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Florida Airports for
By Dennis McCafferty
Face it: Flying can be a hassle. Especially for families with infants and
toddlers.
There are the endless airport security lines and cramped coach seats. Delays
are up significantly; more than 17 of every 1,000 flights were held up in
1999, according to the FAA.
Today, the good news is that airports are recognizing the special needs of
families with very young children, setting aside valuable space for
imaginative play areas, family-friendly shops and restaurants.
Consider it a nod to a growing customer segment, as the Travel Industry
Association of America (www.tia.org) has compiled revealing research about
the growth of family travel: More than 32 million business trips now include
children, up an impressive 32 percent over 1997. There are more than 7.7
million vacation trips taken every year that include grandparents and
grandchildren, up from 3 million in 1994. The number of U.S. adults taking
family vacations now total 93 million, up from 88.3 million in 1992.
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In the first of a series of monthly installments, will update
parents with a regional look at how airports are making it easier on parents
with infants and toddlers. Florida seems like a perfect place to start,
given that it's a prime destination for families with young children - for
the beaches, Orlando attractions and wealth of grandparents living there.
(For airport maps, click on the Web links as most airport home pages provide
them.): Orlando International Airport (http://fcn.state.fl.us/goaa)
Family fun/resources: With 13 percent of passengers under age 11, Orlando
doesn't disappoint the young 'uns. The Child's Play area in the satellite
terminal is a lively, sea and beach-themed place, with a padded floor
actually simulating ocean waves underneath their tiny feet. The spot also
features a boat slide, as well as an octopus, dolphin, crab and other
nautical characters made from foam. What's next? Although plans are still
under development, look for possibly astronaut and alligator-themed play
areas in the near future.
Orlando has arranged terminal seating with young children in mind, setting
up amble table space and tiny chairs for games. "We've made a great
effort to provide amenities for children," says spokeswoman Carolyn M.
Fennel. "Families have very high expectations for Orlando. Our
in-airport train takes them over waterways after they get off the plane, and
that's where the adventure begins."
Restaurants/retail: Considered among the top airports in the nation for
retail/restaurants, Orlando provides a dizzying array of choices. Are the
kids enchanted by pet stuff? Try Bow Wow Meow in the Great Hall section of
the airport. Gadgets? Try Electronics Boutique in the North Walk area, or
the Universal Studio Store in Great Hall. Science? There's the Museum
Company on South Walk and the Sea World Store at Great Hall. And, of course,
you can't escape Disney's retail shops. Also, At the Warner Brothers Studio
Store, depictions of characters like Daffy Duck and Woody Woodpecker are
strategically placed in the storefront windows to get you that valued
family-friendly photo opportunity. While your baby won't remember the
Orlando experience, such a picture will help preserve the moment. Ft.
Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (http://www.co.broward.fl.us./fll.htm)
Family fun/resources: Atop the seven-story parking garage is an aircraft
viewing area, with unobstructed views of landings and departures with the
downtown skyline in the background. Children can also see cruise ships in
Port Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean from there. The airport is short on
play areas, but its decor features an inviting setting with lush tropical
plantings, swaying palms, sun-splashing skylights and contemporary paintings
everywhere. There is an airport expansion interactive exhibit which features
a kid-friendly, animated video of the projects. It shows airplanes taking
off, and buildings popping 'right out of the ground,' according to airport
officials.
Airport Ambassadors are trained to help with the unexpected travel
frustrations. If the hassle of traveling with an infant or toddler gets too
great, mom or dad can take a break in the unique "Meditation Room"
at the south end of Terminal 3, a silent place to be alone or read quietly.
Restaurants/retail: Terminal 3 offers Americos gourmet pizzas, with the
white Florentine with red onion, spinach and creamy Alfredo a local
favorite. For desert, head to either Terminals 2 and 3, where Willie's
Tropical Flavors offers exotic ice cream from the island of Trinidad like
"Sour Sop Somba" and "Caribbean Coffee." In Terminal 2,
Kids Corner features stuffed animals, T-shirts, toys and souvenirs.
Tampa International Airport (www.tampaairport.com)
Family fun/resources: On Level 1, baggage claim level, there are two 1,280
gallon salt-water aquariums. These tanks are home to hundreds of tropical
fish from patch reefs in the Florida keys. They may be viewed from inside
the baggage claim level and outside on the arrival curbside drive. The
Landside Terminal features spacing outlets for puzzles and games. For plane
viewing, best spot is Airside A, with large picture windows showing a full
view of the runway.
Restaurant/retail: Mindworks specializes in educational toys and games.
There are also interactive displays on hand from the Tampa Museum of Science
and Industry. Altitunes has a wide selection of popular music and listening
stations to preview selections. The food court in Airside A features
standard pizza/hot dog fare.
Jacksonville International (http://www.jaxport.com/jia.cfm)
Family fun/resources: In the central courtyard, where all three concourses
meet, there's a mini-plane where kids can play 'pretend pilot' in the
make-believe cockpit. Throughout the airport is children's artwork, pictures
of homes, pets and other child-pleasing subjects. "Kids like looking at
other kids' pictures," says Robert Peek, an airport spokesman.
"They always stop and look, no matter what age. Our courtyard is set up
like an indoor park. There are lots of benches, a water fountain and plants
and trees. It's not typical of what you find in an airport."
Restaurants/retail: A wealth of places at or near the courtyard, including
Cinnabon, Kelly's Ice Cream, Miami Subs, Oscar Meyer Hot Dog Construction
Company, a video game arcade and a number of book/gift shops.
Miami International Airport (www.miami-airport.com)
Family fun/resources: Miami International is currently planning a children's
play area in Concourse B called the "Fun Stuff Hanger." It will
provide a sit-down area for families, a playground, gym and mock-up of an
air-control tower, as well as a simulated flight area. During the holidays,
local children from Dade County schools sing carols and put on skits to
entertain passengers.
Restaurants/retail: Focus is on multi-ethnic cuisine, with a sushi bar and
the eclectic All American Favorites offering both kosher hotdogs, pasties
and Jamaican patties. Casa Bacardi also offers Caribbean-flavored fare. For
the less adventurous, there's still Cinnabon, TCBY, Miami Sub and other
standards.
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (www.stpete-clwairport.com)
Family fun/resources: No designated children's areas.
Restaurants/retail: In this airport's case, the recentlyd Suncoast
Attractions gift shop is a unique offering that provides its own source of
family fun. It features unique merchandise from seven cultural attractions
in the greater Tampa Bay area: the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Holocaust
Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science & Industry, St.
Petersburg Museum of History, Salvadore Dali Museum, and the Tampa Bay Devil
Rays. For dining, Jerry's Palm Terrace Restaurant offers cafeteria-styled
fare and has a large window viewing area that is smoke free.
Palm Beach International (http://www.pbia.org)
Family fun/resources: There is no special area that caters to children,
although the airport features its own putting green in the main terminal for
children to practice that putt-putt stroke.
Restaurants/retail: The main terminal features Baby Boomers, which
specializes in children's toys, clothing and gifts; and book/gift shops are
sprinkled throughout the airport. Family friendly chains such as California
Pizza Kitchen, the Wall Street Deli, Cinnabon, Juice Works and TCBY are
spread throughout as well.
Award-winning journalist Dennis McCafferty has been writing and editing at
USA Weekend magazine since September 1997. In 2000, Dennis received a
"Best of the Web" award from CNET for excellence in online,
consumer travel reporting. Dennis lives in Old Town, Alexandria, Va., with
his wife, Laura, and their young son, Ryan.
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