I was fearing that with this trip as well. Totally understand.
You can pretend to be me. I still have a pin code.
I don't want you to get back from a pirate's life for three and regret shelling out the money. I think you might have a better time at POFQ without having the nagging sense that you are "wasting" money. Awww. Thanks for thinking me being deranged is sweet, that's what true friends are. I am lost and don't know what to do with myself without stressing out about a wedding. It's wonderful! I will glady stress about your vaca.Wrong? Don't know.
Totally sweet?
I think it will confuse you....and me further.
NO! NOT THE CUTE AS ALL GET OUT CROC FLIPPIES!!!!!
Here are some of my options as they stand, and I'm going to just put this out there. I currently have $3781.86 saved towards this trip.
Wilderness Lodge Package -
Free Dining for 3, 7 MYW Hoppers, 7 night stay 9/14/08 - 9/21/08
Total Package Cost - $2579.37
Total Due - $2379.37
Airfare, Transportation, Gratuity, Tips, Etc - $1165
some of my estimates for gratuity may be on the high side, but better to have a cushion
Total Cost - $3544.37
Total Amount Left in Savings - $237.49
Disney Visa Rewards - $97 (hoping to have more before we leave after charging airfare and the package)
So this puts our spending money total at about $334.49. Now granted, we are not big souvie shoppers, but I know we'll end up buying somethings for DS, and I had wanted to pre-purchase the photopass cd. Considering that's about $100, that really makes our spendable cash $234.49. Is it possible I could save more before the trip? Sure. But this is what I have right now, and keeping in mind I know a portion of our regular savings is going towards DS' going to preschool this year.
Port Orleans French Quarter Package -
Paid Dining for 3, 6 MYW Non-Hoppers, 6 night stay, 9/15/08 - 9/21/08
Total Package Cost - $2179.98
Total Due - $1979.98
Airfare, Trans, Grat, Etc - $1126
Total Cost - $3105.98
Total Amount Left in Savings - $675.88
Disney Visa Rewards - $97
Now granted, it's highly unlikely that I would spend $772.88 in one vacation. As a matter of fact, we typically end up coming home with most of the spending money that we leave with. But I want to have some cash available to us. And it's nice, don't call me crazy, to have a jump on the vacation savings for next year, if possible.
Now there's a couple of other options neither of which I'm thrilled with, but they are possiblities.
Cut our trip even shorter. Do POFQ from the 16th to the 21st, a 5 night stay, no hopping, 5 MYW Ticket with dining, comes to a grand total with everything of $2846. Would leave us $935.86 in savings. Only problem I see is this puts us arriving on the day of our MNSSHP tickets. Could be very, very bad if we don't get a good nap in if our room isn't ready.
Change our dates completely. Book the special room only rate that's out for the following week. We'd have to change our vacation times at work, but this is a possibility. Potential losses would be the MNSSHP tickets, unless I can EBAY them or beg the good ole World to transfer non-transferable tickets. This would have us at a totally different resort, Caribbean Beach. Which I've always wanted to stay at, despite the reviews about it being big and spread out. To go from 9/20 - 9/26, which would be a 6 night, no hopper with dining stay, would cost grand total $2835.98, left in savings $945.88. Why this is good...Um, Tink?
Alright, I've spent WAY too much time on this.
Is it wrong that I really, really want a Reeses Pieces Sundae right now?
Boy, TK. I'm really torn for you! I want you to stay at WL because you've been so excited about it, but as a fellow budget buddy, I can't say that cost isn't a concern, because it is. 
I love you Tink but I am going to be rude...wasn't "You got it, dude" Michelle's saying and "How Rude!" Stephanie's saying?I will never admit to how often I have watched Full House on reruns or the fact that I own a season of it either.
*EDIT* I feel like a schoolyard bully now.
I was fearing that with this trip as well. Totally understand.
You can pretend to be me. I still have a pin code.
Awww. Thanks for thinking me being deranged is sweet, that's what true friends are. I am lost and don't know what to do with myself without stressing out about a wedding. It's wonderful! I will glady stress about your vaca.
I think it will confuse you....and me further.
Yay! Thanks Jiri.LL, I think you're right! And don't feel like a schoolyard bully; we are all fellow Lapu Lapuettes and therefore reliant upon each other for correct pop culture references.
Of course, I'm speaking for Tink there, so...
I hear ya. I didn't realize when you go as a big family that you all stay in the same resort, makes sense but didn't connect in the ol' brain.
Happy to offer you something to focus on.
Even though you think this is your last time for WL.....I think your biggest worry isn't being able to go next year which to me says go with the POFQ option, that way you have less of a headache with MNSSHP tickets and ADR's but still save money. Of course, talk to DH but I think this is the option that you might be happiest with and you are going to the happiest place on earth afterall.
Hey Jiri!
I have two words for you.
Tee hee.
