What vacation $$ amount makes you squirm?

[Gumbo4x4]

Free flights thru SWA (cc bonus) +combination of tent camping in their established tents+whatever cabins were the cheapest for our dates+ lots of searching for the cheapest rental car+ another cc offer that gave us reward points that could be redeemed to 'pay back' travel costs

(oddly enough, some nights/places a tent cabin was cheapest (Tetons) and some nights,a hotel room was cheapest option(Mammoth) and we moved around every 2-3 nights at most to see the sights, conserve gas/time,and save lodging money) It was an awesome trip,and well worth the planning.
those cc reward points are very handy when trip planning,and knowing how to use them well (what gives you the best return)and carefully is a key part of it

Thanks, we'd be driving from home. So, some travel costs to & from, but no need for a rental car. Wha did you do for food? I've always eaten out of a cooler when I've gone, but the Mrs will only tolerate so much of that

 

[hsmamato2]

Thanks, we'd be driving from home. So, some travel costs to & from, but no need for a rental car. Wha did you do for food? I've always eaten out of a cooler when I've gone, but the Mrs will only tolerate so much of that

flying= limited space so we packed one soft cooler full of snacks and dry foods to last the 10 days in backpacks, plus our electric teakettle t o boil water (instant oatmeal, noodle dinners,SB Via, teabags,etc etc got creative) then we bought along the way our fruit,yogurt,milk as needed- plus we ate dinner mostly at whatever low cost cafeteria was available- we packed 4 camp cups that doubled as bowls,or coffee mugs,plus spoons-(one of our fave meals was in Tetons,camp tent, we bought cans of soup at the general store,and heated them in the metal mugs on our woodstove,simple,cheap,and memorable,cost was $2 per can)

 

[Gumbo4x4]

flying= limited space so we packed one soft cooler full of snacks and dry foods to last the 10 days in backpacks, plus our electric teakettle t o boil water (instant oatmeal, noodle dinners,SB Via, teabags,etc etc got creative) then we bought along the way our fruit,yogurt,milk as needed- plus we ate dinner mostly at whatever low cost cafeteria was available- we packed 4 camp cups that doubled as bowls,or coffee mugs,plus spoons-(one of our fave meals was in Tetons,camp tent, we bought cans of soup at the general store,and heated them in the metal mugs on our woodstove,simple,cheap,and memorable,cost was $2 per can)

 

[dalayney]

We're a family of 4 that flies to WDW from Wisconsin. Last year we paid around $6000 for 10 days total WDW in one of the value resorts. Plus we had $800 in Disney gift cards that we had saved for the year prior to going. That's all food/lodging/airfaire/spending $$ and it was cheaper to get the discounted rooms than the free dining. (our oldest son would have an adult meal plan but ate more off the kids menu which I was told you can't do on the dining plan) Plus, we are generous w/our spending $$ as we love our souveniers . We did Ohana, LeCellier, Tusker House character meal, 50's, Sci Fi, Liberty Tree, and the rest were counter service. We did 4 breakfasts in the room (garden grocer, plus bought a case of water) We don't have any air miles or points or anything because the only time we fly is when we go to Disneyworld. I thought we did pretty darn good.

We're planning a couples vacation for Dec. of 2015, and I am very curious as to how much it will end up costing us. 8 days total, and we'll probably do a moderate (CBeach) this time.

For me, I don't compare WDW vacations to any other vacation as far as costs go. I know it's always going to be more expensive going to WDW, but to me, it's worth it, as I put my WDW vacations as some of the best times in my life. (we are Disney dorks also) It is pure magic when we're there. And I have never felt "magic" with any other vacation. Yes, they have been fun, but not "magic". If that makes any sense to anyone else out there reading this.

In my eyes, a camping vacation is no where near as wonderful as a WDW vacation. But that's probably because that's all we did when I was a kid, and I hated it. I truly grew up thinking I would never ever get the chance to go to disneyworld. That it would be out of my reach, my whole life. I grew up seeing so many of my friends go to WDW, and it made me so sad. Like I was looking into another life. (dramatic I know)

Happily, I'm 41 and have been there 3 times now. We're now to the point where we will be able to go every other year. I'll be going till I'm 90. Funny how you find the $$, and the time for what you deem important to you.

 

[kymom99]

My most expensive vacation was 10 days in California for 5000-6000 for 3 people in 2012. I do think about the fact that we would have bought groceries or ate out at home so I justified some of the food expense. Also, being gone that long, our water and electric bills at home were much lower during that billing cycle. My son's birthday fell during the trip so the bike tour and Cheesecake Factory dinner was his birthday gift. I got airline miles for all of it that I plan to use next year as well. If you look at it that way, it is a little easier to swallow.

 

[StephMK]

Can I ask how you were able to take that trip for 1700.00? We are playing around with different ideas for a trip this summer. and that was one of the ideas thrown around last night. My DW was picturing twice that for a week.

I just priced that out last weekend. We were planning to go to WY and spend time driving through a few cities & Yellowstone. I was coming up with $2000 for lodging for a Friday- Friday trip at the end of July. That total included $400 for a white water rafting trip, $350 for our gas from NE, and expenses for a day at Frontier Days in Cheyenne. Hotel prices ranged from $118-183, staying at a different hotel each night as we traveled around the state. It did not include food or boarding for the dogs so we are thinking about $3000 total.

Over $3k is when we start really thinking about the costs. I always spend a lot of time hunting down the best deals I can find to maximize our dollars. We have not taken any really expensive trips yet but want to go out of country and back to Disney sometime in the next few years.

