My first post has gone live on i.seekissimmee.com! You can follow my family as we experience Kissimmee the week of Halloween.
Also, check back here for a more “behind the scenes” look at our week in Kissimmee, Florida.
As I mentioned on today’s post, I have been to Kissimmee many times. On this particularly getaway, I planned new activities & attractions that my family had yet to experience. This trip proved to me yet again, there is always something new to discover in Kissimmee. 🙂
Halloween meets the sea during SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular, the ultimate family-friendly event featuring an ocean of Halloween fun where children can trick-or-treat, dance with whimsical sea creatures, catch silly and spooky shows and create sea-themed arts and crafts.
SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place every weekend in October: 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, and 28-30, 2011.
This daytime event is included with regular theme park admission and runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., leaving the littlest of trick-or-treaters wide-eyed for the fun-filled activities.
What’s even better– SeaWorld Orlando has a great offer this fall, just in time for its Halloween Spooktacular. With each full-paid adult ticket, kids ages 3 through 9 are half-price through Oct. 31, 2011.
This limited-time offer is available for advance and online purchase only, and is not available at the front gate. For all of the “spooktacular†savings, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.
New! Penelope’s Party Zone
New this year, a lively underwater environment immerses children in the wonders of the sea through kid-friendly music, games, and colorful characters. Located at SeaWorld’s Bayside area, this zone comes to life when guests dance and play along to the spooky sound waves broadcast by a live DJ. With countless bubbles floating overhead and colorful pumpkin fish gliding beside you, this Halloween party is sure to provide non-stop fun for all ages.
New! Apple Decorating Post
Kids and parents alike can have a “splash†creating their own sweet treats at this new decorating station. Tasty apples can be dipped – for a nominal fee – with the decadently-flavored sauce of choice: white chocolate, fudge, or caramel, and then topped with sprinkles to finish them off.
Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween Show
Don’t miss Count Van Count on a quest to find his friends, Elmo, Zoe and Telly in this live musical stage show. Along the way, The Count meets dancing skeletons who will have everyone in SeaPort Theatre shaking, rattling and rolling.
Trick-or-Treating Under the Sea
Offering more than 1 million pieces of trick-or-treat goodies, costumed youngsters can search for hidden “sea†treasures using their Spooktacular maps at more than a dozen different locations. Each station features an assortment of sweet treats, including a variety of candies and healthy-choice options.
Spooky Sand Art Station
Another new element this year, children (and adults too) can make a multi-colored sand souvenir at this interactive arts and craft area where sea-themed glass bottles — in the shape of dolphins, turtles, starfish and more — are filled with an array of vibrantly-colored sands.
Strolling Entertainment
Penelope Pumpkin fish, Shamu, Dolly Dolphin, Shivers the Polar Bear, Pete and Penny Penguin, a mermaid, and a walking-talking spider-crab are among the many fanciful sea creatures that will join the colorful, playful schools of pumpkin fish welcoming trick-or-treaters as they stroll through the park. Photo opportunities with these “spook-tastic†characters create lasting memories!
More SeaWorld Halloween Fun:
Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast “Booffet†One of Sesame Street’s favorite residents, The Count, gets into the Halloween spirit with his friends from Sesame Street at Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast. Little ones will sing, groove and mingle side-by-side with Sesame Street characters, while listening to Halloween-themed music and enjoying a special breakfast “booffet.†Following the breakfast, kids can get their photos taken with the characters for memories that will last forever. Reservations can be made online, at the Information Counter or by calling 1-888-800-5447.
SeaWorld’s Holiday Family Sleepovers (6 p.m. – 9 a.m. on Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29)
Families can snuggle into a spooky slumber surrounded by exotic fish, rays, and sea dragons inside the floor-to-ceiling aquariums at Manta. Cost is $78 per person or $103 (includes next-day park admission). A pizza dinner and breakfast are included. Program is for children in grades K-5 and their families. Sleepover reservations can be made by calling 1-800-406-2244.
My family attended last year’s SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular, you can check out our experience here.
It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over, but the new fall season brings two of my favorite Walt Disney World events: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.
