New Fun Family-Friendly Attractions at Disney World

As if the average family didn’t have enough to do at the “House of Mouse,” Walt Disney World just unveiled a new attraction that’s sure to have your young songbirds hitting a high note. Saturday marked the grand opening of Disney World’s brand-new “The American Idol Experience” attraction, and just like the TV show it is a huge hit. In one day alone, more than 7,000 people filled Disney’s venue for the sing-off. The competition is modeled after the mega-popular “American Idol” television show and features seven preliminary shows per day, plus a finale. Disney execs classify the “Experience” as … Continue reading →

Having Fun in the Airport

It’s not everyday that you see the words “fun” and “airport” in the same sentence, let alone as the title of an article. But, alas, 2009 is bringing with it some unique pairings. I should know. I just spent three unplanned hours in one of the world’s busiest airports and I am not the least bit bitter about it. Okay, maybe that’s not 100 percent true, but I consider my family very lucky as our plane did manage to depart on the same day we were ticketed, which is more than I can say for thousands of others whose flights … Continue reading →

Making the Most of Your Holiday Trip the Waterpark

In a previous blog I suggested gifting your favorite family with passes to an indoor waterpark. These days practically every city in the nation is home to a resort that features an indoor waterpark. They are extremely popular with families since they can be accessed without getting on a plane, plus you don’t have to blow thousands of dollars to visit one. Since most resorts include the price of admission to waterparks in the room rate you can save right out of the gate. However, to really get your money’s worth it’s a good idea to make sure your kids … Continue reading →

How to Have Even More Fun at Disneyland and Disney World

On average how many minutes do you spend strolling around Disneyland or Disney World trying to track down costumed characters to pose with your children for what could the family snapshot of the year? Ten minutes, 20, 30? I once went four hours walking through every land in the California amusement park before finally hooking up with Minnie Mouse on Main Street. These types of frustrating experiences may be a thing of the past thanks to a new partnership between the Walt Disney Co. and Verizon Wireless. The two mega-companies recently announced that they have reached a multiyear deal to … Continue reading →

Fun Family Events for Animal Lovers

The end of leaf-peeping season is in sight for most families. However, just because the fiery displays of fall foliage are disappearing doesn’t mean you should start hibernating yet. There are a myriad of outdoor adventures waiting for you and your family during these last weeks of fall and several of them feature kid-friendly companions—-animals. Take a look: New Mexico In Taos, New Mexico you and your family can hook up with a group of lovable llamas as you tour the surrounding countryside. The llamas-for-hire come courtesy of Wild Earth Llama Adventures, which pairs each family member with a gear-carrying … Continue reading →

More Ideas for a Fun Family Weekend in Nature

Time is running out if you want to experience the awe-inspiring wave of crimson, fiery orange, and golden hues that sweep the country this time of year. However, if you have older children it might be hard to convince them that soaking in the fall foliage scenery via a hayride can actually be fun. If that’s the case, consider the following outdoor options that are a bit more exciting than a leisurely stroll through a forest. Hot Air Balloon There is no better way to enjoy the fiery fall foliage than from the basket of a hot-air balloon gliding over … Continue reading →

Ideas for a Fun Family Weekend in Nature

You couldn’t pick a better weekend to spend outdoors with your family. In many parts of the country the weather is ideal and the leaves are peaking. What’s more because of Daylight Savings you have an extra hour to spend exploring the great outdoors together. Make the most of the season by bonding with your loved ones in the following picturesque destinations: Great Smoky Mountains This time of year the Great Smoky Mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. The mountain foliage has exploded into brilliant crimsons, oranges, yellows and purples, for a view that’s nothing short of awe-inspiring. The popular national park, … Continue reading →

Leaf Peeping and Other Fun Fall Family Weekend Activities

Northern Michigan, parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont are exploding with vibrant fall colors right now making this Columbus Day holiday weekend the ideal time to gather up the clan and hit the highways to go leaf peeping. The colors are at peak in the areas I listed above, but in other parts of the country the leaves are just starting to turn or are nearing their brilliance, which means that sometime in the next couple of weeks you should seriously consider taking your family outdoors to enjoy all the season has to offer. Leaf peeping doesn’t … Continue reading →

Quick Travel Games for Rest Stops

When you are traveling by car, interstate rest stops are a great place to take a bit of break. I know it’s tempting to send everyone in for a quick trip to the bathroom and then herd them quickly back into the car. And there are times when we’ve done just that. But taking a ten minute break, or even five minutes, can help everyone’s mood. And don’t just stand around the car, the idea is to get everyone moving. The first activity is trash tossing. I learned this travel hint on a three day field trip. The teacher stood … Continue reading →

Hotel Room Fun for Family Travel

Nighttime is sometimes the hardest part of the travel day. Children are tired of being cooped up in the car and are cranky. Adults are tired of being cooped up in the car, and are trying not to be cranky. Sometimes it’s really hard to get everyone settled down. If the hotel has a pool, use it – even though it’s a hassle to get everyone changed. Something about the water makes everyone more relaxed, and it makes the kids sleep better. Ditto for a playground or play area. Packing just one overnight bag with everyone’s stuff makes getting in … Continue reading →