Help Planning a Vacation

There are Disney cruises available also, that way you may combine Disney and a cruise.

Although I haven't been there, I heard of Sesame Place in PA., is suposse to be nice for young children.

Good luck!

I have the same problem. My husband and I were thinking of going to Pennsyvania. One of my friends grew up there and used to go to a place called something to the effect of Sesame Place. I thought it sounded pretty interesting and theres also Hersey. They have a place there you can go and try chocolate and other things. I still have to do some research but it sounded pretty interesting to me. There's also a place in Wisconsin called The Wisconsin Dells. It's a massive indoor water park. My husband went there as a child and he loved it. My mother-in-law went there with her two teenage girls and they had a blast. It's good for the winter or the summer.
I hope this helped.

By far Disney World, there is something for everyone. We never had a better day, it was so very very much fun. We have been to CA, Hawaii, AZ, SC, NJ, MI, TN, NC, IL, and all I can say is that I can not wait to go again. I did not know we would love it so much. They do not charge for babies either....

I only have one little girl and we have taken her on a cruise with us already once. I would love to do it again!! I would also like to take her to Disney World, but with the price of airfare, tickets to the parks, hotels and car rentals I feel like I should mortgage my house. I know you see those commercials on TV that it only takes $1600 for a week to go to Disney World, but I haven't found out how to do that yet.

The cruise was wonderful. There is a Disney Cruiseline, but we went on a Carnival Cruise and they had a GREAT area for children. I went on this cruise with my niece, 6 and nephew, 8 and they both had a ball. They wanted to spend time away from mom and dad and play with the other kids and they were always well supervised. My young one screamed and threw a fit when it was time to go. I think the cruise might be better because there is literally stuff to do for all ages, day or night, on the water or even when you have docked at some exotic location. Just be prepared with your passports! Have a great time!

I would suggest a Disney Cruise, as well. My friend and her family are going on one in a couple of years. She has been telling me all about it. It sounds like the ideal thing to do. I guess they actually go to their own Disney Island, and port there. There are tons of activities to do there, as well, that aren't on any time restraints.
Another thing to think about since you have younger children, is that even though Disney activities on the cruise may be planned out, and you eat when they have meals available, that would actually be a good thing, to keep the kids on their schedules. That's not a bad thing when you have small children on vacation. They'll be more likely to get the sleep they need, eat when they're used to eating, etc. Plus, on the cruises, they have time for the adults to leave the kids in activities so they can go do their own thing for a while, while the kids are safe and doing their own thing. And they have family oriented activities as well.
I wanted to go to Disney with our kids, but the more my friend tells me about the Disney Cruises, the better I like the sounds of it. I would check with some of the travel websites and see what kind of deal you can get.
My sister-in-law and her husband went to Disney World for their honeymoon, but they went over their 1 yr. anniversary. They spent the whole previous year paying on it, in advance. So that's an option to watch out for, as well.

Hi! That is a great way to involve everyone in going on vacation. Will you also have them participate in choosing the final destination, offering a few different options with pros and cons? I cannot speak about the cruise experience, having never done it personally, though I have heard it described as a good family experience. I did just visit Disney with my 2 (2 and 5 years), and I would definately have waited until they were older. The lines are SO long for everything and it was all very expensive. They did not enjoy themselves very much most of the time. There are a lot of good ideas on the internet, and I bet a lot of the Mamasource moms also have some good suggestions. Good luck!

Well, I can't say this or that, but would suggest a travel agent and see exactly what you get and options for the buck.
After getting both sides and maybe one you have not heard or thought of that the travel agent may suggest with similar families with the same siblings, bring all ideas home and go over them all with the family and explain to the girls we can do this, but won't have enough for that if we do.
Or if we go here, we may not be able to see this place for X number of years.
Since everyone is pitching in, it is a everyone vote.
I sure hope you have the best vacation that everyone will enjoy and remember.
Don't forget the camera!
R.

I took my daughter to Disney for Christmas last year.. After the trip I asked her her favorite part.. and she told me swimming in the pool. She got her picture taken with all the princess she had dinner with the Pooh characters.. Although she thought it was cool she didn't like waiting in line for everything.. EVERYTHING.
The best vacation her and I have ever had is at the SEA MIST resort in Myrtle Beach. http://www.myrtlebeachseamist.com/
I hope to take her back this summer.

Personally I like both options. There are some fabulous deals available from Disney that include meal packages as well. I would suggest getting a Disney planning video and maybe some brochures or video of the cruise, sit down with the girls and see which one they want. Since everyone in the family is contributing I think everyone in the family should have a say. Good luck and enjoy the process as well as the vacation.

