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Birthday Parties At Monkey Joe’s!

by Lee on May 20, 2012

Monkey Joes 1 1024x1024 Birthday Parties At Monkey Joes!

Planning your child’s birthday party is a daunting task. You have to figure out who to invite, whether or not you should have a theme, do you feed the kids or just have cake and ice cream and the list goes on. One choice that shouldn’t be difficult is the venue to host the party. Monkey Joe’s goes above and beyond to make sure your child’s party is perfect in every way.

Monkey Joe’s is a bounce house establishment with arcade games and fun everywhere you turn. The bounce houses rise all the way to the ceiling and include more than just a place to jump. Many of them have long slides and obstacle courses that keep the kids going going going. There is no doubt that they’ll be worn out and ready for a nap when you leave.

Children 2 and up pay to jump and must wear socks. Children 2 and under are allowed to jump in specified areas (smaller houses) and parents do need to accompany them. The arcade games are not included in your entry fee but I recommend bringing a few extra dollars for tokens because your children will beg you to allow them to play. They can win tickets to redeem for small prizes once they are finished.

Birthday parties at Monkey Joe’s are well organized and stress free for mom. When you call to book you’ll be asked a series of questions about the amount of children included and the extras you want to include with your package. At our location for the base price we received:

  • 1½ hours in the supervised play area and your private party suite is available for 2 full hours
  • Invitations for your guests
  • We do all the set-up and clean up!
  • Gift for the birthday child
  • Drink for each child
  • Dedicated Party Pro
  • Paper plates, cups, tablecloth, utensils
  • Pizza & Ice Cream are included in your package. Balloons and Goodie Bags are optional add-ons.

This may be different at your location so please check the Monkey Joe’s website for details. There are also a few different options to choose from to suit your families needs. The decorations included in your party are basic. You are welcome to bring in your own decorations if you had your heart set on a theme. The only thing you can not bring is food. You are required to bring a birthday cake. They are not provided.

Monkey Joes 2 1024x839 Birthday Parties At Monkey Joes!

We were treated to all the fixin’s since this party was for a review. The balloons would be worth the money in my opinion especially since it means you wouldn’t have to fight with them in your car. I firmly believe fighting with balloons in your car is the worst part of party planning.

The Goodie bags were filled with the type of prizes your child receives after playing games  in an arcade. Inside the bags were prizes such as paddle ball, plastic toy teeth, Chinese finger traps, plastic kazoos and the like. It was nice not to have to pick all of that stuff out myself and at under $3 each I can’t complain. The children were thrilled they were getting a Goodie bag so that makes me happy. In my opinion you should do all the extras so you don’t have to mess with doing it yourself.

Our party host was a life saver and did all the heavy lifting. Setting up the party, pouring drinks, serving pizza, cutting the cake, cleaning up spills, wrangling children and of course cleaning up were all part of her job description. She made sure the adults had beverages (at an extra cost) and that everyone was comfortable. Again, she was included in the package but I was sure to give her an extra tip at the end of the party.

The only thing they could change to make me more comfortable was adding an extra hour to the private party room. We did not have time to open presents. If you wanted to open gifts you would have had to pull the kids off the bounce house floor and then they wouldn’t have had much time to play. 2 hours goes by really fast when you have to eat pizza and birthday cake.

The kids had ample time to bounce themselves sick and after the party ends they are invited to stay and play as long as they’d like. At the end of the day I can honestly say I felt like I got my money’s worth. Everyone was happy, the adults and the kids.

Don’t hesitate to book your Birthday party at Monkey Joe’s by visiting http://www.monkeyjoes.com and look for them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/monkeyjoes.

*I received media sample. All opinions are my own.

*Unfortunately my computer was stolen in the home invasion and all my Monkey Joe’s pictures were lost. I had just 2 that I had posted on Facebook. The rest of these pictures are stock images.

 

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Screen Shot 2012 04 28 at 11.55.18 PM Enjoying An Evening At Walt Disney Worlds Art of Animation Resort!Tonight at the Disney Social Media Moms Conference we were treated to a sneak peak of the Walt Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort. This resort doesn’t open until May 31, 2012 but we’re here to help get the word out so you can make your reservations ASAP. At this time the Finding Nemo wing is the only wing available but you can read below to find out when the other suites are opening. There will be 1,120 in all with another 864 standard rooms.

