Stepping into LEGOLAND Florida is unlike a visit to any other of Florida’s many theme parks. An Orlando family vacation with a day trip to LEGOLAND (in Winter Haven, around 45 minutes from Orlando) is more than just fun for children; it’s a beautiful break for parents, as well.

A belle in blue sat under the cypress trees, seemingly lost in contemplation of the beautiful garden around her. Upon closer gaze, it was clear that she wasn’t admiring the pink flowers of the Silk Floss trees, or the vibrant green of an algae-laced pond, or even the classic white wedding gazebo perched on a distant hill. She wasn’t looking at anything at all. This Southern gal was a statue constructed entirely of plastic blocks, just one of the many fantastical creations made with over 50 million Lego bricks at Florida’s newest theme park, LEGOLAND Florida.

“The world’s most beautiful theme park,” promised Adrian Jones, general manager of LEGOLAND Florida, at the park’s grand opening on October 15, 2011. And he may well be right: Built on the footprint of Cypress Gardens, the fifth and largest LEGOLAND is the most beautiful theme park that I have ever visited.

Historic Botanical Gardens of Cypress Gardens

 LEGOLAND Florida has taken great care to preserve the soul of the park – the historic gardens established more than 75 years ago. Nigel Dunning, LEGOLAND Florida’s Landscape Manager, took us on a rambling tour of the gardens – covering over 39 acres, I could only see a fraction on an hour-long walk.  But what I saw was splendid.

The fabled Banyan tree, planted in a five-gallon bucket in 1939, stands like a cathedral of soaring limbs and aerial roots.  The Perfume Tree that provides a key ingredient for Chanel No.5 remained hidden from view, but a silly-looking Sausage Tree, known for its role in brewing beer, invited us down a winding path.

And that wedding gazebo, now close by, welcomed a couple who had returned to share the place where they were married with their children.  Asked if he could recommend the best time of year to visit Cypress Gardens, Nigel said, “If you come here ten times a year, you would know your favorite time of year – mine is all year.”

LEGOLAND Florida Attractions

The Cypress Garden footprint, with its lush landscaping and meandering paths, carried on into the ten themed zones of the park: The Beginning, Fun Town, LEGO Kingdom, Miniland USA, Land of Adventure, LEGO Tecnic, LEGO City, Imagination Zone, DUPLO Village, and Pirate’s Cove.

One of the loveliest spots in the theme park was on our path across a bridge from Miniland USA to Pirates Cove. This storybook setting featured a family of otters drinking at the base of a waterfall, deer on a ledge, and the most adorable trio of red foxes standing on alert by the serpentine creek. All of these creatures were made out of Legos.

Less admirably, the original footprint made for a park layout that wasn’t so easy to figure out. I wasn’t the only one to struggle to decipher the park map, and getting from one zone to another could require a rather circuitous route.

As I was exploring the park with a large group – two sisters and five nieces and nephews ranging in age from 3-11 – we did our best to avoid that by moving slowly and methodically from zone to zone. That’s where I very much appreciated a thoughtful layout that placed junior versions of rides next to those for taller kids. This allowed the entire family to stay in one zone, so that we could travel the park together.

In Lego City, most of our group headed to Ford Driving School where all the youngsters earned their drivers licenses, even eleven-year-old Ethan Rivera who proudly announced, “I ate the red light.”

Meanwhile, his younger brother, three-year-old Jonathan, was happily zipping around in the Ford Jr. Driving School until heard the unwelcome news that he had to stop.  He had to be pried out of his car with promises of a real-live drivers’ license (fortunately satisfied with the free paper version, and not the laminated $14.99 souvenir.)

But what I liked best of all, was the one feature that truly made LEGOLAND Florida the most beautiful theme park – over 600 magnificent oak trees liberally festooned with Spanish moss and Resurrection ferns.

Plan a visit to Cypress Gardens at LEGOLAND Florida

Located just past Imagination Zone and Pirates’ Cove, Cypress Gardens is open year-round whenever LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven, FL is open. Daily tours to be scheduled.

