How much do you spend on a WDW vaca? Hoto validate/rationalize spending so much $

[Grendalynn]

We are beginning to plan our next visit to Walt Disney World in March of '08. Next years rates and packages don't come out until August, so we are trying to hash out when, where and why.

when we took our vacation 2 years ago, a land and sea, it was a no brainer. I had no issues. I was/We were all very excited and never looked back. But this time I am nervous. Maybe its just too far out, and I am thinking too much?? We are getting a killer tax return this year and could easily swing a week long vacation in a delux hotel. With a teh 18mo old, DH and I want to stay close to the parks , so we can easliy scoot back to the room/pool for some nap and down time. Not to mention its so far away, we can make weekly/monthly payments so its not such a hit on the pocketbook.

But I am having anxiety booking the trip for some reason. How do families rationalize spending so much on a single vacation? This is so rude and my parenst would kill me if they knew I was doing this, but... How much (on average) do you spend on a week long trip to WDW? w/ or w/o airfair? do you include meals? If not what do you average per day for food, where do you stay? what is your spending money allowance? Maybe I am finally growing up, and worried that that Rainy Day will come... Maybe I am just over thinking he entire thing. Looking forward to the return responces!! Thanks so much in advance!

 

[MomofKatie]

For a 7 night stay at a Value resort, 7 day hopper, Dining Plan vacation for me, DH and DD8, we usually end up spending around $2500. We drive down from NC (about 8 1/2 hrs) and budget about $250 for spending money.

 

[brymolmom]

I think you'll get some way varied responses because, truly, you can spend very little (relatively) or a whole bunch on a WDW vacation. For a family of 2 (since the baby is free) - I would say you could have a VERY NICE week long WDW trip for anywhere between $1000 - $4000. If you stay at Values (or offsite), make lots of food in your room, limit your 'extras' (soveniers, expensive meals, etc) OR if you go when there is a great deal offered (like Free Dining) - you can get a WDW vacation for cheap. But, you can also go the other end with Deluxe hotels, lots of great expensive food, park-hopping and plusses tickets, renting a vehicle - so there is a range.

Personally, I'm a bargain shopper and even when I can afford to pay more - I'm more excited by paying less. So, the last time we went to WDW (with free dining) we paid about $1800 total (for family of 3, but had to pay for 4 airfare cuz dd was 2 (free for disney but not plane). Without free dining - add a few hundred to that for food.

It depends what you like to spend your money on!

 

[Grendalynn]

I think you'll get some way varied responses because, truly, you can spend very little (relatively) or a whole bunch on a WDW vacation. For a family of 2 (since the baby is free) - I would say you could have a VERY NICE week long WDW trip for anywhere between $1000 - $4000. If you stay at Values (or offsite), make lots of food in your room, limit your 'extras' (soveniers, expensive meals, etc) OR if you go when there is a great deal offered (like Free Dining) - you can get a WDW vacation for cheap. But, you can also go the other end with Deluxe hotels, lots of great expensive food, park-hopping and plusses tickets, renting a vehicle - so there is a range.

Personally, I'm a bargain shopper and even when I can afford to pay more - I'm more excited by paying less. So, the last time we went to WDW (with free dining) we paid about $1800 total (for family of 3, but had to pay for 4 airfare cuz dd was 2 (free for disney but not plane). Without free dining - add a few hundred to that for food.

It depends what you like to spend your money on!

Great point! You are right, Brymolmom! I can def. see a variation in the responces that I will get. However I am interested in the over all cost familles are spending on a vaction... weather it be $3500 with free dining and park hoppers for a family of 5 at CBR or $5600 for a family of 4 at Poly with park hoppers. At least I will get a baseline! And see where we fall..... Thanks!

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

We're (DH, DS4, DD2, and me) going for 6 nights to the All Star Music in May. We got the free ticket upgrades because of the discount going on right now so we have the park hopping ticket with the Water parks and more options. We also did the dining plan.

The hotel and tickets were $1800. Airfare (from MN) is $800 - I did a fare watcher on Travelocity.com and waited until the fares dropped one day and quick booked the tickets.

We also budgeted for additional food (you never know), souveniers ($100 per person because we're not good at saying no to a whining 2yr old in the middle of the Disney store , and misc expenses like a magazine at the airport.

Our total - $3500 We are using our tax refund for part along with profit sharing from my work. We also are cashing in credit card reward points for cash.

It is a hard decision to spend so much on one vacation but when you really look at it the price is reasonable. I just booked a weekend in Chicago for DH and I and the hotel is $240 per night. Disney is something that we love to do and we make room in our budget to do it.

