I have to ask...how do all these people afford...

[Beca]

DVC isn't going to make it possible for anyone to go more often. It will make it possible to go more often if you want to stay on site. But budget borders should all know by now that Values are cheaper than owning DVC, and that offsite can be cheaper yet.

DVC is a little like saying "how can you afford to put gas in your car for your long commute" and mentioning that your Audi gets great mileage.

160 DVC points will get you about three weeks in a studio if you are careful about when you travel. And cost you $720 in dues alone. That's $34 a night in dues - which IS a bargain. But there is the $18k upfront. You can buy a timeshare offsite resale (or rent a timeshare offsite - there are plenty out there) for a fraction of that and pay less in dues. Or you can stay at the campground, or you can stay at the Days Inn.

Also, it should be noted that a lot of DVCers don't claim to save any money at all. Its really easy to find yourself inviting guests for a "free" room - or planning to fit in one more trip with those APs and needing more points, or deciding that with no room bill, you'll spend a little more on dining this trip. You CAN be disciplined in your DVC usage and if you are it can be a budget helper. But a lot of members discover that they lack that discipline.

Very good points (as usual for Crisi). I think DVC works best for those who are a little more "set" in life, but still find they have to budget expenses. We paid cash for our DVC points (I think we initially financed them, but paid them off within 2-3 months). My dh got a bonus, and we decided we could drive our cars for a longer time, and bought DVC instead. That initial purchase is how we now have affordable trips. I certainly don't mean to discount the up front costs...for us, the cost was huge in terms of money, but not in terms of sacrifice.

As a result of that purchase, WDW is now one of the cheapest places we can travel. Additionally, we feel that we "have" to travel there, or we have essentially lost money. We have rented out our points once, and transferred out points to other members once to help finance our trips to other locations. However, the "having to travel to WDW" part has so far never been a burden...LOL!!!

If we were 20-somethings with student loans, trying to save for our first house, and planning children....that initial investment never would've been possible, and DVC would be a greater hardship for us than it has been.

 

[disneysteve]

a Disney vacation can end up being not SO much more expensive than another vacation.

I haven't read all 9 pages, but here's my story (and I'm sticking to it).

We take nice vacations usually 3 weeks/year and sometimes 4 weeks. We could easily spend all of that time at Disney and be quite happy doing so. It just so happens that we choose to only do Disney one of those weeks and see other places the rest of the time. For example, this year we took a 2-week trip to New Hampshire in August and will spend a week in Disney next month. There was a time years ago before DD was in school, when we did routinely do Disney 2-3 times a year. If not for school, we would still be doing that.

Disney is usually the CHEAPEST of our 3 vacations each year. Disney can be horrendously expensive but it doesn't have to be. Drive down, stay offsite, buy annual passes, eat modestly and Disney can be quite affordable. There are very few vacation destinations that offer such great budget options as the Disney area.

So don't assume/judge that because someone is going frequently that they are living beyond their means or racking up credit card debt. There are plenty of people who live below their means and make travel a priority and know how to stretch their dollars to keep their travel affordable.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I haven't read all 5 pages, but here's my story (and I'm sticking to it).

We take nice vacations usually 3 weeks/year and sometimes 4 weeks. We could easily spend all of that time at Disney and be quite happy doing so. It just so happens that we choose to only do Disney one of those weeks and see other places the rest of the time. For example, this year we took a 2-week trip to New Hampshire in August and will spend a week in Disney next month. There was a time years ago before DD was in school, when we did routinely do Disney 2-3 times a year. If not for school, we would still be doing that.

Disney is usually the CHEAPEST of our 3 vacations each year. Disney can be horrendously expensive but it doesn't have to be. Drive down, stay offsite, buy annual passes, eat modestly and Disney can be quite affordable. There are very few vacation destinations that offer such great budget options as the Disney area.

So don't assume/judge that because someone is going frequently that they are living beyond their means or racking up credit card debt. There are plenty of people who live below their means and make travel a priority and know how to stretch their dollars to keep their travel affordable.

