admission is $12 for adults and $9 for kids.

Gatorland:

Orlando’s Gatorland is more than just a thrill for families who like to get up-close and personal with huge reptiles. Kids learn about swamps, alligator breeding programs, and alligator habits. Their Adventure Hour takes kids even closer to the action, and is only $10 per person more. Yes, there are also zip lines, making Gatorland more like a theme park than a zoo, but families spending a half-day here will come away with a decent education. Admission is $27 for adults (13 and up) and $19 for kids, and the park closes at 5 pm. Parking is free. Read reviews of Gatorland.

Not staying on theme park property? Find Orlando accommodations at Trivago.com.

Photo credit: Brian Marshall and Jim Moore

Educational Animal Kingdom attractions (your school-aged kids will love)

April 23, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Can a theme park be educational? We had our doubts…until being schooled by Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Usually fans of the latest and greatest headliner attractions (read about how to tour any Disney theme park attraction in 15 minutes or less), my school-aged sons and I spent our latest visit touring the park from a less thrill-seeking perspective, exploring the many environmental, zoological, and cultural exhibits. And yes, we learned a thing or two.

Animal Kingdom is an easy-to-navigate park, and the nice thing about its educational attractions is how naturally they’re weaved into the fabric of the various ‘lands’. It’s easily possible for a family to ride the big attractions and take in the less flashy details that give the park that extra depth. All you need to know is where to look (and what not to overlook):

The Oasis and Discovery Island:

I know, I know…everyone’s in a hurry to get into the park, and no one (including myself, usually) wants to stop to look at the many animal and plant species in the Oasis Exhibit and Discovery Island Trails. But we’re so glad we did! Shady and cool, the Oasis area is so well landscaped that you think you’ve stepped into another world of flora and fauna. And the Discovery Island Trails are an animal-lover’s Tom Sawyer Island: their caves, bridges and towering trees harbor exotic animals at every turn. The boys loved ‘discovering’ new animal enclosures as they ran from trail to trail.

Tip: If you want this area practically to yourself, skip it in the morning and come back mid-day, when the steady stream of traffic into the park has waned.

DinoLand U.S.A.:

In DinoLand, kids will want to ride Dinosaur and play in the Boneyard, but directly adjacent is the (too well) hidden Cretaceous Trail. A short walk through a primeval forest, the Cretaceous Trail is dotted with fossilized bones and living plant and animal species that have survived the prehistoric era and continued to flourish today.

Asia:

Go ahead, race to Expedition Everest and grab FastPASSes. Then return to walk the Maharajah Jungle Trek, a short walk through honeysuckle and jasmine (I love how lush Animal Kingdom is!) to see Asian tigers, a Komodo Dragon, over 50 species of birds. Nearby is Flights of Wonder, a 25 minute show that provides a much-needed break from exploring the park. You’ll learn about over 20 more species of birds, many of which are birds of prey, and it’s funny to boot (so very young ones will still be entertained).

Africa:

Of course you’ve got Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa, which, although meant to entertain, really is quite educational and definitely worth your time. We grabbed FastPASSes for it and waited in the sanctuary of the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Spanning about 1/4 of a mile, this paved trail takes you through both animal viewing areas and exhibits detailing information about their habitats, natural predators, and more. You’ll see gorillas, hippos, a colony of mole rats, and more. At each station, experts are available to answer questions, and hands-on activities are available.

Tip:If kids are paying attention, they’ll be alerted to interactive exhibits by Kids’ Discovery Club signs.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch:

Right outside the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, families can board the Wildlife Express Train to Conservation Station, our seven-year-old animal-lover’s favorite place in Animal Kingdom. At Conservation Station, kids can see an animal surgery in-progress on video monitors in the animal hospital, learn how the Animal Kingdom animals are cared for on a daily basis, and see all kinds of reptile and amphibian wildlife. Best of all, it’s all indoors, so you get a little break from the sun.

Outside the Conservation Station, little kids will like the Affection Section petting zoo, and older kids will like spying the tiny primates called cotton-top tamarins along the Habitat Habit! walkway. There’s a lot of literature along this stretch on exhibit boards as you walk, spreading awareness of a number of animal and habitat-related issues we face in urban and suburban areas.

