WL or DCL or Disneyland or Hawaii!!

[*Fantasia*]

I have WL-Courtyard reserved for Feb 12-19. But I was toying about taking another Disney cruise for 4 nights and then stay 2 nights at WL after the cruise. Or I was thinking of maybe visiting Maui again for 5 nights. Then there's your Disneyland in Cali. My kids never been to Cali...

What would be your choice? Or do you have any suggestions. My kids are 8 and will be 6 when we go. I want to get away from this freezing weather!

 

[ga9497]

As much as I love Disney, I would choose Hawaii

 

[Tigger&Belle]

What a decision! You must have enjoyed your recent cruise if you're thinking about going again soon.

Since you've been to WDW and the cruise recently, I would choose one of the other two choices. I would go to Hawaii if you are wanting a more restful vacation (with the exception of the long flight) and DL if you want a Disney fix and more activity. You should be able to pretty much see all of DL and CA in a few days and the resorts are so close to the parks (I haven't been in years and have never been to CA and have never stayed in one of their resorts since my in-laws used to live 2 miles from DL).

Have fun no matter what you decide!

T&B

 

[*Fantasia*]

I never thought I would fall in love cruising...but since it was Disney we sailed on...I got hooked! The "Wonder"...she is beautiful! And she is even more gorgeous in the inside! As much as I love WDW..oh my goodness, you just can't compare between being on land and on sea. Anyways...

Please keep your thoughts coming! Thanks!

 

[flagirl]

Oh boy - I LOVE disney but I would have to chose Hawaii over it. Especially if warm weather is important. Feb in Orlando could be nice or it could be chilly - you just don't know. What a fun decision to have!

 

[Ilovestitch]

I would do the DCL and a couple days at WDW. -Steph

 

[*Fantasia*]

bump!

 

[lovethattink]

Any chance I get to take a Disney cruise, I do it!! So I'd go for the cruise and the WL stay!

 

[F1Julie]

I'd go to DL if I were you since you haven't been there. I'd like to check it out as well, but living in Atlanta, that would be a long plane ride. It's easier for us to drive to Fl. Living in Michigan though, you'll have to fly either way. Hawaii would be too long a flight for me though with 2 kids. I'd save that for when you're kids are a little older.

 

[WildernessMickey]

We've done them all, and my Dkids liked the Disney Cruise the best. My DH liked Hawaii best, and I love it all. Tough Choice, but I would do the cruise follwed by a stay at WL (my favorite hotel).

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Well, I just did the cruise for one week and four nights at WDW, and I admit, I got a little Disney'd out. I felt like probably the cruise alone or the WDW would have been enough of the characters and songs. A shorter cruise and a WDW might be different, I don't know. We booked another WDW cruise (my son is now 5) for dec 2006 so that gave me two years to really start missing Disney and Florida again.

If you haven't been to Disneyland and California, they are both great! If you like the Wilderness Lodge you will LOVE the Grand Californian--it is like a combination between WL and GF in that it is more upscale than the WL and is DL's flagship resort. Nothing Victorian about it though! . The rooms have a wilderness Bambi theme which is wonderful (I haven't stayed in any of the WDW resorts that featured Bambi, so it was cool). There is stained glass all over and a huge, high ceiling'd lobby like WL. LOVED the place. Quite pricey though--I always try for Expedia discounts or Disney Visa specials.

Disneyland is like the MK but larger and with more rides, and California Adventure is very unique. I love it because CA feels relaxed so when I get tired of too many people at DL, I go over the CA and its a great combination.
I also love the rapids ride at CA and the shows at the CA's theater. Right now they are featuring Snow White. We saw Aladdin and it blew us away.

Overall, Maui would be my first choice just because I have a craving to go to Maui again myself these days . I llooove it there, especially the Kapalua and Kaanapali areas....however, if you've never been to Disneyland and haven't yet stayed at the wonderful Grand Californian, I highly recommend that.

