Making memories is a priority
AS LIFE has become
increasingly fast paced,
more families are looking
for meaningful holidays, with
something for each member.
Gone are the days when hotels
and resorts could offer a high
chair and a kiddies’ menu and
call themselves family-friendly.
Families now look for genuine
value-for-money and longlasting
memories for all.
1. Unplugged adventure
Overwhelmed by life’s constant
overload of information,
families want to unplug
completely during the holidays
and reconnect with nature.
Richard Bray, group operations
manager for Premier Hotels,
says: “There is a denite
move towards more rugged
and unplugged family holidays.
Parents are looking for more
wholesome experiences with
their kids. The downtime is
more important than ever due
to the fast-paced lives we
lead.”
Joanne Visagie, sales
and marketing manager
Beachcomber Tours, says
families want to get away
from a world structured
around technology but still
want access to digital devices
from time to time. That is why
Beachcomber has placed WiFi
facilities in dedicated places
around its hotels.
Johann Strydom, md at
World Leisure Holidays, says:
“We see families chill and
relax but I cannot attest to a
trend of going unplugged. Our
hotels offer all the modern
communications and we do
believe it has become a way
of life. There can almost be
no doubt that holidays restore
balance and perspective. It is
healthy to break away and to
rejuvenate.”
2. Shared experiences
Not that long ago a family
vacation meant parents could
ship their kids off to a ‘Kids
Club’ in the morning and fetch
them in time for bed. Now they
want to reconnect and spend
time together, as well as apart.
The secret is to nd the
right balance, says Joanne.
“Families want to spend time
with their children, whether it’s
learning a new water or land
sport or just spending time
on the beach. Children enjoy
the miniclubs up to a point,
but parents want to enjoy their
children too.”
Tracey Krog, commercial
manager for Cruises
International agrees, and
says the freedom to enjoy
activities together or apart
makes a cruise a popular
choice for many families. “A
cruise gives families a chance
to spend time together in an
environment that, in addition
to being secure, offers parents
the opportunity to spend
time with or apart from their
children.”
According to Richard, South
African families want to spend
time with the kids and relax
as a couple. “They want to
achieve both. Our Mpongo
Reserve outside East London
does this very well with its
eco-tourism. Families like to
spend time at the reserve as
it offers both an educational
experience and downtime for
parents.”
3. Healthier lifestyle
As parents become
increasingly aware of the
dangers of an unhealthy
diet, they prefer to skip the
Vienna and chips option
and offer their children more
wholesome meals. Richard
says Premier Hotels has begun
making tangible changes in
its restaurants, catering for
more vegan and vegetarian
lifestyles. “Our OR Tambo
hotel is spearheading this shift
and we plan to do more of it in
our other hotels too.”
Cruise passengers have
also started requesting
healthy meals, says Tracey. “I
can denitely see this trend
in cruising, especially since
most of the cruise lines we
represent offer an alternative,
healthier eating plan across
all their main and speciality
restaurants. Royal Caribbean
International offers its Vitality
programme, for example, which
includes low sodium, low fat
as well as fat-free options.”
4. Taking Grandma along
Intergenerational travel has
ourished over the past
few years, offering lucrative
opportunities for travel sellers
around the world.
According to research
conducted by travel marketing
rm, MMGY Global, more
than 20% of active travellers
are grandparents. Of these,
40% have taken a trip with
a grandchild during the past
year.
Alet Steyn, business
development manager for
Wendy Wu Tours, has received
many requests from families
that want to travel with both
the youngest and oldest
members of the family.
She says the main challenge
is that families need to make
sure that activities suit all the
travellers concerned.
“We can provide travellers
and travel agents with
detailed information and
advice on itineraries ideal for
each family.
“Alternatively, we can
design an experience to suit
a family’s specic needs.
A family experience can be
as exible and diverse as
the family itself and include
activities such as ying a
traditional Chinese kite in
Beijing, sculpting terracotta
warriors in Xian, learning the
art of Chinese calligraphy,
cycling along the Ancient
City Wall in Xian, seeing
the famous giant pandas in
Chengdu or meeting Disney
characters in Hong Kong
Disneyland.”
