New Cedar Point Boardwalk

We recently attended Cedar Point Media Day and checked out the new Cedar Point Boardwalk. It was so picturesque and cool! The food in the new Grand Pavilion was amazing too! It is an amazing place to grab some dinner and enjoy those amazing Lake Erie views.

More than an amusement park, Cedar Point continues to expand its attractions, signature events and festivals, year-round overnight accommodations and multi-day offerings, giving families so many reasons to explore the park and create new memories while solidifying their annual traditions.

“The Boardwalk is our vision of what the classic Cedar Point Boardwalk would have felt like long ago: the sights, the sounds, the electricity of the experience – this new area captures it all,” said Carrie Boldman, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “Lakeside attractions have always been a part of Cedar Point’s 153-year history, and that tradition lives on. We can’t wait for our guests to enjoy this stunning new centerpiece of summertime fun.”

Wild Mouse Roller Coaster

Cedar Point’s legacy of roller coaster thrills continues with the addition of the Wild Mouse roller coaster. A nod to the park’s original Wild Mouse coaster, the modern version will provide a ride experience the original couldn’t – its cars will spin 360 degrees as they navigate the ride’s 1,312 feet of bright orange track.

The spins, dips, drops and hairpin turns of Wild Mouse will thrill coaster lovers young and young-at-heart. Standing 52 feet tall, the Wild Mouse ride experience is an unpredictable game of “cat and mouse,” complete with six mouse-themed cars and one cheese-themed car. The coaster’s free-form spinning action changes with the number of riders aboard each car, providing one-of-a-kind experiences with no two rides being exactly the same.

Riders must be at least 42” tall to ride with a supervising companion, or 48” tall to ride alone. Wild Mouse is manufactured by Zamperla® and joins Cedar Point’s unmatched ride collection as the 18th roller coaster at America’s Roller Coast®.

Cedar Point’s Grand Pavilion

Serving as the anchor to The Boardwalk, Cedar Point’s Grand Pavilion commemorates the park’s original Grand Pavilion entertainment space, which made its debut back in 1888.

In 2023, Cedar Point’s Grand Pavilion will take many cues from the original. The bi-level complex will be home to a new restaurant featuring culinary items not found anywhere else in the park (plus many traditional favorites), a lake view bar for relaxation and conversation, indoor and outdoor seating plus viewing decks with unparalleled panoramas of Cedar Point, the Cedar Point Beach and the Lake Erie shoreline. 

More Family Fun

Guests will be immersed in the evocative nostalgia of The Boardwalk with a full collection of family rides that are quintessential Cedar Point. Two existing family attractions, Matterhorn and Scrambler, will be relocated to The Boardwalk with Scrambler receiving a refresh and new name: Atomic Scrambler. The Tiki Twirl spinning ride will also be refreshed and renamed as former park classic Calypso. These rides join Wild Mouse, Giant Wheel, Troika, Dodgem, GateKeeper and WindSeeker in the park’s new hub for a full range of pint-sized to giant-sized thrills for the whole family.

Lake George: Fort William Henry

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I have always had an interest in battlefields and old homes. I am a history and genealogy addict. I have been to most of the Revolutionary War battlefields in NY- Fort Ticonderoga, Fort William Henry at Lake George, and the Battlefield at Saratoga.

I have ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. One being Seth Pomeroy, my 2nd cousin, 7 generations back, who I wrote about recently.

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Last year, we went to Fort William Henry, which was an amazing look at life during the Revolutionary War.

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To refresh your memory, the battle was from July 3–7, 1757. According to Wikipedia:

In one of the most notorious incidents of the French and Indian War, Montcalm’s Indian allies violated the agreed terms of surrender and attacked the British column, which had been deprived of ammunition, as it left the fort. They killed and scalped many soldiers, took as captives women, children, servants, and slaves, and slaughtered sick and wounded prisoners. Early accounts of the events called it a massacre and implied that as many as 1,500 people were killed, although it is unlikely more than 200 people (less than 10% of the British fighting strength) were actually killed in the massacre.[5]

At the time of our tour, I did not know this history. I kind of went into the tour completely blind.

As we entered the main bunkhouse, I split off from the group (not crazy about groups during Covid time) and stood near a stairway that went into the 2nd floor of the bunk. The tour guide was talking extensively about life in the fort but I could not stop looking up to the 2nd floor.

There were no tourists up there but I felt very strongly that someone was peering down at me. I did not see anything but it’s like a feeling you get in the pit of your stomach.

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The tour continued and I took a lot of photos. We toured the fort and saw a cannon go off. But it was a continuous feeling of being watched that followed me until we left the fort.

I think it would especially spooky at night. Lake George overall is an amazing place, full of history and gorgeous beyond description.

Gettysburg: Time Travel Back To the 1800's

Recently we decided we needed to go to Gettysburg, a brand new battlefield for me to visit.

I was very excited. I love history, especially Civil War era and it had been on my bucket list for a long time.

Nearly a million visitors a year come to Gettysburg National Military Park, where battlefields and memorials cover some 6,000 acres of rolling land just five miles north of the Mason-Dixon line. The site of one of the most consequential battles and most influential speeches in American history, Gettysburg shaped the country as we see it today.

Gettysburg National Military Park was established in 1895 to commemorate an 1863 battle that turned the tides of the Civil War. Situated in rural southern Pennsylvania, this landscape was once a hub for settlers, travelers and traders before bearing witness to the war’s deadliest clash. Today, the park all but surrounds the town of Gettysburg and features 1,300 monuments, 400 cannons and nearly 150 historic buildings. The park also provides diverse habitats that support a range of plants and animals, including the highest density of red-headed woodpeckers of any monitored site in Pennsylvania.

We took the scenic route as they say, through the back roads of PA. It was a beautiful day but driving through the Allegheny Mountains is exhausting. It is not as bad as driving through West Virginia, but pretty close.

