Legoland Florida -Family Fun-

Thinking of visiting Legoland in Florida? Then read on! One of the huge benefits of being a Florida resident is having all of the theme parks in our own backyard. Given our location and that I try to do something special each year for my kids, I knew Legoland would be a great surprise for my little boy. He has been obsessed with anything Lego for quite some time, and so I knew it would be a huge deal for him. As soon as we purchased the tickets my mommy mode went on full speed. I started my obsessive mom activities by researching, comparing, and planning everything I could. 

Purchasing tickets: I don’t know if there are coupons available in other states but I found Legoland coupons a couple of months ago at Dunkin Donuts. They were for free child admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. Legoland offers ticket and their prices vary depending on how far in advance you purchase them. The further in advanced the cheaper. If you do have a coupon like I mentioned earlier, these do not included date induced discounts. None the less you still save a lot of money not having to pay for your kids.

Parking: Purchase your parking tickets online in order to save 2.00 (it might not seem like much, but 2.00 is 2.00, plus when you arrive you don’t have to wait for your credit card to go through, or for them to get you change. They simply scan your ticket and print your receipt.)

Strollers: My kids are 4 and 6. They may be older, but kids get exhausted walking all day. Thankfully stroller rentals are available at Legoland. Single strollers are 14.00 and double strollers were 20.00. Wheelchairs and ECVs are also available. Click here for more info: http://www.legoland.com/florida/planning-your-visit/overview/

If you are from out of town and jumping from park to park there is another option. The link below is for a local stroller rental company. There you can rent out high quality strollers for your entire stay, which may be more economical then renting one at each park. An added bonus is that they’ll deliver, and pick up the stroller to and from your hotel. https://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/

Lockers:  Me and my husband simply placed our backpacks on top of the stroller. It was convenient having everything on hand, but if you need a locker, the park provides those in the following sizes and prices:

• Small = $7
• Medium = $10
• Large = $13 

What to bring:

  The Florida sun, heat and humidity can be brutal. Dress for comfort, heat and walking. Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and sneakers will make your visit to Legoland much more comfortable. Ladies: if your concerned about looking good, they will make you take off hats for much of the rides, so beware of hat hair!

Legoland has no problem with visitors bringing their own food. I froze water bottles and juice boxes overnight, which provided us with cold drinks throughout our day. I packed some sandwiches, chips, cookies, and donuts for lunch. For snacks we had fruit and nuts. Not only did it keep us full and hydrated, since the kids always had a snack on hand they didn't ask us to buy them any food throughout the park which ended up saving us money. 

I also packed:

Baby wipes: Almost every mom I know carries one around, it's great for sticky hands and mouths. 

A change of clothes: Just in case we got wet on a ride. ( I left these in the trunk of our car. We did end up getting wet on the Quest for Chi but the sun dried us up in no time, so we never actually had to change. If you don't mind possibly being wet on your ride home, or to the hotel you can exclude extra clothes.)

A medicine pack: Including Children’s Motrin, Advil and a thermometer. I had the experience of visiting a theme park before where my kid got sick and I had no medicine. We had to rush to the first aid section to get him some fever reducer, so now I always bring things along just in case.

If you decide to not pack anything, I would strongly recommend at least bringing your own water bottles to the park, Florida gets hot, and dehydration is not something you want to deal with. My son was telling me he was thirsty and a fellow Floridian offered me one of her water bottles. Thankfully I had my own but I was very thankful for her offer. The heat is no joke, and its important to note that locals understand this. Especially if you are planning your visit for the summer. Water bottles will cost more than 2.00 at the park. 

Starting your day: I had read a lot of blogs that suggested to head towards the left of the park in order to avoid long lines. We did that and I found that the lines were never really too long of a wait, the only thing is that we had a harder time navigating the park. Visitors tend to start at the right of the park and work their way around and so the park is set up that way. Because Legoland is located 45 min from the Orlando theme parks it wasn’t that busy. We visited on Saturday, and the longest line we waited at was about 20 minutes, the shortest was 5 min. Now I don’t know if that was because we started on the opposite side of the park. My suggestion would be to go ahead and start on the left, if that had anything to do with the short line wait I would do it again just in case.

Mini figure trading:  This was one of the highlights for both of my kids. Simply bring or buy a complete (hair or hat, head, body and legs) Lego character and trade them. There are a few ways to do this. One way is trading with the LEGOLAND employees. They'll have their available character on their name badge.

The second way is to find small trading kiosk set up around the park.

The third way, if your looking for a broader selection is to visit the larger trading kiosk. We found this guy in Fun Town.

Rides and Attractions:

Want to get a look at the park before you go? Download the park map here: Legoland Florida Map

The park is divided into 12 sections plus the water park.

