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California and Florida Theme Park Reopening Dates

6/18/2020

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This post was posted by my travel affiliate partner Get Away Today. I am sharing this information to inform families of the dates each park plans to reopen. 

After months of closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, theme parks across the country are starting to reopen with numerous safety precautions in place. It can be a lot to keep track of, so we’ve compiled a list of our most popular Southern California and Florida theme parks with reopening dates. ​


When will theme parks reopen?

With so many reopening dates announced, some pending approval, and other theme parks already opened, it’s hard to keep track of them all. We’ve put together a list of our most popular theme parks in Southern California and Florida to help you know when and where you can go. We’ve also included proposed dates that are awaiting approval for planning purposes. If a firm date is listed, that means the dates have been approved. We have listed all attractions in order of opening date - earliest to latest. 


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To view the schedule of opening dates for Seaworld, Universal, Disney, Knotts and more click through to the full post of dates here. 


To get discounted tickets, rooms and vacation packages, visit my page on Get Away Today here. Use my promo code NURTURE10 for an extra $10 off any vacation package. 
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10 Instagram Worthy Beach Honeymoons

12/23/2016

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​With the winter chill in the air, dreams are made of sunnier beach days. And with many of our friends getting married this season, it made for the perfect recipe for a swoon-worthy blog post. 

Beach vacays are relaxing and sexy—qualities that make for an awesome post-wedding trip. Check out these sunny, sandy spots I absolutely love in Mexico, the Caribbean and Florida.
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Trunk Bay, St. John, US Virgin Island

Water the color of an amazing piece of turquoise jewelry, powdery-soft sand, an underwater snorkeling trail chock-full of Technicolor coral and fish. (Seriously, it's some of the best snorkeling you can find this side of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia—and a heck of a lot more affordable to get to.) These are just three great reasons to put Trunk Bay on your honeymoon short list

Where to Stay:
Just a few minutes away from Trunk Bay, Caneel Bay resort is only accessible by boat or ferry and has been world-renowned since opening in 1956. It has a casual but elegant vibe, and you two can really disconnect from reality—there are no phones or TVs. But don't worry—there is Wi-Fi, so you'll be able to upload your latest beach selfies to Instagram.
North Playa Del Carmen, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

If a fun book and a delicious margarita can only hold your interest for so long, the north side of the beach adjacent to downtown Playa del Carmen is for you, with its Miami-esque lively beach club scene (think: cool DJs, daybeds and dancing). And it's only a short drive to one of the best golf courses in Mexico, El Camaleón at Mayakoba.

Where To Stay: Every single one of the 41 villas at the Viceroy Riviera Mayacomes with that classic ultra-luxe honeymoon feature—a private plunge pool. Take things up a notch with the Plunge Pool Turndown. A concierge will completely customize your experience with aromatherapy, relaxing mood music and beverages.
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Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida

Even on a typically blistering hot South Florida summer day, the sand on this particular beach feels super-soft and cool, because it's 99 percent pure white quartz. Between the bright blue seas and sunsets so beautiful you'll want to take a ridiculous number of pictures, Siesta Key feels more like a far-off tropical island than a relatively local (and inexpensive) destination.

Where To Stay: The Capri at Siesta is a relaxed boutique hotel that has everything you need for a laid-back honeymoon in one of the absolute best locations on Siesta Key—namely, private beach access via a paved path and brand-new barbecue grills just for guests.
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Shoal Bay East, Anguilla

This two-mile section of Anguilla's 16 miles of coastline has white sand so glittery it looks like millions of diamonds glinting in the sun, but Anguilla itself isn't flashy at all. While A-list celebs like Beyoncé and Jay Z have been spotted vacationing here, the scene is totally not a “scene"—no casinos, big chain restaurants or nightlife here. Don't miss Gwen's Reggae Bar & Grill, famous for its delicious ribs and strong rum punch (both make the hammocks in front of the joint the prime place for after-lunch lounging).

