How much do you sacrifice to get to Disney? About This Page:

[aislinn0903]

Here's my dilemna: as a single mom of 3 (DS13, DD10 and DS8), I often struggle to make ends meet, and usually run out of money before I run out of month! We had gone to WDW 4 years in a row (prior to divorce), but last year just could not afford it, so I transferred my existing ressie to 9/21 this year. We have given up all extras over the past 2 years, movies, going out to dinner, birthday parties and gifts, really anything extra. We have been saving money like mad, $5 here, pennies there, but now we are coming up to PIF day, 10 days from now, and I might not make it. (I did get my airfare relatively cheap back in May, so that $$ can't be refunded). I figured out we can make it work if we can live on $200 for the next 3 weeks, until payday rolls around again. That includes gas, groceries, etc. My question: am I insane?! How far do you go, how much do you sacrifice, to go to The Happiest Place on Earth?

[Pris]

You've come this close! You can do it!! Only you and your family know if the sacrifice is worth it to you. Since your kids obviously have been very involved in this saving, it must be worth it to them. Hang in there, eat ramen noodles for the next 3 weeks and then make the most of being in the world with your precious children enjoying every minute!!

[phoebec]

Could you postpone the trip a little longer? It would give you more time to save and still leave more money for the basics. I think you can get a credit for the airline tickets (I could be wrong on that?) I always try to think how it will feel when the trip is over. If you have to wipe out all your savings and go without before and after the trip, to me, it kind of takes some of the magic out of it. If you could postpone, perhaps the financial burden of the trip wouldn't be so big. I understand where you are coming from. We have some extra money set aside for our trip in November. I wanted to go this summer but couldn't because of car troubles and air conditioner replacements. Our vehicles get inspected in August. If there are big repairs due our trip will be postponed again. I refuse to go into debt to save a vacation fund. It's all up to how you feel about it.

Good luck making your decision and saving the money for the trip!!!!!!!

[B.M.]

If it weren't for the airfare; I would suggest postponing... but since you've got the airfare; if there is anyway at all to make it work- I'd sure try my hardest.... We sacrafice for vacations in general; including Disney... My kids and I think it's worth it.... Only you (and your children) can decide whats worth it for your family....

[mike56]

As others have said only you and the family can make that decision-if you feel you need the break, time with the family at WDW to enjoy yourselves and forget about money than go for it. If you decide not to go and loose out the airfare money plus WDW to save a few dollars than you will second guess your decision and regret it.
I belive you can get through the 3 weeks-who knows-maybe something positive with finances may come true in that time period?

[EddieCVS]

We sacrife enough,but not at the expense of going with the essentials. We don't go out as much, we eat at home, and don't buy anything not needed. Saving for Disney helps me realize all the money we could save all year long. If it came close to the time of the trip and we didn't have the money needed I would postpone it until we had the money we needed.

[joelsmom]

Well, there are only two of us, so our trips are less expensive than yours...and we live closer so we can drive it in a day...That said, since money is such an issue (it always is for me too), there are several things I do to make the trip happen at least every other year.

1. I always stay at a value, and if I thought I needed to in order to save money, I would try a DTD hotel. Many times I have priced moderates, and the truth is I just can't afford them. For me, it comes down to either having a week of vacation at a value or two or three days at a moderate. I'll take the week every time.

2. We also eat out on a very limited basis. This summer, after we made our trip, money has been very tight. So, I'm canceling my trash pick-up and recycling service. I'm seriously considering downgrading my satellite TV to the minimum service. We save quarters. I'm contemplating getting a part-time job, but you know that's tricky, especially when your kids are as young as yours. Mine is a bit older.

3. Sometimes it's necessary for us to do a small trip of 3 days or so, even at a value, instead of a whole week.

I can certainly sympathize with your situation. WDW is the place where we are our most relaxed and carefree, and I so want to do that for my DS every year. For the next two weeks, I would buy bread and peanut butter and eat it every day if I had to. You're too close to the deadline and have too much money invested already to let it go to waste. Drive the car as sparingly as possible so you don't waste gas. Drink water. In 10 days when you're paid, you'll breathe a sigh of relief.

