Affordable Family Travel: Must-Follow Tips to Maximize Travel on a Budget

With all the travel content I've been posting lately, I've gotten more than a few questions about how I can afford to travel as frequently as I do with kids. While I have, admittedly, gone on several media trips this year where large portions of my trip are comped, I have also simply prioritized travel with my kids. 

I grew up the daughter of a flight attendant, and every long weekend and break from school was a chance to travel. In my 20s, before kids and a mortgage, I had a job where I traveled almost weekly. Sure, life on the road can be draining. but I love it! I want to travel as often as I can with my kids, so I've compiled my best tips for budget-friendly travel with kids! By keeping my per-trip cost down, I can afford to take my family on more trips. We simply love life on the go!

We love to travel! 

I also recently did a list about beach-day must-haves for Zulily. We did two beach trips this year, to Port Aransas and Coastal Mississippi, so I wrote an article for Zulily about must-have items when you pack for a day at the beach!

Budget-Friendly Tips for Traveling with Kids

• I know these days that AirBnB is all the rage. And I've stayed at more than a few AirBnBs in my day (my brother was an early employee at the company so I'm pretty partial for personal reasons!). But, with kids, I prefer hotels. I find them to be financially equal to or less expensive than AirBnBs in the area. Let me tell you why...
• I pick hotels with pools. This way, at the end of a long day, the kids can unwind and hang out in the pool. We don't always use the pool, but we love to have the option.
• Free breakfast! I try to always pick a hotel with free breakfast. This adds up monumentally over time. I always make my girls wake up and fill up on free breakfast before we hit the ground running. We grab apples and bananas to stick in purses and backpacks and eat a full breakfast so we are ready to explore and play until mid-day when we break for lunch. 
• Safety. Honestly, when I'm traveling with my husband or extended family members, I don't think as much about safety. But, when I'm alone with my girls, I worry about safety. Hotels feel safer because there is always someone at the front desk and other people close by. I feel safer arriving back at a well-lit hotel after dark than I do at a house or condo where I don't know the area.

We prefer to stay in hotels when we travel.

• Okay Steph. I hear you on some great reasons to book hotels. But I have more than two kids! And most hotels are only made for families with two adults and two kids. How do you work around that?
• This took us some time to work out, honestly. I have three kids. When I travel with my husband or my mom, that makes five people. Tricky when most hotels are meant to sleep four or fewer people. We simply can't afford to book adjoining rooms or two rooms with every trip. My trick? A cheap blow-up mattress from Walmart! Seriously. We always book the biggest space we can at the best rate. Typically, that gets us two queen beds or a king-sized bed with a pull out couch. Not always ideal for sleeping five people. So we travel with this mattress. Easy to blow up and fit a kid. We take turns with which girl sleeps on the mattress. And, honestly, if we are flying and can't fit one in our bags, we simply hit up a Walmart at our destination and buy one there. At the end of the trip we simply leave it behind. Best money spent all trip...
• Cool. So, you've helped me navigate saving on a hotel room. Book a room at a great rate, eat the free breakfast, utilize the pool and buy a blow up mattress to sleep an extra kid or two. But what about food? We spend sooo much on food when we travel!
• When we get to a new city, we hit up a Walmart or Target first thing. We load up on lunchables and non-perishable snacks. We snag water and other drinks that will cost us four times as much anywhere else. When we head out for the day, I stuff my backpack or purse with snacks and drinks. This saves us so much when we are out all day.
• We also don't do a lot of sit-down meals when we travel. Not that we don't want to! But $60 plus tip per meal can add up if you do that two times a day for five or six days. It's just not feasible! I do a lot of couponing apps (like Ibotta and Shopkick) and redeem my rewards for gift cards before a trip. We aim for gift cards to Starbucks, Chili's, McDonald's, etc. Then we try to find these places in each city and use money I've "earned" elsewhere. Coupled with free breakfasts from hotels and snacks (and lunchables) bought cheaply from a big box retailer, we eat well for less. We plan two-three nicer meals per city and budget for those.
• Got it. It's okay to say no to big fancy meals every day on vacation! But what about activities? Everything costs money these days! How do we do all things without spending all the money?
• This is the hardest part of budgeting for vacation honestly! We start by picking out the free things to do in a city before we start on paid activities. Once we've filled our schedule with free things, we start on paid activities. To find discounts, I always google the activity we want to do plus the word discount. Sometimes this yields unexpected discounts that add up! Also look for discount passes such as Pogo Passes (use code Everything for $5 off per pass) or City Passes in any city you visit and prioritize the activities you want to do. Don't forget to sign your kids up for the free National Parks Pass if you have a fourth grader this year- it will save you more than you realize!

