You are almost ready to go on your next trip, but you’ve hit a roadblock; You can only bring 1 bag and you have no clue how to pack light while still having the necessary clothing, accessories and toiletry items. Have no fear; you can master packing light while traveling when you use these tips:

• Use a Carry-on size Bag – Never buy large bulky suitcases, rather keep your travel luggage down to a minimal size of what you would bring for a carry-on bag. When you keep your travel bags down in size, you are automatically forced to pack light every time. Plus, not checking a bag means you can save time at the airport and going through customs (when traveling internationally). As a family, we usually each have a carry-on, a personal item. If we are anticipating bringing back souvenirs, we’ll pack 1 duffle to check on the way back.
• Travel to Warm Areas – Instead of traveling to a location that requires you to pack bulky winter gear, make sure to travel to only warm locations when you can. This alleviates the need to pack heavy items that can take up space quickly. When we went to NYC in February, we ended up wearing about 3 layers of our clothes, plus coats, so we didn’t have to check more bags. But of course, we prefer traveling to the tropical and warm locations.
• Consider Your Fabrics – When you start selecting items to pack for your trip, pay attention to the fabric each item is made of. Try to pack the lightest fabric materials possible as a means to create more space in your luggage for all necessary items.
• Use a Checklist – Always create a checklist of items you want and need to bring with you. Evaluate the checklist until you have it down to a bare minimum and then start packing. Be strict about eliminating unnecessary extras from your checklist. This is really important as it keeps you on track, and helps you avoid leaving things too! @PapaHypeBlog is usually the list creator here, though @DittlesWorld made her own list for the last trip and we were so proud.
• Use Neutral Colors – When you pack all neutral colors for clothing options, it’s easy to have less clothing because you will be able to mix and match clothing items for your daily attire. Neutral colors also help you stay cool when traveling to a warmer location.
• Fold Items – Wadding clothing up to fit into a tight space will counteract what your sole purpose is, to pack more in a smaller space. Taking the time to fold your items and placing them strategically in your bag will allow you to have more space to use. When we leave, we even fold our dirty laundry, to conserve space on the way back.
• Use Versatile Shoes– One of the bulkiest items that you pack, believe it or not, can be shoes. Sometimes we pack dress shoes, sandals, water shoes, hiking boots, sneakers, etc. all for one trip. Shoes can take up a lot of space, and you end up finding out you did not need all of those shoes to begin with. Choose shoes that can play double-duty to the various activities on you are planning. For instance, when we went to Punta Cana, I packed a pair of silver dress sandals that I was able to wear to the beach, then paired with a dress later on for dinner and dancing. I never looked out of place, and the sandals took up very little space.

There are many strategies and methods to packing light when traveling, but we hope these tips give you some insight on creative ways to travel without packing your whole house up. When you take the time to use small luggage your brain automatically gets triggered to pack less and be more strategic in how you pack less within the one carry-on size luggage you have. Packing light is all about letting go, when you learn to let go of the unnecessary items you will start to pack lightly without a second thought every single time.

We recently talked about leaving kids at home while you travel, but what about teenagers? (While the Lopez crew has no teenagers yet, I’ve been the teen left at home when a parent travels so I have some advice). The thought of leaving your teen home alone may have your stomach in knots, but it may be your only feasible option, so what do you do? While most teens can be self-sufficient, they also are at an age where decision-making skills can be iffy and there needs to be some planning involved when it comes to leaving teens home when you travel. Having a plan in place will assist in alleviating your worst parenting fears, while still allowing your teenager some freedom of having the house to themselves.

Start off your mission of leaving teens home when you travel by researching the laws in your state; many states have laws surrounding which age groups are allowed to be home alone on a long term basis. Since every state is different in its mandates of how old they feel a teen should be before allowing them to stay home alone, you will want to be certain to research this heavily so you don’t get a phone call from a police officer while on vacation finding out you are breaking a state law. Once you have determined it’s law abiding to leave your teenager home alone while you travel, move on to the next step in planning.

Write out a list of rules that are clear, concise and discussed with your teen before leaving for vacation. There may be certain friends or no friends at all allowed within the home while you are gone. These instructions must be clearly demonstrated to the teen so that no confusion happens while you are away with unacceptable guests. Make sure to think about any situation that could come up; from fires to pet issues to random strangers knocking on the door as a means to be solid about what your expectations are for your teen while they watch your home.

Enlist a family member or a friend as the teens “go to” contact in case of an emergency or a question they may have while you are away on vacation. Even though your teen will be home alone and ultimately in charge of the household while you are away, they still need a responsible adult to report into. Giving too much freedom while you are on vacation can be disastrous, so discuss which adult they feel comfortable reporting to and leave clear instructions on when they will report in to that adult. Make sure the adult that has been chosen does random drop-ins as well to ensure your teen is following the rules you set forth prior to leaving.

Leave an emergency fund of around $100 in cash for your teen and stock up on all food items before you head out on vacation; this allows your teen to have little reason to leave the home and ensures that emergencies will be covered should one occur. The key to leaving your teen home alone while you travel is to communicate your expectations and guidelines in a clear manner to alleviate any grey area where your teen may try to wiggle in getting away with a little extra while you are gone. If you follow these tips you are sure to have a stress free vacation knowing that your teen has your household under control.

