Looking for Vacation Ideas non-Disney

[100AcreWood]

I know this topic has been discussed before but I'm looking for suggestions for some non-Disney vacation spots for kids. I'm still planning to go to Disney this year but dh wants to mix it up. So I'm researching other places. We're not interested in going on a cruise this year so that's out. But maybe an all-inclusive resort somewhere or any other suggestions? I'm laughing because when I think vacation I immediately think DISNEY ! But dh is right we need to try something else too.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[100AcreWood]

Oh I forgot to mention our dd is almost 4.

Thanks!

 

[nickelsfamily]

When we lived in NC we would go to Williamsburg, VA the historic area is beautiful...I could spend a week there! We would go to Busch Gardens, which was fun! But, there are a lot of rollercoasters for the little one, but its fun anyway!
St. Augustine Florida is a beautiful place to visit...Riplieys is fun. My DS5 can't wait to go back!! That has always been one of my favorite places to visit since I was a kid...Disney been #1!!
If you really have an unlimited budget-Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas is AWESOME! We went in September with our boys and we had a blast! I can't wait to go back, there is so much to do and the resort is breathtaking! But, it is very pricey!!
Or if you can bare to go to Orlando without visiting Disney, there are lots of things to do other than visit the Parks! There is Wonderworks-Its about a half day outing. The entire building is UPSIDE down! In the lobby, the stairs are comming from the ceiling! There are more than 100 exhibits for kids. Dolly Partons Dixie Stampede is wonderful for a dinner show and if your DD likes horses she'll love that!
And if you plan on going in May -August. The work of Author Eric Carles work (Polar Bear Polar Bear what do you see?) will be at the Orlando Museum of Art.
You could also visit some of the national parks if you like to go travel and camp!
Of course there are many cruises...you may want to look into and see what you think before you turn it down.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

If you really have an unlimited budget-Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas is AWESOME! We went in September with our boys and we had a blast! I can't wait to go back, there is so much to do and the resort is breathtaking! But, it is very pricey!!

I have to agree about Atlantis, in Paradise Island Bahamas. We are going in May for our 4th trip (we have timeshare there) and it is AMAZING!!!! And my whole family CAN'T WAIT!!!!! DS has been going since he was 1 1/2 and we have had such wonderful trips there! We are taking our new little princess for her first Bahama trip, and she will be turning 1 the day after we get home. Atlantis is a bit pricey, but sooooo worth it, IMHO. You can find deals on the Atlantis timeshares on ebay a lot. They are MUCH bigger than the standard hotel rooms, with living rooms, kitchens or kitchenettes, dining areas, washer, dryer, etc. If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me! I'd be happy to help you!!!

 

[bethyg]

I know you mentioned non-disney. My hubby was tired of the theme parks last summer and wanted a vacation where he could relax. I wanted a quality vacation (hotels I could trust) with plenty of things to do for the kids: DS13 and DS3. We decided Disney's Hilton Head island. It is the perfect place! Scheduled activities multiple times a day for the kids (all ages), bike rentals, short walk to the beach and their beach house. Pool with a cool water slide and plenty lifeguards on duty, and as always, plain clothed security people. You can check out books to read by the pool, DVD's to watch in your room, board games for a rainy day, have a pool table in the lodge. They can schedule fishing excursions and dolphin watching cruises. Lots of disney magic without the hustle of theme parks. Very down to earth. Extremely relaxing. Our 13 yr. old son caught a hammer head shark! Talk about cool! Most all guests are DVC owners so you get a real sense of "community" and people looking after one another. Shared many a BBQ, beer and pool toys with many a new friend. Kids had a blast and said it was the best! Went to the Memorial day BBQ and pool party and counted over 13 lifeguards on duty watching the kids. Where else could you find that but at disney!

Since it is DVC, you can get a 1BR or 2BR with a full kitchen and washer/dryer. Saved us tons of money and was very relaxing sitting in a rocking chair on our deck looking out at the sunset. DVC resorts fill up fast, but if you are flexible, you might be surprised what you can get. Check out the DVC threads for more information. Renting points could also be cheaper in some circumstances.

HTH.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

What about flying down to St Thomas and St John? That's my favorite caribbean stop.

I saw a trip I'd love to take. It's on www.collettevacations.com I've never used them, but I have a friend who has. The tour called Alpine Christmas looks interesting. It's a tour of Austria and southern Bavaria with a stop at the Neuschwanstein Castle. I'm thinking I read some where that this is the castle that Disney modeled it's castle after. Not sure. Anyway it's 8 days. Boy, would I love to take that tour. Maybe someday.

Another neat place is Victoria BC. You could fly to Seattle and tour Seattle, then take the ferry over to Victoria. We had English tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, toured Craig Darrock castle (which was more of a large house than a castle, but still neat), and there's Butchhart Gardens. It's beautiful there. We rode a big double decker red bus. Got some fabulous chocolates at Rogers Chocolates. We were told they ship chocolates to the White House and to the Queen of England we we had to have some too!

Whereever you go, have fun!