 

[Grendalynn]

We're (DH, DS4, DD2, and me) going for 6 nights to the All Star Music in May. We got the free ticket upgrades because of the discount going on right now so we have the park hopping ticket with the Water parks and more options. We also did the dining plan.

The hotel and tickets were $1800. Airfare (from MN) is $800 - I did a fare watcher on Travelocity.com and waited until the fares dropped one day and quick booked the tickets.

We also budgeted for additional food (you never know), souveniers ($100 per person because we're not good at saying no to a whining 2yr old in the middle of the Disney store , and misc expenses like a magazine at the airport.

Our total - $3500 We are using our tax refund for part along with profit sharing from my work. We also are cashing in credit card reward points for cash.

It is a hard decision to spend so much on one vacation but when you really look at it the price is reasonable. I just booked a weekend in Chicago for DH and I and the hotel is $240 per night. Disney is something that we love to do and we make room in our budget to do it.

Thats what I am talkin' about! That is the info I am looking for! Its very helpful and puts things into perspective for me. Lets me know where we fall on the map. Thansk so much and have fun!!

 

[MommaPooh]

We spend between $3500 and $4000 for everything for eight days/seven nights on average. We drive down, stay on-site, park hopper tickets, souvies, etc... We usually spend between $125-$150 per day on food. Also, about $500 of that amount is for our pet boarding. Side note - we have mainly stayed at values in the past, but DH said starting this year, we are movin' on up to moderates or better - thank goodness!!! Our $$$ will go up a bit, but we were too crowded in the value this past trip.
It has never entered my mind to justify the amount we spend. We use a portion of DH's annual bonus to pay for our trip each year so it is not like it is money out of our monthly budget. I just know come December each year, we are going to be in WDW for at least a week and we all make it a point to be the one time of the year we do not mention the costof things or budgets. We all just cut loose, have a ball, and don't think about $$$.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

In December, we spent 10 nights at Pop (2 adults, 2 kids). We had a preferred room, 7 day park hoppers with water park option, dining plan, rental car and flight from California. The total for the package was $5600. Souveniers and extras were another $1000 or so. How do we justify it? Well, we love taking vacations together. We cut out most Christmas presents this year because of the trip which probably saved us about $1000. It was the only big trip we took last year. We don't spend extravagently on other things and are usually pretty careful. The trip could have cost a lot more if we didn't go for a value resort. We wouldn't have gone if it was going to be a financial hardship. I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself if we were breaking the bank!

 

[Iowaswete]

Ive never been before so Im not sure how much total I will spend..But I just booked my vacation...And for 11 days in Dec @Pop w/Dining it was $2100. And Im planning on spending about $100 at each park (that Im guessing will get a t-shirt for my DD and I and a plush of some sort for her), $125 for the pic CD, $200 for BBB, and maybe $200 at DTD...So Im guessing total we will be spending about $3000. And Im paying off my package monthly so that it doesnt feel like it came all in one big hit.

 

[reggiemcp]

Hi

We are disney addicts and go at least once a year. That said the price is usually pretty hefty, not that it always was. When we first started going about 10 years ago it was just hubby and me. We stayed at values, off-season and ate mostly counter service. Those trips were dirt cheap. Then DS was born and I got old, I now have no desire to return to a value. we have done both moderate (POFQ) and deluxe (AKL & WL) several times. Our trip this last December (value season) cost about $4500 (including Air, Annual Pass, Meals, and 8 nites at AKL Savannah view) loved it. There is something about the way I feel so spoiled at a deluxe, that makes me want to do it each trip. But since we have decided to go back in May '07 (regular season) and I don't want to spend the extra to stay deluxe (will only do it in value seasons) we are staying at POFQ for 8 nites with free upgraded tickets and meals ($2567) (will not use one of the tickets and save for future trip since I have AP) and book airfare on my own ($650 - ouch! - way more than I usually pay) and the total for the trip is $3217, not including some fun $, a couple of $100 dollars.

So to sum it up, can do whole trip with meals and airfare for anywhere from $3000 - $4500. I don't agonize too much over the cost, we save for it and manage to pay all our bills and this is where we love to escape to each year, so it is money well spent for us. We also go to Cape Cod for a week every summer, but that is much cheaper since my sister owns the house and we kick in for groceries and such, must usually is about $1000 for that week with all activites and such involved.

Hope that help with your research.

