Vacation Ideas

Suburban Rhythm · 07-21-2008, 08:21 AM

Coming to the great thinktank that is FOFC.

Looking for something to do for about 4-7 days. We really have nothing planned out.

The constraints are-

Going to be a week in September, so some of the "summer places" may be closed, or weekend only at that point.

Will be me and my wife, our daughter (4) and son (2). So needs to be somewhat kid friendly. And that somewhat limits the distance we want to travel.

We know we've got the fallback option of the beach (brother in law is in Maryland and can stop and see them).

Just looking for some other suggestions.

Mizzou B-ball fan · 07-21-2008, 08:28 AM

FYI, September is the absolute best time to go to Walt Disney World in Orlando, especially with kids that age. School is back in sessions, so crowds are small while the weather is still very nice without being too hot. You won't have to wait more than 10 minutes for even the most popular rides and will be able to just walk on most rides without any wait. There's plenty of rides that even the 2 year old kid can ride. Airfare to Orlando is VERY cheap right now when compared to other vacation destinations as are the hotel accomodations. The water parks are also relatively crowd free. Even if it's only 70 degrees, the water is heated to around 80 degrees in the entire park, so no worries about cold water.

Flasch186 · 07-21-2008, 08:28 AM

A cruise in the Carribbean. Great for everyone and especially the kids on Royal Carribbean.

Mizzou B-ball fan · 07-21-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flasch186

A cruise in the Carribbean. Great for everyone and especially the kids on Royal Carribbean.

There are cruises going out of Baltimore and New York, so that's definitely within driving distance.

Suburban Rhythm · 07-21-2008, 08:46 AM

Should have added this as a constrain-- we did throw around the idea of Disney, and are thinking maybe next Sept. The kids will each be a year older. Not that we fear the amount of rides etc for them at this age, but hopefully appreciate the whole experience a little bit better a year from now. My daughter is the kid that hates the idea of people dressed up as characters (we did Sesame Place last year, and she flipped out at the lunch with the characters).

Wife is not a fan of the idea of a cruise.
Beach- great. Boat - not so much. So not sure how that one would go over.

But thanks for the input guys.

DaddyTorgo · 07-21-2008, 09:02 AM

bit early for a fall-foliage thing, and would probably drive the kids crazy

is it a requirement there be a "kid-friendly" piece to it, or is the 4 year old cool just like...chillin?

QuikSand · 07-21-2008, 09:08 AM

Right across the state... I don't think you'd want to spend multiple days there, but this is a really nice place to visit:

http://www.hawkmountain.org/

Other things in the general area like Hershey Park that might make for a multiple day affair.

Lathum · 07-21-2008, 09:17 AM

My family goes to nantucket every year and we love it. Not sure what it is like in September and it can be a little pricey there.

Lathum · 07-21-2008, 09:21 AM

Another area you can look into is the Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge area. Not to far a drive from Pitt, the Smokies are really nice that time of year and there are TONS of family attractions there ( Dollywood, the Aquarium, etc...). The area itself is a little hookey but it is a really nice vacation.

Flasch186 · 07-21-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Should have added this as a constrain-- we did throw around the idea of Disney, and are thinking maybe next Sept. The kids will each be a year older. Not that we fear the amount of rides etc for them at this age, but hopefully appreciate the whole experience a little bit better a year from now. My daughter is the kid that hates the idea of people dressed up as characters (we did Sesame Place last year, and she flipped out at the lunch with the characters).

Wife is not a fan of the idea of a cruise.
Beach- great. Boat - not so much. So not sure how that one would go over.

But thanks for the input guys.

my wife was nervous about the boat issue but when we got on she went to the Purser's desk, got a pill she would take each morning and she literally didnt or couldnt tell the boat rocked at all. For me there was only one day I felt it rock at all, keeping in mind it was a huge boat. For us, at least, that trip was great, in that, she is now a huge fan of cruises when before hand her trepidation made me believe we'd never be able to go on a cruise.

Suburban Rhythm · 08-19-2008, 07:43 AM

Pulling this one back...for a little more advice for anyone in Eastern PA.

QS wins the first round with his suggestion of Hershey.

We are going to do one day at Hershey, one day at Dutch Wonderland-- both are only open weekends after Sept 1st. Also looking at the Zoo at Hershey and/or the Strasburg Railroad for a day.

