Let’s say you have a little extra money. And by “extra” I mean you have some.
Let’s say you just lived through the coldest Seattle winter in DECADES.
Let’s say your skin is so pale you think it might be see-through.
Let’s say you spent the last 12 hours hand-in-hand with Travelocity drooling at pictures of swimming pools and spa treatments and Disneyworld merriment.
Let’s say you’ve NEVER been to Orlando and you have a FIVE YEAR OLD SON.
Let’s say you’re so desperate for warmth you’re considering sticking your head in the oven.
Ok.
NOW let’s say the economy is in a state of free-fall and you really don’t know where it’s gonna end.
Let’s say you need to buy a whole bunch of practical stuff, including but not limited to:
- fridge,
- stove/oven,
- tires,
- tree removal services,
- groceries,
- couch.
Let’s say you’re generally a practical person. And by “practical” we mean you’re really good at judging what other people should do.
Got it?
Think you know the answer?
Let me throw out ONE MORE HYPOTHETICAL…
Let’s say you have a $50 companion fare certificate that expires TODAY. Using this certificate will save you $500 off the price of your trip, if you were to book it. But you’d have to book it TODAY.
Do you:
A) Book that trip to Disney World… YEAH BABY!… and start packing.
B) Take the practical “wait and see” approach. Hey! Get your head out of the oven!
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xo Jen
March 15, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I think if it were me I would book a trip to somewhere ELSE, somewhere warm and sunny but with less mice and smaller crowds and more relaxation and possibly fewer expenses so I could buy a few of those other things, or just put something in savings. But I would take the trip.
But I’m not really the practical type. Which is why I have a couch that needed replacing when the first Bush was in office and a brand new pink laptop. Girl has to have her priorities.
Good luck with your decision.
March 15, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Get thyself to Disney.
March 15, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Start packing!!!
Kerries last blog post..When a Fever is Just a Fever
March 15, 2009 at 1:30 pm
We just got back from a 9 day trip to Disneyland so you know what I would say.
March 15, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Oooo that’s tough. I must abstain!
March 15, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I consider myself a pretty practical and frugal person, but all of that goes out the window when Disney is an option. So, you know my vote!!
Let me know if you need any help planning your trip. I’m a travel agent specializing in Disney vacations. :)
March 15, 2009 at 2:22 pm
BOOK IT!
Adriennes last blog post..Work Your Space
March 15, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I know lots of people may disagree, but I personally think 5 is a bit young for Disney. I’ve had many friends that have taken young children and said they wasted their money and should have waited a few years.
But I would totally book a trip somewhere warm – there are loads of great deals out there right now.
Good Luck!
March 15, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I say get the heck out of dodge! After our ridiculously fickle weather today, the fact that Spring is one week away and we are still getting snow, hail, wind, etc, etc…I say, LEAVE….and take me with you!! ;-)
March 15, 2009 at 3:13 pm
GO GO GO! :-) I think a five-year-old would have a blast at Disney as long as you pace yourself and take breaks to avoid meltdowns.
Get thee to the Happiest Place on Earth!
March 15, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I say go for it!!!!
March 15, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Oooh, I can’t decide… groceries or Disney… tree removal or Disney?
I’m putting my head back in the oven.
feefifotos last blog post..Race From Witch Mountain
March 15, 2009 at 4:48 pm
That is a really tough call. Is there a cheaper warm, sunny vacation option that would leave room for your “practical” stuff? So tempting!
Jen E @ mommablogsalots last blog post..6 Green Things I Love
March 15, 2009 at 5:01 pm
A. It’s your responsibility as an American to help stimulate the economy by traveling and spending money if you can afford it.
We went through a similar decision process a few months back, regarding whether or not to go to Hawaii. We ended up on not, but that was more due to the fact that we would have been traveling fairly late in my pregnancy and I didn’t feel up to that. But we wanted to go and went back and forth on the “we have the money to spend, but should we spend it now?” issue. Adulthood and making responsible decisions is definitely overrated.
Carries last blog post..4 hours until the weekend!!!
March 15, 2009 at 5:04 pm
A all the way! The weather here is perfect right now – absolutely perfect – all the warmth and no humidity.
DO IT!
Annies last blog post..The Mark of my Faith
March 15, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Go to Disney. And hit Sea World if you can. Five year old boys LOVE Sea World.
You’ll find a way to get those other things done, but without that certificate, you’ll put off a trip. In a year, are you going to be looking at the tires on your car and thinking “I had so much fun when I got those?” In this economy, you just don’t know when you’ll be able to take a trip again. Do it while you can.
As far as 5 being too young? For some of the rides, yes. But we took our son to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom when he was two and he loved it even then. The others are more grown up stuff, or pre-teen/teen. But Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom have more little kid stuff.
Seralago is a nice, well-priced hotel in the area, if you need to know. hehe
Angelas last blog post..Weekly Winners 03.08-03.14.2009
March 15, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Well, I have an 11-yr-old son (and a 10-yr-old daughter) and I’ve never taken them to Disney.
Sadly, I’m entirely too practical and I would not go to Disney. I agree 5 might be a bit young…???
Go with your gut and have fun!
wendys last blog post..Finally, some good news!
March 15, 2009 at 5:23 pm
If it were me, I would say book it and don’t look back LOL
For the last 3 years, we have been booking trips back to Jamaica and we have way too much other stuff we should be doing but it will all just have to wait.
We look at it as life is too short but we can be practical sometimes too ha ha What did you decide?
Angie (Losing It and Loving It)s last blog post..Workouts, Lactate Threshold, Desserts
March 15, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I think Disney could come before tree removal and couch, but never before groceries. And I suppose it depends how bad the fringe and stove are. If they are working fine, well then maybe disney can come first. Then there is the matter of how much is the economy effecting you. Are the jobs in the family safe…for sure?
