2 family getaway in destin

[goNDmay9]

how have you all done this?

We are planning a destin / beach trip for may for both my fam and DH fam.

Myself and DH
My parents
His Mom
My DB and DSIL with 5yr old
MY DB - 22
His DS and DBIL with twin infants and 2yr old

is it better / cheaper to get one big house / condo and split it? if so - how have you all split the cost"?

anyone just done separate condos for everyone - but in the same complex?

I am looking at VRBO and there are lots of options. Any other suggestions?

xoxox in advance!

 

[disney_me]

We only use VRBO. Every time we have been to Disney we rent with them. We have 3 families with a total of 13 people renting a 6 bedroom house for $900.00 for a week. All 3 families are splitting the cost 3 ways. You can't stay any place else for $300.00 a week.

I say find a house that will accommodate your family needs. Ask every one if they would split the cost. If everyone gets along just get one house.

Have you used VRBO before?

 

[goNDmay9]

Thanks for your response!!!!

I have not used them myself. I have been to places where we split the cost -but my friend did the actual renting from them! Any advice is greatly welcomed!

On the splitting - how does that work. Does my 22 year old brother just pay the same as the family of 5?

 

[ilovejack02]

We use Newman Daily rentals , have for years. When we have a older child... IE a 22 year old, we normally just include him in the family he belongs too. He does have to pay his own food, booze , etc. We travel to the beach alot with another family , we both have kids in their 20's . We just split half and half , but normally we don't get them a room of their own, they get the sofa or blow up mattress. If they insist on a bigger place, then they need to throw in for a portion .

 

[momof2intx]

We have gone to that area twice in the last few years. We love it. Have you looked at San Destin?? We were able to get a 3 bedroom 2 story townhome for about $700 for the week last July. Hubby had just gotten laid off so it was a non-WDW year. San Destin was the next best thing for us. Went with my mom and dad....hubby and kids. We spent the week relaxing, going to the beach, fishing etc. It was great, not to mention affordable!

In 2008, we went as 3 families....mine, my brother and his family and my mom and dad. Mom splurged that year and got a huge house rental for all of us (which was SO nice) but you don't always have to spend that much!

We found both of our rentals on VRBO. In the same San Destin resort area there is Baytown Wharf, which has shopping..entertainment, dining, stuff for the kids etc... It is really nice to walk around and enjoy.

Let us know how it worked out, you will have a blast!

 

[jkshel]

I HIGHLY reccomend taken a day trip to pensacola and seeing the Naval aviation museum.. free of charge, and as a bonus, you get to see the Blue angels practice!!

Here's the link:
http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

 

[goNDmay9]

We use Newman Daily rentals , have for years. When we have a older child... IE a 22 year old, we normally just include him in the family he belongs too. He does have to pay his own food, booze , etc. We travel to the beach alot with another family , we both have kids in their 20's . We just split half and half , but normally we don't get them a room of their own, they get the sofa or blow up mattress. If they insist on a bigger place, then they need to throw in for a portion .

awesome!!! that makes total sense. that was kind of what i was worried about. if he was on the pull out / etc - i did not think it seemed fair for him to have to cover the same as others will the rooms.

how would you do a single adult by herself? same way? i know i am totally over analyzing.

 

[goNDmay9]

We use Newman Daily rentals , have for years. .

oh yea - thanks for the referral too - i will check them out.

 

[goNDmay9]

We have gone to that area twice in the last few years. We love it. Have you looked at San Destin?? We were able to get a 3 bedroom 2 story townhome for about $700 for the week last July. Hubby had just gotten laid off so it was a non-WDW year. San Destin was the next best thing for us. Went with my mom and dad....hubby and kids. We spent the week relaxing, going to the beach, fishing etc. It was great, not to mention affordable!

In 2008, we went as 3 families....mine, my brother and his family and my mom and dad. Mom splurged that year and got a huge house rental for all of us (which was SO nice) but you don't always have to spend that much!

We found both of our rentals on VRBO. In the same San Destin resort area there is Baytown Wharf, which has shopping..entertainment, dining, stuff for the kids etc... It is really nice to walk around and enjoy.

Let us know how it worked out, you will have a blast!

I am also looking into SanDestin too. That Baytown Wharf area looks really nice. The look actually reminds me of Disney's home away from home resorts.

