jen3kids Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 Dh and I have decided we'd like to take our 3 teens and meet up with some friends from the west coast between Christmas and New Year's. We know it's late to plan this and we know it will be expensive. But, can it be done for a somewhat reasonable price? Some ideas suggested by both families include Universal Studios Florida (will be crazy busy, right?) somewhere in Mexico somewhere in Central America somewhere in the Caribbean somewhere warm in the US - Arizona, maybe? Dh would love to go scuba diving, but it's not a necessity. Any suggestions? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialClassical Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 I wanted to bump this for you. Also, have you consulted a travel agent? Even if the price through and agent is too high, you might get ideas from what they pitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 Mexico! Mexico City is an easy flight and there's so much to do there with a wide variety of price ranges. You could also go to the Yucatán, either to the touristy resort areas or further west and south, maybe to Campeche or to see pyramids. Or you could go to the Pacific coast, especially north of Vallarta, maybe along the Rivieria Nayarit. San Blas is a nice little town and there are mangrove swamps that are fun to explore. Or go to Sayulita or Chacala. There are lots of lovely places to stay there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 (edited) In Orlando, I think that week is the 2nd (?) costliest for renting a Timeshare where we rented the last week of April 2016. I think There are several weeks in March (Spring Break and Easter/Holy week that are more expensive than that. I would *strongly* suggest that you look on SkyAuction.com at Timeshare Rentals they have available. Look for where they sell the 7 night certificates and then click to see what is available. Also, check their Orlando and Mexico listings on eBay (they are magicalholidays on eBay which is where we paid for our April Timeshare Rental). With a family, a Timeshare is the way to go. We had a 2 BR 2 BA unit with a fully equipped kitchen. 3TV sets, Wi Fi, parking and all taxes and services charges included it was $400 for 7 nights. I think the week you are going, if they have availability, it will be probably $800 or $1000 for 7 nights, bu tthat's a huge bargain compared to a normal hotel. I have been Snorkeling on Isla Mujeres (off shore from Cancun) and on Cozumel. If your DH wants to Scuba Dive, those are places you can begin looking at. EspeciallyCozumel I would be *VERY* cautious about Central America, for Security reasons. Study, very carefully, the security situation, in any place you contemplate visiting. We live in Colombia and we have 2 tiny islands in the Caribbean. San Andres is the larger more popular island and Providencia is the smaller less developed island. Just about everyone who goes there has a wonderful time. The drawback is that I don't know whether there are nonstop airline flights from Miami to San Andres. To get to Providencia, I believe you need to go to San Andres and then take a small airplane or boat to Providencia. However, they will probably be *FULL* from mid-December until mid-January. You are correct tthat you are late in thinking about a vacation for that particular week, but I do not believe that you are so late that it is totally impossible. Try to have everything confirmed before November 1st. ETA: My wife thinks there are nonstop flights from Miami to San Andres Island. Edited October 16, 2016 by Lanny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 (edited) This is the URL on eBay for magical holidays. Before we did the transaction, I messaged them on eBay,, to verify they had availability for the week we wanted in the place we wanted to stay (Villas at Summer Bay Orlnado). . We had *no* problem with them or with the Timeshare we rented. The PayPal transaction said the seller was SkyAuction, although they use magicalholidays on eBay. I think the confirmation came in an email attachment after Midnight our time (E.S.T.) after the transaction. Based on our experience with them, I recommend them and if we can go up to Orlando again, I hope we can rent from them again and stay in the same place again. There is *no* obligation to sit through a high pressure Timeshare Sales Presentation. We did not do that... http://stores.ebay.com/Magical-Holidays ETA: This is the URL for the week you are interested in. These are the smaller 2 BR units in Summer Bay Orlando. They can handle up to 6 people. The master B.R. has a bathroom and the other bedroom has twin beds (and a TV) and 2 people can sleep on the sofa bed. It is $999.99 for 7 nights for the week you want (starting Xmas Day). There is a Publix supermarket connected to Summer Bay Orlando and you do not need to get onto the highway to get there or back. We shopped there the night we arrived (a Sunday) and the following Thursday night for a few more things. My wife cooked a quick Breakfast 6 of the 7 mornings, which not only saved money, but, more importantly allowed us to arrive at the parks much earlier each morning than if we had gone to the nearby Denny's for breakfasts. We rented a car from Dollar and had no problems with Dollar or the car. Here's the URL: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Villas-at-Summer-Bay-Orlando-Florida-2BR-Sleeps-6-7Nts-New-Years-2016-17-/191873485671 Edited October 16, 2016 by Lanny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Mouse Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 