For the Florida regulars........justification?

[laluna]

I haven't posted for sometime as our next planned trip was not until Feb 2011(a big birthday celebration!) but I regularly keep tabs on you all with envy!

An opportunity has arisen for us to return this Aug. That means that we 'do' Florida every 18 months ish. Now I know I dont have to justify this to anyone but do feel judged that this is extravagant (often by those who haven't been and just dont get the Florida thing!) What are your thoughts? Do you get this sort of reaction? Do you think it spoils your children?!?


P.S. I really need a trip soon as I am running out of make up, need new jeans and have lost my Test Track antenna topper!

 

[Andy B]

People just remember when you have been, when we went in 2007 people said didn't you go last year, but in fact it was 2003, we went to the USA in 2005 but that primarily was to take my MIL's ashes.

I enjoy WDW the kids just tag allong. But we also go to other places in other years, last year the lake district and Northumberland, 2006 Italy and Germany.

So don't worry.

 

[orangetiggs]

my parents took me abroad every year when i was little and we now go away every year either to disney or the caribbean

When we decided to have kids I will be taking them away every year so they can see the world so I dont think its wrong or spoiling thema t all

 

[earthelves]

I just returned on Jan 5th after a "Funtastic" Xmas/Newyear Disney Vacation @ WL,,we head back over on the 28th of Jan (yes in 2 wks time ) only for 10 days though at GF CL & already I'm being told that i go too much We go back in Aug 2009 for 2 wks We have no Children..

 

[wayneg]

I get judged almost every day, hardly a day goes by without a customer coming in with comments like, "nice to see you in the country again" or "whens the next trip?" numerous more but they go in one ear and out the other.
Everyones idea of extravegant is different every 18 months is far from it to me. We have been going upto 4 times a year plus weekends to Europe. When my Mum passed away 4 years ago we decided to take as many hols as possible until the money runs out, she worked all her life and died 6 months before retiring, we are not doing the same.
Our son is now 14 years old and has just had his 50th trip abroad at Xmas, yes he is spoiled but he is the most considerate, helpful, respectful teenager you would want to meet. Now started his GCSE's well on course to get high scores in all subjects + stays behind to take music GCSE extra.
Life is far too short to worry what others think, if you have the money then go as often as you can.

 

[Clare D]

I wouldn't worry about what others think, life is too short.
I have friends and family that have a similar attitude and when we visited in 2004, 05 and 06 they were saying 'there are other places to visit'.
We save up, we don't smoke and we rarely go out - we have kids - so if I want to visit Disney and it is something we all love and have a great time doing then that is what we will do.
All I can say is have a great time

 

[Pegasus928]

When we go in Feb this will be our second trip in less than a year - and we have another one planned in Oct as well.
We would only see it as a problem if we had to borrow to be able to pay for the holiday, or the things that we do on holiday.
As it is I am fortunate to be in a good job that pays well (even better since the pound has fallen) so am using the opportunity while it is here, as you never know when things will change for the worse.
I also feel, like many on here, proud of the fact that I am able to provide experiences for my children that others are not lucky enough to enjoy - and I make sure that my children understand this thoroughly, and that they appreciate the fact that they are the lucky ones.
Go on your holiday, spoil yourself and your kids and be happy that you can do this - not guilty.

 

[earthelves]

I get judged almost every day, hardly a day goes by without a customer coming in with comments like, "nice to see you in the country again" or "whens the next trip?" numerous more but they go in one ear and out the other.
Everyones idea of extravegant is different every 18 months is far from it to me. We have been going upto 4 times a year plus weekends to Europe. When my Mum passed away 4 years ago we decided to take as many hols as possible until the money runs out, she worked all her life and died 6 months before retiring, we are not doing the same.
Our son is now 14 years old and has just had his 50th trip abroad at Xmas, yes he is spoiled but he is the most considerate, helpful, respectful teenager you would want to meet. Now started his GCSE's well on course to get high scores in all subjects + stays behind to take music GCSE extra.
Life is far too short to worry what others think, if you have the money then go as often as you can.

Life is far too short to worry what others think, if you have the money then go as often as you can.[/QUOTE

 

[JulieSharp]

We have been I think 14 times, the last 6 or 7 (I am not 100% sure) with our son.

Some years we have been twice, although we haven't actually been since 2006, our next trip being this coming April.

It's all down to personal choice and finances, we are lucky to be able to afford to go each year and could go twice if we chose to, however the increasing cost and the fact we have been so many times has in a way dwindled the appeal a little.I can't see us travelling in Economy again, as our son has 'special needs' - so with the flight upgrades this all adds to the price.

I doubt we will go next year, purely because we do not want to spend that much on holidays anymore, if we don't go again we will be quite satisfied that we have been lucky to go so many times.

I don't think spoiling your children comes into it, because we see Florida as educational in many ways, as well as fun of course.

Many people don't like Florida, that's their choice, but doesn't mean we should be swayed by that as after all several million people can't be wrong can they?

