Timeshare Information

2011 Figures Impressive and Indicators Continue to Look Positive for Travel Industry 

The U.S timeshare industry contributed an estimated $70 billion in consumer and business spending to the national economy in 2011, according to a study conducted by Ernst & Young for the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

“With the easing of capital markets and pent up demand for travel and family vacations, sales are beginning to increase once again, reported Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. "The $6.5 billion timeshare industry is making a major impact on local economies throughout the country.” 

“It’s encouraging to see these numbers – we aren’t just bringing people a better way to vacation, we are making a serious bottom-line economic impact, “Nusbaum said.

The impact of the timeshare industry on the U.S. economy extends beyond timeshare resorts, including the economic impacts of sales and marketing offices, corporate operations, the construction of new resorts, the renovation of existing resorts, and the significant impact of expenditures of vacationers during timeshare stays.

This study estimates the comprehensive private and public sector benefits generated by the timeshare industry. Combined direct, indirect, and fiscal impacts in 2011 by the U.S. timeshare industry included $70 billion in consumer and business spending, 493,000 full- and part-time jobs, $23 billion in salaries and wages, and $7.7 billion in tax revenue.

Overall, the travel industry has been creating jobs 26 percent faster than the rest of the economy since March 2011, creating 271,000 new jobs in that time. There are over 194,200 units in 1,548 timeshare resorts in the United States, encompassing a significant portion of the U.S. hospitality industry.


Spending by timeshare owners and guests during timeshare stays was estimated at $9.3 billion in 2011. About $1.5 billion was spent on-site at resorts, while $7.8 billion was spent off-site in the communities where the timeshare resorts are located. In addition to private sector benefits, the timeshare industry contributes significantly more federal, state, and local tax revenue per employee than the average industry, totaling $7.7 billion in 2011.


Photo Credit: Sheraton Vistana Resort, Orlando, FL


Source: ARDA

Disney wants YOU! All of those many photos and videos that you've taken over the years from your Disney timeshare rental vacations are now wanted - by Disney! On September 23rd Disney Parks officially launched “Let the Memories Begin” – a special celebration of family vacations and magical memories - with you and your family as the stars!

A new online site has been created where you can upload your Disney vacation memories captured in photos and videos and share them with the world. Mickey's pals promise that getting started is easy - just follow these simple instructions:

1. Choose to share your memory on DisneyParks.com/Memories


2. Describe your memory. Memories can upload as photos, videos or text-only.


3. Then all it takes is hitting the “submit” box and, once reviewed, a lifetime Disney memory is stored and shared.

Who else can best represent the Disney experience than their guests, and there's no better way to do that than to share your favorite memories. When you participate in “Let the Memories Begin” you just might find that your “guest-generated content” is featured in a Disney television spot, in print ads, vacation-planning materials, and in online communications.

So relive your favorite Disney moments, dust off the pictures, and upload them to the new site. Whatever your memory is will work - were you laughing so hard you couldn't breathe on Splash Mountain? Did you think you were going to die on the Tower of Terror? Did your "too cool" teen melt when he saw Tigger? How about when your little princess met her first Real Disney Princess? There's no limit to what your imagination, and your memories, can bring to Disney's share-the-memories campaign.

The Let the Memories Begin site will be a fun place to immerse yourself in all sorts of Disney experiences as you look through the content and share the memories of other Disney guests, too.

And there’s more - beginning in January of 2011, you can also become the star of a nightly spectacular at the Disney Parks. Photos of magical memories made in the park during the day will be projected that night on Cinderella Castle at WDW and at It's a Small World at Disneyland. In both locations Disney photographers will provide images of guests shot during the day. The producers estimate as many as 500 photos will be shown in each location every evening.

So make plans now to head to a timeshare rental near a Disney Park, and your face could be as well-known as Mickey's!

Did you know that all of New York City's boroughs are actually islands, except the Bronx? Each of these 5 distinct neighborhoods has a lot to offer the NYC vacationer. And even though it is one of the largest cities in the world, visiting New York City doesn't have to break the bank. Combine a budget New York City timeshare rental and these budget New York City activities and you have yourself an affordable vacation in a big city!

1. Brooklyn Bridge
   With all of those islands you can imagine that NYC is full of bridges, and this is the most iconic (see photo). Named both a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, this famous suspension bridge has a pedestrian/bike pathway in the center of the bridge above the vehicle lanes. Take a free stroll across the bridge for not only a spectacular view of the East River and the Manhattan skyline, but a chance to see this beautiful 19th century bridge up close.


2. Parks
   For a huge urban area NYC has out-done itself in providing open green areas, and parks abound through-out the city. Central Park, the most famous, has over 30 free children's playgrounds. In Bryant Park, also in Manhattan, you can see free movies on the lawn in the summer, presented by HBO, and also Good Morning America's free summer concert series.
   
   In Queens the Flushing Meadows Corona Park is where you can enjoy the budget-friendly Queens Wildlife Center (children 3-12 are just $2.00). Here North American animals are exhibited on naturalistic grounds, "allowing an unusual intimacy between visitors and animals." The Children's Farm offers exhibitions of domestic animals.


