US Cities Archives - Busy Moms Helper

Fly with Toothless at iFly

March 2, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

We received a complimentary visit to try this flying adventure. All opinions are mine alone.

We’ve all dreamed of flying with dragons – and now you can really experience the adventure and Fly with Toothless at iFly! Dreamworks and iFly have teamed up for the release of How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World to offer you an unforgettable experience that the whole family will be talking about for a long time to come. Our family had the opportunity to try out this unbelieve Virtual Reality experience, and we’re still on cloud 9!

Our family was a mix of excitement and nervousness, as we had no clue what to expect from our exciting evening. Despite a few fears, even the littles couldn’t wait to try it out and were talking about it for many days leading up to our appointment! We went to the Dallas location, but the How to Train Your Dragon virtual reality experience is available nationwide (there’s over 30 locations in the U.S.) exclusively at iFly.

First of all, the basics: While you can enjoy iFly indoor skydiving as young as 3 years old, the Virtual Reality (VR) experiences are for ages 6 and up and for weights up to 260 pounds. As first time flyers (but now definite repeats!), our package included a short training to start – so they could explain how it works and the various hand signals used in the wind tunnel – as well as two 1-minute flights each before the VR.

They provide the jumpsuits (can fit over regular clothes, just don’t wear something bulky), helmets, goggles and foam ear plugs. You do need to wear closed-toe shoes that won’t slip off.

I knew they worked with younger kids, but was still nervous if they’d have something that fit my littles – but they had quite the variety and had the right thing for all 7 of us! Don’t we look adorable in our gear? 😉

I’m so glad we got to try out the regular flight before, because you can really get a feel for the wind blowing and the instructor guiding your body around as you fly. Especially for the kiddos, I don’t know how they would’ve done having a VR set on without knowing their ‘real’ surroundings first. Plus we could experience the VR better as we weren’t as ‘flingy’ as the first flight!

If your kiddos are a bit unsure like some of mine were, don’t worry – the instructors are incredible, preparing us with all the information beforehand and guiding us every step of the way. Ashley was with our crew, and I can’t speak highly enough of her. She kept it extremely fun, safe and was super patient with some of my littles that were more CLINGY….

If you’re wondering – after this first flight of his, he had his arms fully out for the second, so we were thrilled at his progress and feeling more at ease! Just from the flights, the kiddos were begging to come back again soon – and we hadn’t even done the awesome VR, yet!

Now it was time for the BIG event – flying like a dragon! We raced Toothless and Astrid, but you can also pick Hiccup if you’d rather him. They get you all equipped with the VR headset outside of the tunnel, making sure it’s working and you can see. Then you begin your race in a fully-immersive and exhilarating adventure through the world of Berk from the new film How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World!

The instructor has you the entire time, moving you around so your flight is totally life-like. They have a screen so the instructor can see exactly what you see, so they can move you perfectly around the mountains, hills or other obstacles you may encounter.

Feel free to look around as much as you’d like, because there’s stuff to see ALL AROUND YOU, not just in front! It was so incredible to soar right along our beloved dragon Toothless, and really feel what it’s like to fly. This breathtaking journey is unforgettable, and it’s truly a family experience I recommend for everyone that’s able. My kids are STILL talking about it, and can’t to go back as soon as we can. Be sure to ask them about return pass deals when you’re there, because that’s when you can get the best prices!

Of all the exciting things I’ve had the privilege of doing for this site, I can honestly say that this was definitely in my top 10 favorites! Hurry and schedule your time to try out this incredible VR experience to feel and see for yourself what it really is like to fly like a dragon!

Who’s YOUR favorite from How to Train Your Dragon?

Unique Date Night in Dallas

July 13, 2018 by Danielle 1 Comment

I was invited to experience this event free of charge. All opinions are mine alone.

As a parent, it can be challenging – nearly impossible sometimes – to get a date night out. If you’re looking for a Unique Date Night in Dallas, you’ve got to check out the Murder Mystery Company’s Dinner – because when that rare chance comes along, you definitely want something that will stand out!

I’d heard of murder mystery dinner type events before, but never had a chance to try one out until recently – and I’ll admit that I was a bit nervous. It turned out to be an amazing, hilarious and memorable night out with the hubby, and I can’t wait to try it out again!

What exactly is a Murder Mystery Dinner? It’s like dinner and a show (which is already a great date night) – but you’re part of the entertainment! It’s a live, interactive experience where the actors help lay down the storyline and clues, then it’s up to the audience – YOU – to figure out who the murderer actually is. It’s recommended to dress up to the theme – makes it more fun – but it’s certainly not required.

Some of the audience are selected to play actual characters, and given their ‘parts’ – but they’re also the suspects! In between the dinner courses, you’ll go around asking the suspects questions (and even bribing them with ‘money’ – don’t worry, it’s not real) to help you find clues and lead you to find the guilty party.

