All Things Wonderful at Carowinds Winterfest

The much-awaited Carowinds Winterfest has finally opened its enchanting door to bring delight, entertainment and tons of Winter wonderland fun to the whole family. If you haven't visited yet, here's an inside look at the fun stuffs to be had at this magical attraction at the park. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, so, feast your eyes!

Unique Handmade Collectible Gifts at Carowinds Winterfest Artisan Alley

After 12 years, Winterfest finally made its magical winter wonderland way back to Carowinds to offer fun and enchantment to each and everyone. An attraction that have been much-anticipated by those who experienced it in 2005, like me - its first and last year. Now the great thing about this year's Winterfest is that it's bigger, it's brighter and it offers more fun options for the family - including an Artisan Alley featuring unique handmade items from local and small business owner designers!

Fun and shopping rolled into one
What more can you ask for? Fun at the park and shopping! These unique items are a great buy even if you're not looking for something special for holiday gifts. Some of them are just worth having. The Artisans will be there until December 30th so, check them out and show them love and support by purchasing an item or two!

5 Myths We Busted At Scarowinds

In the Carolinas, Scarowinds is the ultimate Halloween fun destination where every year, people flock to the park to partake in its yearly transformation from a theme park to a "scream park". However, that wasn't the case for me and my family. For a little scream-worthy confession, I will tell you that for years, we avoided it like a plague - this I'm totally blaming the "chickens" for! Yes, you know, them chickens. Those that instill their fear on you. I bet you know a few of them too.

Now before you go all Judge-y, judge-y with us and the level of our scare meter, you should know that we do love scary schtuffs too. A lot. But, back then, we also have a valid reason for not going, AKA my child was too young and we were afraid there were nothing fun for us there at all. Talk about being misinformed! Then there's the, we kinda, sorta, you know, lost track and kept missing it every year... But, not this year! - oh boy! We missed out on a lot...darn chickens! 

Enjoy The Last Days of Summer at Carowinds Carolina Harbor

The countdown begins until Summer bids us yet again, "adieu!" for the season. But, while the heat lingers and the kids are still home for Summer vacation, taking advantage of Carowinds Carolina Harbor while it's still open is your best approach to saying farewell to Summer, which is likewise, a fun way to start your kids off as they go back to school.

Welcome Summer with a Huge Splash at Carowinds Carolina Harbor Water Park

Carolina Harbor Water park officially opened it's gates to water-loving Carolinians today. A refreshing treat to welcome the arrival of Summer and its sometimes searing southern heat. The park comes to life to help you quench the heat - or drench it - whichever fits, even before it's officially Summer! So, you can just say "Summer, bring it on!"  - Carowind's got you covered.

Carowinds Taste of the Carolinas Makes A Flavorful Comeback

I had the opportunity to experience and savor the tasteful offerings of Taste of the Carolinas at Carowinds right on its opening weekend, and this year, it's a little more special...

A Look Inside Dorothy's Long-Abandoned Emerald City in the Land of Oz Theme Park

North Carolina mountains hides a secret that becomes unhidden in Autumn each year. It's almost as if the trees are lovingly revealing a long-forgotten kingdom at every leaf it drops. Slowly peeling off a blanket of obscurity to open a path for adventurous visitors to find it and take a peek behind the enchanted doors of Oz - and walk, yet again, on those magical, yellow brick road leading to the lost Emerald City.

Our traveler extraordinaire, Ruby, traveled to this enchanted kingdom to give us an inside look. It's about 2 and a half hour away from Charlotte. She was one of the lucky few to snag a ticket to the 3-day only, overly popular-sold-out-so-fast-event this year! If you're jealous... I'm very jealous...

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of "The Great Pumpkin" At Carowinds Great Pumpkin Fest - On Us!

It's hard to believe that October is here. But that just means Fall has come. It also means it's the season for the Great Pumpkin Fest at Carowinds!

This year marks the 50th Anniversary celebration of "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", and Carowinds is celebrating in with their ultimate annual fall festival - The Great Pumpkin Fest! Think super-Halloween-goodness in one fun place.

