Most Disney-like non-Disney trip?

[TheVBs]

Not sure if this is the right spot for this, but here goes. We've all discussed here how other trips we've taken just don't compare to Disney in terms of experience, service and value. On the flip side, what's the most Disney-like non-Disney trip you've taken? Is there any place you've gone and thought it was a good enough experience to be rated up there with a Disney trip?

The only place we've gone where I've had this feeling (that I can think of at the moment) was a water park hotel in Michigan called Splash Universe. All of the employees were smiling and friendly. When one front desk employee noticed us bringing in gifts, he walked across the lobby to us and asked if it was someone's birthday. When we said we were celebrating both girls birthdays, he handed us a coupon for free pizza and a free arcade card! The themeing and atmosphere were very cute and well done. And, the guests were all happy, smiling and chatting with each other! I think that last one is a true test of how well a destination is doing it's job.

I'd love to hear about other's experiences!

[Madame Leona]

Kalahari in Sandusky has that feeling. The staff is friendly, the resort is beautiful and clean and the water park is huge with something for everyone. I would compare it to Animal Kingdom.

[Kenny1113]

Vegas!

[buzznwoodysmom]

We did a short trip to Grapevine, Texas a few years ago, that has stood out as one of our favorite little getaways, and reminded me a lot of Disney.

We went with our family and my brother's family. We stayed at the Gaylord Texan and went on a Polar Express Train ride. Everything about that trip was magical and over the top Christmas. We did the ICE "attraction" at Gaylord, which the kids loved. The entire hotel was decorated from top to bottom, with lots of little nooks hidden here and there. There was a massive train and village set in the main lobby, there was a lifesize gingerbread house that you could walk through, we saw a small penned area with reindeer and hay to take pictures with, Santa was on hand at certain times for photos, a sleigh was set up in the lobby for photos. Throughout our stay there were "entertainers" roaming through the lobby. One day it was a "mayor type" man, wearing a suit and top had. He performed tricks, like pulling a quarter out of kids ears, and such. One day there were a few "elves" running through the lobby area with stacks of presents, just for show.

The polar express train ride was super cool. We had tickets that had to be stamped upon boarding, and they were stamped again during the ride, just like in the movie. The story was told on the ride to the North Pole, as well as snacks and hot cocoa served in souviner mugs. When we got to the North Pole you could see tons of Christmas lights and decorations out the windows of the train. Santa and his elves boarded the train and stopped at each child to give them a Christmas bell and talk to them. On the ride home we sang Christmas carols and had more snacks. This was one of my kids funnest vacation experiences, and one they'll never forget.

We also went into the town of Grapevine, road a trolley car from our hotel to get there. In the town square we were able to see a blacksmith demonstration in a little barn like building, we saw glass blower demonstrations, there were a number of fun jumps for the kids, a nice tented area for food, another tent with youth carolers which appeared to be from local schools. There were also pony rides, cute elaborate Christmas displays. Lots of unique shops! We ran into Mrs. Clause strolling the streets, as well as a tin soldier, a talking Christmas tree, and a riendeer, all costumed and taking pictures with visitors. There was also a place to get hot cocoa and freshly made kettle corn, then a free horse and buggy ride.

I remember thinking this trip, and everything about it, was so full of details, so over the top, and it has always reminded me a bit of our Christmas Disney trips.

My hubby's sister has wanted to do this same trip ever since we told her how much fun we had. We are going with her and her family this year for Thanksgiving weekend. This time we'll stay at Great Wolf Lodge instead, which is across the street from the Gaylord we stayed in. When we did this trip we thought it would be a one time trip, but my kids are so thrilled to be doing it again.

[NJGIRL]

I have to say almost all of our non Disney vacations have been great experiences. I think Disney hotels are overpriced for the room you are getting. When I look at value I also try to think of if the experience we are getting is "once in a lifetime" or "totally new from anything we have done before". Getting out and trying new things for us is part of the reason we go on vacation. We enjoy our Disney Vacations but I can't say our other vacations aren't great experiences or we aren't getting a "bang for our buck".

My personal favorites have been Italy, Canada, Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, Washington DC, Salem, the Grand Canyon, Williamsburg, Newport, Boston.

These of course aren't Disney like, but I don't want all of my traveling to be Disney like. We have been to many theme/amusements parks in the US but we don't plan our vacations around them (except for Disney/Universal).

