Driving myself nuts. WWYD?

[ilovemk76]

1) They are 12, 11, and 9.

Since you cannot take them next year, so two years from now would be the soonest, I would not wait. Then they would be 14, 13 and 11.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I wish it were an easier decision. I'm just so tight-fisted with money

This seems to be the crux of the matter

 

[ZehnJahren]

This seems to be the crux of the matter

Which is exactly why my first sentence was this:

This is the stupidest thing I've ever gone around and around with myself over.

It's tough to spend money when you never really had much when you were younger! It'd be easier if I was spending someone else's money.

 

[LJSquishy]

Without even taking the cost of either trip into consideration, I would personally choose to take a solo trip and go "all out" doing exactly what you want when you want without the crowds.

I think it would be an amazing experience to take the kids also, but, it would become THEIR trip and not yours, so you would not be catering to what you want to do. My husband and I went in Feb of this year and had a blast doing more adult things (we don't have children). If we had kids, the entire focus of the trip would have been on them and would have provided a totally different experience (not a negative one, just different). If you take the kids, the satisfaction you would get would be from seeing them have so much fun rather than doing specific things that you think are fun (like Around the World). I think it would be a lot to keep up with 3 kids, not in a bad way, but you really already have an idea of things you would like to accomplish while there and with kids those ages you can't go off and do your own thing. If you would be content with focusing on their enjoyment at Disney (which can be very rewarding), then I would go for it! They likely would always remember how awesome you were to take them and how much fun they had. Hubby and I someday want to take our neices and nephew (currently ages 5, 3, 2, and 1 month) on big trips when they are older provided they are well behaved kids. We also want to take them each individually somewhere big when they turn 18 like Europe, Ireland, etc. Since we've been to Disney World alone, if we ever went again it would probably be fun to take the neices and nephews for a different experience but we likely won't be going again.

I think ultimately you should take your own trip, AND do a smaller fun day with the kids where you live. Take them out for mini-golf, bumper cars, a movie, water park if you have one, arcade, etc. You would be able to choose several things to do to fill up an entire day and they would love that. It would be relatively inexpensive to take them all to do those things and you still get your solo trip.

 

[honeydiane1953]

OK I am a grandmother and have made two trips with two of my DGC age 10 and 6 at the time . I took my brother along and he helped as best he could. Mine u these r very well behaved children. We went during their spring break. The second trip my grown daughter and I took my DGD age 3 the second time. Since he was not in school we went in April. Naturally my DD did most if not all the running lol after her. She too is well behaved as a three yr little girl can be!! I paid for EVERYTHING for both trips. At the time I could afford it and I INSISTED as I wanted to do it. I could go into costs etc. However to make a long story short they ALL wanted to go back to the resort and go swimming lol. I could have saved a bundle just taking them to a nice place with a great pool. All three of them would have thought is was the best vacation they ever had!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then I like u could have gone solo and prob still saved. I cannot take the heat so I would NEVER GO IN SUMMER! Trust me they want to swim. hope this helps been there done that.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Without even taking the cost of either trip into consideration, I would personally choose to take a solo trip and go "all out" doing exactly what you want when you want without the crowds.

I think it would be an amazing experience to take the kids also, but, it would become THEIR trip and not yours, so you would not be catering to what you want to do. My husband and I went in Feb of this year and had a blast doing more adult things (we don't have children). If we had kids, the entire focus of the trip would have been on them and would have provided a totally different experience (not a negative one, just different). If you take the kids, the satisfaction you would get would be from seeing them have so much fun rather than doing specific things that you think are fun (like Around the World). I think it would be a lot to keep up with 3 kids, not in a bad way, but you really already have an idea of things you would like to accomplish while there and with kids those ages you can't go off and do your own thing. If you would be content with focusing on their enjoyment at Disney (which can be very rewarding), then I would go for it! They likely would always remember how awesome you were to take them and how much fun they had. Hubby and I someday want to take our neices and nephew (currently ages 5, 3, 2, and 1 month) on big trips when they are older provided they are well behaved kids. We also want to take them each individually somewhere big when they turn 18 like Europe, Ireland, etc. Since we've been to Disney World alone, if we ever went again it would probably be fun to take the neices and nephews for a different experience but we likely won't be going again.

I think ultimately you should take your own trip, AND do a smaller fun day with the kids where you live. Take them out for mini-golf, bumper cars, a movie, water park if you have one, arcade, etc. You would be able to choose several things to do to fill up an entire day and they would love that. It would be relatively inexpensive to take them all to do those things and you still get your solo trip.

She took a solo trip in Jan. She was there with her mom last year, she'll go with her mom to DLR *YAY* next year.....

Take the kids!

ETA ~ why can't they miss school? If the have a small break in the fall why not add to it? My kids always have a Thu & Fri off in Oct, we used those days plus the following week when we 1st visited WDW and plan to do the same next year!

 

[SaraJayne]

OP, you've had (and will continue to have) plenty of chances to go to Disney alone or with others.

Take the kids.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I welcome additional opinions.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

They live in two different households in two different counties, and go to three different schools already. It's been tough even finding a SUMMER trip; I can't imagine trying to get all those schedules together to take them at any other time!!

