The economy and Walt Disney World

[calypso*a*go-go]

At least you are on the right side of the Atlantic

Good point Jackie -- I guess it could be worse!

 

[aykna]

What is really weird is that we are planning on going twice this year (June and October), normally it's once a year if that. So this has forced us into spending less while we are there. Although we stayed on property, we ate off property quite a bit. Since we stayed at BCV with a full kitchen, we were also able to cook. We also drove from Boston and reduced the time there by a day.

The next trip is scheduled for October and I am very worried that I won't be able to control my spending habits seeing as though we are going to Food and Wine, and both the Universal and Disney Halloween events.

-Natasha

 

[eliza61]

Okay, so we know that ticket prices have increased, gas prices are out of control, and the economy appears to be affecting more and more people every day. How has the economy affected your plans for a trip to Disney?

I'm one of the "nothing stands between me and my vacation" crowd.
I'm a "budget, working 50 hrs a week, mom with 2 kids" gal 50 weeks of the year. No way am I giving up my 2 weeks vacation! There is no way I could keep my sanity if I did and you know the old saying "if Mama ain't happy, no ones happy".

I will eat ramien noodles weeks on end, cut back on shopping and movies but I'll be hanged if I'm giving up my wdw (or any other) vacations.

 

[Dismom+two]

Most of my trips to Disney are somewhat last minute...within 2-6 months. Right now I have no trips planned and DH says we will NOT be going again for some time...HOWEVER....that could change.

 

[magic2go]

We are still going too, but have made some changes. On our list of things to not do:

• Two sit-down meals tops per trip
• I am not even pricing airfare anymore, we will drive. I used to watch prices and compare the cost, now its just too expensive to fly with a family of 4.
• Go only during value season.
• In room snacks - soda, water, and breakfast items (much easier because we are driving too!)
  

We were also trying to do one tour/special item per trip - but thats out too now!

We've also been every year (or multiple trips every year) but now we are thinking of no 2009 trip, and waiting until 2010 to visit again

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

Okay, I feel the need to defend my answer...I voted for not going this year but we are going next year. BUT the reason is two-fold: 1. we are going on a 7 night Freedom of the Seas cruise in Oct '08 and 2. we are doing the Podcast cruise in May '09. DH was trying to sneak a few days in after our Oct '08 cruise but it is just much money, honestly. And since we are going to be spending time before the podcast cruise in WDW, I can get my "fix" then. Now I just have to figure out when I will bring my kids since they aren't going on either cruise with me...hmmmm...gotta get the kids there someday....it is Disney World afterall....

 

[DLBDS]

I'm going but cutting back. Normally, I would've chosen a deluxe but we're going moderate (POR) this time around. I'm totally cool with that though. Looking forward to trying some place new! Also, can't wait to try the dining plan for the first time....and it's gonna be FREE! (Really wish it still included the tip though. ) I'm looking forward to this trip just as much as if I were staying Club Level at the WL! FWIW, it's not really because of the economy that I'm cutting back but because of current bills that need to be taken care of before the interest free promotion runs out. Just trying to be a smart, responsible adult about things.

Editing to add....I've also shortened out length of stay to 5 nights on property instead of 7 (With arrival night off property...but that's the way we always do it).

 

[magic2go]

Oh yea, forgot to add one more way we're cutting back:

Our arrival night is now in an off-property hotel, since we arrive late at night when we leave after work. We used to just checkin at midnight or 1am at whatever Disney resort we were staying at. Now our first night will be at Comfort Inn, or someplace similar, and we'll check in the next day at our Disney resort.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

We will keep going to both parks as DH travels a lot and free plane tickets are no problem. Even though we are DVC we have shifted all other visits to off property stays at WDW.

It is so-o-o-o much cheaper and quite frankly the quality of dining at WDW (as well as the dining experience) has just gotten below the acceptable level. We enjoy fine dining on property and try and make the last reservations of the night for dinner but the dining plan has just filled the remaining decent places with worn out kiddlums... last time at Artist Point a ball was thrown across our table during dinner! (Warning leave my $75 bottle of wine upright please). Where is the locker

We have found that nearly all of the offsite hotel suites are just great (full kitchens, laundry facilities, etc.) The pool is yours alone most of the morning and early evening. It is great to catch a cab go to a nice dinner offsite and see some live entertainment in the parks in the evenings.

We have also seen the value of a rental car. 10 Minutes to any park, get in get out and have a lot more qulity time (not on buses). You can get more park visits in a shorter stay and make it seem like a longer one.

Hate to bring this up, but US is a great value option as well. You can gain admission for a week there for what you pay for a day at WDW.

We find the more things go downhill at WDW (and the dimmer the magic gets) the more we find the old magic at WDL. So strange, same company but the difference between the two parks is becoming quite stark in terms of CM quality, guest conduct, holiday decorations, customer service, etc. Offsite lodgings are in abundance (and within easy walking distance) a huge selection of dining options in all categories (again within walking distance).

We spend much less at WDL per day than we do at WDW... and there is no doubt that WDL MK is much better (in terms of attention to detail, ride quality, and overall experience) consider this when comparing airline prices.

I think Walt still hangs around there (at least the light is still on in his apt)

Remember that this economy thing is cyclical... It will get better as soon as we find bottom and "correct". Then we will see things improve quickly.

 

[disneyholic family]

i answered the first one (i'm going - nothing stands between me and my wdw vacations), but i probably should have answered the 2nd one, since on my last trip (this past november) with DD, we stayed at the ASMu - i haven't stayed at a value resort in something like 10 years.....so that was a change..

and DD's going in september, staying at the pop and with free dining...
i reserved that time for her specifically to get her free dining at a value resort.....

so i suppose that's a change too.

on the other hand, we've always gone on very long vacations at WDW (minimum 3 weeks) due to the very high cost of transportation for us....so that probably won't change....

