10 Disney World Tips For Parents – The Perfect Day

June 16, 2018June 19, 2018JetSetDaddy

We’ve been to Disney World with toddlers four times now, and these are our 10 best Disney World tips 2018 for parents.

We wish we knew these Disney World tips the first time around.

Honestly, we’re still figuring out how everything works.

But these are the Disney World tips you need to know to have the perfect day with your kids.

disney world tips and secrets

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10 Disney World Tips For The Perfect Day With Kids

If you’re bringing older kids to Disney World, you have much more flexibility.

These Disney World tips are meant for parents bringing toddlers and little ones.

Why?

Disney World really is the happiest place on Earth if you know these simple, insider tips!

1. Arrive Early

I don’t mean 9:00am or 10:00am early – I mean a few minutes BEFORE the park opens.

We only just figured out how important this is.

Not that our kids are a little older (ages 3 & 7) it’s finally easier to get up & out the door early.

In the past, we arrived around 10:00am or 11:00am, and here is what you can expect if you arrive at that time.

This makes a massive difference in your entire day – especially when going to Disney’s Magic Kingdom which takes extra effort to from the parking lot.

We breezed through security and straight onto the monorail – zero lines!

We arrived at Magic Kingdom & the park was nearly empty – zero lines!

While everyone else is stuck queueing up for the monorail, you have 1-2 hours of prime Disney World time.

2. Pre-Book Early Fast Passes

As soon as you buy your tickets, you’ll want to create & link your tickets on the Disney World website.

Then select 3 FastPasses, meaning you can skip the long line & get in the fast lane.

BUT, the real tip here is to select 3 MORNING FastPass tickets.

You want to use up your FastPasses as early in the day as possible.

Why?

Once you finish your 3 pre-booked FastPasses, you can keep rebooking FastPasses one at a time.

All. Day. Long.

You first have to finish your 3 initial FastPasses before you can start rebooking.

Make sure you don’t have a FastPass scheduled for later in the day or that’s it – you’ll be waiting in line all day for everything else.

Worst of all, don’t wait until the last minute to make your FastPass reservations.

Otherwise, there will be nothing left.

3. Keep Booking FastPass Tickets

This is the SECRET SAUCE to your magical day & a trick so many Disney World visitors don’t seem to know about yet.

Once you use up your 3 pre-booked FastPasses you can keep rebooking your FastPass one at a time.

Until recently, you had to walk around the park & then queue up for a FastPass Kiosk to rebook.

While these kiosks are still around, you can now book fast passes directly from your smart phone!

Literally, as soon as we enter a FastPass line, one of us is on the phone booking the next FastPass ride.

If the next ride is farther away or we have time to spare in between rides, we will line up to do something with a shorter wait time in between.

So, how do you book these FastPasses & check the most up-to-date wait times?

See #4 below – download the app!

4. Download the App

It’s 100% worth taking a minute to download the Disney app on your phone before going to Disney World.

Not only can you keep track of the FastPass tickets that you pre-booked (#2 above), you can book your next FastPass tickets directly from your phone too (#3 above).

You’ll get interactive park maps, and up-t0-date wait times on all the rides & attractions.

We still love using the Disney World paper maps, but the app is the perfect way to plan your day.

5. What To Do When You Need Break

You can & should be having breaks throughout the day – it will save your sanity.

There are plenty of easy ways to work this into your schedule… go to the shows!

Orlando is hot – shows offer air conditioning.

You’ll be on your feet most of the day – shows offer comfy seats.

If you time it right, you can eat & watch the parades go by.

There are SO MANY SHOWS.

6. Rider Swap

With a toddler and an older child, there will be rides your toddler won’t be tall enough to ride.

The first few times we went to Disney World, we thought one adult would have to sit out on every ride so the other adult could take the older child.

Yes & no.

Disney World makes it easy for adults to take turns riding while someone stays to watch the younger kid.

Here’s how you do it.

When the first adult goes to ride with the older child, have them tell the ride worker that you would like a Rider Swap.

This frees up the second adult to take the younger kid on a smaller ride.

Disney World Tips rider swap

Once the adult & older kid return, just take the Rider Swap pass back to the entrance.

The other adult can go right in again… and the older kid can ride again!

The Rider Swap option is a fantastic option for parents.

You can learn more about Rider Swap here.

7. Take Your Own Photos

If you’re on a “no expenses spared” trip to Disney World, I totally get that.

But you don’t have to spend $199 on the Disney Photo Pass if you don’t want to.

