From Teresa Plowright,
Your Guide to Family Vacations.
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Orlando is surely the globe's biggest draw for families, with Disney World's four theme parks, two waterparks, and thirteen resorts; Universal Orlando's two theme parks and three resorts; plus other parks and attractions all agglomerated in this once-sleepy acreage in mid-Florida.

The winter months-- after the Holidays, and before Spring Break-- can be a good time to visit, especially with young kids: these weeks are among the least-crowded in the parks. However, the theme parks won't be open late, and you'll find fewer parades and special events; but with young kids, the shorter hours may not matter much.

• Top Ten Things to Do in Orlando: suggestions include Universal Studios' Seuss Landing for families with tots, and SeaWorld's Discovery Cove

• Orlando: Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Orlando: On 30 nights, from February until April; parade, costumes, theme cuisine.

• Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn: of course there's no law that you visit a theme park in Orlando; and at this resort, your kids just might want to stay all day on the premises. The new Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn -- aka as "NickHotel"-- is in a class of its own: two waterparks; and theming, pool games, and evening entertainment by Nickelodeon.

^{*photo (c) Teresa Plowright}