So Sad I Can't Bring Myself to Even Read the Boards!

[PixieTopaz]

OP-have you tried the Budget Board here?
I think they too look for ways to fund WDW trips

In the last few years the cost of everything-esp the hotels-at WDW has skyrocketed. its sad, really.

 

[miprender]

No saving tips here.... but one way I get over the blues is I love reading other people's trip reports. I just love seeing all the pics of Disney and that helps me somewhat.

As for the Disney Visa.... definately would get that. We tried also to see if we could pay our mortgage but no luck. But we do use it to pay for everything else like cable and phone.

Sending some pixie dust that some good luck comes your way

 

[ShannonMB]

Oh, girl, you are going to be just fine! From looking at your signature, it looks like you are a very young family, and honestly, your whole lives are in front of you! I agree that sometimes being on the DIS makes it seem like everyone's kids get to go to Disney every year from the time they are 18 months old, but I am quite sure those who do are in a distinct minority. And if you're not currently planning 2 trips, you start to feel like a Disney failure hanging around this place! I seriously wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I didn't get to take DD to Disney till she was 6, and honestly, I thought it was the perfect age. You WILL be back, simply because it means so much to you, and Disney isn't going anywhere. Your kids are really little, you have time to save up, and you have the boards in the meantime!

 

[EKW]

The good news is, your kids are little! Even if you don't get back for 5 years, they'll still be young!!!

They say misery loves company, so I'll add that I am doing a job search right now myself. The district I work for is having major budgetary issues and I'm one of about 20 people at my school who won't have a job here next year.

I'm glad we got to go to Disney the past two years...I'm hoping last summer wasn't our last family trip, but it very well may have been. We have scrapbooks and lots of wonderful memories.

I never went to Disney with my parents...my kids have gotten to go more than once. It makes me really sad to hear friends who go every year, if not more often, talk about their plans for this summer. But, like another poster mentioned, I'm entering the contests, so at least there's a tiny glimmer of hope.

 

[kimgg]

If it makes you feel better, I am going on my WDW FIRST trip and I'm 40!! My parents took us only a handful of places growing up (like he zoo, beach, maybe 4 times total). We live in a city that used to have a six flags. We never went even though it was 30 mins away. We would visit relatives in a neighboring state, and my grandma would introduce us to kids there and say we lived, "in Houston, where Astroworld is!" and the kids would always light up and say "Oh YEAH, we've been THERE!" I HATED that and still remember how it felt. We finally went when were were teens and could drive ourselves!

My point is, your kids have already been twice. There are millions of kids who could never DREAM of going. Your kids will be fine. It may be hard for YOU though since you love it so much. Stop coming here and feeling sad you can't go, and start looking in to things you CAN do, like reading to your kids, maybe a book club, library, or whatever, or if there is a more affordable trip you can take, focus on that. I think you are torturing yourself coming here when you want to go and can't. Come back when you can start planning in reality. That's just my advice.

As I tell my kids when they whine, (not to say YOU are whining), "Hey, would you rather be in Haiti right now???" I think it is just a good reality check.

Take care and sorry you are sad. I hope things get better so you can plan soon but it will be fine if you can't.

 

[queensara]

I totaly understand how you feel. Disney is a huge expense and I refuse to put it on a credit card to buy now pay later. This is what we have done before. We stayed off site at a hotel on the main drag in Orlando. Our hotel was $35/night. Now there were no fancy options but it was clean and had a pool. We have a son and a daughter and they don't like to sleep together in the same bed, so we took an air mattress and put it on the floor and they took turns using it. We also have a small frig, so we took that and brought all of our soda/water from home. Which I shopped for months in advance taking advantage of sales and coupons. We packed a lunch every day and took it into the park. I was afraid people would think we were freaks, but you wouldn't believe the amount of people who do this. Plus with the kids it is easier and calmer than doing counter service. We put all of our change in our "Florida jar" it turned out that it paid for our gas (we live in PA). I also watch kids after school, all of that money I put in savings for two yrs and that is how we paid for our trip. I would love to stay on property and do the dining plan, but I am way to frugal to do that. We also have a friend who owns a time share and the last three trips we have taken, our hotel has been free. That really cuts down on the cost that is for sure. Going to Disney is doable but it may take two or three yrs for you to save. PM me if you want to chat. It's always helping to have someone to talk to that is in the same boat as you

 

[RN01]

Last time we went to Disney December "08 three out of the five of us got the stomach flu so the trip was 1/2 way ruined. When we got home I couldn't get on the boards anymore. It was just too depressing. I got over it though, as you can see.