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A Dozen Disney Deals

As a Family Travel Specialist and College of Disney Graduate, I stay in touch with Mickey to make sure I am up to date with the latest offers from Disney. Here are a dozen great deals currently available:

1. Buy 4 nights get 3 nights free at Walt Disney World®. Offer applies to 4-night, 4-day Magic Your Way Package at a select Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels purchased by March 29. Valid for stays most nights Feb. 9 — April 4 and April 19 — June 27, 2009.

2. Kids 12 and under sail free on most 3-night Disney Cruises® from March 12 – May 28, 2009 with two full-fare guests in the same stateroom. Government taxes and fees not included.

3. Receive a fourth night free at a participating Disneyland® Resort Good Neighbor Hotel through the end of 2009.

4. Adults play for the kids’ price at Disneyland Resort® from January 6 through April 30, 2009. Offer applies to 3-Day or longer Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir tickets, including tickets purchased in packages.

5. Kids fly free to Disneyland® on Alaska Airlines or United Airlines through June 17, 2009. Offer applies to 2-Night or longer Walt Disney Travel Company® vacation package booked by March 18, 2009.

6. Receive a Disney Gift Card for up to $150 when staying a minimum of 2 nights at the Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort. Offer valid January 6 through April 30, 2009.

7. Early Bookings Rates are available from Adventures by Disney® on select new 2009 itineraries when booked 90 days prior to departure. A family of four can save at least $1600!

8. Walt Disney World® is offering discounted room only rates. A standard room at a value resort is just $74 per night, plus tax, and a standard room at a moderate resort is just $124 per night plus tax. Rates valid most Sunday through Thursday nights, Feb. 16 – April 4, 2009.

9. Free admission on your birthday in 2009 to Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida or Disneyland® Resort in California. If you book a vacation package with multi-day tickets, you can choose from three alternate birthday gifts.

10. 25% off Platinum Magic Your Way packages for Walt Disney World® visits most nights January 4 through April 4, 2009 and April 19 through June 30, 2009. The Platinum package includes park tickets, a dining plan, itinerary planning assistance, a spa treatment and other magical extras. Must be booked no later than February 15, 2009.

11. Disney Cruise Line® Magical Rates are offered weekly on select 3-, 4-, and 7-night cruises. Rates are limited to 50 cabins per sailing, so book early!

12. Complimentary, customized, day-to-day itinerary planning when you book your trip with Suzette Mack, a College of Disney graduate and Virtuoso Family Travel Advisor.

For more information about any of the above offers, contact Suzette at suzette@family-treks.com.

* All offers subject to availability, and may be changed or canceled at any time without notice.
* Restrictions or blackout dates may apply.

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Tour Operators Help Families Save Money on Travel

Travelers often have the wrong perception of travel agents and tour operators. They assume that because there is a middleman, the price will be higher. But in the travel industry, the opposite is usually true. Tour operators use their bulk buying power to provide packaged vacations at a reduced rate. And they can usually negotiate extra perks like complimentary breakfast, shopping vouchers, or coupon books for added value. Travel agents have the additional advantage of knowing which tour operators have the best prices to various destinations, and also can book trips with companies who do not work directly with the public.

For example, I priced a 7 night vacation package to Maui in August for a family of four through a tour operator who specializes in Hawaii. The grand total, including non-stop flights out of SFO, full size car, 1 bedroom suite at the Fairmont Kea Lani (my personal favorite), taxes, and travel insurance, was $5978 for the lowest category room. An upgrade to an ocean view suite brought the package to $7288. And since I am a Virtuoso Travel Advisor, my clients would also receive a gift basket on arrival full of munchies.

Next I priced everything separately on the internet. The nonstop flights alone for four came to over $3400. Add the least expensive rate on the hotel’s website was $3783 including taxes. That’s $7200 total for just the airfare and hotel, so clients are essentially getting the car and insurance for free when booking a tour operator package.



