Non-WDW vacation ideas??

[Epcot Mom]

My apologies if this is the wrong board to post this on. We are dvc members and find these boards to be full of like minded folks. With that thought, we are asking for ideas. We are trying to come up with a vacation this year that is not wdw. Anyone have any suggestions...family of 4, ds 4, dd 8? We're in Mo and hoping to drive somewhere, but we're willing to drive a couple of days if necessary. We took our 2007 trip in Dec to see Christmas decorations and now need something different for 2007!

Thanks in advance!

Epcot Mom

 

[Starr W.]

Do you want to use your points to do a non-WDW trip? You could try DVC at Vero Beach or Hilton Head. We're going to hit those in with our Oct UY 2007 points.


We have always loved Northern Michigan, around the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park(Glen Arbor). The kids love the beach on Lake Michigan and it's never too hot there. Lots of condos/cottages/villas type accomodations to rent.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Have you been to Branson? You probably have, but sometimes it's the close things that we miss. We didn't "do" Philadelphia until we were ready to move from Yardley, now that was a shame!

I also like the northern Michigan area. You don't have to stay on Mackinac Island, but there's lots to see/do in that area. Since we've come to Ohio, we have tried to do things in this area, not missing them like we nearly did back east.

And then there's the Smokies, but that may be too long...what's in the Ozarks?

Bobbi

 

[Epcot Mom]

I have heard people talk about going to Michigan but don't know much about it. Is it warm enough to enjoy the beach in June/July? Is the water cold?

Our 4 year old isn't a swimmer yet and we did the Lake of the Ozarks last summer and found it a little nerve wracking worrying about him diappearing into the lake. Maybe a beach is better since there is lots of area without current and depth?

What's in the Smokies? I know they are there but have always driven through them in the dark on our way to WDW.

Thanks!!

ps - we're looking for something that doesn't use our points. The dreaded cash vacation!

 

[Starr W.]

I have heard people talk about going to Michigan but don't know much about it. Is it warm enough to enjoy the beach in June/July? Is the water cold?

Our 4 year old isn't a swimmer yet and we did the Lake of the Ozarks last summer and found it a little nerve wracking worrying about him diappearing into the lake. Maybe a beach is better since there is lots of area without current and depth?

What's in the Smokies? I know they are there but have always driven through them in the dark on our way to WDW.

Thanks!!

ps - we're looking for something that doesn't use our points. The dreaded cash vacation!

My "baby" was 2 on the first trip up North, and I had no problem with him ever. Eldest goes into the water and he's kind of wimpy so it isn't too cold. We usually head up to N. Mich in July/Aug and the weather has been great. Most places don't have AC even, and I have survived as I am a big heat wimp(no WDW in the summer for me).

We will probably supplement our DVC vacations with North. MI beach trips as it saves on airfare.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Smoky Mountain National Park has lots of scheduled activites, and a junior ranger program. Dollywood is the largest commercial draw, with a water park and shows as well as rides for all ages. Admission is a bargain. Just contact the Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg Tourist Centers and you'll get lots of information.

Bobbi

 

[tiggercrew]

Smoky Mountain National Park has lots of scheduled activites, and a junior ranger program. Dollywood is the largest commercial draw, with a water park and shows as well as rides for all ages. Admission is a bargain. Just contact the Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg Tourist Centers and you'll get lots of information.

Bobbi

I agree with Bobbi. Our family (me, DH, DD13 at the time, & DS10) spent Spring Break in Pigeon Forge last year. We rented a "cabin" that included a pool table, air hockey, foosball and hot tub...so when we weren't busy in the city we could stay busy in the cabin. My personal favorite activity was simply rocking on the porch and looking at the view.

Enjoy your vacation with whatever you choose.

 

[dblr]

Not a DVC location but we like Cedar Point we are coaster nuts so every couple of years we head out there after they get some new ones, a great park and they have lodging there also but we always take our camper.
This year we are doing the Pigeon Forge thing with a group of 10 camping famlies that will be a crazy trip 20 adults and about 25 kids.

 

[Starr W.]

Not a DVC location but we like Cedar Point we are coaster nuts so every couple of years we head out there after they get some new ones, a great park and they have lodging there also but we always take our camper.
This year we are doing the Pigeon Forge thing with a group of 10 camping famlies that will be a crazy trip 20 adults and about 25 kids.

I live about an hour west of Cedar Point, if you like coasters it's the place to go. It's been years since I have hit CP, they actually lowered ticket prices last year! Shock.


I have a friend who used to get a cabin in the Smokies for Thanksgiving every year with some friends. Looks like a nice place.

 

[Alexander]

We spent our honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains. It is beautiful! If you like the hiking, nature type of vacation. We've also been to Cedar Point (many years ago). This would be great if you like the amusement park type of vacation. I have to admit when I saw the title of your thread I thought to myself, "Are there really any other vacation spots besides WDW?"

Just thought about Colonial Williamsburg in VA, if you like history. Or maybe Washington DC? New York City? I know DS (8) is dying to go to the FAO store! Toronto has Canada's Wonderland... Niagara Falls and Marineland?

 

[WDWorld2003]

Door County in Wisconsin and Mackinac Island in Michigan are both great places to visit in the summer.

Door County has beautiful beaches and unique shopping and a great petting zoo/farm my kids loved when they were little. There are several state parks in the area.

Mackinac Island is a gem. There are no cars on the island and you can either walk or rent a bike. We stayed at Mission Point Resort which was very family friendly. You can even get an Entertainment rate there at certain times of the summer. They have several historical areas to visit there and at Mackinaw City. Our kids were 6 and 8 when we visited there.... we LOVED it!

 

[Dean]

Assuming driving I'd say CO ski areas for summer, Smokies, Beach locations including FL, Atlantic and TX, Williamsburg, Branson and other lake areas including MO and AR but the reality is that many of these will be a downtrade using DVC. Remember you could do a direct exchange and open up to a lot of options not on the DVC list as well as the possibility of a better deal and additional inventory.

 

[Epcot Mom]

Thanks for all the great ideas. We're not looking to use our dvc points as we can't bear the thought of taking away from our wdw time. It's just that we have enough for 1 trip a year and went twice last year, sneaking in December to see the holiday stuff. It was fantastic and well worth it, but we have no idea what to do besides wdw with kids!

Thanks for all the ideas!

 

[Mischa]

Not sure about the driving part, but here are some ideas:

Banff, Alberta, Canada (I went as a kid and just loved it - it was so beautiful, especially the hot springs pool)
Washington, DC (I'm about 35 miles south of DC)
Williamsburg, VA (one of my favorites! All the history and scenery is great and it's not far from Virginia Beach either.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[MrShiny]

I'm biased (and prefer cities), but I'd suggest Chicago. The summer can be very nice, especially by the lakefront. You can see some world class museums (the new U505 submarine exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry is amazing), a few miles of wonderful lakeshore with beaches (and in summer, Lake Michigan is quite swimmable - but beware that sometimes beaches are closed because of bacteria levels (same reason no one swims in Bay Lake any more!). There are some cool hotels too (House of Blues, Hard Rock) in great areas, a ton of more economical options in the suburbs a quick drive from downtown.

 

[Epcot Mom]

Thanks! I'm hoping to head to Chicago with my dd to hit American Girl Place this summer. We want to all go but are thinking my ds4 will be less than thrilled with the museums, which are so great but not good for a little boy with a need to run. We've penciled that one in for next year or the year after. I didn't know why Bay Lake was closed off now. EEWWWW.

Thanks for the other ideas!

Epcot Mom