Planning A Summer Vacation

I'm making plans for my family's summer vacations. There are SO many to choose from and I came up with three choices: Cedar Point of OH, Hershey Park of PA, and Dollywood of TN.

Have you been to one of these parks before? Which one is a great place to take a vacation?

 

What would you do in OH?

 

A guy I know carried his family to Disney World two weeks ago, said he spent: $6,000.00. He did come back with a sweat shirt though, had to buy it because it was so darn cold down there.

 

we go to dollywood at least once a year....sometimes more.

there is enough in that general area to keep you busy for a few days.


i have been wanting to try hersheypark too. still researching all there is to do to make it worth the trip that far.

 

Cedar Point is a huge amusement park with some of the countries best roller coasters.

www.cedarpoint.com

I've never been there, but it's always on those shows that rate rollercoasters on either the Travel Channel or Discovery Channel. I'd like to get there someday... who knows though, been so long since I've been on a really good rollercoaster I might not be able to stomach them anymore.

 

Been to both Dollywood and Hershey. Great family places! Can't go wrong with either. We were just at Hershey this past summer, it's been a few years since Dollywood............................

 

I'd think that it would depend on the age range of the family vacation participants as to which would be better suited. If you have teens then Cedar Point would probably be the best bet. While Dollywood, Hershey, or even Williamsburg would be more suited for both younger and older age ranges. Course you could always drive 6 hours down the road to Atlanta, and visit the Atlanta Zoo, as well as having a Six Flags park there, and the Georgia Aquarium which is billed as the worlds largest and most engaging aquarium.



Craig

 

Geez! I'm originally from Florida and I know there are many way to save money on Disney trip.

The reason why I didn't chose Disney on our list is because we've been there while living in FL. Cedar Point, Dollywood, and Hershey Park are the only parks that we haven't visit yet.

Thanks, everyone, for your help. We're thinking of going to Dollywood because of our child's age. My senior citizen mom is going to join with us and I definely think Dollywood is good place for her.

 

Don't know that I'd take a free trip to Disney... seems like it would be Chuck E Cheese Hell but bigger and more expensive...

I had a good time at Cedar Point...fun roller coasters...
My favorite family vacations, though, have always been the ones that are a little UNDER-scheduled...partly because the older I get, the less patience I have with idiots, I mean crowds... and partly because the vacations that are underscheduled end up being more memorable because we can be spontaneous...

 

Good choice, Cake. While you're there, take some quiet time to visit Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/
Entrance is free, and if you go on a weekday, it will be a nice break from the hustle and bustle. Weekends can be crowded even in the Park. It's a beautiful place.

 

While we are on vacations topic, does anyone happen to know on here some great websites for saving on vacations? We are a family of 9 and would love to take the kids somewhere this summer. Can't be too hectic of a place as most are special needs.

If you all have any ideas on some websites that compare, do campgrounds(as we need a minimum of 2 hotel rooms), etc., I'd love to have it as I'm sure others on here would appreciate some of the comparison websites as well.

Or any suggestions on some places to go. Anyone ever rent a beach house for a week? Know about what they run? Just curious.

Have a great week and thanks in advance for any suggestions. We kind of want some place a little memorable w/ lots to see. We have a son who has a syndrome that leaves him deaf and eventually blind. We want to show him as much as we can during his childhood while he can still see. Hope that made sense. So maybe some type of hands on place as well. Isn't there a museum in Charlotte...Discovery Place??

Suggestions on some local and non-local places would be great.

Stephanie.

 

That may be your best bet with 9 people.

I know some people on here have beach homes they rent out. I don't want to call them out on the board, but hopefully they can help you!

Check the 4042.com classifieds also

 

How about THREE FLAGS OVER FUQUAY.

If you know this one, you have been here for a long time.

 

We have stayed at cabins in Cherokee, NC. There are a lot of free and low-cost things to do there, as well as a lot of expensive things. Here's where we stayed: http://www.huskeycabinrentals.com/reservations.htm

That's very close to the main NC entrance to GSMNP (link above, in my message to Cake Princess).

 

cake princess:
how old is your child?

dollywood is definately a good choice for a senior citizen....my parents love it there...the kids do too...
there are lots of rides even for the little ones


abdulena:
have you considered a cabin rental in gatlinburg or pigeon forge (dollywood) tn...
cabins are the way to go with a crowd...they have alot of different sizes to chose from.
in gatlinburg or pigeon forge, you will probably drop a quite a bit of dough for a family of 9, but it is mostly stuff that is right on the strip (laser tag, mini-golf, go-cart tracks, candy stores, etc.)



there is so much to see and do at both of these!!
way too much to mention.

 

KD's Grandma, that was just the kind of link I was looking for!!! Thanks so much. I do appreciate it. Can't wait to find some more info. You guys are a wealth of information.

Stephanie.

 

Thanks, Tassy. Don't know about much of the vacationing entertainment stuff!

 

My son and i spent a week on the Cherokee reservation in one of the cabins about 8 years ago and it was great, a lot of fun things to do, a lot of educational things, and a lot of relaxation in a cabin right on the river.