If going to Abu Dhabi is on your bucket list, now may just be the perfect time to take the plunge. When I first saw this promo, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but turns out it’s the real deal. Etihad Airways, one of the world’s most luxurious airlines is offering a promo where for every two booking adults, children can fly for $1 each (plus your local country taxes). On top of it – no fuel surcharges apply on children/infant tickets.

For every two paying adults, two children up to 12 years will get the following benefits**:

• Coral Economy Class tickets on Etihad Airways for $1
• Complimentary accommodation (additional room) in a selection of hotels
• Free meals at residing hotels
• Free access to a selection of tourist attractions

The only trick is you must book your tickets between June 20th and July 31st for travel between August 1st and August 25th. For all the details, please visit Etihad.

Source: Traveling Mom
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism

Heading to Florida? You may want to check out Universal Orlando Resort this year! The company announced quite a few new features for 2012 that are sure to get families of all ages excited. Everything from the Blue Man Group show and newly re-created experience inside one of Universal Orlando’s most popular attractions to a stunning parade, spectacular nighttime show and brand-new blockbuster attraction based on an incredibly popular film – Universal Orlando Resort is bringing guests more new entertainment across our entire destination in 2012 than during any other year in our history.

In addition Universal Pictures Centennial Anniversary Celebration during 2012 with a series of events to be announced throughout the year.

The new 2012 experiences at Universal Orlando Resort include:

Blue Man Group ~ Opening February 2012 at Universal CityWalk

Universal Orlando’s Blue Man Group show is taking their unique and captivating mash-up of high energy music, comedy, audience participation and collective exhilaration to another level. Featuring a new show environment, new music, new technology and new experiences, the show will allow audiences to join the Blue Men as they discover, engage and explore the world’s obsession with cutting-edge technology. New show elements include the curious Blue Men interacting with enormous “GiPads,” a funny and insightful look at contemporary communication vehicles, and a pulsating new finale with an original Blue Man Group music score.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ~ Experience March 2012 at Islands of Adventure

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man will soon feature all-new, 4K digital high-definition animation, new high tech 3-D glasses and upgrades to the set, audio and lighting systems.  The re-animation of the ride film will include an entirely new level of detail for guests to discover, including a cameo by legendary comic book icon and Spider-Man co-creator, Stan Lee.

Universal’s Superstar Parade ~ Opening Spring 2012 at Universal Studios Florida

Some of today’s most beloved characters and stories will bring new adventure to the streets of Universal Studios during Universal’s Superstar Parade – an all-new daily parade that features larger-than-life floats, state-of-the-art technology and hundreds of energetic street performers.  Guests can sing and dance along with characters like the minions from Despicable Me, E.B. from the hit comedy, Hop, Nickelodeon’s Dora & Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants during the interactive experience. There will also be opportunities to enjoy performances and character meet and greets prior to the parade at select locations throughout the day.

Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories ~ Opening Spring 2012 at Universal Studios Florida

Narrated by award-winning actor and recent Golden Globe - Cecil B. DeMille honoree, Morgan Freeman, Universal Orlando’s brand-new nighttime show, Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular, will celebrate the most powerful and emotional moments from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films – all on cutting-edge waterfall screens within the Universal Studios lagoon and surrounded by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics. The new show opens this spring, runs all summer and then on select nights through the end of the year.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ~ Opening Summer 2012 at Universal Studios Florida  

Universal Orlando’s newest attraction, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, will take guests on an unforgettable 3-D adventure with their favorite characters from the hit film – Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the mischievous minions. The experience begins when guests enter Gru’s home, where they learn that they’re being recruited to become minions and undergo “minion training.”  Things don’t go as planned, and guests find themselves on a wildly hysterical journey with Gru and his daughters.  Once guests make it through training, they join an interactive, minion-inspired dance party where they can show off their best moves.

