Spur of the moment trip question

[Mouse Skywalker]

OK, I need some advice here. I posted this on the resorts board, but I thought I should post it here too.

My family: me, DW, DD7, and DD4, took a quick trip over Labor Day weekend. It was only 3 full days, and it just whetted my appetite for a full blown Disney trip. We went to MK, EPCOT, and MGM.

My DD7 has off school Friday, 11/11. My wife is away for a conference starting that day, and I will be home with the girls all week. I'm toying with the idea of taking the girls to Disney, just for the weekend, to go to Animal Kingdom - which we didn't get to do on our trip in September. Am I insane?

Sue Ellen at DU was able to reserve a room for us at All Star Movies for $100.57/night (with tax) for 2 nights for the weekend. She's been great. I would still need to get park tickets, and a flight down from Upstate NY.

My calculations are:
All Star Movies Room: $201.14
1 day park tix: $165.87
Total: $367.01

Now, if I can't get a cheap airfare down to Orlando, I can't go, but should I even be considering this anyway? What do you all think? I'm wondering if I should just save my money for a longer trip some other time.

 

[magicaldisney]

Are you saying you would go without DW? If so I would save up and go for a longer period of time next year. That's just my opinion. It's nice to have a nice long vacation and not feel rushed. You can then see all the parks again and get more for your buck on the airline tickets.

 

[marksor]

You're asking for the frying pan on this one.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

Skywalker

I think its a great idea and what a nice surprise for the girls.

Check southwest - i didn't read the details but they just emailed me with internet specials purchase by Oct 17th, fly by Nov. 18?? sorry didnt' save the email cuz i am not in the market for flights (we leave Saturday). You can ususally save a little more if you fly out on a thursday nite.

You may want to consider (if in your budget) purchasing NON expiring 5 day passes for the girls that way if the urge hits you again down the road you won't have to buy passes again and in the long run the per-day cost is lower

good luck - hope it works out for you

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hmmm, you raise a good point about not going with my wife. I was focused on how this would be some nice 1 on 1 time with the girls, and not thinking that my wife might be disappointed in missing out on the trip. Definitely something to think about.

 

[Dana_Buckley]

I don't want to be negative, but Nov 11th is Veterans Day, and it will be very crowded at WDW. However, AK would be the least crowded park. Although it is a wonderful idea, I think you would be better off saving the trip for another time.

Happy planning ~ in case you decide to go!

 

[The Sweetness]

Desperate for Disney as well here. In June we were *supposed* to go to WDW for probably 4 days, maybe 5 (to see our fill of the big 4). That idea was scrapped in Sept last year when we found out that we were having another fortune/miracle baby. As much as we all adore Ariel (now 7 months) I totally feel like I was cheated out of my vacation. DD14 feels the same, and Dh couldnt care less. This week, we came up with 2 options.A, me and DD would go for 1 weekend only, no baby, no daddy. I didnt like the idea of being cut short, and also would have felt way too guilty to enjoy anything. So I came up with option B~

This year, when we get our income tax refund, we plan out and reserve a room (and pay for it) for a 7 night stay at a value resort. This will be for most likely the first week in June of 07. 8 days& 7 nights on site should give is ample time to reaquaint ourselves with the world. (dd and I havent been since about 2000, maybe 01, and dh even longer)

This will be much more relaxing, and be our first *real* family vacation of 4
I think that weekend trips, esp when not for the whole fam can sometimes be less fullfilling than longer trips with the whole posse

 

[sarahsmom73]

I went to WDW with DD in april as DH and my spring breaks did not line up... DH was wonderful!!!
I may be in the minority but I say GO FOR IT!!!!!

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

I went to WDW with DD in april as DH and my spring breaks did not line up... DH was wonderful!!!
I may be in the minority but I say GO FOR IT!!!!!

Me too....that would be a great one on one time with your daughters, and I think your wife would think that is special...(at least I would if DH said that to me.)

Just wondering, would you not take another longer trip (later on) with DW if you took this one, or would you do both??

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

OK, I've been really thinking long and hard about this, and right now (although it could change) I am leaning towards not taking this trip. It really just seems a little too extravagant right now. We could use that money towards other things - like the upcoming holidays, and it would be nice to say that when we go to Disney it's the whole family. O'hana.

I'm thinking that maybe my daughters and I can have some good 1 on 1 time right here at home, and save that money for maybe a longer trip later. I was thinking we could take a longer trip for spring break in 2007, but maybe we could do a mini-trip for spring break 2006 and see Animal Kingdom.

 

[xterratri]

Just a suggestion because I don't know whats playing right now, but what about trip to Toronto to see a show? They'd still feel like big squirts and get special daddy time at a fraction of the cost. Toronto has lots of other neat things to do such as the zoo, etc. I understand the impulse to make a quick short trip to the World though because I'm planning on doing just that next May to do the Minnie Marathon Weekend races and I'll probably spend less than 48 hours on site. However, I have an AP so it's just airfare and lodging if I decide not to use DVC points. No matter what you decide, the fact that you even thought of it makes you a pretty special Dad.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Oh thanks, Xterratri. You know I had actually been considering Toronto. So I might look into that a little harder. Thanks for the suggestion.