How do you rationalize ANOTHER trip to Disney?

[Karenj2]

I live in PA near Philly, and the other main place most people go is the Jersey Shore (Sea Isle and North Wildwood is where my husband's family goes). Just renting a house for a week costs $2K-$3K, and you still need to bring your own linens, cook your own food, and pay to go on the beach(!) and any other forms of entertainment. Plus, when we go with them, they actually don't like going to the beach 'til late afternoon due to their fair Irish skin, so we hang out at the house for the majority of the day.

DH and I decided to alternate our travel, so that we don't get stuck in the Jersey Shore/WDW rut... So, we rotate: one year to WDW, one year to the Jersey Shore, and one year to a place we haven't been before. To make the Disney trip affordable (and yet high-end), we have the Disney Rewards Visa, and save up our points for trips. Plus, DH gets rewards at work which he can turn into Disney GCs, so he gets those whenever possible, too. We probably have about $1k of "free" disney GC saved up at the moment.

 

[Dreamer Kevin]

You won't believe the soul-searching this thread has launched in this middle age man. I've had the same thoughts as many who have responded here: it costs too much, should expand my horizons with other trips, shouldn't I outgrow the Disney fixation, etc.

Look at the photo in my signature. Those two sweet little princess pups are long since gone and buried. My sweetie was fighting leukemia when this was taken and, thankfully, is still with us but will never be quite the same. Last Christmas, my 80 year old mother and I sat by our tree and remembered all the family members we've lost...literally no one left but us.

To @$%^ with that. You know what? I go to Disney because I bloody well can.

 

[psupple]

To @$%^ with that. You know what? I go to Disney because I bloody well can.

Love how you put this!!

 

[ValpoCory]

To @$%^ with that. You know what? I go to Disney because I bloody well can.

Why does anyone do anything? Because they can.

 

[ceecee]

Everyone just assumes that's where we're going when we go on vacation. No explaining is necessary anymore.

 

[Jerzeegator]

I am very lucky because I get to go to Disney once a year and it's with my best friend (no hubby or kiddies) and I still travel to "other" destinations with my husband so I get the best of both worlds..this year hubby is going with me to Disney so I get to go twice (LOL).

 

[nicolem05]

My husband and I talk about this often... Thank goodness my sister is a disney fanatic! because my husbands side of the family doesn't get it at all. And I wish they would keep it to just eye rolling lol
We travel a lot and not just to disney. But every year we renew those seasons passes because there is always just one more thing we haven't done! And after going every year since our honeymoon it has definitely become our family tradition. We realize being the savvy travelers we are just how much it costs us to go a couple of times a year from the Northwest of Canada with two children. And we know it's not precieved as the best "value" to everyone. But a few years ago I read a passage in a book I love called Take Your Kids To Europe its a fabulous book and she had a great take on all the naysayers who can't imagine how you afford more then one "trip of a lifetime".. She said take a look around.. we all spend our money just in different places..
We make a comfortable living and I could chose to spend my money as other family members on new cars every year, or building over the top homes.. I could buy new furniture every two years, fancy motor homes or summer cabins at a local lake.. I could do a million things with it but I chose to spend it where I feel it makes our family happiest, travel. We all spend our money just in different places.. I tell them "if you can't imagine how I travel with my family so much then look around at where you have invested your money". My husband and I decided years ago that traveling anywhere with your family is the most important thing you could do. It's a valuable investment in our family. It's like being put on a planet together where you feel that your group is the closest you are to anyone around you. It makes that distant teen feel that you know them better than anyone else around you, even if only because you are the only ones who share a language. It creates inside stories and jokes and memories that cant be created anywhere but in an unfamiliar setting. I love that. I love the "remember when's.." I love getting lost together only to find what you are made of. This really applies to traveling as a family in general where ever makes your family happy, Disney is just the best for an over planner like me he he.. but even if you only go to the world once every five years you know what I am talking about It's the people who never step out anywhere together who don't get it.
My husband and I used to question ourselves all the time with all the negative comments we would receive and jealous glances.. now we just tell them "That is where we chose to spend our money and time.. you just spend you're money and time differently. I'll be happy to plan a trip for you" I just remind myself that they have been so caught up in the delusion that you only go to disney once.. and you wait for this perfect age with your kids.. and taking a baby is crazy.. blah blahh... lol I go three times for what they would pay for one trip but I invest the time into my travel research to do that. I've turned a few people around by planning a trip for them I know Disney in particular isn't for everyone but that's okay I don't really want them there LOL But I still think they should travel somewhere.. best investment I ever made!

 

[beansmom]

The problem is in the inferred bragging about the trips. When you brag, you are showing your own insecurity. trying to make someone else think something, like it is a contest or something. Being respectful of other people's financial situations means respecting them.

I dont' consider it 'bragging' when someone asks when/where we are going on vacation. Should i lie just so as to make sure no one gets their feelings hurt?

My husband and I have worked all our adult lives, raised families and now I refuse to rationalize or apologize for enjoying what we've worked for.

 

[ssawka]

The problem is in the inferred bragging about the trips. When you brag, you are showing your own insecurity. trying to make someone else think something, like it is a contest or something. Being respectful of other people's financial situations means respecting them.

