Travel Tips - Pitstops for Kids

Disney Done Right: Star Wars Weekends at Disney Studios

May 30, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Summer’s here, and family travel is at its best! What better way to celebrate the end of another school year than with a weekend at Walt Disney World? If you have a Star Wars fan, there’s no better time: Fridays-Sundays through June 12th, Star Wars Weekends are ongoing at Disney Studios. The best part is, all special activities, shows, and parades are free with the cost of admission.

Last weekend, family travel blogger Sue Rodman of Field Trips with Sue packed up the family and headed to Orlando to attend. It was a huge hit for everyone! If you plan to go, here are her top suggestions.

1. Get There Early. This is the single best tip for any theme park experience, but especially when it’s a special weekend like Star Wars where crowds are expected to be higher than normal. Sometimes Disney will open early as a special “surprise”. When we went, the studio officially opened at 8 am. We arrived at 7:30 and the gates were already open. I can’t guarantee they’ll open early when you come, but you may want to plan for it just in case. My boys immediately went to Rockin’ Roller Coaster and rode it five times with no wait at all. Later in the day, waits were up to 70 minutes long!

2. Have a Plan. This is the second best tip for any theme park experience, but again, especially important for busy weekends. Spend some time before you go to plan out your day. Know before you exit one attraction where you are headed next. Don’t try to do that on the fly either, plan it out before you go. For instance, we saw the 9:40 am Little Mermaid Show and immediately went to the Animation Studio to find Sorcerer Mickey. We were one of the first five people in line when he arrived at 10 am and were able to zip in to see him and zip out. I found this tip on my favorite Disney planning site, www.TourGuideMike.com. Although he was not as helpful as I would have liked on the Star Wars Weekend information, I wouldn’t go to the Magic Kingdom without him. He gives sound tour advice and reasons behind WHY you should do things: ensuring you don’t second guess his expert opinion.

3. Bring your younglings to sign up for Jedi Training. As soon as you enter the park (assuming you are there upon opening) head to Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular to sign up your younglings for the Jedi Training. You’ll need to have everyone that wants to participate with you. Kids ages 4–12 are eligible. There is a bit of a wait here, but it’s worth it. Later in the day, your children don a robe and learn how to wield a light saber during training with a Jedi Master and Ahsoka Tano from Clone Wars. Then, they’ll battle either Darth Vader or Ventress. Upon completion, they are promoted to Padawans, given a certificate and a Star Wars toy (the program is sponsored by Hasbro). Once these spots are gone, they’re gone, so make sure you go here first thing if your child wants to participate.

4. Star Wars Parade. Throughout the park are various Star Wars characters. You can wait in long lines to have your picture taken with them (similar to waiting to see Mickey Mouse) or you can get a good spot on the parade route and take them all in at once during the Star Wars parade. The parade starts at the front of the park coming out near Sid’s Curious Shop and goes down Hollywood Blvd. to the big Sorcerer Mickey Hat. The characters then go on stage for a great photo opportunity. Position yourself anywhere along Hollywood Blvd. We scoped our spot about 12:15 for the 12:40 parade and had a good spot, soon after that, it was harder to get a place. We missed the photo on stage, but I think everyone had ample interaction with the characters. At one time you could sign your children up to be in the parade. Now they pick children randomly. I couldn’t tell how, when or where they “pick the kids randomly”. If you find out, please let me know.

5. Star Wars Characters. As I mentioned, there are lots of places to wait in lines to have your picture taken with various Star Wars characters. We didn’t wait in any of these lines, but we did watch the characters as they interacted with people and took pictures of them in between guests posing. Seeing them live and up close seemed to be enough for my boys, which was great because it left us more time to experience the park. Right in front of Star Tours is a speeder bike, where Chewbacca and the Ewoks come out. When they aren’t appearing, you can take a picture on the bikes, which we did, several times.

These are only half of Sue’s tips for experiencing Star Wars Weekends! Read more at Field Trips with Sue!

For more general Disney information, touring strategies, and tips, check out my other Disney Done Right articles!

