There are few experiences more memorable than a child's first visit to Disneyland. However tempting it may be to go all out on upgrades, parents watching their pocketbooks will want to choose wisely and figure out the splurges that truly make a difference.

Hotels can work well for short stays or work trips, but a vacation rental often gives families more space and flexibility.

Paris is magical with kids, but it can also turn into a very expensive patience test if every stop asks them to stand still, be quiet, and admire things they cannot touch.