Kid-Friendly Airport Dining your Wallet Will Love

Finding airport dining options suitable for children can be a challenge.  Quite often I settle for the familiar standby (McDonald’s) or whatever the closest restaurant happens to be.  I thought I would give some tips for kid-friendly airport dining at the airport I know best-Salt Lake International.

As Delta’s largest western hub, chances are that sooner or later you will find yourself at the Salt Lake International Airport with kids in tow, looking for a bite to eat.  Even those families familiar with the airport are in for a new airport dining experience.  SLC has recently undergone a total overhaul of its restaurants and shops, so you have a host of new places where you can nosh. Here are my Top 5 airport dining options that your kids and your wallet will love.

1.       Café Rio: Offers FREE cheese quesadillas for kids with adult purchase. Serves great fresh Mex that parents will love (I recommend the shredded chicken salad).  I also love airport dining choices like this that support locally-owned businesses. Located between concourses C and D.

2.       UFood Grill: Ask for their grilled cheese-they cook up a full size sandwich for just $2. It’s not on the menu, so you have to ask for it. Try their un-fries which are baked, not fried, with no salt added. Yum!  Everything here is baked or grilled and they can customize many of their items. Located in the C and E concourses.

3.       McDonald’s: OK, I know, I know. But their ice cream sundae is only $1.49 and comes in hot fudge, caramel , or strawberry.  That’ll soothe even the most savage of beasts! Grab a vanilla cone for even less. Located between concourses C and D.

4.       Greek Souvlaki: Try their loukoumades (think honeyed donut holes). Kids love them and they are easy to dish out to a crowd.  A package of ten costs $4.59. They also have a spaghetti kids meal along with the standard corn dog and chicken nugget options. Located between concourses C and D.

5.       Wendy’s: Like most other airport fast food dining places, they don’t offer a value menu. Still, you can get a large chili for just $2.19 or a baked potato for $1.39, which is a lot cheaper than most other airport dining menus. Located at the end of the B concourse.

If you are looking for gluten-free options, your airport dining choices are limited. If you just want to grab a quick snack, look for the gluten-free muffins at the French Meadow Bakery located in the B concourse or the Glutino gluten free bagel chips sold at the Fresh Market on the Go in the A concourse.

If you’d like a more grown up airport dining experience, don’t assume that your kids will disappointed with their choices.  Always ask if kid menus are available. One of my favorite SLC airport dining spots is Squatter’s Pub. They don’t advertise their kids menu, but they have one, with half a dozen choices under $5.

SLC is still working to add more airport dining options from national chains like Pei Wei to local favorites such as Market Street Grill. These should be complete by 2013. Look for an updated guide to SLC airport dining when construction is complete.

San Diego's Kidvasion!

San Diego is preparing for a "kidvasion" next month. During the entire month of October, kids eat, stay and play for free throughout San Diego. This includes the biggie destinations like SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and the San Diego Zoo. Here's a quick summary of the deals and age requirements.

SeaWorld: Children ages 3-9 are free with an adult paying full price ($78). You must enter the number of free children when purchasing the adult ticket online. Kids free also applies to Dine with Shamu, dolphin and beluga interaction programs with paid adult.
http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sandiego/Book-Online/Tickets/SoCal-Resident/Single-Park

LEGOLAND: One free child ages 3-12  free with each paying adult ($89), Oct 1-Oct 29. LEGOLAND is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You must purchase tickets online. http://LEGOLAND.com/KidsGoFree.

San Diego Zoo/San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Children ages 3-11 are free with adult paying full price ($42). No limit on the amount of children (as long as they can be reasonably supervised).
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kidsfree/index.html

Plus, bring your kids to dozens of other "kids free" activities like the USS Midway Museum, the Birch Aquarium, and harbor cruises. Check out the link below for a full list of activities, plus a list of restaurants and hotels where kids can stay and eat free.
San Diego Kidvasion

For a list of always free, always fun activities in San Diego, click here.

Amsterdam Scavenger Hunt

Here is the scavenger hunt I created for our trip to Amsterdam.  You'll find most of these things on a good walk from the museum district to the Anne Frank House or Central Station.  It's pretty basic, but it helped keep them interested in their surroundings.

