Archives for March 2017

Top Tips for Visiting American …

March 28, 2017 By admin

It’s always a fun time when my daughter and I can join our friends for a joint Mommy and Me date at one of our favorite city hotspots like American Girl Place. If you’ve got an American Girl doll fan at home, you’ll need these tips for visiting American Girl Place in New York City.

Top Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC

Top Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC

1) Maintain your sanity by visiting off-peak. Weekends and holidays are busiest so if you can’t visit on a weekday, try to go early in the day to avoid the crowds.

Is your American Girl Doll sick or injured? Bring her into the hospital. Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC.

2) Bring a doll! Dolls can enjoy meals (in their own seats) and pampering spa and salon services and hospital visits so bring them along.

3) Decide on spending beforehand. Is this a special birthday splurge trip or a regular visit? Agree in advance on what you’re planning to buy or how much money kids are allowed to spend to avoid meltdowns.

You’ll need plenty of time to take it all in at American Girl Place.

4) If you’re visiting for the first time, expect to be overwhelmed and plan to spend at least an hour. The store is huge with multiple floors of dolls, clothing, books and toys, as well as a doll hospital, doll hair salon, t-shirt design store, sweet shop, restaurant and play areas.

Gabriela McBride, the 2017 American Girl Doll of the Year loves art, dance and poetry.

5) Check out the American Girl Doll of the Year! We’re huge fans of these annual additions (like Grace and Lea) and and my daughter brought along Gabriela McBride, the 2017 American Girl Doll on our recent visit. The New York City store features a special section dedicated to the annual doll as well as specialty items (like cafe drinks and salon services) toys and clothes. I especially love the display cases featuring past American Girl Dolls of the Year.

The American Girl Doll Hair Salon is adorable. Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC.

6) Pamper your doll at the American Girl Hair Salon. Dolls can get in on some pampering fun with hairstyling, ear piercing, and spa services.

The BeForever American Girl Dolls are a great way to get girls interested in history.

7) Take in some history as you explore the BeForever dolls. These classic young ladies represent the past with historic outfits and stories from their times.

For a special treat, enjoy a meal at the American Girl Cafe.

8) Have a meal at the American Girl Cafe. Make reservations in advance for the cafe’s popular offerings (brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner) and enjoy a fun-filled meal in a fancy but not formal setting. We went for an early dinner and the girls loved having their dolls sit alongside them in special chairs with their own mini plates and cups. The menu featured a variety of fun (and relatively healthy) options for adults and kids and the girls loved the adorable cinnamon rolls, fruit kebobs and flower pot dessert. There were birthday cakes and singing all around making it even more festive and definitely a great spot for a celebration.

Have you visited American Girl Place? Who is your favorite doll?

Thanks to American Girl for providing us with the 2017 American Girl Doll of the Year. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Stay Safe On The Go with …

March 15, 2017 By admin

When traveling with children, bringing along a scooter is a great idea for kids who are too big for strollers but too young to walk for miles without complaining. I’ve written about scooters before but today I’m talking about helmets and protective gear.

NYC kids start riding scooters as toddlers and quickly get accustomed to wearing helmets without complaining. At the ripe age of seven, my daughter has gone through a handful of helmets which she has outgrown literally and figuratively. You see, if another kid in my daughter’s school wears something my daughter owns, she no longer wants to wear it. While I appreciate her need for originality, this has become an issue. When I heard about Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear – customizable helmets and pads – I knew it would be a great fit for her (no pun intended).

Get crafty and stay safe with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear.

The helmets come in an assortment of solid colors and dry erase markers and stencils are included so kids can start being creative right out of the box! My daughter had a friend over when the items arrived and they couldn’t wait to start decorating the helmet and pads…

Customizing the Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear with markers and stencils

The dry erase markers and stencils were easy to use and best of all, any mistakes could quickly be wiped off. If you’ve got a kid whose interests change frequently, this is a great item as they can doodle hearts and butterflies one day and draw skulls the next. The Wipeout Website features some easy-to-follow design tutorials or kids can run wild with their own ideas.

