Yesterday I had the fun experience of being on a local show called  Twin Cities Live (aka: TCL) to talk travel blogs with hosts Elizabeth and John. Earlier this year I “met” Assistant Producer Mike on Twitter, then on the Disney Fantasy (well technically at MSP Airport) I met the Field Reporter Emily and TCL Executive Producer Mandy. Each staff member works uber hard and it shows in the work they do. The entire team has to have focus and work quickly to pull-off live TV five days a week. It’s pretty amazing.

While there were many other segments yesterday, one of the most exciting was the kick-off of  a giveaway called  Flyaway to New York City with TCL. There’s a good chance you’ve heard of ABC’s show The Chew that launched last fall. Well, the two shows have teamed up for viewers to win a trip for two to New York City and be a part of the audience on The Chew! That sounds like so much fun, doesn’t it?

Every day this week (the week of May 14), Twin Cities Live will announce The Chew Food of the Day then viewers will enter the word on the TCL site for a chance to win. You can increase your chances to win by watching every day. In other words, enter all five words for five chances to be selected. The winner will be selected on Monday, May 21 and will receive air transportation to NYC and a two night hotel stay. Total value of the trip is $2,500! You can learn more on the Twin Cities Live site.

Good luck! And if you win this fab trip to see The Chew – be sure to let us know!

If you take time to search the blogosphere you will realize there are travel blogs reaching as far as the eye can see. And the great thing about that is there is something for everyone. When The Vacation Gals transpired we knew that we would be writing about our adventures, experiences and advice as well as the trips we take together, with our families and spouses. For us, who’ve been at it for a while, it’s pretty easy to scan a blog and figure out the audience, quality and, most importantly, whether we will return as a regular reader. But for those of you who are new to this realm, the thought of finding the perfect travel blogs to follow and trust might be rather daunting. So, how can you tell whether a blog is worth reading regularly?

Here are some tips to get you started as you surf the web for new and helpful travel blogs:

1. Content. Travel blogs come in all shapes and sizes but it’s the content that makes the top blogs successful. Every blog should be easy to read, interesting and informative. Keep in mind that some travel blogs are advice and how-to oriented while others are more about storytelling. Read a couple of posts and the purpose of the blog will be obvious.

2. Design. When it comes down to it, a blog design shouldn’t really make a difference whether you read it or not, but the site should be easy to navigate and comfortable to read. For example, if it’s difficult to read the text, perhaps it’s too small, or the background is dark or pastel with white text, I will leave the site immediately since it’s too hard on the eyes. Whatever the case may be the colors, style and readability should feel natural.

3. Photos. Images alone can make a travel post worth reading. Colorful landscapes will take you to the destination instantly and give you some perspective. For example, I love seeing the inside of hotel rooms before I make reservations. While scenic views of beaches, mountains, food and activities can be tantalizing enough to make me want to pack my bags ASAP!

4. Updates. Since travel bloggers travel, some blog owners have been known to take a break from the blogosphere for days, weeks, months and even years. After returning from their adventures they pick up where they left off and continue writing. Other times, just like some websites, the blogger may decide to quite writing all together, leaving the site stagnant. Since most blogs posts are dated it’s not difficult to tell how recent the posts are. While many of these abandoned sites have good information nothing new is being added while the old content is getting dated.

5. Helpful. You should feel like you’re learning something new when you read a travel blog and it should have a personal twist. While some blogs are fun to live vicariously though, when you’re reading travel blogs because you’re planning a trip you will want writers who will deliver information that will help you plan and improve your family’s experience whether that includes tips for where to stay, restaurants not to miss or how to save money on your rental car.

6. Specialty. The most important thing to look for in a travel blog is a specialty. If you’re traveling with small children, reading a blog by someone who travels with teens won’t be very helpful. If you’re looking for airline miles advice, seek out travel blogs that are run by airline experts who have the insider information. I guarantee that wherever your interests lie there is a travel blog for you.

What it all comes down to is this: If you can relate to the blog and enjoy reading the content so much that you want to return, then you have discovered the travel blog that’s right for you. And that’s all that matters!