I am trying to convince prince charming (DH) to let us splurge and maybe pay for half of a nice huge house - and then have everyoe else split the rest. We got theses amazing flights from Atlanta ($19 each way!!!!). Well with tax and all the fees - 30 dollars each way so we are just going for a long weekend. Leave Friday - come back Monday morning.

hoping to find a good deal out there for all of us just to relax!!!

 

[goNDmay9]

I HIGHLY reccomend taken a day trip to pensacola and seeing the Naval aviation museum.. free of charge, and as a bonus, you get to see the Blue angels practice!!

Here's the link:
http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

NICE!!!!! thanks for the tip jkshel!!!!

about how far is the drive?

 

[ilovejack02]

awesome!!! that makes total sense. that was kind of what i was worried about. if he was on the pull out / etc - i did not think it seemed fair for him to have to cover the same as others will the rooms.

how would you do a single adult by herself? same way? i know i am totally over analyzing.

Single adult woman will want a room alone I would assume. Needs to pay a %, but not half because I would guess you are getting an extra room or two for all the kids. Or you could just do as I do . We just pay mom's portion when we go , and she gets her own room.

 

[ilovejack02]

NICE!!!!! thanks for the tip jkshel!!!!

about how far is the drive?

Down the beach , I would say about an hour. Navarre is really nice too, very very quiet area , not as much "stuff" to do, heck not much at all lol, but you can still pop into Ft. Walton/ Destin for shopping , go carts etc, and close to Pensacola to do the same. Walmart for snacks would not be far, there is a gas station on the island and a restaurant too I think. It is not a touristy area.

 

[goNDmay9]

Down the beach , I would say about an hour. Navarre is really nice too, very very quiet area , not as much "stuff" to do, heck not much at all lol, but you can still pop into Ft. Walton/ Destin for shopping , go carts etc, and close to Pensacola to do the same. Walmart for snacks would not be far, there is a gas station on the island and a restaurant too I think. It is not a touristy area.

we really just want to sit at the beach / grill out and do NOTHING! so i am going to check out th Navarre area too. thanks!!!!

 

[goNDmay9]

Single adult woman will want a room alone I would assume. Needs to pay a %, but not half because I would guess you are getting an extra room or two for all the kids. Or you could just do as I do . We just pay mom's portion when we go , and she gets her own room.

cool! i figured the same!

Since the children are all under 2 (well for my DSIL) - i am not sure what kind of room they would want - but i bet they will all want to be in the same room right??? Since the babies willl probably go to bed early - i would think that they would want to be slightly separated from the main area of the house too.

My nephew 5 will just stay with my DB DSIL.

you guys are so helpful!! thanks for the feedback. just want to make sure everything goes smoothly - this is the first out of town trip with the 2 fams!!!!! i am so excited.

 

[Kies99]

I recommend this place which is just down the road from Destin:

http://www.vrbo.com/51106

(I'm biased though as my parents own it )


Anyway, if you want a quieter area check out along 30A (www.30A.com). Only a few minutes down the road from Destin.

 

[goNDmay9]

I recommend this place which is just down the road from Destin:

http://www.vrbo.com/51106

(I'm biased though as my parents own it )


Anyway, if you want a quieter area check out along 30A (www.30A.com). Only a few minutes down the road from Destin.

thanks kies99! i will check it out. ps - that is my motto too - except i tend to swap out chocolate for french fries!

 

[kkacar]

Hi! if you are interested in finding more out, I live in Beaches of South Walton. In between Destin and Panama City Beach. We are quieter and nicer than Destin, IMO. Feel free to PM me, if you want any specific details about anything. Destin is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to stay there for my vacation.

There are quite a few people that are very reputable running specials that I know of.

kelli

 

[Kies99]

thanks kies99! ps - that is my motto too - except i tend to swap out chocolate for french fries!

 

[singleinthe city]

We do it by the number of rooms. If it is a 5 bed house then the rent is split by 5. If family of 5 wants two rooms then they pay 2/5 of the rental. We then figure out a kid and adult food budget and everyone chips in for their share based on number. Alcohol is based on whatever you bring/buy on your own.

 

[jkshel]

NICE!!!!! thanks for the tip jkshel!!!!

about how far is the drive?

About 40 miles....very easy drive. be sure to check the Angels schedule on the website. they do a meet and greet after their practice, so bring a camera.