With young kids, it’s easiest to be beachfront—but it takes some creative planning to be able to afford it.
My married man and I have been travel with our four Thomas Kid since before they could take the air , and it ’s clear they ’ve capture our fount of itchy feet . We love all trip big and small , from localcampingweekends to big swings likeWalt Disney World — but the sea is the one place that calls to us fourth dimension and metre again .
I produce up swim along Florida ’s Atlantic coast with my grandparents and still have family there , so when my married man and I began planning a saltation break beach head trip , we honed in on an area we know and love : Daytona Beach . When we are go on a budget , we often have in force hazard withlocations that are conversant . We bang which restaurants exercise for our kids , what activities are n’t worth the cost , and have an prosperous clock time planning an itinerary for ourbig family .
On this trip , we also decide to take along our favorite vacation requisite : the grandparents . My parents unite us for the workweek to spend time together and aid with the kids . Our end was to keep our portion of the trip under $ 6,000 . While that is no small amount of money , it ’s still pretty catchy to do with a class of six . We gave it our best shot .
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
About the traveler
Job : Freelance journalistAnnual salary:$101,000 - 200,000 per year ( combined with spouse)Location of residence : Pittsburgh , PennsylvaniaAge:40Additional travelers : married man , plus kids ages 12 , 10 , 10 , and six
About the vacation
Where : Daytona Beach , FloridaHow long : Eight daysPlanned budget:$6,000
Upfront costs
Flights:$560 for the whole family . We flew on Spirit Airlines for this trip . It be given a cheap , other daybreak flight out of Pittsburgh International Airport . It ’s always throng with family line , so our own noisy brood blends powerful in . Spirit drive a destiny of warmth but we find them a groovy selection for our self-aggrandizing house . There are no frills — but for a short verbatim trajectory , we have no charge .
Since the airline commove per base , we packed one large duffel bag for each of the kids and they each carried a backpack onto the plane . This did n’t go forth a ton of space for clothing , so we planned to do laundry in the center of the week . My husband and I both checked a roller carry - on at $ 50 each . We also chose to vanish into Orlando and drive to Daytona , as flights to Daytona were considerably more expensive .
Hotels / Lodging:$2,064.Accommodations were our cock-a-hoop disbursal for this trip , come to a totality of $ 4,128 that my parents insist on splitting evenly down the middle . The eight of us realistically want at least three received hotel rooms to remain comfortably , and a full kitchen actually saves us money on trips . We decided to book a four - sleeping room , four - bathroom condominium atClub Wyndham Ocean WalkthroughAirbnb . At $ 510 a Nox , most would n’t consider it budget - friendly . However , we price several unlike option for eight people and found it to be the most economical along the coast . This hotel also has a otiose river , kid activities all day long , indoor mini golf , and both indoor and outdoor pools . stay at a resort hotel like this means we do n’t drop as much on outside entertainment while traveling .
Rental car:$487.Along with my parent , we rented two small sport utility from Hertz at the Orlando Airport for $ 487 each . Having two cars meant we could split up the group when necessary .
Pet sitting:$500 . We have two dog , a cat , and a bearded dragon . Pet session is often an overlooked expense for travelers , but it does add up . We paid a local pet sitter $ 500 to stay at our sign for the week , and he took excellent care of our beloved critters .
Day by day
Day 1 - Saturday
entire price : $ 448Our first day was filled with travelling . We begin with a 5:15 am flight full of emotional kids in Mickey ear and touch down in Orlando by breakfast . After gathering our old bag and beak up our rental cars , we maneuver to Orlando ’s notorious Denny’s — local lore says it ’s the busiest Denny ’s in America , but the tenured wait staff runs the bustling dining way like a well - oiled simple machine .
Our totality for breakfast was $ 110 , which is middling middling for dining out with our four youngster . Upon arriving at the hotel , the Thomas Kid change into their bathing suits to hit the lazy river while my married man and I carry the condominium with a pre - schedule Walmart pickup arm order number $ 338 — the same cost as our hebdomadary grocery lodge at home . We ate lunch and dinner party in the room . The tyke were too frantic for another sit - down repast , so we grazed before an early bedtime .
