Give me your thoughts....

[dancin Disney style]

We have a FD package booked for August and have planned to stay for 2 weeks. We go every year at this time and do love it. We don't do parks every day any more, we like to spend about half our time lounging at the pool relaxing.

So here's what I'm looking for input on...
I've wanted to go to Mexico for a while but timing has not allowed us to do it. So, last week while doing my daily MCO airfare search I stumble across a 10 day all inclusive, 5 star, in Mayan Riviera. The dates are within our planned vacation time this summer and the kicker is that it will cost about $1000 less than WDW. I mentioned it to my DD and she immediately said no way...well she isn't paying so she really has no say. My DH could care less as to where we go so he's no help. Although, he would prefer to spend less money. I'm just really on the fence about making the change as we didn't get to WDW last summer but I was there, sort of, in March (I was in Orlando but the only WDW thing we did was breakfast at Ohana). It is also very possible that we can't go next year either but we were planning to go to a hot destination for Christmas this year and my thinking is that we could just flip flop the trips.

Tell me what you think.....

 

[3pletprincesses]

I would avoid Mexico with the high crime rate lately but that's just me. Plus if my kids knew about our WDW trip and would be counting the days down, I wouldn't take it away from them.

Around x-mas it's more expensive at Disney and way more crowded then August.

 

[alohamom]

My DH and I went to Mexico in August once and it was so HOT! I know Orlando is too but this was insane hot, you really couldn't cool down in the pool because the water was as warm as a bathtub, the ocean was beautiful but not much cooler than the pool as we were on a large stretch of shallow beach. The rooms at our "5*" resort were cooled down but not cold. This was my experience, may have been a hot year but I would never go back in the summer again. If you like it hot, then you will love it!

 

[YukiPhnx]

All-inclusives are a nice place for couples, but I don't think your DD would have much to do besides play on a beach or at the pool for the 10-days.

My best friend and her dbf stayed at an all-inclusive in Dominican Republic, where they spent all their time lounging around, not doing anything.

If you plan to do activities, you have to do a lot of careful research, but there is LOTS to do around the Mayan Riviera like the temples or snorkeling or glass bottom boats, but those are all at extra costs, so you have to think about that.

 

[Tower]

This is just me (and my DW) but with all the corruption in Mexico and the corruption within the Mexican Police, I would avoid at all costs. Of course we all remember the various cases of Canadians being killed and the cover-ups. I simply do not trust the police or security anywhere. On top of that, I don't believe in rewarding Mexico with my money for their corruption.
I can empathize with your cost concerns, but if you're to go anywhere outside of Disney, try other places from Mexico.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Kat&Dom]

Another thing to keep in mind is Hurricane's. At least if one hits Florida, Disney is inland enough to be pretty much unaffected but if one hits in the Mayan - your vacation will definitely be affected.

I am also in agreement with the other posters that feel Mexico is not as safe as it used to be. I have dropped it from my list of vacation destinations. I have been to Mexico 3 times previously and enjoyed the trips. Bad things can occur anywhere in the world but Mexico seems to be having more than their fair share the last couple of years.

If you want my advice, play it safe and stick with Disney!

 

[minnie mum]

Have to agree with the PPs. Been there, done that and will not be going back to Mexico in the forseeable future due to the rampant crime and corruption. And definitely not in the summer. There's a reason it's so much cheaper this time of year!!

I would vote to keep your plans for WDW for this year. Take your warm winter vacation, but again, I would vote for anywhere but Mexico.

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

This is just me, but I feel that avoiding Mexico on the basis of the crime is something like cancelling a trip to Vancouver because of the SARS outbreak in Toronto. Most (not all, but most) of the crime is far, far away from the tourist areas.
If money is your chief concern, Mexico is hard to beat right now, because most people seemingly don't think like I do.

 

[two*little*birds]

We went to Mexico in March, it was our first trip there and our first all-inclusive trip as a family.

We ALL loved it, even more than expected. Our kids said at times it was even better than Disney, and they couldn't wait to come back.

I don't consider Disney to be relaxing, not in comparison. For the first time in a long time we all had a very relaxed, easy-paced, vacation.

We felt 100% safe at all times, not one single issue.

We are planning another trip for next March, and will probably stay 10-14 days.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I'm a little surprise at all the negativity towards Mexico. I also have read all the reports about crime etc but my mom spends 2-3 months in the winter there and not in a tourist area. The resorts are very safe.

Money is not an issue at all. It's a timing thing for us. Our youngest DD is a competitive dancer so we can not travel through the winter with March break being the exception but I work for my mom and she is away then so I have to run the business in her absence. The rest of the winter through spring is tied up with dance trips and events.

The point was made about not taking a WDW trip away from my DD. We certainly would not be taking anything away from her....she's 12 and has been to the world 9 times in the last 6 years. She is a girl that has some very large ideas...she wants to spend Christmas in Samoa....like that's going to happen. She's miffed about the thought of going to Mexico because it's not a place she wants to go to.

We have been to all inclusives several times before so we know what it's like and we generally like to do that type of vacay when we want to just hang out and do nothing. Most of our trips are very busy and most of the time we like that. Many times we have returned home from someplace totally exhausted and felt that it was a fabulous vacation.

I also thought about weather and the temp is very similar to FL at the same time of year and rains a lot less. However, I had not thought about a hurricane.

I do really appreciate all the comments and am still undecided. I think now I'm even more conflicted.