3. Staten Island Ferry
   This is just about the best deal going in all of NYC. Ride the ferry back and forth from Manhattan to the borough of Staten Island across exciting New York Harbor - for free. You'll pass close by the Statue of Liberty, see views of Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyscrapers, and be part of the boat and ship activity in the harbor.


4. Take the Subway
   How to get around to all of these budget-friendly places in New York City? If you'd prefer not to drive in downtown traffic, and forego those expensive cab rides, NYC is still easy to get around by using its great public transportation system. A ride on the subway is easy, inexpensive, and it will give the kids a thrill to "ride in a hole in the ground." And it's budget-friendly - just $2.25 per ride (or, you might even qualify for reduced prices - be sure and check.)

As you can see, a timeshare rental family vacation to New York City can be fun, dazzling, entertaining, educational - and very budget-friendly!

(Photo provide by brooklyn-bridge.visit-new-york-city.com)

There are many obvious kid-friendly places to go on a family timeshare vacation. But there are just as many that you may not have thought about. Here are three you might want to consider. All of these offer family-oriented activities as well as budget-friendly timeshare rentals.

1. Belize, Central America. This beautiful tropical country is located south of Mexico and next to Guatemala. It is considered one of the best budget family destinations in the world.
   
   The kids will love seeing the Community Baboon Sanctuary where they can wander through a Belizean rainforest and interact with nature as nowhere else. Guided tours will get them up close and personal to howler monkey families, and you can even take them on a nighttime crocodile expedition.
   
   The Belize Zoo in Belize City, and the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the highest concentration of protected jaguars in the world, are two more fun activities for the kids. See Belize timeshares.


2. Riviera Maya, Mexico. With all of the options available for a Cancun timeshare rental it's easy to make it a hub and take the kids south. Just half an hour from Cancun is Riviera Maya, a stretch of beaches that offers spectacular snorkeling for your older children, and exciting Mayan ruins to explore.
   
   The highlight of the area is the Xcaret theme park (see photo above). Here the kids can swim with dolphins - and sharks! - walk through a butterfly pavilion, and view pumas and jaguars as well as spider monkeys and brightly colored macaws. The river feature is a favorite where visitors float on rafts via an underground river through mangroves, past Mayan village replicas, and an interior portion with a beautiful stained glass window.


3. Palm Springs, California. Yes, Palm Springs is a great kid-friendly vacation destination. Normally thought of as a place for retired golfers or as a honeymoon getaway, the Palm Springs area offers several activities just for kids.
   
   Start with Knott's Soak City, an amazing 21-acre waterpark creating a real oasis in the desert. With a 1950s Southern California beach theme, this water park offers more than a wave pool and a lazy river. The Dare Devil Tower is a speed slide that takes riders on a thrilling 7-story rapid decent. The park's newest ride, Pacific Spin, drops riders 75 feet into a 6-story funnel. Your youngest will have fun at the Gremmie Lagoon with pint-sized water slides.
   
   With over 50 hands-on exhibits, the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert is filled with exciting encounters and interactive fun all designed to foster your child's natural curiosity. Here kids can dress up, work with scientific equipment, and even participate in an archaeological dig in search of Cahuilla Indian artifact replicas. See Palm Springs timeshares.

What will they think of next? Disney, that is. With the Disney Imagineers always on the job, who knows! If your kids are getting tired of the same ho-hum roller coaster experience, rent an Orlando timeshare and take them to Walt Disney World's Epcot. At the Innoventions pavilion they can create their Own roller coaster ride!

Disney's interactive ride, Sum of all Thrills, is actually a "design station" where you use a touchscreen to design a roller coaster, a bobsled, or a jet plane. Then make that ride do spins and rolls, loops and corkscrews - you can go to town and make it as wild a ride as you can imagine. And the best part? The information is downloaded on to a card and you then enter a simulator to enjoy the ride you just created! Inside the simulator you'll experience your ride on immersive high definition video combined with stereo sound and controlled air motion for a complete sensory experience.

Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it? Pssst - parents - don't tell the kids, but this ride was really designed to show kids that math can actually be fun. When kids are dreaming up the corkscrews and drops for their custom-designed thrill rides, they use onscreen tools such as rulers, speed dials, and mathematical formulas for velocity and acceleration. Developed by Disney and military contractor Raytheon, the hope is that kids will learn how math and engineering sciences interact with their lives in useful - and fun - ways.

Let the kids do some more exploring through Innoventions, while you're there. At this 2-story pavilion and interactive play space for kids of all ages, "you can imagine, invent, inquire and be inspired" while exploring amazing innovations that make our lives better.

Besides Sum of All Thrills, other exhibits located at Innoventions East include Storm Struck where you can experience what it's like to be in a perfect storm; Don't Waste It! full of fun games that challenge you to create alternate forms of energy from virtual trash; and Test the Limits Lab - here you can have the thrill of smashing, bashing, crashing and shattering every day items.

Exhibits located at Innoventions West include The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, a fun way for everyone in the family to learn the importance of sound financial planning; "Slapstick Studios" is where you get to participate in a wacky game show and discover creative ways to solve household problems; and Where's the Fire?, a fun way to explore fire safety by becoming the Fire Chief and making it through the Play It Safe Maze.

For a great timeshare rental family vacation, a visit to Disney's Epcot Innoventions is a way to keep your kids engaged in learning while having the time of their lives!

