Besides WDW, where would be a nice place to go on vacation with young children?

[*Fantasia*]

I have a ticketless funds (air tickets) that must be used before Feb 24 of '05. We've been to Orlando too many times and I think I want to try something different with my kids (7 and 5). Where do you think we can go where the kids will enjoy their vacation?

I kind of want to do it during the Christmas/NYE Holiday while they are off school. I was thinking of Cali and do Disney there, but it's almost like going to Orlando, exept that Cali has the new Disney themed park.

Any suggestions? Thank you much!

 

[Dan Murphy]

San Diego.

Are you living in Orlando now??

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I'd vote Disneyland and So Cal-

In my book there are 5 places to go on vacation- Disneyland, WDW, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland and Las Vegas

Course Vegas is more for older kids/Adults

-em

 

[mrsdon]

The Gatlinburg, TN area is beautiful in Dec. They have a festival of lights and Dollywood has special shows.
It might be cold, that would be the only problem. There is an awesome auqarim and a ride to the top of a mountain. there is also a place called Ober Mountain which I never got to visit.
Alos there are alot of Ripleys and even indoor putt-putt.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Hi Dan!

I am still here in Michigan and I think I will be staying here for a looong time. See my location under my tag. Disney is magic, nice warm weather during winter is great...but families/friends are just priceless! Disney nor Palm trees cannot beat having special people in your life around you.

Don't get me wrong, I love Disney, but there's more important than that. You know it.

Telly

 

[WDWLVR]

Definately do Southern California. Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, San Diego Zoo, Legoland. So many things to do.

Disneyland is different enough from WDW that if you love Disney you should try it. California Adventure is great as well.

San Diego Zoo is hands down the best zoo there is!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Originally posted by Disneyland_emily
I'd vote Disneyland and So Cal-

In my book there are 5 places to go on vacation- Disneyland, WDW, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland and Las Vegas

Course Vegas is more for older kids/Adults

-em

I would love to go to Vegas...too bad the hotels there do not have Kids Club. I am wondering how expensive is it to fly to Paris? I don't think SouthWest go out of US boundary.

Thank you guys for your great suggestions. Any more to consider?

 

[CindysGusGus]

Telly....I was wondering about you and going to Orlando. Since they had those major lightening storms and I was hoping you were doing ok down there. Glad to see you followed your heart.

 

[N.Bailey]

I bet your kids would love visiting a dude ranch. I checked into them and the ones I liked the best were in Colorado, but there are many states that offer them. The kids could go horseback riding, swimming (depending on weather of course), hiking, boating, camping, and white water rafting (depending on what your interests are). Some have BBQ cookouts with all the guests of the ranch in a big old ho down (not sure I spelled that right LOL). If it sounds interesting to you. Run some google searches, there is lots of info out there and they come in lots of price ranges to suit your budget. I think most kids would LOVE it. I filled out one short questionnaire on ONE site and I received about 100 brochures in the mail. It was really fun looking through them all.

 

[LadyBears]

What about Sesame Place or Hershey Park??

 

[figment52]

Actually if you want to travel around the holidays I would vote for anything Disney if you have never seen the parks at Christmastime. It is an entirely different experience.

What about a Disney Cruise - fly to Orlando and head over to the ship....

 

[ADisneygirl]

If you don't want to go to WDW again but love Disney stuff, why not try their cruise? A Disney cruise is wonderful, and they have entertainment, food, fun, and you get to visit exotic locations too! We loved Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. The water is gorgeous, and snorkeling was so much fun!
You have got to try a cruise once.

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

I've always wanted to go to Colonial Williamsburg over the holidays.

 

[Jimbo]

DW's business is shut down between Xmas and New Year's, so we'll be taking a vacation that week too. The problem is that everything is sooo expensive. We looked at a Disney cruise, but the price was just way too high. We went to Vegas last year, but by NYE it got a little too crowded for our liking.

I think we may just wait until the holidays get closer, and maybe swoop on some last minute bargain. Is that even possible?

 

[huey duey & luey]

I was also going to suggest the Disney cruise, or maybe an inclusive resort like beaches that caters to kids and family ( i am waiting til my kids are atleast 3 to go, so that they can participate in the kids club and I can relax.).
Tara

 

[palmtreegirl]

How about-

Texas?
Grand Canyon?
San Diego? You could day trip(or a couple nights) to Disneyland if you wanted.

Oh how about San Francisco? I had one of the best family vacations there as a child. You could ride the trolleys, go see Alcatraz, go the sea port and see the sea lions, there's so many fun things to do there. I have great memories from that trip, probably my favorite vacation next to the WDW ones.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by *Fantasia*
Hi Dan!

I am still here in Michigan and I think I will be staying here for a looong time. See my location under my tag. Disney is magic, nice warm weather during winter is great...but families/friends are just priceless! Disney nor Palm trees cannot beat having special people in your life around you.

Don't get me wrong, I love Disney, but there's more important than that. You know it.

Telly

All so very true, Telly. Glad to hear you have made up your mind and no longer in a quandry.

 

[orvilleair]

My vote would be for the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Flying would be an issue, for you would have to fly to the Norfolk area and drive 2 1/2 hours. but

Renting a condo or house on the beach for a week. Fishing, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, decent shopping, Ferry ride to Okracoke, kayaking, nature programs for the kids, sunset on Jockeys Ridge, local seafood, climbing Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. I can go on.

I like the area because it is not developed as much as Myrtle Beach. It is kind of awe inspiring to see the natural beauty of the area. There are at least (3) parks that offer nature programs for kids and adults. Finally, it is affordable. The cons: (it can get buggy, hurricanes, and cool ocean temp), but that's part of the draw. It is always changing.

 

[Mr.BsMom]

I also vote for San Diego... We were there just a few weeks ago and it was great! We went to Legoland and the Wild Animal Park, toured the USS Midway (aircraft carrier - very cool!), and went to the beach. The zoo is awesome, and there's also Sea World...

I could go on and on... I don't have a bad thing to say about San Diego!! I would live there if I could....

 

[Miniefan]

Well, if it were me, my family has never been to WDW during the holidays so we would go there first beyond anywhere else. But, since you did say places other that WDW I would say that I would have to second the recommendation previously and say go to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area. We were supposed to go there last Christmas/New Years, but our trip had to be moved to March, and by the time March got here we were no longer in the mood for the mountainside experience so we cancelled our cabin, which by the way was an excellent deal, and booked at Disney, but I would still love to go to the mountains, it would be so much a relaxing beautiful vacation. They even have a ski resort there, Ober Gatlinburg, and they always have snow even if it is not snowing when you decide to visit, you will still be able to snow ski.
HTH
Kim