How can people ever afford Florida holidays??

[gemma85]

I would love to go Disney in Florida but every quote I come to seems to be between 3-4000 without food. I wanted to go when sons about 7-8, he's 4 at the Moment so think it will take the 3-4 years to save that amount of money. We're off to dlp for 1st time in feb and that's costing 780 with food included. Think I may have to keep doing dlp until I can afford Florida. :-/

 

[flortlebap]

If you saved the DLP money, you'd be able to afford Florida quicker.

Honestly, DLP isn't worth the money. WDW is.

Ps, I wish we could do Florida for 3k, our last trip for 7 last week cost £9,860 plus spending money.

 

[wayneg]

Everyones finances are different, we live in a very average 3 bed detached, only about £100/month mortgage (into final year) we don't smoke, only have odd drink at home, odd meal out etc,
I also wouldn't spend money on DLP but others love it, thats another discussion in its self.
Cost varies so much, if its your first visit then you will want to do as many parks as you can, they can dig deep into your budget. Flights last minute offpeak can be as low as £200 or in summer as high as £800+. Hotels cost from less than £20/nt offsite to £500+/nt onsite.
If you really want to go you will find a way but it could mean giving up trips to DLP, house repairs, new car......... we give up a lot to get our trips to Orlando.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Hi Gemma85,

I would echo what others have said. Save the DLRP money up for a Florida trip. We found it to be too expensive when you compare what you get against a Disneyworld trip.

Have a look around these boards for hints and tips on getting the best deals. I've learnt so much over the years from the friendly people on here that has saved me money and helped me have a more exciting time.

 

[dixonsontour]

Welcome to the DIS!

If you are willing to go last minute there are usually some great deals May/June time.

We went first week of May for £300 each flights and apartment for 7 nights with Cosmos. Thomson also have flights for just over £200 if you can go immediately.

Dearest way to book usually is a package with a travel agent.

Everyone on here is different how they afford it - I know alot on here are self employed/work long hours, several like me only have one child, or older so mortgages etc paid off. Main thing we have in common is that we prioritise disney.

If you get to the point of booking do post on here - people will help you find the cheapest and best deal for you.

 

[laura_<3]

The only reason myself and DBF can afford it is because we both live with our parents. Neither of us have bills to pay (apart from a monthly phone bill of £20.00 and our football season tickets, which is debited every 3 months). We're both quite good with our money anyway. We have it very lucky at the moment - all this will change in the next year or so when we move out!!

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

If you really want to go you will find a way but it could mean giving up trips to DLP, house repairs, new car......... we give up a lot to get our trips to Orlando.

We have given up soooo much to be able to do WDW every other year.We NEVER go out for meals,only drink at home,and our home repairs etc are to say the least minimal.Our friends thinks we're mad and and really can't understand us. I too would echo others and say ditch DLP and then you might be able to do Disney a year earlier than you thought

 

[gemma85]

We have given up soooo much to be able to do WDW every other year.We NEVER go out for meals,only drink at home,and our home repairs etc are to say the least minimal.Our friends thinks we're mad and and really can't understand us. I too would echo others and say ditch DLP and then you might be able to do Disney a year earlier than you thought

Hmm doubt that lol only reason I can afford dlp is because my ex is coming so splitting it and I'm saving from now until dec. the dream may come true one day of I find myself a nice man to share costs with

 

[martinrmn]

Try pricing December. We always go this time of year as we find it cheaper, quieter and the weather tends to be warm, but not always. We have priced other times of the year and found it too expensive. I agree with others in regards DLP. For what you get its too expensive. The first time we went we stayed off site on I-Drive. We used the forum to get ideas and I have since used Tesco vouchers to get money off.

 

[Ciorsdah]

Hi. A a few people have said each individual manages their finances differently.

In my case myself and DBF have a low ish mortgage on a modest 2 bed flat in Edinburgh, we do not have any children and thanks to insanely busy jobs we don't get out often!! We are also in the fortunate position that we have contracted bonus payments worked into our salaries, so basically we have a lower monthly salary but get a lump sum in October so we use that to pay for holidays almost like a savings account.

It's a case of holiday or luxury day to day living. Trust me, it's worth every penny and every moment of planning!!

 

[mackay_j]

I don't agree with the dlp remarks, don't let others put you off it's still great arks We first went to DLP when our eldest was 7 (12 yrs ago:scared). We lived in kent so it was very easy to go to, she was the only one in her class not to have been- so we kind of felt we ought to go. We had expected to not like it , but knew she would, and decided to get it over with. We were blown away- We have since been to WDW at least 5 times and back to Paris a few times as well.

We keep the flight price as low as we can, and have been know have 2 stops on route to keep the price as low as possible and we usually stay in a very good priced villa (£250-£300 per week). This year the free dining 45%discont okw deal means we are staying in disney this year. The total this year for 4 adults includding flights tickets and all food (exp tips) was less than £4500 and this is for july

 

[queendisney]

we don't have children and we put our WDW holiday as a priority. We don't smoke or drink and rarely go out to eat. I also agree with most of the posters above...save your DLP money and put it towards WDW it will be well worth it. That £700+ money will go nicely towards a couple or three weeks as opposed to a few days at DLP. I also am not a huge fan of DLP although we have been so many times. The last time we went we said 'thats it no more' it was just too expensive for what they have to offer and just not in the same league and just not kept/run as well at WDW.
But if you really want to get to WDW then you will have to make some sacrifices and that might be DLP...Yes it costs a lot of money to get there but this board will help you find a good price.

