Adventures by Disney-- How do people do it?-- It's so much $$

[lauradis]

Oh, good! Then I have the blessing of an anonymous internet poster to spend my hard-earned money on a vacation as I choose. Thank you for your assessment. Now I don't have to write in to be on Suze Orman's "Can I Afford It" segment.

Well it is the budget board

OP my answer is because they want too.

I personally have no desire to try one, they look so "tour guide style", but Im sure they have great customer service and are run very well.

So whats the percentage of our income we should spend on vacations????

 

[lauradis]

With all due respect, this is why the average American is in deep credit card debt, and likely to end up homeless on the street in retirement.

It's about being responsible. In 2010, I backpacked Europe for 3.5 months and had the time of my life. I spent $11k in total, including flights, lodging, transportation, food, and lots of partying.

These packages are about excess. When you spend $20k on a vacation that could be had for $4, you are the same person who drives your Mercedes up to your job as a waiter.

Please believe that there are more Americans out there saving away quietly. While the talking heads on TV scream poverty for all.

If I really wanted a Mercedes as a waiter, I sure would make it happen

 

[DetroitDisney]

Do you seriously believe the "average" American is going to end up homeless in retirement? That's quite a statement to make, don't you think?

This is accurate.

I have first hand data for this. The average American has over $10k in credit card debt. The average 50yr old adult in America today has (excluding home equity, if any) less than $10k in cash or investments. Most people will "retire" with a mortgage. Pensions no longer exist.

So we have millions of people with nothing saved, tons of consumer debt, and they will only get social security of $1000/mo if they ever retire.

 

[DisneyWhovian]

This is accurate.

I have first hand data for this. The average American has over $10k in credit card debt. The average 50yr old adult in America today has (excluding home equity, if any) less than $10k in cash or investments. Most people will "retire" with a mortgage. Pensions no longer exist.

So we have millions of people with nothing saved, tons of consumer debt, and they will only get social security of $1000/mo if they ever retire.

^ This is basically what I was about to say.

 

[nancyc]

I would have loved to do the ABD Grand Canyon Trip but could not justify the pricing. Instead our family of 3 took the trip ourselves. I followed the same itinerary that ABD does- starting in AZ, doing Montezuma, Sedona, Canyon, Monument Valley and Moab. We stayed at most of the hotels on the ABD list. Total for the trip on all 3 of us was a little over 3k. That's including tours we took at the different stops (helicopter ride over the canyon!).

 

[crisi]

With all due respect, this is why the average American is in deep credit card debt, and likely to end up homeless on the street in retirement.

It's about being responsible. In 2010, I backpacked Europe for 3.5 months and had the time of my life. I spent $11k in total, including flights, lodging, transportation, food, and lots of partying.

These packages are about excess. When you spend $20k on a vacation that could be had for $4, you are the same person who drives your Mercedes up to your job as a waiter.

I did that for $2k - but long ago. And while I'd love to have my daughter do that as a young adult (and actually got to stay in a hostel in Scotland with her this Summer and do a little guided student travel - and we talked about her backpacking through Europe), that isn't the experience I'd want bringing my nine and ten year old to Europe.

These trips ARE expensive. And I suspect one reason that so many people on these tours are dual income professional families is that those families are used to trading money for time. When my cousin - a stay at home Mom - took her kids to Europe - she did all the planning herself while they were in school. For a family where both parents have full time plus jobs - paying Disney (or another tour operator, but when you are bringing kids, the Disney name is powerful) is attractive.

As to if you can afford it, that depends on far too many factors than a simple income or wealth number. Our house was paid off years ago (we have a small mortgage for leverage purposes now, but its all of $300 a month). Our kids - still in high school - could spend four years at Harvard on their 401ks (and neither of them are Harvard bound). Our retirement funds are more than adequate. If we'd choose an ABD trip, it would be because we felt we could afford it (although its telling that we took one - on a bargain in 2009 when they were fire selling them - and it was wonderful - but we haven't chosen to take another - I do feel that it is a huge commitment in dollars that could be better utilized elsewhere. I'm fortunate to have done it - once - there are other opportunities to take advantage of.)

 

[Gumbo4x4]

With all due respect, this is why the average American is in deep credit card debt, and likely to end up homeless on the street in retirement.

It's about being responsible. In 2010, I backpacked Europe for 3.5 months and had the time of my life. I spent $11k in total, including flights, lodging, transportation, food, and lots of partying.

These packages are about excess. When you spend $20k on a vacation that could be had for $4, you are the same person who drives your Mercedes up to your job as a waiter.

