not getting my hopes up...but then again...

[connorsmom911]

A co-worker is planning a trip to Disney and was going to go next May, but we got talking and I told her the crowds would be a lot less in Nov/Dec (besides the holiday). Well, now I'm so jealous I started looking into going ourselves at the end of Nov and although we should use the money to pay down our credit cards, I think we could actually swing another trip. We were just there in Sept, but it was so hot and humid after the last hurricane and we all got sick with a stomach bug and hubby got sunstroke...it was still a great trip but we didn't do half the stuff we'd planned. My little guy keeps looking at the pictures and asking to go back to "Mickey's house", I would just love to go back!!

But then again I think we still haven't paid off the last trip yet, we're in a new house and we should pave the driveway this year...but on the other hand, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas and now I'm really in the "live for today" frame of mind. I don't know if my parents would go with us this time, they really want to spend a week in Daytona because they're postponing their annual trip this April because my mom is having chemo/radiation, but they might go the same time as us and just meet us for a day or two.

Help talk me into this...I'm thinking All Star Movies cause my ds is TOTALLY into Buzz Lightyear, and just getting a 5 day MYW pass with parkhopping, no plusses or expiry (unless the weather totally sucks down there or we all get sick again), flying Southwest out of Buffalo (are their Nov/Dec prices good?). So far it looks like we're getting a tax refund, and I'm working a bit of overtime, plus I get my lieu pay at the end of Nov and our contract could get settled and I could see a nice retro pay...

Anyone think I shouldn't do it? We weren't planning to go back until 2010, our 10 year anniversary and ds would be 6, but then again, we weren't planning to go last year, but my sister attended a convention at CSR and we just couldn't resist.

Help me...

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Sorry -- taking another trip to WDW while you're still paying off the last trip to WDW is not a wise idea in any financial advisor's books. It is never a sound financial decision to borrow money to pay for a vacation. Borrow only for what you truly need -- save for the things you truly want.

 

[GrannyEv]

Just my two cents worth, but I say go for it!! You never know what tomorrow will bring. Think of the memories for your son. As long as you aren't on the verge of bankruptcy, I say go to Disney!!

hugs
GrannyEv

 

[nowellsl]

I'd have to say don't do it!! Get your last trip paid and pay down your credit cards! Save up until you have enough to go without having to pay for it after the fact! You'll have a much better time knowing it's already paid for!!

 

[DisFan2]

It is never a sound financial decision to borrow money to pay for a vacation. Borrow only for what you truly need -- save for the things you truly want.

Testify brother! As parents, we shouldn't drop $4-5K further into debt for the sake of Disney memories for our children. From my perspective, "living for today" means ensuring that my family will be taken care of tomorrow - food, a roof over their heads, and as little debt as possible. Disney World, as much as I love it, can wait.

 

[mousy_in_canada]

"live for today, but not so much you are depriving yourself from Tomorrow"

you don't know what is going to come up in your financial future, so plan accordingly.
I say pay down the last trip and save for a cash trip later. sorry to be a bummer but that is my opinion.

 

[maryliz]

I'm with GrannyEv ... GO FOR IT ! I'd go in a heartbeat! I figure that as long as I can sleep at night, I never have a problem with a little bit of debt on my line of credit. Much cheaper interest rates than a credit card -- transfer your CC balances to one, and you'll be amazed at the interest savings. And seeing what my sister is going through now with surgery and chemo, I am so glad that when we went in January that we bought AP's so we can go again in October. There are ways to cut down on costs ... you're making a good choice in hotel and not having all the options on your MYW tickets.

We too just bought a new house, and there will be the need for a deck and a fence ... although we need to get the grass first And if those things don't come this year because I want to go to Disney, we'll do them next year.

I'm a believer in "live for today", within reason I always know when we've gone too far because I start to lose sleep. 2010 is way too far off ... so if you're thinking that you want to go, but not positive, make sure you do it before your DS turns 3 -- that way he's still free admission and free to eat at the character meals

MaryLiz

 

[SnowWhite]

I agree with the majority on this board. Pay down some debt first, then go. You will not regret being there then. This trip in OCT other than gas is paid for and we feel soooo good about going and paying for most things up front. You will too it is hard to not be tempted to go, but in the long run you will have more fun and more stability in your bank account!!!!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

The suggestions by GrannyEv and maryliz to "Go for it!" and "Live for today" are among some of the most irresponsible pieces of advice I have encountered in my relatively short time on the Disboards.

