Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts

Friday, September 4, 2015

The Children's Museum of Atlanta is downtown, across from Olympic Park and World of Coke. If you're visiting Atlanta with kids, it is a must visit!


Our first stop needed to be this Quiet Space. Walking into the museum was a little bit overwhelming for Bria, so we had to find a quiet corner to acclimate in. We were thankful for this great space to do that!


Once she was settled in, we went to check out the sand box - always a favorite. She played with some other children, and built some fun creations.


Dress-up is fun, but it's even more fun when you get to dress up as a tap dancer and dance away on a wooden floor!



There was plenty of hands-on fun to be had. The museum does a great job of integrating a variety of activities to help children look at a topic from multiple angles. Many of the exhibits when we visited revolved around food, so she shopped in a store, planted a garden, and made her own burger with paper, scissors, and glue.


There are also live shows! While we were there, we saw a fun show where they did science experiments, and another one that got kids dancing the wiggles out.



We would normally share ticket pricing and similar information, but the Atlanta Children's Museum is currently closed for renovations, and will be opening again in late 2015. This is a very exciting time! We can't wait to see what new exhibits will come out of the renovation.

Check out their website or visit them on Instagram to find out what they are up to, purchase a membership, and get the details of their grand reopening!

Wednesday, July 15, 2015


While visiting Montgomery, Alabama recently, we came upon the Rosa Parks Museum and Children's Wing and stopped to explore and learn about the Mother of the Freedom Movement in the U.S. (Read a brief biography of Mrs. Parks here.)

The museum sits on the spot where Parks was arrested on December 1, 1955. Destined to be a parking structure in the 1990s, Troy University recognized how many people were visiting the historical marker there and fundraised to build a museum instead. Parks and her family were a part of the opening on December 1, 2000 - 45 years after her arrest.

Logistics

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Park for free anywhere on the university campus. We parked on the street and fed $1 into the meter. Admission is $14 per adult and $10 per child for the combined museums - bring your AAA card for a discount.



Start Your Visit

Purchase tickets at the main museum, then head next door to the Children's Wing to start your tour with a ride on the Cleveland Avenue Time Machine. Mr. Rivets, the robot driver, takes passengers on a 22-minute adventure through time, examining topics like Jim Crow, the civil war, and slavery in an approachable way that opened the door for conversations without being overwhelming.

The journey ends with the day Rosa Parks boarded the Cleveland Avenue bus, then sends riders to the main museum to learn what happened, and how that day would start a cascade of events that changed history.

The Museum

The museum also contained multimedia exhibits which told the story of Ms. Parks and the day that changed history so much. You can see a virtual tour of the museum here, but it really doesn't do the little museum justice!

I appreciated that there were no assumptions made about what visitors might have already known about the fight for equal rights or the culture in the south in the 50s. Exposing our children to the stories of those who came before us is an important piece of the picture.

We had a guided tour, moving through the cascade of events that started with Mrs. Parks refusing to give up her seat and rolling into the bus boycott and the rise of Dr. Martin Luther King.

One of the parts both of our kids brought up later was how cool it was to have a guide who was really "part of" the movement. She spoke with passion and personal knowledge in a way you just don't get from a book or a movie.

There are really heavy themes, which can be a lot for kids to process all at once. We didn't force the issue, instead allowing our five-year-old to engage as she felt appropriate and unplug a little when she didn't feel as comfortable.

I wasn't sure how much of it she had absorbed until bed time when she called Daddy to tell him about her day. She told him the story of Rosa Parks and her arrest for not giving up her seat on the bus - but she also told him about why Mrs. Parks wasn't allowed to remain sitting, what she was supposed to have done, and why it was wrong.

"They shouldn't be able to make laws like that," she said. "Your body, your choices."

Children have an amazing ability to understand their world when given opportunity to see it and feel it. I highly recommend the museum as a stop on any Alabama itinerary. It was well worth the time, and has started some excellent, though-provoking discussions in our family.

What other great museums have you been to that tell the story of the Civil Rights movement? Tell us about them in the comments!

Wednesday, July 8, 2015


When Bria (five) heard the taxi driver utter the words "pirate museum" on the drive from the Nassau airport, she was sold. A block up from the Straw Market at King and George Streets in Nassau, the museum is a fun interactive stop for young and old.