Tracey has also noted
an increase in this trend.
“We see more and more
multigenerational families
sailing together to celebrate
a signicant milestone. Our
cruise lines have designed
their vessels to incorporate
more family accommodations,
especially Royal Caribbean
International and Celebrity
Cruises, which have options
that sleep ve or six
passengers.”
She says cruising has
adapted to include activities
for the entire family, from
youngest to oldest.
“Watch dad wipe-out on the
FlowRider surf simulator, be
proud as your kids reach new
heights on our rock wall, cheer
mom as she zip-lines for the
rst time, splash around the
H2O Zone Waterpark, watch
a Broadway-style show with
the grandparents, teach
your children how to glide
effortlessly on our ice rink
and enjoy all the ice-cream
you can eat.”
5. Exploring the unknown
South African families are
increasingly drawn to the
unknown, according to Alet.
“Today’s travellers are looking
for destinations that offer
fun, history, cultural and
educational experiences
combined. We have already
seen an increase in travel to
Vietnam and China for families
during school holidays.”
She says clients want
to travel off the beaten
track, make use of local
transportation and introduce
their children to new cultures
and experiences. “They want
to take the fast train between
Shanghai and Beijing or the
overnight soft sleeper train
between Chengdu and Xian
instead of the traditional
ight between the two cities.
Families love the idea of
crawling through the Chu Chi
Tunnels in Saigon, hiking
in Sapa and staying with
local hill tribes or booking
a Mekong Delta homestay,
overnighting with a local
family.”
6. All-inclusive trips
In the current difcult
economic climate, value for
money remains a top priority
for most South African
travellers. The all-inclusive
option is a great way to
contain costs on a family
trip, hence the appeal of
cruising. Tracey and Alet agree
that family bookings for allinclusive
trips are on the up.
7. Active outdoors
As a large part of our life
is spent indoors in front of
computers, the importance of
outdoor activities seems to
have gained momentum on
family holidays. Says Richard:
“Mpongo Reserve offers
mountain biking, walking
trails, shing, bird watching
and game viewing. Knysna
has kayaking and biking. Port
Edward focuses on off-thebeaten-track
activities and
beautiful beaches.”
According to Joanne, South
African families tend to go for
adventure-type activities in
Mauritius, such as zip-lining,
quad-biking, swimming with
dolphins, stand-paddling and
kite-surng. “A full range of
games is available at the
mini clubs. These games
lean towards the outdoors,
nature, local interests and
arts and crafts.”
The most kid-friendly airports
AIRPORTS can be daunting
for parents and children
alike. Long layovers between
ights, in particular, can
be a bit of a nightmare, as
children tend to be cranky
after a long ight and
unhappy waiting for the next
one.
Some airports, however,
are pulling out all the
stops to make the wait a
little more pleasant. The
following airports are among
the most family-friendly and
offer play areas, accessible
family restrooms, kid-friendly
stores and aesthetic,
calming environments.
Be sure to advise
your clients about the
possibilities of entertaining
their children at these
airports; they’ll be forever
grateful for the tip.
1. Heathrow
Heathrow went from being
the least family-friendly hub
in 2012 to the most familyfriendly
in Europe in 2013.
The airport has invested
heavily in its facilities for
families, introducing play
areas and family lounges in
each terminal.
The family lounge in
Terminal 3 is a dedicated
area for families with play
areas for children up to two
years old and for three- to
nine-year-olds; a children’s
quiet room; a game zone for
children aged 10-15; coffee
and soft drink vending
machines and comfortable
seating for adults. There’s
also a discreet area for
nursing mothers. The lounge
is situated in departures,
after security (near the Ted
Baker store), and opens
from 06h00 to 21h00. Entry
is free, although there may
be a time limit during busy
periods.
The Stay and Play areas
in the other terminals also
offer plenty of pre-ight
fun and entertainment for
children, with slides, soft
toys and separate baby and
junior zones.
2. Zürich
As part of its ‘family
services’ concept, Zürich
Airport has introduced
spacious lounges with
dedicated kids’ play areas.
