If you're bored...vacation destination poll inside

[WOT?*]

I have to give the court at least one month notice to take my granddaughters (wards of the state/CPS) out of state, preferably six weeks notice. Spring break is the first week of April and we're discussing three different plans. Also of note is the hearing that will permit us to adopt the older granddaughter and determine the future of the younger one is that week as well; we are not required to attend. Ex plans on being there for daughter but we won't be able to attend if we commit to a vacation.

Here's what we got:

1. Take the girls to California to visit my relatives and do Disneyland (the relatives haven't seen the older granddaughter since she moved back in with mom in '09 or thereabouts and haven't met the younger granddaughter ever. They're spread all over the state so we'd fly in to San Francisco, stop and visit my sister, do the drive of death through central California to visit my brother and other sister and head to LA. Or just head to LA and make San Fran sister drive to Central Cali to save us the drive.

2. Take the girls to Florida to visit DH's family and do Disney World and other Orlando/Florida stuff. (They Skype with Grandma E but haven't seen her since she last flew out here a couple years ago. We haven't flown out there since '05 or so.) DH's grandmother is also 93 and in hospice with dementia.

3. Take the girls to Hawaii. Just because.

[CloudBee]

Hawaii!

Something is making me think they need pure fun vs. driving all around to visit family they aren't really close to as is. Family is important, but so is fresh air and time with the grandmother they are close to.

[Deleted]

How old are the girls?

[Deleted]

yes, how old are they? that will impact my decision.

[dexteroni]

Will attending the hearing help your case at all, or is it already determined? If your attendance won't make a difference, then I say Florida. It sounds more fun and an easier trip.

[Deleted]

What part of the country are you leaving from? I say Florida if seeing some family would help the court see you as a better guardian but Hawaii if the kids are old enough to do fun stuff and potentially not as wowed by Disney.

[WOT?*]

The girls are 7 and 9. 9 year old has done the Florida thing when she lived with us, but she was about 3. 7 year old has not been on a vacation beyond us taking her to the coast (WA and OR) type stuff. We'd be leaving from Seattle.

[yellowbrkrd]

I would go to California because your family hasn't seen them in a while but only if SF sister is willing to drive to LA.

[raangoli]

I voted for Floria but Hawaii would be nice, too. My thinking was like other have mentioned. When you're young, it's not so much fun to be driving around a visiting relatives that you have no idea who they are. Given the background you've mentioned, I think it would be nice if they had fun with you and your husband for a week or so just being kids.

[Deleted]

What is the objective of the trip? If the objective is for them to have fun, I vote Hawaii. Seeing lots of family that they don't know -- and particularly those that aren't close to them in age -- wouldn't be fun for 7 and 9 year olds.

[definitelyO]

I would go to California but fly into LA/Orange County and make everyone come to you. driving that will not be fun for a 7/9 yr old (nor would it be fun for me)

[phunluvin82]

Jan 31, 2013 10:50:07 GMT -5 v said:

What is the objective of the trip? If the objective is for them to have fun, I vote Hawaii. Seeing lots of family that they don't know -- and particularly those that aren't close to them in age -- wouldn't be fun for 7 and 9 year olds.

I agree with this...however, I think Disney WOULD be fun for 7-9 year olds.  So if the visting with family is tempered with theme park fun, then either of those could be a good option. 

Would they be really into Hawaii too?  I went when I was about 7 and had a great time from what I remember, lol, but I haven't been back, and in retrospect, I wish I had had the chance to go when I was a little older.  I don't know if I fully appreciated it. 

[WOT?*]

They know Grandma E and talk to her on the phone and Skype. They'd be excited to see the rest of the CA family. (Uncle M has HORSES! and older GD has been to his house a couple times and loves the #2 daughter - who is now in college though and might not have time to come to visit and aunt V has a pool. But having them drive is probably the better idea although I doubt the family would drive to LA. We seem to be the family that does the travelling since "we're the ones who chose to move out of state.") The only driving in Florida would be from Orlando to Grandma E's house and back to Orlando; we'd fly in to either Orlando or Daytona, probably Orlando. And Grandma E has a pool.

I'm leaning toward CA because it's less expensive, Florida because it's more fun and we can see family they'd enjoy visiting and HI as just pure enjoyment, although maybe HI would be better in a couple years as a celebration for all the court stuff and they'll be a bit older.

[WOT?*]

The emphasis would be the DisneyWorld or Disneyland and other fun stuff. In CA we might drive down to SD instead and visit the zoo and LegoLand or something (although we'll be there in June 2014 for DH's company get-together again from what I understand) or going out to the beach since it's too cold up here to really enjoy the Pacific. Seeing (my) family would be secondary, if we have time. We're the ones driving so I intend to do as little as possible.<object style="position: absolute; z-index: 1000;" id="plugin0" width="1" type="application/x-dgnria" height="1"><param name="tabId" value="{A4BDA6E8-E05E-4E6B-A804-145AC87D3B5C}"></object>

[gtkim]

I vote Hawaii.  Only because I think going to Disney during spring break would be way too crowded to be enjoyable.

[Deleted]

I think they're at a great age for Disney, and agree that HI might be more appreciated when they're older. I might go with the CA or FL option based on less stress to arrange and least travel time; with the travel options you're considering what gives you more time to actually relax and enjoy everyone's company? I hate going on a vacation and realizing it's more exhausting that relaxing.

[phunluvin82]

Jan 31, 2013 11:22:09 GMT -5 @historychick79 said:

I think they're at a great age for Disney, and agree that HI might be more appreciated when they're older. I might go with the CA or FL option based on less stress to arrange and least travel time; with the travel options you're considering what gives you more time to actually relax and enjoy everyone's company? I hate going on a vacation and realizing it's more exhausting that relaxing.

ITA with this.  If Hawaii would be an option in a few more years, then I'd save it for when they are a bit older.  For CA vs FL, I agree with the option that is going to be less hectic and more relaxing.

[M]

I think FL to visit grandma since there's no telling how long she has left. There's lot of fun places for kids to go to in Orlando also.