Where To Stay: If you're looking for a seriously low-key (and budget-friendly) stay in a truly unbelievable location right on Shoal Bay beach, Shoal Bay Villas is the perfect pick. These apartments are the opposite of a mega-resort: simple rooms with fully equipped kitchens. So if your idea of a perfect honeymoon consists of drinking coffee with your toes in the sand in the morning and repeating with a chilled glass of wine at sunset, you'll do just fine at Shoal Bay Villas.
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Playa Del Amor, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
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Cabo San Lucas is most known for its decadent nightlife, but it's most popular for its stunning beaches—most of which make for insanely beautiful Instagram shots, but can be dangerous to swim in since the surf is rough. Lover's Beach (aka Playa del Amor) has calm waters perfect for snorkeling and paddling around. It's only accessible by water taxi and has no bathrooms or shops so plan accordingly (read: make a restroom stop before you get on the water taxi, and don't forget your sunscreen).

Where to Stay: Every single room at Esperanza Resort Cabo San Lucas offers an “OMG, is this real life?" ocean view, and the area has bragging rights to an average of 350 days of sunshine per year. Explore the lush 17-acre estate dramatically positioned between two bluffs, get a couple's massage in a cbana right on the beach, try a cocktail-making or seafood-cooking class (and then enjoy the creations you've concocted), or participate in a tequila tasting led by a Master Tequilero.
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Sure, it has the most beautiful coral Caribbean sand you won't find anywhere else on this list. And the water is so clear you'll be able to see the crazy rainbow of fish swimming around you and your better half. But you'll also find a surprisingly vast number of adventures to go on, from renting wave runners and parasailing to pick-up volleyball games with friendly locals.

Where to Stay: The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman has 800 employees serving just 365 guest rooms and suites—you'd be hard-pressed to find more attentive service in the Caribbean or anywhere else. The resort has a La Prairie Spa, a tennis center laid out by famed coach Nick Bollettieri and a Greg Norman–designed oceanfront golf course.
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Playa Delfines, Cancun, Mexico

While it's located smack dab in the middle of Cancun's Hotel Zone, there aren't any resorts directly on Playa Delfines—meaning its blue- green waters and white sand are relatively quiet for the area, which is known to be party central whether or not it's spring break.

Where To Stay: When you think of Mexico, you might think of tequila, but the all-inclusive Secrets The Vine Cancun resort (just a couple of minutes away from Playa Delfines) is actually focused on wine. Even though it's all-inclusive, they offer a world-class wine list at every meal. Vinophiles on vacation can take sommelier-led classes or simply visit the Vine Bar and sample one of its 3,000 varietals.
Barefoot Beach, North Naples, Florida

Not all Florida beaches look like the über-developed ones you see in Miami. Barefoot Beach Preserve Park has 342 acres of pristine land, including a white-sand, shell-laden beachfront where you're more likely to see nesting sea turtles among the palm trees and lagoons than club-goers. It's relatively quiet from April through October, before the white-haired snowbirds descend for the winter season.
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Where To Stay: Four cascading pools (in other words, mini-waterfalls) and a world-class spa and golf course may mean you'll never want to leave LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, but you should—downtown Naples, with artsy boutiques, a bustling farmers market and eclectic restaurants, is just minutes away.
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Galley Bay Beach, St. John's Parish, Antigua

Although it has some of the Caribbean's best sunsets and is home to adorable sea turtles, Galley Bay largely remains a secret of the hotel's guests—for now. Swimmers as well as snorkelers will love the crystal- clear, warm turquoise water and its pristine white-sand beach. The charming thatched-roof villas of the on-site resort dot the coast, giving Galley Bay a bohemian feel.

