Taking a Vacation... without leaving the house

Yesterday, my family was scheduled to travel to Florida on vacation, but our trip was cancelled due to Covid 19 restrictions. We were all looking forward to our vacation and to spending time with my extended family. Because we were all a little sad, we decided to plan a "fake vacation" at home. We put up some decorations, decided on a fun menu and planned a special activity. It was a simple celebration, but we ended up having a wonderful evening.

We started by putting up some decorations to transform our house into "fake Florida".

I draped the chairs and table with beach towels and hung some dollar store leis from the light fixture.

We also dug out photos and photo albums from past trips. Reminiscing about past vacations is always a lot of fun.

We had this foam core shark head from a past birthday party, so we dug it out and put it to use.

We also decorated with a pool noodle palm tree, a cardstock yellow sun, and some pictures (of oranges, flamingos, and alligators) coloured by my kids.

Once our decor was in place, we planned our special menu and activities. 

We had milkshakes in Disney mugs with cocktail umbrellas.

I also made snack packs for the kids. (These are the treat boxes the boys traditionally pack in their carry on bags when we go on special trips, so they seemed like fitting snacks to serve.)

Then, we hung a bed sheet in our living room, set up our projector, and gathered to watch a movie and a YouTube video of Disney fireworks. It wasn't the same as being there, but we still enjoyed it. (You can find the video we watched here.) 

We are hoping to go on a real vacation soon, but for now, we are making the best of our current situation. Taking a vacation without leaving the house really is a fun way to spend an evening as a family. I wonder where we should go next! 

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Check out the little video we made to show you a bit more about what we did...

 

10 Tips for Doing MULTIPLE Disney Parks in ONE Day

Recently, my family (and extended family) planned a trip to Orlando, Florida. As a lover of Disney*, I knew we needed to visit a park, but we also wanted to spend a lot of our vacation relaxing pool side. So, we decided to pay the extra money for "park hopper" passes, and we made a plan to visit 3 Disney parks in one day. We moved 12 people (ranging in age from 5 to 70) through three parks in one day, so you can do it too! Check out my 10 tips for "Disney park hopping" below.

1) The first thing you need to do is decide which parks you are going to visit. Keep in mind that Disney parks are huge and there is a lot to see. If you want to fully experience all the parks (especially Magic Kingdom), you are going to want to buy multi-day passes. If you are going to park hop, you are only going to see the highlights of each park. 

For our trip, we decided to visit Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom.

2) Make a plan and book fast passes early. You aren't going to see everything in one day, so make a list of the "top things" on your "must do" list. Buy your tickets early, and use MyDisneyExperience to book your fast passes as soon as you are able to do so... 60 days before your visit if you are staying on site or 30 days if you aren't.

3) Get to the park early.  If you want to maximize your ride time and minimize your wait time, you are going to want to get to the park early. We started our day at Animal Kingdom with a goal to get on Avatar quickly (without a fast pass). 

On the day of our visit, the park opened at 9am. We arrived at the park at 7:20am, the ticket booth/guest relations opened at 7:30am (so we were able to exchange our paper tickets for cards early), the gates opened at 8:15am, and they started letting people head to rides at 8:45am. As a result, we had our first ride (which has one of the longest waits in the park) finished shortly after 9am. 

Extra tip: When you are waiting in line, stay to the left. The left side tends to move faster.

4) Use fast passes wisely. We booked our fast passes for 9:30-10:30, 10:30-11:30, and 11:30-12:30. We were able to go on a popular ride first thing (without a fast pass), and then we used all our three passes right away. (After all the fast passes are used, you can book more.) 

On our trip, we managed to complete all our "must do" Animal Kingdom rides quickly, so we had time to enjoy a show before heading to our second park.

5) Dress for success. If you are park hopping, it's going to be a long day, and you are going to want to be comfortable. Make sure you wear comfy clothes, sneakers, hats, and lots of sunblock. (You should also bring dollar store rain ponchos if the forecast calls for rain and light sweaters because it can cool down in the evenings.)

You may also want to buy special Disney themed clothing. My sister and I had these adorable shirts made for our six boys. They say "Cousin Crew 2018". They look cute in pictures, and matching shirts help you keep the group together (and easily identified) as you move through the parks.

6) Pack a lunch. If you are going to try to cover multiple parks in one day, you are not going to have time to stop for meals. So, bring some backpacks, and fill them with food and water. You will have lots of time to eat and snack while you are waiting in lines. You are also going to want to stay hydrated, so don't forget to fill your water bottles at the various fountains located throughout the park.

And, although sit-down meals may be too time consuming for a day of park hopping, you may want to take a short break for a Disney-themed treat. My boys and their cousins enjoyed some Mickey ice cream with their grandparents.

7) Get a family photo. Every time that we go to Disney, we take a family photo, enlarge, and add it to our "vacation wall". It's a fun tradition, and its a great way to document the special family memories we are making.

