Despite traveling regularly, I’d never considered a large-ship cruise for a family vacation. I was sure my kids (ages, 12, 10, and 7) were just too active to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of a typical cruise, that I would be bored without sites to explore and culture to soak in, and that all of us would feel restricted by the confines of a ship.
Then we embarked on the Disney Fantasy last month, and all those misconceptions sailed (sorry about the pun) out the window. We hit the ground running every day for three days, traversing the ship from sunup to sundown, and yet even we couldn’t get to everything offered onboard (let alone in port). Of what we did have time to sample, the following are my kids’ picks for fun on the Fantasy:
The Pool Deck
Comprised of two pools (Mickey and Donald), a water slide, a generously-sized hot tub, two water play areas, and the much-talked-about AquaDuck, the pool deck (Deck 11) was my kids’ favorite place to hang. It was mine too, because from one central location (preferably a lounge chair), I could see all the action, and let my school-aged kids run amuck. In addition to all the water fun, Deck 11 is home to all the Cars’ themed counter service food options (where something is always open), the drink refill station, and…best of all if you ask my boys: the EyeScream self-serve ice cream station. If kids had their own heaven, it would look like Deck 11.
Tip: Stand in the hot tub and look down. You’ll see a clear pane of glass underfoot, with a view directly down to the lifeboats seven decks below!
The Sports Deck
Coming in a close second to the pool deck, Goofy’s Sports Deck is located a quick flight of exterior stairs from Deck 11, and houses a miniature golf course, large basketball court (netted to keep balls from flying into the Caribbean, of course) and a set of sports simulators. You’ll need to make an appointment for the latter, but for $12 per half hour, your whole party can take turns facing off against a virtual Goofy in hockey, basketball, soccer, football, and more. You might just see the real Goofy hanging around, too.
The Kids’ Clubs
My kids don’t typically enjoy resort kids’ clubs, so I was fearful that the clubs on the Fantasy would be a no-go. Though it took all three of my boys the first evening to get used to it, by our second day on the ship, I couldn’t keep them from their clubs, especially after dinner when the action picked up. The Fantasy has five clubs for four different age groups, and we checked out two of them: the Oceaneer’s Club and Oceaneer’s Lab for kids ages 3-10, and Edge, for kids ages 11-13. (Also available are the It’s a Small World Nursery for ages 3 months-3 years and Vibe, for kids 14-18.)
A few tips:
1. While kids ages 3-10 can go between the Oceaneer’s Club and the Lab at will (the two spaces are connected at the back by a large art project room), we found that the planned programming and activities in the Lab were geared for the older end of the age group. Both my seven-year-old and 10-year-old quickly realized this is where they wanted to be.
2. The age guidelines are just that: guidelines. When our 10-year-old saw all the fun being had in Edge, he wanted to join his older brother there. Switching him was no problem at all: I just had to sign a waiver since he was under age 11, and officially opt him out of the Oceaneer’s Lab. We were all set in under 10 minutes!
3. All the clubs we experienced were generously appointed with various video games. So much so in fact, that they outshone the arcade (Arrr-cade, located on Deck 11). After our boys (who generally love arcades) visited both, they opted not to spend more than $5 in the arcade. Save your money: the games and computer stations in the clubs are free.
The Shuffleboard ‘courts’
From what I gathered while onboard, many people don’t even realize these exist on the Fantasy. A throwback to cruises of yesterday, the shuffleboard spaces are located on Deck 4, next to the jogging track. It was fun to play, but even more fun to take in the view of the huge yellow lifeboats overhead and the ocean breeze. It really did feel like an old-fashioned cruise on Deck 4!
The Deck Parties
While we were sailing on the Fantasy, we experienced the Sail Away Party and the Pirate Night Party, and both got two thumbs up from the kids. It didn’t hurt that I let them stay up way past their bedtime on Pirate Night! If you’d rather avoid the crowds, just leave Deck 11….the rest of the ship is nearly empty!