 A big thank you to LEGOLAND Florida for providing park admission during the Grand Opening celebration!

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 AdventureGal Sandra Foyt writes about fun and educational family travel on AlbanyKid.com. Based in Northeast New York, she is accompanied on family adventures by a teen, tween, outdoorsy husband, and a well-indulged Chocolate Lab.

Anyone with kids knows that it’s never too early to start thinking about Halloween. Even older kids and teens (especially teens!), college students and those of us who are technically adults love to get into the spirit — get it, spirit? — of the spooky season. Now, there are plenty of fun Halloween casino events in Las Vegas, and more child-friendly Halloween activities in Minnesota, but it’s the theme parks that really pull out all the stops for entertaining Halloween-themed travel activities. Case in point: Orlando, Florida. The theme park capital of the world has great Halloween activities and attractions at its theme parks. One very popular Orlando theme park Halloween event is Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando. This year, Southwest Airlines has partnered with Universal Orlando for a notably good Halloween travel package deal.

The Halloween vacation deal is called the Halloween Horror Nights Combo Ticket Package: Book a package with Southwest Airlines Vacations and Universal Studios Orlando any time between now and October 27, 2011, and you’ll get an — ahem — thrilling travel experience. The package entails a flight plus hotel for 2- or 3-day Park to Park passes at Universal Orlando. Park to Park passes are like Disney’s Park Hoppers, for the smaller scale that is Universal Studios Orlando. That is to say, you’ll be able to travel freely between Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, which is where Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights lives during the most frightening season of the year.

Even better, guests who book this travel package and stay at one of the three on-site hotels can save up to 25% on the hotel portion of their Halloween vacation package, and as is always the case with guests of those property hotels, get first crack at the rides. Early park admission is part of the deal for those staying at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, and Loews Royal Pacific resort at Universal Orlando. I’ve done this before and believe me, it’s GREAT to be able to get there ahead of the crowds. During peak travel seasons, in fact, it’s the only way to reliably shave a significant amount of time off your wait to get into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Not for the faint of heart, Halloween Horror Nights events nights are September 23, September 29-30, October 2, October 6-7, October 10, October 13-14, October 16, October 19-21, October 23, October 26-28, and October 30-31 this year. The Park to Park combo tickets start at $205.

Since this is Southwest offering the vacation package, that means that first and second checked bags fly free — even golf bags. Free checked luggage is getting to be quite rare among airlines; thanks, Southwest. For complete details on this offer, please go to Southwest Vacations Deals. Happy haunting!

Florida’s central west coast is like our second home, since “Grandma and Grandpa” live in Tampa. When it’s time to hit the beach, we head to Clearwater Beach, which sits on the calm, blue-green water of the Gulf of Mexico. Our favorite Clearwater Beach family vacation attractions and experiences include meeting dolphins, cavorting with pirates, collecting shells, and celebrating the sunset.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

In 2008, a critically-injured dolphin was taken into the care of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) and fitted with the very first prosthetic dolphin tail. Named Winter, she continues to thrive as a permanent resident of this marine rehabilitation center. We met Winter, and can’t wait to see her story told in the Warner Brothers 3-D movie “Dolphin Tale,” to be released September 23.

The CMA is primarily a hospital and not a “show” aquarium, but we caught a few presentations on the resident dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, nurse sharks, stingrays, and fish. The nearby Sandpearl Resort at Clearwater Beach partners with the aquarium, offering new “Winter the Dolphin” packages which include accommodations, breakfast, a copy of the book Winter’s Tale, and admission to meet the charismatic creature. The Sandpearl is a stylishly upscale, yet casual beach resort with a spa, lagoon-style pool, kids’ camp and fitness programs.

Captain Memo’s Original Pirate Cruise

My kids were all smiles from the moment we stepped on board the ship Pirates Ransom for our 90-minute cruise. They were given temporary status as official pirates after reciting a pledge and receiving pirate’s hats and water pistols. They joined in on a treasure hunt, danced the Macarena and did the limbo, attacked a “bad” pirate with their water pistols, played musical chairs and listened to stories. I preferred to sit with my drink, listen to the music, watch for dolphins, and enjoy the cruise up the shore.

