The Family Travel Bulletin is a once weekly newsletter by Randy Singh featuring a curated summary of family travel news, special offers, travel advisor insights and recent blog posts from The Family Travel Guy to help you travel better, travel smarter and optimize value along the way.

This week is all about offering a family travel guide with tips, resources and offers for a happier holiday season when traveling.

The older I get, the more I relate to the Grinch. Between the crowds, traffic, and expensive plane tickets and hotels, holiday travel can sometimes be more stressful than fun.

There are many ways to optimize your travel anytime of the year, but those tips and tricks are even more helpful during this busy travel time during the holiday season. Some of these handy tips are discussed below and include having TSA PreCheck, Clear (see below for a special offer!), hotel elite status or just knowing what special offers may be available and how to best use them.

Another helpful resource just in time for the holidays comes from Google. Google just released some holiday travel, shopping, and celebration predictions based on Google Maps traffic data so you can plan ahead.

Here’s a look at a few of the highlights from the data:

Thanksgiving Travel Tips:

• Head out early: If you’re driving for Thanksgiving, try leaving Monday at 8 pm and avoid driving in the evening on the Tuesday and Wednesday before.

• Avoid traffic: Avoid the roads between 3 and 5 pm on Thanksgiving Day, that’s when roads are most congested.

• Try a new drive-thru: The most popular chain restaurants on Thanksgiving are McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Dunkin’. Beat the rush and try out a new chain for a quick bite.

How to Avoid the Holiday Crowds:

• Airports: If you’re flying, know that Saturdays at noon are when airports are at their busiest. Build in some extra time for the TSA line and traffic.

• Shopping: If you’re missing that one ingredient, try grocery shopping at 9 am on a Tuesday and avoid going at 1 pm on a Sunday. If you’re hitting the mall, Monday at 3 pm is your best bet.

• Ship it on a Friday: Post offices are expected to have a 3 pm Tuesday rush, so try sending your package at noon on a Friday.

• Holiday festivities: This year, ice skating is the most popular holiday activity in 33 states, based on Google Maps directions requests. Going to Christmas tree farms was the most popular in 17 states. We suggest going early so you have plenty of space to glide and first dibs on the best tree.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Recent posts from The Family Travel Guy to help with holiday travel

• How to Optimize Your Air Travel with TSA PreCheck, Clear, Global Entry, and Mobile Passport

  • The main differences between all of these programs are that TSA PreCheck and Clear save you time when departing for flights, while Global Entry and Mobile Passport help save you time when returning to the United States from an international destination.

• Special Offer for readers of The Family Travel Bulletin for CLEAR

  • Use this CLEAR code to redeem 3 months free of CLEAR Plus: 22TGX36C269

    • Only valid for up to 5 CLEAR guest passes, so first come first served

    • Limited time only - offer valid through 11/30/22. Available only to new CLEAR members. After the free trial, CLEAR Membership renews at $189/year. Family Member accounts renew annually at $60 each per year after initial free trial term and are billed to the Primary Member account. Cancel anytime before your free trial ends.

FAMILY TRAVEL NEWS

Round-up of insights and news you can use for your next trip

• The best times for holiday travel and shopping, according to Maps data

  • The holidays are upon us once again - Choose the best times to shop, drive and more this holiday season with these Google Maps trends you’re sure to be thankful for.

• 5 Google Maps tips for less stress this holiday season

  • Use Google Maps to save money on gas, avoid holiday crowds and navigate a happier holiday season.

• Foodie Guide to Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

  • From November 11, 2022, through January 8, 2023, Disney California Adventure park will be joining in the holiday spirit with the return of the Disney Festival of Holidays!

  • This festival highlights diverse cultural celebrations, like Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings’ Day, through music, entertainment, and, of course, food!

• Disney World Introduces Park-Specific Ticket Pricing

  • Beginning December 8th, Walt Disney World will introduce park-specific pricing on 1-day, 1-park tickets.

  • A 1-day ticket for a specific date and park will range from:

    • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $109-$159

    • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $124-$179

    • EPCOT: $114-$179

    • Magic Kingdom Park: $124-$189

      • Note: The $189 price point is specifically for the week of Christmas to New Year’s

With the new park-specific pricing, Magic Kingdom Park will be priced at or above our other theme parks due to the incredible demand, as it remains the most-visited theme park in the world.

• Where will World Cup teams be based in Qatar?

  • The World Cup kicks off this Sunday on November 20! Find out where your favorite team is staying - from the teams that have booked luxury resorts or humble rooms as their World Cup base location in Qatar.

FAMILY TRAVEL OFFERS & INSIGHTS

Featured Special Offers of the Week

• Third Night Free at Carneros Resort & Spa

  • This Cyber Monday offer from Carneros Resort & Spa includes:

    • Complimentary third night with a three-night or longer stay

    • Bookable now through November 29, 2022 for travel before March 31, 2023

  • Carneros Resort & Spa is a part of the Virtuoso Best of the Best Hotel Collection with perks and amenities available when you book your stay through a Virtuoso travel advisor:

    • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (Upgrade not available with all room types)

    • Full American breakfast for two daily at Hilltop Dining Room (credit of $60 per day, per bedroom)

    • $100 Resort credit utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

    • Early Check-In / Late Check-Out (subject to availability)

• LEGOLAND Special Offer: Free Return Tickets

  • Visit LEGOLAND California between November 17 and December 15, 2022 to redeem any paid LEGOLAND California admission ticket at Guest Services and receive a FREE ticket to return to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE aquarium weekdays starting January 3 through February 28, 2023.

If you’re planning a LEGOLAND trip soon, be sure to check their website for special Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers. Last year I was able to get a Buy one ticket and get one free ticket during the Thanksgiving holiday week.

THE FAMILY TRAVEL GUY

I hope this email helped spark some travel inspiration!

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