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Family Travel Tip Tuesday: Snacks to Pack for Theme Park Adventures

May 4th, 2009 by bsmith | 2 Comments | Filed in Legoland, theme parks, Travel Tips

Many theme parks like  Disneyland let you bring your own food into the park.   Others request that you don’t bring food, but do not search your bag or otherwise stop you from bring food into the park.  Bring lunch or a few snacks can be crucial in order to keep costs low and ensure that you have something that a picky kidd will eat..  So go ahead and pack a backpack or insulated lunch box when you’re getting ready for a  theme park visit.

 Here are some of my favorite lunch items and snacks to pack for your day at the themepark.  I don’t necessarily limit my kids to healthy food on our visits.  To me, a day at a theme park is a time to indulge a little and it prevents my kids from constantly begging for treats:

  • Fruit Leather (These are great to slip in your pocket when you aren’t bringing a backpack or stroller)
  • A can of squeezie cheese and crackers (Easy to carry, fun, and doesn’t spoil)
  • Salami alone or with crackers
  • Apples
  • Home made cookies (Pack these in a container so they don’t crumble.  I’ve learned the hard way)
  • String Cheese
  • Water Bottles
  • Water or juice pouches (These are not welcome at zoos and other places that have animals due to the straws.)
  • Strawberries or melon slices in a container.
  • Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
  • Carrot or celery sticks
  • Grapes
  • Nuts like peanuts or pistachios
  • Chips
  • Pretzels
  • Orange Slices

What are your favorite foods for a theme park picnic?

Happy Trails,

Bridget

P.S. Thanks to Stacey at San Diego Bargain Mama for featuring The Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook in her Made for Moms section.  If you live in the San Diego be sure to check out her blog for the latest bargains.

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Best Legoland Bargain of the Year: Celebrate Carlsbad Day Discount Tickets for $15

April 26th, 2009 by bsmith | No Comments | Filed in Legoland, theme parks, Travel Discounts
Jared on His Way to a Joust, Legoland California

Jared on His Way to a Joust, Legoland California

The Carlsbad Educational Foundation is hosting its annual Celebrate Carlsbad Day Fundraiser at Legoland California on May 2, 2009 from 1pm-9pm and includes evening fireworks.   Tickets are only $15  dollars and must be purchased in advance at several locations throughout North County.  The Sheraton Carlsbad is even offering special Celebrate Carlsbad Day discounts for guests visiting on May 1st and 2nd.

These are by far the cheapest Legoland tickets you can purchase, and they are for a great cause.  All proceeds benefit enrichment programs at the Carlsbad Schools.  Like all districts here in California, Carlsbad has been hit hard by budget cuts.  The grants distributed by the Carlsbad Educational foundation are key to maintaining a high quality engaging education for Carlsbad students.  You can catch a glimpse of some of the great performing arts and music programs funded by the foundation as several student acts including the award winning Carlsbad High dancers perform throughout the day. 

This is a great bargain, and in general you get the same level of Legoland experience available to visitors on any give day.  There are, however, two big differences.  The Big Test Show in Fun Town is cancelled to make room for student performances.  Also it is CROWDED!  We attended last year because it was the day that our Legoland passes were expiring.  We followed some of the strategies in my book that allowed us to have fun without waiting in too many lines.    It definately took longer to get around and we skipped some of the rides that were too busy.  I am guessing that early evening may be somewhat less crowded, so consider staying late if you go.

Still, if you think this will be one of your only Legoland experiences ever, and you did not have a chance to buy a $15 dollar ticket, I would plan to visit another day.  The crowds might not be worth the visit, although the fireworks will be fun.

Here’s the information for obtaining advance tickets http://www.carlsbaded.org/events_telethon.php .  If you decide to go, I thank you in advance.  My kids will benefit from your generosity.

