USA with kids - advice please!

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yo yo ma

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We are off to America with the kids (aged 4, 7, 10) in October / November. The flights SYD-LAX-SYD are booked on QF but nothing else yet. As this is our first time to the US, any ideas with itineray would be appreciated:
  • Day 1 - Arrive LAX 0945
  • Day 2 - Drive to Las Vegas
  • Day 3 - Vegas
  • Day 4 - Vegas
  • Day 5 - Fly Vegas to Orlando, Florida (4.5 hours)
  • Day 6 - Florida: Harry Potter World
  • Day 7 - Florida
  • Day 8- Disney Cruise - boarding 1400hrs
  • Day 9 - Disney Cruise
  • Day 10 - Disney Cruise
  • Day 11 - Disney Cruise
  • Day 12 - Disembark cruise 0730 - flight to LAX (5.5 hours)
  • Day 13 - Shopping
  • Day 14 - Disneyland
  • Day 15 - Hollywood / Rodeo Drive
  • Day 16 - Disneyland
  • Day 17 - Shopping
  • Day 18 - Depart LAX-SYD
The only essential part is the cruise and going to Harry Potter Theme Park. However, the cruise could be taken as 3 nights from day 12 instead.
 
Looks like an exciting trip, especially all the disney adventures for the kids!

I'm not sure they will get much value from Vegas - especially as it's specifically designed as an 'adults only playground'.

Had a family of 5 (3 children) behind me on BNE-LAX today, kids were a dream and really took to flying. I wish all kids were like that :D
 
I'm not sure they will get much value from Vegas - especially as it's specifically designed as an 'adults only playground'.

There are a few casinos which have things designed specifically for kids though, amusements and so forth.
 
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Since you are going to be in Orlando anyway I would suggest going to Disneyworld rather than flying back to LA and going to Disneyland. Having done both, Disneyworld is so much more impressive - bigger, better/more rides, etc.

...mzy
 
Personally, I agree with the suggestion of omitting Las Vegas so here is my proposal for an alternate side-trip:

From LAX fly Virgin America to Washington DC, very reasonable fares, and check out the US capitol - Many interesting monuments and the Smithsonian (ie The entertainment and aviation museums) should keep the kids entertained for a few days.

From DC catch Amtrak to Orlando, sample travel time about 19 hours, departing DC around 3pm arriving in Orlando just after 10am the next day. Fare: $81. What kid doesn't enjoy a train trip!
 
I second some of the above suggestions - shorten (or cut out!) Vegas, and think seriously about adding a night or two in D.C. The Smithsonian air and space is worth it all by itself, leaving aside everything else!

I'd also suggest spending a bit more time in Orlando and doing Disneyworld (probably instead of Land) and the Kennedy Space Center... If it was me I'd reduce the number of days cruising, but I don't really understand cruises.

Danny
 
I'd disagree with omitting Las Vegas. Even though it appears to be targetting adults, there are a whole range of things that will get kids excited eg. Bellagio fountain show, the lights, the Freemont street lights, all the buffet restaurants, resort pools are huge and children friendly, all the various shows (free and paid) at the casinos. That said, I'd probably try and stay during the week rather than weekends to avoid the fly-in type crowds that come for the weekend to booze up. Plus accommodation will be super-cheap mid-week vs. Fri,Sat night. I would however skip the drive from Los Angeles and just find a connecting flight to LAS.

From Las Vegas you can do the grand canyon / hoover dam.
 
I'd disagree with omitting Las Vegas. Even though it appears to be targetting adults, there are a whole range of things that will get kids excited eg. Bellagio fountain show, the lights, the Freemont street lights, all the buffet restaurants, resort pools are huge and children friendly, all the various shows (free and paid) at the casinos. That said, I'd probably try and stay during the week rather than weekends to avoid the fly-in type crowds that come for the weekend to booze up. Plus accommodation will be super-cheap mid-week vs. Fri,Sat night. I would however skip the drive from Los Angeles and just find a connecting flight to LAS.

From Las Vegas you can do the grand canyon / hoover dam.

Totally agree. Plus, you deserve to have a little fun yourself, and Vegas is a great place to do it. Its so tacky you cannot help but love it. And because of the GFC you can get some amazing bargain room rates.
 
If you are going to MCO I would definitely visit Kennedy Space Center. It's an easy drive about an hour (3 tolls enroute so have some coins). Also with the price of the admission you can go back and visit a second day for free. The souvenirs in the gift shop were not overly expensive either.

You definitely need a care for MCO to get around. A lot of hotels seem to offer free breakfast. We stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton at 8745 International Drive which were excellent. Each night Managemnt hosted drinks for guests in one of the rooms plus there was snack type food there which would last you until dinner. Very customer service focused.

It's very close to the restaruant Bahama Breeze which has what they call Floribbean cuisine (Caribbean with a Florida influence whatever that is). We ate there a couple of times and loved it. It's kid friendly for sure but not in your face where kids take over the joint. If you were a couple wanting to enjoy a romantic dinner you wouldn't be disappointed.

We flew MCO via IAH to SAN which cost us about AUD159.00 pp on Continental. Definitely check out Virgin America as heaps of inflight entertainment. A friend also flew JetBlue with a toddler which she raved about again heaps of free inflight entertainment.

