I love credit cards so much!

[Ngwira]

We've done GC twice now...so our plan is a quick 5 night trip to se Page AZ area. I've been wanting to get there for a while now... Love this area of the country..red rocks are my thing! just trying to decide which airport works best for SWA...I guess either Vegas or PHX are about 4 hours drive....

We did Page in February. Flew into LAS on SW.. we did Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon. It is amazing.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

We did Page in February. Flew into LAS on SW.. we did Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon. It is amazing.

Was Horseshoe Bend a difficult hike? My cousin raves about it but reading reviews I wasn’t sure I could make the hike with a bad knee so we skipped it.

 

[schmass]

Our first cruise was a three-night DCL cruise that we did as a split-stay with WDW, to check out whether we would like it or not. I really wasn't sure about the whole cruise thing because we are not beach people at all, but this was at the time DCL was starting to offer more destination-based itineraries. Everyone absolutely loved the cruise and we booked the Panama Canal cruise while we were still on board the first cruise. Up until last year (when my kids' schedules got too unpredictable), we always had an upcoming reservation that we had booked on board. If you can cruise at non-peak times, DCL is not outrageously more expensive than the other cruise lines, especially given how much they offer in terms of the kids' clubs.

This sounds so similar to us! DH and I booked a 4 night Dream cruise followed by 3 nights at WDW to see if we liked cruising. I think we were on the ship for less than an hour when DH said "WHY have we never done this before???" We weren't smart enough to book another cruise while onboard, but we did end up buying DVC when we got to WDW!

 

[Ngwira]

My dh is the packer too. I'm not allowed I just set it all out and he fits it together like a puzzle. I have to admit that he's actually really good. For a family of six, we travel with very few pieces of luggage. He's the same with a moving van. It's shocking how much he can fit in one.

Sorry for all you ladies who have dh's who aren't too keen on Disney vacations. My dh loves going and he loves everything Disney but the increased crowds the last few years are getting to him more and more. I think he might be at a point where he'd welcome a non-Disney vacation but we both know we would be disappointed. We really only get one big vacation a year so it's hard to give up Disney knowing it would be two years before we could get back.

The downside to having a Disney loving DH is the fact that Disney is not cheap and DH has no concept of how much our trips cost. Of course I made the mistake of starting him at the Grand Floridian so our trips can be really expensive. Should’ve started him offsite or at an All Star lol. But he told me he probably wouldn’t return if I had done that!

 

[Ngwira]

This sounds so similar to us! DH and I booked a 4 night Dream cruise followed by 3 nights at WDW to see if we liked cruising. I think we were on the ship for less than an hour when DH said "WHY have we never done this before???" We weren't smart enough to book another cruise while onboard, but we did end up buying DVC when we got to WDW!

We actually prefer the parks! We did a 3 day cruise on the Dream and while nice, we were kinda bored after Day 1.

 

[schmass]

We actually prefer the parks! We did a 3 day cruise on the Dream and while nice, we were kinda bored after Day 1.

Oh wow, really? We love both the cruises and the parks. Last year we did the cruise from NYC that stopped at Castaway Cay and WDW and I was in heaven. Having a day at WDW as an excursion and then getting back onto the ship was amazing.

 

[Ngwira]

Was Horseshoe Bend a difficult hike? My cousin raves about it but reading reviews I wasn’t sure I could make the hike with a bad knee so we skipped it.

Well it does require a steep hike up onto the hill to get the best vantage point. You can’t see it from street level. It’s about a 10 minute hike. I’d give it a 5 out of 10.

 

[WVMomof3]

Exactly! With us having 4 kids spread over 10/11 years, it can be hard to meet everyone where they are at in one vacation destination...My girls may be into Europe but not my boys...We'd all appreciate the beauty of the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone but after a day, I think a few would be bored...Sitting on a beach is entertaining for a day...Been to other theme parks and always leave wishing they were as good as Disney...We can't do anywhere that requires a lot of walking unless you can easily push wheels...NYC is an option but girls more into it than boys (same for DC)...So, Disney consistently is our pick. Always a good time even when there are a few hiccups

I think it is blasphemy on this forum for me to say that we enjoyed our 2 week out west vacation more than any Disney vacation. We do like Disney and I think DH and I are equal on our like of it, but I have grown irritated with it. I hate the that you have to plan FP and meals months in advance, it would be cold day in %$%# before I paid extra for any type of party ticket, and it is just plain exhausting. We averaged 10 miles a day for 6 days, even having a couple hour break each day. Though I would rather go go go then lay on a beach. I didn't mind the digital FPs as much as I thought, but my DH was irritated with me because I was constantly trying for another instead of fully enjoying the current ride or show. I don't know if Disney has increased in price so much, or just life in general, but I definitely feel like we could afford it more 10 years ago. We could not have done this last trip without CC rewards.

Our out west vacation was the perfect blend of activity and still having some relaxation time. And it was so beautiful. Maybe since you live out that way it is not the same as seeing on vacation. We did a lot of hiking, so I can see where you would have problems with that with your DD. I can also see where it would be hard to please all of your age range. My DS liked it the least, he would rather go to any type of Amusement park (Disney, Universal, Cedar point) but he does talk about going back. He wants to make it to the bottom of the GC, he is mad we only did halfway down. You should go on a girls trip to NYC with your girls! Have done that before and it was great.

We do love other theme parks too. I have actually enjoyed our Universal trips much more than Disney. I think because we can make them shorter and still do everything and it is both relaxing and on the go fun but not terribly exhausting. We loved Busch Gardens Williamsburg. And nothing can compare to Cedar Point if you like thrill rides. Luckily DH and I agree on our no love for the beach. I don't like the water and he doesn't like the sand. lol So no beach vacations for us.

