Travel Tips & Tricks Archives - Page 3 of 5

How to Date on a Cruise While Still Relaxing

November 4, 2017 by Danielle

I received this Carnival cruise & dinner at the Diamonds Steakhouse complimentary to help facilitate this post. All opinions are mine alone. #CruisingCarnival

If you’ve ever been on a cruise ship, you know how huge they are – I mean, they hold thousands of people! You’d think it’d be a challenge to leave your stateroom and still get quality time making memories with your special someone, but really it’s the ideal vacation that holds plenty of opportunities for just that. Don’t believe me? Here’s several ideas for how to date on a cruise. Yes, relaxing still encouraged!

Date on a cruise

As we shared during our travels last month – and during our post about shorter cruises earlier this week – hubby and I had the privilege to take a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas aboard Carnival Liberty. This ship can hold almost 3,000 passengers and over 1,000 crew members. While there were typically always people no matter where we went outside of our stateroom, we didn’t feel like it was crowded at all. I told hubby that since this was a trip in celebration of our 10-year anniversary, we needed to spend some really good time together. I was definitely not disappointed, as there’s PLENTY to do for dating on a cruise ship! Here’s a few of my personal favorite ideas…

Enjoy a Playlist Production

On all of my cruises (well, the three I’ve gone on so far) I’ve been surprised at the quality of entertainers during these shows. We were just passing by the theater one evening and heard the music, so decided to sit down – and were so glad that we did! The show ‘FLICK‘ during our cruise was a great evening spent together listening to the wonderful songs and beautiful choreography. Holding hands is a definite must – try to find the seats that aren’t individual, but like a bench for better snuggling. We were still talking about the show well after it was done, so it was certainly a memory for the books.

Get a Special Photograph

I will say that the professional photos taken on cruise ships don’t come cheap, but they often turn out incredible! On our first cruise together I got on with a parrot on my arm – a moment I definitely want a photo of. Most evenings – especially during ‘elegant night’, photographers are stationed in several areas around the ship, ready to take your images and print them off so you can go check them out in the photo gallery. Since we don’t get all dressed up very often, I loved that we got a really adorable photo of us in our date best! Getting at least a photo or two will give you amazing photographs to remember your trip by – since it seems once we’re parents, we don’t get many of just us two!

Laugh Together During the Love & Marriage Show

I was thrilled when I saw on the itinerary that they still had this show going – it was a huge hit with us during our first cruise, so I was hopeful it would still be as entertaining. It definitely didn’t disappoint, and the entertainment master Donkey (no, not his real name, but what he went by on the ship) did a wonderful job keeping us laughing so hard that I was seriously crying. My face even hurt from so much smiling! It was not only great to laugh together, but afterwards we discussed the questions that the couples on stage were asked, such as when they met….and then it gets more R rated from there 😉 We decided that someday we’ll try to be one of the three couples selected – but boy would I be nervous!

Take an Adventurous Excursion Together

Since it was a shorter cruise, we only stopped one day at a port – Nassau, Bahamas. I’d been here before, and couldn’t wait to show hubby everything I’d enjoyed. We went to the Atlantis Resort for the day, and it was wonderful! From swimming together in pools, to sharing a 2-person raft down water slides and the not-so-lazy river, it was a fun day spent together. Not exactly relaxing, but certainly making memories. See – you can date on a cruise even when you’re not on the ship!

Do Thoughtful Little Surprises for Each Other

Sometimes dating can be as simple as a small act of love – such as waking up early, leaving a little note on the pillow in case your significant other wakes up, and grabbing them their favorite drink from the Coffee Bar. I did this for hubby one morning – he was still fast asleep when I got back, of course – and it was a thoughtful little thing that didn’t take much extra on my part but started his day off great. Plus, you never know what surprises they may do for you!

Special Dining

Let’s face it, a LOT of dates are going out to dinner, right? Well how fortunate for you to be on a ship that has MANY different options for dining! Whether it’s a quick date to the 24-hour ice cream and frozen yogurt station, a delicious meal with as much food as you could want in the elegant dining room, or you want to go EXTRA special and pay a small fee for one of the specialty steakhouses, you’ve really got plenty of choices. We had a great time on our nightly ‘dates’ to dinner, from our own table-for-two in the main dining room, and even made one evening extra special by going to the Diamonds Steakhouse. If you’re big foodies like us – or even minorly into quality food – conversation with your sweetheart over an excellent meal is still the perfect date!

Reminisce Your Youth with a Rock Concert

Yup, you heard that right – have a rockin’ good time in the theater with one of the fabulously loud concerts! Our ship had an ‘actual’ rock concert, where their talented team sang, danced and played to old favorites like Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and more. They were even handing out bandannas and glow sticks, and doing face painting (I got a purple guitar) before the show! Remember when you were younger (if you are still really young, just roll with me here, okay?) when it was totally common to go on a date to a rock concert? Now you can date on a cruise with this guitar-strumming, drum beating, vocal screaming show!

Relax In a Comfy Hammock

Search out the adult-only Serenity deck, and you’re likely to find a variety of options for sitting together. Either pull up two loungers side-by-side, curl up in one of the round, cushioned canopied seats, or find an empty hammock to snuggle in. It was so nice to just lay there, talking or just relaxing silently, as the hammock swayed back and forth gently with the ship. I seriously could’ve taken a nap there all comfy with my hubby!

What are your best ideas to date on a cruise?

Check out our other posts from our Carnival Cruise fun!

Why Shorter Cruises are Totally Worth It

5 Common Cruising Myths Debunked!

Atlantis Resort Bahamas: Our Aquaventure Day

Why Shorter Cruises are Totally Worth It

October 31, 2017 by Danielle

I received this Carnival cruise complimentary to help facilitate this post. All opinions are mine alone. #CruisingCarnival

Hubby and I returned from our 12-day anniversary trip just last week, and I’m already wishing we could go again asap! We kicked off our trip with a wonderful 3-night Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Carnival Liberty, and it was the perfect start to our relaxing. Only having been on week-long cruises before, I was a little unsure how a shorter cruise would be – but now I’m convinced there are several reasons Why Shorter Cruises are Totally Worth It! If you’re considering whether or not a 3 or 4 night cruise would be good for your trip, read on to see why it could be the PERFECT choice for your next vacation.

