Originally Posted By MPierce >> don't get the comparison. For the Holiday Inn crowd, a WDW vacation has always been expensive. << It was a satirical remark. I guess you just had to be there. (that was another satirical remark)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> solution -- build the next Disney park in Chicago -- not the Middle East ! Just think of all the winter rides for Narnia - no fake snow needed ! << <<Is it just me or does anybody else sense that there could possibly be some bias in this statement!>> You're taking about a dude who goes to Chicago Cubs games wearing a Disney princess gown and tiara (cut low in the back so he can paint DVC Rulez in Cubs colors on his back). Just remember, if you ever see VBDAD anywhere whatever you do, don't make eye contact!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> You're taking about a dude who goes to Chicago Cubs games wearing a Disney princess gown and tiara (cut low in the back so he can paint DVC Rulez in Cubs colors on his back). << I think he might fit right in out there in the bleachers.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^ It's the only place to watch the game from ( still have my yellow bleacher bum helmet from 1969 ! ) - get there early for batting practice - battle for a few home run balls- have a few beers - and soak in the atmosphere. I highly recommend it -- when single season tickets go on sale in February ) they sell out that day) - bleacher seats are first to be gone!
Originally Posted By BeautysBeast The real magic is where Walt himself imagined it..Orlando and california..
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I think Road Trip's point is that if you vacation anywhere with comparable facilities and entertainment options across the U.S., you're likely to spend as much as you would at WDW -- you'll likely spend more.>> EXACTLY. I don't consider myself a "high roller", but we do value our vacations and are at a point where we spend considerably more on them than we used to. But if you compare apples to apples... WDW is no more expensive than any other major tourist destination. Staying in a nice hotel at a prime location at WDW costs about $300 per night. So does staying at a nice hotel (The Drake) at a prime location in Chicago. Sure, if we wanted to stay at a Super 8 by O’Hare it would be a helluva lot less. It would also be a helluva lot cheaper to stay at a Super 8 in Kissimmee than at WDW. Our eating budget is usually higher at non-WDW vacations. When we are at WDW we typically only eat one meal a day at a table service restaurant. We usually have breakfast in our DVC unit, lunch at a counter service restaurant in a Park, and a table service restaurant for dinner. On our non-Disney vacations, we usually eat two or three meals a day at table service restaurants. I realize this is an OPTIONAL expense, but we also spend MUCH MORE on transportation on our non-Disney vacations. I love travel by train. On our non-Disney vacations that is the way we try to travel. We always book a deluxe bedroom (private room with our own lavatory, toilet and shower). That type of train travel is not cheap. More often than not it costs considerably more than First Class airfare. But we enjoy it so we do it. Bottom line... for us a Disney vacation generally cost less than other vacations we take. I'm not saying it is like that for EVERYONE, but it is like that for us.
Originally Posted By dshyates Of the vacations I take WDW is by far the most expensive. But we don't vacation in NYC, Chicago, SF, or DC. There are plenty of places where you can stay at nice places for way less than $300 a night. This summer the Ritz in Otown was $199. Trippy, I would guess that you spend considerably more vacation than the average american family. If you got it enjoy it. But the average family can't afford to fly the family first class, much less kick it up to luxury train travel. To be honest, I would bet less thn 50 people from my entire state vacation like that. But it sounds fun.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Trippy, I would guess that you spend considerably more vacation than the average american family. If you got it enjoy it.>> We have a nice income but not a huge income. We both work for a state supported University and the only people there who make really big money are the coaches. We spend less in many areas than other people with our income spend, so we have plenty of money to spend on our vacations. We both drive new Dodges when many in our income group would drive Mercedes or Lexus. We live in a nice upper-middle class home in a middle class area. Many people with our income would live in a Mc Mansion in a very exclusive area. Yes, we take quite expensive vacations. But we live quite simply in most other areas so that we can afford to do that. That works for us – it may not work for everyone.
