Is it worth it?

[Jaina]

So... the last time I went to Disneyland was 3 years ago and I was 8 weeks pregnant. Not the best way to do Disney. We tried to scratch the Disney itch the next spring, but found out #2 was on the way (Surprise!) and canceled that trip. Now we're living on student loans and live WAY too far from any kind of Disney (Iowa) but we're thinking about trying for number 3, and if we don't get a trip in before then, I will be really sad. So, long sob story out of the way, would it be worth it to go in June? (I have only gone ONCE in the summer; we always go spring or fall to avoid the heat and crowds) Probably June 24th - 26th. It's the only option because it's DH's school break, and we'll go home to Arizona where we have child care (grandmas... there is no way our kids are going with us...) and we're within driving distance of Disneyland. Will it be insanely crowded and/or unpleasant that time of year? We really want to do this, but I've gotten used to my cool, pleasant, not-super-crowded Disney.... if you made it all the way through this, thank you!

 

[LynnythePooh]

IMO it's always worth it! We live in WA and this weekend will be our third trip in three years.

DS 15, is going to UCLA for a week this summer, I'm trying to argue for picking him up instead of flying him home just so I can get another visit in at the parks...

I'm willing to put up with anything for the MAGIC

Maybe this June won't be as crowded as other years due to the economy... just go, do what you can and soak in the atmosphere.

 

[bumbershoot]

Surely Iowa (is someone going to school at Palmer???) is hotter in June than Anaheim?

If it weren't for the student loan thing, I'd say to go for it. But as someone who dearly wishes she hadn't been so frivolous with the cost-of-living loans during chiro school, it's hard to tell you to go to DLR on those loans. (I'm not holier than thou about finances, goodness knows we have made mistakes, it's just my feelings after doing things like that with the loans you can get as a graduate student)

 

[Jaina]

Yes, actually DH is in 5th tri at Palmer. That's the thing - I guess I say is it worth it because we've started to stop (haha) buying things we think we want, because we want to go to Disneyland more. (Mostly me) but we are thinking about selling our Wii (because we don't use it as much these days) to help finance the trip, and we would also be able to save on a hotel, since I have a best friend that lives in La Habra (about 15-20 minutes away) who would let us crash on her floor at night. Not romantic (we might stay ONE night at the Candy Cane) but very affordable...

 

[bumbershoot]

Yay I guessed it correctly! I went to Sherman. Not practicing though...just never brought in any money, and after 5 years limping along with my mom heavily subsidizing me, I couldn't do it anymore. Very sad. Not atypical, either. (downer stories suck, I'm sorry, but if I'd heard more of them while at Sherman instead of the happyhappyjoyjoy stuff maybe I'd have been more realistic when I got out)

Though I currently take my family (and myself) to a Palmer grad, and she's doing well (in practice with someone else).

Saving money from other things for Disney is certainly something I recognize. Sounds like you've figured this out...gas money from/to AZ (while on a trip you'd already be taking to visit home), food money, low cost hotel (be sure to continue to check if HoJo offers your intended dates with the Entertainment Book rate), etc...just cover all bases.

Come to think of it, maybe trips to WDW would have been nicer than the stupid things I used those loans on...

 

[Jaina]

Yes, I definitely think about when we actually have to start paying those student loans back... sigh. DH is also going to do NUCCA (if you've heard of that) which makes me almost more nervous. In some ways... not in others. But what were we talking about? Disneyland!! DH and I got to go on a few rides together (while friends watched our kiddos) at the Mall of America a few weekends ago, and it just made me want to go to Disneyland together so badly!

 

[Gisele]

If you are most interested in not utilizing any of your student loans to finance your proposed trip, then to begin with, that is a very good plan. I am not against the idea, though, if a reasonable amount of money will be used, from the loan. EX. Days Inn, @ $ 50.00 plus a night, close to Dl. Versus any of the Disney hotels, which start at @ $250.00 night. Anyway,that sort of thing. I would not feel negative about that, if I was living on student loans at this time. I say go!
In addition, if you can get a decent price on your Wii, sell it. Have unwanted real gold? Sell it! There is a thread on this site, regarding just that topic. Have as many garage sales that you can stand. Can you watch other children at your home, when you are taking care of your children? How about E -Bay? Many people swear by it. In addition, not that they are of any use to me, so far anyway, but maybe they will work out for you very well, temp. agencies? Also, there are many rewards sites. Which I believe there is a thread on this site, somewhere. Otherwise, just Google. Some people write articles, for sorry cannot remember at the moment which site it is, but am sure can be easily found on line. Pay I believe is based upon the number of hits, your article generates. How about pet sitting? or Pet boarding? etc.
I hope that everything will work out best for you and your family, and have a wonderful trip, and great time as well!

 

[Gisele]

Here is the link for the selling your gold thread, it is from this site