Shorter Cruises a Great Way to ‘Test the Waters’

If you’ve never cruised before, or someone in your party hasn’t, then shorter cruises are a great way to try out cruising. There’s still the incredible shows, games and activities, delicious foods, and unmatched service staff that you would expect from a longer cruise, so it’s great to experience it for yourself so you know if you want to book a longer one in the future.

My first cruise was a full week, and looking back I think it would’ve been beneficial to have experienced it on a smaller scale first because it takes a bit to get use to how things work. For the first few days I was hesitant to order more than a ‘normal restaurant’ would serve – but after that I enjoyed ordering two main courses and two (okay, sometimes three) desserts whenever I wanted! Simple things like that may take time for some people to get use to so they can fully enjoy all the cruising has to offer, so trying it out short-term can be a huge benefit.

Shorter Cruises are Easier to Fit Into Your Schedule

Depending on your job or home-life schedule, it can be really difficult to plan a full week away – but you still deserve an excellent vacation, right? A shorter cruise is perfect because you can be more flexible on dates, there’s a LOT of options on when to go, and you don’t miss as much work or school. If you want to just escape for part of the week for a holiday or a little extra PTO that needs to be used, this is just the ticket!

In our case, it was exactly what we needed to fit into the rest of our vacation – we knew we would be very active and exploring all day long for the remaining 8-ish days, so we wanted something that was not only fun and entertaining, but relaxing. Cruising to me is all about the freedom – you choose what activities, movies or shows to attend, when and where you want to eat, if you want to relax on your balcony or a public lounge or even the adult-only deck in a hammock or chair. So if you have a somewhat exhausting event or trip (or even work conference) planned, why not fit in a short cruise at the beginning or end from a port nearby? It’s just what the doctor ordered!

Fits More Budgets

Sometimes the vacation budget can be a bit….lacking. While I firmly believe cruising is one of the most value-to-dollar trips you can do, it may be that even a week-long one simply may be out of reach. Prices for the 3 or 4 night cruises start super low, depending on which ship, port, itinerary or stateroom category you prefer, so they’re really easy to fit into a smaller ‘get away’ budget. Or perhaps you do have enough for a full week of cruise life, but would rather pick a shorter one but go for a higher category suite to mix it up a bit. The lower cost provides you with more choices!

How Will I Do Cruising?

I was pretty nervous before my first cruise, because I had no idea how my motion sickness would be on the ship. What if I was miserable and throwing up the whole time? Luckily it was just fine, with the help of some meds, and I’ve never thrown up on a cruise ship even once! That being said – it can be understandable to worry, because everyone may have different levels of motion tolerance. Testing it out over a shorter time can be great for seeing if your stomach agrees with it or not.

Talking with the staff, some told me that they hear all the time that people waiting a really long time before trying a cruise because of this fear, then regretting having waited because it was such an incredible trip! If you’re hesitant, just try it out on a shorter itinerary and find out for yourself.

Shorter Cruises Still Get All the Benefits

Even though it’s not as long of a trip, you still get to have an amazing vacation with all the cruising offers – incredible stage shows, on-board games and parties, wide variety of entertainment, amazing food (and as much of it as you want), relaxing pools or slides or sunbathing, spa services, exciting ports of call, friendly staff and much more. Seriously, I absolutely LOVE cruising, because it’s like the perfect balance of taking it easy and relaxing, and having a super fun time!

What reasons do YOU think shorter cruises are totally worth it?

Check out our other posts from our Carnival Cruise fun!

How to Date on a Cruise

5 Common Cruising Myths Debunked!

Atlantis Resort Bahamas: Our Aquaventure Day

10 tips for sleeping well while travelling

September 12, 2017 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NatureMadeGummies #CollectiveBias

I’ve loved having the opportunity to travel so much in the past about 3 years. From business or press trips, to family vacations or visits, I think I’ve done more in the past 3 years than my whole previous life combined. I absolutely love travelling, but have to admit one of my biggest struggles: getting a decent nights sleep! Since I’ve been doing more, I needed to figure out a way to fix this – otherwise I’d be on a trip and completely exhausted. Here’s 10 Tips for Sleeping Well While Travelling that have worked for me – and maybe they’ll work great for you, as well!

#1: Use Nature Made® Melatonin Adult Gummies

Sometimes the reason we aren’t sleeping well on a trip is because our body’s cycle is messed up – maybe because the time change, or you just have to get up and go to bed at different times than normal. Taking these gummies that provide 2.5 mg of melatonin may help your body to reset its sleep and wake cycle.† Not only are they great tasting, but they’re an easy way to help support sleep!† It’s a gummy you can trust! Make sure you grab some the next time you’re at Walmart so you’ll be fully prepared.

#2: Ear Plugs

New places already feel weird, but when you’re trying to sleep it seems like every new sound and creak stands out like a hammer! If the noises keep you from sleeping well when you’re in a new place, take ear plugs. If you’re nervous about not hearing everything, try either keeping them a bit more loose (like comfy ear muffs instead of plugs) or doing just 1 ear – if you do this, I recommend switching ears each night so they’re balanced and one doesn’t get more sore. This can help at least lessen the sounds so you should be able to fall alseep easier.

#3: Have a Little Light

This doesn’t really have anything to do with ‘scared of the dark’ problems, but being in a new place can throw you off when you wake up. Plus, you aren’t use to that random coffee table on your way to the restroom, and nobody wants a bruised chin at 3 in the morning!

#4: Face Masks

Maybe there’s TOO much light coming from under the door to your hotel room, or the smoke detector has an annoyingly bright flashing light on it right above the bed. Whatever the reason, having a face mask can help block out some of those random lights or sights that may delay or interrupt our sleep when in a new place.

#5: Comfortable Pajamas

So I’m a BIG sucker for comfy pjs, but this is especially important when you’re travelling. Beds are already different, as are the blankets and pillows. At least you’ll have some familiar, comfortable pajamas during your travels!

