Costa Concordia Runs A Ground in Italy; Killing 3 {IMAGES}

Lisa Arneill
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Costa Concordia Runs A Ground in Italy; Killing 3 {IMAGES}
It was a scene of chaos and terror last night when the Costa Concordia ran aground and turned on it’s side off the coast of Tuscany, sending water pouring through a 160-foot gash in the hull. Just 3 hours after leaving  Civitavecchia, en route to its first port of call, Savona, the port captain’s office in the Tuscan port of Livorno, recieved word that the ship had “hit an obstacle, ripping a gash 160 feet across” in the side of the ship, and started taking on water.  The ship’s captain then tried to steer the ship toward shallow waters, near Giglio’s small port, to make evacuation by lifeboat easier. The ship, however, started to list badly, which made lifeboat evacuations difficult. While many of the ship’s passengers reached land by lifeboats, some complained the crew failed to give instructions on how to evacuate and once the emergency became clear, delayed lowering the lifeboats until the ship was listing too heavily for many of them to be released.
“It was so unorganized, our evacuation drill was scheduled for 5 p.m.,” said Melissa Goduti, 28, of Wallingford, Connecticut, who had set out on the cruise of the Mediterranean hours earlier. “We had joked ‘What if something had happened today?”‘ “Have you seen ‘Titanic?’ That’s exactly what it was,” said Valerie Ananias, 31, a schoolteacher from Los Angeles who was traveling with her sister and parents on the first of two cruises around the Mediterranean. “We were crawling up a hallway, in the dark, with only the light from the life vest strobe flashing,” her mother, Georgia Ananias, 61 said. “We could hear plates and dishes crashing, people slamming against walls.”
Initially the crew reportedly told passengers that the ship was having technical problems, but the experienced cruisers grabbed their lifejackets and reported to their assigned muster stations ~ the emergency meeting point that each passenger is given if a problem arises. At the life boat station, crew members directed passengers to go up a deck, but Alan Willits said he refused. “I said ‘no this isn’t right.’ And I came out and I argued ‘When you get this boat stabilized, I’ll go up to the fifth floor then,” he said. Eventually, his lifeboat was lowered down.
Five helicopters, from the coast guard, navy and air force, were taking turns airlifting survivors still aboard and ferrying them to safely. A coast guard member was airlifted aboard the vessel to help people get aboard a small basket so they could be hoisted up to the helicopter, said Capt. Cosimo Nicastro, another Coast Guard official.
Once on land the passengers out numbered the town’s population of just 1,500.  Mayor Sergio Ortelli issued an appeal for islanders  “anyone with a roof”  to open their homes to shelter the evacuees. Now they will attempt to find their way home. Our thoughts are with these families and our prayers are with those who have not yet been accounted for.
SOURCE

Cars Land, Disneyland California ~ Let The Ride Tests Begin!

Jen R
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Cars Land, Disneyland California ~ Let The Ride Tests Begin!
The ground is rumbling.  Could it be the distant roar of engines?  There are tremors and murmurings that Disneyland Resort in California is preparing to open Cars Land, at last. The twelve-acre attraction, built to replicate Radiator Springs, has been hotly anticipated by young and old alike, but the wait will soon be over. Artists rendition of Cars Land Disneyland CA Opening this Summer, Cars Land will boast new rides and revamped attractions, dining options and retail space for souvenirs. Old-school Disney fans are excited to take a spin on Luigi’s Flying Tires.  This ride is a reimagining and vast improvement on TomorrowLand’s Flying Saucer, from the 1960s.  I wasn’t around in the 60s, but apparently the Flying Saucer ride was a bit of a letdown.  With today’s technology and new innovations, however, it should be smooth sailing as riders glide and spin across a cushion of air. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will be loads of fun for little ones, as they are pulled around the junkyard, in a trailer towed by a rusty farm tractor, while familiar tunes from the movie soundtrack play. Of course, the pièce de résistance of Cars Land will be the Radiator Springs Racers.  In this attraction, the folks at Disney took the former Autopia ride and cranked it up to make it bigger and then cranked it up again to make it faster.  This one attraction alone takes up half of the twelve acre facility.  It should be incredible to experience. I, for one, can’t wait! – Jen R, Staff Writer *Post updated with current images after Cars Land opened.*