Seashells on the Seashore

Shelling is one of our favorite activities on Clearwater Beach, since the shore is lined by shells of various shapes, sizes and colors. The beach itself is one of our favorites anywhere. The soft white sand and crystalline waters consistently keep beaches along this coast on “Dr. Beach’s” annual “Top 10 Beaches in America” list. What never fails to strike me about Clearwater Beach is the sand quality; it’s fine and silky, bright white, and obviously groomed. But, it also gets really hot in the sun, so we tend to visit early in the morning or just before the stunning sunset.

Clearwater Beach is a public beach, so the most congested spots will be close to the public access points and parking lots. Along the Beach Walk promenade connected to Pier 60 you’ll find bathrooms, changing areas and snack concessions. Beach activities like parasailing, jet skis, aqua bikes, and paddle boats are available for a fee.

Pier 60

Another great place to appreciate Clearwater Beach is by viewing it from Pier 60. This hub of activity includes a visitor center, eateries, and craft vendors. For my kids, the highlight was the covered playground with two play areas; one for preschoolers and one for older ages. Sunsets are celebrated nightly at “Sunset at Pier 60” festivals. Entertainers begin performing two hours prior to sunset until two hours after, weather permitting. We watched two break dancers do their thing, but other entertainment can include magicians, balloon artists, fire eaters, stilt walkers or jugglers.

Thank you, Sandpearl Resort, for hosting our visits to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Captain Memo’s Voyage!

GoBIG Gal Traci L. Suppa drags her small-town family to see a quirky array of the “world’s largest” attractions, and blogs about it at Go BIG or Go Home.

Clearwater

What Florida’s west coast beaches lack in white-capped surf, they more than make up for in clear, calm aquamarine water and powdery white sand. We found the perfect stretch during our Clearwater Beach vacation, and the perfect place to stay at the Sandpearl Resort, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

Here, the pampering begins at check-in, when every guest receives a glass of bubbly – sparkling wine for the adults, and apple juice in plastic flutes for kids. Small touches like this exemplify the Sandpearl’s AAA Four-Diamond hospitality, which is extended to all guests, even children.

Sandpearl Resort Accommodations and Amenities

I have a limited interior design vocabulary, but I was so enamored of the décor throughout the Sandpearl that I came up with my own apt description. I call it “Floribbean Chic.” The vibe is relaxed yet upscale; the aesthetic is modern with subtle tropical touches.

Our light-filled guest room included two queen beds with luxurious, crisp white linens, a 32″ flat panel TV, refrigerator, mini bar, bathrobes, free wi-fi, Melitta coffee service, and a clock with iPod docking station. The oversized bathroom featured a deep soaking tub and a spacious, dual-level granite vanity. It was a beautiful piece, but too high for my four-year old daughter to reach the faucet. I think they should loan out step stools to families with young children.

Finding shell-shaped chocolates on her pillow after the nightly turndown service never lost its thrill for my four-year-old daughter, who also noted the “fancy” music (jazz) which was left playing on the radio. I appreciated the small cards left with the treats, which provided the next day’s weather forecast, as well as a “Pearl of Wisdom” and inspirational saying.

At the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, the underlying message is “Enriching the spirit and inspiring the soul.” I considered this mission accomplished following a morning at the Sandpearl Spa, which offers over 50 different treatments.

Pool or Beach? Your Choice!

The best part of the lagoon-style pool at the Sandpearl Resort is the zero entry side, which meant my daughter could wade in at her leisure, and I didn’t need to hold onto her the entire time. It’s easy to spend an entire day by the pool. Wait service brings food and drinks to your lounge chair, or to your private cabana (available for rent). If you forget inflatable toys for the kids, inner tubes and noodles can be borrowed at the activity desk, along with oversized beach towels.

