How do you afford 1-2 trips per year (not just DVC)

[KidAtHeart1]

I was just curious as to how those of you with DVC can afford to travel 1-2 times per year to the World. On top of the initial purchase of points (which I realize some of you may have paid off already), plus annual dues, plus tickets, transportation (especailly this one), restaurants, souveniers etc. DVC just gives you a place to stay. Just curious as to how the rest gets paid for (especially the flights) on a yearly (or even twice a year) basis. I know it is kind of a personal question, but thanks for any responses.

 

[Brian Noble]

For us, it's just a matter of priorities. We do take a trip to Disney every year, and we aren't too budget-conscious about it.

On the other hand, there are other things we don't do. For example, we don't buy new cars until we have to---we just salvaged a 15 year old car that had been driven into the ground. Between the two of us, we buy one new car every 6-8 years or so. As another example, we bought a much smaller house than the bank told us "we could afford", because we really didn't need to live in a big brick house with the two story foyer and modern everything in the suburbs. Our older, smaller, less-posh house closer in town suits us just fine.

 

[Starr W.]

Well we will have done 4 trips this year(2 WDW, 1VB , and Park City, UT). May end up squeezing another in at Xmas time(not WDW and a drivable one).

Smart investing,it's basically my full time job to manage my money(sold a successful business) and take care of the trusts my parents left to my sister and I.

We live in a modest house, we thought about upgrading when I sold the business but decided against it(good thing considering the housing market here). Travel is a priority for my family and we are blessed with the means to do it. It's in the budget in every year, after 529's are maxed out along with my IRA. DH maxs out 401K at work.

 

[CarolA]

I think there are several considerations.

This board has a WIDE variety of income levels. There are people like me who are single and make a decent income so we have more "disposable" income (or did before I got laid off last week LOL!). There are several posters who appear to be "older" and maybe they have good incomes, paid off houses etc. So when you look it's not always comparing apples and oranges.

I also traveled a lot on business and could often "hook" a Disney trip on if I was heading to the FL area.

I don't spend that much at Disney anymore. My last trip I took $200 in cash and came back with almost $100. (no room charges, no cc charges either) This was just a three day trip, but.... I have an AP. I don't need or want a sit down meal every day and if I am doing budget I can skip them all together. I have the AP so that's just a sunk cost. I actually am in the process of trying to figure out HOW Ebay really works so I can sell some of the junke I have purchased over the years. (I thought I was going to have time to do this, but this job search is a full time job LOL!)

I am looking at a trip in July to meet a friend and it will have to be BARE BONES. (See the no current income above LOL!)

 

[bonnielynn]

For us, it's just a matter of priorities. We do take a trip to Disney every year, and we aren't too budget-conscious about it.

On the other hand, there are other things we don't do. For example, we don't buy new cars until we have to---we just salvaged a 15 year old car that had been driven into the ground. Between the two of us, we buy one new car every 6-8 years or so. As another example, we bought a much smaller house than the bank told us "we could afford", because we really didn't need to live in a big brick house with the two story foyer and modern everything in the suburbs. Our older, smaller, less-posh house closer in town suits us just fine.

R u related to my husband? I do however live in the country but my house wasn't that much.. but I am now paying for living here in gas!!!!

 

[bonnielynn]

Well we will have done 4 trips this year(2 WDW, 1VB , and Park City, UT). May end up squeezing another in at Xmas time(not WDW and a drivable one).

Smart investing,it's basically my full time job to manage my money(sold a successful business) and take care of the trusts my parents left to my sister and I.

We live in a modest house, we thought about upgrading when I sold the business but decided against it(good thing considering the housing market here). Travel is a priority for my family and we are blessed with the means to do it. It's in the budget in every year, after 529's are maxed out along with my IRA. DH maxs out 401K at work.

wow

 

[Alexander]

DH and I both work full-time. His income pays all of the necessities. My income is for play...ie--Disney vacations, new cars, anything and everything else I manage to spend it all on. We live in a modest home, don't want anything too big or elaborate as we aren't really home that much and I can't keep up with the cleaning of this one!

We have premium annual passes that we invest in once a year and utilize them over our 3-4 trips. We eat out a lot at home, so it's not really like we spend a whole lot more when on vacation. Now travel....that's the part that is becomming a sticking point for us! We are now a family of four, so we have one more plane ticket to purchase. Given that the days of cheap travel are gone, we will be taking only 2 trips next year (2009) and likely beyond. As for souvies...we have spent so much on junk over the past several years, that I don't think there is anything left to buy! We actually spend very little on that stuff now. We go out for more food instead!