Hubby was chosen, and it was hilarious watching him really get into the part – western accent and all – as people bribed him for information. I think him being part of it made it all the more fun for our Murder Mystery Dinner

It was hilarious – with more adult type humor, so think a bit before allowing children to attend. For example, hubby’s character’s name was ‘Sandy Crack’! We laughed so hard, and I knew that even if we didn’t win at the end, it’d be a great time together!

If you’re nervous, don’t worry – you work as a team with your table mates, so you’re not on your own. And the cast was FABULOUS – the lady that played the mayor and the sheriff was especially phenomenal!

They all stayed in character the whole time, which was great fun and really made for a unique experience. They also seemed to notice who was all for playing along 100%, and those that were more reserved. It didn’t seem like anyone was made to come out of their comfort zone that didn’t want to.

Wondering if my team won? Well – we did win something……DEAD LAST PLACE! Yup, we were so far off in our guess, that they had to announce it to everyone and give us a thunderous round of applause for good humor. But you know what? I think it was more fun getting that then winning!

As you’ve probably guessed, our night was themed for the Wild West – ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ – but they do have other themes, depending on the date! There’s also ‘Crime and Pun-ishment’ that’s 1920s based, ‘A Dance with Death’ which is 1950s, ‘Midnight at the Masquerade’ and more.

Which Murder Mystery theme would YOU want for a date night in Dallas?

Must Do Dallas Family Activity

June 23, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I was provided free entry for my family to experience this exhibit to share with y’all. All opinions are mine alone.

Summer’s here, and many families are looking for fun things to do. If you’re in the Dallas area, I’ve got just the thing – and it’s so exciting, people of any age will love it (yes, even the adults). Starting TODAY through January 6th you can check out the newest Must do Dallas Family Activity – the Perot Museum’s Ultimate Dinosaurs Exhibit!

We’ve always loved the Perot Museum, because it’s such an excellent place to go to PLAY – but also LEARN. Everything from robotics, to natural gas and energy, to animal life, space and especially prehistoric friends (aka: dinos) will delight the entire family, and can spark some amazing conversations and questions from your kids. Now the Perot has brought the travelling exhibit Ultimate Dinosaurs to Dallas, and we got to check it out a little early at a media preview – so I’m telling you all about it and why it’s a MUST DO if you’re needing an unforgettable Dallas family activity!

Of course they have plenty of dinosaur models to see – most of which are casts of real skeletal remains, due to the fact it’s a MOVING exhibit and it’d be too risky to take all of the pieces. You can check out some rarely seen, exotic species from the other side of the world. There’s all shapes and sizes – from the tiny Eoraptor to the huge (that seems to be an understatement) Giganotosaurus.

This isn’t just your basic walk-through exhibit to glance at models, ‘ooh’ and ‘aaaah’ then move on. There’s TONS of interactive screens, models, even games and activities for the kiddos! Starting at the entrance, kids can pick up a card to work through the different stations – learning as they go to complete the questions or tasks. Once one is complete, they can emboss/stamp the spot on their card until it’s all full. My kiddos were thrilled to accomplish the entire sheet – and I loved that what they considered simple play was also a great learning opportunity!

If you’re into learning EVEN MORE than is shown, you can look at the numbers at certain areas and pull up the website – then it’ll give you more audio info so you can become a dino expert in no time.

One thing that really peaked my kids’ interest (and mine) was seeing more exactly how Pangaea broke up all those many years ago. In a teamwork-based game, the kids got on the four different stations and each guided a piece of the broken Pangaea until they complete the puzzle. It took a bit of trial and error, but they eventually got it and had a blast (plus I love it when they work together nicely!)

All of my kids really enjoyed the different stations, talking with the ‘Brainiacs’ about these prehistoric giants, and learning more. One of my boys, in particular, just couldn’t stop talking to his new friend Amanda (one of the Brainiacs – she was fantastic!) about anything and everything. From dinosaur teeth and different uses for the variety of shapes, to what defines a dinosaur, why chickens are so cool and much more. He just took in all that wonderful knowledge and enjoyed every bit!

At the Ultimate Dinosaurs Exhibit your family will get to see 15 fully articulated dinosaur casts, over a dozen prehistoric specimens, dino fossil specimens you can TOUCH, plus fun hands-on play spaces such as little dinosaur dioramas with toys – yes, plenty of kids were drawn to these spots to play out some dino scenes 🙂

To take the learning (and FUN) to a whole new level, there’s even screens with augmented reality to show the dinosaur skeletons with flesh – see it in action:

Don’t forget to check out the awesome dinosaur-themed merchandise specially for this exhibit at the end! My kids wanted pretty much everything, of course.

After you finish with the exhibit on the Lower Level, make your way up to Level 4 on the T. rexcalator – a casting of ‘Stan’ (the second most complete T. rex skeleton ever found) is waiting right at the top as you ride up, making for an exciting time!

