Please help me decide whether or not to go to Disney. (ANOTHER update pg 3!! OMG)..

[zakatak]

Well, we have APs... hence the idea of the trip! APs save you SOOOO much money, don't they!

The idea of another person going with is nice, however, I don't know anyone that would pay his/her own way. So that is an added expense that I can't afford.

I think if the plane tickets work out (with the exact flights being covered by airmiles) then I might do it. We will have DH on Friday night and all day Saturday so we can do those favorite rides that we all can't fit on when he is there. Other wise, we will do simple rides, shows, fountains, pool, character greets, etc...

How is the ASMu, anyways?

Any other ideas on how to watch these kids (not too bad wanderers, but still young). Should I bother with a stroller? Or is that even a hassle (on and off the bus).

Anyone want to go with me? lol (I won't pay your way, although I might treat for dinner one night! )

Karen

 

[Pam]

Stay home, turn up the thermostat, put on a tape of South Pacific and save the $$$$ for your summer trip!

 

[cruisnfamily]

I can't do it but......maybe some Floridian DISer would meet you there? Could be fun!

You might be surprised if you ask some of your girlfriends....be upfront about not being able to spring for it but you would love to have them along, etc. Maybe someone will jump on it.

Good luck!

 

[The Princess]

I would go in a heartbeat no questions asked~Have fun.

 

[FINFAN]

We stated at ASMU over July 4 '01. It was the best! We had room 501 Calypso bldg., and I could see the kids in the main pool from the room. It was second floor, corner room, also near ice machine...but stairs and elevator too. Close to the food court/game room. I know you can't guarantee a particular room, but I felt better in a room facing the pool, area where activity was other than woods because I did want to be able to see the "common" area if we did get seperated etc. I figured that's the main path to foodcourt etc., stay on the main path. The bus service was fine, we never touched our rental car(although sugar ants did ) and we were there at a very busy time. We felt very comfortable, like home, everyone was very friendly and the lobby area had a CM there keeping kids somewhat entertained as we did hit a bit of a line at check-in. I think it will meet your needs. The stroller, Ii guess I would try it and if it is too much of a hassle, leave it, but remember you can rent them ata the park. Maybe a fellow DIS'er will be there when you are and you can hook up for dinner one night that your DH is not avail.
p.s. my kids were older than yours at the time, so no flames please...I am not suggesting that anyone leave their kids unnattended at the pool simply because you can see the pool from the room
I think it will be a great get-away trip. And you never know, your DH may be able to sneak in a little more time!

 

[smileybrat]

i say go for it. i'd go to wdw if i had the chance.

 

[zakatak]

Well, DH is checking on the flights to see if two of them can be covered with his Dividend Miles. Then, if they can, as long as his company can GUARANTEE that his flight home will be on MY flight, I will book the trip. If you break if down:

Flight for 5: $370
Hotel for 4 nights: $355
Food for me and kids ($50/day - not big eaters)
Food when DH shows up ($100 on Saturday)

$975 plus that last night hotel in Tampa... $50 priceline???

Sounds like it might be worth getting away from the snow, cabin fever, etc...

Now if I can make the plane ride down ...

Karen

 

[frannn]

Since you already have APs, may not have to pay for the airfare, and have a chance still at getting a great rate with your APs or codes, I would think this would be one of the least expensive getaways you will ever have with 3 kids. It only gets more expensive! Also, you will have your DH on the weekend, you will escape this snow (I live in NY-LI), and can relax if you don't want to go to the parks. There's SO much to do at WDW, as you know, so you won't be bored. The best reason is that the 100 years will be over at the end of Feb (I think) so maybe you will get to see the new stuff. It will be so less crowded than the summer, so you might be able to do more in less time. Maybe you can get a double stroller for the park and have your 6 yo help push? Go and have fun..you never know what tommorrow holds. Live for today!

 

[Kallison]

Well you didn't say you already had AP's......

I would definitely beg, borrow or steal a double stroller. I agree with Snoopy that I wouldn't trust my kids on a ride alone at that age, but then you know your kids best. In MK you can do Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, POC, IASW, Haunted Mansion, Country Bear, People Mover, Pooh, Snow White, so I guess I'm changing my mind. Have fun, report when you get back.

 

[4greatboys]

Karen I would love to meet you up there, wish I could. I would def get a double stroller to help get around. There are some easy to get around umbrella strollers that are lightweight and not to $$. If you dont have one you might need one gettting around the resort, It will be kind of tough getting on and off the bus but without it i think it would be hard to get around everywhere else.

 

[zakatak]

Well, No dividend miles accepted on the way home (March 9th) so it would cost me $740 in airfare for the four of us (still good at $185 R/T) but definately not in the budget for a spur of the moment trip.

Some things you just can't justify, you know?

Oh well, if it was meant to be, they would have had availability. I just can't see paying over $1400 now for 4 days in WDW, especially since we are going in July.

Life goes on,

Karen

P.S. Thanks for all the support... I was SOOOO ready to do this on my own! I even made the ASMu reservation, which I will cancel. We shall see Mickey in July! Thanks again!

 

[frannn]

President's week is in late Feb, I think. That would affect the plane. Could you hold the AS ressies & keep checking different dates?

 

[zakatak]

OK... I am losing my mind here. I can get the airfare as low as $583.04 for 4 people R/T from Buffalo to Tampa. Excellent airfare! That is using 10,000 dividend miles per ticket for a 25% discount per ticket.

That makes the difference between YAY I CAN GO ($1000) and WHOA SHOULD I GO ($1240.00) or a difference of $240.

Would you do it for an extra $240 over and above the $1000 - which is not that easy to come by?

Remember... Terror Alerts, flying alone with three kids... vs. WDW in MARCH (rather than BUFFALO)!

Karen So confused.

 

[Kallison]

Karen I am a WUSS, I would not do it, just for the flying alone with the kids reason especially at your ages. It was a big deal for me to return the rental car and get on a plane by myself from Las Vegas two weekends ago. Believe me I was so proud of myself when I did it! I never thought I would be this wimpy, when I was younger I worked and drove in Manahattan for crying out loud. But age and motherhood has made me a scaredy cat. Good luck with your decision. It sounds to me like you really want to do it, so maybe you should give it a shot.

 

[Boo'sMom]

Why not just go down to Tampa with DH, hang out at the pool there, go to Busch Gardens, and maybe take a day trip over to WDW...albeit a long day....


just an alternative.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Quite honestly no I wouldn't.

But I would take about 1/2 of that $1000 and hire a Mother's Helper for a couple of days that week -- and use part of it to treat yourself at a local spa....or maybe a nice dinner and movie with a friend. That might really help toward cheering you up while DH is away. My DH travels alot and I know how hard it is to take care of the kids by yourself AND how depressing it is to have him gone. You deserve to treat yourself nicely.

You can save the other $500 for the trip in July.