Is Selecting a Family Vacation Site a Family Decision?

I am knee deep in vacation information.  I find the whole vacation planning exercise a little exciting and a lot overwhelming.  Usually I am working on summer plans by February, so I feel I am a little behind the eight ball.  But since we decided not to relocate this summer to Tennessee, an annual summer vacation is back in the works.

This year, we seem to be at odds as to where to vacation.  Our daughter, who is now twelve, wants to have a say in the decision.  But, should children get a “vote” in family vacation planning?
 
My husband and I both come from families who took at least two week vacations each summer driving all over the nation.  Families don't vacation like they used to.  We are taking several shorter trips during the year instead of one long trip.  That's a shame, since experts believe it takes at least a full week before one's body truly begins to relax.  I can't imagine what a two-week vacation would feel like.

My husband and I would like to visit Washington D.C.  (Oops, I read that locals refer to our nation's capital only as “D.C.”).  We thought this summer would be an excellent time to go since it correlates with my daughter's 6th grade social studies curriculum.  Miss “A” wants to go to Disney World or to Seaside, Florida.  We have been to Disney twice and Seaside once before.

As far as I'm concerned, Disney is out of the question.  I would prefer to go during the school year breaks, when the crowds are not so huge.  Seaside, on the other hand, is a great planned beach community.  Once you arrive, you can park your car and never move it because everything you need  and want is within a five minute walking distance.  But we would have to drive to offset the expensive cabin rental. 

Here's the thing.  If we give in and select one of her suggestions, are we giving her the idea that she can forever choose our family vacation destinations?  My daughter, like her restaurant and food choices, would always stick with what she knows.  Which would be a three-year rotating cycle of Disney World, the beach, and Sea World.

As an only child, I'm afraid that she would prefer to vacation with someone other than her parents.  If we go on a relaxing beach trip, we would probably need to take a friend.  However, there is so much to see in D.C. (noticed how I said that?) that paying for a friend would not be necessary.  AND WE COULD USE FREQUENT FLYER MILES TO PAY FOR TWO OF THE AIRLINE TICKETS!

That settles it.  If we are in D.C. On July 4, maybe she will get psyched about the fireworks!