BIG disappointment....what should we do?

[mrs.pixiedust]

We have been planning on a 10 night trip to WDW for months now. Everyhing is paid for room, tix, plane,etc.). Our hearts are set on going. Then, a few days ago, my DH finds out that his company is laying off 180 people and he's one of them. He insists we're still going b/c he wants to "get away." I don't think I could go and have fun knowing that we REALLY need to use that money for our mortgage, etc. He also doesn't want to disappoint our DD and DS. I say we be responsible...WDW will be there next year. What would you do?

 

[Humpbacks1962]

It is all paid off, JUST GO!

If you can tighten the belt for a few weeks, just enjoy the trip. Things will get better. Be frugal with the spending at the parks, however.

Look up tips on this board to eat affordably, enjoy the parks on a budget, etc.

Wanda

 

[jojr]

WDW maybe there next year, but you may not if you get my drift. If you found out after you returned from your trip about the layoff, that money would have been gone and couldn't help anyway. Take it from me enjoy every chance you can get away with your children. The memories it creates will last forever. You don't want the children to remember the year their big trip to WDW was cancelled due to Dad being layed off. The bills will get paid and Dad will go back to work and you'll have the memories of a great trip to WDW.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

The trip is paid in full. HMMM. I'd like to tell you to go to WDW anyway and take your minds off the layoff, but you don't want to be stuck later if another career opportunity doesn't come quickly. I don't know what I would do if that happened, to be honest.

Is DH eligible for Unemployment Compensation or a severance package? Perhaps this would be enough to pay the bills until another job comes along and ease your anxt over the already paid trip.

Best of Luck.

 

[mrs.pixiedust]

The company is labeling this "temporary" so he is not entitled to anything. I do not feel like he will be called back at least anytime before March Our insurance will be gone as of Nov. 1st. Keep the advice coming and I'll let you know what we decide. BTW, I'm a stay home Mom so I have no income.

 

[Kaa]

Perhaps as a compromise with responsibility, you could cut the trip from 10 nights to 5 or 6. You will most likely have to pay some sort of change fee for the plane tickets, but you would still have a few days at WDW to take your mind off your troubles and make great memories with the children. Then the money saved would help ease your mind with the lack of income for the short-term. Just a suggestion...

 

[Pembo]

My 2 cents....shorten the trip and still go. I agree with jojr, WDW will still be there next year but that's a long way off.

Good luck with this decision.

 

[*Flower*]

I guess that the first thing I would ask is how old are your children?
If they're old enough to participate in the input (planning) stages of the trip, and help to decide which eateries are worth a visit, why not sit down with them and explain what's going on?
Of course I might be really out in left field, but if you make the decision as a family, things might look really different.

Good luck.........

 

[2TxAgs]

What is the policy on your plane tickets? Can you reschedule with them, or are they non-transferable/non-changeable, etc? In our case, they would be a big part of the package,
moneywise. You also can't get the $$ back on your park tix, altho I suppose you could try to sell them on ebay. So, the question seems to be: take the loss on the plane tickets and sell the park tickets and get your money back on the room, or go and minimize any additional park expenses. You can get by on food pretty cheap if you're willing to eat counter service and off the parks - our family of 5 did 7 days on just over $400 on food, and I don't feel like we made any big sacrifices....

The deciding factor in my mind would be the plane tickets - if you can't get your $ back or change the dates, I'd say go - your remaining expenses will be less than the loss on the plane tickets.....

I'm sorry you're faced with this dilemna....

TxAg

 

[Luv2Roam]

Very hard choice. But I would look into all options of going or shortening the trip.
Even if it is "temporary" your DH should still get Unemployment, I would think.
It may be hard on everyone in the family. I hope you are able to get away for awhile at least. But it may be hard enjoying a trip knowing what hardships you may have at home when you return.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[renessa]

My new hubbie was layed off for 4 months this spring...I know how hard it is! He was eligible for unemployment, but it was 1/3 of his income. We had a Disney honeymoon planned, but had to spend that $$$ on bills, etc. It was not a fun decision (especially returning to work on Monday after wedding. ) I cried....but we are going next summer. I am really glad- looking back- that we didn't dig ourselves into a huge debt while he was off. I did get behind, but was caught up in 2 months! I now am able to save$$$, and we will have a blast and not feel guilty. I don't know how much time you have before your scheduled trip, but just think positively. If your dh is able to find a new job or gets called back before the trip then you are good to go....if not you could consider the shorter trip idea, or a local trip just until dh returns to work. Then you could plan a new trip!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Well - that really really stinks! I'm so sorry that you have had that happen to you.

I don't know what your expenses are like -- but I have to say that I'm in the minority here. I would *not* go if there was a chance that the money would be needed to pay for your mortgage or food or utilities. Yes your kids will be disappointed, but it's a fact of life that these things happen and you have to deal with it as a family...and even young children can understand that shelter and food come before a Disney Vacation.

Maybe you can find a way to earn some extra money and still go for at least a short trip. As others have said, your plane tickets and park tickets are probably non-refundable anyway.

best of luck to you!