 

[ellen82]

I was in Mexico CITY this past March and felt really safe! Its just smart-dont go to the areas where you know are dangerous. Its kind of like people saying that ALL of Toronto/Canada is dangerous because there is crime in a few select areas.

I loved the Mexican culture and would love to go back! Your DD has plenty of time IMO to experience Disney, its not like it will be her last. I am all for experiencing new things!

The only thing that I would not like is at an all inclusive is getting bored of being stuck. You really have to ensure that if you wish to see beyond the resort that the area is safe or easy to get to. Does your family need to be seeing or doing new things all the time? If so, some resorts may be boring. If you want a lot of relaxing, then why not?! Try to find a resort where you can do some excursions like snorkeling or horse back riding.

 

[MedicGoofy]

Do what you feel is best for you

I have been to Mexico several times and LOVED it!!! And as a younger female, travelling with another younger female friend, we had an awesome time. Just stay safe. Don't wander off onto deserted roads by yourself. And don't send your 12 yr old daughter of the resort by herself. EVERY place has the potential to be unsafe. We just know about Mexico's problems because they are more publicized. Ever hear about other contries problems? They are there.....just not talked about as much.

I think Disney at Christmas would be beautiful!!!! So what if it's busy. It's one of the things I would LOVE to do sometime (if it wouldn't disrupt my moms Christmas plans and the rest of the family)

Looking back on family trips, I'm sure once you get someplace nice and warm and tropical, your daughter will enjoy it. Mexico is tons of fun. Go into town. Do a day trip. There is lots of stuff to do.

Good luck with your decision

 

[dancin Disney style]

We are very experienced with travel...have been to some really far out places and 3rd world countries. So we know the rules.

I'm really leaning towards WDW at Christmas now and something different for the summer. It's been on my list to do Disney for Christmas. We talked about it last night and the driving force behind a Christmas trip this year is to avoid all the family drama. We felt that if we left WDW until then we could for sure get there...even if it meant driving to FL. The only problem is that DH mentioned that he had not officially gotten approval for taking that week off....which translates to....he didn't ask yet. He was suppposed to do that when he booked his time for August. So at the moment we are at a stand still until he arranges his time off.


DD knows she will be going back to WDW.....I just got 10 day tickets back in March. Plus, we have 2 days left on other tickets. I'm for sure the biggest fan and since I do all the vacation planning we will be going back...many, many times.

 

[Kat&Dom]

We are very experienced with travel...have been to some really far out places and 3rd world countries. So we know the rules.

I'm really leaning towards WDW at Christmas now and something different for the summer. It's been on my list to do Disney for Christmas. We talked about it last night and the driving force behind a Christmas trip this year is to avoid all the family drama. We felt that if we left WDW until then we could for sure get there...even if it meant driving to FL. The only problem is that DH mentioned that he had not officially gotten approval for taking that week off....which translates to....he didn't ask yet. He was suppposed to do that when he booked his time for August. So at the moment we are at a stand still until he arranges his time off.


DD knows she will be going back to WDW.....I just got 10 day tickets back in March. Plus, we have 2 days left on other tickets. I'm for sure the biggest fan and since I do all the vacation planning we will be going back...many, many times.

I hope the Disney trip for Christmas works out for you. I think it would be fun because you are so experienced at doing Disney that you could enjoy it even more at Christmas time. You don't have to run around doing a tonne of rides, you could just enjoy catching more of the shows and special activities that only occur at Christmas.

Maybe for your August trip, you should just wait until the last minute to decide where to go. If you and your husband have the time booked off already, wait and see where the best deal with the best weather is and go for it.

About 7 years ago, my friend and I wanted to go to the Dominican - the all-inclusive prices were running at about $1,300 per person and we didn't want to pay that much so we waited until the last minute (Tuesday morning before a Wednesday departure) and booked the all-inclusive week with flight from Calgary for $500 with all taxes included - it was a crazy good deal. It was super fun because we had booked the time off of work and going into work on Tuesday and being able to say, oh yeah, we are flying to the Dominican tomorrow was great.

I truly believe that there is no 100% safe place - bad things can happen anywhere. I was in Bali several years ago when the terrorist attacks happened there. We had been there a week and having a fantastic time - we had been in Kuta shopping and enjoying the area around where the attacks occured then as the sun started to set, this overwhelming feeling of not being safe happened to us. We had planned to eat at a nice restaurant and see some of the nightlife but our instincts were telling us to leave so we returned to our resort which was about 18 km away in Nusa Dua and about 4 hours later, we felt the effects of the blast - it was like someone was trying to break into our patio doors because they rattled so hard. It was devastating to see the effects on the kind, gentle people of Bali, they were all walking around shell-shocked like all of us were on September 11 - not quite believing that such a horrific event could occur.

So go enjoy your vacation wherever you decide to go!

 

[drag n' fly]

Havent been to Mexico since 2001. Had no desire to go back. Dh is a consultant and is doing a lot of work down there right now. I refuse to take the kids down there. Then he went and bought a ts with our home resort in Cancun lol. I may actually go check it out at some point as I love Westin hotels but prefer to use our points elsewhere. The corruption is terrible down there. Where my husband is working the police drive around in trucks with lights flashing sounding off the sirens. I said doesnt that defeat the whole purpose of catching the bad guy? Dh replied "they do that on purpose to warn the bad guys they are in the area and the police wont get shot at".