Photo courtesy aroundthemouse.blogspot.com

Hawaii is the ultimate dream vacation destination for families around the world, and it also has a very interesting history. Rent a Hawaii timeshare and learn some really interesting facts you didn’t know about this paradise vacation spot when you visit the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.

Hawaii is the only state in our union to have converted to a state from a monarchy. It all started in 1790 when a warlord named Kamehameha united the warring factions on the "Big Island." By 1812, he had consolidated all of the tribes on the various islands under one governing kingdom, declared himself King Kamehameha I, and had established a royal court and a royal lineage.

There's no better place to learn more about the fascinating history of Hawaii than to visit the Bishop Museum. Considered today to be the principle museum of the Pacific, housing the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts, it was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a memorial to his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last direct descendant of King Kamehameha I. In fact, the original collections were based largely on the royal family heirlooms.

If you think that the Bishop Museum is just a museum, consider this: The collections consist of over 2.4 million Pacific and Hawaiian artifacts; 14 million insect specimens; 6 million marine and lands shells; 490,000 plant specimens; 500,000 marine invertebrates; 130,000 fish specimens; 85,000 bird and mammal specimens; and over 1 million historic photographs, documentary art and films; and a library of 115,000 bound volumes.

Many people have seen paintings, statues, and live depictions of the royal Hawaiian kings wearing capes intricately created by weaving together thousands of beautiful feathers, along with the distinctive ornamental helmets. In the Bishop Museum's Hawaiian Hall, exhibits can be seen of the feather capes and standards, as well as helmets and drums, actually owned and used over the centuries by Hawaii's royalty.

In addition to the main exhibit halls, the Bishop Museum also offers the Science Adventure Center. Here all members of the family will have fun exploring Hawaii's natural environment, from volcanoes to giant whales, through exciting hands-on, interactive exhibits "found nowhere else on earth!"

If all of this isn't enough to keep your family hanging around the Bishop Museum, here's more: regularly scheduled guided exhibit tours, Hawaiian music and hula shows, Planetarium shows, Native Hawaiian crafting and demonstrations, garden tours, and dramatic storytelling. Whew!

You're going to want your entire Oahu timeshare rental week just for this terrific place. Hope you can squeeze some beach time in.

(Photo from bishopmuseum.org)

It's summer, and that means that many of you are packing up the kids for a greatly-anticipated timeshare rental family vacation at a beach. With so many wonderful beaches in our country, from Florida to California, it's easy making the decision to get a little sand and surf time.

For those of you who don't live by beaches, a beach vacation is probably in the category of a dream vacation for the family. We want to help you keep it that way. For beach novices - whether this is your first time at a beach or you only get to go once a year for a week - here are some timely tips to keep your family's beach vacation safe.

If you have small children, or even teens who are not strong swimmers, plan to spend your time at a public beach with lifeguards. Patrolled beaches will display colored flags indicating both safe and dangerous swimming areas. The actual colors of the flags can vary, so if you are unsure of the meanings of the colors, ask a lifeguard. This is also important if you are at a beach in a foreign country.

Be aware that as the day progresses, the position of these flags can change. The lifeguards constantly monitor the condition of the ocean, so the distance between the safety flags, indicating a safe swimming area, could shorten. Be constantly aware of the placement of the flags.

The San Diego Lifeguard Services also offers these beach safety tips:

• Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present


• If caught in a rip current, swim sideways until free, don't swim against the current's pull


• Protect your head, neck, and spine -- don't dive into unfamiliar waters -- feet first, first time


• If you are in trouble, call or wave for help


• Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances


• Never turn your back to the ocean -- you may be swept off coastal bluffs or tide pool areas and into the water by waves that can come without warning

If you have children and are on a crowded beach, be aware that from the water all of the people, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, towels on the sand, etc., can look much alike. Plan to make your beach spot stand out so your child can easily find you.

Lifetips.com suggests that you personalize it by posting your family name to your beach umbrella, or make streamers in favorite colors and attach them to the back of your beach chair. Let your child help make a family flag from an old pillowcase and bright colored fabric paint. (And remember to pack it!) With some duct tape you can attach it to just about anything.

(Photo provided by photobucket.com)

Your family timeshare rental vacation is special in many ways, and one way to savor the memories is by taking good pictures. This is the second in our two-part series offering photography tips collected by Douglass Daniel, a writer and editor with the Washington bureau of The Associated Press. Continuing following these tips on good picture-taking and you'll have some real beauties to frame.

5. Know when to turn the flash off and when to turn it on. "Many people figure if they're outside they don't need the flash," says Baltimore photographer Walter Rowe, editor of the Travel Photographers Network website. "But flash can help lighten up areas in shadow so they don't appear so dark."
   
   At night, not using the flash in favor of natural light might be the best way to capture an image. But for a longer exposure, the camera will need to be steady to avoid blur caused by movement. "Use the camera's timer to avoid the downward movement that comes with pressing the shutter button," advises Rowe. "Steady yourself against a wall or another stationary object. Try placing the camera on a flat surface, even a drinking glass turned upside down."


6. Check the edges of the frame as you compose a shot. "Train yourself to look for objects you don't want in the picture. At the beach it might be a trash can; in the city it might be an orange construction barrier. Then reframe accordingly," suggests Daniel.
   