We were greeted outside the museum by a playful pirate, and directed to the gift shop, where we began our journey.


Once we had paid the admission fee ($13 for adults, and for kids 4-17, $6.50), the pirate led us along a corridor to the entrance to the museum, setting the stage as he walked. The year is 1716. We step onto a moonlit dock, surrounded by the sounds of lapping water and pirates celebrating their successes in a tavern. Beside us is a replica of the ship "Revenge," the scene of our exploration of the lives of bloodthirsty Caribbean pirates.

The Pirates of Nassau Museum is small, but filled with interesting stories of how pirates lived and died, keeping all of us engaged from beginning to end. A couple of parts were a little bit scary, but we breezed over those without it causing any issues.



One of our favorite parts was the story of two woman pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read. These tough women have an incredibly interesting story, made even more mystical by the abrubt end to the story of Bonny, and the abundant theories on what may have happened to her after she escaped execution by turning up pregnant.



At the end of the tour, there is a small collection of artifacts, along with a few items from modern popular culture to browse before stepping out into the bar and gift shop. Snacks and drinks are available, and reasonably priced.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Thinking of heading to the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas? Check out this insider information before you pack your bags.


Getting There


Flights into Nassau are available from several airlines. We found great deals with Jet Blue. Connecting out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami will mean a 35-45 minute easy hop onto the island. The airport is small and easy to navigate, with plenty of transportation available outside.


Flying into Nassau Bahamas


As with so many places, taxi rates from the Nassau airport are set by the government. Be sure you know them before you get into a taxi. When we went, it was $33 for the first four people, and $4 per person after four, and took about about 30 minutes, depending on traffic. If you are traveling somewhere on the island without a posted rate, speak with the driver to agree upon a price before getting in the cab.


It isn’t a great option when you arrive and have bags in tow, but to go into Nassau from the resort, you can take a land or water taxi for about $4 per person plus tip. We took the water taxi one day and wrote about it here.


Getting Around


This place is massive, there are no two ways about it. You're sure to blow up those pedometers! Bring your walking shoes and band-aids for blisters. There is a shuttle that takes you between towers every thirty minutes, but we never found it worth the wait, and ended up just hiking everywhere we went. Strollers are available to rent through a third party, ask about them at Guest Services. We got one for the day we went into Nassau for the food tour (amazing, by the way, we highly recommend it), and paid $16, which included having it dropped off and picked up in our room. Easy peasy.

Check In

Check in time for the rooms is 3 p.m., but if your flight gets in early, you can head to the resort early and do a partial check in, which allows you access to the facilities before your room is ready. We arrived in Nassau at 9 a.m., left our bags with the bellman, and set off exploring.

One things we really wished someone had told us at the time was that Atlantis offers complimentary use of their In-Transit Hospitality Lounges, located in each of the towers. The lounges offer lockers, showers, restrooms, changing facilities, and bathing suit dryers. Be sure to ask about this feature if you check in early or won't be leaving at the 11 a.m. check out time.


The Towers


I read a review of the Royal Towers that said, “If you heed the warnings about the impending chaos that awaits you, Atlantis will not disappoint you.” I couldn’t have said it better! This place is loud and bustling and high-energy. But it is also classy and opulent and a sight to behold. We’ve been twice (on business), and stayed in the Royal Tower both times.


Atlantis is a busy resort - especially the Royal Towers end. There is lots happening, including the aquarium, waterpark, and casino, and people congregate here in large numbers. If you are looking for quiet rest and relaxation, you may be disappointed. But if the hustle and bustle of lots to do and see is your thing, you’ll feel right at home.

With that said, here is the view from our room...



Paradise Island Hotels

...not much to find fault with there!


We have never stayed at the Beach or Coral towers, but every time we have visited them, they seemed quieter and less chaotic, despite the fact that most of the children’s activities (aside from the waterpark) are located on that end. Most of the promotions offered on the Atlantis website are for the Beach tower, so you can get a good deal by going with a slightly smaller and less fancy room.


There is also an adults-only tower called the Cove, but I’m not really sure I would choose a waterpark for a romantic getaway! The Reef Tower is a timeshare option.


