freaking out about cost of WDW vacation! (edited: we're GOING!)

[WeLoveThePoly]

Our trips usually cost $5,000+ because we just have to stay at the Poly and we eat alot of sitdown lunches and dinners (Coral Reef and LeCellier are favorites). And then there's airfare .... and park tickets .... and on and on and on.

But, I can't recall a time that I've been in WDW and stopped to say to myself "I can't believe I spent over $5,000 for this trip". When I am in the middle of the magic the price I paid to get/be there doesn't even enter my mind. Being there is priceless.

Relax and enjoy your trip.

Debbie

 

[disneygirlatheart]

I was stressing until I read this. I thought I was spending way too much since I booked everything myself. My cost will be 4200. That is for flights, rental car for 15 days, rental house for 10, 10 day water park disney tickets, meal at O, meal at CP, meal at WCC, meal at Medieval Times, meal at PH, fishing excursion, gas, groceries, disney photopass. I think I included everything. The only thing I didn't budget was souviners. We will have to wait and see. Do you think I have this price fiqured right or do I need more? DO you see anyway I could save more money? I wish we could stay at Disney, but to get 3 beds was 10,000. UGGHHH I would really be stressing then.

 

[esmetutu]

Thanks, everyone, for your input. We cancelled the trip right after I posted the original message.

We live 1 1/2 hours from DL and go all the time (twice a month, at least). The magic of Disney is so close, so at that point it seemed... just not right to spend so much on something we already had, in essence. I can totally understand how a WDW vacation is a "no-brainer" for people who live in Iowa, for instance.

Then we planned a summer trip, for 4 days, up the coast. A 6 hour drive to Santa Cruz/Monterey. A few fun things thrown in, quaint little beach motels... Cost? Over $1000! Not kidding! Turns out every motel/hotel that time of year charges well over $200 a night. CRAZY!

So we went back to the original WDW plan. We've pared down the expenses a bit... changed from POR to POP for one. We just had to accept the cost of things that we couldn't change. Airfare would be $1000 for the 3 of us to fly from LAX to MCO, the park tickets would be $700, and then try to take down the cost where we could... which was the hotel and food, etc. And the DDP is of no use to us, unfortunately. We are light eaters, snackers, and must-have-breakfast people.

So bottom line? WE'RE GOING TO WDW!!! YAY!

 

[cyjmhill]

I am glad you have decided to go to WDW.

I love DL (and have been numerous times myself and am going back for Christmas), but I fell in love with WDW on my first day (minute) at the Magic Kingdom. WDW is so much bigger and has so much more to enjoy. You will have a wonderful vacation!

Enjoy!!!

 

[Hockeymommy]

Thanks, everyone, for your input. We cancelled the trip right after I posted the original message.

We live 1 1/2 hours from DL and go all the time (twice a month, at least). The magic of Disney is so close, so at that point it seemed... just not right to spend so much on something we already had, in essence. I can totally understand how a WDW vacation is a "no-brainer" for people who live in Iowa, for instance.

Then we planned a summer trip, for 4 days, up the coast. A 6 hour drive to Santa Cruz/Monterey. A few fun things thrown in, quaint little beach motels... Cost? Over $1000! Not kidding! Turns out every motel/hotel that time of year charges well over $200 a night. CRAZY!

So we went back to the original WDW plan. We've pared down the expenses a bit... changed from POR to POP for one. We just had to accept the cost of things that we couldn't change. Airfare would be $1000 for the 3 of us to fly from LAX to MCO, the park tickets would be $700, and then try to take down the cost where we could... which was the hotel and food, etc. And the DDP is of no use to us, unfortunately. We are light eaters, snackers, and must-have-breakfast people.

So bottom line? WE'RE GOING TO WDW!!! YAY!

I know you said that the DDP would be of no use to you but if you went during free dining you would FOR SURE save $$$$. You could do the table service for breakfast everyday if you wanted and then just use the counter service at your leisure. It would eliminate any oop for your family. You just need to have your first day at WDW before the last day of free DDP.

 

[esmetutu]

I know you said that the DDP would be of no use to you but if you went during free dining you would FOR SURE save $$$$. You could do the table service for breakfast everyday if you wanted and then just use the counter service at your leisure. It would eliminate any oop for your family. You just need to have your first day at WDW before the last day of free DDP.

Thank you for the suggestion! I *wish* we could go during free dining. That would be awesome. Unfortunately, it's just not the right time for us. We'd love to use DDP, even paying for it out of pocket. It sounds so tempting! But after doing the math several THOUSAND times we've decided we wouldn't save very much and be too stressed out with ADRs, etc.

