Should I cancel my trip?

[momtokendantom]

Hi,

Our surprise trip to WDW is planned for late January. However, I am starting to panic now that the holidays are here, that we will not have enough money to go!

If we change the dates, we would lose:
$25/per air line ticket = $125.
Priceline rental= $210. (prepaid)
Priceline hotel (1 night) $ 45. (prepaid)
Total amount loss: $380.

I am stressing out about having enough money by late January to go for 6 nights. But, if we were to go in May, I will have more time to save.

Another big factor: since I booked the trip, I have enrolled in two college classes and by going on vacation I will miss three classes per class. That is the maximun amt of classes you can miss for each course. I'd also miss all the lectures and have to make up the work when I return.

Please tell me what you would do? My children do not know about the surprise trip, so they will not be disappointed.

Thanks for any help!
Michelle in MA

 

[mbb]

...that's a toughie...you know that you'll be going again - soon - the kids don't know...sounds like you'll be sitting in one of the classes thinking "I'm glad we didn't go right now"...but then again, maybe you would be thinking"aarrggh, why didn't we go?"

You could ask yourself how much more money (above $400) could be saved between now and May? Will you be stressed at the parks in Jan, trying to watch pennies and thinking about the classes you're missing? Or in May, will you feel likethat $400 was "worth" the not missing classes, and having the extra $...

Good Luck!! Let us know what you decide - it will be the right decision for you!!

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

You should do what you feel is best for you & your family. I know this is not an easy choice to make at all. Since you have already bought your plane tickets, reserved your rental car & paid for your hotel ... you have already paid for so much!!!

What else do you still need money for? Tickets? Food & Souvenirs?

Maybe you could make Disney Dollars part of your childrens holiday gifts! That would give them spending money for the trip and let them know about the big surprise. Maybe you could sell some stuff on eBay to earn a little extra cash before the trip. Maybe only visit a few parks & spend the rest of your time doing free stuff (visting resorts, Dowtown Disney, etc.).

As for your college classes ... missing 3 classes will not be easy but it can be done. I am a full-time college student with 3 kids 5 and under. I miss class pretty often due to the kids being sick (they NEVER get sick at the same time . I would imagine you have (or will get) a syllabus for the classes. You can work ahead to keep up with the class. Make sure you discuss the absences with your instructor before you leave and ask if there is anything else you can do while you are away from class. Most instructors are very happy to work with there students.

If it were me ... I would find a way to go on the trip. But, you must decide what is best for you & your family.

 

[jdm]

There is nothing like a little sunshine and theme parks to perk you up in the drabbiest time of winter. We go every Feb. and I love that time. Sometimes we do Disney and sometimes not. By the time May rolls around, I'm not that ancy to go on a trip because the sun is shining (well, once in a while... I do live in Wa state:~) and I'm planting flowers and have that general good Springtime feeling. I don't know where you live so none of this may apply to you. Personally, I would have a difficult time letting $400 go right down the drain. Is there a way you can cut back on Christmas and give the kids the trip for the bulk of their presents? That's what we do.

On the other hand, only you know what you can do and what feels right!!

Jenn

whoops, I just reread your post and I see you live in Ma (my dh grew up in Somerville) so I see the weather factor DOES apply to you! I'd say go for it-- I doubt you'll fail these classes for missing 3.....

 

[Doodlebug939]

I am a college student myself so I can understand about the stress level. I notified my teacher well in advance and took any quiz or work required before my trip. And I did it at the teachers convenience and not my own. It worked out well and I didnt have to worry about tests or schoolwork.

As far as money you have so much already paid for it would be a shame to throw hotel money away. Also another thought is income tax season is in January and filing could help you with some extra cash. Just a thought.

 

[cyndibelle]

i say go for it..you have already booked the vacation..got the plane tickets..the hotel..etc....i wouldnt wanna lose all that money..heck january is a much better time to be going than may.....make disney be part of their christmas....selling stuff on ebay is the way to go..that is what we have been doing to raise some extra cash for our trip and we have made about 400 bucks in the past 2 months on ebay...give it a try...dont stress..get excited..it will all work out!!!!

