2009 Discussion-We'll make time fly by!

[sandym718]

DH really wants to stay offsite and get more for our money but we'll see. NOthing compares to living w/the mouse for a few days.

Happy New Year fellow 2009ers!

It's such a dilemma isn't it?? I would love to have more space than we do at the Poly, but we manage. When we go to the beach, we always get a full condo so we can spread out. For our last Disney trip (and only so far!) we really needed to be onsite with good transportation as both kids still napped. Couldn't really see driving back and forth for that each day.

As the kids get older, that will obviously be less of an issue (though I'm sure we'll still like the mid-day pool break). I think this has been the deciding point for me -- If staying offsite allowed us to stay LONGER (b/c of the $$ savings), I'd probably do it in a second for any subsequent trips. However, that is not the case for several reasons - DH doesn't get much vacation time (2 weeks, though I'm pushing him to ask for more), he doesn't fly, so we have drive time from OH added in, and now DS is in school. So, 7 nights is the upper limit for us right now - regardless of where we stay. So, we'll stay onsite, at the Poly, happily! I'd Loooove to do a 2 week Disney vacation at an offsite home, maybe someday!!

I definitely think it's better for everyone to do their own thing on these vacations. As I'd posted earlier, we treat our adult kids and their families to an annual WDW trip every January. After the first trip where I tried to plan everything together, I learned a painful lesson that the entire group has a better time if they are allowed to do their own thing. Now we just meet up once a day, usually for a meal, and that seems to make everyone happy.

Thanks, Pakey! I'm sure it's best that way. If my parents do end up going, they'll probably do a lot of touring with us but having the "option" to split-up and also the private time in the room, etc. is invaluable. If any of our siblings who have children would decide to go - that would almost definitely mean separate touring!! No way could I handle 24-7 with basically anyone but my DH and kids!!!

 

[WantToGoNow]

We are planning our next trip in November of 2009. I would have liked to go late this year but decided to put it off, have a nice summer vacation instead, and save for a step up in hotel next trip (we have stayed at value resorts the last 3 trips and would like to do a moderate this time). My kids will be 8 and almost 6 when we go. It will be the first trip in a long time that we won't need strollers.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

It's such a dilemma isn't it?? I would love to have more space than we do at the Poly, but we manage. When we go to the beach, we always get a full condo so we can spread out. For our last Disney trip (and only so far!) we really needed to be onsite with good transportation as both kids still napped. Couldn't really see driving back and forth for that each day.

As the kids get older, that will obviously be less of an issue (though I'm sure we'll still like the mid-day pool break). I think this has been the deciding point for me -- If staying offsite allowed us to stay LONGER (b/c of the $$ savings), I'd probably do it in a second for any subsequent trips. However, that is not the case for several reasons - DH doesn't get much vacation time (2 weeks, though I'm pushing him to ask for more), he doesn't fly, so we have drive time from OH added in, and now DS is in school. So, 7 nights is the upper limit for us right now - regardless of where we stay. So, we'll stay onsite, at the Poly, happily! I'd Loooove to do a 2 week Disney vacation at an offsite home, maybe someday!!



QUOTE]

I agree! We stayed at the Poly in October and just loved it! It had everything we needed and so close by for those afternoon naps. Although somedays DD2 didn't nap she had down time and thats so important - well for all of us too. Loved the ease of the monorail and the pool area. DS8 could touch throughout the whole pool which made it nice (no worrying about him going past into the deep end although I still watched him like a hawk) and then the girls loved the water fountain play area & the zero entry pool. The way the pool area is set up made it real easy to watch all the kids. DH and I would take turns watching & swimming w/each "group".

I think if we can we'll definitely stay at a deluxe again next time not sure if it will be the Poly or not. Love the pics of BC, BWI & S/D. When the kids are older and can pull "all dayers" at the parks then we'll probably stay offsite. Then they'll probably be ready for Universal and some of the other parks.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Can I join in on the fun. In addition to my two Disney 08 trips (we leave in 2 weeks for WDW and then we are off to Paris and DLP in September), I just today booked our Jan 09 DCL cruise and will be booking rooms in Feb when our 11 month window opens to book our DVC resorts.

