What would you do? Trip dilema

[DeeCee735]

Okay, I've been posting questions about our January trip, and appreciate all the feed back I've been getting so far, but now we've got yet another decision to make, so I'd like your opinions please.

It's not easy to put together a family trip with 4 very different schedules in the mix. My two college age kids only have Dec 20th, thru the second week of January off together (two separate schools). My DD is involved with resident life at her school (not far from home), and is obligated to be on campus certain days during the holiday break. My DH's work schedule varies, and I work for a school district, so taking vacation outside of summer and school closings isn't always granted.

Okay, so, we all decide that we can go Tues., Jan 12th thru Sunday, Jan 17th. I book AKV & BWV (our home resorts) for these dates. We cannot go Monday, as I have to be at work that day, but was granted vacation for the rest of that week. So far, so good.

Flights just came out on Jetblue for these dates. I'm in the midst of booking our flights when my DD informs me that she has to be on campus that Sunday, so we have to come home Saturday instead.
Therefore, we now have to decide if we should leave Monday afternoon/ early evening, or early Tuesday morning and come home on Saturday.

I already changed dates to Mon thru Sat. using current UY points (in case I have to cancel the Monday night).

Which would you do?

Factors involved in the decision are:
1) Flying out of JFK and actually LEAVING ON TIME or not being altogether cancelled in January is always an uncertainy...
2) Using points for a 2 bedroom Savannah view room just to get there late, unpack and sleep (if we leave Monday pm)
3) The off chance I won't be able to leave work an hour early, thereby forcing us to take the 7:30 flight out, instead of the 5 p.m.
4) Not being able to check into the room til 4 pm on Tuesday (if we choose to go Tuesday a.m.), and then changing to BWV on Wednesday (as is already booked with MS)

My DH is not a fan of flying, so he's already hinting that we should think about cancelling the trip, my son is very much NOT an advance planner, and while he'd regret not going once the week gets here, he has absolutely no opinion on it at this time and my DD, bless her Disney heart, figures it's no one's fault that I've gotta work Monday, and she has an obligation to report to school the following Sunday, so she says what the heck, we may as well get a few days in while we can

Me, I'm just plain old tired of trying to figure things out for everyone! I ALWAYS WANT TO BE THERE.

Any opinions that will help with my decision are greatly appreciated.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

Factors involved in the decision are:
1) Flying out of JFK and actually LEAVING ON TIME or not being altogether cancelled in January is always an uncertainy...
2) Using points for a 2 bedroom Savannah view room just to get there late, unpack and sleep (if we leave Monday pm)
3) The off chance I won't be able to leave work an hour early, thereby forcing us to take the 7:30 flight out, instead of the 5 p.m.
4) Not being able to check into the room til 4 pm on Tuesday (if we choose to go Tuesday a.m.), and then changing to BWV on Wednesday (as is already booked with MS)

IMO I think I would go ahead and leave on the Monday. That way everyone will be rested and can start the Tuesday at the parks rested. If you go on Tuesday you will loose half the day having to come back to the resort to checkin and upack completely hosing most of the afternoon. Since the parks close earlier during January you will basically only have half a day in the parks if that. We are going to be there that week also at OKW and BLT. We decided to get there late on Sat and just bite the bullet and burn the points to go ahead and checkin. If we did not we would still have to get a room somewhere so why not unpack once.We can sleep in a little later on Sunday then hit the parks.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I understand your situation....I'm the planner in our family as well...with 2 college age kids......working around their very different school schedules is crazy..since my son is going to school in Ft Myers & my daughter is local at Stony Brook..but we did get a trip planned for next month right before everyone goes back to school........that's great that you are able to get the trip booked at all with the kids schedules now.....I'm on LI too but since we are 10 min from Islip we fly Southwest out of there....not sure where you are on the island but if Islip is an option you'd probably have less of a chance getting delayed flying out of Islip than JFK.......either way I'd fly out on Monday night so you have all day Tuesday....and I'd use the points for the room instead of having to change hotels again.....some don't mind switching but we are lazy...we like to get in the room....take everything out and not move for the rest of the trip no matter how many days were are there

 

[DisneyHumbug]

My kids are a little older than yours - 23, 25 and 27. ANY chance I get of having all 3 together is great. We've been going down for F&W and since youngest DD is a teacher, we have to go by her school schedule. We get in late on a Fri. night and sometimes I think it's such a waste of points for a 2BR. But it's so hard to get them all together the older they get.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I also would plan on leaving home on Monday. I hope you can get the earlier flight!