We chose the beach only when the heat ebbed; early in the morning and at dusk. The sand was silky and cool underfoot, the Gulf of Mexico was warm, and the shells were plentiful. The sunsets in this part of Florida are legendary, and celebrated every night at Pier 60. At the Sandpearl, sundown means time for S’mores on the beach, and lounging in front of the bonfire.

Camp Ridley and Other Clearwater Beach Recreation

The Sandpearl offers both full day and half day camp for kids ages 5-12. My daughter spent a morning making friends over a sand castle-building activity on the beach, which was followed by T-shirt coloring, playtime with a stash of toys, lunch and a movie. She thrilled at meeting Ridley the Turtle, the resort’s mascot. He’s been known to invite kids to join him in ringing the sundown bell on the beach!

Grown-ups get their share of recreational activities, too, including fitness sessions like sunset yoga on the beach. The Activities Desk will also arrange sailing excursions, dolphin tours, and kayaking “eco-tours.” On-site tours focus on the resort’s art collection, as well as its environmental design. The Sandpearl is a Silver LEED-certified property, and its commitment to the environment is evident everywhere; from the compostable beverage cups to the pool filtration system.

Sandpearl Resort Dining Options

The Sandpearl has three on-site dining options. Caretta on the Gulf and Tate Island Grill are both table-service restaurants, while the Marketplace is a café with counter service featuring Starbucks coffee. For breakfast we chose Caretta, the fine dining venue, because of the extensive buffet. My son has perfected his omelet order, but was hard-pressed to finish the three-egg, western / “meat-lovers” hybrid behemoth on his plate. For each adult ordering the buffet, one child eats free. One day we ordered room service for breakfast, but were disappointed by its late arrival.

For lunch and dinner, the more casual Tate Island Grill worked better for us. Each kid’s meal came with a package of apple slices – a welcome site while I tried to keep nutrition present in their vacation diet! The beachside location was a special treat for them, while the sweet Sangria-tini was a special treat for me!

Winter in Clearwater Beach, Florida?

You’ll be hearing a lot more about Clearwater come September 23rd, when the new Warner Brothers 3-D movie “Dolphin Tale” is released. It’s the true story of a rescued dolphin named Winter, who was treated at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and fitted with the very first prosthetic dolphin tail.

The Sandpearl is in partnership with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, offering new packages which include admission to this marine rehabilitation center to meet Winter. This charismatic creature is on the verge of becoming a movie star, and she won us over! Certainly, any family traveling to Clearwater Beach for a vacation would have a great experience at both the aquarium, and at Sandpearl Resort.

Thank you, Sandpearl Resort, for hosting our stay!

GoBIG Gal Traci L. Suppa drags her small-town family to see a quirky array of the “world’s largest” attractions, and blogs about it at Go BIG or Go Home.

I’ve never been a fan of writing about destinations or attractions I haven’t experienced firsthand, but I have to give Legoland Florida credit for their latest media outreach. We all know the southern-based Legoland is still months from being completed – opening day has officially been announced for October 15, 2011 – but they are brilliantly starting the buzz months early. 

A box recently arrived on my front doorstep. Inside was a bounty of fun Legoland-themed items including a reusable cold drink cup, a hug-me blanket, treats, a logo figure and a DVD called Walk in the Park.

The DVD features Legoland GM Adrian Jones who gives viewers a 10-minute video tour of construction updates, rides and features.

It’s true, my family has always been impressed with the Lego brand and we adore Legoland California - it is geared for families with children ages 2 to12, after all. One of the most impressive facts I’ve learned during this media-outreach is that this will be the largest of the five Legolands in the world. The 15-acre park will be situated on the former site of Cypress Gardens which is 45 minutes from the Orlando theme parks and from downtown Tampa. That means you can price compare a couple of airports while making your travel plans!

What caught my eye in the video was the Spanish moss hanging from the trees and the beautiful landscape – the garden from the former park is fortunately staying in tact.

Legoland will have 50 rides (my kids’ favorite feature!), interactive attractions, shows, restaurants and shopping. Just taking about it piques my family’s excitement!

