Are you an amusement park enthusiast to the max? If you’re a carousel connoisseur or rave about roller coasters to no end, Clementon Park in New Jersey has a deal you’ll want to learn more about.
The park, which was founded in 1907, is for sale—and now you can live out your daydreams and become its sole owner!
photo courtesy of PRNewswire/CRG
So how does one go about buying an entire amusement park? Clementon Park in Clementon, New Jersey will hit the auction block on Mar. 23. Capitol Recovery Group (CRG), a global private equity firm, is auctioning the park as a whole or split into individual parts. This means you can score an entire amusement park with everything you need included or just buy the land, amusement equipment, rides, buildings, or liquor license.
CRG President Bill Firestone said, in a press release, “We are actively seeking a buyer for this iconic park located outside of Philadelphia and expect significant interest in the auction.” Firestone added, “The property includes a 25-acre lake, dam, amusement rides, a water park and a full liquor license.”
Way back in 1907 Clementon was founded by Theodore Gibbs and his sons as a “trolley park.” Located at the end of a trolley line, the park was initially built to encourage weekend ridership. Clementon was family owned until 2011. The park closed its doors in 2019.
If you’re ready to turn your dreams into a reality—bidders can register for the auction on CRG’s website here.
Chicago is slowing emerging from its COVID slumber and we’re loving this newfound ease-back-into-it freedom phase 4 is bringing. While things aren’t quite back to normal, Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo are both welcoming guests. . . with some new guidelines in place. Read on to find out what to expect when you’re expecting the kids to ask for a zoo visit.
photo: Lincoln Park Zoo, credit Maria Chambers
LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Opening Date
Lincoln Park Zoo members have access to the zoo Jun. 26-28 and the general public can pay a visit beginning Jun. 29.
Cost of Admission
Per the usual, Lincoln Park Zoo remains a free public institution. One of the few remaining in the U.S. Parking along Stockton Dr. is free and parking in the lot at Cannon Dr. & Fullerton Pkwy. ranges between $20-40 depending on length of stay.
Admission Procedures
Although admission is free, visitors must make reservations online using Eventbrite or via telephone at 312-742-2000. Walk-ins without a reservation will not be allowed. Reservations can be made daily every hour, on the hour, 10 a.m.-4 p.m, for two-hour zoo sessions. Zoo members can enter the first three digits of their member ID to unlock access to members-only days and timeslots.
New Safety Procedures
Guests are asked to keep their visit to 2 hours or less in order to maintain low capacity numbers that keep the experience safer for all.
If you are medically able, guests over the age of 2 are required to wear a face covering.
You will see new signage promoting social distancing, restricted access to touchpoints and increased handwashing stations and sanitation.
Hand sanitizer stations will be available at the East and West Gates. Guest may also wash their hands at the restrooms at Regenstein Macaque Forest and the East Gate.
The East and West Gate entrances will be open to the public, but all other gates will be closed to help with traffic flow.
Please note the one-way paths that will help facilitate flow and allow for distancing.
You can purchase food and gifts via outdoor kiosks using minimum or no-contact transactions.
Paper copies of the zoo map will not be available onsite, so if you want a paper copy, please print one at home or save the image on your mobile device.
Strollers are still available for rent and are sanitized between uses.
photo: Lincoln Park Zoo WILD Marshall Square sculpture project
What is Open, and Not Open
Outdoor exhibits will be available for viewing along the one-way paths, but indoor exhibits will remain closed until it’s deemed safe to reopen.
Daily activities like Zoo Chats and Penguin Encounters have been temporarily suspended.
The Lionel Train Adventure and AT&T Endangered Species Carousel are not open at this time.
Opening Date
Brookfield Zoo is hosting a special member preview week Jul. 1-Jul. 7, and opening to the general public Jul. 8.
Cost of Admission
Admission is $24.95/adults, $17.95/ages 3-11 & $19.95/ages 65 & over. Parking is $15.
Admission Procedures
Like Lincoln Park Zoo, Brookfield Zoo is not allowing walk-in guests at this time—all admission and parking tickets must be secured prior to visiting. Reservations must be made using the reserved time-ticketing system that helps maintain low capacity numbers. Reservation times will be available in 20-minute increments. Tickets are non-refundable and rainchecks are not available, so be sure to check weather before booking.