I can be as spontaneous as the next person and don't mind living for today, so long as I have the money to afford it today. The OP has demonstrated that they didn't even have the money yesterday nor will they likely have it tomorrow. The fact is they couldn't afford the WDW trip they took in 2004 and certainly can't afford a WDW trip in 2005 -- one based not on sound financial planning, logical reasoning or solid planning. Instead -- as the OP has readily admitted -- it is one based solely on the fact that an acquaintance is planning to go to WDW in the fall and the OP is jealous.

Sadly the banks, credit card companies, and other lending institutions will generously reward such financial irresponsibility -- as is evidenced by the ability to buy a mainstream home with a loan from a mainstream bank and spend zero dollars. That's since 100% financing came to Canada, rewarding people who have demonstrated they have the utter incapacity to save any money.

Get your financial house in order -- pay down your debts -- set some money aside in savings -- pave the driveway. WDW will be there tomorrow and in 2010 when DS is 6 years old.

 

[GrannyEv]

Well I still hold by my opinions. I'm not saying stay at the most expensive resort and spend money needlessly. Sometimes you need to go for it, to get away and take a break from things. If you budget correctly you can still go to Disney and still pay down your bills. I don't think the last post was called for. I am a very responsible person and don't appreciate being told I am irresponsible. I was asked for advice and I gave it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And to slam someone's opinion because you don't agree with it, is in my mind, irresponsible.

hugs
Granny Ev

 

[maryliz]

The suggestions by GrannyEv and maryliz to "Go for it!" and "Live for today" are among some of the most irresponsible pieces of advice I have encountered in my relatively short time on the Disboards.

While you're certainly entitled to express your opinion to the OP since she asked us for them, that does not give you the right to judge someone else's opinion, nor does it give you the right to use words like "irresponsible". You know nothing about me. I might owe $100, or I might owe $100 000 -- none of your business unless I'm asking you to pay it off for me.

I watched my dad and my mother-in-law both die in their 50's, long before retirement. I have a sister who is 42 and is literally fighting for her life right now. While I responsibly save for my retirement, I have no idea if I will ever get there. I DO "live for today", and if I should be hit by a bus tomorrow, my DH will be able to honestly say that I had no regrets. And guess what, I have done enough financial planning that he will easily be able to pay off any debt that I might leave behind. I said that I can live with debt "within reason" ... and guess what, that's within MY reason, no one elses.

MaryLiz

 

[maryliz]

GrannyEv ... we were typing at exactly the same time!


MaryLiz

 

[cdnmickeylover]

The suggestions by GrannyEv and maryliz to "Go for it!" and "Live for today" are among some of the most irresponsible pieces of advice I have encountered in my relatively short time on the Disboards.

Just because you don't agree with their opinion doesn't give you the right to say that it's irresponsible. I happen to be in the the 'go for it' camp as well because life is short and who knows what's going to happen. I still have student loans - am I supposed to completely pay them off before I do anything? I don't think so. My DS is now 18 and if I'd waited til I was completely out of debt from everything he'd never have gone to WDW and I wouldn't have those memories of him. Those memories are priceless.

When I was 17 a close friend was killed and I swore then that I'd live life to the fullest and take advantage of whatever opportunities I was given. I have and I don't regret it.

You don't know the OP financial situation - she might have $2K of debt or $20K of debt and she might be able to pay it off in a short time period. As long as I can sleep at night I can handle my finances anyway I chose. And if I were to die today I wouldn't have any regrets and I have enough money to pay off any debts I have (or don't have).

 

[Debbie]

Help talk me into this...I'm thinking All Star Movies cause my ds is TOTALLY into Buzz Lightyear, and just getting a 5 day MYW pass with parkhopping, no plusses or expiry (unless the weather totally sucks down there or we all get sick again), flying Southwest out of Buffalo (are their Nov/Dec prices good?). So far it looks like we're getting a tax refund, and I'm working a bit of overtime, plus I get my lieu pay at the end of Nov and our contract could get settled and I could see a nice retro pay...

Actually, only YOU can make the final decision, but it sounds like you have a plan to pay for the trip. What you could do, is, while you are paying down your debt, save some $$$ in an ING account. Get the better interest, not quite so easy to access. Pay CASH for your expenses-groceries, gas etc.

If you can get a great flight, buy your passes one at a time ahead of time, check out the Budget Board for some "at home" and "at Disney" budget ideas. . . [eg don't do more than one character meal--and maybe it's the ice cream social], you could do the trip relatively cheaply. I think that it would be fabulous to do Disney with your mom and dad for a day or two, too!

