Ideas for next year's vacay!!

[kt3119]

We returned from our boys' first WDW vacation yesterday and overall it was a great success!! The boys had a blast and really enjoyed all of the magic WDW has to offer. Today, I start brainstorming for next year's vacation ideas. So, I am here to ask all of you for your help! Our boys will be 7,6, and 5 or 4 depending on when we leave next summer. Any suggestions on some good vacation ideas would be great. I know that we will NOT be going back to WDW next year as we are planning on returning in two years for my dad's 60th b-day and 1st visit!!! So start throwing out some ideas my way. Our boys are active and enjoy the outdoors, we just don't want the entire vacation to be camping or hiking the entire time.

Can't wait to hear some ideas!

Kelly

 

[LuvOrlando]

We just loved Aruba.

 

[maslex]

Can't go wrong with a cruise!!!

 

[JessicaR]

Beaches Turks and Caicos. Any Iberostar all inclusive. Woodloch Pines in PA. Club Med Sandpiper. Tyler Place in VT. Any Loews Hotel - the really DO love kids!

 

[MomofKatie]

Colonial Williamsburg and Washington DC.

Gatlinburg/Pidgeon Forge TN.

Boone/Blowing Rock, NC.

Gulf Coast beaches, especially near Destin/SanDestin area, FL.

Caribbean cruise- DD LOVED our cruise when she was 8.

Puerto Rico- lots of outdoor stuff to do, plus lots of shopping, history, and nighttime stuff for Mom and Dad.

 

[Planogirl]

How about San Diego and LA? Or you could tour along the east coast. There are historic sights, natural areas, beaches and even amusement parks that you could work in. As for nature, we particularly liked the Great Smoky Mountains.

 

[kt3119]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!!! I'm liking the east coast ideas.

JessicaR can you tell me more about the Woodloch Pines, in Pa? I checked out their website and it looks great. Are there many things to do in the area with our boys?

We actually checked into doing the Smokey the Mtns., Gatlinburg area before booking our WDW trip. We just felt that even thought there is a lot to do, not enough for a full week to keep our boys busy. I just don't think they would like hiking every day. Yes, we could do the strip but the boys really aren't big enough to do the go carts and other attractions they have on the strip. Although, this will be a place we go to in the future. Dh and I honeymooned in Gatlinburg!

Keep the ideas coming!

 

[PlutoPony]

Northeast Coast?
Maine has Acadia National Park / Bar Harbor with hiking and adventures out on the water, plus general tourist type things like mini-golf. Also cooler temps in the summer. Lots of smaller beach towns on the coast with interesting things to do, and Portland is a nice city with a lot going on around the harbor.

You could also do Boston and Cape Cod at those ages.

 

[JessicaR]

JessicaR can you tell me more about the Woodloch Pines, in Pa? I checked out their website and it looks great. Are there many things to do in the area with our boys?

The resort itself has more activities than you can imagine. In the area you can visit Claws n Paws http://www.clawsnpaws.com/

Pocono state Park http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/bigpocono.aspx

LGSR (if the boys love trains - mine do!) http://www.lgsry.com/index.html

CamelBeach - Waterpark - FUN! http://www.camelbeach.com/

Woodloch is expensive as it is an all inclusive but you can also rent a house on the grounds (we have done this twice) without the meal plan but including the activities. If you are interested I can get you the # to the rental we have used.

The area is beautiful with so many outdoor activities for families.

There is also a Wolf Lodge you may want to check out in the area.

 

[KCmike]

C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A

You can do Disneyland, San Diego, Yosemite National Park (heaven on earth!), San Francisco, Monterey, Newport Beach, to just name a few. California is so much fun.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I would go with the Lakes Region/White Mountains in New Hampshire. Fly Southwest into Manchester NH (or Boston if it is cheaper) and rent a car. Expect to drive 1 1/2 to 3 hours to your home base hotel/cabin depending on where you choose to stay.

You can hike (it is really fun taking them to go through some of the glacier caves on any number of trails--Lost River and Loon mountain were our favourites as well as Flume Gorge)

http://www.findlostriver.com/


http://www.loonmtn.com/info/summer/summer-activities.aspx

http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/state-parks/flume-gorge.aspx

Hang out on the beach, or hire a boat tour at any number of amazing lakes (Wiinipesauke and Squam being my favourites)

Visit either if two really well done but very different from WDW and quaint (and aimed younger) family run amusement parks:

http://www.santasvillage.com/

http://www.storylandnh.com/

Visit the animals while hiking through the forest at places like Sqaum Lake Natural Science Center:
http://www.google.com/search?q=squa...-US&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=0

Take the boys to the largest arcade in the country (where, if you grab the ubiquitous coupon from just about any local diner, you can spend $20 and get about 150 tokens and most things only cost one):
http://www.funspotnh.com/

Play mini golf or ride go karts in about a dozen places

Have a flash from the past and go to a drive in movie:
http://www.milforddrivein.com/

Catch some great local theatre:

Take one of several scenic train rides like this one:
http://www.conwayscenic.com/

Eat right on the beach:
http://www.thecman.com/restaurants/town-docks/

and generally have a really fantastic time

 

[Owl's Friend]

Kalahari in Ohio is fun. Wisconsin dells has the largest indoor water parks if your family likes that kind of thing. Cedar Point?

 

[bellebud]

we did a New England/Canadian cruise out of NJ last year, and loved Bar Harbor so much, we're going to drive there this year and stay at Bar Harbor for the week. Acadia National Park is amazing... as is Bar Harbor itself. It was the only port we've ever been to (including all the caribbean ports) that we didn't want to get back on the cruise ship.

Atlantis (it's on my list)

I like a pp's idea of California and what to do there

Florida Keys - check out Hawks Cay Resort (again, on my list)

Disney cruise