Land Vs Cruise when it comes to cost $$

[sas80]

So, we are guesstimating the cost of an Alaska cruise with our 2 children. It looks like, for a balcony cabin, on RCCL, we are going to spend a little over $5k for a 7 night cruise, and that does not include air fare!!!

 

If I look at a disneyworld vacation, I am seeing that we would spend approxamately $2300 for a mid range room. Of course this does not include food or air, but air is air, and there is no way we are going to eat thru $3200 of food in a week!

 

A week in Club Med, at Ixtapa, is $2500... Now that is an all inclusive and includes food!

 

How do you all justify the cost of a cruise vacation?

[Kerry's Girls]

I'd love to do Alaska, but they rarely have the deals that cruises in other areas have, and the flights are more expensive if you get on in one place and off in another, as often happens with Alaska cruises. We just can't cruise unless there's a great deal, but, thankfully, there are always deals, so we just follow the sales and go where they tell us!

 

I've done resort vactions and find that meals are what breaks us - we pay more for less healthy meals. I have considered Club Med type places, because the costs are similar - but I just love the whole different day/different place thing since we're not sit-in-the-sun vacationers.

 

We did do a Disney vacation and spent as much as on a cruise, but I think I'm legally required as a parent to take them there, right? I know they love it, but I swear they have more fun on a cruise - with MUCH less whining! Hopefully it will be many years before I have to do it again!

 

Alaska is spectacular, and worth every penny if you have it in your budget, but if you're just looking for a family vacation, you can find less expensive cruises that then are more equal in price to other types of vacations - then it just becomes a matter of taste.

 

I'd love to hear what other cruisers have to say about this though. Great question.

 

Best,

Mia

[sas80]

I'd love to do Alaska' date=' but they rarely have the deals that cruises in other areas have, and the flights are more expensive if you get on in one place and off in another, as often happens with Alaska cruises. We just can't cruise unless there's a great deal, but, thankfully, there are always deals, so we just follow the sales and go where they tell us!

 

I've done resort vactions and find that meals are what breaks us - we pay more for less healthy meals. I have considered Club Med type places, because the costs are similar - but I just love the whole different day/different place thing since we're not sit-in-the-sun vacationers.

 

We did do a Disney vacation and spent as much as on a cruise, but I think I'm legally required as a parent to take them there, right? I know they love it, but I swear they have more fun on a cruise - with MUCH less whining! Hopefully it will be many years before I have to do it again!

 

Alaska is spectacular, and worth every penny if you have it in your budget, but if you're just looking for a family vacation, you can find less expensive cruises that then are more equal in price to other types of vacations - then it just becomes a matter of taste.

 

I'd love to hear what other cruisers have to say about this though. Great question.

 

Best,

Mia[/quote']

 

We are committed to the Alaska cruise because my sister is going (summer 2009) I told DH that we need to either dump money into a 2-ish year CD, to help defray the costs, or start putting $x a month into an Alaska account to save up for it slowly.

 

True, as a parent you are required to do Disney.

 

Also true - I hadnt fathomed in the lack of nutritional value when yo do a land vacation and you are "eating more on the go"..... But I am the type of "un cool" parent who would make sure we had a kitchenette so that we could eat in and I could prepare packed lunches.... so we would save money on that.

 

What we really need are some grandparents to live close enough so taht we could spend a week on a cruise while the grandkids were spending a week getting spoiled!!!

[Roz]

Do you have to have a balcony? Would you save any money by booking an outside cabin(s)?

 

You can't compare a trip to Alaska to a Disney vacation. Apples and oranges. Alaska, by land or sea, is always expensive.

 

Roz

[sas80]

Do you have to have a balcony? Would you save any money by booking an outside cabin(s)?

 

You can't compare a trip to Alaska to a Disney vacation. Apples and oranges. Alaska, by land or sea, is always expensive.

 

Roz

 

Well, even if it was not Alaska, even a caribbean cruise would be more than $4k.....

 

In my opinion, yes, we do need a balcony. Is it neccisary, no. However, when you are napping your kids (so that they dont become meltdown monsters in public areas) you have to have somewhere to drink your mai tais, relax and play uno!!!

