As the start of the school year is ushered in, so begins the "unofficial" end of summer. I'm not sure exactly how I feel about it yet. I remember those days when I was in school and I would spend the vast majority of my summer vacation with my brother and sister and the weekends either camping, or at the park or at the lake/beach. Now as an adult, I see the painful other side of the "highly anticipated" summer vacation. As a parent, I need to stay blissfully aware of what my daughter is doing and making sure that she did not turn into a tv zombie. Thankfully she didn't. Being at work all day, every day didn't exactly allow for special Mommy/Daughter bonding time. This summer, being one of the hottest ones on record, allowed her to spend days on end at the local water/spray park, a few days at the beach and even a few outings with friends. Add to that our trip to Canobie Lake Park, and our 3 day mini-vacation to Six Flags, it made for a pretty good summer.
Now, as we enter a new month I am even more excited to embrace the planning of this vacation even more. I'm even thinking of adding a second trip next summer for Bella and I. This Mommy/Daughter trip has been eluding us for two years now and I'm anxious to spend the time with my baby girl. But for now, I will keep content with planning this upcoming vacation.
So, with 200+ days to go, my next obstacle is to choose the Resort. So many different ones to choose from!! I've been fortunate enough to have stayed at Disney's All-Star Music, Port Olreans Riverside (both as POR and as Dixie Landings), Pop Century, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. I could very easily stick with Pop Century since we like it, it's extremely fun and entertaining and the price is just right. However after some hemming and hawwing, I'm thinking a change might be in order. I could spend a little more money and stay at the Caribbean Beach (in a pirate themed room perhaps) or Port Orleans French Quarter (talk about elusive...I've been wanting to try this one FOREVER!!!). Then again there is the option of paying even a little more to stay at the family suites at All-Star Music. We'd have more room to move around and not feel so claustrophobic. Then there is the option of paying even MORE money and staying Deluxe. I've dreamed of staying in a tower room at the Contemporary or a Suite at Disney's Boardwalk or even in a spacious room at the Grand Floridian, but costwise, not exactly in the family budget.
So I pose the question...is it better to stay in a less expensive room and have more money to spend, OR is it better to get a swanky, spacious room and spend a little less time or money while on vacation? Me, personally? I would rather split and do both hotel options. I think I might have to stew on this a while longer.
