We just got back from four days on Disney World property, which meant we heard a lot about the Disney Vacation Club. Everywhere we turned, it seemed, Disney was advertising about the merits of their vacation club program. Is it a good a deal as Disney claims? How about all those other vacation clubs and timeshare programs? The answer depends on your vacation style and goals. Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether a vacation club or timeshare is right for your family, and if the answer is yes, read on for a list of top timeshare companies and holiday vacation clubs.

1. How far in advance do you plan your vacations?

Traditionally, buying a timeshare involves purchasing a specific unit for a specific week per year…every year. In contrast, families buying into most vacation clubs purchase a set number of points instead of a physical property, which they can use during various times of the travel year within the boundaries of their point value. Either way, a timeshare family has to plan far ahead–at year one year in many cases–in order to use their points to the fullest or take advantage of their designated vacation week.

2. How important is flexibility in your vacation plans?

Do you vacation during the same week every year? If you’re hindered at all by revolving vacation weeks at work or need to shop various weeks for the lowest airfare, buying a timeshare can be a hindrance.

3. Are you a resort-only type of vacation family?

Many timeshare and vacation club buy-ins now offer the perk of using multiple properties in multiple locations within the company’s system. This means that even though you bought your timeshare at a resort in Bermuda, you can exchange your week at the beach for a week on the ski slopes at a partner property in Vail. This is good news; however, bear in mind that while the location may change, the type of vacation will not. Your family has to be committed to one experience: a resort stay, likely at the same resort brand every year.

If you answered in the negative to any of the above questions, consider renting a timeshare instead. Whereas owning a timeshare is only right for a very-specific type of traveling family, renting a timeshare or vacation club property can e a good option for many. Because timeshares depreciate soon after buying, many owner opt to rent their unused units and points instead of selling.

Where to find a timeshare to rent:

1. Timeshare buy/sell sites. On resort booking sites, you won’t find much evidence of timeshare rental options, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. After finding the resort you’d like to enjoy, cross-check timeshare sites to see if rental options are available. We’ve found deals at the DVC Rental Store for Disney rentals, at SellMyTimeshareNOW for traditional timeshare units, and even Ebay for everything in-between.

2. Pinterest. Find a timeshare rental the fun way by scrolling through photos of vacation rentals and units on Pinterest. We start at Timeshare Hot List:

Best timeshare and vacation club programs for families:

1. Holiday Inn Club Vacations: We have first-hand experience with Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and love that each of their properties (across the US, but primarily in Florida and on the East Coast) offer a full array of family-friendly on-site activities such as swimming, golf, bicycling, kids’ clubs, and arcades. And each property is adjacent to family travel destinations like lakes, national parks, theme parks, or landmarks.

2. Disney Vacation Club: If your family plans to take a Disney vacation every year (and probably only a Disney vacation every year), DVC is probably a good deal for you. Plus, you get Disney perks and access to non-theme park properties, like Disney’s Aulani.

3. Marriott Vacation Club: Marriott’s vacation club properties are among the brand’s nicest, and is the most affordable way for families to stay in historic hotels such as Boston’s Custom House or high-end international hotels in Italy, France, and the U.K.

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At Pit Stops for Kids, we love state parks and national parks for overnight camping and family outdoor adventure. But those campgrounds fill up fast during the peak summer season, and sometimes, they’re not ideal for RV camping families. If you need last-minute reservations or camping sites for larger RVs, check out the following private family campground resorts, all of which have locations across the U.S.

Thousand Trails:

Thousand Trails  is unique in that it’s a club: for one annual membership, families can camp in unlimited family campgrounds across America. There are several levels of membership, and families who frequently RV camp in specific regions (what Thousand Trails calls ‘zones’) of the country report that they save planning time and quite a bit of money. Like most private family campgrounds, Thousand Trails offers more than just campsites: families have access to camp stores, laundry facilities, pools, and recreation like putt-putt golf or go-karts, depending on the resort. Most Thousand Trails properties are near tourist destinations, and there’s a wide variety especially around the Great Lakes region and coastal California.

