The budget in me is screaming...

[BlueIvy]

My brother recently came into some money and he wants us to do a family vacation. Our mom is really sick with terminal cancer and she is also wanting a family vacation . She has even dreamed of it...I also had a dream of being on vacation and having fun. Its weird we both had that dream.

My mom is on chemo now and is in so much pain but she has good days sometimes so were hoping she will have some good days when its time to leave.

My brother only vacation days is during Christmas! I want to scream everytime I look at the prices . He has booked a 5 night Carnival cruise for all of us . I always vacation in September...so seeing that were paying four times more for the same thing we can experience much cheaper is driving me bonkers. He wants to do the parks as well...and its going to be so crowded. Were just doing Hollywood Studios because my mom loves Fantasmic and wants to see it one last time and were doing Seaworld because she wants to visit there as well.

I just can't get over the prices. He's not paying for our airfare. I just checked the prices leaving jfk to mco for our dates and it was OVER $600 each. I usually fly me and my two kids out for $600 roundtrip total for all 3 of us.

This is stressing me out. Its so expensive...everything is going to be crazy crowded .

I've never done a carnival cruise but I'm guessing its nothing special .

This just has disaster written all over it.

I'm not trying to be a debbie downer. I'm just not used to vacationing this way. I always vacation in September. I plan for a year in advance ...I get the best prices...low crowds etc.. this trip is very short noticed,expensive and I'm positive it will be crazy crowded.

Oh and the weather is sure to suck....its december we won't be able to swim.

Sent from my SPH-M930BST using DISBoards

 

[Marionnette]

My brother recently came into some money and he wants us to do a family vacation. Our mom is really sick with terminal cancer and she is also wanting a family vacation . She has even dreamed of it...I also had a dream of being on vacation and having fun. Its weird we both had that dream.

My mom is on chemo now and is in so much pain but she has good days sometimes so were hoping she will have some good days when its time to leave.

My brother only vacation days is during Christmas! I want to scream everytime I look at the prices . He has booked a 5 night Carnival cruise for all of us . I always vacation in September...so seeing that were paying four times more for the same thing we can experience much cheaper is driving me bonkers. He wants to do the parks as well...and its going to be so crowded. Were just doing Hollywood Studios because my mom loves Fantasmic and wants to see it one last time and were doing Seaworld because she wants to visit there as well.

I just can't get over the prices. He's not paying for our airfare. I just checked the prices leaving jfk to mco for our dates and it was OVER $600 each. I usually fly me and my two kids out for $600 roundtrip total for all 3 of us.

This is stressing me out. Its so expensive...everything is going to be crazy crowded .

I've never done a carnival cruise but I'm guessing its nothing special .

This just has disaster written all over it.

I'm not trying to be a debbie downer. I'm just not used to vacationing this way. I always vacation in September. I plan for a year in advance ...I get the best prices...low crowds etc.. this trip is very short noticed,expensive and I'm positive it will be crazy crowded.

Oh and the weather is sure to suck....its december we won't be able to swim.

Sent from my SPH-M930BST using DISBoards

I'm sorry about your mother. Cancer sucks. We're dealing with it in my family, too.

My advice: Let it go!
This trip isn't about you or your kids. It's about your mother. Go and have the best time possible. Skip next year's September vacation if the cost has you stressed out so much. But do Christmas with your mother while you can.

 

[kim929]

I totally understand having sticker shock on the prices for that time of year but your looking at it all wrong.

Having a family vacation with your mom is priceless.

The weather will be great because it's a day spent with your mom.

Yes the parks will be crowded, take the time waiting in line to talk your mom.

The cruise is going to really special because you are lucky enough to be on the cruise with your mom.

Every time you go back to Disneyworld your daughters are going to remember that special trip with their grandma.

Go have a great time, take millions of pictures one day your going to look at those pictures and say you are so glad you had that trip

 

[Traveliz]

My brother recently came into some money and he wants us to do a family vacation. Our mom is really sick with terminal cancer and she is also wanting a family vacation . She has even dreamed of it...I also had a dream of being on vacation and having fun. Its weird we both had that dream.

My mom is on chemo now and is in so much pain but she has good days sometimes so were hoping she will have some good days when its time to leave.

My brother only vacation days is during Christmas! I want to scream everytime I look at the prices . He has booked a 5 night Carnival cruise for all of us . I always vacation in September...so seeing that were paying four times more for the same thing we can experience much cheaper is driving me bonkers. He wants to do the parks as well...and its going to be so crowded. Were just doing Hollywood Studios because my mom loves Fantasmic and wants to see it one last time and were doing Seaworld because she wants to visit there as well.