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Don't miss the "TRex-scilator" at the @perotmuseum during the Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibit! #perotmuseum #partner #dinosaurs #familyfun
A post shared by Danielle (@busymomshelper) on Jun 21, 2018 at 8:34am PDT

Also on Level 4 is the interactive ‘dancing with dinosaurs’ experience. Kiddos (or adults!) can put on some headphones and make three raptor friends dance on the screen. This was definitely a popular stop for families at the Perot Museum!

Dallas news was there, and caught a little of my kiddos enjoying the dinosaur dancing spot….check time 0:50 in the clip below:

Coming later this summer, there will be a spot on Level 4 where families can actually SEE paleontologists at work – because what they do is so important to learning more about these historical creatures, but we rarely see their side of things!

To celebrate the opening of the Ultimate Dinosaurs Exhibit, they had ‘Rocko’ the raptor at the media even to greet everyone – he was such a gentle dino, but definitely playful. He had quite the photogenic grin!

Oh, and while you’re on Level 4, check out the guy on the left – because his skull actually wasn’t found, but since he’s so closely related to the Rapetosaurus, they were able to enlarge the head from THAT one to give this guy a head – don’t miss either of them at the Perot Museum!

The mayor of Dallas officially named this the ‘Summer of the Dinosaur’ – so grab the kids and get ready for a truly exciting, unique and educational (shhh – I won’t tell the kids if you won’t) experience at this must do Dallas family activity, now through January 6th, 2019!

What’s YOUR favorite Dinosaur?

Kauai Hawaii Helicopter Ride

January 9, 2018 by Danielle

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

If you’ve ever wondered or considered taking a trip on a helicopter when visiting the beautiful islands of Hawaii, you’ve got to check out all the beauty & adventure awaiting you during a Kauai, Hawaii Helicopter Ride! And if you’re worried about motion sickness – read on, because I’m right there with ya!

It’s been several months since my unforgettable trip to Kauai, Hawaii last May, but I still love going through all the photos and remembering what an amazing experience it was. I’ve told you about horseback riding in the mountains and seeing dolphins dance/swim with our boat on our Catamaran sail, as well as ziplining over the lush, green mountains. Today, I’ve got one last major adventure to tell you about that was probably my second favorite thing (the sail was the top) we did the entire trip – taking a Hawaii helicopter ride with Island Helicopters Kaua’i!

Okay, so first thing you need to know – you have to arrive early enough to get your weight (total weight WITH your bag and such). It’s simply so they can balance the helicopter the safest way possible. They will assign you seats, so don’t stress about fighting for one. They’re all good because of those big windows! When your helicopter is ready, they’ll give you a short safety briefing, as well as these protective booties so that you don’t risk carrying who-knows-what on your shoes into the mountains of Hawaii. Now, we did the flight where we actually LANDED at Jurassic Falls and got to walk around for about 10-15 minutes, so maybe others that are simply flying don’t have to wear there ‘oh-so-cute’ booties. We also got a yellow emergency pack to wear around our waists, just in case.

You then are escorted safely to the helicopter, get seatbelted in, and put on your headset. This allows you to hear the music AND the pilot. There’s a little microphone available in the helicopter you can grab and use if you need to speak to the pilot, too.

I absolutely LOVED that they actually played music from Jurassic Park as we came closer to the falls, so it went all dramatic when it appears around the mountain – just like in the movie. It was gorgeous, and such a neat experience being somewhere I’d seen so much in the movies.

After our time walking around the falls, taking photos and doing some ‘jumping’ videos because – well – why not, we climbed back into our helicopter to continue our ride. We flew all around the beautiful island of Kauai, seeing clear beaches and bright blue ocean, green mountains with a few more hidden waterfalls, and the coastlines.

Okay, now for all you fellow motion-sickness people – they DO have baggies in there if you get sick. I will say that I get motion sickness pretty darn easy, and during this ride I got REALLY motion sick, to the point I was holding a baggie and let the pilot know (on the microphone) that I was probably going to throw up – but I didn’t end up actually throwing up, thank goodness. The group was super nice and helped turn the air conditioning towards my face and even fanned my face with little pamphlets – they’re awesome! For about 10-15 minutes I was miserable, but then it went away enough that I wasn’t worried about throwing up. Now, THAT BEING SAID, I still loved every minute and it was still an incredible experience that I wouldn’t trade at all! Even though I got sick, and even if I had thrown up after all, I still would go back in a heartbeat because it’s THAT worth it! You can’t miss out on something so amazing just because of a few minutes of a bad (or downright awful) stomach.

I think our total helicopter ride was like an hour, maybe hour and a half? I think it was just long enough to see all the sites from above, plus our wonderful time walking around Jurassic Falls. Don’t take too much with you because of weight and having to hold it on your lap, but do have something for photos or recording. I highly recommend taking a helicopter ride with Island Helicopters Kauaʻi for your next visit to Kauai, Hawaii because it’s a great, adventurous way to see the beautiful views of the island – and I think the only way to get to Jurassic Falls!

