Conference koolit::disney

    
    
    I'm not sure this quite qualifies, based on note .0, but we did have to
    cancel our trip last year. The reason... We moved and had a house
    built.
    
    Actually we began saving for the trip as soon as we got back from our
    last trip (July 94). We had a wonderful time and figured we would go
    back again in 2 years, so we started our "Disney Fund". By December of
    95 we were well into our plans for the summer of 96. Then this job
    opportunity came up, and we moved from Philly back up to Boston (Acton)
    and decided to buy new. Anyone who has bought new or had a house built
    knows what that's like. We finally got into the house in late July and
    decided we would have to postpone our trip until next summer (97).
    
    I'm happy to say we have put a deposit down for a week at the Beachclub
    or the week of July 7. Trip report to follow ;^)
    
    
    Phil
    

    Gee, I used selling an old house, buying a new as an excuss to GO
    to WDW.  glass half full.
    ed
    

    Back in August 1995 I made plans to visit WDW in July of this year.
    
    Now some seventeen months later those plans may go up in smoke. Why?
    
    My daughter is a college sophomore majoring in television
    communications. She has aspirations to work for either a television
    station or network (hey maybe The Disney Channel?). Communications
    majors in her school are always supporting the college TV station which
    is also a CNN affiliate.
    
    On top of this she is a member of the Student Senate and Captains of
    her intramural floor hockey team. She also carries a full load of courses.
    
    All this makes for a tight schedule and thus she works only during
    vacation breaks. Her big earning months come during the Summer.
    
    Now Mom and Dad (that's me...I'm the Dad) hoped for a last family fling
    this year in WDW. The kids still enjoy our company down there and they
    even get along with each other. With the kids at the ages of 20 and 17 
    there's no doubt that it's now or never for a last family fling.
    
    With that said let's get back to #1 daughter. Her only problem with a
    WDW trip is that it hinders her Summer earnings. Her employer (who
    shall remain anonymous) has told her that my daughter's job most likely
    would not be waiting for her after being gone for some 22 days.
    
    Her employer did say that one week would be okay.
    
    So that's the problem. Although my wife has made overtures saying she
    would stay home with my daughter while my son and I took off for
    Orlando, that completely goes against the prime objective....a family 
    vacation.
    
    As it stands right now I have made some painful adjustments to the
    planned trip. Here they are:
    
       - I've reduced the time away from home from 22 days to 14 days.
       - I've reduced the reservations from 14-15 days (I planned to be
         there one day early) to 10 days (I can still justify the APs and
         the drive down).
       - I've reduced the vacation cost by almost 30%.
       
    My daughter feels that she may be able to squeeze another week out of
    her employer. I told her to tell her employer that her father has a
    disease called Retlawitis of which there is no cure. Retlaw is Walter
    spelled backwards.
    
    Anyway, stay tuned and we'll see what happens. And if anyone has any
    advice this is the place to post it.
    
    If I do cancel this trip I will announce my plans in here. I will let
    everyone know when I plan to cancel my room. If I cancel late on a
    Thursday night and someone calls first thing on Friday that person may
    be able to scoff up the room (14 days/CBR/Martinique/MKC rate).
    
    As for now it's still on. For obvious reasons I hope to handle this
    cisis ASAP....after all I already bought a case of notebooks for my
    trip report.
    
    Mike

    Mike,
    
    Why don't you have your daughter fly down and spend at least the week 
    with you.  You've already reduced the cost of the trip by 30%.  Delta
    non-stop flights with a Saturday usually run under $200.  Flight on
    the last flight on Friday night after work and return home on the last
    flight on the Sunday.  Gives her 9 days there together with the rest of
    you.
    
    Just a thought.
    
    Good Luck,
    Donna (trip coming up 5/10-5/17)

    Mike, that stinks like yesterday's dirty diapers!
        
    How about having her fly one-way home, cost to Boston would be $99
    or to Manchester would be $134 (NS on a Saturday USAir-probably could
    be cheaper if she flew on a week-day).  That's if she wouldn't mind
    flying alone.  Or have your wife fly home with her and
    you and your son stay and enjoy a couple days and then drive home.
        
    
    Julie
        
    

    Both ideas have merit. I'm going to sit down and think about the second
    one. I knew this note would be a good idea.
    
    Thanks...I'll keep everyone posted.
    
    Mike

    I first want to thank everyone for contributing to this note. I hope
    that this note continues to serve its purpose as an aid to dealing with
    and solving vacation problems.
    
    Having said that I want to preface my update on my own situation by
    asking everyone if they had ever sat down and thought about how often they 
    get a chance to do what they want to do with their families. Probably
    not often enough. Also, if you are a parent you know all too well that
    the years fly by much too fast.
    
    Regarding WDW trips, I can't tell you how many people have expressed
    some disappointment in not taking their children to Orlando at a
    younger age. Within the last month alone several people have said they
    wished they had taken their kids to WDW a long time ago until waiting
    until they were 10...or 12...or 13.
    
    Is everyone with me?
    