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

I'll put in my vote for Busch Gardens as well. I'm a Disney freak too, but I love going there. Though it is geared more towards teens like me with all the roller coasters. I would also recommend going to Myrtle Beach, SC. There's the ocean, an aquarium, a small carnival, and it's cheap, depending on the hotel you pick. There's also a Ripley's Believe It or Not museum and Ripley's aquarium there as well. Plus the shopping is great!!!

 

[Barbers2005]

My husband and I went to Washington D.C. with my daughter (3 years old) and we all had a great time. There's so much to do that we couldn't even come close to doing it all, but here's some of the things we really enjoyed. For Dd: National Zoo (soooo many animals, and adorable pandas), Washington Navy Yard (hands on naval museum and a decommisioned navy destroyer to explore), National Postal Museum (tons of kid oriented hands on exhibits and Union Station right across the street), National Air and Space Museum (spaceships and airplanes and moonrocks- oh my) and the Museum of Natural History (who doesn't love dino bones?). For Dh and myself: US Capital, White House, Museum of American History, The Sackler gallery (asian art), and Mount Vernon (very cool to see Washington's private space). One cool thing about D.C. is that it is a very inexpensive vacation. Everything I listed was free admission except for Mt. Vernon. Almost all of the museums and historical sites are federally owned and operated (tax dollars hard at work ). If you do plan to go, get the "Unofficial Guide" for tons of great tips and info about all the attractions.

 

[emma'smom]

I have to agree about Atlantis, in Paradise Island Bahamas. We are going in May for our 4th trip (we have timeshare there) and it is AMAZING!!!! And my whole family CAN'T WAIT!!!!! DS has been going since he was 1 1/2 and we have had such wonderful trips there! We are taking our new little princess for her first Bahama trip, and she will be turning 1 the day after we get home. Atlantis is a bit pricey, but sooooo worth it, IMHO. You can find deals on the Atlantis timeshares on ebay a lot. They are MUCH bigger than the standard hotel rooms, with living rooms, kitchens or kitchenettes, dining areas, washer, dryer, etc. If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me! I'd be happy to help you!!!

Is Atlantis available through DVC through a trade with II?

 

[newman7501]

I would have to recommend Myrtle Beach, SC. I went almost every year growing up(my parents have their 2nd home there) and have been several times with my family. My kids love it. There really is so much to do for the kids and the adults alike(even if you don't play golf). I don't know if they have any all inclusives but there are some great beach front hotels. Before my parents bought their place down there we stayed at a hotel on the beach that had a lazy river ride. There is a waterpark in Myrtle Beach, an amusement park, NASCAR cafe, Alligator adventure, tons of shopping at Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach, mini golf, and lot of entertainment that is family friendly.

 

[RumpleMom]

I have to agree with Bethyg. Disney's Hilton Head Island is wonderful.

We thought HHI was only for golfers, but went to use our DVC points there because we wanted a break from the WDW parks. Boy, were we surprised how great, beautiful HHI is. We are returning for our third trip and don't golf,and probably never will. We wouldn't have even thought to go to HHI, if it hadn't been for Disney. We love it there!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have to agree about Atlantis, in Paradise Island Bahamas. We are going in May for our 4th trip (we have timeshare there) and it is AMAZING!!!! And my whole family CAN'T WAIT!!!!! DS has been going since he was 1 1/2 and we have had such wonderful trips there! We are taking our new little princess for her first Bahama trip, and she will be turning 1 the day after we get home. Atlantis is a bit pricey, but sooooo worth it, IMHO. You can find deals on the Atlantis timeshares on ebay a lot. They are MUCH bigger than the standard hotel rooms, with living rooms, kitchens or kitchenettes, dining areas, washer, dryer, etc. If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me! I'd be happy to help you!!!

Oh my gosh! That was the first place I thought of! We love Atlantis! We plan on taking the kids there when they are a little older. It so so beautiful! You will have an awesome time there!

 

[new_mouser]

I have friends who took their three kids (two boys, one girl, all between the ages of 4-9) to a working dude ranch for a week last summer. All of the kids had a blast and requested it again this summer.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Is Atlantis available through DVC through a trade with II?

Yes, I think you CAN trade for Atlantis through II, however it is a VERY difficult trade to get. Probably harder to get than a DVC resort! But you might have an easier time if you are VERY flexible with your dates. Go for it! You WILL NOT be sorry!!!!!!!

 

[Tam1067]

Last summer, we went to Kiawah Island, just off the coast of South Carolina near Charleston. You can rent a condo right on the beach (or for less money in a wooded area near the beach). Kiawah is a private island with several miles of beautiful sandy beach and lots of other activities. We loved it and would go again. Plus, it's about 30 minutes from Charleston which is a nice city and worth seeing itself. We took a horse drawn carriage tour of the downtown and the kids had a blast.

The whole atmosphere is less hectic than Myrtle Beach. Kiawah is also environmentally conscious and a habitat for many animals. We went on a dolphin boat tour and saw lots and lots of dolphins. We also went on an alligator walking tour which the kids liked. If you golf (we don't) or play tennis (we don't) you can do that too.

My kids were 8, 6, and 3 when we went, and I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

[mrstomrice]

How about Yellowstone or Yosemite? It seems like a great family trip...my nephews (6 and 4) loved the animals!