Anonymous wrote:Worst - Beaches Turks and Caicos
Best - the Exumas in the Bahamas

Please say why. I know a lot of people like it.

worst: +1 to Orlando/Disney. really hot (even though it was only March) overpriced, super crowded, thunderstorms/rain cancelled the parade every night we were there. Also, Key West and New Orleans weren't great places to go w/ kids though we love both places otherwise. They are just more adult-oriented cities/party cities...too many partying people.
best: Oregon coast; San Diego; Yellowstone; Glacier Ntl Park; NYC; Boston; St. Augustine, FL; Mesa Verde and all over the Southwest--New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado; London; Copenhagen...basically everywhere else we have been

Our worst vacation was Disney in Orlando...god-awful hot, loooooong lines, at the time Magic Kingdom seemed very dated and run down. My kids didn't even recognize Minnie mouse, and felt the Narnia experience was "weird, like a long commercial". Never been back...
Next worst was Wyndham in Freeport, Bahamas. That was such a horrile experience, bad food, no hot water, that we left the "All Inclusive" for another hotel
Best places while young: Niagara Falls, Costa Rica rainforest lodge by Arenal
Best places in the teens: Tanzania and London

Worst is Disney cruise. Sooooo crowded and overpriced.

Best was Viceroy Anguilla. Gorgeous spot and the kids loved the water sports.

Worst - Beaches Turks and Caicos
Best - the Exumas in the Bahamas

Anonymous wrote:Best was Spain.

Worst was Disneyworld. It wasn't terrible, and I am glad we did it once, but I just don't get why people rave about it. It was nothing special, and we have had more enjoyable vacations at a much cheaper price.

I was going to post worst was WDW. It was special... ONCE. I don't understand why people go back every year.

Best was Spain.

Worst was Disneyworld. It wasn't terrible, and I am glad we did it once, but I just don't get why people rave about it. It was nothing special, and we have had more enjoyable vacations at a much cheaper price.

Best was Ireland. Our boys (ages 3, 7 and 9) had the time of their lives exploring the countryside, petting sheep and goats, climbing old abbey ruins, getting lost in 12th century castles and flying hawks with an expert falconer. It was the perfect way to explore a little piece of Europe without worrying about getting through stuffy art galleries or museums. Also it's the shortest flight you can take to Europe.

Worst is any waterpark. Kids enjoy it but way too much work keeping track of them and I get panicky for their safety in the water.

Worst was a Disney Cruise. Just not our thing at all. Too crowded and full on.

Best Costa Rica: brilliant outdoor vacation with masses to do in a beautiful country.

Best was London.

We've had awesome family vacations to San Diego, Northern CA, and Oregon (3 different trips).

We had fun in Gatlinburg and the Smokies.

Hilton Head. Even my toddler found it boring when we couldn't go to the beach. We had a hard time finding other stuff to do. The one bowling alley allowed smoking, so that was out. I have terrible asthma, and didn't want to have her around that.

None have been awful, but the worst of the best is any place where the point is scenery. E.g., driving through the Rockies. DS loved Cody, Wyoming (rodeo, shoot out downtown, museums), loved Yellowstone, loved white water rafting. Wasn't impressed with the drive from there to the Black Hills. He's a really good road tripper, but when we'd say "look up from your video game, see how beautiful the scenery is," it was like, uh, yeah, whatever.

This is why I've put off going to Ireland, for example. For now, cities (London, Paris) or places with lots of activities or things to see (Pompeii) are good.

For the worst, please tell us why.