Cancun with a 3 & 7 year old?

[dvcforus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dvcforus]

We are just about to place a request for next Jan/Feb at the Royals, and then I started getting cold feet...We have never been to Cancun but we have been to PV. DH and I are worried that the kids may not have enough to do at this age, and are wondering if we should wait until they are older and pick a different destination for this next year? Due to the sun, we know we can't keep kids out 10 hours a day at the beach or pool, so we want to make sure there are enough other things going on at the resort or in the area.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Royals with a 3 and 7 year old will work out nice they have nice activities planed for kids.

[suem Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close suem]

We have been bringing our daughter down since she was 5 years old (now 16) and she always had a ball. They have enough activities for the kids that it is not a problem. The biggest problem is she was on the go so much the first couple years that she fell asleep by 5:00pm and slept through the night so we ended up staying in for just about all the meals. I would not worry about the kids. I'm there week 17 maybe we will see you there.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

And if the water is too rough you could take the Royal bus to Club International some day for a calm beach.

[dvcforus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dvcforus]

My request is in for the 5 Royals and I also spent some time perusing other II resorts. Any thoughts on Casa Maya (looks like the nicest beach I've seen, seems to be further out) or the Omni? If these are ok as well, perhaps I'll add them if nothing comes through in a few months.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

My request is in for the 5 Royals and I also spent some time perusing other II resorts. Any thoughts on Casa Maya (looks like the nicest beach I've seen, seems to be further out) or the Omni? If these are ok as well, perhaps I'll add them if nothing comes through in a few months.

The Omni is great, it's right next to the Royal Mayan. Casa Maya is on the quieter bay side (same side as VCI), but I think the units and property at VCI are nicer. Casa Maya is an older property, older reviews were mixed, I haven't checked them recently.

[kenrabs Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenrabs]

I just got back from Casa Maya. The beach is perfect for kids with calm surf and soft sand. They just put a new surface around the pool area thats non slip and doesn't get hot. It is an older resort but is clean and has a great staff thats as good as any around and very personable if you take the time to get to know them. It's small so easy to get around and has 8 floors and great ocean views. VCI has better equipped units but the beach has a lot of rocks and seaweed when I walked it and not as much beach front. Casa Maya has some activities around the pool but now as much as the tri-Royals. Great location between Old Cancun and the heart of the hotel strip. Cancun is great with plenty to do for kids and adults.

[dvcforus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dvcforus]

Thanks so much for all of the input. VCI is kind of my first choice just because it looks smaller and more quaint, so that is great Casa Maya is near it. I guess for our first trip to Cancun I'll stick with the 5 Royals in my request and then add some resorts as it gets closer if it looks like we may not get the trade.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

We travelled with a 3yr old, 5 yr old, 7 yr old and 11 yr old for 7 wks around the world, mostly in timeshares. If yours are anything like our 3yr and 7yr old at the time, they were just happy playing around, wondering around exploring, eating and swimming.

Have a great time.

[where2next Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close where2next]

We just got back from the Royal Sands and there were plenty of young kids there. They had some great activities at the resort and the young ones seemed to have a blast!

[Joe L Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe L]

Kids at that age just love playing in the pool. Even though there are alot of planned activities i believe just playing in the pool with parents and other relatives really makes them happy.

Definately check out the Kids parties at Senior Frogs or Margarativille, they are soo much fun for kids.

[dvcforus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dvcforus]

Kids at that age just love playing in the pool. Even though there are alot of planned activities i believe just playing in the pool with parents and other relatives really makes them happy.

Definately check out the Kids parties at Senior Frogs or Margarativille, they are soo much fun for kids.

We decided after a few weeks with a request to snag a 2BR at Westin Kierland in February instead, since what we really need is a great pool, great area, great restaurants and a break from the snow here. We felt like airfares were too risky, and worst case, we can drive to Scottsdale from here and we'll be going to Cancun another year.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

We decided after a few weeks with a request to snag a 2BR at Westin Kierland in February instead, since what we really need is a great pool, great area, great restaurants and a break from the snow here. We felt like airfares were too risky, and worst case, we can drive to Scottsdale from here and we'll be going to Cancun another year.

I know u will enjoy the Westin - but I agree with the others that the Royals are a very kid friendly destination.
Owners at the Royals can deposit 2 years out - I got my February 2007 exchange in May 2005!
Keep this in mind when u want to travel in the future - the farther out you are able to place your request for a winter week, the better.... the rest of the year, 10-12 months out is just fine.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Just got back from the Sol Gran Melia. If you are Lucky enough to get a unit here grab it! This is IMO the best I have seen in the Cancun area. There are tons of Activities for kids but if you want to stay away from it the pool is huge and you can be a over quarter mile away from the adults or kids area.

[Joe L Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe L]

Frank,
Is that the resort with the huge Atrium in the lobby? If so, I have checked it out when staying at the Royal Carib. It looks fantastic. Although i prefer the Royals, the Grand Melia would be my next pick.