DIS Dads DDC XXIV - What Bacon Shortage? We're Full Of It!

[Twin Dad]

So we're looking at non-Disney ( ) trips for December. We're looking at either a trip to somewhere cold like Vail or Park City, but DW doesn't ski so it seems pointless to me. We're also looking at Aruba. Does anyone have an great family trip ideas for December? DW has tasked me with figuring out where to go, but the cheap guy in my head just keeps yelling "we have annual passes every second of vacation should be spent at Disney."

Disney cruise?

 

[that's nice]

Our rule for non Disney vacations are, go south in the winter and go north in the summer.

Good rule!

 

[IamTrike]

Ryan,

If I'm not at Disney - I want to be in Aruba. DW and I went there for our honeymoon and long to go back.

Awesome island - friendly people. Great food!

But I understand your dilemma, having AP's and all!

Thanks for the feedback on Aruba. Which resort did you stay in? This is our first year with AP's and I don't know how many more times we'll get them. Makes me really want to use em while we got em.

Hey I learned to surf in Delaware and don't you guys have low sales tax. That'd be a vacation DW might like. Also I think it's funny you hijacked an image from an asset protection lawyer.

This is funny. I have been tasked with the same. You do know that you were assigned this task so that in the event everyone has less fun than Disney that it is your fault for planning the vacation, right? We have had numerous, "I want to go somewhere other than Disney" discussions. My response is always to go ahead and book it and we'll go. Response back is always- Because you always book the vacations. But we all know the real reason. Everyone will say they would have rather done Disney and it is my fault.

With that said, Aruba is a great spot if you enjoy swimming and the beach. The weather is always awesome. The Florida Keys is nice in December if you want to stay in the US.

If you want to use those passes, how about California. You could do San Diego or San Fran with a side trip to DL for a couple of days. Satisfying, yet slimy. You get to make that cheap guy happy, stay warm and do stuff other than Disney. I think I just solved my problem as well. Woo-hoo!

We've done the Keys and San Diego/Anahiem. La Jolla was really beautiful and we all enjoyed DL and DCA. Those are both great suggestions because we enjoyed them both.

I wouldn't go there Ryan - I heard there are catalytic converter thieves there!

I'm pretty sure catalytic converters aren't necessary I can just shove a rolled up sock in the exhausted pipe the next time I go for an inspection.

 

[that's nice]

Thanks for the feedback on Aruba. Which resort did you stay in? This is our first year with AP's and I don't know how many more times we'll get them. Makes me really want to use em while we got em.

We stopped in Aruba on a cruise and it was one of my favorite stops. Beautiful beaches, good food, and casinos. All wins in my book! One word of advice, if you are taking a rental to see the natural pool.. rent a jeep not a tracker and bring water.

 

[trennr]

How about Pigeon Forge, TN... We have
DW (DollyWood)
A Wilderness Lodge... really.

Outlet Stores out the Wazzu.
Great Places to Eat.

Nate is just 2 hours away. (SOLD!!!)

 

[trennr]

Oh yeah...don't forget to donate today!!!

FYI... any Donation to Give Kids the World today Nov. 27 will count twice thanks to a family that has pledge to Match any donation given.
I have a Donation Site setup for Disdads Fantasy Footballers... but don't let that stop you... head over to our site and Help some kids
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/DisdadsFantasyFootball/disdadsffl


you tube video linky...
http://youtu.be/9lgwKdSljcw

 

[IamTrike]

Our rule for non Disney vacations are, go south in the winter and go north in the summer.

That seems like a really good rule.

 

[AJRitz]

So we're looking at non-Disney ( ) trips for December. We're looking at either a trip to somewhere cold like Vail or Park City, but DW doesn't ski so it seems pointless to me. We're also looking at Aruba. Does anyone have an great family trip ideas for December? DW has tasked me with figuring out where to go, but the cheap guy in my head just keeps yelling "we have annual passes every second of vacation should be spent at Disney."