Throughout Animal Kingdom park, take a moment to duck into the many buildings and look around at the architecture and themes. In both Asia and Africa, visitors are treated with cultural experiences and performances. Bang on some drums outside a shop in Africa, or eat spring rolls in Asia. Yes, it’s all commercialized Disney, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a thing or two! At Disneyland instead? Here are some educational ideas at Disneyland in California!

What hidden educational opportunities have you found in Animal Kingdom? What do your school-aged kids like best?

A stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

April 16, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of our family’s favorite–if not thefavorite–DisneyWorld resort. When readers ask me, “Why pay to stay at a DisneyWorld resort?” I always cite Disney’s impeccible attention to detail, from the in-room touches to the grand lobbies to the on-site restaurants…always themed to perfection. No where is this attention to detail more evident than at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

From the moment you pull up outside Jambo House (the main lodge), you’re greeted by sweeping thatched rooftops, the vast lobby with its four-story high beams, tapestries, and woodwork, and more than one smiling Cast Member saying, “Welcome home!” Inside, Disney has paired their (let’s face it, sometimes romanticized) take on safari Africa with real artifacts depicting African tribal life and wildlife. Guests can take tours of the property to learn more, but just a wander around the lobby and hallways will yield an interesting cultural lesson.

And then there are the animals. Roaming three separate 30 acre expanses within the resort property, they can be viewed from the observation decks off the lobbies and hallways (a great way to see them if you’re simply touring the resort or enjoying a meal at one of the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants) and from ‘Savanna View’ room categories. Before staying in a Savanna View room (on average, $65 more expensive that a pool view room and $85 more expensive than a standard view room), I wondered whether the upcharge would be worth the money. Answer: yes. If you can budget for the extra expense, do so. Waking up to giraffes, wildebeests, or elephants outside our balcony never got old. (Though in full disclosure, I think I got a bigger kick out of it than the kids!) If a Savanna View room is not in your budget however, a stay at the lodge is still worth your consideration; the animals can be spotted throughout the resort, including adjacent to the pool!

Animal Kingdom Lodge room amenities:

Room amenities obviously vary by room type, but all will include split bathrooms and either two queen beds, one king, or a queen and a set of bunk beds. Our Savanna View room comprised of two queen beds, but it was the extra balcony space (and views) that made it worth it. (Other room categories also feature balconies…just without the animal views.) All rooms come with free daily coffee, a mini fridge, hairdryers, Disney’s signature H20 spa products, and available laundry service. (The standards you’d expect.) We especially loved the effort Animal Kingdom Lodge goes to in their recycling efforts. Separate recycling bins are located throughout the resort, and even within the rooms, so it’s easy to do your part even while on vacation.

What you get with the Disney ‘deluxe’ category:

Because Animal Kingdom Lodge falls within DisneyWorld’s ‘deluxe’ category of resorts, a childcare facility, Simba’s Clubhouse, is located on-site (for an extra hourly fee), and the resort hosts not only a cafeteria-style counter service restaurant, but a sit-down restaurant and one signature dining restaurant. It also features two fitness centers and a spa, two Animal Kingdom Lodge pools (one in the main Jambo House and one in the newer Kidani Village), both with hot tubs (important to my family). Room service is available, and there’s a full bar poolside (as well as a shaded playground). Activities are led every afternoon by a live DJ at the main pool (my kids loved playing Disney trivia and a Disney version of a ‘cake walk’ where small prizes could be won), and additional kid-oriented activities are scheduled daily in the lobby. During our visit, a Cast Member was leading crayon rubs of the African emblems and art on the lobby floor.

What cannot be measured in room rates or vacation value is how truly ‘apart’ Animal Kingdom Lodge feels. We’re Disney fans, but after we leave the parks for the day, we don’t like feeling like we’re still in one…Animal Kingdom Lodge has those small Disney touches, but doesn’t feel overly ‘Mickey-i-fied’. You really do feel away from it all, tucked into your own imaginary corner of a Disneyesque Africa.

