Discouraging prices for repeat trips

[elcycad]

For a family of 5,I think cost of a return trip to Disney is becoming prohibitive. Park tickets,dining,accomodation...etc.
Although,this is my 1st trip to Disney, I already think that I will not be able to return. I notice other people have been there many,many times and I gaze upon them in awe. How do they do it? Am I doing something wrong? Will I change my mind after I've returned?

 

[tink_lover]

I feel your pain as another family of 5. We have returned many times since the first visit and ultimately bought DVC. It is now a fun, relatively easy vacation to plan. Don't deal with cars, cleaning up after meals, preparing or figuring out meals, always something new to see or do. In comparison, we took a trip into Chicago in July. Had to figure out hotel, transportation once there (we walked or took the train), restaurants, etc. I still prefer WDW, but we are making an effort to take the kids other places. We are thinking DC next spring, but the cost of hotels there is frightening!

 

[dzorn]

We buy AP to get 2-3 trips out of them.

Denise in MI

 

[leslie826]

Yes, you will want to return once you go! We don't go as often as many here, but our trip for Jan with free dining/6 nights/5 day tix is just over $2000. That's not much more than a week at the beach in the summer. If you plan value seasons & other promos it is a lot more cost effective.

 

[Cin]

I'm in awe too of those that can visit Disneyworld so often. They must be fortunate enough to live much closer that I do. A huge portion of our expense in both time and money is for travel to and from our home to WDW. And then there is my partner, I just can't see convincing my husband to run off to Disneyworld for a weekender. Much as I'd love to. He is okay with once ever. Been there done that kind of guy. He said he would go back though when I told him about the Nascar experience and golfing. And he wants to stay at AKL! So saving saving saving already for that trip 1.5 years from now.... so I may not get to go as often, but I will get a longer stay when I do. I've only been 3 times so far, but Mom and I are going in Jan. Whoo Hoo, my 4th time.

 

[GatorMama]

We've only had one family trip so far (for 10 day) but we're already looking forward to going back next year. We're already saving up so we can book and make our deposit! We did a longer than normal stay relatively cheaply (just under $2k) by driving down instead of flying, staying offsite instead of onsite, cooking A LOT of meals (at least 2 a day) and only keeping 2 ADRs when we saw we really couldn't afford big ticket meals. I packed the food that wouldn't spoil and I knew I could get cheaper at home (crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, cereal, sodas) We drank water all day every day except for two mornings when I didn't have time to make my morning tea and was getting headaches by midday without caffeine. On those days, DH and I shared a coke (or Mountain Dew the day we were at SeaWorld). We also refrained from spending ridiculous amounts on souvenirs. We got a christmas ornament, per family tradition (any family vacation, we get an ornament), a box of Mr. Potato Head accessories at DTD, and we spent less than $15 on pins for us to trade in the parks. No T-shirts. No stuffed animals. No random things that we just really liked. I did get a shampoo bar when we went to the shop at Grand Floridian, but since it was LESS than what I normally spend on similar shampoo, I don't consider it a souvenir.

 

[jiminykrikkit]

I think people just make it work by sacrificing in different areas.

We, for example, have always flown since we're pretty far (Houston). We will fly this year, as our son is still able to fly in my lap. But next year he'll need a ticket...and that's another $300-$400 on our budget. So we've decided to drive to save that money, plus what we would have spent on our two r/t tickets. We'll probably drive from now on, and also stay at Value resorts or even look into staying off-site if that means it'll mean we can go. I prefer to stay on-site, but hey, going to Disney and staying off-site is better than not going to Disney at all!

I also make it happen by planning at least a year in advance, so I break the amount I need to save into a monthly number which makes it much easier to swallow. It's easier for me to find $150 in my monthly budget and put it aside for Disney than it is for me to take $2000 out of savings.

By planning ahead of time, I can also see what deals make more sense financially for us. I have time to look into Free Dining + Rack Rate room vs. Room Only discounts. And when we go this year, I'm already armed with the information I need to make a decision should there be a 2012 Bounceback Rate in our room.

The past few years we've taken other (cheaper) vacations, but I really want to try to fit Disney into the budget from now on.

I hope you have a great first trip! I bet you'll get bit by the magic and do whatever you can to get back.

 

[punkin]

This is how we do it:

When there are 5 of us going we stay at a condo with a kitchen off-site. I buy non-expiring 10 day tickets and use them over several trips supplemented by days off at the resort pool and a trip to the beach.

We drive. I can make it non-stop there, but usually have to pay for a hotel on the way back. I Priceline it.

It's still expensive, but doable.

 

[Colleen27]

We're getting to a point where we're questioning the prices and right now it is largely the very steep discounts that keep us coming back. Our last two trips and the one we're planning for fall have all been with free dining.

