'New' resort area as of late 2016/ early 2017;  approx. 45min north from Cancun airport.

Many brand new 5 star/reputable hotel chains are expanding into this area and  I was fortunate enough to experience 2 hotels.

RIU PALACE COSTA MUJERES, 25-29Mar19 - Opened in Nov'18 beside sister hotel Riu Dunamar ( Dec 2017), with a shared waterpark between the 2 hotels.

Riu Palace is more upscale/posh than the sister Dunamar,   and was originally built as an adults only resort. Bathtubs are in the middle of the room and the showers have frosted glass , with 2 sink vanity . Very large spacious rooms but the sofa beds do NOT pull out and the single cots are very uncomfortable. Actually my biggest complaint about this hotel is the beds are HARD. This surprised me since the hotel is only 4 months old. As well, everything is WHITE WHITE  WHITE. So if you have baby blues, make sure you bring along dark sunglasses as sometimes it was blinding and hard to walk around, seeing clearly . The food was great, with a lot of dining options and staff that seemed to love their jobs. Very friendly and active, but not 'in your face' trying to get you to join activities.  I don't recall seeing any time share sellers at this hotel, which was nice. The Foam Pool Party on Tuesdays is great, fun way to spend 2 hrs. Music, foam, balloons and a lot of people bouncing around in the activity pool. As well, the White Beach Party on Thursdays is a great way to finish off an evening with music and fire ancers/eaters/entertainment. Excellent family friendly hotel and when you stay at the Palace, you can dine and use the facilities at the Dunamar . *Be careful at the water park and protect your neck, as I really hurt myself doing something stupid and was in pain for 2 days.

Dreams Playa Mujeres (29Mar-02Apr19) -  opened Dec'16. Absolutely gorgeous well laid out resort! Fantastic pools, waterpark with beautiful buildings and really really comfortable beds. Large Jr Suites with a jacuzzi on the balcony and  spacious 'rain' showers. Upgrade to the Preferred/ Concierge Club , building 6. Well worth the extra $ for more personal service and upgraded in room amenities like sunscreen and biodegradable bug spray (coconut oil).  As well, exclusive access to the Lazy River and beach and pool cabanas set up around the property (these limited cabanas are first come first served so make sure you are up at 7-8a to grab one)

The childrens club looked HUGE and active at this resort. Tie that in with the water park, you will never see your children between 9a-9p = 12hr daily care.

I didn't partake in the Dolphin Swim or activities as I found the oceanpen/ containment area very small for these 6 creatures,  but it appeared to very popular with other guests.

Unfortunately, I must give the food here a  big thumbs down. I honestly think the dining / kitchen staff do not enjoy their jobs. I found 2 week old yogurt one morning and thought it was a little disgusting that the salt + pepper on the tables were in ceramic bowls, without spoons,  so everyone would stick their fingers in. I only ate in the buffet restaurant during my stay but I was told the Brazilian Restaurant was the best place to go. None of the restaurants required reservations but that did mean very long waits. Please arrive when it opens at 6p or you could be waiting 2+hrs for a table.

On our last night there was an Mexican BBQ and unfortunately, I noticed an chef using the same tongs to flip cooked burgers /  steaks, then place raw chicken onto the grill . When I advised management about this, he seemed to have a nonchalant attitude about it, but he  did go speak to his employee.

Playa Mujeres Beach.... while I was there late March/early April 2019, there was a bit of seaweed along the shoreline and in the water. No rocks , so no need for water shoes, but I was disappointed neither hotel seemed to be cleaning it up. Unfortunately, when the wind blew a certain way, it was a bit stinky and wafted up to both resorts. I am not sure how the resorts will handle this but something to be aware of if you decide to visit this area.

But I would go back here in a heart beat to avoid the crowds and chaos of Mayan Riviera, south of Cancun, or staying in Cancun city itself. No beach vendors and no one asking me to check out a time share seminar.

fantastic escorted motorcoach tour, knowledgeable guides, safe drivers and wonderful meals in centrally located hotels. I have never seen so many beautiful people in my life and everyone was so friendly ....I would go back in a heartbeat...

I LOVED this resort! It is very clean and the sparkling white adds class to this newer hotel. The older sister hotel next door, Riu Guanacaste, is very nice too but not quite as posh as the Palace. Superior rooms/beds with both excellent food + service and free wifi throughout the resort, even in the pool! Dining options are plentiful including a huge buffet. You could probably fit 10 people into the shower alone!

Ask for a jungle view room and leave your balcony door open at 430-5a to hear the haunting call of the Howler Monkey. You have never heard anything like it! Also keep an ear out for the most melodic bird calls you will ever hear, all before the sun is completely up.

Join a class or 2 in their lovely outdoor yoga/active centre.... feel the gentle ocean breeze while you jam out to some tunes or relax in the downward dog.

The Dry season is fairly hot and dusty, Jan- April, but the wet/green season is more colorful and lush. Anytime is a good time to go.

