OT - Skyrocketing travel costs

[Seinfeld]

I don’t really have any specific point here, but has anyone else suddenly realized that it costs about 5x more to take a simple, 3 day weekend trip than it did ten years ago?

And I’m not talking about Barbados or a Mediterranean cruise here. I’m talking about stuff like a 3-day family excursion to Hot Springs. Even with driving, you’re gonna get hit with a $1000 hotel bill, another $750 easy on dining/drinks, $75/person to go to a 17n magic show or museum…. Then if your kids want to hit Magic Springs, get your card out for another $750, and lord help you if your family trip involves Disney or Universal instead.

I’ve always known that you better do some financial planning if you’re flying anywhere or headed to Disney, but I swear that even driving 5 hours to some place like St Louis, Branson, or Atlanta has dang near gotten unaffordable. Do yall just foot the bill or try to get around it with cheaper alternatives?

 

[aTotal360]

Covid made an environment to jack up prices. Then businesses realized we would bend over, take it, and ask for another. Since then, they know we will pay the premium, they will continue to ask for it.

 

[dickiedawg]

I don’t know how anyone affords anything anymore.

 

[00Dawg]

In general, cheaper alternatives, usually meaning day trips. Helps that my wife hates most hotel stays.

 

[615dawg]

Disney Parks marketing has shifted toward the Disney Adults and even DINKs (dual income, no kids) with disposable income and more willingness to do things like spend $59.99 to wave a wand and watch a mechanical creation move and a sound play.

I have three people that I work with that are Disney adults and go to Disney 2-3x a year. They spend over $10k a year at Disney. The last time we went was 10 years ago, we did 3 days in the park and a 3 day Disney cruise to the Bahamas for about $750 a person. Now that will barely get you one day in the park.

As far as drivable vacations, three summers ago on 30A, the 615family left our condo, spent an hour in traffic to wait two hours at a restaurant and realized there has to be a better way. For less than we spent going to Destin/30A, we have been to Grand Cayman, Cancun, and this summer Nassau.

 

[dorndawg]

It's preposterous. We have a little more flexibility than most folks, so we try to do more traveling during off-peak times. The best I've found are early March (like before spring break) and September into early October. Obviously, not everywhere works for those time periods.

The juice just isn't worth the squeeze, more and more.

 

[ckDOG]

Went to Big Cedar Lodge a few weeks ago. Great property but damn that was some coin. Off season rates too. Silver Dollar City was Disney priced also.

Supply / demand. Lots of folks out there with a ton of money and lots of fools out there that have no problem spending their whole paycheck on stuff and trips.

ETA: I only have 1 kid. I don't know how you folks with big families can travel.

 

[dorndawg]

Disney Parks marketing has shifted toward the Disney Adults and even DINKs (dual income, no kids) with disposable income and more willingness to do things like spend $59.99 to wave a wand and watch a mechanical creation move and a sound play.

I have three people that I work with that are Disney adults and go to Disney 2-3x a year. They spend over $10k a year at Disney. The last time we went was 10 years ago, we did 3 days in the park and a 3 day Disney cruise to the Bahamas for about $750 a person. Now that will barely get you one day in the park.

As far as drivable vacations, three summers ago on 30A, the 615family left our condo, spent an hour in traffic to wait two hours at a restaurant and realized there has to be a better way. For less than we spent going to Destin/30A, we have been to Grand Cayman, Cancun, and this summer Nassau.

I'd rather live next door to an axe murderer than a disney adult.

 

[BoDawg.sixpack]

This is a two income economy. I expect you'll see cohabitation increasing and the marriage rate start ticking up.
That being said I had to stand in line at Academy sports the other day to buy a firearm. Hot take - there's still a lot of people out there prioritizing recreation rather than disciplined budgeting.

 

[615dawg]

I'd rather live next door to an axe murderer than a disney adult.

I believe the correlation between Disney adults and pedophiles is high, and that should be a mainstream opinion.

 

[paindonthurt]

Covid made an environment to jack up prices. Then businesses realized we would bend over, take it, and ask for another. Since then know we will pay the premium, they will continue to ask for it.

Yep. Shutting down like we did was terrible.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

Traveling via rocket isn't for peasants, what did you expect?

 

[The Peeper]

It's preposterous. We have a little more flexibility than most folks, so we try to do more traveling during off-peak times. The best I've found are early March (like before spring break) and September into early October. Obviously, not everywhere works for those time periods.

