Having reservation jitters (please help)

[toonaspie]

Here's the deal you guys. Yes I have made Disney vacation ressies before but they were usually like a few weeks in advance. I have officialized my dates for the vacation I am planning for as May 14th-May 20th, about five months from now. I now alot of you probably reserve much earlier than that, a year or more. But I get really nervous about planning something so far in advance and not knowing if it will still go down come May. I got to the credit card form of filling out my reservation and I chickened out.

My finances are lousy and I live with my parents. I have a job where I get around $450 every two weeks on average but a good amount of that ends up getting spent on wasteless things. My bank account is currently under $4000. Calculating the expenses of the tickets and hotel rooms, it will equal to around $2000 add airfare and food for two during the whole trip and it could go up to $3000 depending. So yeah I do have to the money now for the actual trip but I would really like to have some money in the bank by the time the vacation is done and over. I worry about my spending and the future of my job. Both will be a challenge to handle. I have a few ideas to help me out but words of encouragement would be nice.

To help ease the tension I decided that I will pay the $151 for the vacation insurance. I am a high anxiety person and even paying just the $200 deposit right now is making me feel panicky . It makes me nervous not knowing what the future holds months from now. On the other hand, this would make a pretty neat gift as we had often dreamed about going back to Disney for years.

Sorry to waste your time with this but I am just a wreck trying to decide what to do here.

 

[auralia]

Honestly it sounds like you should put it off. You won't have any emergency fund After your vacation. What if your car breaks or your parents kick you out?

 

[The Brain]

Here's the deal you guys. Yes I have made Disney vacation ressies before but they were usually like a few weeks in advance. I have officialized my dates for the vacation I am planning for as May 14th-May 20th, about five months from now. I now alot of you probably reserve much earlier than that, a year or more. But I get really nervous about planning something so far in advance and not knowing if it will still go down come May. I got to the credit card form of filling out my reservation and I chickened out.

My finances are lousy and I live with my parents. I have a job where I get around $450 every two weeks on average but a good amount of that ends up getting spent on wasteless things. My bank account is currently under $4000. Calculating the expenses of the tickets and hotel rooms, it will equal to around $2000 add airfare and food for two during the whole trip and it could go up to $3000 depending. So yeah I do have to the money now for the actual trip but I would really like to have some money in the bank by the time the vacation is done and over. I worry about my spending and the future of my job. Both will be a challenge to handle. I have a few ideas to help me out but words of encouragement would be nice.

To help ease the tension I decided that I will pay the $151 for the vacation insurance. I am a high anxiety person and even paying just the $200 deposit right now is making me feel panicky . It makes me nervous not knowing what the future holds months from now. On the other hand, this would make a pretty neat gift as we had often dreamed about going back to Disney for years.

Sorry to waste your time with this but I am just a wreck trying to decide what to do here.

Make a reservation. Put down a deposit, not the whole amount, but a deposit. If you decide later not to go you can cancel.

 

[Marionnette]

Here's the deal you guys. Yes I have made Disney vacation ressies before but they were usually like a few weeks in advance. I have officialized my dates for the vacation I am planning for as May 14th-May 20th, about five months from now. I now alot of you probably reserve much earlier than that, a year or more. But I get really nervous about planning something so far in advance and not knowing if it will still go down come May. I got to the credit card form of filling out my reservation and I chickened out.

My finances are lousy and I live with my parents. I have a job where I get around $450 every two weeks on average but a good amount of that ends up getting spent on wasteless things. My bank account is currently under $4000. Calculating the expenses of the tickets and hotel rooms, it will equal to around $2000 add airfare and food for two during the whole trip and it could go up to $3000 depending. So yeah I do have to the money now for the actual trip but I would really like to have some money in the bank by the time the vacation is done and over. I worry about my spending and the future of my job. Both will be a challenge to handle. I have a few ideas to help me out but words of encouragement would be nice.

