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

[MickeysMommy]

I agree with all the other posters that say Do anything in your power to go - if my son was headed off to war and wanted to go to Disney, by darn nothing would stop me from going!

 

[ckmommy]

I have no idea how SOG works? But, would that be an option for your family?

 

[experiment626mom]

I would go. The memories will get your son through his deployment.

Look into whatever discounts might be available. Arent' there military discounts available??

 

[crz4mm2]

I would move heaven and earth if I had to. I agree with everyone else who say if my son were headed to war this would be the thing to do....
My DH doesn't really like WDW either and I know the $$$ is tight here right now too, BUT, it would be everyone's x-mas gift. If everyone agreed to that, then it wouldn't be a problem. I would stay off site if I had to.
I hope you can work it out.
Best of luck. Please hug your son and tell him thank you from me!

Cathy

 

[golfgal]

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.

I see nothing wrong with having your son or ALL of your children contribute. They can do odd jobs like lawnmowing, babysitting, etc. to earn money. Don't military personnel get free airline travel or something like that? That would save money. I would priceline your plane tickets, find the least expensive hotel, although, with the food plan, staying onsite might be less expensive unless you want to cook. The obvious savings would be to not go for very long. Since you have been there before, stay for 3-4 days to save money.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I would go, and I think it would be fine to ask your son to contribute.

If it were my choice, I would go the earlier dates you mentioned. It shouldn't be as crowded as the week after Christmas.

I would also definitely rent a vacation/pool home. It would save money, and if your DH didn't want to go to the parks every day, it would be more relaxing for him to hang out in a house than in a hotel room.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i would go
your son is risking hos lofe for our country
call bush and make tre governemnt pay seriously though the government should do stuff for families
check into double tree guest suites at dtd
we stayed there with a mousesavers rate 89 a night including breakfast
it was huge, clean nice pool
walk to dtd
we were really happy

 

[cynsaun]

I know for a while, Disney was offering a discount to military members. I think they were also offering free admission to military members. Is this still true?

 

[lecach]

Not to be morbid or anything - but what if you dont go to WDW and then something happens to your son in Afghanistan? You'd always remember that his last request was to go to WDW and you'll never be able to forget it. Plus this could be your last chance for your whole family to vacation together. The kids are all getting older and will begin to go their separate ways. And besides there is no telling where he'll be stationed next.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Go over to allearsnet.com. She has some discounts available to her website readers, including at Sheraton Vistana and Vistana Villages, both of which are wonderful and very close to Disney. Just go to the accomodation section of her website and click on the area for reader discounts.
Check out mousesavers.com
I know a lot of people on the offsite board here have had great luck getting condos on skyauction.com. You might visit that board and ask about that.

 

[phorsenuf]

Not to be morbid or anything - but what if you dont go to WDW and then something happens to your son in Afghanistan? You'd always remember that his last request was to go to WDW and you'll never be able to forget it. Plus this could be your last chance for your whole family to vacation together. The kids are all getting older and will begin to go their separate ways. And besides there is no telling where he'll be stationed next.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Not to be morbid or anything - but what if you dont go to WDW and then something happens to your son in Afghanistan? You'd always remember that his last request was to go to WDW and you'll never be able to forget it. Plus this could be your last chance for your whole family to vacation together. The kids are all getting older and will begin to go their separate ways. And besides there is no telling where he'll be stationed next.

this is a very good point

 

[Chicago526]

As far as I'm concerend, this is how it works...

Son about to be sent to a war zone wants to go to Disney = A family trip to Disney.

Someone may have brought this up already, but if you son is military, he should be able to stay at Shades of Green, the military only hotel located on WDW property. Its discounted compared to WDW resorts, and I believe they charge you based on your rank (the lower the rank, the less you pay for the room). I hear it's very nice. I'm not sure if he could book two rooms, though. But it's something worth looking into.

 

[4greatboys]

I would go too. Tell you dh you guys wont buy any gifts for Christmas or whatever it takes to help your budget out.
If your dh really doesnt want to go then why not let him stay home and you and the kids can go.
Can he just fly into Orlando? Then maybe he can pay for his own Disney ticket. Those 2 things may help out a bit. Stay in a place with a kitchen so you can have atleast 1 meal there a day or maybe even 2.
Good Luck I hope it all works out for you!

