Oh what a predicament....**new update**

[phorsenuf]

I was just talking to my son who is stationed in Germany. He told us he is coming home for Christmas! YEA!!!! He is being deployed to Afghanastan in March so I was hoping he'd be home for the holidays.
Well, as we are talking he tells us that he wants to go to Disney. We just took a trip in July and have been a few times in the last couple of years and we have decided to take a break. Its expensive for family of 5!
I don't know what to do....DH said no, but I don't know. I think its unfair that we have taken the 3 other boys 4 times in the last 2 years and the last time my oldest went was when he was 13. (He's 21 now). I feel bad saying no. Everytime we go I hear the dissapointment in his voice and the other kids always wish he was with us. I told him we would take it under advisement and I would run some numbers. He told me to send those to him.
I'm thinking if we did this then this would be everyones present. My 13 year old was fine with that. He adores his big brother and is the one that misses him the most.
What would you do? How would I convince DH?

ARRRGGGHHHH.....I thought I was done with Disney trips for a while......LOL

 

[simba928]

I say go. Disney would be a great place to have a reunion.

 

[poohandwendy]

Honestly, I would do everything I could to make it happen. I hope it can for you. Give your son a big hug from me! I appreciate his service to our country!

 

[golfgal]

I agree, I would go and do what ever it takes to get there. This would be one time I would endorse taking out a loan if you needed to. Your boys can help earn money to go, lawn mowing, snow removal, babysitting, etc. All the money they earn goes into the coffers if needed.

 

[Skatermom23]

See if you can stay at SOG..I assume your son is eligible? I would definitely go!

 

[maci]

I would do as you say, and make it everyones present this year!!!

 

[phorsenuf]

See if you can stay at SOG..I assume your son is eligible? I would definitely go!

With my oldest home that makes us a family of 6 and would require a Jr. suite and that is $200 a night. I was looking at Homewood Suites (my parents stayed there in July and it was nice and right down the street from Downtown Dsney.) They were $79. a night.
I'd hate to stay off-site but we would need to be very budget-minded!

 

[poohandwendy]

We stayed off-site in March (for the first time in a loooonggg time), we were pleasantly surprised, it really was not that bad travelling back and forth. Also, we were further than Downtown Disney. I think 79 a night sounds like a great deal!

 

[Beth76]

I think you should do it.

 

[floridaminnie]

Go for it...and staying off property is nothing when you have everyone with you.

 

[Keli]

I would do all I could to make this trip.

 

[LisaR]

Maybe you could rent one of the vacation homes. We did that for a big family trip one year. It was really comfy and felt like home. It was inexpensive as well (of course, it was during a lower season then you are going in).

Lisa

 

[CharlesTD]

I would just book it and go as the old saying goes it is easier to ask for forgiveness than to beg for permission. Not only that and I hate to mention it but with him being deployed WHAT IF and no one wants to think about the what if but you all know it could happen. Why not make this time with him as special as possible I know I would. Look at renting points from a DVC member and staying in a 1 bedroom then you have a full kitchen so you can make some meals to cut down on food costs by not having to eat meals out every day plus it is a very inexpensive way to stay in a deluxe accomodation that will fit your family of 5 better than Dixie would.

 

[4nana]

Awwww Dad....all your soldier boy is requesting is a little dose of magic for the holidays . I say, be very thankful he still wants to do a family trip!! I hope somehow, someway, you can budget to make it possible!! Can't think of a better Christmas gift than all the family to be together at Disney!!! He should also be eligible for some military discounts. Good luck, sure hope it works out .

Our family hasn't been to WDW for years, however, Christmas two yrs ago we managed to skrimp and save to get everyone (16 of us) together for a Disney family cruise with our soldier and made many special memories. Family is now in talking stage to plan a WDW together (now 19) in a yr or two. This definitely would be a dream come true 4Nana.

 

[Cameo]

There is also something called the Armed Forces Vacation Club. I don't know much about it, but here is a link to the website, http://www.afvclub.com/.

My DH is in the National Guard and our local SATO rep asked why we never stay at a condo using this club. We usually get overflow rates from SOG and would prefer to stay onsite since we have small children, but it might work for your family.

I'm not sure what the costs are for a condo in Orlando area, but it might be worth checking out. She claimed they were quite cheap.

 

[tevagirl]

Definately do it. Good luck!

 

[phorsenuf]

So DH and I have discussed it some more and he said he'd rather sleep with porcupines thtn go back to Disney! LOL

I told him I thought it was something we should consider since this is what our son wants before he goes off to war (yes, a bit of a guilt trip thrown in, but hey what can you do).

He hasn't completely ruled it out, but its going to take alot of convincing, without nagging!

The thing that is holding him back is the costs. We certainly were not figuring or budgeting in going back so soon.

I posted on the budget board for some keeping the expenses down tips, but haven't gotten much response.

I am thinking of either the 19th - 26th or the 23rd - 29th. I'd prefer to stay onsite but I'm sure we will need to go off-site. Do you think it may be worth doing a timeshare presentation for a good lodging rate?

I'm hoping if I can figure out costs and keep them real low and then show him it may help.

Can anyone help.....please......

 

[phorsenuf]

I also wanted to ask, do you think it would be wrong to ask my son to contribute some finanically? I hate to do that but maybe it would help ease my DH mind some.

 

[kaylajr]

I would do all i could to go
maybe even rent a house off site
that would save $$ on meals and if DH really doesn't want to do WDW he could realx by the pool till you and the boys got back

I hope you find away to be able to go
and depending on your relationship with DS I would say sure ask him if he could contribute any $$ to the trip

you said SOG was 200 a night well we rented a 5 bedroom house witha private pool and full kitchen three baths for around 100.00 anight and saved a lot of $$ on Food cause we shopped at wal mart and did breakfast and a late dinner at the house

just some ideas

 

[justhat]

Are you talking about going in December on those dates? If so, the AP rate at the All-Stars for 12/20-12/26 (can't book 12/19 cause it's within the 120 days) is $66.68/night. You'd need 2 rooms I'm guessing though, so maybe that puts it out of your price range. It would be $400.08 for the 6 nights per room. Same rate is available for 12/23-12/29. Also, and I'm not sure about this cause I never stayed there, but I think the Ft. Wilderness Cabins have a kitchen in them if you wanted to cook and the AP rate there is $182/night and all 6 of you could be in 1 cabin. Good luck with the planning and convincing your husband to go!