Fam-Tastic Adventures

Winter is fast upon us, the kids are getting restless, and frankly, the sky is just a little too gray for our liking. Earlier this year, the Traveler staff sampled a mix of sun and ski destinations to help you plan a winter escape the whole family can enjoy.

By Peter Gianopulos and Sherry Thomas

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Ever notice how the amazing family adventures you dream up for winter and spring breaks always start out like one of those Disney commercials? There is no lost luggage. No missed flights. No fights. No complaints. No whining. Everyone gets exactly what he or she (or you) wanted, and so therefore, everyone is happy.

Real life isn’t quite like that — at all.

Getting the flights you need to accommodate everyone’s schedule is hard enough but try finding one destination that has something on everyone’s wish list. Your 9-year-old really wants a thrill ride adventure, your teenager wants to snowboard the slopes (or scuba dive the Caribbean), but all your youngest daughter wants to do is flex her mermaid skills on the beach (and maybe learn about the environment).

Fortunately for modern families like yours, tourism experts are listening. High-end hotels are creating custom amenities for sippy-cup-toting jet setters. Theme parks are being built around luxury hotels that simulate European villas, some with sumptuous spas, babysitting service and elaborately designed VIP kids' clubs. Even ski resorts are going above and beyond the slopes (and the seasons) to create activities that appeal to guests of all ages.

Imagine a winter ski break where one family member could ski a Black Diamond and another could order her lunch in a eco-friendly spa relaxation suite — all while the kiddies are in “ski school.”

Imagine Miami luxe, with a toddler.

Or (get this) imagine a fantasy escape to glamorous Portofino, Italy (only at Universal Studios in Orlando) with a Harry Potter fan.

We went, we saw and we conquered some of the most sophisticated family travel destinations in America. Try them for yourself, and let us know what you think.

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Revel In The Lost City

What happens when a gaggle of travel writers and their children board a Jet Blue plane from New York to the Bahamas, with LEGO master builders, and a life-sized LEGO creation named L.A.N.S.E.? You get the picture, right? Well, add sugar, and dolphins, and a pint-sized Jonas brother for what turned out to be the kid-venture of a lifetime. Now you can do it too, only with a nap. By Sherry Thomas

This story must begin with a disclosure.

Frankie Jonas (the “bonus” Jonas brother) will probably not be at The Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas resort when you and your kids visit this winter (he has a recurring part now with the older bros on that Jonas in L.A. vehicle). And there probably will not be an elaborately catered “pizza” party (hosted by Frankie and Mrs. J) down by Dolphin Cay Beach. Oh, and, most certainly the red carpet that was laid for the grand opening of the Atlantis Kids Adventures Club (AKA) has been rolled up by now, the Wonka-style towers of cupcakes and candy have long been consumed, and the AKA mural assembled by LEGO master builders (and their kid assistants, starting on the Jet Blue flight from New York) is completed and on display, and L.A.N.S.E., the 21,000-LEGO-brick diver who flew down to Nassau with our group, is now a permanent (underwater) resident.

But despair not, intrepid traveler. As groovy as all of that Hollywood hoopla might sound, you’re probably — no, most certainly — much more likely to have a better time without it. Because the good news is, all of those really cool kid’s attractions and activities are still there. You just get to enjoy them at your own pace, on your own schedule, with the freedom to block out at least one lazy afternoon of down time (highly recommended and, frankly, necessary) to enjoy one of the 11 pools, or one of three pristine beaches.

Without further adieu, here is a treasure map (this is the “lost city,” after all) to some of the things we saw and sampled on one of the craziest, most fast-paced “grand opening” media trips of a lifetime. Just sit back, and let the kid-venture begin.

