what would you do for a small family getaway?

[saraandmichael]

i'm trying to think of something fun and not terribly expensive for the four of us to do before the boys have to go back to school, but i'm sort of coming up short.

i'd really just like to hang out at a hotel pool with some drinks while the kids were able to play. and by the kids playing i mean evan, since noah will likely be glued to his stupid phone texting his girlfriend. i can take or leave the beach.

i'm thinking of finding a relatively cheap disney hotel in orlando to stay at (they have great pools and fun things to do over there without going to the parks) and maybe going to see la nouba (http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/lanouba/default.aspx). michael and i have seen it before, but i think the boys would really like it and i would love to see it again.

there is also a disney hotel in vero beach (about two and a half hours away) that looks like it would be nice, though a bit more on the expensive side.  www.disneybeachresorts.com/vero-beach-resort/

and then i was also thinking that we could stay local and go to this place for a few days. they have these huge inflatable slides that you can go on that would be a ton of fun, which is my only real draw to staying there. and we can just drive to the beach over there and buy a wristband and do the slide without having to stay there if we wanted. www.tradewindsresort.com/default.aspx?NCK=PPCBG&gclid=CI7jjO67nbgCFSdk7AodAC8A0w

i feel like i'm overlooking something fun to do as a family? thoughts on these three? input? ideas?

[spedrunner]

i think you deserve to choose something that will make YOU happiest, you totally deserve it after this year. Your family will be fine and have fun regardless which of the three you choose, They ALL sound fabulous and Im jealous!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE cirque!! I think that your son would really enjoy seeing that as well (My 8 y/o SD did! We saw it in NYC)

Does Disney offer any child care ? I know the cruise has pagers you can drop your kids off and you and H can relax, IF they do, thats def soemthing to consider, this way you can really relax!!!

[spedrunner]

oh and see my bucket list post below for ideas lol

[cleo29]

I love most of the Disney hotels/pools. You can always look for people who sell their timeshare stays; I've heard you can get some sweet deals and generally you would be staying at one of the deluxe hotels. I know that Saratoga springs re-did their pool are in the past year or so.

The pool area at Kidani Village in Animal Kingdom Lodge has a really fun pool area with splash buckets, etc.

[shopgirl07]

What about the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios? The pool is great for kids and you can walk over to City Walk or Islands of Adventure. Not sure how pricey it is in the summer though.

[spedrunner]

Top pool at Disney World

www.disneydoodah.com/2013/06/08/the-5-best-pools-in-disney-world/

[snipsnsnails]

Echo a pp-friends have stayed at the Nickelodeon hotel twice and had a blast!

[FastHands]

I thought this was going to be a "How far would you go for a free vacation?" kind of thing. My immediate thought was "I might not *kick* a puppy, but I'd definitely steal all of its toys."

[saraandmichael]

Jul 7, 2013 8:37:29 GMT -5 freedom said:

All of these ideas sound fun. Have you checked out a nickelodeon hotel?

i have tossed that idea around. i know evan would love it, i'm just fearful of spending that kind of money and not knowing how well the service and stuff is. there is really no comparison to disney customer service.

[cleo29]

Jul 7, 2013 13:43:15 GMT -5 saraandmichael said:

Jul 7, 2013 8:37:29 GMT -5 freedom said:

All of these ideas sound fun. Have you checked out a nickelodeon hotel?

i have tossed that idea around. i know evan would love it, i'm just fearful of spending that kind of money and not knowing how well the service and stuff is. there is really no comparison to disney customer service.

If you have any questions about the hotels, let me know. We have stayed at a bunch and they are all great, though I did not love The Boardwalk Inn last time. it was starting to look a little tired in the rooms.

[Redpoppy]

If you are looking for a cheaper place near the Tradewinds check out the Bonaire. I grew up in St. Pete Beach and we've stayed there a few times though not recently. You could walk to Tradewinds from there.

It wouldn't be as fun for kids as Disney though. I've priceline some awesome hotels in Orlando for cheap.

[saraandmichael]

Jul 7, 2013 14:56:40 GMT -5 Redpoppy said:

If you are looking for a cheaper place near the Tradewinds check out the Bonaire. I grew up in St. Pete Beach and we've stayed there a few times though not recently. You could walk to Tradewinds from there.

It wouldn't be as fun for kids as Disney though. I've priceline some awesome hotels in Orlando for cheap.

uhhhh...no thanks. it looks a bit like it might be full of dna?

[Redpoppy]

Jul 7, 2013 15:16:21 GMT -5 saraandmichael said:

Jul 7, 2013 14:56:40 GMT -5 Redpoppy said:

If you are looking for a cheaper place near the Tradewinds check out the Bonaire. I grew up in St. Pete Beach and we've stayed there a few times though not recently. You could walk to Tradewinds from there.

It wouldn't be as fun for kids as Disney though. I've priceline some awesome hotels in Orlando for cheap.

uhhhh...no thanks. it looks a bit like it might be full of dna?

It's clean, but their old beach look doesn't do them any favors.  We just like it because it's inexpensive for beachfront, a good location, and keeps us from staying with my parents.  Most people I know that live there put out of town guests up at the Tradewinds and the kids love the water park.  I didn't catch the not staying there part.  It's super easy to get in and out compared to some of the other beach towns since it's 10-15 minutes off the highway.

[alzi]

We love Marco Island! And you are close enough to Naples to do stuff there too.

[hulley]

I love the Sirata Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach. My dad lives down there, so I stay in town often. Right near the Tradewinds, can still do the slides, and they have 3 pools. They may even have their own slide? I don't remember, I usually just rent a beach cabana or sit poolside for most of the day. You can go cheap or moderate there, depending on the room you want. They have decent food, too.