Disney World Food

FAVORITE FAST SERVICE PLACES TO EAT:

Hollywood Studios – Along Sunset Boulevard (everything from pizza and salads to BBQ sandwiches and hot dogs)

Magic Kingdom – Tomorrowland and Frontierland (BBQ sandwich is my favorite)  On Main street, at the Candy shop, stop and get a Caramel Apple.  We had Minnie Mouse and it was the best!!  Make sure to also try a Dole Whip in Adventureland!

Epcot – Each country has a different stand.  Sunshine Seasons (The Land)

Animal Kingdom – Asia was my kids favorite

Downtown Disney – Earl of Sandwich

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS:

Magic Kingdom – Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Castle

Epcot – Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada), Japan,

Animal Kingdom – Tusker House

Hollywood Studios – Hollywood and Vines, Sci Fi Dine-In Theater

In Resorts – Chef Mickey (Contemporary), Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Polynesian), 1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian), Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Fort Wilderness Campsite)

Downtown Disney – Fulton’s Steak House

Helpful Hints for traveling to Walt Disney World!

Helpful Hints for traveling to Walt Disney World!

 

 

1.        FASTPASS –  They are easy to use and can cut the wait time on many of the most popular attractions.  Rides you should definitely use a Fastpass are are:

Magic Kingdom – Dumbo, Barnstormer, Space Mtn, Thunder Mtn, Splash Mtn, Voyage of the Little Mermaid (new), Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh

Epcot – Test Track, Soarin’

Hollywood Studios – Toy Story Midway Mania (make sure to get right when you get to the park or they will run out!), Rock ‘n Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror

Animal Kingdom – Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest

*Make the most of the Fastpass by getting a new one as soon as it is available (time listed on ticket).  For example if your return to Dumbo time is 1:00 – 2:00.  At 1:00, before you go to Dumbo, head to another ride and get a fastpass for that and then ride Dumbo.

*You can only have one Fastpass at a time so choose wisely your order of wanting them.   

2.       COMPANION PASS –  For families with older and younger kids, like myself, this is a great feature Disney offers.  (Or one kid that likes rides and the other that doesn’t….)  Here is how it works!!!  One parent can take the kids that are old enough (or want) to go on a certain ride, like Test Track.  When they head in the ride, ask the Disney attendant for a Companion Pass.  This pass will allow the person not riding with the kids to take the kids that want to ride again after they get done and not have to wait in line.  We love this for two reasons.  Both parents get to ride each ride and the kids love it because then they get to ride the ride TWICE!!  My two older ones are hoping that the younger ones never get to the age that they can ride or else we will all only get to do it once without waiting in line again. 

3.       PHOTOPASS – This year, I purchased the PHOTOPASS+ card.  If you buy it on their website, www.disneyphotopass.com, 14 days or more before you travel to Disney, you get a $50 discount on the pass.  I love this as it enables me to enjoy the trip and not worry about taking photos the whole time.  It also allows for me to be in photos that I probably wouldn’t of been in if I would have had to take them all. 

*Advantage of the Photopass+, you also get all the attraction photos and dinner package photos included.

4.        NIGHTTIME – If your kids can last till later at night, lines are best then.  You can usually walk on to rides that in mid-afternoon would be a 30-60 minute wait.  Also, if you fortunate enough to be the last person to see a character at night, you usually get a special treat.  This has happened to us twice.  My son got a photo with Donald, Daisy, Chip and Dale all together!  And my four kids got to go on an adventure with Jasmine and Aladdin through Epcot to look for Abu. 

5.       PARADE/SPECIAL EVENTS – A MUST!!!  Our favorite part of Disney!  Check each parks schedule for their times!  My favorites are at the Magic Kingdom and I would suggest sitting on Main Street for all of them.  Get their early to get a front row seat!

6.       DISNEY CHASE CARD – If you open a Disney VISA through Chase, you get a special Meet and Greet at Epcot with two Characters.  We did it twice …. Once with Minnie and Goofy and the other time with Mickey and Pluto.  You get to go in a special room and take as much time as you want with them!  This is located in the Innovention’s building.

7.       DISNEY WORLD CROWD CALENDAR – if you have the ability to be flexible with the timing of traveling to Disney, this is a great website to check out.  http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/crowd-calendar  It gives you on a scale of 1-10 how busy each park is going to be each day. 

8.       PARK HOPPER OPTIONS – Enjoy the flexibility of visiting more than one park on the same day.  We do not use this option but it is great for people that want to travel to more than one park each day.  One year we did it and then ate every night in Epcot as they have the best restaurants. 

