Kid-Friendly Travel

Many families make a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World an annual vacation. Some go every few years. If you're a Disney fan like we are, here's a few Disney travel secrets on how to save money and beat the lines on your next Disney vacation.



Disneyland Tips for Little Ones

Walt Disney World with Little Ones

More Walt Disney World tips

Disney Cruise

Disney Tips from Readers

Disney Vacation Test Drive

Disney's Animal Kingdom Parade Video

Disneyland's Grand Californian Resort



Another resource I like: Mousesavers







Copyright Stephany Wiestling 2006-2008. All rights reserved. www.kid-friendlytravel.blogspot.com

Multigenerational travel

Robert DiGiacomo of the Boston Globe wrote a very helpful article for multigenerational travel.
More and more people are Traveling with grandparents can make for a wonderfully memorable family vacation. I’ve listed out my favorite points below:

-Have a loose itinerary. Have a few scheduled activities or meals, and leave room for people to go off on their own. Let everyone have a say. A pushy cruise-director is an invitation for rebellion.

-Keep the pace comfortable for all. Know in advance if you’re having a mellow, relaxing beach trip, or an on-the-go trip to the theme park, to an educational historic adventure. Make sure it’s the right fit for everyone going.

-Rent a house. A house or villa will allow common areas for impromptu gathering, and private spaces for down time. If you can’t, a multi-room hotel like at a Residence Inn by Marriott or similar. At the very least, get rooms near each other

-Know the limitations. If someone has a physical challenge, or if there are small kids, staying on-site or going on a cruise might be best to limit how much walking and driving to and from the attractions. It also allows those who need it to take a break to get it quickly.

Read Robert’s article.


Copyright Stephany Wiestling 2006-2008. All rights reserved. www.kid-friendlytravel.blogspot.com

I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun my toddler son and I had while tagging along on my husband's business trip to Miami. I mean, I knew Miami is super fun for grown-ups, but I wasn't so sure about kids. Weighing the options: January in Miami, or January in Minnesota? Hmmm. Yeah we'll give it a shot!

If you're thinking of a family vacation in Miami, here are a few ideas:

We stayed at the Doubletree Grand Hotel. They have regular rooms, and condos by the week. It's in a quiet part of downtown, near the Venetian and MacArthur Causeways. They have a grocery store/deli, restaurants, pool, and is on a marina (pictured above). If you get a condo, make sure to get a pool key to get back in the building... they're separate from your room key. We didn't, and got locked out in the pool area.

Things to do:
Miami Children's Museum is off MacArthur Causeway, as is Parrot Jungle (now called Jungle Island). The Children's Museum is crazy fun for little ones. Our membership at our home state got us in free, so bring your membership card if you have one.
Miami Seaquarium is a bit like SeaWorld with a dolphin and orca show. The manatee tank and crocodile / alligator exhibit were a hit. Located on Biscayne Bay
Miami Metrozoo. The petting zoo offers elephant rides... cool! Animals are in spacious habitats, so, lots of walking. Or, take the monorail. The Wildlife Show is big cats doing cool tricks.
Spend the day in Key Biscayne. More neighborhood-y. Is that a word? Anyway, very relaxing. Stop to pick up shells, or head to Crandon Park for beach, palm trees and picnic.
We found a great Cuban restaurant/deli/stand called Oasis Cafe on Key Biscayne. (Address: 19 Harbor Drive). We discovered that toddler likes croquetas (chicken croquettes) and plantain chips. 2 bags!
South Beach is nice during the day. Play at Lummus Park and Public Beach. It gets very adult and very loud after 11 pm. So, probably wise to avoid getting a hotel there if you plan on sleeping at night.
Bayside Marketplace is a great indoor/outdoor mall. Eclectic shops and restaurants and often live entertainment.
Mary Brickell Village is a neighborhood with a high concentration of moderate to upscale restaurants. Publix grocery store is also nearby.

Anything else I missed?




Copyright Stephany Wiestling 2006-2008. All rights reserved. www.kid-friendlytravel.blogspot.com

Johnson Space Center Houston

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About 25 miles south of Houston is an aerospace playground for kids and adults alike. Once you make it through security, you are surrounded by all things space.