Disney has BIG Plans for 2012

Jen R
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Disney has BIG Plans for 2012
Disney has a lot of balls in the air and they’re about to fall into place in 2012.  For anyone who likes to travel with, at or through Disney, this is going to be a big year. They’re off to a good start this month with the opening of The Exotics Course featuring “supercars” by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi and Porsche.  The one-mile circuit at Walt Disney World Resort will open around mid-January and will offer gear-heads the opportunity to take a spin behind the wheel of one of these impressive cars or be chauffeured by a pro.  If you’re planning a visit this year, you can make reservations at www.exoticdriving.com The Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is an interactive experience, opening soon.  Guests become apprentice sorcerers, working under Merlin the Magician hunting out villains and flushing them from their hiding places.  Using magic spell cards, players can bring the likes of Yzma, Kronk and their pals, to their knees.  This experience will be included in the price of admission to the park. Fantasyland, at Walt Disney World Resort, will start unveiling its new and expanded attractions in 2012.  The much anticipated expansion will include new rides and experiences Under the Sea with The Little Mermaid and at the Beast’s Castle.  Most of Fantasyland will open in 2013 and it should be complete in 2014.  To read more about the new and improved Fantasyland, check out our previous post. In spring of this year, Walt Disney World will open 512 Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.  The rooms sleep up to four guests, on custom linens, befitting a prince or princess.  The opulent decor will conjure reminiscences of favourite movies like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and The Princess and the Frog. Disney's Port Orleans Resort - pirate room In March Disney launches the newest ship in their fleet, the 4,000 passenger Disney Fantasy.  The ship will set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida and carry passengers on a week-long voyage of the Caribbean.  While on board, the Muppets will lead you around the ship in an interactive detective game.  You can also take in the two Broadway calibre shows, put together just for Disney Fantasy passengers.  The ship is decked out with all the bells and whistles.  Its maiden voyage is set to begin March 31, 2012. Disney Cruise Line will add new ports and itineraries in May of this year.  Sailing from New York, Seattle and Galveston, Texas, passengers will now have new opportunities to experience New England, the east coast of Canada, Alaska and the western Caribbean.  Check out our post on these new voyages. Also opening in May, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.  This resort offers 1,120 family suites with decor from The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo.  There will also be 864 themed rooms in the Little Mermaid wings.  Nemo will be the first wing to open, in May followed by Cars in July and The Lion King in September.  The Little Mermaid wing should also be open by the end of the year.  Disney’s 25th resort hotel will be located next to Disney’s Pop Century Resort. So that’s some of what Disney has in store for us in 2012, and we’ll have more updates for you soon. – Jen R, Staff Writer

Disney To Open 2 Parks For 24 hours On Leap Day

Lisa Arneill
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Disney To Open 2 Parks For 24 hours On Leap Day
Leap year only happens once every 4 years and Disney plans to celebrate it by keeping two of its theme parks open for 24 hours straight. For the first time ever, both Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park will be open for one day for 24 hours straight starting February 29 at 6:00 a.m. So there is no stress about seeing everything.  Heck you could probably do two parks in one day if you are visiting at that time.  Just visit the other park first and then hop over to Magic Kingdom or Disneyland Park after closing time! Tom Staggs says about the new announcement:
“We’re honored that so many guests have shared their Disney memories with us as part of ‘Let the Memories Begin’, and I’m pleased to announce that the campaign will continue throughout 2012. To celebrate, for the first time ever, the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Parks will remain open for 24 hours on Leap Day, so that our guests can take advantage of every minute of their extra day to make memories with friends and family.”
In addition to the extra time, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California will feature a special offer:
  • Guests get one more day and night of memory making, free when they buy a 3-night/3-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Co. room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort hotels.  The package offer is good for arrivals most nights Feb. 26 – March 10, 2012 and must be booked by Jan. 31, 2012.
Disney Parks.com is also giving away a vacation package every day beginning January 1, 2012, until February 29, 2012. For details on how to enter please visit disney.go.com/memories/

