Travel Tips - Pitstops for Kids

Open letter to the airline industry

June 8, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

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 families, sharing my love of air travel with my own children is important to me.

But you’re making it hard to stick by you. At a time when luxury resorts and cruise ships across the world are rolling out the red carpet for kids (I have personally worked with Expedia.com, Omni Resorts, and Preferred Hotels in their efforts to create family-friendly programs and offerings), you’re making it increasingly difficult for families to arrive at their destination. I’d say that traveling families are the ones suffering, but the truth is, airlines are shooting themselves in the foot.

How so? Let’s start with this month’s headliner: airlines charging for ‘premium’ coach seats. Premium…coach? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Before you hold families hostage in this manner, follow the trail of logic: who typically pays for airline upgrades? Business travelers. Solo travelers. Couples celebrating a special occasion like a honeymoon. Not family travelers, I can assure you. When I shop flights for my family of five, I’m looking for the best deal, and nothing more. After all, I still need to shelter, feed, and entertain my motley crew all vacation long.

So let’s apply this logic to an actual scenario: Business traveler Joe has upgraded his coach seat to premium level. (I’m trying not to laugh, really.) He’s happily sitting in his aisle seat for which he’s paid an extra $44. Single Traveling Parent Jane, her preschooler, and her toddler walk down the aisle to find their seats. Because Jane has not (and would never) pay to upgrade her seats, she has two middle seats and one window, necessitating a separation from at least one small child. As this is logistically ridiculous, the call to action falls on poor Business Traveler Joe, who has two choices, neither of which are attractive: 1. vacate the seat he just paid extra for, to allow Jane’s family to stay together, or 2. hold his ground, and entertain an unaccompanied toddler for the duration of the flight. Airline, you’ve accomplished two things here: you’ve angered Joe, who’s probably a frequent flyer and loyal customer, and you’ve upset Jane (who probably tweets). But wait, you have your $44, so you’re good.

There’s more. Because you’re charging for premium seats, Airline, and separating family groups, family travelers now have to pack more carry-on luggage. And you know you already think we pack too much! As a family travel writer, I’ve long advocated packing carry-on only or one carry-on per family (you’re welcome), but because I now have to plan for the contingency that my school-aged children will sit apart from me, each child needs his or her own backpack full of entertainment (and food…don’t get me started on that). More carry-on bags mean a greater burden on the already overloaded overhead luggage compartments (which, of course, is due to fees placed on checked luggage, but we won’t go there, either). So in this second scenario, in which I’ve boarded your plane with five carry-ons instead of one, what you get is increased stress, chaos, and crowds in your already over-stressed cabin. Not only are your overworked flight attendants negotiating my seats with disgruntled business travelers, but they’re now also trying to stuff my backpacks into bins. Backpacks that would not have existed had you not 1. charged me for checked bags (whoops, I went there) and 2. charged me to sit with my kids.

Airline, I’m not mad. Really. Some family-friendly airlines I love quite dearly. Mostly, I’m worried for you. You can run all the flashy promotions you’d like (some of your kids fly free deals are excellent), but at the end of the day, families won’t remember what deal you’re running on your website. They won’t care how convenient you made online check-in or how shiny your homepage is. They’re accustomed to the ordeal of security, and they’re even planning on you losing their luggage. What they will remember: the seven circles of hell you did or did not put them through in order to get from Point A to Point B.

Family travel is only gaining in popularity. The industry brands I work with every day, from eco-tour operations to luxury resorts, know this. But the travel industry cycle we’re all a part of only works if we can get where we’re going.

Please get on-board. We miss the family-friendly skies.

Sincerely,

A Family Travel Writer

Expedia Kids in the City: Portland Oregon

June 7, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

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 imagine a better city to explore with kids than Portland. Small enough to navigate easily, yet big enough to host all the excitement families want in a city vacation, Portland is a fun, stimulating mix of beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and often-alternative (yet always free-thinking) urban culture. Read on to see our favorite ways to enjoy Portland, then head to Expedia to view our Portland Fact Sheet, containing all the logistical information you need to plan your own Portland summer visit.

