How ugly is...

[CK1]

...Your Vacation Budget?

We are a moderate fam of 5 (2 adults, with 3 kids under age 9). I calculated what we spent on our last trip (9 nts at VWL) -- everything from groceries to park passes to souvenirs and gifts, dining out and down to the last Turkey leg, gas to/from WDW... from this, I roughly estimate that if we were to "budget" for a similar trip, we should estimate about $4K for the event.

Is this par for the course? I know from some trip reports that this number doesn't TOUCH the debt others incur on a WDW vacation. On the other hand, I know too that others are more thrifty... does anyone else look ahead of their trips like this and calculate the cost, or do you just go with the flow and ante up the damages later? (We did the latter last time -- this time we're budgeting so I can totally ENJOY what we spend, and NOT waste precious time worrying about how serious dh's coronary will be when we return and get the ol' Visa bill...)

And also -- for those who cruise -- would you roughly estimate that costs incurred during a cruise (not the actual cost of the cruise, but the cost of getting to/from the ship and $$ incurred while at sea) is less or more expensive than a park trip?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We always go with a budget, however, it is a large budget that we could not likely bust. I always feels good leaving WDW and feeling rich because we have left over loot!

 

[CK1]

Well maybe THERE's my problem! I'm too dang honest! I should tell DH it costs us 8K per trip... then just think how thrilled he would be when we came home to only 4!

 

[crisi]

For our family of 4....

2 bd BWV preferred view October 282 points 7 nights (value how you want)

Plane tickets from MPLS to Orlando - $300 per person (can ususally do it for $250). $1200.

Towncar = $80
Cabs = $120

(yeah, we could do a rental car for that, but towncars and taxis are easier for us).

Park Tickets (2 adults, 2 children, UPHs, drop one day) $1200 (could do this cheaper but this is how we do it).

Food (and special events - the Pirate Cruise was budgeted here) $1400 (we eat well, we eat less than this, but this is the budget).

Souvieniers and pocket money $700 (this is where I underbudget and my husband over spends).

$4700. Without the room. Value the room at $6 a point (what I
use as "cost") and we are at $6400.

Actually budget is the wrong term. This is what - given our last trips patterns, I would budget to take the trip again. In truth, I go with little budget in mind, $10,000 set aside to cover the bills when I get home, and go with the flow.

(If I post this over to the budget board, do you think I can give someone a heart attack?).

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by crisi

Actually budget is the wrong term. This is what - given our last trips patterns, I would budget to take the trip again. In truth, I go with little budget in mind, $10,000 set aside to cover the bills when I get home, and go with the flow.

(If I post this over to the budget board, do you think I can give someone a heart attack?).

This is exactly the way to do it. Our budget is not really a "budget". It is a maximum, large sum that I would be amazed to exceed, but I need to build a certain amount into our annual finances.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Budget? Isn't everyone else just working to payoff their Disney vacation bills?
Seriously, we use the go-with-the-flo method and worry about the bills (and the stress) later. Usually because we figure everything else is paid for (park passes, airline tickets, rental car) before hand.

 

[Deemarch]

I do have my "budget" that I try to stash extra cash into during the months preceeding our trip. But I usually pay for airfare and Hopper Passes from that money.

I then use 1 card for all the rest while we're there...It's my card and I deal with all the bill paying anyway. Since everything we do on vacation, we do together, I pretty much know what was spent. And I usually have to pull the reins in on my DH who just loves to buy things in WDW!!! hahaha

 

[Chim Chiminy]

WOW!!!! We must be really thrifty......For our August vacation, four nights at the Contemporary through SOG followed by seven nights at BCV, where we were joined by six other family members, I budgeted $2500. We went over but still were under $3000. We didn't skimp on the meals, breakfast was in the rooms except for Cindy's Royal Table. We had to buy annual passes for the four of us, three adult one child. We drive down from PA, which I included $250 in the budget for gas. Most of our lunches were counter service, then dinner was sit down. We ate at Marrakesh, Biergarten, O'hana, Kona Cafe, Boma, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Whispering Canyon. We ate in town at Bahama Breeze one night, after a day at Seaworld. We did the Hoop Dee Doo, which is a must see for us every time. We raided the Boardwalk Bakery twice, loved it, walking out with at least seven different things each time to share and sample.
Did E-night. Hit Pleasure Island. Did the boat and bike plan at the Contemporary Marina (totally worth it!).
Kids had their own Disney Dollars for souvinirs, I otherwise budgeted $200 for us.
We really are a moderate family, one income on a military salary..... My husband did flip out over the total spent, but as I always remind him, we could spend the same amount at the Jersey Shore and not do nearly the same amount of stuff or have near as much fun.
Next Junes trip the budget will be slightly higher, just so that there are no surprises.
And I guess it helps that the grandparents and four uncles tag along, because they buy stuff for the kids.

