One-Day GetawayRon JonŽ Cape Caribeby Autumn Rhea Carpenter Traveling with kids can be tricky business, despite convenient locales, customized cuisines and trained staff. Young children live only in the now, not grasping the concept of yesterday or the next five minutes. They teeter between happiness and hysteria at any given moment. Altering their schedules can wreak havoc on all parties involved. But to those brave enough to travel with kids, the rewards can be amazing.
Our family (two adults, a toddler and infant) recently tested fate, spending a day and night at Ron JonŽ Cape Caribe in Port Canaveral, FL. The ultra kid-friendly resort is ideal for family entertainment and accommodations, and promised to be a fun mini-getaway.   The two-bedroom deluxe resort villa's decor was a blast of sunshine. The space made the transition easy for the boys, offering all the comforts of home. Our villa accommodates up to 10 guests and amenities included a separate living room, additional sitting room, balcony, kitchenette, washer and dryer, whirlpool tub and two bathrooms. The various creature comforts made the transition happen smoothly, giving us high hopes for the trip.
  After admiring the beach-themed abode, we suited up for a day at the onsite water park. It was a kid's wonderland with a heated pool, hot tub, an inner tube ride along their Lazy River and interactive water features. Our toddler leapt from fountain to fountain in carefree delight, thrilled to be in the water. We shared his enthusiasm by testing out the 248-foot water slide three times. Ron JonŽ Cape Caribe is  built along Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach in the Space Coast. The resort offers access to lounge chairs, umbrella rentals and sandcastle building opportunities.
 Waterlogged and exhausted, we showered and toured the indoor amenities. The opportunities were endless with an exercise room, sauna, spa, game room, miniature golf, movie theatre, shuffleboard, tennis and basketball. The colorful indoor children's play center includes a large playground and spacious craft and play rooms. Depending how scheduled you like your trips, Ron JonŽ Cape Caribe offers various daily activities including sand castle building, coconut painting, Bingo, hula-hoop and limbo contests and mini-vacation scrap booking.
As seasoned parents might suspect, exiting this kid-friendly world can prove challenging. There was a fit, followed by a meltdown, ending with tears. (Sleep and hunger are the two elements usually connected to the infamous tantrum.) Once we managed the elevator and fed our toddler, he quickly slipped into a blissful sleep.  We savored our quiet time outside on the balcony, inhaling the Atlantic Ocean breeze and listening to Jimmy Buffet tunes. Although we now live in neighboring Melbourne, FL, daily life often forgets the fact that we live near the beach! That magical place where cares float away, and all that matters is sun and surf. Ron JonŽ Cape Caribe sent us the reminder, and it was received. We left the resort more appreciative of our new hometown, especially from a pint-sized perspective.
Ron JonŽ Cape Caribe accommodations can be purchased or rented. The vacation spots are pre-paid at current rates, and never increase for future visits. Ron JonŽ Cape Caribe
1000 Shorewood Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
866.836.6616
www.ronjonresort.com Photo credits: Ron JonŽ Cape Caribe Resort and Digital Darkroom Photography |
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