The Christmas Trip That Never Was...

[Huskerfamilyof5]

As you can see by our ticker, we planned on going to WDW in December with our 3 DD and my husbands parents. My husbands parents were paying for the trip as their 50th Wedding Anniv. present. My DH is an only child.

Today was our 45th day to pay the balance and we just learned that our in-laws cancelled the whole trip due to economic reasons. I am not sure how or when to tell our DDs. We have talked about this for almost a year and had our countdown going.

I know a lot of people are hurting financially including us, as we started our own business this year and it has not taken off as we would have liked. So now we have had to file for bankruptcy this week and are doing everything possible to keep our home . I know some may say that they made the right decision, but we have lived for most of the year very, very, very conservatively and this trip was the only thing we had to look forward too.

When we told my husbands parents that, they informed us that we were too obsessed by the trip. Their only experience with WDW was back in 1977. As they were told we had so many reservations made associated with our reservation number when they cancelled. We have repeatedly told them that due to the time of the year, you must make dinning reservations and my husband and I just wanted to make this most memorable trip for all 7 of us. We both are aware that some come to WDW with little or no planning, however, with a group of 7 not planning would have been a recipe for disaster.

Needless to say, we are still very shocked and hurt by their decision. I know the girls will be devastated and heartbroken.

For now we will have to live through those of you who will be in the parks during that time and we will now begin to Dream about the next time we can plan a trip to WDW.

At this time we ask for your encouraging words, thoughts, prayers and some Disney Magic as we break the news to our 3 DD.

BTW we have 4 tickets to MVMCP for December 9, 2008 that we won't be using. I am not sure what the policy is about selling items on the boards, but if you are interested, please pm me. Thanks

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Unfortunately, you'll have people here who will say since you are having financial issues, you shouldn't be thinking about going anyways..
BUT....I understand that being the ONE thing you had to look forward to. I'm sorry you have to break this news to your daughters

Have each kid start a piggybank and talk about saving for a future trip. Best wishes to you and your family!!

 

[kpm76]

Wow, I am really sorry to hear this. It's too bad that your in-laws did not consult you before cancelling. I know they were paying and therefore it was their call, but they have to know that there were 3 kids who were really excited about the trip. I don't really have any advise on how to break it to the kids....our DD is still a baby so I have no experience but wish you lots of luck and hope your business takes off in 2009

 

[EthansMom]

It sounds as if your ILs handled things badly.

I'm sorry your trip had to be cancelled. WDW will still be there when things turn around for you!

 

[rie'smom]

Your inlaws should have at least told you beforehand that they were cancelling the trip.

Are they planning to help your family finanacially and they figured the money was better spent that way?

Are they financially secure or are they having difficulties too?

What ever the reason, I'm sorry that your girls will be disappointed.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

That really sucks, but probably for the best. Maybe their plan is to actually going to give you the money they would have spent to help you out, and that money will sure help when you are struggling. I am guessing the trip would be no less than 5 grand, and that is a nice chunk of change to have in your account right now in lieu of a trip.

 

[Magic Mom]

Needless to say, we are still very shocked and hurt by their decision. I know the girls will be devastated and heartbroken.

For now we will have to live through those of you who will be in the parks during that time and we will now begin to Dream about the next time we can plan a trip to WDW.

We also had to cancel a WD trip just last month. It was hard, and the kids were disappointed and sad, but they weren't devastated. They understood that things happen. I'm sure your kids will bounce right back, so don't stress to much about it.
It definaitely sucks to have to cancel a vacation, but considering the economy and your situation, maybe it was for the best. Your inlaws were probably just concerned about money like most of us are. Maybe instead, you can take the kids for some fun daytrips to close by attractions, those kind of days can be just as memorable and special to kids as big expensive trips.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Sorry for the disappointment, but under the current financial situation you describe, it does sound to be the best idea. If I'm reading correctly, the trip (gift) was in celebration for THEM, and they were the ones paying for it. The trip was not for your family exactly. I think they made the right call. Your family wasn't celebrating a 50th anniversary & wouldn't be receiving a gift anyway.

Set a good example & explain it as a good decision (under the circumstances) to your children. Disney will ALWAYS be there. You can go later when everyone has the money.

 

[luvsJack]

Lots of I am so sorry and really, really hate this for you and your children.

I think, if it was me; I would tell them with a plan in place for a new trip. Even if it is a couple of years from now. Not making reservations but talking to them about going at such and such time and "we need to save for it". We have a big, glass pickle jar with a Mickey head drawn on and everyone puts their change in it. Even full it wouldn't pay for the trip, but I used our "loose change" to pay the deposit on our trip, and then we start filling it up again to use for souvinears or gas going down. You may can't even set an exact date for now, but just let them decide which season they would rather go in (if there is a choice). I think getting them started planning a new, future trip would help some with the disappoint of canceling. You may want to find some things that you wouldn't have been able to include this time that they would enjoy and want to save toward including in the future trip. When we had to put off planning our last trip for one more year, I told dd about all the character meals and Cirque Solei (sp?) show we could do if we waited, this got her on board for waiting a bit longer.

 

[jenny105]

Wow, I'm sorry.

They didn't even tell you they were thinking about cancelling? Not even a thought to discuss it? That's terrible Especially since your DDs were looking forward to it so much! I think they should be the ones to break the news since it was their decision!

We have a big, glass pickle jar with a Mickey head drawn on and everyone puts their change in it. Even full it wouldn't pay for the trip, but I used our "loose change" to pay the deposit on our trip, and then we start filling it up again to use for souvinears or gas going down.

