2012 Universal Summer Concert Series Lineup

June 9 Cast of Nickelodeon’s TV Series, “Victorious”

June 16 ZZ Top & 3 Doors Down

June 23 Josh Turner

June 30 Al Green

July 7 Lupe Fiasco

July 14 TBD

Cast of “Victorious” Performs June 9

The cast of Nickelodeon’s TV series, “Victorious,” gets the party started on June 9.  Theme park guests will also have the opportunity to preview upcoming episodes and participate in live Q&A sessions with members of the cast.  The event will culminate with a music performance by the entire cast – including Victoria Justice, who plays the show’s main character, Tori Vega.

Currently in its third season, “Victorious” follows teenager Tori Vega as she navigates life at Hollywood Arts, a prestigious performing arts high school.  The show, a co-production with Sony Music, features original songs performed by Victoria Justice and the show’s ensemble cast.  The show’s first soundtrack, “Victorious: Music from the Hit TV Show,” debuted at the no. 5 spot on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and features the show’s theme song “Make It Shine,” as well as the hit singles “Beggin’ On Your Knees,” “Freak the Freak Out” and “Best Friend’s Brother.”  For the month of March 2012, “Victorious” ranked as the #1 show across all TV with kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14.  Most recently, the series won the Favorite TV Show award at “Nickelodeon’s 2012 Kids’ Choice Awards.”

ZZ Top and 3 Doors Down Performs June 16

On June 16, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top will rock Universal Studios.  With more than 25 million albums sold, the multiplatinum Southern rock legends have released classic rock staples such as “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Cheap Sunglasses” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’.”  Their album, “Eliminator” achieved diamond status, and ZZ Top’s worldwide success even earned a declaration of “ZZ Top Day” in Texas, the band’s home state.  Named by VH1 as one of the “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock,” the band is currently working on their next album.

Also performing on June 16, alternative rock band 3 Doors Down will take the stage.  Originally from Mississippi, 3 Doors Down has scored 12 Top Ten singles, including “Kryptonite,” “Be Like That” and “Away from the Sun.”  Their most recent album, “Time of My Life,” debuted in the top three on the Billboard 200.

Additional acts will include Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Famer Al Green, who’s recorded timeless hits like “Let’s Stay Together” and “I’m Still in Love with You;” country star Josh Turner, who has topped the U.S. country charts with singles like “All Over Me” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance;” and Grammy award-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco, who has collaborated with other hit-makers like Kanye West, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z.

Access to all Summer Concert Series performances is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida.  For guests that specifically want to enjoy the concerts, Universal Orlando is offering an all-new ticket that provides one-time access to Universal Studios after 7 p.m. – exclusively for the Summer Concert Series.  Available online, the “Summer Concert Ticket” is priced at $59.99 plus tax.

The Summer Concert Series gives guests the opportunity to top off their day of theme park thrills with a headlining concert.  By day, guests can enjoy some of the most popular entertainment experiences in the world– including the all-new Universal’s Superstar Parade, a daily parade that features elaborately themed floats that tower above guests, hundreds of energetic street performers and spectacular music and dance performances.  By night, park guests can rock out to a live performance by a multi-platinum artist at the Music Plaza, a venue illuminated by the colorful LED lights of the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster.

For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

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On Board Verbolten Ride Video

Point of View Verbolten Ride Video

Busch Gardens Official Verbolten Ride Video

Mike McGuire is husband to Kat, and father to 4 children.  They live in the small town of Boykins, VA, in a big house, that they hope to turn into a Bed and Breakfast one day.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to Mike McGuire for attending this media event for “Adventures by Daddy,” and for submitting this post.  Hopefully it will not be his last.  For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

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Thursday, May 17, 2012 my wife, Kat and I traveled up to Williamsburg, Va.  We didn’t go to visit Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement, in what would just 168 years later become the United States of America.  We didn’t go to spend time on the battlefield of Yorktown, where General Cornwallis was defeated by George Washington, allowing us to go forth as our own nation.  We came to Williamsburg to celebrate an event of a more fun nature.  The opening of Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s newest machine to produce thrills and chills, Verbolten.  AdventuresByDaddy.com was invited to attend as part of a blogger’s preview event, one day before the official opening of the ride for the public on May 18th.

So early Thursday morning we set out in search of adventure.  Traveling up to Busch Gardens we were given directions to the cast member parking area.  Getting a little glimpse of behind the scenes was a great plus.  And getting to walk into basically an empty park was a different experience for sure.  We made our way over to Verbolten, which is in the location of the retired and dismantled Big Bad Wolf.