All visitors over the age of 2 who are medically able must wear a face covering at all times.
The zoo is a cashless environment—only credit card transactions will be accepted at outdoor food & beverage carts and merchandise kiosks.
High-touch areas and restrooms will be sanitized with hospital-grade cleaners on a frequent basis.
Hand-sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the 216-acre park.
Please note the signage and visual markers located throughout the zoo that remind guests to socially distance and assist with flow.
Paper maps will not be available, so please download a map from the zoo’s website or use a phone to take a photo of the large map on display at the north and south entrances.
All staff will have their temperatures checked at the start of each workday, will wear face coverings and gloves if handling food or product.
Planned before Covid-19, guests will be treated to a new temporary exhibit, Dinos Everywhere, which includes more than 40 life-like, earth-shaking animatronic dinosaurs.
Food and merchandise are available for purchase via outdoor kiosks using a credit card.
All indoor spaces—animal habitats, restaurants and gift shops—are temporarily closed.
Seasonal food stands and outdoor souvenir carts will be open throughout the zoo.
Play areas, splash pads, water misters, drinking fountains, The Carousel, Motor Safari tram rides and Butterflies! are closed.
The goat yard at Hamill Family Play Zoo is closed, but you can still feed the goats from a designated area.
Be sure to note the two new male African lions the zoo welcomed during the shutdown. They’ve been waiting a long time to greet the kids!
If you’re not quite ready to have an in-person zoo visit, check out Brookfield Zoo’s YouTube channel for content created during the closure to get your cuteness fix.
Both Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo, like many places, remained closed for an extended period during Covid-19 shutdowns. Both rely heavily on memberships, donations and daily visitors in order to maintain the high level of care they provide the animals. Now would be a great time to purchase a family membership to help support these institutions. Use the below links, if interested:
Brookfield Zoo is also hosting a virtual Zoo Run beginning Jul. 15. Go online and register and you have until Sep. 6 to complete your 5K walk or run and log your time on their website. They even have a 1-mile Kid’s Dash!
Everybody’s heard of the Bronx Zoo, and there’s a reason: it’s an incredible, beautiful, world-class destination, and New Yorkers are lucky enough to claim it as one of their hometown attractions. The zoo has been enthralling visitors since way back in 1899, when it was called the New York Zoological Society, and has continued to expand its rich offerings over the years. Should you go? Of course! Should you have a game plan? You better. Here’s what to know before you and the family get wild.
The Bronx Zoo Re-opening Update
The Bronx Zoo will be open for a members' preview July 20-23, and will open to the public July 24. Tickets are by advance purchase and timed-entry only. Click here to buy tickets. (Entry will be contact-free.)
Expect some changes and new rules: face coverings and social distancing are required, and some exhibits may be closed. You can check what's open on the day you visit via the Bronx Zoo app. (Note that the Bug Carousel, Carter Giraffe Building, Children’s Zoo, Nature Trek, Komodo Dragons in Zoo Center and Camel Rides will temporarily remain closed.)
When You Can Go
The Bronx Zoo is open year-round, and while of course many of the habitats are outdoors, plenty are inside (the popular JungleWorld, and the World of Reptiles among them) making them ideal for a winter afternoon trip to the zoo.
The zoo is closed on select holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Martin Luther King Day. From early November to early April, the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; from May to October hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays).
Plan of Attack: The greatest hits and beyond Be forewarned: the zoo is huge! More than 6,000 animals occupy its 265 acres. It’s difficult, if not straight up a bad idea, to try to cover the whole thing in one day. (This fact makes a strong argument for getting a membership, but more on that later.)
If you’re looking to hit the highlights, the zoo itself recommends a two-hour tour of its most popular exhibits: Tiger Mountain, Himalayan Highlands, Congo Gorilla Forest (a must) and the aforementioned World of Reptiles.
But that’s barely scratching the surface. There’s not really a bad exhibit in the bunch, and your choices should be dictated by what interests your family most. Head to the African Plains for giraffes, zebras and lions; the Aquatic Bird House and Sea Bird Aviary for ever-popular penguins and flamingos, and Baboon Reserve to see Gelada Baboon in action.
