Anyone changed their WDW vacation due to economy

[LindaBabe]

yes. I was planning on 11 nights in a value villa at AKV, and just shy of 3 weeks off property in a townhome. Rental car rates have forced me to change that. I'll be 11 nights at AKV, 3 nights off property to work at Give Kids The World, and 8 nights at OKW, using magical express. Then going home, a week early.

 

[Husurdady]

NO-WAY!

 

[twinklebug]

We did. We just bought into BLT in March. we planned a first trip in Sept and a quick trip in dec to see the Christmas decorations. Then the reality of it caught up!! I just graduated from nursing school and am this week starting my new job. After lots of tears, I decided to do the "adult" thing and cancel both and do a week long one in Dec.

OMalley1118

I had hoped this year I'd be celebrating my b'day with a few 1000 friends, some of whom have the same b'day as me taking in the christmas lights and sounds of disney. (never had a party with more than 5 total at it - including me and my parents lol) I even managed to snag my favorite resort for it. (vwl )

Can't do it. Need to cancel. The company cut our salaries, and now there's talk that they're selling my division off - which means layoffs are coming to reduce the bottom line and make the company look more profitable.

Our next scheduled vaca is Feb break and the savings from this cancellation will be put toward those overpriced airfares I'm seeing - we'll survive. Now I just have to make that call.

 

[edk35]

I had hoped this year I'd be celebrating my b'day with a few 1000 friends, some of whom have the same b'day as me taking in the christmas lights and sounds of disney. (never had a party with more than 5 total at it - including me and my parents lol) I even managed to snag my favorite resort for it. (vwl )

Can't do it. Need to cancel. The company cut our salaries, and now there's talk that they're selling my division off - which means layoffs are coming to reduce the bottom line and make the company look more profitable.

Our next scheduled vaca is Feb break and the savings from this cancellation will be put toward those overpriced airfares I'm seeing - we'll survive. Now I just have to make that call.

Sorry to hear that!!! I hope everything works out in your favor!!!

 

[DVCGeek]

Can't do it. Need to cancel.

Soooo sorry to hear that but it sure makes sense. Hope your Feb. trip makes up for it!!!

 

[Disney_Daddy]

Yes. We didn't renew our passes this year. So instead of WDW and multiple park visits, we've gone to Vero twice.

We do plan on buying passes again next year. The good side of this is that our kids have a renewed excitement about the parks and can't wait to go again!

 

[malonefamily]

The economy is a considerable source of concern but we're still vacationing a fair bit this year. I suspect next year will be more frugal unless things improve. This year because we bought the GCV addon (our first, and almost certainly last addon), we got the "free" cruise. This allowed us to take our usual annual trip to WDW, a small trip to the much closer DLR, and a cruise all in the same year. Lucky us, but it feels like a bit much with the world falling apart.

In the future it's the non-Disney trips that we'll probably skip, because at Disney we have the timeshares, everywhere else is pay-as-we-go. This is no doubt the whole point of DVC for Disney. We're going to miss the Hawaii trips that we normally take in the summer (Disney in winter). Here's hoping that things improve. (I sure miss the Clinton / Gore years at times like this).

 

[DSNYGRL_JKS2006]

What we had to do to "change" our Disney Vacation was downgrade I mean its not bad of course because its a Disney Resort.. but when your looking forward to and book for example we booked: Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter.. that was the resort we booked and planned for, since last year around July-August 2008... now with the economy and $$$ we downgraded from the POR to the Disney's POP Century Resort--which is not a big deal at all.. because my DBF and I love ALL Disney Resorts.. but still.. hard little sacrafices.. due to this stupid economy

 

[DVCGeek]

We're going to miss the Hawaii trips that we normally take in the summer (Disney in winter). Here's hoping that things improve. (I sure miss the Clinton / Gore years at times like this).

Even after things improve, a little thing to look forward to is trying the Hawaiian DVC once it opens- sound like it might be right up your alley, and it is probably big enough to book @ 7 months. 'Least I hope so since I'm not planning any more add-ons in the foreseeable future but would like to try that resort someday!!!

 

[mitros]

The economy is a considerable source of concern but we're still vacationing a fair bit this year. I suspect next year will be more frugal unless things improve. This year because we bought the GCV addon (our first, and almost certainly last addon), we got the "free" cruise. This allowed us to take our usual annual trip to WDW, a small trip to the much closer DLR, and a cruise all in the same year. Lucky us, but it feels like a bit much with the world falling apart.

In the future it's the non-Disney trips that we'll probably skip, because at Disney we have the timeshares, everywhere else is pay-as-we-go. This is no doubt the whole point of DVC for Disney. We're going to miss the Hawaii trips that we normally take in the summer (Disney in winter). Here's hoping that things improve. (I sure miss the Clinton / Gore years at times like this).

No political statements please....... I have been told by moderators that there is no place for political comments on Disboards.

 

[malonefamily]

No political statements please....... I have been told by moderators that there is no place for political comments on Disboards.

I think you're being a little overly cautious here, it's not unusual to refer to a time or era by the Presidency-- The Regan years, Kennedy era, etc. I was not commenting on specific economic policies or politicians one way or another.

And to go off topic: I respect DIS is a private space that can adopt any rules it likes.... But speaking in general terms, the strange concept that has emerged over the last couple decades that it is in poor taste to (politely) discuss politics in public is just a nightmare for democracy. Our founding fathers (who Walt Disney revered) would be horrified... How the heck does the public stay informed if the whole topic is verboten?

