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FastPark Makes Flying Out of Milwaukee Quick and Easy

May 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

fastpark logoI love traveling. Actually, that’s not entirely true. I love visiting other places but the actual act of getting there – the traveling – can sometimes be a giant headache.  Especially when it involves flying.  I never minded flying back when Jay and I were doing the whole New Hampshire/Wisconsin dating thing, but flying was different back then.  We could show up 15 minutes before a flight and be fine.  We could hang out down at the gate and say goodbye there.  There were usually tons of empty seats and you could stretch out and relax.

Yeah, things have changed a bit.  Flying is kind of a hassle now and I embrace anything that makes the whole experience any easier.  And that’s exactly what FastPark does! Well, at least the whole parking and getting to the terminal part (they really can’t do anything about waits at security or long layovers).  FastPark is a parking service located just outside Mitchell International, our airport here in Milwaukee.  (Have no fear if you don’t live in Wisconsin. FastPark has lots of other locations – see them all here.)

What sets FastPark apart from other parking options is their customer service! When you enter the lot (which is located just off the highway for easy and quick access), you are directed to a lettered row to locate a spot.  The FastPark shuttle follows you to your spot and the driver happily loads your bag(s) onto the shuttle. He also gives you a ticket with your row and spot number written on it so you don’t have to rely on your memory.  You are then wisked off to your airline’s terminal when your driver once again does the heavy lifting for you.

fastpark shuttle

When you return from your trip, you can catch the FastPark shuttle just outside baggage claim. You let the driver know where you are parked (by referring to that handy ticket I mentioned) and you are again driven right to your vehicle.  The driver will happily load your bags into your car and even hold an umbrella over you if it is raining.  You simply pay when you leave ( only $6.63 a day) and you are even offered a bottle of cold water on your way out.

FastPark offers lots of perks like their Relax for Rewards program where you earn points toward free parking every time you use the service.  Many locations even offer emergency assistance should you encounter any car trouble.

I had the opportunity to try FastPark & Relax on my recent trip to Arkansas for SoFabCon and loved it!  I was going to have to have Jay go in late for work in order to drop me off at the airport and being able to drive myself was much more convenient.  The shuttle had me from my car to the terminal is just minutes and I actually walked much less than if I had parked in the adjacent parking structure!.(Which was good since I think I packed waaay too much!)

The next time you are flying out, give FastPark & Relax a try – I know you’ll be as sold on it as I am!!

I was given 5 days of complimentary parking to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are my own and FastPark has earned my future business just by the fabulous customer service they provide.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: , ,

Enjoy Fun at The Wilderness No Matter What the Weather!

April 22, 2013 By 2 Comments

Wisconsin public schools all have their spring break the week following Easter.  If Easter falls late on the calendar, you can wind up with some beautiful weather but if Easter is early, like it was this year, it can still feel like winter.  When I told people we were going to the Wisconsin Dells for spring break, I got some interesting looks.  (For you non-Wisconsin people, the Dells is a tourist area known for its waterparks and other outdoor attractions.  It is typically thought of as a summer destination.)

My family actually prefers to go to the Dells during the off season.  The roads are much less crowded, we don’t have to wait at restaurants, and we stay at the Wilderness where there is plenty to do even if the temperature doesn’t go above 40 degrees. (Yes – it was a chilly week up there!)  The Wilderness Territory is a vacation destination that is made up of The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wilderness on the Lake, and Sundara Spa.  No matter where you stay, you will have access to over 500,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor waterparks.  The only way to gain access to the waterparks is to be a Wilderness guest – no day passes are sold.  If you are like us and visit during the chillier months, you will still have four indoor waterparks  to choose from!

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Don’t be fooled – this pool is heated!

 

While splashing around in the water is one of LJ’s favorite things to do, there are tons of things to do at the Wilderness besides the waterparks.  We took advantage of the indoor mini-golf courses and played several glow-in-the-dark 3D games.  We played laser tag and had fun in the arcade.

arcade wilderness dells

LJ practiced his driving in the arcade.

If you look up above the arcade, you will see an elaborate ropes course which wound up being a huge favorite of LJ’s.  He actually went on it three different times!

ropes course wisconsin dells wilderness

Jay and LJ climbed all through the ropes course.

We also had a blast getting scared in the Haunted Hotel and getting lost in the Mineshaft Mirror Maze!

wilderness fun passes

If you are interested in checking out all of the fun activities I mentioned, you will want to grab some of Wilderness Territory’s Fun Passes.  This card gives you access to all of the fun activities I mentioned (plus the bumper boats and a discount at the ice cream counter) for a discount.  Each pass is only $19+tax.

wild fun passes wilderness 2

What is your favorite vacation destination when the weather is less than ideal?

wilderness fun passes thank you

Filed Under: things to do, Travel

New Star Wars Exhibit at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago

March 8, 2013 By 1 Comment

star wars legoland chicagoDo you have a Star Wars fan in your family?  LJ and Jay both love Star Wars and everything Star Wars related. Since they are both LEGO fans as well, the LEGO Star Wars sets are a huge hit here.  When we learned that LEGOLAND Discovery Center was holding a voting contest to see what their next exhibit would be, we were crossing our fingers that Star War would be the winner – and it was!

