To Disney or not to Disney.... - we do Disney!

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Just an FYI, OP. Even though you have pre-paid to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table, you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead of time and your credit card will be refunded.

 

[scrapquitler]

That is the question right now. We have booked and planned a dream holiday in Florida this summer. 4 weeks of sun, fun and Disney. Flight and accommodation already paid for. Charactermeals are booked. Only thing remaining is telling the kids, who are 4 and 8 yrs old.

All good. We thought. 2 weeks ago when my DH finally gets the operation he has been waiting for for years. A cornea transplant. Operation went fine, but swimming is off for a long time. OK; we will just have to live without the water parks. Can do that.
So, today my DH is told that he will loose his job. Not good. Unemployment benefits are good, so no immediate threat to our day to day finances, but 4 weeks in Florida now when the dollar is at a all time high?! Well, that seems rather tricky.

So now I am desperately looking into ways in which we can make it a budget holiday. Tickets to Disney cost what they cost. That leaves us with food and car rental to save money on. We must have a car. And want to book with a reliable company, that offers safe cars and all insurance we need. Any ideas if there are other places to look than Avis, National and Hertz?

And food. We are staying in a apartment, so we will definitely eat in most of the time. Most of my already planned character meals might have to be canceled, that's ok. Lunch at the castle is already paid for, so that stays.
But where do we do our grocery shopping at affordable prices? Is walmart the place to go?
And when we want to eat out, but not spend a fortune - where do we go? Kids eat everything. Not too big a fan of typical fast-food places, but if money is tight we might have to give that a try also.

DD4 is in to princess stuff, and we planned on getting her a treat at BBB, like DD8 did when we last visited. They probably both would like it, although DD8 is too big for princess stuff now. Is it OK to bring your own dress? Last time we spent about $150 if I remember correctly in BBB on full costume etc; but DD really preferred the fancy princess nightgowns (!) we bought elsewhere. So maybe we can still go there, but not do the full package, but still have the experience?

Other good ideas on how to save money on a trip to Orlando?

I would probably say that you should cancel the trip, but if it's already paid for and possibly not refundable, I'm going to say still go, but go bare bones.

Spend less days in the park if you have not already purchased tickets, and do some internet research about inexpensive other things to do in the area (a day trip to the beach for just the cost of gas, for example). You might find some childrens museum admissions or other kinds of activities by purchasing some things on Groupon or Living Social.

Eat at the apartment/condo you have rented. Walmart is inexpensive. Try some American recipes that you've never made before and have the kids help you cook them. Grill or BBQ at the house if there's a grill there and make it fun to just hang out with the family. Remember that even if you stayed home, you'd still have to eat. You probably know how to cook inexpensively at home, do it in the apartment.

I would skip BBB, I think it's very expensive and $150 can go a long way toward other parts of your trip. Look into the option of the Harmony Barbershop. I've not been there, but apparently you can get some kind of glittery hairdo for like $12 or $15. Bring your own dress, take your own pictures, and you've got $135 to spend going to do something else.

 

[m86]

I can see the OP is from Norway, and being from Norway myself, and now living in the Netherlands, I can understand OP very well. You must all understand that western Europe and the US is very different when it comes to the Job market and social security. Unemployment benefits are very good. Also, taking 4 weeks of vacation is completely Normal - actually most employers will force you to take 3 weeks to meet demand in lower demand periods. If I was in the OPs situation, I would go myself. Also one of you wrote that the taxes are like 50 % - this is untrue. Taxes in Norway generally are 27 %, but with high deductions for everyone.

 

[Colargol]

WE WILL GO!!!!!!
Husband got new job, and not only is the pay great, but they are also happy to let him have 4 weeks off this summer, even if he starts his new job just weeks before we go.

So, now I am super busy making plans. Need to figure out FP+, how many suitcases to bring, getting passport to the youngest kid, what clothes to wear for our long flight..... - I will most certainly have enough on my mind the coming few weeks!
Kind of let the planning go when there was so much insecurity whether we'd go or not. Haven't even told the kids about it yet.

But we will do Disney this summer!!! I am so incredibly happy - and busy ;-)

(And although new job is secured, and pay is good, we will still do the trip budget-style, so right now I am making notes of all the good advice I was given by you guys. Thanks!)

 

[mommasita]

That is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

Love to hear great news... Happy Planning..

 

[PollyannaMom]

That's wonderful! Congrats to your DH on his new job, and have a great time!!

 

[elaine amj]

Congrats!!

 

[Firsttimer15]

Don't you have a travel insurance? Ours pays when you loose a job. I wouldn't go. App and airfare are not the biggest costs. The money might be needed at some other time when he cannot find a new job quickly.
I am sure there are some Kind of parks where you live to take the kids.
Just cancelled our trip as well bc of an accident. So I know how it feels to tell kids. Of course they will live and there are far worse things that could happen.
Think about his transplant, it is a pre existing condition. What if he needs to See a doc? Then you'll have problems. No insurance covers it and the prices in the US ... Risk to loose sight is Disney worth so much? Did the doc clear him for travel anyway?Rollercoasters?
Be the responsible adult ... Just my 5 Cents

 

[Planogirl]

Don't you have a travel insurance? Ours pays when you loose a job. I wouldn't go. App and airfare are not the biggest costs. The money might be needed at some other time when he cannot find a new job quickly.
I am sure there are some Kind of parks where you live to take the kids.
Just cancelled our trip as well bc of an accident. So I know how it feels to tell kids. Of course they will live and there are far worse things that could happen.
Think about his transplant, it is a pre existing condition. What if he needs to See a doc? Then you'll have problems. No insurance covers it and the prices in the US ... Risk to loose sight is Disney worth so much? Did the doc clear him for travel anyway?Rollercoasters?
Be the responsible adult ... Just my 5 Cents

Read some of the other posts. This is a Norwegian and things are quite a bit different from what we are used to.