Enjoying a free activity in Philadelphia- seeing the Liberty Bell!

Other tips I have....

- Join ALL the rewards programs. Even the ones you think you will never use again. You just never know! Multiple stays at the same hotel room yield free nights, and enough coffees from Starbucks means free Starbucks! 

- Check with the local visitors' center in any city you visit. Sometimes they have coupons you can use for local attractions and events.

- If you are a member of any local museums or zoos, check your reciprocal benefits! Oftentimes you can use your Fort Worth or Dallas Zoo membership for free admittance to other zoos around the country.

- Check for age-based discount. Ask for a child discount or senior discount. If you are military, check for discounts. If you have AAA or other similar memberships, check for discounts! Small discounts can add up to big amounts of money over time.

- Don't check bags. I repeat... Don't check bags when you travel by air! Not only will it save you money, it will force you to pack lighter. Use the hotel soap and shampoo- save money by not buying travel-sized items that are marked up at local stores. 

- Check for corporate discounts with your employer. Right now, rental cars are crazy-expensive. I had booked a car for our recent trip at $900 for the week. My husband's employer, however, has a corporate rate negotiated with a rental car company. He booked using his corporate discount and got a bigger car than what I was able to book and the total cost was only $600!

What are your favorite ways to save on travel? What tips can you share with the rest of us to afford the travel of our dreams without the hefty price tag?

 

Have Kids, Will Travel: The Secret Coast (Gulfport, Biloxi & Ocean Springs, Mississippi)

I confess: previous to this summer, Mississippi's Gulf Coast is a spot that we had always driven right past on our way to the beaches in Alabama or Florida. This summer, we decided it was time to stop and explore The Secret Coast!

Our vacation to the Mississippi Coast 2021

Mississippi's Gulf Coast: The Facts

- Mississippi's Gulf Coast is a string of 12 communities and 62 miles of land where the Gulf of Mexico meets the shoreline of Mississippi.

-The Gulf Coast is about eight hours by car from Arlington. You can take the north route through Hattiesburg, which will take less time, or the south route and come through New Orleans, which will take longer.

Biloxi, Mississippi!

-The Secret Coast has something for everyone in your family. You can shop in Ocean Springs or Bay St. Louis or gamble at the casinos in Biloxi. Kids can head to the waterpark or the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. You can hang out on the beach or go out on a boat excursion. There are lots of fabulous places to eat and spots to explore. The Gulf Coast will entertain everyone!

-The beaches or Coastal Mississippi are man-made! In 1951, the Army Corps of Engineers trucked in tons of sand to make beaches where the water meets the land.

-Hurricane Katrina did a significant amount of damage to the Gulf Coast in 2005.

Mississippi's Gulf Coast: Things to Do

Lynn Meadows Discovery Center-  Let your kids run, jump, climb, play and explore until they wear themselves out! Kids can host a talk show, run a grocery store, create art projects and so much more. This spot is great come sunshine or rain! Best for ages 0-12.

Mississippi Aquarium- Encourage your kids to learn as they play at the new Mississippi Aquarium! See alligators and crocodiles, catch a show about dolphins, see birds in the aviary, interact with sharks and crabs and more! The on-site cafe has yummy food, so feel free to stay for lunch! Best for all ages.

