Florida for the weekend - stupid idea?

[clpsmum]

There is an event in Florida two of my children really want to go to. The only way we could do it would be to fly out on Friday and back on Monday. I've not been long haul for many many years. Is it a stupid idea or is it doable? I'm in the UK

I would wait til WWE is next in London

The last thing I would think of doing is looking at a poster's previous threads, especially one as innocuous as this (unless they made a reference to a previous thread that would be relevant - I can't see any evidence of that in the OP's post), that's why I find it a bit odd?

To cast random aspersions that those who are saying go for it are doing so because they themselves are rolling in money is just conjecture and you come across a bit churlish saying that.

I am far from affluent, but if I had the spare cash I absolutely would love to spend it on building memories for the whole family to treasure later on. Coming to terms with the end of my parents' lives at the moment is making me massively appreciate and value my childhood memories with them. I was lucky - I had loving, happy parents whose aim in life was to ensure our happiness. We didn't have a pot to piss in and holidays abroad were unheard of. I wasn't left feeling bereft by our annual week at Pontins, and my memories of those holidays are great, just as the memories that OP will make with her family, whether that be Florida or Frinton will hopefully be. The OP's circumstances have changed, meaning she currently CAN afford something that she couldn't last year, so why shouldn't she? It's not like she's blowing everything on a luxury spa holiday for just her - it's her DC at the heart of her wishes.

I don’t think it’s totally bonkers but then I’ve been to Cape Town for three nights and Barbados and Dubai for four nights.
Due to the time difference you’ll wake up mega early the first day (Saturday) so would have a very long day to do the parks, then the whole day there on Sunday and quite a bit of Monday before flying back in the evening and arriving home Tuesday morning. You’ll be knackered then but I have never been going there flying in that direction.

Sorry, but who are you to pull up posters telling the OP to go ahead and book an amazing trip?

It is stalking for you to come on here and alert posters of her financial situation based on you looking up previous posting history.

Don't mask it as concern. OP can spend her money as she sees fit. The fact that you think people just egging her on and telling her to go ahead because they themselves are rolling in money and wouldn't think twice about spending thousands on a long weekend away is your own issue.

I don't know the ops financial situation beyond what other posters have alluded to...but if you're skint and come into money, sometimes all it does is stop you being skint for a while and you're soon back to square one. Hence why I can see the allure of blowing it on a once in a lifetime experience.

What a waste of time. If going that far at least a week. Long weekends are 2/3 hr flights max

I'd do it in your position OP

So you saw a lot. Might aswell done 3 hrs spain longer on lounger then back. Wouldn't matter what country

Your post doesn't make any sense.

I would with a 13 and 17 yo. We've done NY going late Friday and coming back early hours Monday. It was tiring but fine for a one off. Found jet lag worse staying longer as could never get into good sleeping pattern.

Depressing because the prevailing opinion seems to be that flying long haul for a weekend is an aspirational fun thing to do. It's a barometer of public opinion which by now with real life effects of global warming being unavoidable you'd think would be swinging towards finding a genuinely fun closer alternative.

Tbh I thought money wasn’t an issue for you.

Although I would love to go to Florida myself, I’d want to go to experience the whole thing and spend at least one week there.
The flights are one of the most expensive parts and I’d go to a big supermarket to buy food instead of eating out etc to save money.

I understand why you can’t go for a long time because of your other child but if this event is coming to the UK one day soon then I’d seriously consider going somewhere else.

You can probably get a couple of European holidays for the price of that one weekend, which could be more of an experience than this one.

It sounds like your kids haven’t had a holiday abroad in years/never had one and so any holiday would be amazing for them.
You may also be able to help out your eldest with a car.

So if you want to do this then definitely go for it and have a great time!
But I’d look to see whether it’s coming to the UK first and if it is likely to just have a look at some all inclusive weekend holidays or cruises before making up your mind.

I think it’s lovely that you want to spend the bit of money you do have on your kids and it can be hard having a sibling who is disabled, so this is so thoughtful of you.

We do this often to catch NFL games. It's fine - much easier if you can book a direct flight. Having to change at CDG or AMS can be brutal.

If you're only there for a few days you won't get jet lag but will be very tired when you get home. Quite often we've landed early morning and straight into work. That's been fine, but the next day hasn't been that productive!

She hasn't been abroad for 12 years
How many times have you flown in the past 12 years?

Exactly. The op has lost her father, she has a disabled child to look after, she hasn't been abroad for 12 years. Sounds like she deserves a nice trip. Do you have any idea how many plane journeys some people take for business? I know people who are travelling by plane every single week. No one should be having a go at the op because of the environment.