While this service is
extremely well received by
children and their parents,
it remains very much an
insider tip.
Zürich is one of only a few
airports worldwide to offer
staffed playrooms, in the
departure areas of Gates
A and E. The airport has a
team of fully qualied and
multilingual child minders.
They also provide ight
information, help with minor
complaints and arrange
medical assistance. The
service is free of charge to
passengers of all airlines. It
cannot, however, be treated
as a free child-sitting
service and at least one
accompanying adult must be
present at all times.
Susan Heule, head of the
airport’s Family Services
& Dayrooms, says most
children at the kids’ lounge
are aged between three and
seven. “The little ones are
often fresh off the plane
with a long journey behind
them, so they are more than
ready to occupy themselves
and let off some steam.
This, in turn, gives the
parents the chance to relax
for a short while and clear
their heads.”
3. Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport has
recently upgraded its
offering for kids to make
travelling more fun. For
example, it has started
issuing boarding passes
for the teddy bears that
accompany the younger
travellers, complete with
name, destination, ight
code and seat number.
The airport has plenty
of exciting places for kids
to explore and play before
ight time. Fraport, the
airport managing company,
recently opened seven new
playgrounds in the transit
areas (after passing the
security checks) at different
terminals. Each features a
different adventure theme
where kids can romp to
their hearts’ content.
They can ‘climb aboard a
helicopter’ at Gate B22 in
Terminal 1 or ‘descend into
the ocean’ at Gate B44. An
Airport World awaits kids in
Pier A-Plus, while one level
above in Pier Z, youngsters
are captivated by the world
of pirates. At Terminal 2’s
Piers D and E, children
can enjoy their own space
adventure. Throughout the
airport, ‘wall games’ keep
the kids occupied while their
parents get the luggage.
Newly designed sanitary
baby facilities include
separate nappy changing
rooms as well as private
areas for breastfeeding.
4. Munich
Munich Airport offers lots of
entertainment for its smaller
passengers, such as a
Visitors Park, Kinderland
and several play corners.
In the Visitor Park, special
‘children’s terminals’ have
been set up, where several
touchscreens enable
children to explore how an
airport works.
Children between the ages
of six and 14 can learn how
aircraft are prepared for
departure, about various
professions at the airport,
or the work of the airport
re department.
The Visitor Park also offers
a free cinema for kids that
features episodes of the
popular German TV series
Sendung mit der Maus, and
other movies. They can even
play pilot in a complete
aircraft on site.
5. Singapore
Changi Airport in Singapore
is a true kiddies’ paradise
and a destination in itself.
It features the world’s
rst Buttery Garden in
an airport, designed as a
tropical buttery habitat
with a profusion of owering
plants, lush greenery and
a six-metre grotto-waterfall.
Kids can discover some
1 000 species of butteries.
Throughout the airport,
there are several indoor airconditioned
playgrounds. In
Terminal 3 for example, kids
can ride the self-proclaimed
‘tallest slide in an airport’
– a curving four-storey
structure suitable for those
over seven years.
The Entertainment Deck
offers arcade games such
as LAN gaming and jamming
studios, an MTV booth
and various game console
stations. An Entertainment
Lounge offers comfortable
plush seats and television
shows for all ages. Kids can
also surf websites at the
Internet terminals located
beside the TV area.
At the Family Zone,
families make use of
facilities including nappy
changing and nursing rooms
and children can watch
cartoons or have a go in the
playground.
The Enchanted Garden
in Terminal 2 offers an
interactive experience,
magically coming to life with
sight and sound, captivating
visitors as they weave
through. Motion sensors
trigger sounds of nature
and blooming owers, while
bre-optic and LED lighting,
embedded in the undulating
pathways, form a carpet of
sparkling lights.
If kids want to experience
woodblock rubbing, a
popular Singapore art form,
they can head to the Changi
Aviation Gallery where they
will be shown how. The
airport also has a swimming
pool.
6. Chicago
A children's play area known
as ‘Kids on the Fly’ (KOTF)
is located in Chicago’s
Terminal 2, past the security
checkpoint.
