Long trips- your job?

[Simba's Mom]

I'm sooo jealous of all you lucky people who get to take nice long vacations at WDW. DH says he can't be away from work more than a week at a time. So even though he gets 5 weeks of vacation a year, he spreads it all out. So a 15 day trip to WDW is out of the question for us, at least until he retires! So is he the only "workaholic" (at least he does admit that he is)? Does anyone else have this same dilema? Or did anyone else have this, but went once and discovered that the place didn't fall apart (maybe I could use this information to encourage DH). Any tips?

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Interesting question.....it gets into issues deeper than Disney.

Our take: I work for myself. To call myself a workoholic is to suggest I'm something I'm not. I work 50 weeks a year, and I work 50 to 80 hours a week. But I don't do that because I love working. I do it because the sun is shining, so I'm making hay. DW is a tenured civilian employee of the Army Corps and is currently earning 4+ weeks of vacation a year. But, she simply can't take two weeks off at a time. Taking two to three weeks off would put her so far behind that she'd not be able to take the rest of her vacation when she wanted to. And as consultant, I take a laptop and cell, thus my customers, with me. I can perform to a degree in the parks and in hotels, but a week is about all I can cut of that before it detracts from my vacation. And let's face it, doesn't it ruin it for you when some jerk is standing in front of you in line for Space Mountain yapping business talk into a cell phone? Sorry, that jerk is me. I'm trying to not do that anymore

So no, I'm betting your husband is similar to most of us, just a guess. I'm betting you hear a lot of folks here who can take such long vacations because in having the situation that allows them to do it, and the love of Disney that makes them do it, they are the "experts," and this is where experts go to share info. And thank heaven's for the experts! But I'll be interested to see more answers to your post. I bet nine out of ten people have never gone more than an extended week at a time. Going to Disney means you have to have a modicum of income, and in the real world, it's not always possible to take two to three weeks at a time for vacation. It takes you away from work too long, and it messes with your ability to focus upon your return.

That said, I personally don't know that I'd do more than seven to maybe ten days at a time if I could. I find seven days, six nights to be just about right. I wish I didn't have to leave, but I'm ready to get home.

Also, I pick up work down here occasionally. A nice man at a nice company pays me to give talks on my type of business, and feels certain myself and the others who come to speak, as well as come to listen, will be more likely to do so in places like Orlando and Vegas than in places like State College, PA. I thought at first that would be the coolest thing in the world, to go to Disney, get paid to do so, speak my piece for two days and get on the the WDW revelry. What fun, right?

Don't believe it, 'cause it just isnt' so. Mixing work and Disney can ruin the Magic. I've gotten it down to a science and I can pull off some fun times on these trips, but ultimately, it's never the same as a "pleasure trip." So if your husband can only do a week at a time before focus on work becomes necessary, it's probably in your best interest to keep it at a week. If you're thinking of reality, there's less magic....

One man's very warped opinion....

Pat

 

[Dopey Sharon]

My DH gets two weeks vacation, but takes them one week at a time. We usually stay 5-6 nights at WDW. We went, once, for 11 days and I found that was a little too long....four of us (my kids were 13 & 15) in one room was a little too much togetherness. We started to get on each other's nerves. I would rather take two vacations than one long one...just my opinion.

 

[campingcorgi]

Though I do not get any paid vacation I am fortunate that my employer lets me have all summer off with no pay so I can go for a long trip. I do get paid for 7 legal holidays during the year and I get paid for 5 of the additional 31 days that I am not allowed to work during the year because my work is closed.

It sure does sound nice to have paid vacation that you can take whenever you choose!

 

[Emy'sMom]

I get 4 weeks of vacation a year. DH just started a new job so he gets 2 weeks a year (before that he had almost 4 weeks too).

In 2001 we did a 2-part vacation: 4 days/nights at WDW and 7 days/nights at the beach in Destin, FL (with 3 days of driving). Honestly, the 2 week vacation was too long for all of us - especially DD who was 4 at the time. We were very glad to get home.

We've found that a 7 day/7night vacation at WDW is perfect for us. We are going to fly down this time (the past 2 years we've driven 16 hours each way-ouch) to save time since DD will be in 1st Grade and we don't want to take her out of school for too long (she'll miss 3 days since her school has a 2 day Fall Break). We usually do the parks for 5 days and spend 2 days just relaxing at the resort's pool (Poly).

