After making twice yearly trips to DL my entire life, from age 5 to age 34, I was away from DL for six years (from 2001 to 2007) because of money problems. It just didn't seem to be a possibility anymore, and so eventually it left my mind. I didn't even have that need to do it anymore like I had in the past. I just couldn't afford it so it seemed unattainable. Of course, I didn't
want to stay away from DL at all, and I never want to stay away THAT long again, but I realize I may have to skip a year or two here and there. When I went back last year in September, it was because I had gotten some unexpected extra money that covered both the September
and December 2007 trips I made. I couldn't have done it without that. After December's holiday trip, I instantly snapped into that Disney fever (we all know it!) where I had to plan another trip right away, and planned one for this coming December 2008 at the GCH through the WDTC. That is, as most of us know, outrageously expensive and was not wise of me to do. I should have waited six months to see how the year was going before making any plans a year in advance!
So, what happened but I lost my job in February. Unemployment rates are the highest they have been in 5 years and there are millions of dollars in current claims, according to what the lady at the EDD told me. I came on DISboards to kind of toss around what I should do with my WDTC reservation for this coming December. I didn't know if I should cancel it because it was so far away...and yet, I needed the money back that I had put down on the reservation because I suddenly had no income. SO I took the advice of everyone on here and cancelled it a few months ago. Of course, they kept $100 of my money which I will never get back, and that was my own stupid fault for going through WDTC in the first place rather than wait 6 months and make a reservation through Central!!!
In any case, I let go of the idea of going to DL when I cancelled the res. at WDTC. I pretty much figured that this will be a tough year and Disney - no matter how much I need a trip to boost my spirits - would not be on the horizon in 2008, or if it was, it would be last minute. And then...the PIN# discount presented itself, and I got some free tickets from a client of mine and some help from a couple of friends because it was my birthday, and some more unexpected money - and suddenly it seemed to be a possibility again! I think
if I had not let go of the idea entirely, this good fortune would not have come to me. So because all these circumstances happened in my favor, I can be at DL for the fun Halloween stuff and cheer myself up. But if they had
not happened this way, I just would not be going at all, or I would only be going for one day. And even though I find myself scheming and plotting ways to try to get back there in December, I know that it if it looks like it is impossible to make it happen, then it just wont happen. I am not going to lose all my hair over trying to figure out how to get there in December. There is always next December (2009). Getting into a stable job is more important than anything at the end of the day. But I am just taking care of
me, and not a child and family. So if I make a bad decision, then I am the only one who has to suffer for it. No one else. I am just responsible for me.
Jade, it sounds like your husband
will get this job, and hopefully, all the worries will vanish and you guys can go in Oct., Dec., next year, the year after, get the AP's, all of that!! You know I wish that for you!
I
totally understand the
need to make the trips happen and set foot on that
Disneyland soil! But I think that what some others here have said in this thread is pretty sound - two and three trips in the next year is a lot to take on, and you do need to have some money put aside for emergencies for your child and family, and if you kind of let go of the idea of going past this October trip, then maybe circumstances will present themselves to you to make it really easy to go again in December and next year. As Fairykin said, listen to that little voice that was speaking to you, making you wonder if you should go. It may make more sense to just focus on one trip at a time. Take it day by day. Do October, as you have planned, and THEN see about December later. Wait until you know your husband is settled into a good job and it looks like money is flowing in before doing anything about December or an AP or any of that.
I also want to get an AP when I am there in October, but if I can't afford it, I can't. At least I get to go to DL in October and I am grateful for that because it did not look like it would happen!
Next time I probably wouldn't post about your money troubles on the board though. 
. So that some posters may not understand if you get SSI you are not allowed to have a savings. Yes the money is sent to a bank but every I think 6 months, but once a year for sure you must account for where that money went. If she were to put money from her fathers pension into a savings it might mean her SSI would be lowered 
. So explain how she is to save? Making memories with her son is the important issue. 
