prince.john
"I want my Mommy " (I mean my Mickey)
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2009
- Messages
- 89
This post documents my (and maid Marion's) past nine months, into a five minute read. I never really thought about writing a pre-trip report, but after thinking back on all the stress of planning this trip,and its eventual happy ending (as our trip is now within sight) I thought why not.....
Its early September 2008. Our trip plans are in their infant stage, and the U.S. economic crisis is just beginning. Looking back now, I was naïve, and thinking the economic woes could only work in our favor. The parks will be less crowded when we go. By then the economy will be fine. We estimate an approximate $6,000 budget to do this trip with all the bells and whistles, and staying at a deluxe resort. Its really beyond our means, but we figure DDs at the perfect age (7 now), and we probably wont be able to get back here for another 5 years, so lets do it right this time. We begin the saving of every penny.
November 2008. Looking good, I have bought all the guide books. The saving is going well. We have almost $1,500 already. Life is good. But then, the economy once our friend, has begun working against us. The company I work for is starting to show cracks. Two people are laid off.
December 2008, Onward and upward. With all the Christmas shopping done, and a driveway full of snow to shovel, (I can put that off for a short while and dream for a moment) I go back to planning our once in a lifetime summer trip. The Polynesian Resort is reserved, and 10% deposit is made.
January 2009 , A couple more people are laid off at work. My posotion seems solid though. The Misses is worried about the trip, but Im still thinking no biggie. The show must go on.
February 2009, The airline tickets are bought. Im still convinced that Im invincible to economic troubles going on around me. (In truth, I am not)
March 2009 , Nine more are laid off. Now its getting scary for me too. I say the trip moves on. I refuse to squash the plan. We just need to make some modifications to meals, and such. We didnt have a dining plan. So well eat at less expensive places, and think about other saving ideas between now and then. The flights are paid for, and the resort reservation is about 60% paid off at this point.
April 2009, No more layoffs at work (15 people had been let go by this point) This time its a 10% pay reduction for everyone remaining. Now for the first time Im seriously considering cancelling, but I figure the economy has to be turning around very soon, so we push on. And by the end of the month the resort final payment is made. I just need to worry about park tickets, meals and daily expenses now. But surely I can handle that. Ive got 4 months still.
May 2009, The dining plan now seems like a good option for a big money savings, in the end. So I amend the resort reservation to include park tickets and meal plan .. Now a have another bill to pay off, but we are actually still under our original six thousand dollar estimate, so Im happy.
Still waiting on an upturn in the economy, looks like I was wrong again. Another financial blow threatens to shelve our plans. Back at my employment, now our hours are being cut. Everyone is now subjected to a reduced work week (4 days instead of 5). We were so close to pulling this off, I cant give up on the dream now.
We are now 90 days prior to departure, my glimmer of hope. Just what I needed, a reason to work on this vacation again. I began booking the ADRs. I got the big three for our trip. Cinderellas Castle breakfast, Chef Mickey, and Crystal Palace. Had to make some concessions on times, but all the characters are now in place to make a little girl happy. With a renewed determination, I pick up a part time job. It doesnt pay much, but it does help, and it gives me something to do other than watch Oprah.
June 2009, The price of gas keeps going up. I just paid $2.67 a gallon. I can only afford to keep my trucks gas tank half full at any given time, in order to stay on budget with the upcoming trip. We planned our trip for the last week of summer, coming home Labor Day weekend. DDs school year traditionally starts the first Monday after Labor Day. This past school year (which ended on June 19th) there were an unusually high number of snow days (note to self buy a snow blower). The end result, Town discussions are now being held to possibly change the start date for this coming year, to begin on Sept 1 instead of Sept 7. All our plans could now be for not If they decide to start school a week early, Do we cancel the trip? Or allow DD to miss the first week of school? Keeping our fingers crossed, and holding our breath. Airline tickets are already paid for, all hotel, an meal reservations are in place . Finally the decision is made to leave the school start date as originally planned The trip is still a go!
This has got to be the most stressful vacation Ive ever planned, and were still two months away.
