There’s no easier way to plan a togethering vacation — what small family reunions are sometimes called — than at a Disney theme park with grandparents in tow. Let’s look at some recent stats. We know that more than 37% of grandparents who travel, have traveled with their grandchildren on one or more leisure trips within the past year. According to D.K. Shifflet, 27% of all overnight leisure travel in 2014 was as a multigenerational group. These numbers make multigenerational travel a big trend.
There are lots of options if you’re looking for a place to take a big group. But the Walt Disney Company hasn’t been in the family entertainment business for nearly 50 years without learning something, and perhaps that is why Orlando’s Walt Disney World (WDW) has been cited in various surveys as the Number 1 “dream” family reunion destination.
There’s also few places that can cater to both toddlers and grandparents while still appealing to teenagers and weary parents alike. Disney properties have varied activities which are well executed and appropriately planned. This means you won’t find action-packed Indiana Jones stunt shows next to the Dumbo ride. But Disney also knows how to make just about any ride or experience magical for anyone.
To be inspired by some togethering reunion ideas, check out Disney’s Magic Your Way Vacation Packages. Their staff of experts can help coordinate accommodations, activities and dining for your group, keeping everyone’s needs and interests in mind.
Tech Tools to Make Your Reunion Magical
Traveling with a small family, let alone a huge group, is no easy feat. Simplify your vacation by using the MagicBand system before you ever leave your house. This “smart” wristband comes with your WDW hotel bookings, and can hold all your travel information, hotel room key, reservations for rides, restaurants and more. Bands for every family member are sent in the mail two weeks before your departure.
Booking a free MagicalExpress ride from the airport to the resort enables you to check your luggage curbside from your home airport, and watch it magically appear in your resort hotel room up to three hours after you arrive. You don’t have to use the luggage service, but it sure comes in handy when traveling with toddlers and a gaggle of relatives.
MagicBands can also be used to unlock your hotel room and pay for park purchases. Ask your resort’s concierge to hook-up your MagicBand to your credit card and pick a private pin number. Go to the park and pay for meals, treats and souvenirs by scanning your band at the register and inputting your pin.
With so much to see and so little time, WDW has developed other technologies to ease your theme park phobias. Fastpass Plus, Disney’s reserve-a-ride system, enables you to avoid lines by choosing a return time slot and scanning your MagicBand or Magic card at the kiosks set up outside most attractions. One fun perk — when you scan the MagicBands, it tells the Cast Members your name. Bonus if it’s your birthday. You’ll get a “Happy Birthday” all over the parks and warm smiles.
To save even more time, download the My Disney Experience Mobile App to check wait times and adjust your Fastpass on the go. Guests get three picks per day at one park, and if you use them all, you can pick up a fourth option as it’s available. It’s worth checking out the wait times on the app first. During slower periods like after Labor Day and the first week of December, rides like “It’s a Small World” are often slow. Just get in line for the 5 or 10-minute wait and save your Fastpass option for the more crowded character meet-and-greets and more popular rides like the new family-friendly Seven Dwarfs Mine Train rollercoaster.
Preserve the Memories without Selfies
Especially useful for group travel, the Disney PhotoPass service can connect right to your MagicBands and store photos taken by the parks’ professional photographers. Purchase the service and leave your camera in the hotel room. Next, ask any park photographer to snap a photo and afterwards they’ll scan your band. The photos go right to your account to view, download or purchase prints. You can even add other users to the account so everyone can get in on the action and pick and choose their favorites.
Plan Some Adult Time for Grown Kids to Meet Up
As noted, there’s lots to do outside the theme parks. Disney has created two fantastic world-class water parks -– the snow-themed Blizzard Beach and the tropical-island-style Typhoon Lagoon -– which are very cool(ing) but probably not worth the extra fee unless you have at least a half-day and plenty of warm weather to enjoy them.
Beyond the theme parks, you’ll find five top-quality golf courses that reserve tee times and shuttle service for on-site WDW hotel guests; rental equipment for power boating, sailing, wakeboarding, bicycling, tennis and other sports at the various hotels.
