Income and Resort Type

[hmp2z]

Hi! We are DINKs, we rent so don't have the commitment of a mortgage, and we have 2 main priorities with our disposable income: saving in a money market account for later purchases like cars or a house, and vacationing. We only do one big vacation each year, so we can afford to do WDW nicely - concierge, deluxe hotels, etc. We like getting bargains if we can find them, but if we can't, we will still pay the money to stay at the GF, b/c to us it's just not a WDW vacation if we're not at the GF. I think it's more where your priorities are. If we wanted to go out to eat 5 times a week at home, we probably couldn't do as nice a vacation, but we are pretty good about saving for the things that are important to us.
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[brando5111]

I always look at the deluxes and think - yes, next time, but we always end up at a moderate - the value just works for us. We can get a great room in a wonderful themed resort setting for $74-100 per night! Yes, it would be nice to be in a deluxe, but after my sister stayed at the BWI and we visited, we were surprised at how much more we liked our resort (POR-Mansions) compared. BWI is beautiful and the rooms nice, but for the $ - we felt as though we had just as much "luxury" for $150.00 less per night. I guess I'm cheap! But I would much prefer to spend this money at great places to dine or shop throughout the world. We also really enjoy having a large food court to visit and fill up our cups - it seems to be a great "home base" to just sit and have a coffee and relax for a while (think POR food court), the deluxes don't seem to have that same kind of ambience. I prefer visiting a deluxe for a pre-dinner drink in one of their lovely bars or lounges - this way we get to enjoy the resort and not pay the premium for it! : )

We are a "casual" family so the mods really work for us! They have an upscale feeling, yet retain a more "laid back" atmosphere.

 

[Kathy5]

I'd like to thank everyone who's taken the time to answer this post. My head started swimming with this question about four years ago. We had stayed at the Beach Club during Christmas, which means that we paid rack rates, and I kept thinking, "This is nice, but it's only a room. Is any standard room really worth $365 a night?" We had a great time, but this question kept nagging at me. Since then, we've returned to Disney and stayed at deluxes, but with codes. And then, this year, when the codes didn't come, I decided that the Swan would be the way to go. Although my husband and I are well off financially now (I'm 45), we started life poor, and I still have a hang up with over spending. It's been great getting to read the opinions of others and how they handle finances and their trips to Disney. Obviously, everyone is unique and has their own special way of vacationing.

 

[skiwee1]

I think income plays a huge part in the resort we chose. Fortunately we can go deluxe 3 times a year and love it. We do not have to save to do this as DH, luckily for me, makes great money. I guess it also depends on how much time you spend at the resort although when we stayed at the moderates we didn't spend much time there. When we went up to the deluxes we ended up spending more time at the resort then the parks! Once you go to the deluxes you seem to enjoy all it has to offer as opposed to the mods and values which don't offer as much. When we stayed at the CBR we too only slept in the room. There wasn't anything else to do there. No nice views, no good restaurant, no beautiful lobby to relax in, and no spacious room. Going to the deluxes offers all that and more. As long as we can afford the deluxes that is where we will stay. No if my only way to afford WDW was to stay in the Allstars then that is where we would be!

 

[Disney-Kim]

We are DINK's too. We do have a mortgage but we make vacations a top priority. We scrimp on other things to be able to take 2 big vacations a year. We have been to WDW for the last 5 years in a row and have stayed at mods and deluxes.
we splurged last year for our honeymoon and stayed at the Polynesian concierge.
I honestly have to say that I think the moderate rooms are just as great as the deluxe rooms but ..... the reason I like to splurge on the deluxes is LOCATION !!
I agree that it is all a matter of priorities. Some of our friends/family think we are nuts for always going to WDW.

 

[ksmom]

We can only afford to go to Disney once every few years. We have two daughters in college and now I'm am going for a masters so a lot of tuition bills. We also have lots of money invested in car insurance due to 2 teenage daughters and a few wrecks. We have always stayed off site until a few years ago when the oldest graduated from high school and we splurged on the BC and a cruise. Spoiled me forever. I loved going to the pool in the afternoon to relax. Now we're saving for our 25th anniversay which will be in 2 years. Would I feel just as contented if we stayed at the Swan? (teacher rates and military rates apply to our family) Also our oldest is in the air force so we could stay at SoG when it reopens. Would this be enough of a Disney feel and relaxing environment for us? Would like some imput as these boards are my survival for the next 2 years.

