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Central Florida offers many comfortable, fun condos for all ages and mobility levels.

I never did any traveling with my grandparents. But as an Orlando resident and multi-generational traveler myself (my parents live in Texas), I felt it my civic duty to inform every Nana and Papa about the best places in town to bring their family. When I was growing up, I only had to walk down the road and cross a cattle guard to reach my Grandma Blake's doorsteps. And the sugar cookies were just a tiptoe-stretch away in her old ceramic cookie jar. My other grandma lived just 10 minutes from us. A widow, she traveled alone to seemingly exotic locales. But she always remembered us, bringing back exciting souvenirs: cuckoo clocks, grass skirts, fine chocolates.

So I was a little surprised when a study came out back in 1997 about the newest travel trend -- "Grandtravel." Grandparents vacationing with grandkids? That's right. According to Modern Maturity magazine, six million American grandmas and grandpas did it in 1997 and their ranks have grown from there.  And now, more than a decade later, multigenerational travel is no longer just a trend, it is a staple of the travel industry.  Kids, mom and dad, plus grandma and grandpa are all packing their suitcases and venturing out together.

These days, when grandparents often don't live down the road from grandchildren, getting the family together can be a big, expensive deal. That's why Orlando, with its mild weather and guaranteed kid-pleasing attractions, became the top choice for multigenerational vacations, according to studies by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Modern Maturity.

For my exploration of Orlando today, I've chosen resorts that offer extended families extra living space, cooking facilities and plenty of activities for the young, young at heart and the not so young.

All Star Vacation Homes

All Star Vacation Homes (800/592-5568) prides itself on offering spacious, luxurious properties as a home away from home vacation alternative. Their varying collection of 3, 4, and 5 star resort homes feature modern amenities including gourmet kitchens, Internet, plasma TV's, private swimming pools, nature trails, whirlpools, and more. Some properties can comfortably sleep as many as 16 guests in 7 bedrooms, perfect for family reunions and large togethering vacations. But All Star also has a selection of quality condos and townhomes with 2+ bedrooms for families looking for a cozier setting. Repeat vacationers to the Orlando area may want to consider purchasing their own vacation home through All Star's property management service.

Although there are no formal children's programs at All Star's properties, it does offer the comfort and privacy of a real home. Instead of getting cabin fever in the typical hotel room, your kids can run and play in the yard, playgrounds, and enjoy their own bedrooms. When not hitting the area theme parks, they can keep busy with game rooms, pool tables, games, and outdoor recreation including basketball and volleyball courts.

With over 150 properties to choose from, it's not difficult to find the right accommodation to match your family's needs and interest. I found All Star's website and booking system easy to use, with a feature to compare different properties and amenities. I was surprised to learn that 3-bedroom condos started at just $139 and luxury homes at around $299. I doubt any other properties in the area could match the space offered in relation to cost. All Star's site also alerts you to how many guests can comfortably sleep at each property, number of beds and baths, square footage, and how many miles it is from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and the closest beach.

Additionally, All Star frequently features incentives ranging from theme park ticket upgrades, free rental cars, discounts on 7-night stays, golfing packages, and $100 gift cards for gas and groceries. All of their properties are within 4 miles of Disney World, or minutes from Universal Studios, area attractions, and the Orlando Orange County Convention Center.