The helmets are made of ABS hard-shell construction with EPS liners for durability and they are certified for safety protection for biking, skateboarding, roller-skating and scooter riding. There are three sizes available which fit kids ages 3-14. A snow version is also available with ear flaps and a goggle clip for sledding and snow sports.

The Wipeout Dry Erase Protective 3-Pack includes kneepads, wrist guards, elbow pads and two dry erase markers. Pads come in black, teal, neon pink or zest.

We took to the park for a test drive and my daughter commented on how comfortable everything felt and loved that she could take the knee pads on and off by herself. I loved that too!

Stay Safe On The Go with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear.

If you’re in the market for new safety gear, I highly recommend these. They would also be a great birthday or holiday gift for any kid on your list.

For more information, watch this video or check out the Wipeout links below:

Follow Wipeout online via these Social Links:

Wipeout Website: http://iwipeout.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/iwipeout

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/iwipeout/

Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/IwipeOut

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_fPeHJ5EocBnE3N_QyXXMg/videos

What designs would your kids draw on a helmet? Tell me below in the comments.

This post is part of a sponsored campaign for Wipeout Dry Erase Productive Gear. I received compensation for my participation, but my review and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Staycation Family Fun at …

March 7, 2017 By admin

It isn’t every day I get to really play tourist in my own city so when Conrad New York invited my family for a downtown staycation, I jumped at the chance. If you are looking for a family friendly all-suite hotel in the heart of NYC’s new downtown, Conrad New York is a fantastic choice.

Conrad New York is a great choice for families visiting New York City.

Many tourists think they need to stay near Times Square but I like to recommend families stay in more residential areas to get a better feel for the “real” New York while avoiding the craziness of midtown. Located just steps away from Brookfield Place, and nearby the Freedom Tower and 9/11 memorial, Westfield World Trade Center shopping center (aka the Oculus) and historic Battery Park, Conrad New York was an ideal home base for our two-day trip.

We live nearby so we arrived by taxi and quickly checked in. The 15-story lobby is just stunning and the signature 10-story custom artwork, Sol Lewitt’s Loopy Doopy, really mesmerized us all as the colors changed when the lights shifted.

Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York

The hotel features a sleek modern design with stylish decor, a grand marble staircase and awesome Hudson River views – I particularly loved the open air spaces that allow guests to take in the art and views from every floor. Just the place to stay inspired…

We settled into our suite (one of 463) which was stylishly decorated with modern art and a soothing color palate. My daughter had her own sleeping area in the living area while my husband and I claimed the master bedroom. In addition to the comfortable beds (and plush feather pillows!), there were closets upon closets, an incredibly spacious bathroom, a separate oversized walk-in rainfall shower, a desk area and chairs for relaxing.

Our stylish suite at Conrad New York. Staycation family fun at Conrad New York.

My daughter immediately fell in love with Hudson, a stuffed bull mascot who was awaiting her arrival.

Our first stop was a visit to The Rink at Brookfield Place where we were greeted by Former U. S. Olympic ice skaters Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov who manage the rink.

Staycation, New York with kids, Former U. S. Olympic ice skaters Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov at The Rink at Brookfield Place. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad, New York

Former U. S. Olympic ice skaters Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov at The Rink at Brookfield Place. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York

My daughter and I enjoyed some time together on the ice and then she had a private lesson. The rink isn’t too large making it easy to keep track of your kids and balancing props for young children are available. Talk about a rink with a view. Such a gorgeous backdrop, right? If you’re lucky, you might catch an Ice Skate with Olympic Greats performance.

Skating at The Rink at Brookfield Place. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York

Conrad New York offers hotel packages that include ice skating lessons here – definitely a unique perk for an NYC hotel. The ice rink is housed outside Brookfield Place all winter but during the other seasons, you can often find cool art exhibits and other fun pop-up events.