I guess I would have to say Universal is the closest thing we have experienced to Disney.

[buzznwoodysmom]

These of course aren't Disney like, but I don't want all of my traveling to be Disney like. We have been to many theme/amusements parks in the US but we don't plan our vacations around them (except for Disney/Universal).

Agreed!

We have traveled to other places, like Colorado, the Smokey Mountains (Tennessee and North Carolina) , Atlanta/Lake Lanier, Georgia; Myrtle Beach, Kentucky, Ohio, San Antonio, Galveston, Houston,Texas; Florida beaches, New Orleans, etc, and none of those places were at all like our Disney trips. When we travel to other locations we very seldom do theme parks. To me Disney/Universal does theme parks best. At other locations we try to do more nature inspired things, or things unique to that location. I wouldn't want all our trips to remind me of Disney.

[CosmicRay]

We did a short trip to Grapevine, Texas a few years ago, that has stood out as one of our favorite little getaways, and reminded me a lot of Disney.

I grew up in the town next to Grapevine and graduated from Grapevine High school. DH and I live an hour north of Grapevine now, but my parents still live there. There are so many fun things there.

- DFW Airport observation deck
- Right next to the hotels mentioned is a mall (Grapevine Mills Mall) that has a small LegoLand play park/center with rides and fun.
- Across from the Legoland in the mall is an aquarium.
- And in that same mall has a RainForest Cafe.

[Cinderelley]

Our Alaskan cruise was amazing. We went with Royal Caribbean, and the staff went out of their way to make everyone happy. There was something for everyone's interest, and it was a completely stress free trip once we were onboard. We will definitely be sailing with Royal Caribbean again.

I love Disney, but it isn't the only thing on my bucket list.

[Katzateer]

Kalahari in Sandusky has that feeling. The staff is friendly, the resort is beautiful and clean and the water park is huge with something for everyone. I would compare it to Animal Kingdom.

It is very nice

[Mousemates]

This probably isn't what you have in mind, but we have stayed in several lodges in Montana and Wyoming (near Glacier and Yellowstone naitonal parks) that reminded us of the Wilderness Lodge and made us feel like we were at WDW.

[buzznwoodysmom]

My BIL is at Big Cedar Lodge near Branson right now. He keeps texting pics and says the whole resort reminds him a lot of Disney (minus the parks), particularly Wilderness Lodge. They have several gorgeous lodges, nice pools, they show movies out by the pools at night, cookies delivered to the rooms at night, campfires with smores and stories. They are loving it and are already talking about returning later this year.

[Mfarquar]

Hawaii reminded us of Disney a lot, but in a different way than you might imagine...

We took boat rides in caves and said, "this must be the feeling that Walt Disney wanted to recreate!" We also went to the town in Kauai (just by chance - wasn't planned) that was used as the inspiration for Lilo and Stitch. The raw, natural beauty of the islands is what many places try to recreate. Oh, and overall, the people were the genuinely the nicest of any place we've ever visited.

Also, when we were in Ireland, we stayed in Dromoland Castle and caught ourselves saying it felt like we were in "reality Disney" - since it was a real castle! We ended up having a good laugh when we saw that a Disney Adventures group had stayed at the hotel the night before we arrived and all signed the guestbook in the lobby! Guess Disney felt the same way about Dromoland!

[joonyer]

This probably isn't what you have in mind, but we have stayed in several lodges in Montana and Wyoming (near Glacier and Yellowstone naitonal parks) that reminded us of the Wilderness Lodge and made us feel like we were at WDW.

That's funny, since Disney designed Wilderness Lodge to make guests feel like they were at Yellowstone (or other western Nat. Parks)
I guess it worked!

[luvdiznee]

It seems a lot of "touristy" type places, like NYC where we went last month, are taking on the way WDW handles things. We purchased a NY Pass which was our admission into many things to see in NYC. And even a lot of hotels, like in the Bahamas, Sandals etc are using meal plans that you can purchase when you book your rooms.

[Lindsey310]

We have been to many places but the only place I am truly addicted to is Disney. Every time we go, I feel like it's the first time and I get very very excited! With that being said, we have done a lot of amazing vacations:

Disney Dream: amazing, most closely linked to disney.
Atlantis in the bahamas
Aruba
Vegas
Maui, Hawaii
November 2012: Grand Cayman!
I have a love affair with the Caribbean but Disney always has a place in my heart!