Am I the only one who sees staying in the park hugely expensive?

[Ham Ham]

We fly from Pearson (I have no interest in driving to Buffalo to save a few bucks), stay onsite, has always been POLY (LOVE POLY), get the dining plan, get park hoppers and for me, dh, and dd it costs just over $6000 for one week. We go away usually 3 times a year and Disney is one of them. When we went to Mexico one year and stayed at a premium resort we also paid $6000 for the week so its comparable in price. But last year we went to Cuba for 2 weeks and paid $6600 so it just depends. For me time is money so I don't mind paying for convenience. Like staying at POLY, the monorail right there to MK, boat right there to MK, the TTC right next door, fave restaurants there, etc. Also our disney trips are a vacation and to us that means relaxing so not having to drive to a rent home is great, POLY makes you feel like you are on another vacation in a tropical location, the pool, the beach, its all very relaxing and comfortable. But this is us and everyone is different!!!!

For us as a family of 4 we can save at least $1400+ by flying out of BUF.
I would classify that as more than "a few bucks".

 

[joech]

We went last Christmas and for a family of, it costs us over $10,000 for 2 weeks before spending money and the 2 trips our DD visited BBB. But it is still worth it. Our cost will come down once we purchase DVC this Christmas.

Airfare for 4 $2200
2 weeks at AKL $5000
DDP $1260
10 days tic/w hopper $1000
2 weeks van rental $560

 

[drag n' fly]

Thank you so much everybody for all your opinions and how YOU spend your vacation time/money. I have learned alot, and was afraid I would get blasted for even suggesting that Disney is the biggest people trap set out by a mouse. The DVC rentals still seem really expensive, especially since I am only paying $650 for a 4 bedroom home with private pool, only 10 mins from the parks(no need to travel on the I-4), thus also saving time. Since we are driving down, no need to rent a car, and I have included parking fees in my budget as well. I have alloted $700 for food that week, and I plan on eating one meal out EVERY DAY.
I think I was just feeling overwhelmed with some advice given to 1st timers, that they must stay onsite, get parkhoppers and waterpark passes and get the dining option.
Still, if I had unlimited funds, and DH was into WDW, I would love to stay onsite. Remembering we are a family of 5, most responders have the optimal 4 in a family, and I feel this makes a world of difference. There is no way DH would agree to $6000 for a one week vacation, no matter where we went!

You can make it as cheap or as expensive as you want for sure. You found a plan that works for you and your family to get to Disney and really that is all that matters. I do understand your frustration with the family of five thing though. We are a family of five and what worked best for us was buying DVC so we could spread out onsite and have full facilities at the same time. Have a fun and safe trip~!

 

[lisalonglash]

There is no way DH would agree to $6000 for a one week vacation, no matter where we went!

Is your dh my dh? We are staying on-site, but on the cheap! We're staying at ASMovies (preferred room) for 8 nights, direct return flights Seattle/Orlando (we're in BC, right by the US border), 5-day base park tickets (we'll probably upgrade those to 7-day, which means an extra $8/person LOL). The total for the hotel, airfare and park tickets is about CDN$3300. That doesn't include food, but, by all accounts, most in-park portions are big enough for an adult and a child to share, so that works for us (we're 2 adults and 2 children)

I wish you a wonderful vacation!

 

[trivial]

That's a good point; having more than 4 people in a family really changes things. I'll have to take a good look at the alternatives when/if our family expands, unless Disney gets their act together by then and provides better options for families of 5 or more.

 

[maryliz]

You can make it as cheap or as expensive as you want for sure. You found a plan that works for you and your family to get to Disney and really that is all that matters. Have a fun and safe trip~!

Ditto to that !

I mentioned the trip i planned for friends under $3000. another friend went in Jan, and her extended family needed rooms that slept 5 people, and really wanted the Poly. I helped her plan her trip too. Both families, regardless of what they spent, had a fabulous time!

and always remember ... you'll be a DISNEY!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

Benefits of flying out of buffalo
-quicker
-you deal with customs at the Border.
-you only deal with the typical security checks on buffalo.
-Airport is smaller .
-PRICE

We paid $627 for the 3 of us out of Buffalo
Toronto was $1385 (Saved $758 flying out of Buffalo)
Hamilton was $1460. (saved $833 flying out of Buffalo)

Less than half the price!
Well worth it....

