Here is part 1-2 of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim fireworks show. We watched this summertime show yesterday on our day-cation get away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-sGhJtOFvk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzNvzq6Hb0Q
Enjoy!!!
Friday, July 30, 2010
TLT Dance Club
Thursday, July 29, 2010
JetBlu-check them out!!
JetBlu just lowered their fares for a short time, follow the link and see what you can find.....http://www.jetblue.com/traveldeals/
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Hotel satisfaction in this economy, can you find it??
Here is a recent study of Hotel satisfaction with customers....
J.D. Powers 2010 hotel survey: Hotels guests more satisfied with hotels during downturn
By Barbara De Lollis, USA TODAY
Ritz-Carlton took top honors in the J.D. Powers' 2010 hotel study for the luxury hotel category, beating Four Seasons, which ranked No. 1 last year. Shown is a deluxe bathroom in the Ritz- Carlton Residences at LA Live in Los Angeles.
Ritz-CarltonHotel guests have generally been happier with their hotel experience in the past 12 months vs. the prior year as room rates dropped and crowds thinned, according to J.D. Powers and Assoc.'s latest study that measures how well hotel chains satisfy their customers.
The study's broader findings echo J.D. Powers' conclusions for both airlines and airports that also found that as travel fell, customer satisfaction rose, says Mark Schwartz, who leads J.D. Powers' travel practice.
Still, Schwartz said it was surprising to see that most of the hotel chains lifted their individual customer satisfaction scores during the downturn.
J.D. Powers grades hotel chains based on customer surveys collected each year for a variety of larger hotel chains. Customers rate hotels in seven areas, starting with the reservations process and the check-in process to assess their first impressions of a hotel. J.D. Powers also asks travelers to rate hotel services, cost and fees, food and drinks, its fitness center, and check-out.
So why did most hotels see an uptick in customer satisfaction? Schwartz says that it's a mix of factors both within and beyond hotels' control:
The travel downturn: With fewer people on the road, people who did travel found emptier hotels, which meant they encountered less competition for the treadmill in the fitness center, or less of a chance to stand in line at a busy convention hotel.
Cost: Hotel rates fell in the last 12 months, and customers generally felt more satisfied with what they received for their money.
Hotels operations: Hotels genuinely got better at pleasing their customers in the past year due to stiff competition for guests. "All of them are focused on improving guest satisfaction," Schwartz says. Almost all of the chains increased their scores on a year-over-year basis - and not a single hotel chain saw its score drop significantly, he says.
The study focuses on big chains from across the price spectrum. Among the hotels it places in the six categories measured are: Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Loews hotels in the luxury hotels group; Homewood Suites and TownePlace Suites in the extended-stay hotels group; Marriott, Omni, Embassy Suites and Hilton in the upscale hotels group.
Some chains such as Starwood's Le Meridien, Hyatt's Park Hyatt and Accor's Sofitel didn't make the cut because of their size, which made collecting enough customer surveys difficult. The study also leaves out independent chains and hotels. Here's a quick peak at the hotel winners that won in their respective price categories:
Luxury: Ritz-Carlton
Upscale: Omni Hotels & Resorts
Mid-Scale Full Service: Hilton Garden Inn (for a second consecutive year)
Mid-Scale Limited Service: Drury Inn & Suites (for a fifth consecutive year)
Economy/Budget: Microtel Inns & Suites (for a ninth consecutive year)
Extended Stay: Homewood Suites
Yes you can find satisfaction as hotels brands these days are willing to give perks to get you to stay in their hotels.
My next post will talk about some budget hotel chains and what you can get for your money and still be comfortable.
J.D. Powers 2010 hotel survey: Hotels guests more satisfied with hotels during downturn
By Barbara De Lollis, USA TODAY
Ritz-Carlton took top honors in the J.D. Powers' 2010 hotel study for the luxury hotel category, beating Four Seasons, which ranked No. 1 last year. Shown is a deluxe bathroom in the Ritz- Carlton Residences at LA Live in Los Angeles.
Ritz-CarltonHotel guests have generally been happier with their hotel experience in the past 12 months vs. the prior year as room rates dropped and crowds thinned, according to J.D. Powers and Assoc.'s latest study that measures how well hotel chains satisfy their customers.
The study's broader findings echo J.D. Powers' conclusions for both airlines and airports that also found that as travel fell, customer satisfaction rose, says Mark Schwartz, who leads J.D. Powers' travel practice.