#6: Get Things Ready for the Next Day

Often on a trip, the main thing that keeps me awake at night is worrying that I’ll be all rushed in the morning. Maybe the alarm won’t go off, or what if I need more time that I gave myself? Having everything out and ready for the next day not only helps reduce nighttime worry, but also makes your morning go more smoothly – so it’s a double win!

#7: Review Your Schedule/Task List

This is similar to #6, in that instead of laying awake worrying if you forgot something you need to do tomorrow, or wondering if the meeting was before or after lunch, just review the schedule before bed to put your mind at ease and give it a quick refresh in the morning.

#8: Give Your Body the Nutritional Support it Needs

It’s hard to sleep even at home when you’re not feeling your best, and since travelling may mean not eating like normal, you can help your body receive the nutritional support needed with Nature Made® Multi for Her plus Omega-3s Adult Gummies. You not only receive the daily nutritional support of a multivitamin, but it also has 60 mg of heart-healthy EPA and DHA omega-3s from fish oil (per serving).† Since we don’t always have control over our diet on trips, these gummies are a great-tasting convenient way to help! You can find this (along with the Melatonin) in the MultiVitamin aisle at Walmart.

#9: Plug in Your Phone Overnight

You’re not use to the amount of service your phone may get in your hotel room, so what if it’s touchy and your battery drains a lot more than planned during the night? I like to plug mine in overnight, that way I know it’ll be fully charge and ready to go for the morning, plus I won’t worry about missing an alarm.

#10: Utilize All Those Pillows

I’m use to having hubby in the bed with me, so it’s hard to sleep with all that space when I’m alone! Since hotels often provide several pillows per bed, put some on the sides of you – this helps you feel less alone, plus can also be great for when you roll over and want to snuggle 🙂

Bonus Tip: Don’t be Afraid To Ask!

Hotels and resorts are there to please, so don’t hesitate to ask the front desk if you need something. Maybe an extra blanket because it’s cold, or if you’re looking for a firmer pillow. Whatever it is that may make that little extra to help you sleep better, check with the staff and maybe it’s an easy fix!

Some of the tips for sleeping well while travelling may work for some but not others, so try a few and see what works best for you. Travelling should be exciting and fun – and yes, probably should be a bit exhausting, but not overly so 🙂

Be sure to learn more of the products Nature Made offers on their Facebook Page!

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Let me know YOUR tips for sleeping well while travelling!

Get Outside Without the Worry of Bugs

June 27, 2017 by Danielle

Compensation was provided by Guardian via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Guardian or Momtrends. #WeBeatDEET #Kroger

Going outside was a huge part of my childhood, from playing in the backyard or neighborhood, 4-wheeling or camping, and even tubing down the canal! I love to keep that up with my own kids, especially during the summer months – but sometimes there’s the worry of mosquitoes and ticks. This summer I feel more prepared and we can Get Outside Without the Worry of Bugs with Guardian, a DEET-free alternative to traditional repellents.

Guardian’s mosquito repellent really helps us – like when we visit our family back in Utah during the summer months, my dad really loves taking the kiddos on an ATV ride up the canyon or mountain.

The kids thinks it’s AMAZING, and quite a few memories have been made that way – like the time we were all the way up the mountain when it decided to completely downpour on us, so we used giant trash bags as raincoats. Needless to say, we got dirtier than usual that trip, but it definitely will be one we won’t soon forget!

On our last summer visit, we went up to a large cave in the canyon and hiked up the rocky surface a bit. The boys couldn’t believe how large it was as they stood in the cave opening! They enjoyed looking at the carvings and sketches on the walls of the rock, and felt like real ‘explorers’. Things like that are what help make a childhood great – getting outside, exploring, and making incredible memories even if they don’t seem ‘extra special’. To kids, they absolutely are.

When we go on adventures like this, or sit on a grassy field to watch the fireworks for the 4th of July, or any other outside occasion when the mosquitoes come out – plus the constant possibility of ticks in the outdoors – I don’t want to be so worried that it’ll interfere with these good times with my family. I’ve already stocked up on a bunch of Guardian Wilderness (for getting REALLY outdoors, and lasts up to 8 hours) and Guardian Backyard (for those shorter adventures, this lasts up to 4 hours) from my local Kroger store.

I love that it’s a plant-based, non-toxic alternative to traditional DEET-based repellents, making it safer for my kids when used as directed. Our kiddos’ safety and comfort and of the utmost importance, so for me this takes a big weight off my mind. You get safe ingredients AND the strong, powerful bug repellent needed for those great adventures. If you hate those weird, nasty smells from some DEET-based mosquito repellents, you’ll be relieved to hear that Guardian has a citrus-vanilla scent from the essential oil ingredients. No need to stink just because you’re outside, right? 😉 For my extra-sensitive skinned kids, this is an especially good solution!

Want to stock up to prepare for your own outdoor, family adventures? Starting June 18th Kroger will be featuring Guardian at 25% off!

Check out Guardian on Facebook & Twitter

Kauai: Adventures in Paradise

June 12, 2017 by Danielle

This Kauai Adventure Trip was provided to me free of charge by Kauai Visitors Bureau, but all opinions are mine alone. #KauaiDiscovery

I’ve dreamed my whole life of visiting Hawaii – my mom grew up there and always talked about it, people loved to vacation there and had such fond memories, so I knew it must be incredible. When I was given a chance to experience the Hawaiian island of Kauai, I couldn’t hide how completely excited I was! It was a whirlwind of a week – well, 5 and a half days to be exact – full of adventure, beautiful scenery, crazy stories and new friends. While I’ve got a lot more posts coming this summer to give you all the details for the many things we tried and saw, today I’m sharing my overall love of Kauai: Adventures in Paradise!

To be fully straight, pictures just can’t do justice to the beauty of Kauai – everywhere we were, there was greenery and colorful flowers, lovely sky above and views of lush mountains and the bluest ocean scenes I’ve ever laid eyes on. One of our guides, Robert for horseback riding, said ‘I don’t know how many shades of blue there are, but they’re all out there’ as we looked to the horizon and the jaw-dropping ocean that lay out there. He was so right! The gorgeousness everywhere was a big part of why I’m completely in love with Kauai, and can’t wait to go back! Check out this sunset view – taken just with my phone, and no editing – that’s the natural coloring of it!

