Family fun Archives - On the Go in MCO

ICON Park Children’s Birthday Party Package

Are you looking for a unique place to host your child’s next birthday party? ICON Park has you covered with a brand-new children’s birthday party package. All you need to do is send out the invitations and sit back and enjoy while ICON Park handles the rest.

For each guest, ICON Park’s birthday party package includes:

Ride on The Wheel
One slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza from Brick & Fire
One soft drink
$20 In The Game arcade credits
Group photo with unlimited digital downloads

Get your little one’s special day started off on a high note with a ride on The Wheel. In your private, air-conditioned capsule, you can play your own playlist full of your child’s favorite tunes.

After getting the best view of the City Beautiful, party guests can each enjoy a refreshing soda and a slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza from The Wheelhouse Market’s Brick & Fire Pizza.

Level up the party with a trip to In The Game ICON Park. All party guests will receive $20 in arcade credits to play the latest arcade games, compete for prizes and set new records.

No special day would be complete without a group photo. One memorable group photo is included with the birthday party package and can be downloaded as many times as you’d like.

The ICON Park birthday party package was designed for children ages three to 17 and their adult chaperones. Cost is $35 plus tax and offers up to 60 percent savings. The package is only available to groups of 10 or more people, and the party typically lasts up to 90 minutes, depending on the number of attendees.

Birthday party reservations must be made at least two business days in advance. To book a party, call 407-601-7907, email Groups@ICONParkOrlando.com or click here.

Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures

Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures will whisk families away on an immersive getaway chock-full of magical participatory moments. Featuring new and classic tales, this multi-generational experience visits Amway Center from September 2 – 4.

Disney On Ice Preferred Customers can purchase advance tickets starting today, to get the best seats available before tickets go on-sale to the general public on June 14^th. Fans can still sign up to become a Disney On Ice Preferred Customer and get exclusive access to the pre-sale offer code.

Hit the road with Mickey Mouse and his pals for a high-octane ride in Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures. Exciting twists and turns await as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and guests of all ages embark on an interactive and memory-rich adventure to iconic Disney destinations. See the world from the rooftops of London with Mary Poppins and Jack and his band of dancing lamplighters. Travel to the sun-soaked Motunui and help Moana restore the heart of Te Fiti. Set off on a safari and snap unforgettable photos of wild cheetahs and monkeys when guests traverse through the Pride Lands with Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa. Discover a whole new world and be swept up in Aladdin’s princely parade filled with spectacular stunts, magical moments with Genie, and a brand-new song from Jasmine that will render the audience “Speechless.” Mosey on over to a larger-than-life comedic carnival and team up with Woody and Bo Peep as they search for their new friend Forky. Fans will hit a high note with Mickey and pals while singing along to beloved Disney tunes as they welcome Merida, Belle, Ariel, Mulan, and Tiana to the ice.

Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures

Friday, September 2 // 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 3 // 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.
Sunday, September 4 // 1 p.m., 5 p.m.

Tickets: $25 – $110 (prices subject to change). All tickets are reserved. Buy tickets at the Amway Center box office or at Ticketmaster.com. All dates, act(s), and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service, handling, and facility fee charges. For Amway Center box office and ticket information, visit AmwayCenter.com (phone purchases are not available through the Amway Center box office). The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street and the box office is located on the north side of the Amway Center, near the intersection of Church Street and Hughey Avenue.

Families should be prepared for a getaway jam-packed with unexpected hijinks and surprise, up-close character interaction as Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures makes a pitstop right in Orlando!

On the Go in MCO: Educational Adventures

Don’t forget that you can catch these great events and more on the Obie & Ashley Unfiltered Podcast!

This summer I have been sharing fun ways you can be On the Go in MCO, and this week the series continues with some fun ways to sneak some learning into your summer break.

On the Go in MCO: Educational Adventures

Mars Fest at the Orlando Science Center

On the Go in MCO Mars Fest Orlando Science Center — Orlando Science Center Moon Fest, photo by Roberto Gonzalez

Celebrate Mars exploration with astronomy and engineering-themed activities throughout the Orlando Science Center this weekend.

Learn how the amazing telescopes, satellites, and landers have been analyzing the history of Mars and searching for life in another world.

During the event, visitors will also enjoy special live demonstrations, cosmic chemistry, and more during this special weekend celebration that’s included with admission to the Orlando Science Center.

A Deep Sea Adventure at the Crayola Experience Orlando

On the Go in MCO Crayola Experience Orlando Ocean X

Through July 25th at the Crapola Experience, located at the Florida Mall, you can join the mission to find the elusive giant squid when OceanX takes over the creative world of Crayola for a once-in-lifetime event.