Hi,

I know planning a Vacation can be really confusing, but here is what we are going to next month. We are going on a 3 day cruise from a port near Orlando and then coming back and going to one day Disney park visit. I let my daughter pick either MGM or Magic Kingdom. So she gets to do her thing and we get to do our thing. Let's see how it goes.

Enjoy!!

Do both...check into a Disney cruise. You can get an information DVD mailed to you about the cruises.

L.,

I vote for the family cruise! A Disney vacation is going to be quite taxing with a 15 month old...and four all under 7. Yes, Disney is for kids, but they will enjoy it when they are older kids when everyone can help take care of their own needs and safety without mom doing it all and endure the walking, crowds, lines, exhaustion, and over stimulation! :) You would all probably end up yelling at one another when you just can't take any more fun!

Disney won't charge for the baby either. Also, you can buy packages that include meals and a great (fun) hotel for less than $2thousand total. Around $1700.00. You also have to figure in air fare, which is also free for the baby, as long as under 2. We went last December to Disney, when my son was 15 mos. I would wait until he was older to go back, but we all still had a great time, and my son was able to ride a lot of the rides.

Personally...you couldn't PAY me to get on a cruise with three kids. With hurricanes the way they've been the last few years and all of the sickness and crime. NO thanks!!!

Some friends of ours are going to Disney next week. Their youngest is 12 mos. They are paying less than 2 grand and all of their meals are included, except for breakfast. You choose what you want included and trust me...it's way easier to buy the meal plan than pay full price while there. It is EXPENSIVE!!!! $5 for a hotdog.

One thing...if you do go to Disney..make sure you go to the Barber shop on Main St. USA. It is tucked in a corner near the front public restrooms. But, well worth it. They'll put the girls/boys hair up like mouse ears and tease it (it is SO cute) then they paint a little mouse head on the back part of the hair and put in Disney confetti. They also do "Baby's first Haircut." The confetti do's are $5!!! So cheap!! Have fun!!

P.S. after reading some of the responses about long lines, I will tell you this: we went last December 10-15. Tons of employees told us this was the perfect time (at the Magic Kingdom we waited NO LONGER than 15 minutes for anything. At Epcot, we did wait an hour, but just for one specific attraction. Everything else was easy.) Anyway, the employees told us that we were there in Off -Season (which the website rates started changing on Dec. 17-mid Jan.) They told us that the week after we left would be SO busy and that none of the employees were allowed to take vacation or time off until mid-January. Also to note. President's Day in Feb. is the start of prime season again. So, just pay attention to room rates when you schedule. You'll get cheaper prices if you go during the off-season.

While Disney sounds nice in the Winter, if you go during 'traditional winter break' (the three-week period surrounding Christmas) you will likely find very large crowds, resulting in a lot of waiting in lines for attractions. I went one year during the week between Christmas and New Year's, and it was very crowded. Two years later, we went in August (granted it is hotter than hell at that time), and we didn't have to wait more than 20 minutes for anything.

Actually I think cruise lines DO charge for all passengers no matter what their age unless you find some sort of special where they will allow a free passage for a child under a certain age accompanying an adult. I have quite a few friends who have taken their babies on cruises, and they ALL had to pay a fare for the baby.

Cruises are good, but you might want to make sure you pick one like Disney Cruise Line that has a lot of things for kids of all ages to do. Lines like Norweigan, Princess, Windjammer, etc., tend to cater to an older clientele and might not be much fun for your kiddos. Whatever you're interested in doing, let a travel agency help you. They don't charge and often have access to great deals that are way below the prices you find in brochures. If you have AAA, they also offer travel agent services in their offices as part of your membership.

As a side note, I am a Pampered Chef consultant in the West Chester area. If you are interested in the company, it would be a great way for you guys to save up for your vacation. The company even offers family vacations that you can earn as incentives. Feel free to drop me an email at ____@____.com if you'd like more information. Good luck with your trip planning!

...L

L.,
If you are interested, my mom owns a travel agency and could help you out. Her name is Sandy and her business is Born to Travel ###-###-####. As her daughter, I have taken many vacations, but only 1 with my son, who was 22 months at the time. We went on a cruise. Had he been 3, the cruise would have been more enjoyable for all, since onboard children's programs don't allow children under 3. Also, I don't know where you got the information on pricing, but baby's are charged full price. We will eventually do Disney, but we want to wait until our youngest is at least 4 so that they can both enjoy it. Since it is so expensive, I don't see us doing Disney more than once, twice if we are lucky. If we do go away this year, we will probably go somewhere within driving distance, rent a house/cottage on a lake and enjoy the area. Travelling with kids and so much stuff is easier in a car and they won't care where they are as long as they are spending time with you and can enjoy the outdoors, swimming, etc. Good luck with your decision!

