BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Where have you taken your toddler on vacation? Looking to plan a summer vacation.

I realize it doesn't need to be only child-centered at this age (2 yrs) but having a hard time picking where to go. Any advice/suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

DS is 3yrs4months. So far he's been to Florida twice at 17 months and 23 months(3rd time coming very soon) and Lancaster, PA for 5 days/4nights at 32 months. He's pretty easy-going so vacations with him are a breeze.

BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Thanks for replying. We were considering those locations. Not sure if we want to fly with having to lug the car seat and stroller.

We have traveled on two different 4 hr car trips and he did fine but just not sure where to go this time.

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Dutch Wonderland!!

BTDT Vacation with Toddler

DS 1 is a little over 3 and we've taken him to Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Scottsdale, Long Beach Island and to visit friends in various areas.

I find it easier to stay in a condo unit with a kitchen and separate rooms (we have a condo in Myrtle Beach and a timeshare so we almost always.

DS loves to travel and stay at places with cool kiddie pool areas.

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Lancaster and Maine

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

We've traveled a lot with our boys, mostly either house rentals or trough our timeshare- Massanutten and Williamsburg in VA, Myrtle Beach, Florida many times, New Hampshire, Jersey Shore, Poconos, Newport

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Dutch Wonderland
and Disney

For me, I would not take my kids on a beach vacation. Too much chasing after them, worrying about water/ sand/ lugging stuff everywhere.

For us, Disney was perfect. Kids could go on almost every ride. Sat in strollers when tired. We drove. It was easier to have our car, our strollers, our carseats and we got to bring more stuff, like a few toys for the hotel room.

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

we've been to arizona, florida, and aruba. LOVED aruba!

BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm making a list of all of them to discuss with DH. Hopefully we can actually make a decision soon!

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

We've been to florida twice with our dd. the flight is pretty quick.. We have also been to Lancaster n Massachusetts. We plan om going back to lancaster in the summer (dutch wonderland) i just loveeee amish country n the fresh air

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

We just got back from Florida (Disney) with my 2yo DS. He was a dream! I was so nervous about the flights and his naps, but he went with the flow. Now that we are home, he went right back to his normal routine. It was TOO easy!

BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Those who have been to Disney with a 2yo - did you stay on Disney property and do meal plan? Also, what did you do while one parent goes on rides that kids can't go on or did you skip those?

I really want to do Disney but DH says DS is too little and it won't be as good a time as I think. DS is not very good at waiting patiently lately.

BTDT Vacation with Toddler

DS is 21 months. We went to San Diego when he was 10 months for DH's best friends wedding. We stayed for 8 nights. At 15 months we did a week in Ogonquit, ME and at 19 months we did Disney for 4 nights. All 3 times DS was wonderful. He did well on all 4 plane rides, and the drive to and from Maine was a breeze. We stayed on Disney property- at Bay Lake Towers. We went with family so it was easy to have someone stay with DS when we wanted to go on rides he couldn't go on. This summer, we will have a 2 year old and a 3/4 month old. We think we are doing 4 nights in Lake winni in New Hampshire, and a week at the outer banks.

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

We stayed on Disney property and did the meal plan. There were very few rides that the kids couldn't go on. Space Mountain, the Aerosmith rolldercoaster, the elevator ride that drops and the mountain roller coaster thing at Animal Kingdom. The kids were able to go on all of the other rides (even Haunted Mansion). My kids were 2.5yo (twins) and the baby was 8mo when we went. We all had a great time.

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

My DD is 4 now and up to this point we have done Lancaster, PA (Hershey and Dutch Wonderland), Seame Place, Please Touch Museum, Crayola Factory, Lake George, Schroon Lake, Mystic Seaport, and Maryland to visit family and see D.C.

Message edited 2/5/2013 7:41:54 PM.

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Disney World
Clearwater/St. Pete Beach, Florida
Cruise to Bermuda
Cruise to the Bahamas
Sesame Place/Crayola Factory Wonderland/Strasburg RR/Hershey Park
Villa Roma (upstate NY)
Great Wolf Lodge

eta: DC and Boston for weddings and a little sightseeing.

ETA - To answer your question yes, we stayed on site for Disney and it really was a fantastic vacation. We were able to go early morning, back to the room for nap time, and then out again at night. Since we stayed on site we did not need a car. We had the old meal plan. It was a fantastic trip and we did not feel limited by having an 11 month old with us. I have to say Disney is really a great vacation with kids.

Message edited 2/5/2013 11:36:33 PM.

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Here's where we have been with DS:

Baltimore: 6 months
Las Vegas : 10 months
Hawaii: 14 months
Disneyworld: 3 years

We do Lancaster every summer as well. We go to the outlets, Strasburgh RR, we did Thomas one year, Dutch Wonderland.

BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Thank you all for your responses! I know I am not a frequent poster but I usually log in to ask a question and someone has already asked it! I want to do Disney either this year or next - it is just a matter of convincing DH.

We may do a weekend trip to Lancaster to do some of the attractions there (Dutch Wonderland, Railroad, Amish, etc) so thanks for the suggestions. I will probably be back with Disney questions if we do decide to go. There are a lot of Disney posts though so I will search first! Thanks again!

BTDT Vacation with Toddler

We did Montauk at 12 months, and just got back from Puerto Rico at 18 months. DD loved both.

Re: BTDT Vacation with Toddler

Ds1 just turned 5. So far he has been to
White mountains, NH (tons to do for kids and adults)
Some ski resort in vt, can't remember the name
Hershey park (18m and 4yo)
Dutch wonderland (4yo)
Sesame place (2yo)
Thomas the train in Lancaster
Crayola factor and Lancaster
Disney (22m and 3yo)

I will say my fave family vacation was ds's first Disney trip
And we are taking my 5yo and newly 2yo on a Disney cruise and to Disney world this year.

I love vacationing with my kids. I know they may not remember every vacation, but I will never forget them!