[Kerry's Girls]

Honestly, for Alaska, a balcony is worth the extra cost more than any other cruise because it's light out until bed-time, there is so much to see just sitting there (not like being out on the open ocean). Nothing like seeing the wildlife and beauty while you drink a glass of wine.

 

Best,

Mia

[JCSM-Mom]

Well, even if it was not Alaska, even a caribbean cruise would be more than $4k.....

 

In my opinion, yes, we do need a balcony. Is it neccisary, no. However, when you are napping your kids (so that they dont become meltdown monsters in public areas) you have to have somewhere to drink your mai tais, relax and play uno!!!

 

You can get a Caribbean cruise for less than $4K, what time of year are you looking? We are in a 9A on legend and paid less than that (not including air). You get get lower category balconey for much lower.

 

Also, a cruise to Alaska you get to see more of it, unlike a land based where you are in one place. Not sure how old your kids are, but we are planning on doing a land tour before the cruise when we go to Alaska in a few years. Alaska does seem more expensive, but worth it. It's a great trip.

 

Have a good vacation what ever you decide.

[Eclipsepearl]

We actually started looking at cruises when Club Med upped their prices. It works out, for us, staying in Europe, to be about the same.

 

We're not on a strict budget but we still want value for money. Club Med pushed themselves out of that bracket, which was a shame because it really worked for us.

 

Btw, we did try other AI's with no success. It wasn't worth the money saved. They were simply second rate vacations. I remember counting the days till we left and the food was so boring, I couldn't eat pasta for a month after returning!!

 

I spent a fortune as a single person on Antarctica. It's an experience that no one can take from me. I could barely afford it but sometimes you just have to go for it. I asked myself what else I wanted to do with that money and frankly, couldn't come up with much. It's one thing to spend money foolishly. It's another to spend more than you prefer, but can still swing it...

 

Sometimes it's simply worth it to have the vacation you want. If Alaska with a balcony is it, save and enjoy it. You know it'll be good even if expensive. Money spent on a vacation you didn't really want or didn't really enjoy, is a real waste.

[seattle2000]

So, we are guesstimating the cost of an Alaska cruise with our 2 children. It looks like, for a balcony cabin, on RCCL, we are going to spend a little over $5k for a 7 night cruise, and that does not include air fare!!!

.....

How do you all justify the cost of a cruise vacation?

 

 

Well, I've justified two Alaska vacations by avoiding airfare and pre-post-cruise hotel expenses (hint: check out my moniker) :rolleyes:

 

However, it is a great cruise, even with small children. I definitely recommend splurging on a balcony if you have napping kids, or at least an oceanview with a large window. You can make up the money elsewhere by keeping a tight rein on onboard expenses (ie, skip the art auctions and casinos), and carefully choosing excursions. One thing we've decided to do on our next cruise is to split up and have only one adult do the pricy excursions at a time (or leave the kids onboard, if you are ok with that). When they are little, most of them are happy with the cheaper Alaska options, IMHO.

 

If you are simply looking for a floating all-inclusive experience, you may want to look at a cheaper cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean, and save Alaska for when they are older. If it's a family trip, you may want to justify spending the extra $$$ as being worthwhile for the reunion aspect.

 

You mentioned RCCL-- you may be able to find a "deal" if you open yourself up to other lines as well. Or just check back frequently to see if the price drops before final payment is due. Good luck!

[mpb43]

I"m another who doesn't see the whole "value" idea of a cruise vacation. We have 3 children, which means we either have to get two cabins (and pay full price for 4 of us) or get a fairly expensive family stateroom.

We just completed our first cruise with the kids this past summer. It was to the Med and we have traveled with the kids to Europe twice previously on land vacations. The cruise vacation was about 30% more expensive than either of our land trips. (We had vacation rentals on our land trips and saved a significant amount of money on dining.)

We all loved the cruise, though, and are now setting our sights on Alaska in 2009 as well.

We will continue to take both land a cruise vacations, but our cruise vacations will likely not be because they offer more value.

[sas80]

Alaska was just an example, and something that we will be obligated to do if the rest of the family really jumps on board.

 

(you know how it is, everyone things a group cruise is a great idea right until they actually have to book and spend the money!:cool:)

 

I was just looking around to book another cruise and realizing that the price for 4 people is crazazy!

