sasywtch
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 16, 2008
- Messages
- 2,523
Hi all, we are back from our budget (because none of us saved up) trip to DL. I've been reading the DIS Boards for years especially when we planned our 10 night WDW trip 8 years ago but never signed up. The "cost of DL" thread caught my eye and prompted me to sign on up and post.
I had such great wonderful plans on saving money and making this a cheap vacation since none of us saved. As any person with any sense would know (which obviously isn't me), add up your expenses and then add more padding because it never turns out the way you think it will. Yes, I came home owing $$$ The plans were great, the execution not so good. I always crack myself up. I have such great plans to spend less money but it never works out. It is always the treats that do me in. If you're waiting for the Tiki Room to open, how can you not have a Dole Whip? Whoops, passing from Adventure Land to Main Street....gotta get a Dole Whip
Look at that $3.50 piece of chocolate, can't pass that up! Cool in the morning and in the evening, gotta have coffee or a mocha. I admit it, treats are my downfall. I should know by now, pad the budget by $50 a day but I never do. If I didn't have hypoglycemia (?sp), I could skip protein meals and just snack on the junk all day long. I did not get a mint julep so that is the first thing for next trip as I've never had one.
Who we are:
Mom-Turned 51 the first day in L.A. Analyst for the state. Went to DL once when I was a kid as I was born way later than my siblings so think my parents were tired of doing the kid thing. Tahoe was our yearly vacations. However, my ExH and I made up for it and took our 4 kids every year for a week while they were growing up.
DS-30 5/6th grade teacher. Been going to DL every year while growing up.
DD 24 finishing her BA degree/works for the government also. Been going to DL every year while growing up.
DS-18 Just graduated high school. Has been to DL a few times during his younger years as dad and I divorced and I was transferred to the middle of the country so myself, DD24 and DS18 did the huge WDW trip instead in 2001.
My 3 kids (oldest DD 31 was working and couldn't join us) are commando DL people. Their mindset is how they grew up-- "we paid for 3 days and we aren't spending time at the motel, we can swim and sleep anywhere but can't ride DL rides anywhere else". I must say, I'm a hiker but found that my commando mode is a gonner now. I'm starting to enjoy that afternoon break at the motel. Never woulda thought it! We use to stay at the Travel Lodge right outside the parking lot gate and walk through the parking lot to the main gates from opening to closing.
DIL 27- Registered Nurse. Not so much a park fan, likes to relax at the motel on vacation-expects DS to come nap with them. A little difference of opinion going on here. DIL let DS know that since they were at DL this year, they didn't need to come back for 5 years. Something tells me, she doesn't get it
My kids are definitely not one of the "you saw it once, don't need to do it again" DL people.
Big hint should have been, DS took DIL to WDW for their honeymoon.
GS (grandson) 3-loves Disney, watches the movies, went when he was 1 but I was looking forward to this time as he would be able to express more. He hugged Minnie and a few others but very adament with arms crossed and pouting when it came to most other characters. Oh well, they all go through that stage. Next time he'll love them again. He is so his dad's son. Favorite ride? Tea Cups, the faster the better. Dumbo? the higher the better. Matterhorn? No problem for him. He would have ridden Space Mtn if they would let him.
Hope I haven't bored you all too much so far. My computer is acting up so I'm going to post this and continue on with the budget part of the trip for those who are interested in going to DL on a budget.
I had such great wonderful plans on saving money and making this a cheap vacation since none of us saved. As any person with any sense would know (which obviously isn't me), add up your expenses and then add more padding because it never turns out the way you think it will. Yes, I came home owing $$$ The plans were great, the execution not so good. I always crack myself up. I have such great plans to spend less money but it never works out. It is always the treats that do me in. If you're waiting for the Tiki Room to open, how can you not have a Dole Whip? Whoops, passing from Adventure Land to Main Street....gotta get a Dole Whip
Look at that $3.50 piece of chocolate, can't pass that up! Cool in the morning and in the evening, gotta have coffee or a mocha. I admit it, treats are my downfall. I should know by now, pad the budget by $50 a day but I never do. If I didn't have hypoglycemia (?sp), I could skip protein meals and just snack on the junk all day long. I did not get a mint julep so that is the first thing for next trip as I've never had one.Who we are:
Mom-Turned 51 the first day in L.A. Analyst for the state. Went to DL once when I was a kid as I was born way later than my siblings so think my parents were tired of doing the kid thing. Tahoe was our yearly vacations. However, my ExH and I made up for it and took our 4 kids every year for a week while they were growing up.
DS-30 5/6th grade teacher. Been going to DL every year while growing up.
DD 24 finishing her BA degree/works for the government also. Been going to DL every year while growing up.
DS-18 Just graduated high school. Has been to DL a few times during his younger years as dad and I divorced and I was transferred to the middle of the country so myself, DD24 and DS18 did the huge WDW trip instead in 2001.
My 3 kids (oldest DD 31 was working and couldn't join us) are commando DL people. Their mindset is how they grew up-- "we paid for 3 days and we aren't spending time at the motel, we can swim and sleep anywhere but can't ride DL rides anywhere else". I must say, I'm a hiker but found that my commando mode is a gonner now. I'm starting to enjoy that afternoon break at the motel. Never woulda thought it! We use to stay at the Travel Lodge right outside the parking lot gate and walk through the parking lot to the main gates from opening to closing.
DIL 27- Registered Nurse. Not so much a park fan, likes to relax at the motel on vacation-expects DS to come nap with them. A little difference of opinion going on here. DIL let DS know that since they were at DL this year, they didn't need to come back for 5 years. Something tells me, she doesn't get it
My kids are definitely not one of the "you saw it once, don't need to do it again" DL people. Big hint should have been, DS took DIL to WDW for their honeymoon.
GS (grandson) 3-loves Disney, watches the movies, went when he was 1 but I was looking forward to this time as he would be able to express more. He hugged Minnie and a few others but very adament with arms crossed and pouting when it came to most other characters. Oh well, they all go through that stage. Next time he'll love them again. He is so his dad's son. Favorite ride? Tea Cups, the faster the better. Dumbo? the higher the better. Matterhorn? No problem for him. He would have ridden Space Mtn if they would let him.
Hope I haven't bored you all too much so far. My computer is acting up so I'm going to post this and continue on with the budget part of the trip for those who are interested in going to DL on a budget.
I'm hoping now that it's a year later she'll be a little more open to them for our trip in September. 
