We did our first trip to Disney last fall when our kids were 6, 3, and 2...10 days, Grandma came along to help. We learned as we went, had a fantastic time, and made lots of memories. My husband was along for the ride...he enjoyed it for what it was, but doesn't really have any particular affinity to things Disney on top of hating crowds, heat, waiting, etc. So while he enjoyed himself, he would still be ok never going back...although he has compromised and the current plan is to do one last big trip in about 4 years when all the construction is done.
I, on the other hand, was not particularly drawn to Disney beforehand but had a fantastic time and am still aching to go back. It was our first trip and so we learned as we went, still dealt with naps and toddler meltdowns, and missed a lot of stuff. Particularly with my oldest, things like Pirate's Adventure, Wilderness Explorers, etc. had to be breezed by to keep toddlers happy and keep us hitting the bigger things.
Anyway, we homeschool and there is a homeschool group that does a big trip there every year...there are several classes that Disney offers that you can take part in, as well as some non educational events and networking with other homeschoolers. I have heard only the best things about the classes and it would be right up my son's alley. I would love to take him on this trip and also be able to incorporate more of the learning opportunities we had to pass over last time...talk to the cast members at the World Showcase, finishing Wilderness Explorers, etc. It would also fulfill my desire to accomplish some of the things we didn't get to do last time with a very capped cost (some of our extra schooling budget plus credit card rewards, plus of course 2 people instead of 5, etc.) and give me peace to wait the 4 years without feeling like we missed out. Obviously though, I realize we can homeschool just fine without the trip, and if I need to wait 4 years I will still have gotten to go twice more than many, many others so it still is very much a want.
Ok, so my hesitation is the younger two kids. We have never been an "all or none" family...vacationing is very, very important to us and what we budget and plan carefully for and evaulate individually what works in that point of our lives as to what we do . We have done couples only vacations, I've gone on girl's trips, we've done two cruises with just our oldest when the other two were babies, plus of course plenty of trips with everyone as well. But with this trip, our younger two have both been here and know what they are missing, and at least our then 4 year old will be old enough to know what he is missing. The trip is educationally focused, but of course we would still be doing rides and such.
There really isn't a middle ground...financially this fits in only as a trip with the two of us. We either go now or wait 4 years and go as a family. There is a very shaky 3rd option of waiting another year and me taking both boys, but I question whether the program will still be offered for various reasons I won't go into here. Our youngest could never handle the pace of the trip regardless so that doesn't bother me so much as our middle one. It would be a struggle for him still and it would definitely hamper our ability to do the educational activities with him there, but I would still feel so guilty for leaving him behind when I know he would love the trip. Any thoughts, insight, etc?
I, on the other hand, was not particularly drawn to Disney beforehand but had a fantastic time and am still aching to go back. It was our first trip and so we learned as we went, still dealt with naps and toddler meltdowns, and missed a lot of stuff. Particularly with my oldest, things like Pirate's Adventure, Wilderness Explorers, etc. had to be breezed by to keep toddlers happy and keep us hitting the bigger things.
Anyway, we homeschool and there is a homeschool group that does a big trip there every year...there are several classes that Disney offers that you can take part in, as well as some non educational events and networking with other homeschoolers. I have heard only the best things about the classes and it would be right up my son's alley. I would love to take him on this trip and also be able to incorporate more of the learning opportunities we had to pass over last time...talk to the cast members at the World Showcase, finishing Wilderness Explorers, etc. It would also fulfill my desire to accomplish some of the things we didn't get to do last time with a very capped cost (some of our extra schooling budget plus credit card rewards, plus of course 2 people instead of 5, etc.) and give me peace to wait the 4 years without feeling like we missed out. Obviously though, I realize we can homeschool just fine without the trip, and if I need to wait 4 years I will still have gotten to go twice more than many, many others so it still is very much a want.
Ok, so my hesitation is the younger two kids. We have never been an "all or none" family...vacationing is very, very important to us and what we budget and plan carefully for and evaulate individually what works in that point of our lives as to what we do . We have done couples only vacations, I've gone on girl's trips, we've done two cruises with just our oldest when the other two were babies, plus of course plenty of trips with everyone as well. But with this trip, our younger two have both been here and know what they are missing, and at least our then 4 year old will be old enough to know what he is missing. The trip is educationally focused, but of course we would still be doing rides and such.
There really isn't a middle ground...financially this fits in only as a trip with the two of us. We either go now or wait 4 years and go as a family. There is a very shaky 3rd option of waiting another year and me taking both boys, but I question whether the program will still be offered for various reasons I won't go into here. Our youngest could never handle the pace of the trip regardless so that doesn't bother me so much as our middle one. It would be a struggle for him still and it would definitely hamper our ability to do the educational activities with him there, but I would still feel so guilty for leaving him behind when I know he would love the trip. Any thoughts, insight, etc?
