To think going to Disney is a ridiculous indulgence?

[thoroughlymodernmummy]

Now, maybe i would feel differently if I could afford to go without completely skunk ring myself but as it stands, we can't and I can't help but think that spending such huge amounts on one holiday is crazy!

We watch Disney and enjoy it, and I'm well aware that it's people's money to spend how they like but I just can't help but think it's a silly wage of money? Anyone agree?

I'm not rich! Household income of £43k and I'm DEFINITELY taking my daughter (she will be 4.5) to Disney next year! I went at 8 years old and was best holiday of my life.

But with the best will in the world, doesn't a lot of it just involve queuing for long periods for rides that last a fraction of time of the queueing

I think 20 minutes is the longest we've waited and quite often we've got off one ride and got straight back on again.

You can also go as a solo rider and wait just minutes. Me and my brother quite often do this if it's a ride we really enjoy and we want to go on over and over and over again. Quite often we are actually sat one in front of the other and I can still hang on to him and scream.

Re the food. If as another poster mentioned you like TGF etc then I think you'd like the food at Disney because it really is just junk food dressed up a bit. You'd also be fine if you like the burger type meals another poster mentioned. We don't, and to be honest my grandchildren don't either. Are we food snobs. Yes. If that's what a good snob is but in reality I think we just enjoy our food and think about what we eat.

I'm sure you can, but "hostel" doesn't scream holiday to me

Why not? Genuinely, not sarcastically. What's the tangible difference that makes it worth doubling the price or more? I've never stayed in a hotel so not sure what I'm missing out on but I can't imagine it would be worth being stuck with close by/cheaper holiday locations.

My idea of a holiday is accommodation which is at least as good as home. In many cases holiday accommodation is much better as there's a pool. A basic hostel, where you have to share with the kids all in the same room is not my idea of fun.

If you're going to spend the cash required to get across the Atlantic, it's no great expense to spend just a wee bit more to stay somewhere nice. Holiday accommodation in the Orlando area is much cheaper than the UK - the 4 bed, 3 bathroom villa with a private pool and games room we stayed in last time is £570 a week at peak times. By comparison, the 3 bed flat with shared pool we stayed in this summer in Cornwall is £900 at peak times for somewhere half the size.

I think that any holiday that you really want isn't a ridiculous indulgence. If you save hard for something then why not? It's just horses for courses.
I went to DisneyWorld Florida and Disneyland Paris as a kid but my best holidays were seaside holidays to the med and the West Indies where we stayed with friends and family that lived there and spent all of our time sightseeing, swimming and playing with the local kids. Literally the best days of my childhood and all-in-all cheaper than Disney. My dm is always on at me about when I'm going to take DC to Disney World but neither are into Disney films (one's still a baby though). I've recreated my childhood holidays for ds and he speaks about the West Indies and the med all the time and says he wants to live there forever. We didn't go abroad this year, but a bit of sunshine, a chalet, a beach and a dinosaur museum and ds was beaming.
I was always quite cynical of Disney even as a child so it's not something I'll spend money on, but I don't think it's a ridiculous indulgence for those who are fans. They do theme parks very well and I can understand why people want to go, cant see anything wrong with doing so.

Disney doesn't necessarily have to be an expensive holiday. We went last year for a couple of days en route to another location in France in our campervan. We stayed at a nearby campsite which had bus connections to the Disney railway line. You could easily drive over there and camp for a couple of nights. We even found that tickets bought at the campsite were much cheaper than those from the travel agents or the Eurodisney websites.
There are cheap and expensive options for all holidays!

I dont know anyone who has been 'because I have to go, everyone told me I had to take the kids there' they chose to go.

LOL, seriously?

even in between my last post and this one I've seen a chat on a facebook friend's profile on facebook from a young mum who is worried that her kids might be too big by the time they can afford to go to a "proper" one (i.e. not Paris, which I agree is shit!) and what a childhood must do it is.

Childhood must-dos are things IMO like ride a bike, swim in natural water (if not the see then lake or river), fly a kite, play poo sticks etc….

Disneyland is fine if it's your thing, but it doesn't make or break a happy childhood nor does it make up for a shit one (strike through @ someone I know not any PPs on here)

Disneyworld Orlando has some good restaurants of very high quality. Disneyland Paris the food is pretty dire.

Yesterday 21:08 2014newme
Disney Orlando has some good restaurants of very high quality. Disneyland Paris the food is pretty dire

I think it depends on what your comparing the Disney Orlando restaurants to.

I only know one other person who has taken thier child to DL and that was as a special surprise for her birthday. So yep its true in my experience.

Maybe you know people who believe its the only proper holiday for kids, thats fine. More fool them.

We have had great holidays in Uk seen and done plenty things, but that doesnt mean we cant have a great holiday in florida too

We also have bikes, have 2 beaches nearby and kids go in sea regularly, play outside, we play pooh sticks at the local river, go brambling, make elderflower cordial, make jam, climb trees etc. So my kids are having a great childhood thanks.

