Whether you’re dreaming big with a #bestsummer Bucket List adventure to the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, or fancy a charming weekend escape to Pennsylvania Dutch country, we’ve got wallet-friendly and super easy-to-plan options for everyone.

TL;DR Dive into the list below and zoom in on whatever sparks your interest! But first, we’ve got some handy tips for smooth sailing with special needs on your trip, plus all the insider info on snagging those sweet, sweet airfare deals. Let’s make this summer legendary!

1. Fantastic Family Fun: Vacations for Everyone

Traveling with loved ones who have special needs can be incredibly rewarding, and with a little planning, it can be a breeze! Understanding and preparing for everyone’s needs ensures a happy and smooth experience for all. Amazing organizations like Special Needs Group and Flying Wheels Travel are experts in providing tailored services and equipment.

Flying? The TSA Cares helpline is there to assist travelers with disabilities – just give them TSA notification card, which can be a real time-saver during security.

There’s also a growing world of support for families with members on the autism spectrum. Check out travel agencies like Travel Able Vacations and Magical Storybook Travels, both founded by moms who truly understand accessible travel. And for fantastic, supported getaways, Autism on the Seas offers “staffed cruises” on Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruises, along with resort stays designed for families with kids, teens, and adults with autism and other developmental differences.

Even airlines are stepping up! Many have dedicated accessibility teams to help with boarding and airport navigation. Some even offer sensory kits packed with noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and calming cards for travelers with autism. When it comes to where you’ll be staying, don’t hesitate to call the front desk and ask for exactly what you need. Loads of hotels now have accessible rooms with features like wheelchair-friendly bathrooms and lower counters. Just be sure to request these when you book.

Your best summer vacation idea may be a family reunion at the beach. Go for it! Photo by Tyler Nix for unsplash.

2. Soar into Savings: Finding the Best Airfare Deals

Get ready to embrace the wonderful world of low-cost carriers (LCCs)! If a road trip or vacation deal isn’t in the cards, these budget-friendly airlines can make flying to your dream destination super affordable. To really stretch your airfare dollars, set up price alerts on handy websites like Hopper, Kayak, and Google Flights. Timing is key too! A recent study by NerdWallet revealed that the cheapest day to buy a domestic flight is often Sunday for a Saturday departure, while for international trips, aim for a Saturday or Wednesday departure.Keep an eye on deals from Spirit, Frontier, and Breeze Airways. For Caribbean and Central/South American adventures from Boston, check out Arajet. Celebrate savings with JetBlue, which just turned 25! They fly to over 100 destinations and were pioneers of cool perks like seatback TVs with live entertainment, free Wi-Fi, and yummy brand-name snacks. A family favorite? Their in-flight Pantry is usually open for drinks and extra treats throughout your flight.

Globetrotters should explore PLAY, connecting Baltimore, Boston, and New York to 33 European and Turkish cities via Iceland. French Bee, Norse Atlantic, and Neos also offer low-cost flights to Europe from select US cities. Within Europe, budget giants like Ryanair and EasyJet, along with many smaller carriers, provide affordable travel options.

Pro Tip: Before you cash in those credit card points for tickets, see if you can snag an even better deal by transferring them to an airline and using those airline miles instead!us.

USA! USA! Awesome American Adventures Await!

The good ol’ US of A is the top pick for American families this summer, with beach getaways leading the charge. But there’s so much more to explore, from relaxing barge trips to epic road adventures and charming mountain towns where you can splash around without emptying your wallet. Let’s dive in!

Classic red canal boat on the Erie Canal, New York. Photo c. Erie Canal Adventures.

3. History Afloat: Celebrating 200 Years on the Erie Canal

History buffs, even non-cruise fans, will find the Erie Canal in upstate New York special. This summer, Erie Canal Adventures offers 3-7 night rentals of fully equipped 1BR or 2BR barges, allowing families to explore the New York State canal. Prices start at $2,625 for three nights (varying by date and boat size). Their team teaches steering and lock navigation to adults and responsible teens (16+). Enjoy onboard cooking and explore nearby port towns with restaurants, breweries, and bakeries (bikes included). Pack comfy clothes and games for a unique, historical vacation. Read more about our Erie Canal barge vacation.

For a faster pace, consider the annual Parks & Trails Cycle the Erie Canal Trail ride (July 12-20, 2025). All cycling levels can ride the 400-mile route from Albany to Buffalo with supported camping. The four-day tour to Syracuse costs $800 (adult), $500 (ages 6-17), and $200 (under 6). Alternatively, Discovery Bicycle Tours offers inn-to-inn cycling on the Ohio to Erie Trail.

City explorers will enjoy Buffalo celebrations, including museum exhibits and a replica Canal boat. During the World Canals Conference (September 20-24, 2025), the replica Seneca Chief will recreate Governor Clinton’s 1825 Bicentennial journey, stopping at 28 ports from Buffalo to New York Harbor.

