$300+ How do you justify the expense?

[Kay7979]

I love luxury as much as the next person, but I can't fathom spending $350+/night for a concierge room, much less $700+ for a suite at the deluxe resorts. What kind of money does a family have to earn to shrug off a week or two stay at these rates? We made in excess of 150K last year, which I thought was a respectable income, but I don't think I could bring myself to spend that kind of money on a room, however nice it might be. We vacation three weeks a year and typically stay in 2 bedroom timeshare condo resorts. At least with these we are getting a whole apartment with a kitchen, livingroom, two baths etc. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney resorts to pieces and I love the ambiance and decor, the grounds, the service, but when I think of $300+ for a room I break out into a rash! Three weeks would be $6300 not including air fare, meals, entertainment, etc. Do you deluxe room/concierge people all have vastly higher incomes? or am I just cheap?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We only do deluxes when its value season and ask for the cheapest room for our family of 5. DH makes a decent salary but I also cant see wasting alot of money. Last time at the poly, we met a little girl on the beach, I said, is that your mommy over there, she said no, its my nanny!! Then the ds met a little boy from england. He said he was staying 3 weeks and told the ds he lived on an island and his father was the only dr. around. Little ds said, mom I think he said he is staying with the millionaires, I said, no you mean conceirge!! If I cant get a good rate, then my b plan is always to go to the swan. Saves us alot of money with a govt. disc.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I think it's a matter of priority.

What's important to you? To some people their vacation is important, and they're willing to make a few "sacrifices" to do that. I put sacrifices in quotes, because some people will happily go without something because it's just not important to them.

It also depends on who you're talking about. I'm not quite as bold to post my salary, but I don't make NEARLY what you do, and my fiancée and I will be splitting a stay between 5 nights at the Beach Club and 5 nights at the Polynesian. We made the reservation last September and have been paying on it since. We treat it like any other monthly bill. Our resort and APs are now paid off.

Not to mention, with the exception of people from other continents, most DISers spend about 2 weeks at a maximum in Florida. That extra week adds up, and can easily help pay for time in a deluxe resort.

AND - with the advent of DVC, people are saving even more money and staying in really nice resorts (you can stay at the non-DVC properties with your DVC point) and not paying ANYTHING for it. (Anything other than your initial DVC investment I mean)

I don't think it's a matter of anyone being cheap or extravagant. It's a matter of your own personal priorities, and your own budget.

 

[skiwee1]

I think it depends on what is important to you. I LOVE The Poly and wouldn't stay anywhere else while at WDW. I paid $350 a night and stayed 10 nights last trip. We stay at the Poly 25-30 days a year. That is just two vacations. We vacation approximately 6 weeks a year and spend about the same everywhere. I used to stay in the cheaper places but they don't have the amenities we are used to. I like a very nice pool, large rooms, room service, and a great location. It all adds up and I'm willing to pay for it. I always said I would never book a suite because I thought that was too much $$$. Well I just got off the phone booking a suite at Snowbird for this Christmas. That suite is costing $900 a nightand we are staying there 7 nights. Never did I ever think I'd pay that but it has what we want. Size, location, amenities, room service, spa, etc. It boils down to what you want and what you can afford. My DH makes almost double what you are making so that might help us. I also love a discount and it is great when I get one. If I don't then there is always a next trip! LOL!

 

[disneyholic family]

it's not a question of what you can afford....
i can afford the best, but i only spend it on vacations...
i drive a 12 year old car and live in a moderate house though i could afford the best of both....but i can't bring myself to spend the money on either...
but for some reason, when it comes to vacations i'm not willing to do without.....everyone's different.....that's what makes the world interesting....

 

[Lisan'Mike]

My family will be staying at the BWI CL for our October vacation. We will be attending MNSSHP too. There is nothing like a trip to WDW! No matter the cost! If you think it's too costly your shouldn't go. Our ds is under 3, but he remebers our previous trips and is telling anyone who will listen about his "I go to Disney Vacation October!" PRICELESS :thewave:

 

[Kay7979]

Beth,
If you would like to adopt me, I would LOVE to go on vacation with you! My in-laws think we're spend-thrifts when it comes to vacations, but now I feel positively frugal after reading about other people's trips. I agree that personal expenditures are all relative and all depend on one's point of view. In any case, vacations are very important to us and I can understand how time with family, and making special memories, is hard to value in dollar terms, so even though I can't bring myself to spend the money that some people do, I certainly don't begrudge them the pleasure.