The juice just isn't worth the squeeze, more and more.

This is us, go after the prices drop at end of August or in May before it gets too hot. We all know how damn hot it is at Sept football games so we usually go late Sept once it hopefully cools a little. I've got a Hilton Honors American Express that I charge everything on including utilities, meals, gas, subscriptions, groceries, etc (wish they'd let me put my mortgage on there) and we keep a steady supply of free hotel rooms with that. Most of the Hilton family of rooms has hot breakfast so we use those and usually go cheap at lunch and then spend more on dinner. I'm done w/ flying, sick of their BS delays, cancellations, cramped seats, and the idiots that fly now so that's not an issue for us. I'm done w/ theme parks too, been there done that before they got outrageous.

 

[dorndawg]

This is us, go after the prices drop at end of August or in May before it gets too hot. We all know how damn hot it is at Sept football games so we usually go late Sept once it hopefully cools a little. I've got a Hilton Honors American Express that I charge everything on including utilities, meals, gas, subscriptions, groceries, etc (wish they'd let me put my mortgage on there) and we keep a steady supply of free hotel rooms with that. Most of the Hilton family of rooms has hot breakfast so we use those and usually go cheap at lunch and then spend more on dinner. I'm done w/ flying, sick of their BS delays, cancellations, cramped seats, and the idiots that fly now so that's not an issue for us. I'm done w/ theme parks too, been there done that before they got outrageous.

Man I hear you on flying, driving just sucks now too. Too many cars and way too many 18 wheelers that are governed to 68mph or whatever. All converging on interstates built for traffic volumes from 50 years ago.

 

[aTotal360]

I'd rather live next door to an axe murderer than a disney adult.

100%.

 

[Dawg Raid]

Buy a tent and go camping

 

[She Mate Me]

I don’t really have any specific point here, but has anyone else suddenly realized that it costs about 5x more to take a simple, 3 day weekend trip than it did ten years ago?

And I’m not talking about Barbados or a Mediterranean cruise here. I’m talking about stuff like a 3-day family excursion to Hot Springs. Even with driving, you’re gonna get hit with a $1000 hotel bill, another $750 easy on dining/drinks, $75/person to go to a 17n magic show or museum…. Then if your kids want to hit Magic Springs, get your card out for another $750, and lord help you if your family trip involves Disney or Universal instead.

I’ve always known that you better do some financial planning if you’re flying anywhere or headed to Disney, but I swear that even driving 5 hours to some place like St Louis, Branson, or Atlanta has dang near gotten unaffordable. Do yall just foot the bill or try to get around it with cheaper alternatives?

Just my opinion, but people are about to begin to really understand the difference between needs and wants again. It'll likely be good for us in the long run. We could use some depression era frugality and neighbor to neighbor generosity these days.

 

[patdog]

I'd rather live next door to an axe murderer than a disney adult.

I’m sure that’s a slight exaggeration. But seriously, what kind of person would go to Disney more than maybe once every 5-10 years?

 

[She Mate Me]

I’m sure that’s a slight exaggeration. But seriously, what kind of person would go to Disney more than maybe once every 5-10 years?

The kind of person I want to spend exactly no time with.

 

[dorndawg]

I’m sure that’s a slight exaggeration.

OK fine I'd take a disney adult over over an active axe murderer. But like a retired one? I'm taking Lizzie Borden 10/10.

 

[johnson86-1]

I don’t really have any specific point here, but has anyone else suddenly realized that it costs about 5x more to take a simple, 3 day weekend trip than it did ten years ago?

And I’m not talking about Barbados or a Mediterranean cruise here. I’m talking about stuff like a 3-day family excursion to Hot Springs. Even with driving, you’re gonna get hit with a $1000 hotel bill, another $750 easy on dining/drinks, $75/person to go to a 17n magic show or museum…. Then if your kids want to hit Magic Springs, get your card out for another $750, and lord help you if your family trip involves Disney or Universal instead.

I’ve always known that you better do some financial planning if you’re flying anywhere or headed to Disney, but I swear that even driving 5 hours to some place like St Louis, Branson, or Atlanta has dang near gotten unaffordable. Do yall just foot the bill or try to get around it with cheaper alternatives?

Hotels have gotten absurd. VRBOs don't seem to have gotten as absurd. It's crazy to me to see bottom rung Marriott, Hilton, and IHG chains charging $300+ a night in non-vacation destinations.