I just can't get over the prices. He's not paying for our airfare. I just checked the prices leaving jfk to mco for our dates and it was OVER $600 each. I usually fly me and my two kids out for $600 roundtrip total for all 3 of us.

This is stressing me out. Its so expensive...everything is going to be crazy crowded .

I've never done a carnival cruise but I'm guessing its nothing special .

This just has disaster written all over it.

I'm not trying to be a debbie downer. I'm just not used to vacationing this way. I always vacation in September. I plan for a year in advance ...I get the best prices...low crowds etc.. this trip is very short noticed,expensive and I'm positive it will be crazy crowded.

Oh and the weather is sure to suck....its december we won't be able to swim.

Sent from my SPH-M930BST using DISBoards

Hmmm...well it will be a challenge for you but unless you get over this has a disaster written over it IT WILL be a disaster. I have traveled many times over Christmas (once with a group of ten) to WDW successfully. It just takes different planning. Yes it's more expensive, but brother can't go in September and your mom needs this time with her family now so has to be December.

I have cruised Carnival...it was fine. Thousands of people enjoy their Carnival cruises so it's certainly doesn't have to be bad.

See about getting the dinner pkg for Fantasmic to make that a bit easier.

And the weather is going to suck in December??? We have had many awesome weather days in December. It probably won't be 90 but middle of the day might be fine for swimming PLUS mom won't be able to handle the hot hot weather so cooler temps will be better for her.

I think you need to wrap your head around how to make this work and the advantages of the time rather than it's not what you are used to so it won't work.

Liz

 

[DebbieB]

I'm sorry about your mother. Cancer sucks. We're dealing with it in my family, too.

My advice: Let it go!
This trip isn't about you or your kids. It's about your mother. Go and have the best time possible. Skip next year's September vacation if the cost has you stressed out so much. But do Christmas with your mother while you can.

I agree. On Tuesday, it will be 9 years since my mom passed away. I'd pay anything for one more trip with her, even if it was the most crowded time of the year.

Your brother is paying everything except airfare? Why are you upset about the cost?

 

[dpswift]

I am sorry about your mother. Mine died 12 years when my youngest DS was a baby. Most likely in her case it is best not to wait until Sept. Like PP said this trip is about her.

As far as cruising the weather is better in December than Sept. It is colder but no hurricanes. I also cruise in Sept because of the cost. The weather has been hit or miss.

Carnival is not as bad as people say it is. There are tons of activities. The food is much better than on Disney cruises.

If your brother is paying and he is fine with the cost let it go and start planning. If you do not go or push it so far out that your mother cannot go you will never forgive yourself. It has been 12 years If I could turn back the clock and take a trip I would.

 

[TwoMisfits]

My brother recently came into some money and he wants us to do a family vacation. Our mom is really sick with terminal cancer and she is also wanting a family vacation . She has even dreamed of it...I also had a dream of being on vacation and having fun. Its weird we both had that dream.

My mom is on chemo now and is in so much pain but she has good days sometimes so were hoping she will have some good days when its time to leave.

My brother only vacation days is during Christmas! I want to scream everytime I look at the prices . He has booked a 5 night Carnival cruise for all of us . I always vacation in September...so seeing that were paying four times more for the same thing we can experience much cheaper is driving me bonkers. He wants to do the parks as well...and its going to be so crowded. Were just doing Hollywood Studios because my mom loves Fantasmic and wants to see it one last time and were doing Seaworld because she wants to visit there as well.

I just can't get over the prices. He's not paying for our airfare. I just checked the prices leaving jfk to mco for our dates and it was OVER $600 each. I usually fly me and my two kids out for $600 roundtrip total for all 3 of us.

This is stressing me out. Its so expensive...everything is going to be crazy crowded .

I've never done a carnival cruise but I'm guessing its nothing special .

This just has disaster written all over it.

I'm not trying to be a debbie downer. I'm just not used to vacationing this way. I always vacation in September. I plan for a year in advance ...I get the best prices...low crowds etc.. this trip is very short noticed,expensive and I'm positive it will be crazy crowded.

Oh and the weather is sure to suck....its december we won't be able to swim.

Sent from my SPH-M930BST using DISBoards

First, I think you need to take a moment and gain perspective. It's very, very hard to do so when you're dealing with a family member with terminal illness and lots of pain (I know).