July 2009, The meals and park tickets were paid off mid-month, and the price of gas has come down to between $2.45 and $2.50 per gallon. So actually this month is looking pretty good. Our Disney Magical Express luggage tags have just arrived. Now the trip seems like it will really happen.
Thank you Mickey & Walt.
Its early September 2008. Our trip plans are in their infant stage, and the U.S. economic crisis is just beginning. Looking back now, I was naïve, and thinking the economic woes could only work in our favor. The parks will be less crowded when we go. By then the economy will be fine. We estimate an approximate $6,000 budget to do this trip with all the bells and whistles, and staying at a deluxe resort. Its really beyond our means, but we figure DDs at the perfect age (7 now), and we probably wont be able to get back here for another 5 years, so lets do it right this time. We begin the saving of every penny.
November 2008. Looking good, I have bought all the guide books. The saving is going well. We have almost $1,500 already. Life is good. But then, the economy once our friend, has begun working against us. The company I work for is starting to show cracks. Two people are laid off.
December 2008, Onward and upward. With all the Christmas shopping done, and a driveway full of snow to shovel, (I can put that off for a short while and dream for a moment) I go back to planning our once in a lifetime summer trip. The Polynesian Resort is reserved, and 10% deposit is made.
January 2009 , A couple more people are laid off at work. My posotion seems solid though. The Misses is worried about the trip, but Im still thinking no biggie. The show must go on.
February 2009, The airline tickets are bought. Im still convinced that Im invincible to economic troubles going on around me. (In truth, I am not)
March 2009 , Nine more are laid off. Now its getting scary for me too. I say the trip moves on. I refuse to squash the plan. We just need to make some modifications to meals, and such. We didnt have a dining plan. So well eat at less expensive places, and think about other saving ideas between now and then. The flights are paid for, and the resort reservation is about 60% paid off at this point.
April 2009, No more layoffs at work (15 people had been let go by this point) This time its a 10% pay reduction for everyone remaining. Now for the first time Im seriously considering cancelling, but I figure the economy has to be turning around very soon, so we push on. And by the end of the month the resort final payment is made. I just need to worry about park tickets, meals and daily expenses now. But surely I can handle that. Ive got 4 months still.
May 2009, The dining plan now seems like a good option for a big money savings, in the end. So I amend the resort reservation to include park tickets and meal plan .. Now a have another bill to pay off, but we are actually still under our original six thousand dollar estimate, so Im happy.
Still waiting on an upturn in the economy, looks like I was wrong again. Another financial blow threatens to shelve our plans. Back at my employment, now our hours are being cut. Everyone is now subjected to a reduced work week (4 days instead of 5). We were so close to pulling this off, I cant give up on the dream now.
We are now 90 days prior to departure, my glimmer of hope. Just what I needed, a reason to work on this vacation again. I began booking the ADRs. I got the big three for our trip. Cinderellas Castle breakfast, Chef Mickey, and Crystal Palace. Had to make some concessions on times, but all the characters are now in place to make a little girl happy. With a renewed determination, I pick up a part time job. It doesnt pay much, but it does help, and it gives me something to do other than watch Oprah.
June 2009, The price of gas keeps going up. I just paid $2.67 a gallon. I can only afford to keep my trucks gas tank half full at any given time, in order to stay on budget with the upcoming trip. We planned our trip for the last week of summer, coming home Labor Day weekend. DDs school year traditionally starts the first Monday after Labor Day. This past school year (which ended on June 19th) there were an unusually high number of snow days (note to self buy a snow blower). The end result, Town discussions are now being held to possibly change the start date for this coming year, to begin on Sept 1 instead of Sept 7. All our plans could now be for not If they decide to start school a week early, Do we cancel the trip? Or allow DD to miss the first week of school? Keeping our fingers crossed, and holding our breath. Airline tickets are already paid for, all hotel, an meal reservations are in place . Finally the decision is made to leave the school start date as originally planned The trip is still a go!
This has got to be the most stressful vacation Ive ever planned, and were still two months away.
July 2009, The meals and park tickets were paid off mid-month, and the price of gas has come down to between $2.45 and $2.50 per gallon. So actually this month is looking pretty good. Our Disney Magical Express luggage tags have just arrived. Now the trip seems like it will really happen.
Thank you Mickey & Walt.