For 48 more summer vacation ideas, please visit our #bestsummer roundup of the latest travel deals and savings packages at Family Travel Forum! 

15 Top Picks from 51 Great Summer Vacation Ideas

How's your summer going? We're still busy planning some vacation time. If you're in the same boat we are, here’s our pick of the 15 very best summer vacation ideas from the amazing #bestsummer directory issued by FamilyTravelForum.com.  

We love that they’ve done the homework, and we can load our cart with some of the best ideas for our family. In the hopes of providing you with hope for a (somewhat) normal summer vacation, please read on!

ALASKA TOURING  

Meet sled dog puppies on your Holland America land excursions in Alaska. Photo c. HAL 

This year for the second year in a row, there will be no big ships in Alaska as Transport Canada has banned almost all cruise activities in Canadian waters until next February. Families who don’t want to wait until 2022 have the opportunity to see Alaska a different way—and spend more time on land in and around Denali National Park as well as elsewhere. The largest players in the region -- Holland America Line and Princess Cruises -- have committed to operating their Alaska-based lodges this year. Adventure Smith Explorations also offers small-ship and other Alaska adventures, including yachts potentially available just for your group. The  summer of 2019, TakingtheKids.com spent a few magical days kayaking, canoeing and just taking in the views and wildlife  at  the small  (just 18 cabins and 40 guests) at  Kenai Fjords  Glacier Lodge within the national park and accessible only by boat from Seward. And really good news: Denali National Park will allow road trippers to venture farther on their own. Check out one of the state’s newest campground sites, K’esugi Ken RV & Tent Campground, where you can pitch your tent in the shadow of North America’s largest peak. To find more campgrounds and plan your trip, visit TravelAlaska.com.

BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE FOR ALL  

Take the kids to the museums and historic sites around the country that are putting the civil rights struggle in context for 21st century youth. The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC may still be closed but you certainly can visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Open destinations worth the journey include the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the first built by a major U.S. city to interpret the life and work of African Americans, Plan a weekend around the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute or the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.

CAMPING AT JELLYSTONE PARKS 

Yogi Bear and his pals will soon be your pals when you stay and play at one of the Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts in the US. Photo c. Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts 

So, what if you haven’t been camping since Scouts? Record numbers of families are camping, often for the first time, and Yogi-Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts make it easy. With more than 75 Jellystone Park locations across the US and Canada, you’ll find a campground nearby packed with amazing attractions such as pools, water slides and splash grounds like the Jellystone Park Camp-Resort that Family Travel Forum visited. Hike, fish, explore and take advantage of family activities such as jumping pillows, mini golf and foam parties. Beloved characters Yogi Bear, Boo Boo, Cindy Bear and Ranger Smith from Jellystone make an appearance, too. Accommodations ranging from premium cabins and treehouses to deluxe RV sites and traditional tent campsites suit every family. Book now at www.jellystonepark.com, as prime summer dates are already selling out. Plan ahead for popular theme weekends such as Christmas in July, Chocolate Lovers Weekend and Halloween Spooktacular Weekends. Remember you can borrow or rent, rather than buy, any gear you might need.

CITY LIGHTS IN THE BRIGHTEST CITY  

New York is waking up and welcoming visitors once again, encouraging you to help rebuild the city’s $60 billion tourism industry. One of the summer’s cultural highlights is the outdoors show at the New York Botanical Garden, KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature, showing through Oct. 31, 2021. Immerse yourselves in sculpture and art installations from the famous Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, who lived in New York from 1958-1973. Kusama’s lifelong obsession with nature, thanks to a childhood spent in the greenhouses and fields of her family’s seed nursery, will find full expression at the NYBG. New monumental sculptures highlight the show; Dancing Pumpkin and I Want to Fly to the Universe make their worldwide debut. Watch for the first-ever obliteration greenhouse, Flower Obsession. Infinity Mirrored Room - Illusion Inside the Heart, a signature Kusama experience in which visitors interact with mirrored walls and the sense of infinite depth, is set to open August 3. NYBG is in the Bronx and is easily accessible by subway or the Metro-North Railway. NYBG is open daily; purchase timed entry tickets online at NYBG as early as possible. At 250 acres, NYBG is quite large so we recommend going early in the day to allow time to see it all and dine at one of the garden’s restaurants.

