To go or not to go

[MerHearted]

Two years ago, I took my first and only WDW trip. I immediately fell in love with it and was absorbed into its spell of enchantment. I only went for 3 days, stayed at a small motel outside of the resort, and didn't see all the parks (I've yet to experience EPCOT or half of the Magic Kingdom), but it was still the most magical time of my life. In fact, I would even say my Disney experience ws life-changing. And since then, like anyone else, I've longed to return. I started a small Disney fund for me, adding to it every now and then for a possible second trip. None of the money I worked for went into it, just the side money I got from gifts, taxes, etc.

Well, now I finally have enough for that second trip. This time, enough to stay in a resort and stay a whole week. You would think that there should be nothing stopping me from going. Well, there is... me. I don't know whether I should go or not.

This weekend, I told my parents about my plans and I don't think they liked it. They gave me a guilt trip about using that money. But in the end, they said if I really wanted to do it, just go. But it still left me thinking. Maybe going to WDW now isn't such a good idea.

Pros for a trip:

- I really wanna go!
- It's from the extra money I got on the side. My bank account will not be touched. I mean, if I hadn't saved it, I wouldn't have this money now anyway. It would have been spent on various little thing-a-mabobs.
- If I don't go now, I don't know when my next chance will be. It could be years. I already lost my Disneyland trip last winter, I don't know if I could take losing this one as well.

Cons for a trip:

- I'm graduating college now and going to grad school in the fall. I think that I will get financial aid, but you never know if the money might be needed.
- It's extra money, but does that give me the right to use all of it just like that? There are more important things than WDW. It might be best to use it for more important matters.
- If I go, I would be going alone. Will it be the same if I go alone? Could I really enjoy a vacation without some company?
- My family doesn't make much money, but they've still done a lot for me. Using this money and going off on a trip by myself would seem kinda selfish. The extra money could help out the family.

What should I do? Should I take the trip and feel guilty about it? And possibly face something later down the line that could have used the money? Or do I not go and lose out on something incredibly special to me?

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Originally posted by MerHearted
Two years ago, I took my first and only WDW trip. I immediately fell in love with it and was absorbed into its spell of enchantment. I only went for 3 days, stayed at a small motel outside of the resort, and didn't see all the parks (I've yet to experience EPCOT or half of the Magic Kingdom), but it was still the most magical time of my life. In fact, I would even say my Disney experience ws life-changing. And since then, like anyone else, I've longed to return. I started a small Disney fund for me, adding to it every now and then for a possible second trip. None of the money I worked for went into it, just the side money I got from gifts, taxes, etc.

Well, now I finally have enough for that second trip. This time, enough to stay in a resort and stay a whole week. You would think that there should be nothing stopping me from going. Well, there is... me. I don't know whether I should go or not.

This weekend, I told my parents about my plans and I don't think they liked it. They gave me a guilt trip about using that money. But in the end, they said if I really wanted to do it, just go. But it still left me thinking. Maybe going to WDW now isn't such a good idea.

Pros for a trip:

- I really wanna go!
- It's from the extra money I got on the side. My bank account will not be touched. I mean, if I hadn't saved it, I wouldn't have this money now anyway. It would have been spent on various little thing-a-mabobs.
- If I don't go now, I don't know when my next chance will be. It could be years. I already lost my Disneyland trip last winter, I don't know if I could take losing this one as well.

Cons for a trip:

- I'm graduating college now and going to grad school in the fall. I think that I will get financial aid, but you never know if the money might be needed.
- It's extra money, but does that give me the right to use all of it just like that? There are more important things than WDW. It might be best to use it for more important matters.
- If I go, I would be going alone. Will it be the same if I go alone? Could I really enjoy a vacation without some company?
- My family doesn't make much money, but they've still done a lot for me. Using this money and going off on a trip by myself would seem kinda selfish. The extra money could help out the family.

What should I do? Should I take the trip and feel guilty about it? And possibly face something later down the line that could have used the money? Or do I not go and lose out on something incredibly special to me?

Vince...this is how I'd look at it...

You say that you have this money on the side...

ask yourself this question...

What were you putting money off to the side for?

If it was for a trip to Disney...then go for it...reward yourself...I know that it's tough to "save" and you should go for it.

(I especially say go for it if the first trip was a life-changing experience...I know from talking to you that you truly love the place and miss it sooo much. Going there again would make you truly happy...so...Go for it!) (although...I'd kinda suggest staying away from Ariel's Grotto...I think that place was a little "TOO" life-changing) :animwink:

 

[The Mom]

Vince, there's ALWAYS going to be something more "deserving" of your money! As long as you are not shirking your normal day to day financial responsibilities, and you are not ignoring a pressing parental need, (Are your parents being hounded by bill collectors, going hungry, wearing threadbare clothes, or going without medication or medical treatment due to cost?) then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[MerHearted]

But is going alone worth it? Kinda feels like going to the movies alone.

 

[DMC-12]

Originally posted by MerHearted
But is going alone worth it? Kinda feels like going to the movies alone.

Vince, go for it... I went solo in March and it was my best WDW trip EVER! You can do what YOU want, whenever YOU want to.

As far as the parents guilt trip thing.... Pfffffft shine that!...ignore that and go anyway... its your money for your trip you have been saving for.

 

[ArchiDanDisney]

There's always the college program vince...That way they pay YOU to go there. Sure you have to work 45 hours a week, but I mean you're still in disney right???

 

[Yellow Shoes]

I am not a social outcast, but I would love to do WDW alone.

