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[PiratesRock]

Seriously!! When I talked to Disney about reservations for my family of 6, they gave me a price for a 2 bedroom suite in Contemporary for "only" $14,000 for the week!!! Sorry, Dude, I booked a 3 BR at Weston Hills for under $900! Now hubby and I will just say "only 14,000" and then die laughing. That guy at Disney? He don't know me too well, do he?

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

we are a "real" couple who work very hard all year round. We save for 2 years (we go every other year at this point in time) to go to Disney. We take smaller, more local trips throughout the year when we don't go to Disney. We don't have that much debt. We have retirement accounts, savings for the kids and ourselves. We try very hard to be on a budget. Are we rich?? He$$ NO! Did we work hard to put ourselves through college and get decent jobs??? ABSOLUTELY!!!!

 

[douglisa]

Dang I must be watching the poor people channels cause I've never seen WDW advertise $16,000 as a starting price point!


sorry I just couldn't resist!

Oopsie daisy! LOL I meant $1,600. One too many 0's. I watch the poor peoples channel too.

 

[SUSIEQ]

not really go look at the rent dvc point board. I'm gonna have to look into that next time we go

Yes, that's the way to "do" WDW if you can "stomach" a little risk!

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I only read page 1 and 7....
but....as much flack as I get for it....I take a check + a little savings from throughout the year, and just GO!~
I worry about the bills when I get back.. and eventually catch up again.
The time with my kids is PRICELESS

 

[LovableGluttons]

I stay up all night taking care of premature and ill newborns in the NICU and teach future nurses during the day while my kids are in school.

DH spent 21 years serving our country in the Air Force before "retiring" to pursue a civilian career that makes more.

We're two regular people who paid our own way through school, limited our family size despite wanting more kids, and purposely live well below our means.

In addition, we moved only an hour from Orlando, which cuts down on the expense to go visit.

We work so hard for our family, are generous with tithing, volunteer, and make taking family vacations a big priority.

How does a regular family afford flights to Ethiopia and Honduras? That has to add up too.

 

[agentpleakley]

Life is too short to wait until everything is paid off. By the time my house is paid off my kids will be grown. If we did wait for that, when the kids are
reminiscing when they are older what are they going to say, "Hey mom, remember when we went to the bank to make the mortgage payment, those were good times". No thanks not for me, I want to have fun on vacation with my kids while they are young.

Sure we do things close to home, but if I can swing it, why not share WDW with them? The mortgage can wait, it will still be there after they have moved out.

It's all about choices and this is what I choose.

I TOTALLY Couldn't agree MORE!!

 

[heartsy77]

After reading most of this thread I can only reiterate what the others say. We are a normal middle class family that will give up extra indulges in life to save for WDW. We got to about every 18-24 months; the times we are going to Disney sooner then not, we take small summer vacations. My DH and both set aside money out of our paycheck every week for our WDW fund. We always go in the winter so we use our CC for food and expenses and then we pay it off with our tax return. Yes we could claim more with-holdings; however, by getting a larger refund at the end of the year it pays off our Disney expenses so it is also like putting money away every week just the government is holding it for us. I have went into to debt to go to WDW and I would do it again if I had to but we are a lot better of financially now so we just save! Making memories with our children are worth any price! IMHO we are normal families on the dis trying to help each other get to WDW for a little less!

 

[leahjade]

First of all, I don't see why anyone worries what other people are spending their money on unless they're not paying taxes and are spending your hard-earned money! There is so much class envy in this country and it's really sad. If someone works hard for their money and paid for their own education so they could get a decent job, why begrudge them a vacation? We are definitely a middle class family and started out with Disney discount vacations at a value resort. After paying off our mortgage (through hard work and saving) we were able to stay in a deluxe resort (with a discount of course!). Now we are in the college stage of our kids' lives and again we will be scrimping and saving for our vacations.

 

[blondimom]

I didn't read this whole thread {it's looong }. What we do is I book through AAA. Then, I use my Disney Visa, so that I can get the six months, no payment option. I then save everything change, eBay money and break those payments into four monthly payments. I'm also very cheap, as I cannot go back to work full time until September {when both my boys are in school all day}. I use coupons for groceries, only shop in stores that double my coupons. I also charge all my expenses to my Continental card for the miles. I ALWAYS pay that bill in full each month. It's alot of work, but taking my kids on great vacations and still be able to save money is worth it to us.

