Have you had the best family vacation ever? One that you still talk and laugh about? Share your great vacation stories with TravelingMom.com during their #TMOM Twitter Party on Monday, November 28 from 9-10 pm ET and enter to win an iPad 2 and other prizes. Plus you’ll learn about another super prize that you don’t want to miss!
My best family vacation began with just me and my daughter, Alicia, who was 9 at the time. My then fiancee, Shawn, was stationed in Ft. Stewart, GA, and would meet up with us at the end of our trip. Although, Alicia and I had been living in Florida for about 4 years, we’d only traveled to the Orlando area. So, I decided to take her on a tour of Florida – from the Tampa Bay area to the Keys with a stop in Kissimee, where we’d meet up with Shawn. It was a car trip with talking, listening to the radio and watching the scenery were our entertainment.
Marco Island
We began our vacation with a short drive to Marco Island, where we stayed at the Marriott. This resort was luxurious, but I got a great deal by using good old AAA. In fact, I used their maps and their travel agent to make all of my reservations. (Remember, this was about 14 years ago.)
The hotel was right on the beach and had two pools. It was like heaven. Alicia loves the water and as soon as we got our room settled, we were off to spend time swimming. And that’s all we did during out 3 days on Marco Island – go from the beach to the pool. We’d eat a few small meals a day (from food I bought from a grocery store before we arrived on the island), get a snack from the hotel pool area and sit in the sun until the sun set. And sleep came easy each night after our days in the water.
Duck Key
Next, we were headed to Duck Key, near Marathon. When we pulled into the parking lot of Hawks Cay, it didn’t look like much, that is until we reached our room. The view was extraordinary! We faced the ocean, the lagoon and one of the pools. This was paradise and I was going to be sure that Alicia enjoyed it. I treated her to a Dolphin connection, which was brand new at the time. She wasn’t able to swim or even touch the dolphins, but got to help a trainer and be close to these beautiful creatures. We also went on a glass bottom boat ride, tried our hand at fishing, and swam in the lagoon and the pool. It was hard to leave when the time came.
Disney World
But, we knew we were going to see Shawn soon. Off we went to Disney World, which was our usual stomping ground. We stayed at All Stars Resort and requested a refrigerator for the room. I think it was an extra $5/day. The staff was very busy, so they told us they’d have someone bring in the fridge while we were out of the room and they’d stock it from our cooler. Off we went to enjoy ourselves at Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island. We didn’t get back for hours and no fridge. I called the front desk and within 15 minutes, someone came to our room. When he went to unload the cooler, he realized the food had spoiled. He excused himself and said he’d be back.
When he returned, he apologized. He handed me an envelope and told me there would be no cost for the fridge. Inside the envelope was $75 Disney credit for food. Shawn arrived the next day. We had a huge breakfast and spent the next 4 days at all of the parks and water parks. The weather was fabulous our entire trip, except for those old late afternoon rain showers. Alicia and I loved to watch the storms role in from the ocean. The trip didn’t cost that much because of the of the deals I got, but the time we spent together, the beautiful sites we saw, and the memories we made, will last a lifetime.
It didn’t matter that we vacationed in our own state, or took a car trip, or spent most of time at the beach, it was being with loved ones and getting time to do what we like. And that’s the magic of a fantastic family trip.
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TravelingMom Holiday Travel Double Take Giveaway
Between November 28 and December 10, Traveling Mom is offering its readers the chance to re-do a memorable holiday travel experience with a free family holiday vacation, courtesy of Capital One Venture. Share your stories with us and you could win a family vacation for four. The winner will get plane tickets for four and five nights in a hotel anywhere in the continental United States – a prize worth up to $5,000, courtesy of Capital One Venture. -http://bit.ly/ssy9TR
This post and the Twitter Party courtesy of Capital One Venture. My best family vacation story is true and contains my own opinions.
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It’s nice to see that you still find the time to go out on a vacation with your family in spite of the hectic schedule. Nice to see people going for that work-life balance. These are the things that we would remember when we grew old.
Caesar Parisi
the oaks homes recently posted..Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton
What a great story! Disney really came through – love that. I also love that you found beauty and relaxation not so far from home. I alway say that travel means leaving home – you don’t always have to go far.
We live an hour from Disneyland and make it up there at least 2 or 3 times a year. One week from today we’re actually head to Disney World! I’m so beyond excited! Can’t wait for tonight!
I love this story. I love the fact that you were able to spend some fun times with just your daughter. My mom and I did that a few times while I was growing up. They are some of my most special memories!!
Dana J Valle recently posted..work in progress….
sounds like you had a great time, that is awesome @tomgirlbc
Twitter: 89linz
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Well, I’m glad to hear that they made the situation better for you. It sounds like it was a really nice trip. Glad to hear it.
Lindsay recently posted..Game of Your Life Family Movie Giveaway
Twitter: MomMaven
says:
Sounds like a great trip.
Cindy recently posted..Black Friday 2011 #MyBFDeals
Twitter: Pamlovesbooks
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vacations are usually so much work for parents. but we are fortunate enough to get to go to Aruba. its my HAVEN!
pammypam recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Doggies!
Twitter: blm03
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I’m glad to see that they stepped up. And well, that you had a great time!
I’ve been to Duck Key: Great vacation spot! Our best family vacations usually involve Sanibel Island, FL. It’s a bit of a drive from our home in Atlanta (9-10 hours), but we love the nature, wildlife and focus on environmental conservation. We almost always see dolphins, and there are tons of birds, raccoons and the occasional alligator in the wildlife preserve. My daughter loves it!
Twitter: momof3boys3702
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Would love to go! Thanks for sharing your review.
Kelli recently posted..Are you a Reader? Can you write Reviews? I need you!
Twitter: terrilorah
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I love your story about Duck Key. We were in the keys a few years ago and wanted to get to see the Dolphins but we didn’t this time. Hopefully next time we go we can go.