AIBU to ask for help with holiday (2014)?

[Gossipgirladdict]

I know there is a Travel section, but it doesn't seem to get much traffic and I was hoping for lots of suggestions....

Basically, we have an endowment policy maturing next year and one of the things I we have earmarked some of the money for is a really good holiday. There is me, DH, DD1 (7 at the time) and DD2 (who will then be 18-20 mo).

Before finding out last year that I was miraculously pg with DD2, we'd always thought we would go to Florida. I am now having second thoughts, mainly because of the long flight and the logistics of such a holiday with a toddler, and also because DH isn't all that keen. If I'm honest, I'm not overly fussed about it either, it would really be for DD1.

So I'm looking for alternatives.... There has to be something 'special' about it, as this is the only time we'll ever be able to spend this kind of money (8-10K including spending money) on a holiday. I thought of a cruise, but not sure if it would be our kind of thing, though I do like the idea of seeing lots of different places. Not sure how child friendly that would be....

To give an idea of what we like, this year for the third year running we are going to Puerto Pollensa. Would like to have tried somewhere different this year but didn't want to be disappointed and wish we'd stuck with PP. When DD1 was little we stayed in the UK and loved Devon (Dartmouth/Salcombe area). Also liked The Lakes and Northumberland. Pre DD's, DH and I loved city breaks, New York being my ultimate fav (I'm obsessed with the place). We also loved Barcelona, Prague, Vienna...

So... Does anyone have any advice on Florida, cruises or ideas that I haven't thought of?

Thanks for reading, sorry it's long....

[squeakytoy]

I would say either wait a year or two until your youngest child is that bit older and will be able to remember a once in a lifetime holiday (because I can foresee future problems when big sister is reminding her about it, and the little one wont remember any of it, and will think it was unfair)..and maybe go to eurodisney, and then have the big holiday when the youngest is a bit older..

cruises are not generally all that child friendly in my experience

[DarkWinter]

Unless you go on a Disney cruise, but they're from the US, I think.

[TickleMyTitsTillFriday]

I agree with Squeaky. I would go to a Greek Island for a week next year and save the money for a Florida trip when little one is older. There is no way i would consider Florida with a toddler, I went to California with a 1 yr old once, I still have nightmares!

[allmycats]

Investigate Barbados, they love children and it is a very friendly island.

[primallass]

Sensatori next year (2-3k for AI) and save the rest until your DD2 is bigger. That's what I would do.

[PrettyKitty1986]

Oof...my honest opinion is you must be mad to spend that amount on one holiday!

I would personally much rather have 3 x 3k holidays than one huge blowout!

The best holiday I have ever been on was in March, 5 days in Disneyland Paris and visits into Paris Central. It honestly blew all the other holidays I have been on out if the water, albeit that it's not the most exotic of places. Holiday was cheap as chips too (in comparison to some).

[Leeds2]

We took our DD on her first cruise when she was about 18 months old, and have been on several since (she is now 15). Have always found them to be very child friendly, and something that we as a family enjoy.

If I were you though, I would go to the Med next year and look at a bigger trip when your little one will be able to remember it.

[PatPig]

Why would you spend all your money on one holiday?

I wouldn't do Barbados, the Caribbean is very expensive.

Your youngest is too young for Florida IMO.

We took DD here: www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/europe/turkey/turkey-dalaman/fethiye/hotels/hillside-beach-club.html when she was that age.

It is fantastic and you can just go for a few days (flights are only around 4 hours) and not spend too much money.

We went in late-May, rates were much lower.

[alphablock]

I agree with others that it might make sense to wait a year or two, but I know plenty of people who have been to Disneyworld with v young kids and had a great time.

If you love New York and have been considering Florida, why not combine the two. My husband is going to a conference in Orlando next month, but didn't fancy a Disney holiday. We've decided to join him for a few days in Orlando and then we're all flying to New York. Flights to Orlando via NY worked out cheaper than direct flights to Orlando, so makes sense to do both. After a few days in NY, we are hiring a car and driving up to Niagara, spending a few days in Canada and then touring New England.

[Crinkle77]

I have to agree with PrettyKitty that you must be mad to spend that amount of money on a holiday. Surely you can have a really good holiday on half the budget.

[Bearbehind]

I think it seems a shame to have a once in a lifetime holiday that your youngest will have no memory of at all.

8-10k spent on 1 holiday is a huge amount of money if you are only going for 2 weeks. To spend that I would have thought you'd have to go somewhere pretty posh which might not be exactly child friendly.

I don't think cruises are a great way to see places. They are great if the places you want to see are by the coast but many destinations are actually a 2/3 hour journey from the docks- knackering for a couple but a complete nightmare with young children.

I'd wait until DD2 was 4 or 5 and go to Disney then.

[Gossipgirladdict]

Thanks for all your replies.
Unfortunately, most of you are saying what my head is telling me - that next year is not the time for a 'once in a lifetime' holiday. It's just I have been thinking about this for soooo long!

I've been trying to convince myself that Florida would still be ok, as DD2 would still be in a pushchair, would be free (

[primallass]

I would go for the Crete one, but I really love Greece (especially the food). Not so fussed about Tenerife.

