Kinda personal question

[MrsPete]

Several thoughts:

1. I don't think a Disney vacation has to cost $5000 -- if it did, many people wouldn't be able to go! We're spending much less than that for our upcoming June trip:

Wilderness Lodge with code x 7 nights = about 1200 total
Four 5-day plus 4 plusses hopper passes = 900
Meals = 100/day (bringing groceries from home too)

That's about $3000 + souveniers

2. Regardless of your income, I don't think you should ignore retirement or college savings to fund expensive vacations. I'm not saying skip vacations, but don't over-extend yourself. If a $$$$ Disney vacation is not practical for your budget this year, take the family camping instead.

3. I don't really buy into the "take a vacation to make memories with the kids" theory. Good parents make memories with their kids all the time -- not just on vacations. Make homemade pizza with your child (ours will be out of the oven in about 2 minutes). Go to the library. Chaperone your child's field trip. All memories don't include $$$$$$.

 

[*Flower*]

I know that I wasn't trying to give the impression that we spend a LOT of money on our vacations, if I did- I apologize.

I thought that we were discussing what percentage of our income is budgeted for vacations. ANY vacation, any destination.

Forgive me if I am incorrect.

 

[Horizons16]

we usually spend around 4,000 on a week and a half... last year we stayed 16 nights so we spent a lot more... but we also stay at the high rated hotels like AKL and Beach Club.

 

[goofyernmost]

Very interesting topic. If I may be allowed a couple of thoughts, it seems to me that if you have the money to spend, then you really don't need to make excuses as to why or how you should spend it.

I have to admit that I feel a twinge of jealousy when I hear that someone can spend 20K per year on vacations. There are so many out there that don't have 20K per year to spend on living! But if you can, I really think you should. However, the amount you spend on a vacation has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the memories. In all my trips from the frigid north I have never spent more than 2K per trip. Of course, I never stayed for more than a week at a time. Most of the time I drove to Florida (especially when the family was young) and stayed off site. My 27 and 29 year old daughters (then 6 & 8) can tell you exactly what we did everyday of our trip. Their memories, as well as mine, are warm and wonderful. We had other memories as well that didn't have anything to do with WDW. Short trips to the ocean in Maine, day trips etc. but some of my absolute best memories are about time spent sitting around the dinner table talking with my girls about their hopes, dreams and asperations. Cost - $0.00

What you get out of life is in direct proportion to how much emotional investment you have in it. There are flowers to be smelt (if there is such a word) everywhere!

 

[Blueberry]

I too agree you do not need to spend that kinda money to have a great vacation at WDW. Just so newer folks who go there will not think it is is out of their price range totally... If you can spend it, great I say have a ball..

Our whole trip last year, including airfare, rental car, 5 day park hoppers, 2 day hopper tickets to Universal, $150 a day for food and souvenirs and parking fee for our car at the airport only came to $2407 when we added it all up when we got home. That was for 2 adults 900 miles from Orlando.

That is about 3.25% of our before tax income we just figured out here.

That is one thing that is great about Disney there are all differnt price range of vacations open to everyone...woo hoo....

 

[LSU Tigerfan]

Yeah, Blueberry, if I could ... then I definitely would. But you don't need to spend $5000 to have fun.

First of all, if you can go in low season, you can definitely save some money.

You can get nice hotel rooms cheap through Priceline. When I went last December, I could have gotten the DTD Hilton for $60 per night and a Holiday Inn for about $25. I've actually stayed in the Wyndham on I-Drive for $10 per night (but that was back when you could get $25 added to your Priceline bid just by using your AMEX card). You can visit www.biddingfortravel.com if you want to learn how to be a Priceline expert.

What actually happened last December was that I shared with my in-laws a rented 2-bedroom at OKW that I rented off the rent-trade board here (another money-saving way to stay in style) for $216/night. So we spent $108/night. We did cook a lot of our own food, but still ate some great WDW meals with Connections vouchers.