Get outside.

Portland is famous for its outdoorsy, sporty mentality. Everywhere you go in Portland, you’ll see cyclists heading to work, joggers on the river front, and crew teams skimming down the Willamette. There are abundant natural areas for families to explore. Kids will love walking the river front at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, where they can spy docked ships and watch the working drawbridges lift and fall. Book a cruise on the Portland Spirit to see more of the Willamette, or if you have babies and small children, spend a day in the slow lane at Mt. Tabor Park, where the walking trails meander amid leafy trees and the playgrounds provide hours of fun.

Older kids will love biking the many family-level bike trails, and everyone will enjoy a day trip driving the Columbia River Gorge, located just miles outside the city on I-84. There, families can see the same view as early pioneers at the Cape Horn Overlook, feel the spray of stunning Multnomah Falls, and watch salmon jump up the fish ladder at the Bonneville Dam. And myth buster alert: it rains far less in Portland than you might think, but if a downpour catches you by surprise, you can always stop at the REI anchor store or original Nike store (both downtown) for the latest rain gear.

Learn a thing or two.

Located downtown, families simply must stop at Powell’s City of Books. A Portland institution, Powell’s consists of multiple rooms (and stories, no pun intended) of new and used books. An entire room is dedicated to children’s books, where readings are often held around the squishy chairs and kid-sized tables. School-aged kids and teens enjoy their own spaces as well, and adult book-lovers will have to be pulled out against their will! Be sure to grab a store map at the entrance to get around!

Across the Willamette from Powell’s lies OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. OMSI boasts a full-scale hands-on museum, with permanent exhibits on earth, life, and chemical science, a baby and toddler area, a fun logistical puzzles and brain teaser section, and working science labs for school-aged kids. Everyone will love the IMAX and planetarium shows, and past visiting exhibits have included headliners like Sue the dinosaur and Richard Scarry’s Puzzletown.

A short MAX ride away (more on Portland’s public transit to come), Portland’s Washington Park houses the Oregon Zoo and Portland Children’s Museum. Small enough to be manageable and yet big enough to feature all the animals families want to see, the Oregon Zoo remains one of our favorites for its friendly, knowledgeable staff, great shows, and park-like atmosphere (feel free to bring in a cooler on a wagon and picnic on on the center green spaces). On rainy days, the Children’s Museum can’t be beat. Featuring three stories of interactive fun, young kids will love the tree fort, working grocery store, vet clinic, and waterworks, but the museum’s most unique exhibit is its pottery art studio and ‘recycled art’ lab. Open during select hours and fully staffed, these spaces allow kids to create freely, using real art equipment, supplies, and tools. My kids have spent literal hours inside!

Minutes outside of the city, families will find countless Oregon farms and vineyards, many with you-pick opportunities and country entertainment, and in McMinnville (45 minutes away), kids will go crazy for the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum and adjacent Wings and Waves indoor water park. Plan to spend the better part of a day at this highly educational (yet completely entertaining) complex, which will teach families about WWII aviation history, space program events, and even the science of water. The water park is as big and comprehensive as any we’ve seen, and includes attractions for everyone from toddlers to teens.

Eat like a local.

Portlandians love their local, whole foods, which are abundant at the Portland Saturday Market and at downtown’s many Portland food carts during the summer months. During a weekend walk along the water front or downtown blocks, food trucks are available at every corner, offering everything from gourmet grilled cheese to escargot. Our favorite trucks include The Honey Pot, selling slices of pie, and Herb’s Mac and Cheese, featuring delicious, farm-to-table–you guessed it–macaroni and cheese. If you want to sit down for a meal, a McMenamins is likely nearby. A chain of restaurants in Oregon, McMenamins are always converted from historic or fated-to-be-demolished buildings, ranging from old schools to fire stations to train terminals. For a morning treat, head to Voodoo Doughnut, located near the Burnside Bridge downtown, for some of the world’s most unqiue doughnut creations.

Stay in the heart of it all.

