state - Pitstops for Kids

Portland Children’s Museum

March 31, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

The Portland Children’s Museum is one of the best places to spend a rainy morning or afternoon with young kids in Portland. For better or for worse, the word is out, and this excellent museum can get very crowded. Before describing any of the many reasons to visit, I have to start my Portland Children’s Museum review by saying, ‘Get there early!’ Every time we stop by, we get there at opening at 9 am, and practically have the place to ourselves for about the first hour.

Now, why visit? With 12 main exhibits ranging from a play grocery store, a stage with working lights, curtain, and ticket booth, workshops and multi-level climbing and play spaces, baby and toddler sections, story times and planned events, and a wonderful water play area, Portland Children’s Museum is sure to keep kids 0-12 happy, happy, happy.

My own kids are starting to ‘age out’, but I’m hesitant to use that term, because on a very recent visit, our 12-year-old had a great time in both the Garage (a building and creation space using recycled materials) and in the clay studio. While kids of any age (with parental supervision) can try their hand at clay, kids do need to be 5 and up to enter the Garage (due to the use of glue guns and hammers and nails). I love the inclusion of this room to keep the attention of older kids!

The layout of the museum is fairly open and free-flowing with the exception of the exhibits toward the back of the building (accessed down a hallway). If you have kids under 6, you’ll probably need to keep them on a short leash, so to speak, so as not to lose sight of them. It’s easy for kids to migrate from one section to the next as their interests dictate (which can be either a good thing and a bad thing, depending on your point of view). There’s space in the lobby to use as a ‘meet up’ place for older kids, but note that the museum’s traveling and temporary exhibits are housed off the lobby too.

New Outdoor Adventure:

During our January 2014 visit, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak of the new Outdoor Adventure, to open in April 2014. This inviting outdoor space lies adjacent to the museum, and encompasses the downhill slope around to the back of the building. With trees, rocks, trails, and a creek water feature, this space is dedicated to outdoor play…with unlimited options. It warmed my nature-loving heart to hear that the creative team behind the space understood the importance of keeping this area largely under-developed, allowing kids freedom of exploration. While switchback trails do exist up the slope, kids are not restricted to them, and the water feature is meant to be played in, around, and through. A covered wooden group space and amphitheater sits at the bottom of the outdoor space, and at top, digging space and a toddler space will sit adjacent to parent sitting and observing areas. The museum will provide rubber boots and other outdoor gear for play in any season, thanks to local gear donations.

Admission:

Ages 1-54: $10, over 54: $9
If you have a membership to another NW science or children’s museum, it’s likely good for admission for four. Be sure to bring your membership card with you and ask!

Hours:

9 am to 5 pm daily

Dining:

The museum cafe is located in the lobby, and offers very healthy fare for kids and adults, from soups, salads, wraps, and organic snacks.

Directions:

The Portland Children’s Museum is located in Washington Park, easily accessed by car or MAX. The address is 4015 SW Canyon Road, Portland.

Disclosure: As I disclose whenever applicable, we visited the children’s museum as guests of the museum, for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Orlando: Life besides Disney

March 29, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

When people think of Orlando with kids, Disney World is likely to be one of the first places that spring to mind on the list of “must-dos”, particularly if you’re traveling with children However, there’s so much more on offer in Orlando that people seem to forget about. Alongside the thrills and spills of the theme parks, there are some terrific kid-centric activities that everyone should consider if they’re planning a trip. There are also some good deals on hotels and timeshares in Orlando outside of the Disney sphere, as well as bargains on flights, depending on when you travel.

First thing’s first, you’re definitely going to want to visit some of Florida’s beaches. While Orlando is inland, the coast is only about an hour away, so if you’re going to be renting a car, you may as well go on an old-fashioned trip to the seaside, that most popular of trips! The kids will love the sun, sand, and surf here, and it’ll give you a great excuse to relax and soak up a few rays yourself. Be sure to pack your sunscreen though as temperatures here can soar to a whopping 92°F (33°C) in July. The Siesta Key is the perfect spot for a serene day out, with crisp white sands and clear blue waters.

