He SAID no, but I FOUND a way to GO! ~ a Dec AKL/WWoHP PTR (Updated: 11/30)

[DisneyLifer87]

Hi! Welcome to my PTR that is a bit unique in its making as we don't have a date, nor do we even know if we are going! Why? Well, because DH is stubborn and refusing to cooperate when I suggest another Disney vacation. But... I have other plans in mind.

I have casually mentioned to DH how fun it would be to take a ROAD TRIP that conveniently lands us in Orlando and a few days in WDW. "convenient". Now my frugal DH thought it sounded like an interesting idea, but immediately combatted the cost of yet another Disney vacation. It will take some crafty budgeting and heavy persuasion, but I'm hoping to push him hard enough so this dream becomes a reality!

So, let's introduce the two of us:

Me: I'm Meagan, or Lifer on the DIS. I've been to WDW a dozen times and have such a passion for going here even if I'm "too old" or "go there all of the time"! I don't care! By day I am an English teacher for an online charter high school (hence why this vacation can be pretty easy if I have access to internet). By night I'm an avid Disney fanatic in love with princesses and Tink!

DH: Not a big Disney fanatic, but a foodie by nature. He enjoys our vacations, but hates spending money and claims to be "disney-ed out". We have been married for almost 4 years and you better believe he's going to need numbers to allow this trip!

The loose idea
The idea if my brain is to take a road trip from Minneapolis, MN to Orlando, FL. Obviously this is a 24 hour drive and would be spread out over a few days. I would like to make pit stops and focus on only doing 8-10 hours of driving in a day maximum. The idea for length of time is 2 weeks vacation with stops at Disney World and Universal Studios. I'm thinking November - December, or whatever works best with my school year schedule and crowds!

Update of plans as of May 2014
What a journey it has been from this initial post until today! To give a general recap (for those who are not anxious to read the entire story) we did find a budget in my acceptance of a summer teaching position. DH and I initially hoped for free dining, but were unfortunate with the dates we selected, however we did decide to forgo the DDP and pay out of pocket to save more money. The best news is that we have decided to fly for cheap and stay at AKL for our very first deluxe trip!

... Thank you. And I hope you'll join us!

 

[DisneyLifer87]

Table of Contents (All real life RL updates are noted)

01 - He said YES - the trip begins
02 - The Resort Debate
03 - RL Update - Car Drama
04 - Magic Band Colors... for now
05 - Tentative Plan (The Early Stages)
06 - Booking Flights!
07 - Adding MVMCP
08 - Resort Debate - SOLVED
09 - ADR Day
10 - Park Day Planning (The Early Stages)
11 - Becoming a Wizard and Making a List!
12 - Getting a Little Creative
13 - Starting the 9 week journey!
14 - Week One Recap
15 - Week Two Recap
16 - Week Three Recap
17 - Week Four Recap
18 - Week Five Recap
19 - Week Six Recap
20 - Week Seven Recap
21 - Week Eight Recap

- Finalized plans! -
01 - Day One: Traveling and Epcot CP
02 - Day Two: MK and MVMCP
03 - Day Three: AK and DtD with Cirque du Solei
04 - Day Four: Visiting the Dark Side
05 - Day Five: Epcot, Pt. 2 and some working
06 - Day Six: A DHS morning, and a merry MK night to all!
07 - Day Seven: DHS, Pt. 2 (Last Full Disney Day)
08 - Day Eight: MK Morning and the flight home

 

[Suziannie]

Subbing!! I have a similar plan but Shhhh don't tell my hubby that I'm planning on a 2 day "Detour" when we head to Pensacola this summer .

That is IF I can get the numbers to work-so I'm looking forward to seeing some inspiration here

 

[stasijane]

This trip report sounds like a great idea and dont worry about the Hubby too much. Just keep saving and keep up with the positive attitue and I bet he comes around. Maybe you can sneak in a few things that he likes along the trip that might help him change his mind

 

[DisneyLifer87]

Subbing!! I have a similar plan but Shhhh don't tell my hubby that I'm planning on a 2 day "Detour" when we head to Pensacola this summer .

That is IF I can get the numbers to work-so I'm looking forward to seeing some inspiration here

I'll be glad to inspire and hopefully gain some inspiration in return!

This trip report sounds like a great idea and dont worry about the Hubby too much. Just keep saving and keep up with the positive attitue and I bet he comes around. Maybe you can sneak in a few things that he likes along the trip that might help him change his mind

Oh, he wants to go he just doesn't know it yet

Welcome along to both of you!

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[DisneyLifer87]

Following along!

Glad to have you with!

 

[DisneyLifer87]

I was cruising around the DIS Boards late last night as DH and I were sitting down to watch a Disney movie (Brave) as is our weekly ritual together. DH usually rolls his eyes when I cruise the boards because he knows that it means I'm in planning mode - a mode he'd rather avoid. However, after his usually grumbling, I said to him, "You know, I really want to see the castle Christmas lights someday. That's like, my goal." DH turned to me a said we would need to do that someday assuming we continued our goal of being debt free. I thought that was a minor win and decided not to pursue the topic any further.
As I kept mentioning fun things to do during the holidays at Disney, DH had his interest peaked slightly. I even got him to watch a clip of the Osborne Family lights at DHS.
While we may still be in the "not this year" response from DH, he did add a "..but maybe next year" this time around. PROGRESS!