 

We just got to diamond with RCCL so we are kind of bound to that line - not to mention that we have always been very pleased with all RCCL has to offer.

 

I guess with a land vacation, if we didnt go all inclusive, we could get a kitchenette and I could (would) cook a lot of meals, so we would save $$ on that.

 

Thanks for the responses. I can see that an AI, and a land vacation with a kitchenette, is something that we are just going to have to try in order for us to make a good evaluation of what we feel gives us the most value for our dollar...

[crusinmama06]

I just did the same type of run down and decided we are going Disney for the Spring.

 

Disney for 8 days PLUS meal package PLUS tickets/ground transportation and deluxe resort...about $4,300

 

Disney for 4 days plus 3 day Disney cruise added on....$5,200

 

Disney for 4 days plus 3 day RCCL added on....$5,250

 

Atlantis Paradise Island AI for 7 days - $4600 WITHOUT AIRFARE and airfare is running pretty high to fly to the Bahamas direct

 

Beaches AI for 7 days Turks/Caicos - $7,300 :eek:

[sas80]

thanks for the breakdown momma!

[momofmn00]

I guess for us, since we are a family of four, cruises are a nicely priced was to vacation. But then again, we can all fit in one room, and will probably cut corners, like driving to port [12 hours] instead of flying, doing our own excursions, less drinks, and maybe even a cheaper room.

NOW, granted, they are not as cheap as just driving somewhere and staying there in a room, being able to cook for yourself, etc...BUT~What in the heck can you see there...I don't really know, from where we live, we can drive to a lake and hang out in a [nicer] cabin/condo a week for about $2K (with food, activities, etc) BUT, does that compare to a cruise??? NO WAY!!! NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!:rolleyes:

Now, after researching a Alaska cruise for an gift for my in-laws earlier this summer, I can surely say "MAN, THOSE ALASKA CRUISES ARE DANG EXPENSIVE":eek: at least compared to a Caribbean one! Now granted that was with airfare and for only 2 people, but the price was STILL more than what our cruise vacation will be for the 4 of us in our family...I know, I know, Alaska cannot be compared to a Caribbean cruise...

 

And even a trip to Disney will be as expensive once you add in food packages, airfare, etc...BUT, I suppose those places will have to wait...I know we surely can fork over the $5K right NOW!!!!:cool:

[HappyFamilyNJ]

Someone mentioned below that pricing for 4 seems high... but if you look around, sometimes the cruise lines offer special discounts on 3rd & 4th passengers. I've got one booked on RCCL where the 3rd & 4th were $399 for a week; and I remember a couple of years ago NCL had a $99 special for 3rd & 4th. If you find these deals (never in the summer!) cruising for a family can end up being less expensive overall.

 

That said, it seems that Disney has lowered some of their lodging prices (probably because of all of the inexpensive timeshare options off-property) and is becoming a relatively better value than it used to be. And it is a mandatory pilgrimmage for American parents:cool: .

[crusinmama06]

Someone mentioned below that pricing for 4 seems high... but if you look around, sometimes the cruise lines offer special discounts on 3rd & 4th passengers. I've got one booked on RCCL where the 3rd & 4th were $399 for a week; and I remember a couple of years ago NCL had a $99 special for 3rd & 4th. If you find these deals (never in the summer!) cruising for a family can end up being less expensive overall.

 

That said, it seems that Disney has lowered some of their lodging prices (probably because of all of the inexpensive timeshare options off-property) and is becoming a relatively better value than it used to be. And it is a mandatory pilgrimmage for American parents:cool: .

 

Agreed. RCCL has $99 specials from time to time for that 3rd/4th person rate.

 

And Disney, you could greatly reduce the price that I listed above by not doing a luxury resort...you could go moderate or value and cut that price in half. I don't wanna scare any parents off from taking their kids to the happiest place on Earth...lol. :D

 

ALSO, my TA says that at Disney in Sept/Oct they offer the meal plan for free. So you could get a much better deal during those months.

[CC Help Michell]

I just did the same type of run down and decided we are going Disney for the Spring.

