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

 

[Tinkim]

Unfortunately those darned unexpected expenses are the one thing you can't budget for. No amount of careful planning and budgeting can help. I think it will work out and you will have a great time. I understand your being a little depressed though. Hopefully Disney will work its magic and you will have a great time.

 

[disneysteve]

I have a feeling that as soon as you enter your villa, your depression will vanish. The rental villas are wonderful places to stay. You'll never want to stay onsite again.

I don't know how old your daughter is, but if she is old enough to comprehend, I would explain in advance that money is a little tight and you'll all still have a great time but might have to limit souvenirs and expensive snacks.

Since you are staying offsite and have a car, you'll have easier access to discount shops, less costly restaurants, etc. so your money can go farther.

 

[Mickey527]

Try what I always did when I took my boys to WDW.
I was a single mother of 3 boys who quit college to get married. Hey, it was the early 70's and I planned on being a housewife and full time mother, my ex was the one with the different plans. I took my boys to WDW every year, on a very limited budget.
We had lots of meals at Ponderosa and Taco Bell. Bfst at the hotel, pig out meal at Pondorosa for late lunch and maybe a cheap dinner if they were hungry, or cereal in the room. They didn't care since they got to go to the parks everyday. Those passes were expensive. I brought in drinks for them, boxed drinks when they were younger, and canned soda as they got older. As long as you don't have glass, the security won't stop you from bringing in your own. I even bought my own bottled water at Walmart and put in crystal light for me. It does get to be a pain to lug drinks but you can always get a locker for the day and stop back at the locker as you get thirsty.
We always went to the outlets on the first day and toward the end of the trip. They always found something they liked there and it saved money for me.
Do explain to your child that money is a little tight and you can't get her everything she sees and wants this trip but you promise her she will have a great time.
I am working now after going back to school and I spend alot more on our trips. We take the tours and rent boats almost every day. All the things they wanted to do when they were younger and I was poorer. So don't think of now, have fun, enjoy your child and your trip and remember, when she is older you will have great memories of this trip.
One more thing, save your money, my son's all have girlfriends or wives now and I have grandchildren. It costs alot more now to take them all to WDW. Peggie

 

[HappyLawyer]

she is 8 years old, the problem is i was an accountant before i went back to school to work on my mba and jd so she was used to not living on tight money and ok i spoiled her, i did not know any better-should have listened to my mother- i can explain it to her but she will still ask for stuff and it is sometimes hard when you see other kids with things and telling her no i think i will do a type of schedule like 25 dollar limit every 3rd day so within 3 days she can use 25 bucks, total of 75 for her for the trip, i think i will brighten up when we arrive

 

[Luv2Roam]

It will be fine.
With so much planning you are probably starting to have anxiety now that your trip is fast approaching.
Agree, just explain the situation to her, and ENJOY. She is still going on a vacation that many others her age only dream about.
Maybe now is a good time for her to learn not everything in life will be hers for the asking. And at least you are prepared for it.
You will have a great time!

 

[nrsldy]

I totally understand! Up until yesterday I was considering canceling our trip, it was the last day to do that. We have had sooooo many bumps in the road this past month. The final straw was the trip to the vet yesterday because one of my dogs cut her foot and it needed to be sutured, another unplanned expence. So today after dinner we are going to have the money talk about the trip and some things planned will be canceled when we get there to save money.
I hope you have a good trip!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My DH has been doing nothing but complaining about the cost of our WDW trip. And he doesn't REALLY know how much it is costing. I am holding my breath that I will get a nice Christmas bonus to cover some of the gaps in our budget! If we have some unexpected thing between now and the trip we are toast.

My DS is almost 9, and he is also quite spoiled. My policy *used* to be that I never wanted to tell him we couldn't afford something. We always found a way to afford everything he asked for. Now I see that was a mistake. I should have been giving him choices (this toy or that toy) instead of making sure he had it all. His room looks like a Toys R Us exploded.

While I know he will be asking for things on our trip, I am hoping he will be so excited that he won't focus on the material offerings. He likes to make those pressed pennies, so we will bring a roll of quarters and pennies for that, and we will get an autograph book for him. We will try to have him eat at least a snack in the room in the morning except on the day we have a PS for a character breakfast. Food is probably the cost that has me the most concerned, even though we are not huge eaters. We are trying not to order pizza and Chinese and I am staying out of Starbucks between now and the trip because I know there will be things I want at WDW. Is it better to have a lovely snack at Disney or a $5 cup of coffee at home? (Yes, I have to change my habits, too!)

Try not to worry about your trip! Once you get there I bet your DD will be enchanted. Do explain to her before you leave that she will have some money to spend as she likes, but when it is gone it is gone. I'm not sure where you are in your studies, but my cousin is in law school (2nd year) and she has finals coming - very stressful! Take a deep breath and remember that the most important thing is that you and your DD have each other!

