$300+ How do you justify the expense?

[swilphil]

I try to get the most luxury for the money. We stay at the Swan/Dolphin on the govt. discount at $129-$149/night. We don't rent a car, so the Epcot location is important to us. The S and D are very deluxe hotels and we've been able to see either the Tower of Terror or Epcot ball from our room. We make a grocery stop on the way there and buy breakfast, lunch and snacks. That way we don't have to do concierage. Someday I would like to rent DVC points at BCV or BWV, but I wouldn't pay much more than I'm paying now. We also only go for 4-5 days, but since we are so close to MGM and Epcot we get a lot done in that time without being too rushed.

 

[Debbart]

I feel the same way as beth (disneyholic) ....I don't drive a very expensive car , have a lot of jewelry or live in a huge house but vacations are my one weakness and I usually spend whatever I want to spend. I work hard and vacations that are very comfortable and very convenient ( extra amenities) do more for me in "getting away from it all" physically and mentally that I can justify the expense.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by 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.

You make a good point. In fact, thank you, because I now have something to say the next time someone bothers me about spending $$$ at WDW. One of my friends buys every electronic toy there is -- another buys thousands of dollars on exercize equipment -- that he doesn't use. Another buys the most God-awful art I ever saw.....hey I don't criticize what they do with their money!!! (But I will, if they push me a little more!!!)

Also, I didn't start staying at the deluxes until we really could afford it. We stayed at the Days Inn our first trip (and loved it!).

(PS -- I'd want only the best for that sweet little princess of yours, LisaZoe!!)

 

[disneyholic family]

auntpolly/Debbart -- us too....we've been going to WDW since we were married 27 years ago......at the beginning we stayed at the days suites in lake buena vista (which i don't think even exist anymore) so that we could have a kitchen to save money.....as the years moved on and when disney built the value resorts we moved on property to the all star sports and music...a few years later we moved up to the moderates (dixie landings being our favorite in that group)......then about 5 years ago we moved on to the deluxe and home away from home properties (combining them during our stays)........
and the truth is, i loved each and every stay....including off property in those deeply discounted places.....i'm sure i'd enjoy them now as well....
but as Debbart said, those extra amenities and convenience really add to my enjoyment and the feeling of getting away from it all....

 

[Kay7979]

Wow, lots of great comments from everyone. I sure can see it from all angles. When I started this post, I was mostly curious whether the people who stayed at the most expensive rooms really made so much more money than we do that "money was no object" or whether it was simply that they loved these resorts so much that it was a priority in their budget, expensive or not. It sounds like we have a couple "money is no object folks." Yes, I can grasp the concept that for them it is not an "either or choice." They need not give up one thing to have another. In fact, as a proportion of their income, the very expensive vacation may be no greater expense for them, than for people who stay at a value resort for a week.

I also identify with concept of visiting the resorts to experience the grounds and lobbies, maybe eat at one of the restaurants, and soak in the atmophere for a few hours. I admit we do that. I love the themeing of the Disney resorts and I can understand why people are willing to pay extra for it. I think next time we may add a couple days on to our trip at one of the Disney resorts, but we spend the rest of the time off property in a condo resort. We typically only do one park when we go to Orlando, after having been there many times, and we do trips outside Orlando to other towns, go antiquing, go to dinner shows, etc. Our own resort has planned entertainment throughout the day and in the evenings too, so we spend some time doing things there.

I think part of the money issue is what you are used to, maybe what you grow up with. In our earlier years I figured a hotel was "just a place to sleep." I would stay at an Econolodge when we traveled and not give it a passing thought (I don't have kids). Then we got into timesharing and got used to staying at places with whirlpools in the suite, a big living room, a couple bathrooms and probably a screen porch or balcony. The grounds are nice (not themed though). I know I could not go back to staying at an economy hotel now. No way! We spend more on airfare than a Florida trip, but again, that cost does not seem excessive for what we are getting. In the last few years, we have been to Hawaii twice, Cancun, Las Vegas, Branson, Grand Cayman Island, etc. etc. There are those, such as my in-laws, who think we are spend-thrifts because any one of our trips would be a "special event" trip for them. I can't begin to make someone who does not travel understand how much enjoyment my DH and I get from these trips. We do not take it for granted. It's an inside joke that during our winter trips we grin and say "Gee, I wish we were home in the cold and the snow working." And on all trips we walk around the resort saying "It's so pretty, we're so lucky; but we work hard to be this lucky."

