Short trips...splurge, scrimp, or same as always?

[HouCuseChickie]

When you take short trips to WDW, do you...

Splurge...since the costs don't seem quite as extreme when going for a shorter period.

Scrimp...because you'd rather save it for a big trip and can get by with less if it's only a few days.

Same...i.e. it just feels more comfortable to stick with your usual trip approach, regardless of trip duration.

 

[epcotisbest]

This question pertains to my wife, who is headed down for four nights starting this Friday. She is going with a group of friends and they will be doing the second choice, scrimp. The trip is for the princess half marathon, and there are extra costs associated with that. Staying at an off site condo, only going to one park, and will spend less on food than normal and eat breakfast and some dinners and lunches in the room, since there is a full kitchen. It is easier to go on a tighter budget for shorter trips. Only splurge is HOB gospel brunch after the run.

 

[Pooh Lover]

As with most things in my life, I love me a comfortable rut and that means a week at the WL every year with almost the same dining reservations from one year to the next. The splurges come in the form of a limo, MNSSHP tickets, fireworks cruises, "beverages" and trinkets.

 

[disneysince71]

Splurge.... No question!

 

[bethymouse]

Shorter trip? Must splurge! I'd stay at GF and relax. I'd probably just visit MK on a short trip and take advantage of other activities.

 

[RedDad]

We usually scrimp on the shorter trips. Our plan so far has been to go "all out" on a fairly long trip every 3 years or so, and in between we go on the cheap when the opportunity presents itself - stay at a value, get a really good discount, go for 4-5 days, save as much as possible on meals, etc.

We live just far enough away (6 hour drive) that we can't just drive down for a day or two, but not too far to rule out a short 3 or 4 day visit.

 

[Alley7728]

My splurge this year was purchasing annual passes. Soooo the scrimping starts at home before the trips! It would be awesome to really splurge, but getting the chance to go throughout the year is an amazing feeling whether it be for 2 days or 5!

 

[olinecoach61]

I think I would scrimp. We have talked about it a few times, hopefully one of my wife's meetings happens in WDW! If so I'm going to escape down for a day or two just to get a bit of magic.

 

[DisneyDelirious]

We went down for a quick MVMCP trip last year. We stayed with one QS and one TS a day. The $ amount we gave the kids was smaller but the daily average of how much $ they got stayed the same. The wife spent less just because she had less time I probably spent a bit more as I got everyone party specific t-shirts and pins. I tried to keep everything the same proportionally, it was just fewer days.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Splurge.... No question!

Oh yes splurge all the way!!!!

 

[disneysince71]

Oh yes splurge all the way!!!!

 

[EvilQueen-T]

both. for me it depends on who i'm going with and if it's a special occasion, what we plan to do etc. for instance we just did a 3 day weekend at akl the last weekend of january for my granddaughters birthday. we stayed at akl..but ok i had a room discount but it still counts as a splurge and we ate at citricos and yachtman's. but then for instance my sister and i have also gone for 3 day weekends and stayed at an allstar resort and ate quick serve burgers and hot dogs which we shared when money was tight. this summer we have a trip planned that's part family reunion and i know we'll spend more time back at our resort so i spent the money to stay at a moderate in a preferred room rather than an allstar for the pool amenities.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Loving the replies!

@EvilQueen-T brings up an excellent point- much of it depends on "WHY?"

Mind you- I tend to have a bit of a decadent streak so my brain seems naturally programmed to splurge; however, my bank account doesn't always agree and I do like to be sensible with my budget when need be. If I were to take a short trip and just classify it as a MNSSHP mini trip, I'd probably consider Little Mermaid in AoA - especially if it's just me & my girls; however, if I make this part of my milestone bday celebration...I'd probably be trying to decide between the 3 monorail resorts.

 

[disneysince71]

But you have to admit... its easier to splurge... when you are only doing it for a day or two...

 

[HouCuseChickie]

But you have to admit... its easier to splurge... when you are only doing it for a day or two...

Most definitely, and if I'm able to get a 30% room discount, it's even easier to justify the splurge.

 

[disneysince71]

Most definitely, and if I'm able to get a 30% room discount, it's even easier to justify the splurge.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

 

[luv]

Shorter trips were usually sans children, so we stayed in the Disney hotels and I crossed each one off the list. Sometimes it was a more expensive place; sometimes not.

Longer trips (with kids) were in condos and houses just off the WDW property.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Shorter trips were usually sans children, so we stayed in the Disney hotels and I crossed each one off the list. Sometimes it was a more expensive place; sometimes not.

Longer trips (with kids) were in condos and houses just off the WDW property.

And that is something I really do enjoy....trying out new places. It helps each trip have a bit of a fresh uncharted territory feeling.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I would either splurge or go in between. Splurge would be due to the shorter stay and why not treat yourself. However, I might go in between and splurge on things like special dinners additional events or shows and then just stay at one of my regular resorts.

You bring up something important for all of this consideration....I am a bit obsessed with doing TS meals. I could see us doing at least 4 on a short 2 nt trip.