Fun at the Mississippi Aquarium. 

Ship Island Excursions- Kick back and relax on this 90-minute cruise that will teach you all about the shipping canal in the area. Watch for dolphins, grab snacks and drinks on board and get your camera ready! Best for all ages.

Biloxi Shrimping Tour- This tour is a must-do when you are on The Secret Coast. Learn all about shrimping in the Gulf. After you drag the net to catch shrimp, you'll get to learn about everything else you pull up with the net! You'll probably get to see dolphins, too. Highly, highly recommend. Best for all ages.

Posing with the Biloxi Shrimping Boat.

Gulf Islands Waterpark-  Splash, swim, slide and play at this fun waterpark in Biloxi. Don't forget your sunscreen! Best for all ages.

Beach time- Spend time on the beach with the family! The beaches in the area may be man-made, but they are still fun! Dip your toes in the Gulf and have a great time. My girls spent four hours catching hermit crabs. There are also plenty of spots where you can rent jet skis and other watercrafts. Best for all ages.

Catching hermit crabs on Gulfport Beach.

Biloxi Visitors Center- Stop by the visitors center to learn about the history of the area. We enjoyed learning about the significance of the lighthouse on the Gulf and got to understand the impact Hurricane Katrina had on Coastal Mississippi. Best for ages 5 and up.

Gamble- If you love a good casino, Biloxi has some great options for you! My husband didn't make this trip with us, and he's the gambler in the family... So I don't have a personal opinion on the casinos. But if you want some adults-only entertainment, there’s a place for that in Mississippi! Best for 18 and up.

Mississippi's Gulf Coast: Places to Eat

It's not a secret that the EA crew loves to eat. Here were our favorite stops of the trip!

Shaggy's- We saw so many people wearing Shaggy's shirts when we were in Hattiesburg that we couldn't wait to check out this beach spot. Our margs were delicious, the kids' meals came in frisbees they got to keep and the whole place had a fun, it's-5-o'clock-somewhere vibe. Highly recommend!

Dinner at Shaggy's in Biloxi, MS.

Burger Burger- Need something fast and inexpensive? Give Burger Burger a try! The po'boys were fantastic and the whole meal was laidback and unfussy.

The Green House Biloxi- Stop here for great breakfast biscuits. We tried simple biscuits with honey butter and devoured every bite. Plus the coffee. Yum!

Patio 44- Ever have one of those meals with great food and even better company? That was our experience at Patio 44. The food was exquisite (try the pea saute. Don't ask questions- just trust me!) and the ambiance fantastic. Their servers were super attentive and we didn't want the meal to end! Head here for a classy meal in your cutest rompers (see the pic of my girls for reference!).

Fancy girls in rompers at Patio 44 in Biloxi. 

                                

Coast Roast- One great cup of Joe. I shouldn't have to say more. But a good cup of coffee should be shared!

Mississippi's Gulf Coast: Shop til You Drop!

If you love to browse the racks like I do, there are some great places to shop in Mississippi!

Ocean Springs- If you want to browse cute boutiques and local items, head over to Ocean Springs! We dropped some cash at the toy store there, called Miner's Doll and Toy Store. We dropped some serious cash at the adorable kids clothing store Sugar and Spice (because RuffleButts was on sale and I love RuffleButts!). There are lots of spots to rest your legs and grab a drink while you shop, too.

Bay St. Louis- This cute stop near the Louisiana border has lots of fun boutiques. We stopped at Fleurty Girl and loved all the Nola-inspired items!

Sharkheads- Find every souvenir you never knew you needed at this souvenir megastore!

Mississippi's Gulf Coast: Where to Stay

We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott in Gulfport. It was clean and right across the street from the beach. The pool had a deep end where kids could dive and play, and we could walk to Shaggy's. We were very happy with this pick! 

