Disney when you're penniless?

[JesseBlue]

Before you read on realize that I am pretty much broke myself. A trip to Disney is not in the cards for me or my family for many years due to financial concerns.

If you had been unemployed awhile but just started working again, were down to your last dime and had no credit, had your room prepaid, but had to wait for a pay check to be deposited on your last day of vacation to pay off your room charges, would you go?

I love Disney World with all my heart but I can't imagine going under those circumstances. I'd be a nervous wreck worrying about that check and would not enjoy myself. I'm amazed when I read posts by people who are living on a string, pushing it to the limit and then are surprised when it breaks. Budgeting and saving money on a trip is good, but If I don't have the excess funds in my hand before I leave, I don't go.




(Or maybe this is just sour grapes because I'm not going...)

 

[bsnyder]

Personally, I think it's foolish, but people are free to make their own choices.

And it really doesn't bother some people to live on the edge of financial crisis, even one of their own making.

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by JesseBlue
If you had been unemployed awhile but just started working again, were down to your last dime and had no credit, had your room prepaid, but had to wait for a pay check to be deposited on your last day of vacation to pay off your room charges, would you go?

Absolutely not! Unless I had the funds ready and available to pay for the entire trip, and a decent balance in my savings account, I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[katerkat]

Personally, I wouldn't be able to do it - I'd be a nervous wreck too, wondering about that check. It would ruin my vacation and make it totally pointless.

 

[Disney Doll]

No, I would not go under those circumstances, but I know people who would and have!!!

If I take care of nothing else in my life, I always take of the money first.

 

[C.Ann]

It's probably no worse than people who charge the entire trip and then worry about paying for it later..

Myself? I couldn't do it either way.. No money in hand? No go!!

 

[Eeyore1954]

I would be a lot like C. Ann -- no $, I don't go. However, what someone else does is their own business, not mine. If you can handle the mental & emotional stress, that's great. I couldn't.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Funny...I screwed up my bills when I went on vacation about 4 or 5 years ago. To Las Vegas. I'd gotten in the habit of not bring much cash with me and use my ATM card when I get where I'm going. Following my usual pattern I head to the ATM after I check in only to discover a negative balance in my checking account. Needless to say I was highly stressed until my regular paycheck was deposited three days later (living on credit cards). Now I don't normally do this ...it was a math error on my part... but I can say from experience I wouldn't voluntarily do it again.

At the same time I can see taking the Disney trip since it will probably be a long time before the person you described will get a normal vacation from the new job...but not if you are as broke as you described this person.

 

[JAP]

If you are a single person and that desparate and need the vacation then I can see going into further debt.

However, if you have a SO and/or a family with children I think it is highly irresponsible.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

My husband was unemployed for 5 months last year. The stress was absolutely incredible even though we had savings. We didn't go into debt, but our money was dwindling fast.

When he got a job, the first thing we did was go for a long weekend at WDW. We deserved it after the months of worrying, arguing, not eating...we needed to be in our happy place. We did it on the cheap and I don't regret it for one second.

Life is short and if you want to go, go. Don't judge others and never worry about what people think of you. It doesn't mean a thing.

 

[OhMari]

Do you think people that charge their trip are going to admit it.

Maybe some people do it this way and pay it off when they get home and see the charges, versus paying up front. Who knows?

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

I guess I wouldn't really have an opinion on how someone else gets to DisneyWorld or goes on other vacations.

Since I don't know their life circumstances, it's hard to judge whether they should or shouldn't be going. My guess is that people were fairly horrified when I went to DisneyWorld near the time my husband was permanently laid off from his job a few months ago. What they might not know is how I got there financially, and frankly it wasn't anyones business.

I've also known several folks who travel extensively, while collecting disability or welfare......seems they're only disabled while at work, not while travelling, but this too, isn't my call to make.......

 

[Jillpie]

We were in your very shoes the last 8 months of our lives. As you can recall, my DH was unemployed and it was very difficult. We had to make that exact choice. Do we go or not go, even though we have our very first DVC reservations and were so excited about it. We chose to cancel. It was way too risky. Now that he is happily employed again, we are finally able to go in January. With money in hand, prepared. If you ask my opinion, I would wait till you can go with no worry. Your vacation will be fun and something to look forward to and not be anxiety filled the whole week. Good luck with this decision, I know just how you feel.

 

[CathyCanada]

Personally I think it would be irresponsible to go even if the room was paid for in advance. There is always the possibility of unexpected expenses and if the budget is that tight, it is not a good idea.

I know people in this situation DO go and I am not judging them, this is just MY opinion. I would worry too much about the money and not enjoy my trip.
CC

 

[TigerBear]

I think it really depends on the situation of the family. If the only way I could take my family to Disney was on credit - and it was a once in a lifetime trip - I wouldn't hesitate to go. To do it every year? No way.

 

[faith]

I think Disney would go broke if they couldn't count on all the people that charge their vacation, and hope to pay it off later.
We've reached the point in our lives where we just can't do that. Finances are tough enough.
I do hope to go again someday with the grandkids...if finances improve. But paying off a couple of bills has to come first.

 

[disykat]

Seems to be the in thing - doing things you can't afford to pamper yourself. There's a Hane's pantyhose commercial on tv that drives me crazy. It seems like everytime I watch tv I hear their ad - "go to a restaurant you can't afford".

 

[MrsPiglet]

I would not go if I did not have anough money to cover the trip. but to charge a little would be okay if my charging abilty was good and had a job to back it up.

We just bought a house in may, and have lots more credit than we did before, so we have to wait till a couple of the charge cards gets paid down. I can't wait to go back, but not without money.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I can't judge others, but I can tell you if I don't have the CASH to go to Disney, then I don't go. DH and I haven't been in 2 years and we won't be visiting again until 2006. There is no way I could enjoy myself worrying about a check that may or may not go through. I rather have the cash or the Disney $$ so I know I can enjoy my trip with no worries.

 

[jbthi]

I can't know anyone elses circumstances but if they feel the trip is right, more power to them.

If the OP was referring to a post of a week or two ago and it sounds like the same one, the problems they were having were temporary ones. I don't remember the situation, whether children were involved or not but vacation memories are something they will always cherish.