How does it add up so fast???

[PennyInPink]

Go and hug your Hubby. Mine would be having a fit the size of Mt. Vesuvious!

 

[MowgliFan]

i see you still have another 17+ years until you pay off your last trip

lol!

 

[usnuzuloose]

It seems to get worse every year. The way I see it, I book it, and then I never change anything, and never reprice anything. We are close to paying off our vacation for next year. So the only thing I need to pay for is one night for an extra room, and our travel. I think I am going to put money on disney GC and use it for TS and everything else.

 

[bumbershoot]

Sometimes addition is no fun. Multiplication, either!

We have GREAT rates for the Disneyland Hotel coming up. I know the normal prices, and it's a great deal. But we're staying 8 nights. It's amazing how that adds up! It's all good, we have it, we can have a great time! But it's still giving me fits when I look at the total.


For our two trips to WDW we spent 2+ weeks out there. We did 10 days in the parks (since both trips were inside of one year, we upgraded to APs) and 4 day tickets to Universal and it was great. There was barely time for pools, though, let alone waterparks! I, too, would make SURE you need those waterparks.

 

[beansmom]

it adds up quick for sure but we are taking 3 trips to disneyworld in the next few months..and I think we will spend a max of $9,000 for all three. That's an average of $3k per trip which I don't think is bad.

 

[Sultana]

The price on my Disney trips have always come out OK. But cruises, oy!
Take the base price of the cruise ("oh look, what a great deal, we should go on that cruise!). By the time you include transport, pre/post cruise hotel, excursions, ... you can easily multiply that base price by 3.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
Are you big Harry Potter fans? If not, cut it out and forget about it. We went in April and were disappointed. Maybe, it's all the hype. Yes, the village is cool looking and the castle is too but the kids rode it and moved on. I believe Butter Bear alone cost us $32 for our family of five. LOL.

We arrived early so there was no line to enter but when the kids got out the crowds were so heavy that you couldn't even enjoy looking around. Upon leaving the WWOHP, the crowds were gone. We actually enjoyed the original Universal (next door) better than Islands of Adventure. We have gone to Universal 3 times in the last 6 years and I don't think we'll be back for a long, long time. I'm in a wheelchair and found a lot of very rude CM there!

We're planning a different type of vacation this year -- Grand Cayman. I know the little things will more than add up as our money is worth 25% less. Unfortunately, it just happens on vacation unless you are very, very careful. Enjoy your fantastic vacation!

 

[HM]

I'd also forgo IOA for this trip and save on that expense and the rental car expense. I'd also reassess your park days. I don't understand the need for 10 day tickets AND the waterpark tickets; especially if your kids are young. I'd stick with cool pools at AoA and only do the amount of park days I am there (don't add no expiration for another trip).

Good luck with taming the expenses.

 

[MEM]

I'd also forgo IOA for this trip and save on that expense and the rental car expense. I'd also reassess your park days. I don't understand the need for 10 day tickets AND the waterpark tickets; especially if your kids are young. I'd stick with cool pools at AoA and only do the amount of park days I am there (don't add no expiration for another trip).

Good luck with taming the expenses.

I have to agree with this! We stayed at AoA for 2 days last month and it was not enough time - I could easily have skipped the parks and spent my days at the pools there. And this is coming from a DVC member!! AoA was so relaxing and with Pop just over the bridge, you can easily expand your dining options. I realize the OP was not asking for advice, but I want to reassure the OP that allowing time to enjoy the resort should be figured into the plans (and budget).

 

[Minnesota!]

How many days is your trip? Do you really need 10 park days plus the halloween party plus a day at Universal plus the Water parks and more add-on?

Unless you are going for 2 weeks...I would get rid of a LOT of your extras.

MNNSHP...you are paying that much extra to put on a costume (in the FL fall heat!), get some candy, and see a parade. Worth it?

WWOHP - only if you had minimal park days at WDW would I suggest going to this. You already have 10 days PLUS a few days in WP's to use. You will overload!!

WP and more - I wouldn't waste my money on these, either. AoA has 3 pools...water is water is water. Your kids will love swimming at AoA. No need to spend on top of that for.....water. Especially with a 1 year old...I would save this for when all the kids are able to do all the stuff at the WP..

You need to add in gratuities, any alcohol, mousekeeping tips, bell services tips, DME tips.

 

[bumbershoot]

Hi:
Are you big Harry Potter fans? If not, cut it out and forget about it. We went in April and were disappointed. Maybe, it's all the hype. Yes, the village is cool looking and the castle is too but the kids rode it and moved on. I believe Butter Bear alone cost us $32 for our family of five. LOL.

What about the other 3 HP attractions?

For that total I hope at least one of you bought the souvenir cup! Or had seconds.

 

[eliza61]

I think I'm going to be sick.

We are planning a trip and we leave in 25 days.
My first mistake was switching my family from one room at POR to 2 LM rooms at AOA. I miscalculated the difference...by a lot. I forgot about having to upgrade from free QS to Regular Dining Plan, and with the two rooms instead of one, it ended being a huge difference.
Dh said to leave it because AOA is new, the kids would love it, etc., but now I am adding up all the extras on top of the resort change and UGH!
I can't believe it.

Upgrading our 2-day tickets to 10-day $737.14
Water Park & More Upgrade $303.55
MNSSHP $329.91
WWOHP $447.75
1-day Rental car $60.00
= $1878.35

My package is paid for and I still need to spend $1878.35 more?!!!

I know we can cut stuff out. I'm just...I don't know. I am always so frugal. We have always taken our vacations and spent very little, staying at the resort and doing free stuff and just a few days at the park. Sigh...I'm just trying to wrap my head around the money.

I don't need any advice, I just needed someone to vent to about the money, who isn't DH. LOL
I think this is going to be our last trip for a very very long time.

Ok I know my opinion is going to go over like a lead ballon here but here it goes.

Could you possible change your attitude. take the focus off of what you are spending and onto the vacation. Unless it's totally out of your budget, I don't encourage anyone to spend out of their budget.

But if you can comfortably afford it, can you relax and look forward to it.

You seem to have some really great stuff planned. fun stuff, family stuff, memory making things. Isn't that the point of the vacation.

You've upgraded tickets from 2 days to 10 days. that's alot. the water park addition is great, we love the water parks and for my family it was definitely worth the money.

So try just saying that every thing you spent the money on was things that are worth what you paid for it and enjoy.