The attraction building is beautiful.  Bright yellow and green, two story old world European style.  As you look around though you see a red Porsche 911 crashed into a wall just to the left of the building.  It’s obvious it’s been here awhile as tree branches are growing out of the car.  As you enter the building, you have lots to look at while you wait for your rental car to be ready.  You see you have entered the waiting area for Gerta and Gunter’s Tours and Rentals.  This brother and sister team is always walking about helping customers as best they can with their European driving tours.  The waiting area is filled with auto posters, an unusual amount of luggage and lots of vines and tree branches.  Old auto parts have been re-purposed for many uses, as signage and decorations.

As your car enters the station and you take a seat, you must securely strap yourself in.  This vintage euro sports car must be fast, you think to yourself.  As the car pulls out from the station, a smiling Gerta waved and shouted “Auf Wiedersehen” As you round the bend, you see that you are headed toward the dark forest, but as you try to turn the car, some mysterious force seems to reach out and grab your car, drawing it into the forest.  Inside the forest, day turns to night.  You seem to be speeding along some dark road, twisting and turning every which way.  Your surroundings occasionally illuminated by lightning or a glow coming from the flora as if by magic.  You see eyes watching you from the forest depths.  As you race through the woods, you notice a pair of deep red glowing eyes watching you, and you realize that the former inhabitant of this place has not left.  The Big Bad Wolf is watching.

Your car soon comes to a stop, under the glowing canopy of trees.  As you sit wondering what you are going to do next, the roadway under you drops and you free fall at least ten feet.  As your car comes to a rest, the forest canopy separates and an escape route opens up.  As you ease forward, happy to be leaving this dark forest, the force that grabbed your car and drew you in, appears to grab the car again and flings you out of the forest.  Your car huddles up a hill toward an old covered bridge that appears to be broken.  As you race through the bridge you slam on the brakes, but too little, too late.  Your car plunges over the side and hurtles toward the Rhine River, 88 feet below.  You close your eyes, hoping this is all just a bad dream.  Seconds later you open your eyes again and notice that your car is back on the road and is pulling into Gerta and Gunter’s shop.  You are safe and sound, but not quite sure what just happened.

And so ends your ride on Verbolten, Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s latest addition to it’s family friendly theme park.  As many coaster fans will already know, Verbolten was built on the land that once housed the Big Bad Wolf.  As one of the first suspended coasters in the world, the BBW was truly a unique and enjoyable ride.  It was the coaster that many a family used to introduce young ones to the fun and adventure of roller coasters.  And the Big Bad Wolf had the signature plunge to the Rhine River.  So when the Big Bad Wolf reached it’s end of life a couple of years ago, Busch Gardens management made the painful decision to replace it.  And so was born Verbolten.

Interviewing both Carl Lum, vice president of Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Larry Giles, vice president of Engineering for BGW, I learned that they insisted on several items as a carryover/homage to the Big Bad Wolf.  First they insisted that the coaster accommodate riders 48” and taller, allowing children to ride.  They did not want any inversions, again for the same reason.  They also insisted that the new coaster include a drop to the river like the Big Bad Wolf did.  New items that were incorporated include the two magnetic launch systems; this coaster does not use any chain lifts.  The dark ride building element was included, allowing them to include many theatrical elements into this ride.  The free fall drop is a totally unique item to roller coasters.  And while Busch Gardens has always done a first rate job with it’s theming and storyline, they have raised the bar with is ride.  Hopefully a sign of things to come for this park.

Talking with Carl Lum

Talking with Larry Giles

Mr. Giles informed us that the steel from the Big Bad Wolf was recycled, except for the piece of track and one car that Busch Gardens donated to a Roller coaster museum in Texas.  He also informed us that many of the concrete foundations used were the original Wolf foundations, especially the important ones at the bottom of the river drop, thus avoiding major construction work in a designated wetlands area.

Talking with Mr. Lum, I asked him what did Busch Gardens offer to families that would make them decide that they wanted to spend their family vacation together at BGW as opposed to another park.  He simply stated that Busch Gardens was a wonderful park and fit in so well with the other local attractions offering a complete vacation experience to families.  So if you find yourself in the Hampton Roads area on travel, or if you live nearby and have never been to Busch Gardens, or if it’s been awhile, I highly recommend you visit, and enjoy all that Busch Gardens Williamsburg has to offer.

Gunter and Gerta with the author

Rules and Regulations

For on-board, point of view, as well as Busch Garden’s official video of the Verbolten ride experience, click here.

Mike McGuire is husband to Kat, and father to 4 children.  They live in the small town of Boykins, VA, in a big house, that they hope to turn into a Bed and Breakfast one day.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to Mike McGuire for attending this media event for “Adventures by Daddy,” and for submitting this initial post.  Hopefully it will not be his last.  For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

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In 2007, I finished the Walt Disney World Marathon (my first).  The new course changes to the Full Marathon are very intriguing.  Any portion of the course that goes through a theme park or recreation area will be a welcome change from running on the major highways connecting the theme parks.  Another change not highlighted in the video is the omission of running through Epcot at the race’s start.  The marathon had used a “split start” in the past, and all runners starting together may make for some increased course crowding at the beginning – time will tell.

