Articles for ‘Orbitz Parent Panel’ Category
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
By Alison Ulrich
(Photo: copyright Disney)
It is about that time of year to start planning a family vacation for spring break. I’ve been trying to decide between a family cruise and an all-inclusive resort. I have done a bit of research and wanted to share what I’ve learned.
Check the cost for children
When pricing out family cruises and all-inclusive resorts, consider the cost for the children. Some all-inclusive resorts and cruise lines allow kids to stay (or sail) free. Others charge a nominal fee or significantly reduced rate, depending on the age of child. In some cases, you may have to pay full price, which has a big impact on your family vacation budget. (more…)
Tags: All Inclusive Resorts, all inclusive vacations, Beach Vacation, cruises, family cruises, Family Travel, Family vacation, spring break vacations
Posted in All Inclusive Resorts, Beach Vacation, Cruise, Family Travel, Orbitz Parent Panel, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
By Mark McCullough
Manatee (Photo: Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park)
Our family vacation involves a trek to Grandma’s place in Florida each year, and we make a point to search out the “real Florida,” which means bypassing the theme parks. On our most recent Florida vacation, we visited the manatees at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park on the Gulf coast.
Florida is blessed with many unique natural areas, and the state park system is excellent. During the winter, manatees congregate around the many warm-water springs that dot the northern and central parts of Florida. These mammals rely on the springs to maintain their body temperatures during the cold snaps that chill the Gulf of Mexico. (more…)
Tags: Family Travel, Family vacation, Florida Vacation, travel
Posted in Beach Vacation, Eco-Tourism, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Orbitz Parent Panel | No Comments »
Friday, December 25th, 2009
By Chris Hill
It will happen at one point or another. You book a hotel for your family vacation. It is in a great location, and you got a really good deal . You check in and the hotel looks beautiful. You get to the room and surprise — parking is $20 a day. You get to the room, and it’s smaller than you thought. The kids start yelling about doing something. You turn on the TV, and it is all news; so you look for the pool, only to find it does not exist. You realize that you just booked a business hotel for a family trip. It’s not a great start to a long week.
Okay, so maybe this is a little dramatic, but parts of this scenario have happened to me when I simply looked for the “best deal” while planning a family vacation on a budget. My wife and I have learned to look deeper than just rate, looking at what exactly we get for the money. Here are some of my best tips: (more…)
Posted in Family Travel, Orbitz Parent Panel, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Thursday, December 24th, 2009
Regal Sun Resort
By Mary Flynn
My husband and I took our 9-year-old twins and our 2 1/2-year-old grandson to the Regal Sun Resort in Orlando for a fun weekend getaway. I chose this Orlando hotel because it’s located in the Disney World area, has complimentary transportation to the parks and has great activities for our kids. We wanted a nice resort for us but also wanted our kids to enjoy the family vacation as well. (more…)
Posted in Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Orbitz Parent Panel, Orlando Vacation | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
The water park at Great Wolf Lodge.
By Mark McCullough
I live in Williamsburg, and probably like other people who live in tourist towns, I initially did not think to take a family vacation at a hometown attraction, Great Wolf Lodge, but I’m sure glad I did.
The main attraction of the Great Wolf Lodge is the massive indoor water park that is always a balmy 84 degrees. Fort McKenzie is the center of it all, highlighted by a 1,000-gallon bucket that tips over every few minutes to the delight of all. From a gentle lazy river to the howling tornado that spins you and your family through a huge funnel, the water park caters to family vacations, with activities for all ages and abilities. Recently a flowrider was added to simulate surfing and boogie boarding (make sure your swim trunks are pulled tight). (more…)
Posted in Family Travel, Orbitz Parent Panel | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
ICE! at Gaylord Palms
By Mary Flynn
The weather outside may not be frightful, but a Florida vacation over the holidays can be so delightful …
Orlando
Orlando is a popular Florida vacation destination year ’round, and the holidays are no exception. You can visit ICE! at the Gaylord Palms Hotel (voted one of Orbitz’ top 10 best decked-out hotels). This holiday attraction, hand-carved from nearly two million pounds of ice, creates a winter experience like no other in Florida. The enormous structure used to house ICE! — dubbed “The Florida Fridge” — is cooled to a chilly nine degrees, so the resort provides winter coats for visitors to wear. The popular family experience gives guests a chance to visit a whimsical winter wonderland of interactive environments and larger-than-life, three-dimensional ice monuments and sculptures. There is even an ice skating rink on the premises! It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience for the whole family. (more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Holidays & Events, Miami Vacation, Orbitz Parent Panel, Orlando Vacation, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Friday, November 27th, 2009
Dreams Cancun Resort and Spa All Inclusive
By Vanessa Aleksic
My son Aiden turned one just one day apart from my in-laws 30th wedding anniversary, so we planned a family vacation in Mexico at Dreams Cancun Resort and Spa All Inclusive to celebrate both occasions. Aiden was just a little guy, taking some of his first toddling little steps during our layover. The perfect age to go on a family vacation in my opinion — he was still too little to be too crazy, and still free on my lap on the airplane! By the time we left the resort everyone knew Aiden’s name. The whole staff was so friendly; they really made the visit memorable.
