Whenever winter comes, it’s a season of Christmas fun for us, and we want to go somewhere special. So the special treat was a trip and we found one of the Best hotels in Nashville for Families! It is Gaylord Opryland Resort .
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OMG! Christmas Decorations we beautiful inside and outside and it made me marry!
You don’t know unless you try if you like something. So for me, Opryland Hotel was pure awe. I couldn’t imagine a place like this could exist. Yes, you see the pictures and read texts and realize that there are many things to see and do, but the images do not reveal how huge this place is.
Christmas fun at Gaylord Opryland Resort. Best hotels in Nashville for Families
Interior
Opryland Hotel is some uneven circle covered with a glass roof, and you can see if it’s day or night outside, but the weather within the construction is always lovely. The structure is so massive that it holds a river inside, bridges, gardens, waterfalls, restaurants, movie theaters, shopping centers, an aqua park, and so much more! It’s a humongous family fun center.
The Opryland Hotel reminds me of Italy. All walls are painted white and have cute little balconies with tables and chairs. And gondolas are surfing the river. Ah! Romantic!
We visited it in December when it was set up for Christmas and New Year. The resort was at its full capacity, but you are lucky that we went there and researched it all over!
Let’s look at their activities closer!
Breakfast with Characters
Our first activity was breakfast with Characters at Conservatory Wine Bar. My six years old daughter is a big fan of Snoopy. We didn’t tell her who it would be, so she was screaming excited when Snoopy showed up from around the corner and hugged her. The resort did an exceptional job of making us feel welcomed and full.
One of my favorite breakfast items is an omelet. Mmmmm. The omelet with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and cheese is so juicy that it melts in your mouth. Yeeesssss. It is what they make here.
Ice Tubing
Kids did it at least a hundred times. It was a perfect activity to wear them out. My two years old son kept asking to do it repeatedly. Good thing Kevin is athletic and could carry both a tube and a son. I was taking videos and pictures:).
Ice Skating
Ice skating is always fun. On a second day, though, it got so warm that ice melted and created puddles in the corners. We all got soaking wet and had to shop for cloth, which was a pleasurable experience, and we wanted to visit Opry Mills Shopping Center anyway.
It’s ok if you can not skate. You can get this little bear for free or take Ice skating classes for money.
Bumper Cars on Ice
Fun! Do you like bumper cars? Then you will like these too. It is more fun because it’s slippery and you rotate and bump into other vehicles. It looks crazy fun! It feels even crazier!
Live Music
It wouldn’t be Nashville if they didn’t have live music from the opening to the late-night. All kinds of styles, from Christmas Carol to Country music. I always thought about how simple melodies influence upon us. In a heart bit, you can get sad and nostalgic, and next song, you are ready to dance and jump like crazy. We all were experiencing these mood swings all day long.
“I love Christmas Movies”
This year Opryland Hotel had a unique project called “I love Christmas Movies” You would go through interactive scenes of five famous movies and could dive into the atmosphere of a fairy tale.
Here are some scenes of the project. Can you guess what movies were featured?
Next year they are doing an Ice Sculptures Exhibit. Reserve your spot!
Hot Chocolate
When it’s cold outside, hot chocolate is the best! It warms up and gives you a boost of energy. It also threw me back to my happy childhood and made me feel like a kid. You can have plenty of hot chocolate at a particular station.
Jack Daniel’s
After such intense work out we all were hungry and searched for a perfect supper. Oh my! What a tough decision! What should we choose? Mexican restaurant, Italian, American? We picked “Jack Daniel’s.” I didn’t know there was a restaurant with such a name. I always thought it was a whiskey.
Although you obviously can have a drink there, it was suitable for kids. I picked it because they had the best kids’ menu out of all other places. Plus, I was craving red meat, and they had a few beef options. I got beef brisket. The first one was a bit too dry, so I asked to replace it, and they brought the fresh-made piece just out of the oven. It was melting in my mouth! Yum!
At 8 pm we got spoiled with live music. One very talented guitarist and singer performed for us. It was so relaxing! What a nice ending to the day.
Now we are heading to our room to sleep.
