Globetrotting Mommy

From Family Adventures to Girlfriend Getaways

Archives for October 2017

Spotlight on Disney Cruises: …

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We’re big fans of cruises for multi-generational family trips. I mean, there is really nothing easier to plan or orchestrate where everyone (ages 7-70) can find something to enjoy day after day without complaining about tired feet or hungry tummies. Add in Disney’s famed entertainment and character experiences, pampering services, and family-friendly dining and you know you’ll have an awesome time.

Spotlight on Disney Cruises: Marvel Day at Sea

Spotlight on Disney Cruises: Marvel Day at Sea

I’m excited to share the scoop on Disney Cruise‘s latest offerings that leave from NYC (so easy for tri-state residents) and feature a new Marvel Day at Sea. Available on select October and November sailings, the seven- and eight-night Disney Magic Bahamian cruises all include a stop at Disney’s private Castaway Cay and Port Canaveral, Florida, and a one-day Park Hopper ticket to be used at Walt Disney World theme parks. There is also a seven-night Canadian Coast cruise option from New York this fall and five-night Western Caribbean cruises departing from Miami in early 2018.

I attended a special luncheon to learn about the specifics of Disney’s Marvel Day at Sea and there is definitely something exciting for everyone in your family. From Marvel comics, films and animated series, to exclusive character interactions (including the debut of Black Panther and Loki), new shows, a fun-filled costume deck party, family trivia challenges, stunt shows, animation lessons, special youth activities and the first official appearance of Iron Man on a Disney Cruise ship, Marvel fans of all ages will be entertained.

Marvel Universe’s mightiest Super Heroes and Super Villains will appear in a brand-new, day-long event: Marvel Day at Sea. (Chloe Rice, photographer)

New on the Disney Dream, MARVEL’s Avengers Academy lets kids participate in themed arts and crafts projects, games and Super Hero training sessions. I’m pretty sure my daughter would be happy spending a good chunk of the day here.

Marvel Day at Sea kicks off this month. (Chloe Rice, photographer)

Additionally, there will be many opportunities for meeting-and-greeting with some of the most powerful Marvel Super Heroes and Villains such as an interactive show that will take place inside the Walt Disney Theatre with Doctor Strange. Guests will also be able to learn how to draw Super Heroes like Spider-Man, Captain, Iron Man, and Groot and even take a quiz to see which Marvel comic is the perfect one for you. Don’t worry about missing your favorite classic Disney Characters because they’ll be on board too. If you’ve got a princess lover and a Thor fan at home, booking this cruise will definitely win you the mom-of-the-year award!

Spotlight on Disney Cruises: Marvel Day at Sea Caribbean cruises stop at Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.

Spotlight on Disney Cruises: Marvel Day at Sea Caribbean cruises stop at Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.

There will also be exclusive at-sea screenings of Marvel Cinematic Universe fan-favorites including new releases and old favorites, as well as viewings of the Disney XD shows: Marvel’s Avengers Assemble, Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

Check out this video featuring Marvel legend Stan Lee and get ready to pack your bags:

We’ve taken two Disney cruises that left from Florida’s Port Canaveral so leaving out of NYC would make things even more magical. Ready to go? Check out my 20 Things to Know Before Taking about Disney Cruise Line and visit http://www.disneycruise.com.

Have you sailed on a Disney Cruise? What was your favorite memory?

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I attended a media luncheon to learn about Marvel Day at Sea. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

 

Top 10 Family Friendly …

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School may just have started but I’m already gathering ideas for summer vacations. At the recent Momtrends Night Out, I had the chance to meet with the Visit Williamsburg team and today I’m sharing my picks for the Top 10 Family Friendly Activities in Williamsburg, Virginia.

With my third-grade history buff daughter who loved our Charleston getaway and my College of William & Mary graduate husband who loves anything Virginia, it is just a matter of time before we get down there to check these out firsthand!

I was truly amazed at the variety of adventures that are available but I purposefully picked a mix of excitement, culinary treats, cultural activities and some R&R to keep all three of us happily entertained.