For our Jan 09 trip, it will be DH and I, DS31/wife, DS28/wife, DS26/girlfriend and two grandchildren. Plus DH's ex-wife and her DH will be joining us. We are taking a 3 day cruise so will probably stay at WDW for 7-10 days along with that. DH and I "treat" all of the kids/spouses to a WDW trip every other year and everyone is already looking forward to it even though we are a year out.

Welcome. Sounds like you have an exciting year ahead and next year too. That must be so fun taking your kids and grandkids on a vacation together - hopefully we'll be able to do that someday. Wonderful memories!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

HI hoping to go to wildneress lodge or may cabins, if the price is right with ddp also,
loved it so much in may and cant wait!
how many days in advance can you book?

I read somewhere (too many disney books to remember where ) that one can book 500 days out by calling disney or ta. It would be a room only ressies and the down payment would be that years prices. Once the packages come out you can change from room only to a package. If you want to keep room only I think they request add'l monies to equal a one night stay - just the difference from the new price and the old price. Pretty sure on this but you may want to check w/disney or a ta. Have fun.

 

[Pakey]

I think if we can we'll definitely stay at a deluxe again next time not sure if it will be the Poly or not. Love the pics of BC, BWI & S/D. When the kids are older and can pull "all dayers" at the parks then we'll probably stay offsite. Then they'll probably be ready for Universal and some of the other parks.

I'm sure you've been asked this before on the disboards, but have you ever considered buying DVC? We could afford to pay for 4 rooms at a Deluxe in order to take the grown kids but I'd prefer to spend the $$ elsewhere on our vacations. DVC has given us that flexibility. And it's so nice to stay on property but still have the washer/dryer and the extra room (some say the kitchen is nice but I don't use one at home so certainly wouldnt' consider it on vacation ).

I'm not trying to sell DVC because it isn't for everyone but just wanted to make sure you were aware of the benefits. Although for our 25th anniversary in 2010, I'm going back to the GF for a stay and the kids can have all of my points for that year.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I'm sure you've been asked this before on the disboards, but have you ever considered buying DVC? We could afford to pay for 4 rooms at a Deluxe in order to take the grown kids but I'd prefer to spend the $$ elsewhere on our vacations. DVC has given us that flexibility. And it's so nice to stay on property but still have the washer/dryer and the extra room (some say the kitchen is nice but I don't use one at home so certainly wouldnt' consider it on vacation ).

I'm not trying to sell DVC because it isn't for everyone but just wanted to make sure you were aware of the benefits. Although for our 25th anniversary in 2010, I'm going back to the GF for a stay and the kids can have all of my points for that year.

We've thought about renting points for our next vacation just to cut down on costs but haven't thought about actually buying. I'm not sure we'd get much use out of it - we'll only go once every 2-3 years. Its always a possiblity but I think even the yearly maintenence fee would be impossible at this point. If we decide to rent (which scares the heck out of me) points that'll give us a good idea of what the dvc is like - maybe after that we'd consider buying. With 3 kids hopefully we'll have a few grandkids and they'll love going to disney.

 

[Bride In The Attic]

DDP seems like it would work well for us, and I really want to go CL. However, I have read that doing both MIGHT be overkill. I can't say what our day will be like since it's so far off (alot can change with the kids in a year and a half). I plan on several character meals, going back to the resort in the afternoon (Poly, 6-7 nights), and then possibly back to the parks at night. DD's will be 7 & 4 when we go.

Any experience with DDP, CL or both? I'm not worried about cost ( don't tell dh )

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Hi - we just returned from 6 nights at the Poly CL and used the dining plan. I actually think they worked very well together. We are the type of Dis'ers that don't return to the resort until late at night so we never were able to take advantage of the mid day snacks. We did, however, eat breakfast in the lounge all but one morning and it was great. Continental offerings but enough to fill you up until lunch. We then used our QS for lunch and our TS for dinner and still had a snack if we wanted one. We always took a look at the sweets they had out in the lounge when we returned but we were usually too full from dinner. We did use the lounge at night for wine and beer and coffee. It was great to have a place to go sit and watch wishes and the concierge staff was wonderful.

Having done CL now I don't know that I'm in a huge rush to do it again. It was a nice treat but it was pricy. I think next time we'll just do DDP (which, by the way we loved) and do a "regular" room. But, if money is not an issue I think you would enjoy the convenience of having both the CL and DDP - it really makes for a carefree vacation!