So get your mission log, create your ID badge and begin your journey through the sea kelp as you:

Take an “underwater” photo in a Crayola OceanX sub
Sculpt your own ocean creature and place it on a 3D mapping table
Learn about undersea wonders and conservation efforts
View sea creatures in their natural habitat through colorful “portholes”
Help build a “coral reef” made of recycled marker caps
And ultimately come face to face with the elusive Giant Squid!

This limited-time fun is included in your admission to the Crayola Experience Orlando, which is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. every day of the week.

Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek

The Pioneer Village is comprised of a permanent collection of authentic structures which once stood in different areas of Osceola County that were carefully relocated to our present location and gently preserved to demonstrate how life was once lived before our modern times.

The village includes a general store and post office, schoolhouse, church, train depot, homesteads from Osceola settlers, Seminole settlement, a cow camp, and working structures such as a blacksmith shop, citrus packing plant, cane grinder, and barn.

Pioneer Village is open Wednesday – Sunday 10 am – 4 pm, and guided tours are available on Wednesday from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm and by appointment.

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

EPCOT, at the Walt Disney World Resort, is always my favorite way to sneak ‘Edutainment’ into our theme park fun, but during the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, there are even more ways to learn…I mean have fun!

From July 15 to November 20th, families can learn about cuisine around the world, try new delicious bites, and enjoy family challenges that will stretch their food knowledge and taste buds.

For more activities On the Go in MCO, make sure to follow @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

PJ Masks Event Debuts at SEA LIFE Orlando

Calling all heroes, starting today PJ Masks is diving into SEA LIFE Orlando exclusively with a brand-new Aquarium-wide adventure.

For the first time ever, elements of the hit animated series for preschoolers will come to life in Orlando!

Guests will help ‘Stop the Marine Mayhem’ around every corner at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium from April 30^th through May 21^st during the limited time experience.

PJ Masks sea-themed trails and activities will include character meet & greets with Gekko on select days only.

In addition, fans will have a chance to play pop-up games along various exhibits and win exclusive prizes.

These exclusive aquarium activities are sure to bring everyone’s inner hero to life!

PJ Masks’ highly anticipated fourth season launched Spring 2020 and included new underwater adventures for the heroic trio. The interactive adventure will provide elements throughout the aquarium to give guests and fans alike an unforgettable experience that will deepen their connection with PJ Masks and its courageous characters.

For the ultimate fans, a range of PJ Masks products will also be available to purchase in the SEA LIFE gift shops.

To purchase tickets visit our website at www.VisitSEALIFE.com/Orlando.

SeaWorld Orlando 2021 Preschool Card

SeaWorld Orlando Welcome Harbour Vertical

SeaWorld Orlando is a fantastic theme park for kids, and now pint-sized guests can enjoy an ocean of experiences with the free 2021 Preschool Card, available now for a limited time.

Florida children under the age of 5 can enroll in the 2021 Preschool Card which grants them free admission for a year full of fun and safe theme park experiences at SeaWorld Orlando in a spacious outdoor environment with limited capacity and enhanced health and safety protocols.

Sesame Street Weekend 2021 SeaWorld Orlando

Kids are also in for a very special treat with the launch of two fan-favorite events to kick off the year with Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend on January 23-24 and Elmo’s Birthday Celebration from January 30 to February 3!

Families can experience these events plus all of the park’s kid-friendly annual events with unique features like specialty beverages for tots at the Seven Seas Food Festival, kids dance parties at Electric Ocean, trick-or-treating and meeting spooky-fun characters at Halloween Spooktacular, photos with Santa, and millions of twinkling lights at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, and more, with the 2021 Preschool Card.

SeaWorld Orlando 2021 Preschool Card Details

Here are a few things that you need to know about the SeaWorld Orlando 2021 Preschool Card:

To be eligible for the FREE Preschool Card for unlimited visits to SeaWorld through December 31, 2021, kids must be ages 5 and younger.
Advance registration must be completed online and is only valid for children ages 5 or younger at the time of redemption at the park.
Registration is required by February 3, 2021
First visit ticket redemption must occur by February 28, 2021.

To learn more and to register for the Preschool Card, Florida residents can visit this page to complete the online registration.

Don’t forget you can keep up with theme park news around Orlando by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

Christmas Bricktacular Premium Upgrades at LEGOLAND Florida

Over at Legoland Florida there are some new experiences during the holidays and Christmas Bricktacular to help make your holiday season a memorable one.

In addition to Christmas Bricktacular beginning on December 17, this weekend they began offering the LEGO® Santa’s Breakfast and LEGO® Santa’s Christmas Workshop. I recently had the opportunity to attend these events and they were so much fun, especially if you have Lego fans in your family (which I do).