 

[JungleJim]

I think I'd have to agree with Kay7979. I do like luxury, but there is a stopping as far as money is concerned.

What I really don't understand are the people who go to the beautiful state of Florida and spend their entire vacation at Disney (or in the Orlando area). I've known people who have done that, and they think all of Florida is as hot and muggy as Orlando and hate the weather (although they have a great time). I could not imagine going to Florida and seeing the ocean/gulf.

I personally go to Disney for the parks. I want a nice place to stay in Disney while I'm there, thus I prefer the moderate resorts.

I do have to tell you that my parents live in Florida (Venice) in a gated golf community. So we get the luxury of golfing and spending time at the beach for FREE every time we go to Florida. I would really hate spending more money at a delux resort at Disney, all the while thinking that I could have this for free at my parents

Even if I was spending my entire vacation at Disney, I would only want to stay at a delux resort on the days that I was spending the entire time at the resort and not going to the parks. IMHO, it is wasteful spending to put out money for a delux resort when you're not there to enjoy it. Spend that money on your children giving them some other experience in addition to Disney.

I'm sure that there are kids stuck at a delux resort that would much rather be at one of the value resorts. I'm sure those parents much prefer the delux, and wouldn't even dream of staying at a value resort. Myself....I wanted a little less "in your face" 24 hours, thus we stay at the moderate resorts.

But as stated previously, it's all a matter of priorities and choice. If people didn't stay at the delux resorts, then Disney wouldn't have them!

 

[Sammie]

It's all in what you are comfortable spending. My Dad always said, He worked hard to save "for" a vacation, he would not work hard to save "while" on vacation.

 

[disneyholic family]

as i said, everyone's different...
my sister, who wears a $6,000 watch on her wrist (as does her husband and kids), won't spend more than the minimum on her vacations....yet her house is a house beautiful candidate....with marble and antiques everywhere and priceless collectibles in every nook and cranny......but no way would she stay in anything more expensive than a days inn.....
i on the other hand am her exact opposite....i wear a swatch watch that i got as a hand me down from my daughter....drive that 12 year old car i mentioned....have hand me down furniture....and on and on....though i could afford what my sister has and more..

we all have our little idiosyncrasies.....mine is obscenely expensive vacations (did i mention we just stayed in the walt disney suite on the disney wonder?)....yes...obscenely expensive......but we do enjoy it, so .......

 

[skiwee1]

I am one of those that go to Florida and only go to Disney. Why not? We live near the ocean and spend two weeks there every summer. I've seen Florida. I go for Disney. I think the resort is a huge part of the vacation for us. You won't find me in a Motel 8 and being happy. We do not have a budget at any time of the year, much less on vacation. We spend what we want the vacation we need.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by JungleJim

snip
. IMHO, it is wasteful spending to put out money for a delux resort when you're not there to enjoy it. Spend that money on your children giving them some other experience in addition to Disney.

This is where we differ. If you can afford it then it isn't wasteful. You get to a point where you don't have to say that you should spend less because you aren't going to be in the room. You also don't have to save money on one thing, such as the room, to give your child something different then Disney. You can do it all when you can afford it. You don't have to take from one thing to have another. It is just there. As far as kids liking the values, my 5 y/o DD loves the Poly. I showed her the values, especially thinking she would like the Movies, but she said no way. If it doesn't have the volcano pool, she isn't going. So different tastes for different kids. She doesn't like the GF either!

 

[skiwee1]

double post again! Ugh!

 

[disneyholic family]

yup...we usually go to WDW for 3 weeks in the summer...and only WDW....nothing else....and love every second of it.......the parks, fishing, biking, swimming, boating, etc etc etc....in all the years, we've never tired of vacationing there...

we also vacation other places during other times of the year.....(we also live 10 minutes from the beach, so beaches are not really a big deal for us).....
our summers are for disney.....everyone thinks we're nuts....who cares....we have a good time....

 

[BambiTamby]

I love this thread! Alot of great answers!

My answer.....I work hard, I play hard!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by disneyholic family
yup...we usually go to WDW for 3 weeks in the summer...and only WDW....nothing else....and love every second of it.......the parks, fishing, biking, swimming, boating, etc etc etc....in all the years, we've never tired of vacationing there...

we also vacation other places during other times of the year.....(we also live 10 minutes from the beach, so beaches are not really a big deal for us).....
our summers are for disney.....everyone thinks we're nuts....who cares....we have a good time....