Let the kids work out some pent up energy in the Kids Space Place playground. This kiddie habitrail is full of ball launchers, climbing, slides, and non-stop action. Houston, we have a ‘go’. There’s a separate tots area so the little ones don’t get trampled. I saw mostly dads in there with the kids, and they were having just as much fun!


photo from http://www.spacecenter.org/

The most fascinating feature to me was an actual space shuttle cockpit! Walking around through the multi-level structure, you really get a sense of what it’s like for the astronauts.


For more interaction, visit the Feel of Space exhibit. Here an officer presents an amusing show to demonstrate life on the space station. Take a look at the spacesuits through history in the Astronaut Gallery before taking in a few movies at Blast off Theater , “like IMAX in 10D!”, and Destiny Theater in the Starship Gallery.


Also in the main area are several hands-on science stations that are fun for all ages. My 2-yr-old had fun with the magnets and static electricity. We didn’t do the tram ride, but most people recommend the Level 9 tour if you have older kids or space buffs.


For food, the Zero-G Diner cafeteria is expensive, but diverse.


A very pleasant surprise was the Space Trader gift shop. Here you can buy, among other things, astronaut food packs, flight suits, and NASA logo stuff with sassy sayings like “failure is not an option”. My husband insisted the sayings were written just for me. He could be right.



Have you been there? Did you ride the tram? What did you think?

Related Articles: Kid-Friendly Houston, TX


Copyright Stephany Wiestling 2006-2008. All rights reserved. www.kid-friendlytravel.blogspot.com

Lots of parks, great weather, and the fact that most attractions either have kid-friendly areas, or are designed specifically for kids make Houston a great kid-friendly city. Here's a list of some of our favorites:

Houston Zoo: Great zoo for small kids. Separate children's area with splash fountains is nice on a hot day.
Houston Museum of Natural Science: Near the zoo in the museum district.
Hermann Park: Handicapped accessible playground with splash fountains near the zoo in the museum district.
Childrens Museum of Houston: Indoor and outdoor exhibits, arts and crafts, crazy fun for kids!
Nottingham Park: Neighborhood park on the west side of town with free spash fountains.
Downtown Aquarium: Fun way to spend a couple of hours if you're in the theatre district.
Galleria Mall: Great shopping and restaurants. Ice rink inside is fun for skating or just watching.
Minute Maid Park: Catch a ball game!

Day trips:
Johnson Space Center Houston / NASA: Learn all about space exploration in this hands-on destination.
Kemah: Just a few minutes further down the road from NASA, stroll the boardwalk and check out the shops.
Galveston: The nearest major beach. Also home to Moody Gardens, the Strand, and Schlitterbahn Water Park.

Where to stay:
We like to stay near the Galleria. The Residence Inn by Marriott near the Galleria is converted apartments, so they are quite spacious. As with all Residence Inns, they have a full breakfast selection, kitchens in the room, and they have kid-friendly meals every weeknight included in the rate. There are plenty of other dining options in and near the Galleria as well.
Another highly recommended hotel is the Houstonian. They have a great pool!

Know before you go:
You should know that Houston is hot. In the summer it's also humid. We were there for a couple of weeks in November and most days wore tank tops and shorts. Bring sunscreen, sun hat, stroller shade (and a misting fan in the summer).
You should know that you'll have to drive everywhere. Allow time for traffic as there doesn't seem to be a discernable 'rush hour' to avoid... it's all the time. Renting a car is definately a good idea. Luckily, the roads are laid out well, so it's easy to find your way around.
There's so much more to do... what did I miss?



Copyright Stephany Wiestling 2006-2008. All rights reserved. www.kid-friendlytravel.blogspot.com

(Here's a Press Release for a kid-friendly resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico)

Kids' Club, Family Spa Treatments and Kitchens En Suite Offered at the New Casa Dorada Resort.

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico (PRWEB) April 30, 2008 -- CasaKidz, ice cream pedicures, teen spa treatments and kitchens en suite make traveling with children seamless this summer to Casa Dorada Los Cabos, Resort & Spa. Located on popular Playa Médano within walking distance of its renowned dining, shopping and nightlife, Casa Dorada brings a new level of service, style and amenities for families to the heart of Cabo San Lucas.