Last summer when my family was road tripping to Montana we arrived in Great Falls late one night. The kids had fallen asleep in the car, so my husband went and checked-in while I stayed with the kids. When he returned with the room keys, we coaxed our groggy children out of the car, through the hotel, up the elevators and into our guest room. We kept the room dark, leaving only the entry light on, and quickly tucked the kids into bed hoping they’d drift back to sleep.

My husband went to put our waters in the mini-fridge only to notice some beers. That’s weird, he said and I agreed, but having discovered left-behind drinks in hotel fridges in the past I didn’t think much about it. I figured the housekeepers had forgotten to check it. In the meantime, my husband ran to the store and I went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. As I washed my face I look down to see cardboard beer containers in the trash. My spidey-senses kicked into gear as I felt my heart begin to pound.

We were in someone else’s room!

Now panicked, I checked the door lock to make sure no one could walk in (keep in mind, I was in my night clothes of silky shorts and tank-top). Next, I opened the closet. Nothing. I then went to the dresser drawers. Nothing. My eyes scanned the door room’s floor and there it was: A black bag that looked like one of ours. But it wasn’t!

I immediately called the front desk and they respond with an “OMG! This is not good!”

By now the kids were wide-awake, jumping on the beds as I was frantically trying to stuff all of our things back into our oversized suitcase.

A half-hour later we were settled into a new room without having the awkward encounter of meeting the other hotel guests assigned to the room.

This could have all been prevented had I followed my own advice of checking the room before settling in. After all, this isn’t the first time I’ve walked into someone else’s room. In fact, on more than one occasion I’ve had people walk into my room while I was in there. Sometimes the door has been double latched, other times it hasn’t.

But checking for an occupied room isn’t the only thing you should look for as I will explain below. Speaking from experience, here are the top things to check when you check-in your hotel room:

1. Under the bed, behind the drapes, in the closet and bathroom. When I first became a flight attendant I was taught to search my room, with my luggage holding the door open, to ensure no one was hiding in my room. Flight attendants and pilots have been targeted in hotel crimes so most airlines (but not all) insist crew members ensure everyone’s room is “clear” before retiring for the evening. You should do the same.

2. Dresser drawers. If your room is occupied by someone and there aren’t any obvious signs…this is where you find out for sure since some bags can be stored in a dresser drawer. You may also find a toiletry bag hanging on the bathroom door.

3. Alarm clock. This little piece of equipment can cause quite a bit of pain if it goes off at 4 am while you’re on vacation. Make sure the alarm is “off” every night of your stay since a housekeeper could accidentally set it to “on” while cleaning.

4. Toilet, sink and shower. During another family trip my son used the bathroom not long after arriving in our hotel room only to find the toilet didn’t flush. We had already unpacked and had to welcome a plumber into our room for an hour. But that’s not all, also check to make sure you have hot water. I’ve encountered rooms with cold water only which doesn’t make for a pleasant morning shower. And while you’re at it, ensure the drains actually drain. Standing in five inches of shower water is disgusting, especially when it’s not your own shower.

5. Door locks. The connecting room and balcony door need to be checked for two reasons: first you don’t want any intruders and, second, if you have young kids you don’t want them wandering out of the room when you’re not looking.

6. Phone. Another experience I’ve had was a phone that didn’t work. People were trying to call me and I wasn’t answering.  This can be a bummer if you’re awaiting a phone call or relying on a wake-up call. Tip: Always have two or three options for wake-up calls.

7. TV and remote control. And finally, if you’re a television watcher, check to make sure your TV and remotes works. I don’t need to explain this if you watch TV before bed. I don’t, but I know there are some people who have to have the TV on to fall asleep. If this is you, press that button!

And those are some items to check when you check-in to your hotel room. Do you have any wild hotel stories to share?

When you fly, how much do you pay attention to the seat back pocket in front of you? It normally holds a safety information card, an inflight magazine and a white sick-sack. Well apparently, those three items aren’t enough to satisfy their insatiable hunger. Seatback pockets will eat anything and everything you place in them. But that’s not all, the side and back of the seat cushions will also happily gobble up personal items as does the floor during take-off and landing. If you drop something as the plane is barreling down the runway (arriving or departing) your item will slide forward or backward and there is a good chance you will never see it again. I’m still not sure where things disappear to but they vanish, sometimes forever. That’s another reason to keep your things stowed during take off and landing.

