Vacation Advice

My kids went to disney when they were almost 3, for the first time. It was not the good age for them to be going there. We took them last year, age 6, and they loved it. Loved it. My neighbor has been taking her daughter, now age 6, to disney ever since she was 1. They go every year and they love it. So it depends on the child.
For warmer weather I say S. Florida, or Aruba, Jamaica etc.

We went to Atlantis (Bahamas). But instead of staying at the Atlantis, we stayed at the hotel right down the street and paid a fraction of the cost BUT had full access to Alantis. It was amazing and the kids (4+5) loved it. We spend from morning to dusk at the pools. Between the hotel we stayed at and the Atlantis, there is a little hidden area that stays oped until 10PM and it's full of all these wonderful restaurant. Each day we went to visit a different part of the waterpark. I would go back every year if we could. We, the adults had just as much fun too. They have this amazing Rapid River (kinda like a lazy river, but with raids). It takes a 1/2 hour to complete it. We did that at least 10 times. The only thing we wished we would have done was stayed a week instead of 3 day, 4 nights.

Simply amazing. Just keep your eyes posted on deals. Comfort Suites is without a doubt the place to stay.

Have you ever considered a cruise? We took our 1st with the kids when they were 2 and 4 and then went again when they were 3 & 5....can't wait to do it again this year. By far, the most bang for your buck money wise. Your place to stay and ALL meals, snacks, desserts are included (food is around the clock and FREE at all times). There are pools, spa, workout area, putt putt golf, casino, shows, you visit multiple islands and the best part of all, there is FREE Kids Camp for ages 2-12 (at least on Carnival). You get a daily sheet with all the kids Club activites, so you can let your kids go off and do something they will love while you spend 30 mins or 2 hrs by the pool alone. You can do excurshions, or just get off the ship and walk around. Heck, you can stay on the ship while in port if you want. We got a Balcony room, which is a MUST, especially with kids (NO< it is NOT scary to have with children). You are able to take a bottle of wine each on the boat with you (bring your own opener or they can charge you to open).
The kids LOVE it and we loved it too. We felt like we were doing something very kid friendly, but also getting an adult vacation too.

Although there is food around the clock, we always take some of their favorite munchies like gold fish, cheese-its or fruit snacks. Not that they are ever hungry, but sometimes they just want a taste of home while in the room.

You will have to get a passport card or passport for yourselves, but the kids can use their Birth Certificates.

I think they are ver reasonablly prices, but if you are flexable-even better.

Oh-there was NEVER a moment our kids ever felt they were on a boat, so no motion sickness at all!!!

Have Fun!!!

Our Best vacation by far was Sea World San Antonio. SO much fun, not just at Sea World, but San Antonio. That's far from you, but I would suggest finding a vacation destination that has more than just a theme park to offer. We're in Dallas Fort Worth area and you could stay 2 weeks and never see all the really cool, fun, free things here. I also suggest paying a little more or going on priceline and bidding for a better hotel. I wasnt going to give much though to the hotel, thinking we wouldn't spend much time there anyway. I'm so glad we didnt. We bid on a 3 star hotel and got a great price. It made a huge differance. The pool and facility were so nice, noone wanted to leave the hotel.

You can find good deals on all-inclusive resorts to the Caribbean right now. Check it out on priceline or expedia, etc. A lot of times the resort descriptions will tell you if it's a kid-friendly place or not. Just make sure your passports are in order.

How tall are your kids? Make sure they're tall enough to ride the rides at amusement parks. If you do go to Disney World, there's several theme parks all grouped together in the immediate area, plus a Sea World and some smaller, local amusement parks nearby. It's usually warm enough to swim in Florida by late March or so. Maybe sooner for you since you're used to a colder climate. Be prepared for the humidity, though!

My rule for Disney is when the youngest is 7 then we go. Less stressful
and everyone can enjoy even older ones. Disney covers all ages. How
about a Caribbean cruise. Your children are old enough to enjoy and if
you search the websites you can come up with some really good deals.
I think on some cruise lines the third and fourth person travel at a very
reduced price. Could be like 199.00. I think that would be your best bet.

Our best family vacation was hawaii.. my kids our ur age.. we love maui wailia area.. google vacation rentals by owner.. rent a condo.. go to costco when u first get there.. meals at the condo.. fun on beach.. best acquarime ever.. we even went off season to save money~ message me if u want specifics on activities or places too stay.
L

We spent 5 months in Miami when my kids were younger. (we lived in LA when they were 7 and 4 - went to Disneyland 37 times in one year! Between the beaches, Monkey Jungle, the Key, the Everglades, Crandon Park, and of course Orlando, Kennedy Space Centre and all the other tourist traps inbetween...it is great.

DW is fabulous for kids, not matter what age. My daughters were 3 and 6 the first time we went to DL. Then again 10 and 7, then DW when they were 13 and 10. They loved it the same very time.

Here is the thing. You DON'T have to plan something, time building castles on the beach is all the kids will ask for. Enjoy your trip.

B.
Family Success Coach

I would go online to the Disney website and get the height requirment for the rides. I waited until my kids could ride MOST of the rides before we took them, I didn't do it by age. I wanted them to be able to ride just about everything and not just the kid rides. I think that it is definately worth going as a child and as an adult. I have not been to DisneyWorld, but DisneyLand is wonderful, and DisneyWorld is supposed to be even better!! Hope you have a great time whatever it is you decide to do!

We have gone to Moab and hiked Arches. Last time we went, our oldest was 3 or 4, so 7 and 4 is definitely OK.

We haven't been able to go lately, but it's warm, affordable, and family friendly. It's not remotely like Disney World, of course.

IMO... a great age for Disney. It's true the 4 yo, may not remember all of it. It's so wonderful to watch the little ones enjoy the magic.

Being land locked, your children might really enjoy a trip to the beach.

We love Kauai! We have stayed at the Embassy Suites' time share in Poipu there and it is fantastic. Very laid-back but set up really well for families. The island has tons of fun outdoorsy things to do and miles of gorgeous beaches, many of which are not crowded at all. As soon as we're able, we will go back there again.

We took our kids to Disneyland at 7 and 4 (last year) and it was outrageously expensive and actually fairly stressful. Super crowded and the kids weren't old enough to appreciate a lot of the rides (our youngest wasn't tall enough either, which was a bummer). I think we will wait a while before trying that again.