 

[crisi]

We spend a lot (like $10,000 a trip). But we "rationalize it" with:

Our house is paid off
Our kids are in elementary school with half funded college funds
We have no credit card debt
We have fully funded retirement accounts that we continue to fund
We have rainy day savings
We have two very good incomes

We have to spend the money on something - we don't earn it simply to save it.

 

[HelenePA]

Right now I'm STILL having a hard time justifying it!!!!!! But its paid for! 2700$ for 2 rooms at a Value 7day base tickets and dinning, I'm taking my grandmother with us (me dh, dd dd2 and ds). She's never been there thought she'd like to go... and plus she's good for back up! Add on another 1000$ for airfare. As for the kids spending money. We have MORE than enough toys. So for easter I've asked for NOTHING but disney dollars or gift cards. That will be most of their spending money they also got some from Santa. I'll budget another 200 in but that's about it. I still get a sick feeling in my tummy when I think about how much I spent. How much I can do with it around the house... BUT the house will be here next year. I can survive with my icky kitchen for another year (I think). We've never really done this type of vacation before usually its just places we can drive. Sesame Place, Baltimore aquarium, Philly zoo, knoebels (every weekend in the summer) It scares me to think what if the kids hate it? What if they are afraid of all the rides? what if they scream their heads off on the plane... ect ect ect... BUT its set in stone... we are going.. I NEED a vacation... just wish it didn't cost me SOOO much money and to me that is SOOOO much money!

 

[NY Disney fan]

I don't justify it. I'm a cheapie. If we have $5000 budgeted for a Disney vacation. I'll use $2000 to stay at the All-Star for a week with a 5 day pass. (Me, DH & baby) then pocket the rest for a rainy day. I'm a scardy cat spending all that money!

 

[perdidochas]

We are beginning to plan our next visit to Walt Disney World in March of '08. Next years rates and packages don't come out until August, so we are trying to hash out when, where and why.

when we took our vacation 2 years ago, a land and sea, it was a no brainer. I had no issues. I was/We were all very excited and never looked back. But this time I am nervous. Maybe its just too far out, and I am thinking too much?? We are getting a killer tax return this year and could easily swing a week long vacation in a delux hotel. With a teh 18mo old, DH and I want to stay close to the parks , so we can easliy scoot back to the room/pool for some nap and down time. Not to mention its so far away, we can make weekly/monthly payments so its not such a hit on the pocketbook.

But I am having anxiety booking the trip for some reason. How do families rationalize spending so much on a single vacation? This is so rude and my parenst would kill me if they knew I was doing this, but... How much (on average) do you spend on a week long trip to WDW? w/ or w/o airfair? do you include meals? If not what do you average per day for food, where do you stay? what is your spending money allowance? Maybe I am finally growing up, and worried that that Rainy Day will come... Maybe I am just over thinking he entire thing. Looking forward to the return responces!! Thanks so much in advance!

We are cheapskates. Our biggest expense for a Disney trip is tickets. We live in NW Florida, so it's a 8 hr drive. We stay in 2 star resorts via priceline (off property) usually for about $30 a night. We eat breakfast in the room, bring snacks/lunch (only eat one meal on property a day).

 

[MommySiobhan]

Last August, we booked and got the end of summer special, plus free dining. We were there from Aug 21-26 (6n, 7d).
We stayed at the POR and our package was about $1579, plus airfare. I think we spent $2300 ish total not including spending money. We purchased one out of pocket meal (CRT) and didn't spend a ton else, couple hundred dollars probably total. I came well stacked with snacks etc.

Our family included at the time Dh and I, 5 yr old, 3 year old, 2 yr old and infant. (No airfare or disney cost for the 2 babies)

This year we are looking at going in August. Actually I just made a ressie for the begninning of August and with dining at POR, cost was about $3674 Without airfare. Same party, still 2 under 2 years old but no discounts or deals.



Spending that amount already, I'd consider upgradsing to deluxe if there were free dining. Only because we probably will have to wait a couple years before we could do a big disney vacation again.

