Disney's Epcot Center
Want to get away this spring break? Breezy Mama got the low-down from travel agent Hazel Boone, owner of Someday Vacations for five ideal locations, perfect for families.
*Psst, if you have any questions on the following, make sure to give Hazel a shout–her contact info is at the bottom of the post. Happy traveling!
1. Orlando, Florida
Why it’s great for families:
Orlando’s theme parks are the main attraction for families. The number one draw is The Walt Disney World® Resort, which includes the Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme park. Staying “on property” saves you the cost of renting a car and parking hassles. Use complimentary shuttle buses to travel around. Theme parks have extra time just for Disney Resort hotel guests.
Universal Orlando®, a movie studio and theme park features The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at its Islands of Adventure Theme Park. ! Make sure your hotel and park ticket package includes Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Take in a performance by the Blue Man Group and prepare for the whole family to be delighted.
If you stay “on property” you and your family will have access to Universal Express, which allows you to skip the regular lines!
Best value property: Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Rooms accommodate up to four guests with one child under 3 in a crib.
Special Offer:
Free Dining Offer from Walt Disney World –Book by May 18, 2012.
Bring the grandparents, too! Disney’s Beach Club Villas accommodate up to eight Guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib.
Hotel Deals/Specials (contact Hazel for more info):
Want more Walt Disney World deals? Click Someday Vacation’s dedicated Disney site here.
Overview of Washington D.C.'s Mall
2. Washington, D.C.
Why it’s great for families:
All the Smithsonian Museums are free, including the National Zoo! First stop on the itinerary should be the Air and Space Museum – for rockets, spacecraft and airplanes. Visit the National Museum of Natural History – for dinosaurs and the butterfly pavilion. On the Mall are all the other monuments your family has seen in pictures: Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial. At the National Zoo, the main attraction is the Giant Pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian.
Where to stay:
Stay in Washington, D.C. proper, or stay in near-by Virginia or Maryland – and take the Metro into D.C. Purchase a one-day Pass (good after 9:30 on weekdays and all day on Weekends and some holidays) or a seven-day Fast Pass for unlimited rides. Get info here.
Hotel Deals/Specials (contact Hazel for more info):
Oahu's Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head in the background.
3. Oahu, Hawaii
Why it’s great for families:
Oahu is a great place to introduce your family to Hawaii. Stroll along Waikiki Beach, visit Pearl Harbor, go snorkeling or deep-sea fishing, shop in open-air markets for souvenirs, or visit the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Where to stay:
Disney’s Aulani is the new kid on the block. Standard rooms can accommodate up to four Guests with either two queen beds or one king bed and one queen sofa sleeper. Aunty’s Beach House is just for kids. Menehune Bridge is a children’s interactive water play area. Adults can relax in the Laniwai Spa, the outdoor hydrotherapy garden or play a round of golf at the nearby championship course.
PLUS!
- Special Offer –Get the 6th Night Free and Enjoy Complimentary Breakfast at Aulani.
- Book by March 31, 2012 and you will receive the 6th night free when booking a 6-night or longer stay at Aulani. Plus, each guest ages 3 and older is entitle to receive a complimentary continental breakfast at the ‘Olelo Room each day. Available for most stays taking place between April 15 – May 31, 2012
- Booking Information: Call 866-566-4438 for additional information.
Hotel Deals/Specials (contact Hazel for more info):
Want more Hawaii deals? Click Someday Vacation’s dedicated Hawaii site here.
New York City's Statue of Liberty
4. New York City
Why it’s great for families: There are so many things to see and do in New York – The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Ellis Island, United Nations Headquarters, Central Park – where kids can visit the zoo and climb Summit Rock! Visit the flag-ship of FAO Schwarz, a toy store that is world famous, or visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or one of the other museums on Museum Mile!
Where to stay:
Hotels in New York are expensive. A 3-star property in Times Square that I can recommend is the Novotel New York Times Square. Another choice is the Comfort Inn Manhattan, it’s very close to Macy’s.
PLUS!
What’s the easiest way to purchase tickets to a Broadway Show? Use Leisure Connect for box-office ticket pricing. TKTS – at Times Square sells same day tickets for selected shows at reduced prices, up to 50% off.
Chicago Skyline
5. Chicago
Why it’s great for families:
The Family Fun Festival, held during the summer in Millennium Park has performances and hands-on activities for children. The Navy Pier has a 15-story Ferris Wheel. Stop by the Art Institute of Chicago – there’s a children’s room for families, or visit the Field Museum to see “Sue”, the world’s largest T-Rex.
Where to stay:
The best value for your family’s stay may be found at a hotel that offers free breakfast. HomeWood Suites, Springhill Suites and Fairfield Inn and Suites would be good choices in the Downtown/River North areas.
PLUS!
Have a pizza pie eating contest and pick your favorite Chicago style deep dish pizza.
Just for Breezy Mama readers: Get a $50 gift certificate when you book a trip with Hazel at Someday Vacations. Call toll-free: 866-566-4438 or reach her via e-mail: familytravel@somedayvacations.com. You can also check out her Facebook Page: www.Facebook.com/SomedayVacations
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About Hazel Boone, Owner, Someday Vacations: Hazel Boone caught the “traveling bug” when she spent her junior abroad at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. After finishing her degree in elementary education, she taught school in Philadelphia, PA for six years. She then joined the State Department. Her career as a diplomat took her to live in France, Haiti, Austria, Morocco and Canada. She started her travel agency, Someday Vacations seven years ago.
Whether you are planning a family reunion for your extended family or taking your family on your first cruise together, Someday Vacations can help. In addition to family vacations, Hazel can book destination weddings, girlfriend getaways, spa vacations and cruises.
To contact Hazel at Someday Vacations, you can call toll-free: 866-566-4438 or reach her via e-mail: familytravel@somedayvacations.com. You can also check out her Facebook Page: www.Facebook.com/SomedayVacations
This really makes me want to take a vacay!