Promo

As the school-year draws to a close, and you begin prepping for your summertime family travel adventures, we wanted to provide you with some resources, information, tips, deals and more with the launch of I Love Family Travel’s The Summer of Family Travel series. There will be posts throughout the summer, all focusing on family travel.

To celebrate the launch, we’ve teamed up with the ILFT crew, Bloggin’ Mamas and a whole bunch of traveling  bloggers, to bring you a #FamilyTravelChat and a huge Giveaway!

#FamilyTravelChat 5/19

Join us on Twitter  Thursday, 5/19/16 at 9p ET as we chat about summer vacation plans and deals, travel gear and more! One random chat participant will win some prizes from AquaVault® and our other sponsors.

Be sure to follow the chat panelists: @ILvFamilyTravel @BlogginMamas @HeLoEnterprises @BBabushka @JenReyneri @sjblahblahblog @CluelessMomma @SarahInTheBurbs @just2sisters2 @ItsFreeAtLast @Playroomreport @LifeWithKathy @traveljenn @seejackierunn @girlrocksosu @acomptonblogs @bottlesbanter @xxplumcrazeexx @localmomscoop @rkthatsjustlife @denisermt @DittlesWorld

To make it nice and easy for you to follow, here’s the link to the twitter list with everyone: https://twitter.com/ILvFamilyTravel/lists/familytravelchatpanelists/members

For more info and to RSVP, please visit bit.ly/summerftcrsvp

And Now For The Giveaway! 5/17-6/7

Does a nice all-inclusive resort stay in sunny Mexico sound good to you? Well, thanks to our sponsor Velas Vallarta, we are giving away a 4 day/ 3 night all-inclusive stay for a family of 4 at their resort in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, valued at $2400!!!!!

Prize: 4 days/3 nights for a family of four in a Family Suite

Accommodations in a 2 Bedroom Family Suite – http://www.velasvallarta.com/suites/rooms.aspx 

All-Inclusive: All-inclusive rates include suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more. http://www.velasvallarta.com/services.aspx

ARV – $2400

This is open to US residents, age 18 and older. Entries must be received by June 7th, 2016 at 11:59pm ET. Sponsor responsible for prize fulfillment. Transportation not included. Refer to rafflecopter for terms & conditions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dis­clo­sure: Blog­gin’ Mamas is being com­pen­sated for man­ag­ing this give­away, but is not respon­si­ble for prize ful­fill­ment or ship­ment, nei­ther are any of the blog­gers involved in this give­away. This give­away is in no way affil­i­ated, endorsed, or asso­ci­ated with Face­book, Twit­ter, Pin­ter­est, Insta­gram, or any other social media out­let.

This post is part of our “The Summer of Family Travel” series. 

Tis the time of year when families all over the world are starting to think about what to do during Summer vacation. The kids will be heading back home after their 180 days of education in the school system, ready to spend some quality time with their family. Either way, one thing holds true, many families enjoy getting out of the house and taking a little vacation every Summer, and here you will find some tips on how to plan a family vacation without losing your mind.

• Research Destination Options with Your Kids – Get the kids involved in the planning stages of your family vacation. Look for family-friendly locations that allow for down time as well as activity time for all applicable age groups. Notice which destinations seem to spark that excitement in your kids’ eyes, and go with it! We love hopping on the computer and sharing pictures & videos of the places we are going to travel to with with the kids. They get super excited and ask lots of questions.
• Pack Plenty of Food and Drinks – Kids eat and drink a lot, so planning a family vacation with kids can become quite expensive if you don’t plan ahead in the food and drink department. Allow your kids to choose some snacks as well as drink options to take along, and make sure wherever you plan to stay has a fridge available for storage. We even pack food for long day trips too!
• Discuss Rules and Expectations – This may be a family vacation, but rules and expectations still need to be set. Discuss what your expectations are of the kids while you are away from home. This alleviates the confusion of kids being uncertain of their boundaries while away in a new place. Being detached comes with a bit of freedom, but you need to reign them in or they will be expressing their freedom a bit too much.
• Find Free Events – Most places have free event options available for families to attend during their vacation. Research events and other happenings that are going on where you are planning to stay and create your own family itinerary together with the kids to make the most of your vacation without going broke.
• Rent a Vehicle – To avoid wear and tear on your family vehicle, try to rent a vehicle that is suitable in size for your whole family. This will also help complete the vacation feel by allowing you all to detach from anything connected to your home. Renting a vehicle alleviates the worry of anything happening to your own rig during vacation. We’ve been stuck more than once with our own vehicle, so we almost always rent a car now. (We rent through Expedia as they give more points for car rentals than flights and have some great deals on rentals).

There can be much success in having a family vacation every Summer; all that you need to do is follow these planning tips so that you can fully enjoy this time away from home and reconnecting with your kids.

Being that @PapaHypeBlog and I just took our first real honeymoon, we decided we’d offer up some advice to the future family travelers in our audience; the ones who are just now getting married.

The wedding day has come and gone; now you are finding yourself ready to head out to your honeymoon destination, but did you two fully plan for your traveling experience together as husband and wife? While your honeymoon can be one of the best experiences in your new marriage, if it isn’t planned properly, it may just be a disastrous start. Today we are going to share some fantastic travel tips for newlyweds as a means to inspire your first trip as a married couple to be an absolutely amazing experience.