In my perfect world I'd do a week at the beach sometime in the Spring and then a week at WDW in the Fall.

Debbie

 

[PatriciaH]

DH has 3 weeks vacation-he asked for it when he started his new job last year. They said no problem I am a travel agent so I get a lot of travel time. We are going to WDW for a week in August and Mexico for a week in October. We could have gone for another week this summer to Aruba or the Dominican Republic but DH used 2 of his vacation days for Disney this past March. Of course I think we should all get at least 5 weeks vacation in the US like other countries!

 

[bbchurch]

I guess we are caught in a totally different type of trap. My wife is a school teacher which is perfect for having most of the summer off. (when she is not having to take workshops or refresher courses or something like that) However it means we always have to go when school is out. CROWDS! My job is alittle different I get 3 weeks paid vacation and 1 week of deferred holidays a year (I have to work 4th of July, memorial day, labor day when they fall on my work schedule..just get hours when they don't) and we also accrue personal hours to use. We schecule all vacation at the beginning of the year and you only get to schedule one week at time..You turn in a list of your preferred weeks off and they go down the list giving everyone the first choice then start back at the top and go through again with the second choice and so on.....giving the senority first choice (I see nothing wrong with that either) And since I have only been at my job for 10 years, I am relatively low down on the list. (some of the people I work with get 4 weeks vacation and also have 300-400 personal hours)So getting two weeks in a row can be kinda tricky!
I know I just gave you a very detailed description of something you really didn't want to know!

 

[candykisses]

We are one of those families that go for 15 days and we love it!
We get 2 rooms either at the Movies or a moderate hotel. The extra room for the boys works well for us.

I am the billing and equal access coordinator for a local telco, my husband is disabled and is a stay at home Dad. I get 28 days vacation plus holidays. Vacations and family time are very important to us and we are very lucky that we all love WDW.

I don't find it hard at all to be away from my job for 15 days. I make sure everything that can be, is taken care of before I leave. When I come back it is with a renewed vigor.

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by bbchurch
I know I just gave you a very detailed description of something you really didn't want to know!

Actually I really like to know about peoples vacations and how they work. I think vacation time is VERY important for peace of mind. It is also important for family to spend time together. My father worked SO much while we were growing up we did not see him too much. That is sad.

 

[candaceg]

The first few years that I worked at my current firm, I was hesitant to leave for more than a week. But when the cards fell right so that we had a four day weekend for 4th of July and I had the opportunity to go to Cape Cod and stay at a friend's cottage for two weeks, I figured out how to make it work and have done two week trips a couple of times since then and the world hasn't fallen apart. For me, the key has been to take my laptop and dial in to e-mail at least every other day, and also to check voice mail regularly. My assistant has my phone number in case of true emergency, and I have a list of people back at home who she can call for help if needed (I'm a librarian at a law firm). The other key has been to take this time off around a holiday when lots of other people will be on vacation and aren't so likely to notice I'm MIA...

 

[MouseClubMom]

Paid vacations? Wow I miss those days, but I wouldnt trade my choice of careers for anything. The hours are long, the pay is low at first, but the joy of actually doing something that you LOVE for a living is simply priceless.

I do take as many trips to WDW a year as possible. We only live about a 6 hour drive away so it is not a bad trip at all. My girls love WDW and would live there if they could!

My bosses dont mind me going on vacation as long as I have my cell phone and the new laptop they just bought me with me! Those guys even called me on our DISNEY CRUISE last year! Nice to feel wanted but that was a bit much. LOL

Our next trip to WDW is actually a business trip since 2 of my bosses are former Mouseketeers and will appear at the Mouse Club Convention in June. Paid trip to WDW? Works for me!

MouseClubMom

 

[JWimberley]

When I started my agency I thought I would finally be one of those people that gets to take 3 and 4 week vacations at Disney... It didn't work out quite like that...

I do look forward to the day when I have enough staff to cover for me when I want to leave town for more than a week at a time but until then I'll sneak out early on a Friday and crawl back into the office late Monday and be glad I get the time off that I do...

Until retirement or cloning I'll stick to the short trips!

