What do you do when you JUST CAN'T AFFORD a WDW trip?'

[missypie]

We went to DLR last March and I became a Disney addict. I discovered this board and became a DIS addict. We are lucky enough to have a trip to Paris, including DLP, planned for next March, so I'll get a Disney fix. I REALLY WANTED to go to WDW in early June '04.

But next summer is both sets of parents' 50th wedding anniversaries, so both will involve plane trips and paying for parties. And the next spring break ('05) coincides with Easter and we can't be gone then because of church obligations.

So I am looking at June '05 for the trip to WDW. Should I just sign off of these boards for a year or so to stop torturing myself?

I'm afraid that if I do, I'll miss a heads up on something like the FTP or great AP rates which would make an earlier trip affordable.

What would you do?

 

[ChiTownZee]

When we couldn't afford to go, I still came here, and planned. I figure the more planning the better the trip once I'm able to do it.

 

[Pembo]

Stay on the boards! I did and have made alot of friends. To take the torture out of it, visit the Community Board or some other board that interests you. I'm a regular on the CB but lurk on the planning boards for good deals.

Once you DIS, it's hard to just walk away.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We went in June and again in September and next June can't come fast enough! So I can't imagine how you feel. I think I would start Ebaying Furniture! (Just Kidding!)

I don't think I could not visit the boards daily, but we did discover San Antonio as a local alternate when we need a Disneyesque fix!


You may already know this, but here are the details,

We did a weekend trip this October and Sea World San Antonio is World Class. it's not WDW but it's a beautiful park and we will definitely visit again. Lots of rides and family activities. Very High Quality adventure park.
Also I was watching the Travel Channel's Top Ten Waterparks, and Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels Tx. ranked #1 with Disney's Blizzard Beach ranking #2. Not bad at all!

San Antonio also has Marie Callender restaurants.

We bid on a 4-star on Priceline and got Hyatt Regency Riverwalk for $65 a night for Fri. and Sat. So it was a pretty cheap weekend and we still had a family mini vacation that was close to home.

As ChiTownZee has said I would continue to plan and read lots of Trip Reports to tide me over.

 

[missypie]

Liferbabe, I'm actually a big Theme Park Hater, esp. in the Texas summer, although we've done quite a few San Antonio trips over the years. (Last year we went the weekend after Christmas...the lights on the River Walk were beautiful, but the crowds were incredible.)

As a Theme Park Hater, I waited until all of my kids were old enough to ride everything to take them on a Disney trip ... it was going to be one Disney vacation - period. I chose DLR because there were FEWER parks there.

Then, to my surprise, it was a great vacation. We ALL (including me) loved it.

Don't feel too sorry for me. We could certainly afford to go to WDW and stay off site in a condo or all suites hotel and cook our own meals, etc ... or stay in a value resort and not rent a car ... or stay 4 nights at a deluxe ... but I want at least 8 nights - if not 10 - in a deluxe, with a rental car, etc. (Again, DLR spoiled me. The Disneyland Hotel would certainly be considered a deluxe if it was at WDW and I got a room only rate of $139 a night.)

 

[tink2dw]

I last went to WDW in 2001 and DL in Jan. 2003 but I still come here everyday!!!!!
You need to add the WDW resorts board to your daily visits they get the first hints of anything shaken. Here is the link
http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12

 

[BarryHom]

I say keep on saving until you can! The trip will be all the more special because it was hard earned and well-deserved.

 

[TreeOfLife]

I may not sign on until we plan to return, but it took us three years to plan an @&& kicking, 10 day, holiday vacation this year!
Why so long? Because I exploited every reward chance I had! That gave us free plane tickets, meals and nice discounts on onsite resorts.

So the key is: Plan ahead!

 

[missypie]

That's what I'm thinking, TreeofLife. We were able to pay for 3 of our 5 tickets to Paris with FF miles (which wiped out my account). In a couple of months we'll have enough FF tickets for one ticket to Orlando; once I'm there I'm going to switch to Disney Visa and charge everything on that (we pay the balance in full every month). The longer we wait, the more Disney Visa $ we'll have.

 

[frannn]

But because I can't, I spend my time planning and doing rewards programs. I try to save and find ways of saving $$ on different aspects of the trip. Only problem is, I can't do many price checks till I know the dates we will go. Since DH is a NYC cop, it is usually up to his job when we can go (and DDs schedule). Have a great trip whenever you go!!!