9.       EXTENDED PARK HOURS – if you stay on the Disney Property, you get the option for extended hours at a different park each day.  There are advantages of being able to go into a park early or stay late but a disadvantage is that that park is usually very busy that day because of this.  Sometimes it is better to head to a different park instead. 

10.  OUTSIDE FOOD - you can bring beverages and snacks into the park with you.  I would definitely suggest this.  We brought a small cooler with waters, juice boxes, ham, etc and also some fruit snacks, chips, popcorn.  It was great for when we were waiting in lines.  

Want to meet 50+ Characters at Disney…. Here is how!

Want to meet 50+ Characters at Disney…. Here is how!

 

 

MICKEY MOUSE – Right when you enter Magic Kingdom, go into the Town Square.  Other places to see him are The Magic of Disney Animation (Hollywood Studios).  While there, you can also see, MR. INCREDIBLE and FROZONE.  Plus one other hit Disney movie…  March 2013, it is WRECK IT RALPH and VANELLOPE.

Outside in Animation Courtyard (at Hollywood Studios) you can see HANDY MANNY and JAKE from Jake and the Neverland Pirates.   I have heard that DOC McSTUFFIN and SOFIA the FIRST will be joining them in the near future. 

Other Characters to see at Hollywood Studios include PHINEAS and FERB (located by Mama Melrose’s Ristorante),  MIKE and SULLEY (By Backlot Tour), WOODY and BUZZ (across from the Toy Story Mania Ride) and MATER and LIGHTNING McQUEEN (by Streets of America)

If you want a fun Breakfast at Hollywood Studios, eat at Hollywood and Vine with AGENT OSO, JUNE, HANDY MANNY and JAKE. 

Back at Magic Kingdom, in Town Square by Mickey, you will also find some of the Princesses.  You can see CINDERELLA, AURORA and RAPUNZEL.  Other great places to see the princesses are at one of two breakfasts.  There is a Princess Breakfast in Cinderella’s Castle and there is also a breakfast in Norway at Epcot.  Princesses you will see at the breakfasts include: CINDERELLA, AURORA, SNOW WHITE, JAZMINE and ARIEL. 

Other Characters that could be handing out in Town Square are DOPEY, MARIE, PLUTO and GOOFY.  Behind Cinderella’s Castle is another great spot to see some famous faces.  We ran into LADY TREMAINE, DRIZELLA and ANASTASIA.  The FAIRY GODMOTHER loves this location too.   Then head towards Alice’s Teacups and you could run into ALICE herself, the WHITE RABBIT and TWEEDLE DEE AND TWEEDLE DUM.  Don’t mistake the WHITE RABBIT for POOH’s RABBIT friend who you can find right around the corner at the Pooh Ride with POOH and TIGGER!

As you enter Adventureland (MK) keep a look out for PETER PAN!  There is also a great little spot where you can be turned into fairies to meet TINKER BELL, ROSETTA and some of their other fairy friends.  By the Magic Carpet of Aladdin you should find ALADDIN and JASMINE.  Sometimes the GENIE makes an appearance too.  In Frontierland (between Splash and Thunder Mountain) hidden behind the play area, JESSIE and WOODY like to sign autographs.   You can find BUZZ next to his ride in Tomorrowland.

In the new Fantasyland, GASTON waits by his Tavern for photos.  You can see the BEAST if you eat at his new castle and BELLE is available for photos at the Enchanted Tales with Belle.  Pete’s Silly…… has characters ranging from MINNIE, DONALD, GOOFY and PLUTO.   There is a great Meet and Great for ARIEL right next to her new ride!

Another great spot to see MICKEY, MINNIE, DONALD, DAISY, GOOFY and PLUTO are at Epcot at the Character Spot.  It is a great way to stand in one line and see them all!!!  Outside of the Character Spot on your way to The Land, you will find CHIP and DALE playing in the bushes.   Make sure to check for Characters outside of Imagination! as they are not listed but we ran into ALICE, CINDERELLA and her STEPMOTHER LADY TREMAINE  there. 

Around the worlds at Epcot is another great place to see some of the characters.  DONALD DUCK is in Mexico!  You will also find MULAN at China, SNOW WHITE in Germany, JASMINE and ALADDIN in Morocco, AURORA in France and MARY POPPINS, ALICE in WONDERLAND, POOH and TIGGER in the United Kingdom.  We managed to be Jasmine and Aladdin’s last family one night and they took us on an adventure through Epcot looking for Abu.  What a Magical Moment we will never forget!

