Is this really worth the headache!!!!!!

[mhopset]

Okay folks, don't get me wrong I LOVE WDW, but I must admit when I add up the total of 6 days at the world i tend to get a little sick at my stomach. I mean $2000.00 for 6 DAYS!!!!! Yes we got a great price at the Swan/Dolphin $129.00 per night. We will be driving and gas prices are totaly OUTRAGEOUS!!!! park hopper passes another $550.00. To top it off I ask my 4 year old DS what he wants to do and he says go to Kings Island which is only 2 hours from home (i think he wants to ride the Reptar coaster). Im stressed, stressed, stressed. I can do a heck of a lot with $2000. and it would take me longer than 6 days. What to do, what to do. When the sun is shinning I want to go to WDW. When it is rainy I want to stay home and relax. This is DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!!! Maybe I should just take my Zoloft and just do it LOL!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Puffy2]

6 days $2,000? we had 5 days (4 nights ) and ours ran closer to $3,700 - it was still worth it to me. Now , if you are going in the heat of summer, you might rethink your time frame, that does not sound like fun to me - it sounds like expensive misery.
But, if I was offered 5 nights for $2,000 in Nov. - Feb. - you betcha I'd go...if I could swing it.
Disney is a wonderful vacation if you do it right - and you have a great hotel at a bargain price. Relax and enjoy.

 

[friskylady]

and since you have a 4 yr old why not do the simple thing and stay home, go to to Kings Island and let him ride on the kiddie rides! If you have a water park, go there the next day. It'll be just like a Disney vacation for him and when he gets older and does get to go to WDW it'll be new and special!

A WDW vacation IS expensive and I know that for young families $2000 is a lot of money. If you invest it today for his college education, and invest wisely in a mutual fund that grows about 8% a year, you will have enough for at least a year of college at a state university by the time he graduates college.

It's hard to put aside our own wants and needs, but to think of the future for your son is the most important consideration right now, isn't it?

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Relax!

If your child is not ready for Disney, then don't go to Disney just yet! It is meant to be fun, not an aggravation.

On the other hand, why do you want to drive? Just ride Disney buses and check off a stress source right there. Why the Swan and Dolphin when all you may get to do in your room is sleep and shower? Try other moderate resorts with more economical rates. Check out the codes available for some dates you may fit into your schedule. You get two days at the AS Sports with CVZ, for a few bucks less than what you are paying a day at the Swan.

Sometimes I doubt that children under 5 and 6 yrs of age are ready to endure a trip to Disney anyway, based on personal experience.

You are the parent, you have the instinct, go by what you feel is best for you and your child at this time and just have fun together!

Wanda

 

[mhopset]

have tried the codes and the ALL STARS are all sold out for the week we are going. I wil be taking the busses areound the parks, but will be driving from Ohio to Florida. Just don't like to fly.

 

[We4mickey]

Try www.mousesavers.com they do have some discount codes listed for Ohio residents.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have seen so many stressed out families at DW, trying to get their money's worth while their kids are overwhelmed with it all. I am from Athens, Ohio myself. If your child says they want to go to King's Island I would do that. There is a wonderful new Aquarium over the river also, not to mention the famous Zoo. You have COSI in Columbus, Amish country in Northern Ohio and IN. The train ride (Logan?) was a big hit with my younger siblings when I would come for a visit back home.

Our 6 year old grand was not ready for DW on his first trip but his younger brother was more than ready at age 2. Each child is different and IMHO if your child wants something simple and you are going to be stressed out thinking about the cost I would just wait a bit.

DW will still be there when you are all ready and you will have much more fun. I know that I have often given our children things that I wanted rather than what they wanted. It was done with good intentions but I would do differently now.

Best wishes with whatever you decide to do, Your former neighbor - Slightly Goofy

 

[mommyto3]

I wish we could go to WDW for $2000. Our trip in December will be for 9 days (2 of the days will be traveling days) and our total is $7000. How did you do that??? Please fill me in on your budgeting.

