The I am a pirate/fireman, I am not a hijacker thread, all about nothing in general

[areweindisneyyet]

We went out to dinner on Friday night to an Italian restaurant that was located in an Italian food warehouse. Very authentic and all waiters Italian etc. On one wall, they had a huge flat screen T.V. showing a travel pictorial of Italy which of course would make anyone want to go to Italy. So that got DD14 harping on about why on earth do I want to go back to WDW when instead we would go to Italy. She's been studying it in history and would love to visit plus apparently is very keen to visit a different continent (on that basis, a trip to Africa would be great too she says).

I said that yes while I would love to take them to Europe and, whilst the airfares to get us there would be similar to what it costs us to get to Orlando, it would cost us 3 times as much to feed our family there and probably 2-3 times as much for accommodation (and my sister has since reminded me that I should have mentioned to DD that she wouldn't be bargain shopping in Europe like she has enjoyed in the U.S.). DD11 is my buddy who is keen to do WDW again and DD7 is sitting on the fence. DH would probably prefer Europe but will go with the flow I expect (he does understand how happy WDW makes me). He prefers not to repeat holidays and, although he and I have been to Europe pre-kids, he would enjoy visiting different places as well as seeing the places we have already been through the children's eyes. I too normally preferred not to repeat holidays (with the exception of Castaway Island ) but, now I have done our WDW etc holiday, I have found a holiday I could do again and again given the chance.

So, either trip is just a dream at the moment but I'm a person that has to have a current travel dream on the go and so now this is giving me a bit of a headache!

I don't expect any replies, just needed to vent

DD13 was asking what I was doing on my IPAD on the weekend. I told her secret mum's business. I was Christmas shopping on line and her reply was, OH you are organising my ticket to come to Italy again with you.

She loves the history side of it. She read a great series of books based in ancient Rome and we visited Ostia, Pompeii and of course time in Rome and she just loved it and would go back tomorrow. This is a girl who only wanted to go to Paris but I think she would pick Rome over Paris. We were looking at the Rosetta Stone on Friday in London and on Monday in class she got asked what this picture was and it was the Rosetta Stone! DD2 was nine we went and I would not have taken her any earlier. Sometimes I think we need to plan to the youngest child.

We took the girls to Europe for 4 weeks last year and they really enjoyed it. You can't really compare to a Disney holiday. The serve a different purpose to a degree. I am starting to toss around a special trip with each of the girls one on one when they turn 16 to a destination of their choice (that or they go on the school trip to France). Europe accommodation wise is hard even with 2 children in finding rooms let alone five but I have found some good ones around the place without being to pricey. The accor groups second room 50% off for families also comes in handy when desperate.

 

[Travel Mum]

DD13 was asking what I was doing on my IPAD on the weekend. I told her secret mum's business. I was Christmas shopping on line and her reply was, OH you are organising my ticket to come to Italy again with you.

She loves the history side of it. She read a great series of books based in ancient Rome and we visited Ostia, Pompeii and of course time in Rome and she just loved it and would go back tomorrow. This is a girl who only wanted to go to Paris but I think she would pick Rome over Paris. We were looking at the Rosetta Stone on Friday in London and on Monday in class she got asked what this picture was and it was the Rosetta Stone! DD2 was nine we went and I would not have taken her any earlier. Sometimes I think we need to plan to the youngest child.

We took the girls to Europe for 4 weeks last year and they really enjoyed it. You can't really compare to a Disney holiday. The serve a different purpose to a degree. I am starting to toss around a special trip with each of the girls one on one when they turn 16 to a destination of their choice (that or they go on the school trip to France). Europe accommodation wise is hard even with 2 children in finding rooms let alone five but I have found some good ones around the place without being to pricey. The accor groups second room 50% off for families also comes in handy when desperate.

