Taking the Kids™

Taking the Kids and Grandma to a Theme Park

Here’s a new solution to theme park burnout: Grandma and Grandpa.

"We have four adults for five kids," said Natalie Kline, a Warren, Mich., mom, as she took a welcome breather amidst the crowds at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Across town at Universal Studios Orlando, Marie Ennis, a grandmother from Staten Island, N.Y., kept an eye on two grandchildren napping in their strollers while the rest of the family rode a roller coaster. "This takes a lot of waiting around for everybody," Ennis said, "but it's worth every dollar and inconvenience just to see the expressions on the kids' faces."

A lot of parents and grandparents clearly agree that the combination of roller coasters, musical shows, parades, and costumed characters is just the ticket (albeit an expensive one) for a successful multigenerational gathering, whether it's in Orlando, California, Hershey Park in Pennsylvania, or elsewhere.

Disney World’s "Magical Gatherings" campaign, targeting multigenerational groups with character breakfasts, special dinners, and a fireworks cruise, among other things, has proved a big hit, Disney officials say. (visit www.disneyworld.com, click on "choose your experience," then click on "magical gatherings").

Throughout the resort, multigenerational families lounged in hotel lobbies and shared big restaurant tables."I can't think of a better place to be together," said Susan Melrath, who had come from Seattle with her husband and son to meet up with family members. Theme parks are catering to these families with healthier food, new lodging options, and shows and attractions designed for families to share.

Cedar Point (www.cedarpoint.com) in Sandusky, Ohio, for example, has significantly increased the size of its luxury camping complex and has added an interactive "Splash Zone" with more than 100 different gadgets that spray, squirt, and drench guests of all ages. The new Nickelodeon-themed hotel just outside of Disney World (www.nickhotel.com) touts two-bedroom and larger suites and a huge water playground.

Part of the appeal, of course, is the chance for seniors to act like kids again, riding coasters and wearing silly hats. But these trips aren’t always easy to pull off. Here’s how:

Be clear from the get go who is paying for what – hotels, meals, theme park tickets.
Encourage the group to divide up so that everyone can head to their favorite areas of the park, arranging a time to meet for lunch. Make sure you’re armed with cell phones or walkie-talkies to stay in touch.
Give grandma and grandpa a break. In fact, they may welcome the opportunity to return to the hotel and baby sit while young ones nap.
Acknowledge you may not cover as much ground. Remember, the point is to be together.

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