Non-stop direct beach vacations for winter break with a toddler?

[Anonymous]

DD will be 20 Months in December and I have 7yo and 9yo boys.

Can you recommend resorts that can accommodate our family of five and be a direct non-stop flight that is 5 hours or less. Want to be on a beach.

We went to the Nickelodeon resort in Punta Cana last year. I would like to do Mexico but will probably skip this year due to the travel warning.

[Anonymous]

Help your fellow Americans by visiting Puerto Rico. It’s a wonderful island to visit during Christmastime. And it’s a direct 3 1/2 hour flight on Jetblue from DCA, United from Dulles, or BWi on Southwest. No passport required because we are a commonwealth of the US. Fantastic beaches and food, plus a great Christmas spirit. The Rio Mar resort, El Conquistador resort and the Ritz Carlton Dorado beach are my top choices for families. You will have an awesome time, and so will your kids!

[Anonymous]

How was Nickelodeon last year? We went with our little boys shortly after they opened and the customer service was terrible. It had potential to be a really fun destination though. Our kids loved the swim up suites. I am hoping our experience there was just because it was new and they hadn’t worked out details yet. How was your stay?

[Anonymous]

Aruba. Nonstop on Southwest. You probably want to stay at a Marriott Vacation Club for more space but there is also a Hyatt, Hilton and regular Marriott - all nice.

[Anonymous]

Beaches Negril. Nonstop flight from Baltimore— geared to kids but relaxing for adults.

[Anonymous]

You know if you visit airport websites they will have a list of their nonstop destinations, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How was Nickelodeon last year? We went with our little boys shortly after they opened and the customer service was terrible. It had potential to be a really fun destination though. Our kids loved the swim up suites. I am hoping our experience there was just because it was new and they hadn’t worked out details yet. How was your stay?

The customer service was horrible. We had to book our meals with ONE assigned concierge and it was so annoying. I couldn’t even find the person and the concierge adjacent to our building couldn’t do our reservation because we weren’t assigned to him. I saw one man livid yelling and screaming because he was so frustrated.

Now having low expectations for Nickelodeon, the resort was fine. Just know you won’t know show schedules, party times, to make dinner reservations before arrival and expect to just go to the timeshare presentation. We declined, avoided, hid from people trying to set up this presentation. I was rude to them. Dh is nicer and agreed just so they would stop bothering us.

The resort does have potential to be great. Just needs better management and training.