It may be worth the price for you but not for me. Like a previous post said, time=money. How is the buffalo airport quicker if I have to drive just over 1.5 hours just to get there???? I have never had a problem with customs at pearson, its really quick. I actually like Pearson airport, why would I want the small buffalo airport? Sorry but your points don't make me change my mind on driving all the way to buffalo and flying from their. My time is worth alot of money so if I can save time, I am saving money!!!!

 

[amw]

I have yet to stay at Disney on-site. I like having separate sleeping quarters for my DDs, and in my opinion, even the DVC are not worth it. I tend to go against the grain for touring - avoiding EMH parks so that wouldn't be a perk to me.

We're going to be staying at Bonnet Creek resort in a 2-bedroom condo with full kitchen, hourly activities for the kids, 2 pools, one with slide, and lazy river -- all closer to the park than some "on-site" hotels.

My husband travels weekly to the US, so although my children are without Daddy for most of their lives, they are somewhat Disney spoiled because we can afford to fly to Disney annually.

Our cost breakdown:
"free" aeroplan flights from Toronto - $600
free car rental on points - $0
9 night stay at BCR (including 2 weekends) - $1000 (no additional taxes or fees)
budget for dining: $1000 (being generous)
tickets, 7-day: $800 (can't remember the exact cost)
Grand total: $3,400 for 10-days

I'm not including the cost of parking, because the savings in "time" as a lot of people mentioned is worth it, as well as the savings in offsite restaurants.

I can afford to stay on-site, but at this point can't justify it.

I think no matter what, it's a magical Disney vacation ... and what is magical to one person, is not to another ... I pick a relaxing sleeping arrangement over theming.

 

[dsneygirl]

It may be worth the price for you but not for me. Like a previous post said, time=money. How is the buffalo airport quicker if I have to drive just over 1.5 hours just to get there???? I have never had a problem with customs at pearson, its really quick. I actually like Pearson airport, why would I want the small buffalo airport? Sorry but your points don't make me change my mind on driving all the way to buffalo and flying from their. My time is worth alot of money so if I can save time, I am saving money!!!!

The last time my DH flew in on an international flight into Pearson it was 1 hour from the time his plane landed until he emerged where I could pick him up. Then 40min to drive home. Same deal as Buffalo.

But by all means keep flying from Pearson, frees up seats for those of us who like to get a deal

And FWIW I WORK at Pearson and you would have to pay me to fly from there.

 

[pjwelch]

We are staying offsite too. We will be as close as the value resorts. According to the guide book I have it can take longer to get to the value resorts than a house nearby. Plus we'll have our own pool, and all facities needed (washing clothes, full refrig., micro-wave. IMO the real advantage of staying on property is the extra hours. We are going w/ my DD and DSIL and five kids. so we should be Disney costs easily. House w/ pool only $600 for a week.

 

[PanamaMike]

Here is my recent solo trip

Hotel on trip down - $35
16 nights @ HoJo in Kissimmee - $560 (15 mins to WDW)
Hotel on trip back - $91
Gas for entire trip - $260
Parking - 6 days WDW, 1 day US/IOA - $77
1 day Seaworld/ 1 Day Aquatica $20
Total $1043

Ate only two meals out, rest was groceries, so eating expenses no different then if I'd been home.

I love visiting WDW but no way I'd stay on property.