 

[jbthi]

My husband and I are now retired and we bought into DVC. Now we stay mainly at BWV and BCV in a studio and then in a 2 BR when our GC come. We have visited DW every year since the 2nd year it was open. We had 2 children and we stayed where ever we could afford. We splurged and stayed at the Poly 1 year and have even stayed off site at the Days Inn.

Most important we have taken our vacation every year. My husband was off work 2 1/2 years with 2 back surgeries, wearing a back brace. We borrowed the money from the credit union and took a vacation.

Our children will always remember these. They won't remember the new carpet, the new furniture, the expensive car, etc.

June

 

[jiminyfan]

it is not the only thing that comes in to play for us. We have done the Deluxe reosrts including full inclusive packages, did the moderates. Now we are doing the All-Stars and value resorts. WHY?
We usually do not spend a lot of time at the resort with an active 4 year old son - we spend most time at the parks. Secondly, we can now extend our vacation to 10-14 days easily and still not spend as much as we would for 7-8 days at a deluxe. Plus my son loves the AS resorts. Only AKL is where he'd like to stay if he could over them. He asked to stay at Puppies this next trip.

We have a Come Back Offer of $45.71 a night for All-Stars Movies compared to $189 and change a night offered at AKL. We are going for 15 nights ($685.65 total for the room). This would have gotten 3.6 nights at AKL. Just makes sense.

Two trips ago we used the money we saved on the room to go to V&A and do the Chef's Table. We spent almost as much on one meal as we did the room for the entire stay. I'd rather splurge on gifts for the family and food fo rme, that for a deluxe room.

Just one persons take on the resorts.

 

[Real Loser]

The first time we went and stayed on property we were at the Poly for five days($247/night) followed by a trip on the Wonder. We had a blast. The day after we returned home I booked again for nine months later. I booked what was then Dixie Landings( rack rate of 128?) for ten days. I was a nervous wreck. I convinced myself that my husband and six year old would hate it. But, geez, it was what we could afford for a second trip in one year. I was so wrong to worry. My husband loved Dixie Landings. He had a hard time believing that our accomodations there cost half of what the Poly cost. We have taken two more trips since. We were at the Swan for nine days. Government rate of $129. Location, location, location! This past January we were at Coronado for nine days. AP rate of $74/night! One-third the cost of what we originally paid at the Poly and we loved it. So we keep getting cheaper and our income keeps going up! I think the moderates are a terrific value. The rooms are bigger at the deluxes, but other than that I do not see much difference. The pools for the kids are better at the moderates and so are the food courts!

If my husband and I were traveling alone, I might try concierge in a Deluxe just to check it out for myself. Maybe.

 

[luvaladdin]

We almost always stay at one of the All Star resorts, but have once stayed at POR-R. I loved the grounds and pool and the whole atmosphere of the moderate resort, my DH was less than impressed. My kids like the value resorts just as much. But as one person already stated, the reason I'd like to stay at a deluxe is location. Even with young children, we spend a lot of time at Epcot, and I'd love to be steps away from it at the Beach or Yacht Club. And the atmosphere of the boardwalk at night is nice.

The reason we don't is that I can't justify the cost, even if we have the money. I like to take more than one out-of-state vacation a year, rather than just one big vacation. In April we went to Washington, DC for four days and I just came back from Universal Orlando for a 5 day trip. Now I'm planning to a trip to Disney in October for a week staying at the All Star Sports resort.

 

[Reflection]

Income and vacation style are two factors for me.

Vacations are important for my family and I budget for them. I am fortunate that my income allows me to afford deluxe accomodations--and that I get three weeks of paid vacation--but I always look for the best bargain--I'm one of those if it is not on sale I don't buy it and sale means 40% or more off the regular price--I can obtain and I set aside money each month in a special vacation account. The amount saved is based on where we plan to vacation that year. I'm floored that some folks pay rack rate for WDW accomodations. For longer stays (for August 2002 trip, we were in Orlando for 3 weeks), I will do a combination of of onsite and offsite accomodations.

As for vacation style, the level of accomodation is important to me because the hotel is not just a place to sleep and shower for my family. We spend time at the hotel, so a room with space and extra ammenities is important, although it is just my daugther and I when we travel. Also, I prefer the variety in dining choices available at WDW deluxe resorts. Type of accomodation is also important, I like a separate living room (area) from the bedroom so that I don't have to go to bed when my daughter does.