I agree. This has been an unusual travel year for us, but we have done two Disney Cruises (one with a Poly stay), an Alaskan Cruise, and a trip to the Grand Canyon. The Disney Cruise we did last month was the cheapest, because we had a travel insurance payment from the previous cruise when DD got quarantined. The travel insurance payment covered our deposit, and Disney sent a good will voucher. Cheap trip. Spending money came from the Simon Visa cards that I got from My Coke Rewards, as well as a Visa gift card I got for my birthday. We didn't book any excursions - just relaxed and hung out.

The first Disney cruise was a family reunion, and DMIL and DFIL paid for a large portion of it as last year's Christmas present. Another cheap trip. Having DD quarantined (with me watching over her) kept the spending down, unfortunately!

The other two trips this year were the budget busters, but they were planned and paid for in advance. No credit card debt, and no dipping into emergency savings (just used our vacation "savings" account). We put those trips into the budget for this year when we were planning last year. We decided that this would be a big travel year, and we will go back to our usual one big trip per year starting next year. Arizona was more expensive than WDW for lodging and food, plus we paid every day to do things (museums, zoos, etc.). Great trip, but pricey!

Next year, we are spending spring break at Coronado Springs (couldn't see paying $400 for Poly this year - it was $275 when we went in January). We have five days left on our seven day tickets from January (since we were recovering from the cruise illness), so that cost is paid for. I have $200 in gift cards from Sunshine Rewards and plan to have another $200 by the time of the trip. I also have Disney Visa points, so I am hoping to cover all food costs with points and gift cards. We are only doing a few table service meals. We are driving unless we find an amazing airfare. The first night's deposit is already paid, so I will have spent about $1000 out of 2008's vacation budget for the trip.

We have friends going in February for a week who have rented a house for $700 and are splitting the cost with another family. Some other friends are going and staying at the Caribe Royale (I think that is the name).

Tickets are the big fixed cost, but many of use buy tickets to use on more than one trip or the really lucky ones buy annual passes (I'm still trying to convince DH to do that!). The benefit is that your entertainment costs for the day are taken care of - no additional charges for shows and rides. Lodging costs and food costs are all over the place - it just depends what you want to spend money on.

As disneysteve said, travel is a priority for some people. I'd rather travel than buy designer clothes or pay someone to clean my house. It's all about choices. But there are plenty of ways to go to WDW and not spend a fortune.

Happy planning!

 

[Tarheel Tink]

DINKS- married 27 years, no mortgage or car payments, DVC, APs, DDE and close enough to drive if we wish (12 hours).
We usually go twice a year; a week in May and a week in December. I tell my co-workers that I'm going home to the mother-ship to recharge!
Like others have said, my bliss is there (at the Villas at WL). No where else on earth so far have I been happier, breathed more fully or been more relaxed; no prescription available could be better for my physical and mental health so it is totally worth the expense.
I spend quite a bit of time totalling my DVC points to see how long I could stay when I am retired at the different resorts in different size accomendations at different times of the year.

 

[patsal]

Well, we do it a few ways.


1. We own DVC so that guarantees us one long 14 day vacation per year and one small 5 day per year. AP discounts on rooms gets us one or two shorter three day weekend kind of tips during the year--usually for special events like F&W and MNSSHP or MVMCP.
2. I don't collect anything--I hate to dust and I'd rather spend the $$ on travel--DH doesn't collect anythign either
3. We only eat out once per month, somtimes not at all--I like to cook and really by the time DH gets home form work at 7pm I'm just too tired to want to go out.
4. We only order take out twice per month. We use a coupon or order the "special"--too much fast food isn't healthy anyway
5.I went back to work--once the kids were school age my staying home was no longer important to me--the extra income easily pays for the vacations
5. My kids are in MS and HS we only have a few more years to vacation as a family--I place that time in "now or never" priority, in addition without daycare scosts--well a year of daycare for us was the equivalent of one $10,000 all the bells and whistles vacation per year
6. We rarely buy a souvineer--again just more junk to dust or something I'll end up tossing out.
7. We don't live beyond our means we live below it and can afford it--I could have a $300,000 house but why would I want one? We could drive $50,000 cars but again that doesn't appeal to me. I have nice things, but nothing I have to pay for on credit (unless it is "free" credit why use my own money when I can use someone else's), and nothing that makes me need to rent storage space to house my things.

Honestly it is all about anyone's sense of priorities. If you like sports you buy tickets, if you like bowling you bowl, if you like things you make a way to do them.

 

[rparmfamily]

We lived in Fla so that really helped!!

