Carnival cruise discount coupon

New Scream Machines

Six Flags Great America theme park in far north suburban Chicago has added two monster roller coasters this season, increasing its coaster count to 12. Vertical Velocity (V2) challenges conventional thrills by going higher and faster. Launching in less than four seconds at 70 m.p.h., a ski lift-style train rockets suspended riders up a 185-foot spiral tower, swoops backward through the station, shoots up a second spiral tower, and then repeats the sequence. The other coaster, Deja Vu, features pulsating curves and inclines, with riders suspended in ski lift-style chairs that plummet straight down from twin 178-foot towers at 65 m.p.h. Great America also offers four drenching water rides, three children's areas, midway games, and music and magic shows. Themed areas, from Yankee Harbor to Southwest Territory, highlight various aspects of Americana. Bugs Bunny and his Looney Tunes cartoon pals roam the festive grounds. Contact: Great America (TravelAmerica Magazine), P.O. Box 1776, Gurnee, IL 60031; (847) 249-INFO; www.sixflags.com.

Happy Campers

Kampgrounds of America (KOA), the nation's largest open-to-the-public camp-ground company, has announced the first significant changes to its Value Kard discount program since it was created in 1980. Benefits added for 2001 include a KOA Directory Road Atlas and Kampground Guide, an issue of Camping Life magazine, and 15 percent discount on Budget car rentals. Card members already receive a 10 percent discount off daily registration fees. The card costs $10 for one year. Established in Billings, Montana, in 1962, KOA has more than 500 campgrounds in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan. Besides tent sites, there are cozy cabins and cottages.

Contact: Kampgrounds of America (TravelAmerica Magazine), P.O. Box 30558, Billings, MT 59114; (406) 248-7444; www.koa.com.

Kansas City

Everybody's favorite beagle is hosting an exciting collection of rides and attractions at Camp Snoopy, the all-new family play-land at Worlds of Fun theme park in Kansas City, Missouri. Among Camp Snoopy's miniature adventures are a small-scale tower ride, a kiddie train, and a Red Baron swinging airplane ride. Also check out the Peanuts Campground Theatre and Charlie Brown's Kite Eating Tree.

Contact: Worlds of Fun (TravelAmerica Magazine), 4545 Worlds Of Fun Ave., Kansas City, MO 64161; (816) 454-4545; www.worldsoffun.com.

Pacific Paradise

Hawaii's Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is making family travel a top priority with its new "family friendly certification" program. Each Outrigger property is rated to determine which are the most "family friendly." One of the most important criteria in determining family friendliness is the amount of space in each accommodation--the goal is to comfortably sleep four people. Other factors include availability of babysitting services, kitchenettes, and "kids' selections" on the room service menu.

Contact: Outrigger Hotel & Resorts (TravelAmerica Magazine), 2375 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815; (800) 688-7444; www.outrigger.com.

Magic Carpets

Disney's Aladdin has inspired a colorful new attraction at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. "The Magic Carpets of Aladdin" ride features 16 four-passenger magic carpets and an animated Genie lamp. Guests can "fly" their carpets up and down and from side to side while dodging waterspouts from spitting camels located on the perimeter of the attraction. The first new Adventureland attraction in 25 years is adjacent to Agrabah Bazaar, a Middle Eastern-style marketplace bustling with merchants peddling colorful wares.

Contact: Walt Disney World (TravelAmerica Magazine), P.O. Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000; (407) 824-4321; www.disneyworld.com.

Bargain Booklet

CityPass ticket booklets offer substantial savings off box office prices at major attractions in seven popular tourist cities--San Francisco, Hollywood, Seattle, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Each booklet contains an actual admission ticket to six or seven attractions. There's no waiting in line at ticket windows. Booklets are valid for nine days from first use, except for Hollywood (30 days).

The New York CityPass offers admission to the Empire State Building Observatory, Guggenheim Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Museum of Modern Art, Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, and Top of the World Observatory at the World Trade Center. Cost is $34 for adults, $25 for seniors, $26 for youth aged 12-17. The Seattle CityPass includes a harbor cruise, while pass holders in San Francisco get seven days of unlimited rides on cable cars, light rail, and city buses. The 30-day Hollywood/Los Angeles pass ($59 adults, $39 youth 3-11) covers seven attractions, including Universal Studios Hollywood and a two-hour tour of stars' homes.

CityPass booklets are available at participating attractions, from travel agents, and online at www.citypass.com. For recorded information, phone (707) 256-0490.

Special Needs

New Beginnings Home Concept in Orlando is building 27 vacation rental homes designed to accommodate the unique needs of the disabled. Located 10 minutes from Disney World and Universal Studios, each home includes four or five bedrooms, two or three bathrooms, and a private pool with a hydro-lift. The homes are completely wheelchair accessible and cost from $135 to $195 per night (depending on season).

Contact: New Beginnings Home Concept (TravelAmerica Magazine), 405 Durango Loop, Davenport, FL 33837; (877) 714-1144.

Alaska By Sea

The new 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit cruise ship was designed to be the ultimate Alaska family cruise vacation choice. Kids enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, including a high-tech play area with computer lab and indoor climbing maze, while adults appreciate a variety of dining and entertainment venues. Alaska-themed activities and family-appropriate shore excursions are available. Special teen shore excursions are hand-picked each voyage by the teens themselves. Family-friendly dining options include children]'s menus in the main dining room, a 24-hour pizzeria, a grill area, and self-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt. Carnival Spirit's Alaska season runs through September.

Contact: Carnival Cruise Lines (TravelAmerica Magazine), 3655 N.W. 87th Ave., Miami, FL 33178; (800)-CARNIVAL; www.carnival.com.

Kids Get A Deal

Embassy Suites Hotels is celebrating the summer season with weekend "Nickelodeon Summer Trip Packs." Through September 16, families staying Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night at participating Embassy Suites will receive a reusable 35mm Nickelodeon camera with flash and film and a clear plastic camera bag; plush Rugrats "Tommy" toy; "In-Camera" Nickelodeon frames; a Nickelodeon trip journal and pen; and a coupon for a complimentary one-month subscription to Nickelodeon magazine. Call (800) EMBASSY or visit www.embassysuites.com.

Safari Lodge

A curious giraffe pokes its head through the branches of a tree ... a herd of zebra gallops across the savannah ... an East African crown crane shows off its brilliant feathers. That's the view from Disney's new Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort, just minutes from Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park in Florida. Guests are transported to an African wildlife reserve experience, with 24-hour viewing of the animals and birds, from early morning to moonlight. More than 100 animals and 140 birds are at home across 33 acres of grassland. It's just 30 feet from some guest rooms to the animals. An elevated rock outcropping puts guests within 15 feet of the animals and gives a panoramic view of the reserve. Call (800) W-DISNEY or visit www.disneyworld.com.

Dizzying Heights

The Hancock Observatory atop one of Chicago's tallest skyscrapers has introduced interactive "Sky Tours." Lightweight digital audio players and headsets allow visitors to determine the order of their personal tour, stopping at designated spots throughout the observatory and revisiting favorites. Available in English, Spanish, and German, Sky Tours offer an in-depth and light-hearted look at Chicago and its history. Observatory visitors will also enjoy "talking telescopes," dating photo opportunities, and the world's highest open-air viewing area. The Hancock Observatory is open daily from 9 a.m. to midnight.

Contact: The Hancock Observatory (TravelAmerica Magazine), 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; (888) 875-8439; www.hancock-observatory.com.