Is there anything in the USA that compares to Disneyworld? I have a 15 year old boy and a 12 year old girl. We've been to Disneyworld twice and everything we've done since has not measured up, according to our kids. Any suggestions?

As crazy as this sounds, try Las Vegas. I generally go there for business two or three times a year and the choices for family fun has really grown. There is a Water World next to the Sahara, a theme park in Circus, Circus, a virtual reality place across the street from the Stardust, an ecology display (dolphins, lions, etc) in the Mirage, a theme park in MGM Grand and a "coney island" in NY, NY. Lots of outdoor free stuff and a wonderful ceiling show in the Rio.

A great place for teenagers as well as the whole family is Myrtle Beach, SC. Get a hotel right on the beach and near downtown so that everyone is free to do their own thing if they need some space. If possible, take a friend for each child. There is a teen nightclub on the beach at the Pavillion for 12-18 year olds which has excellent police security and have either live music groups or djs every night. There is an old fashion amusement park at the Pavillion, plenty of shops and food places. We have been to the beach every year for the last 10 years and now that our children are grown we still love to go there. There are several theater productions north of the Pavillion - I think one is a Dolly Parton production theater/dinner shows enjoyable to the whole family. Nothing quite equals a week at Disney, but Myrtle Beach comes very close.

I have a destination similar to the previous person -- Ocean City, Maryland. It has miles of beaches, beaches & more beaches. During the day, the beaches (& pools -- for those
who don't like the sand) are filled with
teenagers (& some adults & children) & boogey boards everywhere. At night there is a boardwalk with tons of activity for the whole family -- an amusement park, video arcades, lots of shops &
restaurants. The safe bus system runs up & down the strip all hours of the night & day. All up & down the strip there are places of activity -- small amusement parks &
lots of miniature golf -- all filled with families & teenagers. It is an exhilarating place as well as restful when on the beach. You can rent boats & go fishing in the
bay or ocean. If you like seafood, especially Maryland blue crab, there are lots of places for that. If you have a place to cook it yourself, you can go down to the
docks & purchase it fresh. I have been going there off & on for the last 20 years. & now I have been taking my 2 boys there for about the last 7 years. That is their
second most favorite place to go, next to Disneyland in L.A. The 9 year old still talks about one of the trips we took to Ocean City when he was 5, & the 5 year old still
remebers his 1st time there when he was 3, & we were there again last year. It seems like just about any beach-resort area where teenagers congregate would be a good choice
for the whole family.

Another possible destination, if the kids like DisneyWorld so much, could be DisneyLand in LA. It may not live up to Disney World but it is all how you put the
perspective on it. Disneyland can get crowded but I don't think the crowds are as bad as at Disney World. There are similarities & differences between the two.
The same can be said for Universal Studioes in Florida & California, which can also be done
on the same trip. & then there is Knottsberry farm -- an amusement park with a somewhat(but not total) old West them. On 1 of our trips to California, we took a
a teenager along with us & visited all 3 places, she prefered Knottsberry farm, but also enjoyed the others. You can also go to the boardwalk on Venice Beach with
all its activity, shops, people, & various characters. Teenagers as well as the whole family can get a kick out of that. They are also some tide pools in that area
& at the right time of day, you can see various see creatures there -- starfish, crabs, sea urchins, etc. Then you could always spend some days on the beautiful
beaches of Santa Monica (Bay Watch). & there is plenty else to do in the L.A. area from the La Brea tarpits to HolyWood. Although nothing may measure up to Disney
World, there are a few things that may come in a close second. Have fun figuring out what that is.

While you were in the Orlando area did you visit Sea World? We liked it better than Disneyworld. We also drove to Tampa for a day to go to Bush Gardens. My kids really enjoyed the animals and the water splash rides.

What about a winter vacation? I'm from Florida so we never (rarely) see snow. My teenagers loved the ski resort area in the Smokies with the snow! We also drove down to the Biltmore Estate....wow, it is really impressive with the Christmas decorations.