Family Vacation Recommendations-With Kids

[hgvcowner88]

We have 5 kids ranging from 15-2, as well as a large family who likes to travel with us. We have been to HHV, HWV, and Grand Wailea but we're a bit Hawaii-ed out (I know, can there be such a thing??). Would love recommendations for resorts (any of the HGV or Diamond properties where we can use our points) that would be an enjoyable place with kids and possibly with the whole extended family (about 25 people) for a trip in September/October. The options are great but a bit daunting. We typically like relaxing vacations, less hiking and things like that. Ideally walkable or short Uber rides to things (or a self-contained resort).

Thank you in advance!

 

[rjp123]

I recently spent time at the HGVC SeaWorld property and thought it was very nice. The pool area looked great, they had a bunch of activities and screen movies on some nights and also had a little cafe on site. The resort management and staff are excellent and very experienced.

It was a very short drive from SeaWorld (I also believe they have a shuttle that runs) and Orlando is full of things to see and do otherwise.

There seemed to be a lot of families at the resort and would be a pretty good option to take some kids. I think if you were just staying at the resort for an entire week it might get a little boring, but as I said, there's enough other things to do in Orlando that you could do morning or afternoon trips to some of the other things and then come back and hang out by the pool.

With five kids, some requiring boosters or car seats, I'd probably go renting a minivan versus Uber, but that's just me.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

 

[ljmiii]

We have 5 kids ranging from 15-2, as well as a large family who likes to travel with us....an enjoyable place with kids and possibly with the whole extended family (about 25 people) for a trip in September/October. The options are great but a bit daunting. We typically like relaxing vacations, less hiking and things like that. Ideally walkable or short Uber rides to things (or a self-contained resort).

Given those constraints Hawaii is my top recommendation...but you wrote that you are "Hawaii-ed out".

Given that you are in the Bay Area I would suggest MarBrisa. I can't speak from personal experience about the resort, but I know we've had lots of fun with our kids as different ages in that general area. Lots to do in San Diego, Carlsbad, and lower LA (Catalina Island, Disney, etc.).

Speaking of Disney the other obvious choice is Orlando. We liked Tuscany but Seaworld and Parc Soleil are quite nice as well. And the resorts and the parks are quite kid friendly.

Less obvious, but if your family enjoys urban locations I would recommend the McAlpin in South Beach. No pool (aside from a small hot tub) but one of the world's best beaches is right across the street. *Everything* is walkable and what isn't is uber/lyft-able. Our kids very much enjoyed the two trips we took there when they were 10-ish and 14-ish but it's not a resort vacation - it's about the beach, museums, movies, architecture, restaurants, and shopping. But Miami is more a 3-4 day adventure and you would have to pair it with 3-4 days at a different Florida resort, or the Everglades, the Keys, or a Disney cruise.

 

[geist1223]

I am assuming you have joined MAX because you mentioned Diamond. How about Cabo Azul? It is a beautiful Resort about a 2 mile walk to the San Jose del Cabo Central Plaza. Lots of activities (cost money) but they pick you up at the Resort and deliver you back. Snorkeling trips, Ride Camels, Swim with the Dolphins in the Harbour, etc.

 

[pinetree1]

I would suggest Hilton Head for its cuisine, beach and other outdoor activities. Svannah is a 1-hour drive away. However, Ocean Oaks is very difficult to book even in September/October.

Myrtle Beach is much easy to book.

 

[timesharesrock]

We just got back from McAlpin in South Beach with our two boys who are 5 & 8 and they had a blast. No pool but the beach is right across the street and everything is walkable from Ocean Drive, Linclon Rd, Espanola Way. We spent most of the day at the beach but we did do a Duck Boat Tour one day. Not HGVC related but we did also spend two nights at the JW Marriott Turnberry (awesome pool/water park you get access too) and then 4 nights in South Beach.


We also did MarBisa in 2021 with them and was a lot of fun. We did a lot on that trip, Lego Land, San Diego Zoo, US Midway, Beach, Pool. We also spent two nights up in Anaheim at the Courtyard Marriott and did two days a Disney.

Good Luck!!

 

[dayooper]

Hilton Head is my favorite place in the HGVC system, but it’s super hard to get into and it’s not as kid friendly as the other South Carolina place. Ocean 22 or Ocean Enclave in Myrtle Beach would be great choices for families as well. Lots to do there and many side trips to be had. While the food scene isn’t in Hilton Heads league, there are some very good local restaurants in MB and close by in Muerells Inlet.

Younger kids will enjoy Wonder Works while kids of all ages will love the Broadway Grand Prix (an 8 track go-kart park) that you can get a day free with your stay. The local minor league baseball team puts on a great show and the local college football team is pretty decent for a smaller school.

 

[SteelerGal]

We love MarBrisa. We live an hr away so we go at least 4x/yr. They added a water slide which my kiddos love. There’s LegoLand, SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Beach, Old Town, etc. You will busy.

