[pamzee]

Look at my kids in that avatar ... I have an Ariel, a Belle (sans new glasses she just got) ... and a ... a ... future Prince Charming. Yeah, that's it ... LOL. Either that or Buzz Lightyear. He's obsessed with outer space. ha ha They are super excited about this trip.

[Jen]

Stu and I discussed something similar a few months ago and when we sat down and really figured it out, we were not saving any money by staying offsite.

Two rooms for 9 nights at Pop Century with discount code : $1116
Rental House for 9 nights right outside Disney + pool heat charge: $1215
Parking while staying on site: $0
Parking while staying off site: $100
No rental car if staying on site: $0
Rental car if staying off site: $550
Dining Plan if staying on site: $1845
Our dining budget from 2005 when we stayed off site (for 6) $2100


So....to stay on site for the 6 of us with dining and park tickets for 9 days, it's $4150.

If we were to stay offsite, it would have cost $5315

I just can't see how staying offsite will save money. Yes, if we stayed offsite, we'd have a whole house as opposed to two connecting rooms, but we're not there often enough for it to matter.

[Dana]

I can understand your DH's point of view and can also feel for you. If you have the savings and are able to do it without going into debt, than stay on site. IF it's going to make you struggle financially, then just stay off site like DH wants to....any disney is better than none.

[dancing4disney]

With a family of five we ended up saving more staying at a house. The food really adds up and with a couple meals taken care of at the house it does make a difference. We also get a lot more space. Every time I try to price out staying at Disney over renting a house and car, the house rental wins out. Although, one of these days I want to stay onsite and do the dining plan. I agree that it would be more magical.

[pamzee]

Originally Posted by Dana

I can understand your DH's point of view and can also feel for you. If you have the savings and are able to do it without going into debt, than stay on site. IF it's going to make you struggle financially, then just stay off site like DH wants to....any disney is better than none.

Yeah, totally, this is a debt-free trip! He'd just rather put the money into savings, than take the trip. Then, he mulls over it & says we should stay off-site. I hope he comes around, I really do. I don't want to argue with him, that's no fun.

[LynnA]

This may not be a popular or positive opinion, however, we got our selves into a little debt because of our Christmas trip to WDW. My thinking(as skewed as it is) is I will always be in debt and have payments on something, my children are only young once, and the memories we've made will be my entertainment in my elder years. I figure I can't take it with me, so I might as well enjoy it while I can, if I die tomorrow what good with that savings do me then. Just a thought.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by pamzee

Yeah, totally, this is a debt-free trip! He'd just rather put the money into savings, than take the trip. Then, he mulls over it & says we should stay off-site. I hope he comes around, I really do. I don't want to argue with him, that's no fun.

Well if that's the case, you must bully him into an on-site stay. Remind him that it's your first vacation in 4 years and remind him that you children are only going to be children once...do it up good...little tear or two and you should have it sold..lol I kid , but not.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by LynnA

This may not be a popular or positive opinion, however, we got our selves into a little debt because of our Christmas trip to WDW. My thinking(as skewed as it is) is I will always be in debt and have payments on something, my children are only young once, and the memories we've made will be my entertainment in my elder years. I figure I can't take it with me, so I might as well enjoy it while I can, if I die tomorrow what good with that savings do me then. Just a thought.

Little debt never hurt anyone..I can't afford more debt however, so I can't use cards for a trip. To each their own. ..instead of putting my money into savings, I put it into a WDW trip, so who am I to say? We agree on this...kids are kids once...have fun while you can.

[PrincessFan]

I say stay on site - no worries. There are plenty of places to stay that are less expensive than the Contemporary and plenty fun - they are disney, afterall.

Family of 5 gets tricky b/c values don't accomodate, but try a moderate or try a suite at All Star.

But, I am one of those that saves for disney and spends every bit of dollars -- you only live once..

Hey, if the economy boost passes the senate, then you will get $600 per working adult and $300 per child, that should cover it -- it will come in May. . .never count on the government but it might work.

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by PrincessFan

Hey, if the economy boost passes the senate, then you will get $600 per working adult and $300 per child, that should cover it -- it will come in May. . .never count on the government but it might work.

That's true...maybe if that tax rebate comes through, it'll give your DH the little boost he needs pamzee! We can always hope.

[Franco54]

What if, huh? What if some screwball wants to
hurt LOTS of people near you? Happens daily.
What if (I have no idea how it works) the stock
market has people on the window sills? What if
the weather, sickness or dozens of real life "stuff"
happens? Seize The Day! Eat, Drink, Be
Merry, for tomorrow we.........

[woohoo]

you could do what I would do- Not for disney of course since Ed is just as much a geek as I am but for other things-
you get the "rack rate" for other off site hotels
then you get the discount rate or a discount code for the on site one.
You factor in cab or hotel transport costs or a rental car
you subtract the magical express on the disney side.....

trust me he will see it your way!

[lovemysons]

Originally Posted by LynnA

This may not be a popular or positive opinion, however, we got our selves into a little debt because of our Christmas trip to WDW. My thinking(as skewed as it is) is I will always be in debt and have payments on something, my children are only young once, and the memories we've made will be my entertainment in my elder years. I figure I can't take it with me, so I might as well enjoy it while I can, if I die tomorrow what good with that savings do me then. Just a thought.

Oh no, I totally understand the debt thing. I just mentioned it because she said they were trying not to use credit cards.

I agree, they are children for such a short time, and in the big picture, life is short, make the most of it. :)

[lovemysons]

Originally Posted by Franco54

What if, huh? What if some screwball wants to
hurt LOTS of people near you? Happens daily.
What if (I have no idea how it works) the stock
market has people on the window sills? What if
the weather, sickness or dozens of real life "stuff"
happens? Seize The Day! Eat, Drink, Be
Merry, for tomorrow we.........

Yes yes Franco. Can't live for the what if.

WE have learned that the hard way.

[rlcarmichael]

There is always the Pop/All Star or Mods.

As someone who's business is in the toilet, I can really appreciate what he's going through. It's not easy but it is a harsh reality.

We rented our DVC points to go on Alaska Cruise. While I've rented enough to pay for the cruise I'm also looking at how much we'd spend on shore excursions. I'd really hate to go cheap there but frankly you can spend as much or more on excursions so we are having second thoughts. Alaska may have to wait.