Just because you’re on holiday, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t test the kids’ imaginations a little. You can take them to Ripley’s Believe It or Not, where they can put their own grasp of what’s real and what’s imaginary through its pace, and then drop in next door at WonderWorks. The kids will love this completely upside-down building — when you enter you’ll be the wrong way up. Step into the inversion tunnel and you can then head off into more than 100 interactive exhibits that the whole family is sure to love.

This is Orlando and the sun will be beating down on you, so, naturally, you’ll want some time to cool off. Lucky for you, Orlando is home to all kinds of water parks. SeaWorld’s Aquatica is amongst the best, with attractions including the HooRoo Run, a super speedy waterslide that will barely give you chance to scream before you’re plunging into the waters below. While you’re there (not on the slide itself, of course!), you can check out the sea life on display here, which will keep the kids enthralled and maybe even encourage them to learn more about animals.

So there you have it, already plenty of things to do other if Disney World doesn’t tickle your fancy. With a little research, you can find all kinds of extra activities. So, what’s on the agenda?

Photo credit: MarialArtsNomad. The above post is sponsored.

How to plan your Disney Vacation with FastPass+

March 17, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

We have written extensively about enjoying Disney parks using FastPass. Is all this advice out the window now that Disney has introduced FastPass+ and Disney Magic Bands? The short answer: maybe. The game certainly has changed.

How to plan your Disney vacation using FastPass+ and why it will make touring Disney parks easier than ever for those who dislike planning (but harder for those who do):

Step 1: Know what’s included in your FastPass+ options

If you’ve been in a Disney park in the last year and have paid attention, you’ll have seen gradual changes to the current FastPass system, starting with FastPass options to nighttime entertainment, and the arrival of new Mickey ear-sporting Magic Band kiosks. The new Magic Bands utilized by Disney use RFID technology, and hold your park ticket, room key, dining plan, dining reservations, Fastpass + reservations and much more. Say goodbye to Key to the World (KTTW) cards. The band ‘holds’ your FastPass reservations (up to three per day, per park, per user).

More than double the current FastPass attractions are offered with FastPass+, as well as reserved seating for shows, parades, and dining reservations. FastPass+ is available for ALL Disney guests, not just those staying on-site. (Disney hotel guests can make FastPass+ reservations up to 60 days in advance, however.) What does this mean for your park touring strategy? You may want to consider making FastPass+ reservations for several attractions that have not previously been included in the traditional FastPass list. Then, hit the traditionally popular rides at the very start of your day, knowing you have reservations for those rides that fill up after park-goers cross the ‘top’ experiences off their lists.

The number of FastPass+ reservations per guest per day per park varies slightly depending on crowds and season, but is generally 3-4. While this number might mirror the number of traditional FASTPASS tickets an average guest might secure during a day, it’s less than that which a savvy guest (willing to do the legwork across the park) has gotten in the past. That said, the new FastPass+ reservations do include evening entertainment options and meet-and-greets not previously available.

Step 2: Make your FastPass reservations online before you arrive

As a Type A Disney planner, I’m giddy about the ability to pre-reserve FastPasses! If you’re not a planner, and now groaning about this development, take heart: Disney makes it easy to make FastPass+ reservations, even if you don’t like to ‘map out’ your day. When you get your park tickets (or hotel reservations), you’ll be prompted to select your Magic Bands (and colors), assign them to your family members, and start making FastPass+ reservations. As soon as you designate a park and select your attractions, the site will automatically suggest the best order in which to schedule your FastPasses, utilizing a park map and known parade and entertainment schedules. A planning nut like me would have done this anyway, but I realize I’m in the vast minority!

And if you decide to change your plans on the fly while at Disney, it’s easy to alter your FastPass+ reservations from the My Disney Experience App. You can make new reservations, opting for the ‘earliest time available’ feature, or skip it altogether. Even I realize that plans do change!

