Non-Disney Vacation ideas?

[100AcreWood]

I just read the water slides at Atlantis have a height requirement of 48"! Rats, neither of my kids will be 48" for another several years. We were planning to use dh's miles to vacation there in 2009. Any ideas for a big non-disney vacation? I don't want to waste miles on Disney when we can drive there. But I was hoping for something really fun and kid-friendly!

 

[Rylee]

How old are your kids?

NYC - sights and shows.
Niagara Falls, American and Canadian side.
Hershey Park.
Disney Land.
Caribbean beach vacation.

Hmm... still thinking

 

[100AcreWood]

In 2009 they will be 6 and 2. Dh wonders if we should consider Maui. We went there for our honeymoon but I don't recall it be very kid-friendly. Not to mention, it would be a long plane ride.

Any suggestions?

 

[ldo]

Hilton Wakailoa (sp?) was fabulous---they have a great kids pool with gravel/sand bottom. My twin 3 yr olds spent hours digging with buckets and my 8 year old said it was the best place she has ever been. They have boats (think jungle cruise--we were told Disney imagineers designed it) to take you to your room. Snorkeling lagoon with fish and sea turtles, dolphin shows, lava rocks pool slide, etc. Casual dining (and bar) right by pool--I had to pull my kids out of pool to eat.
This is one of the best hotels we have ever stayed at! Some say it's too commerical, too big, too impersonal--and I understand those comments--but for keeping your sanity and entertaining young kids--it gets 10/10 in my book! ps-Roys in Waikalao village down the street is a great restuarant.
It's hard with a 2 yr old--most "kids clubs" don't take them and the resorts with childcare are very expensive. Personally, with a 2 yr old, I would wait a year and save a "big trip" for 3 years old---I found a BIG difference in what they could tolerate.

 

[Vacation Lover]

If you're looking for something tropical like Hawaii, the Caribbean would be an easier trip with 2 kids. You can find some family friendly resorts there.

 

[fishie]

I see you're in NC, so you probably don't want to go to the Outer Banks, but I used to love going there as a kid. Myrtle Beach is supposed to be family friendly, too, but I've never been.

You could head West, and see the Grand Canyon, or do something in Yellowstone, or Memphis, which is much closer. You could head a little North and see Colonial Williamsburg, or Washington, DC and Baltimore -- the National Aquarium there is awesome, as is the National Zoo in DC. Chincoteague Island, off the Delmarva Peninsula, is also nice -- there is a pony thing there, but I forget exactly what time of year.

We will be heading to Maui in 2009, with our then almost 7-year old twins. I think the 6-year old could manage the flight (especially if you have a stop in CA), but not so sure about the little one. On Maui, snorkeling (in a bay, not at the crater), the Seven Pools near Hana, Mt Haleakala, and the aquarium are all very kid-friendly. Lahaina would also be okay for the kiddos, I think. I remember seeing kids on the sunset cruise we took, so either one of those or a whale-watching cruise would work, too.

 

[worm761]

what about disney LAND? you would need to fly there right? LOL...sorry my DS is alot older than your kids and we are doing different types of things now.

 

[Disney 'Ohana]

Yes! Come to Hawaii! Get a vacation/beach rental and hang out at the beach.

 

[dbarker]

We live in Texas, so finding vacation spots for our non-WDW years is easy. We usually go to San Antonio and visit Sea World (very little kid friendly) and wander about the town.

 

[TinaLala]

How about Seseame Place in PA
or Kings Dominion in VA or OH.
What about a hiking vacation in UT,
or a car trip to see all of the unusual sights across the country - maybe take a train ride across the US.
What about CA to go on the factory tours. Like Jelly Belly
What about the grand canyon or Niagra Falls?
SKiing in Vermont
camping anywhere
There are places where you and your family can work on a farm for a week
Visit yellowstone park
Hoover Dam
Las Vegas
We met a family who hits baseball stadiums all summer long one in each state.

My problem isn't the ideas, mine is the time and money!

 

[HeatherC]

How about a cruise? It is nice because everything is pretty much included. They have awesome kids clubs so the kids can have a great time and you and dh can enjoy some alone time.

Heather

 

[rt2dz]

Just can't think right now, but there is a book--100 places to take your kids before they grow up. I bet it has great ideas!! I know one is Disney World, but that still leaves you 99.

http://http://www.amazon.com/Frommers-Places-Take-Your-Before/dp/0764595881

 

[cookleitz]

We love cruising - Disney and otherwise - with our son. We went to Club Med in January of 2007 and he loved the kids program there. We have friends who love going to The Keys with their kids.

When I was searching for a place to go on our vacation in 2007, I Googled "family friendly resorts" and found lots of great resources.

Whatever you do.....ENJOY!!

Chris

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

If you want to go somewhere really memorable try LONDON. We went there several years ago before we were married or had kids, and it was the best vacation ever. It actually never rained once in the 17 days we were there. So many sights to see and things to do. We went to the Zoo, saw all the castles, all the ruins, went to Bath, wax museum, went on so many tours, walked the streets (just like NYC but nicer!)... there's just so much to do. We went through a travel agency called ABC. We stayed in a hotel that we just did not belong in it was so nice! And you can get your kids a Paddington Teddy, something I grew up with and have now passed down to my girls.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

What about Michigan? We did a road trip there once. Started at Traverse City (toured the lighthouse & foghorn buildings at Northport, visited the music museum at Acme, drove the scenic route up and around the lake), that took us on up towards Mackinaw City and Mackinaw Island. Rode the ferry over to the island. There's some sort of fort there also. Then we stayed in Frankenmuth, a little german town, see www.bavarianinn.com That was a neat little town. The hotel had quite a few indoor pools/hottubs and even miniature golf inside. There were lots of little shops and a huge Christmas store (Bronners). We even got some strolling polka music at our table.

Williamsburg and Monticello were also interesting. We enjoyed them, however, I'm not sure kids would appreciate it.

What about Victoria BC? We visited there once for a day on a cruise up the west coast. Loved it! We had tea at the Fairmont Empress, toured Craig Darroch Castle, got candy at Rogers Chocolates, rode around town on a double decker bus, and there's also Butchhart Gardens to see. We are hoping to return there. My plan is to fly into Seattle and ride the ferry (Clipper) over to Victoria. We want to do a Whale Watching excursion this time. And if possible we may stay a night or two in Seattle and see the sights there.

I might add for those who suggested Niagara Falls. We went in June this year. It was a frigid 53 degrees. We stayed 2 nights on the 26th floor of Embassy Suites (Canada Side). The view was fabulous. The prices for everything were outrageous. We were glad we only were staying 2 nights as we did not find a lot to do there. There were two casinos, but we aren't casino people. The Clifton Hill area was a little bit creepy to me, sort of like a side show area with wax museums etc. It might have been better if we would have had our car and could have driven on north and seen a bit more of Canada. I would have loved to have seen Prince Edward Island.

What about an Alaskan cruise? We cannot wait to do that trip some year. Lots of adventure out there. Whale watching, scenic flights, etc.

Have fun, whereever you decide to go.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Oops, double post. Sorry.

 

[_queenie_]

I love Bermuda, that should definately be easy for you in NC. The beaches are really fun for kids, being from seacoast new england I could go to the beach anytime but I wait and go there. There's always Disneyland, too.

 

[Grand Canyon]

We went to Costa Rica
Here is some pics of that trip
http://michaelmartin.mystarband.net/index.htm