It’s no doubt that children far and wide revere Disneyland as the ultimate vacation destination, but as an adult and a parent, I had no idea how much I personally would enjoy my time there.

What sets Disneyland stand apart from other theme parks I have been to is the quality—the quality of everything. It’s not just the rides, which are notably better than rides I’ve been on in other places. Far beyond this one crucial feature, the quality extends to almost all facets of the park. In color and design, the park is lusciously, brightly decorated. The streets of Disneyland are litter-free, and the bathrooms are clean and fully stocked with toilet paper and paper towels. Employees of Disneyland wear costumes rich in detail, believable in every way.

So, what are the downsides? I can think of only three.

1. The food. It’s expensive and not very good.

2. The coffee. It’s weak and watery and again, expensive. Disneyland execs should be ashamed of themselves here.

3. The price. Admission to Disneyland is very, very costly. Without any special discounts or packages, a family of four might spend over $320 just getting in the door.

Still, vacation packages and special offers can make this deal more affordable for a normal middle-class family, and there is no place I can think of that is more wholesome and fun. Stepping through the gates of Disneyland is like entering a different planet, where smiling children and adults hold hands, and everything is lovely and sweet for a day. 

Provided by Tots on the Go Baby equipment rentals Orlando.  For more information contact Tots on the Go at 800-518-8068.

1. Orlando, FL – Orlando sets the standard for family vacation spots. Boasting over 100 family-friendly attractions including Disney World, Sea World, resorts, water playgrounds and more, Orlando has something for all ages.
2. San Diego, CA – Moderate, sunny weather and a plethora of family-friendly activities makes this city an obvious choice for most parents. Popular attractions like SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo will keep your kids entertained for days.
3. New York, NY – A better destination for families with older children, this city will enchant and entertain. Spend a day at Central Park, explore the many museums and take a ferry to the statue of liberty.
4. Washington, DC – Washington DC is a playground for the mind. From the Smithsonian museums to the national monuments, this city is rich in educational opportunities and entertainment. Plan your vacation ahead of time and book tours of the capital and White House.
5. British Virgin Islands – Snorkel in the warm Caribbean waters and play on the sand. If you can drag your family from the welcoming beaches, charter a sail boat for an afternoon.
6. Palm Springs, CA – Tucked away in the desert, this paradise city has outdoor adventure, chic restaurants and shopping. Or, with the endless desert sun above and average spring temperatures in the 80s, spend your time poolside, lounging, while the kids play.
7. Hilton Head, SC – This family vacation spot features resorts, 14 miles of beaches and over 100 miles of bike paths. Families might appreciate the relative quiet of Hilton Head over Myrtle Beach just to the north, which tends to draw a college crowd around spring break.
8. Savannah, GA – With ideal temperatures, an abundance of flowers and a variety of spring time festivals, this off-the-beaten path destination will charm your entire family. Travelers in town around St. Patrick’s day will have the added benefit of attending the second largest St. Patrick’s day celebration in the nation.
9. Galveston, TX – Visits to Moody Gardens can keep a single family entertained for days, while Schlitterbahn Indoor-Outdoor waterpark will draw kids back again and again.
10. Park City, UT- If skiing and winter activities are a draw for your family, this mountain resort and ski area will surely become a favorite destination. Other outdoor activities include ice skating, snow shoe tours and snow tubing.

Tots on the Go baby equipment rental serves several of these top 10 travel locations to make your family vacation more relaxing and convenient.

