vacation ideas besides wdw? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter Universe: General Trip Planning and Discussion > Globetrotting: General Travel Planning
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-20-2011, 11:52 AM   #1
hall0731
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
hall0731's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Spring,Texas (outside of Houston)
Posts: 845

Post Thanks / Like
vacation ideas besides wdw?

I am trying to plan our next vacation and I am drawing a blank. My daughter will be 3 and my son will be 13. My husband is not a beach person at all. He also doesn't like cruises. I am trying to find somewhere that I can make everyone happy. I would like to stay in the U.S. if possible.We are not going back to wdw until my daughter is about 5 or 6, so that is out.
Does anyone have ideas of a vacation spot that would keep up busy for 7 to 8 days.
I was looking at Seattle area or Boston area. Need new ideas.
__________________
Teresa






My Countdown Counting down to: Next family trip
ahhhh I have made it back home.
My Previous TripsWDW- WL June 2009
hall0731 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 11:59 AM   #2
jimmymac
Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 35,829

Post Thanks / Like
Bar Harbor Maine area - Acadia National Park. Beautiful
__________________
Jim
My Countdown Counting down to:
My Previous Trips2015 BC, 2014 BC, 2014 BWI, 2013 BC, 2013 GF, 2012 BC, 2012 OKW, 2012 BWI, 2011 BWI, 2011 BC, 2010 BC, 2010 CSR, 2010 Kidani, 2009 GCV, 2009 BC, 2008 BWV, 2008 Grand Californian, 2008 BC, 2007 BWI, 2007 POFQ, 2007 Grand Californian, 2006 BC, 2006 POR, 2006 WL, 2005 BC, 2005 BWI, 2005 CBR, 2004 CR, 2004 GF, 2004 POFQ 2004 Poly, 2003 Poly, 2003 CSR, 2003 POR, 2002 AKL, 2002 GF, 2001 AKL, 2001 Poly, 2000 CBR, 1999 CBR, 1998 ASMo, 1997 ASMSp, 1996 ASMo, 1995 ASSp, 1991 Wyndham, 1989 off site, 1985 Off Site
jimmymac is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 12:10 PM   #3
RobDVC
Facebook Addict
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
RobDVC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 39,682

Post Thanks / Like
Philadelphia, PA. The birthplace of America.
__________________
RobDVC - about me
My Countdown Counting down to: Another BLT visit
..See Ya Real Soon!
My PassPorter Bookshelf <table width=100% height=75 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 border=0><tr><td width=86 style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/concierge/ticker/countdown7873-428.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/concierge/back-to-the-beach-club-villas-trip428.html' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=86 border=0></a></td><td align=left style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/shelf7873.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/club/bookshelf.php?member=7873&name=RobDVC' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=200 border=0></a></td></tr></table>
My Previous TripsMay1991 Treehouse Villas - May1993 POFQ - July1998 CSR - May2002 ASSP - August2004 ASMO - December2005 SSR - August2006 BCV - April2007 POFQ - August2008 BWV - May2009 AKV Kidani - AugSep2010 BLT - Aug2011 BCV - Aug2013 BLT
RobDVC is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 12:16 PM   #4
Sunshine Family
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
Sunshine Family's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 933

Post Thanks / Like
Boston area has TONS of stuff to do. Only suggestion I have is to not stay in Boston proper, the hotel tax is crazy high.
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
Sunshine Family is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 12:18 PM   #5
MichaelF
Community Rank: Explorer
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,175

Post Thanks / Like
Well my first thought would be Hawaii. It is beautiful and there is a lot more to do there than go to the beach. Also a trip to Washington DC could be interesting to the family. Last year we went to Vero Beach, Florida and liked that a lot but we spent a lot of time at the beach and pool.
MichaelF is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 01:23 PM   #6
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
We really enjoyed our time in Boston and I like Rob's idea of Philadelphia, another beautiful city. What about Washington DC as well? There's lots to do there.
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 01:29 PM   #7
hall0731
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
hall0731's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Spring,Texas (outside of Houston)
Posts: 845

