Search Safari on iPhone like a Boss
EZPZ directions:
- Tap the address/search bar at the top of the browser window and type the word(s) you want to find. In the example below, the word "classic."
- Look at the bottom of the screen under On This Page to see if there is a match.
- Tap Find and you'll be shown the first instance and it will be highlighted.
Getting Your Chromecast to Work in a Hotel
Having access to movies or TV programs when you are traveling is great for families, especially those with children. Having a travel friendly laptop, tablet or a larger phone is great for individual viewing, but doesn't cut it when it comes to enjoying a program together. Plenty of hotels provide a selection of free and paid entertainment through the TV in your room, but there are times when this doesn't cut it.
On your next vacation, expand what you can watch on the hotel TV by using your Chromecast (Roku or Amazon Fire TV stick).
What you Need:
A. Chromecast or similar device (including the power cord)
B. Hotel TV with an open and accessible HDMI port (for your Chromecast to plug into)
C. A wireless travel router (my favorite)
EZPZ steps:
At home
Before you leave, set up your Chromecast to work on the WiFi network that your wireless travel router uses.
At the hotel
1. Plug in your wireless travel router into the ethernet
2. Plug in your Chromecast into the back of the TV and plug in the Chromecast
3. Cast and enjoy Netflix, YouTube, etc!
Note: You might need to manually change the input on your TV. If you need help with this, check out the super secret way to do this with some of the more common TV's.
Finally, an alternative that requires less tech savvy is to bring your own portable DVD player and hook it up to the hotel TV.
Top Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tips
For the last several years we've taken our family vacation at Universal Studios in Orlando. We are huge Harry Potter fans.
Over the years, we've discovered a few tips that have allowed us to spend less time on lines and more time enjoying our activities. I've shared some below.
Child swap
This one is genius for parents with small children. Normally, having a small child who can't ride makes it difficult for both adults to go. Normally, since one adult must stay back with the child until the other comes back, this effectively doubles the time it takes. With child swap there is a room at the end of the line - right before you get on the ride. So everyone waits in line together till the end. Then, one adult waits in this room with the child while the other rides and you switch as soon as the first rider is back. It's brilliant!
Universal has 4 on-site hotels and the three main ones (Portofino, Hard Rock, and Royal Pacific) have the following benefits.
Early park admission
You get into Universal Studios an hour before they open. Great for shopping without crowds or getting on rides. Only available to guests of the hotel.
Universal Express
You can pay for this one, but it is included with your room at the three main Universal hotels. Basically it is a separate line that allows you to avoid the regular line and you get on the ride or into a show faster. Note, the hottest rides don't have this, but most rides do and it saves a LOT of time.
Another option, which is free, is some rides have a single rider line so if you don't need to sit together, this separate line also gets you on the ride faster.
Bring your sunblock and sunglasses and spend less time waiting, more time having fun!