It's Only Money..Get a Life!...

[real mad hatter]

Hold on a second....That's better..Just received a PM on my Facebook from an old work buddy ( I can't believe he's still working and moaning about his job ) Anyway I told him were off to Andalusia in a few weeks for 12 days of peace,sun,& tranquility on a rather cheap vacation.When he asked me how much it was,I told him for the three of us,including flights and accommodation in a 4 star hotel & spa $1.500. He was shocked and said " What a waste of money" ...Whit!!!...When I told him of my 2015 plan for a 14 night vacation at Disney,staying at a deluxe resort..And the approx cost of the vacation $7.500...He exploded,saying I was out of my tiny mind.." I could buy a new car for that " he quoted..Here's my question to all off you good people..Where does a Disney vacation come in on your priority list.??...Are you the sort of person who looks at the total cost of your trip,then think,hold on...I could put that money to a house makeover..A new kitchen or a new car...Or do you say " To hell with it,we're off to Disney. "..This question probably has been asked a thousand times on here,but with things in general,being tight nowadays,watching what we spend on weekly groceries,fuel,heating bills,etc..I'am just wondering if your attitude to a Disney vacation has changed over the years..Now personally I don't reflect on how much we've spent on our five previous trips,I'am a great believer in enjoying life while your here. ( Unlike actress Shirley McClaine, I don't expect to come back as someone or something else ) So what are your present views on this nowadays..??...Has it changed from maybe your first trip twenty odd years ago.?

 

[real mad hatter]

Agree with not bursting the bank or putting myself into suicide mode..It takes us two years to save for a 14 night vacation staying on site..We do spend about £800 ( $1200 ) on souvenirs, But there are people who have been ( Friends of mine ) and just don't get it....Everyone to their own..

 

[jaklgreen]

I love to travel and WDW is my #1 travel destination. We are fortunate enough that we can live off of my husband's income with money put away for retirement. I work part time when the kids are in school for our vacation money. We go as a family to WDW every year and I take a solo trip in Oct for the F&WF. I have no problem spending the money on my trips considering it is the only thing we really spend our extra money on. I cook meals at home, we do not go out to the bars on the weekends or out to eat(except or anniversary). I am also not a "shopper", we get our clothes from walmart or Kohls. All of that extra money people spend on their starbucks and lunches out and shoes and purses, etc really adds up. I choose not to spend money on that but on my WDW vacations.

 

[itsbetsyh]

Going to Disney once a month is a top priority for me. It's great for my DD and I to escape and recharge. A lot of people comment about how much we go and how much money it is. What others think of me in none of my business. I just renewed our AP's for another year

 

[GrimGrinningGhost15]

I always hear "you should be saving that money" "you should spend it on something else" "you'll have student loans to pay off in a couple months"... my reply is this... Life is much to short to always be saving and scrimping, my future husband lost his dad when he was 11 and that is always in the back of my mind, I want to have as many fun memories as I can with future husband and I know that doesn't have to be at WDW but why not when we can pay for it? We are doing everything cheap and have been saving for a year so yes we are going to spend 2000 on a WDW trip while everyone else we know is spending their money on nights out, spring break trips, clothes,shoes, tattoos ect. I am actually sacrificing how much money I can spend on my wedding dress to go on this trip in january... worth it (we are doing save the dates and possibly a few engagement pictures while we are there, he was going to propose on this trip but couldn't wait so here we are!) I'd get married there if my family was willing to come along but thats not going to happen! I hope to always have a little disney savings, whether its for a trip in 1 year or 5 years, we will always be trying to fit a trip into our budget!

 

[ExtinctJenn]

I think too, often the reason folks seem so shocked at the price, is people don't take into account (typically because they honestly have no clue) the fact that a vacation package includes your room, your tickets (potentially park hopper), free transportation, often dining (if DDP is in there), etc. Folks here it costs $X to take a WDW trip and often think that is just your room.

 

[jdnetone]

My view over the years may have changed some I am 56 years old and I look at it as a time to make long lasting memories with my family. I Don't look at the cost as much and I for one can say I have never been to Disney and not felt like I got my money’s worth. I have never regretted going to Disney other then I wish I had gone sooner. Our first trip was back in 2000 then 2004, 2010, 2012, and going again in December this year.

 

[disneygirl76]

Hold on a second....That's better..Just received a PM on my Facebook from an old work buddy ( I can't believe he's still working and moaning about his job ) Anyway I told him were off to Andalusia in a few weeks for 12 days of peace,sun,& tranquility on a rather cheap vacation.When he asked me how much it was,I told him for the three of us,including flights and accommodation in a 4 star hotel & spa $1.500. He was shocked and said " What a waste of money" ...Whit!!!...When I told him of my 2015 plan for a 14 night vacation at Disney,staying at a deluxe resort..And the approx cost of the vacation $7.500...He exploded,saying I was out of my tiny mind.." I could buy a new car for that " he quoted..Here's my question to all off you good people..Where does a Disney vacation come in on your priority list.??...Are you the sort of person who looks at the total cost of your trip,then think,hold on...I could put that money to a house makeover..A new kitchen or a new car...Or do you say " To hell with it,we're off to Disney. "..This question probably has been asked a thousand times on here,but with things in general,being tight nowadays,watching what we spend on weekly groceries,fuel,heating bills,etc..I'am just wondering if your attitude to a Disney vacation has changed over the years..Now personally I don't reflect on how much we've spent on our five previous trips,I'am a great believer in enjoying life while your here. ( Unlike actress Shirley McClaine, I don't expect to come back as someone or something else ) So what are your present views on this nowadays..??...Has it changed from maybe your first trip twenty odd years ago.?

