We're migrating the content of the blog to our main webpage - please visit Northwest Family Vacations for the latest travel tips and more!
Heading Home(page)
We're migrating the content of the blog to our main webpage - please visit Northwest Family Vacations for the latest travel tips and more!
Over the river and through the woods (with an empty house at home).
A home in my neighborhood was recently burglarized.
In broad daylight!
In the middle of the day!
And police officers live right next door and across the
street!
So home safety is on my mind more than usual, especially
with the holidays coming up and many of my clients heading out of town. Set your mind at ease when you leave with these tips for a secure holiday:
Lock Up. Before
you leave the house for vacation, make sure that all your doors and windows are
locked, including the door from your garage into your house. Make sure that
valuables and important papers are locked up and that all firearms also have a
trigger lock with the serial numbers recorded somewhere safe. Store your
spare key with a neighbor or friend rather than in the flower pot.
Light Up. Set
a few lights on a timer to turn on and off and leave a radio on so your house
looks and sounds occupied.
Unplug. Unhook
your washing machine and unplug all of your electronics and the toaster and
coffee maker. Unplug or lock automatic garage door openers (The burglars in my neighborhood
gained access through the garage door.). You can turn down the heat, but keep
it above 55 degrees to keep your pipes from freezing. Turn off the ringer to
your home phone.
Shut Up. Don’t tip would-be thieves off that you’re not home. As hard as it might be,
refrain from posting your vacation pictures until after you return from your
trip. Be careful what you say on your outgoing voicemail and email auto reply. “I’m
out of the office” is much better than ”I’m in Hawaii for two weeks!”
Leave No Clues.
Place a vacation hold on your mail and newspaper and ask a neighbor to keep an
eye out for any unexpected deliveries. Don’t leave your trashcan sitting at the curb
for a week, either! Arrange for someone to shovel your driveway if it snows or
park their vehicle in your driveway.
Just in Case. When
I worked in personal lines property and casualty insurance I always recommended
my clients do an annual walk through of their own home with a video recorder,
taking particular note of items of value. It is also a good idea to scan copies
of important paperwork, like passports, birth certificates, insurance policies.
Email all of this to yourself or store on a cloud server. In the event of fire
or a break in, you can access easily the information to help with your claims.
Drive Safely. If
you’re taking a road trip, make sure that your car is prepared by checking
brakes, spark plugs, battery and tires and making sure that all of your
essential fluids are topped off. Also have a winter “survival kit” in the
vehicle with kitty litter, chains, ice scraper, shovel, reflective triangles or
flares, and a flashlight, matched, and some non-perishable, high energy foods. Tell
someone where you’re going and what your route will be – plan to check in when
you’ve arrived safely at your destination and call to confirm your hotel accommodations 48 hours in advance.
Be Smart. As
always, be aware when you travel – don’t carry every credit card and tons of
cash in your wallet and leave that social security card in the lockbox or
safety deposit box. Be wise about using
WiFi on public networks and don't check anything important when flying in your luggage, always carry the good stuff with you. Also
pack your patience and allow plenty of time.
Phone a friend.
For free help planning your next vacation, please contact me!
More travel tips available
on my blog. "I've been there!" - some thoughts on significant travels
 |
| The first part goes, "Fore score and seven years ago..." |
 | |
| Gettysburg battlefield |
But almost all of our adventures include something significant too, usually a visit to a historical site or museum, as well as other "fun" recreational activities. We've been to old army forts and WWII airship hangers as well as quirky private facilities housing interesting collections and awesome science and natural history centers, even a pirate museum in Nassau and Mayan ruins in Belize.
Today on the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address I was talking to my oldest son Justin about it and he referenced our visit to the museum and battlefields about six months ago.
I think having been there and seen the battlefields, graveyards, and the museum really gave him an appreciation for that period in our American history. And today in school when the conversation turns to this significant event, Justin gets to say, "I've been there!"
 | |
| Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery |
Beyond just going somewhere, it is important to be there, to soak it in and let the experience change you a little bit.
 |
| The World Trade Center |
 | |
| Inside the Capitol rotunda |
Our recent visit to Orlando also included a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center and the Police Hall of Fame and we were able to check one more space shuttle off the list of the ones that we have seen in person (only one more to go!) I think that even on a theme-park centered vacation, it is good to take advantage of opportunities to have a greater appreciation for science, history, or the arts as well as the chance for the kiddos to say, "hey, I've been there!" in history class at school.
What is Disney Pin Trading
My son loves pin trading when we go to Disneyland or the Walt Disney World Resort.
Here's a great how to from the "official source"
What is Disney Pin Trading?