 

[pwoodham]

I usually budget $1000 per person for a week-long trip. For our family of 7, that's $7000 NOT including airfare (because this is usually paid for months before our trip actually takes place) or DVC costs. My $1000 estimate is a rough average and considersthe fact that my boys love the Neverland Club and Pirate Cruise.

Last time the whole family went, we only spent about $5500. I was thrilled!!! We actually came home with money!! You didn't ask, but I'll tell you one little secret that made a big difference. Unless the drink was included with the cost of the meal, we drank water at all the restaurants. For our crew, it saved $45-50 EACH DAY. Of course we made an exception for milkshakes when we went to Sci Fi! I think the other thing was that I limited the souvenirs to one per boy, so we didn't have a great deal of hanging out in the shops (except by me).

I should also mention that while we saved money on that trip, we usually only go once every 2 years. This year, I've been 5 times. I've used up that savings several times over........

 

[Laurabearz]

Then there are those of us who dont look, dont care, and would be pressed to tell you what they spend each vacation...

More than some... less than others, I suppose.....

 

[spiceycat]

WOW!!! you people must make alot more money than me - anyway I and my guests generally eat in the room - most meals -we do eat out at least once - but with my food allergies and non-family guest wanting to save money- it is easier on all of us.

now family guest are a different story - I am surpose to pay for everything and they complaint loudly when I say we are eating in - so they don't go with me as often - I send them on their own and they pay for it - except the room.

I try to kept to my budget - (I don't always.... ) but I do try.... I try to budget my souveniors to something that is fairly inexpensive - a couple of pins or a golf shirt (but only if it is on sale and marked down 50%) - otherwise I don't buy.

I also use the water tip - except for the milk shakes at Beaches and Cream - I also love the Cherry Coke here.

 

[KNWVIKING]

We don't plan or budget anything, we just make the ressies and go. We do three DVC trips a year. We drive down, spend about $120.00 bucks on gas for the whole trip. We have AP's so figure $250.00 total park media each trip. We do a "backstage" tour each trip now, average about $110.00 with discounts. We always do Spoodles, Teppanyaki and at least one new restaurant each trip. We normally don't do a breakfast, mostly counter services lunches. Probably $300.00 for food. For the most part our drinking days are behind us- big savings. Souveniors (sp), maybe $100.00 on a couple nice pieces of clothing. So we're around $800.00 per trip.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
We don't plan or budget anything, we just make the ressies and go. We do three DVC trips a year. We drive down, spend about $120.00 bucks on gas for the whole trip. We have AP's so figure $250.00 total park media each trip. We do a "backstage" tour each trip now, average about $110.00 with discounts. We always do Spoodles, Teppanyaki and at least one new restaurant each trip. We normally don't do a breakfast, mostly counter services lunches. Probably $300.00 for food. For the most part our drinking days are behind us- big savings. Souveniors (sp), maybe $100.00 on a couple nice pieces of clothing. So we're around $800.00 per trip.

$800 per trip
Where can you get Ap's for $250 for a family, or $110 for tours? For that matter, I must be going to the wrong gas stations, as $120 for gas is a mystery. $300 for food? How long of a trip are you taking?

Don't get me wrong, I am glad you can do it for this money, but I am in shock.

 

[JimC]

About $90 per person per day for us, excluding park passes, DVC and airfare. A normal stay is seven nights.

We buy APs and last year our net per person per day park pass costs were about $10 (doubt we can do that again soon). Airfare is almost always frequent flyer tickets. DVC points cost us $5.49 per point (purchase and maintenance) for 2003. We stay in one bedroom units.

We use Cartier Towncar to/from airport. While Mears shuttle is cheaper, the difference to get personal direct service in a comfortable Towncar with a great driver is a bargain in our view.

Breakfasts are in room. Lunches, afternoon snacks and dinners are out. Most lunches are counter service, although we usually do one or two sit down (50s Prime Time or Sci Fi and Rainforest at AK). All dinners are sit down. Last trip was Yachtsman Steakhouse, O'Hanas, Cape May Cafe, Brown Derby (fantasmic dinner package), Liberty Tree Tavern, Fulton's, Teppanyaki. Meals cost us about $50 per person per day, although we typically plan on $70. My wife does not drink, she prefers soda. I rarely drink, occaisionally maybe a glass of wine, but mostly I prefer water with meals. So we save quite a bit there. We also carry water with us in the parks.