Whenever your kids are taking pictures with characters in the park, Disney World very kindly allows you to take your own photos too.

Disney World photo pass

They will step aside give you a chance to quickly take a few of your own pictures.

It’s a great way to capture the moment without spending a fortune.

And they’re really nice about it, so you don’t feel like a cheapskate.

8. Dining In the Park – Pros & Cons

Here are my best Disney World tips about dining inside the park so far.

Believe it or not, there is definitely a learning curve when it comes to dining in Disney World.

Some restaurants are first-come, first-serve while others require reservations and get fully booked in advance.

We’ve eaten in Liberty Tree Tavern & Mama Melrose’s with a reservation and Harbour House without reservations.

Disney World restaurants

This past visit we booked a table at the Magic Kingdom’s Crystal Palace to have the character dining experience.

There was plenty of choice in the Crystal Palace buffet, and the kids loved having Winnie The Pooh and friends visit our table during the meal.

We’ve found only two possible problems with dining in Disney World:

The price – make sure you review the menu before you book, so you realize what you will be spending.
The commitment – you can cancel up until 24 hours ahead of time without a penalty, but if you cancel on the day they will charge you per person.

We ended up leaving the park one day & returning a few hours later for our dinner reservations because the weather was bad & the kids were tired.

Upside: you won’t need to pay for parking again & the park at night is a totally different place!

9. Bringing Your Stroller – Pros & Cons

If you have kids under 7 years old, a stroller in Disney World is a must-have.

You have a few options here.

1. Bring your current stroller. This is ONLY an option if you have a stroller that is BOTH very compact and easy to quickly collapse! There are a few times during the day that you will have to quickly break that stroller down in order to keep moving.

2. Rent a stroller in Disney World. This is a nice option if you want to rent a double stroller or avoid the hassle of dragging a stroller on & off the tram just to get into the park. The downside of course is the price – you will have to rent for each day you are in the park.

3. Bring an umbrella stroller. These are designed to break down fast & have a low profile.

For the price of just one day stroller rental in Disney World you can buy an umbrella stroller to use for your entire visit & then bring home!

10. Bring Your Own Water & Snacks

After a long day at Disney World we returned to our hotel & another dad asked me in the elevator how our day was because he was bringing his kids the next day for their first visit.

I told him to bring lots of water & he was shocked that we could bring our own into the park!

YES, Disney World allows you to bring your own water & snacks with you.

We always bring 2 bags – one packed with water & snacks that we can leave tied to the stroller using this clip (it doesn’t lock, but the clip just adds a little security – although the park always feels VERY safe).

The second bag is small & contains just a few valuables for the day – cash, phone, camera, etc.

We didn’t worry about the price of eating nice dinners in Disney World, because we bought a grand total of ZERO water bottles during the day.

We splurged on a few Mickey Mouse ice cream treats, but how can you not!

More Disney World Tips

Get more Disney World tips from Traveling Dads here:

Best time to visit Disney World (including when NOT to visit)
Should you stay at a Disney World resort?
Getting the most from character meet & greets
When does Disney World have the lowest crowds?
Best places for dad to have a break at Disney World
Nighttime shows at Disney World ranked in order
Best Disney World POOLS

Gifts For A Dad Who Wants Nothing | Father’s Day 2018

June 12, 2018June 12, 2018JetSetDaddy

This post is sponsored by Michelob Ultra but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

This year Father’s Day 2018 is extra special for me because it’s the beginning of the 2018 World Cup!

There will be 11 matches on Father’s Day weekend, including Brazil vs. Switzerland on Father’s Day itself.

And best of all, I’ll be with my dad this Father’s Day, so we will watch the matches together.

After decades of celebrating Father’s Day & exhausting every possible option, here are 3 suggested gifts for dad who wants nothing.

Gifts For A Dad Who Wants Nothing

Here are a couple of gifts for the dad who wants nothing – whether you’re together or far apart on Father’s Day.

And these gifts make it easy to remember to honor your dad – whether it’s Father’s Day or not.

1. Call During Events

When you’re thinking about him, call him.

When you’re watching a big game or race that you know he’s watching too, call him.

In our house this weekend we watched Formula One and the French Open – both of these I started watching with my dad as a kid.

Whatever sports you watch now you probably started watching with your dad as a kid.

When the sports you watched with your dad are on TV, use that time as a quick check-in to talk to your dad.

2. Send Him Something Different

If your dad has gone through decades of Father’s Days like mine, there is very little left that he really needs, so Father’s Day is a fun time to give him something fun that he wouldn’t buy himself.

