Legoland’s Autism Awareness
In honor of this month’s Autism Awareness, Legoland Florida officials announced that the theme park has introduced several services and initiatives meant to assist guests with autism 
spectrum disorders and their caregivers. After teaming with the North and Central Florida chapter of the Autism Speaks advocacy organization, Legoland Florida has instituted new services, including the Blue Hero Pass, which allows visitors on the autism spectrum who have difficulty waiting in line to bypass the standby line at popular attractions. Legoland Florida has also added areas designated as quiet rooms in the resort’s Annual Pass, First Aid and Baby Care facilities to give guests and their families the opportunity to take a break from the action. Noise-cancelling headphones, weighted blankets, toys and Lego building tables are part of the rooms. In addition, the Training & Development team at Legoland has developed illustrated, step-by-step walkthroughs for every ride and show. The team also designed specialized training to prepare employees with skills and sensitivities for guests on the autism spectrum and their families.
Newport Beach Luxury
The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, CA has a Spring Break Family Escape package that is available through June 30. It includes accommodations in a luxury villa, breakfast for two 
adults and two children, one round of golf at Pelican Hill Golf Club, a 50-minute Amber Gold Massage plus two children ages 4 to 12 can spend a day at Camp Pelican with a kids’ clubhouse and pool. Advanced reservations are a must for the kids’ camp, golf and spa. This ultra-luxe property sits on 500 acres with two golf courses, spa, two pools, five restaurants and 332 bungalows and villas. The family-friendly villas feature fully equipped kitchens, huge living spaces and are attended to by a private staff. Villas guests also get access to a separate clubhouse with pool and gym. Blackout dates may apply.
New for Destin
The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort and part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, recently opened in Destin, FL along the Panhandle of the Gulf Coast. The 171-room beachfront resort sits adjacent to the 208-acre environmentally protected Henderson Beach nature reserve. The property showcases two outdoor pools including lazy river and water play area, several dining options, spa (offering services for children and teens), children’s programming (for ages 3-12), watersports, nature programs, gym with fitness classes and access to the nature reserve. The resort is now offering a $100 resort credit per night and children also eat free from the children’s menu! Credits can be used at the spa, for bike rentals, dining and for beach chairs and umbrellas.
Children Free at Mohonk
Experience the beauty and Victorian charm of Mohonk Mountain House in the Hudson River Valley of New York. Children stay and eat free between April 9-21, June 18-29 and July 5-31! 
The all-inclusive pricing makes your stay so easy and includes one child free (12 and under) for each adult; 3 meals per day; access to more than 85 miles of scenic hiking trails (with guided nature hikes); boating, fishing, and swimming on Lake Mohonk; daily guided tours of the National Historic Landmark resort; supervised children’s programming (for ages 2-12); yoga, meditation, and fitness classes; complimentary greens fees Monday through Friday on the Scottish-inspired golf course; nightly evening entertainment and special events; daily activities and more. The property also offers a gym, spa, indoor and outdoor pools and horseback riding Note that a 2-night minimum is required on weekends and throughout the month of July.
Sea Turtle Suite
LaPlaya Beach Resort in Naples, FL is celebrating the work done by their local nature conservation organization, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The hotel’s Sea Turtle 
Suite package includes a donation to the group for each package sold. Your family will stay in a beautiful Gulf View Suite, receive a welcome kit with a beach bag and large stuffed sea turtle toy and tickets to the Conservancy’s Nature Center. Find yourselves connecting with the local environment through participation in the hotel’s Sea Turtle Adoption Program. It provides a personalized adoption certificate to recognize you for supporting the ongoing care and treatment of sick and injured sea turtles. Throughout your stay, you will also receive “turtle tweets”, alerting you about on-property sea turtle sightings and upcoming releases. Turtle nesting season runs from May 31-October 31 each year. The Conservancy’s Nature Center is located in Naples and showcases kayak and boat tours, daily nature programs, nature trails and special programming. The resort offers a variety of family friendly amenities, recreation and dining including a Kids Aquatic Camp from May-July, beach butlers, pools, golf, gym, spa, watersports and more.