We went back to our room and were quickly greeted with a fresh fruit plate and drinks. I have no idea how the hotel staff read our minds but we were hungry and thirsty so this hit the spot.

Post ice skating snack at Conrad New York.

The weather was gorgeous so we decided to explore outside after a quick pit stop at the hotel’s gift shop. I usually expect touristy things from a hotel shop but this one was nicely curated with specialty NYC themed books (for adults and kids), toys and other trendy items. The friendly guy working there started talking photography with my husband so my daughter and I could happily browse.

Be sure to check out the great gift shop at Conrad New York.

For lunch, we stopped at Hudson Eats, the family friendly food hall upstairs at Brookfield Place, which features a variety of upscale quick serve restaurants and a huge seating area with waterfront views. From sushi, bagels, pizza and sandwiches to salads, tacos, burgers and cupcakes, everyone in the family can find something to eat. I almost always order a Num Pang sandwich while my daughter and husband usually grab a burger, grilled cheese, pizza or sushi.

Downtown NYC has a lot of sights that most tourists never see. I highly suggest the walk from Brookfield Place to Battery Park which is along the Battery Park City Esplanade. There are no cars along the paved promenade making it very easy to roam with kids and you will spot interesting sights (Statue of Liberty!), lookout points, grassy spots and great playgrounds along the way…

Battery Park City Esplanade is a favorite spot for families to explore. Staycation Fun at Conrad New York.

Battery Park is full of adventures for tourists and locals alike and if you have an afternoon or full day, I highly recommend you visit the Statue of Liberty, ride the gorgeous Seaglass Carousel or take a sail aboard the Staten Island Ferry.

We stopped by the Cool Globes art exhibit just at the top of Battery Park to check out the amazing oversized globes on display.

Checking out the Cool Globes. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York.

Then we headed back home to the hotel with a stop at the West Thames Park. Love these stunning Freedom Tower views.

Downtown New York City has a variety of playgrounds. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York.

After a quick change, we headed back over to Brookfield Place for dinner. There are always fun art exhibits going on in the gorgeous palm tree filled glass atrium and we got to see the famed Luminaries display which features hundred of changing lights that coordinate to holiday songs. If you are in the area over the winter holidays, be sure to check it out.

Luminaries at Brookfield Place. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad, New York

We had a delicious dinner at Beaubourg in Le District and we were so happy we could just walk home after our long day. If you love French cuisine, Le District is a gourmand’s haven filled with restaurants and shops selling everything from meats and veggies to pastries and French candy.

Le District in Brookfield Place. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York

I really love having a suite when we travel since my daughter usually goes to bed around 8 pm and I like to stay up later. It was so nice that our Conrad New York suite allowed my daughter to fall asleep while my husband could stay up late without having to be quiet or keep the room dark.

My daughter loved having her own space at Conrad New York.

After a great night’s sleep, my daughter and I enjoyed lounging around reading while my husband checked out the in-room Nespresso coffee machine. We had a nice relaxing morning and headed to our 10 am brunch reservation at Atrio in the hotel’s lobby. Of course, our new pal Hudson joined us.

Young travelers receive a stuffed Conrad bull at Conrad, New York.

Young travelers receive a stuffed “Hudson the bull” at Conrad New York.

We chose the breakfast buffet which was loaded with pastries, bagels, and yogurt parfaits along with eggs, bacon, potatoes and other breakfast items. The restaurant features river views behind sparkly “curtains” that mesmerized my daughter and Hudson. In addition to weekend brunch, Atrio also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features an Instagram-worthy wall of wine.

Atrio at the Conrad New York features a stylish dining room with river views.

We spent the rest of our day checking out the nearby attractions like the Regal Battery Park movie theater (which you can enter from the hotel!), department stores (hi Saks), restaurants (including Danny Meyer signature spots) and the shiny new Oculus which houses some amazing retailers, eateries and the newest Eataly (think everything yummy from Italy under one roof).

After thoroughly exhausting ourselves in a good way, we headed back to Conrad New York to grab our bags and say goodbye.