The children’s water area is the highlight in my humble opinion. There is an enormous pool with an underwater sound system. Think how fun it would be to go swimming and have the ability to rock out underwater.  We weren’t actually able to get in the pool, although there were lifeguards everywhere in case any of the children got a naughty idea, but we could tell it would be a gallons of fun. When you visit be sure to take a look around at all the decor, it is actually built to scale as if you were Nemo. Crush for example is huge!

The splash pad featured all of your favorite Finding Nemo friends. Watch where you step, because you just might get wet. Water comes fluting up from the ground and the characters spit at you. If you want to stay dry you certainly won’t find a safe place in this area. But that is certainly what the fun is all about.

Do you think your kids would enjoy a Nemo themed room? Remember, Fish are Friends Not Food and when you turn in at night with these flippered friends you’ll be reminded of exactly that. The Art of Animation has family suites which contain rooms that can sleep up to 6 people with a separate master bedroom and two bathrooms. One of the bedrooms converts into a nice seating area with table so you can sit and have a meal.

As mentioned before the Finding Nemo Family Suites open May 31, 2012. The Cars Family Suites open June 18, 2012, The Lion King Family Suites open August 10, 2012 and The Little Mermaid standard rooms will open in September of 2012. The room prices for Art of Animation family suites will be $249 a night. Standard room rates have yet to be announced.

Finally I wan to mention that there is plenty more to do in the hotel. They have a nice size food court with Grab N Go food service, a huge arcade to keep the kids entertained, an outside playground and so much more. You could spend days just playing at your hotel, but I’m sure you’d like to visit the Magical World of Walt Disney World Theme Parks when you visit!

If you have any questions about The Art of Animation Resort please feel free to ask, I’ll do everything I can to find your answer.

sig1 lee Enjoying An Evening At Walt Disney Worlds Art of Animation Resort!

*I purchased a ticket to Disney Social Media Moms. As usual Disney has been more than generous. My opinions however are my own.

 

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Screen Shot 2012 04 27 at 9.01.02 AM Disney Social Media Moms Just Keeps Getting Better!Thursday thru Sunday I’m visiting the Walt Disney World Resort for Disney Social Media Moms. This is a conference held at Disney World for Moms (and Dads) who have blogs and are heavily involved in social media. We come from all parts of the world but mostly all over America. It was such an honor to be invited and I’m really looking forward to all they have in store for us.

Last night we were treated to a cocktail party presented by Aulani Disney’s Hawaii Resort. That place looks amazing and having lived at the Disney Resorts most of my life in Orlando, I’d love to see a resort somewhere else. They were nice enough to gift us an Aulani Vinylmation. Jason is thrilled to have a new Vinylmation for his collection.

Later that evening we took part in a Pirate Swashbucker’s Soiree! There were Pirates everywhere helping children hunt for treasure and learn fun Pirate dances. Oh and let’s not forget the delicious food and Radio Disney. The best part was the ability to meet up with your friends and meet new people. I have made a great new friend in Linda with NYCSingleMom.com. She’s sitting next to me as we speak.

Today is conference day. The hysterical Mary Ellen Hooper is our host and she’s already made me laugh regarding the topic of leg shaving.

Screen Shot 2012 04 27 at 9.40.22 AM Disney Social Media Moms Just Keeps Getting Better!

Meg Crofton, President of Walt Disney World Resorts, spoke to us about the new resort The Art of Animation. The Finding Nemo section of the hotel opens soon here in Central Florida and I recommend you keep an eye out. She also told us all about the new Fantasy Land. It’s going to be twice the size, it’ll have two castles and a new ride called Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Yeah, needless to say I’m counting the days till it opens.

Now we’re listening to Amy Jo Martin from Digital Royalty. She’s schooling us on Personal Brands and Value Buckets. I’ll have to explain later. But she sure has a lot of pictures of Shaq.

I’ll keep up with you each day with more pictures and everything we do! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook for more!

*I purchased passage to this event however as usual Disney has been more than generous. All opinions however, are always my own.

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FAAN WALK Orlando, FL First Annual Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Walk!
We are bringing the First Annual Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAANs)
Walk for Food Allergy to Orlando
!

In the U.S. alone, 1 in 12 children has a life threatening food allergy. Since January, 2 children have died from anaphylaxis, a severe reaction that comes on rapidly and may cause death as it affects the lungs and airways along with other major organs.

Please join us in a wonderful opportunity to help build awareness and fund research to improve the health of millions of people who have food allergies.