Anyhow, I'm not talking about any particular political view -- I could be a far left liberal or a conservative right wing guy and still refer to a time by referring to a President. Walt liked Presidents.

 

[davis1334]

I booked a trip a couple of weeks ago for October this year. We will be there 10/8-10/12/09. It was planned as a suprise Halloween trip for our DS's ages 6 and 8. I was able to get studio at SSR nights of 10/8, 10/9, and 10/10 but had to waitlist for 10/11. We will have to fly since this is a short trip for us and we live 13 hours away. The more we got to thinking about it we decided that it was just too much to spend right now (specifically airfare...plus we were only guaranteed 3 nights in studio). Had decided to cancel. However, I had not called to cancel. Well, I just checked DVC website and guess what...our 4th night waitlist came through. I know it doesn't affect issue of airfare but I see it as a sign.I am just going to keep looking for lower airfare and cut down on expenses this trip. Can't wait to see our boys' faces when pick them up from school, and they find out where we are going!

 

[bobbiwoz]

yes. I was planning on 11 nights in a value villa at AKV, and just shy of 3 weeks off property in a townhome. Rental car rates have forced me to change that. I'll be 11 nights at AKV, 3 nights off property to work at Give Kids The World, and 8 nights at OKW, using magical express. Then going home, a week early.

Can you comment on working at Give the Kids the World?

Bobbi

 

[rentayenta]

We have actually planned to go more often and bought DVC May 2009. DH is a and we are not feeling the effects that much though I know the economy is in bad shape. I work in mental health and am actually busier than ever- in part because of the economy. It's odd; because of our professions we don't feel the big economic booms but in times like this we don't feel the bust as much either. Our first trip was in 9/07, second in May 09, we'll do Mexico (DVC exchange) March 2010, and WDW THV in October 2010.

That's not to say our retirement account hasn't taken a huge hit but we still have plenty of years left in the workforce to regain our losses. :

 

[Anal Annie]

We have not altered our plans yet...still going next Sunday...am thinking long & hard tho about whether or not to keep all of our ADR's...the Fantasmic pkg. is a pretty ridiculous price (all I could get was at the Brown Derby & it's $50 a head...me thinks that ain't so worth it)!! Now to convince DS we don't really need to see it again...

We have not made any real decisions yet about what we're doing in 2010...but are HOPING to do another DCL in the summer of 2011.... Waiting on the new itineraries to be announced at the D23 expo in September... So we shall see... We will probably at least BOOK something when the ressies open...we re-booked onboard last summer for the discount so I'm hoping we can just xfer the deposit...THAT would be a tremendous help. Got my fingers crossed anyway!

 

[quentina]

Still going, just stricter budget. We eat off site (we always rent a car, crazy mom here, must have car seats), kids allowed one thing etc.

Since we own DVC, we get the chance to go more than many people. I have discovered that the more we go, the less important the character meals, souveniers are....this means much less money spent.

We are happy enjoying the resort and the pool at this point in life.

We just spent 7 days in HHI and spent $350.00. Not bad, 2 kids picked a coloring book and 1 picked a pin for their souvenier. Ate in most of the time...went to Sam's and picked up some water/soda etc.

It gets less expensive every year.

 

[rigsby25]

My husband lost his job starting Aug. 8, although he's been home for a few weeks now. The home building supply company he worked at was sold and everything auctioned off so there's no work. This will affect how we vacation because he won't have 4 weeks vacation again. We had already planned a vacation in October, and we just now added one to Vero in February. If he gets a job by then, they are usually okay with it if you tell them plans have been made. And if not - since we have the points and the miles for airfare, it will be a good break from job hunting I guess. Other wise, we just don't know what will happen for us in the future. We are just today ending a "stay-cation" at home.

 

[rentayenta]

My husband lost his job starting Aug. 8, although he's been home for a few weeks now. The home building supply company he worked at was sold and everything auctioned off so there's no work. This will affect how we vacation because he won't have 4 weeks vacation again. We had already planned a vacation in October, and we just now added one to Vero in February. If he gets a job by then, they are usually okay with it if you tell them plans have been made. And if not - since we have the points and the miles for airfare, it will be a good break from job hunting I guess. Other wise, we just don't know what will happen for us in the future. We are just today ending a "stay-cation" at home.

Best wishes for your DH finding a new job.

 

[FindTheMickeys]

My vacation goes on as usual. Biggest difference this year is that we are driving and taking most of our groceries with us. One CS and one TS and the rest of our meals in the room. Groceries are a lot cheaper up here. Still using Ultimate park hoppers with no expiration from 4 years ago...

Sorry to hear about job losses/pay cuts. Our company downsized in April. Thank goodness, I wasn't let go. My backup plan was to move to Orlando and work for the Mouse

 

[DisMN]

...am thinking long & hard tho about whether or not to keep all of our ADR's...the Fantasmic pkg. is a pretty ridiculous price (all I could get was at the Brown Derby & it's $50 a head...me thinks that ain't so worth it)!! Now to convince DS we don't really need to see it again...

Shouldn't have to cancel seeing Fantasmic though....the show is, after all, free (well, with a ticket to the park anyway LOL). It's the dinner at Brown Derby that's costing you.

Have a great trip!

We've changed the way we travel over the years, getting better and better at cheap/budget trips....so far we're still planning a Jan 2010 trip and we did take our 09 trip as well. The iron mining companies up here are hurting pretty bad though and it won't take much for DH to completely lose his job.
Right now he's taking in half what he was a year ago but with DVC, airline miles cashed in for free flights and the ability to order groceries and mostly eat in the room....we hope to make the 2010 trip. LOL