Vacation suggestions similar to this..... (Dallas, Austin: spring break, waterpark, hotel)

[OntheMoveAGAIN]

Folks,
When we lived in Europe we went to Lanzarote on vacation as a family. Basically it was a family orientated hotel (with pool, sand etc..) which had a kids club for 2 hours a day and family friendly acitivities in the evenings like dancing and singing etc.. Our children loved it so much and often still talk about the trip.

My question for you is...Can you please tell me if there is somewhere you'd recommend for a family vacation that sounds similar traveling from Austin?. We'd prefer a trip that is more relaxing rather than sightseeing and disney rides.

Thanks for any help -BTW this is preparation for next year

T.

[AGA]

I would look into the Lost Pines in Bastrop or the new Waterpark in the Dallas area (Greatwolf or something like that).
Never been to either, but I hear about them alot!

[Trainwreck20]

How long (and far) a trip are you looking at? Close by, there is Moody Gardens in Galveston, although that is more of a long weekend type vacation. If you have the inclination, there are some really fun all-inclusives in Cancun/Cozumel/Playa del Carmen that include activities and access to water sports.

[texastea]

This is new to the DFW area:

Indoor Waterpark Resort - Family Vacations at Indoor Water Parks - Great Wolf Lodge

[OntheMoveAGAIN]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

If you have the inclination, there are some really fun all-inclusives in Cancun/Cozumel/Playa del Carmen that include activities and access to water sports.

This is what I'd like to hear more about. We are hoping for 1 week to 10 days.

The Bastrop one I heard was fantastic but more for older children (mine are all under 7 years). Great Wolf in Dallas sounds great but had no kids club for parents to have 1 hour to themselves, they have to be with the children in the kids club at all times.
I'm only looking for one hour of down time so I'm not worried about the kids in the water not a nanny/baby sitter.

Have you/anyone been to any of the Cancun/Cozumel/Playa del Calmen places that have been more suited for children?

Again, thanks!

[Trainwreck20]

I have stayed at several places in both Cancun and Cozumel. Each has its own plusses and minuses. The beaches at Cancun have traditionally been superior....incredible blue water and white sand and extremely calm (typically). Great for younder kids to play in....the problem is sometimes the older 'kids' (HSers and College age), but this can often be avoided by going in off-season, or at least avoiding spring break, high school graduation, and labor/memorial/4th of July weekends.

If you are going in a peak period, I recommend Cozumel. The beaches are not nearly as nice, but much nicer looking than anything you will find in Texas. They tend to be small and somewhat secluded and really only easily accessed via the resort you are staying in, but that is what helps keep them from being the 'flesh-fest' that Cancun sometimes is. The island of Cozumel is generally slower paced (really, a scuba destination more than anything) and the town is much nicer.

As for the resorts, you can get a description of many of them from funjet.com. They usually indicate what level of child 'care' they have, but most of the All-Inclusives (AIs) have a kids camp for at least part of everyday...this usually includes a variety of activities and, although I have never used the service, have heard both good and bad. Personally, the bad is a helicopter parent issues, imho. This isn't the US and you will not get a log of when a diaper was changed or how that scrape on the knee came about....but I have found that the local culture is very nurturing and protective, and the kids always look like they are having a blast. Most of the AIs are very secluded and pretty much self-contained, which adds a level of security. All guests have a wrist band, so there aren't much in the way of strangers wandering around.

I have no experience in staying in Playa del Carmen (or the MExican Rivera down the coast), but have heard it is amazing (these are the newer places) but also more expensive.

Also, if you are into 5-star accomodations, you might not like it....many of the places have thatched roofs and there are flies about, etc., but if you are more of an adaptable traveller, I love the places down there .

[TexasHorseLady]

We used to go, in August, to the New Mexico mountains just outside of Las Vegas, N.M. (This side from Santa Fe.) We stayed in a place with cabins, with a game room for hte kids, breathtaking scenery, hiking, horseback riding, etc. Santa Fe and environs just a short drive away. I can't remember the actual name of the place - we just called it "Tony and Tiva's" for the proprietors - but there's quite a few in that area. Perfect for a week or two.

[OntheMoveAGAIN]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

I have stayed at several places in both Cancun and Cozumel. Each has its own plusses and minuses. The beaches at Cancun have traditionally been superior....incredible blue water and white sand and extremely calm (typically). Great for younder kids to play in....the problem is sometimes the older 'kids' (HSers and College age), but this can often be avoided by going in off-season, or at least avoiding spring break, high school graduation, and labor/memorial/4th of July weekends.

If you are going in a peak period, I recommend Cozumel. The beaches are not nearly as nice, but much nicer looking than anything you will find in Texas. They tend to be small and somewhat secluded and really only easily accessed via the resort you are staying in, but that is what helps keep them from being the 'flesh-fest' that Cancun sometimes is. The island of Cozumel is generally slower paced (really, a scuba destination more than anything) and the town is much nicer.

As for the resorts, you can get a description of many of them from funjet.com. They usually indicate what level of child 'care' they have, but most of the All-Inclusives (AIs) have a kids camp for at least part of everyday...this usually includes a variety of activities and, although I have never used the service, have heard both good and bad. Personally, the bad is a helicopter parent issues, imho. This isn't the US and you will not get a log of when a diaper was changed or how that scrape on the knee came about....but I have found that the local culture is very nurturing and protective, and the kids always look like they are having a blast. Most of the AIs are very secluded and pretty much self-contained, which adds a level of security. All guests have a wrist band, so there aren't much in the way of strangers wandering around.

I have no experience in staying in Playa del Carmen (or the MExican Rivera down the coast), but have heard it is amazing (these are the newer places) but also more expensive.

Also, if you are into 5-star accomodations, you might not like it....many of the places have thatched roofs and there are flies about, etc., but if you are more of an adaptable traveller, I love the places down there .

Really good information, thanks so much you have definitely given me material to work with here as it sounds like the places we wanted this time around. I really appreciate you taking the time to give the detail.
Kind Regards.

[OntheMoveAGAIN]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

We used to go, in August, to the New Mexico mountains just outside of Las Vegas, N.M. (This side from Santa Fe.) We stayed in a place with cabins, with a game room for hte kids, breathtaking scenery, hiking, horseback riding, etc. Santa Fe and environs just a short drive away. I can't remember the actual name of the place - we just called it "Tony and Tiva's" for the proprietors - but there's quite a few in that area. Perfect for a week or two.

My DH is from Las Cruces, NM so we have enjoyed travelling around much of New Mexico. We always stay with family when we go there on vacation, maybe we should plan in the future to stay a few nights away and experience what you described.
Thanks, I'll keep it in my list of things to do
T.

[MJinAustin]

Though I haven't been myself (it's on our list to check out), I hear that Eureka Springs, Arkansas is a neat little place with a quaint main street and lake lodges, etc...I think it's in the Ozarks.

I've been to the Great Wolf Lodge in Dallas. It's ok. Looks like fun - sort of a Disney theme kind of thing, but really small compared to many other resorts. Really, if you want to do several days of indoor waterpark, then it's good, but if you don't... Right across from the Great Wolf is the Gaylord Texan. That place is huge and pretty neat...Disney-like with a Texas theme and all indoors to escape the heat! I have to say that the food is pretty darn expensive though, so it's good to plan ahead for that. I can imagine that a 2 or 3 day stay there would be enough.

Also look at the Hyatt Resort in Bastrop.