 

[eliza61]

humm, depends on the vacation. I try to be some what realistic when I vacation budget. for example next year we want to do London. Now as I'm not the hostel, apartment type of gal, I know that, this vacation is going to be a bit pricey. I'm hoping to keep it under 7K.

A disney trip I generally budget 3K for a week. (passes, air fare, rental car and food)

 

[nikkistevej]

We hit over the 5K amount for a family of 3, when we went on an Alaskan cruise/week in Seattle a few years ago, it made me squirm a bit. It has been a lifeling dream to do it though, so worth it. We had a wonderful time, BUT still made me squirm.

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

Our last vacation was 9 days, 7 in Florida, including 5 nights in Orlando and 2 nights in St. Augs historic district.
For 3 adults, including hotel offsite, meals, gas from VA to O and back, annual waterparks passes, a movie at DTD, packed lunches, etc: $1100.

And honestly, it went through my mind, only for a second : "I could have replaced my washer and dryer".
So my personal limit is probably a lot lower than most, lol $1500.

But we had a great time, stayed in our budget, made fabulous memories.

 

[maplevale]

We are a family of 4... I usually figure under $4000 we are good - but we would spend more if it was something special we could spend more. (And this is the first year we have had to pay for DD2)

We fly from Canada (this trip we are flying from upstate New York) and are spending 5 nights at POR (dining and tickets on a Stay Play Dine deal), 2 nights with friends and 1 night at AoA, including our flights came in right around $3000 - we will have some more food expenses for the weekend we are with friends.

Alternate years we do an All-Inclusive in Cuba (again - being Canadian) and we do it for the same price (it is a 'different' deal though because the price includes ALLL food and drink and we rarely spend anything once down there)

 

[maplevale]

humm, depends on the vacation. I try to be some what realistic when I vacation budget. for example next year we want to do London. Now as I'm not the hostel, apartment type of gal, I know that, this vacation is going to be a bit pricey. I'm hoping to keep it under 7K.

Keep your eye open - my parents did London aof about $1200 a person (flight from Toronto and hotel with breakfasts) as a package deal in 2011. They did a similar package to Rome. You spend $$ once there but getting your hotel and flight is a BIG portion of costs.

 

[disney1990]

75% seems high. I am assuming most on the budget boards do not charge their vacations.

I wouldn't dream of going on a vacation that I didn't have the "cash" to cover. Then again, we pay off our credit cards every month. I also know exactly how much our Disney vacation will cost before we leave home. We check menus, even adding in gratuities.

 

[ellie05]

I don't think i have a set amount. It all depends where we are going. For disney I think anything above 6k for two of us makes me cringe.

 

[disneynewbee]

I like to keep my trips under $5000 although that doesn't always happen. Our most expensive trip was our 7 day disney/ 4 day disney cruise trip. I think that ended up being about $8000. We also did a Sea World day with that. My mom went with us and split 1/2 the price of our second value room and 1/2 the price of our second cabin or it would have been more. We are a family of 6. I'm now planning a trip for 5 (oldest is in college and has an impossible schedule right now) at WDW with 2 value rooms and I'm looking at $5000. My sister may go and split the 2nd value room which will save us a little but I'm sure we will just use that as more spending money if she does. We may add 2 universal days later, we'll see. I am looking at sending my oldest dd and her fiance to Disney on her spring break next year since this will be the second Disney trip she has had to miss and I know how bad she misses it. Hoping I can make that happen since after that she'll be off to graduate school and an even busier schedule.

 

[kimsuenew]

$3,000.00 including lodging, gas/travel expenses, and food.

 

[pigletto]

Keep your eye open - my parents did London aof about $1200 a person (flight from Toronto and hotel with breakfasts) as a package deal in 2011. They did a similar package to Rome. You spend $$ once there but getting your hotel and flight is a BIG portion of costs.

We did something similar for Glasgow and Edinburgh. I believe it was $1200 per person which included direct flights from Toronto, all of our hotels, rail passes, breakfasts and a few attractions for 8 nights. It was wonderful! I am trying to remember who it was booked through.. can't recall.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

chiming in late but sadly I am at trying to keep it under 10,000 family of 5 we only go during summer (we did off season when kids were elementary only age). We like to be a little over the top on vacation but at home we eat out less than 10 times a year no starbucks fast food etc no car payments. I am not as budget orientated as couponing as I am busy and don't find the time, but do try to be as cheap as reasonable

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Wow, we are a family of seven and 3k is the cut-off for me.

 

[Holly Quinlan]

last year our 7 night Disney stay came in right under 6,000 for the 3 of us. This included airfare, hotel, tickets, dining, tips, souvenirs, MNSSHP tickets and a few extra events around WDW. This was our first family vacation and I would never have thought to spend that much on a vacation. Now I feel it wasn't so bad maybe going to Disney for our first family vacation wasn't a good idea If we go anywhere else besides Disney lmao: yea right) I would think maybe 3,000 for a week

 

[arielmomma]

I am squirming a little. There are 4 of us. We like to take 2 vacations a year. This year we intend to take 2 - 2 week WDW vacations, staying onsite in a value resort, 1 is a free quick service dining bounceback, the other we will be in May (SWW) and we will cover our own dining (no DP), and we have an annual pass that we will renew. It looks like the total cost will come to about $6000!

All in all, I think that it is pretty good for 4 weeks of WDW, but it is still a lot of money!

Like some of you here, vacation is important to us. I homeschool and my husband travels much of the year for work. This is our family time. We are frugal most of the year - rarely eating out, no cable TV, minimal big purchases or bills. It is a reward to ourselves, so to us, it is worth spending!