 

[carol1231]

We are DVC members too, so our room is "taken care of". We are fortunate to be within driving distance, so airfair is not needed. About half of our meals are cooked in the room with groceries that I've brought from home. And a few meals are off property restaurants and a few on property. So, our only big expense is the bill from the pool bar.

I think I will be passing on purchasing PAP's this year. I still have a few old Park Hoppers that can be used, so we may limit our park time a little more than we did in the past. That will save us a bit of cash.

 

[ADP]

I couldn't imagine not being able to make it to Orlando. Disney World and the other parks are part of our DNA. Since we are DVC members our accommodations are pretty much paid for; however, I will still pay out of pocket on the weekends to maximize our DVC points.

We have been very fortunate so far; we still have our jobs and we are in good health so we can continue to travel to WDW. I'm the kind of person who doesn't take anything for granted.

Airfare out of Indianapolis, although it has gone up it is still affordable. I just saw on Airtran's website Indianapolis to Orlando for $82 one way in May of 2009. That's pretty good!

We do want to relocate to Orlando someday, but right now life's circumstances tell us we have to wait. Living in Orlando would make travelling to the parks and resorts so much easier....

Right now we have trips planned for October 18th - 24th and December 9th - 16th planned (going solo in Dec). Also in May of 2009. As long as life continues to treat us well we will continue our trips to Orlando.

 

[Chellymouse]

I also answered nothing stands between me and the mouse!
DVC has been a huge help for us as well as it has cut our costs in half. While there are many people that enjoy being off property and have found savings, we are tried and true on property folks. We still do the dining plan because for 2 adults it's still worth it although DH says after the Dec. trip we may go back to a couple of in park meals and obtaining more groceries and eating more in the villa to save. We did get PAP for this year and depending on how next year looks, we'll decide then if we are going to renew. I'm flying down this weekend for a week with my BFF and DH and I are going in Dec. Friends of ours (who otherwise wouldn't really be able to afford to go) may go with us for a 9 or 10 day trip next summer. We fly (I can't stand being a car for 18 hours) so we've decided to do one big trip instead of some of the smaller trips we'd been planning....at least until airfare gets a bit more reasonable. We've cut out at home as well.....not eating out, waiting for movies to come out video (unless it's something we CANT miss at the theater) hanging around home more instead of going out. I only hope the ecomony starts getting better!

 

[Crystal824]

We went in March. We were planning a trip in late November but have since decided not to go due to the cost of everything going up. We could do it, but we are also purchasing a house and have decided our extra cash needs to go there. Maybe next year.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

If it weren't for you, Pete, and Dreams Unlimited, I wouldn't be going this year. As it is, even with an AP, I have to stay WAY offsite, rent the cheapest car out there, and eat all my meals at offsite restaurants or cook them myself. I may catch a CS or 2, and possibly a walkup dinner if I can get bar seating, but I plan on keeping my spending under $200 for my 8 day trip. That's for 8 days of gas, food, and anything special I may want to do or buy. Thank goodness the AP gives you free parking!

 

[BigGreen73]

It's funny reading that WDW has not been affected by the poor economy. Some scratch their head wondering how that's possible really. But what you have to realize is that WDW provides an escape, even though a short one, from the hardships of today.

Anyway, I voted that nothing will stop me. but it's not 100% true. What will be a damper in my WDW plans isn't the price increases by WDW, or the high gas prices, it's the airlines. The airline fares seem to be on a roller coaster now along with constant time and flight changes, not to mention the increase in cancellations. You can book that perfect flight 5-6 months out, but that doesn't mean it will be the same a couple of months from now, or even a couple of weeks. Ugh...so frustrating.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I haven't voted yet, because I don't know my answer. Two weeks ago it would have been "NO WAY are we going- way too expensive," but we just got an amazing surprise. Someone gave us their DVC points and booked us a week in December . I almost fainted with excitement as we don't get to go to WDW very often...last trip was 3 years ago. We are still trying to figure out if we can afford to fly over there from California and if we can afford the park tickets and food. Even with the free hotel, it is still so expensive because a flight from California is outrageous.

I am crossing my fingers that this works out otherwise our next trip isn't until 2015. Hoping to win some tickets from the podcast!!!...but I won't hold my breath

 

[cocowum]

I answered nothing comes between me and my vacation. Now, DH might post something differently but...

Anyway, I always plan our trips on a budget. We are staying at POP during free dining. The biggest portion of that cost is 3 AP's. but we are coming back for a long weekend in Oct for F&W. Then the cruise and a 4 day post cruise stay. I am always very conscious of our budget but I am very good at finding a deal! DH has a very stressful job, he needs these trips. Besides that, our DD is 14 and we really don't have that much time left, she'll be all grown up soon. We have decided to cut back in other areas but vacations are very important to us. We don't smoke or drink. We live in a very modest home. Our cars are paid off. Our thing is Disney.

So come heck or high water we are going to WDW!

 

[DVCsince02]

I have to agree with Mindy. If it wasn't for Pete and Dreams Unlimited I don't know if we would have been going to Disney next year.

 

[MenashaCorp]

We do want to relocate to Orlando someday, but right now life's circumstances tell us we have to wait. Living in Orlando would make travelling to the parks and resorts so much easier....

Not to mention giving all of us DISers a VERY cheap place to stay!!!

Will you offer a dining option? An ADPDP??