Happy New Year! Instead of a typical recap post I thought it would be fun to share 2015 in pictures. We spent over 900,000 points on travel in 2015 and instead of an itemized list I’d rather show you what we accomplished. I hope the pics inspire you to create your own adventure. Note: I count “spend” as when we take the trip as opposed to when we redeem as I’ve also redeemed 244,584 for 2016 travel but will count them next year. I could say “I spent a million points in 2015!” but prefer to keep it real.
Attempting to conquer the kitchen sink, Disney World.
Highlights from the Paint the Night Parade at Hong Kong Disneyland
Hanging out with Goofy, Tokyo DisneySea.
The Deal Kids admire the Hong Kong Skyline.
Catching a snooze after landing in Tokyo.
It was Ladies Day at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo, which made for the most accidentally awesome souvenir EVER.
Monsters and Robots and Lasers Oh My! Robot Restaurant, Tokyo
Deal Kid and his new friend, Yoshiharu, Osaka.
The Thang Long Water Puppets- a highlight of our time in Hanoi.
Deal Dad and Kids, VA Beach.
Deal Girl in awe at Volanoes National Park, Hawaii
A small selection of the Petroglyphs you can find near the Fairmont Orchid in Waikaloa, Big Island, Hawaii.
On top of the world, Teotihuacan.
Dulceria de Celaya, the iconic Mexico City candy shop, re-creates a city scene in sugar for their front window for Dia de Los Muertos.
Deal Girl samples oil drum grilled corn in Mexico City.
A rare family photo at The Deal Aunts’ Wedding, Fort Lauderdale.
So far for 2016 we have Gran Canaria for Spring Break and Camp Mom Solo on the calendar. I also have a week in Orlando for Traveling Mom and FT4RL in April.
I’d love to hear about your travels: both past and upcoming. You guys help me-and each other- by sharing your discoveries around the globe. Happy travels!
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Such a fun post, thanks for sharing your pictures!
Thanks! It was fun to put together.
Wow! You did a lot for a million points!
Thanks! Two things helped: 1. using cash + points instead of all points for three of our Asia weeks allowed us to use DSU with Hyatt. 2. Mixing in other promotions such as EVR to maximize what cash we did spend.
All in all, though, our biggest travel year yet!
Congratulations on your biggest year yet! My family had our biggest travel year with a bit of your help 🙂 I have a 30 layover in Mexico City coming up with us landing at MEX around 11:30 AM. Would you recommend us going straight to Teotihuacan with a rental car or should we spend all the time in Mexico City to see those sites? My kids are 12 and 14 so we can do a bit more. Thanks in advance!
Hi Steve,
Whichever way you go, don’t rent a car! Here’s why. Your time for any mixups is nil with that tight of a layover. ANY accident in Mexico, even a fender bender that is not your fault, will involve a lengthy visit to the police station. You can hire a towncar for an entire day for around $100-150. It’s just not worth the risk. I liked royalcars.com.mx.
I’d recommend doing Pyramids on the way TO the airport on day #2 with a private car. They are gorgeous at sunrise with all of the balloons. Then they can drop you at the airport.
The more I think the more I realize I never wrote up about MEX. Keep an eye out for Dear Deal Mommy: Mexico City Layover!