Vaca with toddler

A place for members to talk about things outside of Virgin Islands travel.
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sasky
Posts: 178
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:37 am
Location: Boston

Vaca with toddler

Post by sasky »

Been a while since I've been on these boards. Great to see it's still as lively as ever.

Husband and I have decided to take a family vacation some time in May or June. Our son will be around 16 months at that time.

We are all over the place with ideas. We've tossed around Ireland, Yosemite/Tetons, Hawaii, Costa Rica... but of course St. John is always on our minds. Our only criteria at this point is that the flight be 6 hours or less from Boston. And we're hoping for a place that would be somewhat easy with a toddler, but or little guy is pretty easy going.

Open to any and all suggestions! Thanks in advance. :)
P-600
Posts: 791
Joined: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:48 pm
Location: St. John

Post by P-600 »

We loved Beaches Turks and Caico's for our kids. We've been there four times. They have Elmo and all the Sesame Street Characters. The food is great and babysitting is included if you wanted to go diving or just be on the beach alone. I'm sure you will return again and again as we have.
Also Paradisus Punta Cana in the DR not so much geared for kids but a beautiful beach and pool area. Babysitter's will come to your room at night for $10 per hour. Upgrade to the Reserve section if you go there.
We are beach people so I can't offer any advice on Ireland or Yosemite. Hawaii is a 13 hour flight from Boston which is the only reason we have never gone. I freak out after 5 hours on a plane. Las Vegas is my max!
Julie
PA Girl
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Joined: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:55 am

Post by PA Girl »

Well, my first vote would be for STJ!

We took our son to Provo, T & C when he was 2.5 years old and that was a great trip. We rented a house within a very easy walk to the beach.

What about the Out Islands of the Bahamas?
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Chickadee
Posts: 376
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 10:17 am
Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Post by Chickadee »

We looked at Little Gasparilla last year, but didn't end up going. It's still on our list as it looked like a really great place to go with little kids.
Jennifer

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melmd
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:11 pm
Location: Maryland

Post by melmd »

I have been to STJ with my kids starting as young as 9 months and up to 5 yrs old. I have also been to Costa Rica pre-babies.

Just my opinion but I would not go to Costa Rica with a toddler. Costa Rica is a great place and i will try to go again but I will wait until my kids are at least 7-8 yrs old. Taking a toddler would be a lot of hard work, supplies for a toddler would be hard to come by depending on where you are going and medical care would make me nervous. Travel by air or road is CRAZY, the roads are not good and flying is not much better. I am not trying to be Debbie Downer but I would do STJ over Costa Rica with a toddler any day.


good luck and have fun
Iluvstjohn
Posts: 397
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:02 pm
Location: Boston, MA

Post by Iluvstjohn »

Hi there! I have a 7 and 6 year old...and we are also from Boston! My kids have also been going to st. john since they were babies. So it is do-able....the hardest part is getting there...the rest is easy and relaxing (well, as easy and relaxing as having a toddler is!). We've done everything from mail down diapers and formula and stuff ahead of time, to packing a cooler as a carryon....We've stayed at Cinnamon Bay, Water Island, St. Thomas, Lavender Hill 3 x's, Bay House, and the list goes on.

You probably won't find a direct flight from Boston in May/June but I will say that at that age, we actually liked flights with layovers....it gave the kids a chance to get off the plane, get rid of some energy, give them some food....etc..and usually the second leg of the flight is shorter...Ususally worked in our favor...as my son..STILL requires quite a bit of attention to keep him still and happy at age 6! My 7 year old, however, can be plugged into any electronic device and be content for hours!

We have done Florida since they were young as well....not even disney...just many houses for rent with a gated community. Many have club house pools, playgrounds, etc...we did Sea World when katie was 3 and Sam was 2. Fun day!

We also did the Bahamas....not a bad flight...flew to MIA....then a quick like 40 minute flight to Nassau. Did the Atlantis thing....it would be pricey to do at his age...he'd love the pools and aquariums...but too young for the bigger waterslides (my husband, however, loved them).

Mexico....we just got back from a grown up getaway to celebrate my 40th and flew direct from Boston to Cancun....4 hour flight....short taxi ride away...and we were at a lovely all inclusive resort. We'd LOVE to bring the kids there...Seemed very easy!

If you need tips/advice for any of these trips let me know....We love once we GET to st. john...but getting there is such an adventure! Planes, trains, and automobiles!

Holly
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