If you had to choose...

[hkkatie]

Hi all, I wasn't sure which board this would be most relevant on, so I hope you'll allow me to ask here. And I'm sorry if I get a bit long winded.

Ok, so for the last couple of years we have said that 2018 is the year for our big WDW trip. Nobody in my family has gone before, and it has been on my bucket list since I was a little kid. In 2018 our kids will be 15, 11, and 5 year old twins. After doing some number crunching, it's looking like my sort-of dream trip is going to be $10k+ for our family of 6. ("sort of" because my real dream trip would include staying in a cushy resort! lol). That's including renting a house off site (less expensive), 6 day tickets (1 park per day), a couple of special meals, air fare (from west coast to FL), mini van rental, a few souvenirs, estimate on park food, a couple of other things in FL (Kennedy Space Center, beach, possibly Universal...) etc. Also keeping in mind that we live overseas, and the $10k does NOT include our airfare to and from the USA.

My hubby is not a huge Disney fan, nor is he a theme park fan, so getting him to agree to this trip has been huge.

However, in light of recent events in Orlando, my two older girls are now terrified of going there. I've tried reassuring them that we will be just fine, but they are still quite worried about it. So they are asking if we can just go to California instead. We have been to Disneyland/Calif. Adv. a couple of times already, but only one day at each park. (The last time was 2 years ago). I would love to have more time there to explore and enjoy, and also do other Cali things like drive through the redwood forest, go to the beach, and my girls are dying to see Harry Potter World at Universal. (The main reason we would go to Universal in Orlando is for the Harry Potter world.) I think overall it would be much less expensive to just go to California because we will already be on the west coast visiting family, so flights would be cheaper, park tickets are less because we'd probably do 4 days instead of 6 (at WDW), which also means we'd be spending less on park food, we have family and friends in Cali that we could crash with for a day or two here and there, saving money on accommodations, (we'd still have to get a hotel or rent a house for part of the time)...

So I guess what I'm asking is, if you had to choose between the two scenarios, WDW which has always been on your bucket list, but is going to be $$$$, or something you've already sort of done (DL + CA), but will save you money, which would you choose? My kids would be happy with either. Would the WDW trip really be worth spending that much money?

May be also worth noting that we only come back to the USA every other year, so if we don't do Disney in 2018, our next chance would be 2020. Also taking into consideration it would be during the summer, and the weather in FL will probably be worse than CA. We already live in a very hot and humid climate, and the thought of going to FL in August just about kills me, but it's the only time we can go.

Thanks.

 

[kmb584]

I would go with option 1 provided that the extra expenses aren't going to cause a financial hardship.

 

[TeamH5]

Last time I was at DL was 1995, Sooo.... Lol but I've been to both, and honestly I thought WDW was better. More to see, more to do. More parks, etc..
But then again, I was 15 when I went to DL and honestly don't remember much other than splash mountain. Lol
And the fact that there were absolutely no lines to wait in for rides.

But if it's a financial issue and your kids are happy either way, if just go with DL. They don't know what they don't know and if they're happy with DL, stick with it.

 

[mom2rtk]

OP, you need to stay the course and head to Orlando. I would not want to show my children that I was afraid to go out in the world and do what we as a family had planned to do. I would not want to support irrational fears. I mean, it's entirely possible that you could choose DLR over WDW and that's the time someone attacked Anaheim instead, right? That's not to say I think that will happen, it's merely to point out how crazy it is to plan your life around random incidents in the world.

 

[k8Davies]

my girls are dying to see Harry Potter World at Universal. (The main reason we would go to Universal in Orlando is for the Harry Potter world.)

Now I've not see the HP land in Cali but the one in Orlando has two main areas, I am a huge HP and it is just brilliant (Especially getting the Hogwarts Express between the two, totally fantastic).

