Need Help Planning a Non Disney Vacation

[TwistGrl101]

Little background: we are a family of 6. Kids are 1, 4, 6, 8.
I was planning Disney again for this summer, but it costs us $8,000 and we are looking to do something less expensive. (Yes, I realize there are other ways to do Disney on a budget; however we fly, are big eaters, and stay at BC. We could stay at AOA or cram into POR, but the room savings alone wouldn't be too significant after discount anyway. It is airfare, park tix, and meals that eat up the budget.)
I have been leaning towards Woodloch Pines in the Poconos, so if anyone can comment on that,
that would be great.
However, DH mentioned that he would love to be somewhere on a beach. Now that does come with some conditions: he will not cruise in fear of seasicknesses no matter how much you try to convince him, and with a weak stomach he refuses to go somewhere with the possibility of getting sick from the water, so it seems like Mexico and DR are out (even though they tell me their resorts are all purified water...)
I have been researching extensively and cannot find the perfect place for a family with young children.
Atlantis gets bad reviews if you can't afford to stay in the more expensive towers.
Beaches is very unaccomodating to a family of 6, in that it forces us to get a suite at $12,000 (that is with their 65% off sale!)
I was looking into Club Med Sandpiper, but no beach and reviews say it is very outdated.
How about Myrtle Beach? Would we just regret not doing Disney?
Looked into renting points at Disney HHI and the price for a week was a couple thousand for room only...doesn't seem worth it.

Help!!!

 

[queenofthehive]

If you are looking at Hilton Head, you can rent a house or condo for something a lot less (and nicer accommodations - IMHO) than Disney's HH resort. Search realtors or VRBO for rentals. Sea Pines and Shipyard are a couple of nice areas to start with but really you cannot go wrong with any of the areas.

 

[seenellie81]

When we were in DC two years ago we decided to head over to Assateague island state park in MD. Best decision ever the kids loved it. They were 7 and 11. The island has wild horses and really pretty beaches. We then stayed in Ocean City and hit the board walk and beach there. We only stayed 1 night, the kids said we should have stayed there the whole week. It was something different to see and do. The horses were really pretty, and they had some different hiking paths. I have seen on the homeaway website that they have some affordable rental homes and condos. Just an idea.

 

[Darcy03231]

When our children were young one of our favorite vacation spots was the Rocking Horse Ranch.

www.rockinghorseranch.com

We've stayed at all inclusives in Mexico and the DR (Iberostar Resorts) several times and have never gotten sick from the water (and I tend to have tummy issues). If water is a concern you can get bottled water and drink just that.

For a beach vacation we rent a house using VBRO or www.vacationrentals.com. Our upcoming one is in Vero Beach.

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

When we were in DC two years ago we decided to head over to Assateague island state park in MD. Best decision ever the kids loved it. They were 7 and 11. The island has wild horses and really pretty beaches. We then stayed in Ocean City and hit the board walk and beach there. We only stayed 1 night, the kids said we should have stayed there the whole week. It was something different to see and do. The horses were really pretty, and they had some different hiking paths. I have seen on the homeaway website that they have some affordable rental homes and condos. Just an idea.

I have to agree with Assateague Island! We stayed on the Virginia side of Assateague Island last year for a week and it was a wonderful relaxing not crowded vacation. We had a balcony hotel over looking the bayside for $100 dollars a night! It was wonderful

 

[AnnaS]

When our children were young one of our favorite vacation spots was the Rocking Horse Ranch.

www.rockinghorseranch.com

www.vacationrentals.com. Our upcoming one is in Vero Beach.

Just wanted to add that we also spent a week many years ago at Rocking Horse Ranch and loved it. It's not a beach vacation but it was all inclusive. Parked our car and we were done (unless someone likes to play golf). I felt like we were on a cruise but on land.

How about the DE beaches? North Myrtle Beach or Pawleys Island? I have always wanted to try one of the beaches on the west coast of Florida (Sanibel, Desitin, etc.).

Good luck and let us know what you decide. Don't forget to come back and tell us all about it!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We're big fans of the Holiday Inn Resort on Panama City Beach. Lots of fun activities for little ones and they recently added family rooms with a single King bed and 4 bunks. Renting a house somewhere could be another option and give you more space, though you'd have to go "out" for entertainment unless the beach is all you need.

 

[Happyjen27]

I was in your shoes a couple of months ago, and we decided Costa Rica. The water is safe there, and they take steps at the nicer resorts to ensure nobody gets sick. There are beach opportunities on both coasts, and at the right time of year, you can watch the baby turtles hatch and make their brave trek to the ocean. In addition to the beach, in the interior of the country there is a sputtering (but not lava spewing) volcano and the rainforest to explore.

Thank you everyone for recommending Assateague Island! I'll have to check that out as a possible getaway next year.

I would have gladly gone back to Disney, but all these changes have me less interested. It's time to go back to world travel instead!

 

[Happyjen27]

Also, it might be possible to convince your husband to do a 1 day cruise. They have those out of a few ports. Just to try it out so you can put to rest his fears of seasickness. I'm not a big cruiser, but it's a nice cheap way to vacation.

