Orbitz Travel Blog - Family Travel

Kimpton Hotels are rolling out kid-friendly services aimed at helping make family travel easier and more fun this summer.

KimptonKids, at the more than 40 Kimpton hotels across the United States, aims to meet the unique needs of tiny travelers.

The amenities include:

• Special KimptonKids welcome tote bag filled with goodies like yo-yos and bath sponges
• A rate this “yummy to yucky” feedback card so kids can voice their opinions
• “Guppy love,” the companionship of a fishy friend, is offered at many Kimpton hotels, for families missing their pets
• KimptonStyle kid-size animal print robes (modeled after the parent-sized robes, available at participating hotels)
• KimptonKid-approved guide to local attractions like parks, restaurants and toy stores
• Complimentary use of in-room cribs
• Restaurant or in-room highchairs and booster seats
• In-room child safety kits, including outlet covers, toilet latches and nightlights
• Special concierge services:
  • Babysitting services
  • Car rental companies with child safety seats
  • Child rental items, such as strollers

Kimpton has hotels in cities from Aspen to Washington D.C., including several Chicago hotels -- Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco; Hotel Palomar Los Angeles Westwood in L.A.; 70 Park Avenue and The Muse in New York; Hotel Alexis, Hotel Monaco and Hotel Vintage Park in Seattle; Hotel Solamar in San Diego; and Hotel George in Washington D.C.

Related Orbitz resources:

• Family travel
• New York hotels
• Washington hotels
  

By Samantha Chapnick

For travelers who crave good service, want a world of amusement without going outside, or expect questionable Orlando weather, the Gaylord Palms Resort is my top pick for Orlando hotels.

We had passed the Gaylord's enormous bulk several times en route to Disney, Universal City Walk and our other Orlando vacation destinations, and it left us apprehensive about our upcoming stay. As picky, service-craving travelers, could such a large convention center possibly serve us with the speed and intimacy we expect?

An unequivocal "Yes." And more.

"Consider it Done" is the slogan printed on the back of the hotel room key, and rarely have we encountered a large hotel where this attitude was more pervasive. Everyone, and yes I mean everyone, we encountered took complete responsibility for making our stay wonderful. When we were a bit lost looking for the alligators in the lobby, the staff member we asked immediately stopped what he was doing and walked us to our destination, telling us funny stories about the animals along the way. When I had trouble with the Wi-Fi, it took less than 2 minutes to be connected to their tech guy and get up and running. He even boosted my spirits when I realized the problem was me: I typed in the wrong room number!

Continue reading "Orlando hotel is great for family travel" »

By Mike Nelson

My family and I had a perfect Hawaii vacation over spring break. We split the vacation between Oahu and Kauai.

If you're looking for a resort atmosphere in Oahu you should consider Turtle Bay Resort, which is about an hour's drive from the airport on the north shore of the island. It has great activities (golf, horseback riding, tennis, snorkeling, etc.) and is also a very short drive from the Polynesian Cultural Center. The grounds are beautiful and they have two championship quality golf courses on site, one of which was designed by Arnold Palmer and hosts tour events. Waikiki Beach is great for beach activities and shopping. Spending a few nights at each lets you experience the best of both. 

The other half of the vacation was spent in Kauai. The island has spectacular scenery that has been used in many movies (Jurassic Park, King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark). The eastern side of the island is one of the rainiest locations in the world. The heavy rains have caused a lot of erosion, which is how the Waimea Canyon (also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) was formed.

There is plenty of sun on the south side of the island, which is where we stayed at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. The Hyatt is great for adults and children and has a golf course that hosts a PGA event. It has the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen at a hotel. Kauai has a variety of activities for a small island. You can find just about anything from the mild (helicopter rides, hiking, catamaran) to the more daring (zip lining, sea rafting, ATV tours). We were there four nights and would have liked to have had a few more. We never made it to the rainy side of the island, which we were told is stunning. We did explore the Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali coastline, which were stunning and sunny!

Related Orbitz resources:

• Hawaii vacation
• Honolulu hotels
• Kauai hotels
  

Mike Nelson is senior vice president and chief operating officer for Orbitz Worldwide.

Persuading teens to take a road trip can be a hard sell. You have to overcome their fears of being cramped in a car, cut off from friends, and at the mercy of parental decisions. Two Orbitz moms have found some unique ways to give their teens independence while still promoting family togetherness.

