Navigating Disney Parks With Little Ones!

Yes, traveling with kids, especially when they're little can often times be somewhat challenging.  Instead of reinventing another tips list, I just decided to share this fantastic one that has been put together by the greatest family vacation destination hosts in the world!  Disney!

The following "Helpful Tips To Plan Ahead" is courtesy of Walt Disney World Vacations!

Traveling with Little Ones

We understand what traveling with a preschooler is all about.

Discover ways we make traveling with little ones easy and fun.

Helpful Tips to Plan Ahead
Find age-appropriate attractions and entertainment, and helpful tips for traveling with little ones!

• Little Guests under 3 years of age get free entry into Disney Theme Parks and Disney Water Parks.
• Disney Resort Guests enjoy extended Disney park hours, known as Extra Magic Hours, which offer a rare and unique opportunity to enjoy additional time in Walt Disney World® Theme Parks—above and beyond the standard operating schedule—at no extra charge.
• Disney's FASTPASS reservation system, which reduces time spent in line, is available at select Disney Theme Park attractions. The following "Fun for Little Ones" attractions use Disney's FASTPASS system:
• Magic Kingdom® Park
  Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
  Mickey′s PhilharMagic
  Peter Pan′s Flight
  The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Disney's Hollywood Studios®
  Voyage of the Little Mermaid
  Toy Story Mania!
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
  Kilimanjaro Safaris

Services Just for Little Ones

• A Rider Swap option is available at select Disney Theme Park attractions. Rider Swap is when Guests take turns waiting with youngsters too small to ride a certain attraction, then "swap" with another adult Guest from their party to experience the ride without standing in line twice. See a Cast Member at the attraction for additional information.
• Single-day and multi-day stroller rentals are available at Disney Theme Parks. Look for the stroller symbol on each Disney Theme Park Guidemap, available at the Park entrance.
• Baby Care Centers, hosted by Nestle Good Start, can be found in Disney Theme Parks and offer private rooms with rocking chairs for nursing mothers, diaper-changing rooms and rooms with highchairs. Diapers, formula and teethers are available for purchase. Look for the pacifier symbol on each Disney Theme Park Guidemap, available at the Park entrance.
• Many restaurants at Disney Resort hotels and Disney Theme Parks feature balanced, healthy and fun children's menus. Some restaurants host Character Dining experiences, which may require advance reservations.
• Cribs, bed guardrails, baby-sitting services and child-care programs are available.

Hassle-Free Travel

• Disney's Magical Express offers complimentary shuttle and luggage service from the Orlando airport to their Disney Resort.
• Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort enjoy free transportation and free parking at the Theme Parks.
• When staying at a Disney Resort, it's a short trip back to the room for a nap before returning to the Park to watch fireworks at night!
• Disney Gifts or souvenirs purchased within Walt Disney World Resort can be delivered to the front of the Theme Park or to a Disney Resort for free.

Contact me for more information and reservations assistance with booking your Walt Disney World Family Vacation!

Tina Little-Coltrane ~ Travel Consultant
TLC Travels' Adventure Tours and Cruises
1-800-755-2896 ~ TinaColtrane@Gmail.com

New Orleans Jazz Fest 2012!

My year end, unplanned, Hiatus from this blog is officially over now as this New Year 2012 is bringing new opportunities to travel and experience the world as schedules for many all time favorite events such as The New Orleans Jazz Fest have been completed.

Artist: Terrance Osborne

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is happening, April 27-29 and May 3-6, 2012 at the Fair Grounds.  The line up of Artists scheduled to perform have been split up into two sessions: 

Weekend #1 and Weekend #2.  This list is not etched in stone as I'm sure there will be a few adjustments and rescheduling needs going on within the next 3 months so keep that in mind if you're planning on attending.

Whether you have been to New Orleans but especially, if you have not, this is a perfect opportunity for a Jazz music enthusiast to visit, tour and sight-see…make a vacation out of it while you’re there inhaling some of the best musical sounds ever created here on GOD’s green earth! (JMHO)

Visit TLC Travels to find out details on one of many Travel packages offering Hotel accommodations, a guided Tour of the historic city of New Orleans and tickets to the Jazz Festival.