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Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants:

In addition to room service, Animal Kingdom Lodge features their counter-service cafeteria, The Mara, which is located adjacent to the main pool. We ate here for both breakfast and lunch during our stay, and never paid more than $7 per person for a well-made entree. The lodge also hosts one of DisneyWorld’s most touted signature dining restaurants, Jiko, The Cooking Place, and two moderately priced (by Disney standards) family restaurants: Sanaa (in Kidani Village) and our family’s favorite, Boma: Flavors of Africa. Everyone in our family, from the picky seven-year-old to the adults, love this African buffet. It’s not cheap, but worth the price to try so many unique and delicious dishes. (You have to try the coconut rice!) Tip: visit Boma on the dining plan to get the most value!

Date last visited:

March 2012

Room rates:

Room rates at any Disney resort vary drastically by room type and season. Value season pricing for Animal Kingdom Lodge generally starts at $265 for a standard view room, but better deals can certainly be had by going through a Disney-specific travel agent (our recommendation is Dreams Unlimited).

On-site perks:

No matter what DisneyWorld resort you stay in, you’ll enjoy certain perks, such as Disney Transportation (both to and from all parks and resorts during your stay), Disney’s Magical Express (which picks you up from and returns you to the airport, as well as handles all your bags…you can ‘check’ them right at the resort!), the option of the Disney Dining Plan (worth it!), and early and late entry into the parks during Extra Magic Hours. And since Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe resort, you can take advantage of the on-site concierge, who can not only find you reservations for dining and other activities, but can print your boarding passes before you depart.

Directions:

If you use Disney’s Magical Express, you don’t need to worry about directions, but if you’re driving, the resort address is 2901 Osceola Pkwy Lake Buena Vista. Signage is easy to follow (follow directions to Animal Kingdom and the Blizzard Beach water park).

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge hosted Pit Stops for Kids at no charge, as part of the Disney Fantasy media preview cruise. While we appreciate their hospitality, all opinions of the resort are our own. Photo credit: BestofWDW and Pit Stops for Kids.

Disney Done Right: Star Wars Weekends at Disney Studios

May 30, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Summer’s here, and family travel is at its best! What better way to celebrate the end of another school year than with a weekend at Walt Disney World? If you have a Star Wars fan, there’s no better time: Fridays-Sundays through June 12th, Star Wars Weekends are ongoing at Disney Studios. The best part is, all special activities, shows, and parades are free with the cost of admission.

Last weekend, family travel blogger Sue Rodman of Field Trips with Sue packed up the family and headed to Orlando to attend. It was a huge hit for everyone! If you plan to go, here are her top suggestions.

1. Get There Early. This is the single best tip for any theme park experience, but especially when it’s a special weekend like Star Wars where crowds are expected to be higher than normal. Sometimes Disney will open early as a special “surprise”. When we went, the studio officially opened at 8 am. We arrived at 7:30 and the gates were already open. I can’t guarantee they’ll open early when you come, but you may want to plan for it just in case. My boys immediately went to Rockin’ Roller Coaster and rode it five times with no wait at all. Later in the day, waits were up to 70 minutes long!

2. Have a Plan. This is the second best tip for any theme park experience, but again, especially important for busy weekends. Spend some time before you go to plan out your day. Know before you exit one attraction where you are headed next. Don’t try to do that on the fly either, plan it out before you go. For instance, we saw the 9:40 am Little Mermaid Show and immediately went to the Animation Studio to find Sorcerer Mickey. We were one of the first five people in line when he arrived at 10 am and were able to zip in to see him and zip out. I found this tip on my favorite Disney planning site, www.TourGuideMike.com. Although he was not as helpful as I would have liked on the Star Wars Weekend information, I wouldn’t go to the Magic Kingdom without him. He gives sound tour advice and reasons behind WHY you should do things: ensuring you don’t second guess his expert opinion.

3. Bring your younglings to sign up for Jedi Training. As soon as you enter the park (assuming you are there upon opening) head to Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular to sign up your younglings for the Jedi Training. You’ll need to have everyone that wants to participate with you. Kids ages 4–12 are eligible. There is a bit of a wait here, but it’s worth it. Later in the day, your children don a robe and learn how to wield a light saber during training with a Jedi Master and Ahsoka Tano from Clone Wars. Then, they’ll battle either Darth Vader or Ventress. Upon completion, they are promoted to Padawans, given a certificate and a Star Wars toy (the program is sponsored by Hasbro). Once these spots are gone, they’re gone, so make sure you go here first thing if your child wants to participate.