Not only was it a textbook definition of PARADISE, but we also had a blast with all the different adventures we got to try. Some were completely out of my comfort zone, but left me wanting to do it again – like the Outfitters Kaua‘i: AdrenaLine Kaua‘i Zipline Course.

Some were a bit more relaxing, like our Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures: Star Nāpali Snorkel BBQ Catamaran Sail where we saw dolphins swimming along our boat, as well as SEA TURTLES (yes, I was in heaven!)…

…or the sunrise ceremony we got to enjoy nice (eeek!) and early our first morning on the island.

We got to try horseback riding with CJM Country Stables: Māhā‘ulepū Beach Ride over the mountains and along the beach, and my horse – named BoJangles – was quite the adventurer himself!

My motion sickness almost got in the way of the fantastic helicopter ride with Island Helicopters Kauaʻi that we took over to Jurassic Falls and all over the island, but even though I felt sick it was COMPLETELY worth it and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

During an off-roading ATV ride with Kīpu Ranch Adventures: Ultimate Ranch Tour, we got to see famous movie sites (like Jurassic Park, George of the Jungle, Pirates of the Caribbean and more), and even got to swing into the river by the very rope swing used in Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark!

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a Luau, and with the delicious food, train ride throughout what use to be a sugar plantation, hula dancing, and an incredible show, it was an unforgettable night at Lūʻau Kalamakū.

We made a goal of trying a new Shaved Ice every day, and it was a challenge we were happy to attempt! I still haven’t decided which one was my favorite, though.

I think we adventured as much with FOOD as we did with activities – from delicious dishes, the freshest product anywhere, and so many fruity and fun drinks I thought I’d never be hungry again!

I was personally very happy that Kauai’s ‘color’ is purple, so we received many beautiful, fresh leis in my favorite color – sadly they couldn’t last very long, though, being real, fresh flowers.

One thing that made this a completely unforgettable trip was the fabulous group we were with – Julie and Erin, our guides for the week from the Kauai Visitor’s Bureau, were a total blast and made it their mission to ensure we were well taken care of. The other 6 gals (7 with me, plus Erin & Julie made 9 total) were all incredible, and I loved spending the week exploring and learning with them. Thank you ladies for the wonderful memories!

We weren’t expected FOUR of us to be from the Dallas area, but loved getting to know each other more – and I hope to chill with Kileen, Susie and Debra again really soon.

One other lady I absolutely MUST recognize is Sue – also known as ‘Miss Kauai’ because everyone on the island seems to know her! She’s head of the visitor’s bureau, and it’s thanks to her we got to experience this adventure and learn all that Kauai has to offer. Thank you so much, Sue!

Stay tuned for more details from my Kauai trip, coming soon!

* Aqua Kauaʻi Beach Resort

* Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū, Autograph Collection

* Kauai – the FOOD

Follow the Kauai Visitors Bureau on Instagram & Facebook!

Disneyland for Toddlers

April 24, 2017 by Danielle

Where should you take your toddler on vacation? The happiest place on Earth is definitely high on many people’s lists – every kid LOVES Disneyland and the magic it has to offer! I’ve gathered some tips and tricks for Disneyland for Toddlers so you can have the most magical (and least stressful or tantrum-filled) vacation possible!

Contains affiliate links that support this blog at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.

What makes it an even more magical experience are the savings you can get if you book through Get Away Today. They have the lowest prices for discount Disneyland tickets and hotel rates and, if you use promo code BusyMomsHelper you can get an additional $10 off your Southern California vacation package. That’s like two extra Dole Whips or Mickey Ice Cream Bars – woot woot!

Strollers:

To make strolling through the parks a little easier, you’ll want to have a stroller at Disneyland for toddlers. If you don’t want to pack one with you, they are available to rent right outside the main entrance of Disneyland and can be used in both parks. However, you cannot take them in the Downtown Disney District. They cost $15 per day for one stroller or $25 a day for two. Strollers are also great resources for any sleepy children to take a quick nap while you walk through the park, or so dad doesn’t have to carry them on their shoulders even more 🙂

Resting:

Speaking of sleepy children, there are some good resting spots throughout the parks. You can find tons of shaded spots in A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure park or most eating areas. If you need a longer rest and a break from the sun, Frozen Live at the Hyperion Theater will surely cool you off. You can also stay in one of the Disney properties or a hotel near the park in case your littles need a nap.

Rides:

There’s a ton of fun to be had at Disneyland for toddlers. The parks are a kid-friendly place and has made sure to incorporate many kid-friendly rides throughout the park. Some of these include Jungle Cruise, “it’s a small world” and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. Disney California Adventure also offers several toddler-friendly rides like Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, Toy Story Mania, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and Flik’s Flyers. These are just the tip of the Matterhorn! There are MANY more rides that you and your toddlers will love throughout the Disneyland Resort. You can nab our free printable ride lists with height requirements here (or the ones for WDW here)!

Snacks:

What can turn a sad and tired toddler into a happy one? SNACKS! Disneyland is fully equipped with magical treats throughout the park such as churros, popcorn and refreshing drinks. They are the perfect pick-me-up for any low energy members of your family and bring a smile to anyone’s face. They also make waiting in line more fun and watching a firework show or parade even better. Some of my favorite snacks are the Pineapple Dole Whip, cream cheese pretzel and the beignets (especially the pumpkin ones around Halloween!).

Autographs & Activities:

Don’t forget to keep them happy and occupied during the lines and while waiting for food, and our Unofficial Disneyland Activity & Autograph Book (or a generic Disney one for WDW) is perfect fun for all ages with coloring, connect the dots, jokes, mazes and much more full of Disney-themed play!

Now that you know how to make your child the happiest toddler on earth while at the Happiest Place on Earth, what are you waiting for? Book your Disneyland packages now through Get Away Today and take advantage of their discount Disneyland tickets! Call 855-GET- AWAY or visit getawaytoday.com and use promo code BusyMomsHelper to get an additional $10 off your Southern California vacation package.

