Family vacation planning can be very difficult when you have a large family, a family with kids who are spread out in age, or a family where different members have different needs. In my family, we have all three issues.

I have four kids, ranging in age from 18 to 2, and Cassidy, my 12-year-old, walks with crutches. So when we plan for a family vacation, there’s a lot to consider. Here are some thoughts that will make family vacation planning a little easier for you.

First, consider your budget. I think it’s important to know how much you are willing and able to spend on a vacation before you give thought to anything else. If you’ve only got a few hundred dollars to spare, you aren’t going to make it to Disney. That doesn’t mean you can’t still have a great vacation, it just means you need to have different expectations.

Can you afford to fly or do you need to drive? Will a four-star hotel be in your plans, or will you be camping in tents or a rented RV instead? Figure gas prices into your plan if you are going to drive; it can take a huge bite out of your budget.

Second, look at how much time you have to spend and what time of year it is. If you’re planning a week in the spring you’ll have different options that a couple of days in late fall. Think about hurricane season (June to October), tornado season (usually in the spring and fall), and blizzard season (winter months, as well as fall and spring in high elevations) before planning a trip to a wild-weather-prone region.

Consider planning a trip in the off-season for the location you want to visit (though the off season often corresponds to times of bad weather). You’ll save a lot of money and still have a great time, as long as you plan for potential cold or foul weather.

Next, consider where you would like to go with the first two variables in mind. Again, a small budget might keep you from taking the whole family on a cruise, but you might still be able to hit a beach in a less-traveled tourist destination like Texas or Oregon. It helps to keep an open mind at this point and consider generally where you would like to go: the West Coast, the mountains, or an island, for example.

Ask the kids what they would like to do for their vacation as well. Sure, you need a vacation more than they do, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get a vote. Rachel, our little one, always wants to go to Disney, which she probably wouldn’t remember if we went right now, anyway. Still, it’s much more fun when you do the family vacation planning as a group.

Once you’ve narrowed down the whole world to a slightly more specific region, you can begin to do your homework. Search the travel websites, or just type a search term related to your preferred vacation into your favorite search engine. Or visit the library or bookstore and browse the travel book section.

By now, certain destinations will start looking good to you, and your potential vacation area will narrow down considerably. Instead of “mountains” you might now be thinking Appalachians, or more specifically the Tennessee part of the Appalachians.

Then more web surfing (and ordering the state or region’s travel guide, if you have time to wait for it) will help you determine the perfect spot for your family and its needs.

My family, for instance, needs a range of activities that are of interest to people of all ages, family-style restaurants and handicapped-accessible facilities. Your family may require a swimming pool or a really great view from the hotel.

Whatever you are looking for, let me tell you, it’s out there. Do your homework and have fun finding a new place to explore.