Review of U.S. Botanical Garden

Location:  3rd Street Downtown Washington D.C. by the Capitol

December 28, 2013

http://www.usbg.gov/

Exhibits:  From Thanksgiving to early January is the annual Christmas trains exhibition, "Season's Greenings." There are replicas of famous buildings made from natural materials like wood, moss, pine cones, etc. Also you can see a lot plants and festive Christmas decorations. Check the website, sometimes they have live music in the evenings.

Price:   Free

How we got there:  Metro to Federal Center SW station.  It's only 3 blocks from there.  Exit the station, walk north (left) along Third Street SW for two blocks, cross Independence Avenue and continue one more block to Maryland Avenue. Look toward the Capitol and you will see the glass dome of the Conservatory. The Conservatory entrance is on Maryland Avenue.  Don't get off at the Smithsonian stop and walk, it's a long way.

Rating:  4 stars because metro is very tedious, but gardens are great.

Most Interesting Thing I learned:  They make intricate sculptures with raw (natural) resources.

US Botanical Gardens in Washington D.C
  If you go on a nice day during the train display it can be crowded, but the line went pretty fast when we were there.  Each year they have a different theme for the train display, in 2012 it was Fairies and this year it was World's Fair.  There is also some kind of scavenger hunt for kids to find different plants and then stamp a passport, but we didn't do that because there were so many people.  Certain rooms like the jungle room are too dark to get any good pictures, Adventure Kid and I found this out the hard way.  They do have a children's garden but it was closed when we were there.    In the main part of the greenhouse there are displays of the monuments and important buildings in D.C.  People are always trying to get pictures here so it's pretty chaotic.  I'd recommend going to see the Christmas display and the trains because it's amazing how much work they put into this and how beautiful they make it look.  If you like plants I'd recommend going back when they don't have this exhibit anyway so you can get around easier and see everything else.

  Oh, I almost forgot.  The water in the water fountains is terrible, don't get me wrong, some people might like their water tasting like rust but I don't.  They don't have a gift shop and they don't sell any drinks here. 

Thanks to Guest Blogger Adventure Kid - for some of these great photos and helping me write this review! 
 

Let's board Tomas The Train Engine's friend Toby

2013 Display - Seattle Space Needle

 US Capitol - Everybody wants to take a picture of this

US Supreme Court

 2012 Display - Fairy Castle

2012 Display - Fairy House

Review of Thames and Kosmos Chem C1000 Chemistry Set

Location: My house! I got the Thames and Kosmos Chem 1000 Chemistry Set for Christmas

December 26, 2013

website: http://www.thamesandkosmos.com/products/chem/chem2.html

Price: about 60$.  Check Amazon.com

Best For: 10 and up, that's what the box says. Most 10 year olds would like watching the experiments, but the process part will be more interesting to kids that are really interested in science.  You have to be able to follow directions exactly. Little kids shouldn't mess with this.  It helps to have a parent with a background in science.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars so far

Most Interesting thing I learned: It's going to take a while to finish, there are 126 experiments, but it's very fun so far.

Thames and Kosmos Chem 1000 Chemistry Set

There is a long introduction before you start.  It was pretty boring, but I'm glad I paid attention.  My Dad and I are slowly working our way through the experiments.  We try to do a few each night.  Check the directions, the kit doesn't give you everything you need.  You need stuff like white vinegar and mineral water.  Some of the experiments have to sit overnight before you can continue. Read the whole experiment before you start.  Do them in order because everything you learn from one experiment will help you with the next one.  Sometimes you make a solution in one experiment and us it in the next one.  I don't think I can blow up the house with this.  I really enjoy it but I have only completed about 4 experiments.  I'm going to add more information and a few videos of my favorite experiments soon.

Here's what the kit looks like from the outside

 Here's what's inside.  They give you a special tool, but still the tubes of chemicals are pretty hard to open.

Review of Disney Magic Kingdom

Location: Orlando, Florida

August 17-24, 2013

website:  disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/magic-kingdom/

Attractions:   It's a theme park for families.