Family-friendly skies: five airlines that still go the extra mile

May 12, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

This past March, my sister flew to visit us for a spring break vacation. Since her husband couldn’t leave work, she traveled alone from one coast of the U.S. to the other with her two-year-old and infant. A daunting task? Of course. One guaranteed to encounter a few bumps along the journey (turbulence notwithstanding)? Sure. In fact, she was pretty much betting on it. What she wasn’t counting on–what no traveling parents should have to count on–was the lack of hospitality or effort of any sort by the airline personnel to make her multiple flights comfortable. Actually, forget comfortable–she would have settled for bearable. Instead, she was met with a mixed bag of rudeness, apathy, and downright hostility from check-in to the final tarmac.

Unfortunately, I’ve suffered similar experiences while flying with kids. We all know that the going will be rough at times: you may encounter the odd grumpy passenger or the universal nightmare of delays and cancellations. But families spend an average of 30% of their vacation budget on the air travel portion of their vacations. While doing so, it’s not unreasonable to expect the simple (and free) courtesy of a smile, a helping hand (when possible), and a dash of understanding from the airline being patronized.

**The Pit Stops family can wholeheartedly endorse the following truly family-friendly airlines, and am happy to explain why.**

Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines’ motto is ‘fly Southwest to be treated like a person’, and they stand by it. Carrying an infant, folding a stroller, and controlling a toddler at the same time? I’ve been there…in a Southwest Airlines jet way. They notice (and are pros at folding any type of stroller). I love their flexible seating arrangements, and the fact that their reward program truly has no blackout dates. We also love their boarding groups system. Get Southwest Airlines tips!

Alaska Air: If you have the opportunity to fly Alaska, don’t hesitate. In our region, they offer the most family travel deals by far, including their recent ‘kids fly free to Disneyland’ promotion. They also feature regional wines and coffees on-board (complimentary) to help you get through those kid-centric flights. Many of their terminals feature special ‘family’ security lanes to ensure you won’t feel rushed while fiddling with strollers, diaper bags, and babies, and guess what? If you call customer support, you get a real…live…person. I know…crazy, right? Find out how to travel Alaska Airlines with a minor, or get tips for your teen traveling solo!

Allegiant Air: Best for bargain-basement prices when you just need to get somewhere (preferably non-stop). I love that Allegiant makes it easy to price flight options on their one-way calendar pages, where it’s possible to scroll over dates to see listed prices before committing to a flight date and time. They also list pretty tempting vacation packages that compete with all the major airline search engines in price and value.

Frontier Airlines: Finally, an airline that makes itinerary and name change fees more customer-friendly by reducing them by as much as 50% (as of December 2011), a very welcome improvement in the airline fee arena. On an unrelated note, who doesn’t like flying in planes with such cute and cuddly images on the sides and tail? Frontier Airlines expert advice!

Jet Blue: Did someone say ‘free snacks’? Yep, they’re still free on Jet Blue, as is the DirectTV (on personal screens for each passenger) and wi-fi in Jet Blue terminals. Plus, is it just me, or is there more leg room on Jet Blue flights? My kids don’t seem to be kicking the seat in front of them nearly as often as usual.

Is it coincidence that our favorite airlines are not among the heaviest hitters? I think not.

In our experience, smaller, regional, and/or niche airlines consistently offer more costumer-service perks, and regularly go the extra mile for their travelers. Though this post was based on first-hand, personal experience (my favorite kind), I found it interesting to note that this month’s Consumer Reports is in agreement with my findings, siting Jet Blue and Southwest at the top of the airline industry list in terms of overall satisfaction, check-in ease, and comfort.

And for those interested, internationally, our favorites (and those of Pit Stops for Kids reviewers) include RyanAir (seriously cheap for saving money) and Qantas (seriously luxurious).

Have an air travel experience with kids, good or bad? Share in the comments. While you’re at it, what’s your favorite airline for family travel, and why?

Long haul flight tips: Keeping kids entertained

April 20, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

This guest post written by freelance writer Ross Fraser.

Traveling with children on a flight particularly if it’s a long-haul flight, can be somewhat tiresome especially if the child or children you are taking are quite young. While easily entertained in a larger space, the restricted space and length of time involved can prove to be quite a challenge.

