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Delta Vacations offers Walt Disney World® Resort Vacations

Published April 15th, 2010 in delta.com, Vacations | 1 Comment →

When you think of a magical destination, where is the first place you think?  Well, if you have kids or are a kid at heart, it’s Walt Disney World®.  I am really excited to say that Delta Vacations added Walt Disney World® Resorts to its lineup on April 6.  During the process of adding this destination, I was able to travel down to Florida and receive some training on Walt Disney World® and its products.  I thought – Why do I need Disney training? I have been there a million times and I know everything there is to know.  Boy was I wrong! Here are a few tips that I learned from the Disney Experts themselves.

Micky and Minnie at Disney Parade

1)       There really is a big difference when you stay on-property at a Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel.  There are a ton of extras that you and your family will receive, but a couple of my favorites are:

  • Extra Magic Hours – Each day, Disney Resort hotel guests are offered exclusive time in a Walt Disney World theme park one hour prior to scheduled park opening or for up to three hours after park closing; the park varies from day to day. In addition, Disney water parks sometimes open one hour early for guests of Disney Resort hotels.
  • Free airport transfers – this is called Disney’s Magical Express.  They take care of everything, you don’t even need to pick your luggage up from baggage claim, they take care of it all!
  • Convenient transportation (via monorail, ferry boat or motorcoach) between the parks and your hotel.  Now this is a great benefit.  Just think, when you get tired and hot in the middle of the day, you can go back to your hotel, take a nap or cool off with a swim and then go back to the park later in the day.
  • Free package delivery to your hotel.  Now this may sound like a small thing, but just think how nice it will be not to lug around packages all day long.  I used it when I was down there and it was so nice.

2)       If you are a person that feels like you are running all over the park looking for the shortest lines, well there are a couple of things I can help you with there.

  • Disney’s FASTPASS Service – I think you can look at it as a feature that holds your place in line.  You go to the ride and use your ticket to get a FASTPASS, you then come back at the time it says and you can go right to the front of the line.  It really is a great way to maximize the fun in your day.
  • Speaking of planning your time well, there is an App that helps you do just that. The Mobile Magic Application:  Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Verizon have teamed up to enhance the guest experience at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests are able to access an array of features on their Verizon Wireless phones including the ability to easily locate shows, restaurants and the Disney characters anywhere inside the parks; get real-time attraction availability information; access mobile games; receive messages from characters, and more.

3)       There are so many fun things to do at Walt Disney World® than just going on rides.  There are a ton of great events that are designed for everyone to share in the fun and magic of Disney.  Some of my favorites include:

  • Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival in the Spring
  • Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood StudiosÔ (Late Spring/Early Summer)
  • Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (Select Nights Sept/Oct at the Magic Kingdom)
  • Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival (Fall)
  • Holidays Around the World
  • Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend (January)

Now I could go on and on about how magical Disney truly is, how it really is a place where dreams come true and there is a story to be told at every corner, but I think that is something that you need to discover on your own.

With Delta Vacations, we offer everything you need to plan and book your perfect Walt Disney World® Resort vacation.  Our vacations include airfare, on-site hotels, theme park tickets, optional dining programs, 1,000 bonus miles with the SkyMiles® program and so much more.  Visit Delta Vacations online or give us a call to learn more.  You can also contact your travel agent.

Missy W.

Delta Vacations

Weekend Getaways

Published April 1st, 2010 in delta.com, Vacations | 3 Comments →

I love getting away and taking a vacation and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one, but sometimes I can’t afford a week long trip somewhere, so I try to take little weekend getaways here and there.  Living in Minnesota it’s a MUST to get out of the winter and try to go somewhere warm!  Below are some of my favorite weekend getaway spots.