So we finally got to the Hampton Inn and it was in a nice location. But there didn’t seem to be a lot of restaurants around. There was a Sheetz, a Ruby Tuesday, and a few other restaurants. I was surprised by such a high tourist area, that it seemed more country than touristy.

The next thing I noticed was the number of crows. A surprising amount. In Ohio, we have a lot of hawks, at least where I live. But in Gettysburg, it’s all crows.

Crows sometimes appear as a method of divination and prophecy. In some mythologies, crows are seen as a sign of bad things to come, but in others, they are considered to be messengers from the gods. Crows often appear as trickster characters in folklore and legend.

I don’t like crows overall because they, to me, aren’t a good omen. And they are whip-smart.

So we check-in, then head over to the museum. They also offer a movie, exhibits, and a gift shop. We decided to check out the museum but not the movie.

So we checked out the museum which was interesting but not that exciting. Most people were NOT wearing masks, which was not surprising. I’ve been doing the same thing for 2 years, so it’s all the same to me.

On the way out, we visited the gift shop and got some cool fake Union money and a Union cap.

The sky was bright blue, it was almost 50 degrees and really we could not ask for a better day.

We headed out to the battlefield, first downloading their $9.99 audio tour that plays on your phone.

There are lots of ways to tour the battlefield, from Segway, to walking to driving to tour buses. Check out this website for everything Gettysburg and to plan your trip.

I tried to go into this situation on the battlefield without knowing too much. I had learned about the Civil War in school. And I had heard about how haunted it is, and how people who don’t even believe in ghosts see or hear things.

But I was trying to go into it with an open mind.

Here is our first stop:

Cars are allowed to park on the side of the road to get out to take photos or just look at the monuments up close.

The very first monument we stopped at, I walked up to it as a crow landed on top of it. I did not take that well. It flew away before I could snap a photo.

The battlefield itself is very quiet. For a place surrounded by civilization, it is a very quiet place. Not a lot of birds and animals, even though these are big open fields.

As we followed the audio tour, I was looking around, trying to take everything in. Then to my left, I spotted movement in the edge of the woods. I swear it looked like a person wearing gray/tan and moving through the trees.

When I looked back they were gone. It was not a human person, it was way off the road where no one was walking. Now, remember, this is during the day and I was not hoping for anything like that.

My husband asked if it was a deer, and I said, no that was not a deer. The next eerie place we visited was Devil’s Den.

This is roped off for now, under construction I guess. So we could not walk up to it, but it definitely had energy coming off it.

I have been to many other historical places like Fort Ticonderoga, Fort William Henry, Williamsburg, etc. but this place had energy all its own.

After our tour, we got some snacks and went back to the hotel room. We decided to take a break before our ghost tour.

I have never been on a ghost tour and was definitely nervous. But where else would I go on one except the most haunted place in the country?

The downtown area is very cute, old, and charming. It is a town straight out of the 1800s. Filled with old brick buildings, it is like time traveling.

We got our tickets and got in line. The girl leading us on tour wore a big hoop skirt, very Civil War era. There were about 10 people on the tour.

The first 45 minutes were walking the back alleys and stopping while the guide told us stories. It was kind of boring, I had hoped for more tours of old homes. I was trying to be a good sport about it and my poor husband, who does not believe in supernatural at all, was trying to play along.

After the tour, we got some Friendly’s ice cream and dinner (takeout) at a burger/pub joint Appalachian Brewing Co.

Everywhere was packed, as it was a Saturday night. We ate take-out back at our hotel room and got to sleep early.

That night, I had the weirdest night’s sleep of my life. Odd, Technicolor dreams, I dreamed of someone chasing me and woke up in a freezing cold room. I slept well(ish) but when 8 am, the sun was bright and I had to get up.

The place was starting to get to me, I could tell.

It is a very subtle thing when you are in Gettysburg. It is not an obvious spooky place, there is just this unsettling undercurrent.

I would not want to be downtown at night or on the battlefield at night either.

Overall though, it is a really fun, amazing place to visit! Especially if you love history, it is a must-see.

More Gettysburg info here

Here are the 20 must-see battlefields.

Staycation in Ohio Ideas

Live in or visiting Ohio? Here are a bunch of fun places to visit this summer! 

Cedar Point- one of our fave places to visit! Awesome rides, shows, family friendly fun, on Lake Erie. And don't forget to visit Soak City too!

 

Cedar Point- one of our fave places to visit! Awesome rides, shows, family friendly fun, on Lake Erie. And don't forget to visit Soak City too!

 

We love going to the Indians games! Lots of deals are available for our NE Ohio Ball teams.  Cheer on the Cleveland Indians and more! Look for bonuses like freebie giveaways, fireworks nights, kids’ activities, “Dollar Dog” nights and more.  Kids can run the bases (for free!) after Sunday afternoon Cleveland Indians games, and the Akron RubberDucks have tons of promos for family fun. 

 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Greater Cleveland residents (those with 440, 441, 442 or 443 zip codes with ID) receive a discount admission of $18 (reg. $22).  Seniors/military: $17, Children ages 9-12:$13, Children 8 and under: FREE 

 

 

Great Lakes Science Center: Tons of fun and educational science exhibits the whole family will enjoy.  General admission $14 for adults, $12 youth 2-13.  Omnimax movie and the William G Mather Steamship are additional costs. $1 discounts for seniors and students with a valid ID.  Bank of America cardholders get one FREE admission the first Saturday of each month. Cam loves going to the Science Center.

 

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: Non-holiday Mondays are FREE for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township.  Regular admission is $12.25 for ages 12+ and $8.25 for ages 3-11. How can you miss out on seeing all the cute animals? Also be sure to check out the Rainforest, especially over the winter.

