Legoland VIPs

Families headed to Legoland California Resort can now enjoy front-of-the-line access, a personal host for the day and more with the Ultimate Overnight VIP package. The deal also includes one-day admission to Legoland and Sea Life Aquarium, an overnight stay in a Legoland hotel suite with VIP check-in, turn-down service with bedtime storytelling, a photo package, a character escort to breakfast, lunch, valet parking and a special gift from the resort. Your family can also upgrade to include the Water Park VIP Experience for an additional $100 per person. Legoland recently opened Ninjago World, which features several new interactive attractions and its very own Ninja Kitchen restaurant.

Flying High in Scottsdale

The Phoenician, Arizona’s premier AAA Five Diamond resort destination, has partnered with I.FLY Trapeze to bring a one-of-a-kind, high-flying adventure to the desert.  From October 2016 to April 2017, the property will offer 90-minute trapeze classes every Tuesday-Sunday at the recreational center known as The Park. Under the guidance of I.FLY instructors, you will learn timing and techniques for swinging, locking legs on a bar and completing the celebrated wrist-to-wrist catch.  Each session, at $70 per person, is offered to individuals 4 years of age and older.  Group packages and workshops are also available which is ideal for family reunions and families traveling together.  The resort will also showcase complimentary shows – with all the pageantry of a Big Top performance — presented by the I.FLY team and select students. The Phoenician has 583 rooms along with 60 suites at The Canyon Suites property.  There are plenty of great dining options, golf, tennis, pools, spa, children programs, bikes, playground, iScavenger Hunts (with your cell phone), art tours and more.

Urban Adventure Quest

For 28 seasons one of our favorite television shows The Amazing Race has followed teams around the world who compete for a million-dollar prize by completing various tasks. Your family can experience your own version of this travel competition through Urban Adventure Quest with a fun and educational way to explore a small city or a particular area of a larger one. The company now has 43 tours in 33 cities across the U.S. plus Vancouver, British Columbia. Using your smartphones to receive clues, you will embark on adventures to find specific locations where you need to answer questions, solve puzzle and complete challenges, all while earning points and competing virtually against other teams. Throughout the course of the race, you will visit famous sights, discover hidden gems and learn facts about the history and culture.  Once your teams is registered, you can play on any day and time that is convenient for you.  Or even split up into multiple teams and compete against each other.  In addition, pricing is per team of two to five players; so a whole family can play for $49 for a two- to three-hour experience or $30 for a Mini Quest.  With 86,000 players and counting, Urban Adventure Quest is a great way for families with children of all ages to explore a new city or even learn more about your own hometown!

Disney’s Free Dining

Disney World’s free dining promotion is back for stays between August 23 and October 1, November 15 and November 21, November 26 and November 28 and December 10 through December 21. All you need is a Disney hotel and at least a two-day theme park ticket with Park Hopper or Water Park Fun to qualify.  Everyone in the room must be on the same package.   Value Resort guests (Disney’s least expensive hotels) receive the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan which includes 2 counter service meals and one snack per day per family member. Stay at any the other Disney property and receive the standard Disney Dining Plan which is one Quick Service, one snack and one Table Service meal per day.  Upgrading to higher tiers is possible for an additional charge.  Please note that the number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited and some room category exclusions apply.  You must be booked by July 8!   We look forward to putting together a magical Disney vacation for your family.

Southwest USA with Thomson

Thomson Family Adventures now offers trips closer to home!  For the first time the family adventure company is offering a scheduled tour inside of the continental United States this summer and next.  The Southwest is home to incredible geological formations, vast desert landscapes, winding canyon hikes, Native American culture and some of the best national parks in the country.  Thomson’s Southwest USA: Multi-Sport Adventure for Families starts in Phoenix and ends in Las Vegas.  It includes Bryce, Zion and Arches National Parks along with Monument Valley and Moab.  Activities include plenty of hiking (including wading up a river), horseback riding and a float trip on the Colorado River.  Another new trip is their Canadian Rockies adventure to the gorgeous Banff region.  Discounts are now available if you book for next summer (save $100 per person for groups of 2-5 and $200 per person for 6 or more if booked by May 31, 2016).  Children under age 12, triple rooms with children under age 12 and alumni also get a discount.  Thomson Family Adventures creates one-of-a-kind, high quality adventures to engage, entertain and educate families with children of all ages.