Michelob ULTRA has a great online shop now where you can find some different & fun gift ideas for dad.

You can shop beer gear all day long with Michelob ULTRA, which is a fun twist on the classic Father’s Day tie, BBQ apron or cup.

3. Do Something He Enjoys

The World Cup starts this week & lasts for a month.

Even better, I’ll have some time off work & will be able to watch the matches with my dad.

There will be dozens of matches & I already have World Cup FEVER.

I dug out my Brazil shirt this weekend to get ready for the biggest matches – Brazil’s matches!

I can not wait to spend the next month watching as much football as possible.

Whether or not you are into the World Cup doesn’t matter.

What matters is that you spend time with your dad, doing what he loves or something you grew up enjoying together.

Father’s Day is a reminder to give your dad a gift.

But, make it easy on yourself to give gifts for dad who wants nothing by building it into your regular routine.

Cheers Dad!

gift ideas fathers day 2018

What do you enjoy doing with your dad?

What will you do for your dad this Father’s Day?

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Havana Cuba – Everything You Need To Know

May 22, 2018May 22, 2018JetSetDaddy

Looking to visit Havana Cuba?

Last year we traveled to Havana without doing much research ahead of time.

What a mistake!

When you think of Havana, you might only thing of retro cars and live music.

But visiting Cuba can be a culture shock.

Even though it’s only 106 miles from the US Coast, basic places & products we take for granted are impossible to find.

Why?

There are no supermarkets or pharmacies!

It’s safe to assume that if you don’t bring it, you won’t be able to get it.

Changing money isn’t easy either & it’s difficult to find internet access.

Before you travel to Havana Cuba, here is everything you need to know.

Havana Cuba - everything you need to know before you travel on vacation. Last year we traveled to Havana Cuba without doing much research ahead of time. What a mistake! Visiting Havana Cuba can be a culture shock. Basic places & products we take for granted are impossible to find. Before you travel to Havana Cuba, here is EVERYTHING you need to know.

Havana Cuba – Everything You Need To Know

Looking for something that isn’t here?

Leave a comment below & let me know what questions you have about Cuba & I’ll find answers for you.

Pictures of Havana Cuba

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Havana Cuba Pictures

May 16, 2018May 19, 2018JetSetDaddy

Looking for recent Havana Cuba pictures?

I went to Havana Cuba in 2017 and all of the pictures below are from that trip.

Looking for Havana Cuba pictures? These are my unfiltered Havana Cuba pictures & travel photos from a trip to Cuba in 2017. Havana Cuba pictures show classic cars, military demonstrations, tanks, guns, architecture, and daily Cuban life in the streets.

Havana is just 106 miles from Key West in the USA, but it feels like suddenly we’ve gone back in time.

Some things I expected to see – like the beautiful classic cars & building that have been perfectly maintained.

Other views are less stunning – like crumbling buildings & dirty city streets.

There is a constant pull between feelings of nostalgia & realization of oppression.

The purposeful & visible government displays of weapons & tanks are a jarring reminder that a communist government still controls its people.

It’s hard to say whether it’s despite of all of this or because of all of this, but the Cuban people have a quiet strength & pride that rises above the oppression.

As a tourist in Havana Cuba, don’t let the pictures fool you.

There are things you need to know before visiting Cuba.

Such as, when our luggage didn’t arrive on the plane, we were 100% unable to buy basic necessities like deodorant & toothpaste because there are NO STORES!

Hint: don’t check your luggage when traveling to Cuba.

Here’s more about my trip to Havana Cuba in 2017.

Despite all of this, the people of Cuba are resilient & optimistic.

Havana Cuba Pictures

Havana, Cuba

95 Photos

Just click on the album above to see nearly 100 Havana Cuba pictures.

What else did I learn during my visit to Cuba?

Here are 7 things NOT to do when visiting Cuba.

El Chalten Patagonia: TOP 12 Sites For Tourists

April 14, 2018April 14, 2018JetSetDaddy

My wife & I recently spent a few kid-free days hiking & trekking around incredible El Chalten Patagonia.

We read a lot about El Chalten before we visited, but getting there left us with an entirely different perspective.

Patagonia is even more amazing that I expected, and I definitely plan to visit again.

el chalten argentina

From secluded picnics in front of glaciers to watching glacier calving to trekking around Fitz Roy, El Chalten is an awe-inspiring place.

If you’re thinking of one day visiting El Chalten Patagonia, pin & save this post to keep it handy.

