Cancel or Go -- Can't Decide

[WantToGoNow]

Our trip is planned for the first week of November. My children have been looking forward to this for months now. Yesterday, my boss calls me in at 4:45 pm and advises me that my position is being elminated effective 9/30. I will get roughly 6 months pay when I leave (I have been there 15 years). The trip will be paid for by mid-September except for "extras" (we are on the dining plan and just need cash for souvenirs, extra snacks and probably a few meals for my 2 y/o). My dh thinks we should go ahead and go on the trip since it is already paid for (and he's NOT a Disney fan). I'm having a hard time thinking of "wasting" that much money when I don't have a job to return to. What would you do?

 

[Eoywin]

I'd start looking for another job now, and I'd still plan on going.

There is a little bit of time between now and September 30, so you might be able to have another job lined up before you go on your vacation.

Good luck!

 

[mickeyfan2]

I'd start looking for another job now, and I'd still plan on going.

There is a little bit of time between now and September 30, so you might be able to have another job lined up before you go on your vacation.

Good luck!

I agree.

And if you get a job by 9/30 you will have 6 months of two pay checks. You could really get any CC or auto debts paid off with that extra money or put into your retirement account.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

I certainly can appreciate your dilemma. I would say go only because your trip will already be paid for and you've got free dining. Dining can be expensive. We've done many budget trips before but mainly they are centered around eating on the cheap so you're ahead of the game there. As far as souvies, will you have a car? Just an idea but they have these terrific Disney owned outlets that are called Character Outlets not too far from WDW where they sell stuff that his been sold in the Parks for very cheap!! My husband bought a great hawaiian shirt that was sold in the Polynesian for $54.00 for $9.00. I myself bought a cute little t-shirt w/ Tink on it that said Walt Disney World 1971 that originally sold in the parks for $18.00 for $6.00. They have tons of kids stuff, shirts, pins anything they sell in the parks. You can get directions if you go to www.AllEarsnet.com. Also, I know many people visit their local Dollar Tree/ Dollar Store before they go because they sell Disney stuff and glow sticks and such. This way they can dole "little" gifts out to their children in the mornings (they say Tinkerbell brought it) and they can give the kids the glow sticks for nights in the parks when they are selling them way over priced.
I think you could make it work but I am a little biased when it comes to Disney. I'm not a "go at all costs" person but I have been known to throw caution to the wind and just do an impromptu trip a time or two. Perhaps not the most savvy financial move but we made out ok.

If you really want some great advice about this situtation I'd post this over on the Budget Board. Also, I'd read the budget boards for ideas on doing Disney on a budget. They are a wealth of ideas.

Hope this helps. And if you should decide to go, have a great time!!

 

[tinkamom]

I think you should go, it might be a while until you can get time off again after starting a new job. And since you are getting severance pay and you should also get unemployment you woln't be suffering financially.

I just wanted to add that I'm sorry that you lost your job.

 

[Racey]

Thats not nice news - sorry!

I think you should go. If its all paid for then thats one obstacle out of the way, plus you will probably need some time away from normal life after having all the stress of looking for a new job.

Good luck for interviews

 

[monymony3471]

Sorry about your situation. I would go. Enjoy it. With the current situation, you may not be able to return in a while.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

WantToGo, please go and enjoy your trip. I too am one to worry about spending money frivolously, but this trip is paid for. You will not be dipping into household budgeted money. One of the first things I would do is go and apply for unemployment benefits. You should be entitled to receive it, as you did not quit, your job was eliminated. Second, get your resume' tuned up and out, mail out as many as you can. Then start going on interviews as soon as possible. Since your job has been eliminated, maybe there are available jobs with your current employer that you might be interested in. If not, your boss should be willing to allow you to go on interviews during this transition time. I know that this looks bleek, but there are a few other people on the DIS going thru similar tough times right now and they are using this as a way to look for something that they want to do. Good Luck!!

 

[eliza61]

So sorry to hear about your misfortune. I think you should go. pretty much for the same reasons as all the other post. Your trip is pretty much paid for and when you start your new job (and you will get one) it's going to be tough getting time off. The trip will also give you a much needed break from stress which you will definitely need. ( I have so been there!)

Good luck

 

[Kay1]

Normally, I would say cancel, but since it's paid for and you are getting severence pay, I think you should go. However, I also think you should spend as little on extras as possible and let your kids know why. Good luck.

