None of my business question about how people afford WDW

[Snoopymom]

Oh, how I wish I knew, LOL! We owed a grand in taxes this year, and we are not rich!

I've been saving for our next trip with the help of selling on ebay. I've made enough to splurge on the WL and we're also only a 7 hour drive away, so no airplane tickets to buy.

I'm so grateful just to be going, but honestly I was a little jealous and stunned to read the 23 yr old's THREE week trip report at the Deluxes. Please don't be offended, I just thought wow, my vacations at that age consisted of sharing a cheap beachhouse with as many people (and bugs) as possible, LOL!

Oh well, our house is almost paid off and we have no credit card debt, life is good!

I look forward to reading more responses.

 

[madge]

Originally posted by addicted_to_WDW


As for us, we have a vacation fund that we each contribute to biweekly. Any bonuses, tax refunds, or "found" money goes to our vacation budget as well.

this is what we do. in the past, we have done the beach or the mountains....then we got hooked on WDW, LOL! we would rather take less-expensive, more frequent trips than extravagent ones, too. that helps the pocketbook

 

[JESW]

We have been very fortunate. DH has a very good, but very stressful job. He works hard and he vacations easy. We like WDW because there is so much to do in one place - no need (for us) to have a car so no driving. Bonuses and tax refunds (that "extra" $$$$) are what helps us.

Jill

 

[dznyntnh]

My cousin (who is currently expecting her second child in as many years) recently commented on how 'lucky' I was to be going to wdw as frequently as I do. My comment to her was it was all about the decisions we all make. She decided to get married and have kids (and therefore very little extra money) and I decided to stay single and put my money into traveling.

I used to think I had to find a traveling companion, but have discovered recently how pleasant traveling alone can be.

As to how I afford it. Saving, tax refund and E-BAY!!! Turn all that old junk into a trip to wdw.

 

[PatriciaH]

I think your question is a good one! For DH and I travel is a priority. We drive a 94 Olds, have no debt, no children yet and pretty cheap rent for North of Boston. We have been great tenants for 7+ years and they never raise rent much year to year. This is why we have not bought a house yet-people are shocked at our cheap rent. I am a travel agent so commissions and discounts help a lot. After we take care of retirement and emergency fund/house savings we do not feel guilty taking our much loved trips! We also own a pet sitting business and do that at nights and on the weekends-we LOVE it-it is not like work at all. I sell on Ebay and we have a garage sale once a year to make extra too.

Next year we may only do one trip to San Diego/Disneyland for the 50th anniversary to save more money for a home. It is so tempting with my travel agent rates to take trips though This September we added on a trip to Punta Cana in the Caribbean because it was SO cheap!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by auntpolly
....but I can't help wondering.


We went to Las Vegas a few months ago and I was thinking about all those people in all those expensive hotel rooms. My daughter and I then started thinking about WDW -- and how many times we've called and whole resorts there have been booked up. And how about all the other vacation destinations and all of those expensive hotel rooms --

who are these people with all this money?

Like I said, I'm just being nosey, and maybe this is a better question for the debate board, but do you think people are spending beyond their means to go on vacations like these -- or do you think that the economy's not so bad as they say -- or what?

We can afford WDW -- I don't go into debt to go there. But that wasn't always the case -- my daughter was in grade school before we could afford to go.

OK -- just tell me to MMOB if you want!

Hope you had fun in Vegas. It's only a hop~skip & a jump from us here in So. Cal (1/2 hour by air, 3-4 hours drive). Where did you stay? I guess we could be considered some of the "PEOPLE" you wondered about while in Nevada. We always stay on the 29th floor of the MGM Grand, (Concierge security top floor). We reserve the same "Penthouse "C" Suite" which has 3200 Square feet, and a private elevator inside the spiral staircase to the second floor (where the bedrooms/baths/private steamrooms are located) It also has a full kitchen and butler pantry, massive great room with large screen plasma T.V., informal dining, and also formal dining seating 12. The list of appointments seems endless. It is a magnificent suite, with all the amenities and grandeur we enjoy. Since we only travel there 2-3 times per year, we prefer to stay in this resort/suite. The service/staff is impeccable, making our visits memorable and incredibly relaxing/restful.

