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A Great Family Getaway in Grapevine, Texas

January 8, 2013 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

It’s likely you’ve not heard of Grapevine, Texas though, if you’ve ever flown into DFW airport, you’ve technically been there.

This suburb of Dallas is home to fabulous family friendly resorts, kids friendly activities, and a historic downtown filled with scrumptious restaurants and unique shops.

In short, it’s a great place for a fun family vacation.

Enjoy resorts like the Gaylord Texan and Great Wolf Lodge, kid friendly activities like LegoLand Discovery Center and SeaLife Aquarium, historical activities including the Grapevine Vintage Railroad and the twice daily gunfight on main street.

Are you intrigued? View the photo slideshow to see what makes Grapevine, Texas a great family getaway!

Disclosure: This post links to an article written by me and published at Blissfully Domestic on November 30, 2012.

Filed Under: Clips, Food and Restaurants, Hotels and Lodging, Resort, South, Texas, USA

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Family Getaways at Great Wolf Lodge- Now on Sale!

January 3, 2013 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

It’s the beginning of January. School has just resumed and life is beginning to get back to normal.

Until it hits.

It. Cabin fever. When everyone in the house begins to get a bit snippy because they have loads of energy to run off but it’s so cold outside that only the most bundled up remain outdoors for more than a few minutes.

So take this tip now, before you need it and book a stay a one of Great Wolf Lodge’s 10 locations- at great savings if you book soon!

Visiting Great Wolf Lodge

The girls and I spent a few days at the fabulous Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas (a suburb of Dallas) in November. This resort has thought of everything. From the wrist band door keys with the ability to charge items to you room (no carrying -and losing- keys & wallets at the pool!) to the out of pool activities like MagiQuest, the Scoops Spa for girls and an arcade filled with games, your family has lots of room to run off all that energy.

Rooms at Great Wolf Lodge are spacious and made with families in mind. You’ll find microwaves and mini refrigerators in the rooms to help keep down the cost of dining. You’ll also find fun activities going on in the lobby and the Cub Club, an experience for parents to enjoy with their children. And, unlike many resorts, you’ll find that parking & wifi are included in your resort fee.

Each Great Wolf Lodge has it’s own deal and each for a limited time. Click the image below to be taken to the deals page- and make plans for your family to avoid cabin fever!

Groupon: Save on a trip to Great Wolf Lodge this Winter!

Disclosure: Family Rambling would like to thank the Grapevine, Texas CVB for hosting us at the Great Wolf Lodge.

Filed Under: Contests & Deals, Hotels and Lodging, Resort, USA

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Friday Finds: Helping Make Travel Easier and Less Expensive

November 2, 2012 By Jody Halsted 1 Comment

Friday Finds is your weekly spot for travel tips, money saving travel deals and travel contests to enter. Get Friday Finds delivered to your reader or inbox!

Travel Tip: Use Airfare Watchdog to Find the Best Airfare Deals

With so many options for buying airfare online, it can be difficult to find “the best deal”. When I am planning a trip, the first website I visit is Airfare Watchdog to sign up for fare alerts from my home city to the destination I plan to visit.

When an attractive fare comes in, it’s easy to check for availability- but it also alerts me to check other airlines that fly the same route as price cuts by one airline often lead others to compete on that route.

Christmas By The Numbers at Gaylord Hotels®

I’m a huge fan of Gaylord Hotels. I’ve visited the Opryland multiple times for conventions, the Palms for the magical ICE and will get to experience the Texan during an upcoming trip. The only Gaylord property I’ve not visited is the National. I absolutely loved this infographic showing “Christmas by the Numbers”: 6 million twinkling lights; 89,420 feet of garland; 7,794 guest rooms; and 9 degrees in ICE.

Click the image above to be taken to view a web-based infographic with clickable links for more information!

As the holidays draw nearer I know the Gaylord Hotels will be publishing some great “stay & play” family rates for ICE at all of their locations- it’s a fun family vacation for Thanksgiving or Christmas!

