This is a loaded thread so I apologize in advance for the wrath I bring upon you.
My mother and I had a Disney trip planned for February. She hasn't been since 2009 and we really wanted to go together since we love the exact same things. We booked WL (my fave, her all time bucket list resort) scored every ADR we wanted and even bought plane tickets. Her boss was even chipping in a good portion of the trip costs as part of a Christmas bonus. Then I found out I was pregnant. This was a big cramp in the plans since I wouldn't be able to ride our favorites and my mom wasn't really into riding so many things alone. We decided to cancel. (stuck with airline credits but got everything else back).
Soon after we cancelled, my aunt who has had stage 3c ovarian cancer for almost 10 years was given terrible news. Her treatment options had run out and her kidneys have showed signs of failure so she was given 6 months left (this was in November). Her bucket list item was to go on a cruise with my mom and two of her other sisters so in December they booked a last minute trip and leave 1/17. At least my mom got to use her airline credits but that changed her vacation plans.
Continuing on with the December news, I started having complications with the pregnancy and ended up miscarrying in the second trimester. It was devastating and my husband and I are still grieving as it only happened 2 weeks ago.
So now your wondering why in the heck I am posting on the budget board. I promise I am getting to that. Here I am stuck with Southwest airline credits that need to be used for travel before September and a desire to take a short little trip just to get away with my husband since we have been through so much. One of our first choices was trying to get to Disney and do a VERY low key trip but since all of my pre-existing plans were cancelled, there isn't much by way of "deals". I priced several options and it's pretty far out of our budget comfort zone so I am thinking that's out. Plus my mom is thinking of maybe postponing Disney to next year. My husband thinks a 2 night, 3 day trip to Chicago would be a good option but even that is going to be almost $1000. Maybe it's just the fact that I am overwhelmed so I am not thinking clearly but $1000 for that short of a trip seems a bit much. I have no idea what to do. Part of me now wants to just say screw the airline credit and stay home and save some money since I am going to have some hefty medical bills coming my way from my two hospital stays. But I have a husband that while trying to be supportive of whatever I decide, might need a little get away.
Oh and I also need to mention I run my own business so getting away for me isn't easy. I have to stay available via phone and email on weekdays.
Does anyone have any advice? Anyone have experience with the Southwest credits? I'm assuming I can only use them for flights and once September comes, they are gone.
Shew....that was exhausting.
Our friend works for Disney and offered me a pass to get in the park so all we have to pay for is two nights in a value resort and my husbands plane ticket (possibly 1 park ticket if our friend only has one pass). It will be a very short trip but just what we need and it's the cheapest option we have and frankly my most preferred. Waiting for my husband to get the confirmation he has the days off and I will book the flights and hotel. We will be going 4/14-4/16. I have never been in April but according to crowd calendars it should be 5 and 6's that week since it's right after spring break. So excited!