 

[sherry8253]

As much as I LOVE DW & DL, I would have to pick Hawaii!!! I have never been there and DH and I talk about it but the air fare is just SO EXPENSIVE!

 

[tammy]

Without a doubt, I would go to Hawaii.

 

[caribbeanme]

Hawaii would usually win that hands down, but I think the flight may be too long for just a five night stay, particularly when you're travelling with small children. I know that when I travel that long a distance I need about a day and a half just to feel normal again. I would definitely consider California a nice compromise-- warm + Disney+ something new, but a less forgiving trip than Hawaii.

 

[dreamflight99]

Wow...what nice selections! Since I live VERY close to DL, and visit often (w/PAP's), I would still strongly suggest a trip here with your children. They would love the place, which is VERY laid back in comparison to WDW. Everything is on a "mini" scale, and the "feel" is truly magical and quaint. It's difficult to explain, but we absolutely LOVE visiting the original MK, WALT'S TRUE HOME.

We also, LOVE the DCL. We are scheduled on our next cruise this June...out of the Port of Los Angeles. We have dreamed of the ship being docked in the LA Harbor...and now, it will be a REALITY! We have actually reserved the same suite we enjoyed the last two trips on the MAGIC. We also have cruised a couple of times on the WONDER, and enjoyed it immensely. You just can't go wrong on a Disney Cruise! This and the two eves at WL would be heavenly (IMHO).

We have family in Maui, and since we are in So Cali...it's very inexpensive to fly there, and doesn't take much time either. So, Hawaii does not hold the same mystique for us, as it does for so many others. It's the same with Vegas, which is a mere 3+ hours from here driving by car. The flights are about $50, and take about an hour. So...neither constitutes much of a LURE for any of us.

I would have to opt for the cruise, or DL. I second the poster's recommendation for the Ca. Grand Adventure hotel. It is our #1 favorite, and so amazing in architecture/decorations. There is just something so RELAXING about Cali, even at MK/CA Disney Parks. People tend to take everything slowly out here, so there are very few COMMANDO~TYPES around (LOL...unless they are from out of state). If you follow suit, you too will FEEL relaxed and calm. Just go with the flow, and you will adapt quickly.

We spend two months of every year (and then some), in Orlando. As much as we love the change of pace...we adore our own little piece of MAGIC right here in Anaheim. Easily ventured/mastered in 5~days, in a cathartic...theraputic manner. You will LOVE it...without a doubt.

Hope you have enjoyed your holidays...and are looking forward to all the new and bright adventures awaiting you in 2005!

TTFN...DF99

 

[ganggreen4jc]

Boy, I wish I had your travel budget!!!

As beautiful as Hawaii is, my experiences are that it is more of a couples vacation than family vacation. Not that taking the kids there is a bad idea, not at all! It's just such a romantic place before being a fun place. Since the kids like Disney, I would suggest DL/San Diego as your best destination.

If your heart tells you Hawaii, then let me suggest Waikiki Beach on Oahu. It is the major tourist area and probably the best "kid-friendly" spot. Maui and my personal favorite, Kauai, are best saved for just you and your spouse. Any chance that your in-laws might want to spend a week with the grandkids?

Incidentally, I live in so Cal and it's cheaper for me to fly to Orlando than Honolulu! That's why I'm packing the wife and kids and heading to WDW this summer!!!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Boy, I wish I had your travel budget!!!

As beautiful as Hawaii is, my experiences are that it is more of a couples vacation than family vacation. Not that taking the kids there is a bad idea, not at all! It's just such a romantic place before being a fun place. Since the kids like Disney, I would suggest DL/San Diego as your best destination.

If your heart tells you Hawaii, then let me suggest Waikiki Beach on Oahu. It is the major tourist area and probably the best "kid-friendly" spot. Maui and my personal favorite, Kauai, are best saved for just you and your spouse. Any chance that your in-laws might want to spend a week with the grandkids?