Win a Weekend Getaway to Omaha

If you haven’t visited Omaha lately, you’re in for a surprise! Spend the weekend exploring a city filled with history, artistry and adventure. Explore jungles and deserts, shop distinct boutiques and hop aboard history.

Click the image above to enter

Prize includes:

Two Night Stay at the Ramada Plaza/Coco Key Water Resort
$100 Restaurant Gift Card
Four Passes to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Four Passes to Lauritzen Gardens
Four Passes to Joslyn Art Museum
Family Pass to The Durham Museum
Family Pass to The Omaha Children’s Museum
Four Full-Day Bike Rentals from the Omaha Visitors Center

Enter the Vacation Fun Omaha Weekend Getaway.

Friday Finds are tips, deals and vacation contests that I believe are of interest to family travelers. Advertisers may purchase a listing in Family Rambling’s Friday Finds; I verify that the deal is available when the article is posted. Some links may be affiliates links- which means that I receive a small commission if you make a purchase at the site (no additional cost to you!)- or sponsored material (which I will disclose). If you are interested in information about being listed in Family Rambling’s Friday Finds post, please send me email: jody (at) familyrambling (dot) com.

Filed Under: Contests & Deals, Hotels and Lodging, Resort, Travel Resources, USA

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Family Getaways at Gaylord Opryland

November 1, 2012 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

To wrap up 2012, I wanted to share my 10 most popular posts of the year. Post #9 is about one of my favorite hotels, the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee.

Originally published on March 14, 2011, I believe this post got it’s popularity in 2012 due to the partnership between Gaylord Hotels and DreamWorks® Animation that kicked off during the Christmas season of 2011.

Brenna poses on the steps at Opryland

Though the partnership of the Gaylord Hotels and DreamWorks® hadn’t yet been announced when I took my family to the Opryland Hotel, we found plenty to keep the girls occupied and entertained. From the indoor river ride, to the dozens of shops and restaurants, to wandering the endless miles of garden paths, we had a great stay and enjoyed our visit.

Later in the year we were able to experience ICE at the Gaylord Palms and get a first hand look at the Gaylord/DreamWorks® partnership.

The Gaylord Opryland covers 4 million square feet. For reference that’s only slightly smaller than the Mall of America. It’s incredibly huge and it is easy to get lost in the maze of rooms. Tip: Carpets in each section are coordinated to match the section; for example, carpets in the magnolia wing have magnolias on them. Thankfully the hotel gives you a very detailed map upon check in; after a couple days you’ll feel at home.

Inside the biodome- where it’s always 72°- you’ll find gardens filled with waterfalls, gazebos and fountains; the Delta which features shops, restaurants and a river (complete with river boat ride); enough dining options to please every member of your family; and a “secret” arcade your teen can escape to.

Read more of the popular article Staying the the Gaylord Opryland Resort with Kids….

Filed Under: Hotels and Lodging, Resort, South, Tennessee, USA

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Sights from Gaylord Palms ICE featuring Shrek the Halls

November 29, 2011 By Jody Halsted 2 Comments

Last week I left unseasonably warm Iowa and hopped a plane to Orlando with my girls. Our destination- the Gaylord Palms resort. Our plans- to play in snow and ICE. (Video tour of ICE below- including a ride down the ice slide!)

But instead of bringing my husband along- he unfortunately had to work- we brought Grandma! Because you can read my tales of ICE at Uptake and Blissfully Domestic, I thought I would get my mom’s thoughts on our trip.

I recently had the privilege of accompanying my daughter and granddaughters to the Gaylord Palms in Orlando, Florida, for two and a half days of fun and relaxation.

Gaylord Palms Decorated for Christmas

The resort is beautifully designed and decorated; the staff is wonderfully helpful and courteous. Everything you might wish for is under one roof: restaurants, shops, luxury spa, entertainment, all without feeling crowded. (Be sure to wear very comfortable shoes; you will be walking the four acre compound extensively.)