• Book Your Trip Early – Whether flying, driving or taking a bus, book all portions of your trip early. When booking online you are able to find many travel discounts and it will give you and your partner time to check out what attractions and events are happening during your visit beforehand. There is no point in stressing about the travel details last minute, while you are also trying to plan a wedding to boot.
• Pack Lightly – Now that there are two of you traveling together, luggage shouldn’t be bulked up. Learn to pack lightly so that you don’t have to carry heavy luggage all over the place. Pack enough clothing for the entire trip but communicate ways in which you two can combine clothing into one bag as a means to have less to carry at your destination. @PapaHypeBlog and I only check one bag. Everything else stays in our carry-ons.
• Communicate Interests – This is the best time to get to know your partner, learn what each other envisions this trip being like. Discuss interests that pertain to both of you and work to compromise so that this trip allows you to bond versus argue over who did more of what. Combine interests and make this trip a total boost for the start of your marriage.
• Pre-Select an Itinerary – This goes along with communicating your interests together. Plan an itinerary ahead of time so that there is less time focused on what you will do when traveling and more time spent on enjoying those special events and scenic tours. Create an itinerary and stick to it once at your destination.
• Marriage Certificate – If you are traveling just after marriage, the woman may have to use her maiden name as the documentation of your name change isn’t on any legal documents aside from the marriage certificate. Be sure to bring this certificate in case you need to show proof of marriage for any venues that are dedicated to newlyweds.

Well there you have it, traveling tips for newlyweds meant as a list of suggestions so that you can enjoy your first trip together with much success. The key to traveling as newlyweds is to work on finding ways to strengthen your bond during this trip, work together to plan the trip in a way that suits both of your interests and you may just find out this is your first step towards effective communication and reasonable negotiation’s for future scenarios in your marriage.

Last week we spent an incredible time in Minnesota, especially outdoors, so we were are super excited to assist with sharing the word about National Get Outdoors Day June 11th!

As kids it was easy for us to spend time outdoors – to go barefoot in the grass, play in the mud, explore the wilderness. As we get older we find ourselves struggling to find the time to do the things we once loved. As adults, we may be caught up in our everyday hustle and bustle, but our kids deserve the opportunity to get out and experience the laughter and carefree fun that we once cherished.

Make the time! It is worth it – and nature is much closer than you might think. Every neighborhood has a #Naturehood. DiscoverTheForest.org highlights urban forests and parks. These “naturehoods” are just a short drive away, making it easy for families to unplug from the daily routine and reconnect with nature.

While there are still many people living in rural areas, over 80% of Americans have chosen to move into metropolitan areas with fewer connections than ever to natural areas. But what many people may not realize – there are urban areas that offer many of the same benefits as their more rural counterpart, the national forests. Beyond the swings, slides and clearings, there are trails, trees, wildlife and water just waiting for the urban dweller.

The Ad Council and the US Forest Service will be launching a campaign to motivate families to get out and explore the outdoors. Saturday, June 11^th, is National Get Outdoors Day and we want to encourage everyone to make the time – get up and get outside!

National Get Outdoors Day will include a series of events offering traditional and nontraditional outdoor activities across the nation. Events may include special guests like Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl and free admissions to our national forests so families can experience activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and archery. Just use this simple interactive map tool to search for nearby activities. Or Visit the “Get Your Pass” section of www.everykidinapark.gov, complete an online activity, and download a personalized pass for free entry onto federal lands and waters locations.

Research has shown that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and are more likely to become environmentally conscious in the future. According to campaign research done by Euro RSCG, 88 percent of children today say they like being in nature, and 79 percent wish they could spend more time there.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Engage your senses, spend some quality family time and expand your imagination with some fun outdoor activities. Share your family fun on Instagram using the hashtag #ForestFotog.

And to make things a little more exciting, starting Saturday, June 11^th, and running for several weeks, Discover the Forest will post a creative photo of the forest and ask followers to replicate the photo with their family and participate using #Getoutdoors16. Who doesn’t love a great scavenger hunt?

Disclosure: This is a public service announcement. No compensation is being received for posting it. Heather is being compensated as a Twitter Chat consultant for a twitter chat related to this event. 

Planning to go on a road trip anytime soon? With Summer just starting, many families will hop in their family vehicle in the upcoming weeks and head off towards destination unknown. However, many will neglect to fine tune their vehicle before traveling. The key to maintaining your vehicle is to keep up with the necessities all year round. Sadly, many people forget this important piece of life. With everyone leading busy lives and money being allocated elsewhere, oftentimes the family vehicle is last on the totem pole.

While you may have put off that oil change or tune up for the last year, if you are heading off on a road trip for Summer pleasure, then you must stop and think about the needs your vehicle has prior to piling in the family and hitting the pavement. (We’ve been stranded more than once due to car trouble and it’s no fun).

Tasks to Prepare for that Road Trip:

• Check All Fluids In Your Car – Brake fluid, transmission fluid, oil and antifreeze need to be checked and refilled if low.
• Check Tire Air Pressure – Properly inflated tires will make sure your gas mileage is good; tires that are low on air pressure will suck more gas.
• Change Your Oil – If traveling a long distance in that family vehicle, it won’t hurt to get the oil changed to ensure it’s ready for the long haul.
• Check Tire Wear – Nothing will stink worse than getting a flat. Use a tread gauge or a penny to make sure your tire tread is with at least 1/16” of tread all around.
• Change Air Filter – This is one area that most neglect; make sure your air filter is clear of debris and replace it before the road trip.
• Clean All Windows – Put your family vehicle through the local car wash, at the least, make sure all windows are clean for maximum visibility on the road.