WDW was not in our vacation plans this year--we were headed for the beach this August and in early Fall to Europe (leisure travel combined with business). When my daughter said, "we're not going to Florida this summer?!", the FTP package came out and we're on our way, staying for 2 nights at Universal before heading to WDW.

Ultimately, vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing, and should be about what one likes, one's personal style and what one can afford financially and mentally. Don't get caught up in 'keeping up with the Joneses.' After all, even if you can afford rack rate for the most expensive room at the Yacht Club, but you spend a lot of time doing the 'maybe I should not be spending this much money cha-cha-cha' it seems to me you're not going to have much fun.

 

[theterms]

I am the sole breadwinner right now - my dh is a student, & substitute teaching when he can, so it's basically what we save from my income plus our lovely tax refund which dictates our resort. Until...

I discovered the DVC rent/trade board on this site! I got the BEST Disney deal this year ever. We're staying at the BWV - which, if I booked through WDW would have cost 3x what I paid to rent the points! I love to brag about it to everyone I know! This year, though, is the shortest trip to Florida. We usually do 8-11 days in WDW, a couple days in USF, and 3 days relaxing in Cocoa Beach. But, since we are buying our house this year, it's 5 days WDW/3 days USF, then back to Jersey, baby!

We usually hit WDW every 18 months - 2 years. Maybe now, every year?

Oh, to dream...

Traci

 

[esmerelda51]

Okay here is how it works for me:
Single in my 50's Can afford just about anywhere.
Start to plan trip. This will be the year I splurge!!! Yeah right
Book lagoon view Poly
Back this up with Swan can get Gov rate.
Read Mary's post about Hotel Royal Plaza Can get executive suite there for good price. Book that Cancel Swan Cancel Poly.
Mother wants to come too. thats fine Still at Royal Plaza.
Great rate comes out for Best Western Lbv.
Book 2 rooms Best Western lbv for less than the suite at the Royal Plaza.
Cancel Royal Plaza
That's where it stands now. Who knows what will happen between now and Sept. LOL
I guess I start this too early and give myself too long to keep changing my mind.

 

[vhoffman]

Between my husband and me we bring in about 200k per year. I realize that doesn't impress in this day and age, but its good money. We could afford the GF concierge. Last trip we stayed at the Polynesian. It was a great trip and I loved every minute of it. However, this time we're staying at the Marriott Courtyard DTD for the $20.03 rate. Why? because I love a bargain. Also, I would never pay $300 a night for a room again. Expecially when you consider that you're hardly there. For me the magic will be the bill. We'll pay about the same for 7 nights as we did for one night at the Polynesian. As for the magic, well, I saved some Mickey soap and shampoo I'll put in the bathroom. Just because we have it doesn't mean we want to waste it (money, that is)

 

[Momof2boys]

My decision on where we stay is based more on what type of trip we are taking. We are going in November for 4 days. We are staying at All Stars because we don't plan on spending a lot of time in the room. The weather, hopefully, will be nice and without the heat we can last longer at the parks. Also, it doesn't hurt that my two small boys are Buzz freaks and will love it. However, we are going in June 2004 for 10 days and staying at the Contemporary. This will be more of a relaxing vacation and with the heat we know we will be spending more time at the resort. I like the idea of being on the monerail for afternoon breaks. So basically, we could afford a Deluxe on all our trips since my hubby makes a good salary, but I don't want to spend the $$$ on the hotel on every trip.

 

[schumacher]

I agree with most folks here in that its not as much a question of income as what "you" can truly afford. Both my DW and myself work and bring home very good money. We have stayed at moderates, DTD hotels and the WL (for our last two trips). I personally don't see the point of paying for pretty views or concierge, but I certainly understand the folks that choose to do so. With two active kids we are not in the room enough to justify the big bucks for the "extras".
It is amazing to me in this day and age with layoffs and cutbacks that folks will go out and buy new cars and large purchases without knowing whether they will be employed in the next few months. Maybe I'm too conservative.
We sacrifice a lot so that we can take trips and buy things to be comfortable, mainly for the kids. They grow up so darn fast that I feel these are the years that you need to remember.
Does it depend on income? Certainly, but we don't try to "keep up with the joneses" so there is a bit more there to spend.