Brenna and Caelan were in awe of the decorations and pointed out displays that I would have overlooked. One of the fountains was under repair and the girls were so concerned about it. Before we left, the fountain was fixed and I took their picture setting on the edge of the pool.

During our stay, we saw ICE, the fantastic sculpture featuring Shrek and all his friends. The display is crafted from 200 tons of ice and is breathtaking. Also featured is SNOW, a winter wonderland, especially for those who live in more tropical areas. Since Iowa has not had snow that has stayed on the ground yet this season, Brenna and Caelan enjoyed building snow sculptures. We also enjoyed the movie “Puss In Boots.” This is a great movie for the whole family.

Later, we decorated gingerbread houses and families at Gingy’s house. All materials are included and provided lots of sticky fun! We managed to pack our projects and take them home with minimal damage.

Caelan very seriously informed us that she was Gingy’s girlfriend and an argument ensued when Brenna declared that she was his girlfriend too! Caelan was very adamant that SHE was his girlfriend, and when we asked about Mrs. Man (Gingy’s real name is Gingerbread Man), Caelan’s response what that Mrs. Man wasn’t real.

Brenna had a very loose top tooth and we tried to enlist Shrek to help pull it out; very comical since his fingers were too large to fit in her mouth. We had a lot of fun teasing and Shrek tried to sneak up and surprise Brenna; we even tried to solicit help from Princess Fiona. Great fun!

During our stay, two scavenger hunts were featured. We had a lot of fun looking for Coca Cola bears, hidden in niches and displays throughout the resort. Some were difficult to spot but we managed to find the 10 bears with clues and most of the bears without clues as well. The Magic Bean hunt won activity books and a bean to take home and plant.

In retrospect, this is probably not a trip I would have taken on my own; most of my pleasure came from watching Brenna and Caelan and their enjoyment. In our hectic world, all too often we forget the wonder of discovery; being able to travel with my family and especially to view the world through the eyes of a child makes it the best experience of all.

We so thoroughly enjoyed ICE at Gaylord Palms that I have the idea of visiting each Gaylord resort over the next few years and experiencing ICE at each one! Check out what is going on at the other Gaylord resorts this Christmas:

Opryland in Nashville

Texan near Dallas

National in Washington DC

To view all my photos from our fun at ICE please visit my Gaylord Palms ICE Flickr page.

Family Vacation
Kissimmee

Family Rambling would like to thank the Gaylord Palms for hosting us for ICE.

Filed Under: Florida, Hotels and Lodging, Resort, USA

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A Better Guide for Family Resort Selection- FindTheBest.com

June 15, 2011 By Jody Halsted Leave a Comment

Summer is approaching, the kids are almost out of school, and you have yet to plan the family’s vacation. You know you want to book an all- inclusive resort with summer quickly approaching, but you are having trouble balancing your budget, the location, and everyone’s diverse vacation interests. Fortunately for you FindTheBest’s All-Inclusive Resorts Comparison is here to help you find your family’s ideal all- inclusive resort.

Lets consider the following hypothetical, but very probable scenario: You are the vacation planner for the Jones’ Family. Before you begin your search you analysis your budget, and ask the rest of the family where they wanted to vacation and what they wanted to do. You find the family at most has $1,200 a week to spend on the room; the family wants a beach resort this year, since you went to the mountains last year; and being that the Jones are an active bunch you conclude the more activities the better. I invite you to take that list and do a search in Google. What did you find? When I entered: “all- inclusive resorts near the beach for under $1,200 a week” 1.92M results appeared in Google.

Now take that same search criteria and apply it to FindTheBest’s All- Inclusive Resorts Comparison. After a few simple filter adjustments you are met with a manageable 117 expertly rated all- inclusive resorts, and a “How To?” guide for selection. Here is a side- by- side of FindTheBest’s top three affordable beach resorts.

I understand having three narrow options is great, but at the end of the day you only have one vacation. Why though should the final decision rest solely on your shoulders; lucky for you, FindTheBest has expert ratings and sharable slideshows that you can post directly on your kids’ Facebook pages. Let them comment of the slide show, and have the final decision be a family affair.

