Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Last Couple Holiday to be scheduled before TTC - Florida or Japan - help me choose!!

47 replies

christmastreesparklex · 02/12/2020 17:33

As the title says really :)

Myself and my partner are planning to TTC in 2022 and hope to be able to schedule a final long-haul couple holiday before starting our own family.

We will be able to budget one holiday before then and we are both super indecisive about whether to choose Japan or Florida. So far we have thought about the following:

  • Florida (Pros- Able to go to the theme parks and go on adult rides together without having to look after children and also explore other areas of Florida, i.e Florida Keys, we can travel with children but would not be able to go on rides together with young children until they are older)
  • Japan (Pros- Long Haul Destination and long haul flight, not suitable for babies/toddlers, we want 2 children so may not be able to go until children are older, once in a lifetime holiday and unique destination)

Has anyone been to either destination and has any advice/recommendations? I have also re-read over my post and realise how awfully self-centered I probably sound, eek! I suppose we will be saving for over a year and want a final hooray holiday and so want to make sure we make the right choice! I am also aware that we may not be fortunate enough to conceive straight away, however; it is unlikely I will schedule a long haul holiday either way whilst we are TTC!

I also welcome any other experiences of any other couples that had their final hooorah holiday before TTC, perhaps your honeymoon? If so, where did you go!! How was it? Were you glad you took the opportunity before TTC?

OP posts:
OverTheRubicon · 02/12/2020 17:39

Japan! It's child friendly in some ways, but also tricky if you're reliant on buggies and have children who are used to Western levels of noise and activity, and many of the loveliest places are either prohibitively expensive or stressful with kids or not possible (eg some of the ryokans, onsens, amazing tiny jazz bars and restaurants etc).

Florida is fine too but everything's big and theme parks can be fun with kids too, even if it takes a few years.

mindutopia · 02/12/2020 17:41

Japan, absolutely. Honestly, Florida is a bit blah (have family there and even I don't particularly go rushing to visit). But it's also something you can easily do with dc (Disney, beaches, lots of family attractions). Japan would be amazing. Dh and I went to India for our last big holiday (we used to live there, so was a nice trip back to see our favourite places and do some more travelling). Japan would also be a lot more difficult to do with children, due to time difference, food culture, etc. Florida is only 5 hours difference, so much more manageable with little people.

CottonSock · 02/12/2020 17:41

Agree, Florida can be done as a family holiday, even if you have to wait 10 years. I miss holiday planning.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families Holidays
Keha · 02/12/2020 17:43

Japan. Haven't been but researched both a bit and it's much more feasible to go to Florida with kids in a few years.

Colliemayhem · 02/12/2020 17:50

Definitely Japan. We went two years ago with the ds’s (they were 13&15 then) but I wouldn’t have wanted to try and negotiate the bullet trains & some of the activities we did with much younger children. We were hooked on the food, culture, people, places, the list goes on. Go for it!

Original poster
christmastreesparklex · 02/12/2020 19:09

Wow 👏 100% japan so far! I need to do some research! I welcome any advice for those who have been to either places =)

I am not sure if this is a stupid question or not but can anyway foresee any issues with ttc abroad? I would have to research but not aware that either of those countries have a problem with zika. My other concern would be the risk of ectopic pregnancy and the risks associated with that and being abroad, if I am honest its something I need to research more about to determine the risks.

OP posts:
Stanleyrainbow · 02/12/2020 19:15

I went to Japan while pregnant (just outside of the first trimester). Was amazing, I just avoided sushi and rare meat. We had intended to wait until after we returned but our son caught us off guard.

Xmasbaby11 · 02/12/2020 20:57

Japan for sure! I lived there and love it. Fascinating beautiful country.

Florida wouldn't appeal to me though - but it's definitely somewhere you could take your dc - most children would choose Florida over Japan!

AgnesNaismith · 02/12/2020 21:05

I LOVE Florida. But I have children and we’ve visited 3/4 times together, only once did I think it’d be nice for dh and I to have some time on our own there - and that was when they were little and I needed a drink and a quiet meal out. If you do choose Florida definitely wait to TTC as Disney is no fun with morning sickness....trust me!