Children of all ages
will enjoy this interactive
educational play area,
exploring an aeroplane,
control tower, and helicopter
model. The play area is
updated every year with
inventive activities.
Two’s company, three’s a crowd
AN INCREASING number
of South African families
have three or more kids.
Although large families
can be a lot of fun, it
can be complicated
when trying to book a
holiday. Most hospitality
establishments have not
picked up on the ‘three
is the new two’ trend and
are still geared towards
the two adults, two
children formula. This is
slowly changing, however.
Richard Bray says the
family unit has changed
so much over the years
and today is both bigger
and smaller than the
once-average four people.
“We are looking into allinclusive
resort packages
at properties like Premier
Hotel Knysna, which
allow for much more
exibility.”
Joanne Visagie says
almost all family units at
Beachcomber hotels can
cater for three children.
“Family specials during
certain times of the year
include extra rooms at
reduced prices or even
free of charge.”
Trisha Lalla,
spokesperson for
Comair Travel, agrees
that the family unit is
denitely growing but
believes hotels cannot
always change maximum
occupancy rules. She
suggests families of
ve look into either
connecting rooms or villa
rooms.
What makes a great family resort?
A KID’S club and a few
swimming pools are no
longer enough to make a
resort a top family pick,
attracting lucrative family
travel business.
According to Premier’s
Richard Bray, a good
family resort will keep
family members busy
from the moment they
open their eyes until
bedtime. Activities are
presented in three age
categories: ages four
to seven, who need
supervision, safe play
areas and caregivers;
ages eight to 13, who
are looking for the more
high-energy adventure
activities such as
swimming, kayaking,
surng and other water
sports; and the 13-
to 18-year-olds, who
are looking for social
activities that don’t
necessarily involve their
parents.
Tracey Krog says a
good kids’ programme
involves age-appropriate
curriculums to engage
and entertain.
Royal Caribbean now
offers the Adventure
Ocean Youth Programme.
Royal Babies and Royal
Tots (aged up to three
years) enjoy activities
designed to foster
parent-child bonding and
development. Aquanauts
have fun becoming
certied ‘Junior Adventure
Scientists’, while
Explorers (aged six to
eight) are entertained by
themed parties. Voyagers,
the nine- to 11-year-olds,
enjoy the tween-scene
and older kids are free
to be themselves in teen
venues like Fuel Night
Club and the Living Room.
‘Kids Go Free’ in Dubai
DUBAI pinpoints family tourism
as one of its primary growth
drivers. Of the current 10
million-plus tourists who
visit each year, families
already make up a signicant
proportion and the Department
of Tourism and Commerce
Marketing is playing a central
role in co-ordinating the
activities of industry and public
sector to expand suitable
attractions.
The ‘Summer is Dubai’
campaign, within which sits
the ‘Kids Go Free’ initiative
offers families the opportunity
for children to stay in hotels
and visit many attractions at
no cost.
Most hotel resorts offer
accommodation in family
or interconnecting rooms,
alongside dedicated kids’
pools and extensive kids’
clubs offering, in addition
to a daily schedule of
age-appropriate activities,
everything from wall climbing,
Underwater Theatres and hightech
Xbox, Playstation and
Apple technology.
Water babes will want to
visit Dubai’s exhilarating
waterparks. Aquaventure
at Atlantis The Palm and
Jumeirah’s Wild Wadi offer
thrills and spills and at
Atlantis’s Dolphin Bay, the
whole family can enjoy a swim
with dolphins.
On a desert safari, families
enjoy dune bashing in a fourby-four;
they get the chance to
go sand skiing, ride a camel,
hold a falcon and dig into a
sumptuous buffet.
Camping under the stars
can also be arranged.
Dubai offers no end of indoor
family activities from skiing
(or tumbling) down snowy
mountains at Ski Dubai, to
wind tunnel skydiving in iFly
at Mirdiff City Centre mall. At
SEGA Republic at The Dubai
Mall – the biggest indoor
theme park in the region – 14
adrenaline-fuelled rides and
attractions await, while next
door at KidZania, children from
four to 16 can try their hand at
over 80 professions.
