Hey Griswolds!!!
We've been to Aruba twice with our kids and are going back for the third time. Each time we've gone we've stayed at the all inclusive hotels..first holiday inn, then occidental, next stop riu. Each time we've also gone to restaurants off the resort once or twice during our stay. What I like about the AI is the convenience. For instance, one child is hungry when the other isnt. Also, getting drinks is easier at an AI with kids. What I find is they knock them over by accident, or they don't drink them fast enough and the drinks get warm. Also buying alcholic drinks can add up pretty fast if you and your wife enjoy coctails on the beach, dinner etc. What we do is bring Bubba Mugs with us on every AI vacation (one for each of us) and fill them up at the bar. Juice or pop for the kids and frozen alcoholic drinks for the adults. The drinks stay cold longer and no sand gets in them.
Hope this helps.
Enjoy your trip!
