I am looking for suggestions about where my husband and I should take my daughter for a “dream vacation”. We want this to be a really special experience for her. She is 3 years old and has leukemia. A lot of the kids who go on “wish trips” go to Disney World, but the idea of a crowded amusement park doesn’t really sound like a great time for any of us. Does anybody out there have any suggestions? We were thinking about waiting until she is a little older and maybe going to Hawaii in December. She will be 4 by then. We thought Hawaii would be nice because of the volcanoes and rainforest, but are a little worried that it might be geared more toward couples rather than families. I would appreciate hearing what other people think about this idea or any other suggestions… Thank you in advance.

Sorry to hear about your daughter. It's a tough time for all. I would think the Make-a-wish foundation would be the most helpful here. They are geared up for families in your situation.

Disney is set up for children from the Make-a-wish foundation. There is a special area where the kids can be others who are on Make-a-wish trips.

What does your daughter like to do?

I also would recommend contacting the Make a Wish foundatation. But another possibility is, does your daughter have a particular "character" she likes?
A Barney, Blues Clues, Scooby Doo type character that is meaningful to her.
Perhapes a holiday to visit her special character would be enjoyable for her.
I know that nearly every theme park has special deals in place where she could visit and maybe have a lunch or spend the day, pic nic or carnival rides with her favorite cartoon celebrity. Make a wish can usually get just about any celebrity or character worth their salt, to donate some amount of time to spend with a sick child. All the best.

On our last cruise, we chatted with a Make-A-Wish family from California. Their son loved dolphins and one of the cruise options involved a stop near a dolphin research center. The child LOVED the entire cruise but the dolphin experience was so fantastic for him. Also, the entire family enjoyed their time together on the ship and they didn't have to think about any details such as where to eat, etc.

Thank you to those of you who posted your recommendations. Does anybody have an opinion if Hawaii is an appropriate destination for a 3 year old? It seems like everyone that I know that has been there either went there on their honeymoon or after they retired. Make-A-Wish actually suggested Hawaii. I was told that it’s the second most popular Wish Trip after Disney World. They have a thing where Wish kids can play with dolphins while they are there. That sounds fun and I like the idea of showing her things in nature that she has never seen---- the volcanoes, the beach, the rainforest... She likes animals and nature. Do you think Hawaii would be a good choice? Thanks again.

Not sure where you live, but unless its on the west coast, flights to hawaii are very long. I'm not sure she would have much fun on a flight to and from Hawaii.

I know you don't want Disney, but I think SHE would absolutely love it. Kids don't care about the crowds at all, trust me. If the trip is for HER, then do what SHE would like, and don't even think about the crowds. Besides, Disney has ways to avoid the long lines these days, something called express ticketing, where you get the ticket ahead of time and don't have to wait in line for the ride. I haven't tried it, but others rave about it. You can also pick a certain time of year that is less crowded.

Also, near Orlando is a place where you can swim with dolphins. I think it's called Dolphin Island or something like that. She may be to young, but you might check into it.

If your daughter has never been to Disney, it will be a dream come true for her, and I think that's what you are wanting. She'll have the time of her life and never forget it.

My best to her!

I agree with the last poster. THis is a trip for HER and that's all you should think about considering the situation. My kid didn't care at all about the lines or crowds, she was just thrilled to the max to be at Disneyworld. You should really consider what she would like best and give Disney another thought. She'll absolutely love it.

I've been to the Hawaiian islands twice and have to agree -- there's not much there to do for a 3 or 4 year old. I was there in my teens and even then didn't appreciate the islands for what they are until I went there as an adult.

Things to do on Hawaii include parasailing, sun bathing, luau, boogie boarding, hiking, etc -- mostly adult things. Although the dolphin thing you mentioned sounds nice, I think she would have more fun at a place where childrens' wants and needs is their primary concern.

Good luck to all of you. We have taken our kids (now grown) at all ages from 22months to teens to the Big Island in Hawaii. There's plenty for kids to do--they enjoy the beach most of all. If Make a Wish has facilities in Hawaii, I think it would be a great trip. Others are right in that it's a long flight from the East Coast. You might want to break it up with a quick stop in LA to see Disneyland there. I wish you well.

I feel as though I have been accused by a couple people of thinking this trip is for me and nothing could be further from the truth. I am quite aware of who the trip is for. It is for my little girl who has leukemia. I have seen her go through a lot and I wish it was me. I want to choose the most wonderful vacation I can think of for her. Days at amusement parks can be hectic, long and tiring. True, it doesn’t sound like fun to me, but I AM thinking about her. She is afraid to go on the carousel at the zoo so that doesn’t leave much at Disney World if she doesn’t like the rides. I didn’t think I would have to explain that going to an amusement park might not be the best thing for a 3 year old. I think a lot of people would agree with me about that.

Thank you to those of you who offered your input about Hawaii. I am still not sure where we should take her. There seems to be a couple of opinions. I think she is old enough to appreciate the beauty of the islands. We take her to the Botanical Gardens and she loves that. Her favorite things are animals, nature and ice-cream.

The plane ride doesn’t concern me too much as we have traveled quite a bit with her beginning when she was 7 months old. The only problem we ever had was that she threw up on the plane one time. It was the day after she had chemotherapy and she was feeling a bit queasy and the banana yogurt I fed her didn’t quite agree with her… Banana yogurt was a poor choice on my part, I suppose. I’m digressing though.

Thanks again to everyone for your very helpful advice.

Sorry to hear about your troubles, and I hope everything works out for the best.

I, too, would consider Disneyworld if you went in the cool off-season period. But at age 2, my son was somewhat fearful, and it made for a difficult time at Disneyworld. More work than it was worth. So you're probably right to take a pass in light of your child's personality.