The underwater world can
be explored at either of the
city’s fascinating aquariums –
Atlantis’s Chamber of Secrets
and the Dubai Aquarium at
The Dubai Mall.
Ice rinks, multi-screen
cinemas and play centres are
also found in the city.
Holiday Tours offers family special to Krabi
HOLIDAY Tours has a
‘beach promo’ for Krabi
in Thailand. The special
of R12 776pps includes
seven nights in the fourstar
Holiday Inn Resort
Krabi Ao Nang. It is valid
for bookings from April 1 to
June 30, with payment up
to 30 days prior to arrival.
Included in this special is
free WiFi access. Up to two
children under 18 stay free
when sharing a room with
two adults.
Top family destinations
TRISHA Lalla, reveals
traditional, long-frequented
destinations are still much in
demand with South African
families. Here is a listing of
top destinations identied by
Comair Travel:
1. Mauritius
Mauritius remains popular for
South African travellers, as
it offers a great number of
child-friendly resorts.
Joanne Visagie, agrees,
pointing out that the island
offers a wide range of water
and land sports and that staff
in every resort are trained
to take care of guests of all
ages. “Beachcomber focuses
on outdoor fun and activities,
sports and fresh air,” she
says. “The aim is for families
to have fun and relax.”
2. Thailand
Thailand has also emerged
as a popular, value-for-money
family destination. Although
most South African families
head to the beach resorts
in Phuket and Krabi, there
are quite a few things to be
explored with kids around
Thailand.
Families should consider
spending a few days in
Bangkok to soak up the Thai
culture before heading to the
beach. Parents can introduce
their kids to Buddhist
temples and museums and
do some shopping. Another
way to get to know the Thai
culture is by taking part
in a cooking class, which
can make for a great family
activity.
Families can speed along
the Chao Phraya River in a
noisy longtail boat, watch
a snake being milked of its
venom or experience a tuktuk
ride. When it gets too
hot, they can retreat into one
of the many air-conditioned
indoor playgrounds with kids’
rides and computer games,
or go bowling, ice-skating or
go-karting.
3. Disney World
Disney will always be a
favourite for all families
around the world. Both Walt
Disney World in Orlando, US,
Top family destinations
and Disneyland Resort in
Paris, France, are incredibly
popular with families. Both
offer the same great Disney
experience and service, but
the costs and the time it
takes travellers to get to the
resort will have a huge impact
on their decision.
The Orlando resort sprawls
over 8 000 hectares, while
Disneyland Resort Paris is
about a tenth of the size.
Walt Disney World includes
four theme parks, two water
parks and 23 resort hotels;
while Disneyland Resort Paris
is home to just two parks
and seven hotels. Although
Disneyland Paris has fewer
attractions, the rides that
are included are some of
the best that Disney offers
anywhere, and thus size
might not be a deciding factor
for rst-time visitors.
Costs for theme
park tickets, food and
accommodation will be
roughly the same per day,
although the Walt Disney
World resort in Florida has a
wider array of hotels, which
leads to more exibility in
price.
4. France
Hélène Bezuidenhout,
spokesperson for Atout
France, says despite its
reputation as a destination
for romantic couples, France
has a lot to offer children.
“There are lots of activities
that are specially designed
for playing and developing
their imagination,” she
says, pointing out that most
museums, castles or tourist
attractions in France will have
specially dedicated children’s
programmes to make a visit
fun and educational.
The country also features
a great number of theme
parks. Hélène explains: “We
all know Disneyland Paris
but what about Parc Asterix
(40 minutes from Paris or
20 minutes from CDG)? Or
Puy du Fou, an award-winning
theme park in Vendée, where
travellers are transported
back to medieval times?” She
also mentions Futuroscope
in Poitiers and Cité des
Sciences et de l'Industrie in
Paris.