Take a look at runDisney’s video course simulation and the full marathon course map below.

Click on the map image to make larger

From runDisney’s Press Release

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL:  Runners in the 20th anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon in 2013 will have the unique experience of running along a speedway and through a baseball stadium – in addition to Disney’s four theme parks – as part the latest enhancements designed to celebrate the event’s two decades of existence.

The 2013 Disney Marathon course will again start at Epcot.  But runners will go through the Magic Kingdom and then, for the first time ever, run through the high-banked Walt Disney World Speedway where stock cars, Indy cars and exotic supercars typically roar around the one-mile tri-oval track.  And later the course will take runners to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and through the complex’s Champion Stadium, a major-league style ballpark that’s the Atlanta Braves’ annual spring training home.

“Running through the speedway and the ballpark should provide quite a thrill for the runners,” said veteran race director Jon Hughes.  “These very creative enhancements should make for a pretty memorable 20th anniversary marathon that people will probably be talking about for 20 more years.”

The marathon’s commemorative route changes add to the new enhancements recently announced, including enhanced entertainment along Mile 20, a specially-designed 20th anniversary Mickey Mouse medal and a new post-race party at Downtown Disney.

In addition to the 26.2-mile marathon, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna (Jan. 10-13) will feature events for the entire family such as Kids’ Races throughout the weekend, including the Mickey Mile, a Family Fun Run 5K on Friday, the Half Marathon on Saturday and the Marathon on Sunday.  There is also Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge which involves running the Half Marathon and the full Marathon – 39.3 miles!  The Health and Fitness Expo runs throughout the weekend at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and features the latest in running technology and fashion, as well as renowned running experts like Jeff Galloway, the official training consultant for runDisney.

So what do you think of the new course?  Are you excited about the changes?  Does this make you more or less likely to sign up for the 20th Anniversary edition of the Walt Disney World Marathon?  Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts.  For more running adventures, family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

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Source: Great Wolf Lodge

Madison, WI: Since the beginning of 2012, the national average price of gas has jumped 12 percent, according to AAA.  As families begin to make their summer vacation plans, saving money and maximizing value have taken on greater importance given these rising prices.  For Great Wolf Lodge – the largest family of indoor water park resorts in the United States – an increase in fuel prices means more families may consider taking a “nearcation” to one of its locations.

The “nearcation trend” is an increasingly popular choice for many Americans.  AAA reports that this year, families will not cancel their vacation plans this year but instead will opt for more frequent, short trips to nearby regional destinations, such as Great Wolf Lodge.  More than 42 million households with children live within 300 miles of one of the 10 US-based Great Wolf Lodge resorts.  A visit to a Great Wolf Lodge is just an easy hop in the car away from home – no airfare needed.

Maybe not quite the "hope in the car" you had in mind

Family travel expert and mother of three, Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, knows the importance of finding a vacation destination that’s affordable and offers something for everyone. “Over the years, two kinds of vacations have scored big with families: water parks and “everything-under-one-roof” destinations,” says Kelleher.  “Great Wolf Lodge combines both of these trends. It is a leader among indoor water park resorts and offers a wide array of family fun in one great location.”

To help families plan their summer “nearcation,” Great Wolf Lodge resorts and Kelleher offer these simple tips to help stretch each dollar:

Plan ahead. The best way to save is to plan ahead.  Most destinations offer the greatest variety of available room options, package amenities and overall savings when stays are booked in advance.  At greatwolf.com, you can view the online calendar and compare rates for your family stay.

Be flexible. You don’t have to take off an entire work week to have a great getaway.  Plan a mid-week getaway, or start your vacation on a Sunday to take full advantage of discounts to area attractions and resort stays during “off peak” days.  Added bonus – the resorts are often less crowded!

Sign up for deals. The best way to find out about money-saving travel discounts is to receive email updates from your favorite destinations.  E-mail alerts from Great Wolf Lodge feature special offers and promotion codes that are not offered publicly, giving subscribers the ability to book vacations at the best available rates.

Prepare the car. Purchases from your local grocery store are cheaper than convenience stores and fast food restaurants en route.  Save time and money by pre-buying snacks and drinks for the trip.

Find the cheapest gas. Nobody wants to pay more than they have to for gas.  GasBuddy is a free app that directs travelers to the cheapest gas stations along any route. It also helps you budget for a trip by estimating how much you’ll spend in gas in total.

Bundle and save. Research package options that include meals and other amenities.  Limited time promotions such as “Kids Eat Free” can help when budgeting for meals.  Resort amenities and entertainment offerings are also often bundled for extra savings.  For example, the Great Wolf Lodge Paw Pass bundles many of the resort’s coolest activities for a 30% savings.