I do this too! It really works. I'm always shocked to learn how much the change adds up.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

How disappointing! Especially having to disappoint children. It is very difficult. I'm sorry to hear you have tough times. Hopefully you can look forward to a Disney vacation in the future.

 

[minniecarousel]

I'm confused - why did they cancel? Because of their financial problem, or yours?

I hope everything works out for you. A failed business and filing bankrupcy is very stressful. Hang in there.

 

[clarabelle]

I am so sorry
I think your kids will take their cue from you. If you allow them to be sad -but don't carry on too much -they won't either.
Also at Christmas you could try some little inexpensive ways to keep them busy. Church activities if you you are religious. Looking at lights, drinking hot chocolate, singing carols.
I wish you the best and hope everything turns out all right for you.

 

[C.Ann]

It was terribly insensitive of them to do this without letting you know ahead of time.. I really, really don't understand that part of it..

I agree - it's going to be difficult telling your girls - but considering your current financial situation, it may be for the best.. (Assuming that there was some portion of this trip that you were going to have to pay for: food; souveniers; etc.)..

However, I would be so upset that the IL's gave you absolutely no warning, I would be inclined to tell them to break the news to the kids.. That was wrong of them - totally wrong..

 

[SplshMtn99]

I've been giving this a little more thought since my parents are about the same age to your IL's I would guess.

These people are depression-era babies. In the last month, I'm sure many of them have lost a lot of money (to them anyway) that they NEED to live on. It's probably very scary times to them.

I called my parents about 2 weeks ago to make sure they would be ok & to make sure they hadn't lost too much. Luckily, the money they need to live on isn't in those accounts, but it IS the money they need for those long term extras like cars, home repairs & medical issues. With the money my parents lost recently, I can certainly understand them not wanting to take a trip for themselves, let alone have to pay for my family. I would completely support that decision. Heck, if they didn't come up with it, I would have talked them into cancelling the trip. People of that age group need that money. They don't know how long they have to live & it needs to last. There is no more income for them.

Be supportive to them. I'm sure they are very scared about the economy because they've seen the likes of this before and may be thinking how much worse it could get. I'm not saying it will, I'm just thinking this is probably what they are thinking being of that generation. Time to buckle down with the money.

 

[beckmrk04]

I know it's hard to have to cancel a trip, and even harder to disappoint kids. But, be as open as possible that right now things are tough financially- for everyone. And sometimes we have to weather a bit of storm before we see the sun shine again.

WDW isn't going anywhere anytime soon. So, start planning! Get your kids involved in ways you can save money for a trip. It may take a while, but it's something you can all do together and your DDs will learn a valuable lesson about patience, money, and responsibility. I know it's hard, but do try to make the best of it. It will get better.

 

[4nana]

How very disappointing for you and your family . Even tho the economics are looking bleak, how sad to have your hopes up so long and grandparents canceling with no warning. I'm sure they were looking forward to celebrating their 50th ann. w/family and yes they could have handled it better, but they are probably very disappointed too.

Even tho you had high hopes, perhaps with everything going on financially it is not the best time and a blessing in disguise. I have had to improvise many times when money was tight, perhaps you can do something special for the kids locally - lots of fun entertaining things to do this time of year w/o a lot of money. Remember, God doesn't shut one door without opening another. Sending prayers things look up for you and that WDW is on the horizon sometime in the future.

 

[powellrj]

When we told my husbands parents that, they informed us that we were too obsessed by the trip. Their only experience with WDW was back in 1977. As they were told we had so many reservations made associated with our reservation number when they cancelled. We have repeatedly told them that due to the time of the year, you must make dinning reservations and my husband and I just wanted to make this most memorable trip for all 7 of us. We both are aware that some come to WDW with little or no planning, however, with a group of 7 not planning would have been a recipe for disaster.

If I am reading your post correctly, your In-laws were paying for the trip and you had made reservations without consulting them first? I know if my kids made reservations for things they expected me to pay for without asking me first, I too would cancel the whole trip without asking them. Sorry, but the trip is a wonderful gift, I would never expect anyone to pay for tableservice meals for my family if they didn't make the reservations themselves. I think asking works both ways.

 

[Tinker74]

If I am reading your post correctly, your In-laws were paying for the trip and you had made reservations without consulting them first? I know if my kids made reservations for things they expected me to pay for without asking me first, I too would cancel the whole trip without asking them. Sorry, but the trip is a wonderful gift, I would never expect anyone to pay for tableservice meals for my family if they didn't make the reservations themselves. I think asking works both ways.

She never said her in laws were paying for all meals...i took it as The OP was paying her own spends and meals...but the inlaws were paying for the accomadiation and flights or travel. Thats what I think anyway.

 

[JessicaR]

If I am reading your post correctly, your In-laws were paying for the trip and you had made reservations without consulting them first? I know if my kids made reservations for things they expected me to pay for without asking me first, I too would cancel the whole trip without asking them. Sorry, but the trip is a wonderful gift, I would never expect anyone to pay for tableservice meals for my family if they didn't make the reservations themselves. I think asking works both ways.

I didn't jump to that conclusion at all. Just because dining reservations were made there was no mention that the parents were paying for the meal. Maybe they have the dining plan too.

To the OP, I feel so sad that your trip was cancelled. Like others have said start planning now for the next one! The kids will understand they are resilient. I don't think it was very nice or fair for the parents to just cancel without at least discussing it first. I know the disappointment you must feel and for that I am truly sorry.