Reasonably Kid Friendly Vacation Destinations?

Amnorix · 02-10-2005, 08:42 AM

So the missus and I are looking to go somewhere, ANYWHERE for a much needed vacation.

The problem is we've got a 3-1/2 year old and a one year old so wherever we go needs to be reasonably kid-friendly.

Flight time is pretty irrelevant -- we'll suck it up on the flight if the destination is good enough.

I turn to the mighty and all-encompassing wisdom of the Planet for any ideas as to locations that might be good. So, any thoughts?

**cdcox** · 02-10-2005, 08:47 AM

I wouldn't plan too many sites with small kids. Instead I'd opt for a relaxing place to spend several days.

A beach house is always relaxing for the family, but you will need to go pretty far south to get warm enough weather this time of year. Could also run into the Spring Break crowd soon. When do you want to go?

memyselfI · 02-10-2005, 08:47 AM

Depends on when you are going...

if you can get to Tampa/Orlando (Disney, Bush Gardens, the ocean, and too much to mention all within a two hour radius) BEFORE SPRING BREAK then it's a great place for kids. If not, then try to go in May sometime before school ends otherwise wait until late Sept/Oct.

I took a 1 year old and five year old to Disney in August. Horrible mistake. I'll take the kids out of school next time just to avoid the crows and the heat and the 'peak' season prices.

2bikemike · 02-10-2005, 08:48 AM

Leave the kids with the Grandparents and go anywhere. A one year old is not going to enjoy the trip. And the only place for a 3 year old is Disneyland.

**cdcox** · 02-10-2005, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

Leave the kids with the Grandparents and go anywhere. A one year old is not going to enjoy the trip. And the only place for a 3 year old is Disneyland.

And the 3yo won't remember the trip anyway.

As I said above, if you are set on taking the kids, find a place to park it for a few days.

Amnorix · 02-10-2005, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

I wouldn't plan too many sites with small kids. Instead I'd opt for a relaxing place to spend several days.

A beach house is always relaxing for the family, but you will need to go pretty far south to get warm enough weather this time of year. Could also run into the Spring Break crowd soon. When do you want to go?

Sooner is better. Agreed that we can't plan one of those whirlwind tours of seeing museums and stuff like that. The kids would croak the enjoyment right out of it.

We've just started discussing it. We havent' taken a true vacation in far too long. Timeframe isn't determined yet. Could be anywhere from March to June...

Amnorix · 02-10-2005, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

Leave the kids with the Grandparents and go anywhere. A one year old is not going to enjoy the trip. And the only place for a 3 year old is Disneyland.

The grandparents still work and have other grandkids to babysit at times. Can't really do more than a one day sleepover with them. We've done the quick weekend getaways. We're to travel for longer than that.

Spicy McHaggis · 02-10-2005, 08:57 AM

Amsterdam's red light district. I hear there's a family discount.

Amnorix · 02-10-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Depends on when you are going...

if you can get to Tampa/Orlando (Disney, Bush Gardens, the ocean, and too much to mention all within a two hour radius) BEFORE SPRING BREAK then it's a great place for kids. If not, then try to go in May sometime before school ends otherwise wait until late Sept/Oct.

I took a 1 year old and five year old to Disney in August. Horrible mistake. I'll take the kids out of school next time just to avoid the crows and the heat and the 'peak' season prices.

Disney is kinda pointless, I think. As mentioned before, the 3 year old won't even remember it. Most of the stuff is geared for kids a bit older (and taller) than a 3 year old. He isn't much into Disney stuff anyway (give him Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder anyday).

That trip will be scheduled (maybe for several years in a row) starting when the kids are more like 9 and 6 years old.

Amnorix · 02-10-2005, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaintMcManus

Amsterdam's red light district. I hear there's a family discount.

I heard it was a premium if you want to see a family performing....

kc rush · 02-10-2005, 08:59 AM

We rented a beach house in the outer banks of North Carolina with two other families last September. There were two 2 year olds and a 1 year old there. Everyone had a good time.

We hit the beach, went to the aquarium out there, watched all of the pro kite flyers, went shopping, visited Kitty Hawk (kind of disappointing), but mostly relaxed.

If you are interested PM me and I can send you a link to the rental house company we used.

**dirk digler** · 02-10-2005, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Sooner is better. Agreed that we can't plan one of those whirlwind tours of seeing museums and stuff like that. The kids would croak the enjoyment right out of it.

We've just started discussing it. We havent' taken a true vacation in far too long. Timeframe isn't determined yet. Could be anywhere from March to June...

