Difficult decision

[Rohais]

DF and I have had our September 2011 trip booked since 2nd June 2010.

However, we're currently living with my DM and DB15, and desperate to move into our own home...whether that be rented or via saving up a deposit to buy.

Our (perfect) holiday would be costing us £6,000 including accommodation, tickets, flights, DDP, spending money, tips, insurance and other bits and pieces we'd need to purchase.

But...as we're leaving university in the next few weeks, we've reached a difficult decision and are cancelling our holiday.

I'm distraught, to be completely honest...you'd understand why if you read the beginning of my PTR...but it makes the best sense.

We're gonna use the money to move out into rented accommodation, purchase furniture etc, pay for my first two modules for my next degree (BA History with OU), finish driving lessons, go to Holland with my aunt and uncle and maybe, just maybe, go to DLPR. I haven't been since I was 7, so it would be interesting.

I'm so upset as I was reaaaally looking forward to meeting everyone at the DISmeets in September and on October 1st. I'm so sorry, but hopefully someone will be able to take over for me...I hope you enjoy it

So, feeling really sad at the moment, but it'll put us so many more steps forward than we would be if we went to WDW this September. We've decided to go DIY, even if only for a quick 7-10 night trip, in September 2012 instead..but still.

Figured you'd understand my pain, so needed to share

 

[2Tiggies]

It's a big step and there is no doubt, a very very difficult decision.

But you know, much as I tend not to say it and always joke around about Disney being more important than anything I think at this stage of your lives you have probably made the sensible choice. And there is always next year as you say.

About the DIS meets and all the planning and organising you have done to get them together, all I can say is look how many people are going to benefit from the initiative you took and the effort you put into co-ordinating it all.

Hopefully you won't disappear from here though, since you can probably carry most of your plans over from this year to the time when you do eventually go. And when you book that next trip you will do so with the security of your independence as a platform.

I have to admire you for your decision. The right decision and the nice decision are sadly very rarely the same one.

but it'll put us so many more steps forward than we would be if we went to WDW this September.

This is a good point to keep in mind when you second guess your decision.

 

[dynamite100]

Hi to a fellow yellow-belly.

Wow, what a tough decision to have to take, but I'm sure it's the right one for you. We are lucky enough to be going this August, but I know for a fact that after that, we won't be going again for many years, what with the way prices have increased exponentially these past couple of years. That thought already has me feeling down, so I kinda feel your pain. All the best to the two of you.

Carl.

 

[disneyholic family]

well done on making a very difficult decision!
in my opinion, you've made a very wise, albeit painful, choice!!

even if you were to go, your enjoyment would have been colored by the knowledge that you really can't afford it right now..

and it's not as if you'll never go again...you will!! and when you do go, it will be that much more sweet...

 

[scottishgirl87]

I kinda know how you feel, this growing up lark SUCKS!

Boyfriend and I both want to go back (me desperately, him not so much) but he has said a firm NO for the next few years as we have to concentrate on moving out, etc. I can see where he's coming from but it doesn't make it any easier

 

[Elise79]

I know how you feel - been there, done that and got the T-Shirt.

We be DH were first together we went two years running then wanted to get married and buy our house and didn't go to FL for 6 years. However it was worth it - we have a nice house and no debt except for our mortgage so can visit twice a year

It might not be what you want now but you will look back and see you did the right thing.

 

[Kath2003]

Yeah I'm of the camp that if it's not disposable cash, it's not holiday money. I would never put a vacation in front of moving out of home, paying the bills etc. - so yeah, we're in the same situation that we can't afford Orlando this year. I need a new car instead

That said, £6000 is a FORTUNE! We spent less than £2000 on a 10-day trip last time (in the Easter holidays!) including all our spending money...Depends whether you're prepared to "slum it" in a lovely 3* hotel that's *shock/horror* off-site and ride the bus!

 

[2Tiggies]

Yeah I'm of the camp that if it's not disposable cash, it's not holiday money.

