nt

[aka-mad4themouse]

Not everyone who has "Dr" in front of their name has a sizeable income. And even if the OP's husband does make a considerable salary, that doesn't mean that they place a high enough value on vacation accommodations to spend a lot of money on a hotel room. It's not fair to judge her choices any more than it would be fair for her to judge anyone else's. We all decide what our comfort level is and we make our vacation plans accordingly.

 

[wardfamily1]

I have not read this whole thread but staying on-site at Disney is not such a luxury when you consider that, if you use the bus system at Disney, you don't have to worry about parking and gas. A huge money saver. I always try to stay on-site and I always use the bus system.

​

I don't get it, is this a typo? Its seems to be contradictory.

 

[Aliceacc]

No, I don't think so.

The poster is saying that, while staying on site may be more expensive, you do save money on transportation.

 

[choirfarm]

nt

 

[wardfamily1]

No, I don't think so.

The poster is saying that, while staying on site may be more expensive, you do save money on transportation.

Oh, see I look at just going to Disney as being a luxury, I think that's why I was confused. (It's a luxury I'm willing to save up for though and worth every penny!! )

 

[Aliceacc]

Oh, see I look at just going to Disney as being a luxury

It is for us!! (We're actually that real family with 2 teachers and 3 kids )

 

[brittsmum1998]

Pardon me I didn't read all the posts but just wanted to add my opinion. Disney is a priority for us. My DH works and I am a SAHM. We were staying moderate on the weekends and invested in DVC a few years ago. That being said, we now like to try delux in between our DVC stays but we plan for it. We go 2 -3 times per year ...again our budget is planned out each yr for the disney trips. To the 3 of us its the one thing that isn't a "compromise" we all love WDW to the extreme and feel if we are spending that much $$$ we might as well go "full tilt"

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I think by "regular people" she meant those of us married to not doctors or lawyers.

My DH is a lawyer and I'm a "regular/real person" ...

 

[Aliceacc]

Perhaps "economically more challenged" is what was meant.

Realistically, there are lots of different budgets out there, and the OP realized that some of us have to watch our pennies more than others.

 

[wide awake]

Okay, I was trying to be nice. I think, and the OP seemed to verify in a subsequent post that "normal" to her means families w/o doctor or lawyer income. And yes, I'm aware that some doctors don't make a great income, and many other professions make more than an M.D. I also said that her choices wouldn't be mine, but whatever floated her boat.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I think when the OP said "real," maybe she meant "average."

 

[IDoDis]

Hi!! What doesn't add up?? I was raised in a household where our mantra was "Use it up. Wear it out. Make do or do without!!!" I clip coupons and only buy clothes on sale... I just got two pairs of new jeans last week for a total of 20 bucks...my first new pair in 4 or 5 years!!! Sure, we could just plunk down the cash and go My original post I just didn't see how let us say a two school teacher family could. That said...thanks to all of you "real" people who wrote and gave me ways that you do afford it. It makes a lot more sense now.
Christine

We are a two teacher family making 6 figures this year when you combine our salaries. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't still look for a bargain though, which is why we are staying off-site this year. We can get a large suite and a car rental with parking fees for a lot less than what we'd pay to stay at a moderate. We debated about on-site with less or off-site with more and the whole "Disney Magic" thing and decided we'd go for the more space and more savings.

We are just plunking down the money. I bought for the airline tickets so far, so I have an $1100 airfare cc bill due in a couple of weeks. I'll pay that all in one bill. A couple of days ago I booked a priceline car rental for $12 per day for 10 days and in a few days I'll buy our Universal 7 day passes. That bill will come next month and get paid in one shot. After that is done, I'll buy the WDW 7 day park tickets and pay that cc bill in the next month (now we are in April). Our trip is in May and will get charged the hotel then so will pay for all of that on the June cc bill. Everything will be paid for with our teacher salaries. We live debt free except for our house. Even if I made as much as a doctor and could afford more, I'd still bargain hunt just like the OP is doing. I guess it's in my blood. Even if I could afford to stay at the Grand Floridian I don't think I ever would because I know that I could find a place just as nice somewhere else for a lot less.

My mother who is retired does a lot of traveling now. As I type this, she is in Spain staying in a hostel in Malaga. Could she afford a hotel? Yes, but she loves staying in places like hostels because she really gets the true experience that way. Travel and accommdations are probably based more on personal choice than on income alone.

 

[choirfarm]

Okay, I was trying to be nice. I think, and the OP seemed to verify in a subsequent post that "normal" to her means families w/o doctor or lawyer income. And yes, I'm aware that some doctors don't make a great income, and many other professions make more than an M.D. I also said that her choices wouldn't be mine, but whatever floated her boat.

Yep, that is exactly what I meant. Yes... some of our best friends are family practice docs who don't make a lot. I also think that we should take all the money we are paying professional athletes and pay it to teachers instead!!!
Christine

 

[Fortune1211]

I DO wonder and shake my head at people that buy Lamborginis (sp??) and other luxury cars...What a waste!!! So my analogy is, I can understand how people will camp or go on a more affordable vacation (like buying a Honda Accord), but don't understand how a school teacher could afford a Mercedes (Disney vacation).

I didn't read through the whole thread but this quote cracks me up! I guess it depends on where you're a school teacher at because I've seen school teachers driving jalopies and mercedes.

We're "real" people too and my parents were able to take us to disney 3 times when we were younger on a factory workers salary, 3 kids and my aunt too.