5. Réunion Island
Réunion Island is an up-andcoming
destination for South
African families, according
to Hélène. “It is an ideal
destination for families to
relax on the beach, discover
small hikes that will introduce
children to the joys of the
outdoors, discover the
Kelonia centre which is
dedicated to turtles, or have
a wonderful experience at
one of the two water themed
parks, Aqualys.”
WLH discounts Mauritius
WORLD Leisure Holidays is
offering some great specials
to Mauritius for travel before
June 19.
R14 440pps for four-star
Ambre on an all-inclusive
basis for seven nights.
R13 740pps for four-star
La Pirogue for seven nights
on a breakfast and dinner
basis.
R15 740 for ve-star Sugar
Beach for seven nights on a
breakfast and dinner basis.
R16 640 for ve-star Long
Beach in a sea-facing
room for seven nights on a
breakfast and dinner basis.
R22 240 for ve-star deluxe
Le Touessrok for seven
nights on a breakfast and
dinner basis.
Swiss pass specials
WORLD Travel is offering a
selection of Swiss Travel
System’s all-in-one passes
that give access to all the
Swiss public transport
networks, including trains,
buses, boats and trams. For
families travelling together,
the Swiss Family Card allows
children from six to 15 years
of age to travel free. There
is no limit on the number
of children when they are
accompanied by at least one
parent who is in possession
of a valid Swiss Travel System
pass. The Swiss Travel
System includes benets
such as 50% discount on
mountain-top excursions,
free admission to certain
museums and access to
the scenic trains (excluding
seat reservations). Until April
30, World Travel is offering a
special on the two-day Swiss
Flexi Pass, valid for travel until
May 31. It applies to both rst
and second class for adults,
children and youths. The
pass must be used within six
months from date of issue.
Children call the shots when choosing holiday hotels
CRESTA Hotels has adjusted
its offering to improve the
overall family experience, as
the hotel group recognises
that children often call the
shots when a family selects its
next holiday.
Sibo Gumpo, group
commercial manager, explains:
“Children are increasingly
becoming key decision makers
regarding hotels the family
visits for the occasional meal
or for a fully edged holiday,
and must be considered in
the buying behaviour of hotel
services. Whilst parents
are responsible for signing
the hotel cheque, kids can
sway decisions on which
hotel the family will visit.
At Cresta Hotels we have
learnt that children are also
incredibly loyal customers
where their experiences
with an establishment have
been positive and they feel
genuinely welcomed.”
To better cater for its young
customers, Cresta Hotels
has created a children’s
loyalty programme at its
city hotels, the Cresta Kids
Club. Children are treated
as VIPs when they celebrate
momentous occasions,
especially birthdays. Over
public holidays, group events
are also organised and
supervised by the hotel teams.
Sibo says: “Most importantly,
we want kids to get away from
play stations and television
sets and spend time outdoors,
having loads of fun in the sun.”
Menus have been adapted
to child diners, making use
of local organic produce and
imaginative names for dishes.
Cresta Mowana Safari Resort
& Spa on the banks of the
Chobe River offers options
such as Croc Tic Toks (sh
ngers and fries).
With hotels in Botswana,
Zambia and Zimbabwe, 90%
of Cresta properties have fully
equipped children’s outdoor
play areas. Children under
12 sharing a room with their
parents stay free (up to a
maximum of two children
per room).
Book it
Beachcomber 2014 specials
Beachcomber specials for 2014 could prove very popular with families. The tour operator is
advertising an early-bird special, offering 25% off accommodation and 25% off food and beverages
if clients purchase their trip at least 30 days in advance. The offer is valid until October 31 for all
hotels in Mauritius and Seychelles. There is also a kids’ special, where children under six stay and
dine free on all-inclusive, year-round holidays. Children between the ages of six and 17 pay a reduced
rate for all-inclusive, year-round trips, and can also stay free when sharing with parents between April
25 and October 13. Children who prefer their own room can save 50% on accommodation at most
Beachcomber properties for most of the year. At the exclusive Royal Palm the discount is 25%.