From Donna Mulligan, full-time working mom to 3 hockey players:

Although I admit this is not very "green" conscious of us, we have resigned ourselves to the fact that taking two cars on the family vacation is a better option.

Taking a long car ride with 3 teen-age boys (ages 13, 16, 18) in the back –- none of whom wants the middle seat -– leaves everyone tense by the time we arrive, which isn't a good start to a weeklong retreat.

With two cars, everyone arrives excited and happy. My boys have their own wheels to explore on their own, and my husband and I don't feel guilty dining without them.

I would never have guessed these would be my words a mere five years ago, when the boys were 8, 11 and 13. But as the boys grow, it's important we provide them with a bit of independence, while not compromising the family vacation altogether.

From Liz Robertson, full-time working mom to a 17-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter:

With all the distractions in a teen's life, it becomes more of a challenge to get them excited about a family vacation. But you may be down to the last few summers you'll have together before college and work obligations take precedence, so it's worth pursuing!

Taking teens on the road can be a fun experience for all, if you have a different perspective then when you were planning trips for younger children. Here's what I do:

Continue reading "Taking teens on a road trip" »

By Jay

My wife was raised on a real Midwestern farm, and each year we leave the congestion of Chicago and make the 550-mile trek there with our two boys.

The secret to a great road trip, in my opinion, is renting a minivan or SUV. We don't own a large vehicle, so I prefer a spacious car rental for long road trips. I bring along a shade to keep the sun off the kids.

We've found the second most important item is entertainment for our children. You can buy a portable DVD player for under $100 and rent some new DVDs from the library. We also pack crayons, books and electronic games.

During the road trip, we like to stop at a state rest area every two hours. This gives everyone a chance to stretch their legs and go to the bathroom. If it's raining, McDonald's play areas make a good pit stop for releasing energy. You can go to the McDonald's Web site to find out if there are any along your route.

We pack our food and drinks, preferring peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to fast food. Starting our drive early -- and serving breakfast in the car -- also provides another chance to get some miles behind in quiet and beat traffic.

On one occasion, we were caught off guard. My oldest kid threw up, after going through some bumpy road construction. Fortunately, we had some baby wipes to help clean up the car, but now we travel with a rag and a change of clothes.

After we get there, the 550-mile road trip is a distant memory. The boys tour the farm, climb on the huge machinery, fish for bluegill and sun fish, check out the cows up close, and enjoy our family time.

Related Orbitz resources:

• Rental cars
• Family travel

By Allan Jay Gordon Burstyn

Ah, the family road trip. No matter how many children and adults are involved, nothing evokes the potential for mind-numbing tedium and disaster like spending endless hours in a cramped car with the ones you love most in the world. We regularly pack our three boys -- twin one-year-olds and a four-year-old -- into our minivan and head out onto the open road. As daunting as that may sound, a little preparation can go a long way toward making the old adage ring true -- "getting there is half the fun."

Where am I going again?

To get there you need to know where you are going, and for those of us without a GPS that means having a map. AAA offers their well-known TripTik service for turn-by-turn directions, or you can print out directions from Google, Mapquest or MSN Maps.

We like to plan approximate stops points before we get on the road but you should always remain flexible when you travel. If the kids have conked out, think twice before stopping because it's a surefire way of waking them up. In general it's a good idea to stop every hour and a half or two hours to stretch, go the bathroom, switch drivers and give the kids an opportunity to run around or grab something to eat.

What's that blinking light?

My personal worst nightmare is a car breakdown in the middle of nowhere. It's a good idea to make sure you've had a recent oil and air filter change and to check tire pressure before you get on the road. Besides lowering the chances of a breakdown, these steps also improve fuel economy.

If you do break down, roadside assistance can come in handy. Check to make sure your membership is up to date. Just because your card says your membership doesn't expire for a year or more doesn't mean your membership is actually active.