This year, we even got a lovely stranger to take a photo of our group of 12 (2 grandparents, 4 parents, and 6 little boys)!

8) Take the monorail. To save time, you can take a monorail (free of charge) between Epcot and Magic Kingdom. 

We started our day at Animal Kingdom, and then we drove our car to Epcot. Then, when we finished at Epcot, we took the monorail to Magic Kingdom. Our goal was to get to Magic Kingdom in time for the nighttime show, but with the time we saved taking the monorail, we were able to squeeze in a ride on Space Mountain.

9) Plan for a nighttime show. Disney is more than just awesome rides. The parades and shows are spectacular, and my all time favourite is the castle/fireworks show at the end of the night at Magic Kingdom. Get a spot (with a good view of the front of the castle) early, and enjoy. It really is a magical way to end the day! 

Extra tip: You can bring your own dollar store glow sticks/ light up toys. They are cheaper than what you can buy at the park, and the kids will love having them.

10) Have fun! It's important to get to see everything on your list, but the most important thing is to have fun, be in the moment, and make wonderful memories with your family.

Have you ever done multiple parks in one day? Do you have any "Disney Park Hopping Tips" to add to my list? Please leave them in the comments below. I'm excited to read them because I'm already planning my next trip! 😃

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

*Disclosure: I was given two complimentary tickets in exchange for my truthful review of these parks. As always, the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.

Beauty and the Beast Centrepiece (dollar store craft)

I recently watched the new live action version of Beauty and the Beast, and it renewed my love for this movie and it's wonderful story. I decided to create a little Beauty and the Beast decor using dollar store supplies. This adorable centrepiece is easy and inexpensive to make, and it would be a fantastic centrepiece at a Beauty and the Beast themed party. It would also be perfect for a simple Beauty and the Beast afternoon tea party.

To make this adorable dollar store craft:

1) Use glitter paint to paint a dollar store cork trivet and knob, and let dry completely.
2) Insert a dollar store rose into the cork trivet.
3) Use hot glue to attach the know to the bottom of a dollar store vase.
4) Place the vase over the rose.

Isn't this Beauty and the Beast centrepiece adorable? I love the way it looks sitting on top of a stack of books.

I am absolutely delighted with how this dollar store craft turned out. It really is perfect for a DIY Beauty and the Beast party!

♥Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

8 Reasons you should go see the new "Beauty and the Beast"

Last weekend, my husband and I took our three boys to see the new, live action version of Beauty and the Beast. We LOVED it! I don't usually do movies reviews on this site, but I enjoyed it so much that I felt compelled to encourage my readers to go and enjoy this lovely movie with their kids. Today, I am sharing 8 reasons you should see Beauty and the Beast this weekend.

The NEW Beauty and the Beast is:

1) Full of back stories and new songs - If you loved the original, you will love this one too!

2) Extremely well cast - All the actors are as wonderful as their animated counterparts. 

3) Visually breathtaking - The sets and special effects are beautiful and magical.

4) Full of wonderful singing - Let's face it, a good musical is always enjoyable.

5) Guaranteed to make you nostalgic - If you saw the original movie as a child, you will love sharing this version with your children.

6) Great for all ages - At it's heart, it's all about the wonderful story... finding true love, good guys vs. bad guys, being different and being OK with it, and looking for beauty within.

7) Funny - In keeping with Disney tradition, there are jokes for all ages... and Josh Gad (as Lefou) is refreshing, hilarious and fun.

8) All about Belle... and Emma Watson was the perfect choice - She's lovely, strong, has a pretty voice... and let's face it... who doesn't love her?!?

Have I convinced you to go see Beauty and the Beast this weekend? If you have already seen it, what did you think? If you haven't already seen it, are you planning on going? I hope you and your kids love it as much as we did.

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Everything you need to know about DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Disney parks can be a lot of fun, but planning a visit can be a little overwhelming if it is your first time embarking on a Disney adventure. Today, I am sharing everything you need to know if you are planning to visit Disney's Hollywood Studios.

As with all Disney parks, you are going to want to plan ahead, and buy your tickets in advance. Once you have purchased your tickets, you will be able to use the My Disney Experience App to investigate the park and book your Fast Passes.

You may also want to plan some fun clothes for the day. I always order my boys fun and inexpensive matching t-shirts. They were thrilled with the Star Wars t-shirts I bought for our most recent visit to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Cute, right?

You are also going to want to arrive early. It can take a long time to park, go through security, and make your way into the park. (Tip: You can easily remember where you park by taking a picture of the parking sign near your vehicle.) 

If your kids are between the ages of 4 and 12, you will need to proceed directly to Jedi Training when you enter the park. (Jedi Training is popular, and it fills up quickly, so make sure you arrive early.) When you sign up, they will give you a time to return for the training. My boys have done it several times, and it is always a lot of fun for little Star Wars fans.