More Fun from my Kauai trip!

* ATV Adventure

* Zipline Course

* Horseback Riding

* My Adventures in Paradise

* Catamaran Sail

* Aqua Kauaʻi Beach Resort

* Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū, Autograph Collection

* Kauai – the FOOD (coming soon)

Follow the Kauai Visitors Bureau on Instagram & Facebook!

Kauai ATV Adventure

September 16, 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

On our first day during our exciting trip to Kauai, Hawaii last May, we got to go see some incredible sites while doing a fun off-roading ride. We got to see landmarks from popular movies like Jurassic Park & Jurassic World, Indiana Jones, and George of the Jungle. There were many more, but these were the ones that stood out to me. If you want to see beautiful scenery and the actual places some of your favorite movies were filmed, I highly recommend doing a Kauai ATV Adventure with Kīpu Ranch Adventures.

So our rides were these 4-seater ATV vehicles. Don’t worry, they’re extremely safe! They do have booster seats for those that need them – child or adult alike. We partnered up into different vehicles after receiving our equipment and a short safety briefing. After a few practice runs to help us get use to the rides and how they handle, we were on our way to do their Ultimate Ranch Adventure.

Up the road a ways we stopped to look at the mountains and grassy plain area where scenes like the Doctor and Kids running during the dino stampede in the first Jurassic Park were filmed. I loved how beautiful and green all the hills and mountains were – things in Kauai just seem so bright and gorgeous!

We made a stop at the famous Indiana Jones rope swing spot – where in Raiders of the Lost Ark he ran down the hill at the first part of the movie, then swung on a rope swing into the water before taking off in an airplane.

They let us swing out on the rope, too! Don’t worry, you can just swing out and back in if you want, you don’t HAVE to go into the water – but it’s fun and a rare experience, so I do recommend you do – I did!

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Went all Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark with the rope swing today! AD #kauaidiscovery @kauaidiscovery #visitkauai #bmhtravel I was super nervous but loved it! Woot woot!!!
A post shared by Danielle (@busymomshelper) on May 23, 2017 at 7:03pm PDT

We did stop along the top of a mountain area for a snack – they had drinks and some tasty snacks for us (the bread was SUPER delish!), then off for more trails and views. If you’re not an experienced ATV-er, don’t worry because it’s not very challenging. They make sure you’re comfortable with it, and you can also switch to be a passenger if needed.

It was such an incredible ride, and the views were unforgettable! If you’re looking for a fun adventurous activity to do on your trip, check out Kīpu Ranch Adventures for some awesome Kauai ATVing!

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

* Kauai: Adventures in Paradise

* Aqua Kauaʻi Beach Resort

* Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū, Autograph Collection

* Kauai – the FOOD

Follow the Kauai Visitors Bureau on Instagram & Facebook!

Catamaran Sail on Kauai, Hawaii

August 22, 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

One of the greatest things about telling y’all about my travels is that I get to relive it, in a way. Looking over the photos, describing what we did or saw – it’s a wonderful way to keep those memories fresh for me, and I love it! Today I’m telling you about one of my favorite activities we did during our trip back in May – a Catamaran Sail on Kauai, Hawaii! From beautiful views, to friendly staff and an unforgettable time, it was tied for the best thing I did on the whole trip!

Some links are affiliates, which helps support this blog at no extra cost to you. See our Disclosure.

First of all, I was super nervous for this part of the itinerary because I get motion sickness REALLY easy. I didn’t want to be sick over the side of the boat the whole time! Luckily, the crew on Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures & Raft Expeditions weren’t the least bit phased when I asked them. They told me to stay up near the front of the boat, not underneath/inside, and also pointed out the best part to throw up IF it came to that. They also kept bringing those of us that weren’t 100% sure (or were already feeling it) ginger ale and crackers any time we asked for a refill. I did amazing for the first chunk of the sail – until I went down inside to use the bathroom. Just that tiny bit of time below got my stomach in knots, so I hurried to sit back up front – ginger ale and crackers in hand – and let the breeze help settle my stomach. I’m thrilled to say that other than that little bit, I did wonderful and truly loved the whole trip! So if you’re worried about motion sickness, trust the crew’s tips and give a catamaran sail on Kauai a chance.

We did the Na Pali Snorkel BBQ Sail up along the beautiful shores of the Na Pali coast. To start off, we enjoyed a continental breakfast of fresh fruit and breads (plus the ginger ale or other sodas like I mentioned previously). Yes, alcohol is served as well – but not right at the beginning or at the very end, since they want to make sure you don’t carry alcohol off with you. We then sailed along the coast, taking in all the sights and the hearing the captain tell us interesting facts or stories of different spots. Not too far along, we came upon a pod of dolphins which was AMAZING!