“The summer months are when we see many families choose Great Wolf Lodge for their vacation,” said Nikki Donofrio, senior vice president, brand marketing, Great Wolf Lodge.  “Our resorts are the perfect destinations for families who want to maximize their time together and minimize the impact on their vacation budget.  Great Wolf Lodge resorts offer everything under one roof, from our indoor waterpark and family suites, to our spa services and kids’ club activities.”

To learn more about Great Wolf Lodge and family travel tips, visit Great Wolf Lodge at greatwolf.com/value.

Thanks to Great Wolf Lodge and Suzanne Rowan Kelleher for providing these “Nearcation” planning tips.  What are your vacation plans for this summer?  Are you leaving on a jet plane or sticking closer to home.  Leave a comment below and share your planning tips with us.  For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

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SKYFALL © 2012 Danjaq, LLC, United Artists Corporation, Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

This post will contain all the official information from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayers Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment regarding the return of James Bond in Skyfall.  In the 23rd installment of the iconic film franchise, Secret Agent 007′s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.  As MI6 comes under attack, Bond must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.  The film is scheduled to open in the United States on November 9, 2012 (internationally on October 26), and will be the first Bond film also released in the IMAX format.

Skyfall marks the return of Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007, as well as Judi Dench reprising her role as M.  The film also stars franchise newcomers Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem and Naomie Harris, and is directed by Sam Mendes from a screenplay written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are producers.

Continue reading for more news, images, and trailers for James Bond’s Skyfall.  For more adventure movie news, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

Oscar-winning Production Designer Dennis Gassner give an inside glimpse at “the Look” of Skyfall.

Skyfall’s cast and crew arrive in Istanbul, Turkey; this is the 3rd time James Bond has visited Turkey in the film series.

Naomie Harris plays Skyfall’s field-agent Eve.

Photo by Gavin Bond © 2012 Danjaq, LLC, United Artists Corporation, Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

In 1962, the very first James Bond film, Dr. No, was released starring Sean Connery as 007.  Therefore, 2012 marks James Bond’s 50th anniversary.  In celebration of this monumental golden anniversary, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment unveiled BOND 50, a collectible box-set featuring all 22 James Bond films on Blu-ray Disc for the first time in one complete offering.  The longest running film franchise of all time, the BOND 50 collection marks the debut of nine James Bond films previously unavailable in high definition Blu-ray.

© 2012 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC.

The BOND 50 set is currently available for pre-order with a retail price of $199.99, and will be released in October 2012 just ahead of the newest film Skyfall’s theater release.

Are you excited that James Bond is back?  Leave a comment below with your favorite actor to portray 007, and/or your favorite installment of the series.  Keep reading as we continue to update this page with the latest news and videos on Skyfall, and remember to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

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Updated May 16, 2012

Select museums in the Finger Lakes region are offering FREE admission to kids and teens ages 19 and under.  Morgen McLaughlin, president of the Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism and Marketing Association, said,

Finger Lakes Wine Country is rich with cultural diversity,  Our region has a strong history in winemaking, but also glassmaking, aviation, literature, agriculture, and art.  We are thrilled to be participating in New York State Museum Week and showcasing some of the best cultural attractions that New York State has to offer.”

The museums offering free admission to kids and teens include:

• The Corning Museum of Glass
• Rockwell Museum of Western Art
• Patterson Inn Museum Complex
• Glenn H. Curtiss Museum
• Arnot Art Museum
• Chemung Valley History Museum
• Wings of Eagles Discovery Center and Museum
• National Soaring Museum
• Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum
• Oliver House and L. Caroline Underwood Museums
• Schuyler County Historical Museum (free admission for all ages)
• International Motor Research Center (free admission for all ages)
• Steuben County Historical Center (free admission for all ages)

Way to go Finger Lakes!  I’m proud of my home region, and this Dad will definitely be checking out some of these local attractions – Soaring Museum, here we come.

Original article from May 15, 2012 follows below:

New York State Senator Betty Little wants to see New Yorkers in particular out exploring their home state,

As the summer season kicks into gear and vacation ideas come to mind, let’s not forget the wonderful resources we have in our own ‘backyards’, especially our museums.  One needn’t travel far for a culturally and educationally enriching experience.  New York’s diverse array of museums, historic homes, zoos and botanical gardens offer something for everyone and every family.

From living art exhibits in zoos and botanical gardens to art centers, historic homes and sites, and children’s and transportation museums, New York State offers enriching experiences to suit all tastes.  Highlighted below are a few of the participating museums from around the state.

Children’s Museums

•    Strong National Museum of Play: Rochester (Finger Lakes)
Let your children play the roles that entertain them daily on television at the Strong National Museum of Play, a world devoted solely to play!  The museum blends the best features of both history and children’s museums which makes it appropriate for parents and children.  Kids enjoy the National Toy Hall of Fame, an indoor butterfly garden, a 1918 working carousel and a circulating library.

