Bang For The Buck: Holidays For The Family

With summer ending and fall approaching it's a good time to plan a holiday trip for the family. Oftentimes, family-oriented travel destinations create bargain package vacations including airfare and hotel. Many packages are available at all the top destinations that won't break the budget.

If considering a trip to California's Disneyland, consider staying at a non-Disney hotel to save some dollars and get more "bang for your buck." The Sheraton Anaheim Hotel, located across the street from Disneyland, has a free shuttle to and from the park. Save more when setting up your vacation package by purchasing your park tickets to Disneyland, and tickets to other area attractions like Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm and the Queen Mary that you may wish to visit. The meticulous vacation planner can have the whole trip worked out without getting up from the computer.

Disneyworld in Florida also has family vacation packages. The Pop Century Resort at Disneyworld is a sprawling complex of 5,760 rooms with different areas themed on the pop culture of a featured decade from the 1950s through the 1990s and it is available at a discount. Once again, save more by purchasing your park tickets ahead of time. All the big ones are located nearby including Disneyworld and Animal Kingdom.

Another popular family vacation destination is Las Vegas. Las Vegas has spent two decades revamping itself from the "city of sin" into an ideal family resort destination. The Desert Rose Resort is a nice 3-star hotel located in the famous "strip" area - available at a discount. The traveling family can reserve two-bedroom suites here for the price of a standard room at some of the "big name" hotels. Attractions within walking distance of the Desert Rose include the Elvis-a-Rama Museum, the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace, the dancing fountains at Bellagio, and the Stratosphere Hotel Tower with the roller coaster located at the top - 1200 feet above the strip.

Back to the West Coast again to San Diego are two of the world's greatest attractions for the family animal lovers: Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Sea World is opened extended hours during the December holidays and so is the San Diego Zoo, the world's largest zoo. The Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, set on San Diego Bay, is a beautiful, 4-star hotel available at a discount in the area. The hotel offers a shuttle service to both Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.

Finally, another holiday vacation idea for the family at a budget is the skiing trip. Colorado is full of resorts available at a family discount. Winter Park is the closest ski resort to Denver International Airport and is a picture-perfect winter wonderland. Never been skiing before? Schedule lessons - the professional ski instructors have classes for everyone from the never-put-skis-on novice to advanced classes for those seeking to freestyle. Classes are also available for children as young as three years old. The Super 8 is a discount hotel available in Winter Park. Though only rated 2-stars it is a comfortable hotel and visitors spend most of their time on the mountain anyway. Save extra money by purchasing your lift tickets online.

Many options are available to the travelling family during holiday time. Families can visit Disney parks on the East and West coasts and a family-themed Las Vegas. Taking a ski trip to the mountains of Colorado is an excellent idea also.