Characters are also located throughout Animal Kingdom.  Definitely stop by Camp Minnie-Mickey!  You will find PLUTO and GOOFY in DinoLand.  Pocahontas is usually in Asia somewhere.  If you travel out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, you will be surprised by characters such as JIMINY CRICKET, RAFIKI himself and others.  Across from It’s Tough to be a Bug! down by the water, you can find POOH, TIGGER and EEYORE! 

There are several locations throughout Walt Disney World where you can eat meals with the characters.  Here are some of my favorites:

CHEF MICKEY (Contemporary Resort) – MICKEY, MINNIE, DONALD, GOOFY and PLUTO

HOLLYWOOD and VINES (Hollywood Studios) – JAKE, AGENT OSO, JUNE and HANDY MANNY

BE OUR GUEST (Magic Kingdom) – THE BEAST

CINDERELLA’S ROYAL TABLE (Magic Kingdom) – CINDERELLA, SNOW WHITE, AURORA, JASMINE & ARIEL

TUSKER HOUSE RESTAURANT (Animal Kingdom) – MICKEY, MINNIE, DONALD, DAISY

CRYSTAL PALACE (Magic Kingdom) – POOH, EEYORE and TIGGER

1900 PARK FARE (Grand Floridian) – MARY POPPINS, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, PRINCE CHARMING

*Some change for each meal so make sure to ask when you book your meals.  You can do so up to 180 days in advance so I would book early!

DISNEY CHASE CARD – If you open a Disney VISA through Chase, you get a special Meet and Greet at Epcot with two Characters.  We did it twice …. Once with MINNIE and GOOFY and the other time with MICKEY and PLUTO.  You get to go in a special room and take as much time as you want with them!  This is located in the Innovention’s building.

 

Winter Fun for Everyone!

Winter Fun for Everyone!

Indoor Fun:

1.  Willston Fitness Center in Mtka - 14509 Minnetonka Drive in Minnetonka. Phone: 952-939-8370. Cost is $5 for non-members. The indoor play area is for children 12 and under. Children must wear socks to play in the treehouse.  There is also a great pool and splash pad!
http://www.eminnetonka.com/recreation/facilities/williston_fitness_center.cfm

2.  Edinborough Park, Edina 7700 York Ave S in Edina. Phone: 952-833-9540. Hours are 9am-9pm Monday through Saturday and 9am-6pm on Sundays. Cost is $6. Children under 1 are free and parents are admitted free with paid child. Socks are required for everyone. The “peak” is a 44x44x37 foot high climbing, low crawling, slip sliding Northwoods adventure. Climb into the 30 foot tall oak tree, slide down one of the four giant tube slides or wash down the triple wave slide. Check our their calendar for Tuesday and Thursday events!
https://www.facebook.com/EdinboroughPark?ref=ts&fref=ts

3.  Minnesota SeaLife Aquarium at Mall of America, 8100 24th Avenue South in Bloomington. Phone: 866-823-9317. Hours are Monday through Thursday 10am-7:30pm, Friday 10am-8:30pm, Saturday 9am-8:30pm and Sunday 10am-6:30pm. Cost is free for 2 and under, $14.99 kids 3-12, and $19.99 for 13+. The all new SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium brings you closer than ever before to more than 10,000 sea creatures including sharks, sea turtles, rays, jellyfish, seahorses and more!
https://www.facebook.com/SEALIFEMN?ref=ts&fref=ts

4.  Toddler Tuesday - Mall of America
http://www.mallofamerica.com/events/feature/toddler-tuesdays

5.  Minnesota Children's Museum 10 West 7th Street in St. Paul. Phone: 651-225-6000. Hours are Monday through Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday and Saturday 9am-8pm, and Sunday 9am-5pm. Admission is $8.95 per person for ages 1-101. 3 hour parking is $4. At the Children’s Museum, kids will have a blast discovering an exciting, immersive world that arouses their curiosity, increases their understanding, and ignites an appreciation for learning. www.mcm.org
https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaChildrensMuseum?ref=ts&fref=ts

