Our trip is canceled :(

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I think that some of you need to spend less time judging her husband based on one post on a message board. LOL! I don't think you were there for the whole conversation. This is not "save my marriage 101"

And what you are saying is "Instead of what he wants it should only be what you want". If she came on here and said "I am going to Disney even though he doesn't want to" would you all respond with "that's great, who cares what he wants" (Actually I expect you would because even if that was a ultimatum, it's one you liked LOL!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I considered it. My MIL goes to Florida every winter, so we could go stay with her for free. But, at the end of the day, even if we just went down for a few nights and did 3 days at Disney, between the cost of getting there, tickets, and meals, and Canadian exchange, we'd be looking at $2500+ for 3 days at Disney. I can't justify that.

Flights are your most expensive part but there are ways to cut down on the rest. Eat before you leave and bring snacks to munch on so that you can make it to a late lunch/early dinner (only buying 1 in park meal) and then get a snack for dessert a few hours later (share a popcorn bucket or mickey bars for everyone!). Depending on when you go in winter you don't need that many tickets, go for MVMCP and maybe buy a 1 day ticket for another day. There are ways to save no matter when or where you go! We go every year and it's not anywhere near easy but we cut corners where possible. Flights are the most expensive part and if you sock away a little at a time it can be done and without such a big hit at one time

Especially since you are going to stay with your MIL, your kids get time with grandma on the days you don't do the parks and there are beaches and so many other things to do in FL

 

[mshanson3121]

Why does your husband get to decide that you're not going by himself?

I'll assume you mean by "myself" And because we cannot afford for me to take a trip by myself.

 

[rwdavis2]

Don't feel too bad. We go only every 4-5 years. I've been enough times where that's enough.

 

[mshanson3121]

Flights are your most expensive part but there are ways to cut down on the rest. Eat before you leave and bring snacks to munch on so that you can make it to a late lunch/early dinner (only buying 1 in park meal) and then get a snack for dessert a few hours later (share a popcorn bucket or mickey bars for everyone!). Depending on when you go in winter you don't need that many tickets, go for MVMCP and maybe buy a 1 day ticket for another day. There are ways to save no matter when or where you go! We go every year and it's not anywhere near easy but we cut corners where possible. Flights are the most expensive part and if you sock away a little at a time it can be done and without such a big hit at one time

Especially since you are going to stay with your MIL, your kids get time with grandma on the days you don't do the parks and there are beaches and so many other things to do in FL

Haha, my total is already factoring in cutting corners everywhere. I am the queen of cheap vacations, lol.

 

[dlavender]

I sympathize. We go back and forth a lot about the "worth" of Disney. But, we aren't 28 hours away, so our cost is not where yours is. With any major purchase, I always look at alternatives. What am I giving up to buy this? Or, what else will this money get me? It's natural. You'll get back. Enjoy the time with your kids, no matter where you are.

 

[mshanson3121]

I sympathize. We go back and forth a lot about the "worth" of Disney. But, we aren't 28 hours away, so our cost is not where yours is. With any major purchase, I always look at alternatives. What am I giving up to buy this? Or, what else will this money get me? It's natural. You'll get back. Enjoy the time with your kids, no matter where you are.

Yeah, getting there is a killer. Getting there alone accounts for roughly $1000 of the cost. And that's if I could find a killer seat sale, or drive down myself.

 

[Hikergirl]

Don't worry OP, my dh was like that too after our first trip. Then the kids got a little older, and we had to go back because the youngest wouldn't remember his first trip, then it was something else, then something else. Next week dh and I are going without the kids for F&W. I thought after our last visit 3 years ago we'd never go again, but I was wrong...again LOL. I am the Disney lover in my family but I can't even go every year or every 2. There are so many other places that are just as 'magical' to me and less expensive that I feel a Disney trip every 3 or 4 years is okay, but even if it was longer I'd be ok with that too.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm sorry, but I really don't see why it has to be "all about the kids".

I totally get that many people never go, and that there are lots of other very valid choices to make for vacation. But it sounds like he put your opinion beneath the kids' opinions.

 

[stitchfan75]

I'll assume you mean by "myself" And because we cannot afford for me to take a trip by myself.

I think she meant "why does he get to make the decision on whether or not y'all go by himself" as in you having no say in where you vacation.
I get it, my husband can be blunt but sometimes that's what I need because unless he says "girl chill out and sit down" I will plow through not paying attention. My dh is the bill payer and book keeper so he has the most knowledge of what will work savings wise.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I'm gonna give my DH a big ole hug when he gets home.

 

[dlavender]

Yeah, getting there is a killer. Getting there alone accounts for roughly $1000 of the cost. And that's if I could find a killer seat sale, or drive down myself.

