How to get family to save for WDW?

[DisneyBill]

We're DVC members and are planning on taking the extended family in April '06. We are going to furnish the resort accomodations for all, and also passes to some of the ones who really can't afford them.

I'm trying to come up with a good way to influence family to start early (like now) and set money aside for passes, airfare, food, extras, recreation, etc, etc.

I was going to bring them over and play the WDW promotional video and point-out some of the obvious and not so obvious things that cost money.

Any suggestions?

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by DisneyBill
We're DVC members and are planning on taking the extended family in April '06. We are going to furnish the resort accomodations for all, and also passes to some of the ones who really can't afford them.

I'm trying to come up with a good way to influence family to start early (like now) and set money aside for passes, airfare, food, extras, recreation, etc, etc.

I think it is quite generous for you to provide accomodations for all and tickets for some. So why do you also feel it is your responsibility to get them to save. If they can't manage to save on their own, then I guess they won't be going. I think you are doing more than enough already. JMHO.

 

[crisi]

We are doing the same thing with our family, but not until 2007. I'm not worried about them saving for it - everyone is well enough off that it shouldn't be a huge deal - I am worried about "expectations." I've drafted a letter in my head, not on paper yet, that I intend to send out - something like this.

Dear XXX,

We'd like to invite you to join us on a vacation to DisneyWorld from XXX to XXX. We will be providing accomodations. You will be responsible for:

Tickets (if you spend every day in the park, and adult ticket would cost $XXX)

Airfare

Transportation to and from the airport (rental car, taxi or towncar)

Food (we budget $50 per day per adult, you may choose to spend more or less)

Souvieniers

Other incidentals - Disney has a wealth of things to do, from bass fishing to golf to horsebackriding.

For information on Disneyworld, you may want to check out these web sites:

www.allearsnet.com
www.wdwinfo.com
www.mousesavers.com

We understand that even with us picking up the room, this will still be a major expense for your family. While we would really love to have you join us, we'd understand if you need to pass at this time.

etc. etc., including about how we really like our family, but fifteen people with kids of different ages moving through a theme park en masse will not make people happy and how we'd like for them to feel free to do their own thing while we do ours, and plan to meet up for one family thing a day - a meal, an afternoon at Epcot, Fantasmic, pool time. And that we look forward to planning these activities with them.

 

[Doodlebug939]

I love the writting a letter idea because it makes it clear what everyones responsible for. You could always give them Disney Money for holidays (you know $5 for the kids and such). If everyone is local you can have a big family yard sale to get the ball rolling.


I think you are doing so much for everyone who can go that you should really be commended for that.

Hummm I need to write a letter for my 06 trip saying SORRY no one can come with us. Because this time everyone jumped on our trip (and I love to have them but I wasnt planning a family trip) Anyway I am lucky to have them in my life.

 

[lc1965]

If they know what they're responsible for & what you're paying for then they can save or not -- up to them.

 

[pampam]

I too think the letter is a good idea. When things are down on paper, then they can't say " I didn't know". I would think, however, that if they are not inclined to save, that may show the desire to go is not there, in which case your generosity may not be appreciated. I too, have taken friends to Disney. But I made sure they knew they were responsible for certain expenses. I would not be paying for all of it. After that, the ball is in their court.

 

[fam4jc]

What a wonderful thing you are doing! I understand your need to inform your family about the necesity of saving and starting soon! Some people just don't know that WDW is very expensive... When we were planning our trip where we are going to take another family who could not possible afford the trip the father said to me "Even with the hotel, tickets and food taken care of, we will still need cash. I can't go around asking you for $2 every time my son wants a bottle a water" It was very sobering to me. He wasn't upset by any means. We were discussing the trip and he was trying to get me to describe what it is like there so he could save up change, etc to reach a goal for their spending money. I was trying to sugar coat every expense thinking we had paid for it all... we hadn't. So I think you could send a funny little letter, maybe a poem about saving for their great trip...

It is very nice of you to be helping this way.