See you tomorrow!
If you like the resort, you can place your order here.
The following day we headed to Marco Island, Florida, for another luxury family travel to put on my lifestyle blog. It was a nice 3 hours road trip with one stop for supper.
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Spectacular Mexican Restaurant in Sarasota
Mr. Tequilla. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
If you are ever driving through Sarasota, stop by at this tiny, super cute family-owned Mexican restaurant called Mr. Tequila. I would visit just for the interior. All those bright colors brought back my childhood memories and made me smile. A server said that they ordered all the interior pieces from Mexico.
Seafood soup and Cascadilla. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
The Best Trip to Florida Part 2. Marco Island.
We ordered a seafood soup with crab legs, shrimps, squid, mussels, and octopuses. It had a strong taste that I couldn’t identify and was not a big fan of, but I liked the seafood content a lot. Kids got cheese quesadillas, and another entrée was beef enchilada. Your kids will love it! We ate everything!
Marriott Crystal Shores. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
Once we reached Marco Island, we checked in into this great Mariotte Vacation Club, and for the next five days, this enormous three-bedroom suite became our home! It is always nice to have a spacious suite when you travel with three kids. It was so big that kids could spend the day playing tag and race each other, and we didn’t care.
Full video review of Marriott Suite. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
Another significant thing about Marriott Resort is its quietness. The walls are thick, and you can’t hear your neighbors from anywhere, sides, or top. It is one of the most important requirements for me.
We need good sleep to handle our kids after the whole day of activities. We had a splendid ocean view from our oversized balcony, where I could sit and work on my family travel and lifestyle blog. I love absolutely everything about the resort.
Marco Island Restaurant
Side Salad, Shrimp Scampi, Fried Code. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t write about food. We explored the first day and found a little clean and cozy restaurant right next to the pool. We tried it, and OMG! The food there was so good! We ordered shrimp scampi and fried code served with white rice. Oooooh! You should try it! So good! I am coming back just for the food.
Marco Island Beach
Marco Island Beach. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
Marco Island beach deserves particular attention. The sand is fine and white, and on this side of Florida, there are lots of shells, so they are pretty much everywhere and mixed up with sand.
The sunset is magical and romantic. But, oh! I would look at it forever! Same sun, same place, but different sunset. E-V-E-R-Y D-A-Y.
I love collecting seashells, so do my kids. So it was our every night activity to go to the beach at low tide and hunt for those rare ones. On the first day, we would take each one that was whole.
The second day, we got a bit pickier. We would collect only whole rare ones. By the end of the trip, we would collect only twirly ones. Oh! And I will tell you where you can get hundreds of them.
Marco Island Sunset
Marco Island Sunset. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
Things to do on Marco Island
Marriott VC Swimming Pool. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
I presume this place would be super popular during the usual time, but because of the pandemic, it was relatively empty. They have three heated pools; one of them is for kids and has a little slide.
The water was at a fantastic temperature. Warm. Not cool, but warm. Oh! The memories themselves make me relax while I am writing these words! Kids swam morning, afternoon, and evening and would stay there at night if we didn’t let them. Your kids would love it too.
Marco Island Jet Ski Tour and a Boat Ride
I like to find unique things for my family travel and lifestyle blog. One of them is this trip.
There is a great place/tour called 10 000 islands. You can get there on a jet ski or by boat. We did both. The approximate traveling speed by scoters is 50 miles per hour, so it was a super exciting trip for my husband and nine-year-old son. Your kid would love it! They saw dolphins and manatees and went inside the mangrove jungles for research and adventure. Unforgettable!
Footage of a Dolphine Jump. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
We, the ladies and a 22 months old, preferred a boat. It was a nice breezy trip where we took lots of pictures and videos of dolphins and manatees.
100 000 Islands Boat Ride. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
The trip’s ultimate destination was an island with thousands and thousands of seashells. It was a seashell paradise! It seems like I made the Island out of them. We had about 40 minutes to satisfy our thirst for shell hunting, and so we did!
Tiny Seashells, a Souvenir from a Boat Ride. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
And we had a super fantastic guide and a captain. They knew this place as their five fingers, and each time we stopped, we would see what they promised. Whether a pack of dolphins or a manatee.
