Family Travel - Buzz

A week's worth of tidbits... Disney Cruises the west coast, again; Kennedy Space Center launches a Shuttle Launch experience; Simba will roar in Hawaii, when The Lion King musical plays in Honolulu this fall; United Vacations has Kids Fly Free to Disneyland deals; Iberostar opens an new luxury resort on the Riviera Maya...

Disney Cruises the West Coast Again: The Disney Magic cruise ship -- which usually plies the Caribbean seas-- will depart from Los Angeles during the summer of 2008, for  seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises, beginning May 25 2008. Two redeployment cruises, too, through the Panama Canal. See details at the Disney Cruise site.

Kennedy Space Center - Shuttle Launch Experience: the Kennedy Space Center -- a great place for families, on Florida's "Space Coast" 35 miles east of Orlando--has a $60M attraction opening May 25 2007. "Crew members"   strap into a simulator that gives an ultra- realistic experience of a shuttle launch.

• read more about visiting the Kennedy Space Center
• Read more about the Shuttle Launch Experience

See The Lion King - in Hawaii: Broadway's award-winning musical is coming to Honolulu, and one of the ways to see it is to stay near Waikiki beach and buy a special hotel and ticket package at a family-friendly Outrigger or OHANA hotel. Lion King dates are from September 15 to October 28 2007, and guests can book the packages before seat tickets go on sale in April. Call toll-free 1-866-721-4221. (read more about Waikiki Beach for families.)

United Vacations: Kids Fly Free to Disneyland: once again, United Vacations joins Alaska Airlines with a Kids Fly Free to Disneyland Deal; dates extend well into May. Combine this with an "Adults Pay the Kids Price" deal for Park Hopper admissions to the two theme parks.

• read more about Kids Fly Free to Disneyland deals

Luxury at Iberostar Playa Paraiso: a fifth resort opens Feb 9 2007 at Iberostar's giant complex on the Riviera Maya: Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso is the name, and the resort launches Iberostar's new brand of "Grand Hotel" luxury five-star properties.

• read more about Iberostar Playa Paraiso'

Chinese New Year falls late, this year: on February 18 2007. Festivities are spread over several weeks, and families visiting New York, Seattle, San Francisco, LA, and other cities will find parades, Lion Dances, and other colorful events. Check out Chinese New Year Celebrations.