 

[pamruth]

When our kids were 6 and 9 we were in the same situation. We went anyway, but scaled back on things like food. It all worked out fine. MOre importantly, the memories we created are still strong in our children who are now 19 and 22. Family moments really are priceless, just like the commercials say.

 

[Tiger Fan]

mrs. pd: I am so sorry this has happened to you and your family. I'm also in the Upstate of SC and have been watching the news as many of our textile plants are laying off employees. I know money problems can be very stressful, but if there is anyway I suggest you go on this trip. I liked the suggestions of cutting back on the amount of time and saving with food. I saw on another thread what a great rate you had at the All Stars, not to mention that it's all paid for. Good luck whatever you decide.

Lisa

 

[Spinning]

I really feel bad for you and your family. That is horrible that they laid him off. YOu should be able to get unemployment even if it is temp.
Anyway about the trip. I would be like you and want to canc it and save the money but....it maybe good for all of you to get away you may not get one once your husband finds a new job. Vacation may accure or have a waiting period.
You may want to cut back a few days if you can or scale down to a cheaper hotel. Bring stuff for breakfast and maybe some snacks etc to save money. Explain to the kids they won't be getting alot of stuff.
Sending PD you way!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

We made our ressies for Poly Concierge in April of this year for a July29th-Aug3rd stay. We went on Priceline & got July 27 & 28th at a 3* for the F/S prior to the Poly. July 5th my husband hurt himself at work & is out on temp disability till the end of this month. On July 17th I found out I no longer had a job either (I was part time & the position went full time which I couldn't do). Our trip was not paid for either.... we still went. We put it on our charge card (AMEX no interest till 12/01!)...my husband didn't want to cancel & ruin the kids summer. My suggestion to you would be.... find a charge card that has no interest for a while & it can hold you over till you get on your feet. Yes ..... we are skimping now & had to cancel a trip to the AS Movies for next weekend ... but we still did our big trip.. call me foolish... but where there is a will.....there is a way Good Luck

 

[Belle5]

We were in a similar situation this year. I am a SAHM and my DH was laid off for three months. He was given only a small severence. We did receive unemployment benefits that helped. If you have some savings that could help. We are taking our trip this fall, but we will making it by the skin of our teeth! The only reason we are still fighting to go is that we feel we would be throwing money down the drain NOT to. We have non-refundable Priceline air tickets for 7 people. Our AP's (for 7) expire in September. (How long would it take us to save for that many theme park ppasses again?) The biggest reason we feel ok about going is that DH has been employed for 2 months now. Honestly, knowing what I know know about the uncertainty of how long it can take to get a job, I would be very hesitant to go if my DH didn't have a job. You may end up needing help from friends or relatives who really resent helping someone who has taken a WDW vacation. Had I not just went through this I might feel very differently. This has made me very cautious. BTW, we were going to stay at WL originally, now we are doing the Marriott $20.01 thing for 3 nights, then the ASMo thing for $49. We have cut out most Character meals and will be eating in our room or at places where we can share meals. Good luck on making your decision. I know it's difficult!

 

[DiznEeyore]

Hi, Mrs. Pixiedust:

I know exactly what you're going through because we're in exactly the same predicament. Dh got laid off in January, and has been doing "side jobs" off and on since then, but they are winding down and we are facing the very real possibility of starting 2002 with no income (I'm a SAHM, too -- tho' I work from home part-time as our church's secretary for an itty-bitty paycheck). We currently have 3 trips to WDW planned: 9/01, 12/01 and 10/02. They are all paid for.

The Sept. trip is just dh & me for 5 days for my b-day and 10th anniversary (using DVC points for the GF); December is our first stay at VWL (we bought DVC before he got laid off) with extended family (so we really couldn't cancel since everyone already had time off, plane tix, etc.). We considered the situation carefully and have decided the two trips for this year are a go. Next year may not be, if we end up needing the money for living expenses.

We are limiting our planned WDW spending as much as possible; dh & I always split meals, so that will help, too. And we will be eating most of our December meals in our villa. Our ds (8) understands what's going on, that there will be lots of limitations on our trip, but the important thing is we're still going. These will be especially precious trips if something drastic happens next year.

Of course, only you know what is best for your family. Best of luck to you!!

 

[Cristy]

If it's paid for, I would still go. Changing airfare on four tickets to have a shorter duration may cost a minimum of $400 ( I know the ones I just bought are nonrefundable, but $100 per ticket for flight changes).
We went through multiple layoff situations in the 1980's with two children. We didn't cancel our trip anytime. There were too many positive memories to be made. Cutbacks were made for food and souvenirs. Photographs were our most cherished souvenir. We regularly used counter service and the kids were happier than spending their park time in a sit down restaurant. We saved the PS and character meals for a follow up trip.
Being laid off can be catastrophic enough for everyone. I would not get the kids upset for anything. I would probably chip in and work if he wasn't called back to work shortly after the vacation.

 

[disneycampingdad]

The trip is paid in full, so watch the food & trinket $$ and do it. Although I know this may not seem like the best time to go, if we always waited for the "best" time, nothing would get done. The memories of this trip with your children will be be priceless.