Five years ago the costs were much more reasonable in my opinion, and the annual increases in everything are getting very close to my breaking point now. The same trip we're taking this year would cost almost $700 more next year (comparing rack rate to rack rate) and I just can't justify that considering that the experience won't be significantly different. If the fall discount had been anything less than free dining - which with 2 adults, 2 "Disney adults" and 1 child saves us a fortune - we'd be staying offsite for this year's fall trip, and I think even with free dining at next year's prices the bottom line will be hard to swallow.

I feel like we lucked out - our kids' "little kid" years lined up so well with Disney's recession-driven deep discounting. Disney is a fabulous family trip for the stroller-and-diapers years in a way that few other places can rival and we've been fortunate enough to have many great trips with our kids while they're very small. Now the prices are getting to be a bit out of control in my opinion, but that's okay because our youngest is getting to an age where we can branch out a bit more into "real world" travels.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

We are a family of 5, and have gone to Disney 3 times. We stay off property at a townhouse in Windsor Hills (last fall it was $679 for the week). We drive down (gas was $350), so we load the car with breakfast foods & snacks & shop for perishable items when we get there.

I wish I had purchased non expiring 10 tickets on my last trip, but we could not afford it at the time. The tickets are the biggest cost factor for us, and they get more and more expensive each year (last year our tickets through undercover tourist w/ mousesaver discount were around $1500.00).... I offset that cost by keeping everything else as low cost as possible.

I use the Disney Visa as much as possible & pay it off at the end of each month. I use my rewards to pay for food & souveniers in the park. We also eat some of our meals outside the park at the end of the day, or before going in.

I know a lot of people would never consider an offsite trip. I have never stayed onsite, so I have no basis for comparison. What I do know is that I am more comfortable being able to spread out in a 3 br. 3 bath townhouse than I am crammed into a 1 room 1 bathroom hotel room. Since I cannot afford the accomodations I want onsite, I am perfectly happy staying offsite.

 

[iamadisneynut]

When we go down as a family we stay offsite in a pool home, only do two days of parks, supplemented by shopping and site seeing at DTD and outlet malls, swimming in our pool etc. We do only one or two character meals, we don't buy a lot of stuff/souvenirs.

We drive down because airfare for all of us would be crazy. We cook meals and also keep track of what nights kids eat free where if we want to go out for dinner.

I can usually do the trip for a week all in (including spending money etc.) for $3000.

 

[elcycad]

Thanks for all the great tips.. Although I am staying on-site this year and doing all the requisite activities, such as Cinderella's royal table, and most of the princessy stuff with my 3 girls, I will certainly consider staying off-site and buying food elsewhere to cook.

I am currently driving to WDW and we have free dining, so we will try to take advantage of visiting as many restaurants as the DDP will afford us and also use the EMH to our advantage...after that I think...been there..done that...Now we can stay off site and maybe save some money...it sounds as if being off-site at WDW is better that not being in WDW

 

[eeyoresmom]

We own Dvc so that helps somewhat, but is an expense to own in it's own right. I agree that Disney is affordable compared to other destinations for kids under 9. We have 4 older kids, and although I sacrifice to "make it happen", I'm getting tired of this. Disney is just too expensive for families with older children. I've already cut down on the number of trips we take to WDW.

 

[crazelion]

WE stay offsite now . We family of 5 too. I look for all-suite hotels that offer a free hot breakfast. That save on meals right there. I use my reward programs to pay for the trip. Use free restaurants gift cards for other meals. Hotel gift cards to pay for the hotel room. Which is usually Marriott brand hotel.

 

[2disneyboys]

the first time my DH & I went to WDW was in Nov 99 when I was preg w/ our 1st child. We had planned the trip almost 15 months before and used a local travel agent and just made payments to the travel agent until the trip was paid for (found out later, you can do this same thing w/ WDW.. but oh well we learn...) anyway we went for 5 days visted the 4 parks, spent a TON on on food and souvies... came home... discovered we were BOTH in love w/ the parks and could not wait to go back... we weren't able to go back until Feb 2007, but we stayed offsite, scored a lot of good deals and had a faboulous time... Again in April 2008, and then again in May 2009, and then went for NYE 2011, bought annual passes and have gone in April 2011, planning a Sept 2011 trip and would LOVE to sneak in a Dec 2011 trip before the annual passes expire. over the years, we have learned some tricks on how to save money. Have stayed both on and offsite have done the meal plan and just paid OOP for food... we found out that WDW is something we love and as a result we rearraged our budget to take care of necessaties (which include retirement & savings) but cut out a lot of other stuff we were willing to go without so we would have the xtra $ for vacations (any vacation, but especially WDW) we don't have the biggest flat screen's people can buy or all the premium cable channels. We drive old paid for cars, we could very much "afford" a 5,000+ sq foot house, but we never upgraded, we are still in our "starter" 1800 sq foot house (and love it especially since it will be paid for in around 5 years) we don't get new wardrobes each season, instaed, only buy clothes when there is a special event or special need) I could go on & on. Our 3 indulduges are vacationing often (WDW is not the only place we go and we usually drive to our vacation destination) our kids are in private school, and we go out to dinner some, but not as much as we used to. (the private school helps us save $ on vacations as it is no problem at all to pull the kids out of school so we can vacation when places are slow and have sales) Other than those 3 items, we adapt or make due.