At this point in time, the price for the trip is irrelevant, especially since your brother seems to be picking up the tab for almost the entire experience. It's his money and if he wants to have the family together one last time, no matter the cost, do it and thank him greatly for it. My brother did the same for all of us before my dad died, getting a beachfront condo in the peak of the summer season that cost him more than we ever paid (way more)...but it let my dad sit in a chair and see the beach and the smell the ocean one last time while he still could travel to do so. We each (all of my siblings and their familes) had to get there, but we'd have paid anything to be there...it was a thank you to my dad for all the years he had brought us to the same place...and it was his last trip.

The same brother and I (with my spouse) had done the same the year before (when my dad was 1st diagnosed 3 weeks before our Disney trip - he lived 17 months after his stage 4 diagnosis). We knew how sick he was and it was likely our last Disney trip with him (my parents had already paid for the trip before the diagnosis, so we still went), so we took our whole family to Wolfgang Puck's upper dining room for the Wienerschnitzel while my dad could still eat and enjoy it (it was his favorite food growing up). We were the only 2 younger family members with jobs (my dad died young, so we had lots of siblings in school) and it was very pricey for us at the time, but to this day, it was the best money I ever spent at the world. We all still talk about that restaurant and that dish with zero regrets - we are just thankful we got a chance to experience it with my dad. The only regret I would have had is if I didn't do it.

So, look at what you're giving your mom, rather than what you're giving up (money) for yourself...I think you'll find this trip to be the one you'll remember forever...

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Instead of worrying about how much this trip could or should cost, please consider any amount you spend as a gift from yourself to you and your children, to be able to spend this time with your Mom and your brother. This is not your normal September vacation and you should not think of it is this light.

There was a lot of "I" in those last paragraphs. I ask that you start thinking more of "We" for this trip. Instead of thinking of what the three of you would normally do in September, think of the look in your Mother's eyes as she watches her grand-children. Think of you, your Mom, and your brother reminiscing about old times as you stroll around.

It is these times and memories you will treasure later on, not the thought of the money you could have saved. I wish you and your family well, and sincerely hope that your time together in December exceeds your wildest expectations.

 

[robinb]

I mean this in the nicest possible way: it's not about you. It's about your mom and the enjoyment that she will have spending probably her last Christmas with her family. It's about the memories that your family will make and cherish in the years to come.

Let me address your points one-by-one:

(1) Airfare over Christmas sucks. Full stop. Try to look at alternative airports on both ends. What other airports are within 60-90 minutes of JFK? On the Florida end, Tampa, Daytona Beach and Jacksonville are fairly close. We fly into TPA all the time. Think about taking the kids out of school for a couple of days. Prices are lower prior to Dec 20th. This website will help your search: http://matrix.itasoftware.com/search.htm

(2) Carnival is no DCL, but it's JUST FINE. We took a 5-night cruise to Cozumel and back out of Tampa and it was fun. My DD was about 10 at the time and she really enjoyed the kids club. We enjoyed the adult only section. Take a gander at the price of a DCL cruise for the same time and you will be thanking your brother for choosing the more reasonable option. Cruisecritic.com will help your with your possible excursions.

(3) You're right, DHS will be crazy. Try to book a Fantasmic meal right now. Today. Luckily, Disney runs multiple Fantasmics per night so you will have more options. Plan your FP+ now too. If you're staying onsite (I assume not since you did not mention the heart attack inducing resort prices over Christmas) you can book them at 60 days. If you're staying offsite you can book at 30 days. I'm not a big fan of FP+ for me, but for your family it's perfect.

(4) Go over to the Sea World board for more help with those parks.

(5) You certainly CAN swim in December. We go around Christmas and New Year's every year and we swim every time. Heck, we even go to the water parks. Believe me, 50-70 degrees will feel like heaven to you once your leave the New York area. Speaking of which, you really must be prepared for any weather. We wear shorts and tanks tops one day and coats with stretchy gloves the next. The key is layering.

Take a deep breath. This trip will not be anything like a trip in September. It will be better since you will be spending it with your mom.

 

[xlxo]

I know a family with a similar situation...