Where To Stay: The all-inclusive Galley Bay Resort is located on the sunset side of Antigua, so don't forget to charge up your camera or smartphone. Add the honeymoon package, which includes a champagne picnic on a secluded beach and in-room petals, candles, robes and a couple's massage.
Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

You know those crazy-beautiful beaches from your laptop's background options, where the sky and water both blend into one unbelievably serene blue? The ones you didn't believe existed? Well, prepare to become a believer. Grace Bay is 12 miles of that picture-perfect image. The island of Providenciales also has a golf course and a casino (just in case you need a break from the breathtaking beach). Bonus: It's easy to get to—only three hours from New York City.

Where To Stay: The Grace Bay Club is pure luxury all the way. It consists entirely of oceanfront suites, and has canopied beach beds and an infinity pool overlooking the turquoise water. Have a drink at the Infiniti Bar, one of the longest bars in the Caribbean. Stretching out 90 feet, there's plenty of room to grab a mojito or martini and try a dish off the menu of “small and sexy" bites.
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My "American Idol" Experience

7/11/2016

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Sometimes it's funny to me, the response I get, when I'm with clients or people in this new world of nutrition and blogging and babies and journalism, when I mention that before all of this I was a recording artist. I sometimes forget that I don't talk about it much. 

I actually still am. I am still signed with NVE/Universal and I still contribute to the business side of music and write for other artists from time to time. I've just taken an extended break from touring, because honestly, it was nice to take a break and enjoy marriage and taking care of a home and starting a family. 

But no need for a whole biography on my music life. I wanted to share an awesome vacation experience that any singer or music lover hopefully tried, had they visited Disneyworld Hollywood Studios between 2009 and 2014. 
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In 2010, Mr. Charming and I visited Disney World together for the first time. He and I had been planning a major trip to Disneyworld for a while and had planned 6 amazing days in the parks. If you've read our Engagement Story, you'll know how the trip began in Epcot. *swoon* 

All of the parks were equally amazing, and though Epot was my favorite, for not just obvious reasons of saying yes to the man of my dreams, I also adored the world travel theme, Hollywood Studios ran a close second because I got to sing my face off for a ton of people. Which, is always a good time, haha. 

"Producers" would walk around the park and ask random people to "audition" or sing for the cameras to see who they wanted to pull in for the show. They actually approached Mr. Charming but he told them I was the one they wanted and after bugging him to sing to no avail, they had me sing. Little did they know, it was my day job at the time, haha, and I had just finished recording my own debut album. BLVD., back in L.A.  After replaying our "engagement" for the cameras and getting my "ticket to Hollywood" they took me to the studios for hair, makeup and rehearsal. 

Every detail was amazing. While I was getting prettified and rehearsing, Mr Charming went and grabbed some lunch until it was time for him to see the live show. You got to work with vocal coaches and a choreographer before your "performance" and sit in the "Coca Cola Lounge" to choose your song selection. Seriously, all the details were so cute. 
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I chose a couple of Whitney Houston songs for my performance and was introduced along with three other singers all awaiting our turn. 

The stage was to size, with a full audience of park go-ers (and my hubby who got put on the big screen, hehe) lights and cameras, it was like being on the show. And the sound system was epic! Go Disney!

After performing, the audience got to vote from their seats and as you can see below, I was number 4. It was an amazing, fun-filled day and I was happy to say I won my round!! Which got me a ticket to actually GO to Hollywood for a front of the line pass, but as I'd said before, I was already signed with an album I'd just released so I wasn't qualified to audition for the real show, but the Disney dream version sure was fun and it's a memory that will last forever. 
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Have you participated in any theme park attractions? I loved how immersive this one was! Share your experiences in the comments below :) 
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Nosh & Nurture was born of this journey I am on to better the health of myself, my family and those around me.  What started as a simple compilation of recipes has grown to a all-around lifestyle journal with ways to incorporate organic products into your home, pantry and beauty cabinet.  I also include stories on pregnancy, new motherhood, travel, Proverbs 31 marriage, and spiritual health, as I am a Christian who couldn't do any of this without my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. For more of my story you can click here. 

All recipes are gluten-free and dairy-free with a lot of soy-free, grain-free, sugar-free options. 

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