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.

Montage Memories

From now through December 20, your family can enjoy the Montage Memories program at five luxury Montage Resorts located in Beverly Hills and Laguna Beach, CA; Deer Valley, UT, Kapalua, HI and Palmetto Bluff, SC.   This package allows children eat, stay and play free.  Additional benefits vary by resort and can include a resort credit for breakfast ($50-100/day), valet parking and/or daily half-day access to their Paintbox kids club for one child.  Montage has also announced their newest development in Los Cabos opening in late 2017.  This seaside resort will be located on Santa Maria Bay and set within the exclusive new enclave of Maravilla Los Cabos.  It will feature 122 expansive guestrooms and suites along with 52 Montage Residences.

Family Friendly Beaver Creek

There lots going on this season in Beaver Creek for families.  From March 12-April 2, Beaver Creek celebrates Springfest with a variety of kid-friendly activities and events to enhance your ski vacation.   Performers of all types will light up the spring-themed stage throughout these three fun filled weeks. Your children can enter contests, take photos with the spring characters, join in parades and so much more.  Beaver Creek also offers an evening teen program called BC<3T2.  Designed for ages 13-17, the activities include a Twilight Snowshoe & Pizza Party and Teen Trick Class at The Anti-Gravity Center (to learn ski and snowboard tricks).  Beaver Creek is also offering a Fly Free, Play Free package that includes free airline tickets for children on American Airlines, 25 percent off lodging, 25 percent off lift tickets, 20 percent off rentals, complimentary 4-Pack Tubing & Marmot Maze Tickets and complimentary 4-Pack Ice Skating Tickets.

Children Ski Free in Jackson Hole

The Jackson Hole Resort in Wyoming is offering free lift tickets for children age 14 and under through April 3 with a condo or home rental of four nights or more.  Plus you receive 10 percent off your lodging for each paying adult.  You will receive at least a 3-day lift ticket for your children, but this offer cannot be combined with other offers.  Choose from a wide variety of accommodations in all quality ranges and locations near the mountain with 1-5 bedrooms; many are ski-in/ski-out.  Some vacation rentals do require a longer stay.  Jackson Hole Resort, one of the few family-owned ski resorts in the country, is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and already has 13 feet of snow!  The location also provides easy access to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park for some amazing wildlife viewing.