Price: It varies depending on how many days you go, but it isn't cheap

How we got there: Airplane to Orlando then rental car

Best For: All ages but I think the little ones - up to 8 years old - will like it a bit more

Rating:  4 1/2 stars, they need some bigger roller coasters

 Rainbow over the Castle at Magic Kingdom

Most Interesting thing I learned: I like Magic Kingdom again! I almost stopped going because the rides and stuff are mostly for little kids. Then they put the new "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom" card game in, now people from age four to grandpas come just to play this game, but more on that later.

Space Mountain
  This roller coaster tries to be realistic, you go on a mission to space with lots of drops and turns. The roller coaster isn't smooth.  My Mom doesn't like it because it rattles all her teeth.  The one in Disneyland is smoother.  This is a roller coaster in the dark, it goes pretty fast and you can't see where you are going.   You don't sit side by side, you sit in a row. Being by themselves in the seat freaks some kids out.


Thunder Mountain  
  This roller coaster isn't as scary as Space Mountain, you can see where you are going.  It's fun to be on this one when the fireworks are going off, there is no wait and you can ride and see fireworks at the same time.  It starts off in a cave, there are fake bats and it's pretty loud. People are laughing and having a good time on this one, it's not scary for little kids.

  
Splash Mountain
  There is a good chance you will get splashed on this ride, especially if you are on the front.  The rest of the ride you float around a river with singing frogs and little animals. There are two small drops that are no big deal and one big one. We went on it once with 2 kids, their Mom didn't ride with them.  One of the kids was afraid of the dark, and going down drops.  He spent most of the ride trying to get out, we kept telling him he couldn't.  When it went down the big drop at the end he was screaming and my Dad had to hold him in his seat.  We should have bought that picture.

Country Bear Jamboree
  This is a 20 minute show were animated robot bears sing.  It's great if you need to be somewhere air conditioned for a while.  The show is cute, they tell corny jokes.  

Haunted Mansion
  This might scare younger children but there isn't a height limit.  At first you go into a room that's an elevator, the lights go out and there is a scream.  You want to be near the picture of a lady on a tightrope over an alligator since that's where the exit is.  Everybody gets shoved into a small space to go to the place to get on the carts, it would be easy to get separated from a little kid here.    You ride along in a black, round cart, 2 regular sized parents and one kid is the limit.  Nothing really pops out in your face, but you do go slowly backwards at one point. There are skeletons in a graveyard that sing, part of the story that you see is about a woman that marries men and kills them.  Younger kids might not get this.  At the end they project a ghost into your cart and say he will follow you home. 


Little Mermaid Ride
  It's the same kinds of carts as the Haunted Mansion only they look like clams.  It's really cute, it tells the story of the Little Mermaid.  The "Under the Sea" section is really fun.  There is usually a line for this, go during the fireworks.  At Disneyland there is no line at all for this.

Speedway  
  Drive a fake race car on a track.  I'm really bad at driving these and it makes my Dad laugh and say "I can't wait until you get your license."   They don't let smaller kids drive alone.

Tea Cups
  Spin till your parents think they will barf. 

Be our Guest Restaurant
  This is very cool, you eat in the ballroom of the Beast's Castle and the west wing.  At one end of the ballroom there are windows and it's snowing outside. The Beast will walk through once or so during your meal, and you can take a picture with him on your way out.  The food is very good.  You can even try the "Grey Stuff," it's delicious.  You have to make reservations very far in advance for dinner, if you have less than 90 days you can try to have lunch there but there will be a big line.

Also in this area is a shop that sells Beauty and the Beast things, and Gaston's Tavern.  It looks like it does in the movie, with a big chair for Gaston.  Gaston comes and walks around the fountain in front of the tavern sometime.

The Grey Stuff

Update:  The Grey Stuff 2014, there is a Brownie underneath the icing.