To the Revolution!
Williamsburg, VA is an ideal family vacation destination to bring history alive as well as plenty of family fun. New for 2017 is the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (opening 
April 19) and a new wooden roller coaster at Busch Gardens. There are plenty of family friendly hotels and resorts as well. The Kingsmills Resort is offering their Ultimate Family Fun package which is an excellent value and includes three night’s accommodations; daily breakfast; Flex Tickets to Busch Gardens Williamsburg/Water Country USA (valid for up to seven consecutive days admission to both parks); one-day tickets to Colonial Williamsburg; shuttle service to and from Busch Gardens, Water Country and Colonial Williamsburg; resort recreation including bike rentals, fishing, water sports, tennis and discounted golf; parking and internet access. Leave time to enjoy a myriad of other resort activities, including a Kid’s Camp, water sports, Segway tours, indoor and outdoor pools and more! Choose from hotel rooms or one to three bedroom condos and add additional room nights as needed.
Celebrate Canada
Canada is celebrating its 150th birthday this year with free access to their national parks, national marine conservation areas and national historic sites. Other special events will take place throughout the year (http://passport2017.ca/). One free Discovery Pass is good for one vehicle regardless of number of occupants. It doesn’t cover most other activities within the parks such park ranger led tours. Canada has 47 national parks in all 13 provinces. Enjoy the sesquicentennial from coast to coast!
Eloise Suite Experience
The Plaza Hotel in New York City is rawther thrilled to invite you to experience the one-of-a-kind Eloise Suite designed by celebrated fashion designer Betsey Johnson. 
It’s pink and black all over with plenty of whimsical decor. The hotel offers a package that includes accommodations in the Eloise Suite plus Eloise’s Afternoon Tea for two, an Eloise robe, an Eloise Charge It key chain, a copy of the book Eloise at The Plaza, a $100 Gift Card for the Eloise Shop at The Plaza, an Eloise puzzle and an Eloise canvas tote! The suite doesn’t accommodate a rollaway bed (what?), but a one bedroom suite can connect for additional bedding. The iconic hotel located on Central Park is part of the Fairmont family of hotels. It offers 24-hour butler services, spa, gym and has several nice dining options.
RitzKids Orlando
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is debuting a new Ritz Kids interactive experience for your children. The first Ritz-Carlton to offer a physical space to bring the hotel’s scenography
to life, the property is part of the 500-acre Grande Lakes Orlando resort, which also includes a JW Marriott hotel, a Ritz-Carlton Spa and an 18-hole golf course. The refreshed Ritz Kids space and programming offers your children the opportunity to become fully immersed in Florida’s rich history and biodiversity. The partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society allows your little ones to discover adventure and exploration through four pillars: water, land, environmental responsibility and culture. The journey starts at check-in, when your children embark on their adventure to learn more about the unexpected history of central Florida and the footprints it has left on the region through a variety of experiences against the backdrop of a reimagined trading outpost, characteristic of early Orlando pioneer life. Adventures include a recreated Frontier Farmhouse; learning about the Everglades, wildlife interactions, ecosystems and botany; fishing and conservation. Nature activities off property include eco-tours and bird watching.
Jackson Hole Update
Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Mountain Resort recently debuted the new Sweetwater Gondola, set to significantly increase base-area capacity and offer access to a new ski school facility projected 
for completion in winter 2017. Located in the Solitude mid-station area, the enhancement will result in 12,000 square feet of additional ski-school, rental and dining space. With nonstop flights from 12 major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Dallas and Newark — and only a 30-minute drive from the airport, the destination offers your family quick access to wintertime activities. And now in its second year, Jackson Hole Resort Lodging offers a Kids Ski Free Program, where families booking any condominium or home rental for four nights or more receive 10 percent off their stay, and children 14 and under ski free with each paying adult (one child per paying adult).