We got to see them splashing along the catamaran, then as we started going they were PLAYING along with the waves at the edge of the heels of the boat! They got more and more excited and jumped more the faster we went, and it was obvious it was a fun time for them. I couldn’t believe I was that close to these lovely creatures, and watching them was definitely a highlight of my trip to Hawaii. After awhile they swam off to do their own thing, and we continued on our sailing adventure.

For your own Catamaran Sail in Kauai, it’s recommended that you wear your swimsuit and bring layers (possibly a light jacket – the spray can get a bit chilly), as well as sunglasses, towel, camera (be careful!), and of course SUNSCREEN. I applied before we boarded, then again partway through and STILL got super burned. Like “ouch, my bra straps are killing me” and “don’t hug me please” burnt. Not fun – so reapply OFTEN. You can also change clothes on the ship – there are bathrooms – but like I said before, going down inside can make you feel more sick.

I loved that the catamaran had plenty of comfy, cushioned seating, clean facilities and a super friendly staff that was willing and eager to help out. If they noticed an empty drink, they’d ask if you would like a refill. They took the time to chat with everyone and were just down-to-earth, nice guys.

In the front of the catamaran, my favorite spot was the cushioned bench right in front of the inside windows (yes, someone could’ve been staring at my bottom the whole time right there at the window, but whatever) because you could see everything, the breeze felt great and although you got a bit sprayed, it wasn’t extreme. Plus, it was a close-enough area that I could hurry to the edge for dolphins or SEA TURTLES!

Yup, we got to see a couple of sea turtles – and that was definitely a bucket list item for me! I was thrilled – Julie even commented ‘He said turtles and Danielle was just ‘woosh’ over to the edge so fast!’

Want this adorable swimsuit? Disclosure

When we stopped for lunch, one of the crew BBQ’d up some tasty food for us (hamburger or chicken sandwich, and I think a veggie option) plus some tasty sides while the whole group got the option of snorkeling around. They provided all the gear needed and one of the crew stayed in the water nearby on a board so he could keep an eye on everyone in the water – and tow you back if you wandered too far 🙂 This was when I was still feeling a little queasy, so I skipped on the snorkeling and instead enjoyed chatting on the boat with different people and watching the fish (and a little sea turtle) from the deck.

During our sail back to land, they served freshly-made cookies and more drinks. For a bit they even turned off the motor and let the sails down so we could actually SAIL, which was cool but definitely more choppy. A fun part was the two trampoline-type areas at the front of the boat you could go sit or lay down on – but be warned, you’ll definitely get more wet this way! They were a fun spot to lounge out in during the more mellow spots, for sure.

Don’t forget to nab your own cute swimsuit here!

Overall, it was about 5 and a half hours long and it was such a remarkable experience. I never thought I’d enjoy sailing, but it was really fun and the views were absolutely beautiful. If you do nothing else on your trip to Hawaii, I highly recommend doing the Catamaran Sail on Kauai with Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures!

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

* Kauai: Adventures in Paradise

* Aqua Kauaʻi Beach Resort

* Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū, Autograph Collection

* Kauai – the FOOD

Follow the Kauai Visitors Bureau on Instagram & Facebook!

My Favorite Kauai Hawaii Hotel: Kōloa Landing at Poʻipū

August 18, 2017 by Danielle

My fabulous Kauai, Hawaii trip was sponsored by the Kauai Visitors Bureau. All opinions are my own. #KauaiDiscovery

Remember back in late May when I had the outstanding opportunity to visit Kauai, Hawaii for a press trip? We not only did many incredible activities and ate some of the best food I’ve ever had, but we also stayed at some beautiful places. While every place has it’s own perks and things that are better about them, I have to say that My Favorite Kauai, Hawaii Hotel is Kōloa Landing at Poʻipū! Want to know why? Well….

1. Large Suites

While Kōloa Landing also has Deluxe Studios (measuring at about 500 square feet, nearly twice the size of a standard hotel room), as well as a large family’s dream come true Penthouse Suite (4 bedrooms and 3 private balconies? Heaven!), I think their main shining point are their incredible Luxury Villas. These can range from 1 to 3 bedrooms, so you can find the right fit for however many are in your travel party.

Two twin bedroom with private bathroom & private balcony….

Queen (or is it a king – I’m awful at telling!) bedroom with access to large shared balcony. Another bathroom in the hall.

Master bedroom with tons of space and closets, dressing area, huge bathroom and access to the shared balcony.

I stayed in a 3-bedroom on the 3rd floor – meaning my own private entryway (and doorbell, how fun!), a perfect view of the family pool from my huge balcony, and plenty of space to stretch out. My family would LOVE to relax at this suite, as I’m sure any family would! Here’s a bit of a tour of my suite….

Oh, and there’s even a rather large laundry room with washer and dryer, cabinets, soaps and iron/ironing board. Yes, they make your trip as easy as possible for you!