Disney Pin Trading is an exciting, interactive experience where our Guests can trade Disney pins with our Disney Cast Members and other Guests. It's fun for the whole family and CREATES cherished "pin pals" to last a lifetime! Start a new collection or exchange pins for the ones you've always wanted.
How can I experience the magic?
It's simple and fun! Just visit Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort or Disneyland Paris, locate a Cast Member wearing a lanyard with Disney pins and find a pin you'd like. Then present another Disney pin to the Cast Member in trade. Bringing home the magic is that simple. Plus, we have some quick and easy guidelines to help you trade at each park.
"The Trading Tradition"
Disney has always offered collectible Disney pins in each of its parks, but with the kickoff of the Millennium Celebration in October 1999 at Walt Disney World, we began a new tradition of Disney Pin Trading. Now thousands of Guests trade each day with our Cast Members as well as other Guests throughout the parks and resorts. Like sharing Disney stories with your children and grandchildren, sharing pins is a delightful tradition for each generation. Mark the beginning of the century with pins you love and memories you'll treasure.
Which ones should I collect or trade?
The fun of Disney Pin Trading is in the amazing variety. Find YOUR FAVORITE pins to personalize your Disney experience. Guests of all ages can hunt for favorite characters, attractions and features. Whether it's the Little Mermaid or Mickey Mouse you seek, pin hunting is guaranteed to add thrills to your Disney adventure. Go find the pins you want and make some new friends! It is all up to you! Have fun! Disney Pin Trading is a great way to share the magic and bring home wonderful Disney memories.
I have a special pin starter set and lanyard as a thank you for booking your next Disney vacation with Northwest Family Vacations between now and the end of the year too!
Something Different – Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon
During a recent visit to the Walt Disney World Resort, I sought out some new and different experiences, beyond the theme parks. This note is part of that series-
It is easy to forget that in addition to FOUR theme
parks, the Walt Disney World Resort also has Downtown Disney, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Richard Petty Driving Experience, and several other fun and unique
offerings like fishing, horseback riding, bicycle rentals, boat rentals,
campfires, wagon rides, carriage rides, hot air ballooning, gaming, regular
golf, miniature golf, archery, parasailing, wake boarding and tubing,
waterskiing, lots of pools and TWO awesome water parks: Blizzard Beach and
Typhoon Lagoon!
The water parks are easy to skip, but I would say that at the right time of year, they should be on your "don't miss" list!
 | |
| Justin and Carson check out the old toboggan at Blizzard Beach |
The story with Blizzard Beach is that a freak snowstorm
hit Orlando and so Disney built a ski resort, but then the snow melted, leaving
exciting slaloms and toboggan courses behind as an amazing water park.
 |
| Justin is excited to be at Blizzard Beach |
 | |
| Race you to the bottom! |
Theming is what Disney does best and Blizzard Beach really
reflects the story line, complete with a chairlift to the top of Mount
Gushmore.
From there choose a family raft ride or brave one of the world’s
tallest and fastest free fall body slides! A lazy river runs around the park
and makes for a relaxing way to get around between the different “slopes” of
the mountain, while enjoying Christmas music intermingled with Beach Boys
classics. In the middle of it all is a one-acre wave pool surrounded by white
sand beaches and plenty of chairs and loungers.
 | |
| The wave pool is just like being at the beach! |
 | |
| View from the chair lift to the Ski Patrol Training area |
 | |
| Riding the chairlift up "Mount Gushmore" |
My kids loved the Ski Patrol Training Camp area which
included some smaller slides as well as a challenging rope and iceberg hopping
course. There’s also a tiny tots area with a snow castle fountain and zero
depth pools and slides. Adjacent to Blizzard Beach is Disney’s Winter
Summerland Miniature Golf where the theming continues through 36 holes of “sand”
and “snow”.
 | |
| Ski Patrol Training Camp |
I loved the theming of Blizzard Beach, but Disney’s
Typhoon Lagoon was hands-down our favorite water park – EVER!
The centerpiece of Typhoon Lagoon is the huge surf pool –
North America’s largest, with Mount Mayday towering above. You can book surfing
lessons on the giant swells, do some body surfing, or wait for calmer waves. If
you’re feeling adventurous, Humunga Kowabunga lives up to its name with a
near-vertical, five story body slide in the dark!
 | |
| playing in the "surf" |
Like Blizzard Beach, there is also a large, long lazy
river (Castaway Creek) which allows one to circumnavigate the park and plenty
of sandy areas and seating in either the sun or the shade. Both parks also
offered locker rentals and the dining venues participated in the dining plan,
although we brought in outside food without trouble. Adult beverages are also
available, but not so easily or cheaply that there was anyone intoxicated that
I saw.
 | |
| Getting LAZY |
A four person tube ride in a giant tube is also a ton of
fun, as are Keelhaul Falls and Mayday Falls for single riders. There are lots
of sprinklers, sprays, and smaller slides for smaller kids too, but what really
sets Typhoon Lagoon apart is the Crush ‘n’ Gusher water coaster and Shark Reef!
