Vacation thread!

[sdlaura]

sandandsea we went to Aulani a year ago this month and loved it! The kids ask all the time about when we can go back. Also, you should do both Barcelona and Monaco - we did that on a Europe trip once. You can take the train easily from Barcelona to Nice, and then rent a car and drive easily to Monaco.

We’re going on a 3-night ski trip next weekend. Between the flights, condo rental, kids lessons and lift tickets so the adults can snowboard on their own for just one day, it is SO expensive that I’m kind of regretting it already. The kids better remember this forever . We’re going with friends and their two kids, and my parents are watching our baby, so it should be more relaxing than taking all three kids.

Next trip is going to Oregon for 4th of July week. We’re going to RV camp with friends for the first 3 nights, and then rent a nice house near our friends’ house in Portland for the next 3 nights.

In October DH and I get to take our first trip by ourselves since having our baby this past June. We’re going to his grad school reunion in New Hampshire for 3 nights and will get to see a whole bunch of friends.

[sandandsea]

Jan 31, 2018 23:39:48 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

sandandsea we went to Aulani a year ago this month and loved it! The kids ask all the time about when we can go back. Also, you should do both Barcelona and Monaco - we did that on a Europe trip once. You can take the train easily from Barcelona to Nice, and then rent a car and drive easily to monoco

Yes! But we have very limited time and dates this trip. So I think this trip will be the French Riviera and Monoco with the F1race and Barcelona will be another year. Dh is almost on board fully so I’m hoping to book ASAP!

[polecat8]

Jan 31, 2018 22:42:48 GMT -5 k3am said:

We’re doing Disney in February and then likely taking a vacation hiatus while we see how things play out with selling/buying houses.

Question for you... DH’s parents and brother have been trying to plan a family vacation for the whole extended family. (BIL has no kids, SIL is married and has two). Do you vacation with your extended families? This sounds like fresh hell to me.

I have a hard time tolerating my inlaws for the afternoon. The only location they’re willing to consider is a 6-10 hour drive, and they want to stay only at one hotel that doesn’t have suites. (FWP. I’m a snob and I want a suite. I hate nap/7pm bedtime jail.)

We have vacationed with my extended family (parents, 3 brothers and their spouses and kids, which is 17 people).  It works out well because we like to hang out with each other and my mom only requests that we all have dinner together one night.  My parents are nice enough to watch all of the grandkids one night so the adults can go out together.  We rent a big house so every family has a bedroom or two.  We are pretty adventurous and my mom is good at making lists of different activities that are available.  It works because my parents put down some ground rules before we go (i.e. everyone is responsible for their own kids, everyone must clean up their messes, everyone pitches in money for groceries at the beginning of the week, etc).  We have been to VA beach, Disneyworld, Niagara Falls, and Pigeon Forge TN.

Now vacationing with my in-laws?  Never ever in a million years.  You couldn't pay me enough.  They are late to everything and no one can make a decision on anything.  

[covergirl82]

Jan 31, 2018 16:51:24 GMT -5 mustardseed2007 said:

Jan 31, 2018 16:26:19 GMT -5 covergirl82 said:

Disney World the first week of December! Staying at the Polynesian resort! We've wanted to stay there for a while, and were able to rent Disney Vacation Club (their timeshare) points so that it's in our budget.

when you do that is it the same as staying in a room on property or is it different in any way? 

From what I understand, specific buildings are designated as DVC, but all the theming is the same as non-DVC rooms.  We only will get the room cleaned once while we're there (housekeeping comes once every 4 days), but I understand there is an on-site laundry room if we want to wash our towels before day 4.  Because we're not actual DVC members, we don't get any perks that come along with that.  Other than that, everything is pretty much the same.  Our reservation shows up in our My Disney Experience account, and we can set up Magical Express, select our magic bands, link park tickets, select Fast Passes, and make dining reservations as if we booked the trip through Disney.

[xctsclrx]

k3am, We go on vacation with my in laws like that, but they are fun and relaxed. I like my in-laws and enjoy spending time with them.

I might be able to handle my parents for a week. Maybe. They are not relaxing people though.

My FIL and SMIL and BIL from that side. Never! Not in a million years. I live in the bible belt. Picture the typical southern belle judgmental I go to church so I am a Christian attitude and you have my SMIL. FIL is quiet non confrontational and useless with kids. BIL is just irresponsible and is okay in small doses, but I am not sure I could manage an entire vacation with him.

I am a little jealous of peoples vacations. Unless MIL and SFIL are planning a beach trip (and I highly doubt it) we won't be going anywhere. DH might take SS1 and SS2 to six flags over the summer. Maybe DS, DD and I can tag along and go to the water park as well. The down side of having the age gap we do. It is hard to go on a vacation that everyone can enjoy.