Eating


The food at Atlantis is expensive. And not in the “oh that’s kind of spendy” sense, but more in the “that was physically painful, can you check me for blood?” sense. Prepare yourself ahead of time and surrender to it, or you’re going to have a very depressing holiday.


We budgeted $120 per person, per day for food, and managed to stay under, but it wasn’t always easy. We did need to remind ourselves of the budget a few times, especially when we were signing $500 dinner bills!


Nobu Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas


The resort does offer a wide selection of restaurants, with everything from local fare to upscale sushi and Mediterranean. Bobby Flay even has a restaurant here, for the Food Network lovers.


The meal plans are an option, I suppose for those who like to have their pain upfront, but read the fine print. You will still pay a 15% gratuity on the menu price of anything you order, and lunch is not covered in the plan. A few more details - everyone on your reservation must eat together at every meal. They also aren’t available for a partial stay, so if you plan to eat off site at all (like we enjoy doing at least once), the plan may not make sense for you. Children 6 and under do eat free with an adult dining plan, so that’s a benefit.


There are three plans available (depending which tower you are staying in and which range of restaurants you prefer), and they must be purchased before arrival.


Cracked Conch at Paradise Island, Bahamas


We have never used the dining plan, partly because the event we traveled with has some dinners included, because we like to venture off into town and eat with the locals, and because we enjoy the flexibility of doing our own thing. We have tossed it up, though, so I’m not discouraging travelers from it based on our situation.


Aquaventure


The big draw! Our crew loved the waterpark, Aquaventure. The attractions are included in your stay at the resort, and day passes can be purchased for those arriving by cruise ship or staying in other hotels.


Aquaventure offers a good selection of attractions for all ages, with everything from the splash pool for tiny littles to the Leap of Faith, which drops riders 60 feet from a Mayan temple into a shark tank. The flagship of the park, the Leap of Faith has been called the Scariest Water Slide in the World by Odd Stuff Magazine and one of the Top 10 Craziest Water Slides in the World by Travel + Leisure. It is definitely one for the thrill seekers to cross of their lists!


Riding the River Ride at Aquaventure, Atlantis Bahamas

There are more than 18 slides in the 141 acre park. It isn’t all about bigger means better, though. One of our favorites is the Current, a one mile long river ride, complete with rolling rapids and surging waves. Our five-year-old had a great time riding along on this one, but for the less adventurous, there is also a lazy river ride near the Beach tower. There are 11 unique swimming pools, too!

One thing to note - most of the main slides require riders to be 48 inches tall. While there are many children's slides and pools, this did lead to some disappointment from one member of our group.



Height Requirements for Aquaventure Atlantis Bahamas


Beach

With all that water park, it is easy to forget that this is, of course, the Bahamas, and there are gorgeous beaches just steps away! The Atlantis property includes private and public beaches, with crystal clear water and absolutely amazing sand. Unless you are staying in the Beach tower, it may take a little effort to get to the beach (I have to admit, the first time we visited, we didn't make it to the on-property beaches at all), but it is well worth it!



Paradise Island Beach

Marine Habitat


Atlantis is home to more than 250 species of aquatic life, making it the largest such exhibit in the Caribbean and one of the largest in the world. Check out the Dig, the lost continent-themed aquarium beneath the Atlantis tower, and then venture out to the lagoons throughout the property to see the fish and animals up close and personal. It is a pretty amazing place for the budding marine biologist in the family.


Sea Life at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas

Programs are available for all ages to interact with the sea life, as well. Bria participated in the Sea Squirts program and we definitely found it to be high value to her. Check at the Guest Services desk for information on programs available during your stay.


Sea Squirts at Atlantis Bahamas


Night Life


Once the water slides are all closed for the evening, Atlantis really comes alive. We aren’t really casino people, but Atlantis does offer a large, popular one. It is flanked by two bars with very different atmospheres. The Moon Club offers designer cocktails in a relaxed, classy atmosphere, complete with a wall featuring a tank of live jellyfish. On the opposite side of the casino is Dragon’s Ultra Lounge, a nightclub with a dance floor and VIP seating for people watching. Weekend nights, those looking to dance the night away can head over to the Aura Nightclub, a 9,000-square-foot nightclub designed by Jeffrey Beers.


There is also live entertainment, including shows in the theater (check out the schedule before you come) and the Joker’s Wild Comedy Club, which we have enjoyed on both of our visits. For $25 (cash or credit card, no room charge), you’re sure to get a laugh and enjoy a few hours of adult time.