The Beginning: Get stroller, and locker rentals here. With shops and restaurants I recommend exploring this section as your leaving the park. There is a laid back ride here called Island in the sky. This attraction is a gentle ascent up 150 feet where upon reaching the pinnacle, the tower rotates to give you a 360-degree view of Legoland and the surrounding areas, including Cypress Gardens, the Waterski area. Because we visited this ride towards the end of the day, the sun was lower and there was a cool breeze. So give it a try if you want to relax or just take a good look at the park and surrounding areas.

Heartlake City: Have a little girl whos a fan of Lego Friends? This is the section to visit. They had a live dancing show. Plus side for me was the A/C. Mia's Riding adventure is also located here. If your planning on buying any Lego Friend sets they have a specialty store called Heartlake Mall.

Fun Town: Want to meet the characters from the Lego Movie? It happens here at the Wells Fargo Fun Town Theater. Characters show up at certain times of the day so check schedules. (They will be given to you along with a park map at the entrance.) There's also a carousel, and more dining and shopping here.

Miniland: "Master builders" built miniature Lego versions of cities from Florida, California, New York, and Washington DC. There is also a Lego version of the Kennedy Space Center, and Star Wars. Skip this until the end of the day, once the kids have had their fill of rides and interactions. It's a great place to just walk around and look.

Lego City: My boys favorite. With a driving school, a boating school, and a rescue academy he was living out his Lego dreams. *A note to parents, the NFPA Rescue Academy was our longest wait and it is very interactive for the parents. Want to fit in a workout on your visit? Then the NFPA Rescue Academy is for you! You have to pump a fire truck to the end of a line, then pump water out of a hose, once you put out a fire you jump back into the truck and pump your way back. Because my boy is such of fan of firefighters, cops and Legos we really didn't have a choice, but be warned you will get exhausted. ;) Bigger kids will enjoy the Flying School rollercoaster.

Land Of Adventure:

 This was also a great section. There's the Coastersaurus (a wooden roller coaster), The Lost Kingdom Adventure (which is a shooting ride through), and a safari ride (where you get to see Lego animals). There's also a great shaded area right across the Coastersaurus if you want to stop and have some snacks or lunch.

Lego Kingdom:

This medieval themed section includes a Royal Joust ( ride a Lego horse), The forestmen's hideout, ( a great playground) The Dragon (rollercoaster), and Merlin's challenge (a spinning ride).

World Of Chima: If its hot and you need to cool down ride the Quest for Chi, We had a lot of fun trying to shoot water at fellow riders. You will get soaked, at one point we went under a waterfall and I had to get up and move to the other side of the ship in order to avoid a complete soak.

Duplo Valley: This is perfect for toddlers, with splash stations, a train, tractor and farm ride.

Imagination Zone, Lego Technic, and Pirates Cove: We actually didn't get a chance to visit these three sections. To be honest I didn't even realize we had missed these until we left the park.

Legoland Hotel: If you want a good way to finish the day take a visit to the hotel located right next to the park. Inside the kids can continue playing with legos, you can grab a drink, or dinner at the restaurant. My daughter even got to meet one of the Lego Friends character and take a pic.

Tasty Treasures: Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant in Waterford Lakes Orlando

Looking for a new place to try? If you live in East Orlando, try Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant. It’s Modern casual dining. With dimmed lights throughout the restaurant, and a Napa style wine tasting room it’s a great place with ambiance that suits, after work dinner, date nights, or private parties. Walking in you first see the shop, which offers lots of wine lover accessories, and of course a wall of Cooper’s Hawk very own wine selection.  Along the right side there’s a long bar where you can stand and chat all while trying various wines. There’s two wine menus which you can choose from: Sweet, or Lux. This is where me and my friend started, we were waiting for our table and decided drinking wine while waiting was an amazing idea. None the less, we were unable to finish our tasting since after our first taste off of the sweet menu, our buzzer went off. We weren’t quite sure what to do, until the server told us not to worry about it and that we could order a wine flight at the table and continue our adventure that way, problem solved. Cooper’s offers an array of options on both wine and food, and I especially loved how many of the selections had suggested wine pairings. They served us warm pretzel bread with butter while we looked over the menu. For my wine I chose a Sauvignon Blanc, Romance Red, Gewürztraminer (my new fav), and a Plum. For appetizer, I chose the Ahi Tuna tacos. I wasn’t to hungry, but I ordered something to help me hold my drinks. My Friend chose a chicken pasta, which she raved about so I’m assuming she liked it. At the end of the day my appetizer was good, my wines were amazing, and I got to share a night catching up with an old friend. What more could you ask for?  