Tip: If your kids enjoy the characters, make sure to save time to greet them after dinner on Pirate Night. They’ll be dressed in their pirate garb, as will your kids (they’ll get a bandana at dinner). The photo ops are priceless!
*Picture one via Tom Anderson. Remaining pictures via Amy Whitley.
Amy Whitley is the founding editor of Pit Stops for Kids, a family travel resource covering kid-friendly resorts, attractions, outdoor adventures, and all the pit stops you’ll need along the way. She also writes for a number of print and online travel publications, including Go Green Travel Green and Practical Travel Gear. Trekaroo is also proud to have Amy as one of our Superoos. She lives in Oregon with her husband and three sons, where they enjoy backyard adventures when they’re not traveling. Amy and her family experienced the Disney Fantasy as guests of Disney and Expedia.com.
Lake George, located in New York’s Adirondacks, combines family friendly fun and natural beauty to create an ideal getaway. This past summer my husband and I had the pleasure of traveling with our four-year old daughter to this scenic locale and we all had a fantastic time experiencing what Lake George has to offer. Here are the top five activities that made our family outing memorable for all.
5. The Fun Spot
The Fun Spot offers go-karts, laser tag, miniature golf, roller skating, and an indoor playground, making it a great to visit with children of varied ages. My daughter enjoyed the indoor playground immensely, and my husband took great pleasure in racing the go-karts (several times!). While the go-karts and mini-golf are situated outdoors, the rest of the attractions are inside with the central air blasting, which gave my family a welcome reprieve from the hot sun. The Fun Spot features a snack bar as well as plenty of seating for family members that might want to simply observe the activities. If you plan to stay a while and try all the attractions, consider purchasing a package to save money instead of buying experiences a la carte.
4. Lumberjack Pass Mini Golf
Featuring 18 holes of mini-golf with water traps and real sand hazards, Lumberjack Pass Mini Golf is a great place to take your family. The course is quite challenging but my husband and I had a great time laughing about how awful we were playing. Our four-year-old kept herself occupied with the various water misters placed throughout the course which were perfect for cooling down under in the hot summer months, and we all used the “ball-washers” quite often (designed to clean your ball if you happen to hit it into a sand trap). The ice cream at their snack bar is delicious and a perfect ending to some hole-in-one family fun.
3. The Moose Tooth Grill
The Moose Tooth Grill is a great place to dine with your family while on your Lake George Adventure. With an all-appealing, family-friendly menu as well as interactive animals and even a short thunder and lightning storm complete with a rainbow, everyone in your group will enjoy their dining experience. Try their homemade root beer, aptly named “Moose Wizz”, or sample one of their many local draft beers. As the grand finale, order the S’mores for dessert, complete with your own campfire. My daughter is still talking about how she got to roast marshmallows at a fire indoors!
2. LG Steamboat Company – Dinner Cruise, Lac du St Sacrement
For a great meal, live music and a fabulous tour of Lake George, we recommend taking a cruise with the Lake George Steamboat Company. They offer many different cruise options, including with or without meals for lunch or dinner, as well as moonlight cruises, fireworks cruises, and even specialty cruises. Live music played throughout our meal and during the cruise, and the boat offers many different areas to enjoy the views of Lake George’s various islands and shorelines. Whether you choose a cruise with or without a meal, this is a must-do if you’ve never been out on Lake George.
1. Saddle Up Stables
If you have children ages six and up, you cannot go wrong with a trail ride at Saddle Up Stables. Boasting attentive staff and stunning views of Lake George, your entire family will love this activity. Trail rides last about an hour and are available from 9 to 5 daily- no reservations required. Be sure to ask the trail guide to take your family’s photo during your ride. the staff has no problem with this request and it makes for a great family portrait. If you have kids that are under six and still want some time in the saddle, Saddle Up Stables offers pony rides that are very generous in length and sure to put a smile on their faces.
