1. How Much Money Should We Spend?

Most families have a general idea of the amount of money they will be able to spend on the family vacation. Some people carefully budget their vacation money and make plans to begin saving for next year as soon as they return home. Others use the convenience of a vacation account that you can open at any area bank. Think about what is most important to you. Maybe it is important you stay in a hotel that has a kitchenette so you can save money for the fun things by cooking some of your meals in your accommodations. For others it may be what amenities are offered and still others are more interested in the things that the family can do together. Decide which your most important priority is and begin your planning there.

2. When should We Go?

Most families have to plan their vacations around their children’s school vacations. If you have younger children or if you home school your kids, taking advantage of the off peak rates at many vacation destinations will allow you to get more bang for your bucks. Your aim should be to choose a time when the whole family will be able to sit back and relax. It may be unwise to plan your vacation at the end of the summer when you will have to get the children geared up for school. Taking a vacation in the beginning of the summer may leave the rest of the summer to fall flat.

3. Where should We Go?

Picking the perfect destination where everyone will have a great time may be the toughest decision of all. Consider the ages of your children and what they like to do. Many families choose beach vacations that are leisurely. You might also consider a National Park where you can indulge yourselves in outdoor adventures galore. If your children are a little older, ask for their input. As long as everyone agrees and you have fun, it matters little where you go, just that you do go together as a family.

4. Plan Your Itinerary

Most moms and dads know that once you get to your destination, entertaining the children is a top priority. No one wants to listen to children grumbling and groaning that they are bored and there is nothing to do. If your children are not close in age, remind them that they may have to do some things that are not as attractive as others, but that everyone gets a chance to choose an activity. If you are going sightseeing, ask for their recommendations of what they would like to see. Museums are definitely not for the very young unless it is an interactive museum or one that caters to children.

Flexible Packages Permit you to See Disney Your Way

• Magic Your Way - This package is a starter for first time visitor. You are free to choose any of the Disney Resort hotels as well as how many days you want on your Theme Park ticket. For extra perks, there is a variety of options you can add like the Park Hopper Option that allows you to visit as many Theme Parks in a day for the entirety of your stay.
• Magic Your Way Plus Dining - Figuring out where to eat just got easier with this Disney package. You are free to choose from a wide variety of restaurants where you can save as much as 30%. This leaves you with more money for fun, which is why you came. You will enjoy your hotel accommodations along with Theme Park tickets, as well as a table service meal, a quick service meal and a snack for each person daily during your stay.
• Magic Your Way Premium - If you really don’t want to spend time and money looking for the perfect restaurant, you can utilize this package that not only includes your Theme Park tickets and hotel accommodations but three meals a day including two snacks for each member of your party during your stay. You also get unlimited golfing and tickets to see the La Nouba and the excitement of the Cirque du Soleil.

Perks You are Sure to Appreciate

Guests may want to utilize the Extra Magic Hours that allows you to gain access to the Theme Parks after hours and be able to explore the park of your choice at a much leisurely pace.

Disney’s Magical Express will meet you and your luggage at the airport and chauffer you to your air-conditioned room at the Resort of your choice. Your luggage will even be delivered to your room! Most of the hotels offer guests transportation to and from their Theme Parks which gives you more time to spend having fun rather than driving and searching for a parking space.

You are sure to be impressed with the service and amenities that your chosen Theme Resort offers their guests. Your children will enjoy the facilities that are wonderfully decorated in a variety of Disney themes. Any questions you have or any need that arises will swiftly be taken care of by the courteous Disney Cast Members staff any time of day or night.

So why not get onto your computer and research the various vacation packages that a Disney World vacation offers. It is a simple process to find the ideal hotel and the perfect vacation package to meet yours and your family’s needs. Leave the rest up to Disney and concentrate on experiencing the joy and laughter that makes Disney World one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States.

The Essentials

If you forget an item, it is often easily bought on board ship or at one of the ports of call you visit. There are some things that are vital and without them you will be landlocked. First of all, you will need your airline tickets or if you purchased them online, your e-ticket confirmation. You will need your cruise documents and a passport in order to disembark at the ports of call. In the past, many travelers had only to show proof of their citizenship, but since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, a passport is necessary.

If you intend to rent a car at any of your destinations, you will need your driver’s license. It is always advisable to bring along your medical insurance information in case of illness or an unforeseen accident. If you want to stay in touch with the folks back home, don’t rely on your cell phone as service can be spotty in certain areas. Bring a pre-paid phone card for your convenience.

You will need a credit card to establish an on board account. Most of your purchases will be charged to your cabin and require you to have a credit card. Be sure you write your account numbers and the toll free customer service numbers in case you lose, misplace or have your credit cards stolen.

The Necessities

It is always a good idea to bring along guidebooks to help you decide which activities and excursions are best. Having information handy before you reach your port of call is quite convenient. This allows you to know what to expect when you arrive and guide you to the best restaurants and other types of entertainment.

Don’t forget that bestseller you have been putting off reading. You will get many chances to relax in the sun and indulge in a favorite pastime. Sunscreen is also important as you don’t want to lose any precious time recovering from a nasty sunburn. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, be sure to pack an extra pair in case of an emergency. If you have business cards, bring them to pass along to the new friends you are sure to make while on board.

The Equipments

You will want to bring a camera to document your trip and make your friends back home envious. If you have reservations about bringing your expensive digital camera, invest in a few disposable cameras for the trip. They take excellent pictures and you can choose from a wide variety of styles.

If you are bringing your digital camera, be sure you pack an extra memory card as well as extra batteries along with the battery charger. If you are someone who likes to stay connected, bring your laptop along with any other necessary equipment such as the power cord in order to get online easily.

A walkman or MP3 player will be appreciated for when you stroll the decks or work out in the fitness center. Be sure you have extra batteries for those items as well. You may want to pack a small travel alarm clock if being prompt is a requirement for you.

Club Med

Club Med, introduced by Gerard Blitz, is the first of the all inclusives. Other resorts quickly followed suit when they realized their popularity among tourists. Club Med caters to mature visitors and is not a place where children are allowed. Club Med is not for families. Most guests of Club Med are young people that are looking for a good time without a care.

Sandals Resorts

The Sandals all inclusive resorts cater to same sex couples looking to rekindle the romance in their relationship. You will be pampered in a way you have only imagined, and most guests return to the resorts again and again. Sandals have resorts in many of the popular Caribbean Islands and they are the standard for luxury at an affordable price. All meals, snacks, beverages including premium liquors are included in the price as well as non-motorized sports. You can take out a Hobie Cat and feel like a sailor, make use of their spa services which are extra or just lay about the pool area. They have swim up bars and hot tubs that look out upon the sea. You will feel like royalty when you visit a Sandals resort.

Beaches Resorts

Beaches is the sister resort to Sandals. This is an all inclusive resort that caters to families. There are organized children’s activities geared for specific age groups. Many of the resorts have pools especially for children as well as game arcades and even their own swim up bar that serves non alcoholic beverages. You can utilize the services of a babysitter when you are ready to have some alone time with your significant other and not worry that your children will be bored. It is a great way for families to connect and once you have experienced a vacation at a Beaches resort, you will be eager to return.

Booking Your All Inclusive Vacation

Going to an all inclusive resort’s website is one way to book your vacation. In order to get the best prices, wait until the resort you are interested in is having a sale. You can also utilize one of the many travel sites that offer you airfare and hotel accommodations in one package. This is usually the best way to go if you are concerned about price. Many times in the off peak season you will be offered some terrific deals that you will be hard pressed to pass up. An all inclusive vacation is not for everyone, but you should give it a try before you make any judgments.