Here's a small list of safety-related gear we like to keep in our car:

• First aid kit (For those of you interested in putting together your own eHow and iVillage provide a comprehensive inventory if first-aid kit items.) 
• Cell phone charger
• Flashlight
• Coolant
• Blanket
• Road flares
• Water

Continue reading "Gearing up for the family road trip" »

By Drew Miller

There are so many fantastic family travel destinations in the U.S. to cool off when the heat starts to get you down. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Steamboat Springs, Colorado -- For a great Western town with low off-season prices, you can't beat Steamboat Springs. A ski town with a huge lodging base, Steamboat is a bargain in the summer, when the mountains and grasslands of the Yampa Valley shine emerald green. There is a family vibe in Steamboat and plenty to keep everyone busy. It's a real ranching town, so it's probably one of the best places to teach your kids (and maybe yourself!) to ride horses. Steamboat also offers excellent single-track mountain biking. The Gondola will take you to the top of the top of the mountain and you can ride back down, if you're lazy like me! Steamboat also has a great program called Kids Adventure Club, which allows kids from 3-12 to enjoy each other's company and age-appropriate activities in a safe and fun environment if you need a little parent time.

You can fly into Hayden and make the short drive by rental car to "Ski-town USA" or fly into Denver and enjoy a breathtaking 3-hour drive. There are lots of family-friendly condominiums -- many of which are luxurious enough to make you want to move in permanently -- and everyone in the family will enjoy the extra space!

Park City, Utah -- For tons of activities that will thrill grade-schoolers though high-schoolers check out Park City. Fly into Salt Lake City and after less than an hour's drive, you'll be nestled in-between 3 world class mountain resorts. Park City Mountain Resort has cornered the market on thrill attractions. Among their summer offerings are a zip-line adventure (flying through the air tethered to a small wire), an Alpine Slide (think bobsled, but on wheels) and an Alpine Coaster (like a roller coaster on a track).  Nearby Deer Valley delights with its free concert series where gourmet picnic baskets are available if you pre-order. They also have a great kids' day program called Summer Adventure Camp. Last but not least, The Canyons offers many classic mountain activities like hiking, biking, fly-fishing, river rafting and disc golf. For the experience of a lifetime, consider booking a hot-air balloon trip.  The early morning will be one you'll never forget!

Where am I heading to cool off this year?

We're heading up to Maine, to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We can't wait to spend a few days in the beauty of the Northeast. We'll go sailing, take a sea-kayak tour and spend lots of time hiking and riding horses among the secluded trails of Acadia. And we really can't wait to enjoy the quaint town of Bar Harbor ... and eat lobster.

Have a great summer!

Related Orbitz resources:

• Denver hotels
• Rental cars
• Family travel

When he's not at the Orbitz office, Drew Miller is an attentive dad, avid skier, and globe-trotting traveler.

By Steve Barnhart

We had a great experience in Costa Rica last year for spring break, so we decided to try Belize. It offered many of the elements that worked well for our family last year: warm weather, lots of outdoor activities, a mix of activities for adults and kids, good flight connections, only one time zone change, and the chance to see how another culture operated.

We flew American Airlines to Belize City via Miami. Other than some de-icing at O'Hare, it was a very smooth trip. The Belize City airport would qualify as rustic, but operated smoothly. The transportation from our first place of lodging, Chaa Creek, was there to pick us up.

As we headed out of the airport, we had our first change in plans. We were going to stop at the zoo on the way to Chaa Creek, but we were traveling on Good Friday, and the zoo was closed. This was not a big issue, and we went on our way. The first big surprise was to find that English was the primary language. We had assumed it would be Spanish (o.k., our homework on local customs and history had been weak up to this point) as it was in Costa Rica, and in all of Belize's neighboring countries, but had we remembered our geography well, and tracked the evolution of the British colony outpost of British Honduras into Belize, we would have understood why English was the main language, although Spanish, Creole and Mayan, along with other tongues and dialects, are also spoken.

Belize is surprisingly small, about the size of Massachusetts, 300,000 or so inhabitants, and apparently really only 4 major roads. The highways are fine. The dirt roads, well, I grew up on a gravel road, and dirt is a real step down, but it certainly helped define the undeveloped nature of the place.

The lack of development was both surprising and refreshing. A large part of the country is set aside in parks and preserves, and there are also a lot of orange and banana fields, so almost all the country felt green and vibrant. The variety and number of birds is very high, as billed, and the rest of the wildlife is also truly all around you. On several occasions we saw spider monkeys, and not only saw howler monkeys, but had one climb on our middle child (that is not a recommendation).