Families centralized in the downtown area will have little use for their car, due to Portland’s efficient and simple-to-navigate public transit system. Both the Hotel Monaco Portland, which caters to kids, and the Embassy Suites Portland, which offers a fantastic free breakfast, lie within Portland’s ‘Fareless Square’, where rides on the MAX lightrail are free. The Hotel Monaco also rents out free bikes to families, so they can explore downtown on wheels. Within the downtown area, families can spend time at Pioneer Square, Portland’s signature shopping and eating mecca, and in the adjacent Pearl District, where antique shops and speciality stores invite families to poke around.

Whether you spend a day or spend a week, you’ll fall in love with Portland. While you’re planning, don’t forget to check out our Fact Sheet and video at Expedia.com. While you’re there, check out the other cities represented: Philadelphia, San Francisco, Denver, New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego, and Minneapolis.

Pit Stops for Kids was compensated to support the Kids in the City summer-travel campaign.

Guide to Portland food carts with kids

May 3, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

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 Hotel Monaco this April, we hit the pavement in search of the best food carts in Portland.

Our favorite Portland food cart finds:

A Taste of Greek: Located on SW 2nd and Oak, A Taste of Greek has, in my 12-year-old’s opinion, ‘the best gyros he’s ever had’. My falafel was tasty too. And we fed two people for under $10.

Starchy and Husk: Also on Sw 2nd and Oak (this is food cart mecca), Starchy and Husk has gourmet mac and cheese kids and adults will love, with add-ins like sweet potato and pancetta. Best of all adding a side salad and corn bread is only $1.

Fuego 1: If you crave Mexican fare, you have lots of options (our favorite, Fuego, has three locations alone). The burritos are great here, and you can find lots of vegetarian options. Fuego 1 is located at 6th and Yamhill.

The Honey Pot: For dessert or an afternoon snack, head to The Honey Pot, located at 43rd and Belmont. They serve slices of pie that will please everyone in your group from the artisan foodie to the pickiest kid. Our favorite: The Boyfriend, which is peach pie made from coconut milk. Plus, they sell pre-made pie dough for only $2.50 if you want to bake at home.

How to find Portland food carts:

Walking through the downtown blocks of Portland guarantees running into one or more ‘pods’ of food trucks, but if you want to find that particular cart you’ve been hearing about, we’ve found Food Carts Portland to be most helpful for pre-trip review reading, and the Portland Food Cart Directory most useful on the fly. Food carts group together on downtown parking lots, and a sure bet is the Burnside Bridge area near the Portland Saturday Market. Keep in mind that most food trucks are seasonal, so hit ‘food truck and cart season’ from April through October for the most variety.

Educational Animal Kingdom attractions (your school-aged kids will love)

April 23, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

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 cultural exhibits. And yes, we learned a thing or two.

Animal Kingdom is an easy-to-navigate park, and the nice thing about its educational attractions is how naturally they’re weaved into the fabric of the various ‘lands’. It’s easily possible for a family to ride the big attractions and take in the less flashy details that give the park that extra depth. All you need to know is where to look (and what not to overlook):

The Oasis and Discovery Island:

I know, I know…everyone’s in a hurry to get into the park, and no one (including myself, usually) wants to stop to look at the many animal and plant species in the Oasis Exhibit and Discovery Island Trails. But we’re so glad we did! Shady and cool, the Oasis area is so well landscaped that you think you’ve stepped into another world of flora and fauna. And the Discovery Island Trails are an animal-lover’s Tom Sawyer Island: their caves, bridges and towering trees harbor exotic animals at every turn. The boys loved ‘discovering’ new animal enclosures as they ran from trail to trail.

Tip: If you want this area practically to yourself, skip it in the morning and come back mid-day, when the steady stream of traffic into the park has waned.

DinoLand U.S.A.:

In DinoLand, kids will want to ride Dinosaur and play in the Boneyard, but directly adjacent is the (too well) hidden Cretaceous Trail. A short walk through a primeval forest, the Cretaceous Trail is dotted with fossilized bones and living plant and animal species that have survived the prehistoric era and continued to flourish today.

