Archives for October 2016

Must-Have Travel Gadgets for …

October 25, 2016 By admin

If you’re like me, you love any gadget that makes traveling a little easier. If you’ve got a trip coming up, be sure to check out these handy Must-Have Travel Gadgets for globetrotting families…

Must-Have Travel Gadgets – Globetrotting Mommy

PHOTOGRAPHY HELPERS

Family trips call for family photos and sometimes you just need a selfie stick to get everyone in the photo. The best selfie sticks are Bluetooth activated and hold a long lasting charge. Another great option is a GorillaPod which can be used as a tripod or wrapped around something sturdy.

Must-Have Travel Gadgets – Snack and Drink Containers

SNACK AND DRINK CONTAINERS

Eating on the go requires some advance planning so I always like to pack healthy snacks and drinks in sturdy containers like Drink in the Box and Snack in the Box. The rectangular shapes take up less space in my bag and they are so easy for little hands to handle.

CHARGERS

Chargers, chargers, chargers! If you lose juice in the middle of a trip, you’ll be sorry so be sure to bring along a reliable charger for every device. Lipstick-sized phone chargers are handy but test them at home to see how long they will power up your devices on the go. And, if you’re spending a day at Disney World, you will definitely want to bring along a heavy duty brick style cell phone charger.

Must-Have Travel Gadgets – Accell Home or Away Power Station.

PORTABLE POWER STATION

Accell Home or Away Power Station – Hotels are notorious for not having easy to reach outlets so I’ve started traveling with this handy three outlet surge protector. I love that it features three power outlets plus two USB ports so I can charge my phone, laptop and camera at the same time. Just fold down the prongs and throw it in your bag.

SEASONAL GADGETS

After the great purse flood of 2016, I’m paranoid about any and all water damage – like keep my car key fob in a ziploc paranoid. Because I’m often using my iPhone to take photos, I love using a waterproof phone case when I’m at a water park or pool. If you’re heading on a snow vacation, this handy snowball maker will keep kids entertained for hours.

Must-Have Travel Gadgets – TSA Approved Luggage Locks

LUGGAGE LOCKS

TSA approved luggage locks. Checking luggage definitely causes anxiety but when you’re traveling with kids on a big journey, you won’t have much of a choice. With these handy locks, TSA can get in if necessary but others can’t. Such a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Do you have any must-bring travel gadgets to add?

This post contains some affiliate links. I received some of these items for review purposes. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top 5 Tips for Visiting One …

October 11, 2016 By admin

One World Observatory, the observation deck at the top of One World Trade Center (aka Freedom Tower) in New York City has quickly become one of the city’s top tourist attractions since it opened last year. If you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple, here are my top tips for visiting One World Trade Center, NYC’s tallest building.

Top 5 Tips for Visiting One World Trade Center

TICKETS AND PRICING AT ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER

1 – Buy your tickets in advance but don’t waste your money on the “priority” admission options since all visitors must pass thru the same waiting and security areas. The “flex” options are much more expensive but if you want to guarantee a clear day or kids being in a good mood, you may want to consider this. All tickets are timed so plan on getting there about 10-15 minutes before your scheduled admission time and you will be fine. If you’re traveling with young kids, I suggest visiting first thing in the morning or right after lunch time. Tickets start at $34 for adults for adults, $32 for seniors, and $28 for children 6-12. Kids five and under are free.

Top 5 Tips for Visiting One World Trade Center

GETTING THROUGH SECURITY

2 – All guests must pass through a quick security screening so this is not the day to break out your studded jeans and complicated belts. Be sure to check this list of prohibited items before you go as food and beverages, some strollers and camera equipment, large bags and other items are not allowed. All electronics, bags and metal objects will be scanned in bins while guests walk through metal detectors (no need to remove shoes). Once past security, a large LED screen shows how many visitors have been through that day and also since it’s opening. From there you can watch some short videos about the construction of the tower or continue on to the “sky pod” elevators.

Top 5 Tips for Visiting One World Trade Center

RIDING TO THE TOP – THE SKY POD ELEVATORS

3 – The “Sky Pod” elevators are super fast (47 seconds!) but you won’t want to miss the video that projects NYC being built (and rebuilt) all around you in an amazing time-lapse animation as you travel to the 102nd floor. You can see the complete video here. Be sure little kids are near the walls for best viewing and to warn them that their ears might pop during the ride. If you are prone to motion sickness, you might need a Dramamine.

