Can new Harry Potter attraction put Universal on par with Disney as a vacation destination?
Universal Orlando is about to get a second chance to make a first impression.
The arrival of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — which began admitting guests with select hotel packages this weekend, ahead of a grand opening next month — caps more than five years of planning and almost $400 million of investment aimed at re-establishing Universal as a true multi-day destination capable of challenging Walt Disney World for theme-park supremacy.
In Harry Potter, the boy-wizard …

Miami sizzles year-round, but especially in summer.  But don’t let a little heat scare you off.  The Marenas Resort in Sunny Isles, just north of Miami, has a family package that’ll let you float in the blue Atlantic all day long. The suites are
Love Your Family package includes:
* Overnight accommodations in a one-bedroom suite with full kitchen
* 2 reserved beach chairs and beach umbrella daily
* Daily beach snack pack (water, fruit, and snacks)
* One pizza delivered and new-release family movie in your suite
* Daily parking and resort fees
* $25 credit …

Club Med vacations are definitely escapism—after deciding which resort and when, you can unplug that decision-making reflex for the duration.  All your meals and drinks, all your activities (including trapeze!), kids’ clubs, everything for one price.   This summer at Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Cancun Yucatan & Ixtapa Pacific (Mexico), Sandpiper (Florida), Caravelle (Guadeloupe), and Buccaneer’s Creek (Martinique), big families can book a week at $637/person; and couples can book from $774/person.  Book by June 28 for travel between now and December 11.
What You Get:

7 nights’ accommodations
All meals, snacks, and …

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has unveiled plans for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, one of the largest new hospitality projects in Florida that will feature family suites designed around four unique themes: The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Cars and The Little Mermaid.
“This new resort will feature some of our most beloved characters and stories in a unique and special way that we think our guests will really enjoy,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “This project also underscores our optimism about the future, as we …

For many of your clients, family travel means Florida—and this summer Loews Hotels and the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando are making a trip to the Sunshine State even more attractive.
With stays of four nights or longer at one of the AAA Four-Diamond hotels onsite at Universal Orlando Resort, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Portofino Bay Hotel—kids receive a free 2-Park Unlimited Admission Ticket with each paid ticket for adults valid at both Universal Orlando theme parks. Onsite hotel guests also receive free Universal Express …

Orlando World Marriott Resort is offering family holiday savings with its Advance Purchase Rate Orlando Vacation Package.
Room rates start at $139 per room now through September 30.
This package is valid May 27-June 4, June 26-July 10 and August 27-September 6.
Visit www.marriottworldcenter.com.

Summer is the perfect time for reconnecting with family and friends and making memories that will last a lifetime.  And now, SeaWorld Orlando is rolling out an offer that comes at the perfect time for vacations and allows families the chance to make a real difference for wildlife conservation.
Now through December 31, with each full-paid, SeaWorld Orlando single-day, adult admission purchased online, any child age 12 and under gets a $5.00 admission, all of which goes to fund non-profit organizations that are working right now on wildlife conservation projects.  Families …

Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, guides you through the first steps of the new “Forbidden Journey” ride at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.