Lego Santa’s Breakfast

Breakfast is held every Saturday and Sunday through December 18 and then daily December 24-December 31 from 9:00-10:00 AM. Lego Santa hosts you and your family at the historical Magnolia Mansion. When you arrive, you get a picture taken with him that you’ll get to take home and are shown to an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet.

Breakfast included bacon and sausage, eggs, french toast, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and a seasonal bread pudding. All of the food and drinks are set up in the mansion. There were Lego displays all around to check out as you filled your plate.

Legos are present your table (make sure to look inside the giant mini fig head). During our time, we were visited by Mrs. Claus, Lego Toy Soldier, and Lego Buddy the Elf. We had a very deep conversation with Mrs. Claus about our favorite cookies.

Kids are given some paper to write a letter to Santa and each family receives a Lego ornament.

There are also several games set up on the lawn.

This event is a great way to start your day in Legoland. It costs $35 per person plus tax. Annual passholders can receive a discount.

Lego Santa’s Workshop

The workshop takes place in the afternoons from 1:00-2:30 on the same days as the breakfast. When you arrive to Magnolia Mansion, you’ll be given an elf hat Lego pin and be given the opportunity to take a fun picture with Lego Santa and Lego Toy Soldier.

Next, cookies and milk are available inside. Out on the tables, each person had a bottle of water and a bag of Legos to use during the workshop. Then it was time for a master model builder to give us instruction on building the mystery figure in our bags.

During the lesson we learned proper terminology for the different pieces. Our master model builder, Luke, and the other model citizens were great at answering questions. Afterwards, we were free to take pictures around the mansion and they gave us a cool lego case to carry home our figures. We also got the picture that we took earlier with Lego Santa and Toy Soldier.

My family and I really enjoyed our workshop time. Since the figure itself was on the easy side, even guests who have never built Lego models would be able to follow and successfully complete it. The workshop costs $35 per person plus tax.

Both of these premium upgrades are a lot of fun if you’re looking for something special to add to your day at Legoland Florida during the holidays or when you attend Christmas Bricktacular. The Model Citizens were all wonderful to hang out with at both events. Plus you get some pretty fun souvenirs to take home. Check out Legoland Florida’s website for more information on these special events.

Animal Kingdom and Epcot Connecting Families With Nature

Animal Kingdom and Epcot

Connecting Families With Nature Series

Throughout the year Animal Kingdom and Epcot will be hosting Connecting Families With Nature Series of special events designed to bring attention to animals, their habitats, and what we humans can do to help them not only thrive but survive!

The events take place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot. The goal of each is to provide kids and families with a special opportunity to connect with nature, talk to our animal experts, and learn more about some of the fantastic creatures with whom we share our planet. Here’s the list of our 2014 events. Watch the Disney Parks Blog for more detailed posts shortly before each one. We hope to see you at one or more of them!

We ventured to Rafiki’s Planet Watch for the first event in the year long series on March 4th to celebrate ‘Springing Forward’ a few days early by celebrating frogs, toads and other amphibians.

Once we arrived, we were greeted by Cast Members and found all sorts of great games, activities, and special examinations we could watch.

The first thing we did, as we listened to Guitar Dan, was to make our very own Toad Abode for the frogs and toads in our yard to be comfy as Cast Members told us about frogs that were native to Florida. You know that I HAD to have a few Mickey’s on there!

Once inside we were able to try our hand at several games (who knew I could standing jump 7 ft!), watched an examination of a frog, and learned ways that we could do our part to help frogs.

Did you know that, according to some estimates, as many as one-third of the known amphibian species are threatened by extinction because of loss of habitat, climate change, pollution and disease? To find out more about Disney conservation efforts, visit www.disney.com/conservation

These Connecting Families With Nature Special Events are a great way to make your trip to the park extra special, and I know that we will definitely be going to more throughout the year. We had so much fun!

If you want to join in the fun with us, here are the upcoming 2014 events for Connecting Families with Nature! You always want to keep in mind that dates subject to change:

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

March 4: Spring Forward for Amphibians Day — Just a few days before we adjust our clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time, we’re “springing forward” to celebrate frogs, toads and other amphibians.
April 22: Party for the Planet in celebration of Earth Day — Every day is a Party for the Planet at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as guests and cast members join together to celebrate the wonders of nature, but, on Earth Day, there will be even more natural magic. Included is a celebration of the release of Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure “Bears,” in theaters April 18, which showcases a year in the life of a bear family as two impressionable young cubs are taught life’s most important lessons.
May 6: International Migratory Bird Day — Time to celebrate of one the wonders of nature – bird migration – and the ways we can help protect birds on their journeys.
May 20: World Turtle Day — Turtles are fascinating creatures, and really cool dudes, too – just ask Crush! Both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo & Friends celebrate turtles with special activities.
June 10: Pollinator Day — butterflies, bees and other pollinators are the stars of this celebration.
July 29: Big Cat Day — It’s all about the largest cats, like lions and tigers – cats to whom you wouldn’t want to say, “here, kitty, kitty.”
August 5: Primate Day — The perfect place to find out what a 400-pound gorilla and a one-pound cotton-top tamarin have in common.
September 23: Elephant and Rhino Day — Learn fun facts and important conservation information about magnificent and endangered elephants and rhinos.

