Category: Water Parks

Holiday Giveaway Festiview with the Catania Hospitality Group & Cape Codder Resort

12/18/2019

In honor or our Annual Festivus Holiday Giveaways, Cape Cod Moms will be featuring all the participating businesses in a Festiview, a.k.a Festivus Interview to help our community get to know the owners, their passions and their favorite holiday events! Be sure to purchase a calendar to enter this amazing annual giveaway beginning 11/27/2019 for your chance to win any or even all of the 32 prizes donated by local Cape Cod Small Businesses! Each SINGLE entry is eligible for all 32 prizes (or all remaining prizes if purchased after start date). If you win once, your name goes back in and you can win again! Remember by supporting local small businesses, you keep the money here, which in turns allows the business to support all local communities and fundraisers
#ShopLocal #SaveLocal #SupportLocal

Cape Codder Water Park
Festivus Prize: Family 4 Pack for 2020
Awarded on: Dec. 31, 2019
Purchase Your Entry Here

How do you and/or your business get into the spirit of giving?
The Catania Hospitality Group (through the CCR) collects gift cards, toys and food donations to donate to Independence House in Hyannis, Cape Cod’s leading resource, counseling, and advocacy center to address and prevent domestic and sexual violence.

Do you have any specials or events taking place this holiday season?
The Enchanted Village at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa. The dazzling glow of thousands of lights sets the mood for this nostalgic display. Topiary animals will greet you as you make your way past rows of miniature Christmas Trees and Santa's Reindeer to a Santa's Village reminiscent of an old fashioned Enchanted Village. The Cape Cod Surftones will be strolling around the property, singing carols and spreading holiday spirit through song. And, back by popular demand, Santa will be taking some time out of his busy schedule to visit us at the Cape Codder! Children are welcome to sit on his lap to tell him their holiday wishes. Relax by the glow of the Cape Codder's fire pit and roast marshmallows (weather permitting). Cider, hot chocolate and cookies are available for purchase on The Deck. A 32-foot tabletop Christmas Village with electric model trains, collectible houses and villagers will be on display inside the resort’s lobby! The Cape Cod Enchanted Village is open to the public and admission is FREE! Visitors are encouraged to bring a gift card, new toy or non-perishable food to place under the Giving Tree. All donations go to Independence House in Hyannis.
What is your favorite thing about this time of year?
The charitable and holiday spirit of the greater Cape Cod community - supporting local businesses to enhance and build our community.

What is your recommendation for a local family “must attend” holiday event?
We recommend our Enchanted Village and the Hyannis Harbor Lighting and Boat Parade, both events are free and are perfect for the entire family to enjoy!

Would you share with us a family tradition?
Extended family gathering on Christmas Eve at the home of family matriarch for a full-blown Italian extravaganza!

What are your words of advice for families during this special time?
Slow down and savor the season with the ones you love.

What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Grandma’s Riccota Pie!

Do you have a favorite holiday song? If so, which one and why?
The Christmas Song, because it’s full of nostalgia and reminds us all of the special feeling of the holidays!

Get in the Cape Cod Festivus Spirit with
the Cape Codder & the Catania Hospitality Group
1225 Iyannough Rd • Suite #1 • Hyannis, MA 02601 • (888) 416-8596
Purchase Your Entry Here

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Regional Family Vacation to Double Tree by Hilton North Shore a Success

4/8/2019

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Regional Family Vacation to Double Tree by Hilton North Shore a Success
By: Amy, Kelly & Melissa

Recently the Cape Kids Cast kids and some moms from our blogging team were invited up to visit the Double Tree by Hilton North Shore and Coco Key Water Park in Danvers.

As you know many times people have differing points of views when it comes to experiences. For our review this time we decided it would be better to get the viewpoints of the 3 mothers on the trip as well as get their feedback on traveling and vacationing with the kids via a podcast!

You can listen to our podcast focusing on traveling locally with the family below or visit our Parenting Podcast page here. Be sure to also check out Amy, Kelly and Melissa's other suggestions, feedback and tips below!

