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 can't wait till my kids are old enough to go!

It is possible to do it a lot cheaper going out of season and staying in a villa rather than Disney property.

The flights are expensive, but you are going 4000 miles away after all

I don't think it's wise to put any holiday on credit, whether it's Disney or a weekend of camping.

But as far as Disney itself, I grew up in So Cal and have been to Disneyland over 200 times. Now I live about 7 hours away. I go once to three times a year costing various amounts depending on the budget at the time. It's a magical, wonderful place and I come home happy and refreshed. DH on the other hand, would rather chew glass than step one foot in Disneyland.

Horses for courses. But OP, if you can manage it do go at least once at some point. It's wonderful.

Yeah, I think it is the flights which I can see making it prohibitive for us. Which is a great shame. There is so much I would like to see over there.

Hmm, who says you have to get into debt to go to Disney? .

We've been and will probably go again soon; the whole family (various ages) absolutely loved it, and it was no more expensive than any other decent holiday abroad.

I agree somebody getting into debt for a holiday they can't afford isn't the best idea, but people get into debt for a whole load of unneccesary things imo...

We stay in a villa complex because at our age we prefer the comfort of a villa over a hotel where you can't make a nice cup of tea for eg.

We like pleasing ourselves.

Yea Disney is expensive and by no means should anyone get themselves into debt because of it BUT we have been going every year since my ds1 was 6 months old we are going to Paris for the 5th time next year (just booked it 6 weeks after our return). It is the most amazing place I have ever been even as an adult and every year we enjoy it more and more. I could think of nothing I would rather be doing but me dh and all 3 dc LOVE it. I think everyone should go at least once in their lifetimes. I hate beach holidays that could cost us twice as much so this is money well spent for us.

We've done lots of camping, cycling and hiking holidays, we've been fortunate to go to some pretty cool places, most of them not expensive. But I love Disney too. Been twice to Florida, once without dd and then when she was old enough, with her.

The only holiday I'd hate would be lying down on a beach toasting myself. I need to do stuff, I can't do nothing.

So lots of people like Disney. I'm actually surprised. But correctly point out, horses for courses. I'd just rather get my much needed extension. (If I win the lottery i promise to go)

Maybe I don't prioritise holidays enough?

We fly to Orlando on Friday for 3 weeks.

DH and I have worked hard all year to save for this holiday because that's what we want to do. Our money, our choice. Not a waste at all IMO.

The park tickets are very expensive, but it is possible to do it cheaply apart from that. We tend to do summer camping holidays in France and have tagged on a visit to Disneyland Paris as part of that, staying in a nearby campsite. We take picnics so that we don't need to pay for any food in the park itself.

But yes, it is an indulgence. We took DD1 when she was 2.5 and she was a bit overwhelmed and doesn't remember any of it so it was a bit of a waste of time and money!

If you are really keen head on over to The Dibb forum to find out ways to save money to be able to afford Disneyworld Orlando.

We have been twice and we were there in April of this year and are planning to go next year.

A direct flight is expensive but if you fly indirect or fly from Ireland you can get bargains. There are plenty of places to stay that are not on Disney property.

The most expensive hotel we stayed in was Hard Rock Hotel at Universal studios for all things Harry Potter. Renting a villa/townhouse/apartment is incredibly cheap compared to hotels.

A little bit of knowledge maybe a dangerous thing in this instance

And no, I have never gone into debt for it and yes it is an indulgence but you only live once.

Disney is amazing!! My daughter went last year on the Dreamflight trip and had a brilliant time.

I'd love to take her myself when I can afford it.

Getting into debt for any holiday is ridiculous (and IMO for anything other than a mortgage, maybe a car and student loans, but that's it). If you can afford it though, I'm not sure it's any more ridiculous than any other holiday?

I think it's worth it if your kids are old enough to appreciate it.

If you're not that bothered about holidays op that's fine; everybody's different.

However I will just say that I was the last person I would expect to love Disney; I went 100% for the DC and was really surprised how much I enjoyed it and can't wait to go back

It doesn't have to be stupidly expensive. If you go to Eurodisney out of season on a special deal and get cheap Eurostar tickets, even during school holidays in winter, you can do it for the price of an average UK summer holiday. That's what we did. Went at New Year. No queues. Walked onto every ride.
If you want to go to Orlando in peak season, then yes, it's a second mortgage, but DC don't know the difference.

Yes I think it is a waste of money. If I was going to spend £5K on two weeks in America (the cost for a family of 4 flights villa car etc to Disney Florida) we would take family to see other parts eg NY or San Francisco or Grand Canion etc, and/or do a little road trip. My two would complain they were tired of walking after half an hour on the first day in the parks! And we don't have Sky, Nickelodeon etc so have no real exposure to Disney etc. They are 13 and nearly 11. And I refuse to pay for food in these places - you can't take your own in.

Who says you can't take your own food in? Many families arrive pulling coolboxes on wheels with them!

See, my idea of hell would be a beach or villa holiday somewhere hot.

We have been to DLP once and are hoping to go again next year. Loved it.

That's the point of Disney - and any holiday - it's an indulgence.
I'd sooner have teeth pulled than go to Disney but horses for courses and all that.

Yabu, went to Disney Florida with a gang of friends before we all bought houses got married etc. It was the best holiday ever we rented a villa and danced the night away in downtown Disney... Most of our holidays had been in grotty Vietnamese guest houses so this was an experience..
Can't wait to bring my dd...my dh prefers universal studios.

We did it earlier this year - got super cheap flights by booking 12 months in advance and flying via Canada (that was really awful but saved us about 2 grand) and also stayed in a villa which was incredibly good value. The most expensive individual part was the park tickets, but it was a fantastic holiday and while pricey, doesn't have to be as expensive as some make it with direct flights and resort hotels.

I have no idea how much it costs to go. But I can't imagine anything worse for me. My eldest has shown no interest and I'm just praying that my youngest is equally as disinterested. Because I genuinely couldn't do it!! But yeah each to their own.

We went to Disney California as DS was 7 and adores the film Cars. I went expecting to hate the commercialism and the overall cheesiness. I bloody loved it.