About Family Vacations

Orlando Christmas

2009-12-02T15:37:31Z

Yesterday's post about Universal Orlando theme parks is just part of the big, big picture that is Christmas in Orlando, the world's preeminent family vacation spot.

The Disney World theme parks go all out, with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, Holidays Around the World, Candlelight Processional performances, Christmastime Parade -- to name just a few highlights of Disney Christmas.

And as with Universal Orlando's Macy's Parade and Grinchmas show, all this fun is included in the regular park admission price. You do need to pay extra (and book early) for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, though. (And you'll get to ride the attractions without crowds.)

Meanwhile, the Gaylord Palm's Resort has carved out a niche for itself with ICE! , an indoor winter wonderland with ice slides and ice sculptures.

More about Orlando Christmas.

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Orlando Christmas originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 15:37:31.

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Holiday Season at Universal Orlando

2009-12-01T15:19:11Z

Once again, Universal Orlando jumpstarts its holiday celebrations with a live concert by popular entertainers Mannheim Steamroller, free with general admission-- as is "Grinchmas" in Seuss Landing, with holiday musical show, and daily Macy's Holiday Parade in the Universal Studios theme park. Two more Mannheim Steamroller concerts are scheduled in December, too. Read more...

Holiday Season at Universal Orlando originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 15:19:11.

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Kids Eat Free- App

2009-11-30T11:11:03Z

Any traveling family knows that feeding kids in restaurants gets expensive, so we're grateful for web sites about places where kids eat free. (Of course, there's some fine print with these "Kids Eat Free" deals: typically, kids must order from a special kids' menu, and be accompanied by an adult who's ordering a regular-priced meal.)

And for extra convenience, now you can find your "Kids Eat Free" restaurant on the fly: as an iPhone app. The KidsEatFor.com site will tell you where kids eat free -- or at a reduced price-- in a particular location; the site also offers an application for iPhone or iTouch, available at the iTunes App Store for a couple of bucks.

Looks nifty. (If you've tried it, post a comment below.)

more about Kids Eat Free deals | more free things to do with kids

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Kids Eat Free- App originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 11:11:03.

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Family Travel Deals: Atlantis Bahamas

2009-11-28T10:44:58Z

This legendary resort has a December Special, with four nights for the price of three, $200 meal credit, and kids under 12 stay and eat free.

Atlantis Bahamas -- in case you didn't know-- is a one-of-kind destination with shark lagoons, jaw-dropping waterslides, river float, large kiddie pool area, kids' waterplay zone, subterranean giant aquariums with Atlantis theme, Discovery Kids Camp-- not to mention spa, dining, casino, Marina Village with shops and restaurants...

More Family Travel Deals | Atlantis Bahamas Resort | photos of Atlantis Bahamas

Family Travel Deals: Atlantis Bahamas originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Saturday, November 28th, 2009 at 10:44:58.

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Club Med Black Friday Deal

2009-11-27T07:20:46Z

One-day sale runs from 6 am to 4 pm EST on November 27 2009: Club Med is offering lowest prices of the season, at $99/adult per night, and $60 per child per night, at all-inclusive resorts in Florida and Mexico. Check-in dates at Club Med Sandpiper in Florida are 12/12/09, 01/02/10, 01/09/10, 01/16/10; Club Med Ixtapa Pacific has dates in December and January as well.

Club Med Ixtapa Pacific is an all-inclusive resort on the west coast of Mexico, with terrific kids programs and Baby Club. The resort has over 30 acres, with a long stretch of beach on a bay about 20 minutes from Zihuatenejo airport.

Club Med resorts have some unique features that set them apart from other resorts. (Most fundamentally, "GM's" and "GO's". Read more...)

Club Med Ixtapa Pacific | Club Med Experience for Families

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Club Med Black Friday Deal originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 07:20:46.

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Air Travel Tips for Holiday Season

2009-11-25T10:59:40Z

Holiday Season travel in the US -- starting with the tremendously high-volume Thanksgiving Weekend in late November -- can be a stressful time to take to the air. Flights are packed, and passengers who miss a connection may have a hard time re-booking because -- well, flights are packed.

Check out some practical tips to help your air travel go smoothly, mainly by not missing connecting flights!

| Tips for Holiday Season Air Travel |

Also, our About.com site for Air Travel has a Holiday Season Air Travel Guide, that covers travel with infants, travel with pets, luggage fees, and more.

Air Travel Tips for Holiday Season originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 10:59:40.

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Free WiFi in Airports for the Holidays

2009-11-20T14:27:27Z

For travel through Jan. 15 2010, families braving the rigors of airport travel can console themselves with free WiFi in 47 airports across the US, from SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma), to Miami International. This nice bonus is brought to you by Google: see Free WiFi for the Holidays, to find all the airports participating.

The catch? Google encourages you to donate to a charity (and will match your gift.)

And by the way, lots more airports -- big and small -- provide free WiFi all the time. Check this list of Free WiFi in Airports: Phoenix, Denver, Palm Springs, and dozens more.

Travelers can also get Free WiFi on all Virgin America flights through Jan. 15, too.

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Free WiFi in Airports for the Holidays originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 14:27:27.

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Christmas at Hershey PA

2009-11-18T15:39:20Z

Three hours from NYC, 1.5 hours from Baltimore, "Chocolate Town USA" has several attractions, most notably Hersheypark amusement park which -- in November and December -- turns into Christmas Candylane.

Also at Hershey PA at Christmas time: Hershey Sweet Lights, two-mile drive through sparkling lights; "Chocolate Town - A Holiday Dinner Musical"; Breakfast With Santa and other holiday packages at Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge. And the year ends with a Family New Year's Eve bash at Hershey's Chocolate World. Read more...

Christmas at Hershey PA originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 15:39:20.

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Kauai Winter Specials

2009-11-17T02:39:00Z

Kauai is Hawaii's "Garden Isle", with amazing natural beauty, and a slower pace. The beautiful Napali Coast (pictured at right) is just one of the highlights; you can explore the Napali Coast by hiking, or by boat tour (and dolphins may swim beside you); or be awed by the great views from a helicopter ride. Families visiting Kauai can also try ziplining, surfing, and a tube ride through tunnels that's very cool.

Have a look at a bunch of Winter Promotions on Kauai, for savings at a range of resorts and hotels. Hawaii's visitor volume took a big drop during 2009, so if you can swing a trip this winter, you may feel very welcome.

Top Things To Do on Kauai | More Family Travel Deals

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Kauai Winter Specials originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 02:39:00.

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What's Your Favorite Disney World Theme Park?

2009-11-12T14:46:25Z

With 47 sq. miles and four giant theme parks, each very different, Disney World is bigger than some entire countries, and the clich� that "there's something at Disney World for everyone" is pretty much true.

(Not to mention two giant water parks, Downtown Disney entertainment zone with Cirque de Soleil, and 22 themed on-property resorts.)

If you've visited already, take a second to vote on your favorite Disney World theme park. (You can also take a peek at how others vote.)

Then have a look at current Disney World deals. 2009's been a banner year for promotions: Mickey's gone to great lengths to make sure his friends keep visiting (in the millions.)

We've also got lots of tips for visiting Disney World:

Disney World Vacations - Overview
Where to stay: Disney World Resorts
tips for Epcot
tips for Animal Kingdom
lots more tips for visiting Disney World

What's Your Favorite Disney World Theme Park? originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 14:46:25.

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