Single Mom, Three Kids....and its a year away. Is it too early for pre trip?

[annaaidan99]

Booking right now!

 

[annaaidan99]

Okay. I spent all day in class doing this...but I did it. I was a bit surprised how high the prices were. I booked AoA LM for 9 nights from May 28th till June 6th. I got the QSDP, and 9 day base tickets. I also (they kind of rolled it in there without asking, but I wanted it anyway so I didn't object) have Photopass plus. The total damage was $4000. I wound up booking over the phone because of the gift cards I was using as a deposit....system apparently takes one at a time. So now...lets hope for a good discount!

 

[Jennifer84]

I'm in! I am also a single mom of three, and am planning a trip for April 2014. I am only taking the older two on this trip, though. They are 8 (9 when we go) and 6. Can't wait to read about your plans!

 

[annaaidan99]

I'm in! I am also a single mom of three, and am planning a trip for April 2014. I am only taking the older two on this trip, though. They are 8 (9 when we go) and 6. Can't wait to read about your plans!

Yay! How old is your youngest? I'm stressing on Lucy, I really am. She is ten kinds of difficult now...I'm hoping another year will do her good. She is also SO excited about Cinderella. And Animal Kingdom. So I'm hoping for the best.

 

[mom2clr]

Yay! How old is your youngest? I'm stressing on Lucy, I really am. She is ten kinds of difficult now...I'm hoping another year will do her good. She is also SO excited about Cinderella. And Animal Kingdom. So I'm hoping for the best.

I'm feeling your pain on the little one! Part of me wishes I had it in me to leave her for a week with daddy and just take the older one, but at 3 1/2 (at time of trip) I feel like she would understand and it would break my heart if she's sad. I REALLY hope the trip being a year away and having had a year of day care under her belt (i.e. schedule, structure, routine) will be our saving grace.

On a side note, I got swept up into doing a split stay, POP/WL, and although I could swing it financially, we are moving in to a new home next month and I just feel that any extra cash should go into decorating our home. lol We can do our week stay at POP for a few hundred less than a split stay (even with discounts) so as much as I would love to stay at WL the responsible thing to do is do a budget trip. HOWEVER, if I get a decent tax return, all bets are off.

 

[annaaidan99]

I'm feeling your pain on the little one! Part of me wishes I had it in me to leave her for a week with daddy and just take the older one, but at 3 1/2 (at time of trip) I feel like she would understand and it would break my heart if she's sad. I REALLY hope the trip being a year away and having had a year of day care under her belt (i.e. schedule, structure, routine) will be our saving grace.

On a side note, I got swept up into doing a split stay, POP/WL, and although I could swing it financially, we are moving in to a new home next month and I just feel that any extra cash should go into decorating our home. lol We can do our week stay at POP for a few hundred less than a split stay (even with discounts) so as much as I would love to stay at WL the responsible thing to do is do a budget trip. HOWEVER, if I get a decent tax return, all bets are off.

Mine will be 3 1/2 too! So lets just HOPE it's a good year, otherwise I apologize in advance to everyone at Disney that week

I do love WL. It's so pretty and was one of my favorite stays. So I hear you on the tax return. The little one has fallen in love with AKL and I've considered doing a couple nights at end if there is a good code. If not, I will absolutely visit the resort and maybe eat at the QS there. I've never been to the resort so I don't know if you can see animals from there. If so I think they will like that

 

[spiritsim]

after the new package prices came out yesterday our package went up more than 1000 dollars. ekkk Kind of stressed about that but have to stick with POR because DH is a big guy and we would never fit on a double bed I have looked and looked at all the choices but that's my final answer

 

[annaaidan99]

after the new package prices came out yesterday our package went up more than 1000 dollars. ekkk Kind of stressed about that but have to stick with POR because DH is a big guy and we would never fit on a double bed I have looked and looked at all the choices but that's my final answer

I also am at about $1000 more than I anticipated. I figured $1000 each for room, ticket, food. Somehow I'm at $4000.

 

[spiritsim]

I know I said POR was my final answer but then came CSR and the business class rooms and really it will save us money because we can get free breakfast every day and water to take to the parks and snacks in the evening and free wine and beer.......ok CSR is my new final answer, so it's all booked and deposit is paid.

