Breaking Point for Disney Cost

[Disney_Dogs_Rule]

hard to say what the breaking point would be as long as the family enjoys it and we can afford it. I live with the advice of my dad, they are only little once.

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

That's a good question. For us, right now the breaking point is staying on resort. We are on the west coast and my parents are on the east coast. We don't see each other often and meeting at WDW works well for both of us, even though our travel costs is slightly higher than theirs (miles and number of people we buy flights for). Staying in a off site rental home makes it affordablef or us. We have stayed at the same home every time and they give us a good discount. My parents and I split the cost of the house. I can't stay on resort with my own kitchen and private pool for $600 for 10 days (not to mention I can't imagine living in a hotel for 10 days with small kids. I just can't... not yet anyway). My grandmother who joins us (but stays at the house and relaxes, generally only joining us for 1 day at MK now that she's in her 70's and had her hips replaced) contributes by renting a van for the week. She loves sitting by the pool and enjoying the sun. They live in Atlantic Canada and their winters are brutal.

We are also working hard to become debt free (our daugther spent some time in the childrens hospital over the period of 2 years and we are still working on paying off the costs associated with that). I just recently went back to work this past year for the first time in 6 years (I was a SAHM). Both allowing us to pay down debt quicker AND squeeze in a Disney vacation. We have some breathing room. But until we are debt free, I still have to be careful about vacation spending.

This time around it means BBB but only the basic packagage instead of the delux package we did last time. Only 2 character dinings instead of one each day. Stuff like that. We could have save an additional 6 months and had more money to throw at the trip but it's been a long hard 2 years and we all needed a break (and I'm an accountant and I can't go another tax season before having a bit of a vacation).

Once debt is down and the kids no longer need daycare (ugh) I'm sure that threshold will be non existant. But of course at that point our kids will likely want to spend less and less time with us and familiy vacations might not be at Disney (sniff). So I figured I'd rather do what we can now, with what we've got. Don't get me wrong, we won't be eating rice and beans. We have plans for all kinds of things, inlcuding a very special trip to the American Girl store for my daughter. We are still very blessed and even our "discount" vacation this year is considerably more than most people have and I'm thankful we can still make this happen in a relatively short amount of time (less than 5 months planning/saving).

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I'm beyond there, not because of the money but because of the constant closures and things being removed. The announced Baymax' removal the day after my required final payment was made. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I have a 4 year old son. The concept of boys is currently lost on Disney. They remove the Incredibles and Baymax within a month of one another, months after I was required to make my dining plans for days I had planned on being in DHS. Following that up they announce a new boutique for little girls to get all princessed up. Just seems like a slap in the face to parents of young boys. Aside from the Princess Marathon in February (3 days) this will be our last trip until there are new attractions that aren't princess related. I'm guessing that means we'll be back in 2025.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We're sort of getting to that point.

The biggest problem for us is the school schedule and how that interacts with the costs, both hotel and airfare. Now that our kids are getting older, we are more reluctant to pull them out to go to WDW. Unfortunately, the way the prices are jacked up during the school break weeks, both for accommodations and airfare, we are probably up pushing our limit as to what we are willing to spend.

The only week we are left with that has lower crowds, lower prices and no school is the last week of August, but the weather is miserable.

Anyway, it's a perfect storm of school, crowds, weather and prices coming together to make it harder and harder for us to go.

We did last week of August last time due to FD. The only way we could afford to go.

We are doing the same thing this year for the magical deal but paying food OOP is making my heart hurt. It really is a lot of money. I wanted to go a bit "big" with this trip because I'm pretty sure it's our last full family vacation to WDW.

We live in NJ and end of August is great price wise but DS is starting football so August is out now since that's when training camp starts. They let him slide this year since he's a new player and the trip was set before he decided to play. So no way of doing FD or another magical deal.

I can't afford to go during peak season. I don't want to deal with those crowds either. We could do Jersey week but he'll be in football. I won't pull them out of school anymore either.

That's why I'm thinking maybe a mother/son and mother/daughter trip will work better in the future.

 

[Aurora0427]

What's your breaking point for deciding the cost no longer justifies the experience?

We would have to suffer a job loss or have a big change in our financial situation to keep us from Disney World. Right now we stay deluxe, but if that becomes out of our price point, we'd have no problems dropping to a moderate or even staying off property to make it more affordable.

Although it'll be interesting to see what happens when our little one enters school. She'll go to private school- some are laid back about missing school for vacation and some are not. The thought of having to go back to going in the summer like we did when I was teaching..... ugh. We have really enjoyed going in February, December, October, and early May!

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

I'm beyond there, not because of the money but because of the constant closures and things being removed. The announced Baymax' removal the day after my required final payment was made. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I have a 4 year old son. The concept of boys is currently lost on Disney. They remove the Incredibles and Baymax within a month of one another, months after I was required to make my dining plans for days I had planned on being in DHS. Following that up they announce a new boutique for little girls to get all princessed up. Just seems like a slap in the face to parents of young boys. Aside from the Princess Marathon in February (3 days) this will be our last trip until there are new attractions that aren't princess related. I'm guessing that means we'll be back in 2025.

I SO feel you- even though I have a daugther, I too have a 4yo son who is crazy for Baymax. I still haven't figured out how to tell him that Baymax and Hiro won't be there. He talks about it all the time. We actually considered a day at IoA just for the Marvel stuff for my son. Don't get me wrong, he loves Monsters Inc and Toy Story but he's much too young to be into Pirates (besides Jake) and while his interest in Star Wars is growing, there still isn't a ton of Star Wars related stuff.

I had no idea they also removed the Incredibles. That seems so strange given that they are making a second one. But I agree- Disney just can't seem to get their act together when it comes to boys.

We haven't been since 2012 and I believe the whole area where Ariel etc is now was under construction (I am drawing a total blank). I don't know what the construction will be like when we go in September. If it's bad I suspect we might take a year or two off. A disney cruise and Aulani have both been thrown around by my husband. So that might be the route we go next time until the parks start looking better.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I SO feel you- even though I have a daugther, I too have a 4yo son who is crazy for Baymax. I still haven't figured out how to tell him that Baymax and Hiro won't be there. He talks about it all the time. We actually considered a day at IoA just for the Marvel stuff for my son. Don't get me wrong, he loves Monsters Inc and Toy Story but he's much too young to be into Pirates (besides Jake) and while his interest in Star Wars is growing, there still isn't a ton of Star Wars related stuff.

I had no idea they also removed the Incredibles. That seems so strange given that they are making a second one. But I agree- Disney just can't seem to get their act together when it comes to boys.

We haven't been since 2012 and I believe the whole area where Ariel etc is now was under construction (I am drawing a total blank). I don't know what the construction will be like when we go in September. If it's bad I suspect we might take a year or two off. A disney cruise and Aulani have both been thrown around by my husband. So that might be the route we go next time until the parks start looking better.

We are doing just that for the first time ever. We've never been pulled to US, but DHS makes no sense for us anymore except for a few hours one night to ride TSMM and see Fantasmic. Instead we'll spend that day meeting Shrek, Curious George, Minions, Scooby Doo and the Simpsons (OK, that one is for me)

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I'm beyond there, not because of the money but because of the constant closures and things being removed. The announced Baymax' removal the day after my required final payment was made. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I have a 4 year old son. The concept of boys is currently lost on Disney. They remove the Incredibles and Baymax within a month of one another, months after I was required to make my dining plans for days I had planned on being in DHS. Following that up they announce a new boutique for little girls to get all princessed up. Just seems like a slap in the face to parents of young boys. Aside from the Princess Marathon in February (3 days) this will be our last trip until there are new attractions that aren't princess related. I'm guessing that means we'll be back in 2025.

DS15 just asked me the other day why isn't there anything for boys at WDW.