Alright, don't hate me but I just looked at the POFQ pics...and although I LOVE that resort...I'm just not feeling it.
Hmmm....
I do not hate you. I wish they made a pill for vacation guilt.
I know your DH is going to tell you to keep WL unless he completely changes his pattern, but usually he tells you to not stress.I know, right?
Me, too.
Wait strike that.
I know of something that would totally help what ails me...
Yup. That'll about do it.
Hey Jiri!
I have two words for you.
Tee hee.
Alright, don't hate me but I just looked at the POFQ pics...and although I LOVE that resort...I'm just not feeling it.
Hmmm....
It sounds to me like you are coming to the conclusion that you want WL, and will sacrifice going yearly to get it if you need to. But discuss with DH and see what he says. Me, too.
Wait strike that.
I know of something that would totally help what ails me...
Yup. That'll about do it.
Hey now, you're inviting non-Dis appropriate thoughts!
Ahh, pirate therapy!
as a viable option, I realized something.
My goodness woman, you have made my brain spin numerous times today. I am eagerly awaiting what DH has told you.I sometimes find our similarities to be a little scary.
Just kidding.
Truthfully, it's nice to know I'm not the only one.
Who me?
I think I am drawing nearer to that conclusion as well.
Perplexing.
I think you're right.
I think I don't want to leave the Wilderness Lodge.
I think I'm in love with free dining.
I have looked at this trip and thought about it and made so many different spreadsheets today, and really, there must be some way that I can earn some more spending money between now and the trip that will make me feel better about the whole thing.
I am not a splurge type of gal.
Just not in my makeup. As evidenced by the large amounts of returns that pass through my household.
I have a hard time justifying it.
But as I sat down to make my umpteenth spreadsheet, in which I actually considered going back to a value resort
Free Dining = HUGE BARGAIN
Now we all know how TK likes some huge bargain, right?
Because I've made so many spreadsheets that my starvin' belly thinks a reeses pieces sundae is starting to look real friendly like.
However, I priced out a value, with the dining plans I would want to keep. It's only 3 sit downs, 1 of which I have a gift card for (Rainforest Cafe). Even with adding up all the counter services and thinking, oh this must be some great deal, know what?
It's kind of not. If I don't pay for the dining plan, my two sit-downs and all my counter service would actually cost me more than paying for the dining plan. Not by much, but still more. Yikes.
And to do this, I'd have to totally change my dates.
And at this point we're comparing apples to oranges. When really, we're just all fruit.
And if you haven't thoroughly enjoyed the movie references up unto this point, let me add another which probably pertains to my state of mind most aptly.
"Oh. Because you know, it seems to me that, aside from being a little mentally ill, she's pretty normal."
That being said, it's time to talk to DH. 530 couldn't come soon enough.
I think you should stick with WL -- Heidi makes a very valid point in her last post.
laughing: ) just remember that you are going to WDW!!! 
My goodness woman, you have made my brain spin numerous times today. I am eagerly awaiting what DH has told you.
I actually have curbed the spending...I don't remember if I posted or not, but we're attempting to save my whole paycheck. Although it's not much, it would definitely make up the difference between now and then.Hi, TK! Wow! You have had a really stressful day!!!
But either way you decide to roll
If it makes you feel better, I have been going through what you are going through on a slightly different scale (DVC) -- it's such a headache when your heart says one thing and your brain says something else!
Aw, I hope you come to a good decision on DVC.
I did talk with DH and will post later.
) obsessive I could come to a decision by simply saying, "No, not right now" and then walking away. But I swear, I was like a bulldog or a terrier or something in a past life because once I get ahold of an idea, I have a hard time letting it go.
Yes! If I was a juror I would just agree with you to keep my head from spinning.
I am really impressed with the fact that you have been saving your paycheck, that is DEDICATION. I hope to do more of this after our trip.Alright, point taken. And not offensively either. Okay, maybe a little, but I do appreciate it.
I had a tendency to go overbudget. Now, in my budget spreadsheet, instead of showing my income, I have it at 0. I do however, know it exists, so if I'm apt to go "over-budget" then it will come from my paycheck instead of our savings.
I hope I'm making sense. I've also gotten even more budget with my meals, sticking to a grocery budget, and not overspending in general.
And in my very limited defense (sorry, you just unknowingly touched a nerve), I sacrifice a lot for my family. I know on the surface it seems like I spend a lot, but in reality, I don't. I end up returning the majority of our purchases, and I feel guilty about buying necessities. Like when DS needs new shoes or clothes, for this exact reason, feeling like I'm spending too much. We're on a very limited income, and I am trying my hardest to do my best.
Ooooh...the suspense!I did talk with DH and will post later.
Can't wait to find out about the talk!!!
If I just weren't so gosh-darned (have to keep it DIS appropriate
I have never heard of anyone comparing themselves to a bulldog or terrier but I find it highly amusing. 
