DizneyNutz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2004
- Messages
- 3,250
There are so many ways to go to WDW w/o mortgaging everything you own. I think that was one of my scariest thoughts when we took our first trip there---we're slated for number 5 in December!
I was pinching pennies, checking hotel information, saving every dime and nickel I could and asking everyone I knew who'd been "how bad is it really?" I got everything from "I'd never go there w/o having at least 5k in my pocket" to "it took 1500 to feed a family of three" that included two adults and one two year old child...I was
I would never spend 5k on a vacation, we couldn't, and couldn't conceive of eating 1500 in food in ONE week, make no mistake, I am a healthy size 12, fourteen feels better 
and we were going with two teenage girls to boot and we eat what we want, when we want!
I think the most expensive things that you'll have to face are lodging, park tickets, dining and fuel/travel expenses.
On our last trip, we spent maybe $400 in food (we had dinner pre-paid one night, Spirit of Ahloha so altogether, 550-600 for four people) and I would do one-two things a mth as the year/trip planning unfolded...one mth, I'd buy the tickets, the next reserve airline reservations, and so it went on and on until little by little we'd be ready to go. One life saver I'd recommend to anyone, is if you're staying in a WDW Resort, buy the refillable mugs!
We were fortunate enough to become DVC Members about two years ago, if you and your family LOVE WDW it's the way to go....lodging, pre-paid and you're staying in top of the line resorts....we've NEVER regretted it. We also buy the ten day tickets with no expiration, these tickets normally get us through about 2 yrs since we only go once a year. Now that we are empty nesters, we hope to be able to either go twice a year or stay for two weeks at a time....we'll see.
Little by little we would make it come together, granted you're planning a year in advance---but for me, that's half the fun! I've done the same thing since we got back last September....sat our next trip date, and started planning.
These boards are a tremendous help and don't be afraid to ask anything, believe me, I am sure there are a lot of fortunate folks that don't have to go to such measures as we do to be able to hit WDW, but I'm sure there are just as many, like us, who love it and have to budget.
Hang in there, may God bless you in your new home state and may your dreams of WDW not be nearly as far off as you think they are
Good Luck
I was pinching pennies, checking hotel information, saving every dime and nickel I could and asking everyone I knew who'd been "how bad is it really?" I got everything from "I'd never go there w/o having at least 5k in my pocket" to "it took 1500 to feed a family of three" that included two adults and one two year old child...I was
I would never spend 5k on a vacation, we couldn't, and couldn't conceive of eating 1500 in food in ONE week, make no mistake, I am a healthy size 12, fourteen feels better and we were going with two teenage girls to boot and we eat what we want, when we want! I think the most expensive things that you'll have to face are lodging, park tickets, dining and fuel/travel expenses.
On our last trip, we spent maybe $400 in food (we had dinner pre-paid one night, Spirit of Ahloha so altogether, 550-600 for four people) and I would do one-two things a mth as the year/trip planning unfolded...one mth, I'd buy the tickets, the next reserve airline reservations, and so it went on and on until little by little we'd be ready to go. One life saver I'd recommend to anyone, is if you're staying in a WDW Resort, buy the refillable mugs!
We were fortunate enough to become DVC Members about two years ago, if you and your family LOVE WDW it's the way to go....lodging, pre-paid and you're staying in top of the line resorts....we've NEVER regretted it. We also buy the ten day tickets with no expiration, these tickets normally get us through about 2 yrs since we only go once a year. Now that we are empty nesters, we hope to be able to either go twice a year or stay for two weeks at a time....we'll see.
Little by little we would make it come together, granted you're planning a year in advance---but for me, that's half the fun! I've done the same thing since we got back last September....sat our next trip date, and started planning.
These boards are a tremendous help and don't be afraid to ask anything, believe me, I am sure there are a lot of fortunate folks that don't have to go to such measures as we do to be able to hit WDW, but I'm sure there are just as many, like us, who love it and have to budget.
Hang in there, may God bless you in your new home state and may your dreams of WDW not be nearly as far off as you think they are
Good Luck
DH and I are working to get out of debt and decided no more vacations until the credit cards & 2 car loans are paid in full. Estimated date of next Disney trip: Summer 2009. 
At least then my soon-to-be little DS will be old enough to enjoy some rides with us!
