I'm torn (vacation planning).

[loves to dive]

I'm torn on this one. I've been taking my son since he was 3, I was a single mom and we would go every other year because it took me two years to save for it. Having said that, I firmly believe in living within your means and vacations don't have to be any thing more than a trip to the beach. We used to take long weekends on our off years and stay in a HI at a beach, frankly my son loved those vacations as much as the WDW ones. I didn't go until I was into my 20s and frankly life did not end for me.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I'm torn on this one. I've been taking my son since he was 3, I was a single mom and we would go every other year because it took me two years to save for it. Having said that, I firmly believe in living within your means and vacations don't have to be any thing more than a trip to the beach. We used to take long weekends on our off years and stay in a HI at a beach, frankly my son loved those vacations as much as the WDW ones. I didn't go until I was into my 20s and frankly life did not end for me.

I'm glad you said that. I grew up going multiple times a year so to me, WDW was a big thing. DH never went...Doesn't get it.

 

[Liberty Belle]

They are 9.

I think you'll regret it if you put it off any longer. I'd definitely do WDW, if you have the money.

 

[jevs]

Disney for sure.

 

[Liberty Belle]

They'll be 10 next summer :/

Any free dining rooms available for the fall?

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Any free dining rooms available for the fall?

I don't think anything has been released for next year.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I am definitely leaning more towards Disney. I just need to get over it... Hopefully I can find a good promo when then time comes to book.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I don't think anything has been released for next year.

I mean this year. I was just thinking, if you could swing it, since they'll be "adults" next year.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Disney.... NO question... (and this is from somebody who is not the total Disney Fanatic like some here!!!!)
At this age, your kids will become 'tweens' and start to grow up.. FAST!!!

That cruise or getaway can come at a later time. (I vote for the cruise or a short stay at a nice, possibly Adult-Only resort)

 

[AppleDumpling]

Follow your heart and take them to Disney. YOLO! Once in a while, you've gotta splurge.

With school, new job, and new house all in your future, you never know when you'll have the opportunity again. You can save by staying at a value resort, eating counter service, limiting souvenirs, etc.

Of course your kids would survive if they never went there, lots of kids do. But since it's something dear to you, it's natural to want to share it with your family.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

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.

So, I'm assuming you'll have your own car? You can stay Ssssssssooooooooo much cheaper offsite - way more than enough to pay for parking. I'd take the savings from offsite & extend the trip a couple of days too

4 weeks ago we were an 8 minute drive to Epcot, 2 BR, & a kitchen. $57 per night.

 

[HM]

Here's what I think.

You are saving for a house.
You are going to have to pay for schooling.
You aren't going to have much in the way of disposable funds for a while.

I take it you are in FL or close to it, right?

Why not do a small scale trip to WDW. When I was a bit older than your kids, my parents took our family to Florida when it was only MK. We did one day. We camped at Jellystone Camping Ground and spent a couple days doing fun stuff there.
Recently my DD and I did one day...while in town for something else. It was great. Would it be possible just to do MK with your kids?

You could go camping (if you are the type of family that camps) and do stuff around WDW while only spending one day in the parks and saving yourself a ton of money, or just do a day trip. You don't have to spend a ton of time and money at WDW to have a good time with family.

 

[Liberty Belle]

We took our oldest for the first time when he was 9.5 and it was still magical. Took him next when he was 11. He enjoyed it, but not like a younger kid.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Here's what I think.

You are saving for a house.
You are going to have to pay for schooling.
You aren't going to have much in the way of disposable funds for a while.

I take it you are in FL or close to it, right?

Why not do a small scale trip to WDW. When I was a bit older than your kids, my parents took our family to WDW when it was only MK. We did one day. Recently my DD and I did one day...while in town for something else. It was great. Would it be possible just to do MK with your kids?

You could go camping (if you are the type of family that camps) and do stuff around WDW while only spending one day in the parks and saving yourself a ton of money, or just do a day trip. You don't have to spend a ton of time and money at WDW to have a good time with family.

No we're in NY.

We always did the onsite thing growing up even though we lived near Tampa so I guess I'm just stuck on that.

I'm going to look into some other options

 

[nkereina]

Another vote for Disney. My parents took me at 10 years old and it was the perfect age to remember everything.

If you opt for the cruise, I can't imagine it would be all that much cheaper - you'd still have to pay for alcohol, excursions, souvenirs, gratuities, transportation, maybe specialty restaurants depending on the cruise line. I feel like there are more ancillary costs with a cruise than there would be at WDW where you can budget more easily.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Well... Who knew a 2 page DIS thread would help so much? I thought there would be more mixed opinions but you guys are right... They'll be quite a bit older by the time we'd be able to do this again. Plus, it will be done with and I won't feel guilty about it anymore. (That sounds horrible but I really do feel bad when I hear about others' trips).

I think I'm going to do it.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Well... Who knew a 2 page DIS thread would help so much? I thought there would be more mixed opinions but you guys are right... They'll be quite a bit older by the time we'd be able to do this again. Plus, it will be done with and I won't feel guilty about it anymore. (That sounds horrible but I really do feel bad when I hear about others' trips).

I think I'm going to do it.

Is your husband pretty flexible with whatever you decide? If so, then find some ways to save a bit and have fun.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Is your husband pretty flexible with whatever you decide? If so, then find some ways to save a bit and have fun.

Yes he literally couldn't care less.

I'm pretty sure he hasn't even been listening to musings and doesn't know about any of my plans He knows we're going to FL and doing something but I've thrown so many ideas at him and I change my mind so much that his go-to response is basically "Tell me when we're leaving and where to go."

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

That sounds so bad that I'd be leaving him behind but he has no desire to go to WDW... Heck, he'd enjoy hanging out and fishing more than a cruise so it's not as selfish as it sounds.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Yes he literally couldn't care less.

I'm pretty sure he hasn't even been listening to musings and doesn't know about any of my plans He knows we're going to FL and doing something but I've thrown so many ideas at him and I change my mind so much that his go-to response is basically "Tell me when we're leaving and where to go."

Sounds like how my wife reacts to me when I'm on a Disney kick. She's not even close to being the fanatic I am, and I'm pretty sure she just zones out and shakes her head while I go on, and on, and on. She always has a good time while we're there, so at least we have that.