How Do You Save/Pay For A Disney Vacation?

[scanne]

My DH and I REALLY want to be able to go to WDW in August 03 and I am convinced we WILL go, but he is the one that handles all of the bills in our household and he doesn't know how we will pay for it - aside from putting it on a credit card and paying it off over time. This is something we'd rather not do.

So here is my dilemma/question.

We both want to stay at the Contemporary preferably in the tower with a MK view. The rack rate for this room is $335 per night. IF there are codes or AP rates, I've seen this same room for as little as $199 a night. If we were lucky enough to get that rate, the resort would be about $1500 for 7 nights. Then we would both get AP's which are running about $375 with a Disney Club discount (and yes, I know they are doing away with Disney Club ). So we'd have to buy the AP vouchers from the Disney Store SOON. Then we have the airfare issue. We both have unused plane tickets from last year when we didn't go in October and when we didn't fly in December. So we actually have two plane tickets each. USAirways charges $100 each to change the ticket PLUS I would buy a new ticket for my son. So that's approx. $400.00. Then there is the rental car which MAYBE I could get for $150 for the week. That's the deal I got in June 2001 with National. This doesn't include the cost of food/souvenirs. So DH and I figure with everything (including food) we're looking at around $4000 - 4500. Now I wouldn't mind charging food and stuff while we're there, but the other costs I would like to have paid off before we go.

SO do you:

a. book your room with CRO and pay a little each month until it's paid off

b. put an allotted amount of money into a special bank account then book/pay off the trip

c. book the room with CRO paying only the one night deposit, then do option b.

d. save up enough money until you can pay it off at once and go only when you have the cash (in other words, if we couldn't save it up for August 03, go ONLY when we have the money).

The dilemma we're having is that I'm not working right now b/c I'm on maternity leave AND when I go back to work in January, we will have day care costs for our son. DH wants to wait until Feb. or March to make the final decision, but I want to book now so I have a better chance at getting the MK tower view room.

OK, I am done rambling....any thoughts, ideas or advice? I need to be inspired!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!

 

[wdisneyaholic]

Well coming from somone who never has money. Hubby is the only one that works, I stay at home with our 3 kids. We usually would just book the room and try to save over time. We always know that we have at least something from tax return and hubby has an extra job in the summer. Some how it just usually works it self out.

If you pay for your ap's in Jan or whatever can you save a little each month for your hotel and air fare? Maybe you could get some disney dollars for Christmas gifts to use for food.

Good Luck.

 

[CamColt]

This doesnt sound like what you are looking for as an answer but its what we do for trips and just about everything else. It works great for us.
We book everything on credit card. Once that bill comes in we pay it off by using our home equity loan (interest is tax deductible so its a better way to have debt, if there is any 'better" way). This way all our debt is in one lump sum. We pay it off a little each month, with more money going toward it when DH gets his bonuses. If that doesnt cover it, we always have a big tax refund check every year so that does it. I know a lot of people are against getting back a big tax refund, but I know we would never save the amount of money we get back in a year if we didnt do it that way. I look at it as a forced savings plan.

Also wont your son be under 2? He wont need a seat on the plane, so you can save some money there.

Hope you can work something out.

 

[CarolA]

Well, if I was trying to do it I would drop the contemporary and go someplace more reasonable. If you can afford it that is a great hotel, but it is not worth going into debt over!

As for your budget, rental cars have gone up!

Also, while yes your child under two can fly for free, they will not get a seat. Personally, I would not do this for two reasons. One it is uncomfortable (flights are very full now so there is NO gurantee you would get a extra empty seat near you) and two it is not safe! If you hit turbulance it can be very difficult to hold onto that child!

 

[sharoncity]

I would book the room now. Pay the one night deposit. If, in Feb you decide you can't go, you will get your money back.

We paid the one night deposit. Then whenever I got 100 - 200 saved, I sent it down. When I got the tax refund, that paid of the balance. I paid cash (Am EX) for the airlines tickets when they were running a special. I signed up for Am Ex Delta credit card. I have saved up enough miles for a free ticket now. I ALWAYS pay that card off in full every month, so no finance charges. Hopefully, I'll have enough for at least two tickets by next summer.

I personally don't believe in charging vacations. That is something we only do when we can afford it. I don't relax and enjoy myself if I'm worried about costs. I have started paying for everything in full dollars, never use change. At the end of the day, I empty my coin purse into the piggy bank. You'd be surprised how quickly that adds up! How about a tag sale in the spring? Got anything you want to get rid of?

It is much easier to save once you have the vacation booked. It gives you a lot of incentive! Ask for Disney Dollars for Christmas! Even as gift from hubby to you and you to hubby! I know for us, that would end up being a couple of hundred dollars! Two hundred a month is $2,400 after the year. In terms of weekly savings, you would need to save $50 per week to get there. That might only be a dinner out per week that you would have to give up.

I'm rambling - sorry. But if you want it, you need to set your goal and get there!

 

[Magic2000]

First, don't even think of Option D as being an option (haha).

I normally book the room and do the first night deposit only.

