Help! I don't know what to do!

[marcyinPA]

My dh came to me today and told me he had heard about the deal for a family of 4 in a value resort for 6 nights/7 days for $1500. Of course, being addicted to the DiS, I already knew about the deal

So, he said "Let's go for my birthday". He turns 40 in October. We've never done anything special for any of his milestone birthdays. I was going to take him to NYC for the weekend and I'm sure that would cost me a pretty penny so why not Disney instead??. Anyway, I know they are doing this free dining thing, and since his birthday is Oct. 3, we could actually work it out and leave mid-week end of Sept, and come home on the 4th of Oct. I looked up airfare, and for the 4 of us, it would be about $700 from Philly. I have about $200 in Disney Visa Rewards accumlated too, so we'd have some "fun" money. So, all in all, the trip would be under $2500 for the 4 of us.

Now the problem. We are on a very very tight budget. We have about $8000 in savings, but we rarely have more than $20 left in our checking account at the end of each pay period. I am a SAHM so we live just on his income. We aren't putting anything into the savings right now either. We were hoping to do Disney in May of 2006 by using our income tax refund. So my dh is saying lets just do it in October and then replenish our savings with the refund check. But of course, I'm full of 'what ifs". We do need some home repairs done that we've been putting off for a few years now, and that money would have to come from savings. I just can't justify a Disney trip when those things have been needing to be done. My heart is saying "Go...he works hard and it's his 40th birthday!" but my mind is saying "Save the money!" Aside from that, since we hadn't planned a Disney trip this soon, we just got back from Memorial Day weekend in Washington D.C. and spent about $600 there. That was "supposed" to be our vacation, so now I'm even more hesitant to spend more money!

What would you do?? Please be gentle with me, I feel guilty enough either way I look at it!

Marcy

 

[Soupermom]

GO!!!!!!!!!!!! You have a good hunk in savings, go and enjoy your good fortune and your family. The memories will be priceless....

 

[chaoscent]

I have found that things have a way of working out. Go for it. It's his 40th. I remember the celebration my family and friends threw for me on my 40th and I cherish the memories. Celebrate his birthday and the fact you both are lucky enough to have each other. Enjoy each other now as life can sometimes be too short. Penny chaos cent

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Hi Marcy,

My first suggestion to you would be to travel during the off season (January, early Dec., Sept). That is when it is cheapest to go. Value resorts are $79 during these times. And crowds are low.

$79 X6nights = $474, lets call it $500 with the tax

My second suggestion is to closely monitor Mousesavers.com. Look for deals. The price you have there seems, well, high for a value but I did the math and I guess during regular season buying passes for a family of 4 if all people are over age 10 would be about $1460 or so.

My opinion might be a little skewed because I have APs and don't have to buy passes but even with passes, that just seems high.

A base MYW ticket ( one park per day, no hopping and with an expiration date) would probably be your best / cheapest suggestion. It doesn't sound like you plan to return soon after and would be able to get away with the expiration. If you don't mind not being able to hit more than one park per day. These tickets are $208.74 for a 6 day for guests ages 10+. $167.91 for guests under 10.

Assuming your children are over $10 $500 for the hotel & your tickets would be $1334.96 plus or minus some minor tax somewhere IF you waited and went during the off season.

 

[HayGan]

I would definately go! He said that is what he wanted to do. Call Disney or yout TA/AAA whatever and get a package priced out to see what your actual cost would be. Keep an eye on airfares (download Southwest's Ding if you haven't already) as they may go lower. If you want to get your expenses down even lower, consider driving.

BTW, I just priced the package for your dates (9/28 -10/4) at expedia and it came up with a total of $2,162 including airfare, accomodations, tickets and free dining

 

[scanmom]

I have a friend that wanted to go to WDW with us when we went w/o kids. Her hubby would not spend the $$'s (he really likes to keep his savings account at a certain amount for any unexpected neccesary expenses). That was in Sep. 2003. She was sad, but understood, and they decided to start a special account to be able to go to WDW at a later date. In Feb. 2004, she had to have a routine operation that went well. 2 weeks later, she developed a pulmonary embolism, and did not survive. She was 35. Her DH says his only regret is that they did not make that trip. He knew that would have made her so happy, and he thought he had plenty of time to do it later. You never know what life holds for you. Money will work itself out. Spend your life making each other as happy as you can, every day. It is well worth it.

 

[Kellydelly]

GO!!! Life is short. You never know what will happen tomorrow. Plan the trip and have a great time!!

 

[HaleyB]

Well, you are not talking about debt spending, you are talking about spending some of your savings. That is what savings are for! Your DH will only turn 40 once and your kids will grow up so fast. Go now and go guilt free, it is a good deal.

I booked this deal even though we have a child starting at a very expensive University this year. I will need the trip to cheer me up after I send him off. I feel a little guilty spending the money right now, so I am ebaying again. I made $70 with my first two auctions and have 23 more listed! All stuff that was sitting around collecting dust. My goal is to pay for the MNSSHP tickets and our travel expenses.