 

[wicket2005]

You only have one life, do with it what you want to. I don't see a problem going to Florida if that is your choice but only if you can afford to.

I think my family is used to us going to Orlando now. Each to their own, I don't want to be looking round museums and stately homes (which is what my parents like to do on holiday), I want to go to Orlando and have fun.

 

[wickesy]

When my Mum passed away 4 years ago we decided to take as many hols as possible until the money runs out, she worked all her life and died 6 months before retiring, we are not doing the same.

Dad and I took the same view after my Mum died. We paid enough inheritance tax on her estate and Dad said there was no point in me doing the same when he is gone so spend it now and enjoy it.

My view is that people work hard enough for the money they earn and if they decide to spend it on holidays, extravagant or not, what has it got to do with anyone else.

 

[disneybarbie]

My family have been to Orlando almost every other year since 1993; then we went to other places on the 'between' years! I've seen some amazing places in the world, and there's more I want to see too - but there is no where on earth like wdw - where you know that you'll have a consistently great time, everytime!
now that my siblings & i have grown up.. I have continued to visit wdw every other year.. while my parents now go to florida several times a year.. and always spend a few nights at wdw!!
A lot of people at work/friends/family don't 'get' why I go back to the same place.. but most of them have never been to Orlando, and almost none of them have stayed on property, which I think adds another layer of magic to the holiday!

holidays & days off work/school are precious.. so why not spend them at the most magical place on earth?!

Barbie

 

[tubtruck]

It all depends on what you want to do with your spare time, how much spare time you have, what your priorities in life are and of course how much money you have.

The majority of people do not know each other on these boards yet have one thing in common, a love of Disney. On of the beauties of boards like these is that the anonimity of the actual people allows the breaking down of all social and economic barriers that exist in the real world.

It really depends on what circles you mix in as to what others think is a lot of hoildays. Personally I would not worry at all about what others think. It is your life not theirs.

 

[Jets fan]

If you can afford it, then just go. When you get older what lovely memories you will have. I've been 3 times in one year before but we are only going every other year now.

Have fun as life really is too short.

 

[scottish mum]

My friends always say "don't you get fed up going to disney all the time" This is by people that always go camping every year or lie on the beach for 2 weeks. Every one has their own choice and I don't think its fair for anyone to judge another. If you can afford it, go and don't worry about what pople think. Your not spoiling your kids your just giving them wonderful childhood memories. Another friend once said your kids won't remember a new kitchen but will remember the holidays you take them on

 

[buzz for boys]

You can only regret the things u didnt do !!! When my ds was diagionised with cancer we were gutted that as a family we had put so much off for the daftest of reasons. We had looked at wdw brochures and talked ourselves out of it - wait till kids r bigger - wait till the dollar stronger etc etc. In the weeks of treatment we booked a trip to florida,a trip to lapland and all the things we had put off over the years and then we sat and prayed that ds would make it through treatment and be able to come with us. Thankfully he did and we saw all the things as a family. We have had an awful year last year when he was rediagionised and once again treatment commenced and we have rebooked a trip to florida - so many people have said to us but you have done that b4 or can you really afford to go again?? My answer is simple live for today and follow ur dreams we have had to borrow every single penny to go this time but the memories we will have as us all together as a family will out weigh any debt issue my deepest regret is that we didnt return with a well child !!
My answer to your question is the extreme but life is so precious dont let other people live ur life have fun and cherish every second as a family
x x x

 

[Pootle]

Agree with most of what has been said already .... your life, your money, your choices etc .... but still I do find it a bit irksome when someone comments negatively. People who know me well don't comment because I'm in the fortunate position of having travelled more than most (I celebrated 2000 by being in a different country at some time in every month for instance ) and I'm not a theme park addict at all. But, last Christmas when my BIL's new girlfriend (after a few drinks to be fair ) kept going on and on about why did I keep going back to Florida etc I was all but ready to throttle her , but instead managed a smile and some self control

Of course, it was the usual tale: she had never been to anywhere other than Med countries and they had just booked the same Spanish villa for two weeks as they'd had the previous year and barely left the pool to see anywhere else She's a smart lady whom I like (she even apologised the next day), but despite myself it still rankled.

As far as spoiling children goes, I'd say that what happens on the other 50 weeks a year is far more important in determining whether they are spoiled or not.

buzz for boys - I wish you all the luck in the world.

Enjoy your good fortune laluna

 

[laluna]

Thank you all so much. Agree with every comment.

 

[laluna]

Thank you all so much. Agree with every comment.

 

[Shazzie B]

( Reply to Scottish Mum) This is so true!

I get it all the time-you're going to Florida again!-mostly it's good natured. The way we see it we both work hard all year and so deserve it. Our children know how lucky they are and I point out it's one of the advantages of having both parents work full time (they have the disadvantages of that too-having to go to holiday clubs, helping out at home more that they would have to if I didn't work etc).

Life is too short, you never know what's round the corner, enjoy now.

(Written before I saw your post Buzz for Boys-wishing you all the best)