New Orleans

I have a spot in my heart for New Orleans because I spent a full week down there after Hurricane Katrina to help gut and rebuild the communities.  I met some amazing people and the hospitality of the people was great.  Ever since then I try to get to New Orleans as much as I can to help support the city and try to bring it back to it’s glory days.  I recently went down there and left Friday night and came back Sunday night.  It was so much fun!  We stayed right in the French Quarter at the Omni Royal Orleans where we could walk to everything.  If you’ve never been to the French Quarter it is amazing, so much to do and so much history!  Bourbon street is the famous area but there is so much more to see than just Bourbon street.  Most of the restaurants have live jazz or blues music playing at night, it’s fun just to walk and listen to the music and get engulfed in the New Orleans energy.  My wife and I were very surprised at the quality of shopping and spent a whole day walking and shopping.  We also hit up the Harrah’s casino and went on a Haunted Ghost Tour at night.  New Orleans is supposedly one of the most haunted cities and it turns out Nicholas Cages’s home in New Orleans is supposedly haunted!  The food down there is to die for (no pun intended after talking about the ghost tour) the spot you have to stop at is Café DuMonde to get some famous beignets.  But don’t inhale because you’ll choke from all the powdered sugar.  The architecture is beautiful and to hear the history on the buildings and how old they are is very interesting.  Jackson square has great buildings and if you walk around there you’ll see lots of street performers and at night you will see all the Tarot card readers and psychics.  This might be my favorite weekend getaway!

 

 

 

 

 

Las Vegas

Vegas is another fun place to go for the weekend.  Obviously the gambling is a big draw but there is so much to do there besides gamble.  There are world-class shows to see, award-winning restaurants from world-renowned chefs, and of course people watching.  Might be one of the best places just to sit back and watch hustle and bustle.  There are a lot of free shows you can watch like the fountains at the Bellagio or the pirate show at Treasure Island.   Right now you can get great deals on a 3-night getaway.  There is just so much to do in Vegas that even though a weekend is a short period of time you are awake until 3am each night so it seems like you are there for days!  I can’t wait to get back and check out more shows now that I know the places to go.  If you have never been and you are going for a weekend, I would recommend finding someone that help give you tips on where to go, eat and what to see.    My one tip is to wear comfortable shoes and I mean very comfortable.  You will do a lot of walking and the Strip is bigger than you think!  Even if a building looks close it doesn’t mean it is…my wife thought she wore comfy shoes but ended up with what we call “Vegas Feet”, sore, blistery and black from walking barefoot! You can follow me on Twitter or find me on Facebook or comment on this post if you have questions on Vegas.

New York

Even though New York isn’t always warm, I love to go there in the summer.  Just like Vegas there is a lot to do at all hours of the day.  I’ve been to New York a couple times and I’m heading back this May to go play golf at Bethpage Black and try to get to the new Yankee Stadium.  Can’t wait to do both!   What I love about NYC is that there are two different New Yorks.  You can go and do the touristy activities, which I highly recommend doing, like going to the MET, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, etc… Then there is the local side of New York.  I have a cousin and some friends who live in New York so it is fun to go visit them and go to the local spots for pizza or bagels, they are usually the best spots.  Plus, you have a good chance and bumping into a celebrity at one of these local spots!  You can’t go to New York and not walk around 5th Ave and all the shopping…yes, I’m a guy and I’ve mentioned shopping twice now in this blog…must be good shopping areas!

 

Those are just a few of my favorite weekend getaways and some others that are on my list for this year are Boston (got to go to Fenway and the Cheers bar), Seattle, and Austin (I hear it has a great music scene).

Where are your favorite weekend getaways? Post here or tweet us. We’ll share in a future blog post.

Sean C., Delta Vacations

Make the Most of Your Layover

Published March 23rd, 2010 in delta.com, Vacations | 2 Comments →

I stumbled across this article written by Caroline Costello from the  independenttraveler.com and thought this would be a fun article to share.

-Sean C., Delta Vacations

Flights with layovers are often cheaper than direct flights, but despite the savings, many travelers will pay more to avoid the extra time in the airport. Can we blame them? The thought of sitting around in an airport for six hours is only vaguely more enticing than a dental appointment. And who would want to prolong their travel time more than necessary, especially when an oceanfront villa in Thailand or an Amazon River cruise awaits at the end of the journey?

But despite their reputation as a necessary evil, layovers don’t have to mean endless hours of watching the clock and waiting for your vacation to start. In fact, a layover can be a memorable part of your trip and, dare we say it, fun. Instead of killing time filling out crossword puzzles and browsing the bookstore (there are only so many hours you can spend flipping through magazines you haven’t purchased before you’re asked to leave), why not dine on dishes created by celebrity chefs, take a mini-excursion to a local city or burn some calories in a fitness center?

