Two five-day passes to Disney World cost about $450. For that one gets access to all the shows, rides and daily May/June thunderstorms. Food comes extra so rather than spending $2.50 for a bottle of water, Fred (our ugly green cooler) carried ours. Add to this some more expenses like airfare and car rental and you can see that a Disney World vacation is not for the unemployed.
More than 65,000 people work for Disney (in Orlando alone) on its 47 square mile piece of former, swampy real estate. Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Mickey, Donald, Goofey...they're all there. We have autographs. And I have an image of a four-year-old granddaughter who staired at many princesses in disbelief that she was finally seeing the "real" ones with her own eyes. Her expression was priceless. Did I mention a birthday party in Cinderella's castle where we met Snow White and Jasmine? Or Animal Kingdom where we met Pochohantas? And, ever hear of the "hidden Mickey's?" And, no, Walt Disney's body is not frozen on-site in a cryonic chamber full of liquid nitrogen awaiting the day when medical technology can re-animate him.
My son-in-law mentioned how happy people seemed to be in giving up hundreds, yea even thousands, of dollars (depending upon your taste and preference). For me, the expression on my granddaughter's face was absolutely priceless, metaphorically speaking.
This was my third trip to Disney World; it's a small world after all, you know. And I have no regrets. We planned, saved and executed right on schedule. My wife didn't travel much when she was a kid. She'd heard there were 50 states but was only personally aware of TN and KY. Therefore, traveling and seeing are important to her. So we drop the bucks and go! No regrets.
I'm curious. On what do you unroll the bucks with no regrets? Maybe it was just a one-time thing or maybe it is a hobby that you enjoy. Sometimes the experience is worth it.
At least that's what I think. --Terrell Lee
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Things are a little different for the moment, but in GENERAL - leftover money (after bills) will go to food. We sometimes will spend a little extra on organic or farm fresh food when we can afford it. After that, we spend money on essential oils occasionally since those are things I use for our health. Then, it's books. Mostly we both buy books that are more learning oriented - like, web design for S and how-to's for me. We figure we're broadening our education and that's worth it for us. Once a year, we'd love to go on vacation - that would be money well spent just for the relaxation and fun aspect...and the ability to grow together again as a couple and a family...which we SO need.
ReplyDeleteOh...and right now, cloth diapers. But, that may not count because I'm hoping to do away with having to buy disposables, so it'd be saving money in the long run :)
Oh I forgot one. Internet. It's the one non necessity bill we haven't done away with (besides phone service). It's just too valuable! We make some money online, we can watch shows (since we dont order TV service), we can do research, play games, order things, keep in touch with others, and find out anything we want to know!!
ReplyDeleteGiven the current economy, not many families have the extra funds to take these type of vacations. Our company is asking employees to take voluntariy days off and has reduced all salaried employees wages by 10%. Count yourself blessed!
ReplyDeleteI do indeed count myself blessed, very blessed. But we also planned on this vacation for a very long time, sacrificing many things in order to make it happen. We began checking rates a year in advance, scheduling some things up to 7 months in advance. We ate cheese, crackers, peanut butter and drank water while we were there too. Yep, the economy is not great, but I'd be happy to help others plan a vacation like this; it does indeed take a lot of self-discipline to do it without using plastic.
ReplyDeletePlanning is the key to all spending endeavors, without planning and budgeting you only dig a huge hole which no one can easily emerge. Kevin and I recently went on our dream vacation, after many years of planning, checking on prices and saving for the ultimate vacation. I know the economy is bad but in our case really came in handy, the air flights were discounted, the hotels were discounted all because of low tourism turnout. If you plan, save and watch and wait your time will come. Sometimes society does not know the concept of WAIT!!!!
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post. I know how much you'd dreamed of that vacation. Strange, isn't it, how the dreaming of some of the best part of the vacation? Based on your occupation and involvement in the financial affairs of dozens (hundreds!) of people I truly appreciate your thoughts.