Perfect for photo and social media lovers, the Polaroid Socialmatic is a one stop shop. Take, share and print with one device. Genius! It has been a very long time since I printed off a copy of a picture I took but this would be the perfect way for the kids to document a trip or special event to share with their friends later.
The Polaroid Socialmatic captures pictures worth sharing with the 14 megapixel front or 2 megapixel rear camera. It uses an Android™-based with a 4.5” touchscreen LCD display for easy navigation and features built in Wi-Fi to let you share to social media in an instant.
If you want an instant copy of your image you can print 2″x3″ photos instantly on ink-free paper with ZINK® Zero Ink®. This printing technology offers smudge-proof, water resistant and tear resistant photos!
Consumers will be able to save their images to a MicroSD card or to the camera’s 4GB of internal storage.
Additional specifications, including pricing, will be available in the coming months. Last year Engadget reported that the camera would retail for $299. 
The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, commonly known as Harbin Ice Lantern Festival or simply called Harbin Ice Festival, which mainly consists of the snow sculptures show in the Sun Island, ice activities on the Songhua River, Ice Lantern Show in the Zhaolin Park, and the Ice & Snow World in the west of the Sun Island.The elaborate display was cut, carved and built by some 10,000 workers in just 15 days. The festival’s organisers note that over 180,000 square metres of ice and 150,000 square metres of snow have been used in constructing the winter wonderland.
The big attraction is how beautiful everything looks while lit up at night with bursts of color.
The region’s most popular attractions with over a million tourists expected to visit the site, the highlight is a towering replica of the Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik, Iceland. According to organizers, the structure is the tallest ice sculpture in China (46 meters) and was made with 12,000 metres of ice.
Aside from navigating their way through this ice city, visitors can zip down the new alpine slide, take in the ice lantern show, explore the Snow Sculpture Art Expo, take in the folk song and dance performances or get married!
The festival opened Jan. 5 in China’s Heilongjiang province and will be open until March 2014 – weather permitting. 
The hotel offers free lot or covered parking garage self parking as well as valet service for a fee. We chose to self-park after unloading luggage, and although the lots were quite busy we always managed to find a close enough spot indoors or out. Upon arriving to the beautifully holiday decorated lobby we were greeted with Westin’s signature Heavenly scent of White Tea – my absolute favorite – coming from a trio of candles on one of the coffee tables. The friendly front desk staff that checked us in even chatted with our two boys and made them feel very welcome.
The oldest of our boys was happy to see a bowl of apples on the front desk (it is his favorite bedtime snack and because we crossed the border we were not able to bring any with us) – when the staff realized how excited he was to get one she gave him a couple more. It is the little touches like that that make hotels memorable.
The hotel lobby has ample lounging areas, a gorgeous winding staircase to the second floor and free WiFi.
There was an indoor water fountain the kids loved and the concierge even shared some pennies with them to make a wish or two. Just past the reception desk was a gift shop to purchase snacks, souvenirs and any toiletries or necessities you may have forgot to bring along.
Both rooms had a regular sized closet and spacious bathroom complete with the Heavenly two-headed shower and two different lighting options (dimmer for a more relaxing bedtime bath for the kids). Our youngest loved the wide ledge against the bath wall to play with bath toys and do shampoo experiments.
Bathroom amenities included use of a hairdryer, magnified mirror, and Heavenly White Tea items: green leaf shaped soaps, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, Nourish mouthwash, shower cap, shoe shining cloth, sewing kit, emery board. cotton balls and swabs. I liked that the bathroom was well stocked with towels and facecloths.
Like all Westin beds they were covered in lush layers of white linens. I would never dare replicate that at home with kids around but there is something so crisp, clean and soothing about sinking into a bed in a sea of white. The Heavenly bed lives up to its name and is by far the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in and I have never seen my three-year-old sleep so soundly. It is 10 layers of pure comfort including firm and fluffy pillows so you can take your pick. The best part is you can experience the same sleep at home if you wish by purchasing from the Westin Home Collection – I plan on buying some of the White Tea products myself.