Sun RV Resorts:

Like Thousand Trails, Sun RV Resorts are located across the U.S. with a high concentration in the midwest. Properties range from Wisconsin to Florida, and most everywhere in-between. With an emphasis on longer stays, some Sun RV Resorts even boast sports leagues to join. If you’re not an RV camper, there are a few properties with cabins to rent for the night or the week.  Sun RV Resorts has some of the most competitive pricing for large, pull-through RV slots.

KOA Kampgrounds of America:

KOA has had it’s ups and downs in our personal experience: we’ve had great stays and lousy stays. What makes all the difference? The property. Since KOAs are individually owned, it’s hard to recommend the brand across the board: we recommend checking individual campground listings on family travel review sites like Trekaroo. We’ve personally had a great time renting KOA’s Kamping Kabins (ignore the annoying purposeful misspelling, if you will). With comfortable beds, tables, heaters, and electricity, these cabins are a good alternative to RV camping or even a motel room. Most KOAs have pools and other on-site recreation to entertain kids, and while many area near tourist attractions, and equal number are convenient to major freeways, making them good road trip pit stops.

For more travel tips on family camping, check out the offerings at Camping Week on Trekaroo!

Photo credit: Grand Canyon NPS

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So you thought cruises were just for grown-ups? Think again! Thanks to the huge range of cruise liners and operators available, and given the exciting range of activities that many cruise ships have become famous for, cruising is now a popular holiday for families and kids of all ages.

Here’s a bit of name-dropping for you: What springs to mind when you think of Royal Caribbean International? They’re the ones that have turned cruises into a voyage of sea-faring adventure, with ships like huge floating holiday resorts that are packed to the rafters with impressive facilities like ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, cinemas and surfing simulators. You’ll also find vast shopping centres, libraries and even laid-back activities like cooking classes or – for the older guests – cocktail-making sessions.

Other popular cruise operators like P&O Cruises, Thomson Cruises and NCL also serve up plenty of fun for all ages. Many now offer dedicated areas and even whole decks for families, with crèche facilities and kids’ clubs for toddlers and teens. From discos and arts and crafts to sports lessons and Fun Factory clubs, your little ones will enjoy hours of non-stop fun while you get to sneak off for a relaxing massage, a spot of retail therapy or a refreshing sundowner in the cocktail lounge.

All that fun, and we haven’t even mentioned the destinations you can visit yet. Family cruises can take in popular sun-and-sand locations like Spain and the Balearic Islands, exotic hotspots like the Caribbean or fascinating voyages of discovery to the likes of Egypt and the Greek islands. How’s that for a family holiday with a difference?

Explore the full range of family itineraries and cruises available across today’s most popular cruise operators, including Royal Caribbean and P&O Cruises, by searching online at Thomas Cook Cruise – http://www.thomascook.com/cruise/.

The above is a sponsored guest post. Photo credit: David Spinks

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Our Pit Stops for Kids staff often recommends vacation rentals for family travel, so when the folks at VacationRoost approached us about partnering with them for some expert vacation planning tips this summer, it was, as they say, a ‘no brainer’.

Why we recommend vacation rentals:

Hotels and resorts are certainly fun for families and have their place in the vacation experience. We certainly review a lot of them! However, for families planning to stay in one region for a week or more, or families traveling with a large group (perhaps for multigenerational travel), a vacation home saves money and is often more practical. Family members can spread out, often have their own rooms, and not share bathrooms. Vacation rentals sport full kitchens without the price tag of a large hotel suite, and many come with laundry rooms, yards to play in, and driveways for free parking. In short, vacation rentals are homes away from home, taking some of the travel stress out of vacation.

