Disney is cheaper than going to the beach

[disneysteve]

I was speaking with someone today who just got back from a week at the Jersey shore with his wife and son. He was telling me that they had fun but it was so expensive. Between the house rental, meals, Boardwalk entertainment, water park, etc., they spent about $3,500.

I couldn't help but tell him that my wife and daughter and I just got back from a week (actually over a week) in Disney World and spent under $2,500.

I'm always amazed how many people perceive Disney as being unaffordable, only to go and take a trip that is actually considerably more expensive. Of course, Disney won't ever promote this fact because doing Disney cheap involves things like staying off-site and eating at least some meals off-site which doesn't benefit Disney at all.

It's just a shame that folks like this don't take their families to Disney when they actually could perfectly well. Disney can be an affordable vacation. Sure, you can spend bundles of money if you want to but you can also do it for a lot less if you need to. And I'd take a week at Disney over a week at the beach any day.

 

[hsmamato2]

well said,Disneysteve....

 

[luvmy3]

I was speaking with someone today who just got back from a week at the Jersey shore with his wife and son. He was telling me that they had fun but it was so expensive. Between the house rental, meals, Boardwalk entertainment, water park, etc., they spent about $3,500.

I couldn't help but tell him that my wife and daughter and I just got back from a week (actually over a week) in Disney World and spent under $2,500.

I'm always amazed how many people perceive Disney as being unaffordable, only to go and take a trip that is actually considerably more expensive. Of course, Disney won't ever promote this fact because doing Disney cheap involves things like staying off-site and eating at least some meals off-site which doesn't benefit Disney at all.

It's just a shame that folks like this don't take their families to Disney when they actually could perfectly well. Disney can be an affordable vacation. Sure, you can spend bundles of money if you want to but you can also do it for a lot less if you need to. And I'd take a week at Disney over a week at the beach any day.

Why is it a shame? If a family can afford a $3500 vacation at the Jersey shore, they could easily afford the same vacation at WDW. They may actually choose not to go, not everyone prefers Disney

 

[ToddyLu]

I think Op was referring to the perceived expense of Disney. My MIL help ed her niece plan a vacation to WDW a couple of years ago and the niece was tickled pink with the cost. They stayed on property. It was one of the family of 4 for $1600 deals.

DH and I do choose to spend our vacation money in WDW. We are familiar with it, it is consistant and that helps us relax more I think. Some place new always requires more planning, right.

Vacation dollars are different for everyone. I can remember having lots of vacation hours at work in my early 20s and no money for vacations because they weren't as important to me.....then I discovered WDW in 2002. So at 43 I love going to WDW 1-2 times a year.

 

[Sagginit]

some people just dont know how to shop around. . truthfully being from the shore you can get ripped off as some things are such a mark up when you get to the beach areas.

i have told people roughly how much i have spent on 6 days i disney with DDP and a few extras like car service for the airport and MNSSHP and they are usually surprised at how little i spent. i also think airfare can be a big factor, if you can't get it cheap it can double your trips cost.

 

[MrsPete]

Disagree.

For any vacation destination, you can find an example of someone who did a budget trip and an example of someone who did an over-the-top trip. In my opinion, $2500 is low-to-moderate for a Disney trip, whereas $3500 for a beach trip is an all-the-frills included trip.

The differences:

-- Some beaches are expensive, while some are cheap. In my area, Myrtle Beach (also known as the Redneck Riviera) is super-cheap, whereas Hilton Head and Kiawah Islands are easily 3-4Xs more.
-- Some people will go out to eat "big" for every meal, while others enjoy cooking meals together leisurely as a family. Those choices will make a huge difference.
-- Some people will spend all their time on the beach, which is free. Others will feel the need to take part in paid activities, which can add up in a hurry.


So, while a beach trip can be expensive, overall the average Disney trip is going to be more expensive.

We're renting a three-bedroom condo at the beach this Thanksgiving, and our rental cost is around $800 for four nights. We'll cook, be glad to have our college daughter home, walk on the beach, visit with family who live in the general area. We'll eat out probably twice.

