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Best Ski Towns: South Lake Tahoe, CA

March 2, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Spring is a wonderful time of year to spend in South Lake Tahoe! Skiing and other snowsports are still on offer, and sunny skies and warmer temps make hiking and lake days possible, too.

Note: As travel today remains uncertain, please keep your safety and the safety of others in mind at all times. If you are comfortable with traveling, please travel responsibly and within regulation as any travel is at your own risk.

If you do decide to travel at this time, here are our recommendations:

Wear a face mask.

Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands on a regular basis.

Check official websites before your trip for the latest updates on policies, closures and status of local businesses.

Book a hotel with free cancellation in case you need to change your plans at the last minute.

During a time when many vacations are not possible, outdoor activities in road trip-accessible locations offer the ability to safely social distance. Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite activities and tips for exploring South Lake Tahoe, so start here as you plan a safe and responsible vacation.

Having grown up in the Tahoe area, I am no stranger to the Sierra snow, sunny weather, and beautiful scenery that makes this family ski haven an obvious choice as a ‘Best Ski Town’. Split by the California/Nevada border, families are presented with the best of two worlds in South Tahoe: on the Nevada side, bustling businesses, resorts, and casinos. On the California side, a quiet ski village. We recently returned for a week of fun, powder, relaxation, and more powder; the following is a round-up of what makes Tahoe the perfect town for traveling families.

Where to ski: With so many world-class ski resorts dotting the shore of Lake Tahoe, you really can’t go wrong finding slopes that won’t disappoint. If you want to enjoy your family ski vacation without breaking the bank, however, we recommend Sierra-at-Tahoe. Located on the South shore of the lake near Twin Bridges, Sierra-at-Tahoe is truly committed to a family ski experience. You’ll find runs expertly groomed with families in mind, dedicated ski school instructors, extreme attention to the details of resort layout, and prices that make other Tahoe area resorts’ fees seem laughable. We’re expert skiers, and found Sierra’s slopes to be challenging beyond expectation, and yet families with beginners are catered to as well. We don’t know how they do it, but they do!

Where to stay: It’s hard to go wrong! If you want to stay on the Nevada side, you can opt to be at the heart of the action at the base of Heavenly ski resort, or away from the crowds closer to Sierra-at-Tahoe. There are many lakefront hotel options in South Lake Tahoe as well. Look for suites or condos run by hotels and resorts, which will allow you to have more space and the use of a kitchen.

Where to eat: Hands down, the best food we ate in South Lake Tahoe was at Freshies (3330 Lake Tahoe Blvd). This ‘hole in the wall’ location inside a small strip mall serves up excellent Hawaiian specialties, great microbrews, and kid favorites like rice and noodle bowls in a fun setting. Be sure to arrive early to beat the crowds; word is getting out about this restaurant!

What to do when not skiing: South Tahoe is full of options for non-skiers, so what you choose will depend on the ages of your kids, how much time you have, and their sense of adventure! We loved sledding at Adventure Mountain (Hwy 50), a tubing mecca just outside of town. If you’re up for a longer outing, consider a snowmobiling cruise with Zephyr Cove Resort, located in town. South Tahoe on the Nevada side also provides plenty of distraction in the form of evening shows, buffets, gambling, and movie theaters.

How to get here: From Reno, Nevada, take Highway 395 to Highway 50 into town. From Sacramento, take I-5 to Highway 50.

Read more Best Ski Town picks!

Disclaimer: This post has been written in partnership with hotels.com. All opinions remain my own.

Best Ski Towns: Bend, Oregon

February 25, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Up next in Pit Stops for Kids’ series on best ski towns for families is Bend, Oregon. Not only is this central Oregon high desert town ideally situated at the base of Mt. Bachelor and the Sisters peaks, it offers much more than downhill skiing: families will find plenty to do biking, river rafting, and fishing in the summer months and skating, sledding, and spotting wildlife in the winter.

Where to ski: Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is the only show in town, not that you’ll hear anyone complaining. We love Mt. Bachelor for their challenging terrain, great crowd and chairlift line control, and affordable pricing. For extended visits, take advantage of their flexible multi-day passes and kids ski or ride for free!

