What do you "sacrifice" for Disney vacations? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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We have recently incurred a number of unexpected expenses (dental work, car repair, broken appliance, etc.) and will be getting a smaller tax refund than we usually count on, making us unable to pay down the credit cards from those expenses. DH and I faced the reality of our family finances over the weekend. His first reaction was to cancel the August Disney vacation.
A while back I introdcued myself saying we planned a "Disney re-do." Our first trip to WDW was last fall with a GG totaling 17 people. Our family of 5 were the only people in the group who had never been to WDW. Our 5yo DD also has a mild form of autism. Much of the trip did not go well. About half way through the trip, we scrapped most of the "family/GG" time to take it on our own as a group of 5. We mastered the fast passes. We discovered taxis. By the last day, we thought we knew how we could make WDW work for us, but we thought it would be years before we could afford it again.
Then an 8-hour airport delay for engine trouble "blessed" us with flight vouchers. Then we got one of those special pin codes worth 40% off a Deluxe resort (with 3 kids and a 6’5” DH, our room options are pretty limited in the budget categories!). It was like God said, "Try again."
And now my DH looks to cut the WDW trip for more savings. He does not think it feasible for us to give up the daily "extras" like going out to movies, out to eat, extra shopping trips, etc. to make up the difference. I am very sad about that prospect. For some reason, having a great WDW experince will seem like a dort of redemtion for our family. Especially if we can cut out those "extras" to make it happen!
So my question for you---What kinds of things do you sacrifice in your day to day life to get to have your WDW vacations? And is it worth it?
We spent less than $400 on our airline tickets for 5 people (using those vouchers--do not think we will get THAT deal again any time soon!--plus the tix are non-refundable). We have a Disney Visa, so we will get the 0% financing for 6 months for the vacation.
We have a "Disney Vacation Jar" that me and the kids have been putting our "pennies" in. It has be a useful experience to say to the kids, "should we get a happy meal or should we add $2 to the jar?" They always say the jar, and we have been able to cut out many of the silly little wastes of money.
Yesterday I posted a bunch of stuff on craigs list.
We try to go out to eat less, and do less impulse spending. Try putting money away every week, or every month. I don't work anymore, and if I leave the house, I spend money, so frankly, I try not to leave the house if I don't have to. Less temptation! We're going to DL/Southern Cal for 2 weeks this summer, so I know how you're feeling!
Like Marnie, as it gets closer and closer (or if my Disney "layaway" plan isn't going as fast as I'd like) we cut out all eating out (except maybe a pizza here or there)-my kids are older and they realize that they'd rather be eating a meal at Disney than say Outback or Chick-Fil-A. We also save all change (at least I do) which is hard because I rarely have cash-but for our last trip I had $170 from our Disney Jar.
We also cut down on "niceties"....i.e., if you see something you like such as a new shirt, new pants, etc. we ask ourselves if it's really needed or can we squeak by until later. Granted we aren't denied the basics of food, water, housing, etc.....but you can probably get where I'm coming from.
We try to go out to eat less, and do less impulse spending. Try putting money away every week, or every month. I don't work anymore, and if I leave the house, I spend money, so frankly, I try not to leave the house if I don't have to. Less temptation! We're going to DL/Southern Cal for 2 weeks this summer, so I know how you're feeling!
Marnie! That was so cute...I'm the same though....if I go out....I'm spending!
What do we give up? Anything. Everything. Whatever we need too.
I have to say, though, if it came down to giving up the kid's extras, (dance classes, voice lessons, local amusement park visits), I don't know if we could do it. DH Jeff and I are good about giving up things for ourselves...instead of going out we break out "the schedule" and talk about our next trip. It's much harder for our kids to sacrifice.
While I do work, I only have a casual position and make my own hours. So, I guess my biggest sacrifice is picking up more hours and going into work
I would make a realistic budget and stick to it. I stress realistic. Put in the budget for repair expenses.
Personally I'm willing to give up hair appts, I've given up all manicures, pedicures and massages. I've even given up birthday and anniversary presents for family trips. The memories of our Disney trips are worth more to me than stuff.