I agree that spending high-season prices at a ski resort, when you're a non-skier, doesn't make much sense. If what you're looking for is a relaxing trip, my wife is a big fan of St. Lucia. It's somewhat less-developed than many of the Caribbean islands, but absolutely beautiful and serene. (She went there for two weeks right after she passed the bar, to visit her dad who was in medical school there. She stayed with him for free, so I can't really tell you anything about the resorts. But she talks about spending days just lounging in a hammock, picking her lunch from a banana tree).

 

[moose615]

How about Pigeon Forge, TN... We have
DW (DollyWood)
A Wilderness Lodge... really.

Outlet Stores out the Wazzu.
Great Places to Eat.

Nate is just 2 hours away. (SOLD!!!)

Good suggestion, I love DW and the mountains, but u lost me when u said you were 2 hours away, needs to be a lot further then that, I already feel uneasy being roughly 4 hours away right now haha, anyways not my vacation so anyone else BEWARE!!!!!

 

[IamTrike]

Disney cruise?

I wish. Not in the budget constraints currently.

How about Pigeon Forge, TN... We have
DW (DollyWood)
A Wilderness Lodge... really.


Outlet Stores out the Wazzu.
Great Places to Eat.

Nate is just 2 hours away. (SOLD!!!)

You also have
Gatlinburg,
the apple barn
the mill
and a big ole indoor waterpark. We really liked it when we visited there.


Has anyone done the Pocono's or Wisconsin or Michigan in December?

 

[IamTrike]

I agree that spending high-season prices at a ski resort, when you're a non-skier, doesn't make much sense. If what you're looking for is a relaxing trip, my wife is a big fan of St. Lucia. It's somewhat less-developed than many of the Caribbean islands, but absolutely beautiful and serene. (She went there for two weeks right after she passed the bar, to visit her dad who was in medical school there. She stayed with him for free, so I can't really tell you anything about the resorts. But she talks about spending days just lounging in a hammock, picking her lunch from a banana tree).

Everyone we know that's been to St. Lucia loves it. The only thing that kept us away is that a lot of resorts have many steps to get down to the beach.

 

[afwdwfan]

How about Pigeon Forge, TN... We have
DW (DollyWood)
A Wilderness Lodge... really.

Outlet Stores out the Wazzu.
Great Places to Eat.

Nate is just 2 hours away. (SOLD!!!)

I love that area. We go there for a few days every couple of years. And Nate's not lying, although I doubt Dollywood is actually open? It seems to me that they have seasonal hours. I think I've been there in March and it has been closed.

I do know of a few families that go down there for the week between Christmas and New Years every year. They have family that lives out of state and they all just kind of meet in the middle there. I've never been during that time of year, but they love it around the Holidays. I guess if you're looking for something close to home that doesn't break the budget it might actually be worth considering.

 

[mm1971]

We stopped in Aruba on a cruise and it was one of my favorite stops. Beautiful beaches, good food, and casinos. All wins in my book! One word of advice, if you are taking a rental to see the natural pool.. rent a jeep not a tracker and bring water.

Stayed at La Cabana for my honeymoon. It is a low rise and nice hotel. Pool was good, but you had to cross the street to get the beach and/or casino. Holiday Inn was nice. It is a high rise right on the beach/coast. They had a nice restaurant in the hotel, but I forget the name. There is a cove called Baby Beach which is awesome for snorkeling. Right at the edge of the breakwater is a reef where they have all kinds of fish and creatures to look at. The water is really calm and warm since it is inside of a natural breakwater.

I preferred being on the beach. El Goucho is an excellent steak house if like that sort of thing. DW will enjoy the downtown area for shopping and you get to see said cruise boats along the docks. We took a night cruise with dancing and drinks, not necessarily in that order. You can rent jet ski's, parasail, windsurf or just hang by the pool or ocean.

 

[afwdwfan]

Has anyone done the Pocono's or Wisconsin or Michigan in December?

I've traveled to Michigan for work in December before... multiple times. I'd run like hell.