Amy's Review

Having been to Double Tree by Hilton North Shore before I knew what to expect for the weekend and how much fun the kids would have. We had stayed in the family rooms previously but this time we were treated to the King over sized room with a sofa bed. I loved the size of the room overall because it gave us room to spread out affording us some additional comfort as well as have a specific place to eat. It gives the allusion of having almost separate space which was useful during our times we took a break from the water park to decompress or before bed. I loved having the fridge in our room which was the perfect place to store juice boxes (and the delicious secret tray of brownies with caramel sauce we brought for the parents).

Breakfast was included with our stay and the buffet offered a plentiful assortment of options. I was partial to the homemade Belgian waffles that you could make yourself however the kid in me wished for chocolate chips as an option to put on top. Our server for both mornings was excellent and very friendly. She handled our large party with ease even with the dining room being packed. We opted to order from room service our second night for dinner which looking back on it was a SMART decision on our part. The kids were exhausted after such a fun filled day.

The water park was a lot of fun and because I had purchased a waterproof case for my phone, the kids were able to take it down slides and in the pools so we could capture some really funny moments. We were able to utilize a cabana the first night we were there which did make it easy to condense all of our things together plus gave the kids a quiet place to take a break. The safe in the cabana was an added bonus so that valuables could be locked up.

Overall we had a fantastic time. We discuss our trip in more length on the podcast but I have also included some Parent Tips below that we discuss that may make your life a little easier!

Parent Tips

If you are traveling from the Cape leave early to beat the traffic. It makes a huge difference in your attitude upon arrival. You will feel so much less stressed if you can avoid traffic.
Since the water park opens at 10am, there is a rush to eat and then get to the park. I would advise getting up early and eating for 8am. By 9am there is a line and you wish have to wait.
If you are a guest at the hotel, utilize the hotel pool for decompression breaks. Take time during the busiest time of the day to take a break back in the room.
Purchase lunch early-the line gets long or again utilize this time to take a break from the water park and then return later.
Ask for a late checkout and if during the less busy seasons ask to check out even later. Many hotels are accommodating for this if they don’t have someone checking in to that room. This will allow you to enjoy the water park again and then have time to shower before heading home. Also if you are driving back to the Cape this will allow for you to stop for an early dinner so you can get those kids to bed not long after you hit the bridge!
Bring snacks and treats like brownies-your friends and family will love you for it ;-)
Travel with Friends. This helps you have more eyes on the kids plus who doesn’t love sharing fun experiences together!
Let loose and just have fun!

Kelly's Review

We were lucky enough to stay and “play” at the Doubletree Hilton North Shore and Coco Keys Water Park and I can gladly say we had a fabulous time. The hotel was great and upon checking in the kids were thrilled to receive their homemade cookies!! What a great treat for them.

We had a great room which was spacious and comfortable and right across the hall from our friends. We would have preferred a room with 2 double beds because the mattress on the pull-out sofa was very thin and uncomfortable. Of course, the kids were more than excited to get their bathing suits on and get to the waterpark!! We were lucky enough to have a cabana reserved for us which was perfect. We got there Friday evening, so the park was quite full and without the cabana we wouldn’t have had a table or chairs because they were all taken. The kids loved the fact that there was a TV in the cabana, however, it wasn’t connected or working which was a little disappointing. The kids played in the water and on the slides and had a great time while we waited for our dinner.

The following day we planned to spend at the waterpark and although we were there as soon as it opened there were no towels. The kids continued to have fun in the water and on the slides but were very disappointed that the lazy river still hadn’t been opened. Luckily, we were able to use it later that afternoon and it was one of their favorite parts despite having to wait in line for over 30 minutes. We had a great day, but I suggest having more than 1 register open to order food or have a section where pre-made salads are available to “grab and go”. I waited in line for 45 minutes for a Caesar salad…which was delicious but frustrating having to wait that long.

The arcade was fun but overpriced compared to other arcades and quite a few prizes were out of stock when the kids went to redeem their tickets. For dinner that night we decided to order room service. The menu offered some great items and the food was great however, quite a few items had been forgotten but delivered shortly after.

The kids had a great time and the kids are already asking when we can go back.

