alright, here goes...

my family and i want to take a vacation soon...income tax and all that. thing is, i've never really done that before. i don't know anything about traveling, and i want to make sure we get a decent deal.

it'll be me, my adult daughter, and four kids ages 14, 11, 7, and 5. we do not have time to get passports, so we'll need to travel somewhere that doesn't require them.

we'd like to go sometime in march, preferably the last week (spring break).

any ideas? we'd love something like a cruise, but it's totally negotiable.

<---- works in the travel industry I'm a hotel gm, I would be happy to help in any way I can.

My girlfriend is a travel agent and she specializes in cruises... Email me your email and I'll have her contact you..

Here's my suggestions...
as far as a cruise, remember, unless you live in a city ( IDK where you live ) that has a port for a cruise ship, you'll be paying the extra travel expense to fly everyone to the port and back home again.
Every 'destination area' such as Orlando, or Wisconsin Dells for example has some killer deals going on because the travel industry is sooo down right now.
Do your research!!!! Look online but pay attention, alot of the deals out there may be pre paid only. Non Changable and NON REFUNDABLE. So unless you're very certain you won't be changing your plans at all, I wouldn't take that route.
I get calls all the time from upset customers that need to change or cancel their prepaid reservations and because they booked it thru a 3rd party ( website or travel agent ) I can't help them.
When you find a deal you're interested in, CALL the hotel and see what they are offering as well. Right now is a great time to negotiate deals.

we'd be flying out of LIT in little rock.

what is wisconsin dells?

we've been searching like mad, lol...i figure we'll spend about two weeks or so doing research and then go ahead and make the jump.

i've considered doing the disney thing, but that might a bit TOO kid-oriented. it might drive us nuts.

check out winsconsin dells online. Thats somewhere you could drive to...
It's a major major water park. There's really alot of things to do there and they are running some very good deals. You could make a whole week of fun out there for sure.

http://wisdells.com/

thanks, jill...i'm checking it out as we speak. looks pretty promising, actually...

i've never heard of such a thing, lol.

it's really alot of fun and there's so much to do and see for the whole family. Without it being geared toward just "little kids" like Disney World.

my eldest is 24, and she would like the two of us to be able to have some nightlife fun, as well.

the website's pretty informative.

oh you will find that there too trust me

My advice to you is talk to the locals.
If you find a hotel or resort that you're interested in, call the hotel and talk to them. Ask them about the night life in the area. What kinds of things are close they would recommend. Then you can look those places up online as well and see what you think.

I was born there, well in Friendship anyways. Awesome place its probably the largest waterpark in the country. If you go there be sure to take the cruise down the dells mabe even ride the ducks lol

Theres also a couple casinos close for the big kids

I wouldn't think the Dells would be much fun during spring break.


It might still be snowing there or at least very cold.

Hello,lulu,
my daughter is a travel agent and she would be able to set you up with a nice cruises and you don't need a pass port rite now and on some cruises ships kids go free at some age group,she is in her office on wed. and thusdays,but she dose have a lady that is there on m,t,f,it is her office,but she is also asst.manger of a store we have here,but she go's to her office on her days off,if you would like to look up her site here it is( "seabreezesvacation.com")or .net
both will get you there,to get something for springbreak you better get it now or they will be all booked up,I have been on 5 cruises and have the time of my life,and some cruises has a kids group that keeps them busy with all kinds of stuff,and you don't have to warry about the kids being safe with out you,the people on there keep them safe.
well I hope this helps you out,and have fun,my daughters name is Janice Nelson, Take Care! Rosie,

OK,,have YOU ever been to a BEACH????

well,,,times-up,,,lol YOU must be working tonight,,wink

My best for ya,,really.

Rent a travel Van,,drive down to other Panama City Beach,,,or THE BEST,,,,Key West, Florida,,,,

Just the drive to Key West,,is the most beautiful scenes,,,YOUR family will EVER SEE here in the states...

I know,,I HAVE SEEN THEM ALL,,,wink..

