We all know that Disney is the best...

hanwill · 02-27-2005

We all know that Disney is the vest vacation spot for families with kids. However, we are looking for another ( non disney- WHY????) spot to vacation this summer- but not the beach. Does anyone have any suggestions of fun places to go in the contiguous United States for children that are 5 and 3? Any suggestions would be great- i am having a hard time thinking about anything other than Disney- but we just went in October for a week. All the talk about vacation has made me want to go back to WDW!!!!!!!! Thanks for your help!!!

OffKilterFan · 02-27-2005

hmm. Well other than asking WHY NOT DISNEY?, I would have to mention we took a trip to Branson, MO this summer and it was quite enjoyable, but I'm not quite sure about how much kids that young would enjoy it. You might want to read up on it, though. There's really not many places that offer that 'all in one' vacation experience.

OffKilterFan

E&B's Mom · 02-27-2005

Wow, that's tough since they're still pretty young. There are a few amusement park places designed for kids that age. Sesame Place. Or North Conway, NH area has a few (Santas Village and Story Land). One place I would definitely recommend when they are a little older is Williamsburg, VA. My 6 year-old keeps asking all the time if we can go back.

Disneyfever · 02-27-2005

When we don't go to Disney, we usually visit family. My DH's family lives in CO. They have a fun place called Santa's Workshop that little ones will enjoy. Everything else we did there would be better for older children.

CaribBeachNut · 02-27-2005

How about Niagara? We spent last years vacation at Niagara Falls and had a great time on the Canadian side. There is also Nashville and Grand Ole Opry (I hope I spelled it right). Another dream vacation would be Yellowstone and the Loop, or Brice or perhaps Grand Canyon.

disneyguy · 02-27-2005

I am going to second the vote for Williamsburg, VA. Bush Gardens is located there, as well as the historical part. The historical part is 100% interactive, and they have a lot of places where kids can interact, or do their own thing.

**DisneyTeacher** · 02-27-2005

Last summer we went to a dude ranch and my 6 year old loved it. He had so much fun playing outside all day every day in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. We went to a ranch that had a program for kids during the day. He could spend as much time as he wanted with the counselor or he could hang out with us. It was very family oriented, if the kids weren't on the ride with us they were brought to the lunch site with the non-riding adults in a van. I have to say it was a very relaxing vacation, all the work was done for us. We could take part in as many activities as we wanted or we could relax with a good book.

**BDavis932** · 02-27-2005

I highly recommend Keystone Resort in Colorado. There are lots of FREE activities there during the summer. Denver is an easy day trip from there. Also, Loveland Pass was fun to explore! We also went to Golden to the Coors Brewing Factory, and that was cool, too!

Go to www.keystoneresort.com and click on summer activities. I recommend River Run Village/Silver Mill area. It is a beautiful village with lots of shops, restaurants all at your door step. They have star gazing at night and a huge firepit in the village to sit around and road marshmellos. There are trails to hike, hayrides, playground, great pool area, horseback riding, petting farm, beautiful chairlift rides, panning for gold, etc.

We stayed for 7 nights back in 2001 and could have stayed 7 more. It was a great mix of relaxation and fun! When we went our DD was 18 months and DS was 5 1/2. Both had a great time!

Cavey · 02-27-2005

Mount Rushmore.

The area is full of activities, several national parks (Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, Black Hills Nat'l. Forest).

Custer State park will get you up close to bison (buffalo) and other cool animals.

Bear Country U.S.A. is a drive thru park, with 300+ bears lulling around. You literally have to drive around bears sleeping in the road.

You can tour a working gold mine. Ride a train through the mountains. There are bike trails.

Great family vacation!

**roxie** · 02-27-2005

We go to Cape Cod every summer. My kids absolutlely love it there.
Yes there are beaches (great beaches, by the way), but there are ton's of other things to do. Trains, bike trails, whale watching, great small towns to browse through, and lots of great ice cream!!

goofygoff · 02-28-2005

Well, if you live in GA, then I guess you've been '"six-flagged" out. But my family loves Six Flags over GA in Atlanta as well as Stone Mountain Park. They've really made a lot of improvements there. It ain't WDW but we always enjoy it, especially in early OCT.

CaribBeachNut · 02-28-2005

It is becoming apparent that while we all know Disney is the best vacation spot in the world, there are lots of really good vacation spots in the USA to choose from.

JiminyCricket · 02-28-2005

How about a skiing vacation!
If you never have skied before you could all learn together.