 

 

Greater Cleveland Aquarium: Located in the historic First Energy Powerhouse, this aquarium is home to many native Ohio species, as well as sea creatures from around the world.  Admission: $19.95, Children $13.95, Seniors $17.75.  Military discount saves $2 for adults & children.

Cleveland Botanical Garden: FREE Daily Activities in the Hershey Children’s Garden with paid admission to the Garden.  Regular admission for Adults is $11, Children (ages 3-12) is $6 and FREE for under 3.  

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: The Bike Aboard! program offers $3 train rides back to your starting point to cyclists along the Towpath Trail–just flag down the train.  All day train rides through the Cuyhahoga Valley National Park with the option to hop off and explore Akron or Peninsula: Prices vary, but are reasonable!  Watch for special deals from trains departing from the Canton Lincoln Highway station in June, July and August. 

 Beeck Creek Gardens: (Near Alliance) FREE Admission to Visitor Center, Amazing Garden with educational displays and model train, and hiking trails. Admission to Butterfly House $3 per person (ages 3+).  Butterfly Garden opens June 24, other exhibits open year-round.  One of our family’s favorite places to go! 

Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festivities: FREE activities include the Balloon Classic/Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks (July 18-20 at KSU Stark/Stark State Campuses), Concert and Fireworks Downtown July 26, Community Parade July 27, Ribs Burnoff July 30-August 1, First Play 2014 July 31, and the Grand Parade August 2.

 

Cedar Point Shores- Newly redesigned, this waterpark is fun for the entire family. Get more info here.

 

Akron Fossils & Science Center: See fossils and other natural wonders, along with a fun kids’ play area.  Admission includes a guided tour of the museum, one zip line ride, and one round of mini golf.  Adults $9, Children $7, 2 & under FREE, Max. family admission $35.  Pastors and Teachers get in FREE every Friday

Kelly's Island: The Kelleys Island Chamber & Visitor Bureau website provides information regarding lodging, dining, shopping, andactivities including fishing charters, and 2014 Events that will make your stay on Kelleys Island most enjoyable! See ourVisitor's Directory for a complete list of island businesses and services. A complete set of Island Maps and a 2014 Visitor's Guide are also available to guide you around Kelleys Island.

10 Tips for a Budget Friendly Vacation

Here are some tips to get that vacation you need and still balance your budget:

Tip 1: Include Extended Family

Vacationing with family can save you hundreds on the hotel room, gas, tolls, etc. Plus, they also get a have a break and you’ll have fun! To avoid arguments, be sure to sit down with them beforehand and map out what you want to do and include everyone’s wants and needs.

Tip 2: Sign up for AAA

If you don’t already have a membership, AAA offers lots of discounts. Check here to see all the discounts they offer. For example, they offer 10% off Hard Rock Café, discounts on Disney tickets and more. And of course, most hotels give discounts, when you show your AAA card.
 
Tip 3: Pick the Right Hotel

Especially when traveling with a family, choose hotels based on whether they have value-added freebies, such as free breakfast, free local phone calls, free Internet access, free cribs, etc.

Tip 4: Save Those Gift Cards

Even with time being short, check your wallet and drawers for unused gift cards. Gift cards, especially ones for restaurants, will save you money and help you budget. If you belong to point programs and have enough points, cash them in for gift cards. Two programs to check out: Swagbucks.com and Mypoints.com.

Tip 5: Spare Change Adds Up

I’ve found an easy way to do this is. For example, when your total at the local fast food place comes to $9.03, give them $10.00 and pocket the change. Store it in a jar and right before your trip, cash it in. Most grocery stores have Coinstar machines or you can count and roll it yourself.

Tip 6: Pick Up the Entertainment Book

The Entertainment book is packed full of coupons for restaurants, hotels, and much more. Buy a copy at their web site and have it delivered a few weeks before your trip. Take some time to go through it (it’s a thick book!) and rip out the coupons you want to use and store them in a folder or envelope.

Tip 7: Pack a Cooler of Food and Drinks

Hotels charge a fortune for cans of soda, bottled water, etc. Fill a cooler with cans of soda, snacks, paper plates and cups and anything else you might need.

Tip 8: Find More Cash

Besides saving your change, you can find more cash for your trip by eating what’s in your pantry. A few months before your trip, cut down on going to the grocery store and eating out. For example, if you budget $300 a month for food, but you use a third of that, you’ll have $200 towards your trip. Also, cut back on recreational shopping trips. Only buy what you need. Also, to raise more money, consider selling books and other unwanted items on ebay.com and half.com.

Tip 9: Pick the Right Restaurants and Attractions

If you have young children, pick restaurants that offer free children’s meals and parks with free admission. If older relatives are traveling with you, many restaurants and parks offer senior discounts.

Tip 10: Consider traveling close to home

Go online and see what attractions are nearby, like museums, art exhibits and more. For example, even though we live 30 min. from the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, we've never been there! Sticking closer to home is a great way to save cash and see your town.

The New Hotel Breakers @ Cedar Point

Last weekend we stayed at newly updated Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point and had the chance to check out the park's transformed roller coaster, Rougarou, and all the other great rides and attractions.

The new Hotel Breakers is really incredibly beautiful. I would love to have spent the entire weekend there, enjoying the lake and the park. Inside and out, it was stunning.

The hotel has a new main entry, fun & fresh guest room decor, a water play area and much more. Inside the famous rotunda is a full-service Starbucks and the Surf Lounge.

These pictures only capture part of the beauty. It's something you really need to see and experience for yourself.

I loved the carousel horses greeting visitors in the main lobby.

Did you notice the headboards are photos of Cedar Point rides? How cool!

The red chairs are 100% recycled and made from Coca Cola bottles. I wanted to take one home!

Outside of the hotel:

And if you are planning any kind of special event, be sure to book it at the Lakeside Pavilion. It's a big improvement over the former catering area with a view that can't be beat.