1. Talk about the flight before it happens. Practice “flying” with your child. An anxious child will benefit from a pretending game that prepares him or her for the experience of flying. Practice standing in lines, sitting on the plane and carrying bags. Describe the view out the window. Take your child to the airport ahead of time to experience the crowds and the sights first hand. Give a rambunctious toddler jobs to do and have your child practice these roles. At the airport, let your child make choices that keep the experience interesting and fun: should we stand in this line or that line? Eat pizza or sandwiches?
2. Buy a special toy for the occasion. This is an especially helpful tip if you’re the kind of parent who’s always saying “no.” An educational handheld videogame system, MP3 player or some other small piece of entertaining technology can keep a child entertained for hours – especially if it’s what they always wanted and thought they could never have. Make this toy special for trips only.
3. Be prepared. Pack car sickness medication, children’s aspirin, snacks, water bottles, travel games, or toys, a favorite blanket and travel accessories like a child-sized travel pillow. Take some of the stress out of flying and rent a stroller or car seat and have it delivered to the airport. The less stressed you are, the happier your family will be as well.
4. Make frequent trips to the bathroom. Before, during and after the flight.
5. Exhaust your child at the airport; let him sleep on the plane. Arrive at the airport early and allow your child to walk around, laugh and play. For the plane ride, purchase a seat for your toddler so there will be room to stretch and sleep during the flight.

The National Park Service junior ranger program is designed to educate participants about national parks in a way that is fun and flexible. Each child can complete the requirements on his or her own time, without going through a structured program. The activities kept our daughter entertained throughout our trip to the park, and she also became more engaged in her surroundings.

If you’d like your child to participate, stop at a ranger station on your way into any national park and have your child ask for a junior ranger booklet. Each age group will have different requirements, so the ranger will explain what needs to be filled out. Your child can complete the activities in the booklet while in the park. Upon leaving the park, have your child turn in the booklet at the ranger’s station. The ranger will look over your child’s work, talk about his or her efforts and gently correct any mistakes. This done, your child will take an oath and get a badge. If your child can’t complete the booklet before you leave the park, you can mail it back later with a self-addressed stamped envelope, and they’ll send you the free badge.

It’s a proud moment when you watch your child make a promise on behalf of a national park. My daughter takes it very seriously, and that’s the real value of the program. It has instilled in her a feeling of responsibility for the welfare of nature. With a solemn expression and her hand raised, she took a vow to protect and enjoy her national park.

1. Mini Golf

You can take your pick of elaborate mini golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area. Each course boasts different themes and special effects. With reasonable admission prices, this family activity will entertain anyone who can lift a golf club.

2. The Beach

More relaxing than the water parks, the beach offers something for everyone: sports, swimming and a good chance to nap in the sun. Pack your umbrella, beach toys and sunscreen. Forgot something? You can rent baby equipment products for a day, a week or longer.

3. Water Parks

There are a few water parks to pick from in the MB area. Between Myrtle Waves and Wild Water and Wheels, Myrtle Waves is impressive for the sheer size and Wild Water and Wheels tends to have fewer crowds. Each has its advantages. But both parks can be costly, so go in the late afternoon to take advantage of discounted ticket prices.

4. Family Kingdom Amusement Park

No vacation is complete without time spent at the amusement park. Family Kingdom is less crowded by day, but the trade-off is the intensity of the afternoon heat. When it gets too hot, there’s a water park on the premises.

5. Brookgreen Gardens

Located about 25 minutes outside Myrtle Beach, this sculpture-garden-with-a-zoo is beautiful, especially in the spring when daytime temperatures are less intense and the gardens are in full bloom.

For more information feel free to contact our Myrtle Beach baby equipment rental consultant.1-800-518-8068 ext #32.

Savannah GA Historic River Street

Like almost everyone I know, my family spends a lot of time trying to find ways to stay within a budget, even while traveling. This year we decided that our major family vacation would be to someplace fairly local—within reasonable driving distance—and inexpensive. We checked the US News & World Report Travel section and found a list of top affordable US destinations. Savannah, Georgia had all our requirements and then some: it was affordable, close to home and it’s a city full of fascinating history and Savannah is a great place for taking the family.

