Walt Disney World & More app

In my search for a versatile app that will help us to keep track of the places we will visit when we go to Orlando (hopefully in 2014), I have stumbled on Disney World Maps & More which includes maps from Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Orlando International Airport, Universal Studios Orlando, Islands of Adventures, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Polynesian Resort, Wilderness Lodge Resort, Beach and Yatch Club Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Coronado Springs Resort, Swan and Dolphin Resort, Contemporary Resort, Port Orleans Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, All-Star Sports/Movies/Music Resorts, Pop Century Resort, and Boardwalk Resort.

Each map is easy to navigate and will allow you to find where you would like to go in a matter of seconds. And the best part is that you can pinpoint the places you have visited so that when you go back another day, you know exactly what needs to be seen and experience.

 

How often when visiting theme parks, you end up with having to follow a map on paper and wondering where is the next attractions. This app will allow you to quickly search for attractions, restaurants and restrooms. The stores within the park are also marked down for a convenient shopping experience.

The major advantage in having the Disney World Maps & More on your iPod/iPhone/iPad is that you can quickly discover the wait times and the restaurant menus. It is definitively a handy-dandy app to own.

 

The app will allow you to search for places by alphabetical order, by category, or by location. You can prioritize the places you desire to visit by high, medium or low and quickly visualize your plan on the map. The app will also pinpoint your location on the map while using the GPS enabled iPhone. After all, it’s always nice to see visually where you are within the park compared to the place where you want to go. To be honest, I think this app will be a life saver for many reasons while we travel to Orlando and visit the Theme Parks. My only disappointment with it right now is the fact that it doesn’t display all the Theme Parks in Orlando (though it has more than just Disney). I would also like to have more places throughout Canada and the USA available with the app. For example, it would be nice to have the Toronto Zoo Map or Darien Lake.

The Disney World Maps & More from UPinPoint.com is available for purchase for the price of 1.99$ US at iTunes.

Florida Theme Parks app

As I mentioned a couple of post ago, my husband and I are slowly planning a possible trip to Florida in 2014.  If things continue to go as they are going right now, our dream to bring the kids to Florida will become a reality.

So during the winter season – since our RV is hibernating – I will try to write about planning a trip with kids, how to be organized, apps that could be useful and so on.  To be honest, I am very excited about this possibility and look forward to see if we can bring the kids to Disney and other theme parks.

  A week ago, I have downloaded the Florida Theme Parks app to check it out.   The app was presented as though it contained numerous theme parks maps.  However, on iTunes I quickly saw that it a note dated June 5^th, 2012 was mentioning that some maps were outdated and a new release would come out.    This note should be removed because if you check out the What’s New in Version 1.5 which was uploaded on June 25^th, 2012, you will see that all maps are updated and it support the iPad Retina Display.

Now having said that, what can we find in this app?   Many theme parks maps are included in this app – Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Epcot Center, Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios (MGM), Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, The HolyLand Experience, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Weeki Wachee Springs.

Once the app was installed on the app, I was able to browse it.   Essentially, the app will offer you the maps of the above mentioned Theme Parks in Florida as an image.  That’s about sums it all.   No way of pinning what you have seen or select places you want to visit with the kids.

I must admit that I am a bit disappointed with this app.   I expected a bit more but on the other hand it’s always nice to have the maps at the tip of your fingers if you need them.   Besides the app is absolutely FREE so you can’t complain much when you didn’t pay a penny for it right?

Anyhow, I find that having the maps in advance on my iPad is great because I can quickly determine if the theme park is work visiting or not.   Mind you most of the maps offered on this app are great for planning.  However, I dislike the advertisements showing at the top of the app when I use it.   Definitively not my piece of cake!

- See more at: http://blog.goodsamcamping.com/2013/10/florida-theme-parks-app/#sthash.8VYeBvUo.dpuf

A New Twist to Board Games

Board games is a fabulous way to occupy down times and rainy days. But we find that when you are traveling you need to think about what you pack in order to have place for all that you need. And with six people in the family it’s sometimes a tricky thing to do. Back in the day when I was younger and go camping with my parents, a board game or two would be brought as well as books to read. Fast Forward thirty-five years or so and you suddenly have a tablets that can contains numerous games and eBooks for your travels. Now please keep in mind that in this blog post I will not be talking about electronic games like Angry Birds, Cut the Rope or Fruit Ninja. No I am seriously talking about board games like the ones I used to grow up with – Monopoly, Scrabbles, Yahtzee, Trivial Pursuit, Risk, Battleship, Boggle as well as more recent ones like Pandemic and Wits & Wagers. For the purpose of this blog post, I am concentrating on board game apps that can be found on iTunes for the iPod/iPhone/iPad which is the devices we have at home.

