Its all relative I guess

[floydfamily4]

I was reading a thread on another forum about how often people go to WDW and what they spend and I was blown away I was feeling guilty for the cost of our trip (around 4500 for 5 people/7days) and then I read that people spend upwards of $10k. Whew, I can't even imagine. I guess I been hanging out on the budget board too long that those numbers seem outrageous to me. Just needed to share

 

[singnring]

Your title says it all: "It's all relative"

It depends on your financial situation, what is important to you, the size of your party, etc.

For us, going more often is what counts, whether it's with just DH, myself, and DD11, or with others coming along too.

We make it happen by staying at value resorts, doing our own meals when FD isn't offered, buying APs rather than MYW tickets, driving when flying isn't as cheap, etc.

Sure, we could take 1 vacation a year and spend thousands of dollars on that trip to go all out with high-end everything, but we'd rather make 3-4 trips each year. We don't care about fancy hotels and fancy food. We want to see MICKEY!!

So yes, it's all relative! Do whatever works for your family!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I think that you would be surprised at the number of Budget Board readers and regular posters who spend that amount on their Disney trips. Too many people equate the word "budget" with "economy" or "cheap" trips. That isn't always the case. No one wants to spend more than necessary on their trip and that includes those who want to stay Deluxe CL with the DxDP!

Other factors that come into consideration:

1. Some people have no intention of making another trip to WDW and so they "do it up right" for that one and only visit.
2. Not everyone can take multiple trips during the year, especially those who are self-employed. So when they get away, they vacation for longer periods of time and are less likely to value cost-savings over convenience.
3. $10K to some people is like $5K to others. When you have a considerable income, spending that amount on a trip is not difficult to imagine.
4. Credit cards with high limits make it easy for some to finance their champagne trips and they don't care about the high balance as long as they can make their monthly minimum payment.

 

[Colleen27]

Yep, it is all relative. We've taken trips that came close to the 10K mark, either because of the length of the trip or needing two rooms or both, but no amount of budgeting will give us time to take more trips so we prefer to splurge on the time we do have. If spending less per trip and traveling more was possible, I wouldn't be spending as much on each trip!

 

[punkin]

Also depends on how big your group is. There was a poster here last week who was pricing a trip for 15 people. I thought of she could do it under $10K; that would be amazing and downright cheap.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I think that you would be surprised at the number of Budget Board readers and regular posters who spend that amount on their Disney trips. Too many people equate the word "budget" with "economy" or "cheap" trips. That isn't always the case. No one wants to spend more than necessary on their trip and that includes those who want to stay Deluxe CL with the DxDP!
[/LIST]

You are so right.

I often wonder how many people do equate "budget" with cheap on these boards. It's funny but I know that most people are on a budget but it doesn't mean that their income is small or that they are cheap.

ETA: Everyones vacation styles differ and what would be a great vacation for some would be a nightmare for others. I do know that I use to choose to not vacation as often and would put our trip on hold for a year so I didn't have to worry about every expenditure.

 

[Darcy03231]

You are so right.

I often wonder how many people do equate "budget" with cheap on these boards. It's funny but I know that most people are on a budget but it doesn't mean that their income is small or that they are cheap.

I think a lot of people equate "budget" with "cheap".

DH and I are both employed and have good incomes. We don't have any debt except for our mortgage, which will be paid off within the next 8 years. We still "budget". There are other members of our family that look at me funny when I say something isn't in the "budget". It doesn't mean we can't afford it, it means that the money hasn't been budgted for it. DH and I then have to decide if we want to divert money from somewhere else. Usually the answer is no. We have our budget and stick to it (which is why we're not in the same financial mess as other family members). I know my brother thinks we're cheap, but it doesn't bother me. We're also not in the financial mess he is right now either.

 

[cheap traveler]

I was reading a thread on another forum about how often people go to WDW and what they spend and I was blown away I was feeling guilty for the cost of our trip (around 4500 for 5 people/7days) and then I read that people spend upwards of $10k. Whew, I can't even imagine. I guess I been hanging out on the budget board too long that those numbers seem outrageous to me. Just needed to share

I have to say I agree. Everyone I talk to is always SHOCKED when I tell them my trip costs under $2000. Some people like the better hotels etc., some people like longer trips, some people have bigger families, yada yada. I think in addition to these people, there are many people who just have the idea in their heads that Disney is expensive. These people, when they finally decide they are going to go, get someone to plan their trip, and have less control over the costs.

All I can say is I am so happy Disney has options for all of us, and I can scrimp and save my $2000 every year and have a blast!!

 

[Kay1]

We prefer quantity to quality when it comes to all our trips, so off site hotels Value resorts, some cooking are all parts of our routine. The trips in my sig are only there to get me through the gloomy months of January and February - we take quite a few trips.

If we spent 10 thousand on a trip, that would be it for us for the year.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

We go twice a year and stay in deluxes. To us, the convenience is worth the cost (we LOVE the Epcot area hotels and the Poly!!). However, we are usually able to travel during low season and have always had a code for 40%. I realize it would be that much cheaper if we took the 40% off a value, but I love walking over to Epcot or hopping on the monorail to head to MK.

I did pay rack for the kids' first trip because our dates were set, and we didn't get a code. It was about $5,000 for four adults, one child, one "infant" (he was a week shy of three) for a week at the Poly. I would pay that now if it were the only way, but I much prefer to get by at about half that.

