Disney or carribean ?

I'm a huge Disney fan so I vote Disney. The Caribbean can be fun too but it definitely won't be relaxing with a 2 year old. We took DD to Aruba last summer when she was 2 1/2. We had an awesome time but it definitely wasn't relaxing as the pre-DD days. Just something to consider.

Disney or carribean ?

Disney. I love the Caribbean but my youngest is 2 and he is a wild one. It would not be relaxing at this age, plus I don't know of any resorts with kids clubs that take them this young. Everything is family friendly at disney; they make it so easy for everyone to have fun. I also recommend the disney cruise, but again, 2yo is too young for kids club.

Disney or carribean ?

I say go to Disney. They have a Caribbean themed resort at Disney if you want a little of the Caribbean vibe. As for needing to book Disney way in advance that is not necessarily true--there are plenty of options to do it on short notice IF you are a little flexible. My DH is famous for traveling on little to no notice--180 days in advance just does not happen in our house.

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Thanks guys for all your responses! We are going to look into Disney at the pop century n port Orleans

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Sash

Hands down Caribbean, because that's a vacation but I'm anti-Disney so take my advice with a grain of salt! So many posters had wonderful times at Disney, me not so much when I took my stepson, so we have been traumatized ever since!

I'm anti Disney as well.
I have ZERO desire to go and when I read threads on the Disney (I mean Travel) Board here it seals it even more.
They have their own language. All these abbreviations. Letters . All these rules. Booking shitt 180 days in advance.
I need to go to school to learn about it.
It sounds insanely overwhelming and I can't even fathom spending my hard earned vacation time going through all that. I'd be less stressed out at work.

We just did a resort vacation and it was PARADISE!
(oh and i booked my "dining" an hour before we wanted to go eat, by just picking up the phone and hitting the dining reservation button, and it was the best meal I have had in a long time!)

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Posted by ElizaRags35

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Sash

Hands down Caribbean, because that's a vacation but I'm anti-Disney so take my advice with a grain of salt! So many posters had wonderful times at Disney, me not so much when I took my stepson, so we have been traumatized ever since!

I'm anti Disney as well.
I have ZERO desire to go and when I read threads on the Disney (I mean Travel) Board here it seals it even more.
They have their own language. All these abbreviations. Letters . All these rules. Booking shitt 180 days in advance.
I need to go to school to learn about it.
It sounds insanely overwhelming and I can't even fathom spending my hard earned vacation time going through all that. I'd be less stressed out at work.

We just did a resort vacation and it was PARADISE!
(oh and i booked my "dining" an hour before we wanted to go eat, by just picking up the phone and hitting the dining reservation button, and it was the best meal I have had in a long time!)

All of this. I am dreading doing Disney. I'm delaying it as much as humanly possible.

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Havent been to disney in over 30 years lol. But id go there with your dc

Disney or carribean ?

i would say Disney with that age... you could stay at Disney Caribbean Beach Resort to kind of get both vacations in one! LOL they just redid the rooms there, hear they're great... and the pool looks awesome- and a nice splash area for kids under 48 inches, which would be great!

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Thank you everyone! Did u guys do a meal plan? How many day in Disney did u do

Message edited 5/2/2015 7:51:57 AM.

Disney or carribean ?

I am not a Disney lover, my 3.5 year old hasn't been yet but I think 5 and 2 are good ages for Disney so I say disney. I plan on doing disney this year or next and then not again for a long time lol I prefer real vacations .

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Sash

Hands down Caribbean, because that's a vacation but I'm anti-Disney so take my advice with a grain of salt! So many posters had wonderful times at Disney, me not so much when I took my stepson, so we have been traumatized ever since!

I'm anti Disney as well.
I have ZERO desire to go and when I read threads on the Disney (I mean Travel) Board here it seals it even more.
They have their own language. All these abbreviations. Letters . All these rules. Booking shitt 180 days in advance.
I need to go to school to learn about it.
It sounds insanely overwhelming and I can't even fathom spending my hard earned vacation time going through all that. I'd be less stressed out at work.

We just did a resort vacation and it was PARADISE!
(oh and i booked my "dining" an hour before we wanted to go eat, by just picking up the phone and hitting the dining reservation button, and it was the best meal I have had in a long time!)

Re: Disney or carribean ?

100% Disney . . . And not just because I love Disney.

I cannot fathom the idea of small kids and a resort beach vacation being fun. When I do resort vacations, I go to relax. Chasing around two small kids, rushing through meals because someone is always about to have a melt down, being woken up at the crack of dawn, having to go to bed early because of the kids, not being able to just relax on the beach or by the pool because someone might drown. I also couldn't trust leaving them at a kids club while out of the US but maybe I worry too much. The list goes on and on.

I might do a nice family orientated beach resort when they're around 8-10 but before then I just don't see it being enjoyable.

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Posted by ml110

i would say Disney with that age... you could stay at Disney Caribbean Beach Resort to kind of get both vacations in one! LOL they just redid the rooms there, hear they're great... and the pool looks awesome- and a nice splash area for kids under 48 inches, which would be great!

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Sparrow

Chasing around two small kids, rushing through meals because someone is always about to have a melt down, being woken up at the crack of dawn, having to go to bed early because of the kids, not being able to just relax on the beach or by the pool because someone might drown.

But isn't this the same at Disney?
Chasing the kids, being woken up early, going to bed early etc.
I mean pretty much ANY vacation with young kids is pretty much no vacation if you think about it.
Unless kid's magically transform into angels when they enter the gates of a Disney property.
Which for the prices they charge, they probably should!

Re: Disney or carribean ?