For Air/Hotel vacation offers to New Orleans and other cities, visit our Facebook page and look for the package getaway photo album.

And…drum roll please ;-).... for the ultimate New Orleans experience why not add a Cruise in the mix.  Carnival Elation sails from New Orleans on Monday, April 30^th (right after weekend #1) for 5 days of fun, relaxing or not, with port stops at Progreso and Cozumel Mexico.

Visit Expedia CruiseShipCenters for more information about this Cruise and others.

Put this on your bucket list if it’s not already on there.  Contact me for reservations assistance for New Orleans or any other vacation destination.

You have one life in this world, live it and PLAN TO TRAVEL IN 2012!

Tina Little-Coltrane~ Cruise and Travel Consultant

TLC Travels via Expedia CruiseShipCenters

TinaColtrane@gmail.com ~ 800-755-2896

Side Note:  

Artist Terrance Osborne created the 2012 New Orleans Jazz Fest poster, featuring trombonist Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews.  Read more here:

Kids Need A Vacation Too!

Have you ever taken your kids on vacation?  Somewhere other than that same beach trip or family BBQ every year?  Have they been on a plane, train, bus or car trip...ever?  A trip where it was all about them having a good time and not just you dragging them along somewhere that has nothing to do with their fun and/or education? As many families are preparing their kids for going back to school, I'm wondering just how many actually were taken on a real family vacation this year or ever for that matter.

I realize that the economy is very tight right now and many families are struggling financially but I also know that when an able bodied, gainfully employed adult wants to do or have one of many things, they will do whatever it takes to make it happen… if they think it is important enough.  There are several budget conscious family vacation packages available by land, air or sea travel.  Planning and budgeting is the key.

Now I don’t want to stand in judgment of others but I honestly believe that when we know better, we should do better.  For various reasons, many of us grew up without the benefit of family vacations or very limited travel experiences.  So in bringing this subject to the forefront, let me ask- do you really want to continue that cycle with your own children?  Especially if you know deep in your heart that once you set your mind to it, that you can afford to spend quality travel time with your kids?  Do you think family vacations are important enough for you to invest your time and money on?  Just asking, only you know the answer.

Please remember this… you will reap what you sow and if you don’t sow time, knowledge and experiences into your children, including the experiences of travel, don’t be surprised if you wind up with adult children who can’t leave your nest because you didn’t take the time to show them that there are so many other things that this world has to offer and enjoy.  In my opinion, one of the very important responsibilities of parenting is to prepare your children to survive out in the world on their own.  When a child grows with 1^st hand personal knowledge of other places and people, can only help to create a more open minded, well rounded adult Spirit.  Family travel, not only creates bonding time, it also leaves wonderful lasting memories that will never be forgotten.   Check it!

Contact me for assistance with your next or 1st family vacation.  If money is an issue, the earlier you start your planning and saving, the better.

Tina Little-Coltrane - Cruise and Travel Consultant

TLC Travels - Land Vacation Packages (Air/Hotel/Car)

Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Inc. - Family & Group Cruising made easy.

Check out "Best Vacations With Kids" on the Travel Channel

Read "Family's Meaningful Vacations Make An Impact" on USA Today

Rapists & Thieves & Murders...ON VACATION?!?! Oh My!

After listening to the news report about a 14 year old girl who was raped by a waiter employee while aboard a Cruise ship vacationing with her parents, my mind was racing to the point where I felt like I was in a mental fog.  Who is thinking that something so terrible could happen, and to their child of all people, while on vacation?

As someone who specializes in and advertises for Group Cruising, my thoughts are all over the place. Have I really even thought enough about the possibility of crimes being committed at sea or anywhere else while on vacation for that matter? I know it's a possibility but after researching a little deeper, apparently crimes and other mishaps at sea are somewhat common.  Although most Cruisers have an enjoyable experience, there are some who do not.