Inside the park, one of the first things we checked out was the new Sweet Spot shop.

Featuring freshly made treats, candy apples, taffy and more, it is a must-visit when you are at the park.

And I can't forget to mention Rougarou! The former Mantis roller coaster is immensely more rideable as a floorless coaster. Listen close and you'll hear the howl of the Rougarou in the swamp!

Rougarou is an entirely new riding experience for Cedar Point fans. Your legs will dangle just inches above the ride's orange steel track.

We can't wait for our next visit!

Thank you to Cedar Point for the stay at Hotel Breakers and park passes. All opinions are my own. We love Cedar Point and have been a Cedar Point family for decades!

My Top 5 Summer Getaways

There are several summer getaways I would recommend!

First, I recommend Cedar Point Amusement Park. It has a special, old-fashioned charm and is very family-friendly. Since my son Cam was a baby, a few weeks old, he has been to Cedar Point. He has grown up there and I highly recommend it for everyone. Whether your family lives in the Midwest or is traveling out here, it’s worth the trip! There are also lots of great rollercoasters and rides for teens and adults, along with live shows, and the classic carnival-type games, shopping and more.

Second, the Florida Keys. We were down there recently and it was such an amazing experience. It has such a quiet, natural calm to it. Being surrounded by water, there are so many fun things to do there, like swimming, exploring Key West, fishing, snorkeling off the coral reef. Key West may have the reputation as a party town but during the day, there were lots of kid friendly museums and parks. We especially liked the Pirate Museum and riding the trolley around the island, listening to the tour guide tell us stories about Key West.

 

Third, Mall of America in Minnesota. We went there a few years ago and it has a lot of family-friendly adventures, including Nickelodeon Park (inside the mall), Valley Fair Amusement park, LEGO store and Rainforest Café. We made it a cheap trip by using airline miles for free tickets, buying an Entertainment book and saving on meals, and using hotel points for a free hotel stay. We also got a free coupon booklet from Mall of America, because we were out of town guests.

Fourth, Disney World in Florida. Disney does not have to be as expensive as people say it is. There are ways to make it affordable, including driving there (though from OH it is 20+ hours!), staying on an off-site hotel (there are lots of deals around the Disney property), limiting eating out and using coupons and getting a park hopper pass.

And finally, I recommend checking out local places! For example, we have several great travel destinations, right here in Ohio, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center, Kelly’s Island, many museums, parks and more. We also love traveling down to Columbus and visit Easton Town Center, which has a Container Store and many other shops that Cleveland doesn’t have.

Happy traveling!

Spooky Fun @ Halloweekends Cedar Point

Recently we had the chance to enjoy the HalloWeekends Mom Blogger Day. My husband and I headed to Cedar Point with my son Cam and his three friends, Rocco, Charlie and Gino. All four boys were really excited to go to HalloWeekends, especially since it was Charlie and Gino's first time visiting America's Roller Coast.

The boys were excited for Blue Streak, but rain cut that short before they could ride. Luckily we were prepared and brought umbrellas. Of course, there is so much to do at Cedar Point, even in the rain. We spent some time at the Coliseum Arcade, rode Cedar Downs, Cadillac Cars, Dodgem, and the CP&LE Railroad.

After the roundtrip from one of the park's classic steam locomotives, we headed down Frontier Trail, one of our favorite parts of the park. We explored a couple of gift shops, stopped in at C. J.'s Provisions for some treats, and dipped candles at the Candle Shop. The kids enjoyed the yummy fall treats — chocolate chip cookies, hot apple cider, and caramel apples from C.J's Provisions.

The rain came to an end and the crisp evening air set in. The kids had been looking forward to the haunted houses all day. First up was Eternity Infirmary. The kids thought it was cool and really creepy. This ended up being everyone's favorite.

Next door to Eternity Infirmary is Wave Swinger, which is too much fun to pass up. Then it was off to one of the new HalloWeekends attractions, Eden Musee. The haunt is a nod to Cedar Point's rich history and was lots of fun.

We worked our way toward the front of park, but not before a stop at the Shooting Gallery in Frontiertown and the Gemini Games Area. The kids took a swing on Iron Dragon before heading over to G. A. Boeckling's Eerie Estate.

A must-see was the Overlord release the Screamsters into the park. The kids thought this was great!

Here they are with the Overlord:

Then we watched Sideshow - A Carnival of Magic, which we all found really good.

On the way back to Blood on the Bayou, we stopped so the kids could get that ride on Blue Streak. Here is Charlie and Gino, who is making a scary face for the camera!

Blood on the Bayou was fun. The old southern gentleman outside the entrance did his best to lure in unsuspecting guests.

On the way out of the park, after a fun-filled day, we walked through Fear Faire and ended the night with a walk through Club Blood.

We highly recommend you check out HalloWeekends- there is so much spooky fun!

HalloWeekends from SavingsMania on Vimeo.

Here are some family-friendly attractions to check out while you are there:

• Skeleton Crew — Acrobatics and aerial acts taking place throughout the day in Cedar Point’s new Celebration Plaza. The show opened last weekend to rave reviews and it is a "must see."
• Monster Midway Invasion Celebration — A fun parade featuring friendly monsters and characters that take over the Cedar Point Main Midway.
• The Goodtime Ghouls: A Halloween Hullabaloo — Energetic musical revue in the Good Time Theater.
• Gypsy Fortune Tellers — Find out what’s in the cards for you as you venture into Frontiertown.
• Charlie Brown’s Funtime Frolics — The PEANUTS gang comes together for music, stories and spooky surprises.
• The Magical House on Boo Hill — Kids get their own house to walk through. Whimsical illusions await at every corner in the topsy-turvy attraction.
• PEANUTS™ Halloween Show and Kids’ Costume Contest — Bring your little pirates and princesses for pre-school competitions at 2 p.m. and grade-school competitions at 2:45 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in the Blue Streak Plaza.