   "Most people tend to shoot from wherever they're standing and not think about eliminating unwanted information from the edge of the picture," adds Eliot Cohen. "You have to learn to really see all the details as well as the piece you're interested in."


7. Use a digital camera if at all possible. The great thing about using a digital camera is that you can review all the elements once the picture has been taken. "If a post or a tree is sticking out of someone's head, reshoot. Maybe you can move yourself a little bit," Rowe says, "or move the person a little bit." "Digital cameras don't make you a better photographer, but they do allow for more chances to get it right," says Daniel.


8. Buy the largest memory card you can afford. And bring extra batteries or the battery charger and an adapter, if needed. "Don't be afraid to take a lot of pictures," Dharapak says. Walsh adds, "You've already paid for those megapixels, so use them."
   
   Daniel suggests that on a long trip, look for a photo store that can download your pictures to a disk you can pack or even mail back home. "You risk losing all your photos if you drop your camera in a river or if it's misplaced or stolen."

Your family timeshare rental vacation is a wonderful time for bonding, and is full of memories that will last everyone a lifetime. Part of the memory making is the picture taking. You don't have to enroll in a photography class at your local college for great family vacation pictures - just follow these tips from some of the pros, compiled by Douglass K. Daniel, a writer and editor with the Washington bureau of The Associated Press, in our first of a two-part series.

1. Start shooting before you leave home. This is especially important if you have a new digital camera. "Reading the manual on the plane is not enough," says Washington, D.C.-based photographer Eliot Cohen. "At that point it's way too late. Practice with it before you take important pictures." Shooting at home, without the pressures of trying to get those once-in-a-lifetime pictures on the trip, will help you become familiar with the camera.


2. When photographing a landscape, make the foreground interesting. "A rock, tree or statue can work," says Scott Stuckey, author of National Geographic's "Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography" and managing editor of its Traveler magazine. "Even better is a shot of a person doing something that relates to the landscape — a fisherman tending his nets, a cowboy on horseback, even a tourist taking a picture."
   
   And sunsets? "They really aren't all that interesting," Stuckey says. Sure, take a shot of the setting sun, and then "…turn around and photograph the landscape where the setting sunlight is falling, with the sun at your back. That's where the interest lies," points out Stuckey.


3. Go beyond the posed picture. "Vacation pictures are about remembering moments, not just places," says Susan Walsh, an Associated Press photographer. "Shots of your companions in action will capture the fun of a trip. They remind you what you were doing," Walsh says, "whether it's how hard it was to climb up that mountain or splashing in the pool or paddling a canoe."
   
   And don't forget to include the locals, Scott Stuckey advises. "They reveal the character of a destination more than any other photographic subject."


4. Get as close as you can to your subject. Try to move in and "fill your frame," says Charles Dharapak, an AP staff photographer in Washington. "If you can get closer, I'd say the results will be sharper." Avoid using the camera's zoom in low-light situations. "The zoom lens usually engages a slower shutter speed to collect more light," explains Dharapak, "which increases the chance of blur from movement."

Read Vacation Photography Tips – Part 2

Forbes has put out a list of America's Top 10 Tourist Sites. If you're wondering just where to rent a timeshare for your family's vacation this year, this Forbes list has some great suggestions for where to travel.

Forbes, Inc., is a main source of information for the world's business leaders and is among the most trusted resources for business executives. This list was compiled by Forbes to assist business leaders in the tourist and travel industry, giving insight into. what lures a tourist to a specific place, observing that "A city's tourism industry is dependent on various factors including safety and crime rates." You, too, can use this very list - to make your own travel plans, knowing that many criteria went in to making the list which is all helpful to ensuring a great family vacation destination.

1. Times Square, New York City - dazzling billboards, street performers, and even a grandstand where the family can sit and take it all in; also entertainment venues such as M&M World, and Madame Trousseau's Wax Museum.


2. Las Vegas Strip - many free, family-oriented entertainment sites including the famous Bellagio Fountains and The Mirage's exciting Volcano eruption.


3. National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C. - Nine major museums of the Smithsonian including the American History Museum and the Air and Space Museum, bookended by the Capitol on one end and the Washington Monument on the other.


4. Fanuel Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA - 250 year old historic marketplace offers shopping, dining and a cast of street performers so famous that there is an annual Street Performer Festival.


5. Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL - upcoming attractions include the new Fantasyland expansion, Ariel’s Adventure and Star Tours II 3-D.


6. Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA - spreading 60 miles along the Bay's coastline, includes Alcatraz Island, historic military forts and installations, and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.


7. Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, CA - Disneyland offers perennial favorites such as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. California Adventure is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation that will include Ariel's Undersea Adventure, and attractions based on the popular "Cars" film.


8. Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA - three cable car lines converge here for easy, and fun, transportation to this bustling bayside area with its seafood restaurants, lines of moored fishing boats, and sea lions sunning on the pier.


9. Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, CA - stretching 2.4 miles, this sidewalk contains 2400 stars, and runs past another famous attraction, Grauman's Chinese Theater. In 2010 the Walk's 50th anniversary will be commemorated by a street festival in July.


10. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina - the most visited of all of America's National Parks.

You can find a budget timeshare for rent at each of these sites, allowing the extensive research by the Forbes team to guide you this year to a truly fun and memorable family vacation.