    Okay now for the update:
    
    My daughter is home from college and just before I left for work this
    morning we were talking about a number of things and I brought up the
    planned Scopa trek to Florida.
    
    Again she wasn't sure as to whether or not her Summer job would be
    waiting for her when we returned....even with the concession I made
    (going from 14 days to 10).
    
    What we both decided was that we'll make a decision no later than one
    month before the date we would leave. She will know by that time as to
    what her employer will agree to.
    
    Now I need Robert Stack of "Unsolved Mysteries" to step in with his
    very recongizable voice and do yet another "Update". Try to imagine his
    voice as you read the rest of this note.
    
    Robert Stack...COME ON DOWN!!!
    
    
    "As Mike left his daughter and drove off to work he began to wonder yet
    again if he and his wife would in fact enjoy one last gasp family trek
    to Walt Disney World before their son and daughter found their own
    lives leading to college and beyond, including their own families.
    
    A thought popped into Mike's head. It was Ed Badger's comment regarding
    vacations, 'Vacations shouldn't be a hassle!'
    
    Mike also remembered several friends regretting they had not taken a
    family vacation a few years back and how the kids were either too old
    or 'on their own' to even think about taking one now.
    
    Just then Mike turned on his radio and heard "the King" himself, Elvis
    Presley singing "It's Now Or Never." It was at that point as Mike 
    turned into ZK and glanced over at the Tara that he saw what he thought
    was Cinderella castle....not in birthday garb but in all it's original
    slendor.
    
    From atop the castle floated a figure...in a blue hat and a red robe.
    
    It was Mickey. He was saying something...as Mike got closer he could 
    make out what Mickey was saying, "Remember the Magic!"
    
    Mike slammed on the brakes, looked at Mickey and gave him a wink. All
    of a sudden it came to him. 
    
      Why should vacations be a hassle?
    
       Why should putting together a family vacation be such a job?
    
        Why should a family give up their last chance to enjoy each other's
        company in their favorite setting?
    
    These thoughts crossed Mike's mind and in a moment of determination and
    assertiveness he cried out, "They shouldn't......it won't...WE WON"T!"
    
    Right then and there Mike decided that he and his family were going to
    do what was planned all along. Forget the hassle of trying to appease
    his daughter's employer....for what? Can you put a value on a family 
    trip? Is there a lesson here that has been staring Mike in the face lo
    these many months?
    
    As Mike turned off the ignition he felt all was right with his world.
    He would wait and see what would happen with his daughter's Summer job.
    If her employer was willing to give his daughter her job back after two
    weeks then Mike would pull back the vacation to 11 days.
    
    If the employer would not hold her job then Mike had also decided that
    he would then take his family down to WDW for their last trip together
    AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED and then upon their return make up for any lost 
    wages sufferred by his daughter.
    
    Of course this decision/plan would be discussed with his wife and would
    be kept secret from his daughter until the eleventh hour.
    
    But the hassle of wondering whether or not the Scopa family would enjoy
    another WDW vacation will have been put to rest.
    
    If you, or anyone out there, has experienced such a problem please call
    our hotline at R-E-M-E-M-B-E-R-T-H-E-M-A-G-I-C and one of our
    counselors will help.
    
    For "Unsolved Mysteries" I'm Robert Stack.
    
    
    ;^)

    RE: .3   "With the kids at the ages of 20 and 17 there's no doubt that
    it's now or never for a last family fling."
    
    Whatever happens with this trip, just remember that it isn't
    necessarily your last family vacation.  My parents first took me to
    Disney World when I was 1 1/2 years old.  We went just about every year
    until I was in High School.  Well, my latest "Family Trip" was in 1994,
    with my Parents, my Husband, and our 1 1/2 year old son!  It was the
    best Family Vacation yet...and my parents got to introduce another
    generation to the Happiest Place on Earth!
    
    Cindy (Who leaves for WDW in 4 weeks to keep up the tradition!)

    re: .7
    
    Mike - I definitely can sympathize with what your thought process
    was - although I can't remember seeing Mickey hovering over the
    Tara this morning while coming into ZK.  What DID you have for
    breakfast this morning??  :-)
    
    But one serious thing to consider what your daughter thinks
    about this.  If she's happy with coming back to no job and
    having you take up the $$ loss, then all ahead full.  But if
    she's really interested in the job and would regret the fact
    she wouldn't be doing what the job entails afterwards, this
    should have a long heart-to-heart discussion.  I remember going
    thru college and working summers - and your logic about family
    things is definitely different than it was a few years earlier,
    or even after you graduate and start working full time.  College
    years are really a "different" period.
    
    As the previous reply stated - a family trip can take on a new
    meaning when you involve the kids once they're on their own, and
    potentially include significant others/spouses, or even
    grand-kids!!
    
    Make sure she'll be happy with your decision - otherwise she won't
    enjoy your company (nor you her's) during the trip.
    
    just my $.02
    
    andy

    Andy,
    
    I am in complete agreement with you. I think that the all important
    factor here is my daughter's sincere feelings regarding the trip and
    her job.
    