 

[pilgrimage]

I teach in a university and we often permit excused absences to musical ensembles and athletes. It does not sound as though you're abusing the systerm. I'd suggest preparing the material in advance, submit it to the professor, have a friend in the class tape record the lectures and photocopy the notes and hand outs.You go without guilt and have a great time. Yes you are a dedicated student and I admire that. You're also allowed a break and you made this commitment. I think you can do the work. It's probably a good idea if the class is small to let the professor know at the beginning of the course about your expected absence,rather than the day before you leave.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Just a thought, instead of buying presents for the holidays, why don't you save money for the trip. For the kids, maybe you could purchase Disney Dollars for them and tell them it's for an upcoming trip. Don't tell them when, but it's soon.

Just pray about it and you'll get the answer you're looking for. I know I always do, I may not like it, but it's an answer at least.

Denise

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There are other things to consider for the timing.

January is "Value Season" while May is "Standard Season". Hotel prices will be significantly higher in May than January.

With airlines, when you change the date of a flight, not only do you have to pay the "change fee", but iof there is a fare difference you ALSO have to pay that. For example, if you had paid $250 for each round trip ticket, and in May the same ticket would be $310, you would have to pay $85 MORE per ticket, based on the $25 change fee and the $60 price difference.

Also this will get you away from a week of winter.

As others have suggestd, let the instructors know as far in advance as possible to get assignments and exam information so you will not lose out in class.

 

[SUZENW]

momtokendantom,

If you decide to go email or pm me after Jan 5 (when I return from my Disney Trip) and I will send you my Orlando Entertainment Book. I'm sure there will be many coupons that would help you will meals ect. I'll have no use for it and its the 2004 edition, so everything will be up to date.

 

[momtokendantom]

Just an update...

I decided to keep the January trip. I changed the return flight so I can go to my night time class. This way, I will only miss one class lecture. The cost to change the flight was $25./ ticket, so for $125. I am feeling better about our trip!

Thanks to everyone for your wonderful advice!
Michelle in MA

 

[Familymoon]

One word: EBAY!

Sell everything not nailed down - not regularly used. You'll feel relieved to not have to constantly find storage for it, I promise.

We opted to start making a switch to voluntary simplicity and it is very refreshing. Plus, I made a lot of money on ebay.

Two recommendations - use pictures (a must-do for good auctions these days) and start the bids low...and okay one more - calculate actual shipping. People will appreciate it and bid!

I like to put the kids' outgrown clothes together in "lots" - many items together in one box. (Except holiday dresses, those I list separately)

VHS movies and DVDs...CDs...books. Put those old school books on half.com! Any extra christmas presents lying around from last year that are still unopened? What about Christmas decorations!? Tupperware? Kitchen accessories? You'd be amazed how quickly you can pull in a little extra cash for your trip! (I only wish I had before this week - I could use some spending $ for Disney now - I know exactly how you feel - we're getting panicky here, too...but we have enough to eat, drive, and sleep...we'll live if we can't bring home a whole lot!)

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi, I also teach at a university and students who miss 3 math classes almost never are able to catch up. Don't know if you are enrolled in a math class, but it is something to consider. Otherwise, I agree with what has been said regarding informing your profs, using Disney as "the present," and getting out of MA in January!

Bobbi

 

[Rpsemont]

I would really think before I changed the trip. Have you actually called the airline and offered alternative dates? Usually the change fee is $25 plus change in fare. Actually, lately I heard change fees are sometimes $100. And usually fares are higher in may than late Jan. Plus what resort are you staying at. There's a rumor there might be a code for All Stars for late Jan that might actually save you some money. Being from Mass I can tell you it is usually a real pleasure to escape to FLA in the winter and the times we have gone in early Feb the crowds were non-existent - a big plus in my book. The theme parks also close earlier which might give you more opportunity to eat off site and save some money that way(since you have a car). If it wasn't for the college courses I would say give the kids the surprise for Christmas and skip alot of your christmas. MAybe it's less to cancel the college courses! LOL!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I think you should go. Why lose the money you would lose by canceling? Try to save money when you are there, by eating cheap, bringing snacks from home etc. It's hard but it can be done. I'm planning on doing a lot of skimping on food when I go in Feb.

As for college, I think if you explain to your professors, they will understand.

Best,
Sheri

 

[shelleyz]

I used a code for Pop century for the end of January and saved $98 on my resort stay for 4 nights. I was already booked and found the code here so I called to see if I could use it and saved. Glad I did. Theres 2 codes. CTH & CTM. I think thats what they are.