Len Testa - “Disney positions itself as the all-American vacation. The irony is that most Americans can’t afford it.”

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Disney World sure was empty today.

But it’s the “slow season”

Food and wine…jersey week…dvc usually maxed out many months in advance…

You’re lying…don’t be UNMAGICAL!!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

My family never took a vacation - we were poor. I survived.

We weren’t “poor” by the standards…very “mid” in the rust belty blue collary area…

But we didn’t travel much…it just wasn’t a high priority. But we had plenty of fun in other ways.

Out of town travel as a “necessity” is really still a fairly new concept

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

My vacations were cutting lawns to earn my keep in the summer. (Back when it wasn't child abuse for an 8 year old to operate a lawn mower - and not the one with the fancy safety features)

Did you use it for your haircuts to save money too?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Everyone handles these things differently. I won’t even allow my Mom to buy me lunch unless it’s my birthday or something.

She has done her job.

I have taken her to Disney several times as well as other vacation destinations.

I’ve never really thought about when I will stop paying for my Daughter to come with to Disney. I guess since she is always invited so l never will.

 

[LittleBuford]

Will the younger generations have this kind loyalty to Disney? Will they able to afford it and will they think it's worth it?

I see plenty of young adults whenever I go. Whether they’re loyal or not I have no idea, but they seem to be enjoying themselves. As to the question of affordability, I’m sure Disney would be wise enough as a company to respond to whatever economic situation they face in the future and adjust their prices accordingly.

 

[Ayla]

I pass on the generational generosity to my niece and nephew, as I already noted. And yes, I do treat my parents, though they would never let me spend as much on them as they do on me.

Honestly, one of the greatest joys of my adult life was treating my mother to her first ever Disney trip for her 60th birthday.

 

[LittleBuford]

Honestly, one of the greatest joys of my adult life was treating my mother to her first ever Disney trip for her 60th birthday.

That’s very sweet! My parents aren’t Disney people, but I’ve really enjoyed the other opportunities I’ve had to pay back some of their generosity.

 

[Ayla]

This Disney forum and every other Disney forum I click on the majority of the posters are over the age of 40. I would even guess over 50 or 60. The ones on this forum railing against it as you say how old are the? Will the younger generations have this kind loyalty to Disney? Will they able to afford it and will they think it's worth it?

My kids grew up on Disney, going every year or two from the ages of 5 and 9 to the ages of 17 and 23. Both of them now think it is too expensive and much too complicated after all the changes to plan a trip there. (I am 51, btw.)

 

[monothingie]

I can't imagine spending multiple years saving to go to Disney. It's just not worth it.

All are welcome! [so long as you can pay for it]

 

[monothingie]

I'm in my 40s and my parents still enjoy treating me. I'm not a parent myself, but I love treating my niece and nephew. It seems a perfectly normal (and nice!) family dynamic to me.

I'm 45 and I would be mortified to have my Dad pay for anything for me. For me it's the other way, I would insist on taking care of him.

 

[LittleBuford]

I'm 45 and I would be mortified to have my Dad pay for anything for me. For me it's the other way, I would insist on taking care of him.

It’s not an expectation on my part, my parents enjoy treating their kids and grandkids, and I do plenty in return to show my appreciation. Nothing would be achieved by my refusing to be treated except unnecessary tension and hurt pride on my father’s part.

All families are different; what works for some doesn’t work for others.

 

[monothingie]

It’s not an expectation on my part, my parents enjoy treating their kids and grandkids, and I do plenty in return to show my appreciation. Nothing would be achieved by my refusing to be treated except unnecessary tension and hurt pride on my father’s part.

All families are different; what works for some doesn’t work for others.

If they want to buy some snacks and merch for the kiddos then cool. Grandpa always likes to spoil the young ones. But to pay for tickets and hotels is off for me.

 

[LittleBuford]

But to pay for tickets and hotels is off for me.

Again, I’m not talking about Disney. And again, every family is different.

 

[Chi84]

If they want to buy some snacks and merch for the kiddos then cool. Grandpa always likes to spoil the young ones. But to pay for tickets and hotels is off for me.

We pay for everything because we insist on it.

 

[Miss Bella]

My kids grew up on Disney, going every year or two from the ages of 5 and 9 to the ages of 17 and 23. Both of them now think it is too expensive and much too complicated after all the changes to plan a trip there. (I am 51, btw.)

I work with hundreds under the age of 35 that make the same amount of money I do, but they are not interested in Disney trips. They have a lot higher expenses and debt than I ever had. Honestly they can't afford it.

I don't see my young adult kids ever wanting to pay for a trip to Disney. They think it's too expensive. I won't be paying for their trips because I agree with them.

 

[LittleBuford]

I won't be paying for their trips because I agree with them.

It should be clarified (because a couple of your posts seem to imply a misunderstanding) that the kind of arrangement under discussion here is one where the "treater" is part of the same trip as the "treatee". I may be mistaken, but I don't think @Chi84 is just funding her children and grandchildren's Disney holidays while sitting at home twiddling her thumbs; they're all there together as a family enjoying the experience.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So based on the real median household income in the US according to Google, the average of what a household could reasonably spend on a vacation is around $4,100.

So the average family can afford a Disney vacation if they save for multiple years or are very thrifty and effective with their budget.

$4,100 is very tough to get alot in Orlando these days…you have to cut a lot of corners

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

When your generation is gone what's Disney going to do? It's kind of odd your generation spends all this money sending your adult kids to Disney. Shouldn't they pay for that themselves?

Yeah…that’s the light on the train moving closer to them through the dark tunnel

It’s almost like the management actually doesn’t care if it survives past them at all?

Nah…that can’t be…

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm in my 40s and my parents still enjoy treating me. I'm not a parent myself, but I love treating my niece and nephew. It seems a perfectly normal (and nice!) family dynamic to me.

Treating to $10,000 weeks in Orlando?

“Treat” is pretty ambiguous of a concept in this context

 

[LittleBuford]

Treating to $10,000 weeks in Orlando?

“Treat” is pretty ambiguous of a concept in this context

For the umpteenth time: I wasn’t talking about Disney trips. The only person in my family who spends on Disney is me. I was talking about the dynamic of parents treating their adult children more generally. And yes, if those parents have the money and the appetite for expensive family trips to Disney, good for them. I’m not going to tell others how to spend their money.