Family vacation ideas requested

[sweeps]

Hi folks. I'm looking for family vacation suggestions. I have a 4-year-old son and an 18-month-old daughter.

Disneyworld is a consideration of course, but we've been kinda talked out of it because we're told it's going to be difficult with the young one (can't ride rides, attention span too short for shows, still taking naps, etc.)

A beach vacation is also a consideration, but I don't want it to be the primary focus. I'll get bored just sitting on a beach for several days.

Any ideas?

[fruitbowlk]

Are you looking to travel to a certain state?
What state are you in? How far are you willing to drive?

[sweeps]

I'm in the midwest. I'm willing to travel anywhere in the country.

[fruitbowlk]

Hilton Head Resorts- Sea Pines- Hilton Head Island Resort, Vacation Rentals
Family Indoor Waterpark Great Wolf Lodge Water Park Resorts
Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort
Sesame Place
state Parks
Campgrounds
Hersheypark

[disneysteve]

First, I wouldn't rule out Disney. We took our daughter when she was 6 months old, 1 year old and 2 years old (and many times since). Every trip was just fine. There was plenty for her to see and do and enjoy at every age. Plus, kids are free at that age which is nice.

How about a cruise? They have great kids' programs and loads of activities for everyone.

I'm with you on the beach thing. I'd go out of my mind sitting on a beach all day. I can handle an hour or two but that's about it.

[sweeps]

Great ideas so far. Thanks! Haven't ruled out Disney yet... but feeling discouraged about that one. Cruise came up also, but do they do babysitting for an 18-month-old? Hilton Head, Sesame Place and Hershey all great ideas...

[kork13]

Don't know if you're one for the outdoors, but two of the vacations I'm eventually gonna take are a week or so of camping at the Grand Canyon and at Yellowstone. In your case, 18m/o can easily be taken care of and you have the freedom to do whatever you like. Most 4y/o's find stuff like that interesting. There are tours of both areas, lots to see, and you can even take horses/donkey's down the grand canyon. Just me, though....

[disneysteve]

Cruise came up also, but do they do babysitting for an 18-month-old?

Camp Carnival starts at age 2. Not sure about the other lines.

While I happen to love HersheyPark, there is a whole lot more for little kids at Disney than there is at Hershey.

[creditcardfree]

There are lots of state parks that now have lots of activities for families. You can camp or stay at a lodge. Fishing, horseback riding...pony rides, trails, pools, playgrounds, paddle boating, and crafts.

[creditcardfree]

Disney cruises have babysitting services for a fee. Ages 12 weeks to 36 months. There are activities available for older children, too!

[KevinCarr]

Rent a Timeshare on Craigslist!!

There are some amazing deals on Craigslist if you want to go on there. People renting their timeshares for next to nothing. You can stay at beautiful places without ever having to spend the money they had to in order to buy it. Good deal all around!!

[tomer]

Great ideas so far. Thanks! Haven't ruled out Disney yet... but feeling discouraged about that one. Cruise came up also, but do they do babysitting for an 18-month-old? Hilton Head, Sesame Place and Hershey all great ideas...

Crusie is a great choise. It is an hotel on water.
Very convinient for all ages.

[wraddylan]

You may go first a book hotel in cheap rates.

[snafu]

When our kids were 3 & 5 y/o we did 'daily vacation,' traveling in a perimeter which allowed us to return home by dark. We researched every event suitable for children in our region and chose those that we thought were most suitable. We visited nearly every park and were rewarded with totally different themes/programs and they were FREE!

We did our best to get to our planned destination by 10 am as that's what we do when we're far away from home. Lunch was nearly always a restaurant that we had never tried. Many were ethnic and it felt like we were traveling around the world. Staff were fab with kids, taking their pictures, telling stories about their home country or the food and even teaching them songs.

We bought tickets to children's theatre, Shakespeare in the Park [actors in elaborate costumes walk among the audience and involve them in the story line], lil britches rodeo [kids could stand\stroller right at the fence and smell the sheep], went to a 'dig' for dinosauers, face painting promo @ farmer's market, signed on for mom 'n' tot swim, [dad partnered 5 y/o] etc.

On rainy days [2] we all made cookies [dad was voted the worst baker], went to a matinee.

Since lunch was the major meal of the day, we often had picnic dinner [leftovers], outside, some home on the deck, some at the nearby school yard which has intricate swings, climbers, ramps, slides etc. [everything made of old tires] Several times we went to the largest park to end the day with a boat ride on the lagoon in 'pedal' boats.

Benefits: Kids slept in their own beds and were asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow. Often one parent could manage the outting, the other could do something of their choice that was not child friendly. We could use our regular sitter and go out in the evening without worry. DH didn't get lost [and refuse to stop for direction]. Dog didn't need to go to daycare. Laundry not an issue, no long lines @airports. I found taking a pre schooler on flights a horrid experience.

Fast forward and our teens still talk about that vacation 'when kids ruled' and they were the focus. The only vacation they liked more was Disneyland when they were grade 4, grade 6. It even tops Disneyworld which was a few years ago.