What vacation $$ amount makes you squirm?

[ruadisneyfan2]

Don't automatically count it out. What dh and I use to do was price out the trip and then see if there were ways to cut back a grand or two. for example,

What time of the year are you going?
What ship are you going on? when I priced out cruises, the older smaller ships were considerably cheaper (this wasn't to Alaska though).
If we decided on a newer, bigger ship with all the bells and whistles we could cut back on land excursions.
What about other cabin options?

I love traveling so I've been trying sneaky ways to make it happen.

If you're looking at an Alaska cruise plus a land trip -it will be longer than a week.

I've cruised to Alaska 4 times and never had a balcony cabin. I've also planned 9-day land trips with a rental car after 2 of them. Alaska isn't cheap, but there are ways to economize.

I agree. It shouldn't have to be all or nothing or you'll never get there.
A balcony is nice but it's not required. Neither is adding on a land trip after.
We booked our excursions directly with the tour operators, some of whom offered a 20% discount to pay in full by the end of Feb or March. This saved prob $1000.
I would have loved a 1 or 2 hr glacier trek but couldn't afford those. The one we did was only 20 mins but we're still darn glad we did it. Ds14, then 12, got to sit up front with the helicopter pilot. So we came home with amazing memories despite it being not as extravagant as it could have been.

You just have to look for ways to compromise whether that's length of trip, cabin category, cruise line, cheaper pre-cruise hotels, flying into Seattle, etc.

 

[eliza61]

Wow. I am always amazed at what people spend on their vacations. Our maximum, like the most extreme ever would be about $4k. Because of budget, our travel budget is actually quite small, and we have never needed to go higher. And we've done cruises in suites, been to far off places like Beijing and Dubai, toured the Caribbean, visit the Disney's every year, Vegas probably 3 or 4 times a year. I'm not sure which is my actual hobby, finding the really extreme travel deals or the actual traveling, but it's all fun.

It's really like any thing else. budges can be all over the place.

My dh was really into cars and fishing. lol. I cannot ever imagine paying 54K for a car. my theory is there is only so much "luxury" you can squeeze into that small place. but 54K is not considered extreme at all.

I have a friend that love Christian Louboutin shoes. Now I can't imagine spending 500-700 bucks on a pair of heels but hey, they are pretty. I love finding travel deals also but I'm a sucker for a gorgeous hotel. My bucket list includes the new 4 seasons in Orlando. lol currently at 700 bucks a night. or the 4 seasons in Paris, lol at 1837 a night. Actually I think I just want to see the inside of a 2K a night room.
Now all I have to do is pick which kid to sell to gypsies.

 

[DPickering]

It's really like any thing else. budges can be all over the place. My dh was really into cars and fishing. lol. I cannot ever imagine paying 54K for a car. my theory is there is only so much "luxury" you can squeeze into that small place. but 54K is not considered extreme at all. I have a friend that love Christian Louboutin shoes. Now I can't imagine spending 500-700 bucks on a pair of heels but hey, they are pretty. I love finding travel deals also but I'm a sucker for a gorgeous hotel. My bucket list includes the new 4 seasons in Orlando. lol currently at 700 bucks a night. or the 4 seasons in Paris, lol at 1837 a night. Actually I think I just want to see the inside of a 2K a night room. Now all I have to do is pick which kid to sell to gypsies.

Oh I completely understand but travel is the one indulgence where the price can be the most flexible. I'm not bragging or putting anyone down but my point was I'm amazed people spend so much for what they are getting. Take the 4S Orlando; I got my sights on that one too. I've visited a few 4S's now and love the brand. Orlando is obviously new and it's not on any discount sites yet (?) like jetsetter or lmtclub. I've even talked to them directly about a discount for a bunch of rooms (have done that with some of the people from flyertalk) and their offer was pretty weak. They seem to be enjoying a lot of interest right now. I'll keep tabs and expect one way or another we will stay there without spending a bundle. If I find the way I'll send you a message.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Wow. I am always amazed at what people spend on their vacations. Our maximum, like the most extreme ever would be about $4k. Because of budget, our travel budget is actually quite small, and we have never needed to go higher. And we've done cruises in suites, been to far off places like Beijing and Dubai, toured the Caribbean, visit the Disney's every year, Vegas probably 3 or 4 times a year. I'm not sure which is my actual hobby, finding the really extreme travel deals or the actual traveling, but it's all fun.

I would find it extremely challenging to do those things at $4000 and I only have 2 kids. I'd imagine a family with 3 or 4 kids would spend double that.

