Vacations other than WDW

[disneymom2one]

Hi everyone!

I can't believe I'm asking but we (dh, me, dd14) would possibly like to go somewhere else other than WDW for our annual Christmas vacation. Honestly, we're open to anything with a few speed bumps.

1) No cruises - dd14 is an Aspie and has an aversion to boats
2) Driving or Amtrak distance from the Gulf Coast region (flying is also pretty much out).
3) Something that feels Christmas-like at Christmas and doesn't feel "too quiet". It's always a bummer that we can't be with family on that day. My mom and dad have passed so my sister and I celebrate on NYE instead. My husband's family is just not one we can visit for holidays as they can be more than a little difficult (we did it for about ten years).
4) The dates are roughly the 18th - 28th but that is flexible as we teach.
5) Budget is about what we would spend that time period at WDW - 3K - 4K.

Obviously, WDW fits the bill perfectly but we've been a lot over the years and have been twice this year already. We just need something a little different.

I'm leaning strongly towards a DC (for about three days) and then Williamsburg (for about three days). We've never been to either. It'll take us a couple of days travel time each way (either driving to Sanford for the AutoTrain or Savannah for the Palmetto).

Before we book it, I just want to make sure there's not some other place that could be better.

Any suggestions?

 

[bas71873]

I've never personally been, but I lived in Alabama for a while and seems the hot travel spot from there is Gatlinburg, TN, especially around the holidays? Might be worth checking out. I think it's very "christmas-y" around the holidays?

BTW, I live in VA and love both DC and W'burg, so you can't go wrong there OH, and Busch Gardens, W'burg is doing C'mas Town this year at the park in Nov & Dec. You can check that out on their website. Don't know what it's really all about since this is the first year, but we plan to check it out one weekend!

 

[minniebeth]

I love the idea of Washington DC and Williamsburg but depending on the weather, it can just be so frigidly cccold! If that is ok with you, it's a great holiday trip.
What about Nashville? Supposedly the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and the area is AMAZING at the holiday time and lots and lots to do!

 

[disneymom2one]

I've never personally been, but I lived in Alabama for a while and seems the hot travel spot from there is Gatlinburg, TN, especially around the holidays? Might be worth checking out. I think it's very "christmas-y" around the holidays?

BTW, I live in VA and love both DC and W'burg, so you can't go wrong there OH, and Busch Gardens, W'burg is doing C'mas Town this year at the park in Nov & Dec. You can check that out on their website. Don't know what it's really all about since this is the first year, but we plan to check it out one weekend!

That what I had read. I thought it would be neat to sneak a little theme park time - not as great as WDW of course. Thanks!