Fun spring break with middle schoolers within driving distance?
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Anonymous
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We'd like to take our kids (ages 11 and 13) somewhere for spring break.
Finances won't allow us to fly somewhere but we could drive (even down to Florida) and were thinking of renting a condo. We've never been to Disney but it's not really appealing to me. However, it might be fun to go to Orlando and do a day or two of Disney and then go to the beach etc. We're open to other ideas, though, and it doesn't have to be a beachy thing. Any other ideas forfun, drivable spring breaks that we could mak ffordable by renting a place with a kitchen? Thanks! |
Anonymous
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For your age group, I'd probably go Universal over Disney. I personally love Disney and plan a trip every other year, but my 10, 13 & 17 y/o could take or leave it. I mainly go for my 4 y/o and to feed my obsession.
Universal has two parks and if you do 3 or more days, it's a better value over Disney. Disney is rarely a good value for only 1 or 2 days. And considering there are actually 4 parks, 1 day would barely scratch the surface of all the parks have to offer. You'd need at least 4-5 days for your first time. As a frame of reference: Disney, 1 day: $380 Disney, 2 days: $750 Universal has a buy 2 days, get the 3rd day free promo going on. Tickets will cost you roughly $600. You could also choose to go to SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens-Tampa, Gatorland or any of the other zoos in that area that have exotic animals. An airboat ride would be fun too. Outside of FL, you could also choose a short cruise out of Baltimore. It really depends on your budget. How much are you looking to spend in total? |
Anonymous
| Are you looking to go somewhere warm, then FL would be your best bet. If just want to get away, could do NYC or even Niagara Falls. Also there is an indoor water park in NJ (much smaller than Gral Wolf Lodge), but would be fine for a day while traveling (if do NYC), I think its called Coco Key or something like that. |
Anonymous
| Williamsburg staying at great wolf lodge. Fun and educational options. |
Anonymous
+1. Williamsburg is great for middle schoolers. Besides the historical sites, there are great outdoor activities in the area (golfing, hiking, canoeing, etc.) |
Anonymous
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Williamsburg is fun and educational. Spring flowers could be beautiful in early April. Bundle up and do Jamestown, Williamsburg, don't neglect Yorktown, there are nice walking & biking trails in addition to the history. I liked Kingsmill, it has an indoor pool, hot tub and gameroom and beautiful river views. Great Wolf is very expensive per night and books up fast. If you are not married to the waterpark idea, I'd google/TripAdvisor condo-type resorts (maybe with indoor pools?) to get the best value that time of year.
We did a spring break drive to Orlando and Amelia Island last year and the weather was great, the outdoor pool was fun, we only spent one day at the Magic Kingdom and then hit the beach. Leaving the night before and bringing a portable DVD player helped with the long drive. You could even hit Williamsburg on the way down or back to split up the trip. Personally having been to both now I might pick Captiva or Marco Island over Fernandina/Amelia, although it is not the right direction if you are driving. St. Augustine is another great spot with nice sand and historic fort etc. that is kind of on the way back from Orlando. SC will be iffy weatherwise. |
Anonymous
| Disagree. Teens in OP's age group will find Williamsburg boring as hell (unless she rewards them with a trip to Busch Gardens). |
Anonymous
+1. My kids would die if I took them to Williamsburg, and believe me, I've tried! |
Anonymous
| Really? It's 600 for ONE ticket for 3 days at Universal? OMG. Why? How could that ever be worth it? I am not OP, but, I also have 11 and 13 year olds...so they will be bored at Williamsburg? I also have a dog to bring. Any hotel suggestions? |
ThatSmileyFaceGuy
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I think that is what she pays for the family. |
Anonymous
$600 was for 3 days for OP's family. You can go to Universal and do a mock order to see what it would run your family. Universal is usually a much better deal than Disney if you're going for 3+ days. I have children ranging from 4 to 17. We've gone to Williamsburg many times, but the trips were for Busch Gardens and resort fun at Wyndham. They did not like the historical stuff at all and frankly I'm not enough of a history buff to force this on them. Most parents assume the kids like it, but many of them suffer in silence. Unless you can find cool tours with some weird/freaky element (i.e. ghost), they will be bored. Where do you need a pet friendly hotel? Williamsburg or Orlando? |
Anonymous
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Did a little search:
$59 -- Maryland 4-Diamond Mountain Resort incl. Weekends http://www.travelzoo.com/hotels/boston/-59-Maryland-4-Diamond-Mountain-Resort-incl-Weekends-1398448/?placement=Top%2020-DealLink |
Anonymous
| Feeling sorry right now for the posters whose kids don't enjoy Williamsburg. I have really fond memories of visits to places like Fort Ross, California missions, the gold rush towns, Springfield Ill. and the recreated town of New Salem where Lincoln once lived, places like that with my parents. If it's not broiling hot in the middle of summer...are you sure they wouldn't enjoy it or are you projecting? |
Anonymous
| Oh man..I wish I could back you up (different poster)..but I cannot..I would be sooooooooooo not happy with a Williamsburg trip if my parents tried to sell this to me for spring break. Frankly..more fun to stay home. Remember you have school trips for the "let's pretend we are colonial people." I say..pack up the car and drive to Myrtle beach..some sun and some fun!! |