Holiday Destination

[wilsondavid]

Hi, my wife and I decided to go on holiday for our Son's 4th birthday. We haven't decided the destination yet. Most probably either somewhere in US or Mexico. Do you guys have any suggestions regarding this? We want to make his birthday a memorable one.

He very likely won't remember it past a couple of years, depends what type of holiday you're looking for. DS at 4 loved places with splash parks and waterparks and lived in the pool. He's 7 now and doesn't remember much form the ne we went on a week before his 4th bday though.

Oh almost same scenario then. He loves to play in water. So we are kinda looking for nice beaches, some Disneyland type theme parks.

Honestly? My DD's do t really remember the big trips we took when they were 4&2 or 3&5 in fact dd2 barely remembers the house we moved from when she was 6. Go somewhere where you would like, your child would be just as happy with a nice sandy beach, little rides and 2p slots but most of all they like spending time with mum & dad! My DD's overriding memories of Disney Florida (she was 5) is the playground at the hotel, the river boat (part of the transport network from hotel to downtown Disney) and the thunder storm, the holiday she remembers better was Alaska or rather the playroom on the ship

The Disneyland water parks in Florida are great although some rides won’t be open to him. My kids loved them as did I when they were 7&9.

Where do you live and what time of year? If you’re Uk based and it’s a summer trip I would stick with Europe, he’ll have a better time if he’s not jetlagged and no 4 year old will enjoy a long flight. Efteling in Holland is often recommended on here as a themepark for younger ones, would be perfect for age 4.

Is he into anything in particular - could suggest trips based around that?

This would be a holiday for you not for him. He won’t remember and the big parks like Disney will be so hot and overwhelming for a 4 year old who’s not used to that heat.

you could do Disney land Paris, Its smaller and not so hot, but still quite full on for a 4 year old. He’d probably love Cbbs land at Alton towers, Thomas land at Drayton manor, chessington world of adventure or peppa pig world at Paultons park. Centre parks may also be a good shout.

if you’re set on Mexico or the US just pick what you fancy doing, as he won’t remember much of it and would probably be just as happy, if not happier in the U.K. or Europe.

Yeah, that's kind of true. The occasion is his Birthday and Holiday for us, not going to lie. But we want him to enjoy, to his fullest. We would probably go to Mexico because of our First honeymoon destination was there. I was checking this along with the beaches of Cancun https://trip101.com/article/theme-parks-in-mexico Last time we visited there It was mainly Playa de Carmen and Mexico City. And the timing is also matching with the best time of visitign Mexico https://gowithguide.com/blog/mexico-tourism-statistics-2023-5248 Will keep updating here if there are any change to the plan. Thanks for all the feedback. Really appreciate it.

It sounds like you're planning a wonderful birthday celebration for your son! Considering your options of traveling either within the US or to Mexico, I'd like to suggest a unique and memorable experience that can be found in both destinations – a "Dhow Cruise" themed celebration.

While traditionally associated with Middle Eastern regions like Dubai, a Dhow Cruise can be recreated in the US or Mexico to offer a magical and enchanting experience for your son's 4th birthday. Here's how you can make it happen:

1. Choose the Location: If you're leaning towards the US, consider cities with waterfront areas like San Francisco, San Diego, or even a river cruise in Chicago. If Mexico is your preferred destination, coastal cities like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, or Puerto Vallarta could provide a perfect backdrop.

1. Decor and Ambiance: Transform a boat or a designated area near the water into a whimsical Dhow Cruise-inspired atmosphere. Adorn the space with colorful fabrics, lanterns, and other Middle Eastern-inspired decorations to create a sense of magic and adventure.

1. Cuisine: Offer a delightful assortment of Middle Eastern and local dishes, embracing flavors from the region, like kebabs, hummus, falafel, and couscous. Incorporate some local cuisine as well to give a fusion twist.

1. Entertainment: Arrange for live music or a DJ to play cheerful and celebratory tunes. You could even consider hiring a magician, storyteller, or a performer who can captivate the kids with their talents.

5. Activities: Plan some fun activities on the cruise, such as face painting, a treasure hunt, or a themed dress-up corner where the kids can try on traditional attire.

Thanks george will look up further into this.