Would you go?

[mshanson3121]

EDIT: No more input is needed. Received some great input, decision pretty well made. The only real factor now that we're considering is the car, as that's the only one that has much bearing, since I agree with many of the comments. I tend to be overly cautious by nature, and I realize reading through that I was over-thinking much of it.


It looks at though we will be having a hefty income tax refund next March, which means that by the numbers, we could actually afford to go back to Disney, and it would still leave us with about $2000 left over. So, I'm debating on whether it's actually the "right" time or not, interested in input and would you or wouldn't you go?

The reasons to go:

Mostly - the kids ages. They'll be 9 & 6, and while I know there's lots for teens etc... to enjoy at Florida, I admit, for me, the appeal of Disney has always been going while the kids are in that fantasy stage, while they're still into Disney characters.

There was quite a bit of stuff we didn't get to do this time around that we really wanted to, so now that we've been once, we have a better idea of how to approach it all, and it would be nice to do the other stuff, while it's still all fresh in our minds.

The kids are begging us almost every day to please go back next summer (pretty good reason, lol).

DH's job is on yearly contract, so might as well go while we know we can afford it, as we may not be able to in the future.

The reasons to wait:

We're Canadian and the dollar is horrible. Maybe it'll go back up in 2 or 3 years?

One of our vehicles is 8 years old and it's going to need to be replaced in probably a couple years. By skipping Disney now, we could put that money on our existing car loan, which means our loan would be paid off earlier, and we could afford to replace the older car earlier.

DH's job is yearly contract, so there's always the chance that he would not get renewed next summer, in which case, maybe we would end up needing that money? While its very likely he'll be renewed, we won't know until about a month or so before we'd be leaving. ETA: This will never change, so waiting a year or two is not going to change ^^this factor. This is how his job will always be until he reaches 10-year seniority, which is 8 years away.


So.......... thoughts? We would be doing a cheaper trip this time without all the extras. Probably only 8 or 9 nights in the same house we rented last time, no extras like CRT, Boutique etc... and would probably do 5 day basic passes plus a day at Lego Land. Per DH's request, we'd have more rest days to just chill out and relax in the pool, maybe go to a beach etc... Would you go, or wait until you had replaced the other vehicle?

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

As much as I love Disney under those circumstances I would probably take about $1000 and open a special savings account for the next trip in a couple years. Pay off your car, make sure the job is stable, keep putting money away and when things are more stable take the trip.

That's just me though. I've had income taken away in a heartbeat so I'm not good at not planning for the worst now.

 

[Angel Ariel]

If job security was an issue, I'd put the money into savings for now. Disney doesn't necessarily lose its magic for kids when they reach a certain age, but financial concerns would take precedence.

 

[mshanson3121]

If job security was an issue, I'd put the money into savings for now. Disney doesn't necessarily lose its magic for kids when they reach a certain age, but financial concerns would take precedence.

It's pretty well guaranteed he would be renewed, but the possibility is that he would he would only get a partial term, so from January to May instead of September to June. He would likely just work on his own as contractor for those few months. He would still have a job, but the income would be lower than we have now.

Unfortunately, he's a teacher at a college and contracts are only done yearly, so we will never have more security until he either a) reaches his ten year (8 more years) or b) the other guy retires (a possibility within a few more years, but not a guarenteee). If we wait for tenure then the kids will be 17 & 14. By which time in all honestly, I could care less if we go to Disney or not. For me, it's about taking the kids when they're little. We have other plans for trips when they're older -we'd far rather spend the time driving across Canada, the US or touring Europe when they're older.

 

[nkereina]

One of our vehicles is 8 years old and it's going to need to be replaced in probably a couple years. By skipping Disney now, we could put that money on our existing car loan, which means our loan would be paid off earlier, and we could afford to replace the older car earlier.

DH's job is yearly contract, so there's always the chance that he would not get renewed next summer, in which case, maybe we would end up needing that money? While its very likely he'll be renewed, we won't know until about a month or so before we'd be leaving.

These two reasons alone would be enough to make me hold off. If this time next year you are in a good place with all of that, I would revisit planning another trip. We just got back on Friday and I've already been scheming in my head ways to get back there ASAP, but I know within a few weeks, I'll come back down to reality and realize it doesn't make financial sense for us.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Your OP indicated financial concerns. That's what I based my response on. If we had financial concerns, we wouldn't go.

