Justa thought...

Spent some time yesterday, on a flight from D.C., with a family of seven (5 children), who were on their way to a cruise on the new Disney Dream. The parents were excited and the kids even more so. As we chatted, my mind couldn't help but to do a quick calculation:
...Cost of drive from their home MD to airport in DC
...Cost to park vehicle at airport for 5-6 days
...Cost of plane tickets for family of seven
...Cost of rooms for one night (they came a day early)
...Cost of cruise for seven
...Cost of rooms for one night (they return to Port in the evening)
...Cost of meals for seven for days not on cruise
...Souvenirs - 5 children!!!

In summary, this family wasn't batting any eyelashes over the cost of their vacation! And I couldn't help but think of the Cove Marketplace. Perhaps, since the draw of the shuttle launches is no longer there, we should create something else - besides tents - for families like this one who have the means to come and spend money in our backyard...

The Cove is a great idea but 1) It is too far from the ships, and 2) It isn't impressive. Maybe we should put a little money into a similar project closer to the ships. This family elected to spend the part of their day - prior to leaving for the Port - in Orlando "for something to do"! I vote we offer people 'something to do' while they 'wait for their ship to sail'. People are flying into Orlando earlier in the day, or the day before, and don't board ships until 5 p.m. or so - why not have them spend their money here instead of Orlando??????