Travels with Children by minnemom &#187; Amusement Parks and Water Parks

Legoland Florida in Winter Haven, Florida

Legoland Florida paid for my expenses to visit Florida for the grand opening of Legoland Florida. I chose what to write and how to share the experience with my readers.

Eating at Legoland Florida with or without Food Allergies

minnemom — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:02:58 +0000

Amusement park food can be a tricky thing. Finding that perfect combination of flavor and price, ambience and time, can be a bit of a trick sometimes. I recently spent two days at Legoland Florida, tried many of the food options, and talked to Executive Chef Robert Sit about how the park helps guests with food allergies.

Counter-service restaurants and snack stands are located through Legoland Florida, so it’s certain that you’ll never have to walk far to find something to eat. The biggest variety of foods is found in The Market Restaurant, which offers coffee and pastries in the morning, and grill and Asian items later in the day. I found the chicken, vegetables, and potatoes to be done well, and the Asian Fusion items to be flavorful.

Kids’ meals at Legoland Florida come with fruit (usually apples or grapes) and water or milk (chocolate and strawberry offered in some locations). If your kids want fries to eat, you’ll have to order them separately or as part of an adult meal, and there are no fries sold at The Market.

Pizza and pasta lovers may find the Pizza & Pasta Buffet to be their best bet. This all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, and salad buffet costs $10.99 for adults and $6.99 for kids, including Pepsi-branded fountain drinks that will cost $2.49 elsewhere in the park.

Legoland Florida takes pride in its locally sourced foods, so at Castle Burger and Cap’n Brickbeard’s Burgers you’ll find locally grown beef in the burgers. At Castle Burger, I chose the salad, which was a basic lettuce salad with generous chunks of chicken, cheese, and tomatoes, and my friends shared some of their fries with me, which were very tasty.

I asked Chef Sit about the knowledge of food service employees when it comes to food allergies, and he showed me a binder they’ve developed that lists the top allergens in both safe lists and avoidance lists. Guest Services personnel should also be able to provide this information to guests who call ahead of their visit. Frying is done in canola oil. Chef Sit also explained that people with dietary restrictions will be allowed to bring their own food into the park, and that he hopes in the future to be able to accommodate specific allergy requests, although that program has not yet been implemented.

The photo gallery below shows pictures of Legoland Florida food service menus as of the park’s opening day. I hope you’ll find them to be useful as you plan your trip to Legoland Florida.

Finding Bargains at Legoland Florida

Beyond Miniland: Lego Creations at Legoland Florida

Legoland Florida near Winter Haven

Legoland Florida paid for my expenses to visit Florida for the grand opening of Legoland Florida. I chose what to write and how to share the experience with my readers.

Finding Bargains at Legoland Florida

minnemom — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:22:22 +0000

A day at an amusement park can be an expensive affair. Once you’ve paid for tickets and parking, you’ll still have to eat, and will likely want to bring home a souvenir. I made the rounds at Legoland Florida and found these extras that won’t cost an arm an a leg once you’re in the park.

First of all, for those who can visit for more than one day, you have some options that can save money. One-day ticket prices are $75 for adults and $65 for kids 3-12 and seniors 60+. If you’re visiting for a second day, stop by Guest Services the first day you’re there to upgrade your ticket to a 2-day pass for an extra $15/person (see Admissions FAQ) or purchase an annual pass for $129 for adults and $99 for kids and seniors. If you’re going the route of an annual pass, it may be worth it to have one member of your family buy the deluxe pass for an extra $30, which will give you discounts in the park and free parking (normally $12/day).

Thirsty while at the park? Pepsi products and bottled water are $2.49, but you can find a carton of milk at many locations throughout the park for $1. The Market restaurant has white, chocolate, and strawberry milk available. Or find a water fountain in the park for a free drink anytime. Reusable water bottles are available in The Big Shop.

Hungry? An order of apple fries ($4.99) can easily be shared by 2-3 people, or you can buy a Granny Smith apple at the Apple Fries stand for $1.

There’s a popcorn stand between Kingdoms and Land of Adventure. I didn’t see the price posted, so I asked: $4 for the first tub of popcorn, and $1.50 for refills.

For a sweet treat that won’t disappear right away, there are 79-cent lollipops in the candy shop in Fun Town, with two shapes to choose from.

If you want a souvenir of the park, consider stopping in the Minifigure Market, where you can make your own unique minifigures (3 for $10) or purchase a minifigure kit for $2.99. Throughout the day, you can trade your minifigures with any park employee who has one one his or her nametag. You can keep trading all day until you find the one you want to keep.

Visit Legoland Florida on your birthday and stop by Guest Services to pick up a free birthday button. I saw many park employees making a special point of greeting people with birthday buttons, so it could be an especially fun way to spend your birthday.

One thing I liked about Legoland Florida is that once you’ve paid your admission, all of your fun (with the exception of carnival games) is included. There are no “premium” experiences that you have to pay extra for.

Did you find any bargains at Legoland Florida? If so, please share them in the comments.

Eating at Legoland Florida (with or without food allergies)

Beyond Miniland: Lego Creations at Legoland Florida

Finding Bargains at Legoland Florida

Legoland Florida paid for my expenses to visit Florida for the grand opening of Legoland Florida. I chose what to write and how to share the experience with my readers.

Legoland Florida in Winter Haven, Florida

minnemom — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:34:02 +0000

LEGOLAND Florida is now open in Winter Haven, Florida, and at less than an hour’s drive from Orlando, it offers another option for families who enjoy central Florida’s theme parks.

The word “Lego” comes from the Danish “play well,” and families with young children can certainly play well at Legoland Florida. The park’s target audience is families with children ages 2-12, and younger children will indeed enjoy the rides, shows, and attractions in the park. I spent two days at Legoland Florida and still didn’t get a chance to do everything, so there’s plenty to do in the park, and Legoland Florida does well at reaching its target market.

I rode on nearly every ride I was allowed to, so I’ll give a rundown of several areas of the park. I’ll share plenty of photos, but if you want to see more, jump over to my Flickr page.

Legoland Florida is broken up into several different areas, each with its own look and feel. We’ll start at The Beginning (it’s a very good place to start), where The Big Shop, the Market Restaurant, and Guest Services are located.

The Big Shop is the park’s main store, and contains a good representation of the lines sold in the park, though not everything. If you’re shopping at the end of your day, it’s easy enough to move between the shops located near the entrance (Garden Shop, Studio Store, Big Shop) in looking for that perfect souvenir or gift, but there’s also a store at Driving School on the other end of the park that contains some extra Lego City items. If you can allow an hour for transport, purchases from elsewhere in the park can be taken to Guest Services for you to pick up at the end of your day. There’s no cost for this service.

The Lego Factory is found as you enter Fun Town, and it’s worth a few minutes to stop in and watch the short but cute video about how Lego bricks are made, and then to walk through a small factory demonstration area. At the end of the “tour,” kids might get a souvenir brick to take home. The shop at the Lego Factory is where you can buy Legos by the pound, choosing the shapes and colors you need to build your next masterpiece.

Fun Town is also where you’ll find the Studio Store, which focuses on Lego products that are movie and TV-related, such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Cars.

Near the entrance to Fun Town, don’t miss the short walkway to Island in the Sky, a ride from back in the Cypress Gardens days that slowly goes up in the air and rotates to give a birds’-eye view of the park and surrounding area. It’s not fast or scary, and you’ll sit back far enough from the railing and mesh that it shouldn’t scare even those who aren’t fond of heights.

The double-decker carousel is another historic part of the park, and if you like carousels, it’s worth a ride, albeit it short (five or six times around) and without carousel music.

Several more shops find their home in Fun Town, including the Minifigure Market, where you can make tiny Lego creations and keep them, or trade them with park employees (called “model citizens”) throughout your day at Legoland. There’s also a candy shop and a girl-themed gift shop, where you can find some Lego Belville sets. My girls liked getting some Lego sets that include pink bricks.

The Fun Town Theater shows 4-D movies in a large, air-conditioned theater with comfortable theater seats. There are currently three different films being shown throughout the day, and at 20-30 minutes long, offer a nice break that will keep even young kids entertained.

Next to the theater, the Pizza & Pasta buffet is an all-you-can eat food option that features pizza, pasta, and a salad bar.