Also with your girl's fears, as it was all over the news and it was so senseless it was scary, but seeing you're thinking about going in 2 years time these fears will dissipate, when it's less fresh. Also if you focus the areas they they can get excited about (Universal, Disney and shopping) I'm sure they'll come round.

Lastly your DH, now I remember my mum back in the early 90s have the same trouble with my dad who in the end reluctantly agreed. Now he's a life long Disney fan and be on multiply occasion from the UK. The great thing about WDW as even though it is a "Theme Park" it more like a all encompassing experience so even if you're not into one part you definitely find something you are into. (Like my DH, he's okay with Disney but as he loves space the fact that Kennedy is there means he's happy to go back again and again)

 

[Disneylvr1971]

If it helps any, I was at Disney World during the attacks in Orlando and never once did I (or my family) have any anxiety about being attacked at Disney World. They are taking security very seriously there. Good luck with your decision.

 

[lennyd]

Go to Orlando you won't regret it 2018 Star Wars should be done avatar will be done , you sound like a planner disneyworld is for planners

 

[AnnaS]

I would stay the course also and plan on going to WDW. Happy planning!

 

[2forMe]

Orlando for sure. By 2018 the events of these last few weeks will be in the past.

 

[msk]

I have been to both DL and WDW. My vote is Orlando. It has been on your bucket list, the events of the last few weeks will be in the past, it is something you have never done, and the new Star Wars and Avatar lands should be open.

 

[sharonabe]

One thing about renting a house in Orlando is you can do many meals "at home." I know it's vacation, and cooking isn't on my list either, but having breakfast and some sandwich fixings or one pot meals in the house would mean only one park food meal a day. That should help with the food budget.

I think I would stick with Orlando as well. You might want to check out the UK deals for free dining. That would mean staying onsite at Disney, but with that many mouths to feed, it could be a better deal than staying offsite.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Not even a question in my mind. WDW is a different world altogether then DL / CA.

Plus I agree Mom2rtk (and not just because I love her Marie pictures, which I do cause she's my favorite cat). You cannot let fear rule you nor should you teach your kids to the same. Bottom line - Terrorism strikes ANYWHERE. last time it was New York. London as well. If you start crossing off places that have experienced terror you will never go anywhere at all (including your own backyard).

 

[henry72]

Orlando for sure...

 

[Aliceacc]

What happened in Orlando could have happened in any city in the world. I know it's scary, but it's the reality of the world in which we find ourselves.

I would absolutely choose WDW... we're leaving in 3 weeks!

But a few other points: Look into getting 2 rooms at a WDW "Value resort"-- see whether it turns out to be cheaper than house+van rental + gas for the week. If you're on Disney property, you really don't need a car; WDW transportation is great!!

As to the heat: we only go in summer (2 teachers + 3 students) and it's fine. Sure, it's hot-- it's Florida in July. But we're in the parks at rope drop, and head back to the resort for a swim each day after lunch and until dinner. Throw in all the air conditioned attractions, and the shops, and we're comfortable.

 

[cdnjason]

 

[Shanti]

Hi all, I wasn't sure which board this would be most relevant on, so I hope you'll allow me to ask here. And I'm sorry if I get a bit long winded.

Ok, so for the last couple of years we have said that 2018 is the year for our big WDW trip. Nobody in my family has gone before, and it has been on my bucket list since I was a little kid. In 2018 our kids will be 15, 11, and 5 year old twins. After doing some number crunching, it's looking like my sort-of dream trip is going to be $10k+ for our family of 6. ("sort of" because my real dream trip would include staying in a cushy resort! lol). That's including renting a house off site (less expensive), 6 day tickets (1 park per day), a couple of special meals, air fare (from west coast to FL), mini van rental, a few souvenirs, estimate on park food, a couple of other things in FL (Kennedy Space Center, beach, possibly Universal...) etc. Also keeping in mind that we live overseas, and the $10k does NOT include our airfare to and from the USA.

My hubby is not a huge Disney fan, nor is he a theme park fan, so getting him to agree to this trip has been huge.

