It's only $300 a day! That's cheap for a vacation..

[Gumbo4x4]

My parents felt like Disney was so expensive and I think their total was going to be just over $2000 for room and tickets. (This is before I bought DVC and this was during free dining!!). But anyways they didn't end up going because that was just so much money Even though a trip to the beach in an old room in July is almost $300 a night. Which they gladly pay, then food cost is off the charts, any activity seems to be at least $100. They go to the beach for a week and spend 3k. Yet, they can't wrap their heads around room,food and activities for 2k for a week.

Our beach trips have been WAY cheaper than a trip to Disney.

Travel: Same
Room: more expensive on the beach
Food: we cook in the room on the beach, will only be able to do this part of the time at Disney
Activities: beach free, Disney tickets not free

Basically the more expensive room at the beach is easily offset by the more expensive food at Disney. Per day cost of both trips would be very similar if not for the park tickets and the parking fees which will obviously make the Disney trip much pricier overall.

 

[mrodgers]

My parents felt like Disney was so expensive and I think their total was going to be just over $2000 for room and tickets. (This is before I bought DVC and this was during free dining!!). But anyways they didn't end up going because that was just so much money Even though a trip to the beach in an old room in July is almost $300 a night. Which they gladly pay, then food cost is off the charts, any activity seems to be at least $100. They go to the beach for a week and spend 3k. Yet, they can't wrap their heads around room,food and activities for 2k for a week.

Anyways bought DVC and took them to stay in a 2 bedroom for a week. THEY LOVED IT and wanted to go back but still thought it was too expensive. All they bought was food and gifts. I took care of the rest and still it was too expensive. I guess some people are just so set in thinking that Disney is too expensive no matter what. They then took a trip to the beach a few months later in August. But they want to go to Disney again this year. I really think its because Disney shows you the price up front instead of the nickle and dime approach like a beach trip.

Sitting and relaxing on the beach is our ideal vacation, agreed on with us adulrs as well as the kids.

Obviously 19 hours to Disney would be more than 12-14 hours to Myrtle Beach (our prefered beach.)

The dining plan in Disney for 6 days was 3 times our normal grocery budget (about $650 I think it was.) Myrtle, we ate fresh seafood nightly at local owned restaurants and it cost about $40 a meal (youngest still eating frpm kid menu.) That would be about the normal grocery budget at hpme for the week. Beach wins at about 1/3 cost.

Room and entertainment needs to be combined because of the Disney package. Disney total was $2170 minus the $650 dining, so $1520 for a closet sized room and park tickets. Myrtle we had a 2 room suite, bedroom and livingroom separated by a kitchen with balcony overlooking the beach for $625. Spent the week in the ocean/ on the beach, so no money out for entertainment. We did spend 1 evening playing minigolf, I think that was less than $40. Beach wins/ there by a lot.

I still haven't added in the $100 for a room on the ride to Disney (drove straight through on the way home.)

Total, I think we spent less than $1400 for Myrtle and Disney total was over $2700. A $1300 difference is quite significant.

 

[Soarin_04]

The hubs, the two boys and I just spent a weekend in Baltimore Inner Harbor. We thought we'd do a spur of the moment trip and make the 2.5 hr. drive, take in the sights and have a few good meals. Now, we're talkin' a Friday, Saturday, and just breakfast on Sunday. We knew we'd pay out the nose for the hotel but we used to love the Hyatt Harborplace.

$1115.92.

No frills. Just meals and hotel, walking around the Harbor, Little Italy and Fells Point. That, to me, seems like a whole lot of money for a whole lil' bit o' nothin', compared to what I can do with that at Disney.

Disney's way more do-able when you consider all your options, pin codes, AAA discounts, etc.

 

[dsneygirl]

My husband and I talk about this all of the time. Some people think that it is so outrageously expensive but we don't agree. We love it and think it's a good value. I just checked on a hotel room at Myrtle Beach and it would cost more there than staying at POP! I would rather drive to Disney any day (or fly if we are lucky)!!

Agree. I find so many places around here nickel and dime you for every cent. We were at Niagara Falls last week and parking was $10/night! Plus every restaurant on the strip has insanely inflated prices.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The hubs, the two boys and I just spent a weekend in Baltimore Inner Harbor. We thought we'd do a spur of the moment trip and make the 2.5 hr. drive, take in the sights and have a few good meals. Now, we're talkin' a Friday, Saturday, and just breakfast on Sunday. We knew we'd pay out the nose for the hotel but we used to love the Hyatt Harborplace.

$1115.92.

No frills. Just meals and hotel, walking around the Harbor, Little Italy and Fells Point. That, to me, seems like a whole lot of money for a whole lil' bit o' nothin', compared to what I can do with that at Disney.

Disney's way more do-able when you consider all your options, pin codes, AAA discounts, etc.

Which just goes to show it's all relative. Is Disney cheaper than many other popular destinations - or should I say, "can it be"? Absolutely. Are there countless other options that are significantly cheaper than even the very cheapest Disney trip? Yup. There's that, too

 

[Marionnette]

Which just goes to show it's all relative. Is Disney cheaper than many other popular destinations - or should I say, "can it be"? Absolutely. Are there countless other options that are significantly cheaper than even the very cheapest Disney trip? Yup. There's that, too

Exactly!

I could hike to a national park, pitch a tent, forage for food and spend practically nothing for my vacation. Compared to that, Disney would be a huge expense!

Or I can compare flying to Barcelona, boarding a cruise ship and doing an 11-night cruise of the western Mediterranean before disembarking in Civitavecchia for an additional two nights in Rome with driving to Orlando, staying for two weeks in a vacation condo, buying YES tickets and packing lunches to bring into the parks while we eat breakfast and dinner at the condo. And the Disney trip would come out way cheaper.

It's all a matter of perspective. For a family (like mine) that takes a cruise or destination vacation every year, Disney is not expensive. For a family (like my sister's) that either stays home or visits family for vacation, Disney is outrageously expensive.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Sorry, Disney is expensive (to me).

There are a lot of place that we can go for cheaper than Disney. Lots of places have free museums, beaches, hiking etc. for your daily activities and many have cheaper dining options nearby. Of course if you are comparing it to a trip to Europe or something then yes, Disney is less expensive.

But we love Disney, so it is something we save up for but don't do as often as we'd like (especially for WDW since we have to fly there and it costs a fortune). We haven't been to WDW since 2008, and I can't wait to get back, but seeing the price is making me sweat a little. We looked at our budget and found that we have enough money to not bring in our lunches like I thought we would, but still I am going to have a hard time letting go of my money each meal

 

[crisi]

Exactly!

I could hike to a national park, pitch a tent, forage for food and spend practically nothing for my vacation. Compared to that, Disney would be a huge expense!

Or I can compare flying to Barcelona, boarding a cruise ship and doing an 11-night cruise of the western Mediterranean before disembarking in Civitavecchia for an additional two nights in Rome with driving to Orlando, staying for two weeks in a vacation condo, buying YES tickets and packing lunches to bring into the parks while we eat breakfast and dinner at the condo. And the Disney trip would come out way cheaper.

It's all a matter of perspective. For a family (like mine) that takes a cruise or destination vacation every year, Disney is not expensive. For a family (like my sister's) that either stays home or visits family for vacation, Disney is outrageously expensive.

Absolutely. Disney is a "good value" - but that doesn't mean its cheap compared to countless other truly inexpensive options - like camping, visiting family, or even having a 'staycation.' On the other hand, its a bargain compared to a summer rental of a private yacht and its crew so you can cruise the Greek Islands.

 

[tms295psu]

2 years ago we took our Daughter to Disney for 2 days... and spend less than $1000 (including airfare)!!! But we also stayed with family in the orlando area...

So for US... Disney is a cheap vacation. (we spend nearly $1000 at the Jersey/MD shore points on a 3 day weekend)

This years budget (2 adults, 4 yr, 1 yr old) $2000

$600 on airfare
$250 on rental car (need a ride the the "family's" house this trip, & cheaper than town car service)
$300 per day theme park admission (1 day Disney, 1 day Seaworld)
$75 per day eating out
Plus your typical gas, parking, snacks, etc.

 

[eliza61]

Absolutely. Disney is a "good value" - but that doesn't mean its cheap compared to countless other truly inexpensive options - like camping, visiting family, or even having a 'staycation.' On the other hand, its a bargain compared to a summer rental of a private yacht and its crew so you can cruise the Greek Islands.

And it also depends on the individual. See for me disney is starting to lose it's "value" which is why I've cut back from going annually.

Before the hike in gas prices I was traveling to Europe for the same amount I spent at disney and the food was better, the hotels were better couple that with the cutbacks disney has had in entertainment (fantasmic showings and live performers) and menu dumbing down and the increase in the cost of the dining plan and buffets is making the world less of a value. (just my opinion folks)

Now with cruise lines offering all kinds of great cruises on fabulous ships, disney has become sort of a fall back for us. It's cheap because we have our dvc but that's it.

 

[photojunkie]

Here is perhaps a different perspectative. I would say that we could do Europe for less than WDW.

My husband and I do a trip to Europe every few years (so far its been without the kids, they are now getting old enough to "hang with us a day without naps ". I am choking over the $$ for our upcoming WDW vacation. When we do our trips abroad, we stay in prime locations but in smaller B&B with $125 being on the high end of our nightly expense. We do two of our meals inexpensive (pastries at the hotel and lunch by street vendors) nice sit down dinners.

In summary our 2 weeks trip through Italy in '09 (in the Spring - low season)ran us 6k total with food, hotels, transportation and spending $$. One week at WDW for this May (family of 4) is so far at about 4k for air, hotel and MYW tickets. No food or spending money, tips etc factored into this number so far.

Just hoping that the magic of Disney is at least 75% as good as everyone says.

I am definitely looking forward to it but the cost comparision is something that I think about at various points in the planning.

Sharon

Exactly!

I could hike to a national park, pitch a tent, forage for food and spend practically nothing for my vacation. Compared to that, Disney would be a huge expense!

Or I can compare flying to Barcelona, boarding a cruise ship and doing an 11-night cruise of the western Mediterranean before disembarking in Civitavecchia for an additional two nights in Rome with driving to Orlando, staying for two weeks in a vacation condo, buying YES tickets and packing lunches to bring into the parks while we eat breakfast and dinner at the condo. And the Disney trip would come out way cheaper.

It's all a matter of perspective. For a family (like mine) that takes a cruise or destination vacation every year, Disney is not expensive. For a family (like my sister's) that either stays home or visits family for vacation, Disney is outrageously expensive.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Absolutely. Disney is a "good value" - but that doesn't mean its cheap compared to countless other truly inexpensive options - like camping, visiting family, or even having a 'staycation.' On the other hand, its a bargain compared to a summer rental of a private yacht and its crew so you can cruise the Greek Islands.

Even camping is something that is relative. When we go on vacation, we get 21-24 MPG in our SUV. When my sister & brother-in-law go, they get 8 MPG towing their camper. If each of our families is traveling 500 miles a day, we are spending less than $200 for gas & a hotel room combined, while they're spending $250 just for gas, plus another $30-50 for a campsite. That's not even factoring in the cost of purchasing & maintaining the camper, nor a truck large enough to tow it (which they'd own anyway).

OTOH, when they were younger & camping meant tossing a tent into the trunk of their 4-cylinder car & sleeping in free National Forest primitive campsites, it was a cheap way to go.

 

[crisi]

Even camping is something that is relative. When we go on vacation, we get 21-24 MPG in our SUV. When my sister & brother-in-law go, they get 8 MPG towing their camper. If each of our families is traveling 500 miles a day, we are spending less than $200 for gas & a hotel room combined, while they're spending $250 just for gas, plus another $30-50 for a campsite. That's not even factoring in the cost of purchasing & maintaining the camper, nor a truck large enough to tow it (which they'd own anyway).

OTOH, when they were younger & camping meant tossing a tent into the trunk of their 4-cylinder car & sleeping in free National Forest primitive campsites, it was a cheap way to go.

A girlfriend of mine spent last summer in Scotland for a total cost of something around $2k for two people. But it did involve a tent. They hiked the highlands and their expenses were airfare, a train ticket from the airport to where ever they hiked in and out from, and food.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We did Scotland relatively cheaply in 1998, but we spent a lot of nights in B&B's, and also several with relatives in Dundee. Almost every "activity" was free (aside from the ones who golfed). Gas for the rental van was NOT cheap though