Why we love VacationRoost:

There are numerous vacation rental companies out there, and we’ve worked with many of them with great results. Why VacationRoost? They’re in almost 100 areas across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean (not to mention a smattering in South America). Families don’t even have to know where they’re going before searching for a VacationRoost home: just narrow it down to a beach vacation or ski vacation, for instance, then let inspiration guide you within the pages of VacationRoost. Or, if you know exactly where you’re headed, no need to waste time: the database can take you to a precise location with the map feature. VacationRoost has competitive pricing, allowing families to stay in hotel suites or condos they may have though out of reach…so don’t be afraid to keep all doors open while travel planning!

Look for Pit Stops for Kids’ posts on family trips in VacationRoost-serviced areas all summer, and find more of our expertise on the VacationRoost blog.

Enter to win a Hydro Flask!

This 21 oz HydroFlask with VacationRoost logo is made from food grade 18/8 Stainless Steel and is 100% BPA-free. Remarkably light, yet extremely durable, you can take this water bottle on any family vacation. We love that that we can easily fill the wide-mouth opening, and that it keeps cold beverages cold and hot beverages hot. You can bring it along whether you’re on a ski holiday or a beach holiday.

Simply enter on the Rafflecopter form below for easy entry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to residents of the US and Canada. Giveaway ends in one week.

Pit Stops for Kids has partnered with VacationRoost for this post. Photo credit: Vacationroost.

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When deciding whether to spend vacation dollars on an international family travel tour operator (or how much), it comes down to matching the correct operator to your family’s needs. Are you looking for a full-service provider, or not much more than a translator? Do you need all meals planned and activities planned, or do you want time on your own? No matter your budget, here’s what to look for while selecting the right tour company to show you the world.

Experience with kids:

Well, obviously, right? But the fact remains that even tour companies advertising that they’re ‘not your grandmother’s guide service’ may still be just that. Look for a tour operation with youthful (in body or spirit) tour guides and active itineraries. Tour guides experienced in guiding families will also be well-versed in the nitty gritty of kid-centric travel: they’ll be aware of the need for frequent bathroom stops, snacks, and rest periods.

A client list filled with families:

Even if the tour operator you’re considering welcomes families, the other travelers on the itinerary may not. The fact is, more kids are joining their parents for international travel than in years past, and some long-term travelers on luxury international tours haven’t gotten the memo. Why be a pioneering family? Ask a potential tour company for a ratio of families to couples on a given itinerary, and find out if other kids will be present. Many luxury tour operators are now offering specialized family itineraries, designed especially to meet this need.

Evenly balanced itineraries:

To get the most of your international vacation, families will want their itinerary to reflect a mixture of cultural experiences, natural discoveries, and active fun. The best tour operators for kids list activities such as pizza cooking classes in Italy (with time for eating, of course!), hikes with local or native experts in South America, or kayaking excursions in Alaska. Kids learn best by doing (actually, all of us do), so the more activities that give your family hands-on experiences, the better.

Reasonable expectations and flexibility amid guides:

If you bring kids on an international vacation, there will be moments of culture shock, jet-lag, stress, and fatigue. As parents, you may be well-equipped to deal with these realities as they arise, but if your tour operator is not sympathetic, you may miss itinerary stops, or worse, feel pressured to carry on with miserable kids. A good tour operation will build in downtime and be ready for spur-of-the-moment changes in itinerary as needed. As parents, don’t be afraid to request breaks, and be ready to go with the flow.

Specialized, regional experts:

Not all guide operations are experts in all regions. Once you know where your vacation is taking you, spend some time researching the best tour service in that particular country or continent. These operations will have built-in contacts with local attractions and experiences that you cannot find on your own, and have the ability to give you better than a ‘cookie-cutter’ vacation experience. You’ll want to learn more about travel planning in Ghana from Africa tour and safari specialists, for instance.

The right match:

International tour operations range from budget guides to get you from Point A to Point B in countries or regions where a guide is crucial to luxury services that take care of your every need from the moment you touch down. Figure out as a family what you are looking for in your international travel experience, and find the company to match your needs. There’s no need to pay for more than you want, nor any reason to build your vacation a la carte if you’d rather leave it in other capable hands. Ask yourself the following: Will we want lots of freedom to explore on our own? Do we want our meals taken care of? Do we want a highly active trip with lots of hiking and outdoor touring, or a more cultural experience, with ample time in museums and landmarks? 

