QUOTE
Stuck here for spring break?
No sun. No surf. No problem!
We used our imagination to recreate getaways, right here in the 'burbs
SCHAUMBURG'S 'MAGIC KINGDOM'
By Monica Eng
Tribune staff reporter
Published March 23, 2006
For more than one Spring Break, my dad bravely herded the kids into our blue VW van, threw in several bags of snack foods and set off on that long, hot drive to Orlando.
Sadly for my Disney-crazed children, I am not nearly so brave or patient.
Instead, my patience and strength last until about Schaumburg, where, fortunately, quite a few Disney-vacation-like thrills await the savvy Spring Breaker. In fact, if you plan your day properly you can feel like you've been pampered in a hotel, thrilled at an airport, lost in a rainforest, served at a touristy restaurant, overwhelmed by shopping choices, confounded by carnival games and even entertained at a balmy waterpark.
Here's how a day in Schaumburg's "Magic Kingdom" might go:
Wake in the morning and treat yourself to a hotel breakfast at the Schaumburg Marriott (50 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg, 847-240-0100). Here, even non-guests can indulge in a buffet of made-to-order omelets, potatoes, sausage, bacon, fruit, breads, coffee and juice for $12.50 for diners 12 and over. Even better, those under 12 eat for $3.95. The buffet is available 6-9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-noon Saturday and 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday.
Next, get your Epcot Center-like immersion in Swedish culture at IKEA (1800 E. McConnor Pkwy., Schaumburg; 847-969-9700). You'll be amazed at all the things you thought you didn't need but that, suddenly, you really do. Best of all, let your kids have a ball in the supervised play area while you shop unbugged by comments like, "How many different lampshades do you need to look at, mom?" For tots to qualify for this free babysitting--I mean play area--that features a plastic ball pool, jungle gym, coloring and games, they need to be potty-trained and between 37- and 52-inches tall.
Yes, we love the Swedish meatballs and lingonberry soda in the IKEA cafeteria, but skip it for the more exciting vacation-like adventures at Pilot Pete's (Schaumburg Regional Airport, 905 W. Irving Park Rd., Schaumburg; 847-891-5100). In the big airplane hangar-like restaurant decorated with travel posters and fake palm trees, kids can dine on burgers, chicken or pasta for $1.95-$2.95 while watching real airplanes land and take off from the airport through big picture windows. Moms and dads can sip tropical drinks, eat Cuban sandwiches and chuckle at the life-sized replica of Tattoo from "Fantasy Island."
Even if you can't enjoy the amusement park games of Disney World, you can find plenty of gaming action at Gameworks (601 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg; 847-330-9675). You'll find video sports games, virtual reality games and old-fashioned carnival games with prizes at this two-level arcade that operates with rechargeable game cards.
Now that they've gotten their virtual kicks out of the way, your kids will be ready for some real physical activity at one of Illinois' biggest indoor waterparks, Waterworks (505 N. Springinsguth Rd., Schaumburg; 847-490-2505, www.parkfun.com/dir/fit/ww/wtrwks.html). In this balmy aquatic center, toddlers to teens can check out three swimming pools, slides, a lazy river, fountains and a beach-like toddler pool, while their parents--if they're lucky--soak in the 16-person Jacuzzi. When we visited with a 5-year-old and 2-year-old, our stay was extended an extra hour with pleas from them to try the slide or lazy river "one more time, pleeeeease." Admission is $7-$9 for non-residents.
After all that splashing and swimming, the kids will, no doubt, have worked up an appetite. And for those missing the merchandising mania and Tiki Room fun of Disney World, Rainforest Cafe (D121 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg; 847-619-1900) fits the bill. There's often a line at Rainforest, but on a recent weeknight we sailed right in to this dining adventure without a wait. We followed the path past the alligators, dolphins and gorillas and sat down to food that I found forgettable and a little overpriced in a place that smells a lot like a musty 5-year-old boy. But none of this mattered when I saw the looks of wonder on my tiny dining companions' faces. They loved their kids' meals of three petite hamburgers each and they squealed with delight when the animatronic gorillas popped to life. They also loved the spectacular jungle scenery on the way in and out.
The last thing I heard before the tots fell asleep on the ride home was, "Mom, can we go back to Schaumburg again someday?"