On the way back, the tour guide gave us a little present. She had a dozen of seashells that were still in a pouch. She found them on the shore and then opened them up specifically for each kid and poured them into their hands.
Our Amazing Tour Guide on a Boat Ride. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
Tip.
It’s an Island with no trees, so hats, covered hands/shoulders, and reliable sunscreen are necessary. Also, bring some water with you. They have snacks and drinks on the boat, but it costs, you know… 3 times more.
Back to the resort for lunch!
When we stay in one place for a week or longer, we choose a hotel with a kitchen. It’s adventurous and relaxing to eat out, but I can not survive without soups and homemade food for longer than three days. If it’s a five-day stay, I will make soup every other day, so this week I cooked twice, the first time we ate chicken noodle soup, the second time we had beef and vegetable soup.
Kevin and Steaks. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
We also like to grill, so our Grill Man spoiled us with this super delicious meaty supper.
Another thing to do on Marco Island is Night Swimming.
Night Swimming. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
The first time we tried night swimming. Exciting and fun! Your kids will love it too! It’s a safe place to try it.
Pinchers Restaurant, Marco Island
Date Night at Pinchers. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
Kevin and I have a tradition. Every week, we go on a date: just him, me, and God.
Pinchers, restaurant. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
We spotted this restaurant across the road from our hotel, called “Pinchers.” It didn’t look luxurious but had a great menu and high ratings. So we tried it, and we were not disappointed.
It’s a family-friendly restaurant with all kinds of seafood, three kinds of crabs, raw or baked oysters, scallops, lobsters, shrimps, fried calamari, local fish. It’s hard to imagine what they don’t have. We went there twice. It worked great both for a romantic supper and a family lunch.
Lunch at Pinchers. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
We got crab legs, a dozen raw oysters, clam chowder, and crab cake for the date. Everything was fresh and yummy. The crab cake had a few shells in it. Crunchy:))) All our servers were super nice. I would come back, and we did!
Supper at Pinchers. Marco Island. Luxury family travel.
The next time we went there for lunch, the food was the same good. We were super hungry and asked for an appetizer. The waiter recommended a Hot Crab & Cheese Dip. It’s the most famous item people drive for miles to try. We highly recommend it! Family orders included Famous Fish & Chips, and kids got Chicken Fingers. Everything was gone. No leftovers.
After lunch, we took off and headed home! We will miss you, Marco Island! See you soon!
Is there anything else we missed or should watch/do? Please, let me know in the comments.
Here are more luxury family travel posts you might like:
OK! We just got back from a family vacation to Legoland!
It was terrific, and I have some remarkable findings for you:)
It was our first time staying at the Legoland Hotel, and I loved it the first time. They are the most special, and I usually judge and compare all the following experiences with the first one.
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Interior.
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Glorious news! We had a great first experience today!
The first thing that was just great was the location; the hotel is right behind the gate of the Park. So it was nice that we could leave our car in the parking lot and walk back and forth from the hotel to the Park.
The interior made my kids scream with excitement. They have a pretty spacious lobby, all decorated with Lego characters, statutes, and a little play area that was very helpful with occupying kids while we checked in.
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Full review. Room.
The room was cute and all in bright colors. Kids loved their bed, and a complimentary Lego set that they had to find by opening a toy safe box. By the way, you get those sets every day!
That also was helpful. While we were settling up, kids were playing with Legos.
We stayed for two nights and three days.
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Restaurant.
The first night was the night of exploration. And we explored their restaurant. OMG! It was bright and colorful, the same as the room. The server was super friendly and helpful. It took a while to get our food, but it was worth it.
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Supper.
They offered two options of a family-style supper, and we picked the one called SeaDog Skillet. It came with a lot of food. We had a little fridge in the room, so we saved some leftovers for the next day.
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Hallway.
After the great supper, kids played at the hallway playground, and we went to the room to get ready for a full day of fun tomorrow.
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review.Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Morning Newspaper.