I’d take the realistic approach I guess. If you son was a few years older I might say Disney though.
Stacey Kaspareks last blog post..Cat update:
March 15, 2009 at 5:56 pm
For your son’s sake, go, go, for the love of god, go! I didn’t get to go until I was 17, and let me tell you, by then it’s too late. Maybe 5 is a bit too young, but rather too young than too late.
March 15, 2009 at 6:27 pm
By the time my son was 7, he’d been to Disney World 3 times. So had his little brother & sister. I’m totally perplexed by people thinking 5 is too young for DISNEY!?!? It was MADE for 5 year olds.
I figure memories are far more precious than stuff, no matter how practical that stuff may be. We’ve never regretted a trip to Disney, even when it meant doing without some home improvements for a while.
Brookes last blog post..Cautiously Optimistic
March 15, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I would buy the items we need. The above mentioned items are pretty important. Seeing the above answers…I can understand why this economy is in such a state and people are losing their homes left and right.
March 15, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Of course A…Duh!
March 15, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Go. Go now. I mean it. Enjoy. Life is too short to be that practical.
Kathleens last blog post..Watching the Pros
March 15, 2009 at 8:05 pm
go go go go go
the planet of janets last blog post..Weekly Winners: March 8-14
March 15, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Oooooh. I sure as shit hope you booked that trip!
Jays last blog post..Pirate Princess Pickle Bunny Comes Clean
March 15, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I’d take my son to Disney and have a damn good time.
Mommy Crackeds last blog post..Giveaway Winners
March 15, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Dude, go to DISNEYWORLD!!
I went by myself last year (I am NOT a loser, see: http://iwright.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/alone-at-disney-world-i-promise-im-not-a-loser/) and it was so worth it.
We also just got a free week long stay at the Hilton in Hawaii – all we had to pay for was airfare and our food. They basically just gave us $1500! So we’re going, even though there’s a chance we may not get a bonus this year. If you don’t judge me, I won’t judge you…just GO!
Nickis last blog post..A Great Excuse to Partay
March 16, 2009 at 4:35 am
Without the certificate I would say no but with the certificate I say YES! Get thy butt to the happiest place on earth… with the world the way it is it might be one of the few happy memories from this time in his life! Do it!
March 16, 2009 at 6:16 am
I say yes. And I am a very practical person. The companion fare swings it, plus anything to get into a better mood after than nasty weather you have been having.
March 16, 2009 at 6:35 am
I’ve never been very good at practical, but if you’re 5 year old son has never been to Disneyworld then I think you are obliged to take him.
And you’ve got a coupon, so what better excuse do you need?
March 16, 2009 at 7:49 am
I’m a little late on the uptake here, but look forward to hearing that you booked the trip.
Melindas last blog post..I’ll Never Be a Cold Weather Baby…
March 16, 2009 at 7:56 am
Hubby works for Disney. We live in O-town. I say you have to pack your bags! Cover the couch with a new throw, consider a home warranty plan ($30-50 a month) that way if the fridge or heater or ac or washer or dryer go, then you can have it replaced for free! Your covered. Which one of your friends is giving away a couch anyway? Could it work in your house?
March 16, 2009 at 10:14 am
As the old fogey of this group, I weigh in on the side of the go-for-it group. Yes, the economy stinks, but there are great deals to be had and I have confidence that you will find them. I also am quite sure, knowing you, that you are not taking food off the table or in danger of losing your home. Those companion tickets are precious but certainly not worth unsafe tires. And don’t even get me started about the stupidity of banks that advertise that you can borrow against your home for a big trip. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
March 16, 2009 at 11:23 am
Book. The. Trip.
(From another who is normally responsible, but C’MON!)
Carol
Carols last blog post..A therapeutic peek into my photo folders
March 16, 2009 at 5:19 pm
I know I’m late to this game but I definitely vote A….A all the way!
PaperCourts last blog post..Sick day
March 17, 2009 at 7:36 am
I would totally book my trip for Disney…It will save you buttloads of cash. What’s more practical than that? :)
(And besides that I LOVE disney)
Lynettes last blog post..Can I be late to my own party?
March 18, 2009 at 11:39 am
Went to Disneyland, CA last year with 3 and 6 year old. Was definately worth the money! Sure, my 3 year old may not remember it much, but while he was there, he had a blast. It’s the only time in a person’s life where make-believe is real. Tooth Fairy, Santa and Mickey, they are real to a little one. Nothing will make you feel happy and young as seeing your little one stare in amazement at a Disney Parade. Plus, my 3 year old was able to go on most rides, even Tower of Terror! Just tell yourself, “somebody gots to keep Disney in business!”
Tamis last blog post..Did You Just Say, "Fractured Teeth"?
March 21, 2009 at 11:18 am
I hope you went with today!!!
LiLus last blog post..… But You Can’t Take the Masshole Out of the Girl
March 22, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Pick A, Pick A, Pick A!!!! Trust me, it really is the Happiest Place on Earth!!! And the look on your 5-yo’s face will make it SOOO worth it (still have mine on video; still makes me weepy). Put on your must-do list the Trinity: Tiki Tiki Room, Country Bear Jamboree, Small Small World, all real old-time WDW stuff!
Now, look at the positives. Disney is cutting deals too. Plus you’re stimulating the economy (airline, hospitality, restaurant, clothing, etc.)! It’s a good thing.
Now get thee to Disney!
WorkingMoms last blog post..Today’s Thoughts
March 23, 2009 at 1:05 am
Disney World for sure!!! What did you end up deciding to do? I know, this Seattle winter really HAS been cold!
Ashleys last blog post..Decisions, Decisions!