Step 3: Make sure you have the FastPass+ app downloaded on your smart phone

This is the easiest step, but crucial. Download the My Disney Experience App, so you’re ready to make any necessary changes to your FastPass+ schedule. If you don’t make changes, no need to check the app every time you arrive at a FastPass line: the new kiosks allow you to simply touch your Mickey ears on your Magic Band to the Mickey ears on the kiosk. Yep, it’s pretty cute.

So, how will this change the way you currently plan your Disney park day?

Here’s how I see it: extensive advanced planning will only make you more efficient in the parks and more prepared for your day. The bad news: mega planners who used to secure 6-8 FASTPASSES per day will now be limited. The good news: My old strategies for obtaining FASTPASSES throughout the day included a lot of trekking back and forth through the parks, which will now be eliminated. Families will be able to arrive at the park of their choice and virtually have three passes in their pockets, instead of the traditional none.

Because families are currently limited to three FastPass+ reservations per person (and times cannot overlap), here’s my strategy in a nutshell: 1. get to the park early, 2. ride stand-by before the park fills up, 3. have FastPass+ reservations for the afternoon, allowing for a relaxed day. Now you can use the rest of your time discovering unique things to do at DisneyWorld.

For a full play-by-play of the FastPass+ reservation process, including screen captures to illustrate the process, check out this post.

Ready to travel? Sign up for our FREE subscription list and receive an air travel and road trip ‘cheat sheet’!

Questions I have been asked:

Can I still use traditional FastPass kiosks using my Key to the World card?

The answer is, sometimes. Traditional FastPass kiosks are being phased out, and Magic Bands are replacing KTTW cards. If your Disney hotel still issues you a KTTW card (as I’ve heard some are still doing), you may have the option of using both FastPass methods. However, since the vast majority of users get 3 or fewer FastPass tickets per person per park, you’re not likely to ‘need’ both. Better to get used to the new system. If you really, really want a card or ticket to put into the kiosks, you can obtain the paper ticket type by buying admission to the parks at Downtown Disney locations or online.

Can individual members of my family reserve FastPasses to different attractions?

Of course! Just like with traditional FastPass, each Magic Band is entitled to three reservations per park, and is not tied to family members. In your park touring plan, take into account instances in which kids of various ages will want to tour separate attractions, and reserve FastPasses accordingly.

What if we’re park hopping?

Well, my answer to families wanting to park hop is usually, ‘don’t’. I advice not park hopping in most instances, the exceptions being to see a show or dine in a different park in the evening. If this is your situation, my advice is to arrive at your first park early, ride stand-by, and make your FastPass+ reservations (including the one for your entertainment or dinner) at the second park. FastPasses are at their most valuable in the afternoon, anyway.

Learn more about FastPass+ and My Magic here! And then get more DisneyWorld secrets!

How to plan your Disney vacation with FastPass+

Photo credit: Amy Whitley and Walt Disney World Resorts.

Five kid friendly New York City hotels for spring break travel

March 12, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Who doesn’t love New York City in the spring? Great travel deals abound in this ‘off season’, the weather is perfectly suited to museum touring or watching Broadway shows, and you might even luck out with a sunny day for Central Park. If you’re planning to visit New York City this spring break, pick from among the following five kid friendly New York City hotels:

1. Westin New York Grand Central:

Not only is the Westin New York Grand Central located–you guessed it–adjacent to Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, but its new Family Fun travel package hooks kids up with a New York-themed backpack and travel activity kit and a special audio tour of Grand Central. The hotel’s guest rooms are all 310+ square feet or larger (big by New York City standards), and families booking the Family Fun package get a complimentary room upgrade when available.

2. Affinia 50

We loved our stay at Midtown’s Affinia 50! Not only this hotel close in proximity to nearly everything–families can walk to Central Park, Broadway and Times Square, and Rockefeller Center–but the rooms are spacious beyond belief. Our family of six was able to stay in one suite, with room to spare. Plus, select rooms at Affinia 50 include full kitchens, which really assists a New York City travel budget. Affinia 50 also allows for ample downtime with a second floor guest lobby filled with comfy chairs, newspapers, TVs, and gaming centers for kids.