See New York City timeshares.
See Las Vegas timeshares.
See Anaheim timeshares.
See Orlando timeshares.
See San Francisco timeshares.
See Washington DC area timeshares.
See Boston timeshares.
See Tennessee timeshares.
See North Carolina timeshares.

With "The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter" opening June, 2010, at Universal Orlando Resort, in Orlando, Florida, now is a good time to take a closer look at this theme park of Universal Studios. Now is also a good time to rent an Orlando timeshare so your family will have a vacation that is not only memorable, but easily affordable.

Universal Orlando Resort actually consists of three different theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk.

Universal Studios Florida is where visitors can "Ride the Movies." Many of the park's movie-themed attractions are developed with the actual creators of the films on which they are based. For example Steven Spielberg helped create "E.T. Adventure," and "Twister - Ride it Out." Often the films' stars reprise their film roles as Christopher Lloyd did for "Back to the Future, the Ride." Rip Torn and Will Smith can be seen in "Men in Black: Alien Attack," and the entire cast of Shrek participated in creating "Shrek - 4D."

The overall theme of Universal's Islands of Adventure (see photo) is that of a "Journey of Exploration," where guests visit different islands, each having its own distinct adventure theme. Marvel Super Hero Island has rides inspired by Marvel comic books and focuses primarily on thrill rides such as the Incredible Hulk Coaster, and The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man. The Jurassic Park Island has both thrill rides and discovery-based exhibits. This island's theme takes place under the guise of a "real" Jurassic Park

A brand new island is where you'll find "The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter." Both the production designer and the art designer of the film series have guided the creation of this Harry Potter themed adventure. J.K. Rowling, the author of the books, has also been involved, down to determining the taste of the Butter Beer served at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmead.

Universal CityWalk is an exciting night time entertainment venue and includes a 20 screen AMC Universal Cineplex, and numerous shops, restaurants and clubs. It is home to Margaritaville, NBA City Cafe, NASCAR Cafe, and Hard Rock Café. The clubs include Latin Quarter, Bob Marley's, and the Red Coconut.

Universal Orlando Resort is a fun place that certainly has something for everybody, and a budget timeshare rental will give your family plenty of time to explore it all.

Did you know you can enjoy a kid-friendly vacation in Boston? This imposing cultural and historical city offers so many fun things for kids that it's also considered a great family-friendly vacation destination. Who knew? Rent a Boston timeshare and take your kids to Bean Town, USA.

Follow the red brick road…The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile sidewalk, with a distinctive red brick line running down the center, that winds along 16 historic sites, including the Old North Church and the home of Paul Revere. Pick up The Freedom Trail Kids' Guide Book, or check out Boston by Little Feet, a tour perfect for children ages 6 - 12. And every member of the family will get a kick out of riding on the Boston Duck Tour.

Kid-friendly museums abound. At the Museum of Science kids can create virtual fish. At the Children's Museum they can whip up a room full of bubbles, and explore the new interactive exhibit that teaches kids about the city's multicultural neighborhoods. The Museum of Fine Arts offers a Children's Room for ages 6 to 12 with weekly workshops and Family Activity Books.

Head out to sea and the kids can play sea captain aboard the Voyager III at the New England Aquarium. When they go ashore they can make friends with penguins, sharks and eels. A fun water shuttle links the Aquarium to the Charlestown Navy Yard where the kids can clamber all over historic Old Ironsides (the U.S.S. Constitution).

The Boston Common Frog Pond will delight the youngsters with daily activities in the summertime, including a wading pool for the little ones. In the winter the pond converts to a skating rink.

You can even get the kids headed to Harvard by exploring kid-friendly Harvard Yard across the Charles River in Cambridge. Here the kids can bike or rollerblade along the Esplanade or enjoy a scenic boat ride along the river. And at "Susi's A Gallery for Children" your kids can paint their own souvenirs, such as T-shirts and picture frames and other one-of-a-kind items.

While traversing about Boston the kids can play the "find the animal sculptures" game. Hint: there's a 3,000-pound marble Foo dog at the base of China Gate in Chinatown, bronze dolphins at the New England Aquarium, a copper grasshopper weather vane over Fanueil Hall, and bronze ducklings in the Public Garden, inspired by Robert McCloskey's popular children's book "Make Way for Ducklings."

After all of this activity, the kids will be hungry. You can fix them a big pot of Boston's famous molasses covered baked beans in your timeshare kitchen - after all, that's the reason the city is called Bean Town.

(Photo from cityofboston.gov)

It's summer, the kids are out of school, but you have to work. Well, for some real family fun, consider a kid-friendly business trip! Family Circle Magazine offers this great suggestion: "Are you headed to a top convention city on business? Let the kids tag along, and turn work into a mini family vacation." This idea is especially easy to do when you rent a timeshare - the kids and your spouse will have a comfortable, affordable, home-like place to stay, and a chance to have a surprise vacation - with you!

San Francisco
If you are headed to San Francisco on business, this is a perfect city for bringing the kids along. There is so much to see that the kids will never be bored. Just driving up and down San Francisco's famous hills can rival any theme park ride. And pitching down a steep hill in a cable car can be a thrill. At Fisherman's Wharf the kids will love clambering around the antique schooners, tugs and square rigger sailing ships that line the pier at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. See all San Francisco timeshares.