Things to Pack for that Road Trip:

No matter how well you properly maintain your vehicle and prepare to have your vehicle fine-tuned for that road trip, there are precautions you must take in case of an emergency. Here are some things that you should pack for your family road trip:

• A Spare Tire – For the obvious reasons.
• 2 Gallons of Distilled Water – In case antifreeze leaks.
• Portable Jack – In case of a flat tire.
• Battery Charger – In case that battery goes dead.
• Blankets – In case you are stuck on the road overnight.

There you have it, an easy to follow list of items to fine tune your vehicle for traveling. We hope that these tips allow you to fully enjoy your next travel excursion, road trip style!

Thinking about traveling with the family but worried about your pets being home alone? Have no fear, today we are going to help you learn some tips on how to choose a pet sitter so that you can rest easy knowing your pets are well taken care of while your family is off enjoying Summer vacation. (We just went through this experience two weeks ago with Wicket, our pet Bearded Dragon).

Rather than choosing a kennel to have your pets placed in, which can add extra stress to the animal, you could take into consideration hiring a pet sitter. The position of a pet sitter is to arrive to your home and tend to the pets in a way that you would on a daily basis, thus alleviating the stress a kennel can bring to your pets while you are away on vacation. It can be quite stressful to pet owners to figure out who to hire when it comes to allowing a stranger within their home, but we hope these tips will guide you to move forward in allowing a pet sitter into your home while you travel.

• Ensure the person or company is fully bonded and insured.
• Check professional references on the person or company.
• Interview the potential pet sitter with pets present, watch their interactions.
• Be sure the pet sitter can accommodate your pet’s daily schedule.
• Be sure there are multiple methods of contact; text, email & phone for example.
• Ask about back-up if the sitter has something come up and can’t make it.
• Find out if they have any professional training or if experienced based.
• Make sure the fees are affordable for your budget.

There are so many families who give up the idea of ever taking a family vacation when summertime hits because they fear no one can tend to their pets in the way they do. With more and more families being able to afford a Summer vacation, the pet sitters industry has opened up to have a wide range of options for every pet and every family.  The key to choosing a pet sitter is to think about how well they are trained to work with your pets, how they can accommodate your pets needs and how much they charge for this service.

Once you have taken the time to get comfortable with the pet sitter of your choice, you can pack up the family to head on and enjoy a Summer vacation with less stress over your pets well-being.

In this day in age, we can find nearly every inch of every travel destination showcased on the internet. There is little mystery and surprise when it comes to traveling these days. While you can view most of your itinerary online, it’s best to not look at everything if you want to experience a little bit of the unknown for yourself while you are planning the surprise for everyone else. When trying to plan the ultimate surprise trip you must do all you can to navigate away from viewing anything that will ruin that element of surprise. Today, we will discuss ways in which you can learn how to plan the ultimate surprise trip either with a loved one or the entire family as a means to create a memorable experience.

Start Planning Early

Depending upon your travel destination, planning early will ensure that you are able to actually have this ultimate surprise trip. Popular destinations fill up fast when summer vacation season is approaching, so try to plan before the peak season hits so you can rest easy knowing your reservations are solid.

Don’t Tell Anyone

Okay so you may have to tell at least one other person as a means to plan the ultimate surprise trip, but don’t tell too many people. Entrust those who you may need to seek for household care, pet care or child care while away but beyond that don’t let anyone spill the beans.

Use a Secret Email Address

In most cases of married couples, each has some level of access to the other person’s accounts. Using a secret email address allows you to maintain the planning of this ultimate surprise trip without having your spouse accidently happen upon travel reservation emails.

Think about Flight Connections

To add an extra level of surprise in this ultimate trip, try to look for connecting flight options that will increase the surprise during your journey to get to your destination. Adding mini-stops in between the destination add an extra shock factor into this ultimate surprise trip.

Use a Prepaid Card

When paying for the reservations of this ultimate surprise trip make use of prepaid credit cards as a means to avoid having your spouse see the bank statement and wonder why you are making such purchases.  Using a prepaid card also reduces the risk of credit card info being stolen.

Be Creative in Packing

Get creative in how you tell your family to pack for this ultimate surprise trip. Try not to give away too many details when instructing the best items to pack. If you aren’t good at getting creative, you may just pack your family’s bags yourself to keep from giving away the big surprise.

There you have it, a few tips on how to plan the ultimate surprise trip. Be it an anniversary, family or other special event you are planning this surprise for; you will survive keeping the secret while planning this trip if you follow the tips listed above.

I took the passion test once and learned I had four passions in life. Two of them were to spend time with my family and travel the world. 

Well, it took three years from that point for me to actually get my very first passport. And of course, I took my family to get theirs too! I’ve always traveled with my family, but our trips up to then were limited to Florida. Getting that passport opened up a world of possibilities for us. ……….