We really loved our time in Mississippi. If you can't make the drive all the way to Florida but want something a little different than Texas beaches, it might be time to consider the Mississippi Coast! If I left your favorite MS spot off this list, please let me know! We love The Secret Coast!

*Please note: we were hosted by Coastal Mississippi Tourism. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Have Kids, Will Travel: Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Even though Texas is geographically pretty close to Mississippi, I don't hear a lot about this hard-to-spell southern state. It seems to just be some place you pass through on your way to Alabama or Florida. Or you stop in New Orleans and don't make it further east. And I'm guilty of this, too. I, admittedly, haven't spent much time in Mississippi.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi: The Hub City. 

So I was surprised to learn that Hattiesburg, MS, is only about seven hours by car from Arlington. Seven hours! Closer than New Orleans. The same distance as Memphis. Closer than Orange Beach. I could go on...

The question you are probably asking is "What's in Hattiesburg?" Well, let me tell you!

Posing in front of the Hattiesburg, MS mural! 

Plan Your Visit to Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS: Facts & Figures

-Hattiesburg is a town of about 45,000 people situated in southeast Mississippi. It is about seven hours by car from Arlington.

-Hattiesburg is home of the University of Southern Mississippi, a school in Conference USA that gave us Brett Favre!

-Hattiesburg, which was named after founder William Hardy's wife, Hattie, is the only city in the US called Hattiesburg. Its nickname is the Hub City because it is a thoroughfare for the lumber and railroad industries. 

-Hattiesburg is home to Camp Shelby, the largest US National Guard training base east of the Mississippi River. 

Hattiesburg, MS: What to Do

Hattiesburg has a lot of fun activities to offer visitors of all ages. Here are a few of our favorites!

Hattiesburg Zoo: The Hattiesburg Zoo is a fun spot to spend an afternoon. Not only is the zoo super affordable (only $8 for adults. What?!), but the zoo has lots of animals to delight. There is a large kids' play area plus a splash pad included with your admission, as well as a carousel, train and ropes course that cost extra. You can pet animals at this zoo, and the coolest zoo bathroom we have ever seen is in Hattiesburg! If you are vacationing with kids in Hattiesburg, the zoo is a must!

We loved spending an afternoon at the Hattiesburg Zoo!

Hattiesburg Pocket Museum: I'm not going to tell you where this darling little museum is... Just that you need to go find it yourself! This museum was dreamed up during Covid and takes visitors on a scavenger hunt around downtown to determine the museum's exact location. The museum stretches through an entire alleyway and has lots of darling features, from little figurines high and low, chalk creations and so much more. Don't skip this awesome stop. It's free and you will love it!

One of the gorgeous murals at the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum.

Pinebelt Blueways: Spend a day disconnecting from the day-to-day and enjoying nature. Travel down the Bouie and Leaf Rivers with Pinebelt Blueways in canoes and kayaks, stopping as you want to to swim, snack and simply enjoy the water. Our eight-mile journey was both relaxing and enjoyable and the time simply flew by. It was peaceful to be on the river instead of the hubbub of daily life. Our guides were absolutely the best!

Attempting to kayak with Pinebelt Blueways! 

1964 Freedom Summer Trail: This free one and a half hour audio tour takes you on a journey back in time to 1964. This tour commemorates those who participated in the Civil Rights Movement in Hattiesburg in 1964. One of the stops takes you to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke two weeks before his death in 1968.

Stop number two on the 1964 Summer Freedom Trail. 

The Lucky Rabbit: The Lucky Rabbit is a treasure hunter's dream. Open weekends only, The Lucky Rabbit is a true treasure every city should be so lucky to have! Hattiesburg souvenirs blend with farmhouse decor which mingles with vintage treasures and throwback toys. You'll find shirts you didn't know you needed, vintage Pyrex you simply have to have and video games and toys from your youth that will have you wondering where all the years have gone. I could have spent a full day here and wouldn't have seen everything! 

Posing on the Pyrex Bus at The Lucky Rabbit. 

