I'm torn (vacation planning).

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Sorry if this is wordy...I'm just trying to think through this.

We have been having a pretty laid back summer this year. We usually go to Florida to visit family(and do other fun stuff) but we decided to just chill out at home and take an extra camping trip or two.

I'm thinking ahead for next summer and I really don't know what I want to do. The original plan was drop the twins with my parents in Tampa and take a cruise or go to St. Augustine for a few nights or something. But now I'm considering a short-ish WDW trip (4 night/4 day).

My kids have actually never been! I know...How is that possible?! I have been a member here forever and I did sign up when I was planning a trip years ago but it didn't work out. I've stayed for the Universal planning boards and the crazy here on the CB

I really want to bring them before they get older. I also have this guilt that they are the kids who have never been (they do a ton of other fun things in FL so they're not too neglected ). I would like to bring my mother in law with because we get a long really well and she is such a help to DH and I. She flew up here to NY for a few days JUST to watch our kids so that we can have a weekend away so I'd like to pay her way in appreciation.

That's one of the things that throw a wrench into the WDW idea... Price. We have the money for it, but we're also trying to buy a new house in the next year or two and are SUPPOSED to be saving. A cruise for just the two of us is obviously cheaper. BUT another reason to do WDW next summer is that I will also (hopefully) be starting nursing school next fall as between that and then getting a job after vacation time will be hard to come by.

Do I go with the cheaper option to save money or do I do WDW? My heart says WDW but my brain says "Go cheap!"

 

[WishingOnAStar]

My heart would say Disney, too! To be logical, though, price out each of them. See what the difference is between the 2 and then decide if it's worth it. Considering that you might not have the time over the next few years, you may decide that it IS worth the extra money now.

 

[King Schultz]

How old are your kids?

 

[indygirl99]

I am a nurse (30+ YEARS) and know how crazy nursing school is and then when you get your RN job vacation time will not be when the kids are out of school.

So if you can swing it I would go before you start school.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

How old are your kids?

They are 9.

 

[King Schultz]

They are 9.

I see your dilemma, but man. . that's the perfect age to take kids to WDW.

They'll only be 9 once- I vote Disney.

 

[WishingOnAStar]

So they might be teens before you get to go again?? I vote "Go"!!!

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

At their age, I'd say Disney as well.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I see your dilemma, but man. . that's the perfect age to take kids to WDW.

They'll only be 9 once- I vote Disney.

You're right and I am leaning that way. I just have to justify the cost to myself.

 

[King Schultz]

You're right and I am leaning that way. I just have to justify the cost to myself.

In the year between now and then, maybe you can cut some things out to make up the difference or close to it?

I'd eat out less or see less movies or whatever to make it work.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

With kids 9 years old, I also vote Disney! Can you do Disney less expensively - off site condo, Disney gift card churn for food money, tickets through a UCT type vender? Or do you need to be on site?

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

You're right and I am leaning that way. I just have to justify the cost to myself.

Think of all the plasma you could donate between now and then!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

St. Augustine is gorgeous, we always stop there every year for a few days on our way to WDW! Why not do a shorter WDW trip (2 days) with park hoppers and stay off property and then add in a trip to the beach to make it more affordable? You still get to do it all and yet veg at the end of the trip! You also have MIL with you, so you and your husband can sneak away in the evenings or even while at the beach!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

In the year between now and then, maybe you can cut some things out to make up the difference or close to it?

I'd eat out less or see less movies or whatever to make it work.

Yeah I can. We do HAVE the money, but to use it when we're supposed to be saving is where I have an issue. But I mean, we'd be using close to 1K on a cruise(since we have to vacation during summer) anyway. It's not that much more expensive to do Disney.

With kids 9 years old, I also vote Disney! Can you do Disney less expensively - off site condo, Disney gift card churn for food money, tickets through a UCT type vender? Or do you need to be on site?

I would prefer to be onsite so that I get the 60 day window for FP+. Plus parking is free right(if we don't use the busses?) That makes it worth it IMO.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

St. Augustine is gorgeous, we always stop there every year for a few days on our way to WDW! Why not do a shorter WDW trip (2 days) with park hoppers and stay off property and then add in a trip to the beach to make it more affordable? You still get to do it all and yet veg at the end of the trip! You also have MIL with you, so you and your husband can sneak away in the evenings or even while at the beach!

I forgot to mention that DH wouldn't be going to Disney. He has ZERO desire to go and would be a miserable grouch if I made him. He can hang back with his stepfather and fish(we've discussed this. He likes that idea too LOL).

 

[mjkacmom]

Can you go off season? Since this is a budget trip, maybe leave out MIL (which would allow you in a cheaper room, plus save in food and park tickets).

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Can you go off season? Since this is a budget trip, maybe leave out MIL (which would allow you in a cheaper room, plus save in food and park tickets).

Not an option because of my school schedule. She's a FL resident though so I'd be taking advantage of that. That's not the only reason I'd be inviting her I swear LOL!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I vote Disney for sure. With kids being 9, the window of opportunity is closing on them having the "magical" experience. They are only young once, go for it!

 

[Caropooh]

I say do WDW! Remember, this is the last year the kids would be priced as children! !0 and up is an adult.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I say do WDW! Remember, this is the last year the kids would be priced as children! !0 and up is an adult.

They'll be 10 next summer :/