Need Non-Disney Vacation Ideas

[jcsbama]

DH and I were discussing our yearly vacation last night and we're stumped. The past five years or so, our vacation has either been Disney or the beach in Gulf Shores, AL or Destin, FL. I'm getting my Disney fix in March when I go to Orlando for a conference. We discussed going to the beach over Memorial weekend for a little getaway but not for our weeklong vacation. We are in central Alabama and will be traveling with DD2. We haven't traveled much out of the southeast for vacations, mainly Gatlinburg, TN and various cities in Florida. We want to see new places. Where is your favorite family vacation spot? What's the best season to go there....summer, fall? We are open to the possibility of having to fly to the destination. As far as our budget, compare it to the total cost of a 7 nt/8 day trip to disney staying at a value/mod resort with a passholder rate and all food and entertainment expenses for the week. In other words, not something extravagent, but someplace that we'll really enjoy and it won't break the bank. Thanks for any suggestions you have!

 

[HM]

We visit Hilton Head Island SC every year for our beginning of summer vacation. Great family destination. Beautiful beaches, lots of recreation, shopping, and dining places.

 

[RADOPT]

We love Philly, pa. in the fall. We were there a couple of years ago and had a wonderful time. Very historic (liberty bell, etc.). Boston is nice and my friends love upper New York. I am hoping to get to Vermont one of these days.

There is a Sesame Street park but I don't know where it is. I have hear from a number of parents with little ones that they had a ball.

You can also watch the cooking channel (racheal ray's $40 a day gives you tips on how to keep the food budget down plus show you some of the area) or the travel channel.

Good luck - I have a hugh list of places I would like to see but only a couple of weeks of vacation a year & little $$.

 

[tinan]

Virginia Beach in the summer. Actually the girls and I will be taking a cheapy vacation there this summer without dh. Although he has gone to the beach with us before he's not crazy about it and he needs his vaca days for Disney next month. So our dd's and I will be camping next to my parents this summer. There is so much to see/do in the area including swimming, fishing, bicycling, visiting Ocean Breeze water park, Busch Gardens/Water Country USA in Williamsburg, any of the other touristy things in Williamsburg, the Spirit of Norfolk lunch or dinner cruise, dolphin watching, the Marine Science Museum, etc etc etc. We have stayed oceanfront before, but we love the campground there and there's always a lot for the kids to do there too. Plus with staying in the campground we are able to cook our own meals if we want. Last year we ended up having Porterhouse steaks like 3 nights since their local Super K had them on sale for $3.99/lb. Couldn't beat that at all!

 

[Priorityonecb]

Another vote for Virginia Beach!! We love it there! We love Busch Gardens, the beach, Williamsburg etc...etc...

 

[jcsbama]

We have thought about Williamsburg. We were going to do it last year, but did Disney instead. I mentioned it last night and we talked about it briefly. But it was during the commercial break and when CSI Miami came back on, we didn't talk about it again.

 

[tinan]

Williamsburg is close enough to the beach that you could stay there if you wanted or even do a split vacation. We always stayed in VA beach and just drove to Williamsburg as we usually only go for 2 days max to the parks. It just depends on what you're interested in. If you are interested in the campground, go to www.htpvabeach.com they have cabins for rent too.

 

[Cynt]

Have you tried cruising? I absolutely love it. I like Royal Carribbean, any of their voyager class ships, ie - Explorer of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, etc.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I would definetly do a cruise.If you like the beach and ocean then you will love a cruise.We enjoy so much.We will be doing a cruise next year in May.I cannot recommend enough what a great vaction it is.

 

[Terri C]

Another vote for Williamsburg

Terri

 

[SJSKJ]

Atlanta, GA? We are thinking about making a trip there this May. They have a new aquarium (supposed to be the largest in the world I believe) , Six Flags over Georgia, the Coca-Cola museum, zoo, museums, and lots more. Not to mention the Atlanta Braves! Just another idea!

 

[jcsbama]

bumping for more ideas

 

[smfritz03]

How about Hershey Pennsylvania? They have an amusement park there and alot of other things to see. Our kids have been wanting to go there---especially our chocolate lover!!!

Or Ocean City Maryland--they have a ton to do there also!!!

There is Branson, Missouri--which I heard is alot like Gaitlinburg.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Our two favorite places in the world are WDW (natch) and Montana. Consider a National Park vacation--hit either Yellowstone or Glacier (too much to see in each to do both in one week).
Isn't vacation planning a blast? I need to start working on our summer vacation plans--we're hitting Washington D.C. in July (heat! gasp!) and would like to include a stop at Williamsburg.

 

[michboro]

There is a Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg that has an indoor water park, and it is near Busch Gardens.

 

[missymagic]

I would choose Hershey Park or Bush Garden, VA over Sesame place anyday. Sesame PLace is pretty small and gets soooooooooo crowded. It is only an hour and 15 min from me.

If you want to go to the Beach my favorite is Ocean City, MD a little for everyone. If you find a nice house thru a private owner it is even better go to dinner or just cook. Amusement Rides for kids and plenty of beach to walk on. Or just go bayside and watch them fisjh or crab. Plenty of places to ride bike also.

Hershey Park is alot of fun also. They do have a kiddie section but a lot of the rides she wont be able to go on.

 

[snowwite]

we liked Hershey and a side trip to Amish country PA.This was a great Labor day w/e trip.We love York Beach Maine any time.We love church landing in Meredith NH on lAke Winnepesaukee.The best trip besides Disney was Aruba.I could live there.

 

[TnTWalter]

it's near Orlando though so might be too close not to hit WDW....
http://www.ronjonresort.com/
Trish

 

[java]

Yes we stayed at that great wolf lodge and BG was very close by as was colonial williamsburg- it was fun but pricey!( I think we paid almost $400 for the room a night)
Please I beg of you do not I repeat DO NOT go to Sesame Place! I live close by as well and this place is a nightmare- always crowded it is just too small for the crowds they get.
My vote is Kiawah Island, SC. Right now we are debating between Kiawah and Disney for this year we love it that much. And the kids are 50/50 on which one as well. It has a beautiful beach= great beach chair set ups and is within 30 minutes of Charleston for dinner. It has a great nature program and fun family activites scheduled every day during the summer. we love it.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We love Williamsburg, but actually enjoy the historic area more than the parks. BG Williamsburg is a beautiful park though. IMHO, Williamsburg is a location that offers a good mix of amusement & history.

As for beaches... we live on the gulf coast of Florida. If we're looking for nice beaches with clear, warm water, we choose one of the beaches close to home. If we're looking for a beach to spend a weeks vacation, we go to Myrtle Beach, SC. It's definitely the best beach we've visited for having something for everyone, & more to do than you could possibly get done in a week or even two. We also enjoy Hilton Head & Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA, & St. Augustine, FL, but we consider those long weekend destinations. The only thing we don't like about the beaches further north is, the farther north you go the less clear the water seems to be.

We also love cruising, but if I were taking a 2 yr. old, I would make sure the ship had a kids program for kids that young. We have sailed with parents of toddlers who were too young for the program, & entertaining them was a challenge to say the least. Most cruise lines don't have programs for that age, but some do.

Good luck with your planning. I love planning vacations.