Where to stay: Just twenty minutes from the slopes is the resort community of Sunriver. We always opt to stay in one of its many vacation rentals, but the centerpiece of the village is without doubt the beautiful and sprawling Sunriver Lodge, where you’ll find indoor/outdoor pools, tennis courts, and a full spa and fitness center (vacation rental guests also have access to these facilities). Also within the Sunriver community are walking and biking trails, playgrounds for kids, full childcare program centers, and a central village with ice skating, shops, restaurants, and outdoor gear rental.

Where to eat: If staying in Bend, stop for breakfast before skiing at Pilot Butte Drive In (917 NE Greenwood), voted locally as ‘best breakfast in Bend’. If you’re staying in Sunriver, drive through Bend to their Trader Joe’s location for groceries you can prepare yourself in your rental’s kitchen!

What to do when not skiing: Whether you have little ones who aren’t ready to hit the slopes, or just find yourself with a stormy day, we recommend the High Desert Museum (59800 Hwy 97) outside of Bend. Inside, you’ll find wonderfully done exhibits on Oregon history and culture as well as natural history lessons in the form of replicas, tours, talks, and live animal shows and habitats. Outside, visit the river otter habitat or beaver dams, and see live eagles and hawks take flight. In summer, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument (1645 Hwy 20) boasts a caldera to climb, a great challenge for families!

How to get here: Bend is located on Highway 97, approximately 2.5 hours from I-5. To find the Sunriver Resort, take highway 97 from Bend to the exit at Cottonwood Road.

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Best Ski Towns: Park City, Utah

February 23, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s the ideal ski town: beautiful scenery, dozens of kid-friendly resorts, and a downtown bursting with great restaurants and shops surrounded by not one, not two, but three major ski resorts, with half a dozen more nearby. It’s Park City, Utah, and I challenge you to go once and not want to come back for many more family ski vacations.

Where to ski: You really can’t go wrong whichever resort you choose, but our pick is Canyons Resort, Park City’s largest ski resort with over 4000 acres and 19 lifts. You certainly need more than one day to truly explore this mega-mountain, and with long runs (some over a mile) and plenty of terrain parks, you won’t be spending your valuable time in line for the chairlift. Their ski school is excellent, but given the diversity of their mountain, from groomed trails to expert chutes, the kids can ski all day with you.

Where to stay: We loved Westgate Park City, located near the base of The Canyons and five minutes away from downtown. This resort has it all: luxury (think plush towels, spa, and adults-only pool), cozy ambiance (the huge lobby’s fireplace is always ablaze), roomy suites, and a wonderful indoor-outdoor pool and hot tub complex complete with game room, tennis courts for the summer months, and playground. Westgate hosts a full kids’ program with off-site activities as well.

I more recently stayed at Grand Summit Hotel at Canyons Resort, which is more ideally located to the slopes, offers a ski valet and storage service, and a pool that rivals that of The Westgate. Dining is closer at-hand at Grand Summit Hotel, though standard rooms are more spacious at Westgate.

Where to eat: Head to historic downtown for the best grub. Kids will like the Red Banjo Pizza Parlor (322 Main Street), which looks like an old west saloon, and if you get a night out without the children, try Wabo House (1385 Lowel Avenue).

What to do when not on the slopes: Families would be remiss to vacation in Park City and not visit Olympic Park, site of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Games (3000 Bear Hollow Drive). If you think your family will want to ride on ‘The Comet’ (bobsled), the ‘Gold Package’ ($75 per person) is a good value, and includes entrance to the museum and a guided tour in addition to the ride. There’s also a zip line, ski jumps, and other extreme fun at-hand.

Wherever you stay and ski, you’ll want to reserve ample time to explore downtown. Parking is free in the public lots, or if you’re staying nearby, check the free shuttle service for times and stops (they run near-continuously). We love Park City’s community atmosphere; you truly feel as though you’re visiting someone else’s hometown, not a tourist destination. Be sure to visit the U.S. Olympic Spirit Store (751 Main Street) for a glimpse at Park City’s merchandise of Olympics past, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate (510 Main Street), where your kids can select caramel apples nearly as big as a melon.

How to get here: Getting to Park City is easy, thanks to Salt Lake City International Airport being a major hub. From the airport, most resorts offer a shuttle, but if not, booking passage on one is easy. (We’ve had good luck with Park City Transportation.) Car rentals are also available of course, but depending on where you’re staying and skiing, you may not need one in compact Park City, given their great inter-town transportation system.

Read more Best Ski Town picks!

Great Basin National Park

February 17, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

View from the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, Great Basin.

