I'm such a peasant because I love my cash back card.

Pretty much impossible to fly business with two kids because all the fancy pants business class seats are now individual. The kids need to be with us 24/7

2900 CDN just landed back to YVR ....
oct 25 - Nov 30
cathay... FML.

For what ? Economy ? Jesus Christ. These flight prices are utterly insane.

I don't even care where I go anymore, just be patient and find something that works. I focus on business-class deals now.

Spent in total about 24k CAD and I have the family vacation for the next 2yrs done as far as air fare is concerned. 3 tickets... first is YVR-CDG. Then the other is the crazy mini-around the world CDG-YVR--(next summer)AKL--TYO (stop there for a few days and ticket 3 to TPE and back)----CDG and then back to YVR from ticket 1.

Sounds like a lot at 6k per person. But this is basically 2 full vacays that goes around the world and all in business. I think it's quite cheap for what it is. Just the miles I figured is worth 2k per person if redeemed for future trips.

PeanutButter must be dying reading that.

Vacation around Christmastime this year with 10 nights hotel in Anaheim, 4 days admission to Disneyland, will likely be $11k to $12k when all said and done. 2 adults 3 kids.
We always look for 'value' options, but there's only so much you can compromise on when travelling with kids. I feel like an idiot agreeing to this trip.

Summertime we load up on weekend trips to local campgrounds, as the costs of these getaways are minimal compared to flying somewhere. Family still has a great time camping thankfully.

Honestly, I’m not some crazy Disney adult but Disneyland is pretty fantastic

Whether it’s worth it might be questioned to some but I’d honestly rather go to Disneyland and spend a couple days in San Diego/santa Monica over going to some all-inclusive

Edit: Disneyland is pretty fantastic outside of peak season.

what are people's local (driveable) family vacation spots for those whom don't like to fly?

i've like sunshine coast & parksville/qualicum, though these days i'm not keen on taking a ferry

Main and Hastings is always a good trip to remind the kids to stay in school and say no to drugs.

Oregon coast baby! my favorite place on earth to be honest. :alone:

I think we blew 10k at disneyland for 3 people

4 days 3nights at disneyland, kid dance parade thing, grand Californian and genie pass

Seattle and Victoria are my go-to's. I have friends in both spots and there's lots to do in both.

I do love Parksville/Qualicum though - I'm sure my daughter would love the goats. I'd like to hit up Tofino at some point as well with my kid but I'm not sure there's enough there to keep her interested, I think I'd have to do it with another family.

How did you stay at grand Californian with 3 people for 10k? Lol

We stayed at Disneyland hotel and it’s like half the price of Grand Californian and still spent 10

Penticton/Osoyoos/Vernon are our go to spots during the Spring/Summer. Wineries, beautiful lakes, lots of sun.

Sunshine Coast (specifically Madeira Park area) and Parksville are fantastic as well, but you've been.

Sooke/Jordan River is also great, but alas, ferry.

Heard good things about Lake Chelan on the US/WA side too, but haven't been yet.

Idk about kid-friendly but I recently went to Nelson with Skunkworks and co. It was awesome seeing all the small towns and exploring new roads (and sights).

We went to small towns like Tulameen, Coalmont, and Salmo which look like they're right out of the Wild Wild West. We took a ferry from Balfour to Crawford Bay on BC's longest free ferry ride. Greenwood is super cool, apparently it's BC's smallest town or smt and has the best drinking water (voted by 500 residents lol).

But I guess my idea of cool is exploring things I don't normally see like small town stuff. Btw skip Trail, it literally looks like what you would imagine Saskatchewan to look like. I put on a country playlist and really got immersed into the environment.

3 day weekend getaway, around $1K? Accommodation, gas, and food (dining out and groceries).

Nelson is on our list for next year, how were the lakes and such?

Heard all the hippy foods spots in Nelson are pretty cool.

Nelson ?!
https://media.tenor.com/bmL21Em6rzsA...a-ha-point.gif

thanks for the suggestions all, i've done a lot of 'em already, short of a few suggestions

seattle is great (science centre + zoo), also done tofino/uclulet, and port renfrew... but ya that ferry is making me weary these days :lol

don't worry dukes, skytrained to the QE Theatre with the family once and they got that experience just getting off at stadium... my kids are so sheltered :lol

yes i miss the oregon coast, but don't miss the ~8hr drive :lol

People tell me Hornby Island is the Hawaii of Canada... but it takes three ferries to get there.

If you want a nice getaway with multiple families, we stayed in Yale, BC at this airbnb.

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/37817155...b-507b88323e42

It was a huge property with tons of space for everyone and the kids. The kids had a blast and there were enough hikes around that gave us something to do. It felt like camping with a house. We made a fire every night, kids LOVED that.

If you can get a couple families together, I think you would really enjoy it.

Airbnb is the devil bro, you should be staying at home with your kids

That type of thing is bye bye with the new legislation. Hope everyone knows somebody with a cabin

What’s crazy is like.. probably half the people I knew growing up had a cabin or a rec property, the VAST majority within 5 hours of the lower mainland.

Now everyone makes wayyyy more than those households did and buying a second property within 5 hours of Vancouver is a not even a passing thought. Or.. If you can afford to buy a second place in these times, that’s where you vacation, period.

What do you mean by airbnb being the devil?

The interesting thing about that place is the couple who runs it lives on the property in some sort of lane way house there, so I think it is still considered their principle residence.

Just being a dick ie. airbnb is responsible for housing crisis

I love airbnb, 60+ stays

chill vibe but a good amount of gulf island travels feel wasted if youre not into kayak/boat/fishing

i like the san juan islands too. USA ferries are so so much more affordable than canadian ferries and it makes a day trip to San juan island totally feasible.