Scary Thought

[theBIGyowski]

We've all had it before...

Some families go every year (I've gone every year the past 4 years) and some go every other year. They have planned trips and it's something to look forward to.

But the scary thought is when you don't know when your next trip to WDW will be. Our DS is due to be born in the next few weeks...and that plus the economy will definitely keep us from making any trips down to WDW in the near future. We're hoping we can get down in 2013 once all of the Fantasyland updates are done, but aren't even sure we can do that since DS will only be 18+ months old, which we feel won't be old enough to be worth the 10+ hour drive and all the cost.

Anyway...just venting I guess. Don't get me wrong...we're beyond excited about our DS coming soon...and I can't wait to take him to WDW for the first time. Just a big life change coming up and DW and I know our adult WDW trips are on hold for a few decades.

TGFSSR!
(Thank Goodness For Subsonic Radio)

[dstrawn9889]

i know what you mean... i have had to push my deposit out twice since oct of last year... just cannot get time off, cash, and family off at the same time, and i am NOT losing 80%(or whatever the amt is for cancel and refund) of that deposit.

[theBIGyowski]

DW has "retired" from teaching to be a stay-at-home mom now that DS is almost here. That is good because it frees her up to take a WDW vacation any time of the year now that she doesn't have to be at work or at school. But the downside is it also means less money coming in every month, which would help fund a WDW vacation. We will be saving a ton of money not putting DS into a daycare and all that plus we'll get more interaction with him.

We're really hoping the good outweighs the bad...and that we'll be able to get back down to WDW in the next 18-36 months. I'm sure grandparents would love going to WDW too...which would give DW and I a little more freedom.

[Amy]

I'm sure you will get back to WDW within a few years. And the time spent watching your DS grow and learn things will make the time fly by. As you said, the grandparents will be excited about a trip to WDW too so you and your DW will have a chance to go on some of the more thrilling attractions, or out for a romantical dinner at least once on your trip. If they don't want to go, swing by Michigan and pick me up on your next trip ~ I'm great with kids and would watch him for you
It is sort of scary, or maybe depressing not having a trip planned. We hadn't gone for 10 years before our back to back holiday excursions these part two years. It might be 10 years again, but I hope not. Finances are certainly what are holding myself and my Mom back. She is retired and has many health concerns. I am self employed so while I can take vacation time, there isn't any income coming in while I am gone If I lived closer, I would certainly be taking advantage of this spring break to visit WDW at least for a day ~ crowds and all
I totally agree with you on TGFSSR. Especially the forums where I can share and see what others are thinking

[Wizzard419]

Generally, with WDW, I don't know when I will go again, since I try not to go during major rennovations as huge chunks are closed.

That being said, I do go to DLR for quick trips a lot.

[DisneyYorkie]

Finances are certainly what are holding myself and my Mom back. She is retired and has many health concerns. I am self employed so while I can take vacation time, there isn't any income coming in while I am gone If I lived closer, I would certainly be taking advantage of this spring break to visit WDW at least for a day ~ crowds and all
I totally agree with you on TGFSSR. Especially the forums where I can share and see what others are thinking

Hmm...perhaps FLORIDA weather would be better for your mom

[DisneyYorkie]

DW has "retired" from teaching to be a stay-at-home mom now that DS is almost here. That is good because it frees her up to take a WDW vacation any time of the year now that she doesn't have to be at work or at school. But the downside is it also means less money coming in every month, which would help fund a WDW vacation. We will be saving a ton of money not putting DS into a daycare and all that plus we'll get more interaction with him.

We're really hoping the good outweighs the bad...and that we'll be able to get back down to WDW in the next 18-36 months. I'm sure grandparents would love going to WDW too...which would give DW and I a little more freedom.