Based on my experience as a flight attendant, here are some of the most popular items that disappear and reappear on airplanes.

1. Cell phones. These little communication tools are found in overhead bins, on the floor and everywhere in between. What’s a bummer is when you try calling your lost phone to track it down and it doesn’t ring because the plane is already into its next segment and is out of cell service range.

2. i-anything. iPad, iPod, iPhone, iTouch and anything similar by competitors are usually left in seatbacks. I’m guessing because the safety information cards and magazines nicely shield them from the last minute “Do I have everything?” scan.

3. Eye wear. Reading glasses to sunglasses to contact lens cases, they’re all left behind regularly. Maybe because the people can’t see where they put them.

4. Luggage. As I’ve mentioned before, people bring quite a bit of stuff on board so it’s should come as no surprise that they leave bags, backpacks, canes and umbrellas behind regularly. Luckily for most passengers their fellow seatmates tend to watch over each other and you’ll hear. “Wait! You forgot your (fill in the blank).”

5. Jewelry and watches. I’m not sure why men remove their Rolex watches (maybe for easier computer typing?) or women take off their earrings (more comfortable napping?) but they do. If you must, put your valuables in your personal bag.

6. Books and magazines. Just last week I had a little elderly lady ask if our plane had been to North Carolina earlier in the day. She was hoping her book was still on the plane. If there is one item you will likely never see again – after leaving it on a plane – it’s a book or magazine. These items are swooped-up by flight attendants and cleaning crews like beads at Mardi Gras. I learned my lesson a decade ago when I ran – yes, ran – all of the way to baggage claim to give a lady her nice, new hardcover book. She looked at me like I was crazy before saying, “I left that behind on purpose. I didn’t want to carry it around anymore.” From that moment, I never chased another passenger down for a book.

7. Toys. Kid electronics (such as Nintendo DS) are easily left behind like their grown-up counterparts, but anything meant for child entertainment or consumption is easily abandoned. Actually, that would make for a great scene in a Toy Story movie.

8. Diapers. Okay, this isn’t a lost-and-found item, but being that dirty diapers are left behind they count as a “don’t forget.” In other words… parents, please don’t do this. I worked with a flight attendant who chased a mom down the aisle saying, “You forgot your dirty diaper!” The lady replied that is was trash. The flight attendant responded, “Then that’s where it should go.” Please understand that seat back pockets are not trash cans.  I should add, this also goes for fast food cups, banana peels, yogurt cups, newspapers, and anything else you wish to dispose of during your flight. But especially diapers.

In my experience those are the most common lost and found items found on airplanes. The next time you fly, remember to check the seatback pocket, your seat cushion, the overhead bins, and the floor for any items you could accidentally leave behind. In the meantime, have you ever left something valuable behind on an aircraft and did you get it back?

If you’ve never been on a Disney Cruise, you should know that dinners are set up for Rotational Dining which means you have assigned seating times and tables at various ship restaurants every evening of your cruise. Animator’s Palate is one of the restaurants included on the Disney Fantasy.

What appears to look like a colorful, artist-themed restaurant embellished with paintbrush and pencil pillars and sketches on the dinnerware proves to be another Disney interactive marvel.

Shortly after arriving, diners are asked to draw a character on their dinner placemat. When the works-of-art are finished everyone is asked to relinquish their freshly drawn characters to their servers. Your little ones will forget about their drawings and become involved with the kid-friendly dining experience.

On the walls are screens displaying the restaurant logo which eventually evolves into classic sketch drawings. As the meal progresses, the screens reveal food-themed clips from numerous Disney and Pixar films.

Later, as dessert is being served, you will notice the restaurant’s music volume has increased, the lights are dimming and the walls are coming to life. The screens transition from black and white  comic strips to flipping pages. Within moments the sketches evolve into a full-blown cartoon featuring Sorcerer Mickey. But the best is yet to come when the famous mouse carries out a stack of papers. Quicker than you can say Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo the drawings – your family’s drawings – are on the wall dancing as part of the entertainment.