Near the Utah-Nevada border, at the end of the ‘Loneliest Highway in America’ (Hwy 50), in the midst of the stark Nevada high desert, lies Great Basin National Park. Arguably one of the furthest destinations off the beaten path featured on Pit Stops for Kids, Great Basin is remote enough that the greater national park area only boasts one tiny town, a scattering of motels and RV parks, and a few restaurants, never mind a large grocery store. Oh, and those ‘Last services for however many miles’ signs? You’ll want to pay attention to those.

Is Great Basin worth the drive? Definitely. Especially if you pair it up with a road trip to or from other Utah or Nevada destinations, such as Arches National Park or Reno. The geography of the park is quite amazing: you’ll climb from the basin floor to 10,000 feet up Mt. Wheeler in a matter of minutes as you drive through the park, and the terrain alters from desert to high alpine and back again.

What to do: Great Basin is best known for Lehman Caves, the entrance of which is adjacent to the park’s main visitor center (another center with additional exhibits for kids is below the park near Baker). Visitors must sign up for a guided tour to see the caves, and it’s recommended that you reserve tickets prior to arrival in the busy summer months (we saw people being turned away). Ticket prices are $8 for visitors 16 and up, $4 for visitors 5-15, and free for anyone under age five. We chose a 60 minute tour, which was just long enough to hold our four-year-old’s attention. Guides make it fun by offering geology lessons, historical anecdotes, and spooky stories throughout the tour, and the cave interior really is amazing. After your tour, be sure to take the short hike around the side of the visitor’s center to see the site of the originally discovered entrance to the cave. (Extra tip: bring a jacket for the cave, no matter how warm it may be outside!)

Toby is ready to hike on Mt. Wheeler.

Mt. Wheeler towers about the Great Basin, and due to access on the paved scenic drive, visitors can tour past the 10,000 foot mark of this 13,000 foot mountain. Stop at the Bristlecone Parking Area near Wheeler Peak Campground to hike the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail (2.7 miles), a fairly strenuous climb past two pristine lakes and through high alpine forests. If that’s not for you and your family, other hikes are available. Take care as you climb in altitude: drink lots of water and take it easy until you get used to it!

Stargazing is a major facet of Great Basin National Park’s junior ranger and campground programs, so be sure to attend one of their nighttime presentations or night walks. As (bad) luck would have it, our arrival brought overcast skies, so we missed out on this wonder during our visit!

Where to stay: There are few choices in Baker, NV, so plan ahead! If you’re camping, consider staying in the alpine area of the national park; it’s beautiful, but gets unexpectedly cold at night! If you’re looking for a motel or cabin, your options are limited. We stayed at the Border Inn, which was comfortable enough for a 1-2 night stay (although the rooms are very small). The grounds are nothing to look at (a service station/restaurant/motel complex right on Hwy 50), but the full-service restaurant was friendly and offered a good breakfast, and the stars at night made up for any lack of landscaping or decor. A few other motels/cabins exist in Baker, but after driving past them several times to and from the national park, we felt they were all more or less cut of the same (serviceable) cloth.

Inside the Lehman Caves.

Where to eat: A great dinner spot can be found at T&D’s, a friendly Mexican/Italian/American restaurant. Yes, all three! We had Mexican food, and found it quite good. If I recall, the kids ate pizza. There’s a small grocery store attached, but if you’re only in Baker a few days, it’s better to eat out or bring your own food in; grocery prices are high and the selection is limited.

Directions: From U.S. Highway 6 & 50, turn south on Nevada State Highway 487 and travel 5 miles to Baker, NV. In Baker turn west on Highway 488 and travel 5 miles to the park.

Lassen National Park

February 14, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

We love Lassen National Park for its beautiful wilderness, fun geothermal parlor tricks, and low crowds. It can be done in a day, but if you spend a night or two, you won’t be sorry! Come in the summer as part of a family road trip when neighboring Crater Lake National Park and Yosemite National Park are packed with people, or visit in the fall or spring to catch wildflower blooms and foliage.

What not to miss: Stop at the new Kohm Yah-mah Visitor’s Center at the park’s Southwest entrance for a map, Junior Ranger packets for the kids, and maybe a bite to eat (the restaurant is great!). When we visit, we like to follow the park’s main driving tour, stopping at several of the geothermal wonders within hiking distance from the road. Our favorite: Bumpass Hell, a three mile loop trail featuring a boardwalk view of bubbling, gurgling mud pits that smell like rotten eggs! Stop again at Summit Lake for stunning views of Mt. Lassen and picnic facilities.

