Well she didn't win....still crying.

[Lollipop's Mom]

I just got a phone call about 30 mins ago telling me that they wanted to tell the kids that 'didn't win' ahead of time so they aren't too disappointed at the actual ballgame that night. Oh but great news! She was 2nd choice. I felt like saying '2nd choice doesn't matter now on this does it?'. They are offering us a bus trip to Seattle to see a baseball game. Oh joy. Not to be ungrateful or anything....but not really the same as a trip to Disneyland. This was my ONLY shot at taking her there. I dont EVER see it happening unless my numbers come up on the lottery. We have had the WORST summer with car trouble,etc.... and one of the only things that kept us going was the possibility of going to Disneyland. I must sound like a drama queen.....but I am so upset and just keep crying. I haven't told her yet. She has a friend over and is playing - not gonna tell her just yet.
We met some of the other kids (3 of them) and all 3 had been to Disneyland in the past year - and one kid even has a 2nd home in San Diego. If it is one of them I will really scream!
Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[lap3]

Wow, that is terrible. I can understand your feelings but don't show too much resentment towards the people giving the Disneyland trip away. It's not their fault she didn't get picked. Yeah, a baseball game isn't nearly the same as a trip to Disneyland but we can't win them all. You think taking the phone call was tough, I hope your DD will be ok with the news. If she really wants to go, start saving up now and maybe next year you can take her. I, myself, am trying to save up some money for our first trip to WDW next year. This trip is going to set me back some so I've got to start saving now. Anyways, good luck breaking the news to your DD and I hope she takes it well...

 

[scanmom]

I had my fingers crossed for you
Maybe you can do something like a Disney movie party for her and a few friends. I understand your disapointment, but try to have a brave face in front of your DD, it will help her get through it easier! And if you save some $$ for a trip, be sure to check/post here for budget ideas. Disneyland is expensive, but people here are pros at doing Disney for fewer $$'s!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Oh Lollipop's Mom I am so sad for you. I logged in tonight hoping you would have happy news. Sometimes life seems so unfair. You may be surprised, sometimes kids have a more "that's life" attitude about these things. Don't give up on your dream. It took us 11 years to get to Disneyland and when it finally happened it was truly the right time. Go ahead and allow yourself to feel bad for awhile and then put on your thinking cap because where there is a will there is a way! Hang in there!

 

[disneychrista]

I am sorry that your daughter didn't win the trip.

Since I don't know anything about your personal life it is hard to say whether or not you will ever be able to make it to Disneyland, financially. But the only advice I can give is a penny saved is a penny earned. I didn't think I would ever be able to make it to WDW but we did it. It wasn't easy. Take a look at your budget and see where you can "scale down." If you go out to dinner twice a month/week or whatever, cut it to once and put the savings in your trip account. If you are like i was and bought a lot of Starbucks (or whatever) cut that down by making your own at home and put that savings in your trip account. Even putting just $5 a week away over time will add up. Save your loose change. Try selling your DD outgrown clothes on eBay. If you set your mind to it you WILL find a way to go to Disneyland. And because of all the hard work you put into getting there the trip will be just that much more fun.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Thanks for all the support. She took it pretty hard. Cried for a good hour. She said she is happy another kid won, but really wanted it to be her and me. Financially we aren't great. I sell her clothes on ebay as soon as she grows out, and that money goes to clothing for her or paying the bills. We are already pretty much a no frills family. We only go see a movie once every couple of months. We try and put away 5 bucks here and there, and then something like our car dies and needs a repair...and there goes the Disney money. This was our one shot. Who knows...maybe I will win the lottery. We will get there one day!

 

[disneychrista]

Just keep your head and one day you will find a way.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

So we went last night, and wouldn't you know it? The girl that won is 14 or 15 and has been every year and they are loaded. Father drives an SUV mercedes type thing and they boasted all night about how nice it is to 'win' the trip even though they go all the time anyway. She was a sore winner, rubbing it into all the little kids and reducing them to tears. We just kept hoping someone from the 'deciding committee' would walk by, but never happened. She literally pushed a girl out of her way (a girl who was overweight and about 11/12 yrs and spent the last 2 yrs fighting a disease) and said 'get outta my way fatso!' and her 2 friends would say 'make way for the winner to come through' and pulled a diva attitude all night. I was in such a rotten mood and was sick of her attitude when she reduced my daughter to tears, that we said our goodbyes and left early. I think these things are about 'who' you know and not what you do at times. How can a girl that volunteers one night a week at a seniors retirement center beat out some of the kids there that have raised thousands of dollars for parkinson's research, saving endangered species, etc...etc....etc... ?
Anyway that is my vent and it has only made us that much more determined to save - even if it takes 2 years, my daughter DESERVES to go and will!!!!!! If I have to sell everything I own that is not a necessity I will prove to her that the good people DO come in first!! Thanks for all your support and encouragement thus far. My goal is $2000 cdn, and right now I have $150 of it from some ebay sales. 1850 to go!

 

[ksjayhawks]

Sending you pixie dust and encouragement to meet your goal!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I know it's a big disappointment, but at least you have a start to saving for your vacation.

I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm saving for a trip for my two rascals and myself next year, and I'm budgeting now for it.

Good luck!