Tasty Treasures: Wahlburgers Orlando

Our family decided the new Wahlburgers in downtown Orlando would be a great place to grab some grub for lunch. If you don't know, Wahlbugers is owned by the Wahlberg family, most notably Mark Wahlberg the actor. You probably knew that. Anyways! It had opened only a week before, and me and my husband wanted to see what all the hype was about. When we arrived there was a long line at the door, we put our names down and went to the end of the line to wait our turn. With the wine and food festival happening a couple of blocks down, and a party of Bernie for president supporters walking the streets chanting made our wait a bit more entertaining. Everyone around us seemed in pretty good spirits, plus the Wahlburger employees came out to hand the kids chalk which, for any parent waiting at a restaurant with young hungry children can attest to, was a life saver.

Once we made it inside and were sat at our table we were greeted by our server who was very sweet and super attentive. The menu consisted of mostly signature and house burgers..hence the name…duh. But they also offered “Wahlfaves” which included turkey, chicken, haddock fillet, hot dog, and a vegetarian option. Unique items on the menu I found were sweet potato tots, and Mexican coke. What is a Mexican coke exactly? Its coke made and bottled in Mexico, it’s a bit sweeter than our American version since its sweetened with actual cane sugar.  

What we ordered:

Me: Thanksgiving day

My husband: The Melt

Kids: Smahlburgers

Sides: Tots, and sweet potato tots.

So how did it taste? Well my burger was cold and the artisan bread it was served on was just ok. My husband’s melt was definitely the tastiest thing we had ordered, the tots were tots and the sweet potato tots were also just ok. So was it worth the hype and wait? In my opinion, no. I was glad we had tried something new and while I feel that Wahlburgers lacks in taste, it doesn’t mean you won’t like it. People who reside in downtown Orlando really lay between foodies, health buffs, rushed employees, and professionals looking to unwind after work. In my opinion Wahlburgers really only caters maybe to the rushed employee, or professionals who want a beer and to watch tv. It doesn’t offer amazing food, or any unique options geared towards the health conscience group. Then again that’s just my opinion. In conclusion I will say, Wahlbugers did deliver great service but not such great grub. 

Lake Mary Event Center

Glamourous and romantic, this venue offers beautiful reception areas as well as various onsite ceremony locations. Outdoor ceremony locations include the event lawn, the trellis area, as well as the fountain patio. The glass enclosed Rotunda provides a beautiful ceremony site inside of the Lake Mary Event Center. Catering services must be provided by one of the following caterers:  Arthurs Creative Events & Catering, Big City Catering, Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine & Special Events, Levan’s Catering, Puff’n Stuff Events Catering, River City Catering, and 4 Rivers Smokehouse. Many of those caterers have or will develop packages to include setup/ decoration, service and cleanup, as well as linens, china, centerpieces etc.  To find out more information simply click on this link: http://www.lakemaryeventscenter.com/

Don Shula's Steak House

Me and my husband’s last anniversary was spent dining at Don Shula’s Steak House. Located inside of the Swan and Dolphin Hotel, it’s a perfect place to take someone special. The dimly lit Restaurant is dark and cozy. The wood paneled walls are accented by photographs of the founder Coach Don Shula and his accomplishments while coaching in the NFL. All combined, I like to think of it as the perfect marriage of luxurious, masculine and romantic. Describing the service, the phrase that came to mind was the “white glove treatment.” The servers were polite, prompt and engaged. Me and my husband were assigned two servers, one took care of all of the drinks and cleaning up, the other on our food order and providing charming small talk. For appetizers we ordered the crab cake, and the Lobster bisque. While both were delicious the lobster bisque was the better of the two. Then it came time for those steaks……… I ordered the Cowboy Ribeye, and my husband had the Porterhouse. We order a side of sautéed mushrooms and the twice baked potato which we both shared. Now biting into that Cowboy Ribeye was just about the best thing I have ever experienced. Besides meeting my husband, and two children, meeting that steak was life changing. I didn’t want it to end. I ate slowly and deliberately savoring each bite of that amazing piece of meat. My husband was a fan of his Porterhouse but agreed that the Cowboy was juicer than his. In my mind there was no competition. The Cowboy had won this competition. We finished off our meals with the Molten Lava Cake which was set on a plate with the words Happy Anniversary written in chocolate.  It being our 8^th year of marriage, we acknowledged that our love had grown, and while it was stronger than ever, we had both fallen in love with a new man that night, Don Shula.

Link for more information: http://www.donshula.com/shulas-steak-house

First-time Homebuyers Dos and Don'ts

A “DO AND DON’T” LIST

FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS

(Orlando, FL) – For most people, buying a home is the most significant investment they will ever make. Today, with an abundance of homes for sale, interest rates at near historic lows and home prices lower than in the past in many markets across the country, it may also be the smartest time to buy a home. 

While the prospect of owning a home is an exciting one, it can often times seem overwhelming, especially for those who are new to the real estate process.   With that in mind, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate has come up with a simple “do and don’t” list for first-time home buyers dreaming of homeownership.