6. Skyzone (Offering Toddler Time on Tuesday and Friday) 13310 Industrial Park Blvd., Suite 160 in Plymouth. Phone: 763-331-3511. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 3-8pm, Friday 12-9pm, Friday Sky Mania (ages 11-15) 9-11pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sky Jam (16+) 10pm-12am, and Sunday 11am-7pm. Closed Mondays. Cost is $8 for 30 minutes, $12 for 1 hr, $16 for 90 minutes and $20 for 120 minutes. During open jump time there is a special court for children 5 and under. Walk-ins welcome, but to guarantee your jump time, pre-purchase tickets online at http://minneapolis.skyzonesports.com. Additional $1 per ticket reservation fee applies.
https://www.facebook.com/skyzonempls?ref=ts&fref=ts

7.  Minnesota's Science Museum 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. in St. Paul. Phone: 651-221-9444. Hours are 9:30am-9:30pm seven days a week. Cost is $11 for adults and $8.50 for children 4-12 and seniors (museum admission only). www.smm.org

8.  Indoor Play Castle at the Chaska Community Center, 1661 Park Ridge Drive in Chaska. Phone: 952-448-5633. Hours are Monday 9am-6pm, Tuesday through Sunday 9am-9pm. Cost for the Play Castle is $1 for members and $2 for non-members. Parents are free. www.chaskacommunitycenter.com

9. Indoor Play Structure at the Eden Prairie Community Center, 16700 Valley View Road in Eden Prairie. Phone: 952-949-8470. Hours are Monday through Sunday 8am-8pm. Closed daily from 9:30-10:30am for cleaning. Cost is $3.50 for 18 mos.-4 years, $4.50 for 5 years and up, 18 mos. and younger is free. Half price Mon-Fri after 1pm and weekends after 4pm. Kids can climb, jump and crawl at the indoor play structure. Additionally there is a special area for infants and toddlers to explore as well as a mini rock climbing wall. www.edenprairie.org

10. The Atrium at Playworks, 2200 Trail of Dreams in Prior Lake. Phone: 952-445-7529. Hours are 8am-7pm Monday through Friday and 9am-7pm Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $7.50 for ages 3-12, $4.50 1-2 years, and under 1 is free. Parents are free when accompanied by a child. Playworks Atrium is a one-of-a-kind destination for children and families who love spending time together. The Atrium has a multi-level playstructure, interactive dancefloor, NEOS, Wii, PS3, computer games, the Arcade, and video monitors for watching that Sunday afternoon football game. The Toddler area is a popular destination for families with younger children. www.playworksfun.com

11. The Blast at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway in Eagan. Phone: 651-675-5550. Hours are Monday through Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 8am-8pm and Sunday 10am-8pm. Cost is $5.00 for youth 18 months-15 years. Under 18 months and over 16 years old are free. After 5pm Sunday through Friday is $2.50. The Blast features loads of play opportunities and interstellar delights. Try climbing through the Space Shuttle Tower and Rocket Launch Pads, ascending through two Apollo Rocket Propulsion Launchers, flying the Intergalactic Space Fight Jet, exploring the Milky Way tunnel and more! Socks are required. Outside food and beverages are not permitted. An on-site concession (limited hours) stand and vending machines are available. www.cityofeagan.com

12. Maple Maze Indoor Playground, 12951 Weaver Lake Road in Maple Grove. Phone: 763-494-6500. Hours are 9am-8pm Monday through Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sundays. Cost is $5 for kids 1-12, under 1 free (non-resident) and $4 for kids 1-12, under 1 free (residents). Kids 12 and under will find it amazing to glide down the tube slide, swirl down the double slide or crawl through four climbing levels in the ceiling high playhouse or rock climbing wall. There’s a special play area for toddlers, 3 and under, with a small ball pit, toddler slide and climbing structure. www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us

13. Lookout Ridge Indoor Playground, 8595 Central Park Place in Woodbury. Phone: 651-714-3500. Hours are 10am-5pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10am-8pm Tuesday and Thursday, and closed Sundays May through August. Closed for maintenance June 27, July 25, Sept. 6-9, Oct. 24 and Nov. 28. Lookout Ridge is a state-of-the-art playground designed for children 12 and under. A themed, life-like design and sound effects accompany slides, forests, a tree house and even a cave. Kids are able to climb inside cliffs imitating the St. Croix River Valley, then zoom down a mountain spiral slide emerging from a cave. www.ci.woodbury.mn.us

14. Eagle’s Nest Indoor Playground at The Family Center, 400 10th St. NW in New Brighton. Phone: 651-638-2130. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. Cost is $5 for children 1-12, $3 after 6pm Monday through Friday only. There is no charge for adults. Imaginations run wild as children leap into the ball pit, scale the 8 foot climbing wall, zoom down the triple slide and find their way through the wiggle waggles and the foam forest! There is a special area for tykes 3 and under with its own colorful ball pit, challenging climbing structure, reading corner and other activities geared toward toddlers. www.ci.new-brighton.mn.us