Washington D.C.
Many of you will probably find yourselves headed to Washington, D.C., on business this summer. Take your kids along - what a great opportunity for them to explore our nation's capital. The highlight, of course, would be the National Mall with its Smithsonian museums, and admission is free! The very kid-friendly "America on the Move" exhibit at the National Museum of American History will be one of their favorites, as well as getting up close and personal with spaceships at the Air and Space Museum. It's also free admission at the National Zoo. Here the entire family will fall in love with Mei Ziang and Tian Tian, the two Giant Pandas on loan from China. See Washington DC area timeshares.

Nashville
Do you have a business trip planned for Nashville? Well, take the kids! A timeshare rental here will give your kids the opportunity to explore this very American city on the shores of the Cumberland River. Known as Music City, USA, Nashville will have everyone’s toes a’tappin’ before the suitcases are even unpacked.

Although the Spring 2010 flooding of various sections of the city has temporarily closed the Grand Ole Opry theater, the Opry show hasn’t misssed a beat. Your family can still enjoy the shows and entertainment of major, and up-and-coming, country music stars as the oldest radio show in history continues to broadcast from two of its former homes. When the theater reopens be sure to take the kids on a behind the scenes tour of the Opry House, complete with great stories about the Opry and its famous members. See Nashville timeshares.

Smuggler's Notch Resort, in Vermont, has been characterized as "Framed by history and surrounded by natural beauty." It has also been described as one of the preeminent Family Resorts in the country, and timeshare rentals here start as low as $71/night.

A four-seasons resort, Smuggler's Notch - nicknamed "Smuggs" - is the quintessential family vacation destination. In the winter world-class downhill skiing is available over the three mountains of Morse, Madonna, and Sterling. Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and even dog-sledding are also offered. In the spring there is hiking, fishing and biking and during the warm summer months all kinds of water activities are added. When autumn arrives Vermont's breathtaking fall foliage is ever present.

The Smuggler's Notch resort area is named for a narrow notch, or mountain pass, that runs adjacent to Sterling Mountain. The geology of the notch made it well suited for smuggling since the area is heavily forested, remote, and dotted with numerous caves and caverns. In the early 1800s, as a response to the embargo by the U.S. government on British products, smugglers transported illegal goods across the Canadian border. During Prohibition the notch was again used by smugglers with the caves being used for the storage of smuggled Canadian beer, wine and spirits.

Today doing things as a family is fun and easy at Smugglers’ Notch. As it has continued to expand and improve its family offerings it has become the standard by which other family resorts are measured. For example, during the summer, family activities include the Funmeister Family Tubing Party, the Discovery Cookie Race, and the Hawaiian Hula Party. The winter snow offers families such activities as the I-Did-Sled family to family competition, the Snowshoe Cider Walk, and the Torchlight Parade and Fireworks finale.

Doesn't this all sound like a terrific timeshare vacation destination? The entire family, from toddlers to teens, will find plenty to enjoy and rave about at Smuggs. As one official in the resort lending financial industry said of Smuggler's Notch Resort, "The entire operation is run with a passion and excitement directed at creating the best vacation experience possible. It's easy to see why they have such successful resort and timeshare operations."

(Photo shown is the Smuggler's Notch Resort)

Everyone knows that a sure-fire winner of a gift for Dad on Father's Day is some kind of gadget. Here's an idea suggested by Family Circle magazine that combines Dad's gadget present with a timeshare rental, kid-friendly, vacation. Geocaching.

What is Geocaching? It's an outdoor game that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS). Players hide containers, called caches, and use GPS receivers to find them - the "geo" part, meaning out and about in the countryside!

The caches are hidden by fellow geocachers who post the GPS coordinates on geocaching.com. Dad can look up a cache and its coordinates on the site, take his brand new GPS receiver, and head out a' hunting. Caches are everywhere - there are 900,000 worldwide! So the second part of Dad's great Father's Day gift is to give him a timeshare rental vacation, perhaps someplace he's always wanted to explore, and tuck in with it the coordinates of a cache hidden near-by.

Geocaching can be an experience that involves the entire family, right down to Dad's little ones. Hunting for a cache is fun and exciting. A cache can contain any number of things, big or small. There's always a logbook to sign, along with notes from the cache's previous discoverers. Family Circle magazine explains that often the cache contains small treasures, like maps, books, CDs, pictures, jewelry or games. You can take one of the treasures, but you always have to leave something of equal value. You might also find a "travel bug," an item that's meant to be taken from one cache and placed in another.

The listing for the cache on the web site will also provide clues to help Dad and the family find the cache, such as the size, color and type of container. The listings have difficulty ratings, from easy to advanced. Once Dad and the family have mastered the basics of finding a cache, it's time to go to the next level and see how well you all can stump your fellow geocachers by hiding a cache of your own. Dad and the kids will all have fun checking back on the web site to see how many people have discovered the hidden cache.

Geocaching - a fun time had by all, whether in the hills of Vermont, Arizona's desert, or downtown Manhattan. And there's a budget timeshare rental available just about anywhere geocaching takes you - and Dad.

(Photo provided by geocaching.com)

Summer is family vacation time, and that also means its vacation budget-crunching time. You already know that timeshare rental is a great way to relieve the budget and make your family's vacation accommodations very affordable. Next is to think about affordable activities - how about some that are free?

