Park City Mash-up: Snowmamas Party & Xtreme Ziplining

July 21, 2011 By

The Setting
For two blessed days, I stayed in the master bedroom at this glorious four-story “cottage” at Silver Star at Park City.

Call me crazy but I didn’t think cottages had elevators.

Snowmamas Party
I was in Park City for Evo Conference, a top-notch social media conference for bloggers of all abilities. I have been a Park City Mountain Resort’ “Snowmama” ambassador the past couple of years and this was a chance for us to congregate and have one final party. There was karaoking where it was confirmed I can neither sing nor dance.


And that my sole Paparazzi is 9-month-pregnant Head Snowmama Krista.

On Friday night, the Snowmamas threw a party. If you’ve never never been to Park City Mountain Resort in the summer, you’re missing out. The compendium of activities include the Alpine Coaster AND Alpine Slide, Ziprider, bungee trampoline, miniature golf, climbing wall and Little Miner’s Park with a carousel and rides for small children.
(With the Snowmamas prior to going down the Ziprider. Not all at the same time. That would have been craaaaazy).

Xtreme Fun
Even though I had a blast attending Evo and hanging with the Snowmamas, one of my favorite activities was at the very end. I’m a big fan of anything fast and furious and was thrilled when fellow Snowmama Linda hooked me up with a ticket for the Xtreme Zipline (a $20 value) at Utah Olympic Park. Careening down the world’s steepest zipline at 50 mph has been on my bucket list for a while.

If you’ve never been to Utah Olympic Park (UOP) in Park City it’s worth a visit. The facilities include interactive Alf Engen Ski Museum, the inspiring 2002 Eccles Olympic Winter Games Museum, a fascinating bus tour of the aerials, ski jump and the combined track venues. In the summer months, they have the “Quicksilver” alpine slide, the ULTRA and Xtreme Zipline and the bobsled.

Though I can’t say I recommend the latter item after my infamous run last winter.

I stopped by UOP on my way back to Salt Lake City after the conference. I’ve traveled extensively by myself but it never once occurred to me that you need a buddy to ride the zipline.

Evidently, that is the case because in I was the only solo rider when I arrived at the top of the chairlift. Undaunted, I chatted with the other people as we endured the hour-long wait. I wasn’t nervous in the least and despite its velocity and pitch, the Xtreme Zipline has never resulted in any fatalities.

The ride was a blast and for a moment, I felt like I was a ski jumper as I careened along the K 120 ski jumping hill. Rest assured, there were no crash landings.

But here’s a confession: you always wonder what you’ll think about during your final moments on earth. For some, they think of their family. Others, they pondering the meaning of life.

For me, I sent Jamie the following email just a few minutes before riding the Xtreme Zipline:

If I die on the zipline I just wanted to make sure you already returned my library books. :) XO -A

A sentimental fool ’til the bitter end.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Humor, travel, Utah Tagged With:

Great Canadian Road Trip Leg 1: Denver to Utah

July 20, 2011 By

I’ll be jumping around over the next couple of weeks in an attempt to document our Great Canadian Road Trip. Leg 1 from Denver to Salt Lake City was via Wyoming’s desolate wastleland (sorry Wyomingites but there’s no other way to describe the painful drive along I-80).

Why would we endure that route, given the beautiful passage along I-70 through Vail and Glenwood Springs? Simple: Bode wanted to get a $0.50 ice cream cone from Little America in middle-of-nowhere Wyoming.

Yes, that’s correct, folks. I endured nine hours of mind-numbing boredom for that. Just call me Mother of the Year.

In Salt Lake City, we met up with Haddie (who had flown out the previous Friday) and I spent a memorable couple of days hanging out with Jamie’s family. We hit Liberty Park with my scrumptious twin nieces….
Where we played for hours at Seven Canyons (the park’s unique water feature), on the merry go-round, Ferris wheel and cooled down with guava snow cones.
I spent a quick 36 hours in Salt Lake City before leaving the kids with my mother-in-law Linda as I attended Evo Conference in Salt Lake City (more on that tomorrow).

Linda had purchased outfits for her four grandchildren and in decidedly ambitious move she, my brother-in-law Jeremy, his wife Tammy and the four kids set out to Wheeler Farm to attempt cousin pictures.

You will note I said attempt.

Jeremy is an ace photographer but not even he could tackle this assignment. Between Bode’s inability to smile and the roaming toddler twins, not even one picture of the four of them turned out.

That would be 0 out of 900.

I’d say better luck next time but judging from Tammy’s near nervous breakdown, it won’t be anytime soon.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Humor, travel, Utah

Rocking it in Frisco, Summit County’s Hidden Gem

July 15, 2011 By

With laudable Summit County neighbors such as Vail, Breckenridge and Keystone, the town of Friscooften gets overlooked when, in actuality, we should be putting “Frisco: The Main Street to the Rockies” at the top of our list.

My family recently stayed at Tiger Run Condominiums, located halfway between Frisco and Breckenridge. This is one of Rocky Mountain Resort’s many rental properties that range from ski condos to townhomes to private home rentals in Summit County.

In the peak season (winter), our well-appointed 3-bedroom, 2-story condo runs about $335 per night. In the summer, expect to pay only $235, a great deal for this property that sleeps eight. We never wanted to leave but unfortunately, we only stayed one night.