Someone I work with recommended the Willow Valley Resort in Lancaster (I was originally looking through priceline, expedia, etc.) to stay.

Welcome to the Willow Valley Resort | Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Anyone here ever stay there? The woman who recommended had great things to say about it. 3 indoor pools, indoor water park will be nice in the event of rain, plus being mid-Sept the chances we'd use an outdoor pool are slim.

jeheinz72 · 08-19-2008, 08:11 AM

Jamaica

Dr. Sak · 08-19-2008, 08:27 AM

What about going to Erie. They have an indoor water park for the kids. There are the beaches at Presque Isle, plus you are only 2 hrs away from Niagara Falls.

07-21-2008, 08:28 AM	#3
Flasch186 Coordinator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL	A cruise in the Carribbean. Great for everyone and especially the kids on Royal Carribbean. __________________ Jacksonville-florida-homes-for-sale Putting a New Spin on Real Estate! ----------------------------------------------------------- Commissioner of the USFL USFL

07-21-2008, 08:46 AM	#5
Suburban Rhythm Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pittsburgh	Should have added this as a constrain-- we did throw around the idea of Disney, and are thinking maybe next Sept. The kids will each be a year older. Not that we fear the amount of rides etc for them at this age, but hopefully appreciate the whole experience a little bit better a year from now. My daughter is the kid that hates the idea of people dressed up as characters (we did Sesame Place last year, and she flipped out at the lunch with the characters). Wife is not a fan of the idea of a cruise. Beach- great. Boat - not so much. So not sure how that one would go over. But thanks for the input guys. __________________ "Do you guys play fast tempos with odd time signatures?" "Yeah" "Cool!!"

08-19-2008, 07:43 AM	#11
Suburban Rhythm Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pittsburgh	Pulling this one back...for a little more advice for anyone in Eastern PA. QS wins the first round with his suggestion of Hershey. We are going to do one day at Hershey, one day at Dutch Wonderland-- both are only open weekends after Sept 1st. Also looking at the Zoo at Hershey and/or the Strasburg Railroad for a day. Someone I work with recommended the Willow Valley Resort in Lancaster (I was originally looking through priceline, expedia, etc.) to stay. Welcome to the Willow Valley Resort \| Lancaster, Pennsylvania Anyone here ever stay there? The woman who recommended had great things to say about it. 3 indoor pools, indoor water park will be nice in the event of rain, plus being mid-Sept the chances we'd use an outdoor pool are slim. __________________ "Do you guys play fast tempos with odd time signatures?" "Yeah" "Cool!!"

07-21-2008, 08:28 AM	#2
Mizzou B-ball fan General Manager Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO	FYI, September is the absolute best time to go to Walt Disney World in Orlando, especially with kids that age. School is back in sessions, so crowds are small while the weather is still very nice without being too hot. You won't have to wait more than 10 minutes for even the most popular rides and will be able to just walk on most rides without any wait. There's plenty of rides that even the 2 year old kid can ride. Airfare to Orlando is VERY cheap right now when compared to other vacation destinations as are the hotel accomodations. The water parks are also relatively crowd free. Even if it's only 70 degrees, the water is heated to around 80 degrees in the entire park, so no worries about cold water.

07-21-2008, 09:02 AM	#6
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	bit early for a fall-foliage thing, and would probably drive the kids crazy is it a requirement there be a "kid-friendly" piece to it, or is the 4 year old cool just like...chillin?

07-21-2008, 09:08 AM	#7
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Right across the state... I don't think you'd want to spend multiple days there, but this is a really nice place to visit: http://www.hawkmountain.org/ Other things in the general area like Hershey Park that might make for a multiple day affair.

07-21-2008, 09:17 AM	#8
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	My family goes to nantucket every year and we love it. Not sure what it is like in September and it can be a little pricey there.

07-21-2008, 09:21 AM	#9
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	Another area you can look into is the Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge area. Not to far a drive from Pitt, the Smokies are really nice that time of year and there are TONS of family attractions there ( Dollywood, the Aquarium, etc...). The area itself is a little hookey but it is a really nice vacation.

08-19-2008, 08:27 AM	#13
Dr. Sak Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA	What about going to Erie. They have an indoor water park for the kids. There are the beaches at Presque Isle, plus you are only 2 hrs away from Niagara Falls.

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