 

[mrsklamc]

I'm quite surprised at how many people- even people who are frugal in 'real life'- and are not huge Disney fans, think that on-property is a must.

Though I've also been quite surprised at how much easier it is to find cheap lodging in Orlando than in other destinations we've considered.

 

[njmom47]

Disagree.

For any vacation destination, you can find an example of someone who did a budget trip and an example of someone who did an over-the-top trip. In my opinion, $2500 is low-to-moderate for a Disney trip, whereas $3500 for a beach trip is an all-the-frills included trip.

The differences:

-- Some beaches are expensive, while some are cheap. In my area, Myrtle Beach (also known as the Redneck Riviera) is super-cheap, whereas Hilton Head and Kiawah Islands are easily 3-4Xs more.
-- Some people will go out to eat "big" for every meal, while others enjoy cooking meals together leisurely as a family. Those choices will make a huge difference.
-- Some people will spend all their time on the beach, which is free. Others will feel the need to take part in paid activities, which can add up in a hurry.


So, while a beach trip can be expensive, overall the average Disney trip is going to be more expensive.

We're renting a three-bedroom condo at the beach this Thanksgiving, and our rental cost is around $800 for four nights. We'll cook, be glad to have our college daughter home, walk on the beach, visit with family who live in the general area. We'll eat out probably twice.

Not all NJ beaches are free. But just like in SC, the towns have different personalities. So it could all depend on which town you chose to vacation in.
I agree though, that the perception is a WDW vacation is costly.
MrsPete, we've vacationed in MB...for a baseball tournament. Didn't realize that was it's nickname.

 

[luvmy3]

I'm quite surprised at how many people- even people who are frugal in 'real life'- and are not huge Disney fans, think that on-property is a must.

Though I've also been quite surprised at how much easier it is to find cheap lodging in Orlando than in other destinations we've considered.

Admittedly I am not a huge Disney fan, and consider myself somewhat frugal but when I planned our visit, I wanted the whole WDW experience, which included staying in one the WDW resorts. Sure I could have stayed off-site, but that isn't what I wanted to do, and believe me, I knew my other options.

 

[ellie05]

People always seem surprise how affordable Disney can be. I was talking to my BF a while ago and she said I would love to go back to Disney, but I don't think we can afford it. I told her how much our package was and she was so surprise (and we are staying on site). Now we are planning a vacation together for next November. I have the same reaction multiple times.

I think the OP was trying to make the point that many people don't even consider WDW, because they think they can't afford it yet they go in more expensive vacations.

 

[mrsklamc]

Admittedly I am not a huge Disney fan, and consider myself somewhat frugal but when I planned our visit, I wanted the whole WDW experience, which included staying in one the WDW resorts. Sure I could have stayed off-site, but that isn't what I wanted to do, and believe me, I knew my other options.

Which is fine, but some people won't even consider it. (Which is their decision but just baffles me.) We have two sets of friends that we are very close to, have traveled together, etc, who we know would LOVE Windsor Hills or Bonnet Creek but they won't even look into it.

 

[Ginny Favers]

Not all NJ beaches are free.

As a former badge-checker in Seaside Park, I didn't even realize there WERE free beaches in NJ. I remember anyone from away was SHOCKED to see us charging to use the beach. And it's not cheap. A lot of times, though, badges come with your rental.

 

[luvmy3]

Which is fine, but some people won't even consider it. (Which is their decision but just baffles me.) We have two sets of friends that we are very close to, have traveled together, etc, who we know would LOVE Windsor Hills or Bonnet Creek but they won't even look into it.

But why does it baffle you? Is it because it can be cheaper, and you don't understand why people wouldn't want their vacation to be cheaper?
Some things are worth the cost, staying onsite may be for them, not sure why that would baffle anyone since everyone vacations differently.

 

[disneysteve]

I think Op was referring to the perceived expense of Disney.

Exactly. Many people have the perception that a week at Disney is way more than it actually is. I've spoken to people who were assuming it would be a $5,000 trip for them to take their family. They were pleasantly surprised when I told them they could easily do 2 weeks for less than that much.

