Hershey, Wisconsin Dells, Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge

[chrissyt27]

UPDATED-- we finally decided to go to Gatlinburg! It’s only a 7 hour drive and I think will be a bit more relaxing than Hershey. We really want to go to Hershey one day and I am really interested in Shenandoah Crossing. We actually have one more week to use this year and may do one of the two.

Thanks for all your help.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


DH and I need to use a week of points for our timeshare. We need to book by end of t his month or lose points!! It’s BlueGreen.
It's just the two of us. Looking for cheap but fun and relaxing. Hotel is all taken care of and it has a kitchen, it's like a condo.

We aren’t looking at doing WDW, just because we’d have to fly and rent a car and really I am looking more for a relaxing vacation and I can’t do that at Disney. I am a go go go person when I am there. I will not drive to FL. Been there done that.

We are looking at driving distance places of 7-10 hours.

Hershey in Mid May since we need to wait for the park to be open. I also heard we should do Gettysburg and Lancaster County and do a winery tour.

Wisconsin Dells—They have two properties. DH and I have never been. I did see there was a winery there. They have water parks. I don’t see us doing that though.

Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge—DH and I have both been, but not since children and not together. Just see us shopping, maybe doing Dollywood.



I want to relax, have time to swim in indoor pools which they all have. Maybe shop, go to a theme park 2 days tops.


Where would you go?

We have to use the points, we have 5000 from 09, and then all of 2010s to use up. not even counting this year.

We were bad and did Disney cruises and didn’t use the points. This is when I hate the timeshare.

 

[debbido71]

I have been to the one in Hershey. It was very nice and it is across the street from outlets. That is a nice time of the year to go there.

 

[cjnix29]

We are bluegreen owners too. I have been to the one in Hershey as well. We did Gettysburg when we were there too. It was about an hours drive. If you go, I would HIGHLY recommend getting a driving guide. We had a guy that knew so much, that drove our car around the battlesites and gave us practically an hour by hour account of what happened. It was the best $50 we spent! The resort is right across from the outlet mall, but you will have to drive to the park. Can't speak for Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, as we haven't been there. But have you tried Shenandoah Crossing? Not sure where in the midwest you are, but from Columbus, it was about an 8 hour drive. Lots to do around there, as well. (wineries and historical stuff). We also love Boyne Mountain, but may not be much to do in Mid May, as a lot of the things in Mackinaw and Traverse City don't really get going until Memorial Day, or thereafter. also...something to think about...if you have trouble using points, I got an email from travelers plus that you could use points for disney cruises. I hadn't seen that as an option before. I'm sure it uses up a lot of points, but if they are going to waste anyway, might as well use them for something you are going to do anyway!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

If you're looking to relax stay away from Wisconsin Dells.

 

[hinodis]

We have been to the dells and gatlinburg several times. The Dells will cost you alot of money. It is very touristy but we enjoyed everything we did. Th duck boats are a bast and the boat tour were very nice. Gatlinburg has alot to offer. We spend very little money while there. We like driving to the mountains and cades cove and the kids love to play in the mountain streams. It all depends on what you want to do while on vacation. I think Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge will give you the most choices in what activities you want to do. It has everything.

 

[ccgirl]

I am also going to suggest Gatlinburg. We are going again in July. We were surprised at how little $$ we spent there....and there were tons to do! We loved the wineries there. Definitely leaving room in the car to bring back some apple/cranberry wine. Do a search on Gatlinburg as there have been quite a few discussions here recently. We actually own a Westgate condo in Gatlinburg and love it! Good luck with your decision.

 

[chrissyt27]

We are bluegreen owners too. I have been to the one in Hershey as well. We did Gettysburg when we were there too. It was about an hours drive. If you go, I would HIGHLY recommend getting a driving guide. We had a guy that knew so much, that drove our car around the battlesites and gave us practically an hour by hour account of what happened. It was the best $50 we spent! The resort is right across from the outlet mall, but you will have to drive to the park. Can't speak for Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, as we haven't been there. But have you tried Shenandoah Crossing? Not sure where in the midwest you are, but from Columbus, it was about an 8 hour drive. Lots to do around there, as well. (wineries and historical stuff). We also love Boyne Mountain, but may not be much to do in Mid May, as a lot of the things in Mackinaw and Traverse City don't really get going until Memorial Day, or thereafter. also...something to think about...if you have trouble using points, I got an email from travelers plus that you could use points for disney cruises. I hadn't seen that as an option before. I'm sure it uses up a lot of points, but if they are going to waste anyway, might as well use them for something you are going to do anyway!

How do you find a driving guide? Should I Google that? so they drive your car? That sounds really interesting.

I do think it’s really between Hershey and TN. I did some research on the Dells and it does seem very touristy.

We are in IN. I will look up Shenandoah Crossing. I must have missed that one.

