Monday, November 30, 2009

Welcome Charlotte, North Carolina to Travel BaBees


In honor of the Charlotte, North Carolina Travel BaBees location opening on December 1st, let's talk about Christmas in North Carolina!

Who wouldn't want to spend time in North Carolina, and what better time of year to go there than Christmas? The temperatures are moderate, the scenery is beautiful, and there is nothing in the world like a Southern Christmas.

If you live in the State, you've probably already visited Christmas Town, USA (otherwise known as McAdenville, NC).  The entire town lights up, and it's free for visitors.  Everything lights up tomorrow, December 1st.

The Biltmore Estate in Ashville is a must see at Christmas time.  An American castle, this home was built in 1859 by George Vanderbilt.  Still family owned, this is the most beautiful place to visit at Christmas time.  Until January 2nd, visit one of their Candlelit evenings for a true Christmas experience.

Sometimes, looking for a Christmas tree is an adventure in itself! North Carolina has an estimated 50 million Fraser fir trees, and you can find the perfect one for Christmas on a day out at a tree farm with your family.  Visit A White Christmas Tree Farm where you can pick out what they fondly call, "The Cadillac of Christmas Trees," a Fraser Fir.

No matter where you go in North Carolina this Christmas, be sure to leave the baby gear at home and reserve a rental from Travel BaBees.  We take the stress out of traveling with your kids!  Happy Christmas!


Storkcraft Crib Recall

Travel BaBees would like to acknowledge the recent crib recall by Stork Craft and advise our customers that we do not currently use nor rent the StorkCraft brand.

The CPSC states 'We urge parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs, wait for the free repair kit, and do not attempt to fix the cribs without the kit.

'They should find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

'Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side.'

If you are waiting for your repair kit, Travel BaBees has crib rentals on a weekly basis.  Please contact us or fill out a reservation form to reserve yours today.

For more information on the crib recall, visit http://www.storkcraft.com or follow them on twitter at http://twitter.com/StorkCraft

Monday, November 23, 2009

Dream the impossible dream - Saving money at Disneyland this holiday season



If you've got children, you know that you will walk over coals to make them happy.  Although some parents opt to avoid the occasional stress involved in taking their kids on a major trip, others realize that traveling is a learning experience that opens up new worlds to your children.  Once you realize that you would like to plan a family vacation, it's not difficult to narrow down the choice of destination.  Ask your child where they want to go this year, and chances are they will say "Disneyland."

Who couldn't love this mecca of happiness? For kids, it's a chance to jump into a fairytale of dreams comes true and wishes realized. Parents love the chance to see their baby's face light up when they meet a Princess or a Galactic Hero.  For a family vacation, it's a win-win situation. The only downside? Disney will empty your pocketbook faster than an electronics store at Christmas. 

If you want to do Disneyland this holiday season, you are going to need some solid advice on saving money.  Yes, it can be done.  You just need to know where to look for answers:

  • Food is important. Make eating part of your plans: Yes, it sounds ridiculous.  Of course you have to eat! The real question is where are you going to eat? It's all too easy to just grab something at the park, and they do have a wide variety of items to choose from.  If you want to save money on eating, plan on grabbing one major meal outside of the park.  As dinner is by far the most expensive meal of the day, leave the park at 4 pm and head out to a local restaurant.  There are many options nearby, including buffets, pizza, and fast food.  Keep in mind that breakfast is often provided by many local hotels, so that will save you money as well. 
  • Avoid the extras that aren't really necessary: Souvenirs are an important part of any holiday, but do you really need those extra fridge magnets? Clothing and costumes in the park cost extra above and beyond what you would pay on the Disney web site.  Come to the park prepared with your Tinkerbell shirt already on and your daughter's Cinderella gown pressed and ready to wear.  
  • Know where to go for great deals: Not everyone knows that there are thousands upon thousands of dedicated Disney fans that post to Facebook and Twitter every single day.  Find out the best place to eat lunch, the best price on a character breakfast, and the sneaky little places to save on coffee or hot dogs. Keeping up with these folks can also let you in on secret places in Disney and the quietest times of the year to visit.  To find them, search on Twitter under "Disney"
  • Rent your baby gear before you go:  This is important, because stroller rentals at Disney will cost you a minimum of $15 per day for one stroller and $25 per day for two.  Disney no longer rents double strollers.  Save yourself money and give yourself the gift of convenience by renting your stroller through Travel BaBees.  We have double, single, and jogging strollers.  Delivered straight to your hotel, it really is your best bet for a full week stay at Disney. 
You really can't beat a trip to Disneyland, and going prepared is your best option for relaxing and having a great time with your kids.  