We got our flights for $115 each when Southwest put them on sale. If you're thinking about a trip, I highly recommend signing up for Southwest's email alerts so that you can watch for Orlando to go on sale from your city. (Or, you can use Priceline.)

So, for our 4-night trip, we spent:

$230 Airfare
$432 Room
$400 two 4-day P-Hoppers from Connections
$300 Food
$100 Town car to resort
$100 Souveniers (We also bought Christmas presents, but they don't count )

$1562 = Total for that trip

My point here isn't to brag that we spent so little money, because we felt like we absolutely, totally splurged compared to our past trips where we drove (13 hours) and stayed offsite.

My point is that you don't have to spend a fortune to have a great time. No matter your budget, you should plan a trip and just go. I'd much rather go every year or two on a budget than have to wait for five years to go and spend big. The memories are so worth it.

 

[Edina]

We went last year and spent 3K, I also scrounged for great deals, stayed at the Swan, and Hard Rock at Universal with my husband and 2 kids, and even had towncar transportation. It's all about getting a good deal. We also rented a beach house for a summer vacation, which cost us another $3,000 total for that vacation. Then a long weekend So our grand total for vacations last year was $6500. I only work part time, so our total income is around $200K. I think we could spend a bit more on vacations, but my husband is a big saver, so the kids are already all set for college, and neither one of us would dream of staying at the Grand Floridian or anyplace like that. Too expensive.

This year we are going to the Grand Canyon with the kids and possible my husband and I to Italy, but we'll spend about the same as last year total. Neither of us splurges on anything really, but I wouldn't mind one more trip every year!

 

[gonga]

No, you do not need to spend a lot of money to have fun. My husband and I have been together for 5 years and married for 2. When we first met we did not have 2 nickels to rub together, and my husband (my then boyfriend) was deeply in debt. I swore I would get hiom out of debt, but it would be tough. I put us on a very strict budget. We did not eat out for nearly 2 years or join a gym or do anything, getting take out pizza weas a big deal! We went away for a few very inexpensive weekends that cost under $500.00. Getting out of debt for good was our first priority. We took all the necessary steps to get out of debt forever and using the bulk of our pay for bills. We were debt free in under 2 years. It took a lot of sacrifice but we did it.
The both of us worked full time and put money in the bank. We then started our own company with very little money and hope and a dream. The business has become very succesful and I had to leave my job. My husband still works full time, but I run the business during the day and work as an independant TA from home. We do not have any children, our home is paid we have both made all our "quarters" in social secuirty and our retirement is set as we do not ever have to worry about money. We are both in our 40's and like to enjoy ourselves. Yeah we spend 20K a year on vacations, but we have the same fun as we always did spending $500.00. We are very lucky and we take nothing for granted. We now pay everything in cash, no more credit card debt. I cut up all the high limit cards long ago. We always use a debit/master card, and 2 credit cards that have under $1000 limit. This way you can never spend what you do not have. We have a different life than most, no doubt. I'm not saying its better than anyone elses, just different. I am not bragging about anything, but some people do not go into debt for a vacation. We are in a different situation as when we "kick the bucket" theres no one to leave it too so we might as well go out and enjoy our hard earned $$$. Better us than the Tax Man! But fun is still fun and it does not matter how much you spend - just have fun!

 

[Grand Canyon]

We will spend the month a June this year and will expect to spend 10k. This is about what we spent last year. We rent a house with a pool and get PAPs. We drive so no rental car.
DW and DS6 & DS3
House $2300
PAPs $2000
AP US/IOA $500
Gas $1000
Spend the rest on fun

Long drive though 2600mi each way
We do it in 2 days

 

[eeyore0062]

Luv2Travel... if you are comfortable with the amount of money you are putting into your vacation, it is no business of anyone elses'... including family. We have learned not to discuss things like that with anyone, if we don't want to be criticized. It makes life a whole lot more enjoyable.


Go, spend what you like, and don't worry about what others think! Have a GREAT time

You are right, you only life once, so do it up right!!!!