I really want to do Hershey, but I do want to relax and swim and I am afraid the Hershey area offers so much more to do.

 

[chrissyt27]

Thanks everyone for your help!! we just need to decide. I want to go before summer and the heat and my busy season at work. we just always do WDW so I hate to not know what to do and where to go.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[chrissyt27]

I am also going to suggest Gatlinburg. We are going again in July. We were surprised at how little $$ we spent there....and there were tons to do! We loved the wineries there. Definitely leaving room in the car to bring back some apple/cranberry wine. Do a search on Gatlinburg as there have been quite a few discussions here recently. We actually own a Westgate condo in Gatlinburg and love it! Good luck with your decision.

Thanks! I love fruit flavored wine. I know it’s grapes, but we like strawberry and watermelon, the fruity ones:>

I will try to search later as well if we do decide to go to Gatlinburg.

 

[RumpleMom]

I have been to both Hershey and Gatlinburg. I stayed at the Hotel Hershey and in a cabin in Gatlinburg.

I am anxious to go back to Gatlinburg because the Great Smoky Mountains are so beautiful and gave us a feeling of relaxation.

We saw a very good, family friendly vaudeville type show in Gatlinburg called Sweet Fanny Adams. It is just an easy walk around the corner from the Gatlinburg Hard Rock. You can see some of it on youtube to see if it is something you would like. Our family still talks about this wonderful trip.

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks! I love fruit flavored wine. I know it’s grapes, but we like strawberry and watermelon, the fruity ones:>

I will try to search later as well if we do decide to go to Gatlinburg.

Me too! My favorite was the Apple Barn Winery in Sevierville. It is right next to the Apple Barn restaurant which was delicious! http://www.applebarnwines.com/

 

[Halle]

I highly recommend going to Hershey, we lived there for four years and go back often to visit friends. May is a beautiful time there. Definitely do a tour of the gardens, Hershey's Boy (used to be called) School and if you're there on Sunday the brunch at Hotel Hershey is a must. There is a lot to do in the area but none of it can be compared to disney touring. Hope you have a great vacation, can't wait to hear your decision.

 

[tinker&belle]

I am in Indiana too. We really like Gatlinburg. Also have you considered Branson? It was about 8 hours from South Central Indiana.

 

[Disfan3]

The Dells is NOT a relaxing vacation and if you don't want to do water parks there are some things to do there but not a whole lot...it really is a family/amusement type vacation...we love it and go every summer....but it gets crowded and lots of kids and teenagers and families, etc.

Gatlinburg would be my suggestion...I have been there a few times, too. More scenery and more of a laid back atmosphere...the Smokeys are gorgeous and more of an adult trip, IMO.

 

[maleficentmom]

We are bluegreen owners too. I have been to the one in Hershey as well. We did Gettysburg when we were there too. It was about an hours drive. If you go, I would HIGHLY recommend getting a driving guide. We had a guy that knew so much, that drove our car around the battlesites and gave us practically an hour by hour account of what happened. It was the best $50 we spent! The resort is right across from the outlet mall, but you will have to drive to the park. Can't speak for Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, as we haven't been there. But have you tried Shenandoah Crossing? Not sure where in the midwest you are, but from Columbus, it was about an 8 hour drive. Lots to do around there, as well. (wineries and historical stuff). We also love Boyne Mountain, but may not be much to do in Mid May, as a lot of the things in Mackinaw and Traverse City don't really get going until Memorial Day, or thereafter. also...something to think about...if you have trouble using points, I got an email from travelers plus that you could use points for disney cruises. I hadn't seen that as an option before. I'm sure it uses up a lot of points, but if they are going to waste anyway, might as well use them for something you are going to do anyway!

The stores have Gettysburg battlefield tour Cds to listen to in your car as well, probably cheaper, but I am sure a live guide would be much more interesting(may have to indulge in that next trip!)..we love Boyds Bears and eat their yummy buffett there. I would vote for Hershey/gettysburg! We love it there...check out Sight N Sound Theatre...the most awesome play/show we have seen!

 

[libinatorsmom]

I have been to the Dells many many times... Very enjoyable I havent been there recently but it is a lot of fun... tons to do.... the boat rides (especially the Ducks) are a lot of fun.... There is a Casino close by as well as several winerys.... years ago it was a honeymooners destination. There will be lots of kids thier though as there are awesome places and things to do with kids! The water parks are awesome and I think you would be pleasently surprised. The Downtown Dells area has lots of fun things - shopping, haunted houses, mini golf, old fashion pics, etc.... Good luck... there is an awesome mailed Dells book you should get...

 

[chrissyt27]

Hey guys, we finally decided to go to Gatlinburg! It’s only a 7 hour drive and I think will be a bit more relaxing than Hershey. We really want to go to Hershey one day and I am really interested in Shenandoah Crossing. We actually have one more week to use this year and may do one of the two.

Thanks for all your help.