Disney Depression

[HappyLawyer]

Hi all not really sure where this goes, but all year i have been so excited about our vacation, we are going from 12/10-12/19, for the first time we are staying off property at a villa, renting a car and visiting disney, seaworld and universal. In the last month i have had so many unexpected expenses come up and now the spending money will be very tight, everything else is paid for, and it's not like i wanted to spend my life's savings but i just wanted to have plenty of money just in case-you know how kids like to beg, my dtr is still so excited but i am depressed a bit, why i mean we are still going to disney. I just don't know how to cheer up

 

[crisi]

Don't fret about it. Things happen.

Keep your daughter busy so she doesn't fall into the "wants." She can't want what she doesn't see. And try to distract her from what she does want...."Let's shop later - and go ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad now!"

Keep in mind how much junk you won't have to pick up from the floor because you didn't bring it home!

Finally, use the last few weeks you have to scrounge up a little more spending money, if you can. A neighbor willing to pay you to hang Christmas lights? A relative who will return your Christmas gift and give you a little cash for the trip early instead? Putting off buying laundry detergent or getting a haircut until you return?

 

[HenDuck]

I just looked at all the money I've spent on Christmas presents, car repairs and servicing, and for this trip, and I am depressed too. I knew it would be tight going on a trip this time of year, but man!

I don't usually spend my DS birthday money. I usually put it in his savings. But this time, that money will be his spending money.

This will be our first real budget trip and it will be a test, but I am glad that we're going at all and I keep trying to remind myself that it will be great to see the parks at Christmas time.

I'm going to try to stay away from the stores as much as possible. We'll see how successful I am!

Good luck to you too!

 

[BevS97]

work out what you can afford to spend and set yourself a daily budget - ours covers all expenses, food, drinks, souveniers. I actually take it in cash (well travellers cheques) and put each days allotment in a seperate envelope in the safe. That way I know, if we have the cash we can have it, but if the envelopes empty then we are done spending for the day.
It works really well for me
I also gave my dd a set amount for each day too, so she also knew when it was gone it was gone - she actually brought quite a lot of it back and it really helped with the I wants, to be able to say "ok but it will be from your money."

 

[talicskai]

We are going in February and money is tight this year too, so I went to my local Disney store and bought Mickey and Minnie plush animals ($13.99 Canadian) and two t-shirts for $5.99 a piece. I have put them at a friends house and will store them in the back of the trunk until we get to Florida so that we already have our "souvenirs" I plan to go back after Christmas and buy the "spinners" that the kids like for the parades and get them on sale. (hopefully) That way it limits the amount they will spend while in Florida but they still get authentic Disney stuff.

Have a great trip.......and remember you are giving you kids the best souvenirs ~ Memories to last a lifetime ~

Teresa

 

[riopooh]

My son's favorite souvenirs were pressed pennies! I loved them because they were cheap, they kept him busy and they were everywhere. (and we've added to his collection in subsequent trips to other places - Washington DC, Hershey PA). We kept most of our souvenir shopping for one night at DD and even them we had an item count / dollar limit but there were lots of little trinkets (pp, magnets, pens) that we collected along the way so noone felt gypped.

 

[alicenwonder99]

I know what you mean. I'm tightening the belt around here for xmas. I've even considered cancelling our Jan trip. But we all really want to go (especially me...lol).

Here's some things I'm considering doing:

- cancel a couple of our PS's. We'll just have to eat at some of the cheaper counter-service places

- my mother is giving each of my children $25 Disney Dollars for xmas. I think that's going to be it for my kids for spending money (we have 4 children)

- try to time it right so we eat a big late lunch, then not eat again until we get back to our FW cabin. I'll pack lots of snacks, and of course we'll eat breakfast in the cabin

- cancel the babysitting at Neverland Club. I'm not sure how my younger ones are going to let me get out of this...lol. So, this may not be an option!

Mary

 

[HappyLawyer]

Well u all will be happy to know i am feeling better, i decided to not try to live like the Jones's and look into a hotel instead of a villa, i have found some that are very nice and i will save around 500 dollars, they also have comp shuttles to disney, seaworld and universal so i am a little better

 

[HappyLawyer]

you all will be happy to now the depression has passed, i just bid on a villa on sky auction and won 7 nites for 2150total i am so happy and this will free up cash for our trip