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.

3 Orlando Attractions Your Kids Will Love: Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Sea Life Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Disclosure: I was given free admission to these attractions in exchange for my honest review. As always, the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.

My family recently returned from a trip to Orlando, and because this was our 5th family trip to this destination, we wanted to see some different attractions. So, after some research, we decided to spend a night at The Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive which is in walking distance to the Coca Cola Orlando Eye, the Orlando SEA LIFE Aquarium, and Madame Tussauds wax museum. Below, I am sharing the details of our visits to these attractions.

The night we arrived in Florida, we headed straight to the Orlando Eye because my oldest son wanted to do it at night. It is a 23 minute ride in one of 30 air-conditioned capsules. It's 400 feet high, and my boys loved it!

The 360-degree views really are breathtaking. You can even see nearby theme parks, attractions, downtown Orlando, and Kennedy Space Centre.

Then, on our second morning in Florida, we took a walk over to the SEA LIFE aquarium. My boys loved it! There is a glass tunnel where the marine life (including sharks) swim all around you. There is also a "log book" where the kids complete tasks (like touching a creature in a tide pool) and get stamps. When the log book is completed, the kids can claim a prize.

After the our aquarium adventure, we headed to Madame Tussauds wax museum. The figures are all very impressive and life-like, and the displays are fun and interactive. My boys really enjoyed posing with all the wax figures. I've never seen them so anxious to get their pictures taken!

Check out some of our favourites! Even my husband and I hopped into a few photos.

It's worth noting that you can buy individual tickets to these attractions, or you can bundle them together. You can even add tickets to LEGOland if that is something you are interested in.

Have you and your family every visited these attractions? What did you think?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Reasons Why "The Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive" is a Great Hotel for Families

Disclosure: I was given a complimentary room in exchange for my truthful review of this hotel. As always, the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.

Recently, my family travelled to Orlando, Florida, and we had the opportunity to stay at"The Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive". Known as "The official hotel of the I-Drive 360", this hotel is conveniently located. Today, I am sharing my review of the hotel, including the reasons I believe it is a great hotel for families.

When we arrived at the hotel, I was greeted with a tray of cookies. How "sweet" is that?

Then, I let the boys tour the room. As a family of 5, it was a special treat to be able to book a family suite. Check out my boys' reactions in this video of our arrival!

The room came equipped with bunk beds, a bean bag chair and an extra TV.

There was also a bed for my youngest and one for my husband and I. My boys were super-excited that there was room for everyone, and no one had to share.

The hotel also has two pools, a lobby bar, a poolside restaurant (Gatorville), and lovely grounds.

It's also worth noting that this hotel is conveniently located in the I-Drive 360 area... which is a very walkable neighbourhood. We took full advantage of our location, and we walked to the CocaCola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, and the Orlando Sea Life Aquarium. My boys loved all three of these attractions, and I will be sharing more about them soon!

So, are you planning a trip to Orlando soon? 

If you are interested in staying at "The Wyndam Orlando Resort International Drive", I have a special booking code you can use to save 30% off their Best Available Rate with NO minimum nights required. You just need to use this link.

If you have any questions about my stay, I'd be happy to answer them. Just leave your questions/comments below, and I will get back to you as soon as possible!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

The Key to an Organized Family Vacation

I'm organizing a family trip to Florida in April, and my goal is to have a vacation that is stress-free and relaxing. I have most things planned, and I feel organized thanks to my favourite vacation planning tool -- a duo tang folder containing all the information we need for our trip.

I use a duo tang instead of a binder because I want something that I can easily fit into my carry on.

And, I fill the duo tang with sheet protector pockets, so that I can insert all our important documents.

My first document is a calendar, so I can quickly see my itinerary at a glance.

I use the other pockets for tickets, confirmation numbers, insurance information, addresses for mailing postcards and other important papers.

I also have a section for maps and directions to our accommodations and attractions.

I have used a family travel binder before, and I would never take a major trip without one again. It really is the best way I have found to I keep organized on vacation. What's your best trick for staying organized when travelling with your family?
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more helpful family travel tips and tricks here.

