Disney v. other destinations?

[missypaws]

My wife wants to go to Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls next summer. I want Disney. She said she needs a break from disney after 8 years in a row. Where would you go? I need support.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Although Disney is ALWAYS my first choice - go to the Grand Canyon. It's definitely a once in a lifetime experience - I've been blessed to have been able to go there twice with family who lived in Phoenix. Stay in Flagstaff. It's a blast to see snow on the mountains during the summer! My most awesome pics are of the family with the canyon area in the background. Although my DD was much younger when we went she liked to get really close to the edge & look down. Freaked me out!!! But overall - was worth the long trip from Florida to the Grand Canyon!

 

[C-CMom]

Sorry, I love Disney, but I personally think everyone should see the Grand Canyon. It doesn't have to be a one-stop trip though, there are many other cool things to see in the area. Go north to Utah (see Glen Canyon Dam; check the other National Parks - Arches, Zion, Bryce all fabulous, and very different). Go south in Arizona (Sedona, cacti, Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest). These are just the top few I recall immediately. When you go BACK to Disney, you'll possibly enjoy it even more after some time off. Just my humble opinion of course...

 

[CoolPool]

Eight years in a row. Well she kind of has a point I think. My family flew out to WDW from CA twice this year and I'm suffering some burnout with just that. We decided to go on a non-Disney cruise for this winter vacation. I think that'll be something new. A little spice to go with all that sugar.

 

[anne0866]

Hey what about an Adventures by Disney trip.
Don't they have one to the Grand Canyon?
I've never taken one of those triops but they look great.

 

[DisneyRulz07]

Disney cruise line to the islands?? The fun of Disney and a more exotic stay in the Islands of the Bahamian & Caribbean. No offense but other than the spectacular view of the Grand Canyon is there much more. I went to Vegas and took a bus there for the day.

I preferred scuba, snorkling and beaches along with DISNEY!

 

[micmacmissy]

Grand Canyon or Niagra Falls!

Life is too short to take the same vacation every year!

 

[SuzieN]

I live about an hour away from Niagara Falls and I gotta tell you - it is truly awesome! There is so much to see and do there. While Disney is great it's always nice to visit other places too! If you do choose the Falls be sure to stay on the Canadian side - it puts the American side to shame!

 

[SusanDK]

Absolutely go to the Grand Canyon. I also second what C-CMom said about the surrounding area. DH and I have taken four trips of 3 weeks duration each to the U.S. west (from Denmark) and it's fabulous. We will go again some day. In addition to Bryce and Zion that C-CMom mentioned, you must see Monument Valley and take the drive through Valley of the Gods. I could write volumes on where to go in the area, it shouldn't be missed.

I grew up outside of Buffalo, and frankly, I would not take a special trip to see Niagara Falls, certainly not plan that as the family vacation. It is nice to see once, but it's in a fairly industrial area and does not have that awesome, breathtaking feel of the Grand Canyon and other areas out west with the vast, unspoiled landscapes. If you are close enough to see it some weekend, then of course, it's worth seeing. But not an entire family holiday. And I agree with SuzieN that the Canadian side is better.

Susan

 

[mom22boys]

I grew up outside of Buffalo, and frankly, I would not take a special trip to see Niagara Falls, certainly not plan that as the family vacation. It is nice to see once, but it's in a fairly industrial area and does not have that awesome, breathtaking feel of the Grand Canyon and other areas out west with the vast, unspoiled landscapes. If you are close enough to see it some weekend, then of course, it's worth seeing. But not an entire family holiday. And I agree with SuzieN that the Canadian side is better.
Susan

I did not grow up outside of Buffalo, but I am within a couple of hours of Niagra Falls. IMHO, Niagra Falls is not even in the same league as the Grand Canyon. Niagra Falls is a great three day weekend, not a family vacation. Sorry to anyone who loves the falls, but there really is just no comparison.

Go see the Grand Canyon; it is breathtaking! And don't just see it from the rim, make sure you hike down in it! I also second the vote to see the surrounding areas. We loved Sedona, AZ. We haven't made it to Utah, yet, but I would love to see Bryce Canyon too.

Have fun on a new adventure!

 

[DAniece]

My wife wants to go to Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls next summer. I want Disney. She said she needs a break from disney after 8 years in a row. Where would you go? I need support.

Compromise...
Go to the Grand Canyon on the Disney Adventures tour package...
EG

 

[eliza61]

My wife wants to go to Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls next summer. I want Disney. She said she needs a break from disney after 8 years in a row. Where would you go? I need support.

Afraid I can't support you on this one paws. Play nice, it's your wifes turn now. Niagara Falls is stunning and you can combine it with a trip to Canada.

 

[juliebrooks35]

8 years in a row-you lucky thing

I'm with the others, I've been to the Grand Canyon and it's one of the most spectacular places in the world. I'd have loved to have hiked down into the canyon but my son was only 2 at the time so it wasn't really an option for us.

I really love Disney so I can see your dilemma but WDW's not going anywhere, it will still be there for you to visit the year after and it will make your wife happy to make that different trip.

Maybe you could also squeeze in a couple of day's at Disney later in the year...............

 

[kacaju]

Grand Canyon!!
As others have said there is so much to see out there. My 3 kids who at the time were 12, 10 and 6 actually picked the Grand Canyon over a Disney trip (as long as we promised they could go to Disney someday!!)
So last Nov we went to AZ and this summer we did free dining in Disney!!

We flew into Vegas, so you could do a few days there if interested, then go on to the Grand Canyon.

 

[ADP]

I've been to other destinations and to me it just isn't the sme. Going to Disney World is such a different and unique experience more so than going to a city or landmark.

I belive Disney offers a Southwest trip in there Adventures by Disney portfolio of vacations. You should seriously look into that. You'd get a trip somewhere other than Disney World, but you'd still get Disney service.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Do the Grand Canyon. The absence from Disney for a year will only make you fonder of the experience when you go back.

 

[DizzDoll]

Gotta tell ya - we've been to the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls - both TRULY TRULY spectacular. Hard 2 choose which one to see first but definitely, definitely definitely go to one of them for your next vacation. We started out in Sedona, AZ and drove over to Williams and took the Grand Canyon Express train out. Lots of fun! Once there we stayed in the Maswick Lodge. So many sightseeing tours to take and you can walk down Bright Angel Trails (or take a mule ride) to the bottom of the Canyon. In Niagara Falls we stayed in the Falls View Marriott - OMG what views!!! Nightly fireworks, and they have light shows over the falls as well. So much to see and do up there - for example Niagara-On-The-Lake and hitting the vineyards for wine tasting. Taking a cruise on Lake Ontario. Visiting the Butterfly COnservatory....you won't be disappointed.

 

[Lives4Disney]

How about the Grand Canyon and then take a nice drive up to Disneyland.

We did San Diego & Disneyland last spring and it was a fun trip. It was a break from our favorite Disney World, but still a taste of it. We LOVED Disneyland.

Happy travels,

Lives4Disney

 

[hoosll]

My other favorite vacation spot is Bermuda. Yes it can be expensive but in many ways it reminds me of WDW - self-contained, lots to visit and see, beaches, shopping AND the friendliest people in the world!

 

[disneyfan55]

My wife wants to go to Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls next summer. I want Disney. She said she needs a break from disney after 8 years in a row. Where would you go? I need support.

We've done Disney many times. We have also done National Park trips including going to many of them on our 7 cross country trips we have taken. We have fit Disneyland into 2 of them. The Nat'l Parks are truly amazing places to visit. Have a great time whatever you decide!!