Two festivals | Kendal Calling and Leeds | Review

Summer is definitely at an end, and while I enjoy waking up to frosty mornings and crisp, clear air (when it's not raining), I can't help but reminisce about my summer. 

Festivals have fast become the must-do of the summer season, so I jumped on the bandwagon and headed to a couple myself: Kendal Calling and Leeds Festival. If you've never been to either but are considering it, I hope this post inspires you! 

Kendal Calling

Kendal Calling is a great medium sized music festival and makes for the perfect introduction to the festival scene. It is fun, intimate and family friendly. 

KC is made up of 7 stages: 

Main stage - Where more main-stream and commercial acts play. Right in the center of everything, surrounded by bars, food and mud (when the rain predictably fell).

Glow tent - Full of DJs, strobe lights and lasers. A very fun place to be, especially when you're drunk AF.

Calling out stage - A platform for new and somewhat unheard of acts to be thrown into the festival scene and discovered. 

Chai Wallah Stage - A mix of every genre of music pretty much. Quite a hippy chilled out vibe. 

Woodlands Stage - Stage surrounded by trees which included a silent disco every night. Really fun, cool atmosphere with a mixture of bands playing. 

House Party - Everything you would expect from a house party really, minus the expensive furniture. 

Riot Jazz - Best described as a neon Narnia with Blues, Jazz and Disco. 

A number of other stages were home to comedy acts, dance classes and more intimate settings such as Tim Peaks Diner, Kids Calling (specifically for children) and the Big Birthday Blow out down by the river. There was also the renowned Real Ale festival, Bulmers Colourena, a cinema, Jagerhaus and Lost Eden, an arts area in the woods.

The size and layout of KC meant that it was really easy to navigate; there was something for everyone to enjoy, including children and an amazing and electric atmosphere all weekend! 

The best thing about Kendal Calling is that it is so different to other music festivals, it thrives off of offering local talent a stepping stone to success and it really cares about everyone involved, from performer to, employee to customer.

Leeds Festival

If you haven't heard of Leeds and Reading Festival then I'm not sure where you've been.. This is a festival I have wanted to go to since I was 16 (and yes, you can expect to feel old if you're 25+). It is home to 9 different stages: Main Stage, NME/BBC Radio 1 stage, BBC Radio 1 Dance stage, Festival Republic stage, BBC Radio 1xtra stage/cinema, Lock up/The Pit, Alternative stage and the Disco shed. 

Leeds festival honestly get the best and biggest variety of acts, you're constantly buzzing even if you are run down and there's so much more to do than listen to music. The slush puppy stand was a lifesaver, curing every hangover! There was a supermarket, a cocktail bar which hosted it's own party every night, a funfair, 5-a-side football and loads of merchandise and clothes stalls/shops. 

Leeds is everything you would expect it, or have heard it to be. Fun, Non-stop and a little bit dangerous. One thing, Don't expect to sleep while you are there, unless your body just shuts down... which is a possibility.  

What's your favourite festival? 

Check out my Pinterest for event inspo!
Beth x

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Travel | Florida | Week Two

WEEK TWO

In our second week we went back to both Epcot and Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure as there's just so much to do in both parks. We also found ourselves heading to waterparks in the morning, as we were still waking up quite early (8/9am); we were usually one of the first ones there too, which meant less time queuing for rides and less congestion on the lazy river.

Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

The two main water parks in Disney World. 

Blizzard beach (in my opinion) has a much better family raft as it's longer, faster and more thrilling, however, the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon is insane! The waves are huge although you have to be a confident swimmer and quite strong to be at the very front of the pool where the waves are at their highest. 

We usually spend a full day at the water parks, this is the first time we've only gone for the morning, but it's a really good idea, as I said before, there's less congestion on the lazy river and in all the water attractions as people don't really begin to show up and the park get busy until around 11am.

