Just What Is The $Tipping$ Point?

My tipping point has already came. Its not necessarily price. I hate having my vacation planned out to the last minute. That's what Disney has become. Look at Universal with there express pass. You can do what you want when you want. Which is how I vacation. I hate being told what I have to do when I have to do it on vacation.

My last vacation in Florida, I went to Universal and I loved it, and its cause I got to come and go as I pleased. Nothing worse then wanting to leave for a rest then having to stay cause of a reservation at a restaurant or a Fast pass at an E ticket attraction when you would rather be doing something else. To each there own I guess.
 
I think we have reached that point now. I have reservations for January in my favorite resort (AKV) on the concierge floor through DVC and I think we are going to cancel. It’s just not worth it when I can have a lovely vacation elsewhere for the same amount of money or less. We cruised on NCL last December and had a blast. Our January WDW trip? Ho-hum.

I am excited about my trip next week because we get to spend time with my DD. I am excited about our October trip because we’re going with friends. I simply can’t work up any excitement when I just go with my DH. I would much rather do something less familiar with him. Especially for the amount of money it costs!

I think 2020 may be our first non-Disney year since 1997. It’ll be strange but I’m looking forward to doing exciting new things instead.
We did a European river cruise together this year. Check out GateOne travel. I had never heard of them then there was an unbelievable deal on travelzoo. It was fabulous!!
 
I think each person tipping point will be different... depending on what you love to do... where you live, how you travel, large family/groups verse small family and/or couples, and just how you vacation and travel.... what you need and want... what you see as value and/or adding value to your life and how you want to live..... so really it just will depend on you....

My outlook is different that most people... We are locals and can be under the back gate from our house in 15 minutes and inside the parks depending if we have enough pixie dust in about 30 to 45... and DH and I are AP holders with the works, parking hopping, anytime, and no black out dates... with that the extra perks... free parking at the parks, and plus the different discounts, and photo pass....

DH and I Uber a lot from our house to Disney Springs, and the Parks.... I guess you wonder if we ever stay in the resorts... of course we do, we just don't do more than 4 nights any more... we have a lot of guest/company living so close to the parks... and we also go with our grandkids and kids for family time... and we take plenty of long weekend couples time or even one nighter's... lots of locals do it this way...there is alot to do for us locals, and at least for us we look at it as entertainment, not so much as a vacation....
 
Heck, I planned a whole cruise out of San Juan in less than 45 days last year. I booked it in October and was onboard the first week of December. I was even adding excursions on board the ship. Oh, and the whole thing cost less than $2000 for 10 days, including excursions, specialty dining and the beverage package.
this is so true..... it hit me a few years back how simple it was (comparatively) to plan trips elswhere....that's when the lustre started to dim for me.... A trip to Hawaii for 4? no problem! Give me an hour or two to figure out how to use my cc points,and it's all set! It felt so easy I kept feeling like I was missing something important.... :rotfl2:
 


disneyworld to some extent back years ago. i remember during our first trip in '99, ds was about 3 and wasn't old enough to handle some kind of ride his older sister wanted to go on so i found a nice shady bench at mgm studios where we could just leisurely sit and relax. it was somewhat close to where the muppetts theatre was and much to ds's delight 'miss piggy' and a another muppett character were just wandering around the area. no set up place for autographs, no escort, just interacting with the kids. to this day my son remembers the 30 or so minutes he spent w/ those characters more than anything else on that trip.
we have fond memories of my ds at about 3 yo, he adored Toy Story so we were hanging out at Pizza Planet in the studios for a while when Buzz himself showed up,gave all the kids free tokens and played with them! That's the Disney I remember,and I feel the same as you! (I still love that photo of that day) My quibble currently is the HIGH prices coupled with the lesser experience provided now. I can't reconcile paying so MUCH more for so much less.
 
