The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

A Harry Potter theme park

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Need I say more????

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Check out everything the park has to offer here!

This fall is a going to be a great time to take your kids down to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans two theme parks and allows patrons to enjoy many of the aspects we love in the movie series like:

* riding the train at Hogsmeade Station

* wondering Diagon Alley
* drinking Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice
* ride the thrilling, high speed roller coaster called Dragon Challenge

My questions for you are:
"Do going to parks like this create a bit of anxiety for you?  Do you know how to make the most of your time there?"

...Attention Parents - A word to the wise...
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley - is located in Universal Studios
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade - is located next door at Universal Islands of Adventure
This means you will have to buy admission tickets to both theme parks to experience ALL of the excitement.
You can purchase a park-to-park admission ticket or annual pass and that will allow you to access both parks AND Hogwarts Express.  
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Now, take note of these tips on how to survive the lines, crowds and navigation issues of theme parks to make your experience as magical as ever!

1. If you stay at a hotel that is one-site then you will have access to the theme park one hour before they open!  Or you can book a vacation rental from United Military Travel and stay in a luxury home where you have access to your own pool, kitchen etc. 
2. Download the Universal Orlando Wait Time app so you can pick and choose what rides to ride and when.  

3. The parks offers a room called "baby swap" where the parents can take turns watching small children but still getting to enjoy the attraction.  One parent rides then the next - without having to get separated.  
4. To avoid the scalding heat of the day, Diagon Alley was designed to have cooler areas so hit this park later in the day and do Hogsmeade first. 
5. When you decide to go over to Hogsmeade, enter Islands of Adventure and walk right to Seuss Landing.  It is a shorter distance to Harry Potter than going left. 
6. To really take note of all the magic happening around you, make sure you are looking in the store windows and just being aware of your surroundings.  The park has put a lot of thought into the detail, you just have to be aware to look for it.
7.  All around the park are actual pieces from the movies like the Sword of Gryffindor in Filch's Emporium and the talking heads inside Hog's Head Pub.

8.  In the bathroom at Hogsmeade, you can hear the cries and complaints of Moaning Mrytle.
9.  If the entrance to Universal Studios is to long you can try the entrance by Blue Man Group.

10.  If you dial 62442 (magic) from the telephone booth outside of King's Cross, it will connect you to the ministry of magic.
11. If you purchase a wand at Ollivanders they will give you a map that if you put it under a black light it will lead you to places where you can cast spells.

12. In both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade they are special performance all over to look out for.

Call UMT today and book your Universal Studios trip today to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Traveling with young children: the joys, necessities, and the hassles.

"There are no seven wonders in the eyes of a child.    There are seven million." 

~ Walt Streightiff

This is my 3 year old niece enjoying her first sunset in Camp Bay, Africa

Just the thought of traveling with babies and toddlers can be scary and could be enough to stop you from booking your trip.  But who deserves a get away more than you?  With a little knowledge and preparation, your much needed vacation could go over without a hitch! 

 Also, do you think its fair to leave the little ones at home?  They may not have a 9-5 but in their world a break from the norm could work wonders on them too.  As an expecting mommy, all I want in the entire world is to give my little boy the opportunities to see what is around him, past him, expand his horizons and to know the feelings you get from traveling.  Yes, I am terrified of being mid flight at 1am and waking everyone up with a mental break down.  I can see the looks of people now, but is that enough for me to take away all the life lessons and adventures from my child.....heck no!  I would sincerely apologize to the people around me and handle the situation....people will get over it.

I have learned a lot from my older sister, she has taken her daughter Poppy all over the world from the very beginning. 

Poppy in Costa Rica

Now that Poppy is a toddler it seems that the most important aspect of preparation is talking about the trip before leaving.  If you let the anxiety before the trip take over it could end up being worse than the actual traveling itself!  But if you talk about these aspects you can ease the preparation part:  

* Describing where you are going

* For how long

 * How far away it is

 * What you will doing

* How you will get there
*Start a count down
*Buy a world map

* Get them excited

I mean who could resist seeing their child this excited :)

So obviously we know what the hassles are of traveling with kids:

* They are unpredictable... 
Yes, they have a mind of their own but that is why we love them...right??

* More luggage...for the parents to carry...
I highly suggest not checking any luggage, not matter how far you are going and for how long.  It just makes check-in harder and creates more time spent at the airport.  Only bring things that will fit on the plane.

* Another plane ticket to buy
Well, kids fly free until they are two years old so take advantage.

* Finding kid friendly things to do

* Staying on a budget

the list could go on and on....

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And the advantages of traveling with kids...the things that make it all worth it!

* Make memories that last a lifetime!

* You providing your child with experiences they cannot receive at home or in a classroom.

* You get to add the dimensions of your families relationship.

* Learn things abroad that you can bring home and incorporate into your daily life.

* Sculpt well rounded and independent children that will one day do the same for their kids.

Check out this travel blog I follow called YTravelBlog to check out 25 tips on traveling with kids.  They sum it up perfectly!  
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"Two of the greatest gifts we can give our children are roots and wings."
~ Rodding Carter

This is me 20 weeks pregnant in Ecuador - already laying the foundation!

My sweet little niece in the Keys...you will never be able to hold this girl back!

To end this post I would like for you to know also that you are not alone in planning these family vacations.  United Military Travel's travel consultants know all the in's and out's of traveling with kids. Take advantage of their knowledge and do not be shy about asking questions.  That is what they are there for - to insure your vacation is everything you could imagine.  

~ How To Make The Best of Military Life ~

...When Life Separates You - Close The Gaps...

Traveling makes the heart grow fonder

Every person across the globe knows that being a part of a military family is not easy but only a few understand it.  Many families are separated months out of the year...year after year, mommies or daddies miss major milestone events in the children's lives, anniversary celebrations are post-poned, and even holidays are sometimes spent alone.  

Trust me when I say that it doesn't have to be like that.  The one thing that I love the most about traveling through United Military Travel is that when I cannot bear to go one more day not seeing my husband, I can call my favorite travel consultant and book a quick trip to see him.  When I chat with my girlfriends about how they are holding up they always ask me, " Do you think I could afford to take a quick trip to see my loved one?"  Of course they can!  The trips do not have to be outlandish, just a simple plane ticket, maybe a car rental and hotel....and it all comes out to be less than your phone bill for a payment each month.  

I think that Military families are amazing and I admire each and every one of them for being strong enough to endure the separation.  What everyone needs to learn is that they are "loop holes" to take in order to make your life easier.  Most people just settle and accept the fact that you will not see each other for eight months....but why?  Yes, distance makes the heart grow fonder but so does being with each other.  It is always fun to be in a different city, to explore new things, and try fun restaurants.

Traveling is good for the soul and it teaches you many things in the process.  Especially for kids...having your children travel starting at a young age is one of the most important things you can do for them.  And when it is going to see their mom or dad just makes it even better! 

United Military Travel has AMAZING customer reviews - check them out to see for yourself why my family travels with them:

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