Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:54     Subject: Re:Once in a lifetime family trip?
How long?
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:44     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No to safari. I have been on safari many many times. Little kids would not enjoy them after the first couple of sightings of animals. After that, it’s a lot of the same, or it’s hours searching for the hard to find leopard. Young kids would be bored out of their mind.

I would do Australia. So much to do, and your kids would love it. You can do a good mix of cities, rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, and Ayers Rock.


If safaris are so tedious for you, why on earth do you go on “many?“


Many safari companies don't allow kids.

I've been on several safaris and while I love them, they really are not ideal for kids. A lot of waiting around, every day is an early morning start, nothing to do at the camps afterwards and very limited mobility. Safaris are actually extremely sedentary.


There is a Four Seasons that has an interesting hybrid / safari situation - take a look at that.


I can’t imagine anything more white. 🙄
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:42     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
I might do a South African trip - you can do a safari, but also head down south to Capetown and the Cape of Goodhope and they have penguin colonies there to see. Antarctica is a lot of time on a small boat. I also would look at Adventures by Disney or Tauck Bridges tours for something very nice but with activities focused on families and there will be other families with you.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:28     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
Anonymous wrote:I’m gonna rain on your parade.

I wouldn’t plan my trip of a lifetime for kids that young. I’d wait until they’re older. They’re not going to appreciate it and it won’t be worth the money.

We’ve gone on several “trips of a lifetime“, including our entire family on a luxurious safari, but we waited until everyone was older.



Very true. We're an international family who travels a lot (to visit family), and the kids started to really remember only when they were tweens, and even better as teens.

Also... trip of a lifetime? Don't think of it like that. I hope you'll have lots more!
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:27     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Id do Antarctica or Galapagos. Safaris can be far cheaper than your budget.


Yea. Safaris that suck.


Maybe not. This is good advice

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/opinion/brooks-the-haimish-line.html
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:25     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
A great Adventures by Disney tour.


They have several itineraries every year and they go all put for the kids.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:24     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
A mont in NZ and Australia. Lots is kid friendly and fun.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:23     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
Anonymous wrote:Don’t do Antarctica at those ages - many of the activities will not be well suited for kids and the drake passage crossing can be brutal.

Safari or Australia would get my vote. You may even be able to do 2 trips at that price - I’d seriously considering go all in Thailand or similar.


This. I wouldn’t do Antarctica with a 7 and a 9 year old. Seriously, they’d be bored by end of day 2. My vote goes to Australia & New Zealand. You can also throw in Fiji which is close to NZ.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:20     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
Anonymous wrote:I’m gonna rain on your parade.

I wouldn’t plan my trip of a lifetime for kids that young. I’d wait until they’re older. They’re not going to appreciate it and it won’t be worth the money.

We’ve gone on several “trips of a lifetime“, including our entire family on a luxurious safari, but we waited until everyone was older.



+1, they will not remember it in a few years and would probably like disney more.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:20     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Id do Antarctica or Galapagos. Safaris can be far cheaper than your budget.


Yea. Safaris that suck.


This is the dumbest DCUM take. But yeah sure prove that fools are easily separated from their money.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:14     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No to safari. I have been on safari many many times. Little kids would not enjoy them after the first couple of sightings of animals. After that, it’s a lot of the same, or it’s hours searching for the hard to find leopard. Young kids would be bored out of their mind.

I would do Australia. So much to do, and your kids would love it. You can do a good mix of cities, rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, and Ayers Rock.


If safaris are so tedious for you, why on earth do you go on “many?“


Many safari companies don't allow kids.

I've been on several safaris and while I love them, they really are not ideal for kids. A lot of waiting around, every day is an early morning start, nothing to do at the camps afterwards and very limited mobility. Safaris are actually extremely sedentary.


There is a Four Seasons that has an interesting hybrid / safari situation - take a look at that.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:14     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
My kids are the same age and the catamaran at night with kids in the ocean island hopping does not sound appealing to me. HOWEVER I have anxiety problems.

I’d take like 3 once in a lifetime trips at much less the cost if it were me and then repeat it every year.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:09     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No to safari. I have been on safari many many times. Little kids would not enjoy them after the first couple of sightings of animals. After that, it’s a lot of the same, or it’s hours searching for the hard to find leopard. Young kids would be bored out of their mind.

I would do Australia. So much to do, and your kids would love it. You can do a good mix of cities, rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, and Ayers Rock.


If safaris are so tedious for you, why on earth do you go on “many?“


Many safari companies don't allow kids.

I've been on several safaris and while I love them, they really are not ideal for kids. A lot of waiting around, every day is an early morning start, nothing to do at the camps afterwards and very limited mobility. Safaris are actually extremely sedentary.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:07     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
Please stop touring in Antarctica. Leave it be.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2024 21:03     Subject: Once in a lifetime family trip?
Your kids are too young to appreciate what’s going on with their dad’s company and too young to appreciate any of the options you’re considering. Wait.