Crystal Palace Restaurant
  This is really good for kids, because it has Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore and Piglet that come by for pictures and have a parade for the kids.  It's a buffet meal, and it's pretty expensive and it's not a quick meal.  If you're looking for something faster and cheaper, try Peco's Bill's Tall Tale Inn. Again, you'll need reservations unless you are going at a time when it's not busy.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card Game
  Each person that comes in the park can get 5 cards for free to play the game, plus a key card to keep track of the game and a map to show you where the portals are. You can get the cards at the Fire Station on Main Street, if that's too crowded go to the Christmas shop in Liberty Square.  The card station is right behind it.  You go to the portal and hold up your key card on the lock, the game shows a video to tell the story of villains taking over Magic Kingdom and you have to stop them by holding up cards. You can play the game at the beginner level with the free cards no problem.  There is some strategy that is involved at the higher levels.  You can also buy packs of cards plus one power card in the Emporium for $13.95.  The power cards are the best and will help you defeat the villains quicker.
  People sit at tables in the back of the Tortuga Tavern and trade cards.

 

Here's what a portal looks like before you activate it.  Just like part of the wall.

Here's what a portal looks like after you activate it.

 

They sell this book to keep your cards in.  Who wants to drag this around a theme park?  Get a 80 card collectable storage book at a collectable card store AKA Nerd Central Station.   They also sell 80 card books in the Japanese section at Epcot.

Review of It'Sugar - Candy Store in Washington D.C.

Location: 714 7th St NW
(between N H St & N G St)
Washington, DC 20001

September 7, 2013

website: http://www.itsugar.com/

Attractions:  A candy store with cool stuff

Price: Very expensive candy here, it adds to about $12.00 a pound, don't go wild

How we got there:  Metro to Metro Center, then we walked a few blocks to Verizon Center

Best For: Middle school and up, some of the candy and magnets have some pretty mature stuff printed on it. The whole store is not really for little kids.

Rating: 4 stars

Most Interesting thing I learned: You can buy a Rice Crispie treat that's as big as a doormat.

You can buy all sorts of different candy buy the pound, they have lip gloss in strange flavors and lots of trinkets with funny sayings.  I'd' go there for some cute trinket for a friend, but I'd buy my candy at Target.

 

Here's the front of It'Sugar

 

You can get a 5 pound Gummy Bear

Here's a big box of Nerds

Review of Universal Studios Islands of Adventure

Location: Orlando, Florida

August 17- 24, 2013

website:  https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Parks/Islands-of-Adventure.aspx

Attractions:  Harry Potter World, Water rides, Voyage of Sinbad show, etc. 

Price: It varies, but it's not cheap.  If you are going more than 2-3 days a year it's better to get season passes.  Don't buy a 2 park pass if you are going to spend all day in one park.  We saw some people who bought a 2 park pass and spent all day in Universal Studios, by the time they got to Island's of Adventure it had closed.  These parks don't usually stay open late.

How we got there: Airplane to Orlando then rental car

Best For: 6 and up- but there is a Suessland for the littler kids

Rating: 5 stars for Harry Potter, 4 1/2 everywhere else.

Most Interesting thing I learned: I get taller and shorter throughout the day. You're probably wondering about the statement so here it is. I walk in to Harry Potter World, excited because the height tester at the entrance showed I was tall enough to ride Dragon's Challenge and the Incredible Hulk.  So I stand under the height tester at Dragon's Challenge.  I'm tall enough, I go on the coaster and I love it.  A few hours later my family walks over to the Hulk, I'm so happy because I've never been before and my Dad has been telling me how great it is.  I get under that height tester and I'm close to 1 inch too short.  The worker isn't at all interested in the fact that I measured 52" at Dragon's Challenge and sends me off.  The moral of this story is, if you are close to 52" watch out.

Important tip:  At Universal they make you check your backpacks on all the good rides.  Anything other than a pair of glasses or a hat has to go in the lockers.  If it doesn't fit in your pocket it can't go on the ride.  The lockers are free, and you can use them for a half hour, but it's a hassle getting your stuff in and out, especially if the lines are short and you want to go on the ride again.

You really get wet on the Popeye Water Ride. Wear ponchos, don't forget your ponchos, seriously, you are going to need a poncho for this, one more thing, BRING A PONCHO.  A big plastic bag to put your stuff in is a good idea.  They have a spot in the center of the rafts to store stuff but it's not going to keep everything totally dry.  It's at least twice as long as any other raft ride I've been on.  Other raft rides might get one or two people in the raft wet, this gets everybody wet and then gets them wet again.  And again.