 

[gardnchk]

Well first off, DH and I have 4 kids, 13,12,10 & 9. 13 & 12 year olds are considered adults for everything, and 10 year old luckily is a tiny girl so she will still order off the kids menu and probably never be questioned. I have no real choice as to when we are going, we have to go during spring break (the week after Easter) for several reasons: #1, we are celebrating my parent's wedding anniversary and they want it to be close to the actual day, #2, my 13 yr old is graduating 8th grade this year and his school will not let him make up the work if we go any other time and I don't think it would be good for any of them to miss a week of school, #3, the 12 & 9 year olds are my step-children and we only get them spring break and two weeks in the summer as far as week-long visits are concerned. So since the anniversary was in January, April was about as long as anyone was willing to wait (there are 13 of us altogether) We booked at POP, two adjoining rooms, because it was actually about $400 cheaper than a family suite at All-Star and including 7 day park & water fun and more (no hopper part). That came to $3600.00, air fare was $1700.00 round trip for the 6 of us (from Chicago), we're NOT doing the DDP. I'm shipping down (or taking an extra suitcase, not sure yet) with all kinds of snacks and breakfasty type of foods to save some costs there. The 13 & 12 yr olds are tall & stocky (not overweight, just big) with very HEALTHY appetites. DH and I could probably just share a meal between the two of us. We will do counter service for most lunches and dinners, we are doing 1 character meal at Chef Mickey's to celebrate. We have been saving change in a jar since last August when the trip was announced and we told the kids that whatever was in there by the time we left, would be divided between the 4 of them and that would be their spending money. (this got them to help by adding their own spare change) Right now they have about $40 each to spend for the week. We don't plan on spending much more than that on souvenirs ourselves. Altogether, including room, air fare, park tickets, food, etc, we are estimating that we are going to spend roughly $7000-$8000....but as far as Disney is concerned, my family is 4 adults and 2 kids, not 2 adults and 4 kids............it makes a big difference!!!!

 

[BlakeNJ]

In short, we are a family of 4 but my youngest is 2 so we don't pay for her except her flight.

We spent $740 on flights from NJ and our total package price for 5 nights at CBR with DDP & PH tickets was $2300. I brought along $250 in spending money and spent most of it but not all. My kids do not ask for a lot of souveniers so I am sure that helped the budget.

Looking back I would not buy the PH tickets again, saving almost $175.

 

[Grendalynn]

Thanks so much for the responses! It has helped me figure things out and made me realize where we fall inthe mix and that I am notthe only one! Keep the info cming, I find the information very interesting!! Thanks so much - Keep 'um coming!

 

[Machta]

This is all very interesting! On our last trip we stayed 3 nights offsite at the Hyatt, then 4 nights in a DVC 2-bedroom. So, if you count $10/point for the DVC, that's about $2800 for lodging (there are 4 of us plus my mom). We used our APs for the 2nd time, so if you split the cost that's about $800 with the DVC discount. Breakfasts we ate before we left, lunches in the parks, dinners about half in and half out, so say about $750 for food for all of us. Airfares were pretty cheap from Denver this time, about $250 each. So for all 5 of us, that works out to about $4600. We're not bit souvenier spenders; I think the boy bought a Lego at DD but that's all I remember. Wait, the rental car--call it an even $5000.

We live near Denver, and we hit WDW once or twice a year. A two hour drive gets us to major world-class resorts such as Keystone & Vail, which are lovely in the summer as well as winter. The two reasons we enjoy Disney so much even when we have world-class recreation in our backyard are 1) the attention to detail (one word: Philharmagic) and 2) THE SERVICE! The people are so nice!

A question for those of you who are budget-conscious: over on the DVC board you can rent points relatively cheaply, and get really nice lodgings. Why don't more people do that? I realize the DVC investment is a large one, but at $10 to $12 a point, you get SAB (for example) plus a full kitchen in which to save money on meals. No flames, please, I'm just wondering . . .

 

[U2_rocks!]

I'm having a hard time justifying it too, but I want to go so badly! We are so lucky - we have been able to get a few things for free e.g. 3 airline tickets are airmile awards (we only had to pay for 2), the accomodation is a timeshare exchange which cost us nothing (parents own timeshare, they paid exchange fee). There are 5 of us, so 5 WDW tickets. And then food!! And rental car, since we're offsite - and we're not from the U.S. and always feel better getting the insurances, which double the cost! Plus, we're going for 2 weeks, which brings our car rental alone to $912! My budget for this trip is $2,500 - 2,600, which doesn't seem like a lot considering, but in my $$ it's over $5,000, which is a dent right now! We will be eating most breakfasts in the condo, and some other light meals too, to try to save money. If we'd had to pay for everything, this trip would have been about $6,000 (assuming we got a good offsite condo rental deal - we'd never stay onsite, as we wouldn't want to be stuck on WDW property without a car, and we couldn't afford rental car and WDW hotel rates!!!).

This year is the perfect year timing-wise for us and my parents to do this trip, so we're doing it, even though finances are a little shaky. We'll lay low and vacation locally for the next 2 years!