Nature Trek
Must-do Stops for Kids
The zoo does a great job of entertaining and engaging its youngest patrons. We’d add to a must-do list the recently-renovated Children’s Zoo, which provides lots of opportunity to interact with, and learn about, different creatures, and the brand new Nature Trek, an elaborate, kid-friendly version of the zoo’s new treetop adventure course for big kids and adults. Nature Trek also provides multiple areas for free play, building with various materials and learning about animal habits.
Extra Extra! There are two kinds of tickets to the zoo: a general admission ticket and a “Total Experience” ticket. General admission gets you access to the most of the zoo’s offerings, and you could certainly spend a whole day doing that. Note: this ticket is only available at the zoo’s front gate; you cannot buy it online. Prices are $22.95 for adults; $14.95 for kids three to 12, and $20.95 for seniors. Kids under two are free.
While the “Total Experience” tickets may sound like an upsell (and we suppose, technically it is), in our opinion, if you can swing it, it’s the way to go. This ticket grants you access to all of the additional “experiences” at the zoo, which someone in your party will inevitably want to check out; otherwise, they are $6 per person, a cost which can add up quickly. Included with this type of ticket is the Bug Carousel (exactly what it sounds like), the 4-D Theater, the Wild Asia Monorail, and the zoo shuttle, which can be a key ally and time-saver when getting around. Prices are $36.95 for adults; $26.95 for kids three to 12, and $31.95 for seniors.
As you can see, a trip to the zoo is not the cheapest outing ever, which is why, if you make two or more trips to the zoo a year, it might be worth getting a membership. For $199.95, two adults, up to four children, and one guest receive unlimited admission and attractions at not only the Bronx Zoo, but the Central Park Zoo, the Queens Zoo, and the Prospect Park Zoo. That’s a lotta zoo for your buck! (That rate is the Family Zoos Plus Membership; the regular Family Zoo Membership is $159.95 and does not include attractions or a guest admission.)
photo: Meghan Maher
Above and Beyond If you are the adventurous type of family with older kids, you’ll want to check out Treetop Adventure, which opened in 2017. Featuring a double zipline experience, as well as a variety of rope courses of varying difficulties, the attraction is open year-round, and provides lovely views of the wooded setting in all seasons.
You can elect to do just the treetop course, just the ziplines, or both. All of Treetop Adventure is a separate admission tickets from the Bronx Zoo, with prices ranging from $24.95 to $59.95. If you’re going, it’s located at the north edge of the zoo, and there is a parking lot (with fee) at the entrance. For GPS directions use: Bronx River Parkway at Boston Road.
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photo: Tammy Lo via Flickr
The Basics
The Bronx Zoo is not the cheapest ticket in town, but of course you do get a lot of bang for your buck. Total Experience tickets (which include Dinosaur Safari) are $39.95 for adults (13 and up); $29.95 for kids 3-12, and $34.95 for seniors. Kids two and under are free. (We list a zoo membership, which for $210 gives you unlimited access to numerous zoos, the New York Aquarium, and more as one of the best membership values for families. This is why.)
For food, the Dancing Crane Cafe in the centrally-located Dancing Crane Plaza serves standard fare and has both indoor and outdoor seating. You’re also allowed to bring in picnics, which can be a good way to save money and skip the typically long lines. This area is also where you’ll find first aid, the gift shop, restrooms, and an ATM.
Strollers are allowed in the zoo, and if you suddenly desire one, they are also available to rent.
The zoo is accessible by mass transit, including the 2 train (at Pelham Parkway), the BxM11 Express Bus in Manhattan, and Metro North. Click here for detailed directions.
Note that if you are driving, parking lots can fill up, and additional parking can be found at Fordham University. Driving directions can be found here.
The Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Boulevard
Bronx
718-220-5100
Online: bronxzoo.com
We’ve been getting our fix of all things DC with these books and virtual tours. But nothing beats the real deal. If we’re being honest, we long for the halls of the Kennedy Center, the ding-ding of King Street’s trolley and literally every. single. playground in the DMV! Here are 10 things we desperately miss in DC—and look forward to doing again soon.
Taking a Spin on the Conservation Carousel
Devin Murphy for Smithsonian's National Zoo
We can't wait to hop a ride on the National Zoo's Conservation Carousel. We miss the sweet faces of the endangered animals; it's the best ride in town! We also miss the Me & Bee Playground, the talented face painters, Ambika the elephant (sniff, sniff) and all of the animal exhibits. Right now, we're getting our zoo-fix with animal webcams and at-home educational activities.
