Do you know the real cost of your vacation?

[Hpyhiker]

Our normal trip to WDW is 14-20 days and we visit each spring and fall. We camp at Fort Wilderness Resort which is generally less expensive then other options. Premium campsite cost, depending on the season, range from $50 to $90 per night. Golf cart rental is another $50 per day. These are very general costs but are in the ball park. We regularly use a Disney VISA Rewards card throughout the year and then use the earned rewards dollars for almost all of our dining and some shopping. If I need to, I use the same rewards card for any additional purchases while at Disney. Those new rewards earned are then used for our next trip. Park ticket costs are based on the number of days we plan to visit the parks, usually 3-4 times during the trip. I guess we should include travel expenses which include gasoline plus a couple of nights traveling. Our real savings come from being able to use the motorhome as our base. We prepare many of our meals in the MH saving mucho dollars.

At least once each year we bring the grandkids plus a parent. Now that gets expensive! That is just part of our "fun expenses" and I wouldn't trade those experiences regardless of the cost. They're only kids once!

Do we spend too much? Probably. Will we stop visiting WDW? Absolutely not. I'm a 68 year young Disney fan (is that an abbreviation for fanatic?) and don't plan to change.

 

[spaddy]

This is an interesting thread because I was just commenting on how our Disney vacations seem to be the cheapest.

We just went to Baltimore and went to the aquarium and rode the Duck Tours. The price for these (2) thing for three of us cost us more than using 1 day off of our non expiring park hoppers. I always feel like the cost of the Disney tickets are very expensive, but when you compare to other activites it is really not that bad. For about $120/day for the three of us we can have a really great day at Disney.

I always include the cost of DVC dues when I figure out our cost, but at only $600/year it is not that bad. I would consider staying off site, but paying $12/day for parking really burns me. I know it is a very small portion of what I am paying, but paying that much for parking just kills me.

I have not tried the dining plan since it changed, but I always thought that was a very good deal. Without the tip being included I am not sure if it is such a good deal anymore.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Ugh, I try not to think about how much our trips really cost. The worst part is that I work on contract and so I get no benefits (no vacation or holiday time off), so when I leave that is just straight money lost. So although I budget and calculate out every dime of our trip, I try not to remind myself that I am going a week unpaid...

 

[TXYankee]

I don't think DVC points are "free" lodging.

If there is a plan like that, please let me know!!!

 

[goofy57]

True cost?


Priceless.

Jeff, could not agree more it is Priceless