Money Article Concerning WDW

[Silver Queen]

This morning I read an op-ed piece from a writer from the Wall Street Journal. He basically complained about his upcoming 4 day trip to WDW for his family of four that was going to cost almost $5,000. I felt that article was very misleading and might discourage families from looking into a Disney vacation. I responded to the author in an email. For anyone that 's interested, his column is called Love & Money. I'm not including his name because I'm not sure if that's permissible.

 

[disneyofcourse]

I read it this morning and was not happy with the way it was written and the message it gave.

 

[hffmnheidi]

When people start complaining about prices, I always ask where are you staying/what tickets did you get/ect...it's always suprising that those complainers didn't even consider staying at the moderate or value resorts or doing a different ticket option. Just saying...

 

[olwyngdh]

It sounds like he is doing the trip the most expensive way possible. His choice, and it is an op-ed piece, but still...it will make me doubt his opinion on anything in the future.

 

[minnie1928]

I read the same article. $5000 is a lot for any vacation, and you can totally do wdw for less than that. It reminded me of people that say that wdw is too expensive, but then they spend the same amount to go to the beach for a week.

 

[herdtoDisney]

That dude needs to join this board. I'm spending just over half that for a family of 6 for five days, staying onsite and meal plan too.

 

[mistysue]

WOW! We went for half of that for 11 days and even included the water parks and hoppers.

Is he eating at signature places every meal or something? Castle view? First class flight?

 

[karliebug]

he did say they were staying at a monorail resort

 

[5stljayhawks]

Ok, I spending about that much on my upcoming WDW, 13 nights at fort wilderness 1 night on the way down and back, plus included are some nice meals at the camper and at California grill, Auckerhaus, crystal palace, and few other places. I am also including the cost for 5 days of parks.

As the PP states it's about how you manage the money.

 

[stefplus3]

That dude needs to join this board. I'm spending just over half that for a family of 6 for five days, staying onsite and meal plan too.

share some tips!!! i'm planning for an Oct 2011 trip for my family of 5 and I'm coming in over that for onsite, about 1/2 for offsite.

 

[bridget]

I read this and it totally annoyed me. I'm tempted to email him and tell him if it is going to cost him $5000 for 4 days at Disney, I seriously question any financial advice he gives!

I do not think Disney has to be that expensive!

 

[crisi]

I read this and it totally annoyed me. I'm tempted to email him and tell him if it is going to cost him $5000 for 4 days at Disney, I seriously question any financial advice he gives!

I do not think Disney has to be that expensive!

He's writing for the Wall Street Journal. That's a completely reasonable amount to spend on vacation for the majority of his audience.

He isn't writing about the cost. He's writing about the value. Given that his family has already been to Disney more than once - would there be more value in spending that money and time at a different destination. His wife likes Disney, he's thinking that spending that money for his kids to experience the world - not The World again - would be a better bet.

 

[alwaysmom]

Funny I saw this thread. I've been running numbers to figure a budget sort of vacation. The bare basics I have come up with for 9 nights for 4 at All Star Resort (April 5-14) are:

Hotel $960.80 (with code)
Air (4) $757.00 (great price)
4 day base tickets, no hop $950 (can shave about $20 probably)
Food $900 ($100 per day over what we will have in the room)
No car

Now of course we will have extras like Mickey Boats, Disney Quest, ADR. Fair to say we'll probably plan another $400 or more. Yes I realize it's peak price, but that's when we go .

TOTAL - $3567.00

Now while I don't agree with his pitch. Disney is in fact on the expensive side, but only after the addition of the tickets.I think the article is top of line with no budget in mind, I think the addition $950 for tickets is high.

Conclusion: I'm figuring $1000 per person for our vacation. I think it's a expensive vacation, not excessive.

 

[eeyoresmom]

April 5-14 is 9 nights right?

 

[alwaysmom]

April 5-14 is 9 nights right?

oops you are so right! My mistake.

The numbers above is for 9 nights with 4 days in park. Cheapest air fare span.

Dang... Now I have to add $200 for food. Hotel is correct.

Sorry about that.

ALL fixed now!

 

[bridget]

I got $2224.51 for 4 nights in April.
This was for Pop Century, with 4 day tickets and park hopper

Same dates at Contemporary with dining and 4 day tickets was $3955.06

I would save my money and stay at the Pop Century and then use the extra money to go on a different vacation.

The author should look into Disney Cruise Line

 

[OhMari]

I'm sure Walt Disney World enjoy folks that have no clue about special offers.
If they book and don't ask about offers, the reservation system, sure isn't going to tell.
"Don't ask, they won't tell."


You have to remember too, some of these journalist write these columns just to get responses--

 

[mom2aredhead]

Stuff like that doesn't bother me, because the more people that think its too expensive to ever go to WDW, the less crowded it will be for those of us who actually do our research, plan properly, and know how to do it right.

I hope lots of people listen to this guy and go to the beach instead!

 

[alwaysmom]

Stuff like that doesn't bother me, because the more people that think its too expensive to ever go to WDW, the less crowded it will be for those of us who actually do our research, plan properly, and know how to do it right.

I hope lots of people listen to this guy and go to the beach instead!

 

[Samandmom]

My sister in law, her husband and 5 kids never went to WDW because they thought it was going to cost them $10,000 dollars for them to go. I set up a trip for them and it was probaly around $4000 with everything.