•    Long Island Children’s Museum: Garden City (Long Island)
The Long Island Children’s Museum is a hands-on museum for kids and their grown-ups. With 14 fabulously themed galleries and a 145-seat theater, the whole family has a wide range of fun activities. Children will love exploring the two-story ClimbIt© structure with ramps going up and down in a spiral pattern. They can create giant bubbles in the Bubble Gallery, make “rain” in the outdoor Our Backyard gallery, play musical instruments, learn about Long Island and much more.

•    Children’s Museum of Science and Technology: Troy (Capital-Saratoga)
The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology is the only science center in the Tech Valley designed specifically for kids and parents to ‘Explore, Discover, and Imagine’ the world of science together. Children gain hands-on science and technology experience in creative ways such as ‘veggie science’ and the ‘young explorers’ computer lab. The museum’s Living Indoor Hudson River exhibit allows guests to travel from the river’s source in the Adirondacks all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. The Go Power…Naturally teaches kids about new green energy technologies.

Living Museums

•    The Wild Center: Tupper Lake (Adirondacks)
The Wild Center, located in Adirondack Park, is committed to helping people understand and explore the natural wonder that is the Adirondacks.  There are swimming otters, engaging exhibits and plenty to discover outside and inside at the Center.  Visitors can explore the 31-acre campus on marked trails with or without guides, watch films at one of the Center’s many theaters, participate in hands-on activities and observe hundreds of live animals from rare native trout, to porcupines, hawks, and many other often hard-to-see residents of the woods and waters.

•    The Bronx Zoo: The Bronx (New York City)
As the nation’s largest metropolitan wildlife preserve, The Bronx Zoo has more than 4,000 animals on its sprawling 265 acres of land—much of which has been transformed into natural habitats.  The Congo Gorilla Forest, home to two families of lowland primates, is the largest re-creation of an African rain forest on the planet.  Other highlights include daily sea lion feedings and bee-eating birds that catch their prey in mid-flight.

•    The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens: Buffalo (Greater Niagara)
This national historic site and education center spotlights exotic horticulture treasures and features three glass domes and nine greenhouses.  The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens are situated on 11.4 acres at the entrance to Buffalo’s historic South Park.  Although there are some North American plants, most are native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.  Highlights of the impressive gardens include the largest public ivy collection in the world, the Palm Dome filled with magnificent palms and tropical fruit trees and the Orchid house, showcasing a variety of exotic orchids.

History Museums

•    The New York State Museum: Albany (Capital-Saratoga)
The New York State Museum, the oldest and largest state museum in the country, features permanent and temporary exhibits reflecting New York State’s cultural, natural and geological development as well as a full slate of 200 public programs a year.  The museum’s collections have over 12 million pieces including the skeleton of the Cohoes Mastodon, which was found in 1866 on the Mohawk River; the New York Birds collection featuring over 170 species of New York birds displayed in their environmental settings; and exhibits on Harlem and 9/11.

•    Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site and Interpretive Center: West Hills (Long Island)
In 1819, Walt Whitman, widely recognized as one of America’s greatest poets, was born at a farmhouse in West Hills built by his father around 1810.  Purchased and restored by the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, this historic site and interpretive center features 130 Whitman portraits, original letters, manuscripts, artifacts, Whitman’s voice on tape and schoolmaster’s desk.  Visitors can take guided tours, enjoy an audio-visual show or explore the Walk Whitman Trail, which begins at the Birthplace and weaves through West Hills County Park.

•    Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Center for Comedy: Jamestown (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
The Lucy-Desi Museum celebrates Lucille Ball, and her husband and co-star, Desi Arnaz.  Larger-than-life wall panels describing The First Couple of Comedy, interactive displays and video screenings offer an intimate look at these passionate, talented stars.  Costumes, gowns, photographs, letters, scripts and awards are among the memorabilia on display.  The Desilu Playhouse, located just down the street, displays exact replicas of the “I Love Lucy” television studio sound stages, including the Ricardos’ New York City apartment living room and kitchen as well as the Hollywood hotel suite where Lucy pantomimed with Harpo Marx and set her nose on fire with William Holden.

•    New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site: Vails Gate (Hudson Valley)
The Continental Army under General George Washington spent its last winter and spring of the Revolutionary War at the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site.  It was here that the cease fire orders were issued to end the eight-year war.  From mid-April through October, visitors will find costumed staff demonstrating musket drills, blacksmithing, military medicine and other 18th century skills.  Other highlights include the reconstructed “Temple of Virtue,” which served as a chapel and office and the Mountainville Hut, perhaps the only surviving example of original timber construction by the Continental Army.  Year-round, guests can view two exhibits at the Visitor Center sharing the stories of the men and women who lived at the 1782-83 cantonment.

