So sad, it's all over!

[diannaneglia]

Ok I just got back from a 12 day trip to WDW with my kids. My husband didn't go. I thought this would be my first and last trip till my kids are grown up and out of the house...but...we had such a good time, I want to do it again next year. I just don't know how I can afford it and I don't think my husband would like it very much if I told him I wanted to do it again. I feel so depressed now that I am home because it was such a good time but it is over. Anyone feel this way? How do you afford to go back?

 

[daisyduck123]

I've been fortunate that for our 1st 3 trips to POP (we stayed 8 or 9 days each time) my mother took me & the 2 kids & payed for EVERYTHING. My parents are loaded!

This past trip in May, DH came instead because he'd heard the kids & I talking nonstop about Disney & he wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

Well, he insisted on a moderate (see my signature) & we all loved CBR.
DH is now also hooked on Disney. We are saving to go back next year to another moderate & will hope for another pin code, which is what we used for our stay in May at CBR.


Maybe if you can get your DH there just one time, he'll get hooked too.

We're thinking of having both sets of grandparents join us next year.

 

[tinkerjo]

I feel exactly the same. We just got back from a 7 day trip. my kids are 15,13, and 7. We try to go about every 3 years. We love disney, but do other vacations too. We let the older 2 bring a friend this time and the magic wasnt the same. even though the friends had never been to disney, all they wanted was to ride the big thrill rides. so DH and I took the 7 yo and did the fun stuff. Im just afraid it will never be the same. I love seeing disney through my kids when they are little.My DS7 did jedi training this time and I am sure he will be telling his grandchildren about it. He was on cloud 9 for days.
by the way, the previous poster is right. If you can get DH there one time he will be hooked. Mine pouted and whined for months before our first trip. Now he tells all his friends to go.

 

[WantToGoNow]

We generally go every other year -- it takes that long to save the money. I put between $100 and $150 into a separate account every payday from the time we get back until our next trip. This pretty much covers everything we need. I've also read how people put all of their change into a container every night and that goes towards their trips. I really would like to go every year now while my children are small but it just is not feasible for us.

 

[DeterminedOne]

All you can do is plan your next trip, even if it's several years away.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We have always looked for the deals, watched for codes, bought AP's when planning on returning in the same year. Even staying on the average, more now then before, of 10-12 nights, our trips do not cost more than 2 grand, that the whole trip, food, tickets, travel, souvies. For us, saving that much is not hard, especially when you're saving for Disney. We stay deluxes, whether Poly, alittle more dough or WL, we have to have our Disney every year. Tried to plan a vacation to some where else but after running all the numbers, Disney wins hands down.

Its one stop shopping, no car needed, transportation provided, 4 parks, 2 water parks and I believe the prices are well justified for all thats to do in one big property. When our kids were small, we went but back then there were not 4 parks, we didn't stay as long and I know taking everything times 4, 2 adults and 3 kids is alot more money. Now that its just me and the wife, prices times just the 2 of us are alot better. We don't eat out or go to movies at home but we do all those things in Disney and really save up and enjoy ourselves while there.

To us, its the ultimate vacation, deluxe the whole way with no regrets, even after 35 some visits and we're from Ohio. Lately, its gotten to the point of 2 trips a year, can't get enough of WDW. Guess we're just blessed to be able to go so much but when you buy an AP, you just have to keep going back.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I thought this would be my first and last trip

If you decide you really love it and want to do it again, you'll find a way to make it work. Start to think of ways to save money. What in your life can you do without in order to make your trip(s) become reality? Visit the Budget Board here - lots of ideas there.

You also can visit in value season and stay at a value resort if you really want to keep costs down. Hey, you're there, aren't you? Not every day has to be a park day, either. There's plenty to do around the property. If your kids are like mine and they have tons of "stuff", when people ask what to get them for gifts, suggest Disney Dollars or gift cards. Everything helps.

I'm sure you'll get lots of other ideas. Good luck and welcome to our world.

 

[torinsmom]

Maybe plan a trip during what will probably be free dining next year. Start saving now, but wait to put your deposit down until the deal is released in April. During most of that time, it is actually value season as well, which will save you big $. I save some money each month, it varies depending upon my expenses that month. And I babysit on occasion and that goes into my "Disney fund". I'm also thinking of signing up for a checking account at Bank of America. I saw they have a program called "Keep the change". Everytime you use your debit/check card, the amount is rounded up to the next dollar and the change goes straight to your savings account. I can see that $ adding up, as I use my check card at least once a day.

If you plan on returning to Disney, buy 10 day non-expiring tickets. For me, the difference in 4 day expiring tickets and 10 day non-expiring tickets was $160 per ticket. If I had bought all the tickets separately, I would have spent 593.22 vs. 343.00 for the 10 day NE. Its also nice to have the tickets paid for, as that is one of the most expensive parts of the trip.

You can really go to Disney economically if you plan well. My last trip was $2000 with tickets, dining plan and everything. This trip will be $1000 with tickets from last trip, and free dining. We had to get 1 day tickets to get the free dining, but we are taking my mom, and she will use those.

Marsha

 

[engle]

I have 3 words for disney lovers...Disney Vacation Club. I am not a salesperson and don't want you to mention my name for credit. I listen to you all talk and can't believe you are not members!! We just joined this past year and we plan to go every other year or every 3 years. With the points you bank and borrow, you can do it up!! In the long run, what a money saver. Check it out!!

