Check VRBO for vacation rentals - Sanibel is cheaper than Captiva because it's bigger but there are often affordable condos that are part of the South Seas Island resort. we found a nice stilt house in Captiva Sunset - the neighborhood is very tropical, has a pool, tennis, and a wooden walkway to the gulf beach, and is walking distance to restaurants like the Bubble Room. The Sunrise side is a small condo building overlooking the sound and boat docks. Saw some manatees there. Go shell hunting, day trip to Cayo Costa and Cabbage Key, visit Ding Darling refuge for gators and bird watching, coffee at the Sanibel Bean and shopping/playground at Periwinkle Place, see the lighthouse, rent a boat...

Thanks for the suggestions. We're only considering FL and the Caribbean because we know it's a gamble for warm weather north of central FL. DH doesn't want to drive; he thinks we'll end up killing each other if we're in the car for longer than four hours. Tempted to sketch out a driving trip (south) that includes lots of stops along the way, but I'm not sure how fun that would be. Found Hawks Cay in the keys....looks amazing....but price (we have four kids, so lodging is always pricey for us).

Please keep the suggestions coming!

Every year people suggest Hilton Head or whatever for spring break but I recommend you do not risk north of Florida because last year it was cold as a witch's --- in early April as far south as SC. How about a week in Sanibel/Captiva. Or Marco Island/Naples/Everglades. Or Sarasota area. Miami or Key West? Actually Marco/Naples was kind of pricey but we stayed at waterfront hotels, you could easily do it cheaper, there was a lot of nature stuff to do in addition to the beach and cute restaurants etc. Always wanted to do a rental at Cayo Costa near Sanibel but you have to haul your groceries in by boat and leave the car behind so that's big hassle factor.
We did one day in the Magic Kingdom (2 nights with fun waterslide kiddie pool hotel) and the rest of the time in Amelia Island. Drove both ways (ugh) but the return trip was of course shorter from Amelia, we ended with a night at friend's house on the western Chesapeake before heading home. Amelia Island Omni looked fun.

Two other Florida places I want to check out are St. George Island or Gasparilla/Boca Grande - if you like really quiet beach islands you can drive to. Gasparilla has really great tarpon fishing if you are into that kind of thing.

Kiawah Island.

Rent a 2 bd premier villa.

It's beautiful and they have the best pool with slides for the kids.

Charleston

I don't find Disney anymore pricey over SB than other times of the year and it is less crowded than in summer. Regardless, how about a cruise? I got a great deal on Carnival last year and its all families who have school aged kids on SB.

florida keys
texas
new orleans
al/ms gulf coast

Clearwater Beach or drive to Hilton Head

North Myrtle Beach
Hilton Head
Sandestin, FL

Affordable alternative to Atlantis in the Bahamas??? Suggestions?

Thanks! We've been to PR twice before we had kids. Stayed at the Westin Rio Mar and the Conquistador. Wouldn't rush back to either.

We like Grand Cayman and the USVI. That's the extent of our travels to the Caribbean.

Any suggestions for someplace near Miami or the Keys (not Key West)?

Mexico?

Southwest flies to Puerto Rico now.

Rather than scramble to line up childcare for the kids, I'd like to try to pull off a vacation for spring break. I'd prefer someplace warm. Disney is out for obvious reasons (crowds). Disney cruise is overpriced during spring break, but I wouldn't mind another kid friendly cruise...suggestions? Not opposed to flying, but would prefer destinations with reasonable flights (ie: not Europe or west coast, but possibly FL or nearby Caribbean). We don't need upscale...we will just be happy to be away. No need for resort childcare.

Thoughts?