Top Family Travel Destinations From the Vacation Pros

Eighteen summers. Eighteen spring breaks. That’s all you are guaranteed with your children as you raise them. We’ve been soooooo fortunate in that our grown boys still eagerly travel with us, but we never take that for granted. Wise parents start the planning process early. (Is the womb too soon?) What are the top family travel destinations you hope to hit in those precious years? Our vacation pros will help make that decision easy!

Every family loves a good merry-go-round. Or pail and shovel. Or cultural immersion. No matter your lifestyle or preferences, we’ve got something for you!

Theme Parks

Disney!

There’s no better topper for this list than the Disney parks. All six of them!  If the Orlando destination is on your grid, Pixie Dust Fan has a place for you to bunk. (In fact, my family is headed to this resort tomorrow!) There are so many reasons to make this spot your “Home,” but here’s Francine’s 5 REASONS I LOVE DISNEY’S BEACH CLUB RESORT!

While you are there, you MUST jettison to the planet Batuu. This long-awaited brand-new land in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World simply HAS to be one of the top family travel destinations. There, you can pilot your own Millennium Falcon, construct your own version of R2-D2 (or BB-8) droid, and EAT. After all that time travel (and splashing in Stormalong Bay) you will be hungry. And thirsty. Even the food is themed and part of your immersion! Here’s THE MOST STELLAR EATS AND DRINKS AT STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE.

Universal

Yes, there in Florida life outside of the Magic Kingdom. Universal Orlando ( Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure) is another hot spot for families. So much so, that Lisa at Adventures in Familyhood created the ULTIMATE GUIDE TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO FOR FAMILIES.From the best rides to creating your budget,  you don’t have to be a wizard to plan your trip. (And a ride on Hogwarts Express.

Disney Cruising

Big kids, little kids, grandma, grandpa, everyone will enjoy the high seas. Especially if it’s Disney-style. Boy, do I wish we had read this next primer before we took our young boys on the Disney Magic in 1998! Carrie knows that every cruising minute is magic, and you don’t want to waste a second. A Princess and Her Pirates will give you and your crew the best tips for YOUR FIRST DAY ON DISNEY CRUISE LINE .

And if you’re extra lucky, you will be sailing during one of the Special Days at Sea, such as Star Wars Day or Marvel Day.  And if you’re extra, extra lucky, you may be on a ship for a Holiday Cruise. Sarah took her littles on a Disney Cruise Line vacation, and ‘Dis’ Happy Home ‘Dis’hes on the tricks and treats in SPOOKY DISNEY MAGIC ADVENTURE:  HALLOWEEN ON THE HIGH SEAS 2016.

Hit the Beach

Florida

Keeping with our Mickey theme, Jen has plotted a course from Walt Disney World (or Port Canaveral) to the best place to dip your toes in the ocean. I will admit, when researching this very topic, I found surprisingly little written on this topic. Thank you Disney Dream Co.!! BEACHES NEAR DISNEY- SIESTA KEY.

Georgia

Another sand-lover, Kayla at Mommy of a Princess, finds another surf spot in Georgia to be the perfect beachside resort town for families. JEKYLL ISLAND VACATION WITH LITTLE KIDS looks like the perfect blend of scenery and entertainment. Especially for the wee ones.

Family Travel Trips Abroad

The adventurous types like to venture to more exotic locales. While our kiddos came with us to the Caribbean, Las Vegas (they LOVED it!), and California when they were little, it wasn’t until Middle School that our family travel took them to Europe. Guess what they talk about most??

New Zealand

My husband and I visited New Zealand on our honeymoon, so I was eager to read Albion’s WHITE ISLAND TOUR. What was seared into my memory was the sights, sounds, and smells of a geography that was still in flux. According to Albion Gould, it seems that evolution is still in play. Stunning!