Post Thanks / Like
I also have thought of these places, with so much history, I would like my daughter to be of an age that she would rememeber it before I travel there.

does Boston have alot of walking? I guess I could put my daughter in a stroller.
__________________
Teresa






My Countdown Counting down to: Next family trip
ahhhh I have made it back home.
My Previous TripsWDW- WL June 2009
hall0731 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 01:44 PM   #8
Carousel96
Community Rank: Explorer
 
Carousel96's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 10,722

Post Thanks / Like
I understand the idea of waiting until your daughter can remember, but your son is a perfect age for Washington DC. So much to see (much of it free) and it ties in to what most kids are learning in school around that time. In our experience -- and we did both cities with a stroller -- the DC Metro is much more stroller friendly than the Boston subway system.
__________________
Carolyn

My Previous Trips1974 w/mom and best friend -- 1976 w/parents -- 5/2002 ASMo DD's 1st visit -- 11/2002 ASMo w/hubby and the Princess (2 trips that year - what luck!) -- 2005 POP holiday trip -- 2006 ASMo w/ DH, DD, B and SIL for niece's graduation -- 2/2009 DLR -- 11/2009 ASMu -- 11/2010 POFQ & 12/2010 POP -- Non-Disney trips: too many to mention
Carousel96 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 01:50 PM   #9
hall0731
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
hall0731's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Spring,Texas (outside of Houston)
Posts: 845

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carousel96 View Post
I understand the idea of waiting until your daughter can remember, but your son is a perfect age for Washington DC. So much to see (much of it free) and it ties in to what most kids are learning in school around that time. In our experience -- and we did both cities with a stroller -- the DC Metro is much more stroller friendly than the Boston subway system.

I have thought about washington D.C. Would there be stuff in the museums and such that would entertain my daughter? I know where their age difference it is almost impossible to get something that would completely satsify both of them. My DH would go for d.c. what area is the best to stay in? What area did you stay in? How long did you go?
__________________
Teresa






My Countdown Counting down to: Next family trip
ahhhh I have made it back home.
My Previous TripsWDW- WL June 2009
hall0731 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 02:30 PM   #10
Starbright
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,605

Post Thanks / Like
I have an age span with my kids too so I know the difficulties that it creates. Disney was the perfect combination now that dd is 5 and ds is 10. However, we are in the same boat again because dh doesn't want to go back and he doesn't like cruises either. It is difficult to try to keep the 3 of them happy and entertained. It isn't easy.
Hawaii might be a good place to keep all of them happy if you choose not to go to Washington. We are looking at Seattle and that way. Also the South. I know my dd is not ready for some of these things but we have to be happy too and she just has to come along and it is sometimes the little things such as a stop at the park that will keep them entertained for awhile.
Good luck.
Starbright is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 02:31 PM   #11
boonsamsmom
Community Rank: Day-Tripper
 
boonsamsmom's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Montana
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 9

Post Thanks / Like
We love the Oregon Coast...headed there in two days!!!
We rent a house that is centrally located (Lincoln City, Newport, etc.)and like to take day trips up and down the coast.
This year we're headed to the Newport Aquarium, whale watching and glass blowing. My DH loves to golf, so I take the girls (age 10 & 11) for shopping and lunch.
There is so much to do and it's not all "beach stuff". Lots of fun for all ages
boonsamsmom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 03:23 PM   #12
Sunshine Family
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
Sunshine Family's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 933

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by hall0731 View Post
I also have thought of these places, with so much history, I would like my daughter to be of an age that she would rememeber it before I travel there.

does Boston have alot of walking? I guess I could put my daughter in a stroller.

You can do lots of walking in Boston itself, visiting lots of historic sites. Boston is a very small city (especially since I'm now near NYC - Manhattan is bigger than Boston )

There are always cabs and the subway too.
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
Sunshine Family is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 04:38 PM   #13
B.M.
Community Rank: Explorer
 
B.M.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,903

Post Thanks / Like
I also think your ds is at a great age for Washington DC! I took my oldest son there a few years ago and we both really enjoyed it. I know your dd is not old enough to get a lot out of it, but she should be fine just going along for the ride.... Most all of the attractions there are free (museums, ect...), so it's a pretty cheap trip! There are a lot of cool things there to see.... I think at 3, most places are not going to necessarily going to be geared towards her- but my kids at 3 were excited just to go places....

