Vacation Recommendations: January/February Family All Inclusives

ryanthegirl

Casey has been working pretty much non-stop since March. His movie is set to end in a few weeks and he won't start another one until March (hopefully).

We desperately need a vacation and some time away together. We'd like to take a vacation in January or February, which we've never done. We've always been summer vacationers. 

Any recommendations for family-friendly (G will be 3 in February) all inclusives? We'd like to stay within the US, if possible. And we'd like a short plane ride too.

What's Florida like in January/February? How about SC/NC? Are those still pretty chilly in Jan/Feb?

Any info or recommendations are appreciated.

gwennythepooh

Can't help on the all inclusive part - but can say the FL can be chilly in those months. It can also be incredibly pleasant (especially to northerners leaving the snow!), but it does have it's chilly days. I will say I do have memories of going canoeing the day after Christmas when we lived there and it was lovely

denalea

We went to Atlanta in late April, and it was very nice.  It would be colder than that in Jan/Feb, but still warmer than here!!!!   Not all inclusive, but lots to do in the area.  The Coca Cola museum; you could spend a whole day at the Aquarium (right across the park from Coke), lots of Civil Rights stuff.  The botanical gardens were beautiful, too.  You could also spend a large portion of the day at Stone Mountain.  There was a lot of stuff to do, which concluded with a laser show.  (I don't know what the seasonal hours are.)  S was just under 3 at the time and seemed to enjoy it.  He was with us the first few days, then he and DH flew home while I attended a conference.  It was about a 1 hr flight.

I'm not sure that the US has too many all-inclusives....  We thoroughly enjoyed Beaches in Negril, Jamaica this summer, though.  S was just over 3 years old.  It was a long day of travel, though.

Luckystar2

SC would be cold in Jan/feb (so would assume NC) would as well. Not as cold as here but definitely not warm. My in laws live in SC. We were there last November and even then they ended up having a cold front and it was in the 40s. I know they have had some ice storms come through in Jan before I believe. We have also been there in April and it wasn't warm enough to enjoy the beach. Much like other areas in us...you can't really guarantee warm weather. The only time we have warm weather for sure there is in the summer and then it is super hot!

We were also in FL in Feb a few years ago and it was freezing a few of our first days. Like totally not prepared for it to be low of 30s and high of 40s!!! The rest of the trip was nice in 60s/70s. But again, wasn't guarenteed warm and wouldn't have been hitting the beach.

And like pp said I'm not sure there is anywhere in US with AIs.

I love the U.S. Virgin Islands. St. John is my favorite but would have more luck with renting a villa there. Only a few hotels to stay at and they are pricey. St. thomas might have some AIs since its busier/touristy. It's a U.S. territory but would be more Beachy and likely to be warm at that time.

Jcubed2003

I have never been, but there are Club Med properties in the US that are AIs. I would vote for somewhere in the islands though for sure. And I wish I were planning a Jan/Feb vacay!

Luckystar2

Another option would be a cruise. You could have quick flight to Florida. Then the cruise would be similar to AI. 3 might be a little young for some of the kid stuff, but most cruises have kid clubs and babysitting options too.

You could always do a short cruise and stay a few days in Fl. Or there are a few cruise options out of charleston SC too.

MrsAmers

There are cruises that sail out of Baltimore. We did our first when T was 3 and it worked well.

We went to southern Florida lat March (Tampa/Orlando). It was nice enough to go to the beach, but the water was cold and it was not hot.

rona118

I was also going to say to keep the US virgin Island in mind. Cruise might be a nice option too. I do think FL might be chilly then depnding on where you go. Although maybe just being together is key. Trying to think where else might be nice....... I love having new places to research and things to plan.

sarahandtim

Putting on my ex travel agent hat here. There aren't any all inclusives in the continental US outside of Club Med in Florida and it's not on the beach. There are very few AIs in the US VIrgin Islands and the ones they do have are super expensive for a property that isn't going to live up to the price tag.

You can cruise like the girls mentioned, but I'm assuming the "in the US" part has to do with not getting passports. I would 100% recommend going with passports. If something happened to one of you outside of the U.S. (Bahamas, random tropical island, non US waters, etc) you won't be able to fly home. You have to wait until the cruise completes or you get back to us territory. If it were just me and Tim I might chance it, but with the kids it's a risk I'm not willing to take and think you probably feel the same.

I would definitely consider passports and look at the all inclusives in Mexico, Jamaica, and Punta cana. That's where you'll get the best bang for your buck.

lishie

We did sightseeing in Texas one year in February, and the weather was lovely.

70s and sunny the entire week. It can definitely be chillier there during that time, but it was wonderful for us. We were in Dallas and San Antonio. There was a lot to see/do.

SPonchette

I can vouch for the generally mild temps in Texas. We live near Dallas and I only wore a jacket a handful of times last winter. There's the Gaylord Texan resort in Dallas (not all inclusive but super nice). San Antonio's Riverwalk is great and Austin is trendy and cool. All three cities have lots of family friendly activities but obviously no beach.

What about Sedona? I don't know the weather that time of year but it's so beautiful it's worth looking into.

4EvR&4AlWz

The US isn't one for all-inclusives so I don't think you will any of any quality.

We had a great time and reasonable price at Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana...we'd go back again.  Beaches Turks and Caicos and Beaches Negril are on my must-do list.

Consider a cruise?  Even Disney Cruise Line (you can bring alcohol on board)....ditto the get passports thing........I think people are Bat Sh*t Crazy (or stupid) if they cruise without a passport.  The US will not make an exception to let you into the country because you did x, y, z and need to fly home.

ryanthegirl

Thanks everyone. I thought I may be SOL on an US all-inclusive. After googling before posting I only found a handful and they did not seem to be what I was looking for. I was hoping you ladies would have some hidden gems.