USA with kids - advice please!

[yo yo ma]

Your schedule travl-wise is a busy one for the 4 and 7 year old.

true... it may be a while until we get back there so wanted to pack as much into the trip as we could. The older two will be fine - just the 4yo I am a little bit worried about.

My experience is at that age that it means that the parents have to entertain the 4 year old.

A bit older and the nintendo/games on the better equiped planes keeps them busy.

They all have an iPod (just have to keep them charged) and we might get them a DSi for their b'days before the trip. Will also keep the lollipop supply full for the trip.

 

[Alanslegal]

Watching with interest - we are going to the US with kids in July but ..... we are doing Honolulu, San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York and Washington

Nice trip planned and although I have been to all the places mentioned, I'll just quickly mention something about Las Vegas and July .... it will be stinking, yes stinking HOT!!! :shock: And all I did when I was there in July was just laze by the pool + drink loads!

 

[yo yo ma]

1/ With Disney high on the agenda...make sure you read a copy of the "Unofficial Guide to Disneyland/world" first.

2/For the 4 year old remember to take the time take in some simple pleasures...playgrounds etc.

Will get a copy on eBay when we decide which one we are going to.

Our 4yo essentially runs the family! She will let us know where she wants to go and it will most likely get done... she has me wrapped around her little finger.

 

[yo yo ma]

Just another thought, I personally would not recommend Shopping -> Disneyland -> Hollywood -> Disneyland -> Shopping. I would focus on doing Disneyland in two consecutive days rather than driving b/w Anaheim (Disneyland) and downtown Los Angeles on alternate days as that is pretty hectic. Just get the theme parks out the way and stay nearby .... so maybe Los Angeles -> Disneyland (two days) -> back to Los Angeles etc.

Thanks... was just trying to break up the theme parks. Will check that out once the itinerary gets changed with all the great advice given.

Thanks all.

 

[marvel]

Don't mean to be negative on the advice given on this website, but alot of the previous advice appears to be from people that either haven't travelled to the US and definetly haven't travelled with kids your age. I hope you are also getting advice from tripadvisor and such other sites and not solely relying on this one.

That being said, we have travelled numerous times with out kids, same ages as yours, and have done similar trips that you are planning. There is no way I would ever recommend cutting vegas in favour of DC. vegas has plenty of things for the kids to do, from shows like lion king, to magic shows, indoor circus etc etc. DC full of monuments and history, really not of interest to children.

I agree with the doing disneyworld rather than disneyland, since you are already going to be in the area, and even though you are going back home via LA, you can still do Hollywood if you wish and shopping before you leave, as anaheim is 45 - 1hr from Disneyland anyhow.

Kennedy Space Centre does sound good, but is around 45 mins at least from Orlando if you have a car, if you don't then costs a lot to catch a tour to take you all there, and would take virtually and entire day, which is better spent at disneyworld. there is nothing like disneyworld for kids, nothing, you can easily spend a week just there, and your kids are perfect age for this. You can never fit everything into one trip unless you go for 5 or 6 weeks.

Not sure if your dates are set but I would also really see if you have to go in July, it is summer vacation in the US and super busy particularly in orlando. I would suggest early Sept if at all possible or check dates in August where maybe major states begin to go back to school.

 

[yeldarb8]

I have lived in the USA for 12+ years now. My very serious suggestions:

1. Forget the cruise. Not sure if news about the US cruise industry is filtering through to Australia but way too many passengers getting sick on these voyages to misery.
2. You are going to MCO so hit Disney WORLD instead of Disney LAND. Save your LA time for shopping and the Studios.
3. Las Vegas is OK. If you like to drive rent a car and go check out the NORTH rim of the Grand Canyon... but check that the road is open before you go because it closes once the snow starts.
4. New York. You just gotta do it once.

Since you are going to kid-intensive locations please try to resist the temptation to CLOUT the American brats you are going to run into. Even your kids may be taken back by the behavior you are going to witness. The worst behaved kids I have ever seen and I have traveled the world extensively.

Good luck!

 

[yeldarb8]

Must have missread your travel dates...

Obviously snow at the Grand Canyon not a problem in July but be aware weather in many parts will be stinking hot. Florida humidity can be amazing... 90% plus. Vegas will be dry but very hot. September/October are much better months for US travel except hurricane risk in the Atlantic/GoM.

 

[yo yo ma]

Don't mean to be negative on the advice given on this website, but alot of the previous advice appears to be from people that either haven't travelled to the US and definetly haven't travelled with kids your age. I hope you are also getting advice from tripadvisor and such other sites and not solely relying on this one.