Joker's Wild Comedy Club Atlantis Bahamas

For the younger set, there are teen and pre-teen night clubs available, too. Crush is a parent-free space by night, with family tours available each afternoon for the curious. More than 14,000 square feet, the club includes an internet lounge, gaming room, and of course a dance floor with a live DJ. The concession stand and bar serve up non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.


Our teenagers had mixed reviews of the club, but that is largely because they are on the older end of the target market. I imagine younger teens would be more interested in what Crush has to offer.


Other Things to Do


There is definitely no shortage of things to do at the resort. There is rock climbing, tennis courts, a fitness center, the spa, shopping, pottery studio, and a Build-A-Bear workshop. Atlantis Theater, located in the convention center, offers complimentary movies several times a day. If you need some quiet time, the library offers books, computers, and a children’s corner.

Cartoon Network Obstacle Course at Atlantis

Just outside the Dig, there is a Cartoon Network obstacle course set up in the water. The course is free of charge, but slots fill early, so check out our blog post about the fun, then head down to Guest Services to book your go.


Grab the daily newsletter, the Atlantean, near the elevators each day for a complete schedule of activities on the property.


My Travel Monkey

Sunday, June 28, 2015


Atlantis offers a program for kids 3-6 called Sea Squirts, which offers young ones the opportunity to get up close and personal and learn more about the sea animals that live at the resort.

Sea Squirts participants get to pet and feed several varieties of baby sea life, like this shark. They receive careful instruction and one-on-one oversight.


They also check out the turtles! In the basement, she saw and held Atlantic Green Sea Turtles.



She also loved the young zebra shark, and came back explaining to me why it is called a zebra shark, even though the adult version has spots.


The zebra shark definitely knew it was feeding time! She came right up to the platform where she knew children would soon be offering her fish to eat.


Bria wasn't so sure about holding fish in her hands, so the guide picked one out for her that she could hold by the tail...


...then she dumped the rest of the bucket out for them to eat on their own.


Next was the tank of rays. The children learned that it is important to shuffle your feet, to avoid stepping on them.


Then they learned how to feed the krill to the rays from their bucket by shaking it in their hands to break it up.


Bria wasn't about to do that, either, so he taught her how to swirl the krill with some water in the bucket to break it up, then toss it out to feed the rays.

Sea Squirts is a one hour program, with about 20 minutes of marine activities and 30-40 minutes of feeding time. The program is about $40 and includes a keepsake swim shirt. One adult is asked to accompany each squirt.

Reservations can be made at Atlantis Guest Services. We recommend making a booking near the beginning of your stay, because they can be booked up a few days out.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Looking for a legendary way to spend your summer? North Dakota is the place to go! Here are nine of our favorite hot spots to spend a sunny day in the Roughrider State.

Dakota Dinosaur Museum - Dickinson


Roaming the halls of dinosaur bones never goes astray with our children. The fact that many of the dinosaurs in the Dakota Dinosaur Museum were found locally adds an awesome twist to this great adventure in learning and makes it a stop we love to make when we are in the Dickinson area.

There is a children's corner, which is a fun place to sit and take a break from the excitement, and a park outside for running around on the grass after.

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids 3-12. Watch your dates, though - the museum closes for the season on Labor Day.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park


Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of our favorite places for wildlife viewing in North Dakota. Bison roam freely, which is usually the only kind of traffic you will encounter. We were excited to learn that 186 species of birds call the park home, too! How many can you spot? And don't forget the Prairie Dog Town! Watching the black-tailed prairie dogs is well worth the hike.

There is lots more to see, too. Drive the scenic loop, check out the visitors centers, and lots more.

There are two units of the park - the North Unit is located 14 miles south of Watford City on Highway 85, and the South Unit is accessible from exits 24 and 27 off Interstate 94, near the Montana border.

Entrance is $20 per vehicle, or use your National Park Pass.

Tip: If you don't already have a National Park Pass, we highly recommend it - it is a bargain at $80 and gets you into national parks for a year. We make a point of visiting national parks whenever we can, and the experiences are well worth it!