Enjoy the lights, the magic, and the enchantment that is Disneyland this holiday season. 




Monday, November 16, 2009

Preparing yourself for your next trip: Bring on the disinfectant wipes!

When I first went to Disneyland in 1977, people could still smoke on airplanes. I was fairly little, but I remember quite clearly the ash trays that were on the airplanes and the cloud that hung over the ceiling.  As a parent, it's a relief to me that you can no longer have a cigarette on airplanes, but it seems now we have bigger fish to fry than just pesky old second hand smoke.  For days before a flight, I lay awake at night stressing over taking my kids on the airplane.  Why? Not because of a fear of flying (which I have wholeheartedly), but instead because of germs.

Yes, anti-germ phobia has taken over the country.  We all carry our hand sanitizer in our pockets for protection, and flu shots are a hot topic no matter what state or city you live in.  And yet, the holidays are upon us and we need to be able to travel with our kids and not hide out until the next wave of the flu rears it's ugly head. The quickest means of getting from point A to point B? Air travel.

Airplanes, those meccas of quick transport, carry hundreds of people every single day.  With each person boarding, they bring their own special brand of germs.  Germs spread when you touch things or cough and sneeze without covering your mouth, and although I will hit the deck if I see someone not being careful with their sneezes, my kids may walk straight into someone else's germ cloud.  Yes, it's a difficult environment to be in when you are trying to avoid illness, but there are things you can do to protect yourself and your children during travel and flu season this year:

  • Carry anti-bacterial wipes the same way you would carry baby wipes - Keep them in a ziploc baggie in your purse and upon entering your seats, wipe down everything that your kids can touch.  Most wipes remove 99% of the germs on surfaces, so you can rest easy after your kids make a grab for the inflight magazines or tray table. Wipe down the seat belts, windows, and even the fabric on the seat.  The person across the aisle may think you are crazy, but they will be sneezing in a few days and your kids won't be. 
  • Drink a lot, and encourage your kids to drink a lot - Ask for orange juice or the kids and tea for you.  Of course, with large amounts of beverage consumption also comes...
  • Bathroom breaks - Once again, bring along your anti-bacterial wipes and your own container of anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.  A travel bottle of Purell is small enough to bring on the airplane. Once in the bathroom, wipe down everything before letting your child use the facilities. 
  • Don't use airline blankets or pillows if offered.  Generally these items are no longer on flights due to the spread of the flu, but if you are offered, say no. 
  • If your child falls asleep, cover his or her head with your sweater.  At the very least, this will filter out some of the air as they sleep.
  • Avoid coming into contact with numerous baggage handlers by leaving your car seats and strollers at home.  Without the extra baggage, you can go straight in and straight off the airplane.  Renting car seats and strollers from Travel BaBees means you have clean, sanitized equipment delivered straight to you.  You won't have to wonder how many people grabbed it and threw it around. 
Yes, the flu epidemic has turned us all into germaphobes, but it is definitely better to be safe than sorry.  You won't stress as much about your children picking up bugs from your next trip if you come prepared.  Happy traveling!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

San Diego and Orlando Travel BaBees opening this month!