 

[Sally]

As a single parent with 2 children each disney trip is special and we plan all year for the next trip. I am very frugal with money and everything all year to hopefully get the next disney trip. I do not make the kids do without during the year for the disney trip, but I do make them ask themselves if they have to have something before they ask for it.
My oldest just started college and she works at our church for her gas money and such. Otherwise I just don't spend unless I have to spend. Because of the non-spending we have gotten some great disney trips.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Yes, that's the way to "do" WDW if you can "stomach" a little risk!

This is how I feel too. I have thought about it many times but then ask myself what would I do it I got there and had no where to stay? I always talk mysled out of it.

 

[Liberty Belle]

No need to worry about me. We have put a Disney vacation (and part of another) on our credit cards, but they're paid off now.

I wouldn't dream of going to WDW and not staying onsite. We stay in the value resorts and are happy.

I realize others who have a much higher income than us (we're doing fine, by the way, and bring in about $20,000 more than the average income in our town) can afford to stay in the deluxe motels. Whatever they're able to do is fine with me.

I don't see why it bothers you so much. You sound a bit jealous. I admit, I am a little, too, but things are the way they are. I do not assume the people staying in deluxe motels are not able to pay for their stay without damaging their future, and neither should you.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

It really helps to do alot of research. We are going for 7 days and figured out that base tickets are $620 for the three of us. And then the villa I found will be $636.75. Plus $1,050 for airfare from Iowa. Grand total $2306.25
The villa is almost $300 cheaper than staying @ Pop. It comes w/ full kitchen, 3 bedrooms, two baths, living room, garage, washer and dryer, dishwasher and pool w/ jacuzzi. It is 10 minutes from WDW. I have not figured out what it will cost for car rental. I purchased a AAA membership and I will get discounts on tickets airfare and car rental.I will also be able to park in one of the lots closest to the gate because we are renting a car through AAA. We will also save $$ by eating @ the rental. Ya know that commercial on T.V. that says you can purchase vacations starting @ $16,000? Well to stay @ the value resorts it is almost $900! So you see it pays to spend lots of time on the computor searching for deals.

Ok, I have to admit that I have never purchased plane tickets for myself before. But when I had to get tickets for Florida, I had a bit of sticker shock! We paid $1484 for 4 tickets with a lap baby out of Des Moines. My brother always flys out of Omaha to save...unfortunately, I don't want to ask somebody to drive us all the way to Omaha and then have to come back and pick us up from there. I'd feel bad.

 

[snomofinn]

I'm not sure that I understand why people worry about other people spending their (hard earned) money as long as it doesn't directly affect them. I do what is best for my family...what makes us happy, I wish that others would do the same. Sounds like a thread sure to stir up more controversy!

AMEN! I could not agree more. We've been to Disney every year since 1993, and stayed on site. My children are 14 and 21 and they have memories that will last a lifetime. We are a "normal" family (well sometimes) I've been a SAHM for the past 22 years, my DH is self employed and has been for the past 25 years. I don't need to explain my finances to justify my Disney trips. Everyone knows what they can and cant afford. Enough said...can't wait till our next trip March 13th for 9 days!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Don't take offense. Everyone on both sides of my family are teachers for two generations...well, either teachers of administrators...sisters, aunts, grandparents, etc. My husband as a doctor is the odd man out. My grandparents were both teachers and saved and paid for all three children to go to college. That said, I was taught to be debt free before I ever used money for a fun thing...so I guess I would have paid off my loans and car payment before I went to Disney.
Chrisitne

That's you. No way am I going to put off vacations until I can pay off my car. Just because you "were taught" to be that way, doesn't mean it's the right way to be. Our vacations have brought us wonderful, beautiful time together as a family.

 

[dvcgirl]

If I've learned anything on this particular message board in the few years I've been around it's this: Everyone has a different definition of what "afford" is with respect to their personal finances.

For one person being able to afford a trip to WDW means that they have no consumer debt, an emergency fund of at least 6 months of expenses and are meeting retirement savings goals each year.

Another person may feel that they can afford the same trip by putting the whole trip on a credit card and sending in the minimum payment each month.

