The price of Vacation

[ponyboy]

14 days x 5 people = $138/day per person

That's not an extravagant amount. Unless we get free dining I'm looking at about $190/day per person for our November trip and we aren't even incurring the extra cost of Universal. With free dining I'm still looking at about $130/day per person.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

14 days x 5 people = $138/day per person

That's not an extravagant amount. Unless we get free dining I'm looking at about $190/day per person for our November trip and we aren't even incurring the extra cost of Universal. With free dining I'm still looking at about $130/day per person.

Per day isn't always a fair number. Longer trips will generally be cheaper per day because (a) the travel costs are amortized over a longer period and (b) longer ticket packages are cheaper per day as well.

To the point, those that are comparing a 1-week trip that is 1/2 the price of OP's trip are not really comparing apples to apples.

 

[shelemm]

Spend less money. Take time from the amusement parks and see the Springs of Central Florida, like Wekiva Spring State Park, Blue Spring State Park, Ocala National Forest, Rock Spring at Kelly Park. $5 for a car load. You are choosing an expensive vacation!

 

[DisneyFoodieFan]

You could easily cut down on your rental and spending money. We used to always rent homes in the area and never spent more than $1500 for two weeks, there are plenty of options for a family of 5. And $4000 for food and spending money could easily be cut in half.

 

[wuzzy6]

We just stayed at Wilderness Lodge, and here is the breakdown of our expenses:

Accommodations: $707.86 (incl. room, fees, taxes)
Food: $912.35 (incl. meals, snacks, drinks)
Total: $1,620.21

If you wanted to break it down more:

$810.11 per night
or
$405.05 per person
or
$202.53 per person/per night

This was for a stay that started around 2:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon and ended when we checked-out at roughly 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning. These figures were taken directly from my itemized invoice.

Now, if you take my per night total ($810.11) and multiply it by 13 nights (assuming a 14 day stay = 13 nights), the total for a 2 week stay (again, based on what we spent as a family of 4 for those 2 nights) would have been $10,531.43. That is strictly for food and lodging - not including gas, misc., etc...

 

[minniemous]

Well, I think it is a lot of money. Certainly. It would seem most everyone is responding to whether it is in line with what they are spending. In that case yes, 14 days with a couple of them spent at Universal is not out of line.

You could certainly do better with free dining if you could go during that period. I stayed last year for less than half of that for 11 nights at POR during free dining. We did not go to Universal.

But yes $10,500.00 is a lot of money for a 2 week vacation. I guess that is just how it is.

 

[ccgirl]

I just finished booking my vacation for a family of 5 and almost fell out of my chair. Is it just me or are the prices crazy anymore. We are going for 2 weeks and the breakdown is below. We aren't even flying down we are driving.

Universal Tickets (3 Days) $810.00
Disney Tickets $1,805.00
House $2,700.00
Gas $350.00
Spending & food $4,000.00
Total $9,665.00

Personally, I think the house and spending/food are way high. My budget is for 4 and half the price, and for WDW and our tickets are $1500. That also includes 4 roundtrip tix from Boston.

 

[SuperRob]

For my wife and I to go in September, it's cost ...

• Roundtrip Airfare from Seattle to Orlando: $273.04
• Seven nights in a standard view Studio at the Villas at the Grand Floridian: $958.09
• Premium Annual Passes to WDW: $1033.06
• One-Day tickets to Universal (with transfers): $329.68
• Dinner budget: $993.14 (includes a dinner at V&A's)
• Tables in Wonderland: $100 ($25 off for being DVC members)

Total: $3357.33

We did some travel hacking with our miles to get that great airfare cross-country. Basically got two one-way flights for free on miles, and paid for the rest with a discounted rate.

The cost for the Villa Studios is the amortized cost of our DVC points and dues. It comes out to roughly $135 a night. We actually paid only the dues, which were $292.38 this year, but I thought it only fair to factor in the yearly cost basis for the points along with the dues. If I don't count the dues or the cost per point (which I don't, because they're sunk costs), the real total of the vacation is $2399.24.

The Premium Annual Passes were bought with our DVC discount on a special promo that made them $1 cheaper than the regular AP.

Tables in Wonderland will pay for itself with our meals (save for V&A, which won't be eligible.) This is only the amount I've budgeted for the restaurants we've made reservations for. However, the 20% discount for that is not factored into these calculations. We're treating ourselves to some nice meals, but we plan on eating cheaply in our villa the rest of the trip.

We also have $117.50 in Disney Rewards Dollars we can apply to this, but we're saving that for souvenirs and whatnot. We'll have more before we go.

There are probably things we're leaving out, so let's just say we have a week-long vacation for under $4000.