We don't care about new cars, or jewelry, or many of the things other people spend their money on, so boy do I agree with those of you who said we have the right to splurge a little on what is important to us.

Whether you spend a lot on where you stay, or a little, the main thing is you are going places with your loved ones and making memories. Ten years from now you won't remember much else about what you did in 2004, but you'll remember that great vacation. Vacations are about quality of life, and family.

 

[GailT]

I'm a single mom, ok so my kid is 21 but I have been a single mom since he was 14 and I go to Disney every yr. I started out with a moderate the first yr, then went deluxe concierge and now I am spoiled. Heck, I don't even make enough some weeks to buy extras but you know what, my priority is me, me me and if I want one vacation a yr I am going on the vacation I want, how I want it and when I want it. my ex was a cheap SOB and we always went to Disney on a budget and never had fun. I could go to islands cheaper for all inclusive but Disney is my choice of vacations for me. Personal preference is what makes everyone choose different places, hotels and lifestyles...I live like I make mucho bucks but in eccence I make enough to live comfortably every day, pay my bills, buy gas (that you need a big income to do) but the one thing that helps me get through my weeks all yr is the place that makes me smile, Disney and I go once a yr, forget my life back home, have luxury, am papmered and love it.

 

[tinkerbeth]

I agree it's what you're into. We have cars that are paid for and a very modest house but we travel overseas with our son and take lots of trips. When other people talk about their new big screen tv, my first thought is - wow, you could go on one heck of a trip with that money!

That said, I would rather take more trips and stay at more moderate places. We're off to WDW next month and splitting our stay b/t POP and AKL, which we got at a very reasonable price with our APs (114). But I will not begrudge ds one single treat while we're there.

As long as you're happy and you're living within your means, I think you're ahead of the game.

 

[tinkerbella22]

Hi guys....I am school teacher and my husband drives for UPS. That said we certainly make less then 150K a year. I won't go on a vacation if I can't enjoy it. I don't want to wish I was somewhere else. I have often thought that I could afford a month in a value or longer for what I pay for the week I am at the Poly. But to me it is more important to be where I want to be. So I just stay a week. I try to find deals ( 2 years in a row I got 4 for 7). But for me I would skip a year or what ever I had to do to stay at the Poly. It is important that I enjoy my vacation. I am not overly patient and the monorail is a savior for me. Just what we do!!

 

[ripleysmom]

We own DVC so it's not an issue for us.

 

[wdwfan]

We love to stay deluxe when we vacation at Disney. Lately, our trips have turned deluxe concierge. My husband and I do well as far as income goes (that's all I'll reveal there), but I always look for discounts. I can't stand paying more when a discount is offered and all one needs to do is be a little educated about the process to find the discounts. In fact, I always look for discounts wherever we travel. (Old habit I learned on the Dis). My Disney vacations are always paid off ahead of time, no going into debt over a vacation. We live in a new home in an executive style neighborhood (that's the local realtor lingo, not mine), we have a nice life that we're comfortable with. Lots of other people we know live a lot larger than we do, but we strive to live within our means.

What I'm trying to say is that what the deluxe hotels offer as far as amenities, and while at Disney, location, location, location, makes it worth the extra money for us. Someone said earlier that they work hard and play hard too. Well, that's ditto for me!

 

[GeekChic]

my eyes are acting up today so i didn't read all the replies (forgive me if i repeat someone else's thought).

it all comes down to in the end what is important to you. People will spend money on whatever really matters to them (provided they can afford it of course.)

People go to Vegas and dump tons of money into casino games that they will never see again. I can't imagine doing that. But for some people, it is enjoyable and they do it without a thought.

If you have say a family with three kids, staying concierge at a deluxe resort (usually about 400 per night and up) is not only convenient, but if you're satisfied with pastry, coffee/tea, juice, cereal, bagels and muffins for breakfast, you don't have to venture out to eat. Also, if your kids need a bedtime snack, the lounge is right there; no need to hoof it back to the game room or the food court.

Of course you can go to WDW and stay at a value resort, there is NOTHING wrong with that and I've done it many times. I would rather do that then NOT go to Disney.

