Help Me Plan USA For 6 Weeks with Children (March - April)

Ameowzon on 30/10/2019 - 12:42
Last edited 30/10/2019 - 14:11 by 1 other user

We're a family of 4; 2 adults, 1 child of 4 years, and 1 child of 2 years. The must-dos are San Francisco, Page (for Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley), Orlando (for Disney World), and New York.

I'm thinking 1 week each, but we have 6 weeks. What else can we do in and around those areas?

Also, going in depth on each location, what are the must-dos? Any itineraries to share?

Finally, I'm thinking Melbourne to San Francisco, make our way to the east, then New York to Melbourne (transit via LAX, considering Virgin). Found tickets for $2900 for all of us, between Mar and Apr.

Thanks!

Travel

Comments

  • dust on 30/10/2019 - 12:46

    So you'll be going over Christmas? It's going to be busy and cold (in parts)!

    And you've only booked return flights MEL-SFO?

    • Donaldhump on 30/10/2019 - 12:55

      think the holiday is 6 weeks in length not in 6 weeks,

    • Ameowzon on 30/10/2019 - 14:01

      Thanks for the response.

      Going in Mar, returning in Apr.

  • brad1-8tsi on 30/10/2019 - 12:54
    +2

    If you are near Monument valley then go to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon NP both are to the NW or if heading NE go to Moab and do Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse, etc. We stayed at Springdale. it was great.

    edit: Are you really there over Xmas? I think a lot will be closed (roads, scenic lookouts, etc). Hopefully your hire car has snow tyres on it.

    • Ameowzon on 30/10/2019 - 14:01

      Thanks for the response.

      Going in Mar, returning in Apr.

      • brad1-8tsi on 30/10/2019 - 15:02

        It will be awesome then. We were there mid-April last year.

        When you are in SFO go out to Yosemite NP for a day or two. Stay outside the park as the onsite accommodation is overpriced (and when we were there in 2012 very dirty). It's about 4 hrs drive SFO-Yosemite

  • GG57 on 30/10/2019 - 13:29

    A friend recently returned from Florida and was extremely disappointed with Disney World. It may depend on when you visit, but they experienced >3 hour queues for some rides (unless you pay even more for the 'express' pass).
    Similarly, a 4y.o. and a 2y.o. will be excluded from some rides / experiences.
    As long as you are prepared for that, go for it.

    Obviously, factor in lots of downtime with children those ages.

    • Hugh G Rection on 30/10/2019 - 14:13

      i had a blast, and loved it. you do have to start early and don't go during usa school holidays. magic kingdom is great for the little ones. epcot is fun because you get to see all the countries. downtown disney is a great time at night. also you have sea world, aquatica, universal, bush gardens, and lots of stuff to do on I drive, lots to do in kissimmee. you need a lot of time in orlando, so much great stuff to do with the little ones there, that is the best family vacation destination.

      • GG57 on 30/10/2019 - 14:28

        Good review; obviously a different experience to my friend.

        Could you expand on:
        - ages of your children
        - what you mean by 'start early'
        - how long the queues were
        - if you purchased express passes, how much extra were they

        • littleburrito on 30/10/2019 - 22:40

          We paid for ridemax (https://www.ridemax.com/) when we went to Disneyland few years ago. It's a software that helps plan your time at Disneyland/Disney world based on wait times. We had minimal wait time on the popular rides and don't remember queuing more than 15-20mins.

  • one man clan on 30/10/2019 - 13:29

    Disneyworld planning involves as much work as the rest of the holiday (if you want to do it fully/properly). There's heaps of websites about it including a weekly indicator of how busy it will be. I went a few years back on one of the least busy weeks of the year and it was still pretty full on. I'd hate to go during a peak season.

  • Skramit on 30/10/2019 - 13:44

    With kids so little you're best to avoid lots of internal travel. So I reckon 1 week in each location makes a lot of sense.

    NYC is great for a week or more. Stay near Times square if you can afford it. Lots to do for kids there as well as moderately close to central park etc.

    Around New York are some other excellent options which are easy to get to by train (avoiding hassles of airport).

    If you've never been I would highly recommend Washington DC. The 4 yo will love the Smithsonians air and space museum and other cool museums. The whole family can enjoy the historic political sights. 4 days or so is easily consumed in DC just seeing things.

    Philadelphia is also a really nice option by train from New York. Very pretty city with lots of great food and culture.

    San Francisco is a massive let down for me. Apart from the Golden Gate Bridge and a cable car ride, I reckon a week is wasted there with little kids.

    I loved Disney World so I reckon Orlando is a good option. Allow 5 days to see all of the separate theme parks.

    Given it's winter, consider something a bit more southern for some warmth when working eastwards? Perhaps Austin Texas, or New Orleans.

    Also don't rule out Las Vegas even with little kids. Vegas has lots to see and do for kids. Its not all gambling and strippers. And even just wandering through the hotels is great fun.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 15:26

    The stinky seals at Pier 39 and bendy Lombard St would be my choices for kids in SF. A day trip north to the giant redwoods at Muir woods might be good.

  • djkelly69 on 30/10/2019 - 17:06

    Is Disneyworld for the adults or the kids?

    Given the ages of the kids and the fact that you would be very likely to go through LA at some stage anyway, might be an idea to do Disneyland instead of Disneyworld on this trip?

    • Ameowzon on 30/10/2019 - 18:21

      It’s for the adults. My wife and I were at Disney World on our first year of marriage. We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary there. That’s the highlight, actually :)

  • thatonethere on 30/10/2019 - 19:05

    While you are in SF go south to the Monterey aquarium and also the factory outlet in Gilroy. Get in an out burger for lunch.

    Easy way to do that is train down to the air port and hire a cheap rental car for the day.

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