Games we are more familiar with!

Monopoly

As per its real life board game, the Monopoly has more than one version on the tablets. You can play the regular Monopoly, the Monopoly Millionaire or the Monopoly Here & Now edition. You can also opted to go with Monopoly Hotels Moguls, Monopoly Slots or Monopoly Bingo is you prefer free versions.

Game of Life

 Game of Life is a great game to introduce children to the cost of living through the years. Though a bit silly this game is great for family time I find.

 

Boggle

One of the word games I played while growing up is also available for the iPhone/iPod/iPad. I remember shaking the plastic container of Boggle when I was younger. Now no need to pack up the box because it’s right there at the tips of our fingers…

 

Scrabble

Scrabble is very popular for lover of words. Unfortunately, at this point in time nobody wants to play with me. But it doesn’t matter anymore because I can play against the computer on an iPad version. Though my oldest son is somewhat interested now to play against me…

 

Trivial Pursuit

Not everyone like trivia questions. I know my husband dislike these but with this version for the iPad he doesn’t mind it. Trivial Pursuit is a game where you can test your knowledge and compete to win. Various in-app purchases can also be made to make the game more challenging: Encyclopedia Pack, TV Pack, Movies Pack, General Knowledge Pack, The Master Edition Pack, and Sports Pack.

 

Clue

Clue is another popular game from when I grew up. Though we didn’t have it when I was younger, I did get it when I was a bit older. Two versions of the game is available for the iPad - the original which has a cartoon look and Clue Secrets and Spies which allow you to stop the evil forces of C.L.U.E. (Criminal League for Ultimate Espionage) from sowing destruction across the globe. Clue Secrets & Spies is a different version of the well-known game. It offers a different twist to an older game that could bring some fun memories while you play with your family.

Battleship

Battleship is a popular game for fighting against an opponent. I still have the game I played with my parents while growing up and we even had an electronic game at some point. This new version of the popular game is perfect for two children to play against each other while traveling.

 

Risk

Risk… What can I say about this game? My husband introduced me to this game after I met him. It was (and still is) one of his favourite games while growing up with his brother. Nowadays, he plays non-stop with our four kids with this very strategic and conquest of the world. All my kids love it – even my five year old daughter who recently beat all the boys in the family!

Pictureka!

A newer game on the market that will help you become more aware of the little things around you. The object of the game is to find something as fast as you can before someone yell Pictureka! My kids enjoy playing this at home but we also have a version on the iPad which allows you to find things as fast as you can in order to go to the next level.

 

Yahtzee

Who have not played Yahtzee? This game was part of my childhood as well and I really enjoyed trying to get the best score while matching the dice to complete a specific challenge. The iPad version is similar and yet different at the same time. It’s very addictive and you have to compete against other characters in order to advance in the game.

 

UNO -Skip-Bo-Phase 10

Card games don’t take much space when you travel but why bothering with finding them at home when you can have them on your portable device. Or why not let the kids use the app instead of the real card while you are driving to your destination? That way you can be certain that you won’t lose cards during the trip! We are more familiar with UNO but I know that other families prefers Skip-Bo or Phase 10. I just wish that there was a version for Mile Bornes or Ratuki as well…

 

Wits & Wagers

We discovered Wits & Wagers about two years ago when I got a copy to review. At first my husband wasn’t thrilled to have a trivia game but this one comes with a twist. To play this game you don’t need to have all the answers to win. All you have to do is guess the answer of a trivia question, bet who answered the best and then win some chips. In the end, the person with the most chips win. I recently discovered that they have a version on the iPad which is fabulous when you want to have a quick fun game with the family.

 

Pandemic

Pandemic is a cooperative game that we recently reviewed. The challenge is simple – work together in order to keep four deadly diseases at bay and prevent a pandemic throughout the world. The game was highly recommended by a friend of ours who is passionate about gaming. And after trying it we think it is a fabulous game. Recently, the game was released for iPad and I think it is great that they have thought about this. It’s an amazing game to have and it will allows you to work together as a family in order to save humanity!