At The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot:

April 22: Earth Day Celebration — It’s an ocean of fun at The Seas on Earth Day as this Earth Day celebration focuses on marine animals.
May 20: World Turtle Day — See the magnificent sea turtles swim by in the main aquarium and find out what each of us can do to keep turtles safe in the wild.
June 4: World Oceans Day — Join Nemo, Dory, Crush and the rest of the gang in celebrating the wonders of the oceans.

The LEGO Movie Weekend At LEGOLAND Florida

LEGOLAND Florida Hosts

THE LEGO MOVIE Weekend February 8-9, 2014

LEGOLAND Florida will celebrates the launch of the first-ever, full length theatrical LEGO adventure, The LEGO Movie^T, with a movie-themed weekend in the park on February 8 and 9, 2014.

If your little ones are anything like Zoe, we have watched The LEGO Movie trailer a million times! She is so excited!!!

httpv://youtu.be/fZ_JOBCLF-I

You can head to your local theatre to watch The LEGO Movie, opening nationwide on Friday, February 7, and then head over to LEGOLAND Florida to see LEGO come to life amidst more than 50 rides, shows and attractions and special movie-themed fun all geared for families with children ages 2 to 12.

The LEGO Movie Weekend at LEGOLAND Florida includes the following activities:

The LEGO Movie Scavenger Hunt – Miniland USA
Movie characters Emmet, Wyldstyle, Lord Business and MetalBeard are lost in Miniland USA. Guests can help find them to save the day! Guests can submit an entry to win a LEGO Prize Pack at www.LEGOLAND.com. See website for official rules.

The LEGO Movie Video Game Challenge – Warner Bros. Games Zone
Gaming fans can test their skills and play the latest action-packed video game, “The LEGO Movie.”

Build Your Own World Competition – Imagination Zone
Guests can use their imagination to build their own unique LEGO model. LEGOLAND Florida Master Model Builders will select a winner from each event day to receive a LEGO prize pack. Official rules will be available at the park.

The LEGO Movie Mural Build – Imagination Zone
Families can build together and help create a giant LEGO poster of “The LEGO Movie.”

Character Meet & Greets – LEGO City
Fans can walk the red carpet and meet two of the stars of “The LEGO Movie.” Emmet and Wyldstyle.

We will absolutely be there, and hope that you will be, too!!!

Make sure you keep up with all the LEGOLAND Florida news and information by following them on Facebook and Twitter!

The LEGO Movie, from Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and LEGO System A/S, opens in theaters on February 7, 2014. Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, it stars Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie and Charlie Day, with Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman. The original 3D computer animated story follows Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared.

The LEGO Movie Weekend is included with park admission and guests will have complete access to a full day of theme park fun with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida is with the LEGOLAND Florida Resident Annual Pass as low as $99 each. Pass members receive unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and the LEGOLAND Water Park, as well as all other Merlin US attractions (LEGOLAND California & Water Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, Sea Life Centers and Madam Tussauds), free parking and 10% off food and merchandise with no black-out dates. For the most current information on special events, daily operating hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.Follow us for more updates:

No App For That Family Event

No App for That Event Will Encourage Parents to Set a New Year’s

Resolution of Less Screen Time and More Nature for their Kids

“Screen time”- the time children spend in front of some sort of electronic device- has taken over an alarming portion of U.S. children’s lives. The No App for That Event in Orlando on Feb.1, 2014 will take a step to try and change that.

The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates children spend an average of 7 hours a day on entertainment media, including televisions, computers, phones and other electronic devices.

Studies have shown too much screen time has been linked to obesity, irregular sleep, behavior problems, impaired academic problems, violence, and results in less time for play.

No App for That is a three-hour interactive seminar for parents to help them evaluate the impact this is having on their families, and offer an alternative: exposing kids to the many benefits of more time with nature.

The event is the brainchild of Lake Mary’s Chad Crawford, creator and host of the Emmy Award-winning syndicated TV series “How to Do Florida.” Crawford- a father of four young children- read the best-selling book “Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv and felt immediately called into action.