 

[DPickering]

I would find it extremely challenging to do those things at $4000 and I only have 2 kids. I'd imagine a family with 3 or 4 kids would spend double that.

Good point. We currently have one but we've taken my niece and nephew with us a few times and paid most of their way. Hasn't made too much of a difference. With or without them we pretty much always stay in condo style places where there's enough room for 6 or more people. We buy groceries, eat most meals in. On the cruise it was kids sail free so we loaded that 2 br suite (originally booked balcony, later took a discounted upgrade offer). We're swimming in different travel rewards as we both churn through travel cards (while always keeping tabs on our credit ratings) and studiously earn rewards however we can so even airfare has not been tough to deal with. But yeah, obviously for some trips the extra kids can make a huge difference in cost.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Anything over $5k (for our family of 5) makes me squirm. I'm a stay-at-home mom right now, so we don't have a ton of money for travel. I have started doing the miles and points strategic credit card planning, so our last 2 vacations we have had free flights.

We've only gone over $5k once--2 years ago, on a Disney cruise/Disney World combo vacation (5 night cruise, 2 days in park). When I added it all up, it was close to $6k. The cruise was the largest chunk of that, and the price freaked me out at first...but it ended up being our best vacation!

Lately we've been doing smaller trips of around $3k. Although we really want to do a Disney cruise to Alaska, which for our family size runs around $9000. Yikes! We will have to skip a year of vacation to go on this one.

 

[Katd52]

I guess I don't really have an amount. I wish ours could be lower but our reality is we have a 9 person family! Airfare round trip for 9 is almost $2000 Sooooo yeah, our Vacations are Expensive!

 

[kathy884]

Something else that makes a huge difference is whether or not you are tied to the school schedule, and how flexible your schedule is. More flexibility means more options for attractive pricing and deals. Off season, my brother and his girlfriend and my parents (traveling no kids -- grown kids) have dome some absolutely fabulous Mexican vacations for unbelievable prices.

Even high season some flexibility makes a huge difference too. We all did a Caribbean Cruise out of San Juan too over my son's spring break. They flew out mid week (Wednesday -- cruise left on Sunday), and flew back on Monday instead of Sunday and were able to get an incredible air deal -- prices just over $300 pp. Wow! We on the other hand didn't want DS to miss any high school so flew out to San Juan Saturday and back the following Sunday, and paid around $530 a person for air. If we had been flexible with days (come earlier / stayed later) we could have cut that price by a bunch. For us, though, not having our son miss school was a higher priority than saving a few hundred dollars. If doing things around the school schedule are out of budget, we just pick something else that's less expensive and more modest. (I'm not either meaning this post to be critical of other people who take kids out or school, but I'm just saying that some people who are saying how could you possibly spend that much going there, that maybe they aren't flying over popular spring break and summer weeks and looking at pricing for premium times. // different people -- different priorities)

 

[ktmo]

I don't like to look at the bottom line. So, I never really know how much it is costing us. I have a vacation account and put money in there every week. Then I try to pay for as much ahead of time, little by little. We have a cruised booked for Spring Break next year. I am booking excursions each month, so I can pay for them well before the cruise. As long as I can have it paid off before we leave, I am happy. This up and coming trip will probably be around $7500.

I am a teacher, so our vacations have to be during Spring Break or summer, which makes finding deals difficult.

 

[richmond282]

Wow. I am always amazed at what people spend on their vacations. Our maximum, like the most extreme ever would be about $4k. Because of budget, our travel budget is actually quite small, and we have never needed to go higher. And we've done cruises in suites, been to far off places like Beijing and Dubai, toured the Caribbean, visit the Disney's every year, Vegas probably 3 or 4 times a year. I'm not sure which is my actual hobby, finding the really extreme travel deals or the actual traveling, but it's all fun.

Sounds like you travel a lot though. Do all those trips add up to more than $4000/year? I think that's partly where the difference lies as well.

We take 1 major vacation a year b/c our work schedules really won't allow more than that unless it's just a little weekend getaway. We are a family of 3 and usually spend $2500-$4000 per vacation. Although when I decide what is "too expensive" I prefer to assess the price of individual aspects of each trip as opposed to the whole. For instance, more than $100/night for a hotel room makes me squirm. Airline flights of more than $200/person makes me squirm (Yeah, we hardly ever fly. lol!) I do usually know the bottom line for the cost of the trip, but that number in and of itself doesn't bother me if I know I've gotten the best deals I can with each aspect of the trip. We currently have a week long trip to Universal/ Seaworld planned (including a flight & rental car) for around $2800.

