Summer Vacation 2021 – Orlando.

We just got back from our family vacation to Orlando and the truth is I need another vacation to recover! Traveling with three kids and an infant is no small feat, so I am definitely giving myself a pat on the back as we are all back home safe and sound. This was our third trip to Disney and will likely be our last for a while, any future trips to Florida and amusement parks will be during cooler months because Florida in the summer is brutal! Now that we live on the east coast, we are excited to explore more of the northeastern states, which are a bit cooler in the summer and have a lot of outdoor activities that we have grown to love (i.e. hiking, biking, canoeing, zip lining, etc.). I will be sure to do a post about my absolute favorite family vacation spot sometime this summer, which never disappoints. There is this saying that when you are traveling with kids it really isn’t a vacation, it’s a trip. And this trip was one that I had already made up in my mind was about my kids having a great time and spending quality time with extended family, and by the end of it all – mission accomplished!

The highlight of this trip was that we were able to reconnect with my husband’s immediate family who joined us from Atlanta, GA as well as my big sister and nephew who flew in from Houston, TX. Spending time with them made the small inconveniences we experienced worth it. I have a few things I want to share which hopefully helps other moms and/or dads who are planning a family trip to Disney and/or Universal Studios (especially during these pandemic era times) a little bit easier.

One of my favorite hotels in Orlando is the Omni Championsgate hotel. It is such a beautiful property and has so much for kids and families to do. They have a lazy river, a wave pool, a golf course, and a Publix grocery store very close to the hotel, just to name a few. We often stay in one of the beautiful villas that has a full kitchen which allows us to save some money and cook a few meals, which I actually enjoy. The best part is that they have always been quite reasonable in price as well. So do you think we stayed there!?! Nope, not this time and that was the biggest mistake EVER. Instead, we stayed at the Hilton Tuscany Village which was a bit of a disappointment. I won’t disparage them but I will simply say that I am big on service and responsiveness, this hotel (in my experience) unfortunately missed the bar in this area. I don’t know about you but for me there are two things that mean a lot when I am traveling, food and accommodations. Of course the crew with whom I am traveling makes a huge impact on the experience but a part from that if the food is good and the hotel/accommodations are nice (with good service), I am one happy camper. So, if you are able to splurge and stay somewhere that provides the amenities that you are looking for that will enhance your families hotel experience and provides great service, go for it. I think the memories made will be well worth it. All that brings me to my first tip.

Book your hotel as early as possible. Everyone has cabin fever and is traveling these days. Places you have normally stayed at are quickly being fully booked. Don’t waver, go for it!
Buy your park tickets early. I bought tickets about three weeks in advance for Universal Studios and Disney. Keep in mind that at the time of purchase you have to select the date(s) you will be going to the park. You can also make restaurant reservations about six months in advance. When I booked the park tickets, most of the restaurants were already booked. This was ok for me because we often like to just pick up something quick and keep moving to get in as many rides as possible. But if you are traveling with small kids, it is nice to sit down, have a nice meal, and break from the heat.
Purchase ponchos to bring with you (i.e. from Walmart, Dollar General, etc.), otherwise you will pay significantly more for them in the park. It rained during our visit and we picked some up before heading to the park.
Bring water bottles! I brought my reusable water bottle in hopes that I would easily be able to refill it in the park, nope! Water is hard to come by and I wished I would have just brought water bottles of my own.
If you want those cute matching family t-shirts, order at least a month before your trip. They are so fun and an easy way to track the people in your party while in the park. And yes, we are a matching t-shirt kind of family :).
Mom Hack: I always go to the Disney Outlet Store before our trips to buy souvenirs. I don’t give them to the kids until we are on the trip. This year I bought Mickey Mouse t-shirts, a Minnie Mouse doll for Emerson, and a few other trinkets. The kids are always excited because they feel as though I surprised them with gifts from the Disney shop and I get to save a few dollars. Win, win!

Overall, we created a lot of great memories! This was Emerson’s first plane ride and her first visit to Disney. On all fronts she did great and had a fantastic time. Believe it or not Disney has so many rides and attractions for big kids and babies alike. It was priceless to see the wonder and excitement through her 8 month old eyes. I can’t wait to show her the pictures and videos of her first Disney trip when she gets older. The boys also loved hanging out at the pool with family, go kart racing, and most of all they loved Universal Studios. It truly is the best park for big kids. If you have some mom hacks to share about Disney or your vacations in general please leave them in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Summer!