Thanks so much for your advice. I think you are right about having to plan for the youngest child. Ours is currently 7, although almost 8, so can't imagine a Europe trip, like your fantastic one, would be so great for her right now but maybe in a couple of years would be okay. I do think the children get so much more out of it if they have aready studied, a bit of what you will be seeing, in school. DD14 is actually sitting her History exam today and Pompeii is part of it! I also love the idea of taking each girl on a one-on-one holiday when they are 16 however am nervous to offer it as not sure financially we could afford it for all of them. I'd be worried about the situation of giving it to DD1 and then finding we didn't have enought $$$ when the other two 16th birthdays came around . My parents did it for me and my sisters though, except it was a one-on-one trip with our Dad. Dad and I went to New York (however, we were living in L.A. at the time) and it's a great memory.

Yes, the prospect of finding affordable accomodation for my family of five in Europe terrifies me! Thanks for the tip on the Accor hotels though

 

[Travel Mum]

Maybe you could have two trips on the horizon.

Hmm, I wish but, er, sadly I'm sadly Ms Shuttergirl or Shushh

Just. print. more. money.

Oh great idea, could you please teach me how to do that Princess?

 

[Travel Mum]

Travelmum, is your dd not persuaded by the thought of NYC - is it the US in general or disney that she doesnt want to do? from what I have read, she would not be the first teenager to become too cool for Disney, usually they grow out of it and come back to the fold, but unfortunately you will have two more teens following her. I am sure she would love NYC though.

What about travelling with your SIL and her cousin again, and the two older girls could have a bit of independence? Maybe being in the same park but letting them walk around a bit on their own, I know it's a big ask of another family, with their own finances and plans to consider.

She is probably feeling a little too grown up for Disney and unfortunately you are going to have to accept that if you go again when she is sixteen or seventeen, then she is not going to be the same girl she was at thirteen, and it will be a different type of trip. When I was planning I was gutted that my family flatly refused to do any character meals, or have any photos with characters.. But there are some other great options. I did manage to get a coup,e of character photos, but only if there was no line.

I know your plans are only dreams at this stage, but would you include a cruise again?

Well Battymum, I was so sure that offering NYC in addition to WDW would have been the perfect carrot to get her to happily come back with us and therefore, as you know, I was extremely shocked with her re-action when I brought this up with her a few weeks ago. First of all she said she'd meet us in NY and not come to WDW but then she changed and said that no she just wouldnt come at all. I can't work out if she's serious. One the one hand, it would make be very sad to go on a family trip without her but, on the other hand, if I wasn't limited to her high school holidays and went before DD11 hits those important years, I'd be able to go back any time of the year!!

Going again with SIL and DN14 is a good idea but I don't think SIL is or will be in the financial position to do it again (or course who know's whether I will be either )

Yes, as my plans are only at dream stage, I would most certainly include another cruise!!!

 

[Travel Mum]

3 little words!
school language trip...

so get her to do italian at school and then she'll get to go on the italy trip in yr 11 or 12....while you continue to do the WDW trips for the benefit of the little ones

problem solved

Apparently at DD's high school, it is the Year 12 Classics class that goes to Italy so feasibly, since she is taking History this year and next year, she could do Classics in Year 12. However I think I'd prefer that she choses to do the subjects that might be heading towards her career choice rather than to just get a trip to Italy Who knows I guess though, Classics may be the way she will head.

The problem though is that I am "Travel"Mum and I want to have my cake and to eat it too. If DD goes to Italy as a teenager I want to be the one to take her.

 

[Marlea98]

which boards are they...i'm looking for a giggle today

Cruise forum titled 'just spent a terrifying night on the fantasy' or something like that. I don't want to dismiss the experiences of the cruisers, but the back seat captains who weren't onboard are worth a bit of a laugh The damage done onboard would be huge though.

 

[Marlea98]

DD wants to do the Japan tour at school when she's old enough but I'm the one trying to convince her to do the Italy one so I can go as the parent helper

 

[becpee]

Cruise forum titled 'just spent a terrifying night on the fantasy' or something like that. I don't want to dismiss the experiences of the cruisers, but the back seat captains who weren't onboard are worth a bit of a laugh The damage done onboard would be huge though.