 

[reginaastralis]

. I buy the 3-day FL tickets with all the add ons because those are really worth it! I get my room discounted most of the time, except for the time I got the DDP.

Have you looked into other options as a Florida resident? Unless you're getting an amazing deal on the three day play pass, aren't they $120?

According to the Disney website a Florida Resident Seasonal is $230, which probably wouldn't work for you if you go during the summer, since you're a teacher.

But, an annual is $350. The cost difference of $120 is what you would have to pay in parking, if you went just 12 days out of the year. It makes it roughly $30 a time you use your ticket.

They really get you with the Premium annual, and I take it that you use it for the water parks. It's $459, which is a hefty chunk of change, but still worth it if you go as often as it sounds like you do.

HTH

 

[Pez Pez]

I was reading siggy lines thinking..>WOW<

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Well, we have DVC but only go every other year. We looked at the variety of options for a family of 6, and felt it would be the best choice for our family. We considered it a long-term vacation investment, NOT a financial investment, and it works for us. We paid cash for our points.

Other people, with DVC or not, make totally different vacation decisions--many small trips, one huge trip in a smaller room, renting a house/condo off-site. One of the things we like about DVC is the flexibility-it's tough for me to imagine, right now, but the day will scome when I don't have a toddler, won't have all 4 kids with me, etc. We dream of a parents-onlly trip...but by the time it could happen, we'll probably want to take grandkids! Oh, well...

We also drive older cars, live in a house that could use some work, don't wear fancy clothes, shop at Wal-Mart, rarely eat out. Those things don't matter to me. But I want to enjoy the time with my family. I've also been a SAHM for the past 12 years.

BTW, our only debt is our mortgage. I don't understand the big concern with people having cc debt, though. I personally feel like your debt should be low enough that you can sleep at night. That number is different for different people--my mortgage doesn't bother me, several credit cards would, but people are different. If someone gets a year-end bonus, and decides to go to WDW in October and charge it, who am I to say they shouldn't? I think everyone finds the money (and time!) for the things that matter to them. This would explain why I never have time to clean!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Judy and I were both fairly high-level technical specialists with the Federal Government and had no kids.

We both believed in keeping cars until they died. I bought my first car in 1964 and am getting ready to get rid of what is now my 4th car ever with about 173,000 miles on it. In the 20 plus years from the time Judy and I met until she died she only had two cars.

Neither of were serious drinkers, so we did not hang around bars for entertainment or buy high-priced wines to enjoy with meals.

I figured, for the two or three years before we finally moved down here we were spending about 13% of on income on Disney trips and purchases. And we averaged about 30 days per year for several years in the Orlando and/or Anaheim areas.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

I don't understand the big concern with people having cc debt, though. I personally feel like your debt should be low enough that you can sleep at night. That number is different for different people--my mortgage doesn't bother me, several credit cards would, but people are different. If someone gets a year-end bonus, and decides to go to WDW in October and charge it, who am I to say they shouldn't? I think everyone finds the money (and time!) for the things that matter to them. This would explain why I never have time to clean!

I SO agree with these statements (especially the cleaning part ). DH and I did charge our vacations back when we were broke and we have NO regrets. People have different comfort levels with debt. What seems extravagent to me may seem miserly to somebody else, and vice versa. I'm happy we're able to pay our way with cash now, but we were never in "over our heads" debt-wise. We would rather have fun on credit than be virtuous and stay home.

 

[dhlovesbelle]

I'm with those who say it's about priorities. We are currently saving up to go in Jan of 09 and we realized there is nothing else we would want to do with this money (should do...well that's a different story ). You know, with what we will spend on this trip I could get new hardwood floors installed that I've been bugging my DH about for years. But, as others have said, my kids will only be little for so long and then I will have 40-50 years to enjoy my floors after they are on their own. So not going, not really an option anymore. I don't even think about new floors anymore. It's all Disney, all day

 

[canwegosoon]

The neighbors are getting new furniture- and we go to WDW 2 times per year.
We own 4 homes, and friends live in huge 3200+ homes(mine is 1200). My kids share and don't require too much. They pick music lessons over movies, chess club over playing xbox, scouts over sleeping in, and skiing and soccer too. They play baseball on the community level(and it is more expensive)....but we make it work. Money buys choices---and my sofa is 15 years old; I make costumes, and look for every sale and discount under the sun. There will be time when they are big(and off to college) to concentrate on other things.