OK, so after taking a few deep breaths, I begin to gain some clarity on this subject. Not wanting to scare people off and far away from taking their first or next cruise but with society being what it is, I realize we must always remind ourselves that wise and safe precautionary measures must be taken before, during and after we go anywhere. As easy as it is to let our guard down while vacationing, we must always stay mindful to the fact that we really know absolutely nothing about the other people we are surrounded by while traveling.

It's unfortunate, but we live in a time now where the same safety practices and procedures we take during our normal daily lives must also be taken while on Vacation. Whether you are taking a Cruise, visiting Disney World or vacationing on a Beach somewhere, cautionary judgment must remain the same. Criminal element is just about everywhere and someone's Criminal Background check only uncovers previous crimes that have been caught so gainful employment of a pervert can and does happen. Most criminals are not caught on their first few crimes committed so we never know what the mentality is of someone just because their background check came back clean enough for them to get a job.  Remember this, a background check is not required to travel in and around the US and criminals like to vacation too!

While there are many crimes that are not preventable, let's not give those with less than good and honest intentions a door open to an opportunity to wreak havoc in our lives at home and certainly not while on vacation.  Use wise and cautious judgment while traveling and stay safe while vacationing and Cruising.

Cruise Ship Security: CrimeDoctor

Cruise Ship Crime: "He Raped Me" - ABC News

Most Cruisers have a great experience while sailing but there are a few incidents happening at sea which are not so great - read Cruise Ship Horror Stories.  Many of these mega ships are just floating cities so keep this in mind, the entities that are present on a Cruise Ship are the same entities that are present in your normal daily lives. Good, Bad and Ugly.
I believe in full disclosure and don't want to sugar coat the realities of traveling in general so visit: CruiseBruise for past and current not so pretty Cruise happenings.

If I haven't scared the crap out of you, which was not my intention, I just believe in staying informed, and you are interested in putting together a Group Cruise, contact me.

Tina Little-Coltrane
Group Cruise Consultant
Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Inc.

Disney, Disney, Disney!

Did someone say DISNEY?  Whether you're on the East Coast, West Coast, want vacation destinations by land or by sea.... you just have to love Disney and all it has to offer!  Disney has you covered so whatever is your preference, they've got someplace, somewhere that will  meet your "just want to getaway" needs.

Disney is currently offering several great specials and here are just a few:

Walt Disney World® Fall/Winter Room Offer-

Offer Details:

• Save 25% at select Disney Value Resorts and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Save 30% at select Disney Moderate Resorts and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Save 40% at select Disney Deluxe Resorts (Excludes Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
• Save 40% at select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

Reservations must be booked by Nov. 21, 2010 and is available for stays most nights Oct. 3 – Nov. 23 and
Nov. 27 – Dec. 25, 2010, and Jan. 1 – Feb. 16, 2011 -


Disneyland® Resort vacation package.
Save $300* on a Walt Disney Travel Company 4-day, 4-night Disneyland Resort vacation package that includes a 4-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Souvenir Ticket.

Booking must be completed by December 1, 2010 for arrivals Oct. 1 thru Nov. 23, 2010
and Nov. 27 – Dec. 16, 2010. Travel on this offer must be completed by Dec. 20, 2010. -

Disney Cruise Line® Onboard Credit Offer For World's Largest Cruise Night

Offer Details:

• $100* onboard credit for 14-night Transatlantic cruises sailing
  May 14, 2011, and Sept. 10, 2011
• $75* onboard credit for 7-night, 10-night and 11-night Mediterranean cruises sailing May 28 – Sept. 3, 2011
• $50* onboard credit for 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises sailing Sept. 25 – Dec. 11, 2011

 Reservations must be completed by October 31, 2010.

*Restrictions apply with all offers so for additional information on these or any other Disney special, contact me for reservation assistance:  ~ Tina Little-Coltrane, Cruise and Vacation Specialist

Here are a few other other great deals happening right now!