15. Tropical Adventure Indoor Playground at the Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St N in Shoreview. Phone: 651-490-4700. Hours are Monday through Saturday 8am-8pm and Sundays 8am-6pm. Cost is $4.50 for children 1-12. Members are free. Socks are required. Children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Come crawl through the caves, swing through the jungle, slip down the waterfall slide and scream down the five level spiral slide! The playground is designed for children 12 and under. www.shoreviewcommunitycenter.com

16. Terry Time Adventure Park, 14200 Lincoln Street NE, Suite 500 in Ham Lake. Phone: 763-331-0265. Summer hours are Tuesday through Friday 9:30am-4:30pm, Saturdays 9:30-5:30pm and Sundays 12-5pm. Admission is $6.00 per child ages 1-12. Bring the jungle to life with a two-story tree house, giant mural, slides, suspended bridges, arcade and more! www.adventureparkmn.com

17. Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America, 8100 24th Avenue South in Bloomington. Phone: 952-883-8800. Hours are Monday through Thursday 10am-9:30pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-10pm, and 10:30am-7:30pm on Sunday. An unlimited ride wristband can be purchased for $29.95. Various other points packages are available. Nickelodeon Universe features 7 acres of unique attractions and entertainment. Meet the Nick characters, experience spine-tingling rides and more! www.mallofamerica.com

18. Jumps and Downs Inflatable Play Center, 1155 Shakopee Town Square in Shakopee. Phone: 952-405-8354. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm (limited jump time on June 10 & June 22). Cost is $7 per child plus tax. Children under 1 are free. Parents are free too. Jumps and Downs is an indoor inflatable play and party center for active kids who love to jump, bounce, slide, and simply have fun with their friends. www.jumpsanddowns.com

19. Take the kids bowling at Brunswick Zone, 12200 Singletree Lane, in Eden Prairie. Phone: 952-941-0445. Opens at 9am daily. www.bowlbrunswick.com

20. Play a round of mini golf at Golf Zone, 825 Flying Cloud Drive in Chaska. Phone: 952-445-1500. Hours are 10am-10pm Monday, 8am-10pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 8am – 9pm on Sunday (June 1-August 31). Cost is $7.50 for adults and $6.50 for kids. Whether you play Big Bear Mini Putt indoor course or Boulder Creek Mini Golf outdoor course, your family is sure to have a good time. www.yourgolfzone.com

21. The Works, 9740 Grand Ave S, in Bloomington. Phone: 952-888-4262. Hours are Monday through Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Cost is $6 per person for ages 3 and up. The Works is a “hands-on, minds-on” museum that makes learning about science and engineering interesting, understandable and fun. www.theworks.org

22. Open Studio Time at Kiddywampus, 4400 Excelsior Blvd in St. Louis Park. Phone: 952-926-7871. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Cost is $8 per hour. For ages 18 months-10 years. From painting on the wall to inventing paint colors to creating sculptures of your dreams, Open Studio 2 is an inspired creative experience. This is a special place to create with your child. www.kiddywampus.com

23.  Bowling at Pinstrips - Edina Daily 10am-12pm Kids bowl for $5 & moms bowl free (12 & under) Pinstripes is upscale bowling at its best & a great place to take the kids for mom & tot bowling! The kids’ shoes have velcro, the bumpers come up automatically by player and there are televisions above the lanes playing cartoons or a movie which gives the kids something to do while waiting for their turn. www.pinstripes.com

24. Pump It Up -  http://www.pumpitupparty.com/ Check their schedule for Pop in Times.  Locations throughout the Twin Cities - Eden Prairie, Eden Prairie, Ham Lake and Oakdale

25.  Hennepin County Library - Storytime! https://www.facebook.com/hclib?ref=ts&fref=ts and http://www.hclib.org/BirthTo6/StorytimesAction.cfm?Which=Family

26.  Wild Rumpus - an independent children's bookstore in Minneapolis with a penchant for Manx cats and chickens (as well as many other interesting creatures living at our store). https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wild-Rumpus-Books-for-Young-Readers/9195534681?ref=ts&sk=info

17.  Choo Choo Bob's in St. Paul http://choochoobobs.com/ Choo Choo Bob's has become a landmark in St. Paul, and a destination for people from all over the Twin Cities area. Moms and Dads, children and grandparents, all find the experience at Choo Choo Bob's to be rewarding and fun.