We did a European river cruise together this year. Check out GateOne travel. I had never heard of them then there was an unbelievable deal on travelzoo. It was fabulous!!
We used Gate 1 to travel to Germany last year, we had planned on doing a long weekend for food & wine, but realized we could go to the REAL Germany for a week for the same price as a long weekend to Epcot! We are going to Italy this October for 8 nights with Tripmasters, again, a much better deal than WDW!
 
WDW costs me about 1/4th the price of a European trip, 1/3 the cost of a trip to Hawaii, so it is a bit of a surprise to me how many say Germany, Italy, Hawaii, etc. are less expensive for them than WDW, but hey why not and if you enjoy that more that's great. Other posters either are able to do Europe/Hawaii way more inexpensively than me or do WDW way more expensively than me. I do stay offsite when visiting WDW and don't do Disney extras or table service dining. I can get good fares for flights to Orlando, but have to pay a fortune to fly to Europe.

We did an Orlando full week this year. Next year it's just one day at the MK prior to a cruise out of Port Canaveral, and a one day Park Hopper at Disneyland Paris on a Paris and Belfast trip. I don't really care for long flights either, but as you can see, I'm doing a rare European trip (we usually stay closer to home).
 


WDW costs me about 1/4th the price of a European trip, 1/3 the cost of a trip to Hawaii, so it is a bit of a surprise to me how many say Germany, Italy, Hawaii, etc. are less expensive for them than WDW, but hey why not and if you enjoy that more that's great. Other posters either are able to do Europe/Hawaii way more inexpensively than me or do WDW way more expensively than me. I do stay offsite when visiting WDW and don't do Disney extras or table service dining. I can get good fares for flights to Orlando, but have to pay a fortune to fly to Europe.

We did an Orlando full week this year. Next year it's just one day at the MK prior to a cruise out of Port Canaveral, and a one day Park Hopper at Disneyland Paris on a Paris and Belfast trip. I don't really care for long flights either, but as you can see, I'm doing a rare European trip (we usually stay closer to home).

WDW costs us at least 5-6K (Canadian) for the two of us, and we don't stay on property either. We are not doing any extravagent meals. Between flights, admissions, food, car, parking, accommodations (although we stay somewhere a lot more reasonable than the onsite properties). We went to Ireland and England last year for far less.
 
WDW costs us at least 5-6K (Canadian) for the two of us, and we don't stay on property either. We are not doing any extravagent meals. Between flights, admissions, food, car, parking, accommodations (although we stay somewhere a lot more reasonable than the onsite properties). We went to Ireland and England last year for far less.

How? Flying over to Europe on business class is at least $3k per ticket. No way I am flying economy over there.
 
How? Flying over to Europe on business class is at least $3k per ticket. No way I am flying economy over there.
The Premium Economy tickets (slight upgrade from coach, but about $300 pp extra - wider seats, more incline in seatbacks, other minor perks) that I bought for late spring flights to Paris and home from Dublin were about $5,100 for my family of three, more than the entire cost for my week long trip to Orlando earlier this year. I would have loved flatbed seats, as even in Premium Economy I won't be able to sleep, but that would have been a total budget buster, and I wouldn't have even considered the trip. I dream of those flat bed seats though. I'm with you MillauFr. Sounds like a lot of the other posters can fly to Europe much more economically than we can. Maybe they look for special deals, etc. for places that look fun and have some great options from home airports. They are probably fine with coach too.