The above post includes sponsored material. Photo credit: flickr/lifeoftravel

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Pit Stops for Kids loves Canadian travel! In the past year alone, our crew has toured British Columbia in both winter and summer, looking for the best hotels, tours, and activities for families. We explored Vancouver with kids, took a road trip across Vancouver Island, and skied at both Whistler and Big White. And we didn’t do it alone.

Big news! Family review site Trekaroo, the largest independent community of travel savvy parents in the nation, is expanding into Canada! Families will now be able to search Trekaroo’s database for the inside scoop on Canadian attractions, lodging, restaurants, and tours. To celebrate, Trekaroo will be kicking off their Canada launch with week-long coverage of four major Canadian cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. Throughout the summer, families can expect week-long features of each city, including travel advice, lodging reviews, and fabulous Canada vacation giveaways.

Are you an expert on a Canadian destination?

Trekaroo understands family travel, and knows that parents depend on expert advice from those in the know. The Trekaroo Canada Founders group is hard at work providing up-to-date, relevant family travel information for the following provinces:

British Columbia

Alberta

Ontario

Quebec

If you have experience traveling in these Canadian provinces, or if you’re a Canadian expert on your home city, we need your reviews! Signing up as a Trekaroo member is easy and free, and once you do so, you can leave reviews to destinations, hotels, restaurants, and attractions you’ve visited. Reviews need only be a few lines long, but they assist fellow family travelers forever.

Earn Canada Rewards!

Because Trekaroo values the traveling community, and knows that no Trekaroo landing page would be complete without the inside scoop from experts, they’re offering Trekaroo Canada Rewards. From now until funds run out, existing and new members can write 10 Canada reviews and get a $10 Amazon gift card. Think of this as a way to share useful information with fellow traveling parents while reaping a reward to boot!

Learn more about Canada Rewards at Trekaroo!

Disclosure: Pit Stops for Kids founder Amy Whitley works as Editorial and Sponsorship Manager at Trekaroo. So no, I’m probably not eligible, darn it.

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With its white towers and castle-esque peaks, the Coeur d’Alene Resort is easy to spot along the lake shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. When we lived in neighboring Spokane, Washington, our family would retreat to the Coeur d’Alene Resort for family escapes, summer play, and its annual Holiday Light Show. Now that we live further afield, it’s a destination resort worth the drive.

This Preferred golf and spa property is truly a four-season destination: in summer, the lake and mountains beckon with hiking, biking, jet-skiing, and swimming. One of our favorite children’s parks, Fort Sherman Playground, is located within walking distance of the hotel, and the swimming beach is steps away. In winter, skiing is spectacular at Silver Mountain Resort. We love braving the cold while strolling the boat dock pier in winter, and checking out the snowshoe and nordic ski options on lakeside trails.

Seasonal Activities:

In winter, the resort’s Holiday of Lights Show gives the property a magical glow (which extends beyond Christmas) and the Fantasy Cruise to the North Pole is one of those family events that truly makes the holidays come alive.

Outdoor Recreation:

The Coeur d’Alene’s golf course is one of the best in the region, featuring the only ‘floating green’ we’ve seen, where golfers have to bridge a section of Lake Coeur d’Alene to make par. (Tip: have a meal at the Floating Green Restaurant.) This resort is about more than just golf however: situated within reach of Idaho’s most pristine national forest land, it serves as a home base for river rafting expeditions, hiking, camping, and horseback riding. While in Coeur d’Alene, families have all the conveniences of a large town (including high-end shopping), but also enjoy access to the wilderness. An outdoor pool compliments lake swimming, and Silverwood Theme Park offers a family-friendly, small-town theme park experience.

On-property, families can enjoy an indoor pool and wading pool for toddlers, complete with pool toys, an outdoor playground, bike rentals, crafts, and a game room. Add to that all of Idaho’s outdoor recreation, some hours swimming in the lake, and a run through Sherman Park, and you’ve got some tired, happy kids.