By the way, we stayed at the Contemporary in 2000 and we loved this resort!! We were in a North Garden Wing, which at first I was very anxious about. We really liked our room location (we could see the fireworks from our window) - it was a very short walk to the main bldg, and also a short walk to the Magic Kingdom. We usually walked over to the MK, and took the monorail to come back (first stop). You may want to consider staying in a garden wing to save a little money.

Then, every week, out of my grocery money - whatever money I can save from the "allotted amount" goes into my hidden spot, which is saved for Disney! Its kind of fun to see what to cook on a budget - knowing that whatever is left over, goes into my secret fund! We also get a piggy bank - the kind that has to be cut open so there's no cheating - and we save our change. The whole family gets in on this and it really adds up fast.

If we happen into any "extra" money, I start trying to get the tickets. Right before the trip, we'll take out the hotel bill from the savings. Usually, believe it or not, from my "secret" money and our change, we have just about enough for our food. With your baby only being a year old at the time yall visit, he'll eat free (off your plate). And of course, we usually bring breakfast and snack foods. (although we still try doing a princess breakfast and of course, Tonga Toast at the Kona Cafe!) Our other meals are eaten at the parks or hotels. Maybe try to limit yourselves to one sit down meal a day.

Also, we've used the Town Car service to and from the airport. For my family of 5, it is definitely cheaper than Mears! And, I like that they bring right to your hotel and pick you up from your hotel with no other stops at other hotels. They will usually stop at the store if you wish. I think the cost is $80.00, round trip.

By the way, I saw one of your other posts about diapers - and I used to bring some diapers in the carry on, as well as some in the suitcase. (This space would later be used for souvenirs) Then, I bought diapers at the store in the hotel - yes, a little more money, but more convenient than packing a week's worth of diapers! Now, of course, the town car service does stop at a store, so you could pick up a pack there.

Hopefully, with some careful planning, yall can go and have a wonderful first birthday for your little boy!!!

 

[Kim&Chris]

We were able to save up enough money by selling stuff on ebay. When I was younger, I used to buy Disney pins at the parks during each visit. For some reason (and I can't quite understand why), Disney pins are a hot commodity.

By selling my old pins, I was able to save up enough to put money away for our vacation AND buy a hutch for my dining room.

Also, I read where people do really well having yard sales.

Good luck!

 

[BarbOKW]

If you have to put the vacation on a credit card, even if you transfer it to a home equity loan, you shouldn't book one of the most expensive rooms in WDW. You can stay in one of the wing rooms in the Contempory for a lot less...not to mention the moderate or value resorts. I've never gone into debt to take a vacation and I would think if you do that it will a long time before your husband agrees to go again. If you keep the costs where you can afford them, then you'll probably be able to go more often. In my opinion, given the quality of all the Disney properties, more often is better than a view.

And by the way, I don't believe they guarantee a view of the Magic Kingdom, imagine your disappointment to pay all that extra money (that apparently you can't afford) to have a tower room over looking the bay.

 

[jel0511]

I'd listen to DH and wait until Feb to see if you can afford it. If you're waiting for a code, you'd have to cancel the ressie you made now anyway to make a new one under the code, so your idea of blocking a room now for MK view really doesn't apply. Also, I always pay cash for my vacations, since DH and I had kids. We used to have credit card debt and we worked hard to pay it all off. The only debt I have now is my house, even my cars get paid for in cash. Now, I'm lucky that DH has a good job and I can stay home with the kids and we can still afford to vacation usually 2-3 times per year. I always say, if I can't pay for it, I can't have it. I don't even have a credit card, only my debit card and Amex, which I have to pay in full at the end of the month.

 

[BethC1952]

I agree with the previous posters about not going into debt for a vacation.

I'm another person who has no credit cards, only my debit card. We pay cash. I would much rather stay at a value or moderate resort and be able to go to WDW more often than splurge on a deluxe and have to limit my trips!

If you have any skill with crafts, try making and selling your items. I knit and crochet, and design my own baby sweaters, afghans, hats, booties, etc. A local children's store sells them for me on a percentage basis. They love being able to offer handmade, one-of-a-kind gift sets and the money really adds up!

I save all of my change, and I follow my son around when he comes to visit because he always loses his change in my couch LOL!! Of course, next year he's coming with us, so I suspect he'll be much more careful about what happens to his spare change.

We are just two adults, and we don't smoke at all and only have an occasional drink, we don't go to the movies (husband falls asleep as soon as the lights go out, so that's a waste of money!) and we don't have a car, so that eliminates a lot of expense.

Beth

 

[Ratpack]

Definitely don't go into debt. WDW will be there next year barring any catastrphe. We are going to try and go every year if we can and what we do is book the room and pay the one night deposit, that way, you know you have a place to stay. I then create a spreadsheet on my computer with each day of the trip and what I estimate it to cost, including getting there and back and tickets. At the bottom is a sum of all costs. Then we start putting away any amount that we can. I have an account set up at my bank just for vacation and as I put money in, I enter it on the spreadsheet as a negative and the balance goes down. Then I know exactly how much more we need. Then if the time comes and we do not have enough, then I cancel and book next year. Also, DW gets a yearly bonus the month that we usually take vacation and that will cover a trip to WDW in itself.