Disney Parks marketing has shifted toward the Disney Adults and even DINKs (dual income, no kids) with disposable income and more willingness to do things like spend $59.99 to wave a wand and watch a mechanical creation move and a sound play.

I have three people that I work with that are Disney adults and go to Disney 2-3x a year. They spend over $10k a year at Disney. The last time we went was 10 years ago, we did 3 days in the park and a 3 day Disney cruise to the Bahamas for about $750 a person. Now that will barely get you one day in the park.

As far as drivable vacations, three summers ago on 30A, the 615family left our condo, spent an hour in traffic to wait two hours at a restaurant and realized there has to be a better way. For less than we spent going to Destin/30A, we have been to Grand Cayman, Cancun, and this summer Nassau.

The disney adults are sad to me. And Disney is going to kill itself long term. They aren't really coming out with childhood defining movies anymore and they are pricing out a lot of families. If you don't indoctrinate people with Disney nostalgia, the parks are pretty damn unappealing. I took our kids when they watched Mickey mouse and donal duck and whoever and were young enough to be excited about the characters, and it was fun, if expensive, but I'd have to come across a hell of a deal or otherwise be a lot more well off to get far enough down my list of places to go to go back to Disney.

ETA: I like 30A, but it is so absurdly overrated at this point it's comical. Particularly Seaside, Watercolor, Alys beach, and Rosemary. Some of the older spots sandwhiched in between, and particularly west of watercolor are not as bad. But going during peak season is down my list.

 

[dawgman42]

OK fine I'd take a disney adult over over an active axe murderer. But like a retired one? I'm taking Lizzie Borden 10/10.

Anthony T. says hi.

 

[paindonthurt]

Just my opinion, but people are about to begin to really understand the difference between needs and wants again. It'll likely be good for us in the long run. We could use some depression era frugality and neighbor to neighbor generosity these days.

Say this again 1000 times. People complain about things they want like its things they need.

I want a 2024 chevy tahoe.
I need a 2014 toyota corolla.
(FYI i have a 2024 chevy tahoe but i'm not complaining about things i need or want)

I want to spend $300 a week on groceries and dining out
I only need about $100 a week for food

 

[She Mate Me]

OK fine I'd take a disney adult over over an active axe murderer. But like a retired one? I'm taking Lizzie Borden 10/10.

She'd have some entertaining stories to tell, but don't turn your back for long...

 

[Darryl Steight]

OK fine I'd take a disney adult over over an active axe murderer. But like a retired one? I'm taking Lizzie Borden 10/10.

I'm not familiar with the term... but in context, it seems like you guys are indicating that there are adults who go to Disney World without kids. That can't be it - that's a totally absurd concept. That's not what you are saying, is it?

And if it is indeed what you're saying, allow me to ask... what the 17?? WHY would anyone go into that torture chamber without kids???

 

[GloryDawg]

We have been to Disney once and is very overrated but have been to Universal many times. Not every year but we have been there at least four times in the last 13 years. We will probably go back one more time. I want to check the new park out.

 

[wasabaka]

I'm not familiar with the term... but in context, it seems like you guys are indicating that there are adults who go to Disney World without kids. That can't be it - that's a totally absurd concept. That's not what you are saying, is it?

And if it is indeed what you're saying, allow me to ask... what the 17?? WHY would anyone go into that torture chamber without kids???

That is exactly what they are saying, and yes, it is absurd. They live among us.

 

[Darryl Steight]

That is exactly what they are saying, and yes, it is absurd. They live among us.

I assume these are the same people who go out for a romantic dinner at Chuck E. Cheese.**

 

[TaleofTwoDogs]

Just my opinion, but people are about to begin to really understand the difference between needs and wants again. It'll likely be good for us in the long run. We could use some depression era frugality and neighbor to neighbor generosity these days.

Finally, someone with common sense. I can't tell you how many business meetings I've attended where wants drive the conversation and actual needs are secondary. My wife and I took a 7-day trip to Yellowstone last year (during off-season) and spent almost $6K. We flew to SLC in economy and then drove to Yellowstone. We stayed in a Hampton inn class of hotel and took only one guided tour with the rest of our days being self-guided. It has to be a one-time bucket list item with its price tag. Disney World to us was also a one-time trip. We believe in the "been there, done that" credo and use it wisely for planned vacations.

 

[The Peeper]

Buy a tent and go camping

I'm too old for a tent but seriously thinking about a truck camper or building out a cargo trailer.

