Ever had to decide between a Disney and Non-Disney vacation?

[Casey's Mommie]

We were thinking about going on a kid free vacation to the South (Hilton Head, Charleston, and Savannah) next May. I've always wanted to see that part of the country. I was really excited about it.

But then I started thinking... our kids will only be this young once and for now we should probably keep vacationing as a family. And when kids are as young as mine (7 and almost 3) Disneyland is the easiest and BEST vacation choice for us. They just light up at Disneyland and we all have the best time!

I can visit the South another time, but right now my go to vacation spot is Disneyland. See you in May, Mickey!!! We chose Disneyland!!

 

[jemmi]

I always have a hard time choosing between a trip to Disney or a non disney vacation and we don't have children. I just think Disney always does everything great from food to entertainment. We're doing our first trip to Disneyland for our anniversary next May. I'm so excited!!

 

[crystal1313]

Our friends think we are crazy for always going to DL. I agree with you, they are only young once! I would love to travel more places, but at their ages right now, they much prefer DL and we do too! We will have time to do other things when they are older (although I hope they never get "too cool" for DL) =) Have a great time!!

 

[kelmac284]

We go to Disney a LOT and eventhough we occasionally take non-disney trips because we live in CA and can buy an AP on the payment plan we usually still go at least once a year.

We did a trip to that area this past summer. We actually started in St. Louis and then drove across to Virginia and did Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia Beach etc and then drove down the coast and went to the outer banks, Myrtle Beach etc and ended in Charleston. We LOVED Charleston and spent 3 days there. We had planned to go to Savannah but didn't have enough time.

If you were thinking about taking your kids not sure if they would enjoy it. Mine are 12 and 13 and they liked it but if you are thinking about an adult trip you would love it. If it is a matter of only being able to do 1 trip a year then that is a tough decision.

Both are awesome but you will LOVE the south! Good luck on your decision!

 

[tdhickey]

We are in a similar situation with kids 3 and 6. We did go to Mexico for a wedding without kids and it was a blast, but we also realized that we don't need to travel far to have time to ourselves (seriously, a camping trip would have sufficed). I encourage going on a kid free trip, but don't go so far if you don't have too. Take the family to Disney AND go somewhere yourselves a little more low key.

We enjoyed the quiet, the relaxation and the ability to explore without worrying about our kids or strollers...and honestly could have done that anywhere.

My suggestion is to do both, you get less guilt and can enjoy both.

 

[Casey's Mommie]

We are in a similar situation with kids 3 and 6. We did go to Mexico for a wedding without kids and it was a blast, but we also realized that we don't need to travel far to have time to ourselves (seriously, a camping trip would have sufficed). I encourage going on a kid free trip, but don't go so far if you don't have too. Take the family to Disney AND go somewhere yourselves a little more low key.

We enjoyed the quiet, the relaxation and the ability to explore without worrying about our kids or strollers...and honestly could have done that anywhere.

My suggestion is to do both, you get less guilt and can enjoy both.

I like the way you think!!!

 

[aidensmom31]

Disney is my go to trip! Friends dont understand why but the memories are irreplacable for me . Since I started taking my son in 2009 we have done one non Disney big trip but otherwise we save our big trips as Disney and do smaller non Disney trips occassionally.

 

[Congo Queen]

Yeah the both strategy - that is how I work it. I have worn my husband down over the years to the point where it is a given that we will have an annual family trip to Dland. If our other family trip is an expensive one, then our Dland trip is still on, but it is done on the "austerity plan" where we cut out luxuries like staying on site, bring our own food, no souvenirs etc. But we still go!

 

[kkmcan]

We struggle with this a lot. We want our kids to experience other places and they have. We've taken them to a ton of places since they were little... But I will always try and sneak in a yearly trip to Disney!

We did a Sea World/Discovery Cove trip in May I Florida. I wanted to skip WDW and do Universal and no one in the family was going for it. They wondered how we could fly all the way across the country and not do Disney. So I relented but told them that more than likely if we did Disney in May, we wouldn't get to go to DL in Oct for our annual Halloween trip. Kids just said ya,ya,ya and now here it is almost Oct and we do have a San Diego trip planned for Oct but no DL. WAH!!! Kids and me are sad. Dh said no way, not this time we just did WDW in May. I know, I kind of agree.

Secondly, we were thinking of taking a trip to Hawaii next year and no matter how I plan it it's going to be around $3500-$4000. With 2 teens, one who has a drivers license but no car and impending college tuition in 2 years I don't feel like that would be a very responsible way to spend that money. So I suggested that we stay closer to home for our vacations for the next couple of years. Guess where we can drive to in 7 hours????? Disneyland!!!! So now I'm on the "We need Annual Passes" bandwagon. We know how to do super cheap DL trips! DH just rolls his eyes. I feel like I might win this one!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We try to balance it. We love, love, love Disneyland and have been lucky enough to still do an annual trip (if not more) since my oldest was 2.5. However, I think it is important for my kids to experience more and they love traveling anywhere. We've taken them to Boston, Seattle, Hawaii, Mexico, San Diego, Whistler, Idaho, Las Vegas (yes, shame on us, lol) to name a few and they have LOVED all of them. This summer we did a road trip to Six Flags MM and Universal. I'll admit it was hard to be in SoCal and not go to Disneyland, but our kids had so much fun. Our favorite place though is still Disneyland. If it came down to not being able to do both, I would have a very hard time giving up DL, especially with the ages of our children.

I do like the idea of doing both of your trips, even if they are scaled back. DH & I went to Las Vegas for a long weekend last summer and it was so nice to recharge and sleep in and not worry about naptime, strollers, potty trips, meltdowns, etc.