You are going to get wet on the Dudley Do Right sawmill ride too.  The big drop is bigger than any regular other log ride at other parks.

Dr. Doom's Drop Tower is the world's lamest ride.  They probably spent millions of dollars on the decor to make it scary, "Turn back, you're going to die."  The ride is very disappointing, you think this is going to be soooo scary, the ride shooms up very fast.  My Dad is laughing which means he's having a good time.  We stop not even halfway up the tower, and at zero miles per hour we go down, back up and then back down no faster than a slug.  I've been on elevators that have moved faster than this.  If you are serious about enjoying thrill rides as I am, don't bother with this one.

I wouldn't know about The Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster because some meanie wouldn't let me on, but from the looks of it, and what my Dad told me it's a really fast roller coaster that goes upside down has lots of drops and is great fun. It looks like you get splashed, but you really don't.  Get in front if you want to see where you are going, the line is longer to get those seats.

Spiderman is a motion simulator ride, the cars go up and down and spin, you wear 3D glasses.  It's a combination of movie and scenery. The layout is a lot like Transformers but it has a better story. Younger kids might be better off without the 3D glasses so they won't get scared.  You can still see what's happening on the screen, it's just not as freaky. Great for fans of the ultimate Spiderman TV show on Disney XD.

Harry Potter World
#1 must do ride, The Forbidden Journey is pretty much the first 3 Books/Movies of the Harry Potter series.  It's a motion simulator that seats 4, you see a combination of movies and scenery.  You don't go upside down, but you do go on your back.  This ride can freak out people who are afraid of spiders, heights, dragons breathing hot fire in their face, or ghostly dementors. You might need to shut your eyes in some parts.  Flying around the Quidditch tournament and flying up to Hogwarts at the end of the ride are great fun and very realistic.

If you don't go on the ride, you can still walk through the castle for a tour, this is worth it as it is very cool.  You can see the sorting hat, Dumbledore's office, the gardening area and the talking pictures, One of the classrooms has a dragon skeleton hanging from the ceiling, and it snows every once in a while in that room.


#2 must do ride, Dragon's Challenge is a real roller coaster, it goes upside down and is pretty smooth.  It's very fast. It is a long walk to the ride,and it gets pretty dark sometimes it gets hard to see.

Flight of the Hippogriff is a very tame roller coaster, it's pretty much a Barnstormer if you have been to Magic Kingdom. But towards the end of the day the line gets much longer than the line should be for such a short ride.

The whole area is interesting, they have the engine to the Hogwarts express for pictures.  You can try out wands in Olivander's where they have a little show and one person get's picked to try out wands in the show. If its a hot day you will have a long hot wait.  They have good food at the Three Broomsticks.  If you look carefully you can see the shadows of owls flying around. There is a candy shop, and lots of places to buy souvenirs.  Don't forget to try the Butterbeer.  The frozen kind is really good,  it tastes like butterscotch soda, it's very sweet.  The women's bathroom is haunted by Moaning Myrtle. You can hear her telling stories and complaining.

Hogwarts

Sorting Hat

Honeyduke's Candy Shop

Sinbad Show - Every time I go to Islands of Adventure, I try to see the Sinbad show because it's soooo good.  It has a lot of stunts and explosions, there are loud noises that might scare very young children.  There is a splash zone, but there is just a little splashing.  It's a 4 1/2 star show, it's an action comedy romance. They've got a hero, brave princess, sidekick and bad guys. Stay at the end of the show, you can have your picture taken with the cast, but be one of the last people to get your picture taken with the villains or else water from their masks will get dumped on your head.

We eat at Mythos - it's a sit down restaurant that's really good.  I like the decor, it's an interesting design to show gods and goddesses.  They will give you a guide to show you who is were.  They have very good tomato soup and bread.  My Dad likes the risotto, and all of the desserts, the service is friendly and the waiters will give you lots of good information about the park.

 I don't think it's a good for a restaurant to have a guy puking on the front

Jurassic Park Playground is a good place to run around.  There are lots of nets and places to squirt water on people.