My brother & sister in law... they go to disney about ever 4 or 5 years. they would much rather have the nicer house and the nicer cars and the other stuff then to vacation as often. I am glad that works for them. I don't think they are bad people or are making bad choices, its the right choice for them. its just not "our" style.

the only problem I would warn you about is that WDW can be very addicting!!!

*edited to add** yes, we are a family of 4 so "fit" into the disney rooms, but most of the trips there has been other persons with us so that makes us NOT fit YKWIM!

 

[ValpoCory]

Good stories on this thread. We live in Austin, TX, and driving would take 2 days before and after WDW so we'd rather fly and spend more time in the World, not to mention reducing the amount of stress on the family being cramped in the car for 4 days.

We always stay onsite and never rent a car. We rent DVC points at $10 per point which means Deluxe accommodations at Moderate prices. An 8 night vacation at BWV cost my family $4,200. And that's everything, from parking at the airport and airport food, to plane tickets, Photopass CD, food, lodging, tickets, and lots of souvenirs. That is with $400 I saved from a grocery store Disney Gift Card promotion.

 

[cseca]

We have DVC as well. So our lodging is taken care of.
But other tricks we do could help you with future travels.

We buy AP and then go twice within a year. That helps a lot.
Also we do most breakfasts in our room.

And if you rent points from DVC member to stay in a 1br, you can save $ by cooking in the room. Definition of cooking ranges from sticking deli meats between slices of bread, to a full pots/pans cooking. All depends on what you want to do.
If you don't have a car. Order groceries from either Garden Grocers or We Go Shop. That'll save you time.

If you can travel last minute, sign up with David's rental and get his last minute email specials. I just received an email for $7/pt for SSR for Aug 28-Sept 1st.

Restaurant.com has some vouchers you can buy for some Swan/Dolphin eateries.

Also if you're not a cooking during vacation kinda family, once you have an AP you can purchase Tables in Wonderland card. That'll give you 20% off most if not all sit down restaurants on site and some counter service places (All Stars, Animal Kingdom). But you'll also be automatically charged 18% tip for the sit down places.

 

[punkin]

We are a family of 5, and have gone to Disney 3 times. We stay off property at a townhouse in Windsor Hills (last fall it was $679 for the week). We drive down (gas was $350), so we load the car with breakfast foods & snacks & shop for perishable items when we get there.

I wish I had purchased non expiring 10 tickets on my last trip, but we could not afford it at the time. The tickets are the biggest cost factor for us, and they get more and more expensive each year (last year our tickets through undercover tourist w/ mousesaver discount were around $1500.00).... I offset that cost by keeping everything else as low cost as possible.

I use the Disney Visa as much as possible & pay it off at the end of each month. I use my rewards to pay for food & souveniers in the park. We also eat some of our meals outside the park at the end of the day, or before going in.

I know a lot of people would never consider an offsite trip. I have never stayed onsite, so I have no basis for comparison. What I do know is that I am more comfortable being able to spread out in a 3 br. 3 bath townhouse than I am crammed into a 1 room 1 bathroom hotel room. Since I cannot afford the accomodations I want onsite, I am perfectly happy staying offsite.

That's a good point. Laying out a huge chunk of money now to save later is just not a possibility for many people.

 

[Pakey]

We've been going to WDW for 30 years and it doesn't have to be that expensive of a vacation. In fact for us, WDW is now our cheaper vacation each year. Although we have owned DVC for 14 years, I would have no problem staying offsite if that was how I could make it work. I helped a friend find a gorgeous home with a pool for an amount cheaper than staying onsite anywhere (she is a family of 5 also). With the increased food prices and decreased food quality, we eat in our villa a lot more now. And along with others, we buy AP's and plan our vacations to take advantage of multiple vacations with one set of tickets.

Also, the more often you go, the less individual activities you feel are an absolute necessity. We don't cram things into our vacations there anymore. There are no places where we absolutely feel we must eat. We try to plan one special activity each trip (MNSSHP for our next one) and other than that, we just take it easy.

 

[mrsklamc]

1) Stay offsite. Windsor Hills is amazing and close.
2) Meals in house/condo save a ton of $$
3) YES program for cheaper tickets if available for your kids' age range during your trip.