Best family vacation

[momin2013]

Twice, we've gone to Florida for a week. It's a relatively inexpensive trip because we stay with my parents. Bonus is we have a built-in babysitter so DH and I usually get in a couple of date nights while we're there.

[lala]

Oh man I don't really have a best; they're all great.

I love Disney trips, Europe, national parks & the beach. We've done all with kids ranging from 3 months to 7.

The beach is cheapest and easiest for us since it's a short drive & mostly the house rental. That's maybe $1700ish because we usually go the week leading up to Labor Day and it's cheaper.

You can find a vacation for any budget.

What do you love? What do you want to do?

[auroraloo]

We haven't really "vacationed" with the kids. We drove to Colorado for a week with C while I was pregnant. We're going to the Dells next weekend with louie and I have every intention of that being awesome.

[melew]

I really enjoyed our trip to Maui. It was great having a nice pool (there were actually 3, so something for everyone) at the resort and beach front access. We drove around the island, went to the Aquarium, visited the Maui plantation, ate yummy food,and just generally relaxed.

The prices vary greatly depending on what season and island you choose, as well as what amenities you prefer. If it is something you are interested in, let me know and I can find specifics to PM to you.

[cjcouple]

Can I name a couple?

First, 2 summers ago we went camping at jelly stone in NH. We rented a cabin. I'm not a huge fan of tents and I was glad because it rained one day and we had cover. Lol

Anyway, we had a blast. We grilled, sat by the fire at night, they had so many activities every day including hay rides, ceramic painting, candy bingo, water slides and a pool, and movie every night in the Rec center. We also took a day trip to Santa's village (amusement park)

It felt so long and relaxing and it was great getting away from technology and truly connecting as a family.

2nd one was last year: Completely different experience. We went to Maine to bold orchard beach for a few days and Portland. We walked boardwalk, did rides, ate beach foods etc. In Portland we went shopping and to build a bear and a movie (on rainy day) and played games back at hotel. We also took a ferry to Peaks Island for a day and rented a golf cart to ride around the island. Ate lunch, had ice cream etc. It was also a lot of fun.

Both were great. I just love spending a week as a family away from home. It doesn't have to be tons to have a special time.

Both were about $1k all in.

[auroraloo]

ILs have a timeshare at several locales in Mexico, and I really like their Mayan Riviera location. It's awesome. We haven't been with kids though.

[lala]

One of my favorite trips pre kids was St. John usvi; but the place we stayed (major bay, an eco resort) is closed. I'm so sad because I really wanted to take the kids.

I keep mentioning this to everyone; but I see so many good groupon trips. Or play the credit card churning game and rack up points to cover a trip. Marriott has an awesome sign on right now.

[auroraloo]

Ebates gives 6% back on groupon too, FYI. Making it even better.

[lala]

Yes they do!!

[quesyrah]

I don't love vacationing with kids. At all. The only trips I've really enjoyed were local short weekend trips. And they involved heavily kid-centric activities.

[quesyrah]

Mar 3, 2016 21:26:59 GMT -5 @tooshort said:

I would really like to take a trip for 5 days in October. I'm heading back to work next week full time. We should have extra cash to vacation if all works out well.

I have no idea where I want to go. We had to cancel our trip to the inlaws since I can't take time off right now.

My favorite trip was Jamaica but that was pre kids. I think I want to stay in the US, I would push for Disney but I think I want to lay on the beach vs run around like a crazy person.

/brain dump

I vote 2-3 days at Disneyland and then 2 days at the beach. There are some amazing beach front resorts in CA.
Plus some really awesome people live there.

[lala]

Mar 3, 2016 21:26:59 GMT -5 @tooshort said:

I would really like to take a trip for 5 days in October. I'm heading back to work next week full time. We should have extra cash to vacation if all works out well.

I have no idea where I want to go. We had to cancel our trip to the inlaws since I can't take time off right now.

My favorite trip was Jamaica but that was pre kids. I think I want to stay in the US, I would push for Disney but I think I want to lay on the beach vs run around like a crazy person.

/brain dump

You'll run around like a crazy person with kids regardless.  

but really, I know what you mean, our beach vacations are much more relaxing than Disney or something else. If you did an AI or cruise you'd have all the built in child care. 

We'll be in Disneyland and San Diego in November if you want to hold off until then...

[gastro]

Mar 3, 2016 19:09:16 GMT -5 melew said:

I really enjoyed our trip to Maui. It was great having a nice pool (there were actually 3, so something for everyone) at the resort and beach front access. We drove around the island, went to the Aquarium, visited the Maui plantation, ate yummy food,and just generally relaxed.

The prices vary greatly depending on what season and island you choose, as well as what amenities you prefer. If it is something you are interested in, let me know and I can find specifics to PM to you.

I second Maui for a great family vacation. I would stay in Kaanapali.

[melew]

Mar 3, 2016 22:11:27 GMT -5 gastro said:

Mar 3, 2016 19:09:16 GMT -5 melew said:

I really enjoyed our trip to Maui. It was great having a nice pool (there were actually 3, so something for everyone) at the resort and beach front access. We drove around the island, went to the Aquarium, visited the Maui plantation, ate yummy food,and just generally relaxed.

The prices vary greatly depending on what season and island you choose, as well as what amenities you prefer. If it is something you are interested in, let me know and I can find specifics to PM to you.

I second Maui for a great family vacation. I would stay in Kaanapali.