Disney Hollywood Studios also has several really fun rides that the children are guaranteed to enjoy. (Make sure to check the height requirements before you arrive at the park. You can use a "parent swap" if you have children that are too short to ride. Just ask one of the attendants when you arrive at the ride.)

Some of our favorite rides at Disney's Hollywood Studios are: Toy Story Mania, Star Tours, Tower of Terror, and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.

There are also several shows at Disney's Hollywood Studios that are sure to delight. Consult the "times guide" when you arrive at the park, and plan to check out the shows that suit your interests. We love: Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Muppet Vision 3D, Frozen Sing-Along, Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Disney Junior Live on Stage, and Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away. However, I think our favorites (based on the ages and interests of my boys) were: Muppet Vision 3D, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and Star Wars: A Galaxy Far Far Away. 

You are also going to want to attend the evening "Fantasmic" show. It is recommended to use a Fast Pass for the show or arrive around 90 minutes early to ensure you get a seat. It really is a magical show, and a great way to end the day! After the show, you can make your way to the Star Wars themed fireworks. They are really impressive.

In addition to the rides and shows, there are also a variety of character "meet and greets". (Consult the "times guide" for character greeting times and locations.) The waits can be long, so pick one or two favorites, and don't forget to take some family pictures. You can use the Disney photographer, or you can ask one of the workers to take a picture with your camera.

It is going to be a long day, so make sure you are prepared, and you are wearing comfy shoes. Bring a backpack, and pack: a lunch, sunscreen, a camera, sweaters, and glow sticks (which are much cheaper outside the park). You'll also want to take a break when you feel the kids need a little "re-charge". We have a tradition of getting Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream sandwiches. :-)

Bring some quarters and pennies too. Penny souvenir machines are scattered throughout the park, and they make fun and inexpensive souvenirs for the kids.

I highly recommend Disney's Hollywood Studios... especially if you have Toy Story and Star Wars fans in your family. Remember to have fun, take lots of pictures, and make many memories!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure: I received two free tickets in exchange for my honest review of this park. As always, the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.

The Ultimate DIY Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party

I love a good DIY party, and today I am sharing all the awesome details of my son's 5th "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" birthday party.  It was a simple party, but the easy and inexpensive special touches made it the ultimate DIY pirate party.

You can also check out the video I made here:

A good invitation always sets the mood for a party, so I took a picture of my little pirate, and I added all the party info using a photo editing software.  I used Picmonkey.com because it is free and very user friendly.

Then, on the day of the party, as the guests arrived, they were greeted at the door by my three little pirates, and they were asked to choose a pirate name.  My oldest son wrote out the name tags and stuck them on our guests.

Once each guest chose a name, they were given pixie dust, a felt Jake headband, and a pirate hook.  (Click on the links for the tutorials for these three simple party favors.)

Once inside our home, our guests were transported into a pirate hideaway via a variety of easy DIY pirate party signage and decor. You can find all the adorable details and instructions here.

The guests were served a variety of food and snacks that fit with our pirate theme.  You can find all the details of our pirate fare here.

And, of course, our Jake and the Neverland Pirate cake was a hit with our pint-sized pirate guests.  You can find out how I made this cake (from a mix) using the step-by-step tutorial you can find here.

Of course, we also had a bunch of pirate games & activities to keep my son's friends entertained and happy. We had a plank, a hook toss, a treasure hunt, and more.  You can get all the game and activity details here.

Then, at the end of the party, each of our guests left with their headband, pirate hook, pixie dust, and a little "pirate booty" loot bag.  You can download your own free, printable "pirate booty" tags here.

I loved all the little DIY details of this Jake and the Neverland Pirates party.  

I hope you ARRRRR inspired to host your own DIY pirate party. It really is a fun theme, and there countless opportunities to add special DIY details.

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Olaf Hat {free printable template}

Who doesn't love an adorable snowman that sings? I know I do! So, when it came time to do alphabet crafts for the letter "O" with my Preschool class, I knew I had to come up with a fun Olaf craft. Take a peek at the adorable Olaf hats we made (below)... and download the FREE template to make them with your own kids or class.

How cute is my 5 year old in his Olaf hat?  To make your own hat:

1)  Download a pdf version of the Olaf hat I designed here and print it onto cardstock. Or... if you have trouble accessing the download:

Click on the photo below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo. (Please enjoy this free printable for your personal use... but do not sell it or republish it.)

2)  Have the child color the template.

3)  Have the child cut along the line to separate the face from the teeth and branch.  They should also cut out the branch and teeth.

4)  Add another strip of paper to the face to form a headband that fits the child.  Tape in place.

5)  Use tape to attach the branch and teeth.

That's it!  Do you have a Frozen fan that would enjoy making this Olaf hat?  I think it is a fantastic craft for Preschoolers (and older children too)!


♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You must also enjoy the crafts, activities, and freebies here.