And I'm sure the extra time you need for travel if driving is a factor. We had a 4 day vacation planned over this year's Thanksgiving. However, we decided that that money would be better utilized doing some household improvements, and instead are going to just visit family in the area, and go to MK for a day. The trip will still cost us around $1000, but the kids will have a great time seeing family and having the day at MK. We are planning a week long trip for next year, however, when we get to the total, we might again look around and decide to use the money elsewhere. "adulting" as they call it, is a real bummer some times.

What you need to do is convince some family members to move to Orlando. Then your problem will be half way solved

 

[cmarsh31]

I'm sorry. I know my husband is the primary wage-earner and when things are stressful at work, it's a lot for him. He feels pressure from work, obviously, but also because he has financially support us completely and worries about what would happen if his job was cut. We tried the same thing - let's do some non-Disney vacations, save $ etc... and in some cases it was great, but in others, we actually found that the financial savings/difference wasn't worth it. I'd happily try a longer NH trip for now - especially since you said you see the point and $ savings and just put Disney on the back burner for a year or two.

 

[mshanson3121]

Haha,

I think she meant "why does he get to make the decision on whether or not y'all go by himself" as in you having no say in where you vacation.
I get it, my husband can be blunt but sometimes that's what I need because unless he says "girl chill out and sit down" I will plow through not paying attention. My dh is the bill payer and book keeper so he has the most knowledge of what will work savings wise.

While this will probably add fuel to the "anti-husband" fire, I'm actually the bookkeeper of the family. To him, I don't think he sees it as a matter of affording it (we can afford the trip), but rather, he doesn't WANT to spend all our spare money on a trip to Disney, when we could take the kids elsewhere for half the cost and then spend that money on something else instead (house renos etc...).

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm sorry, but I really don't see why it has to be "all about the kids".

I totally get that many people never go, and that there are lots of other very valid choices to make for vacation. But it sounds like he put your opinion beneath the kids' opinions.

I have to agree. As other posters have pointed out, kids can have fun most any place. Why does your husband get to decide all by himself what the family vacation should be? Sounds more like he didn't enjoy himself so he has decided to do other things. Maybe some compromise is in order. One year he picks the next year you pick. No way in heck would I let him decide for the whole family all by himself.

 

[tlmadden73]

Sorry to hear that.

Disney IS expensive .. especially when you want to make it a long trip to make the flight (if you fly) tickets worth it and to try and "do it all."

Honestly though .. June 2017 .. MAYBE Pandora will be open .. but other than that . .there will bprobably be more closing at DHS and Epcot than new stuff.

The people that go frequently for 7+ days are just in a different income bracket then I am .. and I'm okay with that. Every family has to decide if the cost is worth it and not every family can afford it.

For me .. (since I live within a day's drive) .. I plan on getting my fix by frequent but SHORT trips (not staying onsite). To me Disney is still quite affordable if you don't stay onsite and don't go for 5+ days .. but that is because I can drive (which makes it extra affordable as well).

 

[maxiesmom]

OP--have you followed Dave Ramsey at all? In your budget the family vacation should be a separate fund from household repairs. You shouldn't steal from one to fund the other.

 

[verleniahall]

I'm gonna give my DH a big ole hug when he gets home.

I am as well

 

[IrishNYC]

Oh trust me, the kids are HUGE Disney fans. They watch Disney every day, sing it, pretend it, still talk about their trip, and they would be over the moon to know that we are going back. But, yes, they really did enjoy the other parks just as much. Because they're kids and they love rides, lol. And really, at the end of the day - they're young kids, they don't notice the details like I do, and almost all the rides that are available at MK, are available at these two parks. So, to them, the ride was the same, kwim? They didn't notice the details in themeing, paint etc... They did miss the characters though, and AK. And I definitely would not be skipping out on a family vacation, just so I can go to Disney by myself. I'm a fan, but not that big of one.

This is how my DD (7 now) sees it. She was just as thrilled to go to Hersheypark this year, and our trip to Cape Cod, and would be happy at the little amusement parks up in NH, although she was disappointed she didn't meet any characters in Hershey this year like she has in the past.

DH and I have also discussed an adults only trip to Disney, but it's really not in the finances for us, because it would come out of our regular vacation funds. We just have to accept that Disney can't be an every year thing for us, and really, it's a good thing.

 

[IrishNYC]

OP--have you followed Dave Ramsey at all? In your budget the family vacation should be a separate fund from household repairs. You shouldn't steal from one to fund the other.

That doesn't mean she should take away from vacation funds for her whole family to satisfy her Disney wants, either.

While most people here are truly Disney fanatics, the reality is that most people do not have the funds for separate vacations from the rest of their family, nor the desire to vacation without them.