We stayed 3 nights at Chaa Creek, the first of our two spots, and could have enjoyed the entire week there. It was an early eco-lodge, and has that feel to it today, even as it has added additional comforts.  Our room was very nicely appointed with local art, and had a great porch overlooking the valley, and an outdoor hot tub which the kids adored. Meals were all taken at the restaurant there, and the food was excellent. Wi-Fi was available in a lounge area for those, like me, unable to completely disconnect.

Our family tested what appear to be many of the classic adventures for this area. We went tubing through caves, with miner-like lamps on our heads. There are a lot of caves in Belize, and I am told the Mayans believed they were part of a mystical underworld of sorts. Depending on which caves you try, you can do a lot of paddling with your hands, or a lot of floating, and can see crystal formations, stalactites, stalagmites, ancient Mayan pottery and the skeletons of those offered as human sacrifices centuries ago.

We took a "zip-line" tour through the rainforest tree tops. This was popular with the whole family, as it proved to be not too physically challenging for anyone, but at least somewhat adrenaline inducing for all, as we scooted along on cables 50 or so feet above the rainforest floor, and then rappelled down.

Horseback riding and canoeing at Chaa Creek were fun family activities, all included in the cost of our lodging, but the big outing was to Tikal, billed as the greatest classic Mayan site that has survived. This was a case where the journey was truly part of the adventure. It was about a 3-hour trek each way, involving customs exiting Belize and entering Guatemala (both really pretty efficient and quick for us), a stop in each direction at a souvenir shop, and roads that varied from nicely paved to potholed to washboard and dirt. Apparently this is sometimes an issue for those that get easily car sick, but it turned out to be no issue for us. However, the time investment was too much for some of our party, so they went to the much closer, but smaller Xunantunich ruins, which proved sufficient for them.

Continue reading "A family adventure in Belize" »

By Allen Ma

Ah, international travel -– there's no greater experience than exploring a new city with no agenda besides just immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, smells, and culture of an awesomely different world. It's all about being there –- time means nothing.

Unless, of course, you are traveling internationally with a child. 

As I recently found out, time means a whole lot now. Exploration time is limited, squeezed in between nap times and mealtimes, so it's important to be more efficient with some thoughtful planning and opportunistic activities.

Here are some tips that helped us get through our first international trip with a one-year-old:

Start the adventure before it officially begins

• Spend some time reading picture books or Web sites that show sights, people, etc., that you will likely be seeing in person.
• Try preparing some "local" foods to get a sense of what will work when you get to mealtimes.
• If you're traveling to a country where English isn't the primary language, learn a few new words and phrases together.

Plan for a busy flight

• Be sure to smile and make nice with the flight attendants on your way in (if your kid knows any tricks, this is a great time to break them out). These folks, plus your seat neighbors, can be your best friends for the next several hours.
• If you don't buy a seat for the baby, try to secure a bulkhead seat, where the extra floor space will allow you to spread out a blanket and create an area to sit and play.
• Bring some brand new toys and books and plenty of food to help you break up the trip into a variety of activities. (I found it helpful to think about activities in approximately half-hour chunks of time to keep it interesting.)
• Bring a laptop or portable DVD player. It might be a bit of a hassle, but if you have long flights, you'll be glad to have "Sesame Street" handy. It might also be helpful in the hotel room to give you time to get showered, tidy up, unpack, etc.

Continue reading "Traveling abroad with the kids" »

By Kimberly Myles

Although the flight may seem daunting, it's more than worth it to take the family on a New Zealand vacation, or Aotearoa (land of the long white cloud) as the native Maori named it, is a world-class, family-friendly destination with abundant parks, some of the best ice cream in the world and endless opportunities for kids to play both on land or water. Clean, green, environmentally conscious New Zealand offers some of the world's most extraordinary views, friendly people and tasty cuisine.

I was fortunate to live in Auckland for five wonderful years. My son was born there and is a dual U.S.-New Zealand citizen. To get a true sense of New Zealand, give yourself at least three weeks. Since New Zealand is the size of California and contains many non-linear roadways, you may want to concentrate on a particular area and have a leisurely trip as opposed to trying to cram in what you can for a shorter duration. For this blog, I'm focusing on the Auckland/Northland area.

