First family trip - not disney

Suggestions for first trip on a plane? DD will be 4 and DS just under 2 so free flight.

Concerned about car seats and general challenge of little ones at an airport. Also not loving the idea of being stuck in the room by 8 pm.

Should we just stick to somewhere we can drive to?

No Disney as we want to wait another few years. We need a vacation and free flight for DS is tempting.

Thanks for ideas! Right now we are in dream stage so open to all options. Doing jersey shore house this year and I want something bigger for next year. Pool/beach are what DH and I love although activities for kids might be needed. I'm looking at beaches but debating if little ones are too tough, will it be worth the &$?

Message edited 3/8/2016 11:25:42 AM.

Re: First family trip - not disney

Honestly, we took the boys when they were 4 and 2 to Disney and they had the best time. Flight isn't too long and they had a blast. We brought their carseats, put them in a bag and gate checked them. We rented a car.

Are you looking for beach or site seeing? Have you thought of a cruise? Maybe rent a house by the water that you can drive to.

We just got back from Aruba and had a great time and there were a lot of families there.

Re: First family trip - not disney

I think you should look into resorts that have suites or even timeshare units. It gives you more space and flexibility with young ones. You can put them to bed and still have space to hang out with DH.
What type of vacation are you looking for? Relaxing at the beach? Site seeing? Amusement park?

Message edited 3/8/2016 8:14:05 AM.

First family trip - not disney

Look at renting a condo or house. I stayed for a week on Ana Maria Island in FL. The place was 2 beds and 1 bath and had a pool and was 1/2 block to the beach. Not tons to do outside of water/beach but it was a relaxing week and DS loved it. We went off season so it was only 700 for the week plus airfare etc. We got it on VRBO.

Re: First family trip - not disney

We love a beach vacation with little kids.
Favorite is Fort Lauderdale. Fort Meyers/Naples is also awesome.
If you're really aspirational, Disney is a 3 hour drive from there & can be done as a day trip if kids are good car sleepers.

Re: First family trip - not disney

Beaches Turks and Caicos is a great place for your kids' ages.

Atlantis in the Bahamas is also easy since you don't have to fuss with car seats. We went there when our kids were 2 and 4. It was and still is one of our best family vacations. Everything was just so convenient granted they do nickle and dime you.

Another favorite when our kids were your kids' ages was Scottsdale, AZ. Awesome pools. Phoenix has the best zoo for little ones. All around fun time.

Just wanted to add that your almost 2yo is probably the hardest age to fly. I remember our flights were pretty hellish when each of our kids were that age.

First family trip - not disney

I agree with Atlantis!

Re: First family trip - not disney

Look into Hawks Cay in the Florida Keys. Very family-centered with lots for the kids to do and you can stay in condo/townhouses so it gives families lots of space.

First family trip - not disney

We love renting beach houses with the kids when they were little. We have done Hilton Head, Holden Beach, NC; Kure Beach, NC; Carolina Beach, NC; OBX

First family trip - not disney

Just took our 2 boys (4 and almost 2) to Florida (not Disney). Feel free to FM me with any travel questions. We flew and we paid for seats for both boys. I took my youngest one in a carseat, used a wheeled cart for the airport and that was great! I liked having the option of him seating in his seat on the airplane. Once I took him out, he was all over the place! My older son did great on the airplane. We brought his tablet with movies and headphones. Oh, and plenty of snacks!

I always stay in a suite now so that the boys can go to sleep and we can hang out for a bit.

We did a lot of beach and pool days. We went to LEGOLAND for a day. They had a blast. We kept it very laid back.

Re: First family trip - not disney

Just my honest opinion, but for a first family vacation, I would head out to Lancaster PA. I may be bias because it is literally one of my favorite places to visit with ths kids for so many reasons:

It is within driving distance
There are some really nice places to stay - I recommend Eden Resorts, as they have a fantastic pool / sprinkle park for the kids
It is extremely kid friendly - Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Park, Train museum, Strasbourg Railroad, The Turkey Hill experience, horse & buggy rides ... so so many things.

The trip wont break the bank.

We have been there quite a few times and keep going back because there are things we just never get a chance to do.

Re: First family trip - not disney

We took my kids to beaches when they were 3 and 9mos and we all loved it.

Naples is a good option because its a short flight and not Disney!