What do you splurge on at Disney?

[klacey1]

After several 5 night trips, now we splurge by staying longer. We'll stay 7 nights or longer (whatever vacation time allows).
We've been fortunate to go during Free Dining, so we've never had to pay for the DDP, but if we had to pay for it, we would. It's a worthwhile splurge for us-- eating in nice restaurants is something we really enjoy on vacation. We also splurge (IMHO) on tips-- we always leave at least 25% when we're on vacation.
We'll also never go without park hoppers-- the flexibility is more than worth the money.

If I was going on a "once in a lifetime" trip, I would definitely do the Wishes Dessert party, get park hoppers, try to visit one of the water parks, stay at least 8-9 nights, stay at a monorail resort, and spring for a lot of "forever" souvenirs-- Christmas ornaments, clothing items, kitchenware, special souvenirs from your resort (i.e. a Poly picture frame), etc.

 

[hammie59]

We don't go very often, next trip will only be second time with kids. But my splurge this trip will be character meals, fantasmic package, park hopper, extra nights, and various souvenirs. We're staying standard at a value, no dining this time, just so we have that little bit of extra.

 

[Jaime4004]

We always stay offsite, usually eat breakfast at the condo and pack a lunch or dinner for later, so our splurge is throwing in some character meals here and there. We go yearly, so I try to plan different ones each trip. Splurging on the Dessert Party this year.
I also always splurge on the photopass CD. This is totally for me, DH and the kids wouldn't care...

 

[blanq]

We splurge on a few of things consistently:
1. Food: We eat what we want when we want and don't at all obsess about the cost. We often will share an appetizer and/or dessert, in addition to our meals, at TS restaurants.
2. Towncar Transfer: We could take ME for free, but like the service we get with a towncar and we don't mind paying for it.
3. Accommodations: We always stay onsite and we almost always stay at a deluxe or DVC property. Although I am careful to rent points, or get a discount, it still is a splurge when you consider there are plenty of resorts off property, or values/moderates on property, that are less expensive.

 

[Juliee8]

Since we have not been to WDW in almost 3 years, this year I did splurge more than usual. We are doing more character meals and the luau! I also have made dd an appointment at BBB and ds an appointment for the pirate league. We also got tickets to MVMCP!!

 

[FergieTCat]

The last time I was at WDW, I saw a "Famous Felines" serigraph at the Art of Disney:

At the time, it was $400, and I couldn't justify buying it. But, and happily, I won it on Ebay -- brand new, matted and frame -- for $200.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Well we had free dining last year *which was fabulous + it was the regular plan 1 TS 1 CS 1 snack per day* & we stayed at POP
I splurged on experiences ~
MNSSHP *which was paid for in advance **I like that.
Wishes Dessert Party *which was paid for in advance **I like that.
BBB for DD
Pirate League for both of my kids.
Haunted Carriage Ride *very cool* *which was paid for in advance **I like that.
Photopass *but it was a share so a much more budget friendly splurge*

We did not park hop ~ 1 park per day was plenty for us.

 

[Kayka]

The one thing that I would splurge on is TIME. If you can go for two weeks do it! Stay at a Value Resort. Skip dining unless it's free. Put your money in the number of nights you stay and get 10 day park hopper. (February can be chilly for water parks, but that is personal choice.)

You'll have a great time no matter what. But if you have the opportunity to stretch the magic and add extra nights it will be money well spent. I've never heard anyone say, "It was a great vacation, but we stayed too long."

With two children I would allow a generous amount for souvenirs. It's hard not to go overboard on the first trip.

 

[budbeerlady]

I splurge on drinks.
I am not much of a drinker at home but when I am at Disney and dont have to drive anywhere I am likely to have the slush in France or wine with dinner. It usually adds $150 onto a 10 day trip but its my guilty pleasure.

 

[disneymom88]

We love to slpurge on Disney Disney.. we consider ourselves foodies so that's our little weakness.... I mean where else would you spend $42 a person per night on food and still be happy about it

We are waiting on DS to be old enought to go to one of the childcare clubs so we can finally enjoy a signature restaurant.