The Fight of the Pterodactyl is a fun ride, it's not scary if you aren't afraid of heights,  but it can only take 2 people at a time so the line is really, really, really, really long.  Go on this first thing.  You have to bring an adult to ride with you.

Review of Universal Studios Orlando

Location:  Orlando, Florida

August 17-24, 2013

Website: https://www.universalorlando.com/

Attractions:  The Mummy's Revenge Roller Coaster,  Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket, Animal Show, ET Ride, Simpson's land etc. etc.

Price: It varies, but it's not cheap.  If you are going more than 2-3 days a year it's better to get season passes.  Don't buy a 2 park pass if you are going to spend all day in one park.  We saw some people who bought a 2 park pass and spent all day in Universal Studios, by the time they got to Island's of Adventure it had closed.  These parks don't usually stay open late.

How we got there: Airplane to Orlando then rental car

Best For: 6 and up

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Most Interesting thing I learned:  The Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket line is always longer than it looks.

Universal Studios Orlando

Important tip:  At Universal they make you check your backpacks on all the good rides.  Anything other than a pair of glasses or a hat has to go in the lockers.  If it doesn't fit in your pocket it can't go on the ride.  The lockers are free, for a half hour but it's a hassle getting your stuff in and out, especially if the lines are short and you want to go on the ride again.

The Transformer's ride is pretty hard to take seriously if you are a girl.  It's a ride where you sit in a little box with 16 other people and wear 3D glasses.  It moves on a track, but it's not a roller coaster, it's a motion simulator.  Every time I saw Octimus Prime I almost laughed my head off because it looked so stupid.  They kept telling us we had to protect some diamond while giant robots punched each other and then turned into trucks. This ride had a huge line because it just opened, go in the single rider if you are dying to ride it.  If you want to go on a ride like this with your family, go on Spiderman in the next park over.  At the end of the ride they say "The world thanks you." and then you get dumped in the gift shop.  It's a bad ride based on a bad movie.  I don't recommend it.

Simpson's Land just opened when we got there and it's a must see.  Everything looks so real, it's exactly like the TV show.  They have a food court inside and behind Moe's.  There is one new ride the "Twirl and Hurl" If you are looking to spin, this is not the ride you want to go on.  It does not twirl, and I didn't feel a bit sick after going on it.  It's a disgrace to it's name.  The actual Simpson's ride cracks my father up.  This is a must ride.  It's a motion simulator and a comedy for all ages.  Look out for the quote "No one ruins my vacation but me, and maybe the boy."

My favorite ride is the Mummy's Revenge.  Younger kids might find this ride a bit scary, because of how real they make the mummy look.  I find the waiting line scarier than the ride.  I think it's the second most thrilling ride in the park.  It's one of the smoothest roller coasters so it's easy for people that don't like roller coasters.  Even my mother loves this one, and she hates lots of roller coasters.  It goes backwards, at one point you think it's over but it's not.  There is a lot of fire effects and robot mummies.  When you think the ride is over, and it starts up again, make the "FACE OF FEAR" to the camera on your right when you go down the drop.

The kids area has a Barney Play section that I haven't been into because I'm 10 and it might give me a rash.  I'm not sure little kids know who Barney is anymore.  The rest of the Mouse playground is pretty fun, it has a giant waterslide.  If you don't want to get wet, pull back on the handlebars the entire time.  Some of the areas are specifically for younger kids and they keep older, bigger kids out.  This includes the ball pit and the bounce house.  There is a Woody Woodpecker roller coaster that is pretty much like the Barnstormer at Magic Kingdom.  It goes up, down and swerves to both sides.  It's a good first roller coaster ride for little kids.

The ET ride is pretty much a cross between Peter Pan and the Little Mermaid, with aliens.  The waiting area is like being in the movie.  Before you get on the ride, you get a card and it puts your name in a computer, if you are lucky, ET will say your name and that you're his friend at the end of the ride.   

The Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket is a great ride, but it starts off going straight up and that makes me uneasy.  For littler kids it's really hard to pull the safety bar over and down, the workers have to get it.  You get to pick songs from 2 different categories. Pick it quick, if you have to mess with your safety belt you might not have time to pick and a random song will come on.

