I'm depressed

[WI_DisneyFan]

DW and I made a rather difficult decision this week. We are holding off on our next WDW trip for another year. We looked at our finances, laid out our plan of home improvements we want to make over the next year, and decided that we couldn't justify spending $4000 on a vacation next year. But with that in mind, I'm going to start to put aside about $170/month, or just $85/pay check. So by the time December 2008 rolls around, I'll have enough saved to pay for the trip with out having to dip into our actual savings account. So while I'm pretty sad about having to postpone for a year, I'm eagerly anticipating this time next year when I can start booking our 2008 trip. And until then, I'll keep coming back here to live vicariously through all of you.

Thanks for listening!

 

[sorul82?]

The leaky roof can wait! Disney needs you!!

 

[magicaldisney]

That's heartbreaking. I understand the depression part. Planning the vacation helps take that edge off though, so start thinking of new and exciting things you can do when you go in 2008. Maybe a new place to eat or new resort to stay in.

 

[Dorisk3]

Good for you! I think its great to see folks that have their priorities in order! Sometimes I have the feeling that some people love Disney so much they put themselves in unwise debt in order to get there. I'm sorry you are depressed- but you can enjoy your home and the repairs every day- and before you know it- it will be time to make your plans for your next trip. Think of all the knowledge you'll soak up on the boards over that time.

 

[BeckWhy]

I agree with putting the house before the vacation. But why is it costing you $4000 to go?

 

[Boncho]

I also agree with putting the house first, but I don't get the $4000? What resort do you stay at? One of the deluxes? That is one of the benefits of enjoying the Pop Century resort - it's pretty cheap but still a great place to stay.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

About that $4000 price tag. Two reasons. First, and I know this is going to sound very childish, but I’ve always been an “all or nothing” kind of guy. If I can’t vacation the way I want to, then I don’t want to go at all. I would rather stay home than cut corners just for the sake of going. One big problem is that we stayed at the Contemporary for our honeymoon last August. So now if we stay at one of the Value resorts, I just know we would compare this trip to our honeymoon. Honestly, if this were our first trip down there, we’d be seriously looking at one of the Value resorts. My DW likes the All-Star Movies because of the big 101 Dalmatians statue. And we could even do a Moderate Resort (I really like Port Orleans French Quarter) for $2000 less. But compared to the proximity to the Magic Kingdom we had at the Contemporary, neither of us would be happy with either choice. I know it sounds strange, and I’ll be the first to admit that it is stupid of me to not look into a less expensive resort. But I would rather save for a more expensive trip in two years and do nothing in 2007 than take a less expensive trip that I could afford next year. That’s just the way my brain is wired.

The second reason is that this will probably be the last trip my DW and I take before we start a family. So that also goes along with the wanting to go all out thing. We realize that once we start having kids, the expenses are going to be much greater than they are with just the two of us. And while we both really look forward to some day taking our kid(s) to WDW, we want to go all out one more time before settling down.

As far as being depressed, I’m getting over it. I figure I was able to wait 13 years between trips, so I think I can wait out another 29 months. And I didn’t even have the DisBoards back then!

 

[wrldpossibility]

First, good for you for being mature about your finances and waiting. I know that's hard. We've been there too.

I'm surprised at the shock of some posters at the price. Not everyone can take shorter, "budget" trips to Disney. Our trip will cost about $6000, and no, we're not staying deluxe. We have a family of 5, and also need to pay for the grandparents. And we have to pay a lot for airfare. We also live very far away from Disney, so a weekend or 4 day trip does not make sense. So no cheap getaways to Disney for us, either.

 

[themudd4]

About that $4000 price tag. Two reasons. First, and I know this is going to sound very childish, but I’ve always been an “all or nothing” kind of guy. If I can’t vacation the way I want to, then I don’t want to go at all. I would rather stay home than cut corners just for the sake of going. !

I cant say anything about spending $4000...we tend to spend $4000+ each time we go. This includes 7 nights, park hopper passes, meals, and whatever else we want to do, see or buy...for the four of us.

I have only stayed at the value resorts, although we are leaving in about 3 hours and heading back to WDW and are staying at POR, only because the kids are getting bigger and we wanted a little extra room. While I have never stayed at the deluxe resorts, I have been to some of them, ate there, and while they were nice and not saying I would never stay there, but there is something very special and magical at the All Stars as well as POP. BTW, you can get suites now too. Check into it, you might be surprised.

Not to get you to try and take away from your other expenses and priorities, but maybe you and your DW could take a little weekend getaway somewhere to help make it not so rough. Sometimes they can be just as magical.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

While I have never stayed at the deluxe resorts, I have been to some of them, ate there, and while they were nice and not saying I would never stay there, but there is something very special and magical at the All Stars as well as POP.