He's not whining about it or upset....it was just an observation when I pointed out that DD was doing BBB and CRT.

 

[Aurora0427]

If it feels like I'm at Six Flags or any Cedar Point, it seizes to be worth it to me to scrimp and save to go to the "magical" place. Got my fingers crossed.

We do Six Flags Over Texas and Disney a lot, and I think there is a huge difference between the two. I really think you're going to feel the magic! Disney isn't perfect, but it still feels magical. For us, the hotel plays a big part in that. We stayed at the Grand Floridian last time, and it really added to the magic. I also felt that way when we stayed at the Poly before the construction.

 

[KEVD]

One thing that I really like about Disney that a lot of other vacations don't seem to have is the amount of control you can have over the price. You can make it as cheap or expensive as you want to, depending on what you're willing to do.

Well stated. If you're not dead set on staying on property or eating every meal at a WDW restaurant, you can really make the costs manageable. Even more so if you have the flexibility as far as when you can go (we unfortunately do not b/c my wife works in the public school system).

Airfare is the one thing completely out of your hands.

 

[Bullseye]

We payed around $56 a day per person for park tickets this year. I still feel like that's a fair price for a full day at any of the four parks. As for lodging we own DVC, so for less than half the regular cost we get to stay in an enormous room with all the comforts of home (Full kitchen, washer/dryer, 3 full bathrooms etc). That alone makes the WDW vacation worthwhile to me . Having great accommodations and eating at some great restaurants is the best part vacation for me personally. The parks are secondary. In fact as annual visitors we have actually pared back our theme parks days to enjoy the resort and water parks more....so our overall cost is actually going down. Now don't get me started on flight costs though, those keep climbing fairly significantly every year and that really irks me .

 

[tlmadden73]

I have a 4 year old son. The concept of boys is currently lost on Disney. They remove the Incredibles and Baymax within a month of one another,

I am with you .. I made plans to go to DHS because it is about as "boys" as you can get ... but then they remove his two favorite Disney characters (besides Buzz) from M&Gs .. disappointed.
I know they won't have Miles From Tomorrowland yet either (his favorite Disney Junior Show)

He'll enjoy the shows .. but he is too short to go on Star Tours (which he would enjoy!) .. and the Alien scene may be too scary for him in the GMR. So .. it could be a very relaxing day.

I hope to get his cousin into the Ice Palace Boutique ...

Hopefully the Star Wars/Pixar makeover (rumoured) at DHS will make it the ultimate boys park!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I think before we stop going all together we would not go as often and do something else. We only started going a few years ago (2010). We have not been this calendar year because we moved in March. So this summer we did a mini-vacation somewhere else. Still hope to get away one more time before school starts; but money generally used was required to make the move work.

It’s just been a really good place for us. And I love how I can book it way out and pay over time since I’m doing it on my own. Right now there are just very few place we all have such a good time. We were there in 2012 when the tropical storm hit. It wasn’t an ideal way to tour the parks for sure; but I remember thinking just about any other vacation that we would take would have been completely ruined. I know other storms have hit that caused closures. We were fortunate this one didn't.

My youngest just finished daycare; and I know a lot of people know what a relief that can be. Plus the move considerably lessened my monthly obligations because we now live in a small townhouse as opposed to the 23 year-old house we lived in with my husband before he died. I’m hoping that will mean more vacation money available. Of course my children still being pretty young, me not having a spouse to consider at this point and the fact that we live close enough that if airfare doesn’t work, I have the option of driving, all play a part. We haven’t stayed off site yet. I guess that would be the next step.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I am with you .. I made plans to go to DHS because it is about as "boys" as you can get ... but then they remove his two favorite Disney characters (besides Buzz) from M&Gs .. disappointed.
I know they won't have Miles From Tomorrowland yet either (his favorite Disney Junior Show)

He'll enjoy the shows .. but he is too short to go on Star Tours (which he would enjoy!) .. and the Alien scene may be too scary for him in the GMR. So .. it could be a very relaxing day.