 

Games I have never played yet but heard great things about them!

Carcassonne

I’ve never played Carcassonne but I have seen how many kids and adults love playing it. Essentially, you have to build a medieval landscape, tile by tile, while claiming landmarks. The game apparently allows for many play styles and strategies. It is another social game for the whole family (and friends as well!).

Catan

Catan is another strategy game that I have heard off. Two expansions are available for purchase as well: Seafarers as well as Cities and Knights.

 

Ticket to Ride

I’ve heard of Ticket to Ride after Christmas last year when someone I know posted picture of her family playing it. My attention was picked and I checked it out. Essentially, you have to build a rail track between two cities. Various versions of the board games exist. For the iPad edition, you can purchase the original edition and from there purchase in-apps to ride the USA, Europe, Switzerland, or Asia. For the iPod edition, you can also purchase the Ticket to Ride Europe separately which also offers the Switzerland pack as an in-app purchase.

******************

In conclusion, these games are perfect to have on your portable device as you can play them anywhere you are. They are also great to have as they will help your kids (and yourself!) to develop some skills while playing them – strategy, rapidity, and so on – as well as encourage you to think about the consequences before making a move. On a regular basis, my kids play Risk with their dad and we are amazed on how strategically they think before placing their men in order to conquer the world. Such games on a portable device are also great to entertain the kids while driving long distances when you are traveling.

Our only problem is how excited the kids can become while playing and try to control their enthusiasm while we drive. As a homeschooling family, we also see some hidden advantages in these games. Yes they will allow our kids to develop strategy, critical thinking and rapidity as I mentioned before but without knowing they can be exposed to geography, quick observations, investigations, trivia questions of various sorts, life skills, and vocabulary.

How are you entertaining your family on long drives or during rainy days? Do you play board games while traveling or at camping? If so, please share your favourite board games (or app games) that you like to play. I would love to discover new games for our future trips! Note: If you are interested in purchasing the games for your Apple device, simply click on the icons of the games throughout this post.

Best Road Trip Ever app

We are a family that loves to explore around while we are going on vacation.   To be honest, while we will enjoy going to the beach for a few hours, I don’t think we could last a whole day sitting in the sand, playing in the water and so on.  Mind you it could be different with kids (we have never went to the beach with them yet…) but deep down I think it’s better to plan how much time you want to spend in the sun.

As we are seriously considering next year as potentially the year of our road trip to Florida, I was pondering how I can make our future trips more fun and exciting.   Then it dawned on me… when traveling around, you always have offbeats attractions, folk art sites, sights and eateries to check out.   Thinking of that I remember visiting the Big Potato in OLeary (PE) ,the Big Violin in Matacquac (NB) and the Big Nickel in Sudbury (ON).   What other unconventional attractions can we find?

So this morning I was checking out iTunes and discovered this app – Best Road Trip Ever!.   My curiosity was picked…

I purchased it and decided to explore it.  In this out-of-the-ordinary app, you will find over 2500 attractions that will allow you to get out of the car and stretch your legs.   These attractions can be unusual architecture, a road side attraction like the world’s largest or smallest things as well as muffler men, odd memorials, natural attractions, offbeat museums and collections, unnatural wonders, cool signs, and relics.

Another fun thing you will find in the app is a list of over 3300 eateries.   Whether you are looking for the best place in town where the locals meet up, a Classic Diner, a BBQ Join or unique lodging for a snooze while traveling, this app has it all.

Finally, the app wouldn’t be complete is you couldn’t find the places where folk art can be seen.   You can find places where you have art galleries, where you can sit down and chat with an artist or even check our cute little museums and collections.

From the map view, you will get a multitude of green, red and blue icons.   Each represent something.  The green icons are primarily for the attractions you can find while driving.  The red ones represents the places where you can eat and/or sleep.  Finally, the blue ones are specifically for anything that is art related.  I can also explore a specific area – let say Florida for example – and map out the ones that I would like to check out when we visit it.  So while exploring Orlando, I discovered that you can check out the various orange groves around the city by climbing the Florida Citrus Tower.    One thing we like to do as a family is to experience various pick your own fruit/vegetable.  One of my dreams would be to be able to go pick my own oranges when we are in Florida.   Now I fully realize that it all depends on the time of the year… and if we plan a Spring trip chances are pretty slim to be able to pick some ourselves.  But to be able to view the groves from above that would be a fun experience I think.