Long haul flight tips:

To help you meet this challenge and make the journey as relaxed and smooth as possible for you, the kids, and everyone else, a little forward planning can help enormously. If you can, choose a night flight as this will encourage your children to sleep for at least some of the journey. Remember a space that you have to sit in may well be enough for a smaller child to curl up in if provided with a blanket and pillow so they can make their own cozy nest.

Check out what the various airlines flying to your required destination offer in terms of child provision in advance. Do they provide sky-cots, pre-allocated seating, special meals, children’s entertainment on personal screens, dedicated flight attendants etc.? All these things can help you a lot in maintaining a stress-free journey with your child.

Pick your airline carefully: flying Alaska Airlines for the domestic leg of our flight is our top choice, as they have great international partners to get us the rest of the way, and are the most accommodating in customer service that we’ve found.

If possible, splurge on flight itineraries that require as few legs and layovers as possible, and leave strollers at home; most international airports rent these to arriving parents.

Pre-flight planning on your part can help too. Make sure you carry lots of supplies in your hand luggage, not just for the flight itself, but also enough for any delays that might occur. Things to include are diapers, wipes, a spare change of clothing, snacks, pacifiers, and comforters. All these should be very easily accessible on the flight so that you can remain comfortable while providing for your little one. Think about what you could take that they enjoy doing seated–coloring books, puzzles, small toys, and reading books are all good options. For older kids, hand-held consoles, books, and music players are a great idea but do make sure to include plenty of batteries and headphones too!

Initially on a flight, especially a first flight, the excitement of just being on a plane and looking at everything that’s going on can be interesting enough to amuse kids, so don’t be too quick off the mark to start the entertainment process. When this starts to wear off, it’s time to bring out your arsenal of tricks to keep them occupied, or if the airline provides a children’s entertainment pack, this would be the time to ask your flight attendant for this.

Noise cancelling headphones or over-ear headphones can help kids feel more relaxed and ready for sleep, even if these items are uncomfortable when they actually trying settle in. Neck pillows can also be a good idea, as well as ensuring everying is drinking plenty of water.

A few other tips that can help are to bring candies to suck on, or a drink they can suck through a straw as this can help a small child’s ears to pop after take off. Decongestants can be useful to help younger children with sleep as the dry atmosphere on a plane can make this worse than normal for many people. Your doctor can recommend the best brands and dose for your child. Small snacks like dried fruit, chocolate raisins and other easy to eat nibbles often go down well and help pass the time; they’re also quite good if you do need to resort to bribery too.

Worried about jet lag in kids? Get our top tips on combatting jet lag.

Hopefully a bit of clever planning in advance will make your journey as pleasant and smooth as possible for you and your children, so you’ll arrive at your destination feeling fresh and ready for anything.

West Coast Mouse: five Disney experiences not found in Florida

April 18, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re a west coast family (like ours), you may associate certain things with Disney that those visiting the Florida theme parks do not: the original Disneyland Hotel, driving the 5 or 405 into Anaheim with excited kids bouncing in the back seat (or maybe you were such a kid?), the beloved Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and Sleeping Beauty’s–as opposed to Cinderella’s–castle. When you close your eyes, even the Disney skyline to materialize in your mind is altered by the imposing height of the Matterhorn. While we love Disney World and all it offers, the following things can only be found in California:

1. California Adventure. No, it’s really not the West Coast’s version of Disney Studios, although they do share certain attractions. California Adventure is a celebration of the Golden State, emphasizing the natural beauty and cultural contributions of California. In-between attractions, kids can walk through a street-scene set in the Hollywood Back Lot, but they can also run a-muck through the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. We always love this oasis free of lines and congestion in the heart of the park, complete with rope courses, log slides, and climbing nets.

2. The Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. We’ve visited both the Grand Californian and Disney World’s Wilderness Lodge, and while similar, the five-star amenities at the Grand Californian can’t be beat. Nor can the location: mere steps away from both Disney theme parks, this hotel reminds guests of one of the great benefits of the Disneyland Resort: proximity. Everything, from shopping to playing to the pillows ready to receive your children’s weary heads at night are only steps away.

