Am I...a generous daughter or an idiot?

[evrland913]

Hey!
Background...
I'm Ally, 18-years-old in my first year at University of Illinois. I love Disney, and my family took one vacation there about two years ago. We thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and we all had a great time.

But...I miss WDW like crazy!
I would love to go back with my entire family (four total--parents, me, and my little brother), but my parents have already stated clearly that they cannot afford it.
Okay, what I'm thinking is: what if I pay for the vacation and treat my family to Disney this August? (We're big family-people.)

I'm doing okay on funds. I have scholarships for my tuition, a light job, and about five hundred in cash. My grandparents offered to help me out, and so I would be spending about $800.00 total.

Am I stupid to spend all that money on a family vacation? Sometimes I think it's one of the greatest ideas I've ever had (a vacation to Disney!!). Other times I think about how I could be buying a new Ipod or a TV for my dorm...
I just don't want to have any regrets. :/

Has anyone had any experience where they paid a large portion of a WDW vacation?

Any opinions would be great!

 

[Joanna71985]

I haven't ever done something like that. But I think it sounds like a wonderful idea. If you do decide to do that, have a great time (Probably why I wouldn't be able to do that is because I can't afford to. I'm one of 10 people in my family).

 

[PigSoldier]

I'd vote for generous daughter!

Not quite the same situation as you, but I spent a big chunk of my money on a WDW trip last year. Yeah, I don't have an iPod or a snazzy new handbag, but in 5 years time I'll still be thinking back to the great times I had, while I would have left the iPod on the bus a long time ago.

You might want to think about how your parents would feel having their college-age daughter pay for a holiday though, I know it would bring on a mega guilt-fest for mine!

 

[3kidsmommy]

Coming from a mom of 3---how SWEET of you. I don't know WHAT your parents did to raise you to be so kind-hearted, but I hope I raise my own dd to be just like YOU! Go for it! (You really make me feel so GREAT about younger people!)

 

[tink2020]

Hey!
Background...
I'm Ally, 18-years-old in my first year at University of Illinois. I love Disney, and my family took one vacation there about two years ago. We thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and we all had a great time.

But...I miss WDW like crazy!
I would love to go back with my entire family (four total--parents, me, and my little brother), but my parents have already stated clearly that they cannot afford it.
Okay, what I'm thinking is: what if I pay for the vacation and treat my family to Disney this August? (We're big family-people.)

I'm doing okay on funds. I have scholarships for my tuition, a light job, and about five hundred in cash. My grandparents offered to help me out, and so I would be spending about $800.00 total.

Am I stupid to spend all that money on a family vacation? Sometimes I think it's one of the greatest ideas I've ever had (a vacation to Disney!!). Other times I think about how I could be buying a new Ipod or a TV for my dorm...
I just don't want to have any regrets. :/

Has anyone had any experience where they paid a large portion of a WDW vacation?

Any opinions would be great!

I just did this in December, and would recommend it highly. You will never regret giving such a gift. I completely treated my parents and 13yo sister to their first time in the World (incl food, airfare, etc). It was hard for us, and a lot of money to save, etc... but nothing I bought could have been worth more to me than the experience they had.

Especially if your grandparents are helping and your portion would be around $800, I would CERTAINLY do it! I don't think you'll regret it.... I certainly didn't, and your family will be so thankful!

ETA: We're students, too, just like you! Didn't want to sound like I don't know where you're coming from with the decision to be made

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I think that would be great for you to do--im sure it would be very appreciated!

 

[FutureAshleyDukes]

I think it's a very sweet gesture, not idiotic.

 

[Piecey]

Hehe, yes I've had experience paying a large portion of a WDW vacation!

I, like you, wanted to go back SOOO badly.
I have an older brother who has never been- I went once with Aunts and another time with my High School Marching Band.

So, my brother said he'd like to go. I spent months and months saving to get us there and swung a trip Dec 18-24th.
I can't tell you about the whole family thing, as I consider my brother to BE my entire family.

But yes, I paid for the entire thing. Flights, spending money (He had my permission to just charge whatever he wanted to the room and I paid it off everynight), food, tickets (including MVMCP), the room itself and gas to get him to the airport even (He is the epitome of a poor college student.)

I'm in college myself and noticed about October that I wasn't going to have enough money to be "comfortable" so on top of school I worked two jobs to make it happen. Not everyone can do that (it almost killed me, but it made getting there that much better.) but it definitely made things better.

I don't regret a bit of it. I had a wonderful time with my brother (He wants to make it a brother/sister tradition! YAY!) and never regretted spending so much money.
All in all, I spent approx. 2200 for the two of us.
Hope this helps!

 

[evrland913]

Thanks, guys! All your posts made me feel like I'm making a good decision.
So, if all goes well, I'll be in the World by August!!

 

[LauraAnn630]

When you are lying on your death bed, you will never say, " I wish I would of bought an ipod!"


My parents took us on vacation every year when we were kids. They didnt go on vacation without us. My DH parents took trips all the time and left the kids at home. I think thats BS! Anyways... My dad got layed off and had to get a new job making less money. We are taking them with us on vacation this Christmas to Disney for 11 nights. We are so proud and happy to do this! We are not telling other people we are paying. My dad would be embarassed. Although he shouldnt be! He did it for me 25 - 30 times. I think its my turn! We are so excited to spend Christmas in Disney. I know the crouds will be large. We are going to enjoy doing what we can with family!! My brother, his wife and 3 children are coming now too!


Since Christmas 2005 we are all giving Disney Dollars to each other for ALL HOLIDAYS we usually buy each other gifts for.

DS has $105.00 Disney Dollars already!

 

[PrincessRianne]

I think its great that you're doing that for your family!

Im also in a similiar situation. Im a junior in college, two jobs, engineering, trying to get it all said and done with. Thing is, when I was younger, my parents always used to take my family of 7 (I have 4 younger sisters!) to Disney for vacations of up to ten days, plus my Aunt and Grandmother. The last trip we took was when I was way back in 11th grade. Unforunatly, this is because my family has fallen on some hard times, and we're trying to make it on a smaller budget as it is. We're happy, and comfortable, its just there arent enough pennies left over at the end of the day to afford such a trip.
So, about a year and a half ago, my sisters and I decided to start throwing all the spare change and loose bills into a big ole piggy bank we have.
Before we knew it, weve saved about $3000! That isnt bad coming from a 20, 18, 14, 10 and 3 year old. Granted, it takes about $10g's for us to go, like we're used to, but we figure if we can save as much as we can, in a year or so, we'll hopefully have a trip.

Disney is just a place where we can leave our hectic lives behind and just enjoy each other and the magic, worry free. I think thats why me and my sisters are so desperate to go back, not only to see each other happy, but our parents too.

I wish you the best of luck in achieving your goal, and I hope your family appreciates you as a generous daughter!

Im glad to see there are other college students as devoted as I am to Disney out there, lol,