When you plan a Florida timeshare vacation, here are 4 ideas for free activities:

1. Sunset Celebrations
   Don't think of this as a "ho-hum, you can see sunsets anywhere for free" activity. We're talking about a world-famous spectacular sunset! A Key West timeshare rental will put you in the perfect location to see sunsets that are so phenomenal that people travel from around the globe to enjoy this free event. In fact, sunsets here are considered worthy of real celebrations, complete with live band music and entertaining street performers.


2. The National Naval Aviation Museum
   A Panama City timeshare rental will not only give you sugary white sand beaches and emerald waters to play in, but just a quick hour and a half drive will take you to this amazing museum in Pensacola, complete with free parking and free admission. Here you can view over 150 restored aircraft, explore over 4,000 aviation artifacts, and enjoy hours of hands-on activities. A real bonus is the free air show the entire family can enjoy on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings March through November, when you can watch the thrilling Blue Angels practice. Also, on Wednesdays there is an autograph session with the pilots inside the museum.


3. Sun Splash Park
   Rent a wonderful Daytona Beach timeshare and you'll be able to take the family to the Volusia County Sun Splash Park that is located smack-dab on Daytona Beach, and it's free to the public. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, this great family-oriented park offers a shaded playground, volleyball courts, picnic areas, and an interactive "zero depth" water play fountain. All of that in addition to a powdery-soft sand beach and fun Atlantic Ocean waves.


4. A taste of Africa
   Rent a timeshare at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, and let the kids enjoy an entire array of free kids' activities. Many different Africa-related free art and cultural activities are available by the pool for children of all ages, and at night the kids can sit around the fireside for some great storytelling.

Third in our series on Tips for Visiting Disneyland is about getting help inside the park because "Good help is great to find!" The Walt Disney Corporation has been in the business of dealing with massive amounts of people for a long time, and they've got it down to a science. Besides getting thousands of people on rides and through attractions every day, Disneyland also offers great ancillary support for its many guests. Rent an Anaheim timeshare and find out how well taken care of you are at Disneyland.

1. Lost and Found…for People
   If you and your child get separated, ask any Cast Member (Disneyland employee) for help. Of course, Disneyland reminds us that here it's actually the kids finding their "lost parents," but either way, Disneyland is very efficient at reuniting families. When you first enter the park you might want to instruct your children on finding the nearest Cast Member (look for the badge) if they ever need help.


2. First Aid…
   Disneyland's version is actually an urgent care center staffed with Registered Nurses. Here you can receive help for a headache, a blister, or a scrape. And the center is also equipped to handle more acute problems. There are beds for a rest if fatigue becomes health-threatening. After stabilizing a serious injury the staff will arrange transport to a local hospital. Disneyland also keeps its own EMT team and ambulance on the grounds for swift care when necessary.
   
   Besides providing free ice water, the First Aid Center also offers refrigerated storage for special medications and dietary supplies. And the Baby Center right next door is a quiet, private place for infant care including changing and nursing.


3. Kennels…
   If you're traveling with a dog or cat, Disneyland has kennels that are inexpensive (currently the charge is just $20/day per pet) and convenient - open the hours that the park is (they do not provide overnight boarding). You must have up-to-date vaccination records for your pet. You'll also need to stop by to walk your dog every few hours. You provide the food and the staff will be happy to feed your pet on what ever schedule you request. The staff also encourages you to bring your pet's favorite toys, blanket, etc.
   
   Your pet is allowed to ride on the trams from the parking lots, but is not allowed in Downtown Disney. Even if you are not driving an RV, a tip is to tell the parking lot attendant that you have a pet that you'll be placing in the kennels, and you will be directed to park in the RV parking lot which is within closer walking distance to the kennels.


4. For international guests…
   Are you more comfortable with your own language? Disneyland is here to help. Just look for Cast Members who are wearing small flag pins with your country's flag on it. They will be fluent in your language and are there to assist you in any way they can.

For more information on Disneyland travel, read: On Your Disneyland Vacation, Timing is Everything!
And 4 Tips to Know Before You Travel to Disneyland
(Photo provided by Disneyland.com)

The second in our series on Tips for Visiting Disneyland is "Timing is Everything." Remember to book your budget-friendly, family-friendly, relaxation-friendly Anaheim timeshare after reading these tips:

1. Visit During Off-Season…Believe it or not, Disneyland does have an "off-season" - several, in fact. If you can, plan your Disneyland vacation between the first week in January and President's Day, or between the day after Easter to Memorial Day, or between Labor Day and the end of September.
   
   And remember that anytime during the year the weekdays are less busy than the weekends, especially Wednesdays and Thursdays. Sundays are quieter than Saturdays.


2. Busiest Times Advantages…Disneyland's busiest times are the summer months, and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. An advantage of visiting during the summer is that the Park stays open later, often until after midnight. Disneyland is a spectacular place at night, lit from top to bottom with millions of lights. Disneyland's late hours also give you time to go back to your air-conditioned timeshare in the heat of the afternoon for a break, and the kids can enjoy a swim in the pool.
   
   Another busy season advantage is the extra shows and parades that are staged when the Park is open late, and the many special activities and events that happen only during the holiday season.