For more Legoland bargains as well as tips on how to avoid the crowds, check out my Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook available on LULU.Com

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Photo Friday: Mugging for the Camera at Legoland California

April 2nd, 2009 by bsmith | 6 Comments | Filed in Family Travel, Legoland, San Diego Day Trips, theme parks
Justin Makes a New Lego Buddy

Justin Makes a New Lego Buddy

In honor of my friend Delicious Baby’s trip to Legoland, I decided to publish some of my favorite Legoland pictures.  One thing that makes Legoland, California such a great themepark are the giant Lego creations that you find around every turn.  Something about them makes my usually reticient kids want to strike a pose!  Best of all, you usually don’t have to wait in line to take your picture as you do with Disneyland Characters.  (Thomas the Tank Engine, Darth Vader, and Santa’s Sleigh are the exceptions to this statement).

Having a Squealing Good Time at Legoland California

Having a Squealing Good Time at Legoland California

Check out more cool travel photos at Delicious Baby’s, Photo Friday blog roundup http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/2009/apr/02/photo-friday-persian-new-years-no-ruz/.  While your visiting, scroll down and read about Delicious Baby’s adventures in Carlsbad California at : Legoland,  The Sealife Aquarium, and the Four Seasons Aviara .  That woman travels in style!

For more great information about Legoland  see The Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook  which is available in paperback or affordable download.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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The Road to Seaworld: Mission Bay Park

March 11th, 2009 by bsmith | 1 Comment | Filed in Family Travel, San Diego Day Trips, Sea World, theme parks
Jared Takes a Risk at Mission Bay Park, San Diego

Jared Takes a Risk at Mission Bay Park, San Diego

This was my second adventure, solo with preschoolers to Sea World, San Diego.  Our preschool makes this fun attraction a yearly educational fieldtrip.  I needed to be at the gate by 9:30 in order to take advantage of the school rate tickets we had purchased.  For those of you who know San Diego traffic, you realize we left EARLY!  Never know what’s gonna happen on that freeway.  I hit the exit to Sea World at around 8:45 and had a moment of inspiration.  Why not check out one of those cool Mission Bay Parks that you pass by on the freeway?

Destiny, Jared and I stretched our legs at the park nearest to the Sea World turn off.  I have heard there are others still to explore.  Love this park!!! Very old school park with play structures, clearly from many different decades, but everything was so creative and fun!  There were animals to ride and trucks to drive.  Five year old Destiny loved climbing the spiderweb.  Four year old Jared was challenged by the climbing structure as you can see above.  I loved the gorgeous scenic location right on Mission Bay! I can hardly wait to bring my nine year old and watch him explore.

Spider Girl Destiny Climbs Her Web at Mission Bay Park, San Diego

Spider Girl Destiny Climbs Her Web at Mission Bay Park, San Diego

Honestly this adventure was almost as fun as the trip to Sea World and much much cheaper!  I plan to return with all the kids and a picnic or maybe make it a stop after taking Daddy to the airport.  A San Diego jewel close to Sea World.  Who could ask for more?

P.S. This park stop was much more fun than waiting for the gate to the parking area to open at Sea World :) .  Sorry I didn’t think of it last year Inga.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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The Latest Discounts, Bargains and Contests at Legoland

March 6th, 2009 by bsmith | 4 Comments | Filed in Legoland, San Diego Day Trips, theme parks, Travel Discounts

Legoland offers lots of sweet promotions and discounts to members throughout the year.  In addition to the special March pricing for the Sea Life Aquarium,  Legoland is offering a 20% Discount at the  Ocean Journey Cafe that is located just outside the aquarium.  It would be a convenient place to stop and have a bite before visiting either the Sea Life Aquarium or Legoland.  You can find the 20% off coupon here http://www.legoland.com/NR/rdonlyres/11555C93-0989-4349-8F9F-DB9D4D90C808/0/OJC_coupon.pdf

Legoland Members also receive a free kids meal at the Soup Plantation,  a Hornblower Family Four Pack where kids cruise free with a paying adult, and a discount to see the cool new Wild Ocean Imax film at the Fleet Science Center.