3. Hotel Beacon:

If you want to situate your stay on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Hotel Beacon is for you. Half of Hotel Beacon‘s rooms are one or two-bedroom suites ideal for families, and the tree-lined streets up the West Side are quiet and safe. Families staying here are close to Central Park and its museums, including the popular American Museum of Natural History, and all rooms have kitchenettes.

4. Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC:

With a reputation as a party hotel for young, hip New Yorkers, not many families consider a stay here. In truth, Gansevoort Meatpacking offers many incentives to families, including free baby amenities (such as wipes and even strollers on loan), Nintendo gaming consoles in the rooms, and a room service kid menu. Best of all, Gansevoort offers what few New York hotels can boost: a swimming pool. Located on the rooftop, the Gansevoort pool will be a vacation favorite!

5. Omni Berkshire Place:

We love Omni hotels! Whenever we stay at one, the kids can’t wait to stand at the check-in counter with me. Why? They know they’ll get something special. At Omni Berkshire Place, kids receive a full suitcase of toys upon check-in, in additional to Omni’s promise of milk and cookies during turn-down service. Berkshire’s On a Whim package gives families 15% off even when booked last minute, and for families booking for spring break, their spring package includes a hotel credit and welcome fruit plate (always appreciated by our crowd!).

Hoodoo Ski Area: family skiing in the NW

March 10, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

The motto of Central Oregon’s Hoodoo Ski Area is ‘steeper, deeper, cheaper’. After spending a full day on the mountain, we concur. Located in the Willamette National Forest about 12 miles from Sisters, Oregon, Hoodoo is only an hour from much larger (and more costly) Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, and even in a drought year, enjoyed over 160 cm of powder the March day we visited. As for ‘steeper’, Hoodoo certainly has its challenging runs, but for us, the challenge came from the thick powder and terrain more than from sheer vertical angle. For the steepest skiing in the Northwest, we suggest Mt. Ashland Ski Area in Southern Oregon.

We visited Hoodoo on their annual Winter Carnival day, which includes wildly fun extras in the already low lift ticket price: a ‘dummy derby’ of creatively decorated sleds sent down the slope, a bonfire, games such as archery and axe throwing (yes, we competed), a pie-eating contest, and fireworks. The community spirit at this family-owned ski resort was high, but we noticed details that suggested Hoodoo is always a friendly, community-driven resort, not just during their carnival. For instance, families are encouraged to bring in outside food to most sections of the spacious lodge, creating an almost pot-luck atmosphere during meal times. Many even brought crock pots and plugged them in at the tables: a practice we’re used to coming from a small ski resort ourselves, but which is literally unheard of at large resorts. We observed many skiers and snowboarders going out of their way to assist children carrying gear, and every staff member was cheerful, friendly, and helpful.

Hoodoo offers five lifts, and no, none of them include high tech windbreak bubbles or seat warmers. This is old-school skiing, but after spending roughly half the price on lift tickets as you might at mega resorts, you won’t mind the scenic route up the mountain. Beginner terrain is accessed from Manzanita Chair and Easy Rider (a separate ticket price allows beginners to access Easy Rider all day for a discount), and intermediate skiers will find the most options off Ed Chair and Hodag Chair. The Big Green Machine takes you to the top, where a ridge and face await. We felt the black diamond runs had earned their designation, especially on a day like we had, which included heavy, choppy snow. There is a small terrain park off Manzanita Chair, but the bigger thrills for our tween and teen boys awaited them in the trees: Hoodoo offers excellent tree and glade skiing, especially around mid-mountain off Big Green Machine (there’s even an option to off-load at the half-way point of this chair).

