Hagrid's Hut

Did you know that Universal Studios in Orlando is opening a whole land dedicated to Harry Potter (and friends)? It’s true! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens this summer at the Universal Resort and Hagrid has already set up camp. Good guy that Hagrid.

Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort.

For more family-friendly travel photos visit DeliciousBaby’s Photo Fridays.

How I pack for a 24 hour road trip with kids.

A friend of mine from Wisconsin recently spent a week in Orlando, Florida on a family vacation.  She and her husband drove to Orlando with two young children – from Wisconsin.

While 24 hours in a minivan with kids might not sound like your idea of a relaxing vacation, more and more families are opting to drive instead of fly in order to save a little money, especially as airlines continue finding new ways to charge travelers for flying.  Whether you’re packing up for a trip across the country, or heading to grandma’s seven hours away for a holiday weekend, check out these simple tips for keeping kids entertained on a long car ride.

5 Ways To Entertain Kids On A Long Car Ride

1. Pack surprises for your kids.

I have to admit, I actually got this idea from a commenter on a previous post about road trip planning tips.  The idea is to pack away a few goodies to be given out just when boredom and restlessness levels threaten to become dangerous.  What kind of surprises should you pack?  Beth (the original genius), says:

“I usually pack enough surprises for the kids to equal each hour we will be in the car – most are small (a bag of their favorite chips, a small toy) but sometimes a big surprise like a new game for their nintendo ds, a new cd, or a new book can deter the crabbies and buy an extra hour or two of happiness in the car.”

Genius!

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Summer is coming, people and with it — the summer vacation.  Many of us have already envisioned destinations to warmer climes or exotic locales.  We can hear the waves crashing on our sandy feet, the warmth of the sun on our faces or gulls gently rousing us from peaceful afternoon slumber.  The diligent traveler has already made reservations and paid their deposits, ensuring their visions become reality.

Road Tripping

What many travelers often overlook, however, is the journey.  We envision the destination and quite often neglect a make or break aspect of any vacation — the road trip.  A horrendous road trip can ruin even the most well thought out vacation leaving you tired and frustrated before you ever arrive.  Conversely, a well planned and organized travel agenda can make getting there almost as much fun as being there.

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Look, another week (or so) has passed and we’re back for more Travel Around the Internet! Try to contain yourself.

This week the big story is the volcano in Iceland and the travel restrictions it has caused. Who does that volcano think it is?

Here are some of the travel links that caught our eye this week:

Ash keeps President Obama from visiting Poland.

Gadling confirms what we all thought, Spirit Airlines is trying going to lose a lot all of its business.

A helpful chart for choosing the best seat on a plane.

Concerned about air travel? Call your airline! Here’s a list of airline phone numbers.

Visiting a new city with your children? Find out what’s happening in town!

Europe’s travel trouble.

Want to learn a new language for your next trip?

Looking for a simple way to organize a family vacation? Cozi can help!

Options for stranded travelers.

Use your concierge!

Getting rid of lines at Disney parks?

And there you have it. You’re welcome.

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