 

[Rajah]

I would do *everything* possible, including getting a loan or leaving DH at home, to go to WDW with my DS in your situation.

I'd also go the earlier dates, or even earlier if you can swing it.

Good luck, and prayers to you, and a big thank you to your son.

 

[kadaten]

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!

Unless you're in the top price bracket, 2 regular rooms are cheaper than one jr. suite....just get 2 rooms and request adjoining

That's what we always do! That said, I'm betting SOG is full by now...they are usually filled for Christmas by March or April.

But you can always ask to be on the wait list or for overflow rates at other hotels....they do the Disney ones as well as other nearby off-site hotels.

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.

Price is $264/week for their Space-A rentals. Many Orlando/Kissimmee properties are in the "High Demand" listings, though, and range from $379-1000+ depending on week, property, and room size. It's worth a shot! My BIL has used the system before and had no problems. A note, though...since your son is the member, he would have to make the arrangements....

I see nothing wrong with having your son or ALL of your children contribute. They can do odd jobs like lawnmowing, babysitting, etc. to earn money. Don't military personnel get free airline travel or something like that? That would save money. I would priceline your plane tickets, find the least expensive hotel, although, with the food plan, staying onsite might be less expensive unless you want to cook. The obvious savings would be to not go for very long. Since you have been there before, stay for 3-4 days to save money.

Uh, no, we don't get free airfare. Wish we did!!! But I see no reason why you can't ask him or everyone to contribute. And making it their entire Christmas is a good idea, too. My in-laws did the same thing 2 years ago when they took our family of 4 and DBIL's family of 4. (This year they're giving us the trip to a cousin's wedding in Cozumel in October....so you can see, it's a popular option in this family!

If you're staying on property, your best "budget" tip would be to go before it switches over to holiday rates.... The added benefit of going a few days earlier is that MVMCP is still going on then....they don't offer it Christmas week. Plus the crowds are much lighter....and rooms cheaper!

I know for a while, Disney was offering a discount to military members. I think they were also offering free admission to military members. Is this still true?

Not this year, at least not yet

But we can buy our tickets at a discount at SOG if you go room-only....not sure if they let you add the dining package on or not. If they're still offering free dining, that would be better for you than the small discount at SOG on tickets!

Good luck to you and your family! We're lucky that my DH will be home this year, but he heads off to Iraq in March, too.

Since we live close, we don't have the hard decision you have, though.... Best of luck to you all!

 

[Kallison]

I would try to go, I hope you can make it happen.

 

[katerkat]

I ditto the AFVC suggestion! We've done a Disney trip twice with them and it rocks. You can't beat a full suite with kitchen and separate bedrooms for $264. Plus you're saving money on breakfasts and such just by having cereal and milk and snacks handy. We did the week before Christmas in 2003 (14th - 20th) and had no problem booking a Space-A suite at the last minute. (I think we booked on the 12th?) Plus it's through RCI so you can research the hotels beforehand. We stayed at Silver Lake (right by AK) and...um... Forgot the other one, but it was right off 192. 10 minute drive to the MK, and easier to get to than the All Stars.

AND, we didn't have to go to a presentation to get the rate! (But your son has to be the one to book it, as he's the military member.)

 

[phorsenuf]

OK, I think I know what I am going to do. I really hate to be gone at Christmas since the whole family will be home once again. DH is still saying no. (although he said we could go without him and believe me I will! LOL)
According to my son he will be home again in February before they deploy. So I think I will plan to go in February instead. He said either one would be fine with him (my son that is). This way I'll have more time to save, hopefully rates will be cheaper and it will give me more time to convince DH!

I already decided that as much as I am usually opposed to pulling older kids out of school for a vaction, I will make an exception this time around. I'll contact the schools (jr. and sr. high) principal and explain the situation and hopefully they will not count it against them.

So, sounds like a better plan, right????

 

[4greatboys]

I think Feb sounds great. You can get a better rate and less of a crowd. Hopefully your dh will decide to go, if not have a great time with the kids!