 

Disney for 8 days PLUS meal package PLUS tickets/ground transportation and deluxe resort...about $4,300

 

Disney for 4 days plus 3 day Disney cruise added on....$5,200

 

Disney for 4 days plus 3 day RCCL added on....$5,250

 

Atlantis Paradise Island AI for 7 days - $4600 WITHOUT AIRFARE and airfare is running pretty high to fly to the Bahamas direct

 

Beaches AI for 7 days Turks/Caicos - $7,300 :eek:

 

Holy cow, Michele! You got an AMAZING deal at Disneyworld for 8 days in the spring at a deluxe resort. I priced a VERY similar trip for my brother and SIL and their two kids (ages 7 and 5) for this October (they wanted 8 nights, with air, ground transportation with Magical Express, the full meal deal (not the lesser ones that just include one character breakfast and 9 other meals here and there, which is what the "free" fall meal plan offers) -- you know, the "works.") At either Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge (the two cheapest standard deluxe rooms, right at $250 per day when the resort taxes were included)) I couldn't get it below $8900 without changing some of their wants. For about half that they could have booked a moderate resort, no-expiration park-hopper tickets, a lesser meal plan, and air. They've decided to wait a year and keep saving.

 

What resort are you staying at? I love Disneyworld, and am fortunate to be able to plan it as a land vacation and use annual passholder tickets and discounts when we can. I again state, I'm so thrilled for you at that great deal -- I haven't seen pricing like that since the early 90's! :)

[crusinmama06]

Holy cow, Michele! You got an AMAZING deal at Disneyworld for 8 days in the spring at a deluxe resort. I priced a VERY similar trip for my brother and SIL and their two kids (ages 7 and 5) for this October (they wanted 8 nights, with air, ground transportation with Magical Express, the full meal deal (not the lesser ones that just include one character breakfast and 9 other meals here and there, which is what the "free" fall meal plan offers) -- you know, the "works.") At either Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge (the two cheapest standard deluxe rooms, right at $250 per day when the resort taxes were included)) I couldn't get it below $8900 without changing some of their wants. For about half that they could have booked a moderate resort, no-expiration park-hopper tickets, a lesser meal plan, and air. They've decided to wait a year and keep saving.

 

What resort are you staying at? I love Disneyworld, and am fortunate to be able to plan it as a land vacation and use annual passholder tickets and discounts when we can. I again state, I'm so thrilled for you at that great deal -- I haven't seen pricing like that since the early 90's! :)

 

If it was $8900 we wouldn't go so much...lol. :) It's Wilderness Lodge, Courtyard View.

 

Here are the details. I got Hopper Passes for 6 days (not 8) because we never go to the parks the night we fly in or the day we leave.

 

I don't book Air through Disney because I can get flights for $103 round trip to Orlando from other carriers.

 

Take off the "Water Option" because most won't go to a water park every day if at all.

 

Disney adds on tickets for EVERY day you stay. You might not need them the day you fly in or the night you leave.

 

We added in the meal plan for the first time ever. We usually don't. And it's the full meal plan.

 

And did they want the "No expiration" tickets? You would use them on the trip or not. The no expiration would just add to the cost.

 

Staying for 7 nights/

8 Days

Travel Party2 Adults 2 Children

ResortDisney's Wilderness Lodge Resort, Courtyard View

Tickets6 Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper® Option

Flight NONE

GroundDisney's Magical Express

Package $4314.58

[CC Help Michell]

If it was $8900 we wouldn't go so much...lol. :) It's Wilderness Lodge, Courtyard View.

 

Here are the details. I got Hopper Passes for 6 days (not 8) because we never go to the parks the night we fly in or the day we leave.

 

I don't book Air through Disney because I can get flights for $103 round trip to Orlando from other carriers.

 

Take off the "Water Option" because most won't go to a water park every day if at all.

 

Disney adds on tickets for EVERY day you stay. You might not need them the day you fly in or the night you leave.

 

We added in the meal plan for the first time ever. We usually don't. And it's the full meal plan.

 

And did they want the "No expiration" tickets? You would use them on the trip or not. The no expiration would just add to the cost.

