Will delete shortly. Anything that makes my kid this happy is 100% worth it to me.
That pictures is admittedly adorable, and I can hear my child screaming 'MIIIIIIIIINNNNNNIIIIIIEEEEE" in my mind right now....but she also makes that same face when handed a juice box...and they cost $0.50. The cost benefit just doesn't convince me that a trip to Disney is worth any amount of financial stress when a small child can be made deliriously happy with some M&M's and an apple juice.
#curmudgeon
Not that we actually disagree since we're both on the "go in 2 years" train. I just sound crankier when I say it.
It's the same thing as not buying DD one of those fancy toys that she could push and walk with when she was perfectly happy holding onto a laundry basket.
I get it.
DD has also shown no interest/ fear in the characters at Sesame Place. If she's going to run away from Elmo and cling to me for dear life, I'm not spending $900 for her to not let me get pictures like the one hopecounts posted. It's the happiest place on earth, goddammit!
Will delete shortly. Anything that makes my kid this happy is 100% worth it to me.
That pictures is admittedly adorable, and I can hear my child screaming 'MIIIIIIIIINNNNNNIIIIIIEEEEE" in my mind right now....but she also makes that same face when handed a juice box...and they cost $0.50. The cost benefit just doesn't convince me that a trip to Disney is worth any amount of financial stress when a small child can be made deliriously happy with some M&M's and an apple juice.
#curmudgeon
Not that we actually disagree since we're both on the "go in 2 years" train. I just sound crankier when I say it.
this may be an ASD vs NT thing. Due to her ASD DD has a fairly flat affect, she doesn't show excitement like this, I can think of 3 occassions when she has smiled like that. It's easier now because she will say "I like this Mama" or "this is awesome" but even then we don't get this kind of smile from her. So the value is probably higher for me.
That pictures is admittedly adorable, and I can hear my child screaming 'MIIIIIIIIINNNNNNIIIIIIEEEEE" in my mind right now....but she also makes that same face when handed a juice box...and they cost $0.50. The cost benefit just doesn't convince me that a trip to Disney is worth any amount of financial stress when a small child can be made deliriously happy with some M&M's and an apple juice.
#curmudgeon
Not that we actually disagree since we're both on the "go in 2 years" train. I just sound crankier when I say it.
this may be an ASD vs NT thing. Due to her ASD DD has a fairly flat affect, she doesn't show excitement like this, I can think of 3 occassions when she has smiled like that. It's easier now because she will say "I like this Mama" or "this is awesome" but even then we don't get this kind of smile from her. So the value is probably higher for me.
That's a good point. Shorti gets pretty damned excited over everything. But I know that part of the reason that my sister and her kids are so into WDW is because it's really the happiest place on earth for my ASD niece.
They do honor old ones, not the magic you're way as those expire.
were going tomorrow with hotel and flight paid for by my work conference (not Dh and lt, but mine...my ils are coming for the rest). It is fun, but there are many says to have fun with little ones.
Hand to heart, that is a true story. Try your ticket and report back to us!!
I shall. Granted it will likely be in a few years ha ha. But I will let you know The ticket is at my parents house in my "baby" book, so I have to double check there aren't restrictions on it ha ha. IT is also for Disneyland, but that is fine. I would rather go there anyway!
We have a 30 year old one we will be trying this week, lol. Hopefully Dh will not puke his way through with excitement this time around.
I have nothing substantive to add here because I think the cost of Disney is insane and I keep saying no when H says we "need" to go. No, we don't, and the kids will survive.
Random Disney anecdote: the last time I went was in 1989 with my dad and step-mom. Last year they went back for the first time since and, for whatever reason, they had held onto an unused ticket stub from the 1989 trip. Disney honored it. The Disney person they dealt with told my SM it was the oldest ticket they had ever been presented.
My parents used an old ticket from like 1985 a few years ago. Apparently the tickets that you buy now are no longer good for forever, but that wasn't the case in the 1980s so they have to accept them.