4. Star Wars Parade. Throughout the park are various Star Wars characters. You can wait in long lines to have your picture taken with them (similar to waiting to see Mickey Mouse) or you can get a good spot on the parade route and take them all in at once during the Star Wars parade. The parade starts at the front of the park coming out near Sid’s Curious Shop and goes down Hollywood Blvd. to the big Sorcerer Mickey Hat. The characters then go on stage for a great photo opportunity. Position yourself anywhere along Hollywood Blvd. We scoped our spot about 12:15 for the 12:40 parade and had a good spot, soon after that, it was harder to get a place. We missed the photo on stage, but I think everyone had ample interaction with the characters. At one time you could sign your children up to be in the parade. Now they pick children randomly. I couldn’t tell how, when or where they “pick the kids randomly”. If you find out, please let me know.

5. Star Wars Characters. As I mentioned, there are lots of places to wait in lines to have your picture taken with various Star Wars characters. We didn’t wait in any of these lines, but we did watch the characters as they interacted with people and took pictures of them in between guests posing. Seeing them live and up close seemed to be enough for my boys, which was great because it left us more time to experience the park. Right in front of Star Tours is a speeder bike, where Chewbacca and the Ewoks come out. When they aren’t appearing, you can take a picture on the bikes, which we did, several times.

These are only half of Sue’s tips for experiencing Star Wars Weekends! Read more at Field Trips with Sue!

For more general Disney information, touring strategies, and tips, check out my other Disney Done Right articles!

Disney done right: Dining in the ‘World’

February 2, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Healthy? No. But they'll burn it off in the parks!

If you’re looking for tips on how to save money on meals in Disney World, this is not the place. Nor will this article tell you where to find the best fries, best pizza, or best cinnamon roll (although that would be the Main Street Bake Shoppe). Instead, this article is all about how to make dining in Disney easier…on you, your kids, your schedule, and your sanity. Because let’s face it, during a Disney family vacation, sometimes a meal feels less like a welcome repast and more like one more line to wait in, one more crowd to fight, and one more battle to get your children to behave. If you follow the tips below, it doesn’t have to be that way!

1. Opt into the Disney Dining Plan if you qualify. Will the dining plan be the cheapest way for your family to dine in Disney World? Perhaps so, perhaps not. It really depends on what type of meals your family enjoys. But that’s not the point: even if it costs you a few extra dollars when compared to dining out-of-pocket, we believe it’s worth it. Why? Because every time you order a burger at a counter service restaurant or the kids beg for a $5 tub of popcorn, you won’t feel ‘nickel and dimed’. You’ll be able to say ‘yes’ more often than ‘no’, and you won’t have to worry so much about each drink that comes with each meal and the price of that side dish of mac and cheese your kid had to have but never touched. You will have to pay attention to your number of counter service and table service credits, but Disney makes that easy for you by including a running tally on every food receipt.

2. If your kids are character crazy, reserve Character Meals. That’s right, I said ‘reserve’. Disney calls it an ‘AR’ (Advanced Reservation), and even if you’re visiting in the off-season, you’ll need one. Different restaurant venues will showcase different characters, so find the one (or more) that fits your family and plan to spend an hour or so with the characters while eating and relaxing in the air conditioned indoors instead of sweating in lines in the parks. Our favorite is the Pooh and Friends meal at Magic Kingdom’s Crystal Palace. (Bonus tip: reserve a table at a park-venue restaurant before park opening; you’ll be allowed to enter early for great photo ops by near-empty park attractions.)

Pit Stops' Grandpa becomes part of the act at Hoop-Dee-Doo!

3. Schedule your day around lunches for before 11:30 am or after 2 pm. It really does make a huge difference: not only will eating during off-peak hours save you time and hassle at the service windows and ensure you get a table, but it will free you up to tour the park while everyone else is eating. (Bonus tip: this works at ski resorts, too!)