 

[Abow75]

It depends. We are at $5,800 for our 10 day Disney trip. 2 adults, 2 kids. But that includes 3 days at the Grand Floridian and 7 days at the Contemporary with "free" dining for those 7 days. It also includes round trip auto train fares with sleeping accommodations. When I think of how costly the auto train and Deluxe stays at Disney costs not to mention food for a week, I think I did really well.it could be much more expensive!

Wow, that is impressive! We are at $7,100 for 6 nights at the Beach Club for a family of five ( my husband, DD12, DD9, DS3). The value resorts don't accommodate 5, with the exception of AOA suite, which was only $50/night cheaper. We also have to travel during spring break, which is so expensive, but my husband and I are both teachers, so it's the only time we can get off. (My husband teaches summer school and it doesn't seem that less to go over the summer but also the heat!) it will only be our second trip to disney , the last one being almost 7 years ago. We will be driving and doing the meal plan, but discounts are rarely offered for Easter week. We don't go on family vacations often due to price, so when this one came in at $7,100, I almost hit the floor. My husband was not thrilled, but we go so rarely and I wanted to see the joy in my little guy's face while he still thinks it is all so magical. I feel guilty spending so much when we need a new roof and plumbing! I've thought a couple of times about being responsible and canceling, but I just can't do it!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I guess I don't really have an amount. I wish ours could be lower but our reality is we have a 9 person family! Airfare round trip for 9 is almost $2000 Sooooo yeah, our Vacations are Expensive!

$2,000 to fly 9 people almost anywhere is pretty good


'Course, you could also just drive

 

[ellochka]

Wow, that is impressive! We are at $7,100 for 6 nights at the Beach Club for a family of five ( my husband, DD12, DD9, DS3). The value resorts don't accommodate 5, with the exception of AOA suite, which was only $50/night cheaper. We also have to travel during spring break, which is so expensive, but my husband and I are both teachers, so it's the only time we can get off. (My husband teaches summer school and it doesn't seem that less to go over the summer but also the heat!) it will only be our second trip to disney , the last one being almost 7 years ago. We will be driving and doing the meal plan, but discounts are rarely offered for Easter week. We don't go on family vacations often due to price, so when this one came in at $7,100, I almost hit the floor. My husband was not thrilled, but we go so rarely and I wanted to see the joy in my little guy's face while he still thinks it is all so magical. I feel guilty spending so much when we need a new roof and plumbing! I've thought a couple of times about being responsible and canceling, but I just can't do it!

$7,100 for a family of 5 is not bad. I would probably stay at the AOA suit, though, since it is likely roomier and more private. Easter week is the most expensive week of the year along with Christmas, so its 50% more expensive. We are going on Jan 2 because DH does not start teaching until the 12th.

 

[knkmom]

We are at $4000 for just hubby and I, staying at WL with 6 day park hoppers including water parks. Haven't added food in yet, still deciding if we will do the DP/DDP or OP the trip. Airfare should be free, we have enough points, I think!! Plus spending money.....

 

[Abow75]

$7,100 for a family of 5 is not bad. I would probably stay at the AOA suit, though, since it is likely roomier and more private. Easter week is the most expensive week of the year along with Christmas, so its 50% more expensive. We are going on Jan 2 because DH does not start teaching until the 12th.

I'm looking off site right now...just don't know how magic bands, ADR s, etc. all works w/o staying on the resort. That's nice not to have to go back til the 12th...that would work out nicely!

 

[loancalo]

We are a family of three. We go at least once a year. We went this past June and stayed at wilderness lodge for a week with deluxe dining for about 5500 not including air.

 

[DPickering]

Sounds like you travel a lot though. Do all those trips add up to more than $4000/year? I think that's partly where the difference lies as well. We take 1 major vacation a year b/c our work schedules really won't allow more than that unless it's just a little weekend getaway. We are a family of 3 and usually spend $2500-$4000 per vacation. Although when I decide what is "too expensive" I prefer to assess the price of individual aspects of each trip as opposed to the whole. For instance, more than $100/night for a hotel room makes me squirm. Airline flights of more than $200/person makes me squirm (Yeah, we hardly ever fly. lol!) I do usually know the bottom line for the cost of the trip, but that number in and of itself doesn't bother me if I know I've gotten the best deals I can with each aspect of the trip. We currently have a week long trip to Universal/ Seaworld planned (including a flight & rental car) for around $2800.