An in-room coffee maker complete with complimentary Starbucks coffees and Tazo teas helped me start my mornings.
They also included bottles of water on the desk upon arrival the first day and in the locked mini bar subsequent days (we were not aware of this until checkout so be sure to get the mini bar key to enjoy the free bottled water or if you have items you wish to keep chilled).
Westin has a Pack Light Stay Fit program for those with limited luggage space where you can borrow New Balance fitness wear and running shoes.
This hotel is surrounded by nice trails and the concierge offers Runners World Maps featuring three and five mile jogging and walking routes for all to enjoy.
Jamocha’s Coffee Shop – to grab oatmeal, breakfast sandwiches, fruit, pastries or a specialty coffee. Serves Starbucks. Open Monday – Friday
Our favorite meal was the in-room breakfast we ordered. Eggs Benedict for the adults and Golden Buttermilk pancakes for the kids.
The Eggs Benedict includes: two poached eggs on toasted English muffins, peameal bacon (we opted out as we are vegetarians), Hollandaise sauce and the most scrumptious shredded rosti potatoes, toast and fine jams.$12
The Kids menu Golden Buttermilk pancakes were the largest, fluffiest pancakes and included butter, whip cream and real maple syrup. $7.50
Being right beside the freeway made this hotel convenient to any of the Detroit area attractions as it took just minutes to get to whatever freeway or Interstate we needed.
2) Building on the popularity of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort will bring to life some of the experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films. Diagon Alley and ‘London’ will be located within Universal Studios Florida, which is adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where guests now experience Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. When complete, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will feature shops, a restaurant and an innovative, marquee attraction based on Gringotts bank. Guests will be able to travel between ‘London’ and Hogsmeade aboard the Hogwarts Express.
3) Walt Disney World Resort will complete the final phase of New Fantasyland – the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history – with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster. This family coaster will transport guests on a musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” Also coming to Magic Kingdom this year is Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, an all-new daytime parade featuring characters and music from memorable Disney films.
4) Orlando’s tallest and steepest free-fall water slide is coming to Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Waterpark. Ihu’s Breakway Falls will be the only multi-slide of its kind in Orlando.
5) Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, the $429 million Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will be the new home for Broadway productions and Orlando Ballet among other performances. The arts center will include two performance theaters, a 300-seat community theater, outdoor plaza and banquet room.
6) Visitors with a need for speed will love the new I-Drive Indoor Kart Racing. This multi-level entertainment center includes a half-mile (805-meter) track for the electric-powered go-karts, bowling lanes and an arcade.
7) Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is located just minutes from Magic Kingdom and Epcot. With 444 guest rooms (including 68 suites), a Tom Fazio-designed golf course, full-service spa, three restaurants and an elaborate pool area, guests will feel totally immersed in the luxury resort experience.
8) Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is soon to be the fourth and largest on-site hotel at Universal Orlando Resort. Inspired by retro resorts of the 1950s and 60s, the 1800-room hotel will feature moderately priced family suites and value-priced guest rooms. When complete, guests can experience a 10-lane bowling alley and enjoy two massive pools with sand beaches, a lazy river, waterslide and more.
Spec ‘A’ leaves you with a hollow interior to do with as you choose, while Spec ‘B'(below) just adds two couches on each side for leisurely around the lake trips.
Spec ‘C’ configures the capsule as a water taxi, Spec ‘D'(below) offers a kitchen, private bathroom, two transformable sofa in a double bed and all the sea you need around you.
Mega Yacht News notes that it may be small, but mighty.
It’s is based on a variable-deadrise powerboat hull, constructed entirely of fiberglass and features stainless steel handrails. The Jet Capsule is powered by a 325-hp Yanmar diesel coupled to a Hamilton waterjet.I love it’s round practical design. The interior is covered so you can enjoy a beautiful day without having to worry about getting too much sun. Plus there is space under the floor to store your gear if you find the perfect place to snorkel! A quick search around the net turned up a couple variations of the pod like watercraft. My favorite is one that has seating on the back and a ladder to sun bathe on the roof.