Hoodoo offers a day care center on-site (a surprise for a small resort), dining services, and full lesson packages and rentals. The lodge is open, bright, and larger than we expected. Remember that homegrown, community feel I spoke of? It’s alive and well in other ways too: throughout the lodge, air hockey and pool tables are on offer, and there’s a fun little arcade for kids. Our boys had a blast playing games in the area adjacent to the bar while we relaxed.

It’s impossible not to notice Hoodoo’s signature rental item: the snow bikes. These skis on bike frames can be rented on-site for $30-$50, and include a 30-minute lesson to get the basics of the particular bike. If you’re brand new to snow biking, a ‘license’ is required, making the lesson and rental package $40 instead of $30. Next time we visit Hoodoo, we’ll be trying it out! Hoodoo also offers their Autobahn tubing park and miles of nordic trails. Trail tickets are $14 for adults, but on most Tuesdays and Thursdays (their non-grooming days) the trails are free.

Tips for visiting smaller Oregon ski resorts: As an Oregon resident and frequent visitor of smaller and family-owned ski resorts, I recommend keeping the following in mind:

Be sure to obtain and display an Oregon snow parks parking permit in your vehicle. Permits are only a few bucks for a single day pass, or around $20 for the season. Pick them up in the lodge, or at your accommodations.
Bring quarters for the arcade games and pool tables!
If you bring your own lunch, store it to the side of lodge areas permitting gear. Keep tables clear for others while you’re skiing. Be sure to ask whether the ski area charges a small fee for extras such as empty cups, bowls, or utensils you may need.
Keep your outerwear weatherproofed. Small ski resort chair lifts can be wet, snowy, and chilly on the bum!

Date last visited:

March 1, 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Hoodoo is located on Highway 20, about 30 minutes from Highway 97. It’s an hour and forty-five minutes from I-5 at Salem, OR.

Lift ticket rates:

At the time of our visit, adult all-day tickets sold for $45 and a child ticket was just $31. Kids five and under are always free. Night skiing is offered Friday and Saturday nights.

Lodging:

There isn’t on-site lodging at Hoodoo, but we recommend staying at Black Butte Ranch located 12 miles away near Sisters. Black Butte offers home rentals, recreation centers, dining, and kids’ programming. For a quieter stay, try Lodge at Suttle Lake.

Directions:

From Bend OR, take Highway 20 through Sisters and up the pass to Hoodoo Ski Area. From Salem Or, take Highway 20 from the opposite direction. Hoodoo is very easy to access!

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Hoodoo Ski Area as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. While we appreciate Hoodoo’s hospitality, all opinions are our own.

Portland hotel review: Embassy Suites Portland Downtown

March 5, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

As a brand, I love Embassy Suites. We always find tremendous value for the money here. The Embassy Suites Portland Downtown is no exception. While there are many great lodging options in downtown Portland (check our Portland hotel review listings), including several with perhaps more character and historical interest, we’ve yet to find a Portland hotel that offers more kid-friendly amenities amid luxury in the heart of the city. Need a few examples? Embassy Suites Portland Downtown offers true all-suite lodging—with two actual rooms per suite, not just a partition—one of the only on-site indoor pools in the downtown area, free cooked-to-order breakfast, a free evening reception, and a location two blocks from the MAX line and three blocks from the waterfront.

Confession time: free breakfast is very important to us. With three growing kids, we really value this amenity, and while location is our first priority in choosing a hotel, free breakfast is right up there. It saves us time, money, and hassle. During our two night stay at the Embassy Suites, we ate two very happy meals in the lobby breakfast room, where my omelette-loving son was in heaven. Also offered: pancakes, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, oatmeal, grits, danishes and muffins, and cold cereals.

Each day of our Portland stay, we left the car at the hotel and hopped on the MAX line (free in the downtown sector, cheap if venturing further) and went to Washington Park, Pioneer Square, and other stops. Not only was taking the MAX fun for the young kids in our group, we saved on driving and parking stress and expense. Parking at Embassy Suites is $25/day in self park, or $32 in valet (with in and out privileges). To me, valet parking is worth the upgrade.