Hattiesburg, MS: Where to Eat

For Breakfast...

The Midtowner is for you if you love breakfast! They have everything you could want to start your day right... Eggs, hash browns, bacon, pancakes, plus my favorite, avocado toast! And let's not forget coffee. ALL the coffee. 

Yummy breakfast at The Midtowner. 

For Lunch...

Stop by Glorybound Gyro Co. for the best gyros you will ever eat at hard-to-beat prices! And the hummus appetizer... Yum!

The Birdhouse Cafe has delicious healthy fare. My salad here was out of this world! Plus, it's attached to a cute furniture store where you can shop after you eat. Total bonus? There is a playroom with toys where kids can entertain themselves before their food is ready!

Enjoying a meal at Birdhouse Cafe. 

For Dinner...

Grab a burger (and a beer if you choose!) at Ed's! Sit outside on the big red swing or play bocce ball or table tennis while you wait for your food. Save room for dessert... The milkshakes are works of art!

Art of Roux is a food truck you can find at Southern Prohibition Brewing and the menu is ever-changing. We had the best nachos we'd eaten in years along with some seriously great brews at Southern Prohibition. 

All smiles at dinner at Ed's Burger Joint!

For Dessert...

The Yard Milkshake Bar will make your taste buds happy! There isn't a bad flavor of ice cream on the menu... And if you grab a fancy milkshake you can keep the branded jar as a souvenir.

Hattiesburg, MS: Where to Stay

We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott during our visit and have nothing but good things to say. There was a well-maintained outdoor pool as well as a restaurant with great breakfast choices in the lobby. There is a movie theater nearby as well as a restaurant and several other businesses. The hotel felt clean and safe and centrally located to do all the things! 

We loved our stay at the Courtyard by Marriott in Hattiesburg!

We want to say thank you to Visit Hattiesburg, who hosted us in Hattiesburg. Although many of my activities were comped, all opinions are my own. We highly, highly recommend visiting Hattiesburg, MS, if you get the chance! 

Get Back-To-School Ready with Zulily!

Are you ready to start thinking about back to school?

No?

Don't worry- I'm not either! 

But the reality is that we are only about five weeks from Arlington ISD's 2021-2022 school year start date (I'm only panicking thismuch because I'm the incoming PTA President. Who thought that was a good idea?!), and all of my favorite stores are already stocked with all the folders, backpacks and pencils my kids could possibly request. I'm starting to look at dates for spirit nights for fall and combing through my kids' wardrobes to determine where there are gaps that will need to be filled before we can head back to school. ("Don't worry, Mom," my oldest has said. "I don't need any shoes. I just plan to wear the ones of yours that I like this year." Thank goodness my tween hates ballet flats because she is tough on shoes and I'm pretty partial to my not-especially-cheap Rothy's...)

Yes, back to school is officially on the horizon (remember how I said in my Fourth of July post that Independence Day always feels like the turning point of summer? Just sayin'...), and the time to start prepping backpacks, supplies and wardrobes in now. Texas Tax-Free Weekend for back to school items that cost less than $100 is August 6-8, 2021. Get out your calendar and take note, friends! 

#UniquelyZu

Get Ready for Back-to-School with Zulily

I love shopping for back-to-school clothes with my kids. I may have three girls, but I have three girls with vastly different styles (and personalities)! My tween loves oversized tshirts (especially if they have the name or logo of her favorite tv show on them) and leggings. Her born-in-the-80s Mom is so proud! My middle daughter is all about patterns and bright colors. And Converse sneakers. She loves Converse sneakers in all colors and patterns! My youngest is all about spunk and sass. She still like goofy animals on her shirts and won't shy away from dresses like my other two. She'd wear wedges to school every day if I would let her, and she loves a good strappy sandal. I love helping each of them curate their own back-to-school looks that flaunt their awesome personalities. 