Incidentally, I live in so Cal and it's cheaper for me to fly to Orlando than Honolulu! That's why I'm packing the wife and kids and heading to WDW this summer!!!

I'm fairly shocked by this assessment and have to say that I strongly disagree. I've been taking my son to the islands once or twice a year since he was five months old, and it's his favorite destination. In fact, I have NEVER been there for a romantic trip, and our favorite islands are Lanai, Kauai and Maui. I did not like taking my son to Waikiki. It is far too busy and there is too much "nightlife," if you know what I mean--professionals working the streets in the evenings. I did not like that element nor the traffic or amount of smokers in the public areas. I did not find Waikiki particularly kid-friendly, at least not nearly as much as Maui, for instance. We do like other parts of Oahu, but I only take my son to Waikiki when I have conferences there because I don't get to choose the destination.

In Maui, we love the Sugar Cane train, all the VERY kid friendly resorts along Kaanapali--especially the ones with elaborate pools and slides and fun luaus. Whaler's Village features a whale museum which my son loved. In Kauai we've rented condos and have also stayed in the Poipu Sheraton, the Princeville and the Hanalei Bay resort...all very safe, beautiful, and with lots of great kid's activities. The Lanai resorts are drop dead gorgeous. I have never felt out of place w/ my son, even when he was a toddler (which was not too long ago, he is now five). I would agree that Lanai is more honeymoon oriented, but my son loved the stables and took some pony riding lessons.

While we have visited WDW and Disneyland many times as well (those tend to be our three most frequented destinations--Hawaii, DL and WDW), my son's favorite is Princeville, Kauai. Second would be the Animal Kingdom Lodge at WDW and the AK park, but he loves California Adventure as well.

Sorry, I was just amazed at the previous post and had to respond! My experience couldn't be more different!!!

 

[Misti]

For me, hands down Hawaii. I LOVE it there. My three time-a-year trips to WDW have suffered since I first discovered Maui in 1999! Now, I've cut down on the WDW trips to keep going back to Maui each year.

That being said, for only 5 nights, Hawaii may not be a good idea. You'll lose almost a day with traveling and there will be jet lag on top of it. Florida is just so much closer.

I have to agree about the assessment of Waikiki from the OP. I didn't care for the "city" feel of Waikiki. I would get up early for a run and coffee and the "ladys of the night" would still be walking around from the prior night. Just not what I picture when I think of "Hawaii". We always stay on Maui in the Kaanapali or Kahana area and there are tons of families.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Lucy6]

We went to Maui in March, and loved it. However, it was just me and DH. The flight from chicago was 9 hours, and it was a difficult one for me. I have trouble sleeping on planes, so this was a very long and boring 9 hours, I think it might be tough for kids this age. Our children are about the same age as yours, and while we were in Maui, we talked about bringing the kids next time, but we decided we would wait until they were at least in their early teens. First, because of the flight. Second, for the expense, they (our kids) just wouldn't appreciate it yet. My husband and I did have a wonderfully relaxing vacation in Maui!

 

[Tikiman]

I would have to say Maui but what do your kids think?

I love Disneyland and grew up going there but I would never pass up a trip to Maui or WDW for a trip to Disneyland. Disneyland is still something you have to go to at least once but a 3 day trip will show you all you need to see at the Disney parks here.

If you are going in Feb than there is no guarantee that California will be warm but Hawaii is usually about the same temp all year with the rain increasing in December and Jan. We usually go to Oahu for Valentines day weekend but our condo is finished being built last year in Maui so our summers will be there. I loved Maui when I was younger but I knew many of the locals so I fit in well with the kids there growing up.

I feel much more relaxed after coming home from Maui than I am coming home from WDW.

Misti had a good point. 5 nights is a short time with losing all the time just traveling. She would know. She spends more time in the islands than I do. I forget how long a trip it is. For us it is a nice 5 hour non-stop flight or sometimes less depending on the wind.

I am sure you will make the right choice for you.

Aloha

Steve