How much does Disney mean to you?

[ruthie]

Hi
To all of you that regularly go to WDW, I just wondered how much the holiday means to you? Do you save for your holidays and perhaps choose to use the money for WDW rather than something else?
The reason I'm asking is that we've been a few times with our kids (2001,2005,2006). We didn't go this year but have booked for next April. I feel slightly guilty because perhaps the money would be better spent elsewhere, we could do with a new bathroom or perhaps a new car, but I have 2 young children and I'm very aware that their childhood is going by very quickly. I always think when they are older they will remember all the wonderful experiences that they had but no-one will ever remember what shower or tiles were in the bathroom! I tend to think that I can have these things another time but WDW will only be magical while they're young.
So I guess I mean, is this the right decision?
I know people on here will understand!

 

[angel659]

Only you can make that decision to be honest.

I agree with the kids wont thank you for a new kitchen etc. This is the main reason we spend our money on Florida. Not only do the kids love it, we love it. We get to spend family time together in a place that is truely magical.

There are a few things we could do to the house, but I am in no hurry to do it all now. Parts of it yes, but not only are the children are young will only draw on my newly decorated walls, but they will have far more exctiing childhood.

It really depends on what you want. Our priorities is WDW comes 1st as long as we can feed, clothe and take our children out reguarly. I dont mind decorating room by room when we can.

 

[wayneg]

Very hard decision. As a man I could not care less what the house looks like. DW is constatly saying things need doing around the house and even though the money is in the bank to do it I just think thats another holiday. Thankfully we can afford to go to Florida/US 3 or 4 times a year so very dfficult to put myself in your position, How desperate are you for a car?
Holidays are our life, DS is 13 years old and been abroad 44 times. I have been home less than 2 weeks and already can't wait for 18th Oct for next trip.
Your children will not be young long. My attitude is what if something happens and you are not able to go ever again, then you wish you had done it. life is very short.
Only you know your family and personal cicumstances. If you have booked and going then don't feel guilty as long as you have food, clothes and a roof over your head others things can wait.

 

[ruthie]

Hi
My car is 5 years old but its perfectly fine. My husband has a brand new car so its not like we go without anything. I also feel guilty sometimes when I speak to other people that they have never been to Florida but always wanted to go. Theres a girl who lives not far from me and shes losing her eyesight and some local people are saving to send her to WDW before she loses her sight. Its so sad.

Wayne- you are so lucky! Even if we could afford to go that much we couldn't because of work and school commitments. Your son is one lucky child!

 

[Jakey Rowling]

Hi
My car is 5 years old but its perfectly fine. My husband has a brand new car so its not like we go without anything.

I think you have answered your own question.

It's all about individual priorities.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Many save up for years to go so it all depends on your own circumstances.
We are fortunate to be able to go every year as well as having a nice lifestyle and home here also - although I don't want to sit and work out how much we have spent on holidays over the years!

Our home social life is limited, mainly because of Joshua's needs, so a holiday is something we feel we deserve for all the hard work we put in over the year.

To be honest though it's Florida that means a lot to us and not just WDW.

 

[disneyholic family]

Hi
To all of you that regularly go to WDW, I just wondered how much the holiday means to you? Do you save for your holidays and perhaps choose to use the money for WDW rather than something else?
The reason I'm asking is that we've been a few times with our kids (2001,2005,2006). We didn't go this year but have booked for next April. I feel slightly guilty because perhaps the money would be better spent elsewhere, we could do with a new bathroom or perhaps a new car, but I have 2 young children and I'm very aware that their childhood is going by very quickly. I always think when they are older they will remember all the wonderful experiences that they had but no-one will ever remember what shower or tiles were in the bathroom! I tend to think that I can have these things another time but WDW will only be magical while they're young.
So I guess I mean, is this the right decision?
I know people on here will understand!

as everyone has said, each person has to make these choices...
i don't usually spend much money on things....i drive a modest car, live in a modest house, wear simple clothes, don't buy new furniture since what we have is fine.......the truth is, i could afford much more than that....but i simply don't like wasting money unnecessarily.....
on the other hand, we spend a small fortune every year going to WDW for at least 3 weeks....because we love it....and we love being together there....it's magical for us.....not to say that we don't love being other places together as well....we go on little trips through the year closer to home.....but we won't pass up on our big trip to WDW (although this year we had to because DS is in the military - once he finishes, we'll be able to go again)...

as for the memories, my kids are now "grown up" (DD is 22, DS is 20)...they have been going to WDW every year since before they were born....and they remember every trip....every minute together....it's definitely a very important part of us....a part that always brings smiles to our faces....

 

[jtlover]

The first time we took DD when she was 6 and she doesnt remember it but she is now 15 and still wants to keep going = but that is until we say she has to pay herself

 

[Jets fan]

My personal opinion is to go as many times as you can whilst the children are still young enough to want to holiday with you. We used to go twice a year and now it's down to every other year. There are so many great deals around I would just make the most of it and have fun. A new kitchen can wait!

You can tell I love Disney, it's a perfect holiday.

 

[ScottishDisMam]

Hiya Ruthie,
I think you sound very much like me. I turn a blind eye to things that we probably need, Like a new suite for instance, but i do feel that when they're older it wont be the new furniture that the kids remember. We have had so many happy times in WDW and Disneyland Paris at different times of the year that it never gets old and with every year the kids get older, there is something new they like to do. Our eldest son was 5 the first time we went, and he is now 15, and it truly feels like the blink of an eye. Also there is that saying - a family that plays together stays together...