DO:

• DO utilize free online tools to arm you with as much knowledge as possible.  For example, the Coldwell Banker YouTube channel, On Location, offers consumers a new way to search for and interact with real estate information and listings.  The channel showcases the power of video to bring real estate more vividly to life – offering behind-the-scenes looks at towns and neighborhoods, smart tips and timely news on real estate topics, and video listings of homes for sale.  Additionally, the Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report offers buyers a way to compare average housing costs in thousands of U.S. and Canadian markets. 

• DO take time to access and closely review your credit score.  A sound financial track record and solid credit score can help lock in a loan and lower interest rates.  Checking your records with a fine-tooth comb in advance will also ensure that you catch any errors ahead of time, as well as help you better understand how lenders may perceive you.

• DO explore mortgage pre-approval.  A pre-approval will let home buyers know where they fall financially while informing the mortgage company that they are ready to buy. Additionally, getting this early go-ahead will help others involved with your purchase know that you are serious about home ownership – and well-qualified.

• DO line up your “all-star” team of professionals before game day.  A team of experienced professionals is essential to making the home buying process simple and seamless.  Start by interviewing and selecting an agent who you “connect” with.  That agent may also be able to help you identify suitable lawyers, mortgage lenders, home inspectors and others who play a role in the process.
  
  
• DO anticipate your future needs and buy for lifestyle.  Try to anticipate how long you’ll live in your next home and plan for major lifestyle changes when possible.  What may make a perfect starter home for a couple might not work as well when children come into the picture.  Remember, people move for lifestyle reasons and your first home will likely not be your last.

• DO hone in on your housing priorities.  Your ideal home may have a porch, a pool and five full baths.  But before you start looking, make sure to separate your “must-haves” from your “nice to haves,” so you know where you can compromise to meet your budget.

DON’T:

• DON’T fall in love with the first house or neighborhood you see.  That Victorian home with the white-picket fence may win your heart at first glance, but don’t fall in love too fast.  You need to keep an open mind to make sure you find the right fit for all your needs.  At the end of your search, it may turn out that the riverfront ranch that’s closer for your commute is a better bet all-around.

• DON’T buy beyond what you can afford.  It’s easy to fall into that all-you-can-eat attitude when it comes to your first home purchase.  You “want it all” when it comes to size, amenities, location, etc.  But remember that your eyes may have a larger appetite than your wallet.  Make sure that the down payment, closing costs, monthly expenses and taxes are truly within your income and savings range before you sign on the dotted line. 

• DON’T treat your home the way you treat your stock portfolio.  It’s unrealistic and unwise to expect your housing investment to appreciate as quickly as you’d hope for your high-risk bonds.  Buying for lifestyle, as opposed to trying to turn a quick profit, will help ensure that you are viewing home purchasing and ownership in the right context.

• DON’T try to time the market.  By the time most consumers sense a major real estate or financial market shift, the tables have typically already turned.  Instead of waiting for a slim and unreliable window of time – and potentially missing out on the perfect home – buyers should focus on their own lifestyles and buy when the time is truly right for them.

• DON’T jump into an overly tempting or confusing mortgage.  When it comes to down payments and mortgages, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  Be sure to read carefully through every aspect of the proposed agreements to fully understand your end of the bargain.  For instance, what seems like an attractive rate now may balloon exponentially a few years down the road.  

• DON’T underestimate the value of a trustworthy real estate agent’s on-the-ground expertise.  While being a savvy buyer and doing one’s homework will help on the road to homeownership, a local expert with years of negotiating experience is invaluable when it comes to scouting out the perfect home – and closing the deal.

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate located at 5965 Red Bug Lake Rd. Winter Springs, FL. Marilyn Laboy can be reached at 407.230.1710 or Marilyn.laboy.cbintouch.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.  Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

Junie B. Jones The Musical

My daughter, who started kindergarten this past August is a huge fan of Junie B. Jones. If your a parent that has a child in elementary you've probably know exactly who I'm talking about. Thankfully, whether it's at school, from a parent or loving family member most generations get introduced to a book series. For me it was Ramona and Beezus (thank you Miss. Brown), Pippy Longstalking (thanks mom), and Amelia Bedelia (again mom, thank you.) As soon as I realized my daughter had her own "girl" to read up on, I jumped on the opportunity and quickly filed her bookshelf with any Junie B. Jones book I could get my hands on. I had experienced first hand how much these books helped to grow a love for reading, and I was going to make sure my daughter had the same opportunity.  Then this past weekend I heard about an exciting event that will hopefully encourage my daughter to read on.  Junie B. Jones is now a musical and its playing here at the Orlando Rep! So I wanted to share it will all you moms, who may have a little Jones of your own or are simply looking for something fun to do with the kiddos. See you there!

Click on the link for dates, times and tickets: Junie B. Jones The Musical