by Sunny
follow me on Twitter @Sunnylooksleaps
Traveling with children reveals so many new and exciting moments in travel. Here are 3 travel trends for families to consider.
Family travel in NYC…and no, we didn’t use the trendy, yet controversial, selfie stick!
Multigenerational Travel – For some families, like mine, this isn’t really a “trend.” Since as long as I can remember, I have traveled with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. As a kid, we road tripped every year to the popular Florida panhandle. Not exotic by any means, but getting to go on vacation with your cousins was the best. And living in the same house with your grandparents, aunts, and uncles for a week made the trip unique. Now that I have a family of my own, I still love to invite my parents along for our many adventures, especially our yearly Disney visit. Hanging out in a beach house and watching my daughter get to have the same experience of playing with her cousin, aunts, uncle and grandparents for a week makes everything seem right with the world. My parents are seasoned travelers who love to inspire the same love of adventure, exploration, and travel in their kids and grandkids. Jimmy’s parents have not yet caught the travel bug, but we took his mom on her first trip to New York City in August. How cool for her to get to see such an awesome, iconic city with her youngest granddaughter showing her the travel ropes! I imagine a lot of people think that multigenerational travel has to be some monumental family reunion cruise or a landmark trip to Europe, but it can be as simple as renting a cabin at a nearby state park.
Who’s having more fun in this pic? Grandparent or grandchild?
Traveling During the School Year – In my 10 years as a teacher, I have watched more families not only choosing to travel with their kids, but to travel during the school year. Most families (mine included) tend to travel during scheduled school breaks, maybe tacking on an extra day or two. While schools vary on their policies of “unexcused absences,” I have always felt like families know best. In a previous post, I stated that many families feel like vacation time is their only true family time when they are not being pulled in every different direction. I feel as though the pendulum will begin to swing in favor of families who need the extra time together. And our school has made exceptions for “once in a lifetime trips,” such as a gifted trip to Africa, or a family member’s winning a trip through work. Of course, the best part about traveling during the school year is that the prices are lower, crowds are fewer, and it refreshes the soul of both the young and old to return to their daily routines with a new outlook.
All-Inclusive – These aren’t just for newlyweds anymore! More family-friendly destinations are leaning toward all-inclusive packages to make planning easier. Cruise ships, the original all-inclusive, are boasting colossal waterslides, epic kid and teen clubs, ice skating rinks, rock walls, bigger family-sized cabins, and self serve ice cream bars. Sandals resorts, known for catering to young couples, also have a family-friendly counterpart called Beaches. Even Disney is getting in on the action. The recent addition of Magic Bands streamlines all of your park tickets, dining reservations, room key, and fast passes in one convenient bracelet. Being able to plan and pay for almost everything prior to your trip through the website or app gives the whole experience more of an all-inclusive feel. Of course, still be prepared to be dropped off in a gift shop after most attractions.
Disney’s Magic Bands make purchases simple, almost like being at an all-inclusive resort.