2. Fully-Loaded Gourmet Chef’s Kitchens

You heard that, a complete kitchen fully stocked with everything you need to whip up gourmet feasts or just a tasty snack to enjoy on the balcony! I loved that it wasn’t just a tiny fridge, but regular-sized with plenty of space to stock up. And who wants to wash dishes on a vacation? Well, not that we ever do, but especially not when you should be relaxing – so there’s a dishwasher to help out!

The dining table had plenty of room for the whole crew, and the living area was very comfortable. You can open the curtains to let the sun shine in, or close them for a bit more quiet feel.

3. Balconies

Since this was a part-working trip, I did have to take care of things on my laptop. But guys, I could work happily for HOURS sitting out on the balcony with my laptop and planner, just enjoying the sounds, smells and view from there while working away. Seriously, I think that’s my dream office – right there on the balcony at the Kōloa Landing at Poʻipū. They provide plenty of chairs, table, even comfy loungers to lay out on!

4. Pools

Just because I put this at number 4 does not mean it’s any less amazing or important because…..dun da dun….they have THREE fabulous, beautiful pools for you to enjoy! The one outside my room was the ‘family pool’ or ‘Lagoon pool’. It was 6,100 square feet, with an in-pool island, basketball hoop, lagoon-like spots, tidal pool and Jacuzzi. There were plenty of families enjoying this one, but it never looked even a bit crowded or too noisy. My kids would’ve loved it!

There’s also the ‘Tranquility Pool’, which is smaller and more quiet – but has a nice waterfall feature. It’s perfect if you want to just quietly float, lay out and relax with a good book, or have a sweet moment together with your special someone.

The main pool is really the eye-catcher, though, at a whopping 350,000 gallons of beautiful, blue water – making it one of the largest single pools on Kauai! At the top is the infinity pool, which leads down into more pools and on down – it’s like a cascade of wet, fabulous fun. It has a waterslide (or two, though I can’t recall exactly), side Jacuzzis, swim-through water falls, even a little cave grotto area you can swim into or lounge in chairs on the side of. Near the bottom of this massive area is a fun little splash-pad type area, with water spouting up – I know my boys would spend a long while playing here! This pool alone is reason enough to make this your Kauai, Hawaii hotel choice!

They also have cabana’s you can rent, giving you a special area to store your stuff, lay out or just relax. They come ready with flat-screen TVs, chaise lounge chairs and overhead fans to cool off in the Hawaiian heat.

5. Food

Not only do they hold S’more evenings, where you can roast these delicious treats around a fire pit, but they also have HoloHolo Grill – a restaurant right by the main pool serving up a variety of delicious foods and fresh drinks. A couple of us enjoyed breakfast here our last morning and it was UNFORGETTABLE! In fact, I’ve tried remaking the avocado toast here at home because it was just so dang tasty. Their fruit smoothies were incredible fresh, smooth and full of flavor, and their other dishes were just as delightful.

6. The Service

From the moment you arrive into the open welcoming-area you’re greeted by friendly staff who are truly there to make your stay as pleasant and enjoyable as possible. You can tell they love their beautiful island of Kauai, and are proud to tell you all about it and their own favorite spots around. Since it’s such a large resort, I did get lost a few times as I explored, but any staff member I stopped to ask for directions or about the pools or whatnot was happy to help. And Sally Halm, the manager at Kōloa Landing at Poʻipū, was the sweetest and friendliest lady you’ll ever meet who is an absolute blast to chat with!

7. The Spa

I did take time to relax from the amazing-yet-adventurous-and-busy week with a fabulous massage at The Spa at Koloa Landing. They had large bathrooms and changing areas, free lockers available, as well as refreshing showers. They even had supplies you may not think of for after a spa service, like q-tips, shampoo, even razors available for you! The waiting room was quiet, with peaceful music in the background and a little waterfall feature creating the perfect atmosphere to start relaxing. The treatment was very professional and relaxing, and I left feeling renewed for the last little bit of our trip. Even though they were booked, the sweet desk gal called to see if one of their off-duty therapists would like to come in for an extra treatment and, sure enough, someone was happy to fit me in.

It truly was delightful to get to know Sally, the staff and all that Kōloa Landing at Poʻipū has to offer during our short visit to this Kauai, Hawaii hotel – but it was unforgettable, and I’m eager to get back with the whole family!

I can’t wait to visit Kaua’i, Hawaii again, and will definitely be making a visit to Aqua Kaua’i Beach Resort again!

* Kauai: Adventures in Paradise

* Aqua Kaua’i Beach Resort

* Kauai – the FOOD

Follow the Kauai Visitors Bureau on Instagram & Facebook!

Ziplining in Hawaii

July 13, 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

While we did many things on our visit to Kauai, Hawaii a couple of months ago, the one that pushed my limits and comfort-level the most was definitely Ziplining in Hawaii! I’d done a zipline course in the past, but even at it’s tallest it didn’t add up to the ‘baby line’, so my height-fearing self was really nervous. I made myself face my fears and try it out, though, and am so glad I did because it was AMAZING!