El Chalten Patagonia is even more amazing in person than you think it will be. We bought the guide books, but these TOP 12 El Chalten sites were more helpful for trekking & touring than the travel guides.

El Chalten Patagonia: TOP 12 Sites For Tourists

Before & after we visited El Chalten we traveled to other parts of Argentina.

This guide book for Argentina is fantastic as is this guide to Patagonia, but for El Chalten specifically we found the best tips always came from other travel bloggers.

Here are the top X resources I found useful for our recent trip to El Chalten Patagonia in Argetina:

These are the websites we found most helpful when we visited El Chalten.

I’ll do my part to update you soon with a few more posted related not only to El Chalten but to other parts of Patagonia & Argentina.

If there is something specific you want to know, just leave me a comment below.

Until my new posts are ready, here are a few more pictures from our trip.

el chalten trekking

Even the drive to El Chalten had fantastic views… and lots of guanaco (wild llamas).

A glacier & lake view for our picnic lunch.

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Top 5 Zoo Miami Birthday Party Memories

March 16, 2018March 17, 2018JetSetDaddy

When our littlest turned two we celebrated with a day at Zoo Miami.

We invited family friends to spend the day with us visiting all the animals & attractions at Zoo Miami & here are our Top 5 favorite memories of the day.

zoo miami

Top 5 Zoo Miami Birthday Party Memories

Zoo Miami is pretty spread out, but you can rent Safari Cycles to get around with.

They were a HUGE HIT with both the kids & the adults.

Walking through the zoo with all the kids & all our stuff would definitely wear us all out, but having these cycles made the day even more fun.

The kids happily got into the cycles & loved sitting next to each other while we rode through the zoo.

The cycles come in 2 different sizes: small accommodates up to 3 adults and 2 small children & large holds up to 6 adults and 2 small children.

Just make sure you grab your cycle early before they sell out for the day!

miami zoo prices

The animal are the star of the show at Zoo Miami.

They all look comfortable & well cared for.

The kids were VERY excited to see what was around each & every corner.

miami zoo animals

We had no idea we could actually FEED the animals at Zoo Miami until we spotted the giraffes.

You’ll get lots of great shots of your little ones up close encounter with the zoo animals!

They have lots of antibacterial hand wash at the exhibit too!

miami zoo attractions

And just when we thought feeding the giraffes was the highlight of our day, we spied the rhino!

I won’t lie – it was pretty awesome to be so close to such a big rhino.

zoo miami animals

We capped off the day with a few rides around the carousel.

The kids couldn’t be happier with this day out & despite the heat (in October!), it was an awesome birthday.

zoo miami attractions

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Fort Lauderdale Air Show 2017

March 6, 2018March 17, 2018JetSetDaddy

The Fort Lauderdale Air Show is coming up again soon!

Last year we spent the perfect day on the beach with the kids watching the show.

Just bring your own beach chairs & blanket, and you’re all set.

There were plenty of food trucks to choose from, so you don’t need to bring any food or drinks with you.

We had to park to walk & walk a few blocks, so it was great not to have to drag the cooler along.

The kids loved played at the beach while watching the planes whiz by.

It’s the perfect day out with the whole family!

I just started a brand new YouTube channel, so I can clear the travel videos off my phone.

Just subscribe to the Jet Set Daddy YouTube channel to get the latest.

Spring Break Backyard Fun

February 26, 2018March 17, 2018JetSetDaddy

Spring Break is just around the corner & we have a steady stream of friends & family coming to visit us.

That’s what happens when you live in South Florida – the Spring Break capital!

We spend Spring Break outside enjoying the warm Spring weather.

Here are a few activities to keep your kids busy in the backyard during Spring Break.

And always stock up on Kleenex Wet Wipes from Target to wipe up messes & sticky hands.

Because Kleenex Wet Wipes are free from dyes, alcohol, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates we feel comfortable in using them for the kids.

To make things easier they have made the packing in 3 different colors to remember their specialty.

Blue is for gentle cleaning.

Orange is for germ removal.

Green is for sensitive cleansing.

They came in handy even BEFORE we left the Target parking lot.

Hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go!

Now we’re ready for Spring Break fun.

Show Me Your Imagination

Nothing is more fun than seeing a child using their imagination.

Have them grab some sidewalk chalk and draw in some props, a background, whatever they can think of and join in!

Cleanup is simple with Kleenex Wet Wipes for Germ Removal to clean up those little dirty hands & faces after a wonderful afternoon of creating adventures on the sidewalk.

Feast Outside

Spring Break is the perfect time to plan a picnic.