Can’t wait to purchase Legoland Florida tickets? Well, you’re in luck. You can pre-order tickets today through the Legoland site – the rates will go up ten dollars after the opening. Right now, a single-day ticket is being sold: Adults: $65 plus tax Children 3-12 and Seniors: $55 plus tax. Tots 2 are free. Annual passes start at $99.

Nothing says relaxation and rejuvenation more than a laid-back weekend at the beach with girlfriends. One great beach locale to consider for you getaway: Daytona Beach, with its white-sand beaches and endless, year-round sunshine. Here are my recommendations for a perfect day with gal pals in Daytona Beach, Florida:

For breakfast start off the day at the quaint, European-inspired Ivy Lane Bistro. Located centrally in downtown Daytona, this cute eatery brings Florida charm to a decadent menu. Indulge in Frosted Flake Crusted French Toast, Tri-Colored Potato Hash Mess, Nutella Crepes or the healthier choice of the “Eva Diva” Omelet (Fluffy egg whites, avocado, salsa, cheddar cheese, peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes). The freshly brewed coffee lightly scents the air, and the alfresco outdoor seating is one of the more coveted breakfast spots along the brick paved sidewalks.

After breakfast head over to Angell & Phelps. This family-owned chocolatier started by two single ladies has been in business since 1925 and features some delightful souvenirs as well as a variety sweet treats, from chewy caramels to crunchy nut clusters. Taking a 20-30 minute tour of the factory, you will learn the steps to old-fashioned chocolate making, the precise degrees needed, and texturing aspects and entice all of your senses with the sights, sounds and smell of the decadent chocolate. Take home Daytona Beach souvenirs in the shape of palm trees, sea shells, dolphins, gators, sharks and turtles.

Next stop is the headquarters of the Ladies Professional Golf Association for a lesson in one of the most popular sports on the planet. Whether you are an enthusiastic beginner or an old pro touching up your skills, the LPGA team will show you around the immaculate grounds complete with two championship golf courses and top-notch 80,000-square-foot practice academy. Named one of the “50 Golf Courses in America for Women” by Golf Digest, you will be amazed at the natural beauty of the landscape. The lush green grounds and expansive trees are all local to the area and kept in its natural state. After trying your hand on the course, head to The Grille overlooking the 18th hole to grab a quick bite. The casual eatery prepares fresh soups, salads and sandwiches to sate your growing appetite in a leisurely environment. (Favorite items include the Chicken Philly, Muffuletta and Shaved Prime Rib French Dip.)

As with any girlfriends’ getaway, a trip to the spa is a must, so head to Ocean Waters Spa. The first oceanfront resort spa, Ocean Waters is located in the historic Plaza Resort and Spa. The 15,000 square foot European-style spa features 16 private treatment rooms, a hair salon, nail salon, sauna and fitness center. Indulge in a variety of facials (Anti-Aging Myoxy-Caviar, Lacto-Flora Acid Peel or Anti—Free Radical are popular) and relaxing body treatments (Hydrating Seaweed Wrap, Smoothing Body Polish with Vichy Rain Shower or Deep Tissue Massage).

Finish off the perfect day with dinner and drinks at Martini’s. One of the most modern and upscale restaurants in the area, Martini’s is the perfect spot to share appetizers such as the Japanese Nachos (wasabi nori crisps, spiced tuna tartar) and Asiago Crusted Calamari. If the night breeze suites you, gather around the circular glass fire pit in the court yard for that before dinner drink. Relax over a glass of wine or a specialty Martini, Once inside, you will be mesmerized with the Zen-like, contemporary surrounds. Done in dark wood and low lighting, the restaurant gives off a sexy vibe. The menu focuses on fresh and organic ingredients and features items such as Chilean Sea bass, Blackened Florida Shrimp and Harris Ranch Filet Mignon. Owned by a dashing young couple, Clay and Claudia Butters, the pair not only watches the behind-the-scenes happenings of the restaurant but also does all of the design themselves. They are so enthusiastic about design that their second company, Modern Design Elements, specializes in stylish, upscale outdoor furnishings.

