The Royal Blog

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Bliss

Sheraton Cincinnati North & CoCo Key Water Resort

• I will readily admit that we have been spoiled by staying at the Great Wolf Lodge, and that my expectations are high when it comes to hotels with water parks. That being said:

The hotel & water park are two separate entities (although I was able to charge passes/food to the hotel room) and don't bother asking the employees of one about the other.

This Sheraton is in dire need of a good scrubbing.  Our balcony had cigarette butts all over it and hair on the bathroom floor, and in talking to other parents it sounded like the rooms in general were not being cleaned adequately.  Honestly the hotel seems to be on the decline and I really have no idea why CoCo Key thought it was a good hotel to tack their water park onto.  We did not eat at the hotel's restaurants so I have no opinion about that.  The woman who brought us our room service breakfast Friday a.m. was really nice (and the food was decent) but I don't think the staff in general was "exceptionally friendly" or helpful.  I'd say "adequate".

CoCo Key Water Resort: 

• Food - overpriced but I expected that. We only ate at the Pizza Hut and the girls there were very friendly, nice, helpful.
• Lifeguard Staff - almost all of them looked bored, miserable or downright surly, but since they are being paid to save lives their personality is not of the utmost importance.
• The Water Park - felt really small, the water is too cold and the air is too cold.
• Water Park Staff - meh.

For all future Cincy soccer tournaments we go to, I hope we have a different host hotel; I do NOT want to go back to the Sheraton/CoCo Key.

Gratitude

What I am especially grateful for this week:

1. We had a safe, uneventful trip up to Traverse City.  E2 was super excited, and spent most of the seven-hour trip telling us she couldn't wait to go down the bwue swide at the waterpark.  After we checked in (had a great room on the waterpark level), we headed over to the waterpark.  E2 was terrified of the blue slide and wouldn't go anywhere near it.  The big kids got their Magi-Quest wands afterwards, and had a blast going on quests.

2. Birthday Boy had a great day!  I was finally fit enough to do the Dune Climb! (Although I was huffing and puffing at the top!)

We drove up to Leland, a super cute little town, and had lunch at The Bluebird.  A very pretty view, and the cinnamon rolls? are to die for!

The kids (of course) found a little park to play at:

Told you it was a super cute town:

Then it was back to Grandma & Grandpa T's house for

games:

Bubbles:

Just enjoying the day:

Fabulous food from the grill, and cake:

With trick candles:

And presents:

And the big kids got to spend the night at Grandma & Grandpa T's!

3.  Tuesday, we got to spend some time at the beach at Empire!

And that night, we had a great meal at Camp Critter!

4.  Wednesday, the girls used the Paw Passes to make their critters at Animal Land:

Then it was off to Pirate's Cove for mini-golf:

the water coaster:

bumper boats:

And watching the fun and hearing "maybe next year you'll be tall enough":

Back to the Great Wolf Lodge for some waterpark action.

The lilypads:

the snake:

the slides:

the lazy ribber:

5.  Thursday, the girls used their Paw Passes to color t-shirts at the Cub Club:

Then it was off to the Pirate Cove for more golf:

The Silly Pirate:

The Confused Pirate:

The Grumpy Pirate:

And across the street for some parasailing.   The big kids LOVED! it and B said it was a super smooth takeoff and ride.

B & Z (trust me, it's them):

and B & E (again, it really is them):

What a beautiful day to fly - the bay was just GORGEOUS:

Back to the Lodge for another great dinner at Camp Critter and then it was time *sniff* to say goodbye to Grandma & Grandpa T:

The big kids did some swimming & magi-questing with two kids they met the day before (who will supposedly also be back next year at the same week too!!), B went and used the Paw Pass arcade tokens, and Biko delivered cookies and milk:

6. We made it home safely. It was long, long trip - no one had to potty at the same time, no one was hungry at the same time, no one was thirsty at the same time, somebody had surprise girlie issues, it was just stop. stop. stop.  But we made it home in one piece; that's the main thing.

7. The Great Wolf Lodge at Traverse City is truly a great place to stay.   The breakfast buffet at the Loose Moose, dinners at Camp Critter, the waterpark, the gift shop - everything was outstanding and the staff is just super.

8.  Thank you for a wonderful week Grandma & Grandpa - we're already daydreaming about next year!

9.  I only gained about two pounds this week - woohoo! - cuz I ate and ate and ate!

Maybe when we shove the chicks out of our nest

I now (because I ordered from the website?) get the Vera Bradley Magazine.  The recent issue has an article on Inn by the Sea.  I need to go there.  NEED. 

I want to stay in the True Blue room:

And have tea in the dining room:

I think if I actually went to  Seaside, Florida,  I'd end up just staying forever.

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa T!

Wednesday:  We drove up to Traverse City and checked into the  Great Wolf Lodge.  That evening, we enjoyed the waterpark and visiting with the T's.

Thursday:  We enjoyed several hours at the Clinch Park Beach, dinner at Camp Critter, and more waterpark time.

Friday:  After breakfast in Empire, we took the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (avoid if you don't like heights).  Then headed up the coast a bit so the big kids could do the Dune Climb .  Then it was back to the hotel to get cleaned up for Z's  Birthday dinner and cake at Camp Critter. FUN!  B and the big kids checked out the Clock Tower Show and bedtime stories in the Grand Lobby and then played in the Northern Lights Arcade for a bit.  They came back to the room, and just as they were complaining about being hungry, it was time for Wiley's Sleepy Time Snack.  Wiley Wolf showed up with six big cookies and two glasses of milk!!!! 

Saturday:  The big kids and I did the Wiley Wolf Walk in the Grand Lobby.  Our guide, Ann, showed us around the lobby and we learned a lot of interesting facts about the various animals (almost all the stuffed animals are real, but they are found, not hunted).  Ann showed the kids how to make an origami wolf and then they all howled!  Z went back to the room, and E1 and I went to the Cub Club, and E1 decorated a little teddy bear and made a bracelet.   After a little more Arcade time, it was off to the Grandparents to grill out and enjoy the nearby park.    Back at the Lodge, I took the big kids to the waterpark one last time.  We didn't stay long - they were finally a little tired of the waterpark.  We all watched Hoodwinked (hysterical - loved it!) and then it was time for bed.  [Should also mention that during our visit we enjoyed a LOT of delicious snacks and Caramel Lattes from  The Bear Claw Cafe and some goodies from the Spirit Island Snack Shop .   And did some shopping at the Buckhorn Exchange.]

Sunday:  Got up at 5:00 in the a.m. (Z: "That is NOT the crack of dawn, Mom."  whatever.)  and by about 1:00, we were at home sweet home.

Two pruny thumbs up for the Great Wolf Lodge and HURRAY! for visiting family!!!

Many, many thanks to Grandma & Grandpa T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!