Must: Family raft at Blizzard Beach and get to the front of the waves at Typhoon Lagoon (if you're a confident swimmer)

Magic Kingdom

Arguably the best known and most popular park within Disney World: Magic Kingdom, like it's name suggests is truly magical. This park is where you will find Walt's best friend: Mickey Mouse, alongside all his Disney friends, whose autographs and pictures you can get, although you may have to queue. 

There are six parts that make up Magic Kingdom:

1) Main Street U.S.A

This is the first area you walk into when you hop off the tram or ferry into Magic Kingdom. It's packed with shops and restaurants, full of classic American items and Disney memorabilia and a great introduction to the park.
Must: Eat at the Crystal Palace, and try to book or stay until Wishes starts (fireworks show at 10pm usually) 

2) Liberty Square
Portrays the colonial era of America and is home to three attractions: The Haunted Mansion, The Hall of Presidents and the Liberty Bell Paddlewheel Boat, which takes you on a cruise around 'America's Rivers'; you will also find plenty of shops and cafes here.
Must: Go on The Haunted Mansions. One of my fave rides here. 

3) Tomorrowland
Like the name suggests, Tomorrowland depict's Disney's idea of the future and is home to three of my favourite attractions in the park: The Carousel of Progress, Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. You can also hop on the Transit Authority People Mover for a great view of Tomorrowland and a detailed explanation of the history behind that particular land.
Must: If you were going to go on one of these rides, it has to be Buzz Lightyear's Spin. It's so much fun!

4) Frontierland
Frontierland is home to some of the more bigger and better rides (in my opinion) such as Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain (my favourite ride here!). You can hop on the train from Main street to Frontierland which only takes a couple of minutes, plus you get to see a part of the park you wouldn't normally.
Must: Go on Splash Mountain. 

5) Adventureland
Adventureland houses some smaller, more relaxing rides and attractions including: Pirates of the Caribbean, Swiss Family Treehouse and the Jungle Cruise.
Must: Try all three attractions I suggested above!  

6) Fantasyland
Probably the best land for a child's playground within the park. With a mix of smaller rides and 'rollercoasters' (small, but children love them), children really love this land. There's also a no-queue water attraction, which is basically a mini water park in Fantasyland that I have spent many an hour on when I was younger (and this year, I won't lie). 
Must: Try all the little rides, they'll make you feel like a child again!

TOP TIP: Pre-book tables at restaurants before you go on holiday (some have waiting lists for months).

Pre-book fast passes for rides, you can do this online and it will save you a good hour of queuing 

Kelly Park, Natural Spring.
While we were staying at The Hard Rock Hotel, one of the waitresses suggested we go to a natural spring; she had been the weekend before and swam with otters and apparently there were bears at one point (so they all had to evacuate). It sounded really nice and relaxing, and was something different to anything we'd ever done before, so she listed down a few and we drove to the closest one: Kelly Park in Apopka.
We rented tubes from a local bar/shop nearby and headed to the spring. It was cold but very clear and really beautiful, the spring was a natural lazy river and lasted for about 40 minutes, people were having Barbecues and you could also camp over. Other activities included: kayaking, scuba diving and loads of other water activities but these were mainly at other, bigger springs.
TOP TIP: Get there early as the spring car parks have a limit and Kelly Park was closed to other visitors by 1pm.

I hope you've enjoyed my two-part Florida Post. If you haven't read the first part you can find it here.
Have you ever been to Florida or any natural springs? Let me know your fave holiday destination too!
Check out my Pinterest for some travel inspo 


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Travel | Florida | Week One.

This June I was lucky enough to spend two weeks sunning it up in Orlando, Florida with my family for my sister's 21st birthday. Being in Disney (and Universal) is like being in a wonderful dream, it really is the happiest place on Earth and made for a wonderful twenty-first birthday celebration! 