So many people always have the same question when pondering our trips, etc. We do not personally consider our trips outrageous, by any means. In comparison, we have many friends whom charter private jets for excursions to the islands, Vegas, athletic events, etc., and rent private homes equipped w/a full staff. The extravagance is phenomenal, and mind-boggling. Our trips are "in" the ballpark...theirs are "WAY~OUT!"

We are able to do the same for WDW, and always stay in the CL/Suites at each location. We fly FC, and immensely enjoy the luxuries of all our travels. We do not live/spend beyond our means, but through the Good Grace of God. We work hard for everything we have/do, and enjoy & savor each lasting moment together on these excursions!

Like MEM, we do not have any costly habits (drinking/smoking), etc. We have been traveling annually to WDW for the past 13 summers, and stay for more than two months of play. We are fortunate enough to be able to take as much time as we need. We also travel to several other destinations throughout the year, and enjoy the same level of service at each location.

When planning for the WDW vacation, we pay for each reservation/item at the time it is made. This usually begins a year in advance (as soon as we return from Orlando!). This truly seems to make it more feasible. We also save spending $$$ in a separate account, building it up over this same period of time. Since we are there for such an extended period of time, we make sure we have enough. I also enjoy buying WDW collectibles (Steiff, S.C.'s, Arribas Bros., etc.), and love the WDW fine dining options, etc. We have never had any "spending" concerns/restraints while on vacation. We maintain a personal philosophy with respect to this aspect of travel/life. We WORK HARD, so we can freely PLAY HARD! If we want something, we work tenaciously, (if need be), to achieve it.

It truly does not matter "how much" you personally spend, or where you stay at WDW on your own vacation (or in Vegas, for that matter). The most important factor is YOU GO, and ENJOY! This is what makes the world so wonderful and fascinating. Socio-economics, determining every level/standard offered by corporations (from services to goods), keep things exciting/different. I'm sure everyone whom stays at the VALUE resorts enjoys the experience as much as we do on CL in a Deluxe suite.

When we are all together in the parks, mingling with the crowds of WDW patrons, no one knows WHERE anyone is staying. We are ALL on the SAME LEVEL. We are all there with the same GOAL...to relax, enjoy & have FUN! When I converse with guests in line, I have "no idea" if they are even staying on Disney property...and could care less. We laugh, share thoughts and have a great time chatting. Sometimes we even exchange emails. That's all that matters. What they drive, or do for a living, where they live or stay while visiting the parks... has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the individual/family. It is all mostly a personal & private preference. It's what makes the "World Go Round." (LOL).

These trips are not the most important things in our lives, by any means. They are exciting, and give us all something to look forward to/plan together. They provide a release/escape from the day-to-day grind of the REAL WORLD. Yet, it is the PEOPLE (& animals) in our lives for which we are most grateful/blessed. If we never traveled anywhere again, I would be blissfully content...as long as my family, friends and animals were all healthy, happy, and a part of my everyday life. :

DF99

 

[colleen costello]

My dear parents bought some DVC points for our family to share. We go every year now, all together for spring break. It's wonderful! With leftover points we sometimes get an"extra" trip each year. I save some of the tax refund, we all get/give tix for Xmas, and we eat breakfasts and snacks in the room. I can also have a great time on a good budget -- we order pizza to the room and eat food from the local grocery store! My kids are little and they think this is just dandy. We swim a lot and do lots of FREE stuff. I am always encouranging friends that it IS possible to have fun at WDW and stick to a budget. If we didn't have DVC we wold still go, but we'd stay at the Moderates with a discount code.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I read somewhere that people remember trips taken during their childhood more than cars, clothes and houses.

We don't live in a huge home and drive new cars. We like to travel. It's all about priorities in life.

lori

 

[mommie2angels]

You are asking the question that I know so many of our friends and family would love to ask us but they don't. We have 2 special needs daughters who are completely dependent on us. They are not able to do dance, cheer, play ball, or do other extra activities that add up in cost. If you take into account how much our family and friends probably spend on activities like that throughout the year for their children then you can see that we probably don't spend near as much as they do. Like someone else said we don't smoke or drink. We don't leave extravagantly. We don't go to movies. One trip to a movie around here for our family would easily pay for a character meal or ticket at WDW. I guess it's all about priorities. WDW is something that our whole family can enjoy together. It's worth it's wait in gold to have all those memories for us to cherish.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Just Kidding!

