Trip dillema, should I or should I not go (Long)

[mickeymule]

OK, here is the deal, Dec.2003 My family of 4 and my dad go to Disney for a week and spent some time with the inlaws. I bought a season pass for room rates and such. Got back and My wife and I decided to take a trip for our 8 year anniversary just the 2 of us in May where I used the AP. Now my dad is going down just after Thanksgiving, I was offered to go down with him and travel back with him, stay with him and all it would cost me would be food since my AP is still active.

Mind you it would only be me, and I would be leaving my 6 yo DD, my 17 yo DS, and my DW. Now he is leaving on Thanksgiving Day and there was no way I was going to be able to leave that day, so now it was get a flight down currently 116 from Jetblue. Now my wife is rightfully jeallouse and asked that I don't drive home with dad (adding 3-4 days to the trip) so I would need to fly home for around 75 all said and done, so now I am talking around 250 - 300 for the trip. A good price for sure, but I don't know if I want to go and deal with the wrath of the family when I come home?

My wife is also having an operation which will knock her out of work for about 4 weeks at the beginning of october and whe only works part time, so we don't have those funds coming in.

Also, my dad is taking the trip with another family whom does not get along very well together and they are going to be camping together, I will be staying in my dads camper, and now it seems his brother and 2 kids may be coming down as well. Now I don't know whether I will have fun or not.

I know the decision is all mine, and the more I look at it financially, I don't think it is the smartest thing to do. I just want all of your opinions as well. I really want to visit Disney the way I want to visit Disney which is something I can never do with my family

 

[ptrbryant]

As hard as it may be, always go with your gut instinct. We're in a similar position--well, just craving to go back to WDW and I have 1 free flight on SWA that expires in March. BUT, we've got some cc debt that needs to be cleared first. What helps is going ahead and planning out a WDW trip for "later". I'm hoping we have things under control so we can go either in Oct. or Dec. of 2005. I'd gotten into the mentality of not wanting to "lose" the free airfare, then realized we'd be spending $$$$ to save about $140.

Good luck!
Karla B.

 

[thotfulspot]

I saw the thread title and thought 'When is it NOT a good thing to go to Disney??' But after reading the circumstances, I have to agree that you should listen to your inner qualms. It sounds like you just have enough going on at home that you should be focussing your energy there.

To me, a Disney trip is so special that I am extra wary of going in bad conditions -- do you want your memories of the Happiest Place on Earth mixed up with uncomfortable feelings?

It would appear that your Dad will have plenty of company. My advice is, look forward to a time when your wife is in top health, your finances are also healthy, and everything comes together to make for a fabulous trip full of happy memories!

Pixie Dust to your wife for a speedy recovery!

 

[kaylajr]

i never thought i would say these words but
i don't think the trip to disney would be worth it

sounds like in your gut you already know that though

your right ultimtily the decision is yours but it sounds like one of those things you would regret if you did
pixie dust that your wife has a fast recovery

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I'm one to never turn down a trip to Disney and have gone without my DH twice (once meeting my sister and once bringing my 4yo and meeting my sister). My husband and I are going next week and leaving all the kids, I'm going in December, again with my 4yo, and I'm bringing my 11yo in January. Obviously, I have no problem leaving family members at home.

However (the big however...), doesn't sound like it would be worth it in your case since it seems like you wouldn't even have that great of a time and would have the "wrath of wife" on your return (wives can be awful--I know, I am one ).

If you were to go is there any way you could swing bringing your 6yo? Your wife might forgive you if you made her life easier when you were gone.

T&B

 

[mickeymule]

Thanks for your thoughts thus far. The visit to the hospital is for something that happens every day, so I am not too concerned about it, but a little over a month from the trip and the loss of finances is the issue.

If you were to go is there any way you could swing bringing your 6yo?

Well, 1, finanaces would not allow it, I would need 2 more plane tickets and a park pass. 2. I would need to take her out of school. 3, I think it would make it worse for my wife because she loves watching the magic work on my little one.

 

[kilee]

I'm on the no go boat. I'm not quite sure why you would be going. It looks like Dad has lots of people he's going with. Was this to be a special trip for the 2 of you??? I guess I don't understand where and how you came into the mix of this trip w/o your 2 kids and wife.......
Was it just to use the AP again??

 

[2x_dis_dad]

It would be fun to go, but it doesn't sound like it is the right time to go. Good luck in making that tough decision...

 

[PhotobearSam]

In 30 years from now if our Father is gone...Will you regret not going???

I say go. You can never spend too much time with your parents while they are still around and in good health.

Now you will have to make it up to DW by maybe getting her a spa treatment once the finances are back up to it but I say go...

There would be nothing better than going with my Mom and I would jump at the chance...

 

[eeyore kelly]

It sounds like your intial concern was your Dad being taken care of for lack of a better phrase. Now it seems like he would, and your family really wouldn't have the money. I advise you to sit this one out.

 

[gigi1313]

not only do i advise you to sit this one out, i will recommend taking the few hundred you would have spent and doing something special with your wife/family... we recently spent an off-season weekend in a local vacation destination (montauk) and LOVED it! the cost was nominal and the fun was priceless...

not sure where you are in Mass, but cape cod is beautiful in october and the prices are great!

 

[seashoreCM]

Do you think you would have difficulty getting along with Father and his friends in the camper? If so, don't go.

Are you needed at home (chores, moral support for DW, DD, DS during operation, etc.) during the days you would be in the parks? If so, don't go.

Are you needed at home just the extra 3 or 4 days riding home with Father? If so, fly home or don't go.

Otherwise go and have a good time and economize any way you want.

If you expect DS to run the family while you're gone for this, you owe him a huge allowance and the family finances need to be able to handle that.

Family hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/family.htm

Snowstorm and I'm stranded at the office. If I choose to stay there overnight and if I don't foresee problems back at home. that is my unilateral choice. If DW thinks I'm having an affair, she can come downtown and look.