Help...any way my dream trip can happen?

[Andy Dang]

HI everyone!

This is my first post but I've been lurking here for years, haha.

I am possibly a little younger than most of y'all on here, I'm a high school junior. Here's some background info:

The last time I've went to WDW for a big trip was in January 2014. It was so fun but its been so long since I've been for real--I've only been twice since, on a school trip to Epcot last May, and once to stop at Disney Springs on the way back from a UCF tour.

My parents said I would have a huge "graduation" trip in senior year years ago. It's always been something I've been looking forward to, even though it's on the back burner.

Fast forward to now, and I was starting to plan this trip (I'm a HUGE Disnerd and I've (mostly) planned all of our Disney trips). When I started to plan this trip I was noticing how expensive things in Disney have gotten, namely the hotels. I eventually decided that renting DVC points would be the best value, but that is still over $200 a night, on top of the tickets for the five of us. And food.

I really wanted to stay five nights but there was really no time that it could fit into our school schedule without missing 3+ days. I'm in six AP classes so missing that much is not an option...

On top of that, I realized that my brother and mom don't really want to go to WDW that much. They'd be okay with it, but would rather do something else.

In the heat of the moment we decided on a cruise on Royal Caribbean instead of Disney. I've been on a few cruises before and loved them, but Disney is better. And now looking back on it a few weeks later, I still feel sad that my dream trip isn't happening.

We can always cancel, but I don't know. The logical side of me is saying that the cruise is cheaper, and easy on our school schedule, and everyone would have fun. But the emotional side of me is wanting to look forward to walking down Main Street with my Mickey ears. One of my AP and DVC holding friends offered to take me as long as I paid for my ticket. It sounds fun, but I just dream of a trip with my family.

I'm so sorry for the lengthy post. I don't know what to do. I think I just need some people to give me their two cents. Should I try to keep looking for Disney deals? Or just wait until college or something?

p.s.: Sorry if I seem melodramatic or anything

 

[Minnie Mum]

I don't mean to crush your dreams or rain on your parade, but I do think you need to sit down with your parents and have a realistic talk about what kind of trip is AFFORDABLE. If you want a WDW trip during the school year, that's going to mean spring break, when prices are high and discounts are fewer and not guaranteed (at least, not now). Or do the trip when school has finished.

No matter which way you cut it, a wdw vacation is expensive for a family of 5. Have you looked at staying offsite in a condo? Bonnet Creek or Windsor Hills? That could save a lot in accommodation costs. Plus, a fully equipped kitchen would mean a lot of savings on food expenses if you ate breakfast and one other meal per day there. Sometimes a compromise is in order.

Waiting until a later date may seem like the end of the world to a 16 or 17 year old, but it's not. I know a lot of people who didn't go until they were in their 20s ( or older). They weren't scarred for life.

 

[Andy Dang]

I don't mean to crush your dreams or rain on your parade, but I do think you need to sit down with your parents and have a realistic talk about what kind of trip is AFFORDABLE. If you want a WDW trip during the school year, that's going to mean spring break, when prices are high and discounts are fewer and not guaranteed (at least, not now). Or do the trip when school has finished.

No matter which way you cut it, a wdw vacation is expensive for a family of 5. Have you looked at staying offsite in a condo? Bonnet Creek or Windsor Hills? That could save a lot in accommodation costs. Plus, a fully equipped kitchen would mean a lot of savings on food expenses if you ate breakfast and one other meal per day there. Sometimes a compromise is in order.

Waiting until a later date may seem like the end of the world to a 16 or 17 year old, but it's not. I know a lot of people who didn't go until they were in their 20s ( or older). They weren't scarred for life.

I agree 100% what you say! The issue isn't affordability for us, it's value. A trip (renting points at Wilderness Lodge Villas, five nights, 3 day park hopper) would be at least $3300, while we're getting a five night cruise for $600 less.

I'd say our main issue is school schedule. The breaks would be way too crowded...I think. What is the typically least crowded break? Labor Day is a possibility but I'd be worried about missing 2.5 days of school at the beginning of the school year. We are also getting out really early now, late May, which is another possibility (but more expensive hotels).

We've never actually stayed on property but the condos seem like a good idea. We don't mind cooking on vacation.