Better luck next time.

My very favorite network of paved, non-motorized paths in Colorado is located just a stone’s throw away from our condo. With more than 80 miles of trails connecting Summit County resorts like Breckenridge, Dillon, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Vail, there is no better way to explore Colorado’s most epic resorts.

On Friday evening, we biked a portion of the 10-mile trail from Frisco to Breckenridge. It was my 7-year-old daughter’s first adventure on her new mountain bike and she squealed with glee as we crossed bridges over the raging Blue River and wound along the serpentine trail.

Once in Breckenridge, we nestled up to the firepit as we ate Crepes a la Carte and later leisurely strolled along the popular Riverwalk. The next day, we parked our car at the Frisco Adventure Park and followed the trail to the Frisco Marina where we were thrilled to discover a futuristic playground.

A few other things to do:

Frisco Adventure Park

The Frisco Adventure Park opened December 2010 and adventures are, indeed in abundance. During the summer months, there are loads of hiking and biking trails, the Peak One Disc Golf Course, a free skate park, the Frisco Fun Club (a daycamp for kids 5-12) at the Day Lodge, baseball fields, horse stables for dinner rides, picnic facilities, camping via the forest serves and a free BMX bike park had e a soft opening on July 4. The Park is located 1/2-mile south of Frisco on Highway 9 overlooking Dillon Reservoir.

Frisco Bay Marina

Add mountains and the highest marina in the state (9,091 feet) with over 330 acres to explore by sail, motor or paddle, and you have a recipe for adventure. The Frisco Bay Marina offers rentals, sales and services for everything from sailboats to kayaks to boats. Grab some coconut shrimp or blackened fish tacos on the patio of The Island Grill or cool down with an ice cream sandwich after playing on the Marina’s futuristic playground. Open seven days a week, all summer long.

Fantastic Playground

If the futuristic playground at the Frisco Marina (see above) doesn’t float your kids’ boat, Frisco’s Funtastic Funground will. Located on the grounds of Frisco Elementary School (800 E 8th Ave, Frisco), this playground ranked up there as one of my kids’ all-time favorites. A castle in the wilderness, this massive grey structure offers umpteen secret hideouts, climbing walls, monkey bars, tires, swings, slides and so much more.

Live Music

Grab a blanket and head over to the FREE Concert in the Park series at Frisco’s Historic Park. The sunset show is held every Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. through August 18 and features tunes the family will love—from folk to rock to bluegrass.

Frisco Kayak Park

Whether you’re a kayak pro and want to practice your rolls and rodeos or spectators like us, be sure to check-out the Frisco Kayak Park. Located on the west end of Main Street, you’ll get the best view of the action from the walking bridge.

Special thanks to Rocky Mountain Resorts for hosting our family. If you’re planning a family vacation to Summit County, be sure to check-out their properties in Copper Mountain, Dillon, Frisco, Keystone and Silverthorne at www.coloradormr.com.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: biking, Colorado, Family travel, travel

My Summer Travels: The Great Canadian Road Trip

July 6, 2011 By

On Monday, I am embarking on our cross-country road-trip to Canada with the kids. The Lord of the Gourds may-or-may not be joining us near the end. He has to work and it is, of course, the peak of pumpkin season.

I’m so thrilled about this trip because we will be spending a couple of weeks in my hometown Calgary and camping in my favorite place on earth.

As previously mentioned, Grandma invited Hadley to fly out early and spend the 4th of July in Utah. Bode and I braved the long drive (we’re not bitter) where we will spend some time with Jamie’s family before I head over for the social media Evo Conference July 7-9 in Park City!


Then, it will be onto Rexburg, ID to visit my dear friend Jason and his family who were like surrogate parents when I went to Ricks College (now BYU Idaho).


Let’s hope Hadley has a better day than our visit with him a few years ago.

Then, we’re driving eight hours north to one of Idaho’s hidden gems: Sandpoint, ID where we will be meet my parents to celebrate my mom’s (ahem) 29th birthday. I’m looking forward to some downtime at Dover Bay Bungalows on the banks of magnificent Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s largest lake.

Photo: R.J. White, Sandpoint Magazine

Well, if downtime consist of checking out the darling shops in Sandpoint, kayaking, hiking the 9 miles of trails in the area, swimming and biking lift-serviced Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

From there, it will be homeward bound to Calgary with oodles of cousin time, the zoo, biking along the Bow River and of course, The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, The Calgary Stampede July 8-17, 2011.

Photo: CBC.ca

Calgary will also likely consist of my brother Pat dragging us out on the lake where it will be confirmed that I suck and will always suck at water-skiing.

From there, we’ll begin our drive back to Denver via my favorite place on earth. I’ve traveled the world and for me, there is no greater destination than Waterton Lakes National Park, located just north of the U.S. border. I’ll have many details to come about my favorite childhood haunt in this hauntingly beautiful enclave.

Photo: Kevin P. Rauch

And of course, the other side of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is glorious Glacier National Park where we will camp, play and marvel at one of the most beautiful drives along the lower 48: Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Photo: St. Mary Lake, Jon Tester

Our summer will consist of lots of family time, driving and camping. I’ve been asked if Jamie will be dismayed we’ll be gone so long and he alleges he will be. But to be honest, I’m usually a single mother in July because he’s slammed with his pumpkins, work and church responsibilities. Plus, unlimited time in the pumpkin patch without the wife nagging about family responsibilities?