4. Save buffets for the end of the day. Unless you were blessed with super-bionic angel children, your kids (and you!) are worn out by the end of a Disney day. Instead of asking them to sit still and wait for their table service meals, consider scheduling buffets for this last meal of the day. Everyone gets fed faster, has more choices, and can move around. Our hands-down favorite was Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Boma (easy to access via Disney transportation after a day at Animal Kingdom).

5. Enjoy dinner and a show. This tip goes double if you’re on the dining plan, since you’re able to use your points even for bundled dinner events such as the Fantasmic or Candlelight Dinner packages. Doing so allows you to relax and enjoy your meal without worrying about getting a good seat for the show: Disney reserves a spot for you. And some meals include a show of their own: our top pick was Fort Wilderness’ Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my kids laugh so hard!

Disney done right: How to enjoy the ‘Magic’

January 21, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Yes, that’s ‘Magic’ with a capital M, because ultimately, we’re paying (and hoping) for nothing less when we book a Disney vacation with our kids. Instead, what we often experience (or witness others experiencing) is exhaustion, over-stimulation, and even outright disappointment. Every family (and Disney park) will have their good days and bad days, but 99% of the time, it doesn’t have to be difficult. The following are Pit Stops for Kids tested and approved tips for enjoying a Disney theme park and Disney resorts with your kids.

The Pit Stops kids ride ‘shotgun’ on the Monorail.

1. Slow down. There is so much to do. There is (relatively) little time to do it. The result can be a frantic sprint through the happiest place on earth, during which you and your family are spending every minute rushing to the next thing instead of enjoying where you are. Take a deep breath, relax, and come to grips with the fact that you cannot see it all. Instead, pay attention to the details…Disney certainly has. Beautiful, fully imaginative theming is all around you. While waiting in lines, look for Hidden Mickeys with the kids. While on Tom Sawyer Island, stop for an impromptu game of checkers in the shade. If you take the Monorail, queue into the busier front line, even if it means passing up a few trains before you can board: your kids will get to sit up front with the driver and get a view of Epcot and the Magic Kingdom seldom seen.

Tip: take the time to look for magical Disney touches. Read about special Disney surprises in store at the parks!

2. Take care of yourself. Seems obvious, but given the number of sunburn and sunstroke cases Disney paramedics see every day, it bears saying: carry water bottles, put on sunscreen, and wear shades and hats when necessary. To off-set the cost of beverages in the parks, we carry individual packets of powdered drink mix. Just add to drinking fountain water, and you’re hydrated without paying $.595 an ounce (ok, it’s not really that bad). Consider staying on-site to allow kids (and adults) to conveniently take afternoon breaks or naps.

Nate and Calvin take a break on Tom Sawyer Island.

3. Come prepared. There’s no need to study Disney park maps as though you’re preparing to invade Poland (or so my family tells me), but there are a few key things to know before you go: the park’s daily schedule (when are the parades or shows? Are there character appearances?) and hours (does this park offer Extra Magic Hour today? Is it open late?) Even if you’re not interested in a park’s given entertainment, it’s good to know what areas to avoid (and when); the rest of the park will be less crowded during those hours. Likewise, if a park is open late for a show or event you don’t plan to attend, consider clearing out in the early afternoon, when event-attendees are just entering. If your park is hosting Extra Magic Hour in the morning, it can be a good idea to arrive right at rope drop and then leave to hit a different park around lunchtime; most EMH guests stay put, causing crowd levels to rise substantially when the off-site guests join them at regular park opening.

4. Ask questions. Most Disney Cast Members genuinely enjoy their jobs, and all are a wealth of information. Not sure if the line you’re standing in is for the ride or the Dole pineapple float (worth any wait, by the way)? Ask! We’ve asked employees whether there’s a better place to stake out for a parade, whether there’s a short-cut to the ‘land’ we’re walking to, whether a show is right for our toddler, and more, and all have appreciated our confidence in their expertise. And if you’re a few minutes early to use your Fast Pass…just ask if you can head on in…often the answer is yes.