I agree with the doing disneyworld rather than disneyland, since you are already going to be in the area, and even though you are going back home via LA, you can still do Hollywood if you wish and shopping before you leave, as anaheim is 45 - 1hr from Disneyland anyhow.

Thanks for that... I appreciate everyone's input & yours is not negative at all.

• We always use tripadvisor for hotel reviews
• We have cut back one day in Vegas and will spend an extra day in Orlando
• Unfortunately, dates are set due to my work holidays: late Oct - early Nov

 

[yo yo ma]

1. Forget the cruise. Not sure if news about the US cruise industry is filtering through to Australia but way too many passengers getting sick on these voyages to misery.
2. You are going to MCO so hit Disney WORLD instead of Disney LAND. Save your LA time for shopping and the Studios.
3. Las Vegas is OK. If you like to drive rent a car and go check out the NORTH rim of the Grand Canyon... but check that the road is open before you go because it closes once the snow starts.
4. New York. You just gotta do it once.

Agree about the cruise - The first 2 days of my only previous cruise I suffered nausea & vomiting! I was prepared to put up with it for the kids but only for 4 nights. Our friend has taken the trip before and highly recommeded it to us.

• Will be doing Disneyworld & Harry Potter World in Orlando
• Will hire a vehicle in Orlando but probably won't in Vegas (it it only $67pp to fly there) so mightn't get to the canyon
• Won't get to NYC this time due to time... however, that is on the "to-do list" next time we travel
• Dates are late Oct - early Nov so won't be too hot
• Will be on the lookout for the American kids but probably won't clout them!!!

 

[odysseus]

1 day in Vegas is enough, particularly for the kid-friendly parts. Our daughter didn't like it overall due to the too-obvious sleaziness of it, even though there were individual things she liked. It'll wash over the 4 year old, but the 7 and 10 might find some things 'gross'.

Regarding the cruise, those out of Florida are generally smooth (though it's not a great time of year for them). Disney cruises have even more stimulations for the kids than normal ones.

Also, with day 12, make sure you leave sufficient time to get to the airport. It doesn't happen often, but often enough that cruise arrivals or departure clearance are late, and you don't want to be stressed about missing the flight.

Also, have you thought about flying straight through to Vegas on day 1? It's not that much longer nor much cost and it'll save the hassle of extra transfers from the airport, plus an overnight in LA that it doesn't sound like you'll have time to gain anything out of anyway (recovering day 1, then car pick-up day 2), and the 5 hour drive.

 

[DSFlyer]

I am with others - kids love Vegas but be prepared for the heat. We were there in August this year for 4 nights and it was 40 Degress plus each day. Our son is 15 and loves it. Did the Criss Angel show (illusionist) which was great, went to the Grand Canyon and stacks of shopping.

Have been to Orlando when he was 11 and there is so much to do there. We were there for a week and didnt see everything but Disneyworld is much better than Disneyland. Epcot right next door is also a great place for the kids and adulst alike.

Kennedy space centre really is something that the kids would enjoy - it really is an amazing place.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[ellen10]

WE travelled to the USA twice with our kids in 4 years. Both times in October great time to travel there IMO.

The first time our kids were 8 & 11, we went for 4 weeks. They loved it!. On the west coast we all loved San Francisco, but I don't think you have time this trip. We did Disneyland over a few days (I'm sure Disneyworld will be excellent). We loved Universal Studios, did a bus trip from Anaheim.

We spent a few days in San Diego, Sea World was great, better than in Australia, Legoland and San Diego Zoo is great.

Las Vegas was the surprise, so much to see and do that. So many different themes to each hotel. Our kids loved it, from Merlin fighting the dragon at Excalibah to Circus acts at Circus Circus and all the wonderful hotels in between. There is great outlet shopping in Las Vegas too. Agree defintely do not go at weekends it is totally different and much more expensive. You can google Las Vegas for familys for lots of good things to do and most free.

We went into a couple of big toys stores, amazing! and the kids loved it so cheap and such a big range of toys and books so cheap.

Enjoy, have fun!

 

[yo yo ma]

Also, with day 12, make sure you leave sufficient time to get to the airport.

Also, have you thought about flying straight through to Vegas on day 1? It's not that much longer nor much cost and it'll save the hassle of extra transfers from the airport, plus an overnight in LA that it doesn't sound like you'll have time to gain anything out of anyway (recovering day 1, then car pick-up day 2), and the 5 hour drive.

Will note the airport times... thanks. We were thinking about travelling to Vegas on Day 1 & might make the flight as it is only $67pp (currently). Great idea! My brother is a flight attendant on the A380 and is trying to get on our flights (might even get an upgrade???)

 

[yo yo ma]

Thanks DSFlyer and ellen10 for the tips on Vegas and legoland / Kennedy Space Centre

 

[straitman]

For your Orlando bookings and tickets have a look at Orlando Attractions.