No sun. No surf. No problem!
We used our imagination to recreate getaways, right here in the 'burbs
SCHAUMBURG'S 'MAGIC KINGDOM'
By Monica Eng
Tribune staff reporter
Published March 23, 2006
For more than one Spring Break, my dad bravely herded the kids into our blue VW van, threw in several bags of snack foods and set off on that long, hot drive to Orlando.
Sadly for my Disney-crazed children, I am not nearly so brave or patient.
Instead, my patience and strength last until about Schaumburg, where, fortunately, quite a few Disney-vacation-like thrills await the savvy Spring Breaker. In fact, if you plan your day properly you can feel like you've been pampered in a hotel, thrilled at an airport, lost in a rainforest, served at a touristy restaurant, overwhelmed by shopping choices, confounded by carnival games and even entertained at a balmy waterpark.
Here's how a day in Schaumburg's "Magic Kingdom" might go:
Wake in the morning and treat yourself to a hotel breakfast at the Schaumburg Marriott (50 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg, 847-240-0100). Here, even non-guests can indulge in a buffet of made-to-order omelets, potatoes, sausage, bacon, fruit, breads, coffee and juice for $12.50 for diners 12 and over. Even better, those under 12 eat for $3.95. The buffet is available 6-9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-noon Saturday and 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday.
Next, get your Epcot Center-like immersion in Swedish culture at IKEA (1800 E. McConnor Pkwy., Schaumburg; 847-969-9700). You'll be amazed at all the things you thought you didn't need but that, suddenly, you really do. Best of all, let your kids have a ball in the supervised play area while you shop unbugged by comments like, "How many different lampshades do you need to look at, mom?" For tots to qualify for this free babysitting--I mean play area--that features a plastic ball pool, jungle gym, coloring and games, they need to be potty-trained and between 37- and 52-inches tall.
Yes, we love the Swedish meatballs and lingonberry soda in the IKEA cafeteria, but skip it for the more exciting vacation-like adventures at Pilot Pete's (Schaumburg Regional Airport, 905 W. Irving Park Rd., Schaumburg; 847-891-5100). In the big airplane hangar-like restaurant decorated with travel posters and fake palm trees, kids can dine on burgers, chicken or pasta for $1.95-$2.95 while watching real airplanes land and take off from the airport through big picture windows. Moms and dads can sip tropical drinks, eat Cuban sandwiches and chuckle at the life-sized replica of Tattoo from "Fantasy Island."
Even if you can't enjoy the amusement park games of Disney World, you can find plenty of gaming action at Gameworks (601 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg; 847-330-9675). You'll find video sports games, virtual reality games and old-fashioned carnival games with prizes at this two-level arcade that operates with rechargeable game cards.
Now that they've gotten their virtual kicks out of the way, your kids will be ready for some real physical activity at one of Illinois' biggest indoor waterparks, Waterworks (505 N. Springinsguth Rd., Schaumburg; 847-490-2505, www.parkfun.com/dir/fit/ww/wtrwks.html). In this balmy aquatic center, toddlers to teens can check out three swimming pools, slides, a lazy river, fountains and a beach-like toddler pool, while their parents--if they're lucky--soak in the 16-person Jacuzzi. When we visited with a 5-year-old and 2-year-old, our stay was extended an extra hour with pleas from them to try the slide or lazy river "one more time, pleeeeease." Admission is $7-$9 for non-residents.
After all that splashing and swimming, the kids will, no doubt, have worked up an appetite. And for those missing the merchandising mania and Tiki Room fun of Disney World, Rainforest Cafe (D121 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg; 847-619-1900) fits the bill. There's often a line at Rainforest, but on a recent weeknight we sailed right in to this dining adventure without a wait. We followed the path past the alligators, dolphins and gorillas and sat down to food that I found forgettable and a little overpriced in a place that smells a lot like a musty 5-year-old boy. But none of this mattered when I saw the looks of wonder on my tiny dining companions' faces. They loved their kids' meals of three petite hamburgers each and they squealed with delight when the animatronic gorillas popped to life. They also loved the spectacular jungle scenery on the way in and out.
The last thing I heard before the tots fell asleep on the ride home was, "Mom, can we go back to Schaumburg again someday?"