I also get zero help on the planning so I am still trying to figure out where to go next. My current wants are Pacific Northwest, Colorado, Costa Rica or Europe. Decisions decisions.

 

[Ngwira]

Oh wow, really? We love both the cruises and the parks. Last year we did the cruise from NYC that stopped at Castaway Cay and WDW and I was in heaven. Having a day at WDW as an excursion and then getting back onto the ship was amazing.

Yes I guess we prefer a more active vacation. DCL just sent me an email for a VGT rate.. 20 percent off for fall sailings in September. Needless to say I deleted the email.

 

[AmyAnne]

This sounds so similar to us! DH and I booked a 4 night Dream cruise followed by 3 nights at WDW to see if we liked cruising. I think we were on the ship for less than an hour when DH said "WHY have we never done this before???" We weren't smart enough to book another cruise while onboard, but we did end up buying DVC when we got to WDW!

Congrats on pulling the trigger on DVC. I have seriously researched DVC at least 3 times over the past 15 years but never could make the final decision to buy. It would have been a really good investment 15 years ago. But my family is totally attached to AKL, and at first there wasn't DVC there, and then when they did build, the room configurations just wouldn't work (my oldest was almost 6 feet tall at age 14; I need 5 beds).

 

[WVMomof3]

Yes I guess we prefer a more active vacation. DCL just sent me an email for a VGT rate.. 20 percent off for fall sailings in September. Needless to say I deleted the email.

DH and I have done one cruise and we were bored. I think I would like to try another before writing them off completely. I’m sure it depends on the ship. We were on a smaller Carnival. I liked the ports, but we felt like there was not a lot to do on the boat itself. I think I would like it more with friends also. We are a pretty boring couple. Lol

 

[Ngwira]

Was Horseshoe Bend a difficult hike? My cousin raves about it but reading reviews I wasn’t sure I could make the hike with a bad knee so we skipped it.

You may want to look into the Grand Staircase Escalante. On our way back from Page, we passed this magnificent rock formation. It’s massive. We have a trip booked for Spring Break next year and we intend to do Zion (I want to hike Angels Landing and the Narrows) and Bryce to see the hoodos.

 

[wendow]

The downside to having a Disney loving DH is the fact that Disney is not cheap and DH has no concept of how much our trips cost. Of course I made the mistake of starting him at the Grand Floridian so our trips can be really expensive. Should’ve started him offsite or at an All Star lol. But he told me he probably wouldn’t return if I had done that!

We started out at BLT .big mistake. Now we are resort snobs lol.

 

[schmass]

Congrats on pulling the trigger on DVC. I have seriously researched DVC at least 3 times over the past 15 years but never could make the final decision to buy. It would have been a really good investment 15 years ago. But my family is totally attached to AKL, and at first there wasn't DVC there, and then when they did build, the room configurations just wouldn't work (my oldest was almost 6 feet tall at age 14; I need 5 beds).

Thanks, it was a good decision for us. We bought before we had kids and then last year we added on more points via resale. We stayed at Beach Club Villas for a night post-cruise and realized we loved it there and needed to own BCV!

 

[Ngwira]

DH and I have done one cruise and we were bored. I think I would like to try another before writing them off completely. I’m sure it depends on the ship. We were on a smaller Carnival. I liked the ports, but we felt like there was not a lot to do on the boat itself. I think I would like it more with friends also. We are a pretty boring couple. Lol

We have similar vacation styles as the beach bores us to tears. I can’t get excited over the Caribbean lol.. I will say that Castaway Cay is impressive.

 

[wendow]

Yes I guess we prefer a more active vacation. DCL just sent me an email for a VGT rate.. 20 percent off for fall sailings in September. Needless to say I deleted the email.

got the same email! My dh worries we'd miss the park time too but i would at least like to try one and see.

 

[Ngwira]

got the same email! My dh worries we'd miss the park time too but i would at least like to try one and see.

Well if you’re gonna cruise, Disney is how you cruise!! They have fricking cast members waiting outside the dining room to hand you a wet wipe before you go in to eat.. lol
You are pampered like no where else.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

We actually prefer the parks! We did a 3 day cruise on the Dream and while nice, we were kinda bored after Day 1.

I’m so afraid this will be us. I’m hoping not since we will be on an Alaska cruise and excursions should be great. But I have a feeling we’ll be one and done.

 

[elgerber]

I haven't really done any Prime Day purchasing, but I have spent a small fortune at Target today! Ds is buying his first place and needs everything, so I ordered him a vaccum, pressure cooker, toaster, foreman grill etc LOL, then decided I wanted an Air Fryer.

On another note, I saw Hilton gave me 399 points for a purchase with my AMEX Ascend, then says I returned it so they took away 1692 points. Nevermind that the math there makes no sense, but I didn't use my card in June, and I haven't used it since mid 2017!! So while looking into that, they tell me you made a purchase and returned it. So I replied, first, why would you take away 4 times the points you gave me for the purchase, and second, I already told you I haven't made a purchase in a year.
So today they get back to me and say basically the same thing, and they noticed I also got 25000 credited, so they will have to escalate to have that looked at too. Well that is legit, it was a referral from someone on this thread using my link. UGH. They best not try to take those away.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Well it does require a steep hike up onto the hill to get the best vantage point. You can’t see it from street level. It’s about a 10 minute hike. I’d give it a 5 out of 10.

Hmm. I hiked a bit into the Grand Canyon but the descriptions were that HC was a difficult hike in sand. Maybe I’ll try it if we ever get there again.