Missoula Griz Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Taking the family on a vacation come first week of April. We have not decided on the destination. We don't want to go on a cruise, but we also don't want to have to rent a car everytime we want to do something. I like the idea of a resort where the kids are safe to wander together. Top locations on our list are Aruba, Hawaii and Caymen Islands. We have looked into the all inclusive resorts which would make it easier to budget. Our current budget is about 8-9K. We want to stay for a week. Airfare to all of the location is close to 750-1K per person. My children are 12(boy) and 8(girl). I would sure appreciate any information from personal expierence any of you have had from these locations, or others which you think would be worth looking into. Also, has anyone vacationed at an all inclusive resort before? I do not like to travel, unless its to my favorite fishing spots nearby, but the family has been buggin me for sometime to think outside the box. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Until further notice, I will continue to recommend Maui to anyone that's never been there. An absolute vacation paradise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 disney has a deal going, buy 4nights get 3free. we are looking at that and also the beaches resort in turks and caicos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missoula Griz Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 Until further notice, I will continue to recommend Maui to anyone that's never been there. An absolute vacation paradise. My wife's choice hands down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missoula Griz Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 and also the beaches resort in turks and caicos. That was on my list as well ,but a couple thousand more than I want to spend. Should you use a travel agent or just book online with airfare? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 (edited) That was on my list as well ,but a couple thousand more than I want to spend. Should you use a travel agent or just book online with airfare? i usually just book online. do my own airfare as well. we have a 10 day stay at disney reserved in case we cant find anything else. Edited January 12, 2009 by dmarc117 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Row Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Never been to Hawaii, Aruba was nice but not much for kids, I would think Disney would be the best bet, and as Dmarc said they are offering some sweet deals. Or... Perhaps you could pay for a sitter with some of that hugh budget and just take the wife to Maui. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missoula Griz Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 Never been to Hawaii, Aruba was nice but not much for kids, I would think Disney would be the best bet, and as Dmarc said they are offering some sweet deals. Or... Perhaps you could pay for a sitter with some of that hugh budget and just take the wife to Maui. Disney is out. Not a theme park family. Kids like to swim, para-sail, fish, boat, ect... I just looked at the prices for Disney. Pretty costly in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 How about the Grand Canyon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Got back from Maui a couple weeks ago.....will go again. Absolutely loved it. If you decide to go...get this book: http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/maui.html It also has a ton of reviews and price ranges for condos/resorts. You can probably look at some of them online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 i like maui (go almost every year) mexico (cozumel, playa del carmen, puerto morales) bahamas caymen any of the club meds stand out to you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheikYerbuti Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 My inlaws made Atlantis their regular vacation spot when the Shiekette and her brother were about your kids' age. They rave about it. Good combo of enclosed resort with stuff to do (water park, manta ray aquarium, pools) and out of compound excursions as well. Don't know about price, but they're pretty frugal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 My inlaws made Atlantis their regular vacation spot when the Shiekette and her brother were about your kids' age. They rave about it. Good combo of enclosed resort with stuff to do (water park, manta ray aquarium, pools) and out of compound excursions as well. Don't know about price, but they're pretty frugal. when i was thinking bahamas... i was specifically thinking about atlantis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delicious_bass Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Taking the family on a vacation come first week of April. We have not decided on the destination. We don't want to go on a cruise, but we also don't want to have to rent a car everytime we want to do something. I like the idea of a resort where the kids are safe to wander together. Top locations on our list are Aruba, Hawaii and Caymen Islands. We have looked into the all inclusive resorts which would make it easier to budget. Our current budget is about 8-9K. We want to stay for a week. Airfare to all of the location is close to 750-1K per person. My children are 12(boy) and 8(girl). I would sure appreciate any information from personal expierence any of you have had from these locations, or others which you think would be worth looking into. Also, has anyone vacationed at an all inclusive resort before? I do not like to travel, unless its to my favorite fishing spots nearby, but the family has been buggin me for sometime to think outside the box. TIA My wife and I loved Aruba, but (as Front Row said) I am not sure if the kids would like it as