We opted for two suites at the Embassy for our group of nine, which suited perfectly (is that a pun?). The division (with door) between sleeping area and living area allowed us to put the young kids to bed while the teenagers could stay up later. In the outer (living) room, the pull-out couch slept two, though we found it to sleep one more comfortably. Our bedrooms had two queen-sized beds each. Our rooms had both microwaves and fridges, allowing us to store leftovers from dinners out and keep the necessary snacks and drinks on-hand for the toddlers, without having to hassle with coolers. Of course, you also have a coffee maker. We actually made full toddler-friendly meals in-room.

For entertainment for the early risers, we hit the indoor pool and exercise facility. Located on the lower level, this space is pleasantly large and suited for kids. The exercise room is located above the pool, but does have frosted windows, so it’s not possible to see swimmers from the machines (for better or for worse, you decide). There are two hot tubs on the pool deck, and a decently-sized swimming pool with a fun fountain on one end. The pool is kept pretty cool. Changing rooms are not available on the pool deck, but towels are stacked and ready.

Every evening (usually between 4 and 6) the Evening Reception serves complimentary wine and light appetizers. While this service isn’t as kid-friendly as some (I’m looking at you, Hotel Monaco), it does offer some snacks for the kids. It won’t replace a meal, but works as a nice tide-over before a later dinner out.

Rates:

At the time of our visit, standard suites started at $150/night.

Directions:

Embassy Suites Portland Downtown is located at 319 SW Pine Street in Portland, one block from Burnside and three from Naito Parkway. From I-5, follow signage to downtown/waterfront and take Naito Parkway to Pine.

Photo credit: Amy Whitley and Embassy Suites.

Portland with kids: Oregon Zoo

March 3, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

We love the Oregon Zoo! Like many Oregon Zoo reviews attest, we love that it’s small enough to be manageable in one day with young kids, but large enough to stay interesting time after time. We toured the entire thing with a five-year-old and three-year-old (plus older kids) and the entire loop took us about three and a half hours. With five main sections of the park—Great Northwest, Africa, Pacific Shores, Fragile Forests, and Asia, you’ll want to plan your visit around what interests you most if you have less time to ensure kids see their favorites before feet tire out. There’s also gardens, lawns, and plenty of food choices in the zoo.

Some secondary attractions are seasonal—such as some food vendors and staffing at smaller exhibits like the Insect Zoo—but the zoo is open year-round. We visited most recently during a cold snap in early January, but still found most animals to be out and about (and quite lively). We recommend bringing a wagon or stroller for your younger kids (or renting them at the shop directly past the entrance) and planning on a mid-visit break on the lawn near the elephant exhibit at the back of the park. In winter, plan a mid-point break in any of the heated indoor exhibits with seating, such as the main space in Africa or the Amazon exhibit areas. Near the Insect Zoo and Lorikeet Landing, families can find respite in the form of kid-centric activities and programs about animals in kids’ own backyards during the summer months. This is also a great place to stop when feeling overwhelmed!

During our visit, the popular zoo train was getting a makeover and new route, but it’s planned to be opened again in 2014. Ditto for a brand new exhibit on California Condors, to be located near the Great Northwest section of the park. In 2015, a brand new elephant land will be completed as well. The Oregon Zoo is certainly growing!

Zoo Lights:

If you’re visiting during the winter holiday season, plan your visit around Zoo Lights, as we did. Enter the park at any time, and stay after dark to see the zoo transformed with thousands of twinkling and colorful lights along zoo pathways and train routes. See a glowing forest, enter rainbow-lit tunnels, and take in a world of animal sculptures. Zoo Lights tickets are sold separately if you don’t plan to enter as a regular zoo guest earlier in the day, and stays open until 8 pm. If you have young kids, plan to enter the park just a few hours before the lights turn on (around 4:30 pm) to ensure they have the stamina needed!

Admission:

Adults are $11.50, kids (3-11) are $8.50, and kids two and under are free.