I like to stay at the resorts with complimentary breakfasts. It helps to start the day with the right note, especially with such a great breakfast as we had that morning. Yum!
It was especially nice that they care if you have allergies. Since I had some, the chef herself assured me that everything we ordered doesn’t contain any ingredients that I am allergic to. Nice! Plus to the service!
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Breakfast day 1.
Just look at this breakfast! What a great beginning of the day! Now we are ready for fun!
Legoland Water Park
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Water park.
We picked the hottest day to visit Water Park. It was a wise decision. We spent most of the day in cool water without masks since they are not required at pools.
While the Park is small, they have everything to keep you occupied for five hours, an enormous water playground, slides, wave pool, lazy river, and splash area. Older kids were doing rides with daddy, while the younger ones spent the whole time at the splash area with mom.
There is one place to eat that offers some fast food. My kids were happy; I would prefer hotel food:). We had lunch here how it looks.
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Lunch at the water park.
The water park is at the very end of the Park, so after the water park got closed, we returned to Legoland and had fun for two more hours.
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Breakfast Day 2.
We had another fantastic breakfast with quick service and great food. This one for sure fueled us up for several hours, and we were having fun, fun, fun!
Legoland Park
Try this ride. It’s so fun to see total strangers becoming rivalries. It seems like some guests like to take the ride, and some others want to shoot from the land. It was fun! My kids took it about three times and mastered shooting skills. By the end of the third ride, people would just run away from their boat:).
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Full review.
I liked that the Park is big enough to keep you occupied the entire weekend, but it was not too big so you can do it all within two days.
We were lucky; the crowd was not too bad, and the lines were short, so we took all the rides and then retook our favorite ones.
That was an excellent strategy.
Legoland uses virtual lines, which is very helpful for keeping crowds low and helps manage time the best way for you.
Most of the food places in the Park are fast food; some offer salads. So yeah, we ate a lot of French fries that day. One restaurant with an Italian buffet but was closed because of COVID. I was happy that we had hotel restaurants as an option. It has a lunch and dinner menu and unique desserts.
Family vacation to Legoland Park and Hotel. Full review. Lunch and legendary dessert!
I didn’t want to eat anywhere but at the hotel restaurant, and it was a brilliant decision. Since the Park is so close, we just hoped off and returned to the hotel for these sizeable portions of tasty, healthy salads and unhealthy desserts. Just look at it. Isn’t it tempting?
I will tell you a secret. It was so good that we ordered another one for supper.
I could not take a picture of it because it was gone before I got my camera:). It’s a must-try. One dessert would feed two adults and two kids under nine years old, and of course, they will want more, not because it was small but because it is so good.
So after lunch, we went back to the Park and explored a kids’ area. Legoland is perfect for two-year-old kids. Lots of rides that they can take by themselves or with an adult.
If it is too hot, visit their indoor playground called “Playschool.” It is an excellent and peaceful place for parents to chill out while their toddlers scoot around on mats and small slides. There is one tall slide, though, so even my nine-year-old had something to do.
Guess where we had supper? Of course at the hotel restaurant! The menu was the same, but with a few dinner options. I got pasta with white sauce and shrimps, and my husband got Curry Chicken; kids got the same thing they had for lunch. And we got the same dessert;).
The supper was delicious, and it was time for us to move on to our next adventure. So we took off!
Just me. Laguna Cliffs Hotel in Dana Point, California.
We stayed at this Resort in a one-bedroom suite.
Tip. If you have an important date, mention it in a comment section when placing a reservation and most likely you will get an upgrade at check-in;)
Let me tell you this place has it all in its name; the hotel is on a cliff, so it gives you a fantastic view of the harbor, and the sunsets are breathtaking. In addition, it has a relaxing and quiet SPA where I spent a few hours to ease travel stress.
Breakfast. Laguna Cliffs Hotel in Dana Point, California.
My favorite thing was a breakfast buffet. I’ve tried a lot of buffets in many places in the US and over the world, but this is my most favorite one.
I don’t know what they do with their food, and where they get it from, but everything we tried was fresh and DELICIOUS, from seafood buffet to fruits. Kevin and I would get there early morning and enjoy food and each other’s company for an hour.
