Do you travel on Christmas Break? Where

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We have never had the need with the kids being so little, but now the oldest is in 3rd grade and it's getting harder and harder to pull her out. We are in NJ and looking to go somewhere for about 5 or 6 days after Christmas, not WDW but maybe some other FLA location. I up for suggestions.

 

[momsgoofy]

We're taking our first Christmas trip this year to WDW...we have a super hectic family obligations at Christmas and finally decided to just run this year. DS has forbidden me to even mention the trip to his grandma (ex-MIL) until one week before we leave...he actually prefers that I say nothing and let her just call and find out. He's had enough of being the only grandchild and all the smothering for 13 years, but soon he's off the hook since his uncle and aunt are having their first child in April.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Bumping for the weekday crowd

 

[princesspumpkin]

How about a 4 or 5 day cruise? Of course DCL is an option, but there are other cruise lines that have 4/5 day cruises as well.

 

[FINFAN]

If you are looking for tropical weather, I would head further south in Fl., as the weather can be iffy in Dec/Jan. Sanibel Island, the Keys, Marco Island are a few places that will offer things for kids/adults. Prices will not be cheap mind you, as it is almost as expensive as Easter break.
If not worried about the weather, one year we did KSC and Sea World. It was less expensive, the kids love SW and we wish we would've alloted 2 days for Kennedy. One drawback is it is crowded as the locals are off the same time. We are in the same situation, have the time off after Christmas, but we are waiting for ExEverest to open before a return trip to WDW. a catch 22 as DH has less time in the summer, when we wish to spend at least 9/10 nights in Orlando. If we spend to do anything this Christmas when DH has off, then we will be short for our summer trip. I sure do miss the awesome room only codes...we had ASMU for $55 one trip, including tax, and CR for $134! Man, those wer the days!


Pam

 

[golfgal]

http://www.desertridgeresort.com/

We went here a couple years ago and the kids had a blast! The pool was awesome, great lazy river. The staff was outstanding. We took some day trips, one up to the Grand Canyon, one to Sedona. The resort is within walking distance of a mall with some fun restaurants and a family arcade type place-like Disney Quest kind of thing.

 

[skiwee1]

Last year was the first time we took a trip on Christmas break. We went skiing in Utah for a week. Never again! We left for the trip two days after Christmas. When we returned it seemed that we missed so much. I've found that I love hanging out at the house and admiring all the Christmas stuff. Even my kids, ages 5 to 21, hated not being home after Christmas.

 

[jajuan]

We are going to Tampa (my mother lives there) with a small trip to WDW. My MIL and FIL love Disney and will have a fit...but they can travel to see us anytime they want and this is special time for my mom. We are having to hold the secret for a while. It will be a tough one.

 

[we3disneygo]

no my dh works in retail.....but if i had the chance you bet ya.....

 

[luvflorida]

This will be the first time we've taken a vacation over Christmas. When the kids were younger we enjoyed Christmas at home or visiting nearby relatives. The kids always had a February and April break from school so that was when we would go on vacations, or in the summer.

This year, six of us are going to be in Hawaii for Christmas! It will be me, my husband, DS25, DD21, her fiance, and DD15. Sun, sand, surfing and snorkeling for Christmas! I'm very excited!!

 

[justhat]

We usually go somewhere around Christmas time, this year it's WDW. Last year we went on a Caribbean cruise, 2003 we went to Naples, FL (picked that destination based on the price of the airfare and room), 2002 was WDW, and 2001 was New Orleans (my in-laws live there). We usually go to New Orleans the week before Christmas now and then leave for whatever vacation we're doing on Christmas day or the day after. This year, however, we'll have to skip New Orleans till May because my husband has interviews for his residency up through December 22nd and we leave for WDW on the 25th.

Oh, and we're going to Desert Ridge over Thanksgiving this year.

 

[Sandy V.]

I think a cruise sounds like a great idea. You only have to unpack once, and there are loads of activities for everyone in the family and interesting destinations. We did a Royal Caribbean Southern Caribbean cruise during Christmas week 2 years ago and it was fabulous family time.

 

[Rajah]

Last year was the first year in a LONG time that we travelled over the holidays, and we loved it. We went to Branson and stayed at a condo overlooking a lake. Had a fantastic time, especially with Silver Dollar City, even though half the stuff we wanted to see in Branson was closed.

If we had the $$, DH and I both agreed that this year we'd love to do it again. But no $$ this year.

My mom wants to go to Colonial Williamsburg over Christmas, and I'd love to do that, too. Maybe next year...

 

[kasar]

Christmas week is the best week for us to travel - most sporting activities aren't going on, DH's office is closed for the week. We've done DCL for the past 3 years - I don't normally like just hanging out on a vacation but on a cruise I really enjoy it and after all the holiday madness, it's heaven.

I would NOT recommend WDW during Christmas break - way too crowded for me.

We're thinking of cruising again this year. Prices aren't great but we only go during school vacations.

 

[Kimberly]

Key West, Sanibel Island, Siesta or Longboat Key (off the coast of Sarasota) are all incredibly beautiful.

 

[Magickndm]

We go the opposite direction than most...from Florida going to MN. My in laws live there and we swap off years of being here then being there. I hate being away really, but it's something we have to do.

 

[judi]

We will be on Sanibel Island this year for Christmas, nice and relaxing. We usually don't go away Christmas week but this year I didn't want the stress that can go with the holidays. We have stay on Sanibel a lot and really love just to sit back and relax.