[twinmomma]

k3am we've done a big trip with my family and the in laws. My family was 1,000 times better, and DH agrees. My kids were the only kids on each trip - no cousins had been born yet. My parents are happy to let us parent and call the shots, but they're also willing to jump in and help out to give DH and I chance to relax. My in laws get on the "We're the cool grandparents" kick and make everything way more stressful because they're trying too hard. Which is dumb, because my kids see them like once a week, so I don't know what they're trying to prove. Also, my brother in laws didn't want to wake up early or go do anything we wanted to do, so that was a giant pain in the ass. There was constant bickering. My siblings were very "Whatever the kids want to do, or we'll go do our own thing."

ETA - We are already planning another trip with my family. My two SILs and I have already sworn off ever doing a vacation again if we want to all maintain our good relationships. lol

[2chatter]

k3am - I’d rather be shot than vacation with DH’s family. I like them, but I remain on the outside looking in - only woman with a career, only woman with younger kids - they get together and do stuff obviously without me (no ill will, I am usually legit too busy). Plus they would want skids to come and that is not something that will happen (skids only come to us for $$ and cars - it would be a week of them asking for things and paying no attention to $ - prime example - SS came out to lunch last year and ordered surf and turf for $70. Neither of us noticed until his food came and it was like...your food was more than the five of ours combined what were you thinking??) I could go on and on but no to taking my three kids to share a house with a group of drunk adults (including 19 year old SD - we are not down with that but IL fam is....) This is why our vacas are booked in January - they plan in April.

[sdlaura]

k3am we like vacationing with extended families but have learned that even though it seems cheaper and more convenient, we no longer all stay in the same big house. We either stay at a resort where everyone gets their own unit, or like in Park City last year I found two houses next to each other. My sister’s kids and my kids are on different schedules and it has created issues in the past (like her kids don’t go to bed until 3 hours after mine and she gets annoyed that my kids are up making noise at 7 am). I’m with you on not staying in the same room as my kids - that is not a vacation!

[erinshelley21]

k3am I've vacationed with dh' s side and my side. Although with MIL it's a trip not a vacation. I don't mind vacationing with either. A week is too long, but 4 or 5 days is fine with me.

I actually am looking forward to our next vacation with my mom and brother since my brother will be just that and not my coworker anymore.

[k3am]

We were supposed to do this trip with his family last year. I'd given in. At the last minute, it got canceled - SIL's new husband who owns a tow company had a car fall on top of him and he needed surgery. He's fine now. I'm halfway convinced that she told him to do it to get out of the trip.

IIRC, the plans were that there would be a family event all day, and each night, a different family would be responsible for hosting dinner. So the whole family together all day AND all evening. Plus, FIL only goes places and eats at places that he's been to before. The only hotel he'll stay it is the one they always stay at, and the restaurants are ones that they used when they ran a tour bus company... so yeah, cloth napkins/swanky places. I have a hard time convincing myself to take my kids to Chilis.

SIL's daughter and stepdaughter are both older. I don't know about her SD (recent marriage, never met them), but I do know that her daughter has VERY different sleep styles. She sleeps in runs like crazy until she drops at 10-12 at night. My kids... yeah, up early regardless of when they go to bed, naps (quiet resting for the big one that half the time turns into a nap) and bed by 7:30 for DS on a late night. I'm just basically dreading the fact that eventually, I'm going to give in and have to use my vacation time and money for a trip that sounds as exciting as a root canal.

(I really like SIL. DD really likes her cousin. I can tolerate BIL in very small increments, like Thanksgiving. I usually require a drink before MIL/FIL show up for visits. Last time I had convinced myself that SIL's presence would be enough to keep me sane, but I'm not sure it's possible.)

[mustardseed2007]

The renting someone's DVC thing sounds like a really good way to go. Our family goes often enough, we're going to have to try this some time.

covergirl82, Where did you find the points? Is there a market out there?

[twinmomma]

Jan 31, 2018 16:18:05 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

Jan 31, 2018 14:23:45 GMT -5 twinmomma said:

DH and I are going on a vacation, just the two of us, for 7 days to Riviera Maya in July. I can't wait! We just finalized our flights this week and ended up with really sweet, non stop options down and back, which makes me happy. I'm so looking forward to a week of checking out and relaxing, just the two of us!

If you want a great excursion book with Local Quickies. He’s amazing and totally chill!

I think we'll probably skip excursions, honestly. The trip is going to be entirely free, if we stay at the resort and don't do any extras. So I'm pretty on board with that plan... haha I might splurge on a massage or something, but that's probably about it. 