“That book smacked me in the head,” said Crawford. “This is information every parent needs. What they decide to do with it is up to them.”

Crawford contacted author Richard Louv and invited him to be the keynote speaker for the seminar. Louv, who has also authored the best-selling “The Nature Principle,” has sparked an international movement to reconnect kids and nature. He has influenced national policy and helped inspire campaigns in over eighty cities, states, and provinces throughout North America.

Louv coined the phrase “nature deficit disorder”- the loss of connection children increasingly feel with the natural world. He argues, nature-deficit disorder affects “health, spiritual well-being, and many other areas, including people’s ability to feel ultimately alive.”

“The future will belong to the nature-smart,” Louv says. “Those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.”

Other speakers will also highlight the seminar which runs from 9:00 a.m to noon:

– Dr. Angela Fals, Medical Director of Healthy 100 Kids at Florida Hospital for Children, who will speak on how to obtain a healthy balance for screened devices in the home.

-Dr. Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor of Northland, A Church Distributed. He serves as a spiritual advisor to President Obama and works with respected members of the religious and scientific communities to call attention to human-caused threats to the environment. He will speak on experiencing God in nature.

-Chad Crawford, Creator and Host of “How to Do Florida” TV series. Crawford, the “ultimate Florida adventurer,” will have an interactive presentation with video on the top ten outdoor things to do for families in Central Florida.

“Parents will walk away from this event with concrete ways to connect their kids to nature, set healthy boundaries for screen time, and how to create a culture of the outdoors for their families,” said Crawford.

“No App for That” is being presented by Florida Hospital for Children and is being held at Northland Church, 530 Dog Track Road Longwood, FL 32750. Seating is limited and tickets are $10 and available at www.noappforthat.com. Free childcare is being provided for infants through 5th grade.

Fun Photo Spots In Toon Lagoon

A visit to Toon Lagoon at Universal Orlando Resort’s Islands of Adventure is quite different right now, because Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls is currently closed for rehab and the cold temperatures make riding Popeye & Bluto’s Blige-Rat Barges not really an option.

So as I spent some time this weekend in the now quiet Toon Lagoon area of the park, I found that I had been walking by a really fun and unique photo opportunity that was a lot of fun!

As you walk along the row of shops on Comic Book Lane in Toon Lagoon, look up and you will find several cartoon dialogue balloons above the stores and restaurants that make for some terrific photos.

These balloons and thought bubbles can be found on lamp posts, trees, and are even part of the store signs in front of almost every location on this lane that’s full of ‘character’.

When you are taking the pictures, make sure that you take a peek at each side because they say different things!

I had an absolute blast taking these pictures!

I can’t wait to go back with my daughter and friends to see what kind of pictures they take!Follow us for more updates:

Our Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Staycation

We had the opportunity to have a really fun ‘staycation’ the weekend before Christmas together experiencing all great amenities and food that the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress has to offer, and it was an amazing visit.

Located in the Lake Buena Vista area, the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is one mile away from the Walt Disney World Resort, however as the centerpiece of the 1,500-acre Grand Cypress Resort you feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.

When you first walk into the 18-story atrium lobby and are greeted by Merlot, the resident macaw, you know that you are in a really special place.

The rooms at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress are spacious at 360 square feet, and feature comfortable Hyatt Grand Beds, great amenities, and views you will love waking up to every morning!

We had a Pool View which was absolutely beautiful, and by night we were able to watch to fireworks at both Epcot and the Magic Kingdom every night without having to leave our room!

Here’s a detailed look at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Room Amenities:

Separate work desk
Hairdryer
Iron / ironing board
Coffee maker (Featuring Starbucks Coffee)
Cable / satellite TV channels
iHome™ alarm clock radio

Jack pack adaptor panel for multimedia plug n’ play
Voicemail
High-speed Internet access
Large, flat-screen television
Individual air conditioning control
Ceiling fans
Video checkout

In-room safe
Safety deposit box behind front desk
Mini-Fridge
Crib upon request
Maximum guests per room: 4
Chaise lounge
Spa toiletries

If you are looking for great food, you will definitely find it at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress!

We had an a wonderful dinner at Cascade American Bistro!

The restaurant setting is beautiful, the food was delicious, and the service was outstanding.

I cannot recommend Cascade highly enough, especially their signature S’mores dessert! It was heaven in a Mason Jar!

When we were relaxing by the gorgeous pool, we also took advantage of the pool-side service from the On the Rocks Poolside Lounge.

My margarita was perfect and the Tri-Color Tortilla Chip trio was tasty with generous portions of each dip. The queso and guacamole were amazing!