CRUISING EVERYWHERE

Princess Cruise Line guests use a wearable Medallion Pass as their ID when embarking on their ship at port. Photo c. Princess Cruise Line 

While cruise lines are working to figure out how and when they can start cruising from US ports this summer, they also are getting creative with alternatives. Luxury Seabourn Cruise Line, known for unique all-inclusive cruises on smaller ships, will be cruising in Greece and from Caribbean ports this summer. Holland America is finding great interest in their Alaska land tours this summer while offering value-added amenities on 2022 cruises, including half-off drinks, WiFi, excursions and dining. Additionally, they are scheduling weeklong Greece and Mediterranean cruises between August and November aboard the Eurodam. And Princess Cruises, for those planning ahead, is touting deals that include drinks, gratuities and with your Medallion wearable, flexible new Dine My Way schedules. MedallionNet is super charged WiFi internet connectivity that leverages a new constellation of satellites, if you can’t leave work behind. Plan ahead as most cruise lines will require passengers to be fully vaccinated before boarding.

DISNEY NEWS

Disneyland and California Adventure Park have reopened to Californian residents and hope to open to all later this summer. As at Walt Disney World, there is limited capacity, fewer shows and no character meet and greets, though additional parades and pop ups have been added. At the Orlando theme parks, guests like the virtual lines for rides and ordering food via a Disney Experience App so that it is ready when you arrive. There are also new attractions -- like Micky and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disney’s Hollywood Studies, the first time the world’s two most famous mice have been featured in an attraction. The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Show runs until July 5, followed by the Food and Wine Festival July 15-Nov. 20 while EPCOT undergoes a multi-year transformation. Disney Cruise Line has announced new itineraries and its much-anticipated new ship Disney Wish that will begin cruises to the Bahamas next summer complete with the first AquaMouse water attraction, a revamped Oceaneer’s Club, new restaurants, including a Frozen dinner theater and more adults-only options, including a Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge with otherworldly concoctions. 

EUROPE RIVER AND CANAL CRUISES

Gift the family a barge trip on a French canal with Croisieurope. 

River and canal barge cruising continue to grow in popularity, letting more guests experience more European destinations aboard the comfort of a floating hotel. For families, the formula seems right: All included amenities, visiting many ports without the need to pack and unpack each day, and variety of tours for all interests mean a worry-free vacation for parents. Customize a barge trip for your group of up to 22 for the ultimate in social distancing. CroisiEurope welcomes families on board all cruises: Children under 2 travel free, under 10 at a reduced rate year-round. Cabins for singles, doubles, triples and quadruples mean every size family can be accommodated. Kids under 16 travel free in Spain, Portugal and Italy – and at 30% off fares in Croatia and Montenegro on summer departures. Vaccinated families should consider the special offers on their current departure schedule. Activities for families are built into the itinerary, so it’s the relaxing way to experience Europe. Here’s a review of a recent CroisiEurope Duoro River cruise in Portugal.

KANSAS, GEM OF I-70

With road trips all the rage this summer, many families are likely to drive part of their route along I-70, a central component of the US Interstate System founded by President Eisenhower’s Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. What many families don’t realize is just how much fun the stops along I-70 in Kansas can be. It’s more than 500 miles of 18-wheelers and corn fields. Kansas boasts classic small towns with huge artworks; talk about the summer of Van Gogh – have you seen Goodland, Kansas’ 80-foot-tall “Three Sunflowers in a Vase?” Other places worth a stop along I-70 include cinemas, arts festivals, military forts and local history museums to ease the road trip boredom for passengers of every age and interest. Read more about Kansas’s roadside attractions to plan just where your family will stay the night.

MEXICO AND CARIBBEAN RESORTS

The Seabourn Odyssey is moored offshore in the Caribbean. Photo c. Seabourn 

Summer traditionally has been considered family season in Mexico and the Caribbean; wild sales and kids stay free packages at all-inclusives are the norm. However, each destination has different entry requirements and even vaccinated travelers may be required to show a negative COVID test result for entry. Order Let’s Get Checked home COVID-19 testing kits by mail, now approved for minors (aged 2 and over) for at-home Covid-19 testing, using this 30% off COVID testing link. Note that travelers from most international destinations will have to present a valid negative COVID-19 test to enter the US. We also recommend family travel insurance to anyone booking resorts during the June to November hurricane season. Jamaica offers options from staffed villas to all-inclusive resorts like Beaches, known for their commitment to children on the Autism Spectrum, to Half Moon Bay with the chance to swim with horses, and Golden Eye, where Ian Fleming famously wrote the Bond books and where you can take your pick staying in a beach “hut” or two-bedroom villa. Families interested in a cruise to more off the beaten path islands should plan ahead to November, when the luxury Seabourn line resumes award-winning 7- to 21-day cruises to the Caribbean, with 10% off for early bookers.  

