Family Vacations

Travel America, July, 2001

New Scream Machines

Six Flags Great America theme park in far north suburban Chicago has added two monster roller coasters this season, increasing its coaster count to 12. Vertical Velocity (V2) challenges conventional thrills by going higher and faster. Launching in less than four seconds at 70 m.p.h., a ski lift-style train rockets suspended riders up a 185-foot spiral tower, swoops backward through the station, shoots up a second spiral tower, and then repeats the sequence. The other coaster, Deja Vu, features pulsating curves and inclines, with riders suspended in ski lift-style chairs that plummet straight down from twin 178-foot towers at 65 m.p.h. Great America also offers four drenching water rides, three children's areas, midway games, and music and magic shows. Themed areas, from Yankee Harbor to Southwest Territory, highlight various aspects of Americana. Bugs Bunny and his Looney Tunes cartoon pals roam the festive grounds. Contact: Great America (TravelAmerica Magazine), P.O. Box 1776, Gurnee, IL 60031; (847) 249-INFO; www.sixflags.com.

Happy Campers

Kampgrounds of America (KOA), the nation's largest open-to-the-public camp-ground company, has announced the first significant changes to its Value Kard discount program since it was created in 1980. Benefits added for 2001 include a KOA Directory Road Atlas and Kampground Guide, an issue of Camping Life magazine, and 15 percent discount on Budget car rentals. Card members already receive a 10 percent discount off daily registration fees. The card costs $10 for one year. Established in Billings, Montana, in 1962, KOA has more than 500 campgrounds in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan. Besides tent sites, there are cozy cabins and cottages.

Contact: Kampgrounds of America (TravelAmerica Magazine), P.O. Box 30558, Billings, MT 59114; (406) 248-7444; www.koa.com.

Kansas City

Everybody's favorite beagle is hosting an exciting collection of rides and attractions at Camp Snoopy, the all-new family play-land at Worlds of Fun theme park in Kansas City, Missouri. Among Camp Snoopy's miniature adventures are a small-scale tower ride, a kiddie train, and a Red Baron swinging airplane ride. Also check out the Peanuts Campground Theatre and Charlie Brown's Kite Eating Tree.

Contact: Worlds of Fun (TravelAmerica Magazine), 4545 Worlds Of Fun Ave., Kansas City, MO 64161; (816) 454-4545; www.worldsoffun.com.

Pacific Paradise

Hawaii's Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is making family travel a top priority with its new "family friendly certification" program. Each Outrigger property is rated to determine which are the most "family friendly." One of the most important criteria in determining family friendliness is the amount of space in each accommodation--the goal is to comfortably sleep four people. Other factors include availability of babysitting services, kitchenettes, and "kids' selections" on the room service menu.

Contact: Outrigger Hotel & Resorts (TravelAmerica Magazine), 2375 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815; (800) 688-7444; www.outrigger.com.

Magic Carpets

Disney's Aladdin has inspired a colorful new attraction at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. "The Magic Carpets of Aladdin" ride features 16 four-passenger magic carpets and an animated Genie lamp. Guests can "fly" their carpets up and down and from side to side while dodging waterspouts from spitting camels located on the perimeter of the attraction. The first new Adventureland attraction in 25 years is adjacent to Agrabah Bazaar, a Middle Eastern-style marketplace bustling with merchants peddling colorful wares.

Contact: Walt Disney World (TravelAmerica Magazine), P.O. Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000; (407) 824-4321; www.disneyworld.com.

Bargain Booklet

CityPass ticket booklets offer substantial savings off box office prices at major attractions in seven popular tourist cities--San Francisco, Hollywood, Seattle, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Each booklet contains an actual admission ticket to six or seven attractions. There's no waiting in line at ticket windows. Booklets are valid for nine days from first use, except for Hollywood (30 days).

The New York CityPass offers admission to the Empire State Building Observatory, Guggenheim Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Museum of Modern Art, Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, and Top of the World Observatory at the World Trade Center. Cost is $34 for adults, $25 for seniors, $26 for youth aged 12-17. The Seattle CityPass includes a harbor cruise, while pass holders in San Francisco get seven days of unlimited rides on cable cars, light rail, and city buses. The 30-day Hollywood/Los Angeles pass ($59 adults, $39 youth 3-11) covers seven attractions, including Universal Studios Hollywood and a two-hour tour of stars' homes.

CityPass booklets are available at participating attractions, from travel agents, and online at www.citypass.com. For recorded information, phone (707) 256-0490.

Special Needs

New Beginnings Home Concept in Orlando is building 27 vacation rental homes designed to accommodate the unique needs of the disabled. Located 10 minutes from Disney World and Universal Studios, each home includes four or five bedrooms, two or three bathrooms, and a private pool with a hydro-lift. The homes are completely wheelchair accessible and cost from $135 to $195 per night (depending on season).