#2 Top Budget Stretchers

Check back everyday this week because I am giving away my Top 5 Budget Stretching Ideas for traveling families!


#2 Museum Pass

When you buy an annual pass to your local children's museum you are actually purchasing access to over 250 science and technology centers, children's museums, planetariums, and nature centers across the country. These passes work much like the zoo pass (Tip #4 in this series), but with twice the possibilities.  You can even use your museum pass in countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, and Sweden.

The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) sponsors a museum pass that grants you admission to powerhouses like Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry and the Boston Children's Museum.  A current list of participating institutions can be found at: http://www.discoverygateway.org/images/pdfs/astc0511.pdf.

Make sure you are aware of the rules of the ASTC pass because they are strictly enforced.  If you have a nearby museum you plan on visiting often, it is best to buy your pass there.  The ASTC pass doesn't provide reciprocal benefits at museums within a 90 mile radius of your home.  So, if you bought a pass to The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry you wouldn't be able to use it at your hometown children's museum in Terre Haute.

A few other rules to be aware of:

• Always present your pass and photo ID.
• Call ahead to verify operating hours and dates.
• Institutions within 90 miles of the museum where you bought your pass are not reciprocal.
• The number of adults and children admitted with each pass varies from museum to museum.  The participation list gives you a general idea of each museum's policies, but it is best to call and verify before heading out.
• Passes are good for general admission only and do not apply to special exhibits or shows.

#3 Top Budget Stretchers

Check back everyday this week because I am giving away my Top 5 Budget Stretching Ideas for traveling families!

#3 Amusement Park Annual Pass
There are two great ways to maximize the benefits of an amusement park annual pass.  Here are great tips on using both methods.

Double Up
If your favorite destination is an amusement park, it often pays to buy an annual pass, even if you plan on visiting only once a year. Just make your yearly visits 11 months apart. You can see how this works using Disneyland as an example.

First, make sure the pass expiration date is based on when you purchase, not on calendar year.  A 3-day park hopper pass regularly sells for $208 for kids and $224 for adults.  But you can snag their Deluxe Annual Passport for just $379.  If you visit in June and then the next year in May before your passport expires, you'll save $37 per child and $69 per adult.  Plus the passport saves you 10% at park restaurants and gets you discounts at Disney hotels.

Annual passes for many parks, such as Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Legoland, are just dollars more than a one or two day pass.  These parks also offer food discounts, free parking, guest discounts and monthly payment plans.

Park Hop
The second way to maximize an amusement park annual pass is to find one that allows you to park hop.  My favorite is the Six Flags Annual Pass (www.sixflags.com).  For as little as $49 you can buy an annual pass at any Six Flags park and you'll receive free admission to any of their 13 theme parks in the US and Canada. Purchase 4 passes to their Great Escape Fun Park before October 30 and receive free parking for next year.

Keep in mind the Six Flags passes are based on calendar year and 2012 passes are available now.  You have to activate your pass at the park where you purchased it.  So, to maximize use, make sure you purchase from a park that is open year-round.

Busch Gardens (buschgardens.com) offers a similar pass, called the Platinum Pass, that offers admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Sesame Place, Aquatica, Adventure Island, and Water Country U.S.A.


  

#4 Top Budget Stretchers

Check back everyday this week because I am giving away my Top 5 Budget Stretching Ideas for traveling families!

#4 Zoo Pass
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums offers an annual pass that gives free or discounted admission to over 100 zoos, aquariums, animal parks, and aviaries.  I love this pass because it is a great "add on" to vacations your family is already planning.  Going to Disney World?  Take a break and head for the Tampa Aquarium.  Spending the weekend in San Francisco?  Check out the koalas at the San Francisco Zoo.  Headed to Graceland? Stop by the Memphis Zoo, one of the few that features pandas.


Pass prices vary depending on where you purchase your pass.  Although many people just grab their pass at the local zoo, it can pay to shop around.  In addition, benefits vary from pass to pass depending on the zoo's agreement with AZA.  For instance, I can purchase a family pass at Utah's Hogle Zoo (www.hoglezoo.org) for only $79, but I only get a 50% discount at other zoos.  But for $71, a pass from the Toledo Zoo (www.toledozoo.org) gets my family in free to those same zoos.  Most passes can be purchased online or through the mail, so you never have to actually visit the zoo where you get your pass.


Save even more by keeping an eye out for membership sales.  Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo (www.omahazoo.org) has discounted their membership rates now through September 30th.  Family passes are down 30%- just $69.

Keep in mind these tips when using your zoo pass at reciprocal locations:

• Call ahead to verify the zoo you are visiting still participates with your zoo.
• Always bring a photo ID.
• Make sure your pass clearly marks how many family members you have. Some zoos limit the number of children on a pass, so call ahead make sure that they will accommodate your entire clan.
• Most zoos don't honor "add-on" passes, such as a free guest or nanny.
• Zoos and aquariums "within close geographic proximity" of the establishment where you purchased your pass aren't subject to reciprocity.  However, some may offer another type of discount to pass holders.  
• Reciprocity only applies to regular exhibits during regular hours.  Special events and exhibits are not included.

For a current list of participating institutions or to locate one near you see: 
http://www.aza.org/uploadedFiles/Education/Kids_and_Families/Special_Admissions_Program/Reciprocity%20Chart%202011%281%29.pdf

Top Five Budget Stretchers

Check back everyday this week because I am giving away my Top 5 Budget Stretching Ideas for traveling families!