If I were to go back to pre-children it’d definitely be Japan. I imagine the adventures there are suited to couples and you could really experience the culture and food well.

parietal · 02/12/2020 21:07

Japan definitely. Florida is a family / beach holiday place.

lastqueenofscotland · 02/12/2020 21:09

Japan
Florida is gash

OverTheRubicon · 02/12/2020 23:28

I wouldn't worry about TTC when you're there. It doesn't sound like you're planning to be there for months, just check coverage on your travel insurance so that in the very unlikely case you need to see a doctor pregnancy-related issues are covered (btw the medical system in Japan is very good!).

In Japan pregnant women are encouraged to eat sushi (within limits on oily fish of course), assuming you go to a reputable place, and overall food standards are high - but if you're avoiding that, there's still lots more on offer.

My one concern about booking like.a pp.said is that if you are unlucky and end up with bad morning sickness travel can be really unpleasant. TTC or early weeks of pregnancy less likely to be an issue though.

zeddybrek · 03/12/2020 00:07

Definitely Japan!

We went for the first time with DC aged 6 and 4 last year and whilst we did have a great time I really wish we had gone pre babies. Florida is meh in comparison.

Nandakanda · 03/12/2020 00:18

Japan.

November up to about the first week of December is a beautiful season there as is the cherry blossom season at end of March start of April. Summer is brutally hot with the rainy season in June.

Get a JR Pass and go everywhere. I wouldn't take small kids - it can be busy and disorientating, and an emergency trip to a hospital for example may be an ordeal for a non Japanese speaker.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 03/12/2020 00:50

Japan, 100%. I've had an adult holiday in Florida and we only did one day in the parks! I've also been back with a 5 yo and a 10 yo DS - love the place to bits but I regret not going to Japan when we could afford it/manage a super-long flight.

cheeseandcrackers77 · 03/12/2020 00:54

Japan. If you go to Tokyo there is a Disney Park and Universal Studios there that you could visit and do the theme park rides child free. The parks are not as big as the Florida parks so you would only need a few days out of your holiday and then you would have plenty of time to explore Japan.

BritInAus · 03/12/2020 00:57

100% Japan!

IJumpedAboardAPirateShip · 03/12/2020 00:58

Another one for Japan, we took DC aged 8&11 last year and we all loved it but I would have done even more without them in tow.

Never been to Florida because I have no interest whatsoever

lakesideadvent · 03/12/2020 01:13

Another vote for Japan.

I actually like Florida, I like Miami, the Keys, the Everglades and don't mind the theme parks. But I've done all of that with small dc.

DramaAlpaca · 03/12/2020 01:13

A million times Japan. I don't have the slightest interest in Florida.

onetwothreeadventure · 03/12/2020 01:19

I’ve been to both with (toddler and baby) and without kids. Under twos don’t really add anything to a holiday cost so it’s a great time to travel!

Baby free I’d choose Japan. Things like visiting an onsen, squeezing into a tiny Yakatori bar on Piss Alley, drinking cocktails at the Park Hyatt (the Lost in Translation bar), sleeping in capsule hotels, cooking shabu shabu at the table.. are challenging or not possible with young kids. Re trying to conceive, I was pregnant last time I visited Japan and it was fine although I was sad to miss out on all the incredible food - I skipped sushi, only had well cooked meat etc. I remember a lot of potato sandwiches (7/11 style) and the odd McDonalds!

Apart from missing out on some rollercoasters I thought Florida was pretty similar pre and post kids. Even the Florida Keys is really family friendly. There are some things that I skipped - like drinking on a floating tiki bar or talking a long boat ride to the National Park down there but we still had a great time.

Worriedandabitscared · 03/12/2020 01:21

I've been to both - Japan is my all time favourite place in the world. It's honestly amazing, Florida's a bit meh once you've been there a few days

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 03/12/2020 01:30

Japan. I’ve been to Florida a couple of times and it’s OK. Not been to Japan ( DH has) and he’s made me keen to go- without the children.😂

As PP’s said, you could easily have a child-friendly holiday in Florida and not miss out on much.

AlwaysCheddar · 03/12/2020 07:22

Japan! Do Tokyo Disney!!

Rainbowqueeen · 03/12/2020 07:26

Japan. You can still do Disney there as well as Harry Potter world and universal studios.

Plus it is unique - the culture the history and the food are amazing.