It’s his version of a bachelor party.

Updated: Jamie and I were featured on the premiere of NBC’s The Marriage Ref regarding his pumpkin addiction. For a behind-the-scenes glimpse, go here.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Family travel, Humor, pumpkins, travel Tagged With:

How to Feel Disneyland’s Magic?!

May 9, 2011 By

I have figured out the “Magic of Disney.”

It has nothing to do with Disneyland’s characters, rides, parades, shops or food. That magic has to do with how two children–completely overwhelmed, overheated and exhausted–can whine for hours about the conditions….

….and yet at day’s end forget it all and attest they had the most fun of their entire lives.

Hadley, Bode and I had just one day to spend at Disneyland over Spring Break. My friend Stephanie (a local) was going to be our tour guide but had to bail at the last-minute. I had foolishly planned on blindly following her around but instead was thrown into the lake without a paddle.

Or a boat.

My kids and I initially failed at navigating the crowds but by day’s end we had started to figure out the system (and I would love to hear your insightsas well.)

Planning Ahead
Pre-planning is, of course, a no-brainer (unless you’re me). If you have specific questions that are not addressed on their thorough Web site, be sure to check out the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (moms head up this online question-and-answer forum). Also, order a complimentary Disney Vacation Planning CD with oodles of tips to your get familiar with the Resort before arriving.

FASTPASS
For the most popular rides, a FASTPASS can cut your time in line from over an hour to just a few minutes.
One of the few things we did right was identify one must-do ride (Space Mountain) and went there immediately. We inserted our Park admission ticket into the FASTPASS machine outside Space Mountain and received a pre-assigned time slot for faster boarding (we discovered it can be used anytime after that point). It’s free, but you can only have one FASTPASS active at a time. Instead of waiting for over an hour for the ride, we came back a few hours later and boarded in less than 15 minutes. Despite having the bejeeters scared out of us (OK, me), this was our favorite ride.

Applications
I posted a desperate message on Facebook about the long lines and my friend came to the rescue by recommending the FREE iPhone app, Mousewait. It gives wait times for rides, tells you the nearest place to get food, find a bathroom or even an iPhone charging station. The Park also has official apps for a nominal charge.

Parent “Rider Switch”
A theme-park “rider switch” policy gives both parents a chance to enjoy the latest attractions without the double wait. A parent who waits with a young child while the other parent rides the attraction can get on the ride with minimal wait time once the first parent comes off. Because I was a single mom, this option didn’t work for me but you’d better believe I would have taken advantage of it if my husband was with us.

Baby Care Centers and Strollers
My friend Stephanie recommended I take her stroller for 4-year-old Bode and after a 12-hour day, I was counting my blessings for it (note: strollers are not allowed in line). If you don’t want to bring your own, each park has a Baby Care center and baby stroller rental stations ($15/day). The Baby Care Centers have toddler-size toilets, diaper-changing rooms and private rooms with rocking chairs for nursing mothers. (You will also find baby-changing stations in the restrooms.)

Lodging
We bunked at Stephanie’s house but I’m debating staying on-site next time.
Pros: Guests of the Disneyland Resort Hotels are allowed to enter the park about an hour and a half before the general public is permitted access (valid only Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday). The Resort also offers special packages that often include hotels and tickets, as well as savings on multi-day stays and multi-park visits. Store purchases in the park can be sent over to the hotel so you don’t have to haul your treasures around.
Cons: Disneyland Resort Hotels are expensive and with the exception of Grand Californian, the Disneyland Resort Hotels are not themed as they are at Walt Disney World. There are also several non-Disney hotels that are much less expensive and within walking distance.

Healthful Dining Options
I did not have the foresight to make reservations at the Park’s restaurants and to avoid the chaos, we ate during non-peak times. While we had our share of Disney-esque treats, I was delighted to buy mangoes from one of the nutritious snack stands that offered such things as nuts, trail mix and items on the fresh fruit carts. Kids meals come with fruit or vegetables on the side, along with juice, water or low-fat milk to drink. Fries and soda are available upon request, at no additional cost.

Toddler-friendly attractions
While children are typically captivated by all of Disneyland Resort, be sure to seek out attractions and activities that are appropriate for little ones. Sure hits at Disneyland: Mickey’s Toontown, where they can visit Mickey at his house; Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage; The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, “it’s a small world” and Dumbo, the Flying Elephant. At Disney’s California Adventure park, a few of the special attractions for children are Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage, A Bug’s Land with its kiddie attractions, and King Triton’s Carrousel.

New Attractions
On May 27, Mickey’s Soundsational Parade will premier with whimsical float units, live musicians and some of your favorite characters including (duh) Mickey Mouse and his pals.

On June 3, Ariel’s Undersea Adventure will debut At Disney California Adventure park. My kids tried (and failed) at catching a glimpse behind the barriers of this journey under the sea. From the great songs to state-of-the-art animatronics and special effects, guests will become a part of her world in a way that’s never happened before. A must for Little Mermaid lovers!

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The biggest thing I learned during our first visit to Disneyland was to stop going commando by trying to see and do everything. We made a small list of our must-visit attractions (favorites were Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Soarin’, Grizzly River Run water rafting, and Pirates of the Caribbean). Next time, I feel better equipped to conquer the park.

