Vacations

There is 1 for SURE plan.

Canada.

There are many places in Canada but this is one of the ones I associate the most with it, as it’s just a little bit of a drive from where I’m from.  We aren’t sure about flying or driving yet.  I need to talk to my mother about that this weekend.  Since we’ve got a two year old (at that time) we’re leaning towards paying out the you know what and flying then renting a car. We’ll see.  If Officer is still at the Fairmont we’re planning on staying a night or two at the Royal York in Toronto.  Otherwise Toronto will be a day trip.  

This one is probably not going to happen, but I need to be ready just in case.  Which irritates me-the unknowing part but….it’s for my sister’s wedding so I guess that’s ok, lol.  But that would be…

Ocean City New Jersey.  But the last time we talked about it my sister said she was leaning towards a hotel in Atlantic City instead so we’ll see. She lives really close to Atlantic City, but originally wanted the wedding in Ocean City or May’s Landing.

And finally my "real" vacation ideas.  As I mentioned a while back I got a wild hair that I want to see Disneyland.  Then I priced it.  Ick.  Then I pried the exact same thing at Disney World, adding in dining because unlike Disneyland, the dining plan at Disney World is NOT a complete rip off.  It came out to nearly $1000 cheaper.  So I made a phone call and managed to get military discounts in place…and a 4 day trip to this fantastic place…

For right at $1100.  Not including tickets, we can get tickets for about 30% off from the military base.  That price does include the deluxe dining plan though (3 "table" or "Quick" service meals-table are sit down restaurants, Quick service are fast food style per person per night.  A meal includes drink, appetizer (if on menu) main course and dessert (if on menu) as well as 2 snacks a day-snack can be drink, ice cream, candy, fruit, whatever that isn’t a meal (like a burger, but it can be a side of french fries or a hot dog.).  This is pretty much on hold and awaiting a credit card to solidify it.  My only reservation?  Airfare doubles the cost of it.  Not nearly, not just about.  Airfare is actually MORE than the vacation itself to one of the most expensive places on earth.  

So that got me looking around…and one day this weekend Officer asked me "Tell me again why we aren’t just taking a cruise for our trip?" Meaning the non-Canada, non Jersey trip. Because while we both REALLY want to go to Disney, we’re not 100% on board with going there with a 2 year old.  I’m ok with the day time stuff, especially if we stay on property.  It’s the whole nighttime routine.  She’s too young for the Activity Center’s so we’d either have to bring a sleeping child-who’s a very light sleeper anyways to fireworks with us.  Or sit there in a hotel room starting around 8pm each night.  Which is fine as we’re prone to sloth like activities anyways…but the reason we’re getting a good deal on the room?  Is because it’s tiny. Well not TINY, but it’s a standard room, so no balcony or extra room to hang out in.  We’d literally have to sit there.

At least I think so.  I mean I’ve never really done that before, taken a trip with a small child.

So I looked at Disney Cruises because they are still going out of Galveston but they are typically really expensive, in comparison with Carnival as they go to the same ports (with ONE exception, Costa Maya). I priced the only one left for 2014, which looks like it’s the last one as Disney apparently is not moving forward with the Disney cruises in Galveston and since it’s in early January. It’s cheap.  Also it’s a 4 day cruise.  So for what we’d spend in airfare and at Disney….we  could get a NICE room on board this ship…

And I really want to do that.  I’ve been curious about them for a while and I’ve always said I won’t pay airfare to go on a cruise when they go out of Galveston because really…most cruises have very similar excursions.  This one in fact goes to Cozumel and what do you know each of the excursions are exactly the same as the ones offered by Carnival so if we go we’re staying on board after a trip to the duty free on shore.  Most cruise ships have very similar features as it’s a highly competitive industry.  I’m curious about Disney because I love all things Disney but I can’t in good faith pay so much to fly to Florida as well as the cost of a cruise when there are boats that go out less than a 5 hour drive away.  

So we’re leaning towards canceling the Disney World trip in favor of booking a suite, which will be more than the trip to Disney World BUT…since we’d be going with a nearly 2 1/2 year old we’re pretty sure between nap time and early bedtimes we’re going to be spending some time in the room.  Which we tend to do anyways on a cruise.  

So those are my choices. Well really the only choice is between cruise and Disney World.  And frankly I’m leaning towards the cruise.

I have a little bit of time before I’ll be making a choice, at the very earliest April 1st.  I’m certain that I can get similar pricing on Disney World again if I call back as she mimicked the Military promotion going on now-but she couldn’t do that because it expires in September.

Anyways…so it’s late.  And I’m tired.  I’ve got a lot to mull over.  Any input is of course appreciated!