Picture all the holiday fun and festivities without the cold, the work or the stress. It’s all possible with three of the top cheap family escapes to book this winter. Whether you want to hit the latest theme park attractions, kick back on the beach or hit the slopes over the holidays or next year, the good news is there are plenty of affordable options.
Written by Eileen Ogintz. Sponsored by TakingtheKids.com.
Top 3 Cheap Family Escapes
Orlando on Sale Welcome to the holidays — Orlando Style. Here’s an early holiday gift: You won’t have to bust the budget to get your gang there, thanks to Visit Orlando’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals, live from Nov. 20-29, 2018, valid for discounted vacations all next year.
Save an extra 10 percent off already discounted purchases at OrlandoTickets.com. Use promo code “GIFT” between Nov. 20-29 for these incredible deals, but don’t delay as some tickets may have limited quantities.
The best part: You don’t have to wait until Christmas week to celebrate since Orlando’s seven famous theme parks and attractions celebrate 20 festive events over 59 days — everything from special parades, fireworks, shows and even a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree made out of LEGOs.
Discounts on All-Inclusive Beach Resorts The all-inclusive Karisma Hotels & Resorts known for their Gourmet Inclusive Experience, can offer much more than the luxe beach vacation you want. They’ve got deals that are 45 percent or more off and, in some cases, kids are free. The key is to choose the right resort for your family.
Generations Resort Riviera Maya by Karisma, for example, is designed for multigenerational groups with the largest suites in the Caribbean — your home away from home except with butler service and organized activities for the kids. Save half with current deals.
Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya by Karisma, also in Mexico, is especially popular with young families as it’s got everything you need for your baby or toddler as well as canopied beach beds to cuddle up, kids’ activities, water sports, spa and great eats. You’ll find two other Azul Beach Resorts in Mexico and one in Negril, Jamaica. Save 45 percent (depending on your dates) with kids’ free specials until the end of the year. You’ll find the same deal at the
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, not only a five-star in the Dominican Republic but the only Nickelodeon resort in the world. Each of the 208 guestrooms is decorated with a Nickelodeon™ twist and kids love the huge Aqua Nick water park where there’s mass sliming.
Introduce the Family to Snow Sports in New England
If your family would rather hit the slopes than the beach, head to Maine. How many places can boast ski hills with ocean views? Welcome to Maine’s Camden Snow Bowl, home to one of the world’s best toboggan runs — 400 feet long.
Maine is home to two large ski resort — Sunday River and Sugarloaf — but there are plenty of smaller, less expensive ones like Camden Snow Bowl and miles of snowmobile, cross country ski and snowshoe trails across the state, many in open fields, state and local parks.
January is Learn a Snow Sport Month, when hundreds of resorts offer opportunities for discounted lift tickets and group lessons in skiing and snowboarding. Save when you book lodging and lift tickets together at places like Sunday River.
Gear up at L.L. Bean’s giant store in the town of Freeport, Maine, where you’ll also find lots of outlet stores for more bargains. All ages can indulge in Portland’s eclectic food scene, too.
And, it’s always fun to take a walk in a Maine snowstorm, kids I interviewed for my new Kid’s Guide to Maine say.
Happy Travels!