• instead of stressful reservations.... they booked last minute when the chemo sideeffects were low.
• Christmas feels a long ways away at three months. I guess options is to
  -go independently sooner without the kids in school (cheaper and less crowded).
  -Take a chance where the reservations/costs may be abandoned for the Christmas trip. Do research cancellation policies.
  -Or have no reservations, but paying a premium when Christmas comes along if mom is strong
• Instead of waiting for Christmas, another option is to go on a smaller trip in the short term and then go Disney if the mom is still strong when Christmas comes along.

Pack a transporter chair along. Will come in handy to cover more ground when mom is tired.

Did a check on Google flights... if you are willing to adjust some dates. I see $402 flight from JFK to MCO departing Dec 21 and returning Jan 1. One stop at CLT.

 

[Shagley]

Right now you are placing a monetary value on your trip, but in a few years these memories with your Mom will be priceless.

 

[disneylove69]

A few years ago my mother had bone cancer and I took her on a 2 week trip of the East Coast ending with a Disney Cruise out of NY. The day before the cruise we ended up in a hospital in Boston. The doctors wanted her to stay a few days. We knew that there was nothing they could do for her and we are from California. The nurse convinced us to leave against medical advice as we all knew sitting in a hospital was not going to help and this would be the last vacation with her. We went on the cruise and she slept most of the time so we didn't get to do all that I planned but we did get to do a few things together. She died a few weeks after we got back. Don't worry about cost or crowds. If you only get on one ride and have to eat hot dogs because it is the shortest food line then do it. Take advantage of the handicap seating area for Fantasmic and other shows. Just relax and enjoy the sights and smells around you and the time you have with family.

 

[mjkacmom]

I hope he bought trip insurance, especially for the cruise, as this would be a pre-existing condition. Without insurance, canceling the cruise after finalnpayment will result in zero refunds close to sailing. Sorry about your mom.

 

[bethy]

I'm sorry about your mother. Cancer sucks. We're dealing with it in my family, too.

My advice: Let it go!
This trip isn't about you or your kids. It's about your mother. Go and have the best time possible. Skip next year's September vacation if the cost has you stressed out so much. But do Christmas with your mother while you can.

Wise words spoken here. You just have to come to terms with and accept that this is a different kind of vacation. Do not even try and make it the same vacation you and your immediate family would normally take in September. It's really, really OK and WORTH IT to you and your family for this vacation to be different.

This vacation is not a reflection on you personally or on your budgeting prowess.

Also, you are not paying more money for the EXACT same thing. You are paying more money for the privilege of travelling when the whole family can go, and during the holidays and while your mom can still travel. And you are paying more money because you are planning last minute because you need to do it while your mom can still travel. Some things in life are worth a higher price.

 

[okeydokey]

I wouldn't even think twice of the cost. It would be the last trip with an ailing parent. A parent who wants this is a last wish. I would thank my brother profusely for helping make this happen for Mom and just go.

 

[Sparkly]

Right now you are placing a monetary value on your trip, but in a few years these memories with your Mom will be priceless.

Exactly. You can't put a price on memories.

Go, have a wonderful time. You won't regret the trip, no matter the price.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Can you afford it or would the cost be a hardship? If so, maybe only going on part of the trip would help.

Is there any way your brother could try and get time off in November? Sometimes employers understand with life situations like this, and then the prices would be better...

 

[eliza61]

I lost my birth mom when I was very young, my dad was blessed to find another wonderful "mom" for us.

When she was diagnoised with terminal lung cancer from smoking she too wanted a family vacation.

I took out a 5000 loan to go. I do not ever, ever regret spending that week with my entire family.

fast forward to 2012 when I lost my darling husband to leukemia. Ask me or my sons how much money we would give to have one more Disney trip with him what hardship we'd endure.
Most people don't get the chance to spend quality time with a love one who's dying. You do. go make the most of this time

Change your perspective and you'll change how you feel.

 

[Pamlur]

I have some friends who have done several world cruises on Regent, one of the most expensive luxury cruise lines out there. They cruise a couple of times a year on Carnival, and love every minute of it. Perspective can mean a lot.

 

[mom2alix]

You know when you come to the Budget Board and everyone here tells you it's okay to spend money in this case....well, it's time to "let it go".

Enjoy the trip with your mom. Maybe cut back on what you would have spent on Christmas gifts and tell the kids that the trip is their gift. That should make up some of the difference.

I've always been told that when you get to the end of your life the regrets you have won't be about the things you did, but about the things you didn't do. Don't let your inner budgeteer keep your inner mouseketeer from fully enjoying this chance to have a great family trip.

I hope your mom has great health for your trip and that you make many magical memories.