A healthy and tasty breakfast was a great start to the day. For me. Why only for me? Because Kevin would have run for 10 miles by breakfast. Yeah. He is an early bird and super athletic:). And I am a big food lover, so I know when food is great or when it’s so so. This breakfast was historical. I will remember it as the best of the best.
Whale Watching Excursion in Dana Point.
Whale Watching Excursion. Laguna Cliffs Hotel in Dana Point, California.
If you like to observe animals in their natural habitat, take the tour and be prepared to take some magnificent pictures and videos.
It is exciting and scary at the same time. The boat floats on the waves up and down, and you wait for the giant to come out of the ocean depth, but you never know where it will happen. You hope that it will be close enough so you can see it but not too close, so you don’t collide.
Keeping balance, camera, and your breakfast inside is also tricky.
Tip. Take some Dramamine if you have a sensitive stomach.
Dana Point Beach
Beach. Laguna Cliffs Hotel in Dana Point, California.
From where we stayed, we walked both ways along the beach. The ocean is beautiful and cool. Hike lovers will enjoy the path. I like that you can go as far as you can on the coast and never get lost.
Dana Point has beautiful weather in July and blossoming flowers all over the coast. So peaceful. Sun was gentle, and the same was the breeze. So romantic! Enjoy the sunset and sunrise on the beach, looking from the cliff. It will be unforgettable!
Dana Point Harbour Restaurant.
Harbor has many restaurants offering all kinds of food. However, we usually choose seafood restaurants when we are on the coast. The one with the great menu calls Harbour Grill Restaurant. Try it, and you will not be disappointed.
Disney Land
Disney Land. Laguna Cliffs Hotel in Dana Point, California.
Along with resting on the beach, we had some park fun too. One of my dreams was to go to Disney Land, and it came true on this trip. The park is just 45 minutes away from our hotel, so we hopped in the car and had a romantic road trip to fulfill our dream. Disney is always fun. Who doesn’t know that?
Pirate ship at Disney Land. Laguna Cliffs Hotel in Dana Point, California.
Dana Point beach weather is mild with a pleasant breeze, but the heat in the park was high. So we applied lots of sunscreens, and we did it often.
Disney Land. Laguna Cliffs Hotel in Dana Point, California.
I know there are thousands of places on the Earth with the ocean, palms, and beaches, but the most romantic for me will always be Dana Point, California. Because of nature, and because I was there with my Sweetheart.
If you liked the place, go ahead and place your order here.
Have you ever been to Laguna Cliffs in Dana Point? What was your favorite experience? Let me know in the comments.
It was our first visit of a Disney World as a family of four. And we call it “Epic Travel to Disney World“! Because it was! The weather in January was nice and cool, which helps a lot when you have kids and do outdoor activities the whole day.
Theme Parks
Disney World is known for its incredible theme parks, and a luxury family trip would not be complete without visiting them. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom all offer unique experiences and attractions for visitors of all ages. From thrilling roller coasters to character meet-and-greets, there is something for everyone.
During my family’s luxury trip to Disney World, we made sure to visit each of the four theme parks. Our favorites were Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom has classic attractions like Space Mountain and It’s a Small World, while Animal Kingdom offers a more immersive experience with its stunning landscapes and animal encounters.
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Magic Kingdom Theme Park. Epic travel to Disney World.
When you go to an enormous place like this, planning is your best friend. Not only you will save time waiting in lines but also will be guaranteed to see everything you wish. We used the “My Disney Experience” app, and it had everything we needed. We booked our special lunches in advance, VIP seating at the shows, fast passes, and much more. So we would see/do everything we wanted.
We also checked Disney World Crowd Calendar to make sure we go during a moderate crowd season.
Kevin is supper good with planning. So this is what we were able to do within two days.
Transportation
Getting around Walt Disney World Resort is a breeze, thanks to their complimentary transportation options. You have three main methods of transportation at Disney World: the buses, the monorail system, and the boat. All of these options are included with your Disney World ticket.
