Non Disney Christmas vacation ideas.
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Huntermom · 03-14-2016, 05:00 PM

I am thinking of getting away for a short 4-5 night vacation over DD;s Christmas break. She is in med school so tends to be exhausted when Break starts. I also have a ton of points on Jet Blue so would like to use those. Coming from the NOrtheast so would like warm.

All suggestions welcome.

mamasann · 03-14-2016, 05:18 PM

Well there's always Universal, or for more relaxing try Busch Gardens. Busch is more laid back and has awesome coasters! You can go see the Manatees near the power station in Tampa. Way cool! And there's Good dining to be found in Ybor City too.

rphstearns · 03-14-2016, 06:23 PM

how about an all inclusive in Jamaica?

there is something nice about just hanging out on the beach and being waited on hand and foot. Kind of like a cruise but more relaxed and no motion sickness

Huntermom · 03-14-2016, 07:42 PM

We've done Florida so many times -Disney and non Disney, I would like to do something else.

Being cheap and not a drinker, I am not sure an all inclusive would be a great idea, although I think Jamaica may be worth looking in to. I also though Aruba might be nice. We did the Keys on year Christmas week and really loved it but I don't want a flight and a long drive.

KimmyAnn1147 · 03-14-2016, 08:14 PM

Short 4-5 night...from Northeast...Non-Disney...(wait, why?!?!) JK....

New Orleans? Corpus Christi, St. Augustine? Los Angeles? (I hear they have a decent theme park there). Belize? Cancun?

I have always wanted to see Vera Cruz. I might chose that. But that said, I have almost NO experience with short vacations. How about a short carribean cruise? When it's short, it's way more about the amenities, I think.

Her Dotness · 03-14-2016, 08:56 PM

Warmer than New England for sure although not Florida-warm--Santa Fe, NM.

You'll have to fly into Albuquerque and take the Shuttlejack (bus service) or rent a car for the hour's drive up to Santa Fe. I suggest renting a car as taxi service there is not fabulous, and unless you plan to stay and hang out around the Plaza, the city is more spread out than you'd think.

Christmas there is indescribably gorgeous, particularly driving through the upscale areas to see the farolitos on Christmas Eve (what most people call luminarias.) A luminaria is a huge bonfire atop a ridge, not the little brown paper bags with candles inside that line adobe walls and roof edges. Some homeowners set out hundreds of farolitos or hire a service to make, place and light them.

Definitely a unique holiday celebration.

**chezp** · 03-15-2016, 02:12 AM

I was wondering about California, then you could do Disneyland? Just a thought, but the flight might be longer than you were looking at having.

Huntermom · 03-15-2016, 08:05 AM

Chez,

We have family members in Southern California so we've been quite a bit. A direct flight takes about 5 hours and an hour plus trip into Logan. I would like to keep the flight time on the shorter side given it would only be a five night trip at most.

In my mid I was thinking island in the Caribbean. I also thought Ireland.

And while the Disneys have their appeal, we been to both multiple times and I really don't want crowds. DD finishes exams the week before and probably would want more relaxing (and she will not do a parkless Disney)

Kimmyann, I have a son in Texas so we've done a lot of that. I do like the idea of New Orleans and have not been to St. Augustine. I don't need really hot but want to shed my winter coat for a few days. Also cruising has no appeal to me.

Now you can se why this is harder than it should be.

**HiddenMickey** · 03-15-2016, 08:59 AM

Hilton Head Island/Savannah? We've been there when it's warm in Dec and when it's not, so it's a crapshoot on the actual weather (but warmer than NE). But the flight time would be short and there is plenty to do and see in both places for a few days.

Angela531 · 03-15-2016, 09:53 AM

St Augustine is a nice area to visit so I too would recommend that. Other considerations for quiet, relaxing few days would be the Outer Banks area in North Carolina. I absolutely loved the Wilmington, NC area.

KimmyAnn1147 · 03-20-2016, 06:14 PM

Oooh, Savannah is on my bucket list! I vote for Savannah or St. Augustine, both places I would really love to see!

Of course, if budget allows an all-inclusive with snorkel options, that's my number one pick!

**Disneybine** · 03-20-2016, 06:49 PM

I'd go with an island in the Bahamas or the Caribbean, hands down. Pick a nice resort you wouldn't mind spending most of your time at and just soak in the sunshine

Jakesmom1118 · 03-20-2016, 10:42 PM

Aruba is very relaxing, it is a long flight though. Palm Beach was super nice and relaxing and there are restaurants on the beach which was just super awesome. I'm not a fan of the Bahamas but it's an option. I did not enjoy the locals who are pushing their services and wares and I mean pushing....just really annoying. We didn't have that in Aruba. We stayed 9 days which was just too long, 4-5 days would be good there.

What about Charleston? If you want a quiet beach, try Folly beach. More locals but you do get some tourists. I believe it's 1-2 hours south of Charleston. My aunt loved folly beach when they lived in SC.

A cruise might be good as well. You don't have to get off the ship if you don't want to. You don't have to do a Disney cruise, carnival and Royal Caribbean have more affordable options.

B.M. · 03-24-2016, 06:57 AM

A cruise maybe?

I know you are wanting to avoid Florida- but I'll throw this out there anyways.... the National Parks at the southern end of Florida would be a consideration.... I've researched them for myself before and due to the intense heat of the summer, it is recommended to visit them in the winter.... I plan to visit them over one of our Christmas breaks at some point in time....

Huntermom · 03-24-2016, 04:31 PM

Thanks. BM we've done the everglades and Ding Darling so I am not sure of either of those. I might think about another Keys vacation or an island. DD is in medical school so I think her idea of a vacation is sitting on a beach with a book. She has enjoyed the hammocks here at the CSR.