Easter/Spring Travel Tips and Ideas by ‘Lilliput Guidebook’ author Cate Latting
Disneyland & Walt Disney World Travel for Easter
Latting is the celebrated author of the bestselling Frommers 500 Places to Take You Kids Before They Grow Up and probably the best person to get advice on Disney themed travel. Her advice on visiting the Disney parks is practical and yet exciting.
“Both Disneyland and Disney World are extremely crowded at Easter, due to Spring Break vacationers”, as Latting puts it. “That said, its a great time to be there, especially if you dont mind the crowds. Disney Land offers an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday (9:45am) on the Disneyland Hotels Dreams Lawn for anyone staying in one of the Disney resorts hotels over Easter weekend. The Storytellers Café and Goofys Kitchen will offer a special Easter buffet with extended hours.
At Walt Disney World, kids and their parents can look forward to the Easter Parade at the Magic Kingdom. In addition to Mickey and Minnie in their Easter best, you can, of course, see the Easter Bunny. Hotels and resorts at Disney World also offer individual Easter events, such as Easter egg hunts and special Easter dining at their respective restaurants.
For more tips on how to make the most out of any family trip to Disney I would suggest checking out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids 2011 which will give you the inside track on how to beat the crowds and tested touring plans that can save you up to four hours of waiting in line.”
Local Easter Fun & Indoor Activities
Parents often want to plan the best ever Easter for their kids but are limited due to resources, financial or otherwise. We asked Cate if she could advise on any other cost-effective solutions that can be found locally to make the Easter holidays special for children who are unable to travel far and she informs us that, “Most cities offer some sort of free organized Easter event, most commonly an Easter egg hunt in a city park. Parents should check with their local Parks and Recreation department to find out when and where they can find a hunt near home.”
“Theres also nothing much cheaper or closer to home than hiding eggs in your own backyard (or neighborhood park, if you live in an apartment building)”, she adds.. “And just a few dollars can buy you a carton of eggs and a dying kit, if DIY Easter egg dying is something you want to do with your kids.”
Easter Travel Tips & Egg Hunts with Children of Different Age Groups
An expert on traveling with kids, Latting gives us some gems of wisdom when asked about traveling with kids at this time of the year and age restrictions, if any.
“In my opinion, theres no set age for traveling with children. Every parent knows their own childs limitations and what their boundaries are. I know some great 2-yr. old travelers and some terrible 8-yr. old travelers”, she puts it simply.
“As for mass-organized egg hunts, I wouldnt recommend turning an 18-month old loose on the same lawn as the 10-yr. olds. In a best case scenario, there are separate areas for different age groups”, Latting advises. “If not, a great way for little ones to have fun and experience the thrill of the hunt without tears is to pair up with an older sibling or friend. Having an older kid with him/her helps them out and makes them feel special. For the older child, its a great opportunity to practice leadership skills and patience.”
“If the prospect of a mass-organized hunt still seems too daunting, you can always organize your own private hunt on a different day or in a different place. Most toddlers and young children will have fun looking for eggs (and candy!) no matter where they are or whom theyre with.”
Importance of Family Travel for Kids and Tips for Parents
Cate Latting has been a Frommers travel editor for seven years and she sure knows what she is saying when she shares with us her thoughts on this important subject. “I think kids benefit from travel anytime in their lives as long as their parents have reasonable expectations”, says she. “Its great for kids to see new places, meet new people, and have new and different experiences. That said, kids can overload easily, so its important to really take their needs into consideration when traveling. Babies and toddlers may need a nap. Teenagers may need an hour at the resort pool without their uncool parents. Even planning some unstructured time for reading a book, playing a video game, or texting their friends can prove invaluable for ensuring kids of all ages have a good time.”
But she sums it up with, “Dont be afraid to show them the world. The more they see, the more kinds of people they meet, the more foods and cultures theyre exposed to, the more likely they are to be curious, worldly, compassionate people. And who wouldnt want that for their child?”
About Cate Latting
Cate has been a Frommers travel editor for seven years. When not writing about her beloved Lilliput, Cate edits guides to New Orleans, Florida, Texas, Florence & Tuscany, Barcelona, New Mexico, Hawaii, Venice, New York, and Washington, D.C., as well as the bestselling Frommer’s 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up
She is Frommers Traveling with Kids expert and has recently appeared on CNN to give the inside scoop on Key Biscayne and Key West.
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