Non-disney vacation suggestions

[msmama]

Hi all,

We've done Disney 4 of the past 5 years and I'm ready for a break. So, I'm looking for something different. Just my 5 (probably almost 6 at the time of travel) year old son and I.

It doesn't have to be super cheap vacation, but I'd like a good "value" (I know that's subjective). I'm saving for an Adventures by Disney vacation in a few years so any $$ saved goes towards that.

Things I've debated:

A Cruise out of NYC (we're close). None of the destinations thrill me, but it's easy to get to and I've seen super CHEAP last minute deals.

Disney Cruise - Again, the destinations don't thrill me and we're not really sit on the beach people.

Yellowstone/Grand Canyon/Other national park - I like the idea of showing my son the country, but it could be more expensive than a disney vacation. I don't camp so I'd need a nice hotel, lol.

California - have family in San Diego, but really, we'd be doing the same stuff there that we'd do in Florida and Florida is a significantly shorter plane ride!

I've read a lot of websites where people say that a 5 year old won't remember so take them somewhere that YOU want to go, but I still can't figure that out!!

Any suggestions for great vacations you've taken with young kids would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mrsp1030]

We've done Disney and many other areas as we move around a lot. Beaches are great and easy. Myrtle beach and Hilton head have a lot to offer. We currently live in DC area and my boys ages 7, 4 love going to air and space, museum of natural history and the zoo. We are doing San Diego next spring break for legoland, the zoo, balboa park. Our kids love baseball too so we schedule in trips to visit different stadiums.

 

[pinkxray]

I would do the cruise. We have taken our dd on dcl at age 6 and royal at age 7. They were a blast for her but I loved them too since she loved the kids club and I had a little adult time. I also loved getting on board and not having to worry about anything for a week

My coworker just returned from a Norwegian cruise out of NYC with her 5 year old and had a great time. The little boy said it was the best week of his life.

 

[clh2]

What about NYC? You did mention it was close!

We took our dd to San Francisco when she was 5, and she still remembers things about the trip, and she is now 19.

Otherwise-I would do the cruise. Generally there are plenty of things to do on a ship, so who cares where it is too!

 

[Brook1099]

We go to Lake George NY every year. Our kids really enjoy it there. We have always stayed at the Great Escape Lodge because we are Six Flags pass holders and u leave the resort and a 10 minute walk u r in the amusement park. A lot to do in the area. Next year we are going to rent a house on the Lake George and go that route now that our kids are getting older, and we have a boat.

My kids also enjoyed Williamsburg VA.

 

[4littleones]

Orlando without Disney. There are some fantastic deals for Sea World right now. We are doing the Nick Resort with Sea World and Aquatica package from the Sea World website and it was a STEAL! Really so darn cheap I keep rubbing my eyes.

 

[dpswift]

I would do the cruise ideally Disney but Royal Carribean and Carnival also have great kids clubs and are more likely to sail out of NYC. I like the idea of Williamsburg but think your son might be a little young to enjoy it.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Disney cruises are amazing and you don't have to sit on the beach at all if you don't want.

That being said, I'm big on National Parks and would go to Rocky Mountain Nat. Park every year if I could. The YMCA of the Rockies is an amazing, family-oriented place that is comfortable, but simple. (Free mini golf, family concerts, hikes, etc... included).

Other great family places such as Mount Rushmore and Great Smoky Mountains are very kid-centered.

 

[Egdisney]

I have always wanted to do a trip to the Philly area. So much to do, tons of history. What about a national park that is closer? They are everywhere! DC is also on my bucket list.

 

[atwmommy]

I like the DC idea!

 

[lauradis]

I vote for dc they have awesome hotels, museums are so cool. I remember small things from being 5.

 

[amie416]

Everyone's idea of a great vacation is so personal; what are some of the things you value most about your vacations? Relaxation? Sightseeing? Historical/Significant monuments? Shopping? Being active? Trying new things?

If you wanted to take your son into a natural environment, you don't necessarily have to camp. DH and I actually rented a cottage on a lake for our honeymoon that had a hot tub, sauna, wireless internet, satellite tv, dishwasher, washer/dryer... all the comforts of home and more! It also had its own private dock with kayaks and canoes and was a short drive away from Algonquin Park, so we filled our vacation with nature-related activities and didn't have to "rough it."

 

[My3kiddos]

If it doesn't matter if it's out of the country my suggestion is Dominican Republic. My son is 7 and we have been there the last 2 years and he loves it. For us it's a better value than any other vacation we have taken. Check out vacationexpress dot com.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I'm big on National Parks, and Yellowstone is my favorite destination anywhere. That said, not sure I'd go with a 6 year old.

What about someplace like Wisconsin Dells? My kids loved it there!

 

[Aliceacc]

A week in Lake George.

It's pretty much the anti-Disney vacation. No schedules, no timetables. But lots of family type things to do, lots of great restaurants.

 

[crisi]

I don't camp either, but when my kids were that age they really wanted to camp. So we signed up with a company that took about five families camping. We had someone to help us get through the whole thing, and the kids got to do something they'd never do with just us.

The company we hired took us up to a state park in a van - provided everything but clothes and sleeping bags. Had canoes, so we spent time canoeing, swimming, and on short family hikes, and helped us pitch tents and prepare meals.

I'm still not a camper, but I'm glad my kids had the opportunity. And it was a good thing to do at that age, when the kids were flexible, but old enough that we didn't need to watch them every minute (except near the water).

I expected my son to grab onto it, but its my daughter who camps now - at fourteen.

 

[It'sOffToDisneyWeGo]

Disney cruises are amazing and you don't have to sit on the beach at all if you don't want.

That being said, I'm big on National Parks and would go to Rocky Mountain Nat. Park every year if I could. The YMCA of the Rockies is an amazing, family-oriented place that is comfortable, but simple. (Free mini golf, family concerts, hikes, etc... included).

Other great family places such as Mount Rushmore and Great Smoky Mountains are very kid-centered.

I second the YMCA of the Rockies. We have vacationed there a couple of times. We have a family of 6. There seems to be something for everyone to enjoy.

 

[Chelley00]

A Cruise out of NYC (we're close). None of the destinations thrill me, but it's easy to get to and I've seen super CHEAP last minute deals.

We always cruise out of NYC. We've done RCL from there only, both to Bermuda and then a 9 night. All amazing and the kids clubs are great.

 

[jiminykrikkit]

Try TravelMuse for some ideas. You put in your travel info (travellers, time of year, duration, budget, etc) and preferences of what you want in a vacation and how long of a flight you're willing to take, then it gives you ideas. Pretty neat.

 

[nycdisneygal]

I am not 100% sure when you are planning this vacay and where exactly you live but non disney things we have done with my DD (7) are (we live in NYC):

1. Vermont! Love it.. First time she was maybe 3 or 4 and we went again last summer.

2. Boston-she loved doing the freedom trail! (i keep meaning to do a weekend in phillly)

3. San Fran and half moon bay.

4. Salt Lake City --June a few years ago. I had to go for a meeting so took DH and DD along. We loved it! We went to This is the Place heritage park, Spent a couple nights in Park City (great discounts at ski lodges inthe summer!). It was great!

5. Disney Cruise!! We are not sit on the beach people but we loved it.

6. We often go to CT to my parents but this summer will also go to western CT to Mystic and areas on the shore line...