suebee828

Looking for suggestions on a destination for a spring trip. Considering last week of April. Have been mulling over Disney, Disney Cruise, Vegas. Open to other suggestions.

Traveler - age - departure city:
DH and myself - 41 - Boston
DS - 3 - Boston
My mother - 64 - Omaha
My father - 73 - Omaha

jlm_mi

Why are each of these things on your list? Although your son will enjoy Disney, he may not enjoy it as much now as he would in 2-3 years. And there's an awful lot in Vegas that he wouldn't enjoy. I like doing adult things in Vegas, and if you want to do those things too, someone will have to stay at the hotel and babysit while the others go out.

If you're looking for warmth, why not someplace like Charleston, or San Diego, or Atlanta? If the weather isn't as important you have tons of options.

What do you want out of this trip?

ajcolorado

A cruise - Disney or otherwise - might be a great option for everyone involved. We've done multigenerational trips to St. Augustine, Florida and to Hawaii that went very well. Vegas has been pretty vocal about the fast that they're moving away from being a family destination and trying to appeal to the younger crowd. Treasure Island is now "TI" and, from what I read, even Cirque du Soliel is offering a more erotic edge to their show. I'm not sure that's where I would want to be with a 3 and 73 year old. What about Branson, MO or Gatlinburg, TN?

suebee828

jlm_mi:

First, I haven't ever been to any of places I listed. So, I appreciate any input. My favorite trip ever was to Wine Country and Big Sur in 2001.

Last year, we discussed going "somewhere warm" in February to celebrate birthdays #3 and #73. But, my father had some health issues, so we never planned it. They ended up coming here to snowy Boston! Now, he's doing much better, and my parents would like to go somewhere. They noticed that I "needed to get away". Must admit they're right.

Thought of Vegas, b/c I thought there would be something for everyone to enjoy (gambling for my father, shopping and warmth for my mother, spas for myself...) But, I keep reading about the huge shift away from families.

Know what you're saying about Disney. But, I know my parents would love to take DS, and you never know what can happen in 2-3 years, to any of us, for that matter.

Babysitting isn't an issue. My parents even said that we could drop DS in Omaha and go somewhere ourselves, but I'd like us all to be together, if possible.

padams421

3 is a great age for Disney because kids still think the characters are real. You, your spouse and child would have a great time at Disney but do your parents have the stamina? We went to Disney with my parents (about same age as yours) and it was disappointing for everyone that they couldn't keep up the pace to spend full days at an amusement park.

Therefore, I highly recommend the Disney cruise. It appeals to all ages, with more relaxation than a WDW trip. My husband didn't think he would like doing a cruise (stuck on a ship, not enough to do, etc.), and he had a great time.

padams421

Forgot to mention- don't go to Vegas with your 3 year old. There's not enough for him to do.

suebee828

Think we'll just scratch the Vegas idea altogether. Still open to other suggestions -- great input from everyone, so far!

jlm_mi

Looking for warm and varying activities for each person makes a cruise sound more and more appealing! Disney would certainly be fun for your son, and your parents would enjoy seeing him enjoy it, I'm sure. They do not have gambling on their ships, but many island ports do have casinos, so your dad could still gamble a bit if you chose the ports with that in mind.

Other cruise lines do offer kid-friendly activities as well, so maybe pick up a few cruise brochures from a local travel agent or AAA office and see which ones appeal most to you. From what I understand, Disney cruises are pretty pricey compared to other options, but I've never priced them myself, so can't say for sure.

Liz5959

I'm looking forward to hearing realistic ideas from fodorites.

We tried to do this for my Dad's 75th bday. Ideas ranged from Disney, Williamsburg, Greenbrier,Hawaii, Alaska,Cruises...For 11 people ranging from 75 with two toddlers and two teenagers. We finally had agreed that a cruise might work well, until my sister decided to worry about her little ones falling overboard (ridiculous, I thought).

Well, idea finally scrapped, we never found a solution to satisfy all. Maybe next year for a different family milestone

JJ5

There are many great cruises leaving from all kinds of places now. Even Boston, but I don't think those are just a week. Some leave from Galveston, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, San Diego, Tampa etc. for a week.

Some of the smaller ships have 4 day cruises. An idea- one of those with a combo of 3 days near Tampa (Busch Gardens). Or no cruise at all but a nice weather sightsee vacation- like a week in San Diego (zoo, beach, resort- Old Town etc.)

What are your parents' interest. Fishing, shopping etc. That makes a big difference about what area you choose.
If you want a nice beach and lots of shopping, yet many other physical activities and water sports possible- a rental near the beach in FL might be your ticket. How much do you want to drive all together? Who drives? There are many variables you need to consider in picking a good place.

If you like cities then last week in April, Chicago would be a dynamite visit.

JJ5

Actually, if your dad likes to gamble and you all like shows, and you haven't ever been to the Caribbean the Eastern Carib. cruise on Star Princess (big casino on board) would be great. You would really get to visit and have no driving/ walking tasks that take up so much time and that are difficult for the older and youngest participant.

