Thinking of just going somewhere else...

[Jetta8300]

We love cruises, not Disney ones though, the Disney ones seem to be double the price of most other cruise lines. But Royal Caribbean is great, kids would be very entertained on especially their two biggest ships, the Oasis and Allure of the Seas. We have had some AMAZING cruise vacations! We love getting to see 3 or 4 different islands in one trip. We have done 4 wheeling through the Mayan Ruins in Mexico, beach excursions in St, Thomas, Antigua, and Tortola, smorkeling catamaran trips in Honduras and Belize on these cruises. There's nothing like it!

I also love the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas... Lots to do. It's acres and acres, with a gigantic water park, casinos, restaurants, shows, aquarium, etc.

Our next vacation we are going on an Alaska cruise, it should be a great adventure!

 

[bluwater]

I hate to sound like a travel snob, but I really don't think as all inclusives as a way to see the world. In an all-inclusive situation, you travel to a resort, and then pretty much sequester yourself behind the gates for the duration of your vacation....except for the tourist-centered excursions. You eat the food that they prepare for you, which is often a watered-down version of local cuisine. You drink the drinks that they prepare for you, which are usually just geared toward tourist. You could probably have the same, all-inclusive experience, at any destination. Why would someone go to Mexico to stay in an all-inclusive when that all-inclusive could just as easily be in the Bahamas or the eastern Caribbean or any other warm tropical location. To really travel and experience the world, you cannot use all inclusive, and cruises are close second to that. Cruiseship people, and all inclusive people, - those who won't travel self- guided,
are breed of their own....... Especially on the bigger ships. Of course if you're doing the Van Gogh through the Tahitian islands then t hat is a different type of experience.

 

[bsjs0708]

Williamsburg Virginia!! Busch Gardens, historical Williamsburg, Jamestown, plantations, sail on a old schooner or sloop in the harbor,.....

 

[HM]

We did Key West/Key Largo/St Augustine instead of Disney this spring. Took a bit more planning time to find hotels and activities than I'm used to, but it was a great trip.

Next year we're thinking of a 5-day cruise from Charleston SC (so we can drive to port) or a week in the Caribbean somewhere in the spring.

The young adults in our family ask for a warm location. I'd kind of like to go up to New England, but it doesn't jibe with their idea of spring break.

 

[Jetta8300]

I hate to sound like a travel snob, but I really don't think as all inclusives as a way to see the world. In an all-inclusive situation, you travel to a resort, and then pretty much sequester yourself behind the gates for the duration of your vacation....except for the tourist-centered excursions. You eat the food that they prepare for you, which is often a watered-down version of local cuisine. You drink the drinks that they prepare for you, which are usually just geared toward tourist. You could probably have the same, all-inclusive experience, at any destination. Why would someone go to Mexico to stay in an all-inclusive when that all-inclusive could just as easily be in the Bahamas or the eastern Caribbean or any other warm tropical location. To really travel and experience the world, you cannot use all inclusive, and cruises are close second to that. Cruiseship people, and all inclusive people, - those who won't travel self- guided,
are breed of their own....... Especially on the bigger ships. Of course if you're doing the Van Gogh through the Tahitian islands then t hat is a different type of experience.

Mostly because many people who take cruises or go to all inclusuves don't go to "see the world." We go to relax. Maybe if I was going to Italy, England, France, etc I would not take a cruise. However many (including myself) feel no need to IMMERSE MYSELF in the culture of Mexico...unless I want beheaded. Lol. Cruising and all inclusives are a way for people to see beautiful beaches, and historic places in a SAFER way. I would not travel to Antigua and try and book a room somewhere there...eek! However Dickinson Bay beach is beautiful! If you feel safe doing that, then great for you. But I just want a nice beach, a drink in my hand, and some change of scenery along the way.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Mostly because many people who take cruises or go to all inclusuves don't go to "see the world." We go to relax. Maybe if I was going to Italy, England, France, etc I would not take a cruise. However many (including myself) feel no need to IMMERSE MYSELF in the culture of Mexico...unless I want beheaded. Lol. Cruising and all inclusives are a way for people to see beautiful beaches, and historic places in a SAFER way. I would not travel to Antigua and try and book a room somewhere there...eek! However Dickinson Bay beach is beautiful! If you feel safe doing that, then great for you. But I just want a nice beach, a drink in my hand, and some change of scenery along the way.

