By Hannah Rice Myers
When summer vacation comes around, your kids will begin asking what the great family plans are. You better be prepared to answer them. The world is your oyster, and there are many places and activities that offer a combination of family fun with activities, personalized to each age group. It does take a bit of planning, and you simply need to know what oysters are out there for you to open.
Disneyland
This has been a family favorite for more than 50 years. What better greeting can one receive than a hug from Mickey or Minnie Mouse? From there, you can move on to one of the many rides, such as Splash Mountain or Space Mountain. For those who prefer interaction, try the Indiana Jones Adventure and take a journey into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Take younger children through It's a Small World, a boat ride that celebrates peace on earth from a child's viewpoint while the world's most memorable song plays in the background. At night, you can enjoy the "Dreams Come True" fireworks display over Sleeping Beauty's Castle.
Disneyland
1313 S. Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92803-3232
(714) 520-5060
Disney Cruise
If water is more your cup of tea, you can still enjoy the fun of Disneyland but be at sea. Disney cruises offer activities for people of all ages. For parents who want to enjoy some time away, they can rest assured that their children will be supervised by trained staff. For younger children, there is the Oceaneer Club, a play area designed to look like Captain Hook's ship, allowing them to fall into the depths of their fantasy as they sail the world. For teens, there is the Aloft, an area that combines their first dorm room or loft apartment complete with a big-screen televisions, video games, a lounge and an Internet cafe. This area is for children ages 13 to 17 and is supervised by ship staff. Once all have had their fill of alone time, families can come together in the Studio Sea, where they can dance and sing to karaoke, play arcade games, and join in parties with different Disney themes. You have your choice of two ships: Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The attractions are the same, and the accommodations are similar. Both ships offer the same cruise packages as well. There are three- or four-day Bahamian cruises, with stops in Nassau, Bahamas, and Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. Next, there is a seven-night eastern Caribbean cruise, with stops in St. Maarten and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, as well as Castaway Cay. There is also a seven-night western Caribbean cruise, with stops in Key West, Florida; Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Castaway Cay. Finally, you can cruise to the Bahamas with stops in Nassau and Castaway Cay on Disney's seven-night land and sea cruise.
Disney Cruise Line
Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10238
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0238
(800) 951-3532
Go Camping
Camping is a summertime activity that never grows old. It doesn't require a lot of planning, and it is something that brings a family together while still allowing the fun to flow. All you need for this excursion is a tent or two, some sleeping bags, and a cooler full of drinks and your favorite treats. For fun, pick a location near your home that is known for fishing, and spend a day relaxing with your poles as you try to catch your dinner. For nature lovers in the family, a walk through the woods is a great way to break away from the stress of everyday life. At night, everyone can gather around the campfire with tree branches in hand, prepared to roast marshmallows and make s'mores.
About the Author:
Based in Jamestown, Pa., Hannah Rice Myers has more than 10 years of experience as a freelance writer, specializing in the health industry. Many of her articles have appeared in newspapers, as well as "Curing Epilepsy: Hope Through Research." Rice Myers received her master's degree in nursing from Upstate Medical University in 2001.
