Summer's Planning Journal 08/20 Update 08/10/07

Summer, although it's not the same situation, DF and I just moved into a new apartment so we've been paying all kinds of bills... and now the wedding bills are coming in and our money is just disappearing!! And there are still things during our trip that we planned to put on our credit cards...

Anyway, I don't have any advice that hasn't already been offered, but here are some hugs :hug: It'll all work out, like you said.
 
have you tried to apply for a Post Office c/c online? I applied on a Sunday, my PIN was here on the Thursday and the card itself on Saturday - less than a week from start to finish! Also, they don't charge you a foreign exchange fee, typically 2.75% on most other c/c's.
Good luck :hug:
 
I know its sad to think about, but if you cancel the Discovery Cove, that's one less thing you'll OWE money for later.

Sometimes we plan things out to the nth degree to be 'perfect', but if you're stressed about money, it's not going to be perfect, right? Relax your plans a little bit, and take the savings.

There are other (much less expensive) places to swim with dolphins, and perhaps it's something you can do on an anniversary?
 
Hi Summer,
If I was you I would go ahead and cancel DC. If money is a bit tight, you wont fully enjoy it knowing how much the day is costing you.
And besides, it is a great experience BUT you are cruising anyway and with Disney to boot!
We did DC in 2002, the week before we did the westen on the Disney Magic. We loved it and it was a safe environment for my son to learn to snorkel, but it did pale a bit after snorkeling in Cozamel and at CC, after all it is only concrete coral and you are really only swimming in a fish tank!!!!

There will always be other holidays if it's really a must do, when the money isn't quite so tight. The main thing is to ENJOY your wedding and honeymoon which I'm sure will turn out just perfect whatever you decide.

I can't wait to see you dress photos either - roll on Saturday!
 

Summer - :hug: I really hope you get the money! I too would wait til the last possible moment to cancel anything, just in case someone does come through with the money.

Maybe you explain to the CC Company you're paying for your wedding, therefore need a higher credit limit?

What did your boss say?
 
Hi Summer,

Sorry to hear about your money troubles, I know what it feels like we are trying to pay off big debts at the moment and trying to save and pay off our dream wedding.

I know you are thinking about canceling DC. But if you do find the money remember that it can work out to be a very expensive day if you purchase the photos, dvd etc.

I'm not trying to put you off as it is a day we really want to do just something to bear in mind.

I really hope you find all the money you need.

Jane
 
Summer,

Here's a thought for you too. This is something you may want to think about, even if you do get the credit situation straightened around.

What are you going to DC for? Is it for the overall experience, or is it mainly for the dolphin swim?

The reason I ask is because I am a dolphin nut. The e-ring my fiance got me has a setting of two dolphins sort of overlapping each other, with the diamond set in between them. And he proposed to me at the aquarium here, arranged for a private training session with the dolphins and trainers at the aquarium. He said that whatever we did on our honeymoon, he wanted to take me to do a dolphin swim.

So, we were going to do Discovery Cove as well. The thing is, I kept looking at it, and just couldn't justify the price to myself. We did the Magic Your Way premium package at Disney. So here we are, paying all this money to eat and do all these activities on Disney property, and then we are going to go and spend that much money to WASTE one of those days so we can spend it somewhere else? And part of the price you're paying for the DC tickets is to spend all day in the rest of the park, not just with the dolphins, plus for a 7-day pass to Sea World, which we would never have used. Oh, I know they advertise it as the pass to Sea World being thrown in for free, but you know it's figured into the price.

Plus, when you look at it, the actual time in the water with the dolphins is only 30 minutes. And it isn't one-on-one time for 30 minutes, it says "small groups". So, it's whatever their definition of a small group is. So, for that $280 + a person, you are getting some fraction of 30 minutes of time with the dolphins. And losing out on money I already spent on Disney. For me, at least, that seems awfully expensive, since the dolphin swim is really the only thing I cared about. We'd probably do other things, since, after paying that much, we'd feel like we should, but as I said, we're also already paying for time at Disney, so it would start adding up to be a real waste of money.

I kept telling my fiance I didn't think it was going to be worth it to do a dolphin swim at all, then I found a good alternative. Did you know you can do one in Disney? You don't do all the other things - swimming with rays, sharks, etc. But if the dolphin swim is what you care about, you get much more dolphin time at a much lower price.

It's the Dolphins in Depth tour at the Living Seas pavilion in Epcot. It costs $150 per person, and the tour lasts for 3 hours. From the sounds of it, when I did some searching around on the net about it, almost all the time is spent with the dolphins. Again, you will be with a group, and it's unpredictable what size the group will be, but since the time you spend is much longer, you will likely get more time with the dolphins (assuming of course the dolphins are cooperating! :))

Also, one of the Disney guide books - I think it's the Birnbaum's book - has a 20% off coupon for that tour in it. The coupon more than pays for the price of the book if you do the tour.

Obviously, if you want the whole experience, then this doesn't help you. But I know for me, I saw this as a great way to cut my costs in half on this part of the trip, and get more of exactly the part I wanted. Oh, and unlike DC, the Disney Dolphins in Depth includes a picture with a dolphin and a t-shirt.

