| Jennifer Michaels's Blog Archive |
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| Introducing the Next Family Travel Expert |
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| September 11, 2008 |
As I embark on a new chapter in my life, I am leaving my position here at VISIT FLORIDA.
The journey to travel with my family around the beautiful state where I grew up has been an incredible gift. Thanks to VISIT FLORIDA, we have made so many wonderful memories.... more |
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| AquaJam: Florida Keys for Teens |
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| August 20, 2008 |
| There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says:
"Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.... more |
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| Sun Safe Tips for Families |
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| August 18, 2008 |
When I moved to Florida from up north, I told my sister that I just couldn’t take another day of trying to wrestle my sons into their heavy, puffy winter coats. The tantrum-throwing, screaming toddlers hated to put on all that winter garb.
“Do you think sunscreen is any easier?” my sister, the lawyer who was arguing all the reasons I should stay close to her, coyly asked.... more |
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| SeaWorld's Orphan Manatee |
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| July 25, 2008 |
When I saw this picture in my inbox today, I just had to share it with you. Isn't that what bonding is all about? How cute is that baby manatee?
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| And the survey says…Family Fun Facts |
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| July 16, 2008 |
I'm not referring to the “Family Feud.” Family fun is more like it.
Throughout the year, many of you have written to me for advice on how to plan the perfect Florida vacation.... more |
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| A Florida 4th |
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| July 05, 2008 |
Our summer has been the typical Florida mix of sun and fun. My oldest is at overnight camp with his cousins, so it’s pretty quiet around here without all of the usual brotherly bickering.
I sent Jack away hoping he would learn to water ski.... more |
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| Orlando to Light Up the Sky on the 4th |
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| June 26, 2008 |
Trying to plan a last-minute getaway to Orlando on the 4th of July? Whether you are coming with the kids from out of state, having a “Stay-cation” in Florida if you are a resident, or just thinking ahead about what might be cool for some family fun next year, here are my top picks:
Independence Day at Walt Disney World Resort
All four theme parks come alive with special shows celebrating the Fourth of July. Downtown ... more |
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| The Boys of Summer: The Good Life |
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| June 22, 2008 |
You got that hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on, baby
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone
-Don Henley
My Boys of Summer wish it would never end!
My family is in absolute heaven during baseball season and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are sure having a great run.
But, hey, how ‘bout them Cubs?
The boys enjoyed a great night at ... more |
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| Summer Deals for Florida Residents: Hard Rock Hotel Orlando ROCKS! |
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| May 16, 2008 |
| “Wow Mom, look at Slash's guitar!” screamed my 7-year-old, who would never have know who Slash even was until Guitar Hero hit the big time. “Oh my gosh, it’s real stuff from KISS!”
My kids, who are huge fans of the new guitar video game craze – and actually play the real thing – were ready to party like rock stars at the ... more |
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| The Gift of Thanks for the Gift of Travel: A Mother's Day Story |
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| May 12, 2008 |
| I hope all you Moms out there had a great Mother’s Day. I received the most special gift, one all moms hope for: the gift of appreciation. I thought I’d share my story to inspire you to plan some memorable activities when heading on a Florida family vacation:
My son’s wonderful third grade teacher had the kids put together a book about their “Supermoms.... more |
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| How to Stretch Your Rebate Check for an Orlando Summer Vacation |
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| April 28, 2008 |
| As anticipation builds for the economic stimulus rebate checks set to hit mailboxes this May, it’s a perfect time for families to begin thinking about applying the money towards a Florida family summer vacation. I thought it would be helpful for your planning to give you some tips on how to get the most value from your rebate bucks:
According to the results of the recent Hotwire 2008 Travel Value Index, Orlando was named the top destination in the east for a vacation that provides the best value and entertainment options.... more |
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| Spring has Sprung! |
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| March 24, 2008 |
| Flowers and butterflies remind us that spring is here! For us, it's mainly baseball, but there IS more to life! So, I put together some off-the-beaten path, wonderful ways to enjoy some springtime family fun in Florida. Here you go:
MOSI’s BioWorks Butterfly Garden, 4801 E. Fowler Ave.... more |
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| Sleeping with the Dinosaurs: Jurassic Park-style |
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| March 19, 2008 |
As any parent knows, sleep is key to having a fun family vacation. Why not make it enticing to head back to the hotel room for some good zzzs?
When I head to Orlando in search of accommodations, I look for certain "kid-friendly" and "parent-friendly" amenities. What catches my eye could be something subtle (like a one-shot coffee maker for when you are running out the door) or it can be the hit-you-in-the-face kind of BIG news like this – the world’s first Jurassic Park-themed hotel suites that just debuted at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando.... more |
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| The Suite Smell of the Nick Hotel |
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| March 12, 2008 |
| How many commercials of the Nick Hotel did we have to see before I agreed to take the kids?
I lost count. But, we finally made it to Orlando to check out the ... more |
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| Kids and Wacky Souvenirs: Stop the Clutter! |
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| March 03, 2008 |
| Life on the road comes with some issues.
Along our Florida family travels, we have really picked up some wacky reminders of our trips! Here’s just a sampling of the kitschy souvenirs my kids have brought home to clutter our shelves. They have totally given up on the idea of a keychain or T-Shirt.... more |
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| The Wonderful World of Wonderworks |
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| February 13, 2008 |
| Now that my kids are at ages (6 and 9) where they can stay up past 8 p.m. without ruining our entire week, we are starting to take them out for some nightlife while on vacation.... more |
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| Sneak Peek Into Florida's New Spring Family Attractions |
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| January 25, 2008 |
| Hold onto your hats!
What kid doesn't love a fast-paced new ride? For my boys, the scarier and wilder the attraction is, the better. As the Family Travel Expert, I often get a sneak peek into the latest and greatest in theme park adventures; I am going to share the scoop with you on a virtual tour. Here are a few “must-see” attractions to add to your itineraries for an Orlando vacation this spring.... more |
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| Say Cheese! What To Do With Your Family Vacation Photos |
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| January 18, 2008 |
| When I had my first baby, my sister gave me lots of invaluable advice. She told me how to change diapers, clip baby fingernails, potty-train my toddlers, etc. But, one of the best things she ever told me was to purchase about 30 photo albums so that whenever I had a roll of film developed, I could immediately put the pictures into a new family album.... more |
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| Which Way is North? Discovering Nature with Kids |
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| January 08, 2008 |
| My dad is a huge nature enthusiast and there is no one better to give your kids a bird-watching lesson than Grandpa.
Fellow readers of my blog on VISITFLORIDA.com constantly ask me to suggest multi-generational travel.... more |
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| How We Spent Our Winter Break |
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| January 05, 2008 |
| The Michaels boys will sure have a lot to write about when the teacher assigns the age-old essay, "How I Spent My Winter Vacation." Here's a quick lowdown of what we did; you can expect to read about each place in detail here on my blog very soon.
We have been very busy.... more |
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| Peace of Mind: Family Travel Tips for the Holidays |
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| December 20, 2007 |
If you are heading to Florida with your family or to visit family for the winter holidays, there are a few important things you should do before you come. I know it's tough for parents to remember everything, so I've put together some helpful tips to make your family travel smoother – and safer.
Here's my list.... more |
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| To Grandmother's House We Go! |
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| December 17, 2007 |
Sundays. My lucky husband and I have arranged that he gets that day off. He works from home, so he's “on duty” with the kids 6 days a week.... more |
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| It's Easy Being Green This Holiday Season |
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| December 11, 2007 |
During this holiday time of year, there are lots of greens decking the halls, which reminded me to look into what Florida’s resorts and attractions are doing to help the environment.
Families traveling in large numbers can really be wasteful. Just think about how many towels a family of four might leave for the hotel staff to wash and dry, including pool towels.... more |
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| Jingle Bells |
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| December 07, 2007 |
| Jingle Bells.
I can hear them ringing. This week's to-do list includes: Assist with Diet Coke/Mentos-exploding Science Fair project and a “Holidays Around the World” oral report, bake four dozen cookies for the neighborhood “cookie-swap” (Yes, those parties do exist in the suburbs), shop for gifts, wrap.... more |
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| The Power of One |
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| December 03, 2007 |
Supermom's Orlando Mission: Must be prepared for surprise diaper duty and long meals with tired children!
It's amazing what the power of ONE "must-have" item can do for on-the-go parents. During our stay at ... more |
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| Universal's Royal Welcome |
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| November 27, 2007 |
I promised I’d fill you in on our Thanksgiving week at Universal Orlando. We went from swimming in Blue Lagoons at Royal Pacific to Blue Man Group to donning Blue Parkas at the Gaylord Palms Resort’s ICE! exhibit. I wasn't kidding when I said we had the Thanksgiving “Blues!” Check out the pictures.... more |
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| The Thanksgiving Blues |
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| November 19, 2007 |
The Thanksgiving holiday is finally upon us and I’ve been busy planning a Florida travel itinerary for the big week off of school. We thought we might have to improvise a winter holiday sans snow, but I’m going to reveal how creative Floridians can get when faced with mostly palm trees and sand!
Once I started planning an Orlando getaway, a few friends jumped on the bandwagon, saying that they too felt that when you live in Paradise, why go anywhere else?
Selfishly, I admit, I knew I could get some work done and avoid the holiday airport rush. Besides, I just got off a plane from holiday shopping in New York City and was very happy to put the wool coat and boots back in my closet and pull out my flip flops for a few days of family fun with friends.... more |
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| Mom's Weekend Getaway |
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| November 12, 2007 |
| I just spent the weekend in Heaven. Where is that? The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, Grande-Lakes. When my older son, who is 8, was invited to travel to Chicago and road-trip with his aunt, uncle and cousins to watch the Greenbay Packers play the Chicago Bears, I started doing some research and devious planning for a trip of my own, sans husband and kids.... more |
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