Depressed in Maine...if not Disney where to vacation

[amym2]

We spent some time in Williamsburg this summer and DS11 and DD9 LOVED it! We did 2 1/2 days in Colonial Williamsburg (3 day tickets were only slightly more expensive than 1 day tickets) and I was concerned DD especially would get bored, but she enjoyed it so much and wants to go back. They have a Rev Quest thing that is like a scavenger hunt using your cell phone, but it is only offered during the summer and spring break. That took up almost a full day.

We didn't do Busch Gardens because DD is still under the 54" height requirement for the big coasters, and she is our adrenaline junkie. We want to go back for a week in a couple of years and do Busch Gardens, Jamestown, and Yorktown.

We stayed at Kings Creek Plantation because my sister has a timeshare there, and it was okay, but it was no Disney resort (we own DVC). There are lots of hotel and timeshare options, but they tend to be pricier than other areas.

We also did a day in DC and that was lots of fun (but really hot the day we were there). We saw a few monuments, did the American History Smithsonian, and toured the National Archives (kids love National Treasure so that was cool). You could easily spend a week in DC. Or combine DC and Williamsburg.

No, these places are not WDW, but the kids know we will always go back to Disney and are old enough now to appreciate other vacations.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I'm looking into Canada...probably PEI. I'm not sure...any long drives seem to take the fun out of it for me. Which makes it tough being in Maine...

 

[aidansmom]

We just moved up to Maine from Boston this past winter. From our perspective, this is such a great place to be! (that said, we are going to WDW in November - we only get there every 2 or 3 years, though) Before we moved up here, we took the kids to Portland for a few nights every February vacation as a winter getaway. So much fun - I think Portland is a great, family friendly city. Not sure where in Maine you are, but we would come up from Boston every fall for the pumpkin patch trolley at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunk. And apple picking in Limington. It is really a beautiful state, especially this time of year - maybe try to plan some new things you've never tried before right in Maine!

I apologize if I sound like I work for the chamber of commerce . I do not, but over the years we've had to find creative and, sometimes, inexpensive ways to entertain our kids and Maine is definitely one of our favorite places to do so.

 

[BeastsFlower]

I was depressed that this year we couldn't afford to go to Maine We go every Summer and just couldn't swing Maine & Disney in a few months of each other.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Is this vacation going to be during the summer months? If so, consider coming on over to PA for a Hershey getaway! I think your kids are at a great age for Hersheypark. Hersheypark also has a nice waterpark area and small walk through zoo (ZooAmerica) so you can easily spend two days at the park. There are other attractions that would also complement an extended stay in the area such as Hershey Gardens, Chocolate World, the Hershey Story, and also outlets if you want to do some shopping. You can also combine your Hershey trip with a day trip to the Lancaster, Harrisburg, or Gettysburg areas. The Hershey Lodge and Hershey Hotel are very nice accommodation options, but there are plenty of hotels in areas on the outskirts of Hershey to choose from (Harrisburg, Grantville, Hummelstown). When we went last year we stayed at the Mainstay Suites in Grantville which is about a 10 minute drive to the Hersheypark complex. I have also read a lot of great things about the Hersheypark Camping Resort (formerly known as Hershey Highmeadow Campground) and they added more deluxe cabins this year (with a/c, bathroom, full kitchen, separate bedroom, etc.) and they look really nice. We are considering staying in one for a trip next summer. Good luck in whatever you decide

 

[JenLanDisney]

Allegiant Air offers flight btw Bangor & Sanford on Thursdays and Sundays. There are some good prices depending on when you want to go. I found a flight leaving on Halloween day and returning a week later for $1,237.50 for the entire family.

Allegiant also flys out of Portsmouth, NH is you live in the lower part of the state. I found a flight leaving Nov 11th returning Nov 17th for 5 ppl for $900.

Conversely, the cheapest flight out of Portland on those days is $1,428 for the entire family (and the flight times stink).

Thanks you so much for posting this. I had no idea it was an option. The rates are terrific and the baggage fees are fairly low, too.

 

[Darcy03231]

One year we did Toronto and my kids loved it! I live in southern NH and the drive wasn't too bad.

We did the CN Tower, the zoo, Casa Loma, the Hockey Hall of Fame (DS loved this, DD not so much), Canada's Wonderland, the science center, and a ghost walk (kids loved this!).

There's a lot to see/do and we plan to go back again.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thank you for all the replies...really considering Hershey Park for next year vacation. I'm researching hotels the Hershey hotel and Hershey Lodge are a little too pricey but the campground looks nice. Not sure what we'll do yet. But its fun researching.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[englishteacha]

We like Hershey. Knoebels is fun, too.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

We did Hershey/Sesame Place two years ago. (Your kids are likely too big for the second...) Loved those but have the fondest memories of Longwood Gardens and the Camden Aquarium---those were spectacular.

A couple other suggestions:
Taking the train to Montreal?
Utah? (I think allegant has cheap flights to Salt Lake City--gorgeous scenery, definitely not like home)

Have a good time wherever you go!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks again for all the replies.

In looking at hotels/resorts in Williamsburg...WOW...things fill up quickly. I'm not sure I want to book at this point but Jeezzz I kinda don't dare NOT to. I'm looking at June 2014 - no rooms available pops up quite frequently.