Some drawings even have the honor of dancing with some of the famous Disney characters.

The dining contributors continue to be impressed when their names appear on the screen during the film credits. Once again…Disney has done it again.

Thank you, Disney, for introducing me to the Disney Fantasy during the media preview.  Note: You will find a version of this restaurant on each of Disney’s cruise ships.

Just like any brand, the Disney experience means different things to everyone. There is a broad range of emotions and nostalgia associated with Disney, from the fanatic who lives and breathes everything Mickey, Minnie and Goofy to the ambivalent adult who has never stepped foot in a Disney theme park for whatever reason, perhaps because of distance, finances or lack of interest. Then there are parents with fond childhood memories who wish to pass on similar experiences to their offspring. No matter what one’s personal connection to Disney is, there is one common thread that that cannot be denied: the Walt Disney Company has created one of the most ingenious employee cultures in the world.

Over the years I’ve met and worked with many present and former Disney employees and the response is always the same, “Disney is a terrific company!”

Personally, I have a work history that includes one of the top US companies (an airline) that is known for its rich, employee-loving culture but I’ve also worked for some not-so-great companies. With this experience, I can tell you that the key to identifying what type of ethos a company is breeding is obvious not only by how the employees treat the customers but also by how they treat each other. At any Disney property you will notice the “cast members” (Disney’s term for employees) acknowledge each other in the halls, offer to pitch in when needed and speak respectfully to each other. Disney leaders know that this spirit naturally spills over into the guest experience. Every company should follow Disney’s lead.

I just spent two full days and three nights aboard the newest Disney cruise ship, the Disney Fantasy. My family didn’t come along and while I would have loved to have had them with me to experience the ship, their absence gave me an opportunity to explore the ship, observe the first-class service and watch the other guests relish in the magic of Disney.

Behind every entree, experience, detail, laugh and amusement is an employee who has promised to uphold the high Disney standards whether that person works  behind-the-scenes as a chef, dish washer, choreographer, graphic designer or in a face-to-face position such as a front desk worker, character (such as Cinderella, Pluto or Mickey), stateroom host, or restaurant server. By the last day of the cruise, I knew that it was the spirit of the 1,450 Cast and Crew Members aboard Disney Fantasy that kept the magic alive 24-hours a day. It’s no secret that Disney cruises can cost more than their counterpart cruise lines, but remember you always get what you pay for.Here are just a few of the ways they sprinkled fairy dust on the Disney Fantasy experience.

Magical Characters. When my family visited Walt Disney World for the first time two years ago we spent the day soaked and dodging huge rain puddles. As wet and cold as the day was we still managed to have a have a good time thanks to the magic of the Disney characters in dry areas of the park and in designated areas. Their presence helped compensate for the grimness of the weather. While that park experience and this cruise have little in common, the same enthusiasm existed throughout both cases. This week I watched Peter Pan playfully hide behind corners surprising guests, Aladdin confidently walking the halls, Chip and Dale relentlessly teasing each other and the bevy of Princesses gracefully greet their little admirers. Even Captain Jack Sparrow welcomed passengers to Castaway Cay.

Details. This passage is for those of you out there who think that a Disney cruise resembles a mall Disney store – it doesn’t. The Disney Fantasy is elegantly decorated with only a hint of Mickey and other characters here and there. There’s a time and place for everything on Disney Fantasy. For example, every seven-day cruise can expect a pirate-theme day, including an evening show accompanied by an impressive firework display. Hints of the theme appear throughout the day, but not excessively. For example, we were given pirate bandannas to wear at dinner and Mickey and Minnie were dressed in pirate-themed costumes as you can see below. Even my red, white and blue nautical-themed stateroom was considerably elegant and while the Mickey Mouse-shaped head and ears were nearly everywhere – from the shower curtain to the blanket on the bed to the light fixtures – I had to search for them or found them unexpectedly. In fact, these small details were like a scavenger hunt. Peacocks are found in the décor thought out the ship and if you look closely at one over a bar you will see one of the feather “eyes” is a actually a Mickey shape.