An important note about insurance, which every traveler should be purchasing these days. This particular supplier allows cancellation for any reason with a complete cash refund (minus the travel protection plan cost which is quite reasonable). Even the airfare is completely refundable! So that is a great advantage for families who know they have to plan far in advance to get the best rates, but may need to change their plans down the road due to sports schedules or other conflicts.

Another destination with jaw-dropping hotel rates is New York City. I checked The Plaza’s rates over Thanksgiving, and they started at $1005 per night plus tax. A hotel package through a tour operator (one that happens to only work with travel agents), was $4432 including taxes for five nights. That’s a total savings of over $1200 when taxes are figured in! But in this case an even better value is to make a direct hotel booking through a Virtuoso agent. The Virtuoso rates net about $1000 in savings, and include exclusive amenities: an upgrade based on availability, a $100 dining credit, and daily buffet breakfast for two. That’s the advantage of working with a Virtuoso travel advisor – I check all options to find out which gives the best value for my clients.



Speaking of holidays, booking through a tour operator is a one way to find hotel space during busy travel periods. Hotels block off rooms for tour operators, and cannot sell them until the space is released back to the hotel, usually quite close to the travel date. So even though a hotel says it is “sold out,” a tour operator may still have rooms available in their allotment.

This is also true when trying to book a flight to a popular destination. I have been able to book the most desirable nonstop flights to Maui for Spring Break when the airline itself doesn’t have seats to sell, and at a significantly lower cost than the less desirable schedules. But the number of seats available is limited, so my savvy clients know to contact me very early to get the best package rates.

For more details, contact Suzette Mack, a Virtuoso Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa on Kauai

As a family travel advisor, I often assist parents facing a common dilemma when planning a vacation: having to choose between the luxury and amenities of a resort hotel, or the space and convenience of a condominium. Outrigger solves that problem with one of its newest resorts, the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa on Kauai, by offering spacious one- and two-bedroom luxury condos with resort amenities and a great pool area.


The horseshoe-shaped resort surrounds a lushly landscaped pool area featuring two flumed waterslides. A heated river pool meanders through the grounds, accented with lava rock and waterfalls, and there’s even a hidden cave. A sand-bottom, zero-entry pool provides safe splashing for the youngest children, while adults could find a quiet spot on the lawn surrounding the river pool. A café offers snacks and beverages poolside, and a beachfront cocktail lounge provides a nice place for parents to relax while kids play on the beach. Guests can also sink their toes in the sand bottoms of three hot tubs on the property.

The condos are not only spacious, but luxurious in every detail, including stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerators, Wolf convection ovens, sleek granite countertops, and flat screen TV’s. Our two bedroom/three bath condo was over 1300 square feet, with each bedroom having its own spacious bathroom. Though it was just our family of four traveling, it would have easily accommodated a set of grandparents or another couple, by putting the kids in the living room sofa sleeper.



Children 5-10 years old receive an Island Explorer backpack at check-in including sunglasses, pen, binoculars, and two part workbook with Friends of the Reef Adventure Guide and Let’s Explore Hawaii Guide. This is not just a run-of-the-mill coloring book, but a learning guide created in partnership with Jean Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society and the University of Hawaii.

The location in Kapaa was excellent for exploring the entire island. Though the beach was not swimmable at the resort, many excellent snorkeling beaches were just a short drive away. There was also a shopping center across the street, and several restaurants within walking distance. After a fun day of activity on the island, returning to a spacious, luxurious ‘home away from home’ at the end of the day was a real treat.


For more details, contact Suzette Mack, a Virtuoso Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

The first client I sent to the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa walked into the open air lobby with its amazing view, and promptly saw a whale breach offshore, perfectly framed by the foyer. He said right then he knew it was going to be an amazing vacation. And he was absolutely right.

