Good family vacation spots???

[fsstnotch]

Ok, so as it would turn out.... my great desire to get out of this hell hole called Afghanistan has failed. One day I'm 2 weeks from leaving and the next I'm getting a promotion and staying 8 more months... BLAH!

Anyways, I plan on coming home on or around Oct 10th for vacation until about Nov 10th. I want to take my wife and daughter on a nice vacation to get away but I'm not sure where to go. My daughter is 3, going on 4 in march, so I don't know if Disney is worth the $$$ if she won't remember it. Right now I'd say it is still my #1 option but was wondering if anyone had any other ideas. We live in PA and winter will be looming so it's gotta be warm and can't require a passport.

Also, where would you book said vacation? My wife is looking at 4 night stays at animal kingdom in orlando and with airfare, passes to disney, some meals, and some show passes, she is getting like $4-5000 trips. I was hoping to spend a bit less!

[Ron61]

and can't require a passport.

Gee, you are picky. That just left California out.

Ron

[onefastmustang]

that does seem a bit high. About 6 years ago I took my 4 kids and wife to Disney for 5 days and it cost me about 2k. Shop around. I bought my package from Family Getaway Vacations.

[fsstnotch]

Thanks! i'll check em out.

Ron, i don't think i would vacation to Cali if they paid me! lol

[trularin]

Northern Michigan, $20 and a case of beer. You might have to fish.

[4RE KLR]

It seems to me a nice vacation would be ...

Just you and the family away from everything except each other.
NO phone
No email
No PC
No ..well you get the picture.

Just get you some camping gear, and go to a State Park close to home for a few days.

[jams]

How about an indoor water park. They have various locations around the US.

http://www.greatwolf.com/grandmound/waterpark

Also, try a cruise. I went when my son was 2 and he loved it. They are rather economical because all of the food is included. My Son was too young for the on board kid activities(aka babysitting) but your kids ages should be OK.

If you are still considering Disney do a combo- Disney cruise and Disney.

Be safe and have fun!

P.S. Some cruise lines offer discounts for members of the military.

[Ron61]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

Thanks! i'll check em out.

Ron, i don't think i would vacation to Cali if they paid me! lol

Hey, California does have some great spots to VISIT. Lots of history out here also but we have the sequoias, one of my favorite weekend spots when I lived down there, Yosemite, Redwoods, Lassen, Mt. Shasta, and the list goes on. And of course the ORIGINAL DISNEYLAND, not that REPLICA in Florida. Also the drive up the coast from Southern Calif. all the way into Washington state is nice.

Ron

[fsstnotch]

Steve, the camping this is a bit late in Oct. We'd have to drive a few hundred miles south first.

I'm going to look into a cruise. Not entirely fond of ships though... I seen titanic! To tell you the truth, I'm not entirely thrilled to get on a plane right now either... seems they're just falling out of the skies! What like 4 in 2 months?

[Jamo]

Honestly? Home.

A 3 year old can be tough to travel with (been there more than a few times) and you would be surprised what a variety of simple day trips will do...

A local pet store to see puppies and kittens and snakes eating mice. A picnic at a local park with a good play area. A damn good pillow fight on mom and dad's bed.

That's the stuff that will carry you (and them) through with memories.

Just my thinking...anything you get to do with them will be great.

[Doug I]

yah know .... Jamo has a damn good idea.

One extra thing I'd add - get a sitter for the night and check into a local hotel for the night Tell the sitter you'll be back .... tomorrow ..... sometime.

[Jamo]

Recent experience helps...2 1/2 year old grandson wasn't all that impressed with the REAL Disneyland a couple of months ago. Got tired, bored and had to be carried much of the way.

But I take him for "chocolate donuts and chocolate milk" most every Saturday morning, followed by a trip to the local pet store to watch minature sharks, crabs, snakes (and their furry food in the cage next to them)...then to the toy store next door to pick up a new car for his Thomas train set...or we watch SpongeBob or wrestle with pillows...

...in other words, it's like playing here at the Lounge.

[twobjshelbys]

Colorado - Trail Ridge in Rocky Mountain Park will probably still be open (getting close). Go to Durango, and see Mesa Verde (close to the mis-placed 4-corners marker). The Gateway, CO auto museum and resort is close by (a very nice place to stay) is half way between Durango and Grand Junction. You're close to Moab (and Arches National Monument). Lots to do in that area not too far away from an anchor point.

[rustyBob]

I hate to say this ...but ...I agree with Jamo....stay home spend time with the wife and daughter and do the simple things,dinner out,moveis and popcorn,the park,the zoo,those are the thing they will remember most,spending time with dad,and its a lot less expensive (todays economy?)the local business will appreciate it .Stay home and enjoy your family.

[Fordzilla]

I have to agree with Jamo & rustyBob. Do Staycation things with your Family.

[fsstnotch]

That's a good one Jamo and you also spurred a very good idea. My daughter LOVES the zoo. Maybe we'll hit the aquarium? She'd love that too. I'm really trying to persuade my wife against the Disney idea just because I don't really feel like driving or flying a whole lot. Bad Enough I'll be flying for about 20 hours each way over and back here. And if you've ever done a combat landing in a C17 or C130... they Ain't fun! Especially for someone who gets a little motion sick without windows.