My husband travels to Mexico City on business a few times a year and he has an armed bodyguard assigned to him at all times along with a driver in an armored car.

 

[jade1]

There is BIG life after Disney World.

DH is a CASTMEMBER and Disney is not as magical when viewed from the inside, listening to Grownups talk about us.

Bottom line, there is so much MORE to do and far less $$$$. Plus we compare the $$$$ at CASTMEMBER prices.

WDW is just too worn around the edges. Too much taken away. DH's last straw was Lights of Winter.

We still find our way to DL---still sparkly compared to WDW. Perhaps it's too close to the Grownups in Burbank to allow it to slide as much as WDW.


Bottom line, like the feeling of Nantucket or Newport at the Yacht Club/Beach Club, try the real thing. New England is fabulous. Love the Wildie? Try one of the great lodges in our glorious National Parks.....I can go on and on.


Cut your budget in half, expose your children to the real thing! They will thank you as they grow up----exposed to so much that is good.....and real.


Just have to add.....we pack this weekend for 2 1/2 weeks in Alaska. NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING at any Disney park compares to the majesty of cruising 500 yards from Hubbard Glacier (300 feet high, face 6 1/2 miles long, up into the mountains 26 miles and ACTIVE) or flying over Denali---Mt. McKinley, highest mountain in N America.

Alaska changes you forever. Grabs your heart----her mountain ranges, vast ocean waters, her gentle humpback whales and killer orcas, rafts of sea otters and crazy/Zany puffins, her gentle people and wonderful seafood.

You are changed, for the good.

This is were you loose a lot of us. Why not do both?

Change it to "DURING" and you may have a chance at some of this making the "one time and cross it off" list.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I agree that it's good to see other places. But what I don't find at least in my own experience is that other places are less expensive...

Everywhere else I price out (that involves a flight anyway) is always just as or more expensive than WDW, or pretty darn close anyway. Even regional resorts in the Mid-Atlantic and New England (lake-type resorts) end up being just as expensive as a comparable WDW trip if I take out the flight costs, sometimes even more. Same for the Jersey Shore (where we live) once you factor in food and some boardwalk entertainment at night, etc. Europe, forget it, way more expensive!

 

[Jetta8300]

I agree that it's good to see other places. But what I don't get is the argument that other places are less expensive...

Everywhere else I price out (that involves a flight anyway) is always just as or more expensive than WDW, or pretty darn close anyway. Even regional resorts in the Mid-Atlantic and New England (lake-type resorts) end up being just as expensive as a comparable WDW trip, sometimes even more. Same for the Jersey Shore (where we live) once you factor in food and some boardwalk entertainment at night, etc. Europe, forget it, way more expensive!

With the way we have priced it out previously, Disney usually is a bit more expensive for us due to the cost of food.

We did a cruise last summer to Jamaica, grand Caymen, Labadee, and Cozumel for about $1000pp for a balcony cabin on the ship (a little more expensive). Then the flight to Miami was $650 round trip for 2 of us. So $2650 for a 7 night cruise, balcony room for two. Food and drink included here. However, a non balcony room is usually anywhere from $200-$500 cheaper.

In february,we stayed at Pop VALUE HOTEL for $1250 for 6 nights, with park tickets. Then $650 for the flight for 2. Then we spent about $750 on FOOD. So about exactly $2650 here too. But there were more expenses with the disney trip, Universal Tickets, etc. so we did end up spending more in disney, even at a value hotel. It's about the same, but the cruise was more worth the money for us.

 

[disneyfan55]

I agree that it's good to see other places. But what I don't find at least in my own experience is that other places are less expensive...

Everywhere else I price out (that involves a flight anyway) is always just as or more expensive than WDW, or pretty darn close anyway. Even regional resorts in the Mid-Atlantic and New England (lake-type resorts) end up being just as expensive as a comparable WDW trip if I take out the flight costs, sometimes even more. Same for the Jersey Shore (where we live) once you factor in food and some boardwalk entertainment at night, etc. Europe, forget it, way more expensive!

Yes, I used to find this more true in the past. What about National Parks? We have done 7 cross country trips as well as many other local trips involving Gettysburg/Shenandoah NP as well as other historic places There are many cruises out of NY/NJ as well that can be purchased on sale. Just some thoughts. You can see, I have visited and driven to WDW many times! We enjoy and have found great deals on cruises as well as National Park trips.