"Some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing." ~ Oscar Wilde

[rockin_rep]

"Some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing." ~ Oscar Wilde (one of my all time favorite quotes!)

Traveling is a HUGE priority in our home, always budgeting and also taking a long-road trip in the summer (often including DisneyLAND) plus our spring break WDW trips. There is nothing in the world like these shared experience with our children!!!!!

So we, like all of you, will do and budget all we can to simply *get there*, as vacations are priceless. One example is staying on property (even if in value lodging)....often pricier than off-site but still priceLESS.

Is there anything specifically at Disney (or anything?) that may be too pricey but is definitely priceLESS?

 

[Amirah95]

Yes, like staying in the best suite at GF for at least 7 nights (that's my dream)! LOL! I asked my DH the same question and he said the Platinum Package and staying at a Deluxe hotel on Disney. These things cost, but are definitely worth the experience. But it is definitely wise to stay within your means. Money doesn't grow on trees.

 

[Sammy]

Hmmm...great quote! Since we took our first "big" family vacation in 2000 (to WDW of course!), we've been budgeting $$ every year for some sort of travel. We've been to Disney twice since then, and are cruising with the kids for February vacation. We have a wonderful time and to us, is "worth it"!

We have friends who fit your quote exactly. They never vacation except for local camping weekends, and even when they do that, complain about the cost. BTW, they are far from poor...they make just as much $$ as we do. The husband talks about everything in the context of dollars and cents...and I mean EVERYTHING. You cannot carry on any conversation with him where he doesn't mention how much something costs. They finally took their kids on a vacation to Washington DC just a few weeks ago. When they returned, all he could talk about was how great the vacation was because everything was free (museums, attractions, monuments, etc). Then he complained because they actually had to pay to ride the Metro (subway). Not a thing said about if they enjoyed themselves, or how much fun they may have had as a family.

He can't believe we actually spend money on vacations with the family. He believes it is a "waste". His wife, on the other hand, would love to take the kids to Disney, but he won't hear of it.

I understand everyone makes their own decisions about how to spend their money. Some vacation, some buy "stuff", some put it into their houses, and some put it all away for the future. It's their own choice. We choose to do a little bit of each of those things!

Sammy

 

[LIFERBABE]

The photo's are priceless!

We dont buy them all, and I take several rolls each trip and have them developed at Sams Club, but I like to buy at least one photo with all of us in it!

One thing about WDW, is whatever I spend, I don't regret it or think of the things I "coulda" spent my money on. It has always been worth it.

My boys are now 5 and 7 and it was not long ago they were 3 and 5 on our first trip. Next year they will be......well you get it! LOL Every year they enjoy different things and all you have are your photos to remember the fun.

 

[hdecker]

The first time we went to WDW we thought would be our only time. Now 6 trips later, we have a free and priceless memory. The first time, the first place we went was Disney Marketplace, and we took a picture of the three kids in front of the Mickey pouring water statue. Well, we've lined them up every trip since then in the same spot, same order, and take a new picture. It's fun to not only watch them grow, but also watch the trees and buildings change. Our first shot was done at ages 3, 5, and 10, and this year, sadly, the pic only has 2 in it at 12 and 14, the 20 year old has his own life, but we still have those Mickey pictures.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

When I was a kid, my family never took a vacation. It was just something we just didn't do. Then I met my husband, who comes from a family of 6 children, a stay-at-home-mom, and a carpenter father. They took a vacation at least once a year, and often small weekend trips to ski areas and state parks. They weren't wealthy, they just figured out a way to make it happen.

To me, that is proof that people spend their money on what is important to them.

