Special holiday... with 3 children
Discussion
To cut a long story short, in 2021 my wife received a decent inheritance following the death of her grandparents during Covid. She decided early on she wanted to use a chunk of it to take the family away to do something/go somewhere special - potentially channeling her grandmothers favorite places...
...issue is now deciding where with such a sum of money at stake.
Children are (or will be) 13,13 and 9.
Current ideas (with pros and cons) are:
1. St Lucia - wife's grandparents went here many years ago and it was their favorite trip of their lives. Personally, I would love to go to the Caribbean but is it really a holiday for children? Options seem to be hire a villa and make your own fun on an island, or pay a fortune to stay in one of the major hotels to benefit from kids clubs etc.
2. Africa Safari - potential to be an incredible experience...but children also potentially too young for the effort involved? Friends have done it and reported tales of either a) not seeing as much as they hoped; b) seeing lots but children being a bit "seen one lion, seen them all"...
Which brings me to the final of the current crop of ideas which I know my wife would really really love to do, but the idea makes me feel ill...
3. Florida Theme Parks - firstly, my children have no interest in Disney but the wife tells me it's much more than just Disney. I then point out that as a family, we don't really like big rides etc. I can't wrap my head around the idea of spending a five-figure sum to spend every day stressing about queues, having to be in the right place at the right time etc. Only real option is Easter due to the climate, which I understand is the busiest time to go...
Equally, I can imagine if it goes well the children would love it in the whole.
Any thoughts on the above? Should I just stop being grumpy and embrace the idea of Florida? Anyone taken their young family somewhere special and loved every minute?
...issue is now deciding where with such a sum of money at stake.
Children are (or will be) 13,13 and 9.
Current ideas (with pros and cons) are:
1. St Lucia - wife's grandparents went here many years ago and it was their favorite trip of their lives. Personally, I would love to go to the Caribbean but is it really a holiday for children? Options seem to be hire a villa and make your own fun on an island, or pay a fortune to stay in one of the major hotels to benefit from kids clubs etc.
2. Africa Safari - potential to be an incredible experience...but children also potentially too young for the effort involved? Friends have done it and reported tales of either a) not seeing as much as they hoped; b) seeing lots but children being a bit "seen one lion, seen them all"...
Which brings me to the final of the current crop of ideas which I know my wife would really really love to do, but the idea makes me feel ill...
3. Florida Theme Parks - firstly, my children have no interest in Disney but the wife tells me it's much more than just Disney. I then point out that as a family, we don't really like big rides etc. I can't wrap my head around the idea of spending a five-figure sum to spend every day stressing about queues, having to be in the right place at the right time etc. Only real option is Easter due to the climate, which I understand is the busiest time to go...
Equally, I can imagine if it goes well the children would love it in the whole.
Any thoughts on the above? Should I just stop being grumpy and embrace the idea of Florida? Anyone taken their young family somewhere special and loved every minute?
Edited by Legend83 on Tuesday 2nd July 19:15
I have not done a Safari but can comment on the other 2.
St Lucia is a great destination (although expensive) for a young family - We stayed at the Windjammer landings and was an amazing family holiday. Great beaches, snorkelling, boat trips and watersports.
We have also done Florida and yes the theme parks are hectic and you need to plan but on the whole we all had a fab time. Its not all about the rides either there are amazing shows to see, fab restaurants and fireworks. We also combined the trip with a week at Clearwater on the coast which was a great rest after a hectic week at the theme parks.
St Lucia is a great destination (although expensive) for a young family - We stayed at the Windjammer landings and was an amazing family holiday. Great beaches, snorkelling, boat trips and watersports.
We have also done Florida and yes the theme parks are hectic and you need to plan but on the whole we all had a fab time. Its not all about the rides either there are amazing shows to see, fab restaurants and fireworks. We also combined the trip with a week at Clearwater on the coast which was a great rest after a hectic week at the theme parks.
I'd discount 1 straight away, sounds like something to do as a couple or with grown up children. Otherwise a nice Eurpoean beach holiday would be a third of the price for basically the same holiday.
Personally I'd pick Disney. Had a couple of great holidays as kids in Florida, you remember it forever and the fact you're selling out to a ruthless corporation doesn't register when you're 9. We also got to see epic thunderstorms, 2 Space Shuttle launches and a few other bits we'll remember forever.