For more info on Cedar Point:

Cedar Point Website

Cedar Point on Facebook

Cedar Point on Twitter

Our Myrtle Beach Adventure at Crown Reef Resort

We just got back from our awesome vacation to Crown Reef Resort. It was one of the most fun and relaxing vacations we've ever taken.

The Resort

My son Cam was most interested in going to the ocean. Here in Ohio, we usually go to the lake or waterpark but the ocean is a whole other place to visit! The weather was really perfect for our vacation, mid-80's, sunny and not too humid. That is one thing I love about South Carolina, the low humidity!

Crown Reef Resort recently underwent a $7.5 million renovation – with more upgrades to come. One of the major perks of the hotel is located directly on the beach, offering more than 500 oceanfront rooms. Each has a balcony, which I loved. We stayed in an Oceanfront Queen Deluxe Suite which features a bedroom with 2 queen beds, 1 sleeper sofa, 1 hideaway bed and a full kitchen. Oceanfront Queen Deluxe Suites have a maximum occupancy of 8.

The suite is set up shotgun style — you open the door from outside into the main bedroom. There is a full kitchen, which was really convenient. We made a stop at the local supermarket and stocked up on snacks and drinks. I also recommend that you bring disposable plates/silverware, paper towels, etc.

Before anything else, we had to check out the ocean and the pool. The waterpark was amazing too! 

The two enclosed water slides launch from an imposing four stories high. The two-person “EXPLOSION” tube slide pumps more than 2,500 gallons of water per minute.

The second “TWISTER” slide, a one-person body slide, pumps 800 gallons of water per minute, while the “KIDZ Twister” slide sits 8 feet tall and 20 feet long.  The slides and other new water features will be enclosed during cooler months and will be open aired during the summer months.

If you are headed to the beach, here is a tip: Be sure to bring beach chairs and/or towels with you as chair rental is $35/day. We found that out after we had gotten there. Plan on spending at least 1 day at the beach. I also recommend boogie boards (we got ours at Target for $10), swim goggles, etc.

And while you relax by the pool, be sure to get a cool, refreshing Hawaiian shaved ice.

The Crown Reef also has a new Town Center - Dining & Fun Zone within the hotel featuring a brightly-lit arcade, Grab 'n Go Grill & Coffee Bar (this is where the breakfast buffet is located); Swirl Ice Cream & Sweet Shop, and Loco Gecko Restaurant.

We had dinner one evening at Loco Gecko — it's a fun place with a great view. The menu included burgers, pizza, fried fish, etc. It's open for lunch and dinner, and there is a bar available as well. I recommend you try the Cajun grilled corn, so delicious!

The Town

One of the great treats of this vacation (besides the resort, ocean, pool, etc.) was going to Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. I hadn't been to a Hard Rock Cafe in awhile, the food was so good! And the atmosphere so unique, loved the pyramid.

The day before heading back home, we decided to check out Broadway at the Beach. Broadway at the Beach offers unique specialty shops, exceptional dining, award-winning attractions, fabulous nightlife and relaxing accommodations. 

And another place I highly recommend for breakfast, with their over 70 omelets, was Woodhaven Pancake House. I got a cheese omelet with a side of pancakes, which Cam got waffles and Walt got this delicious French toast:

The Deals

A few more money-saving tips:

• Use the Stay + Play Free deal at VMB resorts. This special offer through spring lets guests of the resort get buy one, get one free tickets at local attractions, such as WonderWorks museum, the Alabama Theatre and Legends in Concert. These are some of the most popular activities along the Grand Strand. Use these for your adult tickets, which are the most expensive.
• Carry your VMB discount card. Guests of VMB resorts also each get a special discount card that is good for varying discounts at hundreds of Myrtle Beach restaurants, attractions, bars, shops, golf and more. Just don't forget to use it!
• Coupons for Broadway at the Beach are available on their website. Be sure to print your coupons before you head out!

The Final Word

We had an amazing time. Be sure to check out Crown Reef for your next family adventure!

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A big thanks to Crown Reef for hosting us. We were offered a free hotel stay but all opinions are my own. We had a great time and can't wait to go back!

The Big Cleveland Home and Garden Show

Spring is in the air at the 2018 Great Big Home + Garden Show, taking place Feb. 2-11 at the Cleveland I-X Center, featuring more than 600 exhibits to help you renew, refresh and restore your home. This 10-day show is the destination to find innovative products, practical advice and great deals for all your home improvement needs. “The Great Big Home + Garden Show is back, bigger and better than ever for its ninth year,” said Show Manager Rosanna Hrabnicky. “This year’s show has exciting new features, a great lineup of home and garden celebrity appearances and continues to be the premier source for Northeast Ohio homeowners to find innovative products and get advice from industry experts.”

Visitors won’t want to miss the Song!-themed Garden Showcase, inspiring features including an off-thegrid cabin, tiny homes and elevated outdoor living space. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to bid on mailboxes and nightstands designed by local celebs and designers to benefit charity. Produced by Solon-based Marketplace Events, this year’s Great Big Home + Garden Show has something for everyone and will leave attendees inspired to get started on their next home and garden project. New features and attractions at the 2018 show include: •

New features and attractions at the 2018 show include:

• Whether envisioning a dream home with a rustic feel and all the modern luxuries or a space that’s completely off-the-grid, the Weaver Cabins have them covered. The first of two cabins built by Weaver Barns is a 2,100-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath rustic cabin and the second, an approximately 600-square-foot off-the-grid cabin that offers a unique concept in utilizing solar power in the home. Both will leave visitors wanting their own cabin! Sponsored by Sherwin-Williams, Cleveland Magazine and Ohio Magazine.

