Vacationing for Americans is a unique institution unto itself. Some of our family’s best stories are of the trials & tribulations of our attempt to make this year’s trip the best ever. And while those instances of failed attempts to visit amusement parks make for hilarious movie plots, no one really wants to be the Griswold’s. Here are a few tips to ensure your next vacation in Garden City and on the South Strand is more tribulation (and less trial)…

Beating The Traffic Blues

You wake up, get the kids ready for a day of fun at the water park, and pack the car. Everyone’s talking about which ride they’re going on first, how much funnel cake they’re going to eat. The excitement is palpable! You checked the map, and it’s only 7 ½ miles away! 45 minutes later, you’re only four miles closer. Now it’s gonna be impossible to find parking. And the line at the “big ride” is now an hour long. Sound familiar?

The Grand Strand is 60 miles long, with basically two main highways running North-South. While there are alternative routes, vacationers are often unsure of their reliability. We get used to using the same roads, and we all know that MapQuest has an uncanny ability to give weirdly unhelpful advice. What’s more is that this area continues to expand rapidly. Over 250,000 new visitors rotate through the area each weekend during peak season! And we all know that city planners are typically years behind on improving the existing routes.

Tip: Plan at least a few activities at destinations that can be reached by foot, bike or boat. It saves on gas, includes everyone in a shared experience, and is healthier. Beach Realty is happy to help you with bike or boat rentals, so don’t sweat bringing extra gear. Plus, most of our vacation properties are within walking/riding distance of several great local attractions. Our beaches are at your backdoor, and there are plenty of great places to eat that wont require gassing up the caravan!

Don’t Diss Grandpa!

Anyone see The Simpsons a couple of weeks ago? The fam goes to an amusement park, Grandpa Simpson in tow. Soon, however, he’s left on a park bench alone while the rest of the beloved clan heads for a live aquatic show. The moment a stranger sits down to talk to ol’ Abe, he is nearly beside himself with joy: “You want to hear more? (to self) Play it cool, Abe. Play it cool!”

Vacationing with the Grandparents can be a rewarding experience for both you & your kids. But remember, retired folk tend to be on a much different frequency & schedule than others. This can result in unforeseen problems. The kids might be used to waking up early. Grandpa likes to eat dinner at 5pm. You may be used to running around all day with the children, but grandparents tend to get worn out earlier.

Tip: Plan “rise & shine times” that work for everyone. And stick to it! Believe it or not, “Pop-Pop’s” preference for an early dinner can be a bonus: getting to a restaurant before six o’clock generally means less time waiting for a table. Planning consistent bedtimes has other benefits, too (more on that later).

Tip: If you plan on having a grandparent spend the day with the kids, make sure they have a written list of any health/medical concerns. This is more overlooked than you might think. Remember, grandma loves to spoil junior with treats (just make sure she knows about his peanut allergy!). Also, make sure to give them a written letter of permission to make medical decisions in case of an emergency here you cannot be reached. Those situations may be few & far between, but even one such instance can turn a vacation into a nightmare pretty quickly.

Never Underestimate The Power Of The Nap

Ever hear the saying, “I need a vacation from my vacation”? Recreation exhaustion is no joke! It might be tempting to let some of the “house rules” slide on the road. Indulging the kids with some freedoms they might not get at home is fine. Some rules, however, are not made to be broken.

Tip: If you or any of your family are accustomed to afternoon naps, don’t disrupt the tradition! Trying to squeeze in one more hour at the beach or amusement park can have a domino effect on your mood. Changing sleep habits can also affect your appetite and ability to concentrate (behind the wheel, while watching the kids swim, etc). Include nap time in the daily activities. You’ll all get along soooo much better!

What?! No Coffee Maker?! You Gotta Be Kidding…

Very little disturbs me in this world more than having my morning ritual re-arranged due to a lack of proper amenities. As we’ve written about before, most hotels skimp on room amenities like cookware & appliances. And don’t get me started on hotel-brand coffee. Yech!