Hours:

Hours vary by season. During our visit, the winter hours were 10 am to 4 pm. In summer, ground stay open until 7 pm. Zoos always close early to accommodate animals, so plan to arrive early in the day.

Tip: Make a full day of Washington Park by visiting the zoo, Portland Children’s Museum, and World Forestry Center, or in summer, visit the International Rose Test Garden or Woodlands Trail.

Dining:

Two main dining options exist in the park (both family restaurants with quick-service counter ordering). Both offer burgers, hot dogs, soups, and a few speciality items, plus generously-sized kids’ meals. The food is surprisingly good. Numerous snack kiosks are also on-hand, and food can be brought in by guests and eaten in designated areas.

Directions:

The Oregon Zoo is located in Washington Park, easily accessed by car (there’s a nicely sized parking lot) or MAX line.

Disclosure: As I disclose whenever applicable, our party received admission passes to the Oregon Zoo for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Where to stay near the Orlando airport: a review of Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport

February 28, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re looking for a place to stay near the airport before or after your Orlando theme park vacation, our pick is the Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport. We made a reservation at the Sheraton following a long travel day, opting to arrive at our main destination of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort the next morning. After all, no need to pay Disney deluxe resort prices when you arrive very late and are very tired.

The Sheraton Orlando is a Starwood property, which I have found to be consistently great. High standards were upheld throughout our stay, from the large family suites (with separate bedroom and living space (with an additional pull-out bed) to the dining options, pool, and shuttle service. Starwood members purchasing their room in points will get a steal: our room in April 2013 only coast us 3,500 points. We ordered room service upon our arrival, and the hotel allowed us to pay for that with points as well.

Rooms are all suites, with two TVs, a large bathroom with plenty of counter space (though only one sink in our room), mini fridges, microwaves, and coffee makers. There’s extra counter space near the microwave in the living space, making it easier to prepare simple snacks and breakfast. If you opt to eat at the hotel, they do offer room service (a lifesaver when we arrived very tired) and an on-site restaurant. There’s also a Starbucks if you’re in a hurry in the morning, and a fitness center with indoor-outdoor pool (and patio) and hot tub. Note: the pool is definitely not heated, but the hot tub is very warm…ideal in my book, but may not be in yours.

We called the front desk for the complimentary shuttle service from the airport as soon as we had our bags, and it arrived within minutes. The drive is only five minutes, and return service is offered from the hotel lobby every half hour.

We were only at the Sheraton for 14 hours, but had a great night’s sleep (Sheraton beds are some of the best, I believe), a cooling swim, a nice late night meal, and a good cup of coffee. Plus convenient transportation. We did all of the above with our Starwood points, but room rates at the time of our visit started at only $100 per night, a great value for a Sheraton hotel.

Date last visited:

April 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Right on I-4.

Directions:

if you’re driving, the Sheraton is located at 7550 Augusta National Drive. From Orlando International Airport, it’s only a five minute drive.

We’ll be making the Sheraton Airport Suites our go-to pre-Disney stop-over from here on out!

Little America: a classic Wyoming travel center

February 26, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

If you find yourself driving on I-80 through Wyoming, you’ll need a pit stop, and trust us, they’re hard to come by. Your oasis: Little America, the somewhat odd rest stop complex with an even odder name.

Located at exit 68 of I-80, Little America is the only show in miles, and it delivers: families can find a shaded playground, a few picnic tables, a large mini-market, a quick service dining option with burgers and pizza, a repair shop, gas station, and motel. Soft-serve ice cream cones are 50 cents, and other snacks such as donuts and chips are great deals also.

Dotted throughout the Little America grounds, amid colonial style buildings and parking lots, are wooden penguin cut-outs and penguin statues. These whimsical decorations seem very out of place unless you happen to know that Little America is named after Admiral Richard Byrd’s 1929 base camp in Antarctica. Even so, the Sinclair gasoline dinosaur looks ready to pounce on the unsuspecting birds.

