Special holiday... with 3 children
Discussion
toasty said:
For six figs, you might just be able to squeeze in a week at Centreparcs.
Seriously, for that sort of money I'd be buying a decent camper van and taking them round Europe.
Yes, me too. Plan out a long list of wonderful places across Europe and take your time visiting those that fascinate most of your family.Seriously, for that sort of money I'd be buying a decent camper van and taking them round Europe.
Safari and Florida are more like endurance tests than a holiday for a 9 year old. You can spend enormous amounts on a Disney park themed hotel and wake up with a giraffe poking it's head through your window but you'll need to accept it's probably not a holiday as such and you'll be stressed.
The kids are just as likely to love being at the RIU Tenerife or Gran Canaria for a week purely because of the mass of daily activities, games and clubs but adults will hate it after about four days and be bored of the food in about the same time.
The compromise is the Atlantis in the Bahamas but the home run is probably the Rasa Ria in Kota Kinabalu with business class flights. The jet lag is a joke but it beats anything else , hands down as a 'holy grail' family destination.
Don't stay in Dubai for long but by all means fly via Dubai as the airport is amazing, if you have the coin as it will help with the jet lag and wild wadi is always a crowd pleaser.
The kids are just as likely to love being at the RIU Tenerife or Gran Canaria for a week purely because of the mass of daily activities, games and clubs but adults will hate it after about four days and be bored of the food in about the same time.
The compromise is the Atlantis in the Bahamas but the home run is probably the Rasa Ria in Kota Kinabalu with business class flights. The jet lag is a joke but it beats anything else , hands down as a 'holy grail' family destination.
Don't stay in Dubai for long but by all means fly via Dubai as the airport is amazing, if you have the coin as it will help with the jet lag and wild wadi is always a crowd pleaser.
Spending a six figure sum on a holiday sounds wild. I’m not sure I could spend that in those locations if I tried.
I would spend £20k and invest the rest towards house deposits for them.
Florida is a good holiday. I would do a few days in theme parks but also see the other highlights like the space centre, some of the wildlife parks, maybe go down to the keys.
I would spend £20k and invest the rest towards house deposits for them.
Florida is a good holiday. I would do a few days in theme parks but also see the other highlights like the space centre, some of the wildlife parks, maybe go down to the keys.
Edited by muscatdxb on Tuesday 2nd July 19:05
Haha sorry absolute fail on the digits! I meant 5 figures of course...I wish we had 6 figures to even consider lol!
Thanks so much for all the comments so far, perhaps I am being too dismissive of Florida...would people recommend Easter? I have heard July/August can be unbearably hot?
Do you even need to do Disneyland?
Thanks so much for all the comments so far, perhaps I am being too dismissive of Florida...would people recommend Easter? I have heard July/August can be unbearably hot?
Do you even need to do Disneyland?
Edited by Legend83 on Tuesday 2nd July 19:15
ChocolateFrog said:
Yea I'm sure a 9 year old would relish a series of city breaks over DisneyLand
We thought Disneyland was rubbish. Really expensive, really commercial, really long queues and there is a lot of Mickey Mouse which even my 5 year old had outgrown. I think we got on four rides on the day we went. Not exactly magical. Wildcard: cruise.
Budget will get you a couple of balcony cabins, our favourites so far have been Alaska and Norwegian Fjords, both amazing.
Photos from Alaska in this thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... (page 9 on 40 posts per page setting / page 18 on 20 per page)
Budget will get you a couple of balcony cabins, our favourites so far have been Alaska and Norwegian Fjords, both amazing.
Photos from Alaska in this thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... (page 9 on 40 posts per page setting / page 18 on 20 per page)
miniman said:
Wildcard: cruise.
Budget will get you a couple of balcony cabins, our favourites so far have been Alaska and Norwegian Fjords, both amazing.