More Great Trekaroo Resources
Top Picks for Kid-friendly North Country/Adirondacks
Kid-friendly Activities in North Country/Adirondacks
Kid-friendly Hotels in North Country/Adirondacks
Sara Fredericks is a Trekaroo Superoo.
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It’s been years since I’ve seen the cornfields of Indiana, ridden a speedboat on a beautiful lake there, or stepped over the brickyard of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, yet my heart has not forgotten the fun I had while visiting my cousins as a teenager. While researching the Crossroads of America, I heard from eager parents, bloggers, and from my own family about their favorite activities. I found that a deep Hoosier love runs through their hearts when they speak of their allegiance to their home state. I proudly present to you 10 amazing places to visit in Indiana, knowing full well that there are hundreds more that will make this state a great family destination.
10. Visit the Indiana State Fair
Photo by: Flickr/one sharp eye
Every August, the Hoosier spirit shines at the Indiana State Fair. Those who have had the opportunity to visit this popular state fair speak of it with great love and devotion. Perhaps it’s the brilliant examples of excellent agriculture and education, the amazing Indiana food, the Monster Truck Nationals, or the toddler-favorite: Little Hands on the Farm. A fellow family travel blogger, Nicole Wiltrout, shares her son’s fun at the Indiana State Fair as well as some great tips for visiting state fairs with babies and toddlers on her website.
Tell Trekaroo families about your experience and tips for the Indiana State Fair.
9. Climb some sand dunes
Photo by: Flickr/Drewski Mac
Did you know that there is a great beach to visit in Indiana? This landlocked state boasts more than three miles of beautiful shoreline along the coast of Lake Michigan. At Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, large sand dunes have formed and tower nearly 200 feet above the lake, creating a natural playground. Restrooms, showers, picnicking, camping, and hiking are available, and three of the beaches are wheelchair accessible. Trekaroo families speak highly of this area for the fun swimming in gentle waves, building sand castles, and hiking the Mount Baldy dune. This popular dune can be climbed straight up or by using a set of stairs. Sounds fun to run down!
Read reviews for all that the Lake Michigan shore has to offer.
8. Take a lap at the historic Speedway
Photo by: Flickr/ seanlisa99
One of the most iconic events in Indiana is the Indy 500, held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Each May, Indianans cheer on their favorite car and driver, or the one that is drawn in their pool. Families with young kids may find the extreme noise too much for sensitive ears, but there are lots of other fun options when visiting this historic racetrack. The Speedway Hall of Fame is home to the largest collection of race cars and is the starting point for a bus tour that takes guests around the 2 ½ mile oval. A highlight of the tour is the Yard of Bricks, where you can see the 36-inch strip of original brick track at the finish line. There are also plenty of pre-race festivities, including a grand parade, and on race day kids can participate in the IMS Kids Club.
7. Cheer for your favorite team
Photo by: Flickr/Nekonomist
Indiana fans love to cheer on their favorite basketball, football, and baseball teams. Ticket prices for minor leagues and college games are very reasonable and the family-friendly atmosphere makes for a great outing with kids. There are many well-known sports venues in Indiana, including Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians, a minor league baseball team. In this modern ballpark, families can choose from traditional seating, or a grassy area behind the outfield to picnic and watch the games. Families will also enjoy cheering on the TinCaps at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne. This ballpark was recently heralded as the #1 ballpark in all of minor league baseball. Purdue, Indiana University, and Notre Dame are major universities with great college teams, complete with legendary basketball arenas and famous football stadiums. Older kids would love to see a basketball game or take a tour at Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse, where the movie “Hoosiers” was filmed. And if you can’t get enough of college sports, head to the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis, where kids can test out the ski simulator or shoot hoops in the 1930s themed gymnasium.
Tell Trekaroo families about your favorite team.