[Read the rest of my post by clicking here]

Make sure you click over to Wordtraveling.com and Cast your “Vote for Travel’ by entering the awesome $1500 vacation giveaway to the incredible Beaches of Ft. Myers/ Sanibel and to read more posts from other bloggers and family travel experts in our third annual series!

No purchase or real voting necessary!

*Terms and prize details can be found at WordTraveling

Click the image below to read the rest of my post and ENTER TO WIN:

Think ahead of time when it comes to home safety tips for your summer vacation. Whether you are going for an all day trip or leaving for a longer period of time this summer, you will need to think about home safety. We know that you already have a long to-do list to get completed prior to leaving, but you may want to take these tips into consideration as well before you head out on your vacation this year.

• Trick Potential Intruders – Make it appear as if someone is home while you are away with cardboard shadow people behind curtains, movement and lights on if gone at night. This helps deter a burglar from targeting your home. We always leave some lights on in our house and we have motion detector lights as well.
• Hold Your Mail – Mail piled up in the mailbox will be a sure sign to someone who is trying to see if your home is vacant. Have the post office hold your mail while you are on summer vacation or have a neighbor pick your mail up for you. (Since we blog, we always get tons of mail/ packages when we are on trips and vacation holds help ensure they don’t disappear either).
• Use Your Neighborhood – Ask if a neighbor can stop by to keep an eye on your property every so often. Having someone frequently going in and out of the home, as well as someone to keep a watchful eye for intruders, can help limit your risk of intrusion. Even if they won’t commit to stopping at your house, at least locate a neighbor with a neighborhood watch sticker and notify them. People with the sticker tend to keep an eye out for possible intruders. (We’re fortunate enough to have two policemen in our cul-de-sac, so their police cars are parked there at night).
• Refrain From Social Media Overshare – Try not to share too much about being away from home on your social media accounts. While you may be connected to people you know, there’s no guarantee that anything online is safe from strangers. (Since we are travel bloggers, this can be a bit difficult for us. People expect for us to be away from home. Having the police nearby helps, but we also enlist our family members to stop by).
• Remove Your Spare Key – While you may feel safe leaving a spare key somewhere hidden for a neighbor to have access to your home, don’t leave a spare key anywhere. Instead give someone a spare key directly so that no one can accidentally find that hidden spare key.

We know that you have a busy summer vacation plan, but you won’t regret taking a little bit of extra time to safe-guard your home. There are many ways people safe-guard their home when away for a long period of time. Confide in people you trust and work together to ensure your home is ready to trick intruders into thinking someone is home. The biggest key to ensuring your home is safe during summer vacation is to not share too much info about you being away from home on social media accounts. (Inform your teenagers of this too)!

Guestpost by Catherine Olen, author of The Great Disneyland Scavenger Hunt

As an annual pass holder for over twenty-five years, I have observed thousands of guests coming through the gates of Disneyland. I’ve watched as guests enjoyed the many attractions and shows, but so often they miss the hidden Disneyland; the Disneyland Walt put his heart and soul into creating.

Part of my inspiration for writing The Great Disneyland Scavenger Hunt was to share some of these hidden treasures with visitors to this magical place. Here you will find just a few of the many wonders you will discover while exploring the varied lands with your own copy of my book.

1. Take a ride of the Lillie Belle – Go to the Main Street train station and request a ticket to ride on the Lillie Belle, the caboose decorated by Lillian Disney with crushed velvet furnishings and crystal lamps. Take a look at the Disney family album and sign the guest books as a permanent recording of your ride as a Disneyland Railroad VIP.
2. Get a private birthday greeting from Mickey Mouse – Go to City Hall on Main Street U.S.A. and get a personal phone call from Mickey Mouse himself. Imagine the look on your child’s face when he or she hears Mickey say, “Happy Birthday” to them. While you’re there, be sure to get your personalized birthday button as a keepsake of your special day.
3. Visit the wall Walt used to design Disneyland – As you stroll down Main Street U.S.A. take a moment to visit the wall outside the locker area. Notice anything unusual? This wall is made with three different kinds of brick. Walt Disney used this wall as a template to tell the builders which type of brick he wanted in the various areas throughout the park. It sits quietly as a testimony to Walt’s methodical design of this magic kingdom.
4. Disneyland offers alternatives for guests with special needs – Did you know there is a special room within Sleeping Beauty Castle for guests unable to climb the stairs within the castle? This room offers video of the attraction for those needing special assistance. In addition, many of the attractions have special cars that will fit a wheel chair so smaller guests can stay comfortable while experiencing the rides.
5. Ask for your map of The Jungle Cruise attraction – At the end of your Jungle Cruise adventure, see a cast member to receive your free map of the attraction as a souvenir of surviving this harrowing trip down the rivers of the jungle.

These tips and many many more are waiting for your next visit to Disneyland with The Great Disneyland Scavenger Hunt to help you along your way.

About Catherine Olen:

Catherine Olen has enjoyed a love affair with the magic of the Disney theme parks for as long as she can remember, counting herself among Disneyland pass-holders for the last twenty-five years. Previously, Olen owned and operated Hollywood Grave Hunter and is the proud author of The Final Curtain: Celebrity Deaths and The Upside of Undertaking, chronicling her previous career experiences. She has been a correspondent to Entertainment Tonight (US and France), The Biography Channel, Reelz Network, and the Mark & Brian radio show. Catherine currently resides in Orange, CA

Save The Date: Tuesday, July 19th at 9pm ET for our next #FamilyTravelChat

Join I Love Family Travel and Blog­gin Mamas as we host the next #FamilyTravelChat on Tuesday, 7–19–16 at 9p EST/6pm PST! We’ll be chat­ting about luxury family travel in NYC.