On the budgeting side of things, there has been very little movement, but it's only the 4th so I do not expect miracles. I will look for some awesome coupon deals with the ads tomorrow!

 

[jennyjinx3]

I am here! You title caught me right away! I can totally relate. DH says no, and then I slowly chip away at him until there is only a shell left. Looking forward to seeing how this all turns out!

 

[ladytink75]

I'm totally going to sub to this.. Right now I'm trying to plan a high school graduation/ birthday trip for my daughter just the two of us. At times my spouse says okay you can go and then other times he says no you can't go. So I got my work cut out.

I enjoy reading about how people are trying to find ways to save for their trip and don't worry I have a stock pile of items myself so talk coupons and stock piles all you want.

 

[DisneyLifer87]

I am here! You title caught me right away! I can totally relate. DH says no, and then I slowly chip away at him until there is only a shell left. Looking forward to seeing how this all turns out!

I love it! I should feel devious to underhand him and beat him into submission .... but then I just remember that it's for the love of Disney and he'll be fine.

I'm totally going to sub to this.. Right now I'm trying to plan a high school graduation/ birthday trip for my daughter just the two of us. At times my spouse says okay you can go and then other times he says no you can't go. So I got my work cut out.

I enjoy reading about how people are trying to find ways to save for their trip and don't worry I have a stock pile of items myself so talk coupons and stock piles all you want.

Welcome aboard! I'm actually going to add to my slowly growing stock today because Target has some fantastic GC deals this week (in addition to 90% Holiday clearance)! Glad to have you!

 

[DisneyLifer87]

Hello there! I've been working on building my stockpile today because finances are very tight with DH's short in hours these last few weeks.

I did make an awesome 30% savings at Target today taking advantage of some dishwasher tabs, dish soap, and paper towel stocking up! They have some triple stacks with Cartwheel going on, so that was a nice shopping trip.

On the Disney side, I'm still working on DH but with the financial stress I have kept it pretty minimal. I also jumped on a DIS board coupon train and I'm so excited!!!

 

[ladytink75]

I think I might have to check my Target Cartwheel and see if I can find any goodies that I might have missed. With all the family that I had over for the holidays they wiped me out so I need to add the things I've used all up..

I'm also a member of that coupon train that you just joined.. I've been on it for about two yrs already and I like it everyone on there is very friendly.

Talking about money being tight we are the same way money is tight for our family. We own a house in WA State that we are still paying on and then my husband and my youngest daughter live in a different city then me and my oldest daughter so we have to pay his rent for him and then we have to pay my rent for my place so money is tight and every penny counts.

I just hope that I don't have to cancel mine and my daughters trip to DW in March due to finances

 

[DisneyLifer87]

I think I might have to check my Target Cartwheel and see if I can find any goodies that I might have missed. With all the family that I had over for the holidays they wiped me out so I need to add the things I've used all up..

I'm also a member of that coupon train that you just joined.. I've been on it for about two yrs already and I like it everyone on there is very friendly.

Talking about money being tight we are the same way money is tight for our family. We own a house in WA State that we are still paying on and then my husband and my youngest daughter live in a different city then me and my oldest daughter so we have to pay his rent for him and then we have to pay my rent for my place so money is tight and every penny counts.

I just hope that I don't have to cancel mine and my daughters trip to DW in March due to finances

Crossing my fingers for you!!

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Ask for Disney Gift Cards for all gift giving occasions

 

[DisneyLifer87]

Ask for Disney Gift Cards for all gift giving occasions

Great tip for DH's and my birthdays in July!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Still here and following along.... My March trip is precarious too!!

 

[twinsouvenirs]

also, if you are a decent baker, you can advertise cupcake services for birthday parties and see if you can make a few extra $s that way!!

 

[AndreaO1983]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I've been obsessed with planning a disney world vacation for months. Every time i say something about disney, my husband gets irritated. We were planning, and when I say we I mean I, for 2015. But then we decided to have another baby. So now trip has been postponed, and our budget has to be adjusted. My husband doesn't understand all the researching I'm doing. I want this trip to happen, so I'm trying to make room in our budget to save for the trip. Find the best place for our family to stay. It'll be our first big trip, so I want it to be special. Plus my husband doesn't want to take the kids out of school. He can't get time off work from the second week in august until January. Parent don't want to go when it's crazy busy. So at this point I know someone is going to be disappointed.

 

[DisneyLifer87]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I've been obsessed with planning a disney world vacation for months. Every time i say something about disney, my husband gets irritated. We were planning, and when I say we I mean I, for 2015. But then we decided to have another baby. So now trip has been postponed, and our budget has to be adjusted. My husband doesn't understand all the researching I'm doing. I want this trip to happen, so I'm trying to make room in our budget to save for the trip. Find the best place for our family to stay. It'll be our first big trip, so I want it to be special. Plus my husband doesn't want to take the kids out of school. He can't get time off work from the second week in august until January. Parent don't want to go when it's crazy busy. So at this point I know someone is going to be disappointed.

It is so difficult but making it work is all the difference. DH and I have been spending a lot of money recently in building our stockpile of goodies so we can spend less later. It's actually counter productive right now (or so it seems) because we are making less money now than we will when DH gets his promotion at the end of March. However, that's the beauty I guess since we stretch dollars now and have much more to save later.

I totally get what you mean, though!