 

[disney1313131313]

I'm in the same situation as the original poster. I am taking the kids alone this August-free dining convinced my DH to let us go. He has been to WDW 4 times, but it just isn't his cup of tea! He likes more relaxing vacations better, so i think this will be our last hurrah! We also want the kids to see more of the country, so i think we will start doing the "educational things" now, like the Grand Canyon and Washington DC, which will be nice, too. I am focusing on the fact that we get to go to WDW one last time! But i'm sure i will feel the let down when we get home.

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

I 2nd the poster who said to visit the budget board. They are the nicest folks over there, and very very money savvy. I have taken more than a couple of tips from them and it worked fabulously! (not pertaining to saving for a trip) I suggest scrapbooking to battle the post WDW blues. It still pertains to your trip, and for me, seems to prolong it. Hope everything works out for you!

 

[Collette]

All you can do is plan your next trip, even if it's several years away.

This is the only thing that works for me. I will never be able to say this is my last trip. Sometimes I have to start planning my next trip before I even leave home for the current one so I won't get so depressed after the trip. I just started giving up a lot of things I used to spend (often waste) money on to make it happen. My husband is okay with WDW, but doesn't long to go back. Even though he doesn't love it as much as I do, he knows how much my trips mean to me and has been supportive. If I had my wish, every extra dollar would go towards WDW trips for our family. But everyone else has different priorities, if you can imagine that??!?

I empathize with how you are feeling and hope that everything works out just the way you want it to.

Collette

 

[Harvest02]

Wow, I am glad that there are others out there that get sad when they return home also. We got back this past Thursday from the world. We took a 7 day trip this time and also stayed onsite. It was wonderful. My DH is not a big Disney fan, but he did manage to have a good time. He just always complains how much it costs, but for a family of 4, I don't think it was that expensive. We stayed at the ASMo and absolutely loved it! I would love to go again next summer also, but the budget is not there for it right now. My plan is to save up for June 2008. Only 2 years from now, so that should give me some time to save up the money, and not have to save so much per month. I plan to start selling on e-bay again, and saving all our change. We also usually use some tax refund money for our trips. I also save all the money I earn from survey sites too, so that adds up. Don't worry, there are others like me who feel the way you do! It is never fun to come back home to reality when you had so much fun! Just plan for the next one and know there is another trip around the corner!

 

[Darian]

We generally go every other year -- it takes that long to save the money. I put between $100 and $150 into a separate account every payday from the time we get back until our next trip. This pretty much covers everything we need. I've also read how people put all of their change into a container every night and that goes towards their trips. I really would like to go every year now while my children are small but it just is not feasible for us.

Thats an excellent idea about the saving plan! DW and I are going through Disney withdrawls and we were there last November for the Epcot F&WF. We had planned on going this October too but 4 heart surgeries for me this year has wiped out our savings. You know... all those little things that health insurance doesn't cover. Maybe next year! Here's hoping....

 

[kydisneyfans]

Just plan smart and it can happen. We live just 45 minutes south of the OP and do the trip every October. Look at staying offsite for room savings. Compare flying vs driving-the Cincinnati airport is notorious for expensive flights. Try to purchase tickets that last for several trips (10 day non expiring).

If you are not doing so already-take advantage of double coupons-we frequent the Meijer on Turfway often-all coupons are doubled up to .50-between .55 and 1.00 are 1.00. Kroger and Remke also has doubles. Build up points at Speedway for gas discounts using a Speedy Rewards card, which is free.

Save your coupon savings in a jar for a year-20.00 per week adds up to over a grand a year. Speedy Rewards points usually add up to a free tank of gas before our trip. Charge your expenses on a 5% cash back credit card, pay it off monthly, and sock that money away.

My family does not need hundred dollar sit down dinners to know we are on vacation-give me a burger a Cosmic Rays and I am fine-at least we are at Disneyworld.

 

[lookingforward]

Book another trip and start planning. Even if it is two years away, it is so much fun to plan. Usually we pay only the room in advance but I booked a free dining special in September that includes passes and I paid it off over a few months. Seemed painless because it was not all at once.

 

[subtchr]

We have always looked for the deals, watched for codes, bought AP's when planning on returning in the same year. Even staying on the average, more now then before, of 10-12 nights, our trips do not cost more than 2 grand, that the whole trip, food, tickets, travel, souvies. We stay deluxes,

Okay, if this is really true...10-12 nights in a deluxe, PLUS food, tickets, travel, etc. for less than two grand....PLEASE let us know your secrets!!!

 

[Rozzie]

Okay, if this is really true...10-12 nights in a deluxe, PLUS food, tickets, travel, etc. for less than two grand....PLEASE let us know your secrets!!!

I want to know also!

 

[DemonLlama]

Okay, if this is really true...10-12 nights in a deluxe, PLUS food, tickets, travel, etc. for less than two grand....PLEASE let us know your secrets!!!

Yeah, those numbers just aren't adding up for me either. 10-12 nights at the Poly would eat up $2000 REAL quick, nothing else considered.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We either use AP's discount or cast member discount when a good rate comes out, daughter works for the mouse. We also split the room, us and another couple. Take the Poly standard view at say 325.00, minus the AP discount 75.00 puts the room at around 250.00 divided by 2. Price for room for the night is $125.00 times 10 nights 1250.00. We look for value season and use daughters discount alot, its more than AP discount but we have the AP"S for going back twice in a year.