More family vacation planning help please!

[JoanneOR]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about Grand Canyon travels a couple weeks ago. It's still under consideration and if we do go, your suggestions will be really helpful. But, now my DH is thinking maybe it would be better to put off that trip for a couple years, until our youngest is older. She's four now. So, now were considering one of those all inclusive family vacations, like a Club Med type thing. We'd also consider a cruise. I was thinking a cruise would be fun since we could get off and explore. We want something with lots of activities for the kids, but also relaxing for us! I was looking at the Club Med Punta Cana and that looks promising. Anyone have experiences with these types of vacations, cruises for families? We're probably going in mid-June. Considering somewhere in the Carribbean or Mexico but are open to other options. Our kids are 4, 7, 9 and 10. Any experiences to share? Thanks!

[cminmd]

My brother and SIL just did a Disney Cruise and they LOVED it. She was really impressed with quality of the cruise. She had been worried the cruise would be fun for the kids, but irritating for the adults because the cruise would be dominated by kids, but she said all her fears were unfounded. She said she would go even without kids. They went with my aunt and uncle and their two children, so the kids were 12, 10 and 3 and all had activities they wanted to do.

As for our favorite family vacation- we adored our week at a timeshare resort at the Mayan Palace.

http://www.mayanpalace.com/riviera/

We bought the week at a charity auction and it was by far our favorite family vacation. The hotel has a fantastic pool, great service and is in a very pretty part of Mexico. We visited a nearby zoo, Playa Del Carmine and Tulum which are Mayan ruins. We had a private bedroom, kitchenette, dinning table and a living room where they convert the couches into beds at night for the two kids. I used the health club every day, both machines and yoga classes and had a facial and massage in the spa that was fantastic. We had been to Cancun as a couple, but like the resorts south of Cancun for the family.

[cniles]

Hi Joanne!

We went to Beaches in Turks and Caicos about 5 years ago and had a ball. Granted my parents paid for most of it so I believe it's pretty expensive... but we stayed in the French Village area - awesome. They are oriented to families and have tons of kids activities/restaurants etc.. My boys were only 2 and 4 at the time and we didn't get to experience the full effect. But we swam in the pool, water slides, kids swim up bar - trampoline on the sea... They have a kids club where the kids go off and do their own thing if they want.

I'm sure you can check out the website - Have fun!!!

[clairea]

I have a friend who went to the Club Med Punta Cana last summer and loved it. Her kids were 8, 4 and 1 at the time -- she said the only issue was that the baby was too young for the kids' programs, but the 2 older kids had a blast at them. I was looking seriously at this for our spring break this year (until I found out we had enough starwood points to get several free nights at the Westin on Grand Bahama). I think an all-inclusive would be perfect with kids the age of yours as it would give everybody some freedom to do what they want -- your older kids could go get a snack, etc. without constantly having to ask for money. I'm sure you and DH would enjoy having a little time to yourselves, too. The kids program must be pretty good if my friend's daughter participated -- I had her in preschool one year, and she can be a bit tentative in a new situations but this was apparently not a problem.

One thing I did find in online reviews it that (particularly during the late summer) the majority of the guests at the resort are European (esp. French) and the primary language spoken is French. Also, there were some references to women being topless on the beach. You might want to think about whether those things would bother you. IM (unsolicited) O, the exposure to another language/culture is always good, and as far as the beach goes, I trust my DH and my 9 yo DS is still at the age where he say "eeewww gross!" It wouldn't stop us from visiting there, but if it would be an issue for you you might want to look at a resort that has more of a primarily American clientele.

[JoanneOR]

Well, we went in a totally different direction and booked a week in the Smoky Mountains! DH came up with the idea, after I researched the prices on Club Med or the Beaches. I think he was a bit shell shocked! I was actually looking at that Turks and Caicos one, Charisse. It looked wonderful. Although the price it gave me on the web site was $9,000. Way out of our league! And that wouldn't include the airfare. I think the problem is that we are a family of six and need a larger room or two rooms. And, my two youngest don't really eat enough to make the all-inclusive really worth it for them. So, maybe we'll revisit that idea in a few years. And, we did Disney last year. Me and the kids loved it, but DH said never again! Just not his thing!

So, we booked a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. It seems like there's lots to do - white water rafting, hiking, water parks, outlet malls, Dollywood . Although the description scared me a bit with the mention of "lots of bears" Should be fun, though. Thanks for everyone's help!

[clairea]

Well now you are coming right to my (new) neck of the woods! If it makes you feel any better, everybody here has been telling me that I need to take my kids to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood as the kids will really enjoy it (and many people are surprised I have lived here 3 whole months without going yet!).

This is a beautiful area of the country, and I think you will enjoy it.

[cniles]

I think he was a bit shell shocked! I was actually looking at that Turks and Caicos one, Charisse. It looked wonderful. Although the price it gave me on the web site was $9,000. Way out of our league! And that wouldn't include the airfare.

I knew it was way expensive (and that was at least 5 years ago!!!) The boys keep asking to go back Uhhhh ....

Enjoy the Smoky Mountains!!! Sounds like fun!

[bugzey]

DH and I spent a week camping in Great Smoky Mtn National Park last fall. It was SO beautiful. We saw lots of kids on the trails -- and one bear -- so your family should have a blast.

Just FYI, it took us almost two hours to drive through Pigeon Forge because of the traffic. I guess there must be a ton of stuff to do there, because the number of people was quite staggering.

Have fun!