Have fun!

 

[Pakey]

We stayed CL on every trip until we bought DVC. Our first trip we stayed CL at GF in addition to doing what is now called the platinum plan. It's a total waste--way too much food. Depending on you you spend your days, I think doing either CL or DDP is okay but not both together. CL is great for breakfast. You can have some cereal and coffee and be good to go until lunchtime. I miss CL as it fit our vacationing style real well whereas DDP does not.

There's always that other option since we stay in the DVC condos, I could cook. Sure, like that's every going to happen.

 

[Micka Mouse]

Hi - we just returned from 6 nights at the Poly CL and used the dining plan. I actually think they worked very well together. We are the type of Dis'ers that don't return to the resort until late at night so we never were able to take advantage of the mid day snacks. We did, however, eat breakfast in the lounge all but one morning and it was great. Continental offerings but enough to fill you up until lunch. We then used our QS for lunch and our TS for dinner and still had a snack if we wanted one. We always took a look at the sweets they had out in the lounge when we returned but we were usually too full from dinner. We did use the lounge at night for wine and beer and coffee. It was great to have a place to go sit and watch wishes and the concierge staff was wonderful.

Having done CL now I don't know that I'm in a huge rush to do it again. It was a nice treat but it was pricy. I think next time we'll just do DDP (which, by the way we loved) and do a "regular" room. But, if money is not an issue I think you would enjoy the convenience of having both the CL and DDP - it really makes for a carefree vacation!

Have fun!

Thanks for your thoughts! I think I'm going to go with DDP only. Since DH wants to spend 3-4 nights visiting his dad beforehand, I guess I have to keep an eye on the cost, and cut where I can.

I am just so glad that he is talking about it. I don't feel *alone* anymore He has about $300 in quarters in his drawer that he had been saving and he said that we can use it toward the trip .

I can't wait to make reservations...counting the days!

 

[sandym718]

I am just so glad that he is talking about it. I don't feel *alone* anymore He has about $300 in quarters in his drawer that he had been saving and he said that we can use it toward the trip .

Yay for that!! Change can really add up!! My Dad (who always uses cash) saved up all his change for the kids to use as spending $$ in the World. I think it totaled $220!!! We didn't let them spend all that on stuff, though, about $50 each.

 

[candizfan]

I reward our kids with spending money for every A they bring home on report cards.

It is an encentive for them, since As should be the norm for them..for some it might be a B instead. It just gives them something to push for.

They have so much money, I have told them they need to pay for the breakfast with the princesses if they want to go.

 

[Micka Mouse]

DD5 has started to earn an allowance for chores. She receives a dime for each chore completed, which means she could receive .50 a day if they were all done. She loooooves to get the change to put in her piggy bank, but I was thinking that once in awhile, I could get Disney Dollars instead.

Do they make Disney dollars in one dollar bills ??????

I've been throwing dollars into an empty water bottle, too. When the kids get birthday money, I throw it in. I kinda feel guilty, because I'm taking their money and putting it in our "trip" jar, but I'll get over it ! The water bottle is in my closet, so I don't think about it too often.

How else can we save {hide} money? I'd like to set a goal for myself. How about a support group ????? Let's support each other in our quest to save money for Disney !!!!!!!!

 

[sandym718]

Sounds good, don't think I have any great ideas though!! We pretty much just took our tax return this year and wrote the check to AAA and that paid for the whole trip, the rest was for gas, food along way. That's the nice part of no airfare and getting the DDP - everything is pretty much paid for in one shot!! Our tax return next year should more than cover our 2009 trip. Our costs will go up somewhat (increased prices and paying for DD now), but I"m working now and claim single 0, so our return should go up too!

My kids are pretty young. DS does get a $1/week allowance. It's not tied to chores - right now he doesn't have any assigned ones during the school year. He does help set the table, and do other things. In the summer he had assigned daily chores, but I explained to him that it's party of being in a family/living in a nice house. Basically he gets the $1 unless he has a major behavior issue during the week (which never happens, he's my easy one!!) DD is only 3, no allowance yet.

This past Easter, we did Disney dollars in their Easter eggs! I should pick up some Disney dollars and start giving them as rewards for "extra" chores, treats for holidays, etc.