What to Pack for Disney Trips

April 20, 2017 by Danielle

It’s probably obvious by now that I’ve had many trips to Disney over the years – mostly Disneyland in California, but I’ve been giving Walt Disney World some tries now, too. Since I hate over-packing, but also love to be prepared, I’ve learned What to Pack for Disney Trips that will really help the vacation go more smoothly and may just save the day!

Contains affiliate links that help support this blog at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.

Good Day Pack: This is my new favorite bag to take with me to any theme parks because it’s water-resistant, lightweight, AND it can fold up super tiny. It’s got plenty of compartments for keeping your stuff organized, and the shoulder straps are plenty comfortable for wearing it all day. I had no problems with it in any of the parks or rides (that allowed items on), and it was great to have everything easy to get to.

Nab the best deals on tickets/hotel here! Use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper for more savings!

Medicine: I like to keep things like ibuprofen/acetaminophen and allergy meds with me on trips, because you never know when you’ll need them. I also ALWAYS take Dramamine Non-Drowsy Naturals, just in case I would get motion sick on the buses or rides. I want to enjoy my day, not spend it miserable!

Disney Parks Products: whether you want a specially designed MagicBand, or some accessories to add to it, or perhaps a Mickey bag or ears, check out here for some awesome options!

Be sure to check out Michael’s VIPs for great tour guides on your trip!

Portable Battery Pack: Even if you’re ‘disconnecting’ during your trip, you still probably want a reliable battery backup in case you’re taking lots of photos, needing to contact your party in another area of the park, or just in case you need to do another social media share (share the fun!). I take both a large one (to share with others, you can charge multiple devices at a time) and a smaller battery charger one for charging a single device.

Star Wars Fun: if you’re a big fan of Star Wars, like us, then you’re probably going to want SOMETHING to take with you to the parks – maybe a Millennium Falcon jacket, or a BB-8 USB Charger. Whatever you need, there’s so many great products and ideas here!

Ponchos: If you’re going on Grizzly Rapids in Disneyland, or Kali River Rapids at Disney World – or even Splash Mountain – you may want a poncho. Plus, in Florida it often rains during the afternoon many parts of the year, so it’s best to be prepared. You can buy nice, reusable ones – or I prefer cheap ones that I can just throw away afterwards instead of waiting for it to dry to put it away.
First Aid Supplies: Yes, they do have first aid supplies at the parks in case you get injured, but I like to have a few on-hand for when I’m back at the hotel, or just in case I don’t want to walk all the way to wherever the park supplies are. In case of small cuts or open blisters, I like New Skin, and for blisters on my feet I’m a big fan of using mole skin patches because you will be doing a TON of walking!
Phone Grips: Since you could be holding your phone doing pictures while walking, or in line for a ride, or whatever the reason – sometimes you can get bumped in the crowds and your phone falls to the ground. That doesn’t exactly help a happy vacation! These simple phone grips are nice to have to give a little extra grip on your device, and also more comfortable for your hand.

Hand Sanitizer: I like to keep mini bottles of this on my backpack, so I can easily access if any sticky, or just plain gross, situations occur like a dirty hand railing or ride. It’s also nice and quick if you’re in a hurry to get out of the bathroom, but the sinks are all busy!

Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads: I was really skeptical when people kept recommending these cooling towels, but now I won’t do the parks without them! You get them wet, wring them out, then they’re nice and cool for your neck or arms or wherever. If the cooling affect goes away, just wet and wring them again. Super nice on a hot day in the crowds.
Sunscreen: Okay, probably an obvious one, but you’d be surprised how many people forget – and a good way to destroy a vacation is with a nasty sunburn!

Activities & Autograph Books: This is especially needed if you have kids, but even adults can have fun with it, right? We love our themed books – available via printed books on Amazon or pdf download!

Nab the best deals on tickets/hotel here! Use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper for more savings!

Water Bottle: You can get free water at the counters in the park (not bottled), so it’s nice to have a refillable water bottle to take with you. If you don’t like the taste of water, grab some flavorings to take with! Since it’s a pain carrying around a bulky bottle, find a good collapsible one.

What are YOUR top picks to pack for Disney trips?

Family Roadtrip Essentials

April 17, 2017 by Danielle

Being a mom of a big family, I love and cherish the time we get to unplug and hit the road for vacation. But…let’s face it mamas, road-tripping with your clan can be a challenge, right? I’m thinking ahead this year and put together this list of my Family Roadtrip Essentials to entertain cranky kiddos and ease the ride for us!

Contains affiliate links that help keep this blog up, at no extra cost to you. See our Disclosure.

If you’re going to be hitting the road this summer, you need to make sure you’re organized and prepared. Even with one child and a spouse, being prepared can ensure everyone has a great time and the car stays relatively clean and tidy. A mom can dream right? 😉

1. Universal Backseat Organizer [Keep everything neat and tidy on your next roadtrip with this backseat organizer]

2. First Aid Kit [Be ready for any first aid emergency with this kit]

3. Personal Cooler/Warmer [Keep your snacks warm or cool as you travel with this car cooler/warmer]

4. Trunk Organizer [This organizer will keep everything neat and tidy in your trunk space]

5. Car Top Carrier [A car top carrier for the cars without racks, give yourself more space inside the car with this carrier]

6. Roof Rack Cross Bars [These cross bars are great for your roof racks]

7. Thule Rooftop Cargo Case [Keep your car space free with this amazing car top carrier]

8. 4 Piece Luggage Set [Pack up the family with this suitcase set and head out on your roadtrip]

9. 3 Piece Kids Luggage Set For Girls [This 3 piece set for little girls is the perfect set for roadtrips]

10. 3 Piece Kids Luggage Set For Boys [We didn’t forget the boys, this set is another perfect set for their travel needs]

11. Mad Libs On The Road [Have fun in the car with this Mad Libs On The Road Pad]

12. National Geographic Kids Ultimate Atlas Game Set [Pass the time and keep the kids busy with this great National Geographic Game Set]

13. Road trip Table Topics [This conversation starter is a great way to get your family talking as you travel]

14. 50 States and 5000 Ideas [Need roadtrip ideas, this book has over 5000 ideas to help you plan the perfect family roadtrip]

15. AAA Emergency Road Side Kit [Be prepared for any roadside emrgency with this kit]

16. Large Scale Atlas [Keep this in your glove box for your next road trip]

17. Charger Station [Keep everything charged with this charging station for your car]

18. Kindle fire for kids [Keep the kids entertained with this kindle fire for kids]

19. Children Headphones [Keep your sanity while the kids are entertained with their tablets with these kid friendly headphones]

20. Snack Box [This box is packed with amazing snacks perfect for your next roadtrip]

Want more road trip ideas?

