Need vacation/work/budget advice....

[frannn]

I am agonizing over this, and hope I could get some great input from you guys (the only people I know who realize how great WDW is):
I have been working from home for almost two years, since my company moved to Florida. I visited them on our last Disney trip (last Oct), and my boss allowed us to use his FF miles for the plane fare. That will not be the case this time. We were able to fly into West Palm airport, rent our car there (cost about 30. more than Orlando), visit for a couple days (stayed at Homestead for about 45/night), then drive 2.5-3 hours to WDW. We returned the car at Orlando airport and flew home from there. It worked out wonderfully, and we had a great visit. Our entire trip was about 13 days, so we had 10 days to enjoy WDW. I went back again (alone) in Dec (not to WDW) for the company Xmas party and a bit of work.
We may go to WDW this Sep for 11 days (we'd have 10 park/outlet days). Boss is not contributing. Last trip, it was DH, DD1, and I. This time DD10 will probably come. DH told me he would be ok with flying into West Palm again on a morning flight to visit my coworkers, boss, etc. Then we would either spend the evening at a motel or drive the 2.5-3 hours to WDW, and check into our resort. We would be flying there on Fri, so everyone would be working, and really couldn't spend a lot of time with us. We would have to pay a bit more for the rental car, and would lose at least 1 day of WDW time. DH couldn't care less, but I'm sure you understand why that bothers me. I don't know that 8.5 days is enough time in the world for me, especially with a DD who will be almost 2, and a DD who will be 11, who hasn't been to WDW in about 4 years. I spoke to a coworker briefly about it & she said, "It's your vacation, don't worry about coming here". But I am torn because I love the people I work with (been there almost 9 years) and am very thankful to work from home. I was thinking of going a day earlier, to have the extra time to spend with them, but that would mean taking my DD10 out of school for an additional day (would be one week+2 or 3 days) on the second week of sixth grade. She is a great student, and the school is tolerant of it, but I don't know if its a great idea. Flying out right after school would be too late to make it to FL in time for visiting.
Please give me some advice. I am an indecisive person to begin with.....should I post on the community board as well? Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think that generally you have the right ideas.

Taking DD10 out an extra day during the 2nd week of school should not be a problem, especially as exams are not on the schedule that early.

If you know in advance who her teacher will be, you might try in advance to get some assignments so DD will be able to keep up.

As far as schedule, fly out right after school and stay at a hotel very close to the WP airport. You can go into the office in the morning, while the rest of the family relaxes at the pool (and DD10 does some schoolwork). Then after lunch check out and drive to WDW, arriving mid-to-late afternoon. Maybe arrange a character dinner for the first evening (and more study time for DD10).

Then you will have the time you need for the parks.

Check out www.Mousesavers.com for rental car codes and make the car rerservations as far in advance as possible; these can always be changed or cancelled without penalty if something lower comes along.

Note fo the airline you will ask for an "open jaw" ticket, which will give you a rate that is very similar to a discounted round trip.

 

[swilshire]

I would be tempted to fly out a day earlier than the family and rent an inexpensive hotel for yourself. Visit for a day and the next morning. Let them fly directly to Orlando the following day and you can pick them up at the airport.

We did a variation of this once when I had to work in Florida the week after vacation. The night before the family left, they drove me to the Orlando airport where I picked up my rental car. They drove home and I drove to Tampa. I turned in the car in Tampa at the end of the week for no extra charge.

If your husband is concerned about flying alone with the kids, tell him that the flight attendants will fuss over him a lot. My husband took our son across country once alone when the child was under age 2. He couldn't believe all the extra assistance he got. With the 10-year-old alone, hubby would be fine.

Sheila

 

[PattiPB]

I have a good friend who works from home. When they decided to move back to Vegas from Michigan, her boss loved her so much they offered to let her tele-commute, and it has been a GODSEND for her family (her youngest isn't two yet, either!)!!!!

My point is this: keep them happy and let them know you are appreciative!!!! My friend flies back to Michigan at the company's request (2x a year), and when they fly back to visit family, she ALWAYS builds a day in to visit them (on her own dime!) just out of respect, and to keep her face "known" in the building.

JM (somewhat jealous of your position) O!