jen3kids Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I posted yesterday about surprising the kids with a trip over Spring Break. We've got a budget of $2000. I figured out (thanks to many) that an all-inclusive is out of range. Particulars.... Travel Dates: anytime between March 28-April 7 Starting Point: Maryland Likes/Dislikes: Doing stuff outside, maybe a museum or show of some sort Ages: 2 adults and 3 kids, ages 15, 13, 11 The possibilities... a cruise - if we drive 8 hours south to catch the ship. Disney World - if we drive down (16 hours), but it will be crazy crowded the first week of April. a dude ranch - dh says no (and so would at least 1 of the kids), but I would love it! Pensacola/Destin, FL - dh doesn't think there'd be much to do. Arizona - my sister lives there (we could stay with her most of the time) but we could take a couple days and do the Grand Canyon. The flight take most of the budget, though. Ocean City, NJ - none of us have ever been NYC ??? ??????????? Any comments of recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I think I would announce the surprise in a week or so. (But our family is really not one who does "surprises" well.) With that budget, and such a wide variety of choices, I would really want our teens to be on board with the whole idea so that the vacation worked! Truly, at least for us, a lot of the fun is looking forward to it. They may even suspect something is wrong . . . when you are spending hours surfing the Internet for deals. :) Other options: The Smokies, Chicago, NYC. I guess you need to choose Rural or Urban! Maybe provide 3 specific choices (that are realistic), and have a family vote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwjx2khsmj Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Do you want to travel to different places or unpack your bags and stay in one place? Are you looking for warmer weather or just interesting things to see and do? I don't think it's realistic to think that five people can take a cruise for less than $2000 including travel expense to and from cruise. I would also think that unless you got dirt cheap plane tickets you'd need to drive. You may find amazing bargains and prove me wrong but sometimes you do get what you pay for. As for driving destinations: Gettysburg and Hershey, PA are in range. Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Williamsburg, Jamestown, Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks, Atlanta, Charleston, S.C. There is so much good stuff in easy driving distance for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Have you been to Great Wolf Lodge? You can combine it with a trip to Philly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen3kids Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 I think I would announce the surprise in a week or so. (But our family is really not one who does "surprises" well.) With that budget, and such a wide variety of choices, I would really want our teens to be on board with the whole idea so that the vacation worked! Truly, at least for us, a lot of the fun is looking forward to it. They may even suspect something is wrong . . . when you are spending hours surfing the Internet for deals. :) Other options: The Smokies, Chicago, NYC. I guess you need to choose Rural or Urban! Maybe provide 3 specific choices (that are realistic), and have a family vote. They'd be fine with a surprise, I'm 100% sure of that. Dd is going to Chicago on a school trip in May, so that's out. The Smokies ---- maybe..... Rural or urban doesn't matter, just something new, I think. Do you want to travel to different places or unpack your bags and stay in one place? Are you looking for warmer weather or just interesting things to see and do? I don't think it's realistic to think that five people can take a cruise for less than $2000 including travel expense to and from cruise. I would also think that unless you got dirt cheap plane tickets you'd need to drive. You may find amazing bargains and prove me wrong but sometimes you do get what you pay for. As for driving destinations: Gettysburg and Hershey, PA are in range. Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Williamsburg, Jamestown, Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks, Atlanta, Charleston, S.C. There is so much good stuff in easy driving distance for you. Yes, I almost think there are too many choices for us. We've done DC, Gettyburg and Hershey. Dh went to Hilton Head every year with his dad, so that might be an option, if we can find anything left for a good price. Have you been to Great Wolf Lodge? You can combine it with a trip to Philly. Only dd has been to Great Wolf Lodge - I'll look into it. The boys are going to Philly on a Scout trip at the end of the month. I'll have to see what their itinerary is and see what we could add on. Going on an 'adventure' type trip would be great too. Like white water rafting, mountain biking, or something cool like that. It might be too cold still, though. I'll have to wait and see about the weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristinannie Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Have you been to Charleston, SC and savannah, GA? You could stay at Kiawah or one of the other islands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.