I definitively plan to check out the various attractions, eateries and other fun things that can be done in Orlando and/or Florida.   This app will allow us to explore the area beyond the regular theme park attractions…  I already started making my list!  *grin*

My only disappointment is that there are no Canadian Road Side attractions, eateries or folk art listed in this app.   I think it would be interesting to incorporate the ones from Canada to make it more North Americanish if you see what I mean.

The app is available for purchase at iTunes for 99 cents.

Lego Friends Ultimate Stickers app

Lego Friends Ultimate Stickers app
From DK Canada

 

About the app

With more than 85 virtual stickers, DK’s LEGO® Friends Ultimate Stickers app lets kids use their imagination and create fun scenes from 8 amazing backdrops based on the LEGO Friends universe. They can match stickers to their shapes in 8 exciting sticker challenges and learn fun facts about the minidolls along the way. Once all the challenges have been completed, an exclusive LEGO Friends prize will be revealed. Children can also save photos of their scenes or print them out to share with friends and family. Designed for creative minds of all ages, the LEGO Friends Ultimate Stickers app
offers hours of LEGO fun.
Features:
● More than 85 amazing stickers
● 2 game modes to choose from: Sticker Challenge and Freeplay
● Sticker Challenge lets players choose from 8 topics so children can learn all about the Friends and what they get up to in Heartlake City
● Adjust difficulty level to reduce or increase the amount of stickers in the carousel for the sticker challenges
● Tapping on an empty sticker slot provides a clue to the minidoll’s identity
● A successful sticker match reveals a unique sound and fact about each minidoll
● Completing all the challenges unlocks a special LEGO Friends reward
● 8 freeplay scenes include Heartlake Stables, the Flying School, Andrea’s stage, and the Riding Camp
● Freeplay mode allows users to decorate their own scenes with stickers. The stickers can be rotated, flipped and made larger or smaller
● App includes unique backgrounds, sounds, and music
● Photo function allows you to save photos of your scenes to iPad’s Photos app, to share or print

Our Thoughts

One Friday afternoon, I asked my daughter to come and sit down next to me.  She didn’t want to play with her brothers on the Wii and wanted to use my iPad.   I told her I had something special for her.  She asked what it was and I told her she will see it soon enough.   As I was opening the iPad, I kept my eyes on her because I didn’t want to miss her reactions.   It came immediately after I opened the Lego Friends Ultimate Stickers app that I had just received from DK Canada.  As soon as she say the main screen her eyes brightened and a gigantic smile came on her face.  She was pleased to see the Lego Friends on the iPad.

 

She didn’t hesitate a minute and immediately started to explore the various pages within the app.   The app contains 8 backdrops which allow your daughter to find the stickers that go in it.   Once the stickers of all the backdrops are found, she will get a trophy of completion and one special backdrop will be opened to her.    Jasmine loved searching the stickers and placing them where they go.  Each time she would ask me to read her what it said.   This app allows her to match the shapes with the stickers and learn more about her favourite characters of Lego friends.  

The app is very easy to use and will entertain your child anywhere you are.  I love having apps like this that will allow my daughter to quietly wait at the doctor/dentist office or to be quiet in the car during long drives.    The Lego Friends Ultimate Stickers app is very colourful and will keep your daughter occupy for a while.

The Lego Friends Ultimate Stickers app is available for purchase for the price of 3.99$ on iTunes.

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

AppDrive AppFinity

AppDrive
From AppToyz
Available through SpinMaster

About the product

Get behind the wheel of the ultimate driving simulator! Using patented touch pad technology, the AppDrive puts you right in the race! Your iOS device’s gyroscope delivers 100% authentic steering control as you tilt, twist and turn your way through every race! 4 console buttons deliver shifting, breaking, drifting and more! Customize each one while your race through popular licensed and non-licensed games. Whether it’s stock cars, planes or motocross, AppDrive puts you behind the wheel!