And feel even more of that Disney magic.

What are your tried and true tips for getting the most out of Disneyland?

CLICK TO READ ON AT MILEHIGHMAMAS.COM

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Disney, Family travel, travel Tagged With:

Days 5 & 6: Cabo, Lands End, A Brush With Death & a Newfound Love

May 6, 2011 By

I’ve been to several Mexican towns but Cabo San Lucas is honestly the only place I can say I fell in love with.

My affair crept up on me as my mother-in-law Linda and I were teaching the kids to play shuffleboard on deck 4. As the Disney Wonder approached the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, Lands End came into view. We stopped in our tracks and marveled at these famously tall and stoic landmarks at the tip of the Baja Peninsula.

A colony of sea lions bathed on the rocks, sun-worshippers laid out on remote Lover’s Beach (only accessible via water taxi) and kayaks wove around Arch Rock. Cabo San Lucas impressively loomed with its mansion-dotted hilltops, testifying of Cabo’s reputation as Mexico’s most elite destination.

Lands End Coastal Cruise

I had foolishly signed up for the 40-minute Lands End Coastal Cruise ($33 adults, $19 kids) in a motorized catamaran. I say foolishly because I had wrongfully assumed we would be unable to see Lands End from the cruise ship and was disappointed we would not be experiencing anything new.

However, the excursion was not a total waste of time. We enjoyed getting up-close-and-personal with the landmarks and the informative narrative by J.M. Cousteau. But during my next visit, I’m renting a water taxi or kayaking to Lover’s Beach.

Because there will be a next time.

Cabo San Lucas’ Beaches

I had thoroughly researched Cabo’s beaches (a great resource is 10 Best Beaches in Cabo San Lucas) and had narrowed it down to Chileno Beach. Perfect for families, this beach skips the local party scene, has bathrooms, palapas for shade, snorkeling equipment and tide pools for exploration that I knew my kids would love.

The problem is Chileno Beach is located on what is called “The Corridor”–an 18-mile four-lane highway that follows a stunning coastline past championship golf courses, world-class beaches and luxury resorts.

OK, that wasn’t the problem because that sounds pretty darn idyllic. The quandary was the cab ride cost around $80 round-trip. Renting a car for $47 was another option, but one I was unwilling to take with self-professed map dementia, unfamiliar roads, a foreign country and no car seats.

It was my way of preserving my children’s lives.

Playa El Médona and My Baywatch Moment

People repeatedly recommended the very beach I wanted to avoid: El Médona. Sure, ithas a convenient location (just around the pier), a variety of restaurants and stellar views of Lands End but it’s also the crowded party beach.

In the end, the price was right. For $2/person, we rode in a glass-bottomed water taxi with a glass floor to our very own cut of paradise on Medona where we could rent boogie boards, jet skis, snorkel gear and anything our heart desired.

When we arrived at Medona, a cool Mexican dude offered us boogie boards but after taking one look at the relatively steep drop and undertow of the beach, turned him down. I did take him up on his offer to rent an umbrella for $10 for the day.

I didn’t tell him that I would have paid double that for shade.

Despite several annoyances that included locals toting their wares no less than every 30 seconds (not an exaggeration), we had a nice time. The temperatures were mild, Haddie got her hair braided by a local merchant and another made her a bracelet. The kids never tired of chasing the waves and it was a chaotic form of paradise.

After a couple of hours, I left to explore the shops along Marina Boulevard, the main artery that curves around the waterfront. When I came back, the tide was starting to come in and the waves looked more dangerous. Linda and I moved closer to the kids and not even two minutes after making this decision, Bode (who was body surfing) got caught in an undertow and gobbled by a following wave.

In a scene out of Baywatch, I surged forward into the water, surf splashing everywhere and snatched him from his death.

OK, more like instead of the sexy red bathing suit I was fully clothed after my walk and though scary, his situation was not life-and-death.

But for drama’s sake just work with me here.

That was our sign to call it a day. Despite our less-than-optimal beach conditions, we were reluctant to leave. As we rode our tender boat back to the cruise ship, sea lions and pelicans escorted us as a final, memorable farewell to glorious Cabo San Lucas.

Pirates IN the Caribbean Soiree

The “Pirate IN the Caribbean” deck party is the Disney Wonder’s most highly anticipated event. The evening starts with a pirate-themed dinner where everyone receives a pirate special bandanna and orders from a menu resembling the parchment of an age old treasure map. It ends with a buccaneer bash starring Mickey Mouse, games, a huge spread of food and the only fireworks display at sea.

Despite being worn out from our day at the beach, my kids insisted upon waiting up until 9:30 p.m. for the party. When we arrived, it was in full swing with interactive games on the big screen, a pirate-style line dance, black lighting, raucous music and Captain Hook.

Exhausted Bode and Linda bailed at 10 p.m. but Hadley was committed to wait up for the fireworks display and more importantly: the pirate-themed buffet at 10:30 p.m.Families huddled together in wonderment as the pirate pyrotechnics lit up the Mexican Riviera’s ebony sky. Haddie then raced over to score the very first spot in line for the buffet and indulged in treasures like The Black Pearls’ Beef Tenderloin and the Treasure Chest Meringue filled with tropical fruit, berries and vanilla sauce.