Work Out
If you’re not shy about folding into downward dog in public, pack a yoga mat and work on your positions at the airport. A few minutes of deep breathing and stretching is a fantastic way to get your blood flowing after a flight. Check your airport Web site to see if it offers a yoga area. Singapore’s Changi Airport has a space specifically dedicated to practicing yoga, while Newark Airport has a meditation room that’s available to travelers at no cost. The quiet corner of an airport lounge also works as a suitable place to do some yoga if your airport doesn’t offer an appropriate facility.

Want to get some cardio in during your layover? AirportGyms.com is a useful Web site where you can search for fitness centers in or around airports in the U.S. and Canada. If there’s no gym in your airport, stuff some sweats into your carry-on bag and go for a jog around the terminals. This is best to do at an airport that offers shower facilities — be considerate of the person who will have to sit inches away from your sweaty armpits on the next flight.

Leave the Airport, See the Sights
Airports that offer fast and affordable transportation to the cities they serve are the best places for an airport layover adventure. In cities like Amsterdam, Sydney, Washington D.C., Chicago and London, travelers can easily take public transportation from the airport to the city center and spend a half-day exploring.

On IndependentTraveler.com’s Facebook page, member Bob Swanson posted about a memorable layover: “We were in Boston for about six hours. So we grabbed the subway and dined at the Union Oyster House in the Haymarket. Got back to the airport with no problem.”

For best results, sketch out a rough itinerary ahead of time. Find out what kind of transportation you’ll need to take to and from the airport (most airport Web sites list this information) and research the locations of attractions you want to visit. You may want to focus on a single attraction or neighborhood to save travel time. Allow plenty of wiggle room for traffic, long lines and other variables.

Sleep
Some travelers think sleeping in the airport is disturbingly analogous to sleeping on the street (especially during an overnight layover), while others have no qualms about catching some Z’s on a terminal bench. One’s comfort level depends on a number of factors, from personal experience to conditions in the airport in which you’re staying. Many airports have designated sleeping sections or special sleep chairs that make for painless napping. Hong Kong International Airport, South Korea’s Incheon International Airport and Vancouver International Airport are a few major hubs that offer comfy lounge chairs and padded benches on which travelers can fully stretch out. For more information about sleeping in airports, check out sleepinginairports.com, an excellent resource for drowsy travelers.

If you’re planning to spend the entire night on an airport bench, you may be awakened by airport security guards who aren’t fond of travelers setting up camp in public, depending on what airport you’re snoozing in. Stay overnight in the airport at your own risk.

Get a Room
Your eyes are heavy after a seven-hour red eye, but you don’t like the idea of dozing off in public. There’s a solution. Consider paying for short-term lodging, even if it’s for a layover that’s only a half-day or so long — it may be cheaper than you think and well worth the cost.

London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schipol airports both have YOTEL facilities, which are accommodations within the airport terminals inspired by Japanese capsule hotels. A standard cabin starts at 40 euros for a minimum of four hours, and comes with a bathroom with shower, a bed, a fold-out desk and a flat-screen TV (all amazingly squeezed into seven square meters).

To get the cheapest rate at an airport hotel, plan ahead as opposed to showing up and requesting a room on the spot. Check rates online for airport hotels before you leave for your trip, and keep an eye out for special rates and other offers.

To read the full article and get more ideas visit www.independenttraveler.com

What do you like to do on a layover?
–written by Caroline Costello

Want To Give An All Inclusive A Whirl?

Published March 2nd, 2010 in delta.com, Vacations | No Comments →

The popularity of all-inclusive resorts has skyrocketed in the past five years.  They offer programs for everyone including families, couples, and singles.  All-inclusives come in all shapes and sizes, from ultra-luxurious mega resorts to quaint, boutique style hotels.  But everyone always wants to know…Do they really include EVERYTHING?

Breakfast room service at Secrets SilverSands…that was a lot of food!

The answer is yes… and no.

Here’s what’s usually included (ask about your particular resort to be sure):

  • All meals, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and most alcoholic beverages
  • Some activities, depending on what your resort has available, such as tennis, golf, diving or snorkeling, other non-motorized water sports, and workouts.
  • Gratuities are included but it doesn’t hurt to tip a bartender or room attendant every now and then if you feel they are doing a great job. In fact you will most likely get extra service if you do so but you don’t need to.
  • Nightly entertainment – shows, dancing, karaoke and more
  • Room service – some resorts include 24 hr room service. This is good to double check on.

