Designed for Adventure: Family travel, parenting, and practical life stories

Fix Bayonets and Tadpoles: Navigating Gettysburg and Civil War Reenactments with Kids

In this episode of Designed for Adventure, Jesse and Ellie trade the "Disney bubble" for a deep dive into American history. They recap two recent Civil War-themed trips: a rainy weekend exploring the vast battlefield of Gettysburg and a hot afternoon at a First Manasses reenactment in Brandy Station, Virginia. The couple discusses how to make "living history" engaging for a five-year-old and a toddler, from finding thousands of tadpoles at the Virginia monument to reenacting Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain’s famous charge on Little Round Top.Key Highlights: * The Gettysburg Museum Experience: Why the interactive exhibits at the visitor center—like a digital game where you choose which heavy equipment to carry on a march—are a "total learning experience" that can hold a child's attention while parents explore the museum. * Weathering the Storm: Tips for staying adaptable when the weather doesn't cooperate, whether it’s "pouring rain" during a 5K race or the first "hotter than Hades" day of the Virginia summer. * The Reenactment Playbook: The reality of taking young children to a reenactment, including the necessity of noise-canceling headphones for loud cannon fire and the importance of "ice cream breaks" in the shade when the heat becomes too much. * Living History for Kids: A heartwarming interaction with a modern-day drummer boy and how seeing "kids their own age" involved in history can inspire future adventures. * Digital Cameras for Tiny Tourists: How giving kids their own durable, digital cameras can help them "hone in on details" like horses and tents, keeping them engaged without relying on traditional screen time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Adventure Gear BoxIn this episode, we discussed a few tools that helped keep the kids engaged and comfortable while exploring the battlefields: * Kid-Friendly Digital Cameras [https://shopkiddora.com/products/the-kiddora-snap-unicorn-edition]: These durable cameras (featuring unicorns and dinosaurs!) were a massive hit, allowing the kids to document their own perspective of the trip. (Dinosaur Version [https://shopkiddora.com/products/kiddora-snap?variant=46941526720747]) * Similar Amazon Version [https://amzn.to/4voqZaN]. * Noise-Canceling Headphones [https://amzn.to/4o0RUa2]: A must-have for the loud booms of artillery fire during reenactments to keep young children from getting overwhelmed by the noise. We may receive a small commission from Amazon links.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure: * Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePod * Facebook: Designed for Adventure * Pinterest: Designed for Adventure Podcast [https://www.pinterest.com/designedforadventurepodcast/] * E-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.com * Subscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

The Sleep Dilemma: How to Choose the Perfect Hotel for Family Adventures

In this episode of Designed for Adventure, we dive deep into the one area where we never compromise: sleep. Drawing from "bad experiences" —where toddlers escaped their beds and parents were forced to hide in bathrooms to nurse infants—we explain why the layout of your lodging can make or break a vacation. We share our transition from cramped standard rooms to prioritizing one-bedroom suites and Airbnbs to ensure everyone gets the rest they need to enjoy the adventure. Key Highlights: * The Residence Inn Obsession: Why Jesse and Ellie look for Residence Inns first, citing the one-bedroom suites, free breakfast, and indoor pools as essential family perks. * Airbnb Pros and Cons: A look at the benefits of having a kitchen and more space versus the "insane" cleaning fees and the unpredictability of property layouts. * The Slumber Pod Strategy: Ellie discusses the "game-changing" benefits of using a blackout tent over a pack-and-play to create a private, dark sleeping environment that prevents kids from seeing their parents in the same room. * The Knock-off Slumber Pod I prefer: https://amzn.to/3PGfSL5 (affiliate link) * The Slumber Pod: https://amzn.to/4wVgwFd (affiliate link) * Creative Hotel Hacks: Tips for finding "nooks and crannies" for cribs, utilizing long curtains to darken a sleeping corner, and why balconies are the ultimate "after-hours" sanctuary for parents once the kids are down. * The Transfer Method: A step-by-step breakdown of their bedtime routine in a suite, including how they use the parents' bed as a temporary landing zone before transferring a sleeping toddler to the pull-out couch. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure: * Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePod * Facebook: Designed for Adventure * Pinterest: Designed For Adventure [https://www.pinterest.com/designedforadventurepodcast/] * E-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.com * Subscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