For us our one time European trip is to specifically hit two bucket list places for DS, so it's not like we are substituting a great travel deal to XYZ etc. Our home airport to my knowledge is pretty dismal when it comes to economical options for European destinations. We had WOW airlines for a while, which had some good prices (would have saved a good $700 or so pp from what I paid for premium economy if they were still around), but they left our airport, and I believe now went out of business, leaving other cities too. To either WDW or Europe we tend to go at prime times when the weather is nicest. For WDW/Orlando that is usually early spring and often for us I can use airline points for that. Regular coach is totally fine, as my direct flight is only 2 1/2 hours. Air pp round trip is about $300 Orlando vs. $1700 (Europe which includes premium economy upgrade). It may be prime time, but flight prices are still pretty reasonable cost wise or point wise for Orlando. For us this rare European trip is late spring, maximizing chances for nice weather for hanging out in cafes. The flying time and airfares though for us are super pricey to Europe, and I don't have airline points for that. I sprung for Premium Economy thinking (based on some previous experience getting a free upgrade on a long haul flight to Hawaii once) that even the little extra space would make that long haul flight a little more pleasant. This fit into my budget, but I had to set what I consider a really large vacation budget to have this European trip happen. And (what a weenie I am), although I think the trip will be really fun, I am dreading those long, long haul flights -- really hate those. Our long haul flights, though, are listed as being on one of those 787 Dreamliner, and both DS and I have always wanted to fly on one of those (so that at least is pretty cool).

Not meaning to talk up WDW. Just saying for some of us Europe is expensive. We did South Dakota this past summer (enjoyable trip) and that was about the same price as Orlando/WDW for our family. Am considering Estes Park / Rocky Mountain National Park as a future late summer trip - maybe 2021 (love that as a late August destination) and that comes out for us to be about the same prices as Orlando/WDW too.
 
My tipping point has already came. Its not necessarily price. I hate having my vacation planned out to the last minute. That's what Disney has become. Look at Universal with there express pass. You can do what you want when you want. Which is how I vacation. I hate being told what I have to do when I have to do it on vacation.

My last vacation in Florida, I went to Universal and I loved it, and its cause I got to come and go as I pleased. Nothing worse then wanting to leave for a rest then having to stay cause of a reservation at a restaurant or a Fast pass at an E ticket attraction when you would rather be doing something else. To each there own I guess.

I've never been to universal It's never been a draw for me until the Harry potter stuff. Would like to check it out at some point. What is their express pass? How does it work?
 
I think each person tipping point will be different... depending on what you love to do... where you live, how you travel, large family/groups verse small family and/or couples, and just how you vacation and travel.... what you need and want... what you see as value and/or adding value to your life and how you want to live..... so really it just will depend on you....

My outlook is different that most people... We are locals and can be under the back gate from our house in 15 minutes and inside the parks depending if we have enough pixie dust in about 30 to 45... and DH and I are AP holders with the works, parking hopping, anytime, and no black out dates... with that the extra perks... free parking at the parks, and plus the different discounts, and photo pass....

DH and I Uber a lot from our house to Disney Springs, and the Parks.... I guess you wonder if we ever stay in the resorts... of course we do, we just don't do more than 4 nights any more... we have a lot of guest/company living so close to the parks... and we also go with our grandkids and kids for family time... and we take plenty of long weekend couples time or even one nighter's... lots of locals do it this way...there is alot to do for us locals, and at least for us we look at it as entertainment, not so much as a vacation....


That's a totally different outlook than most people are able to have because they don't have that kind of access. Glad you are able to enjoy it that way! :)
 
The Premium Economy tickets (slight upgrade from coach, but about $300 pp extra - wider seats, more incline in seatbacks, other minor perks) that I bought for late spring flights to Paris and home from Dublin were about $5,100 for my family of three, more than the entire cost for my week long trip to Orlando earlier this year. I would have loved flatbed seats, as even in Premium Economy I won't be able to sleep, but that would have been a total budget buster, and I wouldn't have even considered the trip. I dream of those flat bed seats though. I'm with you MillauFr. Sounds like a lot of the other posters can fly to Europe much more economically than we can. Maybe they look for special deals, etc. for places that look fun and have some great options from home airports. They are probably fine with coach too.