•    North Star Underground Railroad Museum: Ausable Chasm (Adirondacks)
Through poignant exhibits the North Star Underground Railroad Museum reveals the hidden history of the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad, telling the compelling stories of fugitives from slavery who passed through Northeastern New York and the Champlain Valley on their way to Québec and Ontario, Canada.  Among the innovative displays are a multimedia production of the heartrending and triumphant story of John Thomas and his family.  The North Star Underground Railroad Museum also houses a series of informative displays depicting the debate over slavery and a regional exhibit which identifies safe-houses and illuminates the lives of the men and women who represented every stage of the antislavery struggle—from petitions to war.

•    The Erie Canal Museum: Syracuse (Finger Lakes)
The only existing weighlock building in the United States, the Erie Canal Museum collects and conserves Canal artifacts, champions an appreciation and understanding of Erie Canal history through educational programming and promotes awareness of the Canal’s transforming effects on the past, present and future of this country. The museum houses a gallery of exhibits that give visitors a look at canal life and promote hands-on learning, such as a re-creation of a packet boat.

Art Museums

•    Albright-Knox Art Gallery: Buffalo (Greater Niagara)
The renowned collection includes works by 20th-century artists such as Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock, as well as mid-1800s artists such as Monet and Renoir.  One of America’s oldest galleries, Albright-Knox was founded in 1862 and is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.  Constantly changing installations and special exhibitions pair contemporary art with the masterworks of modernism.

•    George Eastman House: Rochester (Finger Lakes)
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, combines the world’s oldest and most prestigious collections of photography and films with the stately pleasures of the landmark Colonial Revival mansion and gardens that George Eastman, founder of the Eastman Kodak Company, called home.  The photography collection encompasses more than 400,000 photographs and negatives dating from the invention of photography to the present day with highlights including a collection of Ansel Adams’ early and vintage prints, nineteenth-century photographs of the American West and one of the largest collections of daguerreotypes in the world.

•    The Hyde Collection: Glen Falls (Adirondacks)
The Hyde Collection offers a world-class group of works spanning nearly six thousand years of art history from antiquity to the present.  Housed in the historic Hyde House, the museum gives visitors a look at how the Collection has developed since the Hydes, the museum’s founders, first began collecting.  Beginning with Old Master paintings and drawings by such artists as Botticelli, Claude Lorrain, El Greco, Rembrandt, Rubens and Tiepolo and expanding as works by Cézanne, Degas, Picasso, Renoir, Seurat and van Gogh were acquired, the Collection will continue to grow.  The Hyde Collection welcomes visitors to experience an exciting schedule of special exhibitions, concerts, and lectures, as well as family and school programs.

•    The Johnson Museum: Ithaca (Finger Lakes)
Located on the Cornell University campus, the Johnson Museum has one of the finest collections of art in upstate New York and is recognized as one of the most important university museums in the country.  The permanent collection of more than 35,000 works of art ranging from the fifteenth century to the present includes African sculpture and textiles, pre-Columbian sculpture and ceramics, European art, modern and contemporary painting and sculpture, graphic arts and photographs.

•    The Everson Museum of Art: Syracuse (Finger Lakes)
The Everson Museum of Art specializes solely in American art.  The permanent collection, supplemented by rotating exhibitions, includes over 11,000 objects.  The Everson holds the most Robineau porcelains and one of the largest ceramic exhibits in the world.  The museum is home to nearly 700 American paintings as well as a collection of over 200 sculptures primarily of 20th century works, including pieces by Alexander Archipenko, Beverly Pepper, Leila Katzen, Ernest Trova, John DeAndrea, Claus Oldenberg, George Segal, Michael Tracy, Sol Lewitt and Mary Frank.

•    The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): New York City
Founded in 1929 as an educational institution, The Museum of Modern Art is dedicated to being the foremost museum of modern art in the world.  Permanent collection highlights include Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, and Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, along with more recent works by Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Murray, Cindy Sherman, and many others.  MoMA also features edgy new exhibits and a celebrated film series, plus the “Architecture and Design” department, with examples of design for appliances, furniture, and even sports cars.  The heart of the museum however is the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, which combines masterworks of modern sculpture with fountains and seasonal plantings.

•    The Metropolitan Museum of Art: New York City
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world.  With over two million works of art spanning 5,000 years, the Met presents the best of human creativity from around the globe.  From the splendors of ancient Egypt and the spectacular New American Wing to the Met’s beloved Impressionist paintings, a world of great art awaits visitors at New York City’s most-visited museum.  In addition to the works housed inside the museum, visitors can take a trip to the Met’s other permanent collection, the Cloisters, America’s only museum dedicated exclusively to medieval art.  Gardens, tapestries, paintings and the cloisters themselves represent the diverse array of art that was created during this time, and the beautiful setting of Fort Tyron Park further enhances the visit.