Trust me I understand wanting to go when they are young. As I also understand visiting other places when they are older. My family did both growing up. Your post indicated a concern about a lack of magic if they go when they are older. As someone who took trips to wdw in her teens and as young adult as well, the magic was never lost. Still hasn't been..I'm like a little kid again any time we go

If it's that important to do when they are young for you, then I would maybe sit down with a financial planner and see how you can best plan for both the trip and possible concerns.

 

[kandb]

Do you have $$$$$ in the bank in case your DH's job does not get renewed? Do you have enough $ to cover all your expenses for 6 months if dh lost his job? I am assuming you are a 1 income family? I think financial security is very important and if you have only 1 income, I would make sure you have enough $ put away so you can pay your bills for an extended period of time.

 

[ArwenMarie]

It's pretty well guaranteed he would be renewed, but the possibility is that he would he would only get a partial term, so from January to May instead of September to June. He would likely just work on his own as contractor for those few months. He would still have a job, but the income would be lower than we have now.

Unfortunately, he's a teacher at a college and contracts are only done yearly, so we will never have more security until he either a) reaches his ten year (8 more years) or b) the other guy retires (a possibility within a few more years, but not a guarenteee). If we wait for tenure then the kids will be 17 & 14. By which time in all honestly, I could care less if we go to Disney or not. For me, it's about taking the kids when they're little. We have other plans for trips when they're older -we'd far rather spend the time driving across Canada, the US or touring Europe when they're older.

It sounds like you've already made up your mind?

I think these types of questions are really tough to contribute to because really only you know your financial situation. There are basically two answers...go for it. Or wait.

Good luck deciding

 

[mshanson3121]

Your OP indicated financial concerns. That's what I based my response on. If we had financial concerns, we wouldn't go.

Trust me I understand wanting to go when they are young. As I also understand visiting other places when they are older. My family did both growing up. Your post indicated a concern about a lack of magic if they go when they are older. As someone who took trips to wdw in her teens and as young adult as well, the magic was never lost. Still hasn't been..I'm like a little kid again any time we go

If it's that important to do when they are young for you, then I would maybe sit down with a financial planner and see how you can best plan for both the trip and possible concerns.

No, you're right. It just didn't really dawn on me until after I had written it out, and read some responses that... the job isn't really as much of a factor as I thought it was. DH was a contractor before he became a teacher, so... there'll always be work. So... that's a good thing.

So I think really, now the main factor is the car. Our SUV will be paid off in June 2019, at which point we planned on replacing our other vehicle. Our other vehicle is completely paid for and is currently 8 years old. It's in pretty good shape really (my husband's step-father is a body man, and he and DH also can do several repairs on cars, so we luck out that way), I just know that it's going to need to be replaced at some point. If we skip Disney until the car is paid off, and use our IT returns to do just a small cheap vacation each year and then put the balance on the loan, means we could probably replace the other car in 2017, and then we could do Disney in 2018.

 

[Angel Ariel]

No, you're right. It just didn't really dawn on me until after I had written it out, and read some responses that... the job isn't really as much of a factor as I thought it was. DH was a contractor before he became a teacher, so... there'll always be work. So... that's a good thing.

So I think really, now the main factor is the car. Our SUV will be paid off in June 2019, at which point we planned on replacing our other vehicle. Our other vehicle is completely paid for and is currently 8 years old. It's in pretty good shape really (my husband's step-father is a body man, and he and DH also can do several repairs on cars, so we luck out that way), I just know that it's going to need to be replaced at some point. If we skip Disney until the car is paid off, and use our IT returns to do just a small cheap vacation each year and then put the balance on the loan, means we could probably replace the other car in 2017, and then we could do Disney in 2018.

By 2018, pandora will be open in AK. Who knows, depending on if they work fast, star wars land and toy story land might be open, even if partially, by then. I'd probably wait til 2018 just because the parks will be better then (if it is an either/or choice)

 

[mshanson3121]

By 2018, pandora will be open in AK. Who knows, depending on if they work fast, star wars land and toy story land might be open, even if partially, by then. I'd probably wait til 2018 just because the parks will be better then (if it is an either/or choice)

My guess is yes, it's an either or. Granted, I didn't think we'd ever go again after this trip in June, either, lol. DH has agreed to one more, but I really don't think we'd ever do another one. We mostly just want to go back to see all the things we didn't get to do this time.

Pandora I could care less about, but I know DH would really like to see Star Wars Land.