And in the lobby, Perks was a great place to grab a cup of Starbucks and pastry in the morning and as it transformed to Trellises Lounge in the evening it was a great place to grab a quick bite!

We even ordered in-room dining one night, and it was a great way to relax after a busy day at the resort! With so many (even vegetarian) menu options, we found that we had a hard time deciding what we wanted to order! The in-room menu is extremely affordable and convenient, and something that we would definitely experience again!

However, the star for us during our stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress was the outdoor amenities and recreation options we were able to enjoy as a family!

There is an affordable extra Resort Services Program charge at the resort, and with that guests get access to

Health Club Open 24 Hours
Rock Climbing Walls
9 Hole, Par 3 Pitch N’ Putt
Water sports: Canoe, Paddle Boat, Hydro Bike, Aquacycle, Sailboat, and Kayak
Bikes: Adult’s, Children’s, and Surreys
Golf Driving Range
Court Time at the Tennis Racquet Club
Daily Scheduled Shuttle Transportation to Walt Disney World Theme Parks,
Universal Studios/ Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld-Be sure to pick up your
boarding pass from our Lobby Concierge.
Wired and Wireless Internet
Free Local and Toll Free Telephone Service

Zoe wanted to do something on her own, so she participated in Camp Hyatt for the day and had a blast!

Camp Hyatt is an interactive program exclusively for our guests ages 3-12. Our activities focus on the flora, fauna and culture of this unique part of the Sunshine State and includes a Fish Feeding Frenzy, Arcade Challenges, Boats and Bikes, Rock Climbing, Kids Crafts, Marshmallow Roasts, Scavenger Hunts, Short Chef Creations, Video Games and Pool and Beach Games.

Zoe wants to go back to the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress JUST to go back to Camp Hyatt!!!

We had such an awesome time exploring the resort as a family! We took our first family bike ride after Dave’s knee replacement surgery, played games, and played on the beach together.

We had so much fun, that we never left the resort!

Here are some of our favorite Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Outdoor Activities:

Boating

A white sandy beach runs along Lake Windsong where you will find canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, sailboats, a volleyball court, and much more.

Boating Hours: 8:00am – return by 5:30pm

Boating Rules: 18 & older for sailboats. 13 & older to be alone on the water in all other craft.

Anyone under 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at least 18 years of age.

Pool, Water Slides, and More

Pool Water Slide Hours: 9:00 am– 5:30pm

Rules: There is a minimum 44 inch height requirement for the pool water slide. Life jacket required for children between 44-48 in.

Water Jet Pad Hours: 8:00am – 10:00pm

Poolside Recreation Desk and Pool Towel Service

You can stop here for daily activity information, slide wristbands, pool towels, floats, sunscreen that you may have forgotten, and more!

Daily Hours: 8:00am – 5:30pm

Pool Towels are available outside of the On The Rocks bar after operating hours with your resort room key.

Biking

Bicycles for all ages are available including family bikes, bikes with training wheels and adult bikes with child seats. Enjoy 9.2 miles of jogging and biking trails throughout the Grand Cypress Resort.

Hours: 8:00am – return by 5:30 pm

Rules: 13 & older to go biking alone. At least 18 years of age to drive a Surrey Bike. Anyone under 13 must

be accompanied by a parent or guardian at least 18 years of age. Anyone younger than 16 must wear a helmet.

Pitch N’ Putt

Visit our scenic par 3 executive course on Lake Windsong. Complimentary club rentals are available.

Hours: 8:00am– return by 5:30pm

Rules: 13 & younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at least 18 years of age.

Rock Climbing Challenge

Come climb the towers at the Grand Cypress! Lanes are available for all skill levels.

Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Rules: Minimum/Maximum height and weight requirements vary. See attendant for more

information. Closed toe/heel shoes are required.

Fire Pit

Located on the beach! S’mores Kits are available for purchase in the Palm Cafe, Trellises, or through Room Service for $10.

Available Thursday thru Sunday at Dusk. Weather permitting.

You will also find tons of great ways to have some quiet time while you are enjoying the great outdoors!

At the pool there is a large grotto area full of super comfy chairs.

Then on the beach there are designated quiet areas and hammocks that you won’t ever want to leave!

The grounds of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress are lush, and full of amazing sculptures and statues. I had a really relaxing walk around the resort. It was so nice to steal a few moments for myself!

We had an absolutely amazing and wonderful staycation at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, and if you are looking for a family experience to plus your visit to the Orlando Theme Parks I would absolutely recommend staying at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress!

Disclaimer: Through a partnership with the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, I received accommodations and a meal at the Resort. All opinions are my own.

On the Go Gift Guide: Jake And The Neverland Pirates Game

And closing out the selection of Disney games for our On the Go Gift Guide is Jake and the Neverland Pirates Shipwreck Beach Treasure Hunt from Wonder Forge!