Soup Plantation Coupon

http://www.legoland.com/NR/rdonlyres/8DDBABA4-880E-46F7-8565-0EACB1E3E49C/0/souplantation_coupon_2009.pdf

Hornblower Coupon

http://www.legoland.com/NR/rdonlyres/DE969DBD-ABD9-41B8-A595-3C8F5BDDF4C5/0/hce_coupon.jpg

Ruben Fleet Science Center IMAX discount: See Legoland e-mail.

Most of these discounts are distributed through Legoland’s E-News Newsletters.  If you are a member or just a fan, but sure to subscribe here http://www.legoland.com/Plan-your-visit/enews.htm.

I was having trouble accessing the coupons that relate to these offers.  I have an e-mail into Legoland and will be sure to post an update as soon as I get one.

The Legoland Junior Model Master Builder Competition is fun year round, but this month you have a special incentive for participating.  The winners of this month’s competition will be invited to that exclusive after hours premier of the new Bob the Builder 3-D movie as well as enjoying a Legoland 10th birthday complete with cake, cream, and a preview of that giant Lego birthday cake that’s being constructed!  The competition takes place this weekend. Everyone who participates will also be entered in a raffle for a Legoland prize pack, so this is a contest worth entering!

On an unrelated topic,  I am organizing a “Will Play for Food” canned food drive next Thursday at 9am at Aviara Park in Carlsbad.  Bring your kids, some canned food, and a snack to share. After our meetup I will deliver the food to Brother Bennos food pantry.  If you come, be sure to find me and say hi.  It would be great to meet some of my readers.  If you live outside of Carlsbad, visit playforfood.blogspot.com for information and inspiration on organizing your own Will Play for Food drive.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Happy 10th Birthday Legoland!

March 2nd, 2009 by bsmith | No Comments | Filed in Legoland, theme parks

justins-lego-hideout

Grab your Lego bricks and get building!!! Legoland will be celebrating it’s 10th birthday on March 20th with a giant Lego cake and a red carpet  premier for the new Bob the Builder lego 3-D movie.  In honor of it’s big day, Legoland is  sponsoring a building contest for every age group.  Make a Lego tribute to Legoland’s 10th birthday and submit two pictures of your creation by March 12th. The age categories are ages 4-9, 10-15, and 16 and up.  The finalists get to attend the red carpet premier with five guests.  The grand prize winners get an annual resort membership for a family of four.

For more information or to submit your entry go here http://www.legoland.com/park/poster.htm?csref=_poster.

Now for some news on Legoland bargains for March.  If you are a member who hasn’t had the chance to check out the new Sea Life aquarium, March has some good deals in store.  Regular pass members can vist the aquarium and bring their friends for $9 Thursday-Monday and $5 Tuesday and Wednesday.  Friends and family of Legoland Resort members can visit with the resort member for $5 every day!  That’s a substantial discount from the usual entrance fee.

For other Legoland tips and info check out my Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Solo Theme Park Adventures

February 19th, 2009 by bsmith | 4 Comments | Filed in Legoland, theme parks, Travel Tips
Jared became a big Pluto Fan on this Visit to Disneyland

Jared became a big Pluto Fan on this Visit to Disneyland

The idea for the Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook came from a series of Legoland visits with three kids and no husband.  Ken works very hard and is also not the biggest fan of themeparks without humongous rollercoasters.  In order to make the most of our Legoland membership, more often than not, I needed to go it alone.  This situation created some limitations.  Several rides at Legoland, had a one adult per child rule, so my preschooler could not ride with my nine year old.  Even bathroom runs take a bit more planning without an extra adult along. 

Since then I’ve also tackled Disneyland, Seaworld, and the zoo on my own.  Each trip  presented some challenges, but also offered plenty of fun.

I  discovered that knowing the park and planning ahead made a huge difference in our Legoland adventures.  Here are a few tips to make your solo theme park visit a little easier.