Open Gyms:

1.  North Shore Gym - Maple Plain
https://www.facebook.com/NorthShoreGymnastics?ref=ts&fref=ts

2.  Mini-hops Gym - Minnetonka
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mini-Hops-Gymnastics/253511201368987?ref=ts&fref=ts 

3.  St Louis Park Rec Center - SLP (Tues, Wed and Friday from 9:30-11:30
http://www.stlouispark.org/youth-activities/little-tot-playtime.html

4. Plymouth Fieldhouse Dome 14800 34th Ave. N, Plymouth, MN 55447 Phone: 763-509-5280 Hours: M,W,F 10:30-1:30 (Nov.-Mar.) Preschool Open Play: Balls, bouncers, open field. Cost: $2 for Plymouth Residents; $3 non-residents


Indoor Water Parks

1. Water Park of America, 1700 American Blvd E in Bloomington. Phone: 952-698-8888. Open 10am-10pm seven days a week in June. Cost varies from $14.95 to $24.95 depending on day and number of hours. Surf on Minnesota’s only Flow Rider Surf Simulator, catch a wave in the Lake Superior wave pool or challenge your fears in America’s longest indoor family raft ride at 10 stories tall and over a mile long! The water park also offers a spa, two restaurants, and a 5,800 sq foot arcade and much more! www.waterparkofamerica.com

2. Chaska Aquatic Center at the Chaska Community Center, 1661 Park Ridge Drive in Chaska. Phone: 952-448-5633. The pool schedule varies by day. Check schedule available at website. Daily admission is $6.25 adults, $5.00 youth and seniors, $18.50 family (residents) and $8.00 adults, $6.75 youth and seniors. The Aquatic Center has a 4 lane lap pool with giant water slide, rope swing and diving platform, a leisure pool with zero depth entry featuring a caterpillar slide and interactive water features, a warm spa for children and a hot spa for adults in addition to sauna and steam rooms. www.chaskacommunitycenter.com

3. Waterpark at The Depot, 225 South 3rd Avenue in Minneapolis. Phone: 612-758-7854. Hours vary by month. In June the water park is open Friday through Sunday. On Friday the park is open 12pm-10pm, Saturday 9am-10pm, Sunday 9am-3pm. Cost for non-hotel guests is $20 per person. Children under 2 swim free with paying adult. The Depot has a three-story indoor/outdoor water slide, secluded north woods whirlpool area, zero depth pool with interactive water features, four pools, splash fountain, arcade games and snack bar.

4. Safari Island Community Center - Waconia, MN Float into fun at Safari Island! Bring your favorite floatie, catch some good times with a friend, and grab a root beer float on your way out for just fifty cents! If you don’t have a floatie, you can use our pool noodles or aqua joggers. Your floatie must be a clean, single person flotation device. No rubberized rafts are allowed and floaties cannot be tied together. Life jackets must be Coast Guard approved.

5. Tropics Indoor Waterpark at the Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St N in Shoreview. Phone: 651-490-4700. Hours are Monday & Wednesday 12-8:30pm, Tuesday & Thursday 12-9pm, Friday 12-9:45pm, Saturday 12-7:45pm and Sunday 12-6pm. Cost is $30/day for family, $8.30 for adult and $7.50 for child 1-17 (non-residents) or $24/day for family, $7.00 for adult and $6.00 for child 1-17 (residents). This water park features a tike size paradise at Shipwreck Beach including interactive water features and a boat slide. In the main pool you can play water volleyball or slam-dunk the basketball in the palm tree hoop. You can also climb aboard one of our giant floating sea creatures and more! www.shoreviewcommunitycenter.com


Open Ice Skating

1. Eden Prairie Community Center, 16700 Valley View Road. Phone: 952-949-8470. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10-12:30pm, Friday 6-7:30pm, Saturday 2:15-4:15pm, Sunday 1-3pm. TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CALL AHEAD TO VERIFY.

2. Minnetonka Ice Arena, 3401 Williston Road in Minnetonka. Phone: 952-939-8310. Through April 27: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 11:30am-1pm, Friday 7:30-9pm (ends April 13), Sunday 2:30-4:30 (ends April 15). No skating March 4, 13, 18. TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CALL AHEAD TO VERIFY.

3. Hopkins Pavilion, 11000 Excelsior Blvd. in Hopkins. Phone: 952-9391410. Through February 19: Sundays 1-2:30pm. Cost is $4 for adults and $3 for youth under 18. Children under 4 are free. Hopkins Pavilion does not have skate rental or sharpening. Helmets are required for skaters under 18.

