how often do you take a family vacation?

[aprincessmom]

I get 4 weeks paid vacation. Since DD started public school our vacation times are changing and will have to follow the school calendar. I am grieving our past freedom of choosing vacation time convenient to us.

However, all vacations are family vacations. The size of the family part depends on where we go and who can come. We used to vacation as DD, me and my ex. Now we invite relatives if they'd like to come -- grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. Sometimes it's just DD and me and sometimes it's a whole crowd. And if we invite, we pay -- which also determines the size of the "family"

As for how often, we take 2 full weeks of what I call true "vacation time" where we are gone for a week or more. We do a lot of weekend/2-3 day "trips" because we live in an area of the country where we have lots of things available to us within a few hours drive. I don't consider the weekend getaway type travel vacations per se. They are fun, though

And sometimes we just play hooky and do day trips since we live so close to the beach, the mountains, and major cultural attractions...no need to spend the money on a hotel when you can just hop on the T.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Originally posted by DonnaS

However, when money is short, our vacation savings is the first one borrowed/ robbed from. LOL

LOL - we're the complete opposite. DH is currently jobless, and I told him that the vacation budget won't be touched unless we are in danger of starving. I haven't added to it, but won't use it unless absolutely necessary. I need vacations to keep my sanity.

 

[Mark P.]

Been going to Disney once a year for the last 7 years. We also go for a long (and I do mean long,lol) weekend to Vermont and visit DW's folks.

 

[Claire L]

We like to try at least a two or three week vacation a year and the odd short break. In 2001 as it was our honeymoon we spent two weeks at WDW followed by a week on St Pete Beach. This year it was two weeks at WL in WDW. Next year is going to be a good one, four nights in New York in Feb and then in June three weeks in California going from San Francisco to LA.
Oh well just got to keep hoping we don't need to delve into the vacation savings if things break around the house/car etc etc!
Claire

 

[snoopy]

We take two vacations each year, one always to the beach, the other usually somewhere else more lavish/somewhere that we fly to. This year our first trip is to Sanibel Island for 5 days, then driving up to Orlando for WDW and Universal for 5 days.

Our beach vacation always remains the same place, Rehobeth Beach, Delaware. We always go the same week, always the end of August, the last week before school starts again.

I suppose one day there may come a time where we can't afford to take vacations, but I hope that never happens. We both work our butts off to have nice vacations, and we scrimp and save in other areas so we can. Travel is very important to us, and we made the decision early on in our married lives to devote a certain amount of our savings to our travel budget. Whereas we cut back in areas like eating out - we rarely to never eat out, not dinners out and we both carry our lunch to work every day.

Next to bills and retirement funds/funds for our kid's education, its our biggest priority, I guess.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

we try for 3 week long vacations a year. we have 3 already planned for next year may try to squeeze in 4. we are going to disney world twice and we are going to hilton head.
misty

 

[Steve H.]

We try to go on one long vacation (e.g. week or longer) once a year, with a few smaller trips added in. This year might be a little different, with everything going on (including building a new house), we might forego a vacation this year.

 

[rbuzzotta]

We take one "big" family vacation per year. We use our DVC membership and try to stay for as long as our points allow!!

This year my daughter has 2 out of state cheerleading competitions. The family will go on one as it is at US/IOA and I will take her on the otther (Dallas). We use ourr frequent flier points and DD does do fundraising.

it takes alot of saving but we ssso look forward to spending quality time together as a family and being happy!!!

 

[Lucky4me]

We go for a week every year to HH Island. For quite a few years in a row we went to Disney for a week as well. That ended two years ago.

This year we will be skipping HH as well. College costs are killing the vacation budget, and it's looking like DH may lose his job in the next year or two. We are being very careful right now as it's almost inevitable. As we're waiting to hear about his job, we're formulating a plan to move to Florida, hopefully within an hours drive to WDW!

Then I'll be on vacation 24/7!

 

[Towncrier]

We try to do a 2 week vacation at WDW every summer (although that is getting harder to schedule now that our children are both teenagers). Every 2nd or 3rd year, we try to schedule a weekend trip to Niagara Falls or someplace like that. I would like to get away more often, but finances and schedules don't often allow it.

We are going to Mammoth Caves with my son's Boy Scout troop in January. I've been wanting to go back there since I was a young teenager, but have just never gotten around to do so.

 

[Steve H.]

Lucky4Me -- where do you usually stay on HHI? We did a family vacation there Summer 2001 and had an awesome time!

 

[Lucky4me]

Steve we stay at Shipyard Plantation, Port O Call, unit 101.

The Island is so gorgeous and we love it so much, we've never traded for anywhere else.

Our stay this year is April 26-May 3. I'm going to put it up for rent at our maintenance fee which I believe is $650. It's a steal for a 2 bedroom (sleeps 8) first floor unit. It includes greens fees and tennis for 4 people for the week. If you're interested or know anyone who is, PM me! Thanks!

 

[supercarrie]

Vacation is really important to everyone in my family. I was just talking with my dad last night about how much more we (especially my parents) value experiences rather than a huge home, expensive cars, etc. So we always take at least 1 week a year and go away. Last year we ended up going to both WDW for a week and Hawaii for a week for a wedding. So it often ends up being more than the minimum, plus we take as many weekend getaways as we can.

 

[gemmie214]

The last few years DH and I have been taking a 2 week or so vacation to Costa Rica. Can't wait to get there in Febuary Other than that we do a week camping in the summer and this year we were able to do a week in WDW/Universal. Dh took a once in a lifetime trip with his brothers to a cattle ranch in June and I did my WDW trips with my cousins and parents. It is easy for DH and I to get away because we do not have any children and he has been at his job for so many years he has 7 weeks vacation. My vacation time is very flexible since I do so much comp time.

 

[Steve H.]

I'll keep that in mind, Lucky4Me -- we had friends in Shipyard (and went to the beach there one day) and really liked it.

Don't know if that week conflicts with my school schedule, but I'll look into it -- thanks.

 

[SeaSpray]

We have no pre-set plans for vacations each year. In 2001 we took several vacations, and this year, 2002, I went to WDW in Feb, and in the summer spent a lot of it at the Jersey shore. Every Christmas break we spend part of it at the Jersey shore, part in VA, but both are those we stay at relatives' houses. Still fun, but not exactly a "vacation".

I already have a trip to Wildwood (NJ shore) planned for a week next summer, as well as a trip to WDW.

It really depends on our finances and the amount of time we have, as to what kind of vacation we take from year to year.

 

[Boots]

Well my children are grown and we go on either two or three week long vacations each year. But we only go to WDW once every 4 to 5 years. We are beach people and enjoy both Myrtle Beach and Panama City Beach. So we go once in the spring and once in the fall. And on one of these DD and her DH go and DS and his fiancee go. Also my dad lives 10 miles from Gulf Shores, AL, so we go to his house at least once a year. We don't have to pay for a room when we go to his house.

 

[Kitty 34]

For the last few years, we have been going to WDW (and Universal this year) for over a week. We also go to our favorite little hotel up near Mackinac Bridge for 4 days in the summer.

We do mini (one night) stays twice a year at a casino/resort a couple hours away from home.

 

[Jinnyboom]

Easy answer:

In 1996....I took my then 6 and 8 year old daughters to WDW....

In 2002....I took my now 12 and 14 year old daughters to WDW...

Yadda....Yadda....Yadda....that's all folks


Single mom here....who just can't afford many vacations...but LOVE WDW

 

[Beanie]

We go to Disney World twice a year and every year in June, we go to Lake George, New York!