Maui or California

[photomama]

trying to plan a late summer vacation. It will be myself, the hubby and my 8 year old daughter. We've never been to either. I am thinking Maui, but my 8 yr old wants to go to LAX. How can I entain my daughter in Maui? is there lots for kids to do?? thanks

 

[TLPL]

You are the parent who is paying for the trip, I'd say go where YOU want to go. If your daughter want to go somewhere else, she can if she pay for her own!!

Traveling is about seeing new things and new experience. She might not familiar with Maui but that's why you should take her there. Try new things!!

 

[Sue M]

I've never been to Maui, but been several times to Kona, on the Big Island.
So there, we tour around, beaches, snorkel, hike, you can go on boat tour. I'd do a google search on Maui to see what there is to do on that Island.

But with your 8 yr old wanting to go to LA & I'm taking a wild guess here, DL I'd do that. In LA there is DL, Universal, Knotts Berry Farm, and you still have the beaches. Depending on how long of a trip, you could stay in the DL area for a few days, then move to the beaches or go down to San Diego.

Maui will always be there when 8 yr old is older.

 

[c&m]

Maui in a heartbeat.

We just came back home from Honolulu and Maui 2 weeks ago. We had such a great time. It is a totally different vacation from a Disney one. Disney is go-go-go, not much relaxing as you go from one park to another, one ride to another and wade through the crowds. Maui is absolute downtime.

We rented a 1-bedroom condo at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Villas (really nice!). We cooked some meals, ate out for other meals. We snorkelled, boogie boarded, took walks along the beach, sunbathed, and played in the pools with our girls. There are lots of activities and tours you can book, but we didn't want to book our days like that (we get enough of that in our daily lives!).

Came home well rested but with a bad case of PMD (post-Maui depression).

I agree with a previous poster who suggested to try something new. My DDs didn't know anything beyond Disney until we took them to Hawaii, Hong Kong and Phuket. They're now up for anywhere we take them as it's a new adventure.

 

[riu girl]

Maui in a heartbeat.

We rented a 1-bedroom condo at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Villas (really nice!). We cooked some meals, ate out for other meals. We snorkelled, boogie boarded, took walks along the beach, sunbathed, and played in the pools with our girls. There are lots of activities and tours you can book, but we didn't want to book our days like that (we get enough of that in our daily lives!).

QUOTE]

Would you mind telling me how (or with who) you rented the 1 bedroom condo through?

Thank you

 

[ABCanada]

Our philosophy was always, if the child was enjoying the trip the adults will as well, particularly with an only child.

I have never been a Hawaii fan, not much of a lay on the beach type.

As a pp mentioned there are lots of things to do besides parks in California.
We have stayed at http://www.theseaviewinn.com/ourneighborhood.htm which is minutes from LAX and has bicycles you can borrow so you can cycle up and down the bike paths along the beach. Manhattan Beach is amazingly relaxed and reasonably priced for being so central.

If you are willing to travel a bit further there are lots of suggestions on the California threads check
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2396186

 

[LSmith]

Well, first off, we definitely take into consideration where our kids want to go. We are not an entire dictatorship in in our house (especially when it comes to vacation).

That said, our kids have travelled far and wide, including California 3 times, and the only place they beg to go back to is Maui. Maui is an over the top family dream destination. Sailing, surfing, snorkelling and just breathing the most glorious air ever. Your child will LOVE Maui.

We did a split stay (14 day) between Sheraton Maui and Westin Ka'anapali Villas (1 bedroom). Have to say, although the Westin rooms were much nicer and spacious, we preferred the Sheraton by a landslide for a room over Black Rock Beach and the more "Hawaiian" feel to the resort. Next time we will spend all of our time at the Sheraton. The location and beach cannot be beat. You can walk to all of the shopping and restaurants from here as well. Also, not as busy as most of the other hotels.

We found the Westin Villas beach to have too much coral, which can be very dangerous. The Sheraton Black Rock Beach has the best snorkelling on the island. Swim with giant sea turtles and beautiful colourful fish just a couple of feet from shore.

 

[c&m]

Would you mind telling me how (or with who) you rented the 1 bedroom condo through?