4. Victoria Recreation Center, 8475 Kochia Lane in Victoria. Phone: 952-443-4255. Through April 30: Every day from 10:45-11:45am. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for youth (residents) and $9 for adults, $5 for youth (non-residents).

Skiing/Sledding

1.  Buck Hill, Burnsville https://www.facebook.com/buckhillmn?ref=ts&fref=ts

2.  Hyland Ski, Bloomington https://www.facebook.com/HylandSki?ref=ts&fref=ts

3.  Elm Creek, Maple Grove https://www.facebook.com/pages/Three-Rivers-Elm-Creek-SnowSports-Academy/181241035304097 or http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/elm-creek-park/winter-recreation-area.aspx

4.  Trollhaugen https://www.facebook.com/trollhaugen?ref=ts&fref=ts

5.  Theodore Wire Park, Golden Valley http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=4&parkid=255


Other Events/Activities

1. IMax Theater at MN Zoo http://www.imax.com/oo/great-clips-imax-minnesota-zoo/

2.  Free Movie Saturday at Mall of America (10:00 am) The entire family can enjoy select movies for FREE every Saturday! First-come, first-served as seating is limited to the theatre capacity. Nov. 17 – The Pirates! Band of Misfits, Nov. 24 – Real Steel, Dec. 1 – The Adventures of Tin Tin, Dec. 8 – The Lorax, Dec. 15 – Elf, Dec. 22 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dec. 29 – The Polar Express. www.theatresmoa.com/events-promotions

With the help of the kids, we are creating a Countdown to Christmas list of things to do (in no particular order)!!!  Thanks for the idea Supermom Nicki!!! 

1.  Ring bells for the Salvation Army! http://www.registertoring.com/TwinCities/Default.aspx
2.  Watch the Holidazzle Parade http://www.holidazzle.com/  Here is a little tip:  We always make a resevation at one of the restaurants on the parade route.  Call in advance and ask for a window seat!  Then you can watch part of the parade from your table and also head outside for a little!  The last two years, we ate at the Newsroom and it was perfect!
3.  Macy's 8th Floor Display http://www.uniquelyminnesota.com/activities/macys-8th-floor-display-minneapolis-mn.htm  As much as I miss how the theme used to change each year, watching my kids walk through Santa's Workshop each year is still worth the trip!  If planned accordingly, you can hit up the 8th Floor Display and the Holidazzle the same night!
4.  Disney on Ice - http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/ Coming to the Xcel Center in December, this is a fun event for the whole family!
5.  Drive around and look at Christmas Lights!  Here is one of many places to check out!  http://www.lightsinthepark.org/
6.  Toddler Tuesday at the Mall of America! http://www.mallofamerica.com/upload/ToddlerTuesday4thQ_2012.pdf  We will not be missing Rocking around the Christmas Tree with Dora on Tuesday, December 18th!
7.  Make Christmas Cookies!  Need some ideas.  Check out my Pinterst Page http://pinterest.com/emiuelmen/holiday-cookie-exchange/
8.  Read Elf on the Shelf and hope that our Elf comes back to share the holidays with us!  http://www.elfontheshelf.com/
9.  Go Skiing/Snow Boarding!  http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/elm-creek-park/winter-recreation-area.aspx  Elm Creek in Maple Grove is a great place for younger kids to learn to ski!  We took the twins several times last winter and they loved it!  Our older two enjoyed it too! 
10.  Go Sledding!  http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/elm-creek-park/winter-recreation-area.aspx  Elm Creek has a great sledding hill too!
11.  Adopt a Family!  This year, we are adopting our family from WeCan.  http://wecan-help.org/?page_id=22  A great organization who will be donating back to families in our area!
12.  Make Ornaments for the Christmas Tree!  http://pinterest.com/emiuelmen/holidays/  Pinterest has helped us come up with many new ideas.  This is a great gift for any grandparents and family member too!
13.  25 Books of Christmas! http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199298198960/ Wrap up twenty-five children's books and put them under the tree with a special blanket next to them. Before bed each evening, your kids choose one book to open and read together until Christmas. Love it! This might be better than an advent calendar!!
14.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Children's Theater Company  http://www.childrenstheatre.org/index.php?
15.  Breakfast with Santa!   This is a favorite for our family!  Check our your local restaurants and Country Clubs to see if they offer a meal with Santa!
16.  Madeline's Christmas at Stage's Theater http://www.stagestheatre.org/upcoming-shows/01/31/2012/madelines-christmas  Act fast and get this great deal from Plum District! http://www.plumdistrict.com/moms/discount/minneapolis-st-paul/tickets-and-events-deals/stages-theatre-company-two-tickets-to-any-performance-of-madeline-s-christmas-by--IHBDHp  We are using this as a Daddy/Daughter Holiday Date!
17.  Decorate our Christmas Tree!  Probably my favorite day of all time!  I love going through all our ornaments seeing how much the kids have changed year to year!
18.  Donate to Toys for Tots!  http://www.toysfortots.org/  This is always a hard day for my kids to shop for others than themselves but just an important day too!  I believe in starting at an early age teaching them the importance of giving to others!
19.  Watch Elf!  And many other holiday movies.... Movie Marathon anyone?
20.  Dance to Holiday Music!  This should definitely be done more than just once!
21.  Donate food to the food pantry!  Here is a great site to help find where to donate in your area https://www.emergencyfoodshelf.org/howtohelp/holdafoodandcashdrive/foodandcashdriveprogramoverview.aspx
22.  Decorate a Gingerbread House!
23.  Write a letter to Santa! 
24.  Feed Reindeer!  Looks like they will be making lots of appearances this Winter http://www.livereindeer.com/appearances/ 
25.  Play in the snow!  (If we have any...)
26.  Cuddle in front of the fire!
27.  Run a Race!  New to us this year!!!  www.active.com is a great site to find a race near you!
28.  Go Ice Skating!  Want to go indoors... check out the Depot http://www.thedepotminneapolis.com/ice-rink.php
29.  Give a secret gift.  My plan is to take each kids separately to shop for their siblings.  Then they can give them their holiday gifts after they wrap, make a card and hide their gifts!
30.  Drink Hot Chocolate... with lots of Marshmallows!  Or even have a Hot Chocolate Bar http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199298256997/
31.  Make smores by the fire and then take a hot tub!
32.  Make care packages to send to relatives!  In our case, they will go to the kids Great Grandmas!! 
33.  Take Pink to visit Santa! check with your local Pet Store for times!  We go to http://www.petsmart.com/ 
34.  Go to a local Tree Lighting!  Live out west?  Mound's Tree lighting is next week!  http://lakeminnetonka.patch.com/articles/live-nativity-planned-for-2013-mound-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony
35.  Go Christmas Caroling!
36.  Get a kiss under the Mistletoe!
37.  Deck the Halls!  Put up the Christmas Tree as a family!  And then sleep under the lights!
38.  Elf your neighbor!!  My kids love Booing their neighors at Halloween that I know they will LOVE this!!  http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199298248947/ 
39.  Shop for Matching Christmas PJ's! 
40.  Make gifts for our teachers.  This will be easy with the help of Pinterest!