And please don't think my life would be ruined by not going now! I really don't want to come off that way--I definitely DO NOT feel that way!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Could you go at a different time, perhaps after graduation? If it is supposed to be a graduation trip for you, then you should be able to pick the trip. Maybe a moderate or value resort would be better or more cost efficient if you want to stay on site. Where does the cruise leave from? If it is Port Canaveral maybe you could fit in at least a day at the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Andy Dang]

Could you go at a different time, perhaps after graduation? If it is supposed to be a graduation trip for you, then you should be able to pick the trip. Maybe a moderate or value resort would be better or more cost efficient if you want to stay on site. Where does the cruise leave from? If it is Port Canaveral maybe you could fit in at least a day at the Magic Kingdom.

After graduation COULD work...only if RIGHT after it. Summer before college will be hectic with orientation and such.

And I did pick the cruise (kind of). I'm an extremely guilt filled (?) person and I want to make sure everyone is happy. But our cruise leaves out of Miami which is out of the way.

 

[ToTBellHop]

It's your graduation trip. Don't feel guilty asking for what you want. May isn't that expensive as summer rates haven't begun. Weather is beautiful and if you go before Memorial Day, crowds are manageable. We've gone the last three Mays and will meet as it now that the boys are in school.

 

[ThemeParkJunkee]

Dear High School Junior. If your parents offered you a graduation trip and then reneged on allowing you to choose said trip, then bad on them. If you acquiesced to their cruise desires and did not make your desires known, bad on you. Yes, a WDW trip can be expensive but as you said, you can find value. It sounds like the trip dates don't really coincide with your graduation so it really wouldn't be a graduation trip would it?

I would consider a post graduation trip as a graduation trip...right after graduation.

 

[kaitertot5249]

I'd say our main issue is school schedule. The breaks would be way too crowded...I think. What is the typically least crowded break? Labor Day is a possibility but I'd be worried about missing 2.5 days of school at the beginning of the school year. We are also getting out really early now, late May, which is another possibility (but more expensive hotels).

I went on a trip over MLK weekend this past January (2016) It was great! The crowds were manageable, the prices were fair, the weather was decent, and the memories were incredible. This time of year sounds like it might work for your proposed schedule and the concerns your parents have on the price. I would also consider looking into a value resort, like Pop, to help save some money, you might need to do two rooms but I think that would likely end up being cheaper than renting DVC points.

And to echo what others are saying, sit down with your parents and have a serious talk with them about what your dream trip looks like and what they are willing to spend to make it happen. Don't give up on your dreams without discussing it with all involved parties (especially the ones paying for it), if they told you that you could go anywhere you wanted take them up on it!

 

[JIMINYCR]

The value of something can be subjective. Although I enjoy a cruise, I'd 9 times out of 10 choose a Disney trip over a cruise. I get more pleasure, memorable moments, and enjoyment walking around Disney enjoying all that it offers than what any cruise package can offer me.
You are saying a Disney trip would make your graduation celebration more enjoyable so I'd do what it takes to make it happen, even if it means altering plans and leaving family behind. And if you need to plan on dates that come into play during more crowded times, so be it. With good planning you can still work around the crowds and have a blast.

 

[Uncle Lupe]

Look up and print all the things that go wrong on cruises. Focus on the stories with dysentery and cholera and leave them around the house. Then casually mention staying off site is a great way to enjoy a trip.

Go after graduation.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Does it have to be the Wilderness Lodge?

Are values and moderate resorts not an option? You can often get those hotels for well under $200 a night

 

[bigrigross]

I just booked a hotel for one night (check out night from disney hotel) at Buena Vista Suites for 125 a night (plus i guess like 12 dollar resort fee). I heard from multiple people that these rooms are huge. Also, its only 2 miles away from Epcot.

I am 27 and just booked my very first WDW vacation package with my wife. When I was a kid and my Mom brought us down to Disney, we stayed off site and we still enjoyed it.

Also, about not going in the summer. Why will it be too much of a hassle with orientation? I do not know of any College orientations that run more than two weeks? Mine was only a week long and getting everything together took me like a week in advance. I got a lot of the stuff in the town of the university once I got moved in to my dorm.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Scrap the cruise. If you're already having doubts, you will regret this decision later. It's YOUR graduation trip, and your parents wanted you to pick where YOU would like to go. I've been on a cruise, I've been out of the country, and nothing ever compared to Disney. Some people would disagree, but I'd rather vacation in Orlando any day.

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

YES! It's YOUR graduation trip---do what YOU want, not your family. Does the graduation trip HAVE to involve mom and brother, who don't really want to go? You and your dad could go and have a wonderful adventure! Also, I know it's hard as a 17year old to wait for anything but what if you delayed it to Thanksgiving week? The crowds aren't crazy like summer crowds and you would be missing 2 days of schoolwork at most. The weather is also perfect that time of year and many colleges don't have class that week at all. Hope this helps!