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Visit Disneyland Resort: MagicBand+

  Not too many people had  MagicBand+  at Disneyland Resort, from what I noticed, but that didn't stop us from getting them.   You can use the MagicBand+ to scan into the entry gates or scan your Lightning Lane passes.  No need to take out your phone and open up the Disneyland app or your photos app for a screenshot of your admission ticket or Lightning Lane pass.  It's easy to sync the MagicBand+ to everyone in your party through the Disneyland app. It's rechargeable, and one full charge is supposed to last 1-3 days, but we'd charge them at the end of each night. Another fun thing about the MagicBand+ is that it'll blink and flash in all sorts of colors depending on where you are, whether at certain rides or shows.  You can also use to link PhotoPass photos and other experiences. It's totally not a necessary thing to have, but it's a nice-to-have for the convenience.   One thing I did read prior to getting them is that they have a tende...
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Visit Seattle: Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour Cruise

Click on all photos to enlarge. Disclosure: Our family received complimentary tickets.

Although my husband and I have been to Seattle twice before, we never really went sightseeing, so I thought the Argosy Cruises Seattle Harbor Tour Cruise would be a great way to see some of Seattle's popular sights on our recent Seattle trip.

Highlights of Our Cruise
We boarded the Lady Mary, a double-decker cruise ship (main deck is enclosed, upper deck partially enclosed), for a 1-hour narrated tour through Elliott Bay one recent chilly day in Seattle.

The Lady Mary
Our family sat in the open air deck on the second level and saw some amazing sights, including the Space Needle, the Seattle Great Wheel and CenturyLink Field.

The colorful waterfront, the beautiful skyline, and the majestic Mt. Rainier were also highlights.
Seattle Great Wheel

Olympic Mountains

Downtown Seattle skyline with a Boeing plane flying above

Seattle Skyline

California Harbor Seals

Mt. Rainier

Gigantic cranes that came pre-assembled all the way from China.
What I thought made the cruise even that much more enjoyable was our narrator, Drew. He was a fantastic narrator, telling us so much interesting information and stories, like that of the VIP gondola on the Seattle Great Wheel, the Skycity Restaurant on the Space Needle, and the construction of the CenturyLink Field.

He was so great - very informative, and very amusing as well - that we ended up tipping him at the end of the cruise. 

Snacks and drinks (including alcoholic drinks) are served on board which can be purchased anytime during the cruise, but there was a little break in the narration during which time most people went to buy food and drinks.

The hour went by way too quickly, but it was one of the most enjoyable hours I spent during my time in Seattle.

Our Experience Visiting with a Special-Needs Child
My oldest son has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and although I know kids on the spectrum all behave and react differently in various environments, I try to share our personal experience with various activities in hopes of possibly helping others.

Prior to going on the Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, I made sure to tell my son what to expect while on the cruise, and he was very excited.

Once on board, he was happy once we started cruising, but because the cruise involved a lot of sitting, my son got really anxious at times.  Therefore, despite a very crowded ship, I'd cautiously allow him to stand up and move around to look at the views on occasion.

Fortunately, the tour was just an hour, which was a manageable time for him to stay somewhat stationary, but I did have some distractions (a smartphone and small toys) in case he got too anxious and fidgety.

We luckily had nice weather during our cruise, but if it did start raining, we would have sought cover in the enclosed decks since my son has sensory issues with rain.

Overall, my son enjoyed the cruise and seeing the sights, especially all of the big cranes and the California Harbor Seals.

Final Thoughts
The Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour Cruise was fantastic.

We saw and learned so much about Seattle in just an hour.  Our entire family had a pleasant time on the tour, and for me personally, it was the highlight of our trip to Seattle. My middle son even stated one of his favorite things about our trip was "driving on the boat."

Even if you've seen the Seattle icons from other vantage points, there's just something special about being on the water while viewing the sights, especially the skyline, and the tidbits of information you'll learn from the deckhand about the various landmarks will make the trip all the more memorable.

Click here for prices, schedule, and more information on the Harbor Tour Cruise.

Argosy Cruises also offers a variety of other cruises, which you can learn more about on their website.

Argosy Cruises:  1101 Alaskan Way  Seattle, WA 98101; (206) 623-1445
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