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Shipwreck Beach Treasure Hunt is a really interactive and fun game that takes your normal ‘matching’ game to the next level!

Yo ho, let’s go! Captain Hook has buried pirate booty all over Shipwreck Beach. Flip over the gold doubloons and use Jake’s spyglass to decode the secret clues. When you get a match, get up and go! Snag the correct treasure with the foam sword and hurry back to score!

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Shipwreck Beach Treasure Hunt At A Glance

Players:

2 or more players ages 3+

Promotes:

Matching
Memory
Physical Dexterity

Product Contents

5 Treasures
5 Treasure Bases
12 Doubloons
1 Treasure Map Storage Bag
1 Foam Sword
1 Spyglass Decoder
1 Sand Timer
1 Game Rules Manual

A really cool feature of Jake and the Neverland Pirates Shipwreck Beach Treasure Hunt is that the game board is actually the bag where you store all of the pieces for the game!

Zoe really loved using the Spyglass decoder to help her make pairs! It was such a fun twist on matching that kept her involved in the game.

We found that the timer included with the game provides more than enough time to pick up the treasures of Shipwreck Beach!

As a family, we really enjoyed playing Jake and the Neverland Pirates Shipwreck Beach Treasure Hunt and Zoe can’t wait to play with her friends over their holiday break!

Disclosure: Through a partnership with Wonder Forge Games, I have received a promotional item in exchange for this post. All opinions and thoughts are my own!Follow us for more updates:

On the Go Gift Guide: Disney Eye Found It

I thought that we would start our On the Go Gift Guide with a really fun board game from Wonder Forge, Disney Eye Found It!

Disney Eye Found It features a jumbo game board that is filled to brim with whimsical artwork and starring your favorite Disney characters.

Join Mickey Mouse and friends on an exciting race through 12 exquisitely illustrated Disney realms, from Radiator Springs and Alice’s Wonderland to Peter Pan’s Never Land and Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood. Throughout the race, everyone searches for iconic Disney objects…and gets a chance to say, “I found it!”

Disney Eye Found It at a Glance

Players:

Game is for 2-6 players ages 5 and up

Promotes:

Cooperation and teamwork
Observation skills and attention to detail
Reinforces object identification and matching skills

Product Contents:

1 Six-foot Game Board in three sections
6 Movers
6 Mover Bases
1 Spinner
12 Mickey Mouse Ear Tokens
30 Search Cards
1 Sand Timer
1 Game Rules Manual

When you are setting up Disney Eye Found It, make sure that you have a LOT of space! When they say Jumbo, they totally mean Jumbo! We set the game up on our dining room table, which was the perfect place to play the game since everyone had a seat and it was a flat surface for the board to fit together.

The board is chocked full of detail that is beyond perfect for any Disney fan, and it is really easy to get lost in the details! We ended up giving the younger ones playing a little more time and hints since the board is so gigantic!

Here are some of my favorite Disney realms features in Disney Eye Found It!

We all had a really great time playing Disney Eye Found It, and it is definitely a game we will pull out again to play for our Family Game Nights!

Disclosure: Through a partnership with Wonder Forge Games, I have received a promotional item in exchange for this post. All opinions and thoughts are my own!Follow us for more updates:

Now Snowing Nightly In Celebration

Snowfall and Events EVERY Night at Now Snowing Nightly Now through December 31st
(including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve)

Now Snowing, is by far our favorite event hosted by Celebration all year!

Now Snowing, Central Florida’s original and premier “Snowing” event, offers a new snowfall program, an ice rink and a schedule filled with surprises. Now Snowing is a month long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, community performers, photos with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides, the Celebration Express train, and nightly snowfall at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 PM.

There is nothing like catching a bite to eat (We love Sweet Escape for a sandwich, Celebration Town Tavern for the best Chowder, or The Columbia for a 1905 Salad and Sangria), playing in the snow or ‘snoap’ as we call it, and doing a little shopping as a family!

Now Snowing Nightly — I picked this little guy up at Confetti!!! I love him!!!

During the hourly ‘snow’ a short story plays about how it first started snowing in Celebration which is followed by really fun and upbeat Christmas music!

If you are planning on attending Now Snowing in Celebration, here are a few tips!

Make sure that your little ones wear closed toed shoes with lots of tread on them, because the ‘snow’ can be slippery and it helps keep the little ones safe while they run around!

You will want to make sure that you plan ahead for parking, because it can take awhile to find a parking spot…especially on the weekend or on nights with special events. And when it says ‘Resident Parking Only’, take heed because they will tow your car!
If you think that your little one may be a snow magnet, you may want to keep a towel and even a change of clothes in your car. They lay a layer of ‘snow’ on the street before it starts ‘snowing’ so it will get everywhere!

