I disagree with not taking a bus depending on distance. I routinely take a bus to/from Boston to NYC. It's a lot cheaper than flying or the train and I'm assuming the op doesn't want to drive. I've taken megabus, boltbus, and peter pan/greyhound with my kids both with and without my dh and never had an issue. Also as a child of 15 I took a bus trip which may be what the op is talking about. It was an escorted bus tour from Maine to Florida. There was silly entertainment on the bus and transportation to/from attractions. The trip was broken up stopping overnight at a hotel in Virginia with an indoor pool and South Carolina with fireworks and an outdoor pool. We spent a day each at Magic kingdom, Epcot, Cypress Gardens and SeaWorld with stops at places like South of the Border and St. Augustine. It was a fun family vacation (I had a friend with me as well).