I saw that one too did see some photo's of the cleanup as well

I think i'd appreciate the 25% offered to the onboard cruisers who had the experience at the end

I was doing a bit of reading today about Hurricane Sandy and it looks like it could end up bad, or maybe after New Orleans they just don't want to leave anything to chance.


In other news (mine) I got word today that I may be offered an assistant dept manager position, more money, more hours...(more holiday spending money) but lets see what happens. I got told in confidence just so I wasn't not prepared for it but I got told to "act surprised"
Lets hope for good things


In other, other news (mine also) I made an appointment with an interior designer from Laura Ashley (there goes my payrise if I get the position )

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Thanks so much for your advice. I think you are right about having to plan for the youngest child. Ours is currently 7, although almost 8, so can't imagine a Europe trip, like your fantastic one, would be so great for her right now but maybe in a couple of years would be okay. I do think the children get so much more out of it if they have aready studied, a bit of what you will be seeing, in school. DD14 is actually sitting her History exam today and Pompeii is part of it! I also love the idea of taking each girl on a one-on-one holiday when they are 16 however am nervous to offer it as not sure financially we could afford it for all of them. I'd be worried about the situation of giving it to DD1 and then finding we didn't have enought $$$ when the other two 16th birthdays came around . My parents did it for me and my sisters though, except it was a one-on-one trip with our Dad. Dad and I went to New York (however, we were living in L.A. at the time) and it's a great memory.

Yes, the prospect of finding affordable accomodation for my family of five in Europe terrifies me! Thanks for the tip on the Accor hotels though

DD2 told me it wont be the same foe her as DD1 will have already left home and we will have heaps of one on one time. She is far to old and wise. I am like you jealous of the school trips, I want to go too!

 

[battymum]

Travelmum,

I am sure they do it to be cantankerous.

As you know I have broached the subject of a one on one trip with DD and she is not at all interested - yes she will go to humor me, but would rather I buy her a car!!

To be honest I would rather take my mum, who will never have the money to travel like that and would appreciate it a lot more!! I just dont think I could sell that to DH.

I am finding there is quite a bit of pressure to buy DD a car, which I am fighting against,- oh but it is wearing me down!!!

Like you, we have to think about what we can afford, (really - none of it!!!) and what we offer to one, we have to do for all three, and our boys are twins and only two years behind. Actually the boys would be more a two on one trip with Dad, and like I am going to let that happen without me!!!


Bugger it, I think DH and I should go on our own!!!

 

[becpee]

Bugger it, I think DH and I should go on our own!!!

DING DING!!
We have a winner!

Easy!

 

[australiankaren]

I saw that one too did see some photo's of the cleanup as well

I think i'd appreciate the 25% offered to the onboard cruisers who had the experience at the end

I was doing a bit of reading today about Hurricane Sandy and it looks like it could end up bad, or maybe after New Orleans they just don't want to leave anything to chance.


In other news (mine) I got word today that I may be offered an assistant dept manager position, more money, more hours...(more holiday spending money) but lets see what happens. I got told in confidence just so I wasn't not prepared for it but I got told to "act surprised"
Lets hope for good things


In other, other news (mine also) I made an appointment with an interior designer from Laura Ashley (there goes my payrise if I get the position )

on the new, secret and highly classified job that you dont have (((act surprised wink wink)))))

 

[battymum]

DING DING!!
We have a winner!

Easy!

Dang it, when does maternal guilt ever leave!!!

 

[becpee]

Dang it, when does maternal guilt ever leave!!!

Probably never! Stuff it, go anyway!

 

[becpee]

Pottery Barn have half price shipping to Australia at the moment

 

[5ofus]

Travel mum, when I was 15, I was sooooo incredibly moody and contrary. If my father (for some reason i was worse toward him than mum) said something was black, I'd swear blind it was white. I won a cruise on the Fairstar at that age (giving away my age I think!), and didn't speak to him for the entire two weeks! Quite a feat when you are sharing a tiny cabin and dining together. My point is, your DD might THINK she's serious, but it could just be those weird teenage hormones.