To help ease the tension I decided that I will pay the $151 for the vacation insurance. I am a high anxiety person and even paying just the $200 deposit right now is making me feel panicky . It makes me nervous not knowing what the future holds months from now. On the other hand, this would make a pretty neat gift as we had often dreamed about going back to Disney for years.

Sorry to waste your time with this but I am just a wreck trying to decide what to do here.

This sounds like it would be perfect for Suze Orman's "Can I Afford It" segment. I don't think that there's anything that I could say that would relieve your anxiety.

 

[*Seanaci*]

I say wait until you feel more financially stable.

Personally, if I'm worried about my finances and the future of my job, going to Disney becomes low on the list of things to do/buy. Disney will always be there. Plus, you want to have fun while in Disney...not worry about every penny you spent...not worry about how you'll make ends meet once you get home.

If you worry about your own spending habits, that's a big red flag not to go. While I can't recommend or tell you details (because I've not participated in he program) I have heard many good things about people who have followed/read Dave Ramsey's money advice/program. *shrugs* Just a suggestion.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[tigger51276]

If you are getting a good deal, I would say to book the stay and put down the minimum deposit and with Disney you have until 30 days before your stay to either finish paying for it or to cancel and get all your money back.

 

[Marionnette]

If you are getting a good deal, I would say to book the stay and put down the minimum deposit and with Disney you have until 30 days before your stay to either finish paying for it or to cancel and get all your money back.

Disney expects full payment 45 days prior to your arrival when it comes to packages. There have been reports from some people that Disney will continue to hold your reservation with no penalties for a while but the official "payment due" date is 45 days out. If you cancel with less than 45 days to go, there as a cancellation penalty of $100-$200 depending on how close you are to your arrival date.

For room-only reservations, you pay the equivalent of one night's stay as a deposit and the balance when you arrive. If you cancel with 6 days or less remaining, you lose your deposit.

Most trip insurance policies do not cover refunds of deposits that got forfeited because you ran out of money. And considering that the most you will lose by cancelling would be in the neighborhood of $200, it may not be worth spending $180 on trip insurance unless you fear something will interrupt your trip and make it necessary for you to return home early.

However, I get the impression that the OP wants someone to reassure them that they will be okay spending the money for a trip. That's why I suggested Suze Orman's "Can I Afford It?". If she approves the purchase, then you can be confident that you have the financial security to handle the expense.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would not go if my finances where that tight. How would I enjoy the trip knowing I am spending money I can't afford to. Your anxiety would be a lot less if you had the resources to pay for the trip and not feel guilty about it. Having an emergency fund is more important than taking a trip that can wait.

You mentioned you would have to buy airfare and food for two people. Who else will be going with you and why are they not contibuting anything to the cost of the trip.

I think its best to postpone.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

The responsible part of me says that Disney might not be the best vacation in your situation. It is a expensive vacation and you have a lot of "what ifs" in your financial future.

That said I am against the vacation insurance. Disney will only keep the deposit if you cancel. It is the 100.00 to 200.00 they have worked with us to postpone our vacation once before and the entire deposit was transferred. Either way purchasing insurance or just paying the deposit you are looking at "losing" the same amount. Insurance adds on to the total cost of your trip but wont necessarily give you back much. It maybe more practical if plane tickets are included in the package.

If your determined to go I would do as other suggested. Put down the minimum deposit and between now and the 45 day pay in full mark work very hard to get your bank account balance up.

The other option is to make the deposit and make payments between now and then but I don't like that option with your situation because in the event of needing cash fast your money will be tied up with Disney for a short while.

Good luck!

 

[Angie789]

Way too many red flags here - I vote no on the trip. I know for many of us on the DIS, Disney trips FEEL like a necessity, but they are really just "wants" and not "needs". You have a low-paying job that doesn't feel secure and taking the trip would come close to wiping out what you have saved. That just doesn't make financial sense.