WEEK ONE
The day we arrived it was a cool 30 degrees (yey!), we were staying in a villa so we headed to Publix (small supermarket) and bought supplies for the week. Publix is perfect for a quick shop as it's smaller than larger supermarkets such as Walmart; you'll find that you're only in your villa in the morning and night, so you'll only need to buy breakfast items, drinks and snacks. 
Top Tips: If you ever find yourself in Publix you need to get a Publix sandwich because they are literally the best sandwich in the world! 
We use Alexander Florida Holiday Homes to look for villas every time we go to Florida; clickable link here.

Animal Kingdom
Our first day was spent in Disney's Animal Kingdom. It's one of the smaller parks centered more specifically around younger children, I say this because there's more focus on smaller, less thrilling rides and is quite zoo-esque (as you may have guessed from the name), but still makes for a great day for all. Activities within Animal Kingdom include: safari rides, boat rides, dinosaur excavation and a number of shows to watch such as 'It's a bugs life', one larger roller coaster (Everest Expedition) and other smaller rides including a water ride. If you're visiting here you have to eat at The Rainforest Cafe, the menu is super appealing although quite pricey, but it's totally worth it for the atmosphere, with floor to ceiling jungle themed deco, and an indoor thunderstorm every half hour, it's an amazing and unforgettable experience!
Must: Go on the safari ride, it's always been a fave of mine.

Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM)

We visited Hollywood Studios on our second day which is centered more around shows and movies, with two big rides: Tower of Terror and Rock'n'Roll Roller coaster. If you are a big movie, television or music enthusiast then Hollywood Studios is ideal for you! It's a great place for adults and children alike with something for both. I would recommend The Great Movie ride and staying till the park closes to watch Fantasmic, an amazing 30 minute fireworks and water show!
Must: Watch Fantasmic atleast once!

Epcot
On our third day we traveled to Epcot: home to The World Showcase which represents 11 countries, including: Mexico, Italy, United Kingdom, Norway, United States, Canada, Japan, China, Morocco, Germany and France. Epcot is probably the most relaxed park in Disney. It's lovely to experience all the countries cultures, food and drink; Epcot doesn't miss a thing when it comes to properly representing each country, and it's almost as good as actually visiting each country separately (a lot less expensive too). Soaring is a ride you have to go on, which can be found in The Land, and also Spaceship Earth, which is located in the big globe (the icon of Epcot).  
Must: Try to go when the Food and Wine festival is on, and buy perfume from Norway: Laila (my fave)!!

 

 Hard Rock Hotel (Birthday Surprise) 
Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
For an additional birthday surprise my parents booked the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando, for 2 nights/3 days. The hotel is amazing; everything you would expect from such a renowned company and more (including the price, but totally worth it). The hotel was enormous and so easy to get lost in. The staff were super friendly and inviting and the food was also amazing! Literally the only word I have to describe the Hotel. It's located right next to Universal studios so you can spend a day in the park (with the bonus of 1 hour early entry from Islands of Adventure). While we were there we went on all the wet rides first (people tend to do this last of all and then go home) but because we were only a 10 minute walk away from the park, we would go on the wet rides while there was no queue and then go back to the hotel and get changed and spend the rest of the day chilling in Universal or Islands of Adventure. You have to visit both these parks when you're there, especially if you love roller-coasters (and Harry Potter). They are perfect for all ages and you can literally spend the day filled going on and off rides; there's so much to do! 
Must: Eat at Bubba Gumps Restaurant and go to Margaritaville!

Chill Day
On the last day of the first week we just chilled out in the villa and had a little retail therapy session at Premium Outlets. Premium Outlets is the best outdoor shopping center ever! There always seem to be deals and sales on and it's home to the kind of shops that everyone knows such as: Adidas, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Pac sun and loads more etc..
Later we ordered takeout from Carrabba's which honestly cooks the nicest italian food. (You can also eat in)
Must: Eat from Carrabba's.

Look out for part two of my holiday. In the meanwhile check out my travel inspo on Pinterest!

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