ORLANDO

Yup. The world’s theme park capital is open and welcoming families with new attractions as well as enhanced COVID-19 safety protocols. For those planning ahead, Walt Disney World will celebrate the resort’s 50th anniversary starting Oct. 1 and continuing for 18 months. (Follow #DisneyWorld50 on social media platforms.) Of course, a visit will be different this year, requiring masks and advance reservations. The kids won’t be able to hug their favorite characters. We’re Orlando fans because in addition to the theme parks, there’s so much else to do: great outlet mall shopping, several small art museums, lots of fun dining experiences and plenty new outside the parks too. Dr. Phillips Center’s Frontyard Festival is the first socially distanced music festival in the U.S., offering everything from music performances to comedy shows to big-name concerts, through May. The Museum of Illusions Orlando offers 50 interactive, immersive and mentally deceptive exhibits based on math, science, and psychology. Dezerland Park, an all-new indoor attraction on International Drive, boasts a trampoline park and the longest indoor dual go-karting tracks in Florida. There are also plenty of options for free things to do outdoors, from farmers markets to Sunday morning yoga in the 43-acre Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. Play outside at the 20-plus mile West Orange Trail (rent bikes from West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades Co., which offers delivery to area hotels) and the Nemours Family Zone at the US Tennis Association National Campus. (Play for free but you must pre-register!)

RIVER RAFTING AND AQUATIC ADVENTURES

Keep cool -- no need to carry on with your paddling when you're on an escorted river trip with OARS. Photo c. OARS 

The legendary outfitter OARS has been sharing the world’s great rivers with guests since 1969, contributing more than $5 million in donations and fees toward the preservation of the environment and to various conservation initiatives since the company’s inception. After an abbreviated and challenging 2020 season, OARS is looking forward to fun, low-stress whitewater conditions for many of the family-friendly rafting trips they offer in the West. They're forecasting lower, but reliable water levels this summer for popular river trips like Utah’s Green River through Gates of Lodore and Desolation Canyon, which can count on water releases from upstream reservoirs. Five-day family trips (minimum age 7) for Green River Rafting through Desolation Canyon promise more than 50 Class II and III rapids. OARS experts say that in California, a mild winter and statewide snowpack that’s at 59% the normal average isn’t expected to heavily impact rafting on dam-controlled rivers like the American River and the Tuolumne River. The 3-day Lower Klamath Trip departing Happy Camp, California is ideal for young adventurers ages 4+. From June to mid-August, families are guaranteed warm and gentle Class II rapids, easy rafting, fishing and fully supported camping along the Klamath River. Due to the region’s rich Gold Rush history, discovering gold may be a highlight of the trip. For 2021, expect many of the same COVID-19 protocols that were put in place last summer to minimize the risk of transmission on the river. For more information on OARS’ eco-friendly adventures, visit www.oars.com or call 800/346-6277.

SKI COUNTRY SUMMERS

An off season ski resort condo should be a bargain whether you choose Steamboat Springs in Colorado for its weekly rodeos and free concerts or Lake Tahoe for yoga paddleboarding. In Park City, Utah, spend summer careening down an alpine coaster or facing the Olympic bobsled track. Hike and mountain bike through Montana’s Big Sky or Oregon’s Mt. Hood regions, among many other almost-four-season resorts. The good news is that lodging is a lot cheaper in summer at snow resorts  and more on-mountain activities are returning this summer, like the Lost Forest at the top of Snowmass’ Elk Gondola. You don’t need a pricey lift ticket to hike or bike – but they are great value for scenic sightseeing with less fit family members. It likely won’t be as hard to get into the top restaurants either. Here’s an account of celebrating a pre pandemic July 4th weekend in Vail.

SPLURGE BY PLANNING AHEAD WITH ATLAS

Watch Juvenile Southern Seals fight for dominance with a show of strength on your Antarctica expedition. Photo by Michel Verdure for Atlas Ocean Voyages. 

For many American families, this summer will be about staying local and saving up for a really big bucket list vacation. With nearly 15 months to think about what could be the most amazing destination ever, Antarctica is topping many wish lists. While several expedition companies are touting their special sailings, none compares with the luxurious new offering from Atlas Ocean Voyages. Families set sail for Antarctica aboard World Navigator, Atlas’ Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified ship, after a private flight from Orlando to Ushuaia, Argentina. Fewer than 200 fellow explorers join naturalists and experts dedicated to helping you and kids ages 10+ get the most out of your refined adventure. You can even make or renew wedding vows at ‘the end of the world’ on the Valentine’s Day 2022 departure. Atlas’ wedding package is complimentary for guests when registered in advance plus, the bride enjoys a 50% stateroom savings when the wedding party books five or more rooms. As with all Atlas luxe-adventure expeditions, guests travel in the brand’s signature All Inclusive All The Way style, which, on Antarctica expeditions, includes all meals, beverages, activities, shore excursions and more. Their flexible travel policy also provides travelers a 100% refund of deposited funds up to 91 days prior to sailing. Plan now because you can change your reservation as often as you want, and even switch to a different Atlas itinerary, up to 15 days before your voyages’ sail date.