 

[scrapquitler]

Congratulations to your husband on his new job! Have a great trip!

 

[AlohaNow]

So glad to hear of your happy update! Have an AMAZING trip!!!

 

[Firsttimer15]

Read some of the other posts. This is a Norwegian and things are quite a bit different from what we are used to.

I did read it. I am quite familiar with how things work in Norway bc I am not an American but European. I have a comfortable Bank account, a new House, no debt and also unemployment benefits just like Norway and in my field I would always find a new Job but I still would not Do a luxury trip bc one day all the money could be used up and the Money that was spend in vacation could be Needed.
But Europeans have a different approach on money spending and saving.
I would Never vacation if I could Not pay for it straight out of Pocket

 

[SLP958]

Wonderful!

 

[NewRVLady]

I did read it. I am quite familiar with how things work in Norway bc I am not an American but European. I have a comfortable Bank account, a new House, no debt and also unemployment benefits just
like Norway and in my field I would always find a new Job but I still would not Do a luxury trip bc one day all the money could be used up and the Money that was spend in vacation could be Needed.

I actually agree with this
Unless the OP has 6 months salary saved for emergencies-I would NOT do a long vacation right after getting hired. Also question an employer allowing this. I could see a week-but NOT a month. i'd worry about job security and making a good impression in new job.

 

[Colargol]

Don't you have a travel insurance? Ours pays when you loose a job. I wouldn't go. App and airfare are not the biggest costs. The money might be needed at some other time when he cannot find a new job quickly.
I am sure there are some Kind of parks where you live to take the kids.
Just cancelled our trip as well bc of an accident. So I know how it feels to tell kids. Of course they will live and there are far worse things that could happen.
Think about his transplant, it is a pre existing condition. What if he needs to See a doc? Then you'll have problems. No insurance covers it and the prices in the US ... Risk to loose sight is Disney worth so much? Did the doc clear him for travel anyway?Rollercoasters?
Be the responsible adult ... Just my 5 Cents

I did read it. I am quite familiar with how things work in Norway bc I am not an American but European. I have a comfortable Bank account, a new House, no debt and also unemployment benefits just like Norway and in my field I would always find a new Job but I still would not Do a luxury trip bc one day all the money could be used up and the Money that was spend in vacation could be Needed.
But Europeans have a different approach on money spending and saving.
I would Never vacation if I could Not pay for it straight out of Pocket

Eh...- so when do responsible adults go on holiday? As I have stated several times, we would not go unless we could afford to do so.
As for the transplant; we have of course discussed it with the doctor and insurance company before we even thought about planning a trip.

I actually agree with this
Unless the OP has 6 months salary saved for emergencies-I would NOT do a long vacation right after getting hired. Also question an employer allowing this. I could see a week-but NOT a month. i'd worry about job security and making a good impression in new job.

I understand your concern, but as he will have to have a holiday (minimum 3 weeks) sometime during the summer anyway, the employer was more than happy to let him take his holiday when the office is very quiet anyway.
The employer actually asked if my husband could take his holiday sometime during June/July before they signed the contract ;-)

 

[Firsttimer15]

As i wrote Not when unemployed even of you have the money. It is obsolete As he has a job now but you asked. Don't ask for opinions if all you want is support for a decision you have already made. If you ask you might read something you don't like.

I am very surprised your insurance would really pay for it if he needed to See a doc there?

 

[Colargol]

As i wrote Not when unemployed even of you have the money. It is obsolete As he has a job now but you asked. Don't ask for opinions if all you want is support for a decision you have already made. If you ask you might read something you don't like.

I am very surprised your insurance would really pay for it if he needed to See a doc there?

I asked for advice on how to cut costs while on holiday (car, food etc), and not opinions on wheter we should go or not. Clearly that is a decision we have to make ourselves, and so we did after our financial insequrity was solved.

Then comes your advise, on when to go on holidays and being an responsible adult; and i dont quite follow you?
You did not write 'Not when unemployed' as far as I can see, so I assumed your advise was meant for our current situation?

 

[Planogirl]

I did read it. I am quite familiar with how things work in Norway bc I am not an American but European. I have a comfortable Bank account, a new House, no debt and also unemployment benefits just like Norway and in my field I would always find a new Job but I still would not Do a luxury trip bc one day all the money could be used up and the Money that was spend in vacation could be Needed.
But Europeans have a different approach on money spending and saving.
I would Never vacation if I could Not pay for it straight out of Pocket

I respect your opinion certainly. However I have also lived in Europe and not every nation has the exact same policies. I suggested reading the prior posts (which many skip) because her husband has a job now plus apparently they are required to take a vacation.

 

[mommasita]

As i wrote Not when unemployed even of you have the money. It is obsolete As he has a job now but you asked. Don't ask for opinions if all you want is support for a decision you have already made. If you ask you might read something you don't like.

I am very surprised your insurance would really pay for it if he needed to See a doc there?

There is travelers insurance.. We always take it whenever we set foot into the US, even for the day...

I honestly thought the OP took opinions very well, those who were on her side or not...

 

[JanaDee]

I asked for advice on how to cut costs while on holiday (car, food etc), and not opinions on wheter we should go or not. Clearly that is a decision we have to make ourselves, and so we did after our financial insequrity was solved.

Then comes your advise, on when to go on holidays and being an responsible adult; and i dont quite follow you?
You did not write 'Not when unemployed' as far as I can see, so I assumed your advise was meant for our current situation?

You asked whether you should go to Disney or not, considering your circunstances at the time.