Trying to decide on whether to take the vacation? Here are some things to keep in mind.

DISCLAIMER: I am by no means responsible for any decisions you may make, any vacation that you could take that could go downhill – what is stated below are all of m opinions.

I recently heard by a person that I absolutely love listening to, talk about Disney DVC and she said no matter what you’re doing for vacation, that a VACATION IS AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR FAMILY and I thought wow how true is this. This has been my life motto, something that I have been living by since having babies.

Got little kids? Big Kids? Afraid of making the plunge? DO IT. This is precious time you will never get back. It doesn’t have to be perfect or expensive – you’re family won’t remember the imperfections they will remember the adventure taken with you. It is a way to easily CONNECT and bond with your family.

Issues financially? Frugal family? Wanting to save for future? It all comes down to how much vacations mean to you also… there are ways to save for it and budget for it. If it’s that important to either spouse then it should be something that is alotted for.

With all the hustle and bustle of the normal day-to-day work and school, the best thing you can do is take time for plain family fun making memories. Everyone needs time to JUST HAVE FUN WITH THEIR FAMILIES. Your children need time with you, just you for enjoyment, having fun together, making memories together which you can provide each and every single day but vacation is unique and it helps us rest, recover and grow inside – together.

MY MOST CHERISHED MEMORIES AS A CHILD

I am someone who grew up with a family who had a camper in-tow; my Dad was so fortunate and lucky enough to take all of his vacation time at once – 3 weeks every July. We could take our time venturing off into many of the United States and saw places like Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Bay of Fundy in Canada, Chincoteague Island in Virginia, Myrtle Beach SC, Outer Banks NC, some parts of Maine. We always went to Lake George in NY every summer because my Dad had an aunt that lived in Ticonderoga NY. We even ventured down to Disney World when I was in second grade. THESE TRAVELS ARE MY MOST CHERISHED MEMORIES AS A CHILD.

My Grandmother used to travel the world with her twin sister and other sisters and growing up I didn’t think I would be one to enjoy traveling but when I had a family of my own I learned how really special it is and how exciting.

PASSING THIS ONTO MY CHILDREN

With everything that happened in the world during 2020 and how we went into shutdown / lockdown I felt so fortunate, thankful and blessed that I was able to have taken my children on as many vacations as they have been on. Yes we are truly a Disney World family – we enjoy it ever so much. My husband and I went to Disney World on our honeymoon and the year after, and I just could not wait to get our children there. We did not start taking them there until my youngest Nicky was 2 years old.

We did however vacation down in Wildwood Crest every summer – we live in North NJ. There are times where I wish we had branched out but we had some bigger financial struggles when our children were so small so that was all we could afford and I am grateful for the wonderful memories we made down there. My children love the water, the ocean and swimming – we are all fish.

We started taking our children to Disney in Spring 2013 when Mikey just turned 5 and Nicky was 2 heading towards 3. Since my husband and I were married late April we experienced the amazing weather Florida has in April. Since then we have taken our children in 2015, 2016, 2017, and three times in 2019 – well the last time in 2019 was New Year’s Eve so we were technically there in 2020.

DAY TRIPS COUNT TOO – CREATING WELL CULTURED CHILDREN

WE were also fortunate enough to have visited several zoos, aquariums, museums, water parks, theme parks like Sesame Place and Dorney Park. We were even lucky enough to have had short vacations to Hershey Park.

Day trips into NYC to see the Broadway plays Aladdin and the Rockettes were absolutely incredible day trips. We got to explore parts of NYC it was incredible. So much fun and so many amazing memories!

During the time of the quarantine I felt so lucky and grateful that we were fortunate enough to have taken our kids so many wonderful places and had the experiences we had. Especially since we lost a year of traveling with them. Nicky was 9 going on 10 and Mikey had just turned 12 when the Corona Virus hit the US.

LIST OF PLACES I HAVE TRAVELED TO / VACATION IDEAS

• Yellowstone National Park
• Mount Rushmore / Crazy Horse
• Myrtle Beach South Carolina
• Dollywood – TN
• Nashville – TN
• Outer Banks North Carolina
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg / Historic Jamestown
• Lake George / Ticonderoga NY
• Chincoteague Island Virginia
• Disney World – stayed in Jelly Stone Campground
• Bay of Fundy Canada
• Maine Beaches
• Howe Caverns NY

PLACES WE HAVE TAKEN OUR CHILDREN BOTH DAY TRIPS and VACATION IDEAS

• Disney World
• Legoland Florida
• Wildwood Crest, and Boardwalk
• Cape May NJ
• Sunset Beach Cape May NJ
• Cape May Lighthouse NJ
• Hershey Park PA
• Dorney Park PA
• Busch Kill Falls PA
• Land of Make Believe NJ
• Sesame Place PA
• Morris Museum NJ
• The Museum of Natural History NY
• Liberty State Park NJ
• Aladdin NYC (Broadway) for when that opens back up
• The Rockettes NYC (Broadway)
• Legoland Discovery Center Yonkers NY
• Adventure Aquarium NJ
• Maritime Aquarium CT
• Cape May Zoo
• Bronx Zoo
• Turtle Back Zoo
• Space Farms Zoo
• Philadelphia Zoo
• Liberty Science Center NJ
• Van Saun Zoo and Park in Bergen County NJ
• Brook Hallow Barnyard in Boonton NJ
• Point Pleasant Boardwalk, NJ
• Jenkinson’s Aquarium Point Pleasant Boardwalk, NJ
• Seaside Heights Boardwalk, NJ
• Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area, NJ
• Knoebels Amusement Park, PA

AM I JEALOUS OF EVERYONE’S UPDATED KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS?

Well heck yes I would love to have a beautiful home updated with the newest appliances, gorgeous flooring, kitchens and bathrooms but would I ever take back our travels instead – NO, NEVER!

To the people who can afford both GOD BLESS THEM. Can we afford to both? NO. Do I regret it? Absolutely without a doubt NO. We can always update the house and have a beautiful home when our children are grown but will I care about it then, probably not because I enjoy adventuring too much.

YOU DON’T JUST HAVE TO GO TO DISNEY WORLD

As much as we love Disney World it is a small fortune every time we go. There are so many other places to vacation with your family that is more than half the cost.

We just all LOVE going to Disney – there is nothing so magical and nothing like it in the world. My husband also does not like the beach and cannot swim so Disney is a place where we are ALL happy. We also love the dining aspect of Disney World.

Disney World is not just your typical theme park. It is not just rides, but Disney World is encompassed of SMELLS, SIGHTS, SOUNDS, TASTES, EXPERIENCES, EDUCATION, – really a full body experiences. This is known as the “DISNEY BUBBLE” people speak of and you won’t really know what it is until you experience it for yourself, staying inside a Disney World Resort.

YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE THOSE TREASURED MEMORIES AND TIME SPENT TOGETHER 💓

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This is time – now, right now. You are not going to get this time back. Money will always be ready to be made. Work will be there when you get back. No matter where you choose to go, you are making the most cherished memories with precious time that you will treasure forever. I am a firm believer in experiences over things and I just love our family time spent together because our children are growing so fast – I cannot believe how fast time is going.

If you’re worried about distancing there are plenty of options to still vacation like for example maybe visiting the Smokey Mountains, or a beach vacation – so many adventures out there to explore!

What are your ideas for family trips this spring and summer?!

Check out my blog on Travel Necessities for Summer 2021 by clicking here!

Here is my vlog on Summer Travel Necessities:

It says for people who have POTS but this video is really for everyone since it will be a summer of wearing masks in the heat – we all need extra tips for keeping cool this summer!