Merida, Moana, and Rapunzel: My 2026 RunDisney Princess Half Marathon Recap

In this episode of Design for Adventure, I am diving into a full recap of my recent trip to Walt Disney World for the runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. This was my fifth time participating in this event since 2011, and I brought along my mom, my two best friends, and my two children for a fun-filled girls' weekend. I break down everything from the registration "disaster"—where two of my friends had to secure charity bibs—to the logistics of staying in a two-bedroom suite at Bay Lake Tower using DVC points.Key Highlights from the Weekend: * The Expo Experience: I share my honest (and slightly frustrated) thoughts on the "insane" amount of unnecessary walking required to get bibs and why I think the quality of the participant shirts has gone downhill. * Race Morning Logistics: I discuss the massive benefit of staying on the monorail loop, which made getting to the starting line at 3:30 a.m. significantly less stressful than taking a bus. * Corral Strategy & Pacing: Despite having a proof of time for Corral A, I chose to start in Corral B to run with my friend. We utilized a strategy of running the first three miles without stopping to get ahead of the crowds, which allowed us to hit shorter character lines later in the race. * Characters & Costumes: We counted a record 19 characters on the course this year! I talk about our group costume as the Wicked Stepsisters and Lady Tremaine. * Post-Race Recovery: Why I believe walking through Epcot after a race is better for your legs than napping, and our traditional post-race breakfast with the princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. * The PhotoPass Investment: I highly recommend the Memory Maker/PhotoPass package, especially for military families who can get it at a discount, as it captures all your race and park memories without you having to pull out your phone. * My Favorite Medal Display for my RunDisney Medals: https://amzn.to/4wLjmML (Affiliate link) Whether you are a seasoned runDisney veteran or are thinking about signing up for the first time when registration opens in June, I hope these tips on pacing, planning, and recovery help you cross that finish line with a smile. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure: * Instagram: @DesignForAdventurePod * Facebook: Design for Adventure * Pinterest: Designed for Adventure Podcast [https://www.pinterest.com/designedforadventurepodcast/] * E-Mail: Designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.com * Subscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life! (My earn a small commission from the link)

Trip Wars: Banff National Park vs. Walt Disney World

In this episode of Design for Adventure, we introduce a new segment called "Trip Wars." Jesse and I set out to plan two completely different vacations for the same window in August—using specific parameters for flights, lodging, food, and activities—to see who could build the best adventure for the best price. The Contenders: * Team Mountains (Jesse): Jesse takes us back to our honeymoon roots with a five-night trip to Banff National Park. His plan includes a flight to Calgary, a Nissan Sentra rental, and a mix of accommodations ranging from a $124-a-night airport hotel to rustic wooden chalets and a final-night splurge in downtown Banff. His itinerary focuses on the majestic beauty of the Canadian Rockies, including hiking, the Banff Gondola, and visits to Lake Louise. * Team Disney (Ellie): I counter with a four-night stay in the "Disney Bubble" during the "hotter than Hades" month of August. I break down three different lodging options: the Value-tier All-Star Sports ($109/night), a Cars-themed family suite at Art of Animation, and a Deluxe Savannah view at Animal Kingdom Lodge. My plan leverages direct flights from Richmond, military park-hopper discounts, and the strategy of eating quick-service meals to keep costs down. Key Highlights: * The "Lap Baby" Debate: We have a hilarious (and slightly illegal) disagreement over whether our "giant" children could still pass as lap babies to save on airfare. * The Skeptic's Stance: Jesse remains the ultimate Disney skeptic, questioning why anyone would pay $60 for a character breakfast when "eggs are less than $2 a dozen" and expressing his preference for the real Yellowstone over a themed Disney lodge. * The Experience Factor: I argue that you can't put a price tag on the "experience factor"—watching our daughter scream "horses!" at the carousel or seeing our son’s face light up when a parade float passes by. * Budget Hacks: We discuss how to use annual passes, military discounts, and the "guest of Mickey" perk (free entry for kids under three) to make a high-end vacation more accessible. Whether you’re dreaming of glacier-fed lakes or a walk down Main Street, this episode breaks down the logistics of making those dreams a reality.Let us know in the comments, which trip would you choose? Banff National Park or Walt Disney World? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure: * Instagram: @DesignForAdventurePod * Facebook: Design for Adventure * E-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.com * Pinterest: Designed For Adventure [https://www.pinterest.com/designedforadventurepodcast/] * Subscribe: Follow us to hear more "Trip Wars" and family travel strategies!

Disney Planning 101: Renting DVC Points and booking a Resort-Part 3

In this episode of Design for Adventure, I (Ellie) help Jesse overcome his "analysis paralysis" by diving deep into the world of Disney Vacation Club (DVC) point rentals. We explore how renting points allows families to stay in high-end Deluxe villas for a fraction of the cost—sometimes saving as much as $2,500 on a single stay at resorts like the Grand Floridian. I also break down the critical logistics of booking windows (11 months vs. 7 months), the trade-offs of paying full price upfront versus Disney’s flexible payment plans, and why location-based perks like walking to Epcot are worth the extra investment. Key Episode Highlights * Don't miss Jesse's Disney skepticism this episode. * Budgeting for Magic: Why we look at a "per night" limit and how we decide between staying longer in a Value resort or splurging on a shorter Deluxe stay. * Party Size & "Secret Beds": A look at the "fifth sleeper" pull-down twin beds for families of five and the massive 2- and 3-bedroom villas that are larger than our first apartment. * The Rental Process: How to use third-party services like David’s DVC Rentals or the DVC Rental Shop to find owners with points, and why you need to be prepared to pivot if your first choice isn't available. * Price Comparisons: Real-world examples of savings, including an $800 discount at the Polynesian and why Disney's direct promotions can sometimes actually beat DVC rental prices during the summer. * Split Stays: The ultimate pro-tip for families who want to experience multiple resorts; we discuss how Disney moves your luggage for you while you enjoy the parks. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure: Instagram: @DesignForAdventurePodFacebook: Design for AdventureE-mail: designedforadventurepodcast@gmail.comPinterest: If interested in any of the items I talk about during the shows, I try to always link them! Find us on Pinterest at Designed for AdventureSubscribe: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life! And Don't forget to leave us a review.