All in all, it’s certainly a bizarre-seeming place, but most welcome for travelers to or from Salt Lake City or the Yellowstone National Park region.

Photo credit: rayb777

Date last visited:

June 2013

Admission cost:

free

Mammoth Mountain lodging option: Mammoth Mountain Inn

February 24, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Mammoth Mountain Resort’s Mammoth Mountain Inn isn’t the flashiest lodging in the Mammoth area. Nor is it the newest. But for families needing all the basic ski lodging amenities—hot tubs, game rooms, restaurants, and ski rentals and valets—it has it all, and in the most prime location on the hill.

Located directly across the parking lot from the Main Lodge and Panorama Gondola (and Broadway chair), the Mammoth Mountain Inn is friendly and inviting with a wonderful, cozy lobby with grand fireplace, full valet service, and relaxed vibe. The inn is ‘retro’ in appearance (remember A-frame entrances and wooden, connected exterior decks?) without being at all run-down. In fact, it’s spotless, and much more comfortable than other older hotels I’ve visited. Families can easily walk to the lifts and to Main Lodge.

The inn is comprised of a main building with rooms with slope views, and a secondary building of multi-room suites. You lack the views (for the most part) in the second building, but are closer to the pool and hot tubs (more on that below).

Amenities:

Next to location, the most important aspect of any ski lodging is the amenities offered. At Mammoth Mountain Inn, families are on the full village and airport shuttle service route (a big savings in transportation and parking costs), and a full ski valet and ski rental service is located in the lobby. An impressively large game room for the kids includes multiple screens and game consoles (though little else…we wished they had a ping pong table), and there’s a decently-sized exercise room.

Outside the main building in the secondary building are the hot tubs and pools. Finding them can be tricky for a first-timer: from the first floor of the main building, exit and head down the stairs to the parking lot. Cross the parking lot and take the exterior stairs of the secondary building. You’ll be in the first floor hallway. Head up the interior stairs to the second floor, and follow signs to the exterior pool and hot tub and interior hot tubs. Sounds confusing (and it is) but once you have it down, it’s only a two-minute walk from the main building. The pool area includes a small heated pool, hot tub, and three interior hot tubs, plus towels and changing rooms.

Rooms:

I stayed in a standard hotel room in the main building which included the basics and not much more (standard rooms for a family of four are $199 in regular season). You get internet, coffee service, a bathroom with tub and shower, and separate vanity area. The best thing about my standard room was the view of the ski slopes, with sliding glass door to the connected deck with chairs (no deck walls between rooms). The view was fantastic, and fun to get up in the morning and check out the conditions from the room! The only standard item missing from my room: a mini fridge, which I consider very useful for families. If you want more space, the inn offers one or two bedroom condos, some with upstairs lofts, ranging from $299 (sleeping four) to $449 (sleeping six) and $629 (sleeping 11).

Dining:

Directly inside Mammoth Mountain Lodge is Mountainside Grille and Dry Creek Bar. The bar is a great place to head while the kids are in the game room pre-dinner; the ambiance is lovely, and the bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable. Mountainside Grille is a bit pricy for most family meals, but they do offer full room service as well, which can be convenient.

On the main floor is Sierra General Store, which is a lofty name for a very small store will convenience foods, snacks, and coffee service and danishes. Don’t get me wrong: the fare here is good and prices are reasonable, but the word ‘store’ is misleading. If you’re in a condo, stock up on groceries pre-arrival.

Next door to the inn is the Yodler, a popular watering hole for apres ski among die-hard skiers and a great option for more affordable pub-fare for families. Within easy walking distance of the inn, the Yodler is friendly and lively.

Directions:

The Mammoth Mountain Inn is located at the base of Mammoth Mountain directly across from Main Lodge. From Highway 203, continue straight through Main Street and turn right on Minaret Road and follow for approximately four miles. Address: 1 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes.

Disclosure: I stayed at Mammoth Mountain Inn as a guest of Mammoth Mountain resort. All opinions are my own.