To make the picnic that more fun have them help you with the prep work and have your kids help pick what they want to eat.

They could even help making sandwiches and packing some snacks.

We kept it simple after an afternoon of swimming – pasta!

Those Kleenex Wet Wipes are perfect both before & after eating.

They are gentle enough to clean up kids hands and faces.

Feed The Wildlife

We love feeding our local ducks & birds.

The fun actually starts by making the ducks a special treat that’s super easy to make with the kids.

All you need is:

2 cups Old Fashioned Quaker Oats
1 cup brown rice
1 bag frozen assorted vegetables (peas, corn, carrots and green beans)

Mix it together, grab your Kleenex Wet Wipes & you’re ready to go!

What are your plans for Spring Break?

Sensitive Skin Care: 5 Family Travel Tips

February 16, 2018February 16, 2018JetSetDaddy

With traveling as much I do, I’ve learned how important it is to protect my own sensitive skin from the elements.

When traveling with my kids, it’s even more important to be prepared, as kids are so much more sensitive to these changes.

Sensitive skin doesn’t have to be an issue when your family travels. Care for your family’s sensitive skin with these products, tips and remedies. A little attention to the soap and care will go along way in protecting your family’s body from rash problems that flare up during travel.

We’ve learned the hard way that we have to take care of our daughter’s sensitive skin whenever we are traveling.

We’ve come up with this list of five tips, and Baby Dove on the list as one of our must-haves.

Did you know a little one’s skin is 30% thinner than ours??

No wonder kids have extra sensitive skin!

One of our daughters has super sensitive skin & it seems like she always has skin problems when we travel.

We’ve come up with this list of five tips that help take care of our daughter’s sensitive skin whenever we are traveling.

If we forget on of these 5 things, she is pretty much guaranteed to have irritated skin when we travel.

Sensitive Skin Care: 5 Family Travel Tips

Here are five tips for caring for sensitive skin when traveling with kids.

Snacks

I don’t know about you but we tend to eat more junk food than usual when we travel.

Did you know eating certain foods can cause a flare up in those with sensitive skin?

We make sure we bring along snacks that are gentle on our kid’s tummy.

Having snacks kids are used to is a massive help in controlling sensitive skin issues.

Hand Wipes

Having Baby Dove Wipes handy will save lots of peace of mind, since kids touch EVERYTHING!

For those travel moments when it’s impossible to wash hand, it helps to at least be able to wipe down the kids hands & environment before eating.

This can massively help control sensitive skin issues by avoiding contact with problems altogether.

The Baby Dove Wipes are hypoallergenic, convenient & portable, so they’re perfect for travel.

Weather

Changes in the environment can be tough on sensitive skin.

Anything too hot or too cold can mean the skin needs extra moisture.

We love using skin care products specifically made to protect the moisture & combat the elements.

Comfortable Wear

Traveling is not the time to pack crazy uncomfortable clothes the kids never usually wear.

It’s important to keep kids comfortable while traveling to avoid things like pinched feet or fussy faces.

It definitely helps our daughter with her sensitivity to avoid irritations from the materials she isn’t used to wearing.

Baby Dove

Dove is our family’s trusted brand because it’s made with hypoallergenic-neutral formulas that don’t irritate sensitive skin.

Plus, it’s dermatologist and pediatrician-tested, so we feel good about using it on our little one.

Our kids love how soft & protected their skin feels with Baby Dove.

They’re very sensitive to smell too & Baby Dove leaves them smelling fresh & clean.

I’m crazy about sharing my love of travel with my growing kids, but the reality is that travel can be tough on them.

In order to make the all our travel memories as positive as possible, we try to keep everyone comfortable despite the disruption from our routine at home.

Baby Dove is one of those little comforts from home that make traveling with kids much easier.

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20 Best Drones For Sale | How To Buy A Drone 2018

January 16, 2018May 15, 2018JetSetDaddy

Looking for the best drones for sale in 2018?

Last weekend a friend of mine brought brought his drone over and we spent hours flying it around.

His iPhone was the remote control & the video feed went directly to his iPhone.

I’ve researched the best drones for sale & here’s what you need to know.

best drones for sale

In order to find the best drones for sale, here are the best features to look for in a drone:

Control with phone or tablet
Long range (1-2 miles)
Avoid obstacles automatically
Tracks moving subjects automatically
Automatically returns home when battery is low
Returns home with one-click
GPS tracking

To get the best drone with ALL of these features, you’ll need to spend $1,000+.

You’ll want to get the best done you can for your budget.