Car Rentals

Dollar Rent-a-Car Mid-Size SUV Special - Only $41.99 per day! - Expires 10/31/2010

$9.99 Weekend Rentals! When you rent from Friday through Monday. See Details

Hotels
Book your Veteran's Day weekend today! Hotels from $34+! - Expires 11/10/10

New York City Sale: Flight + Hotel from $343+ - Expires 11/3/10

Save up to 20% on tours, shows, and activities in New York! - Expires 10/31/2010

New York on Sale! Plus a $50 Prepaid Mastercard on Select Hotels! - Expires 11/1/10




---------------
We do more than Cruises, so for reservation assistance with Air, Hotel or Land Packages visit:
Expedia CruiseShipCenters!  Tina Little-Coltrane, Cruise and Vacation Specialist

Happy Travels!

September Travel Happenings!

Expedia CruiseShipCenters in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Lines is giving away 25 FREE cruises to the sun-soaked Bahamas on board one of NGL's spectacular ships. Enter today on my website for your chance to win, by clicking the link below!

Here's the skinny:
From August 16th thru October 4th, all entrants will have the chance to win a free 4 day cruise to the Bahamas from Norwegian Cruise Lines. A winner will be drawn every day starting September 10th, for 25 days.  That's a FREE Cruise a day!

How to enter: If you are already one of my 7SEAS Club members, you will receive an email asking you to update your account information on my site which will automatically enter you into the contest.
If you are not a current club member, send me your email address or you can also visit my site at: CruiseShipCenters.com/TinaLittleColtrane and enter the  "Win a FREE Cruise" contest.

What is the 7SEAS Club? It is a FREE travel subscription membership for you to be first to know about exclusive deals and specials that are based on your personal travel preferences so sign up for one of our free newsletters or enter the “Win a FREE Cruise for Two” to enroll and GOOD-LUCK!

Still Looking For Labor Day Specials?  Here are a few last minute deals!

Summer Sale - Save up to 40% on hotels in the U.S. - Expires 9/6/10

Ends Soon: Vegas and More - Flight and Hotel from $213! - Expires 9/8/10

American Airlines Sale: Book Europe from $460+ Roundtrip - Expires 9/8/10

More Weekly Specials

Experience Myrtle Beach for Less: Hotels from $63! Book by September 14, 2010

Los Angeles from $82 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010

Bahamas: Save $300 Instantly on Air and 3+ Hotel nights! Use Code BAHFALL - Expires 9/15/10

$9.99 Weekend Rentals! When you rent from Friday through Monday. See Details

Cruise Caribbean Style From Just $57 Per Day!


Happy Travels!

Tina Little-Coltrane, Cruise & Vacation Specialist

Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Are You Ready For Princess Cruises' 1 Day Sale- June 19

Princess Cruises' Biggest Sale Of The Year Is Back!  Be the first to book on Princess Cruises' newest ships and itineraries or find an amazing last minute deal on a 2010 cruise.  Whatever you choose, book your Princess cruise on June 19th and take advantage of one or more of many exclusive offers such as:

• Up to $175 Onboard Credit
• $200 Reduced Deposit
• $650 in Onboard Coupon Books 

***(offers are per stateroom on select Princess Cruises sailings)***

Will it be a Cruise to the Caribbean, Mexico or an Exotic Cruise to Hawaii or South America?  As your Cruise and Travel Specialist, I will provide you with the information you need to make the right choice.

Whether you're traveling in a group or individually, contact me at Expedia CruiseShipCenters for planning and reservation assistance. I would love the opportunity to help you plan your Dream Vacation.

Check out a few other Cruise Last Minute Deals and Best Buys!

Specials this week from other Travel Retailers:

Last Minute Hawaii Summer Fares

American Airlines NYC Sale: Flight + 3 Nights from $405. - Expires 7/14/10

Thrifty Car Rental Deals: Compact cars from $139.99 a week. - Expires 6/30/10

Disney Cruise Deals: Book select 2011 Mexico Riviera cruises and kids cruise for free! See Details. - Expires 7/1/10

Get a Free Flip™ Camcorder and save up to 40% on San Diego hotels! - Expires 6/29/10

Ends Soon: Get $300 in coupons for future travel with a qualifying hotel stay when you book on Expedia! - Expires 6/30/10

and don't forget to protect your Travel investment with Insurance....just in case, you never know!

Purchase travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel, package cruise or car on Expedia and be protected against the unexpected. - Expires 7/30/10