Mission 1: Dolphin Cay

Everything about The Atlantis is an illusion — a highly engineered and executed re-interpretation of what the ancient lost city would look like if it were to be uncovered and explored today. But what’s in the turquoise water down there is very real, and the protection of that fragile marine ecosystem in something the resort takes very seriously. At Dolphin Cay, guests can interact with (or snorkel with, on water scooters) bottlenose dolphins under the guidance of trained marine mammal specialists. Surrounded by a ring of small, private beaches, Dolphin Cay’s dolphin habitat is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world (and includes 16 dolphins displaced by Hurricane Katrina). If your kids have never had the chance to touch or kiss one of the most playful animals on Earth, carve out some time for this one-of-a-kind experience. They won’t forget it. And if you just want to sit and watch the dolphins from the beach, ask about a Dolphin Cay day pass.

Mission 2: Aquaventure

You’ve been on a water slide before, but have you ever slid down from the top of a Mayan temple — or dropped yourself into the water from a 120-foot high tower? Like everything at The Atlantis, the Aquaventure water experience is engineered to dazzle and impress. The 141-acre “world of water” includes a mile-long river rapids adventure and nine water slides — four at The Power Tower (The Abyss, The Drop, The Falls and The Surge) and five at The Mayan Temple (The Leap of Faith, Serpent, Jungle and two Challenger slides). While kids need to be at least 48 inches tall to ride most of the slides, with 7 million gallons of water fun, Aquaventure offers splashes and pool fun for everyone.

Mission 3: AKA Club (and Club Rush)

Calling all kids, ages 3-12. Are you ready for this? Picture 8,000 square feet, all to yourself. No teenagers (they get Club Rush, designed for the tween and teen-aged set). No babies. No parents. That’s right. Just you and your peers and the chance to “choose your own adventure.” In addition to a revolving list of themed activities for different age groups, AKA club is a playground of “rooms.” There is one for performance, one for games, one for computers and one for arts and crafts. AKA also has a Victorian dollhouse, a grocery store, a “culinary” laboratory (aka kitchen where kids can cook), a special area devoted to Wizardology, and a LEGO construction room. Proof of age is required at check-in and all kids must be diaper and pull-up free.

Mission 4: Atlantis Speedway

The Atlantis really is a world unto itself. And because this is a travel feature just for kids, we’re barely brushing the surface of what you can see and do. The kids’ activities alone are seemingly endless, from an Atlantis Pals boutique where you can stuff your own creation (think Build-a-Bear) to a paint-your-own pottery shop. But there is one “attraction” on the lower level of Coral Towers that bears a special shout-out, and while it’s meant for kids, there are probably at least one of two parents who might feel the need for speed at Atlantis Speedway, a sprawling center where you can design, build and race your own remote control car or monster truck. Yes, you’ll get to take it home. But you’ll have to get your customized Atlantis Driver’s License first, so bring a comb for that picture.

Mission 5: The Dig/Ruins Lagoon

Imagine there really was an 11,000-year-old lost city, and then imagine it was right here where you are standing. The Dig at The Atlantis is a combination fantasy attraction and marine exhibition, with some of the world’s most exotic sea creatures living in a 2.3-million-gallon environment designed to replicate what The Atlantis ruins might look like. The lobster exhibit, for example, is in what “was once used by the Atlanteans for waste disposal.” Other creatures you will see exhibited inside this “ancient vault” include jellyfish, clownfish (just like in Finding Nemo), moray eels, lionfish, grouper, seahorses and piranhas. If you are inspired by this make-believe interpretation, ask the Discover Atlantis concierge about snorkeling the adjoining Ruins Lagoon, billed as one of the largest open-air air marine habitats in the world (second only to mother nature).

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Palm Aid

The masterpiece of a lobby at the Four Seasons Miami. By Peter Gianopulos.

We know what you’re thinking. Miami? Sin City of the South? A family destination? Absolutely. In addition to boasting a state-of-the-art children’s museum, a seaquarium, the everglades, Art Deco adventures and treasure hunting galore only a short drive away in Key West, Miami’s hotels offer some of the most creative children’s programs around. By Peter Gianopulos

Return to Never Never Land

Forget the austere façade. Forget the $3.3 million in modern art lining the lobby walls. And the 12-foot-tall bronze sculptures that greet you upon arrival. If want to know why it’s worth splurging on a weekend at the Four Seasons Miami, all you have to do is head toward the main elevators, press the button for the 7th floor and then take a sharp left turn.

