Wow, what a nice weekend getaway!  I definitely recommend you try out the Gaylord Resort in Orlando if you are looking for a fun and relaxing place to take the family!  They also have an adults only pool if you are wanting to get away with that special someone and don’t want to spend the extra money to travel someplace like Mexico or the Keys. 

We checked into the hotel Saturday around 12:30 and immediately headed to the pool (definitely both resort style and kid friendly) after dropping our bags off in our beautiful room.  We had a view of the Atrium with a couple of chairs on the balcony so we could sit and listen to the relaxing music and enjoy a view of the indoor tropical rainforest.   When we got down to the pool, we chose a set of lounge chairs in the middle of the pool area where we could watch the kids swim in the zero entry pool, or turn and watch them play on the “water style tree house” equipped with 4 slides.  Both of the boys met the 36" height requirement for the slides and slid down so many times I lost count.  

The kids were THRILLED to be able to swim while we waited for our “pool side lunch”.  The food was much better than I expected it to be and the kids were more than happy to stop swimming for a short time and come and eat. The prices were what I would expect for a resort like this (and being served right at the pool).  We paid around $8.00 for each of the kid’s meals which came with a side and a drink, and paid about $12 per meal for Brent’s cheeseburger and my chicken quesadilla (both came with a side).  

The hotel had many other restaurant choices…a steakhouse, sushi restaurant, a upscale buffet, a seafood restaurant located on a SHIP, a coffee house, an ice cream parlor, and a couple of markets that offered quick snacks.  We went down to the “Ship”restaurant for dinner but Carter feel asleep on my husband's shoulder so we decided to get our food to go and head back to the room.  The next morning we enjoyed a lovely buffet breakfast where we had everything we could imagine to choose from.  I was very happy with the hotel’s variety of restaurants and the different menu options each restaurant had. 

The rooms were very nice and the beds were very comfortable!  Of course when traveling with the boys, my husband and I split up and each take a child to sleep with which usually means kicking, wiggling, and cover stealing (on their part).  We will definitely be staying here again.  From time to time the hotel has various Dream Works characters that you can meet and interact with…so fun!

Here we go again! Another Tschikof family weekend out! Today I spent the morning making a “pile” of all the things that need to go into the suitcase.  I’m sure I don’t have everything gathered up yet, but we are headed in the right direction.  

This weekend, we are taking the kids to a “new edition” to the Marriott family (our choice of hotel when traveling) the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando.  I am super excited, maybe more excited than the kids!  I am going to relax by the pool (sipping non-alcoholic beverages) while my hubby and kids play and splash in the resort style pool all day!  

The resort has multiple restaurants to choose from, they even have one poolside so we don’t have to worry about getting dried off and changing to eat lunch!  I have also done a little research (yes, it wouldn’t be a Tschikof blog post, or vacation, without a little research) and there are quite a few places that deliver to the area if we decided to call it a day and eat dinner in our room while watching a family movie on pay per view!

Sunday we are headed to Epcot to enjoy the newly opened Test Track ride!  Carter is finally tall enough to enjoy all of the rides at Epcot so we are going to open his eyes to what we are used to experiencing!  We will finish off the day with dinner at the Rose Crown & Pub (with gluten free offering, of course), outside on the patio where we can see and enjoy the Illuminations show!

The resort is located less than 2 miles from Disney World, so if you are looking for a Disney friendly hotel without the Disney friendly cost :) this just might be your hotel!

Stayed tuned for pictures and updates when we return!

A few weeks ago we took a small family trip down to Orlando to enjoy some time at the Magic Kingdom. As annual pass holders last year we got the scoop on some of the new additions in Fantasyland and took advantage. We made reservations to dine at the Beast’s Castle (Be Our Guest) for a random day in January (when the crowds are lower and the weather is nice) and that day had finally come!

The boys were very excited as we walked in and saw the beautiful ballroom, the snow out the back doors, and the Beast’s very own “Rose Room”.  It is always neat to eat somewhere (especially at Disney) for the first time and just take in the atmosphere.  We looked through the menu, talked with the Chef (regarding Jaxon’s gluten intolerance) and then placed our order.  I took the kids for a much desired tour while my husband waited at the table. 

I have to say, they did a wonderful job decorating the restaurant and making you feel like you are really dining in the movie itself.  There were a few different choices for both adults and children (at lunch it is quick service and sit down service for dinner) and the prices followed along what you would expect at Disney.  The Beast made an appearance a few times throughout our dinner experience and he would greet guests in his library after you were done with your dinner. 

Overall, we definitely enjoyed our time at the Beast’s Castle.  Just an opinion (of course) but our family still prefers Cinderella’s Castle (which would be very similar in price but offers characters) followed by the Liberty Tree Tavern which offers a family style all you can eat dinner at a slightly smaller price. 

Of course I forgot to take a picture of my cupcake because I ordered it "to go" and ate it the next day...it was delicious!  You can see a picture of some of the cupcake options HERE.

Our family loves frozen yogurt, they actually don’t even know the difference between ice cream and frozen yogurt.  Given the chance to go for “ice cream” they just assume that the local frozen yogurt places are “ice cream parlors”.  Menchies is one of our favorite places to go for frozen yogurt and today you can get your first 6 oz. for FREE!!  Go, go, and get your frozen yogurt now!!