Thanks for a great staycation at Conrad, New York

If you want a pampering family friendly hotel stay with a great location to explore downtown, NYC, I highly recommend Conrad New York.

Have you ever stayed downtown? Tell me your favorite attractions in the comments below.

A very special thanks to Conrad New York for providing accommodations, breakfast and skating lessons. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

20 Things to Know Before …

March 2, 2017 By admin

If you’re looking for a magical Disney vacation that won’t leave you exhausted from walking around all day, taking a Disney Cruise is sure to please. After cruising with a variety of family members on multiple Disney ships (most recently aboard the reimagined Disney Wonder), I highly recommend a sailing getaway if you’re traveling with grandparents and extended family (think: few decisions, little walking, and activities for all!). If you’re considering a cruise or if you’ve already got one planned (lucky duck!), here are 20 things to know before taking a Disney Cruise.

20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise

1 – Advance prep is a lifesaver. Be sure to fill out all the pre-registration materials online before your trip. Advance reservations can be made between 120-75 days before your trip depending on status. Register children for the youth clubs, select your dining time (the early seating books up quickly!), book excursions, adult dinner reservations, spa appointments and request any special services in advance. If you’re traveling with princess lovers, be sure to pre-book meet and greets and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique salon appointments ahead of time. You can also book these reservations once you are onboard but availability may be limited.

2 – Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app before you leave home. The app works on the ship’s guest WiFi so you can view maps, menus, activities like movies and showtimes and send text messages to other people using the app.

A small Disney themed roller board makes a great day bag while your luggage arrives. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise.

A small Disney themed roller board like these from American Tourister makes a great day bag while your luggage arrives. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise.

3 – What to pack? Be sure to check the weather before you pack and remember that public areas are highly air conditioned and evening temps can get quite chilly. Swimwear, cover-ups, shorts and t-shirts are great for day. For evening, attire ranges from sundresses to dressy dresses depending on the cruise length and dinner schedule. If your luggage is being delivered directly to your stateroom, be sure to pack a day bag with swimwear, sunscreen and an outfit or two. It takes a few hours for bags to arrive and they don’t all come at once so plan ahead. If you’re worried about motion sickness, bring a patch, wristband or medication.

4 – Disney Cruises are very baby (6 months+) and toddler friendly. Staff will provide any necessities and babysitting is available (at a charge). Note that children must be toilet trained to use the pools and consider bringing a baby carrier as elevators can be crowded. FYI, there is a storage space for strollers if you choose to not keep them in your stateroom.

5 – All Disney Cruises have a mandatory security drill before setting sail. This is a relatively quick and painless event (you don’t have to wear safety jackets) but all family members must be present.

A Verandah Stateroom is a great option for families. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise.

6 – Room selection is key so pick the best option given your family size, special needs (like naps, cribs, accessibility) and budget. Staterooms range in size but there is plenty of closet and drawer storage as well as room for toiletries in the bathroom. Children will love the beds that fold out of the wall and some cabins have a sliding curtain to make a separate kids “room.” Remember, your suitcases will stay in your room so collapsable or nesting options are best.

7 – Get ready to eat. On a cruise you can order as many items as you can eat. Want three appetizers and two desserts every night? Go right ahead. In addition to the signature restaurants (like Animator’s Palate, Lumiere’s, Tritan’s and Tiana’s Place) and adult only options like Remy and Palo (on certain ships) there are plenty of buffet options as well as snacks and desserts around the clock. Don’t miss the ice cream machines, Mickey ice cream bars, Mickey waffles and complimentary room service available 24-hours a day which is a great perk when traveling with kids. The chefs and waitstaff will prepare special meals for guests with allergies so be sure to let your servers know if you have special dietary needs.

Pelican Plunge on Castaway Cay is a popular spot for kids. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise.

8 – Get off the ship and explore at ports and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. You can book day excursions or just kick back and relax on your own. Castaway Cay has wonderful recreational options for adults and children (and its own kids club!) so be sure to get out and play. Note: kids can only disembark with their parents unless you make other arrangements onboard.