I'm another Disney lifer; there is just nowhere else on earth that my family would rather go on vacation than WDW.

Anyway, I do have one final piece of advice to offer...no matter how much you can afford to spend, if you're not comfortable with it , do not do it. that stress will transfer down through your whole family, you'll spend a bunch of money on a trip and no one will have fun. i have been through this with my ex: no matter how i economized the trip (we stayed value, cheap airfare, etc) he still complained about the price of a hamburger in the magic kingdom and i swore i would never go back to WDW with him again. I didn't.

If you really don't want to spend it, then it's likely best if you don't. But if you decide to, know that Disney resorts will give you your money's worth at whatever level you stay at: the best value resorts, best moderates, and at the deluxe level, accomodations and service that is truly at a world class level.

hope this makes sense: i'm undercaffeinated this morning and the MS is really kicking my butt.
geekchic

 

[animallover]

Hi,

For my wife and I, it depends on what kind of trip we are planning and what kind of package or room only deal is out for the time we are going. If it’s a trip where we will be staying at the parks the majority of the time then we would stay at a value or moderate depending on the rate. If it is going to be a resort only trip or one where we are only going to the parks for a day or two then we go with a deluxe or moderate also depending on the rate.

 

[karemore]

Dh & I are both professionals and we don't have any kids.

We could well affort to stay deluxe, but wouldn't dream of it.

We stayed at the GF concierge for our honeymoon this April, it was a wedding gift.

It was fantastic, but there's no way we could ever justify spending that much money on ourselves.

We'll be going back in April and plan to stay at CSR. We'll enjoy our stay ever bit as much as the GF, knowing that living below our means now will allow us to retire early and continue to maintain the standard of living we have now.

Karen

 

[aimee11621]

$$900

NO MATTER WERE YOU STAY YOU WILL GET YOUR MONIES WORTH.

WE HAVE STAYED A THE VALUE RESORTS AND THEY ARE GREAT.

WE STAYED AT THE MODERATES HIGHLY ENJOYED THEM


AND STAYED AT THE CR. LOVED EVERY MINUTE COULDN'T GET ME OFF THE MONORAIL. DIDN'T GO SHOPPING BUT ATE BUFFET EVERY NIGHT. WENT TO MK A FEW HOURS COULD'NT WAIT TO GO BACK TO THE HOTEL.

I ENJOYED THE MODERATE RESORT MORE BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO GET LOTS OF SHOPPING AND SOUVENIRS. DID THE PARKS EVERYDAY

HOWEVER, IF YOU WILL BE SPENDING YOUR TIME ENTIRELY AT THE PARKS AND NOT THE HOTEL I DON'T SEE THE POINT OF 900 A NIGHT.

IF YOU ARE JUST DOING THE RESORT AND THE AMENITIES OK . THERE BETTER BE LOTS OF AMENITIES.


ITS ALL HOW YOU LOOK AT THINGS AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND . IS IT REALLY WORTH THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY ????

EACH HOTEL HAS ITS PROS IF YOU WANT EXTRA PROS YOU WILL NEED A SUITE CASE OF MONEY. OR A GOLD AMERICAN EXPRESS!!!

TO EACH HIS OWN AND ENJOY YOUR TIME AT WDW.

 

[Jockaroo]

Wow this is a very interesting thread. It is important to get what it right for your family out of a vacation. So I'm going to give a different viewpoint. I've done values, mods and deluxe. All have special qualities. But, while some people say they want to have a two week blow out vacation, I take a different side. I also want a high, pampered quality of life for the 50 weeks a year I am at home. Our big screen TV and sound system give us pleasure on a daily basis. Our home is comfortable and for us affordable. Our cars were bought used, nothing special, but still new enough to be reliable--and have monthly payments attached.

So, if I want to stay 14 days at WDW, yes, I will book a value with my AP rate. I can be happy wherever I am if it is Disney. We are park people. We don't care about the pool--I can't swim. So we take the money we save on the room and do some really nice meals--I'd rather enjoy food than a room I've got my eyes closed in most of the time anyway. And, on our last trip it was funny that in our little value room we had several thousand dollars worth of Disney artwork in our room. While we left the room behind after 14 days, we will always be able to look at our paintings and prints and get daily enjoyment.