My main thing is trying to cut back on eating out. We normally eat out once per week. On our first trip- we completely didn't eat out the month prior to our trip. As a family of 6- this was a considerable savings. We also like to take a lot of day trips- museums, local theme parks, zoo, ect...- I also cut back on that a few months before the trip.
My biggest thing right now is that I've gotten into a habbit of eating out (just me, not family) on my busier days of the week (usually mon and wed); and I do remind myself- do you want to pull through for breakfast two days a week or save for WDW. Because those few dollars here and there add up!
I hope yall are able to cut back on some things and still go! I definately think you could and should do it- I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip!
Our vacations are part of my budget so we don't really sacrafice anything specific. We rarely eat out - maybe 4 times a year outside of Disney. We also never by fast food (McD's and such). The kids and DH bring their lunches to school/work everyday.
We cut back our cable bill by getting rid of DVR, HD and a bulk of middle channels...I don't even know which ones...so I don't miss them. This saved us $40/month!
We also have the Disney jar and add not just change but random $1 & $5 left over in the pockets at the end of the day. By not going out to dinner as much those bills are really not missed.
Also my husband was just telling me how all the cell phone companies are cutting their rates in a competition war so I'm calling later today to see about changing our plan!
Good Luck!
We have stopped eating out, buying the "must have" DVD's, and try to lower the gas bill by arranging all of the running around to be on one day. We have told all of the family members to get the girls Disney Gift cards for any gifts that they give them.
Our house is falling apart but...... WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!
We cut back our cable bill by getting rid of DVR, HD and a bulk of middle channels...I don't even know which ones...so I don't miss them. This saved us $40/month!
We also have the Disney jar and add not just change but random $1 & $5 left over in the pockets at the end of the day. By not going out to dinner as much those bills are really not missed.
Also my husband was just telling me how all the cell phone companies are cutting their rates in a competition war so I'm calling later today to see about changing our plan!
Good Luck!
I will call the cell phone company!
I mentioned the DVR to DH and he though that was as silly as giving up the cell phones. (well, honestly, I am not sure how our house would survice without TiVo...there is power in the "pause" button!)
We consider the joy of the impulse purchase vs the thrill of anything at WDW. Guess which one wins?
We have movie nights at home with a bottle of soda and microwave popcorn (DH ensures ALL the lights are off), I cut the kids hair and DH's most of the time (I haven't been to the hairdressers for years...), I sell everything unused or outgrown on ebay and our youngest DS has all his clothes/toys purchased from there too, the older kids get $300 between them on clothes for the year and they usually choose to save it until we go to the USA where their fav brands are cheapest, we stop eating out once a week for usually the last month before a trip, I only grocery shop once per 3 or 4 weeks (except fruit/milk) - always take a list and stock up on good specials, never pay full price for big ticket items, have your car serviced at the local tech. school for cost of parts only, buy petrol on cheapest day of week, use coupons and bulk buy to split with friends, give pocket money to your kids and teach them about saving - it's amazing the difference when they need to pay...shop prior to vacation for Disney items online or at $ stores and set a budget for daily disney expenses whilst at WDW- whatever isn't spent that day can be used the following day but no borrowing from tomorrow! Also prior to the trip we counted the weeks and divided the budget evenly to see how much we had to 'earn' by D-Day!
I feel so excited for you. You can make it a game for your kids but I'm sure your DH will be impressed at your enthusiasm and determination. Good luck!
This is a really interessting question. My friend and I were just discussing this yesterday while we were out shopping(for vacation) what we were both doing to cut back and save money for our disney trips. I of course have the change jar that the kids and I throw money in at the end of the day. I just found out that instead of using the icecream money I give him a couple days a week my, 9 year old was putting it in the jar . Also our dish washer broke a month and a half ago so instead of getting it fixed we took the money and put it towards disney. Needless to say I am now the dishwasher lol. I figure a few months of doing dishes is'nt a bad price to pay for an amazing disney vacation with my family.
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What do you "sacrifice" for Disney vacations?
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Marnie! That was so cute...I'm the same though....if I go out....I'm spending!
for Disney?
MWACL5
. Also our dish washer broke a month and a half ago so instead of getting it fixed we took the money and put it towards disney. Needless to say I am now the dishwasher lol. I figure a few months of doing dishes is'nt a bad price to pay for an amazing disney vacation with my family.
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