Not only will the characters in the attraction will be voiced by the film’s original cast:Steve Carell (Gru), Miranda Cosgrove (Margo), Dana Gaier (Edith) and Elsie Fisher (Agnes), but the ride’s experience is being developed by the same creative team that brought you the award-winning film, Despicable Me. The motion-picture event Despicable Me 2 arrives in theaters on July 3, 2013.

Other New Experiences Opening this Year

• Hollywood Drive-In Golf, a unique 36-hole miniature golf experience inspired by the classic drive-in movie era, will open in February at Universal CityWalk.
• A great, new immersive retail entertainment experience that will become home to SpongeBob SquarePants and other characters from the number one kids animated TV series, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants.  It will open inside Universal Studios this year.
• Minutes away from Universal Orlando, the popular Wet ‘n Wild water park will open its first interactive family water play area, this summer – allowing everyone in the family to splash and swim together.  Amidst lush, tropical landscaping, the new area will feature 15 water slides and more than 100 soakers, jets, waterfalls and water cannons – making it the largest interactive water play experience in Florida.

For more information about Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.universalorlando.com.

The two biggest names in Tennessee tourism have teamed up in order to bring a huge family entertainment spot in Nashville! Dolly Parton’s Dollwyood Company has partnered with Gaylord Entertainment in order to develop a 114 acre family entertainment zone that is to be built directly across from The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The $50 million water and snow park will be the first of its kind in the USA and is expected to open in the summer of 2014.

The water and snow park will offer everything for every season from high energy water activities in the summer to designated snow activities for the winter.

As you know Gaylord Entertainment owns and operates Gaylord Hotels, a network of upscale resorts. They are known for their excellent accommodations and high class quality. Dollywood is a 150 acre family adventure park located in the Great Smoky Mountains. It offers more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. The park also includes the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country, voted America’s “Must-See Waterpark.”

Can’t wait to see what these two companies come up with! Sounds exciting .

Disney Cruise Line has announced their new itineraries for 2012 which include an expanded portfolio of European cruises as well as new destinations such as Italy, Venice and the Greek Isles. In addition, they have announced that they will be adding a second homeport in Florida for Caribbean sailings departing from the Port of Miami!

Looking to book for 2013? Here are highlights from the new schedule which can be booked as soon as January 26, 2012.

European Cruises

Disney Magic will return to Europe with a four night and 12 night option in addition to seven night itineraries during their three month season.

The new 12-night sailings visit destinations such as Venice, Italy, and Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast on one itinerary and Ephesus, Turkey and the Greek Isles including Athens, on another. Each itinerary will offer a sailing departing in June and another departing in July.

All itineraries depart from Barcelona, Spain, as the Disney Magic takes guests on an exciting journey of richly diverse cities, cultures and people. With romantic boulevards, bustling bazaars, iconic locations, mild climates, sun-drenched islands and the brilliant blue Mediterranean Sea, guests will enjoy a world-class family vacation with legendary Disney guest service. Cruises include a four night Mediterranean Getaway, seven night  Mediterranean Cruise and 12 night Mediterranean with Venice cruise and 12 night Mediterranean with Greece cruise.

Bahamas and Western Caribbean from Miami

For the very first time Disney Cruise Line will depart from the Miami port beginning Dec. 23, 2012 and will offer both four and five night cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas, visiting ports such as Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Castaway Cay, Nassau and Key West.

Western Caribbean from Galveston

The Disney Magic, will begin sailing from Texas in 2012 and will continue sailing from the Port of Galveston through May 2013, to the Western Caribbean, offering 6, and 8 night Caribbean cruises.

Alaska from Vancouver

Beginning May 27, 2013, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night cruises from Vancouver to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska.

Caribbean and Bahamas from Port Canaveral

The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral.

The Disney Fantasy will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern Caribbean sailings, January through April 2013, stop at San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

The Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit http://www.disneycruise.com.

On Monday, Disney’s newest cruise ship, Disney Fantasy, floated out of the enclosed building dock at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany as thousands of excited children and adults looked on. Not only does this symbolize one of the ship’s final stages of construction, it also marks a major milestone towards the maiden voyage on March 31, 2012.