The Grand Hyatt is an exceptionally beautiful resort, with lush vegetation, beautiful artwork, and elegant furnishings throughout. Despite its large size, the clever layout ensures that the resort feels intimate and exclusive. When I visited during peak Fourth of July week, the hotel was fully booked, yet there were plenty of chairs by the swimming lagoon, and I passed only a few other guests on the paths.
The recreational facilities include a meandering lazy river connecting two freshwater pools, a saltwater lagoon for kayaks and inflatables, four tennis courts, mountain bike rentals, a 45,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor ANARA health and fitness spa, and the 18-hole Robert Trent Jones golf course next door. There is also 12,000 square feet of retail shops and for corporate groups, 65,000 square feet of meeting space, plus formal gardens and manicured lawns to host outdoor functions

The Grand Hyatt Kauai is not only one of the most luxurious hotels in the Hawaiian Islands, but it is one of the most family-friendly. Camp Hyatt offers a supervised children’s program for ages 3 – 12, featuring activities relating to the island’s culture, such as hula lessons, palm frond weaving, shell bracelet making, traditional Hawaiian storytelling and games, and the popular Parrot Talk. And kids of all ages enjoy the 150 foot waterslide!

And one of the biggest perks for parents: connecting rooms can be guaranteed at time of booking for an additional fee, based on availability.

The 2009 exclusive amenities for clients who book with a Virtuoso agency are:

> Upgrade upon arrival, subject to availability
> Daily buffet breakfast for up to 2 guests
> Evening appetizer in Stevenson’s Library Lounge once during stay
> Complimentary daily spa access for two

In the exclusive Virtuoso Suite Life promotion, guests who book a suite receive a 6th night free, $200 resort credit, a fruit bowl, and fresh orchid display in addition to the above amenities.

For more details, contact Suzette Mack, a Virtuoso Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Kauai – A Family Vacation Paradise

It’s hard for me to choose my favorite Hawaiian island, a question I am often asked as a family travel advisor. My husband says it’s easy – it’s whatever island we are on at the time! I agree with that logic, but there is a special place in my heart for Kauai. I love not only its beauty and diversity, but the wonderful choice of family-friendly accommodations. In winter, Poipu Beach on the South Shore is the place to be, with safe swimming year-round. But in summer I head to the North Shore, not just for the jaw-dropping views of lush mountains rising steeply above taro fields and Hanalei Bay, but also to enjoy some of the best snorkeling in the world.
My family is passionate about snorkeling; you might even call us “snorkel snobs.” Despite its reputation for rough waters, we found many kid-friendly snorkeling spots on Kauai. There is a protected lagoon at Lydgate State Park specifically designed for young children, so we spent an afternoon there getting the kids used to their gear and comfortable in the water. It also had a huge playground with lots of fun climbing features, but my kids had no interest when there were fish to be seen! Then we headed to Tunnels Beach, near the “end of the road” on the north shore, where clear, shallow water extends for yards allowing easy and safe snorkeling for all ages. (Interesting fact: The reef along the north coast is so large it can be seen from space!)

There are many other activities on Kauai, making it a great destination for active families with older children, too. Surfing is very popular, and lessons can be taken on both the north and south shore. Hiking trails are available throughout the island, the most popular being the trails in Waimea Canyon offering spectacular valley views, and the famous Kalalau Trail leading to a remote beach on the Napali Coast. A trip to the private island of Ni’ihua offers outstanding diving in clear, deep water with visibility often well over 100 ft. There’s also four wheeling, river kayaking, zip lining, fishing, golf, cycling, and horseback riding. And nothing caps off a day of activity better than a bowl of Hawaiian shaved ice served over macadamia nut ice cream!