• The approximately 1,500-square-foot Xtend Technologies’ High-Tech Luxury Lower Level built by Pepperwood Homes will inspire visitors with ideas for their own indoor/outdoor entertainment and recreation areas. This one-of-a-kind living space will feature the latest in home automation from Xtend Technologies. Guests can experience live demonstrations in Xtend Technologies’ home theater. Sponsored by SherwinWilliams, Cleveland Magazine and Ohio Magazine. -more- The 2018 Great Big Home + Garden Show/2

• Take outdoor living to new heights with the Elevated Outdoor Elegance feature. Thanks to new technology, visitors will be inspired to consider new patio design options suitable for any elevation at this feature built by Dan Guardo Contracting. • Tiny Homes by Small Spaces CLE will allow visitors to experience first-hand why a luxury home doesn’t always mean thousands of square feet. Sponsored by Universal Windows Direct.

• Experience one of the biggest trends in camping – glamping – at this feature designed by Cabela’s and The Great Escape. No longer does camping have to mean “roughing it” and leaving the luxuries of home behind.

• The latest in design inspiration can be found at the Weavers Fine Furniture and Carter Lumber Design Center. Whether visitors are looking to transform their living room, kitchen, or bedroom they will be sure to find inspiration in the design center. Sponsored by WOIO-TV.

• DIY Inspiration: One Nightstand Challenge When it comes to bedside tables, there’s no need for a long-term commitment. Make a statement with One Nightstand! Six of Cleveland’s most stylish designers were challenged to take a basic nightstand from bland to bold, using only $50. Attendees will get a chance to take their dreamy creations home by placing a bid on their favorite, with auction proceeds benefitting a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

• Visitors can stop by “U Got Mail” to vote for their favorite local celebrity designed mailbox and bid on a chance to take one home. Proceeds to benefit Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland. • Whether a recent new homeowner, in the market to build or renovate, guests will want to stop by the Home Builders Association Housing Resource Center located next to The Main Stage. They can bring their home photos, plans, or ideas and get expert advice from a professional. 

Show information: The latest show information will be posted on www.greatbighomeandgarden.com, the Home and Garden Events Facebook page and @GreatBigHome on Twitter.

2018 Show Dates & Hours: Friday, Feb. 2 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mon - Fri, Feb. 5-9 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Location: Cleveland I-X Center One I-X Center Drive Cleveland, OH 44135

Tickets (Single tickets valid for one day of show): $15 Box Office (Adult Admission) $12 Online at www.greatbighomeandgarden.com or in-store at any Discount Drug Mart location (Adult Admission) $11 Seniors 65+ with ID (Monday-Thursday only, tickets must be purchased at show box office) $10 Group Tickets (Minimum 20) $5 Children ages 6-12 years FREE Children 5 and under 

The 2018 Great Big Home + Garden Show/5 Theme Days Sherwin-Williams Day sponsored by WDOK-FM –

• Friday, Feb. 2 – Visit any Sherwin-Williams store location to pick-up a free general admission ticket to the show for Friday, Feb. 2. 
• Heroes Days – Sunday, Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 11 – Active and retired members of the military, as well as first responders receive free admission to the show with valid ID. 
• Red Hat Society Days – Friday, Feb. 2 and Friday, Feb. 9. – Wear your red hat society attire on either of these days and purchase a discounted ticket for $10. 4 ticket maximum per red hat purchase. 
• Ohio Lottery Day sponsored by WQAL-FM – Thursday, Feb. 8 – Visitors bringing in a losing Ohio lottery ticket will receive $5 off admission at the Box Office. 

 

Meeting Michael Symon

The Chew is one of my fave shows. So when Giant Eagle contacted me to see if I would be interested in meeting Michael Symon and checking out the new Market District in Solon, Ohio, of course I said yes! 

My whole family loves Michael Symon and Giant Eagle was kind enough to let me bring my Michael Symon super fans with me, Janet, Jeremy and my son Cam. In a word, I have to say, I was starstruck when I met Michael. In person, he is as warm and friendly as he is on television. We had the chance to sit down and talk with him about his favorite recipes, restaurants and more. My mother-in-law, Janet, loves to cook, so meeting Michael was a really special treat. She kidded Michael saying "My grandson Cam used to love my hamburgers the most until he went to B-Spot!" Michael thought that was funny.

During the conversation he told us his that son is a vegan. I noted the irony as I looked at his awesome cookbook "Carnivore", which is chockful of awesome meat recipes.

My question to him was if he was going to come out with an Italian or Greek cookbook. He had talked about how his mom is Sicilian (my grandmother was Sicialian too!). He said while his cooking is inspired by his parents and grandparents, he won't be coming out with a cookbook based on either type of cooking.

After, we got photos with Michael!

Later that morning, we were invited to attend a cooking demonstration and Michael made a every delicious Sloppy Joe recipe. We got to try the Sloppy Joes afterwards, delish! It was so awesome to be a part of this cooking show and it made me want to see a taping of The Chew.

And I wanted to tell you all that he has a new cookbook coming out in September, which will be called "5 in 5". The book will contain recipes with five ingredients and take apx. five minutes to make. So be sure to definitely check that out!

After the cooking demonstation, we toured Market District. I have to say, it is a beautiful store, as you can see in the photos below. It was packed with shoppers for the grand opening. We had so much fun seeing all the gourmet options not typically found in traditional grocery stores. 

 

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Dry aged beef

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Their bakery is amazing! Look at these desserts-

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I loved all the organic options, as I am working on losing weight. All the healthy options were fantastic.

