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

[famgel]

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.

Just curious why you said under 3 eats for free? We r going with gson Jan 2016 plan on getting dining plan but thought we would have to share or by kids meal?

 

[powellrj]

When you eat at the buffets, they will each get their own plates, no need to share.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

When you eat at the buffets, they will each get their own plates, no need to share.

Not just the buffets. At the family style meals like garden grill the under 3 child will get their own kids meal free of charge.

 

[bookem]

Have you looked into DVC rentals http://www.dvcrequest.com/ ? Also we went with 4 and 2 and they loved it. I think 4 is the magic age, we are going back when our youngest is 4. The meal plan was great too, we did mostly character buffets and our 2yo pretty much ate free! Plus no need for a park ticket at that age. She did get a magic band which she scanned just like the rest of us. And stay onsite!! ofsite just isn't the same.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Based on everything you have said- Go now. Enjoy yourself, have fun, cherish the memories

 

[DisneyCAL]

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?

In my opinion, I would wait another year. Number one you could save up more and have the trip you really want rather than budgeting to make it work. Number 2 your DS would be older. Our first trip with our DD and DS was when they were 2 1/2 and although they had a great time they didn't remember it. Waiting another year might bring him to the point where he'll really remember the magic. But I understand the pain of waiting so it is a hard call.

 

[famgel]

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?

Not sure how many days you were planning on going but another option is to rent points. I'm a dvc owner but have recommend this company to two friends and they were very happy. Remember a Sunday to Thursday stay is cheaper!
And you get to stay in a deluxe resort, I priced out a studio villa.
http://www.dvcrequest.com/cost-calculator.asp

 

[Hamitchell]

I would 1. Adjust my witholding so I don't have the Feds holding my earnings tax free, and 2. Go this year!

 

[Hamitchell]

Interet free . . .

And we are renting points, 1/2 to 60% off rack rates.

 

[Southern Bell]

Disney is expensive! So I would base it on if I could afford it first. Will the grandmothers help pay for a suite? My husband and I stayed with daughter and her family in Cars Suites. We were a family of 6 and had plenty of room. We also stayed in two rooms at Pop and asked for connecting rooms. That worked real well, and cheaper than your suites. We really liked Pop, too. We start saving by buying gift cards for birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Etc., So... if you don't go until next year maybe relatives could help you do this.

 

[jennerjoo]

Oh we are so going this year! We booked last week. Staying in a Finding Nemo Suite! My MIL is splitting the cost of the suite with us and we're getting free flights from rewards points we have built up. So stinkin' excited! Thanks for all the advice.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Oh we are so going this year! We booked last week. Staying in a Finding Nemo Suite! My MIL is splitting the cost of the suite with us and we're getting free flights from rewards points we have built up. So stinkin' excited! Thanks for all the advice.

Have a magical trip! Your kids are at fun ages for their first Disney trip

 

[Hawkeyegirls]

I went last Nov. when my daughter was 3. I said it was a great age, but I wouldn't take kids Any younger than that. So if you plan on going every other year or so you could go this year, otherwise I would wait. She loved the trip, but younger wouldn't really know what was going on, imo at least

 

[finny1981]

I would have said go this year if I had read this earlier, but I see that you are, so with that being said I would keep your eyes open for free dining. If it includes your dates it could be a big cost saver.