Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina
Life is short. Live it well.
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2008
Welcome to my trip report 
. I always find it difficult to find a starting point for these threads, so I figure Ill just jump right in and start with the obligatory introductions. While a little background will follow, Ill try to keep it brief (and if not brief, a concept of which is hard for me at the best of times, hopefully it will end up being a least relevant!!).
Moving right along, let me get you acquainted with my little family. This is us (picture taken August 2012 on our vacation in Orlando):
Im Gina, writer of this report and the official family planner, organizer, and obsesser. I am not ashamed to admit that I have OCD to a certain degree ..depending on the day, that degree can vary from mild to wild
. When it comes to our family getaways, I probably put more time and effort into researching every last little detail than the average mom, but its fun and I enjoy it and quite honestly, I could be doing worse things with my time. And my fellows are patient with my nightly blabbering about the neat things I have found for us to do on our next trip. One of the many reason that I love that pair.
DH is Steve. My Prince Charming, and the total opposite personality from me. Hes quieter, calmer, and very go with the flow, which normally creates a very happy balance around our house (except for the times where we drive each other NUTS .which thankfully, is normally not very often). He is one of the hardest workers I know, and his efforts net the surplus finances required to fund our expeditions to Florida. We celebrated our 20th anniversary this past May.
DS is Jake. He is 17 (will be turning 18 in January) and an amazing young man. Hes an honour roll student at school and a talented athlete (volleyball and basketball, as well as ball, inline and ice hockey in his younger years) . He has worked for a year and a half at our local YMCA in the youth and programming departments, and has a wonderful knack with kids. Hes our lonely only, and yep, I shamelessly admit to spoiling him from time to time. He has just kicked off his senior year of high school. This pic is from June, where he was awarded the Dave Coyer Memorial Trophy for most dedicated senior boys volleyball player:
This trip was our fifth getaway to Orlando. Our first visit was in January 2009, which was supposed to be our once in a lifetime Disney vacation. But then something we didnt expect occurred .we were bitten by the bug. It took us 3 years to return (for various reason), but then we enjoyed 3 separate visits in 2012 (falling in January, August and Christmas week). With each vacation, we grew to love Orlando (and all the family fun it offers) even more, so it wasnt surprising that we began to plan our 2013 August vacation while on the plane home from our Florida Christmas extravaganza (see the link in my signature for the finished report of that getaway).
And so began the planning at 40,000 feet in the air.
. I always find it difficult to find a starting point for these threads, so I figure Ill just jump right in and start with the obligatory introductions. While a little background will follow, Ill try to keep it brief (and if not brief, a concept of which is hard for me at the best of times, hopefully it will end up being a least relevant!!).Moving right along, let me get you acquainted with my little family. This is us (picture taken August 2012 on our vacation in Orlando):
Im Gina, writer of this report and the official family planner, organizer, and obsesser. I am not ashamed to admit that I have OCD to a certain degree ..depending on the day, that degree can vary from mild to wild
. When it comes to our family getaways, I probably put more time and effort into researching every last little detail than the average mom, but its fun and I enjoy it and quite honestly, I could be doing worse things with my time. And my fellows are patient with my nightly blabbering about the neat things I have found for us to do on our next trip. One of the many reason that I love that pair.
DH is Steve. My Prince Charming, and the total opposite personality from me. Hes quieter, calmer, and very go with the flow, which normally creates a very happy balance around our house (except for the times where we drive each other NUTS .which thankfully, is normally not very often). He is one of the hardest workers I know, and his efforts net the surplus finances required to fund our expeditions to Florida. We celebrated our 20th anniversary this past May.
DS is Jake. He is 17 (will be turning 18 in January) and an amazing young man. Hes an honour roll student at school and a talented athlete (volleyball and basketball, as well as ball, inline and ice hockey in his younger years) . He has worked for a year and a half at our local YMCA in the youth and programming departments, and has a wonderful knack with kids. Hes our lonely only, and yep, I shamelessly admit to spoiling him from time to time. He has just kicked off his senior year of high school. This pic is from June, where he was awarded the Dave Coyer Memorial Trophy for most dedicated senior boys volleyball player:
This trip was our fifth getaway to Orlando. Our first visit was in January 2009, which was supposed to be our once in a lifetime Disney vacation. But then something we didnt expect occurred .we were bitten by the bug. It took us 3 years to return (for various reason), but then we enjoyed 3 separate visits in 2012 (falling in January, August and Christmas week). With each vacation, we grew to love Orlando (and all the family fun it offers) even more, so it wasnt surprising that we began to plan our 2013 August vacation while on the plane home from our Florida Christmas extravaganza (see the link in my signature for the finished report of that getaway).
And so began the planning at 40,000 feet in the air.
so that's where our search began.
), we had it narrowed down to Wyndham Bonnet Creek and the Sheraton Vistana Resort. I went back and forth between the two properties, endlessly discussing with the boys the pros and cons of each. Their eyes eventually glassed over, and they dutifully handed the decision over to yours truly.....after all, they trust dear ol' Mom 
. In the end, I decided on the Vistana for two very simple reasons: one, we wouldnt have to go through Vacation Strategy for the villa reservation (even though I knew others had enjoyed great success when booking through them, it was venturing into the unknown for me), and the Jetblue Getaways package of flights plus accommodations for the Vistana was cheaper than flights + a Vacations Strategy booking of Bonnet Creek. Being the thrifty girl I am, it seemed that if price and convenience were both aligned, I had quite obviously found the answer to my endless search. The Vistana it was going to be. 
My boys are just the same. As are two of the girls, really -- number three will participate, but I think that's partly because she's gone enough she doesn't hear as much of it. 
It is a lovely moment when the stars align and you know, "Yep, that's the one." 
Welcome aboard! 
) so we were all thrilled when I experienced no air sickness at all and was feeling mighty fine when we landed.
. We were finally here!
. He is a 17 year old boy, after all.
, so we unanimously agreed on Cicis Pizza for a fast (and filling) dinner. An added bonus was that it was super close to the Vistana, so once the fellows had their fill, we were literally almost there. The check-in process was super fast (of course, it was about 8:30 pm at this point, so most of the days arrivals had probably already checked in) and we were elated to find out we had been assigned to the Spas section as we had requested 2 weeks prior via Diamond Lane pre-registration. In fact, they honoured EVERY request we had...Spas section, top floor, close to pools. We were welcomed home by a wonderful Sheraton clerk, given maps and activity schedules and a whole selection of information about the resort, then mercifully.....we arrived shortly thereafter at the front door of our building. 