A few notes:

#3 Magere Brug: This is a draw bridge that is raised approx. every 20 minutes.  It is a bit out of the way, so if you aren't going as far as the museum district, skip it.

#6 Gables: There are six basic gable types: point, bell, funnel or spout, step, neck, and cornice.  I shamelessly hand copied the illustrations from Rick Steves' Amsterdam, Bruges and Belgium guidebook. You can also find great photos of these gables at http://www.liezel.8m.com/oman/Text/oseas/amsterdam.html

Amsterdam Scavenger Hunt

Bonus: Can you count how many bridges you go over?

1. How do you say “house” in Dutch?

2. Taste a stroopwafel. What do you think?

I didn't like it    I liked it       Can I have another one right now?

3. Find the Magere Brug (crosses the Amstel @ Kerkstraat, Eastern Canal Ring). How do you think it works?

4. Listen for the bells of the Westerkerk. Anne Frank could hear these bells from her hiding place and it reminded her of the outside world.

5. Take a picture in front of the skinniest house in Amsterdam (166 Singel).

6. Find one of these gables:

7. Write something you learned at the Anne Frank House.

8. Find a food stand that sells "frites." What do the Dutch like to eat on their frites?

9. List all the types of transportation you took on this trip:

3 Days of Disney-When to Go, Part Two

If you pick the right time of year to visit, you can spend 7 or 8 hours in the park and hop on every ride (some twice), see a bunch of shows, and even catch a parade or fireworks. However, if jobs, school and other time restraints force you to visit at the same time as 50,000 other people, here's how to get the most out of it.

Magic Morning: Can be a great option if you “just have to see” some of the attractions in Fantasyland with longer lines, like Peter Pan's Flight. Lines just after a Magic Morning opening rival those later in the day, so go straight to the ride you really want to get on.

Morning: Grab your FASTPASSes in Tomorrowland, then head to Adventureland. Kids and one parent can climb Tarzan's Treehouse and check out the Jungle Cruise while the other parent takes advantage of Indiana Jones' single rider line. Then swap and do it all again. Head back to Tomorrowland for the rest of the morning.

Afternoon

Afternoons are most crowded. The early morning crowd hasn't left yet, the late sleepers have all arrived and the night-time crowd is starting to trickle in. Lines that were long at 11 am seem even longer in the heat of the afternoon sun. Personally, I love to leave the park during this time and go back to my hotel. I let the kids have a swim and make them take a nap. We head back to Disneyland around 6 or 7ish, when crowds start to shrink (see below).

If you insist on toughing out the afternoon in the park, here's how to beat the crowds and heat. Take this time to see some of the indoor attractions and shows, like Aladdin, A Bug's Life, Billy Hill and the Hillbillies or The Enchanted Tiki Room. Pack a lunch and spend some time picnicking on Pirate's Cove or in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. This also gives kids a chance to run around and use up some energy. Ride the train around the park to “it's a small world and take a cruise”. Watch a parade or street party. Use this time to pick out your souvenirs.

Evening

By early evening, much of the day time crowd is tired and headed home. Now is a great time to head to New Orleans Square, Frontierland, and Fantasyland. New Orleans Square is just plain more fun in the dark. Many Fantasyland patrons are headed home for bed, so lines thin out. If you don't mind keeping kids up late, after the fireworks you can practically walk on many of the slower rides like Pirates of the Carribbean or Haunted Mansion. Remember that some rides close at dark like the Storybook Land Canal Boats and the Matterhorn Bobsled, so make sure to catch them earlier in the day.

3 Days of Disney: When to Go, Part One

Disneyland is at its best in October and February.  I'm talking beautiful weather, walk on the rides, soft hotel prices perfection. Both months have advantages and disadvantages.  Here is what you need to know.

October: The weather is slightly more predictable but that also means weekends can be a little more crowded.  You can still have a long day at the park because daylight savings is in effect. Best of all, you get to enjoy Disneyland all decked out for Halloween!