Perhaps the most famous Legoland food item is found right next to the carousel. Granny’s Apple Fries are flour-coated, deep-fried apples sticks that are then coated with cinnamon and sugar and served with whipped cream. A $4.99 order is large enough to share, and they taste almost like apple pie, amusement-park style. Those who are less adventurous can simply purchase a Granny Smith apple if they prefer.

Bearing right from Fun Town, Duplo Village is next. Like Duplo blocks, Duplo Village is designed for the youngest of park visitors, with tot-sized rides and play areas.

Then it’s on to Lego Kingdoms, where I found my favorite ride, The Dragon. This smooth and not-too-scary roller coaster starts out with a pleasant indoor ride through rooms filled with Lego creations before heading outside for the coaster part. I’m not much of a roller coaster fan, but I really liked this one. It’s one of the few rides I went on twice.

Kingdoms also has a castle-themed shop and Castle Burgers, the Royal Joust, a just-for-kids track ride, Merlin’s Challenge, a round-and-round ride, and The Forestman’s Adventure, a climb-and-play playground.

Next up: Land of Adventure, which transports visitors through the Lost Kingdom Adventure, a target-shooting, points-gathering ride (hint: look for the cobra), and the Safari Trek, where Lego zebras and elephants blend in with the slow-moving safari vehicles.

Beetle Bounce has adult-sized seats so parents can ride with kids as they bounce up and down on the tower, and Coastersaurus is the only wooden roller coaster in the Legoland park system.

Kids will like Pharaoh’s Revenge, where they can shoot foam balls at each other.

As you enter LEGO City, the paths turn to black-topped streets at the entrance to The Big Test, a live-action show that’s enacted several times a day. From here, you can continue on to Boating School, where you steer a boat through a river; Driving School or Junior Driving School, where kids can drive their own cars and get a license at the end, and Flying School, a metal roller coaster.

Families can team up to put out “fires” at Rescue Academy, and it’s something to see the Ford Explorer made from Legos.

Then it’s off to Imagination Zone, where little builders and build and test their own Lego cars, or hoist themselves up the Kid Power Towers.

Along the shores of Lake Eloise, Pirates’ Cove is the amphitheater for the waterski show “Battle for Brickbeard’s Bounty.” This 20-minute pirate-themed show includes audience interaction and some mild waterski stunts. For a bite to eat, try Cap’n Brickbeard’s Burgers.

The green bridge near Pirate’s Cove leads to the historic Cypress Gardens Botanical Gardens, where paths lead through the tranquil gardens to the famed Banyan tree and picturesque gazebo amid a wide variety of plants. Birds and butterflies also live in the gardens, making it a haven for nature-lovers. Bring some mosquito repellent if you’re going to do more than a quick walk-through, and your garden visit will be more enjoyable.

Getting back to the hustle and bustle, the Lego Technic area includes the one ride where you may get wet, the Aquazone Wave Riders. (I didn’t go on these, as they looked like they’d make me dizzy and I wanted to enjoy the rest of my day. I heard reports that they’re a lot of fun, though.)

I was really impressed with the interactivity of the Technicycle, a simple rotating ride that requires you to pedal your flyer if you want to keep it up high as opposed to simply pushing a button. I was winded by the end of the ride.

The Test Track coaster is a mad-mouse type coaster that’s a bit unnerving as you sit atop the track and make some sharp yet smooth turns.

The Lakeside Sandwich company offers breakfast refreshments in the morning and sandwiches later in the day.

So, there you have it, Legoland Florida with all of its rides and attractions.

Except . . .

I saved the best for last: Miniland.

Found in the center of the park, Miniland is composed of 30 million bricks that recreated famous American landmarks in a scaled-down Lego format. Each is extremely detailed, and the sheer number of buildings and scenes is impressive. My favorite part of the day was walking through Miniland and listening to kids as they recognized landmarks and exclaimed, “The made THAT from Legos!” There are 5258 “minilanders,” or little Lego people, who “live” in Miniland. This is the area of the park that will inspire creativity and imagination in kids, to show some of the endless projects that can be made from Lego bricks. I walked through Miniland a half-dozen times over two days, and each time I noticed something new. While the rest of Legoland Florida is fun and entertaining and just right for families with young children, Miniland is what makes it LEGOland. (These are just a few Miniland photos. Check my Flickr page for many, many more.)

I hope you’ve enjoyed this run-through of Legoland Florida. I’ll be writing a few more articles about more specific things in the park, but my overall impression is that it’s a fun and family-friendly park.

A reader asked how much of the park could be enjoyed by the entire family, and as a mom who often has to sit on the sidelines with the timid kids, or watch the little ones go on the tot rides, I understood that question completely. The parts of the park that our whole family (kids 5-10, some of whom don’t like coasters) could enjoy together are: all of the shows; the carousel; Lego Factory; Build & Test; Lost Kingdom Adventure; Beetle Bounce; Boating School; Technicycle, Rescue Academy; Safari Trek; Island in the Sky; the botanical gardens; and of course Miniland. If we saw all the shows, it would be hard for us to do all of that in a single day, so I’ll say that it’s good for whole-family fun if your kids are pre-teens.

Restrooms are plentiful and easy to find, food prices are reasonable for amusement parks, and the Lego sets in the shops are a nice alternative to the usual amusement park souvenirs. Directional signs are helpful throughout the park. Staff throughout the park are friendly and helpful, and the park is clean and bright.

Ticket prices at Legoland Florida are currently $75 for adults and $65 for children ages 3-12 and seniors 60+, but for those who can visit for more than one day (which I’d recommend), you can upgrade to a 2-day pass at Guest Services for $15/person, or buy an annual pass is $129 for adults and $99 for kids that offers unlimited visits. Legoland Florida has also partnered with some “Bed & Brick” hotels in the Orlando and Tampa areas that offer special hotel/admission packages.

The park’s regular hours are from 10-5, although extended hours may be available at certain times of year. For single-day visitors, these short hours will be a drawback, as there’s more here to see and do than can be accomplished in one day.

After showing my kids the photos I took at Legoland Florida, they’re begging to go, and if we make it to the Orlando area, it will be on our family’s list of things to do.

If you have specific questions about Legoland Florida, please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Legoland Florida paid for my expenses to visit Florida for the grand opening of Legoland Florida. I chose what to write and how to share the experience with my readers.

Eating at Legoland Florida (with or without food allergies)

Beyond Miniland: Lego Creations at Legoland Florida

Things To Do
Wisconsin Dells

Flying South

minnemom — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:20:00 +0000

Tomorrow morning, I’ll be boarding a plane headed for Orlando, but I’m not going to see a famous mouse this time. I was invited to the media preview and grand opening of the new Legoland Florida theme park in Winter Haven, and by the end of the weekend I’ll be able to tell you all about it.

Our family is planning to visit the California Legoland this winter, so I’m even more excited to preview the Florida version for my kids and to be able to compare the two in a few months.

While I’m in Florida, I’ll be seeing some resort hotels that are “Bed and Brick” Legoland hotel partners, catching up with friends, and spending time in the new park. I’m looking forward to seeing the Legoland waterski show, the Miniland Lego creations, and trying to be brave enough to ride the roller coasters that are designed for kids ages 2-12.

If there are specifics you want me to check out, please leave a comment and I’ll see what I can do. Otherwise, watch for updates from the weekend right here and on my Facebook page and Twitter account as I spend some time in sunny Florida.

Legoland Florida paid for my expenses to visit Florida for the grand opening of Legoland Florida. I chose what to write and how to share the experience with my readers.

Evergreen Fun Park near Park Rapids, Minnesota

minnemom — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:59:26 +0000

When we went up north to stay at Sleeping Fawn Resort near Park Rapids, we took part of a day to explore the area. After a hearty breakfast at Rapid River Logging Camp, we spent some time watching the remote controlled-airplanes at the annual Park Rapids Fun Fly, where we had fun watching the antics of the RC planes.

Then we surprised the kids with an unplanned stop for some fun at Evergreen Fun Park. This amusement park is located on Hwy 71 between Park Rapids and Itasca State Park, making it a good location for vacationing families who like to mini-golf, ride go-karts, or try other funpark amusements.

Evergreen’s activities are set up on a per-ticket basis, or you can buy a wristband. We had some coupons that we’d found in a local publication for a mini-golf discount, and bought a coupon book to share for the rest of our pursuits.

Our whole family tackled the miniature golf course, which was not too easy, but not too hard, and had the benefit of enough slope so that if your ball was close to the target, it usually went in. This made it more fun and less frustrating for the younger kids.