Joshua

 

[gonga]

We usually take 2 big vacaions per year, 6 months apart - for maximum de-stressing! My husband and I were both in very stressful jobs. My husband started a business almost 2 years ago, which actually started as a hobby. The business grew and I had to quit my job (boo-hoo-hoo) to work our business while DH went to work. Our business is out of our home, complete with office, computers, faxes, phones etc. Now it has grown to the point that he is leaving his job in a week. Since we love to travel so much, I stated working as a travel agent. The travel business is far from booming right now, but I do trips for friends and family - and the discounts I would say as our independance from punching a clock dwindles - our vacations get longer. Since we do not have children our lives are very different . In May we are going to the Bahamas for 4 days then taking a short flight to WDW for 5 days ( just extended out trip!) We take a couple of long weekends to PA and Vermont during the summer, then its off to the caribbean in November. This year we are returning to Anguilla which I just extended to 12 days. We are very lucky that our business does not require a staff or rented space and we finally have the freedom to come and go as we please - have laptop will travel. I used to think cell phones and lap tops were electronic leashes, but I have found just the opposite to be true. Without these wonderful devices, we would be forced to stay put to earn a living. It's a wonderful thing to answer your mail and keep in contact with your customers with a rum punch in your hand and an amazing stretch of beach beneath your feet.

 

[Piper]

As a teacher, I do get summers off--unpaid. Since the salary is low, I teach summer school to supplement. I also take courses so that I can keep up with current methods and learn how to be the best I can be. This summer, I am taking one graduate level course and 21 hours of supplemental courses. Summer school helps pay for this.

I have one week between the end of school and the beginning of summer school and I'm taking it! ( college courses start as soon as summer school is over!) Wish it were more, but I'll take what I can get!

 

[miko]

Basically I like to follow the rule- if I am not at work does anyone die? If the answer is no then you should enjoy your vacation. Planning is the key, hopefully you can mentor someone to assume your responsibilities while away without being paranoid about "loosing" your job. Truth is with todays technology you can monitor work from afar, just do it so there is minimal infringement on your play time.
I also have to note that my business takes me to Orlando at least once a month, evenings are often spent at WDW, Universal or Sea World (annual passes). Unfortunately my job also requires me to take frequent trips to San Antonio, New Orleans area, and most of Califronia. (Our children are grown and my Wife joins me on more than half the trips.)
We plan on taking the first week of December every year and we "vacation" at WDW. I have a whole year to plan for my absence at work during that time so it almost always works out. The other vacations are more or less randomly planned and usually include beaches.

 

[Feralpeg]

I am a software manager and have been with my company for 29 years. I get 6 weeks vacation each year and I make sure I use it! I believe that a person needs to get away from work. I like to take at least one vacation that lasts from 2 to 3 weeks. The rest of the time, I take shorter periods. When I only take a week, it seems like it takes that long before I let go of the work issues and relax.

How do I do it? I've worked very hard to train people in my area to be able to handle the issues while I am gone. My company is very good about letting people take the vacation that they have earned.

 

[InstImpres]

Wow, I'm jealous. I have never "gone away and left work". I am the one you see on line on my cell phone and at the payphone e-mail center. I also never travel without knowing the closest Kinkos (only 3.3 miles from OKW )

I own my own business and always need to be in touch but I guess this is part of my personality as I was like this before. I have a better time knowing everything is ok. It only takes away 10-30 minutes a day and for the most part, I use line wait time or hit the computers when everyone is sleeping or on a bathroom line.

This allows me extra vacations as clients have the feeling I'm never gone.

BTW, I am a Disneyaholic and plan my trip with a big daily grid of what is what.

 

[jfulcer]

I get 3 weeks vacation per year, plus another week of 'personal' time. At my job with a trade clearing firm, we are required to take 2 weeks straight off due to some federal legislation, so we HAVE to take our time then. It just breaks my heart. Everyone else in the office complains about it - I'm the only one that doesn't cause I like my long Disney vacations. We normally go for 11-12 days.

DW is self employed, so she can take off whenever she wants to, she just have to schedule herself that way.

 

[Dodie]

It's also important to note that several of those folks who take multi-week vacations to WDW may be from Europe. Vacation/work time is significantly different there, and such long vacations are not uncommon - maybe even the norm.

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi

In the UK we have four weeks holiday a year and all of the public/privilage day's. This year I have a 18 day trip to WDW planned and I feel very lucky