February: Disney usually offers a price break on tickets between January and mid-April, the only time of year they regularly do so.  Price breaks are often buy an adult ticket for the price of a child or a discount for buying tickets online.  The third week of February can be full of spring-breakers, so try to avoid that week after President's Day.  You'll most likely need a light jacket if you stay past dark.

Disney provides two great tools to help you determine the least crowded days to visit.  When planning a trip, I first consult the annual pass holder blockout dates calendar. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/southern-california-select/blockout-dates/

Any dates not blocked out on this calendar, Disney expects a lighter attendance.

Next, I consult the Park Hours and Entertainment Schedule.  Disney usually publishes this on their website 6-8 weeks ahead of time. So, you wouldn't be able to look at October's schedule until at least August. Look for days that have shorter scheduled hours (say, 9am-10pm instead of 8am-12am) and fewer scheduled shows, like World of Color or parades. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays usually have fewer visitors.  Anytime you see fireworks scheduled on a weekday, you know Disney is expecting a crowd. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/things-to-do/ (click on Park Hours)

Keep in mind that since fewer people=fewer shows, you may have to plan your entertainment schedule more carefully.  If a parade is only offered once per day, make sure you know when it begins. You might have to make a choice if two popular shows are shown at the exact same time (like fireworks and World of Color).  For me, a little planning and compromise is a great trade for shorter lines (three words: Peter Pan Ride).

3 Days of Disney: World of Color Tips

I have shied away from posting about Disneyland because I am sure there are people out there who know more tricks and tips than I do.  Even though my family has been to "the happiest place on earth" more than a dozen times, I still learn something new every time I go.  So, as nod to the three days I recently spent there, here are three days of Disney posts.

World of Color

Tickets: You will need to get a FASTPASS ticket to view the World of Color.  You will still be able to use your entrance ticket to obtain a FASTPASS ticket to another ride immediately. Every ticket holder must be present in order to receive a FASTPASS. Even though it says specifically on the Disneyland website that this is not the case, the cast members apparently haven't been told this. So unlike other FASTPASS distribution areas, you can't send one person to get the tickets for everyone.  (We learned this the hard way.) Currently the FASTPASS distribution area is located next the Grizzly River Run.

A limited number of tickets are distributed each day.  Shows can "sell out" in as little as 25 minutes on days with only one showing. It's best to get in line for tickets as soon as California Adventure opens.

Seating: Tickets are distributed in two seating groups: blue and yellow.  Both seating groups are comparable. "Seating Groups" is a misnomer because there aren't any seats.  If you are watching with your kids, look for the steps in the the viewing area (there are several places) and find a space at the top.  By standing at the top, it will be easier for little one to see over adults when the show begins.  Plus, you have a good place to sit while you wait.

Seating opens 1 hour to 45 minutes before the show (depending on if there is one or two showings that day).  It is okay for one person to save space for the rest of the family.  I like to save space and let the kiddos go on one or two more rides rather than have them wait all that time.  The Little Mermaid ride behind the viewing area is surprisingly empty during this time. Also, if you can find a space towards the middle, cast members remove these rope barriers at the end of the show for a quick exit.  There are a few benches behind the viewing area, but they go quickly. Plan on grabbing one of these at least 1 1/2 hours or more before the show begins.

If you would like a space up front, get in line for seating early.  Keep in mind that when they say people in front will get wet, what they mean is that people in front will get wet.  We were about midway both times I saw the show, and I still got a little wet.  Luckily, the park has posted signs in the "wetter" viewing areas.

If you have more questions about World of Color, click here http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/world-of-color/questions/ for Disney's FAQ page.

Pajama Party at Disneyland?

OK, so it's not exactly a pajama party, but Disneyland will let you play all night long this February 29th.  In celebration of leap year, for the first time ever Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom Park will remain open for 24 hours straight-from 6 am on February 29th until 6 am on March 1st.

Don't forget that it's not too late win one of 60 vacation packages for four that Disney is giving away.  Deadline is February 29th. Follow the link below to register and for more info.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/one-more-disney-day/?CMP=SOC-DisMemFY12Q2TWDgsndOMDD0001