3. Purchase tickets online…You don't want to waste time standing in line at the ticket booth, and pre-purchased multiple-day tickets allow you to enter the Park up to an hour ahead of other folks on some days.


4. Entering the Park…If you won't have the multiple-day ticket "early bird" advantage, plan to get to the main gate at least 30 minutes before it opens to be some of the first to enter. You might manage to get on a couple of rides before the great thrust of visitors arrive for the day. This is also the perfect time to shop along Main Street. The stores open before the Park does and are much less busy at this time. The store clerk can give you instructions on how to store your purchases at the package claim spot near the entrance.


5. Know when these rides are closed…The Haunted Mansion is always closed in late September for its transformation into Haunted Mansion Holiday that begins on Halloween. By the same token it is closed again right after New Year's Day for its change back. It's a Small World closes in early November to get dressed up for its Christmas holiday look, and again closed right after New Year's Day so the decorations can be taken down. Fantasmic! is only open during the summer season, although it may perform on some off-season weekends.

And, when you rent a timeshare for your Disneyland vacation, you know you’ll have 7 fun filled days at the “Happiest Place on Earth”, so, you will have time to see and experience all the fun Disney has to offer the whole family. For more tips, read our previous article: 4 Tips to Know Before You Travel to Disneyland.
And, Where to go if you Need Help While Visiting Disneyland

Kids love learning - really they do. And you can continue their learning when school is out and you're on your summer family vacation, by planning the vacation around places where kids can get elbow-deep in great science. When you travel with kids, you might even learn something, too!

It's easy to find a New York City timeshare rental that is budget-friendly. Then head to the New York Hall of Science. Chocked full of kid-friendly activities, your youngsters will love seeing their shadow frozen on a wall, and have fun making their very own kaleidoscope. It all starts by the Magic School Bus. Outside is a huge "science playground" that is open from April through December. Here your excited kids can run all over, finding the obstacle climbs and the mirror paths and the whisper dishes. They can even power a windmill by playing on the swings. And all of the kids will enjoy making their own cheese in a test tube!

When you rent a timeshare in Boston, not only will you have this historic town to explore, but you'll want to take the kids to the Museum of Science. A special program in Discovery Center (see photo) is for kids 8 and younger and offers tot-sized science tools to use, a "geology field station," and they even get to make Slime! All of the kids will enjoy the wonderful butterfly garden, and who wouldn't love a dinosaur dig? They'll see a hatchery where the various stages of chicks, from embryo to pecking out of the shell, are showcased, and a terrific planetarium show geared just for kids will show them starry night skies. A must-see is the Lightening Show, which gets rave reviews even from the staffs of other science centers!

Considered the number one science center for kids in the country is the Exploratorium in San Francisco, California. A timeshare rental here will not only give your kids the chance to ride cable cars and walk along the Golden Gate Bridge, but also to absolutely immerse themselves in over 450 interactive exhibits at the Exploratorium, in a space the size of two football fields. It's a good thing you'll have a timeshare for a week because you're kids will want to keep going back to this amazing place. They'll learn how to make soap bubbles big enough to encase their parents, and have great fun with the "antigravity" mirror that makes them appear to fly. Youngsters 7 and under get to try out the Tactile Dome - in total darkness the kids have to use their hands to "see." At this fun place, even you adults will find exhibits that will make you scratch your head and say, "Huh?" See all San Francisco timeshares.

Charleston, South Carolina, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in North America. Its rich history and culture go back to 1670 when a small settlement was established in the name of King Charles II of England, and named Charles Towne.

Plan a family vacation with a timeshare rental, and immerse yourself in the history, mystique and beauty of this wonderfully preserved city, where you can experience tours through historic landmarks and stately antebellum homes. Located on a lovely setting along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, at the confluence of the two rivers, the Historic Downtown District has proudly stood throughout Charleston's history as the cultural capital of the South, and is considered by many to be a living museum.

Take a walking tour through the Historic District, either self-guided or following a knowledgeable tour guide. The kids might especially enjoy a beautiful horse-drawn carriage ride tour (see photo provided by Classic Carriage Works).

You'll explore such remarkable historic sites as the Exchange and Provost, built in 1767. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973, this building has a dungeon. It also served as a customhouse, and hosted an event for President George Washington in 1891. It was badly damaged by artillery fire during the Civil War.

The Powder Magazine, built in 1713, is the oldest surviving public building in South Carolina, and was involved in the 1780 American Revolutionary War siege on Charleston.

A fun tour for the entire family is the Charleston Ghost and Graveyard Walking Tour. Here you'll get information that the average visitor would never know about certain aspects of history in Charleston.

A not-to-be missed event is the world-famous Spoleto Festival USA, May 28 - June 13, 2010. Charleston's many historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces are filled with over 120 performances by both renowned artists and emerging performers in disciplines ranging from opera, theater, music theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music, as well as the visual arts.

While staying here you'll enjoy Charleston's dialect, unique even for the south. The features of Charleston's speech are attributed to its early settlement by French Huguenots and Sephardic Jews, and to the influence of a high concentration of African-Americans who spoke the Gullah language. Odds are that after spending a wonderful week in your Charleston timeshare, you kids will be sounding like natives.

See all Charleston timeshares.
See all South Carolina timeshares.