 

[AllthingsPiglet]

I am very sorry to hear of your job situation. I imagine that came as quite a shock and I know the panic that can set in those situations.
I have to say I agree with the others.. go.
My number one reason bein gthat it is paid for.. and you have free dining. From looking at the changes to the dining plan for 2007 this may the last chance you have to experience the current dining plan with so many selections.
And the suggestions of souvinier shopping in the character outlets is an excellent one. I have always resisted the urge to buy in the parks and have never been disappointed by what I found offsite. Same merchandise.. with fantastic prices.
My biggest piece of advice for you would be perhaps to seek the service of a career counsellor or do a pretty exhaustive search in the weeks before you leave. Get a great idea of what's out there for you employment wise. Even if you don't find anything before you go it should minimize the worry while you are on vacation.
I hope that once the shock wears off that this becomes an opportunity rather than a disaster.. I am sure the possibilities to persue something you have always wondered about will be right in front of you.
Best of luck and enjoy your vacation.

 

[ilovepooh]

Based on what you've said-go ahead and go on the trip!

If you're worried about finances just bring a few snacks and some buy souv. off the interent-it's cheaper-so go while it's already booked and you're getting free dining.

Enjoy!! Life's too short to not go to WDW!!! (especially when it's paid for)

 

[mickeygirl76]

My advice is the same as the others; go! I found myself in a similar situation this year. I seriously considered not going, but had the dining plan and the trip was almost totally paid for. Souv.s had been purchased and everything was almost set. I was pulled between what little money was left on household needs, and felt bad thinking of going on a trip when there were "needs" to be met. Then I realized, my DS is only going to be little once. I only have an opportunity like this once in a blue moon. So, I decided that seeing his joy, (not to mention mine ) would be worth everything. Life is full of struggles, and this was one choice I could make in his favor.

I'm truly sorry about your job, but maybe God has something better planned for you! Remember, we are here to support you no matter what your decision.

Have a great day!

 

[lovindonald]

Absolutely GO! You never know what will happen down the road, it is always uncertain. You will still be getting paid and you have time to continue looking for a job. The kid's would be so disappointed. I think you should go - you only live once, enjoy it.

 

[ransom]

Given today's "flexible" economy, we thought this one through before we ordered the tickets.

My wife and I decided that we would still go even in the face of unemployment, should that happen.

Basically, this trip is worth a lot more to us than the money it represents.


-Joe

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Sorry about your job. I also think you should go. Its already paid for & it might not happen again for awhile. Is it possible you could move the trip up so not to conflict with a new job? It may not seem like much, but that's very cool that you're getting 6 mos pay still. Good luck with all of your new decisions.

 

[Elmo888]

GO GO GO GO GO!

I can't say it enough.

Learn from my experience...

I stay at home, and my husband lost his job. We thought that we didn't have any money at first and worried a lot. After he was out of work for a year, we realized what no money and stress REALLY felt like. After 15 months, he found another job. (I couldn't find work either since I did the same thing before I quit working. Husbands and wives should be in different fields for this reason!)

We are finally planning a trip in January, and we haven't had a vacation in over 5 years. (DH lost his job in Nov. 2001 and found one in Feb. 2003.) Just last night, DH said for the umpteenth time that we should have gone to WDW the week after he lost his job. We still regret not taking a trip while we actually had some money. Financially, things would have been exactly the same 15 months later either way, but we would probably have been in better spirits.

Please learn from my experience - take the vacation. It will help your spirits.

Another experience that we learned is to take advantage of opportunites while you can. We are having such a good year managing our money that we are considering upgrading to the WL. In another 5 years, who knows what will be able to afford, if anything.

"Flexible" economy is a great description.

Please post and tell us that you are going!

 

[kimis]

sorry about your job but I would keep the trip. It is paid for and it is a time to make memories. I am also going through a tough time. My dh and I go every year in Feb and our trip is planned and paid for this feb also. However my mother was diagonised with small cell lung cancer 2 months ago and will be gone by Christmas. It is an extremely aggressive form of cancer. I can't imagine my life without my mother. I was thinking of cancelling our trip but my dh ( who isn't a disney fan either) says no! I do need to make our meal reservations but i am having a hard time doing it. My dh keeps telling me to get it done. That in Feb I will be glad I did it. He has a good point. Keep the trip you and your family will be glad you did!

 

[deekaypee]

Like others, I think you should go. The news is horrible, but you've been proactive about paying for your trip, you can jump on getting another job, you have the severance pay, and this time together will be really good for you and your family. Heck, I'd be tempted to look for a job at Disney while I was there.

I'll be thinking about you and hoping for the best for you and yours....

 

[ThreeAngels]

Yes, yes! I agree with the other posters. You should go and enjoy your trip. It's about so much more than the money. Good luck finding a new job!