Got some friends that live in Kenya with the Army and they regularly post pictures of wild animals walking up to their porch. Also very cool and something I'd like to do at some point but don't feel like you're missing out as much if you do it as an adult and not a child.
Personally I'd pick Disney. Had a couple of great holidays as kids in Florida, you remember it forever and the fact you're selling out to a ruthless corporation doesn't register when you're 9. We also got to see epic thunderstorms, 2 Space Shuttle launches and a few other bits we'll remember forever.
Got some friends that live in Kenya with the Army and they regularly post pictures of wild animals walking up to their porch. Also very cool and something I'd like to do at some point but don't feel like you're missing out as much if you do it as an adult and not a child.
Even with the inflated costs of Florida I think you would struggle to spend a six figure sum, everyone I know who has been there has had a great time even if they aren’t Disney fans. I’ve been to the Caribbean and I’m not sure children would like it any more than going to Mexico or a Greek island at less cost. Safari would be great but maybe in a few years when they will appreciate it more?
"Florida" doesn't have to be followed by "Theme Parks" you know...
Sure, worth doing a day or 2 visiting some of them but you have miles of beaches, warm on the west/cold on the east and plenty of nature/rockets/etc.
If just chilling on a caribbean beach isn't for your children/the 'we could be anywhere' isolation of a resort hotel not yours I'd probably say head to Florida but renting a villa somewhere like Sarasota. Easy to hit Tampa/St. Pete. for a day, or get to Orlando and the parks, or Cape Canaveral, or down to the Glades, or...
Only thing it's not good for is the Keys (but that's a hell of a trek just to go "Huh, that's it?") or the pan handle (but that just makes you wish you'd gone to the keys
).
Sure, worth doing a day or 2 visiting some of them but you have miles of beaches, warm on the west/cold on the east and plenty of nature/rockets/etc.
If just chilling on a caribbean beach isn't for your children/the 'we could be anywhere' isolation of a resort hotel not yours I'd probably say head to Florida but renting a villa somewhere like Sarasota. Easy to hit Tampa/St. Pete. for a day, or get to Orlando and the parks, or Cape Canaveral, or down to the Glades, or...
Only thing it's not good for is the Keys (but that's a hell of a trek just to go "Huh, that's it?") or the pan handle (but that just makes you wish you'd gone to the keys
).definitely Florida if there's kids, even if they have no interest in Mickey there's other theme parks and tons of stuff to do out of the theme parks.
there's also 3 cruise ports where you can cruise to Bahamas etc. some of the ships such as the newer Royal Caribbean ones are holiday destinations in themselves. fly Tui direct to MLB and Port Canaveral cruises and Cape Canaveral are only 30 minutes away. actually driving in and exploring Florida is an experience too.
endless opportunities to spend the inheritance there.
there's also 3 cruise ports where you can cruise to Bahamas etc. some of the ships such as the newer Royal Caribbean ones are holiday destinations in themselves. fly Tui direct to MLB and Port Canaveral cruises and Cape Canaveral are only 30 minutes away. actually driving in and exploring Florida is an experience too.
endless opportunities to spend the inheritance there.
I see twins in the mix. We have the same *fist bump*. Our eldest is 14, our twins 10.
With that spread, I'd say Florida. But not just theme parks. It is a very British habit to centre a holiday around theme parks, but you can stay in Flroida and get tickets on the gate if you decide to go one day.
If your elders ones are like mine, they'll love the outlet malls in Orlando - amazing shopping at ridiculously low prices, with British and European brand stores in there as well as Hilfiger, Nike, Ralph Lauren etc.
Florida is also fun for beaches.
Like I say, I'd go with Florida, stay in/near Orlando but just do one or two days at a park - so much else to explore there.
With that spread, I'd say Florida. But not just theme parks. It is a very British habit to centre a holiday around theme parks, but you can stay in Flroida and get tickets on the gate if you decide to go one day.
If your elders ones are like mine, they'll love the outlet malls in Orlando - amazing shopping at ridiculously low prices, with British and European brand stores in there as well as Hilfiger, Nike, Ralph Lauren etc.
Florida is also fun for beaches.