UTAH HIGH WITH MOAB ADVENTURES

The Moab Adventure Center will help you achieve new heights when adventuring in Arches, Canyonlands or the great outdoors around Moab, Utah. Photo c. Moab Adventure Center 

Moab Adventure Center focuses on day tours and adventures, whether you want to river raft, take an off-road Hummer safari, hike with a guide in Arches National Park, horseback ride, have a unique mountain biking adventure or raft in Cataract Canyon. They’re family welcoming too, with Hummer safari tours available to ages 3+ and laidback rafting trips for ages 5+ and 50 lbs. Enjoy each of their adventures knowing safety protocols have been put in place to maintain a safe and fun environment. Moab is a very popular, eastern Utah mountain town that can get crowded, making Moab Adventure Center the easiest way to reserve any outdoor experience without worry or stress—and get out of your comfort zone trying something new!

WILMINGTON AND DELAWARE’S BIDEN COUNTRY

Start your tour of Biden Country in Newark at The Biden Welcome Center, a visitor’s center packed with maps and brochures about the state the 46th president has called home for years. Renamed for the entire Biden family and their service to Delaware prior to the election, it reminds us that even the Wilmington railroad station is named after the First Commuter who was nicknamed “Amtrak Joe.” Did you know that both the Bidens and reggae legend Bob Marley lived in Wilmington’s Eastlake neighborhood? From the estates of the du Pont family which have become fantastic museums of American arts and crafts to the casual, homey eateries that the President and his family still frequent, the first state is full of surprises every family will enjoy. And no, the St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church in Greenville was not named after the president.

Note that this summer, vaccinated Americans traveling within the US won’t need COVID-19 testing or post-travel self-quarantine as long as they continue to wear masks indoors, avoid crowds, social distance and wash hands frequently. Additionally, vaccinated travelers will likely be safely allowed to travel in many European countries. Travelers going to destinations that require a negative COVID-19 PCR test should take advantage of our partnership with Let’s Get Checked to get home COVID-19 testing kits by mail, now approved for minors (aged 2 and over.) Use our 30% discount COVID testing link and get results back in 72 hours or less.

Let us know where you’re off to!

Orange is the New Cool - New York’s OC

Orange has become the new cool, as Orange County announces the 2020 opening of a LEGOLAND New York themepark.

Rendering of LEGOLAND New York, with announced opening of 2020.

The 170-acre LEGOLAND New York resort is expected to attract approximately two million visitors annually to Goshen, a small town in the foothills of the Catskills – a region that has undergone a lot of development in recent years.

According to Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Howard Zemsky, “LEGOLAND New York’s commitment to community partnership – including donating a portion of its revenue to the community, strong educational opportunities… and workforce training – make this project a win-win for Orange County.”

LEGOLAND New York, which will receive approximately $25 million in support from the Regional Economic Development Council, the Upstate Revitalization Initiative and New York State for projects such as off-site road infrastructure improvements and traffic mitigation measures on already busy Route 17, is forecast to create 800 construction jobs and 1,300 full-time, part-time, and seasonal jobs during its anticipated April 1 to November 1 season.

Merlin Entertainments plc, owner of the LEGOLAND franchise, now operates more than 100 attractions – including LEGOLAND themeparks in California, Florida, United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Denmark, Dubai and Japan – and 15 hotels and six holiday villages in 24 countries. At the October 25, 2017 announcement ceremony Merlin CEO Nick Varney said, “We have spent a lot of time building relationships in the community, listening and responding to concerns, and we are looking forward to building a themepark that will enhance the community and be a tremendous neighbor…I can pledge to you that LEGOLAND New York will be a trusted and valued member of this community.”

As part of the development deal, every year, LEGOLAND New York will host two “Community Days” and donate 50% of the park’s ticket sale revenue to the Town of Goshen. All Goshen residents will be offered a 50% discount on standard one-day themepark tickets as well.

According to Merlin Entertainments, the Goshen themepark anticipates generating $283 million in sales tax and hotel occupancy tax for Orange County over the period of 30 years. Additionally, they estimate that the Town of Goshen would receive about $71 million in revenue from the host community fee, plus its share of PILOT payments and tax payments.

The park’s management will also provide educational program for ages 2-12, including year-round programs focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education. They plan to partner with local schools and colleges to train and employ students interested in careers in hospitality, business, and mechanical engineering and offer special programs and discounted tickets to area schools, including all school districts within Orange County.

Until LEGOLAND opens, The OC can claim that Orange is the New Black in Halloween events.

The Corn Estate in Orange County, New York is open this Halloween.

The county’s many scare parks and haunted farms are said to make this part of the Hudson Valley home to some of the most terrifying Halloween attractions in the country, attracting thousands of people each year from Philadelphia to Boston – perhaps, all future LEGOLAND customers.