Bobbi

 

[DeeCee735]

I understand your situation....I'm the planner in our family as well...with 2 college age kids......working around their very different school schedules is crazy..since my son is going to school in Ft Myers & my daughter is local at Stony Brook..but we did get a trip planned for next month right before everyone goes back to school........that's great that you are able to get the trip booked at all with the kids schedules now.....I'm on LI too but since we are 10 min from Islip we fly Southwest out of there....not sure where you are on the island but if Islip is an option you'd probably have less of a chance getting delayed flying out of Islip than JFK.......either way I'd fly out on Monday night so you have all day Tuesday....and I'd use the points for the room instead of having to change hotels again.....some don't mind switching but we are lazy...we like to get in the room....take everything out and not move for the rest of the trip no matter how many days were are there

Thanks everyone. I knew I could count on you guys for some good feedback. I am NOT changing my reservation at AKV for Monday night. Told my kids last night to invite whoever they are inviting by the weekend so I can book the flights.....we will be leaving on Monday. I'm probably safer taking the 7:30 flight out since I'd really be taking a chance that I can't get out of work by 3 to make the 5 pm flight.

In answer to where on LI I am...I'm in Woodmere. Very close to JFK, we're tucked back in the southwest corner of the Island, very close to the beaches too. So Southwest is just too far to get to after work, JFK is our best bet. I plan on flying Jetblue. And since we'll be coming in late in the evening, I'm just going to order a few staples for delivery, or ship down a pound of coffee and some basket filters.

We actually are going to be changing resorts anyway. We were doing so even in our original plans. We bought an add on at AKV last year and haven't used our points there yet (my first time will be this November with cousins ), so I want my kids to experience AKV as well. I booked a 2 bedroom Savannah view for two nights, and 3 nights at BWV!!! (our main home resort). I have to get past the worry of travelling in winter, once I get over that (which will happen when I start planning ), I'll be very excited for the trip! I'm very excited to share this with my kids. They are going to LOVE the savannah view and the animals! I'm so happy we own DVC .....sorry about that, I got carried away

 

[palhockeymomof2]

^^^I figured you were probably in western nassau...i grew up in rockville centre...and my parents still live there...they only fly jet blue out of jfk much easier for them.....my sister is in massapequa... so she's pretty much in the middle of both airports soshe flies either jet blue or southwest depending on the schedules/prices...not sure if jet blue still does this but my sister once told me they will change your flight on the same day for a small fee..i think she said $25...so that may be an option if your able to get out of work early and the earlier flight is available...

enjoy your trip....we've never stayed at AKV...sounds wonderful......everyone loves being at either the BWV or BCV...on worries about getting carried away...i think we all do on these boards

 

[5forDiz]

op I hear ya ! We've got 2 in different colleges now & youngest still in jr hs so 3 different school schedules & then DH's etc.

It's not easy but when it comes to DVC & Disney somehow we'll manage to get it done

I too say go for it on Monday

sending lots of pixie dust way in advance that there will be no flight delays

 

[Anna114]

I understand your situation....I'm the planner in our family as well...with 2 college age kids......working around their very different school schedules is crazy..since my son is going to school in Ft Myers & my daughter is local at Stony Brook..but we did get a trip planned for next month right before everyone goes back to school........that's great that you are able to get the trip booked at all with the kids schedules now.....I'm on LI too but since we are 10 min from Islip we fly Southwest out of there....not sure where you are on the island but if Islip is an option you'd probably have less of a chance getting delayed flying out of Islip than JFK.......either way I'd fly out on Monday night so you have all day Tuesday....and I'd use the points for the room instead of having to change hotels again.....some don't mind switching but we are lazy...we like to get in the room....take everything out and not move for the rest of the trip no matter how many days were are there

Thank heaven for Islip McArthur. If I had to go into the city, I don't think we'd fly ever again. My husband hates NYC. Being at the northern tip of Nicholls Rd Pt Jeff Sta helps a great deal. It only takes us 20 minutes to get to the airport. Whoop

 

[cogero]

Thank heaven for Islip McArthur. If I had to go into the city, I don't think we'd fly ever again. My husband hates NYC. Being at the northern tip of Nicholls Rd Pt Jeff Sta helps a great deal. It only takes us 20 minutes to get to the airport. Whoop

laughing at this I live smack dab between LGA and JFK and DH only ever wants to leave from LGA because he hates driving to JFK and the traffic.

 

[Anna114]

I'm with your husband. The Belt should be blown up and redesigned. JFK is simply hell. LAG has some good points but at least it's off the GCP.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thank heaven for Islip McArthur. If I had to go into the city, I don't think we'd fly ever again. My husband hates NYC. Being at the northern tip of Nicholls Rd Pt Jeff Sta helps a great deal. It only takes us 20 minutes to get to the airport. Whoop

I agree love Islip McArthur...we're lucky too since we can part in the Islip residents lot for free each trip....the parking sticker cost around $25 for 2 yrs.......plus your luggage is usually on the belt quickly....sometimes we've waited at JFK for an hour before the luggage starts coming out

 

[katmittens]

I also have two children who for the past 7 years I have had to plan vacations around college schedules. DD is in her last year at college, and my son just finished his last year of law school and I used to work at a school district, but I retired a few years ago, so I know how crazy it can be with schedules.
We are going in Jan, the first week, DD does not go back until Jan 17 and DS is taking a week of vacation off from his new job as an attorney so we are all set. DH's job allows him some freedom to take as he pleases, but when he comes back oh the work, plus he is on the phone every day with business, but he stills enjoys himself. We have it down to only checking voice mail twice a day and returning calls if necessary.
I would also go on a Monday and enjoy yourself. We drive in the winter so I know what you mean about the weather. Once we had to leave earlier than expected, due to a snowstorm and once we left in a snowstorm which was not fun, but of course once we got out of the mountains of Pa, which is where we live it was OK. Leaving early is great I get another day on the road, which I enjoy.
Have a great trip, I will be leaving when you are arriving. We are at VWL.