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A great selection of bulk spices-

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Other store features:

• A bounty of garden fresh produce that features domestic, specialty, regionally grown and seasonal fruits and vegetables, including more than 120 organic varieties.
• A gourmet burger station which features perfectly grilled, delicious hamburgers made from meat fresh ground in-store by our butchers, with housemade burger sauce and hand-cut french fries. Try our house special: Solon Burger with smoked Gouda cheese and pepper smoked bacon, $5.99.
• Curbside Express enables online grocery ordering atMarketDistrict.com/Curbside and provides a flexible schedule for easy pickup at the front of the store. Market District Team Members act as personal shoppers, carefully select the items on the grocery list and bring them to the store’s dedicated outside Curbside Express Pick-Up vehicle lane on the selected date and time.  Customers are able to pay for their order without leaving their car, while Team Members load their items into the vehicle.
• A sweet shop features the finest hand-dipped chocolate novelties, gourmet confections and nostalgic candy classics like Necco Wafers and Pixie Stix, as well as fresh-roasted nuts, hand-dipped caramel apples, just-spun cotton candy and fresh, homemade kettle corn.
• A smoke and fire slow-roasting rotisserie includes fire-grilled, juicy roasted meats, ribs, chicken and more.
• A variety of hot and cold food bars feature a smorgasbord of home-style favorites, authentic international dishes, spicy wings, garden-fresh vegetables and gourmet toppings.
• Market District sushi chefs transform fresh seafood into classic Japanese maki rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and bento with organic rice.
• An artisan cheese shop offers 400-plus handcrafted domestic and imported cheeses, including fresh hand wrapped mozzarella, goat & sheep’s milk cheeses from Europe & the Americas and an array of enticing Goudas, Blue’s and mountain cheeses.
• Market District offers our very own in house roasted meats, as well as the finest in charcuterie, showcasing imported cured meats from Italy and Spain, unique artisan products such as Fra’ Mani Handcrafted Salumi and La Quercia from Iowa. Our Delicatessens take particular pride in the roasting, smoking and curing process. Choose from our NYC style corned beef, pastrami & brisket, our famous roasted turkey breast or smoked turkey breast, or good old fashioned roast beef. We think you won’t find a better alternative.
• Expertly selected and cut fresh meat and seafood, including dry-aged beef, chicken sausage made in-store, hard-to-find meats such as grass-fed beef, bison and game, Nature’s Basket antibiotic free meats and poultry and more; high-quality seafood from sustainable sources such as Alaska salmon and Gulf of Maine cod; a wide assortment of shellfish, including wild American shrimp, jumbo sea scallops, live clams, oysters and lobsters; and salmon burgers, crab-stuffed salmon and jumbo lump crab cakes.
• A cornucopia of international foods with more than 10,000 natural and organic items, international items and unique specialty groceries.
• A bulk foods section that includes 12 varieties of olive oil and vinegars, 28 varieties of teas, 48 spices and more than 60 bulk foods items, including rice/beans/grains, nut meats, granola/cereals, dried fruit, trail/party mixes and confectionary.
• Straight-from-the-hearth artisan breads, crafted at dawn and baked fresh daily alongside made-from-scratch cookies and donuts, as well as boiled and hearth-baked bagels.
• A beverage bar with coffee roasted on site to brew frothy cappuccinos and creamy lattes, seasonal specialty drinks, mulled cider, eggnog and fruit smoothies made with fresh-squeezed juices.
• An ongoing schedule of in-store events to entertain and educate shoppers, including live music and daily cooking demonstrations from resident and celebrity chefs.
• A spacious and inviting in-store restaurant featuring free Wi-Fi and real tableware.
• A beer and wine store with more than 1,800 wines from around the world and a selection of more than 800 beers to enjoy with a delicious Market District meal. In addition, a full state liquor agency carries more than 1,000 spirits.
• An expanded health, beauty and wellness department filled with natural and organic cosmetics, vitamins, supplements and personal care products, and staffed with a licensed skin care professional and a licensed dietitian conducting ongoing wellness events and activities.

Be sure to check out the new Market District in Solon, Ohio. It is located at 34310 Aurora Road. It really is an incredible store.

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I want to give a big thank you to Giant Eagle for this awesome, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and talk with Michael Symon!

20 Unique Disney World Photo Ideas

My husband is a Disney World fanatic. I asked him where some of his favorite photo spots are located. Everyone needs the classic shot standing in front of Cinderella's Castle, but here's his list of some of the more unique photo opportunities.

Magic Kingdom

• Next to the statue of Goofy in front Cinderella's Castle
• Along the "Rivers of America" with the Liberty Square Riverboat in the background
• Pose with one of the many street performers on Main Street U.S.A., such as the Dapper Dans.
• Take a seat, and a photo, in one of the rocking chairs on Tom Sawyer Island
• On the front porch of the Crystal Palace

Epcot

• In front of the Imagination! Pavilion
• Playing the African drums at The Outpost, between China and Germany.
• In front of the torii in Japan
• The gardens along the pathway adjacent to the Imagination! Pavilion
• On one of the Friendship Boats, as it sails on the World Showcase Lagoon.

Hollywood Studios

• Instead of filing out with the crowd after the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, walk down to the front and grab a photo with Indiana Jones' stunt double.
• Take a seat on the speeder bike replica from Return of the Jedi, outside of Star Tours.
• Have your kids put their hands inside the famous handprints outside the Great Movie Ride.
• In front of Miss Piggy's Ms. Liberty fountain, outside Muppet*Vision 3D
• With Gertie The Dinosaur!

Animal Kingdom

• Pose next to the insect-themed movie posters before entering the theatre to see It's Tough to be a Bug.
• Stop at the Oasis exhibits and grab a photo with a macaw or anteater.
• There are many opportunities near Expedition Everest, such as the prayer flags or theYeti posters.
• In front of the tigers on the Maharajah Jungle Trek
• Snap a photo with the cute stuffed dinosaur you'll be sure to win at Disney's Fossil Fun midway games.

Halloweekends 2014

It was a cold, crisp Friday night when we headed out to Cedar Point for HalloWeekends. The kids had a blast this year! They were all about the rides and haunted houses. After hitting most of the rides in the front of the park, we stopped for a late dinner at Coasters Drive-In. The kids got hamburgers and $5.99 refillable drink cups. What a great deal!