 

Staying for 7 nights/

8 Days

Travel Party2 Adults 2 Children

ResortDisney's Wilderness Lodge Resort, Courtyard View

Tickets6 Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper® Option

Flight NONE

GroundDisney's Magical Express

Package $4314.58

 

Gotcha! Thanks for the elaboration -- it's not an apples to apples comparison (which is what I hoped was the case -- otherwise I'm a bad sister/SIL/Disney maven!) I was trying to figure out how 2K hotel (minimum) plus $1000 or so in tickets, plus meals and flights got to your number. Your reply helped a lot. :) I'd compare your hoppers with and without water options, for what it's worth -- a family of four for one day to one of the water parks often is more than the "surcharge" on the hoppers -- so if you are going to do it once (and spring can be HOT) you might want to include it in case you want to go again. You never know what kids will fall in love with! I know kids (my OTHER brother's daughter) who to this day swears the best thing at Disney is Typhoon Lagoon! ;)

 

By the way, I suspect you will love Wilderness Lodge... at check in, particularly at an off time like spring, ask about a no-charge change to a lagoon view. From a lagoon view you should be able to see the fireworks over the MK -- one of our favorite things to do when we stay at the Poly or GF is to wander down to the beach after dinner and watch the fireworks -- you may even see the electric water pageant if it's offered during your stay. Look for hidden Mickeys, too, especially around the magnificent fireplace in WL. :)

 

AND (this certainly may have changed, I haven't visited WL since 2005, when everything we ate tasted like hickory flavored wood chips) -- the food in the restaurants there isn't so "all that and a bag of chips." Thanks to the Monorail, you can eat at the Contemporary, Poly, etc. Whatever you do, don't miss Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary -- from vacations with similar-aged friends, to a family vacation for our parents' 40th, to my nephew's 3rd birthday party -- it's NEVER disappointed us. Oh, and with your two little girls -- Cinderella's Royal Table in the MK -- the princesses come to life! :)

[crusinmama06]

Gotcha! Thanks for the elaboration -- it's not an apples to apples comparison (which is what I hoped was the case -- otherwise I'm a bad sister/SIL/Disney maven!) I was trying to figure out how 2K hotel (minimum) plus $1000 or so in tickets, plus meals and flights got to your number. Your reply helped a lot. :) I'd compare your hoppers with and without water options, for what it's worth -- a family of four for one day to one of the water parks often is more than the "surcharge" on the hoppers -- so if you are going to do it once (and spring can be HOT) you might want to include it in case you want to go again. You never know what kids will fall in love with! I know kids (my OTHER brother's daughter) who to this day swears the best thing at Disney is Typhoon Lagoon! ;)

 

By the way, I suspect you will love Wilderness Lodge... at check in, particularly at an off time like spring, ask about a no-charge change to a lagoon view. From a lagoon view you should be able to see the fireworks over the MK -- one of our favorite things to do when we stay at the Poly or GF is to wander down to the beach after dinner and watch the fireworks -- you may even see the electric water pageant if it's offered during your stay. Look for hidden Mickeys, too, especially around the magnificent fireplace in WL. :)

 

AND (this certainly may have changed, I haven't visited WL since 2005, when everything we ate tasted like hickory flavored wood chips) -- the food in the restaurants there isn't so "all that and a bag of chips." Thanks to the Monorail, you can eat at the Contemporary, Poly, etc. Whatever you do, don't miss Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary -- from vacations with similar-aged friends, to a family vacation for our parents' 40th, to my nephew's 3rd birthday party -- it's NEVER disappointed us. Oh, and with your two little girls -- Cinderella's Royal Table in the MK -- the princesses come to life! :)

 

We go to Disney at least 2-3 times a year. :D Wilderness Lodge is our favorite resort, which keeps us going back so much. I like the Courtyard View cause we are able to see the fireworks over MK and the electric light parade. I was thinking of switching to Lagoon view but does that get "buggy". It seems like we were swarmed with bugs the last few times, would being on the lagoon make it worse?

 

And I completly agree about the food. Cindy's Castle is our favorite, followed by Chef Mickey. Princess Storybook at Epcott isn't bad either (for breakfast) and Crystal Palace (pooh & friends). But the absolute BEST is the Fantasmic Package at MGM. We get Italian dining and reserved VIP

passes to Fantasmic, so no waiting in line.

 

Can you tell I am a little Disney obsessed...lol? We were just there 2 weeks ago before our Carnival cruise. But we stayed at Disney Swan (for the first time ever). They had a character breakfast that requires no reservations and the characters just happen to be there. It is a buffet.