Photos from Alaska in this thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... (page 9 on 40 posts per page setting / page 18 on 20 per page)
Pictures look amazing, but having never been on a cruise before I think I'd rather try it at some point in the future on a smaller scale rather than dumping the full budget on a complete unknown type of holiday - if I find I hate Disney, at least on land I can just drive away Budget will get you a couple of balcony cabins, our favourites so far have been Alaska and Norwegian Fjords, both amazing.
Photos from Alaska in this thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... (page 9 on 40 posts per page setting / page 18 on 20 per page)
.ChocolateFrog said:
Vasco said:
Yes, me too. Plan out a long list of wonderful places across Europe and take your time visiting those that fascinate most of your family.
Yea I'm sure a 9 year old would relish a series of city breaks over DisneyLandDo you realise how rubbish it can be at Disneyland (or the problems at other similar venues)?
Florida is so much more than Disney. It's basically purpose built for holidays and there is so much to do and see.
We first took our boys in 2022 when they were 6 and 4. A week in Disney including theme parks and water parks which was amazing but exhausting and emotional then a week on St Pete's beach with boat trips, visits to local towns, paddle boarding with manatees in the mangroves and exploring board walks and so on. Came in under 5 figures but easily could have been more if you go wild eating out all the time, in parks, etc.
Went back to Florida in 2023 around Easter. A week road tripping down the west coast seeing some of the beach towns then through the Everglades stopping at skunk ape hq, doing an airboat ride and then a week in an Airbnb near Miami. Kids were 5 and 7 and loved it. Again under 5 figures and included many miles in a 5.7 hemi powered Dodge Ram.
California road trip this year doing more of the same but in a different place with a highlights being camping in Yosemite, Disney and universal. 3 weeks as it's a special occasion and expect it to be more than £10k but not massively so.
Aspirations for Africa for safari, victoria falls and cape town next year. No idea on cost but it's a big birthday so want to mark the occasion.
Will the kids really care if it's St Lucia by the beach or Costa Dorada or a Greek island? That's the only one I'd not bother with until they are older, or until they've left home and you and the wife can properly relax there!
There is so much to do and see and the kids love all of it. It's all different and exposes them to more of the world and other experiences. They'll love whatever you do and I'm sure you will to!
We first took our boys in 2022 when they were 6 and 4. A week in Disney including theme parks and water parks which was amazing but exhausting and emotional then a week on St Pete's beach with boat trips, visits to local towns, paddle boarding with manatees in the mangroves and exploring board walks and so on. Came in under 5 figures but easily could have been more if you go wild eating out all the time, in parks, etc.
Went back to Florida in 2023 around Easter. A week road tripping down the west coast seeing some of the beach towns then through the Everglades stopping at skunk ape hq, doing an airboat ride and then a week in an Airbnb near Miami. Kids were 5 and 7 and loved it. Again under 5 figures and included many miles in a 5.7 hemi powered Dodge Ram.
California road trip this year doing more of the same but in a different place with a highlights being camping in Yosemite, Disney and universal. 3 weeks as it's a special occasion and expect it to be more than £10k but not massively so.
Aspirations for Africa for safari, victoria falls and cape town next year. No idea on cost but it's a big birthday so want to mark the occasion.
Will the kids really care if it's St Lucia by the beach or Costa Dorada or a Greek island? That's the only one I'd not bother with until they are older, or until they've left home and you and the wife can properly relax there!
There is so much to do and see and the kids love all of it. It's all different and exposes them to more of the world and other experiences. They'll love whatever you do and I'm sure you will to!
Legend83 said:
Haha sorry absolute fail on the digits! I meant 5 figures of course...I wish we had 6 figures to even consider lol!
Thanks so much for all the comments so far, perhaps I am being too dismissive of Florida...would people recommend Easter? I have heard July/August can be unbearably hot?
Do you even need to do Disneyland?
The weather will be much more bearable in April and you'll be out of hurricane season. Thanks so much for all the comments so far, perhaps I am being too dismissive of Florida...would people recommend Easter? I have heard July/August can be unbearably hot?
Do you even need to do Disneyland?