5. Utilize Disney’s crowd control devices. In other words, for the love of all that’s holy, use Fast Pass. I am continually amazed at how many Disney guests seem to have no idea what this is or how to work it: it’s really easy, and saves so much time. Consider sending one family member (usually it’s you, Dad) with all the tickets to gather the Fast Passes for the group, so that little ones don’t have to log extra Disney miles across the park. Likewise, if you plan to a) eat dinner and b) watch a featured evening show at one of the parks, consider a Priority Seating dinner package such as this one for Fantasmic. You’ll take all the stress out of getting good seats, give yourself more time in the park to enjoy the attractions, and you had to eat anyway, right?

More Disney Done Right articles are located on our Family Vacations page.

Disney done right: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort

January 19, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

I wrote recently on the benefits of staying on-site in Walt Disney World. Of course, deciding a Disney resort is right for you and your family hardly narrows down your field of options, given that at last count, there were almost 20 of them to choose from. For our Disney World vacation, we finally settled on Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, Riverside, and we never once regretted our decision. Why?

1. Location. Port Orleans is one of Disney’s largest resorts, but due to its beautiful and extensive landscaping, winding pathways, and sweeping public areas filled with magnolia blossoms and lawn, you’d never know it. It includes two distinct and separate complexes: Riverside and French Quarter, both of which have their own restaurants, pools, and recreational activities, connected by the river walk along the Sassagoula River. We stayed in Riverside, which was, yet again, divided into two sections: Alligator Bayou and Dixie Landings. Maybe we’re just not used to Southern ambiance (and hospitality), but we felt tucked away from the bustle of Disney World throughout our stay. Despite being just minutes from the theme parks by way of Disney transportation buses and even closer to Downtown Disney by boat, Port Orleans felt quiet and tranquil. Not easy to come by in Orlando! (Note: I’d heard complaints about the walk from the far buildings to the lobby/dining area (Riverside Mill). We were quite far from the center of things in Building 36, and didn’t mind the ten minute walk in the least. Ol’ Man Island, the main swimming complex, is situated in the middle of the buildings (think of a hub and spokes), and is easy to access for everyone.)

2. Amenities. Port Orleans is listed as a ‘moderate’ Disney resort, which distinguishes it from the lower-cost ‘value’ resorts in two main ways that made a difference to our family (and might make a difference to yours): recreational opportunities and dining. Each moderate resort has at least one themed pool and several ‘quiet’ pools (we had one right outside our door and loved it!), and other recreational opportunities such as canoe or boat rentals, video arcades, and thematic activities (in Port Orleans’ case, cane-pole fishing). Ol’ Man Island features a free-form pool, slide, hot tubs, and a pool-side bar (values do not have slides or hot tubs) that we used nightly (the pool and the bar). In addition, each moderate resort features at least one sit-down restaurant in addition to their food court, Riverside Mill. (Value resorts do not.) If you envision yourself and your family spending even a moderate amount of time (no pun intended) at the resort, and don’t want to drop the dough for a deluxe room, a moderate such as Port Orleans might work best for you.

3. Price. In my opinion, you get far more for your resort dollar at a moderate than you would at a value, and not much less than you would at a deluxe. (That sounds like a riddle!) Let me try that again: you get almost as many bells and whistles as you would at a deluxe for up to half the nightly room rate. (Note: Port Orleans’s Alligator Bayou rooms fit families of five…provided that one family member can fit on their ‘trundle’ bed, which pulls out from underneath one of their standard ones. Our youngest son found it quite comfortable, but I wouldn’t try it with anyone over the age of 6-8.)

What not to miss: As I hinted at above, staying in a Disney resort is almost like visiting an additional theme park: there’s a lot to do and see, and you want to make time to enjoy it. We took an entire day off from the parks just to explore Port Orleans, but even if you can’t spare that kind of time, make sure you swim at Ol’ Man Island (and maybe fish for bluegill in their stocked pond), take a cruise down the river to Downtown Disney (have your kids ask your boat captain for a Disney Transportation captain’s card), take in the evening comedy show at the River Roost, and take the plunge on the dragon slide at the French Quarter pool (guests of Riverside has use of the French Quarter pool, and vice versa!).

Room Rates: $130-150 at time of our visit. Check for most up-to-date rates.