Anyway, just something for you to consider.
 
summer

its times like this that i wish i was a multi-millionaire so i could help people out...like you & give you Discovery cove with no worries & nothing in return...a good deed!!


you have some so far & you have a spectacular trip planned so dont get discouraged...think positive & good things happen to good people...look at morgan....she beat the odds & luck was on her side!!

no worries just yet..dont give yourself an ulcer!!

your dress came in WOO HOO!!!!!:banana:
 
Hey Summer!

I hope your boss is in today - have you thought about asking for a raise too? ;) Just a thought - or a wedding present from your boss! Anyway, seriously, the postal strike is supposed to end next Wednesday - so hopefully your cards will be here in plenty of time! :) :) :) My furkids are sending Morgan all of their wags and woofs for his continued recovery.
 
Well today is a better day:)

My MIL has decided to lend us some money which I will admit is really nice of her, even though we aren't on speaking terms:sad2:

Also my boss came through for me and has agreed to advance me my pay, hmm I would have loved to ask for a raise, but I have only been here for 3 months so I felt bad just asking for the advance.

Now, even though I have managed to get hold of the cash I need, I have still decided to cancel Discovery Cove.:sad1: I know, I'm upset about it but after reading what some have said and giving it much thought, I decided the money would be better spent elsewhere. I have booked The Grand Floridian Private Dinner and we are having the Chef's Menu at V & A for the 3 of us on our wedding night, these things alone will likely set us back about $700, so really I would rather have these things guilt free instead of Discovery Cove.
So tonight I will cancel it and buy Seaworld and Busch Garden tickets and I will still save almost $500 which pays for V & A, so I am happy:)
 
Summer, I am truly, truly happy for you! I am so glad your boss came through ( even though in light of what happened with Morgan - I thought he would!) :thumbsup2 and it's surprising where help comes from in times of need, sometimes the place or person you least expected!

as far as canceling Discovery Cove, as much as you wanted to go - you and Steven have SO many other wonderful plans for this honeymoon, it will be fantastic beyond your dreams! :yay: this is going to be one amazing TR!!! :goodvibes

have a great day! :hug:

Michelle :cloud9:
 
I'm glad everything worked out! Now you can enjoy your trip without feeling guilty or watching every penny that comes out of your wallet.

It's getting so close! I can't believe it.
 
It's turned out to be a much better day for you! Congratulations! What made you decide against Discovery Cove? I thought that as you got the Seaworld ticket free with it, it was a good idea - is there something specific that changed your mind, as I know you were looking forward to that so much! :(

In any case, things are going well - dress is here, money is available - you're getting married!!!! :):):):):):):):goodvibes
 
I decided to cancel Discovery Cove as it was really a me thing only. Steven was going only for me, he never liked the idea of swimming with Rays or even tropical fish, he thought he would be bored after a couple of hours. So in the end the Cons out weighed the Pros, he has agreed to so much more than we originally planned, including the Cruise, and I would much rather keep everything else I have planned. It was a good deal with the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens tickets, but i can get these for $85.00 each, unlimited admission, so I save almost $500. As I said V & A is more important. I guess I can always swim with dolphins in Queensland:)
 
Queensland? When are you going to Queensland? You are TOOOOO lucky! LOL. I can see why you cancelled now - that's so sweet of you - I think I might have gotten a little of the "bridezilla feeling" over it. Everything sounds fantastic - V&A and the GF Private dining!!! Soooo romantic!
 
I'm moving to Queensland next year if the sale of the house goes without a hitch. I grew up in Sydney but was born in the UK, I hope to do my LPC and barrister course at Bond University.
 
Wow - you are so lucky. But remember - if you're going to be a barrister, you won't need the LPC (it's for solicitors!) you'll just go to Bar School! :)
 
In Australia it is slightly different I think, I would obviously have to do the conversion course but I think that includes the LPC (PLTP) Professional Legal Training Programme for 30 weeks, the barrister course is 6 months, I think. At the moment I still don't know for definate what I want to do, but I do love to talk and my interest still lies with becoming a barrister.
 
I probably is very different over there - good luck to you! :) Over here I wanted to be a Barrister at first, but it was so expensive (the LPC cost me £10k+) and I always preferred Insolvency Law so I stuck with that and went on to be a Corporate Recovery and Insolvency Lawyer for KPMG :) I love Insolvency Law! (How sad). I hope you become a Barrister - how exciting! The only sad thing abot the law is how much of our personal lives we sacrifice to get to the top :( :( We emigrated to Perth, NSW, when we were little but our family came back here to settle, boo hoo. I still think I could have been a pro-surfer by now with a recording contract....
 
Awww, I here ya, my family immigrated back to Australia 3 times but eventually settled here after a 2 year stint in Malta. I just think the way of life is better in Australia and I have loads of family there, my mom wants to move back too. I would have loved to go to the States but all the red tape makes it very difficult to get in and stay in:confused: Australia is very similar and I know I will be completely happy there. Insolvency Law? I'll be sure to come to you if I ever have any questions about this topic;)
 












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