Articles for ‘Orbitz Parent Panel’ Category
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 »
Sunday, November 1st, 2009
By Alistar Wearmouth
My wife and I are preparing to pack up our two young kids for a family vacation to Scotland this Christmas, which is where my family lives. Getting on the road is never easy around the holidays, but even less so when you’re facing a long transatlantic flight. Here are some tips for coping with stressful international travel during busy holiday periods.
- Get Organized Early!: I swear my wife starts stressing about what to bring before the stores even have their Halloween decorations out. But she’s always the one smiling once the day of travel arrives. If you have presents or gifts to take, think about sending them ahead by mail to save some room in your suitcases. And don’t forget a daypack of kiddie essentials like changes of clothes, wipes, plastic bags, and that favorite stuffed animal.
- Be Direct: If you can, book direct flights to your final destination. Cutting down on layovers will lessen the chances of missing connections or sprinting through an unfamiliar airport with cranky kids in tow. It will also mitigate the chances of your luggage getting lost or delayed in transit. If direct flights look too expensive, consider flying through smaller regional airports to avoid some of the more major travel snarls that can occur at big, busier international airports (for example, we like to transit to Scotland via Ireland or Iceland instead of facing London Heathrow during the busy holiday seasons).
- Keep ‘Em Fed & Watered: A plentiful supply of snackfoods is the lifeblood of any family outing. But when you’re on a longer flight or train journey, for example, remember that Animal Crackers are no substitute for proper meals. Plan accordingly with sandwiches, fruits, and juice boxes, just in case there’s no meal service on board or the in-flight meal tray doesn’t do it for your kids. (more…)
Posted in Family Travel, Holidays & Events, International Vacations, Orbitz Parent Panel, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Friday, September 25th, 2009
By Mark McCullough
Lynchburg, Va., perched in foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is known for its tobacco history and connection to the late Jerry Falwell, the outspoken evangelical leader and founder of Liberty University. What it is not known for is its skiing, but that is is all about to change. Liberty University has put Lynchburg on the map as the single venue for synthetic skiing/riding park in North America.
A border getting some air on the slopes
My family and I stumbled upon this on an end-of-summer getaway as were traveling through Lynchburg and the sun was setting on a beautiful August day. Just above the Liberty U. Campus is Candler Mountain, where there is a collection of hiking and biking trails frequented by students, and great vistas open up of the Peaks of Otter Lodge and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We drove up the mountain to catch the sunset and discovered a ski lodge to the likes of Colorado’s Beaver Creek or Utah’s Alta ski areas, complete with stone fireplaces, bear rugs and many big game trophies mounted on the exposed log walls. (more…)
Tags: Family Travel
Posted in Family Travel, Orbitz Parent Panel, Ski Resorts, Sports Travel, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Monday, September 21st, 2009
The writer's boys on the slopes.
By Donna Mulligan
Ask my husband and he will tell you. His favorite family vacation with the kids is spent on the ski slopes in Vermont.
Taking the kids on a ski vacation does involve some organization and planning. Staying warm and dressing in layers is essential. Chattering teeth and blue lips can cut an afternoon of skiing short, so it’s important to pack with staying warm in mind. Don’t forget multiple ski gloves, turtles, socks, thermals, snow suits and goggles. Always remember to stash a few tissues in the snow suit pockets for runny noses on the slopes. (more…)
Posted in Family Travel, Orbitz Parent Panel, Ski Resorts | No Comments »
Friday, September 18th, 2009
Pac Back
By Mark Verone
Family vacations can be exciting, relaxing — even educational — but they can also present some challenges. When it comes to getting through the airport with ease, entertaining kids on flights and packing enough (but not too much), it helps to have the right gear. My wife and I have taken a lot of family vacations with our kids, and we’ve learned a lot along the way. Here are some of the gadgets we’ve found make travel easier:
Pac Back: The FAA recommends securing your child in a car seat approved for air travel during your flight. But the FAA has no suggestions about how to carry that car seat on the long walk to the gate, while pushing your child in a stroller. The Pac Back car seat carrier enables an me to carry the car seat like a backpack, leaving my hands free for dispensing snacks and changing diapers. Without the Pac Back, my family of four might never have reached the gate, much less our destination. (more…)
Posted in Family Travel, Gadgets & Gizmos, Orbitz Parent Panel, Travel Tips | No Comments »