Because we hadn’t eaten enough food on the cruise already. But it was all worth the wait.

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If you missed it:

*It’s a Wonder Cruising with Disney: A Day-by-day Guide
*Day 0.5: If Getting There is Half the Fun Then I’m in Trouble
*Day 1: Kids Club, Sail Away Party and Fat Kitty Stowaway
*Day 2: Stateroom, Oceaneer Club, Pools, Entertainment & Pyrotechnics, Oh My!
*Day 3: Our Slacker Character Breakfast, Oceaneer Lab’s Little Red Hen and the Magic of Animator’s Palate
*Day 4: Puerto Vallarta, Boogie Boarding and Not-nude Beaches
*Days 5 & 6: Cabo, Lands End, A Brush with Death and a Newfound Love
*Day 7: Farewells & Our Favorite Moment of the Trip

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Disney, Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With:

Disney Wonder Day 4: Puerto Vallarta, Boogie Boarding and Not-nude Beaches

May 5, 2011 By

I am not a beach person.

It’s complicated. I love the ocean but don’t care for the sand and heat that are often associated with it.

And so why would a non-beach person submit herself to the beach on a regular basis? Because I want my kids to love the ocean and there is just something special about a tropical vacation. This was reconfirmed in Puerto Vallarta.

Shore Excursions

Name a popular destination and Disney Cruise Lines probably sails there. From the Disney Magic‘s 7-night Mediterranean itinerary out of Barcelona to the Disney Wonder’s 7-night Alaskan cruise. The brand spankin’ new Disney Dream launched this year out of Port Canaveral to Bahamian ports and the Disney Fantasy will be unveiled in 2012.

Yes, please to all of the above.

Choosing a cruise itinerary and then shore excursion is always tough for me to. Fortunately, I had never been to the ports offered on the Disney Wonder‘s Mexican Riviera–Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Options were narrowed down even more when Mazatlan was yanked from the itinerary due to dangerous travel conditions. We instead stayed in glorious Cabo for two days instead of one.

Talk about a sacrifice.

Disney Cruise Line makes it easy to find age-appropriate shore excursions at their Web site where you simply click on your port, age range, activity level (active, moderate or mild) and type of activity (i.e. nature, teen or family adventures). I found the perfect activity: Dolphin Kids where my kids would get some one-on-one time with Flipper.

Only it wasn’t perfect, it was full so be sure to book early. We instead opted for the Paradise Beach Adventure at Paradise Village Beach Resort (adults $69, kids $34).

Puerto Vallarta’s Paradise Beach Adventure

It was not love at first sight when I gazed upon Puerto Vallarta from our stateroom’s balcony. The city boasts a 40-kilometer Shangri-la of rivers, mountains, coastline and beaches but even that can’t make up for first impressions: the Disney Wonder was parked a stone’s throw away from Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.

Not quite the exotic Mexican destination I envisioned.

Fortunately, my disappointment was salvaged with our Paradise Beach Adventure. About 300 fellow Disney cruises were shuttled 20 minutes away to Paradise Village Beach Resort, a veritable beach-front oasis with Mayan architecture. We snagged some chairs in front of one of the two spectacular lagoon pools with waterfalls, reptilian water slides, a rope-swing bridge and rocky underwater grottoes.

For the first time on our cruise, I had my relaxing pool experience and the kids had the time of their lives.

Part of our package was a delicious buffet lunch consisting of local favorites such as papaya and Mexican beef. But the true highlight was when we hit the adjacent beach, Nuevo Vallarta. The water is not the azure-blue you’ll find in Cancun, nor was it particularly warm but it was gloriously devoid of people because most opted to stay in the shade.

We showed our ship I.D. at a rental hut and were able to check out some sand buckets for free. I also grabbed some boogie boards because I had a stroke of genius to give Haddie a tutorial.

This can also be referred to as the blind leading the blind: I can’t recall ever boogie boarding.

My adept swimmer took quickly to it but it was Bode who shocked me the most. Here’s a bit of background on him: He has flunked his entry-level Minnows swimming class two times because he refuses to dunk his head. I wasn’t even planning to put him on the board but after a few minutes, he nonchalantly said he wanted to try…and was hooked. “I WUV it,” he squealed as he shot through the surf, droplets spraying in his face.

I didn’t bother to tell him this actually counted as getting his face wet.

I had to drag him out at the end of the day and prior to heading back to the pool, we hit the open-air showers next to the beach. As I hosed the sand off Haddie, I was shocked to turn and see Bode had completely stripped down.

“Bode, put your swim suit back on! The Paradise Beach Adventure is not that kind of a beach.”

But it sure was a fun one.

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If you missed it:

*It’s a Wonder Cruising with Disney: A Day-by-day Guide
*Day 0.5: If Getting There is Half the Fun Then I’m in Trouble
*Day 1: Kids Club, Sail Away Party and Fat Kitty Stowaway
*Day 2: Stateroom, Oceaneer Club, Pools, Entertainment & Pyrotechnics, Oh My!
*Day 3: Our Slacker Character Breakfast, Oceaneer Lab’s Little Red Hen and the Magic of Animator’s Palate
*Day 4: Puerto Vallarta, Boogie Boarding and Not-nude Beaches
*Days 5 & 6: Cabo, Lands End, A Brush with Death and a Newfound Love
*Day 7: Farewells & Our Favorite Moment of the Trip

Filed Under: Disney, Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With:

Disney Wonder Day 2: Stateroom, Oceaneer Club, Pools, Entertainment & Pyrotechnics, Oh My!

