-Hope-
Always dreaming of adventure...
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2009
- Messages
- 2,968
Okay, this post is OT and is going to give you another peek of my crazy, obsessive planning but I want to share it somewhere and get some feedback.
With the planning pretty much finished for our WDW trip I needed something else to plan so, even though it's more than a month until we go on this year's trip I've already started thinking about what we'll do for vacation next year. It won't be Disney, which I know is shocking on the DIS boards but it is what it is. Our vacation next year needs to be less expensive than this one plus we just like going different places and seeing different things.
I have our choices narrowed down to three possibilities and they are all very different and have different appeals. I'd like some feedback, especially if you've BTDT!
Option 1: Branson, MO- this is only a few hours from home and we haven't been since Jace was about 2 (Kya stayed with my parents as she was just over a year old) and we only went for a long weekend. I know Robbie will like the fact that it's close to home. We'd probably go to Silver Dollar City, the Dixie Stampede and Ride the Ducks (amphibious vehicles left over from WWII that take you on land and water tours of the area). There's also a strip with bumper boats, mini-golf, go-karts, etc. and the large lake has several swimming beaches that we'd want to spend lots of time on. Plenty of shows and attractions to research and plan so that's fun for me.
Option 2: Galveston, TX- This is the closest beach to us so that's the major appeal. There are a few attractions- they have Ducks as well- but mostly we'd be at the beach, in fact we'd probably rent a house or condo right on the water. It's about a 13 hour drive which is long but doable. There's not a lot for me to plan with this trip but we love the beach and Robbie and I have been, the kids and I have been (with my parents) but we've never all four been together so it would be nice.
Option 3: Chicago- This is about a six hour drive but it's also possible that we'd take the Amtrak and just rely on public transportation once we got there. I've been to Chicago for a girl's weekend with a friend and the El and the buses are pretty easy to maneuver. Kya wants to go the American Girl place and there's a Lego museum that Jace would like to see. The natural history museum and Navy Pier are also big draws. The downside is that I'm not sure how appealing this will be to Robbie. He generally likes a more laid back vacation and since we're doing Disney this year I'd like to do something he'll enjoy more next year. On the other hand I don't know how much longer American Girl and Lego are going to appeal to the kids. Of course there's lots of planning for me to do with this one too.
So, that's it those are the three choices. I know it seems early since we haven't gone on this year's trip yet but since we'll be staying in the midwest and want to swim we'll probably shoot for June for the best weather- warm enough to swim but not sweltering heat for non-water related outdoor fun. All three trips are going to cost about the same within a couple of hundred dollars so money isn't a factor. They all have great appeal and honestly I don't want to make a decision too soon because I like doing all of the research.
However if we're going to go in June and I want to get a good deal on a nicer place from VRBO I'll have to make the reservation within a few months.
So, not Disney but I'd appreciate some feedback anyway!
With the planning pretty much finished for our WDW trip I needed something else to plan so, even though it's more than a month until we go on this year's trip I've already started thinking about what we'll do for vacation next year. It won't be Disney, which I know is shocking on the DIS boards but it is what it is. Our vacation next year needs to be less expensive than this one plus we just like going different places and seeing different things.
I have our choices narrowed down to three possibilities and they are all very different and have different appeals. I'd like some feedback, especially if you've BTDT!
Option 1: Branson, MO- this is only a few hours from home and we haven't been since Jace was about 2 (Kya stayed with my parents as she was just over a year old) and we only went for a long weekend. I know Robbie will like the fact that it's close to home. We'd probably go to Silver Dollar City, the Dixie Stampede and Ride the Ducks (amphibious vehicles left over from WWII that take you on land and water tours of the area). There's also a strip with bumper boats, mini-golf, go-karts, etc. and the large lake has several swimming beaches that we'd want to spend lots of time on. Plenty of shows and attractions to research and plan so that's fun for me.
Option 2: Galveston, TX- This is the closest beach to us so that's the major appeal. There are a few attractions- they have Ducks as well- but mostly we'd be at the beach, in fact we'd probably rent a house or condo right on the water. It's about a 13 hour drive which is long but doable. There's not a lot for me to plan with this trip but we love the beach and Robbie and I have been, the kids and I have been (with my parents) but we've never all four been together so it would be nice.
Option 3: Chicago- This is about a six hour drive but it's also possible that we'd take the Amtrak and just rely on public transportation once we got there. I've been to Chicago for a girl's weekend with a friend and the El and the buses are pretty easy to maneuver. Kya wants to go the American Girl place and there's a Lego museum that Jace would like to see. The natural history museum and Navy Pier are also big draws. The downside is that I'm not sure how appealing this will be to Robbie. He generally likes a more laid back vacation and since we're doing Disney this year I'd like to do something he'll enjoy more next year. On the other hand I don't know how much longer American Girl and Lego are going to appeal to the kids. Of course there's lots of planning for me to do with this one too.
So, that's it those are the three choices. I know it seems early since we haven't gone on this year's trip yet but since we'll be staying in the midwest and want to swim we'll probably shoot for June for the best weather- warm enough to swim but not sweltering heat for non-water related outdoor fun. All three trips are going to cost about the same within a couple of hundred dollars so money isn't a factor. They all have great appeal and honestly I don't want to make a decision too soon because I like doing all of the research.
However if we're going to go in June and I want to get a good deal on a nicer place from VRBO I'll have to make the reservation within a few months. So, not Disney but I'd appreciate some feedback anyway!
But DH always talks about how much he loved Chicago when he was there for boot camp or some sort of Navy school. He says he would want to move there if not for the winters. He hates the cold, just like me. Not that that helps because the two before me each said one of the other two. 
But if you don't think Robbie will enjoy it, I would say Branson going off of your descriptions!
I was in WDW when IKE hit and it was so hard. It's beautiful and not very touristy, which I love. We WILL get back there. 