I hope to get his cousin into the Ice Palace Boutique ...

Hopefully the Star Wars/Pixar makeover (rumoured) at DHS will make it the ultimate boys park!

Our boys would get along well. Those are his Top-4 as well. There have been whispers that Miles will eventually replace Handy Manny at Hollywood and Vine. My guy is just tall enough for Star Wars, but isn't familiar with it at all yet. I share your concern on GMR. Will try to distract him during that part.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

Most of those complaints pertain to hotel costs. I just checked rates for next April, nowhere near anyone's Easter break, and rates at the Contemporary, Poly, Yacht, Beach and Boardwalk started in the $600 range. Sorry, but no.

Totally agree. This is why when some folks say the costs of other vacations are similar I tend to scratch my head a bit. I can go to Puerto Rico and stay at the Marriott Stellaris San Juan (right on the beach in the Condado area of San Juan) for approximately $200 or less per night. And Disney thinks its okay to charge $500+ for a room at a "Deluxe?" Ha! Pass.

 

[mom2rtk]

DS15 just asked me the other day why isn't there anything for boys at WDW.

He's not whining about it or upset....it was just an observation when I pointed out that DD was doing BBB and CRT.

It's not just boys. Outside of the Frozen stuff at DHS, there's not much new for anyone.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

That will never happen. DLP is damned expensive. It's currently better value for us to spend a bit extra on flights and travel to WDW than to go to DLP which is significantly nearer!

DLP is just really a day park though, maybe 2 days if you really need it. But then you're still in Paris and the list of entertainment/things to do is endless.

 

[niffer5150]

i think it's getting to that point for us. the quality has gone down while the price continues to rise. the cost of everything has sky rocketed and it's upsetting when you're getting less and less for it. the last trip we took was a let down. food was repeatedly served cold or salted beyond being edible. cast members seemed quite unsettled. one day, we had 3 rides in a row break while we were in line.

we already are having discussions about is getting the regular dining plan is worth it anymore for any future trips. if you're going to eat mediocre food, you may as well eat CS food and save money. we still agree that our "home" hotel is still a must tho, at least till it's so busy and so packed it's no longer restful. i'm pretty sure that if the cheer squads or tour groups moved in, that'd be a total deal breaker for us.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Life has a way of throwing you a curveball just when you think that everything is going well, so I'll just say that I am happy to be able to go now and hope to always be able to continue.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

The thing for my family is that we live in GA, so we can drive. This makes Disneyworld more attractive as a destination. Other things that we can drive to are not really as magical, fun, "being in a bubble" as Disney. None of the alternatives fit my family well right now.
1) Cruise...this is the most likely alternative that we would like. Giving us that "bubble" experience. (Plus we can drive potentially if leaving out of Florida) I'd like our kids to be older for this (old enough for everyone to go to kids clubs, etc.) We are going to Disney next year, and then we are thinking of taking a few years off to save for a nice cruise (probably not DCL as we probably can't afford that-or are not willing to afford it)
2) Beach vacation (probably FL)...this could be cheaper than Disney, but I don't like the beach. (I grew up near the beach. Sunbathing=skin cancer, I hate swimsuit shopping, my kids aren't good swimmers, etc.) Renting a condo at the beach just feels, to me, like extra work...I'm still cooking, cleaning, watching kids, but somewhere else.
3) Camping/woods. My ILs live in the rural NC mountains. DS is in Cub Scouts. We get enough of that.
4) Washington, D.C. ---All the kids aren't really old enough to appreciate a trip visiting historical sites

Nothing else I can think of that is really in driving distance strikes me as a "destination" vacation for a young family.

DC can be enjoyed at any age. There are interactive areas in the museums such as the national bldg museum and American history museum geared to the 12 and under and it's free. There is the national zoo. Even a tot can ride to the top of the Washington monument and take a priceless photo. The Easter egg roll if you can get tickets is for young children. There are various parades and the kite festival. DC should be visited as often as possible. There is so much and it's amazing at any age.