Southern California Theme Park Offers

Enjoy a variety of upcoming promotions and events at the Southern California theme parks: 

Universal Studios Hollywood will host its inaugural Running Universal 5K race on May 11 featuring the hilarious and beloved Minions from the Despicable Me and Minions films. The course will weave throughout the theme park and areas of the backlot, have special behind-the-scenes experiences, and finish up at the Universal CityWalk. Runners can also pose for pictures with their favorite Minions characters along the way.  For those new to running, training details are available at https://www.runninguniversal.com/training.

Legoland California is celebrating its 20th birthday with a yearlong party that includes free admission for children 12 and under!  Since opening in 1999 with 12 rides the Resort has grown into a multi-day destination offering more than 60 rides, shows and attractions with SEA LIFE aquarium, LEGOLAND Water Park, LEGOLAND Hotel and the new LEGOLAND Castle Hotel.  Festivities will start with LEGO Movie Days on February 16-17 and 23-24, as everyone’s favorite LEGO heroes of Bricksburg return to LEGOLAND California in celebration of The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part feature film!  Just in time for spring break, the LEGO City 4D- Officer in Pursuit, a new 4D film, will debut. There’s even more to celebrate throughout the year with an all new LEGO Friends Live Show and Character Dance Party. Your family will be invited to sing along to new songs, learn new dance moves plus interact with some old friends who will be there to help get the party started.

For a limited time, your family can visit the Disneyland Resort theme parks for as little as $70 per day when you purchase a 3-Day, 1-Park Per Day Ticket.  You also get one Magic Morning early admission (access one hour prior to the park opening).   A Disney MaxPass (mobile FASTPASS access and Disney Photo Pass) is available for an additional $10 per day.  These park tickets are valid for use beginning January 7, 2019 and expire 13 days after the first day of use or on May 23, 2019, whichever occurs first.  Note that April 14 through April 22, 2019 are blacked out.

Austin Adventures in Utah

Due to popular demand, Austin Adventures is bringing back a better version of their Utah Family Adventure. This 5-night trip uses one hotel for the entire trip instead of moving around and is only available in June.  It focuses primarily on Arches and Canyonlands which contain over 200 million years of geological history!  Active adventures abound.  Your family will explore the famous Colorado River by raft, bike on roads snaking through Castle Valley and hike by ancient petroglyphs which provide a glimpse into the rituals and beliefs of the indigenous communities of thousands of years past.  Each activity on the trip has been carefully planned to include options for all activity levels.  Your accommodations will be at the recently renovated Canyonlands Inn, located in the heart of Moab (which offers rooms with two queen beds). Austin Adventures, in business for over 40 years, has a total of 32 different Family Vacation packages to destinations around the world.

Cartoon Network Hotel

The Cartoon Network is getting into the travel business.  Also in Pennsylvania!  They recently announced that they are partnering with Palace Entertainment to create the Cartoon Network Hotel.   The hotel will immerse your family in the worlds of fan-favorite shows including Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10 and more and is scheduled to open in 2019.  It will be located in central Pennsylvania near Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster which is also operated by Palace Entertainment.  The nine-acre destination will include outdoor attractions such as a pool, an amphitheater, lawn games and fire pits, as well as an indoor play area, an arcade, a restaurant, the Cartoon Network Hotel shop and more. In addition to these themed areas, each guest room will have interchangeable themes that can be customized based on your family’s favorite shows.

Skytop Holidays

Ready to get into the holiday mood?  Skytop Lodge in the Poconos wants your family to come to their home for the holidays with special Christmas celebrations from December 1-23.  Each week-end the resort kicks off the season with a life-size gingerbread house, story time on Friday evenings and a tree lighting ceremony with a special appearance from the big guy himself every Saturday. End your stay with breakfast with Santa on Sunday.  A variety of special holiday activities are scheduled from Thursday to Sunday including hayrides, seasonal arts & crafts, campfires, ice skating, family games, movies and more along with the resort’s long list of winter adventures.  You can even cut down your own Christmas tree from a local tree farm to take home with you!  Additional Christmas Week activities from December 24-31 and special New Year’s events for adults and children are available during the holiday week.

