We were originally booked into a Cat 3, which had a $2,000 deposit (made over a year ago). Then last fall, I changed to a Cat 5 and got a great price, so the balance due wasn't as horrendous as it could have been. Actually, it's kind of nice to spread this whole trip out over 18 months. Last year I paid the cruise deposit, rental house deposit, and bought both WDW and Universal park tickets. Last month was the airfare, this month the balance of the cruise, next month the balance due on the rental house, then in Nov the trip itself. I'd probably fall over in a dead faint and have to be revived by cute firemen (oooh, there's a thought) if the whole cost of the trip hit in one month.