For the past 10 years, Vacation Station(TM) has provided fun, relaxation and bonding time to more than a million traveling kids and parents from around the world. To commemorate this important milestone, this leading family travel program is hosting three major celebration events on the three hottest summer Saturdays.
From Friday, May 24, through Monday, September 2, Vacation Station will be offered at more than 85 Hilton(R) and Doubletree(R) properties in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. The usual standard menu of complimentary Vacation Station offerings will be available to families—a Toy Lending Desk filled with age-appropriate toys and games, Supervised Kids` Activities at select properties, a special 10th Anniversary Welcome Gift for the kids and destination specific information about local happenings and attractions for parents.

However this year, each Vacation Station property also will be offering two of the following three special birthday family events in honor of the program`s 10-year milestone:

— 10th Birthday Bash - Saturday, May 25
Vacation Station kicks off the summer travel season with a birthday party for all ages. Featuring free Vacation Station 10th Birthday desserts for families at the hotel restaurant with the purchase of an entree (where available) and a party environment complete with decorations, hats, noisemakers and confetti, the Vacation Station 10th Birthday Bash is simply a special thank you to the thousands of loyal guests that have supported Vacation Station over the years.
— Summer Dive-In Movie Celebration - Saturday June 29 (Canada) / Saturday, July 6 (U.S.)

The latest in outdoor movie entertainment, the Summer Dive-In Movie Celebration takes over where the drive-in left off. Scheduled for the Canada Day and Fourth of July weekends, guests can watch a great family classic on a large projection screen poolside on the hottest Saturday of the summer. Combined with a movie-themed snack bar packed with the most popular snacks and refreshments, this event is a cool way for families to enjoy a family night out. Select locations may show the movie at an indoor venue.
— Last Summer Play Day - Saturday, August 31

It`s one last hurrah before the end of summer! The Last Summer Play Day will wrap up the summer at participating properties on Labor Day Weekend, by letting the kids take charge before heading back to the normal school routine. For one day only, hotel team members will look to the younger guests to handle ordering meals, choosing activities—even paying the bill (with parent or guardian supervision, of course!). If a child requests, participating hotels will be ready to bring meals in reverse order, serving dessert first, entree second and the appetizer or salad last. Kids and parents who “take the backwards theme to the extreme” by wearing their clothes backwards may even receive a special surprise!
Individual hotels may stage more elaborate versions of the 10th Birthday Bash, Dive-In Movie and Last Summer Play Day events with special games and activities for families to enjoy.

“Hilton is proud to have been one of the first hotel companies to provide traveling families with a comprehensive program unique to their needs. Vacation Station was a hit from the start, because it recognized families and gave them the tools to truly have a fun time together when staying at our hotels and resorts,” says Joanie Flynn, vice president of leisure marketing for Hilton Hotels Corporation. “In 1992, approximately 35,000 kids enjoyed the first year of the program. In 2002, we expect to welcome more than 250,000 young hotel guests to join us in our Vacation Station celebrations throughout the summer. Our 10th birthday celebrations are simply a way to say thank you to our loyal family guests, as we hope that all of our guests—young and old—continue to enjoy a program that is committed to helping families make the most of their trips together.”

Offered throughout the summer season, this year`s Vacation Station Toy Lending Desk features popular toys and games appropriate for the entire family, such as Baby`s First Blocks(R) and Magna Doodle(R) by Fisher-Price(R) and Battleship(R) and Chutes and Ladders(R) by Hasbro(R) Games. Young guests between the ages of one and 12 will receive a colorful Vacation Station 10th Anniversary Cooler/Chair as a special welcome gift, perfect for the beach, the park or the backyard. Adult guests get a local area Family Fun Sheet at check-in that includes a listing of local activities and attractions families can enjoy in and around the hotel. In addition, Supervised Kids Activities are available in half- and full-day formats at 13 Vacation Station hotels and resorts, and participating hotel restaurants even offer special children`s menu items.

Children ages 18 and under stay free in the same room with their parents or grandparents at all U.S. Vacation Station properties (subject to room occupancy and local fire safety regulations). Vacation Station is offered at no additional charge to guests traveling with children age 12 and under to participating hotels between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Participation fees and age qualification at resorts and hotels offering supervised activities vary by location and season. The program also is available year-round at 23 hotels and resorts located in frequently visited family vacation destinations such as Florida, the Caribbean and California.

Hilton Hotels Corporation and Hilton International, a subsidiary of Hilton Group plc, have a worldwide alliance to market Hilton, the world`s best-known hotel brand. Collectively offering more than 2,400 hotels in more than 60 countries worldwide, both companies are recognized as leaders in the hospitality industry.

For more information or to make reservations at any Vacation Station hotel, travelers may call 1-800-HILTONS or 1-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada, contact their local travel professional, or visit our Vacation Station websites online at www.hilton.com/families or www.doubletree.com/families. For information or reservations outside the U.S. and Canada, travelers may call their nearest Hilton Reservations Worldwide office.

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