Head to the Beach: May Special at Gulf Shores Plantation!

April 23, 2013 By Sippy Cup Mom 38 Comments

The beach. What is better than family fun, toes in the sand and the gorgeous ocean staring back at you? Our family loves to travel and we first brought my son to the beach back in 2010 when we visited Gulf Shores, Alabama. We’ve been to a few different beaches but we keep on coming back to Gulf Shores for so many reasons. We live in the Midwest so it’s not that far of a drive for us. It’s family-friendly, which is so important to us. The beaches and the water are absolutely gorgeous and there’s so much to do, too!

We are so excited to be heading back to Gulf Shores this summer – this time we will be introducing our twin girls to the beach! Since we are traveling as a bigger family of five now, we look for places that have amenities that you would find at home.

The perfect place to stay if you’re headed to Gulf Shores? Gulf Shores Plantation!

We visited Gulf Shores Plantation back in 2010 and had an absolute blast. Gulf Shores Plantation is located on Fort Morgan Peninsula and features thousands of feet of uncrowded beach.

At the fully-furnished condos at Gulf Shores Plantation, you’ll find all the comforts of home. For fun, there’s 6 outdoor pools, 1 indoor pool, tennis, basketball and shuffleboard courts and of course, the beach!

Great Savings at Gulf Shores Plantation

If you’re looking to getaway next month and have some fun, Gulf Shores Plantation is the place to go – and they have a fantastic sale that you must take advantage of!

Whether you’re looking to have a quick weekend getaway or a fun family trip, you’ll save big! Book your trip for 3 nights or more though May 16 and take advantage of these great deals!

$99/night -     All 1 Bedroom Condos
$129/night -    Plantation East & West 2 Bedroom Condos
$139/night -    Plantation Dune 2 Bedroom Condos
$149/night -    Plantation Palms 2 Bedroom Condos

To reserve your condo at these amazingly low rates, call us at (800) 304-9417.

*3 night minimum stay required. Not valid with any other offers or previously booked reservations. Certain rental restrictions may apply. Taxes and fees apply. Discount valid on above indicated units only. Deposit required. Valid on stays April 4 through May 17, 2013.

If you can’t get there next month, make sure to check out the other specials that Gulf Shores Plantation has to offer!

When is your favorite time to head to the beach?

Disclosure: Accommodations are being provided complimentary by Gulf Shores Plantation but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores Plantation, Sippy Cup Travels

Guest Post: Family Vacations on the Gulf Coast

February 16, 2013 By Sippy Cup Mom 16 Comments

Are you trying to plan your next family vacation and don’t know where to start? Are you looking to take your family somewhere new that the kids will not only remember, but enjoy? The answer could be right under your nose! Often overlooked by many, the Mississippi Gulf Coast has remained one of America’s hidden gems for years. Located between Louisiana and Florida, the Mississippi Gulf Coast harbors a subtropical climate with temperatures rarely dropping below 60 degrees during the coldest months of the year. Whether you’re looking for a once in a lifetime fishing trip, a luxurious resort experience, world class golf, or some good ole family fun, the Mississippi Gulf has affordable family vacations for people from all walks of life.

With 26 miles of white sandy beach, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is bound to have something fun for everyone in the family! For Mom, how does a much needed day at the spa or full body, deep tissue massage sound? You must not forget the numerous amounts of fine dining restaurants in the region either. For Dad, how does a full day of action packed salt water fishing sit with you? Are you trying to show off your talents on the golf course? Then check out one of the many world class golf courses on the Mississippi “Golf” Coast! If you’re feeling like more of an outdoor adventure, then perhaps you should look into exploring the Gulf Barrier Islands or go surfing or kayaking in the warm rich waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Bringing the whole family and worried about the budget! No need to stress! The Mississippi Gulf Coast has attractions such as the Gulf Islands Water Park and numerous Eco Reserves that are not only kid/family friend, but are friendly on your wallet as well! Not to mention that many restaurants always have specials on great local food and drinks. So whether you’re booking a weekend getaway or a trip of a lifetime, you should seriously consider the Mississippi and experience one or multiple Gulf Coast vacations that you have been missing out on!

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Sippy Cup Travels

Top 10: Travel Books for Kids

October 27, 2012 By Sippy Cup Mom 17 Comments

Every parent knows how important it is to keep the kids entertained in the car, and although there are a number of hi-tech gadgets on the market designed to keep them occupied, nothing beats a good old-fashioned book. Here, Izzy from UK-based company, PassSmart, has created a top 10 list of the very best kids books on the market, to help make your journey a little easier.