 

[Derby4me]

I have to say, I am proud to be a low maintenance kind of girl. My husband and I are visiting the world in December with our infant daughter, and our trip will be less then $1,500 including 3 airline tickets, hotel, food, rental car, and 2 annual passes. We enjoy the DVC properties when we are using our points, but find the charm in the value resorts as well. We are a "live within our means" type of family and are so grateful that we are content doing so. Needless to say, we are all blessed if we are able to make it to the magical world on a $10,000 budget or $1,000.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I have to say, I am proud to be a low maintenance kind of girl. My husband and I are visiting the world in December with our infant daughter, and our trip will be less then $1,500 including 3 airline tickets, hotel, food, rental car, and 2 annual passes. We enjoy the DVC properties when we are using our points, but find the charm in the value resorts as well. We are a "live within our means" type of family and are so grateful that we are content doing so. Needless to say, we are all blessed if we are able to make it to the magical world on a $10,000 budget or $1,000.

I think the difference lies in everyone's means. I'd imagine (at least most of) the Budget Boarders are living within their means, but BBer A's means may be $10,000 a trip, while BBer B's means allocate only $1,000. OP hit the nail on the head with the title.

 

[DISdreamin']

I think the difference lies in everyone's means. I'd imagine (at least most of) the Budget Boarders are living within their means, but BBer A's means may be $10,000 a trip, while BBer B's means allocate only $1,000. OP hit the nail on the head with the title.

I agree, I just can't picture the kind of income I'd need to have before $10K for a WDW trip seemed do-able! DH and I make reasonably good money and live in a low COL area, have a mortgage only, no other debt, and we thought $2500 including lodging at a moderate, RT airfare, table service dining plan, hoppers and mad money for 7 days for 2 adults and 2 kids was a lot to spend!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I agree, I just can't picture the kind of income I'd need to have before $10K for a WDW trip seemed do-able! DH and I make reasonably good money and live in a low COL area, have a mortgage only, no other debt, and we thought $2500 including lodging at a moderate, RT airfare, table service dining plan, hoppers and mad money for 7 days for 2 adults and 2 kids was a lot to spend!

See, and we spent that for four adults, two kids last December for eight days (split stay at SoG and YC), and I thought we were getting away with a steal. There are just so many ways for people to do Disney World, which is really great!!

 

[floydfamily4]

I hope no one takes offense to my post I was just surprised by the numbers. I was just surprised because it seemed like such a big amount. To each his own I guess. I am thankful for the money saving information we received on the Dis because I really think my twins will have a great celebration and I won't be stressed about the debt when we come home. I can't believe we leave in 17 days!

 

[DISdreamin']

See, and we spent that for four adults, two kids last December for eight days (split stay at SoG and YC), and I thought we were getting away with a steal. There are just so many ways for people to do Disney World, which is really great!!

If you mean $2500 for all that, I bow before you - that is an awesome deal!

(The other part of me is assuming, though, that is was probably on the $10K end of the spectrum - ).

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

We spent 7K on our trip and that was with free dining. We decided to stay at The Poly but that is not what made the cost so high. It costs us over 3K to fly in...that may be where some of the cost is going. We are a family of 5 and we don't have too many options as far as resorts. We stayed at the cabins last time and we loved it but we wanted to try something new. We are able to take a family vacation every other year so we save up and everything is paid off before we go. We don't charge a thing. I would love it is we could take a vacation that was about 3K but it will never be that inexpensive for us.

 

[DISdreamin']

It costs us over 3K to fly in...that may be where some of the cost is going.

I feel your pain! I was able to find airfare from NY to MCO for $110 each RT this past January, but typically we spend about $1500 to $2000 when we fly, depending on where we fly. We have relatives in eastern Idaho, but we have taken to flying into SLC to save money - it's about half the cost. I just bought tickets for our trip out west next summer for $960 including tax for four RT tix, and was really thrilled to find them that cheap!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I'm with you, OP. $10k for a vacation seems like a whole lot! Even your $4500 is a lot to me! We're fortunate to live in Florida, so our travel expense is around $75 each way, for gas and a quick stop for a fast-food lunch for the 4 of us (me, husband, 7- and 3-yr old sons). We also use either AP (when we have them) or Florida resident rates; in May we stayed at Shades of Green (husband is a reservist) and used the Salute tickets and spent around $1500 for 5 days including food. Our most expensive trip in the last 4 would probably be last year and it topped out around $2k (7 nights at CSR, free dining, had our AP's so no MYW tix to buy, MNSSHP tix, free day at Sea World). We're considering booking a short visit next month with a Florida resident deal: 4 nights at CSR, 3-day Florida resident tix, with QSDP for less than $1100. I am dying to stay at WL, but not sure I can justify an extra $400 for such a short trip!

 

[Colleen27]

I agree, I just can't picture the kind of income I'd need to have before $10K for a WDW trip seemed do-able! DH and I make reasonably good money and live in a low COL area, have a mortgage only, no other debt, and we thought $2500 including lodging at a moderate, RT airfare, table service dining plan, hoppers and mad money for 7 days for 2 adults and 2 kids was a lot to spend!

It has as much to do with your other spending as with your income, I think. We're living on a modest income, but we're also debt free, no car payments or mortgage, and live a very low-cost lifestyle in our day-to-day lives. Some years, travel is our single biggest expense, and we like it that way. A big part of the reason I budget and coupon and cook from scratch is so we can put more of our money into the fun of life and less into just keeping ourselves alive.