Here are some of the ways we saved money on our trip this year:

• We picked an inexpensive location fairly close to our home. We drove there, so we didn’t need a rental car.
• We stayed with relatives. To save money on lodging in the past, we’ve participated in home exchanges or stayed in budget hotels. But our relatives had been asking us to visit for ages, so we took them up on the offer. Finally. While we were there, we rented a few travel accessories for our daughter, so we could be comfortable without buying a lot of kid-equipment.
• We made a lot of our meals at the house, and brought snacks when we went out. This prevented us from spending a lot of extra money on overpriced food at zoos and museums.
• I researched and planned a lot of our activities in advance so we arrived in town knowing what attractions and museums offered “free days” and online discounts for buying tickets in advance.
• We tried not to pack every day with expensive activities. We spent more time relaxing with our family around their kitchen table, and less time at the local attractions. We played cards and drank coffee. Not only did we stay within our budget, but our trip was more relaxing than previous vacations, and I’m so glad we did.

My family can’t travel anywhere without a lot of gear. A lot of gear. Even a trip to the beach – only about two hours away from home – requires a huge beach bag, a cooler, a giant umbrella, car toys, water beach toys, first aid kit, change of clothes, four different types of sunblock, and so on. Sometimes, a trip to the beach can be as overwhelming as a trip to Peru.

Here are some of the most useful things we routinely bring with us to the beach. These handy items make the trip with our daughter fun and relaxing:

• Car Seat Travel Tray – This provides a work/play surface for our daughter while we’re driving. Did I mention that the beach is two hours away? Our daughter travels well – she’s always happy when we’re going somewhere – but I’ll give partial credit to the car toys and activities that keep her entertained while we’re on the road.
• Family Beach Cabana – This is critical for my husband, who is so sensitive to sun it’s practically an allergy. We rented a few times, then decided to buy one. It’s easy to put up and take down, which my husband likes because I always make him handle that stuff.
• Kid’s Travel Bed – I set it up right there on the beach – a must-have back in the days when our daughter needed midday naps. Because she is my husband’s offspring, we found she needed a lot of shade, too. The travel bed provides a nice rest from the sun and even a place to play. Rentals come at a good price or you can buy one.
• Beach Cart – This all-terrain cart is how we can drag our many, many accessories from the sand to the car without making a thousand trips. Love it!

For more information on baby equipment rentals visit totsonthego.com.

*Convenience – With rental companies stocking everything from cribs to strollers, most with the option of purchasing diapers to be delivered to your vacation destination, there is no beating the convenience if you rent baby equipment. Tots-on-the-Go, a mom who started to rent baby equipment out, advertises this slogan, “All the comforts of home while you’re away.” This is, in a nutshell the main reason to rent baby equipment for vacations or holidays away from home. If you rent baby equipment you no longer need to worry about packing up a Pack-n-Play or figuring hot to fit a travel swing in your luggage. With a few simple clicks of your mouse, all that you need could be waiting for you when you arrive. Such is the simplicity to rent baby equipment.

*Comfort – The world of baby gear has come a long way, but they still have not solved the problem of night travel. As an adult will attest, nothing beats a good bed. When you rent baby equipment you are able to provide your baby he same comforts of their home crib and mattress by renting one. When you choose to rent baby equipment from a company, like Tots-on-the-Go, with strict guidelines on the equipment they carry, including the manufacturer , life span, and sanitation, you and your little will be sure to get a good night’s rest while away.

*No Worries – When you need to rent baby equipment there is no need to worry about the little things you might forget! Not only can you rent baby equipment to be delivered before your arrival but rental companies will gladly rent baby equipment to you during your stay as well. The little things will always be included. No need to worry about sheets, mattress pads, and batteries when you rent baby equipment because it’s their job to make sure everything is in tiptop shape for your entire stay.

*No Hassle – The last thing any parent needs after a long road trip or plane ride is to coordinate a meeting time for equipment to be dropped off. Many good rental companies, like Tots-on-the-Go, prides themselves on creating relationships with local vacation destinations so that when you rent baby equipment it can be set up and waiting for your arrival. Pick up is just as easy, and occurs after checkout.