 

[heathere3]

I understand your situation....I'm the planner in our family as well...with 2 college age kids......working around their very different school schedules is crazy..since my son is going to school in Ft Myers & my daughter is local at Stony Brook..but we did get a trip planned for next month right before everyone goes back to school........that's great that you are able to get the trip booked at all with the kids schedules now.....I'm on LI too but since we are 10 min from Islip we fly Southwest out of there....not sure where you are on the island but if Islip is an option you'd probably have less of a chance getting delayed flying out of Islip than JFK.......either way I'd fly out on Monday night so you have all day Tuesday....and I'd use the points for the room instead of having to change hotels again.....some don't mind switching but we are lazy...we like to get in the room....take everything out and not move for the rest of the trip no matter how many days were are there

As another Long Islander here (Coram), I have to echo the strong recommendation to fly out of Islip. Southwest's prices are at least as low as Jet Blue, if not better, the airport itself is a breeze and much more relaxed than trying to get through JFK. We just moved from Central Islip, so we still have our resident passes for the year to let us park for free! I'm going back to school this fall myself, so DH is having far too much fun teasing me about having to do homework at WDW!

Heather
Pop Century Sept. 19th-27th can't get here quick enough!

 

[4everGoofy]

Just a couple of thoughts you might want to consider...you can always come in Monday night and stay at an outside hotel to save points, then you can get up first thing Tuesday morning go to the hotel and drop your stuff and pick up park passes.

 

[mmmcq]

Hi DeeCee - you've probably got your flights and are all set. I'm the vacation planner just like you. Everyone loves the trips we take, but I'm usually exhausted before we even leave!

We've been in a similar situation. I have three girls - two will be in college this fall and one who's in 4th grade. Last November and two years ago November we travelled to WDW for Thanksgiving. I gave up trying to fly down and back together back in 2006 and I allowed my older girls to fly down and back on different days.

This year it was crazy - but it made everyone happy. My husband and I flew down on Saturday with our youngest. Our oldest daughter flew down from VT on Monday night after her last class - skipping a day. She's very involved on campus as well and can't take many days off from her responsibilities. Our middle daughter didn't want to miss the Thanksgiving Day football game, so we allowed her to fly down on Thanksgiving. We weren't thrilled that she missed so much of our trip - but it's what she wanted and I didn't make myself crazy trying to wrap my vacation around her. We all left on Monday and everyone skipped a day of school. We saved Hoop Dee Doo Revue, dinner at California Grille and a couple of other family favorites for the last couple of nights so that we could all enjoy them and not feel guilty. My husband and the teens were also at WDW for the basketball tournament that weekend, so they had plenty of time together courtside while my yountest and I stayed at the parks.

Thankfully the weather cooperated and we had no flight delays with all of the many flights we had booked.

This summer I rented a vacation home near the water in Rhode Island. As far back as March I had to work with the variables - who was expected at each college when, when did hockey tryouts start, what if I got a full time job, etc. The easiest person is my DH who usually takes two weeks off each summer and that's all he had to do. So I rented the house and got a great price. I planned my youngest DD's camp schedule around it, then found out the hockey camps were mainly the two weeks we are away.

When I made the house reservation neither of my oldest girls had confirmed work schedules for the summer. As it turns out, both took different jobs that will require them to stay through 8/14. So my DH, my youngest DD and I will have the house to ourselves for a week. Then my oldest DD found out that she has to be back at school to help run orientation on 8/21. She has to leave RI, come back to MA and pack and drive up to VT while we're still on vacation. This will be the first move-in she's done on her own. I guess there's no time like the present!

And then on top of it all.......I got a full time job. They wanted me to start 8/1, but I negotiated working hourly July and August so that I can take the vacation without guilt, get my middle daughter off to her freshman year of college the last week in August and then I'll start 9/1. I'm saving them some money this way and I'm not starting out with a two week deficit in my vacation account. But I haven't even had a minute to think about our vacation.

Thank goodness we don't have any more family members to plan around! But like you, I keep doing this because ultimately we enjoy our time together whether it's at the beach or at Disney. We can't wait to go back to WDW.

Have a great trip.

 

[DeeCee735]

Whew! Sounds exhausting! I know the routine, and I know it's worth it. With everything else we do as moms, nothing is more worthwhile than putting together family time! Enjoy your beach vacation!

I'm going to be booking the flights by the weekend/beginning of next week. We are leaving on Monday night in January. Out of JFK, West Islip is too far from where on LI we live. We won't get down there til almost midnight, but it'll be worth it to wake up in our room and have breakfast with the giraffe!

Thanks for your input!