This year, Zulily is rolling out an incredible contest for any kiddo who is excited to curate their own looks for back to school! Your kiddo can enter to win some amazing prizes simply by designing or dreaming up an outfit that is as individual as they are. Have them comb through the closet or dust off their colored pencils or bust out some magazines for inspiration. There are several ways to enter and six chances to win!

Is your child constantly mixing and maxing different styles and patterns to create a unique look? Does your child love to doodle different designs of clothes they'd love to make and wear? If this sounds like your kiddo, you need to enter them in Zulily's new Back-to-School #UniquelyZu Contest!

#zulilycontest

Zulily's Back to School Contest is for the young designer, fashion-loving kiddo or stylish guy or gal in your life.

Your fashion-loving friend can enter the contest by creating a fresh, unique fashion style that is totally theirs. They can get creative with how they create! Their entry can be a flat lay, a sketch, a collage, a mood board- whatever works for them! Simply dream up the design and snap a photo of it to upload. Then you can post their design to Instagram using the hashtags #zulilycontest and #UniquelyZu to enter!

Your budding designer can win $5,000 toward their education, a $1,000 shopping credit to Zulily and a bonus opportunity to co-inspire a new capsule collection for 2022.

A chance to co-create a capsule collection for 2022? How cool is that? My youngest would go gaga for a chance to let her mind create sparkly, sassy, totally blinged-out dresses that make a statement. 

Six kids will win. Once your child has created their fashion masterpiece and you've posted it on Instagram, please fill out this form to complete the submission process. Entries must be received by 7/31/2021. Public voting on designs will begin on 8/11/2021 and end on 8/18/2021. The child who enters the contest must be between ages 5 and 14, although the person who submits the photo and entry must be over the age of 18 and must be the parent or legal guardian of the kid whose drawing or creation they are submitting. 

To view the complete rules for the contest, click here. 

To help your child get their creative juices flowing, head over to Zulily's Back-to-School Shop, which is filled with lots of great basics, trendy pieces and must-have items that will have your kiddo excited to be back in the classroom this fall. 

Get ready for back-to-school with Zulily

Be sure and let me know if you enter- I'll be following the hashtags to keep my eyes on the prize, I mean, winning designs! I'd love the kiddo of an Everything Arlington reader to be one of the winners. I also love that Zulily is encouraging kids to get creative as summer winds down. I've still got a few goodies to giveaway to my readers and one more big trip to take with the kids before we officially declare Summer 2021 over, but I do love the routines and schedules that back-to-school usually ushers into our routine-resistant household. 

What are your plans for the final summer countdown?

Have Kids, Will Travel: Legoland! (Winter Haven, Florida)

I was dying to book a fun summer getaway when Legoland in Winter Haven, Florida, popped up on my radar. My youngest is Lego-obsessed, and I'm a sucker for vacations that focus entirely on my kids (and if the place serves adult beverages, well, even better!). After some research, I thought that Legoland might be a great summer roadtrip for the EA Crew.

Smiling in front of the Legoland Hotel in Florida. 

Legoland Florida: The Good

Legoland in Florida had some amazing rates this spring when I decided to book. Full disclosure: they did offer me a media rate when I booked in exchange for coverage on my social and blog pages, which amounted to about a 10% discount on my package. They also comped dinner my first night.

- Legoland Florida was less than half the price of other Florida-area theme parks for five people. This is if you stay on property and purchase a package.

- When you stay on property, breakfast is included in your package price each morning of your stay. And it's a full, hearty breakfast! We ate about 9:30 am each morning and then had snacks at the park around 2 and dinner around 5. It saved us money and kept us happy!

Free breakfast included with your stay at Legoland Florida. 

- Unlike other hotels and theme parks, this spot accommodates up three kids in one room! We had a room with one king size bed and a separate area for kids with a bunk bed and a trundle. The kids' area also had a TV and Lego-building area. We were all happy in this room! 

