It's decision time...

[bjscheel]

I posted a couple of weeks ago how DH keeps asking about going back to WDW. He's getting to me! I started looking at flights *just for fun* and discovered AirTran. We did nonstop on SW last year and my family really likes the nonstop. But SW flies out of KC early or late. AirTran does it in the middle of the day.

Anyway, by playing with dates, I finally found $59 tickets each way. After the Sunshine coupon, I could fly our family of 4 to Orlando for under $500 5 night package at a value is about $1300. So, just $1800 plus our food. That was last night. We decided to sleep on it, and if the flights were the same price tonight, to decide then.

I wasn't really planning on a trip this year. It seems so last minute- I usually plan them months in advance, not 6 weeks. We would miss 4 days of work/school. I have the money already saved (but I could use it for new kitchen cupboards instead). We are doing fine financially. We went at the same time last year and the crowd levels were awesome. For some reason I feel a little guilty, like I shouldn't take off work, shouldn't go again so soon (1 year after last trip). DH says let's have fun while we can!

I don't really have a question for you all, I just I need to type it out to help me think about this, and of course you all understand! If anybody has wise words to add, feel free!

 

[nd9979]

If your doing fine financially, I say go for it. Your hesitation seems based upon how quick everything is happening and not having time to plan like you normally do.

Going 1 yr later is not out of line. We ended up taking our second trip only 5 months after the first!

Have fun while you can. Don't worry about the money (as long as your doing ok like you said). There will always be something more practical to spend it on and if you keep waiting for that perfect time, something will always come up. Enjoy the time with your family and have fun creating memories that your children will have for a lifetime.

 

[bjscheel]

If your doing fine financially, I say go for it. Your hesitation seems based upon how quick everything is happening and not having time to plan like you normally do.

I think you're right- it seems so sudden and impulsive! I haven't had time to mentally prepare myself

This would be our chance to surprise the kids too- I don't think I would wait until the actual day, but maybe a week or two before. Usually we are discussing our plans ad nauseum for 8-10 months!

 

[bjscheel]

Just me thinking (typing) out loud again- I got a "After going so many times, I'd want to go somewhere else. There's a lot of places in the world." from a coworker. So now I'm swinging the other way. I know it shouldn't matter, but it does make me question myself again. We did go to Colorado last year, and Lake Okoboji this year, and plan on Tennessee sometime in the next couple of years.

We've gotten vacation happy lately, often taking 2 a year. Maybe that's too much.

 

[nd9979]

We've gotten the questions about why we go to Disney so much as well. Right now, I couldn't imagine going somewhere else.

Just ask yourself where you think your family would have the most fun.

 

[KELLY]

I would go for it. We did the same thing we have already been once this year for 2 weeks we stayed at POFQ. This trip is a budget one for sure we are staying at POP with FD we only needed a one day ticket as we have tickets left over from last year. Our total for 3 and one infant was a little over 1100.00 for 8 nights at POP. Airfare was 750.00 for 4. We are doing MNSSHP 2 times and some more extra things. Are FD is the regular plan I got a pin so we also factored in tip money. I have never stayed at a value but heck I get to go to Disney again.

 

[bjscheel]

If I would have been a little quicker and gotten in on Free Dining, that would be the clincher for sure! Then it would be a really cheap trip! Can't decide, if we go, whether to get dining plan or not. We really enjoyed it- when it was free.

Our other trips we've paid $1000-$1400 for airfare so under $500 is just unbelievable to me.

 

[California Jenn]

I say go for it, as long as you are comfortable with the financials. As a PP said, it's important to have fun, too. There will always be something more practical to do. I don't see any harm in planning two vacations a year as long as they are comfortably in your budget, which it sounds like these are.

You and your family will be comfortable at WDW and enjoy the time together. Sure, it's nice to go other places, but it sounds like you do that also, so why not enjoy the family time together in a place that makes you happy particularly when you can get such a good deal?

 

[Mrs D]

DH & I were looking at doing 5 days/4nights at an all inclusive resort in Mexico for the 2 of us for our anniversary. Airfare at the time wasn't too bad so the whole thing was about $1500. Then In-laws said no-go on watching the 2 kiddos so I bgan to look at Disney (well, I had already looked at WDW but DH wasn't so keen on the idea). The FD was the clincher. We got 8 days/7nights at Pop with base tickets and DDP plus (1cs, 1 ts) upgraded for 2 adults and a 4y.o (2y.o. is still free except for airfare) and airfare on airtran using sunshine rewards voucher for $1900!! The bonus for us is my DMom is going as well and we have requested adjoining rooms and she agreed to have the kids sleep in her room so DH & I can have a little adult time!
Even with the 4/3 or 5/2 deal with the Airtrain vouchers I think you'd likely get a better deal than going elsewhere. Price it out and you've got your answer!

HTH and have a magical holiday!

 

[bjscheel]

Haven't done anything yet, but kind of decided this morning to start booking tonight. Unless something happens to change my mind! I'm so wishy-washy. I did some more looking. We can get CBR for just $200 more- I've always wanted to try a mod. Then we'll probably eat mostly CS and save there.

I am going to look at one more thing- if we move it up one week, the kids will only miss 2.5 days of school instead of 4, but if the airfare is more, I won't change.

 

[sharonabe]

You could try the quick service plan instead of the full plan. With two snacks a day, I think you can easily eat three meals w/o doing much else out of pocket.

 

[bjscheel]

I will have to look at the cost of that.

I can make it work the week before at the same price so the kids only miss 2.5 days of school, so that's a perk. For some reason I still have a nervous stomach. I planned to book tonight...still haven't done it yet.

 

[bjscheel]

I did it!!!

11/4-11/9.

Nonstop flights from KC for 4- $456.80
5 nights at CBR + 5 day tix + QS Dining- $2021.05

Don't plan on spending much if anything on souvenirs, maybe 1 or 2 TS meals. Looking forward to trying CBR! I hope the weather is warm enough to swim.

Thanks for listening to me through this

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

I did it!!!

11/4-11/9.

Nonstop flights from KC for 4- $456.80
5 nights at CBR + 5 day tix + QS Dining- $2021.05

Don't plan on spending much if anything on souvenirs, maybe 1 or 2 TS meals. Looking forward to trying CBR! I hope the weather is warm enough to swim.

Thanks for listening to me through this

Have an awesome time!!! CBR looks like a great resort and hopefully it will be warm enough for your kids to swim in the pool.