Should I go this year (2015) or next year (2016)? - Need advice

[jennerjoo]

Hello all! I need some advice.

So I have been obsessively planning our first Disney trip with children since my daughter was born in 2011 (my daughter is now 3 - almost 4 - and I have a son who is almost 2). I tried to get my husband to let us go to Disney last year - although it was turned down and probably for good reason. I made him promise we could go in the fall of 2015 and he was ok with that. I had planned to pay for our trip with our 2014 tax refund (we always get a huge refund - usually over $7k) - however, I didn't plan that we would jump tax brackets this year and will only be getting a $1k refund. So...initially my heart was absolutely broken - however, we reviewed our finances and can still swing a November/December 2015 trip if we stay at a value resort (AoA Little Mermaid room) which I am 100% fine with.

However, given that we don't have the excess refund funds - part of me is wondering if this is a sign we should hold off for one more year. If we go this year - my kids will be 4 1/2 (DD) and 2 1/2 (DS) when we go. My head tells me if we wait one more year, we may have an easier trip given the kids will be a year older and could afford an AoA suite instead of the little mermaid room. However, my heart tells me I should go this year. I have been planning this trip for 4 years and it is consuming my life. I don't want to wait any longer! I doubt we'll be able to go both years - so that's not an option.

What would you do if you were me?

 

[powellrj]

Only you know what is right for your family, but I will throw a couple of thoughts out there. One is if you go this year, your youngest will be free, so that would be a huge savings. Not only will he enter the parks for free, he will also eat for free. You also may be able to get free dining during the time frame that you are going. Not sure if its available for the AOA rooms, but its something to consider. You would lose any room discount, so you would have to figure if a room discount is more of a bargain than the free dining.

 

[jodifla]

Like powellrj said, there's a big cost savings if you go before a child is 3. I would go this year -- as long as you aren't going the crowded holiday weeks. The other thing is, who knows how things could change next year, putting off your trip yet again. (Remember the movie Up?)

 

[mco65]

If you wait till your little one is 3, then the cost will go up.. quite a bit. I hate putting stuff off, but when it comes to finances, sometimes waiting is the prudent move. I would compare the cost of a 2 year old vs a 3 year and see if the savings are enough to justify going sooner rather than later..

 

[nalajms]

Would your DD be in school next fall? We ran into this issue this last year. Looking back, I wish we did more trips before my oldest started school. Not only does it cost more to try to go during school vacations, it also means I use more vacation days if I we don't go during school breaks (since I'd have to take time off when there's a school holiday).

If the hotel room is important to you, then I would try to find ways to cut back on other things.

 

[MommyMK]

Is this a first trip or a once in a lifetime trip? Yes your youngest would be free. But the parks are under a ton of construction right now and that is mostly supposed to wrap up in 2016. Something else to think about.

 

[cbrown1007]

I think you'll be perfectly fine going this year. I wouldn't do a suite for just my family of 4 anyways, that is a huge price increase, not worth it to me. We went last year, my daughter was 5, son was 1.5 It was great. We're going again this fall and my daughter will be 6, son will be 3. We'll still just do a standard room.
I am a TA, and most of my clients with families of 4 just do a standard room. The suite is such a big price jump, not really worth it for most clients I've had.

 

[jennerjoo]

Would your DD be in school next fall? We ran into this issue this last year. Looking back, I wish we did more trips before my oldest started school. Not only does it cost more to try to go during school vacations, it also means I use more vacation days if I we don't go during school breaks (since I'd have to take time off when there's a school holiday).

If the hotel room is important to you, then I would try to find ways to cut back on other things.

My DD would start Pre-K. However, Pre-K is not required in our city - therefore, I wouldnt' feel bad pulling her out for a week. I would, however, feel bad pulling her out of "real" elementary school in a future year. Another reason why 2015 may be better because I really want to go in the fall when it isn't crowded (not the holiday weeks).

 

[jennerjoo]

Is this a first trip or a once in a lifetime trip? Yes your youngest would be free. But the parks are under a ton of construction right now and that is mostly supposed to wrap up in 2016. Something else to think about.

Definitely not a once in a lifetime trip. I would like to go back - I just don't know how often we would be able to swing it. At minimum I want to go when my children are small, elementary age, and older where they can experience all the attractions. But we'll see. This trip I'm planning may be our one and only trip we'll take when they are this small and in to Disney Junior and Disney princesses, etc.

 

[jennerjoo]

You guys are all awesome and I'm loving all your answers! Totally talking me into to just pulling the trigger and going this year.

 

[jennerjoo]

I think you'll be perfectly fine going this year. I wouldn't do a suite for just my family of 4 anyways, that is a huge price increase, not worth it to me. We went last year, my daughter was 5, son was 1.5 It was great. We're going again this fall and my daughter will be 6, son will be 3. We'll still just do a standard room.
I am a TA, and most of my clients with families of 4 just do a standard room. The suite is such a big price jump, not really worth it for most clients I've had.

This is good advice. My mother in law wanted to come with us as well and maybe even my mom (we were going to share the suite) - however, if this is the only way we can afford it comfortably - they may just have to get their own room. .