Hangin' with the Pigeon at the KC
Angelica Lynne Kajiwara
Oh, Mo Willems, how we miss you! We miss the hands-on cartoon workshops at Moonshot Studios. We miss roaming the halls of the Kennedy Center with the Pigeon. And, most of all, we miss the live performances written by Mo himself! We've been keeping ourselves busy with Mo's Lunch Doodles. These virtual classes are now over (sigh), but if you missed them, you can watch them here.
Shhh! Come close. Can we tell you a secret? We love our kids, but we miss kid-free nights on the town. And our favorite place to go for a special occasion? The Dabney! You can order a prix fixed menu that includes an app, dinner and dessert for $45; it's delish, but not the same as sitting in the intimate space enjoying the open kitchen. Sigh!
We love the (free!) Smithsonians. We love the National Mall. But our first stop post-pandemic? The National Museum of the American Indian. We can't wait to get hands-on in the ImagiNation exhibit, to play eye spy with the Native dolls exhibit or to grab a snack at Mitsitam Cafe (they have the best guac in the city!). We look forward to live performances, but in the meantime, we are enjoying these digital lessons.
Hitching a Free Ride on the King St. Trolley
R. Kennedy via Visit Alexandria
Let's face it, the King Street Trolley is literally the highlight of Old Town Alexandria for those 6 & under. A trip down to the waterfront followed by a scoop at Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream is pretty much the perfect weekend day. The Trolley is not currently running, but if you need a lift, check out the abbreviated bus schedule here.
Going to Playgrounds. Period.
Beauvoir, the National Cathedral's Elementary School may have the most picture-perfect playground, but honestly, we'd be happy to hop onto any slide right now. We can't wait to swing, jump and play at one of these 17 playgrounds in and around DC!
We miss perusing the stacks at Kramer Books while we wait for a table at Afterwords. If your kids are missing their mac & cheese, don't fret. You can order Afterwords to-go with a fresh side of books, courtesy of Postmates.
Exploring a New Museum
Meghan Yudes Meyers
The National Children's Museum had barely opened their doors when they had to close them again. We haven't gotten nearly enough of their crafting room, hands-on exhibits or reading nook. We miss exploring this new museum! You can still get your STEAM work on with daily Facebook prompts (here).
Who needs a playground when you can run and play (all day!) at the National Arboretum. We can't wait to stretch our legs on the 10+ miles of trail that cover almost 450 acres of these protected lands. We'll see you soon, National Capitol Columns!
Bay Area families have gotten pretty creative with homeschool and stay-at-home activities. And while we’re all trying to keep our chin up, we’re not gonna lie: there are things we are starting to really, really miss. Here are 13 things we’re looking forward to being able to do again.
Stand in line to get a Malted Vanilla ice cream at BiRite Creamery. Or maybe Mint Chip...or Salted Caramel. Make that all of the above.
Amber Guetebier
Visit Yerba Buena gardens for a dash behind the waterfall at the MLK memorial before hitting the LeRoy King Carousel and riding it no less than twenty times.
Spend the afternoon listening to the constant din of a hundred happy children at the Koret Children's Playground, and zipping down the Cement Slide with the reckless abandon of a five-year-old.
Roam the crowded streets of Chinatown on a Saturday afternoon, letting the kids go in and out of stores seeking treasures like rice-paper fans and embroidered Mary Jane slippers.
RADAR Productions
Go to a library story time at our favorite neighborhood library, but especially Drag Queen Story Hour.
Chantal Lamers
Ride the Little Puffer at the SF Zoo more than once while the peacocks scream and the monkeys cackle, after posing for pictures at all the IG-worthy spots.
Wait patiently while someone else makes you a pour-over coffee. Like really, really patiently.
Robin Eagan
Not cooking at home, but instead hitting up Off the Grid anywhere, but especially the Presidio Picnic, where we can all eat exactly what we want (hello inside-out samosa! hello mini donuts!) and dance to live music while we're doing it.
Get mopped at 826 Valencia after bartering for lard, followed by admiring the beautiful murals throughout the Mission. Followed by a visit to Dolores Park to enjoy the view, the playground and the weather, with ALL those other people.
