What do you think? Instead of gifts for Christmas I was thinking on taking parents

[disneyofcourse]

on a vacation. They are having some very hard times and have not taken any time off in a long time. I am thinking of taking them to Disney next year with me. I was planning on staying at Port Orleans River Side(during regular season) but If I take them I'm wondering when is the least expensive time to go so that I can pretty much just get two rooms at the value resorts. Any free dining or anything money saving going during the start of the year March-May ? Since I would be paying for food that would save me a bundle! What would you do? Take them on vacation? Or buy them the gifts they want and pay a bill for them? I know its been a couple years since their last vacation and they will not have one next year. I'm torn because they never buy anything for themselves, I usually pay for the Holidays and gifts for my sibling so that was always taken care of.

The other idea is for myself to not go to Disney next year at all and use Gift money and my Disney fund to buy them plane tickets to Europe to visit family they haven't seen in at least 17 years.

I think a week at Disney would give them time to get away from the real world, job issues, housing issues and bills. But again maybe airfare back home would be good and even just buying them basics like new clothing or a new washer(which they need) would be good. I wish I had money for everything but I don't. Which on would you do?

 

[mhsjax]

on a vacation. They are having some very hard times and have not taken any time off in a long time. I am thinking of taking them to Disney next year with me. I was planning on staying at Port Orleans River Side(during regular season) but If I take them I'm wondering when is the least expensive time to go so that I can pretty much just get two rooms at the value resorts. Any free dining or anything money saving going during the start of the year March-May ? Since I would be paying for food that would save me a bundle! What would you do? Take them on vacation? Or buy them the gifts they want and pay a bill for them? I know its been a couple years since their last vacation and they will not have one next year. I'm torn because they never buy anything for themselves, I usually pay for the Holidays and gifts for my sibling so that was always taken care of.

The other idea is for myself to not go to Disney next year at all and use Gift money and my Disney fund to buy them plane tickets to Europe to visit family they haven't seen in at least 17 years.

I think a week at Disney would give them time to get away from the real world, job issues, housing issues and bills. But again maybe airfare back home would be good and even just buying them basics like new clothing or a new washer(which they need) would be good. I wish I had money for everything but I don't. Which on would you do?

What a nice idea, I wish all kids could be this thoughtful. I don't really have any helpful advice on the least expensive time to go, sad because we have AP, we just sort of go when the mood hits. As far as either WDW or Europe, maybe you can sort of trick them and find out which place they would rather go. Good luck and whatever you choose will be great.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

What a sweet daughter you are My vote is to send them to see family in Europe since it's been 17 years because you never know what can happen to your loved ones and it's been so long.

 

[bethy]

We've done this for family and it is a wonderful gift. A guilt free vacation. Vacation is something that a lot of people just can't afford or can't bring themselves to prioritize over other practical things like a new washing machine. They'd never do it if you didn't give them the nudge and the incentive.

Sometimes we family with us and sometimes we send them off - it depends on who it is and what their confidence in travelling is (e.g. DH's parents would never go anywhere by themselves -they just don't have it in them.)

I think it's important that whatever you do you consider two things:

1. What would be the most relaxing and rewarding for them? Everyone here on the Disboards loves Disney parks but not everyone else in the world does or finds them to be their most ideal and relaxing vacation. Some people would rather just rent a beautiful vacation house on the beach and savor the solitude. Also take into account whether they'd prefer to fly or drive. My IL's get stressed by flying and so the destination really has to be worth it to them.

2. Make sure you are clear with yourself and with them what all you are covering ahead of time monetarily. There are a lot of vacation expenses that add up besides food and lodging so make sure they can afford the other stuff if the plan is they'll be paying for it. Also, even if you plan on paying for every dime it can be awkward dealing the the expenses as they come up. Sometimes we've given Disney gift cards to cover incindentals and to give independence to our guests.

Just some thoughts to consider . . .