Edited by Legend83 on Tuesday 2nd July 19:15
Legend83 said:
Haha sorry absolute fail on the digits! I meant 5 figures of course...I wish we had 6 figures to even consider lol!
Thanks so much for all the comments so far, perhaps I am being too dismissive of Florida...would people recommend Easter? I have heard July/August can be unbearably hot?
Do you even need to do Disneyland?
It can be very hot (obviously) although I never remember it being unbearable. There used to be loads of water fountains and we got through our fair share of those novelty bucket sized cokes.Thanks so much for all the comments so far, perhaps I am being too dismissive of Florida...would people recommend Easter? I have heard July/August can be unbearably hot?
Do you even need to do Disneyland?
Edited by Legend83 on Tuesday 2nd July 19:15
I'd say yes on the Disneyland but plenty would say no and I'm sure a few couldn't think of anything worse.
We went in January once and it was great. Still warm enough to swim in the pools but we got odd looks because the locals thought it was freezing. Vividly remember the pool attendant in gloves and 2 costs with the net as we were swimming. Think it was about 20 degrees.
You seem to be looking at ways to spend the amount of money; rather than seeing the things you really want to do as a family and finding the money to do them.
Could a number of “smaller” but fun holidays over a couple of years suit your family better?
Just a thought and I hope you find what is right for you and yours.
Could a number of “smaller” but fun holidays over a couple of years suit your family better?
Just a thought and I hope you find what is right for you and yours.
The Moose said:
As I was reading through your post, I was thinking African Safari. We did it as a family for a milestone birthday of my Mum‘s. I think as kids/young adults we ranged from 22 to 10. everybody had a wonderful time.
We did Botswana and Zambia on that particular trip.
Just to add to this, growing up, Florida was like a second home…to the extent that I moved there as soon as I was able to. So that does sway the ‘relevance’ of Florida not being ‘special’ enough for the purposes of this trip.We did Botswana and Zambia on that particular trip.
I have done them all but I would say Florida too.
April is the best time, last two times have been Easter. Great weather and no rain either year and no humidity!
Look at flights to tampa, can save a lot some times and it’s an hour further.
If you don’t want Disney look at the aqua parks, go to nasa , Everglades.
Best thing we did was take my 9 year old to an NBA basket ball game.
She still mentions it and she is 16 now!!
Shopping at the malls is fun but there is soo much to do.
April is the best time, last two times have been Easter. Great weather and no rain either year and no humidity!
Look at flights to tampa, can save a lot some times and it’s an hour further.
If you don’t want Disney look at the aqua parks, go to nasa , Everglades.
Best thing we did was take my 9 year old to an NBA basket ball game.
She still mentions it and she is 16 now!!
Shopping at the malls is fun but there is soo much to do.
Thanks for all the comments. I did a fair bit of extra research last night and have to say I am now quite excited by the Florida idea - particularly liking the concept of a week in/near Orlando to do parks of choice (mostly Universal and animal-based parks), followed by a week of beach. So almost Florida and St Lucia rolled in to one 
.
I'll start a new Florida-specific thread as I have absolutely no idea where to start!
.I'll start a new Florida-specific thread as I have absolutely no idea where to start!
I’d vote for Florida too -
Animal Kingdom plus extra for a behind the scenes tour - close up to hippos, leopards and stuff. Hand feed giraffes. Dead cool.
Discovery Cove - swim with rays - that was a great day. We didn’t do any dolphin encounters but that would also be bucket list as long as it’s small numbers of people.
An airboat ride and alligators, stay on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, there’s loads that will make great memories, and plenty of beach areas a few hours away to chill out - we did the Keys.
Animal Kingdom plus extra for a behind the scenes tour - close up to hippos, leopards and stuff. Hand feed giraffes. Dead cool.
Discovery Cove - swim with rays - that was a great day. We didn’t do any dolphin encounters but that would also be bucket list as long as it’s small numbers of people.
An airboat ride and alligators, stay on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, there’s loads that will make great memories, and plenty of beach areas a few hours away to chill out - we did the Keys.
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