Kids and adults will love watching Disney movies out on the pool deck. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise.

9 – Plan to see a Disney movie or two. Current and classic films are shown throughout the day in signature movie theaters or alfresco by the pool. In addition, you can watch hundreds of Disney and Pixar movies in your stateroom.

Don’t miss the red carpet arrivals before The Golden Mickeys. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise.

10 – Expect some great evening entertainment. Disney Cruises are known for their amazing entertainment and some of the onboard evening shows are as mesmerizing as a Broadway musical. The entire family will love signature shows like The Golden Mickeys and Disney Dreams as well as new productions like Frozen, a Musical Spectacular (just saw this and it was spectacular) and the upcoming Beauty and the Beast (November, 2017). Shows vary by ship so check online before booking.

Toy Story toys and a slinky slide are favorites at Disney’s Oceaneer Club.

11 – Kids will love Disney’s youth clubs. With separate clubs for all ages (babies 6 months + to 17), parents can relax while kids play and make new friends. The clubs are complimentary and reservations do not need to be made in advance. There are an array of scheduled activities as well as character events, games and parties. Enrolled kids wear a waterproof ID wristband that allows staff to locate them quickly via GPS.

12 – Expect to stay up late. Depending on the ship’s itinerary, there will be at least one late night deck party. Our last cruise featured a 10 pm Pirate Party complete with characters, dancing, movies and fireworks. This was a tough one since my daughter crashes early but if you have night owls, this will be a big hit.

13 – Bring some costumes! Everyone dresses up for the aforementioned Pirate Party (think pirates, princesses, mermaids, etc.) and little girls are frequently seen in princess gowns. In addition, the ships feature seasonal holiday parties and Disney themed events (think Frozen, Marvel and Star Wars. Don’t worry, you can buy costumes as well as ears, clothing, autograph books in the ship’s gift shops.

Prepare to have a splashing good time on a Disney Cruise. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise.

14 – Pack your swimwear. The main pools vary in size depending on the ship but you will also find adult only pools as well as kid’s pools and splash areas for tots. If you love water slides, be sure to seek out the famed Aqua Duck on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy and AquaDunk on the Disney Magic.

The stateroom doors are metal so guests love to decorate them. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise

15 – Don’t forget the door bling. The cabin doors are metal and the latest trend aboard Disney Cruises is personalized door magnets. This is a fun way to commemorate your trip and it definitely makes finding your room a lot easier. I ordered mine from Etsy but you can certainly DIY if you’re feeling crafty.

Be sure to take character photos. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise.

16 – Photo-ops are everywhere so bring your camera! From characters and princesses, oversized portholes, Instagram worthy desserts, gorgeous beaches and scenic lookout points, you will want to capture it all. If you want formal family photos, there are professional photographers aboard every ship.

Kids will love finding nightly towel animals at turndown. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise

17 – Expect some surprises! I don’t want to spill all the beans but you will be in for some magical moments like surprise towel animals and magic tricks.

Fish Extender participants leave surprise gifts in personalized hangers outside the stateroom. 20 Things to Know Before Taking a Disney Cruise.

18 – If you want extra surprises and don’t mind a little pre-trip prep work, you may want to participate in a Fish Extender program which allows guests to swap treats and gifts during their cruise. You can read more about this here, here and here.

19 – If you’re using the ship’s departure luggage program (available for certain airlines) your luggage will be picked up at 10 pm the night before you depart. Be sure to leave out travel clothing and toiletries as well as anything you need during your flight. This is a great perk as you leave the ship unencumbered and don’t have to worry about your luggage until you land at your final destination.

20 – You can book a future cruise at a discounted rate before your cruise ends. Be sure to ask about this during your trip as you will likely want to sail again.

Have you taken a Disney Cruise? Tell me your favorite memory below.

My most recent Disney Cruise took place as part of the 2017 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration #DisneySMMC. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!