    If she really didn't want to go I'd drop the trip in a flash.
    
    Seem weird huh? Like something on the Ricki Lake show..."My Family
    Forced Me to Go to WDW AGAINST MY WILL!!!"
    
    We'll never see that show.
    
    BTW...had Mickey Waffles for breakfast.
    
    Mike

Mike,

	Good choice.  We ran into something similar for our February trip.  We really
wanted the "kids" (22 and 25) to go. We figured it was probably the last chance for us
to go as a family, for a long time anyway.  But,scheduling and finances were a concern.
 We finally reached the same point and said the hell with the problems.   It was more
important for us to go together than any scheduling and financial issues were.  It was
wonderful.  We made a lot of great memories and got away from all the day to day
interruptions that can prevent you from just enjoying each other.   You can't put a
price on those opportunities.

George

    Mike,
    
    If your daughter decides not to go for whatever reasons, why would you
    cancel the trip?
    
    You, your wife and your son are still entitled to a vacation.
    
    John (not trying to sound cold hearted just realistic)

    Until yesterday my wife and I didn't really get a chance to watch this
    year's WDW Easter Parade special.
    
    While we were watching the show (tape) we discussed the trip and we
    discussed everything and my ideas regarding our daughter's "problem."
    She must have liked them because while we were watching the show she
    picked up the phone and ordered this year's WDW vacation video and also
    called up Kissimme-St. Cloud to get the vacation package kit. 
    
    I think that the only glitch in the plans now would be if my daughter
    came right out and announced she didn't want to go. She has not
    indicated this at all. I will wait until June before telling her of our
    plans.
    
    John's last note mentioned what recourse to take if my daughter decided
    not to go. I have been very careful in making sure that my daughter
    wants to go. From all the signs I have been getting from her, as well
    as what my wife has been observing, she (my daughter) does want to go.
    
    To answer your question John, if she didn't go then we probably would
    all stay home. There is a possibility that she could stay with some
    friends but I'm not sure that's an option. The objective here is for a
    family vacation.
    
    86 days and counting.
    
    Mike 

    mike, if your daughter doesn't want to go, i would be more than happy
    to take her place!!!  i am just as luvable as anyone can get...and i
    *love* disney!!!  :>
    
    but seriously, if letting her stay home with some family friends is an
    option, i wouldn't rule it out.  you and your wife and other children
    shouldn't "suffer" because her needs are changing.  besides, i think
    she'd appreciate the trust you'd be giving her by letting her stay
    home, and the respect for realizing that her job is important to her.  
    i realize that chances of her not wanting to go are slim (as they 
    should be!), but ya nevah know....
    
    
    -raquel

    Raquel,
    
    Heh, heh! Boy if I could take everyone who has "volunteered" to take my
    daughter's place we could TAKE OVER the CBR.
    
    I'm not sure if staying with family friends is an option anymore. It
    was several months ago but my wife and I feel stronger than ever that
    we want a family trip not a 3/4 family trip. 
    
    There's also something to be said for peace of mind when you have all
    your family together instead of one child some 1500 miles away.
    
    Mike

Due to changes in both of our work schedules we have been forced to cancel
the original vacation plan :-(  We have reservations at Dixie Landings from 
June 30 (Monday)--July 9 (Wednesday) Standard room view.  These are at MKC 
discount rate.

If anyone is interested in these dates I'll let you know exactly when I plan
to call in the cancellation.  I'll make the cancellation either today 4/10 or
tomorrow 4/11.  As noted in this file and elsewhere, room previously 
discounted are not re-allocated for MKC discount.  I know, I've tried to 
secured MKC discount rooms for the week of July 12-19.  To this point I have
been unsuccessful.

We have discussed:

1)  Attempting the July 12 week (spending less time than previously planned) 
    and either try to secure Dixie Landings reservations through  AAA travel
    or an agent.  We may opt for non-Disney accommodations during this period,
    reluctantly.

2)  Plan for a November trip when crowds are minimal and on-site accommodations
    are available.


Any ideas or comments are welcome.

Bill

    Mike,
    If your daughter can't make it for the whole trip, as others have
    stated have her come for the time she can. 
    I too will offer to go in her place.
    
    Matt
    
    14 days and counting..........

    Matt,
    
    What a noble gesture......
    
    .....take a number!
    
    Mike

    Well #1 daughter returned home from college yesterday and all systems
    are "go!" for the trip. The matter of Summer work will be handled
    somehow and the only question left is when we leave.
    
    I'm giving my family the option of leaving either 7/5 or 7/6. The
    difference is obviously getting there a day early and getting that
    extra day in there.
    
    Mike

    Hurrah!  Glad to hear it, looking forward to meeting the whole Scopa
    clan in ~50 days.
    
    - Steven
      Hilary
      James
    & Robert
    
      

    Just look for someone dressed in Disney attire talking to a castmember
    and scribbling on a note pad...
    
    ....while enjoying a Dole Whip....that's me.
    
    Mike