I LOVE relaxing beach vacations but with my DD (almost 3) I can't imagine enjoying it the way I would want to until she is older. Maybe 6-12 age ranges would be better for that type of vacation.

I would def. take them to Disney. They would be so much happier. I would look into the Disney Caribbean resort if you want that "vibe" in addition. I think I'd prefer to do child centric stuff when she is young and then as she gets older start adding in vacations that are mostly for DH & I but of course she will enjoy it as well.

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Sparrow

Chasing around two small kids, rushing through meals because someone is always about to have a melt down, being woken up at the crack of dawn, having to go to bed early because of the kids, not being able to just relax on the beach or by the pool because someone might drown.

But isn't this the same at Disney?
Chasing the kids, being woken up early, going to bed early etc.
I mean pretty much ANY vacation with young kids is pretty much no vacation if you think about it.
Unless kid's magically transform into angels when they enter the gates of a Disney property.
Which for the prices they charge, they probably should!

Message edited 5/2/2015 10:08:22 AM.

Re: Disney or carribean ?

I agree with what the others have posted and would choose Disney over the Caribbean with kids that age. Some potential compromises to get you the both of best worlds, include staying at Caribbean Beach Resort at Disney, or taking a Disney cruise that sails in the Caribbean.

I saw that someone recommended Port Orleans Riverside. It is a beautiful resort, but, for my money with kids that age I would choose Port Orleans French Quarter, if going with Port Orleans over other resorts. It is smaller with less walking, only one bus stop, and just might make things easier overall with two kids.

Re: Disney or carribean ?

I would choose Disney unless you are going to a super kid friendly place like Beaches.

We LOVE the Yacht and Beach Club at Disney. The pool is SUPER Amazing! Sandy bottom, lagoon style, and has waterslides. We sit there all day and feel like we are in the carribean lol

Disney or carribean ?

Disney. Go while school in session.

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Sash

Hands down Caribbean, because that's a vacation but I'm anti-Disney so take my advice with a grain of salt! So many posters had wonderful times at Disney, me not so much when I took my stepson, so we have been traumatized ever since!

I'm anti Disney as well.
I have ZERO desire to go and when I read threads on the Disney (I mean Travel) Board here it seals it even more.
They have their own language. All these abbreviations. Letters . All these rules. Booking shitt 180 days in advance.
I need to go to school to learn about it.
It sounds insanely overwhelming and I can't even fathom spending my hard earned vacation time going through all that. I'd be less stressed out at work.

We just did a resort vacation and it was PARADISE!
(oh and i booked my "dining" an hour before we wanted to go eat, by just picking up the phone and hitting the dining reservation button, and it was the best meal I have had in a long time!)

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Posted by Bridex100

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Sash

Hands down Caribbean, because that's a vacation but I'm anti-Disney so take my advice with a grain of salt! So many posters had wonderful times at Disney, me not so much when I took my stepson, so we have been traumatized ever since!

I'm anti Disney as well.
I have ZERO desire to go and when I read threads on the Disney (I mean Travel) Board here it seals it even more.
They have their own language. All these abbreviations. Letters . All these rules. Booking shitt 180 days in advance.
I need to go to school to learn about it.
It sounds insanely overwhelming and I can't even fathom spending my hard earned vacation time going through all that. I'd be less stressed out at work.

We just did a resort vacation and it was PARADISE!
(oh and i booked my "dining" an hour before we wanted to go eat, by just picking up the phone and hitting the dining reservation button, and it was the best meal I have had in a long time!)

Disney doesn't have to be stressful. You just get to the park early and plan not to see everything. The first time we went, we stayed off site, had no reservations, no fast passes and only went to the parks for about 3-4 hours per day. We returned back to our resort, napped and hung out at the pool.

We have gone back 4 more times because is it such an easy trip with the kids.

The Four Seasons Orlando has the nicest pool I have ever seen. It just opened last year.

Re: Disney or carribean ?

When is the best time to go? Did u. Do meal plans

Re: Disney or carribean ?

Well honestly you don't HAVE to plan anything to go to Disney. You can just go. People do it all the time. IMO the more you plan, the more relaxing a trip you have. Personally I don't love staying on one island. I prefer a cruise unless you are only doing 3-4 days. But I didn't find a cruise any more relaxing necessarily than wdw. You still have family activities, dressing and going to Disney. Honestly, once you bring kids imo unless you plan to dump them all week in the kids program, it just is a different type of vacation no matter what you plan, than pre kids. I think wdw, beach, cruise or whatever. You have to adjust your expectations according. More planning usually means happier kids, which in turns makes happier parents.

For those afraid to do Disney, don't be. The more you plan, the more you can do, the less walking you have to do, and the less time you spend in lines. Disney can be as active or as relaxing as your personal preference. IMO you can tailor it to suit your needs.

I once was speaking with a mom who said that they came home from an island trip, 3 days into what was supposed to be an 8 days trip. Why? Because they were annoyed and angry that their kid did not adjust to their expectations. They did not get a nice dinner because they wanted to eat at 8 or 8:30 and couldn't understand why their son wouldn't fall asleep in the stroller, or nap at a different time on the beach so they could relax and have a drink. I think whether you go to Disney, a cruise, or a resort, you do need to do dome planning, and have reasonable expectations. You probably won't in most cases have the same relaxing vacation time that you did pre kids or trips sans kids. But even with Disney you can still get some adult time (kids club if you want a quiet dinner), they do have spas, etc.

I enjoy both Disney and non Disney vacations. I say it depends on the time of the year, and your budget to which you should pick. You can have a nice trip with either of those choices.