Need some opinions!

[Monknmom]

So for about an hour and a half now I have been sitting in front of my computer crunching numbers and I needed some opinions on what to do... I know that everyone has different thoughts and opinions, but I would just like to be able to hear a few! I have asked DH but all I hear is "That's still our overtime season, but I don't care, you choose" -NO HELP! Thank you in advance for any help!

As of right now this is what we have-
4 day non hopper MYW tickets
5 nights at ASMo w/ the deluxe dining plan
and we will be driving down there.

So if we do the YES Program we will have the following-
5 day non park hopper passes
the synergy class
6 nights at ASMo
and we will still be driving there so all of those expenses will be the same.

Good things
1-My son will have a great experience, as will DH and I.
2- I won't feel so bad about him missing so much school.
3- We will save $172- that includes EVERYTHING (gas for the car, souvies, food-only 6 CS and 5 TS the rest is stuff from home, hotel in Disney and park tickets)
4- We will be home for the entire Christmas season
5- We get 1 more night and 1 more park day!

Bad things
1- DH is an electrician and they are still pretty busy during Sept and Oct so he can take advantage of overtime! Because after Oct. they start to slow down.
2- We are the coaches of my DS's soccer team and we would have to appoint another parent for the coaching duties for 2 practices and 1 game.
3- We won't be there for the Christmas lights or DS's birthday!
4- We will not be able to attend all of the meals that we wanted to eat just so that we could be a little cheaper without the dining plan
5- We will be there when it's hot and we were trying to avoid that
6- *IF* free dining does come out I will regret this choice because with free dining we would save MUCH more than if we had taken the YES program but if it doesn't come out (which I hear it probably won't) we only save $172 *AND* DH loses some overtime money

So again if you could just leave a comment I would appreciate it! Please no zapping me I am just asking for opinions! Thank you again!

 

[ancestry]

I really don't know what to say. It is so hard to give opinions on other people's vacation choices. I do think that your negatives are strong ones. I personally wouldn't want DH missing his busy season at work. I also sense a bit of a disappointment from you over not seeing the Christmas lights and with having to deal with the heat.

Your post gives me the impression that you are leaning towards going when you can see the Christmas lights and cooler weather.

 

[cinder_ellie]

You have put in a lot more bad points than good points! Honestly, I think you will have a great time either way, but maybe even more so if you went to see Disney Christmas. If it would still be within your budget maybe this would be your best bet.

 

[StephMK]

I would stick w/the option #1. I would guess based on OT you will lose much more than you would save if you go w/Option #2.

 

[lucigo]

Are we to infer that Option #1 and option #2 are different times of the year? If your choices are between summer and winter I highly suggest winter. Disney is so much better as a winter sport. Fewer people, better weather, magical Christmas season. If you are worried about saving a few dollars, go to the regular dining plan as opposed to deluxe.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Yes programs rock. Could you rent points for the same cost and then buy the dining plan if you feel it is important?

 

[buzz2400]

I don't know much about the yes program is but I know what it is like to try and plan things and family members are of no help. So I will give you my opinion. I have been to disney many, many times, usually in the summer but have been able to do a christmas, halloween, may. I prefer christmas because of the decorations and it is not so humid. But it looks like you are talking christmas week which would be crowded.

With regard to overtime: if you really need the money then I would stay home. If you could do without the money, then go.

Soccer: My feeling is that you only live once and a child will more likely enjoy and remember a family vacation vs. playing a soccer game. I would not feel guilty making another parent step up to cover for you.

With regard to having an extra day: one extra day is really not going to make a difference. We always allot four days so we can go to each park. But again, we go at least once a year. However we are looking forward to our may trip since it will totally be just disney (not universal or sea world) and we are going for a full week.

Have you asked your son what he would like. Being at disney on your birthday is not really a great thing anymore since everyone is wearing the birthday button. Does he want to do the yes program or would he rather have a "family vacation".

With regards to taking a child out of school. I have taken my son out of school so many times to vacation since I am on a limited budget and it is cheaper to do vacations other than holidays or summer. He graduated high school and is now attending a community college. So taking a child out of school for a week is no big thing.

I hope I helped you a little with my thoughts.

 

[marmalade]

Tough decision. My DH works construction (I am a SAHM) and we live in Buffalo NY and there is very little work during the winter months, so I understand your DH wanting to get all the overtime he can. But we go every year in August during my DH's busy season, because we like the smaller crowds.

I would love to do WDW during the holidays but I would only do it if it was a 2nd trip for us that year. I don't like it when the crowds are that insane.

However as far as your DH saying "that's still overtime season, but I don't care you choose", I would take that as him saying he would rather go later instead of losing out on money.

 

[chris31997]

For me, do you need the overtime? If you need the overtime than don't interfer with it. Otherwise, I think it would be cool to go at Christmas time. But the YES program might be worth the summer heat and humidity.

Sorry no help

 

[Monknmom]

You all helped greatly, thank you VERY much! We do like the overtime because we just bought a house and this vacation is the "fling" before we start house work and that means that there will be no other money for big vacations for a little while (only trips to upstate NY, maybe)! So with that said and reading everything I think that I will stick with the option 1 (going in December) because that was going to be a big thing for my son- he had heard from a friend that just got back and got to go on the kids pirate cruise and he wants that so it's the birthday gift from grandma and if we go sooner she has stated today that she will not give the gift early because then she will need to get another at his "real" birthday She's a keeper just kidding! But anyway, again thank you very much for the tips! I am looking forward to seeing Disney with the lights and it shouldn't be that crowded (we are going the first week in December)?