We spent a good 4-5 hours with some of the crew from Outfitters Kaua’i for our zipline adventure, and they helped us through the whole thing. To start off, we drove up to the start – in mountains where scenes from films like Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean and more were filmed – and they got us all set with our equipment. Don’t stress about doing it properly, because the staff will help you with the harness and everything, making sure it’s all on properly and you’re safe as possible.

We started with a ‘simple’ zipline, which still went over a really deep valley – but the views were still beautiful, even though it went by so quickly. They helped us at the end, too, so you never have to fear about overshooting or anything.

From the smaller one, we went to another where 2 people could do it at the same time – and some could even do it UPSIDE DOWN! Ya, I didn’t choose to do it that way, but still had plenty of fun the regular ‘sitting’ way 🙂 Look how far it is – that yellow arrow is pointing to the platform you get off on…..but guess what? With this one, you actually swing PAST it and way high up over that platform! After you go past a ways, you slide back, then when you stop they raise tall ladders to help you down. Never fear, you’re secured the whole time, even on the ladders.

It was getting really hot, so we then went over to a hidden water pond area where we were allowed to do a mini zipline or jump off the plank into the water to cool off. Super fun – and a nice little secret, tropical area in beautiful Kaua’i, Hawaii!

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Beautiful tropical water 'pool' area during our zip line course! AD #kauaidiscovery @kauaidiscovery #visitkauai #lethawaiihappen #bmhtravel
A post shared by Danielle (@busymomshelper) on May 25, 2017 at 1:15pm PDT

Lovely, right? Then it was back to the van to drive up to our last zipline (they have many, but we were just doing the 3 today) – the HUGE FlyLine Kauai Zipline, which is the longest and fastest zipline in Hawaii at over 3/4 a mile going speeds around 60mph! Not only is that enough to make you hesitate, but you ride it SUPERMAN-STYLE! Yup, fully harnessed and head first with your belly down and feet back – insane! Get fully dressed, then climb up all these stairs to the take-off platform…

A guide will get you strapped in – and I’ll be perfectly honest, this is the absolute scariest part! You have to lay flat with your head a bit over the edge WHILE you get fully hooked up. Don’t worry, though, because you’re still securely fastened, it just FEELS and LOOKS terrifying!

Here’s a look at how they get you all hooked up…

Then they make sure you’re set to go, pull the lever and you’re off! I was behind my partner at first, but caught up and PAST her pretty quick 🙂 When you near the landing platform, you need to cross your arms over your chest and push your chin down to your chest because it bumps a little on the 2 breaks and you wouldn’t want to accidentally bite your tongue or knock your teeth together.

Once I experienced these lines, I was completely pumped and would’ve done it again in a heartbeat – in fact, it’s on my list of must-do’s next time I visit Kaua’i, Hawaii! I was so grateful to Outfitters Kaua’i for such an incredible experience – and showing me how much I enjoy an activity I thought I’d hate because of my fear!

Don’t forget to book YOUR zipline adventure for your Kaua’i, Hawaii trip!

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

* ATV Adventure

* Kaua’i: Adventures in Paradise

* Horseback Riding

* Helicopter Tour

* Catamaran Sail

* Aqua Kauaʻi Beach Resort

* Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū, Autograph Collection

* Kauai – the FOOD

Follow the Kauai Visitors Bureau on Instagram & Facebook!

Horseback Riding in Kauai Hawaii

July 11, 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

Every time I go back through the beautiful and fun photos from my visit to Kauai last May, I miss it so much and really want to go back! Today I’m sharing the great time we had Horseback Riding in Kauai, Hawaii – the adventure, amazing views, laughable moments and fun tour guide.

We had the pleasure of joining CJM Country Stables for our horseback riding experience, and I admit I was both really excited AND nervous. It’s been a long while since I’ve been on a horse! When we arrived we watched a quick safety video, then talked with the wonderful owner who even cleaned all of our sunglasses with his handy handkerchief while we chatted. He asked each of us our riding experience, then matched us with an appropriate horse for our level.

My horse was the handsome BoJangles, and was told that he can be a bit of a stubborn horse that wants to do his own thing, so I needed to be sure and let him know who’s boss. I felt up to the task, and after we all got saddled up with our horses, we were on our way!

We took it slow at first, getting use to the feel of the ride as we left the ranch and headed towards the hills and up into the mountains and fields.

The views were PHENOMENAL! From lush mountainsides, to seeing the ocean from above, it was truly incredible. We learned quickly how best to control our horses, such as how to pull the reigns so they wouldn’t stop for a ‘snack’ in some bushy areas.

Partway through our fabulous guide stopped and gave us all some juice to refresh – even the horses knew it was time for a little snack for them! I did learn how stubborn BoJangles was, but by the end we were working well together 🙂 We stopped by a cliff edge near Secret Beach to enjoy that view for a bit and take some more photos – you know how us press and bloggers LOVE our pictures!