Ultimate Williamsburg Adventure

Looking for the ultimate family getaway? Look no further than Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, VA where their Ultimate Family Fun Vacation package includes tickets to Busch Gardens/Water Country (valid for 7 consecutive days); one day tickets to Colonial Williamsburg; buffet breakfast; shuttles to get around the area; access to the indoor, outdoor, and lazy river pools; non-motorized water sports; bikes; fishing poles; tennis; discounted golf; parking; and Wi-Fi!!  The resort fee is waived, as well.  Choose from renovated one, two- or three-bedroom condos as well as hotel rooms. Children under the age of 3 are free, and adjusted pricing is available for children ages 3 to 12. Available Memorial Day to Labor Day.

US Bound Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney has just launched three new trips to explore the United States with your family (Washington/Philadelphia, Montana and Central Florida).  The 6-night getaways begin this summer.  Learning about American history includes visits to Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Gettysburg and Mount Vernon visiting the cities, halls and Civil War battlefields that were the center of it all. Tour the Capitol, cruise along the Potomac River, see where the Declaration of Independence was signed and more. The Montana journey combines the beauty of Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky and includes glamping at Yellowstone Under Canvas, hiking and back country biking. The trip ends with a stay at 320 Guest Ranch with horseback riding, whitewater rafting and fly-fishing. The new Florida itinerary will provide unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Walt Disney World with a privately guided safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, backstage access to the new Rivers of Light show with VIP seating and a meeting with Disney Imagineers.  Also included is the Kennedy Space Center with Lunch With An Astronaut as well as outdoor adventures such as zip lining, horseback riding, airboat ride and kayaking to experience Florida’s natural beauty.  Other Adventure by Disney tours lasting 2-11 nights are available throughout the U.S., Africa, Europe (including river cruising), Central America, South America, Australia and Asia.

San Diego Luxury

Universal Studios Florida Update

Universal Studio Orlando‘s newest on-site hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls, opens July 14.  To celebrate, your family will receive a $150 dining credit per room for stays of 4 nights or longer for select dates from the opening until December 15.  Note that Thanksgiving is blacked out and you must book by May 31.  In other Universal news, the theme park is offering your family a third day free with the purchase of a 2-day ticket.  The benefits include three days’ worth of access to both Universal Orlando theme parks, access to live entertainment at Universal CityWalk, the option to upgrade the ticket to experience the Blue Man Group show and the option to bundle the Unlimited Express pass to skip all the lines at your favorite attractions.  Just purchase by April 12 and use in full by May 31.  The pass is valid for 14 days from the first use and there are no blackout dates.

Family Time in NYC

The Surrey, located on East 76th St. near Central Park, is a charming and upscale location for a family visit to New York.  It offers easy access to Central Park Zoo, the American Museum of Natural History, the Delacorte Musical Clock, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and more.  The boutique hotel’s Family Package includes four complimentary passes to the American Museum of Natural History, coloring books, a movie rental of your choice and $100 food and beverage credit.  Babysitting services may also be arranged to allow you to enjoy a romantic cocktail on the Private Roof Garden (one of upper Manhattan’s most magical lounge spaces) or dinner at the hotel’s acclaimed Cafe Boulud.  Choose from a spacious Deluxe Salon room or suite accommodation.  Some suites include small kitchens, include internet and have gas fireplaces.   The hotel showcases 189 rooms and suites, a pampering spa, gym and bike rentals and is a member of the Relais & Châteaux chain of hotels.