Did you know that Disneyland in Anaheim, California is known as ‘The Happiest Place on Earth” while the Magic Kingdom park at Disney World in Orlando, Florida is known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth”?
Money Can Buy Me Magic
This Christmas, CB and I will be heading to Disney World in Orlando, Florida for the magic that only the corporate juggernaut Walt Disney Company can manufacture. And yes, I am checking one off my You Only Live Once travel list.
Let’s Talk Money
The costs will run $2,800-$3,000 for the both of us. We got a 5-day ticket, 5-night hotel stay package at an Value resort including a dining plan for ~$1,400. Plane tickets were ~$1,200 (we splurged for an red-eye with no layovers). Add in travel insurance, allowances for tip, transportation between from home to airport, and miscellaneous costs, I estimate the total cost should come in under $1,500 per person. For planning, I’ve found that mousesavers.com is extremely helpful – it’s a great resource if you’re a Disney fan like me!
Obviously, this is a big, big travel expense. I don’t know if this is the wisest financial decision – I mean, I don’t see how I can argue that it is. I am still job-hunting and thus still income-less (aside from some freelancing). Before I was laid off, I’ve earmarked money for a “big” vacation for 2009. And then I got spooked by the economy and had to study for the GMAT and decided not to do it. (and I really can’t imagine how much Suze Orman would rip me a new one for going to Disney World while unemployed).
***Okay, true story: I was actually a little apprehensive about writing on my decision to go on an expensive trip right now because of what happened with Krystal and the car. But after balancing many considerations (personal, financial, timing, etc.), I’ve decided that Disney World is an okay decision for me. If you disagree, please don’t be too harsh!
Disney World certainly isn’t the lowest-cost destination we could’ve picked (think Vegas, Mexico, Grand Canyon). So we are doing things as cheaply as we could given certain parameters: (1) we’ll be going during the expensive Christmas season, (2) we want to stay at a Disney Resort hotel to take advantage of extra park hours and ease of transportation (we won’t have a rental car), (3) we are getting a dining plan.
The Bottom Line
Despite the big financial commitment, I am so, so, incredibly excited about this trip. This will be our first big vacation together, and probably will be our last vacation until CB comes to visit me in China in 2010 (more details will be forthcoming on that front as plans are firmed up – but in short, there’s a very very high chance I’ll be working abroad in a few months). I don’t know anyone else my age who’d be as excited about Disney World as CB is – I am so happy we’re going together.
When I get back, I’ll be sure to do a detailed write-up of Disneyland costs.
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I say go and have fun. Yeah, saving money and budgeting is great, and no one should go into debt if they can avoid it, but you only live once. What is money for if not to make life easier and more fun? Your buying an experience and no one should judge what will make you happy even if its not what they would have chosen.
I say go and have fun. My husband and I go every year in September in value season. Our first trip was when we were both unemployed after finishing college and I paid for the trip with money my grandma had left me. It was an awesome trip and something we couldn’t do again until we had been working a few years and built up our vacation time. Disney World is a lot different than Disneylnd. I am slightly obsessed so if you have questions ask. Did you make any ADR’s ? Are you staying at POP Century, it’s my favorite value.
Oh have so much fun! I’ve always wanted to go! I can’t wait for your detailed cost list when you return so I know what to expect when I finally head over there myself!
You deserve it! Disney is very pricey, but it’s well worth it. I wish there was some way I could have helped…I have one of those passes that will get me into any Disney in the world (ah, the benefits of having dated a Disney employee), and I get to bring 2 (or is it 3?) guests, but alas, I have to physically be there. Have fun with the Mouse! Wear comfy shoes, and try to save on $$ by bringing food from outside into the park – or does the dining plan cover that as well?
I thought for some reason you live in California – wouldn’t it just be easier to go to Disneyland?
@ me – I have been to Disneyland a few times, and it’s awesome, but I yearn for the full-immersion Disney experience. Why settle at just one Land when you have the whole WORLD to explore?
Oooh I loveeee Disney. Have fun. Like someone above me commented, I would love to get a total cost breakdown for when I plan a trip. But my husband and I have very good friends living in Orlando, so we would probably crash on their couch when we do visit.
After the whole car fiasco, I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks, as long as I’m happy and comfortable with my decisions, that’s all that matters. Because we write blogs and put our lives out there in the blogosphere, we’re leaving ourselves open to criticism. That’s just the way it is. It’s your money, you do what you want to do with it – and don’t let any readers make you feel bad about it. They don’t know you, your life, or what’s best for you. My excitement about the new car was really diminished with all the harsh comments. And I wouldn’t have cared if they were constructive comments, but they were meant to be mean and hurtful. That being said, your readers seem really nice and supportive. Your blog was one of the first ones I ever read, and I’ll always be a reader. And also I fully support this trip decision. If I were in your position, I’d probably do the same thing with J.
You guys are going to have sooo much fun and I am very jealous. I also can’t wait to hear about your potential overseas adventure!? Very cool.
@Krystal – thank you!
I am super excited about this trip.
Disneyworld is so much better than Disneyland! My boyfriend and I went a few months ago for a weekend & it was a lot of fun. I have been many times, but he has never been before. We felt like we were little kids again
My favorite things to do: lunch/dinner at the Sci-fi drive-in theater at Hollywood Studios, The Tower of Terror, The Buzz Lightyear Ride, getting a pineapple float at the Dole Whip restaurant at Frontierland in Magic Kingdom, walking the countries at Epcot, Soarin, and the Safari at Animal Kingdom. Good choice to stay at one of the resorts. Every day you can get into a park 1hr early or stay 3 hrs late. I like the late nights, you can get on pretty much every ride without lines & most of the children are home in bed. I have never been at Christmas time, but have always wanted to go see the lights. Have a great trip!
Never been to Disneyland but Disney World was pretty much awesome when I was a kid. I’d love to go back some day! Have fun.
Dude, I say good for you! You saved, and now you get to reap the benefits of your frugality! Have a blast, and eat a big pickle for me!
Enjoy! You deserve it! It’s not all about not spending money – it’s about thinking about what you spend and planning appropriately, which you and Krystal both clearly do!
I’m not sure what’s covered by the meal plan – if food in the park is not, the suggestion above re: bringing food is a great idea. I have been a few times but we stay off the resort with family so we don’t have a meal plan. We usually bring a few snacks and LOTS of water.
On a non-money note, definitely take advantage of the Fast Pass system! It makes all the difference. And don’t miss Peter Pan’s Flying Adventure – it’s still my favourite, after all these years!
I REALLY want to go to Disneyland. I wonder if I’m getting too old, though – I’ll probably be close to 30 by the time (if I ever do) make it there
Growing up in So Cal, my parents took my brother and me every year to Disneyland along with some members of my extended family. Those were some of my best memories growing up and I will always have fond memories of Disneyland.
A good friend of mine and her husband went to Disneyworld for their honeymoon last year and had a blast. I can’t wait to hear about your trip as I hope to take a similar one in the future!
I wonder if you can find some tango classes in DW.
Finally booked our stay in Buenos Aires. One of the hotels we found offers lessons on the weekends. Maybe we’ll get hooked too!
http://www.rooneysboutiquehotel.com/ingles/tango.html
Hey, last year I went to Argentina and had the best of times.
I enjoyed Tango so much, that when I went back to my country, I started tango lessons. I had stayed in an apartment in buenos aires which was near the downtown and La Boca.
I want to go back!
Tiffany