 

[elaine]

HHI is a great location. It's very bike friendly. We have gone since our kids were toddlers (in bike trailers). Lots to do for all ages. No need for a car with bikes. Sept/Oct is easier to book than summer and weather is still great. You can also rent a car at HHI airport and take a day trip to Savannah. We also liked Charleston a lot, but IMHO 3-4 days is plenty and little ones might get bored. You could combine HHI/Chas with a one way rental car/van.
We also really like Williamsburg area (several Diamond resorts), but you'd need a car. Sept/Oct is a great time to visit VA/DC area. One thought is if you're near Wllbg, you can drive to DC area (3 hours), spend a few days there (HGVC has 2 floor at Embassy suites) and fly in/out of DCA or IAD). DC is a fabulous place to visit, tons of (free) Smithsonian museums. No need for a car. There is 2X/day train from DC/Wllbg. My college kid took it frequently.
Otherwise, Orlando is always a hit--but I see you already own there.

 

[Gwendyc]

Hilton Head is my favorite place in the HGVC system, but it’s super hard to get into and it’s not as kid friendly as the other South Carolina place. Ocean 22 or Ocean Enclave in Myrtle Beach would be great choices for families as well. Lots to do there and many side trips to be had. While the food scene isn’t in Hilton Heads league, there are some very good local restaurants in MB and close by in Muerells Inlet.

Younger kids will enjoy Wonder Works while kids of all ages will love the Broadway Grand Prix (an 8 track go-kart park) that you can get a day free with your stay. The local minor league baseball team puts on a great show and the local college football team is pretty decent for a smaller school.

How do you get a day free at Broadway Grand Prix? Asking because we will be going to MB soon. Planning on doing Wonder Works and seeing a minor league baseball game as well, all pretty close to the HGVC. On previous trips, we've done the pirate dinner show (very fun and my son even got called down to participate (chasing ducks) and they gave him a pirate medallion and a book to take home) and the Ripleys Aquarium, but you'd need to drive to those.

We love HGVC Seaworld and often walk from the hotel to Seaworld. The kids like the playground and pool at the resort.

We enjoyed a September stay at the Historic Powhatan in Williamsburg. The resort was nice and there were a lot of things to do in the area (historical sites and Busch Gardens) but you need a car.

We hope to someday stay at Marbrisa too, since it is so close to Legoland.

 

[dayooper]

How do you get a day free at Broadway Grand Prix? Asking because we will be going to MB soon. Planning on doing Wonder Works and seeing a minor league baseball game as well, all pretty close to the HGVC. On previous trips, we've done the pirate dinner show (very fun and my son even got called down to participate (chasing ducks) and they gave him a pirate medallion and a book to take home) and the Ripleys Aquarium, but you'd need to drive to those.

We love HGVC Seaworld and often walk from the hotel to Seaworld. The kids like the playground and pool at the resort.

We enjoyed a September stay at the Historic Powhatan in Williamsburg. The resort was nice and there were a lot of things to do in the area (historical sites and Busch Gardens) but you need a car.

We hope to someday stay at Marbrisa too, since it is so close to Legoland.

This was awhile ago, (2019), but you get the passes with your experience pack from the concierge.

 

[Nowaker]

Vegas is great for kids. Super interesting buildings, sculptures, fountains, aquariums, museums, shows, etc. Pyramid, Eiffel tower, Strat tower. Rollercoaster and ferris wheel at night. Strip views from high floors of Elara. So many attractions on the Strip and around. Biggest pinball place in the US. Museum of atomic energy 10 minutes away from the Strip. And you can drive to see Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire state park, Zion National Park, some old gold mines in the south, Hoover Dam, petting zoo/farm in Pahrump, and Death Valley if you leave early enough. Highly recommended for kids of all age.

 

[drucifer]

I haven't done these myself, but I think a summer trip to the mountains (Park City or Breckenridge) would be great for kids. The ski resort areas have a lot of summer activities, with mountain biking, horseback riding, hikes, etc., and the demand for reservations tends to fall off in the summer, making it low season in these places when it's red weeks a lot of other places.

 

[drucifer]

How do you get a day free at Broadway Grand Prix? Asking because we will be going to MB soon. Planning on doing Wonder Works and seeing a minor league baseball game as well, all pretty close to the HGVC. On previous trips, we've done the pirate dinner show (very fun and my son even got called down to participate (chasing ducks) and they gave him a pirate medallion and a book to take home) and the Ripleys Aquarium, but you'd need to drive to those.

We love HGVC Seaworld and often walk from the hotel to Seaworld. The kids like the playground and pool at the resort.

We enjoyed a September stay at the Historic Powhatan in Williamsburg. The resort was nice and there were a lot of things to do in the area (historical sites and Busch Gardens) but you need a car.

We hope to someday stay at Marbrisa too, since it is so close to Legoland.

I got a day at Broadway Grand Prix for free from the concierge last July 2022 (Oceans 22). Great time. 13 y.o. daughter loved it.

 

[Gwendyc]

I got a day at Broadway Grand Prix for free from the concierge last July 2022 (Oceans 22). Great time. 13 y.o. daughter loved it.

Turns out Ocean 22 was offering 1 day at Broadway Grand Prix, plus Lost Mine Mini-golf. So fun!