Taxes in Upstate NY have gotten out of hand which may also limit the number of trips we'll continue to take. Our school taxes alone when up 36%, 18%, and 5% in the last three consecutive years. To add insult to injury, the town raised our assessment by 27% too! We live in a very rural town that has very few people to make up the tax base, so those that own homes and land get "it" royally.

 

[DVC Mike]

I was just curious as to how those of you with DVC can afford to travel 1-2 times per year to the World. On top of the initial purchase of points (which I realize some of you may have paid off already), plus annual dues, plus tickets, transportation (especailly this one), restaurants, souveniers etc. DVC just gives you a place to stay.

We travel 4 times a year to WDW. Yes, it does cost a lot, when you add up the annual dues for 700 points, the annual passes, the DDE card, the transportation (but we drive), and the fact that we eat mostly at the nice TS or Signature dining.

To me, it's worth it. To others, it may not be.

It also depends on where everyone is in life and what their disposable income is, and what their priorities are for spending it.

 

[Disney_Villain]

We typically have 2-3 Disney vacations a year. Not all but most of it through DVC. It is costly, but we manage in 4 ways:

1. (Professional level) dual-income, no kids (DINKS)
2. Aeroplan (Air Canada reward flights, via credit card)
3. Keeping our exising 1400 sq. ft. condo instead of buying a bigger home
4. One car for us both, and not an expensive one either (and good on mileage)

Airfare from where we are in Canada (we're aren't in Toronto where we could get a direct flight) to WDW or DLR is double what most Americans pay for domestic flights to these places!

 

[bbowers]

For us, it's just a matter of priorities. We do take a trip to Disney every year, and we aren't too budget-conscious about it.

On the other hand, there are other things we don't do. For example, we don't buy new cars until we have to---we just salvaged a 15 year old car that had been driven into the ground. Between the two of us, we buy one new car every 6-8 years or so. As another example, we bought a much smaller house than the bank told us "we could afford", because we really didn't need to live in a big brick house with the two story foyer and modern everything in the suburbs. Our older, smaller, less-posh house closer in town suits us just fine.

Jeez Louise, I could have written that! Same for us - vacations have much higher priority than a big house or new vehicles. Don't have kids, except our 12 4-legged ones. (I have to admit, having Grandma come over and stay with them makes a HUGE diff. When we went to Hawaii for 2 weeks, she didn't think she could handle the 3 biggest the entire time (pitbull, Rott, mix). We boarded them and it cost $750! If we had to do that every time, the vacations would take a big hit!)

 

[mikesmom]

1. We have DVC for accomodations
2. We have a SW VISA which has earned enough points that we haven't bought a plane ticket in YEARS
3. We mostly cook/eat in the room. Groceries at home or groceries in Florida - pretty much the same cost. We splurge on eating out once or twice at WDW.
4. We do rent a car, so that is an added cost, but we are not at home driving our cars, so there is some slight wear and tear savings
5. Our major cost is park tickets. We generally buy a 8 day (at least) no expire pass and spread it over at least a couple of trips. That is our major vacation cost.
6. null
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All in all, DVC has made vacations a pretty reasonably priced event.

 

[SLM]

Well, we didn't buy into DVC until our daughter was out of college (and grad school) and we paid for our points with part of an inheritance. We've lived in the same house for twenty some years and drive our cars for ten years. One really nice trip a year is enough for us right now-when I retire in five years (IF all goes well, lol) we'll be able to stretch the points to more. Using the points for VB and HH are a nice change and without the costs of passes, a money saver. I do think it's more expensive for families to go to WDW now than when we started going in the mid eighties (even though incomes are higher). I also think those vacations with your family are worth it-provided you don't don't go into serious debt to take them.

 

[crisi]

There are people who live very close (transportation costs are reasonable if you drive four people rather than fly) or have been lucky enough to live where you find great deals on airfare (neither apply to where I live in the Twin Cities!)

There are people who don't have kids.

There are people with high incomes and/or significant wealth

There are people who are able to take trips on the cheap - they bring groceries, cook in their room, make the most out of APs (or don't go in the parks every day and make a ten day hopper with pluses last several trips).

There are people who live frugal daily lives in order to vacation.

There are people who have several of the above factors working in their favor.

There are also those carrying Disney Debt.

 

[dizney4us]

1. (Professional level) dual-income, no kids (DINKS)
   
   
   
   Just curious....do you have to have NO kids to be DINKS? Or once your kids are grown do you BECOME DINKS?? I know it's off topic, but I had to ask!