Men in Black might scare little kids, especially if they are afraid of alien monsters, but it is loads of fun and very true to the first movie.   There is lots of interesting stuff to look at while you are walking to the ride. This is a target shooting game, it spins at one point but it isn't a roller coaster.  It doesn't go very fast.  Shoot as many of the aliens as you can, the world depends on it!  Push the red button the second you are told to get 100,000 more points. At the end they "erase" your memory just like in the movie, and let me tell you, it works, I had no clue what happened and had to ask my Mother. 

My Dad really likes the Blue's Brother's show, across from the Mummy Ride.  People my parents age and older dance around like loons in the street.  I like the show but I haven't seen the movie.

The Beetlejuice show is good for kids who like classic rock sung by monsters. 

The animal show is worth seeing.

The best place to have lunch is on Fisherman's Wharf, they have a big fish tank in the restaurant.

They are building a new Harry Potter Ride in the park, that looks like it will be very cool.  We saw a You Tube video of an animated version of the ride but it looks like it's been removed.

Tips for Kids - Orlando Theme Park Vacation

If your family is only going to go to Disney once or twice ever, kids should be 6 or 7.  If you are only going to Universal, kids should be 8-9.  Legoland is good for kids 10 and under, or kids who like Legos no matter what age they are.  They have playgrounds and rides kids can go on by themselves.

Check what days the parks will be open and plan out what you are going to do each day.  Sometimes they have parties for an extra fee at Magic Kingdom and it closes at 7:00 for everybody else.  The Universal parks don't stay open late, Epcot always closes at 9:00.  You don't want to be surprised if you go to the park on the day it's going to close early.  You also don't want to miss out if a park that usually closes early stays open late.

NEVER go on Spring Break, it's too crowded and the first line you'll be in is a line to walk to another line.

Take a travel blanket for the plane, even in the summer they can be cold.  Also it's good for the hotel room.

You can take your own water and snacks into Disney and Universal parks.  I strongly suggest this is as food is pricey.  If you have a fridge in your room, freeze the water bottle so it stays cool all day.  Any of the drink stands will give you ice water for free.

Wear comfy shoes - you're going to walk a lot, we once walked 12 miles in a day.  Croc's are good for the plane.  They are also good if it's going to rain during the day as your feet won't stay wet.

Most likely you will go to one park each day, save your money and don't buy the park hopper passes.  It takes a while to leave one park and get to another one so it's not worth it, especially getting into and out of Magic Kingdom.

Check the cost of annual passes, if you go 2-3 days a year to Universal or 9 days a year to Disney it's worth it to get the annual pass.

At Universal, don't buy a 2 park pass if you are going to spend all day in one park.  We saw some people who bought a 2 park pass and spent all day in Universal Studios, by the time they got to Island's of Adventure it had closed.  These parks don't usually stay open late.

If you go in the winter, bring fuzzy clothes for the evening.  You can rent lockers to hold them in the day.

Take a little backpack or totebag in your luggage.  You can keep just what you need for the plane ride in that and put your carry on in the overhead bin.  Sometimes the plane is full and they make you check your carry on.  This way you can carry on just what you need.

Don't bring a lot of extra stuff for the hotel.  People pretty much go to a park all day, come back to the room, shower and sleep.

Get some glow sticks at the Dollar Store and for your family to wear after it's dark.  If everybody in the family has the same color glow stick bracelet or necklace it makes them easy to find.

At Universal they make you check your backpacks on all the good rides.  Anything other than a pair of glasses or a hat has to go in the lockers.  If it doesn't fit in your pocket it can't go on the ride.  The lockers are free for a half hour, sometimes longer if the wait for the ride is long, but it's a hassle getting your stuff in and out, if the lines are short and you want to go on the ride again.  It also gets hard to remember your number after you've had a bunch of different lockers. 

At Disney you can take small backpacks on rides, they have lockers at the front of the park for a fee.

Here's a picture of how the My Disney Experience App Works

Update Jan 2014 - coming soon, read all about the Disney Fast Pass Plus