After a fabulous day, head to The Shore Resort and Spa for a nightcap on the patio and a s’mores kit to indulge that sweet tooth.  Sit around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and melting chocolate on to toasted graham crackers while and listen to the ocean waves crash upon the shore. Having the only AAA-Four Diamond rating in Daytona, The Shores offers premiere accommodations. Panoramic Ocean views, oceanfront pool, chic furnishings, cabana rentals and beach activities are just a few of the perks of the resort. As you settle into your beds, you can still feel the ocean breeze gently sliding over your face as you drift of to dream of another perfect girlfriends’ getaway…

BeverlyHillsGal Kimberly Fisher is a freelance writer who splits her time between Southern California and New York City.  She specializes in luxury travel, lifestyle, beauty and fashion, and has traveled to more than 39 countries and almost every US state. Her work has appeared in various English print and online media,and she is the author of one book, Promotional Modeling 101.

The author visited Daytona Beach, courtesy of the visitors bureau.

While my husband and I leisurely vacationed without the kids in the Fort Myers area of Florida’s Gulf Coast, we relaxed in charming cottages on Sanibel Island, ate some marvelous seafood at three restaurants in Cape Coral, Pine Island and Fort Myers Beach, collected shells on Sanibel’s famous white-sand beaches and spotted some nifty wildlife on our bike rides, walks and kayak adventures in the area. Here are a few more activities we experienced in and around Fort Myers:

Kayaking through mangroves.

Kayaking Eco-Adventure: We had a ball kayaking on our own at the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Preserve on Sanibel, but were thrilled to have a private kayak tour with super-knowledgeable Dominick Greco, who owns Kayak Charters. While Dominick offers kayaking trips right from the marina at Cape Coral’s Resort at Marina Village (our host hotel for two nights), he suggested that we put-in about a half-hour away for a more pristine, custom-guided adventure. Indeed, from our individual Ocean Kayaks (which were quite comfortable), Dominick led us through red, white and black mangroves, spotting osprey, heron and ibis above the water, and blue-claw crabs, mullet and tarpon below. I missed the stingray, but my husband and Dominick saw it!

In addition to kayaking “eco tours,” Kayak Charters offers kayak fishing trips, for beginners or experts. Dominick carefully watches the weather and tide charts to determine the best put-in places around the Fort Myers area each day. He is intimately familiar with the Great Calusa Blueway — 190 miles of paddling trails throughout southwest Florida’s Lee County.  Eco tours with Kayak Charters cost $50 per person.

Art galleries in pastel-colored buildings abound in Matlacha.

Ice Cream at Great Licks: After our two-hour kayak adventure it was past noon, and we high-tailed it over to The Waterfront Restaurant on Pine Island for some ice-cold beer. To access Pine Island by car, you must pass through the teeny tiny island community of Matlacha, which basically consists of pretty pastel-colored buildings that house art galleries… and one really good ice cream shop. I gobbled up my cone of  creamy coconut Queenie’s Homemade Ice Cream from Great Licks. Well worth the $5 for a two-scoop cone.

Six Mile Slough Preserve: We were so hoping to see the baby alligators that had recently been born at this wildlife preserve in Fort Myers, but they were hiding from us somewhere amid the wetland as we walked the flat, one-mile boardwalk trail. The Six Mile Slough Preserve covers 2,500 acres, and it is an opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat. While we missed out on the alligators, we did spot turtles, frogs, heron and woodpeckers. It is free to walk the boardwalk through the slough (“slough” rhymes with “through” and it roughly means “stagnant swamp” but it doesn’t sound as pretty); you do pay $1/hour for parking at the site. I’d caution bringing young children into the preserve; people here are serious about their wildlife viewing, and may not take kindly to a toddler screaming “BIRD! FISH!” in his outside voice.

For more information on things to do and see in the Fort Myers area, check out the official website of The Beaches of Sanibel and Fort Myers, the same folks who hosted my trip. Also, my buddy Mara Gorman who owns the MotherofAllTrips.com blog spent four nights in the area, and has loads of family-friendly advice on what to see and do in Fort Myers.