Room rates and amenities:

What makes this hotel Preferred Family certified? The Coeur d’Alene features standard guest rooms ranging from tower fireplace rooms to partial view rooms, and kids 17 and under are always free in their parents’ room. All rooms have the standard amenities: coffee makers, mini-bars, and internet access, and families can request high chairs, pack-n-plays, booster seats, car seats, strollers, and the list goes on. Many rooms have full kitchens, so families can eat in easily. A top-of-the-line fitness center is available to all guests. At the time of our latest visit, room rates ranged from $125-$330 per night.

Dining:

Dining options abound, both in the resort and the surrounding area. My husband claims Tito’s Italian Grill serves the best spaghetti, bar none, and the kids and I especially love the abundance of ice cream and candy shops along the main vistas of Coeur d’Alene in summer. Several chain grocery stores are nearby as well.

Directions:

From Spokane (and Spokane International Airport), take I-90 east straight to the Coeur d’Alene Resort. From Kellogg, take I-90 west. Yes, it’s that simple!

Photo credit: Blake Handley.

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Summer is an excellent time to visit Block Island Rhode Island! This small, flat island off the coast of the state is often overlooked (mainland Newport is also a great destination), but families looking for a slower-pased vacation or weekend getaway will love Block Island’s laid back feel, casual dining, and quaint lodging. Block Island has long been known as a romantic ‘B&B’ type of weekend away, but it actually has a lot to offer families with young or school-aged kids. Below, our Block Island guide showcases what’s best for kids:

What to do on Block Island:

Once you’re on-island, you’ll want to get your hands on some bikes. Virtually all of Block Island is covered with free bike paths (open to pedestrians, too), and this is by far the easiest way to get around. In fact, we don’t recommend bringing a car…leave it on the mainland and hop on the ferry without it (see below).

Then head to the beach. The entire perimeter of Block Island’s 3×7 miles contains beach access, and all are public and yours for the taking. Block Island beaches are wide and open, and ideal for families with young kids. It can get windy, as it’s prone to do on many New England beaches, but when the weather isn’t cooperating, there is always the option of packing up and heading to souvenir shops, art galleries, and the toy stores.

Check out the Ball O’Brien Park and North Light House when not beach going, or spend an afternoon indoors at the historical society  (best for older kids). For more active days, head to New Harbor Kayak Rentals for traditional water sports, or try SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) at Block Island Parasail.

Dining on Block Island ranges from fine dining to farmer’s markets, and it’s easy to bring picnics on a bike ride or to the beach from local grocery stores. Sandwich shops and delis will also pack up picnic to go.

Where to stay on Block Island:

Accommodations on Block Island range from B&Bs and cottage rentals to hotels and inns. For families staying more than a few days, we recommend a home rental with HomeAway. Otherwise, look for lodging that caters to families. A decent number of Block Island hotels discourage children (and some even ban those under 12, like the 1661 Inn and Hotel Manisses). Others, like the Atlantic Inn, are touted as quiet and peaceful…which may or may not be for you. Our picks for kids: The National Hotel and the Narragansett Inn.

Getting to Block Island:

You can only arrive on Block Island by ferry or plane. The island is located 12 miles off the mainland, and for kids, getting there really is half the fun. Most families opt for the most economical means of travel, the Block Island Ferry, which leaves from Point Judith, Rhode Island, and is the only ferry option that allows cars. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance if you’re bringing a vehicle; otherwise, no advance notice is required. If you’re in a hurry, the Block Island Hi-Speed Ferry is an option for travelers without a car, as is the Express Ferry, which departs from New London, CT. Flights on New England Airlines are expensive, but can be had.

Photo credit.