Then we divided up the remaining tickets and let the kids choose what they wanted to do. One chose a go-kart drive and said it was a lot of fun even though he had to stick to the child-size course due to his height.

One chose the climbing wall and asked her dad to go with her. They both thought it was fun, and since the park wasn’t busy, the staff let them have a couple of extra tries at it.

They all liked mining for jewels; some used all their coupons on a big bag while the others only got a small bag to sift through.

While they looked for their colored rocks, I perused the gift shop and treated myself to a piece of fudge. The gift store contains nice things and it wasn’t really a kid-friendly place.

Other attractions include a batting page, water-balloon fight area, bumper boats, lazer tag, a bounce house, an outdoor maze, and a small train ride.

The parking lot is large enough to be friendly for RVs, and there are concessions available for those who want a snack while at the park. For those who are looking for some family fun while in the Park Rapids area, Evergreen Fun Park allows you to spend as much or as little time and money as you wish.

Tips for a Trip to the Waterpark of America

minnemom — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:05:40 +0000

The Waterpark of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, is billed as “America’s Biggest Indoor Waterpark,” and for those who are not seasoned waterpark users it can be a bit daunting. The first time we visited, two years ago, we found it to be overwhelming. The park was busy with spring-break crowds, we were outnumbered be our kids two-to-one, and they were young and required constant supervision. The size of the place made this a difficult task, and it wasn’t very relaxing.

My kids and I visited the Waterpark of America again for Mr. Bubble’s 50th Birthday Party, and it was a completely different experience. We all had fun (even me!), and after this good experience, I wouldn’t hesitate to return.

What made this trip better? A few things helped. These are my tips for visiting the Waterpark of America (or any other waterpark) and actually being able to relax as a parent.

Consider the ages of your children. On our first visit, our oldest was 8 and our youngest 3. None were good swimmers yet. We spent most of our time in the Fort Snelling tots’ area, which is a lot of fun for the 6-and-under set. Our plan of attack for this visit was for my husband to go on the big slides or regular pool with the kids who wanted to do these activities, while I stayed at Fort Snelling and counted heads of the rest.
Decide when to go. Spring break was crazy-busy. A June Saturday was much more calm. Midweek would be even less crowded, but hours may be limited.
Bring your own life jackets. The waterpark does have life jackets you can use, but it’s a lot easier to spot your kids if they’re in unique, brightly-colored preservers.
If you’re staying overnight, stay at the attached Radisson Bloomington. If you need something unexpected (like a dose of Benadryl for some unexplained hives on my daughter), you only have to run up to your room to retrieve it. Likewise, if your kids (or you) need a break or a nap or a brought-from-home snack mid-day, you’re right there.
Go with friends. If you can coordinate your trip to the waterpark with friends, it can make things easier and more fun, even if you don’t hang out with them all day. Having someone else in the park who recognizes your kids can be a big help when you need to round them up at the end of the day. And if you need to run up to your room for something, or a medical emergency arises, you have backup. (A big thanks to Doug and Jody and Jeff and Beth who helped out when I needed it this weekend!)
Devise a method of communication. The waterpark is LOUD. Even if you see your child 10 feet away from you, they may not be able to hear you, even if you’re shouting their name at the top of your lungs. Our family’s system consisted of a notebook left on a specified table. My older boys were allowed to do what they wanted in the waterpark as long as they checked in occasionally in our notebook. Likewise, I left them notes keeping them apprised of where I was, when we’d eat, etc.
Bring just what you need. Lockers are available, but they cost $6/day. If you eat in Camp Many Point, you can charge your meals and snacks to your room at the Radisson.

What can you expect at Waterpark of America?

Lifeguards patrolling every area of the park.
Showers and locker rooms.
Towels and life jackets that can be used while in the park.
Lounge chairs, tables, and chairs throughout the park.
Camp Many Point snack bar.
A long lazy river with one “waterfall” that is usually missable if you maneuver your tube right.
Single and double tubes that can be used in the lazy river or tube slides.
Three body slides (no life jackets allowed).
Two tube slides (life jackets required for children under 48″).
One “family” tube slide (life jackets required for children under 48″).
Flowrider “surfing” area.
Zero-entry pool that occasionally has waves running through it.
Lily-pad pool crossing.
3-4′ pool with basketball hoops.
Two large hot tubs.
Fort Snelling tots’ area with zero-entry splash zones, and a variety of slides for younger kids.
Comfortable water temperatures and air temperatures in the waterpark. There was no shock of cold water, and little shivering when getting out of the water.

On our most recent trip to Waterpark of America, everyone had their favorites. I loved the hot tubs. My girls liked Fort Snelling, the lily pad crossing, and basketball pool. One son went around the lazy river more than fifteen times, and the other made sixteen trips down the big slides.

If you’d like to visit the Waterpark of America, but find their prices a bit steep, keep an eye on Goldstar * half-price tickets to theater, concerts, comedy and sports. Occasionally they have discount tickets available for select dates.

What’s your favorite part of a waterpark? What’s the best waterpark you’ve been to? Do you have any survival tips to add?

Our family received complimentary admission to Waterpark of America and a room at the Radisson, courtesy of Mr. Bubble. All opinions are my own.

* Affliliate link.

Tips for Trips to Nickelodeon Universe

minnemom — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:51:08 +0000

Living less than two hours from the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, we visit often enough that we sometimes think of it as just another mall. In many ways it is: you’ll find your favorite stores there, along with several that are unique, as well as restaurants, coffee shops, and kiosks.

There are a few things that set Mall of America apart from other malls however: the sheer size of it, an indoor aquarium, a Lego play area, and an amusement park.

That’s right, there’s an amusement park inside Mall of America.

We’ve been to Nickelodeon Universe several times over the years, dating back to my college days. Usually when we’re there it’s a busy weekend or spring break day so my time is spent trying to keep tabs on everyone. Our most recent visit, however, was a quiet Tuesday, and it gave me a bit of time to reflect on the amusement park while I was waiting for my five-year-old to go on the mini roller coaster for the ninth time in a row.

These are my thoughts on Nickelodeon Universe:

It’s big. Think of the size of a baseball field, and add a bit. After all, the former Met Stadium’s home plate is in one corner (its actual stadium location) and Harmon Killebrew’s long run is marked on one of the far walls.
The rides are real amusement park rides. It isn’t just some county-fair round-and-round ride setup. There are three roller coasters (only one of which I’m brave enough for) and a log chute, plus several other thrill rides that you won’t catch me standing in line for. While they may not be the biggest or the fastest on record, they’re big enough that ride lovers will enjoy them.
The area is compact. The coaster tracks intertwine each other, and the use of space is efficient. The benefit: you can skip around the park and ride in any order you want without putting a lot of extra miles on your feet.
It’s kid-friendly. There are a lot of little-kid rides, including tot-sized bumper cars, a roller coaster, and other small versions of some of the bigger thrill rides. In addition, some of the grown-up rides have lower height requirements than other parks have. If you’ve got a kid who’s yearning to ride the big rides but is still too short for them at a park like Valleyfair, he might just be allowed on some of the fun rides at Nickelodeon Universe.
It’s climate-controlled. You can visit in the cold of winter or the heat of summer and leave your coats and spray-mist bottles in the car. I actually enjoyed basking in the sun coming through the skylight-ceilings.
You pick when and where you eat. There aren’t any restaurants right inside the park, but you can choose any of the mall eateries when you’re hungry. How much time you take off and how much you spend are completely up to you. Snacks and beverages are available inside the park, but you can bring in your cup of coffee or ice cream cone from another location if you wish.
There are times when it’s very busy (school vacations, weekends) and times when it’s very quiet (weekday mornings). During the busy times, you’ll wait in line but all the rides will be operating at all times. On quiet days, several rides will be closed at intervals so you may have to wait to ride the one you want.
Parents may not need an unlimited-ride wristband. If you’re the required chaperone for a small child, you’ll ride free, and if your kids like to ride the kiddie rides by themselves, you’ll spend a lot of time parked on a bench. If you’re not fond of heights or spinning in circles, you’ll put the brave ones on the big rides with their dad. There are days when we’ve spent the whole day in the park and I’ve only used 8 or 10 points on rides.
You can spend the whole day there. It takes our family 5-6 hours just for everyone to ride once on all the rides they want to try. If we want to repeat any, it takes even longer. You can also add the ropes course or mini golf for more fun.