Outdoors in the Cederberg
Mountain biking, hiking, canoeing and fishing are some
of the activities families can indulge in on the threenight
Family Fun package offered during the Easter,
winter and summer holidays at Bushman’s Kloof in
the Cederberg Mountains. The package is best suited
to families with young ones aged between six and 12
years. Kids’ night walks, treasure hunts, spoor tracking
and rock painting are yet more pursuits to appeal to
all ages. Early child-friendly suppers and babysitting
services are also features, along with a camping
opportunity on the last night. This year the package is
available from April 1-4 and 18-21; July 5-8 and 8-11
and December 12-15 and 15-18.
Did you know?
Air Namibia recently upgraded its entire eet, offering more legroom and comfort for busy families. It
also offers more affordable fares for the whole family. Clients can experience the new Airbus A319-
100 on ights from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Book it!
A glance at Travelinfo reveals some upcoming specials suitable for the whole family, representing
good value-for-money.
Sun City: The Sun City Family Package is valid at the Cascades and Cabanas until June 30, subject
to availability. At the Cascades, a luxury family room is priced from R2 638pps for two midweek
evenings or from R2 798pps for two weekend nights. At the Cabanas, a standard family room
starts at R2 158pps for two nights midweek and from R2 428pps for two weekend evenings.
Along with the accommodation comes daily breakfast, one Kamp Kwena voucher per child aged
from four to 12 (max two children); one Maze voucher for a family of two adults and two kids under
12; and a dinner discount voucher of 20% on food only, valid at specied restaurants.
Walt Disney World: Families can spend seven nights at one of Disney’s All Star Resorts in Orlando
at a cost ranging from R24 983-R27 947pps between April 28 and May 25. This Thompsons
Holidays special includes return ights between South Africa and Orlando plus taxes, return
transfers in Orlando, a seven-day entrance pass to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and
Holiday Studios. Two under-18s sharing with two adults pay only for ights and park tickets.
What’s coming to Disney World in 2014?
A POPULAR destination for
South African families, Walt
Disney World in Orlando is
continuously upgrading its
attractions to keep surprising
its guests.
These are some of the new
attractions travellers can
expect to see in 2014:
1.The Seven Dwarfs
Mine Train
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
will take New Fantasyland
guests on a musical ride
into a mine where a million
diamonds shine. The fun
starts as guests cross
a stone bridge and walk
through a beautiful forest
with the dwarfs’ cottage in
the distance, leading to the
entrance.
The family-style
rollercoaster will feature
vehicles mounted in cradlelike
pivots that swing back
and forth during the ride.
2. New parade
New Fantasyland also
inspires a new daytime
parade, the Disney Festival
of Fantasy Parade, scheduled
to march into the Magic
Kingdom in spring 2014.
3. Luxury resort
Four Seasons Hotels and
Resorts plans a 2014
opening of a resort hotel.
Four Seasons Resort
Orlando at Walt Disney World
Resort will feature several
dining venues, including
a rooftop restaurant, a
vast spa, tness centre,
three pools and sports and
recreational area, as well
as meeting space and a
business centre.
4. Soccer stars move in
As anticipation for the 2014
World Cup builds, soccer
fans vacationing at Walt
Disney World Resort will be
treated to more professional
soccer options at the
ESPN Wide World of Sports
Complex this year. The
Orlando City Soccer Club will
play its 2014 home games
at Disney in the spring.
5. New cruise
itineraries
This year, Disney Cruise Line
will offer new itineraries,
including an expanded
collection of European
cruises highlighting the
Greek Isles. Plus, it will
depart for the rst time
from homeports in Venice,
Italy and San Juan, Puerto
Rico. From May to August,
the Disney Magic returns to
the Mediterranean, offering
a rich array of itineraries,
cruise lengths and ports of
call. The Magic will homeport
in Venice and will call on the
Greek Isles and Sicily for the
rst time.
Free nights at Hideaway of Nungwi
HIDEAWAY of Nungwi
in Zanzibar is offering
guests a free night when
booking a ‘stay four
nights pay for three’
special. The hotel also
offers two free nights
when booking for ve
nights in a ‘stay seven
nights and pay for ve’
promotion. The special is
valid for travel until March
30.The same special
applies to Dreams of
Zanzibar hotel.