So what's left? Generally, I think 3 year old kids do very well at beaches. So I'd take her to a marvelous resort with lots of sand and sun and a great pool. She'll have a great old time just being with Mom and Dad, and you'll get to relax, too.

The only other idea I have is the Disney cruise. My son was 2 when we did that, and all of his fears evaporated while he was on the ship. Cruising personally isn't my cup of tea, but if you like it, you'll find that the Disney cruise is extremely child friendly. Kid movies. Kid food. People in large mouse suits. And the whole idea of being on a big boat really sat well with my son.

Best of luck.

I'm sorry to hear of your situation. We have a child with a chronic illness that, thankfully, is in remission right now so I understand your anxiety. I also agree that a three-year-old and Disney can be more stressful than fun. If you opt for that area, you might want to consider Animal Kingdom. It is the smallest of the parks and she would probably love the animal and nature themes. Also, Discover Cove in Orlando is fabulous, if she enjoys water and swimming. Interacting with the dolphins is an experience you won't forget and they limit the number of people they allow in the park.

Hawaii is beautiful and if she loves nature and the outdoors as much as you say, you will find many things to keep her busy. We have never taken our children there so I do not have any first-hand experience.

Have you considered any of the national parks? Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier are abundant with wild life. Those have been our favorite family vacations.

As she llllikes animals and nature, how about coming to San Diego and taking her to the Wild Animal Park. Take a look at their web site www.sdzoo.com. It would probably be more fun for her in the summer. There are "Roar & Snore" sleepovers (not just for kids), the Park is open late (Park at Dark) and in August, they are doing a "Sunrise Safari". Reservations are required for the sleepover and the safari, but I'm sure Make-a-Wish could help with that. Then, also in San Diego, you could go to Sea World. Make-a-Wish would help there too. Good luck.

It sounds like you might share my feelings that not every child-oriented entertainment in the world has to revolve around the Mouse, and the Mouse is not appropriate for everybody. And I agree that large amusement parks are not for young children.

If your daughter is used to long plane trips, and you know she likes nature, then take her to Hawaii. Kids that age like just about any experience if they're with those they love, though my 2 1/2-year-old doesn't like the crowds at amusement parks either (not that we've taken her to Disney; just the local places). Even if lots of things in Hawaii are couples-oriented (I've only been there on a layover to another destination), there is plenty to do for a kid, it sounds like. Walking through the rainforest, visiting a volcano, playing on the beach, eating outside near the beach; I could imagine her having a fabulous time.

Depending on the time of year, you might be able to achieve some of the same experiences in Florida. We visited this spring, and both our kids loved the boat rides we took where we got to see manatees, fish, etc., visiting the marinas (loved those pelicans), and playing on the beach. Or consider other nature-oriented places in the continental U.S. - national parks and such. My daughter (1 1/2 at the time) enjoyed Yellowstone. We took her in a backpack or stroller, and were pleasantly surprised at how much she liked watching the geysers and all the wildlife.

For another option entirely, if she likes nature and animals, you could check out farm visits or vacations (there's got to be such a thing), where she could experience the great outdoors and visit with animals.

We've taken our kids (6 and 2 1/2) on multiple family vacations, none has been to the typical kid-oriented spot, and they've both had a wonderful time at each destination. You don't have to stick them in front of some corporate-generated character for them to have a good time. My son can't wait to return to Chicago's Art Institute; my daughter will talk on and talk about how we got off on the wrong stop on the T (in Boston) & eating lobster in Maine; we all can't wait to return to Yellowstone to do some longer hikes; my son still remembers (from when he was 4) eating every breakfast at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans & the street musicians in the French Quarter. And the 6-year-old has already had exposure to lots of American variety, history, culture and geography.

I would consider a Disney cruise. My kids have been on a lot of vacations and they liked the cruise best. The time on ship is relaxing, there are fun characters, lots of food that you don't have to go anywhere for, and when you stop in ports you can play on the beach, do the dolphin swim, see rain forests or whatever nature thing is special to that particular island. I think cruising would allow you a lot of fun family time without a lot of planning or going places.

Although I seconded Hawaii above and still do particularly since she's a veteran flier, San Diego is a great choice. Beautiful beaches, the Wild Animal Park, Sea World, and great weather. I would not take her to Waikiki--it really is for adults and couples--but the other islands would be great. Good luck.

My daughter, now 15 is also a Make-A-Wish kid. She had leukemia at age 7 and is now fine. That is the most important message I can send you. As far as your trip, I really think you should do something you will ALL enjoy. As long as you do something every day that your 3-year-old will enjoy, it is probably more important to her health and well being that you all have a relaxing, stress-free trip. As long as you can handle the long plane trip, Hawaii sound great. The Disney cruise sounds good too. We took our daughter to Disney World when she was almost 5 and again when she was 10 (we were celebrating the end of treatment). I think the optimum age for Disney is 7. Have a great trip and a great future with your daughter.

Thank you for all the wonderful responses. I especially like the suggestions of San Diego and Yellowstone NP. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to respond and give me some more ideas about where to take my daughter. Thanks again.

My daughter's favorite vacation was going to kids camp on the Carnival cruise. She though it was better than Disney World.

Therefore, I would say that a Disney Cruise would have to be like combining the best of both. Disney plus cruise plus camp!

Make sure to go off-season on whatever trip you chose. That way it will be less crowded and you can get the ultimate in personal service wherever you choose to go.

Didn't mention before but she has been to Hawaii and wasn't too impressed. She's just a kid and loves Disney.

She has also been to France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. She preffered those places to Hawaii. She loved exploring the castles, Pompeii, climbing to top of Arc de Triumph, etc.

Are foreign countries out of the question? She might really enjoy going overseas.