National Geographic Kids Word Atlas

What better way to get the kids interested in your trip than with their very own atlas? With detailed maps and colorful pictures to engage and inspire them, they can follow your route and learn about local culture. Suitable for middle-grade students, this book could inspire any young explorer, and – on top of that – will prove very helpful when it comes to homework.

Bimbaum’s Walt Disney World for Kids 2013

This is one for the littler ones. Kids of ages 1 and up can explore the magic of Walt Disney World before they go. It will show them all about the child-friendly rides and attractions, as well as introduce them to some of their favorite Walt Disney friends. Not only will this book develop their reading skills, but the colorful Walt Disney illustrations are sure to keep them entertained in the back. Tip: you should only buy this one if you’ve got a trip to Walt Disney planned, as you’ll never hear the end of it otherwise!

The Everything Kids’ Travel Activity Book

This book does exactly what it says on the tin: everything. Full of activities, such as word searches, puzzles, and other games, it really does have it all. There is even a section on healthy snacks to pack, and ‘what to pack for fun’. There are a number of games specifically tailored to road travel, such as the ‘passing on the left’ game, which asks the kids to count the number of cars that you pass in one hour. The Everything Kids’ Travel Book has so many activities in, and the kids can do them alone or with others, so it’s also a great way of teaching them how to share!

Dr. Seuss’s Beginner Book Collection

A collection of five Dr. Seuss classics, this beginner book collection has The Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (try saying that quickly!), Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, and Fox in Socks in it. Ideal for young readers aged 5 and above, the Dr. Seuss stories are timeless classics which the whole family can enjoy.

Ultimate Sticker Puzzles: License Plates Across the States

If you’re traveling through states, the License Plates Across the States game is a great way to keep the kids interested in the journey. As they match more and more states with the correct license plates, their enthusiasm for your journey will grow as their maps fills up. This activity book is full of word and travel games which will keep them entertained the whole way. You never know, you might even find yourself looking out for the missing plates!

Kids Trip Diary

Suitable for kids aged 7 and up, the Kids Trip Diary allows them to record their own thoughts and adventures for every day of your trip. They’ll be excited about seeing and experiencing new things, as they put it into text at the end of each day. The book also contains puzzles to complete and text to help them know what to look out for. There’s even a keepsake section for all the tickets and souvenirs which they collect along the way.

Are We There Yet?

It’s a question that we’re all used to hearing, but with this activity book, is hopefully something you’ll hear less during your long car journey. Complete with coloring games, mazes and even car bingo, these books have had great reviews from traveling moms and dads. With a section dedicated to ‘when you get there games’, the book doesn’t just provide in-car entertainment, but keeps them occupied once you get to your destination, too.

TIME for the BIG Book of Why

If your little one is always asking, “but why?”, then this book is exactly what you need. Providing the answers to 1,001 facts that kids want to know, they’ll be experts in just about everything once they’re done reading this. This book is fantastic for any curious youngsters looking for an answer that – most of the time – we just don’t have. It’s colorful, educational and, most importantly of all, interesting. Why exactly do we have eyebrows? You’ll have to get the book to find out!

The Never-Bored Kid Book

The Never Bored Kid Book series is available for different age ranges. This book allows your child to show their creative side by taking part in fun activities that can be done alone or with others. Whilst many of the more hands on activities require items such as scissors, glue and sticky tape, and can’t be done in the car, there are also a range of car-friendly games. Save the rest for when you get home, and this book will provide the perfect accompaniment to a rainy day.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

No top ten of children’s books is complete without this gem. A tale which kids of all ages will love, the hungry caterpillar is a colorful classic which comes in all sorts of editions. From The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Finger Puppet Book, to My Very Own Hungry Caterpillar Coloring Book, the hungry caterpillar makes for a great travel companion. There is also a Giant hardcover edition which is a little on the pricey side, but would make for a great gift for any new mommy.

This guest post was written for Sippy Cup Mom by Izzy Guarella from PassSmart.com; the UK-based service helping learner drivers get on the road.

Filed Under: Books, Guest Posts, Sippy Cup Travels

Planning a Disneyland trip? Check out the Red Lion Hotel Anaheim!