The WDW on-site hotels use local Orlando childcare services to provide in-room babysitting, a worthwhile investment for some quality adult time. At night, most of the WDW hotels also offer a group kids camp for ages 5+ so that adults can try local clubs and nightlife. Downtown Disney has an attractive branch of Wolfgang Puck’s where all family members can dine together, and a purpose-built theatre for “La Nouba,” an incredibly original combination of gymnastics, dance and music from Cirque du Soleil. Some families may not want to buy tickets at Broadway prices for exhausted little ones, but I guarantee a performance by this Montreal-based avant garde circus will astonish spectators of all ages.
Why a Disneyworld On-Site Resort is Good for Family Reunions
In general, Orlando, Florida is a good reunion destination because air service is frequent and available from almost every corner of the globe. With so much competition for the market, airfares are reasonable year-round. Additionally, the on-site WDW hotels provide more than 31,000 hotel rooms at rates ranging from $85/N for value resort hotels on up to over $300.
A key advantage of staying at a WDW Resort is the ability to enter a designated park earlier than the public each day with extra Magic Hours. The perk is extended for guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Swan and Dolphin Hotels, Shades of Green Resort and Hilton Orlando Resort on Hotel Plaza Blvd. Check their online calendar for daily extended times, as hours are subject to change. Want an example? At the time this was written, extra magic hours extended from 9pm to 11pm at Epcot.
If your reunion group wants to linger over breakfast, then this perk may not hold much value; however, if you’re traveling with early-bird preschoolers, choosing a resort within the enormous parks will give you a head start on a typically short day. Try to book a resort on the monorail line (buses, ferries and trams shuttle guests around at a much slower rate) so you’ll be able to return there for regular naps. And remember, though the WDW hotels may cost more than others outside the park, you’ll save on a rental car.
How to Choose a Reunion Hotel that’s Right for All Ages
Accommodations will largely depend on how many people in your group will stay in each room. To book accommodations for more than five people, call 407/939-7725 for assistance. To get an idea of where to start, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort near Animal Kingdom sleeps up to 6 guests per suite with separate bedroom pull-out sofas, two bathrooms and kitchenette.
Each resort has its own perks, personality and vibe. The turn of the century style Boardwalk Inn had a nostalgic vibe complete with a juggler performing live in the lobby. Suites had kitchens, a fold-out couch in the living room and separate bedroom. While most convenient to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you can still grab a shuttle to get to the Magic Kingdom in less than half-an-hour.
But if you have little kids and grandparents who tire from the over-stimulation and need to decompress, consider Fort Wilderness to stay at the Lodge, park an RV, pitch a tent or rent a cabin. Evenings are filled with roasting marshmallows, free Disney films, wagon rides and the promise for horseback riding in the morning. The Wilderness Cabins sleep up to six guests with over 500 square-feet of living, dining and sleep area complete with private patio and BBQ grill. The maid service will even take care of your dishes so you can just enjoy dinner at the picnic table with the family.
Big groups should look at the Deluxe Villa Resort hotels with one and two-bedroom villas sleeping up to nine guests at select locations. Full kitchens, laundry and whirlpool tub are all available. The Boardwalk Villas sleeps up to nine, as well as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas Jambo House.
If you prefer not to stay at an on-site WDW resort, the Nickelodeon Family Suites Hotel, with its themed two to four-bedroom units and enormous zero entry swimming pools with water features, is a wonderful alternative and very good value. Of course, Orlando boasts many family-friendly hotels — here’s our pick of the Top 10 Kid Friendly Places to Stay.
Plan Your Days to Acknowledge Everyone’s Interests
One of the biggest assets at WDW is the sheer variety of recreation. Magic Kingdom, source of the magic for most young children, boasts strolling character figures who give out autographs, hugs and pose for pictures. A melody of Disney songs swells to a fireworks spectacular during evenings at the Magic Kingdom. Keep an eye out for Tinker Bell as she soars over the park during the show.
At Epcot, in addition to the World Showcase pavilions hosted by 11 countries, exhibits such as Test Track and the Mission Space simulator ride have the right combination of cutting edge technology and thrills to engage adults and older children. Epcot recently announced plans to replace the Maelstrom ride in Norway with a Frozen princess-themed ride by 2016. Some may be sad to see the 26-year old ride go, but it’s part of Epcot’s effort to steer some focus towards kids.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the park’s answer to Universal Studios Florida, but with family fare, stunt shows and rides. Strolling characters, 3D movies and gentle rides are based on Buzz Lightyear and other heroes from “Toy Story,” “Frozen”, “Star Wars,” “Disney Junior,” and other shows and movies. Come back in the evening for Fantasmic, a 30-minute fireworks and water show with characters and sounds from favorites like “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Peter Pan”.