Hmmm I think I'll head over to the cruise forum, I need some cheering up!

I'm feeling sad and poor today . Some big bills have come in again and my medical treatments are taking up a huge chunk of our tiny disposable income. I've got to work up the courage to tell my chiro/osteo that I won't be back for a few weeks because I simply can't afford it. I'm such a wuss about these things!

 

[Travel Mum]

Travel mum, when I was 15, I was sooooo incredibly moody and contrary. If my father (for some reason i was worse toward him than mum) said something was black, I'd swear blind it was white. I won a cruise on the Fairstar at that age (giving away my age I think!), and didn't speak to him for the entire two weeks! Quite a feat when you are sharing a tiny cabin and dining together. My point is, your DD might THINK she's serious, but it could just be those weird teenage hormones.!

Thanks so much for sharing that 5ofus. I really do wonder if she is serious about not coming or is just being an annoying teenager and enjoying my shocked/upset reaction.

Hmmm I think I'll head over to the cruise forum, I need some cheering up!

I know what you mean because, when I need cheering up, I go to EasyWDW and read Josh's blog while pretending to myself that we are going back to WDW soon!

I'm feeling sad and poor today . Some big bills have come in again and my medical treatments are taking up a huge chunk of our tiny disposable income. I've got to work up the courage to tell my chiro/osteo that I won't be back for a few weeks because I simply can't afford it. I'm such a wuss about these things!

Oh I am so sorry to hear that

 

[Travel Mum]

Travelmum,

I am sure they do it to be cantankerous.

As you know I have broached the subject of a one on one trip with DD and she is not at all interested - yes she will go to humor me, but would rather I buy her a car!!

I am finding there is quite a bit of pressure to buy DD a car, which I am fighting against,- oh but it is wearing me down!!!

Oh Battymum, I didn't see that one coming! Thanks for the warning though!

To be honest I would rather take my mum, who will never have the money to travel like that and would appreciate it a lot more!! I just dont think I could sell that to DH.

Oh wouldn't that be so lovely for your Mum but I can see how it would be hard to sell to DH - I'd be in the same situation.

Like you, we have to think about what we can afford, (really - none of it!!!) and what we offer to one, we have to do for all three, and our boys are twins and only two years behind. Actually the boys would be more a two on one trip with Dad, and like I am going to let that happen without me!!!


Bugger it, I think DH and I should go on our own!!!

Yes, since our 3 girls are each spaced 3 years apart, it is impossible to predict where we will be financially either 3 or 6 years after DD1 turns 16. So it's very risky to give her something worth that much without the confidence to know that we could do it for the others. And for sure, if I was you, I'd want to go on your sons' Dad trip too! Ideally I'd like to be able to give each daughter a trip with just DH and I but that's even more $$ and then we have the issue of who would look after the other two while we were away.

 

[5ofus]

Thanks Travelmum, I'm feeling better now. My chiro was great, just said he'd give me extra exercises at our last appt on Thurs. .to make matters worse though, my Health Fund has maxed out so I have to pay totally out of pocket for said appt! That's going to hurt!

I'm trying to look at the bigger picture though, DH and I live paycheck to paycheck by choice. By doing this we manage to squirrel away money for our trips, as well as paying off half of our home loan in the past eight years. We could loosen up if we need to, so it isn't like we are on the breadline!

 

[becpee]

Cruise forum titled 'just spent a terrifying night on the fantasy' or something like that. I don't want to dismiss the experiences of the cruisers, but the back seat captains who weren't onboard are worth a bit of a laugh The damage done onboard would be huge though.

I read a little of the thread in question, DisneyCruiseLine are pretty much damned if they do and damned if they don't.
Whatever decision they made people were going to be unhappy, it's human nature.