SHould we go or wait until we have more money

[mommyofchloe]

My DH and I are talking about taking our 13 month old in Nov. or Dec. But we dont have a lot of money to spend. We live about 16 hours away. So driving or flying will cost us also. We would have about 1200 dollars to spend on the whole trip.

We have a trip planned in 2008 with my sisters family that is the summer before both girls start kindergarten. We will start saving for that next year because we want it to be a big vacation special event.

But back to my first question. Is that enough money or should we wait.

Mariah

Chloe - Mommy please take me.

 

[Amirah95]

How long do you want to stay?
Are you going to stay on Disney?
What kind of tickets do you want to purchase?
How will you be getting to WDW (plane/car)?

I think after answering those four questions you will see how much the major chunk is going to cost you. Once you get that out of way, then you can figure out your eating arrangements and after that whatever is left can be your spending money. $1200, I don't know.

I need help with this one guys!!!!

 

[mickeymousefan]

I think you could do it on a very, very strict budget. Probably off site in a cheap hotel and bringing lots of your own food. Your 13 month old will be free..... he or she will not be in 2008. She will only be this age once!!! We did a short 4 night trip last December. We were in the same boat about money, we could have used it for other things. I personally feel that money is secondary to enjoying your life. But the fact that my youngest DD has already gone through 2 major operations, endured many days at the hospital and frequent visits with assorted specialists and therapists has changed my outlook on things.

 

[LisaZoe]

I think Amirah95 is right that you need to determine the basics first to see just how far that $1200 will have to stretch. If you are talking about a long weekend, it would probably be a decent budget. If you want to take a week, it'll be very tight - but could probably be done with careful planning (I'm not too good at budgeting but working on it). The good news is that airfare seems to be at a point where it could be cheaper than driving (I'd assume an overnight stop on such a long drive with a 1yo).

Do you need to go so soon? I know 2008 is a long time off but perhaps you might consider waiting until spring (after the crowds, of course) so you could save up a bit more.

 

[mommyofchloe]

We had planned a long weekend, at the most four days more like three. Where we stay doesn't matter because we ususally camp out. So a motel is a treat. I'm a student so we would have to go during a break and my husband gets time off during those times. I will think about what everyone has said. Thanks for responding. I think I answered all the questions. mariah

 

[LauraR]

Actually, I think you could probably manage a trip on $1200. My family of 2 adults and 2 kids did a 7-day trip over Easter and it came to about $1670. Here's my estimate of a budget for you:

$410 for 2 4-day park hopper passes (thr. Hotwire),
$30 for parking (4 days),
$200 for 5 nights hotel---assuming you break up the drive down and spend the night, spend 4 nights in Orlando and drive straight through on the way back. You could get a decent 2 or 2 1/2 star hotel on Priceline for under $40 a night (which is what we did for three of the nights we stayed).
$100 for gas. This depends on your car's mileage. We spent about $113, but we're a couple hours farther away
$450 for food (we spent $380 on eating out, and $170 on groceries for a total of $550, but that was for a whole week) Of course this is an area where you really have to be careful---just a few splurges, and you're totally off budget.

That comes to $1190. I think it could be done! I say go for it, as long as it doesn't strain your overall finances.

 

[momxx5]

I think it could be done, with carefull planning you should be able to have a great trip. Keep an eye out for room only codes - early Dec. You could get a great rate at a value resort, which would be a great start to a all Disney vacation.

Another idea is to possibly wait until next summer. The past two summers Disney has had vacation package specials. If you are willing to wait until next May you may be able to get a great deal. I know it wouldn't be going this year but at least it would not be as long as waiting until 2008.

Good luck.

 

[The Sweetness]

With a 13 month old, I wouldnt be in a terrible rush to show her the world. If you wait a year (or even 2) you could be more liberal money wise, and I think she would enjoy it more.

 

[sammi]

Here's a cheap place to stay and you get a really good breakfast included.

http://www.magicorlando.com/v2/index.php

It's not far from the parks and although it's not a newer motel it's clean and the staff are very helpful. It runs about $28.00 per night and has a pool too.

PhotobearSam has some pictures that she could email you if you can find her on these boards.....might try the Canadian Boards for her.

PS: Their web site says that the rooms have been renovated this past June.

 

[crisi]

It really depends on what you envision your trip as being.

I always figured we'd do a quick trip when the kids were little - the age where you get great photos but they really aren't that interested in long days or rides. But my kids are too close together for what I envisioned, and by the time we went, my oldest was 3 1/2 and my youngest 2 1/2 and we ended up doing a full week. A weekend run through can fit in the photo ops without spending a lot of money - a character breakfast and a day at the MK is about all I figured I'd need for a little one. I saw the trip as being about me having a need to have my kids photos taken with Tigger, not about my kids needs to see Epcot at 13 months.