North Dakota Heritage Center

For learning about the history of this beautiful state, no location has more to offer than the North Dakota Heritage Center, on the capitol grounds in Bismarck. There are thousands of exhibits chronicling the state, including art, interactive exhibits, and lots of technology. In addition, learn about the energy development that is currently evolving the state into a destination for workers from across the globe.

Plan to stay a while, and pop into the James River Cafe for a bite to eat midway through. As you are leaving, be sure to look up - you are standing next to the tallest building in North Dakota! You are more than welcome to walk the grounds, which are a part of the capitol's Arboretum Trail.

Knife River Indian Village



Spanning nearly 1,800 acres near Hazen, the Knife River Indian Village is the place to go to see archaeological remains from the Northern Plains Indians. We love to explore the exhibits, including going inside the earthlodges we had previously only seen in books. There are lots of tools and other items to see, and the ranger talks are very informative.

In addition to the Native American history, Lewis and Clark came through here in October of 1804, camping nearby at Fort Mandan, so this free site is a fun place to add to your Lewis and Clark knowledge.

International Peace Gardens

The International Peace Gardens have a little something for a range of tastes. With historical sites, beautiful flowers, an interpretive center and so much more, there is sure to be something to please everyone in the family. Plus there is lots of room to run off some energy! Take the time to explore one of the park's many hiking trails, wander through the Formal Garden, or wander through the peace poles to read "May Peace Prevail" in 28 different languages.

Located near Dunseith on the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, the Peace Gardens are a symbol of the relationship between two countries. The park is sprawling - check out this map to plan your visit.

A daily pass is $15, and a season pass is $30.

Note that you are crossing through Canadian customs on the way back from the park, so bring along the family's passports to make for smooth sailing. If you don't have passports, photo ID is required, and you may spend a little extra time at the crossing.


National Buffalo Museum



Jamestown, North Dakota is home to the National Buffalo Museum, a can't-miss stop along I-95. The bison (or American buffalo) played a significant part in the area's history, and this site offers the opportunity to learn more through a series of exhibits and artifacts.

Plus there is a live herd, featuring the only true albino bison in the world, named White Cloud. And of course the world's largest buffalo! The 26-foot tall concrete bison, weighing more than 60 tons, has been standing over Jamestown since 1959.

There is also a frontier village and gift shop. The museum is $5 for adults.

Geographical Center of North America



Have you ever wondered where the geographical center of North America is located? If you're driving along Highway 2, you'll soon learn it is in Rugby, North Dakota. Everyone needs to pile out of the car and take the obligatory family photo next to the 15 foot obelisk that marks the site!

Fort Union and Fort Buford


This is really three sites in one. Start by checking out the Confluence Center, located at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers 20 miles west of Williston. The center features traveling exhibits (at a charge of $5 per adult and $2.50 per child, which also includes Fort Buford), and a beautiful view of the rivers.

Next door, explore Fort Buford State Historic Site, the remnants of a military fort built in 1866. There is a stone powder magazine, cemetery site, and an officers quarters building, where visitors can now explore a museum. A few times a year, there are also reenactments at the fort, which are a special treat.

Fort Union Trading Post is a few miles to the west, on the border with Montana. The fort was an important fur trade post between 1828 and 1867, and is filled with interesting nooks and crannies to scope out. Watch a blacksmith hammer out a horse shoe, climb to the top of the fort and look out over the river, and visit the exhibits inside the Bourgeois house on the site where seven Native American tribes traded buffalo furs and smaller furs for goods from around the world. During the summer months there are often tepees set up out front, for added interest. 

Medora

A list of North Dakota attractions wouldn't be complete without mentioning historic Medora, located near the western edge of the state. Options for a real cowboy-inspired experience abound. Check out the website to learn more.

If you have an evening to spare, don't miss the pitchfork fondue or the Medora Musical!