 

[DisneyDotty]

WDW is expensive, but worth every penny. Where else can you go and escape reality--not even have to get in your car (if you stay on property)? What other place makes everyone in the family happy? What other resort's workers tell you to "Have a magical day?"
We spent well over $7000 last year on a 10-day trip to WDW--staying at CR with a tower room view of the Magic Kingdom. When DH said he wanted to go back this year, I vowed to keep costs down. So far we're spending 12 nights at POR and the Dolphin, and our total cost is less than half of last year's trip. That's still a lot of $$$ for some, I know, but I believe cost is relative--the joy is priceless.
Go with no regrets.

 

[zookeeper]

Before our first trip to WDW I always thought it was a far more expensive vacation destination than other places. Now we went last year during Free Dining so we did save a lot that way, but if you stay at a value resort and buy multiple day tickets the cost really isn't that much more than going to some of the other amusement parks out there. Of course, it would be a dream come true to be able to go and stay at any WDW resort I wanted, but I still managed to have the trip of a lifetime staying at POP in the heat and humidity of September. It's all in the attitude!!!!

 

[bord1niowa]

We're doing 10 days in June and expecting (budgeted) about $3500 but we'll be camping in a camper, so yes the gas is a killer but still less than flying and we can have the 5 of us in the camper for the price, much less than in rooms, since we would need two. Just a thought for those of you who enjoy camping. It's a lot less costly and I have heard nothing but good about Fort Wilderness. Leaving in 16 days!!!!

 

[sschro3]

I always stress about the cost of our vacation. Our budget breaker is feeding a family of 5 no matter where we go. Heck even eating fast food and Denny's the whole time adds up. We REALLY enjoyed the free dining last Sept. I tried to convince my DH to stay off property this year. That way we could maybe cook a few meals and save on the cost of the hotel. He didn't agree. To be honest I didn't try to hard to convince him, I really don't want to cook on vacation. I figure if we can't manage it this year I'll just get an early start on saving for next year.
WDW here we come...well not just yet...but hopefully soon.
Have a great time...I'm sure your trip will be worth every penny.
Sharon

 

[JPN4265]

I am absolutely freaking out about the cost of our upcoming WDW trip. It's just crazy amounts of money! It's not like we're going hungry by spending the money and I'm not looking for money saving tips or anything as we've pared down the best we can... But it seems like it's the principle of spending that much on anything (except a car or a house payment)!

I've wanted to cancel so many times now. Are we really going to have $3000+ worth of fun???? ARGH! Driving my DFi crazy with the back/forth decisions, but it seems like 3 $1000 vacations would be more... appropriate. But we really want to go! But it's so much money...

Has anyone else had a panic attack from thinking about the cost? (because I sure am!) Any words of encouragement/shut-the-heck-up-and-decide-already would be greatly appreciated.

If you are having this much trouble justifying your trip to Disney I would cancel the trip and plan a less expensive trip at this time. Going to Disney can be very expensive. When you get to the park your budget seems to go out the window.

I would start a special fund for Disney and when you have all the money for the trip saved up, then go..... just a thought.

 

[eliza61]

I am absolutely freaking out about the cost of our upcoming WDW trip. It's just crazy amounts of money! It's not like we're going hungry by spending the money and I'm not looking for money saving tips or anything as we've pared down the best we can... But it seems like it's the principle of spending that much on anything (except a car or a house payment)!

I've wanted to cancel so many times now. Are we really going to have $3000+ worth of fun???? ARGH! Driving my DFi crazy with the back/forth decisions, but it seems like 3 $1000 vacations would be more... appropriate. But we really want to go! But it's so much money...

Has anyone else had a panic attack from thinking about the cost? (because I sure am!) Any words of encouragement/shut-the-heck-up-and-decide-already would be greatly appreciated.

Perfectly normal. My DH & I walked around in a comatose fog the 1st time we planned how vacation to WDW. We've been back so many times that if we get a bargain we swear some thing is wrong. I will say I still think Disney is on of the best vacation values around. We always come home believing that our hard earned dough was well spent and usually ready to turn around again.

 

[sameyeyam]

Here's how I TRICK myself into thinking our WDW vacations are not nearly as expensive as I think:

1. 4 months out - buy airlines ticket and pay for them in full.

2. Next month book hotel, room only reservations, pay for that in full

3. Next month call up & add dining plan & park tickets, pay for them in full.

4. Next month put spending money away into safe for souvenirs, etc...

Yes I do know the total price, but it's not nearly so bad when you spread it out over 4 months! Also, eliminates having a huge credit card bill 2 weeks after you get get home.

Also, it makes us cut back a little on some of our other local entertainment. When we know we have to pay for WDW hotel room that month we are less likely to go out for dinner or movies, etc...

 

[byoung]

Disney is worth every penny we spend to me.