For us our one time European trip is to specifically hit two bucket list places for DS, so it's not like we are substituting a great travel deal to XYZ etc. Our home airport to my knowledge is pretty dismal when it comes to economical options for European destinations. We had WOW airlines for a while, which had some good prices (would have saved a good $700 or so pp from what I paid for premium economy if they were still around), but they left our airport, and I believe now went out of business, leaving other cities too. To either WDW or Europe we tend to go at prime times when the weather is nicest. For WDW/Orlando that is usually early spring and often for us I can use airline points for that. Regular coach is totally fine, as my direct flight is only 2 1/2 hours. Air pp round trip is about $300 Orlando vs. $1700 (Europe which includes premium economy upgrade). It may be prime time, but flight prices are still pretty reasonable cost wise or point wise for Orlando. For us this rare European trip is late spring, maximizing chances for nice weather for hanging out in cafes. The flying time and airfares though for us are super pricey to Europe, and I don't have airline points for that. I sprung for Premium Economy thinking (based on some previous experience getting a free upgrade on a long haul flight to Hawaii once) that even the little extra space would make that long haul flight a little more pleasant. This fit into my budget, but I had to set what I consider a really large vacation budget to have this European trip happen. And (what a weenie I am), although I think the trip will be really fun, I am dreading those long, long haul flights -- really hate those. Our long haul flights, though, are listed as being on one of those 787 Dreamliner, and both DS and I have always wanted to fly on one of those (so that at least is pretty cool).

Not meaning to talk up WDW. Just saying for some of us Europe is expensive. We did South Dakota this past summer (enjoyable trip) and that was about the same price as Orlando/WDW for our family. Am considering Estes Park / Rocky Mountain National Park as a future late summer trip - maybe 2021 (love that as a late August destination) and that comes out for us to be about the same prices as Orlando/WDW too.

Just like Disney, all trips are about your perspective and what you personally value. I can fly to Europe and back in prime season for somewhere under $500. (last May we flew to london and home from Paris for $376 round trip) We fly Norwegian, from Boston it's fine to us (not luxury) We get on the plane and go to sleep as best we can. To be honest I usually take a benadryl lol. Puts me right out! Then there is plenty of $ for upgraded experiences (two nights in a 13th century home on Mt St Michel, A kayaking trip down the Thames, A bike trip through Versailles) Like my Dad used to say, "That's what makes horse racing" lol Everyone has their own idea of what's okay. I'm excited to go to WDW this fall, but I wouldn't be going if my office wasn't paying for it. I added a long weekend in for fun and a couple of days on to the hopper I will get that is included with the cost of a Disney Institute class. I'm just struggling to find the value anymore and the fun. It pains me to say that. Truly. I have been a Disney girl forever, former cast member, and maybe when I have grandkids some day the magic will return in full force for me. In the meantime I will get my fill of the mouse, go to the food and wine and soak up some sunshine. Have fun planning your trips wherever you go guys! We are blessed to have the dilemma of which fabulous trip to take!!!
 
Just like Disney, all trips are about your perspective and what you personally value. I can fly to Europe and back in prime season for somewhere under $500. (last May we flew to london and home from Paris for $376 round trip) We fly Norwegian, from Boston it's fine to us (not luxury) We get on the plane and go to sleep as best we can. To be honest I usually take a benadryl lol. Puts me right out! Then there is plenty of $ for upgraded experiences (two nights in a 13th century home on Mt St Michel, A kayaking trip down the Thames, A bike trip through Versailles) Like my Dad used to say, "That's what makes horse racing" lol Everyone has their own idea of what's okay. I'm excited to go to WDW this fall, but I wouldn't be going if my office wasn't paying for it. I added a long weekend in for fun and a couple of days on to the hopper I will get that is included with the cost of a Disney Institute class. I'm just struggling to find the value anymore and the fun. It pains me to say that. Truly. I have been a Disney girl forever, former cast member, and maybe when I have grandkids some day the magic will return in full force for me. In the meantime I will get my fill of the mouse, go to the food and wine and soak up some sunshine. Have fun planning your trips wherever you go guys! We are blessed to have the dilemma of which fabulous trip to take!!!


Your so right... we are all blessed to be able to take wonderful trips...

I like the point you make about perspective and what you personally value... that's really what it all about...