I have gone with our young kids but we had a free place to stay and my MIL wanted to have the experience with her grandkids, like her parents gave my DH and his brother. I would say wait the 2 years, as Disney will still be there and you will enjoy it more.
However, if either of my children take after me rather than their father I will take them to Magic Mountain every year. And lay down a rose in memory of colossus.
I also love the old disney movies - I can sing all the songs from the old movies by heart (little mermaid, lion king, beauty and the beast, sleeping beauty, cinderella, etc) but I also hate the marketing. It would be torture to my H to go there as he is not a big crowds person.
Part of this is because I never went as a kid so it's not like a "must have" family experience in my mind, and part of it is that I get deeply annoyed that the Disney advertising juggernaut has convinced otherwise rational adults that a trip to this Childhood Mecca is somehow actually a formative and essential part of growing up.
It's fun. It's special. It's memorable. Lots of things are fun though. Lots of things make memories. Lots of trips are special. This is not the be-all end-all of family vacations.
Yes, yes, yes. We went to Disney last year w/ the ILs. DS loves Mickey, loved the rides, etc. We also went to Maine w/ a big group of extended family. Big house, lots of kids.
Wanna guess what trip DS talks about more? Maine. He LOVES seeing all his cousins, he loves this section of the family. Disney was a blast- he does talk about it. But not nearly as much as he references our trip to Maine.
OP, my advice was along the lines of what SueSue said. Stop giving reasons. Just say "Sorry, can't do Disney this year.". why not? "It's not going to work out for us this year". Why? "I'm not going ot discuss the reasons. We can't go this year".
Telling her ANYTHING, as you now see, will allow her to look for holes in your argument and she'll try to find ways to convince you to go. You really don't have to tell her anything more than "we can't do it".
Post by laurenpetro on Apr 3, 2015 12:19:47 GMT -5
My ILs are pushing the Disney thing hardcore. They're under the impression that because my SIL and her H are completely irresponsible and go to Disney multiple times a year but can't pay for full-time daycare for their 2 y/o then we should be bringing our kids on the same trip. I told them flat out fucking no. We are not putting ourselves even further in the hole to make them happy. Airfare alone is enough to make my BP rise.
Their answer? LET'S RENT AN RV AND ALL SEVEN OF US CAN DRIVE DOWN.
I agree that it's not a smart financial move. However, kids are only young once and I'm all for making memories and having experiences even when there is something smarter you can do with your money. You only live once. I would find out where she's getting the 2k from. I think it's silly to say that Disney is only for people with retirement savings.
I disagree with you. The mentality of "you only live once" is partially responsible for the increasing consumer debt load and poor savings record people have. As the OP pointed out, her DH is about to take a pay cut at work and this isn't a good time financially for them.
OP - yoire doing the right thing, even if it sucks
If your sister will be there through January, it might be worth looking into going then because January is one of the cheapest times to go with the lowest crowds (excluding the few days around New Years).
That said, if it doesn't work for you to go now, stand your ground. We had a lot of fun when we went and are going back in January because my husband has a conference there. But we also used my brother's military discount tickets and my grandparents' time share which made our tickets and lodging under $1k. We also only ate on property a few times (two character meals and a few other stops) because we found the schedule that worked best for us was to get up early, eat breakfast and spend the opening hours at the park, come back to our condo, eat lunch and nap, and then head back to the parks until closing.
I don't know that I would have been able to enjoy the trip if we had been paying more. My husband is the cheap one of the two of us and I'm the spender but I don't think I could ever stomach full price Disney.
Disney has been our best, most relaxing family vacation. Why? Because the moment my kid begins to pout bc I won't buy him something or whatever, there's a cast member that swoops in with stickers or singing a silly song or whatever & tantrum is over before it ever began. He's 4. This happens fairly frequently.
Even my 1yo would get visibly excited (kind of do a little dance) when we took him out of the stroller bc he knew a ride was coming. Buzz light year ride was totally his jam!
