Don't shrink from your kids on family vacations

April 18, 2004|Real deals, Richard P. Carpenter, Globe Staff

Don't sweat your family vacations, cherish them. Put those little irritations -- backseat squabbles, cries of favoritism, never-ending pleas to buy things -- in perspective. You and your children will be carving out memories of special times together, and after the youngsters have taken a journey of their own to adulthood, you will find yourself wishing you could travel back in time for just one more family trip. Take it from one who has seen those family-vacation years fly by faster than a supersonic jet.

Here are some family-friendly ideas:

Deadly curses, powerful forces of nature, and vengeful creatures are all part of what is sure to be this year's most talked about theme park attraction: Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. The multimillion-dollar ride, which officially opens May 21, is based on the ''Mummy" movies and is said to combine the thrills of a roller coaster with a generous helping of psychological terror. If that sounds like fun to you, Universal Orlando has a Revenge of the Mummy package, from $129 per adult, per night. It includes four nights at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel; length-of-stay admission to Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure; access to Universal Express, which gets you on the rides more quickly; length-of-stay CityWalk Party Passes, which admit you into all the entertainment district's attractions; and early admission to Revenge of the Mummy. The package is good for travel through Dec. 22.

Visit www.univacations.com or call 800-407-4275.

Elsewhere in Florida, Greater Fort Lauderdale has launched a ''Ride Our Waters Free" program, valid May 15-Sept. 30. Visitors who spend at least two nights at a discounted rate ($45-$159) in one of 21 participating hotels will receive a $50 voucher toward their choice of seven water attractions. That should help families navigate the Everglades by airboat, take a riverboat sightseeing tour, or explore the Intracoastal Waterway via the Water Taxi system.

Call 800-22-SUNNY (800-227-8669) or log onto www.sunny.org.

At Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, familes can learn a bit of history while having fun. What's more, a new ticket structure means a family of four can spend under $100 by buying the Colonial Sampler ticket, which is $33 for adults and $16 for youngsters ages 6-17. The ticket admits you to up to 40 Historic Area exhibition sites, all of Colonial Williamsburg's original 18th-century structures, all trade shops, and includes an orientation walk and complimentary shuttle service. Children under 6 are admitted free, and there is no charge for parking at the visitors center.

Call 800-HISTORY or visit www.colonialwilliamsburg.com.