 

[Chicklet]

Just back from 9 days with DS 4 and DS 8. If it wasn't for DS8, it would not have been worth the time and effort. DS4 only really wanted to go on the Carousel and we had to talk him through every other ride. Even the water parks he wasn't thrilled about. We still had fun - but don't take a 4 year old just for the 4 year old - unless you are going for you and your husbands sake. They are much more easily pleased with simpler things.

 

[SandraC]

I had to laugh about your 4 yo child wanting Kings Island!

Our dd would stay home and swim rather than Disney if she had the choice!

IS IT WORTH IT?

YEPPERS! to the power of 10

 

[Beverly Lynn]

is your grand ttl for everything 2000? or is that room only? and you said 129 a night right? if so then thats 774 plus 550 for passes then its 1324 which is 676 less than 2000. if you broke down your 2000 it might be easier to tell you where you can save money.
personally I would go for disney. my dd is 3 and she has beent here 5 times now. in fact we are going back in sep! she asks on a daily basis to go to disney. I think its worth it.

 

[Barbruka]

Can someone please tell me the location of both these places, and how far from WDW they are?

 

[ceecee]

I'm from Ohio too and while King's Island is great it isn't Disney!!!!!!!!!
HOWEVER, if you are that stressed-don't do it. Do King's Island, one day, the Aquriaum one day and the Beach waterpark. Save the rest in an interest bearing account (if you can find one haha) and go next year. I wouldn't bother if it is that stressful for you. Vacations are supposed to be FUN.
We are going in Sept. Husband, 5 yr old and myself. Got the $49.00 rate for ASMO (my daughter's a dalmation lunatic) and we are getting 5 day passes, allowing 2 days without parks and airfare. We are fiquring just over $2000.00. Last year we did 7 days for $1500.00 (free airfare). You should be able to go for less, since you aren't paying airfare.
GOOD LUCK.

 

[jdsm]

Kings Island is in Cincinnati, Ohio. (3 hours from Athens, Ohio--my town) Kings Island admission tickets are about the same price as Disney - about $40.00 for an adult. It is a nice park, but not even close to the same scale as Disney. I think all of the kid's talk about it because it is advertised a lot right now and because of that Reptar roller coaster. ( Anything Rugrats!)

I have 4 children - ages 3, 4, 6 and 11 - and the best advice for doing Disney with kids is to RELAX! You don't have to see everything or worry about everything. Let them take the parks at their speed. Enjoy what you see and don't worry about schedules. Once you throw about half of your planning out the window, it goes much smoother.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hey JDSM

If you are a native of the Athens area there is a good chance that we might be related. If you live long enough in an area you end up related to everyone. I was born in Amesville and am the oldest of 8 kids.

I remember the first time I went to DW (as an adult) it was such a thrill to m e coming from a poor family. Even though DH and I had traveled a lot and seen a lot something about being at DW was just the frosting on the cake. It was a dream that I had never let myself think about.

Now we go down and meet another sister who lives in Clearwater. We have even met in Las Vegas. Not bad for a barefoot hick from Amesville. LOL

SlightlyGoofy

 

[jdsm]

SlightlyGoofy,

Always nice to hear from an old neighbor! Hope you have many more wonderful vacations!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Thanks JDSM

Maybe we will meet at DW sometime and talk about the old neighborhood. We will be at DW for 10 days in Sept and early Oct. Can't resist that $49 room fee. More money for fun things!!!

Your old neighbor, SlightlyGoofy

 

[jdsm]

SlightlyGoofy,
We just might meet up at DW. We'll be there 9/19 - 9/25. We got a good deal too, but now I'm worried about the heat and the bugs! I suppose if I can survive the constant "How many more days?", the bugs will be a snap!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

JDSM

We will be at AS Movies from September 22nd thru October 2nd. We are planning on joining a group of DISer's at the GF Saturday night for the Villian's Dinner and then wath the Electric Water Parade and then ride the monorail at night. All new things for us even though we have been 11+ times. We are a retired couple. DH is quite a bit older than I and we have spent the last two years travelling around.

Hope to see you then.

Best Wishes, Slightly Goofy

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

JDSM - Do you happen to work at O Bleness or Echoing Meadows? I have sisters who work at both places. Small world. I just checked your profile and was curious.

Slightly Goofy