I have a girlfriend that has always kinda poked at me about Disney, why do we want to go all the time, it's so expensive, and on and on... I finally had it one day when we were out shopping, and she had been on and on earlier about us going to Disney, as we were going to food and wine that evening.... so when she spent 600.00+ dollars on a handbag and wallet... I said... OMG why would you spend so much money on a handbag, and wallet... how often are you going to use it, really how much of your closet is it really going to match with... and on and on...... she is a matchy matchy kinda girl... - later on she said you kinda hurt my feelings and it bothered me about what you said about the handbag and wallet.... I said you do it all the time to me about Disney... She started to talk, then got this look on her face like... huh... then the light turned on.... then she said your right I didn't realize it.... so I said... everyone is different, and how each person decides to spend their money it is their personal choice... and what is important to you maybe is not important to me... It's not right or wrong... just different outlooks... that's what make the world go around...
 
I've never been to universal It's never been a draw for me until the Harry potter stuff. Would like to check it out at some point. What is their express pass? How does it work?

Universal's express pass is an extra fee on top of admission. They have one you can use once per ride and another one is unlimited use. The downside is it costs quite a bit to get one The best part is you don't have to book the rides ahead of time like you do at Disney.

Universal has always been a draw for me. Mainly they have the more thrilling and scary rides. The Hulk is one of the best coasters in Orlando.
 
WDW costs us at least 5-6K (Canadian) for the two of us, and we don't stay on property either. We are not doing any extravagent meals. Between flights, admissions, food, car, parking, accommodations (although we stay somewhere a lot more reasonable than the onsite properties). We went to Ireland and England last year for far less.
We have DVC and our Italy trip was cheaper than our two week WDW stay
 
Eh, I'm one who doesn't mind coach, and after flying (14 hours) to Beijing, flying to Europe in coach doesn't seem that bad! We make sure to book the 2 seats at the end, most long haul flights have the 2-4-2 configuration so it's just the 2 of us in our row. We have a few free drinks, watch a movie or two and try to get a few hours sleep, it's really not horrible. But again, that's our priority, I'd rather go more often than go once and spend what "I" feel is an insane amount on first class seats (although they DO look awesome).

For perspective, we are flying from Ohio to Rome, train to Florence, train to Venice then flying from Venice to Ohio. All flights, trains and 8 nights lodging with breakfast was less than $2500 for 2 people.
 
Eh, I'm one who doesn't mind coach, and after flying (14 hours) to Beijing, flying to Europe in coach doesn't seem that bad! We make sure to book the 2 seats at the end, most long haul flights have the 2-4-2 configuration so it's just the 2 of us in our row. We have a few free drinks, watch a movie or two and try to get a few hours sleep, it's really not horrible. But again, that's our priority, I'd rather go more often than go once and spend what "I" feel is an insane amount on first class seats (although they DO look awesome).

For perspective, we are flying from Ohio to Rome, train to Florence, train to Venice then flying from Venice to Ohio. All flights, trains and 8 nights lodging with breakfast was less than $2500 for 2 people.

Us too. We flew coach to Europe (back seat, just the two of us in the row). They fed us plenty and we just slept and watched movies. It wasn't bad at all.
 
I've never been to universal It's never been a draw for me until the Harry potter stuff. Would like to check it out at some point. What is their express pass? How does it work?

I would not buy the express pass unless you get there and decide the crowds are crazy. Most times you are probably just fine without it. That's the beauty. If you went and saw it was nuts you could choose to spend the money and get the express. Don't buy it ahead of time (unless it is Christmas Week or something crazy like that) or you might regret that you wasted the money when it wasn't really necessary.
 
I would not buy the express pass unless you get there and decide the crowds are crazy. Most times you are probably just fine without it. That's the beauty. If you went and saw it was nuts you could choose to spend the money and get the express. Don't buy it ahead of time (unless it is Christmas Week or something crazy like that) or you might regret that you wasted the money when it wasn't really necessary.

good to know thank you!
 

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