All Star Indoor Water Parks

       My family, especially my 2 boys, love indoor water parks.  During the brutal winter we just experienced here in the Midwest, their was nothing more fun than escaping for a day or two to a nearby indoor water world  filled with fun pools, and water slides for the kids; and a chance for mom and dad to relax, get out of the cold and enjoy to quality time with the family.  I thought about how much I enjoy going with my family to a good water park after I read a recent article on-line at cntraveler.com titled "The World's Coolest Indoor Water Parks".

       In the article, Conde Nast profiled 8 of the best indoor water parks in the world, including parks in Canada, China, and Germany.  Of the 5 that are located in the USA, I was thrilled to see that 2 of them were ones my family loves to go to every year and within driving distance of our home in Northwest Ohio.  The U.S. indoor water parks that Conde Nast  mentioned includes:

   Kalahari Waterpark Resort (Sandusky, Oh.).  The worlds largest indoor water park is designed in a African theme and has a roof system that allows for year-round sunbathing.

   Avalanche Bay (Boyne Falls, Mi.).  The water park is located at Boyne Mountain, one of the Midwest's most popular ski resort.  Open year-round, its really great after a fun day on the slopes.

   Massanutten Resort (McGayheysville, Va.).  Located in the Shenandoah Valley at on of the largest family resorts on the East Coast, this water park provides year-round enjoyment for the entire family, no matter what the weather.

   Great Wolf Lodge (Grand Mound, Wa.). This western Washington park is famous for wild water slides and its kiddie-pool areas.

    Sahara Sam's (West Berlin, NJ.).  Offers something for all age groups; from splash pools for the toddlers, to a surf simulator for the teens, to a swim up bar for the 21+ crowd.  This is a park that just does everything well.

       So if you can go to one of these great water parks, or there is another near your area of the country: go take your family any time of the year for a day or two for some watery excitement that everyone in your family will enjoy.

 

 

 


     

Walt Disney World: Be Smart and Stay on Site

       OK, Let's admit it, if you have children there is a good chance that you will take the family on a trip to Walt Disney World.  In fact; last year the four parks that make up Disney World had a combined 48 million visitors, according to the Themed Attraction Association.  So when you finally make the decision on taking that to Disney World, the next most import decision will be where to stay during your visit.

       Because of all the major family attractions in the Orlando area, you can easily find an accommodation that meets your requirements and budget.  But if your reason for visiting the Orlando area is to visit Walt Disney World, then your best bet for were to stay with your family is on site at one of the Disney resorts.  While their upfront price may be higher then comparable accommodations off site, the value they offer during your stay will more than offset those upfront costs.  Here are just some of the reasons that staying on site is the best value for visiting Disney World, and will make your visit much more enjoyable.

NO DRIVING: From the moment you fly into Orlando International Airport, you can start saving by using Disney's Magic Express, a free service for guests staying on site between the airport and the resort.  In addition to saving you the cost of taking a taxi, if you use the free bus service at Walt Disney World, to take you from the parks to the resort hotels, you can eliminate the need to rent a car.  If you do drive during your stay at the resort, your parking at the parks is free.  There is a parking fee for anyone not staying on site, except for annual pass holders, of $13 per day. As a bonus, the Disney buses, drop you off near the main entrances of the parks, instead of some huge distant parking lot.

DINING PLAN: Many families appreciate the ability to budget for their meals for a vacation.  Disney offers the Disney Dining Plans, a variety prepaid meal programs, that cover some or all of your typical meals and snacks during your stay at the Disney World resort.

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS:  One of the benefits of staying on site is the exclusive availability to enter select parks an hour before opening to the general public, or stay an hour plus, after a park closes to the general public.

FLEXIBILITY: Visiting a Disney World park could mean a long tiring day of crowds with cranky kids in the hot humid or rainy Florida weather.  Wouldn't you like the like to ability to take a  mid day break and go back and use the pool at your hotel, then quickly go back to any park on your schedule.  That is the flexibility staying at Disney World offers.

GROUPS: Many of us travel with extended groups of family and friends.  Staying on site offers the members of your group the option to do what they want when they want, and still allows all of you to meet up quickly at the Magic Kingdom for Cinderella's Royal Table; the character meal that all the kids have been eager to do.

DISNEY MAGIC: From your special princess who lives Disney 24/7, to you and your spouse commenting on the professionalism of the entire staffs at the Disney parks and resorts.  Only staying on site offers everyone in your party that special "WOW!"; that brings back countless people year after year.

       Planning a trip to Walt Disney World is a commitment in time and money.  If your like me, you want to create the most value, while offering you the most relaxing, flexible, and fun way of visiting Walt Disney World.  That is the biggest benefit of planning your accommodations at an on site Disney hotel or resort.