Originally Posted By barboy "The real magic is where Walt himself imagined it..Orlando and california.." Actually(the way I see it anyway), TODAY the last significant remnants of real magic can be found in Tokyo. Granted, years back the "magic" was on US soil now it's over the Pacific.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<We both drive new Dodges when many in our income group would drive Mercedes or Lexus.>> You really want to admit that? Just a question, any problems with the power windows? As for the point, which isn't the real point of this thread but ..., a WDW vacation can be as cheap or expensive as you want it. And quality has little to do with it. Many people will stay at the moderate 'motels' when places like the Ritz are running $199 specials. And there are plenty of places you can get in the $45-75 range on PL.com that are much better than anything at the Disney value or moderate level. Meals? Same thing. You can eat full serve or quick ... on property or off etc ... It goes on and on ... one family of four might spend $1,000 for a week at WDW including everything, while another will spend $10,000 for the same week. So I don't think you can make any conclusion as to WDW's 'value' vs. other places without detailing just what type of WDW experience you're looking for.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Actually(the way I see it anyway), TODAY the last significant remnants of real magic can be found in Tokyo.<< Oh gee... the last thing we need is yet another poster emulating TDLFAN around. In the meantime... whatever happened to Boomerbilia?? Is her disney shift up? And I see DisCo has sent yet another online spy among us...bryans01. Welcome to our happy disfunctional family, but please, feel free to visit again on your own time after your disney shift is up and you are off the paid clock.
Originally Posted By MPierce I never intended to imply you were an Opera Snob RoadTrip. I'll agrtee I can spend as much or more at other places other than Disney. If I don't get what I expect from these other places I do not return. I go to WDW for the feeling it gives me, nothing else. That feeling is slowly, but surely leaving me. If I spend 5 or 6 thousand dollars on my trip there, I expect to get that feeling. If I buy a 5 dollat Big Mac and Fries I expect a great meal (yes I am an addict I just don't indulge often). I am fortunate enough to be able to afford many things in life, however I demand I get value for my dollar. Come to think of it...anybody who can afford to travel by train nowdays could possibly be an Opera Snob!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Come to think of it...anybody who can afford to travel by train nowdays could possibly be an Opera Snob!>> Well, we have a season's ticket package to the Twins (20 games) and season's tickets to the Northrop Dance series. But I've never been to an opera, so I ain't no danged opera snob!! ;-)
Originally Posted By Pirate Mickey Fix all the broken down rides and bring back the real Disney Magic.
Originally Posted By dshyates Hey, I respect the drive a dodge, travel well and often. And Trippy I do agree that a WDW vacation is less expensive than a decent trip to NYC. But I do have to ask how many usually travel in your party. Our trip to Otown was 6 of us and the thought of the cost of taking the kids, my parents and brother to NYC for a week is rattling to me. 2 hotel rooms @ $300 a night, theater tickets @ $600 a night. $300 in Grey line tour. Food for 6 everyday. Well kids how about the outer banks instead?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip << But I do have to ask how many usually travel in your party.>> Two. Which clearly is a lot less expensive than six.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << Well kids how about the outer banks instead? >> I have a number of friends who spend weirdly exhorbitant amounts of money to rent homes in the Outer Banks. I never understood the concept -- spending all that money to essentially sit around a house and lay on the beach. I guess it's relaxing, but not much in terms of overall entertainment value for the $$ when your really start to compare vacation venues. I guess there are cheaper places to stay that aren't right on the beach -- but ultimately, you get what you pay for.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 also depends on what one is seeking. I split my Disney vacations with 8-10 days at WDW for one experience, and 4-5 days at Vero for a completely different goal. The outer banks provides an escape for some ( like Vero) from the every day nutsiness of their jobs - and pressure. My boss liked it som much he built his retirement home there - Sunset Beach and he is getting what he sought --
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Walt Disney World is VERY expensive compared to US alternatives. VERY VERY expensive.
