Hawaii more expensive than WDW?

[Mary2e]

Ahhhh, Roy's I used to go to the original one in Hawaii Kai all the time and have also been to the ones on the Big Island, Maui and Kauai. But, I'm sorry to say that they're not as good as they used to be. Roy sold to a corporation, though he still is involved, and the food has changed somewhat. The staff also isn't as happy as they used to be.

That chocolate souffle is out of this world, but now it's smaller. I used to be able to share it with my husband and now we each get one.

I haven't been able to bring myself to try the ones in NYC or Orlando. Somehow, I just don't think it would be the same. It's our "Hawaii" restaurant

 

[DawnCt1]

I know that I get my parents into a 1 bedroom condo 1 block from Waikiki beach for a month in the winter for $125 per night. How? Entertainment book discounts. It's neat and clean and has maid service. Is it a DVC? No. But for the money, it's certainly an excellent deal in the middle of all the action.

And for those who love Maui, there are condos available for a similar price in Kihei and on the ocean, as well as up towards Napili. Kauai has some excellent buys and many of the condos listed on VRBO are managed by property managers with no risk to your deposit and at greatly reduced rates. The Hyatt is beautiful but six of us can stay, ocean front, walking distance from the Hyatt at half of the price, and enjoy the restaurants and bars. DH and I will stay at the Hyatt when we aren't taking the "tour group" (aka family). I have also heard on bidding for travel, that people have gotton great deals at the Sheraton, another great place to stay, for as little as $135 per night. I would be happy in any of the resorts on Ka'anapali Beach and if I were going with less than 5 people, I wouldn't hesitate to bid on Priceline.

 

[Mary2e]

I have a good friend with a condo right next door to the Hyatt in Kauai. I usually go there on a combo of points & stay certificates, but if I didn't, I'd stay at his place in a second and use the Hyatt facilities.

 

[DawnCt1]

I'm a DVC owner and on average we pay $1100/yr for owning DVC. I can get about 10 days at WDW on that. 8 days in a 1 bedroom and 4 days in a studio (on average). That makes for a really cheap hotel room and gives me discounts on passes to the parks (I can get 3 trips easily out of that as well). So based on me, Hawaii will be very expensive compared to WDW. I pay less than $100/night for my deluxe and beyond size rooms.

However, I wasn't even thinking that when I first posted, but the morst I think now the more I realize WDW is very affordable for us.

We did a work up of interest lost and it was negligable over time when you compared it to how much we paid out of pocket for hotel rooms no matter what anyway for vactioning.

We can get 10 nights at SoG for $1100, no tax, discounts on passes and we like the location. While it isn't a one bedroom, for a little more, I can reserve the family suite for the extra room.

 

[helenabear]

We can get 10 nights at SoG for $1100, no tax, discounts on passes and we like the location. While it isn't a one bedroom, for a little more, I can reserve the family suite for the extra room.

I think my discounts are still a bit better than yours in all honesty. I believe yours are closer to AAA costs. But still, if you want to compare apples to apples...

I could get about 21 days at WDW for that same price in a studio (deluxe sized room). Of course that depends on time of year. I think with DVC I could get a heck of a lot more out of WDW than I could with the same money at Hawaii.

 

[Mary2e]

I think what Dawn and I are trying to convey is that Hawaii does not have to be as expensive as most people think it is.

Of course, if you walk into a travel agency and say you want to go to Hawaii you will be soaked. I know we were for our first trip, in 1990, it cost $5000 for 2 of us in mediocre hotels. We then learned the ropes and learned them fast. We haven't paid that much since and have stayed in much much nicer hotels than that first trip.

I sometimes get tired when people look at me "funny" for going twice a year. At one point, I started lying and said I was going to visit family in California just to avoid the "look." Then I realized that all I had to do was tell them how to do it inexpensively and live well.

Just like all of us do on this board. Tell people how to do WDW most efficiently and for the best price. No difference at all.

 

[helenabear]

I think what Dawn and I are trying to convey is that Hawaii does not have to be as expensive as most people think it is.

Of course, if you walk into a travel agency and say you want to go to Hawaii you will be soaked. I know we were for our first trip, in 1990, it cost $5000 for 2 of us in mediocre hotels. We then learned the ropes and learned them fast. We haven't paid that much since and have stayed in much much nicer hotels than that first trip.