If you are not going to do much sight seeing than my suggestion is go to the beach and relax as much as you can with 2 little kids. Rent a condo or something like that on a beach and just chill.

jspchief · 02-10-2005, 09:02 AM

I'd suggest an all inclusive resort named Beaches. They have locations all over the Carribean and on Jamaica. It's a family resort, so there won't be anyone there without kids and they offer a lot of kid activities.

My wife and I go to their sister company Sandals (couples only) and we can't say enough good things. I honestly wonder if we'll ever vacation any other way now.

**dirk digler** · 02-10-2005, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc rush

We rented a beach house in the outer banks of North Carolina with two other families last September. There were two 2 year olds and a 1 year old there. Everyone had a good time.

We hit the beach, went to the aquarium out there, watched all of the pro kite flyers, went shopping, visited Kitty Hawk (kind of disappointing), but mostly relaxed.

If you are interested PM me and I can send you a link to the rental house company we used.

Damn that sounds great I might try to do that this year. Was it very expensive to rent a beach house?

Amnorix · 02-10-2005, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

If you are not going to do much sight seeing than my suggestion is go to the beach and relax as much as you can with 2 little kids. Rent a condo or something like that on a beach and just chill.

We're kinda hoping to do SOME sightseeing, but we're kinda nervous about the kiddies reactions. The 3-1/2 year old is a well-training, reasonably mellow little fellow, and the 1 year old is happy as long as he's eaten recently, so we think a bit of sightseeing is do-able.

02-10-2005, 08:42 AM
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Reasonably Kid Friendly Vacation Destinations? So the missus and I are looking to go somewhere, ANYWHERE for a much needed vacation. The problem is we've got a 3-1/2 year old and a one year old so wherever we go needs to be reasonably kid-friendly. Flight time is pretty irrelevant -- we'll suck it up on the flight if the destination is good enough. I turn to the mighty and all-encompassing wisdom of the Planet for any ideas as to locations that might be good. So, any thoughts?
Posts: 43,125

02-10-2005, 08:47 AM	#2
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-648231	I wouldn't plan too many sites with small kids. Instead I'd opt for a relaxing place to spend several days. A beach house is always relaxing for the family, but you will need to go pretty far south to get warm enough weather this time of year. Could also run into the Spring Break crowd soon. When do you want to go?
Posts: 46,037

02-10-2005, 08:47 AM	#3
memyselfI CHANGEd your mind yet???? Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lunatics Anonymous Casino cash: $10005234	Depends on when you are going... if you can get to Tampa/Orlando (Disney, Bush Gardens, the ocean, and too much to mention all within a two hour radius) BEFORE SPRING BREAK then it's a great place for kids. If not, then try to go in May sometime before school ends otherwise wait until late Sept/Oct. I took a 1 year old and five year old to Disney in August. Horrible mistake. I'll take the kids out of school next time just to avoid the crows and the heat and the 'peak' season prices. __________________ Meet the new boss same as the old boss. BigChiefDave:"Anyone who thought we would only be in Iraq for a few years is either stoned or just stoopid." "It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last 6 days, 6 wks. I doubt 6 mths." Rummy 2/7/03
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02-10-2005, 08:48 AM	#4
2bikemike Born to Ride Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NWA Casino cash: $-1284623	Leave the kids with the Grandparents and go anywhere. A one year old is not going to enjoy the trip. And the only place for a 3 year old is Disneyland.
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02-10-2005, 08:57 AM	#8
Spicy McHaggis Keep 'er Movin' Join Date: Sep 2004 Casino cash: $9905359	Amsterdam's red light district. I hear there's a family discount. __________________ “We want players who are big, strong, smart, fast, tough and disciplined,” Pioli said, finally bringing an end to the era of Chiefs executives who searched desperately for players who are small, weak, stupid, slow, fragile and unruly.
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02-10-2005, 08:59 AM	#11
kc rush Blah Blah Blah Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: In front of the computer. Casino cash: $1979559	We rented a beach house in the outer banks of North Carolina with two other families last September. There were two 2 year olds and a 1 year old there. Everyone had a good time. We hit the beach, went to the aquarium out there, watched all of the pro kite flyers, went shopping, visited Kitty Hawk (kind of disappointing), but mostly relaxed. If you are interested PM me and I can send you a link to the rental house company we used.
Posts: 12,593

02-10-2005, 09:02 AM	#13
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	I'd suggest an all inclusive resort named Beaches. They have locations all over the Carribean and on Jamaica. It's a family resort, so there won't be anyone there without kids and they offer a lot of kid activities. My wife and I go to their sister company Sandals (couples only) and we can't say enough good things. I honestly wonder if we'll ever vacation any other way now. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207