Can I tell you how much easier it is to plan when you have an actual date set?
After all the back and forth between 2020 and 2021, finally settling on 2021 has been such a relief. It gives me an idea of what we can expect from our children, for one. A 2020 trip puts us with the Teacup not yet two. A 2021 trip has her almost at three. At 18 months, the Teacup is a handful. She is learning to communicate and becoming her own little person, and I’ll tell you. Her own little person is a character.
She has the following words: yes, no, mama, daddy, more, apple, shoes, cow, dog, sheep. She’s in that fun phase where she tantrums when we can’t understand her admittedly very clear statement of, “Mama, blurb blooo cow floo galoo apple daddy.” She is very independent, doesn’t want any help with anything, until she wants you to cuddle her and carry her everywhere for two hours. She is so different from her sisters at this age and I adore her with my whole being. But the thought of taking her to Disney in 6 months fills me with fear.
Not to mention the other two. Right now, they’re approaching seven and five. At the time of the trip, they will have JUST turned eight and and six. And y’all, they have OPINIONS. Mr. B and I were discussing ADRs at dinner the other night because I was in the midst of my review of Storybook Dining with Snow White. The big debate was whether we go Be Our Guest, which we have done every trip, or Cinderella’s Royal Table, which we have never done. While debating the merits of both, the Glass Slipper piped up, “I think we should go to Cinderella’s because we have never done that before and we have done dinner with the Beast a lot.” And then the Frying Pan chimes in! “Yes, I want Cinderella’s this time. It will be very beautiful. The Beast will understand.”
Because we have a date (September 2021, possibly October 2021 depending how things pan out with the rumpus), it feels like we actually have something to save for. We’re not just squirreling away money for a long winter. We’re very specifically putting acorns in a safe space for January and that makes all the difference when it comes to the morale around acorn gathering.
Let’s take a quick look at our acorns:
- Resort: We’re doing deluxe y’all. We might never have a chance again. This is the last trip before the Glass Slipper becomes an “adult” and the Teacup is still free. The best part about deciding to defer to 2021 is it gave us some extra earning time to make this deluxe dream a reality. More on that later.
- Days & Nights: Okay, so we’re doing six nights, three days of park tickets. I’ve been very vocal in our love of pool days and non-park days, so we’ll have three days in, three days out. We’re thinking two days at the Magic Kingdom and one at Epcot.
- Dining: We are a Disney Dining Plan family. It is a must, must, must.
- Travel: We’ll be flying. It will be the Teacup’s first time on a plane!
The most exciting part is that soon, this placeholder financial goal ($8000) will be a concrete financial goals with specifics. In years past, Disney typically releases package information for the coming year in June, around the third week. And I will be one of the first to know because I am on the watchlist with my TA, the fantastic Elizabeth Mallers. In fact, I was just emailing Elizabeth all my particulars (my acorns, if you will). When the new packages are released, she’ll have all my info right there, and she can send me options instantly. She can put a three day hold on my package so I don’t lose the price while I decide. And once I do, I’ll know exactly how much my vacation will cost me, giving my savings firm shape.
2021 Family Trip
Goal: $8000
After Last Deposit: $6147.80
Total Deposit: $41.10
$30 PayPal Deposit from E-Poll
$6.10 PayPal Deposit from Rakuten
$5 Amazon Giftcard from Infant Care Study
Still Need: $6106.70
Are you gearing up for a 2021 Disney Trip? Are you on a watchlist? Contact the delightful Elizabeth Mallers or Erin Manor Johnson if you’d like to be one of the first in the know.
What are you currently saving for? How long is your savings period? Share your progress down below!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!
Good job! I also love the canister you have
Thank you so much! I made it myself! :)