The buses are the most common mode of transportation and are available to take you from your resort hotel to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. The buses run frequently and are a great option for families with strollers, as they are equipped with wheelchair lifts and designated stroller areas. The My Disney Experience app provides up-to-date bus schedules and wait times, making it easy to plan your day.
The monorail system is a fun and unique way to travel between Magic Kingdom and select resort hotels. The monorail is a classic Disney attraction and offers stunning views of the resort. The boats are another fun way to travel to select resorts and Disney Springs. They are a great option for families who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a leisurely ride.
Disney World. Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
On the first day, we went to Animal Kingdom Theme Park. We all like animals, so it was a brilliant decision.
Festival of the Lion King. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
I am a big fan of performances. So our first entertainment was Festival of the Lion King show. And BAM! It strokes me right away! So spectacular! You would think it’s a kid’s show so it would be sketchy, but no, everything Disney does is of the highest quality.
If you go, it will not disappoint you. The best kids show I’ve seen so far. The quality of the costumes and decorations are stunning. And dances and music are unforgettable. (Check the video).
My kids were watching without blinking. I think they stopped breathing too. The show is a combination of a musical with elements of ballet and circus. Flawless! My kids loved it and so will yours!
It also will impress an adult, too, even if you watched an animated movie and even if you are as picky as I am. This show is the next level of performing the drama.
Although the Disney World Crowd Calendar helped to check the level of business for some activities, you still need to make reservations.
Lunch with Disney Characters
Character Dining
Character dining is a must-do for families with young children. Not only do you get to enjoy a delicious meal, but you also get to meet and take photos with some of your favorite Disney characters.
Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom is a classic choice for character dining. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Cinderella’s castle while meeting Disney princesses.
Another popular option is Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Enjoy a buffet-style meal while meeting Mickey Mouse and friends.
For a unique character dining experience, try Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Enjoy a buffet-style meal with African-inspired cuisine while meeting characters in their safari gear.
Personal Experience: During my luxury family trip to Disney World, we made sure to try a mix of fine dining and character dining experiences. Our favorite character dining experience was at Cinderella’s Royal Table, where we enjoyed a delicious breakfast while meeting princesses. For fine dining, we loved our meal at Jiko – The Cooking Place, where we tried unique dishes and enjoyed a great wine selection. Overall, the dining experiences at Disney World exceeded our expectations and were a highlight of our trip.
Lunch with Disney Characters. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
Right after the show, we went for lunch with the Characters. OMG! Kids were amazed to see Goofy, Donald, and Mickey coming straight to our table to say hi. I think Maria, who was four years old, thought they were real.
It made her day! For real! To hug and dance with alive Disney characters? What could be more special?
Shows
The next stop is the “Finding Nemo” show. Here people move human height toys over the stage. Both my kids love puppets, so they were watching with their mouths open. Great for kids.
Disney World offers a variety of shows that are perfect for a luxury family trip. At the Magic Kingdom, catch the Festival of Fantasy Parade, a colorful procession featuring your favorite Disney characters. The Finding Nemo – The Musical show at Animal Kingdom is also a must-see, featuring incredible puppetry and catchy songs.
For a more adult-oriented show, check out Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn to Life at Disney Springs. This show combines acrobatics, animation, and Disney storytelling for a unique and unforgettable experience.
Finding Nemo. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
After the show, we had Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom! Do you like animals? I do. I would never miss an opportunity to see them in their natural habitat. Well, Disney did the best possible and safe way to experience it.
Lions. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
On Kilimanjaro Safaris, you can see lions, wild buffalos, giraffes, elephants, and many more animals without those bars, fences, or cages.
Kilimanjaro Safaris. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
At one place we had to stop because giraffes were crossing ours way. Wow! It gave me chills to be so close to wild nature. All four of us enjoyed the ride at Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Kilimanjaro Safaris. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
At the sunset, they have a beautiful performance led by National Geographic, called Rivers of Light. It’s a story about wildlife told you through images on a water-screen. The water gives the movie a surrealistic effect. Any esthete will get a visual and musical pleasure watching the show. It worth every minute of your time and every bit of your attention. It was a great ending of a brilliant day. After the show, we went back to the hotel tired and excited.
