Hope no one kicks me off for asking this question!

[bless7ings]

Hope no one kicks me off for asking this question!

We went to Disney 2 years ago and had the best family vacation ever, and I am hoping to go this year, but... I was wondering if anyone knows of other places that families can go on trips that are all inclusive like disney. What I mean by that is... a place to stay with food included and entertainment at your doorstep so you don't have to travel some place else. That's what my husband likes, but would like to know if there are any other places that resemble that and maybe have a good price attached. I know I am asking a lot. Hope someone can give me some good ideas. Tammy

 

[melag]

Beaches / Sandals / A Cruise

 

[Hannathy]

Universal?

 

[hvivona]

A cruise is probably your best bet.

 

[bopper]

Disney Cruise...Win-WIn!

 

[jenjen27]

Universal Studios / Island of Adventures have a resort like set up.. you can add the meal deal which you get a meal entree and dessert all day long.. each time you go thru the line.. so if you want more than one entree for yourself get inline again and get another meal... and then they have the free refill sippers all day long.. the meal thing is like 18.99 for adults and 8.99 for child and then sippers are 8.99 each. so if you are eating there all day long its worth it!.. they have resturants there.. if you stay at the onsite resort you get the express pass that normall cost 50 dollars a person at the gate free for each person.. sometimes 2 tickets free if you stay as well.. so really a great deal.

They also have a 7 day ticket for both parks for only $85 a person.

That is the only one I know of at the moment
Jen

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

Read a review on this in familyfun, looks fun but we haven't made it their yet.
www.zionponderosa.com

We are big cruise fans too !
How about Disney Sarrasota ? I think that's what it's called.

Clubmed always looked goos to me but it's $$$.

 

[ampc3]

There is a club med in south florida on the east coast, sand something can't remember the name. That is a family all inclusive, but I vote for the disney cruise too!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Oh, the heresy! Bring out the pitchforks!

Actually, I'm interested in what others have to say on this, too...

 

[Kies99]

I have to agree with the suggestion for BEACHES Resorts. These are run by Sandals Resorts. The wife and I honeymooned at a Sandals and had the best time. We definitely plan on going to Beaches with our two daughters when they get a little older. They shepard you right from the plane to a bus to the resort and back again. Absolutely no need to leave the resort for anything.

 

[mamacatnv]

We are headed to Schlitterbahn WaterPark in New Braunfels, Texas this summer. Now it is not Disney but they do have a "resort" on property. I opted for a 1 bedroom apt. with complete kitchen so we can prep our own meals. They have trams that will get you to the different areas of the waterparks.

Schlitterbahn is 1/2 hour from San Antonio where there is Sea World, Fiesta Texas & The Riverwalk.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

We tried Beaches Turks & Caicos in 2005 and we loved it. The food was great, the service excellent, the pools awesome and the service attentive. My nephews got a kick out of the Sesame Street themed activities complete with character breakfast. They had a kids club were you could sign in children for activites, the boys had a great time. They also had a nursery for younger children and babies.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

oops!!! double post

 

[bless7ings]

Oh, the heresy! Bring out the pitchforks!

Actually, I'm interested in what others have to say on this, too...

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of!!

No, I love Disney and I can't wait to go back, but I like variety too. But Disney has a market on the "magic", with beautifully themed resorts and awesome parks with a little bit for everyone and you don't have to drive to it and etc.... it just made all the differance to my husband, but I think he would like to try something differant and it would make it nicer on our pocket if it wasn't so expensive!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I'm interested to see what others say. We are huge fans of cruising! We've taken ds on Disney and Norwegian, and could not get him out of the kids' clubs!

It's really nice to be taken care of, and I personally love being at sea. It's great because you also get built in parents' alone time, because the kids will want to do the activities...

 

[Windy City Heather]

I vote for Beaches. I just got back from Beaches Negril on Saturday. It was our 4th trip. We love it. The kids camp is great and I can't keep my dd4 out of it. The kids camp is included during the day and at night you can hire a nanny for only $8.00 an hour. My dd has a hard time picking who she wants to be her nanny. There is a mini water park with 2 slides (must be 48 inches), a not so lazy lazy river and shooting fountains. Water sports are also included we took our 14 year old niece this last trip and she loved the banana boats. There is also water sking with lessons, snorkling, scuba. They have nighly activites and activities all day long. All food and drinks including alchohol are including and there is no tipping at the resort.

