For many families, there are cherished memories passed down through generations that trace their origins back to family vacations. In our day-to-day lives, it can be difficult to find time to spend together as a family, with parents working full-time jobs, kids at school, and a full slate of activities and obligations constantly tugging at us. That's why, when families go on a vacation, the time they spend together without all those distractions is so fulfilling. It makes sense that, as people have these fun, exciting experiences with their families, they desire to re-create that fun and excitement. And whether they go to the same destination every year, or like to explore new places and new adventures, there is often a common thread connecting these vacation experiences. Over time, these common threads evolve into family traditions. At Exploria Resorts, we understand how precious these family traditions – the experiences we collect over a lifetime with our families – truly are. In fact, we consider it a unique privilege to be the setting where these traditions take place for the thousands of our members who bring their families to our resorts year after year. That said, even among our member families, the traditions and memories they hold dear are as unique and varied as the families themselves. For some, those family traditions revolve around have a single destination everyone loves to return to. For others, the destination may change from year to year, even though many of the things they like to do are the same. Enjoying favorite destinations When it comes to vacations, people often prefer different types of places. Some people, for example, really enjoy destinations that cater to tourists, with lots of activities, flashy shops, uniquely themed restaurants, and especially attractions and theme parks. Others want to get back to nature. Whether it's a trip to the beach or an adventure in the mountains, spending time immersed in nature helps them recharge their batteries. At Exploria Resorts, we can get you and your family to destinations that everyone will enjoy. Orlando – a paradise of theme parks It's a little mind-boggling to think about, but Central Florida is home to three major resort attractions with no less than eight individual theme parks: Walt Disney World Resort Magic Kingdom Epcot Disney's Hollywood Studios Disney's Animal Kingdom Universal Orlando Universal Studios Florida Islands of Adventure SeaWorld SeaWorld Orlando Aquatica Orlando The sheer spectacle these theme parks provide – such as the variety of rollercoasters, costumed characters, musical performances, and so much more – is an experience that ends up permanently etched into the minds of the millions of visitors they welcome. For children, a day at one of these theme parks leaves even more of an unforgettable impression! And that's just the beginning. One of the great things about Central Florida is that there are dozens of “hidden jewels” in the area that offer unique, exciting experiences, some of which have been in business for decades. Gatorland, for example, first opened its doors to tourists in 1949, more than two decades before The Magic Kingdom. So, for many families, the Orlando area has become a family tradition of its own because you can return year in and year out and it never seems to get old. Florida's beaches At Exploria Resorts, there are two destinations on Florida's famously pristine beaches – Grand Seas Resort in Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Waves in New Smyrna Beach. A beach vacation is the perfect way to create memories that become family traditions. For families that don't live near the ocean, the experience of playing in the sand and splashing in the waves together as a family is the kind of experience they remember forever. Sometimes, projects that families do together end up being so much fun that you want to do them again and again. On a beach vacation, creating a huge sandcastle could be the kind of project you and your family enjoy every year. Try to build the biggest sandcastle you can and see if you can outdo the one from the previous year. And take plenty of photographs while you're building it, as well as when it's finished, so you can create a family sandcastle photo album as a keepsake. The Poconos and Smoky Mountains Guests staying at our mountain resorts – Pocono Mountain Villas and Gatlinburg Town Square – enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities. These tend to be the back-to-nature folks whose idea of the perfect vacation is to be surrounded by woods as they hike the trails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the Poconos. Families vacationing together can create a lifetime of memories in just such a setting, hiking and mountain biking throughout most of the year, and skiing when there's snow on the ground. Enjoying the resort amenities At Exploria Resorts, we consider ourselves your vacation home away from home. That's why we've made sure there is plenty for you and your family to do on those days you decide to stay on property. All of our resorts, for example, have swimming pools that are perfect for relaxing in the water or splashing around with the kids. Also, we have created selfie spots at each of our resorts so you can have photos of you and your family against the scenic backdrop of our resort properties. Additionally, each of our resorts has its own unique features and activities. Buccaneer Bay, which is located at Summer Bay Orlando Resort, is an outdoor adventure park that includes the Pirate's Plunge zip lines, which take you a thousand feet across the park, and the Monkey Climb and its mammoth inflatable slide. And at Pocono Mountain Villas, Pocono TreeVentures is an experience that takes you into the treetops 40 feet into the air, with rope courses, zip lines, swings, and more. It's a place where your family can enjoy hours of adventure and fun without ever having to set foot on solid ground.Home-Away-From-Home Cooking Finally, there are some family traditions that can take place right inside your vacation villa. For example, because most of our accommodations include a fully equipped kitchen, you can involve the entire family in creating a special meal that becomes a tradition over time. Maybe your family has its own traditional meal, like a special recipe that has been passed down through generations. This might also involve baking a traditional family dessert, like Grandma's favorite cookie recipe, every year when you go on vacation. So, no matter what kind of vacation traditions your family would enjoy and continue enjoying generation after generation, Exploria Resorts offers the perfect setting for creating those unforgettable memories! Explore our current offers and promotions and book your family getaway today. Start here!