As previous posters have eloquently put it....it is a priority for us.

My DW and I are both professionals who work hard and are compensated well for it. We realize that we are fortunate to travel as much and as often as we do, including at least 2 trips of 7-10 days annually to WDW. Our DD's are now 16 & 17 and it is becoming harder and harder to coordinate our schedules with their schedules, (School, Soccer, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Church Youth Group & Camps...etc...etc..)

There is no better feeling for us than to pull up to our Disney Resort and realize that we have 7-10 days ALL together in one of the happiest places on earth! Even with our conflicts we have successfully pulled it off so far and we are very appreciative.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by WDW LifeLong Fan
Just Kidding!

LOL -- that's a really hard thing for me to do!!!

 

[cooderbrown]

Just a follow up...
My wife and I, with 3 kids, claim zero dependents on our paychecks - so returns are pretty decent.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
Hope you had fun in Vegas. It's only a hop~skip & a jump from us here in So. Cal (1/2 hour by air, 3-4 hours drive). Where did you stay?

DF99

I've only been to Las Vegas 2 times in my life -- once was a free trip at the Venetian (long story) and this past one was at the four seasons (boy is mandalay bay gorgeous!)

We've really only been able to travel in the past, say, 5 years or so. When we were younger and DD was little, it was trips to the lake and one WDW when she was 6 -- and we stayed at the Days Inn for $49!!!

I think you appreiate the 4 seasons more when you used to have to stay at the days inn -- and I shouldn't even say "had to" because we loved it, had a great time, and just felt lucky to be in Florida at WDW!

 

[JLS]

We have a good combined income and no kids yet, no mortage, and I worked hard to finish paying my student loan early, so we decided last year while we had the disposable income that we would buy DVC points - we paid them off and now we have "prepaid" vacations until 2042. That way, if our incomes drop in the future or we aren't able to save as much for disposable incomes, we will always be able to take our trips.

 

[sherry8253]

Hi - We go to Disney once a year usually for 8 or 9 nights. We use AP's and get 2 trips out of each AP. We book low level Deluxe (WL or AKL) or Swan (if we can get a good rate) or moderate. We don't eat out much during the year & we pack our lunches for work. We rent movies instead of paying $25 to see them in the theaters (unless it is something my DH can't wait til they come to video like Lord of the Rings). We don't drink or smoke and we try not to waste money on 'dust collectors.' We also throw all of our change at the end of each day in a big change container and cash it in right before we go (last year we had over $900 just from our change). And.. we throw our tax refund into the Disney vacation pot too.

 

[Disney Debbie]

I have a certain amount direct deposited into my savings account every pay check. 1/2 is for vacation and 1/2 is for Christmas/Birthdays(which in my family is pretty much the same season!) I'm also charging everything I can on my Disney Visa including groceries to get the Reward Dollars. (and paying it in full!) I know there's better reward cards out there - but if I got the cash back immediately I don't think I'd have them saved "separately" the way the reward dollars are!

I read somewhere that people remember trips taken during their childhood more than cars, clothes and houses

I believe this is soooo true! My family always went on at least 2 week vacations all over the U.S. when I was growing up (my dad's a retired college professor) Traveling was definitely a priority to my parents - still is - and it's a priority of ours. We love our family vacations. We don't always go to WDW - but we always go somewhere. I didn't have the most expensive clothes, the newest car or the fanciest house growing up - don't now either - but I had the BEST family vacations and memories of time with my parents and brother that I wouldn't trade for anything.

BTW - There are great resources out there to get discounts on Las Vegas hotel rooms as well! DH and I went to LV for our 20th anniversary and stayed at the Venetien for $99 a night and the Golden Nugget for $59.