Here’s what’s usually NOT included:

  • Airfare and airport taxes (except with Delta Vacations’ package where your airfare is included)
  • Spa treatments (massage, facial, etc), but access to facilities is usually included
  • Off-site tours
  • Phone calls
  • Items purchased at the gift shop

A couple notes on “inclusions”:

  • You will get the “included” wine with your dinner, but you can, many times, purchase a specific wine.  Also, sometimes only domestic or local liquor is included, so if you’re in Mexico for example, you may have to pay extra (if available) for a Miller beer instead of a Dos Equis or Pacifico or Corona.
  • You may have to make reservations for your meals at select restaurants onsite.  And sometimes, if you don’t make the reservation, your options may be limited.  You also may be restricted to how many times you can eat at some of the nicer restaurants at the property. So make your reservations when you arrive.

Where are all-inclusive resorts available and a good option?

Jamaica , the Dominican Republic , Mexico , especially Cancun and the Riviera Maya

Some questions to ask yourself before choosing an all-inclusive resort:

  1. Am I looking for a vacation where I want very little outside influence, just want to relax and not be bothered with where to go to eat dinner or what to do?
  2. Do I want to see something and do something different every day?
  3. Are there enough activities at this particular resort, and are the restaurants suitable to my taste?

If you have questions on all-inclusive vacations  for us you can find Delta Vacations on Facebook (in fact we are giving away a trip to one of our fans!) or follow us on Twitter.

What’s your favorite all inclusive?

Kid-Friendly Destinations and Resorts

Published February 24th, 2010 in delta.com, Vacations | 2 Comments →

Nancy from Family Travel Network is joining us again today to talk about great kid-friendly destinations and resorts.  If you missed her last post on tips for traveling with kids you can check it out here .

We’ve been covering family travel online since 1995 and we’ve found so many family-friendly destinations and resorts. Often, the right one for each family will depend on their children’s ages and the family’s interests. Some family favorites in the U.S. are:

Orlando (all age groups)

Hawaii (especially school-age kids and teens)

New York City (especially with school-age kids and teens)

Miami

Washington D.C.

San Diego (all age groups)

Florida Keys (big with teens and school-age kids)

Los Angeles

Phoenix

Tampa

Ft. Myers

Boston

San Francisco

Denver

Alaska (school-age kids and teens)

San Antonio

Ski/Mountain Destinations (Utah, Colorado, Vermont, New Hampshire, etc.)

Internationally, we’ve found that families love the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada (especially for skiing), Europe (especially London, Italy, Barcelona and the Greek Islands) and the South Pacific.

There are lots of kid-friendly resorts and hotel chains – both domestically and internationally. Many domestic hotel chains, such as Hyatt, Loews and Hilton, have instituted special programs for kids and families. Marriott has some cool Nickelodeon-themed weekend programs being rolled out this year.

Internationally, there are some really great family-oriented chains in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica. For families with young children (babies, toddlers up to 3+ years of age), some standouts include:

Beaches Resorts (babies and toddlers)

Club Med Resorts (selected ones that have baby and toddler programs)

FDR Resorts (babies and toddlers – cool vacation nanny program)

Four Seasons Nevis (program starts at 3 years of age)

Casa de Campo (babies and toddlers with vacation nanny option)

Atlantis (cool things for families with young children – program starts at 3)

Our Lucaya Resort

Almond Beach Resort

Coconut Bay Resort

Smugglers Notch Resort (babies on up)

Whistler Blackcomb

Beaver Creek

The Tyler Place (Vermont, summer only)

Families with school age children have so many great resorts from which to choose, including all of those above plus Palace Resorts, some SuperClubs properties, Real Resorts, Barcelo Resorts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons Resorts, Ritz-Carlton Resorts, Grand Velas Resorts, Marriott properties, Elite Island Resorts, and a whole lot more.

When the kids get to be teens – things turn interesting. Some resort chains have special programs just for teens, including:

Beaches Resorts

Club Med

Atlantis

Casa de Campo

Smugglers Notch

In addition, kids that age love adventure-type vacations to destinations such as Costa Rica and Alaska, plus trips to Hawaii, Europe and other destinations. There are so many things for families with teens and young adults to do.

Nancy, Family Travel Network

Thank you Nancy for your great tips and destinations for family vacations!  You can find more of her tips and more at www.familytravelnetwork.com.

Where do you like to take your kids on vacation?

Sean C., Delta Vacations

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