Dear Airline Industry, I know you're hurting. I know money is tight these days (trust me), and I know new ways of 'packaging' airfare is required in this economy. I also know that I'd like to ride out the turbulence of these tough times with you. I've been in love with air travel since I munched my first honey-roasted peanut at 10,000 feet at the age of seven, and like many, many other … [Read more...]
Expedia Kids in the City: Portland Oregon
June 7, 2012 By
Today, Pit Stops for Kids is proud to participate in Expedia.com's fantastic Kids in the City summer series. For 12 days, 12 American cities are featured by 12 travel bloggers. Each day, readers of Expedia experience a different city, all perfect for family summer vactions. Today, Pit Stops for Kids is presenting the final city of Portland, Oregon. As an Oregon resident, it's hard to … [Read more...]
Guide to Portland food carts with kids
May 3, 2012 By
Ever since getting my first taste of food cart eating in Vancouver last June, I've sought out food trucks and carts while in cities. I've found great food cart fare in Boston and traditional hot dog cart fare in New York City, and given Portland, Oregon's foodie bent, I wasn't surprised to find the food cart craze had hit the City of Roses as well. During an overnight at downtown Portland's … [Read more...]
Educational Animal Kingdom attractions (your school-aged kids will love)
April 23, 2012 By
Can a theme park be educational? We had our doubts...until being schooled by Disney's Animal Kingdom. Usually fans of the latest and greatest headliner attractions (read about how to tour any Disney theme park attraction in 15 minutes or less), my school-aged sons and I spent our latest visit touring the park from a less thrill-seeking perspective, exploring the many environmental, zoological, and … [Read more...]
Tour any Disney theme park attraction in 15 minutes or less (all day, any day)
April 19, 2012 By
Note: For current FastPass+ tips for touring Walt Disney World parks, please see our Understanding FastPass+ post. The below information still applies to touring Disneyland Resort parks. No one should wait more than 15 minutes for any Disney theme park attraction…no matter what season, day, or park. Touring Disney line-free can be done, even during the busy Spring Break, summer, and holiday … [Read more...]
What’s included on a Disney cruise (and what you’ll pay extra for)
April 12, 2012 By
Before our first Disney Cruise Line experience on the Disney Fantasy, I had no idea what to expect. What I learned: it's important to know what's included on a Disney cruise, and what you'll pay more for. What's always included in a Disney Line Cruise: 1. All meals, from you embarkation lunch to your departure breakfast. Remember, there's no additional charge for ordering extra appetizers or … [Read more...]
Disney cruise line tips (Is a Disney cruise right for your family?)
April 5, 2012 By
Though we're fans of Disney family travel, we were cruising newbies before we departed for our three-night cruise on the brand new Disney Fantasy. As active family travelers, we worried a cruise would limit our adventurous travel style, feel overcrowded, and be all about the food. Now that we've experienced the Disney Fantasy, we're back with Disney cruise line tips you can put to use! Disney … [Read more...]
Disney Fantasy photos: Three days at sea and Castaway Cay
April 1, 2012 By
Preparing for your Disney cruise? Enjoy Disney Fantasy photos! Embarking upon the Disney Fantasy: Pools and deck spaces on the Disney Fantasy: Disney Fantasy Oceaneer's Club and Lab, and tween Edge Club: Castaway Cay: Disney Fantasy at night: : (A small sample of) Disney Fantasy character sightings: Disney Fantasy deluxe family stateroom: … [Read more...]
How to prepare for a Disney cruise
March 14, 2012 By
At Pit Stops for Kids, we cover all modes of family travel. However, there's one major category of family travel we've neglected (until now): family cruising. On March 26th, the Pit Stops kids and I will be embarking upon the brand new ship in the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Fantasy. We'll be reporting on our experience here and for Expedia.com. There's only one problem: we don't know what the … [Read more...]
What you need to know about health insurance while traveling
March 11, 2012 By
Spring break family travel is just around the corner, but unfortunately, cold and flu season is not yet over! If you're planning a family vacation, will your health insurance cover you on the road? Should you add holiday health insurance to your vacation budget? What other steps are necessary to ensure emergency medical treatment for your family? As we'll be in Florida and the Bahamas in a few … [Read more...]