Top 10 Family Friendly Activities in Williamsburg, Virginia

1) Colonial Williamsburg

No surprise that well-known Colonial Williamsburg tops my list of family-friendly attractions. Choose from more than 20 guided tours (included in the admission price) or explore the historic sights at your own pace. Go back in time with reenactments, savor tavern fare (don’t miss the “gambols” at Josiah Chowning’s Tavern), check out the shops of Merchants Square, try your hands at candle making, golf, go undercover as a spy, savor sweet treats at the Raleigh Tavern Bakery and so much more. Insider tip: Don’t miss the life-size maze in the gardens behind the Governor’s Palace.

Top 10 Family Friendly Activities in Williamsburg, Virginia

Da Vinci’s Cradle at Busch Gardens

2) Busch Gardens

Our family loves amusement parks so a day at Busch Gardens is a must. From daring roller coasters and thrill rides to animal shows, seasonal events and Broadway-style shows, there really is something for everyone in the family. Year after year, this is voted one of the most beautiful theme parks and the grounds are divided by countries similar to Epcot.

Top 10 Family Friendly Activities in Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg’s Tasting Trail features wines, micro-brewed beer and distilled spirits

3) Williamsburg Tasting Trail

Did you know that Williamsburg Winery is one of the top wineries in the country?  Plan a low-key day exploring the area’s tasting trail and sample the areas famed wines, micro-brewed beer and distilled spirits and enjoy family-friendly special events. Don’t miss the newest addition, Billsburg Brewery which features artisan craft beers and Jamestown River views. I sampled a few varieties including Strawberry and honey-based drinks at the Momtrend’s Event and they were delicious.

4) Historic Jamestowne

Learn about Jamestown’s 92-year run as the capital of Virginia through archeology tours and museums and step back in time as you follow in the footsteps of Capt. John Smith and Pocahontas. Enjoy lunch overlooking the James River and be sure to stop at the Glasshouse of 1608 for glassmaking demonstrations.

Top 10 Family Friendly Activities in Williamsburg, Virginia

Colossal Curl at Water Country USA

5) Water Country USA

We’re fans of Splish Splash and Kalahari so I know Water Country USA, Virginia’s largest water park, will be one of the highlights of our trip. With more than 40 water rides and attractions (including this mom’s favorite, the lazy river) and KIDsiderate play areas, this is a great spot to spend a day.

6) The College of William & Mary

Because my husband (and both his siblings) went to school here, we will definitely spend some time checking out the college’s famed Colonial campus located at the edge of Colonial Williamsburg’s historic district. You won’t want to miss the President’s House, Sir Christopher Wren Building and Muscarelle Museum of Art. Grab a sandwich (my husband recommends the combo with house dressing) from the nearby Cheese Shop of Williamsburg and enjoy a low key picnic as you watch the students run from class to class. Fun fact: The Wren Building anchors one end of the main street in Colonial Williamsburg and it is exactly a mile to the Colonial Capital at the other end of the historic district.

Top 10 Family Friendly Activities in Williamsburg, Virginia

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

7) Historic Yorktown

The NEW American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is a must see which allows visitors to experience the impact of the Revolution through an introductory film and expansive gallery exhibits plus kids can fire a real cannon! Be sure to visit the three ships at Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Battlefield and savor the area’s riverfront charm. Tip: If you go, skip the highways and drive the scenic Colonial Parkway.

Top 10 Family Friendly Activities in Williamsburg, Virginia

Scoops Kid Spa at Great Wolf Lodge

8) Family Spa Time

All that amusement park time needs to be balanced out with some relaxation so I recommend checking out the area’s spas.  From a pampering couples massage at Colonial Williamsburg Spa or The Spa at Kingsmill to the Scoops Kid Spa at Great Wolf Lodge, the options are varied.

Top 10 Family Friendly Activities in Williamsburg, Virginia

Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop Adventure

9) Outdoor Adventures

From biking in Colonial Williamsburg to hiking and kayaking at York River State Park, golf galore and treetop zip adventures at Go Ape Freedom Park, outdoor enthusiasts will have plenty of options to choose.

10) Family Bonding Time

Make sure to add in some time to kick back and enjoy some family time. My personal picks for this include a sunset cruise with Jamestown Discovery Boat Tours, an in-theater dining experience at Movie Tavern, exploring the waterfront at Riverwalk and checking out the area’s woodlands and wetlands.