The black sand beach in front of the resort is a bit rocky but still beautiful to explore and photograph. At night, it takes on a slightly mysterious color. Bring water shoes.

There are dozens of eco tours and activities offered on the island (extra $) , from zip lines to hiking up a volcano to visiting coffee plantations. I drove an ATV around for 5 hours and had the best time...white sand beaches to roads that lead nowhere.

I will go back again .

  Upon arrival into LAX, there are numerous options for transfers into Anaheim (approx 1hr from LAX depending on traffic)..... 1-Disneyland Resort Express Bus (large 40 pax bus). It circles all terminals every 20-30min and then once full, will head to the Disneyland Hotel. Once there, you present your pre-paid voucher (or can buy a ticket then too!) and then the bus heads onwards to the hotels. How many stops it makes all depends on how many people are on the bus the same time as you. 2- Karmel Shuttles. I recommend this as it is a 7 pax van and kids can sometimes travel for free. More direct and for the little bit more money it costs over Disneyland Resort Express Bus, worth it to get to your hotel 1-2hrs earlier. Disneyland. Consists of 2 parks - original Disneyland and California Adventure. Both parks are very busy, over priced and fireworks/parades often only run on the weekend. You are allowed to bring in your own bottled water, sandwiches, snacks, etc... as long as nothing sharp and no glass. I would also recommend Disney Character Dining- either buffet or set menu, and I have experienced almost all of them. Goofy's Kitchen- right in Disneyland Hotel, very large buffet, breakfast/lunch/dinner.... pay a higher price for dinner. Visits from all sorts of Disney characters, old and new. Plaza Inn - right in Disneyland park, on main street, nice sized buffet for brunch. Visits from more 'traditional' Disney characters. Ariel's Grotto- right in California Adventure Park, near the back close to the pier, small menu for breakfast and lunch. 5 Princesses will come up to your table for a quick visit, sign an autograph book and 1 or 2 pictures. Include Ariel, Snow White, Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. A MUST for little princesses! (picnic type dinner offered in the evening, due to nightly shows of World of Color...no princesses at night) PCH Grill - right in Disney's Paradise Pier hotel and mainly Lilo and Stitch plus traditional Disney characters. Buffet breakfast, lunch and Dinner. Bit far of a walk from the main gates though. Storytellers Cafe- right in Disney's Grand Californian hotel - I have NOT experienced this option Be sure to use the 'FastPass' for the more popular rides as this will provide you a time to return for a shorter wait, and shorter lineup, but you cannot 'fast pass' 2 rides at the same time. Take your regular Disney pass, scan it into the machine in front of the ride. It will then give you a ticket to tell you when you can come back and wait for 10minutes instead of 40. This can only be used once at a time so best to get a ticket for a busy ride, then go eat or do something nearby. Once you have finished the ride, you can then 'fast pass' another ride. There is no extra cost to use the Fast Pass and this will save you lots of time.   A 'newer' ride is the Toy Story Mania, which also had the longest lineup, and no Fast Pass allowed. Located at the very back of California Adventure park, this ride built like you are riding into a carnival game, with a gun to shoot foam balls and score points. Two of you in 1 car and you can compete against each other for the highest score. This is a very cool, unique and fun ride and the line moves fairly quickly. (in comparsion to other rides) Knotts Berry Farm - I have not been here for almost 30 years and they have some GREAT/FAST/SCARY rides for adults and teens as well as Camp Snoopy for the younger ones. It is pretty quiet, since everyone is at Disneyland , but only 15 minutes away in Buena Park. I have been told that the local teenagers come here during the afternoons so best to visit first thing in the morning..... and you know it is a good ride when you have to take off everything that is loose, from hats to flip flops, and put it into a cubby. :) One ride hit 6 G's in less than 19 seconds - even more fun the 2nd time! WHEE! Pirate Dinner - lots of action, violent and hard to keep track of whom is speaking and where to look. The food was OK yet overpriced (drinks too) and I would not suggest suitable for kids under 7yrs due to the violence/sword fights. The very HOT HOT HOT male pirates are funny, flexible and often half naked but there is a damsel in distress thrown in as well. Seating is first come, first served and the doors open 90min prior to dinner/show so best to be there early. (some of the seats would be absolutely terrible as hidden behind posts!)

Universal - TONS OF WALKING!!! YIKES! You need very comfortable shoes and there are only 6-7 rides, with only 1 suitable (The Simpsons) for kids, if they are tall enough. The other rides (the Mummy, Jurassic Park, Haunted House, etc...) are suitable for older kids so due to cost and amount of walking required, young families should stick with Knotts Berry instead of Universal. I would suggest minimum age 8yrs IF they like scary rides. Teenagers will love this park. The best way to see Universal is either VIP Experience (approx $250 USD per person for 6-7 hr personalized tour) or Front of the Line tickets (not personalized, still get onto the rides first and also includes the tram tour) for approx double the regular admission cost. If you are planning on spending the day at Universal during busy periods, I would strongly suggest the Front of the Line admission and buying it ahead of time as limited tickets are offered at the gate but often sell out.