Anyone else feel guilty planning a trip to WDW with a war going on?

[Antonia]

We are planning a trip to Florida late May/early June and I feel guilty having a good time while other Americans are fighting and dying in Iraq. I do support Bush and our troops... But I feel like worrying about which park is Early Magic Hour, etc. just seems trivial. I read posts where people are all upset about pool hopping, etc. and I just think our priorities are wrong. We are still planning our trip - it is our 20th wedding anniversary - but I now view my plans with a lot less urgency than before. I am just happy to have the opportunity to go. At the same time, I have mixed feelings about having too much fun during a time of war.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Yes, I feel a bit guilty for all the reasons you mentioned.

I have the added guilt of the fact that my husband will be out of a job in May and many of my family and friends are struggling with other big life changing events of their own.


However, this trip was paid for by my father so that I could accompany my sister and help her with her kids...so there is no financial burdon/guilt, thank goodness.
And after 27 years at the same job, hubby will lose it and most likely his pension as well, but there will be other jobs out there so all is not lost.

Yep, I feel very guilty about having fun.

I know what you mean though, about your plans becoming less urgent....ours have too. We're just going to be THRILLED to go at this point.

I hope you have a very nice trip Antonia.

 

[jamsmom]

I don't think our soldiers would want us to not continue our life. That being said, I am hoping it is all over by the time I go first of June.

 

[TinkHappy]

I do feel guilty, but I also feel that if we don't go to WDW, it might appear that we are afraid. What a terrible time. Such a shame, even if we do go to WDW, the war will still shadow our trip. The war and the men and women who defend our great country will always be in our thoughts and our prayers.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Originally posted by TinkHappy
I do feel guilty, but I also feel that if we don't go to WDW, it might appear that we are afraid. What a terrible time. Such a shame, even if we do go to WDW, the war will still shadow our trip. The war and the men and women who defend our great country will always be in our thoughts and our prayers.

TinkHappy, we made our annual pilgrimage to DW during the Gulf War. While we were worried about travelling and had similar thoughts about not wanting the country to suffer because it would appear that we were afraid, we went anyway.

Yep, the war did hold a shadow over our trip but in a good way. It really made us appreciate the freedom we have in this country, to travel where we want, to have opinions and the freedom to express them, the freedom to come and go as we please.

It turned out to be a very nice trip. We met many many people that year who also felt guilty about being there.
The cast members and park guests that year seemed softer, kinder, more patient and much less agressive in their park touring.

 

[Robinrs]

I am taking my son on a trip for Spring Break. We NEED to get away just to get through our everyday lives.

I am thrilled to see very little cancellations and changes in plans amongst travellers. We need to keep living our lives, not to discontinue it from fear or guilt. It's a lesson for our children, also, life does go on.

 

[lisajl]

We need to try to live every day to the fullest! I think the brave soldiers on the front lines (and everywhere) would want you all to have a good time.

When they get back, and they will, they will need a place to unwind. Keep it going for them.

 

[FINFAN]

I do not hqve a current trip planned, but I DO believe that this is why our brave servicemen/women are fighting...to ensure the freedoms we have all been blessed with. One of those freedoms is to travel. Having concern and empathy for the soldiers is natural and will be with us all each day. Enjoy your anniversary. You are helping keep WDW and the economy going. Hopefully, when our brave return, they will have the chance to travel where they like because we must do our part to keep America rolling.

 

[Buckalew]

While I understnad your feelings and others who have posted about life going on etc, etc, I have to admit, I often feel guilty laying my head down at night on my pillow in my comfy bed while the military is out in the desert so that I can enjoy the life that I do here in America. I am hoping that I will remember this feeling and be able to convey it in some way when the tropps get home. God Bless them every one!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't feel guilty at all, because I feel it will be doing some small part to help our economy.

 

[grinningghost]

Actually, I feel the opposite. I feel like we're contributing to a horribly sluggish economy. I also think the reason our military personnel are risking their lives so we can be free - if we don't take advantage of our freedom, then their hard work is in vain.

 

[ToriLammy]

I don't feel guilty at all. My BIL is deployed with the 101st and he knew about the trip, knew there was a chance he wouldn't be joining us and wants us to continue on with our plans. He left a wife and 3 young boys at home and he certainly doesn't want them to stop having fun because he is not there. I hold a special hope that this is over before we go and he can join us but now my goal is to make it special for those three boys.

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

Well, we're not planning a trip, but I understand what you mean. Life just goes on as normal over here. I was thinking that last night on my way to the grocery store...how I'm going to the grocery store while our soldiers are in the middle of this conflict. And when I lay my head down at night, I think about the soldiers, their families, and the families in Iraq who go to bed at night, not knowing if a stray bomb could hit their home. I pray for them all, but we have no choice to live our lives...it's what they would want.

 

[tinkerbee]

I don't feel "guilty" about going. These brave men and women are over there so we can do what we want. They new signing up for the military that war is a possibility. They want to fight for our freedom and the freedom of those around the world. I for one am thankful that they are willing to put their lives on the line so others over here can do what they wish to do. My God bless those who have already made the sacrafice and for the rest whom are ready to do the same.

 

[mum4jenn]

Part of me does feel guilty. We are going at the end of this week and it is also scary. But...I am determined to have a good time. I will still Pray for our President,soldiers,Country but it will be good to get away from the TV. I have been watching every available moment.

 

[JESW]

Yes, a part of me does feel that way. But I also feel guilty for other reasons. There are many people on both sides of our families who CAN'T go to Disney for financial reasons and we have been fortunate to go every year 2x. We also a house when others in our families are just getting by in apartments and with the rise of house prices in our area they may never own one. So when we go off on our wonderful Disney vacations I do feel bad and guilty for a lot of different reasons. I am also very fortunate that we can.

Jill

 

[4407mark]

We have a trip planned for August just before our two DSs go back to school - we started planning it after our last trip in November (DVC members). I don't feel guilty for many of the reasons already stated. In fact, I just booked DW and I on a 4-day Wonder cruise for July 6. I have all the respect in the world for our men and women in uniform and in fact am a firefighter/paramedic who has spent a large amount of time lately working on homeland security for my agency. I don't think our brave soldiers want us to stop living our lives or taking our vacations. Indeed, that is one of the very principles for which they are fighting.

The minute I cancel plans because of some knucklehead with a deranged idea of what's holy or what's right and wrong, the knucklehead wins - I'm not willing to let go without a fight. So my family and I will continue with our daily lives and for us that includes an annual pilgrimmage to our "happy place".

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I don't feel guilty. Life goes on. I appreciate everything our military does for us. I also think I am stimulating the economy and that is always a good thing.

 

[airhead]

....not interested in planning for a trip. We're not going until 7/04
but I did start early planning(when and where we would stay).
Now,I just can't get into it. It just seems so unimportant to me.


airhead

 

[CourtasanSatine]

half-guilty but half not guilty.I'm planning a day trip for june with my BF to a theme park 3 hours away