Ideas for a warm Christmas vacation?

[mtmbyck]

So just back from Orlando and freezing so need to think of where our next big vacation will be. We're doing Orlando again next March so I don't want to do Florida in Dec/Jan. I'm looking for a great family resort, all inclusive, for last week of Dec or 1st week of Jan. any ideas?

 

[greenclan67]

So just back from Orlando and freezing so need to think of where our next big vacation will be. We're doing Orlando again next March so I don't want to do Florida in Dec/Jan. I'm looking for a great family resort, all inclusive, for last week of Dec or 1st week of Jan. any ideas?

You toooo! I want to go back, I am freezing, we just got home Sat, my hands and feet won't warm up. Figures we missed all the nice weather while we were gone!! I would love just to turn around and go back! Good luck finding something I have also peaked around about the end of Dec but no luck!
My brother just came back from Jamaica all inclusive at Sunset Beach and waterpark, Montego Bay, older resort, but he said they LOVED it!

 

[Bertie9396]

We just got back from Cuba. It was great.

We are thinking Orlando for Christmas this year. Maybe. MIL keeps mentioning Disney World and Christmas, so we'll see.

I've never been away from home over Christmas before. I think I could handle some pixie dust with my mistletoe.

 

[tone.def]

I've never been away from home over Christmas before. I think I could handle some pixie dust with my mistletoe.

Pack your patience, crowds are insane!


mtmbyck - check out Beaches Resorts, they are have great kids programs.

 

[dis_guy]

Pack your patience, crowds are insane!

Yup, they are!

We've gone over Christmas twice now. Get to the parks for opening and/or stay very late for extra magic hours. Go to your resort during the peak of the day while everyone else stresses out. Also use a touring plan from the Unofficial Guide to WDW. It can be done.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

I have been looking at the same and the holiday season is always so expensive for travel at that time, but so far i have found all inclusives in Cancun (we love it there and were just there in Feb) for $2200/pp for 2 weeks, have also found deals to Waikiki for around the same price per person, but of course its not all inclusive. We are looking at Dec 22 - Jan 5 dates...........

Would love to go to Beaches but it sure is a small fortune from my part of the world.............maybe some day.

We are also looking at just renting a house somewhere warm (florida) and hanging out not doing much, but not sure if some areas we are looking would be warm enough to still enjoy the beaches............

 

[two*little*birds]

We love Mexico, just came back from a trip two weeks ago. Did Punta Cana a month ago too.

You have lots of options, you just need to narrow down "where" first.

 

[tgropp]

Mine is to be on a cruise ship over the Christmas holidays

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Be prepared for heavy crowds, increased airfares to fly during a holiday, and if you have not booked a Disney room you may be out of luck by now. Also that is when the weather in Florida starts turning cold. Jan is the coldest month for Florida.
We have gone in late Nov and it was very cold. So pack warm clothes.

 

[mtmbyck]

I've done WDW at Christmas and while the decorations are fantastic, the crowds are 10 times worse than March Break which I thought was nuts so I wouldn't go back between Christmas and New Years (early December would be ideal but alas my DDs can't miss that amount of school). I recall,and this was back when Saratoga Springs was a condo resort called Buena Vista Village or something like that, on Christmas morning there was a stocking hung on our resort door Christmas Morning. And we had Christmas dinner at Captain Mickeys or whatever it was called at Downtown Disney. LOL.

I have done Beaches Turks and Caicos. My Disers, if you can go offseason to this resort DO IT! It was the most wonderful week we've ever spent as a family. I say this because every day was relaxed, no rush, nothing to do but wander the huge resort, pick where to eat from 17 locations........and we went first week of Jan the year of the Florida deep freeze (2010) and although we only really had 3 days of all blue skies, we loved it!


I like the idea of Punta Cana. We have friends who just came back and loved it. I expect to pay a premium but don't want to drop 2K each If I can help it. I love the idea of waking up Christmas morning (or New Years morning) and throwing on my bathing suit and opening gifts under a palm tree!

 

[Susan2771]

For a great family resort brand you could consider the Barcelo complex in Punta Cana. They have incredible family suites, 2 water parks, a great beach and loads of activities at the resort as well as a golf course if there are golfers in the family. They also went through a huge renovation so very contemporary and lots of dining options.

Jamaica and the Mayan Riviera also has some excellent family focused resorts and sunny hot weather in the winter.

 

[riu girl]

This past Christmas/New Years we spent three weeks in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico. Most celebrations take place on Christmas Eve, awesome dinner and party at the all inclusive we were staying at. Christmas afternoon "santa" made a grand entrance on a jetski with a bag of presents for all the kids at the resort. It was amazing. But price that time of the year is a premium. Simply nothing cheap. DD will be in grade 10 next year and we don't want her to miss any school at all so might try and go for 10 days instead.

That being said there are simply no inexpensive rates for that time of the year. We noticed a lot of extended families renting houses within walking distance to the beach in Playacar (gated community just south of Playa del Carmen). I think this would be the most economical way. Plus flying out of BUF would save a bit of money. The last three Decembers we have flown to Cancun from BUF and found the best prices to be with United Airlines or US Airways.