My next stop? A 4-night Bahamian Cruise on the Disney Wonder, January 24-28 with my husband and our two kids!

Just like a vacation at any of the Disney Parks, cruising with the Disney Cruise Line is a different kind of experience.  Here are some of the reasons we chose to cruise with The Mouse:

--Lots of Disney character experiences-they are everywhere, both onboard & even on Disney's private island, Castaway Cay!  Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, and the Princesses all make appearances at the onboard parties, in the shows, and even at special Meet & Greets (photo opps, naturally!).  On 7-night cruises, they offer Character Breakfasts as well.  And all of your entertainment, including a Pirates IN the Caribbean party (don't forget to pack your pirate gear!) and different Disney show each night, is included in your cruise price.

--All of your meals & most beverages, including 24-hour room service, are included!  Did you know that many cruise lines charge for soft drinks?  Not on a Disney cruise. Everything but alcoholic beverages is included.  Also, Disney has 3 unique dining rooms that you rotate to each night of your cruise or you have the wonderful opportunity to dine without the kids in their luxurious, ADULTS-ONLY Palo restaurant. 

--Need time away from the kids?  Not a problem on a Disney ship (or on Castaway Cay).  The Oceaneer's Club (onboard) or Scuttle's Cove (Castaway Cay) for ages 3+ is also FREE OF CHARGE!  This is not just babysitting, either--kids can choose from a computer lab, dress-up, a reading area, a dance floor, movies, arts & crafts, and more at each & every visit! I know my 4 year old, William, is going to freak out when he sees this place...

--KIDS 0-17 SAIL FREE!  Why are we cruising in January?  Thanks to a Disney promotion, we saved around $700!  Kids 0-17 sail FREE on most 3 & 4-night Bahamian Cruises from January-April.  They frequently run this promotion for the Mediterranean cruises as well. 

I promise to have all sorts of helpful hints, photos, & more when I return--so stay tuned to find out what a Fish Extender is and why you might need one (and why I'll be frantically making one this week)... ;)

Spring & Summer vacations will be here before you know it!  Have you been thinking of where YOU would like to go?  Looking for something or someplace different or have a treasured spot you'd like to return to?  Let's talk--I really enjoy doing research for my clients (and remember, it doesn't cost you a thing!).  And, I work within YOUR budget! 

Here is just a sampling of the interesting adventures I'm planning for others:

I simply HAVE to start off by apologizing for the quality of the pictures in the Photo Gallery for this one!  Important lesson learned-don't leave your digital camera at home!  A $50 replacement digital camera from Walgreen's-well, let's just say that you definitely get what you pay for!  :) I suspect that a disposable camera might have given us better quality... 

We didn't make it to all the holiday festivities in Chicago BEFORE Christmas, so we took advantage of the time in between Christmas & New Year's (when the holiday festivities are still going strong, but about to wrap up!) to spend 2 nights in the Windy City! 

Waiting until the last-minute (literally the day before!) you travel can be rewarding-we paid $104.00 a night for a 1-bedroom suite with 2 double beds at the Comfort Inn Suites Downtown Chicago at 15 E. Ohio.  We chose a suite so we didn't have to go to bed at the same time as our 2 & 4 year old!  :) 

Some great benefits to staying at this hotel (other than the incredible price in downtown Chicago!!!):

We did a LOT over 3 jam-packed days in Chicago.  I think I feel comfortable saying good-bye to the holidays now... :)  Day 1 we hit the Museum of Science & Industry to see the Christmas Trees from Around the World (we have a membership and it is well worth it to not have to stand in line!).  Apparently this is one of the museum's busiest weeks of the year!  The evening of Day 1 was spent trying to get our 2 year old daughter, Victoria, to sleep.  Or stay in bed.  Or stop screaming.  Lather, rinse, repeat for a few hours...

Day 2 was all about Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest and trust me, you need to have a very patient, very long day to devote to that particular event!  We stood in line probably an average of 20-30 minutes (sometimes more, occasionally less!) for each ride (carousel, slide, train, ferris wheels)--thankfully everything was inside.  Activity wrist bands were $16.00 per person (adults or kids), but we had a coupon from their website for $13.00 per person (too bad the coupon never made it out of the van... ;)  ).  For another $3.00 per person, you can stand in line to ice skate too!  We finished off the day with a (free) trolley ride back to the hotel and dinner at the nearby Rainforest Cafe.

Day 3 wrapped up our Chicago Holiday Adventure with a trip to the Shedd Aquarium, where we also have a membership (do you see a trend here?).  If you haven't been to the Shedd recently, the renovations made to their dolphin & beluga show (Fantasea) and lower level with the Polar Play Zone for the kids are really amazing!  We always bring our lunch and eat downstairs by the belugas & dolphins to save some money and more waiting in line.

I can help your family plan even a quick local getaway--but sadly, I can't offer much advice on getting a 2-year old to sleep...