Helping you find your family’s perfect resort this summer is not the only way FindTheBest can help you with this years vacation. FindTheBest also offers fantastic Comparisons on airlines, summer camps, amusement parks, and other travel related products and services. FindTheBest is a trusted place where consumers can find reliable and accurate information in order to make faster and more informed decisions.

Disclosure: This post is paid content.

Filed Under: Hotels and Lodging, Resort

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Soon You’ll See Your Favorite DreamWorks Characters at Gaylord Hotels and Resorts

May 2, 2011 By Jody Halsted 1 Comment

Last week I was invited to attend a press conference at the fabulous Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. I had spent a week at the Opryland in January and hadn’t heard a hint of anything so I was excited to attend.

And the announcement was well worth the trip as an alliance was announced between Gaylord Hotels® and DreamWorks® Animation!

Beginning later this summer (estimated for July) Gaylord Hotels will boost its leisure experience by featuring characters such as Shrek, Po- the Kung Fu Panda, the penguins of Madagascar and other favorites at all of their resorts!

: Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks, was on hand for the announcement

Some of the planned experiences will include character breakfasts, themed holiday events, poolside activities, private birthday parties, movie screenings and more. My main question upon hearing this news was if Gaylord properties would be instituting a “kids club” or other child care activities which would allow parents the opportunity to have an adult evening while still allowing kids to have fun. The answer, ” It’s something we’re working on”.

I think this is a great alliance and will really help boost Gaylord Hotels appeal in the family market. What do you think?

With the Penguins of Madagascar at Gaylord Opryland

Me and the Penguins of Madagascar

Does the alliance between Gaylord Hotels and DreamWorks appeal to you? Would you be more likely to consider a Gaylord property for your family with the new kid-friendly activities?

Filed Under: hotel, Hotels and Lodging, Resort

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Staying at the Gaylord Opryland Resort with Kids

March 14, 2011 By Jody Halsted 6 Comments

Brenna poses on the steps at Opryland

I recently returned to the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee for the 2011 Blissdom Conference. After my stay last year I was looking forward to returning- and having my family join me! Doug and the girls drove down after the conference and we spent a couple days enjoying Nashville- and the Opryland Hotel.

An Entire Resort Under One Roof

The Gaylord Opryland covers 4 million square feet. For reference that’s only slightly smaller than the Mall of America. It’s incredibly huge and it is easy to get lost in the maze of rooms. Tip: Carpets in each section are coordinated to match the section; for example, carpets in the magnolia wing have magnolias on them. Thankfully the hotel gives you a very detailed map upon check in; after a couple days you’ll feel at home.

Inside the biodome- where it’s always 72°- you’ll find gardens filled with waterfalls, gazebos and fountains; the Delta which features shops, restaurants and a river (complete with river boat ride); enough dining options to please every member of your family; and a “secret” arcade your teen can escape to.

Rooms at the Opryland are classically decorated and spacious. Our garden view room was comfortable for our family of four and featured a lovely private balcony which added the illusion of much more space. The girls loved to sit on the balcony and gaze into the garden below.

Fun at Opryland

My girls had a great time just exploring the gardens. They would stop at flowers, kneel at fountains, gaze at fish and stretch to touch waterfalls. It was like a magical faerie land.

The girls and I had gelato, met the Gaylord Bear and wandered the miles of pathways while Doug rested. Around every corner they found something else to fascinate, amaze and intrigue them. Even though it was too cool for swimming we wandered by the outdoor pool areas in the Magnolia and Cascades and imagined how nice they would be if it were warmer.

After Doug had a bit of rest we wandered down to the Delta for a river boat ride and dinner. The Delta Riverboats are replicas of the Mark Twain Mississippi flatboats. A guide narrates your quarter mile cruise, pointing out interesting trees and plants, and sharing interesting bits of trivia about the Opryland Delta. The ride is a bit pricy ($9 for adults,$7 for kids) but what other hotel offers a boat ride indoors?