May 3, 2011 By

“Home sweet home.”

That is what I referred to our stateroom aboard the Disney Wonder for seven blessed days. Only our home doesn’t have a balcony with ocean views (more than 70 percent of staterooms have them), a door adorned with Mickey, or James, our doting stateroom steward who kept our room meticulously clean.

I have yet to convince my own beloved husband James to follow his fine example.

Sleeping with my kids in the same room is not my top choice but with a curtain partition, bunk beds for the kids and a large comfy bed for Linda and I, it was pretty ideal. The split “bath-and-a-half” design provided us with the convenience of a sink and tub/shower in one room and a sink and toilet in a separate room.

Our stateroom had all makings for a good slumber but I’m a neurotic sleeper and need complete silence. Combine a snoring roommate (who shall remain anonymous) and the creaking of the ship (the only time it testified of its age), I awoke exhausted.

Which is why it made perfect sense to checkout the fitness center.

Disney Cruise Line Fitness Center

The adults-only workout facilities are a part of the Vista Spa & Salon and are open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. The equipment is state-of-the-art with a complete range of cardiovascular and weight machines and classes. There is also an open-air track for walking and jogging, about 1/3 of a mile in length.

When I worked out the first day it sea, the facility was crowded. On the final day on the cruise, it was a ghost town. After a week of leisure and gluttony, I think my fellow devotees instead opted for the buffet.

LinkPerfect Palo

Speaking of food, it doesn’t get any better than Palo, Disney Wonder’s signature adult-only Northern Italian restaurant. After dropping the kids off at Oceaneer Club, Linda and I indulged in the Champagne brunch. The options included made-to-order entrées, seafood, a selection of international cheeses, fresh breads and pastries, desserts, Champagne and mimosas. Favorites were the Eggs Benedict and strawberry-mint soup.

In addition to brunch, Palo also offers elegant dinners. On our final night, we began with antipasti selections and the choice of six different kinds of pizzas. We moved on to fresh pastas and then came seafoods and meats (my classic beef tenderloin with Gorgonzola sauce redefined tender) and our evening was topped off by chocolate souffle dessert.
Our beloved and adorable Italian waiter Daniel summed up our culinary journey by this statement: “It’s a moment you never want to end.”

He was correct but fortunately for my waistline, it eventually did.

Reservations are required for Palo and there is an additional $20 charge for dinner and brunch.

An Expert Opinion of Disney’s Oceaneer Club

When Linda and I retrieved 6-year-old Hadley from Oceaneer Club, she reported: “I made a friend and we pretended we were Captain Hook on the ship.”

She was referring to Captain Hook’s pirate ship straight from Never Land with a treasure chest-themed television set, lamps that resemble barrels, hanging ropes, wooden planks and a glistening fiber-optic night sky.

“Oh, and Bode? All he did was play Mario Kart and just watch TV,” she snitched.

The Club has a computer lab with child-friendly computers, video games and multiple televisions. In 4-year-old Bode’s own defense, “I had the most fun ever.”

To each his own.

Oceaneer Club is open from 9 a.m. to midnight daily for children ages 3 to 10, no reservations are necessary. Bode preferred The Club (which is more geared to younger kids) and Hadley liked the Oceaneer Lab (stay tuned for that review tomorrow).

Water Play

There are three pools on-board the Disney Wonder: Quiet Cove Pool (an adult-only oasis), Goofy’s Pool and Mickey’s Pool a.k.a. my descent into hell.

Let me explain: My kids are finally getting old enough that they can be relatively independent in shallow waters. Goofy’s Pool had an ideal location with a state-of-the-art, jumbo 24-by-14-foot LED screen that played Disney animated or live-action movies poolside. Unfortunately, at a depth of 4 feet, it is too deep for my kids.

That left Mickey’s Pool. In theory, this is a fantastic pool that features Mickey Mouse’s famous smiling face, a maximum depth of 2 feet and a twisting, one-deck-high yellow slide suspended from an over-sized Mickey Mouse hand.

The problem is 85 percent of the ship’s children think this mouse is the cat’s meow. By afternoon, Mickey’s Pool was absolute bedlam every day and my dreams of relaxing poolside in a chaise with a Pina Colada smoothie were replaced by having to keep a vigilant watch they didn’t get trampled.

The kids still loved it, though. Haddie tore up the slide, we grabbed burgers and fries from Pluto’s Dog House (healthier options were at nearby Goofy’s Galley) and topped it off with soft-serve ice cream. Basically, it was every kid’s dream and every parent’s nightmare.

To each their own, Part II.

Tip: To avoid the crowds, skip swimming in the afternoon and go after breakfast or during the first dining hour (around 6 p.m.) Stay tuned for our favorite moment aboard the Disney Wonder, which happened on our final night in Mickey’s Pool.

On-board Entertainment

Upon returning home from our cruise, I was asked, “Did your kids ever get bored?”

A Disney Cruise is the very antithesis of boredom. Between song-and-dance shows starring our favorite Disney Characters in the Disney Theatre daily to first-run movies like Tangled and Gnomeo and Juliet in the Buena Vista Theatre, magic shows, karaoke, dancing and games, we were never, ever bored.