Seriously ... I think some of y'all are doing this wrong.

Also, since we bought the annual passes this year, we're adding five more days in WDW next April at the end of my wife's birthday cruise, and since we're using DVC points, we're again just paying the dues. We couldn't have afforded to do that after the cruise if not for the discount we got to get passes this year.

By the way, my wife and I only have 60 DVC points a year. It cost just about $6000 to join, direct through Disney. We'll have broken even in April, just four years after purchase. Then we're staying on Disney.

Combine that with regular, responsible usage of an Alaska Airlines credit card and a Disney Rewards Visa, we earn enough rewards to offset many of the typical travel costs. Plus with the DVC, DRV, and now our Passholder discounts, we find other ways to save as well.

I don't understand how some of you that go regularly haven't joined DVC yet. Smartest decision we ever made.

 

[scoobydooby]

I'd like that price! It costs us 10k (in £'s) with flights and spending money for two weeks at WDW, staying on site with free dining..... Actually last year we spent 11k (£), but my kids went a bit mental in your shopping malls with the clothes and trainers!

I think you could do your accommodation off site cheaper though. My work colleague owns a second home in Orlando which she rents out for I think about £500 a week. Three bedrooms with small pool. It's lovely. So there must be lots of other properties like that out there.

 

[momofmaz]

After seeing all of these...I'm thanking God that we are able to stay with our military discount at deluxes for a week for a quarter of the price you paid. We also fly but I use my credit card points for that and usually don't pay over 90 a person for round trip flights.

 

[katt789]

I usually travel solo or in groups where everyone pays their own way, but I have noticed a HUGE increase in costs.

Sept 2011 for of us went, flying from Canada, stayed at Pop, with a 5 day hopper pass, and we each paid $880 for a week, that included flight, tickets, hotel, AND free dining plan with a free photopass memory book!

This Sept it's costing a lot more than that at a cheaper resort!

I also went a few weeks ago, stayed at CBR and the HOTEL ALONE was over $1000.00 for Wed -Tues stay.

Costs have definitely increased, but I do understand why, it takes a lot of money to run a place like Disney. Staying offsite (as long as you rent a car) can save a TON!

 

[Networth]

Pretty cheap, we usually spend 5-7k on the hotel alone for 8-10 days. But I suppose it all depends on your disposable income.

 

[misscj215]

I just finished booking my vacation for a family of 5 and almost fell out of my chair. Is it just me or are the prices crazy anymore. We are going for 2 weeks and the breakdown is below. We aren't even flying down we are driving.

Universal Tickets (3 Days) $810.00
Disney Tickets $1,805.00
House $2,700.00
Gas $350.00
Spending & food $4,000.00
Total $9,665.00

Sheesh, I don't think I've ever spent that much even when I've stayed on property. Lol.

Lets see...this years expenses for a family of 3:

Hotel $400
Airfare $643
Disney Tickets $1,080 UT with tax and shipping
Rental Car $139.00
Food $450
Parking $68.00
Total Approx $2,780

This is for 8 days/7 night. I have to note that we fly two separate airlines, and use some points. We're also staying off property, renting a friends timeshare "getaway" provided though one of the exchanges. We have two planned character meals, but since we'll have a full kitchen at the hotel...many of our meals will be there (we go to Walmart for groceries) and we take snacks into the park.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Sheesh, I don't think I've ever spent that much even when I've stayed on property. Lol.

Lets see...this years expenses for a family of 3:

Hotel $400
Airfare $643
Disney Tickets $1,080 UT with tax and shipping
Rental Car $139.00
Food $450
Parking $68.00
Total Approx $2,780

This is for 8 days/7 night. I have to note that we fly two separate airlines, and use some points. We're also staying off property, renting a friends timeshare "getaway" provided though one of the exchanges. We have two planned character meals, but since we'll have a full kitchen at the hotel...many of our meals will be there (we go to Walmart for groceries) and we take snacks into the park.

You're staying at a hotel for $58 per night????

 

[wdwlovin'family]

Here's our breakdown for a family of four (kids ages 14 and 10) with a 8 night 7 day stay at Pop Century in June.

Airfare: $400 (we had travel vouchers for 3 of us)
Lodging: $1289
Tickets: $1328 (6 day PH, WPM tickets through the Disney YES program)
Food: $1200
Souvenirs: $200
Rental Car: $370

Grand Total: $4787

 

[agavegirl1]

If I were only doing Disney....

Airfare for 2 772
Hotel-POP-9 nights - 1192
9 day PH Tickets - 829
Food & Misc - 1280

Total: $4041 for two people

Misc includes: refillable mugs (no dining plan) and Garden Grocer order.
We will not be renting a car.