Main Dining Options: Riverside Mill Food Court and Boatwrights (both on the Disney Dining Plan). Snacks available at the general store. Rooms have mini-fridges, which we used to fill with breakfast supplies and snacks. If you’re flying to the resort, as we did, consider pre-ordering groceries to be delivered to Port Orleans on the day of your arrival with Garden Grocer.

Distance from the parks: Under five minutes. (Note: we’re big believers in leaving the car behind and using Disney transportation. We never waited longer than ten minutes for a bus at any of the Port Orleans bus depots.)

Photo credit

Disney done right: Making the most of your Disney vacation

January 16, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

At Pit Stops for Kids, we’re big fans of Disney, but we know planning (and enjoying) a Disney vacation with kids can be overwhelming! In our upcoming series of articles, Disney Done Right, we offer our (kid and parent tested) tips for making the most of your time in the happiest place on earth!

1. Plan an extended visit. If possible, book at least one week at Disney World or three days (This is especially beneficial if the most expensive single cost of your vacation is getting there and back.) You just can’t do these massive theme parks justice with less time, and you’ll only exhaust yourself trying. (You can’t see it all in a week, either, but a month or more isn’t an option for most families!) A longer visit equals more downtime, and while you may think R&R is hardly the goal at a theme park, without it, you’ll be miserable by Day 3. We made sure to rest every day, and reserved one entire day for simply exploring and enjoying our resort. More time also leads to more inter-family harmony: if you have two days to devote to Animal Kingdom, for instance, you can focus on rides one day and dining and shows the next. It’s simply more relaxing when you’re not sprinting through the Florida humidity, agreed?

2. Stay on-site at a Disney property. Yes, I know it’s much cheaper to stay half a block awayfrom the main gates. And yes, I happily advice families to take advantage of the price and convenience of rental properties such as HomeAway whenever possible,Â but in the case of Disney, I am a purist. Why? Because never is the adage ‘time is money’ more true than during a Disney vacation. And I’m not talking about Extra Magic Hour: when you stay on-site, you’re simply closer to all the action…and to your hotel room should someone (you, most likely) need a nap, a snack, or a dip in the pool. Plus, you can use Disney transportation and have the opportunity to add the Disney meal plan, not to mention the fact that most Disney resorts are like additional theme parks in themselves. When we stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, we did our own laundry, ate all our breakfasts in our room, and returned to the hotel every day of our vacation to rest and swim mid-day. I like to think staying on-site kept us sane. (Extra tip: if you have very young children in strollers, consider staying on the Monorail Line at the Disney World resort–the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, or Polynesian–so you don’t have to disturb sleeping kids and babies to fold strollers!)

3. Make (and follow) an itinerary utilizing planning tools. I admit it: I’m a schedule Nazi. But even a generalized itinerary for your visit helps you to make the most of your day. We’ve all seen people wandering the happiest place on earth, grumbling about what to do next, and we certainly don’t want to be them. Start by looking up the exact hours each park will be open for each day during your visit, figure out what shows and parades you want to see, and which restaurants you want to try. It makes a difference: the parks open earliest will fill up the fastest but also empty the fastest in the later afternoon, as everyone who attended the morning Extra Magic Hour jumps ship for another park later in the day: consider taking an alternate path from the masses. If you’re very ambitious, I can personally recommend Tour Guide Mike, an online planning tool and wealth of park information that will change the way you look at touring Disney parks. ‘Mike’ will give you the ideal days to tour each park during your visit based on a scientific-(ish) using factors such as time of year, projected crowd levels, park hours and events, and more. The small membership fee is well worth your money.

4. Take advantage of shopping opportunities. No, I don’t mean you should get out your wallet every time you’re fed through a souvenir shop, although that’s up to you. I mean that Disney’s shopping areas signify two things: crowd control and extended hours. For instance: Disneyland and Magic Kingdom‘s Main Street typically stays open up to an hour after official park closing. If you were planning on browsing the shops (or even having a late dinner or evening dessert) at the end of your day, don’t make the mistake the other thousands of visitors will do: there’s no need to hit the shops an hour before closing. Use that final hour to ride attractions, then shop and eat during your ‘bonus’ hour…the same hour everyone else is filing onto buses and into parking lots. Concerning crowd control: you know how Main Street (and Disney’s other parks’ equivalents) become jam-packed before and after parades and fireworks? So does Disney…which is why all their shops connect. That’s right: there are no walls between 99% of Main Street’s stores, which allows savvy visitors to walk straight through (in the comfort of air conditioning) instead of elbowing through the crowds on the street.