It just became that much easier to enjoy your favorite sunny destination with your kids this winter.  Travel BaBees is happy to announce the opening of our San Diego and Orlando locations!

Yes, you can save money on your trip to Orlando.   Rent a double stroller from Travel BaBees for your entire stay and you will avoid spending $31 per day for a double stroller at  DisneyWorld.

San Diego has sunshine, surf, and the fun attractions like the San Diego Zoo. Whether you are walking the dunes or driving down the coastline, Travel BaBees of San Diego has gear for you.

Drop us a line or give us a call for all of your holiday needs!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Airline travel: Striking fear into parents hearts everywhere


This fall has been more stressful than usual for parents across the country. We've had to deal with the H1N1 pandemic, resulting in our worry every single time our kids sniff or sneeze. Resign yourself to the fact that your monthly budget must expand to include exciting extras such as Purell and Anti-bacterial soap, at least for the next few months.

Just when we've started to relax slightly, WHAM! We're hit with the upcoming holiday season. Yes, it snuck up on us again. The celebration of Thanksgiving on November 26th begins a month long holiday bonanza that will include parties, family get-togethers, and the two words that cause parents to recoil in horror: Airline travel.

If you've been watching the news in the past month, you will have already heard of the mom and screaming toddler that were escorted off SouthWest Airlines because the child would not settle down. Any parent can imagine being in the same situation.

Traveling with your kids can't be said to be a fun experience, but many, many Americans pack up their kids and their suitcases to travel across the country to be with family and friends. Given how stressful it is to handle your children in large places such as airports and small places such as airplanes, how can you avoid the pitfalls along the way? Planning is key to avoiding some of the stress. Not unlike a commando going into war, plan your itinerary item by item and right down to the last detail.

Need some help? Travel BaBees is here with a few quick tips that will take some of the stress out of your upcoming air travel.

Tip#1 - Pack light and leave unnecessary objects at home
Do you know what it is like to wrestle your car seat from the grasps of the luggage carousel? Or even worse, go through the frustration of hauling your car seats into the airport only to have them get lost when you arrive? It's frustrating beyond belief, especially after a long day of switching flights and dealing with cranky, claustrophobic kids. Leave your car seats in your car and avoid this stress by renting them at your destination from Travel BaBees.

Tip #2 - Decide where your child will sleep before you get there
If you've ever asked your parents what it was like to travel with you, they'll tell you that they just put a blanket down on the floor and you'd pass out anywhere. I laugh when I hear this, because my kids would take one look at that blanket and recoil in horror. After a long day of flying, planning for where your child will sleep is important. Whether you are at a hotel or Grandma's house, having a comfortable bed will help you avoid the long, sleepless nights (for you!) that a cranky, uncomfortable child will bring when in a strange environment. If you have a baby, rent a fully equipped crib. Your fussy toddler will feel right at home in a toddler bed. Making their transition as comfortable as possible is important when traveling, especially when dealing with jet lag.

Tip #3 - You may not believe this, but leave your stroller at home
This tip is often met with stunned expressions. You paid a lot of money for your specialized stroller. It is the carrier of your child, the holder of your extras, and you can check it at the gate. Why on earth would you leave it at home?

I have two words for you: Baggage Handlers

Yes, these experienced airline professionals will check your stroller at the gate, and occasionally it will come back unscathed, but more often than not they aren't that gentle with your prized piece of equipment. I've seen strollers come back with the plastic casing cracked, with one wheel rolling away when you set it back up again, and with fabric seats ripped beyond repair. Think that is frustrating? Have you ever tried to file a claim against the airline for a destroyed stroller? You'll be waiting months for that cheque.

If you want to keep your expensive stroller intact, leave it at home. Travel BaBees can deliver a stroller to your destination, so all you have to do is grab it and go.

Yes, flying with your children is scary enough to make you want to stay home. Fortunately for traveling parents everywhere, Travel BaBees is there to lighten your load.

You too can enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner, no matter where you have it this year.