Which family road trip essential would you add to this list?

No Sew Dog Travel Cushion

March 20, 2017 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FeedDogsPurina #CollectiveBias

Wow, we just finished Spring Break and it was a rush! While we didn’t do much, it was a nice break – and made us even more eager for summer vacation in a few months. One thing about our summers is that we usually do a road trip to Utah (yes, we make the 20+ hour drive!) to visit family for a week or two. Since we couldn’t possibly leave our pups out of the fun, they join in our travels. Being stuck in a van that long isn’t the best, but this No Sew Dog Travel Cushion makes it much more comfortable for our pets!

It doesn’t take many supplies, and takes less than 20 minutes to put together. I love that it’s so easy to make, plus is simple to toss in the wash when needed. While you’re grabbing the few supplies you need at Target, don’t forget to be prepared with plenty of your pet’s favorite Purina dry dog food products. We grabbed a big bag of BENEFUL® Original from the amazing variety of Purina products available at Target in the pet aisle. We love that meat is the #1 ingredients with whole grains and vegetables – and our dogs love the taste!

Just like it would be the ‘end of the world’ if we forgot snacks for the kids during the long drive, our pets need their food, too. When we stop for a break, we let the family stretch their legs and the dogs can enjoy more sprawling room in the back of the van – complete with their dog travel cushion and a bowl of Beneful from Purina!

You can customize your own pet travel cushion to best fit your needs – and vehicle. The key is measuring the space where you want it to lay, and getting the proper padding and fabric amount to accommodate a cushion for that area.

Supplies

Foam Padding (we did 2″ deep, since our dogs are bigger/heavier) sized for your area
Fabric – sturdy and thick (enough to overlap the foam for your size area)
Adhesive Velcro strips
Scissors
Marker/Pen for marking your foam pad

Directions

Measure your area, then mark on the foam pad the dimensions. Cut along the markings.
Cut your fabric so it wraps around the cut foam pad, plus a little overlapping on the edge and sides.
Add your velcro strip on the two ends and the bottom, to hold it firmly onto the foam pad.

That’s it – told you it was easy! When you’re ready to wash it, just take off the fabric with the velcro and toss it in the machine. I recommended thick fabric because you don’t want it to get ruined quickly with your dog laying on it for long periods of time. If you want to protect the foam pad even more, you can just add a trash bag as a liner beneath the fabric – so it’s still comfortable for your pet, but makes the padding last longer 🙂

Since travelling can be expensive, why not save up a little more with some great Cartwheel offers from Target? I’m all for saving more money on products I regularly need!

Be sure to follow my friends at Purina on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest or even Instagram!

More Purina Dog Awesomeness

Transportation at Walt Disney World & Universal Orlando

March 4, 2017 by Danielle

As many of you know, I’m a seasoned Disneyland traveler – I’ve been there more times than I can count, and consider myself a bit of an expert. When it comes to my trip to Orlando last October, though, I was in a whole new adventure trying to figure everything out. There’s so many aspects to my trip to Disney World & Universal that were new and different, but one of the most confusing was getting around places! Here’s what I learned about Transportation at Walt Disney World & Orlando.

Magical Express

If you’re staying at a Disney World resort, you can utilize their FREE Magical Express bus system. They even grab your checked bags and deliver them to your hotel room for you, if you like! You reserve this in advance, and they send you special tags for your bags so they have an easier time locating them and making sure they end up at the correct destination. I don’t have photos of them because, of course, I lost them the day prior to leaving so wasn’t able to utilize this 🙁

When you arrive in Orlando, you follow the signs for Magical Express, use your magic band to scan at the desk, then they direct you to the appropriate line. And guys….where is line #7?!

I’ll be honest, it felt a LOT like a herd of cattle there, being divided into our different lines and waiting until the next bus came. At least we were waiting indoors, so that’s a perk.

When they arrived, we scanned our bands again to make sure we were boarding the correct one, handed bags (if you have some) to the driver to store under the bus, then climb on board.

There’s a TV screen that does short cartoons, announcements or fun little ‘safety briefings’. And yes, there’s a restroom on the bus, for those that may need it. The bus wasn’t anything elaborate, just a regular tour bus type ride – not extremely uncomfortable, but not too comfy either.

The buses go to various Disney hotels – some only go to 1, while others make a couple of stops. We stayed at the All-Star Movies Resort first, so it did a quick stop at All-Star Sports and Music before hitting ours.

For the return trip, just confirm at your hotel lobby and get your tickets and time you need to be down to meet the Magical Express to go back to the airport.

Other Airport Options

If you want to do your OWN time and place for when you arrive, you could always use one of these other options to get to and from the airport…

Uber
Taxi Cab
Private Car
Shuttle (like Mears)

At Walt Disney World

This is where I kept getting really confused – luckily I had Michael’s VIPs to help me know what I should take and when! It seems like every hotel has a shuttle for each of the Disney parks, as well as Disney Springs. I was told they leave every 20 minutes or so, which seemed mostly accurate for the times we used them. There are seats, but also standing room with poles and bars you can hold on to for when it’s extremely crowded – which it seemed to be mostly at the start and end of the day. Not a very comfortable ride, but it got us where we needed to go just fine and it was free.