Date: Tuesday, July 19th, 2016
Time: 9p EST / 6p PST
Hash­tag: #FamilyTravelChat
Pre­sented by: @ILvFamilyTravel and @BlogginMamas
Fea­tur­ing: @SagoHotel @QandAHotel @RSHotel @TheBenjaminNYC @nuhotel @HotelElyseeNYC  @HotelGiraffe @KarenNeuburger
Mod­er­a­tor: @HeLoEnterprises
Co-Hosts: @JenReyneri, more TBA
Pan­elist: TBA

About I Love Family Travel

I Love Fam­ily Travel was started by Blog­gin’ Mamas founder Heather Lopez, to doc­u­ment her fam­i­lies trav­els and offer resources, infor­ma­tion, deals and more to those fam­i­lies seek­ing to travel too! We plan to host a mon­thy #Fam­i­ly­Trav­elChat focus­ing on dif­fer­ent themes. This month we will focus on sum­mer fam­ily travel.

Media Partner:

Featured Hotels:

Tweet­share:

Coming soon!

Dur­ing the Twit­ter Chat, one (1) winner will have a chance to win some luxury sleepwear from Karen Neuberger. Win­ner will be selected at ran­dom from all eli­gi­ble entries.

Grand Prize
One (1) Prize Package, including sleepwear from Karen Neuburger. (TBA)

RSVP Below!!

Terms and Con­di­tions

When faced with the idea of flying with kids or staying home, most parents will choose the latter. You don’t want them to be that cranky, whiney kid that everyone secretly loathes while flying. But by cutting off this mode of transportation, just because there our kids involved, you are limiting their ability to see different parts of the world. The Lopez Crew has become quite adept at flying with kids. We’ve encountered many different scenarios that sound disastrous, but we’ve managed to survive them and we have some tips for you.

• Start Flying When They Are Young – The best way to survive flying with kids is to start them early on in life, so that flying with their parents is just a matter of fact. When kids grow up knowing that plane travel is a part of life, they are less likely to have issues. Dittles & Papo started flying around 4-5, and now three years later, they are pros. If that hasn’t happened, and your kids are a bit older now, then we have another tip for you.
• Communicate What to Expect – If your kids are old enough, then discuss how this trip will go down. Get them used to what to expect when flying. Explain the complete process from beginning to end. You could even go as far as to create a little index card that has a few rules for them to look at when you feel they are heading downhill during the flight. Or if they can’t read yet, you can draw pictures of each part of the process and pull them out as each segment is happening.
• Pack a Plane Survival Kit – Kids are usually allowed to have their own personal item aboard, so long as it fits under the seat in front of them. Our kids have small backpacks that we use to pack their plane survival kits. In there, we pack their tablets, coloring books, a favorite small toy, small snacks (when permitted),  headphones, and a blanky. We also have neck pillows they can wear on their necks through security. If possible, let your kids select what goes in their kit. When they have a choice in the matter, they will be more inclined to cooperate.
• Take a Walk During Flight – If you want to avoid your kid running around as they get antsy, take a walk up and down the plane when possible. This is a proactive way to keep the wiggles at bay, before they explode, and allows you to get some exercise while flying on a plane with kids. A good excuse for getting up is taking them to the bathroom. Make sure they actually use it too! (We’ve had a little accident when one of our kids needed to go, but the flight attendants would not let us get up as the plane was preparing to land).
• Respect & Patience – While you may be a little late in teaching your kids these skills, we hope you have worked to instill a medium level of both respect for others and patience when the kids aren’t getting their way. Reaffirming respect and patience will help your kids to better behave when on a flight. Prior to the flight, you can even role-play some scenarios that they might encounter, and how to behave in each situation. Simply telling them is usually not enough. They need to understand what is considered good behavior, and poor behavior as well.

Remember to practice patience, respect, bring distractions, have open communication about what to expect and then be proactive when in flight as a means to curb those wiggles. We hope that these five tips to flying with kids will minimize the negative effects being on a plane can have on kids, parents and passengers.

For most of us, grabbing our gear and running out to the car and heading to appointments, play dates, work and daycare are a regular every day thing. When we have little ones, we put them in their car seat and buckle them up without a second thought to whether or not they are in the right seat. We trust that they are safe – and we go on our way.

Unfortunately, that may not be the case. Every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States! Car seats, if used correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury. But over half of car seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness and 1 in 3 children killed in car crashes are completely unrestrained at the time of the crash.

Can you imagine? Thinking that your child is in the right car seat, only to find out that they aren’t!

So what do you choose? Infant, convertible, or booster seat? Finding the right car seat and installing it correctly is no easy task. Then there’s the question of when to transition your child to another type of car seat.

Step 1 -> Find the right car seat based on:

• Car Seat Types
  Learn about the four types of car seats.
• Age & Size Recommendations (from birth to age 13)
  Follow these recommendations for selecting a car seat based on your child’s age and size.
• Find a Car Seat
  Compare car seat makes and models using our Car Seat Finder tool.
• Car Seat Ease-of-Use Ratings
  Evaluate car seat features using our car seat ease-of-use ratings.