I can’t believe 2011 will be the 5th consecutive year that we will have attended Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. We started bringing our daughter when she was two years old. Actually, our first year attending MNSSHP, we were also on our first Walt Disney World vacation as a family– and we’ve been hooked ever since! You can check out my review of previous parties here: (New!) 2011 MNSSHP, 2010 MNSSHP, 2009 MNSSHP
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine, probably because of my love for food and travel. I have yet to make arrangements for this year, but I will be attending. A few of my Epcot Food & Wine posts:Â 2010 Epcot F&WF, Party for the Senses, 2009 Epcot F&WF
Until then, here’s a quick update on this years events so you can start planning:
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – Select evenings between Sept. 13 and Nov. 1, 2011
The headless horseman romps down Main Street, U.S.A. aboard his steed, ghostly apparitions flit among the buildings of Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle is draped in eerie hues and the night sky is painted with bursts of orange and green fireworks during this popular after-hours Magic Kingdom party on 23 select autumn evenings between September and November. The special-ticket event features trick-or-treating throughout the park, “Happy HalloWishes†fireworks spectacular, “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade†– including Disney characters and the stars of the Haunted Mansion attraction – and the opportunity to experience popular attractions.
Check out my review of the 2011 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – Sept. 30-Nov. 13, 2011
The one-of-a-kind 45-day festival serves up international cuisine, culture and entertainment from six continents, with more than 25 international marketplaces featuring tapas-sized portions paired with beer, wine and inventive new cocktails. During the six-week festival, guests will discover:
Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $3 to $8 each, and recommended wines, cocktails and beers make perfect pairings at each marketplace.
Authentic Taste seminars and Authors Without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.
2010 was an AMAZING year for me and my family.
At the beginning of 2010, I wrote a post- Ten Travels for 2010 – hoping to travel to at least one or two of the destinations over the year. I am happy to report that I crossed off 5 of my top ten destinations for 2010 (a few were a little out there).
Since then, I have become a contributing writer at both TravelingMamas.com and blog.cheapoair.com, both providing me with another outlet to write about my love of travel…I can’t wait to share my list of Eleven Travels for 2011.
One thing I do know, the New Year is going to start off with a bang as my family and I board the brand new Disney Dream for her Christening Voyage later this month!
Here are just a few of my adventures from 2010:
January 2010 – Quebec City Winter Carnival (My first taste of snow)
February 2010 – Visited New Orleans w/my family & blogged from Mardi Gras for MyMardiGrasExperience.com
March 2010 – “Citrus Country” Blogger for Country Inns and Suites
April 2010 – My first trip to NYC to screen “Secrets of the Mountain” for Walmart and P&G
June 2010 – Carnival Fantasy Cruise from Charleston w/family
July 2010 – Bloggers Meet Up in Jamaica
August 2010 – BlogHer ’10 NYC (First Broadway Show, first time seeing Statue of Liberty & first Shake Shack burger)
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama w/ Traveling Mamas
September 2010 – Disney’s Vero Beach Resort w/ family
TJ Maxx “Behind the Seams” Event in Miami, Florida
October 2010 – BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas (First time to Vegas)
Guest blogger at i.seekissimmee.com – Kissimmee, Florida
December 2010 – DoubleTree Destinations Universal Orlando
Wishing that 2011 is a safe, healthy and happy year for everyone!
In October 2010, I was a guest blogger for i.seekissimmee.com. This post is part of a series giving a “behind the scenes” look at our week in Kissimmee.
A little background. Before our week in Kissimmee, my family had never stayed in a rental vacation home.
Global Resort Home was nice enough to provide my family accommodations for our week in Kissimmee. I was a little apprehensive about staying in a home. I guess I’m so used to hotels that the concept was foreign to me, and I had some fears that I wouldn’t feel comfortable.
This turned out to be exactly the opposite of my experience.
When we first arrived in Kissimmee, we checked in to the main Global Resort Home office. This is located a few miles from the property and would be the only time we visited this location. Everyone was extremely friendly and efficient. After signing a few forms, we were given directions to the property and the “code” to enter the home (keyless/cardless entry).
Our home was located in Windsor Palms at 8042 King Palm Circle. This is a gated community with a variety of homes and townhouses.
The location is off 192 in Kissimmee, about 15-20 minutes to the Disney Parks and 30 minutes to Universal.
As soon as we entered, I knew the house would be perfect for my family. The home was modern, warm and beautifully decorated. It was hard to not feel at home. Since my mom was staying with us, the extra room was essential.