Asia:

Go ahead, race to Expedition Everest and grab FastPASSes. Then return to walk the Maharajah Jungle Trek, a short walk through honeysuckle and jasmine (I love how lush Animal Kingdom is!) to see Asian tigers, a Komodo Dragon, over 50 species of birds. Nearby is Flights of Wonder, a 25 minute show that provides a much-needed break from exploring the park. You’ll learn about over 20 more species of birds, many of which are birds of prey, and it’s funny to boot (so very young ones will still be entertained).

Africa:

Of course you’ve got Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa, which, although meant to entertain, really is quite educational and definitely worth your time. We grabbed FastPASSes for it and waited in the sanctuary of the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Spanning about 1/4 of a mile, this paved trail takes you through both animal viewing areas and exhibits detailing information about their habitats, natural predators, and more. You’ll see gorillas, hippos, a colony of mole rats, and more. At each station, experts are available to answer questions, and hands-on activities are available.

Tip:If kids are paying attention, they’ll be alerted to interactive exhibits by Kids’ Discovery Club signs.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch:

Right outside the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, families can board the Wildlife Express Train to Conservation Station, our seven-year-old animal-lover’s favorite place in Animal Kingdom. At Conservation Station, kids can see an animal surgery in-progress on video monitors in the animal hospital, learn how the Animal Kingdom animals are cared for on a daily basis, and see all kinds of reptile and amphibian wildlife. Best of all, it’s all indoors, so you get a little break from the sun.

Outside the Conservation Station, little kids will like the Affection Section petting zoo, and older kids will like spying the tiny primates called cotton-top tamarins along the Habitat Habit! walkway. There’s a lot of literature along this stretch on exhibit boards as you walk, spreading awareness of a number of animal and habitat-related issues we face in urban and suburban areas.

Throughout Animal Kingdom park, take a moment to duck into the many buildings and look around at the architecture and themes. In both Asia and Africa, visitors are treated with cultural experiences and performances. Bang on some drums outside a shop in Africa, or eat spring rolls in Asia. Yes, it’s all commercialized Disney, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a thing or two! At Disneyland instead? Here are some educational ideas at Disneyland in California!

What hidden educational opportunities have you found in Animal Kingdom? What do your school-aged kids like best?

Tour any Disney theme park attraction in 15 minutes or less (all day, any day)

April 19, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

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 seasons. In fact, my kids were unaware lines even existed at DisneyWorld and Disneyland until they were well into their school-aged years, and that’s exactly as it should be for great family Disney vacations. Below, I’ll show you how to avoid Disney lines in five steps by providing a ‘real world’ example of how we toured Disney Studios during Spring Break with ride lines under 15 minutes (so you can, too).

Get to the park at Rope Drop.

Sorry, late-risers, but this is non-negociable. If your park of choice opens at 9 am, as Disney Studios did the day we toured it, you need to be passing through the ticket stalls no later than 8:45 am. (Remember, parks have ‘soft’ openings; their main streets and entrance areas open earlier than their ‘lands’.) Park crowds snowball (and alarmingly fast!), and it’s important to stay ahead of the curve in the morning, to ensure you’re still ahead by midday. (Trust me.) If you’re arriving to your park by Disney transportation, I recommend leaving your resort one hour prior to park opening. During our Disney Studios day, we left Animal Kingdom Lodge at 8:15 (a bit late, but we had good bus karma), arrived at Disney Studios at 8:30, and were through the ticket booth five minutes before 9 am.

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Use FASTPASS.

Disney’s FASTPASS is key to avoiding lines, and I’m always amazed to encounter park guests who still don’t realize what it does and that it’s free. Here’s how FASTPASS works, in a nutshell:

1. For rides offering FP (look on your park map for the FP emblem), locate the FASTPASS Distribution kiosks. They’ll be next to the ride entrance or exit.

2. Insert your Key to the World Card or park ticket (whatever you used to enter the park), and the kiosk will issue a FASTPASS ticket (and your own ticket back). You can gather up your whole family’s tickets and do them all at once.