Melissa's Review

We had a great escape from the doldrums of winter and home life last weekend visiting the Coco Key Water Park in Danvers. The kids all had smiles on their faces the whole time. Even us adults had a blast! I think we were so focused on the kids having a great time that we didn't realize how much enjoyment us big kids would have too! For instance, screaming the entire way down those giant blue slides that wind their way outside of the building, or just relaxing in the lazy river.

It was busiest Saturday as they were sold out, so there were long lines for food or towels. To be on the safe side I'd recommend bringing snacks, including water, and your own towels from home.

The Double Tree by Hilton North Shore was comfortable and so convenient to the water park! They were all booked for the weekend so, we didn't get to see the themed rooms, but the rooms we stayed in were nice. I believe they mentioned to us during our stay that all the rooms are going through a renovation process. We can't wait to see it upon completion at a future visit!

The breakfast buffet was so easy to feed everyone a good amount of food before hitting the water park for the day. They provide a nice selection to choose from, even if you have picky eaters. Room service was a great option Saturday night. We got to have some much needed down time after an exhausting day of playing. Then we ventured out to check out the hotel's arcade located just outside the water park. It goes without saying that the kids had fun playing the games and winning a few prizes too!

Sunday we managed to score a late checkout and were then able to spend just enough time in the water park again, until the kids - if you can believe this - were all done and tired out! We had just enough time for everyone to shower, pack up and then checkout. I would highly recommend a later check-out time if you can arrange it.

Stopping for an early dinner on the way home was another great idea. Everyone was fed before getting home, so we could focus on a relaxing evening before putting the kids to bed. The giant amount of laundry was saved for the next day!

We really had a fantastic weekend together, and as a bonus it was a great way to exhaust the kids! Thank you so much to both the Double Tree by Hilton North Shore and Coco Key Water Park for having us! We are looking forward to a future visit!

Share with us your experiences at Doubletree Hilton North Shore and Coco Key Water Park as well as any travel tips below!

Amy is the founder of the Cape cod Moms blog, a member of the Parent Podcast Team and working mom of two children, Ethan & Olivia, both members of the Cape Kids Cast team. A native Cape Codder she is extremely passionate about her community residing in Falmouth with her husband and extended family. She works full time in the accounting & financial industry for Gary DellaPosta, CPA as well as is an expert travel agent with InTouch Vacations specializing in Disney, Caribbean travel and more. She can be emailed at Amy@intouchvacations.com for vacation planning needs. In addition Amy is a current director, Co-Chair of the Youth Committees, and former Treasurer of the Falmouth Rotary Club; co-founder of the former Falmouth Young Professionals and volunteers actively in the community. Amy has a background in elementary education, special education and was a former competitive swimmer for 15 years.

Full time Catering Sales Manager for PF Chang’s covering the Northeast territory. Proven success in establishing long term business partnerships. Mother of 2 girls. Madeline 11 (5th grade) Charley 7 (2nd grade) who are reporters on the Cape Kids Cast Broadcast Team. Lives in West Falmouth with her husband and 2 children. Developing strong relationships is the foundation of everything I do both professionally and personally. Kelly is also a member of the Parent Podcast Team.

A Cape Cod native who returned in 2013 to open a children's store and raise her now 8 year old daughter, Izzy who is a member of the Cape Kids Cast Broadcast Team. Always in search of a healthy work/life balance she enjoys getting out into nature with her daughter, playing at the beach, yoga, baking, art, crafting, and reading. She is so grateful for the amazing circle of mom friends she has formed on the Cape - it takes a village! Melissa is also a member of the Parent Podcast team.

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Holiday Giveaway Festiview with the Catania Hospitality Group & Cape Codder Resort

Cape Codder Water Park
Festivus Prize: Family 4 Pack for 2020
Awarded on: Dec. 31, 2019
Purchase Your Entry Here

Regional Family Vacation to Double Tree by Hilton North Shore a Success

Amy's Review

Kelly's Review

Melissa's Review

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Festivus Prize: Family 4 Pack for 2020
Awarded on: Dec. 31, 2019
Purchase Your Entry Here

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