If you have been reading and following along on our updates over the last year, the Disney Fantasy features many of the same innovations as her sister ship, Disney Dream, but there will also be several new experiences exclusive to the ship.

Just some of the new features include two Broadway-style musical spectaculars for the Walt Disney Theatre, a dining experience at Animator’s Palate where guests’ own drawings magically come to life, an interactive adventure quest starring the Muppets, a splashtacular water play area called AquaLab, a sophisticated nighttime entertainment area for adults inspired by European travel and more!

Photo Credit: Disney

The U.S. National Park Service has brought back a great incentive for 2012. Travelers, families and kids looking to discover the beautiful National Parks in the United States (as if we would need one can take advantage of several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.

Mark your calendar for these fee-free dates in 2012:

• January 14-16
• Martin Luther King Jr. weekend
• April 21-29
• National Park Week
• June 9
• Get Outdoors Day
• September 29
• National Public Lands Day
• November 10-12
• Veterans Day weekend

To make your travels even more affordable, the National Park Hospitality Association and National Parks Promotions Council are offering additional discounts and special offers from neighboring businesses and park partners. Keep in mind, that not ALL of the 397 U.S. parks charge entrance fees. This is just a great promotion for those parks that do.

I really wish they would implement something like this in Ontario! Our local park charges a daily rate for visitors, which is a tad annoying when you are a local and live down the street. Walking in is free, but if you have a vehicle, they charge. Needless to say, my kids and I get a fare workout every year .

In 2011, there was quite a bit of hoopla surrounding the airline industry, with lines such as Malaysia Airlines making it crystal clear that babies on board were not welcome and going so far as to actually banning infants on their flights. This news was extremely disheartening to many, myself included. The very idea that children can be actually ‘banned’ from being transported via plane is ridiculous.

Anyhow, there is one airline that is not only embracing infant travel, they are catering to pregnant women and infants!

Asiana Airlines is one out of two major airlines in South Korea and they are offering a special services for expectant moms called ‘Pre-Mom Service’.  According to Yahoo Travel, pregnant women who fly with the airline are treated to seats near the bathroom, warm socks and a special high-priority luggage delivery service upon landing. The line welcomes women who are in all stages of their pregnancy, however if you are 32 weeks or over it is required that you provide written permission from your family doctor.

For women flying with a child under 2 years of age, the “Happy Mom” service, is available on flights longer than 10 hours. Not only will you be welcomed at exclusive check-in counters, the airline also provides a nursing cover free of charge.

How refreshing! Wouldn’t it be nice if all airlines followed suit? Could this be the way of future family air travel?

Source: Babble

Photo: Wikipedia

I felt a sense of warmth and relaxation come over me, the second I arrived at The Sheraton, Los Cabos. I enjoy properties that instantly make me feel right at home, as if I was returning to my private beach bungalow in paradise.  The traditional hacienda style of this property is comfortable yet chic, and the Sheraton did a fine job at welcoming me home.

I had a ground floor ocean front room and and it really could not have been more perfect, I was also on the end and literally steps from the beach. The room even had a patio with a little grass hill area, which I thought would be perfect for my kids to roll around on. When traveling with kids, sometimes it’s the smallest things that make a big difference, like the towel and swimsuit drying racks they had on the patio, loved it.

The Pools

The Sheraton Los Cabos has a variety of pools scattered around the property, each one even better than the last. Moms will appreciate the safety feature of gradual shallow entry that some of the pools had. The beach front pools were gorgeous of course but the garden pools were just as quaint and even felt private. The painted turtles were a nice touch to make kids feel welcome.

I loved the bridge leading to a jacuzzi and you can never go wrong with a swim up bar!

Family Note:  In April 2012, The Sheraton Los Cabos will be expanding with a brand new Kids Klub area that will have a full interactive water park facility with splash pads and water slides.
This will also serve as a safe and secure place where parents can drop off their kids for the day. The site was under construction while I visited but I am sure it will be a kids paradise when it is finished, and my kids will be more than happy to give it a test!

