I'm making a list of things to do. I've been checking the different places you all have recommended on the Internet (Vrbo and other sites, as well as the home sites of different communities and comments on travel advisor). The general feeling seems to be that the places are old (not too much of a problem for me as long as it's clean and fresh because the house we live in is almost 100 years old) and tend to be individually managed so upkeep is inconsistent. Sanibel may work better for us than Captiva because with two teenagers it's probably better to be where there is some action, even a little bit of action.
Frankly, it sounds like just about any place would be fine if it's a 3 bedroom (which are in short supply) and if it's clean, fresh, and not too dated (classic is OK, green stinky shag rugs and old linen with pills are not OK).
Trip Advisor is interesting because people's comments give the exact condo #s and whether the unit was nice or not. Owners have a chance to respond and do sometimes.
And, Miss Kitty, I subscribe to Southern Living so I'll see if I can find the May issue.
And I've been keeping notes on all of the recommendations of things to do...
Of course I'll post my own trip report when we go... but that will be in February.