#5 National Park Service Annual Pass
Want unlimited access to the natural wonders of the US from Glacier Bay in Alaska to the Everglades of Florida?  How about the chance to touch history at dozens of historic sites? Grab a national park service pass and head out on the ultimate road trip. 


Now known as the Interagency Annual Pass, this pass allows the holder and up to 3 adults into any National Park.  Kids under 15 are free. At only $80 a year, the pass pays for itself in just 3 visits to any park. Whether you want to visit three or four parks in one trip or spread your visits throughout the year, the pass is a great budget stretcher.  The pass is good at more than 100 National Parks, so you probably have one or two within driving distance  To find one near you or your next destination, check out www.nps.gov and click on find a park.
 
Too cheap to fork out for the annual pass?  You can try your luck on one of the fee free days.  Just remember that free=crowded + get there early.  Remaining days for 2011 are September 24 (National Public Lands Day) and November 11-13 (Veterans Day weekend).  Check out this link for participating parks: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm

Interested in just one park? Fees cover your entrance for 7 days, so plan to make the most of your trip.  And don't forget that almost 300 more parks, battlefields, and historic sites don't have an entrance fee. 

Flying the PG-13 Skies

Airlines used to be famous for their edited on board movies, but recently I've begun to wonder if they even bother editing anymore.  Of course, editing would be easier if airlines would be a little more discriminating in their movie choices to begin with. 

For example, last month Delta's eastbound movie selection was "Arthur," which was rated PG-13. It is the story of a rich, alcoholic playboy and his exploits who eventually finds love.  Sounds like the perfect film to show in the middle of peak season for family travel.

The aircraft we were on featured overhead movie screens, which meant that the movie was shown to everyone and could not be turned off.  Now, I am not sure if the movie was edited for language, because I didn't actually listen to the movie.  But, I can tell you that I, and all the children on the plane, definitely got an eyeful.  There were too many bras in this film to count, scenes of half naked adults in bed, a scene with a woman straddling a man in bed, lots of alcoholic party scenes, and numerous references to body parts.  I didn't realize I should have brought blindfolds for my children, but luckily they kept their noses in their books.  My sister had a similar experience with her children flying United and barely edited R-rated movie.

So, what can you do about it?  First, talk with your kids about your values and expectations.  Even if the aircraft is equipped with in-seat entertainment, the choices aren't always kid friendly.  Plus, you never know what the guy across the aisle is going to be watching on his iPad.  Make sure they have books, movies, etc of their own to help them avoid these other images.

Second, remind the airlines that families are still traveling and that you are holding them accountable.  Sometimes the airlines get so focused on their business travelers (read: men 30-55) that they don't bother accommodating the needs of other groups.  Drop them a quick email to let them know you want better entertainment choices.  Here's a list of the major airlines website addresses-look for the feedback section.

www.delta.com

www.united.com

www.continental.com

www.aa.com (American)

www.jetblue.com

I let Delta know about my discomfort and I received an email response in just a few business days. Hopefully, their response was sincere. Here is what they had to say:

Thank you for contacting us.  On behalf of everyone at Delta Air Lines, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you experienced due to inappropriate movie played on your recent flight.

As a public carrier, the showing of movies presents us with a unique challenge.  After reading your comments, I understand why you wanted to bring this matter to our attention.  We understand that you and the other passengers may have noticed certain scenes which were
objectionable. While viewer discretion is recommended, I take the opportunity to apologize for your discomfort if the material was offensive to you.  Although the programs are edited for an airline
audience, films may contain material not suitable for everyone.  We strive to offer a variety of entertainment choices across multiple genres.  With that in mind, content does not necessarily reflect the views of Delta Air Lines. Customer feedback is important to us to evaluate our overall performance.  Be assured your comments will be shared with our Global Product leadership team.

As our valued customer, you are an integral part of our customer base and we are always interested in your feedback.  Thank you for taking the time to write.  We deeply value your business and look forward to your continued patronage.

Sincerely,

Yohan P. Nicholas
Coordinator, Customer Care
Delta Air Lines

Kudos to Airport Foundation MSP

During a recent layover at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), I discovered a wonderful addition to their children's play area in Terminal 1.  The vending kiosk, called Diaper Bag Basics, was stocked full of everything a traveling mom needs.  Here's just a partial list of what you can find: crayons, Orajel, pacifiers, sippy cups, Similac formula, bottles, three sizes of diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, diaper rash ointment, Sprout snacks, and even a nursing wrap.  The items were all reasonably priced for what you would expect to pay at an airport- we're talking $2 crayons and $4 for a sippy cup.  The company has two other locations in St. Paul.  For more info, check out www.diaperbagbasics.com

MSP has been working hard the last few years to improve families' traveling experiences.  Most of these improvements are thanks to the non-profit group Airport Foundation MSP.  They funded the building of both the play areas at the MSP airport.  These play areas are located by C-12 in Terminal 1 and by H-6 in Terminal 2 and both feature a mock airplane and control tower with slides, a parent seating area, and other activities.  At the top of my favorites list is the hand sanitizing station located within the play area.  The airport is currently evaluating these stations, so if you would like them to stick around please text your comments to 612-366-6069.

For families with very small children, the Airport Foundation provides two additional services.  The Family Center, located near the entrance to Concourse E, is a quiet resting place for babies and small children.  You'll find a family restroom, comfortable seating, a rocking chair and even a crib!  Mothers with babies in tow will appreciate the Nursing Mothers Room.  For access, check in at the Traveler's Assistance Desk located near C-12 and the children's play area.  The assistance desks are manned by volunteers from the Airport Foundation MSP, so take a minute to say "thanks" from traveling parents everywhere.  For more info, see www.airportfoundation.org