  • Plan ahead.  Know the age and height restrictions for the various rides.  Try to have some rides and attractions in mind that the whole family will enjoy.  My book, The Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook includes pull out sections that give detailed ride suggestions for every age group.  There are many great web resources for other themeparks.  If you do some digging, theme park websites also have this information.
  • Prep your kids.  When I am going solo, I make sure that my nine year old knows that there will be some activities that we won’t be able to enjoy due to our parent kid ratio.  I make sure that everyone knows that the goal for this trip is to have fun as a family.  I try to have a future “Mom date” visit planned, so Justin can look forward to enjoying a few more thrills at some point.
  • Take a picture of your kids using your digital camera before entering the park.  That way if they get lost, you have an up to date picture to share with the theme park staff.
  • Have a family motto.  Ours is “The Smith Family Stays Together” .  This is our travel mantra.  We repeat it often throughout the day.
  • Enlist your older children’s help in keeping an eye on the little guys.
  • Bring a stroller.  It’s a great place to store your stuff and make a quick exit during that end of the day tantrum.
  • Bring a friend if possible.  A theme park is actually a great place to have a playdate, and you can switch kids, if your family is like mine half timid/half brave.
  • Bring a big kid buddy.  Believe or not some of my most fun adventures came with bringing four kids to Legoland.  Since Justin had a buddy he could ride some of the big kid rides, and both boys were helpful in wrangling the little ones.
  • Pack lots of snacks.  You never know when a break or a bribe will come in handy.

Most of all, be brave. Go solo.  Don’t miss out on fun family adventures just because you are outnumbered.  The day won’t be perfect, but the kids will bring home some funny stories, you will have some cute pictures, and everyone will sleep well after all that adventure!

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Rainy Adventures at Legoland, Disneyland, and San Diego Museums

February 12th, 2009 by bsmith | 2 Comments | Filed in Legoland, theme parks

The four day weekend looms ahead for many parents.  Here in San Diego there is rain in the forecast.  Not good news for the Mom of three active kids.  We will probably spend alot of time at home at play,  but will also make some time for adventure.

Tommorrow I will be using our Southern California pass to take Jared and Justin to Disneyland. (Destiny has opted to stay with Grandma.)  It may be sprinkling a bit, but we’ll be putting on our rain clothes, packing a lunch, and braving the sprinkles.  Justin and I headed to Disneyland on a rainy day last month for semester break.  I learned a few things: it pays to come prepared (rain ponchos are $8),  make sure you hit the rides as soon as the rain clears, and expect some of the rides and activities to be closed.  If you willing to be soggy,  a rainy day at Disneyland is less crowded fun.

Legoland can also be a source of rainy day adventure.  If you venture out, go left as you enter the park.  You can enjoy the Build and Test, manipulate, a mindstorm, or try out the latest Lego video game.  The Duplo building area is a fun place to wait out a storm with the little ones.  You can also catch the latest Lego musical or a 3-D movie.  See my guidebook for more Legoland rainy day ideas.

Another item on my “may do” list is head to a San Diego Museum.  It’s museum month here in San Diego.  Stop by your local Macy’s and pick up a San Diego Museum good for half off admission to many local museums.  I’m hoping to get to the Children’s Museum by the end of the month.  Check out the museum month website for more information http://www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/museum-month/.

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Disneyland Destroys Small World and SD Zoo Bans Food for Hungry Toddlers

February 5th, 2009 by bsmith | 5 Comments | Filed in theme parks, Uncategorized

Sorry for the headline.  I am feeling a little bit melodramatic today!  I have decided to blog less to concentrate on my business ventures for a while, but couldn’t stay silent about two articles I read today in the Union Tribune.  As a mom, Small World Fan, and theme park lover I had to weigh in on thse important changes to two of my favorite attractions.