 

[candizfan]

I am lucky. I am one of the cheapest people you could ever know. Even my boss kids about it. My favourite joke is my husband says I can sqeeze a nickle so hard the beaver (I am Canadian and we have beavers on the nickle) will poop quarters.

If only getting extra money was that easy.

But I am actually really cheap so that we can afford to do things we might not be able to afford otherwise.

So, here are some of my tips for saving money for the trip. It might sound overly simple, but if you start here, you would be amazed at what you wallet holds.

For example. Don't stop and buy coffee everyday. Even at $2 per work day that is $520 a year. ($2 per day x 5daysx52 weeks in the year) If it is Starbucks you are drinking you can probably double that. When I stop for a coffee it is a real treat instead of a daily habit. I make coffee at home or I make it at the office. You can buy the good coffee beans and it makes great coffee.

Try not to buy so many dry clean only clothes. Yes suits and such need it but not blouses. I LOVE wrinkle resistant shirts . Do the math on what you spend per week and then calculate based on a year....

The biggest tip...set an allowance for yourself and STICK to it. Budget everything necessary and your allowance is for the extras that add up. It it should not be very much per week since it is money you will have nothing to show for in the end. If the money is in the bank, don't take it out unless needed for "real" necessities. Money in your pocket seems to evaporate like water. What is with that.

Go savers Go savers

Before you know it the loans are paid off, you have money in the bank and then the Disney trips become part of the regular household budget.

But I am blessed with a family that is focused on value of money and not material worth. Don't get me wrong we have enough junk in this house to loose a small pet in but part of that is we never get rid of stuff. (okay different help group )

 

[candizfan]

I am lucky. I am one of the cheapest people you could ever know. Even my boss kids about it. My favourite joke is my husband says I can sqeeze a nickle so hard the beaver (I am Canadian and we have beavers on the nickle) will poop quarters.

If only getting extra money was that easy.

But I am actually really cheap so that we can afford to do things we might not be able to afford otherwise.

So, here are some of my tips for saving money for the trip. It might sound overly simple, but if you start here, you would be amazed at what you wallet holds.

For example. Don't stop and buy coffee everyday. Even at $2 per work day that is $520 a year. ($2 per day x 5daysx52 weeks in the year) If it is Starbucks you are drinking you can probably double that. When I stop for a coffee it is a real treat instead of a daily habit. I make coffee at home or I make it at the office. You can buy the good coffee beans and it makes great coffee.

Try not to buy so many dry clean only clothes. Yes suits and such need it but not blouses. I LOVE wrinkle resistant shirts . Do the math on what you spend per week and then calculate based on a year....

The biggest tip...set an allowance for yourself and STICK to it. Budget everything necessary and your allowance is for the extras that add up. It it should not be very much per week since it is money you will have nothing to show for in the end. If the money is in the bank, don't take it out unless needed for "real" necessities. Money in your pocket seems to evaporate like water. What is with that.

Go savers Go savers

Before you know it the loans are paid off, you have money in the bank and then the Disney trips become part of the regular household budget.

But I am blessed with a family that is focused on value of money and not material worth. Don't get me wrong we have enough junk in this house to loose a small pet in but part of that is we never get rid of stuff. (okay different help group )

 

[Pakey]

Part of my salary compensation is a vacation fund so I'm fortunate in that my vacations are paid for. Because we own DVC and don't have to pay hotel costs, that means we eat very good when we go to WDW!!!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'd love to join you all! We're planning on an October or November 2009 trip. That's such a long time away!

 

[traceyr13]

I'll join in the wait! We are planning a March 2009 visit with our 3 kids (then 9, 6 and almost 5). The last time I went to Disney was in 1999, and it was just dh and I, so I have a lot to learn and figure out!

Right now we're trying to figure out where to stay with our family of 5 (haven't decided if we want to go with the All Star Suite, 2 connected value rooms, or possibly a deluxe resort IF we got a really good deal/code) and also trying to figure out when and how is the best way to book it. I get overwhelmed with all the information on this site!

Tracey

 

[Micka Mouse]

I get overwhelmed with all the information on this site!

Tracey

I get overwhelmed as well. However, I have found this thread to be helpful. It's easier for me to just stick with one thread than to hop around!

Shannon