LOL! My friends think I'm nuts. Especially when I leave DH home AGAIN and go to WDW. He doesn't care for it so he stays home. We do other things though. Two weeks at the ocean, a couple of weeks at a ski resort, a week here and there in NYC, a weekend here and there in Atlantic City. But when I go to Florida the only thing I want to see are those gorgeous purple road signs leading me to the Polynesian! Then I know I'm home!

 

[disneyholic family]

skiwee1 --
i had to look where you're from.....3 years ago we met a woman from connecticutt who goes every year to WDW with her daughter while her husband (who isn't moved by anything disney) stays home...
she said that it's much better this way (since he doesn't enjoy WDW, she's able to enjoy it much more without him around complaining)...
she goes for 2 weeks every year....and only to WDW....nothing else....

 

[stemikger]

I love Disney but I don't think I could spend that kind of money on a room. Although I love going to those places to look around the lobby and eat lunch or dinner there, I can't see paying those prices. I don't believe in pool hopping so I wouldn't do that, but I enjoy going to the lobby in the deluxe resorts and looking around. I feel I have the best of both worlds because I am experiencing the lobby which is my favoritate part of a hotel but paying for a value. I have the money to stay at the deluxe resorts, but I rather spend it on food, beer and toys.

I live in a moderate house that is almost paid off and drive a Ford focus that is paid off. Although I could afford a bigger house, I like the one I have and I could afford a fancy car, but why. My Ford is fine for me. I would like to quote a line from Forrest Gump's mom.

"Forest you only need so much money, the rest is for just showing off.



Going in August for 10 days and I can't wait.
POP Century here we come.

 

[LisaZoe]

I kind of see this as being similar to some people who spend $60k on a car, $15k on a necklace or $700 for a dinner out. To me, my $10k car gets me to the same places as that $60k car, my $10 necklace is just as interesting as $15k of diamonds and I'm usually quite satisfied with a decent $10 meal (often much less) when I dine out. It's all a matter of what is a spending priority to an individual and what isn't. I make a decent income (or did before I decided to go back to college - which is a new spending priority for me ) but when it came time to buy a home, I saw no need to get the maximum home loan the bank would give me and went, instead, with a modest 2 bed/1 bath home. My car is paid off as are my credit cards each month. I don't eat out often nor do I spend a lot on clothing or jewelry (mine is all costume and cheap at that), I have a decent retirement savings as well as "emergency" savings.

In the past few years, though, I've decided that spending some of my money on vacations is a priority for me. In addition, I don't think too much about the money but rather how much my DD, almost 3, and I enjoyed it. As such, I decided that my DD and I will indulge ourselves a bit when we take a vacation and live simply the rest of the year. Much easier to do that than the reverse That means a woods view room (with AZZ code applied) at WL for our upcoming trip to WDW. However, if money was tighter, I have no doubt we'd be just fine at a value resort instead.

 

[DisneyWisher]

Kay, I agree with you. When I think of what I am spending to stay at CR and Poly this next trip, well lets just say I could stay 2 weeks plus at PC or ASMo. But I always wanted to stay at CR (daughter wants Poly) so we are splitting our stay. Its already paid off. We go to Disney 5-6 times a year for my weekends always stay Value (once a year we treat ourselves). My weekends are Monday and Tuesday but if I can get a Sunday off we are Disney Bound. I work normal weekends. Last time I had a Friday or Saturday off was Nov'01 (sad huh?) I work for my dad I guess that explains it. But I make enough to support myself and DD11. Got to do what you got to do.

My brother has an expensive house but pays so much they don't get any vacations. I think about when I'm older and my kids and their kids(not a grandmother yet) are sitting around remembering Disney. How we'll remember DD20 first time on AE, she was screaming so loud I grabbed her leg to try and quiet her down (she screamed louder) or how I wore a white shirt on Kali Rapids and got the wet seat (it was 60 degrees that day brrr). Memories are what we live for. One thing I can't forget is what DD11 said "Mom, when I have kids I'm bringing them to Disney World too". I said "Well, if you don't I will".

Rambling I'll stop now LOL But you get the picture.

Wherever you stay just enjoy your vacation and your families,

Shirley