It is a little pricey but if you start to break down the price by what you are getting, it really is not that bad. I would say that if all you do is lay around then this is not a good price for you but if you are into the activities this would be great.

One last thing. I think the key to a great trip (at least at the Jamaica locations) is to treat the employes nicely and with respect. I have seen it over and over again. Saying please and thank you and talking nicely to the employees and you get what you want quickly. Demand or talk down and they are sooo slow at getting you what you want. American's already have a bad rap in Jamaica you have to prove to them that you are not a typical American.

Also, my avatar picture was taken there last week.

 

[bless7ings]

I vote for Beaches. I just got back from Beaches Negril on Saturday. It was our 4th trip. We love it. The kids camp is great and I can't keep my dd4 out of it. The kids camp is included during the day and at night you can hire a nanny for only $8.00 an hour. My dd has a hard time picking who she wants to be her nanny. There is a mini water park with 2 slides (must be 48 inches), a not so lazy lazy river and shooting fountains. Water sports are also included we took our 14 year old niece this last trip and she loved the banana boats. There is also water sking with lessons, snorkling, scuba. They have nighly activites and activities all day long. All food and drinks including alchohol are including and there is no tipping at the resort.

It is a little pricey but if you start to break down the price by what you are getting, it really is not that bad. I would say that if all you do is lay around then this is not a good price for you but if you are into the activities this would be great.

One last thing. I think the key to a great trip (at least at the Jamaica locations) is to treat the employes nicely and with respect. I have seen it over and over again. Saying please and thank you and talking nicely to the employees and you get what you want quickly. Demand or talk down and they are sooo slow at getting you what you want. American's already have a bad rap in Jamaica you have to prove to them that you are not a typical American.

Also, my avatar picture was taken there last week.

Is everything you mentioned included in the price...water skiing, scuba and other stuff?

 

[jenseib]

All inclusive means differnet things at different places. Cruises usually don't include beverages, or just a a few like milk and ice tea. Ithin carneval migh inclued soft drinks. On a cruise al lthe extra excursions you take are extra. Saying that, I lvoe cruises! I've been on two, and hopt to take a Dsieny one when my youngest is older.
I ahve stayed in Mexico in all inclusiveresorts, and they include drinks and food, all you can eat and want. But the extras ususally cost more, like scuba, or wave runners, or taking a trip to something.
If you are taking kids, be sure it is a child freindly resort. Some take children, but really don't have as much for them to do.
I have not been to Beaches, but I know they are known for their family fun. So that is a great recomendation too.
Atlantis is another spot that is really neat. (Bahamas) It has a package option that aloows you to include meals as well, I beleive.
I really don't think the US, itself offers very many ALL inclusive type places. At least from what I have searched, I didn't find much.

 

[Windy City Heather]

Everything is included. I believe for Scuba it is only a resort certification. They have water sking lessons and tennis lessons. I think there is also a glass bottom boat.

If you leave the resort for an excursion that is extra. Also, jet skis and parasailing are extra and not run or endorsed by the resort.

They pick you up at the airport and take you back. Beaches has a vip lounge at the airport for arrivals. You can use there washrooms and have a drink (soda and red stripe) before you leave for the resort.

If you are thinking about booking go through a Sandals/Beaches specialist. She pre-registered us and my paperwork was already filled out when we arrived. We checked in in about half the time of everyone else on the bus.

 

[TheDizMom]

If you are looking for something a little more low key how about the Tradewinds resort at St Pet'e Beach. There is no way to get around a rental car and it isn't all inclusive, but we love it there . Most rooms (whcih were recently remodled) have a kitchen, living room and a bedroom and you can get them with 2 and 3 bedrooms if you want. It is right on the beach , has 3 pools and a wading pool for tots, a kids club, paddle boats to use on the small waterway that winds around the resort complete with swans, 2 restaurants (one of which is by the beach and larger pool), a small store that sells snacks and sandwiches, and a coffee bar in the morning. They also have water bikes and a boat launch to go dolphin watching. Because it has a kitchen and is very near a grocery store you can save money by doing some of your own meals and there are some great local restaurants near by. They also have laundry facilities. We have stayed there each time for a week at a time and our kids have never gotten board. There aren't all the rides and characters and stuff, but there is something to be said for spending a week hanging out at the beach.