Where do you go when you don't do Disney?

[Corbin3]

My husband swears we aren't going back to Disney this year (we've been the last three years in a row with Free Dining). Problem is, I am having a hard time finding anything comparable in price that is still family friendly. Most "family friendly" vacations end up being a place where you stick your kids in a camp and do stuff by yourself. We have a 6year old and prefer to do things together. What other types of vacations are good for a 6year old without spending to much more???

 

[tmatthews]

we took our kids on a cruise ..... everyone loved it! You could use the camps or do family things....It was the best vacation ever!

 

[bellebuzzandpooh]

We're going to Colorado Springs this year.

 

[kbkids]

I second the cruise idea. My kids went at ages 8 and 4 and LOVED IT!!! They weren't wild about the kids' clubs either even though they went a couple of times. But they had a blast on the boat and in the ports!

 

[cougar242]

I must agree with the cruise idea. I have a 7 and 6 year old and they had a blast!

Kim

 

[disneyfreakk]

Universal Studios, lol.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

Last year was our Disney "off year" so we went to the beach in Destin, Florida.
On the drive down we stopped at Mammoth Cave (KY), Stones River Civil War Battlefield (TN) and the USS Alamaba in Mobile. It was a fun vacation!

 

[Aliceacc]

WE go upstate to Lake George.

We visit Fort William Henry, swim, take a Steamboat cruise, go out to dinner a lot, enjoy the shops in town, hit the Fireman's fair, climb the rocks at the town park, and just enjoy each other.

 

[TENIA66]

We go to Universal Studios/Sea World/Busch Gardens or
Kings Island/Cincinnati Zoo/Kentucky Kingdom/Aquarium in Louisville or
Gatlinburg including Dollywood/biltmore estates/Dixie Stampede/Another Dinner Show
Chicago including Navy Pier/Shed Aquarium/Lincoln Park Zoo/Brookfield Zoo/Museum of Science and Industry/Field Museum
Branson including Silver Dollar City/Ride the Ducks/Dixie Stampede/Another Dinner Show/Celebration City

 

[familyS]

We usually go to the mountains backpacking or else go tent camping and hiking/canoeing/fishing

We have also gone to Virginia Beach, Carolina Beach, and Clearwater (with side trips to area beaches and Busch Gardens)

 

[momof296&02]

During school breaks when we aren't visiting the mouse we do cruises out of NY(no airfare needed) & the kids always have a great time! We also go to FDR in Jamaica & my kids also love it there. For long weekends or when I don't mind taking the kids out for a day or 2 we stay in NYC & do touristy things( empire state bldg, world trade ctr site etc.) I recommend staying someplace where there is an indoor pool. We have recently started going to the Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos (we were there last month) & it was great! Enjoy the time with your kids while they still want to vacation with you!

 

[klfrech]

Please tell me what you plan to do in Colorado Springs. I'm thinking of going there as well this year, and am just starting to plan.

 

[mel]

We alternate between Disney and Destin, Florida. We love it! Disney is not a very "relaxing" vacation for us, but the beach is. So laid back and beautiful beaches. Last year we let our DD's decide where to go (it was our Disney year) but they chose Destin! This year we are going to New York City. It's our first trip there, so we are really excited.

 

[MaryKLady]

We're going to Colorado Springs this year.

Colorado Springs is my favorite place on earth...after Disney, of course!

We went to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg in October and had a great time. The park is beautiful and dare I say...the bathrooms are cleaner than at WDW...much can be said for clean facilities. I highly recommend it.

 

[MomofCKJ]

Our annual vacation is a week in Ocean Park Maine. We rent a house there on the beach each year, this is our 9th year I think. We love it and will go every year.

I would say a cruise would be great too. DH and I have cruised but never with our kids. I do think they would enjoy it too though!

Allyson

 

[T. Lynn]

Knoebels...it's my home away from home.

 

[robsmom]

Do not worry about a place having kids club. You don't have the use them and at places that cater to kids there should be plenty of other things for you to do with your kids. Except for DCL I have never used the clubs. Some good choices depending on budget.

Hawaii - we loved the big island and for my son the Hilton Waikoloa was awesome. Very kid friendly - they even have a monorail. Another good choice is the Hyatt in Maui.

NJ Shore - renting a house for a week can be very relaxing. We like Ocean City, NJ where we can be on the beach during the day and hit the boardwalk a few nights. You get a few hours a few nights that give you that amusement park feel but don't have to spend the entire week park hopping.

Aruba - heading this year but friends tell me that the Radisson is excellent for kids. We are thinking Hyatt as we have had good luck with them over the years.

Washington D.C. - Great for the kids to see the monuments and museums.

Cruise - I have to agree with the previous suggestions. My son has ranked our Disney cruise as his number one vacation ever

Williamsburg - Can mix history with theme parks.

 

[CowboyCO]

I live in the Colorado Springs area and would be happy to answer any questions for folks!

 

[kimsuenew]

My husband swears we aren't going back to Disney this year (we've been the last three years in a row with Free Dining). Problem is, I am having a hard time finding anything comparable in price that is still family friendly. Most "family friendly" vacations end up being a place where you stick your kids in a camp and do stuff by yourself. We have a 6year old and prefer to do things together. What other types of vacations are good for a 6year old without spending to much more???

Hilton Head Island!!! We absolutely LOVE it there, we went four years in a row, stopping last year to go to WDW, and I missed it!

 

[kandeebunny]

Bar Harbor Maine
Cape Cod Mass
NYC
Washington DC
North Conway NH
Montreal
Toronto

Those are our usual vacation spots when we don't do WDW!