[ferrazalves]

For us it worth the saving efforts. We usually skip Bday presents and party (I can not justify spend a lot of $ for 4 or 5 hours instead of saving and traveling together). Also we try to avoid extra expense in daily basis - and in this matter having a vacation booked help us a lot!
If it is too difficult to afford the costs, I usually try to downgrade the vacation plan - check if it is possible to move from one resort to another or stay in a cheaper hotel. We've stayed offsite at least once, when we travelled on a tighter budget with no chance of a refund for air fare.
Even if after downgrading the vacation we realized we can not afford it, we opt to postpone it and pay the cancel fees.

[dolphin041599]

I sacrificed a lot to go in 2009. I think we ate Mac and Cheese for weeks on end. I've switched jobs now and things aren't as tight. Still, we save everything we can. If you are very careful, I think you can do it! And you have a great reward at the end.

[Pretty Kitty]

We do without quite a few "wants" to save money for our trips to Disney. It has been seven years since our last trip(money just was not there to every try to scrimp and save, The decision is really yours to make but if I had airfare(non-refunable or non-transferable) I would really try to make it a go. Hope it works out for you to go

[tinker_me_happy]

When my kids were little we had very little money. But one thing I really really wanted was for them to attend Montessori Preschool. It was really expensive. We did without a lot for them to attend. And I mean A LOT!! I know it may not seem like there are any more corners to cut, but it sounds like you and your kids are really looking forward to this trip. Would I say "Live like this all the time just so you can go to Disney every year or two." : I wouldn't, but I think in this case it might be worth the extra effort since you have put so much work into it already. Are there any other things you can give up? Sometimes things we think of as "necessities" are really only luxuries we have become accustomed to! Sounds really silly, but simple things: buying bagged beans and soaking them instead of canned beans. Store brand instead of National Brands (Especially when it comes to cereals!!) Making smaller portions and having no left overs that might go to waste, or making larger portions and serving things until they are gone even if it means eating the same meal over and over again in the same week! You can forgo the deli meats, and cook a whole chicken or turkey for a fraction of the cost. It will mean a little more work, but a whole lot of savings! And those are just some grocery ideas.
Can the kids carpool for activities so you don't use so much gas? Can anyone walk instead of drive someplace? with your budgeting and hopefully you will make it!

[MsPeggySue911]

If it were me I would postpone it another few months. Airfare is usually changeable to other dates as long as there isn't a fare difference.

If it is impossible to change the airline reservations and you would lose that money if you don't go then I might consider going.

But to me, when things are so tight you have to give up buying your kid birthday presents to save for vacation, I would have to give up going on vacation.

Of course everybody wants to go on vacation and it is great family time and making memories but it is a LUXURY. No family NEEDS to go to WDW it is a want.

There are millions and millions of kids who will never get a chance to go to WDW even one time. SO if you end up not being able to go, just think of the fact that your kids have already been at least 4 times that you mentioned.

It is possible to go 3 weeks on just $200 worth of groceries if you buy cheap stuff like others have mentioned...ramen noodles, PB sandwiches, dry beans and rice, Hamburger Helper. But if you have to also buy your gas to get back and forth to work out of that $200 for the next 3 weeks then I would say in all probability not gonna happen. Unless you already have a pretty good stockpile of groceries.

I hope you are able to work it out one way or the other. But just know that if you don't get to go it is not the end of the world. Things could be worse.

[dutchdisneyfamily]

We sacrifice quite a bit, but we don't go very often either. We were just discussing this in fact, and I decided that cutting back on the trip as much as possible on the trip itself (value resort, etc.) helped so we could free up a few mote funds now. I love Disney through and through, but I'm not going to stop living life for a year because of it.

[ShellingConnie]

I think it will be tight but possible. Especially if you don't have a gas guzzling vehicle and have some groceries already at home.

Do you have anything you can sell on Craigs List to help get some money?
My DD has been giving me things that I've been putting on Craigs List for her. She's already gotten 50.00 and I've got 2 more things to sell for her. And we aren't going to Disney - it's just stuff she's gotten tired of and wants to get out of her room.

[NOT A PACKER'S FAN]

I too am a single Mom, and tight aint the word for it, sometimes it feels down right impossible, I understand trust me!!! I too save as much as possible, had a rummage sale last week, and made 190.00 straight to the disney bank that went! I hate the feeling of never having enough, and the worry that causes. If you think you guys can manage I say go for it. If you have any doubts write a list of pros and cons. Whatever you decide, will be the best decision for y'all, I have had to postpone our upcoming trip 6x's now, dont think my daughter believes we are even going at this point. Sending you some pixie dust and good luck!!!