The good WILL outweigh the bad for sure
Perhaps your wife and future DS might be well suited to homeschooling....that makes taking Disney vacas REALLY easy, scheduling wise. That is the reason we are able to take this month-long FL vaca this year: DD wanted to homeschool this year

[Amy]

Finances are certainly what are holding myself and my Mom back. She is retired and has many health concerns. I am self employed so while I can take vacation time, there isn't any income coming in while I am gone If I lived closer, I would certainly be taking advantage of this spring break to visit WDW at least for a day ~ crowds and all
I totally agree with you on TGFSSR. Especially the forums where I can share and see what others are thinking

Hmm...perhaps FLORIDA weather would be better for your mom

Yeah, she'd love it during the winter months. The summer heat and humidity might kill her though She grew up down there so I probably can't talk her into that...

[cy1229]

Just a few thoughts BigY...

First, you will always be glad you and your wife put your son first and careers second. Sure, it's nice to have more money to do things, and sometimes it's even necessary that both parents work. But if it's possible, as in your case, for a parent to stay home, that is always best for kids when they're little. So congratulate yourself for making the right decision for your family, even if it means some sacrifices.

Second, and I probably don't have to tell you this, all good parents sacrifice things they want for their kids' wants and needs. So, if you don't go to WDW for a couple years, you're on the right road.

Third, while parents often argue with me about this, I wonder the value of taking a very young kid to WDW, given the expense and having to coordinate everything around naptimes. My younger daughter was 3 when we took the girls to WDW the first time (older was almost 7) and the only thing about the whole week-long trip that she remembers is not being big enough to go on Splash Mountain. She had fun, and we have good family memories, but I wonder if the experience wasn't lost on her in the grand scheme of things. So, perhaps your parents, or your in-laws, will be glad to take DS for a long weekend every so often so you and your wife can still go to WDW. Then, when he's older, you can include him on one long weekend and see how he does. Just MHO of course. But worth a thought.

Fourth, once DS is older, think of how much fun you'll have showing him all your favorite things, and building new memories with someone who loves you because of who you are, and wants nothing more than to spend time with you.

Do not despair. One of the best things is watching kids grow into interesting young adults, with their own ideas about how things should be done (not all of them good ideas, either). I miss when the girls were little - the funny giggles, the cuddling, the pride over completing simple things - but I wouldn't trade my time with them now for anything (they're 13 and 17 now). It's ok to be feeling like you're getting cheated out of things you like - that's natural - but trust me, you'll forget all about it when he smiles at you for the first time, or says, "Hi Daddy!"

[Wizzard419]

Finances are certainly what are holding myself and my Mom back. She is retired and has many health concerns. I am self employed so while I can take vacation time, there isn't any income coming in while I am gone If I lived closer, I would certainly be taking advantage of this spring break to visit WDW at least for a day ~ crowds and all
I totally agree with you on TGFSSR. Especially the forums where I can share and see what others are thinking

Hmm...perhaps FLORIDA weather would be better for your mom

Yeah, she'd love it during the winter months. The summer heat and humidity might kill her though She grew up down there so I probably can't talk her into that...

Well there goes any chance of early inheritance.

[theBIGyowski]

Yeah we definitely know we're making the right decision on DW staying home and everything. Even when we had the money to go to WDW...we couldn't go because she was a teacher and could not take a week off...so that left only Summer and holidays.

We are very excited about our DS coming...bags are packed and everything. Heck...it looks like we are getting ready to go to WDW with as much as we have packed!

One thing I am really looking forward to is enjoying all of the "nerdy/educational" aspects to the parks with DS when he gets older. DW likes them a little, but nowhere near as much as I do. I could sit through The American Adventure over and over again and stay on the edge of my seat. She can't stop from falling asleep after the first few minutes in that theater. If DW keeps up her teaching certification, we could try homeschooling, so we're glad that is an option. "Field trips" to WDW are a plus.