Before you get your checkbook out Lazzarini, the design company, has noted this mini yacht will start at $250,000. One can dream right?
It was announced today that Universal Orlando’s CityWalk will undergo a historic expansion during 2014 – all part of an epic year for Universal that will include the opening of the destination’s largest hotel, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley(pictured below).
Universal will open eight new venues across CityWalk throughout 2014 as part of a growth strategy designed to complement the complex’s already popular collection restaurants, clubs and entertainment spots.
The new venues will share an overall theme that includes inviting common areas, al fresco dining, open kitchens and more.
“We want Universal CityWalk to grow along with the rest of our destination,” said Ric Florell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Resort Revenue Operations at Universal Orlando. “We are bringing our guests an amazing new collection of experiences that will be world-class and offer something for everyone.”Universal’s CityWalk is currently home to Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom, Emeril’s Restaurant Orlando, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, the Hard Rock Cafe and Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Universal CityWalk is also home to Rising Star – an energetic karaoke club where guests can perform with a live band and backup singers, the 36-hole mini-golf course, Hollywood Drive-In Golf, and the indescribable, nationally-renowned live show, Blue Man Group.
NEW UNIVERSAL CITYWALK VENUES – OPENING THROUGHOUT 2014
One Fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish Dr. Seuss will soon set sail! Carnival Cruise Lines has announced they have partnered with Dr. Seuss Enterprises to Bring ‘Seuss at Sea’ to their fleet of 24 “Fun Ships.”
The Carnival Seuss at Sea program will offer a variety of exciting and immersive onboard youth, family, dining and entertainment experiences featuring the amazing world and words of Dr. Seuss.
“It is fun to have fun but you have to know how,” said the Cat in the Hat in the iconic Dr. Seuss book. The fun on Carnival starts in the main dining room during The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with the Cat in the Hat and Friends. Cruisers can kick off their day dining on playful foods straight from Dr. Seuss’s imagination – green eggs and ham, moose juice and goose juice, along with colorful fruit and pancake stacks, funky French toast and more, with traditional breakfast favorites also available.
The popular character breakfast will be hosted on the first day at sea of each cruise for $5 per guest. Carnival’s wait staff set the tone with Dr. Seuss-inspired uniforms, popular Dr. Seuss characters such as the Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two, and Sam will be joining guests at their tables for fun interactions and one-of-a-kind photo opportunities.
Every ship in the Carnival fleet will have a selection of classic Dr. Seuss books, toys and themed activities for children to enjoy. Special showings of beloved movies such as “The Cat in the Hat” and Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will be shown outdoors on the giant screen of the Seaside Theater on Lido Deck as part of the cruise line’s Dive-In Movies programming. On Carnival Freedom, which will undergo a major refurbishment in May, and Carnival Vista, which debuts in early 2016, there will be a Dr. Seuss Bookville facility — a unique and dedicated Seuss-themed play space featuring iconic decor, colors, shapes and funky furniture inspired by the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss.
The perfect place for families to relax, unwind and enjoy each other’s company, guests can read one of many available Dr. Seuss books or stretch their imagination through other family-fun activities including arts and crafts, toys and Dr. Seuss-inspired games.
Story time at sea will never be the same with the introduction of Seuss-a-palooza Story Time, A Rhyming Good Time – an interactive reading event that brings to life the colorful world of Dr. Seuss for kids of all ages. Hosted on a sea day each voyage in a custom-created environment on board or within Dr. Seuss Bookville, this memorable storytelling event will feature some of the most beloved Dr. Seuss characters.
At other times during the voyage, children and families will have the chance to meet and interact with favorite Dr. Seuss characters and participate in special photo opportunities featuring colorful and zany Dr. Seuss-inspired artwork, as well as through events and activities such as the Seuss-a-palooza Character Parade where guests can join Dr. Seuss characters in a swirly conga line along the Promenade. A variety of Dr. Seuss-themed retail items will be available, as well.