Family Luxury in Beverly Hills

Get a second room for half off for children 12 and under and daily breakfast with the Montage Beverly Hills’ Family Fun offer for stays through February 28.  Or choose a spacious suite if you stay through January 31 and you will receive a generous $200 daily hotel credit with at least a two-night stay with their Suite Season deal!  Black-out dates do apply.  This luxury hotel features a champagne welcome, 201 rooms and suites, 24-hour rooftop pool with cabanas and grill, gym, spa, children’s programming for ages 5-12, Cadillac house cars and a Geoffrey Zakarian restaurant.  It’s located off Wilshire Boulevard one block from Rodeo Drive.

Value at Deer Valley

Ski season is almost here!  From December 7-13, 2018 and again from March 24-April 7, 2019, the Lodges at Deer Valley and Silver Baron Lodge children ski for free and you also receive 20 percent off lodging, adult lift tickets and children’s ski rentals.  The Early Season and Late Season Family Value package just requires a 3-night stay. Family-friendly amenities at these deluxe properties include an outdoor pool and hot tub, yoga classes, complimentary hot breakfast buffet, in-town shuttle, on-site restaurant and rental shop; all within close proximity to Snow Park Lodge and ski school.  They also have organized activities and supervised programs for children of all ages.  Accommodations range from hotel rooms to spacious four-bedroom condos with full kitchens. Your family will receive one complimentary lift ticket, per paying adult, for children 12 and under per day as well as up to two Deer Valley children’s ski rental discount vouchers.  Note that a lift ticket purchase is not required to receive the lodging discount.

Grand Canyon Centennial

On February 26, 2019, Grand Canyon National Park celebrates 100 years! A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park welcomes approximately six million domestic and international visitors each year. After 100 years, whether its hiking a corridor trail, taking a stroll on the rim or enjoying the landscape from an overlook, the Grand Canyon continues to provide a space for all visitors to connect with the outdoors. Next year, it will commemorate the past and inspire future generations to experience, connect with, and protect the park’s unique natural, cultural, and historic resources.  Special events range from stargazing parties to Native American Heritage Days.  Book early for the best park lodging!

Hawks Cay ReOpening

Hawks Cay Resort in The Florida Keys closed after sustaining severe damages during the 2017 hurricane season. Nearly one year and $50-million in renovations later, the beloved family resort has fully reopened.  The reimagined hotel has introduced a brand-new lobby and public spaces, 177 renovated guest rooms, and two new restaurants. The resort also expanded and revamped its adults-only area, which includes the original Tranquility Pool.  Many family-friendly features still remain including water sports such as kite boarding, diving and fishing charters and the Camp Hawk Environmental Education Academy. Camp activities include field trips through the mangroves on Duck Key; exploring the local ecosystem and nighttime stargazing.  Large villas make this resort an idea family getaway.

Legoland New York

In other New York travel news, LEGOLAND is coming to the Empire State!  Park officials recently announced LEGOLAND New York — located in Goshen (Orange County) — will offer more than 50 rides, shows and attractions.  The park’s attractions will be spread across eight themed lands, including The Factory, with the Great LEGO Adventure ride; Bricktopia, where kids can work with Master Model Builders to build LEGOs; and Pirate Shores, a water play area!  LEGOLAND New York will be located about 60 miles from New York City, and Shortline Coach USA has also announced it will offer transportation services to and from the park.  The park is expected to open in 2020.

Family Fun in NYC

Experience the Big Apple in style and comfort with the Ritz Carlton New York, Central Park’s Family Fun package.  It includes your room, one free rollaway, $100 every day in food and beverage credits, a Signature welcome amenity for your children, Central Park Scavenger Hunt, Central Park Carousel tickets, spa discounts and more!  If you want to spread out, you can get a second room at 30 percent off.  The 259-room luxury hotel is right across the street from Central Park and ideally located for theater, shopping, museums, Rockefeller Center and other fun NYC experiences.