Best Drones For Sale With Camera

What will you use your drone for?

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12 Epic & Easy Game Day Food Ideas & Snacks

January 6, 2018January 6, 2018JetSetDaddy

Game day will be here before we know it, and if we’re all honest, isn’t game day FOOD one of the best things about the day?

Yes it’s an excuse to indulge in snacks & treats that we never normally eat, but isn’t that what the big day is for, really?

This isn’t something you want to leave to chance, or you’ll be stuck with only celery sticks & popcorn – nice & all but not the main attraction.

No!!!!!

Game day food should be exciting & rewarding, so the food will be satisfying no matter whether the game is or not.

I’ve already started dreaming about the game day food we HAVE to have this year, so I’ve started a list of favorite game day food ideas & snacks.

Here are the top 12 EPIC yet EASY game day food ideas & snacks.

Let me know if you agree or if there’s something I’ve missed, so I can add it to the collection!

Crispy Chicken Strips

If you’re wondering how crispy chicken strips can be called “easy”, don’t worry – Tyson has us covered!

With a quick trip to my local Walmart, I load up on fantastic tasting Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips that can be cooked in the oven & ready piping hot for game day.

Cripy chicken could NOT be any easier.

Your family will love this game day snack as much as mine does.

To make it even EASIER on you, here’s what you should look for.

This Slow Cooker Queso Dip from The Girl Who Ate Everything looks amazing & perfectly simple to make.

If you don’t have a slow cooker, it can be done on the stove instead.

It’s literally just combining all the ingredients & cooking on low for a few hours – winner!

These delicious potato skins from Brown Eyed Baker are mandatory game day food.

Don’t be scared of making these – with just 15 minutes of prep time, these are a crowd favorite.

Sloppy joe’s are my wife’s nostalgic favorite, and these sloppy joe sliders from Jenn’s Bliss don’t disappoint.

Prepare dozens of sliders all at once in a baking dish – genius!

These sheet pan nachos from Damn Delicious take loaded nachos to a whole new level.

This is perfect game day food if you plan to feed more than 4 people.

To make things even easier on yourself, cook the meat the day before – it will taste even better!

With just 10 minutes of prep time, these 4-ingredient jalepeno poppers from Inspired Taste are a quick win for spice lovers.

These can also be completely prepared a day ahead & then cooked in the oven a few minutes before you’re ready to eat.

If your cravings aren’t in overdrive yet, we’re only halfway through the list.

Next we have another winner that takes only 15 minutes of prep – this hot Italian sub sandwich from Lemons for Lulu.

Don’t let the long list of ingredients worry you – if you don’t have one of two of the ingredient, you can always substitute or omit items to your own taste.

Hardcore Texas chili lovers will argue that chili can not be prepped in just 20 minutes, but just don’t tell them this easy Texas chili recipe from Genius Kitchen only took you 20 minutes!

I think chili tastes even better when it’s reheated a day or two later, so this can & should be prepared ahead of game day.

Once you have your chili ready, make sure you have fixings to make chili dogs as well.

This chili dog recipe from A Sweet Pea Chef shows you everything needed for the perfect chili dog.

With only 5 minutes of prep time needed, chili dogs couldn’t be easier – or tastier.

Ordering pizza during game day is risky since it’s such a popular idea, but this pepperoni pizza dip from Belle of the Kitchen will satisfy those pizza cravings.

If you want people to think you’re a genius in the kitchen, this insanely good artichoke dip from Live Craft Eat takes an entire 5 minutes to prepare – yes, I said 5 minutes!!!

With just 15 minutes of prep time, these chicken taquitos from Two Peas & Their Pod are as delicious as they are colorful.

Anything that can be topped with guacamole, sour cream, or salsa is a winner in our house.

What do you think? Are these recipes easier to prepare than you first though? Which will you make on your next game day?

If I’ve missed any of your easy favorites, let me know in your comment below.

Mandarín Oriental Hotel Miami

November 16, 2017March 17, 2018JetSetDaddy

Last week I had meetings in Miami & stayed at the Mandarín Oriental Hotel Miami.

When traveling with work, I rarely get a chance to get outside during the day.

Luckily I’m solar-powered & my eyes pop open at dawn everyday.

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to walk around an empty city at sunrise.

It’s the best way to take in a city at my own pace, before the hectic workday begins.

I clear my head, get in some exercise & discover a new city, all at once.

We live about an hour away from Miami, so I rarely visit – probably only once or twice a year when friends are visiting.