L.

You have received numerous replies and I honestly didn't read all of them. I would only suggest this most important part. If your children are helping to earn the money to afford the vacation, let them help pick. Estimate how much money you will have and find different places in that price range. You could then make a display for your little ones so they can see what they can do at a certian destination and let them help pick one from your list. With your younger ones the most important part might only be wearing them out.
When I was a child we went on a vacation every year. The ones I treasure the most were going to Florida, Texas, or West Virginia and staying with family. You might want to consider that. No matter where you go there will most likely be tourist attractions near by. And the entire plan is for everyone to have fun during the vacation, so don't go somewhere you or your husband won't find any joy in. Best of Luck.

I would check out the Disney cruises (I have heard great things about them). I will just warn you that spending any time at Disney is VERY expensive. We go every other year with my MIL and she pays for the entire trip or we couldn't go at all. Just to get into the parks is a fortune and the the hotels and food (although the parks let you bring in your own food). What about going somewhere like Pennsylania, I know they have a Seaseme Theme Park that has got great reviews and is based all for kids and I'm sure that you guys could find plenty of things to check out while you are there. Just my thoughts.

Hi L.! I suggest an all inclusive vacation, whether it be a cruise, Mexico or whatever. There are alot that are family friendly! Do check it out though first. Our last trip to Mexico in a particular resort(Bahia Principe)had a lot of nudes on the beach & at the pool. I was shocked at the young boys & girls among this! So check out the rules before you go! I know Disney has an all inclusive cruise, it may be worth checking it out. Also, use sites like hotspot, bestfares,etc for your best deals! If you plan in advance on the dates you are traveling you can save a TON of money! Great luck to you & your family & have FUN!!!

I would be scared to death to go on a cruise with 4 small children! Seems like every week someone else goes missing from one of those things. Missing on a cruise ship ain't like "missing" ashore. If you are missing from a cruise ship, there's only one place to be and that's in the freakin' ocean! Plus, think of the germs and sicknesses, not to mention, whose law do these people follow when they (and you) are hundreds of miles out in the ocean?. Just my personal, paranoid opinion. Sorry, I don't mean to be a downer, but I'd take my chances in a one-winged airplane sooner than I'd set foot on a sailing death trap.

Disney World would be great(you're talking big $$$$$ there). How 'bout something closer to home, like The Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, OH? They have that indoor water park, an arcade, and other planned events for kids. Check out their website, I believe it's greatwolflodge.com. You can find all the info there. If you are going in the winter, an indoor water park could be ideal (if your girls like that sort of thing) Above all else, have fun! Good luck.

Btw, don't let your parents tell you what you should do! Mine do that all the time! ARGG! It is your family, your money, etc. You decide. Ask the girls what they would like to do since they are chipping in. I say just sit down and brainstorm to find out, specifically, what each child feels like they just HAVE to do and then go from there! Hopefully you can figure out a way for everyone to get a little of what they want.

L.,
Just an ides, but Disney offers a Cruise. You can find info on it in the travel section of Walmart.com. Can you believe they also sell vacations! :)
M.

I would not do the cruise you are going to either love it or hate it. You have to do the activities when they say and you eat your meals when they say and so on. I would do something that you have the freedom to do what ever you and your family wants. I would look into walt disney that would be great for all the kids and you can determine how you guys soend your day and by the way I am pretty sure you have to pay for the baby on the crusie just like you would pay for your other children and to me that is a rip off. Good luck and have fun let us know where you decided

i havent read the other responses, but you might want to double check the information on the cruise. when we went to alaska a few years ago, there were families there that had to pay for any child over 1. things may have changed.

we are huge disney freaks and go every year and i always think disney is a great place to go. if you are able to go during an "off time" i think its more enjoyable than when the schools are out.

good luck

Sorry this is late! We're planning a trip to Disney this fall. You can look on their website to see when attendance is low - between Memorial Day and Thanksgiving is good. The All Star and other cheaper resorts are really nice and don't cost too much. We're tossing in the dining package too, since you can trade one of your fancy dinners each day for a character breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And if you're staying a few nights it's only a few dollars more to get the five day and up pass for the parks. It's so much fun to stay at Disney, and makes for lasting memories. I'd let your children do most of the deciding too. Personally, I wouldn't do a cruise. I like being able to leave if someone gets sick! But up to all of you.

Gatlinburg is also loads of fun, and not too far from Ohio. Virginia Beach is also fun and you could make a side trip to Washington D.C., though your girls may be a bit young to appreciate that yet.

Best of luck in your decision! Go with what you guys want though, not your parents (God love them!). : )