The last leg of the ride – which lasted about 2-3 hours, I believe – was along the beach. While I really loved the views from up high, along the beach with the sound of the waves crashing up and the soft sand beneath our horses was just remarkable.

From the moment we arrived, to the minute we left, CMJ Country Stables were amazing the whole adventure, and I can’t recommend them enough! Next time I’m back in Kauai – which I hope is very soon – I intend to do another horseback ride with them. Although next time I plan to wear more comfortable pants 😉

Check out the other horseback ride tours offered at CJM Country Stables!

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

* ATV Adventure

* Zipline Course

* Kaua’i: Adventures in Paradise

* Helicopter Tour

* Catamaran Sail

* Aqua Kauaʻi Beach Resort

* Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū, Autograph Collection

* Kauai – the FOOD

Follow the Kauai Visitors Bureau on Instagram & Facebook!

Aqua Kauaʻi Beach Resort

June 20, 2017 by Danielle

I was provided this Kauai, Hawaii trip to facilitate this review. All opinions are entirely my own. #KauaiDiscovery

As I mentioned a bit ago, I *finally* was able to visit the beautiful state of Hawaii for a press trip in May. From adventurous activities, to delicious dinners and everything in between, it was completely unforgettable. One of the things that can make or break a vacation, though, is where you stay – and our first location at the Aqua Kaua’i Beach Resort was absolutely amazing! From the bright, spacious rooms to the lovely beach area and pools with waterfall, this hotel has everything you need to make your Kaua’i, Hawaii trip even better.

This 25-acre resort near Kauai’s Lihue Airport is perfect for any type of vacation – from families with kids, to adults, even big family reunions or corporate gatherings! Their facilities would be great for weddings – and even have a grassy area right next to the beach so you can have the PERFECT views for a beach wedding, with or without the sand that comes with it! Here’s a few of my own favorite things about the Aqua Kaua’i Beach Resort…

Beautiful Grounds & Views

Just like you’d expect from a beautiful Hawaiian island, this resort has greenery and beautiful flowers everywhere. Whether it’s the waterfall by the pool, or walking right to the beach with the blue ocean waves lapping at your feet, you’re definitely in paradise.

The have a fireplace with plenty of lounge spaces, a roomy lobby for meet-and-greets, and there’s lovely chandeliers and decor all throughout.

Delicious Foods & Relaxing Restaurant

We got to enjoy several dishes during a welcome reception AND flower-accented lunch thanks to the talented chef’s at Aqua Kaua’i Beach Resort. Everything was fresh, and while the foods were familiar enough, they also took a pleasant twist to common favorites. Near the pools is a Shaved Ice shack, which we loved enjoying any time of day.

The breakfast at Shutters – one of 4 dining options – was fabulous. I had the buffet each morning, which offered a wide variety of delicious and fresh foods. They had everything from bacon and eggs, sausage, lots of fresh produce, cottage cheese, oatmeal and cereal, waffles, a super-tasty coconut syrup, and even an omelet station. Fresh juices like orange, guava and passion fruit were available, which was a great way to kick-start the day!

We learned that chef’s will often decorate certain foods or desserts with edible plants – like this green tea pudding-type dessert topped with fresh flowers. It was definitely delightful, and I even took a few back to my room, put in my fridge, and enjoyed later that night.

Clean, Spacious & Beautiful Rooms

The rooms were VERY spacious – and as far as I could tell they all had their own balcony. I loved having a view to the ocean – I could relax in my room (or on the balcony with the provided chairs) with the screen closed if I wanted, and just listen to the waves down the way. I think every vacation should include a nap time, and what better way than with a slight breeze and gentle ocean sounds in the background?

Fun Pools & Activities

The Aqua Kaua’i Beach Resort has 4 pools to enjoy. There’s a waterfall you can go under, and a great water slide for extra fun. It really made you feel like you were in paradise with the flowers and ‘rock’ around the waterfall. Loved it!

One morning a week they hold a ‘sunrise ceremony’ with a traditional chant welcoming the sun. It was really early, but definitely worth hearing the song and seeing the sun rise in the distance. One of my many favorite things on Kaua’i are the sunrises and sunsets – completely breathtaking! They also have classes on various activities, like lei-making, so you can find something for anyone in your group.

There’s a daily Koi Fish feeding, where you can feed the many small and LARGE Koi Fish in their ponds. It’s so fun watching them swim all over each other trying to get a nibble!

Friendly, Helpful Staff

When I had any issue at all, I could ask the front desk and it was taken care of very quickly, and with a wonderful, friendly attitude. They want to make your stay as fantastic as they can, and you can tell they all truly love their island and this resort, so they’re thrilled to show your family or group the best time possible.

I can’t wait to visit Kaua’i, Hawaii again, and will definitely be making a visit to Aqua Kaua’i Beach Resort again!

* Kauai: Adventures in Paradise

* Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū, Autograph Collection

* Kauai – the FOOD

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!

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

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