Universal/Disney will be absolutely packed. It is fun to do, but would probably not be as good for "visiting" with someone you haven't seen in a while. Showing my Texas roots here, but if you decide not to leave the US, I would probably pick somewhere along the Texas gulf coast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 (edited) I would never do Florida theme parks over the holidays. Absolutely busiest time of the year. That said, I 'm sure you could book something. We just booked some new years travel to NYC last week. Family, all inclusive resort kind of places may be more challenging though because of timing. I would consult a travel agent for sure. Edited October 16, 2016 by WoolySocks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 I agree with PP that the parks will be jammed. We were there the last week of April 2016 and they were not "empty". That said, if one can afford it, when we were at the ticket booth in Universal Orlando, we did the Upsell to the park to park tickets, which is necessary so one can ride the train and visit both parks. There was an additional "upsell" which we didn't need, but if one can afford it when the parks are jammed, I think it would be moneyu well spent. I think it costs about $90 per day per person extra and one can go to the head of the lines or something like that. Something to investigate for Universal Orlando. VIP ticket or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 One thing about Mexico is that the resorts on both coasts are usually really crowded between Christmas and New Years. But if you stay in the highlands, it's a great time to visit. Besides Mexico City, I think Guanajuato and Morelia are wonderful places to visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 What about the Florida Keys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 Ditch the warm weather--go for Yosemite! If you're lucky enough to get a little snow, Yosemite Valley is magical in winter--pretty lights all over. And surprisingly not crowded near Christmas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 We stayed at a resort in Tuscon at that time of year once before kids, it was wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 We have done Destin FL that time of year - beach houses are cheap off season. We had a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen3kids Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 I wanted to bump this for you. Also, have you consulted a travel agent? Even if the price through and agent is too high, you might get ideas from what they pitch. Thank you. I will send an email to a travel agent I've used in the past. This is the URL on eBay for magical holidays. Before we did the transaction, I messaged them on eBay,, to verify they had availability for the week we wanted in the place we wanted to stay (Villas at Summer Bay Orlnado). . We had *no* problem with them or with the Timeshare we rented. The PayPal transaction said the seller was SkyAuction, although they use magicalholidays on eBay. I think the confirmation came in an email attachment after Midnight our time (E.S.T.) after the transaction. Based on our experience with them, I recommend them and if we can go up to Orlando again, I hope we can rent from them again and stay in the same place again. There is *no* obligation to sit through a high pressure Timeshare Sales Presentation. We did not do that... http://stores.ebay.com/Magical-Holidays ETA: This is the URL for the week you are interested in. These are the smaller 2 BR units in Summer Bay Orlando. They can handle up to 6 people. The master B.R. has a bathroom and the other bedroom has twin beds (and a TV) and 2 people can sleep on the sofa bed. It is $999.99 for 7 nights for the week you want (starting Xmas Day). There is a Publix supermarket connected to Summer Bay Orlando and you do not need to get onto the highway to get there or back. We shopped there the night we arrived (a Sunday) and the following Thursday night for a few more things. My wife cooked a quick Breakfast 6 of the 7 mornings, which not only saved money, but, more importantly allowed us to arrive at the parks much earlier each morning than if we had gone to the nearby Denny's for breakfasts. We rented a car from Dollar and had no problems with Dollar or the car. Here's the URL: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Villas-at-Summer-Bay-Orlando-Florida-2BR-Sleeps-6-7Nts-New-Years-2016-17-/191873485671 Thank you. I will check into the company and their availability. I would never do Florida theme parks over the holidays. Absolutely busiest time of the year. That said, I 'm sure you could book something. We just booked some new years travel to NYC last week. Family, all inclusive resort kind of places may be more challenging though because of timing. I would consult a travel agent for sure. I'm more and more turned off by the huge crowds - not relaxing at all. What about the Florida Keys? A possibility! Ditch the warm weather--go for Yosemite! If you're lucky enough to get a little snow, Yosemite Valley is magical in winter--pretty lights all over. And surprisingly not crowded near Christmas. Been there, and agree, absolutely beautiful. But I have no desire to pack and and schlep winter gear 2/3 of the way across the country! We stayed at a resort in Tuscon at that time of year once before kids, it was wonderful! Interesting possibility. My sister lives in AZ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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