Our Food Allergy Walk in Orlando will take April place on 28, 2012 in Blue Jacket Park located at 2501 General Rees Ave. Orlando, FL 32789 (near Lake Baldwin).

To register for, or donate to our Walk online, visit: www.foodallergywalk.org/orlando_fl12

To volunteer to help at our walk or to find other ways to be involved with our walk, please email the Walk Chair at  orlandofaanwalk@gmail.com.

In recognition that often the most powerful messengers are children, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN™) is delighted to announce Dillon Hardy, age 7, of Orlando, FL is this year’s Honorary Youth Chair for FAAN’s Walk for Food Allergy in Orlando.

Dillon was selected for his personal understanding of the challenges that children with multiple life-threatening food allergies face on a daily basis. As a Honorary Youth Chair, Dillon, who is allergic to dairy, eggs, nuts, garlic, and soy, will be the local face of FAAN’s Walk for Food Allergy in Orlando.

In his own words…an interview with Dillon Hardy, age 7.

M: What does that mean?  Allergic?
D: It means that, if you eat something that you’re not supposed to eat, you will get sick.

M: Like a rash or something?
D: No, it’s even worser.  One time, I ate something that I was allergic to and had to go to the ER.

M: Why?  Couldn’t you just lay down until you felt better?
D: No, I took my Epi-Pen and then my mom called the hospital and the hospital truck zoomed down the street in less than a minute.

M: Why so fast?  You weren’t that sick, were you?
D: Yes!

M: How sick were you?
D: Very, very, very sick.

M: What happens when you are sick?
D: I vomit and I can’t breathe through my nose at all.  One time, it felt like a little leaf was stuck on the side of my throat on the inside and it wouldn’t go down.

M: Couldn’t you just swallow the little leaf?
D: No, because it wouldn’t go down, not even with a drink of water.

M: Could you breathe through your mouth instead even though the little leaf was stuck in your throat?
D: Yes, but it felt like a leaf that has points on its sides

M: That must’ve been scary
D: Yes!  I almost thought that I wouldn’t make it.  But, I’m glad the doctors helped me get better.

M: What do you think when you see people eating something that you can’t have?
D: I feel sad that I’m allergic to stuff, and I wish I wasn’t allergic like my other friends.

M: What do you want other kids to know about you and food allergies?
D: NEVER EAT SOMETHING THAT YOU’RE ALLERGIC TO

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Walt Disney World One More Disney Day Review!

March 7, 2012

When Disney announced that they would be celebrating Leap Day by creating lasting memories while staying open for a full 24 hours, I knew my family just had to take part in the magical One More Disney Day. We arrived in the wee hours of the morning, around 5am, and the Magic Kingdom entrance was [...]

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Michael Jackson’s The Immortal World Tour Orlando, FL! February 28-29th.

February 24, 2012

Coming to the Amway Arena February 28th and 29th is Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour! Brought to you by the estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque De Soleil you’ll be taken into the imagination of Michael Jackson himself. Here is some info from the press release: This once-in-a-lifetime electrifying production combines Michael Jackson music [...]

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P&G One List Life Promotion At Publix February 24-29th!

February 24, 2012

Attention Publix Shoppers! From February 23–29 you can participate in P&G’s “One List Life” promotion, available exclusively at Publix: simply select any four fabulous participating P&G items and pick up a FREE Rotisserie Chicken while you’re at it! Learn more at www.savingspg.com. Today at my new job I was able to treat my co workers [...]

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Dinosaurs: Dead or Alive? At The Brevard Zoo!

February 21, 2012

Are Dinosaurs still living amongst us? If so then who is the living Dinosaur? Get that question and many others answered starting February 18th at the Brevard Zoo with their new exhibit Dinosaurs: Dead or Alive? This fantastic exhibit takes kids on a walking tour of 16 life sized robotic creatures starting with the non-dinosaurs [...]

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SeaWorld Orlando’s Just For Kids Festival!

January 29, 2012

This past weekend kicked off an awesome new concert series for kids at SeaWorld Orlando. This concert series is part of their new Just For Kids Festival geared toward kids ages 2-12 years old. The Just For Kids Festival is jam packed with fun kid friendly activities and attractions spaced throughout the park where kids [...]

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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus Presents DRAGONS Review!

January 13, 2012

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents DRAGONS came soaring into the Amway Center in Orlando last nights. The new show for 2012 honors The Year of the Dragon. The show includes performers from all over the globe that have been assembled for Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and [...]

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