So you could try to bring your own baby gear and save money instead of trying to rent baby equipment, sure it would be cheaper money wise but when you struggle to bring your own it costs you the convenience, comfort, and worry and hassle free feeling then if you just rent baby equipment before you leave your house.  Make your trip easier, rent baby equipment and make wherever you stay a home away from home.

Flying during the holidays can try your patience, so if you are flying with kids it’s even more important than ever to be prepared.

Packing List. Two weeks before you leave start a packing list for your kids. Losing baggage is all to common, especially during the busy travel system, so be sure to label your bags with your personal information including your cell phone number.

Print boarding pass before you leave home. Of course you can always print it when you get to the airport, but so will everyone else.  And when they break down, it’s just a mess for everyone, so it’s easiest just to have them ready with you.

Beating the crowd. Get to the airport at least two hours before scheduled to leave.  As you get ready to tackle security screening, look for signs with a big green circle that say Family Lane. These lanes are specifically for families and those who need a little extra time to get through screening. It’s the best way to not feel pressure from other travelers.

Restrooms. There are three nature-calls rules to remember when flying with children: go before, during and after the flight. Even if they say they don’t have to go, try anyway.

Relaxing at the Airport. Bring some cards with you, books and tech games/videos as flight delays are too common this time of year.  Don’t be upset if your flight gets canceled, it is most likely for safety reasons during the winter, just be patient and find ways to have fun with your kids. Most of the larger metropolitan airports have kid areas. See a list of the top 10 best kid friendly airports.

Strollers. A stroller is certainly worth it to help with tired little legs and for zipping through a crowded airport if you have tight connections. A lightweight stroller is easiest, but I would make sure it’s not the walmart $15 special, as it won’t hold up being tossed at gate check.  Purchase a travel bag to keep it clean and in one piece.  If your child is old enough to walk with you an will hold on to your hands, then a great options is to rent a stroller at your destination.

Car Seats. If you have purchased a seat for your child and they are still in an infant seat I would highly recommend having them in the seat while traveling.  Same for a toddler in a convertible seat, if it is a shorter distance plane ride. If it’s a longer flight, they would be more comfortable stretching out, I would just recommend renting the CARES harness to keep them secured in their seat. If you do not plan on using the car seat during the flight, rent a car seat at your destination would be the best option.  Most baby equipment rental companies will deliver directly to the airport you are traveling to.

Boarding. Make sure to pre-board with your family. It allows you time to get yourself settled in the seat and have their stuff out ready to play with.

1.)    First an foremost you must decide which toys are actually ok to give away. You definitely don’t want to give that “favorite” toy away, but if the toy has not been touched in 6 months I say it is fair game. The best thing for you to do is have a talk with your child and explain to him what his toy could be used for. Have them get involved in the donating process so that not only are you giving you are also teaching.

2.)    Make sure the toy is clean and still usable.

3.)    Make sure that it has not been re-called.

4.)    Try to keep the instructions with the toy.

5.)    You will need to decide where you would like to donate. There are so many different options. Below are just a few…..        

A.)  Goodwill: This is always a great option and you can find one in about every city.

B.)  Local Churches are always a good place to donate. They usually know many families in need.

C.)  You can call your local social service agency and ask if there is an organization they would recommend donating to. For example, homeless shelters and child protective services. You hear too often, during the holidays, of children being taken away from their families due to issues at home. They especially deserve something special.

D.)  Hospitals, Ronald McDonald House, etc.: These are great places to donate toys. Most of these sick children are too sick to come home for Christmas, but that does not mean they don’t think Santa is real. And there are those families that have so many medical bills they can not afford Christmas.

E.)   Toys for Tots is the mission of the US Marine Corp. They collect toys to give to needy children.

F.)   Pet Shelters: You have to be careful with the toys you give and they may not take them, but if you have old balls, stuff animals, blankets or anything that you think an animal would play with they would be more then thankful to take.

The above are just a few of the suggestions of where and how to donate your children’s old toys. During the holidays we need to remember those that are not as lucky as some of us. It is the “Season of Giving.”

Happy Holidays!

Tots On The Go Rentals