 

[Angel Ariel]

My guess is yes, it's an either or. Granted, I didn't think we'd ever go again after this trip in June, either, lol. DH has agreed to one more, but I really don't think we'd ever do another one. We mostly just want to go back to see all the things we didn't get to do this time.

Pandora I could care less about, but I know DH would really like to see Star Wars Land.

I just know I prefer going to Disney when they are doing less construction. So, to me, if it was an either or choice of going now, in the middle of construction everywhere, or going 2 years down the road when more of it will be completed, I'd choose down the road..whether I was interested in the actual new land or not. I'd even look at it as a potential bonus...more people going to the new land I don't care about means less people in the areas of the park I am interested in.

 

[mshanson3121]

I just know I prefer going to Disney when they are doing less construction. So, to me, if it was an either or choice of going now, in the middle of construction everywhere, or going 2 years down the road when more of it will be completed, I'd choose down the road..whether I was interested in the actual new land or not. I'd even look at it as a potential bonus...more people going to the new land I don't care about means less people in the areas of the park I am interested in.

Yes I see your point. I didn't mind the construction etc... at MK at all, but it did feel a bit claustrophobic in AK, especially when combined with near-4th of July crowds. I think realistically our options are 2016 or 2018 or later (2017 is out due to other vacation commitments). I'm thinking 2016 would be better for construction as far as visiting HS (I know many hate it, but we all LOVED HS and that's one of the parks we can't wait to get back to), rather than 2018 since they'd be in the thick of SWL and TSL construction? Hehe... maybe if we went next summer, I'd have a better chance of convincing DH to go back in another 5 years for SWL.

I think the reason I want to go earlier than later is because - DH has no real desire to go. He didn't want to go on this trip and he doesn't want to do another one. Sure he would like SWL and if we were going, he'd definitely want to check it out. But, he also wouldn't care if he never go to see it, either. The only reason he went and will consider going again, is because the kids are so ga-ga over it and want to go so badly. But, knowing my kids, as they get older and interests change, they probably won't care as much if we go again or not. And if the kids don't want to go.... there goes my leverage That said, if the kids don't want to go again, then I probably honestly wouldn't care either. So... I guess, maybe I just want to take advantage of it while the desire is there?

 

[Mainemama]

I am going to play devil's advocate for a moment. So much of what you list are what ifs. Life can change dramatically any day. If right now, your family wants to return to WDW next summer, I would do it. If you want to be conservative, try other ways to save money... Maybe Christmas gift is the trip, or birthday, etc. it sounds like you are saying you can afford it now, but what if this happens, what if that happens. If you are healthy and together now and you visit next summer, you will have another set of wonderful memories.

 

[Colleen27]

You say your car is 8yo, but IME age isn't really what matters. What is the mileage on it? DH's truck is 15 years old, but with only 120K miles, and is in great shape. My van, on the other hand, is 10 years old but pushing 200K miles. I can almost guarantee that, barring something unforseen like an accident, we'll replace my van years before we replace his truck.

As far as the job goes... That's going to be a tough thing to get perspective on because to people accustomed to a steady paycheck and job security that will always sound like a travel "deal breaker". Only you can decide what your risk tolerance is on that front, and I say that as the wife of a formerly self-employed contractor. We did a lot of traveling in years with little job security because the lack of security is just part of self-employment and something we were well accustomed too, even if it did sound crazy-risky to other people.

 

[coolbrook]

You want to go to Disney World. You will have the money. Go to Disney World. Have fun!

 

[Lvsdisney]

I understand your feeling on "go while the kids are still young". It's one of the reasons we're going back next year instead of waiting. I also agree with the PPs, you have a lot of "what-ifs?". So many things can wrong that you haven't even considered. I think if you REALLY want to go back , and you'll have the funds to do so, then go.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

There are always what ifs in life. Last year my brother suddenly had a heart attack. Two weeks later he had another and didn't make it. While your family is happy and healthy make the best of it and enjoy your life to the fullest. Go to WDD.

 

[mrsR123]

Found money=travel for me. Or sometimes furniture. But I prefer travel.

 

[hope23]

Go!! You are all healthy and have the funds and your kids want to go with you! Live life to the fullest and GO!! There will always be "what-ifs" and responsible things to do... but you won't always have this precious season of life. I'd much rather live with wonderful vacation memories with my family than live with regret for having missed it.