Where have your North Dakota adventures taken you? Share your favorite spots in the comments, we'd love to read them!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by North Dakota Tourism. All of the opinions expressed are our own!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Knowing what to bring on an outing is never an easy feat! Here are some packing tips for Sea World with littles:

  • Plenty of spare clothes - there are opportunities to get wet and messy everywhere you turn, and that's half the fun!
  • Towel - in case of an animal splash or if your children want to check out the splash pads in Sesame Street Bay of Play.
  • Stroller - or rent one near the gate. Prices are reasonable and several options are available for singles and doubles.
  • Sun screen/hat
  • Sweatshirt/jacket
  • Water bottle - you can't bring food into the park, but water bottles are allowed. And you're going to need it!
  • Quarters - everyone is going to want to feed the flamingos

Don't worry if you forgot to pack something, shops are located through out the park and have a great selection at decent prices.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Sea World San Diego offers a plan called the "All-Day Dining Deal." Basically it works like it sounds - you pay one price, receive a wrist band, and can eat in the park all day. We were headed to Sea World this weekend, and I am a researcher (in case you hadn't caught on to that yet), so I did some poking around first. Was the all-day dining deal worth it?


I read a few message boards with mixed reviews, and a blog post from a mama who felt the lines kept their family from taking advantage of the pass. A friend suggested there would be a lot of junk food involved, which made sense - it is a theme park, after all. But really, there was very little information readily available about how the deal would go. 

(As it turns out, much of the information I read ahead of time was incorrect - but these discrepancies could come from the fact that there is more than one Sea World location. Please note that we visited the San Diego location.)

We decided to try it out, and were VERY pleased we did.

Here's our experience...

Passes start at $32.99 for adults and $16.99 for kids 3-9. There appears to be a few dollars variation based on the particular day you go. We went on a Sunday in high season, and the online price was $35.99 per adult.

We purchased a one-year membership, which gave us 10% off the price, so our total for two adults came to $64.04. (More on that membership and why we chose it here.)

TIP: Children under 3 are free at Sea World, and they encourage sharing with little ones. Our preschooler, B, was a big reason we chose to try this plan out, as she prefers to eat at LEAST every two hours.

The pass is good for four restaurants in the park:

Shipwreck Reef Cafe (ribs, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, salads, kids meals)
Mama Stella's Pizza Kitchen (pizza, pasta, kids meals)
Seaport Market (hand crafted burgers, salads, breakfast bagels, kids meals)
Calypso Bay Smokehouse (smoked chicken, ribs, brisket, kids meals)

A glance at the map told us they were well spread throughout the park.

The deal is a wristband which allows its bearer one entree, one side or dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage each time through the line. Simple enough.

We started our day mid-morning with the kiddie rides in Sesame Street Bay of Play, so Mama Stella's was nearby when little B decided she needed to munch.

The line was short, and we were pleasantly surprised by the choices. Brightly colored foods lined the cafeteria-style counters. Side options included large, fresh salads, cups of strawberries and sliced watermelon. The entree plates were large and included options such as manicotti, eggplant parmesan, pizza, and pasta with sauce. There were plenty of healthy choices available, and our selections were plenty of food for the three of us.

The average adult meal was somewhere between $13 and $18. Some quick math told us that if we were eating more than twice in the park, the deal was worth our money. Add in snacks, and we were coming out on top financially.

We ate well, and headed on through the park. It was great to know that we didn't have to worry about making the little one sit because this was her chance to eat - we knew we could just take her to get another snack when she needed it.

For our next meal we tried out the Shipwreck Reef Cafe - mostly because the smell of barbecue as we walked by was too much to resist! Again we found a variety of healthful sides and salads. We got a teriyaki chicken plate and a delicious salad with fruits and cheeses on it, and everyone ate together. The plates are plenty large to enjoy family-style.

And don't worry, not ALL of the food is healthy. We had a lovely slab of decadent carrot cake and B got her nosh on with a chocolate-covered Shamu cookie that made her very happy.


We enjoyed the versatility of being able to stop in and get a drink, or a drink and some fruit, anytime we chose. While we were concerned lines would be cumbersome, we found them easy to navigate and only skipped a stop once because they were a little long.

At the end of our day we enjoyed delicious fresh burgers with lots of choices at the Seaport Market and went back through to grab a couple of bottles of water for the trek home. Overall, we were pleased with our purchase and would make the choice again.

To sum it up, we highly recommend considering this plan if...

...you are going for more than five hours (give or take - we arrived at 10:30 am and left at about 5)
...you are going early in the day (things get busier as the day wears on, so you may find yourself less inclined to stand in line)
...you (or smaller members of your party) eat relatively often.
...you enjoy not having to worry about prices and who is spending what while enjoying family time.
...you want to save money but don't want to trek back to your car every time the kids are hungry