Family, travel, mom blog | Theme Park Mom (Leigh Caldwell)

So here’s your “awwwww” moment of the day…

Take a look at these four baby otters. The little guys were born three weeks ago at SeaWorld in Orlando. Their mom and dad are Simon and Sophie, both Asian small-clawed otters.

They are a protected species, native to Southeast Asia. SeaWorld breeds the otters for the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan, which tries to preserve animals that are threatened or endangered in the wild. (more…)

Wow! You came back! I hope you find my site helpful. Please contact me if you have any suggestions or story ideas.

Walt Disney World announced today that celebrity chef Cat Cora will open a new family dining spot at Disney’s Boardwalk this fall.

Courtesy photo / Walt Disney World

The restaurant, named Kouzzina, will replace Spoodles. Not surprisingly, the menu will be Mediterranean influenced. Cora grew up in a family of Greek restaurateurs.

Cora said that the new restaurant will feature “time-honored recipes passed down from my ancestors, as well as my favorite Greek and Mediterranean dishes that my family loves.”

I always enjoy watching Cora on “Iron Chef America,” I like her southern, easygoing style.

I’m eager to check out the new restaurant when it opens. Especially since Disney’s Boardwalk is one of my favorite places to spend an evening, outside of the parks. It’s a great place to catch Epcot’s Illuminations without paying for theme park admission.

Hopefully, Cora will use her own experience as a mom to make the restaurant truly family friendly.

Photo courtesy of Adventure Island

Adventure Island, the companion water park to Busch Gardens, opens this weekend for its 29th summer season in Tampa. If you have never been there, it is worth checking out. Adventure Island is one of the cleanest water parks around, and it also serves some of the best food available at water parks.

Adventure Island has a Key West theme, with plenty of slides, a “lazy river” to float in and a wave pool with a huge beach for relaxing.

We are seeing unprecedented deals at theme parks this spring and summer, and Adventure Island is no exception. Right now, you can buy a weekday pass that gets you in all season long (on weekdays only, of course) for $39.95, the same price as a one-day ticket.

If you are a Florida resident, you can get $10 off your single-day admission by buying your ticket online at AdventureIsland.com.

Photo by Tom Saint

Disney Cruise Line has just announced a great discount for children this spring. Kids 12 and under cruise for 50 percent off if they are staying in a stateroom with two adults.

The current sail dates for this deal are March 26 through May 14. Disney says that other dates may be added.

To book, call 1-800-491-9744 and mention the code “KHO”.

Theme Park Mom and Theme Park Dad have been talking about taking a family cruise for the past couple of years, and Disney would definitely be our first choice. We just haven’t made it on the boat yet.

Hope you can use this deal!