What OTHER vacations compare to Disney?

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

http://www.chincoteague.com/
It does sound pretty cool actually.

 

[mjantz]

Philadelphia & the surrounding area is very nice. In addition to Hershey there's also the Crayola Factory in Eaton, PA & a few pretzel factories in the area. The Philly area has an aquarium (technically its in NJ), the Franklin Institute (we went there for the traveling Tut exhibit they had), Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross house (sit in the front row with your kids before any presentation they do & your kids might be asked to 'help'. We have pictures of DS as a revolutionary war soldier because of this).
We also visited NYC & found it very nice & not as crowded as you might think.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hi,

I just had to comment that as a resident of Boston, there actually are a ton of kid-friendly touristy things to do, for all ages. The stops on the Freedom Trail are pretty cool -- graveyards, Paul Revere's House, the Old North Church, The USS Constitution, etc. A duck tour is always fun, plus the Children's Museum is freshly remodeled, not to mention the Boston Tea Party ship, the Museum of Science, Swan Boats in the Public Garden, whale watches, the New England Aquarium...I could go on and on. The only feature I do not recommend is the zoo -- if you are used to anything close to world class, you will be sorely disappointed. It's also very easy to get around with public transportation. The subway will take you pretty much anywhere you'd want to go.

Did I mention we're also about 20 minutes from Salem, which is very cool?

Ok, done plugging the Hub....

Maria

 

[LilBlackSheep]

I can't imagine any other vacation compared to Disney. Disney is in a league of it's own.

 

[Harvest02]

If you are looking for a beach area, I LOVE Gulf Shores Alabama! I don't know how far of a drive that is from where you are, but we are from Indiana and it is about 14 hours. We enjoyed it down there SOOO much! The beaches are beautiful, and you could get a condo right on the beach for the same price or less than a hotel. The food is good too! We went on a boat to watch for dolphins and did see them! The kids loved that part! It is truly a relaxing vacation because you are just laying around and not walking 10 miles a day like at Disney!

 

[DVCLiz]

WOW! Great responses!!!!
I didnt expect this much advise! Keep it coming!!!



Ive done several of the things mentioned here. October Falls (if memory serves me right) was a great restaurant overlooking the waterfall. But we got lost on that trip, and a 4 hour trip (I'm in NC too!) took 10. That was a bad trip. The restaurant was the ONLY good point. We left early and arrived late. After supper, tired and aggrevated from the drive we found a neat little campground. We got everything out of the car, and started to pitch the tent. But with no light; no tent! We couldnt see, and had forgotten to check the batteries in the flashlights. (this was before LED flashlights and hand crank ones too) So we started a campfire... or tried... I thought ahead on this one, and brought a quart jar full of kerosene that was useless at home. We stumbled (falling often... flashlights were almost dead) through the woods to find anything to make a campfire. We gathered together a nice little start of a campfire, and just as we started to light it, it rained, and rained, and RAINED. It POURED!! Even with a quart of kerosene, it still wouldn't stay lit, so, wet, exhausted, and disgusted, and with NO tent, and no light to assemble it, we packed all the drenched stuff back in the customized Taurus wagon (miss that car) and drove back home at midnight. We got home at 6:00AM. At least the drive back didn't take as long.

I do plan to try it again though! This time I'll have better directions and LED flashlights with good batteries. I'm also bringing a plumbing torch. Darn it, its gonna burn this time!!!

Ive also done the Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg trip countless times. Its a great place too. Last time we wanted to do the helicopter ride but it was closed for the weekend.

We're considering a trip across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge into that area.

We've also considered a trip to Washington DC, but I have road rage really bad, and Ive been warned about DC driving.

We're considering Boston MA also. We have family there. I did it once as a kid, but not sure theres much to do there for the kids.

We considered the cruise too, but I'm hoping to avoid crowds, and I always picture a cruise ship as being crowded.

We also looked into the Disney Vero(?) Beach.

Keep the ideas coming.

Eww, that sounds horrible. I was thinking more along the lines of a hotel or B&B, actually!

 

[Janet Hill]

Disney's Vero Beach is a wonderful place to relax. We went in October and the weather was perfect.

West Virginia is also a great place to get away to. Lots of back to nature activities and the white water is better here than in NC or TN (I've done them all).

 

[cruiserkaren]

Have you done Pigeon Forge/Gaitlinburg? When I lived in NC we rented a cabin (3 bedrooms for about $150/night) for a long weekend every fall. You can do so many of the things you listed in that area. I love touring the waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and we usually spend a day at Dollywood as well, we go in the fall when the artisan show is set up there, which is very neat and definitely worth the price of a entrance ticket. We also spend an afternoon at UberGaitlinburg, which the 4-10 age range loves. And you must check out the Apple Barn for dinner. Plus there's lots of outlets and fun shopping. It's also not far from Cherokee, which is a great day trip as well.

