Vacation nightmare -- help?

[hillview]

We've had a trip to the UK planned for 8 months for this August to see MIL and SIL. Now MIL and SIL don't want us to come -- they are concerned about H1N1.

Ok fine, not going to get into that fiasco.

We are now needing to book a last minute trip for the second week of August. Options so far are:
Disney Cruise (4 day) pros -- never been on one but sound fantastic; cons -- too short?

Or a week at:
Disney Resort -- maybe CR or GF (6 days) pros -- love disney; cons -- AUGUST??
Vegas -- Mandalay Bay-- 110 degrees in august??
Beaches -- Jamacia -- HOT??
San Diego -- LOVE this but is very $$$ airfare etc
Bermuda (researching) -- anyone been there in August?

WWYD??? Ideas??
Thanks!
/hillary

[SnuggleBuggles]

Can you still go to the UK and not visit with family? Or have you already totally scrapped travel arrangements?

Beth

[o_mom]

For San Diego, can you fly into LAX and drive down? Airfare there is cheaper and the drive is only a few hours as long as you aren't in rush hour traffic.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Or, even better, imo, is flying into Ontario. It is a small, easy airport to deal with and a very simple drive down to SD.

Beth

[randomkid]

I've never been on a Disney cruise, but know people who have and they rave about them. Aren't there longer cruises? I have heard that the 4 day cruise does seem short.

I would advise against Disney in August. I live here and worked at Disney in college. It is HOT and crowded. Think long lines, sweaty grouchy people, miserable kids and so busy that you really don't get to do much. It's exhausting when it is so hot...and did I mention? - crowded. We took my stepdaughters to Animal Kingdom one year when it was hot. Only went because some friends worked there and got us in free. They were so miserable that we were sitting in the Lion King show and they were crying. They were older than your kids, so I'd say a big NO to Disney.

I think I'd look for something cooler - North Carolina mountains, Colorado?

[Gena]

Vegas -- Mandalay Bay-- 110 degrees in august??


When I was in college my Mom and I went to Vegas in August. It was miserably hot outside and freezing cold inside (overly air-conditioned). I don't recommend it. I've also been there in December, which is a very comfortable time of year.

[egoldber]

I would not go to Vegas.

I think WDW is doable, but plan to do water parks and lots of time at the resort pool.

That is prime hurricane season, but it's been a light season so far. Later in August and early September is often the worst. Mid August is a shoulder season for WDW but later in August is a low season.

Could you take the opportunity to do something more low key close to home? Our planned vacation for next week fell through and we've been exploring options (including WDW lol!!) but ultimately decided to do something closer to home.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE San Diego, and I agree that LAX may be a better airport. You could even do LA for a couple days and then SD.

[TwinFoxes]

My advice...

A 4 day cruise sounds really short too me...a four day vacation in general feels short, but for some reason it seems a four day cruise would seem even shorter.

Disney Resort - do you mean Disney in California? I've gone to Disneyland many times in August, and it's not unbearable, but it's not ideal. It's hot, but it won't be humid. It will be crowded. California Adventure is be renovated, a lot of stuff is closed. I wouldn't go to Disneyworld in August. (What does CR or GF mean?)

Vegas - I love Vegas, and have been more times than I can count. Mandalay Bay is just OK, there are better, newer hotels. I was so looking forward to staying there, and was disappointed. It's also not really close to anything else on the strip. And despite my love of Vegas, I think it's a terrible place for kids, sorry. Lots of smoking in the casinos, hootchie mamas, drunks. Not to mention when you walk down the strip it's lined with guys handing out x-rated flyers, and they don't care if they give to you or your kid. Plus they've totally given up on the whole "we're family friendly" theme of several years ago...things like the Pirate Show at the Treasure Island Casino, which used to be fun for kids, now features scantily clad wenches...it's not even called Treasure Island anymore. If you do decide to go, you can get great deals at pretty much any of the hotels in August.

Caribbean - August is hurricane season. Bermuda isn't technically in the Caribbean, but they have been affected by hurricanes. Jamaica definitely gets hit by hurricanes. A better bet is Aruba, it's off the coast of South America, and doesn't get hit by hurricanes. It's gorgeous!

San Diego - my hometown! Try going to the airlines' vacation websites, usually separate from their regular websites. We've gotten good deals from Northwest Airlines: www.nwaworldvacations.com and also Southwest: www.southwestvacations.com We've also gotten good deals to Vegas on those sites if you decide to go with that.

Sorry for such a long reply, but you happened to pick places I know something about! Bon Voyage! :waving4:

[happymom]

We went to LA and San Diedo last August and had a fabulous time. Flew into San Diego airport and stayed there a few days (wild animal park, seaworld...) then drove to LA (stopped at La Jolla on the way- loooved it). Stayed there a few more days and flew home out of LAX. Only problem with that arrangement is that its MUCH more expensive to rent a car when the pick-up and drop-off location is different. Flights are usually more expensive that way too, although ours really werent.

[HallsofVA]

I love, love, love the Disney cruise, and that would be my recommendation. But look at the 7 day cruises, since 4 just seems so short. The cruise is an awesome way to get your fill of characters, so no need to fight the crowds at the park if you like characters. DCL has had some great deals for summer cruises this year, and there are deals out there offering up to $900 in on board credit depending on how long and which category of room you book.

It is hurricane season, so travel plans can be changed depending on the weather. I'm somewhat indifferent as to where the cruises go, since it's so much fun just being on the ship (plus I've always cruised with a 2yr old so our excursions have been somewhat limited) but the longer cruises gets you locations other than the bahamas.

[bigpassport]

Las Vegas is way too hot in August to just relax and have fun.

I love cruising. Have you looked into other non-Disney cruises if you want a longer trip? Cruiselines have a lot of onboard activities for LO's. Just get on the ship, unpack your bags and relax:)

[Melbel]

I vote for the 4 day Disney cruise, or a longer one if possible. Our kids loved our cruises on Princess (Caribbean Princess) and Royal Caribbean (Liberty/Freedom of the Seas). Check www.cruisecritic.com for great in-depth reviews and suggestions for family friendly ships.

If you opt for the 4 day cruise out of Port Canaveral, consider extending the trip for a few days at Disney's Vero Beach resort which is not far from the port.

[arivecchi]

I vote for the 4 day Disney cruise, or a longer one if possible. Our kids loved our cruises on Princess (Caribbean Princess) and Royal Caribbean (Liberty/Freedom of the Seas). Check www.cruisecritic.com (http://www.cruisecritic.com) for great in-depth reviews and suggestions for family friendly ships.:yeahthat: You just cannot beat cruising in terms of relaxation! I cannot wait for my DC to be a little older so we can go cruising! I would only do a 7 day one or longer. Love Princess as well.

[StantonHyde]

I would go somewhere cool. Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Maine, Vermont, Rocky Mountain National Park etc. But I can't stand heat.

[pinay]

San Diego in August is fabulous (of course, I'm biased since I live here, but I'm not kidding!) Weather wise it's great for the beach, Sea World and the zoo. I don't know how flexible your travel schedule is but if you can fly during the week you'll probably be able to find cheaper airfare.

[fivi2]

I would go somewhere cool. Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Maine, Vermont, Rocky Mountain National Park etc. But I can't stand heat.

ITA. These are some of my dream vacations (I would add Northern Cal - San Fran, Tahoe, Yosemite to that list and maybe SW Colorado)