Family Reunion Place that's NOT the Beach?

[set81616]

We would like to do a family reunion for 9-12 adults and 6 kids from 1 to 7 years old. Probably May but @New Years is also a possibility. 2 families would like it to be between Virginia and Mass so they don't have to fly with small kids (I live in FL - kid capital of the world and have a 10 month old that I'll have to fly with but that doesn't seem to matter - probably should go in the bitching post). They are suggesting beach (which I DO NOT WANT) and since my mother is paying for the lodging from proceeds from my grandparents home she and I would like somthing that everyone would like. They also wanted Aug so the 1 child in school didn't have to be pulled out but since I may be moving next Aug Mom and I are going to insist it not be done then.

Anyway, I just need ideas that arn't the beach that you can rent large homes or timeshares that are small kid friendly. Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks,
Shannon

[kelly ann]

Gosh, it is hard to think of a non-beach place. The only one that I thought of that would appeal to a lot of folks is Williamsburg, VA. There are several nice timeshares there and you can always visit Busch Gardens as an outing.

Hmmmm...how about someplace in New York? There are the Finger Lakes (very beautiful) and you can fly into Rochester, Buffalo, or Syracuse.

If it ends up being New Years, then I would consider more of an urban locale (lots of indoor activities) or a ski destination.

[jesseandgrace]

Just curious, why don't you want the beach? I'm not a beach person, although I love the ocean I hate sitting at the beach, but because so many people vacation at the beach I find there are usually tons of things to do without going to the beach. With a child the age of yours though, the beach was the best for us, because it was so easy to set up an SPF umbrella and let the baby play. Just wondering! I was going to suggest Savanna, but is that too South for you?

[overcome]

The Poconos?

There is a huge hotel called Great Wolf Lodge, which is totally geared toward kids. Not only are the rooms kid friendly, they also have a huge indoor water park for hotel guests only.
http://www.greatwolflodge.com/Locations/Poconos/

In additionm, it is 5 min away from Camelback Ski Area.
winter
http://www.skicamelback.com/
summer
http://www.camelbeach.com/

Also 5 minutes from The Crossings Outlet stores
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=59

Pocono Mt Vacation Bureau
http://www.800poconos.com/

Good luck!

PS They are crazy for not wanting to go to FL...especially if you get together for New years!

[set81616]

I can do the beach any day I want but I also don't like the sun. Gives me migranes and I burn very easily. I figure during the winter I'll take DS but not on the summer when they want to go. Also, they are sun worshippers so if I want to spend time with my cousins I'll have to be on the beach.

[kcimato]

There is also a Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg. If you go at New Year's you could still enjoy the water with out the beach.

[elephantmeg]

Masanutten resorts (VA), there's a new water park there too!

[hbridge]

I'm sure you've already considered this, but I've been to a few "reunions" at Disney World and they were fabulous. One was for my very small family (3 kids, 4 parents, 2 grandparents) and the other was for multiple families with many kids of all ages, parents and grandparents (there were 59 of us I think). The beach is always a great bet as well, but not real great for little babies.

[set81616]

Everyone says no to Disney. THey want the babies to be older and I used to work at Disney so I'd like something else too.

Why do you say the beach isn't good for little babies. They're one of the reasons they want the beach.
Thanks,
Shannon

[kedss]

how about a Bed and Breakfast, I havent read the other replies,yet. But we had a smallish 'reunion' with my family at my brother's wedding in Durham, NC. It was at a lovely B & B in downtown Durham. They also have a place across the street that is more of a living in space, probably more kid friendly. I'm sure there are tons of places like this that would probably be happy to have a weekedn where it was just your family in the B & B.

[JTsMom]

We did Pigeon Forge, TN at Thanksgiving 2 years ago. I loved it there! We rented a big cabin with a pool table, air hockey, etc- that would be fun for the kids. There's shopping, restaurants, touristy stuff, car museums for the guys- lots of things to do. They do a big Christmas thing at Dollywood too. It's kind of in the middle...

For us it was fun b/c we don't normally get to be around cold weather for the holidays. We had a GORGEOUS view from our cabin.

[crAbbymom]

I remember going to a place in West Virginia for a multi-family vacation. All of the kids and adults loved it. It is really beautiful there. I lived in PA at the time and it still impressed me! There is paddleboating, mini and regular golf, pool, I can't remember what else! Anyway, we stayed in one of the cabins. Here is a link, maybe you can check it out...

http://www.oglebay-resort.com/cottages/cottageinfo.htm

Hope you find a place everyone can agree on!

Milcah

[set81616]

Does the lake have a beach like place? This looks nice.
Thanks,
Shannon

[set81616]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think I would choose the Poconos because it looks like we could take a day trip into NY but this will hopefully give my cousins something else to think about.

Shannon