Step 2 -> Install your car seat correctly

• Follow these car seat installation tips to keep your child safe.

Step 3 -> Register your car seat

• Don’t delay—register your car seat today to receive car seat and booster seat recall notices.

Step 4 -> Get recall notifications on your car seat

• Sign up to receive e-mail alerts about car seat and booster seat recalls from NHTSA.

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old. Many times deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. By working with the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) we hope to get out a message that will educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes and help save lives.

Get this message out to your friends and family!

• Twitter – Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit Safercar.gov/TheRightSeat and make sure your child is riding safely. #therightseat.

Facebook – Storks know how to keep kids safe. Do you? Visit safercar.gov/therightseat to know for sure that your child is in the right seat for their age and size. #STORKS #TheRightSeat

For 72 years, Smokey Bear has been in our homes and in our schools reminding us that WE can and should prevent forest fires.

It is the time of year when families are out and about, going on hikes, taking summer camping trips, and just all around enjoying the nature around us. But before you head out on your journey to get away from civilization and relish that invaluable time with your kids, please remember how important it is to take care of the fragile nature you are about to enjoy.

We all know the regular things that start fires – the ones we have learned about for years. But – there are SO many things that can start a fire that most people do not even know about!

The Ad Council, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), have launched a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) that aim to help prevent wildfires nationwide by increasing awareness about less commonly known fire starts.

Did you know? A wildfire can start due to the following:

• Metal chains hanging from a moving vehicle
• Parking over tall, dry grass
• Improperly extinguished fire pit
• Dumping ashes from a BBQ/grill
• Dying embers left in a campfire

Millions of wildland acres will burn unintentionally this year. Much of it because most people are unaware of many things that can actually start a wild fire – things that most people would never think of.

When camping, take care when using and fueling lanterns, stoves, and heaters. Make sure lighting and heating devices are cool before refueling. Avoid spilling flammable liquids and store fuel away from appliances.

Do not discard cigarettes, matches, and smoking materials from moving vehicles, or anywhere on park grounds. Be certain to completely extinguish cigarettes before disposing of them.

Follow local ordinances when burning yard waste. Avoid backyard burning in windy conditions, and keep a shovel, water, and fire retardant nearby to keep fires in check. Remove all flammables from yard when burning.

Although most of us don’t behave this way intentionally, each year we learn of devastating wildfires caused by careless behavior which can impact millions of acres of forest and thousands of homes. Although four out of five wildfires are started by people, nature is usually more than happy to help fan the flames.

Right now, California and Colorado are being devastated by wild fires! Please – get the word out and remind your friends and family! Share this message, your own camping tips, and fire prevention methods on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #SmokeyBearHug and #OnlyYou! And if you tag @smokey_bear on Twitter – he may just tweet you back!

Don’t guess when it comes to which seat your child should be in right now. So what do you choose? Infant, convertible, or booster seat? Finding the right car seat and installing it correctly is no easy task. Then there’s the question of when to transition your child to another type of car seat. Following these steps will help you find the right car seat based on car seat type, age and size recommendations, and will show you how to install your car seat the correct way.

It is Child Passenger Safety Week! Let’s Spread the word and tell parents and caregivers to visit SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat (or SaferCar.gov/Protegidos for Spanish-language information) to determine if their child is in the right seat for his or her age and size and to locate a car seat check station in their area. Also – Don’t register each child’s car seat with the manufacturer so as to be informed in the event of a recall.

A car seat is no doubt one of the most important purchases will ever make for your child! But it isn’t just that first purchase that matters the most. As your child gets older and while they are growing, you will need to change not only the direction that the car seat faces and how they sit in it – at some point you will have to upgrade to an entirely different seat.

While you can customize the look and feel of a car seat, there are three basic types of car seats to choose from. But even having the right seat doesn’t mean you are completely safe. You also need to ensure that the seat is installed properly!:

• Installation Resources:If a car seat is not installed correctly, your child’s safety could be in danger. Every car seat has different installation instructions. You can find resources and tips here to help you get “the right fit” on your car seats: http://www.safercar.gov/parents/RightFit.htm
• Free Car Seat Checks:During Child Passenger Safety Week, there will be more than 600 events in 45 states across the country, where certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect car seats and show parents and caregivers how to correctly install and use them. In most cases, this service is free of charge. Locate a car seat check event here: http://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old. Many times deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. By working with the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) we hope to get out a message that will educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes and help save lives.

Get this message out to your friends and family!

• Twitter – Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit Safercar.gov/TheRightSeat and make sure your child is riding safely. #therightseat.#

• Facebook – Storks know how to keep kids safe. Do you? Visit safercar.gov/therightseat to know for sure that your child is in the right seat for their age and size. #STORKS #TheRightSeat

Travel apps can certainly be a huge saver when you are traveling around the world or even in your own backyard. Times today have changed, with smartphones and the ability to download travel apps that save you cash, it’s no wonder more families are hopping in that car and hitting the road! Today we want to share the best travel apps to save you cash so you can start traveling with the family on a budget, without stressing!

Skyscanner App

This app is great for planning flights. It can show you the costs by month, day and broken down by different airlines. Plus, you can then go into Expedia through it to get the best possible prices on flights.