Oy, that would make it difficult! Best of luck, I hope you can make it work those 3 would treasure it I'm sure, my nephews are always better behaved for me than they are their parents, yours are older kids anyway - it'd be easy.

 

[sksjasams]

I thought about taking them for a fun day, and then I priced it. If I took them to the local theme park, paid for parking and lunch, and then took them out to dinner, it would only be about $500 less than it will cost me to take them to Disney instead of my solo trip in September! Seriously.

They live in two different households in two different counties, and go to three different schools already. It's been tough even finding a SUMMER trip; I can't imagine trying to get all those schedules together to take them at any other time!!:

I totally agree about the pricing for a "fun day"! It costs a small fortune to spend one day at Six Flags, or even a day at the local County Fair.

About the kids' schedules...this will only get more difficult and complicated the older they get!

 

[LJSquishy]

Wow, really only $500 more to do Disney World for you and the kids than a local theme park? Yikes! I can't remember if you stated how long the trip would be if you took the kids with you...I'm thinking you would rather take them based on your enthusiasm for something different for you and something memorable for them. I probably wouldn't do any less than trip with 3 full park days with them along so hopefully it won't be a super short trip.

Take the kids, I can tell you want to. And, it will provide you with a new DW experience.

 

[MomToOne]

It seems to me that you have no concerns about spending the money on a solo trip, or even trips. But you pull out the money card and several other reasons for not taking the kids. So I suspect what is really going on is that you feel you SHOULD take the kids, but you really aren't convinced you WANT to. I don't think it's really about the money at all.

Not to say that's awful of you - I've been there.

I think you need to decide if you want to be "Super Aunt" and take on the work of taking kids to Disneyland (and it is work, it's not really much of a "vacation" for you!). Or maybe you just don't want to put on that superhero cape just now - maybe being "Really Good Aunt" is enough for you and that doesn't require a trip to Disney

But that's just me reading postings on a webpage. I could be totally wrong too.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I think you have a point too; I do feel like I should take them, because I can and no one else can or will. And they love theme parks, so I know it will be something cool for them.

 

[robinb]

OP, you've had (and will continue to have) plenty of chances to go to Disney alone or with others.

Take the kids.

I agree. I didn't read all the other responses, but have you looked into getting the kids YES tickets? They are a lot cheaper than normal park hoppers and they can take a really cool class or two. There are classes available in mid-June. Here is the main DIS thread with a link to the YES Program in the first post: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2332767 .

 

[Coll0610]

Take the kids. You will have plenty more chances for solo trips, but the kids' schedules are only going to get tighter the older they get. I once read a quote that said something like we regret the things we DON'T do more than the things we do. So go for it. You and the kids will never forget it.

 

[clutter]

The big thing is that taking the kids will take up my vacation fund through June and all my air miles, and will be on a budget; going on a solo trip will be around half that price, leave me with at least one more roundtrip air ticket (at least), and I could "live it up". So it's a big difference in experiences.

Ok, I'm starting to read this (because I remember your last thread on planning this) as "I've never done this before, and I really want to, but is this going to be worth it?"

Here's the thing. Have you ever done Disney with kids before? It's a totally different experience! Sure, you see the magic, but seeing it from a first timer's eyes? Priceless. It will NOT be your normal vacation. It will be a whole different thing, and from as much as it sounds like you love you nieces and nephews, it will be a different kind of magic for you.

What will you be doing for the next 20 years? Do you want kids? Can you imagine taking them, seeing them there? If you do, will you regret not doing that for your sister's kids? Do you plan to stay childless? If so, are you planning to do plenty of travel? You've got years to do cool things, will you regret not going with the kids this time?

You're stuck on being able to to a deluxe trip. Deluxe is great. Company is better. Kids for company is even better. You can go deluxe in 3, 5, 10 years. Fot this fall, can you find a simple luxury you can give yourself instead of a deluxe trip?

Have fun, and we all expect a trip report, starting with telling them!

 

[eliza61]

OP, you've had (and will continue to have) plenty of chances to go to Disney alone or with others.

Take the kids.

How does she know this? 3 months ago, my family was perfectly normal. 6 weeks ago my dh was diagnosed with acute myelod leukemia and has been hospitalized every since and we'll definitely be cancelling our couple disney trip for August.

No one knows if they will have "plenty of chances" to do any thing. If her heart is set on going solo (although I voted take the kids) she should follow it.

 

[jessica52877]

I didn't read all 6 pages, could you do 1 kid this trip and then do 1 kid a trip each summer the next couple? Wouldn't eat all your $ or miles at once although it probably isn't saving that much.

 

[robinb]

How does she know this? 3 months ago, my family was perfectly normal. 6 weeks ago my dh was diagnosed with acute myelod leukemia and has been hospitalized every since and we'll definitely be cancelling our couple disney trip for August.

OT ... {{hugs}} to you. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband.

 

[robinb]

We can't do the YES program, unfortunately; no classes cover all their ages.

Well that's a bummer! I looked it up and kids 13 and older don't need an accompanying adult. You could leave the 11 & 12 year old back in the room and take the 9-year old to the YES program then do something else special for the older kids (maybe colored hair gel and pixie dust at the barber shop at the MK?). I left my DD in the room multiple times when she was that age. Just make sure they have food and they don't fight over the remote . Things really don't need to be "fair" and it would save you a boatload of money.