If you see yourself as having a trip for your daughter, you might want to rethink. While she will enjoy herself at 13 months, she'll enjoy herself a lot more at two when she starts to understand and communicate better. Thirteen months can be a difficult age for Disney - a lot of kids want to be mobile, but the crowds make it difficult for a still toddling toddler (much less one that isn't on both feet yet). They are often at the awkward stage between needing one nap and two. However, they often will still sleep in strollers at that age.

 

[disneysteve]

One good option is you want to go for a week is to book a timeshare through SkyAuction. We're going in October and have a 2-bed, 2-bath unit for $37/nite. Tough to beat that. That way the baby gets her own room and you get a full kitchen and washer and dryer. Even if you can't stay the full week, this might be one of the cheapest options.

Drive down. We've driven from NJ quite a few times, starting when DD was 5-1/2 months old. It takes us about 18 hours and saves a bundle.

Just because you are there for a week doesn't mean you need to go to a park everyday. Do 3 or 4 days at the parks, spend some time around the pool, shop at DTD, just relax and enjoy yourselves.

As for food, on our last 2 trips, we averaged under $20/person/day for all meals and snacks so it can definitely be done on a tight budget.

I would say go for it.

 

[Ozymoe]

Originally posted by mommyofchloe
...I think I answered all the questions. mariah

Are you driving?

Flying?

From what origination city? (lol...where are you from? ie what is the largest city close to you?

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Both of my trips have been very small budgets... and it was worth it! I hate to discourage ANYONE from Disney...but if you're doing it for your 13 month old...she won't remember it...it'll be packed...etc.. if you're doing it for you and hubby and she comes too...I"d say go for it!! 1200 is a good budget...more than I had on my 2nd trip!!!

 

[MrsPete]

I think Crisi has the best reply: It depends upon what you imagine for your trip.

For me personally, I would not take a 13-month to Disney. Why? Because she'd need time back at the hotel for naps, etc. and your park days would be very short (shorter hours in December). Now if you were going to stay in a great hotel (like maybe Animal Kingdom Lodge) that'd be fun to hang around, that'd be one thing -- but you're talking about a budget hotel too. Plus, you'd still be dealing with diapers and strollers. When mine were that age, I preferred to stay close to home with them. Now that they're 7 and 10, we go here and there all the time -- and we can afford to do it because we focused on paying off the house while they were infants/toddlers.

Personally, I would prefer to save and "do it right" when the kids are older. Just before they start kindergarten, as you mentioned, would be a great age.

I'm sure others will have a different opinion, but I'm not a member of the go-as-often-as-possible club.

 

[maxie]

Did you consider camping? That may save some $.

 

[mommyofchloe]

We live close to St. louis so we would fly out of there. If we did fly. I think we could make the drive with our daughter. She is a good girl and we could borrow someones car dvd player. We usually camp, but we havent ever camped with our daughter so that might be too much new experience for one trip.

Basically I still really want to go. But I think Some time in Jan. might give us more time to plan. I think from what I have read I need to plan more since we have a small budget. However, if we cant go in Jan. I think I may just sit down for a whole weekend and try and figure our trip out.

Thanks for the advice. I will have more questions later I'm sure.

 

[pilgrimage]

If you need to save money on hotels during the drive down, take a look at roomsaver.com or travelcoupons.com.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a great trip whenever seems best for you.

 

[canwegosoon]

IMHO I would wait...but I like to not worry about budget/ like kids to be older so they can enjoy too...but it's up to you, there have been many great suggestions.

 

[disneysteve]

I just wanted to add one more comment. We've taken our DD to Disney 11 times. Her first trip was when she was 5-1/2 months. Her second was the week of her first birthday.

She certainly doesn't remember those trips but she absolutely enjoyed them. And equally important is that DW and I were overjoyed seeing everything through her eyes. We have wonderful memories of those early trips. We have lots of photos and often tell DD stories about things that happened on those trips.

So I respectfully disagree with those who say you should wait until the kid is old enough to remember the trip.

 

[LynnTH]

I agree with Disneysteve. My son is 5 and has been to Disney 3 times. At 11 months, 1 year and 11 months and then this year at 5 years old. He does not remember the 11 month trip but it was still a great time and we have so many cute pictures of him with the characters. It was never a big deal to me to bring a stroller and diapers along. (I like having the stroller to hold everything). And at that age most of the time they just fall asleep in the stroller so you don't always have to go back to the room for nap time. He does remember some stuff from the second trip and of course most of it from the third. I don't think age matters - they will have fun at any age. People always would tell me to wait until they are older but we wanted to take family trips and what better place is there for families. I always knew we would continue to go back there as the kids get older so they will have different memories and so will we. I say go for it.