6. Have a Holly Jolly Time at a Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in the town of Santa Claus
Photo by: Flickr/alandberning
At the world famous amusement park, Holiday World, a parent’s dream can come true. The park really seems designed with families in mind. Free sunscreen? Check! Free soda and lemonade all day? Check! The best wooden roller coaster with 24 seconds of airtime? Check! Everyone in the family can be happy with the great selection of kid-friendly rides, heart-pounding roller coasters, top-notch shows, and great dining. The fun is doubled with an incredible water park built right into Holiday World called Splashin’ Safari. There you will find the world’s largest enclosed water slide, multiple wave pools and lazy rivers, and plenty of activities for kids to get wet and have a blast. One admission price enters families into both parks for lots of summer fun. The Christmas holidays are celebrated year round in Santa Claus, Indiana, where kids can meet their beloved gift-giver. Enjoy holiday cheer at the Santa Claus Christmas Store, Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, Santa’s Cottages, and St. Nick’s Restaurant.
Share your family’s story of Santa Claus, Indiana.
5. Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
Photo by: Flickr/Cherith
Connecting kids and animals and strengthening families is part of the mission statement of the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Families love the easy-to-see animals because the enclosures are built with children in mind. Kids will come face to face with an amazing variety of creatures. Fun rides and activities like the Sky Safari or feeding the giraffes create fun memories at the zoo. The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is open between the months of April to October, as is the Trekaroo-recommended Columbian Park & Zoo. The Indianapolis Zoo, ranked one of the best in the nation, is open year round.
Tell Trekaroo readers about your family-favorite zoo.
4. Interact with Living History
Photo by: Flickr/Paul J Everett
Experience history first-hand and connect with the past at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park. Kids can enlist in the volunteer militia to protect Indiana from Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his raiders in a multi-media experience of the Civil War. Young children will enjoy the Animal Encounters Barn when they travel through William Conner’s homestead. The homestead also includes a loom house, heirloom gardens, and Indiana’s first brick home. Although it is open year round, check the website for special events and information on exhibits that are only open seasonally.
Not every state in the union can say that one of the most popular and influential – not to mention TALL – presidents grew up there in a little log cabin. Visiting the Abe Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in southern Indiana is a great way to see what home and life was like for this humble president. A family-friendly musical about Lincoln’s boyhood, “A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale” will be showing in the Lincoln Amphitheatre June 8 to June 30, 2012.
Don’t miss the list of 10 Exceptional Living History Farms that Kids Should Not Miss!
3. Brown County State Park
Photo by: Flickr/Jerry
Leaf peepers enjoy coming to see the glory of fall in Brown County, a richly forested section of Indiana. There are lots of great activities to be enjoyed year round at Brown County State Park including hiking trails, horse back riding, a family-friendly Nature Center, outlook towers, and an Olympic sized pool. It’s a great outdoor mecca for kids to run around, explore, and feel like they are far from home. Kids will be over the moon if their visit includes a stay at the nearby Abe Martin Lodge because it has an indoor water park with many water slides, zero-entry pools, and fountains. Indiana is filled with beautiful state parks, just waiting for your next family adventure.
Has your family enjoyed camping, hand-dipped ice cream, line-dancing, or family-friendly theater in the nearby towns of Nashville or Bloomington?
2. Farm Tours
Photo by: Flickr/Michael Kappel
At Fair Oaks Farm, kids will learn a lot about where their food comes from. An informative tour makes the educational experience fun because it starts with seeing the cows milked and follows the milk all the way to the market. For kids, Mooville is the place to have a blast climbing up Udder Heights, jumping on the Dairy Air pillow, and riding on the MooChoo train. Parents can enjoy eating fresh ice cream and coffee while they watch their kids play. Although Fair Oaks Farm is open year-round, Mooville is open seasonally, so check their website for details. Don’t forget to stop at their cheese shop and restaurant – I’ve heard that their grilled cheese sandwiches are to die for!
Share your family’s experience at a U-pick farm or dairy in Indiana.