Fair enough. But consider also for a person with a $200,000 income, spending $11k for 3.5 months backpack packing could cost them an additional $50,000 in lost wages if they have the typical 2 weeks paid vacation so many have.

And while $61K over 15 weeks is still probably a better value than $20K over 1 week, if that 1 week is all the time you have, I can see why some would go all out. It's not how "I" would do it, especially for a trip like AZ that's so easy to replicate on my own. But, who am I to judge others who would?

 

[Savikins]

ABD trips are insane and I honestly cannot fathom why anyone would choose to go on one. The fact that they don't include airfare blows my mind. To me, someone who absolutely loves everything Disney and thinks they are the best, I still think the whole thing is essentially just throwing thousands of extra dollars at the Disney name.

Travelling to another country is already so amazing, I really don't think you need to pay Disney $10000+ extra for their guidance.

I went to Europe for 10 days for New Years 2014. 3 nights in Amsterdam (including NYE and New Years Day!), a 5 hour stop in Brussels, 3 nights in Paris, and 3 nights in London. For the airfare, all the ground transportation (even my Eurostar from Paris to London), my tour guide, breakfast everyday, all the hotels, and some excursions, my total came to $2350. It was an EF College Break tour, if anyone's wondering. They often come out with deals where you can get $500+ off your booking.

My advice? Save yourself thousands and plan your own trip. You'll have a great time planning, and trust me, you don't need Disney to make these places they go fun.

 

[NancyIL]

I was once 3 days away from death without knowing it. Granted at any time ANYONE can be inches away from death, but it really made an impact on me. Therefore I'm at the mindset that if I want to do something, experience something, or buy something I'm going to do it NOW because tomorrow may never come. I'd rather be penniless, old and living off Cheerios in a shelter thinking back on fond memories than loaded in a nursing home unable to go anywhere wishing of the things I wanted. Or worse yet.... Dead and having relatives living it up off my hard earned money.

I agree with the sentiment to travel while you are still in good (enough) health to enjoy it, but there also needs to be some balance between saving and spending.

ABD trips are insane and I honestly cannot fathom why anyone would choose to go on one. The fact that they don't include airfare blows my mind. To me, someone who absolutely loves everything Disney and thinks they are the best, I still think the whole thing is essentially just throwing thousands of extra dollars at the Disney name.

Travelling to another country is already so amazing, I really don't think you need to pay Disney $10000+ extra for their guidance.

I went to Europe for 10 days for New Years 2014. 3 nights in Amsterdam (including NYE and New Years Day!), a 5 hour stop in Brussels, 3 nights in Paris, and 3 nights in London. For the airfare, all the ground transportation (even my Eurostar from Paris to London), my tour guide, breakfast everyday, all the hotels, and some excursions, my total came to $2350.

My advice? Save yourself thousands and plan your own trip. You'll have a great time planning, and trust me, you don't need Disney to make these places they go fun.

I so agree!

 

[DisneyWhovian]

Fair enough. But consider also for a person with a $200,000 income, spending $11k for 3.5 months backpack packing could cost them an additional $50,000 in lost wages if they have the typical 2 weeks paid vacation so many have.

And while $61K over 15 weeks is still probably a better value than $20K over 1 week, if that 1 week is all the time you have, I can see why some would go all out. It's not how "I" would do it, especially for a trip like AZ that's so easy to replicate on my own. But, who am I to judge others who would?

I'm not suggesting an employed person take a 3 month vacation. I'm simply pointing out that you can have a once in a lifetime amazing vacation for almost no money. I don't care if people can physically put together the cash for these trips, that's not a challenge. Anyone could save for 5-7 years for a vacation.

Again it's about being responsible. If you spend $20k on a VACATION, you have less than $500k in cash assets, and you aren't on your deathbed, then you make poor life decisions.

I guess the point of my rant here is to tell people to not feel bad about not taking these trips. If you don't own a Ferrari, ABD isn't for you. AND THATS OK!!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I'm not suggesting an employed person take a 3 month vacation. I'm simply pointing out that you can have a once in a lifetime amazing vacation for almost no money. I don't care if people can physically put together the cash for these trips, that's not a challenge. Anyone could save for 5-7 years for a vacation.

Again it's about being responsible. If you spend $20k on a VACATION, you have less than $500k in cash assets, and you aren't on your deathbed, then you make poor life decisions.

I guess the point of my rant here is to tell people to not feel bad about not taking these trips. If you don't own a Ferrari, ABD isn't for you. AND THATS OK!!

I do get what you're saying & no it's not for me, even if I had that much to blow (and I do not ).