 

[annaaidan99]

Okay, I'm at the end of my summer semester and I just returned from a brief trip to Asheville for a family reunion. It was a glimpse into what travel will be like, lol. I am planning on breaking my drive to Orlando into two days both ways. Lucy was irritable after five hours in the car, and I think I'll like it better too. Even with two hotel stays I'm way under cost of airfare. I also experienced what double beds will be like with them. And they wake up with the sun in hotel rooms. Well, that should be a good thing at Disney.

I do have a question, for CRT experts. Breakfast or dinner?

 

[annaaidan99]

I have now paid $1000 towards the trip! Woo hoo! Lol only $3000 to go if no discounts emerge. I can't decide if I want a good discount to pop up or not, as LM rooms will probably be excluded. My youngest turns 3 on Friday so since she doesn't need much for her birthday, I got her a few toys and a GC for the trip. I plan on doing that for each kiddo birthday so when we go they'll have spending money. I keep looking at dining and whether we want more sit downs than CRT. Possibly if we do a day at HS we may want Sci Fi. I'm not sure whether to plan my days yet because I don't know how the new fast passes will affect us.

My semester is over, but today is first day of school for my son.... First day of high school!

 

[Lillabelle0]

I usually go to Disney right after Memorial Day. I have always been able to get great discounts. The last two years we had a choice between 40% off rooms or free dining. The deals usually ended that week though. We always checked in the Sunday before Memorial Day or Memorial day. Praying that you get a deal in the mail. I've been so stressed this year but it has melted away since planning my trip. I have something to look forward to!!

 

[spiritsim]

we will have our two granddaughters with us so we talked about CRT but have decided on Akushas Princess Breakfast it is only one TS credit and CRT is 2. Also I have read you get to meet a lot more of the princesses there........so that is where we are going for our first Epcot day. Our first MK day we are going to dinner at GF for Cinderella's happy ever after dinner.

 

[annaaidan99]

I got a pin code for the first part of trip....I'd of course have to switch from little mermaid, but I was hoping to be able to upgrade if I did that. So I'm holding out for something that would maybe cover the whole trip. If not I'll maybe consider moving dates.

I'm contemplating CRT since I don't have the dining plan. It never made sense with the plan but without it it seems ok. The castle will be a must do.

 

[annaaidan99]

I repriced trip with pin code and I could actually upgrade to POR for same price. I'm contemplating doing that but I'm not sure. It only discounts from 5/28-5/31( 4 nights)

 

[annaaidan99]

I have decided to switch to All Star Music when the discount for early summer is made general public. I had toyed with upgrading to POR....but I will be close to having trip paid off by February if I opt for Music. I haven't read too much on the boards about it but I think it will be nice.

 

[annaaidan99]

I also have tentatively decided against CRT in favor of 1900 Park Fare since my girls were wanting to see the stepsisters and prince as well as Cinderella.

 

[annaaidan99]

Okay, so things have changed quite a bit. I paid off my trip in January. Then my parents, who have been invited on numerous trips and always declined, suddenly decided they had to come. This was good news to me, as it allays some of my fears of traveling alone with kids. But... They also changed the trip.

Before
10 days all star music, quick service ddp 1 adult, 1 disney adult, two kids, 9 day no park hopping

After

8 days Wilderness Lodge Deluxe room, no dining, 3 adults, 1 disney adult, 2 kids, 7 day no park hopping

So I'm reading up on how these changes will affect the trip, and I'm looking forward to even more planning!

 

[momabaarjo]

Joining in...and it is never too early to plan!

 

[annaaidan99]

So who is going on this trip? I'm updating since so much time has passed.

Well, there is me,
My name is Anna, I'm 37, I will be graduating from ultrasound school right before trip. I am an OCD Disney planner. I live with my kids and two shelter dogs.



My parents, who have not been to Disney since 1989. They are retired, and spend their days now babysitting for me while I attend school.



My son, Aidan, who will be 15 this year!



Lily, the social butterfly who will turn 6 before the trip


Lucy, my little oddball