The Disney Monorail was convenient when we were at the Contemporary just going in that small loop between the main monorail station, the Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian, and the Magic Kingdom (then back to Contemporary). It stopped at each, and sometimes was VERY crowded – especially at the end of the day, which is when everyone is tired so the seats are often taken. The monorail that goes from outside that little loop and then back to the main monorail station was a nightmare, though! When we were trying to get back to Contemporary from Epcot, it had such a long line – and the wait for the monorail to even get there was quite extensive. Then we had to hop onto the loop monorail, which took another long wait, until we finally got back to the Contemporary. From getting in line at the Epcot monorail to getting off at Contemporary took us over an hour – not fun.

When we had early breakfast reservations, it was much easier to just call an Uber. They can’t go EVERYWHERE, like certain park entrances, but you can have them drop you off at hotels or somewhere nearby when needed. Yes, you have to pay, but the time and hassle it saved us some days was more than worth it, especially if you’re park hopping.

At Universal Studios

Since Universal’s parks are all right around each other, there’s not much of a hassle getting between places. From their on-site hotels, you can take the shuttle, or the closer ones like Loews Royal Pacific offer boats to take you from the hotel to City Walk. From there, you can also take a beautiful walking path that wasn’t that long – the kids even did fine on it at the end of a long day. The Hard Rock Hotel seemed to be the closest, being able to just walk right out by the park entrances.

I didn’t have to worry about further distances here, so can’t offer much more input there. We did take a private car from Disney World to Universal on this particular trip, and it made it super convenient – our own timing and pick-up/drop-off locations, professional service, very comfortable ride, and our driver was able to tell us about things we passed.

Just ask Michael’s VIPs when you’re planning your trip, and they can help with all your transportation coordinating!

Don’t forget to check Get Away Today for great ticket/hotel prices for your trip – and use

Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper for even more savings!

10 Reasons to Choose Michael’s VIPs Tour Guides

March 1, 2017 by Danielle

I was provided tour guide services to facilitate this review. All opinions are entirely my own.

Want to know what one of my favorite things about vacations is? The memories – whether they’re good, bad, hilarious or down-right embarrassing! And yes, I have plenty of those 🙂 One of my least favorite things, on the other hand, is the stress and hassle involved. That’s one of several Reasons to Choose Michael’s VIPs Tour Guides for your next Orlando vacation!

May contain affiliate links that help support this blog. See our disclosure.

If you’ve been on a family trip in Orlando, I bet you can remember seeing the people who were just DONE with their ‘magical vacation’. The grumpy group arguing over everything, or the family that’s shoving through crowds to get to the next ride first. That’s NOT the best way to spend a vacation – and yes, I’ve been there and done that. After experiencing an absolutely amazing trip last year, though, I’m now convinced that my family needs a tour guide for all our future trips – for our own sanity and happy-memory-making sakes! And I know who I’m calling every time – Michael’s VIPs offers so much more than just showing you around. Here’s TEN reasons they’re my go-to Orlando Tour Guide service…

#1: Saves Time, Saves Money

Time is money, or that’s what everyone says. Vacations are expensive enough, so why would you add the cost of a tour guide? Because it not only saves you the stress, but also can SAVE YOU MONEY overall! With their expertise, you get so much more done in a day, meaning you can go for less days. That’s fewer park tickets and hotel nights, less food and snacks you have to buy, less missed work or school. They’re able to get you places faster in the parks because they have it memorized. They know which ways to walk during what times of day due to traffic, which rides get busiest at what times, and when dining fits into the schedule to miss less actual park time. Time = Money, and these guys can save you a LOT of it!

#2: More Affordable than Other Groups

Yes, another one that comes down to money – because I’m sure that’s likely the top reason most people are hesitant to hire a tour guide. The prices for a private guide directly from places like Walt Disney World cost you between $400-$600 an hour, while Universal Orlando is about $2,800-$3,200 per day. Ouch! Michael’s VIPs is only $125-$150 an hour depending on the time of year.

So they’re not only saving you a TON of money in that fee, but you get all these other perks that you may or may not get with the other guys…

#3: Planning Help from Beginning to End

Whether it’s help with hotel or dining reservations, transportation from place to place, getting tickets, or fast passes, Michael’s VIPs handles all of that for you – before you even get there! I loved not having to wake up super early to nab my desired dining times when they opened 180 days before our Disney World trip, because they took care of it for me. We discussed ahead of time what we wanted from our trip – where we wanted to eat, things we wanted to do, the types of rides we were most eager to try – and they took care of all the reservations. They helped us figure out which transportation worked best for different days or situations, which saved us a LOT of time. They even texted (yes, I had their actual cellphone numbers to text before, during and after our trip) to see how we enjoyed our trip!

#4: Goes Beyond the Parks

I loved that for our whole trip – that included Walt Disney World AND Universal Orlando – we could use the same company and guides. We didn’t have to switch when we went to a new place, making it much easier for them to really get to know us and our likes or dislikes as far our vacation. If we had wanted to go try something else in Orlando, they’ve got you covered for that, too! They go beyond the parks, so whether you need a fun shopping venture, or a fancy evening out for business, they know the place and can guide you where you need to go.

#5: Honest Input & Recommendations

If you hire a private guide directly from the parks, they kind of HAVE to promote their own company’s stuff. Even if a restaurant outside the park is better, they’re likely to encourage you to eat inside the park because it helps their bottom line. With Michael’s VIPs, they cover everything and have nothing extra to gain from promoting certain things or places over others – so you know they’re going to give completely honest input or recommendations for your trip.

#6: The ‘Little’ Extras

Everyone know that the little things can make or break a great vacation, right? Well these guys want you to have the best experience possible, and the guides have fun ways of ensuring that. Take Renee for example – she brings little fake jewels to ‘toss’ to the kids during certain Little Mermaid shows or rides! Chris made sure to bring us ponchos for Kali River Rapids, and new right where to take our picture from the bridge. And Rob had learned enough about us to know my love of Star Wars, so he made sure to wear a Millennial Falcon shirt. It’s the little things, guys, that can make a world of difference and let you know that they really care about YOU!