WDW Florida is a strange place - it manages to suck you in and becomes part of you.
1st time (been 5times up to now) my dad said 'why do we want a 5day pass to see a 70 yr old mouse?' 18 yrs later and planning our 6th visit because dad can't wait to go back - he goes on one ride 'it's a small world' but there's absolutely zero chance he'd miss visiting the place that's how much that 70yr old man loves the mouse house, even if the 2week Disney pass costs £250+ just for him

The world is full of people who've been, love it and can't wait until they get back there and those who just don't 'get it'

That being said - I don't get Paris, it's just not the same - Orlando all the way!

Curious, I love the sound of your dad. 😍

It is an indulgence. It's one we save all year for. We book ages in advance and get all the freebie bits we can and it's wonderful. We don't go into debt for it and it's no different to someone spending thousands on a beach holiday in the Caribbean or whatever (not my bag, but enjoy if it's yours)

Each to their own, eh?

I refuse to spend thousands taking DD to America to see a fibreglass kingdom with dressed up folk, but she's heard the hype and is into all things Disney, so has chosen EuroDisney as her 18th birthday treat (she has LD).

Now I hear that EuroDisney is rubbish (quell surprise), and Orlando is the only way.

I'm not doing it. I won't. She's going to feckin Paris and she'll bleddy well enjoy it.

I love Disney! Went for the first time in 2013 and now going back with DH in 2 weeks (eek!). He's been something crazy like 12 times and introduced me to it, totally opened my eyes! Kids will probably happen in the next couple of years so trying to get it done 'extravagantly' while we can afford it. We've saved hard but can't wait. Once we have kids we'll almost certainly go back but only once they're old enough to remember it and if we can afford it. If you can afford it, why not. But no point in breaking the bank if you can't.

Sorry, going to Florida. Went to Paris last October for my birthday which was also great, but cheaper. So there are budget(ish) options.

I been to Disney world and Euro Disney and I thought they were both pretty good - I wouldn't say euro Disney was crap at all.

I have never wanted to go, my children have never wanted to go. We don't watch Disney films. It is not part of us. I don't know if its because I have 3 boys and one girl but I don't think it is. I have never really bought into the Disney thing. If you like it though, save for it and go I'd say. But yes it would be silly to spend money if its too much for you.

Been to both and think Disneyland Paris is great.
Dont think anyone on this thread has said otherwise!

With regards to the food, is there a reason that people are only talking about Disney?

We stay in a hotel off the parks, free Disney transport, walking distance to universal (even though when we first went we were told it's far to far to walk - it's 10 minutes!).

Within walking distance of the hotel there are about 100 restaurants of all sorts and I always get a suite with a kitchen so we can have beans on toast etc if we want something bland and homely.

There's a lot of snobbery about Disney (I used to firmly belong to that club), but having been pressured into going first time, as long as you suspend your cynicism - it's fantastic. Would still like to go back to Asia when the kids are older but for now, it's a fantastic holiday, so easy, facilities and service are fantastic and the place genuinely just feels so happy it's infectious.

Ohdearme- yeah he's pretty fab, usual grumpy old man but mention that place in the sun and he's downright giddy - there's something about that Orlando Magic that has him hooked!

I've been to DLParis twice - hell I got engaged there (well near there dh was too excited and couldn't wait until we arrived) but it's just not the same as Florida.

Maybe it's because when we go to Florida it's a 2week holiday not a weekend away and that there's 4 Disney parks, 2 Disney water parks, 2 Universal parks (a must for Potter fans), Sea World, cheap shopping (when $was better), Kennedy Space Center, relaxing in the warm sun, American food, culture, I could go on
Yes it's expensive but there's so much more to it than Disney ** ~starts looking round for more deals~

We went to Disney Paris. We had fun, I admit I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I don't think it's rubbish at all. But we weren't bitten by the Disney bug and we'd seen enough after 4 days. It's true I'm a little at the money and time people spend going back repeatedly to see it anywhere.

But I'd never presume to call it a ridiculous indulgence. We all enjoy different things and spend our money accordingly. It's one of those things people like and do often that I'll never really get...like tea .

Shockers - two things for when you take your DD to Disneyland Paris:

1. try to suspend your disbelief/cynicism so you can share in the magic.
2. do let DLP know about your DDs ld and that it's a special treat. They can be very good at providing extra little treats or at least a badge so staff greet you with a smile (or a happy birthday). If your DD has any special needs they will try to help.

When I last went to Florida my 13 and 10 year olds really enjoyed collecting autographs, we all loved the parades - so do remember it's not just about the rides.

I will, of course mummytime. I have never told DD how much the thought of visiting Disney horrifies me. Holidays for me are about getting away from hustle and bustle, breathing in clean air and being active.
But DD joins in with all of our wild swimming, canoeing, hiking etc, with a cheery disposition, and I aim to the same for her, for her birthday treat.
But spend thousands on it- no way Jose!

There were pps who said ED wasn't very good 2014. I just felt a little depressed by that!