October 2, 2012 By Natalie 14 Comments

Both my family and I are so excited to tell you about our stay at the Red Lion Hotel Anaheim! Want to know some of the things we are looking forward to? There are so many, but here is a short lineup of our top favorites!

The Red Lion is only one block from Disneyland! Short enough to be an easy walk! And because we have a child under age two, sometimes the days are just too long and it’s so important for her to take at least a quick nap. One block away means it’s easy to make this happen and suddenly the late afternoons and evenings go so much easier!

In addition to a small microwave and fridge in the room, Red’s Pasta Kitchen is right IN the hotel! The website says it’s a casual, comfortable dining experience for the whole family. My family loves pasta-it’s one thing we all agree on and don’t have to coax them into eating. Can’t wait to try it!

The have a lovely outdoor pool! And right now, it’s 100 degrees in the beginning of October, so how nice would that be to take a dip after a day of playing? On Friday and Saturday nights they have ‘smores! Yes, ‘SMORES by the pool! Another fantastic looking family gathering place is the outdoor fire pits!

The Red Lion Hotel Anaheim offers rooms with a view of the Disneyland fireworks! You can enjoy the show from the comfort of your own room! I can’t wait to see if this is really what our view will look like:

I can’t wait to share it all with you!You can count on lots of pictures and be sure to follow us on Twitter for instant updates!I want to know: has your family been to Disneyland? What were the most important amenities, in your opinion, when traveling with children?Disclosure: We are being provided with accommodations for review purposes only. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Natalie, Red Lion Anaheim, Sippy Cup Travels

Turtle Talk With Crush at Disney California Adventure #DisneyInHomeBloggers

September 14, 2012 By Ashley 11 Comments

One of my favorite places in Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort is the Disney Animation Building. It’s a hidden gem, especially on a hot day or when you just want to decompress for a little bit. The Disney Animation Building is filled with some great, interactive exhibits, including the Animation Academy (where you can learn to draw Disney characters), the Sorcerer’s Workshop (my favorite room in the Workshop is Beast’s Library where you can discover which Disney character you’re most like. I always get Tinker Bell), and the Animation Courtyard (an amazing place to sit and watch the projections and enjoy a little quiet). The projections in the Courtyard constantly change and show the evolution of several Disney films from first sketches to final animation. It is definitely worth sitting down and watching the entire sequence of clips.

The main focus of our Disney Animation Building tour was Turtle Talk With Crush, an interactive show staring none other than the Disney*Pixar Finding Nemo star, Crush the sea turtle. Guests sit in the “human tank” and get to ask Crush anything and everything they can think up. We’ve visited Crush in his East Coast tank at Walt Disney World and we’ve definitely heard a wide range of questions from “How many kids do you have?” to “What does a turtle smell like?” (that one got lots of laughs). Crush also loves to learn about humans so he can relay the info back to his youngest offspring, Squirt.

Well, when you put a bunch of bloggers together in one room with a microphone at our disposal, you know we’re going to ask lots of questions! Being the uber Crush fan I am, I just had to jump at the chance to ask him a question. Whenever you ask Crush a something, he gives you an awesome sea turtle name. I am now known as “A-Frame Ashley”. I kinda dig it. I asked Crush if they still celebrated birthdays after 150 years. His response? ”Sometimes, dude. Sometimes we forget, but we do totally love celebrating turtle hatch days. My father, Mr. Turtle, is close to 200 years old, dude.”

Crush likes to teach guests all about the life of a sea turtle, too. For example, we learned sea turtles can go around fifteen minutes without going to the surface for air. If they need to sleep, they can lower their heart rates and stay under for up to five hours. How cool is that, dude? They also get their green color from all of the green sea kelp they eat on the ocean floor. I had no idea! He can even name all of his little turtle offspring, but I’d fill up an entire blog post trying to write them all down for you.

Turtle Talk With Crush is a totally awesome experience. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly Crush comes up with the answers to questions and you’ll definitely laugh a lot. If you’re at Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort or Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort, make sure you stop by and say hello to Crush. He so totally rocks!

Catch Crush in Finding Nemo 3D, in theaters today!

I attended the #DisneyInHomeBloggers event on behalf of SippyCupMom.com. Disney provided my transportation, accommodations and other incidentals in exchange for coverage of the events. While talking points were suggested, all thoughts are my own. All photos are property of Disney, unless otherwise indicated by watermark.

Filed Under: Ashley, Disney, Sippy Cup Travels