 Left: Jacob Lansdon at Disney World; center: Lani Lee Averton, Jacob and Allison Lansdon with a Disney princess; right: Lani Lee Overton and Allison Lansdon at Disney World |
by Micheil O'Rourke-Cole
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et’s see…school is out, Little League is wrapping
up for the season and fall ball doesn’t start for
a couple of months. Time to get it together and “get out of Dodge” for a week or two.
Most families plan for vacations well in advance of the seven-day to two-week window that comes up between school, sports, camp, lessons and living life in an active household. Some still opt for the spontaneous approach— pack everyone in the van and take off for parts only known to the driver and his or her navigator.
Either way, traveling and traveling with kids has changed in these days of extreme gas prices, two working parents and generally, highly activated children.
The first step is reviewing the possibilities and the
options can be dazzling. Is breakfast with Snow White and Cinderella just exactly
what everyone had in mind, or is taking a little hike in
Nevada to see one of the several wonders of the world the
ultimate in family fun? Maybe “I Love New York,” but perhaps
the three-year-old isn’t aching to see a show on
Broadway.
Every family is different, with different tastes and needs, say travel agents, but most have common ground when it comes to planning their trips. They want to go, together, and they don’t want it to mean they have to eat Hamburger Helper for dinner for the rest of the year. The good news is there are some great deals out there—the better news is hours of time on the Internet searching uncharted avenues to entertainment needn’t be the task that makes the weekend get-away.
“It is actually easier than you might think,” said Paul DeBall owner and operator of After 6 Travel in Columbus. “Travel agents know the best vacation spots. Hotels send us there to explore the area. We do what a normal family of four would do at that location.”
After 6 Travel has been in the Columbus area for two years now, and DeBall says, yes, families are still taking vacations, whether a traditional week or daytrips. It is his job to weed through all of the information, prices and deals and come up with the best possible package for the best possible time together.
“‘What do you want to do?’ is the first question,” said DeBall. “Because we’ve been through all the clutter, we know the closest places to eat, where to stay, if transportation shuttles are available and how reliable the services may be.”
Details that might not seem to be very important or that may save a few dollars could end up being troublesome, once the family is launched into anything from a cross-country excursion to a few days with Mickey and Company in Orlando.
The combined Lansdon and Overton party of three children and six adults set up their plans well in advance, allowing for some savings on expenses during their time together at Disney World. Under the vacation log of “What would we do differently,” bringing warmer clothing and jackets made the list and perhaps more convenient access to the daily wonders that abound in the Magic Kingdom.
“Next time, I think we will stay in the park,” said Amy Overton about her family’s recent trip. “We rented a house and drove in. We were able to go in and out when we wanted to, but we had to find parking each time.”
When naptime really needed to be in a bed instead of a stroller or grandmother’s arms, returning to the park afterward may or may not happen. Each morning three vehicles had to be packed and readied for the entire day. The family was also there during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. The crowds were “incredible,” said Overton, but everyone had a wonderful time and “would go back in a heartbeat.” Her clan is currently making plans for a return trip in 2009.
Families with pre-school and home schooled kids can take advantage of “off season” for Disney, say travel experts. Beginning in mid-January and ending in February with time during the mid-weeks of September, the crowds are less dense—deals on park activities, rates on “inside” hotels and amenities are plentiful.
Theme parks and day trips are becoming a less expensive option, even with rising gas prices. Overnight, two- or three-day packages are affordable and as close as Callaway Gardens.
“The kids loved it,” said Sandra Aden of Columbus. She researches attractions close by for long weekend and overnight “vacations” and happened upon a deal right in Pine Mountain. For less than $100, her family enjoyed an overnight stay, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, time at the beach, exhibits, the nature trail and, of course, the Day Butterfly Center. Breakfast was included.
“This is a feasible way to have a vacation
and not go bankrupt,” said Sandra Aden.
She and Robert have two girls, Ava, who
is 7 “and a half”-years-old and a “tiny, little
tornado” named Sara, who at 18 months
seemed to learn how to walk and run—all
at the same time. Callaway was the perfect
place to spend all that energy and relax.
“The concert was free,” she said. “We
all went. We had a wonderful time together
as a family. The kids played in the gardens,
and they loved the beach.”
“A lot of places are family oriented now,”
said DeBall. “The biggest choice is picking
a spot. There is a ton of family things to
do, for instance, in Las Vegas. Everything
from the Circus Circus Hotel to
Stratosphere, which has an indoor park that
is almost as big as Six Flags. A lot of people
think of Vegas as a casino Mecca. It is that,
and then it is a family destination as well.
Pigeon Forge, right now, has two new coasters
and the road construction is finished. It is
much easier to get around up there, where
family entertainment is aplenty and galore.
Myrtle Beach and Pensacola have new
parks. There is year-round outdoor ice
skating in Panama City.”
Summer is right around the bend and happy trails are ahead. Visit www.family.go.com/travel for tips and tricks on traveling with kids and more vacation ideas.
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Whether it is breakfast with the Disney World Princesses or watching the ships sail under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, planning a family vacation is much different than scheduling a little weekend get-a-way.
Here are a few tips:
• Make a list and bring it with you. You
can use it to check inventory along the way
and as you pack to come back home.
• Bring music, books, crayons and other
portable art supplies.
• Don’t forget the batteries! One of the
priciest things to forget is electronic equipment
or the paraphernalia that make the
trappings of today’s wired lifestyle actually
work.
• Healthy snacks like fruit, raisins, nuts
and small natural juices are especially good
if trips change regular meal times.
• Plan to make frequent stops if traveling
by car.
• Treat your trip like an adventure and
let delays and detours become “exploration”
experiences.
• Try to take advantage of “naptimes” if
your family takes to the road, but be careful
not to let the toddler oversleep. An extra
hour snoozing in the afternoon may mean a
late bedtime.
• Purchase disposable cameras for the
older children and distribute upon the first
sigh of boredom.
• Don’t forget the baby wipes—for any
age traveler—for planes, trains, ships or
automobiles.
When traveling with children, do try to pack light, but don’t cut out the things that stem the classic question: Are we there yet?
Too busy or broke to leave town for a week? Take a day trip or go on a weekend excursion instead. There are plenty of nearby destinations offering an abundance of great family activities.
Fort Discovery at the National Science Center in Augusta will spark the young scientist in your children. KidScape was designed especially for younger visitors, ages 4-7. Children and their parents can explore the spacious gallery full of age-appropriate, interactive exhibits. Computerized finger painting, a water-play table and a puppet theater area will keep your child so actively engaged, they won’t realize it’s educational.
Older kids can explore the Power Station and general galleries with countless interactive displays dedicated to everything from space technology to electricity. Visit nscdiscovery.org or call 800-325-5445 for more information.
After a day of cutting-edge science, your family might be ready to step back in time. Westville, located in Lumpkin, Georgia, is a “living history museum” depicting a west Georgia village circa 1850. The whole family will learn about life in the 19th century, exploring over 30 pre-Civil War buildings, including homes, stores and workshops. See live woodworking, pottery and cooking demonstrations by townspeople dressed in 1850s garb. To learn more, visit westville.org or call 888-733-1850.
If the family simply needs to unwind, mountain vistas among the chipmunks, squirrels, and deer may be more your speed. Georgia Mountain Hideaways offer all the modern conveniences in a bucolic setting. Spend a weekend in the cabin just playing games and relaxing, or take advantage of the wealth of activities in the vicinity. Hike the Appalachian Trail, go fishing or horseback riding, pan for gold or shop for antiques.
For more day or weekend destinations, visit exploregeorgia.org or 800alabama.com.
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