 

[Kath2003]

We paid just under £600 per person for flights and accommodation for our 12 night trip in the Easter holidays this year. It's doable.

DLP is overpriced. Save your cash and go to the real deal.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I agree with just about every post here. We also wouldn't spend the money on DLP as it's just not in the same league as WDW. We have 2 boys so have been "trapped" into only being able to go in school holidays when of course the cost goes sky rocketing. You're in the fortunate position of having a younger child so look at going off peak. I would advise not to go during the months of June to August as the heat and humidity are shocking and it could ruin a once in a life time trip. For the last couple of years Disney have offered UK visitors hotel discounts and free food which can save a lot of money. It needs to be booked the year before you go i.e our Oct 2012 trip was booked in June 2011 but that means you can pay for it over a long time and on a monthly basis.

Like the others both my DH and I work very longs hours and DH works 7 days a week. We don't drink or smoke and due to all the work hours rarely go out. We are also in the fortunate position in that we have paid off our mortgage (I guess that means we're old )

Don't give up hope on getting to Disney World it really is worth all the effort and sacrifices and it's all about making magical memories

 

[gemma85]

I agree with just about every post here. We also wouldn't spend the money on DLP as it's just not in the same league as WDW. We have 2 boys so have been "trapped" into only being able to go in school holidays when of course the cost goes sky rocketing. You're in the fortunate position of having a younger child so look at going off peak. I would advise not to go during the months of June to August as the heat and humidity are shocking and it could ruin a once in a life time trip. For the last couple of years Disney have offered UK visitors hotel discounts and free food which can save a lot of money. It needs to be booked the year before you go i.e our Oct 2012 trip was booked in June 2011 but that means you can pay for it over a long time and on a monthly basis.

Like the others both my DH and I work very longs hours and DH works 7 days a week. We don't drink or smoke and due to all the work hours rarely go out. We are also in the fortunate position in that we have paid off our mortgage (I guess that means we're old )

Don't give up hope on getting to Disney World it really is worth all the effort and sacrifices and it's all about making magical memories

I was thinking of going end of march- middle of April. I've only been abroad twice and that was tenerife when I was 10 and 18. So im trying to give my son as many holidays as I can. I know realistically I know wdw won't be a regular thing but at least I can say I've been. Ideally I would like to go 2014 but pricing around for 2013 prices to get an idea. What's prices like food wise in Florida?

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I was thinking of going end of march- middle of April.

Thats a very good time to go weather wise. Its warm during the day and only a light jumper is need for the evenings

What's prices like food wise in Florida?

Thats a very BIG question. If you are staying onsite then food at Disney can get very expensive when you factor in breakfast, lunch, diner, snacks etc, however as I said Disney have for the last couple of years offered UK visitors free food. For us thats me, DH DS 14 and DS 16 we think that saves us approx £200/£250 per day.

There are of course hundreds of offsite place to stay and to eat but we don't stay offsite but I know that there are lots of people here who do and I'm sure they will be able to offer you valuable advise.

 

[joolz1910]

I work part-time and my DH has a pretty poorly paid job. I started saving 3 years ago and have also added £3500 from my ISA to be able to afford my dream holiday. I have never spent this amount on a holiday. Ever. My wedding cost less. If we love it (I think we will) I will start saving as soon as we come back and it will probably take about 4 years to save again.

Everyone has different financial circumstances.

 

[scottishgirl87]

The only reason myself and DBF can afford it is because we both live with our parents. Neither of us have bills to pay (apart from a monthly phone bill of £20.00 and our football season tickets, which is debited every 3 months). We're both quite good with our money anyway. We have it very lucky at the moment - all this will change in the next year or so when we move out!!

Same here, although my biggest monthly expense is petrol to get myself to work and back. We're also looking at buying a flat and boyfriend is horrified as I'm more interested in going to Florida next year I just know when we take that plunge that it won't just be holidays we have to give up and I don't know if I'm ready to make myself poor!

Also, I'd say everyone has different budgets. I personally won't pay more than £600 for flights next year, if that's not possible we won't be going. However, you'll find others who are willing to pay whatever it takes to get there.

Actually our proposed 2013 trip came about as we looked at going to DLP in September this year (last went 2009, did WDW in 2010) and for 4 days the cheapest I could get was around £800 for the 2 of us. Adding spends to that would take us over £1000 easy and when we paid £1200 each (for flights, hotels, park tickets) for Orlando in 2010 I just felt the money we would spend on 4 days at DLP would pay for one of us for 2 weeks in Orlando.

 

[gemma85]

I work part-time and my DH has a pretty poorly paid job. I started saving 3 years ago and have also added £3500 from my ISA to be able to afford my dream holiday. I have never spent this amount on a holiday. Ever. My wedding cost less. If we love it (I think we will) I will start saving as soon as we come back and it will probably take about 4 years to save again.

Everyone has different financial circumstances.

Ideally I would like to go in 2014 or 2015 when sons 6-7 which I thinks a nice age to go so should be able to save a far bit by then. Can't see it being an every year holiday

 

[Flight]

Question - How can people afford Florida holidays?

Answer - Credit Cards