Need family vacation ideas!
 

Hi! We are looking to go somewhere for a vacation with another family and can't seem to agree on where to go. They wanted WDW and we prefer to avoid WDW :)

My husband and I love to travel all over the world and within USA and our 5 year old son loves new places. We've been to Italy and England twice, Austria, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Hawaii (Kauai and Oahu numerous times), San Diego, Cape Cod, Florida coasts, NYC, Texas, and so forth.

We recently had a baby last year and would love to go somewhere for a slow pace relaxing vacation. We thought of Caribbean, going back to Kauai, or go to the Gulf of Mexico towns along Florida but prefer somewhere new...any suggestions? Thank you!

Does other family have kids and if so what ages? That will make a difference.

But there may not be a good compromise between WDW, relaxing, and seeing the world. Venture into this carefully and with full disclosure, honesty and thought between 2 families - many a friendship has ended over different vacation expectations.

"They wanted WDW and we prefer to avoid WDW"

I suggest you go your separate ways.

Hi,

What about a cruise, maybe a Disney cruise? What about a family-friendly biking/active vacation? Your kids are little, or I would suggest an escorted family-friendly tour. The Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos, Nevis are beautiful, but new places for you. What about the South Pacific?

Best Regards,
Julia

Thank you to all who shared your comments. I need to clarify some things here...another couple (our close friends) has 2 kids same age wise as ours and we have travelled together numerous times...very compatible. But I am thinking of our little ones :) I prefer a condo for kids, not a resort if we went to WDW...hence, the reason why :)They are very much interested in WDW but I think we should wait until all of our kids are older. It's sticky, yes. I did encourage them to venture off on their own but they would like to vacation with us.

I've heard so much about T and C...would be quite interested in that destination. Will look into to it. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

I've heard some good things about Grace Bay Club in T&C. I think they even have a kids' village with a private pool for families. Haven't been there myself tho.
Our family really enjoys going to Kiawah Island in South Carolina. There are lots of condos, family friendly activities -- all with a very relaxed pace.
I think you're right about WDW. For the money and the chaos, you might as well wait until the kids are able to love it so much you won't care how much you spend.

It sounds like you get along well with this couple, but I do have a word of caution. When we were first married, my husband was the manager of a vacation condo resort in Maui.On a regular basis, we would see couples come with other couples for vacation. At first they all seemed very happy, but more times than not, they would be checking out of the resort, not speaking to each other. It was really sad to see.
I would advise you do a "trial run" with this couple.Go away over a weekend with them and see how it goes.
Being with someone on a regular basis, and going away with them on a trip can turn out to be two very different experiences. Who knows? You may find you really do want to go on vacation with them, but you may also discover this isn't what you want to do.

Maybe you can do 2 days at the dreaded WDW to satisfy them, then head to a nice quiet resort in Florida.

Rent a big house on the Outer Banks and chill on the beach. Ahhh.

You say you have traveled together with this family numerous times - then be honest with them and save your friendship. Tell them you would love to take the kids to WDW but not for a few years, so if they want to go now, then this vacation you will go your separate ways - no hard feelings, just not what you want to do now -

better than going to WDW when you don't want to and harboring frustrating feelings and better than they go somewhere they don't want to either.

So tell them you honestly are not interested in WDW - if you are all as close as you say, you should be able to say this to them.

The southern CA coast, with a day at Disneyland? I like Legoland in Carlsbad with young children, though maybe you went there on your San Diego trip.

What about Tampa/St Pete area with a day at Busch Gardens? There must be some sort of condo-type hotel/suite hotel there where you can get
TWO UNITS - and would have option of having some meals in and some out.

The 2 units part is because with baby(s), the last thing I would want on vacation is someone elses kid waking me up at night crying or disoriented - it is unrelaxing enough if my own kid were to do that.

A cruise is the best idea. A good way to escape if you get tired of each other. Lots to do w/the kids, relaxing etc... If not, check out home rentals all over the world on www.vrbo.com

Santa Barbara Cal.PAul

If it's summer, I think the southeast coast is great for R&R. Hilton Head is good spot. Also, west coast of Florida. Cheaper than the more "touristy" southeast coast. Just as pretty. We liked Marco Island.

Save WDW for when your youngest is about 18m-2years. It will be more enjoyable for everyone.

With infants etc, I have found the beach works best. It's not exciting but it is relaxing and doable with babies. Plus, if there are two familes you can take turn watching the young ones while you spend more time on the beach with the older ones. You really dont want to take infants out in the sun, especially Florida. It's just too hot. Then in the late afternoon / evening the babies can come out to the beach and play in the sand and enjoy more comfortable conditions.

My personal preference for family time beach vacations is the Gulf coast but it depends on where you are coming from. It maybe easier to go to Hawaii then Florida if you live on the west coast.

Thank you, everyone. I do agree and believe that beach vacations are ideal with very young children...we took our son to Cape Cod when he was 5 months old and one year in Hawaii. I'm trying to convince my friends about that :) They aren't experienced with travelling with children out of state but we love their company. If it doesn't work out, we will just go on our own. I am intrigued by the Outer Banks area...thanks again!

TravelRocks-
You may not realize the physical demands of going to WDW but they are considerable as many guests, particularly the ones who travel great distances to get here, put in long hours at each of the parks. It is not uncommon for many families to spend 10-12 hours at one of the parks. Factor in Summer temperatures and high humidity and it can be tough. Your five-year old would be fine, but an infant simply would not enjoy any of this and would show its displeasure frequently. IMO, any money spent on that infant would be wasted. For now, I vote for a more leisurely pace. Consider a beach resort instead or possibly St. Augustine.

Not new, but going along with gail's post, you ought to check out TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Pete Beach, FL. They offer lots of children's activities perfect for the 5-yr. olds. I also think they offer babysitting. There is a kids-only pool. You ought to check their web site. We were just there w/teens and had a wonderful time. I wouldn't characterize the resort as quiet and serene since there are lots of families w/kids, but if you are looking to compromise, it's definitely not WDW. Your friends could spend a day at Busch Gardens. I personally wouldn't enjoy a trip to WDW or Busch Gardens with a baby, and I love babies.

Let me echo sweettea's comments. Kiawah Island in South Carolina is a great destination for family vacations. The miles of beach alone will be enough to appease your child. The other bonus to vacationing here is that Charleston is only a short drive away.

Have fun where ever you chose to go.

Regards,

BradleyK

www.lowcountrytourist.blogspot.com