A lot of the shops will have specials, so make sure you peek in! (You know how much I love the Celebration Sanrio Surprises…I have a problem!)
Don’t forget there’s a Starbucks in Celebration! It can get really busy at times, but there’s nothing like their hot chocolate when it’s ‘snowing’!!!

Wear socks or bring them if you are thinking about skating!!! The skating rink is great, because there are refs to keep things safe and walkers to help new skaters.
Don’t be surprised if you spend more time than you intended to at Now Snowing Nightly! You WILL get sucked in to the fun!!!

In addition to the everyday fun at Now Snowing Nightly, join us for the Orlando Sentinel Celebration of Voices on December 7th , a special Radio Disney Holiday concert with performances by Megan Nicole and Before You Exit! on December 14th and the Countdown to Christmas with National Recording Artists Ryan Cabrera and Lucy Iris on December 21st, and presented by Jarrett Automotive Group. For a complete list of Community Performances click here!

Now Snowing Nightly in Celebration Overview

Nightly Snowfall 6, 7, 8 and 9 PM November 30th through December 31st.

Endless Ice-Ice Skating Rink
$10.00 for a 1/2 hour minimum skate (skate rental included)
4:00-10:00 p.m. daily

Horse and Carriage Rides
Wagon Rides- $5.00 per person
Horse and Carriage Rides- $25 for the first 2 passengers, $10 each additional

Special Holiday Home Tour Rides (30/40 minutes in length to see the lights throughout Celebration)- $25 per person
Call for Appointment for Horse & Carriage Holiday Home Tour: 321-624-6380

Train Rides
$5.00 at the Gate or
$4.00 in advance if purchased at Confetti, Market Street Gallery, Sweet Escape, or Sanrio Surprises. (Before 4 p.m. Nightly)

Story Time at Sanrio

FREE-(schedule available in the Celebration Sanrio Store)
A Special Guest Reads Christmas Stories
(Space is Limited-for reservations visit Sanrio in Celebration

Brought to you by Lexin Capital, and sponsored in part by the Celebration Town Tavern, Experience Kissimmee, and Melia Suites Hotel at Celebration. Now Snowing Nightly parking and admission are free.

Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey LEGENDS Coming To The Amway Center

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS at Orlando’s Amway Center

Tickets for sale this Friday at 10 am for January 9-12, 2014 shows

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® is proud to present LEGENDS!The brand new show plays the Amway Center in Orlando January 9-12, 2014. Tickets go on sale to the public this Friday at 10 a.m.

Behold the living legends! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey brings the unbelievable to Children Of All Ages in an all-new show – – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS. Experience unimaginable family fun as amazing performers from around the globe perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder to summon the mythical and the mysterious: a Unicorn, a Pegasus and a Woolly Mammoth! Join us for an unforgettable family night of legendary proportions! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS!

For more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit us on Facebook.

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, January 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 11 at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 12 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Ticket Prices and Purchase:

Tickets for Thursday and Friday performances are: $75 (Front Row), $35 (Premium Seats), $27, $23 and $16

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday performances are: $75 (Front Row), $40 (Premium Seats), $30, $23 and $16

Ticketmaster service charges and facility fees not included. All seats are reserved, and tickets go on saleOctober 18 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are available at www.ringling.com or www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Amway Center box office (phone: 407-440-7900). For group ticket sales and information, call 866-248-8740. The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street – Suite 200, Orlando, Florida 32801.

Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures

On the Go in MCO: Educational Adventures

For more activities On the Go in MCO, make sure to follow @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

SeaWorld Orlando 2021 Preschool Card Details

Animal Kingdom and Epcot

Connecting Families With Nature Series

LEGOLAND Florida Hosts

THE LEGO MOVIE Weekend February 8-9, 2014

The LEGO Movie Weekend at LEGOLAND Florida includes the following activities:

No App for That Event Will Encourage Parents to Set a New Year’s

Resolution of Less Screen Time and More Nature for their Kids

Here’s a detailed look at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Room Amenities:

Here are some of our favorite Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Outdoor Activities:

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Shipwreck Beach Treasure Hunt At A Glance

Players:

Promotes:

Product Contents

Disney Eye Found It at a Glance

Promotes:

Product Contents:

Snowfall and Events EVERY Night at Now Snowing Nightly Now through December 31st (including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve)

Now Snowing Nightly in Celebration Overview

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS at Orlando’s Amway Center

Snowfall and Events EVERY Night at Now Snowing Nightly Now through December 31st
(including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve)