I’ve worked in the travel industry for almost a decade now (yikes) and I wish I could say that makes me a expert. I do know some things…like the fact that traveling with kids is a whole different ball game, people.
With two busy working parents in our home, we crave relaxation during our trips. Alas, it may be many more years before that happens BUT one ‘rule’ we’re willing to save extra for? We need a separate sleeping space for the kids. That can mean a hotel room with a sitting area and a real door, a cabin, or even just a room with a solid balcony, but the the difference between sitting silently in a dark room at 7:12pm listening to a sound machine roar vs. having a drink together while looking at a view that isn’t our own house? That’s pretty sweet.
Right now, we’re coming out of winter. Everyone’s stir-crazy. Spring break is looming. So this issue is about low-effort, relatively low-budget ways to plan a spring break trip that doesn’t create more work than joy (“Trip” because we don’t call them vacations anymore 🥴).
In this issue:
✅ Get resort vibes without resort prices
✅ A “free trip” loophole (with rules, obviously)
✅ The underrated family trip option that’s basically a cheat code
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💸 Use Resort Day Passes Instead of Paying Resort Prices
👉 If you’ve ever looked at resort prices and immediately closed the tab, this is for you.
The move: sleep somewhere cheaper, then pay only for the “fun part.”
How it works:
Stay at a campground, budget hotel, with friends/family, or at home!
Buy a day pass to a nearby resort (think pool, lazy river, beach access, etc.)
Leave when you’re done and go back to your cheaper home base for meals/naps/bedtime
Where to find day passes fast:
Or search: “[resort name near me] day pass”
For a much lower cost than a trip away, you can still make fun family memories. Count us in.
💸 The Timeshare Presentation Trip (Read This First)
👉 WARNING: this tip is not for everyone. But it is real, and it can be a wildly cheap way to get away.
Resorts still offer heavily discounted stays in exchange for attending a timeshare presentation —> often something like 2–4 nights for a few hundred dollars total (or even “free” with select fees). Just do a simple Google search for something in your area, or in the destination you’re eyeing.
BUT the rules matter here:
Don’t bring kids to the presentation (yep, you’ll need childcare)
Set a timer for the agreed presentation length
Say no, calmly, repeatedly (assuming you don’t plan to buy)
Don’t drink their free champagne 😉
Where this can make sense:
Vegas (lazy rivers, massive resorts, cheap flights)
Orlando-area resorts (non-Disney)
Scottsdale / Palm Springs (sun in the fun)
Ways to make it work:
Go with another couple and swap childcare during the presentation window
Or use this as a short parents-only reset when full family travel feels impossible
It’s not glamorous. It is efficient. And for the right situation, it’s one of the cheapest resort-style trips you’ll ever take.
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💸 Campgrounds Are the Ultimate Vacation Dupe
👉 If you haven’t camped in a while, here’s the update: many campgrounds are basically family resorts with (often) cheaper lodging, and are even within easy driving distance of some great destinations.
Like… surprisingly resort-y:
pools, splash pads, lazy rivers (like this campground near Zion National Park)
beachfront stays, bike/boat rentals, dog parks (like this campground in Key Largo)
jump pillows, mini golf, laser tag (like this campground within 3 miles of Legoland)
on-site food & drinks (like this campground with swim up bar and pool cabanas)
The real savings isn’t just the nightly rate. It’s that amenity-heavy campgrounds replace the daily “what should we do today?” planning spiral … and the money that goes with it.
Why this works so well for parents:
You unpack once
Kids are entertained without constant scheduling (many resorts have different family activities every weekend)
You’re not driving all over town
Trips feel simpler, not busier
If your goal is fresh air, novelty for your kids, and fewer decisions for you, campgrounds are one of the most underrated spring break options out there. Obviously, you can always go old school and just pitch a tent in the outdoors, but if you’re looking for a touch of entertainment, this is the move. Rent a glamping cabin (or RV!), grab the family, and enjoy a family-oriented experience with a healthy dose of nature.
K that’s all. You’re the best and we love you.
-CK “We take Trips, Not Vacations” Fuller (Editor) & the JB Crew 🫡
P.S. Next week: The co-parent reset for when you find yourself thinking “are we even a team?”
*Quick note: Some links in here may be affiliate links. You know the drill- if you buy something, we might earn a small commission that helps offset the time we spend making JuiceBox. Thank you for supporting this project of ours.