Head to the Saturday Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building for the best peaches in the universe, which don't really transport, so you have to eat them right there by the Bay.
Kathryn Whitney courtesy California Academy of Sciences
Take the kids to Golden Gate Park to see the jellyfish at the Cal Academy, followed by eating french fries at the deYoung's cafe, followed by a run through the SF Botanical Garden. Not necessarily in that order.
New Yorkers know resiliency, and NYC families and kids are hanging tough right now with grace and style. But we also deeply love our city— yes, even the things we kvetch about on the reg. Here are some of the things we’re day-dreaming of from the couch, and where we’re headed when it’s safe to go outside again.
NYC's back yard isn't quite the same when we can't enjoy it all together. Tackling Heckscher Playground, zipping down the granite slides at Billy Johnson Playground, climbing the "forts" of the Tarr Coyne Wild West Playground with other families—not to mention scaling some of the exposed bedrock to a peak or storming Belvedere Castle—sounds like a great way to spend the day.
The sun, the sand, the surf, the Cyclone. (Even if they're too hot, too crowded, too cold, and too expensive/scary—what's not to love? Man, we could go for a Nathan's.)
We miss the whole museum of course, but a clay bar that needs a reservation is a pretty special thing.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Mimi O'Connor
From the jammed Water Lab at Pier 6 to the sand box, playgrounds for little and big kids, roller skating, room to run, and amazing views, we're ready to pitch a tent here to make full use of the park.
Yes, you can still go to the bodega, but we want to go sans mask and gloves, get a bacon egg & cheese, pet the cat, chat with the owners, and not worry about close quarters.
Sitting in the big nest in the Children's Garden at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, exploring the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden at the New York Botanical Garden, harvesting in the Children's Garden at the Queens Botanical Garden! (Plus smelling the roses, watching the koi, and running through the manicured grass.)
Brunch, any brunch: greasy spoon, hoity-toity, hour-long wait in hipsterville, al fresco with a healthy side of people-watching and a bottomless cup of coffee. Our sad bowl of cereal is not cutting it.
Ah, to be standing in a long line as you placate your child with Scandinavian Swimmers and Inner Peas, peruse 10 different kids of moderately-priced olive oil and jam to hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Bliss.
We're thinking the Blue Whale, the Alaskan Brown Bears and the Titanosaur are wondering where everybody is at these days. (Maybe even the Willamette Meteorite, too.)
A Kid's Show at MSG, Barclays Center, The Beacon Theater, etc.
Mimi O'Connor
Remember when you kind of dreaded being packed into a room full of cheering/screaming/crying kids on a weekend morning and shelling out big bucks for popcorn and a plastic thing that lit up? (That got lost or broken or abandoned immediately upon returning home.) Those were good times.
The early weekday efficiency, the weekend chaos, the politics of the line, we want it all, just like it used to be.
Governors Island
Schenck
Technically, this offshore Shangri-la opens for the season May 1. Whenever we can get there, we're going to get messy at The Yard, laze in a hammock, go crazy at Slide Hill, take in some mind-expanding art and do a quick zipline run. (And yeah, maybe have a cold beer.)
Everyone's nails are looking a little rugged right now. Plus: Are we the only ones for whom our local salon is kind of like the neighborhood watering hole? They know us, our kids, our business.
Jianbing, Ramen Burger, Big Mozz mozzarella sticks, beef short rib with chimichurri, Dough doughnuts, Red Hook Lobster Pound Lobster Roll. We love all these foods (and many more) and we will be back with dollars to support the vendors that create them!
We've got so many special ones to choose from: The magical Sea Glass Carousel in Battery Park, the buggy ride at the Bronx Zoo, the tres francais Le Carrousel in Bryant Park, the Carousel for All Children in Staten Island, the glass-enclosed gem Jane's Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Totally Kid Carousel in Riverbank State Park.
While it's true beer garden season hadn't really begun at the start of this, after we make it through, a nice cold beverage with friends (and strangers) will be especially refreshing.
While it's not quite fair to say there's no place like NYC Chinatown (there are at least a couple in NYC itself), this neighborhood bustles with great food, lots of hustle, grit and culture. We're dreaming about Nom Wah dim sum, the broth and noodles at Great New York Noodletown, the soup dumplings at Joe's Shanghai and some dessert at the Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.