I sometimes get tired when people look at me "funny" for going twice a year. At one point, I started lying and said I was going to visit family in California just to avoid the "look." Then I realized that all I had to do was tell them how to do it inexpensively and live well.

Just like all of us do on this board. Tell people how to do WDW most efficiently and for the best price. No difference at all.

I can understand that and even agree to that! Just like going to WDW 2x a year for us isn't all that much of a money breaker. If you do it right, you can save a lot of money going to either place.

I just wouldn't automatically say that Hawaii is cheaper than WDW. I know for us, even before DVC since we have no way to get FF miles, Hawaii was out for costs.

Then again my DH lived there and hates Hawaii so I doubt we'll ever vacation there in the first place

 

[DawnCt1]

I think my discounts are still a bit better than yours in all honesty. I believe yours are closer to AAA costs. But still, if you want to compare apples to apples...

There is sales tax figured into the AAA discounts. There is no tax on the tickets from SoG. No tax on anything purchased there actually, and while I love Disney, I am at the point where every two years is enough for us.

 

[helenabear]

There is sales tax figured into the AAA discounts. There is no tax on the tickets from SoG. No tax on anything purchased there actually, and while I love Disney, I am at the point where every two years is enough for us.

I understand that, but I get $100 of my AP... SoG tickets don't compare to that in all honesty.

I get the feeling you aren't as into Disney, which is totally fine by me. I still think you shouldn't do a blanket statement about how much cheaper Hawaii is.

 

[DawnCt1]

I understand that, but I get $100 of my AP... SoG tickets don't compare to that in all honesty.

I get the feeling you aren't as into Disney, which is totally fine by me. I still think you shouldn't do a blanket statement about how much cheaper Hawaii is.

It is for us and I explained why and that is my opinion. You explained why Disney is more affordable for you, and that is your opinion. We used to make one or two trips to WDW a year when our kids were younger. After 30 trips, frankly, I stopped counting and I am less "into it" these days. Every couple of years is enough, unless I went for a long weekend, relaxed at SoG and ate at some of our favorite restaurants. Limiting theme park visits to once or twice would be acceptable to me.

 

[DISUNC]

BIL and SIL spent more for an "apartment", one block from the beach in Maryland, for one week than we did for an ocean view condo on Kauai. We also didn't have to check in on a Saturday and and leave on a Saturday. We could pick our check in and check out days.

Yup! Aint it crazy

 

[mirthmaiden]

Just checking in. Was a decision made about this yet?

 

[DawnCt1]

Just checking in. Was a decision made about this yet?

There will never be a decision. There are some who agree and some who don't.

 

[mirthmaiden]

Hmmm.... seems clear there really is only one answer. Or is this one of those rhetorical questions?

 

[DISUNC]

There will never be a decision. There are some who agree and some who don't.

Has any thread on the Disboards ever come to a Decision????

 

[sugarpie]

Just checking in. Was a decision made about this yet?

I'm pretty sure there is no answer to all this.

It's quite obvious that you can take a luxury or budget vacation at either Hawaii or WDW.

 

[OctoberNinth]

I'm pretty sure there is no answer to all this.

It's quite obvious that you can take a luxury or budget vacation at either Hawaii of WDW.

Thank you. I am saying this respectfully: I really don't even understand why budget is such an issue when the family lives on a doctor's salary.

 

[mirthmaiden]

Yeah, why not just charter a jet and order off the dollar menu for the week? Seems like a legitimate compromise.

 

[disykat]

Thank you. I really don't even understand why budget is such an issue when the family lives on a doctor's salary.

Seriously? Wow. You'd be shocked to know I come from a doctor's family. If you know any of my posts, I'm about as budget as they come.

Many people who don't even have jobs like to travel luxuriously (I've seen it time and again on the DIS and IRL) and many people who have well paying jobs are very budget minded (again both IRL and on the DIS).

 

[DawnCt1]

Thank you. I am saying this respectfully: I really don't even understand why budget is such an issue when the family lives on a doctor's salary.

You are so right! When I want to go anywhere, I just walk out into my back yard and pick dollars off of the money tree. There is always an endless supply.