 

[Marionnette]

I'm not suggesting an employed person take a 3 month vacation. I'm simply pointing out that you can have a once in a lifetime amazing vacation for almost no money. I don't care if people can physically put together the cash for these trips, that's not a challenge. Anyone could save for 5-7 years for a vacation.

Again it's about being responsible. If you spend $20k on a VACATION, you have less than $500k in cash assets, and you aren't on your deathbed, then you make poor life decisions.

I guess the point of my rant here is to tell people to not feel bad about not taking these trips. If you don't own a Ferrari, ABD isn't for you. AND THATS OK!!

And if you pay your bills, work hard, sacrifice and save for one of these vacations, you shouldn't be made to feel like an irresponsible noodge by some self-proclaimed financial expert on the internet. Because THAT'S OKAY!!!!

 

[jedijill]

And if you pay your bills, work hard, sacrifice and save for one of these vacations, you shouldn't be made to feel like an irresponsible noodge by some self-proclaimed financial expert on the internet. Because THAT'S OKAY!!!!

Jill in CO

 

[neatokimmo]

Wow, I had never been on the ABD site before. We are hoping to go to Italy and Greece in 2016 to use up some of DHs vacation time before he loses it. ABD has similar itineraries and the cost is 40K. My spreadsheet with current prices is running 12k. What a big difference. I don't think I could bring myself to pay 40K for a trip. I am having a hard time with 12k.

 

[ilovebassets]

While the tours are expensive they aren't impossibly expensive. I would think anyone making $200,000/yr and/or retired could scrape enough money together to do one. That said, I get the impression that ABD is really a niche operator so they don't get huge numbers of guests on their tours.

We make considerably more than $200k/year, and that still seems insane to me. I've priced it out several times and still can't justify it. We might go all out and take a once in a lifetime trip to somewhere like Vietnam or Thailand--somewhere a little harder to tour around with kids than say Arizona. But, I would never spend that amount of money on a vacation on a regular basis. And we have no debt other than a 30 yr mortgage at 3.99%.

But hey, if other people want to do that kind of thing, it's their money! The economy is mostly based on consumer spending, so I thank those people for keeping the economy afloat.

 

[JanaDee]

And if you pay your bills, work hard, sacrifice and save for one of these vacations, you shouldn't be made to feel like an irresponsible noodge by some self-proclaimed financial expert on the internet. Because THAT'S OKAY!!!!

I learned a new word today. I'm going to try and work that into a conversation somewhere.

 

[kymom99]

This is accurate.

I have first hand data for this. The average American has over $10k in credit card debt. The average 50yr old adult in America today has (excluding home equity, if any) less than $10k in cash or investments. Most people will "retire" with a mortgage. Pensions no longer exist.

So we have millions of people with nothing saved, tons of consumer debt, and they will only get social security of $1000/mo if they ever retire.

Just because someone predicts it doesn't make it so. I have a pension, and so does my husband. We make less than 100,000 a year. My husband will get more than 1000 in SS and he will also get a small pension. I will also get my teacher retirement. We are far from well off but I don't forsee us being homeless.

 

[holden]

Wow! Lots of judgmental people here today!

We did the Bella Italia trip this past June to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We put lots of thought into spending this much $ on a trip, but since the frequent flyer miles covered the airfare, we decided to go for it! Our financial advisor gave his blessing as well

If you can afford it and you want to do it, why not?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

ABD trips are insane and I honestly cannot fathom why anyone would choose to go on one. The fact that they don't include airfare blows my mind. To me, someone who absolutely loves everything Disney and thinks they are the best, I still think the whole thing is essentially just throwing thousands of extra dollars at the Disney name.

Travelling to another country is already so amazing, I really don't think you need to pay Disney $10000+ extra for their guidance.

......

I completely agree. While people are free to spend their money anyway they please, I don't understand why you would spend a premium price for a trip you could easily plan yourself, especially the trips in the US.

If you are apprehensive about traveling internationally on your own, start with trips to "easy" countries, where English is the common language or there are many English speakers; Great Britain, the Netherlands, or Scandinavia. You can add local tours or hire a tour guide (tripadvisor is a great resource) at a price much less than a Disney trip.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Wow! Lots of judgmental people here today!

We did the Bella Italia trip this past June to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We put lots of thought into spending this much $ on a trip, but since the frequent flyer miles covered the airfare, we decided to go for it! Our financial advisor gave his blessing as well

If you can afford it and you want to do it, why not?

Expressing an opinion isn't being judgemental. I personally would rather plan trips myself (and I have; I have traveled all over the world with my husband and family and friends). If you want to pay a premium for someone else to do this and take a trip on their schedule, go for it!