So, grab your grown ones and check out the outdoor and indoor frights of Terror Dome in Newburgh; or catch the live performers and special effects wizardry at the Forest of Fear in Sterling Forest, 600 Route 17A in Tuxedo.

There’s more: the Pure Terror Scream Park in Monroe holds the Guinness World Record for the longest haunted attraction in the world. Fright Nights at Pierson’s Farm has both big boy and little kid thrills, with a non-haunted petting zoo and baby corn maze as well as a haunted graveyard.

And the Corn Estate Haunted House really puts on a family show the last weekend of October and Halloween night, in Cornwall on Hudson.  Check attraction websites for annual schedules and special pricing and have yourself a scare!

For more information on now and upcoming Orange County attractions, lodging, and events, visit OrangeTourism.org and iloveny.com

.

Pluto Ushers in Dog Friendly Era at Disney World Hotels

In big news from the happiest place on earth, Walt Disney World started welcoming pets to four of its on-site hotels on Sunday, October 15, 217.

In time for Halloween, you say? Well, perhaps that's because it is mascot Pluto's favorite holiday.

According to our source, the designated pet-friendly hotels are:

• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Disney Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Photo courtesy Walt Disney World Media Relations

The new service permits up to two dogs per guest room. Each resort also offers easy access to outdoor pet exercise areas and green spaces with pet relief areas.

At check-in, guests with four-legged guests will receive "Pluto’s Welcome Kit" -- an amenity kit for owners that includes a mat, bowls, a pet ID tag, courtesy plastic disposable bags, puppy pads and dog walking maps. Your dog will love the Pluto “Do Not Disturb” door hanger indicating to hotel staff that a pet is in the room.

Day care and other pet services, for a fee, are offered nearby at Best Friends, an on-property full-service pet care facility. And it would not be Disney without an announcement that pet merchandise will be coming soon. According to our source, dogs staying in a Disney resort guest room "must be well behaved, leashed in resort public areas and properly vaccinated." Keep in mind that pets are not welcome in the theme parks. You may have to hide your slippers, because Pluto will have your guestroom to himself for several hours.

The resorts’ per night/per room pet-cleaning rates are $50 per night in addition to room rates at each of the hotels, with the exception of Disney’s more posh Yacht Club Resort, which charges $75 each night.

For more information about this  dog-friendly trial program, including other restrictions and policies, contact 407 W-DISNEY or visit Disneyworld.com. DVC Members should contact Disney Vacation Club Member Services at 800/800-9800.

Let us know how you it goes!

Shanghai Disney Resort Opens to Jubilation

It’s wonderful news but it's not magic – the three-day grand opening of The Walt Disney Company’s Shanghai Disney Resort is the product of years of planning among the builders of five other global theme parks, the Shanghai Municipal Government, and joint venture partner Shanghai Shendi Group.

The resort's website, www.shanghaidisneyresort.com, is counting down to the opening.

“Years of collaboration and innovation, with contributions from Disney cast members and Imagineers, as well as thousands of artists, designers, construction workers and suppliers from across China and around the world” made it happen, notes the Disney media team, who add that the multi-billion-dollar, energy-efficient, 963-acre first phase development is Disney’s largest investment to date outside of the U. S. and one of the largest foreign investment projects in China’s history.

If your family visits Disney properties so often that you've made the kids shareholders, take note: the Shanghai Shendi Group holds 57% of the ownership shares and Disney holds the remaining 43% of shares; while Disney has a 70% stake and Shanghai Shendi Group has a 30% stake in the joint venture management company which is responsible for creating, developing and operating the resort on behalf of the owner companies.

Here are some more details from Disney for those planning a family visit to Shanghai’s newest wonder. Note that no tickets will be sold on site during the June 14, 15, 16^th opening days – if you want to join the making of history you’ll have to buy them online right away.

“The grand opening of Shanghai Disney Resort is one of the proudest moments in the history of The Walt Disney Company, and we’ve planned a truly spectacular celebration worthy of this historic achievement,” said Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company. Excerpts from their press release follow.

The three-day celebration began today with the global premiere of the first Mandarin production of the Broadway hit "The Lion King" at the 1,200-seat Walt Disney Grand Theatre in Disneytown.  (You can see a short clip of Chairman Bob Chapek's introduction of the show here.)

It continues on June 15 with a grand opening gala concert at the Enchanted Storybook Castle led by award-winning composer Tan Dun, known for film scores including “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” followed by a Starlight Celebration dessert party in Tomorrowland. On June 16, there will be a festive dedication ceremony in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle to officially open Shanghai Disney Resort to guests.