3. Check the FP ticket for your return time. It will be an hour window. Disney Cast Members will tell you you need to return to ride within that window, but we have found you can return any time after the first time listed (they don’t ‘expire’). However, I’ve heard this may change, if it hasn’t already, at least at DisneyWorld.

4. Your ticket will also show a time you may secure your next FP or set of FP. (That’s important too, as you’ll see below.)

5. Return to the ride at your appointed time window, and enter the FASTPASS Return line. You’ll need those tickets, so hang onto them.

6. Bypass the stand-by line, and enjoy the ride!

Prioritize your FASTPASS ride options.

Before you enter the park, you’ll want to identify your top four priority FastPass-enabled rides. Obviously, your choice will depend on your family, their needs (and their heights). On our Disney Studios day, our FP plan was: Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania, and Star Tours. Our goal: to ride all four, with a 15 minute or less wait, and visit other attractions in-between, all before noon. Here’s how we executed it:*

1. Upon entering the park, we went directly to Rock ‘n Roller Coaster (next to Tower of Terror). We secured FP times for RnR (return time of 9:35-10:35), then walked right over to Tower of Terror and rode stand-by (5 minute wait). Upon exiting Tower of Terror at 9:15, we noted that the stand-by line wait time was now 30 minutes (and we’d note that by 9:30, it had grown to 70 minutes). Remember that snowball effect? It’s never more pronounced than during Spring Break or holiday times!

2. After exiting Tower of Terror at 9:15, we grabbed some breakfast at the nearby counter service restaurant (no lines or crowds at this hour), and while everyone was eating, I walked across the park to Star Tours to secure our next set of FPs, even though we’d yet to use our first set. (Remember, you don’t have to wait until you’ve used your previous FPs to secure new ones. The time you’re ‘released’ to secure new FPs is printed on your most recent FP.) After I returned, we walked over to RnR at 9:45 to ride.

3. After exiting RnR at 10:00, we headed toward Star Tours, pausing to let the kids play at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play lot in the shade until our allotted FP time (10:25-11:25). While they played, I watched the clock in order to cross the street to Toy Story Mania as soon as we were allowed another set of FPs.

4. Once I’d secured the Toy Story Mania FPs, we walked over to Star Tours and rode at 10:45. After exiting at 11 am, we caught the MuppetVision 3-D show (stand-by wait: 5 minutes), and exited at 11:30, just in time to use our Toy Story Mania FPs (11:45-12:45).

5. We rode Toy Story Mania, and were ready for lunch, having (peacefully) enjoyed all our ‘biggies’ at the park, by 12:05 pm.

*To execute our plan, you’ll need either two adults, or one adult and one tween or teen who’s willing (and trusted) to traverse the park.

Save shows, parades, and ‘low priority’ FP rides for the afternoon.

With all your high priority rides done, you’ll be able to spend time in the afternoon watching shows that don’t include a wait time or taking in a parade. Or better yet, go back to your hotel for a swim or a nap!

If you know you’ll want to ride an attraction twice, make it your first stop.

If you’re sure you’ll want to ride something twice, secure FPs for it, then immediately ride it stand-by (your first ride should be your only stand-by ride all day during busy seasons).

If someone’s too short for a ride everyone else enjoys, do the parent swap on top of your FP.

To utilize the Parent Swap, simply tell the Cast Member outside the FP line of your intention. Proceed through the FP line, then have one adult wait with the child while the other members of your party ride. Afterward, the first parent can immediately ride while the second parent supervises the child, ensuring he or she doesn’t have to wait as long (and you don’t need to wait in even the FP line twice). As a bonus, the other members of your party can often ride twice in a row.

An exception for parents of small children:

If your children are small and the bulk of your time in the park will be on non-FP attractions that garner long lines (such as rides in Fantasyland, ToonTown, or California Adventure’s Bug’s Life), ride as many as possible directly after rope drop before the wait time reaches above 15 minutes. (In our experience, this rule of thumb ensures 30-45 minutes of ride time before Fantasyland and Co ‘snowballs’.) Once the ride lines creep above 15 minutes, get out and grab FPs! Better yet, send one adult to grab FPs while the other adult plays in Fantasyland.

