Family Fun In The Sun - traveling with children

Ebony, May, 1999 by Joy Bennett Kinnon

Family values make vacationing with kids fun

TAKE two children (or more for the truly adventurous), add at least four days of sun and an ocean, river or bayou view, sprinkle liberally with sand and that's a recipe for summer fun.

Including children in the summer vacation doesn't have to equal a recipe for disaster or financial ruin. With all of the special packages, off-season rates and family accommodations available today, the term "family values" has real meaning. For parents willing to invest a little extra time and research into planning a vacation, R&R or even a little romance are not out of the question. Consider traveling with another family and trading oft child-care duties. That way each couple gets a night oft for that romantic dinner or show.

Planning and patience are the keys to a memorable family vacation. Get everyone together beforehand to provide input on where you're going and what you will do. Make reservations as early as possible, leaning toward suites and large blocks of rooms at family-friendly destinations. Today's hotels and resorts offer a slew of family-oriented packages. Don't forget to check the Internet travel guides because new ones are added all the time. Check newspaper advertisements and vacation specials through car rental and car insurance agencies and credit card companies like American Express, which offers special vacation packages.

Major air carriers also offer special discount vacation packages, combining air travel, car rental and hotel accommodations in one package.

Family travel is a burgeoning industry, and a reputable travel agent can be very helpful to parents in facilitating a dream vacation that the family will always remember.

When planning that family vacation, you first step should be deciding on the destination. To avoid the constant "are we there yet questions," choose an easy-to-reach destination if driving, or consider a nonstop flight. With children in tow, parents will not want to drive six hours or change planes and time zones. Since children can get sick unexpectedly, make sure the hotel is easily accessible to high-quality pediatric care.

Remember that convenience is a necessity and not a luxury when traveling with children. A first-floor suite on the beach is very convenient when traveling with children--you won't have to walk miles to the beach.

Or to the amusement park. Kids and amusement parks go together like peanut butter and jelly. In several small-fry surveys, kids chose Florida as their most popular vacation spot. And who can blame them? Blessed with good weather, lots of sunshine, beaches, and amusement parks, Florida is a family vacation paradise.

Walt Disney World features 10 major new entertainment adventures, including a new themed hotel, and the second Disney Cruise Line Ship, which will sail in August. Other highlights are the new continent, Asia, at Disney's Animal Kingdom, devoted to the rainforests and wild creatures of Southern Asia and featuring a white-water rafting ride and jungle trek. Coming to Sunset Boulevard at Disney-MGM Studios is Rock `n' Roller Coaster, the first Walt Disney World attraction to feature a high-speed launch and multiple inversions roller coaster.

After all that twisting and turning, the family might want to spend the night at the new 1,920-room Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, featuring giant images from 101 Dalmatians, Toy Story, Fantasia, The Mighty Ducks and The Love Bug, plus a theater-inspired food court and a hockey rink-themed pool.

Pools and beaches are staples of the Sunshine State and its great weather, 1,800 miles of shoreline and 1,200 miles of sandy beaches. But more than the beaches, Florida also offers world-class shopping and entertainment, a variety of local seafood cuisine and outdoor sports. There's something for everyone in the state's seven vacation regions.

However, don't overlook the local regions for family fun. From the Southwest to the Northeast, fun is available not far from home in this summer season of festivals, fireworks, food fests and block parties.

In the Midwest, Sandusky, Ohio's, Cedar Point amusement park/resort has compiled three world record-breaking listings in the 1999 Guinness Book of Records. They are the theme park with the greatest number of roller coasters, the theme park with the greatest number of rides, and the tallest freefall ride.

Up the lazy river from New Orleans to Minneapolis are diverse and exciting destinations, offering heritage tours, cool jazz and spicy cuisine. The Juneteenth Heritage and Jazz Festival Organization in St. Louis, Mo., hosts one of the largest Juneteenth celebrations in the U.S. The 10-day festival begins June 11 and ends June 20. T.S. Monk and Randy Crawford are scheduled to perform.

Georgia's Southern hospitality is renowned and Atlanta sites are great for discovering African-American history as well as family fun. The Sweet Auburn historic district is a must-see stop as well as the King Center, where daily tours are provided and significant milestones in the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement are explained. The Atlanta Jazz Festival will be held May 29-31 at various venues throughout the city. For more information on Georgia heritage events contact the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism in Atlanta.