Had to cancel cruise...help me plan a different trip

[Nicnicnic.nic]

I had to cancel a cruise we had booked for spring break 2027.

Any ideas on what we should do instead? We have to stay in the US (nothing too remote, we need to be close to a hospital just in case for our son) and I prefer to drive. Anything that's a 12hr drive or less from VA is good with us. We really like the all included feel of a cruise where I don't have to worry about money during vacation. Plus at that time we will have a 7yo and 4yo and they have to like it too. And we want to keep it under 4 grand and I don't want to go anywhere cold.

I saw there's a new all inclusive resort opening in Florida but it doesn't seem very fun for young kids...we like to do activities. And it's on a river...I've always been freaked out swimming in rivers or lakes. I prefer ocean or pools.

Anyway...what should we do?

 

[CarolynFH]

Have you looked at resorts in the Smoky Mountains? And how far of a drive are the Wisconsin Dells from you?

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Have you looked at resorts in the Smoky Mountains? And how far of a drive are the Wisconsin Dells from you?

Wisconsin dells is 16 hrs...too far. But smoky mountains is only like 6 hrs. Haven't been or looked into that

 

[CarolynFH]

Wisconsin dells is 16 hrs...too far. But smoky mountains is only like 6 hrs. Haven't been or looked into that

Check out Pigeon Forge.

 

[Kelandsam]

DD28 and I did Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg for the first time in June 2025. Absolutely loved it! A lot of the places bundle tickets (I.e. Hatfield and McCoy dinner show added the Titanic Museum. We did Sunday to Saturday and wished we had another week.

We split planning and pre purchased tickets for one main event each day (Aquarium, titanic museum, Dollywood, Hatfield and McCoy, Jeep Tour, cave walk), then added more as we explored . If you go, reach out and I’ll give you the contact info for the Jeep tour we did on our final day (NOT the pink Jeep tour), our guy went over an above and was amazing!

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

DD28 and I did Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg for the first time in June 2025. Absolutely loved it! A lot of the places bundle tickets (I.e. Hatfield and McCoy dinner show added the Titanic Museum. We did Sunday to Saturday and wished we had another week.

We split planning and pre purchased tickets for one main event each day (Aquarium, titanic museum, Dollywood, Hatfield and McCoy, Jeep Tour, cave walk), then added more as we explored . If you go, reach out and I’ll give you the contact info for the Jeep tour we did on our final day (NOT the pink Jeep tour), our guy went over an above and was amazing!

My daughter and I are very prone to motion sickness. Do you think the jeep tour was nausea provoking? I did a hummer tour once in the outer Banks and I felt miserable the whole time because it was so bumpy

 

[hardcorestitch]

Wisconsin dells is 16 hrs...too far. But smoky mountains is only like 6 hrs. Haven't been or looked into that

Oh the Smokies are great! I went there in 2022… the mountains are so beautiful and there’s LOTS to do and eat. More importantly… There’s a REAL DISNEY STORE in the area!!! The barbecue in Tennessee is also quite delicious… especially from Buddy’s BBQ.

I’d definitely pick the Smokies for sure.

 

[princesscinderella]

Maybe a Great Wolf Lodge vacation?

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Maybe a Great Wolf Lodge vacation?

We have one an hour away and have done overnights there but I don't think I'd want to be there more than 2 nights....the kids would disagree. They'd live there.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Oh the Smokies are great! I went there in 2022… the mountains are so beautiful and there’s LOTS to do and eat. More importantly… There’s a REAL DISNEY STORE in the area!!! The barbecue in Tennessee is also quite delicious… especially from Buddy’s BBQ.

I’d definitely pick the Smokies for sure.

I do like bbq and I would like to go to a Disney store.....

 

[hardcorestitch]

I do like bbq and I would like to go to a Disney store.....

You won’t regret it!

 

[dmetcalfrn]

Wilderness at the Smokies is similar to GWL and is located in Sevierville, TN.
Fly Fishing the Smokies - my husband, BIL and nephew did a beginner session last summer and loved it. They offer several different sessions.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Wilderness at the Smokies is similar to GWL and is located in Sevierville, TN.
Fly Fishing the Smokies - my husband, BIL and nephew did a beginner session last summer and loved it. They offer several different sessions.

Not to mention there’s also MagiQuest in Pigeon Forge too, just in case the kids are still clamoring for GWL…

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Wilderness at the Smokies is similar to GWL and is located in Sevierville, TN.
Fly Fishing the Smokies - my husband, BIL and nephew did a beginner session last summer and loved it. They offer several different sessions.

Going to look up wilderness at the smokies. Thanks

 

[Kelandsam]

My daughter and I are very prone to motion sickness. Do you think the jeep tour was nausea provoking? I did a hummer tour once in the outer Banks and I felt miserable the whole time because it was so bumpy

He stayed on the main roads so it wasn’t bad

 

[dmetcalfrn]

Forgot to mention that Soaky Mountain (outdoor) waterpark is also right next to Wilderness at the Smokies.

 

[Tigger's ally]

We usually book a VRBO in the Smokies. Some great cabins on both sides of Gatlinburg and also in the Pigeon Forge area. Bears all around too. If you keep it as a Spring Break trip, you would be there before prices go up big time for summer. The mountain coasters and miniature golf are great in that area as well.