- Legoland had lots of areas for kids to climb and roam. My biggest complaint with other Florida theme parks was that my kids spent all day waiting in line. We'd go from one two-hour line to the next, and, at the end of each day, my kids were NUTS. There was nowhere for them to let out steam at the end of the day (that wasn't a pool, anyway) and nowhere for them to just climb and play between rides. Legoland has tons of spots for kids to run around and be crazy, both at the park and at the hotel. My kids loved playing in the Lego castle in the lobby with other kids each night once the pool closed.

- No having to wait in line to take a shuttle to the park at Legoland. The hotel is about a two-minute walk from the theme park. Seriously. Two minutes. Even my kids couldn't find a reason to complain!

- There are plenty of rides to suit all ages. Rollercoasters, water rides, stunt shows, a carousel, virtual rides... My girls each found their favorites. 11: Flight School (a rollercoaster); 9: Battle of Bricksburg (a water ride); 7: Mia's Pony Ride (a horse-themed ride from Lego Friends).

Posing at Legoland. 

- Kids hate lines? Mine too! At Legoland, most of the rides have Lego play areas in the middle so kids can play while Mom or Dad wait. This kept whining to a minimum, which kept my happiness level much higher than normal!

- Plenty of onsite evening entertainment at the Legoland Hotel kept my kids engaged once the theme park shut down.

Indoor play area at Legoland Hotel Florida. 

- There is minigolf at the hotel for an additional fee (we didn't play), as well as a fire each night to roast smores (you can purchase a kit at the front desk). 

Legoland Florida: The Bad

Like any vacation destination, Legoland Florida isn't perfect. It has it's drawbacks and less-than-desirable features.

- It is really geared toward younger kids. I would say ages 2-10, in a perfect world. My 11-year-old enjoyed it, sure, but in large part because she had little sisters with her.

Duplo Valley play area for younger kids at Legoland Florida. 

- It lacks the sparkle of other Florida theme parks. During our visit, many rides and shops and eateries were closed. The grounds were not as impeccably maintained as competitors. The staff wasn't as happy to be there.

- The two on-site pools were small-ish for the size of the hotels.

- The hours of the theme park were limited, and there were no bonus hours for staying onsite. The theme park is open 10-6 on weekdays, and the water park is open 11-5. Hours are longer on the weekends. 

Legoland Florida: The Ugly

The most significant drawback of Legoland, in my opinion, is the location. Legoland Florida is located in Winter Haven, Florida, about halfway between Tampa and Orlando. You can easily fly into either airport but are then on your own for transportation. You can rent a car (prices are currently insane) or charter a private car (about $100 each way for my family of 5) or find an Uber (way out of my price league). Legoland doesn't offer any options itself for transportation from either airport, which is why we drove.... 17.5 hours from Arlington to the hotel. Not ideal... But we made it! We did stay at Mobile overnight en route to Florida.

Legoland Florida: Tips & Tricks

Despite the drawbacks of a Legoland vacation, I would highly recommend it to anyone with young kids!

Posing with Lego Friends at Legoland Florida. 

My advice?

1. There is a Publix across the street. Buy all your snack items there. Food choices- especially snack choices!- onsite are limited (although they do have fantastic plant-based fare!). 

2. The pirate-themed hotel is fun... but if you are looking to save money, stay in the Legoland Hotel. Why? It's actually the same building! And if you stay onsite, you can access all activities at either spot. Unless you have a pirate-obsessed kiddo, save the money and stay at the hotel. (The difference when I booked was about $150)

3. Bring water and snacks to the park. You can purchase a refillable cup onsite, though. $16 for one with free refills the day you purchase and then $8 each day after that to refill it. This includes ICEEs. 

4. Have the fried apples. Seriously. They were SO good. We ate them both days. With caramel. You won't regret it!

Apple fries at Legoland Florida! 

5. Have fun! The kids get Lego Minifigures each day of their stay. And the Master Builds at the hotel are a fun activity where they get to keep the Legos.

6. Always where shoes. The amount of Legos on the floor at any given time... Just always wear shoes.

Have you been to Legoland? Would you go back?