I don't know how it would be as far as tourist destinations that time of year. I just know the weather can be very cold and unpredictable with the Lake Effect Snow.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Crap I missed it so I guess I will have to do it now.



AHEMMMM!!

Good people, who have travelled from villages near and far! Lend me your ears!

I would like to thank all those who made 13,000 possible but who am I kidding - IT WAS ALL ME!!!!!

I am the one that put in the Herculean effort to achieve this amazing milestone. To all my fans I promise you this, I will never give up, I will never stop posting.

Thank you my good people.

As Troy McLure once said, "that's a right pretty speech"

On that note - I do ask for your prayers. My DD has a recurring issue and the pediatrician is thinking we may have to go see a specialist. I'll know more tomorrow after the labs come back. She seemed to be in better spirits this morning and went back to school (thank you antibiotic!).

Prayers

Hello Boys.

Have you ever clicked the "Post Reply" button, then stared at the big white box in one the screen and realized "I have nothing really to say?"

Yeah, but I post something anyways

I so know what you mean... Here I can help with the Tom Petty issue....





Ready......
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It's a world of laughter a world of tears
It's a world of hopes and a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
__________________

There is just one moon
and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
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Great, now I can picture Tom Petty singing that

We had our first visit from the social worker last night for our home study. It was great. She helped answer a lot of questions and put my mind at ease on a few big concerns. In a few short weeks, DD#3 comes to visit!

Good luck

 

[scott2997]

Thanks for the feedback on Aruba. Which resort did you stay in? This is our first year with AP's and I don't know how many more times we'll get them. Makes me really want to use em while we got em.

We stayed at the Marriott's Surf Club. It's a timeshare resort. My parents are Marriott Vacation Club owners and were able to transfer a week into that resort for our honeymoon.

Definitely recommend staying on that end of the beach!

Let me know if you guys decide on going there. I have some great restaurant recommendations!

I spent months before hand planning this vacation and got some great advice on a discussion board similar to this one!

 

[that's nice]

Has anyone done the Pocono's or Wisconsin or Michigan in December?

I think Barry has been in Wisconsin in December.

 

[mm1971]

We stayed at the Marriott's Surf Club. It's a timeshare resort. My parents are Marriott Vacation Club owners and were able to transfer a week into that resort for our honeymoon.

Definitely recommend staying on that end of the beach!

Let me know if you guys decide on going there. I have some great restaurant recommendations!

I spent months before hand planning this vacation and got some great advice on a discussion board similar to this one!

There are other discussion boards?

 

[that's nice]

I spent months before hand planning this vacation and got some great advice on a discussion board similar to this one!

You mean people love to bash other people and flame them just like here? I don't believe it!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Thanks for the feedback on Aruba. Which resort did you stay in? This is our first year with AP's and I don't know how many more times we'll get them. Makes me really want to use em while we got em.

We stayed at the Tamarijn Aruba on our honeymoon. It's on the other side of the island from the big high rise hotels, so it feels more tropical and secluded. We plan on going back there for our 15th anniversary.

I agree that spending high-season prices at a ski resort, when you're a non-skier, doesn't make much sense. If what you're looking for is a relaxing trip, my wife is a big fan of St. Lucia. It's somewhat less-developed than many of the Caribbean islands, but absolutely beautiful and serene. (She went there for two weeks right after she passed the bar, to visit her dad who was in medical school there. She stayed with him for free, so I can't really tell you anything about the resorts. But she talks about spending days just lounging in a hammock, picking her lunch from a banana tree).

My wifes soon-to-be former boss joined the Peace Corps and will be spending a few months (maybe years, I forget) in St. Lucia. Tough assignment there - whenever you need a break from building schools or whatever she will be doing - just head on down to the beach and find a hammock and a drink.

Has anyone done the Pocono's or Wisconsin or Michigan in December?

Every December! (And January, February, March...)

Wisconsin Dells has a ton of Indoor Waterpark Resorts (Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari Resort, Wilderness Resort, among others) Based on all of the Illinois license plates in the parking lots, there're pretty popular.