Shopping and recreation (boating, miniature golf) adds about $20 per person per day. Good thing we can use the discounts available to AP holders and DVC members or that would be quite a bit more.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"$800 per trip
Where can you get Ap's for $250 for a family, or $110 for tours? For that matter, I must be going to the wrong gas stations, as $120 for gas is a mystery. $300 for food? How long of a trip are you taking? "***

We stay seven nites. We don't pay 250 for an AP, that is the weekly average- two AP's = 750, devided by 3 trips, 250.00 per trip park media. My gas expense: My van hold 32 gallons. I fill up at work for free to start the trip. I stop in NC, exit 77- paid $1.39 per gall, only took 20 gallons because that was all I needed to get to exit 1 in GA, paid $1.29. Overfill the tank,gets me to WDW, all traveling around WDW,and back to exit one again.Overfill again, take 15 gallons in NC, have just enough gas to get into work Monday morning for my free gas. The last tour we just did was Backstage Safari in AK. $65.00 reg price, 15% discount with AP or DVC, $110.00 total for DW and I. Food budget...maybe 300 is a little under....maybe 350-400 is a better estimate. I don't buy bottled water or soda in the parks. Don't run a bar tab any longer. We take advantage of some of the dinning discounts that are out there.

Just added up my gas slips from last trip: $118.24.

 

[TiggerFreak]

For our most recent 8 day visit:

Airfare from Detroit- Never more than $200 pp, if just DW and I we'll use Frequent Flyer points.
2 x 200 = 400 but this trip we used FF points, so zero$

Our last 5 stays have been in 2Bds with 8 of us, so we use the kitchen for most every breakfast, most lunches and at least 1 dinner. We try to keep food at 50 pp a day.
2 x 7 x 50 = 700


Passes, DW & I are now using the PAP every other year method and are very happy with results. This year we did 18 days at the parks with some visits to TL,BB, PI & DQ. Got the PAP last year b4 increase, 475 pp
(2 x 475)/36 = approx 26 a day pp, without figuring TL,BB,PI or DQ
16 x 26 = 416

Souviniers(sp), tours, etc.
400

700+416+400 = 1516 or 758 pp

Not too bad

Points, hmmm...... oh well

Before DVC, I used to figure between 1000 to 1300 pp for a 5 night stay at the WL.
So are we saving(?) some $ while getting a few more conveinences(sp), ie: kitchen, WD, space, . . .
We think so

 

[July]

I'm bad. I do not budget. On all vacations in the past. I buy groceries and do cook most meals. Eating out is a treat. I do like to go to a lounge and have a few drinks while on vacation. So that is probably a big expense. But I also buy a couple bottles of wine, and a bottle of Malibu Rum and pineapple juice so I can have a few drinks in the room.
As a new DVC owner I have no idea how much money I will spend on a weeks vacation at Disney. But I do know that I am not going to the parks daily. That would get old to me. So a Ap would not be for us. I'm lucky I live close so gas doesn't cost me more than 10 - 20 bucks both ways. The pools are great and don't cost anything. I'm more into relaxing.
I suppose that's why I bought at VB.


July

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

I have an excel spreadsheet for my budget. Then I know how much I need to save for the trip. My DH always tells people I work to pay for my WDW vacations.

We also track everything we spend. My DH enters everything into his palm pilot and downloads it into excel when we get home. That way we know where to increase the budget. Usually it's that trip to DTD that does in the budget.

 

[chris1gill]

This year is an exception for us, because we (for the first time) are not taking a long vacation (just four days this year) Anyways, in all previous years, we bought 2 adult AP's & 2 children's AP's & took 2 twelve night trips with them... That's roughly 650.00 for the AP's for one trip. Each trip cost 242 points (12 nights, low season BWV standard or OKW 1 bedroom) each point was ~5.50, so the villa "cost" 1331.00 We always do some 4 hours of boating & mini golf for ~200.00. The airfare is never over 800.00 & the rental car is rarely over 250.00... We buy 150.00 in groceries & only spend ~350.00 on eating out... for us eating out is a treat... We spend less than 100.00 on souveniers since we're there so frequently... Grand total is 3831... this is an absolute max, since sometimes the airfare is free from bump credit... This is for 12 nights, not too bad if I do say so myself.

 

[dbond]

We don't have a strict budget, but we do try to cut our costs a little bit so the American Express bill doesn't choke us when we get home. We try to only eat out one meal a day, we order water at meals out and buy sodas from the grocery store for our in room meals, my kids are older and have been so many times, we don't typically buy too many souveniers any more so that helps. We are a family of 5, We usually stay for 6-7 nights. Here's the breakdown of what we typically spend:

airfare: $1000-$1300 (depending on the time of year and sometimes we can cut this cost with ff miles)
groceries: $150
Park passes: $1500
rental car: $200
cash: $700
everything else on the AE: $800

That's about 4700, depending on the airfare, for a week long trip. Fortunately, we pay for the airfare and the park passes way in advance, and usually in separate months, then we deal with about half the expense in the months surrounding the trip. It makes it easier to handle without going into debt.