 

[disyady]

I'm not sure where you're located, but we're about an hour's drive from the Buffalo airport, and we saved several hundred dollars, and that was just my wife and I... quite a bit more than "a few bucks."[/QUOTE]

ITA - our family of 5 saved $2000 last August - and that's including 1 night in Buffalo and parking our van for the week. We could have flown 3 times from Buffalo compared to once from Toronto. I also find Buffalo Airport far less stressful than Pearson and even the travel time from our home wasn't vastly different depending on the time of day we were trying to access Pearson. It took us 45 minutes to get to Pearson from our Mississauga home one year (average was about 30 minutes) and it only takes 2 hrs including the border crossing to get to Buffalo - not a lot in the scheme of a Disney vacation. Customs is faster and easier in your vehicle, especially coming home (I love not having to line up to clear customs at Pearson when we fly home) - all around just cheaper and less stressful from Buffalo with an extra $2000 in my pocket as a bonus!

 

[CrazyDisneyMommy1]

DISNEYNOVIC & PJWELCH: We have always stayed offsite. I am always looking for a new place to try. Could you give me the house or company you are going through and getting the house for $600 - $650. Thank you so much.

 

[Eveningsong]

Offsite or onsite personal preference. I enjoy both.

We own DVC and stay on site when our points allow, but when we run out of DVC points we stay offsite at the Sheraton Safari with our Starwood points.

My oldest girl loves staying on Disney property. She enjoys the extra magic hours.

We also rent a car whether we are on, or off property. I have an annual pass ($100.00 DVC discount) so we get free parking at the parks when we stay offsite. We like the freedom of having our own transportation.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

And FWIW I WORK at Pearson and you would have to pay me to fly from there.

Good, it frees up seats for us who want to fly Canadian

 

[trivial]

Regarding Pearson versus Buffalo, I think we can agree to disagree here before things get unfriendly; it's obviously a matter of personal preference. My original reply was simply to point out that quite a bit of money can be saved (rather than just a few dollars), in case some readers weren't aware that the savings are actually quite significant.

 

[Eveningsong]

We fly out of Syracuse to Orlando. This trip we are flying JetBlue. We have the option of driving to Buffalo, Rochester or Syracuse Airports in New York.

 

[OntFamily]

Just curious, I'm really feeling like I'm the only one here willing to stay offsite, and spend wisely.

Thanks for listening,
Deb

Just a *small* point, regarding spending money wisely. Vacation spending is an intensely personal choice. What is proper and appropriate for one family, may not be for another (some people may feel vacationing in Florida, regardless of hotel, is not "spending wisely"). In and of itself, most vacation spending could be considered frivolous.
Just remember what they say about those who live in glass houses.....

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I'm a single mother with four kids, who are now grown. I've stayed off-site several times, but for me, staying on-site is a much better choice. I just didn't like the drive back on busy streets, trying to find my hotel, when I'm exhausted after a long day in the parks (or being stuck in traffic on the way there).

When I stay onsite, it feels like I am in a different "world." The route (either on Disney transportation, or in my own car) takes me past green fields and Disney parks. I like that - I feel more peaceful, more relaxed. I like being able to buy things and have them sent back to my resort, and I like being able to take advantage of EMH.

But I also like to have my whole vacation in WDW. I've been to the other parks you mentioned and they just don't do it for me. So that's probably a factor too.

Teresa

 

[braddillman]

My main source of worry is the cost of food on-site. Off-site with a kitchen, I have more control over cost, quality, etc. Plus it seems like a hassle to make ADRs, etc. (maybe not, maybe it just looks that way because some worry too much).

I just went to Disney and booked a phony vacation in Nov 2008, with and without DDP, for 7 days/6 nights for a family of 5. The difference was $803.70, or $114.81 per day, or $22.96 per person per day. Now, that's not too bad eating 1 snack, 1 CS and 1 TS per day (BTW, is that right?). OTOH, I can eat pretty well on groceries for less. Again, this assumes I have a kitchen (not possible in a hotel), and that I don't mind cooking - and it is a vacation, a very good excuse not to cook!

I do plan to eat out some, but not 100%.

Oh, and I just checked quicken - I spend about $800/month on groceries typically. I think we eat pretty well. I'd like to save a bit, but it's hard when we still want to get fresh veggies, etc.

One thing I don't like about DVC is that it is a < 50 year lease, rather than ownership.