•    Bethel Woods Center for the Arts: Bethel (Catskills)
The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts includes the Museum at Bethel Woods as well as multiple stages featuring concerts with popular artists.  The Museum at Bethel Woods tells the story of the Sixties and the Woodstock Music Festival through personal stories and profiles, multi-media exhibits and experiences, engaging programs and educational events.  At the entrance of the gallery, guests will see quotes and performance clips from Woodstock performers and attendees as well as Sixties icons and images.  There is a nine-minute multimedia presentation where visitors can experience the entire festival from the audience perspective.  Music enthusiasts can also enjoy concerts at the Pavilion Stage amphitheater located on the grounds.

Science Museums

•    Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) – Rochester (Finger Lakes)
The Rochester Museum & Science Center offers three floors of hands-on exhibitions exploring science and technology, natural science and the region’s cultural heritage.  Visitors to the 13-acre campus can take a trip into space at the Strasenburgh Planetarium, which presents giant-screen films on its four-story dome, original astronomy/star shows and spectacular rock music laser light shows.

•    The Sciencenter: Ithaca (Finger Lakes)
The Sciencenter inspires excitement for science through interactive exhibits and programs.  This hands-on museum has more than 250 exhibits for visitors of all ages, including the new “Ocean Bound!” where you can interact with 3-D watershed models, piloting a full-size submersible from mountain stream to ocean, navigating the water safely through a hazardous maze, diverting pollutants as they travel through storm-water drains and playing with early education exhibits inside a clubhouse.  The Sciencenter also features educational programs, a gift shop, an outdoor science park and a seasonal 18-hole miniature golf course.

Transportation Museums

•    Cradle of Aviation Museum: Garden City (Long Island)
The Cradle of Aviation Museum celebrates Long Island’s American aviation heritage through exhibits of historic aircrafts.  From hot air balloons and Long Island’s first flight in 1909 to planes built by Northrop Grumman, exhibits teach visitors about the Island’s significant role in the evolution of aviation.  In addition to a world-class collection of aircraft, the museum lays claim to Long Island’s only giant IMAX screen, the IMAX Dome Theater, which shows films daily.  The museum also features the Red Planet Cafe, a Mars-themed eatery.

•    Motorcyclepedia Museum: Newburgh (Hudson Valley)
Opened in April 2011, the Motorcyclepedia Museum features 400 motorcycles along with a collection of evocative photographs, posters, memorabilia, machinery and bike-related items.  The museum’s galleries range from the Indian Timeline and Chopper City to Harley-Davidson, American Motorcycle Foundation’s Gallery and the Wall of Death.  Other museum highlights include motorcycles for all fans including the 1915 Iver Johnson, the recreation of the Captain America chopper from Easy Rider and the amazing creations of Arlen Ness.

•    Northeast Classic Car Museum: Norwich (Central New York)
The Northeast Classic Car Museum houses hundreds of vehicles with displays including Auburns, Cords, Duesenbergs, Packards, Desotos, Franklins and other favorites from the 1950s and ’60s.  Informative videos, period fashions, WWI & WWII airplane engines, video and more enhance the museum experience.  In addition to the permanent collection, special exhibits are featured throughout the year.

For a full list of museums participating in New York State Museum Week, click here.

“The New York State Council on the Arts is proud to be part of the partnership that has brought Museum Week to citizens and visitors of New York State,” said Mr. Aby Rosen, Chair of the New York State Council on the Arts. “The participating organizations are fine examples of the variety of cultural and artistic expression offered to the general public in a broad array of settings and contexts.  It is not often one can truthfully boast: Museum Week offers something for everyone.”

For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

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Technic Coaster photo by Chip Litherland courtesy of LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group

All photos by Chip Litherland courtesy of LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group

The 2012 summer travel season is here and theme parks from coast to coast are rolling out all-new, ever-daring thrill rides.  For parents hoping that this is the year their child musters the courage to take that first roller coaster adventure, it’s a tough call: do they encourage, bribe or shame their kids into facing their fears?  Or let them decide for themselves?  This summer, LEGOLAND Florida, Central Florida’s newest theme park, is helping families deal with Veloxrotaphobia, or fear of roller coasters, by arming parents with “Roller Coaster Readiness” tips.

Leadership at the park reached out to nationally-recognized psychologist and award-winning author Dr. Susan Bartell to create tools for both guests and employees to help parents manage these challenging situations.

“Our junior roller coasters offer just the right blend of speed and thrill that make LEGOLAND Florida the perfect spot for kids to ride their very first roller coaster,” says Adrian Jones, LEGOLAND Florida general manager.  “But because we know the ‘pink knuckle’ nature of these attractions doesn’t mitigate a first timer’s fears, we wanted to provide resources to parents as well as our model citizens to ensure that every first plunge is a positive experience for the entire family.”

According to Dr. Bartell, there are a host of mistakes parents commonly make when it comes to handling their child’s fear of roller coasters.

“Dismissing a child’s fear, comparing them to a sibling or friend, bribing them with gifts and money, or labeling a child with a negative name based on their reluctance won’t make them any braver,” says Bartell.  “In fact those strategies often cause greater anxiety, and resentment and make them more reluctant, not to mention ruin what should be a great day for the family.”