Here are my pictures of the Mandarín Oriental Hotel Miami pool and room & nearby Brickell neighborhood.

Quiet morning walk around the Mandarín Oriental Hotel Miami Pool

Sun coming up at the Mandarín Oriental Hotel Miami Pool

Outside view of the Mandarín Oriental Hotel Miami

View from my balcony at the Mandarín Oriental Hotel Miami

My suite at the Mandarín Oriental Hotel Miami (checkout that view!)

Another view from my Mandarín Oriental Hotel Miami suite.

Time for breakfast! Mandarín Oriental Hotel Miami Brunch & Decor

A final fantastic view of Brickell in Miami Florida

5 Travel Hacks For International Travel With Baby

October 17, 2017March 17, 2018JetSetDaddy

If you’re new to international travel with baby in tow, it’s easier than you probably think.

Our daughter’s first overseas trip was from our home in Paris, France to my visit my wife’s family in Dallas, Texas.

She was just 4 months old.

I know it’s annoying when people tell you how easy it is to have international travel with baby, but once your baby turns in to a toddler, you will realize it’s true.

Follow these 5 simple tips to make your international travel with baby a more comfortable experience for you, your baby & everyone else traveling around you.

5 Travel Hacks For International Travel With Baby

Here are the best 5 hacks I have found that have made international travel with baby a piece of cake.

Leave Early

As a corporate traveler, I know exactly when I need to leave to get to the airport at just the right time.

As a dad, I’ve learned it’s important to head to the airport much earlier because if something can go wrong – it will go wrong.

More than once, we’ve had major diaper blowouts while waiting in line to go through security.

Give yourself that extra time, so your stress level stays low & your baby can feel relaxed.

Carry On Comfort

Speaking of major diaper blowouts, plan to bring at least 2 changes of clothes in your carry on & more diapers than you think you will need.

Pack them in a ziplock back that you can re-use to seal up the dirty clothes.

Forget fancy baby clothes, make your baby as comfortable as possible – even bring along pajamas.

Baby clothes are tiny, and you could really regret it if you don’t have a clean change of clothes handy.

Prevention Is Key

International travel with baby means less time available to change & clean baby exactly when you would like to.

It’s much harder to change diapers during travel, but there’s an easy way to avoid irritating baby’s skin & mood!

To baby comfortable & clean throughout your trip, just pack Desitin Maximum Strength cream in your carry on.

Desitin helps keep a barrier between the diaper and your baby.

This will ensure they wouldn’t get a heat rash or irritated – especially during long trips.

It’s one of those products you will keep on hand for years because older children too can get relief from this protection.

Pack Their Favorites

Once your baby is old enough, bring along their favorite snacks & toys.

You are allowed to bring whatever milk, water & baby food your child needs for the flight.

If you’re bringing jarred food, just pack it in an easy-to-access place in your carry on & present it with the milk you are bringing.

Snacks & toys are a great way to keep baby entertained & satisfied with full bellies.

Deep Breaths

I know this one might sound silly, but plan to feel overwhelmed at some point during the trip.

A fellow traveler might be rude or your flight may get delayed.

It’s going to happen.

Remember to enjoy the experience…

Hey, even if it’s terrible – those make the best stories later!

Have your own tips for international travel with baby?

Leave your questions & comments below.

7 Things NOT To Do When Visiting Havana Cuba

September 24, 2017May 24, 2018Jet Set Daddy

Planning a trip to Havana Cuba?

Wondering if it’s really possible to travel there from the USA?

At the beginning of this year my wife & I took a kid-free trip to Havana Cuba (thank you grandparents).

Below is what we learned during our time in Havana Cuba – specifically what NOT to do.

When you’re done with this, here is everything you need to know about Havana Cuba including:

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

You might be wondering HOW we were able to visit Havana Cuba from the USA.

Obama created 12 legal reasons US citizens can travel to Cuba.

Many of them are very abstract, such as “support for the Cuban people” (not sure how long these rules will apply under Trump.)

You just have to pick one and fill a form for the airline, but that’s it.

When you come back they may or may not ask in the airport where you just came from.

As bloggers, my wife & I simply visited as journalists.

We bought this travel guide & you want to buy it ahead of time (there are NO STORES there – more about that below).

This map is a life-saver too.

You can view all our trip pictures are here: Havana Cuba pictures.

What NOT To Do When Visiting Havana Cuba

It’s easy enough to get there, but what we found when we arrived was TOTALLY different than we expected.

Here are 7 things you should NOT do when you visit Havana Cuba.

Don’t Check Your Luggage

I highly recommend NOT checking your luggage.

