Which one of these vacations would you choose?

[SleepyMom]

We've done the So Cal trip twice, San Diego (Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World, beach, USS Midway) and loved it! We also went to DisneyLand and Knott's. They were both great trips.

But, don't discount the DC trip too fast. We first took our girls when they were 6 and 14 and they loved it, they both said it was their second fav vacation after DisneyWorld. We've since gone 2 more times (DH travels there for business) and would like to return again soon. DH just mentioned last night that the next time we go we should ask my Dniece to go along.

 

[LoraJ]

I'd choose #1.
We're actually planning on doing a similar trip next year.

 

[novajeanjellybean]

I would choose the Southern Cal trip and I also like the suggestion of the pp for the Caribbean cruise or the all inclusive resort. I bet everyone would love that.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have a son (11).

Here would be my choices.

We are planning a trip to Historic Williamsburg/BuschGardens-WaterCountry/Washington DC.

So, I would highly recommend this trip! Williamsburg is really neat... History there too.... Then the kids could get their Theme Park Fix at Bush Gardens and Water Country.. And then see our Nations Capitol.

My second Choice would be either a cruise to Alaska or Mayan Riviera.

The kids might not choose Alaska... But, Hey, they are going to Disney!!! You should be able to choose something a little different. It would be amazing to see Alaska. There are some shore activities that might interest them.

I would also love to go to the Mayan Riviera.
That would be right up there with me!!!!

So, these three are tops with me.
I am considering them all for our family.
Our next trip will be the Williamsburg/DC trip, because it is most financially feasible.

If finances were not an option - I would also choose Alaska or the Mayan Rivera in a heartbeat.

We are not ones to see a 'theme park' like disneyland or hershey as a 'vacation'. So much of the world out there to see and do!!!!
We will hit WaterCountry when we are at Williamsburg VA, but actually, Bush Gardens is the last thing on our list of must-do.

So, that is my two cents worth!

 

[JoBird]

What part of June will you go?

I only ask b/c in June, there's something called "June gloom" that comes rolling into the Southern California area.

I didn't believe that it would be that bad- so the first week of June of this year we went to Anaheim- for Disneyland- rented a car- did two days in the parks and one day in Hollywood before driving over to Laguna Beach for four more days.

It was sunny ONE afternoon during the entire week we were there. The rest of the time it was very cloudy. And, well, gloomy.

It was cold at night-- we had to buy heavy sweatshirts b/c I thought "I'll be in California- I won't need anything heavy."
The water at the beach was freezing. Some children that were there were playing in the surf, but they were definitely cold.

We enjoyed it, but I definitely would never go back there during that month.


Jo

PS.. What part of AR are you in?
We're in NW AR and got tix out of XNA on Alliegiant airlines for $29 nonstop to LAX.

 

[mom2travel]

Well, out of your choices our children have expressed interest in a California trip and Alaska. They would do Mexico if part of a cruise. We all love a week at the beach, but wouldn't go to FL for it (too many nice beaches closer to us).
None of us are interested in Hershey Park.
DC could be fun (although for us, all but DD have been there before); would maybe combine it with Williamsburg or a day at Busch Gardens; or maybe even head down to the beach for a few days to mix it up. For a week maybe we'd do DC first, Busch Gardens, then relax on the beach.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I say do the Alaskan cruise.

I put in a negative vote for Cancun. If you want to, go to Playa del Carmen, not Cancun. And even then, though one poster said the kids are the right age to enjoy the amenities my first thought was that the elder (at least) is the right age to sneak drinks from the bartenders. I have to admit, I think I was 13 or 14 when I did this...and there were some older kids (15) in our group that were ringleading the underage drinking, but needless to say, it is not a difficult thing to do at an all inclusive.

 

[FINFAN]

I like either California or DC,,,but our family would lean toward Busch Gardens Williamsburg over Hershey. June weather can be dicey in DC...but still very nice.

 

[Anne34]

Thanks everyone for the replies. A Caribbean cruise is a good idea too, and I will look into that further. We went on the Disney cruise two years ago and the kids loved it. I wish Hawaii was on the list as well but the frequent flier miles won't get us that far.

I do think the kids would have fun in DC once they got there. They just don't seem to realize that educational things can also be fun.

Does anyone know a nice hotel on the beach in Southern California that would satisfy DH's desire for a beach vacation yet is still close enough that we could drive to the theme parks?

We did the Southern California trip a couple years ago. We stayed the first 4 nights at Paradise Pier at Disneyland on a stay 3 nights, get 1 free deal. We then headed down to San Diego and stayed at a nice hotel. We were not on the beach, but many are. We then did Legoland, a harbor cruise past the Navy aircraft carriers, a day at the beach near Legoland and the San Diego Zoo. It was a really fun trip.

 

[Nyla]

I vote for the SoCal trip! The siblings and I used to go to Disney, Knotts and Legoland often! I think you and the kiddos will have a great time!

 

[ericamanda01]

I vote for Cancun.

 

[LukenDC]

The Cancun idea sounds neat and a great way to expose the kids to another culture (and I LOVE Mayan archaeological sites), but instability in Mexico is a serious problem and I would not feel safe going there at this particular time.

My vote would be for either southern CA (add some time in San Diego!) or Hershey/Washington DC. Washington DC is very kid friendly and there is a lot to see and do.

 

[Nie0214]

I'd love an Alaskan Cruise, but your boys would probably appreciate it more when they're 15+.