And so in answering the original question posed by the OP: How do "real people" afford Disney? The answer is that a fair percentage probably can't afford those trips on some level.

Some of the things we know for sure...

70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.

Two-thirds of Americans aren't saving enough to maintain their current lifestyle in retirement. The fact is that most of us will have no pension. Those who believe that their pensions are "rock-solid" are finding out that isn't necessarily the case. And 401K/IRA balances are pitiful. Many will never be able to retire.

The flow of easy credit for all created an environment where "wants" can purchased instantly and paid for later.....with interest. Regardless of income level, many Americans have adopted the "life is too short" creed expressed by many in this thread and are spending today at the expense of tomorrow.

The key these days is in avoiding the question of "how do they afford that" at all. We already know that most Americans, over two-thirds are neglecting some aspect of their "financial house". And so I've learned not to even bother asking the question at all, because I already know the answer.

 

[ceecee]

The first two years we went, we stayed at ASmo and got it for $49.00 a night! You don't have to do Disney at the Deluxe hotels there are other options and they are just as fun. In 15 years we have never charged a vacation.

 

[Liberty Belle]

If I've learned anything on this particular message board in the few years I've been around it's this: Everyone has a different definition of what "afford" is with respect to their personal finances.

For one person being able to afford a trip to WDW means that they have no consumer debt, an emergency fund of at least 6 months of expenses and are meeting retirement savings goals each year.

Another person may feel that they can afford the same trip by putting the whole trip on a credit card and sending in the minimum payment each month.

And so in answering the original question posed by the OP: How do "real people" afford Disney? The answer is that a fair percentage probably can't afford those trips on some level.

Some of the things we know for sure...

70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.

Two-thirds of Americans aren't saving enough to maintain their current lifestyle in retirement. The fact is that most of us will have no pension. Those who believe that their pensions are "rock-solid" are finding out that isn't necessarily the case. And 401K/IRA balances are pitiful. Many will never be able to retire.

The flow of easy credit for all created an environment where "wants" can purchased instantly and paid for later.....with interest. Regardless of income level, many Americans have adopted the "life is too short" creed expressed by many in this thread and are spending today at the expense of tomorrow.

The key these days is in avoiding the question of "how do they afford that" at all. We already know that most Americans, over two-thirds are neglecting some aspect of their "financial house". And so I've learned not to even bother asking the question at all, because I already know the answer.

I was with you during the bolded part, but why not just leave it at that? To say someone who is still comfortably paying their mortgage and car payments shouldn't spend money on a vacation until they can pay those off and have a sizable emergency fun is ridiculous, in my opinion.

Yes, life is too short. That is not an excuse to never save, to charge everything, or to irresponsibly put your family in financial danger, but a reminder to do things in moderation and enjoy your family and give them memories that will last a lifetime.

Going to Disney when you can't make mortgage or rent payments is irresponsible. Going when you're comfortably able to make your payments (even if you cannot pay the balance) and still have money left over, is not.

 

[FayeW]

We are a "real" family. We earn a good income, we pay our bills on time, we have lots of equity and retirement savings but we carry a lot more debt than we should. For me, it's about balance. As long as we can pay our bills and pay down some debt, I'm okay with some discretionary spending. We stay offsite in rented condos so that we can have breakfasts and light meals/snacks there instead of eating out every meal. We fly out of NY instead of Canada, and reserve rental car months in advance to get the best deal. Meals that we eat out are often offsite (Golden Corral, etc) but we will do a couple of special TS meals as well. Budgeting and prioritizing what we want or need from our vacation means that we can go for a fairly reasonable price.

We are willing to be inconvenienced to save a buck, but I am quite willing to spend that buck somewhere else on something I perceive to be better value. I apply that same principle to my everyday spending. When something is on sale, I stock up. I rarely pay full price for a big ticket item. Saving money in one area allows me to spend it somewhere else.

We aren't the most financially responsible people you will ever meet, as evidenced by the fact that I am willing to spend a coupleo of thousand dollars on a vacation; money that could undoubtedly be put to better use elsewhere.

My 54 yr old cousin just died on Tuesday, after being diagnosed with a very agressive cancer only a few months ago. Fine one day, dead less than 6 months later. I bet his wife and children are not remembering all the bills he paid. I am okay with having some debt, and enjoy living my life.