 

[mrsp1030]

Our family has done Myrtle beach several times and there is a lot to do for family and kids there. We rent from Condo World and have found several nice places there. We also love marriott vacation club resorts and use Redweek.com to book a specific week from an owner. We have stayed at the resorts in Phoenix, Hilton head and Myrtle beach and loved all of them.

 

[tina.tina]

Myrtle Beach has a very nice beach but you will have an impossible time finding anything all inclusive.

I absolutely hated the beach at Ocean City, MD when I went almost 10 years ago. There was a very sharp drop off from the sand to the water. It was very weird but maybe they've fixed it.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Every year Family Fun magazine does a story on the Best Beach towns. A few years back they featured Jekyll Island, Ga. Since that time I have dreamed of visiting there. It looks like a wonderful family place.

http://www.jekyllisland.com/

 

[HeatherC]

Hilton Head Island!! Gorgeous 12 miles of uninterrupted beaches, beautiful paved bike paths, golf, tennis, fishing, kayaking, great shopping and restaurants, parasailing, crabbing, dolphin cruises, zipline! Something for everyone!

You can rent a villa for about a $1000 a week. Some places to stay are...

Palmetto Dunes Resort...our fave
SeaPines Plantation
Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort
Shipyard Plantation
Hilton Head Resort....budget rentals but great boardwalk to the beach with a beach bar at the end.

Can ya tell I love it? Can't wait...wewill be back there in April.

 

[HeatherC]

Forgot to mention....Disney HHI resort is NOT on the beach. For a lot less $$$ you can get a beautiful place right on or near the beach. We use vrbo.com and homeaway. Palmetto Dunes is where Disney has their beach club. If you rent at Palmetto Dunes, you will closer to the beach and it will cost a lot less and it is the same beach!

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[C-CMom]

What do you think the kids would enjoy? What would the grown ups enjoy?
A few more clues about your preferences might help with some more suggestions...

For example, the east coast waves can be large for a one year old, while a protected bay in the Caribbean would be gentle enough to allow the littlest ones in the water without as much hazard. Alternatively, maybe those larger waves would potentially please the big kids, while the youngest wouldn't care.

Snorkeling? The older kids and grown ups may enjoy that in the Caribbean. Really not going to be much fun anywhere in South Carolina, Georgia.

Busy beaches with a thousand snack shops, water toy vendors, etc. OR quiet spot with natural sights?

Near a city or away from it all?

Fly or Drive?

All inclusive?

Just some thoughts to narrow the field...

 

[happymommy]

Since you mention the Poconos, I am guessing you may live not too far from me (I'm near Baltimore).

I agree that for Disney trips, airfare and park tickets (and anything you eat at the parks) is the bulk of the expense! For me the airfare and park tickets are definitely the biggest part of our budget.

If you consider the end of August, airfare can come down a lot to Orlando. I went the last two weeks of August in 2012 with my kids (DH stayed home), and our airfare was really low. Rental car for 15 days was just about $220 (I know if you rented a car it would have to be a minivan though). We got Interval International "getaways" so our total for the condos was about $800. We ate in a lot, and I used Marriott gift cards to pay for our tickets (charged to our room at the Grande Vista - I had it planned that way to minimize my expenses).

We've also driven to Orlando once - don't know if you would consider that. You can get a nice condo for a lot less than a Disney resort.

Otherwise, what about the gulf coast of Florida and rent a condo? Nicer beaches (less waves). It is more work as a parent to keep kids busy at the beach versus Disney (IMHO). But it may be a nice change. Still, you'll have airfare to deal with unless you drive.

Or a "staycation" at a Great Wolf Lodge?

If you're not too far from DC, a trip to Williamsburg can be fun. You can rent condos there too.

Sesame Place?

 

[TwistGrl101]

I have called quite a few all inclusive resorts, and at most I would have to get a suite or adjoining rooms to accommodate my family of 6

So far, I am still thinking Disney, but also Woodloch Pines and Lancaster (Hershey wants $700 a night for a suite due to my family size.). We love the Eden Resort at Lancaster, but would rather make it a weekend trip, not our major family vacation.

We would love an affordable all inclusive beach resort. I cannot seem to find one that has good reviews and a cheap enough room for a family of 6.

 

[Egdisney]

I am not sure where you are located, but I'll a beach in there. We are going to Fort Walton Beach Fl this summer. I have family there, so I have been to several of the beaches in the Pensacola/Panama City/ FWB area and they are glorious! It is called the emerald coast, it's on the Gulf of Mexico, and had beautiful white sand beaches. This is my first time going as an adult with my husband and 4 kids. We are renting a condo off of VRBO(is that right?) at an awesome condo right on the bay(one side is bay, other side Gulf). It has an awesome pool that includes a lazy river and splash ground, beach service, ETc. It is less than $200 a night, and there are less expensive condos in the area,but his looked like the most fun. It is 6 hours closer than Orlando is to us, so we feel it is driveable. Southwest does fly to Pensacola, but I know plane tickets is what sent our Disney trip from kind of expensive to OUCH! It is really beautiful.

 

[sam1998]

We did a week in Myrtle Beach a few years back and enjoyed it tremendously! We stayed in a gorgeous condo, Oceans One, with great oceanfront balconies in the living room and master. The beach was fantastic and the area has tons of things to do (golf, fishing, amusement parks, aquarium, etc). http://www.oceansoneresort.com/