5 Vacations That Are Nothing Like Disney (That You Might Actually Find More Worth Your Money)
Written by
Cara Danielle Brown
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Zuri Anderson
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Looking for some fun, family destinations but Mickey just isn’t your vibe? No one would blame you. Waiting in long, hot lines with coughing and screaming children is an acquired taste.
According to Diana from Just Wanderlust, a mid-range four-day, three-night Disney trip (sans airfare) for a family of four is pushing $4,000. And you may find more enjoyable destinations offering higher value for that kind of money.
Here are five vacations to consider if you’re tired of Disney.
Washington, D.C.
Who needs Disney when you can head to Washington, D.C.? It’s educational, has something for all ages, and, according to Cynthia Matthews von Berg of Sharing the Wander, offers mostly free attractions.
Plus, in the summer, there’s a nice mix of air-conditioned spaces and outdoor activities for when you either need a break from the heat or wish to have a picnic under the cherry blossoms. Younger kids will love the Air & Space Museum or Wegmans Wonderplace in the Natural Museum of American History; older kids will love the Spy Museum; all ages will enjoy a tour of the White House or Capitol Building, or a night tour of the National Mall when all the monuments are lit up.
Von Berg recommended a three-to-four-day trip, and said hotels run approximately $200 to $250 per night to sleep a family of four. For food, budget roughly $50 per day per person. On the high end, that’s already less than half the price of Disney!
Carlsbad Caves, New Mexico
Vukan Simic, founder and CEO at BoatBooker, described the Carlsbad Caves as akin to stepping into a subterranean wonderland. Here’s why: Hidden beneath the surface of the Chihuahuan Desert are more than 119 caves that formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone, leaving behind stalactites that cling to the roof.
“The natural path of entry is a discovery because children observe formations with imaginative names like Whale’s Mouth and Iceberg Rock,” stated Simic. And there’s also a sunset bat flight tour which “produces a natural spectacle more memorable than a fireworks display.”
The Carlsbad Caverns National Park charges a $15 entrance fee for adults; kids under 15 years of age get in free. While prices for accommodations can vary depending on season and availability, Simic estimated $100 to $200 per night could typically sleep an entire family.
Costa Rica
A meaningful alternative to a commercialized theme park, Costa Rica is the ultimate “anti-Disney,” according to Casey Halloran, CEO and co-founder at Costa Rican Vacations. Offering an off-the-grid experience, families can view sloths in treetops, learn about medicinal plants on a jungle hike and even encounter whales on a catamaran cruise.
“Cultural immersion goes beyond staged shows,” stated Halloran. “Visitors grind cacao with indigenous families, paint traditional ox carts in rural mountain towns and learn to make tortillas on a working farm.”
Forget Magic Kingdom — Halloran claims Costa Rica offers a natural magic you won’t forget. He said the price of a seven-night vacation for a family of four (including lodging, on-site transport and tours — but not airfare) runs roughly between $3,500 and $5,500 depending on season, number of destinations and type of lodging.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Easy-going and vibrant with delicious cuisine to boot, Peng described Oaxaca as the heartbeat of Mexico. And it doesn’t hurt that the dollar goes a lot farther there, too.
“We found a whole plaza dedicated to ice cream, a cat café, chocolate making classes, free museums, fun parades every week and even an old railroad stop turned into a kids’ discovery museum,” stated Peng. And if parents need alone time, they can venture just outside the city to see the ancient ruins of the Zapotec, tequila factories or a stunning, petrified waterfall known as Hierve El Agua.
Excluding airfare, Peng estimated a family of four could visit Costa Rica for four days at a cost of roughly $1,100. This includes four nights in a two-bedroom villa in June ($550), meals ($320), transportation ($50) and additional entertainment and attractions.
Sintra, Portugal
Those looking for the opposite of a theme park might consider visiting Sintra, Portugal, advised Daniel Ponce, founder of Yes, You Deserve!
A resort town in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains and a mere 40-minute drive from Lisbon, Sintra is tranquil, culturally-rich and fairly cost-efficient. It was also the first center of European romantic architecture in the 1800’s when the cooler climate enticed Portuguese nobility to construct their summer residences there. Full of real-life castles, opulent palaces, gardens, forest trails and wells, both kids and adults can enjoy immersing themselves in a combination of nature and history.
With airfare excluded, Ponce estimated that a family of four can visit Sintra for four nights and five days for roughly $1,600 (including lodging, food, full-day tours and admission to monuments).
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