[chestnut100]

Can I make a left field suggestion? Have you considered South Africa, Cape Town and then onto safari? Cape Town is amazing, family friendly and home to spectacular beaches. The safari I went on was of the once in a life time type of luxury, but was also family friendly. I wouldn't hesitate to go with a toddler. Can give more info if you want it

[Feelslikea1sttimer]

We have done Florida, My kids were 5 & 6 at the time, they weren't that bothered (far too much walking involved)

We did a Royal Caribbean cruise and sailed from Miami, that was amazing although we hardly saw the kids (think they were 6 & 7) as the kids club was their idea of heaven.

barbados, as someone mentioned up thread is beautiful and yes they do love kids, we stayed in a villa on the Sandy lane resort which was great and a lot of the villa's are supplied with housekeepers/cooks which is a fabulous luxury - kids loved that holiday simply because the monkeys came every morning into the garden for breakfast (and the cooks would make them whatever they wanted for every meal)

A favourite of ours is a villa in Portugal, there are things to do for everyone and it is really friendly :)

Although it does drive me a bit nuts that the kids favourite holiday EVER was 2 years ago when we hired a caravan in Newquay for a week (which incidently we are now doing again this year- mainly because we are skint and borrowing a tourer!) But not sure that would be a holiday of a lifetime!!

[Geordieminx]

I'd do eurodisney, a fab summer holiday and a lovely look weekend away adults only with your dh for your anniversary... New York maybe?

[ihearttc]

If its any help at all we have just come back from a week in Dubai (half term week) with an 8 year old and a 2 year old so not too disimilar ages.

It was hot but not as hot as it will get later in the year and we all had an amazing time. We stayed in a 5 star hotel and managed to get it including spending money for about £3000 (we didn't have to pay for 1 flight though as DH had enough airmiles). We had also planned Florida but we decided on Dubai as DH works there and loves it (first time we all went though) and we figured we could do Dubai and then Eurodisney early next year for the same price as it would have cost us to do Florida.

Dubai was absolutely fantastic and really child friendly...I was pleasantly surprised. We got to do lots of amazing things and had a relaxing time swimming etc as well...might be somewhere to consider if you haven't thought of it before?

[cassgate]

We have been to florida loads of times (used to own a house there). DD was 22 months when we first took her. When we got back I found out I was pregnant with ds so waited until after he was born to go back again. DD would have been around 2 years 9 mths and ds was 3 mths. The travelling really wasn't that bad just take plenty of things to keep the kids occupied. You might also want to consider indirect flights. We have done this a few times with the kids and can save you a lot of £. Think we saved around £1000 when we did it last time (2010) and we flew via new york, so you could even consider stopping off for a few days. We didnt stop over but it only added around 2 hours to the total journey time. If you do want to go why not hire a villa, cheaper if you book direct with the owners or through one of the management companies rather than through a tour operator. There will plenty of things to do in florida to suit both chldren. There is never really a right time to go to florida age wise with children as it really does cater for all age ranges. Each time we have been it has been very different. Haven't been for 2 years as we sold our house but the last time we went 2011 my kids were 7 & 5 and they were tall enough to do most of the smaller rollercoasters so it was a completely different experience than ones we had before where we spent most of the time character hunting. Hope this helps.

[alphablock]

I'd rather do a weekend at Eurodisney than go to Orlando for longer as I don't think I could cope with more than a few days of theme parks.

We've been to Eurodisney twice and both times we took the car and stopped there for a couple of days on our way to other places (once on the way to South of France when DD was 4 and once on way to Loire Valley when she was 5).

[WicketWoo]

We have done Disney a couple of times, once with a 13 month old and it was still fab. He won't remember it but we will show him the pictures.

I would say though that Disney doesn't really cost that much if you go out of season. We stay in Disney hotels and I don't think it was more than about £3-4k for 4 of us for 2 weeks.

So you could go next year and again in 5 years when your little one would remember it perhaps.

[AnneEyhtMeyer]

First time DD went to Disneyworld Florida she was 21 months and she had an absolute whale of a time. I wouldn't automatically discount it if I were you, especially if you plan to stay onsite.

[Fluffy1234]

My two favourite holidays with the DC were Cape Town (so beautiful) and a Disney cruise around the Med. My family loved that holiday. The ship was beautiful and I loved the sightseeing and then getting back on board and being pampered for a week. I think if I had 8 to 10k I'd spend about 5k on a fab holiday and use the rest for treats throughout the year.

[Merlotmonster]

i agree with Chestnut100.....Cape Town...and then safari in Botswana....awesome and very child friendly too believe it or not..

[Fluffy1234]

Would the toddler be allowed on the safari or do the lodges provide childcare?

[Witch91]

I would also agree with trying Disney in Florida - children will appreciate it differently at different ages including as young as 2. If you are staying on property then it will be easy to get too and from the parks using their transport. There are many disney forums which give loads of tips about travelling with children - not sure if I can post specific names but PM me if you want me to let you know names.

Also, Disney are currently doing a free dining promotion for next year if you stay on site and this will include during school holidays which would make it more reasonable for your family.

I am a slight Disney nut so if you need more help let me know!!