HELP! I think my eyes just popped out.....pricing Disney for first time in years and years!

[MouseTriper]

Holy cow! How do families afford to stay and play at Walt Disney World these days? I just looked up package rates for me and my two kids (ages 20 and 16) for early December and I am shocked. The hotel rates seem so outrageous and so do the park tickets!!! And then the food prices, looking at some menus and I was like "yikes". I am generally curious how the average person affords such a trip. After more than a few years of unimaginable stress, I was hoping my kids and I could escape reality and find some magic at WDW. However, this is not looking very promising. It is sad and disheartening.

 

[reddog21]

How do families afford to stay and play at Walt Disney World these days?

Disney has never been an affordable vacation it requires planning and saving.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Prices have greatly increased in the past number of years. Our trips are nearly double what we paid for the same trip 10 years ago. Sadly they are a vacation many can no longer afford. We visit yearly but I work a second job to allow for this luxury.

 

[ShazzySteph]

Oh that must have been so disappointing. December is a busy (therefore expensive) time to visit as well.

I hope you're able to find a way to do a trip.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Less Expensive WDW Possibilites:

Rent a DVC room with kitchen. Lowers costs for residence and food.
Rent off site. Eat off site as well.
HTH

 

[MouseTriper]

Disney has never been an affordable vacation it requires planning and saving.

Yes, I agree!

 

[MouseTriper]

Prices have greatly increased in the past number of years. Our trips are nearly double what we paid for the same trip 10 years ago. Sadly they are a vacation many can no longer afford. We visit yearly but I work a second job to allow for this luxury.

I hear ya, it is way more expensive then I ever paid in the past. I agree, it is sad that Disney is out of reach for so many people. I wish it wasn't so.

 

[MouseTriper]

Oh that must have been so disappointing. December is a busy (therefore expensive) time to visit as well.

I hope you're able to find a way to do a trip.

It is really disappointing and sad. I am still trying to figure out how I can make it work and how I can possible reduce some of the cost. I always thought the time after Thanksgiving and before the Christmas rush was a slower period. Am I wrong?

And thank you - I hope I can figure out a way too.

 

[Brian Noble]

Double check to make sure that you are using the discount available in December:
https://www.mousesavers.com/walt-di...orld-resort-hotel-discounts-codes/#winterroom

Also consider other sources for tickets, which can save a little bit:
https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/ticket-calculator

That said, there are LOTS of fun places to take a break away from the day-to-day, and many of them are quite a bit less expensive! I just got back from a long weekend with DS23 in San Francisco, and hotel rates were very reasonable--especially given this was peak summer. We spent a fair bit on food, but that's partly because that's Our Thing.

 

[MouseTriper]

Less Expensive WDW Possibilites:

Rent a DVC room with kitchen. Lowers costs for residence and food.
Rent off site. Eat off site as well.
HTH

Thank you. I am definitely looking into staying offsite now. I would love to eat off site to, however, if I pay that much money for park tickets I do not want to waste time going off site to eat and then heading back to the parks, know what I mean? I have thought about eating pastries or something in the room for breakfast and maybe packing a sandwich and snacks for lunch and then maybe just eating one meal in the parks.

 

[MouseTriper]

Double check to make sure that you are using the discount available in December:
https://www.mousesavers.com/walt-di...orld-resort-hotel-discounts-codes/#winterroom

Also consider other sources for tickets, which can save a little bit:
https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/ticket-calculator

That said, there are LOTS of fun places to take a break away from the day-to-day, and many of them are quite a bit less expensive! I just got back from a long weekend with DS23 in San Francisco, and hotel rates were very reasonable--especially given this was peak summer. We spent a fair bit on food, but that's partly because that's Our Thing.

Thank you Brian. I will check out both those links. I appreciate that. Oh and I agree with you, I am going to look into other vacation options as well, if WDW doesn't pan out. I was just thinking how magical it would be to take the kids when Disney is all decked out for Christmas.