 

[irishsharon]

WOW!!! Just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to share their stories and ideas I will get the photopass,has anyone ever done the private photo session and if so what did you think? Now I'm not sure but if we stay at CSR we can stay 9 nights or POLY for7, what do you think? I love the idea of deluxe DP but will it be to much for the kids as far as waiting and sitting?We had not planned on renting a car but a few of you really made some great points,my DH was wondering how hard is it to find parking at the parks?Is it worth it to do the dessert party or pirate fireworks cruise ,does it really make a difference when watching the fireworks?We are planning on park hopper incase one park is so packed and we need to try our luck at another,is president's week really crowded?I am looking forward to making this a magical trip for my family and I love all the little details,any ideas on how to make the room special(disney florist celebration packages seem very high) THANKS EVERYONE

 

[irishsharon]

I splurge on drinks.
I am not much of a drinker at home but when I am at Disney and dont have to drive anywhere I am likely to have the slush in France or wine with dinner. It usually adds $150 onto a 10 day trip but its my guilty pleasure.

Your talking my kind of splurge,I love pina colada and wine on vacation! Okay I've been known to have them at home too! Where can I get wine for my room and beer for DH?

 

[gillenkl]

I forgot one more thing - it's not really a splurge but www.tourguidemike.com - it's around $25 but he has a "Least Crowded Parks" guide and I've used it for 4 years and it's always right on. In August we literally walked on just about every ride with literally no waiting thanks to TourguideMike. Thought I'd point this out to you since you mentioned parks being packed, etc....

 

[irishsharon]

I forgot one more thing - it's not really a splurge but www.tourguidemike.com - it's around $25 but he has a "Least Crowded Parks" guide and I've used it for 4 years and it's always right on. In August we literally walked on just about every ride with literally no waiting thanks to TourguideMike. Thought I'd point this out to you since you mentioned parks being packed, etc....

How helpful are these guides during peak times and do you have to follow them to the letter in order to work?

 

[gillenkl]

How helpful are these guides during peak times and do you have to follow them to the letter in order to work?

I have used them during June and August which I consider peak times and they work perfectly. The "least crowded parks" guide shows which parks to do on the exact days of your trip based on what is going on in all parks. There is also a guide for the order in which to do your rides and getting fast passes to your benefit. I tend to be very detail oriented and like schedules so I thrive on these - other people don't like it because they want to be more spontaneous. I would at least try it once before knocking it. Personally I will never go without using TourGuideMike.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Most of our trips are splurges. Our biggest would be the resort- Polynesian club level. We stayed there for our first trip and was spoiled from the start.Then we stayed club level and that only made it only worse.

 

[irishsharon]

I have used them during June and August which I consider peak times and they work perfectly. The "least crowded parks" guide shows which parks to do on the exact days of your trip based on what is going on in all parks. There is also a guide for the order in which to do your rides and getting fast passes to your benefit. I tend to be very detail oriented and like schedules so I thrive on these - other people don't like it because they want to be more spontaneous. I would at least try it once before knocking it. Personally I will never go without using TourGuideMike.

I'm a planner so having a game plan is important to me. The way I see it is that if we can get on all the rides we want without major crowds thats great. We can be spontaneous in the evening well maybeThank you for your help and I'm looking forward to getting some help from TourGuideMike

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

My family is Disney obsessed. My parents have a vacation house in Florida so every trip was to Disney and we went several times a year. We were able to get Florida resident annual passes and usually drove but sometimes we flew down and once we took the train. We usually ate breakfast at the house, quick service or a snack for lunch, and ate dinner offsite or at the house. Sometimes we ate at the TS restaurants but very rarely. Since they saved quite a bit of money not having to buy tickets every trip, not having to stay at a hotel, and not eating so much at the park, their splurge was souvenirs. We bought lots and lots of Disney memorabillia and perfume from the pavillions at Epcot and drank around the world lol.

Now that I have my own family, my husband and I like to splurge on the Disney resort and on the restaurants. Our daughter gets a couple of souvenirs but nothing crazy as she has enough toys and with airline baggage weight restriction fees, extra bag fees, etc., I honestly cannot justify paying $50 to fly home stuffed animals lol.

 

[5stljayhawks]

We spread it around. Character meals over fancy meals. We're camping, so breakfast is at the camper, lunch is usually brown bagged, dinners vary. This time down, we are getting a golf cart for a few days to tour FW.

I think it is more about slowing down and enjoying, we will be hanging outside the parks more, visiting other sites as well besides seaworld/busch gar and universal. Go Gator Land !!! Anybody been to the ice show at gaylord palms?

 

[RachaelA]

We splurge on our length of stay and our resort. We usually stay 9 or 10 days in a deluxe hotel. Our upcoming trip in December is the exception because its a more last minute trip (which I guess is a splurge as well!).