1. Indianapolis Children’s Museum
Photo by: Flickr/KimManleyOrt
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that visiting the world-famous Indianapolis Children’s Museum should be on the Top 10 list of family activities in Indiana. In fact, it is already recognized as being number one on Trekaroo’s list of the Best Children’s Museums in the USA. Kids of all ages will enjoy hands-on fun in the Lego Travel Adventure, visiting a real-scale Egyptian town (after “flying” there on Egyptian Air), and putting unique faces on Mr. Potato Head. As the largest Children’s Museum in the world, there is so much to see and discover that you may just have to stay in Indianapolis for a couple of extra days! Indiana has truly outdone itself in great children’s museums. Terre Haute Children’s Museum, Kidscommons Columbus Children’s Museum where the world’s largest toilet resides, and the Muncie Children’s Museum are more fun places to explore.
Looking for a great hotel during your stay in Indianapolis?
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Want more 50 states fun? See more posts in our series:
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Alaska
Top Ten Things for Families to do in California
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Colorado
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Massachusetts
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Nevada
Top Ten Things for Families to do in New Mexico
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Pennsylvania
Top Ten Things for Families to do in South Dakota
Top Ten Things for Families to do in Utah
Michelle McCoy (AKA mcfam at mmccoy@trekaroo.com) is Trekaroo’s Southern California Destination Guroo. She and her husband Matt have 3 boys and a girl ages 3 to 11. They love traveling to National Parks and going camping but when life with young kids keeps them home, they find their fun in traveling to the local beaches in Orange County and hiking in the wilderness areas nearby.
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Imagine amazing ocean views, large luxury appointed villas, and a one-minute walk from your room to the white sands of the Pacific.
Photo by: the Retreat In Laguna
If you’ve been looking to add a bit of luxury to your vacation life, consider The Retreat in Laguna, a brand new property set on the stunning Pacific Ocean in Laguna Beach, CA. The Retreat offers the best of two worlds; unsurpassed hotel luxury seamlessly mixed with the comforts, flexibility, and convenience of a private villa. All of the villas are stocked with full-size modern kitchens, patios, and expansive rooms making The Retreat in Laguna the perfect getaway for a home-away-from home vacation.
Photo by: The Beach House
Don’t worry about missing hotel amenities, The Retreat will arrange an in room private chef or deliver catered dinners from partner restaurants like the Beach House, featuring one of the most stunning views in SoCal, or Savannah Chophouse, an upscale casual American restaurant featuring sustainable practices and divine food! Concierge services are available to arrange local tours & activities, like a guided walk with the OC Wildlife & Beach Tour , or a dolphin and whale watching experience with Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching. In room spa services and yoga are available and access to the Laguna Health Club is included.
Read full reviews of:
The Retreat in Laguna | Savannah Chophouse | The Beach House | Dana Wharf
The Steal: Win a Lauguna Beach Luxury Villa Vacation Valued at $3,000!
Details: One lucky winner will receive:
- A 2 night stay at The Retreat In Laguna (subject to availability, excludes holidays)
- Welcome tote bags from the Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau
- 2 mornings worth of breakfast vouchers for four at The Beach House
- Low Tide walk for family of four with OC Wildlife & Beach Tour
- Dolphin and Whale Watching trip for four with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
- Dinner for 4 at Savannah Chophouse
HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:
Simply click on the rafflecopter box below and follow the directions. We’ve got lots of entry options on this one, so be sure to snag them all.
Typically when most people think of Newport, Rhode Island they think of beaches, boats, and summertime fun. While all of this is certainly part of the city’s identity, there is much more to Newport for you and your family to enjoy. We recently got to spend a weekend in Newport during the Annual Newport Winter Festival. Even with the winter weather, we enjoyed our time outdoors. The beauty of the Atlantic Ocean is everywhere and there are so many family friendly activities to take advantage of to enjoy the area and learn about its rich and mischievous history. Newport Rhode Island is a renowned ‘tres chic’ community. Before our recent visit,I knew about its history of opulence and grandeur but was not aware of the roguish past.
