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Disney-owned family Web site ranks Sandusky as one of top 50 destinations

By CORY FROLIK | Tuesday March 11 2008, 8:15pm

SANDUSKY

Disney is to family vacations what Las Vegas is to gambling.

So it is no small deal Sandusky appears on a list of the top 50 family travel destinations in the U.S. compiled by the Disney-owned and -operated Family.com, said Jill Bauer, public relations coordinator with the Lake Erie Shores and Islands Welcome Center.

"To be grouped on anything that is supported by Disney, almost the premiere family destination, (is great) because I'm sure people are going to that site for recommendations where other great places are to travel with families," she said.

The 50 cities and locales Disney Family features on its interactive Web site were chosen by parents, travel experts and editors at the Web site. Selection was based on several factors, including the scope and quality of an area'sentertainment.

"We looked at various data sources to understand where families are going, favorite destinations when booking air travel (and so on). We combined those results with our editorial experience in this area, which told us that families naturally gravitate toward beaches, theme parks, and national park-types of vacations," saidJulie Hogenboom, editorialdirector of the Disney FamilyGroup of Web sites.

The site says Cedar Point is the major draw to Sandusky, but the historical spots and museums make the area rich with family amusement. Among the attractions mentioned are the Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, the Kalahari Water Park Resort, Maritime Museum of Sandusky, Seneca Caverns and the Mystic Belle Vermilion River Cruise.

Sharing the honors of a top 50 designation are: Seattle, described as "The Space Needle City;" New Orleans, La., for its historic plantations, alligators, swamp tours and carriage rides; and Lancaster, Pa., for its quaint Amish villages, arts and crafts, and rich Dutch history.

It should come as no hugesurprise that Walt Disney World also makes the list.

But sorry, Cleveland --Sandusky is the only Ohiodestination that made the cut. Bauer thinks she knows why.

"There are other areas of Ohio that are competing with us, like the Kings Island area, but they don't have the lake. Cleveland has the lake, but they don't have the amusement park and the island. This is the only place in Ohio where you have all of it -- where you have history and culture, you have the wineries, you have family attractions, you have outdoor natural areas," Bauer said.

Sandusky has long been on the map because of Cedar Point. But with every passing year, Bauer said more and more attractions are being added to the area to hook those people who won't take a vacation simply to visit an amusement park.

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