One of our favorite performances was the Golden Mickey’s, a Disney-esque version of the Academy Awards. We arrived with fanfare: Paparrazi snapping pictures, red carpet and even a “celebrity” reporter who interviewed the little ones. The show combined live-action theatre from talented performances with our favorite clips from Disney films, an emotional tribute to Walt Disney and pyrotechnics.

It doesn’t get much better than that for kids.

====

If you missed it:
*It’s a Wonder Cruising with Disney: A Day-by-day Guide
*Day 0.5: If Getting There is Half the Fun Then I’m in Trouble
*Day 1: Kids Club, Sail Away Party and Fat Kitty Stowaway
*Day 2: Stateroom, Oceaneer Club, Pools, Entertainment & Pyrotechnics, Oh My!
*Day 3: Our Slacker Character Breakfast, Oceaneer Lab’s Little Red Hen and the Magic of Animator’s Palate
*Day 4: Puerto Vallarta, Boogie Boarding and Not-nude Beaches
*Days 5 & 6: Cabo, Lands End, A Brush with Death and a Newfound Love
*Day 7: Farewells & Our Favorite Moment of the Trip

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Disney, Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With: ,

Disney Wonder Day 1: Kids Club, Sail Away Party & Fat Kitty Stowaway

May 2, 2011 By

My least favorite part of cruising is the check-in. Even the most highly efficient system will result in headaches when dealing with an onslaught of 2,400 people.

When our shuttle bus arrived from LAX to the Port of Los Angeles, the process went quickly. The only confusion I had was as we waited for our group number to be called so we could board the Disney Wonder. I glanced over and saw frantic parents high-tailing it to the youth activities registration desk at the terminal.

Prior to the cruise, the Disney Cruise Line sends passengers a very thorough information packet. In the guide, it talks about registering children for the activity centers on the ship but I panicked when I saw the herd charging over to the desk. Were they taking all the spots? WHAT IF IT FILLS UP AND I’M STUCK WITH MY CHILDREN FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP?

Judge me all you want. I’m just expressing what all those frenzied parents were thinking.

Turns out we had no reason to panic. All children have access to the kids clubs and it is not necessary to register for specific activities. Haddie and Bode’s wrists were fitted with Mickey Bands (free but there was a $50 charge if they got lost). The bands provide secure access to the children’s facilities and act as a monitoring device.

Think ankle bracelets for criminals but in one of the happiest places on earth.

Then it was our turn to board. As we walked into the lobby of the Disney Wonder, an overenthusiastic lady announced our names into the microphone. We jubilantly stepped onto the red carpet, relishing in the roar of the crowd (OK, more like six gracious staffers) but we were thrilled that they gave each individual family their own special memory of boarding the ship.

Beach Blanket Buffet

We all have our priorities when cruising and ours was eating (we had not done so since early that morning). The Beach Blanket Buffet on Deck 9 serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and we gorged on classic American and international cuisine. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the buffet that had plenty of healthy and non-healthy selections, though I would have liked to have seen more choices in the salad bar.

Gotta make a few healthy choices to offset desserts like these.

Kids Clubs

There are several difference options for kids of all ages aboard the Disney Wonder:

Flounder’s Reef Nursery: Infants and toddlers (ages 12 weeks-3 years) are entertained with toys, crafts, book and games. Disney’s babysitting services services offer the longest operating hours of any cruise company.

Oceaneer Club (ages 3-12): This pirate-themed adventure areas is home to Peter Pan’s Never Land with games, storytelling, video games, musical fun and dancing.

Oceaneer Lab (ages 3-12): Offers exploration with experiment stations, music stations, computers, video games and more.

Edge (ages 11-13): This lounge and interactive play space is set up with plush couches, high-tech entertainment—videogames, televisions and computers—and features guided activities.

Vibe (ages 14-17) is the ultra-cool teen-only hangout patterned after a college dorm with plasma-screen TVs, Internet access, MP3 players, games karaoke and snacks.

There was been a lot of talk (and a bit of controversy) about Disney Cruise Line’s decision to revamp their youth activities program in 2009. While most cruise lines generally create smaller groups with kids of the same age, Disney eliminated age restrictions for kids ages 3-12 and activities are divided up by interest, not age in the Oceaneer areas.

While I liked the idea of Bode (age 4) and Hadley (age 6) being able to participate in the same activities, I was a bit worried Bode would get trampled by the older kids. Turns out, I had no cause for concern (as you’ll see later):

The boy simply migrated to his beloved Wii and life-long friendships with his home boys were born.

Sail Away Celebration

Following the mandatory Assembly Drill, we partied it up with Captain Mickey Mouse and Friends at the Sail Away Celebration on Deck 9. I caught a glimpse at Beatlemania during this 45-minute deck party with Minnie, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Captain Hook. Confetti rocketed through the sky and my kids joined the countless others in the revelries.

Parent tip: Bring earplugs. And your loudest voice.

Fine Dining, Disney Style
The nine restaurants on the Disney Wonder range from the adult-only fine cuisine at Palo to casual poolside dining at Goofy’s Galley. The ship features a Rotational Dining system that lets you rotate to one of three theme restaurants (Triton’s, Parrot Cay and Animator’s Palate) each night, while your servers follow you from venue to venue.