I would also add that a person who criticizes and belittles what others have and do are also showing their own insecurities!

for us,it has always been a great 'all inclusive' deal for fun! nowhere else could we find all the fun,and amenities in one huge place to make all family members happy like WDW!
And when ds was young,his severe food allergies made it a no brainer-nowhere else could we relax and find food for him at restaurants (different times from now)
so...that was our family vacation,yearly! why should I have to explain a place that makes the family relaxed and happy? Even my dh,who isn't that into Disney loves the various resorts and relaxing and playing.....

DD has special needs and also dietary restrictions. WDW is one of the few place where I feel she will be completely safe. Yes, I know bad things can happen anywhere, but I just feel like the CMs will actually give a $#!^ about a child, not to mention making sure that she's fed well.

 

[Goobergal99]

I don't really feel like there is anything to justify, I'm an ICU nurse which means I see the worst of humanity much to often and although I love my job it's tough! So I go to Disney where I feel happy even of it is artificially enhanced good customer service it's magical to me. When ppl make comments about how I spend my money I remind them that they don't pay my bills, I go by moms adage that you can't take it with you!

 

[budafam]

We've been to WDW once. In May we took our first trip. I am in love. I LOVED how happy that place is. I came home and saw all the grumpy people I was surrounded by and now I just say, "you really need to take a trip to Disney." lol... they do! My dad is one of those. He doesn't get it. My mom passed away almost 2 years ago and it drives me crazy that I can't tell her all about that magical place. She would've loved the fireworks, the parades & everything in between. I regret that she will never be able to see any of that I now live my life doing what I want to do and NOW. There is no more waiting. We will not go into debt because of the trips but I work hard to save money on the side to go again. Just in the past month, I have saved $500 for our next trip thanks to selling stuff on Craigslist and picking up extra babysitting jobs. I feel like it gives me a purpose & something to look forward to. It makes unbelievable memories for my kids & gives them a childhood I only dreamed of. I wish my dad would understand it but eh, he'll just have to deal with it. Mom would love it, I know it.

 

[Evi]

I'm done rationalizing or explaining to other people. It costs me less to go to Disney then it would to rent a cottage on the cape with expenses for a week. So that makes enough sence to me. For those who don't get it its ok I don't need a week on the beach It takes me 30 mins in the sun to get the same tan it will take you the whole week to get so for those who don't get it I can spend a day driving down to the cape maybe stay a night or two and then spend a week in Disney and be way happier.

 

[pampam]

We live in a tourist area. People come from all over to see our beautiful scenery, and soak up the atmosphere, and do the things we do here. Many people have cottages, or trailers, and those that don't, rent or stay in hotels.They dream all winter of spending time at their summer place. They save their money to spend on their vacation, and come back year after year. They know what to expect since they come back each year, yet they always manage to make new memories. It's very much like how we feel at WDW.

 

[Aliceacc]

You don't rationalize it.

It's your money and your family. To anyone who questions your choices, you say: "It's what we love and what we chose to do."

Case closed.

 

[pooh2001]

We save for 5 years to go back to WDW each time.
Hey, it does work for us, When we go back there are many new rides and changes to WDW every 5 years.

Our next trip as a family (and maybe last as a family, DS is now 20 and DD is now 17) - is June 2012. We have our hotel, airfare and ticket money allset. Now we are just saving for meals. Just another $1400 and we have our next WDW vacation paid for.

If we save for another trip after 2012 - it will be fore 2017 our DS will be 25 and our DD will be 22 - so it may just be DH & me, DW, both in our late 50's
So we can do WDW at our own pace and it will cost us alot less if our DS & DD are independent and have their own lives, ie not to vacation anymore with Mom & Dad

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I have a certain relative that actually gets mad at me when we tell her we are planning another trip to WDW. She tells us we are wasting our money and we SHOULD (I hate being told what I should do with a passion) go here or there. I don't want to go here or there. She tells me this everytime I talk with her about anything if there is another WDW trip in the works. (Our converstions go like this..me: Boy it's hot today..her: you know where else it's hot Florida I hate it and I think anyone that wastes there money there is an idiot). I have 2 schools of thought for her 1. she went to WDW one time in the middle of summer without doing any research. She hated it and won't return. 2. When she decides she wants to fund my trip she can pick my destination...until then I let her know that it's not her business.

 

[ssawka]

I have a certain relative that actually gets mad at me when we tell her we are planning another trip to WDW. She tells us we are wasting our money and we SHOULD (I hate being told what I should do with a passion) go here or there. I don't want to go here or there. She tells me this everytime I talk with her about anything if there is another WDW trip in the works. (Our converstions go like this..me: Boy it's hot today..her: you know where else it's hot Florida I hate it and I think anyone that wastes there money there is an idiot). I have 2 schools of thought for her 1. she went to WDW one time in the middle of summer without doing any research. She hated it and won't return. 2. When she decides she wants to fund my trip she can pick my destination...until then I let her know that it's not her business.

To me, it sounds like a little bit of jealousy going on there!