 

Look at THIS face! Can you tell she was loving it?

 

[CC Help Michell]

Awesome! :) This isn't a Disney board, so I won't go overboard, but glad to know you know what you are doing. :) What did you think of the Swan? I've stayed there for business (okay yeah I took my AP and sort of... was absent... a lot) but I was curious about either it or the Dolphin for a family trip. It wouldn't be my cup of tea, but perhaps you had a different experience?

 

On the bug thing, we were swarmed with "love bugs" in '06 during a May trip -- that's their season. From time to time we've encountered the occasional mosquito or other critter (and OMG, on one trip, the palmetto bugs (giant FLYING cockroaches at Old Key West!!! EWWWW! We have them in Atlanta too, but they run from light -- those at OKW seemed to LIKE it!)) -- but for the most part my Disney trips have been so bug-free they make me wonder... just what DO they spray around here?! :eek:

 

And the Fantasmic package....! Lord... maybe those friends of mine who want to cruise next spring break will have to wait -- I think I need a Disney fix, haven't had one since last winter break. ;)

 

As your children get older, and you move away from the MK (sadly, it happens to all of us) -- consider the Boardwalk Villas. That's our favorite resort (of the ten I/we've tried) at Disneyworld. Great location for Epcot and very fast watertaxi to MGM.

 

Sorry, mods -- we'll go back to cruising now -- Michele, I know you've done DCL with your kids -- any advice on a childless one? I've given it great thought, because even as a childless (by fate) adult I'm a total Disney freak. Their prices have always raised my hair to Lily Munster proportions, however. Is it worth it for a grown person?

[cruisetoscrap]

I'm going to bring up Europe because that's what's on my my mind :) I thought about doing a land vacation but I quickly said no when I thought about hoping trains with luggage AND a toddler since we wanted to do multiple cities. We also are really going to enjoy the kids club so we can go to dinner together most land vacations don't have a babysitter unless you are staying some where like Beaches. And I love the idea of him being able to eat fruits which he loves and any other food he wants with out thinking about the cost of the dollar menu vs something nutritious.

 

I know this might be thread hijacking but I'm asking b/c you guys seem experienced. My DH just got word that we could join him on a business trip in Orlando in Oct. Excluding Disney what should we do with an active one year old in Orlando? Would Disney be worth it?

[crusinmama06]

MichellP - I would have to check out if I saw flying cockroaches...lol. :eek:

As far as the Swan, it was beautiful. But it's just different than staying at a Disney owned resort. The pool was fantastic (reminded me of Atlantis). But there just isn't the little Disney extras that you find at Disney hotels (because it's owned by Westin). But in the bathroom they have ALL Bath n Body products...so that's a plus...lol. My hair never smelled so good. :D

 

We have stayed at Boardwalk. We went with friends and got the 2 bedroom suite on the Vacation Club section. My daughter's bedroom balcony had a full view of Tower of Terror...she was in kid heaven...lol.

 

And back to cruising? Ok, I REALLY like Disney, but I really didn't like the Disney cruise. It's cute. They do keep the adult sections ADULT. They do not allow the kids into the adult dining venues at all (unlike RCCL who will make exceptions). And the adult only pool IS adult only. The shows are the best I have seen. The problems I had was with the service, just wasn't impressed with the dining room servers (many are, I know...maybe we had a bad batch). The shopping onboard was just 2 small Disney stores. There is no casino. I am NOT a gambler by any stretch of the imagination but it's nice to be able to feed a few slot machines at night when nothing else is going on. So I found myself looking for things to do at night. And for the price we paid for a Cat 6 on Disney Magic, we got a grand suite on the biggest ship on the sea (Freedom of the Seas). And the perks that come with the suites on RCCL beat anything on any other cruiseline, no doubt.

 

I guess I always say it's nice to do ONCE. I have friends that go on the Wonder/Magic EVERY year. She says she feels like she would be "cheating on Mickey" if she did anything else. I think she's crazy because she is missing out on so many other great ships.

