My kids don't want to go

[Grand Canyon]

We spend 4 weeks each June at WDW. The kids want to do something else next summer. I am struggling to find something as fun that we can do for 2-3 weeks.
I am looking at Beaches resort. That cost $12,000 for 2 weeks. I can not find anything that provides the fun and value of WDW,and US/IOA. I want to go back again!!. My wife wants a shorter vacation. When I figure in the cost to drive from Arizona to Orlando and the cost of PAPs and APs to US/IOA the cost of the house for week 3 and 4 seems small. I want the wife and kids to be happy
but I want to be happy too. I don't think we are ready for overseas travel, Gigi is only 6months old now. Do my fellow Disboarders struggle with where to go?
Mike

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I'll go with you!

 

[goodeats]

What about driving out to Southern California and renting a house in Newport or Huntington Beach for a week or two? You could also throw in Disneyland too, but a beach vacation is really fun. Especially if you have a house right on the sand.

 

[Grand Canyon]

The water is so cold! We have been to LA a quite a few time. We go for the Rose Parade. I have never seen houses as cheap in LA or San Diego as they are in Kissimmee. WDW spoils us. LA does not seem like a vacation. It is only 7 hrs away. We drive 4 hrs to go to Phoenix for major shopping and 1.5 hrs to go to the grocery store. We have been to DL and was thinking of going again for a long weekend at Thanksgiving.

 

[S. C.]

I'll go with you!

So will I.

 

[grlpwrd]

Well, we go back to Hawaii almost every year because that is where I am from, but my dh does get bored with it sometimes. I try to change it around for him and make it a bit different by doing a different activity there or making smaller trips throughout the year. For Thanksgiving we plan to go to Kentucky and West Virginia.

Having a little one also cramps our style a little bit more than usual, but we try to choose vacations that we can all enjoy, including mommy and baby.

Have you thought about a vacation to the Outer Banks or other location along the East Coast?

 

[michvin]

We're from the Northeast. Lived in Delaware and SE PA whole life. Have your kids been to Washington, DC? Have you been to the east coast beaches? Gettysburg? Baltimore? Philadelphia. Then there is New England. We were in Maine this summer. Absolutely beautiful. Rented a house on a lake for under $1200 for the week. Then there is Boston, Cape Cod, Mystic SEaport, Newburyport, the Appalacian Trail. You could literally do a 3 to 4 week excursion throughout the Northeast. Tons to do within a hour to two, hour drive of most major cities on the East Coast. Then, of course there is NYC. If you have the budget to spend that you are talking about than maybe this would work for you. I know that Marriott hotel offers some great deals on the weekends. Good Luck!

 

[Manon]

When you mean overseas do you mean a cruise???

Because you could take a cruise, Disney or none-disney(less expensive, Carnival as great ones!!)

But I have to agree with the other posters, renting a beach home sounds so great!!!!

Good Luck!

 

[Grand Canyon]

We did a cruise to Alaska 4 years ago. We didn't have that much fun. We had to go to WDW 4 month later so we could feel like we had a vacation. We are thinking about renting a beach house in Jaco Beach Costa Rica. It is sad that a house with a pool cost more in Costa Rica than it does in Kissimmee. Oh well
Thanks for the help
We are going to the East Coast to see DC, NYC, Boston, ect in a few years. I think Orion and Gigi should be a bit older to really enjoy it

 

[sanibelover]

I agree with your wife and kids. I love Disney, but 4 weeks every year??? There is so much more to this great country than Mickey. How about that Northeast trip? What about a tour of come of the National Parks? There are so many educational, interesting, fun things to do in every state! If I could vacation for 4 weeks every year, I certainly would try to hit every area of the country and see some of the "real" places that we live.

 

[Grand Canyon]

We live in a National Park, Grand Canyon
My work has taken us to many of the western parks.
When you live the great outdoors every day you start to long for the excitement of a city.

 

[100AcreWood]

I laughed when I read this post! December will be my third trip to Disney this year. But dh and I compromised on the 3rd trip because 1. we have APs and it makes sense to use them when we find a good deal 2. I have always wanted to see Disney decorated for the holidays! and 3. I promised to take 2 years off after this trip.

So I'm starting to research ideas for next year too. We didn't travel for 2 1/2 years until dd was ready to venture out. So next year I'm looking at a Carnival Cruise (the Disney cruises are so expensive). Or taking a week at Hilton Head in SC. I have many friends who love Hilton Head and said it would be fun with a little one. Of course there is a Disney resort there so maybe that's a good compromise for me .

Good luck!

 

[rchristiansen]

What about a trip to one of the DVC resorts in Hilton Head or Vero Beach? You could get your Disney fix there and your family could experience a different part of the country.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We took our kids to Beaches Turks and Caicos last November. Yes, we did have loads of fun there, and DS is asking to go back. But it is very expensive. Since last year, when we went, the prices have gone up significantly. Most resorts in the Carribean have kids programs, how about looking into another one. My friend took her kids to Atlantis, she said it was great!

 

[kmp1191]

Memphis, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, ....just start driving and hit every big city you want to as you go! Why stay in one place for 4 weeks?
ADVENTURE!!!

 

[blessedby3]

We love Hilton Head Island, SC!! The beaches are so calm, relaxing and beautiful. There is a Disney Resort there, but have not stayed in it. I dont think I would spend 4 weeks there, but it is beautiful. I dont think I could spend 4 weeks in any one place. Good luck searching

 

[lee]

Four weeks at Disney every June? Am I doing something wrong? We have to save for our five day trip every two years. It's wonderful that you can do this!

 

[stacy6552]

let's face it. your kids are freaks. Take me instead.

 

[tink&cinderella]

How about Toronto, Canada???

There's the Toronto Island,with a theme park on it, we even have beaches, the CN tower, take in a Jays game, downtown, Canada's Wonderland (Theme park), Ontario Place, a Science Center, Casa Loma - Toronto's own castle, great parks in the city, and shopping shopping shopping.

There's the Toronto Zoo, a miniature village, African Lion Safari -just a bit west, there's also a Mennonite settlement nearby, Niagara Falls- there's tons to do there and it's only abou 1 1/2 hours from T.O. - you can even take a boat cruise from T.O. to St. Catherines - near Niagara Falls, or the Ferry to Rochester.

The weather is hot and humid in the summer - like Disney - not quiete as hot but near the 90's.

If you like Museums there are tons of them here too. Sometimes you see "stars" here as they call it Hollywood North and lots of filming takes place here. We have great live shows, an entertainment district and lots of different festivals.

It's not Disney-but of all the other places I'd rather be - Toronto is the one.

Tink&Cinderella

 

[snowy76]

I'll add to the last post -- if you have four weeks, why stop with T.O.? Drive to Kingston, Thousand Islands, Ottawa, Montreal, etc.

Or... I don't know if anyone else will agree, but... maybe not go anywhere at all? If your kids aren't getting thrilled about WDW, maybe they just need a vacation from, well, their vacations.