Kauai has a way of jarring the senses. You don’t really comprehend the height of the cliffs in Kalalau Valley until it’s pointed out during your boat tour of the Napali Coast that a “small” opening can accommodate a helicopter. The vastness of Waimea Canyon becomes even more impressive when you realize that a tiny white speck in the distance is a plane, which means the “hills” you are admiring are really mountains miles away. Filmmakers also flock to the island because of the lush scenery, and Kauai’s movie portfolio includes Jurassic Park, 6 Days/7 Nights, Mighty Joe Young, South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, and most recently, Tropic Thunder.


Kauai has a broad variety of resorts and condominiums that cater to families. Moderately priced hotels and condos as well as full service luxury resorts offer authentic Hawaiian ambiance, kid-pleasing amenities such as waterslides, and excellent dining and spa experiences. Families who want more space, or need accommodations that sleep more than four, will be pleasantly surprised at the number of upscale options available. For example, the spectacular Grand Hyatt Kauai will guarantee connecting rooms at time of booking for a modest fee. And both Outrigger Waipouli Resort and the new Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas offer spacious luxury condominiums with kitchens, living rooms, and private lanais, and beautiful pool areas. I’ll post more detailed reviews and photos of these resorts separately.

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Give Mom a Break with a Holiday Getaway

Several years ago I found I was losing the holiday spirit after all the decorating, shopping, wrapping, mailing, baking, etc. I was pretty burnt out on Christmas by the time the big day arrived. One year I declared that I needed a break to get back in the Christmas spirit, and insisted we take a mini-vacation before the holiday. My criteria were simple: I didn’t want to cook, and it had to be a place with lots of holiday activities for the family. Since the old adage is true, “when Mom’s happy, everybody’s happy” it wasn’t difficult to convince my family to go along.

We went to Sunriver Resort near Bend, OR, whose annual Traditions celebration included horse-drawn sleigh rides, cookie decorating, caroling, and breakfast with Santa. My children were even tucked in one night by an elf that brought treats and read them a bedtime story! Spending this quality time with my family renewed my holiday spirit. I went home refreshed and happy, and ready to create wonderful holiday memories in my home.


I think more than ever this year people need to get away not just from the chores at home, but from the relentless stories of economic woe in the newspapers and on television. And travelers can take advantage of excellent promotions during this time. Many resorts are waiving the traditional 7 or 10 night minimum stay requirements typical for the holidays, and offering lower rates or more amenities than ever before. And when booking with a Virtuoso travel consultant, families get exclusive perks and VIP treatment at many of the world’s top resorts.

For example, Four Seasons Jackson Hole is offering the fourth night free for arrivals December 18 through April 9. And as I am affiliated with a Four Seasons preferred agency, my clients also receive daily continental breakfast for two, a welcome amenity, and a complimentary upgrade (based on availability). The resort also has luxurious 2-5 bedroom residences in addition to hotel rooms and suites, which are conveniently situated for visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

The Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch at Beaver Creek, Colorado, caters to families with services such as a ski nanny, youth spa, and daily fire pit lighting with hot chocolate, apple cider and freshly baked cookies. A special treat for kids is borrowing the resort’s resident Labrador Retriever for a snowshoe hike. Exclusive Virtuoso amenities for my clients include daily continental breakfast for two, a $50 spa credit, and complimentary upgrade based on availability. (For 2009, the spa credit is being replaced with an $85 food credit.)


The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is also offering a fourth night free, as well as a Mountain Adventure Package which includes daily breakfast and $100 CAD credit per day toward mountain activities. When booking with a Virtuoso travel consultant, guests also receive a complimentary signature martini with souvenir shaker. Special holiday events such as caroling, sleigh rides and dog-sledding are planned through December, and guests can also enjoy afternoon tea service and evening fondue dining. For a festive city getaway, the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Manhattan offers fashionable, family-friendly accommodations a short walk from Central Park and Madison Avenue shops. Their Pillows and Penguins package includes two connecting rooms, daily continental breakfast, a children’s gift bag, 4 tickets to Central Park Zoo, VIP Passes to a Jekyll and Hyde themed restaurant, and milk and cookies at bedtime.

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