Dawning realisation we just can't afford it! - Oh wait we can just!!!!!!!!!

I hope I'm not one of these complaining people, I've made it very clear I know we're very lucky and it's great to have been so often. We have got used to the more luxury elements of the trip and I don't think saving money on my lunch sandwich actually has any bearing on the 9000 I'd need to pay for the holiday that was planned.

This thread was just started to discuss that sudden moment of clarity where you realise it's not worth it for now and not worth putting yourself under ever increasing pressure to maintain the things you've grown used to. I thought it might help others in the same boat to see the wood from the trees.

I'm very sorry that I built my own company from scratch and am not at all poor, I'm allowed to talk about my life too though.

Calm down, I only posted to point out that if people REALLY wanted to go they would be willing to stay somewhere cheaper. Personally i would rather get to go at all and stay in a kip of a hotel than not be able to go
 
We are 31 and we have been going most years for the last ten years. My twins are four next year and will have gone on their third disney holiday and fifth holiday since they were born. We work hard for the money and holidays is what we like to spend it on

We dont go out or have a huge home etc so all our money oes on the holiday funds.

We are going this nov, two weeks 1 bed villa withfree dining flying economy out and our first time pe back for 4500 bit of a shock for us as girls now have to pay for tickets :-(
 
We are going this nov, two weeks 1 bed villa withfree dining flying economy out and our first time pe back for 4500 bit of a shock for us as girls now have to pay for tickets :-(

You wait till they no longer count as kids :eek::eek: now my boys are 15 and 17 they don't even qualify for teen flights ...... oh boy have we seen the costs rocket :scared1::scared1: another reason we only go every other year now
 
Agreed Disneynutinlondon!

Ours will be 15 & 13 for our next trip! Mind you only our first Florida trip in 2008 saw both our offspring as 'Children' and under 9 so I suppose we have never had the chance to get too use to cheaper kids prices!

As you can see from my sig our hotel choice has got more expensive as we have gone along - we tried off site once with friends and it is not for me - I do not want a 'home from home', I do not want to cook, I do not want to drive... I am on holiday! - but that is me!

Our destination and love of WDW may be the same - but the extras and choices we make about where we stay and how we get there are unique to each family in respect of not only their budget but also their wants.

Would someone buy a cheap flat in a poorly situated rather than save an extra year to get a decent one or a house in the perfect location - it depends on what is more important - buying a property or getting the property you want. It is very individual...

Considering that 'Getting there' seems the most expensive part these days that is where I make my compromise - we now fly indirect as a staying on-site with free DDP is more important to us and if we cant afford to stay onsite - we would not go (well we would go but just have to save a bit longer!)

DH and I have always worked full time and in the past couple of years our children reached the age where we no longer had to pay for 'Child Care' - I swear the saving from this alone probably funds over half our holiday!

Everyone deserves the holiday they want - it does not matter what choices they make - it is their holiday! and everyone is entitled to a little moan once every now and then!
 

That's it, we spoilt ourselves when the kids were free for everything, then managed to keep going when we started paying flights after 2 yrs and tickets after 3, then last year we had enough miles for free PE flights and spent loads on a 2 bed OKW.

This year, no deals, have to pay for all 4 of us and OKW more expensive than it has been previous years.

We were booked in a villa and would be happy with economy with extra legroom, I'm 6'5" but we're still talking many thousands.

Should have enough miles for free seats (well, just tax) next year so will be back for a good'un.
 
Agreed Disneynutinlondon!

Ours will be 15 & 13 for our next trip! Mind you only our first Florida trip in 2008 saw both our offspring as 'Children' and under 9 so I suppose we have never had the chance to get too use to cheaper kids prices!

As you can see from my sig our hotel choice has got more expensive as we have gone along - we tried off site once with friends and it is not for me - I do not want a 'home from home', I do not want to cook, I do not want to drive... I am on holiday! - but that is me!

Our destination and love of WDW may be the same - but the extras and choices we make about where we stay and how we get there are unique to each family in respect of not only their budget but also their wants.