Photo credit: DigitizedChaos and bartsworldv6.

How to tour any Disney attraction in 15 minutes or less

What’s included on a Disney cruise (and what you’ll pay extra for)

April 12, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

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 desserts, kids ordering off the adult menus, or room service! (Stay tuned on the latter, however: there are exceptions.)

2. Deck 11 fun. This includes all pools, water slides, splash play areas, miniature golf, basketball, hot tubs, shuffleboard, and ping-pong.

3. Fitness center: While spa treatments on a Disney cruise will set you back, the fitness center is included, and provides a nice environment for exercise, including stretching and yoga space. I really enjoyed running the treadmill in front of the bay of windows overlooking the sea.

4. Soda, coffee, iced tea, and water. An industry first, Disney Cruise Line offers unlimited soda refills in their drink station, as well as coffee, tea, and water. We didn’t feel the need to buy bottled water at all; just bring a refillable water bottle and keep it filled!

5. Castaway Cay. Disembarking and enjoying the beaches, trails, water slides, play areas, Scuttle’s Cove child care, and Cookies 2 BBQ is free at Castaway Cay. (There is a long list of things you’ll pay extra for, however. See below!)

6. Kids’ clubs. All kids’ clubs facilities, with the exception of It’s a Small World Nursery, are included in the cost of your cruise. This refers to: Oceaneer’s Club, Oceaneer’s Lab, Edge, and Vibe. All food and drink served in the clubs comes included as well, with the exception of the make-your-own smoothies bar in Vibe.

7. Onboard entertainment. All evening Broadway style shows, deck parties, poolside movies, and first-run movies in the onboard movie theater come included in the cost of your cruise. (Movie concession snacks, however, have a charge.)

Up next, what you’ll pay extra for on a Disney cruise! Click on the button below to continue!

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Disney cruise line tips (Is a Disney cruise right for your family?)

April 5, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

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 cruising promises a ‘no stress, no worries’ vacation.

I sailed on the Fantasy for three days at sea as a solo parent with my three school-aged kids. While some vacation destinations would have been stressful to navigate and enjoy without another adult to help out, it was a breeze on a Disney cruise. Two parents traveling with kids will find it just as relaxing. The benefits of an all (or almost all) inclusive vacation cannot be measured in dollar amount, though there are ways to save money. I enjoyed my cruise all the more not having to worry about dining costs, snack costs, soda costs, and entertainment costs at every turn. Everything we needed was at our fingertips, and thanks to the ‘Disney Difference’, the guest service we experienced was unparalleled. From the moment we stepped off our plane and onto a Magical Express bus until the moment we stepped back off of one, Disney took care of the logistics. That was magical.

Families can be as active (or inactive) as they want on a Disney cruise.

I’ll admit it: I had a preconceived idea that cruising was ‘lazy’. The truth is, we ran ourselves ragged (in a good way) on the Disney Fantasy for three full days, and still never got to everything offered onboard (or even close!). On Castaway Cay, we took advantage of the entire window of island time, pursuing activities from 9 am until 4 pm, and still didn’t experience all on offer. A list of the things we did pursue in our four days cruising: swimming, riding the AquaDuck, basketball games, miniature golf, sports simulators, Disney-quality shows, countless kids’ club activities, cooking lessons, snorkeling, bike riding, shuffleboard tournaments, jogging, ping-pong, and game shows. Had we been on a typical seven day cruise, I’m sure this list would have doubled.

Families spend ample time together (and apart) on a Disney cruise.

My kids loved the Oceaneer’s Lab and Club and the Edge (the tween hangout) onboard the Fantasy, but even with them running off every evening to enjoy club activities, we still spent more quality, relaxed time as a family unit than we had on any of our most recent trips. How is that possible? The word ‘quality’: so little of our vacation time on the Fantasy was spent worrying about logistics or in transport, that we were able to enjoy each other and what we were doing together as a family far more readily.