If you and your family aren’t up for the trek up Mt. Lassen itself, hike up a cinder cone instead! The trail head is located at Butte Lake Campground (from Highway 44 take the dirt road turnoff to Butte Lake Campground and follow the road for about 6 miles). The hike is over three miles round trip, but only the last 800 feet or so are uphill. (And we do mean straight up!) Kids love running down the soft sand (and the view from the lip of the crater!).

Entrance fee: $10 (one of the lowest in the national park system)

Dining: At the time of our visit, Summit Lake had a sandwich and salad counter service menu by their picnic areas. Otherwise, there’s a nice camp store for lunch supplies at the Manzanita Lake Campground.

Overnight options: Visitors can camp in one of the park’s beautiful high country campgrounds, but if you’re looking for something a bit more comfortable while still relaxed and fun, consider our favorite: St. Bernard Lodge on Highway 36 just three minutes from the park. Situated in the lower Lassen meadows, this lodge is perfect for families: kids (and St. Bernards…yes, the owners have several) have the run of the place, from the ponds and creeks outside to the cozy rec room. Breakfast is included!

Directions: The Southwest entrance is approximately 45 miles east of Red Bluff (I-5) on Highway 36, or 160 miles west of Reno, Nevada via 395 and Highway 36.

Sutter’s Fort State Historical Site

February 10, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

2701 L Street
Sacramento, CA

If you’re passing through the Sacramento Valley on a road trip or family vacation and want to venture beyond the swinging saloon doors and adjustable bar stools of Old Town Sacramento, a visit to Sutter’s Fort State Historical Site makes for a great pit stop.

Note: Sutter’s Fort has a Kidscore of 100. Learn more about Kidscore.

Located downtown in the heart of Sacramento’s capitol district, Sutter’s Fort has been restored on its original site, allowing visitors to tour past rooms replicating fort life in the 19th century, see working dutch ovens, a blacksmith workshop, and more. Our kids loved the cannons in the towers especially, and there’s a great exhibit on John Sutter himself and his role in the California Gold Rush at the start of the self-guided tour. Rooms and other points of interest include audio stations depicting historical and cultural significance, but many areas also feature live reenactments and living history personnel. There’s a great gift shop (we recommend purchasing and reading Patty Reed’s Doll to your kids to give an age-appropriate retelling of the infamous Donner Party), picnic areas, and street parking. (Extra tip: summer temperatures soar in the valley, so plan to arrive early or do as we did: visit in December!)

Date last visited: December 2010

Admission: Adults $5, youth $3, kids under age 5: free.

Distance from the interstate: Five minutes from both I-5 and I-80.

Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily

Directions: The park is located in midtown Sacramento between K and L Streets and 26th and 28th Streets. Traveling on I-80 from San Francisco, take Business 80/Hwy 50 east. Take the Business 80 exit (north towards Reno) to the N Street turn off. Travel straight on 30th Street then turn left under the freeway at L Street to the Fort which will be located on your right.

Timberline Lodge and ski resort

February 7, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re looking for a Pacific Northwest ski resort experience that will really impress while remaining kid and family-friendly, you’ll want to book an overnight ski package at Timberline Lodge, a ski-in and ski-out resort nestled on the slopes of Timberline in Oregon’s Mt. Hood area.

We love Timberline Lodge’s historic beauty, cozy rooms, and majestic views, but the best thing is, guests don’t have to sacrifice any of these features for family-friendly prices. Kids under age 11 eat free in the dining room (off the children’s menu), ski and stay packages are always on offer, and rooms are reasonably priced (kids stay free in the same room as parents, or add an extra room for the kids with two twin beds for only $105 a night!).

During ski season, families love the convenience of the lodge’s ski-in and out location, the cavernous ski locker and storage area on the main lobby level, and the wonderful (and filling) ski morning breakfasts in the main dining room. Visitors in the off-season can fill their days hiking, biking, and wildflower spotting on the high mountain peaks. And all year round, Timberline’s heated outdoor pool and hot tub ease the muscle aches of a busy day. Kids love swimming under the stars at night, and adults will appreciate the free coffee, comfortable couches, and games and reading material on-hand in the beautiful lobby.