KID-FRIENDLY SUGGESTIONS

Parks

While living in Auckland, I definitely took advantage of the abundance of parks on offer. Parks are often near pristine beaches and some include free petting zoos. In Auckland's St. Heliers, going for a swing near the waterfront was an almost daily treat for my son. This park has a spectacular view of Rangitoto, an 800-year-old volcano and the surrounding Hauraki Gulf. Closer to the city but still along the same stretch of waterfront, Mission Bay's park offers free pony rides on Saturdays for kids. There's also an art deco-era fountain that's lit up at night and rows of great dining options.

In the Western Springs area of Auckland, next to the Auckland Zoo, there's ample space to let the kids play on a large selection of equipment. When my son was in a stroller, I loved walking around the scenic wetlands. As a toddler, he loved managing the pint-sized bridges to investigate waters teeming with swans, geese, eels, fish and native pukekoes. Pukekoes are New Zealand's colorful version of the chicken and its great fun watching toddlers try to chase them!

Continue reading "Tips for exploring family-friendly New Zealand" »

By Mary Liebowitz

As a single mom with a passion for travel, I can often be found kicking down dusty trails with my trusty sidekick, Big Mouth.

Our last journey brought us to Copenhagen, Denmark, where we visited friends.

Planning an international trip with a toddler can be scary, but this was overshadowed by the thought that my daughter is already becoming acclimated to international travel and new cultures, and that I enjoy being able to share these experiences with her.

The 10-hour flight from Fort Lauderdale was made bearable by several giant bags of candy that kept her entertained and me stupefied. I used to pack healthier snacks like cut-up veggies, raisins and cheese, but we've reached the "whatever works” stage of toddlerhood, and I'm currently not above bribery. I also packed a few books, some new toys, a change of clothing, and her blanket. We took an overnight flight that she managed to sleep through, and arrived in a nippy 27-degree Copenhagen the next morning, bright-eyed and airplane-haired.

I was a little worried about the sleep aspect (or the me not sleeping aspect), but arranged for plenty of backup at our destination, in case I needed to crash while my child started her day.

The easy part about traveling to Copenhagen is that Scandinavians are a very civilized and kid-friendly people. The coffee is good, even on airplanes, the luggage carts are ergonomic, everything is tidy, and nearly everyone speaks English -- not that my daughter would have held back, anyway.

"I GOT PANTS ON!" she randomly announced to the nice man checking our passports.

"Yes!" he answered with a smile, waving us through the glass doors.

Continue reading "Copenhagen with a 3-year-old" »

By Jim Cohn

If you're anything like me in the parenting department, bedtime is the one borderline untouchable for younger kids. My kids probably think they're in the military when the clock strikes 8 p.m. If they sleep well, which they usually do, they're angels. When they don't, they often awake having grown horns on their heads overnight and with a pitchfork in hand. Lack of sleep is why we adults drink coffee. Kids can't, and this, the overtired kids syndrome, is something every parent in the world knows all too well. 

But no one knows our kids like we do, and you are certainly the best equipped to make the decision regarding which is better for you when planning an international family vacation -– overnight flights or daytime flights. Personally, I have never taken an overnight overseas flight with my kids, and here's why:

Let's say you have an eight-hour flight that leaves at 10 p.m. Chances are, if your kids are old enough for such family travel, they're beyond the age where they fall asleep in the car at 8 p.m. So, they're excited, going on an airplane, vacation, plane takes off, I figure if I'm lucky they're asleep 30 minutes after we're in the air. That means at best they're sleeping 7.5 hours that night. 

Now, a lot of this depends on the age of your kids, but I recall reading somewhere that the average kid between the ages of 3 and 9 requires 10-12 hours of sleep per night. I know many families who swear that overnight travel is best, so the kids can sleep in the car, or, in this case on the plane. Not me.

Truth is, there's no easy way to do this. Is it easier to get them to sleep during the flights or to have to occupy them for eight hours, which can certainly be a challenge? Personally, I'll choose the latter, again, simply because I'd rather have to entertain them than worry about a brutal combination of overtired kids and a jet-lagged parent upon arrival. Doesn't make for a fun start to a family vacation, and the prospect of my kids sleeping seven hours the first night versus the usual 10-12 almost scares me to death.