I fall into the catagory of "we are going every year" first. Then depending on the year, what does that look like? 2012 was a year that we needed a big splurg trip! But this year, we didn't have the funds so we just went for what was supposed to be an over night trip after seeing my parents who live about 4 hours away. I am lucky in that respect. I look at it like this - I pay my bills - I don't have any other luxeries like fancy cars or spending gobs on clothing, jewelry, makeup, etc. We live a nice life, and once all bills are paid and some is saving, we are like "you can't take it with you." So lets go make some memories!! And off to Disney we go! We have budgets and some years are better then others.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I just had a former coworker comment on my Facebook photo album of the recent WDWMagic girls cruise Iosted and said something to the effect of "God god.. how is it you are always on vacation??" The way I"m always on vacation is this: We are very frugal the rest of the year. I don't have a car payment, have a low rent payment and make decent money. Would I love a new car? Mayeb one with A/C and power windows and door locks? Absolutely. But I love vacationing more. It does also help that we have a timeshare that can be used at The Swan and Dolphin and we have APs. So some trips when we go, we don't have to pay for hotel or park passes. All we need to pay for is airfare, food and extra spending money. I'm sure there will come a time when our 2-3 times a year trips decrease to once a year. And that will be fine with me but while money allows, we're going to continue traveling. Heading back to WDW in November... possibly a 4 night cruise on the Dream in February... Disneyland in April and then a week long cruise on the Fantasy next November. We love Disney. Those who think we're crazy... well, clearly THEY are the crazy ones!!

 

[JillC LI]

We consider an annual family vacation to be a necessity. We do not splurge on the latest electronic gadgets or fancy cars because that annual vacation is a priority. That said, we are moderate travellers and will look to keep costs down wherever possible and do not exceed our means. This year's vacation was not a Disney trip (although it was amazing and memorable) so hopefully next year's will be!

 

[Pixie VaVoom]

My DH and I are pretty much of one mind about all of this...although he encourages me to loosen up alittle and it has brought some of the best memories of my life!! We are simple folks, reasonable house, cheaper phone plans ( I still have a 'stupid' phone!!), eat out with coupons, movies before the prices go up, we don't spend much on clothes, 2nd hand but nice cars, I even did our elopement - wedding dress and all, for under $500. So when we want to travel - we travel!! Our last cruise saw us swimming with stingrays, climbing the waterfalls, and stomping around Mayan ruins, but that 10 days did not even cost us $3000 for the two of us. I say cut back on the things that aren't really important, so you can enjoy yourself without going into debt!!

 

[Pixie VaVoom]

My DW is the "Ant" and I'm the "Grasshopper." She says we have to save and I want to go to WDW evey year. She say "what about tomorrow" and I say "after my combat tours in Vietnam and Kuwait I know that tomorrow may never come." I also am fond of telling her that "caskets don't come with pockets." Seriously, I as I have stated many times I have this conversation all the time with people that can't see that my relaxation is different from theirs. Rather than own a boat, motorcycle or season tickets to a sports team I would rather relax in the magic bubble. I hear all the time you just don't get it" and I reply "neither do you."

yep - you never see a U-haul behind a hearse !! Might as well have fun now!!

 

[Roo Bear]

I say go for it!! We certainly can't afford to go every year (more's the pity), but spend many happy hours in between trips talking about Disney - "do you remember when..." or "shall we do xxx next time". We have hundreds of amazing memories & hope to make some new ones in 399 days time! Life is certainly too short!

 

[luv]

When people ask me what I paid, I state that whatever they're asking about was a gift or I say I don't remember.

There is no rule that because they ask a rude question, it must be answered.

 

[awoogala]

It's ok for everyone to spend (within their means) on the things that give them joy. I don't do nails, hair.. I don't spend much on clothes. We only buy used vehicles, I have a small house. Furniture from IKEA. lol Others would think I live cheaply.. I know people who will rent a beach house for a week, then tell me Disney isn't worth the money. I don't judge others who need to lease a new car every few years, if that is their priority, and they are fulfilling their requirements/taking care of their kids.
My kids wear a mix of hand me downs and new (they grow, doesn't seem like a great investment to me!).. but that is not my priority. Of course, we spend more in books, microscopes, educational materials, etc..
I think everyone WITHIN their means has the right to spend on what they feel is needed.
I need Disney.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

I say go for it!! We certainly can't afford to go every year (more's the pity), but spend many happy hours in between trips talking about Disney - "do you remember when..." or "shall we do xxx next time". We have hundreds of amazing memories & hope to make some new ones in 399 days time! Life is certainly too short!

I'll agree with that - you keep on counting down our days until I can start at the end of October And hey - didn't we just spend the weekend doing the 'remember when' and talking about our other visits?