Yeah, we said it. The ugly orange seats, rush hour, platform musicians (authorized and not), the views, Poetry in Motion, the sight of a train coming and that gust that comes with it—and of course, Showtime!
On a recent outing to the Carousel in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn, my granddaughter and I were both very disappointed that the Carousel was unexpectedly closed for repairs. There is a wonderful playground in the vicinity, so we were able to quickly regroup and have some fun nearby.
But before heading off to the park, I had a brief chat with a parent whose child was not taking the closed carousel news very well. Her son looked to be about 3 and a half years old and was very forlorn. Like most people headed to a carousel, he was super excited and looking forward to a ride or two. The mom seemed just as disappointed and stuck with this feeling of disappointment as her son.
We have all been there with children, and it’s a good idea to have some tools in your toolbox for when these inevitable moments happen.
First and foremost it is important to name and acknowledge the feeling. Being sad and disappointed is okay. Sometimes we try to talk children out of their feelings, which almost never works. It’s better to model the appropriate ways to express emotions. It is okay to be upset, but a child can’t disturb other people, take their frustration out on the grown-up by yelling at or hitting them, or by running away.
Offer ideas about what the child can do, such as take a deep breath, get an extra hug, and or help think about other activities to do instead. If a child is really upset it might be helpful to allow them some time to recover and then offer a choice, ” you can do this… or this instead”. Make suggestions that help to discharge the high emotions, like play “Follow the Leader” or other physical games. Use your imagination and together make up a story about how the carousel broke down – like maybe the horses rode off in the middle of the night to dance under the moon and now have to rest up before reopening.
For some children, distractions such as this can be just as much fun as a ride on the merry-go-round. If the child is old enough, he or she can draw a picture or make a book about the carousel horses and their adventures. Be creative, have a pretend adventure yourselves or a scavenger hunt looking for “things that are red, or that go round (like the horses) or that you can ride”.
Tell your child a story about a similar experience you have had that had a positive resolution. Discuss how to avoid the problem the next time, like remembering to call or check the website. Let them in on your thinking, that’s how they learn to problem solve. If you are calm and relaxed, your child will most likely mirror those emotions.
In our case, after leaving the carousel, we actually headed next to a nearby branch of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, but it wasn’t going to be open for two more hours. So that started a game called “Silly Nonna” about a grandmother who keeps taking her granddaughter to things that are closed! As we continued on, we thought of places that the silly grandmother could go to that would be closed, such as the ice cream store, the toy store and the swimming pool, each time repeating the refrain, “Oh, no, that’s closed too…silly Nonna!” Finally, we happily arrived at the playground, and fortunately, it was open and lots of fun!
I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.
Time for Kids recently announced its 2019 top 50 fun places for families list. Whether you’re looking for a place to play, learn, explore or eat, this list has it all.
So which global attractions and spaces for kiddos made the list? Check out the highlights of the top 50 winners and get the full list here.
If you want to stay state-side, Time for Kids suggests Seattle, Washington’s Artists at Play. Like the name implies, this super-artsy play area is all about creativity and fun! With a 38-foot curly slide and a human-powered carousel, this artist-designed space is filled with all kinds of imaginative awesomeness. Families headed out of the country, may want to try out some of the international picks, including CopenHill in Copenhagen, Denmark, Escape in Penag, Malaysia or the LEGO House in Billund, Denmark.
Are you on the search for a “cool” place to eat? Forget about fries and buttered noodles, these foodie finds are on a whole new level. The winners in this category include Creator in San Francisco, California, PBJ.LA in Los Angeles, California, Saint Pierre in Singapore, The Kinderkookkafe in the Netherlands and SafeHouse Milwaukee in Wisconsin.
If there’s anyone that knows how to construct a magic gingerbread display, it’s Disney. Across the Disney Parks, properties and cruise lines guests will be treated to some spectacular feats in gingerbread engineering throughout this year’s holiday season.
From the dining hall of the Haunted Mansion to the lobbies of each Disney World resort, there are so many dazzling gingerbread displays to feast your eyes on. Here are a few of the most incredible sights this year.
Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House
This year's Haunted Mansion display celebrates the 50th anniversary of the iconic attraction.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Gingerbread Display
This seven-foot-tall replica of the hotel itself features 600 pounds of gingerbread.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Gingerbread House
This 14-foot tall display features hidden Mickeys and gingerbread shingles.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort Gingerbread Carousel
This life-sized spinning carousel features Peter Pan-themed horses decorated with hand-crafted chocolate, gingerbread shingles and snowflakes.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Castle
A gingerbread Cinderella and Prince Charming greet guests in front of this 18-foot tall gingerbread display featuring the facade of "it's a small world."
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Gingerbread Display
This is the first year the Wilderness Lodge is featuring a gingerbread display, a cabin inspired by the turn-of-the-century National Park lodges.
This year marks the first display for the Saratoga Springs Resort as well. Guests will discover an entire gingerbread holiday village complete with a carousel in the park.
Disney Cruise Line Gingerbread Displays
The Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ships all feature displays with a combined 600 pounds of gingerbread dough, over 5,000 gingerbread bricks and over 200 pounds of sugar used to create them all.
The holiday season is a time when you can have lots of fun with your family and friends, meet new people, have a get-together, and go shopping. While this time of year is fun for many, it can also be a stressful time for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. The good news is there are things you can do to decrease the stress level for your family and hopefully have fun too!
Common Holiday Stressors
While every child and adult with Autism is different, there are some common stressors the holiday season presents for those on the spectrum. These could be shopping, receiving gifts, being around less familiar family or family friends, waiting in line to take pictures with Santa, or being expected to be social at events. Other common stressors can be the simple schedule changes that take place during holidays, like no school or longer time away from home, canceled therapy appointments, traveling, different bedtimes or disruption of daily routines. With that in mind, here are 7 tips that might help prevent behaviors of concern and help everyone have and enjoy a happy holiday season!
1. The Premack Principle. (also known as “grandma’s rule”). The parent uses statements that list the order of events using “First ….then….”. This strategy seems to work well most of the time. Example: Mom wants a picture with Santa and all the kids at the mall. She tells the kids, “1st take a picture with Santa, then we can go ride the carousel”. This works because it clearly defines what behavior the child needs to do (take a picture with Santa), before getting to do what they want (ride carousel).
2. Visual or Written Schedules. Another prevention strategy would be to make a visual or written schedule for the day and tell the child what their day is going to be like. Since accepting or tolerating changes in routines can be difficult for children on the spectrum, it is helpful to provide a visual of the activities lined up for them that day. It might be important to let your child know when they will have downtime or time with preferred activities in the schedule as well.
3. Social Stories. Making social stories for different situations and reading it ahead of time helps your child to prepare themselves for the upcoming situation.
4. Sensory Preparedness. The holidays are full of noisy places, music, lights, and smells. If you are planning to go somewhere loud, like a party with music or a crowded shopping mall, plan to take headphones for your child if they do not tolerate loud noises or music. If you are going to a family or friend’s home, you can ask the host if it’s possible to have a quiet space or room or if they are willing to reduce the music or television sounds. Plan to bring your child’s sensory calming tools or items (preferred clothes, blankets, toys) and be sure to periodically provide sensory breaks.
5. Get Ahead of the Shopping Rush. Plan to shop ahead of time to avoid last-minute shopping trips, or even better, shopping online is a great way to avoid the big crowd and the long lines during the holiday season.
6. A picture with Santa. There are a couple of things that can be done to avoid anxiety. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is not the best thing for the children on the spectrum. Many malls in America have set aside a special time and days for families who want to have a calm encounter and visit with Santa (search for sensory Santa in your area). These are usually a free event, but there are limited tickets or times to reserve, so be sure to plan ahead. The other thing that some malls provide is to schedule an appointment online instead of waiting in line for the picture.
7. Receiving Gifts. Know what your child wants as a gift and notifying your close family and friends know about it in advance is a great way to prevent some uncomfortable situations. Opening a gift which your child doesn’t like might create a situation that is uncomfortable for your child and your family or friends. This is something that can be easily avoided if everyone is prepared. You can also prepare the gift givers ahead of time that your child shows gratitude in different ways. You can take a picture of your child interacting with the toy later to send as a “thank you” if your child isn’t able to show excitement at the moment of opening the gift.
These are just some strategies that may work for your child and family to navigate the holiday season. Visit www.gbcaba.com for tips like this and more.