Where else besides WDW do you take a Toddler on Vacation?

[everylastbreath]

We are trying to plan next family vacation (August 2008) and we want to take my grandson who is 2 years old, he will be almost 3 in August 08, we did Disney this year and DH doesn't want to do it again - we plan on taking Jake back for his 5th Birthday but where else do you take a toddler that is as child friendly as Disney??

Where else have you taken a Toddler? and did it work out well?

 

[tinkerbellmamma]

I see you are from NY (like me), have you tried Sesame Place or Hershey Park in PA? We have gone to both with the kids and they have enjoyed it. I also have heard raves about Dutch Wonderland for the young ones but have never been there.

 

[ksumn1]

We always take the kids to the ocean. Well, technically the Gulf of Mexico to Panama City Beach. WeE normally try to go in the off season when it's not so busy. My DD loves playing in the sand, the pool, and picking up shells. We also go to Gulf World (a very mini Sea World), play put put, ride go karts, go to the arcade. Go out to eat seafood for dinner. Go fishing and relax. I adree with the previous poster that I always thought Sesame Place and Hershey's Park looked really fun for a little one.

 

[ASFCurly]

I second the ocean, most of the little kids I know love it.

 

[LadyShea]

We live at the beach and my little guy, almost 2, loves it. He loves everything about it; the water, the seagulls, the sand, even the seafood. He also loves boating. So, I third a seaside vacation!

 

[jenb1023]

As someone from PA, I give a thumbs up to Hersheypark and the surrounding area. There is a lot of kid friendly stuff here. The park is clean and family friendly.

I would not go to Sesame Place! I have never been but have heard first hand reports that were terrible! I actually have never heard one good thing about the place.

As others have said, the beach is always a fun place for kids too.

Good luck - I am sure you will have a blast no matter what you decide!

 

[Zeebs]

We live in the UK and our wee man has been to New Zealand (11 Months and crawling like nothing else) to visit family, France (which was suppose to have been a beach holiday but it rained 15 Months and walking) Disneyland (11 Months) and Centreparcs (5 months) which is a family style holiday camp thing. He seemed to enjoy all the trips. As long as he can run around he is happy. Almost all of our trips recently have been with Grandparents and to be honest he is happy to get the extra attention from them I don't think he cares too much where he is. I think a trip to the beach is a great idea normally kids love the sand and surf.

Have a great trip.

Kirsten

 

[everylastbreath]

I though of Hersey Park, but that is more of a weekend thing, really looking for a place that is truly geared for kids. This is why I originally planned WDW because there is no place in the world that is as child friendly as there. Thinking more along the lines of say "Atlantis" in Bahamas, or Sandals, anyone every been in either? Another problem is he will just be turning 3 that month so he will not really be old enough to go to the kids activities.

 

[shelemm]

WHy does a toddler need an amusement park? Go anywhere you'd like, just give the kid an opportunity to throw rocks in a creek, run around, and use a playground every once in a while. The important thing is give the kid the attention; that's what they crave.

 

[wrighter]

I have been doing some research on this one, as I think we are going to try a nonDisney vacation ourselves come 2009. We had considered Atlantis, but want to wait until our kids are older (and better swimmers) before we hit that one. Club Med has some resorts that are geared toward families - and kids as young as your DS can join the kids activities. Meaning you can get some quality family time in, but you could also get some "couple" time in. It's worth checking out to see if it is something you might enjoy. Their website has loades of information.

Let us know what you finally decide!

 

[shelemm]

I though of Hersey Park, but that is more of a weekend thing, really looking for a place that is truly geared for kids. This is why I originally planned WDW because there is no place in the world that is as child friendly as there. Thinking more along the lines of say "Atlantis" in Bahamas, or Sandals, anyone every been in either? Another problem is he will just be turning 3 that month so he will not really be old enough to go to the kids activities.

We did FDR Pebbles, which is geared toward families, in Jamaica with our 2-year-old. There are others like it. They have activities for the youngest of kids, and each room comes with a built-in nanny to help take care of the little one. It was the first time we ever did one of these all-inclusive vacations. The place was beautiful, and there was nothing wrong with it, but to me it's a bit like hell, and I will never again do that again. But we are independent travelers who prefer the thrill of discovery on our own.


We much preferred going to a place like the Goblin Hill Villas in Port Antonio, Jamaica. Each room comes with a maid who will cook and clean for you, but after that you are on your own to discover Jamaica. I am sure you can google them. But if you prefer an all-inclusive with everything planned for you, then FDR Pebbles (and the like), await your money.

PS, if you can afford an all-inclusive in the Caribbean, then maybe you can rent a condo in Mammoth Lakes, California. It's in the Eastern Sierra Nevadas, where the granite and water of the highest peaks in the country drop down dramatically to a high desert plateau. The scenery of Mono Lake, Lone Pine, etc is stunning. You can hike, search for pictographs, take a bath in warm springs, admire a bristlecone pine forest (the oldest living things on the planet). I think this is the most beautiful are of the US.

Or rent a home in the Adirondacks for a week. Garnet Hill Lodge has regular lodge rooms as well as many nice homes for rent. There is all manner of activities nearby, including a beach on a wilderness lake. Lake beaches, with no waves, can be less frightening to toddlers.

othe rideas where you can rent a place for a week: the Finger Lakes in NY, Cook State Forest in PA.

