To Vacation or To Day Trip?

[beachdreamr1229]

I have sort of a weird question maybe. My family have had to cut back on our Disney experiences due to the cost and our desire to see other things in life except Disneyland (in other words, no more APs). That being said, we booked a trip for Thanksgiving when prices first came out for 2019. We're taking that trip no matter what. But, these southern California discount 3-day tickets have me thinking...

Either way, I am getting a 3-day ticket for me. I live about 2 hours away so driving back and forth is do-able, but not the most fun drive ever. My question is, if you were me, would you go on 3 separate days and take one child each day, or would you buy the whole family 3-day tickets and splurge a little to get a hotel and make a vacation of it? I'm struggling with this because the 3-day tickets really do make much more sense, but factoring in the cost of a hotel and the added cost of a ticket for my husband to help me manage the kids given that I'm trying to save up funds for a WDW trip in a year or two, I just can't decide.

Oh, we'd also be braving the earlier part of spring break season since I'm a teacher. I swore I'd never do that again after a few years back, but whatever. What do you think?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

How old are your kids? Am I reading this correctly that you’re wanting the kids to share a 3-day ticket (one day per kid)? I don’t think you can do that, so that might help make your decision easier.

 

[ironband74]

I'm not sure how the enforcement is in reality, but since they take pictures the first time you use a ticket i don't think they'll let you share a single 3 day ticket between 3 kids.

 

[ironband74]

(Unless your kids are all similar looking... triplets?)

 

[Belle5]

I am not sure what you are asking. Are you asking if it's okay to use one child's ticket for three different children?

 

[gottalovepluto]

I believe OP is discussing Buy the 3 day ticket for them and 3 separate single day tickets to take each kid at a different time.

Another benefit to pick your day with each kid instead of locking yourself into 3 days is you can pick your weather. Personally, I’d hate to do drive there 3 times, add to that the financial pain of single day park hoppers and I’d do the 3 day full on trip. But, I don’t mind crowds these days as I think I’ve gotten more used to them in the parks.

 

[Belle5]

I believe OP is discussing Buy the 3 day ticket for them and 3 separate single day tickets to take each kid at a different time.

Another benefit to pick your day with each kid instead of locking yourself into 3 days is you can pick your weather. Personally, I’d hate to do drive there 3 times add to that the financial pain of single day park hoppers and I’d do the 3 day full on trip. But, I don’t mind crowds these days as I think I’ve gotten more used to them in the parks.

Ahhh, that makes sense! So, really, the only question is about making that 4 hour round-trip drive, three separate times.

OP, if that is the case, you probably could have some great one-on-one time with each child during that drive and save a bundle of money over taking everyone on a three day vacation!

 

[lalasmama]

I'm usually a "make a vacation of it!" type of person, however... If I'm doing my general math well enough

$210 for your 3 days, + $129 per kid (x3) = $630 plus food for 1 kid and 1 adult x 3 days

or....

$210 x 5 (you, hubs, kids) + $150 x3 (nights at a hotel) = $1500 plus food for 3 kids and 2 adults x 3 days

Sometimes I just need to look at the numbers. I would likely do 3 day trips, especially if saving up for a WDW visit as well. That's $1000+ that could go towards WDW!

 

[sherilaine]

Looks like you are getting lots of good advice so far!

Have you done up the math entirely - how much would it cost for both options to compare, including finding out what hotels are available at what price for early spring break? Doing that allows you to see that magic number you are looking at - and do you know what number you'd be happy with - are you okay with spending $1000 extra or more to do the vacation vs day trips? Sometimes people do not want to do with the math when it comes to this stuff because honestly if they see it on paper sometimes it goes against what they really want to do.

My other question is do your kids enjoy going to DLR together and would they really love to be there for 3 days together or would they prefer to only get to have one day and have Mommy all to themselves? I know my DD would love a one on one day at DLR with me but she'd never trade 3 full days there even with her younger brother tagging along.

The idea of driving 4 hours per day for the three days to me just sounds miserable though if being honest.

 

[chickapin parterre]

An opportunity exists for you to spend one day with each child......years from now....the memory of spending a whole day with you is going to have more value than the actual Disneyland experience to your children. And you can have a day off in between to rest for the next child.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

How old are your kids? Am I reading this correctly that you’re wanting the kids to share a 3-day ticket (one day per kid)? I don’t think you can do that, so that might help make your decision easier.

No, I would get a 3 day pass for myself and a single day for each child. I'm not the type to even attempt the stupidity of cheating the system. The thing is, I've done single days with each child and whole family trips. We go a lot. I just can't decide if it would be more fun to do it all together or separately.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

You're already going at Thanksgiving and also planning a trip to DisneyWorld and you sound concerned that cost is an issue. As much as you probably don't want to hear this, my advice would be to just skip the Spring Break trip altogether. I love the idea of each kid getting their own special day with just mom at the park, but I think that the driving back and forth would be a hassle and it would be hard to have the energy to really enjoy yourself. As tempting as those discount ticket offers are, save the money you would have spent on this Spring break trip and put it towards a really nice DisneyWorld vacation.