Featured Review: Joovy Groove Lightweight Stroller

Lisa Arneill
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Featured Review: Joovy Groove Lightweight Stroller
When I heard the Joovy Groove was improved I jumped at the chance to test it out.  The great thing about redesigned models is they have been around long enough for the manufacturer to know which features to keep and what areas need tweaking.  I think Joovy has got this model perfect! The look of this stroller is sleek and modern.  The new frame is made from rectangular aluminum as opposed to the traditional tube shape framework.  I like that aside from the fabric all parts are gray in colour, giving this travel stroller a unique, fresh appearance.  The super durable 600D fabric comes in Blueberry, Greenie, Orangie and Black and will be sure to hold up to anything your little one throws its way.  There is light reflective material for added safety and peace of mind. Out of the box I simply popped the wheels and the canopy and was ready to roll. The Groove is for babies 6 months to 55lbs so it will accommodate your travel stroller needs for many years. My 40lb 6 year old has had a couple rides in it when very tired and he fits quite comfortable with his feet up on the footrest.   To ensure your little one is comfortable it has a padded 5-point harness and a recline that goes back to 146 degrees (almost flat for a sleeping baby).  I like that I can lay it back while my son is sleeping using the one handed strap mechanism without disturbing him.  Unlike some other travel strollers, the Groove has a solid board backrest which helps prevent your child from slumping or slouching.  Joovy had parents’ comfort in mind when designing this stroller too.  The foam rubber padded handle bars are a great height at 42 inches from the ground and both my 6’6” husband and 5’5” me find it to be a comfortable push height. Speaking of the push, the Groove is the smoothest I have experienced with a travel stroller thanks to the 6 ½ inch rubber wheels with sealed bearings.  It easily handles most surfaces like a dream and for times when you need to multitask it steers great with a one handed push. I love that Joovy thinks of the extra things for parents and children alike.  The two mesh pockets in the seat are a great place to hold my toddler’s sippy cup and favourite toy while we are out on walks and he can access them himself.  For the parents the back of the stroller has a zippered pouch great for things like tissue, keys or a wallet.  Above the pouch are two cup holders great for bottles or cups with lids or even used as an extra pocket for little items or a tube of sunscreen.  The basket is quite large for this size stroller and I can fit my large diaper bag in it without any trouble, although it is tricky to access when fully reclined so just remember before laying the seat back to get anything out you may need. The removable canopy on the Groove has your baby covered and covered, yes I said it twice! It is a fair size canopy that extends down for even more protection in direct sunlight.  A roll open peek-a-boo window lets you keep an eye on what your baby is doing without having to stop and look around which I admit I have done several times with my stroller that doesn’t have the window. This is by far the easiest stroller to get in and out of my trunk as I quickly learned I could open it and fold it with one hand.  To open you simply pop the lock latch and step down on the frame support bar on the back – it literally takes a couple of seconds and I have done it many times with a squirmy toddler in my arms.  Closing is just as easy, step down on both back wheel brakes, pull up on the bar handle and step or push down on the release bar and it folds down and locks all by itself with very little effort on your part.  At 17lbs it is surprisingly easy to lift in and out of our car and truck with one hand using the rubber carry handle. At $199 this Joovy Groove is a great value for a travel stroller with extra features. ~ Lisa Fox Specs:
  • Folded – 16.5” H x 13.5” W x 42” D
  • Assembled – 42.5” H x 20.75” W x 30.5” D

Thank you Joovy for sending us the Groove for review.