[mellym]

We are renting a house on Hilton Head Island in July with my parents, brother and their kids. First vacation in 2 years since we were pregnant and then having baby so excited!! One of my best friends who lives across the country is having a destination bachelorette party in Denver in May. Still debating if I can sneak away for it. Baby will be 6 months.

Went on vacation with my in laws once. Never again.

[186momx]

k3am, No trips with my in-laws or my family. SIL and I talked about doing a long weekend family trip a couple years ago before we both had a big falling out with MIL & FIL. We agreed to staying at the same hotel but each having our own rooms and then having a tentative plan but basically be free to run on our own schedules. We couldn't get MIL and FIL to agree so it never happened.

[rere]

k3am. Vacationed with both sides.

My side to Gatlinburg. Mom stiffed my brother and myself on the cost of the cabin. Other than that, she wasn't as off the rails as usual except she fell in the creek after she refused to listen that the rocks are slick, because she is 2.

His side. Gulf Shores. SIL pretty much stayed in her room. Did no dishes, no cleaning, no cooking. We were all supposed to share. Nephew saw the beach for about 20 minutes. MIL was pissed because there was no smoking. Said she wouldn't have come. I tried to get up early every morning to beat her to the balcony to have my coffee in peace, but she was always out there smoking, and talking at the crack of dawn. No speaking before coffee. Bil snapped one day because she was so annoying. She decided to confront him. My other Bil came on the balcony and says, you don't want to go in there. I look in the window and Bil is pretty much chest bumping MIL because she pulled the lazy SIL hair because she booked the non smoking condo. I see Dh jump off the couch with his finger pointed at Bil. A guy who never gets mad. Then MIL takes off and my kids are crying because Grammy is lost. Then we leave a day early. As I am loading my car at 9:00 pm she's asking if she could have my bed. I'm like I don give AF. Then wants to know which of the 2 were mine. I'm like , IT DOESN'T MATTER!

Other Bil and SIL and kids were lovely the only redeeming part of the trip.

[k3am]

rere that sounds... wow. Wow.

Wow.

[mustardseed2007]

We avoid travel with BIL and SIL b/c they can't spend 5 minutes without fighting.

My ILs are ok but they are kind of particular about the kinds of things they want to do and that doesn't always line up with kid friendly things. They sent me a list of things that we could do in san antonio and zero kid friendly things were in there.

I like traveling with my mom, although she has mobility issues so you have to work around that.
My sister is great to travel with. My dad is annoying to have dinner with so we don't travel together.

[sunbutter]

Jan 31, 2018 22:31:58 GMT -5 2chatter said:

sandandsea - omg that name...happy endings??!!

traveltheworld - I may just be an idiot, but I hated the new resort hotel website. Can you book room and one park packages? Thinking arrival day, park day, beach day with late departure (Fri-Sun).

Also add on - DD is taking up my travel offer. She requested a camping and kayaking trip for her 14th birthday instead of a party. I so cannot wait. We will do a cabin (safety, I am a wuss) - not sure where but thinking Texas Hill Country or maybe even Enchanted Rock.

This year is going to be amazing.

I love Enchanted Rock!!! So many good memories.

[2chatter]

sunbutter - she’s pretty sold on Petit Jean instead - or another Ozark state park I hadn’t heard of that has 10 mile bike and paddle packages. I need to start training for this....hoping to sell her on a more chill Enchanted Rock experience.

[sunbutter]

Feb 1, 2018 18:54:20 GMT -5 2chatter said:

sunbutter - she’s pretty sold on Petit Jean instead - or another Ozark state park I hadn’t heard of that has 10 mile bike and paddle packages. I need to start training for this....hoping to sell her on a more chill Enchanted Rock experience.

I do love bouldering but I completely understand her desire for bike and paddle options.

[sandandsea]

Feb 1, 2018 18:32:46 GMT -5 sunbutter said:

Jan 31, 2018 22:31:58 GMT -5 2chatter said:

sandandsea - omg that name...happy endings??!!

traveltheworld - I may just be an idiot, but I hated the new resort hotel website. Can you book room and one park packages? Thinking arrival day, park day, beach day with late departure (Fri-Sun).

Also add on - DD is taking up my travel offer. She requested a camping and kayaking trip for her 14th birthday instead of a party. I so cannot wait. We will do a cabin (safety, I am a wuss) - not sure where but thinking Texas Hill Country or maybe even Enchanted Rock.

This year is going to be amazing.

I love Enchanted Rock!!! So many good memories.

Yes 2chatter. That name is wow. But he’s really cool and has a name that shortens to Quickie. . Best excursions we have had sailing and snorkeling.