Rivers of Light. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
Fireworks
One of the most popular attractions at Disney World is the nightly fireworks display. Happening at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios, the fireworks are a must-see for any luxury family trip. The Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After show is a fan favorite, featuring stunning pyrotechnics and projections on Cinderella’s Castle.
Day 2.
We went to Magic Kingdom Park. If you check the map, you see it comprises five parks. We began with the Adventureland and walked around visiting each park. The Magic Carpets of Aladin were one of our first rides. And it was a blast!
Show with Captain Jack. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
I like that at Magic Kingdom Park you can see a performance at every corner. We met Captain Jack Sparrow with his assistant and even got a certificate, stating that we are licensed pirates:). That was a fun interactive show, and Captain Jack looked like a real one.
Lunch was at the Italian restaurant. Oh! That was a savior and a special treat. We booked it in advance and that afternoon appeared to be hot, but it felt perfect in the cool and luxury place with amazing food and dessert as the grand finale. I didn’t want to leave, but we had so much to do.
Disney Parade.
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
It is spectacular!
When you are in the park, you already have a sense of holiday, but the Festival of Fantasy Parade lifts you up to the next level of celebration.
In that parade of beauty and fairytale, you will see all Disney characters. If it is your first visit, or if you never watched it from the VIP seating, please do so.
It will give you the best perspective and some characters will even stop by and give you a fist bump. Fun and special. My kids loved it. They’ve been waving like crazy to all the trucks.
Festival of Fantasy Parade. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
My older son is all about quests, so we got hooked up on a game where you get special cards and a map and would hunt for spots with images on the ground located all over the park to find a portal or a station that would tell us where we should go next. We spent playing this game all afternoon till supper. It let us explore every corner of the park and made me feel like we were spies.
Quest at Magic Kingdom. Full Guide to Disney World. Orlando, Florida.
Before and after and in between the scheduled events, we would do rides with the least waiting time or the closest ones.
My overall experience is beyond expectations. Miracle after miracle and it’s a pure magic Park.
Tips and tricks
1. Maria was still taking naps, and we were smart to bring a big two-seat stroller with us. We loaded all our stuff on it and she took her usual nap.
I love strollers. You can load everything on and just push them. Pushing is easier than carrying so my advice would be to bring a stroller or definitely rent one when you go to the park with kids younger than 6 years. It is crowded there, and it’s tricky to navigate, but you will be thankful for the opportunity to have your hands free and to move at “adult” speed when necessary.
2. Have comfortable walking shoes and rotate walking activities with watching shows and lunch breaks.
3. As I already mentioned, plan ahead.
Have you ever been to Disney World? It’s an enormous place and two days is not enough to see and to try everything. What would you recommend seeing/doing there?
Hi Friends, we just got back from epic travel to Universal Studios Park and and stayed at Loews Sapphire Falls, a Hotel Near Universal Studios Orlando with Shuttle so I have a lot of exciting information to share with you!
Traveling during a pandemic differs from traveling during the usual time. The major difference besides the risk of getting sick is less crowding. There are fewer people and you have to wear a mask pretty much everywhere unless you are swimming or eating.
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But read what I put on my family travel blog for you!
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Pool.
When we got to Florida, our first stop was Orlando. We stayed at a Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. A grand hotel, with a heated pool, hot tub, and amazing food. Great for a family!
We had a group of six people (3 adults and 3 children under 9 y.o.). The room we got was spacious and clean. Beautiful landscapes all over the place.
Shrimp Salad and Fish Tacos. Epic travel to Universal Studios Park and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
If you are a gourmet, I would recommend trying the food at a swimming pool cafeteria. The pizza was just… Perfect! I am not a big fan of pizzas, but I ate a lot of them during my life. I will tell you, that one is the BEST. Sounds like nothing special, just a pepperoni pizza, but the crust and cheese are something unbelievable! Just try!
I didn’t take a picture because it was gone before I tried mine and realized that it worth taking a shot. The shrimp and strawberry salad was a grand match to the Amazing pizza. Just delicious!
Tip #1.