Personally, I would just go for it.... By the time your dd is old enough to appreciate DC and other similar places, your ds will basically be an adult and may not be travelling with you anymore.... JMHO.
__________________
B.
My Countdown Counting down to: Road Trip IV
!!!!!******!!!!!*****!!!!!!*****!!!!!!*****!!!!!** ***!!!!!*****
My Previous TripsWDW/Pop Century June 2008-- WDW/AS Movies Thanksgiving 2009-- WDW/Pop Century March 2010-- DCL/Wonder to Alaska May 2011-- WDW/Vaca Home off property Christmas 2012-- WDW/AS Music Christmas 2014

Last edited by B.M.; 07-20-2011 at 04:41 PM..
B.M. is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 06:16 PM   #14
Carousel96
Community Rank: Explorer
 
Carousel96's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 10,722

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by B.M. View Post
Personally, I would just go for it.... By the time your dd is old enough to appreciate DC and other similar places, your ds will basically be an adult and may not be travelling with you anymore.... JMHO.
I agree. My brother and I are 13 years apart and the first vacation I remember taking together was after I was married -- when he and his teen daughter and my husband and I went to Scotland together.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hall0731 View Post
I have thought about washington D.C. Would there be stuff in the museums and such that would entertain my daughter? I know where their age difference it is almost impossible to get something that would completely satsify both of them. My DH would go for d.c. what area is the best to stay in? What area did you stay in? How long did you go?
As other posters have said, at her age -- going places is exciting enough. Though DC does have a zoo... And the Smithsonian (depending on the building you visit) has a Dumbo car, and Kermit, and trains, and a carousel. Don't think it's all lost on them, though. When my DD was 2, she came back from DC and informed everyone that the "Washington Monument is very big, the Capitol is yittle, and Mr. Yincoln is big and sits in a chair."
I would suggest staying downtown, though plenty of people stay out by the beltway and Metro in.
I've been going to DC for a conference for 20 years running. We usually stay in the "Foggy Bottom" area because our meetings are on that side of town. We have stayed at the State Plaza hotel (NY and E I think) for many years. Not glamorous by any means, but most of the rooms have kitchenettes and there's a CVS next door so it's easy to pick up OJ and milk for breakfast.
Our most recent trip we stayed at the Lombardy (2oth and I) -- nicer rooms and smack dab between two Metro stops. Marriott Metro Center is nice if you want to accummulate points. One year we got an awesome rate at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza -- another convenient downtown location -- but I haven't seen $79 rooms before or since!
Hotels and food in DC can be spendy, but most of the museums are free, so it balances out to a fairly affordable trip.
__________________
Carolyn

My Previous Trips1974 w/mom and best friend -- 1976 w/parents -- 5/2002 ASMo DD's 1st visit -- 11/2002 ASMo w/hubby and the Princess (2 trips that year - what luck!) -- 2005 POP holiday trip -- 2006 ASMo w/ DH, DD, B and SIL for niece's graduation -- 2/2009 DLR -- 11/2009 ASMu -- 11/2010 POFQ & 12/2010 POP -- Non-Disney trips: too many to mention
Carousel96 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2011, 06:34 PM   #15
Ceara's mawmaw
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
Ceara's mawmaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 3,222

Post Thanks / Like
Gatlinburg/pigeon forge.......it is always fun
__________________
Shari
Small acts of kindness can change lives



My 3 first timers headed for WDW...sshhhh
My Countdown Counting down to: February 2016
Bye! We are going to the World.......
My Previous TripsWDW Sept 09, Sept. 08 and Dec 08, WDW Sept. 07, Sanibel Island June 07, WDW July 06, Reno April 07, WDW Feburary 71, 72, 74, 78, 82, 86, 98 and New year's eve 99.
Ceara's mawmaw is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:21 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger