Kinda personal question

[Luv2trav]

I hope you don't feel offended by me asking this and please do not respond if you are not comfortable..

I am just wondering how much do you spend on you Disney Vacation each year according to your family's income? I'm trying to decide and justify the amount of money we plan to spend each year and I was wondering if there is anyone else that feels the way I feel..

My DH and I make 92K together. We have a 18month old and plan to have more children in the future. We plan to spend 5-6K on vacations each year. Some of my family and friends think that it is totally ridiculous.. I say it's a small price to pay for a wonderful family memories and for us to have something to look forward to each year...

Heck if I can convince DH to buy DVC I will and my family and friends will think I am even more ridiculous...

My child/children will only be this age once and I want to make the most of the time we do have and to me if that cost 6K then it is more than worth the price...

What do you think?

 

[becka]

Well I don't want to give exact numbers but I did the math and our average one week long trip costs us about 3.75% of our annual gross income.

If we factor in a few small trips to visit family then we probably spend about 5% of our gross income on travel.

 

[Pirate Mickey]

I think you are right on with your numbers. You and your kids will only have a few precious years together and you need to make the most of it. My DW has a phrase she uses when we justify spending a lot of money at WDW and that is she wants to "make a memory". This goes a long way in your relationship with yur kids as the get older.

Just think back in your own childhood...what really stands out in your mind with your family. Now, think about your kids and what they will remember in 10, 20, 25 years from now. Then you decide how much it's worth to you. It's like the mastercard commercial..."priceless".

 

[DavidOH]

My wife and I are in the same income bracket and we have as DS 4y/o and a DD 6 y/o. We put aside 5K for vacations each year. This usually includes on major vacation and several small trips. The years we go to Disney we tend to run a bit over.

We like paying for vacation before we go and not paying for it months after it is over.

My thought is I have earned it.

Also WDW isn't that much worse $$$ than a week at the shore or at any other resort. We spent $1,100 on a hotels at Wildwood, NJ.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: we used to average about $ 1000 per person per week (includes airfare) before we bought into dvc. once our initial buy-in is fully paid for, it will only cost us the dues for our accommodations. we could stretch that $ by buying aps and going 2-3 times during a 12 month period. we always used to be able to get great rates at the deluxes with our aps (contemporary tower @ $ 125 night, tax included); but that was about 10 or so years ago.

 

[jel0511]

We spend about 5% of our total income on vacations. We are DVC members, so that helps us got to different places each year. We have enough points for a week each year in the summer in a one bedroom, and then usually take one big vacation, and then a smaller one. The last couple of years, we've stayed primarily at WDW and this year we're breaking out and staying on St. John for a week. By buying DVC, it gives us the flexibility to enjoy WDW every year, and go to other places, without breaking the vacation budget.

 

[yasuern]

Factoring PAP, car rental, food, fun money, gifts and the cost of DVC(almost paid) and plane tickets 2x/yr 4 and 1x/yr 2 so 10 plane tixs/yr we average for 2 family vacations and 1 just me and DH(hopefully will become a yearly thing) we average $9,000/yr which if you consider is 20days/yr at WDW and includes everything it comes to $450 each day at WDW - but remember I added in all the plane fare and car rentals EVERYTHING so its not bad and in 2yrs when DVC is paid in full it will be like having our accommadations for free until 2042!

 

[gonga]

I'm not going to say how much we earn, but we spend approx $20,000 per year on vacations, as we take 2 vacations per year - every 6 months. It is just my husband and I, no children. I too, feel the same way we work hard - so lets enjoy it! When I plan our vacations, they always ask "Is this a special occasion?" my answer is always the same, yes, its our 2nd honeymoon. I plan every trip that way, but then again its a lot easier when you do not have children. I never feel guilty spending money on travel. I know I'm not alone - I called the GF to try to reserve the Magnolia Suite or the Roy Disney Suite, and they are booked up for months (its $1,700.00 per night!) So people are definately spending money somewhere!

 

[cd&kids]

Simple equation...Disney trip = 5-grand no matter how you slice it.

 

[patsal]

We spend about 5% of our annual income on vacations. I'm sure our families, especially MIL think we are nuts, but I simply don't care. The years I get to spend with my children are just too short, and I want to be sure we make the most of them. As far as the family thinking I'm crazy, well, that is nothing new! I want to share undisturbed by work, phone, doorbell, etc. time with my children in a place where they feel safe, happy and comfy. DVC and Disney allow me that. There is something for everyone to keep busy and entertained, we can re-group and enjoy many different experiences. DH and I work very hard and we deserve to vacation well!

 

[Tess]

It's your money, you earned it--you have the right to decide how to apportion it.

We pay the bills, save for retirement, put away for college, AND set aside our cash for our addiction--Disney. Do we get raised eyebrow looks from others at our $5,000-6,000 per year vacation costs--you betcha'. Frankly, it's none of their business--I've actually had people (those who've been to WDW and know the costs) tell me that we can't possibly be taking care of our future and the kids' education AND still going on our yearly trips. Presumptuous of them I say--my husband is a bank VP, and just because I'm a SAHM doesn't qualify me for double digit IQ--I think we know what we're doing!

You've got the right idea--your kids will be grown before you know it--enjoy the time they want to be with you. We've been very lucky--our high school and middle school kids still want to go with us and love our family vacations at WDW. We'll keep going as long as we're able and they are willing. Just do as I do--nod your head, smile, and enjoy knowing that you will have memories while they are all waiting "until the kids get old enough to remember". . .

 

[JJS2K3]

7% annually. One 'long' trip (10-12days) and as many 'long weekends' as we can budget.

No kids, no big debt so we can afford to allocate a higher percentage.

 

[loriandmatt]

With DH's and my income combined we are someplace around the number you stated. We too spend about 5k/year on vacations. We generally go to WDW once (twice if we are lucky) and several small local camping vacations thru the year with that money. Some years (like this past one) we had to cut those funds in half to take care of some home impovements. It sucked, but we are adults with responsibilities.

I get a major kick out of getting the most for my money and have made somewhat of a game out of doing Disney on minimal dollars.

I am sure that some folks close to us (family and friends) think we are "pissing" this money away and should be doing other things with it. I have to tell you that since we started taking some time off for ourselves every year he have been much happier people. That camper was the best 3K we ever spent and it makes it possible for us to enjoy many places that would be way too expensive if we had to factor in airfare and hotels. (even cheap ones!)

- lori

 

[BluOrchid2]

You are brave to post what you spend on a Disney vacation. I did so one time when the question was how much do you allot each day for spending, and I answered that we allot $500 a day for tips, food, drinks, souvenirs, whatever we wanted. I got jumped on BAD!!! People couldn't believe that we would spend that much money per day. Some days we only spend a couple hundred, other days we spend it all and more. It all evens out, and we usually end up just about right.

Our stats: family of 4, DH is a telephone man, blue collar laborer for Southwestern Bell who climbs poles and does installation and repair, I am a stay at home mom who does a little eBay for extra spending money. Since January, I have been saving all my ebay money to go towards our next trip to WDW which is next month. I shop thrift stores, I use coupons and really study the grocery ads each week to get the best deals, I travel across town to the store that doubles coupons when it's a good deal, I buy probably 90% of our clothes either from thrift stores or eBay, and our home entertainment is mostly Tv and computer. We don't go to the movies very often, maybe once a year, and throughout the summer we often go on weekend camping trips at local state parks.

So when we go to Disney, it's a BIG DEAL. We splurge, and live high on the hog. My DH's family has always stayed at the Deluxe Resort, the Polynesian, and the past two times we've gone with them so that's where we stayed. This time we're still going Deluxe, but are trying out the WL. We bought annual passes when we went in December, so won't be having to buy passes for this trip.

We already have such wonderful memories from the two trips we've taken in the past two years. I have no care for the money we spent on them, because the pics of my children at WDW are priceless. Me and my DH are Disney "brats," and I truly hope we're turning our kids into Disney "brats" as well. That just means that I hope our kids grow up being able to go to WDW at least every other year or so.......and loving it so much that when they have families of their own, they'll want to do the same for their kids - and bring along G'ma and G'pa too, of course!!!!

 

[gonga]

I think the people that raise eyebrows or think you are nuts are just jealous! We get the same attitude from friends and family. We don't care! We save for retirement, pay bills etc. but always pay for trips in advance, and feel we deserve our time away. Vacations are so important to a family and your personal well-being. I do not think it is a good idea to go into financial troubles over a vacation, but it is still nobody's business how you decide to spend your money. Everyone deserves time away, no matter where you go! Life is too short, go out and enjoy it. You never know what tomorrow brings!

 

[DisFam4]

I have to go along with BluOrchid2 & loriandmatt. We go on 1 BIG vacation (this year it will hopefully be 2) and then do a lot of camping in our camper. Our Disney trip next week is about 4%, but the one at the end of the year will be less because we have the park tickets paid for now for both trips and our airfare will be lower. That trip will be about 3%. After adding in all of our little excursions with the camper I would say it comes to about 10% for THIS year. Usually it is about 7% for the whole year.

But you have to consider the impressions on the kids. My DD5 and DS9 will remember these trips as I remember Disney with my folks when I was my sons age. For some reason I'll always remember putting the nickle in that black and white picture viewer on Main St., I thought it was the coolest thing. And I'll NEVER forget "If You Had Wings" and the Jamaican Traffic Cop, plus many other memories. My kids and my family are worth EVERY penny of it.

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[PatriciaH]

I think travel is very important esp. for children. You can really learn a lot about other cultures and other people. You meet people from all over the world at WDW! Travel is something we do not mind spending money on. We do not have a flashy car or a closet full of designer clothing, but we love to travel. We plan our vacations out well and use FF miles and the internet to serch out discounts. Of course it helps that I am a travel agent We try to do WDW or Disneyland once a year and another destination for our other vacation. Last year we did WDW twice because we had AP's and were looking at homes in Central Florida. This year we are going to WDW in March, San Diego and a stop in Disneyland in May and either Playa del Carmen, Mexico or a cruise in October.

 

[markºoº]

We plan on a BIG trip every other year. We tie in WDW and DCL. We stay about 10 days and spend about $10K-$12K for myself, DW, DS10 and DS4. The amount is so high because we stay in a suite on the cruise and concierge level at WDW.

In between the BIG trip I have taken economy trips with DS10 that I try to keep under $1500 for 4 nights (frequent flyer miles for airfare really helps).

We also take 1-2 long weekends in Wisconsin Dells each year (less than $1,000 for the 4 of us) and go camping 1-2 x per year which is very cheap.

Lastly, my wife has 3 business conventions each year that just the 2 of us attend. These are part business/part pleasure and the company pays for most of the cost. They probably cost us about $3000 per year in total for our out of pocket costs (extra nights, meals, excursions, golf, etc).

Fortunately, my wife has a successful business so the total we spend on vacations is a reasonable percent of income. I try to convince my wife we should spend more and buy into DVC!

PM me if you would like other information.

 

[Luv2trav]

Thanks, I just wanted to know that I wasn't crazy... Then again I assumed I would get a lot of support on these boards... We are not "overextending" ourselves. Could we spend this money on our home or add it to our retirement/college funds? Of course we could! But I strongly feel you should also LIVE in the moment and plan for the future...

My husband and I work opposite shifts to avoid daycare costs. Our child is only with both parents on the weekends and I feel we deserve this family time....

By the way Patricia, I'm not sure if you been there before but Playa Del Carmen is BEAUTIFUL.... We went there last spring.

 

[whitepe]

Last time we went to Disney was the best way to go. Free. Frequent flyer miles, frequent stay nights at Hyatt (got what we paid for) and a mother-in-law/grandmother who picked up the tab for park and meals (over my very mild protests).

We are heading back in March and I figure so far that has costs me:

Airfare: 2 paid tix, 2 Freebie (Southwest) = $400
Hotel: 5 nights at Hilton downtown disney (via priceline) = $480
Park tix: 2 4-day hopper (kids are free) = $412
So far I have spent less than $1300. I love getting good deals so I love Priceline, Hotwire and Southwest. I looked at staying on-site but could not justify the additional $100 per night (minimum). Plus the Hilton allows for early admission to parks, character breakfast (only on Sunday) and other on-site perks.

I figure another $1500 for meals, souvenirs and other stuff while I am there for 5 days. My kids are 1 and 3 so they don't care where we eat as long as there is macaroni and cheese.

Bottom line= $3,000 for four days in the park, five nights (unless I can talk my mother-in-law into going ).

Wife and I both work and are lucky that we don't feel too big a burden by spending this kind of money for a trip or two a year. We like to snow ski...I was thinking the other day about the costs for a ski trip once the kids are old enough...somewhere between $6,000 and $8,000 for a similar length (5-6) day trip. Ouch!