Crowds on a Disney cruise can (mostly) be avoided.

I cannot address crowd control on a Disney cruise completely, as the Fantasy was not full on our sailing. Even so, there were moments it felt too crowded for my kids’ and my tastes; specifically, during deck parties. During the Sailing Away party and Pirate Night activities, my kids had moments when they thought it was too chaotic and too loud. What I hadn’t anticipated, however, was how easy it would be to escape these crowds. Even with foot-stomping, loud music thumping fun only one deck above us, our stateroom was a quiet sanctuary. And if these big parties aren’t your thing (or you just need momentary escape as we did), the other 12+ decks are nearly empty while pool deck events are ongoing. Disney Cruise Line also does a great job of crowd management. The two evening show times are scheduled to work with the two dinner seating times, so that half the ship is eating while the other half is enjoying the entertainment, and vice versa. (And of course, you could opt to skip one or both for some quiet time.) The line for character greetings and the AquaDuck were small to nonexistent, and my kids played round after round of miniature golf without a wait. (Again, our ship was not full.)

Culture and educational experiences can be had on a Disney cruise.

I might have said it wasn’t possible to experience culture and educational opportunities on a Disney cruise, but I already knew better: Disney always goes the extra mile to include rich storytelling and cultural immersion where they can. On a Bahamian cruise, where can they? On Castaway Cay, families can learn about the history of the island (would you believe it was a drug runners’ paradise?) and get a detailed lesson in marine biology during the Stringray excursion. On longer cruises with additional ports, more opportunities arise (though I’d describe most of the available excursions as more ‘adventurous’ than ‘educational’). However, our greatest cultural gift on the Disney Fantasy was completely unexpected: Disney Cruise Line hires a very international Cast Member staff. Our evening servers were from Croatia and the Dominican Republic, and our stateroom host was from Haiti. Just speaking to them about where they’re from and how they view the world they’re traversing in their career was a rich cultural lesson for the kids (and me).

The food on a Disney cruise is…abundant.

And maybe we’re alone in this, but we didn’t love this. We like to feel hungry for a meal, not constantly stuffed! But if you don’t like to overeat, there’s hope: because food is always available, I didn’t feel the need to ‘try everything’ at every meal. And fresh fruit and healthy seafood and veggies were always on offer. And it was nice not to worry about when the kids were going to declare they were ‘starving’ (which usually happens every 15 minutes on a vacation). Still, if you’re a parent (like me) who tries to teach healthy eating, good luck. My kids were enamored with the fact that they could help themselves to ice cream, soda, and pizza at any hour, and it was exhausting to try to limit them. I kept a firm rule of one soda a day, which I kept until the last day (when I caved), but otherwise, I let them eat the treats they wanted. They were certainly burning it off in the pool.

Am I won over?

Yes, and no, and mostly yes. Disney, as always, won me over with the detail and care they put into every aspect of everything they do. At any and every moment on the Fantasy, something surprised, whether it was the smiling kids’ club counselor remembering my son’s name, the detail in the ornate hanging chandelier in the atrium, the whimsy of the Oh La La bar, or the sight of Goofy golfing on the deck mid-afternoon (or the sight of my child spotting Goofy golfing on said deck).

Should a Disney cruise be the only vacation families take?

Definitely not. I believe it’s important for families to experience not only the world, but navigating the world together, whether they start in their home state or across the globe. Despite peppering their excursions with cultural and educational experiences, a Disney cruise will never be a worthy substitute for a trip to a new city, country, or national park or landmark. Nor should it be. Instead, it’s a wonderful escape during which a family’s prime immersion will be in each other and activities they enjoy.

Pit Stops for Kids experienced the Disney Fantasy as working media on its media preview sailing. While we were glad to ‘be their guests’ as they say in Beauty and the Beast, all opinions and first-hand accounts are our own (and always will be on PSFK).