We LOVED having a full kitchen. This allowed us to eat breakfast in everyday, saving a ton of money (there is a grocery store right down the street). In addition to breakfast items, we bought a case of water and snacks (like microwave popcorn). One night I even cooked spaghetti- an easy to make, inexpensive meal that saved us from dining out.
My next favorite thing was the washer and dryer. Even though we didn’t wash our clothes during the week, we did on the last day, allowing us to go home without laundry!
Our home had 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms- allowing everyone their own room (with room to spare!). This home could sleep 8 people in just the beds alone.
No Florida vacation home would be complete without a pool! Ours had both a pool and hot tub. There was even an outdoor grill. In addition to this pool, there is a community pool on-site.
Per Florida law, every vacation home with a pool has to have an alarm. This eased my fears of my daughter trying to wander outside alone. Opening the sliding glass doors will sound off the alarm, which needs to be manually turned off.
A huge bonus for my husband, the garage was converted into a game room (aka man cave) with a dartboard, foosball and pool table.
Items for baby are also available (we didn’t use them).
After staying 6-nights in this house, I am an official vacation home convert. I totally see the value of staying off-site, especially when you are traveling for an extended period of time, with a large family, or with multiple families. If you used the max. occupancy of 10 in this home that would equal 3 hotel rooms without the extra amenities. Dollar for dollar, the vacation rental home would come out ahead, not to mention the savings of preparing your own meals, laundry and included Wi-Fi.
I would highly recommend considering Global Resort Homes for your next family vacation to Orlando — and here are five more reasons to stay at Global Resort Homes.
All opinions are my own. Special thanks to Global Resort Homes for hosting my stay.
This week I’m in Kissimmee, Florida as a guest blogger for i.seekissimmee.com (it’s behind a week, so you can see my posts next week). My family is here with me for the week of Halloween, which is a first for us. We’re also staying in a vacation rental from Global Resort Homes, another first.
Our schedule is jam-packed. On the agenda:
Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular
Sneak Preview of Disney’s new movie Tangled in 3D
15th Annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival
And…
Trick-or-Treating at Downtown Disney
That’s pretty ambitious, even for us!
Hello! — Thanks for stopping by MommyMusings.com. My name is Stefanie Fauquet and I’m a Mom, Lifestyle Blogger, Family Travel Enthusiast and Foodie. I’m based in Tampa Bay, Florida with my 15-year-old daughter, and 4 fur-babies.
Mommy Musings® is a culmination of my adventures in life, food and travel — truly all of my favorite things!
April 2019 – Thanda Safari – South Africa
March 2019 – Cabana Bay Beach Resort with Universal Orlando
February 2019 – Quebec City Winter Carnival – Mother/Daughter Press Trip
June 2018 – Carnival Horizon Media Cruise – NYC to Bermuda
June 2018 – Kia Sorento Family Press Trip – Canon City, CO
May 2018 – Ecuador & Galapagos Islands with Metropolitan Touring
May 2018 – Norweigian Bliss Press Cruise – Miami
April 2018 – Kia K900 Media Drive – Seoul, South Korea
April 2018 – Cascade Product Launch – NYC
February 2018 – Carnival LIVE with Carly Rae Jepsen – Carnival Splendor, Long Beach
January 2018 – North American International Auto Show with Kia – Detroit
December 2017 – Kia Niro PHEV Road Trip – Irvine to San Francisco #NiroRoadTrip
December 2017 – STAR WARS Press Junket – Los Angeles
October 2017 – Day of the Dead at XCaret -Â Playa del Carmen, Mexico
October 2017 – BAD MOMS Press Junket – Chicago