3. Cruising on the Disney Wonder. If you and your family want to experience the Mexican Riviera, the Last Frontier, or even Hawaii, embarkation on the Disney Wonder (recently relocated to the West Coast from Florida) takes place exclusively on the West Coast (in Los Angeles for Mexican and Hawaiian cruises, Seattle for Alaskan cruises). If you’re a West Coast family, this is great news, as a significant portion of your travel money may otherwise have been lost to trans-U.S. airfare.

4. Vacationing wild west-style with Adventures by Disney. Disney’s premiere family tour operation travels to destinations across the globe, but there’s plenty to see and do within a state or two of home as well. Tour the Grand Canyon, Wyoming, or Glacier National Park, with all the extra Disney service included. Families can even feel like VIPs while touring backstage at the actual Disney Studios.

5. Direct flights to the land of Aloha…Disney style. Slated to open its doors this August (2011), the Aulani Disney Resort and Spa is located on the less populated leeward side of O’ahu, and will no doubt offer vacationing families everything we’ve come to expect of a Disney experience: fabulous amenities, family-oriented entertainment and attractions, and stellar guest service…all in tropical sunshine.

Find more Disney travel advice and tips in Pit Stops for Kids’ Disney Done Right series.

Great Wolf Lodge MagiQuest: Step by step guide for parents!

April 15, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Great Wolf Lodge MagiQuest, the resort’s signature live-action adventure game, is one of the best things about the fun of Great Wolf, but first you have to figure out how to play. Tweens and teens can usually figure it out on their own, but for younger kids, adult participation is required…at least at first. Anyone who’s ever stepped into the controlled chaos of a MagiQuest shop with an over-excited kid in tow knows what I’m talking about, and if you don’t…well, I hope to make it a bit easier for you when your time comes.

First off, what is Great Wolf Lodge MagiQuest?

MagiQuest is one part video game, one part scavenger hunt, and one part imaginative play. It can also be considered homework writing help at some point. The purchase of one game and one wand grants your quester unlimited play for the duration of your Great Wolf visit. And what exactly are you playing? MagiQuest is a series of quests throughout the public areas of the first five floors of the resort, with your final goal being to slay a dragon in its lair. Along the way, you’ll find interactive computer screen stations, ‘enchanted’ paintings, talking animals, and riddling fairies, who, when your wand is pointed at them, will offer clues to help you to this end. (Notice how I keep saying ‘you’? At this point, your child is basically just tagging along, eyes big as saucers.)

How do you get started?

In MagiQuest headquarters (the wand shop located on the ground floor of all Great Wolf Lodges), your game is activated (after your child picks his or her wizard name, of course), and you’re sent off to begin your quest with your brand new wand, probably with a special magic wand top, which can come home as a souvenir. The MagiQuest staff is amazing, and the expert ‘Magi’ really do try to explain the game to everyone, but it’s at this point that most parents stumble out the MagiQuest shop doors in abject confusion. Allow me to save you some time:

First, find a tree. Yes, you read that correctly. Depending on your Great Wolf location, these fake trees will be located on the first or second floor, and they’ll have a computer screen embedded in the trunk.
Point your wand (er, I mean your kid’s wand) at the screen and follow the first set of instructions. You’ll have been given a booklet back in the shop: get that back out of your pocket where you stuffed it…you’ll need it.
Pick a quest at the tree (you’ll need to hit ‘accept quest’ for the computer system to ‘know’ which one you’re doing), find the same quest in your booklet, and get going.

Once you’ve completed all the quests (this can take days, depending on how often you play the game during your stay), you’ll be deemed worthy to fight the dragon (featured on a large, interactive video screen). But don’t worry, no matter how long you stay, you’ll get your money’s worth: fighting the dragon unlocks an entire new series of ‘adventure’ quests, and after that, they can try their hand at Great Wolf’s new CompassQuest.