After our cruise we had dinner in the Delta. At Stax Doug and I “built” our own burgers, while the girls enjoyed pizza from Pisano’s. When the musical fountain show began food was forgotten as we watched the water dance and shoot upward- almost reaching the roof of the atrium.

The Gaylord Opryland is unlike any other hotel. If you visit Nashville it should definitely be on your places to visit list- even if you don’t stay.

Quick Facts About the Gaylord Opryland

You may remember that Nashville had a “little” flood last year. The Gaylord Opryland was closed for 6 months. I detailed some of the changes made in this article at Uptake: Gaylord Opryland- After the Flood.

The Gaylord Opryland is not budget lodging but you can find great deals on their website. Also check out their special events throughout the year for family themed fun. I really want to visit for ICE, the annual winter interactive exhibit.

The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is the largest combined hotel and convention center under one roof in the world- if your spouse has to attend a conference there tag along and take the kids! Nashville is filled with history, music and lots of family friendly activities!

Family Vacation
Nashville

Filed Under: Hotels and Lodging, Resort, South, Tennessee, USA

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JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa, San Antonio, TX

October 25, 2010 By Jody Halsted 8 Comments

AT&T Canyons, #18, JW Marriott, San Antonio

Resort Viewed from the 18th Hole of the Canyons Course. Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa

To say my family rarely stays at a resort is an understatement. We are very budget conscience and this type of stay would be something we would need to save a couple of years to do. About this time last year I purchased about a dozen raffle tickets to help some friends raise money to fund their international adoption. When I won the grand prize (a 5 night stay at any Marriott in the US, Central America or Caribbean and two airline tickets) the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa had just opened. We purchased flights for the girls and began making our plans to visit.

Overview

The view from our window on the 9th floor

The view from our balcony overlooking the Oaks Golf Course

It’s almost a shame this resort is so close to San Antonio. If it weren’t so close to such an amazing city you wouldn’t even think about leaving the grounds. There is really no need. From relaxing lounge areas, a cozy library and pampering spa to beautiful grounds, two PGA golf courses, an incredible pool and delicious restaurants the resort is a full vacation unto itself. My family may not have a lot of resort experience but the JW Marriott Hill Country seems to have gotten everything right.

The Hotel

The touchscreen game tables were great fun for my girls!

The resort is set on 600 acres on the edge of San Antonio. The land was originally part of a massive ranch and it is easy to forget how close to a city you are as you wander the grounds.

Entering the resort has a “lodge” feel as you pull into a carport built of enormous beams. Rocking chairs are situated between the driveway and the doors, perfect for relaxing as you wait for your car to be retrieved. Sheltered valet parking is $25 per day. Free parking is nearby.

The lobby is large and open with scattered leather couches, tables and touch screen game tables. Far from being an area you want to escape from, this was incredibly relaxing and a favorite “go to” for the girls.

Our deluxe room had a king bed and a pull out couch. The bathroom was enormous with a separate shower and bathtub. We also had a balcony which overlooked the TPC Club House and one of the golf courses. The deluxe room is the smallest available. It was comfortable, if a bit cramped, for our family. The desk even had a plug-in panel with enough outlets for all our electronics! The only bad thing: a daily internet charge. (My very biggest pet peeve.) I was able to view the Executive Suite which would be perfect for a family. It has two rooms- a bedroom and a living area with a pull out couch and the same enormous bathroom.

Deluxe Room with King Bed

The Luxury Suites are truly luxurious and the grand River Suites are beyond that. Incredible.

River Bluffs Water Expereince

Half of the River Bluffs Water Experience

My girls couldn’t wait to play in this water park! Far beyond your hotel pool it is easy to spend days on end here. Three separate pools – kids’ pool, adult only infinity pool and large leisure pool- are circled by a lazy river that can be entered by twisty water slide or steps. Comfortably cushioned lounge chairs and umbrellas are abundant and cabanas are available to rent at the leisure pool. If you’re after a bit more excitement climb the Water Tower and try one of two tubed slides.