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[wdwfan]

My husband and I stay at the deluxes because we are at the resort a good amount of time. We do the usual touring of the parks in the morning then come back for our swim and rest for the children. The deluxes are just so much closer to the "action" that we're right back in there again when we choose to be. I do appreciate the beauty of the resorts. After we put our kids to bed, my husband and I really can't watch tv because it'll disturb our children, so we love having a balcony with a beautiful view to sit out on and recapture the magic of the day. It's a nice way to unwind. My husband and I both work. We have a big, lovely home in a beautiful neighborhood. However, we take one vacation every year. So for us it is "worth" (so hard to put a dollar amount on enjoyment) the extra cost.

 

[Kimberle]

No, not at all. My dh & I are fortunate to be comfortable w/ only a mortgage for debt.

When we stayed at CR 2 yrs ago, it was because our dd was only 2.5. We did not want to be putting her into a hot car. We wanted the convenience of a monorail.

This trip is WL. I saw the special on the Travel channel & dh has a friend who stays there 2x per year. I knew I wanted to stay there.

When we travel we always look for a hotel with interier halls, a nice pool area, and most important, a hotel type, not spread out. Our first vacation together, we stayed at this fancy Marriot resort. We hated it! Our room was so far away from the lobby.

I'd love to try all the Disney Resorts!! I would love it if Disney would build more value/moderate resorts with the hotel "feel" rather than being so spread out.

Personally, I've notices that people with the "flashest" lifestyle are those with the smallest savings accounts......

 

[PugLover]

That is an interesting question... not only relating to vacation/WDW but life in general. First glance images are rarely what truly is.

My husband and I are both 28, married for four years. Currently we both drive vehicles that are from 1994 and 1997 that are both in perfect condition. Both vehicles are fully paid. We also rent an apartment. To most people that would say they are saving up to move ahead in life.

We could be driving a brand new vehicle every few years if we so choose. We could own a home if we so choose. Acutally, we have more saved for a purchase of a home than what most peoples homes are worth in our area.

Our reasonings.... we are 90% sure the area where we live will not be the area where we will stay forever. To purchase a home just to have one is a horrid financial decision, especially with the market and trying to sell it in a year or two when we do relocate. When we do relocate we have enough of a cushion that either DH or I will not have to work/worry about income for at least 1.5 years if gaining employment is difficult. You can't beat that sort of security with a stick.

I have no problem driving older vehicles and I certainly enjoy not having a car payment. As long as we only invest routine maintenance in the vehicles they are worth their weight in gold.

We travel quite a bit each year. The majority of our family/friends llive elsewhere so we do a lot of visiting, plus we take a few trips that are just us. We enjoy traveling "well" so to speak however at the end of the day our priorities lie in saving for our future.

We will stay at the CBR for 8 days in Sept. (first time at WDW) and we are pleased with our choice. In the next 8 months we have two resort style vacation planned (one being WDW), one visiting trip planned, a cruise with friends and a trip overseas. Would staying in a deluxe change all that? Nope, sure wouldnt however it would change the amount we deposit into our future (home savings and the like).

Two friends of ours just built a modest size home (around 2800 sq. feet) and when we were out to dinner with them a few nights ago they started talking about how "if you guys just saved a bit more you could afford a mortgage". A polite smile was all they got out of me. The truth of the matter is we could have purchased the home they just built in cash and had some leftover, it is just not the time for us right now.

Bottom line.. what you see isnt always what you get. People spend/save money for different reasons.

Interesting topic!

 

[thessaly]

I'm in a very similar situation to the poster above.

I've been through a lot of financial ups and downs in my life, including a scary eight months where my significant other was unemployed after 9/11.

Now that things are looking up again for us, I'm still kind of scarred from all that. I really would have liked to stay concierge (or even just Deluxe savannah) AKL, and we could have afforded it, but I would have felt so apprehensive paying $250-$350/night for a hotel room, even at discount.

I think around $150-$160 is my absolute upper limit before it starts feeling really dumb.

If it was a special occasion (for instance, if we got married and were on honeymoon), I think I could probably get over feeling that way.

However, have a lot of respect for people who save all year for their trips and then go deluxe all the way. Disney is a pretty casual thing for me (we live 3hrs away), but I can definitely understand wanting to really splurge on your big Disney trip.