I completely agree with this. On our honeymoon, we checked out a couple of the Moderate resorts and they didn't seem that much nicer than the Contemporary. In fact, I like the themeing and everything of the Moderates more than the Contemporary. But you just can't beat the location of the Contemporary.

Not to get you to try and take away from your other expenses and priorities, but maybe you and your DW could take a little weekend getaway somewhere to help make it not so rough. Sometimes they can be just as magical.

My DW thought the same thing. After I told her that I didn't think we'd be able to make it to WDW next year, I think she could see how disappointed I was. (She enjoys the WDW magic, but isn't obsessed with it like I am.) So she looked on the AAA website and found a nice 2 day/3 night trip to Mackinac Island in Michigan. It would only cost us about $220 per person (less if we don’t go for a deluxe room) for the same time period we were going to go to WDW. So for $500 we can have a nice little trip to unwind next year. And by the time we go, I'll hopefully have already booked my WDW stay!

 

[BeckWhy]

I'm not saying taking a shorter trip to cut prices. I wouldn't ever suggest that. But I know for my boyfriend and I to go this year would have cost us about $2000 (without any discounts), staying at POP. Therefore I wasn't sure why the deluxe was the choice.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be spoiled when you go on vacation. And there is nothing wrong with you NOT wanting to downgrade. I think there are a lot of people on this board that will agree with you on that.

The good thing is, WDW will be there in 2 years and it won't get worse. In fact you will have the opportunity to ride new rides or attractions that won't be out next year. 2008 will probably be our next trip.

But for me... and this is for me I don't speak for anyone else... staying at a value resort is 1/2 the feel for me. I haven't stayed at any of the other resorts but I've spent hours at some of them and they just aren't the same. At the value resorts there are always kids running around and laughing and having fun and stuff like that. That's a big expectation for me when I'm in WDW. So I will probably stay at value resorts until I have kids.. in which then we will have to upgrade because I can't share a full size bed with anyone! LOL!

Good luck with your home repairs and remember the boards are always here for when you need a disney fix.

 

[DisneyFairy19]

Good for you for making a wise choice. I have been in your shoes before where I wasnt able to go to Disney due to finances. It is sad, what I do to cheer myself up a little bit between trips is playing VMK, going on DISboards, and going on the WDW website. Good Luck with your 2008 planning. Please keep us posted on what you have planned

 

[ZippyDooDah]

Don't forget about WL. It's still a deluxe resort. It's almost as close to MK and monorail as the CR. It's much nicer in my opinion. And it's CHEAPER! I haven't checked in a couple months, but last I looked WL was one of the least expensive Deluxe resorts, right along with Animal Kingdom. Also more romantic at WL, I think. Just a suggestion that if you could get something as nice for a little less money, maybe you wouldn't have to wait quite as long.
As for the kids, HA! The good news - as far as Disney goes - they're still "free" for the first two years, three hundred and sixty-four days. Take advantage of that too! They are NEVER too young to appreciate Disney!

 

[byoung]

Good going and stick to it.

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

Sorry to hear this but sometimes we have to prioritize things. Just think... You'll be taking part in Disney's newest celebration! ( whatever the that one might be)

 

[mouseRD]

We wanted to go last year, but were in the processing of building a house; decided to defer one year; just went & had a great time (stayed at Dolphin outside of Epcot for a great rate!). I would love to stay at all of the resorts at least one time! The Contemporary would be awesome! Especially since they rooms were redone! They are gorgeous! Have you checked out the pictures online at allearsnet.com? We've stayed at Dixie Landings (POR) years ago; more recently AllStars (a little noisy for this light sleeper), BWI, Swan, & Dolphin.

 

[sunnishine]

Good for you for making a good financial decision.

I am suprised about the $4000 too though. I am taking my family (5 of us) for 2 weeks and we are spending about that. wow.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

The Contemporary would be awesome! Especially since they rooms were redone! They are gorgeous! Have you checked out the pictures online at allearsnet.com?

We were actually lucky enough to get a remodeled room at the Contemporary last August on our honeymoon. We requested a Castle View room, which we were given. It was one of the non-remodeled rooms, but the main problem was that we got two double beds instead of a king bed (our other request). So we explained to them that we were on our honeymoon and really didn't want to sleep in separate beds. (We both like to stretch out at night, and a double bed would never work for both of us.) They didn't have any king rooms left on the MK side, but they did on the Bay Lake side. And the room was newly remodeled. It was wonderful compared to the very bright colors of the old rooms. And quite honestly, I liked the view of the lake better than the view of the castle anyway.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

I'm sorry to here you had to change your mind about your trip. We've had to do that before too. First things have to come first though. Just think, when your trip finally does come around, just how wonderful it will be. And you'll get to do and have just exactly what you want.

Michele

 

[msgrimm23]

keep smiling and everything will work out have faith and disney will wait for you