How do you decide on a budget and if you "splurge"?

[BensWife]

DH and I have a reservation at the CCI for a 3 nights in July. The kids are going to stay with my parents, and DH and I will have a nice adult only getaway. To DH, the hotel is not that big of a deal. In his opinion, we spend most of our time in the parks, and as long as the hotel is clean and comfortable, then no need to spend a lot. Plus, he grew up in the motel industry (his parents owned a motel in Manitou Springs, CO and now his sister runs it). To me, though, I love fancy hotels. When I was little, we didn't have much money, and our vacations were to drive to a neighboring city and get a suite for the weekend. I want to splurge and move to the DLH, but it is about $800-$900 more. Can we afford that? Yes, we could, but "should" we? I think it would make the vacation a little more special since it will be just me and DH, but at the same time I feel guilty for spending that much extra. We are taking the kids in Sept and have rented points for the GCV, so for that vacation we are spending about $400 less for 4 nights than 3 nights at the DLH in July. I know what I "want" but is it silly to spend $450 a night when we already have the CCI booked at $158 a night?

 

[d1gitman]

My short answer is that no amount great or small us silly is your is truly within your means and what u want. Only you can determine that

 

[whoever]

You only live once (unless you are my Indian friend at which point he said... maybe four times).

Don't go into debt, but $ spent on experiences is always well spent IMHO.

I say this as I fathom how I'll possibly afford our October trip. I better finish renovations on my rental property soon and rent it or sell it.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

our splurge would have been a trip to WDW staying at the contemporary or WL for 8 nights.
A DL/ San Diego trip is half the cost of a WDW trip for us so we decided to go on the budget trip. I really think my husband didn't want to do to WDW because I told him we were not going in december and that's his favorite time to go.
I am like you I love to splurge on vacation and stay at luxury hotels and enjoy my surrounding while on vacation, my husband not so much, we butt heads when we choosing a hotel for our trip. some times I get my way some times he gets his way.
In the end its what going to make you happy on your trip spending more than you would like can result in buyers remorse, who wants that after a vacation

 

[WestMom2two]

We are in kind of the same predicament. We have the money to stay at DLH which I would LOVE but my husband isn't all into fancy hotels. He rather spend more on dinning in the parks and souvenirs. I would love the "whole experience" of staying at a Disney hotel but every year I cave and book a good neighbor hotel across the street because I feel guilty for spending such a huge difference. My husband always leaves the decision up to me but I always chose the cheaper. Granted we get the suites but nothing like you get at a Disney Hotel. In the end I feel good for saving and we go crazy once we hit the parks and I feel ok about it since we didn't go crazy in every area of our vacation. We did however add a trip to Lego Land and I booked an amazing room at their hotel for one night for the kids.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Nah don't do it. You'll feel even more guilty for leaving the kids at home... Now if you had your kids with you then I'd say go for it. The more people that can enjoy the view/experience the better! Umm... Disneyland without the kids?

 

[whjensen]

Do you go to nicer restaurants with or without the kids?

But seriously, it's about what parts of your value system you're judging criteria by. If I were you, I'd even go a step further and compare the Grand Californian. Perhaps even schedule a spa appt for yourself. Make it Disney + resort time. IF the purpose is to have some good downtime without the kids, maybe it's worth it. Just like going to Canlis (our leave-the-kids behind restaurant in Seattle) when the kids are at home eating Dominos.

 

[whoever]

You'll feel even more guilty for leaving the kids at home...

Debatable.

 

[mummabear]

When in Sept are you there? Could you stay then with the Dapper Days rate?
We are doing a split stay during our trip between Hojo and DLH because I have always wanted to stay on site (we do at WDW) and it is my birthday present. It be a once off though because as much as I may love it I also have the mind set where we only splurge if we are hanging out at the resort like Fiji etc but in places like LA where we basically only sleep then minimum requirements.

 

[taaren]

My criteria would be: how much time are you going to spend in the room/resort?

One of the nice things we've discovered about having Deluxe AP's is really enjoying the resort time on the blockout days. Lounging by a fabulous pool and eating fancy meals is positively , but we tend to not to it if we only have 2-3 days in the park and want to ride rides and eat in the park.

If you're going to spend half the day in the resort (or more!) awake, go for the splurge. If not, save it for another time when you will.

My $0.02 FWIW.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

If its within your means and its something that you really want, then I say splurge and stay wherever you like! Although I'll add that CCI is lovely as well, but certainly not a Disney property. You'll never know if it is right for you until you splurge and try it once!!

 

[mummabear]

Nah don't do it. You'll feel even more guilty for leaving the kids at home... Now if you had your kids with you then I'd say go for it. The more people that can enjoy the view/experience the better! Umm... Disneyland without the kids ?

Is awesome!