Over the years I've spoken to many people who wanted to go and thought they couldn't afford it when in reality it was no more expensive, or even less expensive, than vacations they were already taking.

 

[luvmy3]

Exactly. Many people have the perception that a week at Disney is way more than it actually is. I've spoken to people who were assuming it would be a $5,000 trip for them to take their family. They were pleasantly surprised when I told them they could easily do 2 weeks for less than that much.

Over the years I've spoken to many people who wanted to go and thought they couldn't afford it when in reality it was no more expensive, or even less expensive, than vacations they were already taking.

2 weeks at WDW for less than $5,000? You want to plan my vacation for me?

 

[disneysteve]

2 weeks at WDW for less than $5,000? You want to plan my vacation for me?

Sure. Any time. My wife, daughter (16) and I went for 2 weeks in 2009, 2010 and 2011. We didn't break $5,000 on any of those trips. And I don't think we've ever broken $2,500 on a one-week trip.

ETA: I see that you have 3 kids so that would obviously affect your numbers. There are only 3 of us, not 5. Though if you can drive there, transportation and accommodations remain the same price. Only food and park passes go up.

 

[MrsPete]

Not all NJ beaches are free. But just like in SC, the towns have different personalities. So it could all depend on which town you chose to vacation in.
I agree though, that the perception is a WDW vacation is costly.
MrsPete, we've vacationed in MB...for a baseball tournament. Didn't realize that was it's nickname.

But if you're renting a place at the beach, you don't have to pay for the beach ALSO, do you?

Yes, the nickname is well-deserved.

Exactly. Many people have the perception that a week at Disney is way more than it actually is. I've spoken to people who were assuming it would be a $5,000 trip for them to take their family. They were pleasantly surprised when I told them they could easily do 2 weeks for less than that much.

Over the years I've spoken to many people who wanted to go and thought they couldn't afford it when in reality it was no more expensive, or even less expensive, than vacations they were already taking.

Worded that way, I agree. I suppose the idea comes from the fact that it's very possible to spend a large amount of money on a Disney trip, so people who aren't inclined to price things out for themselves may easily assume that you HAVE TO spend a large amount for a Disney trip.

Another example is cruises. I'd always assumed they were very expensive -- out of our price range. But when I actually looked into it, I found that off-season and lower-priced cabins are actually quite affordable. Add in choosing a cruise that sails from a drive-able city, opt for moderation in onboard spending and excursions, and it's a reasonably priced trip.

In contrast, I've tried to put together a New York City trip for a decent price, and I seem to come up empty on that account.

 

[luvmy3]

Sure. Any time. My wife, daughter (16) and I went for 2 weeks in 2009, 2010 and 2011. We didn't break $5,000 on any of those trips.

I wish I could go away somewhere for 2 whole weeks. I'd even take the Jersey shore
(Not a DIS on the shore, in fact we are leaving for LBI later this afternoon )

 

[mrsklamc]

But why does it baffle you? Is it because it can be cheaper, and you don't understand why people wouldn't want their vacation to be cheaper?
Some things are worth the cost, staying onsite may be for them, not sure why that would baffle anyone since everyone vacations differently.

No, I understand that for some people cost may not be a concern, and they may not want their vacation to be cheaper. I even understand why someone would look at their other options, as you said you did, and decide that onsite is worth it to them. I also understand how some people fall victim to the Disney marketing machine and do not consider staying offsite because they are convinced you have to stay on property to have a good WDW vacation. I don't understand why these particular friends of ours, who do not have unlimited budgets and are willing to research any other purchasing decision extensively, become so overwhelmed and confused by the thought of looking into onsite options that they don't want to look into it.

 

[disneysteve]

In contrast, I've tried to put together a New York City trip for a decent price, and I seem to come up empty on that account.

It depends on what you want to do once you get there. You can get reasonable accommodations in the area, just not in the center of town. And you can get discount show tickets. It just depends on what you're looking for.