Day 2 - Sunday
entire cost : $ 110We spend our first full day at the hotel . The kids made friends , swim all sidereal day , and ate breakfast and lunch from the Walmart supply . We ordered some pizza pie for an early dinner party around 4 pm , which totalled $ 75 and entrust us with a whole pizza pie for lunch the next day . After dinner party , the tyke and two grownup want ice cream , which be $ 35 .
Day 3 - Monday
Total cost : $ 341On Monday , we made another grocery store run to pick up some more beach - well-disposed snacks and drinks , as well as some sand toy , from a nearby Publix ( $ 215 ) . Our three younger youngster go to Publix with my mom and me while my quondam tour the historicPonce Inlet lighthousewith my husband and my dad at a cost of $ 7 each . After the shopping trip , my other kids were well-chosen to spend the good afternoon swimming with the gaggle of champion they forgather the first eve . We reconvene for dinner atBig Tuna’sat a cost of $ 110 . My Kid were able-bodied to pack up their leftovers , which they excitedly ate the next day .
Day 4 - Tuesday
Day 5 - Wednesday
entire monetary value : $ 110Midway through our week , the nestling demand a shiver morning to relax due to too much sun and a lot of tardy - nighttime swimming . We let them be lazy , spent a piece of meter on the moxie , and ordered food from a beach food motortruck ( $ 52 ) .
Later , my aunt and uncle , who live near Daytona , came to confabulate . Together , we made the 45 - minute drive toNew Smyrna Beach . My grandparent used to dwell there , and it ’s full of memory for us . Since my five - twelvemonth - former talk incessantly about ocean turtles , we made a pilgrimage to theMarine Science Center . The price of admission was $ 36 overall ( and only $ 5 per nestling ) , but well deserving it . We see — and even touched — turtle up close !
For dinner , we survive to a local favourite , JB ’s Fish Camp , just down the street from my grandparents ’ former theater . We ate seafood along the Indian River and watch dolphins swim at sunset , just like I did as a kid . My parent munificently covered this dinner greenback in a paroxysm of nostalgia , and for that , we were thankful . JB ’s intellectual nourishment is incredible but a bit above the damage point we usually aim for when eat on out with our kids .
Photos by Meg St-Esprit
At the end of the night , I emerged with a souvenir : a JB ’s tank top to exchange the one I grease one’s palms as a teen and hold out until it fell apart ( $ 22 , but priceless ) .
Day 6 - Thursday
full cost : $ 192When we see that our last full solar day ( Friday ) would be showery and a bit stale , we settle to make Thursday a beach day . Our 10 - year - old Gemini the Twins and 12 - yr - old are ripe enough to bebop around the hotel themselves with frequent check - ins , so they split time between our beach umbrella , the outside pool , and the hotel arcade . We part some meals from the beach nutrient hand truck for lunch ( $ 42 ) and integrate in snacks from the condo . At dinnertime , we regress to the greasy spoonful across from our hotel , theStarlite Diner , for another great meal . This time everyone joined in and even enjoyed a round of milkshake , so the bill was $ 150 .
Day 7 - Friday
Total cost : $ 353With clouds and temps in the mid-60s , my oldest and my papa decided to take a drive down to Kennedy Space Center . Since admission price is $ 80 a person , we were more than fine with the fact that the other Thomas Kid decided to sit this one out . The Kennedy Space Center trip took most of the day and include a halt at the Cape Canaveral National Seashore , where they see over 100 manatee . They ate McDonald ’s for lunch on the drive ( $ 22 ) .
The other kids swam in the indoor pool , request a stop at Buc - ee ’s for dejeuner ( $ 44 ) , and wager round after troll of Uno . We encounter my daddy and son atLandShark Bar and Grillfor our last dinner party at a cost of $ 207 . We did have a voucher for steal - one - get - one margaritas , though !
Day 8 - Saturday
Total cost : $ 300We woke up and feed a ragbag of food from the condo before cleaning out and pack up . We donate the sand toys we buy to a corporate bin at the hotel , rather than pay off to check another purse .
While our flight of steps out of Orlando was n’t until 6 pm , we decide to squeeze in afan boat ridein Kissimmee at a cost of $ 190 . It was a splurge we had n’t accounted for , but all the small fry accord it was one of their favourite parts of the trip . After the ride , we headed to the drome . We ate lunch at Wawa for $ 45 and snacked on a diverseness of average intellectual nourishment motor inn repast at the airport ( $ 65 ) . If you ’re sense a theme with my shaver andgas station food , you ’re correct ; Pittsburgh has Sheetz , but no Buc - ee ’s or Wawa , so they insist on arrest any clip we see one .
The kids were starve upon landing after a unforesightful escape hold , so we did pass another $ 50 on McDonald ’s at 10 pm . Since that location was just a few blocks from our house , we are n’t counting that as a holiday expense . They ate , fell justly benumbed , and did n’t wake up until 10 am the next day — the perfect ending to a great misstep .
Photos by Meg St-Esprit
How it all broke down
Upfront and travel costs:$3,611Costs from the week:$2,153Final total:$5,764How much I expend equate to my original budget:$236 under budget
Lessons learned
Overall , I was proud of with this trip and our ability to stick around to budget . When we set the $ 6,000 goal , I thought it would be hard . The issue one matter that made it do work ? Goingsomewhere familiar . Two of my kids settle that their trip to Kennedy Space Center in 2021 was enough for them ( and opting for the puddle instead ) keep $ 160 , and choosing restaurants we already knew were a hit avoided any wasteful spending on low-pitched quality solid food .
Despite staying under budget , I felt like we still ended up toss ordonatinga skillful bit of intellectual nourishment at the end of our trip . Rather than two larger grocery trip at the beginning of the week , I contrive next fourth dimension to do a few smaller curbside orders in an effort to cut barren .
On the place front , just before our stumble I was need to report this history ontraveling pet setting hen . Our Pittsburgh home is roomy and well-off , with quick access to the city ’s major tourism spots via rideshare , double-decker , or subway system . I already had a pet sitter line up for this misstep , but I bed the estimation of share our home while we travel . I think the next fourth dimension we travel we will try out out a house baby-sitter who need to explore the Steel City — saving us $ 500 .
Photos by Meg St-Esprit
How to save money on your Daytona Beach trip
The time of year definitely affect the price of flight and lodging — we went during spring break , which is a peak season . It was deserving it for us , but you could save some money traveling during ashoulder season .
If you have memberships to local museums , bring them along . After our trip , I earn ourCarnegie Museumsmembership could have gain us access to theOrlando Science Center , for representative . Check with your local museums to see whatorganizationsthey are a part of and where you may savour penis benefits . The buff boat ride we booked through Viator earned us rewards that we were able to put towards an digression on a posterior trip as well . Take advantage of loyalty programs and mutual program whenever possible .
focalize on the amenities you want in the hotel more than the room itself . While this peculiar condominium was a peach , that mattered less to us than the pool and activity this hangout had for kids . We do n’t drop a lot of time in the room . If you ’re traveling without child or your swimming needs are satisfied by the surf alone , Daytona is full ofchain hotelsand private rentals throughAirbnbandVRBO .
Photos by Meg St-Esprit
Location also matter . Beachside accommodations are always pricier . Two age ago , we chose to appease onMerritt Islandand make day trips to Daytona and Cocoa Beach . The townhome was canalside with evening dolphin visit — and cost half as much as this trip ’s accommodations .
And ultimately – plan , architectural plan , programme . We spent weeks comparing hotels , flight , and excursions before book anything . While I ’ve taken my share of meander trips where we left everything up to chance , traveling on a budget lease legwork .
Photos by Meg St-Esprit
Photos by Meg St-Esprit
Photos by Meg St-Esprit
Photos by Meg St-Esprit
