Family planning for Spring Break in Orlando

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If you are driving, rent a DVD or VCR player and bring lots of movies to keep the kids occupied.

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Don't forget sunscreen and a hat to protect their and your skin from the sunshine.

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Take a change of clothes for the day's outing and wear comfortable shoes. Many attractions have exciting water rides that will get you wet, but keep you cool. Most theme parks offer lockers at a nominal fee.

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Purchase tickets to the attractions in advance. This way you can go straight through the turnstiles. Discount attraction tickets can be purchased before you arrive at the parks. Visit orlando.com/springbreak for more details.

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Take a break from the parks in the afternoon to relax at the pool and return at night for exciting shows and events. Don't forget to get your hand stamped for re-entry when leaving.

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Consider renting a stroller at the parks to save wear and tear on little feet and to prevent backaches from carrying little ones.

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Purchase larger souvenirs on the way out to avoid having to carry them around all day.

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Choose brightly colored tee-shirts for every member of the family so that you can easily identify your family members in a crowd of people. I prefer the color red. It became my favorite color when I became separated from my grandson Bradley in London at Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. It was just a short stroll from our hotel, The Ritz around Greene Park to the Palace. However, Bradley decided it would be more fun and faster to run with a pack of children and leave grandma behind. He joined a group of youngsters who climbed the tall Palace fence for a better view of the colorful proceedings. I am forever grateful to my daughter Jill who had the foresight to buy Bradley a red cap, which he wore on that day. I spotted the red cap and Bradley atop the fence. My day was saved!n For older children a good pair of walkie-talkie radios and an ample supply of batteries can be helpful in maintaining contact with the youngsters and parents or grandparents. This year, Orlando has many springtime vacation bargains. More than 20 hotels are offering springtime specials from $55 per night at a suite property to $279 per night at a luxurious resort. Most offers include complimentary breakfast and free transportation to the theme parks. Families can book through their travel professionals or at the user-friendly orlandoinfo.com/springbreak. Special items include packages for Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. I understand that three-night packages including hotel stay and attractions for a family of four start at $400 and range through $1,100 including tax. There is also a "Family Getaway Package" with the three-night hotel stay (for a family of four) tickets to Universal Orlando, Seaworld Orlando and Gatorland for under $650 including tax. There are also discounted tickets available to Arabian Nights, Cirque de Soleil, Kennedy Space Center, and Orlando Science Center. The family will also enjoy watching the Peabody Orlando Ducks waddle to the marching music of John Phillip Sousa in the luxurious Peabody Hotel lobby. They can also partake of a delicious Italian dinner at the hotel's casual Capriccio Restaurant for a nice change of scene from the theme park routine.©ÊCopyright by Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe@aol.com.