 

[Disney_1derland]

While I'm sure you will find people who go into debt for Disney, I don't think you're likely to find them here. The Dis is full of people for whom Disney is a way of life and not just your ordinary vacation. Since it is a part of *life* it is budgeted for and carefully conserved for.

I was quite spoiled as a child and grew up only 1.5 hours from Disneyland and mom's work always gave us free tix so anywhere from 10-12 trips a year.

Now I live 12 hours from WDW so it does take planning to get there. My first trip was spur of the moment 8 years ago. I spent one day in the Magic Kingdom with a friend. My second trip was 3 years ago with dh and dd. We spent 8 days and it just wasn't enough. We knew we'd go back but also knew it would be a while. This year we will return in November with dd4 and dd2. Planning, saving and sacrificing small things do it for us.

Tax return this year went to buy a newer vehicle, but I own it outright and put my 'car payment' into the Disney fund. We stop eating out 1 year before Disney and anytime either of us gets lazy and says "let's go out to eat" the rule is that if we go we must put double what dinner cost us in the Disney fund. If we don't go out to dinner the person who suggests going out to eat has to put the amount we would have spent on dinner into the Disney fund out of their spending money. (did that make any sense at all?) For the past 6 months all gifts have been given in Disney dollars. All the money I make at kids consignment sales goes into the Disney fund and any 'overtime' pay goes into the disney fund.

We will have saved enough this year that we are paying for our trip and most of my parents trip (we owe them money from a period of unemployment a year ago) and are staying on-property for the first time!!

I'm so proud of us, we've come a long way in the past year and a half to make it to Disney again and we've really earned this trip!

Thanks to everyone else for sharing your savings style!







Pay No Attention to the Outdated Trip Counter Below, We head back November 5, 2004!

 

[tiggersmom2]

I agree with Disney Debbie,
Vacations have always been a huge part of my life. I save 1/3 of every paycheck for vacations. We NEVER go in debt to go on vacation and we are never strained because I budget it just like I would a car payment. Travel is very important to us, I want my kids to see as much of the world as possible.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Well, unlike everyone else here we do go into some debt to be able to go. But we pay it off everymonth on 0% interest credit cards. Also we do things like pay our kids college tuition on credit card (AE) no interest and tons of reward points that we're able to use to fly. If we don't have enough points for 5 airline tickets we'll drive. Ap & codes help. We have grandparents the family give kids Disney dollars for birthday and Christmas. I gave up smoking so we use that money as "found" money. Also younger kids are in private school so we get a check for "transportation" since they don't have busing to our home, we send that right to hotel . We get $750 per child. Also use part of income tax refund. Even though we go into some debt it's really worth it. 16 years ago my then three year old son was diagnosed with bone cancer and only given a 40% chance of survival. Even though we were extremely luck and he is now a 19 year old college sophmore, I never forgot the lesson of enjoying life now and not putting things off that you really want to do. To each their own, whether you can go every year, or every five years, or only once. Each family has their own "important" things they want to do. Unfortunately for us it's all at once (three in college and three little ones doing Disney). Luckily DH does well and I'm able to stay at home with the kids. By the way it just dawned on me today that since the youngest will be starting part time pre school in the fall I'm going to give up my cleaning people and use that money towards Disney also. It's always in the back of my mind what we can do without that we really won't miss to use for Disney!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by auntpolly
....but I can't help wondering.


We went to Las Vegas a few months ago and I was thinking about all those people in all those expensive hotel rooms. My daughter and I then started thinking about WDW -- and how many times we've called and whole resorts there have been booked up. And how about all the other vacation destinations and all of those expensive hotel rooms --

who are these people with all this money?

Like I said, I'm just being nosey, and maybe this is a better question for the debate board, but do you think people are spending beyond their means to go on vacations like these -- or do you think that the economy's not so bad as they say -- or what?

We can afford WDW -- I don't go into debt to go there. But that wasn't always the case -- my daughter was in grade school before we could afford to go.

OK -- just tell me to MMOB if you want!

Well you asked.

Just like some that buy expensive cars and houses. Some go into debt, charge it all on credit and then try to pay it off afterwards.

Some save until they have enough to go and pay cash for everything. This method takes a different amount of time based on income.

And some have the expendable cash. That is our case.