Lisax

 

[disneyholic family]

My personal opinion is to go as many times as you can whilst the children are still young enough to want to holiday with you.

i feel very fortunate that our kids have always wanted to travel with us...even now at their ripe old ages of 22 and 20, they still love to travel with us....
i know from my friends that it's unusual.....i don't know if it was the annual pilgrimmage to WDW or not....
we've always gone on holiday with the kids (never just the two of us)....maybe it's because of that, i don't know...
but i do feel very fortunate that they enjoy our company so much...
and we love being with them....

 

[Merylj]

Friends think we are barking mad to spend what we do on holidays - but we`ve never regretted a penny of it.
I wouldn`t get into debt for a holiday but we do love them!

 

[DISWolves]

We all go to Disney again and again........BECAUSE WE LOVE IT !
I agree with most of the posts above......enjoying time with your children is priceless, and memories last for ever. As for a new car................mine is 14 years old....you can buy a new car...drive it out of the showroom and you have lost £000's in seconds....that money could be spent at Disney!
As for the kitchen.....The World of Disney has some nice kitchen utensils that you could buy, as a compromise

 

[traceycooper]

i always ask myself - ''if i dropped dead tomorrow, what would i regret''
And i get the same answer - i'd regret not travelling & making memories with my family
Although i'm having a bit of a dilema right now as we're thinking of moving house & WDW would have to go on hold for a few years.
Do i move house & get rid of the noisy neighbours & nightmare onstreet parking OR stay put & have my holidays?????

 

[wayneg]

Do i move house & get rid of the noisy neighbours & nightmare onstreet parking OR stay put & have my holidays?????

We had exactly the same choice about 6 years ago. Although no probs with neighbours the parking is a nightmare. We had chance of a 5 bed detached, acre of land stables, orchard, double garage etc. Just wanted about £40,000 spending on top of £120,000 I got them down to. The same house just came back on market again £500,000. OK I could have cleared a lot of profit the way the housing market has gone but just look below at the holidays we would have had to give up plus all our Med hols also.
Don't regret it for 1 second, holidays mean everything to us.

 

[fuse04]

This a difficult one in our house...DW likes spending on the house, I prefer the holidays.

How much does it mean, well we might not be going to WDW next and I find that depressing....this year new bathroom, new crapets througout house etc


fuse04

 

[Lizzybear]

I'm 23 and would still go on holiday with my parents, went with my mum a couple of weeks ago in fact I think everyone has their own priorities as far as holidays go. Me and bf don't earn loads and we've saved hard for this holiday (as we will for next year's to California) For us it isn't much of a sacrifice to only drink very occassionally (some of bf's colleagues who don't know how we can afford a Florida holiday seem to spend a fortune on drink, I think they have their answer there!) and we don't feel the need to buy expensive clothes or decorate our home. It may be a bit dated but I can live with that, i'd rather go on holiday! I have to say though it doesn't have to be WDW to create great holidays memories: My dad has some extremely tightfisted friends (they have plenty of money but choose not to spend it) and when I was younger we often went on very budgeted camping holidays together as my dad climbs with them and that was where they wanted to stay, I still remember those holidays fondly. I think the company can matter as much as the destination

 

[Girlsontour]

Do i move house & get rid of the noisy neighbours & nightmare onstreet parking OR stay put & have my holidays?????

Oh, my goodness, i thought it was just me who had that dilemma!! About the parking (not the noisy neighbours)....we go and view other houses, and then DH says that we would have to cut out Disney holidays plus other holidays which we have through out the year....then i decide that the car parking problem isn't that bad

 

[THE COLONEL]

I have said before that I'm not given to showing my feelings (miserable old sod according to most!) but in 50 days time I will understand a little of what Disney means to me

Three years ago our son was born and we all had a pretty rough time as he was gravely ill and in the magnificent care of the Special Care Baby Unit. We honestly didnt know if he would pull through and I recall one evening when I had to try and prepare our 7 year old daughter for the worst. She went away and came back with her Winnie the Pooh that she had had since she was a baby. She told me that I should take it in to the Hospital for her little brother and then said "he will get better dad and whens hes old enough we will take him to Disneyworld"

Happily he pulled through and is now a typical 3 year old "maniac" who terrorises his big sister. I will never forget that conversation with my daughter (who even then was wise beyond her years) and will expect tears to flow when we do eventually arrive in 50 days time.

When we were at our lowest ebb Disney gave us a glimmer of hope. Corny? Mawkish sentimentality? Maybe but it means a lot to us. Shame though that we will have to apologise to you all when the little monkey reduces the place to ruins!!!!!

 

[Vickitav]

One of the reasons I love Disney is that my parents took me as a kid, back in 1981 I think it was! We didn't have much money (sayed in cheap motels) and saved for a long time for it, but it's one of my srongest childhood memories (I was 8!).

What I remember most fondly is how much my Dad was like a big kid himself, he got as much pleasure out of it as the rest of us. Since then they have taken me again aged 15, my nieces when they were 10/11, and came with my family 5 years ago when my boys were little.

It's certainly made a mark on me and I can't wait to get out there again, although I don't think I could do it every year like some of you (financially and
becasue I wouldn't want it to become too familiar)

Vicki