Would someone buy a cheap flat in a poorly situated rather than save an extra year to get a decent one or a house in the perfect location - it depends on what is more important - buying a property or getting the property you want. It is very individual...

Considering that 'Getting there' seems the most expensive part these days that is where I make my compromise - we now fly indirect as a staying on-site with free DDP is more important to us and if we cant afford to stay onsite - we would not go (well we would go but just have to save a bit longer!)

DH and I have always worked full time and in the past couple of years our children reached the age where we no longer had to pay for 'Child Care' - I swear the saving from this alone probably funds over half our holiday!

Everyone deserves the holiday they want - it does not matter what choices they make - it is their holiday! and everyone is entitled to a little moan once every now and then!

:thumbsup2
Yep exactly...

To us we don't actually want to go if we have to compromise, tried it and it didn't work, it just wasn't the same...I would rather wait. To compromise just to be grateful that we are there would be like wasting money to me.
 
I think going to WDW in the first place was both the best and the worst thing I have done regarding holidays.

Like a lot of people we planned to have a "Once in a lifetime" trip. This was the best, best, best holiday I have ever had.

The kids were small and once home I started looking for a part time job to pay for a return trip which happened 4 years later.

We have had 4 trips now - each one much better than any other holiday (none as good as the first when the kids were 4 and 7).

But the kids are now adults, my job restricts me to school holiday trips and I want to help the kids with their university costs, so we are looking at 2017 for our next trip. However I just can't get excited over other holidays that aren't WDW.
 
We are very very lucky that we were able to buy into DVC several years ago when exchange rate was $2/£. It's allowed us to continue with spending 2/3 weeks every year in the type of accommodation we want, onsite to at a cheaper price. Essentially our DVC has now paid for itself so our hotel costs are the price of our annual dues (£650ish).

This year however the prices have been more expensive. In addition to this we have an extra seat to pay for, and my daughter is now older so has to pay for park tickets too. We have been lucky this year because DVC offered premium APs for $399 which helped costs.

My biggest problem is that I've gotten used to my little luxury extras - hotel the night before, airport lounge, PE flights etc.

Oh and Cruises :)
 
Our last visit was in 2008. Since then me and the wife went to Canada, which was wonderful, but since changes in financial circumstances, we have been steadily reducing our debt towards zero and really are not going back until we have reduced the debt to zero. So were looking at 2014.

We have been doing very well with the debt, and I looked into having a 3 night away in the Lakes in a lovely B&B. After we priced it up it looked at around £600...

£266 for 3 nights B&B Accommodation
£120 there and back for petrol, my car is not economical, but we only do 5K a year so we keep it and I do love it...
£150.00 3 evening meals out and a few drinks nothing too extravagant.
£50.00 for extras

After we totted it up we thought it was simply not worth it. Yes it could be cheaper done, but for me if were going away I want it to be a nice experience, no point going to just sit in the room and eat a sandwich for dinner, I can do that at home for even less !

But the cost of doing things now really are expensive and things have to be seriously thought about before doing them, cause I think the days of living for now and paying for it later are gone. No one can no longer bank on a job for life, or their salary going up each year or not loosing their job anymore.
 
I think I'm heading towards the 'realisation' that the OP had too... :sad2:

I have been so lucky, and have managed 5 trips to the World since 2001. Despite financial setbacks (divorce, and then meeting my new husband who has two kids we pay for half of everything for).

We went as a family of 4 in 2010, partly funded by having more on the mortgage than we actually needed to move house, and partly funded by the credit card.

We went last year for our honeymoon, just the 2 of us. Completely funded by the credit card in the end, as my financial planning was thrown into a spin by the wedding costing more than we thought it would, and a work bonus we were expecting not being nearly as much as promised.

So we're now paying off the credit card, going to Whitby for a week this summer (which is fine, we all love it there too!), and hoping to go back to the World in 2014, as a family of 4, but the kids will be 12 and almost 17 by then, so 4 adults!! That really ramps up the costs, as others of you have said.