Shanghai Disney Resort features a newly designed Magic Kingdom-style theme park, Shanghai Disneyland, with six themed lands filled with immersive attractions, including Adventure Isle, Gardens of Imagination, Mickey Avenue, Tomorrowland, Treasure Cove and Fantasyland. These lands are located around the iconic Enchanted Storybook Castle, the tallest, largest and most interactive castle at any Disney park. The resort also features world-class live entertainment, two exquisite hotels, a shopping, dining and entertainment district called Disneytown and a 98-acre recreational area called Wishing Star Park with a lake that is open to the public.

We're delighted to learn that in honor of the grand opening, The Walt Disney Company announced a $3.1 million USD (RMB 20 million) donation to support the creation of Disney-themed play spaces in 50 children’s hospitals throughout China.

  

Additional information about tickets, shows, hotel offers and other events is available at the bilingual website, www.shanghaidisneyresort.com.

It's Virtually Here! The 1st VR Roller Coaster

Six Flags Over Georgia, which calls itself the "Thrill Capital of the South," is debuting the New Revolution Virtual Reality Coaster, said to be North America’s first VR roller coaster, this spring. As we've seen, virtual reality is all over the family travel news scene.

The park is also catering to its large family clientele with the more gentle Bugs Bunny Boomtown, featuring seven new family attractions that all ages can enjoy together.

Computer rendering of New Revolution VR Coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia 

VR Ride Takes Park Guests for Big Thrills

According to their press announcement, park-goers wearing wireless Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus will be "transported into a futuristic battle to save planet Earth from an alien invasion" on the New Revolution VR Coaster.

Each guest will be immersed in the experience of being a co-pilot of their own virtual fighter jets on one of the park’s most popular roller coasters, which means flying straight up a skyscraper wall, then down a 95 degree pitch, then doing wild maneuvers in between office buildings.

Sound like your kind of thing? New Revolution VR Coaster opens March 19.

New Theme Park Area for Young Kids

For younger thrill-seekers and their families, Six Flags Over Georgia is set to debut seven attractions in the all-new Bugs Bunny Boomtown. Expect to see Daffy Duck Bucket Blasters, a wild and crazy family water battle; Speedy Gonzales Speed Boats, where guests will be screaming “Andale Andale” on six speed boats; Bugs Bunny High Seas Adventure, a chance to fly through the air on a junior sea-worthy quest and much more.

Daffy Duck Bucket Blasters allows families to splash others in buckets!

Six Flags Over Georgia also announced the world’s first DC SUPER Friends family-themed section will open later this spring, featuring five new attractions.

This season, Six Flags Over Georgia will be open on weekends through May 15 and daily April 2 through 10 for Spring Break. During summer, daily operation begins on May 21.

It's also the time of year for lots of news from all 18 Six Flags parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Note that season pass holders also include admission to Six Flags White Water in Marietta, available online at www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

Southern California Hotel Deals Encourage Spring Visitors

Most families heading to Southern California plan a stop at Disneyland, but the Anaheim Resort area is a great home away from home comprising other spring break ideas as well. From the myriad theme parks, to the marinelife education at SeaWorld, the wildlife adventures at the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park and more, there is a lot of fun to be had in the region.

Family Fun Zone at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel

Who knows this better than the Hilton Anaheim Hotel? As the largest hotel in the Anaheim Resort District with 1,576 guestrooms, the Hilton works hard to fill them by keeping up with everything going on in town.  Between winter and spring break, take advantage of the Hilton Anaheim's "Snowbirds + Sun Tans" accommodation package, that enables you to select an offer based on your interest in skiing, surfing...  or both. 

The package rate for two adults starts at $149/night and includes a buy one, get one complimentary day of skiing and/or surfing.  Reservations will inform you of children's rates depending on your travel dates (package is available till mid March). Their on-site restaurant, Mix, is also doing special meals and wine pairings starting from just $35. 

The Riglet Park at Bear Mountain Ski Resort, California; photo courtesy InsideSocal.com

Snowbirds + Sun Tans includes:

• Buy One Ski Lift Ticket, Get One Free at Bear Mountain Ski Resorts, including Bear Mountain and Snow Summit (Up to $67 Savings)

• Buy One 3-Hour Surf Lesson, Get One 3-Hour Surf Lesson Free (wetsuits included!) at M+M Surf School in Seal Beach ($82 Savings)

• Full daily buffet breakfast for two served in Mix Restaurant

• High speed internet access

• Two Health Club Passes

• Minimum two night stay

If you prefer, book their "Family Fun" package, which has longer availability and starts from $179/night midweek for a room with double queen beds, and includes complimentary WiFi and breakfast for four (two kids under 12 years).  Another perk: Guests who purchase a Disneyland 3-Day Hopper pass at the hotel will receive a complimentary limited edition Star Wars pin (while supplies last). Yes, the new "Star Wars: Season of the Force" -- a combination of attractions and rides in Tomorrowland, is really worthwhile seeing! Book at hiltonanaheimhotel.com or call 714/750-4321.  

