Friday, February 20, 2009

There is More to Family Vacation Than Disney World

Today Trip Advisor came out with its annual Traveler's Choice Awards.  Of course I was giddy with excitement to see the results and I have to say, I am kinda disappointed. Of the list of the top ten family friendly resorts, six were located in Orlando, FL. Now I have no doubt that these are extremely family friendly places and I am not knocking any of these resorts in any way. I am just very disappointed in the rest of the country.  Disneyworld is a great place for a family vacation but there is only so much "imagineered" fun I can take. For me, Disneyworld is one of those once every 10 years kind of places where you take the kids and fully immerse yourself in theme parks for a week. It isn't a once a year family vacation spot. I would much rather take my children someplace new and exciting where they might learn a thing or two about nature or culture. There are so many great National Parks and fantastic cosmopolitan cities across the country to explore with your children. Why isn't there more diversity on the family friendly hotel front? I will say I am so glad there is a hotel in Washington DC on the Family Friendly Top 10. What a perfect place to take your kids on vacation! So much to see, do and learn.  Ocean City, Maryland and Carlsbad, California are wonderful beach towns and have hotels featured in the top ten. What about a cool hotel set amongst the Rockies where children can explore the dramatic scenery or a fun spot near Grand Canyon that traveling families can use as the perfect home base.? Come on innkeepers, step it up. Do you really want to have your butt kicked by a mouse?

13 comments:

debi9kids said...

So so right Shar!
There are FANTASTIC places to take kids to visit in Philadelphia, just steeped in history!
It doesn't all have to be about rides and amusements. Sheesh!

Terri said...

Shar, you crack me up! But I TOTALLY agree!

Mashel said...

I totally agree with you Sharlene. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney, but I wouldn't go there every year! (maybe if I could afford it...lol) You have seen on my blog all the fun places we take our kids here in Washington, remember the little western town of Winthrop over the North Cascades highway, and all the ocean beaches. But I do think that some of the inns need to be a little more accomadating for families. I hate getting crazy looks when we try to check in somewhere, like "are you seriously bringing your four kids here!" (Deb you must get it even more then me with your 9!!) I think you should contact them all and let them know Sharlene...you get on that ok? ha ha

Tamara Mitchell said...

Funny you mention that DW is a 10 year thing. So true! We are planning our 1st trip for going there but we aren't going until the twins are 5...so we have 3 years to save!

Tamara Mitchell said...

BTW...have you taken your kids to central CA...like hurst castle?

The jones Family said...

Amen Sister!! I guess living so close to Disney it just doesn't seem like that big of a thing to me...I don't mind going for a couple of days at a time every few years, but I would be much more interested in hotels elsewhere...maybe somewhere more nature-y and less man made!

Helene said...

I agree!! We've done the Disneyland thing every year for the last 3 years and I'm getting bored with it. The kids, of course, aren't but I want to expose them to so much more. While we are down there though we usually visit Aquariums, the beaches and other things but still...I can only handle so much of Disneyland!

Brandi said...

I'd so much rather go immerse myself and my kiddos in a museum or town where history actually happened then visit a theme park. Which is one reason why I am loving living here. So close to so many places that I can go explore.

Alisha said...

So right Shar! There are tons of family friendly things to do in NB. You'll have to come visit me. :)

3 Bay B Chicks said...

Hilarious post.

Come to the San Francisco Bay Area and the girls and I will put together a mad, mad itinerary for you. While Disneyland is fun, you are right; there are so many other natural and incredibly fun ways to vacay with your kids.

Let's create the happiest place on earth in a few other spots, shall we? :)

-Francesca

Anonymous said...

Very true. Disney might be fun (I'm still not completely convinced) but other places are great for families as well.

Anonymous said...

Hi, Sharlene, glad you stopped by my site. So of course I totally agree about the bogus family vacation ideas out there. I love Disneyland, but still haven't gone to Disney World. We'll get there one day, but we will spend the majority of our time exploring other less commercial places.

Tonya Staab said...

Very true Shar. Well written. Not that I don't love theme parks, but there is something about getting out and exploring nature and getting truly away from it all. There is so much of the world to explore.