We are heading to Turks in 4 weeks and staying at Beaches. I have three kiddos, 13, 11 and 9. I am very excited, but am getting nervous about the trip and weather and everything. What can everyone tell me to help me prepare. We've been to Mexico and Hawaii, but this is the first to the Caribbean. Any specific suggestions for Beaches? Restaurants? Things to do or not do?
Thanks!

Beaches takes care of everything

Try excursion to Half Moon Bay, it will be your best day (you can do it through Beaches, or Island Vibes or Caicos Dream Tours)

Weather happens! Either way, you're on vacation, so just roll with the punches and have fun.

I go in October all the time and always love it

Even though you have meals included walk East to one of the resorts in the "hub" and have lunch so that you see other parts of the Island/beach. You can walk for hours in either direction. You will love it--have fun!

My husband and I stayed at Beaches for a week in Turks and Caicos. We were childless but the deal was great at the time. This was in 2001 I believe. At any rate it is an ideal place for families and all seemed to have a great time. It is so geared for children they had shows in the p.m. for kids magicians come in face painters etc. Ice cream sundae shops. You will have a great time. The beach there is lovely! A that time you could snorkel right off the beach. I did have some sort of sneezing spell when I was there. I guess I would suggest packing allergy meds in case you need them as they are very $$$ there in the store. That is all I can think of at the time.

Okay, now I am really freaked out. There is someone who just stayed at Beaches on Trip Advisor who posted about 30 things they hated about Beaches. They are staying in the Village we are and now I want to cancel. Help! The Caribbean Village... is it horrible?

Okay, down farther on the message board it says they are closed for renovations and the water park may not be open when we are there. We took out insurance. Does anyone know? Do we need to bail?

All properties that cater to masses (most AIs, cruises, etc) with that many numbers all properties will get a bad review from time to time.

1 bad review out of majority great ones? I'd take with a grain of salt, or you wouldn't go anywhere!

blamona, you seem to have an inside scoop on everything. Do you know anything about the closure right now? I am supposed to go a few days after they open and I am nervous it won't all be done. Thoughts?

I was just on trip advisor. There are recent reviews posted. As in Wed. Thursday (yesterday) all the reviews are great. Only one negative comment on Caribbean Village it is further away from beach. I believe that is where we stayed--it was the less expensive option but it is far away from the beach. did not see any comments about any closure of anything but if you go on the Beaches site or contact them I am sure you can find out easily enough. I might change to the Italian Village if I were to change anything. Look on the map of beaches and see where your room is--

I do know they closed down, to close a public beach access and add a water park ride. You should email them for peace of mind.

That 1 bad review on TA was from May? And just gets getting bumped up, making it appear like it's new each time. Same one.

Those complaints were outrageous. To save money they framed 5 people in each of 2 rooms, then complained about everything. The pool was too cloudy (I've always seen it sparkle, and there are many more pools anyway) they had to walk too far (you mean you want 18 restaurants, water park, shops to be compact?) elevator broke (so walk, not actionable, and probably fixed next day). Complained about the food (with 18 restaurants, come on) and so one. That poster keeps bumping it up because all she got was 1 future night stay.

Her only real complaint would have been getting a back room facing were the workers do all their stuff, but quite frankly, she paid for the absolute cheapest room, crammed in 5 people, and then complained.

So, I say go have fun!

Right there with you Blamona. I hate people who do stuff like that and then place doubt in others minds. The recent reviews looked fine to me although I did not read them word for word. I agree stop fretting and go have fun with your family.

Thanks! I did talk to them and they are closed until the 19th supposedly. Ugh! Pray for no bad weather and we will get there a few days after they open back up and have all new things!!!
Thanks!

Weather has been terrific all year there!

8-)