October 2017 – Carnival Splendor Media Cruise – “The Caribbean is Open”
August 2017 – El Conquistador Resort Press Trip – Puerto Rico #ElConSummer2017
July 2017 – Experience Kia Cadenza + Optima SXL – Santa Barbara, CA #KiaSBExp
May 2017 – Sri Lanka Press Trip
March 2017 – 20th Century Fox “Snatched” Press Day – CinemaCon, Las Vegas
February 2017 – Air Berlin Press Trip – Karneval in Düsseldorf, Germany
February 2017 – #SorentoFamily Winter Adventure – Lake Tahoe, CA
February 2017 – Kia Niro Press Event – San Antonio, Texas
December 2016 – Viking River Cruise – Rhine Getaway (Basel to Amsterdam)
November 2016 – Disney’s Moana Red Carpet Premiere – Los Angeles
November 2016 – Carnival Vista Christening – NYC
October 2016 – Smithfield Immersion – Smithfield, Virginia
September 2016 – Carnival Day of Play at St. Jude Children’s Hospital – Memphis, TN
August 2016 – Kia Cadenza National Press Introduction Middleburg, VA #DiscoverCadenza
July 2016 – #TheNewKia Press Event – San Diego, CA
July 2016 – Carnival Magic Media Cruise – Port Canaveral
June 2016 – Door County, Wisconsin Family Press Trip
May 2016 – #LoveSpringfield Press Trip – Springfield, MO
May 2016 – Carnival Vista – Mediterranean Barcelona to Athens
April 2016 -Â Grand Velas Riviera Maya Press Trip – Mexico
April 2016 – Walt Disney World Summer Preview #AwakenSummer
April 2016 – Captain America: Civil War Press Event – Los Angeles
November 2015Â – Germany TPA-FRAÂ with Lufthansa – #LufthansaTravels
November 2015 – Holiday Inn Mother-Daughter Weekend – Washington, DC
November 2015 – Dreams Tulum w/ The Moms – Cancun, Mexico #MomsEscape
October 2015 – TBEX Asia – Bangkok, Thailand
August 2015 – St. Kitts Marriott Press Trip #SocialStKitts
August 2015 – D23 Expo – Anaheim, California
June 2015 - Coca-Cola #5by20 Event – Atlanta, GA
May 2015Â – Sandals Ochi Grand Opening – Jamaica #SandalsOchi
May 2015 – Carnival Live Media Cruise – Carnival Breeze #CarnivalLive
April 2015 – Disneynature Monkey Kingdom Event – Walt Disney World
March 2015 – Disney-Pixar Inside Out Press Junket – San Francisco
March 2015Â – #GoJordan Press Trip – Jordan (Middle East)
February 2015 – #LifeOnFiOS Event – NYC
February 2015 – Visa Signature Event – Las Vegas #UpgradeYourStay
February 2015 – Carnival Freedom Event – Galveston, TX #CelebrateFreedom
January 2015 -Â Carnival Vista unveiling -Â NYC #TakeInTheVista
December 2014 – Tanzania, Africa w/Â Coca-Cola #5by20 #ProjectLastMile #EKOCenter
November 2014 – Family Travel Media Showcase – Carlsbad, CA
November 2014 – Disney’s Big Hero 6 Press Junket – Los Angeles #BigHero6Event
October 2014 – Curacao Press Trip
September 2014 – Myrtle Beach, SC Press Trip #MYR_60days
August 2014 – Microsoft #LumiaAtSea on #CarnivalMiracle – Alaska
July 2014 – Dominican Republic Press Trip #DRKidTrip
June 2014 – Carnival Freedom Family Media Cruise
June 2014 – #PureMichigan Food, Wine & Culture Press Trip
May 2014 – Disney’s MALEFICENT Press Junket – Los Angeles
May 2014 – Nokia Press Trip – #LumiaSol Miami
May 2014 – Walt Disney World Mine Train Media Preview
April 2014 – Carnival Sunshine Inaugural Cruise – Port Canaveral
April 2014 –Â Brandcation #SeastheDay – Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas
March 2014 – Caribe Royale ‘Girlfriend Getaway’ – Orlando
March 2014 -Â Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando
March 2014 – Cruise Shipping Miami 2014
February 2014 – Norwegian Getaway Christening & Inaugural Media Cruise
December 2013 – Carnival Cruise Lines/Seuss at Sea Announcement – NYC
November 2013 – FROZEN Red Carpet Premiere/FROZEN Press Day#DisneyFrozenEvent – LA
November 2013 – Carnival Sunshine Naming Ceremony #SunshineNOLA – New Orleans
November 2013 – OnStar Immersion Weekend (2014 OnStar Ambassador) – Detroit, MI
September 2013Â – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital visit w/ Expedia #ExpediaStJude – Memphis