At the Lowes Sapphire Falls Resort, you can check-in as early as 7 am on the day of arrival and get an early park admission or use some of their amenities. You won’t be able to get into the room until 4 pm though. And when you check-out (at 11 am) you can use the amenities (pool, restaurants) until they close.
Tip #2
If you are an annual pass holder, you get 10 percent off at the restaurants. We also had a good deal – kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. I think they constantly run those specials.
Amatista Cookhouse (Caribbean Cuisine)
Breakfast. Epic travel to Universal Studios Park and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
This is where we had an unforgettable breakfast. A beautiful, spacious restaurant with a high ceiling and lots of natural light made our morning magical. The food was delicious and looked like a piece of art! There were some wait and kids got impatient, but the food and pleasure we got were worth every minute of waiting.
Universal Studios Park.
Water Taxi. Epic travel to Universal Studios Park and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Right after the super breakfast, we went straight to Universal Parks. It was very convenient to get there by boat taxi. The boat station was next to the restaurant, and the ride lasted for about 3 minutes. Ta-Da! And were are at the gate! The boat brought us to Universal Studios Park.
Attractions. Epic travel to Universal Studios Park and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Tip #3
When we get to the park on early admission, we go to the very end where Harry Potter rides are located and those ride before anyone else gets there.
Tip#4
The least crowded time of the year at Universal Studios Park is Black Friday morning. Even fewer people than during Pandemic.
It was not crowded, but they’re still were lots of people. The longest wait on the rides was less than 30 minutes, but most rides had no wait time. Since it was not crowded, we just took rides as we went.
Gringot’s Bank. Epic travel to Universal Studios Park and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
One of my favorite attractions is a Hogwarts ride. I am not too much into the ride itself, but the work they put into the interior and exterior makes me really impressed.
Dining at Universal Studios Park
If you know me well, you know that I am a big food lover and gourmet. Excellent lunch and supper are the same important for me as entertainment. Sometimes even more important:).
Best places to eat. Epic travel to Universal Studios Park and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
We have a few favorite spots in the parks to eat. It depends where hunger catches us. If it is at the beginning of the trip, we go to the Monsters Cafe. The indoor is kinda creepie with screaming TV show scenes and decorations.
It is dark inside and kids cry and want to leave but the food is REALY good so we place a take-out and have a picnic.
Right in front of the cafe, there is a green field with an enormous TV screen where you can comfortably sit, eat, and even nap.
Tip #5
The wait time to the Monsters Cafe during lunchtime might reach 40 minutes but if you place an online order, it will be ready in 10 minutes.
This time Monsters Cafe was closed, and we had breakfast recently, so we went to The Leaky Cauldron for lunch. Three Broomsticks and this restaurant have exactly the same menu but a different interior. It’s worth visiting both.
Fish and Chips. Epic travel to Universal Studios Park and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Portions are big. Would feed an adult man but I am petite so I usually have about a half left. The same is with the kid’s portion. Our 9 years old son eats it all but 6 years old daughter leaves some. And they always choose a pumpkin fizz for a drink.
During our past visits, we tried everything on the menu and our best vote is “Fish and Chips”. We order it regularly, and this time all five of us had the same order. Try their Butter Beer (my favorite). At cold seasons they serve both hot and cold versions. During the warm season, they serve only cold beer, but it is equally tasty.
While mommy and the baby are finishing their food, kids run with daddy to a candy shop to get some sweets. This time they got chocolate frogs and sugar quills.
Sweets. Epic travel to Universal Studios Park and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
After lunch, back to the hotel! Oh my! It was a HOT day and just perfect for a swimming pool! We jumped in and did not leave until supper.
Pool Fun. Epic travel to Universal Studios Park and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Guess where we had supper? Right! At the Amatista Cookhouse! We knew they must have a great menu for supper and we were right! Everything we got was exceptionally great. Same as with breakfast a waiting time was longer than we expected so kids got hungry and impatient plus they were exhausted but behaved pretty well and munched the food in a blink. After supper, go to the bed exhausted and happy! What a great day!
Tomorrow we are heading to Marco Island. Read about the adventure here.
How would your best day in Universal Studios Park look like?