 

[mareemouse]

I think a very nice Disney Trip could still be within reason, if you altered your plans a little. Perhaps Port Orleans Riverside for your hotel. Disney transportation would eliminate a rental car.
I'm sure you would have just as much fun, and wouldn't have to pay for it years later, when you wanted to plan another Disney trip instead !
Have fun planning, and don't forget to put aside a large coffee can.....fill it only with your silver change EVERY night ! You never know, it could pay for your souveniers or some meals by the time your ready to go !
Good Luck !

 

[Anne2]

I would recommend not renting a car to save money, especially if are going to stay at a close resort. Book a town car as a previous poster suggested, and use Disney for free during your stay.

Also, how close are you to Disney? Would driving being an option to save on airfare?

 

[paults]

1st-- of all if you stay on-site you shouldn't need a car unless your going to site see or eat off-site. Disney trans is good enough.

2nd-- take the town car its great.

3rd-- instead of CR, why not POR or FQ or ASM

4th-- ever think about renting pts for a DVC villa at
OKW, WLV,BWV,OR BCV
example: OKW-- 7nts =98 pts studio =$980 ($10 pt)
6nts= 74pts studio= $740
prices from 16-31 of Aug
You didn't give exact dates of vacation so price will change.
You should go to the rent and trade board in the DIS and get better info.
Also in the studio villas you get mini-fridge, micro wave, coffee maker plus more and in the 1-2 bedrooms you get full kitchen ( so you can have some meals there and save money) and a hot tub. Good luck, Paul

I could be wrong on exact prices but by renting pts you get more for your money

 

[KarenB]

We bought into DVC and it is all paid off, so we really don't have to worry about paying for a room. But what I did for this Christmas trip was to go to a Disney store and buy our tickets when I had some extra cash. Also, we pay for our plane tickets in advance.

Now all we really have to save for are meals and souvineers. So to answer your question, we pay for our trip in advacne, in "chunks."

Karen

 

[suevee]

I opened up a vacation savings account and stash money. Once it is at a certain point I can plan our trip and it is paid for. You will be surprised how easy it is to put away a few dollars here and there. Once it starts to grow, it gets very exciting. I have $2700 saved for my Feb trip and will have $3200 by December. Our plane tickets have been paid for. Next I will pick up our AP's. We are able to take advantage of the SoG rates as my husband is a reservist.

 

[soccer mom]

One thing we don't do is spend change. If a bill comes to $5.01, I won't give them the penny. I expect my 99 cents back and that goes in a bank at home. The kids get involved and think it's great. All their left over lunch money at the end of the week goes in. We roll it every month or two and deposit it in a special savings account just for Disney. We probably average $50.00 a month in change. We throw in everything we didn't expect to get: Income tax refund, rebate checks, if I save $10.00 with coupons I put it in the bank as soon as I get home from the grocery store. I also have a set amount taken out of my meager check and deposited directly in that same account. We still end up with some credit card debit that usually only takes a couple of months to get rid of. And if we planned a really budgeted trip, we would probably have enough saved to cover the whole thing, but each trip is getting more expensive! (conceirge for the first time this November!)

We have set some priorities for luxuries and Disney is one of them. My living room has been empty for about six years and every time my husband says "let's buy some furniture," I say, "Na, lets go to Disney!"

Even in the plentiful years when it was easy, we still did this. It has kind of become a challenge and its a great lesson for the kids in saving for what you want.

 

[ead79]

I usually save for my trips before I take them, but I do book them before I have the money saved up. Then I save however much per month I need in order to have enough at the time of the trip. On my last trip I paid for 2/3 before my trip, and paid 1/3 off of my credit card after the trip. I much prefer having the money at the time of the trip. It stresses me to have a balance on my credit card. For my next trip, I will have the money at the time of the trip, as this method works for me. As far as how I save up the money goes, I use several different methods. I look at my monthly WDW savings as non-negotiable, so I don't spend that money--I put it straight into my savings account as soon as I get paid. I also save all my change and roll it when my bank gets full; this actually adds up to about $250 per year. WDW trips are a real priority for me personally, so I do without lots of stuff to save enough for my WDW trips. Hope this helps with some ideas!

 

[Mamu]

Scanne Dh and I have 10% of our pay put into a vacation fund. We use the money to pay for 2 vacations a year. One in the winter-spring, one in the summer-fall.

I usually book my room only a year ahead hoping to get a code or AP rate. By booking this far ahead it's paid off before we leave.

 

[scanne]

Wow! All of you have given such great ideas and strategies for paying for a WDW vacation. And it's also good to hear that some you, like me and DH, make Disney a PRIORITY!!!!!! I have renewed faith that I will be able to afford this trip! I may have to go to a wing room at the CR or a standard room at WL, but we will do it! Thanks for sharing, everyone!!!!!!!!!