 

[azgal81]

It's all about priorities I believe anyone can afford to go to disney multiple times a year if they want to. Could I go to disney multiple times a year probably but I would rather visit other places as well. Disney can be really affordable if you want it to be as well.

 

[Pakey]

DH and I have very good incomes, no debt, live way below our means, paid cash for our 3 DVC contracts. Vacations have been a priority for us, right underneath the top priority of retirement savings. I'm very happy living in my modest home, driving my older car because the offset for me is 2 really great vacations each year, one of which is always including our 3 grown kids and their families. They cannot afford to vacation this way but we can so we take them and I love having the time to spend with them. This year we took them all to Hawaii so only DH and I are going to WDW. Next year, DH and I are going to France so we'll take the family to WDW. We'll eat at all the signature restuarants, do the extras like spa treatments, parasailing, etc. And when DH and I are too old to travel, we'll give each of the 3 boys one DVC contract so that they can continue to love WDW the way I do.

I was diagnosed with cancer 10 months ago and I, like everyone else battling this, certainly hope to be a survivor. But if I don't, I will still be glad that I had these years and took the time to vacation with my kids and now with their families. And if I live to be 100, I will never regret the money spent.

For those people who vacation on credit cards or get a loan to purchase DVC, I see nothing wrong with that. We all need something in life to look forward to, to make us feel good about getting up every day, and if that's a great vacation each year (whether it be a budget vacation or an all-out vacation), that's wonderful.

 

[kimsuenew]

I worked two part-time jobs (while attending college full-time) and saved every penny I earned to afford our 2007 (dream/very first) WDW trip. My husband works full-time but that job "meets the bills" only, it cannot pay for big vacations. We are "bouncing back" so I am back (still working the two jobs and going to college) and saving to pay the 2008 trip off. We could not do it more than one time yearly and actually will not do it after our 2008 trip (for some time at least). We were blessed with the free DDP in 2007/2008 and that helped make it somewhat affordable! Other than these splurges we live pretty frugally, our cars are 1993 (180k miles) and 1997 (125k miles) models, I clip coupons, shop discount and sales, only buy off the clearance racks at Kohls and Macy's for clothing, eat at home most of the time, and rent DVD's versus going to the theater. My college is a hardship, but will be worth it in the end! We figured that, as our son was 16 for the 2007 trip, will be 17 and a senior for the 2008 trip, we better just go for it because he will soon be in college. He had wanted to go to WDW since he was little, and believe me every hour I worked was worth watching his expression as he boarded, and exited, the Aerosmith R-N-R roller coaster! He had never rode a coaster before. We had wonderful family time at WDW, and that is priceless!

 

[Frankiesmom]

I really think this is an awful thread....it really isn't any of our business how any of us afford our WDW vacations. Is it? And 10 pages? unbelievable.

 

[fakereadhed]

I really think this is an awful thread....it really isn't any of our business how any of us afford our WDW vacations. Is it? And 10 pages? unbelievable.

Definitely budget board related IMO. Why is it awful?

 

[BethR]

I really think this is an awful thread....it really isn't any of our business how any of us afford our WDW vacations. Is it? And 10 pages? unbelievable.

I don't really think that the OP was asking something about our private information. I think that she was simply asking "How do you afford your Disney vacations - because I would like to know if I can do it too." IMO, the OP just wants to know if there is something that she can tweak in her budget to make multiple trips to Disney work for her family.

Not nosy at all - at least not IMO.

OP, am I close?

 

[stefffe]

i dont think its awful at all.... in fact im glad someone asked the question...

its nice to see how folks do what it takes to get to WDW. we worked hard to get there in august.... and purchased AP's so we COULD go back again in the calander year. and it looks like we will pull it off in january....hopefully some great AP codes will come out and make it even cheaper.

we will be staying at Pop again (the disney housing project ) and we couldnt be happier. and will more than likely do it again in june...but for a longer stay.

we just save and save. i put my budget in writing and i stick to it!!! i put back what i need every month in order to pay for our trips. its hard....i would love to have the fancy car or the fancy curtains or even brand new furniture..... but to me family time is way more important...so we work for vacations instead...