We’ve found Nickelodeon Universe to be a pleasant diversion in the midst of winter, and our kids have enjoyed every trip there, whether it was one ride at the end of a shopping trip or a full day of riding the rides.

Tickets for Nickelodeon are available as all-day wristbands, or points purchases. The park is usually open during Mall of America operating hours.

Our family received complimentary wristbands for our most recent visit to Nickelodeon Universe. All opinions are my own, based on all of our visits to the park over the years.

11 Things: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

minnemom — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:41:33 +0000

Sioux Falls is one of our family’s favorite weekend getaway spots. Not much more of a drive than the Twin Cities, there’s a lot packed into a small space. There are plenty of restaurants, a better-than-decent mall for running a few errands, and lots of family-friendly things to do. We have yet to visit Sioux Falls in the summer, when there are even more things open, so my list is based on winter and spring activities.

Kirby Science Discovery Center. Located in Washington Pavilion, a repurposed school building, this is one of our family’s top 5 hands-on museums, and we’ve been to a lot. Each family member has a favorite at this museum: the rock-climbing wall, the earthquake simulator, the water area, the Mars rover. This was our fourth visit to the museum, and the kids to go back for a second day before we left for home. There’s something for all ages here.
Sertoma Butterfly House. Where better to escape from a cold winter day than a butterfly garden? If the sun is shining, the butterflies are especially active. Maybe you’ll get lucky and see one come out of its chrysalis.
Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum. Our January walk through the zoo was brisk, but seeing the stuffed animals in the museum indoors was a good alternative method of learning about habitats.
Falls of the Big Sioux River. The green grass and roaring falls belied the near-freezing temperatures, so we pulled our hoods up to wander around Falls Park. The waterfalls that give the city their name are beautiful and plentiful, and seeing the Queen Bee Mill Ruins and mill race give an interesting perspective to the history of the area.
Falls Park Viewing Tower. After seeing the waterfalls up close, we climbed the tower to see a panoramic view of the area. The women manning the visitor center were friendly and welcoming.
Sculptures and Fountains. Downtown and in Falls Park, as well as other parts of the city, sculptures are featured. Sculpture tour information can be found in Sioux Falls visitor information. There are also a number of waterfall-like fountains throughout town. Our kids loved being the first to spot a new fountain.
Vintage signs. Driving down 12th Street especially, but in other areas of town as well, time seems forgotten as signs from days gone by are still advertising businesses that are local fixtures. It’s refreshing to see signs like this that haven’t been updated every few years. We played a game of “spot the old signs” while driving around Sioux Falls.
Splashtacular Waterpark. The Ramkota Hotel has a waterpark that’s just right for families with young children.
Visual Arts Center at Washington Pavilion. On your way out of the science museum, head to the other end of the building to see the Visual Arts Center. Check out the artwork, and then let the kids have some time in the children’s workshop area.
USS South Dakota Memorial. No, it’s not an entire battleship, but there’s enough of an outline and a few pieces from the ship that you can get a good idea of the scope of this historical ship.
Downtown. Stop for a cup of coffee at Michelle’s, where there are games and children’s books available to keep them busy while you relax. Chedd’s, a gourmet grilled-cheese shop, looked mighty tasty. There are enough unique shops downtown that I told my husband that my next trip to Sioux Falls will be a girlfriends shopping trip.

There’s more to see and do in Sioux Falls. On our to-see list next time we’re in the area are the Outdoor Campus and the Museum of Visual Materials, and maybe a stop at the EROS center just outside of town. In the summertime, even more activities and attractions are open. For a great Midwest getaway, I highly recommend Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Disneyland without Kids

minnemom — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:05:46 +0000

Before my husband and I sailed on Carnival Splendor recently, we had one free day in Los Angeles. We debated at length what we should do during that day, and ultimately decided to visit Disneyland. I know it may seem cruel to go to Disneyland without our kids, but we had joked that we might do just that, and were given the go-ahead by our daughter under the condition that if we went, we’d bring back “princess stuff.”

So, we went to Disneyland. My husband had never been there, and I’d been there just once, half of Disneyland’s lifetime ago. A lot has changed since then.

While the day was spontaneous fun for two adults, we were also very observant as we spent time in the parks, as part of our goal was to do some Disneyland research in case we take the kids there some day. Going to Disneyland as grown-ups has some distinct advantages, and we were able to come up with a pretty concrete list of things we’d do differently on a family trip to the resort.

These are some things we learned about taking the kids to Disneyland, on our trip there without them.

Stay Near the Park

Our hotel was close to LAX, and while this was convenient for some other parts of our trip, like driving to Malibu and getting to the cruise terminal in Long Beach, it was quite a drive from Disneyland. We were fortunate to find very light traffic on a Saturday, so it was only a 35-40 minute trip, but we wouldn’t want to do it during heavy traffic. If we take the kids, we’ll stay in Anaheim. Being close to the park will give us a chance to return to our room to rest mid-day, or at least get us there first thing in the morning without fighting traffic.

As we walked through Disney’s California Adventure, we noticed a special entrance for guests of adjacent Grand Californian Hotel, which would certainly be convenient. Upon further research however, I learned that not only is the Grand Californian out of our price range, it has no rooms for a family of six. There are many hotels near Disneyland, and we should be able to find a good combination of price and amenities that fit us well. If we’re outside of walking distance, we’ll take advantage of hotel shuttles or the Anaheim Resort Transit bus system.

Look at Airports other than LAX

While LAX is the biggest airport in the area, it’s 34 miles from Disneyland. If we take the kids, I’ll also look at flights into John Wayne Airport (SNA), which is just 14 miles from the park. Along with considering flight prices and schedules, I’ll figure car rental prices in the mix, and try to find the best combination of savings and convenience.

Have a Plan

My husband and I were happy-go-lucky visitors and pretty much wandered aimlessly about the park. If we saw a ride that looked interesting, and the line wasn’t too long, we went on it. We walked past some simply because we didn’t know what they were, and in hindsight we probably would have enjoyed them. We walked back and forth, zigzagging around the park, from Disneyland Park to Disney’s California Adventure and back. We were not at all organized.

I’m already doing homework for a Disneyland trip with kids. I’ve read The Unofficial Guide: Disneyland 2011 from cover to cover and found it to be very thorough in its assessment of not only the Disney parks and nearby hotels, but in its inclusion of Universal Studios as well. I’d recommend it highly for anyone looking to visit Disneyland for the first time, especially for families.

If we take the kids, we’ll have done our research on the attractions so we know which ones we don’t want to miss and which ones we can scurry past. I’ve already learned that I don’t do well with 3D shows, as I got closer to motion sickness in the Muppets 3D production than I did on a weeklong cruise. And while the Haunted Mansion is a fun kind of scary, after going on the ride we determined that it might still be a little intense for our kids. Those are things we can cross off our return-visit list.

A plan will also save our feet, as we’ll try to be more efficient as we move from ride to ride. Seeing restaurant menus and prices ahead of time will also aid in our planning.

When Should We Go?

Planning any family vacation is a careful craft. Work and school schedules, of course, are a big part of the puzzle. For someone averse to crowds, as I am, it’s also helpful to know when the quieter seasons are. When my husband and I were at Disneyland on a cool but sunny February Saturday, we found it to be delightfully uncrowded. As we plan a family trip, I’ll be using the crowd-estimate calendars at TouringPlans.com to try to find similarly blissful times to visit.

Shopping

For two adults on their own budget, browsing through the various shops was a pleasant enough diversion. We were successful in finding something for each of the kids in the shops of Main Street USA, and found that shipping them home directly from the store would be more cost-effective (and a better surprise for the kids) than checking an extra bag at the airport on the way home. As we wandered through Disney’s California Adventure, I found that I liked some of the things there better than what I’d already bought. It was an exercise in restraint to stick our souvenirs-for-the-kids budget. I also found a big, fun mug for myself at Paradise Pier. The folks in the shop wrapped it up really well, but it created a bulky package to carry the rest of the day. I know now that there are places where purchases can be checked for later pickup to avoid toting bags of souvenirs throughout the park. We also learned that when we take our kids, they’ll have a limited budget of both money and time for souvenir shopping, and we won’t go into every store we walk past.

Keeping Up

A day at any amusement park involves a lot of walking and standing. By midday, my husband and I were using the Disneyland Railroad not as an attraction, but as transportation to our preferred lunch location in order to give our feet a break. Finding some shows where we could sit for a while was also a welcome way to spend some time. Though it seems counterintuitive, experts recommend that families take a break in the middle of the day to return to their hotels for a swim or a nap while the lines and crowds in the park are at their peak, then returning for evening activities. I’m not sure whose stamina I’m more concerned about–that of our younger kids or that of their parents!