Image via Wikipedia

The ski resort itself is perfect for beginners and families representing multiple ski and riding levels. The ride up the top chair offers plenty of challenging terrain, but much of the lower mountain sports wide, groomed trails and expanses. We love that the Wy’East ski lodge is just across the parking lot from the Timberline Lodge for quick snacks, ski rental equipment, and other ski resort fare.

Distance from the interstate: Timberline is located just over an hour from Portland, OR just off Hwy 26 past Government Camp.

Room rates: $155 for a queen room and $105 for a double twin room at time of this publication. Consider coming midweek, when your room will include ski tickets, complimentary breakfast, and a $20 dining room credit!

Dining: For a single lodge, there are a surprising number of dining options for families. The Cascade Dining Room can’t be beat for breakfast, and if you’re looking for an upscale evening meal in a no-fuss or frills atmosphere where kids are welcome (and eat free!), this is the place for dinner, too. If you’re looking for something more casual after a day of skiing or hiking, the Ram’s Head Bar, located on the second-floor landing, has great pub-type food and drinks.

Directions: From Salem, OR: Follow I-5 North to I-205, then take I-205 North to the Mt. Hood exit; turn right. Follow signs to Mt Hood/Government Camp,then follow Hwy 26 to the Timberline access road, just past Government Camp. Turn left on Timberline access road; follow the road to Timberline (6 miles).

From Portland: Take the 205 South to I-84 East (The Dalles exit), then I-84 East to exit 16 “Wood Village”. Go right at stop sign on to 238th, then follow 238th (which becomes 242nd) to Burnside (approx. 3 mi.) Take a left on Burnside, which turns into Hwy 26 East. Follow Hwy 26 East to the Timberline Road turn-off (about 40 mi.); pass through the towns of Sandy, Welches, and Rhododendron. Turn left on the Timberline access road; follow the road to Timberline (6 mi.)

Disney done right: Dining in the ‘World’

February 2, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Healthy? No. But they'll burn it off in the parks!

If you’re looking for tips on how to save money on meals in Disney World, this is not the place. Nor will this article tell you where to find the best fries, best pizza, or best cinnamon roll (although that would be the Main Street Bake Shoppe). Instead, this article is all about how to make dining in Disney easier…on you, your kids, your schedule, and your sanity. Because let’s face it, during a Disney family vacation, sometimes a meal feels less like a welcome repast and more like one more line to wait in, one more crowd to fight, and one more battle to get your children to behave. If you follow the tips below, it doesn’t have to be that way!

1. Opt into the Disney Dining Plan if you qualify. Will the dining plan be the cheapest way for your family to dine in Disney World? Perhaps so, perhaps not. It really depends on what type of meals your family enjoys. But that’s not the point: even if it costs you a few extra dollars when compared to dining out-of-pocket, we believe it’s worth it. Why? Because every time you order a burger at a counter service restaurant or the kids beg for a $5 tub of popcorn, you won’t feel ‘nickel and dimed’. You’ll be able to say ‘yes’ more often than ‘no’, and you won’t have to worry so much about each drink that comes with each meal and the price of that side dish of mac and cheese your kid had to have but never touched. You will have to pay attention to your number of counter service and table service credits, but Disney makes that easy for you by including a running tally on every food receipt.

2. If your kids are character crazy, reserve Character Meals. That’s right, I said ‘reserve’. Disney calls it an ‘AR’ (Advanced Reservation), and even if you’re visiting in the off-season, you’ll need one. Different restaurant venues will showcase different characters, so find the one (or more) that fits your family and plan to spend an hour or so with the characters while eating and relaxing in the air conditioned indoors instead of sweating in lines in the parks. Our favorite is the Pooh and Friends meal at Magic Kingdom’s Crystal Palace. (Bonus tip: reserve a table at a park-venue restaurant before park opening; you’ll be allowed to enter early for great photo ops by near-empty park attractions.)

Pit Stops' Grandpa becomes part of the act at Hoop-Dee-Doo!

3. Schedule your day around lunches for before 11:30 am or after 2 pm. It really does make a huge difference: not only will eating during off-peak hours save you time and hassle at the service windows and ensure you get a table, but it will free you up to tour the park while everyone else is eating. (Bonus tip: this works at ski resorts, too!)