 

[mdsoccermom]

Taking your parents on vacation is a lovely idea, but be honoest with yourself. Is a trip to Disney REALLY what they would want, or is it for you? Frankly, I think sending them to Europe to visit family they haven't seen for so long would be priceless and worth skipping my own trip.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I paid for my mom to go with us last year for her Christmas present because she had never been, growing up my dad always took me to WDW, so I thought what a wonderful experience. Well... She hated it, pretty much everything, the heat, the crowds, most the food, she saw no magic at all. She now calls it the worst Christmas gift she ever got.

I guess my advice would be to make sure if they have never gone, they understand what it all entails. Disney to me in not a relaxing vacation, a fun vacation, but not relaxing and many people don't prefer to vacation a different less active way.
I love the airfare to Europe idea, this way you are giving them a chance to see family and friends they have not seen in a long time, it reminds me of the credit card commercial, $1000 airfare to Europe, time with old friends..... priceless.

 

[FireDancer]

I would choose an experience over an item any day so I think it is a great idea. One of my brothers and I took my mom on a Disney cruise for mother's day in 2009 and had a lot of fun. The flight tickets would be nice but if your parents are like my mom they would rather share the trip with you then go somewhere else.

 

[Marionnette]

on a vacation. They are having some very hard times and have not taken any time off in a long time. I am thinking of taking them to Disney next year with me. I was planning on staying at Port Orleans River Side(during regular season) but If I take them I'm wondering when is the least expensive time to go so that I can pretty much just get two rooms at the value resorts. Any free dining or anything money saving going during the start of the year March-May ? Since I would be paying for food that would save me a bundle! What would you do? Take them on vacation? Or buy them the gifts they want and pay a bill for them? I know its been a couple years since their last vacation and they will not have one next year. I'm torn because they never buy anything for themselves, I usually pay for the Holidays and gifts for my sibling so that was always taken care of.

The other idea is for myself to not go to Disney next year at all and use Gift money and my Disney fund to buy them plane tickets to Europe to visit family they haven't seen in at least 17 years.

I think a week at Disney would give them time to get away from the real world, job issues, housing issues and bills. But again maybe airfare back home would be good and even just buying them basics like new clothing or a new washer(which they need) would be good. I wish I had money for everything but I don't. Which on would you do?

I know how much you would like to give your parents a respite from there worries. But try to look at it this way. You could spend all that money to give them a vacation. And after a week or so that vacation would be over and those same worries and troubles will be there to face them. Or you could provide them with some long term relief by paying off or paying down some of those financial burdens. Yeah, its not as glamorous or fun as disney or europe. But when a child is starving you dont buy him dessert. And when an adult is at a financial low point you dont buy him a vacation. Buy them some new clothes and/or a washer.

 

[disneyofcourse]

Well, no Europe. They don't want to go without me and so much of the family has passed away that they are not ready yet. So, We have decided on a new washer! I also plan on getting Bunches of new clothing and a few gift cards to grocery stores. They are so happy even though they think that only the washer will be the gift and thats it for Christmas

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Glad to hear they are so happy with the washer! It will be a good Christmas for all of you

 

[Deb & Bill]

Well, no Europe. They don't want to go without me and so much of the family has passed away that they are not ready yet. So, We have decided on a new washer! I also plan on getting Bunches of new clothing and a few gift cards to grocery stores. They are so happy even though they think that only the washer will be the gift and thats it for Christmas

This sounds like a great idea. I was thinking they may feel uncomfortable going on a vacation if they have other issues like bills or other concerns.

 

[dd50]

Well, no Europe. They don't want to go without me and so much of the family has passed away that they are not ready yet. So, We have decided on a new washer! I also plan on getting Bunches of new clothing and a few gift cards to grocery stores. They are so happy even though they think that only the washer will be the gift and thats it for Christmas

I think that is a great idea. I know when I had real money problems that a vacation would have been nice but I would have felt much better getting a bill or two paid.