However, as amazing as it was, I def think you're making the right decision on waiting!
Post by jeaniebueller on Apr 3, 2015 13:23:42 GMT -5
I think it's covered, but I just wanted to add that I get where you are coming from because my MIL is the same way. Offers to do "generous" things for us when she really cannot afford to or spends money on stupid shit for our family when she shouldn't so she can look like grandma of the year. Forget the fact that she has $0 in savings.
Post by StrawberryBlondie on Apr 3, 2015 13:24:49 GMT -5
I love Disney but I think you're making the right decision. But more because I think your DD will be too young and should wait a couple of years. If you want to go for the memories, go at an age where your DD will actually have some memories, too.
Fwiw, I went on a family vacation to Disneywhen I was 6 and I don't remember a damn thing.
I agree that it's not a smart financial move. However, kids are only young once and I'm all for making memories and having experiences even when there is something smarter you can do with your money. You only live once. I would find out where she's getting the 2k from. I think it's silly to say that Disney is only for people with retirement savings.
I know that comment came off as judgmental. It was more specifically geared towards my parents' situation. Like I said, I'm not MM at all.
No she is right. Saving for retirement is a necessity. Like housing or food. Disney like any vacation is a luxury, which should only be enjoyed once necessities are paid for.
The average 50 year old has like 30k in their retirement fund. They are going to be parasites on their children or working until they die. This country is going to have a crisis on their hands as the generation without pensions becomes too old to work. If you can't afford to save for retirement you sure shouldn't be going to Disney.
Post by penguingrrl on Apr 3, 2015 14:57:44 GMT -5
You're making the right decision even though it's hard and your mom is giving you a difficult time about it. You'll be stressed and won't have happy memories if you go; you'll remember the knot in your stomach every time you paid for something.
I've never been to Disney World. We went to Disneyland when I was 5 and I have some very vague memories of it, but only shadows of memories. DH went at 5 and 16 and enjoyed it but doesn't think it's something you "must do" with kids. If/when we ever have the budget to travel (our last trip at all was 9 years ago and it's looking like another 10+ before we can justify the cost of travel because grad school put us behind on retirement savings) Disney isn't on the list at all because there are other places we'd rather see.
Cold as in 40-50 is not cold. FL had a few cold days this winter, but it wouldn't be cold to people from regular parts of the world.
right?!
is there fucking snow on the ground? no? then not cold. /gavel
Look if I have to walk around in the sun, I'd rather be wearing layers to keep me warm vs dealing with sweating my face off. When we went in October, it was borderline too hot for me, and I like hot weather. I just don't like it if I'm out in it, walking from ride to ride, with tons of people around - I prefer it for sunbathing and swimming.
That pictures is admittedly adorable, and I can hear my child screaming 'MIIIIIIIIINNNNNNIIIIIIEEEEE" in my mind right now....but she also makes that same face when handed a juice box...and they cost $0.50. The cost benefit just doesn't convince me that a trip to Disney is worth any amount of financial stress when a small child can be made deliriously happy with some M&M's and an apple juice.
#curmudgeon
Not that we actually disagree since we're both on the "go in 2 years" train. I just sound crankier when I say it.
It's the same thing as not buying DD one of those fancy toys that she could push and walk with when she was perfectly happy holding onto a laundry basket.
I get it.
DD has also shown no interest/ fear in the characters at Sesame Place. If she's going to run away from Elmo and cling to me for dear life, I'm not spending $900 for her to not let me get pictures like the one hopecounts posted. It's the happiest place on earth, goddammit!
Suggestion, there are about 50 million videos of kids meeting Mickey/Minnie/Cinderella/etc on YouTube show her them before you go. I played the heck out of them pre-trip for DD, I made a whole WDW playlist with rides/character meet and greets/short videos of the park. I think it's why she did so well. It helps make them not so scary and prepare the kids for how big the characters are.