 

[XStAnt]

Luv2Trav,

I've been following this thread with some interest (and even posted my own reply). I think it's a fascinating topic.

The thread seems to have shifted somewhat into a discussion about how much is an appropriate amount to spend on a Disney vacation. I know this was not your original topic, however...

I have something of a personal question to you. How much have you been spending on your Disney vacations? Where have you stayed, eaten, etc. Did you get good discounts through this site and others, or was it before you learned about discount codes. Many of us overspent on our first Disney vacation and only later in life did we stumble onto this site.

I don't mean to sound negative or disrespectful. I truly believe 2 people could spend $5,000 on a Disney vacation by staying at Deluxe resorts at peak times, staying longer that 4-5 days, eating at nice restaurants, etc. There is nothing wrong with this, especially if you have the income to do it this way.

I was just curious about how much you spent and how it broke down. If you don't want to answer the question I will certaintly understand.

 

[Selket]

I think for folks making $90+K a year it is not unreasonable to spend $5000 a year on vacation(s). I also think it isn't unreasonable for folks who earn less money to spend that much too, etc. I remember a college friend who would sometimes say when asked if she wanted to go to a particular movie or concert, etc. that "I don't have the money." I knew of course, that she had the money, but she would rather spend it on something else. We were both living on a budget but my priorities were sometimes different from hers! Same thing goes for vacations. Some people would rather spend more $$$$ on vacations and live in a smaller house, drive a smaller car, eat out less often or whatever. I think you just have to think about YOUR priorities - what things you get the most enjoyment spending money on (and you have to consider your spouse and kids too if that applies) and go with that. It really doesn't matter what your friend or family member spends. Maybe they'd rather put their money towards car payments on a Humvee or something while you're content to drive your 15 year old corolla around

Enjoy!

Carol G.

 

[Luv2trav]

XStAnt

Funny you mention that. Actually I am going on my first WDW trip in almost 17years on March 22nd. We are staying off site this time. I didn't start investigating WDW again until we decided to go on vacation in the middle of Jan. This is what we have spent so far on this vacation.

-2 bedroom Villa at Wyndham Golf Resort-880.00 for 9 nights. We are splitting this with my mother.
-2 4 day park hopper plus-400.00 (Our 18month old is free)
-Gas to drive Fla-approx 200.00
-Food and Fun-1100.00

Total - 2140.00 Not bad for 9 nights. I know WDW can be done cheaply.

However that being said!
You said these boards actually save money?? Yes they can save money and they have saved me money. However, these boards have actually made me WANT to vacation at Disney more. I haven't even been there yet. When I mention about going back and spending approx 5000-6000K on a vacation because I simply MUST stay on site and MUST stay in conceirge. These are EXTRAS that I probably would have never known about. Or at the least know that I could get a discount on Conceirge rooms.. If I would have never known I would have never wanted it!

These boards are costing me more money because it is making me want MORE...


However, the older our child and future children get I can definately see us paying more to stay on site. Whereas 2 months ago I was perfectly happy staying off site..

 

[XStAnt]

Luv2trav,

I hope you enjoy your upcoming trip. I think you did a great job on the cost. $880 for 9 nights at a two bedroom villa!! An excellent rate.

Staying on site doesn't necessarily have to cost much more. However, I know what you mean about these boards making you want to go more often. And to spend more as well. If you can afford it (and it sounds like you can) by all means stay in a concierge room. If you'll enjoy those amenities and feel it's worth the price don't let any one else tell you it's too much money. Just make sure you get the discount since there's no point on giving Disney more than you have to.

Sounds like you've done your research. I look forward to hearing how your trip went. Have fun!

 

[Luv2trav]

I can only afford conceirge if it's in value season and around 250.00-275.00 a night.... I am dying to try AKL or Poly...

I would also love to try Port Orleans and Boardwalk Villas. Perhaps we will in the future some time. I am going to try and cool myself down until I get this first vacation over with. It is so easy to get caught up in all the Disney craziness here...