Why?

Our luggage didn’t arrive on our plane…

It arrived 36 hours later!

This is a BIG deal in Havana Cuba because there are NO shops – NONE.

Want to buy toothpaste? Sorry.

Forgot your deodorant? Too bad.

If you must check your luggage, at least pack a few toiletries & change of clothes in a backpack…

Whatever you can’t survive the trip without should be in your carryon.

Bring basics like these handiwipes and tissue packs.

You will thank me later!

Don’t Take Where You Stay For Granted

We stayed in an Airbnb in Havana Cuba – and Airbnb didn’t let us down at all.

They were fantastic actually.

Here’s a picture of our street.

The reality of life in Cuba means you might need a little extra support & our Airbnb host gave us a cell phone to use to contact him during our stay.

Now, he wasn’t able to help us with the missing toothpaste or deodorant, but I’m sure he would have if they actually had stores.

Don’t Forget – You’re In A Communist Country

The propaganda was ridiculous.

In a beautiful square they played COPS-style videos to the crowds.

Related: Travel Photo Album – Havana Cuba Pictures

Meanwhile, the public infrastructure has been sadly neglected leading to falling down buildings & insufficient sanitation.

Some buildings being held up by sticks while families still live in them (notice the laundry!).

Others collapsing completely.

How beautiful these buildings would be if they’d been properly maintained.

Here’s hoping one day they will be restored to their full glory.

Don’t Assume There Are Stores

OK I know I told you earlier that there are NO stores in Havana Cuba.

Actually, we saw 1 store.

This is a picture of their version of a CVS pharmacy.

This strange shop (likely owned & operated by the Cuban government) had no essentials.

If you forget to pack your toothpaste, you’ll have to find someone willing to share (lucky for us, the family staying in the other room of our apartment had some to spare!).

There is no CSV or Walgreens or Cuban version of a convenience store.

The locals have to wait for their rations, so they don’t have any left to sell or share with you.

Don’t Skip A Classic Cars Tour

It’s a fun way to see Havana Cuba & if your driver/tour guide is half as friendly as ours, you’ll be all set.

You can book them for short or long tours & have them drop you off somewhere convenient for you.

Don’t Pass Up A Drink In Each Famous Bar

Yes, they’re packed full of tourists, but they’re also full of great music & serious bartending.

La Bodeguita Del Medio – Havana, Cuba

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

The show & the prize!

El Floridita – Havana, Cuba

Crowds again, but so worth it!

Don’t Worry Be Happy

This seems to be the motto of the people in Havana Cuba.

One good thing about visiting a communist country is that there is virtually no crime, so we felt very safe walking everywhere at night.

It’s a massive cultural shock to American consumers used to having “stuff”.

But WOW were we impressed with the resilient Cuban spirit.

More About Cuba

Photo Album: Havana Cuba Pictures
Documentation Needed
Best Time Of Year To Visit
12 Best Things To Do
Scams To Avoid
What You Need To Know BEFORE Traveling
19 Foods To Try
Best Souvenirs To Buy
Survival Tips For Independent Travel
Cuba: What Everyone Needs To Know
Behind The Scenes In Contemporary Cuba
The Other Side Of Paradise: Life In The New Cuba

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Highlights Of Our “Hurrication”

September 15, 2017March 17, 2018Jet Set Daddy

We spent this past week on a “hurrication” (the “vacation” you take while running away from a hurricane!).

Here are some highlights of our 2017 “hurrication”, thanks to Hurricane Irma.

2017 Hurrication Highlights

Living in South Florida is mostly fantastic, despite the hurricane scares.

This year was a little different.

Predictions of a direct hit from Hurricane Irma freaked us out enough to pack everything into our mini-van & make a run for it.

We stayed in a number of hotels along the way, but we kept moving as Irma’s path changed.

We made it all the way up to Alabama before we finally felt able to relax – safely out of the storm’s path.

Spending days on the road meant eating out more than we would like!

Once we checked into our hurrication hotel in Alabama, we hit the local Publix in search of our favorite snacks.

My wife loves that Liberté is an organic snack & I love the adventurous flavors!

I always pickup the coconut flavor for myself, but we usually grab a few of the mango flavors too.

We settled back into our hotel to watch the storm from a video camera in front of our house.

The power stayed on almost all of the time, so we were able to see the wind & the rain.

Once the worst was over, I attempted to catch up on a few work emails missed during the last few days…. which wasn’t easy to do with the kids going stir-crazy!

We needed to get outside ASAP!