I'd agree with keeping Vegas in your itinerary to give the kids a real cross section of cities in the US. As an alternative to LAX at the end you could fly MCO/SFO have a couple of nights there to do Alcatraz, a Segway tour or one of the double decker bus tours which is valid for 24 hours & you can jump on and off at the sights. Then either fly SFO/LAX on VX or drive down the coast stopping a night along the way.

I wouldn't want to drive to Vegas after a long flight from SYD so I'd either overnight at Marina del Rey at a hotel or as already suggested fly straight on to Vegas which would be a helluva introduction to the USA for the youngsters.
 
I was just in Orlando, and gotta agree about Bahama Breeze, great for families (I was traveling without this time though) and Kennedy Space Centre.

I didn't have the same experience with Homewood Suites when I was there 2 years ago, but for a family it's probably fine. A good location, big rooms, just a bit dated.

I got lucky and stayed in the Peabody last trip, it was brilliant. They even have real ducks living on the property and they tour around the lobby at different times. Also the Peabody has a great pool set-up for families.

Enjoy, I'm very jealous!

Ben
 
Watching with interest - we are going to the US with kids in July but are omitting the Florida experience (have taken the kids already to HK Disney- thats enough Disney for the moment LOL) - we are doing Honolulu, San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York and Washington -kids are 9 and 11, can't wait -a bit worried about all the flying but that's life - kids have flown a bit so will be okay (more in another thread on the flying!)
 
We are off to America with the kids (aged 4, 7, 10) .


Your schedule travl-wise is a busy one for the 4 and 7 year old. Lots of travel which for younger kids can be a bit boring and hence a trial for them, and then in turn th adults.. You know your own kids...can they cope with this? Will they enjoy so many connections?

The cruise in the midde should providea good break though.

I have always travelled with my kids who are now not so young. For a while I found less was more, and adjusted my previously more frenetic travel pace.

Each child is different and so no one pace will suit all. Some take to it, but others thrive more at a different pace to what an adult may thrive on.
 
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Had a family of 5 (3 children) behind me on BNE-LAX today, kids were a dream and really took to flying. I wish all kids were like that :D
Older 2 are great flying... it's the 4yo we have to be worried about! Hopefully she'll sleep for a bit?!

.
 
Since you are going to be in Orlando anyway I would suggest going to Disneyworld rather than flying back to LA and going to Disneyland. Having done both, Disneyworld is so much more impressive - bigger, better/more rides, etc.
We have to fly back to LA anyway but thanks for the tip on Disneyworld. Will check that out.

.
 
it's the 4yo we have to be worried about! Hopefully she'll sleep for a bit?!

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My experience is at that age that it means that the parents have to entertain the 4 year old...as their attention span is limited and child-programs only keep them busy so long. Space is limited as well. So pack new toys, child-books etc...to surprise them with. Also pack a few treats/snacks for them as they may not like the airline offerings and a long flight with a hungry child can add problems.


A bit older and the nintendo/games on the better equiped planes keeps them busy. No such aids on trains, unless you bring your own.


Never stopped me from travelling, or flying, but it did alter the pace.

Older kids you can discuss an intenary so that they know that some days will have more trael than others. 4 year olds will not be so logical...
 
Personally, I agree with the suggestion of omitting Las Vegas so here is my proposal for an alternate side-trip...
I second some of the above suggestions - shorten (or cut out!) Vegas...
Cheers guys... we were looking a getting married again in a tacky Vegas wedding! Will look at shortening the time there though.

The kids would love a train trip however, 19 hours might be a bit much... The 14 hour flight will be a long one. They are really excited about the cruise.

4-Night Bahamas Cruises | Disney Cruise Line
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That said, I'd probably try and stay during the week rather than weekends to avoid the fly-in type crowds that come for the weekend to booze up. Plus accommodation will be super-cheap mid-week vs. Fri,Sat night. I would however skip the drive from Los Angeles and just find a connecting flight to LAS.
Great tip about going mid-week! Will also look into flights.
Its so tacky you cannot help but love it.
Very true!
 
If you are going to MCO I would definitely visit Kennedy Space Center. It's an easy drive about an hour (3 tolls enroute so have some coins).
Thanks for all the tips! I would love the Kennedy Space Centre so will check that out. The cruise departs from Port Canaveral, Florida so I don't know if Orlando or Miami airport is closer. Also, the kids really want to get to Harry Potter World when we are there.

EDIT: Just found out that MCO is much closer (thanks Google maps) so will be going there.
I was just in Orlando, and gotta agree about Bahama Breeze, great for families (I was traveling without this time though) and Kennedy Space Centre.
Thanks mate.
 
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1/ With Disney high on the agenda...make sure you read a copy of the "Unofficial Guide to Disneyland/world" first.

It is chock full of great tips on on how to get more out of your day...enjoyment wise, less hassle wise, more rides wise etc etc..

I first read it when I visted Disneland with y 2 year old...and it was a great boon. Have applied what was in it to other theme parks since...though of course a lot of the info is particular to the particuar park and rides.


2/For the 4 year old remember to take the time take in some simple pleasures...playgrounds etc. A bit of time spent doing what they like will make them more tolerant of some of what you prefer to be doing.
 
  • Day 13 - Shopping
  • Day 14 - Disneyland
  • Day 15 - Hollywood / Rodeo Drive
  • Day 16 - Disneyland
  • Day 17 - Shopping
  • Day 18 - Depart LAX-SYD

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.
 
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