[crusinmama06]

I'm going to bring up Europe because that's what's on my my mind :) I thought about doing a land vacation but I quickly said no when I thought about hoping trains with luggage AND a toddler since we wanted to do multiple cities. We also are really going to enjoy the kids club so we can go to dinner together most land vacations don't have a babysitter unless you are staying some where like Beaches. And I love the idea of him being able to eat fruits which he loves and any other food he wants with out thinking about the cost of the dollar menu vs something nutritious.

 

I know this might be thread hijacking but I'm asking b/c you guys seem experienced. My DH just got word that we could join him on a business trip in Orlando in Oct. Excluding Disney what should we do with an active one year old in Orlando? Would Disney be worth it?

 

We are holding off on Europe because some of the ports are so travel intensive (8 hour excursions) that I know the kids wouldn't be able to handle it. But I know some others here have done it with toddlers and loved it. :)

 

Check out to see if there is a "Not So Scary Mickey Halloween Party" at Magic Kingdom on the night you will be there (7pm-midnight). We just went to the Pirate/Princess party at Magic Kingdom and the lines were non-existent. It was the BEST way to do MK. And the prices are really cheap...$39 per adult. The 1 year old would be free. Any 1 year old would go gaga over the MK rides like Pooh Bear, Snow White, Peter Pan, It's a Small World. All of the rides are more like experiences. So you would be able to hold him on your lap. They are built that way.

 

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------------

 

While we are on the subject of other land vacations. I'll give you my favorite for families with kids (besides Disney)

 

We just spent Labor Day at Niagara Falls. We had never gone there before but I am telling you, we WILL be back. There were so many things for kids to do that it was really tough fitting it all into 3 days. It reminded me of Downtown Disney because of all of the kid friendly things (Rainforest Cafe, Indoor Waterparks, Indoor rides, Ripleys, 4D movies, Maid of the Mist, Walking behind the falls)

 

We stayed at the Sheraton Fallsview (Canadian Side) and THIS was the view from our room.

 

 

My other favorite place for kids is Ocean City MARYLAND. There are two hotels that are almost mirror images of each other and we love staying at either one. They both have a water park type pool/heated and an indoor pool. They both have kid activities at the hotel. Each suite is oceanfront and comes with a full sized kitchen. So you can save money by bringing groceries. And each suite has a huge jaccuzi and rain shower. One is Holiday Inn Suites on 17th Street/Boardwalk...the other is Hilton Suites 32nd Street Boardwalk. And at night, there are so many things to do on the boardwalk for kids.

 

[Ellanora]

We just spent Labor Day at Niagara Falls. We had never gone there before but I am telling you, we WILL be back. There were so many things for kids to do that it was really tough fitting it all into 3 days. It reminded me of Downtown Disney because of all of the kid friendly things (Rainforest Cafe, Indoor Waterparks, Indoor rides, Ripleys, 4D movies, Maid of the Mist, Walking behind the falls)

 

Wow, that sounds like a lot of fun. And that picture!!! What an incredible view. I'm going to have to look into a Niagara Falls vacation now. :D

 

On the subject of land based vacations, my son LOVES Gatlinburg, TN. We generally stay for four nights around Christmas or in January. We try to book a cabin on a creek with a hot tub, or stay in a motel with a balcony on the creek with a hot tub. My son loves staying in the cabin, loves eating at the restaurants and ordering medium-rare steak EVERYWHERE, loves riding the go-carts, mini-golfing, hiking, exploring waterfalls and frozen creeks, and souvenier shopping. They also have a top-notch aquarium to visit. I'll be honest, we avoided the aquarium for the first few years because we assumed it wouldn't be nearly as good as the aquariums (including Sea World) that we visited all the time in Florida. When we finally broke down and gave it a try, we were AMAZED at how great an aquarium it really is. Staying for the 4 nights after Christmas this year in a two bedroom cabin costs $790 after tax, and since my parents are joining my son and I, we are splitting the cost, which makes it VERY economical.

 

The other vacation he and I have done together, that was our most favorite vacation to date (including cruises) was 4 nights at Beaches Negril, a family all-inclusive in Jamaica. We had a phenomenal time, and can not wait until we can go again. This gets extremely pricey, certainly more expensive than your standard 4 night Carnival cruise, but we managed to pick up a single parent discount on top of low Sept rates, and paid $1800 total. Of course, $900 of that was the airplane cost, which was running high that year.