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Traveling with kids is its own adventure, especially when they are young and have a difficult time entertaining themselves or sitting still for long periods of time. Still, there are things you can do to make it easier (and to help your kids look forward to traveling). Here are a few tips for traveling with kids:

1. Buy Distinctive Luggage

Kids are worriers and it is natural that they are going to worry about whether or not they will be able to find their luggage when you get to your destination. Solve the problem by using a Pottery Barn promo code to get high quality and distinctive luggage. Use puffy paint to help your kids decorate their bags so that they really stand out and are easily recognizable in a crowd.

2. Start the Adventure at Your Front Door

Ask a friend to pick you up and take you to the airport. Offer to pay for his (or her) parking at Newark (or whatever airport from which you are departing) so that the trip is worthwhile for him. You can also hire a shuttle to come and pick you up and then take you home. This way the trip starts at home and ends at home (and you save a ton of money on long term airport parking).

3. Comfortable Clothes

Most adults were taught to dress up while traveling. Some still do. If the trip will be a short one, it’s okay to put your kids into clothes that are a little bit nicer than what they usually wear. If the flight is a long one, though (or if you have an extended layover), let them wear whatever they feel the most comfortable wearing. This will cut down considerably on the complaining.

4. Leashes are not Inhumane

You may hate the idea of those “little kid leashes” (the leashes that clip to a child’s backpack or an over-the-shirt harness. In an airport, though—with so many tempting distractions and things to keep track of and accomplish, these leashes can be a godsend. The last thing you need is for your toddler to wander away while you’re trying to take off your shoes and juggle five security belt container things. Let people stare—at least you’ll never have to worry where your kids are.

5. Plug their Ears

One of the reasons that many babies and toddlers scream on airplanes is that their ears have a hard time adjusting to the pressurization of the plane as it takes off and lands. To help them with this, encourage them to plug their ears when the plane is taking off and again when it is landing. It sounds silly but it keeps the ears from getting plugged and overly pressurized. If you turn it into a game it can even be fun.

Obviously there are tips and tricks for entertaining your kids while traveling as well, but that is another article for another time. Start with these practical tips and then figure out how to make the travel process more entertaining. Good luck!

Consideration was received for the editing and publishing of this article. Photo credit: holidayextras.

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It’s time to start planning beach vacations! Our series of best beach towns for families is constantly building. Our latest addition: Newport, Rhode Island.  For a New England beach feel, plenty of shopping and seafood, and quaint lodging, Newport can’t be beat. Its location along Narragansett Bay is ideal during the summer months, but Newport has much to offer families in the ‘shoulder seasons of spring and fall, too.

What to do in Newport:

1. Tour the Newport mansions along Cliff Walk: Starting from the easy-to-access public beach, Cliff Walk takes visitors along–you guessed it–the cliff overlooking the beach, where a long string of impressive mansions stand sentinel. These mansions are mainly relics of Newport’s golden era of wealth (pre-Depression), but many are still in use today. The walk is 3.5 miles, but it’s just as easy to turn around at any point and return the way you came. You’ll get great views of sailboats on the water as well, and there are numerous benches to stop and picnic or rest.

2. Play at Easton’s Beach (First Beach): This wide-open beach comes with a $20 parking fee during the summer season, but you get a lot for your ‘entrance fee’: a carrousel and concession stand, lots of space for setting up camp along the beach for the day. There’s even a small aquarium, though this certainly isn’t ‘destination-worthy’.

3. Explore the Newport Historical Museum: The Newport museum is located in the heart of historic downtown and while small, is very well done. It’s fee is by donation only, and will take guests from native times to colonization and war periods. It’s great for school-aged kids, with exhibit descriptions just for them, and a welcome relief from the sun and sand for all kids.

Where to stay in Newport:

The Newport Harbor Hotel is located downtown right on America’s Cup Drive. During the high-traffic summer months, you can park your car and leave it, walking to all the area attractions and beaches with kids.  The Newport Harbor Hotel is convenient for families with an indoor heated pool, saunas, and on-site dining for easy meals. They offer seasonal packages, and many rooms have great views of the harbor and boats coming and going.  Read a full review on Trekaroo!

Photo credit: Dougtone.

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