The Spa

The Cactus Spa offers a variety of treatments, everything from facials, massages, body wraps and even a Vichy shower room. The women’s locker room included a steam room, sauna, showers, lockers and all the female spa essentials. It has a co-ed, relaxation area as well as a outside hot tub area with 3 hot tubs with three different temperatures. This area was tranquil and quiet and the sound of the waterfall put me right into spa mode.

The Food

The Sheraton, Los Cabos has 2 five star restaurants on the property and the food was down right amazing!  D Cortez Grill which over looks the Sea of Cortez and the elegant Pitahayas Restaurant, winner of the five-star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality for seven years, features eclectic Pacific Rim cuisine.  Both of these meals were incredible and one of them just might get the award for my favorite meal of all time!  The Pitahayas food was delicious, and I have to say that the glowing ice cup filled with a sorbet popsicle was rather impressive.

These restaurants are more suited for getting dressed up and having a”date- night” but you can find poolside casual dining at the Sirenas Restaurant and for breakfast and more kid-friendly options there is a buffet style restaurant, Tomatoes.

Oh and did I forget to mention the Wine Cave?  Yes, they have an actual Wine Cave  on the property and you could even host a private dinner down in the cave –  it’s a bit chilly but  beyond beautiful!

If all that sounds too fancy, no worries they have a low key sports bar to grab a beer and watch the game at La Suerte, which also has over 100 different kinds of tequila!

Family Travel Perfection

This is a resort that has the best of both worlds, it is super kid friendly while remaining chic and sophisticated.  I understand that it is difficult to cater to all the needs and demands of families.  Moms want it all when they travel, they’ve worked hard to get there and some might say they expect perfection.  I’d say that the Sheraton, Los Cabos is pretty close to my idea of perfection!

*Thank you to the Sheraton Los Cabos & Starwood Resorts for inviting and hosting Child Mode during this press trip. All thoughts expressed in the above review are mine and mine alone.*

Authored by Andrea Fellman, a mom who hasn’t lost her style to motherhood.  Andrea is the editor of SavvySassyMoms.com, contributor to BabyCenter Momformation, and Los Angeles corespondent for iVillage.com.  She is a family travel enthusiast, addicted to social media, influential blogger and Top 50 Babble.com Twitter Mom.  Catch her if you can @savvysassymoms.

This is very sad news for families and Vegas lovers! The MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas has announced that they will be closing their Lion Habitat on January 31, 2012.

Yesterday, resort officials announced that their iconic lion habitat will permanently close their doors.
No word as to what will replace the $9 million, 5,000-square-foot, glass-encased structure.

“That is part of an overall property-wide renovation project,” MGM Resorts spokeswoman Yvette Monet said. “There are going to be significant changes in the casino and hotel.”

The lion habitat has been loved by many since they opened their doors in 1999. Twenty lions rotated in and out of the exhibit, napping, playing and wrestling. The exhibit was a free feature at the hotel where visitors were able to view them through a glass tunnel or from the perimeter of the habitat.

In February, the lions will make their return to an 8.5-acre ranch outside Las Vegas called The Cat House, where they will live with trainer and habitat designer Keith Evans. According to the Las Vegas Sun, he cares for 40 lions that have appeared at the hotel at some point in their lives.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside will be offering a new room choice for guests visiting the resort beginning in spring 2012, one that is sure to get the entire family excited!

This enchanted new hotel offering is fit for princes and princesses and will open their doors in just a few months.

Behind a special door is a hidden jewel – The Royal Guest Room – one that invites you into a separate area with 512 themed rooms where beds are trimmed with dazzling crystals and gold accents and “magical fireworks” swirl about. These brand new Royal Rooms are designed to not only immerse families in their favourite Disney fairytales, but will engage them with fun features, playful artwork, rich draperies and custom linens.

The rooms will sleep four and rates start at $198. Although they aren’t available quite yet, you can reserve your spot by calling 407-W/DISNEY for reservations.