They have child care on the ship and I actually had a 4 year old at our table and he did fine. Plus there is tons of shopping, which I didn't do, but many others did to the max. They aren't cheap- and the Star with the large casino ships out of Ft. Lauderdale right now.

ajcolorado

We are total Disney fanatics and have done that as a multi-generational trip. I love the fact that Disney is a theme park - not a thrill park - so there is something for everyone. And the weather will be lovely in April. Easter is early this year so you won't battle Easter break crowds. A couple of wonderful web sites to help you plan are www.wdwinfo.com and www.allearsnet.com.

Tandoori_Girl

Last week of April is a good time for Florida. The tourists start to thin out about mid-April. If you consider Disney, maybe the oldsters could go to Epcot while you, DH, and 3 y.o. go to Disney World. You can all do Animal Kingdom together. I loved staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. You are surrounded by the animals and get up close to them. And the Lodge has a terrific pool to boot. A win-win situation. After a few days of the parks, head to the beach in St. Petersburg. Go to Busch Gardens for a day. Everyone, young and old, will enjoy that. Then enjoy the beach the rest of your trip. Get a suite apartment at the Don CeSar. Or at the Alden. There's a children's museum in SP at Sunken Gardens.

I'm not a cruise person so I have no thoughts on that.

Masonsmom

Regarding Disney: Carefully consider the personality of your child. We went last year with our child just turned 4. He was fearful of the rides, fearful of the characters and the parades were so loud he freaked out. Way too much over stimulation. He loved the Animal Kingdom and the pool. We parents loved Disney but he did not. He would rather fish, take walks and gather sticks and leaves. Therefore, this year we are renting a cabin in the Smokies and packing fishing poles to use at the nearby pond. Good luck.

tracys2cents

How much time can you take?

How about 3 nights in Las Vegas, a drive to the California Coast (Laguna Beach? Newport Beach?) and a day trip to Disneyland?. You could also do a day trip to Knott's Berry Farm which is perfect for a 3 year old, especially if he likes animals and trains.

The 3 year old will be content to just hang out at the pool in Las Vegas, the pool area at the Flamingo has mini-penguins, lots of fish and flamingoes.

Rooms and flights for end of April are filling up to Vegas however. Weekday room rates will be best, and traffic driving to Disneyland/Los Angeles is probably lightest on Saturday and Sunday.

Your parents are flying from a different city, so they could even go to Vegas a couple of days ahead of you to get some gambling time in.
The airlines will call qualify this as a round-trip fare, and one-way car rentals aren't too pricey.

Do something special while your parents are still young! You won't regret it!

suebee828

Just touching base on some of the questions ....

Stamina of grandparents: I'm not sure if my father has the stamina for Disney World. My mother has more stamina than everyone else put together!

Length of trip: We'd probably be going for about a week. Could probably do 10 days, if needed.

Parents' interests: DS is tops on their list. My father likes opera and baseball. He likes to be near water, but isn't a beach or tropical person. (DH is the same, actually.) My mother has a lot of interests, but loves to shop and go to the beach. Both love animals and I've always thought they'd like Disney Animal Kingdom, even before we had DS.

DS: Loves trains. Loves kiddie rides and parades. Usually likes people in costume (characters, Santa). So far, not as into the water (pools, beach) as most other kids.

Thanks again for all the great suggestions!!

starrsville

I'm with Masonsmom. I'd vote for a cabin or condo near in the mountains or near a lake or on the beach. Perhaps a small attraction to go to during the week, but most of the time spent together - walking, fishing, picking up leaves, playing board games or go fish, etc.

If you go to the Smokies, you could take a short train ride. It would be great if you could find out where the next Thomas Tank location would be. My friends in NYC took their soon to a park in PA. For amusement parks my little ones (and I) enjoyed smaller parks the size of Dollywood more than Disney - especially at age 3.

Can you tell I spent my childhood camping in the mountains and now own a cabin in the mountains. Fires, s'mores, fishing, wading in creeks, etc...what a life for a 3 year old boy...AND his grandparents!

Fodorite018

We do this with our family almost every year. We rent a home, usually at a resort in central OR but have done it at the coast too. We enjoy being able to go to the pool, ride bikes, hike, shop, and go to the spa in groups. Some days we may all do separate things, and other days we are all together. It was nice when the kids were smaller to have a home so that they could go to bed early, and all the grownups could still relax in the hot tub or whatever. We manage to do this with at least 12 people and it is a lot of fun as well as great for the grandparents and grandchildren to have that time together.

JJ5

Many people in the midwest do these winter getaways in fairly larger family groups, they go to the indoor and domed resorts with water park. One branch of my family goes to the one that is close to Merriville IN. But there are many others in IL and WI.

suebee828

The verdict is in ... we are trying a WDW/Disney Cruise in early May. Staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Will report back how it worked.