And if you really want to go to amusement parks, the best ones are the historic parks in PA like Knoebels.

 

[tinkandpan]

There are tons of great family places in Florida- we love the Palm Beaches, Naples or Sannibel Island. Hilton Head SC is great if you are going when it is warm enough to swim. Our kids have enjoyed Martha's Vineyard (but that is a bit challenging to bring things). Atlantis is fun but that age is a little tough because there are so many fun things geared for a bit older. Turks has a great all inclusive for families as well.

 

[islandtimect]

We always took our daughter on beach vacations when she was little. There are many good Caribbean or Florida beach resorts that cater to families with beach toys, playgrounds, babysitting, etc. If money isn't an object, I'd go to Beaches in Turks & Caicos. There's a kids club with babysitters so your grandson will have other kids to play with. But little ones often play together at the pool or in the sand anyway.

 

[hmacmahony]

Do you want a place like disney?
We travel a lot with our kids, we have been to the wisconsin dells, which was fun, tons to do. The ringling brothers museum is up there, which is so cool.
My kids LOVED the smokey mountains, and not just because of the fun toursit stuff, they loved the ride around the mountains, climbing the mountains (okay they climbed little hills, but when you are 2, 4 and 5 they looked like mountains), they loved playing in the streams there, and eating lunch at the picnic tables. They keep asking when we are going back.
We have done kentucky with them as well, my brother got married at some state park there, and there was a lot of things like that to do in the area.
Disney is my favorite magical place to visit, but there are so many amazing places in the united states to visit, that are simple fun (hiking, swimming, historical etc)
We are planning a williamsburg trip, tons to do there, history and theme parks! We are also planning a cross country trip soon to go visit over towards california, and all that is over there. I loved going that way when I was younger, and can't wait to take my kids there.
good luck, the possbilites are endless!!

 

[npmommie]

I can tell you some places we have been with our kids that were lots of fun for them

Lake Placid....Adirondacks......lots of kid friendly stuff to do.....nice lake beaches to swim. They also have a park called Santa Land or something like that. they even have a post office that is real and is called the North Pole.

White Mountains New Hampshire.......lots of family friendly resorts, with swimming, activities, lakes etc. also there is Storyland, Santa's Village, Clarks Trading Post.......Six Gun City........and lots more

Any ocean beach........we go to Cape Cod a lot, also Rhode Island ( newport, narragansett).......maine ( York Beach has a small amusement park)....also Ogunquit is super nice, family friendly and beautiful beaches.
my kids love any beach be it lake or ocean,

Hershey Park.......Knoebels........hershey park has candy lane during the holidays. also if you go to hershey there is chocolate world, and also you arent far from dutch wonderland.

New jersey Shore........Cape May.......Point Pleasant........both nice family friendly towns.........point pleasant has a boardwalk with rides for the kids.

These are just some places off the top of my head.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[SummersMom]

Why does a toddler need an amusement park? Go anywhere you'd like, just give the kid an opportunity to throw rocks in a creek, run around, and use a playground every once in a while. The important thing is give the kid the attention; that's what they crave.

I couldn't agree with this more! I think taking care of my kids (3 & 5) is just as easy as at home, maybe easier - there are so many new things to introduce them to. Kids are like sponges, they soak up information.
Here's a few of the places we enjoy:
All around the Colorado mountains including hikes up to 4 miles.
Mesa Verde national park
Grand Canyon
Yellowstone National Park
Mexico - the Riviera Maya has tons of wonderful all-inclusive hotels

I'm amazed at how much my kids have gotten out of these trips. Since you are in the north-east part of the US, why not Washington DC or another town with tons of history? What about Canada? Actually, a better question is: What do you want to see on your vacation? Just do it! If you are having fun, the kids will too, and I guarantee you they'll learn from the experience, and you will learn more seeing it through their eyes. Disneyworld is wonderful, but kids need to know vacations aren't always theme parks - there's so much to see in the world!

 

[sharibrat]

We took DD (4) and DS (1) to Atlantis in the BAhamas this past Spring. When you ask DD, she ranks it right up there with Disney! Our son loved it too. THere was plenty to do, good food variety, the beaches are beautiful and lots of shallow water areas. My daugther actually learned to swim there, she was so interested in doing some of the water stuff.

PM me if you have any questions on it...........

 

[gianna2006]

I would strongly recommend the Williamsburg/Virginia Beach area. If you can get a family resort in Williamsburg, you can use all of the resort facilities and visit Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, Williamsburg, Jamestown, and many other local area attractions. Virginia Beach is also only 45 minutes away by car. Everything is very family oriented and you're little one will have PLENTY to keep occupied and get very, very tired!!! I have stayed at Virginia Beach and driven to the theme parks to break up the week. I have also stayed in Williamsburg and done a day trip to the beach - both ways work well.

I have heard wonderful things about Atlantis and that resort is definitely on my "to do" list. I have also heard that if you travel to the Carribean with the family, you should definitely look into an all-inclusive resort to get the most out of your vacation.

Whatever you decide, have fun!!!

 

[REW91599]

My 2 yr old has loved Sesame Place (it has an attached water park) and Hershey Park,PA. We live on the ocean and the Beach is #1 with all 3 of my kids! They can spend the day and night. My DS2 is a little beach bum! So, I agree with those suggestions.