Traveling This Winter? AARP has Tips to Stay Safe on the Road

Lisa Arneill
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Traveling This Winter? AARP has Tips to Stay Safe on the Road
The holidays mean food, family, and friends for many it also means long trips through snow, sleet, ice, and fog.  No matter how many years of driving experience you have under your belt, these conditions present a wide variety of challenges.
“Understanding how to drive safely in harsh weather conditions can protect you, your passengers and your vehicle,” said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois State Director.  “Like many Illinoisans, I will be traveling this holiday season as well – and I definitely plan to take a few moments to review these tips and hope others do as well so we can all arrive at our destinations safely.”
AARP offers the following tips for staying safe on winter roads:
  1. Winterize your vehicle to make sure your brakes, wipers, defroster, headlights and heater are all working properly.
  2. Stop gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
  3. Turn on your headlights to increase your visibility to other motorists, and keep your lights clean and free of ice or debris.
  4. In unfavorable driving conditions, reduce your speed and increase the distance between your car and the one in front of you. Remember that it takes more time to stop on icy roads.
  5. Stay alert. Look ahead to give yourself more time to react safely to situations without suddenly braking or skidding.
  6. Before driving, clear all snow and ice from your vehicle’s hood, windows and roof.
  7. Use snow or all-season tires or chains for better traction and smoother slowing. Remember that even with snow tires, you should use extra caution while driving in inclement weather — no tires allow you to drive on snow or ice at normal speeds.
  8. Take extra precautions on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas, which can freeze first, and remain icy longer than roadways. A road on which ice and snow are completely frozen is pretty slippery, even though it provides more traction than a road with melting ice.
  9. In wet driving conditions, do not drive faster than the windshield wipers can clear water from the windshield. Make sure your wiper blades are in good shape, and replace them yearly.
  10. Equip your car with emergency supplies, such as blankets, food, water, spare fuses, a flashlight with batteries, an ice scraper, flares and a first-aid kit.
Driving to see family is the most economical option in most cases, but not if your vehicle is damaged due to bad driving conditions.  Plan to stop every so often for breaks, take a hotel if you get tired and make sure you have your car tuned up before a trip that is 5 hours or more. SOURCE

RECALL: 139,000 Target Circo Childrens’ Travel Cases Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Lisa Arneill
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RECALL: 139,000 Target Circo Childrens’ Travel Cases Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Target Corporation, has announced a voluntary recall of about 139,000 Circo 17” Children’s Travel Cases because the surface coating on the travel cases contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. image of recalled Target Circo suitcase The Circo brand label is found on the fabric handle attached to the top of the travel case. The girls’ version has a heart/butterfly/daisy pattern on either a pink or teal background with a plush butterfly attached to the zipper pull. The boys’ version has a pattern of three jet planes in red/blue/green on a red or blue airplane-patterned background with a blue plush jet plane attached to the zipper pull. Travel cases covered by this recall include: image of recalled Target Circo suitcase *Date codes can be found on either the round Circo hang tag underneath the UPC bar code or on the second white tag sewn inside the cover of the zippered main compartment of the travel case. The recalled suitcases were sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide and Target.com from April 2011 through August 2011 for approximately $21. Consumers should stop using the product immediately and return it to any Target store for a refund. For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.target.com

Put Your Getaway on Ice at the Hôtel de Glace

Jen R
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Put Your Getaway on Ice at the Hôtel de Glace
I’ve had my fill of mainstream hotels, with their weird green carpet, multi-coloured/multi-stained bedspreads and TV remotes screwed to the nightstand. Enough I say! I want something different. I want an experience, not just a bed, and when I wake up in the morning…I want to feel glacier fresh. Answering the call is the crystal palace known as the Hôtel de Glace in Quebec City. The Ice Hotel is open from January 6th to March 25th, 2012, giving you the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful cities in North America, while experiencing truly unique, world class accommodation. This amazing hotel is literally sculpted from ice, in its entirety; the structure, the beds, the cocktail glasses, even The Grand Ice Slide – which sounds like it would make the trip worthwhile all on its own. The creative team behind the Hôtel de Glace have done a total redesign for this year’s construction. The theme this year, built into the hotel and featured in the suites, is biodiversity in all its forms.
“Guided by the echo of the new site, this artistic performance will offer the visitors various universe and habitats inspired by the cohabitation of all forms of life, stimulating at the same time a new vision of the notion of biodiversity,” says Serge Péloquin, Artistic Director.
Nestled in the pristine wilderness of one of Quebec’s loveliest parks, but located only ten minutes from the city centre, the hotel strikes the perfect balance between the beauty of winter in “la belle provence,” and the excitement and history of the capital. While fabulous in the summer months, Quebec City is also a lively destination throughout the winter. You can plan your visit to coordinate with the internationally renowned Carnaval de Quebec (January 27-February 12) or the thrills of Red Bull Crashed Ice (March 20th). Introduce the kids to Bonhomme Carnaval himself, or watch adults hurtle down ice-covered hills on skates; who doesn’t love that? Winter doesn’t have to mean hibernation, but if you’re going to hibernate, you might as well do it surrounded by the sculpted reliefs and diamond like sparkel of the Hôtel de Glace.  An accommodation definitely worth remembering – Jen R, Staff Writer

