If you can help, might be able to save trip!!

[disneydeb]

i have traveled many times with daughter alone to wdw , if i were you this is how i would do it

1: stay at the hotel in virginia, that includes the breakfast

2: when i was done in virginia i would go to the airport get rid of the rental car and fly to wdw

3: once at the airport i would use something like mears transportation to get to resort, that will cost about 25 for you and 18 for daughter round trip from airport to resort to airport, dont bother with a limo or sedan for 2 people its not really worth it unless you have 3 people with you

4: the money you save from the hotels and rental car you'll not be using will proberly pay for plane fare, and you wont have to worry about driving, and you dont want to get to wdw tired from driving and worrying,

5: i also use to take about 50 dollars per person per day i figured 10 for breakfast aand the other 40 for snacks drinks and lunch and supper, dont forget your child wil only be paying about 4 dollars per meal, also when my child grew up we ate at the taco stand across from pirates of carribean, or we go to tonys and share a pizza, or over to toy story pizza and she would get the pizza, i would eat the salad that came with the meal and we just had to buy extra drink, also we have gone into 50 prime time cafe and ordered 2 bowls of soup and then split a dessert because there huge, also kids meals are cheaper , so you wont spend that much on her, and theres also in the land at epcot little booths with different foods, she could get like the mac and cheese and you could get the baked potato with the fillings.

 

[A1A1]

Thanks again, all. I have started having panic attacks now. I don't know if it's because I need to have the vacation, or if it's because of the vacation that I have such anxiety. I am making myself crazy.

 

[chris1gill]

Geezzz, I think you made yourself crazy over it!!! Relax! Listen, we've been to Disney every year for 3 or 4 years with DVC & the most we ever spent on food eating out was 350!! We are two adults & two children, so I think your food estimate is absolutely okay!!

As for the hotels, I agree with everyone else, bid 50.00/night on a 3* Priceline hotel in Virginia (they don't have any 4*, they have the Sheraton Waterfront that seems to be coming up for that area) & for Disney, bid on a Resort, you are absolutely sure to get a really nice hotel, for no more than 80.00/night. I swear we've traveled all over & we're picky, but this is what I'd do!!

Other than that, you are DONE... your trip is planned, I wouldn't add days, take away days, fly into XYZ, I wouldn't do any of that!! It's time for you to do just a little bit of bidding on Priceline, you really can't go wrong if you bid the 3* in Norfolk or the Resort in Disney.

Good luck & go check out www.biddingfortravel.com!!!

 

[tink2dw]

I'm Sorry, we have flood you with info.Take a deep breath and think of your favorite thing. Breath. You are doing fine! Look at how much you are saving! You deserve this Vacation. Everyone gets the jitters before they leave home. You will do great and have a Blast!!

Can you stand 1 more money saving tip?? I just remembered that several people make reserations or in Disney speak Priority Seating
[by calling the Disney Dining line at WDW Dining
on 407-939-3463] for the last lunch seating,for 2 reasons,1. the last lunch seating is around 4:00pm and that is late enough to call the dinner meal,with snacks later in the room if needed. 2. You get the best of lunch and Dinner especailly at the buffets,but also at the other sit downs if you order just drinks and appitizer. Then order your main meal after the switch over!!

PRIORITY SEATING
Similar to a reservation, except PS only guarantees your party the next available table. It is advisable to check in
15 mins before your stated PS time.

Relax and have a fabulous Trip!!! You have Done Great,now relax!!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I think you have done a great job ! We have CR booked for the $95 SOG and I think some people can get it for as low as $65 depending on rank. SO, this is a MUST keep ressie as you will never get CR that low. We have paid more for a moderate. Relax and enjoy. I always get nervous until we get going, then it is smooth sailing as things fall into place !

 

[A1A1]

Thank you. I started to tear up reading your kind replies. I have so much on my mind right now. I don't know if it's right to take a vacation when I owe money to just about everyone.

I had a very close family member die last week, and the reality of debt and mortality has set it. It has shaken me, especially with the fact that I have a small child. I am not sure that with my debts that I really deserve to have a vacation. Do people go on vacation when they have debt? Credit card or other?

Things have become very financially complicated for dd and me, and I want to do the best thing for us in the long run. I cherish the times that we spend in WDW. It's like the only time I am not totally preoccupied with the details and problems of our life together.

Again, thanks. My Mother always told me, "You never know what you can do for another person with just a few kind words."

 

[robinb]

I am not sure that with my debts that I really deserve to have a vacation.

Do you deserve to go? Of course you do! Should you go? That's another question all together. Only you can truely answer that.

Do people go on vacation when they have debt? Credit card or other?

Plenty of people do. Many for the same reasons you want to. A vacation is a holiday from the every day: work, school, debts, etc. I admit that I cringe when I read about someone who is going heavily into debt to finance a Disney vacation.

