How many trips and still budget concious?

[MAGICX2]

OK, I am embaressed to admit it, but we just went in Jan. and want to go again already! We were thinking of Oct. but staying at the FW campground to save money. We REALLY shouldn't be taking two trips to WDW in the same year but we just can't help ourselves! It was a small trip in Jan.(3days) and would only be 5 in Oct. How many trips do you take in a year and still stay family budget concious?
PS-I really wish they had spell check on this thing!!

 

[fluteprincess]

The Disney addiction is rampant!

My family usually tries to go 3 times in a 12 month period for which we have purchased the APs. (Then we try really hard to skip a year.) This ends up being cost efficient. Luckily, we are Boardwalk DVC members, so we usually having great choices as to where we want to stay without putting out the hotel costs for each trip. Also, JetBlue and some of the airlines are really inexpensive if you get the tickets as soon as the flight opens up.

We count down to our next trip as soon as we get home! Only 43 days until our next visit!

 

[crisi]

We only go every other year because, personally, I'd rather go with a large budget than go and not be able to dine out the way I want or stay where I desire. I know other people don't spend a lot of time in their rooms, don't care about the food, etc. But for us the resort and the food is a big part of our xperience. Also, for us, transportation is a huge part of the cost, so a lot of little trips are not budget concious. Another big "cost" for us is vacation time - I only get a week to use as I want (I get two weeks where they shut the company down, but they aren't times I'd go to WDW).

 

[LMC]

Well this year we have AP's so we are going 4 times. We usually stay at family vacation spots which are free so this year we decided to spend some $$$ and do something different.

We went in January and splurged for us (stayed in a resort and ate every meal except b'fast out) but when we go back in May we will be at FW and will be taking some lunches in the parks with us and only eating one meal out per day.

In the fall, we will probably not stay at FW since we can't go for a full week but will stay at a value resort on my AP. And, I just found out that you get meal discounts at the food court with an ap.

In December we will camp again but so far that will be off site since FW is booked.

In 2006 we won't be going to disney since we are going so much this year!

 

[vicceja]

Hi!

2003 was our first trip as a family - Me, DH, DS9, DS6, DS4 . Since then we've become Disneyholics (and proud of it). Yestereday morning I just purchased PAP's for everyone....which means we will be taking 3 trips to Disney World this year . We have one long trip in June/July, but the other trips won't be quite so long.

Have a great time!

 

[1MegMeg]

Ahh, welcome to my world. Hehe! We go 3-4 times per year. However, we live 90 minutes away, are annual passholders (so we aren't having to purchase tickets each time), and usually only go for the weekend or a long weekend. Also, it's just DH and I, we don't have any kids (yet).

Even still though, we try and be budget conscious. For example, one night we'll eat a "nicer" dinner at a resort or one of the Epcot restaurants and then another night we'll eat at Earl of Sandwhich.

We also just went in January, are going back in June for our first anniversary, and are going in November for the Food and Wine Festival.

 

[DMRick]

We live 1200 miles away and go 4 times a year (5 times this year). We always try to go budget. Our biggest expense is when we go during May or June (never June again...wayyy too hot!) and stay at POR instead of a value. That will cost us an extra $266 for the week, but we are so careful the rest of the trips..this is our treat to ourselves, to enjoy shade and quiet pools.
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And, I just found out that you get meal discounts at the food court with an ap.
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Are you sure? I'm looking at my sleeve and although I see the Sports Complex, I don't see All Stars or POP, just some table service places. I was behind someone arguing that they knew they got a discount last month at POP, and they said no, not at the values. Is this new? I do get it with my DDE card, but I paid extra for that.

 

[Mickey527]

I average about 4-5 trips per year. I watch the airlines and book cheap rates. Southwest used to be my favorite, but lately I have found Delta Song to be the best.
I am a DVC member but I even budget my DVC points. I stay from Sunday through Friday morning when it is cheaper points per stay but I check out and stay at a value resort for the weekend and then check back into DVC.
I have never paid rack rates for a room, I always wait for the AP rates to come out. I have never gotten a post card to use a Pin rate.
I have stayed at almost all of the different resorts, never stayed at Grand Floridian. I have gotten some really great rates depending on the time of year, the best I can remember were $79 for WL and $109 for Yacht Club.
I haven't been to the parks since Sept when I was diagnosed with breast cancer so I am planning a big trip and will be taking the entire family. I got airline rates of $54 each way, and the AP discount for Pop Century. They all have to buy my meals, one each day. I can't wait, I have been having Mickey withdrawals since early October. Peggie