 

[frannn]

I believe that the end of Sept/early Oct is value season, so you'd be getting the lowest resort rack rate available, plus free dining. This is a great deal, which may not be offered again. Any other time you go, the cost will be potentially much higher (due to you having to pay out of pocket or with the non discounted meal plan for food). Maybe you could budget a bit extra at home to help yourself feel better about spending the savings now. I know that a dinner at home of ziti and a jar of sauce tastes much better when you know you're going to WDW! BTW- my DH is going to be 40 this year also- in Nov. We use our tax refund for WDW each year, but we both work. Unfortunately, it has been getting tighter & tighter due to real estate taxes and our car costs going up a LOT. I keep finding a way to get there once each year, though. Wish we could use the free meal plan, but we are not going till 10/7. I hope you do it, and I hope you get great airfare to lower your overall cost.

 

[Disneybabe]

GO!! You can replace the money in your savings but you can't go back and celebrate his 40th birthday. You'll regret not going especially since he requested it. The free dining plan will make it a more economical trip so go and don't feel guilty, he deserves it!

 

[dkrause716]

Go for it!! You are making memories that you just can't put a dollar amount on. Kids grow up sooo fast, believe me I don't know where the time went. Ours are 19 and 15 now.... And I was a stay at home mom for 13 years so I know where you are coming from.

I would check out Mousesavers because often you will do better booking a room only rather than a package. Mary has an in depth comparision chart that you should check out.

Also, we fly out of Philly all the time. Southwest has awesome deals and even their regular prices are great. Our July flights for the 4 of us cost about $600. Last year we got 98 rt.

Good luck and enjoy!!

 

[pyrxtc]

I say go too! Life is too short and you need to enjoy it with your closest as much as you can when you can. i have lost a lot of people close to me and I wish i had one mroe day with them. take the vacation and enjoy. Since you were going to pay for your trip with your tax refund, maybe you could find a credit card that will do a no payments, no interest for 6 months or even a year and then you would have the money back before you had to pay it off. We use our tax refund every other year to go on vacation with. Opposite years, we use it to remodel a room in our house.

 

[Boo Mc]

If you want to go in October and May, you might want to consider an AP. It would be more $$ upfront but you can get good hotel discounts (and other discounts like mini-golf for 50% off). Also, with an AP you can buy the DDE card for $50 and that'll save you lots at the restaurants - it'll definitely pay off with two trips. I also like the flexibility of an AP. I don't feel guilty about wasting a park hopper day if we go to the parks for only a few hours. Also by October you'll have more money accumulated on your Disney Rewards (especially if you charge your AP's ). If you decide to take both trips, you can ask your relatives to give your kids (and you and DH) Disney Dollars for birthdays and holidays. In October you might also be able to see MNSSHP - not sure of the dates though and this would cost more. As you can see, I say GO!

 

[marcyinPA]

Thank you one and all!! I requested a quote from Dreams Unlimited and they came up with $1324 for 6 nts, 7 days All Star Movies with non-parkhopping passes and free meal plan. With the airfare of $707, that's just $2032! We have until June 24 to decide. I am trying to find lower airfare, but I've checked USAIR and SW from Philly and they are both the same. Anyone know of another carrier I should try? Also, do you know if we do decide to go for it, can I book the airfare and then change it if it goes lower (within the same carrier of course!)

I think it's hard for me to decide because I have such a prohibitive concience...I grew up with parents who made me feel guilty about decisions and always needing their approval. My mom made a snide comment about how we can afford this when I am constantly saying how tight money is . Day to day money IS tight, but we do have this savings.

I'll let you know what I decide...Thanks!
Marcy

 

[cocowum]

Go for it!!! Don't worry about what others think!!! The memories are priceless!! And you never know what tomorrow will bring.

 

[Disneybabe]

I've been pricing airfare from Philly also. Try USA300, I've found some $59 flights. I may use this coming back to bring my airfare cost down. They have limited days that they fly but take a look and see if you can make any of the dates work for you. Good luck!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

As for the comment from your mother...I would tell her the reason money has been so tight is because you were trying to save a little extra money so you could do something special for DH's birthday.

You really should take advantage of this special that Disney is offering because the same package in peak or holiday season would be more than twice as much. Don't look at it as the money you spent...look at it as the money you saved.

 

[dkrause716]

Marcy--

I would book your air with SW and then watch for a better deal. Their internet specials come out every Tues morning and you can arrange for them to e-mail you whenever a special fare comes out. Also sign up for their "Ding" fares. Check out their site for more info. SW does not charge you a fee to change your flight or get a lower fare. We have gotten credit with them by doing just this and then been able to go on another trip almost free! I have also read on these boards that people have also gotten refunds. SW is a great airline! USAir is too shaky for me and their track record is not so hot either....

Sounds like you decided to go.. enjoy. You won't be sorry.

 

[SusanD]

These boards are made up of people who enjoy and understand the value of vacationing, especially in the happiest place on earth. I am one of them.

That being said, my mother once told be why she didn't complain when my father decided to buy a boat (she is a saver not a spender). She said if he died tomorrow she would feel guilty she never let him have it and if she died tomorrow he would buy it any way.

Remember to keep the big picture in mind.

 

[sk!mom]

Since your DH wants to go, I would do it without a second thought. My advice would be different if you were going into debt for the trip or spending all of your savings but you will still have a small emergency fund.

I don't know how old your children are but another suggesstion would be to get a temporary part time job if they are a little older to make you feel better about spending the money.. You could also try ebay if you don't already to make a little extra.