 

[Feberin]

We went last year with a 4 year old and a nearly 2 year old. My young child enjoyed the trip but wasn't really into much of the Disney stuff before we went. She's 2 1/2 now and I really think if we went now she would be more into it. And the trip did result with her becoming obcessed with Mickey and Minnie including still talking about how she met them. She also loved the rides and it was great not having to pay for her at a buffet since she has a hardy appetite given her age. Same with not having to pay for park tickets.
We stayed at All Star Sports. The kids were delighted with the room even though it was the cheapest Value. They loved all the mickeys around the room and the giant stuff around the hotel. We also packed lunches to take into the parks to save money and ate breakfast in our room. All rooms include a small fridge so you can keep things cool. We did the trip for $3,000 including everything (food, hotel, souvenirs, driving down and back). We're similar in that we want to make multiple trips but would never be able to afford going annually or even every other year. We're hoping to get back around 2018 since we're expecting a third in May and I want to go before we have to pay for them.

 

[cbrown1007]

This is good advice. My mother in law wanted to come with us as well and maybe even my mom (we were going to share the suite) - however, if this is the only way we can afford it comfortably - they may just have to get their own room. .

And honestly, 2 standard rooms is cheaper then the suite. Although the suite themes are more fun.

 

[adams3880]

First, I feel your pain! I have been consumed with planning a trip for this May, and put the deposit down last weekend based on info that we'd be getting some money from DH's grandmother's estate. We found out two days later that it was going to be a lot longer due to some legal complications. My pros and cons list for going this year vs. next is so long now. We cannot decide what to do.

Anyway, we took our first trip last May when DD was almost 5 and DS was 2.5. We stayed at POP. I thought it was a wonderful trip! DD is really tall and brave so she was able to ride pretty much everything, but was also still able to make use of the double stroller for the long hikes. DS was just the right age that he was free (!!), had a ton of fun doing Fantasyland rides, but didn't get all that jealous when one of us would take DD on a bigger, thrill ride. That's actually one of the things that is making me lean towards going next year now--that he's already asking, "Why can't I go on Space Mountain like Sissy?" But then again, DH and I both turn 30 this year, we're planning on #3, he's going back to school for a couple of years... Oh, timing!

 

[Lupeix]

Since budget is an issue, have you considered staying offsite? With kids that age I personally would rent a car unless I was staying in a monorail resort. MK is going to be your main destination and the bus ride may be long for little ones, specially the 2 1/2 yo. You can stay at the Wyndham bonnet creek, which is closer to the parks than AoA, in a one bedroom for less money that a little mermaid room ( 100$ a night vs ~150$ or more), or spend 120$ for a 2 bedroom and bring your MIL and mom with you and split the cost (you can find rates even cheaper than that for WBC). I know this means the added cost of renting a car, but with that age of kids I feel it is something you need anyway. Now if being in the "bubble" is part of your dream vacation, this is not an option. Just something to think about.

 

[bond24seven]

We will be taking our 10th Disney World vacation this October. When our kids were young, we stayed in the value resorts because we were in the parks from rope drop till the last firework. The kids love the value resorts because they are so whimsical and huge.. Now that our kids are older, 20, 14, we will be staying in a moderate for the second time (I just can't make myself spend $500 a night for a deluxe) .I really don't "save" to pay for a vacation, I book the vacation a year early, and all through the year throw money at it until it is paid off. For some weird reason, it works better for me that way. I say, if you can swing it this year go for the value!! You never no what could come up next year. And when you get back, start planning your next trip...

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I want to second the off site suggestion. Especially if you need 2 bedrooms, off site is way more budget friendly. The resort we usually stay in works out to around $100/night after taxes and fees for a 2 bedroom, 1600 sq foot condo. It really is a great way to vacation on a budget. If you don't need the space, there are also a ton of hotel rooms in the area that looks more upscale than the values, for around $50-$60 per night, which would help your budget.

I think you should go ahead and take the 2015 trip. Lifer is so short, and if you keep putting things on until XYZ, you'll never go. Plus, your kids are at great ages to really enjoy the magic of disney.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I didn't see if you're driving or flying, but if you'll have your own car, you can save a ton of $ staying offsite. And if you choose your location wisely, you'll spend less time driving to the parks than you would on the buses from a value.

I do believe now is the time vs next year given everything you've shared.

 

[MandiC]

Go with your gut It sounds like you really want to go this year and if that is the case, and you can afford it I would do it. There is a lot of construction going on this year, I had originally wanted to go this fall but changed my mind to early next year and honestly I'm still wondering if we should push it back another year so we can see the finished AK and whatever they end up doing to HS and of course make sure the Frozen ride is open when we go back. (because our next trip will likely be our last one where our daughters' are at all interested in princesses) but if you will go back in a few years you might not mind that some stuff isn't finished, especially for a first trip. There is still plenty to do and it will give you new stuff to look forward to next time

 

[chicagoshannon]

I'd stay off site and rent a 2 bedroom condo. That way the kids can nap and you don't have to be quiet. I don't think a family suite would be comfortable for 2 grandmas. I can't imagine they'd want to sleep on a Murphy bed or fold out chair or whatever.