With Father’s Day weekend behind us, we’re able to look back and revel in some #CheeriosChallenge, 2017 glory! Thousands of people used the #StackingChallenge to have fun with their families and their favorite cereal, but also to possibly win a trip to Mall of America! While we wished we could have brought everyone away for the fantastic weekend, the three families that did win were treated to an amazing time!

Arriving in Minnesota on Friday night, the Life of Dad team jumped into the waiting shuttle for a super fast ride to the Radisson Blu hotel that’s connected to the mall itself. Our driver was funny and hospitable, starting the weekend off in the right direction.

The hotel itself was GORGEOUS and I was almost instantly offered a quick tour to learn about some of the unique architecture (firefly windows), recycled barn wood in their restaurant and artwork displayed throughout. Upstairs in my room, I saw that Mall of America had provided us with passes to almost every one of the attractions the mall had to offer.

Now, even as a 41-year old, I was SO EXCITED to have all of it. I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like for the dads who won and the kids they flew in with. I’d suspect many minds were blown when they realized everything that was in store for them.

The next morning was spent touring the mall, which could have lasted days and it would’ve kept me perpetually excited. There’s an absurd amount of awesomeness at this place.

Restaurants and food courts as far as the eye could see. Rollercoasters (yes… plural…..or is that rollercoasti??), ziplines, log flume rides, an aquarium, the Crayola experience center…..it was fantastic.

That afternoon we finally met up with the winning families and got to spend some time getting to know them. Aldo and his kids were tremendously entertaining. Especially his son, who was an unstoppable bundle of energy.

Mark was awesome, and his three girls (all in matching outfits) were probably the most adorable thing in the entire state. A little while later, Baldemar arrived with his wife and their one-year old after the entire family’s first plane ride! That was probably my favorite thing about the whole #CheeriosChallenge this year. Knowing that all of these wonderful families were able to have a nice weekend with their dad, but especially being able to give Baldemar and his family their very first trip together.

After breaking for the evening for dinner (a tough thing to decide on when you have as many options as this place did), we hit the Aquarium where we stacked some Cheerios, got confused about plastic bags and jellyfish and got to touch some Anemones. Then we headed back to our rooms for what my partner legitimately said was “the best sleep I’ve had in about 10 years”. So, well done Radisson!

We met up with the families one last time the next morning to do some live Cheerios Stacking and were surprised by an awesome gift from our friends at Cheerios! We all received our very own customized Cheerios box!! How rad is that??!! In a trophy case and everything!!

 

We bid our new friends goodbye, assuming that with a mall of that size, running into them again while we were out having fun would be unlikely. Though we DID see Aldo and his crew from the lofty perch of the zipline! This zipline was simply amazing and great for the kids even though it’s nothing compared to my Idaho zip line experiences. And I might have caught a glimpse of Mark chasing his girls while I was inverted on a rollercoaster. Plus Baldemar clearly loved his time at Nickelodeon Universe! 

We ended our day at the seriously delicious Firelake Grill House and Cocktail Bar. We had made friends there with a bunch of the staff over the weekend. Count yourselves lucky if Jessica, Allison or Samantha are working. They were fantastic. They probably still are. Their levels of fantastic probably don’t fluctuate with our presence. Samantha and her partner the last day convinced us to try the Cheese Curds they had there. A thing that I’ve never had before and now can’t possibly ever live without. From what they explained to me, what they serve there is the best Cheese Curd they’ve had anywhere. And they live in cheese territory!!! If you haven’t had one, it’s worth the trip to the Radisson Blu simply for that alone.

Everything about the weekend at Mall of America exceeded my expectations for what could have been. I’m so happy that I now have new friends from across the country, that I got to experience everything the location had to offer and that I was able to be a part of the outstanding hospitality of the people from Cheerios, Radisson and every single shop and outlet we went into. We even left with some fantastic gifts for our families back home, including some excellent skincare products from worker B. A sampling of some of their best products made by beekeepers, capturing the best natural products from the bees themselves. 

Minnesota might be the friendliest place I’ve ever been, and I can’t wait to see more and more families participate in the #CheeriosChallenge for years to come.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: This was a sponsored post on behalf of Cheerios and their #CheeriosChallenge campaign, however the stacking was all ours! For more info, follow them HERE, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.