However, in light of recent events in Orlando, my two older girls are now terrified of going there. I've tried reassuring them that we will be just fine, but they are still quite worried about it. So they are asking if we can just go to California instead. We have been to Disneyland/Calif. Adv. a couple of times already, but only one day at each park. (The last time was 2 years ago). I would love to have more time there to explore and enjoy, and also do other Cali things like drive through the redwood forest, go to the beach, and my girls are dying to see Harry Potter World at Universal. (The main reason we would go to Universal in Orlando is for the Harry Potter world.) I think overall it would be much less expensive to just go to California because we will already be on the west coast visiting family, so flights would be cheaper, park tickets are less because we'd probably do 4 days instead of 6 (at WDW), which also means we'd be spending less on park food, we have family and friends in Cali that we could crash with for a day or two here and there, saving money on accommodations, (we'd still have to get a hotel or rent a house for part of the time)...

So I guess what I'm asking is, if you had to choose between the two scenarios, WDW which has always been on your bucket list, but is going to be $$$$, or something you've already sort of done (DL + CA), but will save you money, which would you choose? My kids would be happy with either. Would the WDW trip really be worth spending that much money?

May be also worth noting that we only come back to the USA every other year, so if we don't do Disney in 2018, our next chance would be 2020. Also taking into consideration it would be during the summer, and the weather in FL will probably be worse than CA. We already live in a very hot and humid climate, and the thought of going to FL in August just about kills me, but it's the only time we can go.

Thanks.

Does the house you're staying at have a nice pool? If not, I recommend waiting the two years, saving a bit more so that you'll be able to stay somewhere with a great pool complex (such as Bonnet Creek Hilton, which is "offsite" but still on Disney property, with complimentary bus transportation), and as others advised, ditch the rental van costs.

WDW is worth it, but your current plan (staying far offsite & driving in each day, having no nice pool to cool off at each day, having two scared kids who really don't want to be in the area) sounds less than ideal for what might turn out to be a one-and-only trip to WDW.

I think two years will allow for a bit more saving up, and for the girls to lose their fears. (There was a similar shooting in California a while back, as well...and an attack in Paris, an attack in London, etc., etc. It can happen anywhere-they'll realize that as they mature.)

Don't worry about visiting in summer. So many people bash it, but we love it. Be sure to include a water park day or two when you do come to WDW.

 

[AJA]

WDW gets my vote!

I would not mention going to Orlando again for the next year. The once in a life time vacation you're planning is still more than 2 years away. No need to bring it up right now when the awful events in Orlando are still so new. You don't have to make any decisions for a long time.

The Florida trip you are planning would truly be something special that all your kids would always remember.

 

[hkkatie]

Thank you for all reinforcing what I already was thinking. I know we can't be ruled by fear, which is why I've been trying to reassure them that we would be fine. I am super excited at the thought of WDW, and I hope they will get excited about it again, too.

 

[whiporee]

Jefferson has my vote.*

I think 25 months is long enough for kids to change their minds about being scared of things like shootings and alligators, and in the scheme of things, LA is a much larger and dangerous city than Orlando. If it's a matter of theme parks, I think Orlando wins simply because there are more of them -- six biggies (4 WDW, 2 universal) plus Sea World. California has other cool stuff, too. but if you're looking for a bunch of theme parks in a compressed space, Orlando's probably the way to go.

If they're worried about shootings and such, just tell them it's America, and those things sometimes happen here like they sometimes happen everywhere. I don't mean to be cavalier about it, but that was an isolated event carried out by a madman, and the only appropriate way to look at them is that way, and not as a representation of any area or town.

*Quickie Hamilton reference since that's all we've listened to here for six months.

 

[jknc]

Go to Orlando you won't regret it 2018 Star Wars should be done avatar will be done , you sound like a planner disneyworld is for planners

SW done by 2018?

I believe I read Soy Tory would be 2018 and SWE was 2019.