Dreams Cancun is right at the tip of the peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides. It’s such an amazing location. It’s about half an hour from downtown and within walking distance to shopping and clubs downtown. And if you want to go somewhere that is a little further away, it’s very easy to take the bus or a taxi. (more…)
Posted in All Inclusive Resorts, Beach Vacation, Family Travel, International Vacations, Mexico Vacation, Orbitz Parent Panel | No Comments »
Thursday, November 26th, 2009
The beach at Castaway Cay
By John George
A stop at a private or secluded island has become almost mandatory for cruises in the eastern Caribbean. Most of the cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Lines, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Holland America, have private islands for their guests. The basic program is similar: You will enjoy a beach, both paid and free activities and a barbecue lunch. Don’t forget the fruity drinks at the tiki bar, either!
A word to the wise: If your idea of the perfect family vacation day is just lounging on the beach, get there early enough to claim your lounge chairs. While there are hundreds of them, our experience was that they quickly get taken. (more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, Caribbean Vacation, Cruise, Family Travel, Orbitz Parent Panel | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Fort Lauderdale Beach off of Las Olas Boulevard
By John George
I’ve always had relatives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and my family lived there in the early aughts. We are returning for a week around Christmas, and will definitely utilize the following tips to help make our trip go smoothly.
Find Appropriate Accommodations
We’re lucky enough to be staying with relatives this trip, but have spent enough time visiting to know some of the better hotel options that suit our needs. Our current favorites in town are the Marriott Harbor Beach and the Riverside Hotel—we used to love staying at Ireland’s Inn Beach Resort, but it closed two years ago for renovations and no new information is currently available. We have also used the Embassy Suites on the 17th Street Causeway; although this hotel is about two miles from the beach, the suite layout is very family friendly.
Pack for the Weather
December weather in southern Florida is definitely unpredictable. We’ve enjoyed marvelous beach time and also some chilly days in late December—and even early January (we, of course, console ourselves by remembering the weather back home up north. If you are planning on visiting before about mid-January, be sure to monitor weather conditions before packing for your trip. One year, we had some of our cousin’s visit for New Year and during their stay, the weather turned cool—shorts and tank tops gave way to jackets and sweaters. Good thing we were there to lend some clothes!
(more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Holidays & Events, Orbitz Parent Panel | No Comments »
Sunday, November 1st, 2009
By Mark McCullough
Colonial Williamsburg officially starts the holiday season with Grand Illumination, a wonderful evening of singing, storytelling and fireworks. The event offers a great opportunity for families to get into the holiday spirit by strolling the pedestrian-only areas of Williamsburg’s historic district and enjoying the candlelit windows, wreaths and entertainment. There are multiple stages in the historic area that features storytelling, period music and events for the children.
My family arrives around 3 p.m. so we can take in all the sights before sundown. We pack a thermos full of hot chocolate in addition to making stops for hot cider and the traditional Virginia ham biscuits that should not be missed. The fireworks display truly highlights the evening as it projects from three different locations: the Governors Palace, the Colonial Capital and the Magazine. All of these are within eyesight of each other, so getting a good viewing spot isn’t difficult. Never before have I experienced seeing fireworks in a 360-degree eruption where the lights are kept lower in the sky, creating a more intimate setting that doesn’t scare the kids-truly a grand illumination. (more…)
Posted in Family Travel, Holidays & Events, Orbitz Parent Panel | No Comments »