[librarychica]

k3am, I take short trips with my inlaws. Usually like a long weekend at the beach. I like my inlaws, but our travel styles would not line up for anything other than beach lounging. My parents, we may be willing to do something a little more extensive. I’m considering offering to take them on a ski vacation next year for a week. I do all the planning, stay where I want and usually pay for the accommodations. My mom or MIL usually offer to buy the groceries and my parents will watch the girls once or twice so H and I can go out. So basically I control everything and they can come or not — up to them. This works well for the beach trips.

Disney stresses me out and I live down the road from it. Doing anything I consider stressful while having to manage parents/inlaws is a no for me.

[librarychica]

Y’all go on a lot of vacations. I think I am doing something wrong!

We have our first big family vacation — a cruise to the eastern Caribbean — planned for March. We will probably go to the beach for a couple nights over the summer if I see a good deal.

I have a travel for a FWP. H and I have our 10 year anniversary at the beginning of 2019. Years ago we said we would go to Japan for 10 days. That won’t be happening for childcare reasons. BUT my dad is retiring and he and Mom have offered to watch the girls for 4 or 5 days. H wants to take a free 4 day cruise to the Bahamas and Key West that he earned through work travel this December to celebrate. It’s free, free is good, but I don’t particularly love cruising and I’ve been to Key West and the Bahamas as many times as the next Floridian. But ...free. I’d rather go to Mexico City or NYC or ... idk. I’m just having trouble mentally adjusting from Japan to husband’s work perk cruise, lol. I told you it was a FWP!

[2chatter]

librarychica - from that I think you are getting a bonus free cruise and then in 2019 taking a tenth anniversary trip to a mutually agreed upon destination!

[librarychica]

Feb 2, 2018 8:58:29 GMT -5 2chatter said:

librarychica - from that I think you are getting a bonus free cruise and then in 2019 taking a tenth anniversary trip to a mutually agreed upon destination!

It’s doubtful that my parents would watch the kids twice — but maybe. We will see how the first round goes. H’s parents won’t keep them overnight at all.

My kids are pretty easy. Idk what the deal is.

I’ve also considered doing a super nice vacation sometime in 2019, bringing the grandparents and just rolling in the anniversary celebration with my dad’s retirement.

[2chatter]

librarychica - sitters who would be game? I used to think that was crazy talk, but it has actually been awesome for us. They hold down the fort and we arrange rides for the kids so it’s not overwhelming.

[sandandsea]

Feb 2, 2018 8:34:07 GMT -5 librarychica said:

Y’all go on a lot of vacations. I think I am doing something wrong!

We have our first big family vacation — a cruise to the eastern Caribbean — planned for March. We will probably go to the beach for a couple nights over the summer if I see a good deal.

I have a travel for a FWP. H and I have our 10 year anniversary at the beginning of 2019. Years ago we said we would go to Japan for 10 days. That won’t be happening for childcare reasons. BUT my dad is retiring and he and Mom have offered to watch the girls for 4 or 5 days. H wants to take a free 4 day cruise to the Bahamas and Key West that he earned through work travel this December to celebrate. It’s free, free is good, but I don’t particularly love cruising and I’ve been to Key West and the Bahamas as many times as the next Floridian. But ...free. I’d rather go to Mexico City or NYC or ... idk. I’m just having trouble mentally adjusting from Japan to husband’s work perk cruise, lol. I told you it was a FWP!

Can you take the kids on the cruise and save grandparents for Japan?! Any friends that could fill in a couple days before or after grandparents?

[librarychica]

sandandsea, it’s a 2 person voucher. We could take the kids but we would have to pay extra. Since they’re going on one in March I think if I don’t go, H will bring a friend.

Honestly childcare is only the prime reason we aren’t doing Japan. Secondary is I am not ready to away from the girls for ten days. #confession

We might save the grandparents for a shorter trip. H will give if I push, but I has the money guilt.

[librarychica]

Feb 2, 2018 12:21:17 GMT -5 2chatter said:

librarychica - sitters who would be game? I used to think that was crazy talk, but it has actually been awesome for us. They hold down the fort and we arrange rides for the kids so it’s not overwhelming.

Our former nanny might be willing for a weekend or a couple days leading into grandparents. I hadn’t considered that before.

Basically I need my girls to really want to go to sleepaway camp when they are old enough. 🙂

[2chatter]

librarychica - sleep away Camp is my “break at home” time. It’s awesome. But I have had enough issues arise that I don’t travel during that time (but grandparents might be game, for us though I have had to drive 3 hours at night unexpectedly...). I hope you guys can get it all set!