We went for the first time as a family in September and stayed at CBR and got free dining. We planned on going again this year but have decided to try for a baby instead

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Well I have come to the conclusion that hubby and I are defintely not "real". I have been disabled for 8 years and hubby just found a permanent job after 4 years of part-time jobs out of his field. We do no get any public assistance but do use a state funded health insurance for our kids. (I pay a much smaller premium but I do pay). My daughter goes to a Catholic HS and son a Catholic Middle school. Education costs are approximately $6,000.00. We have a home with a mortgage and never have been late on a payment. I have a few bills outside the normal (target cc, etc). Not too much... Our yearly gross income last year $22,000.00. My children have everything they need and I would even go as far as to say they are spoiled w/ technology. I am extremely budget-minded and we are able to go to Disney every once in a while. We went in 2000 during husband's family reunion where we were only responsible for food and souveniers. In 2005 we went for 6nights/7days w/dining plan. Payed for with cash. This year we are going in April offsite with daughter's school band. The cost for this trip w/out food is $2000.00. I have saved every penny extra each week since I found out during the first week in September. I took cash to the bank today for a check. NOT one of my bills went unpaid and I even have been doubling some other payments. I admit that our saving and retirement are not at normal standards but we are working on it. Will I stop trying to save for more trips.. No! Am I happy with my life - definetely. And when all is said and done and I am gone, I hope my kids truly understand its not how much money you have, its not about the stuff, it was about FAMILY. You can't budget it, you have to nurture and grow it, with love and compassion. And pixie dust is just the icing on the cake.

 

[disykat]

I'm just scratching my head at this thread. The OP thinks 40% off of a $500 hotel room is still a lot of money and wonders how people afford it - and now people who are staying at POP for $45 are mad at her?

I'm with the OP. I often wonder how people who aren't wealthy can afford to do it often. I'm a doctor's daughter and was brought up very frugally. I went to Disney 3 times with my parents and never stayed on property - it was Motel 6 all the way for us! My trips as an adult were also budget trips - because that's just who I am. I made my signature specifically so there would be visible proof that some of us do only go occasionally and budget carefully for those trips. That doesn't mean it's wrong to go often and stay at luxury hotels. It's just a different choice. And yes, I do wonder sometimes why people make their choices, as I'm sure they wonder about mine.

I've taken more vacations as a kid and as an adult than most people I know in real life - but they were all carefully budgeted. Vacationing yearly is a priority for us. Not many of our trips were to Disney, but even those trips outnumber most people I know. The reality is - the DIS is not real life! It's a bunch of Disney fans who prioritize Disney trips.

So yes, there seem to be a lot of people on this board who are thrilled with their $300 a night GF conceirge deal - but I don't think that makes them the norm.

 

[JoyG]

We're pretty average. Our household income is under 60k a year. We live in a modest house, we are a one car family and that car has over 115k miles on it. We splurge in a few areas. We send our kids to private school and we take a yearly family vacation. Usually the destination is determined by what we can afford.

This summer I was planning on doing 5 nights near Hershey Park for $1100, but then my sister in law decided she wanted to go to WDW. I am having a hard time passing up the opportunity to go with her and her family. So it looks like we'll be doing 7 nights at WDW for $1900. This will be a no frills trip; driving to FL, 6 days in the park, staying off site in a condo, all breakfasts/dinners at home and all lunches packed in a soft sided cooler.

Even now, I'm thinking of ways I can make $800 on Ebay to justify the added expense.

 

[soccerchick]

I'm just scratching my head at this thread. The OP thinks 40% off of a $500 hotel room is still a lot of money and wonders how people afford it - and now people who are staying at POP for $45 are mad at her? I don't think anyone is mad at her - just trying to show her how some people do it. I think the most objectionable part of her OP was the part about laughing at people who think they got a "deal" w/the 40% off code.

I'm with the OP. I often wonder how people who aren't wealthy can afford to do it often. I'm a doctor's daughter and was brought up very frugally. I went to Disney 3 times with my parents and never stayed on property - it was Motel 6 all the way for us! My trips as an adult were also budget trips - because that's just who I am. I made my signature specifically so there would be visible proof that some of us do only go occasionally and budget carefully for those trips. That doesn't mean it's wrong to go often and stay at luxury hotels. It's just a different choice. And yes, I do wonder sometimes why people make their choices, as I'm sure they wonder about mine.

I think it is dangerous to assume people staying at GF aren't budgeting. I'm sure some aren't, but know from these boards that others are.

I've taken more vacations as a kid and as an adult than most people I know in real life - but they were all carefully budgeted. Vacationing yearly is a priority for us. Not many of our trips were to Disney, but even those trips outnumber most people I know. The reality is - the DIS is not real life! It's a bunch of Disney fans who prioritize Disney trips. Maybe not, but I don't think there's a big difference in the cost of a Disney cruise vs. the one my neighbor is taking this spring. As I stated in a PP, there's not much difference in $ b/w a week at Disney and a week at the beach.
So yes, there seem to be a lot of people on this board who are thrilled with their $300 a night GF conceirge deal - but I don't think that makes them the norm.

Just another of my 2 cents...

 

[choirfarm]

nt

 

[DawnM]

Doesn't it seem like the same thing is hashed out over and over and over again?

How can so many people afford Disney?

What can I do to spend less for Disney?

I feel like I *could* just post the same response daily to at least one post.

Dawn