Spring Break 2023 - Hawaii vs Disney cruise

[Anonymous]

Love cruises, love Disney, love Hawaii. I suggest researching the types of things you want to do in Hawaii. There are a lot of things to do and whether you stay at Aulani (liked it a lot) or Waikiki or Turtle Bay, you will need to rent a car for part of the time to drive around. Driving isn’t bad but things are spread out. I felt like I drove a lot. For me, being able to come back to the resort on the long days was nice— hot tubs, infinity pool. Definitely happy we didn’t stay in Waikiki because our hotel wouldn’t have had as many nice amenities. Waikiki is a fancy shopping city next to beach. Not really beautiful. Flights between islands are frequent and affordable. If you only plan to sit at the resort and snorkel a little, then I would do Caribbean and save yourself some flight time. We spent our touring time doing Hawaii unique activities and had an absolute blast. But it was NOT relaxing like a cruise.

[Anonymous]

Agree that Hawaii is not the place to relax. There’s too many things to do and places to see. I would do the Caribbean if you want a really relaxing vacation where you can be a beach bum without feeling like you’re missing out on something exciting. Maybe a non-Disney cruise to the Caribbean?

[Anonymous]

Check out some of the NCL or royal carribean cruises. For a cruise, it’s all about the ship amenities. Disney has great shows but the amenities aren’t so great. We did a NCL that had a rock wall, zip line, dueling piano bar, an abridged Broadway show (legally blonde) plus family trivia games and family game show type competitions—my teens loved all that stuff plus the teen club had things like ping pong tournaments, scavenger hunts, etc.

But Hawaii is also great. I wouldn’t do it with less than 10 days though and only if your teen is pretty good with sleep changes. OTOH, if he usually gets up at noon EST, he might be up at the perfect time for an early morning hike!

[Anonymous]

I just posted but I wanted to add that all things being equal with just one kid and at that age, I think I’d do Hawaii, because you’re running short on time to do those big family vacations.
But I’ll also note that my 15 year old has already indicated she’s not up for any big spring break trip next year because of the number of AP tests she’ll have in may combined with a spring sport. Just something to think about if your kid will be a junior. I think spring junior year might be the most stressful period of HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also vote not disney cruise with a 15 year old. Does your 15 year old have any trip ideas?

Haha yes! He specifically asked for another Disney cruise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also vote not disney cruise with a 15 year old. Does your 15 year old have any trip ideas?

Haha yes! He specifically asked for another Disney cruise

Then do that! Don’t worry about what others think.

I also think Hawaii is too far for me to go for the average spring break, but that’s me.

[Anonymous]

I mean, since I've been to Hawaii, I constantly think about going back. Hawaii is incredible, particularly if you like hiking and swimming. So if it's on your bucket list, I'd urge you to go. So much cool stuff to do there.

[Anonymous]

Just came back from HI. We went for March 31 - April 9. So 8 days to enjoy as day 1 and 9 were full on travel days. It was plenty of time for us and the flight wasn't bad. We went with our family of 5. We flew first class to make it bearable. We had a great time.

DH and I have been to every island. We opted for Oahu this trip as it was the kids' first time and my twins are obsessed with WW2 and wanted to do Pearl Harbor. We snorkeled, did a dolphin drop, helicopters around the island, hiked, did a luau, whale watched, went to Polynesian culture center, Iolani Palace, North Shore beaches and relaxed. Everyone loved it.

I vote Hawaii!. We booked rooms at the Moana Hotel. It's right on the beach in Waikiki and was perfect!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Disney cruise. Or perhaps try Celebrity or Royal?

Ignore the cruise haters. My DH complained that “we weren’t cruise people” and basically pitched a fit when I booked our first Disney cruise. Long story short: it was the most relaxing trip we’ve ever taken with our kids. Plenty to do, or easy to just lounge around.

The flight to Hawaii is very long compared to flying to Miami or the Caribbean. That’s the biggest factor for me.

I’d look for an eastern or southern Caribbean itinerary—or even a Mediterranean cruise.

I was a”cruise hater,” too, before I actually did a cruise. Finally got dragged on one for a family reunion and loved it. It was truly one of the most relaxing trips ever. Not sure when we’ll go on another one, but my opinion on cruising was changed.

For OP, since you already did Disney cruise, I would do Hawaii. IMHO, I would probably prefer somewhere in Caribbean over Hawaii. Shorter and cheaper flight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hawaii is a long flight for Spring Break.

That’s how I feel. Two very long full days of travel for 4-5 days there total isn’t worth it. Not a spring break trip destination IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just came back from HI. We went for March 31 - April 9. So 8 days to enjoy as day 1 and 9 were full on travel days. It was plenty of time for us and the flight wasn't bad. We went with our family of 5. We flew first class to make it bearable. We had a great time.

DH and I have been to every island. We opted for Oahu this trip as it was the kids' first time and my twins are obsessed with WW2 and wanted to do Pearl Harbor. We snorkeled, did a dolphin drop, helicopters around the island, hiked, did a luau, whale watched, went to Polynesian culture center, Iolani Palace, North Shore beaches and relaxed. Everyone loved it.

I vote Hawaii!. We booked rooms at the Moana Hotel. It's right on the beach in Waikiki and was perfect!

This is a great itinerary. Which activities did your kids enjoy the most? Any particular restaurant suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also vote not disney cruise with a 15 year old. Does your 15 year old have any trip ideas?

Haha yes! He specifically asked for another Disney cruise

Then do that! Don’t worry about what others think.

I also think Hawaii is too far for me to go for the average spring break, but that’s me.

Agreed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15 is WAY too old for Aulani AND a Disney cruise. You're reminiscing instead of being realistic about how old your son is/will be a year from now. Hawaii is always a great choice - Grand Wailea on Maui if you're looking to splurge. Mediterranean cruise is a good option if you haven't taken him to Europe yet. Add on a few days at the start or finish or both.

I disagree. We did a week long Disney cruise five years ago with a 15 year old, a 13 year old and an 11 year old. My 15 and 13 year olds LOVED it - they said it was their favorite vacation by far. We did adjoining veranda cabins - DH and I in one, the three boys in the other. Our teenagers were either eating, sleeping or in the teen club. DH and I barely saw them all week. The very first night, they met a group of teenagers and hung out with them all week. The day we were at Castaway Cay, they went to the teen part of the island. My 11 year old was the one who didn't have very much fun - too old for the kids club and not old enough for the teen club.

[Anonymous]

We did Hawaii for. Ten day spring break trip. It was great! You could stay at a nice resort and relax there or do a bunch of excursions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also vote not disney cruise with a 15 year old. Does your 15 year old have any trip ideas?

Haha yes! He specifically asked for another Disney cruise

m

Check out the Marvel or Star Wars options for Disney Cruises… you get extra characters and activities!