Search Results for: blog vacationing with elmo

Beware of Crazy Fake Elmo in NYC

To know Elmo is to love Elmo… or at least to tolerate him for the sake of your toddler. Sesame Street’s beloved red monster, whose infectious laugh is known around the globe, is a welcome companion to millions of children. However, a rogue version of the lovable PBS character is giving the real Elmo a bad name. According to reports, a dirty, creepy imposter Elmo has been preying on innocent tourists in New York City. Call him Bizarro Elmo. He looks just like the real deal: red fur, big orange nose, huge white eyes, except this Elmo is filthy, rude, … Continue reading →

Elmo Lends A Hand To Help Military Families

At first glance it looks like your typical Sesame Street episode. Elmo, Rosita, Zoe… the gang’s all there, but the topic covered on Sesame Workshop’s latest DVD strays from ones that are covered on traditional shows. The characters are not learning their ABCs and 123s, rather the furry friends are learning how to get in touch with their feelings. It sounds great, but don’t look for the new DVD at your local toy store. Sesame Workshop is not mass marketing this production; rather it will be distributed exclusively to military families. That’s because the episode featuring Elmo and Rosita is … Continue reading →

The Story Behind T.M.X. Elmo

Did you know that when T.M.X. Elmo was unveiled on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” three months ago only about 50 people in the world had seen it? It was just part of the toy’s creators master plan. For nearly two years before it became one of this year’s hottest holiday sellers T.M.X. Elmo was shrouded in so much secrecy not even the sales force at manufacturer Fisher-Price Inc. knew exactly what they were selling before the toy debuted on national television in mid-September. But, now that Elmo is flying off shelves, his creator’s are singing like canaries. Recently, members of … Continue reading →

Vacationing with Elmo

My 2-year-old daughter loves Elmo. So like millions of families, our weekday routine includes watching Sesame Street and saying “hi” to Elmo and pals. At the end of each show I’ve noticed a plug for Beaches Resorts, saying, “As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches Resorts is pleased to welcome some fun and furry friends to all of its island locations.” I was intrigued. I thought, sun, beach, Elmo, what more could a parent ask for? I found the answer and if you have a child who would rather vacation with characters from Sesame Street than ones from Disney, … Continue reading →

“Sesame Street” Helping Parents Teach Kids About Terrorism

Subtitle: Elmo Meets Michael Chertoff or “The Muppets Take Manhattan… Post 9/11” I wish I were kidding. For decades parents have turned to those fun-loving furry friends on “Sesame Street” when they needed help teaching their kids how to spell, tie their shoes, and count to 10 in Spanish. But now Elmo, Grover, Big Bird, Zoe, Oscar the Grouch and crew are getting serious about a grown up topic most adults struggle to deal with—terrorism and other potential deadly catastrophes. So how exactly does a parent explain to a 3-year-old why it’s important to prepare for a terrorist attack? Don’t … Continue reading →

Find the Best Price on All-Inclusive Trips

In a previous blog I discussed the advantages and disadvantages of all-inclusive vacations. They can be money savers provided you choose the right one. So, how do you book an all-inclusive trip of a lifetime without breaking the bank? My suggestion: Visit ResortCompete.com. The new website features a complete list of all-inclusive vacations from more than 630 resorts around the world. Getting results is very simple—just fill out an online form listing your preferences for dates, location, number of adults and children in your group, and how many rooms you want, and the computer does the rest. In the end … Continue reading →

“Sesame Street” In The Middle East

After being cut off because of lack of funds, “Sesame Street” is returning to TV in Israel and the Palestinian territories. It’s been more than a decade since the original versions were taken off the air, but now they are back and the timing couldn’t be better. Show producers say much like the version which airs in the United States, the Mideast version is designed to enhance educational content for kids. Using “puppet regimes,” the show employs universal themes such as promoting peace, diversity… oh, and the importance of brushing your teeth. In Israel “Sesame Street” is called “Rechov Sumsum,” … Continue reading →

Planning A European Vacation

Long before I visited a movie theater to see “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” I dreamt of strolling along the streets of Paris and exploring all that Italy had to offer. In fact, I had even completed preliminary research for a European honeymoon, but alas, we ended up getting married in Hawaii and honeymooning there. As it stands now, my dreams of taking a European holiday are permanently on hold, especially since we now have a young daughter who would rather visit Elmo than the Eiffel Tower. While we are in Elmoland a new survey found more than 64% of all … Continue reading →

Travel Trends—“Parents-Only Vacations”

One of my daughter’s favorite books is “The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma’s.” It’s a cute story about how Brother and Sister bear spend a week at their grandparent’s house while Mama and Papa take a second honeymoon. The first time we read it together my 2-year-old demanded to know why the cubs weren’t going with their Mama and Papa on vacation. The concept is foreign to my daughter: A vacation without her—unthinkable. Compare that to my former colleague’s definition of “vacation.” He doesn’t consider it a true vacation if his three kids are along. No, if kids … Continue reading →

What To Know Before You Vacation At An All-Inclusive Resort

Ah, the lure of the all-inclusive resort. I have written about the benefits of visiting all-inclusive resorts in previous blogs. Studies show they are extremely popular travel options for families and newlyweds. And when it comes to the types of all-inclusive resorts, well, the sky is the limit. There are all-inclusive resorts which cater to family’s with young children, and ones that ban children from their properties all together (they are the ones offered to singles or couples-only… no offense to the children of course). The tricky thing about traveling to an all-inclusive resort is determining what exactly is included … Continue reading →