* Consider all the travel options at your disposal for the family reunion vacation. Depending upon how much time you can allocate to travel (and, how far you're traveling to), don't limit yourself just to flying. Find out if it's practical (and desirable) to travel by bus, train, car, or mobile home.

    * With that said, most people choose to fly to destinations greater than 500 miles away. Consider coordinating flights with other family members, even if it's a connecting flight.

    * You've heard this before, but you really do need to leave plenty of time to get to the airport & through security. In addition, allow enough times to get the children ready, pack their toys, throw out your garbage, and the other 50 plus things you always remember as you're walking out the door.

    * Prepare a "packing list" days before you start to pack, because it's guaranteed you will remember to add things after the list is "finished."

      And, as long as we're talking about packing, remember to take all your photo gear. What kind of a family reunion vacation would it be without it?

      Include the tripod, extra batteries (or better yet, rechargeable batteries), extra memory, and all the notes from the other pages in this website. And, if you're bringing gifts... remember to pack them!

    * Carry critical items like medicines in a carry-on bag aboard the plane.

    * The other critical item, is critical more for your sanity than for any other reason.

      If you have small children, you know that keeping them occupied, takes the highest importance.Therefore, you might want to check into this pretty good offer from Disney.

    * Coordinate car rentals with the rest of your family. Depending on where you are staying, you may easily get along with fewer cars than one per family unit.

    * Whoever was responsible for making accomodations (especially if they were for your entire group, should have sent you instructions for getting from the airport (or bus or train station) to the final lodging location. For example, many hotels have courtesy buses that run from the airport to their hotel.