We take vacations because my husband and I feel that it is important for our family's health. Seriously. We just bought into a DVC this past year and one of the reasons I wanted to do it was because I knew it would force us to get away at least every other year.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

When my husband and I got married we promised ourselves that no matter what, we would go away for a weekend together just us every year. That worked untill our first child was born. We made the decision that I would stay home with the kids and we had to make some sacrifices for it. That was one of them. Now, 4 years later we are finally in a place where we can do a real vacation and not have it hurt the "essentials" in life. My parents have given us a vacation as a Christmas gift several times. We all went on a cruise together when my oldest was 6 months old and we all went to WDW together this past Christmas/New Years and will be returning again this year. This year's spring trip to WDW was our first big "family vacation" for us and the kids that didn't include staying with family etc. Now that we can do it, we've promised that we will make sure we do something together as a family every year. My parents own a 36' RV so we do frequent "long weekend" type trips with them but we also feel like we need to do a trip with just us and our kids. Now that our youngest is almost 2 1/2, I don't feel as bad leaving both of them with my parents for us to do a weekend trip just the two of us either. I think when we set off for WDW last October knowing we had a trip planned again in the Spring, DH thought he was going to dread going again. TOTAL opposite. He left saying he felt closer to our kids for having shared that special time with them and couldn't wait to go back to a place where we could ALL have something we enjoy and feel like we were in a "family environment" the whole time. I think then we both had a better understanding of the decisions MY parents made. When I was growing up my mother stayed home with me too and they made sacrifices to make that possible. They cut corners in lots of places but we always had ample "family time." Looking back, sometimes it was a more budget trip staying in a "camping cabin" somewhere and cooking most of our meals, sometimes it was more moderate like a beach trip, a couple of times WDW and once, when I was going into my last year of high school and he knew our "family vacation time" was going to be coming to an end, Dad made TONS of sacrifices (that I of course didn't realize at the time) so that the 3 of us could go to Hawaii for 2 weeks together. Looking back at growing up, I don't remember that we didn't go out to eat as much as other families or that I had ONE pair of designer jeans as opposed to a closet full; I remember the time spent with my parents on those trips. We now have a "vacation account" that gets paid into monthly and that we view as equally as important as our other bills. It's important to our family's well being.

As to your question...we did a fireworks cruise on our last trip. I debated doing it or not and decided I really wanted to splurge and do it. It was very nice to be out there on the water watching Wishes with my family feeling like we were the only ones out there.

 

[bexareaglecheryl]

Oh my gosh! I have never heard this quote before but I absolutely love it. Thanks for sharing it with me and with all of us. I think that you have once again reaffirmed in me why we spend money on WDW (although we've only gone twice in 2000 and will be going in Nov.) We have another trip for next year planned already and we haven't even gone on this one yet!

The first time we went to WDW my DH had been laid off 2 years previously and had been working at a new job for about a year and we saved and scrimped to go that year. Then about 10 months after our last trip, DH got laid off again (post 9/11) and was out of work for 7 months. During that time I also became ill with a disease that will never be cured. We have shed a lot of tears in the four years since we've been to WDW, but the memory of those trips was like a light shining around us.

Going to WDW awakens my spirit from the stupor that is induced by everyday life and by my illness. Just thinking of our trip and planning the details brings me great joy. My children are 13 and almost 17 and I know that before I realize it they will be grown and gone(although they love WDW as much as I do and will probably tag along until they've got kids of their own and they DH and I will tag along!). Our family trips together are so special.

When you have lived through rough times, screwed up your credit having to pay for hospitals, doctors and medication, lost your job, driven a 14 year old car, gone without too many things to mention, a WDW trip, to me, brings hope alive,brings the spirit of happiness and joy to me, and helps me carry that feeling into my everyday life. My first 2 trips changed me forever and now I need a booster shot. My entire family does! Thanks for the reminder.
Cheryl

PS Plus We're going on this trip with my brother in law and Dad who constantly complain about the cost of things. They don't understand the value of something vs the cost.

 

[Princess Steph]

I agree with you completely!! Most people told me I was crazy taking the 1 year old to WDW. We traveled with the grandparents. If you could see the wonder and excitement on his face, just priceless. We are going again with the inlaws next month. It is expensive, but worth every penny.