4. Save buffets for the end of the day. Unless you were blessed with super-bionic angel children, your kids (and you!) are worn out by the end of a Disney day. Instead of asking them to sit still and wait for their table service meals, consider scheduling buffets for this last meal of the day. Everyone gets fed faster, has more choices, and can move around. Our hands-down favorite was Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Boma (easy to access via Disney transportation after a day at Animal Kingdom).

5. Enjoy dinner and a show. This tip goes double if you’re on the dining plan, since you’re able to use your points even for bundled dinner events such as the Fantasmic or Candlelight Dinner packages. Doing so allows you to relax and enjoy your meal without worrying about getting a good seat for the show: Disney reserves a spot for you. And some meals include a show of their own: our top pick was Fort Wilderness’ Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my kids laugh so hard!

Disney done right: How to enjoy the ‘Magic’

January 21, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Yes, that’s ‘Magic’ with a capital M, because ultimately, we’re paying (and hoping) for nothing less when we book a Disney vacation with our kids. Instead, what we often experience (or witness others experiencing) is exhaustion, over-stimulation, and even outright disappointment. Every family (and Disney park) will have their good days and bad days, but 99% of the time, it doesn’t have to be difficult. The following are Pit Stops for Kids tested and approved tips for enjoying a Disney theme park and Disney resorts with your kids.

The Pit Stops kids ride ‘shotgun’ on the Monorail.

1. Slow down. There is so much to do. There is (relatively) little time to do it. The result can be a frantic sprint through the happiest place on earth, during which you and your family are spending every minute rushing to the next thing instead of enjoying where you are. Take a deep breath, relax, and come to grips with the fact that you cannot see it all. Instead, pay attention to the details…Disney certainly has. Beautiful, fully imaginative theming is all around you. While waiting in lines, look for Hidden Mickeys with the kids. While on Tom Sawyer Island, stop for an impromptu game of checkers in the shade. If you take the Monorail, queue into the busier front line, even if it means passing up a few trains before you can board: your kids will get to sit up front with the driver and get a view of Epcot and the Magic Kingdom seldom seen.

Tip: take the time to look for magical Disney touches. Read about special Disney surprises in store at the parks!

2. Take care of yourself. Seems obvious, but given the number of sunburn and sunstroke cases Disney paramedics see every day, it bears saying: carry water bottles, put on sunscreen, and wear shades and hats when necessary. To off-set the cost of beverages in the parks, we carry individual packets of powdered drink mix. Just add to drinking fountain water, and you’re hydrated without paying $.595 an ounce (ok, it’s not really that bad). Consider staying on-site to allow kids (and adults) to conveniently take afternoon breaks or naps.

Nate and Calvin take a break on Tom Sawyer Island.

3. Come prepared. There’s no need to study Disney park maps as though you’re preparing to invade Poland (or so my family tells me), but there are a few key things to know before you go: the park’s daily schedule (when are the parades or shows? Are there character appearances?) and hours (does this park offer Extra Magic Hour today? Is it open late?) Even if you’re not interested in a park’s given entertainment, it’s good to know what areas to avoid (and when); the rest of the park will be less crowded during those hours. Likewise, if a park is open late for a show or event you don’t plan to attend, consider clearing out in the early afternoon, when event-attendees are just entering. If your park is hosting Extra Magic Hour in the morning, it can be a good idea to arrive right at rope drop and then leave to hit a different park around lunchtime; most EMH guests stay put, causing crowd levels to rise substantially when the off-site guests join them at regular park opening.

4. Ask questions. Most Disney Cast Members genuinely enjoy their jobs, and all are a wealth of information. Not sure if the line you’re standing in is for the ride or the Dole pineapple float (worth any wait, by the way)? Ask! We’ve asked employees whether there’s a better place to stake out for a parade, whether there’s a short-cut to the ‘land’ we’re walking to, whether a show is right for our toddler, and more, and all have appreciated our confidence in their expertise. And if you’re a few minutes early to use your Fast Pass…just ask if you can head on in…often the answer is yes.

5. Utilize Disney’s crowd control devices. In other words, for the love of all that’s holy, use Fast Pass. I am continually amazed at how many Disney guests seem to have no idea what this is or how to work it: it’s really easy, and saves so much time. Consider sending one family member (usually it’s you, Dad) with all the tickets to gather the Fast Passes for the group, so that little ones don’t have to log extra Disney miles across the park. Likewise, if you plan to a) eat dinner and b) watch a featured evening show at one of the parks, consider a Priority Seating dinner package such as this one for Fantasmic. You’ll take all the stress out of getting good seats, give yourself more time in the park to enjoy the attractions, and you had to eat anyway, right?