If you're going to be based in San Diego itself, checkout the deal with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, offering 15% any of the 10 different Westin, Sheraton and Luxury Collection properties in town.

Loews Coronado Bay hotel room with Marina views.

Last but not least at all, the Loews Coronado Bay, a beautiful oceanfront property with a large marina, gives families a choice of any of the "Pick Your Park" deals which include a newly renovated double room and two adult theme park tickets to your choice of Legoland, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld. We priced a midweek April stay including zoo tickets and free WiFi at $265/night. Other spring offers at the hotel include sailing lessons, suite upgrades and more -- good value for such a posh resort.

Worried about starving over spring break? The crew from "Top Chef" just finished shooting their new season in California, and we got ahold of their top picks for foodies. The gourmet fish tacos at many eateries, a refined meal at Juniper and Ivy helmed by chef Richard Blais, and “Top Chef” Brian Malarkey’s Searsucker in the Gaslamp Quarter -- known for its fresh seafood and locally crafted brews -- topped their short list.

OMG Disneyland Turns 60

Boomers hold your breath -- Disneyland turns 60 this year!

Disneyland Forever lights and diamonds will decorate Main Street during the Diamond Celebration.

On July 17, 1955, Walt inaugurated the amusement park that would forever change the way parents look at family vacations. Since then, dignitaries, heads of state, celebrities and more than 700 million guests have passed through the gates of a place that Walt imagined as "a source of joy and inspiration to the world."

To commemorate this milestone, and encourage grandparents who remember the park as toddlers to introduce it to their own toddling grandchildren, there is planning underfoot for a Diamond Celebration.

Three new nighttime spectaculars will begin Friday, May 22, 2015 in time for the Memorial Day Weekend. Imagineers are working full speed ahead to apply the latest technology and immersive special effects to two new extravaganzas in the Disneyland park: the “Paint the Night” parade using all LEDs and the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show using projections. A brand new “World of Color” water and lights show set to music will recount the the story of Walt Disney at the California Adventure park.

Additionally, notes a park spokesperson, the Sleeping Beauty Castle and Carthay Circle Theatre will "glisten and gleam for the celebration" with diamond medallions, and blue diamond banners and signage will decorate walkways, shops and new commemorative merchandise.

"Sixty years ago, Walt Disney welcomed the first guests to Disneyland. Nearly 3 billion guest visits later, it’s amazing to contemplate all that Disney Parks and Resorts represents to so many people around the world," said Tom Staggs, who just became Chief Operating Officer of The Walt Disney Company, in a statement. "Disneyland was envisioned as a place that encourages all of us to be 'forever young,' in part by being forever young itself... so we’re celebrating not just the last 60 years, but all that is yet to come."

Technical Detail Preview for MouseHeads

Paint the Night Parade – New technology and unleashed imagination permeate this after-dark parade, flooding Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland with vibrant color and more than 1.5 million, brilliant LED lights that flash and glow as they bring Disney stories to life. The Disney Dreams theme includes special appearances by Mickey’s pals and beloved characters from tales such as “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Toy Story” and “Frozen.”

Disneyland Forever Fireworks Spectacular – Thanks to the largest installation of projection mapping technology in a Disney park and surprising special effects, guests will find themselves transported into the worlds of beloved Disney and Disney-Pixar films, including a dance with King Louie from the “The Jungle Book” and a flight over London with characters from “Peter Pan.” Showing just how magical the Magic Kingdom can be, the fireworks “stage” will extend to Main Street, U.S.A., “it’s a small world,” Rivers of America and the Matterhorn as projections transform familiar park icons into stunning story scenes. Two original songs also will be featured, the theme “Live the Magic,” and the inspiring closing song “Kiss Goodnight,” written by Disney Legend Richard Sherman. “Disneyland Forever” will be visible from Main Street, U.S.A., and several Disneyland locations.

World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney – Illuminating the night in a contemporary and moving celebration of Walt Disney and his dream of Disneyland, Mickey Mouse will take guests on an inspirational journey through the unparalleled imagination of Walt Disney, exploring his decades-long legacy of memorable animated moments and the dream of Disneyland Park. Expect animated imagery, live-action film, fountains, lasers, special effects and a stirring musical score, all on the magical water canvas of “World of Color.”

The Virtues of Being 60

To conclude, as much as any of us might hate turning 60, it's not a bad number for the late Mr. Disney. From the original Disneyland Park in 1955, his original entertainment concept has expanded worldwide to include the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, Disneyland Paris in France, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii. A Shanghai Disney Resort is now under construction in China.

Stay tuned for more information about the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration at Disneyland.com and DisneyParksBlog.com.