Price per person - 2020.50

However we are really staying 15 days and going to Sea World and US/IOA.
We are staying at Hilton Garden Inn 2 nights and Portofino for another 4 nights. Our total for our entire stay: $8248...or $4124 per person.

Uggghhhh! Why did I just do that!

 

[JanaDee]

Your housing and food costs can easily be cut in half.

 

[chapie1968]

I would think you'd be able to knock a grand off your rental and 2 grand off your food without trying too hard.

Agreed. I have rented many homes over the last decade, and if you are renting a home that means you have a full kitchen so your food expenses shouldn't actually be that high for the entire stay.

(Not including special dinners and shows)

 

[chapie1968]

You're staying at a hotel for $58 per night????

If you own a timeshare you usually belong to an exchange company. These companies offer "getaways" to members. Many of our run about $299 or $399 a week for decent sized 1 or 2 bedroom condos. I can also gift these to family members.

 

[kathy884]

$5000 to $6000 is our typical vacation budget for a trip almost anywhere for three of us. // You are doing a lot of theme park days. It sounds like a great trip, and does not sound unreasonable to me for what you are doing. A week in Sedona, AZ, a week in Yellowstone, a week in Puerto Vallarta, MX for my family of three runs about this cost.

*******************************************************

I'm doing a budget Orlando one week trip in December, and mine will be very inexpensive (like only $650 pp for six days / seven nights), but take a look at what it will be like. We're bunking up with relatives, using their car, and using frequent flyer miles. Plus we are only doing a theme park every other day. It's great for us, but most people would want to do more in the area.

-- First of all just me and DS 18 are going. DH doesn't like Orlando, so is staying home
-- We are using Southwest airline points for our airline tickets, so that is free.
-- My cousin from Tampa is joining us and will pick us up at the airport, so no rental car cost.
-- My parents are using timeshare point (didn't need many points at all for a little two bedroom place at Cypress Point, a timeshare resort). They get the master. My son and I get the little bedroom with two twins. My cousin get the hydabed. They refused to take any monetary contributions from us.
-- For our six days, we are only doing three theme park days to cut down on costs. Plus we like to relax at the resort and hang with extended family.
Day 1 -- Titanic attraction on I-drive about $22 a person. We'll probably be able to pick up some coupons for a few dollars off too. // Balance of day, tennis / swimming and hang out at condo resort. // We'll also hit the grocery store first thing.
Day 2 -- SeaWorld -- getting the midweek pricing for a $50 ticket. My mom has a season pass, so parking will be free. We will also stop at the customer service window and get the second day ticket within seven days for $10, and come back later in the week.
Day 3 -- Resort day -- tennis and swimming // we'll play cards, visit with family, and watch movies too.
Day 4 -- Our one and only one day at a Disney Park, the Magic Kingdom. This will set up back $100 pp for the expensive one day ticket.
Day 5 -- Disney resort hopping. We'll park at the Polynesian for three hours, take the monorail loop visiting each hotel. We might take the boat over to Wilderness Lodge too. // Later we'll play some tennis at our resort and hang at our condo for the evening.
Day 6 -- back to SeaWorld for our second day there, just $10 pp admission.

For food: We will grocery shop our first day and stop at the grocery store again on day 3. Breakfasts will be eat in. Lunch for our three non theme park days will be eat in. Lunch at Disney will be sandwiches and fruit we bring to the park. On our two theme park days at SeaWorld, we'll spend about $25 pp on food, just under the meal deal cost. On our Disney day, we'll buy a few drinks, have a Mickey Bar snack and do counter service for dinner. I'm figuring $25pp too, even though we are bringing in lunch. We'll be there a lot of hours. For our three non theme park days dinner, one will be a cook in dinner at the condo, one will be Sweet Tomatoes, a modest chain, the other will be ordering pizza. // I'm just budgeting $35 pp a day for dinner (groceries, snacks, and meals out) and just half of that on travel days.

Souvenirs: I don't buy these. DS has to use his own money.

I budget $60 per day, though, for miscellaneous spending and $30 per day on travel days for this. Extra from this covers airport parking, etc., reading materials at the airport, miscellaneous things I might buy that aren't food at a Walgreens or something like that. It covers food if I go over on that too.

Budget:
Air $0
Condo: $0
Rental Car: $0
Theme park tickets: $182 pp // round up to $400 for two
Food: $70 * 6 + $35 * 2 = $490 // round up to $500
Misc Spending: $60 * 6 + $30 * 2 = $420 // round down to $400

Looks like I'll only spend $1300 for the week. My budget is $1500