That is where we stayed!  Kaanapali is perfect for a family vacation (though my husband and I stay there when it is just the two of us too.  We might try Wailea next time though for when it is he and I).

[lala]

Since your midwest - I'd go where it was cheaper to fly I think - is the west coast/Hawaii or southeast/caribbean? Assuming a beach vacation.

I am sure there are great places within a day's drive, too. Rent a lake house?

[gastro]

The best vacations we've had since kids have a few things in common: staying withinwalking distance to lake/beach, staying in a place with a kitchen, inviting family that will help mind and occupy the kids or friends who also have kids with similar ages.

[gastro]

Mar 3, 2016 22:21:42 GMT -5 melew said:

Mar 3, 2016 22:11:27 GMT -5 gastro said:

I second Maui for a great family vacation. I would stay in Kaanapali.

That is where we stayed!  Kaanapali is perfect for a family vacation (though my husband and I stay there when it is just the two of us too.  We might try Wailea next time though for when it is he and I).

We went last April and my son still tells strangers how great it was.

[melew]

Mar 3, 2016 23:45:16 GMT -5 gastro said:

Mar 3, 2016 22:21:42 GMT -5 melew said:

That is where we stayed!  Kaanapali is perfect for a family vacation (though my husband and I stay there when it is just the two of us too.  We might try Wailea next time though for when it is he and I).

We went last April and my son still tells strangers how great it was.

That is so cute!  We live on the West Coast (about an hour and a half drive from the ocean) and whenever we say that we are going to the beach, my oldest assumes we are talking about Hawaii.  Um, no kiddo.  But we can stop by the ice cream factory on the way back home if it would make you feel better.  

[abs]

I've heard great things about Mackinack Island. That should be easy to get to from the mid-West, right?

DH and I LOVE LOVE Hawaii. It's our happy place. However, taking a young child on what would involve an overnight flight sounds like hell.

We've done Disney twice and have had a wonderful time both times. DD has been asking when we are going back since the day we got home.

We are talking about a cruise this summer. DH wants to go somewhere where his work phone doesn't work. I'm still angling for Beaches Turks and Caicos but getting there might be challenging. I live in Texas--not quite sure why getting to the Caribbean is so hard!

[cabbagecabbage]

Last year we took the absolute best toddler vacation. We rented a house on the beach an hour and a half from home. It was about 1k for the week for a little place for 3 of us. It was perfect because:

No flying. No airport. No long tragel. No buying tickets.

The price was awesome.

We had a fully stocked house so we could cook, go out, or just scrounge.

We were 10 stairs from the sand and water.

We had kayaks, rafts, surf boards, sand toys at our disposal. My toddler was thrilled to play in the beach all day for a week solid.

We could plan some side activities because it was so reasonably priced.

It was my ideal kid vacation and if we weren't having a baby in july, I would have rebooked already.

[L From The D]

We're taking the kids in their first "real" vacation th summer...DISNEY!!!

But I would highly recommend doing a mini-trip to an indoor waterpark like Great Wolf Logde, Kalahari, etc. We went to Zehnders in Frankenmuth, Mi and had a blast! We are returning with friends later this month.

[Deleted]

Our best trip with ds, hands down, was Palm Springs in January this year. We rented a condo with its own private pool and jacuzzi and mostly hung out there and played in the pool, soaked in the jacuzzi and enjoyed pizza and Doritos lol. Also, when ds was asleep at night, h and I cranked up the fireplace and watched movies and grilled. It was soooo refreshing. While there we even squeezed in a couple fun activities including the palm desert zoo and the aerial tram up to the snow. A good mix of chill and stuff to do and it was 70 during the day and chilly at night.

[rosesandpetals]

The best vacation we've taken with DD was probably the most recent trip to visit my family in MA. The extra help is nice and I like seeing everyone. We've been to Disney twice but the first one was a complete nightmare (That wasn't Disney's fault, though) and the second one was fun and I LOVE Disney but it wasn't as relaxing because of juggling sleep schedule, park times, swimming, etc... sometimes it is nice to just sit in one place. Also, DD isn't tall enough for the "big" rides. I'm sure it will be better when she can go on them and doesn't nap -- 4? 5?

I want to take a vacation over the summer but I can't come up with anything. Disney over the summer sounds crowded and hot and miserable. We can't go to the beach because DD won't wear her ear-mold so she can't go in live water. We're also redoing the kitchen so we don't have the budget to fly anywhere fun. Blahh

[erbear]

We went to Seattle and Portland with my kids, my parents, and my sister and her family. It cost maybe $3000 total (flights from East Coast, 1/3 of a gorgeous house on Queen Anne's hill, and food) and was so fun.

[dizzycooks]

I'm looking for something. No idea what. I'd love the beach, but definitely need a kitchen. I'm sure we will go to my dads cabin, but the bugs are terrible in the summer so that may need to wait for fall. Plus, not kid proof...at all.
We haven't had a vacation other than San Diego when dd1 was 18mo. It was awesome, I'd do it again.

[honeydew1894]

My DH's family (parents, sister and family and brother and family) all rented a house in Florida the week of Thanksgiving. We did Disney and Animal Kingdom, but also just stayed in the pool at the house. It was a perfect mix of excitement and downtime.

[vettymama]

I can't wait to plan actual vacations again. DH and I loved cruises before we had kids. Alaska, Caribbean, Northeast. Now we do local vacations. Duluth, Wisconsin Dells, waterparks.