Fastpass and Lines

I’d heard the term “Fastpass” before but I was pretty much clueless about it on our recent visit. I’ve read up on the subject, and we should be able to use it to shorten line-standing time for popular attractions on a return visit, especially if it’s a more busy day at the parks. There were some rides that we bypassed because we didn’t like the wait times involved. And there are rides that we’ll steer our kids away from, especially if the lines are long, if they’re just Disneyfied versions of rides at our local theme parks.

Character Sightings and Pin Trading

I have to admit that I was as enchanted as anyone else when we spotted a character, and I collected snapshots of these encounters. I did not, however, realize that character autograph collecting and trading of collectible pins are popular with kids who visit Disneyland. Before we take our kids to the parks, we’ll have to decide if we’re going to participate in these activities. On the one hand, they can be fun souvenirs of the visit to Disneyland. On the other hand, they can be both expensive and time-consuming. I need to think about this one.

Food

There are restaurants throughout the park. Some are sit-down, some are counter service. Some are indoors, some out. Menus and prices vary from place to place, and if we’re not careful, food can get to be a big expense in the park. We’ll have to evaluate our options–eat exclusively in the park? Pack a cooler and eat in the picnic area outside the park gates? Take the monorail to the Downtown Disney area and eat there? Have some snacks in the morning, then eat a late lunch and/or an early dinner outside the park if we return to our hotel midday? Again, there are many options, and we need to weigh time and convenience against cost.

Bags

I know there are moms who are minimalists when it comes to purses and can fit everything they need for a day in a few pockets. With epi-pens and inhalers that need to be with us at all times, I need to have a purse of some sort to carry the necessities and a few extras. I found my Vera Bradley backpack (bought on closeout, of course) to be just right for amusement park trips. It’s lightweight yet roomy, and can be machine washed if it gets dirty.

Stroller?

A stroller is a must for young children, but I’ve heard people say it’s useful for kids up to age 5 or 6. At that age, there’s a choice between keeping the nearly-school-age child from whining about tired feet and having a place to store your stuff and being able to navigate without having a stroller impeding you. For those who don’t want to take their own stroller, rentals are available in the park.

A Skeptic Converted

I’ll admit that I’ve been a Disney skeptic for a while, wondering if a Disney trip was worth the distance and cost, tending towards more natural or educational vacation spots. My adults-only day in Disneyland convinced me that it is a happy place, one that my children would enjoy very much. I’m looking forward to the day when I can introduce them to the magic of a place that’s purely for fun.

Have you taken your kids to Disneyland? Do you have any tips for success?

11 Things at Walt Disney World

minnemom — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 22:25:02 +0000

Today’s 11 Things post comes from my friend Mary, who lives near Chicago and loves taking her family to Disney. She’s done her research, and has been there enough times to collect some terrific tips, which she’s been kind enough to share here. One thing’s for sure–if our family ever takes a Disney vacation, Mary’s the one I’m going to enlist in helping plan it.

Walt Disney World is my favorite vacation spot for our family of six. It is definitely the happiest place on earth, we have had so many amazing memories there. Here is my list of the top 11 Disney World Tips but I could easily make a list of 100 !

Best time of year to go- FALL ! Specifically the month of September. Don’t let the hurricane’s scare you and taking the kids out of school for a vacation during the start of the school year is worth it for the family memories! The crowd levels are the lowest in September, so along with that comes the cheapest hotel rates as well as short wait times for the rides and shows.
Best character meal- O’hana’s Character Breakfast at the Polynesian Resort ! This is the one meal I recommend to everyone I know- and everyone always come back raving about it. The food is to die for- huge hawaiian breakfast sausages, the most amazing juice I have ever tasted and the tastiest sweet bread ever! It is served family style with eggs, mickey waffles, potato casserole and it’s all you care to eat. The Polynesian resort itself is just gorgeous and the view of the Magic Kingdom while you are eating, makes it extra special. Add to that the fun and non-rushed character interaction of Mickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch and it makes for the perfect character meal. Extra tip- make your seating nice and early and you can hop on the monorail from the hotel and be at the Magic Kingdom within minutes!
Best Experience for your Princess-in-Training- Bibbidi Boppidi Boutique ! I was so thankful when my daughter was born just so we could do this! They have two locations, Cinderella’s Castle and Downtown Disney. As magical as Cinderella’s Castle is, I prefer the downtown disney location because it’s less crowded. They offer three different makeover packages that start at $60 for hair/makeup and go up to $200 for hair/makeup/deluxe costume and photo shoot! We saved some money by doing the smaller package and bringing our Belle costume that we bought at the Disney Store at home. This is well worth the money, as the girls get a special sash to wear and everywhere we went, every castmember (what they call the disney workers) went out of their way to say “Hello Princess”, my daughter was absolutely beaming and it still brings tears to my eyes remembering it.
Best Overlooked Attraction- Kim Possible Missions at Epcot ! Luckily I had read about this because my kids had a blast with this mission! You go to special location at Epcot near the countries- they give you a Kimmunicator (a cell phone) and send you on a mission to save the world. This involved going to one of the countries and finding different interactive displays- once you followed the clues and clicked a picture with your “communicator” different things would happen. I don’t want to spoil it by giving away too much, so you will have to see for yourself! So much fun for the kids and adults. There are 7 different missions and each mission will take about a half hour to complete. We only did one, but if we had more time we would have done more, a definite must do for the elmentary/middle school set!
Best Themed Restaurant – Sci-Fi Dine-In at the Disney Hollywood Studios. Imagine transporting yourself into a time machine and having dinner at a 1950′s drive in. This restaurant is full of “cars” that you sit in to eat under the stars, with a huge movie screen that shows old clips of sci fi movies from the 50′s and 60′s. Super fun and a great place to cool off and a have a cherry coke or a delicious vanilla shake !
Best Way to Cool Off with Family (i.e. get soaked!)- Kali River Rapids at the Animal Kingdom. You will get soaked, I repeat, you will get soaked but you will have a blast doing it. My whole family was cracking up during this entire ride and really isn’t that what a family vacation is all about?
Best Character Interaction- Tinkerbell and the Fairies at the Magic Kingdom. This is the only place in all of Disney World that you can get some one on one time with Tink herself and the line is as long as can be, but so worth it. They only let about 4 families in a special room at a time to see the fairies and within minutes they knew all my children’s names and were chatting with them like old friends.
Best Use of 4D Technology- Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This ride incorporates all of your favorites from the Toy Story series, 4D technology and video games- let’s just say my boys were in heaven here. Warning- people ride this over and over again to get better scores, so hit this ride early in the day and get a fastpass too while you are at it!
Best Waterpark Attraction- The Tidal Wave Pool at Typhoon Lagoon! Besides the sausages at O’hana’s, this is the other main reason I keep getting my husband to agree to more Disney vacations. He absolutely loves this attraction. Keep little one’s closeby though, the wave that comes through every ten minutes or so is really strong. If you are like me and think, I am not going all the way to Florida just to go to another waterpark, think again- no one does waterparks like Disney!
Best Money-Saving Tip- Bring snacks and water bottles into the parks with you. Disney security will search every bag that you bring into the park but will not take away your snacks and drinks. The food prices at disney are outrageous and just throwing some granola bars and fruit snacks in your backpack will save you a ton of money!
Best Overall Tip- Take a Mid-afternoon Break. When I was taking my oldest son to disney this was one of the first tips I ever received and it is right on the money. Go to the parks when they open, ride the rides while crowds are low in the morning hours at lunch time go back to your room and relax for a few hours. This could be naptime if you have little kids, some much needed pooltime to cool off or just some tv time in an airconditioned room. You will all feel refreshed and be ready to head back to the parks for some more touring time in the late afternoon. Best tip I have ever gotten!

One last extra tip- Best Freebie- Customized Maps and Planning Video’s from disney.com. You can go to disney.com and have your kids pick out all their must do attractions and disney will send you a hardcopy of these maps for free. Nice for those of us who like to plan ahead and my kids all loved looking at them as we were counting down the days til our trips!

Thanks, Mary, for giving us these Disney tips.