Still, Schwartz said it was surprising to see that most of the hotel chains lifted their individual customer satisfaction scores during the downturn.
J.D. Powers grades hotel chains based on customer surveys collected each year for a variety of larger hotel chains. Customers rate hotels in seven areas, starting with the reservations process and the check-in process to assess their first impressions of a hotel. J.D. Powers also asks travelers to rate hotel services, cost and fees, food and drinks, its fitness center, and check-out.
So why did most hotels see an uptick in customer satisfaction? Schwartz says that it's a mix of factors both within and beyond hotels' control:
The travel downturn: With fewer people on the road, people who did travel found emptier hotels, which meant they encountered less competition for the treadmill in the fitness center, or less of a chance to stand in line at a busy convention hotel.
Cost: Hotel rates fell in the last 12 months, and customers generally felt more satisfied with what they received for their money.
Hotels operations: Hotels genuinely got better at pleasing their customers in the past year due to stiff competition for guests. "All of them are focused on improving guest satisfaction," Schwartz says. Almost all of the chains increased their scores on a year-over-year basis - and not a single hotel chain saw its score drop significantly, he says.
The study focuses on big chains from across the price spectrum. Among the hotels it places in the six categories measured are: Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Loews hotels in the luxury hotels group; Homewood Suites and TownePlace Suites in the extended-stay hotels group; Marriott, Omni, Embassy Suites and Hilton in the upscale hotels group.
Some chains such as Starwood's Le Meridien, Hyatt's Park Hyatt and Accor's Sofitel didn't make the cut because of their size, which made collecting enough customer surveys difficult. The study also leaves out independent chains and hotels. Here's a quick peak at the hotel winners that won in their respective price categories:
Luxury: Ritz-Carlton
Upscale: Omni Hotels & Resorts
Mid-Scale Full Service: Hilton Garden Inn (for a second consecutive year)
Mid-Scale Limited Service: Drury Inn & Suites (for a fifth consecutive year)
Economy/Budget: Microtel Inns & Suites (for a ninth consecutive year)
Extended Stay: Homewood Suites
Yes you can find satisfaction as hotels brands these days are willing to give perks to get you to stay in their hotels.
My next post will talk about some budget hotel chains and what you can get for your money and still be comfortable.
Monday, July 26, 2010
10 Tips for Traveling with Your Kids
Another informative atricle found online.......
10 Tips for Traveling with Your Kids.
Traveling with your kids this summer? Travel expert and mom Nicole Hockin gave us some incredible tips for making traveling easier when you're bringing the kids, and EVERY mom could use that, right?
1. Pack Light
Bring only the essentials. The more you bring, the more you have to keep up with and the heavier the bags. Kids can require a lot of stuff: car seats, strollers, cribs, high chairs. Check out http://www.babysaway.com/ where you can rent gear instead of packing it all. Some car rental companies also rent child safety seats and some hotels offer childproof rooms or cribs upon request. Call ahead and find out which items you can cut from your packing list.
2. Expect the Unexpected
Not to contradict tip #1, but make sure you have plenty of what you need in your carry-on: diapers, wipes (which are great for a multitude of things), medications, change of clothes, snacks, and a secret coloring book.
3. What Kind of Toys to Bring
Be sure to bring something to keep everyone entertained, but leave the singing Barneys and beeping video games at home. You and everyone else will be glad you did. Backpacks for each child: Toddler or teen – give each child his own backpack to carry with their chosen toys/books/etc. The catch is if they pack it, they carry it. Trust me, one heavy backpack experience and they’ll learn just how much to take to Grandma’s. Note: check the backpacks to make sure there are not any toys with water elements (ex. a toy train car) or Play-Doh (TSA considers this a potential explosive device.) as they will be confiscated.
4. Car Seat Must Knows
Car seats Do NOT count as checked luggage on any airline. You will NOT be charged. Get yourself a durable car seat cover and check it for your trip. Nicole’s secret tip: when your suitcase is over 50 lbs, avoid the overweight fees and stick some of those extra clothes in the car seat bag.
5. Airplane Seats
If your child is under the age of two, then he/she technically does NOT need a paid seat on the plane. Be prepared to prove your child’s age. I.E. – birth certificate. I recommend that you purchase a seat for your infant once the child is mobile (even if he’s only one year) especially for flights over 2 hours in length. The airplane seat allows them their own space to wiggle and dramatically reduces on-board melt-downs.