We had the chance to preview the completed Star Wars exhibit on Wednesday and it was amazing!  The new Star Wars Miniland interactive exhibit includes several scenes from Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.  Interactive activities include pod racing, a battle activity based on pinball, and controls that allow you to fly  a spaceship out of its hanger. Master Builders are even conducting activities to create a larger-than-life Yoda!

Legoland Chicago Star Wars10

A palace on Naboo

Other Star Wars themed activities are scattered throughout the building, including a scavenger hunt for special minifigures, special Model Building Workshops, and the chance to meet and have your picture taken with live Star Wars characters.

Legoland Chicago Star Wars5

Build your own spaceship at a building workshop!

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We found Darth Vader atop one of the skyscrapers in the Chicago skyline!

The Star Wars fun is all in addition to the regular LEGO fun that is standard on any LEGOLAND visit – fun rides, amazing life-size statues, cool 3D movies, and all kinds of LEGO building activities.

Special LEGO Star Wars premier events open to the public begin today (Friday, March 8) from 10 am to 7 pm and continue throughout the weekend (Sat and Sun from 8 am to 7 pm).  To learn more about LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago and purchase tickets, visit the official LEGOLAND website.  Be sure to like them on Facebook to stay informed of all the latest LEGO fun!

Huge thanks to the folks at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago for inviting us to this fun preview event!!

Filed Under: things to do, Travel Tagged With: , , , ,

Gift Ideas for that Person Who Practically Lives in Their Car (like me!!)

December 22, 2012 By 4 Comments

Lately, I feel like I’ve been living in my car.  Luckily, I’ve found some products that make that time a little more enjoyable!  If you know of any products I should have added to the list, feel free to leave them in the comments so I can check them out.


 
 
Filed Under: reviews, Travel Tagged With: , , ,

A Road Trip I’ll Never Forget #kiasocialclub

November 8, 2012 By 27 Comments

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Many of you know that Jay and I were long distance dating for over two years before we got married. Jay was out here in Milwaukee and I was just outside of Manchester, NH.  We tried to see each other about once every month to six weeks.  We spent a LOT of time on planes and in airports, but we earned a lot of frequent flyer miles too.

I was teaching at the time and I came out to Wisconsin for my summers and worked in Milwaukee conducting SAT and ACT review classes for Kaplan.  Since I needed a car to be able to get to and from work, I wouldn’t fly out for the summer, I would drive.  Jay would get a one way ticket out to NH and then drive back to WI with me. On the way back, we did the reverse.

For our first summer road trip, we divided the miles in half and booked a hotel room ahead of time. We got there on the early side and were kicking ourselves for not having just played it by ear as we were still pretty energetic and could have driven for a while longer.  Oh well, live and learn we thought. We’ll just wing it on the way back.

When we were planning our trip back at the end of the summer, we figured we’d just drive until we got tired and then find a hotel to crash at.  We left Milwaukee mid-morning and drove and drove.  After dinner, we started to think maybe we should keep an eye out for a hotel.  We stopped at a Day’s Inn and decided to call it a night. 

Imagine our surprise when the desk clerk told us it was sold out.  Chalking it up to bad luck, we drove a few more miles and found a Holiday Inn. That too was full. We stopped at three more hotels before we realized that it was the weekend all the college kids go back to school and every single hotel along 90 was full. (We knew this because we frantically started calling all of them!)

We did find one small motel that said they had one room left, but one look at the lobby alone told us we’d be better off sleeping in the car!  We passed and got back on the highway.  Jay wanted to pull over in a rest stop and grab some sleep, but I was convinced that was not a safe idea (plus I knew I wouldn’t be able to get comfy in a small compact car).  At some point we stopped at a McDonalds and wandered inside for some coffee. Jay took one look at me in the full light and said “Wow, you look like s$%#!”  I think I didn’t talk to him for the next hundred miles or so. We were both exhausted and grumpy!

We wound up driving all the way through. With all of the stops, it took us way longer than if we had just kept going, but at least we got home safely.  I think we slept for 10 hours once we made it home.  We did learn the importance of booking a hotel room ahead though – won’t be making that mistake again!!

How about you? What’s your worst/best/funniest road trip memory??

This post was brought to you in partnership with #kiasocialclub.  Sadly, it really is true.

Filed Under: Travel
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