Most memorable non-Disney vacation

[Jones1978]

What was your most memorable vacation? My DD is graduating in 2 years, and I want to start planning a trip for her graduation. I'm having trouble thinking of anything besides Disney

 

[Karalee402]

I love this question! My daughter is graduating this year, and we're deep in planning a trip, too! My very favorite trip was a drive down the California coast. We flew into San Francisco and drove all the way down the PCH. We stopped at all sorts of beautiful little inns and restaurants, spent a night in LA where we saw the Rose Bowl Parade, and just did all sorts of sight-seeing. I wasn't prepared for the incredible beauty of that drive! We're planning a similar trip now with our kids, and I don't see why a little stop-off at Disneyland couldn't be arranged

 

[lovesmurfs]

We have had lots. We loved San Diego. We've also done DC, Philadelphia, Jersey Shore. We've also had fantastic trips to Great Britain -- Scotland once and southern England/Cornwall/London another. That last trip was fantastic - went to Warner Brothers Studio Harry Potter tour.

Not sure what you're budgeting. When DD was going through college, she NEEDED a trip to set her sights on so she'd graduate. Her choice was Ireland. It's been hard to schedule, but we're finally going in late June. I made the plane/hotel/car reservations, and we're getting together on the day trips (the southern route between Dublin and Galway and back to Dublin).

 

[CAPSLOCK]

When you say "besides Disney," I assume you also mean besides Universal, too?

 

[VastPace1824]

We have had lots. We loved San Diego. We've also done DC, Philadelphia, Jersey Shore. We've also had fantastic trips to Great Britain -- Scotland once and southern England/Cornwall/London another. That last trip was fantastic - went to Warner Brothers Studio Harry Potter tour.

Not sure what you're budgeting. When DD was going through college, she NEEDED a trip to set her sights on so she'd graduate. Her choice was Ireland. It's been hard to schedule, but we're finally going in late June. I made the plane/hotel/car reservations, and we're getting together on the day trips (the southern route between Dublin and Galway and back to Dublin).

Woah! Warner Brothers Studio Harry Potter tour - That's a great idea...I'd love to go there!

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Boston, Salem, and Cape Cod.

My oldest ds is graduating high school this year. We are going on an Alaskan cruise in June. We have never been to Alaska, so quite excited.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Woah! Warner Brothers Studio Harry Potter tour - That's a great idea...I'd love to go there!

It's totally amazing. https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/

 

[soccerdad72]

It was a massive splurge, but our trip last year to Africa for safari was our graduation gift (and bucket list trip for my wife and I) for our older son's college graduation and younger son's HS graduation (delayed a year).

 

[Dan Murphy]

Our best family trip that we look back on with great memories and so many laughs was an RV trip to the Smoky Mountains in a 35 foot class C. Back in 1986, Natalie was 6, Vince 9. Stayed at Outdoor Resorts in Gatlinburg. Did a lot of the usual tourist stuff, but just so maych family fun.

 

[pezgirlroy]

I have been lucky to do a lot of traveling over the years. My favorites from the last 20 years (ie with my husband) have been: 2 weeks in China; our honeymoon in Hawaii (Big Island and Kauai); Amsterdam; San Francisco; Ireland; Puerto Vallarta. And some cruises. This year we are taking a family trip to Beaches in Turks and Caicos and then this summer adult only trip to Amsterdam, Ireland and Scotland to see friends.

 

[E&Cmom]

Have not been yet, but we are doing a big bucket list family trip in June. Going on a Japan and South Korea cruise this year right after my daughter graduates from University. My daughters and DH are big into Anime, manga , Studio Ghibli,Nintendo and Japanese culture while I love Korean dramas and cultural experiences so this should hopefully be a great trip for us, Disclaimer: we are also doing a few days at Tokyo Disney at the end. Next year will probably be Europe but just DH and I for our 25th.

Last Summer we went to New York City and had a great time, we love theatre My highlight was going to Broadway shows, tour of Radio City Music as well as visiting different areas. Also I will never say no to Hawaii or any cruise. Love them.

 

[AussieFan8]

I second the UK trip with a tour of Harry Potter studios if she is a Harry Potter fan. Truly unforgettable. We just did this trip last year for my daughter's graduation. Be sure to include a stop in Edinburgh; we all loved it.

 

[stout]

I “third” the UK trip with the Harry Potter studio tour. Add on the great food in London and shows in the West End, plus the ease of public transportation throughout London…easily our family’s most memorable trip a couple years ago.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Not sure if you are thinking domestic or beyond (or how much to spend). I believe the south of France is the most lovely place on earth.

 

[stevelle]

Took my daughters on a mother-daughter trip to London and Edinburgh, and yes we did the Harry Potter tour, it's fantastic. Also had a great trip to Venice with my husband so I'd recommend either of those.

 

[Kitty 34]

We have taken many many non Disney trips but one of our greats was when we all flew down to San Antonio, TX early 2012 to watch our youngest graduate from the Air Force. Last time all our sons were together for a "trip". San Antonio and Lackland AFB were above awesome.

 

[RF536]

We did an Akaskan cruise last year. We did a 13 day land a sea cruise.

 

[bennifer]

Our favorite non Disney vacations have been (in no particular order):
PCH in California then Yosemite (ok, this one may have been our top favorite)
Hawaii - Big Island and Oahu
PNW and Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain NP all in 1 road trip
Iceland Ring Road

We're going to Japan this coming June and we cannot wait! Idk where DS will decide for a graduation trip, but we still have 3 years to figure that out!

 

[snappy]

Our big one was our older daughter’s wedding September 2023 in a small castle in the south of France. My husband and I were able to spend 5 days in Paris before the wedding, met up with our daughter and her fiancé and his aunts and uncles in Montmartre for dinner, then flew south and drove to the castle in the south of France, where all our kids were staying for 3 nights. It was fantastic in so many, many ways. Afterward, we continued the fun via train to Avignon and throughout Provence. We can’t wait to go back.

 

[barkley]

We are going on an Alaskan cruise in June. We have never been to Alaska, so quite excited.

hands down the most stunning and memorable vacation of our lives. the memories are not of doing things so much as seeing and breathing in the surroundings, our family being together.