My ILs are pushing the Disney thing hardcore. They're under the impression that because my SIL and her H are completely irresponsible and go to Disney multiple times a year but can't pay for full-time daycare for their 2 y/o then we should be bringing our kids on the same trip. I told them flat out fucking no. We are not putting ourselves even further in the hole to make them happy. Airfare alone is enough to make my BP rise.
Their answer? LET'S RENT AN RV AND ALL SEVEN OF US CAN DRIVE DOWN.
I couldn't even dignify that with a response.
OH.MY.GOD.
Being in an RV with my family sounds like the worst fucking thing ever. Being in an RV with H's family sounds like the worst fucking thing ever. There is no fucking way I would ever agree to that.
"Not gonna lie; I kind of keep expecting you to post one day that you threw down on someone who clearly had no idea that today was NOT THEIR DAY." ~dontcallmeshirley
If this turns into an anti-Disney thread, I will shut it down.
You won't get that from me. As a native Floridian I went all the time and have fabulous memories. But, that was the 80s and 90s and local discounts can be phenomenal. I absolutely agree with your decision to wait a couple years. I've visited with kids ages 2, 4, 6+ and for a possible once in a lifetime trip, at least once in young childhood, 6 is just about perfect. 4 gets tired too quickly, and I'm sure you know far better than I ever could how cranky that makes everyone.
And I totally get it about BEC moms.
But, as a tip to tuck away, it's not really necessary to stay in $$$$$ resorts. I think I only did that 2 or 3 times. We always stayed in some days inn type place in kissimmee or in a condo in winter haven. Many of them aren't just cheap but have tix at a discount. And having the ability to cook at "home" is another huge savings. Since I love Disney, I thought I'd give you the encouragement.
In the late 80s/early 90s my sister and I had 5 year resident passes good for up to age 12. I think I'd used mine up, but she was 10 and still had a use or 2 left. Except, they'd just changed the rule to apply to under 10. If my sister was 10, I was 11 or 12 and can almost recite word for word the shitstorm my dad raised when they weren't going to honor it. I think most businesses understand the cost of dealing with my dad is worse than dealing with a rule. (he spent a good 5 minutes on a poor office depot cashier over 25 cents b/c he was tax free but it didn't apply to something. UGH!)
Oh, AND, the weeks in between the thanksgiving crazy and xmas crazy are the absolute best. It's nearly empty, everything is all dressed up for the holidays, it's COLD (yes, it can be objectively cold even to those used to such temps b/c you're outside far often than most people are used to, plus, humidity) which I loved, and you can get hot chocolate and cider in old timey stations.
My ILs are pushing the Disney thing hardcore. They're under the impression that because my SIL and her H are completely irresponsible and go to Disney multiple times a year but can't pay for full-time daycare for their 2 y/o then we should be bringing our kids on the same trip. I told them flat out fucking no. We are not putting ourselves even further in the hole to make them happy. Airfare alone is enough to make my BP rise.
Their answer? LET'S RENT AN RV AND ALL SEVEN OF US CAN DRIVE DOWN.
I couldn't even dignify that with a response.
Oh no.
My parents want to rent a cabin on a lake up north this summer. We were already planning on doing so just the 3 of us. I'm pretty sure they think the 5 of us will share a cabin.
Which if that's what they're thinking, I'm probably going to scrap the whole thing. I love my parents but spending a week in a tiny resort cabin is my personal hell.
umm. Is this really true. I have an unused ticket from the 90s. I won it for being like the millionth person to Disney that year or somethign. It never occured to me to use the ticket. I am totally going to try now lol.
Hand to heart, that is a true story. Try your ticket and report back to us!!
My old roommate and her H just (as in this week) used 2 unused tickets from the 80s that her parents had held on to. With picture proof!
I love Disney, and am so excited to take the kids one day. But, I also hate Disney for making it every family's dream to go, but it isn't financially feasible for many. I want to go, but I'm not willing to do the budget route, so it may take 10 years of savings to make it a vacation I want to go on as much as the kids.