Most Disney-like non-Disney trip?

[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.

[NJGIRL]

Denise that's great especially for your kids. A long time ago my sons doctor told us the best way for us to have a child interested in learning was to take him to musuems, historic sites and to travel (if we could) to different places around the world/country to peak his curiousity of things outside of our little part of NJ. He is big into history now and at the end of this school year his Social Studies average for all four marking periods was a 103.

[Mogie]

Staying off property...and then driving to Disney. It kinda feels like 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.

[Aurora]

The one vacation we've taken in the last few years that gave me the same sort of affection I feel for Disney was a couple of years ago when we went to Yellowstone National Park.

I was going to say there's really nothing very Disney-like about Yellowstone (except maybe the excellent signage ), but then I started thinking about some of the apt comparisons.

> There is a huge "WOW" factor about nearly everything there -- all the different sorts of easily-seen wildlife, the fantastic scenery, the varied and unique geysers.

> There are "themed" areas: Mammoth Hot Springs, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village -- all with their own identities and National Park visitor's center stamps.

> There are headliners: Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Prismatic Spring, Tower Fall.

> The rangers and staffers at the visitor's centers are good-natured, helpful, friendly and humorous.

> There's a nostalgia and historic factor -- Yellowstone is the country's first National Park and proudly wears that crown.

> There is way more to been seen there than can be done in one day.

> It's sort of a great American family pilgrimage.

> After you go the first time, you want to go back.

[NJGIRL]

The one vacation we've taken in the last few years that gave me the same sort of affection I feel for Disney was a couple of years ago when we went to Yellowstone National Park.

I was going to say there's really nothing very Disney-like about Yellowstone (except maybe the excellent signage ), but then I started thinking about some of the apt comparisons.

> There is a huge "WOW" factor about nearly everything there -- all the different sorts of easily-seen wildlife, the fantastic scenery, the varied and unique geysers.

> There are "themed" areas: Mammoth Hot Springs, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village -- all with their own identities and National Park visitor's center stamps.

> There are headliners: Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Prismatic Spring, Tower Fall.

> The rangers and staffers at the visitor's centers are good-natured, helpful, friendly and humorous.

> There's a nostalgia and historic factor -- Yellowstone is the country's first National Park and proudly wears that crown.

> There is way more to been seen there than can be done in one day.

> It's sort of a great American family pilgrimage.

> After you go the first time, you want to go back.

I love this post and couldn't agree with you more.

[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