 

[dixonsontour]

Best wishes for the future.

 

[Muscateer]

Planning for the future is a very wise and grown up decision. Your Disney holiday will come round again.

 

[traycie2201]

Youve made the right choice and maybe your ta will let you do a date change to next year and a more affordable option rather than lose your whole deposit. Good luck

 

[Lil_Me]

We booked a "trip of a lifetime" style trip this time last year to go Nov last year. I had a £2500 overdraft plus £1000 on a credit card already. A few surprises creeped in between April and Nov (mainly my Gran deciding she wanted a family holiday to Turkey in memory of my Grandad and whilst she would help with flights and hotel I had to fund the rest).

So anyway, move to September and I sat and thought "I can't afford this". My overdraft went from interest free to £1 a day, car insurance was due and I didn't know where I was going to find the rest of the money to pay off the holiday. Then my parents offered to give me a loan for £2500 to pay off the overdraft, and I took it, and then used the overdraft to pay off the holiday and the credit card. Big mistake!

So we went on holiday, had a wonderful time and I came back with another £2000 on the credit card. So that made £2500 owed to my parents, £2500 overdraft and £2000 credit card bill. It's going to take me until January next year to pay off all the debts, and I really wish I'd just cancelled the holiday!

I know you're not in exactly the same situation, but hopefully it will help reassure you that you're making the right decision and I wish I'd done the same!

 

[wickesy]

Sorry we won't get to meet you after all Kayleigh but I think you've made the right decision. Can I just thank you again for organising the meets and I'm sure we'll all be raising a drink to you when we are there.

 

[gemmybear83]

Also been there too - and honestly it will be worth it once you are in your own home. We bought our house nearly four years ago and got married in December and paid for it ourselves and are now only in a position where we feel like we are enjoying ourselves again.

This year were doing a couple of short breaks to Munich and Geneva and a summer holiday to Morrocco - the combined total of which come nowhere near to a Florida holiday for us. But I am hoping that we will appreaciate it more when we go next year.

 

[jonkatony]

Hi, we went to WDW five years on the spin until last year when my son went to University. My daughter is at college and will go on to University in two years and with the possibility of them both doing masters I do not know when we will be going back to WDW. We have made the decision to spend any spare money supporting our kids education.Unfortunatley not rich or poor so we get nothing or rich enough not to have to worry about it. Not being political just agreeing that it hurts.
Looking forward to going back one day though!

 

[elainesj]

That's a tough decision to make. As I'm also completely in the camp of holidays ONLY being from disposable income, I think you made the right choice.

I was thinking the other day about what we would do if I wasn't working. DH only makes OK money. I thought back and we made do for many years when I was a SAHM and we only had the one income. I never felt deprived. We couldn't splurge on $$ Disney vacations, but we did plenty of daytrips, local trips, and staycations.

We could really make do with lots less than we do now. Less eating out, less splurging, more frugality...but it would be doable. I'm thinking we need to start cutting back and saving more in the hopes of an early retirement.

 

[Nadia_disfan]

You've made the wisest choice, and with a head like that on your shoulders you'll go far, getting all your qualifications, and a fantastic career in the future you'll be a Disney regular!!
And if you decide to go late 2012 you'll probably be there to see the new fantasyland start to open! Worth the wait I reckon!

 

[Rohais]

Thanks for all your support everyone

We've cancelled our holiday for September 2011 but...we've decided to go September 2012 (DIY-style)

We're going to be able to go to Universal (Hard Rock) for 3 nights and then head over to POFQ for 14 nights and - depending on finances - may try and fit in a DCL Bahamas cruise...but only if we absolutely can.

We've got POFQ for 14 nights, dining plan for £2k. We looked at the OKW offer and it came out at £200 more...but we also prefer POFQ

I was feeling absolutely miserable and this has cheered me right up

We're getting so many steps ahead simply by pushing it back...we've definately made the right decision

Thanks again