With that, we want you to be a part of this family-friendly daytime event celebrations that includes Halloween-themed live shows, a pumpkin patch, a hay bale maze, trick-or-treating, a petting zoo and so much more! Your favorite rides will be open during the day, including the award-winning Planet Snoopy kids' area as well.  All this - ON US! 

Our Maiden Voyage with Niagara Fall's Maid of the Mist

American Falls/Niagara Falls 

Niagara Falls is one of my favorite travel destinations. It's an attraction that changes with the season. It takes on a multi-faceted appearance especially during the winter. In spite of its sheer size and raging power, the falls emanates a sense of calming effect that I can't get enough of. And the rushing water exploding on the rocks at the bottom of the falls creating those continuous thick blanket of mist certainly adds to the mystique of these iconic wonder of nature.

After going to this park for years, I decided that this year, it was time for us to get up close and personal with the falls. Time to be a tourist. Not just a "passing by" visitor anymore...

Escape The Intense Heat All Summer Long at Carowind's New Carolina Harbor Waterpark

Summer and Summer heat is upon us - and with a vengeance! It's so hot out there, it's enough to cook a pizza in the open heat! Yes, pizza. Not just eggs anymore. It's pizza! But, don't get caught under all these intense heat and melt - literally. Hiding in the comfort of your air conditioned home is not a very good Summer-long option either. Not with the kids home for the Summer and the inevitable threat of cabin fever - you've got to be kidding yourself if you opt to endure these! - You'll go nuts! Count on it.

But you don't have to. There is no need to. Here's a great option to get your family and your Summer vacation off to a great start, or Summer-long, whichever applies to you. All you need to do is go to Carowind's and take advantage of their new Carolina Harbor Waterpark. Your kids will thank you for it and so will yourself! Best of all, you won't be subjected to the nasty angst of FOMO.

Carowinds Alert: Snag your Season Pass Before Price Hike

Haven't gotten your Season Pass for the year yet? 
Well, you better sprint to Carowinds soon or you'll miss your chance of getting a golden deal on your passes.  The prices of 2016 Season Passes goes up on May 31st.

Disney World's New Disney Springs: An Exclusive look Behind the Wall

Disney Springs Welcome Pedestrian Causeway / Photo : Disney

Downtown Disney No more...
If you frequent Disneyworld or is from Orlando, you probably noticed or heard that Downtown Disney is no longer referred to as such. Rather, it is now aptly called, "Disney Springs". And it's not just the name that changed. Instead, there is a whole redesign and re-imagined shopping overhaul to the town center that will make you feel like you're walking through Florida's historical timeline while enjoying a top of the line shopping experience.

The World Behind The Wall
I was one of the privileged few - thanks to DisneySMMC (Disney Social Media Moms Conference) - to not only step inside the enclosure hiding the new Town Center and final expansion of the new Disney Springs shopping hub but also got a private tour to walk around the site and had a sneak peek on what's in store for the shoppers once it opens. All I'll say is that Shopaholics will surely have the time of their lives once this finally opens to the public!

Disney Social Media Moms: The Magic Happens When You Keep Believing

Life sometimes have a way of teaching us a valuable lesson in the "Keep Believing" department. It's easier to give up on a dream when it seem like there is no possibility of it ever coming true. But in the famous words of Walt Disney himself, "When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable" and of course, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." Which simply means, keep believing... Dreams do come true. And to the tune of Journey's Keep on Believing, here's my version of  keep believing to make you keep believing... Believing in that getting invited to Disney Social Media Moms Conference is really not that impossible - just, well, keep believing...or better yet, just sing it!

Here's the link to the music with original lyrics to sing along to: Keep Believing
Or the Karaoke Style without lyrics: Keep Believing

I'm not a small town girl
Not livin' in a lonely world
We took the morning drive goin' to Disneyworld
Just a New Yorker boy
Born and raised in Buffalo
We took the morning drive goin' to Disneyworld

The Great Pumpkin Fest 2015 Last Hurrah For The Season This Weekend

Girls having fun at the Bubble Machine / Photo: +Maricris G 

This is the last week before Carowinds closes it's spooktacular gates for the season. If you haven't yet, this week is your last chance to go and have fun at The Great Pumpkin Fest with your little and not-so-little-ones. And I should say, this is the best week to go because it's Halloween weekend! A great way to end the season with Carowinds.