More Disney Done Right articles are located on our Family Vacations page.

Disney done right: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort

January 19, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

I wrote recently on the benefits of staying on-site in Walt Disney World. Of course, deciding a Disney resort is right for you and your family hardly narrows down your field of options, given that at last count, there were almost 20 of them to choose from. For our Disney World vacation, we finally settled on Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, Riverside, and we never once regretted our decision. Why?

1. Location. Port Orleans is one of Disney’s largest resorts, but due to its beautiful and extensive landscaping, winding pathways, and sweeping public areas filled with magnolia blossoms and lawn, you’d never know it. It includes two distinct and separate complexes: Riverside and French Quarter, both of which have their own restaurants, pools, and recreational activities, connected by the river walk along the Sassagoula River. We stayed in Riverside, which was, yet again, divided into two sections: Alligator Bayou and Dixie Landings. Maybe we’re just not used to Southern ambiance (and hospitality), but we felt tucked away from the bustle of Disney World throughout our stay. Despite being just minutes from the theme parks by way of Disney transportation buses and even closer to Downtown Disney by boat, Port Orleans felt quiet and tranquil. Not easy to come by in Orlando! (Note: I’d heard complaints about the walk from the far buildings to the lobby/dining area (Riverside Mill). We were quite far from the center of things in Building 36, and didn’t mind the ten minute walk in the least. Ol’ Man Island, the main swimming complex, is situated in the middle of the buildings (think of a hub and spokes), and is easy to access for everyone.)

2. Amenities. Port Orleans is listed as a ‘moderate’ Disney resort, which distinguishes it from the lower-cost ‘value’ resorts in two main ways that made a difference to our family (and might make a difference to yours): recreational opportunities and dining. Each moderate resort has at least one themed pool and several ‘quiet’ pools (we had one right outside our door and loved it!), and other recreational opportunities such as canoe or boat rentals, video arcades, and thematic activities (in Port Orleans’ case, cane-pole fishing). Ol’ Man Island features a free-form pool, slide, hot tubs, and a pool-side bar (values do not have slides or hot tubs) that we used nightly (the pool and the bar). In addition, each moderate resort features at least one sit-down restaurant in addition to their food court, Riverside Mill. (Value resorts do not.) If you envision yourself and your family spending even a moderate amount of time (no pun intended) at the resort, and don’t want to drop the dough for a deluxe room, a moderate such as Port Orleans might work best for you.

3. Price. In my opinion, you get far more for your resort dollar at a moderate than you would at a value, and not much less than you would at a deluxe. (That sounds like a riddle!) Let me try that again: you get almost as many bells and whistles as you would at a deluxe for up to half the nightly room rate. (Note: Port Orleans’s Alligator Bayou rooms fit families of five…provided that one family member can fit on their ‘trundle’ bed, which pulls out from underneath one of their standard ones. Our youngest son found it quite comfortable, but I wouldn’t try it with anyone over the age of 6-8.)

What not to miss: As I hinted at above, staying in a Disney resort is almost like visiting an additional theme park: there’s a lot to do and see, and you want to make time to enjoy it. We took an entire day off from the parks just to explore Port Orleans, but even if you can’t spare that kind of time, make sure you swim at Ol’ Man Island (and maybe fish for bluegill in their stocked pond), take a cruise down the river to Downtown Disney (have your kids ask your boat captain for a Disney Transportation captain’s card), take in the evening comedy show at the River Roost, and take the plunge on the dragon slide at the French Quarter pool (guests of Riverside has use of the French Quarter pool, and vice versa!).

Room Rates: $130-150 at time of our visit. Check for most up-to-date rates.

Main Dining Options: Riverside Mill Food Court and Boatwrights (both on the Disney Dining Plan). Snacks available at the general store. Rooms have mini-fridges, which we used to fill with breakfast supplies and snacks. If you’re flying to the resort, as we did, consider pre-ordering groceries to be delivered to Port Orleans on the day of your arrival with Garden Grocer.

Distance from the parks: Under five minutes. (Note: we’re big believers in leaving the car behind and using Disney transportation. We never waited longer than ten minutes for a bus at any of the Port Orleans bus depots.)

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