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Splashers of the South Seas Waterpark in Grand Forks, North Dakota

minnemom — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:34:39 +0000

When it’s winter in the frozen north, an indoor waterpark is a nice break from the snow outside. Over the years, we’ve tested a few:

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to visit the “Splashers of the South Seas” Waterpark at the Canadinns Hotel in Grand Forks, North Dakota, for my nephew’s birthday. Billed as the largest indoor waterpark in North Dakota, Splashers is open to both hotel guests and the general public.

The park is divided into several areas: a large waterslide, a zero-entry toddler area, a lazy river, swimming/basketball pool, large hot tub, and more. The waterslides in the kiddie area are of a nice “medium” size so that timid adults might enjoy them as much as independent little ones. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the park.

Canadinns Grand Forks Waterpark

In the waterpark, there are tables and chairs as well as more private “cabanas” that can be rented for parties. Outside food and drink are not allowed, but a concession area that includes pizza and an arcade is adjacent to the splash zone. If grandparents or others want to watch the action without getting wet, there are also tables in the hotel corridor for a quieter observation point.

Changing rooms with showers for both men and women, as well as family rest rooms, are available in the waterpark. The only downside we found to Splashers was that towels were not replenished efficiently. If you go, either grab plenty of towels on your way in, or bring your own, because there may not be any available when you need to dry off.

Admission to the Grand Forks waterpark is at a reduced rate if you are staying at the CanadInns Hotel. Although we haven’t stayed at this location, we enjoyed a stay at a CanadInns property in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in one of their kid suites rooms, which included four bunk beds in addition to a bed for Mom and Dad. The Grand Forks CanadInns also has these suites available.

The CanadInns Hotel is attached to the Alerus events center just off I-29 in Grand Forks.

Of the waterparks we’ve been to, this ranks in our top two or three. It’s big enough without being too big and is fun for a variety of ages. We hope to return again.

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Grand Forks

Flying Dutchman Ghostly Gangplank Ropes Course at Nickelodeon Universe, Mall of America

minnemom — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:44:43 +0000

We made the trek to Minneapolis yesterday to spend the day at Mall of America‘s Nickelodeon Universe amusement park. (Thanks, A&R & family, for the wristbands!) Throughout the day we rode on rides from the mild (Carousel and kiddie rides) to the wild (roller coasters and other thrill rides). As always, it was a fun day at the park. Spending the day at an indoor park was just what we needed after being cooped up for much of the winter.

I’m going to do something now that I very seldom do: write about something that I did not experience first-hand. My husband and three older kids (ages 6-9) tried the “Flying Dutchman Ghostly Gangplank” ropes course, but I did not. First of all, I’m afraid of heights. Secondly, someone needed to stay on the ground with our four-year-old. Thirdly . . . did I mention the heights thing? Yes, I stayed safely on the ground and I’m writing this from family reports.

The ropes course costs an additional $4 if you have a wristband for the day, and slightly more if you’re doing it on its own. The lines can be long, especially on holidays and weekends. My husband and kids waited in line for 30-45 minutes. (They didn’t realize the wait was this long until after they’d scanned their tickets, so ask the attendant for an estimate before going in). Once on the course, you can stay as long as it takes to go through the various levels. The attendant estimated 30-45 minutes for completing the course.

My six-year-old daughter stayed on the first level and did stairs up and down, tightrope, and wood blocks. My nine-year-old son walked across the big blocks, planks, and stairs up and down. These two decided that was enough for them and returned to the waiting area.

My seven-year-old and my husband, however, went through all four levels. My husband said it took him a while to get used to the fact that he was not on the ground, but once he got it figured out he really enjoyed it. My son loved everything about it. He went over and across, up and down, and even walked the gangplank to honk the horn.

My husband said this is something he’d pay to do with the kids again when we’re at Mall of America. He liked the challenge of it, and although not all the kids stayed on the course for long, he thinks they’d challenge themselves to go farther and higher each time they tried it. My husband is using it as a substitute for the contests on The Amazing Race, since he knows I’d never be able to do them.

Each person on the course is harnessed with safety ropes, and there are staff on each level to help with difficulties and maintain safety on the course.

The Ghostly Gangplank gets a thumbs-up from our family. It’s a nice addition to the rides at Nickelodeon Universe.

Disclosure: Mall of America provided complimentary admission to the ropes course for our family.

Nickelodeon Universe is located inside Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.

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Bloomington

King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort in Storm Lake, Iowa

minnemom — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:25:14 +0000

We spent Labor Day weekend last year on a trip to Iowa to see the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Capital of the World in LeMars and the square-dancing tractors in Nemaha. We also stayed and played at King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort in Storm Lake, Iowa.

King’s Pointe has both an indoor and outdoor waterpark, and is built right beside a lake, so you have the best of water worlds available at this Iowa location. This is what we thought:

Hotel:

The hotel is new and modern. We had a suite for the six of us with two beds and a sofa sleeper, but it seemed small because of how it was cut up. The sink area was spacious but the bathroom itself cramped. Our room included 2 TV’s, a microwave and refrigerator, and some nice counter and cupboard space to stash our stuff.

The stairways were open and inviting, so we didn’t feel like we had to use the elevator all the time.

Our AAA room rate of $161 included six waterpark passes, which we could begin to use before check-in time on our day of arrival and could use all day on the day we checked out.

There is a restaurant in-house.

Although hotel information in the room was lacking, the front desk had a map of the building as well as information about waterpark specials and birthday parties.

Waterpark

There are two waterparks, one indoor that’s open year-round and the other outdoor.

The indoor waterpark is adequate; while not the biggest we’ve been to, it has all the things you’d expect an indoor park to have (slides, lazy river, toddler area).

We spent most of our time in the outdoor park, however, and we really enjoyed it.

There are five waterslides, including one with a vortex spout, and a nice lazy river that goes around the slides. I could have spent all day on the lazy river.

The tot area has lots of room to splash and play and some slides that are just right for the under-7 set. It flows into a rope-divided lap-swim area and then diving area.

Lifeguards are on duty and proactive in preventing problems.

There are plenty of deck chairs, some in the sun, some in the shade. Because the park sits next to the lake, sitting on the deck allows for a nice view and some lake breezes.

Life jackets are available, or you can bring your own. They are not allowed on the waterslides, however.

Day passes are sold, so there may be more than just hotel guests in the waterpark; still on a beautiful Labor Day weekend day, the park was not overcrowded.

A snack bar between the indoor and outdoor parks offers pizza, burgers, ice cream, beverages, and so on.

Nearby Attractions

A walking/bike path runs just behind the hotel, along the lake, and a nice new park with playground area is just a few steps away. There’s also a lighthouse and a beach at the park. Bicycle rentals are available across the street from the hotel.

Overall

We’ll return to King’s Pointe. The outdoor waterpark was relaxing and enjoyable; a great way to spend a summer day.

Hotel Review
Storm Lake

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Owatonna, MN

minnemom — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:32:52 +0000

We chose the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites with “Great Serengeti Indoor Waterpark” in Owatonna, Minnesota, for a last-minute weekend getaway.

This review will not include a problem with our reservation that was ultimately resolved by the hotel’s general manager. I will, however, say, that you should double-check your room type if staying there in the near future, since the Holiday Inn website is not completely up-to-date.

There was only one desk agent on duty, and she was professionally dressed and courteous. Various people were coming and going, as there were families staying in the hotel, people eating in the restaurant, and a wedding reception in the banquet area.

Our room was one of the newly redecorated ones, and was tastefully decorated. It included a microwave and small refrigerator, placed next to the bathroom door with no counter space. A closet was spacious, and we also had a three-drawer dresser/TV stand. Noise from the hallway and from above was noticeable. The hotel could use more directional signs, as elevators and staircases are not where you’d expect them to be. I had to call the front desk to obtain a password for the free wireless Internet service.

I made it to the waterpark area just as my husband and children were returning, so most of the waterpark comments are based on my husband’s opinions and my brief walk-through.

There is one adult-sized tube slide and one body slide. My six-year-old loved the slides, and they were just right for a child his age.

The zero-entry area for toddlers contained one tot-slide and an elephant spouted water, but no climbing or other play area.

A basketball pool area was connected to the zero-entry area.

The “lazy river” is the smallest I’ve ever seen, a simple small oval. My husband had trouble loading the kids onto their tubes because the waterslide emptied out into the same area.

My husband said it was difficult to keep track of the kids, and that the walkways between pool areas were very narrow. He saw one lifeguard supervising the entire park on the Saturday evening we visited.