But I'm slowly realising that we just won't have enough money saved up to go in 2014, as it's going to take us a while to clear the credit card. I vowed I wouldn't go down the credit card route again (I feel a bit wobbly doing it that way), I said we'd save up then go. So it looks like it might be 2015 unfortunately, which will disappoint my step-kids I think, but I think that's the choice I have to make...

Unless something magical happens before then, you never know! pixiedust:
The couple of work bonuses we had have been unexpected, so maybe something nice will happen which will allow us to go in 2014.

We too, love to stay on site, and fly direct. And I'm happy to only go every 2 or 3 or 4 years to achieve this. Although as the kids get older, the indirect flights look a bit more attractive...

I'm VERY grateful that I've had the chance to go so many times, I know there are many people who will never be so lucky, and I'm lucky to have a happy, healthy home life in a reasonably nice house (although it could probably do with a kitchen!). It still smarts that everyone's earnings just haven't kept up with the cost of living, and we are all feeling the pinch, and working harder to continue doing the things we like to do.

:grouphug: to everyone out there!!
 
Yup, I'm starting to realise we're going to have to make some changes next trip.

Realistically we're probably going to wait until the baby is 2 or 3. Which means she'll need a plane seat. So that's a new expense.

Add to that the increase in flight prices anyway, and that the Free DDP has stopped being TS at deluxes, and I think we'll most likely be staying at a Mod next time unless we can rent points for AKL.

Fine by me as I do love the look of POFQ and will be nice to try somewhere new, but it really adds up to a lot more than we paid the first time we went. Our flights were £280 each and AKL for 2 weeks was £1400 on a promotion, then we had tickets and spending money on top so still under £3k for everything.

2 weeks POFQ if we were going next year for example - and we wont so it will cost even more:

Flights £1750
POFQ £1610
DDP upgrade £420
Tickets £450

So that's £4230 with meals but no extra spending. :(
 
We haven't been since our honeymoon Sept 2010 and although we have had breaks to DLP all done on budget always managed to get good prices.

DH hasn't had two weeks off since his paternity leave in march 2011 and works very hard driving 400 miles a day so I can stay home with DD as I would never earn enough for DD to go in to nursery have a child minder.

DH dad died last year in march and we just decided to book as we needed something to look forward to. We were very lucky we found a flight inclusive deal with Disney that was only £600 more then the hotel ticket package.

We have saved and missed out on a lot in the process but we know the two weeks will be worth it.

Looking at going again is looking impossible once DD is two the flights just rocket and seems ridiculous. This may be our last trip again for a long time. I hate beach holidays too I drive my self insane and spend money doing every excursion just to keep myself busy lol x
 
tinks_1989 said:
Looking at going again is looking impossible once DD is two the flights just rocket and seems ridiculous. This may be our last trip again for a long time. I hate beach holidays too I drive my self insane and spend money doing every excursion just to keep myself busy lol x

Same here. Our son will be 9 months when we go in March, and I can see it being our only chance to go for a good while.
I'm hoping DCL are back in the Med next year otherwise it'll be vastly overpriced trips to DLP to get our fix :)

:goodvibes
 
luke said:
Same here. Our son will be 9 months when we go in March, and I can see it being our only chance to go for a good while.
I'm hoping DCL are back in the Med next year otherwise it'll be vastly overpriced trips to DLP to get our fix :)

:goodvibes

Same here. Yet DH is refusing DLP for a few years.
 
Same here. Our son will be 9 months when we go in March, and I can see it being our only chance to go for a good while.
I'm hoping DCL are back in the Med next year otherwise it'll be vastly overpriced trips to DLP to get our fix :)

:goodvibes
Actually you might be suprised with DLRP if you get some good offers.

This whole parenting thing has made me put my sensible hat on, and I priced up a short trip a the Sequoia Lodge and it's only about £400 including tickets and breakfast. You can get Eurostar for £59pp and it's only 2 hours so lap-sitting shouldn't be too bad.