 

[The Peeper]

I’m sure that’s a slight exaggeration. But seriously, what kind of person would go to Disney more than maybe once every 5-10 years?

Pat I've got a co-worker that goes at least twice a year and a friend whose wife goes 3 or 4x/year. She drags him about once a year but their daughter goes w/ mom when my friend won't. They fly w/ Mickey ears on, wear costumes while there, its just ridiculous, I just don't get it

 

[DerHntr]

It’s tough but we budget for it. The budget has certainly increased. We make sacrifices throughout the year. I do things like continue to shoot a 12 year old bow when I want a Mathews Lift. The old one still kills deer annually. We cook at home at least 5 or 6 nights a week year round. I buy meats on sale and butcher them myself and toss them in the deep freeze. It all adds up, but damn it’s hard sometimes.

It’s going to get a lot harder with kids soon being able to drive. I’ll need another vehicle and good God almighty the car insurance prices for teenagers are horrific. I know numerous people who had their car insurance more than double when adding a third car with a kid as the primary driver.

 

[DerHntr]

Pat I've got a co-worker that goes at least twice a year and a friend whose wife goes 3 or 4x/year. She drags him about once a year but their daughter goes w/ mom when my friend won't. They fly w/ Mickey ears on, wear costumes while there, its just ridiculous, I just don't get it

we used to have care facilities for people like this. Also, this reminds me: it’s still undefeated

 

[dawgman42]

I assume these are the same people who go out for a romantic dinner at Chuck E. Cheese.**

Or Margaritas.***

 

[Crazy Cotton]

I figured out a hack that works surprisingly well, my brother turned me on to this. We went on an Alaskan Cruise a few years ago on Royal Caribbean, and he convinced me to bring 1K cash to gamble over the course of the cruise. I played on my cruise card half the time, and my wife's (no interest in gambling) the other half. I came out about 500 down over the course of the cruise. A few months later they offered both of us a free cruise with guest, I've gotten 3 free cruises from them to this point that I haven't paid for since the initial cruise.

Done the same by visiting Harrah's Cherokee, about an hour from me.. They've now comped me rooms in NC, New Orleans, the coast, Las Vegas, and Lake Tahoe, with free flights to the coast and Tahoe. I go gamble a few hours one night wherever they've sent me and it seems to keep the pipeline open.

 

[mcdawg22]

Pat I've got a co-worker that goes at least twice a year and a friend whose wife goes 3 or 4x/year. She drags him about once a year but their daughter goes w/ mom when my friend won't. They fly w/ Mickey ears on, wear costumes while there, its just ridiculous, I just don't get it

I have friends that do this but with kids. It’s Florida so they drive and get the Florida discount. When I see the price of it without Florida discount and not including flights it blows my mind.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

Buy a tent and go camping

In this heat?!?!

 

[8dog]

Just my opinion, but people are about to begin to really understand the difference between needs and wants again. It'll likely be good for us in the long run. We could use some depression era frugality and neighbor to neighbor generosity these days.

Hard pass on depression era frugality.

 

[ckDOG]

I went to Disney once with my wife pre-kid for a wedding. Stayed a couple of days and we hit up the parks. Didn't feel weird about it. Had a great time - was the first time I had been since middle school so it was fun reliving some childhood memories.

I'm not sure I've ever really paid attention to who has kids and who doesn't when I've been there the 2 times we've taken my now 9 year old. I don't think I'd give a second thought to adult couples or groups there without kids. Not my first choice in childless entertainment but whatever. A dude there by himself though? Red flag.

 

[dorndawg]

I figured out a hack that works surprisingly well, my brother turned me on to this. We went on an Alaskan Cruise a few years ago on Royal Caribbean, and he convinced me to bring 1K cash to gamble over the course of the cruise. I played on my cruise card half the time, and my wife's (no interest in gambling) the other half. I came out about 500 down over the course of the cruise. A few months later they offered both of us a free cruise with guest, I've gotten 3 free cruises from them to this point that I haven't paid for since the initial cruise.

Done the same by visiting Harrah's Cherokee, about an hour from me.. They've now comped me rooms in NC, New Orleans, the coast, Las Vegas, and Lake Tahoe, with free flights to the coast and Tahoe. I go gamble a few hours one night wherever they've sent me and it seems to keep the pipeline open.

I've never taken a beating at blackjack like I did on the one cruise I've been on. I don't think I won a damned hand.