5. Visit with characters at the table, not in the parks. You can spend half your day chasing down Piglet and Pooh in Fantasyland, or you can meet-and-greet in style at the Crystal Palace while dining on stuffed french toast. Seems like a no-brainer to me. Same goes for those princesses your preschooler is bugging you for some face-time with. It’s a huge time-saver, and you and your family almost always get extra attention than if you’d waited in line in the Florida sun. (Extra tip: for dining venues inside parks, schedule your character breakfasts for approximately one hour before park opening. You’ll finish eating and be released into the park right before opening, giving you the jump on all the rope-droppers.)

Naval Aviation Museum

January 13, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Photo courtesy of Two Kids and a Map

1750 Radford Blvd., Suite C
Naval Air Station
Pensacola, FL

The National Naval Aviation Museum, located within Navel Air Station Pensacola, makes for a wonderful (and free!) pitstop along I-10. Parent reviewer Jen of Two Kids and a Map and Pensacola with Kids has written about this attraction in her hometown numerous times, and gives it her expert seal of approval. In one entry she writes: The Air Museum is great for all ages. There are so many exhibits, an IMAX theater that shows several movies a day, a small restaurant, a flight simulator, and lots of hands-on activities! Kids visiting the museum (and adults too!) can climb into the cockpit of several aircraft, watch a flight simulator, and get up close and personal with the famed Blue Angels.

Date last visited: Often!

Distance off the interstate: About 15 miles off I-10.

Hours and Admission Prices: FREE! The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week year-round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days. The IMAX movie theater begins shows on the hour starting at 10 am and ending at 4 pm.

Food Services: The Cubi Bar Cafe, located within the museum, is both a restaurant and an exhibit!

Website: http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org

Phone: (850) 452-3604 or (850) 452-3606

Directions: From I-10: Take Exit 7 (Pine Forest Road, 297). Head south about 1.5 miles to Blue Angel Parkway. Turn right and drive about 12 miles to the west gate of NAS Pensacola. Museum is three miles ahead on left.

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

August 14, 2009 By Amy Hagstrom

Brick path leading to the Maclay house. Photo courtesy of Florida State Parks.

3540 Thomasville Rd
Tallahassee, FL

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is a wonderful place to get out and stretch your legs during a long trip. During blooming season, flowers paint the walk with beautiful colors and during the off season you can see every shade of green, says Jennifer of Two Kids and a Map, who brings us this review. I was on a road trip from Pensacola to Jacksonville, Florida with my two children by myself and we desperately needed a pit stop! The kids were getting hungry and anxious and I was tired of listening to the whining. Unfortunately, the exit I chose is awful for quick interstate stops. There are several lanes of traffic and it is difficult to turn around to get back on the Interstate. I spotted the trademark Florida State Park sign and followed it to the entrance. It was a perfect stopping place for us. The children got to run along the path of the gardens and burn off some steam. There was so much to look at: a hidden garden, a lake and a pond, and the beautiful home. The kids enjoyed looking for bugs and eating a picnic lunch on the grounds before we got back on the road.

Date last visited: July, 2009

Distance off the interstate: Approximately 1 half mile off of Interstate 10.

Hours and Admission Prices: $6.00 per vehicle to enter the park. During the blooming months, it is an additional $6.00 an adult and $3.00 a child to enter the gardens. However, during the off season (May through December) touring the gardens is free.

Bathrooms and Food Services: Bathrooms are available and there are picnic areas if you bring your own meal

Other tips: Be sure to get your Real Florida Passport stamped while you are there. You can walk down to the house and back in about 30 minutes if you do not stop too many times!

Website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/MACLAYGARDENS/

Directions: Located one half mile north of I-10 on U.S. 319
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