So how do you keep them entertained on long flights? A DVD player is a MUST when you travel. You can kill at least three hours with a couple of movies, and what kids don't like to watch movies on an airplane? Couple of travel-sized games, books, lunchtime, you're more than half-way home already. So, it's maybe a couple of challenging and stir-crazy hours and a little getting up and moving around. But I'll take this over the challenges mentioned earlier with overnight flights.

Related Orbitz resources:

• Family travel

Before Orbitz, Jim had a previous life as a broadcast sports journalist, covering the Super Bowl, the Final Four, the Masters, the Daytona 500 and other events that would make any sports junkie jealous. Now, he uses his expertise and travel experience to help others find the best and most cost-effective ways to travel to top sporting events and more.

Spring break isn't just for college students. It's also a great time for a family vacation.

Our partners at Away.com have compiled a list of the top 10 spring break destinations for families. Here are their picks:

For more details about these spring break destinations, read the full article at Away.com.

Related Orbitz resources:

• Family travel
• Beach vacation

By Samantha Chapnick

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Atlantis in the Bahamas is an ideal resort for a family vacation. Here are a few ideas on where to stay and what to do if you take the kids.

FAMILIES WITH YOUNG KIDS

Accommodations

First choice: The Reef Atlantis
The brand-new Reef Atlantis is my first choice because it has contemporary furnishings, access to everything at Atlantis (except Cain, The Cove's adult-only private pool), suites that are just right for families, nice views, and a simple walk to the beach and kitchens.

First choice, budget: Harborside Resort

Built as part of their timeshare offering, Harborside is the closest you can get to having an apartment at Atlantis. It's farther from the main attractions and pools but is more affordable and spacious, and it has full kitchens -- best if you are traveling with extended family or want to save on dining.

Second choice: Royal Towers

 Atlantis says the Beach Tower is better for families because it is farther from the casino and tour attractions. But I prefer Royal Towers because the decor is more upscale (no polyester bedspreads), and it is closer to the things that keep young kids amused in the evening: notably the giant aquarium in the lobby.

Second choice, budget: Beach Tower

  If decor doesn't matter that much and the kids are in bed by 7 p.m., the Beach Tower is the best choice for families with kids because it's closest to the most activities.

Continue reading "Atlantis vacation tips for families" »

By Mark Michelon

With our twins who are 5 and a third child who is 3, we felt it was time to try our first family vacation on an airplane, and where better to go than to Walt Disney World?

We were all excited and wanted to see everything, but we decided to treat this as our "first of many" trips. We wanted to be as realistic as possible with three small children and follow as much of our typical family routine within reason. This was a very difficult task, with so much fun at our fingertips. Some research on Disney World vacations was going to be needed, so we obtained a guidebook, which I highly recommend.

Planning for peace

Our children are unable to be on the go all day long, especially for a few days in a row, without us expecting a major meltdown.

To avoid the meltdown situation, we took a recommendation from our guidebook and planned out our days. Now I don't mean planning what you will do every minute of the day. Instead, breaking down the day into morning, afternoon, and evening categories and deciding what you would like to do. For example, you may choose the Magic Kingdom in the morning, relaxing by the pool in the afternoon (or the little ones can take a nap), and a character dinner in the evening. This helped us decide how many park tickets we would need, and if we needed to purchase the Park Hopper option (the ability to "hop" between parks on the same day).

A great way to decide if a park is right for your family is to determine how many rides the family will be able to experience based on height requirements. Most guidebooks or even the Walt Disney World Web site have this information. Once you have determined what rides your family can experience, make one of the FREE personalized Disney maps of each park you plan on visiting. These maps can be made from the Disney Web site. Plus, they are a great keepsake of the trip.

Hotel choice: Home away from home

If your travel budget will allow, I highly recommend a Disney property rather than off-site Orlando hotels. They provide the comforts of home with a Disney-themed feel. We stayed at Disney's Old Key West Resort and really enjoyed the laid-back feel after a busy day at the parks. The other nice thing is having a kitchen available to make quick breakfasts, light lunches or snacks. If your kids are like ours, sitting down in a restaurant for 3 meals a day is NOT a vacation.

Eating with Mickey

If you plan on dining at a Disney World park or hotel restaurant, make reservations as soon as you plan your vacation dates. We were amazed at how quickly the dining times booked up. This is especially true if you're planning a character meal. We dined at Chef Mickey at the Contemporary Resort. During your meal, you are visited by all the classic Disney characters (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc). The food is buffet style and very kid-friendly.