Like I say, I'd go with Florida, stay in/near Orlando but just do one or two days at a park - so much else to explore there.
If you're doing a big family trip, go big, why not do two out of your 3 options in one 2 week trip
Stopover at Florida for 3 nights to experience Disney on your way to or from St Lucia
In St Lucia, your kids, could try scuba diving, below the sea will blow their minds, they'll remember this part of their holiday forever
Your wife will be happy as she's taken the kids to Disney, you'll be happy as you only had 2 days at Disney and the kids will be happy as they've had a mega cool holiday
Easily done with the budget you have
Stopover at Florida for 3 nights to experience Disney on your way to or from St Lucia
In St Lucia, your kids, could try scuba diving, below the sea will blow their minds, they'll remember this part of their holiday forever
Your wife will be happy as she's taken the kids to Disney, you'll be happy as you only had 2 days at Disney and the kids will be happy as they've had a mega cool holiday
Easily done with the budget you have
We did a big holiday with the kids a few years ago, who were of similar age - did a tour of Malaysia over a month.
Visited Penang, Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Borneo. We visited Turtle sanctuaries, elephant sanctuaries, Orangutan Sanctuaries, theme parks, museums, Gardens by the Bay, water parks and pewter factories. Did bungee jumping, kart racing, boat tours, city tours, golf, jet ski tours, snorkelling, internal flights, and ferry trips. Eat lots of food from street vendors up to Michelin star restaurants. Stayed in the jungle of Borneo only accessible by boat, at beach resorts in Penang and Langkawi and at city hotels in Singapore and KL. I've probably missed loads of stuff off, but we had a great time, as did the kids. It was a mixture of chilling at beach resorts interspersed with high activity elements with lots of organised trips. Took a fair bit of planning to get the balance right.
We used Trailfinders who organised every element of the trip - The itinerary was bespoke to us and it just meant every time we were moving from one place to another we were met by a private driver who'd take the 4 of us in a luxury mini-van. Totally took the stress out of a multi-destination trip with kids. Friends did similar for a tour of Vietnam with their kids last year and said they'd always do the same in the future.
Total cost was similar to going to Florida and the theme parks for a similar length of time.
Visited Penang, Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Borneo. We visited Turtle sanctuaries, elephant sanctuaries, Orangutan Sanctuaries, theme parks, museums, Gardens by the Bay, water parks and pewter factories. Did bungee jumping, kart racing, boat tours, city tours, golf, jet ski tours, snorkelling, internal flights, and ferry trips. Eat lots of food from street vendors up to Michelin star restaurants. Stayed in the jungle of Borneo only accessible by boat, at beach resorts in Penang and Langkawi and at city hotels in Singapore and KL. I've probably missed loads of stuff off, but we had a great time, as did the kids. It was a mixture of chilling at beach resorts interspersed with high activity elements with lots of organised trips. Took a fair bit of planning to get the balance right.
We used Trailfinders who organised every element of the trip - The itinerary was bespoke to us and it just meant every time we were moving from one place to another we were met by a private driver who'd take the 4 of us in a luxury mini-van. Totally took the stress out of a multi-destination trip with kids. Friends did similar for a tour of Vietnam with their kids last year and said they'd always do the same in the future.
Total cost was similar to going to Florida and the theme parks for a similar length of time.
I’ve done all 3 but with the caveat I’ve only done St Lucia and safari as an adult and we don’t have kids. It’s a good problem to have as all of them are good choices in my view (with a caveat on safari).
If I try to imagine doing St Lucia or Safari as a child I’d say my favourite would still be Florida by some way and, yes, that would basically mean the theme parks. But as we’re all different I’d consider:
- if your children are really outdoorsy / sporty types then MAYBE safari or St Lucia are better options.
- of the two, I’d say St Lucia simply because there’s more options as to what you can do to keep everyone happy whereas safari is, well, safari.
If the preference is Florida (and sounds like it is for your wife) and you need some encouragement then:
- as above, there’s a lot of stuff besides theme parks and probably the easiest of the 3 destinations when it comes to planning and also the most variety of experiences
- you sound like my Dad (not a bad thing!) and I think he only took me to keep me happy but loved it leading to 4 visits in 5 years (I was aged 10-15 in that period)
Those visits were back in the 80s and, yes, it would be easier to fall into a planning frenzy now then it was 40 years ago. If I could give one bit of advice on that, it’s to make a decent chunk of your theme park time in the evenings. Not being under a blazing sun will make all the difference and the parks really come alive at night.
