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I need to plan a getaway of some kind for Christmas/winter break because if I don't I will be plunged into deep despair and need lots of drugs to survive the winter. It would have to coincide with my older's break...she is a school teacher. Younger is a student so she has lots of time and I have flexibility. They will likely spend the 24/25 with their dad which gives us from 12/26-1/2 to work with.
One place at the top of our list is Universal Studios/Harry Potter World. Other things I've thought of are Mexico, Costa Rica, Florida. We would like to enjoy some sun, swim, walk on a beach, sight see, and eat street food (we are not foodies). I would not be opposed to driving to Florida which may be our safest option.
BUT of course there is Covid to think of, we are all fully vaccinated and will get booster shots if available. Want to be safe, but it is getting annoying to stay home safe while the rest of the world gallivants around enjoying themselves. I don't think that hotels/airbnb seem like unsafe accommodations, I'm sure it's the air travel that will kill us.
I need to plan a getaway of some kind for Christmas/winter break because if I don't I will be plunged into deep despair and need lots of drugs to survive the winter. It would have to coincide with my older's break...she is a school teacher. Younger is a student so she has lots of time and I have flexibility. They will likely spend the 24/25 with their dad which gives us from 12/26-1/2 to work with.
One place at the top of our list is Universal Studios/Harry Potter World. Other things I've thought of are Mexico, Costa Rica, Florida. We would like to enjoy some sun, swim, walk on a beach, sight see, and eat street food (we are not foodies). I would not be opposed to driving to Florida which may be our safest option.
BUT of course there is Covid to think of, we are all fully vaccinated and will get booster shots if available. Want to be safe, but it is getting annoying to stay home safe while the rest of the world gallivants around enjoying themselves. I don't think that hotels/airbnb seem like unsafe accommodations, I'm sure it's the air travel that will kill us.
So where would you go?
Personally, I wouldn't go to Universal the week of Christmas to New Years without staying on property and having the Express Pass. We thought about going this summer because we live just a couple hours away and haven't been in a couple of years. But the online reviews/comments of people that went did not make it sound like it was going to be a lot of fun or that we'd get our money's worth.
Airplane fares are going to be insanely high during those dates. Driving to Southern Florida doesn't sound like a fun way to spend your holiday.
You're in Fayetteville, NC. Maybe Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach. Charleston or Savanah. Asheville has tons to do during the holidays , and the surrounding towns do a lovely job with their downtown areas. Florida - Jacksonville, St Augustine (underated). St Simon's Island, GA.
Airplane fares are going to be insanely high during those dates. Driving to Southern Florida doesn't sound like a fun way to spend your holiday.
You're in Fayetteville, NC. Maybe Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach. Charleston or Savanah. Asheville has tons to do during the holidays , and the surrounding towns do a lovely job with their downtown areas. Florida - Jacksonville, St Augustine (underated). St Simon's Island, GA.
Orlando isn't exactly "southern" Florida. I mean, if you're suggesting she drive to St. Augustine, at that point she's literally 90 minutes from Orlando.
Orlando isn't exactly "southern" Florida. I mean, if you're suggesting she drive to St. Augustine, at that point she's literally 90 minutes from Orlando.
Sure. But Orlando during the holidays would, IMO, be a miserable with the crowds, small kids, etc.
Location: As of 2022….back to SoCal. OC this time!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stagemomma
What to do this Christmas???
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stagemomma
So where would you go?
After last year, I just want to be able to see our families & friends…especially the little ones like my friend’s kids AND my husband’s nieces & nephew. Maybe do a little house hunting in Dana Point on our drive down to see everybody in SoCal.
IMO it’s who is with you….not where you go. AND minimizing risk for older family members we haven’t been able to see.
I don't recommend driving to FL because it could take a full day just to get there. Traffic on 95 can be horrific during the holidays and what you think might be an 8-hour drive according to Google Maps, could end up turning in to a 12+ hour affair. We have plans to fly rather than drive this time. We bought our tickets months ago, so I have no idea whether fares are unreasonable at this point.
Costa Rica is quite lovely in terms of weather that time of year and has very friendly people. And there is certainly plenty to see and do.
Sure. But Orlando during the holidays would, IMO, be a miserable with the crowds, small kids, etc.
I'm not so sure about that...with adult kids we have the flexibility to use the proven strategies for navigating the parks. Turn left instead of right, start at the back and work your way forwards, use height as an advantage to avoid clumps of unruly preschoolers, etc. We would have different priorities in Harry Potter World than people with small children, IMHO.
Doesn't mean it won't be awful. However, we've been putting this off for years. a few years ago we had the chance to do a winter break trip and opted to go to NYC instead. It happened to be freezing cold (although we were well dressed for the weather) and very crowded and I was miserable. Did not enjoy my trip very much.
So I don't know if there will ever be a good time for me and my adult kids to go to Universal that isn't super crowded...my daughter will always be at the mercy of the school calendar.
Orlando isn't exactly "southern" Florida. I mean, if you're suggesting she drive to St. Augustine, at that point she's literally 90 minutes from Orlando.
My daughter is in the Greensboro area so you have to add that to our trip...from Fayetteville to St. Augustine is 6.5 hours.
I like the looks of St. augustine, lots of sight seeing to do and the weather is reasonably warm.
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on our drive down to see everybody in SoCal.