Apparently the “renovation” of the Small World ride has resulted in its “Disneyfication”.  Disney characters  (think, Arial, Stitch, and Alladin) can now be found strategically placed throughout the Small World ride.  The music has even been altered to reflect Disney movie soundtracks.  Some may consider me a “Disneyland Purist” who is behind the times, but this is completely unacceptable.  The Small World Ride was a beautiful albeit stereotypical celebration of all the world’s cultures.  It seems disrespectful to alter it by injecting the Disney brand through what essentially amounts to “product placement.”  It was a fantastical version of reality-everyone happy and harmonious, and that is what I loved about it.  It makes me cry every time I sail through.  Disney claims that is implementing these steps to appeal to a broader demographic.  I would say that the ride is packed every time we go, and it attracts riders with its history and charm.  What makes Disneyland special is that some of the best “historic” rides have stayed the same.  What’s next, Tarzan visits the Tiki Lounge?

Further south ,the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park has banned outside food.  This is not a new concept, most themeparks have a policy in place.  It will remain to be seen who strictly it will be enforced.  So far I haven’t found a theme park that make you throw away outside food as you enter.  I had heard Disneyland once had stricter policies, but now they do not stop you from bringing a picnic.  Legoland seems to be the same way, thank goodness.  I’ve heard that Sea World is also somewhat lax about this.  The Zoo folks said that people’s coolers were getting in the way during busy summer months.  If so I think it would be more prudent to ban coolers.  In this economy you are not going to get many new passholders if you don’t let them bring their own food.  Most of us can not afford to spend $30 or more to feed our family every time we head to the zoo.

I was considering purchasing a zoo membership this year, but am now rethinking this.  Zoo food is yucky and overpriced.  We will not be visiting  very often if we can’t pack a few snacks to keep the grouchies away.  A picnic area outside works for the big folks, but we all know those preschoolers need to eat, when they need to eat.  They’re not always up to a trek out the gate.

On a more postive note,  a Harlem Globe Trotter will be visiting Legoland on February 6th between 4 and 5 pm.  Hopefully he will show off some moves.  Legoland Members get discounts to the Harlem Globe Trotters Show here in San Diego as well as to the Wild Ocean IMAX Movie at the Ruben Fleet Science Museum.    I love Legoland’s cross promotions, don’t you?

Well so long for a while my friends.  I’ll miss you and try to start up again as soon as I can.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Swept Away by Wild Rivers

September 29th, 2008 by bsmith | 2 Comments | Filed in theme parks

Only in Southern California can you celebrate the last days of summer in late September!  This Saturday we used our free Legoland pass to visit the Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine California.  It was closing weekend for the park.  The weather was perfect…warm without being too hot.  The crowds were very manageable. Everyone else was busy with soccer practice I suppose.  I am so glad we set aside time for this final summer fling!

Wild Rivers is a really fun park.  The Explorer’s Island has a lazy river and smale scale water slides that were just like the “big kid” water slides.  Tucked in the back of this area close to the Chaos water slide was a fun sprinkler area where the kids control the amount of squirt using levers.  It was great for little and big kids who love to get wet.  My best memory of the entire day will be Destiny, age 4 swimming around the lazy river twice wearing her life jacket!

Wild Rivers Mountain is the big kid’s slide area.  They have a great assortment of exciting water slides.  My favorite was the “old school” water ride entitled the Cobra.  Justin, age 9 and my husband Ken also had a blast trying out the slides.

Another great area for the whole family was Thunder Cove.  Justin loved intertubing in the wave pool at Monsoon Lagoon.  Jared, age 3 and Destiny, age 4 body surfed and played on the Dinosaur Slide.

The coolest feature of the park were these special bracelets you could put on the kids that allowed you to locate them if they got separated from you.  We got one for Destiny and Jared, but in the future I would get one for Justin and Ken as well.  It would make reuniting after a ride much easier.  You could even leave your party mail!  The bracelet doubled as your credit card while in the park, and anything you spent was deducted from the total.  A great system.  We took advantage of both features.

This summer Legoland Passmembers got one free admission to Wild Rivers.  The staff didn’t scan our card or take down any info, so you may be able to visit more than once.  Let me know if anyone pulled that off.

The Wild Rivers admission certainly adds value to the Legoland Membership.  Make sure you take advantage of it!

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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