I'm torn (vacation planning).

@Soldier's*Sweeties, your dh is still in military correct?

Military discount baby! Includes WDW hotel too.

I'm not sure if they released 2017 military salutes yet, but we've always saved a bunch. And don't forget Shades of Green. Never stayed, but heard it's great.

Yes but his contract is up next January :(

I've looked and so far don't see any discounts for veterans, only active duty or retired.
 

Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney Disney
 
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.

Not selfish at all. DD22 and I have always vacationed without DH. He has trouble getting time off (actually he's a professor so he is STUCK from mid-August to mid-May) and honestly he just doesn't love Disney. DD and I have been to Disney too much- 27 (?) trips- and DH has only come with us 4 or 5 times. No worries... everyone knows what works best for their families.

Will it be you, MIL, and 2 kids traveling, or is your DH going too and just not going to Disney with you? Could he purchase tickets with his military discount before he's done... or does the active military person have to be with you at WDW? USAA has good deals, Undercover Tourist does too, but remember a "good deal" on Disney tickets is usually less than 5% cheaper than buying through Disney.

Price out lots of options. Honestly, if it's you, DH, 2 kids, and MIL, I'd do the offsite condo. SO SO SO much cheaper than a Disney hotel, pretty much just as close to the parks as a Disney hotel, MORE space and privacy. You can also have breakfast much cheaper, and even easy suppers (because who wants to really cook and clean on vacation) to save money there. It's supposed to be vacation, right? If there are 5 of you traveling, it's not going to be much of a vacation, stuffed 5 people into an onsite room. I guess maybe another option would be to rent DVC points, but that's still going to cost you way more than an offsite condo. If you do stay onsite, we have liked ASMu as much as POP. We like the Broadway buildings. You could check Orbitz for prices. Sign up for ebates, go to orbits through ebates, and you'll get some cash back. Also look to see if there's an orbitz discount code available, as they usually let you apply any discounts they are offering to the cost of the room at Disney.
 
Not selfish at all. DD22 and I have always vacationed without DH. He has trouble getting time off (actually he's a professor so he is STUCK from mid-August to mid-May) and honestly he just doesn't love Disney. DD and I have been to Disney too much- 27 (?) trips- and DH has only come with us 4 or 5 times. No worries... everyone knows what works best for their families.

Will it be you, MIL, and 2 kids traveling, or is your DH going too and just not going to Disney with you? Could he purchase tickets with his military discount before he's done... or does the active military person have to be with you at WDW? USAA has good deals, Undercover Tourist does too, but remember a "good deal" on Disney tickets is usually less than 5% cheaper than buying through Disney.

Price out lots of options. Honestly, if it's you, DH, 2 kids, and MIL, I'd do the offsite condo. SO SO SO much cheaper than a Disney hotel, pretty much just as close to the parks as a Disney hotel, MORE space and privacy. You can also have breakfast much cheaper, and even easy suppers (because who wants to really cook and clean on vacation) to save money there. It's supposed to be vacation, right? If there are 5 of you traveling, it's not going to be much of a vacation, stuffed 5 people into an onsite room. I guess maybe another option would be to rent DVC points, but that's still going to cost you way more than an offsite condo. If you do stay onsite, we have liked ASMu as much as POP. We like the Broadway buildings. You could check Orbitz for prices. Sign up for ebates, go to orbits through ebates, and you'll get some cash back. Also look to see if there's an orbitz discount code available, as they usually let you apply any discounts they are offering to the cost of the room at Disney.
We will drive down to FL from NY, visit my family for part of the time and do Disney the other part. My inlaws live near my parents in the Tampa area and we will be staying with them anyway so we'd just leave DH at her house.

The service member doesn't have to be there, but my ID won't be valid after his contract is up.
 
leave the kids at grandmas, you and hubby go to vegas and you still have money for new house
 
We will drive down to FL from NY, visit my family for part of the time and do Disney the other part. My inlaws live near my parents in the Tampa area and we will be staying with them anyway so we'd just leave DH at her house.

The service member doesn't have to be there, but my ID won't be valid after his contract is up.
If you buy tickets through the military he has to be there the first time they are used
 
If you really want a "kid" vacation at Disney I would do it ASAP. My kids went 3 times, the last time they were 10 and 12 and well they weren't overly impressed and were looking for more thrill rides.
They are boys maybe that has something to do with it, but at that age they weren't into anything disney anymore!
Universal fit the bill for characters and thrill rides for them.

My 7 yo niece was over recently and declared that she "hates princesses" now. She was so into them before!

If the kids have no interest in Disney, then don't take them, go for your cruise and enjoy....no guilt no worries...every family is different.
 
Careful pal, the Budget Boarders takes this idea verrrry seriously - I got a stern official reprimand for making fun of it. Honest to God, I though they joking. It gives a whole new meaning to "renewable resources" and "revenue stream". :wave2:

They'd first have to prove I wasn't making a sincere suggestion. I'm well known for being very serious and straight forward, so I'd imagine they'd have some issues proving those charges. :)
 
I'm so happy for you that you are pretty sure you will take your kids to Disney next Summer ! Our only onsite (Pop) trip was when our daughters were 10 and 6 1/2. My 10 yr old and her sister loved every minute! The photo book I made of our trip is my souvenir and I enjoy looking at those photos so much.

Congrats on your future nursing degree! That will surely help you save for the new home.
 
For what it's worth, there is a quote floating around on my Facebook feed in regards to a family that sold everything to live on a boat with their family in the Caribbean, and I just printed it up. Here it is:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

The quote is attributed to Mark Twain. Whether or not he said it, I can't say for certain. I do know that on Downton Abbey Mr. Carson says to Ms. Huges: The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end, that's all there is.

We are in a similar boat where the kids are the perfect age for travel yet are saving for a large expense (finish our backyard and put in a pool). We go back-and-forth on what matters most, and it's not an easy decision. I hope those quotes help in some small way. Good luck!
 
Last edited:
Some things I do to painlessly save for a WDW trip:
1. Throw my change into a bucket every day. You might be able to enlist the DH to do this too.
2. Buy gift cards weekly prior to the trip. If necessary, cut out some other expenditure (buying lunch/snacks at work is the first thing to go for me) to put toward the purchase. Once it's in the form of a Disney GC you can't spend it anyplace else. I find that it's easier to spend a little money every week than it is to just come up with a big chunk of change.
3. Let it be known (subtly of course)to all friends and relatives that you are taking a Disney trip and if there is a gift giving occasion where they'd normally get you a gift, a Disney GC is a great idea.

You have a whole year to save. If you save just $10/week that'll be $520 which could be spending money. Everyone can squeeze $10/week out of their budget. You'd be amazed at how many of the day to day things you don't really "need" if you've got a goal.
 


Disney Vacation Planning. Free. Done for You.
Our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are here to provide personalized, expert advice, answer every question, and uncover the best discounts. Let Dreams Unlimited Travel take care of all the details, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation.
Start Your Disney Vacation
Disney EarMarked Producer






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter

Add as a preferred source on Google

Back
Top Bottom