Summer Vacation ideas?

[lukenick1]

We have 3 kids ages 5, 9 & 10 and are also from New England. We are going to the Mayan Riviera for April vacation for the 3rd time. As you probably know, I just don't think you can compare the cost to any other vacation. People are always amazed at how little it costs relative to a US vacation, especially for all they offer. We have stayed at Occidental Grand Xcaret & Barcelo Mayan Palace and loved both except the food at Occidental was not very good. This year we are staying at Marina El Cid as its one of the few places that allows 5 in a a room. We have visited Xcaret and Xplor while we were there. My kids absolutely loved Explor & can't wait to go back.

For other vacations we have done Universal, St John, Turks and Caicos (both so beautiful but not much there beyond the beach), and a Disney cruise. A cruise is a good idea but I personally prefer a land vacation. This summer we are doing Hilton Head for the 2nd time. There isn't a ton there (no waterparks, themeparks, etc) but my kids love it. We usually spend the mornings biking for miles, then head to the beach after lunch, and then to the pool for the afternoon. Then out to dinner or ice cream & maybe some more biking or mini golf. My kids hate to be bored too and they love HH. Also very affordable. I'm renting a house there for 2 weeks for under $2000.

Good luck in your search.

I agree.....our Mexican vacation was definitely budget and we had a GREAT time. We went to Barcelo Maya Colonial and really liked it.

 

[MinnieForMe]

We're also from New England and we found Williamsburg to be very budget friendly and our boys (similar ages to yours) absolutely loved it. They have a very reasonable pass that includes Busch Gardens, Water Country and Colonial Williamsburg. The entire week pass cost us about the price of 1.5 days in Disney.

We are heading to Grand Cayman and there is nothing budget about Cayman. It is expensive. From Boston, our airline tickets would take most of your budget. Although, once you are there, all the beaches are free.

Since there are only four of you, you might be able to go budget with Atlantis if you stay at the Comfort Suites. I hear it includes full access.

Finally, Southwest announced $59 flights. It might be worth it to check
out some cruises.

Good luck.

 

[HeatherC]

Katie111 where do you book your all inclusives with? We are also a family of five and have stuck to cruising because I have been able to find deals on my own and can book far in advance which helps us save. Would love to do an all inclusive though so any info is really appreciated.

LUKENICK...have you decided yet? Isn't vacation planning fun? I LOVE it!

 

[lukenick1]

Katie111 where do you book your all inclusives with? We are also a family of five and have stuck to cruising because I have been able to find deals on my own and can book far in advance which helps us save. Would love to do an all inclusive though so any info is really appreciated.

LUKENICK...have you decided yet? Isn't vacation planning fun? I LOVE it!

Nope did not decide yet. Can't really book anything til May/June. It's definitely going to be a last minute decision which I hate!!!! I am usually booked by now. My son plays baseball and really wants to know if he will get the opportunity to go to Cooperstown but won't know anything until late in the baseball season. The coaches will be checking him out. For now I am having fun searching and gathering ideas!

 

[DisneyHumbug]

how about woodloch pines resort in hawley, pa?

 

[coachb]

Here's another New Englander that LOVES Colonial Williamsburg. LOTS to do and quite affordable. Best bet would be to buy passes online at the Busch Gardens website. As others have indicated, you can get a weeks worth of attractions for what a day at Disney would cost. Plus many passes include parking. Lots of history with Colonial Wmsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. BG and Water Country USA are top notch parks. Many timeshares in the area so you can find a place with plenty of space and a full kitchen. It takes us about 10/11 hours to drive from NH (although we leave at night to avoid traffic). Have been 3x and planning to go again next Summer.

 

[mickeyboat]

I have heard good things about this place:

http://www.tylerplace.com/inclusive...grams/best-family-friendly-activities-sports/

We go here every summer:

http://www.canoeislandlodge.com/

 

[shoney]

Katie111 where do you book your all inclusives with? We are also a family of five and have stuck to cruising because I have been able to find deals on my own and can book far in advance which helps us save. Would love to do an all inclusive though so any info is really appreciated.

LUKENICK...have you decided yet? Isn't vacation planning fun? I LOVE it!

not katie, but we love our AI's too!

Try looking at:
www.allinclusiveoutlet.com
www.cheapcaribbean.com

We are going to Universal this summer. I can't help compare prices and think we could be going back to Mexico! We had Delta credits for the airline and my son needs a roller coaster fix! LOL I'm sure we'll have a great time, but there is just something soooo relaxing about AI's!!!

 

[lukenick1]

how about woodloch pines resort in hawley, pa?

GOOD LORD ALMIGHTY!!!! have you seen the rates for that place????? WAY OUT OF BUDGET!!! But looks fantastic for rich folks

 

[shoney]

GOOD LORD ALMIGHTY!!!! have you seen the rates for that place????? WAY OUT OF BUDGET!!! But looks fantastic for rich folks

If you sign up for specials on their website, they do run deals.
We've been 2x and never paid for the kids....always free. It fun, but their rack rates are crazy! You could go to Mexico for that! (and drinks are included )

rockinghorse was also expensive when we went there...My MIL gave us a $500 gift certificate, but it was $1400.00 for 2 nights.
I liked Woodloch better!

 

[goofyfigment]

GOOD LORD ALMIGHTY!!!! have you seen the rates for that place????? WAY OUT OF BUDGET!!! But looks fantastic for rich folks

I have to laugh at the price of that place. I live maybe 30 minutes top away from there and not sure why they are so expensive, i just dont get it!

 

[Aliceacc]

Lake George, in upstate NY, is gorgeous. You can be as active as you choose. It's an incredibly family oriented area.

 

[cndij]

Got a couple of ideas for you, that are heavy on kids activities. We stay frequently at Marriott timeshare resorts aka Marriott Vacation Club, you can reserve through Marriott Central Reservations, or find an owner rental at TUG or an exchange through interval. We have 3 neices that have been travelling with us on vacation for years, and when they were your sons ages, they really loved the daily activities, they would pick up the schedule at the front desk when we first got there and plan out which things they wanted to do. Some had a small charge (very small) for materials (like a picture frame with seashells), but most were free: movies, games, etc. They are scattered across the country, but I know they have them in Williamsburg and also Hilton Head, and all come with full kitchen and in room laundry. Some have fantastic pools, some not. You can always check on Trip Advisor for reviews of specific properties.

And for those of you asking about all-inclusives, I always signup for the "deals" newsletter from Vacation Express, Funjet, and Apple Vacation. Have got some fantastic last minute deals from each of them, to Jamaica, Playa Del Carmen etc.
Sometimes as little as $400 a person for 4 nights including airfare.