disney cruise
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Disney Cruise Review ~ Our 2013 Family Vacation! Part 1 of 2

ByMariel

I’m back!! Did you even know I was gone?? Dan and I just took all the kids, minus the babe, on our first Disney Cruise. It was a dream come true… seriously! Going on a Disney Cruise has always been at the top of my list, so it was amazing to finally go.

Before we left on our cruise, I scoured the internet, looking for everything I could find about Disney cruises. I really wanted to know what they were like. What could I expect?? So, with that in mind, I took oodles of pictures for you and lots of notes so I can share a great Disney Cruise review, give you some tips, and an idea of what the cruise is all about.

Here we go!

fun ways to entertain kids in the car
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Fun Games for Entertaining Kids in the Car (she: Kristina)

ByKristina

Hey, it’s Kristina from Mother’s Niche. If you’re anything like me, a ride in the car can either give you a little break, or it can make you want to pull your hair out…and it all depends on the behavior of the little rascals in the backseat. Sometimes there really is nothing better than a long drive when it means all of your children are strapped down and unable to tear the house apart. I especially appreciate long drives immediately after a thorough house cleaning.

However, there’s nothing that ruins a car ride faster than squabbling, whining and poking! Here are some fun family games that you can play in the car. Whip them out in desperate moments when you need to distract your children from hunger, bullying, boredom, or even from picking their nose:

Creative Ways to Give a Vacation
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Creative Ways to Give a Vacation for Christmas (she: Kim)

ByKimberly w/Get Away Today

The holidays are almost here and one gift your family can all agree on is a VACATION! It’s sure to be something that won’t get lost, broken or returned, and most of all, it’s something everyone will remember forever. This is something that my husband and I have always done when it was just the…

Fall Break ideas
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3 Fall Break Ideas in Utah’s National Parks (she: Allison)

Byallison l.

School started less than a month ago for my children, but Fall Break is already just around the corner! In Utah, Fall Break is scheduled for October 17-18, 2013 in many school districts, offering families a great opportunity to enjoy a long weekend getaway.

Fall is also one of the best times of the year to visit Utah’s national parks. Temperatures are cooler and colorful fall leaves make the parks even more beautiful, if that is possible. It only takes about four hours to drive to any of Utah’s national parks from Salt Lake City.

disney student
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Disneyland Student Group Travel Options 101 (she: Kim)

ByKimberly w/Get Away Today

School is back in session and at Get Away Today, that means student group travel planning begins. Last year I was lucky enough to go to the Disneyland Resort to learn all about the different programs they have available for students. I couldn’t believe how many different programs they have and how awesome and affordable they are! Before going on this trip, I really didn’t understand the differences between the programs, but now they are crystal clear. If you are involved with student travel in any way (teacher, advisor, chaperone or even just a parent of a traveling student), read on to learn what I call “Disneyland Student Group Travel Options 101.” I’ll cover the basics for each of the four student group ticket options.

utah activities
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Top 10 family activities in Utah (she: Allison)

Byallison l.

Utah is known as the Beehive State because when Mormon pioneers settled the state, they strived to emulate the industry and perseverance of the honey bee. The state was originally named Deseret, which means “honey bee.” When Brigham Young pulled his wagon over the hill and declared “This is the right place,” he was probably not thinking about family entertainment. Over 160 years later, however, The Beehive State is one of the best places to find high-quality, family destinations.

Here are my top 10 family activities in Utah (that you can only find in the Beehive State):

October is Kids Free Month in San Diego! (she: Kimberly)
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October is Kids Free Month in San Diego! (she: Kimberly)

ByKimberly w/Get Away Today

San Diego is one of my all-time favorite vacation destinations with so much to offer year round. I normally visit at least once a year and have visited San Diego during each of the four seasons. I honestly don’t know that there’s a “best” time of year to visit if you’re looking at weather, crowds and seasonal events, BUT if you have kids, I have a secret that will probably affect when you decide to vacation in San Diego. OK, it’s not necessarily my secret. I would say it’s San Diego’s Best Kept Secret… Each October the best San Diego attractions join forces and offer free admission for kids – ALL MONTH LONG! When you consider your kids get in to most attractions free and your school aged kids have a Fall Break scheduled, October seems like the perfect time for a San Diego vacation.

Each of the top attractions have different rules and ages, so here’s what you need to know:

5 fun things to do in Carlsbad, California (she: Allison)

5 fun things to do in Carlsbad, California (she: Allison)

Byallison l.

Carlsbad, California is a family-friendly beach town located about 35 miles north of San Diego. Many families know it as the home of LEGOLAND California Resort. However, Carlsbad has lots of other fun activities too, making it worthwhile to make Carlsbad the base for your next Southern California vacation.

Here are five favorite family things to do in Carlsbad, California:

LEGOLAND California Resort was a slam dunk for my kids, ages 8 and 6. Its roller coasters, playgrounds and shows are perfect for kids their age. Teens and adults may find the rides tame, but anyone with any interest in LEGOS will likely get a kick out of the LEGO structures throughout the park. Don’t miss Miniland, where famous cities, the worlds of Star Wars, and busts of famous historical figures have been recreated entirely in LEGOS.

5 Reasons to Visit Ski Resorts in the Summer
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5 Reasons to Visit Ski Resorts in the Summer (she: Allison)

Byallison l.

Are you ready to escape the summer heat? Try a ski resort. Ski resorts are not just for winter fun. Many resorts have transformed themselves into year-round destinations. Here are five reasons why ski resorts are great places to visit during the summer…

1. Cooler temperatures

When temperatures reach triple-digits in the summer, that’s typically my cue to retreat indoors, which is a shame on an otherwise beautiful, sunny day. In the summer, ski resort temperatures are more likely to top out in the 80’s (F), which is just about right for me. The mountains are also a great place to escape summer smog.

3 Reasons to love the Junior Ranger program (she: Allison)
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3 Reasons to love the Junior Ranger program (she: Allison)

Byallison l.

Family travel doesn’t get any better than in the national parks. National parks are the best places to see our nation’s most spectacular scenery and best cultural destinations. National parks offer activities for all ages. National parks are also an incredible bargain. Admission to most parks is $25 per vehicle (or less) for seven days.

The U.S. National Parks are also the home of the Junior Ranger Program, which has been a lot of fun for our family. My children have collected Junior Ranger badges from a dozen national parks, national monuments and national historic sites in several states. We have also found a few state parks that offer their own junior ranger programs.