Tip: Find a vacation rental property that has (roughly) the same amenities you do at home. It’s more than a convenience, it’s a mental thing. When you come in from a hot day at the beach, and all you can think about is that frosty-cold Strawberry Daquiri, that blender will be your best friend! Fortunately, most Beach Realty vacation homes are well-equipped with such modern appliances. And that morning cup-o-joe? When traveling, I tend to bring my own beans with me (yeah, I’m that guy). If you’re not quite as obsessive as me, no worries. Give us a heads-up before you arrive, and we’ll make sure you’re well-stocked on your Sumatra, my friends!

How Not To Break The Covenant That Is “The Rental Agreement”

Nothing will sour a vacation memory more than returning home to find additional “damage & improper use” charges on your credit card. The Beach Realty family has worked hard with our vacation home owners to ensure this does not happen. But we get it. Who likes to read wordy contracts? We’re only gonna be there for a week, right? Just make sure the lights come on when we hit the switch, and we’ll promise not to break the stereo. Though Beach Realty vacation rentals must meet a high standard for us to list them, not all are created (or rented) equally.

Tip: When you’ve narrowed your search of the perfect vacation rental, be sure to ask us to review the rental agreement with you before making your decision. Vacation home owners who rent seasonally here in the Garden City Beach area can be particular about who occupies their home (even for just a week). A relatively brief review of the agreement over the phone can save you from potential headache (and additional fees) later.

We feel certain that we have a Garden City Beach vacation home that you & your family will love. But finding the right rental is just the first step to creating lasting memories. A little homework before your trip can save you big bucks, and make the whole experience better. Beach Realty is dedicated to helping you create those memories that have made our area the “family beach” of choice for decades.

Progress in America usually yields convenience. If it’s faster, it’s better. If it cuts costs, it’s better. If it makes it easier, it’s better. This makes sense when we talk about technology, business or the other quantifiable areas of our world. But what about recreation? What about fun? What about the time we spend with our family when on vacation? Are we meant to be efficient at play? If I “take it easy”, am I wasting time? In our quest to save money, are we missing out on the real “deals”? We ask you to consider this when choosing the next venue for your beach vacation: Hotel or Home?

Hotels are the epitome of ‘streamlined’. The rooms are the same. The towels are the same. The pre-packaged off-brand coffee is the same. That faint industrial perfume lingering in the air lets us know exactly what we are getting the moment we step into their carefully manicured, antiseptic lobbies. And for some, this is comforting. No surprises, right? Well…here are a few things that we found surprising about the great “deal” a hotel stay is supposed to be.

A family of four, staying in an averagely-priced hotel for one week will pay between $700-$800, before taxes and fees. That’s for one room, with two beds, during “off-peak” season. You’ve got a place to sleep & shower and park your car. Now consider this: the hotels don’t have a kitchen, so that means you’re eating all of your meals in diners, drive-thrus & restaurants. Average lunch for a family-of-four? $40. Multiply that by one week, and you’ve already spent $1000. And what about breakfast & dinner? And snacks? It really adds up!

Now imagine that you spent that same money on a one-week stay at one of our fantastic vacation homes. Everyone has their own room, their own bathroom, their own personal space. Did we mention the fully equipped kitchens? With a little careful planning, helped by Beach Realty’s concierge-level service, you can save a considerable amount of money on your vacation. And there’s something about being able to return to a real home after a day of play on the beach. Many of our our guests request to stay at the same properties each season, forming a bond with the place that has hosted so many great memories.

It’s about more than saving money. Cooking meals together shouldn’t stop just because we’re “on vacation”. After all, a family vacation is one of the rare opportunities we have to enjoy our meals. No rushing off to school, to practice, to our jobs & responsibilities. Did I mention how much healthier it is to cook? An average “vacationer” eats well over 3,000 calories a day. Much of this is on fast-food, junk food and the like. Having a vacation home equipped with a good kitchen is not just convenient, it’s responsible! Next time you find yourself looking for vacation accommodations, contact us to find out how we can give your family the luxury they deserve.