One of the constant themes in my life is vacation. We don't go on that many of them, since we're constrained by the kids' school schedules, but we spend an inordinate amount of time planning for them. My idea of a great vacation is a week at the Grand Wailea on Maui, where we cycle between a luxurious room and the best pool complex you've ever seen. It's ridiculously expensive, an expense you can cut by becoming a member -- which means you give them $3,000 of your dollars to hold on to for three years and, in return, they give you half price rooms. I'd also rather spend an expensive week in luxury there than two or more weeks shlepping around Europe the cheap way.
I'd almost talked my husband into another trip to Hawaii this spring, when he suggested Florida, instead, which I thought was a pretty darn find idea. I've never been to Florida, but I happen to be very fond of Disneyland. If I like Disneyland, I should like Disney World too, right?
So, now we're planning for that Florida vacation, with all the attendant decisions: Should we also go to Universal Studios? I hated the Universal Studios in LA, which I found loud and charmless, but I've been assured by several people that the Universal Studios in Florida is so wonderful, it's even better than Disney. Hard to imagine, but maybe they're right. Also, how much time should we allocate to the other Disney attractions, such as the Animal Kingdom Park or Epcot. Also, should we stay in a Disney hotel or go for a regular hotel near Disney. People recommend the former because it's easier to get to the park, but only three are on the monorail, and the rest simply have shuttle service -- in common with every other hotel near Disney. Decisions, decisions.
The biggest decision right now is whether to try to squeeze in time to go to the Everglades. My son has already announced that he's opposed to the idea, not because he doesn't like nature, but because of the alligators. Those Southern alligators are nothing to be sneezed at either (witness this swarm in Louisiana). Alligators may be interesting, but they are not our friends. Indeed, I recall reading about a series of alligator attacks in Florida within the last, two of which resulted in dead joggers, although for the life of me I can't track down that article.
If you're reading this, and you have an opinion about a Florida vacation with two elementary school aged children, please let me know.
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1 comment:
Hey! Thanks for the link!
I am not a fan of big theme parks, so I can't really answer to that, but I highly recommend a trip to Floriday with two elementary-aged children! I drove my boys from Oklahoma City to Pensacola, got a great rate on a small bungalow on the beach and spent very little money. We had a grand adventure exploring ocean life (take snorkles, it makes the experience 500 times better!), feeding seabirds, visiting large military ships, eating fresh shrimp - and then stopping in New Orleans for the cajun experience and visiting the marshes, bayous and alligators of Louisiana. My boys had the time of their life and I truly think it was better than Disney.
p.s. Make sure you stop by the roadside produce stands!
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