#7: More Photos with Your Group

How many of us moms do a great job getting photos of the kiddos while on vacation, but often overlook getting ourselves in the photos? It’s super nice having a guide there to take photos of your whole family (or just you – because, why not?!) and really catch those fun memories. And yes, they’re happy to nab some with their phone and email or text it to you if you don’t want to shove your phone or camera at them constantly 🙂

#8: Extra Set of Hands – help with kids or bags

If you have multiple kiddos, you know that having another adult around can be a life-saver. They can help keep them safe and close to the group, and even keep them happy skipping along so you and hubby can enjoy walking holding hands with each other for a change! Another thing is trying to figure out seating on rides – there’s another ‘big person’ to help the younger ones. Or if you want to sit off a ride, the guides are happy to go with the kids for a second round – or third or fourth or…. (yes, my kids do this on rides like Flight of the Hippogriff at Universal). And Jason was awesome helping us with our MANY bags from Universal that day – and they were HEAVY bags!

#9: They KNOW All The Things

If you’re like me, you don’t want to just randomly pick a bathroom and hope it’s a decently clean one at busy public places. Luckily, Michael’s VIPs know where the bathrooms are located and which are the best (and check whenever you’re near, in case someone needs to stop). They know where the entrances are to all the rides, and where to head for the best seats for performances.

At Universal, we suddenly really wanted Pumpkin Juice – but wanted to try the carbonated version – and Jason took us right over to the correct place to get that. They also know which rides have the best ques for entertaining kids who may be getting restless – although you won’t wait in many lines with this skilled crew! When kids need to get rid of some of their energy, they know right where to go for the play areas in the parks.

And they know the RIDES super well, like where the camera is if there’s a photo, and also how to score the best on Buzz Lightyear – check out my score following their trick!!!

The only thing they DIDN’T know and were unable to find out for me, was why at Magical Express at the airport arrival there were lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 – where did line 7 go?!

#10: They Work While You Rest

Some rides the guide had us go on while they went and took care of other work pieces, like scheduling more fast passes. We also enjoyed watching a short bit of Jedi Training Academy while resting in chairs in the shade, while Rob went and grabbed some waters. While we were enjoying lunch, even when they joined us because we LOVED their company, the guides would still be working – reorganizing the schedule on their phone to make up for a random ride closure (Hogwarts Express – so sad!) or seeing about switching up dining reservations because you changed your mind on what type of food you want. Guys, they work HARD – but make it all look like all fun and play!

I seriously can’t WAIT to go back to Orlando again, because I know Michael’s VIPs will make it a wonderfully fun, stress-free vacation for my whole family!

Our goal is fall-ish 2018 taking EVERYONE in my family – when are YOU going to go and give these tour guides a try?

To know more about each guide we got the pleasure of vacationing with last October, read HERE

Check with Get Away Today for the best prices on tickets and hotels for your vacation – and use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper for even more savings!

5 Must Try Recipes for Travel

February 11, 2017 by Danielle

We received a complimentary stay to facilitate this post. All opinions are 100% ours alone.

Do you like to travel? We sure do, whether it’s just Hubby and I (well, that rarely happens) or our whole family, or even if we take all the relatives along! From theme parks or zoos, to family visits or scenic drives, we love getting out there and making memories together. Through all our trips, we’ve learned a few great go-to snacks and foods we like to keep on-hand, and we’re sharing 5 Must Try Recipes for Travel you can use for your next adventure!

Contains affiliate links that help keep this blog running at no extra cost to you. See our Disclosure.

Even if you’re not big foodies like we are, food isn’t exactly optional. You want something easy and convenient for your travel, and definitely something that tastes amazing! One great thing about these recipes for travel is that you can either make them ahead of time and freeze (if you want) and bag them to take along, or you can whip them up in the kitchen of your hotel room. That’s one reason we LOVE staying at Extended Stay America – so much room for the whole family, plus the convenience of a kitchen right there for our use. For a recent trip, we tried out the 2 Bedroom Suite at the Extended Stay American Arlington Six Flags – and totally loved it! Check out the master bedroom…

The bedroom alone is massive, with plenty of room to move around, or pile with all your stuff. The closet is normal – but I loved the open area in front of the closet because it would be ideal to place a crib or playard if you have littles. It has it’s own bathroom, plus there’s another bathroom in the hallway for the rest of the crew.

We had plenty of towels and such. The shampoo and soap was the normal hotel-type, fine but nothing fancy. I couldn’t find any conditioner, so for this one probably bring your own. Check out how much space in the hallway and couch/TV area….

This photo is taken from the entrance to the master bedroom. To the right is the main entrance door, straight ahead is the sofa bed and tv area, left is the hall bathroom, and far left is the entrance to the kitchen then the other bedroom that’s open and roomy. The hall has a dresser with extra blankets, plus a closet.

The open bedroom isn’t HUGE, but plenty big for the kiddos or even your teens.

The bedding was good quality, the mattresses about normal. Since this is an extended stay place, they don’t clean your room for your daily during your stay unless you specifically ask. If you want to chill and watch some television, the couch room with coffee table is plenty big. Need to get some work done? There’s a desk right there for you!

Since they clean every piece of silverware and dishes after each guest, they don’t keep it stocked in your room. When you arrive, just let them know what items you’ll be needing and they’ll bring it up for you! We requested cookie sheets to make one of our favorite travel recipes, and it was there waiting for us.

Yup, I’m talking about my Dad’s Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe! I love how easy these are to whip up, then freeze some in baggies and take with you on your daily adventures – whether it’s to Six Flags over Texas (right across the freeway from this Extended Stay Arlington!)…

….or that work meeting, or just a shopping day with the family. Speaking of tasty recipes that are ideal for travelling, here’s our top picks!

Dad’s Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies

Taco Popcorn

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Cherry Chocolate Bars

Cranberry Baked Oatmeal

Cherry Party Mix

These are absolutely perfect to mix up and take with you on your next vacation, family trip or business conference. After all, we all have to eat. And next time you’re visiting the Dallas area, don’t forget to check out Extended Stay American Arlington – especially if you want to visit Six Flags Over Texas that’s just right across the freeway from the hotel!

Now you’ve got the snacks AND the perfect place to stay with room for the entire family! That’s a perfect reason to begin planning your next trip, right? 😉