Discover the top family vacation destinations for 2026 and see how Wishing On A Star Travel can make your dream trip a reality, whether it’s a Disney cruise or an all-inclusive resort. With so many new and exciting experiences at theme parks, cruise lines, and all-inclusive resorts, 2026 is the year to branch out and try something new when planning your annual vacation! At Wishing On A Star Travel®, we can help you plan the magical vacation of your dreams, whether you want to take a family cruise or explore a theme park you’ve never been to before. Here are our top family-friendly vacation destinations for 2026:
Sail on the Disney Destiny
Disney’s newest cruise ship is the third vessel in the Wish Class (following the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure). While the Destiny shares a similar structure to its sister ships, it stands out with a unique heroes-and-villains theme. From bow to stern, you can interact with your favorite Disney heroes and villains in a whole new way! The ship’s Grand Hall features a statue of T’Challa from Marvel’s Black Panther and changes lighting based on which hero or villain decides to step into the atrium. Rotational dining options include Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, a new dinner theater concept; a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed Worlds of Marvel restaurant; and the art-deco-themed 1923. Entertainment includes a rendition of Disney’s Hercules, developed exclusively for the ship, and meet-and-greets with your favorite heroes and villains, like Cruella de Vil, Dr. Facilier, and Maleficent, live music at many of the ship’s lounges, and much more. For thrills, the AquaMouse water coaster features a villain-themed storyline unique to the Destiny. Adult guests can enjoy various themed bars, including one inspired by Doctor Strange, a Haunted Mansion Parlor, a Pirates of the Caribbean tavern, and a Cruella de Vil-themed piano bar. The Disney Destiny sets sail on four- and five-night cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, with stops in the Western Caribbean and both of Disney’s private island destinations, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay.
Visit Disneyland Resort
Looking to adventure outside the Walt Disney World bubble? Then, 2026 is the perfect time to visit Disneyland! Disneyland has a slower, more nostalgic feel than the larger Walt Disney World, and it offers a range of unique attractions and entertainment that make it worth visiting. Plus, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are less than a football field apart, making it convenient to get around the resort. Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration runs through August 2026, making it a perfect time to visit. The celebration features new and returning entertainment, including the return of the Paint the Night parade, the Wondrous Journeys fireworks display, an updated version of World of Color, a day parade featuring friends from your favorite Pixar movies, and new shows for littles. You will also enjoy festive decor throughout the parks and snap a pic with Mickey and pals in exclusive outfits, designed specifically for the celebration.
Go on a Land Adventure with Adventures by Disney
Adventures by Disney extends the renowned quality and service of Disney theme parks, resorts, and cruise ships to more than 40 destinations worldwide. These awe-inspiring, bucket-list-style trips are available year-round with itineraries throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas. However, you don’t have to travel far to experience an Adventures by Disney vacation. Adventures by Disney offers several US-based trips that allow you to explore the beauty and wonder of our great nation. Check out some of these featured trips where you can explore iconic locations across the United States:
Arizona and Utah
Have you been dreaming of taking the kids to the Grand Canyon for years? Plan this family vacation for 2026! This eight-day trip visits Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Monument Valley, and Moab. Explore the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon during a private tour, go white water rafting on the Colorado River, and experience an off-road adventure tour through Diamond Head Gulch. You will also explore the geological marvels of Monument Valley and Arches National Park, guided by Navajo and local experts.
Wyoming
Explore the Old West like never before. This land adventure takes you to Jackson Hole, Brooks Lake, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. Explore the west like pioneers with horseback riding, canoeing, and archery, all while staying at rustic (yet modern) cabins and lodges.
Alaska
Explore America’s last frontier as you hike, bike, kayak, and stroll through Alaska’s most iconic landmarks. Explore Denali National Park and view Denali/Mount McKinley, the highest elevation in the United States. Raft through the Nenana River, and pan for gold like old prospectors while learning about the Alaskan gold rush. View glaciers and interact with some of Alaska’s most famous wildlife with visits to several conservation centers and heritage centers.
Cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class Cruise Ships
Royal Caribbean’s newest class of ships is nothing short of iconic. These ships are massive, floating all-in-one vacation destinations, measuring nearly 1,200 feet long and spanning 20 decks high. Each ship can hold between 5,000 and 7,000 passengers, but the innovative design ensures you won’t even notice. These ships are segmented into eight distinct “neighborhoods,” which feature 2,800 staterooms, 40 bars and dining locations, several pools, a full-scale waterpark, a splash area, mini-golf, a surf simulator, an adults-only retreat (complete with the world’s first suspended infinity pool at sea), a zipline attraction, a water theater, Broadway-style shows, an indoor ice skating rink, and much more.
The Icon Class currently consists of sister ships: Icon of the Seas, which debuted in 2024; Star of the Seas, which set sail in August 2025; and Legend of the Seas, which will debut in the summer of 2026. These ships set sail from some of Florida’s most popular ports: the Icon sails from Miami, and the Star sails from Port Canaveral. These cruises embark on five to seven-day sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, many of which stop at Royal Caribbean’sprivate island destination: Perfect Day at CocoCay. Legend will split itineraries, spending half the year sailing from Barcelona and Rome for European itineraries, and the other half sailing to Caribbean destinations from Fort Lauderdale.
Experience Beaches Turks and Caicos
Beaches Turks and Caicos is theultimate family-friendly all-inclusive destination in the Caribbean. Located on a strip of white-sand beach on Grace Bay, one of the world’s best beaches, enjoy stunning views of miles of oceanfront and calm, crystal-clear water. The resort offers an extensive list of included amenities, including all meals at its 20+ restaurants, premium liquor, and non-alcoholic beverages. Most activities are included, from water sports such as scuba diving (gear included), kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and snorkeling to land sports such as volleyball and tennis. With 10 pools and a wide range of activities, the resort offers 43 room types across themed villages. Want room for the whole family? In March 2026, Beaches will open Treasure Beach, a brand-new village featuring 11 categories of family-style suites and villas. The area will include seven unique dining options, private cabanas, a movie theater, waterslides, and an infinity-edge lagoon pool.
Bonus Family Vacation for 2026: Epic Universe
Universal Orlando’s game-changing park opened last spring. It is the first theme park to open in Orlando in over 25 years, making it one of the year’s biggest news stories. Now that the opening-season crowds have died down, 2026 is the perfect time to experience this new park. Worlds like Dark Universe (which features Universal Classic Monsters), Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic, Isle of Berk (from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise), and Celestial Park (the park’s entrance with its own theming and attractions), come together for an epic experience. Want a fully immersive stay? Book a room at Helios Grand Hotel, the closest resort to the Universal theme park ever built, which has its own dedicated park entrance.
Plan Your Family Vacation in 2026 with Wishing On A Star Travel
Let’s get your 2026 family vacation booked! Whether you want to explore one of our top vacation picks of the year or explore another destination, we can help! With a team of over 50 travel agents, Wishing On A Star Travel is here to help make all your vacation dreams come true. Get a quote with us today or call 1-888-678-TRIP to start planning your dream vacation.
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