 

[sweethannah]

2014 will be our 3rd ( and probably final ) trip to Disneyland for quite some time. We wrestled with the decision to go again next year as we will have been to Disney 3 times in 4 ½ years but we weighed the pros and cons of other destinations and for now, with DD10 it’s just the best option. We could do Mexico or Hawaii but it’s our thought that if the weather is horrible at those locations you are kinda screwed activity-wise where as at Disney even if the weather is horrible you can still do the rides and be easily entertained.

 

[Pinup Mommy]

We try to balance it. We love, love, love Disneyland and have been lucky enough to still do an annual trip (if not more) since my oldest was 2.5. However, I think it is important for my kids to experience more and they love traveling anywhere. We've taken them to Boston, Seattle, Hawaii, Mexico, San Diego, Whistler, Idaho, Las Vegas (yes, shame on us, lol) to name a few and they have LOVED all of them. This summer we did a road trip to Six Flags MM and Universal. I'll admit it was hard to be in SoCal and not go to Disneyland, but our kids had so much fun. Our favorite place though is still Disneyland. If it came down to not being able to do both, I would have a very hard time giving up DL, especially with the ages of our children.

I do like the idea of doing both of your trips, even if they are scaled back. DH & I went to Las Vegas for a long weekend last summer and it was so nice to recharge and sleep in and not worry about naptime, strollers, potty trips, meltdowns, etc.

^^^^this is exactly how we do vacations^^^^^
We even have taken DD to Vegas too and South Beach when she was 1yo. LOL We try to do solo mini trips as well to recharge and reconnect as a couple.

 

[tarheelalum]

We were thinking about going on a kid free vacation to the South (Hilton Head, Charleston, and Savannah) next May. I've always wanted to see that part of the country. I was really excited about it.

But then I started thinking... our kids will only be this young once and for now we should probably keep vacationing as a family. And when kids are as young as mine (7 and almost 3) Disneyland is the easiest and BEST vacation choice for us. They just light up at Disneyland and we all have the best time!

I can visit the South another time, but right now my go to vacation spot is Disneyland. See you in May, Mickey!!! We chose Disneyland!!

Those locations in the south are beautiful. Especially Savannah if you like old architecture. And the food in Charleston and Savannah is fantastic. Hilton Head was kind of boring imho. I'm not much into golf and that seems to be what that town is all about. One day take a trip down to the low country. You will never forget it.

 

[sherilaine]

Coming from Canada - a trip to DLR is not a small expense. This Feb/March will be our 3rd trip inside of three years, with our kids who will be 11 and 10 this go around.

After that though we have all decided we are going to take a few years off from Disney and do some more traditional winter vacations - then maybe return when they are in their teens.

I agree at enjoying Disney when the kids are younger - but Disney vacations are pretty high energy and a lot of walking so I can also see why some people pick a more laid back holiday - but with small kids, it's high energy regardless I guess.

Have fun!

 

[MotoWifey185]

I have been in this situation before, and it is hard! I just like to think how lucky I am to be able to have that as a conflict!

For our honeymoon last September, my DH and I had always planned WDW, since we've never been. It lost out to DLR, and then eventually we decided we wanted to just try something different so we went to Hawaii. We had a BLAST and that's now in our rotation for trips. We are glad we stepped out of our shell and tried something different! We've been DLR regulars together since October 2006. Other than that, I don't know when we'll get anywhere else. Maybe when our future children are older.

 

[heidispidi]

My DH and I were going to travel from Australia to Europe next year, however I got a big attack of the guilts and instead put to him that we take my DD and his DD to DL instead. Both trips are extremely costly, but right now I feel better spending the money on a family trip, especially as his DD hasn't been to DL before. At 15, I think it's our last chance for her to really enjoy the trip before she is 'too cool'. We can go to Europe another time!! Our concession this trip is to spend 3 nights in Vegas!

 

[Barry Browning]

Well my only caveat is I don't do disneyland without a Las Vegas stop.They go together like peas and carrots.The worst trip I ever had was a flyover of LV on the way back.We usually rent a car and either drive on way back or fly there and car to Anaheim.All my kids are grown but we went even when they were little.

 

[Diszona]

Well, for my son's October break we decided instead of Disney we would do a San Diego/Legoland trip instead (my son is getting close to age where Legoland won't interest him). However, it occurred to me that given the location we could drive up one evening and catch Mikey's Halloween Party, so even on our non-Disney trip we are still squeezing in 8 hours of Disney

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

We try to squeeze in both...the house budget may get neglected, but not our vacations! So, it isn't Mexico or Disney, it is the air conditioner and insulation or Disney/Mexico. The vacations win.

The one thing I don't do is travel without my kiddos. I love bringing them along, and I know my time is limited with them. Hubby feels the same way.

I am lucky that my kids have loved all of our trips. I do know they would pick Mexico, London or Hawaii over Disney in a heart beat, though. However, I am within driving distance of Disneyland and we like the good neighbor hotels, so it works financially.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We try to squeeze in both...the house budget may get neglected, but not our vacations! So, it isn't Mexico or Disney, it is the air conditioner and insulation or Disney/Mexico. The vacations win.

The one thing I don't do is travel without my kiddos. I love bringing them along, and I know my time is limited with them. Hubby feels the same way.

I am lucky that my kids have loved all of our trips. I do know they would pick Mexico, London or Hawaii over Disney in a heart beat, though. However, I am within driving distance of Disneyland and we like the good neighbor hotels, so it works financially.

I sort of understand that. Anytime DH & I start discussing a trip without the kids, we end up talking about how much they would love it too or not wanting to explore a place without them. That is why Vegas works well for us - it's fairly close and it's a place that we can go and recharge & reconnect as a couple. That said, we've only gone once without them Planning another trip next year for our 15th anniversary.