My Thoughts

After the AppBlaster and the AppFishing, here comes the AppDrive.  Last year, when we reviewed the AppBlaster, my husband was quite impressed with the possibilities of the blaster and the games.  Since then we have discovered new products from AppToys which are distributed through SpinMaster.    I tried the AppDrive, while everyone else were busy with other things in the house on Sunday afternoon.    I must admit that I always was challenged with driving games and I think I will always be challenged with them.  Somehow, it looks as though I prefer the off the road trips…   Nevertheless, I have a good understanding on how the game works and how the AppDrive will help the player to enjoy his ride.

Essentially, the AppDrive is a device that looks like a wheel and your challenge is to drive whatever vehicle the game you have selected will offer.  You can insert an iPhone, iPod or an android device inside the wheel to play the game.    Check the box to make sure that your device is supported with it.

Once you start the game,you are in for a ride!   The game I tried was 2XL MX Offroad which is a game with a four-wheeler that you need to control.  As I mentioned before, I am not gifted with this type of games on the iPod.   However, I enjoyed the graphics and the fact that I could control the four-wheeler myself.  You also have the possibility of choosing the vehicle and the driver.   You can go backward or forward as well as control the direction of the vehicle.   If you hit a tree your drive will be ejected and thrown in the air.   Sometimes,my drive also got squished under the vehicle itself.   But there was no blood whatsoever in the game which is great if you ask me.   I would have no hesitation whatsoever to let my kids play with it.

Even though I am more challenge than my kids would be for this sort of game, I have enjoyed driving my four-wheeler and explore the surroundings.   Did I made any jump?  No as I quickly got lost in the woods…   Did I hit some trees?  You bet.   But I am willing to persevere and become better – though I suspect that I am better an puzzle games and quest types of games…

 Asphalt 7 and 2XL MX Offroad are free apps that can be downloaded anytime via iTunes.   Other apps that will work with the AppDrive are 2XL Supercross HD, Ricky Carmichael’s Motocross Matchup Pro, and the 2XL Trophylite Rally HD.

The AppDrive will provide tons of fun for anyone who love driving games.  The fact that it simulates a wheel makes it even more interesting.  It would be a great birthday or Christmas gift for someone who likes this sort of games and owns a device that is supported.

AppDrive is available at your favourite toy store, even on amazon.com.

Disclaimer: Thanks to SpinMaster for sending the product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

AppFishing APPFinity

AppFishing – AppFinity
From AppToyz
Available through SpinMaster

About the product

AppFishing delivers all the live-action of real fishing! Find your sea legs as you cast and jig your way into the ultimate fishing experience. Transform iOS devices into the perfect angler adventure as the gyroscope produces authentic fishingchallenges. The adjustable reel can detach to suit both left and right-handed anglers. Download the free Appfinity World Fishing Challenge and find yourself knee-deep in angler adrenaline!

My Thoughts

Last year I had the opportunity of reviewing the appblaster via SpinMaster.  This year, new products have come out on the market to incorporate your iPod/iPhone in your gaming time.    Introducing the AppFishing which will allow you to practice your fishing skill during the cold months. 

So one cold Saturday morning, I installed my iPod in the AppFishing device and proceeded to try out the app Fish It.  At first I had some issues with the AppFishing device but I quickly realized that I had inserted the support for my iPod the wrong way.  After reinserting the support properly, the device closed properly and it was easy to use.   

Click on the red button to release the line and throw it into the water.   Within seconds, fish will come and you will have a bait.   Lift your fishing pole in the air and hook the fish.  Once you are successful, you can now bring the fish back to the boat.   The AppFishing device is very quiet when reeling the fish on board.  Each time you catch a fish, you get money which in turn you will be able to purchase baits, lines and radar.   You can pick different fishing places around the world – American Lakes, Bahamas, Greenland, and Tokyo.   Personally, I wish that there would be more places to explore while fishing.  I sure hope that there will be more fishing challenges to be included in this app.    Also, the app allows you to catch over 60 different species of fish.    The app Fish It is available for free on iTunes but will work better with the AppFishing rod.  Also, please note that this is an OpenFeint app and it needs to be activate as such to be able to play.

In conclusion, I think that the AppFishing device has potential.  Your child or yourself can have quite a fun time trying to fish the various species found in the game.   I hope that the game will get better as time goes by.   It would make a great Christmas or birthday gift for the fisherman in your life.

The AppFishing is available at your favourite toy store, even on amazon.com.

Disclaimer: Thanks to SpinMaster for sending the product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.