And on budget - I’m guessing you meant 5-figure not 6? 2 weeks for 5 in Florida could easily be 10-15k but not 100k
If I try to imagine doing St Lucia or Safari as a child I’d say my favourite would still be Florida by some way and, yes, that would basically mean the theme parks. But as we’re all different I’d consider:
- if your children are really outdoorsy / sporty types then MAYBE safari or St Lucia are better options.
- of the two, I’d say St Lucia simply because there’s more options as to what you can do to keep everyone happy whereas safari is, well, safari.
If the preference is Florida (and sounds like it is for your wife) and you need some encouragement then:
- as above, there’s a lot of stuff besides theme parks and probably the easiest of the 3 destinations when it comes to planning and also the most variety of experiences
- you sound like my Dad (not a bad thing!) and I think he only took me to keep me happy but loved it leading to 4 visits in 5 years (I was aged 10-15 in that period)
Those visits were back in the 80s and, yes, it would be easier to fall into a planning frenzy now then it was 40 years ago. If I could give one bit of advice on that, it’s to make a decent chunk of your theme park time in the evenings. Not being under a blazing sun will make all the difference and the parks really come alive at night.
And on budget - I’m guessing you meant 5-figure not 6? 2 weeks for 5 in Florida could easily be 10-15k but not 100k
Legend83 said:
3. Florida Theme Parks - firstly, my children have no interest in Disney but the wife tells me it's much more than just Disney. I then point out that as a family, we don't really like big rides etc. I can't wrap my head around the idea of spending a six-figure sum to spend every day stressing about queues, having to be in the right place at the right time etc. Only real option is Easter due to the climate, which I understand is the busiest time to go...
Equally, I can imagine if it goes well the children would love it in the whole.
Any thoughts on the above? Should I just stop being grumpy and embrace the idea of Florida? Anyone taken their young family somewhere special and loved every minute?
Six figures on Florida?Equally, I can imagine if it goes well the children would love it in the whole.
Any thoughts on the above? Should I just stop being grumpy and embrace the idea of Florida? Anyone taken their young family somewhere special and loved every minute?
That would have to be some kind of special (and long) holiday.
Florida is good for families and your kids will be at the right age - old enough to enjoy it, not too young to not be able to hack it.
It's not all about the Mouse and associated. It's not even about big rides. There's other parks and other experiences - Universal, Kennedy, Water Parks, etc.
For me, timing is key - go in or near summer school holidays and it'll be a 'mare. I recommend Christmas if you're not too bothered about very warm evenings.
Stress is what you make it. An itinerary is helpful to ensure you get to see what you want to see but follow it to the letter at your peril - flexibility is key and a lot of park passes allow just that. You also don't have to stay in the park(s) all day - coming and going is viable, depending on where your accommodation is.
Your other options seem very adult-y. Only you know if your kids will go for them.
The other thing to consider on that topic is what do your kids want to do? If you asked them what their ideal holiday is and they say two weeks in your own private villa in Portugal, you know what to do. Then, spend the rest on something else
I’m biased, but I’m going to say Africa. But, make it a little more than just a safari. I’d stay 5 days at Vic Falls - choose between Zambia, Zimbabwe or Botswana (Chobe). Great animals, incredible falls, good food.
And then go to Cape Town for another 5+ days. So much on offer and so much for kids that age to do.
And then go to Cape Town for another 5+ days. So much on offer and so much for kids that age to do.
Killboy said:
I’m biased, but I’m going to say Africa. But, make it a little more than just a safari. I’d stay 5 days at Vic Falls - choose between Zambia, Zimbabwe or Botswana (Chobe). Great animals, incredible falls, good food.
And then go to Cape Town for another 5+ days. So much on offer and so much for kids that age to do.
Or Tanzania and Zanzibar. Or, because I hate theme parks, California or Colorado. Or anywhere else, TBH! And then go to Cape Town for another 5+ days. So much on offer and so much for kids that age to do.
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