Or how about Vegas...they have pools, shows, restaurants and rides!
People don't realize that Vegas has changed to include families and sitting is available when adults visit the casinos.

http://familyfun.go.com/family-trave...asvegassee_sa/
http://lasvegas.lifetips.com/cat/597...t-attractions/
http://govegas.about.com/

**Cincy** · 02-28-2005

How about Gatlinburg, TN. You could camp out in the park or stay in a cabin. There are lots of furnished cabins to choose from with awesome views of the mountains.

queensmama · 02-28-2005

Every child's dream come true..........(other than WDW) Hershey Park, in good ole Hershey PA!!! YUMMMMMMM. As a true chocolate lover.......this is the second happiest place on earth.

Also can be very educational as you are within a few hours of Gettysburg which is a trip all in itself.

02-27-2005	#1 (permalink)
hanwill Mouse Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: Metro Atlanta Posts: 1,116	We all know that Disney is the best... We all know that Disney is the vest vacation spot for families with kids. However, we are looking for another ( non disney- WHY????) spot to vacation this summer- but not the beach. Does anyone have any suggestions of fun places to go in the contiguous United States for children that are 5 and 3? Any suggestions would be great- i am having a hard time thinking about anything other than Disney- but we just went in October for a week. All the talk about vacation has made me want to go back to WDW!!!!!!!! Thanks for your help!!! __________________ HANWILL Countdown - not soon enough!June 2009

02-27-2005	#2 (permalink)
OffKilterFan Big Cheese Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 508	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... hmm. Well other than asking WHY NOT DISNEY?, I would have to mention we took a trip to Branson, MO this summer and it was quite enjoyable, but I'm not quite sure about how much kids that young would enjoy it. You might want to read up on it, though. There's really not many places that offer that 'all in one' vacation experience. OffKilterFan __________________ -Sarah Avatar: My best friend and me The secret of tomorrow is to live your dreams today.

02-27-2005	#3 (permalink)
E&B's Mom Just keep swimming . . . Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,856	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... Wow, that's tough since they're still pretty young. There are a few amusement park places designed for kids that age. Sesame Place. Or North Conway, NH area has a few (Santas Village and Story Land). One place I would definitely recommend when they are a little older is Williamsburg, VA. My 6 year-old keeps asking all the time if we can go back. __________________ Maggie Avatar: New Years Resolutions Realistic - to get back into my best running shape. New Years Resolution Dream - to run a marathon 2006 - US Hard Rock Hotel 2005 - US Royal Pacific and Rennaisance at Sea World 2003 - All-Star Sports 2000 - All-Star Movies 1995 - Off Site My Disney Countdown Counting down to: RCCL Liberty of the Seas Sailing, Sailing . . . . .

02-27-2005	#4 (permalink)
Disneyfever Big Cheese Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 784	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... When we don't go to Disney, we usually visit family. My DH's family lives in CO. They have a fun place called Santa's Workshop that little ones will enjoy. Everything else we did there would be better for older children. __________________ x´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨)xxxx¸.•¨) (¸.•´xxxxxx(¸.•`xxx Judy *´¨) July 2000 - DL PP April 2001 - POFQ March 2002 - WDW offsite Oct 2004 - CR March 2005 - All Star Sports Nov 2005 - DL offsite Sept 2006 - Poly

02-27-2005	#5 (permalink)
CaribBeachNut Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 910	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... How about Niagara? We spent last years vacation at Niagara Falls and had a great time on the Canadian side. There is also Nashville and Grand Ole Opry (I hope I spelled it right). Another dream vacation would be Yellowstone and the Loop, or Brice or perhaps Grand Canyon.

		MouseBuzz.com > Mouscellaneous > Travel Tips
We all know that Disney is the best...

02-27-2005	#6 (permalink)
disneyguy Moderator/DC's Airmouse Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,195	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... I am going to second the vote for Williamsburg, VA. Bush Gardens is located there, as well as the historical part. The historical part is 100% interactive, and they have a lot of places where kids can interact, or do their own thing. __________________ New to DC? Looking for An Abreviations List? Click Here. *Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...* --------------- Its been far too long.... Most recent: POFQ Feb 2005

02-27-2005	#7 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,308	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... Last summer we went to a dude ranch and my 6 year old loved it. He had so much fun playing outside all day every day in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. We went to a ranch that had a program for kids during the day. He could spend as much time as he wanted with the counselor or he could hang out with us. It was very family oriented, if the kids weren't on the ride with us they were brought to the lunch site with the non-riding adults in a van. I have to say it was a very relaxing vacation, all the work was done for us. We could take part in as many activities as we wanted or we could relax with a good book. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 239 days 14 hours 32 minutes