The Crush ‘n’ Gusher is actually three slides that use a
combination of gravity as well as shoots of water to move one, two, and three
person tubes through the “ride”. I say ride because it is more like a ride than
a slide, but you still splash out in a pool and it is a ton of fun!
Shark Reef is an amazing (FREE) snorkeling experience in
a salt water shark tank. The water is cold and tastes terrible but if you can
get past that, you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at stingrays, tropical
fish, and sharks too.
My 9 year old, Justin, had no trouble navigating the
swim, and he went back for more. Shark Reef also has a really neat underwater
viewing area (inside the big red boat thing) if you don’t want to actually swim with the sharks, and it is also
a great spot for people watching.
We got to watch a rescue in action. One of the challenges for the lifeguards is that there were a lot of international visitors - not all of whom spoke English. One guy apparently didn't understand the safety and snorkel instructions, but the experts saved him quickly.
At Typhoon Lagoon it seemed like there was something new
to try around every corner and given the choice between one of the theme parks
or Typhoon Lagoon, the kids voted for the water park every time. (Although we
usually managed to do both.)
The waterpark add-on option to the WDW Park Hopper ticket is pretty inexpensive, and if your visit is anytime other than in the dead of winter, plan to allow time to check out both of these great waterparks.
 | |
| great beachy area for catching tan and people watching |
More travel tips available on my blog.
 | |
| Disney Water Parks are AWESOME! |
Why You Need a Passport
Should I have a passport?
Well, yeah. You should, for several reasons –
#1 Having a passport means you don’t have to worry about getting one.
The passport application process can take a while (particularly in times of government shutdowns). Paperwork sometimes gets lost or your birth certificate that you think is
an actual birth certificate turns out to be a certification of live birth that
isn’t valid for identification purposes. There is a lot of stress involved when
you have a trip deadline coming up and no passport.
#2 A passport is the ultimate identification as well as
proof of citizenship.
I had a problem with an error on my driver’s license and
it might have been a big hassle to fix, but showing my passport was the quick
proof I needed for verification.
#3 You need a passport for
international travel.
BUT
There are a few exceptions to the passport for travel
requirement. For land or sea travel in North America (Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean,
and a few other destinations), in addition to a passport, you can use a Passport
Card or Enhanced Driver’s License. If you are going on a “closed loop” cruise
(which means you leave from a U.S. port and return to a U.S. port) you can get
away with only having a birth certificate as proof of citizenship, but see item
#1 and make sure that your birth certificate is the ACTUAL certificate (usually
it has a raised seal).
Why E-ID?
The Enhanced Identification is great if you live on a
border state and do a lot of back and forth travel by land into Canada or
Mexico. Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Washington offer this as an add-on option to a driver's license. It costs a little less than a regular passport and works nearly the same as a Passport Card. One caveat with this option though is that every Enhanced Identification Card looks different, since they are issued by the state, not the U.S. Government. Sometimes this can present an issue in another country if you are dealing with someone who hasn't seen that particular card before. For example, the RCMP in British Columbia is pretty familiar with the Washington State E-ID, but the Mexican police might not be.
The Passport Card is a good option for kids, especially for cruises and short Northern Hemisphere vacations, unless you
are flying internationally, in which case it doesn’t work. The passport card is good for 5 years and only costs $40 as opposed to a regular passport which costs $120 and is also good for 5 years. Additionally, you probably don't have any other form of photo identification for your kids, so a passport or a passport card is handy just in case you need to prove who they are.
It used to be that you could add an infant endorsement to your own passport, but nowadays every international traveler, regardless of age, needs their own.
However, bear in mind that if you have some sort of travel mishap (like
miss the boat at a port of call) or a medical or family emergency you will have a really difficult time
trying to fly home without a passport. One more reason why having an
actual passport is a good idea.
#4 You may need to flee the country at a moment's notice.
I'm kidding, well mostly kidding, sort of. This is a bit of a repeat of #1, but sometimes I am asked about a last minute deal on a cruise or a great vacation to an exotic locale and what often hinks up the travel plans is the not-having-a-passport-thing. Do yourself a favor and get one. Then if you decide you want to fly off to Paris next week (or anytime in the next 10 years) you don't have to worry about the paperwork, only calling your travel agent!
For more information about passports, visit the official website here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
For more travel tips, please visit my blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)