Panama City Beach is a bit wild and FULL at the time of college Spring Break season,,but OMG,,girl its just so damn COOL,,
Beautiful white sand beaches, with EVERYTHING your kids or YOU would want to do,,wet parks, surfing, dolphin island where you all get to get in the water with real wild dolphines and play with them feed them and pick some pretty shells to take back home,,
Go sailing, water boarding, helocopter rides, boat rides, sea fishing, great sun,,,and clean beaches,,,,all and everything to eat,,pretty cheap to,,,,
IT would be forever remembered by your kids and I am SURE,,they would have such GREAT FUN there,,and cheap motels to find also...

For a grand,,,,YOU ALL COULD have a WEEK of pure great fun...
thats NOT including the Van and gas charges,,,wink..

Look it up on the web,,,the beach there has MANY live CAMS so YOU GUYS could see and feel the place out,,,now from your home...

Considering the ages you are involving I would suggest considering St.Louis, Mo. St. Louis has a great variety of attractions noteably the GateWay Arch and a world class zoo. Atlanta's Stone Mtn. Park is another. If you are looking for a break from chill Atlanta is usually quite comfortable that time of year.

If it is your first vacation, possibly flight, you are not going to enjoy dragging that many people through several stops or a long flight. Definately pack light, Buy some of your needs once you get there and if you can mail some of the stuff home rather than drag it back when you are going to be tired. It may be even better to rent a luxury van and drive or take a train but keep in mind gas expense and defintely do not skip the insurance.

I can't stress how important it is to really think about your accomodations and if they are kid friendly. Holiday Inns have long term been my favorite for family vacations and conferences for good reasons. Saving you a bundle on their shuttle service from the airport to your hotel is only one reason. Tipping the driver well for handleing your luggage makes it much more likely that they will be considerate about shuttleing you to some of the near by sites such as shopping malls and nearby night life. Most Mass transit systems honor week or monthly passes from other systems. Easy to check on line. Mass Transit can be easily researched on line. On premises dining. indoor pools/play areas, and even inhouse clubs can be a huge plus.

Don't count on Contenital breakfasts to be available if you are not and early riser at the lower cost spots. Believe me a cheap room is no bargain if you have drunken partyiers or pimps pounding on your door scareing the heck out of you or vomiting on your car or breaking into it. Don't touch the mini bar or pay for movies; huge mark up. Don't count on kids being able to sleep together on the road if they don't at home. Sometimes having ajoining rooms or a suite make it a better vacation for all. Even if you are out and about most of your day it is still your home for your time there.

Traveling with kids you want to do your homework and know where to turn in your vacation destination if illness or injury strikes. Carry your home pediatrians numbers and enough medications if you get stranded longer than you expect. Definitely carry asthma or ear ache medications. Having current photos and Id tags for kids (easy to make at WalMart or Pet store kiosks) is worth their weight in gold if you get seperated in the excitement of all kinds of interesting goings on. Pet heart tags or even luggage tags are easy to put on kids, luggage, expensive coats, back packs, and even a stroller which would not be a bad idea traveling with a group if you don't want to end up being a pack animal. Be sure and include your destination residence since you are not going to be home. Put your home phone on forward to a trusted and available friend.

Most states allow persons of any age to have a state ID card made at your local DMV.

Know it is not the happiest vacation thought but definitely have a and advanced directive, will, and a guardian appointed for all minor children before you leave. While most states have innerstate compacts to return children it is much easier for local police or hospitals to release your child to the person you wish if it is in your medical records and they have the documents they need. You can always change it later but you sure don't want your children stuck in a shelter or foster home in limbo in a crisis situation.

Last but not least plan a vacation budget. Be realistic about planning lodgeing and food costs and allow enough to really enjoy yourself and all the incidentals that pop up in travel. Telling a thirsty child you can't afford yet another drink or they can only watch the other kids enjoy the amenities where you are is no fun. Neither is being sicker than a dog and having to wait for a return flight because it is not possible to turn in your discount ticket for and earlier flight. Even less fun is paying off a vacation after the fact. Resist the temptation of chargeing or buying souviners that you can buy at WalMarts or your local Disney Store or later from a catolog if you just can't live without that breakable at the travel stores/resturants or airports. Keep in mind if you are on your first vacation it is probably not your one and only chance at a family vacation so don't bury yourself in debt.

LuLu,,,you are MISSING from your post my dear,,,







OH WHERE OH WHERE has my lulu gone or where oh where can she be'''''''''''''''''''''''''''