Good point about the $4k a year. Yes, some years. And yeah, if we could only do one week a year I'd bet we'd be spending some big bucks on it. No doubt. Very valid perspective. Agree also about the satisfaction of knowing you got the best deal you could. Tho I'd guess my wife would say I go a little overboard sometimes sussing that out.

heh I guess sometimes we have more time than money. So I have to get creative and I gotta brag a bit because I think this is my best piece of work ever. Right now for our upcoming trip 2 days LM room at AoA, 7 days in a 3 br at Floridays, 6 days in 2 br at Sunset Vistas on the Gulf Coast, 3 x 5 day Disney base tix, 3 x flights out of Seattle, rental car, total right now incl expected taxes and fees but before spending money, total is $1300 (might get it lower when more rental car discount codes become available for our dates). Plus a bunch of different reward points. Plus a lot of hours on the web looking for deals. So both ways you gotta be able to spend the time I guess.

 

[NancyIL]

Good point about the $4k a year. Yes, some years. And yeah, if we could only do one week a year I'd bet we'd be spending some big bucks on it. No doubt. Very valid perspective. Agree also about the satisfaction of knowing you got the best deal you could. Tho I'd guess my wife would say I go a little overboard sometimes sussing that out.

heh I guess sometimes we have more time than money. So I have to get creative and I gotta brag a bit because I think this is my best piece of work ever. Right now for our upcoming trip 2 days LM room at AoA, 7 days in a 3 br at Floridays, 6 days in 2 br at Sunset Vistas on the Gulf Coast, 3 x 5 day Disney base tix, 3 x flights out of Seattle, rental car, total right now incl expected taxes and fees but before spending money, total is $1300 (might get it lower when more rental car discount codes become available for our dates). Plus a bunch of different reward points. Plus a lot of hours on the web looking for deals. So both ways you gotta be able to spend the time I guess.

You are the king of great deals!

 

[crisi]

Good point about the $4k a year. Yes, some years. And yeah, if we could only do one week a year I'd bet we'd be spending some big bucks on it. No doubt. Very valid perspective. Agree also about the satisfaction of knowing you got the best deal you could. Tho I'd guess my wife would say I go a little overboard sometimes sussing that out.

heh I guess sometimes we have more time than money. So I have to get creative and I gotta brag a bit because I think this is my best piece of work ever. Right now for our upcoming trip 2 days LM room at AoA, 7 days in a 3 br at Floridays, 6 days in 2 br at Sunset Vistas on the Gulf Coast, 3 x 5 day Disney base tix, 3 x flights out of Seattle, rental car, total right now incl expected taxes and fees but before spending money, total is $1300 (might get it lower when more rental car discount codes become available for our dates). Plus a bunch of different reward points. Plus a lot of hours on the web looking for deals. So both ways you gotta be able to spend the time I guess.

And sometimes you want to take the trip you want to take - getting deals usually involves flexibility. If you want to go to this destination, during this week, stay at this hotel, do these specific activities while you are there - your flexibility - and therefore your ability to get deals - goes down.

We have more money than time (although I hope the time part of that equation is changing over the next few years in our house - and I hope the money part isn't impacted TOO much) - with high school age kids there is a short window of time we can travel when there are no sports/camps/school or drama. With a husband who works a lot and works on his company's schedule - we have to hope he gets a little time the same time the kids do.

Soon it will be my husband and I - and he is quitting his corporate job to consult - which he HOPES might give him some work life balance. That might give us some flexibility to travel.

 

[Colleen27]

And sometimes you want to take the trip you want to take - getting deals usually involves flexibility. If you want to go to this destination, during this week, stay at this hotel, do these specific activities while you are there - your flexibility - and therefore your ability to get deals - goes down.

We have more money than time (although I hope the time part of that equation is changing over the next few years in our house - and I hope the money part isn't impacted TOO much) - with high school age kids there is a short window of time we can travel when there are no sports/camps/school or drama. With a husband who works a lot and works on his company's schedule - we have to hope he gets a little time the same time the kids do.

Soon it will be my husband and I - and he is quitting his corporate job to consult - which he HOPES might give him some work life balance. That might give us some flexibility to travel.

That's what does us in too - a high schooler and a super-involved middle schooler don't make for a lot of flexibility in when we travel. We're also somewhat weather inflexible - we're not interested in off season travel if it means dealing with a lot of cold or rain. I look forward to it being just DH and I and having just one crazy schedule to work around, but that's a long way off still.

Not being able to do much with rewards doesn't help either. We don't use credit much and even if we put every dime of spending in places that take credit on a reward card, at 1-2% back it wouldn't add up to free airfare for 5 or anything like that. We don't spend much to begin with and too much of our spending is in places that don't take credit cards (including two utility bills and property taxes, all of which charge a 3% "convenience fee" on credit payments).