From Pedicures for Kids to Facials for Teens
To cool the feet from the summer heat, adults and kids alike can opt for a delicious and fun Ice Cream Pedicure at the Saltwater Spa that includes a cool marshmallow, chocolate or caramel mask and finishes with a delicious favorite ice cream flavor lotion. For teens looking for a little relaxation time away from the parents, a Teen Facial offers exfoliation, steaming and mask that leave the skin clean and fresh.

CasaKidz Playzone Daily Program
From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, the hotel's supervised CasaKidz Club offers children ages 4 to 11 the opportunity to play with kids their own age during several activities such as treasure hunts, painting ceramics and other arts & crafts, sports activities, movies, and video games. A kids' pool is also offered at the resort.

Comfortable yet Stylish Accommodations for Families
Casa Dorada has lavish suites and penthouses facing Cabo's iconic Land's End Rock that are perfect for families traveling together. Ranging from 900 to 4,500 sq ft and some with multiple bedrooms that can accommodate a family of six, the rooms offer kitchens, living and dining areas and furnished terraces and balconies. If the family decides to forgo cooking or dining at one of the hotel's restaurant, a resort chef can prepare a private meal in the comfort of their suite.

Activities for the family, such as the swimming with dolphins, golf, snorkeling, fishing, horseback riding and more, can also be arranged through Casa Dorada's concierge.

Rates start at $190 USD for a deluxe room and up to $1,620 USD for three-bedroom penthouse suite from June 1st to October 10, 2008.

Casa Dorada, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, has 186 deluxe ocean-view rooms and suites situated on 5 acres of beachfront property. East meets West in the 7,000-square-foot Saltwater Spa that features unusual offerings such as a Chinese Balls Stimulating massage, a saltwater ritual and the Couleur de Vie, a treatment that combines color therapy, aromatherapy and thalassotherapy (salt water). 12 Tribes restaurant at Casa Dorada is inspired by the legendary 12 Tribes of Israel. Executive Chef Fabian Rios has sourced close to 400 ingredients from 30 countries to craft an irresistible selection of dishes inspired by the cuisines of Spain, Romania, Israel, Yemen, Ethiopia, Russia, France and more. Entertainment is in the offing at B lounge, which also features 50 different beers, including a custom mango-flavored brew. Casa Dorada also features an air-conditioned beachfront restaurant, private Beach Club and three swimming pools. For reservations, please call 1-(866) 448-0151 or visit www.casadorada.com.

Contact:
Aimet Arill or Megan Sterritt
KWE Group
305-476-5424
arill @ kwegroup.com
Sterritt @ kwegroup.com

Or, your favorite travel agent or online booking engine.

For many people, Orlando equals Walt Disney World. Yes, Disney is a destination on it's own, but Orlando has so much more to offer, and the offerings just keep coming! We spent 3 weeks there with our 2-1/2 year old, and there was no shortage of things for us to do!

An overview of our favorite offerings in Orlando...

Walt Disney World: The House of Mouse will never dissapoint. There is truly something for everyone here.

Downtown Disney: Free admission and free parking! Enjoy the shopping and dining delights, along with live performances that get the kids groovin'. There's even a few kiddie rides and 2 splash pads.

Universal Studios Orlando: This could also be a destination in itself. 2 theme parks, a City Walk and lots of overhead misting fans to beat the heat.

Sea World: An absolute must for the animal lovers in your group.

Wet 'N Wild: Huge water park with separate area for kids 48" and under.

Monkey Joes: When your wallet needs a vacation, this inflatable playground is where locals go to beat the heat on the cheap.

I-Ride Trolley: Great way to get around Orlando, or just ride it for fun.

Trainland International Trolley and Train Museum: If you have a rabid train fan, this is worth a visit.

We're always adding more, so check back often. Keep us updated, add your favorite to the comment sections!

Check Top Hotel Deals in Orlando .

Copyright Stephany Wiestling 2006-2008. All rights reserved. www.kid-friendlytravel.blogspot.com