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cloddy
Holiday 2011 photo
Member since 8/05 8088 total posts
Name:
Kristen
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Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
Where have you gone that you loved and would definitely recommend? Ellie will only be 2 so I have to keep that in mind.
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Posted 7/2/07 10:15 AM  |
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cloddy
Holiday 2011 photo
Member since 8/05 8088 total posts
Name:
Kristen
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
Anyone? all inclusives, cruises, whatever...
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| Posted 7/2/07 7:52 PM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
We did Disney Land and Sea last year. DD was 9 months. The parks were a bit much but the cruise part was awesome!
This year we did the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo in Playa del Carmen Mexico. It wasn't geared toward kids IMO (that's what it's touted for). It was a basic all inclusive. It's supposed to be top of the line but in my opinion it was just maybe a little above average. I would go back for a cheaper price but not for what we paid.
I think an all inclusive would be great with a toddler though.
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| Posted 7/2/07 7:56 PM |
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cloddy
Holiday 2011 photo
Member since 8/05 8088 total posts
Name:
Kristen
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
Posted by monkeybride
We did Disney Land and Sea last year. DD was 9 months. The parks were a bit much but the cruise part was awesome!
This year we did the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo in Playa del Carmen Mexico. It wasn't geared toward kids IMO (that's what it's touted for). It was a basic all inclusive. It's supposed to be top of the line but in my opinion it was just maybe a little above average. I would go back for a cheaper price but not for what we paid.
I think an all inclusive would be great with a toddler though.
Thanks! I need the feedback good or bad. I've heard so many disappointed stories about all inclusives that I'm nervous about choosing the wrong one.
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| Posted 7/2/07 8:08 PM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
We're still not sure what we're doing, but I've been researching family friendly resorts. The best I saw (and most affordable) was the Paradisus in Riviera Maya. But here's a link to a site that was very helpful for me.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b32ca3fe65de&sid=8EaMWTVu3bsXC
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| Posted 7/2/07 8:25 PM |
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Chatham-Chick
*********************
Member since 5/05 10311 total posts
Name:
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
We love Block Island! It's very family oriented & casual. We rent a house with our friends and their children.
The only negative about BI is that the house rentals go super fast! Bookings start in January and they're usually booked up by February.
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| Posted 7/2/07 9:14 PM |
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JavaJunkie
Someday, Somehow
Member since 6/05 5857 total posts
Name:
Lois
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
We went to Aruba last year and are going again this year. There were tons of families there! Let me know if you need any info
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| Posted 7/2/07 11:36 PM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
Posted by cloddy
Posted by monkeybride
We did Disney Land and Sea last year. DD was 9 months. The parks were a bit much but the cruise part was awesome!
This year we did the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo in Playa del Carmen Mexico. It wasn't geared toward kids IMO (that's what it's touted for). It was a basic all inclusive. It's supposed to be top of the line but in my opinion it was just maybe a little above average. I would go back for a cheaper price but not for what we paid.
I think an all inclusive would be great with a toddler though.
Thanks! I need the feedback good or bad. I've heard so many disappointed stories about all inclusives that I'm nervous about choosing the wrong one.
Overall it was really good, just not for the price IMO. Iberostars are good but for $3500 I expected better. The reviews I read made me think it would be far better than the Iberostar we went to in Cozumel and it wasn't. We loved, loved, loved Cozumel and it was about $2200 to go 4 years ago. For well over $1000 more I expected more than just a bigger resort. I guess that was really the only negative to me. I don't feel like I got bang for my buck on this trip. If I paid $2500 for it I would have thought it was fabulous.
DH and I aren't big sight seers. We literally like to go on vacation and relax (well as much as you can with a baby). So for us AI are great. We get there and don't have to leave for anything unless we want to. They basically wait on you hand and foot which is nice. You also usually have the option of beach or pool and you get certain water activities included.
Most people might think they're cheesy but I like the entertainment each night by the "Animacion" teams.
Food at AI's isn't the best but it's far from the worst. You always have a buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner and you have to be beyond picky if you can't find something to eat for each meal. They all usually have snack bars and ice cream bars. Most AI's have at least 3 restaurants that you can make reservations at for dinners during your stay. Some will have more than 3. This one we were at had 7 for us to choose from.
Most of them offer "nanny" services but that's a matter of comfort I guess. I will say the staff is always so friendly and nice. I've never had a bad customer service exerpience at an AI (i've been to 4).
You can also usually book a ROH room but slip someone a little money and get upgraded to a suite (that's what we did this last time, we actually were given the upgrade then gave him a nice tip).
If you are the type of people that want to go, go , go on vacatioin then I wouldn't recommend an AI. If you want to eat at different restaurants and experience culture where you are visiting then I would go the non AI route and just pay for hotel only.
Hope that helps. I'm a big fan of AI's. I didn't choose this one, SIL did. I personally wouldn't pay the kind of money we did for this trip if it wasn't a family thing. I think a you can get a week at a nice AI resort for $2500.
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| Posted 7/2/07 11:56 PM |
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my3bugs
Mom of 2 Boys
Member since 5/05 4381 total posts
Name:
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
I went to Moon Palace (Mexico) with my son who was just a little over 2just this April. If is a family friendly resort and we had a nice time. He was too young for the children's center but he had a blast.
I like the Palace and Iberostar chains for all-inclusives - I have been to 2 of each. (Palace in Mexico and Iberostars in DR).
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| Posted 7/3/07 9:22 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
We've gone to Club Med Sandpiper in Florida twice now and we absolutely LOVE it. VERY family oriented - tons of activities for kids and toddlers, and the daycare on the premises is just phenomenal.
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| Posted 7/3/07 9:23 AM |
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ckdk
My girls
Member since 5/05 7027 total posts
Name:
Cheryl
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
I've never been but I hear Atlantis is very family oriented and tons of fun!
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| Posted 7/3/07 9:56 AM |
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Stefanie
♥
Member since 5/05 23599 total posts
Name:
Stefanie
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
I did a Disney cruise for my Honeymoon LONG ago... but they had tons of things for little kids.
I think one year we will do the land and sea cruise...in the park for a few days and cruise the rest of the week. Disney cruise line is the BEST.
Message edited 7/3/2007 10:16:57 AM.
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| Posted 7/3/07 10:16 AM |
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cloddy
Holiday 2011 photo
Member since 8/05 8088 total posts
Name:
Kristen
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Re: Looking for family vacay ideas for next summer
Posted by ckdk
I've never been but I hear Atlantis is very family oriented and tons of fun!
I forgot all about Atlantis. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to check into them. Has anyone stayed there recently?
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| Posted 7/3/07 3:00 PM |
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