Florida, New York, Centre Parcs or Disney Land Paris?

[ThePhantomPlopper]

I can't decide and need to think about booking something soon. Big holiday as we've hardly seen DH this year, he's supposed to be on leave now but was sent to do the Olympic's security. We need some quality time together.

Option 1 - Florida for 2 weeks, flying out Christmas day, all of us.

Option 2 - New York for 4 days, just me and DH, late November and then a Christmas treat for the DC either Centre Parcs or DLP either just before or after Christmas but in the school holidays.

What would you do? Is there an option 3? The DC are 6, 4 and 2.

Florida definitely

is Florida OK at that time of year?

Florida. Should be just perfect temparture wise and Disney really know how to do Christmas.

Yes, can be a bit variable but should still be shorts and t shirts for most of the time

Weather is fine around sixty degrees but it would be very busy

Florida, and im very jealous as i want to go there at Christmas time!!

are the DC at an OK age to enjoy it do you think?

If you're talking about going at Christmas I'd go somewhere warm. DLP or Centre Parcs are going to be dark and chilly.

Florida will be mild (probably 15-20 degrees), but not hot. I'm not a huge fan of Florida myself and your kids are too young to really get much out of DisneyWorld, etc, so where would you go?

Alternatives - Canary Islands? Caribbean?

We're going to the Canary Islands in May with family and have just got back from Portugal (don't usually holiday so much ) so we're not that bothered about warmth. Just want something a bit different that the kids will love. I was wary about the DCs ages and Florida, so came up with option 2, but still not sure about those choices either.

Well the downside of Disney (if that's where you're thinking of going), is that it's very expensive to get into, the parks are ENORMOUS and involve A LOT of walking and many of the rides won't be suitable for your DC. So you'll travel a long way and pay a lot of money to be really limited in what you do. OTOH, there are lots of different parks and some will be better than others (but most AFAIK are aimed at much older kids). And they're all really expensive. And there's jet lag too, which little kids struggle with IME.

If you're thinking of going to another bit of Florida (like maybe Miami or the Keys), and the attraction is really the beach, then go for it. My aunt and uncle spend every Christmas on Sanibel Island and say it's lovely. There are lots of nice beach towns and island communities that are very kid-friendly. There's not a huge amount to do in many of them, but if you just want to chill as a family, then it might be ideal.

Thanks juneau, most of what you said is exactly what I'm worried about. Think we might wait to do Florida until they're older.

Option 2 is looking more likely, still not sure about DLP or CP though.

Well I'm sure a few days away with your DH will be lovely. My DH and I are trying to work out when we can sneak away for a weekend ourselves!

New York!

DH and I went sans DS's in June, was bloody fabulous.

New York and centre parcs.

Kids are so young they probably won't appreciate Florida enough, wait till they're older. Dlp will be freezing. Centre parcs may also be cold but the swimming pool will be warm.

Possible 3rd option- a Disney cruise to the Caribbean with a couple of days at Disney before or after. That way you get gorgeous weather, activities for the DC and lots of pampering and luxury on the cruise ship.

I disagree that your kids are too young for Disney World. I've been taking DS there since he was 14 months. I'll never forget his face as he met Pooh and Tigger, he toddled up to Pooh and fell into his arms with a big grin.

That said I have been to Disney at Christmas and it is extremely busy!! but if you do some research before you go on the dibb and disboard web sites you'll be fine.

The Disney cruise is a good idea too.

Thanks all - we've ruled out Florida, unless I can find a REALLY good deal when I come to book it.

Had a look at the cruise but DH wants to get off of the sea.

New York for DH and I is looking like the winner. It's the kid's holiday I'm struggling with.

New York is fab for a couple's trip (I lived there for six years - amazing city).

For the kids trip how about staying in or near Paris? You could do DLP for a day, bateau mouche, Christmas lights, Eiffel Tower, markets, parks, etc. If you self cater you'll have the freedom to eat out or in, no jet lag. You could go by Eurostar (some of them go direct to DLP).

Or how about going somewhere snowy?

I was pricing up a log cabin in Lapland last night now you mention it, might be something to research a little more thoroughly. A Snow destination was the original idea but planning it started to drive me insane!