August 2013Â -Â Marco Island, FL (family press trip)
July 2013Â – Carnival Sunshine Press Trip – Europe #CCLSunshine
July 2013 -Â Nokia Zoom Reinvented Press Event – NYC #ZoomReinvented
June 2013 -Â Holland America Canada/New England Discovery Press Trip #HALCruises
June 2013 -Â #FollowYourNola Family Press Trip – New Orleans, LA
April 2013 -Â Bloggers in Bermuda Press Trip #InBermuda
March 2013Â – Cruise Shipping Miami 2013
January 2013 - Family Blogger Ski Tour – Beech Mountain, NC
December 2012 - Carnival Breeze Naming Ceremony – Miami
December 2012Â – New Fantasyland Grand Opening Event – Walt Disney World
September 2012 –Â Red Carpet Premiere of Frankenweenie/Wreck-It Ralph press day – Los Angeles
August 2012 – Conversations with Coca-Cola Conference – Atlanta, Georgia
August 2012Â – BlogHer ’12 – New York City
July 2012Â – Hawks Cay Resort (Media Visit) – Key West, Florida
June 2012 - Carnival Breeze 12-Day Media Cruise - Mediterranean departing from Barcelona
April 2012Â – Disney Social Media Moms Celebration – Walt Disney World
April 2012 – Walt Disney Pictures Chimpanzee Red Carpet Premiere & #DisneyGlobalEvent
March 2012Â – Disney Fantasy Inaugural Media Preview Cruise
March 2012Â – Cruise Shipping Miami 2012
December 2011Â – Carnival Liberty Media Cruise – Miami, Florida
November 2011Â – Carnival Magic Media Cruise – Galveston, Texas
November 2011– Co-Host of 3 Musketeers Tampa “Like-Up” Event
November 2011Â – Co-Host of Sam’s Club “Simple Holiday Desserts” Twitter Chat
October 2011Â – Legoland Florida Grand Opening
October 2011Â – Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, Food & Wine Weekends at Waldorf Astoria
September 2011– Disney/Dreamworks The Muppets/Real Steel Press Event – Los Angeles, CA
July 2011Â – Sandpearl Family Travel Press Trip – Clearwater Beach, FL
July 2011Â – Carnival Dream Eastern Caribbean Cruise
June 2011Â – Branson, Missouri – Family Travel Press Trip
June 2011Â – Maui & Lanai, Hawaii – Maui My Way Press Trip
May 2011Â – Dreams Riviera Cancun, Mexico – Bloggers Meet Up in Mexico – May 18-21
May 2011Â – Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach/LEGOLAND California – Apr 28-May 1
April 2011Â – Embassy Suites San Antonio Riverwalk w/Chef John Besh – Apr. 8-10
March 2011Â – Disney Social Media Moms Celebration Mar. 17-20 – WDW
February 2011Â -Â Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando/Cooking Demo Media Event
February 2011 - P&G “Have You Tried This Yet?” Media Event – Miami Feb. 17-18
January 2011 - Disney Dream Christening & Media Cruise Jan. 19-21
December 2010 -Â DoubleTree Destinations Blogger – Universal Orlando
October 2010 - Guest blogger at i.seekissimmee.com – Kissimmee, FL
October 2010Â – BlogWorld Expo – Las Vegas, NV
September 2010 - TJ Maxx “Behind the Seams” Event – Miami, FL
September 2010 - Disney’s Vero Beach Resort FAM
August 2010Â -Â Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama FAM & Charity Tweetup
August 2010Â – Sam’s Club Fall Manager’s Meeting – Orlando, FL
August 2010Â – BlogHer ’10 -Â NYC
July 2010 - Bloggers Meet Up in Jamaica – Jamaica Tourist Board
June 2010Â – “The Jensen Project” movie screening NYCÂ (Walmart and P&G)
June 2010 - Carnival Fantasy from Charleston Media Cruise
April 2010 –Â “Secrets of the Mountain” movie screening NYCÂ (Walmart and P&G)
March 2010 – “Citrus Country” Blogger, Country Inns and Suites 1, 2 Freee! Promotion
March 2010Â – Verizon Palm Pre Plus Mommy Blogger Campaign
February 2010Â – Blogger for MyMardiGrasExperience.com – New Orleans, LA
February 2010 -Â Disney Social Media Moms Conference – WDW
January 2010Â – Quebec City Winter Carnival Press Trip
November 2009Â – The Tyra Show/Princess Tiana Media Event – WDW
July 2009Â – BlogHer ’09 – Chicago, IL
June 2009– Disney Mom Blogger Mixer – Walt Disney World
February 2009Â – Disney World Resort Showcase & American Idol Experience Premiere
