Need some advice here...

[beansmom]

my plans have just changed dramatically for November. DH just found out he has to go back to school full-time for 6 mos to be eligible for his dream job. This shoots all our disposable income for the rest of this year. (and he will not be free to go---school doesn't stop for WDW!)

Would you:

take dd alone and go cheapy-cheap just so you could go this year.

CMB all 8 nites, counter service meals, limited souvie budget, driving to save.

OR

wait until next year

A couple of nites at AKL, the rest at something more moderate. Nicer dinners. More souvenirs. DH being there. A nice blow-out to reward our 'sacrifices'?

 

[Muffy]

I would go this year with DD. You would be making memories to last a lifetime and she will not care if she eats counter service. I would stay at moderate if you can aford it. I would fly down if at all possible. Keep checking for sales on airline tix. Good luck!

 

[HM]

I think I'd wait. It's a long drive to WDW from Texas and I think you'll wish your husband was along to share the tasks.

I've taken trips with each of my kids w/DH's blessing, but we flew each time and stayed at AKL (w/DD) and WL(w/DS) and didn't try to do it on a really small budget. It was great , but 4 days of being the only parent was about all I could take. I was ready to get home.

Trips with two parents are much more relaxing and if you wait, you said you'd be better able to do more. SO, that's MHO.

-HM

 

[beansmom]

Two responses and each different! LOL!


still on the fence.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I would wait until DH could go. Even though I love the "World" and I'm sure that with your DD you would have a great time it just wouldn't be the same. I went with friends one year in October (it was a VERY affordable trip one of the friends was a CM at the Disney Store so we got a great room discount and free admission into the parks - why can't every trip be like that ) but it just wasn't the same without DH - and I admit it's probably different with your dd - I just wanted to throw in my $0.02 based on my experience. Me and DH went in December or I probably wouldn't have made the trip with friends - and it did work out perfectly because he went hunting with his brother that week too. So another vote for waiting until the whole family can go.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I have sone WDW with hubby, with friends, and with my parents. I have done deluxes and value, and IMHO, ANY disney trip is a good thing!

If it soes not break the bank, go with your DD. It will be something special with the two of you and it will a very different trip than with DH, but different is not a bad thing. Not sure how old your DD is, but I would go. Make it an adventure and enjoy!

 

[dturner]

Hey BEANSMOM: I'm in Dallas also (Lewisville) and was thinking of driving to WDW at the end of September.

I vote for you to take DD and do the most you can as cheaply as you can. I took my DS (6) last year and left DH at home (he doesn't understand the Disney thing) and we had a blast, really got to bond (I'm the working parent in my home) and DH had some time to himself at home. LOL

We stayed at the All Star Sports, DS just loved it, bought the Fall Fantasy package but we did fly last year (got some really good airfares from Dallas on Delta which you know are hard, hard to find). This year I didn't think we could do another trip until I saw the Courtyard by Marriott at the $20.03 rate and I just booked it, now I'm ebaying the rest of the way there.

I don't know about the driving part if I was you, I wouldn't want to drive that by myself but I understand wanting to save money as I'm still on the fence myself as to whether or not we are going to fly or drive in September. If airfare comes down (which I'm hoping it does, bought $147.00 round trip tickets on Delta last year in July) I'd go without DH, you'll have a fabulous time.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents since your a fellow Dallasite.

Donna
Just do it

 

[beansmom]

Thanks for the input, y'all.

I guess I also should have said I *AM* driving regardless, I hate to fly...always have. Not really sure how I'm gonna get to Hawaii when that time comes...probably all likkered up!

I'm still thinking and I guess I will just go ahead and plan the trip for November and see what fall brings.

Donna, don't you wish it would just rain?!

 

[dturner]

BEANSMOM:

Yes, I do wish it would rain. Hasn't it been yukky looking and humid (I thought I was in Florida with all the yukky humidity) all week here in Dallas, I read in the Dallas Morning News that it was smoke from wildfires in Mexico making it look so hazy and I though it was just forgetting to rain.

Good luck on your trip.

I'm taking it that you have driven to Orlando from Dallas before, I haven't driven it since 1987 and I know I would hate driving with just one driver, if WE do drive in September I'm going to MAKE DH go with us, LOL!!!! one of these days I'll make a Disney lover out of him.

I flew last year to Orlando after not flying for like 15 years and I was nervous but 2-1/2 hours on an airplane beats 18 hours of driving, I just prayed a lot.

 

[Cyndo723]

A couple of years ago I had the same kind of problem. Here's what we did. I asked DD's friend and her mom to go with us. We split the cost of the room and the driving. The girls had a good time together and I was not left as the only adult. It was one of the best "girl trips" we ever had. Just be sure the friend is one that DD is comfortable with for long periods of time. Remember, DD is only at "this" age once, and every age is a different WDW experience. My children have gone at different ages and under different circumstances each time, and I'm glad I have the memories. I'm taking DD's 21 and 14 in less than a month for our first "grown-ups only" trip at the end of this month.