"Worth It" - an essay breaking down that expression....

[aubriee]

The answer to the "worth it" questions is 99 percent of the time a big "no."

Why? Because like the previous poster said, it means you likely can't afford it, you are just trying to justify the extra expense.

What it should come down to is this: You can have a tremendous Disney vacation by staying in your budget -- no matter how great or small your budget is. By staying in your budget, you will have much less stress and thus, much more fun.

What gets me are the people who say they are stay at home moms, they are in debt, husband gets laid off, and they ask 'Should we still go to WDW?'. When people tell them to postpone the trip, they then get really mad, say everyone is flaming them, and then say they deserve to get away from their troubles. It's obvious they just want someone to justify the bad decision they've already made. Those I just shake my head at. If you ask a question where the answer is obviously going to be something you don't want to hear, why ask it?

 

[shalom]

I think if you have to ask if something is "worth it". It probably isin't.

I generally agree with you, but I think a lot of people on the Dis, especially when it comes to the hotels, are trying to figure out why so many people are so determinedly "on-site." They crunch the numbers and see that it'll cost thousands more to stay on-site than to stay in a resort of the same type off site, and they wonder why.

So on the Dis resort board, I think it's often a, "What is this magic you speak of?" because people are puzzled by the difference between off site and on, or between moderate and deluxe, and they're trying to pin down why so many others see what looks like a minor difference as worth the major difference in cost.

Disney reaps millions in profits by creating thousands of upsell opportunities. People want to have an "even better" time, and Disney creates the opportunities for them -- at a cost of course. Remember, Disney is a business. We don't have to be too cynical ab

That, too, of course. Although I do think a lot of people who're immune to Disney's tactics are kind of shaken when they discover how many people on the Dis think that upsell worth it. "Huh, maybe it isn't just standard advertising hoopla."

What it should come down to is this: You can have a tremendous Disney vacation by staying in your budget -- no matter how great or small your budget is. By staying in your budget, you will have much less stress and thus, much more fun.

I've known people who were high on Disney when they first got home, going on about what a great time they had, but every time their monthly bill came along they'd remember something else bad about it, until a year or so later they were telling people Disney has gone downhill and is hopelessly overpriced, and to go somewhere else.

 

[padawans]

The answer to the "worth it" questions is 99 percent of the time a big "no."

Why? Because like the previous poster said, it means you likely can't afford it, you are just trying to justify the extra expense.

Disney reaps millions in profits by creating thousands of upsell opportunities. People want to have an "even better" time, and Disney creates the opportunities for them -- at a cost of course. Remember, Disney is a business. We don't have to be too cynical about it, but they are trying to extract money out of us.

What it should come down to is this: You can have a tremendous Disney vacation by staying in your budget -- no matter how great or small your budget is. By staying in your budget, you will have much less stress and thus, much more fun.

I don't think questioning somethings worth means you can't afford it. I have often questioned whether CL is worth it, and I can afford it. I just feel guilty spending the extra money, therefore it is not "worth it" too me. If your not totally comfortable spending the money then you shouldn't do it. I am sure there are many people that stay in value resorts that can afford deluxe. I would never assume someone can't afford it just because they are asking the question.

 

[summersalt]

Maybe the question really should be is there value in the price difference? Value means difference things to each individual. When my family and I first started going to Disney 17 years ago, we didn’t have a large budget. We stayed offsite at the Econo Lodge, drove down, and eat cheap meals offsite. Did the whole 6 night vacation for under $1000 and loved every minute of it! The value was priceless. Now, we can afford to stay anywhere we choose. We’ve stayed at almost all the deluxe resort and I have yet to find the value in them. However, I enjoy reading the “worth it” posts because, being the Disney lover that I am, I enjoy reading how others Disers do find value in them.

 

[Alsobrook]

*Grumble*

Honestly, it was not my intent to start a philosophical debate on what people "really" mean when they ask if it's worth it....That's a debate for another day.

Having participated on the boards for a number of months, it is simply my observation that there are a great number of threads that pose that question, and essentially only that question. Because I believe this is a community of people who want to share experiences and advice, I was simply noting and even suggesting that a poster go further than asking that question by providing some context so that people can be most helpful.

It can be frustrating to "search" for a thread on a topic and then have to weed through a hundred "is it worth it for me to spend X for Y" threads in the hopes that somewhere down in there I find a comment about whether the resort has 4 cup or 8 cup coffee makers.

Honestly, it doesn't matter to me what people "really mean" with their posts. While I acknowledge all sorts of hidden agendas that people have on message boards in general, at the end of the day, I just want to be helpful.

And, for those that thing those posts are just a request for your opinion, that's great... share away.... I think that's very nice and appropriate. But if you're pressed for time and you want to write out a nice answer to someone's question, it's helpful to have the background that can make your efforts all the more helpful to another.

*end of grumble*

 

[Day-Day]

Complaining about the way someone presents their question is similar to complaining about incorrect spelling or grammer; these don't have much of a place on message boards. If a poster asks if something is "worth it" the best response is to provide opinions and information that would be helpful for that poster's decision making.

In almost all inquiries, it is helpful to have background information on the OP.

I've found plenty of things to be not "worth it" even though I can afford it.

 

[Alsobrook]

Complaining about the way someone presents their question is similar to complaining about incorrect spelling or grammer; these don't have much of a place on message boards. If a poster asks if something is "worth it" the best response is to provide opinions and information that would be helpful for that poster's decision making.

In almost all inquiries, it is helpful to have background information on the OP.

I've found plenty of things to be not "worth it" even though I can afford it.

If anyone viewed my OP as complaining, I apologize. I'm certainly not complaining. I'm making a suggestion which I hope helps people exchange information in a better, more efficient manner.

 

[Bob NC]

People want to have an "even better" time, and Disney creates the opportunities for them -- at a cost of course. Remember, Disney is a business. We don't have to be too cynical about it, but they are trying to extract money out of us.

So funny, I like the posts that say, "We are going to WDW for 9 days with hopper tix and staying at GF CL, what things can I do to make this trip 'special' for my kids. BBB? Pirate Cruise? Wishes cruise? Illuminations cruise?, etc etc etc"

Geeeeez, to me the trip to WDW is 'special'!!!!!!

 

[Day-Day]

If anyone viewed my OP as complaining, I apologize. I'm certainly not complaining. I'm making a suggestion which I hope helps people exchange information in a better, more efficient manner.

Bad choice of words on my part...

I get the same initial feeling as you when I see an "is it worth it" but then I approach it as an inquiry for helpful information.

 

[siskaren]

OP: I REALLY liked your post, and wish it could be made mandatory reading for all new DISers. Threads that start with "Has anyone ever....." really bug me. No. No one on the DIS boards (including all of us veteran guests) has EVER....() It really is a pet peeve of mine (and yes, we all know that I have many).

I'm totally with you on this one, minnie mum!

 

[tarin24u]

Great thread! I agree that many people seem to ask questions for instant gratification - I do it myself!! Those who commented that these boards are so big now nailed it.... questions get lost quickly. I have had to find my own questions to read responses.

I appreciate the responses and suggestions of veterans and enjoy reading posts because many times it's a question I've had myself and I do try to look at recent posts before I ask a question to see if it's been recently answered. The excitement of first-timers and newbies to the boards is contagious and reminds me of the first trip our family took. Yes, it's funny to read some of the questions and I do think "jeez, your going to Disney - of course it's worth it / you will have fun / park hoppers are better / yes it's hot in August / yes it rains ...." Most questions are asked because people want to know and most are answered because we love to share our experiences