If I were in your shoes, I'd use a trip to Disney down the road as a reward for getting my financial house in order. What great motivation! You'll enjoy the trip SO MUCH more, and as a PP said, Disney will always be there.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

How about this , cancel the trip for now. If things are better later on then plan a trip. No use being so stressed over a vacation. I think you will breath easier if you cancel. You can alway rebook.

 

[lvillotta1]

It sounds like you Need to be the Suze Ormann show. She would deny you right on the spot. Disney will always be there. You need to start making more money. You need a$1000 in an emergency fund,become debt free and then you need 8-12 months of an emergency fund. Benefits etc. Disney can be an option when all other things have been done.

 

[HouseMother]

I would not go on the trip in your situation. If you feel like you will be in a tight spot after your vacation, then I would hold off until you are in a better financial position.

 

[elf]

I'd say do room only deposit, with easy cancellation policy. The insurance and packages usually have restrictions, so I wouldn't go for that for your situation.

 

[cglaura]

Just some additional things to consider:

Will your parents be annoyed that you are spending money on this as you are living there because you can't afford to be on your own (unless you are there for other reasons? Health? They need assistance b/c they are older?) But your OP seems to indicate it is just finances.

I know everyone is different, but I would be saving every penny I could to get my own place. Even though you are at approximately $900/month income (which would be hard to live on and pay rent), you could still be putting that money away for when you do move. You could even have money for a good down payment on a house when the income is better.

If you have any debt I'd be paying that down too, so when you do have your own place, that is one less monthly payment you need to worry about.

I'd sit down and make a budget (to avoid the spending you mentioned) and really stick to it.

Disney isn't going anywhere. It will still be there when you are ready

 

[gillenkl]

I'm sorry but if I had an income of $900 /month disney wouldn't be a priority.

 

[bpesch]

I have a few ideas to help me out but words of encouragement would be nice.

Honestly I would love to encourage you but I'm with so many other posters who think maybe you should not be doing the vacation thing if you are that worried about finances at this point.

 

[Suz D]

My finances are lousy and I live with my parents. I have a job where I get around $450 every two weeks on average but a good amount of that ends up getting spent on wasteless things. My bank account is currently under $4000.
To help ease the tension I decided that I will pay the $151 for the vacation insurance. I am a high anxiety person and even paying just the $200 deposit right now is making me feel panicky . It makes me nervous not knowing what the future holds months from now. On the other hand, this would make a pretty neat gift as we had often dreamed about going back to Disney for years.

Sorry to waste your time with this but I am just a wreck trying to decide what to do here.

Here are a few thoughts...
1. I'm with the majority of people here. I don't think you are financially in a position to go to Disney. I would wait until you have more in the bank.

2. I'm also with the majority who have weighed in on the trip insurance. Totally a waste of $$ unless you have a medical emergency/other covered event right before you travel. Otherwise, you will just lose your $200.00 deposit (and that might not even be the case if Disney allows you to move the reservation). The $151.00 will be gone if you buy trip insurance, so you are really only gambling with $49.00 more.

3. The red sentence above (my highlight not OP's) is what I'd like to address in a positive manner. If you really are wasting the majority of your take home pay each month, why not send the majority to Disney to help pay for that vacation. Even if you have/choose to cancel, you'll have a nice little savings account built up. Granted it's not the ideal way to save (no interest) but if you're wasting the money, you're not getting interest anyway.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I don't know how to put this delicately - you can't afford this trip. You know this in your heart or you would have made the reservation. Focus on increasing your savings and your income and reward yourself with a trip when you reach a goal (your own place, all debt paid off, etc).

 

[Mariep26]

I don't want to be rude but Disney may not be a good fit for you given your description of your anxiety. It is expensive and many items need to be planned/paid for ahead of time. Perhaps you could take a small weekend trip somewhere near you so you can get away but more on your own terms? There are so many red flags in your post.. I think you know that this isn't a good idea -- the opinion of strangers on a message board should not be the deciding factor.