Towels and life jackets are available for guests at the pool area. There is also no need to leave if you are hungry. The Rivertop Grill has family friendly food and beverages. You can choose a table in the open restaurant or order from your lounge chair.

Range Riders Kids Club

Entering the Range Riders Kids Club

This quickly became my daughters’ second favorite place on the resort. Beyond giving Doug and I time alone, the girls had so much fun! They created mosaic Texas, decorated cowboy hats and flip flops, played games, watched movies and got to choose their meals from the kids menu. My youngest had so much fun and has asked to live in the kids club, while my eldest has decided she wants to work there when she is older.

A few weeks after returning home Brenna received a birthday card from the kids club. It reminded her of the great fun she had and the thoughtfulness impressed me.

Range Rider’s Kids Club is for guests aged 4-12 and fully potty trained. Available Thursday thru Sunday, $12.50 per hour per child. Advance registration is recommended.

Dining

A Few Options from the Buffet at Cibolo Moon

We enjoyed three of the restaurants on the property. The Rivertop Grille in the River Bluff Water Experience, Cibolo Moon and 18 Oaks.

Rivertop Grill served easy appetizers and sandwiches, perfect for eating poolside. Doug raved about the fish tacos and my Margarita chicken sandwich was delicious.

Doug and I enjoyed the breakfast buffet at Cibolo Moon while the girls were at Kids Club. The seemingly endless buffet included fresh fruits,cheeses and meats, muffins, bagels, biscuits and gravy, eggs, pancakes… Chefs were on hand to create omelets and waffles.

Cibolo Moon has indoor and outdoor seating and, as the main restaurant, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

18 Oaks is located in the Club House adjacent to the two TCP golf courses. It is also open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you have a chance to enjoy dinner there, I highly recommend it. We had such an incredible experience that I had to share it in a separate post.

Lantana Spa

Womens Relaxation Lounge

I wish I could have spent the entire day here. It was such a relaxing environment and I felt positively pampered from the moment I entered! A variety of spa services are offered and a scheduled service allows you access to the spa including the relaxation lounges (women’s, men’s and co-ed), steam rooms (men’s and women’s), the spa’s pool area and the spa’s fitness center. The Replenish Spa Cafe serves meals designed to compliment the relaxing environment.

For more about my time at the Lantana Spa check out my review at The Spa Gals.

Golf, Shopping and Convention Center

On the Ceiling of the Convention Area

We don’t golf and we weren’t at a convention, so our views of these areas were rather limited.

The TPC San Antonio is a private club and only accessible to members and guests of the resort. The Oaks course hosts the Valero Texas Open. You will find 18 Oaks in the Club House.

While the girls were at Range Riders Doug and I explored the far reaches of the resort. We browsed the fun shops- everything from swim necessities to jewelry, clothing to trinkets- and wandered to the convention area. The tri-level meeting area was busy when we visited but the spaces I peeked into seemed well appointed. I absolutely adored the glass art on the ceiling.

I Hope to Return

Like I said at the beginning of my post; we don’t visit a lot resorts. Many seem to hit a high note in one area, be it spa, golf or family, but so few seem to be able to get it all right. The JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa does. This is a perfect family vacation spot; one my entire family hopes to return to!

Get my input on what to do in San Antonio! Three Things You Really Should Do in San Antonio, Texas at Uptake.

Disclosure: While the majority of my trip was covered by the raffle the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort did provide the Kids Club time for my girls, one of our lunches at Rivertop Grill, a spa treatment for me and our dinner at 18 Oaks.

Family Vacation
San Antonio

Filed Under: Hotels and Lodging, Resort, South, Texas Tagged With: Marriott, San Antonio, Texas

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The Boardwalk Inn: Coastal Elegance at Walt Disney World

May 17, 2010 By Jody Halsted 2 Comments

View from my balcony at the Boardwalk Inn, Walt Disney World

I was treated to pure Disney luxury during my “5 stars to Mickey bars” weekend at Walt Disney World. My room at the Boardwalk Inn, a deluxe resort at Walt Disney World, was incredible. Decorated in tones of pale sunshine and crisp white linens, it felt fresh and clean. The view of the boardwalk from my balcony almost had me believing I could breathe in the saltiness of sea air.

