Hogwarts Castle Lights Up

Universal Orlando is adding a really cool Sound and Light Show at Hogwarts Castle.   The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle will debut on January 31 and run on select nights throughout 2018 (after a preview this week-end at A Celebration of Harry Potter 2018).  As night falls in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, state-of-the-art projection mapping, coupled with special effects and lighting, will wrap Hogwarts castle in a display celebrating the four houses of Hogwarts—Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Watch as the spirit and iconic elements of each house are brought to life on the majestic castle all set to music based on the original scores from the Harry Potter films.

Averill’s Flathead Lodge Discount

Families who finish their school year early can save at Averill’s Flathead Lodge.  The discount is 20 percent off from June 10-17, 2018 only.  Averill’s is a third generation family operated guest ranch located in Northwest Montana on the beautiful shores of Flathead Lake. It offers unlimited horse & water activities and sits only 35 miles south of Glacier National Park.  Your family will enjoy a rustic ranch atmosphere with family sized accommodations, endless recreational activities, and unmatched hospitality. Recreation includes a complete horse program, sailing, fly fishing, water sports, hiking, cookouts, and a family barn dance to name a few…all for one all-inclusive rate.

SkyTop Savings

The earlier in advance you plan your winter getaway to Skytop Lodge, the more your family will save with 10 percent off with a two week advance and up to 25 percent when planning two months in advance.  Winter activities at this upscale, Poconos landmark abound for the entire family including downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross country skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, tobogganing, ice skating, ice fishing and sleigh rides along with archery, indoor pool, sporting clays, zip line, spa, gym and more.  A variety of family sized accommodations are also available.

Club Med in Canada

Club Med recently announced that they chose Quebec, Canada for their return to the North American ski market.  We are excited to hear that the Club Med Village in Le Massif de Charlevoix will open in 2020.  With stunning views of the St. Lawrence River, this pristine destination is just one hour away from the Quebec City airport and will be an all-seasons resort.  Club Med currently has 19 ski resorts in Europe and Asia that feature an all-inclusive package where your lodging, ski lessons, lift tickets, all meals and drinks, entertainment, internet and tips are covered for one price.

Learn to Ski at Smuggler’s

Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont is celebrating National Learn to Ski & Snowboard month in January with a week-long special package for first time skiers or riders.  Beginners and advanced beginners (level 1 and 2) will receive free Beginner Ski or Snowboard Group lessons plus rental equipment for your entire length of stay!  This Learn to Ski & Snowboard offer is available for stays of three nights or more between January 19-28, 2018. Smuggler’s Notch has several different ski and stay packages depending on your needs for lodging, child care, etc.  The resort also showcases a variety of winter adventures (such as tubing, snowmobiles, Snowcat rides and ice skating), an indoor heated pool, family and evening activities, child and babycare and more.

Hershey Holidays

Let Hersheypark get you into a festive mood this winter.  Their annual holiday event, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, features more than two million twinkling lights, 30 family and kiddie rides along with Santa and his nine, live reindeer.  Additional holiday events abound and the Hotel Hershey brings it all together for your family with a special holiday package.  It includes: deluxe accommodations milk and cookies for four on your arrival night, one-day admission to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane per person, admission for one vehicle to Hershey Sweet Lights (a holiday drive-through spectacular), seasonal admission to Hershey Gardens, and admission to The Hershey Story’s Museum where the Little Elves Workshop includes hands-on ornament making.  Breakfast or lunch with Santa can also be arranged at Hersheypark and live shows will also be on the bill.  The package is available from November 10-December 30.

Paws Up Christmas

Situated on an authentic working cattle ranch in western Montana, The Resort at Paws Up brings refined Christmas flair to the countryside each December with its Storybook Christmas. The luxury resort’s comprehensive Christmas Package offers your family five nights of accommodations in one of their private luxury lodges; all meals, snacks and nonalcoholic drinks and a personal visit from Santa. Plus get a fine-dining experience on Christmas Eve (with a special children’s party) and Christmas night, a custom-decorated Christmas tree in your lodge and gingerbread house building.  Also take advantage of the horse-drawn sleigh ride to explore the snowy countryside as you sip eggnog under the clear Montana skies.  The comprehensive package also includes a choice on half-day activity per person per day (such as dog sledding, cross country skiing, snow mobiles, tubing, indoor horseback riding lessons and more), holiday DVDs and transfers from the Missoula airport.

Kids Free at Mohonk Mountain

The Kids Stay and Eat Free Package is back at Mohonk Mountain House in the Hudson River Valley of New York.  It  includes one child free for each adult; three meals daily; access to more than 85 miles of scenic hiking trails; ice skating in the open air pavilion; daily guided history tours of the National Historic Landmark resort; guided nature hikes; complimentary Kids’ Club (for children ages 2 to 12); yoga, meditation, and fitness classes; afternoon tea and cookies in the historic Lake Lounge; access to the indoor heated pool featuring underwater music; and nightly evening entertainment and special events. Available dates are December 8 to 9 and 15 to 22, 2017, February 19 to 25, and March 29 to April 5, 2018.

Kids in the City by the Bay

90 Years in NYC

The Sherry Netherland Hotel is celebrating their 90th anniversary!  This 100-room luxury hotel is nicely located across from Central Park on Fifth Avenue in New York and is offering two valuable packages for families.  The Great Family Escape package provides a second room for free when you stay in a suite for at least two nights creating a spacious 2-bedroom suite with kitchenette.  The Family Getaway package is a nod to the hotel’s heritage.  Your children will receive a stuffed giraffe named Louis, in honor of Louis Sherry, the legendary confectioner who built the iconic property.   Children are encouraged to take Louis around town with them, and post photos of their adventures on the hotel’s Facebook page. Your family will also receive four tickets to the Central Park Zoo, four tickets to the historic Central Park Carousel, Central Park map and four $10 MetroCards to get around the city. Hotel rates include complimentary internet access, newspaper of choice daily, sodas and mineral waters in the refrigerator in each room, fresh flowers, a welcome gift of Louis Sherry chocolates and more.