The good: I have never experienced this level of service on a cruiseship. Our beloved waiters Balwan and Titta always had our preferred beverages and Bode’s booster seat ready when we arrived and catered to our every need. The food was always delicious and the ambiance ever-changing and enchanting.

The bad: There is no flexibility on when and where you eat. There are two assigned seating times at 5:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., the latter obviously not desirable for families with young children (5:45 p.m. fills quickly).

On our first night, we were assigned to Triton’s grand dining room with French and under-the-sea cuisine. The children’s meals were varied and always served with a side of vegetables. Hadley devoured steak, shrimp, sea bass and topped it off with a chocolate sundae.

At the end of the meal, she coined the most beloved quote of our entire trip as she groaned in her chair: “Ugh, I’m starting to feel like Fat Kitty” (our very portly cat).

It wasn’t the first time we all felt that way aboard the Disney Wonder.

======

If you missed it:
*It’s a Wonder Cruising with Disney: A Day-by-day Guide
*Day 0.5: If Getting There is Half the Fun Then I’m in Trouble
*Day 1: Kids Club, Sail Away Party and Fat Kitty Stowaway
*Day 2: Stateroom, Oceaneer Club, Pools, Entertainment & Pyrotechnics, Oh My!
*Day 3: Our Slacker Character Breakfast, Oceaneer Lab’s Little Red Hen and the Magic of Animator’s Palate
*Day 4: Puerto Vallarta, Boogie Boarding and Not-nude Beaches
*Days 5 & 6: Cabo, Lands End, A Brush with Death and a Newfound Love
*Day 7: Farewells & Our Favorite Moment of the Trip

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Disney, Family, Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With:

Disney Wonder Day 0.5: If Getting There is Half the Fun, Then I’m in Trouble

May 1, 2011 By

My kids and I have traipsed all over Canada and Colorado without my husband Jamie.

But our Disney Cruise to the Mexican Riviera was different for a couple of reasons:

1) It’s international. And yes, I know some of you consider Canada a foreign country but when you’re raised there, poutine and “eh” are as natural as Marilyn Monroe’s blonde hair (work with me, here).

2) This was my children’s first cruise. There’s a bit of a learning curve when cruising—from check-in at the port to security to registration. It’s all a bit overwhelming for a newbie.

And moms who are accompanying them.

But our speed bumps began long before that when our flight was delayed. (Did I mention that out of 200 flights leaving Denver that morning, ours was only 1 in 4 that had any issues?)

Long ago, I abandoned asking “what’re the odds?” because they are never in my favor.

Fortunately, we arrived at LAX with plenty of time to spare and good thing, too because that is when our next debacle occurred. After disembarking, my bladder-the-size-of-a-pea son raced to the bathroom, after which time, we followed the signs to baggage claim.

And kept following them.

And followed them some more.

I’ve always hated LAX. It’s old, dingy, congested and it is currently being renovated, which only added to the chaos. There were no trains or moving walkways and we walked for about a half hour until we finally arrived at baggage claim.

Only, it turns out it wasn’t ours. We had flown on a friendly jaguar from Frontier (Terminal 5) and had somehow trekked around the airport and ended up in very unfriendly United (Terminal 7).

My mother-in-law Linda had flown from Salt Lake City and was inspired enough to call me at that exact moment to track us down. By the time we high-tailed it back to Terminal 5, I was the final person to arrive on our transport shuttle and was brimming with accusations about the convolted airport.

Until I noticed other people from my same flight had somehow managed to do a straight-shot to the correct baggage claim.

I shut up, grabbed my luggage, consolidated everything I needed into a carry-on (tip: keep your swimsuit and other essentials with you) and sent the rest of our suitcases with the Disney Cruise porter. I was promised the next time we saw them, it would be in our stateroom after 3 p.m.

Relief set in that I would finally be able to enjoy a stress-free vacation. Linda, the children and I lined up to board the bus and that is when I realized I had forgotten my son’s booster seat…

Back at baggage claim.

That would be the second baggage claim we’d been to that day for anyone keeping track.

At that point, I was almost tempted to leave it behind but I had brought it for a reason. Apologetically, I told the bus driver my predicament, she kindly told me to retrieve it and I high-tailed it across the parking lot.

And then I became that person. You know—the one that makes everyone wait.

When I arrived back to the bus, I slunked into my seat beside my daughter, sweaty and humiliated. As we watched the video with Mickey & Co. giving us a tour of the ship, I resolved husbands are kept around for a reason.

And it has everything to do with upping my odds.

In case you missed it:
*It’s a Wonder Cruising with Disney: A Day-by-day Guide
*Day 0.5: If Getting There is Half the Fun Then I’m in Trouble
*Day 1: Kids Club, Sail Away Party and Fat Kitty Stowaway
*Day 2: Stateroom, Oceaneer Club, Pools, Entertainment & Pyrotechnics, Oh My!
*Day 3: Our Slacker Character Breakfast, Oceaneer Lab’s Little Red Hen and the Magic of Animator’s Palate
*Day 4: Puerto Vallarta, Boogie Boarding and Not-nude Beaches
*Days 5 & 6: Cabo, Lands End, A Brush with Death and a Newfound Love
*Day 7: Farewells & Our Favorite Moment of the Trip

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Disney, Family, Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With:
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