much as yourself and the Mrs. would. Seems to be more of an adult destination. Wonderful place to relax, so it may be a place you wanna save for a time its just you and mama Griz. There is stuff the kids can do that would be fun, though, and I thought the people were extremely nice down there. We did stay at an All Inclusive, too. If you'd like more info, let me know and I can tell you the name of the resort and some of the things we liked. when i was thinking bahamas... i was specifically thinking about atlantis I have seen Atlantis on tv and on the net. I think it looks like a blast for a family vacation but I have no personal experience with it nor any idea the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Another vote for Hawaii. We are going in 2 weeks. Found round trip tickets from KC for $400. We will be on Oahu, because my brother lives there and we will stay at his place. I've been to Hawaii 4-5 times, and I am NEVER disappointed. It's impossible down there to be disappointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Disney is out. Not a theme park family. Kids like to swim, para-sail, fish, boat, ect... I just looked at the prices for Disney. Pretty costly in my opinion. In that case (and with wife having Maui at the top of her list), I definitely recommend going to Maui. Ka'anapali/Lahaina area specifically. Got back from Maui a couple weeks ago.....will go again. Absolutely loved it. If you decide to go...get this book: http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/maui.html It also has a ton of reviews and price ranges for condos/resorts. You can probably look at some of them online. +1 on Maui Revealed. That's one incredible guide book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Row Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 (edited) Stayed at an all inclusive in Aruba, I think it was called Bushiri bounty, way to go imo. No need to worry about food or drink tabs. Very windy , not very suitable for snorkeling and the like. Lot of casinos and night life. Have you considered Jamaica? Had a great time there, again all inclusive was the way to go. Gotta add Hawaii to my bucket list. Edited January 12, 2009 by Front Row Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I'm trying out Destin end of May kid-friendly, taking 3 other couples w/ kids, golf, beautiful beaches, great food, a friend of ours has a 4 bdrm/4 bath house on the beach, renting to us for $2000 total for everyone ($500 each family) and we're all driving from Longview to our "Destin-ation" thank God my Hubby got that gas-guzzling Yukon bargain price 2 motnhs ago!!, well, 20 mpg hwy, not too bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missoula Griz Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 i like maui (go almost every year) Looks like Maui is the place. Where did any of you stay. Recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Looks like Maui is the place. Where did any of you stay. Recommendations? I won't speak for Bier, because he has way more experience staying there and I believe he's part of a timeshare there as well. But we stayed at: - The Spyglass House in Pa'ia. Bed and Breakfast, so probably not the kind of place you want to bring the little Grizzes. But in case you ever want to go there with the Mrs., this is a sweet spot. - The Hotel Hana Maui in Hana. Probably one of the nicer places I've ever stayed at, and is probably not kid-friendly enough for your vacation plans. Of course, one family decided it was, and had two kids (probably around 9 and 7) there. Suffice to say, it made our honeymoon relaxing a little difficult. - And finally The Sheraton Black Rock in Ka'anapali. Plenty of activities for kids and adults. Great pool. Right at Black Rock, which offers some of the best snorkeling around. Shopping nearby. Close enough to Lahaina Town to go walk around, shop, eat, etc. Not sure how your kids would deal with it, but the Road to Hana is an experience not to be missed if you're in Maui. If you (and they) are up to it, make it a day trip. Again, that book Maui Revealed is simply a must-have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 i don't think hana is going to be the best place to stay with kids. you'd be best served staying in kaanapali. sheraton black rock is a good rec. marriot, westin, hyatt are all great. check expedia for pkgs...... i am going to pm you a list of my favorites. hawaii is pricey. do not rule out the yukatan. some very nice resorts with all- inclusives along the coast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 What airport you flying out of? Just went to Travelocity, and put in flights from Missoula to Maui. Put in flexible dates from Feb to May. $400 round trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) Check out Costa Rica. Though I've never been, my parents loved it (my 63 yo mom even did the rainforest zip line) and CR has all the fun activities you mentioned. Its a paradise, and it may be bargain compared to other options. Edited January 13, 2009 by The Irish Doggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Looks like Maui is the place. Where did any of you stay. Recommendations? We stayed at Maui Hills in Kihei and it was spacious, quiet, and relaxing. Not right on the beach though. And I'd make the road to Hana a 2-day trip staying in Hana overnight and looping around the island. That link I posted might have plenty of reviews and price range stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missoula Griz Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 What airport you flying out of? Just went to Travelocity, and put in flights from Missoula to Maui. Put in flexible dates from Feb to May. $400 round trip. Great info. Novice here.....Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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