Review: Bugatti Urbin Travel Bag

Jen R
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Review: Bugatti Urbin Travel Bag
I’ve always been a backpack girl. I’ve had a love affair with backpacks for years. They’re cool, practical and, if you get the right one, it’ll last forever. Best of all, traveling with a backpack entitles you to refer to yourself as a “backpacker.” Even once you’ve traded up from the youth hostel to the Waldorf Astoria and even when you’ve morphed from a solo traveler to a stroller pusher – if you’ve got a backpack, you’re a backpacker. But, in recent years, I’ve had to concede that carrying my world on my shoulders is not always a heap of fun. I’m tired and my back hurts and it is really hard to be graceful when you’re trying to carry your purse, your backpack, someone else’s backpack and hold a four-year-old’s hand all at the same time. I need to put something down! So I was ecstatic when I received my new Bugatti Urbin travel bag. Wheels! It has wheels! The Urbin’s 13 x 19 x 10/12” size makes it ideal for weekend travel or as a carryon bag. It offers sturdy construction, resilient polyester fabric, and heavy duty zippers that aren’t going to snap off a week from now. The bag is quality through and through. The telescopic handle and padded straps feel strong and comfortable in the hand. The in line skate wheels make the case stable as it rolls over the smooth floors of a train station or as it trundles down the sidewalk. The black and blue details make the exterior of the bag stylish enough that I feel like one of those fancy ladies clip clopping through the airport, in a designer suit, with her travel bag rolling effortlessly behind her. Yet, there is no pretence about the Urbin. It is incredibly practical. The case has multiple access points. The first is a nice deep compartment at the top front, providing handy storage of the goodies you need, while in transit. A flap on the front opens to allow access to the first compartment of the bag’s interior. That first compartment can also be accessed from the inside, or the partition can be rolled back to allow for one large open space. The case is expandable too. My family of three was able to pack for a recent overnight getaway using only this bag; and that included our jammies, fresh cloths, swimsuits and beach towels. Now, I can hear you saying, “That’s all well and good to have a cool wheely bag Jen, but sometimes I need both hands and can’t be pulling my luggage around.” Well, times like that are when this bag goes from good to great. My son thinks of the Urbin as a Transformer (backpacks in disguise). Thanks to a compartment in the back, that conceals the shoulder straps, the bag easily converts from a conventional suite case, into a backpack, in mere moments. Listen! Do you hear it? It’s a choir singing hallelujah. This is the perfect bag. The Urbin retails for just under $130 and can be purchased through the Bugatti website.– Jen R, Staff Writer

Disney World Expands Disney Vacation Club Next To Grand Floridian hotel

Lisa Arneill
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Disney World Expands Disney Vacation Club Next To Grand Floridian hotel
It official! There will be another Disney Vacation Property next to the Grand Floridian Hotel. In March the entertainment giant submitted a permit application to the South Florida Water Management District describing a six- to seven-story, T-shaped building that will be connected via a covered walkway to the existing Grand Floridian.   It was speculated at that time that the addition would be a new Disney Vacation Club property, but that could not be confirmed by Disney. Claire Bilby, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Club, said in a prepared statement.
“We continually look for ways to expand Disney Vacation Club by creating resort experiences that our members will love.  With the continued popularity of Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, we are thrilled to offer our members and guests a new resort option along the monorail system with easy access to the Magic Kingdom Park, as well as a variety of shopping, dining and recreation experiences.”
The press statement notes that Disney Vacation Club plans to build an estimated 147 villas as part of a previously announced expansion of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Estimated to open in late 2013, this new resort experience is slated to be the 12 th Disney Vacation Club property and will be located near the spa and wedding pavilion at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. In addition to villa accommodations, plans for the expansion include a children’s water-play area and other amenities.
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