Ohh, I LOVE the Apple Barn!! I wish I had some of the julep right now. Yum.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I just had to comment that as a resident of Boston, there actually are a ton of kid-friendly touristy things to do, for all ages. The stops on the Freedom Trail are pretty cool -- graveyards, Paul Revere's House, the Old North Church, The USS Constitution, etc. A duck tour is always fun, plus the Children's Museum is freshly remodeled, not to mention the Boston Tea Party ship, the Museum of Science, Swan Boats in the Public Garden, whale watches, the New England Aquarium...I could go on and on. The only feature I do not recommend is the zoo -- if you are used to anything close to world class, you will be sorely disappointed. It's also very easy to get around with public transportation. The subway will take you pretty much anywhere you'd want to go.

Did I mention we're also about 20 minutes from Salem, which is very cool?

I did boston a LOOOOOONG time ago. I'm sure it has changed since then. Plus back then I WAS the kid, not a parent taking kids.
Boston sounds great. I remember that big food market (Faneuil Hall???) Something like that. It was neat. I'm a BIG fan of exotic foods. Andrew Zimmern all the way! I'd be in HEAVEN there!!!


Keep the ideas coming! I'm sure I'm not the only one here taking notes!

 

[katyjeka]

Hi. We've cruised the last 2 Decembers with our girls and had a great time. We are now planning our 3rd for next December(Book early and the prices are unbelievable)I had no problem with crowds on the ship. In fact, at times, we wondered where everyone was. The shows were half full, with plenty of seating, we had freestyle dining and never saw a crowd. Our girls were able to see some beautiful islands, meet some friends, and my dh and I had some alone, adult time. I missed disney on both cruises, but, I still had the time of my life. We've also been to Gatlinburg, and it is beautiful. We rented a cabin from Sunset Cottage Rental, and the price was very reasonable. We live in Pa. and I agree with your husband, its a long drive through our state, but there is a lot to do and see. From the Amish, waterfalls, Pa. Grand Canyon, caves, Amusement Parks, fishing, horseback riding, white water rafting, and the list goes on. Whatever you choose, have a great time. Janice

 

[kowalchicky]

Umm ???? I don't think I understand the question

We love Disney...this will be our first year not going...(we've been going since every year since 2003)....we opted to do the Disney Cruise instead...as excited as I am about the cruise I'm really gonna miss not going to Disneyworld.

 

[NJFabFour]

To be honest, after our first trip in '03, I was completely dumbfounded why people would repeat the trip over and over again! Don't get me wrong . . . we had a fabulous time and enjoyed it immensely (and are excited to return a second time in '08)! I'm just not sure WDW and "vacation" belong in the same sentence!
We left already counting the days to next year's "vacation" to OBX and days of lounging around the beach!

I would just offer further support for the Boston/Cape Cod idea! We LOVED Cape Cod - whale watching, an unbelievable "Pirate's Adventure Cruise" for kids, Duckmobile tours, beachcombing, etc! And yes, we were in Boston when our kids were two years old and found the Children's Museum and the Aquarium to be the best we've ever seen! You can't go wrong!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

my dh and I had some alone, adult time.

Whats that?
Does THAT still exist?

now THAT is a good reason for a cruise!!!

 

[badblackpug]

Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia is a great place to relax. It has a lot of the things that you mentioned, plus skiing in the winter. You can rent a cabin for a fairly decent rate, and the cabins are fully equipped (air and heat) for year-round stay.

www.blackwaterfalls.com

 

[MrsJ Henry]

The Hershey PA area is great- There can be a lot to do there and in the nearby areas.
We love Bar Harbor Maine -soooo much to do there and also can be quiet.
We had a great trip to Savannah GA.-also a lot to do there and you also have the beach real close by

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

I had no problem with crowds on the ship. In fact, at times, we wondered where everyone was ....... Our girls were able to see some beautiful islands

I agree! We've been on 2 Carnival & 1 Disney cruise -- no problem with crowds. We did find the after-dinner-shows/entertainment MUCH more palatable on the Disney cruise - the Carnival shows were rather risque in their costuming (think Vegas show girls) and content (their comedian & magician were too raunchy for us & our kids). We loved being able to see other parts of the world (Mayan ruins, gorgeous islands) ... and the food -- Counting down the days till our next Disney cruise - and taking about 20 friends with us!