Are you cutting back?

[dizluvah]

yes - called today to cancel our CRT Dinner reservation for May 18th

Total savings $209 (4 adults)

 

[DznyDreamz]

actually no, we are taking a trip this year inspite of the economic situation all around us and am doing several spurges this trip that we would not normally do. I agree w/ PP that I am very thankful of the security in dh & my jobs - and even more so, in the restraint that dh & I have shown over the years, (not over-buying, living within our means, saving and using cash to buy not credit) and as a result, even with reduced incomes, are still in very good financial shape as oppose to a lot of other people. Not being judgemental of other people's financial position, just grateful we are in the one we are in and crediting ourselfs with steps taken over the past 12 years of our marriage to ensure we are in this position.

This pretty much describes my situation too. I'm going 4 times this year!! Mostly its due to the DVC (that we bought during this recession) and having AP's that I just must get my money's worth.

Our biggest financial drains are pins, but souveniers are never much of an issue for us.

We have cut back on the number of TS meals, but not for financial reasons, just b/c its more in line to how we eat. For a 5 night trip, we have only 3 ADR's - 2 for dinner, 1 for breakfast. The rest will be CS and if we decide we want a sit down, we will find something that has an opening.

My job is *so far* stable so I'm going to live my life like I normally would. We don't live about our means, have a small house that serves our needs just fine and we don't have any credit card debt. I am considering myself lucky and not trying to "rub in" our situation. We are living comfortably and thats enough for me. Making memories with my family is one of the most important things to me.

 

[mjbradeis]

Yes we are going to stay at POP instead of WL, and going doing free dining. So we are saving roughly $2000

 

[sctigger]

We are actually moving up and doing deluxe for the first time. Disney has been offering some great promotions. We took advantage of a 40% off offer they sent me. However if we hadn't had this discount we would probably be staying at a moderate or value resort.

 

[redrosesix]

With all of the talk about the economy, I've found it really hard not to cut back, even putting off purchases for the house that I had been planning for this year. I found that when we went in Feb., I was much more aware of whether I was buying something because I needed it or whether I just wanted it. So we bought a lot less, and ate a lot less expensive food (I canceled 3 ADR's and we at breakfast in the room every day) even though both of us had stable incomes.

 

[medicgirl911]

I had posted earlier but just felt the need to throw in there, how very fortunate I feel to be able to take our trip...our local area has a 10% unemployment rate right now. Any of us going, now matter how we are doing it , should feel very blessed

 

[mjbradeis]

I had posted earlier but just felt the need to throw in there, how very fortunate I feel to be able to take our trip...our local area has a 10% unemployment rate right now. Any of us going, now matter how we are doing it , should feel very blessed

Could not agree more!

 

[jewjubean]

Hmm I booked a trip with a free $ 500 GC..not sure if this was a good deal for disney because the only reason why im going is because my meals/souvies are free!!

 

[Carlyzmom]

Not at all. BUT we have not been in 12 years!! It will be our first time to stay in a deluxe. We have been saving up for more than a year for this trip and will be paying ALL in cash!!

 

[bonybroad]

We are on our way to our first trip of (atleast) two this year.
We were there 3 times last year.
And twice the year before.
We live in PA, we fly every time.
Our big problem is checking bags. I can't believe they charge for that!
I will have to check on having it shipped home.
I will try not to buy everything I see. I have sworn off credit cards, so it might be easier....but I doubt it.

 

[medicgirl911]

Not at all. BUT we have not been in 12 years!! It will be our first time to stay in a deluxe. We have been saving up for more than a year for this trip and will be paying ALL in cash!!

We don't pay for it any other way...call me crazy but I dont want to be paying for a vacation once I come home,..it would make me sad!! LOL

 

[JennSaint]

Are you cutting back compared to past trips? In what ways? Any idea on how much you think you'll save?

We go down every February this year we booked ten nights and next year we already bought our plane tickets. We were lucky to have enough skymiles with delta to get two free plane tickets and $100 off each of our other two tickets. So for my family of four it only cost $279.00 to fly. Then we rented points(great way to experience deluxe resort without deluxe prices!) from a DVC member and we are staying at AKL(Savannah view 8 nights Concierge for our last 2) for 10 nights for the same price as a moderate room. We still have 5 days left on our passes so all we have left is to pay for food. I'll always find a way to get to Disney!

 

[ancestry]

We haven't had a family vacation in quite a while so it is hard to compare years. However, I feel confident in saying that we aren't cutting back on anything in that this is a deluxe trip for us. If we go back to Disney in future years this year's trip will probably be the most extravagant. I doubt that we will do it up like we are planning on this year.

 

[mb168]

We have cut back a little from previous years but its mainly due to my littlest starting kindergarten this past year. We have been going 6-7 times a year because we would just run down on a Friday for a quick weekend trip. I work from home, all I need is internet connection, and DVC making that free last year made it possible for me to work from The World, DD5 is just my only hamper now. Maybe I'll make up for it this summer. Would that be considered a "business trip"

 

[ClareH37]

I've not cut back on my hotel (deluxe), although I did take up the Disney 4/3 deal, but I'm cutting back on extras such as private towncar transfer (this time I'm taking ME), restaurants (my last trip in 2007 I ate mainly at signature resturants, this time I'm going to be eating at a wider 'mix'), also I'm cutting back on my general spending, I'll still buy some souvenirs but instead of hitting the malls and not thinking about what I'm spending, this time if I do venture offsite to shop I'll go to Premium Outlets. I have a budget and I'm sticking to it

 

[mb168]

Oh, should have mentioned we are DVC so still staying in the best resorts and going often enough to use all of my points for the year. We also use the DDE/TIW card for 20% food and beverage discounts and we have always shared meals so no real change there.

 

[Kelblum]

Nope, gotta help the economy! Actually even decided to buy a resale DVC!

 

[Smithington]

Are you cutting back compared to past trips? In what ways? Any idea on how much you think you'll save?