Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom, Author at Traveling Mom

When Can You Book Pandora FastPasses?

Posted by Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom | Jun 1, 2017 | 0 |

Walt Disney World announced exciting information for visitors wishing to get the most out of their Pandora the World of Avatar experience. FastPass+ are here! Bonus: onsite resort guests score exclusive Extra Magic Hours. Here’s when you can book Pandora FastPasses. Pandora the World of Avatar Excitement Have you dreamed about climbing on the back of a banshee? Or maybe floating down a luminescent river? Good news, Avatar fans! Your dreams became a reality with the opening of Animal Kingdom’s new land, Pandora the World of Avatar on May 27, 2017. Here’s how Disney describes the experience: “Floating mountains grace the...

The Complete Guide to Using Rideshare Services in Orlando

Posted by Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom | May 15, 2017 | 0 |

The life of a TravelingMom can mean covering a lot of area in a short period of time. For those trips where you don’t need a full-time ride but do need a way to get around quickly: consider rideshare companies. Candid TravelingMom shares the complete guide to using rideshare services in Orlando when theme park transportation just won’t do! One of the aspects I love about traveling to Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World has to be the fact that you don’t “need” a rental car. Both locations offer plentiful, free transportation to get you and your family...

How To Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Posted by Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom | Apr 6, 2017 | 0 |

New attractions keep old guests returning to theme parks year after year. Well, get your tight pants on, y’all! It’s time to join Hashtag the Panda & the Ragtime Gals for the “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.” It just opened at Universal Orlando Resort. Opened: Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon I remember watching Jimmy Carson with my parents when I was a kid. I made it through the Jay Leno years (yawn). And even had an “Aww, man, really?” moment when it appeared that Conan O’Brien would only host for a year. That aww man turned into...

Girlfriend’s Guide to Universal Orlando

Posted by Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom | Mar 24, 2017 | 1 |

Traveling with the family is great, but traveling with your girlfriends is necessary, says Candid TravelingMom Patty Holliday. She recently traveled to Universal Orlando with two besties, leaving the kids and the mom-guilt behind. What they found at a family-focused theme park may surprise you: it’s not just for kids! Moms looking for pampering, shopping, fantastic dining, and a few thrills need to check out this girlfriend’s guide to Universal Orlando. Universal Orlando for Girlfriends Orlando is one of my favorite travel destinations. Southwest Airlines should pre-fill my destination every time I open the app because it’s a safe bet...

Six Tips for Road Tripping with Teens and Tweens

Posted by Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom | Mar 22, 2017 | 6 |

Road trips are a summer staple for my family. This family of six finds traveling by car the most economical way to get just about anywhere. Be it a short trip across the state or a longer one crossing multiple states, getting there is half the fun. After we get out the door, that is. Teens and tweens can help with that. Here are six tips for road tripping with teens and tweens that I’ve learned over the years. No matter how short the trip or how long we are gone, loading up to leave is always a process...

How Universal Studios Hollywood Is Better Than Disneyland

Posted by Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom | Feb 2, 2017 | 0 |

On a recent road trip to California, Candid TravelingMom Patty Holliday did something rather unusual. She made a stop in Southern California and did not go to Disneyland. This Disney-loving family turned their backs on the Mouse and went to Universal Studios Hollywood instead. Here are the ways that Universal Studios Hollywood is better than Disneyland. How Universal Studios Hollywood Is Better Than Disneyland I know, I know. It’s hard to believe that this ultra Disney fan was breathing the air in Southern California and did NOT go to Disneyland. But it’s true, and even more shocking: Universal Studios...

When You Fall Asleep in One Hotel But Wake Up in Another

Posted by Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom | Jan 6, 2017 | 3 |

When You Fall Asleep in One Hotel But Wake Up in Another On a recent trip to Washington, DC, I found myself planning the hotel arrangements for my family. This is nothing new as I tend to be the planner by nature. But what was quite the shock was the husband’s desire to stay somewhere new. What?! But, but, but…. we’re Hilton people! We are loyalists when it comes to our airlines (we almost always fly Southwest) and to our hotels. It’s a tip Road Warrior TravelingMom Nasreen Stump says is important for frequent travelers. We hardly stray from...

Travel Hack: Know Where To Find Free WiFi On The Road

Posted by Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom | Dec 5, 2016 | 1 |

In this day and age, staying connected is a must. Cell phones and laptops are not mere conviences but necessary tools for most of us. We need digital access, yes, even when we are traveling. One thing that has made life (and the data plan) manageable has been finding free wifi options while on the road. Here are 25 places to find free wifi on the road if you need to make a connected pitstop. Travel Hack: Know Where To Find Free WiFi On The Road Recently I found myself scouring the internet for reliable info: I needed to find...

Five Ways to Save Money When You Travel to Hawaii

Posted by Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom | Nov 10, 2016 | 1 |

I can picture it now: me lying on the beach watching my four children build sand castles and frolic in the Hawaiian surf. What I can’t picture is how I’m going to pay for this little slice of heaven! Next to “expensive” in the dictionary are the words “Hawaiian Family Vacation.” Gulp. But where there’s a will, there’s a way and I’m sharing five ways to save money when you travel to Hawaii today. This is probably not a surprise to anyone, but Hawaii is on my travel bucket list. The surprise might be that it hasn’t always been....

10 Family Friendly Ways to Spend the Holidays in Arizona

Posted by Patty Holliday, Candid TravelingMom | Nov 7, 2016 | 1 |

Winter travel in Arizona doesn’t really bring to mind a Norman Rockwell painting. There are no sleigh rides or white winters. Yet spending the winter holidays in Arizona can still be a beautiful thing! With a multicultural population, you can find festivities influenced by Arizona’s Spanish, Native American and cowboy cultures, creating unique holiday experiences. Here are 10 family friendly holiday events in Arizona you need to know about! Holidays in Arizona I have a confession to make: when I moved to Arizona, I had no idea that the state was diverse and rich with culture. Like many people, I saw...