Where would you go, as a family of four, with a budget of CDN$4000 total?

[lisalonglash]

My dh and I celebrated our 15th anniversary last weekend and he surprised me big-time! I woke up to a bottle of my preferred champagne and a chocolate rose, all surrounded by cash! Turns out that me whining about needing another vacation worked Oh, how I love that man!

So, now I have CDN$4,000 to work with and I'm looking for your opinions. We are in Vancouver and are a family of four (2 adults, 2 children - 10yo and 7yo at time of travel if we go after mid-June next year). Everything included has to total CDN$4,000 or less (travel, hotel, food, etc.). The destinations on my list are (these are in no particular order):

~ WDW (value resort - we really enjoyed ASSp, but would be open to Pop too)
~ DLR (this destination would negate the necessity of plane tickets, but gas would have to be factored in and would also include a 2-3 night stop in San Francisco (hotel costs, food, etc.))
~ Dominican Republic or some other Caribbean all-inclusive
~ Montreal
~ Hawaii
~ Somewhere else LOL

We're open in terms of when next year, except that dh asked that it not be September or October, as his work is very busy at that time. Perhaps November or June would be good?

Also, my husband does not want to do a cruise and we do not want to go to Mexico. I know it's pretty cheap to take a Mexican vacation from Vancouver, but we're just not interested in visiting there.

I look forward to your input! Thanks!

 

[misslissa]

I think I wouldn't go to Disney! LOL... How could I say that?

I think I'd be heading down to Sandals in Jamaica!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Montreal is pretty amazing but when would you go? It's so cold right now!!!!

I think I would go with a warm weather spot. TBH it would be WDW as my #1but then that's me.

 

[photomama]

Maui

 

[lisalonglash]

Thank you for your responses!

So, we have one vote for Jamaica, one for Montreal and one for Maui...

Daisy, we haven't decided on when yet, but I do know it won't be in September or October, as dh is very busy at work then. I'm thinking November or possibly June.

Keep those suggestions coming please

 

[angela1044]

I vote for Maui.

 

[Sheribo]

If you're looking for something Canadian, I would say Quebec Winter Carnival. Yes, it's cold but there is so much to do and it's not your typical hot holiday. My kids have traveled to many places but one of their favourite memories is of Carnival. They sat at a cafe table made of ice and had a hot chocolate! They did tubing, watched the canoe races, and loved the snow sculptures. We ate poutine, the real stuff, and met people from all over. And dogsled racing too.

Also, Montreal is just a couple hours away and Ottawa is not out of range either. Skating on the world's longest skating rink is very cool.

If you want hot, Maui gets my vote.

 

[minniesnana]

Oh this a hard one - but I would likely pick Hawaii - only because you came back - but can 4 of you reasonably enjoy a Hawaii vacation on $4,000? Let's hope our exchange rates goes up some!

My second choice would be Disneyland. There is a lot of things to see along the way if you are driving.

November would be my choice of times to go.

 

[lisalonglash]

Oh this a hard one - but I would likely pick Hawaii - only because you came back - but can 4 of you reasonably enjoy a Hawaii vacation on $4,000? Let's hope our exchange rates goes up some!

My second choice would be Disneyland. There is a lot of things to see along the way if you are driving.

November would be my choice of times to go.

Yes, that's the question - can our family really vacation in Hawaii for under CDN$4000?

I looked up weather history for Anaheim in November and it says a high of 22C (not quite as warm as I'd like lol).

Oh, what to do?!

Thanks for your input, everyone - I really appreciate your thoughts!

 

[drag n' fly]

I vote AI. Everything is covered....easier to budget

 

[Shir Kahn]

I would choose WDW but I really can't see how you could do it for under $4000 for 4 people. Hmmm, probably go with a Caribean all-inclusive as my next choice. You can get some really good deals, especially if you buy the plane tickets and then wait until it's close to your vacation time to book the actual trip. Some of the last minute deals are slashed by an amazing amount and in the research I've been doing, the packages aren't just "what's left over after all the good places are booked". The only problem is, you're definitely taking a chance that the place you want is going to be available.

 

[ronandannette]

Cruise the Mexican Riviera on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas - you'll be amazed at how much there is to do on the ship and you get to visit 3 Mexican destinations as well. If you're driving to L.A. you can easily do it on your budget.

Happy Sails,

Annette

 

[mkmommy]

Cruise the Mexican Riviera on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas - you'll be amazed at how much there is to do on the ship and you get to visit 3 Mexican destinations as well. If you're driving to L.A. you can easily do it on your budget.

Happy Sails,

Annette

I agree on the cruise, it is a great vacation when travelling with kids, I have read some great trip reports on the Mariner sounds like a wonderful ship. If you want a short vacation Disney Cruise Line has that promotion for kids sail free this winter and spring and there are some great rates if you are willing to book an inside CAT 12.

 

[lisalonglash]

Thanks everyone - I'm loving all your input!

I should have added something in my original post though - my husband does not want to do a cruise and we do not want to go to Mexico. I know it's pretty cheap to take a Mexican vacation from Vancouver, but we're just not interested in visiting there.

Sorry for not mentioning that in my first post

I've edited my original post to put the information in - thanks for your help!

 

[bbangel]

I would go to California. Depending on how you budget you could include San Diego as well. There is so much to do there and the weather is drier than WDW.

Second choice would be the all inclusive, but I would look at Cuba as an option as they have some great deals.

 

[motherof4]

Cuba's food isn't very good, we have been a few times without the kids and although it was fine for us my kids would definetly starve! Curious at why you don't want to go to mexico? We love the Mayan Rivera (sorry spelling!) so beautiful and lots to do, food is awsome! The last resort we stayed at had a lazy river, a few pools, the ocean, ice cream bar, close to Tulum (Mayan ruins) the people were great! If not mexico definetly all inclusive in the Carribean!

 

[bbangel]

I am a very picky eater and I found the food in Cuba to be fine. Lots of fruit, chicken and pasta so hard to go wrong.

 

[mom2faith]

Not trying to be a "Debbie-Downer" but Hawaii is really expensive. I think I would take that off of the list. I went in 2006 and was shocked. Aside from extra for air and hotel, once you are there everything is really expensive (I am talking McDonalds beakfast for 1 is $9.00, dinner out at a casual restaurant and getting a burger and fries $18.00 for 1, etc). You could easily spend $200+ on food for the 4 of you per day.

All inclusives would be nice, but my vote is still for Disney. I am already an addict!!

Let us know what you decide!!

Amy

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

If I could actually vacation in Hawaii with a family of 4 for $4000 I would certainly do it. But as we live on the East Coast that is not possible. My wife and I went to Maui back in November 2002 and had a great time, but out we flew on passes (my wife's friend works for Air Canada) and we stayed at their timeshare. Our total cost for flights was only $800 return for the both of us from Halifax and the timeshare was free - so that was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I'm in the same predicament about where to vacation next. I'm really the only one from the family who would like to go back to WDW in 2009 as I want to go back during free dining in August and my wife refuses to go because of the extreme heat and humidity. The kids (15 and 13) tell me the excitement is gone as we have gone to WDW 3 times in the past 2 years.

They mention a cruise as the next likely vacation, but seeing as we'd have to depart from Florida, I can't see why we wouldn't want to do some WDW time as well - but the budget is always an issue.

I can't see doing an AI as I just don't think the kids will enjoy the "laying around" and I can't see spending a fortune for all the possible day excursions they have available. PLUS....I don't see anything for $4000 for a damily of 4 anyways!

 

[Ham Ham]

7 day Disney Cruise with a double dip at Castaway Cay.