We adore the Pink Hotel, but it's about £700 more, so I think we'll be in SL next trip. That £700 can go towards WDW.
 
torsie24 said:
Actually you might be suprised with DLRP if you get some good offers.

This whole parenting thing has made me put my sensible hat on, and I priced up a short trip a the Sequoia Lodge and it's only about £400 including tickets and breakfast. You can get Eurostar for £59pp and it's only 2 hours so lap-sitting shouldn't be too bad.

We adore the Pink Hotel, but it's about £700 more, so I think we'll be in SL next trip. That £700 can go towards WDW.

That sensible hat is totally true, I've had it on for a year now and only just getting used to it :lmao:

We had tons of house renovations to do before our son was born so it got me into the new way of thinking pretty well!!

Main problem is having to travel during school holidays due to my job!
Although we are far north though I agree about Eurostar and will definitely be pricing it up should we get a chance to go :)

:goodvibes
 
I've never been able to afford Disney until now, and certainly my parents didn't have the funds to take 4 of us to america! Now im 25 and have my own money, I've saved up since September to afford mine & BF's 30th birthday trip in April/May, Im paying for him as his birthday present, and we will certainly be back to our usual europe trips in 2014!

I was lucky enough to obtain a new job last year with a nice salary increase and I have no debt apart from our house whereas BF is paying off a large chuck of student loans/overdrafts/CC's, so its nice to treat him.

He has no idea though, he wanted 2 weeks in Jamica all inclusive which was a considerably higher cost! (£7000!) Yikes.

I managed to get flights for £1087 (MAN-EWR, EWR-MCO, MCO-IAD-MAN) with a £350 upgrade to prem eco. We are staying 4 days in NYC with a friend before flying down to WDW for 8 nights at SSR studio, with free dining and ultimate tix (£1785). plus spends I've budgetted $300 per day in NYC, $150 per day in Disney (£1500) then we have insurance/ETSA/New passport for me/Cat Hotel for our 2 kittens & airport parking!

So all in its costing about £5000 all in for 2 of us. However it was my choice to stay on site, I probably could of done the whole thing cheaper staying off site etc, but its probably going to be our one and only visit. so It made sense to stay onsite for us :)

Its such a shame flight prices aren't a 'bargain' anymore, I remember paying £47 for my return ticket to spain from liverpool when I was 20 ish :) Now its £120! nearly double, no wonder so many people are feeling the pinch!
 
I am glad that I am not the only one. We used to go every year then when we were stuck with school holidays we would go every other year at Christmas. The last time we went was Christmas 2009. We paid £2300 for 2 adult flights, 1 teen and 1 child flights, 4 ultimate tickets and car hire/insurance. When we priced up going Christmas 2011 it was more than double! We own DVC and decided to rent out the points and do different holidays. We have bought a caravan and use that plus we have been on a cruise each year. This year we are off to the Baltics and most of that will be paid with renting out our points.

We are pricing up Easter 2014, but so far it seems a tad pricy. We are not sure what the future brings for our Florida holidays, but as everyone else has said the flights are the killer to most Florida dream holidays :-(
 
This whole parenting thing has made me put my sensible hat on

That sensible hat is totally true, I've had it on for a year now and only just getting used to it :lmao:

I could probably take a leaf from your books - but I don't seem to have been issued with a sensible hat when it comes to all things WDW :rotfl:

We aren't doing another family trip until next year, possibly April or June. We just couldn't afford it so soon after our last one this time, but instead of looking elsewhere, I have opted to forgo the break this year entirely and go early/mid 2014, rather than go elsewhere on a 'cheap' break this year and then have to wait until the end of next year. But I'm stubborn like that :lmao:
 
For the 2 of us to go in october for 12 nights and stay onsite and upgrade to ddp, it was just over £3k. We did the naughty thing and paid on a credit card and are still paying it off now! But, we know we wont go back now until we have kids - which is a long way off (apart from when we go in december, but were not paying for it!).
We risked it, had an amazing time and some fab memories, but DBF wants to explore elsewhere, which after 6 WDW trips in 13 years, i hate to say it but i think i do too!

Xx
 


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