Good Housekeeping has given Disney several 2023 Family Travel Awards. A first for Good Housekeeping this year, the Family Travel Awards are honors pulled together by “travel experts, product analysts and vacation enthusiasts joined forces to find the best products, services and destinations for every preference.” The Good Housekeeping Institute does this. To pick the award winners, judges looked at things like “convenience, value, quality, safety, innovation and inclusion.” They also reviewed first-hand feedback from families and also travel experts. The goal was to create a collection of awards that would be helpful to a wide variety of families and trips.
In total, there were 100 Good Housekeeping Family Travel Awards given in 2023. They all can be found here. There are two main categories that were reviewed and then honored. The categories include Travel Gear and Travel Experiences.
The Walt Disney Company has several Family Travel Awards. The first one was Walt Disney World Resort itself. It was honored as the “Must Do Disney Trip.” Good Housekeeping said the following for this Family Travel Award:
Fifty years after it opened, Walt Disney World Resort is still delighting kids of all ages. The anniversary celebration, going on until March 31, 2023, brought some incredible new features including a stunning fireworks-based show at Disney’s Epcot and Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade, a parade in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Outside of the 50th fanfare, the new Guardians of the Galaxy–Cosmic Rewind at Disney’s Epcot, an indoor coaster with spinning carts, has been the hot ticket along with the immersive Star Wars attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Tickets start at $109 for ages 10 and up, $104 for ages 3 to 9
TESTER NOTES: One tester with young children suggests taking advantage of the baby centers at each park. “They were the calmest areas for nursing and diaper changes,” she said. “They have small potties for little kids who may be intimidated by the restrooms.” Another tester noted that hopping between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot has become so fast and fun, thanks to the new gondola system, Disney Skyliner.
The Disneyland Resort also was honored with a Family Travel Award by Good Housekeeping. It was awarded for “Classic Disney Charm.” This is what Good Housekeeping said to say about the Disneyland Resort:
The OG Disney theme park is just as magical as its sister attraction in Orlando. Think of Disneyland‘s 30-plus rides as a “greatest hits” of sorts. While dispersed across multiple theme parks in Orlando, the much-acclaimed Star Wars rides, uber-popular Toy Story: Midway Mania, tongue-in-cheek Jungle Cruise, and tot-friendly Nemo ride aren’t far from each other at Disneyland. Roaming characters; street performers; parades; and fun, themed food add to the kids’ (and, let’s be honest, grown-ups’) excitement. Tickets start at $104 for ages 10 and up, $98 for ages 3 to 9.
TESTER NOTES: “My tween loved the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which are only at Disneyland,” said our tester. “It’s not a kiddie ride or wild coaster—it has just the right amount of thrill for her.” Three Disney hotels, including the spectacular Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, are just a short walk to the park.
Finally, the Disney Wish also received one of House Keeping’s Family Travel Awards. This is the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet that was launched earlier this year. The Family Travel Award that the Disney Wish won was for “Ultimate Kids Ship.” Good Housekeeping had this to say on the Disney Wish:
Launched in July, the Disney Wish levels up the line’s already family-minded agenda. Its kids club is suited for ages 3 to 12 and has a twisty tunnel slide to get to the club’s central hub. A Frozen-themed Dinner Adventure with table crafts and sing-a-longs engages fans of Anna and Elsa, while a Toy Story – themed splash area has pop-up jets, mini slides and a six-inch wading pool. The ship currently sails three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral (about an hour from Orlando, FL) to the Bahamas. $$$
TESTER NOTES: “I like that families rotate through the ship’s three restaurants, and keep the same waiters every night so they get to know preference and dietary restrictions,” our tester said.
What do you think of the Good Housekeeping 2023 Family Travel Awards? What do you think of the three awards that were garnered by Disney? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