 

[dwelty]

For us, it's just a matter of priorities. We do take a trip to Disney every year, and we aren't too budget-conscious about it.

On the other hand, there are other things we don't do. For example, we don't buy new cars until we have to---we just salvaged a 15 year old car that had been driven into the ground. Between the two of us, we buy one new car every 6-8 years or so. As another example, we bought a much smaller house than the bank told us "we could afford", because we really didn't need to live in a big brick house with the two story foyer and modern everything in the suburbs. Our older, smaller, less-posh house closer in town suits us just fine.

Brian hit the nail on the head. It is priorities. We go three times a year from California. Extravagant? yes, but we do not drive fancy cars, rarely eat out, and own a modest home.

We economize elsewhere and look forward to our frequent trips. I also work quite hard. And travel for work often. I need one of those licenseplate frames that says "The harder I work, the luckier I get"

 

[Josh125]

My wife and I don't own DVC yet and pay CRO rates each year for a week long nice winter trip to WDW and have for 4 years. We also take our "big" trip in May. We have gone to Hawaii the past two years for a week and a half.

We have no kiddos and I am blessed with a very good job. Also, as others, we make travel a high priority. My wife fought and survived brain cancer two years ago, she was 26 at the time. She had surgery (and a kick butt scar to prove it!) and a month of radiation....but she did beat it! We made the commitment then to live life to the absolute fullest we possibly could. Believe me everyone, no matter what your age, it can all be taken away tomorrow. Enjoy yourself, make memories, and take zero for granted.

 

[tubtruck]

I was just curious as to how those of you with DVC can afford to travel 1-2 times per year to the World. On top of the initial purchase of points (which I realize some of you may have paid off already), plus annual dues, plus tickets, transportation (especailly this one), restaurants, souveniers etc. DVC just gives you a place to stay. Just curious as to how the rest gets paid for (especially the flights) on a yearly (or even twice a year) basis. I know it is kind of a personal question, but thanks for any responses.

By not leaving the UK education system until 24 years old.

 

[Goofy DVC]

If something is important you figure a way.
1) I work veeeeery hard!!!
2) I accumalate a ton of points and FF miles through business travel.
3) We will go WDW this December with Free airfare, a voucher for free rental car, and Disney Rewards $$$. The cost of this trip will probably be 0$$$$$.
4)
5) Have enough points and FF miles to do at least three more trips like this.

For whatever it's worth, I had a relative who made a comment about all the Disney $$$ spent each year. My response: "you and your wife both smoke at least a pack a day. At 4$ a pack X two people that's about $3,000 a year."
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

To each his own. Weather it be smokes, boats, season tickets, or the MOUSE.

 

[katied]

When we bought DVC, we paid for it upfront (so no financing, etc). I don't think I would have been willing to buy if I didn't have the cash upfront (but that's a personal choice).

Airfare has historically been cheep. I remember back in 2001 when you could book direct flights for less than $100/person round trip. I realize that is changing, but still, I fly alot for work so I always have miles I can use if airfare is more than I'm willing to pay.

Souvineers - after a while, you stop buying so much. If you're there several times/year, it's all the same stuff.

Tickets - I try to stack my trips so I buy an AP every other year. With the DVC discount, it's a good deal if you can get 3 trips with 1 AP.

Dining - With DS (age 1) we find it's easiest to eat in the room, so we order groceries and only eat out 1 meal per day (generally lunch). We average about 2 character meals per trip.

Overall though - we could afford to go to Disney several times a year and pay full price, we just would rather look at how to save some money and take other trips too. DH and I both work full time, we waited until we were established in our careers to have kids (and just have 1 now) so we have the disposable income to be able to travel. Also, we are not house poor. We live in the same house we bought more than 8 yrs ago when we were living on just 1 income as DH was finishing school.

Before DVC, I would often use Starwood points to stay at the Swan or Dolphin (accumulated from work trips).

 

[edk35]

If something is important you figure a way.
1) I work veeeeery hard!!!
2) I accumalate a ton of points and FF miles through business travel.
3) We will go WDW this December with Free airfare, a voucher for free rental car, and Disney Rewards $$$. The cost of this trip will probably be 0$$$$$.
4)
5) Have enough points and FF miles to do at least three more trips like this.

For whatever it's worth, I had a relative who made a comment about all the Disney $$$ spent each year. My response: "you and your wife both smoke at least a pack a day. At 4$ a pack X two people that's about $3,000 a year."
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

To each his own. Weather it be smokes, boats, season tickets, or the MOUSE.