One of Disney’s newer theme parks, Animal Kingdom, boasts a dazzling array of African animals now living comfortably in central Florida, strolling outside the deluxe Animal Kingdom Lodge and easily tolerating the action-packed Kilimanjaro Safari tour. Within this park’s elaborately carved, 14-story Tree of Life is a theater showing an imaginative, interactive 3D film based on “A Bug’s Life” that will give adults the creepy-crawlies, too. Especially popular here and appreciated by all ages, no matter how fearful, is the log-flume-style Kali River Rapids ride.
Organizational Tips for Reunion Planners
When you’re in charge of reunion planning, everyone will be grateful for your frugality. Don’t be shy about checking with AAA to see what discounts your local club in offering at the Orlando resorts and theme parks; Mousesavers.com and Undercover Tourist are other websites devoted to finding the best bargains at the parks.
No matter where you purchase tickets, you will want the advice of the experts at Walt Disney World. They have a variety of vacation planning tools and a helpful Moms Panel online, with this guide to Family Celebrations and Reunions reserved for tips for reunion and multigenerational vacation planners.
The experienced reunion planners at Disney suggest you start by finalizing who is coming to the reunion, and make notes on their ages and any special needs. (By the way, Disney has a lot of programs for the-mobility impaired or other handicaps). Timing is everything. You can begin to select a date by focusing on one of the many special events or seasonal festivals being celebrated at WDW, or discuss the family’s schedule and, when dates are set, decide how long everyone will stay. All of this information should be circulated back through your group so that everyone can research which accommodations they prefer.
Once hotels are booked, you can select your WDW admissions passes. Although the economical Park Hopper Plus tickets give access to all four theme parks–Magic Kingdom park, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, most families won’t have the stamina to accomplish this. Especially if you’re traveling in the hot and humid Florida summer, discuss how much time you can be out in the sun, and how much time you’d like to spend together at your hotel, or at the beach, touring the Everglades or taking in another attraction.
When it comes to the WDW theme parks, plan your stay so that no more than two theme parks are scheduled on any given day, or you’ll waste a lot of time traveling between them.
Ready? Set? Start doing your research. Each season, WDW puts together a number of packages incorporating theme park admission with on-site hotels and other perks that make for an unforgettable –- dare we say “magical” -– gathering.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
People who choose to book trips for summer or further out should do so with caution; the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable. And many reservations may claim flexibility. Amid so much unknown, there will be one certainty: the headaches of rescheduling and canceling.
With a rugged interior featuring 286 peaks topping 3,000 meters Taiwan’s railway system is shoehorned onto the coastal margins where most of Taiwan’s cultural life is concentrated. Whether you ride the high-speed service from Taipei City to the second city of Kaohsiung or spend a week slowly circumnavigating the island by local train, all journeys are within eyeshot of either the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, flatlands of verdant rice-paddies, or towering mountainsides
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Amazing Post! about Amsterdam
There’s one street in Baltimore that’s more festive than the rest. Every holiday season, the neighborhood of Maryland’s miracle on h Street is decked out in Christmas lights and festive displays. From a tree made of hubcaps to classic candy cane fixtures, each house is uniquely decorated.
Considering Northeast Ohio has plenty of breweries, as well, Thomann was asked if it’s more likely we’ll find the members of Dorfrocker touring different venues tasting beers or visiting the Rock Roll Hall of Fame?
Covid-19 certainly affects travels plan…Not long ago my friends were among passengers of the British cruise ship Braemar. And how could the US refuse to help the ship and close the borders?? Unlike the US, Cuba showed its humanity and friendship! Thank you Cuba
Would you like to stay in the gorgeous area around Keukenhof? You can! We have a broad range of great hotels and bed and breakfasts for you. Accommodations in Haarlem, Leiden or Amsterdam are also good options.