If you’re visiting the Serengeti thinking it’s a big waterpark, you’ll be disappointed. We’ve much preferred the Atlantis in Wisconsin Dells and the Ramkota in Sioux Falls for little kids, and for older kids places like The Edge in Duluth and Waterpark of America in Bloomington have much more to offer.

We ate breakfast in the restaurant, where up to four children can eat free for dinner and breakfast with purchase of a parent’s meal (in dining room only, not valid for room service or takeout). This included the Sunday morning buffet. Children’s drinks were free, but the adult orange juice was $2.50 in addition to the $7.95 buffet price. The orange juice was served in a large soda glass; had we known that we would have shared one. It was more OJ than either of us needed.

The buffet had a decent variety of food, ranging from cereal, yogurt, and fruit to eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and French toast. All were in buffet servers, one of which had a tip-up lid while the others had lids that needed to be lifted off for each food item. The loose handles made this even more difficult. An investment in additional flip-lid servers would be useful. Most of the hot foods were very good, but the pancakes and French toast were very tough, almost impossible to cut. Service in the restaurant was prompt and courteous.

Parking was convenient to the front entrance, although the lot was quite full with a wedding in the banquet area. The lobby is very large, with three separate seating areas. The primary smoking area for the hotel seemed to be right outside the front entrance, at least on the evening we were there.

The Holiday Inn in Owatonna, MN, is located right next to Cabela’s and several restaurants, including Famous Dave’s, and is just a few miles from the Medford outlet mall.

Hotel Review
Owatonna

Knuckleheads Family Entertainment Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI

minnemom — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:30:15 +0000

After being snowed in at our Wisconsin Dells hotel for a while, it stopped snowing and the roads were cleared, so we decided to venture out for the afternoon. As we drove around the downtown area, we realized that not much was open and not many people were around. This worked to our advantage, however; when we ate at Famous Dave’s we were the only ones in the restaurant and got a lot of attention from our server.

We mentioned that we were looking for something fun to do in the afternoon, and she mentioned Knuckleheads. The big theme parks would be really crowded and expensive, she said. She continued on to say that Knuckleheads is expensive, too, except for one thing: They have a huge climbing structure where kids can play as long as they want for $3.00.

We decided to give it a try. Having kids expend energy is one of our favorite vacation things to do. It was also convenient that Knuckleheads is adjacent to the outlet mall, so I took our youngest shopping for a while and Hubby took the older kids to climb and play.

The climber isn’t the only thing at Knuckleheads. There’s all manner of arcade-type games, bowling, even a little roller coaster ride. Also in the building is a restaurant that can be accessed from the arcade area or from outdoors.

Our server was right. We got a lot of mileage for the $3/kid play-structure admission. (They didn’t even charge Hubby to go in and play with the kids.) The kids had a blast and didn’t even seem to notice that they were missing out on all the other fun in the building.

Recommendations from local residents are usually right on target, and this was no exception. To stay away from the crowds and expense of the big theme parks, Knuckleheads was right on target.

Atlantis Waterpark Hotel in Wisconsin Dells, WI

minnemom — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:33:48 +0000

As promised, I’m beginning detailed descriptions of the places we stopped along our trip. Today’s entry is of our first stop, the Atlantis Waterpark Hotel in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

I didn’t have much time to plan this stayover, just a few minutes stolen while throwing together the last things from our packing lists. I started at the Wisconsin Dells visitors bureau site to try to find a room that was reasonably-priced yet had a waterpark of some sort, since we were pretty sure we’d be snowed in for a day or two.

The Atlantis appealed to me because its waterpark is geared toward children 11 and younger. This is perfect for our young kids, who aren’t big or brave enough for the big waterparks yet. They also had a two-room suite for less than $100 a night, including a whirlpool tub. I checked out a few other options, but all cost substantially more than the Atlantis.

We had a King Neptune suite, which was huge, with a king-sized bed, sofa, small table and chairs, fireplace, whirlpool, and kitchenette in the main room, and two beds and a second TV in the second room.

The pool area had a small-kids water area with three small slides just right for kids ages 3-8, a 3-5 foot pool, and a whirlpool, along with a game room and snack bar that wasn’t open during our stay. A second pool was adjacent to the front desk.

Overall, our stay was pleasant and reasonably-priced. Here are the details:

Pros:

King Neptune Suite. Very large, family friendly, the whole wing is non-smoking. Plenty of room for us to spread out.
Waterpark Area. Great for small kids. Anyone older than 9, or young kids who like big slides, would probably be bored. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
Rates. Reasonably priced in the off-season. (I can’t speak for the summer.)

Cons:

Internet Access. It’s cabled access, not wi-fi, in the King Neptune Suites. I hadn’t brought a cord, and when I bought one at Walmart, it didn’t work. (The front desk offered to sell me a cord, but not loan one out like other hotels have done.) I never did figure out if the problem was my computer, my cord, the wall jack, or the operator. I ended up going to the lobby to use wi-fi to watch the weather and make our next round of plans.
Hotel layout. We were advised to park by the lobby door because something was wrong with the locks on the back door closer to our room. (This ended up being good as far as driving, because there’s a hill that wouldn’t have been fun in the morning with 8″ of snow covering it.) To get to our room, we had to go up in a tiny elevator to floor 4, continue down a long hall that included 3-4 steps, and then take a “bridge” hallway that ended up at our 3rd-floor room. Hauling two days’ worth of luggage for six people all this way was not easy.
Light switches. There were dimmers in the “dining” area, but they only worked if all the other lights were one. It was close to being convenient, but not quite.
No breakfast on-site, and no open restaurants close by.

One thing we learned when we got there: Not a lot is open in the Dells area in the winter. Except for the opening of a new theme park at Kalahari, not much else was going on, including most of the shops and many of the restaurants in town being closed. Since we were snowed in most of the time, this didn’t really matter, but it does help to know that future trips to the Dells in winter should be for the purpose of waterparks or indoor amusement parks.

Would I stay at the Atlantis Waterpark Hotel again? Probably, if I had just little kids. It was easy enough to keep an eye on them, and they enjoyed the small waterpark. The room was spacious and set up well for a family stay.

Have you been to the Wisconsin Dells? Where did you stay? What did you do? I’d love to have tips because we’ll probably visit there again someday.

Hotel Review
Wisconsin Dells

A Real Disney Review

minnemom — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:45:13 +0000

My friend and fellow blogger Andrea recently went to Disney World, and I love the honesty of her post-Disney assessment. You can check it out here: Things I Learned at Disney World. It’s the best Disney post I’ve seen in a long time.

Mall of America in Bloomington, MN

minnemom — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:09:42 +0000

I’m going to make a confession. I don’t go to Mall of America to shop! In fact, quite often when I go there the only money I spend is on food. That was the case with our most recent trip to MOA.

We first stopped at the mall to eat lunch. If you’re eating food-court style with kids at Mall of America, I’ll give you a hint: Choose the south food court, which overlooks the amusement park. It will keep the young ones entertained watching the roller coasters, and it’s where McDonald’s is located. We found a table along the railing, and the kids mindlessly (meaning quietly) ate their lunch while ooohing and aaahing at the rides.

After lunch, we walked through Legoland, and then wandered through the Nickelodeon Universe theme park. Most of the rides are revamped and repainted from the park’s Camp Snoopy days, but it appears that they are adding some new rides as well.

When we got through the park, we headed to the transit station to ride downtown on the light rail train. When we returned, we walked through the park again and saw the character meet-and-greet area, where a freakishly large Diego was greeting fans who were ushered one at a time to his fenced-in area. My kids were scared to go anywhere near him. So much for meet-and-greet excitement.

We headed back upstairs to eat supper at Famous Dave’s. We did stop in a store or two on the way out. (The kids’ clothing stores are conveniently grouped near each other), and headed out into rush hour traffic that was surprisingly manageable heading south on Hwy. 77.

Someday I’ll have the luxury of going to Mall of America without children so I can do some actual shopping.

Read more of our adventures to Mall of America .

Valleyfair in Shakopee, MN

minnemom — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:08:15 +0000

Shakopee, MN. 800-386-7433. www.valleyfair.comVarious price structures available. Pay parking.
Stroller accessible. Restrooms with changing tables available. Concessions on-site.

We convinced my husband to take us to Valleyfair on a Thursday afternoon in mid-June. I had admission coupons that expired mid-month, so if we were going to go this summer, now was the time. It turned out to be a nearly perfect day.