We got the Westin Villas through Starwood Vacations. They sent me an email last September offering me a 5-night stay for $850, a free rental car from Avis, and a $75 resort credit. We added on an extra night for $263. On top of that, they upgraded us to a 1-bedroom (we were supposed to have just a studio). We loved it a lot! The thing to love about this property is that you know you're getting a nice unit. I was worried that I'd have to sit through some timeshare spiel...but that was not the case.

Another great place to stay with kids is the Westin Resort and Spa, next door to Whalers Village. We stayed there on a previous trip to Maui. The pool is amazing for kids.

 

[Gigi22]

I've been to Maui and L.A. For a family vacation I suggest Maui. L.A. is really, really big and not that relaxing to visit. If you desperately want to visit California, might I suggest San Francisco or San Diego instead?

 

[dsneygirl]

I love Maui. I have mixed feelings about LA, especially since 3 out of our 4 trips we had crappy weather (Feb, March and June). Maui is gorgeous every day of the year.

I cannot wait to take our DS when he is a little older.

 

[alohamom]

Well, I love both locations but as you might be able to tell by my screen name Hawaii would be my first choice! We have been taking our kids since my DD was 18 months old, my son took his first assisted steps on the lawn outside of the Marriott Kaanapali and we love all the Hawaiian islands. There are many many many things for an 8 yr old in Maui, including the Sugar Cane train, Volcano mini golf, Lahaina town, the Maui Ocean Center, kite flying(which is amazing oceanfront), snorkeling, beachcombing,hiking... it goes on and on. Also, there art some of the worlds most incredible pools in some of the resorts-the Hyatt in Kaanapali has caves and grotts, slides for every age, and a little water playground where my kids made friends everyday. Also, if price is no object the Grand Wailea in South Maui has an incredible pool system that is really more like a waterpark that even includes a water elevator!You can get some great deals on condos, hotels etc thru Priceline and Hotwire but be sure to research first on www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com. Also, www.VRBO.com is great for condos but be wary, it is private listings - anyway, you cant go wrong in Hawaii, its why people just keep going there...

 

[snickerboo]

Promise her you'll play "Party in the USA" in Maui for her. LOL

We just did a DL/Southern Cali trip in the fall and are planning a Hawaii trip for this coming fall (Big Island, I think). My dd was 9 at the time of our Cali trip and she did really love it. We had sunny weather everyday but it was a little cool. Cali is a busy trip where you're doing a lot of sightseeing. We loved Southern California, but I don't know if you can compare California and Maui. Hawaii is beautiful and magical. My kids have been really good about going along w/ whatever vacation dh and I choose. For this next one they're a little disappointed there's no Disney but excited about Hawaii being a bit more of an exotic locale. I would research Maui and maybe get one of those "Hawaii with kids" guidebooks and point out to her what she'd really enjoy about Maui. I'd also ask her why she really wants to go to LA because she probably has quite a bit different impression of what it's going to be like than reality. Once you debunk some of the fantasies she has about it (maybe she thinks she'll see Miley Cyrus or some other celeb she loves) she might be more willing to consider Hawaii.

 

[abdmom]

Maui is soooooooooo much better than L.A. DD11 would certainly agree. Maybe take her to the new Disney resort on Oahu while you're there.

 

[Anj]

We just got back from Disneyland last week and my daughters are asking when we will go back to Maui (trip 2 years ago). They LOVED Maui and we are hopeful to go back soon. They enjoyed Disneyland, but haven't asked to go back there.
We just relaxed while we were in Maui, they met other kids at the beach and at our condo and played all day long. We went to the beach every day, we rented a car and toured around the different towns, we went to a Luau, went for a boat ride. When it rained (we were there during a large storm), some kids also on vacation came to our condo and they all played/coloured/entertained each other. My oldest daughter is now pen pals with a girl she met in Maui.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

I agree with a PP - we don't let our kids dictate where they want to go for our "family vacation" If Maui is not for her, leave her home with relatives - I'm sure she'll have a change of heart then.

After our last Disney trip (#4) - the kids said they were through with Disney. When my wife and I booked a solo trip this January, they were disappointed they weren't coming with us (they are 14 and 16 years old).

I'm sure she'll have fun once she's there - I mean it's Hawai'i afterall !!