ONCE AT THE TOP

4 – The first stop is the the See Forever Theater, a long room where a two-minute “Welcome to New York” video greets guests. When the video ends, the “screen” disappears to reveal the spectacular view so get ready to say “wow” out loud. From there, guests head to the 101st floor which features dining options and souvenir photos. Food and drinks are not allowed (except for water) and the dining options are crazy expensive so plan to eat before or after if you can. If you do need to buy an overpriced hot pretzel so your kids will not whine for an hour, I’m not here to judge.

Stunning NYC views atop One World Trade Center.

The 100th floor is where you’ll find the gorgeous 360-degree views so get your cameras ready although glass reflections and lighting are challenging. Be sure to visit the two observatory presentations which showcase information about the city, landmarks and activities.

Visitors can learn all about New York City at One World Observatory.

Top 5 Tips for Visiting One World Trade Center, Sky Portal, Globetrotting Mommy

Don’t miss the Sky Portal at One World Observatory.

The Sky Portal, a glass paneled circle on the floor is a must see for kids and adults alike. Look below to see live video feeds from outside 1 WTC to simulate the view from 100 stories up in the air. Note – Those are HDTVs under glass so no need to be scared.

Checking out the NYC views at One World Observatory.

The views are just amazing in person, and once you get to the Observatory, you are free to stay as long as you want which is a nice perk. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see up to 50 miles away while spotting iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building as well as several bridges and NYC neighborhoods. Gorgeous views, right?

Top 5 Tips for Visiting One World Trade Center

BACK TO THE BOTTOM

5 – The ride down has a different animated film featuring present day lower Manhattan so be sure to pay attention. Afterwards, be sure to check out the nearby 9/11 memorial which features two fountains representing the north and south towers of the fallen World Trade Center and the new Oculus shopping center.

The nearby Oculus is a must see.

Have you visited One World Trade Center? Tell me your favorite memory in the comments.

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Fin Fun Mermaid Tails for …

October 5, 2016 By admin

Does your daughter love to swim? Does she love to dress up? Does she dream of being a mermaid? If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, you’ll love today’s topic…Fin Fun Mermaid Tails.

Does your daughter dream of being a mermaid?

My daughter’s mermaid obsession started years ago with a well worn Ariel costume and a Caribbean themed birthday party. On our Kalahari trip last year, the obsession continued with a mermaid swim lesson so when I met the Fin Fun Mermaid team this summer, I knew my daughter would love her very own mermaid tail.

Fin Fun Mermaid Tails for Globetrotting Girls.

With a wide range of colors, patterns and textures (glitter, rainbow and ombre oh my), there is a Fin Fun Mermaid tail sure to please everyone. Girls (and women) can choose from four limited edition designs (Clownfish and Blue Tang which remind me of Nemo and Dory and Maui Splash and Bail Breeze featuring colorful ombre designs) and the Mermaidens® collection which is available in a rainbow of ten colors and glittery Sparkle Costume Mermaid Tails.

Fin Fun Mermaid Tails for Globetrotting Girls

Select your mermaid tail, add the company’s patented Fin Fun Monofin flipper and voila, your little mermaid comes to life. There are few better places to test-drive a mermaid tail then the Caribbean so we brought Fin Fun’s Waverlee’s Malibu Pink Mermaid Tail along on our recent trip to Nickelodeon Resort Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

Fin Fun Mermaid Tails for Globetrotting Girls (Photo credit: Caribephoto)

It is little tricky getting into the tail and Monofin so little ones will definitely need some assistance. Secure feet inside the Monofin slots, pull the tail up and you’ve got a mermaid. I highly recommend putting this on poolside because once the Monofin is on, there will be no walking. FYI, if you need to walk, the Monofin can easily be removed since the tail bottom features an open end.

The resort had a zero entry pool which made it perfect for my daughter to slide right in. Once she was comfortable kicking her tail around in a sitting position, we ventured deeper into the lazy river and my daughter excitedly swam around. It was so cute to see all the girls asking their parents if she was a real mermaid.

Fin Fun Mermaid Tails for Globetrotting Girls

Mermaid tails are only recommended for children who are strong swimmers and young mermaids should definitely be supervised at all times. I loved having the mermaid tail as a prop for the adorable photo shoot we did with Caribephoto. How great are these photos they took?

Fin Fun Mermaid Tails for Globetrotting Girls (Photo credit: Caribephoto)

Fin Fun Mermaid Tails for Globetrotting Girls (Photo credit: Caribephoto)

If you’re looking for a unique gift for a girl (or mom) who likes to swim, a Fin Fun Mermaid tail is sure to please.

Big thanks to Fin Fun Mermaid for providing me with a mermaid tail to review and to Caribephoto for capturing these awesome photos. All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!