Rogues to Riches History-Yo ho ho
Local history is well preserved by Newport citizens. During the Revolutionary War, Newport was a very active port and much of that history, preserved by the Historical Society, can be seen at their downtown museum and through interactive tours. My family enjoyed a Lantern Tour of Historic Newport by a very knowledgeable docent from the Newport Historical Society. We learned that many colonists seeking relief from persecution landed in Newport as did many pirates running rum. These are the rogues that put Newport on the map many years after the natives discovered this rich piece of paradise. Our kids’ sentiments- “no pirate’s life for me”.
The Newport Mansions are reminders of the decadence of the Gilded Age and the opulence of summer cottages before taxes. The kids marveled at the grandeur of the staircase at the Elms mansion and the size of their kitchen, even though it was not modern. This ‘cottage’ was built for the Edward Berwind family who had made their fortune in coal. Our kids were able to see how their cottage vacations of today compared to those of the wealthy from the Gilded Age. Ours are a bit homier, to say the least. There are 10 mansions and facilities owned by the Newport Mansion Preservation Society that are open to visit. It’s easy to imagine being a princess walking into these beauties.
Wintertime waterfront fun
Pirates running rum once sailed the very waters we could see right from our hotel .We were lucky enough to stay right on the harbor at the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina. The weather, although sunny while we visited, was tremendously windy. We watched the boats rock outside our hotel window and were able to shop in the stores across America’s Cup Avenue.The wind could not deter us from enjoying another outdoor activity: Ice skatiing. The Newport Skating Center is located a block from the hotel and we enjoyed skating outdoors right on the harbor with the ocean in sight.
If you would like to enjoy Newport more like the pirates before you, get on the water. Seal safari’s from Seal Watch Cruises and other tours are available year round. If your family is more the landlubber type head for one of the city’s beaches which are open year round and feature free parking in the off season. Easton’s Beach is a quick drive or longer walk from the center of Newport. The water may not be inviting for swimming in the winter, but beach combing is definitely in order. The crowds are nonexistent and the shells and sea life are plenty. This beach also offers up a carousel and small aquarium making it a great way to spend a few hours. The beach is also close to the historic Cliff Walk, a 3.5 mile walk with history dating back to native days. The walk follows the Newport bluffs past fabulous estates and historic mansions.
Eat
The New England coast is known for its fresh and tasty seafood. On a trip to the Barking Crab we indulged on a meal of crab, clam and lobster. A family that came in behind us decided on a 10 pound lobster from the tank and my kids said adios a lobster friend they had just made upon entering. Seafood is not all Newport has to offer. We sampled a bunch of tasty wings from a dozen local establishments at a chicken wing cook-off at the Newport Hyatt Regency. Newport knows wings. The winner was Nikolas Pizza, my youngest daughter’s favorite. My roguish son was even temped by the suicide wings at Wings to Go. It was a flaming feast he won’t soon forget!
Annual Newport Winter Festival 2012
The city of Newport and its 1 million citizens make for a community focused city. During February they host a Winter Festival that lasts over a period of 10 days. There are shows, restaurant food contests, craft stations, music, and much more. Purchasing a Winter Festival button for $9 allows discounted admission into a number of attractions as well as discounts off area restaurants, making it a great way to experience the city!. One of our favorite experiences was family day at Easton’s beach where we dug for wooden blocks like pirates digging for treasure and won kites. We spent some time taking advantage of the wind with those kites and created some great memories. The Newport Art Museum had a theater ‘whodunit’ production requiring audience participation. The play followed household help from a mansion during the Gilded Age and all of their antics. After the production we searched the museum for clues and interviewed the suspects still in character. It was a great way to spend a night with the family. There are so many activities in Newport we actually had to choose which we would participate in. The Winter Festival is held each February so you can experience the rogues to riches of Newport each year and not just in the summer.
This post is based on a trip our family took to Newport. We were provided a 2 night stay by the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina and a VIP pass to some attractions. My review was not influenced and all opinions are my own.
Michelle Brennan is Trekaroo’s New England Destination Guroo
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