Have you visited Greater Williamsburg? Tell me your favorite Family Friendly Activities in Williamsburg, Virginia below in the comments.

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Thanks to Meredith Corp. and Visit Williamsburg for sponsoring this post. I was compensated for attending this event and writing this post but all opinions are my own.If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Mom Life: Mom’s Night …

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Summer always has me running in a million directions and then back-to-school season arrives and I am oh so thrilled to have my daily routine again. Meet-the-teacher curriculum nights can be fun but what really makes moms happy is an adult night out full of great food and drinks, socializing and a little pampering. Am I right?

When Momtrends invited me to a Mom’s Night Out Event to mingle with fellow influencers, editors from some of my favorite Meredith Magazines like Parents, Family Fun, Fit Pregnancy and family-friendly brand reps, I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough.

The evening kicked off with a welcome from Parents editor-in-chief, Liz Vaccariello who remembered me from a South Africa press trip we attended together many moons ago. After sampling the gorgeous and tasty appetizers and wine from Willamsburg, VA (more about that later…), it was time for some pampering and mingling.

I had to start with the New Balance team who had masseuses on hand to massage our tired mom feet. I broke one of my toes just before school started and living in NYC, my recovery has taken forever so I was thrilled to get a little TLC. I’ve been forced to wear the ugliest medical shoe for the last few weeks so I was super excited to receive a pair of Fresh Foam Arishi New Balance sneakers (in chic gray) to wear post-recovery. I love the lightweight, (perfect for my travels) breathable styling and the ultra cushioning which will keep me comfortable as I run around New York City (drop-offs, pick-ups and after-school activities) and beyond.

The team from Swaddle Me knows moms never have enough time for pampering so they brought along the GlamSquad team to treat us to mini-makeovers (concealer and lip color go a long way!). With new smokey eyes, I learned about the newest Swaddle Me baby products which have come along way since my baby arrived almost eight years ago. The new, innovative SwaddleMe Kicksie is a legs-free swaddle perfect for warm weather while the new Swaddle Me Footsie is a legs-free swaddle with pajama-like footies which is perfect for cool weather. They’ve also launched three new gift sets (Essentials, Baby Bath and Little Lovey) which are perfect for any new baby and also make great holiday gifts.

My go-to lunch specialty is PB&J so I was happy to say hi to the Jif team and sample some of their new goodies and share how I inspire creativity with my daughter (by letting things get messy, of course!). I especially love their “Jif to go” minis which are great for traveling and school snacks. It’s impossible to learn or be creative when kids are hungry and the “Imagine If, With Jif” program plans to fuel the next generation and support families who want to make the world a better place. Submit your inspirational idea, now through October 20, and you could win up to $30,000 to make that dream a reality. Full details here.

Next, I headed over to the gorgeous nursery set-up where I tried my hand at DIY floral arranging. The Munchkin team was on hand to demonstrate the Munchkin Step Pail which features a childproof, self-sealing system to lock out odors. This is so crucial for NYC apartment-living where one stinky diaper can quickly invade your entire space. Best of all, with Munchkin’s Get a Pail, Give a Tree program, Munchkin will plant a tree for every diaper pail sold.  So awesome! We’ve had a slew of Munchkin products over the years but my current favorite is their Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup which looks like a cup but acts like a sippy making it great for kids of all ages.

Last but not least, I met with the Visit Williamsburg (Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg, Virginia) team to hear about their culinary offerings, family-friendly attractions, pampering spas, famed living history museum, outdoor adventures and more. My husband went to college in Williamsburg and spent many vacations there so it has definitely been on my radar for a family getaway so I was really excited to see how many varied attractions the area features. Check out this inspiration board that I personalized above with my favorite activities (spas, outdoor adventures, crafting, history and amusement parks, oh my!) and stay tuned as I share more details about my top picks in the region.

Thanks again to Momtrends for organizing a great Mom’s Night Out!

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Thanks to Meredith Corp., Jif, Munchkin, New Balance, Swaddle Me and Visit Williamsburg for sponsoring this post. I was compensated for attending this event and writing this post but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

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