You know yourself best.

Do you mind eating at restaurants alone?
Are you uncomfortable at the movies alone?
Would you miss having someone to share the experience with? I.e., when you get home, only you will have the memories--and your family will get pretty tired, pretty soon of hearing endless accounts of your vacation.

I would do it in a heartbeat.

If your family has no pressing immediate need for your savings, I think you should reward yourself for all the pizza, CD's, new clothes, etc. that you didn't buy. Think of it as your graduation gift.

I'm graduating college now and going to grad school in the fall. I think that I will get financial aid, but you never know if the money might be needed.

ALL grad students are poor--this way you know that you'll fit in.

Just remember that we do want to hear every detail.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Well...Vince...the questions by Yellow Shoes are something to take into consideration...

I for one have experienced the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT by myself but I have to tell you...it was great to do it alone because I could do what I wanted when I wanted (and picture taking is great alone...unless you want pics of yourself in them)...but...I felt like I would've had a better time if someone was there to share in the happiness that I was experiencing. (Like I said...this is just me...you are the only one that can answer those questions that Yellow Shoes has asked)

(Here's another question...can you strike up a conversation with a complete stranger...if so...then you'll have fun no matter what ) (Standing in line can get kinda awkward if you're not talking to someone)

 

[WDWspider]

Originally posted by WDWFREAK53

(Here's another question...can you strike up a conversation with a complete stranger...if so...then you'll have fun no matter what ) (Standing in line can get kinda awkward if you're not talking to someone)

I'm just the opposite on that, I'd prefer to not talk to or be talked to in a line. Unless something funny happens.

However, on the main issue... go to Disney and don't feel guilty later. Make the decidion and just understand the results that may or may not come. As long as you can deal with it then have no regrets.

As far as going to a Movie by yourself... if it's a great movie does it matter? Disney is a great vacation.

If it's a bad movie or a comedy then someone else there makes a difference. Luckily you already know that Disney is great, so an alone trip can be just as, if not more fun by your self. You already get instant advantages like Single rider line use, no compromises with others in group, and the ability to go where you want, when you want (and as fast or slow as you want).

HAVE FUN... GO!

 

[AliciaLuvzDizne]

k
ive thought lots about this and i think ive got one for ya

You say you have enough for a week in a resort. Thats AWESOME! but why dont you think about just staying 4 or 5 days...a short week wont deplete all of your funds. Also in the matter of going alone, its not an ENTIRE week of alone-ness, its just an extra long "weekend"

You have saved this money with the intent on using it to go to wdw, and your graduating soon. You deserve a reward!
HECK even if you WERENT graduating soon you deserve a reward for being able to save all of that money without touching it!! hehe

let me know whatcha think :wave:

 

[MouseMadness]

Vince, I hope you go. I think after graduation you need a break! Plus, anybody who loves it there as much as you do deserves to go if it's possible. I think I know you well enough to know you wouldn't be doing this frivalously without making sure what needed to be done was done. And yellow shoes is right, all grad students are poor. But don't go if you think you'll spend the whole time feeling guilty. That would miss the whole point. Also, I would love to go by myself someday. I'm not by myself too often, it would be nice I think. But you could also plan your date and see if anybody else would be going down then, too. Maybe you could meet up with some people on a couple days. Just a few thoughts.

Now, swim your little mermaid butt down to Orlando!!:wave:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

*DISCLAIMER*

Warning...BAD JOKE AHEAD!


"Vince...this should be a fun trip...not a guilt trip"

*ducks from flying tomatoes and creme pies*

 

[Al]

Theres ALWAYS gonna be something else you could spend the money on. It is just really a matter of how much you want to go. Aslong as there is not urgent need for the money you had saved, then I would go for it. Like you said, the money you had saved would have been spent on other unimportant, unnecessary items.

Let us know what you decide

 

[RozFan]

I agree with the others, go for it!

Also, there a tons of locals here, why don't you try setting up some meets so that if the trip gets too lonely you'll have little breaks where you can have a companion to talk to and maybe eat with?

 

[The Mom]

Originally posted by RozFan
I agree with the others, go for it!

Also, there a tons of locals here, why don't you try setting up some meets so that if the trip gets too lonely you'll have little breaks where you can have a companion to talk to and maybe eat with?

Maybe sometime around Dec 5th?

 

[Erika]

Vince, I know how much you have been looking forward to this. You deserve it. I think RozFan had a good dea. Why don't you do that?

 

[MouseMadness]

Well, Vince, (shocker!!) everybody seems to be in favor of you going. But I kinda expected that... now if you want a totally unbiased opinion, we could look for a "People with ambiguous feelings about WDW" website. :lol: Vince, go, have fun, and write a wonderful trip report for all us po people who can't go until next February.

 

[mwitkus]

here's a spin on a previously mentioned suggestion - depending on how much you have saved and how generous you are feeling - maybe you could shorten the trip to 4 or 5 days, stay offsite (or less expensive hotel) and possibly bring someone along and pay their way or part of their way? that way you are doing something for someone else (not selfish) and you aren't going by yourself! just a thought...

if you don't mind going by yourself though - i would go for it... i personally am much too needy to go by myself but if you can handle it, then do it! you have a long few years ahead of you with grad school and you deserve the break!

 

[darthdarrel]

Vince I say go for it and as was said before,see if someone is going to be there around the same time that you can meet up with them.
And Mouse Madness get out of my pants,you tickle!:lol:

 

[RozFan]

Vince, when are you planning to visit WDW?