 

[SwanVT2]

We live in VT and have been in your shoes around alternatives to Disney. We have taken mini trips to Quebec City and Stowe. Stowe in the summer would be fun. I grew up in Maine and miss the ocean so that's another trip for us. Stowe is beautiful if you like a combination of hiking opportunities and excellent dining options plus the Ben and Jerry's factory, cider mill, Cabot and fun little shops to explore. There is trapp family lodge (expensive) but id recommend green mountain inn right in the center of the village. Or go up to Quebec. City and stay in the chateau Frontenac. On the way you could stop at the granby zoo, travel through the wine country of Quebec, or even visit the botanical gardens and bio dome in Montreal.

 

[wendybeth75]

The smokies are beautiful in the fall! Look up Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It's not Disney, but it is magical in it's own way!.

 

[amym2]

Thanks again for all the replies.

In looking at hotels/resorts in Williamsburg...WOW...things fill up quickly. I'm not sure I want to book at this point but Jeezzz I kinda don't dare NOT to. I'm looking at June 2014 - no rooms available pops up quite frequently.

Really? There are tons of hotels around there, so I am surprised they are full already. Most hotels allow you to cancel with no penalty, so I'd bet lots of people booked something just in case and will cancel. Like you said, you might want to do the same!

We stayed at Kings Creek Plantation, which was okay for a timeshare, but my sister was working in Wburg and stayed at a Hampton Inn on Richmond Rd (I think there are 2 or 3 of them) for most of July and she said it was very nice. It was the one nearest the restaurant "Food for Thought," which was a fun place to eat. Next time I want to stay at Marriott's Fords Colony.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Really? There are tons of hotels around there, so I am surprised they are full already. Most hotels allow you to cancel with no penalty, so I'd bet lots of people booked something just in case and will cancel. Like you said, you might want to do the same!

We stayed at Kings Creek Plantation, which was okay for a timeshare, but my sister was working in Wburg and stayed at a Hampton Inn on Richmond Rd (I think there are 2 or 3 of them) for most of July and she said it was very nice. It was the one nearest the restaurant "Food for Thought," which was a fun place to eat. Next time I want to stay at Marriott's Fords Colony.

I will probably go ahead and book. Another thought came to mind was perhaps some hotels only show vacancies through a certain period of time. Perhaps no rooms were showing up due to I was looking at the next year in June.

Joanne

 

[SadieDog]

DH has spent a lot of time depressed in Maine lately, too! He had to spend 3 separate weeks up there over the past maybe 2 months in a teeny, nothing to do town for work. The thread title made me laugh since that's been the theme of our summer.

This made me chuckle.....wondering if he was stuck in my little town.

 

[Pooh2]

For about 20 years, our family vacations were to Hermit Island, Maine. We stayed at least a week each summer. Not expensive, most relaxing and amazing falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean and waking up to an ocean view!
So much to choose from in Maine! We have not been on vacation in a few years but did take a day trip to a Maine beach each weekend this past summer.
Always wanted to check out Moosehead lake..

 

[Suzanne033]

For about 20 years, our family vacations were to Hermit Island, Maine. We stayed at least a week each summer. Not expensive, most relaxing and amazing falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean and waking up to an ocean view!

I grew up about 3 miles from there!!!!!! I love Small Point!!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Well its been a few months since I started this thread and after researching all the destinations the kids would like, I realized just how easy planning a Disney vacation is. If it wasn't for the price of airfare, I would plan a trip back to Disney.

I researched Hershey Park, Washington DC, Williamsburg, Baltimore, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Boston. Boston is kinda our default vacation...kids really want to do something different. Maybe I'm being lazy but for a single parent of 3 kids, I really don't feel like driving long distances. I may just stick to Maine this year. 9 hours to Hershey Park, 11 hours to Washington DC, 13 hours to Williamsburg. I think after driving I would be too tired to really enjoy the vacation. Maybe not...but I would dread having to turn around and drive back.

I am very surprised at the cost of hotels in these areas as well. A moderate at Disney is cheaper!

May just book Disney...

 

[tajz90]

Well its been a few months since I started this thread and after researching all the destinations the kids would like, I realized just how easy planning a Disney vacation is. If it wasn't for the price of airfare, I would plan a trip back to Disney.

I researched Hershey Park, Washington DC, Williamsburg, Baltimore, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Boston. Boston is kinda our default vacation...kids really want to do something different. Maybe I'm being lazy but for a single parent of 3 kids, I really don't feel like driving long distances. I may just stick to Maine this year. 9 hours to Hershey Park, 11 hours to Washington DC, 13 hours to Williamsburg. I think after driving I would be too tired to really enjoy the vacation. Maybe not...but I would dread having to turn around and drive back.

I am very surprised at the cost of hotels in these areas as well. A moderate at Disney is cheaper!

May just book Disney...

Really, driving isn't that bad. We live in Texas so every place we drive IS A DISTANCE I love all your ideas. Hershey is fun and has a few world class coasters. We drove there one year. DC is awesome! Loved it and anxious to go back. Never been to Williamsburg, but had friends that lived there and they found it very interesting and fun.