Taking the Kids to Disney World

Just a couple of months ago I got away from the house for a little bit and decided to take the kids to Disney World. My dad is a person, like me, who really enjoys traveling. So back when I was just a kid myself, I remember seeing the numerous Disney World parks in Orlando, Florida several times. We had a vacation home down there so it was a destination we had at least once a year.

When we went this year, there were definitely some things that were different about the parks. Many of the older rides that I remember being my favorites had been removed, including the Body Wars one at Epcot. I was pretty disappointed in that. However, the Mission Space ride and Fast Trak really made up for it. They were essentially the same type of ride as the old one, just updated in graphics and added some new elements that really made it a lot of fun.

Even though I had a ton of fun myself, the trip was still really about my two daughters. My oldest being nine and the youngest being three they were really the right age to enjoy the trip. The youngest, Natalie, absolutely loved seeing all of the characters. I would make one quick recommendation though. If you want to see the characters, simply go once at the Epcot center. This park has them all indoors where there is air conditioning, and you can see pretty much all of them after sitting through a single line. This is different from other parks where you normally have to sit through one line per character.

One last thing, I would say the kids really enjoyed going back to our rented vacation home near the parks. There was a nice swimming pool in the back and it was extremely comfortable. We had a really good time just relaxing there after all the walking at Disney World. I would recommend that you also find a good place to kick your feet up later in the evening as well.

America’s Favorite Ferris Wheels

A public shout-out to the first reader to name the ferris wheel above. And no cheating. (Here’s a hint: Drew Barrymore filmed a key scene in “Never Been Kissed” there.)

Ding-ding! Chicago’s Navy Pier.

On a clear, summer day, there’s nothing more perfect than admiring the city’s skyline from the Ferris wheel car. To the west, the curvaceous, sleek Lake Point Tower, to the north, the John Hancock and that windy boulevard we Chicagoans heart: Lake Shore Drive. If you happen to be lucky enough to be staying in a Chicago vacation rental downtown, you may even spot it during your spin. (Another thing to do while buzzed at the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock. Go at night to eyeball the skyscrapers and city blocks that twinkle on the massive, maze-like horizon.)

Ferris wheels bring out the cheesy tourist in all of us, the feeling that you’re 10 again. They’re romantic, too. Just you, your sweetheart and the open air.

I’ll skip the blatant “top of the world” cliche, but you get my drift.

The Three Things You Must See on a Hawaiian Vacation

A few years ago I was lucky enough to spend some time in Hawaii. I really did not know what to expect. I am one of those types of people who prefer not to just sit around all day. Even though vacations are normally supposed to be relaxing, I always tend to need a couple of recuperation days once I get back from vacation. I enjoy going out and seeing the sights, doing a few activities that I can not do while I am at home.

In Hawaii, the first thing I noticed was its amazing beauty. Hawaii gets so much credit for their beautiful beaches that the rest of the island of Oahu sometimes goes unmentioned. I spent a day away from our rented vacation home doing some hiking around the numerous waterfalls. It is so green and lush that you can not seem to take your eyes off of it as you are climbing up the hills.

Another thing worth mentioning is the historical significance of Hawaii. I made a visit to the site of Pearl Harbor where oil still leaks out from the sunken ships. It truly is a very somber feeling you get knowing that so many American soldiers have made that site their permanent grave. It is mere feet below the monuments that you walk on and read the names of the deceased that the bodies of those who died for our freedom lay.

Thirdly, and to lighten to mood, you definitely do should spend some time on the beaches. It is quite odd how the beaches on the island work. The popular beaches are almost all on the south side of the island. However, the north side is notorious for its large waves. When we were there in the middle of the summer catching enjoying our vacation home in Hawaii, we found that the waves were almost too small to truly enjoy on the South side. The waves on the north side were considerably larger. It would have made my failing attempts of surfing more enjoyable I would think.