We have used them in the past and found they extremely helpful and very quick to respond to queries and very cheap. Under Disney tickets there is a UK booking section which we found was not actually limited to UK residents rather was more to exclude US residents. We bought and used those tickets without issue.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Agree about the cruise - The first 2 days of my only previous cruise I suffered nausea & vomiting!

Lots of good sea-sickness medications these days....that will not make you drowsy.

Trick is to make sure you take them 2 hours BEFORE getting on the ship.

Once you feel nauseous it is too late to take them.

I do lots of boating holidays at up to two weeks ata time...and even I always take medication on the first day to give my body time to acclimatise to the motion of the water. Reason why is even though I would mostly not get sea-sick...it is simply not worth the risk of spoiling a great holiday by getting sea-sick.

I would recommend the whole family taking tablets for the first day.

 

[yo yo ma]

Lots of good sea-sickness medications these days....that will not make you drowsy.

Trick is to make sure you take them 2 hours BEFORE getting on the ship.

I will definitely be taking them!

Thanks for the link straitman.

 

[yo yo ma]

After all the suggestions we have changed to include NYC:

Day 1 - Arrive LAX 0945 - Fly LAS 2:30PM
Day 2 - Vegas
Day 3 - Vegas
Day 4 - Fly Vegas LGA (6.5 hours)
Day 5 - New York
Day 6 - New York
Day 7 - LGA - MCO (5.5 hours)
Day 8- Orlando - Harry Potter Theme Park – Wizarding World Harry Potter – Orlando – Florida
Day 9 - Orlando - Disney World
Day 10 - Orlando - Disney World
Day 11 - Orlando - Kennedy Space Centre
Day 12 - 3-Night Bahamas Cruises | Disney Cruise Line
Day 13 - Disney Cruise
Day 14 - Disney Cruise
Day 15 - Disembark cruise 0730 - flight to LAX (5.5 hours)
Day 16 - Hollywood / Rodeo Drive
Day 17 - Shopping
Day 18 - Depart LAX-SYD


I have found a site MouseSavers.com - Disney Discount Source - Disney World Discounts, Disneyland Discounts, Disney Cruise Discounts which has some great tips about disney world and the disney cruise.

 

[straitman]

After all the suggestions we have changed to include NYC:

Day 1 - Arrive LAX 0945 - Fly LAS 2:30PM
Day 2 - Vegas
Day 3 - Vegas
Day 4 - Fly Vegas LGA (6.5 hours)
Day 5 - New York
Day 6 - New York
Day 7 - LGA - MCO (5.5 hours)
Day 8- Orlando - Harry Potter Theme Park – Wizarding World Harry Potter – Orlando – Florida
Day 9 - Orlando - Disney World
Day 10 - Orlando - Disney World
Day 11 - Orlando - Kennedy Space Centre
Day 12 - 3-Night Bahamas Cruises | Disney Cruise Line
Day 13 - Disney Cruise
Day 14 - Disney Cruise
Day 15 - Disembark cruise 0730 - flight to LAX (5.5 hours)
Day 16 - Hollywood / Rodeo Drive
Day 17 - Shopping
Day 18 - Depart LAX-SYD


I have found a site MouseSavers.com - Disney Discount Source - Disney World Discounts, Disneyland Discounts, Disney Cruise Discounts which has some great tips about disney world and the disney cruise.

The trip looks good and I'm jealous. My apologies as I forgot to mention mousesavers.

 

[odysseus]

After all the suggestions we have changed to include NYC:

Day 1 - Arrive LAX 0945 - Fly LAS 2:30PM
Day 2 - Vegas
Day 3 - Vegas
Day 4 - Fly Vegas LGA (6.5 hours)
Day 5 - New York
Day 6 - New York
Day 7 - LGA - MCO (5.5 hours)
Day 8- Orlando - Harry Potter Theme Park – Wizarding World Harry Potter – Orlando – Florida
Day 9 - Orlando - Disney World
Day 10 - Orlando - Disney World
Day 11 - Orlando - Kennedy Space Centre
Day 12 - 3-Night Bahamas Cruises | Disney Cruise Line
Day 13 - Disney Cruise
Day 14 - Disney Cruise
Day 15 - Disembark cruise 0730 - flight to LAX (5.5 hours)
Day 16 - Hollywood / Rodeo Drive
Day 17 - Shopping
Day 18 - Depart LAX-SYD

If you're going to NY, I'd definitely given 3 days there to 1 in Vegas, instead of 2 each. It's subjective of course and depends what you want to see, but there's a lot in New York (including shopping), and it's much larger.