Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to spend a little more to be sure you are getting adequate protection, but you don't want to
skimp on this.
•
If you do
slipupandgetaburn,coolbaths,aloegels,andibuprofen(orforadults,aspirin)
usually help ease the suffering. Occasionally sunburns can be as dangerous in the short
term as they are in the long term. If you or your child experience nausea, vomiting, high
fever, severe pain, confusion, or fainting, seek medical care immediately.
Bob enthusiastically recommends
Clif Shot Bloks
, chewable cubes that replaces
electrolytes inthebody.They're light, come inseveral different flavors(all tasty), and
don't melt even on the hottest days. Bob uses them when needed on mountain bike
rides. They really work wonders.
ELECTRONICS
Regardless of your children's ages, always bring a night-light. Flash-
lights are also handy for finding stuff in a dark hotel room after the kids are asleep.
If you are big coffee drinkers and if you drive, bring along a coffeemaker if it's not
included in your room.
Smartphones, tablets, digital music players with headphones, and electronic
games are often controversial gear for a family outing. We recommend compromise.
Headphones allow kids to create their own space even when they're with others, and
that can be a safety valve. That said, try to agree before the trip on some headphone
parameters, so you don't begin to feel as if they're being used to keep other family
members and the trip itself at a distance.
POWERING UP
Speaking of smart devices, their use has become standard in the parks.
In addition to taking photos, guests also use apps to check on waiting lines and score
seats at restaurants. All that technology comes at a price: dead batteries. You spend
all day using your phone to e-mail photos to Great-Aunt Fern, but at the end of the
day,youcan'tfindthe missing members ofyourparty because youdon'thave enough
power to place a call or even send a text. Having experienced the problem firsthand,
Liliane has a few suggestions:
First, bring an extra charged battery, and always,
always
bring the charging cable.
You can drop off your phone to be charged at any Guest Relations desk in any
park. While they've usually got cords and plugs for most phones, it helps to bring
