It's getting to be that time of year that families start packing their bags with spring break upon us and summer fast approaching. So I would like to offer some tips to make this year's family vacation memorable and stress free.
Travelling with a young one under 3 and would love to have some adult time? This is a tricky one because most kids clubs both on land and sea start at age 4 and require potty training. Of course Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean on certain ships have a pay for nursery for your youngest, but what about land? Beaches Resorts, with 2 locations in Jamaica and the Turks & Caicos has certified nannies with a ratio of 3:1 included, but after hours care is extra. Karisma Resorts' Generations & Azul brands offer babysitting/nanny service for a fee. Another idea, invite the grandparents along, if they are anything like my late mother, she would insist you go out to dinner every night while she fusses over those kids. And don't think you need to pack a suitcase full of diapers & other supplies, there are companies who will have your favorite supplies waiting for you.
Thinking about visiting my friend Mickey at Disney World? Have you made your dining reservations yet? How about making your FastPass+ selections and what colors did you pick for your MagicBands? Still want to plan this yourself? Our travel agency’s knowledge of Disney products has earned us the distinction of being named an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. We were given this special designation by Disney as a result of our agency’s ongoing focus and commitment to planning customized, magical trips to the Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line® and other Disney vacation destinations worldwide. Plus my insider knowledge gleaned from our many land & sea Disney trips.
Sailing the seas this summer? My December Cruise Tips give some of my top tips for cruising, which are even more important when travelling with toddlers to teens. Let's face it at any age kids don't like to wait and they do less well than us adults having to wake up at some ungodly hour to catch that early flight to the port. So flying in the previous day can help with those sulks and tantrums waiting to board the ship. Since your big suitcases will be delivered to your stateroom later, make sure you pack those swimsuits in your carry-on, because those slides will be calling your kids before they even see them.
Have a family unit bigger than 4 people and you haven't booked your trip yet? Get to it now! Those types of accommodations book fast, so don't wait. Depending on your family make up of ages, consider 2 rooms/staterooms, come on mom & dad do you really want to squeeze into one room and not have your privacy and worse have to share a bathroom with teens?
Also if you can't afford to leave a favorite toy or blanket, make sure that is the first thing that goes in the bag. Trust me on this, we made it to older childhood and luckily didn't leave a blankie behind. But watch what goes in a carry on. One of our bags was given extra time in the x-ray machine do to someone's Godzilla & friends collection, our eldest was in charge of that bag. He assumes that it was Hedorah, who is shaped a lump that caused TSA to give the bag an extra look or the TSA agent was just checking out my youngest's Godzilla collection. Silly as it maybe it's moments like this, as the kids grow up that you remember. They are only young once, don't miss your chance to take Godzilla to the beach!