They were given these really cool Skeleton key/Fright Lane passes, so they could skip to the front of the line @ the haunted houses. They especially liked this- and the skeleton heads lit up! With a Fright Lane pass, you get front of the line access to all Haunt Mazes plus with SKELETON KEY unlock a secret room within select mazes. Haunters will encounter tight spaces, uncomfortable situations and unforgettable dark encounters in rooms designed to test the boundaries of their worst fears. Do you dare to enter? Skeleton Key is exclusive to Fright Lane guests. You can buy them online here.

At 9 pm, we got to check out the Midnight Syndicate show. Walt, Cam and I had seen it a few weeks ago and loved it. We knew the kids would love the show too and they did! It was spookier than last time, though luckily the zombies did not follow me this time!

After the show, we headed towards the back of the park. The kids went on Magnum twice and some of the haunted houses in the back of the park. The park had a closing time of midnight, so the kids started heading back to the front of the park and got to ride on Gatekeeper right before they closed. 

It was overall a really fun adventure! You can save money (up to $10!) when you buy HalloWeekends at Cedar Point Tickets online.

Adult Admission: $46.99 (online) $56.99 at gate
Junior Senior Admission: $29.99 (online)
Friday & Sunday Starlight: $37.99
Saturday Starlight: $44.99

30+ Amazing Disney Freebies

After the planning is done and you are at the park, here are some FREE souvenirs to pick up!

Free Souvenirs and More at Walt Disney World

• Resort newsletters.
• Free Disney postcard
• Park maps
• Soaps & Shampoos from WDW Resorts
• Countdown to Disney Free Printable
• Some resorts have free resort postcards
• Walt Disney World Resort pens
• Email postcards at Innoventions
• Military Park Hopper Ticket Deal
• Free souvenir pin when you take the Undiscovered Future World Tour at Epcot
• 'Clean Plate Club' sticker from 50's Prime Time Cafe
• Character autographs
• Leis from the Polynesian Luau
• Free Disney Autographed Photo
• Birthday button (from park guest services on your birthday)
• Stickers, sometimes given in shops, ask when you're paying
• Children's menus that have coloring pages on the back
• Drinks coasters from resorts
• Perspex Mickey ornament, character costume fabric swatch & badge, given to each person who takes the Backstage Magic Tour
• Resort ID cards
• Disney wedding freebies
• Things kids make at Epcot Kidcot stations
• Free family photo from MVMCP or MNSSHP
• Some drinks are served in souvenir glasses
• You get a free pin when you take the backlot tour at the Animal Kingdom
• The glow in the dark frisbees from the kids meals at the Sci Fi Dine-in Theater restaurant at MGM
• Video postcard from Innoventions, send one to yourself and you have a great memory.

Be sure to check out our Disney Pinterest board too!

Free Things to do at Walt Disney World

• Visit the different resorts, walk around & take in the details and atmosphere.
• Ride the monorail - ask to ride up front in the driver's cab, & don't forget to ask for your free co-pilot license.
• Go to Downtown Disney, you don't have to go in any of the shops, just sit back & take in the atmosphere, look at the lego sculptures, people watch, let the kids play in the fountains...
• Go to the Fort Wilderness campfire. Take your own marshmallows to roast over the fire, & a blanket to sit on while you watch the film.
• Go to one of the Magic Kingdom resorts & watch the electric water pageant from the beach.
• Watch the MK fireworks from the beach of the Grand Floridian or Polynesian, or from the California Grill at the Contemporary.
• Spend time on the beach at one of the MK resorts, paddle your feet in the lake or relax in a hammock.
• Take the free tour at the Wilderness Lodge, or ask for the list of hidden Mickeys, & go on a hidden Mickey hunt.
• Visit the petting farm at Fort Wilderness.
• Take a boat ride from one of the resorts - Wilderness Lodge to MK; Boardwalk to Epcot or MGM; Dixie Landings to Downtown Disney, etc.
• Take the free garden tour at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort, or the free tour of the Grand Floridian.
• Visit the BoardWalk in the evening to watch the entertainment & take in the atmosphere.
• Watch the MK fireworks from outside the California Grill on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort.
• Walk along by the Sassagoula River from Port Orleans Riverside to French Quarter.
• Go on the nature walk at Fort Wilderness.
• Free souvenirs from Disney. At Innoventions East, guests can send a 10-second, video e-mail message to friends back home (Video D-Mail booth located at the Innoventions Internet Zone). At Innoventions West, guests can send a picture postcard of themselves by e-mail, provided by IBM's Networked Living Exhibit.

Did I miss any great freebies? Please leave a comment!

Waterpark Fun @ Soak City

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If you are looking for a really fun 1 day trip, be sure to check out Soak City. We live an hour away from Cedar Point and Soak City and it's one of our fave places to visit! ==

We made a trip last week with all the kids (Cam's friends, Rocco, Gino, Charlie) Cam, my mother in law Janet and brother in law Jeremy. I planned on enjoying the cabana, while everyone went swimming. We rented a cabana last year and it was so relaxing, I had to rent one again this year! 

Here is my awesome cabana view, so relaxing! It was a really beautiful day out, not too hot and crowds weren't too bad.

The cabanas are located right by the wave pool, which is awesome because that is my favorite! I really like renting a cabana, especially with the big group we brought with us. It's nice because it has shade and it's one meeting spot for everyone.

Here are more of the slides and rides they have there, including a lazy river!

The kids had a blast running around the park, enjoying all the slides. Afterwards, they got some snacks and took a quick break.

You can order snacks right to your cabana! 

And of course, no trip to CP is complete without a little shopping! They picked up a few souveniers on the way out.

I definitely recommend Soak City, we will be heading back there this summer I am sure!

Disclosure: We received free tickets to visit Soak City.