Disney Fantasy photos: Three days at sea and Castaway Cay

April 1, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

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:

How to prepare for a Disney cruise

March 14, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

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 heck we’re doing. We’re complete cruising newbies at Pit Stops for Kids: while we love the open road, cities, and National Parks and wilderness, we’ve yet to tackle the high seas. How do we prepare for something we’ve never experienced?

Learn what to expect.

Preparation is key to any family vacation, so from now until departure day, I’ll be following my own advice and researching our destination(s) extensively. To prepare for our trip, I turned to the same resources I hope you’re all using to plan vacations: family travel bloggers. The Disney Fantasy has yet to embark upon its first public sailing, so I read up on coverage of its sister ship, the Disney Dream. Hip Travel Mama offers a great overview of what to expect on-board from a parent’s perspective, and Ciao Bambino lists their top ten surprises on the ship. Also incredibly helpful are these tips on getting the most out of a Disney cruise. This video of the AquaDuck water roller coaster from The Vacation Gals was enough to get my kids jumping up and down, and for specific questions, I’ve always found the Disney Moms Panel to be a useful resource.

Identify concerns, then be proactive.

We have the following concerns (all of which we’ll be addressing post-cruise, in case you do, too):

1. Will the ship feel too crowded for our tastes?
2. Will Calvin, notorious for losing his lunch in both cars and on planes, suffer from seasickness?
3. Will our outdoor-adventure loving style of travel be stifled on board a ship?
4. Will a large-ship cruise be ‘green’ enough to appease our eco-conscience?

To ensure a good vacation experience, I’ve purchased Sea Bands, researched the Disney Cruise Line green initiatives (more on that to come), and learned as much as I can about any itinerary stops ahead of time (internet connection is notoriously unreliable onboard, so last-minute research may be frustrating). This way, we can get off the ship and explore the way we prefer to.

Lastly, I want help from you!

If you’ve taken a family cruise, please share a tip in the comment section below, on the Pit Stops for Kids Facebook page, or on Twitter @pitstospforkids! I’ll be retweeting one suggestion per day up until the day we embark, and after our trip, I’ll be featuring the top ten reader suggestions in a video on Expedia.com!

Photos courtesy of Disney Cruise Line.

What you need to know about health insurance while traveling

March 11, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

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 weeks, and my youngest son Toby is currently being monitored for a (non-threatening) heart condition, I’ve been asking myself all the above questions in preparation. Here’s what I’ve learned about travel health insurance, including steps to take before traveling to ensure you and your family are covered:

1. Check your current health insurance coverage.

Health insurance plans vary greatly in the U.S. (I probably don’t need to tell you that!). Don’t assume yours will cover you while traveling outside the United States. (Medicare will definitely not.) Make sure care providers are available at your destination. To expedite medical visits (whether foreign or in the U.S.), bring along insurance cards and doctors’ contact information for all members of your family.

2. Consider buying travel insurance.

If your primary insurance is not comprehensive on the road, consider buying extra travel health insurance, or when applicable, group health insurance. Meant to supplement your primary coverage, keep in mind that travel insurance will usually cover emergency visits only. Be sure to ask specifically about deductibles and read the fine print! Usually, you’ll be expected to pay costs out-of-pocket and submit for reimbursement. If longer care is needed, bring back documentation to reimburse to your primary care provider.

3. If you’re a frequent traveler or staying in a single country for an extended time

, consider purchasing global insurance or temporarily gaining universal insurance in the country you’re visiting. This is easier than it sounds (again, it’s hardest in the U.S.!) Note: if your travels take you to at-risk countries your medical insurance will likely not be honored, unless you buy supplemental coverage.

4. If you do need medical attention while traveling

, utilize hotel concierge services or front desk personnel to find the best medical facility for your needs. If it’s not a life threatening emergency, it can be helpful to place a call to your at-home care provider to ask for referrals in an unfamiliar city, and it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with local emergency contact numbers.

Hopefully you’ll never need medical care while on vacation, but with preparation, most situations can be cared for quickly, allowing everyone to return to vacation fun!

Photo credit: Fiona Brown