 

[way2manykids]

I know exactly what y'all are talking about! This trip of ours was booked a year ago. Rooms and passes have long since been paid for. We were so excited about spending Christmas and New Years and our 2 oldest kids, teens, each had friends going with them. Up until the day I finalized all of our PS arrangements, everything was just peachy. Then it happened. My van, mechanically sound until now, decides it needs a new transmission! Just like that! $2500! Talk about denting the budget. This trip was based on moneys available after bills and our committments to our savings. We shortened our trip to end the day after Christmas intead of the day after New Years, which I am hearing was not such a bad thing. Shortening the trip allowed us to still have a quality trip while affording the neccessary repairs.

 

[CheapMom]

Happy Lawyer- I could have written that post! Look at our countdown timers-
DH and I both have UNfixed salaries- he is on commission and I am an independant contractor. We booked this trip a year ago when things were going very well for us but the last several months we have both been getting skinny paychecks. We also had our share of unexpected expenses lately. Almost everything is paid for- the cruise is paid, 3/4 of our hotel is paid, our park tix are paid... so of course we are going but I hope my $$ worries don't hamper our good time.
I don't quite know what to say to cheer you up- but you are not alone.
We have cancelled our excursions on the cruise and I am glad about that. We will not be purchasing many souvies this trip and we will do no character meals :<. I did these cancellations last week and it lifted my spirits freeing up that cash. I know we are still going to have a ball either way.
I like your idea of giving DD $XX to spend. Don't miss this chance to explain to her why there is a limit... My DD is 9 and DS is 7 and that is how we do it with them. They have some of their own money too. They don't complain or beg (much)- they usually make good choices.
Are you taking a Disney Cruise too? I have already told my kids to get their fill of Mickey Bars and treats while they are free because at WDW we are not able to spend a lot.

IMPORTANT ADVICE TO BOTH OF US: While on vacation, set a spending limit- do not go over that- and beyond that NO WORRIES UNTIL WE GET HOME!!!
Enjoy your trip!

 

[grlpwrd]

Originally posted by 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

Well, consider it a learning experience, too, rather than something depressing. Your dd will learn how resourceful and resilient you are and in that I think it's an invaluable life lesson which is an investment in the long run. This experience will be paying dividends much after your vacation - having fun, making memories, and learning which is a good thing.

I have a feeling everything will work out and fall into place... you made it thru your schooling, didn't you?

Have fun!

 

[HappyLawyer]

Thanks for all the support you guys, i had a talk with her today and tried to explain a few things she seemed to understand but you know kids, i am trying to perk up i mean we going to disney after all

 

[safetymom]

When my kids were smaller I explained to them that since I was the only one working to pay for this vacation that we would have to be careful with our money.

I asked the kids how they thought we could save some money. We ended up buying breakfast foods and lunchmeat to eat in the room. My kids thought it was like a game to see how much money we didn't spend at WDW. They still talk about that trip. We still had a great time but didn't spend a lot of money. It can be done.

 

[HappyLawyer]

thanks for all the words of support i had a talk with her and i deicded to give up the 3 bedroom villa and look for a hotel i have found some very nice ones too a one bedroom suite i am thinking of changing and saving 500.00 bucks

 

[peacefulgirl]

HappyLawyer,

For some reason that happened to me. I was so overwhelmed by the time the trip came, I really wanted to cancel it. But man, once I got there, I forgot all about $$ and the trip was great! Except it was too short ! We only had two days in Dis and were with family and had to drive 7 in a van to and from 3 1/2 hrs and then fly home the next day. That made me want to get back there "the right way". That was in Oct ... we are now booked for Dec 29th ! So I know what you mean! I am like, YIKES, xmas and all, I must be nuts! But we are sooo excited, it's a mother and daughter(11) trip ! This time we are staying 9 nights! Our xmas will be small ... who cares! She is so understanding about $$, I explained renting a car to get to universal will cost an additional 300 ish, she said, lets not go to universal this time, we can go there next time. She is so awesome!

Today I was explaining how to "buy a house", she couldn't believe the cost and was like "we don't own our house!" LOL ... I started teaching this stuff before, she is just getting it now. Seeing her brother pay rent for an apartment and how hard it is to make decent pay... she is all about going to college and being on the ball. I think I messed up with my first, he had everything given to him ... I did him NO favors!!

Can you skip Universal ? Stay on site at a value and not rent a car ??
Or just eat in the hotel in the am and bring water and do the cuts people here suggest.

I think it is just overwhelming for some reason .. it happens ... just keep in mind the wonderful memories you will build and know that it will all be ok !!

Enjoy your trip and do not let anything get in the way of that!

PG

 

[HappyLawyer]

staying onsite is more expensive then staying off site and renting a car