Paving will wait. Time with loved ones doesn't always.

 

[DisFan2]

I don't want to fan the flames further here, or turn this into a good old "Debate Board" kind of thread - however, I don't believe it's ever good advice to encourage someone to live beyond their means. Aphorisms, such as "carpe diem" or "live for today", shouldn't be used as a license to rack up debts - if, God forbid, I die tomorrow, who will be burdened with my "carpe diem" incurred liabilities? My wife and kids.

 

[maryliz]

It wasn't supposed to be a debate. The OP asked for opinions. I gave mine, and I got flamed and called something rude because I did. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and should be able to express them without being subjected to the rudeness of those who don't agree.

MaryLiz

 

[RoyalCanadian]

It wasn't supposed to be a debate. The OP asked for opinions. I gave mine, and I got flamed and called something rude because I did. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and should be able to express them without being subjected to the rudeness of those who don't agree.

MaryLiz

Just as you expressed your opinions as to supporting the OP in her plan to rack up needless debt, I expressed my own and suggested it was unwise. I regret that neither maryliz nor GrannyEv took time to read my posts carefully, as at no point did I ever suggest that either maryliz or GrannyEv were irresponsible in their own financial dealings nor did I suggest they were irresponsible people -- I suggested that the advice of incurring long term debt for short term pleasure was irresponsible advice.

It is obvious that what I post will come up against the opinions of those in the "Carpe Diem" camp -- and what they post will come up against those in the "Live within your means" camp. I think some of the most responsible financial advice for the OP comes from their own posting on 18 OCT 2004, just shortly after returning from their last visit to WDW (which actually sounds like a nice trip, upon reading their trip report) :

Trust me, I'd love to go sooner, but financially we have other priorities (pave the driveway, build a deck and fence, finish the basement, and maybe try to squeeze in having another baby with a year off on maternity leave...)

That sounds like advice that one can take to the bank.

 

[maryliz]

But where was it YOUR right to say that my opinion was giving "irresponsible advice". Sorry, but I take that very personally. It was rude, whether you think it or not. Our opinions don't have to agree, but you don't have to make comments about what other people have said. Why don't you try leaving it at "I wouldn't do it", and I'll leave mine at "I would do it".

Oh, and in case your life doesn't dictate this, priorities CAN and DO change within short timeframes. The OP stated that her Mom has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer before Christmas, so assuming it was AFTER her post of Oct 18th. Gee ... maybe that's why she's thinking she'd like to go back, and maybe try and get to spend a day or two with them.

In all my years on the Cdn board, I have never felt personally attacked, until I read your post. As I read all of the posts saying "hmmm, wouldn't do it", I never once thought "these people are giving bad advice". All I thought was, "that's not what I would do". Just MHO, which is what was requested of my by the OP.

MaryLiz

 

[Hockeychic]

JUST MY OWN OPINION. I would do it. I like also in a short period of time had 2 friends die and 3 that are fighting cancer. It quickly puts life into perspective. I have a bit of debt left from my Sept trip that will be paid before I go in October. However, I also have enough insurance that if I die tomorrow no one will be left with any debt at all. I have borrowed for vacations and I have paid them in full before I leave and although I must say I prefer the later, I don't regret the others either. Although Disney vacations are expensive there are things you can do to keep the costs down.

Regardless of what anyone else says, do what is best for you and your family.

 

[SnowWhite]

Christmas of 2003, as a gift we gave our daughter a scrapbook with tonnes of pamplets and disney pictures we got from local travel businesses but cut out the kids in the pictures and put her picture in place of theirs. When she finally figured out that we were taking her to disney again (she went for the first time in 2000 at 3yrs) she went nuts! Then January hit, and DH's company took a nose dive and money was very tight for awhile. The hardest thing we had to do was sit our daughter down and tell her we couldn't go. She was very upset for awhile, but understood that it would be very hard for us to afford a nice vacation. We took her to some local attractions (Canada's Wonderland, Ontario place, CNE) and that took the sting out abit. It certainly hurt us too, we are big kids ourselves and were ever so looking forward to going back. Sometimes it hurts to be realistic, but in the end it pays off. Now we can afford to go in Oct and accomadations are already paid for (POP 1 night, OKW 5 nights) we will be buying our tickets soon as well. We both feel really good about this vacation as first it is almost paid for in advance, and secondly we CAN afford to do it this year. ONLY YOU can decide what is right for you and your family, but I hope my experience helps your decision making process. Good Luck with whatever you decide................