Continue reading "Our first Disney World trip with 3 children under 6" »

By Jim Cohn

Having lived in Orlando for nearly a decade, I had the opportunity to visit every Disney World park and almost everything Disney on numerous occasions. The first couple of years we visited Mouse's House were pre-kids -- so, pre-stress, pre-diapers and pre-incessant whining for every souvenir under the Disney sun. I believe I also had more money back then. But our Disney World vacations went quickly from "Beers around the world" at Epcot to learning that monorails, parking shuttles and slow-moving park trains are among the most fun rides. And you can't beat the lines.

There are a lot of things that being a local and a frequent park visitor taught me about navigating the Disney landscape, keeping the kids from meltdowns and even saving money on what can become an expensive family vacation if you're not careful.

Where to stay

First, if you're spending your entire Orlando vacation at Disney parks and attractions and not venturing to any other local favorites like SeaWorld or Universal Orlando, stay on Disney property. It makes life a lot easier than at off-site Orlando hotels,  with free transportation to anywhere you want to go between the boats and the buses, and really does add to the experience. All of the Disney World hotels are great, some better than others depending on the price point. Animal Kingdom Lodge was our favorite -- very unique atmosphere and close to Animal Kingdom Park.

Continue reading "A Disney World veteran's family vacation guide" »

By Jim Cohn

Where do travelers go when they want to plan a spring break vacation or just escape the cold? The January 2008 Orbitz Insider Index reveals the top winter beach destinations.

Topping the list as the fastest growing winter beach domestically is Maui, Hawaii. Outside the United States, Cozumel, Mexico, checked in as the No. 1 fastest growing international winter beach destination.

Here are the top fastest growing beach destinations based on percentage growth in hotel bookings on Orbitz from 2005 to 2008, during the period 12/21 to 2/28.

Related Orbitz Resources:

• All inclusive vacations
• Last minute vacations
• Spring break
• Key West hotels
• San Diego hotels

Before Orbitz, Jim had a previous life as a broadcast sports journalist. Now, he uses his expertise and travel experience to help others find the best and most cost-effective ways to travel to top sporting events. With two young children, Jim now enjoys nothing more than a beach vacation to unwind. And since relocating from Orlando to Chicago, he takes advantage of every opportunity to revisit palm trees and sandy beaches.

By Samantha Chapnick

If I could have designed an Orlando hotel purely for children, this would be it.

My daughter was so excited about staying at the Nick Hotel (a.ka. the Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn), it served as leverage for the entire week before we left.

After all that eat-your-vegetables-brush-your-teeth-or-else coercion, my fingers were tightly crossed it would live up to her expectations.

It did. And far exceeded mine.

It started on a great note and just got better. The popular Nick characters popping out against the white backdrop delighted her.

"Mommy look! There's Jimmy Neutron (on the elevator door)! Wanda (on the lobby rotunda)! Timmy! What's Vicki doing there??? (each building's lattice work roof had a character)!"

And then when we got to our room, a two-bedroom Kids' Suite with a bunk bed and TV already playing Nickelodeon: "MOM!!!!! Spongebob is on my wall!" Followed by the overwhelming hug and excited thank you that makes every parent wish it was ethical to keep kids on vacation forever and never give them baths or vegetables.

Thanks to very creative use of color, character placement, the overwhelmingly genuine enthusiasm and quality of ALL the staff, the resort's zeitgeist was genuine whimsy.

Thought had clearly been put into ensuring parents would never hear the words "I'm bored" no matter the quantity or age of their kids.

The air and water temperatures were too cold for us, but most people's days were spent in one of the two courtyards. Ours, the "lagoon," was anchored by a giant interactive four-story water tower and pool. The orange and green tower was a well-engineered mix of slides, flumes, climbing nets, aim-able water jets and a 400-gallon dunk tank.

The pool was divided by a rope into two, a regular pool for swimmers and an interactive shallow soft-surface play area for non-swimmers (and non-walkers) generally with parents.

The fully enclosed basketball court with multiple-height baskets and pool table were very popular with teen-agers. Toddlers had their own soft-surface area with a small slide.

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