Luckily, we have very good friends who live in Boca Raton who just had their first son this past December. So, we eventually want to go down there to see them, and perhaps swing in a day at the Magic Kingdom. The last time we saw our friends was last June when we were on our long WDW vacation. They met us in Epcot and we spent the second half of the day with them there. They were 3-4 months pregnant at the time, so we stuck to the tame and soothing side of Epcot.

[DisneyYorkie]

One thing I am really looking forward to is enjoying all of the "nerdy/educational" aspects to the parks with DS when he gets older. DW likes them a little, but nowhere near as much as I do. I could sit through The American Adventure over and over again and stay on the edge of my seat. She can't stop from falling asleep after the first few minutes in that theater. If DW keeps up her teaching certification, we could try homeschooling, so we're glad that is an option. "Field trips" to WDW are a plus.

Every time we talk about AA in our family, I'm so excited I can hardly stand it and DD and DH are because they are so bored by it!
Homeschooling was the best decision we ever made. It allowed us time together as a family and an incredible flexibility for travel and experiences that you just cannot get any other way!

[Goofyfan]

To help defray the cost of the expense while at Disney. We start right after we get back buying each other Disney gift cards. I don't need a new necktie or my wife doesn't need flowers and all that crap. We just do the gift cards. after a year or two it realy adds up. And the best thing is that they don't expire. (kind of sounds like a commercial).

[DisneyYorkie]

To help defray the cost of the expense while at Disney. We start right after we get back buying each other Disney gift cards. I don't need a new necktie or my wife doesn't need flowers and all that crap. We just do the gift cards. after a year or two it realy adds up. And the best thing is that they don't expire. (kind of sounds like a commercial).

THAT is a really good idea! Don't know why I never thought of that. After this mega trip we are going on, I probably won't get back to WDW for 10 years...won't have any money BUT, the gift card idea might be something that I could use for other people. My mother, my brother and his wife and daughter all go every other year, so rather than give gifts that nobody really needs, a Disney gift card is an AWESOME idea!

[secondstar]

We've all had it before...

Some families go every year (I've gone every year the past 4 years) and some go every other year. They have planned trips and it's something to look forward to.

But the scary thought is when you don't know when your next trip to WDW will be. Our DS is due to be born in the next few weeks...and that plus the economy will definitely keep us from making any trips down to WDW in the near future. We're hoping we can get down in 2013 once all of the Fantasyland updates are done, but aren't even sure we can do that since DS will only be 18+ months old, which we feel won't be old enough to be worth the 10+ hour drive and all the cost.

TGFSSR!
(Thank Goodness For Subsonic Radio)

TheBIGyowski, we just went through what you are facing and I feel for you. Prior to the birth of my beautiful daughter (yes, I'm biased. She's beautiful.) being born, my DW and I used to go to WDW at least once a year. Sometimes two or three times. (Two incomes; no kids!) After the birth of DD, we went to one income and trips became less frequent. Then, we had our DS and going became out of the question. Prior to last year, it had been 2007 since our last visit. When we returned in 2011, DW & I nearly cried. It was like seeing an old friend. Have a trip planned for September 2012 and hope it doesn't fall through.

As for you, theBIGyowski, keep checking the fan sites, watching videos (both homemade and Disney Vacation Planning videos), listening to music, and thinking about it. Before you know it, you'll be eating at the Be Our Guest restaurant.

Regarding not being old enough at 18 months, let me answer you this way: before we took our daughter down at 17 months, many people tried to dissuade us, saying "She's too young to remember." That is true. But we will never forget the look on her face as she saw Simba in Festival of the Lion King. Or how excited she became on the teacup ride. Just from what I've followed here regarding your posts, you DS will be a Disney fan. He will recognize characters. His eyes will light up at Playhouse Disney. His excitement at seeing the parade will stay with you forever. Don't let his age keep you from coming down.

Regarding the 10-hour drive, check into Southwest flights. Up to two years old, he can sit on your lap. If not, plan lots of stops.

I hope all goes well for you and your family and I hope you make it back to WDW real soon!