I think the Character Breakfast is one thing at WDW that is expensive, but priceless. Every time I make a PS I think about how this is so expensive for a breakfast. But then I compare it to what we pay for Brunch Buffet at our local resaurant and it's not so bad. The wonderful experience and interaction with the characters is a bonus!! We have some great photos and wonderful memories from the breakfasts with all our Disney friends!!

 

[nrsldy]

I soooo agree with that quote!!!!
We did not take many family vacations when our children were little. It took the loss of a child for us to reset our priorities. We are raising our grandson and every 2 years we take a family vacation to WDW. I wish we could go more often.
We travel as a family and the time spent together is priceless!!!

 

[rockin_rep]

I've loved reading all your replies! They've touched my heart and a couple of them reminded me of another quote: "Never fear death, only an un-lived life." I think its so sad when people work themselves to an early grave saving for retirement! Not that we aren't saving and planning for that too, but we're also living in the *present*, which is why it's such a *gift*!

Your replies also reaffirm how important our travels are to us, including trips to disney. My DH and i joke that we'll likely die with waaaay more memories than money!! But i don't thnk i'd have it any other way. There is nothing more precious (and priceless) than spending time with the ones you love!

Any other ideas out there? Any other good quotations? (can you tell i love those? LOL) Thanks for your inspiration and blessings to you all!

 

[Toad]

Love the quote .

We go every year and spend more and more each year. The rips are getting very expensive as we always find something new we hadn't budgeted for and then work it into our cost/budget for the following year.

But the cheapest thing we do, but always seems to be the most "priceless" is simply be together. Our yearly trip consists of myself, my sister, and our two cousins who live in California.

Through these trips, we have become closer to these cousins than to the ones who live here in Canada that we can see whenever we want (but only at weddings and funerals these days).

There are days when we just go to the parks, get a big bucket-o-popcorn and sodas, and sit on a bench and talk. About everything and nothing at all. It is great!!

 

[Amirah95]

"Never fear death, only an un-lived life."

When my DH does anything it has to be at his 100% best...I don't say anything...I just follow. We work hard and we deserve to have nice things and to go on nice vacations. We do put away money for retirement, but we also splurge at the same time! I don't like to drive the same car after three years (my mother doesn't understand that thing about me--lol), while my husband loves to travel all over the world and build hobby cars. Some people say live a little, but we live a lot!

 

[ceecee]

Our yearly vacations are PRICELESS! You never know what the future holds....so build the memories. Certainly don't go into debt, but there are tons of ways to cut back. My BIL complains constantly about the cost at WDW...............He's a FL resident with a 2 hr drive, getting a deluxe resort at an awesome deal as well as park hoppers and he STILL complains. He also tells us how much he makes! How he and my husband are related I will never know and they're twins as well....they are like night and day. DH can laugh him off easier than I can, all the complaining grates at me and I usually end up telling him to get over it. Thankfully they are only staying for 4 of our 9 days!

 

[rockin_rep]

I just love each and every response you're sharing! Seems like most of us think alike!

Just thought of another one.....

While i'm not at all a huge country music fan, i just heard Tim McGraw has a song / cd called:

"Live like you were dying"

How profoundly true! As other's have said, only God knows what tomorrow holds. And while we can plan for our future (and really enjoy the planning if it's for a DISNEY trip!) enjoying the gift of today is also soo very important.

Just thought i'd share...and now i'm going to try and find the song on our DS's napster website!

 

[crisi]

That quote, I do not think it mean what you think it means. In context:

LORD DARLINGTON. What cynics you fellows are!

CECIL GRAHAM. What is a cynic? [Sitting on the back of the sofa.]

LORD DARLINGTON. A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

CECIL GRAHAM. And a sentimentalist, my dear Darlington, is a man who sees an absurd value in everything, and doesn't know the market price of any single thing.

I don't think you guys are cynics.