Most important...STOP AND ENJOY AND HAVE FUN!!


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My gymnast

What goes in, must come out......  Boy is this true!  Why I am posting this is for the next person who is going to react the way I did and get right "online" for the information that I wanted.

Last week, my #4 decided to EAT a penny.  First lesson learned "DO NOT GO AT YOUR SON TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF HIS MOUTH... HE WILL PULL AWAY AND ACCIDENTLY SWALLOW IT!" 

After swallowing the penny, here is how I reacted in 2 minutes time... called 911, then hung up when they said they would send an ambulance to then call my doctor and why on hold, stuck my finger down his throat to make him puke.  He puked up breakfast and NOT the penny.  This caused him to cry and then his brother to cry because he was scared!!!  Then I decided to take a deep breath and call..... my doctor, a nurse, my friend, then another friend, go online to see what info was list, make a doctors appt, drive to the appt but then call another friend who is a nurse in the parking lot where she told me not to worry... that what goes in, must come out!

So the comedy doesn't stop there.  First poop, he decided to take alone while I was making dinner to then have me run upstairs when I heard the toilet flush....  What did you do?  I went poop. Where is the poop?  I flushed it! 

A night of no sleep thinking my son was going to die... I am THAT mom....

No poop the next day but the following morning, decided to poop while we were out at a birthday party.  I had to then (stop reading if you want!)... catch the poop with toilet paper... what an interesting 3 minutes of smushing toilet paper.  Reed had NO CLUE what I was doing.... No penny!

Next day, another day of no poop and then finally a morning poop that INCLUDED THE PENNY!

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So here is why I am writing this... mom's out there.... your child swallows a penny.  It will be OK!  Just an interesting few days!!!!  GOOD LUCK!