How much do you budget?

[BriarRose]

We have a potential trip planned for next year, and since it's been quite a while (2008) since we've been there, I was surprised at how much prices have increased. I do know they go up every year, but planning a potential budget, it seems like it's getting to be too expensive for the average family. We're in Oregon, so we can't just drive down like we might if we lived closer, but since we usually have gone from anywhere from 10 to 14 days it seems like it has almost doubled in price. It's just my husband and I that will be going, but if we go for the planned 14 days, it is going to cost about $10,000, including food and a couple of days to Universal. That's staying at a moderate hotel on property, airfare, transportation, AP's, and food.

Is that what everyone is experiencing? I don't want to stay off property and for the two of us, staying at a value over staying at a moderate doesn't save that much.

Just curious what everyone else is paying on average.

[SodaPopMGK]

That's probably about right you're eating three meals out a day. Also, with a couple of days at Universal you're paying the premium for the first couple of days. We own DVC now but have rented points in the past, we find it more comfortable and better accommodations plus we make breakfast and lunch, may not save a whole lot but we eat better.

Good luck planning!

[CanadianWDWFan]

Priced sure have skyrocketed up in the last couple of years! We just got back from an 8 day adventure for three adults, myself, DW and DS(14). Our room at POFQ and the dining plan cost us $3500, no passes or flights. We had bought our AP's the year before but add $1700 for AP's and $1000 for airfare and you are over $6000.

It is for this expensive reason we have taken up Disney Cruising. We have a upcoming 7 day cruise on the Disney Fantasy for 4 of us, our oldest couldn't make the WDW trip this summer, and it cost about the same as our 8 day trip to WDW for three.

We too are DVC members and usually are able to enjoy the kitchen in the suite for breakfast and lunch as well as well as a slight discount on AP's, merchandise and some restaurants.

[Mendelson]

Three adults and one child here.

We rent DVC points, which usually averages out to about $240 a night. We usually stay for eight nights. We usually get six- or seven-day hoppers.

We have groceries delivered, which covers our breakfasts, coffee, and other various little things that can add up when buying in the moment.

We fly Southwest from the DC area and I'm hugely vigilant about checking flights (like, every hour of the day starting at about the 60-day point and we usually can fly for around $120 RT, pp). It's not uncommon for us to have at least one leg covered by points we've earned.

We have maybe only five sit-down meals the entire week, though usually one or two are very expensive.

We use DME.

We get the 5 percent Target red card discount.

We buy very little in the way of souvenirs (not for budgeting reasons, but just because we're not collectors of, um, stuff).

So all that said, an eight-night trip for the four of us is usually around $7-$8K

[BriarRose]

I’m getting the feeling like we’re right on track for the cost for two weeks. I’m just shocked that the prices have pretty much doubled in the last ten years.

Still planning on going, and still think it’s worth it!

Thanks for your responses!