How to wean yourself from the game:

After running up and down five flights of stairs two or three dozen times and fighting your way through mobs of kids in swimsuits waving wands in your face, you might be ready for a well-deserved break. Your child probably isn’t. If he or she is young (under age eight or so), you may need to tag-team it with your spouse or a energetic grandparent, but we felt comfortable allowing our older kids to continue playing in pairs (and judging by the amount of kids swarming the halls, other parents felt the same way). Once kids understand how the game is organized, they can continue working their way through the quests on their own. (Being able to read helps, but isn’t crucial…the clues are spoken as well as typed on the screen.) Remind them that if they get confused, they can ‘check their status’ at any time at any tree to see what they’ve accomplished and what they still need to find for any given quest, and MagiQuest staff are always on-hand to help in the shop. See? Now you don’t need any MagiQuest online cheats!

For more tips and an overview from a QuestMaster, check out the Pit Stops for Kids’ Kid Cam:

But wait, there’s more: Final tips to get you through the game!

If in doubt, ask! Down in the MagiQuest shop, staffers can field any questions, from general inquiries to specifics (i.e. ‘I can’t find the pixie watching the stars by night’), and are happy to give answers (‘Third floor landing, past the elevator to the right’). Other kids are also very helpful. They are occasionally rewarded for helping fellow Magi with extra points added to their scores down in the Magi shop, so feel free to ask a staffer for a ‘guide’ as needed.
Always ‘accept’ quests before taking off to find clues.
The MagiQuest game ‘activates’ at a set time each morning and turns off at a set time each night. These times vary slightly by season and lodge, but are generally posted as 9 am and 10 pm. The evening shutdown seems strictly adhered to, but often, however, the game is turned on earlier than posted in the mornings. If you have an anxious gamer, they may be able to play as early as 8 am.
When fighting the dragon, only one player at a time is allowed in the lair. This is because additional wands can mess up the game settings. Be prepared to wait as long as 15 minutes in line when the lodge is full, and use your time waiting wisely: study how the other kids get into the lair…I won’t ruin the fun for you, but it involves a series of wand waving at various fixed points in the doorway.
Check your standings on TV at night! Kids love seeing their Magi names listed each night on the lodge’s information channel. My kids always check how much gold they have before climbing into their KidCabin beds. Sweet dreams!
MagiQuest seems to be busiest in the evenings after dinner. If the lodge is near or at capacity at the time of your visit, you’re much better off visiting the water park at this time and playing MagiQuest during or near mealtimes or in the morning.
Keep your wand for next time. You can use the again and again! After our first Great Wolf visit, my kids brought their wands hom
e and played with them (roughly) for almost two years before we went back. When we presented their wands for approval at the wand shop, they worked perfectly! And their games were still stored in the computer chip, allowing them to continue where they left off as long as we purchased the game again for $9.99. Remembering to bring wands back is a major money saver.

CompassQuest: CompassQuest is Great Wolf’s newest addition to the MagiQuest game. Players need to purchase another tool (a plastic compass that attaches to their wand with a clip). The challenges are timed, which adds an element of excitement for older players, but keep in mind that when the resort is full, this will mean longer lines at the ‘trees’ and lairs. Kids can get frustrated watching their time run out while they wait! Be sure to play at off-peak times (right when MagiQuest activates in the morning or during mealtimes.)

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Great Wolf Lodge water safety: why you don’t need to worry

April 10, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

As a family travel expert, I’ve experienced many family resorts with my kids, and can sum up Great Wolf Lodge’s water park safety measures in one word: impressive. During our recent stay at the Grand Mound location, we enjoyed the water park under the supervision of literally hundreds of lifeguards during our three days at the resort, and observed only professional, polite, and friendly interactions with guests. Guards manned (and womaned) their stations with diligence, rotated responsibilities on a frequent and regular schedule, and enforced rules with confidence.

What makes Great Wolf’s water park staff such a well-oiled machine? I learned that each Great Wolf property is partnered with Jeff Ellis & Associates (E&A), a private, outside consulting firm specializing in aquatic risk management. I really like that an outside organization polices them, ensuring that standards remain the highest possible. In fact, Great Wolf lifeguards are training all the time: you may even see drills during operating hours (don’t be surprised to see a guard suddenly dive into the pool after a practice dummy). In addition to this, Ellis & Associates performs four unannounced operational audits per year at each resort, testing them in areas of professionalism, diligence in scanning techniques and rescue skills, as well as their ability to manage an aquatic emergency.