Expedia App

Expedia has a best price guarantee, and will even refund money to you if a better price shows up. Plus, it has a points reward program that you can use to get money back and additional benefits and savings. Plus, the app comes with an initial bonus when you use the app for the first time.

Meal Ticket App

With this app that is available on iPhone, you are able to get deals and read reviews on places to eat. We all need to have food when traveling around the world or in our local area. Meal Ticket helps to ensure you save the most cash on food while ensuring you only visit the best reviewed restaurants in the area you are traveling to.

GasBuddy App

Regardless of how you plan to travel to your destination, gas will come into play. This means having gas to get to and from an airport or train station as well as gas if you plan to truck the whole trip in your vehicle. GasBuddy is an app that will help save you cash on gas prices, download this app to find the cheapest gas station wherever you are at.

Hotel Tonight App

This is the perfect app if you can remain patient in finding hotel accommodations. Hotel Tonight has last minute deals on hotel rooms that were not booked for that evening. Since hotels want to fill their rooms to the max capacity possible, tapping into those last minute booking deals will allow your family to stay in a hotel while traveling at a much lower cost.

BestParking App

Traveling outside of your regular hometown may require an additional parking fee depending upon the location. Use the BestParking app to find deals on parking garages and help guide you towards the best places to park. This app is designed to make sure you don’t get ripped off with high cost parking garage costs when in an unfamiliar city.

Yelp App

Last but certainly not least, the Yelp app will help give you feedback on locations for the city or town you are visiting. Be it a road trip, stop along the route or your destination, Yelp offers reviews and feedback for a wide range of things like restaurants, entertainment and accommodations. Learn to make Yelp your best friend as a means to save the most cash and have the best time ever while traveling.

You may be thinking about traveling cross country with your loyal dog, but aren’t quite sure how to handle traveling so far with a dog in tow. It isn’t as easy as tossing the dog in the back and just taking off; there are a few steps involved to ensure your dog is taken care of and able to handle the long road trip by your side.

First, be sure to check the weather in all areas that you are traveling through. You will want to make sure that you are traveling cross country with your dog in a vehicle that has air conditioning, because dogs can overheat quickly, especially on a long trip. Have your vehicle tuned and maintenance before heading off on a road trip with your dog so that all parts of your vehicle are in working order.

There will be a need to ensure you have all of the proper supplies for your dog while traveling cross country. Some supplies that are necessary as a means to survive this trip are leashes, water and food bowls, proper collar and blankets, snacks and food. While your dog may not wish to eat while on the road, you will need to stop every so often to be sure they stick with their daily food routine so as to not stress your pet dog out. You may also opt to bring along some form of plastic bags to collect the dog feces after they poop while traveling cross country.

During your travel cross country with your dog you may wish to find hotel accommodations so that you and your pet can stay overnight for a restful night before returning to drive further on the road trip. Prior to leaving your home, be certain to check hotels, motels and cabins along your route that are pet-friendly to ensure there are options and prepare to pay a pet deposit fee at most locations. It is going to be important that you break every so often to allow your dog to go pee and have a break from the cramped up riding in your vehicle.

While many dog owners will just opt to find a pet sitter while they travel cross country, we know there are many of you who wouldn’t dream of leaving your furry friend behind. We hope that these tips and suggestions will allow you to enjoy a cross country road trip with your dog soon!

Herein lies the problem with traveling: how to eat healthy while out of your comfort zone. Many people neglect their healthy eating habits when on the road traveling for pleasure or business and it’s not okay. This can wreak havoc on your body if you are traveling for long periods of time. Today we want to share tips on how you can eat healthy while traveling, without going broke or suffering during the process.

Make sure Accommodations have a Mini-Fridge

If you are truly dedicated to eating healthy while traveling, then you will want to confirm that the accommodations you have chosen will have a mini-fridge available to you. This allows you to bring and store your own healthy food options. When you are able to quickly access food in the room you are staying at, travel and healthy eating go hand in hand.  This will keep you from buying junk food on the go or worse yet, fast food dinner options.

Eat Every 2-3 Hours

We are not talking about eating a full meal every 2-3 hours; we are suggesting that you have a handful of nuts or seeds every 2-3 hours to keep your belly full. Getting yourself in the habit of eating a small, healthy snack while traveling will fully encourage you to stay on track with healthy eating habits when away from home. There are many healthy snack options that suit this method such as dried fruit, trail mix and almonds. Each of these healthy snack options will keep you from grabbing that junk food snack while out and about.

Add Protein to your Coffee

Consider adding vanilla whey protein powder to your coffee while traveling. This will help keep the food cravings down while giving you that super boost of energy. Protein is a great way to ensure your belly stays full for longer and encourages you to eat less while on the go traveling. You could even add protein to other options throughout the day just be certain not to overdo it.

Allow Yourself One Cheat

You are traveling to enjoy life or get business done; whatever reason you are out there travelling there is no reason to be super strict with yourself. Allow one cheat per day while traveling so that you feel a little bit better about having extra fun when away from home. When we fight our small craving for a little junk, we tend to want that junk more. Allowing yourself one cheat will work to curb that “wanting what we can’t have” desire.

While there are many small adjustments to make while traveling as a means to keep healthy, we hope these tips provide you with a starting point to ensure you stay healthy while traveling.