I will reach Amsterdam only on 19 May morning, the last day of the flower exhibit. Is it still worthwhile to go Keukenhof Gardens? Will there still be many flowers to be seen?
Tulips and other flowers mainly bloom during spring. March through May is therefore the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to watch them in bloom. The world’s most beautiful spring park, the Keukenhof, is open during this time.
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, there are companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
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2 adults available to drive your car from New Orleans to north suburb of Chicago mid October. Need 3 or four nights. Split the gas,
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Ever dreamed of driving along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific with the windows down? Or wanted to travel the historic Oregon Trail in a car instead of on a computer? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.
Rhonda, from a railman who started his train travel when he was 16, I would strongly suggest a Canadian Train Ride! Via Rail Canada offers four significant rides through wilderness and coastal areas with deluxe, overnight trains from Toronto to Vancouver ( 4 nights), and Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia (one night). Both offer a chance to have decent meals enroute, and sleeping car accommodations. Train crews tend to be a bit friendlier than south of the border, Canada, largely uninhabited, offers many scenic vistas with little hamlets few and far between, certainly a wonderful way for both of you to enjoy these new experiences.
Via Rail Canada also offers Railpasses, which enable you to travel on other routes as well for a bit of a price reduction. It’s all up to you!
Their website is http://www.viarail.ca for further information.
My son is a rail fan and we have traveled only in the US but I would love to surprise him with an excursion where he could talk to the train staff and railroad personnel. I would also like to include beautiful scenery as well for Both of us. My son is 16 and I am 59. We love to explore and don’t mind walking and roughing it!! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won??™t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
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This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.
7 memorable Tips for Traveling to Mexico
Don stress if you don Mexico is agreeable to English speaking travelers, And there a ton of tips to get to know the country landscapes, terms, And younger culture.
yet still, If you new to traveling or have never been out of the us, A trip to Mexico may be somewhat frightening.
If you interested in learning some tips for traveling to Mexico, Take a look at our 7 easy to remember tips for your journey. We outlined some of the basics that you’d like to learn for your own aventura!
1. Choose the Right Transportation If you traveling to Mexico, You need to decide you might arrive by car, aeroplane, Or liner. It important to know how you want to arrive because it will searching,an extravagance,good to have city you arrive in, How much luggage you results, and so forth.
an individual can find international flights if you prefer to travel by air. instead, There are plenty of cruises to Mexico that you can enjoy if you like the amenities and beautiful views that are included in ship travel!
If you live nearby the border, Or just need to take a bit of a road trip, going down the road by car is always an option as well.
2. Use Pesos When You Can It best if you use the local currency pesos when you can. while touristy areas accept USD, They choose the rate at that they accept it, So it is possible to get a better deal if you just use pesos.
Consider exchanging USD for pesos somewhere in the usa before your trip and dividing up your cash between USD and pesos during your trip.
3. Know bathing room Etiquette In Mexico, The sewage pipes just aren built to handle a lot. this means that people rarely flush their toilet paper. rather than, There will often be a trash bin near the toilet for you to put your used toilet paper in.
further, Men may make of entering a bathroom labeled with an M, let’s assume that it stands for However, The M actually can stand for mujeres, Which is the word for in Spanish. Men needs to look for doors labeled H, Which stands for the Spanish word for men, Hombres.
4. Practice Some Spanish One of the most basic tips for traveling to Mexico is to learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip.
once you know basic things, Like how to ask where the bathroom is or how to order food, Will make your trip to Mexico a lot smoother. sometimes, The locals will appreciate the effort, Even if they undoubtedly speak English as well!
5. Adjust to the Time Whether you are changing time zones while having trip or staying in the same one, You find that Mexico runs on a lot more fluid schedule. Punctuality is less of a concern, So you take pleasure in it a lot more if you can relax and don push a strict schedule.
furthermore, Meals are spaced out a bit distinct in Mexico. You will usually have a large breakfast, associated with the main meal of the day between 2:00 together with 4:00 pm hours. then finally, You will enjoy a smaller meal at dusk.
6. Drink Bottled Water Bottled water can be found on just about any street corner for purchase. Why exactly do you wish to buy bottled water?
let me tell you, Most of Mexico plain faucet water is unpurified. Some hotels may have filtered water, But be sure to go shopping for a sign above your sinks before you test it out!