I could list stats all day long, but offer a visual instead: count how many times a lifeguard passes in front of my camera as I take a 30 second video of my son.

Rules you should know before you go:

1. All height requirements for the various water slides and features at Great Wolf are carved in stone. They’re clearly posted on-site, but we recommend checking them out before you arrive to prevent disappointment. I saw kids who did not meet the height requirement of a slide try to ride more than once; without exception, they were politely but firmly turned away. Oh, and tippy-toes are not allowed (see photo)!

2. U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted (and can be borrowed free of charge on-site), but no other floatation device or toy may be used in any part of the water park. Same goes for snorkels and flippers; leave them at home…it’s less to pack!

3. Outside food and drink are not permitted. For what it’s worth, this rule does not seem to be enforced. I wouldn’t make a show of rolling a large cooler into the water park, but extra waters and snacks in a tote bag seem to be ok (and will save you a bundle at the concession stands).

4. Lap-sliding (sliding with a child on your lap) is not permitted (though I wish it was). The slides on Fort MacKenzie are built for the smaller guests but are still quite intimidating, and I know many toddlers and preschoolers would be braver on the lap of a parent.

5. The lifeguards, though great, are not meant to take the place of a parent. Kids are not allowed into the water park without adult supervision. I’m not sure how heavily this rule is enforced, but its just practical; every parent knows to watch their kids around any major body of water.

At the time of our visit, no Great Wolf Lodge water park personnel were aware of our visit, or had any pending knowledge of this review.

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: Finding the right Disney resort for your family

January 27, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

When visiting Disney, we recommend fully immersing yourself in the magic of an on-site resort, but as a family of five, we also know the frustration families of five or more experience when seeking accommodations at a reasonable rate. Below are our ways to sleep in comfort, style (and within budget) at a Walt Disney World resort as a family of five (or more):

Know your options. At first glance, you may think the only way to get a low rate at a Disney hotel is to stay at one of their ‘value’ resorts. While that may be a great option (especially with the opening of All Star Music’s family suites), it’s not your only one. Disney Vacation Club members enjoy yearly points at Disney resorts and villas, and you don’t have to join to enjoy the savings: it’s possible (and entirely ‘above board’) to buy points from a DVC member for a discounted room rate at any of Disney’s deluxe studio, one room, two room, and even three room villas.

Learn the layout. (Of each resort, that is.) Not all Disney resort rooms are created equal. For instance, Port Orleans’ Alligator Bayou rooms include an extra trundle bed, allowing five people per room. (But note that anyone over age five is going to be mighty uncomfortable on that pull-out bed.) The Grand Floridian and the ContemporaryÂ (deluxe category) both sleep five in a standard room…but the Contemporary’s room layout offers a significantly larger square footage for less money per night.

Think outside the (single room) box. Consider booking two connecting rooms at a moderate or value resort for the same price of one deluxe room. Or opt for a value resort family suite; what you’ll sacrifice in resort ambiance and amenities you’ll gain in space for your family (as well as a kitchenette!). All Stars Music currently offers such suites for as low as $190 a night in the value season, and in summer of 2012, Disney will offer families another suite option at the brand new Art of Animation. If you want to stay off the beaten path (as much as that’s possible at Disney!), Disney’s Fort Wilderness cabins sleep six.

Above all, do your research. Check our favorite source for Disney resort room discounts, and plan your trip around a Disney ‘value’ season if possible. Of course, the easiest resort solution for a family of five or more is simply to splurge: reserve a suite or connecting rooms at a deluxe hotel or deluxe villa and ignore the cost. If you can do so, by all means: be my guest! (Or rather Disney’s.) I envy you!

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

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: New details, images released (gadling.com)

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.)

Photo credit

The Pit Stops family can wholeheartedly endorse the following truly family-friendly airlines, and am happy to explain why.