Packing Essentials for Holiday Travel

This time of year, many people are travelling, and parents know that travelling with kids comes with many challenges. It is of utmost importance to keep the kids comfortable, well fed, and entertained! Our family has gone on many trips (hockey trips, plane trips, camping trips, and road trips), and today, I am sharing my list of packing essentials... just in time for holiday travel.

Pack a good carry on bag - You'll want to include healthy snacks, little treats, small toys/games, movies, special blankets/stuffies, water bottles, iPods/iPads, etc... If you are flying, you will want to pack a pen for customs forms/baggage tags and some gum/suckers for the kids (to help with their ears when the plane is landing). A change of clothes and bathing suits are helpful too... in case luggage gets lost or delayed.

Pack food - I detest being forced to buy overpriced and junky food when on a road trip, spending time in an airport, or staying in a hotel room. I always bring supplies (that don't need to be refrigerated) that I can use to prepare a simple picnic lunch. I like unsweetened applesauce, bananas, bread, and peanut butter. It's not fancy... but it's economical, tasty, and keeps my boys happy and full. Individual snack packs (using dollar store hardware holders) are fun and useful too.

Pack basic medical supplies - I always pack Gravol, Benadryl, Tylenol, bandaids, a thermometer, ear drops, etc... There is nothing worse than being in a strange city (with a sick child) searching for an all night pharmacy. A plastic bin from the dollar store makes a wonderful, portable, and full stocked first aid kit too!

Pack storage bags - I use bags to: keep organized, identify special outfits, isolate dirty items, and hold wet stuff.

Pack entertainment for everyone - Netflix* now offers downloads, so you don't always need wifi to keep the kids entertained when you are travelling. When you are on-the-go, you can now keep everyone entertained... one download at a time.

Did I miss anything on my list? What is #1 on YOUR holiday packing list?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

*Disclosure: I receive special gifts and perks as part of my affiliation with Netflix... however (as always) the opinions on this blog are 100% my own... and I REALLY do love Netflix!

Fun Things to do in Antigonish (Nova Scotia)... with Kids

Antigonish, Nova Scotia is full of fun things to do in the summer. Since it is my hometown, I thought I'd do a quick post to share some of my boys' favorite summer activities. Maybe this will convince you to come visit our wonderful little town. :-)

If you are looking for a place for the kids to play, you will want to check out Columbus Field and "The Playground for Everybody" at Antigonish Education Centre. Columbus Field has a playground, a splash pad, and tons of room for the kids to run around, and "The Playground for Everybody" is a wonderful accessible playground that is sure to delight little ones.

Columbus field is also the site of the Antigonish Highland Games. If you are interested in Scottish culture, you should definitely plan to visit during the games. There is even a competition for the kids called "Tir Nan Og" where they can compete in various events... including a mini caber toss.

During the games, you will also get a chance to check out the Highland Games Parade... which is an annual highlight for my boys.

If you need a little break, you can pop into The People's Place Library. It's a great place to sit in comfy chairs and read, and there is a fantastic children's area. They also offer a Summer Reading Program that you may be able to take advantage of.

If you are in town on a Saturday, you'll want to pop into the Antigonish Farmer's Market. There is plenty of locally grown produce and a variety handmade goodies. My boys love checking out the market on Saturday mornings. 

When you are ready for something to eat, there are many wonderful options for local fare. My boys favorites are: The Koala Cone ice cream stand (on Main Street), The Rolling Bricks wood fired pizza (at the Farmer's Market and on Main Street on Fridays), The Waffle Bus Stop (just off Main Street), and Boyd's Seafood Gallery (at Cribbon's Point).

If you are in the mood for an easy hike with the kids, you can check out The Landing. I have been visiting with my kids for years, and it is a favorite spot of ours. You might even see an eagle or two.

Finally, if the weather is good, I recommend a trip to the beach. There are many beaches just outside of Antigonish, and they are fun to explore with the kids.

If you are considering a trip to Antigonish, you should make plans to come for a visit soon. It really is a fun town to explore in the summer. Hope to see you around!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)