The Seuss at Sea initiative builds upon Carnival’s leadership position in family cruising. The line carries more than 700,000 kids aboard its fleet each year — nearly half of the total number of kids carried by the entire North American cruise industry.
“Our youth and family programming continues to be highly rated and extremely popular with the millions of families who sail with Carnival, but we’re constantly challenging ourselves to uncover unique and interesting ways to further enhance our guest experience,” said Mark Tamis, senior vice president of guest operations for Carnival Cruise Lines. “We are thrilled to bring the fun, whimsical and wonderful world of Dr. Seuss to life for our guests of all ages to create even more fun and memorable moments during our cruise vacations.” “Dr. Seuss inspires imaginations across generations and encourages a playfulness and whimsy that is often lost in today’s ‘always on’ society,” said Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises. “We’re excited to be working with Carnival Cruise Lines to bring some of the timeless magic of Dr. Seuss to the families that sail each year. Seuss at Sea will let kids and parents alike explore their imaginations through the memorable onboard experiences we’re building together.”The Seuss at Sea program will begin aboard Carnival Splendor in February 2014 with implementation across the full fleet by 2015, as well as Carnival Vista when that ship enters service in early 2016.
“Planes are flying full, and the holiday season is traditionally hectic, so in-flight etiquette is at a premium,” John Morrey, vice president and general manager of Expedia.com said in a recent press release.So which flying offences bother fellow fliers the most? Northstar surveyed 1,001 adult Americans and ranked their responses in a recent study to find out. Conducted on Expedia’s behalf, the study found that “Inattentive Parents” and “Rear Seat Kickers” came out as the top two offenders on board, with Inattentive Parents coming in at 41% and Rear Seat Kickers coming in at 38%. However, Americans with children under the age of 18 were found to be a bit more sympathetic to Inattentive Parents, so they ranked Rear Seat Kickers just a tad higher. Next on the list came the “Aromatic Passenger” (28%), “The Boozer” (26%) and the “Chatty Cathy” (23%). However, when looking at how many passengers “dread” the talkative fellow passenger (73%), you would think that the “Chatty Cathy” would have made it higher up on the list. Inattentive, talkative, smelly, and drunk passengers weren’t the only ones to make the list though. Ten percent of all passengers surveyed admitted to “being intimate” with someone on a plane. These folks made #15 on the most annoying fellow passengers. Those that seem to forget that not everyone wants to hear the movie, AKA, the “Audio Insensitive” made #6. “Seat-back Guy,” or the person who reclines their seat as soon as they’re allowed and keeps it that way, made #7. However, 80% of all Americans admitted to reclining their seats while flying. About 17% of all passengers admitted that they would recline their seats, even if the passenger behind them was noticeably pregnant while 23% would do so if the passenger behind them was elderly. Forty-five percent of them would do so without warning, while 22% would give a warning but not ask permission. Other interesting findings from the study included:
“Most of us, when we look at the list of offending behaviors, can admit to having committed one or more of the violations. So this season, perhaps we can all take care to be as friendly and accommodating to our fellow passengers as possible. After all, we’re quite literally all in this together.”SOURCE
The elaborate display features 13 four-feet by six-feet gingerbread houses plus a clock tower in Santa’s Christmas Village, including elves who are on hand to pose with vacationers.
The houses are the result of 17 ‘extremely passionate’ Pastry Chefs, over 800 hours of work! During that time they used 25,000 eggs, 2,000 pounds of icing and lord only knows how much flour to create 4,000 pounds of gingerbread cookie dough, which made 3,240 gingerbread bricks to frame & roof the buildings.
Head Pastry Chef Joshua Cain told KTAR.com
“Each year, it’s gotten bigger and bigger and bigger. I wanted to take the display in a new direction. Everyone thought I was crazy for wanting to do life-sized, but once I showed them the process, everyone was on board.”The village will be on display in the Grand Lobby of the hotel now through Saturday, December 28, 2013.
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