Ps. San Francisco sounds fun. Glad you and your son were able to escape and have a good time!

 

[Brian Noble]

If you haven't ever done Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood, that's worth a visit.

 

[Rogue1677x]

Have you looked into rates at the hotels at Disney Springs? Do you have any club memberships/affiliations that might get you a discount rate (AAA, Military for Shades of Green, etc.).

I've booked a December trip once with 3 days notice, stayed in Disney Springs, was able to walk there and use their transportation to the park. I split meals with my daughter (granted, we're not much for eating), but it saved money.

Edit: not that Universal is super cheap, but they are fun around Christmas and you can see Grinchmas there.

 

[MouseTriper]

If you haven't ever done Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood, that's worth a visit.

Thank you! Yes, we made a quick trip to Dollywood after moving to MI. I think it was like a 6 hour drive. The kids loved it, I enjoyed it okay, but I am not a huge rollercoaster type of person. LOL. I just love all things Disney. Ha Ha.

 

[MouseTriper]

Have you looked into rates at the hotels at Disney Springs? Do you have any club memberships/affiliations that might get you a discount rate (AAA, Military for Shades of Green, etc.).

I've booked a December trip once with 3 days notice, stayed in Disney Springs, was able to walk there and use their transportation to the park. I split meals with my daughter (granted, we're not much for eating), but it saved money.

Edit: not that Universal is super cheap, but they are fun around Christmas and you can see Grinchmas there.

Thank you! Yes, I am looking into the hotels near downtown Disney. I used to be a AAA member and I am not opposed to getting it again, especially if it saves me some money.

Universal is an idea, I just know it would be hard for me to be in Florida and not be able to go to Disney. Hahahaha.

 

[Smugpugmug]

The real answer is that many people cannot afford it and they instead rack up credit card debt in order to go to Disney. Obviously not speaking for every single guest but according to recent statistics it does account for a decent chunk of families.

 

[DanceDisney23]

Are you flexible with the dates and what is your budget for this trip? If I know I have a set budget, I’ll look at different options for timing, length of stay, accommodation options, and where to buy. For instance, a well known discount site sometimes, not always though, has rooms in their inventory that are cheaper than the current Disney discount.

Also, depending where you live, would Disneyland be an option, too? The tickets are expensive as well, but there are many off site hotels in walking distance.

 

[Rogue1677x]

Thank you! Yes, I am looking into the hotels near downtown Disney. I used to be a AAA member and I am not opposed to getting it again, especially if it saves me some money.

Universal is an idea, I just know it would be hard for me to be in Florida and not be able to go to Disney. Hahahaha.

Oh I know that feeling! If you opted for Universal, something to consider to get your Disney fix is go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party one night. You'll get to see the park decorations, the rides, etc. and you only have to buy the ticket for that party, not a theme park day plus party ticket. It's not a cheap ticket, don't get me wrong, but perhaps that gets part of the experiment into the trip you are looking to do.

 

[MouseTriper]

The real answer is that many people cannot afford it and they instead rack up credit card debt in order to go to Disney. Obviously not speaking for every single guest but according to recent statistics it does account for a decent chunk of families.

I agree that many people can not afford Disney. I just know that for me, it is not worth it to go into debt if I can not pay for it.

 

[MouseTriper]

Are you flexible with the dates and what is your budget for this trip? If I know I have a set budget, I’ll look at different options for timing, length of stay, accommodation options, and where to buy. For instance, a well known discount site sometimes, not always though, has rooms in their inventory that are cheaper than the current Disney discount.

Also, depending where you live, would Disneyland be an option, too? The tickets are expensive as well, but there are many off site hotels in walking distance.

Thank you. Due to schedules, my dates are not flexible. I am definitely looking for cheaper options. May I ask you what the "well known discount" site is?

Disneyland is not an option for us, unfortunately.