 

[GeekChic]

i think aimee may have misunderstood me, i meant four hundred a night not nine ! lol. of course, if you want to stay in a suite at the GF or other hotel you certainly COULD spend nine! LOL (but not me!)

of course, if money were no object, i would LIVE at WDW so i guess i'm likely the wrong person to ask about this LOL.

we hadn't planned a trip for this year, we honestly were going to skip it. but i've been under tremendous stress lately, the insanely low airfares came up, and my husband says "you need a week in WDW." so we're going.

Is it September yet???

jockaroo I was LOL about the art in your room...too cool. mousekeeping must have been surprised when they came in to clean! LOL

 

[hulabird]

I don't do this, but some people use plastic to do it--there was a program on Oprah the other day about people who use credit cards to buy things they really can't afford and then have to spend a lifetime paying it off. They showed a couple who gave themselves a "hollywood" type wedding that cost a fortune and now the couple is in huge debt trying to pay it off. Personally, concierge to me is way overpriced, for that money I can eat at the nicest restaurants all over Orlando. Some people might like the little snacks etc...you get in concierge or the little perks of the staff making your PS's, but I don't mind doing all that by myself and I want to eat in restaurants not in a concierge lounge. I don't fault anyone for their choices, but it's not my choice, and yes, I can afford it, but the reason I can is because I don't spend my money foolishly. I also think some people do it because they think it is a status symbol (in their eyes, not in mine).

 

[leighe]

This is a great thread! I'm still a relative newlywed (not quite two years) and DH and I are still working on balancing priorities and making decisions that will impact our future. I grew up taking fabulous vacations (the Poly almost every summer) and when I was in college I traveled a lot and studied in France for a semester. Those kind of experiences were very important in my family. DH on the other hand didn't travel much so it's not that important to him (both his parents come from very rough backgrounds and have managed to make a wonderful life for themselves but they are VERY frugal even now that they don't have to be). He's also terrified to fly so that limits him a lot! All these replies are great for seeing how people compromise.

He has really grown to love DW - thank goodness - but I handle all the planning because even though we can afford it, he would FREAK out if he saw the total cost all at once. I pay on it every month, like a few other people have said and then when we get there it's all paid for. That helps DH relax and enjoy everything. We haven't stayed concierge yet but we want to in the future. Right now we're really lucky - both our cars are paid for, no student loans or credit card debt, no kids. I do know that after I have kids it will be nothing but a monorail resort (at least when they are little) for me! I'd rather not go as often but be in the most convienent place possible with little ones. There were three kids in my family and my mom says sometimes the biggest adventure of the whole trip was trying to get us all up and dressed and to the parks!

 

[montblanc]

Like many posters on this thread it all depends on what priorities you have. My best childhood memories come from our family vacations so I pull out all the stops when we go. Next year we will be splitting time between two resorts and may get concierge service at one (not sure if this is worth the extra money yet).

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[Doodlebug939]

Alright I will add into the mix. Unlike those who have mentioned that they make a lot of money I am on the downward side I guess. Here is where I come from.

My husband is military and he makes $40,000 a year. Nothing special and I am a stay at home mom who is a college student and I got a student loan.

This is the second time I am going to Disney with my family in November and we are staying at Poly or CR which ever I like better if any rates come out later this year. (Keeping my fingers crossed) If not we will move to a moderate so we can afford the trip.

You know I go to Disney to spend time with my husband and kids. Often our kids have to deal without having Dad in town for long periods of time. Only to have him return home to leave again in two weeks. But I am proud of my husband for doing what he loves with a passion. We are comfortable people. I dont need things to make me happy I need time with my family.

We dont have the luxury of having our extended family around us and frankly when ever we get comfortable somewhere it is time to pack our bags again. But Disney is our time to build memories not the only memories we carry because we do other things that are special. It regroups our family. My kids know that Dad is gone for a while but they know he will be here for the vacation and we can all eat a mickey bar and there will be no trips to worry about and no sleepless nights worrying about where he is and if he is safe. We will just be a family on a normal vacation like the rest of you. I feel so lucky to be blessed with that time that I would be just as happy to sleep with my kids in a tent just to be together. That is what is most important to me.

I say that because we are all really blessed with the opportunity to be with our loved ones at Disney.