Brochures featuring the tips will be available online and at the front gate and include things families can do before they leave home and during the day, as well as ways to manage a melt-down and ways to celebrate at the end of the day.

Before Your Trip

Dr. Bartell suggests starting at home with these tips before leaving on the trip.

• Learn Online – Young children (especially those who are anxious), don’t like surprises.  So, visit the theme park’s website with your child and look at the different attractions, discussing how much fun each one will be.
• Tell a Story – Talk to your child about fun roller-coaster experiences that you and other people had when they were kids.  Be as animated, silly and positive as possible.

What to do When You Get to the Park

• Focus on Fun – As you arrive, review the park map and point out all the fun attractions, not just the roller coasters.
• Take it Slow – Invite your child to pick which attractions she most wants to experience.  If she is reluctant to try the roller coasters, begin with at least a couple of her choices.

As the Day Continues…

• Watch and Learn – When some people in your party are eager to try a roller coaster, don’t split up.  Rather, watch the roller coaster ride with your reluctant child, all the time commenting excitedly about how much fun it looks and how happy and excited kids are as they come off the ride.  Point out that kids coming off the ride do not look scared and are not crying.
• Nervous is Normal – Explain that while riding a roller coaster, it is normal to feel a little nervous, scream, close your eyes, and squeeze someone’s hand – in fact, it is part of the fun.  Explain that feeling a bit nervous doesn’t mean you are too scared to go on the roller coaster.

At the End of the Day…

• No Regrets – If your child expresses regret that he didn’t try the roller coaster, don’t make him feel bad.  Now that the day is over, it’s easy for him to ‘be brave.’  Instead, remind him there is always a next time, and that he should focus on the rides he enjoyed and the fun that was had by all.

Thanks to LEGOLAND Florida for providing some good, basic tips to help children make that first roller coaster ride the most fun it can be.  Please leave a comment below with some of your tips and strategies you’ve used or plan to use in your family.  For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

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Tightrope Walker Nik Wallenda breaks Guinness World Record. Photo by Tim Aylen

Nik ”King of the High Wire” Wallenda, is a 7th generation member of the circus dynasty, the “Flying” Wallendas, and has dreamed of walking over the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls on a high-wire since a child.  His preparations will take place daily until May 22 at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel – Wallenda’s home base in Niagara Falls, NY and a major sponsor of the high-wire walk.

The public is invited to watch Wallenda train for free each day from 10:30 am to noon and 3:30 to 5 pm in front of the hotel.  Two cranes – with the reinforcement of stanchions drilled 15 feet into the ground – will support a 1,200-foot long wire that spans the outdoor parking lot and be exactly like the one Wallenda will walk on June 15 – but this practice wire will be placed a reasonable height above the ground.

Jim Wise, senior vice president of marketing for Seneca Casinos, commented:

“Nik Wallenda’s high-wire walk over Niagara Falls is the biggest event to come to Niagara Falls in decades, and we are proud to be the exclusive host site for his training.  The training sessions will allow visitors to get an up-close unique view of Wallenda’s preparation for the feat – so bring a chair or just stand and watch history in the making.  The training timeframe spans two weekends and also includes Canada’s Victoria Day holiday.”

June 15th’s Niagara Falls tightrope walking attempt will be the first since the daredevil stunts were banned over 125 years ago.  The crossing will take place directly over Horseshoe Falls (the largest), a distance of approximately 1,550 feet, and a height of 173 feet above the Falls.  Wallenda has negotiated with US and Canadian authorities (the attempt will cross the international border) for months, and finally got approval to attempt the feat on June 15th.  The event will be broadcast LIVE on the ABC Television Network from 8-11pm on Friday, June 15th.  For more information about Wallenda’s high-wire walk across the falls, go to walkthefalls.com.

Will you be watching Nik Wallenda’s Niagara Falls Daredevil Stunt?  Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think of the attempt.  For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

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Using the “You’re My BFF” app, parents can customize and personalize a heartwarming story about a young girl and her new BFF, a cute and cuddly teddy bear.  See how you can flip through the book, create your very own story by filling out the captions, and share your custom story with your friends on Facebook, Tumblr, or Pinterest now at www.YoureMyBFF.com.  Parents can also visit the What To Expect Facebook page to browse through all of the other stories too.

The ensemble comedy What To Expect When You’re Expecting is conceived from the best-selling “bible of American pregnancy,” and is about five couples whose intertwined lives are turned upside down by the challenges of impending parenthood.  The film stars Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Ben Falcone and Joe Manganiello, and opens nationwide on May 18th.

The red carpet premiere of the film is Monday, May 14th at 9pm ET/6pm PT, and fans can watch the exclusive livestream coverage on E! Online.  Click here to tune in to the livestream coverage.   For more family movie news, follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “Like” our facebook page too.

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