Renew the Magic..or try something new.??

[Alamo]

My family & I returned last week (10/14/06 - 10/21/06) from the Magic W. Caribbean 7-day (2 stops in CC, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Kids are ages 12 & 8 - girl and boy respectively. We did the Wonder 4-day (land & sea) last Spring as well.

First and foremost, we love Disney. It's been an integral part of most of our vacations since the kids were just little guys.

Given that we've seen most/all the shows now, and we know the ships pretty much backward and forward (or aft and forword....), I can't see a scenario where we go back to DCL until things change up a bit. I think another 7-day would end up getting monotonous. With the exception of different ports, I'm really not sure what else there would be to justify another cruise on DCL in 2007. The parks are a possibility, but we've been there every year for several years as well.

I'm thinking Hawaii will be our vacation destination next year, and maybe back to Disney in 2008 (parks or cruise). Any opinions out there on how to rekindle the flame...? Thanks.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I'm thinking Hawaii will be our vacation destination next year, and maybe back to Disney in 2008 (parks or cruise). Any opinions out there on how to rekindle the flame...? Thanks.

We did just what you are doing...we took some time off. Our last DCL cruise was in October 2004. Our next one (two actually, we're going back-to-back) is in Nov/Dec 2008. In the interim 4 years we've gone to Arizona, California, Hilton Head, SC and WDW. We've also taken short trips to Pennsylvania and New Jersey. By the time we get back on the Magic late next year we'll be ready.

Another suggestion would be to do a different itinerary. We've done a 3-day (when they were still being done on the Magic!), a 4-day on the WOnder, an Eastern (with Antigua instead of St. Maarten), and a Western. The different ports were a nice change of pace.

 

[grumpydude]

We've also taken short trips to Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Why would anyone want to take a vacation to New Jersey???

 

[Babs417]

We just came back from Beaches Jamaica lots to do and all inclusives

 

[luckyeddie777]

Why would anyone want to take a vacation to New Jersey???

say What???!!!
and whats so bad about Jersey? I live on the coast in South Jersey and love it! I would'nt want to live anywhere else, except maybe in Florida close to the that famous mouse.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Why would anyone want to take a vacation to New Jersey???

Well...I must admit that, although New Jersey is a lovely state, it wasn't really our choice. DD14 is a dancer and her national competition was at the Jersey Shore. We decided to make it a family trip. It wasn't really a vacation but it was a trip to a place we'd never been before so I count it!

 

[grumpydude]

and whats so bad about Jersey? I live on the coast in South Jersey and love it!

Just kidding y'all. I too am a Garden State resident. Lucky, I spend all my summers at the 96th street beach in Stone Harbor.

 

[familycruiser]

We just came back from Beaches Jamaica lots to do and all inclusives

Babs417 - How was Beaches? I've considered doing this myself. Please give more details. How did this vacation compare to a cruise? Did you think there were enough activities, decent food, etc? Did your kids enjoy it as much? Thanks for the info.

 

[luckyeddie777]

Just kidding y'all. I too am a Garden State resident. Lucky, I spend all my summers at the 96th street beach in Stone Harbor.

Stone Harbor===>>nice!! i'm usually at Margate beach , sometimes on Atlantic city beach between beach bar & ocean

 

[luckyeddie777]

i would have to agree with craftymouse, take some time off and maybe try another vacation destination, maybe Niagara falls, camping in Maine or Vermont, the Grand Canyon, or how about the Jersey Shore!(just had to sneak that in there)
Been to Jamaica and love the island..very tropical, just can not stand the extremly pushy residents trying to get me to buy everything and anything they have to sell.
last time I was there I got extremly sick, a severe case of food poisoning. will never go back there again if I can help it.

 

[Alamo]

The Grand Canyon is a good idea, but it doesn't seem like something you can make into a vacation. I'm thinking a couple days there is about enough. What am I missing? Let me know if you have any tips on a GC visit. Thanks.

 

[CraftyMouse]

The Grand Canyon is a good idea, but it doesn't seem like something you can make into a vacation. I'm thinking a couple days there is about enough. What am I missing? Let me know if you have any tips on a GC visit. Thanks.

We spent a week in Arizona earlier this year. We flew into Phoenix on a Friday afternoon. The first two nights we stayed at one of the rim lodges at the Grand Canyon. If you go to the GC try to stay at the GC. It was amazing! We walked the rim trail and drove out to Hermit's Rest. We did a couple of ranger programs and spent lots of time enjoying the scenery. If you like to hike I think you could spend a whole week at the GC itself.

After visiting the GC we went to Sedona and spent 7 nights there. It was breathtaking. The red rocks are gorgeous and there is quite a lot to do. We visited the ghost town of Jerome, lots of National Parks and National Monuments, went to the movies and took a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad. We also drove up to the Painted Desert one day and visited Meteor Crater on the way back. Our flight home was late in the day so we drove to Saguaro National Park to see the amazing Saguaro cactuses (cacti?).

It was a terrific trip and it was nice to see a unique part of the US that we hadn't visited before. If you'd like any more specific information please feel free to PM me.

 

[Babs417]

It took 11/2 hr to get their but I liked the tour, we never left the hotel. I liked the cruise and Beaches, more planing for the cruise. The beach at negril was great, no need to leave. Free snorkeling kids 10 and up but my grandson was 8 and went. Free windsurfing, kyaks,paddle boats,seacycles,banana boats. Also free short massage even for the kids. We were their 5 nights.

 

[Alamo]

CraftyMouse - thanks for the great info. on GC. We may be changing our Spring vacation plans.

 

[CraftyMouse]

CraftyMouse - thanks for the great info. on GC. We may be changing our Spring vacation plans.

Glad I could help! Just remember...if you go to the Canyon stay at the Canyon! You won't be sorry!