 

[pjlla]

Give them an idea up front how much their cost will be. It is up to them at that point to make the decision/committment to save or not. But do be sure they understand how much this will cost them. Some people are naive about prices of things...... quote ticket prices, possible airfare prices (and guess high.... that way if you find it cheaper it will look like a bargain), food prices, etc. Let them make an educated decision about saving...........P

 

[disneysteve]

I think everyone has some great ideas. I like crisi's idea of a letter/list of anticipated expenses so that your family members know what to expect. After that, it is up to them if they want to/are able to save up the necessary funds. Obviously, we don't know anything about the folks involved, but fam4jc makes a great point. Even with accomodations and even tickets paid for by you, some folks still might not be able to swing the trip financially so keep that in mind.

 

[AMaloy314]

I think the letter/list is a great idea.

You might want to consider giving them as much information as possible about the cost of things. Maybe including some web address like wdwig.com for menus. And of course the DisBoards.

Oooo. I also had a thought. You could get the older copies of PassPorter (2003 edition) that they are giving away free---well just cost of shipping. I think it is a limit of 5 per family. The site is
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/freepassporter.aspx

This would be a nice way to let them see all the things available. The prices might be a little out of date, but it would be a starting place. And it could build the excitement!

I think you are very generous to be providing so much for your family.

By the way, are you looking to adopt anytime soon? My family would be happy to join yours!!

A

 

[barb45]

We have invited my daughter, her husband and new baby for 2005 so I understand where you are coming from. We have DVC also so their accomodations are covered. Since we here on the Disboards are such Disney nerds, I just estimated (high) their costs for airfare, tickets, food when they need to eat at the parks (we'll have a kitchen for other meals) etc. And since it's my daughter, I know how hard it is for them to save. So I took the estimate, added a bit so there is no surprises, divided it by the number of months they have to save and told them that's what they'd have to put aside each month (some people need to save by the week). By the time our 11 month window comes around, I want a solid committment because I'm sure you're like me and worrying about them backing out after you have used points to book. I'm thinking that as soon as we book our unit that I'll ask them to book their airfares. That makes people a lot less likely to back out since airfares are usually non-refundable.

 

[ladydancer]

Good-Luck

I tryed getting our family to go last year and this year. I was going to pay for all 6 children's, tickets, airfare, food ect. and the adults were responsible for themselfs.

We had planned the first trip last year. It got cancelled. We planned a second trip this year. It got cancelled. Just couldn't get people to save there money.

I just took the two oldest 9 and 11 myself a couple of wks ago. They were the ones old enough to understand and be disappointed every time it got cancelled.

Now THEY are planning a new trip for next year. I told them IF they go let me know and I will go with them. I'm not getting involved with it anymore. It is too much of a headache.

 

[crisi]

BTW, if you post this over at the DVC board, there are a lot of people who "treat" to accomodations, but need to communicate that they will not be picking up park tickets or airfare or food....etc.

 

[DisneyBill]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[ReneeQ]

We are also DVC members and are taking my family in January '05. This trip has been in the works for 2 years. I type a 2-page newsletter each month and mail it to all four of my family members. This has worked great. They can't absorb it all at once and this way we are handling things in small doses. I am very honest and blunt. They all know the schedule and I clearly say "This is what "I" will be doing. You are welcome to follow me, or venture out on your own." I had them vote on restaurants, etc. I might say something like "this is the month we need to decide on restaurants for MK and Epcot. If you don't vote, you CANNOT complain later." Again, I just do one thing a month so it's not overwhelming.

As far as actually saving, everyone in my family is different. My youngest sister had me do a ballpark budget for her family of 3, divide it by the number of months until the trip, and she mails me that amount each month, just like one of her bills. My brother is saving what he needs on his own. My other sister has decided she can't afford to go, so she won't be going with us.

Just be open and honest and do it in small doses.

 

[crisi]

The voting idea is great. You can google up a few free sites to run polls on. If everyone is internet literate, send the newsletter via email and link right to the poll.