Dvc Members-how Do You Afford More Than 1 Trip Per Year?

[photobob]

We get APs, DDE card, golf card, and we go twice within 12 months. That way, the bulk of the second trip is already paid for. We just have to get there. We eat breakfast and sometimes lunch in the villa. And we only occassionally do the signature type meals. (We've found they aren't usually worth the price. We can do better at home.)

And (THE biggie) we don't buy a bunch of expensive Disney stuff while we're there. We've found that all the "stuff" in the shops can be the real price breaker on vacations. Bring sweatshirts, ponchos, sunglasses etc., don't buy them from Disney. Bring golf hats and balls from home, don't buy them at the pro shop. Buy princess outfits or other costumes before you arrive - the prices in the parks are HIGH. Buying loads of stuff on site can easily double the cost of a trip.

We also don't do fireworks/Illuminations cruises or most of the other expensive add-ons. We've done them in the past. We're just as happy watching the shows in the parks.

Eating even a couple of evening meals in your villa can save a bunch. TS meals are nice, we enjoy them too, but a TS meal every night can add up fast. And watch out for "adult beverages". The prices are inflated. Like many folks, we enjoy a drink before dinner, but buy that whole bottle of wine or 6 pack of beer off site and enjoy it back in the villa. Even with the DDE discount, alcohol in the restaurants and bars can really spike the bill upwards.

We don't feel like we're missing anything by doing all this, and we get to enjoy WDW more often. We're now thinking about moving from two trips a year to three.

DisFlan

This is pretty much our MO as well. Our drive is 550 miles each way, so our gas bill isn't quite as bad. We always carry snack foods, sodas, beer, sandwich meat, cheese, bread, peanut butter, etc. We have a snack bfast in the room and have our big meal of the day at lunch, most of the time a TS meal and wing it for dinner, sandwich in the room or a burger somewhere.

We bought AP's late June of 2007. We used them for the June 2007 trip, a short trip in February 2008, my wife and daughter used theirs for a one night stay while on the way to a Disney Cruise in April 2008 and we'll use them for our early June 2008 trip. We may wait to buy new AP's until June 2009 and repeat the process.
I'd haven't really crunched the numbers but the AP with the DVC discount is significantly cheaper than buying tickets for either each trip or purchasing non-expiring tickets. I think I could do a short trip and not go to the parks, there is so much else to do that I've never done.

 

[snowwhitemom]

My signature says it all!!! get AP's and you already own the points....cheap airfare is there to be had, just have to look a lil. As with anything.its what is important to you. Our trips "home" keep us connected in a very special way...we always Know that no matter how hectic "life" with school work etc, get that a trip is just around the corner. Plus I just love having to hear people say....Are you going there again? LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

Makes it worth it.