Now take a quick look inside The Great Pumpkin Fest to help you plan your visit this weekend. My #1 tip? Bring a change of clothes for the wee ones! You'll need them at the Foam zone. Trust me. You will.

Not showing? Watch directly on our channel: The Great Pumpkin Fest

And if you don't know yet, see what Carowinds have in store for you in 2016! Tons of great additions ahead!

The Great Pumpkin Fest at Carowinds - Charlotte’s Can’t Miss Fall Festival

Photo: Carowinds

Summer is gone but that doesn’t mean the fun is over. The truth is, it’s just getting started. Think of all the fun stuff that fall brings. I can think of a few to get you started. Halloween, Hay Bale Mazes, Pumpkin Patches, Petting Zoo, live shows and the PEANUTS gang, yes, Charlie Brown! - getting excited yet? I am. And you know what? You can have them all - and more - in one place. Yes. One place. Where? The Great Pumpkin Fest  at Carowinds!

The Great Pumpkin Fest 2015 Returns with More Fun Treats And an Awesome Giveaway For You!

Fun inside Mumpkin Patch at Carowinds Pumpkin Fest in 2013

UPDATE: Winners have been chosen. Thank you to all who entered.

Summer is almost over and and I'm starting to see lots of ORANGE, yes, orange - that infamous color of Fall which also signifies the appearance of that mighty, round orange vegetable: The Great Pumpkin that Linus totally believed in, and of course, the arrival of Halloween! Now there's no need to be like Linus to experience the fun and adventure of the Great Pumpkin. If you want it, you can have it all in one place. Where? Nowhere else but at Carowinds The Great Pumpkin Fest! And guess what? I'm going to give you access to experience it all - for free.

Carowinds Big SEAcret is Out and Here's An Inside Look! (Video)

Yes! The big SEAcret is out and we're giving you an exclusive sneak peek inside Carowinds exciting additions to the park! Revealed on Thursday during their media event attended by yours truly, VIP's, News, Media and loyal fans, the changes coming to the theme park in 2016 will surely make the theme park your family's top destination next Summer. Take a look!


The transformation of Carowinds began in 2015 with the addition of Fury 325.

5 Ah!-mazing Reasons Why Carowinds is One of My Top Family Destinations to Beat the Heat This Summer

Aerial view of Carowinds / Photo: +Maricris G 

I can't believe the heatwave upon heatwave Charlotte is currently experiencing. It's unreal but there's no denying it - the heat is quite real alright! It's so hot out here, I almost want to live in the water just to escape it! Now that I think about it, I guess I could, some way, somehow. I could go to the beach but the closest one is at least 3 hours away and that would only give me at least a week to enjoy it. Or, I can always go to my community's pool, but nah. It's too small and pretty crowded most of the time, there's just no way to enjoy even a short dip. So, what to do? Why what else, but go to Carowinds! It might be the best solution at this point. Here's why:

A Day of Royalty at the Carolinas Renaissance Festival

It's that time of the year again when Wenches, Sires and Majesties comes to life from the inanimate past to a makeshift kingdom teeming with adventure and entertainment for everyone in the Carolinas. Visiting the Renaissance Festival every year have almost become a pilgrimage for my family. We love going and it's always a different experience each year. It's also the only time my daughter and I get to eat... Turkey legs! - And see some legs! HUZZAH!

Photo of the Day: Turkey Legs

Here ye, Here ye! See the Turkey Legs! These Turkey legs are a big hit at the Carolinas Renaissance Festival and rightly so! They are huge, meaty and delish! It's so big, it's enough for a full meal. Even my daughter and I had to share this one leg because that's how big it can get. It sure is a treat and when you're at the Renaissance Festival, you gotta have one! Or your experience is not complete. And don't worry, it's Ok devouring the leg like a Renaissance man or Wench. It's the best way to do it when you're at RenFest! Have you had one yet?