6. Security Screening
TSA Security Screening can really delay you if you aren’t prepared. Know this: medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Babies do have to take off their shoes, too so go for velcro on travel day. Plan ahead! Practice getting that stroller broken down quickly!
7. Breakfast Tips
Eat breakfast where kids eat free and split meals. This can mean an enormous saving for a family of four or larger. Children are many times too excited or tired to eat much at a time. Restaurants that are kid friendly are more than happy to accommodate special requests for extra plates. Many do free meals for kids (with the purchase of an adult meal) on different days of the week.
8. Strollers
Bring your own stroller. If you’re going to visit theme parks then this can save you $7 to $30 (for a double) a day in rental fees.
9. Water Bottles
Bring along individual refillable water bottles. These can be refilled at the hotel and at restaurants around your destination. A family of four could easily spend $20 or more a day just buying water.
10. Most Important Tip!
The most important tip of all is to be flexible. Lines will be long, traffic will be heavy, flights will be delayed and children (and adults) will get grumpy. But with just a little planning and an open mind, you’ll survive and enjoy another family vacation.
Article published by ModernMom.com .
Related: travel, summer
10 Tips for Traveling with Your Kids.
Traveling with your kids this summer? Travel expert and mom Nicole Hockin gave us some incredible tips for making traveling easier when you're bringing the kids, and EVERY mom could use that, right?
1. Pack Light
Bring only the essentials. The more you bring, the more you have to keep up with and the heavier the bags. Kids can require a lot of stuff: car seats, strollers, cribs, high chairs. Check out http://www.babysaway.com/ where you can rent gear instead of packing it all. Some car rental companies also rent child safety seats and some hotels offer childproof rooms or cribs upon request. Call ahead and find out which items you can cut from your packing list.
2. Expect the Unexpected
Not to contradict tip #1, but make sure you have plenty of what you need in your carry-on: diapers, wipes (which are great for a multitude of things), medications, change of clothes, snacks, and a secret coloring book.
3. What Kind of Toys to Bring
Be sure to bring something to keep everyone entertained, but leave the singing Barneys and beeping video games at home. You and everyone else will be glad you did. Backpacks for each child: Toddler or teen – give each child his own backpack to carry with their chosen toys/books/etc. The catch is if they pack it, they carry it. Trust me, one heavy backpack experience and they’ll learn just how much to take to Grandma’s. Note: check the backpacks to make sure there are not any toys with water elements (ex. a toy train car) or Play-Doh (TSA considers this a potential explosive device.) as they will be confiscated.
4. Car Seat Must Knows
Car seats Do NOT count as checked luggage on any airline. You will NOT be charged. Get yourself a durable car seat cover and check it for your trip. Nicole’s secret tip: when your suitcase is over 50 lbs, avoid the overweight fees and stick some of those extra clothes in the car seat bag.
5. Airplane Seats
If your child is under the age of two, then he/she technically does NOT need a paid seat on the plane. Be prepared to prove your child’s age. I.E. – birth certificate. I recommend that you purchase a seat for your infant once the child is mobile (even if he’s only one year) especially for flights over 2 hours in length. The airplane seat allows them their own space to wiggle and dramatically reduces on-board melt-downs.
6. Security Screening
TSA Security Screening can really delay you if you aren’t prepared. Know this: medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Babies do have to take off their shoes, too so go for velcro on travel day. Plan ahead! Practice getting that stroller broken down quickly!
7. Breakfast Tips
Eat breakfast where kids eat free and split meals. This can mean an enormous saving for a family of four or larger. Children are many times too excited or tired to eat much at a time. Restaurants that are kid friendly are more than happy to accommodate special requests for extra plates. Many do free meals for kids (with the purchase of an adult meal) on different days of the week.
8. Strollers
Bring your own stroller. If you’re going to visit theme parks then this can save you $7 to $30 (for a double) a day in rental fees.
9. Water Bottles
Bring along individual refillable water bottles. These can be refilled at the hotel and at restaurants around your destination. A family of four could easily spend $20 or more a day just buying water.
10. Most Important Tip!
The most important tip of all is to be flexible. Lines will be long, traffic will be heavy, flights will be delayed and children (and adults) will get grumpy. But with just a little planning and an open mind, you’ll survive and enjoy another family vacation.
Article published by ModernMom.com .
Related: travel, summer
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