Comfort.  What I loved most about my stateroom was the comfortable bed. I slept well every night.  In fact, I found the bed more comfortable than most hotels I stay in (and that’s a lot coming from a flight attendant). Other favorite features of my spacious room include  the beautiful private balcony and – the most surprising – a split bathroom. A toilet was in one space and the shower in another, both areas had their own sink. But that’s not all. The round (not oval) bath was the perfect size for children.

Problem solving. The old saying goes…it’s not how you handle life when things are going well, it’s how you handle life when things get tough. The first evening aboard I discovered a glitch in my lighting system – the ceiling lights wouldn’t turn off. It took a number of employees to help solve the issue – six to be exact (two on the phone and four in person). Eventually the electrician was called and he rectified the problem. Instead of the situation being a burden, each employee made it clear that they were here to help and serve with pleasure and they all did it with an apologetic smile.

Extra Mile. As for the person-to-person factor my room host O’dell had a giant smile waiting for me every time I passed him in the hall. He not only took lovely care of my room but he went the extra mile the entire cruise, including during turndown service. Every evening I was greeted with animal shaped towels and chocolates left on my bed. He even put my sunglasses on the snake!

When you take your Disney Fantasy cruise keep your eye out for the magic. If you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of Dumbo touching up the front of the ship with a can of paint. At Disney anything is possible….

Thank you Disney for hosting and introducing me to the wonderful world of Disney Fantasy. 

We’ve all heard about the notorious 1692 Salem Witch Trials. The intrigue of these long-ago events turned this small Massachusetts town into a tourist attraction where witch decals are displayed on windows and car bumpers, tour guides lead groups around town pointing out historic landmarks, psychics are everywhere and willing to predict your future, and gift shops shelves are lined with potions and books filled with witches spells.

Salem had been on my to-do list for many years. This past fall my crew had a 20-hour layover in Boston and luckily our hotel was only a few blocks from a train stop. We handed over $5, then 20 minutes later we arrived in Salem. This Boston suburb keeps its witch-themed ambiance year-round, but the month of October Salem especially taps into its heritage with its Haunted Happenings celebration which consists of  parades, costume balls, haunted houses, town tours and witches everywhere you look.

We couldn’t have visited on a more glorious day. The weather was crisp and the tree leaves were the vibrant oranges, reds and yellows you always think about when dreaming of  autumn.

Our goal was to not spend a lot of money so we started our morning off with a stop at Dunkin’ Donuts (that was my first job in high school, by the way). I ordered a Boston Scream (notice the name chance to match the season).  These popular donut shops are found on every corner on the East Coast as well as sprinkled throughout the United States, though I have yet to find one in Minnesota.

The rest of the day we roamed the town stopping into witch-themed gift shops that were filled with herbs, oils, incense, books and the traditional tourist souvenirs.

One of the most popular photo ops is the statue of Roger Conant, the founder of Salem, which was erected in front of the Salem Witch Museum.

Another popular statue is the one honoring author Nathaniel Hawthorn. His family was from Salem and had connections to the Salem Witch Trials.

As we roamed the cobblestone streets, admiring the historic landmarks, humorous bumper stickers, and costumed dogs we also ran into a few witches.

We passed on the many tours that were offered – but we did meander into The Burying Point, “The Oldest Burying Ground in  the City of Salem”. It was a pretty graveyard with mature trees and fading inscriptions.

After our self-guided town tour we agreed it was time to find some lunch. We ended up at the waterside restaurant of Victoria Station to sit on the patio with a pretty view.

And… a delicious bowl of clam chowder.

After a stop at the coffee shop we headed back to our hotel pleased with our day. We agreed it was one o f the best layovers we had ever experienced. The $5 train ride, $3 at Dunkin’ Donuts, an $8 lunch and a two-buck coffee at Starbucks made for an affordable day in Salem – all for about $18. We saw historic  landmarks, pretty scenery, took some fun photos and crossed the destination off our list. It doesn’t matter where you go…you can always find a way to experience a place without spending a lot of cash, even Salem. The best part, you don’t even need a magic potion.