So how do you do vacations?
If I waited for my husband to plan a Vacation
... we'd never take one. Love the man, but a vacation planner he is not... but maybe that is my fault... I've always taken those reigns...
I am like Dollystanford --I spend oodles of time reading reviews, I google "Family Vacation" ideas & couple/Romantic Getaway links .....
I use Travel forums to see how these places rate with visiters....(
TripAdvisor- my favorite).... I've left reviews myself ~asked posters questions.
I will call places & ask about the smallest details, visit their websites, print coupons, ask about other activities in that area so I can plan more to do while we are there...always the detailed information gatherer -with my notes handy. I generally have our days planned out. This can be changed but I know the hours/ costs of every family member before we leave the house.
I have "vacation packing lists" documents on my computer.
I
MAP QUEST every destination in addition to using the GPS - .....We've had our GPS tell us to turn off a bridge before & not work at all out in the country.
With as large of a family as we have....I need to be prepared ... Too many surprises along the way can upset the apple cart & cause us some distress....whiny bored hungry kids...not a joy!!
Our last BIG vacation was Disney -last year .... 7 of us....7 days, 4 monster parks, the Beach, Gatorland & Ripleys.... WE don't stay on Property (too costly).... ...it flowed so very smoothly ...even driving 18 hrs straight to get there....we also stayed near to closing each night to get our $$'s worth (over $300 a day)...
At Magic Kingdom standing in line...we heard Sea World was offering BOGO tickets if you paid online & printed them out...so off to Walmart we ran late that night... bought a $30 printer ....this saved us HUNDREDS (getting 3 kids in free)- we added a park at the last minute.
I use AAA too... we had Universal tickets bought & paid before we left, this was the cheapest way to go....I had the directions to the nearest grocery store, we cooked in our cottage to save $$ & brought food into the parks. This all kept the kids happy.