If you be residing in Mexico for a lengthier trip, Consider buying or bring a water filter with you to purify the tap water and avoid buying so much bottled water. You be decreasing costs and plastic consumption!
7. Stray off the Beaten Path While sightseeing attractions and famous beaches are always fun to see, Traveling to lesser known places will offer you a more authentic taste of Mexico.
of which this isn an excuse to be reckless or oblivious to your surroundings. Be mindful of the areas you visiting and research where you will make sure it a safe area.
Now You Armed with all very reputable Tips for Traveling to Mexico Mexico is a diverse country with so much to see and offer.
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As North America’s fastest multi-launch coaster, it’s expected to draw in adrenaline enthusiasts, including those from the group Busch Gardens Williamsburg Fans, which has been updating their Twitter and website with information on the ride.
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The blog shared is interesting to read. Got some useful information of Chicago which will be really helpful before planning a trip to this place. Thanks for sharing this!
Many parents of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder dread traveling or often avoid it altogether. Most people with ASD do better with routine and structure and a break from that (vacation) can often lead to stress and even meltdowns. Additionally, traveling by air can include having to navigate a multitude of unpleasant experiences from airport security procedures, moving sidewalks, and boarding tunnels to cramped seats, unfamiliar noises, and lots of strangers. Experts indicate that preparation and practice is the key to a successful flight and travel. Before your trip, talk with your child about what to expect. Go over the details of the travel: how you’ll get to the airport, wait in line, go through security, find your departure gate, get on the plane, buckle seatbelts, and spend time onboard. Flying to See Janet: A Fun Guide to the Airport Experience is a book you can use to prepare children for the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport experience. You can also write your own social story.
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Emily, my coming of age years were the late 1970s, early 1980s at the YMCA. I agree with you about the open showers versus the individual shower stalls. From a guys perspective, I spent many nights and weekends swimming or playing basketball at my local YMCA. Showering with not only my friends, but over the years, dads, neighbors and guys from church. It really makes one comfortable, not in a sexual way, with one self and others. Never had the nude swimming, I think that ended in the 1960s as women/girls joined the YMCA, forcing may YWCAs to close their doors.
Amelie, here in the US a number of Korean Spas have opened. As with Japanese, Korean families bath together (grandmother, daughter, grand-daughter), (dad, son) separated by gender. They are starting to attract a diverse clientele (age, race, etc). So who knows, maybe the nude swimming will return to the Y someday.
The Ski and Snow Vacations for Families article is one of the best I have ever read!
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Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
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Chicago is a famous place that has many impressive landscapes.
Most visitors like traveling there.
I am always looking online for tips that can facilitate me. Thx!
helo, do you happent allow drive passengers to another state?
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I’m so happy that you enjoyed your experience at the Onsen!
I’ve never been to an Onsen, but I would love to get to visit one some day.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s my mom was the head supervisor at a YWCA in Ohio. I practically lived in the YWCA (not literally, of course) for the 19 years that my mom worked there. I had a part time job at the YWCA for a few years in the 1990s.
One of the great things about spending so much time at the YWCA was that I grew up using the locker room all of the way from a young child to a young woman and being 100% comfortable with both my own nudity and the nudity of all other females.
I feel that it was so much better back then when the Y had one big room full of shower heads on the walls than it is with stalls these days. The group shower setting was great from a bonding experience. I feel that it’s much healthier psychologically speaking that females are exposed to other women’s and girl’s bodies, as opposed to feeling that we need to hide from each other and change clothes in toilet stalls or under towels.
One of the benefits of having a mom who was a supervisor of the Y was that after hours my mom and my sisters and myself could just skinny dip in the pool, and my sisters and I were allowed to have our female friends with us for a skinny dipping session on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, my aunt and a few of my female cousins would skinny dip with my mom, my sisters and I every once in a while.
My mom said that she had heard that the YWCA used to have one night a week that was for nude swimming back in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Obviously it was a female only facility at the time.
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US-2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.
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Oh man. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I certainly appreciate your take on this though, a little humor goes a long way. I’m headed to Barcelona in a few days, so I’ll be sure to keep my valuables close. Thanks for sharing.