Once there, you’ll be greeted by a fantasyland worthy of Mr. Pan himself: You can munch on fish tacos and ceviche beneath a towering 18-foot waterfall, play hopscotch across man-made islands studded with royal palm trees or enjoy a cocktail (spiked or virgin) in a cabana-lined pool staring into the glittering maw of downtown Miami.

Centrally located, the Four Seasons offers special apartments with kitchenettes and separate bathrooms, plus a Very Important Kids (VIK) club that offers the little ones stuffed animals at the front desk, cookie-decorating kitchen tours and personalized mini robes and lavish Sunday brunches.

Four Seasons Miami, 1435 Brickell Ave., Miami, 800/819-5053

My Friend Flipper

They call it the Hawks Cay experience for a reason. Every morning guests staying at the Cay, a 60-acre luxury family resort located about 100 miles from Miami in the Florida Keys, are given a catalogue of daily activities and told to follow their passions. It’s like being a handed a Choose Your Own Adventure book that's come magically to life.

Fisherman can cast their lines from the very same docks and in the very same waters that Tom Rowland and Rich Tudor scour in their TV show Saltwater Experience on the Versus Network. Bon vivants, young and old, can enjoy caviar and pearls facials and “tropical breeze” messages at the Calm Waters Spa, voted the best spa in the country by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. And the whole family can scuba dive, kiteboard, sunset cruises and jet ski.

But it’s the youngsters who get the best opportunities. Not only can they play Johnny Depp in a pirate-themed pool area complete with model galleons and water-gun cannons, but they’re able to feed, dance and swim with bottlenose dolphins in the hotel’s unique Dolphin Connection center, the only on-resort dolphin research facility in North America.

Hawks Cay, 61 Hawks Cay Blvd., Duck Cay, Fla., 888/395-5539.

Spy Kids

Famous for being the iconic spot where Sinatra reigned supreme in the 1960s and Sean Connery played spy games in Goldfinger, the Fontainebleau resort underwent a $1 billion renovation in 2008, transforming itself into a trendy new resort that draws both the glitterati and hip young families by offering iMacs in every room and a Vegas-like pantheon of celebrity chefs.

There are no less than 11 restaurants in the massive 22-acre resort, including chef Scott Conant’s nautical Italian hideaway Scarpetta.

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Orlando of the Phoenix

Hold on to your broomsticks. Harry Potter is alive and well in Orlando, the magic capital of America.
By Sherry Thomas.

What’s more magically delicious than a Bernie Bott’s Every Flavored Bean? What singular event could transfigure your Florida vacation plans faster than a flying Ford Anglia? Easy, silly. If someone in your family (including your own self, of course) is a Harry Potter fan and can’t quite muddle through life without a new spell, a visit to Universal Studios Orlando’s much-anticipated new attraction may be just what you need.

And there are, of course, other things to do in Orlando. That guy named Walt, for one. That center called Epcot, also popular. Plus more theme parks and attractions than you can shake a broomstick at.

But for fans of J.K. Rowling’s blockbuster book series and the resulting films, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (located in Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure) is like a dream come true. Billed as the only place in the world where the adventures of Rowling’s wizard hero come to life, the spectacularly themed area (anchored by the famous, towering Hogwarts castle) features multiple attractions, a cauldron of Hogsmeade shops, the Hog’s Head pub and a restaurant called the Three Broomsticks, all of which are eerily faithful to the books and films.  

“I said right at the beginning, either we do it right or we don't do it at all,” Rowling said in a statement released soon after the June 2010 opening. “The teams at Universal and Warner Bros. have done it right, so I am so happy.”

The signature “ride” within this “wizarding world” is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a technology-driven experience with a powerful storyline that takes guests on a journey by Floo Network, soaring over Hogwarts, just narrowly escaping a dragon and getting up close and personal with the Whomping Willow — all before getting pulled into a Quidditch match.