We packed a lunch and ate at the picnic grounds before going into the park. Then we paid our admission and stopped at the guest services office to get emergency ID bracelets for the kids so we could be located if we were separated from them. After that, we were off to the rides!

Although the foam ball factory was the boys’ primary destination, we convinced them to go on some of the other rides along the way. It was fun to watch our two-year-old go on some of the little-kid rides. Although she didn’t seem wild about them, she seldom turned down a chance at an age-appropriate ride.

It was very important that we have two adults along with the varied ages and sizes of the kids. With the different height restrictions on the rides, there were times when only one or two of the kids were tall enough, and/or had to be accompanied by an adult. That left the other adult behind to watch the smaller ones. Until all the kids are over 48″ tall, I don’t think I’d attempt taking them to Valleyfair alone. Besides, my husband is the one who likes the rides!

We caught the “Squiggles” show in front of the Foam Ball Factory . . . three times during the afternoon. The kids kept pulling us back to the Rockin’ Tug and the Foam Ball Factory, so we happened to catch the show several times. It was enjoyable, with talented musicians and fun “oldies” songs, and I’d recommend it whether or not you have little ones along.

Somehow we managed to pick a beautiful day weather-wise, and there was virtually no crowd in the park the day we were there. Our family got a private ride on the Ferris Wheel, and our five-year-old got to ride solo on the “Mild Thing” kids’ roller coaster. We seldom had to wait in line, so we all got to do what we wanted, as many times as we wished.

Mid-afternoon, we shared some snacks for a total of $12.60. While not a bargain, the container of fries, bag of chips, and two sodas were enough to tide us over until we left the park at 6:30 p.m. We really didn’t want to pay for an entire meal at the park, and we didn’t want to walk back out to the car to eat the snacks that we had along, so it was a decent compromise for us.

One of the best things about our day at Valleyfair was that we could let the kids take the lead, and since the rides were all paid for, they could go on as many as they wanted. We didn’t take advantage of the Imax theater or the water park during this trip as we were busy going on lots of rides.

I came away from our day at Valleyfair with some good memories. I loved the look of sheer delight on our four-year-old daughter’s face as she rode on the Scrambler, and the smiles that our five-year-old had on his face when he got to ride three different trains, twice each. Our not-always-so-brave seven-year-old rode the Flume with his dad and his brother, and our two-year-old loved dancing at the Squiggles show. My husband got to ride on the newest roller coaster, and I got my traditional carousel ride. It was a good day.

Read about our last trip to Valleyfair.

The Edge Waterpark in Duluth, MN

minnemom — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:27:14 +0000

The Edge: Edgewater Resort and Waterpark

2400 London Rd, Duluth, MN
800-777-7925
www.duluthwaterpark.com

Our trip to The Edge was our first waterpark experience with the kids. We booked a nice-sized room for the six of us, and it included our waterpark admission.

The lobby is not huge, but it does have a nice window overlooking the waterpark to keep the kids occupied during check-in. Our room was huge. A waterpark view “suite,” it had two queen beds, a pull-out sofa, a table with four chairs, large dorm fridge, and microwave. Our room overlooked the waterpark; in fact, all of the pictures below were taken from our room. I have heard that not all of the rooms are as nice as ours was; we were in the newer section, I believe, and the room was very nice.

Parking is not ideal–the lot was usually full and many cars parked on the street.

Board games are available for free check-out from the front desk, which is a nice touch for families. They also had daily coloring contests and weekend craft activities for kids.

The breakfast area is a large room with double lines, lots of tables, and plenty of high chairs. The usual cereal/pastry/fruit fare was available; nothing fancy but not a disappointment. The cereals were kid-friendly.

Lifeguards are on duty in the waterpark, and life preservers are available for check-out. There are several different pools, a zero-entry splash/small slide area, and the big slide which empties into the lazy river. I took a ride on the lazy river in a tube with the 1-year-old, who enjoyed it except for the three spots where you can’t avoid the “rainfall” from above. This river is really lazy–we stalled out a few times and had to paddle our way along at times. Stairs at various points make entry and exit easy.

No outside food or drinks are allowed in the pool area, but they have pizza and short-order items available for purchase. Towel carts are located throughout the waterpark, and there are locker rooms with showers as well.

Although there was a lot of pool noise when the waterpark was open, our room was quiet when the waterpark was closed. The beds were comfortable, and the pillows were good.

There is also an outdoor pool, play area, and basketball court that are open in the summer.

Things To Do
Duluth

Mall of America in Bloomington, MN

minnemom — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:09:31 +0000

Mall of America

Hwys 494 and 77, Bloomington, MN.
952-883-8800.
www.mallofamerica.com.
Free (except for shopping, eating, and rides in the amusement park!)
Stroller accessible.
Restrooms and family restrooms available.

Only when you live in Minnesota can you run into the country’s largest mall just for a few errands. Of course, the four places I needed to go were on each of the four different sides of the mall, so we got a workout just getting things done.

On this February Monday afternoon, the MOA was very, very quiet, which is a dream-come-true for me. I’ve lived all my life in rural areas and I don’t like crowds, so an uncrowded Mall of America is perfect. On the downside, I only had my five-year-old with me, so I didn’t have an excuse to bring in the stroller. That meant I actually had to carry my bags myself. (This has been a rare occurrence in the last seven years of my life.) We left our coats in the car, which is a benefit of the parking ramps at the mall, and headed North, South, East, and West to get what we needed.

We stopped at Legoland to get brick separators (I wish I’d have known about those tools when I was a kid! Much better than breaking fingernails and teeth in prying the Legos apart) but didn’t stay to play. The Lego play area has changed slightly since the last time we were there; now there’s one Lego table with a race track built in, and a Duplo area for the younger tots.

My son talked me into just one ride at the amusement park, and he chose the roller coaster. It wasn’t until we were seated in the cars that I remembered how much I dislike roller coasters. He had a great time, however, yelling “INERTIA….” as we rounded the bends. Some of the rides in the park were closed as it is transformed to a Nickoledeon theme. Walking through the park, I spotted new or remodeled rides featuring the Backyardigans, Blue’s Clues, Dora the Explorer, Rugrats, and other Nick and Nick Jr. characters.

We sat down for an early supper at Rainforest Cafe. It’s not my top choice because it’s expensive (the kids’ meals are $5.99), but it’s one of two restaurants at MOA that we consider to be allergy-friendly. (Famous Dave’s is my first choice, but we’d eaten there recently and needed a change of pace.) The entertainment at Rainforest is a factor, and we were seated right next to a fish tank, but the jungle “storm” no longer holds the interest of this five-year-old.

On the way out, we stopped in a few more stores before heading back to the car. I have a love/hate relationship with Mall of America. On the one hand, it’s just another mall, except bigger and usually more crowded. On the other hand, they do have some unique stores, and the kids love seeing the amusement park and begging for rides.

Valleyfair in Shakopee, MN

minnemom — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:55:35 +0000

Valleyfair

Shakopee, MN. 800-386-7433. www.valleyfair.com
Various price structures available. Pay parking. Stroller accessible. Restrooms available. Concessions on-site.

I’ll start off by admitting it: we’re cheap. We don’t like spending a lot of money on attractions. So when we headed to Shakopee to visit Historic Murphy’s Landing, we didn’t even think about going to Valleyfair.

The kids, however, spotted the roller coasters, and we started thinking about the possibility of going to the amusement park. So, not wanting to spend a ton of money, here’s what we did.

After Murphy’s Landing closed, we stopped down the street to fill our tummies at Burger King so we wouldn’t have to buy food in the park. Then we headed to Valleyfair at 5 p.m. when they have special starlight admissions. That way, we could spend four or five hours in the park, which would be long enough for our little ones, without paying full price.

Our kids are still young enough that they all enjoy the young-kid rides for the most part. We spent a lot of time in the tot park, although the boys got brave enough to ride with their dad on the white roller coaster and the swings. The train ride around the park was a hit with everyone, and we always love a carousel ride (although we found out too late that not all the rows of horses go up and down on the Valleyfair carousel).

We didn’t venture to the waterpark or the adjacent mini-golf area since time and money were limited.

With young kids, we thought this was a pretty good way to see Valleyfair. The crowds died down a lot as the evening progressed, and we didn’t spend a lot of money on tickets or concessions by eating an early supper and then entering the park.

It was very fun. It was like a whole roller coaster with lots of rides on it. I liked it at night when the lights were on.

I really liked the foam factory. It was really fun. I liked it.