02-27-2005	#8 (permalink)
BDavis932 A dream is a wish.... Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,609	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... I highly recommend Keystone Resort in Colorado. There are lots of FREE activities there during the summer. Denver is an easy day trip from there. Also, Loveland Pass was fun to explore! We also went to Golden to the Coors Brewing Factory, and that was cool, too! Go to www.keystoneresort.com and click on summer activities. I recommend River Run Village/Silver Mill area. It is a beautiful village with lots of shops, restaurants all at your door step. They have star gazing at night and a huge firepit in the village to sit around and road marshmellos. There are trails to hike, hayrides, playground, great pool area, horseback riding, petting farm, beautiful chairlift rides, panning for gold, etc. We stayed for 7 nights back in 2001 and could have stayed 7 more. It was a great mix of relaxation and fun! When we went our DD was 18 months and DS was 5 1/2. Both had a great time! __________________ DVC/BUDGET TIPS MODERATOR ºoº DVC MEMBER at OKW since 2000 ºoº Love my Mom "Trailblazer" & My Dear Sister "A Goofy Family" 77 DL85 (offsite)94 AS Sports97 ASMusic99 AS Movies00 ASMovies02 OKW03 WLV 04 OKW05 SSR05 ASM06 AKL/OKW/CSR07 DHHIR6/08 AKLV12/08 SSR3/09 AKLV Next Trips: 6/2011 AKLV, 12/2011 BLT, 3/2012 AKLV Buzzers I've met: Gingita, DisneyTeacher, RCharmicheal My Disney Countdown Counting down to:* Quick trip the the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX 25 days 17 hours 32 minutes Last edited by BDavis932; 02-27-2005 at 10:24 PM.

02-27-2005	#9 (permalink)
Cavey MB's Rabble Rouser® Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Carlinville, IL Posts: 6,144	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... Mount Rushmore. The area is full of activities, several national parks (Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, Black Hills Nat'l. Forest). Custer State park will get you up close to bison (buffalo) and other cool animals. Bear Country U.S.A. is a drive thru park, with 300+ bears lulling around. You literally have to drive around bears sleeping in the road. You can tour a working gold mine. Ride a train through the mountains. There are bike trails. Great family vacation! __________________ . . Cavey, Tigger, BossMouse, Soundgod Erin, and Lil'pocohantas in association with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Juicy Juice are proud to present Cavey-Fest III December 13, 2008

02-27-2005	#10 (permalink)
roxie Invisible Woman Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,548	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... We go to Cape Cod every summer. My kids absolutlely love it there. Yes there are beaches (great beaches, by the way), but there are ton's of other things to do. Trains, bike trails, whale watching, great small towns to browse through, and lots of great ice cream!!

02-28-2005	#11 (permalink)
goofygoff Junior Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 21	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... Well, if you live in GA, then I guess you've been '"six-flagged" out. But my family loves Six Flags over GA in Atlanta as well as Stone Mountain Park. They've really made a lot of improvements there. It ain't WDW but we always enjoy it, especially in early OCT. __________________ GOIN' May 25th to the World and May 28 on the Disney Wonder Cruise!!!!!

02-28-2005	#12 (permalink)
CaribBeachNut Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 910	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... It is becoming apparent that while we all know Disney is the best vacation spot in the world, there are lots of really good vacation spots in the USA to choose from.

02-28-2005	#13 (permalink)
JiminyCricket Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NH Posts: 162	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... How about a skiing vacation! If you never have skied before you could all learn together. Or how about Vegas...they have pools, shows, restaurants and rides! People don't realize that Vegas has changed to include families and sitting is available when adults visit the casinos. http://familyfun.go.com/family-trave...asvegassee_sa/ http://lasvegas.lifetips.com/cat/597...t-attractions/ http://govegas.about.com/ __________________ -Jerry _______________________________________ *-Nov. 1997... Dixie Landings (POR)* *-Oct/Nov. 2004... Offsite (Sheraton Safari)* Last edited by JiminyCricket; 02-28-2005 at 08:37 AM.

02-28-2005	#14 (permalink)
Cincy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cincynatti.... where else! Posts: 1,467	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... How about Gatlinburg, TN. You could camp out in the park or stay in a cabin. There are lots of furnished cabins to choose from with awesome views of the mountains.

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02-28-2005	#15 (permalink)
queensmama VMK Know-it-all Join Date: May 2004 Location: Stuck with the Children of the Corn Posts: 1,821	Re: We all know that Disney is the best... Every child's dream come true..........(other than WDW) Hershey Park, in good ole Hershey PA!!! YUMMMMMMM. As a true chocolate lover.......this is the second happiest place on earth. Also can be very educational as you are within a few hours of Gettysburg which is a trip all in itself. __________________ Did you ever know that you are my hero!