Standard room with water view, Boardwalk Inn, Walt Disney World

My room

My room was a “standard with a water view”. The bed was very comfortable, the desk had enough outlets for both my laptop and phone to charge at the same time. The addition of the couch was nice; the extra sitting room would help make this a comfortable room for a family. I especially loved my small balcony with its’ metal chairs. It was wonderful to sit out there in the mornings and evenings with the small treats the hotel had left and just relax.

(Note: because I was a guest of Walt Disney World I received turn down service, evening snacks, a fruit basket and a cheese plate. These amenities are available with concierge service room packages.)

Carefully folded towels at the Boardwalk Inn, Walt Disney World

Mickey towels

Telltale signs of “the mouse” were everywhere: from the carefully folded towels on my bed to the toiletries. The hallway carpets even had his image woven into the designs.

Throughout the resort are the small touches that make Disney resorts memorable. From the antique silent picture viewers in the hall to the immense waterhorse chandelier and miniature carousel; everywhere you turn there is something to discover.

If your room doesn’t have a balcony (or even if it does) take some time to sit on the large veranda at the rear of the lobby. The white wicker chairs come on various sizes to fit every guest, and the conversation couch makes it easy to relax, lean back and chat with friends and family.

While the Boardwalk Inn is only a 5 minute walk from Epcot and a short boat ride from Hollywood Studios there is plenty here to keep you occupied. The Luna Park pool is a favorite of kids; a more relaxing swim can be found at the resort’s two quiet pools. Kids of all ages can enjoy the arcade and families gather at the Community Hall for crafts or board games. My personal favorite is the Surrey bikes that can be rented for a true family bike ride!

You can enjoy everything from fine dining to pub food on the Boardwalk, and don’t miss a morning pastry at the Boardwalk Bakery. It’s the perfect way to begin a magical day.

Boardwalk Inn Facts

Room options range from standard rooms, to suites to garden cottages. Rates begin at $340 per night for a standard room during the low season.

Driving to the resort? You can self park or, for a fee, have a valet park your car.

Transportation around the parks and resorts is free to resort guests via bus or boats (water taxis).

Disney’s Magical Express can pick you up at the Orlando International Airport and take you directly to your resort and handle your luggage for you (expect a 2-3 hour wait for your luggage to arrive). If you are taking the Magical Express to the airport after your stay the resort can handle everything for you- from checking in for your flight to transporting your luggage. (Do not check in for your flight online! If you do the resort can not check you in and you will have to handle your own luggage. Yes, I did that.)

High speed internet is an additional fee (my biggest pet peeve in expensive hotels and resorts).

Disclosure: This trip was part of a Disney Media event. My transportation, lodging and meals were provided by Disney. All photos and thoughts are my own.

Filed Under: Florida, Hotels and Lodging, Resort, South, USA

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A Great Family Getaway in Grapevine, Texas

Family Getaways at Great Wolf Lodge- Now on Sale!

Visiting Great Wolf Lodge

Friday Finds: Helping Make Travel Easier and Less Expensive

Friday Finds is your weekly spot for travel tips, money saving travel deals and travel contests to enter. Get Friday Finds delivered to your reader or inbox!

Travel Tip: Use Airfare Watchdog to Find the Best Airfare Deals

Christmas By The Numbers at Gaylord Hotels®

Win a Weekend Getaway to Omaha

Family Getaways at Gaylord Opryland

To wrap up 2012, I wanted to share my 10 most popular posts of the year. Post #9 is about one of my favorite hotels, the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee.

Sights from Gaylord Palms ICE featuring Shrek the Halls

A Better Guide for Family Resort Selection- FindTheBest.com

Soon You’ll See Your Favorite DreamWorks Characters at Gaylord Hotels and Resorts