Back on the ground at Hogwarts, guests get to see and “experience” such Harry Potter rituals as mailing letters from Hogsmeade at the Owl Post, perusing the magic of Ollivanders, and buying school robes at Dervish and Banges. Visitors can brave a Hungarian Horntail or a Chinese Fireball on the dueling roller coasters of Dragon Challenge or learn a few tips from Hagrid before taking a training flight on Flight of the Hippogriff.

Those sights alone could very well be a vacation in itself. But if you book a room at any of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels, there is much more to see and do (including two theme parks, one water park and the City Walk entertainment complex). For tickets and packages for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visit www.universalorlando.com.

This summer the resort unveiled a new Fontainebleau Kids Camp, boasting sports activities, Wii tournaments and old-fashioned art stations. And lucky for the parents, a special Kids Night option on Fridays and Saturdays turns babysitting into an adventure itself.

Fontainebleau, 4441Collins Ave., Miami Beach, Fla., 800/548-8886

Treasure Island

Everything comes with a stunning view at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, including the cheeseburgers. The 450-room beachfront resort, located on 12 tropical acres via a scenic causeway from central Miami, was inspired by a tranquil West Indies Colonial design. It’s all cool beiges, warm reds and calming blues.

The 20,000-foot spa offering special “tween” and teen menus overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The plush Hemingway-inspired RUMBAR — think crimson walls, leather couches, fans and humidors — is evocative of old Havana. And the dining options include an opportunity to pair 85 tequilas with Coastal Mexican cuisine on the sands at Cantina Beach or the opportunity to nibble on Kobe beef sliders and ahi tuna burgers at the Dune Oceanfront Burger Lounge, nestled on the foamy beaches of the Atlantic shoreline.

The Ritz is the Miami’s only AAA Five diamond resort, offering a special lobby lounge and signature children’s activities, including pirate treasure hunts, sand-castle contests and the opportunity to plan an outing to the island’s lighthouses. Treasure Island, indeed.

The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, 455 Grand Bay Drive, Key Biscayne, Fla., 305/365-4500

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Snowy Kid’s Stuff

Not everyone in the family may want to catch air on a Black Diamond run, shred and jib on a Super Pipe, or get lost inside a snow fort carved of ice. But when it’s Kidtopia season at Keystone, everyone gets what they need. By Sherry Thomas

They had you at world’s highest snow fort.

Admit it. What conscientious, winter break-planning parent could resist? A Colorado ski vacation, with your favorite kids, and full access to a round-the-clock wonderland of activities designed just for their kind. The little people. The toughest customers on Earth. The ones that can get bored in five minutes and get harder to impress by the minute.

Between the towering snow fort (as in 12-foot-high, with a snow maze and lookout tower), snow tubing at night (under the glow of a disco ball), and other themed activities (last year’s lineup included everything from Radio Disney concerts to a parade through River Run led by the ski school mascot, Ripperoo), Keystone’s Kidtopia festivities guarantee that kids will have the winter vacation of a lifetime — even if those boots never touch a pair of skis.

Keystone, located just west of Vail and Beaver Creek in the Rocky Mountains, celebrates its 40th anniversary this month as one of Colorado’s premier resorts.

At elevations above 11,000 feet, the three mountains — Dercum, North Peak and Outback — delight skiers with easygoing greens, bumpy blues and sleek Black Diamonds that can send a thrill (and a chill) up an expert’s spine. The adventurous can take on tree skiing through aspens, Colorado blue spruce and lodge pole pines. The timid (yours truly included) can do Figure 11s on the Schoolmarm or Last Chance.

But when the skis are off and the family wants to come back together as one, the options are almost limitless. There is snow shoeing. There are sleigh rides. And there are roaring fires all over River Run Village and beyond for sitting around and sharing tales of the day.

Long before Kidtopia came to town, Keystone had a reputation as one of the most family-friendly of the luxury ski resorts, and it’s easy to see why.

There’s a friendly vibe here, one that welcomes and encourages without even a hint of pretention. Let’s just say that at what would become our favorite town coffee shop, the Inxspot (also a bookstore, and conveniently located right at the bottom of the gondolas) there were smiles and nods that made a pair of newbies from the Midwest feel right at home.

So much so, in fact, we almost didn’t want to come back.