Things have become very financially complicated for dd and me, and I want to do the best thing for us in the long run.

IMO the best thing to do is to cancel the trip. You can save your airline tickets for next trip at Easter, pay the $100 change fee and fly directly to MCO. Rent your DVC points that will expire on the DVC rental board and apply the money to your debt. Between the 2-3K you'll save by not going on vacation and the other $$ you'll get at $8-$10 per point by renting your DVC points you will make a nice dent in your debt.

Then, plan on a week long vacation nearby to get away. Maybe camping? Kids love WDW, but they love being with their parents even more. Your DD will love to be with you no matter where you go. It's hard to give up WDW, but you'll be going back in less than a year!

Good luck! I hope everything works out for you.

 

[A1A1]

Hi All. I decided not to take this trip. I had to accept the circumstances and face facts. I will hopefully give the points to a family member with whom I have a personal debt. That will satisfy that one. I feel a lot better. I think I will get season passes to the Six Flags nearby for the summer. Then, I will set aside some money each month after all the bills are paid. When I have enough, I will make the plans for another WDW vacation.

I do appreciate all of your support in trying to help me take the trip on a tight budget. I hope that this thread will help others in the future who might be facing a tight squeeze financially.

Thank you.

 

[robinb]

I feel a lot better.

I think you made the right decision. If giving the points away doesn't work, do try to rent them. I rented points to someone last year and had no problem whatsoever.

Look on the bright side ... now you can plan for that Easter trip!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

a1a,
Call DVC and ask about the "one time" exception to banking your points.
I am sorry you are cancelling your trip, but, I am sure you are doing what is best for you.

 

[jgates]

A1A1, i'm sending you a hug. If you feel that the equivalent pay-off to the personal debt you owe is the right thing then do it. If not, do the rental of points and then pay that person with cash/check. When you use that season pass to Six Flags, spend the day and eat one lunch at the park and eat the other from sandwiches from home - take the $ from the 'home packed' lunch and stuff that in the Disney jar. Your DD will be soooo excited to watch the $$ in there grow! She may even want to quit eating park meals so the Disney $$ grows quicker!

I know it is a hard situation. In the past, we have gone thru periods of unemployment for my dh, etc when we had a new baby. It wasn't easy. Now, there are still bills every day and I am $583 short of paying my credit card bill for last month. (I think graduation expenses sent that one WAY out there). Plus a ton of stuff more this month. It never ends.

In my own manner here, I have to deal with sending a boy to college this fall for an engineering degree. Estimated cost of education is $13,500 per year. However, in this instance we are going. This is what he wanted for his graduation gift and since he graduated as a Valedictorian (4.0 gpa), how can you deny him? I feel that this trip will run us about $3,500 for 16 days. A lot, but probably the last big trip we will take together - my baby boy is on his way out!

Once school starts this fall though, I am doing some serious Ebaying to try to keep him in food money. (Although he told me the other day that he likes Ramen noodles!!!!- Yeah!!!)

 

[A1A1]

jgates, I think the nicest people post on the Budget Board. Thank you. I will take your advice on the jar. I have never done the jar thing before, and I think it's a great idea. I am still very sad, because I have been planning this trip since I made ressies in November. We will definitely set some aside for the next trip. Only thing that makes it not so bad is the Dis will keep me planning, and planning, and planning, and that way I won't lose my excitement for next time. I will still keep my budget plan for the next trip, and I will feel better about going then than I would now. I just couldn't do it now. I'd probably have some kind of breakdown on Tower of Terror. Much worse things have happened to me in my life than not being able to go on vacation. It's really not such a big deal, except that I had been so geared up, and was even going to start packing the suitcases to see how much would fit.

Anyway, we'll make the most of our summer together, dd and I, and I will read trip reports etc, to keep current. I always feel like I'm there when I call CRO and hear the music. I could always do that for a cheap thrill! Nope. I will put that money into the change jar.

Thanks, again. Your kindness means alot. Have a Great! trip jgates. Congrats on having such a smart kid! That is definitely something to celebrate with the mouse.

 

[Gillian]

I've been away in rainly Cleveland & just read this entire thread from start to finish! What a roller coaster ride it's been for you, A1A1! I'm so glad your story had a happy ending. I'm sending you another hug & some pixie dust for your Easter trip

jgates, here are some ramen noodles for you & your son:
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gotta love 'em!

 

[A1A1]

Thank you very much Gillian........you can never have enough hugs *or* enough pixie dust.....

 

[NancyIL]

I'm sorry you had to cancel your trip - bit I'm sure you did the right thing. I've never been deep in debt - but I remember how it felt when we were borrowing from Peter to pay Paul- and it can be a very stressful time.

I'm sorry about the loss of your family member. {{{HUGS}}} to you.