OT - Skyrocketing travel costs

[Dawgbite]

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???

We have good friends that are Disney adults. They bought lifetime passes years ago plus they have some kind of membership to Disney that allows them to stay free. They say it's not a time share but it's a time share. We went to Disney with them and had a blast. They knew how to get on rides without spending a fortune or standing in line for hours. They planned every day to optimize our time. They knew every shortcut. They go 4-5 times a year. Their Christmas decorations are Disney , their dinner plates are Disney, his golf bag is Disney, their couch pillows are Disney. It's an experience.

 

[PrimeDog]

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???

There is a difference between a couple of adults that take a trip to Disney and Disney adults.

I had a coworker whose wife was 100% all Disney. She had a vacation fund stricly for Disney and they never took a trip that wasn't associated with Disney in some way. Season passes. Went to Florida and California whenever she had time off. She would get depressed and book spontaneous getaways to Disney World. Started taking solo trips without the husband and eventually ended the marriage because her husband didn't display the level of enthusiasm for all things Disney that she did. BTW these were people that approached their 40s and never had kids, so this was 100% 365 24/7 Disney adulting.

 

[atomic dawg]

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.

I think there is a difference between a couple or group of friends that goes to Disney to spend a vacation, hits up the more adult oriented aspect of Disney because they are in a stage of their life with flexibility and they are just looking for different things to do. And then you have what people actually refer to as "Disney adults"... which is really just Disney nerds but almost childish about it. They go multiple times a year, dress up like characters, decorate their house in Disney themes etc. I dont think its weird for people to not have children, but its almost like these people dont want children because then they couldnt be the child. And it seems to be becoming a more common thing. Ive known a couple and its just really weird.

 

[ckDOG]

I think there is a difference between a couple or group of friends that goes to Disney to spend a vacation, hits up the more adult oriented aspect of Disney because they are in a stage of their life with flexibility and they are just looking for different things to do. And then you have what people actually refer to as "Disney adults"... which is really just Disney nerds but almost childish about it. They go multiple times a year, dress up like characters, decorate their house in Disney themes etc. I dont think its weird for people to not have children, but its almost like these people dont want children because then they couldnt be the child. And it seems to be becoming a more common thing. Ive known a couple and its just really weird.

Yeah the latter is something that doesn't compute with me.

 

[stateu1]

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 may know the same folks if you're in Desoto County.

 

[dorndawg]

We may know the same folks if you're in Desoto County.

I would've guessed @DesotoCountyDawg but they don't make costumes that large ***********

 

[CochiseCowbell]

This thread:

Gee, travel is expensive.

Even driving is a pain. Interstate system is outdated and maxed out.

17 DISNEY PEOPLE!


And that's why I love this place.

 

[Darryl Steight]

I would've guessed @DesotoCountyDawg but they don't make costumes that large ***********

If we ever have a SPS tailgate down in Orlando, there would definitely be a run on Peg Leg Pete costumes.

 

[TrueMaroonGrind]

We are actually going to Disney Friday. Can confirm it’s expensive. We won’t go again for a while, but honestly as the OP mentioned travel everywhere is expensive especially in the US. Made a trip to New York a year and half ago and my goodness there was major sticker shock. Just me and the wife and our spend rate was more than a Disney trip.

I think we’ll try some camping next year to keep costs down. I’d love some other suggestions too.

 

[dorndawg]

This thread:

Gee, travel is expensive.

Even driving is a pain. Interstate system is outdated and maxed out.

17 DISNEY PEOPLE!


And that's why I love this place.

Every day that goes by, I understand a little more why old people mostly just sit on their porch and eat at home.

 

[The Peeper]

We may know the same folks if you're in Desoto County.

No, the friend is is The Woodlands TX

 

[BoDawg.sixpack]

This thread:

Gee, travel is expensive.

Even driving is a pain. Interstate system is outdated and maxed out.

17 DISNEY PEOPLE!


And that's why I love this place.

Travel is expensive.

References things that have nothing to do with cars or airplanes,

 

[jxndawg]

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?

I'm generally pretty frugal, don't have any expensive hobbies, and am shoveling money into retirement and my kids' 529s at a pretty good clip. So the trips I take with my kids, who are in jr. high and won't be home 5 more years, is the only area where I try to take the gloves off a little and suppress my instincts to be cheap.

Having said that, it does seem like prices have climbed really quickly in the last few years. Since 2020 we've done Disney, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, New York, and some random beach trips. Five years ago it seemed like a nice beach trip would be about $2,500, with the other places being $5k - $7,500. Now it's easy to spend $3k - $4k on a nice beach place for a week, and other places will run you closer to $10k. We're doing Pacific Coast Highway/Yosemite next month and it's already towards the high end, and I shudder to think how much meals and rental car gas in Calif. is going to cost me.

 

[ronpolk]

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?

Don’t you know you’re just supposed to put this type of stuff on a credit card? It’s not really your money at that point***

 

[ronpolk]

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.

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.

You must not have had a daughter that was young when frozen came out…. I grew up in Tampa, so I went to Disney quite a bit growing up. So, I don’t have the burning desire to spend much time there anymore. Maybe once every 5 years to see the new rides (if there are any). But due to my daughters obsession with frozen (and that move about rapunzel), I made more trips that I cared to when she was younger.

 

[PrimeDog]

This thread:

Gee, travel is expensive.

Even driving is a pain. Interstate system is outdated and maxed out.

17 DISNEY PEOPLE!


And that's why I love this place.

Nowhere more evident than in Texas. I went to the Saints Cowboys game last fall and I bet i spent 90% of my drive from the state line past Shreveport all the way to Terrell, TX in the left lane trying to get around rigs that were tying up the passing lane going 70-75 in the 75 MPH zone.

 

[o_Hot Rock]

We have good friends that are Disney adults. They bought lifetime passes years ago plus they have some kind of membership to Disney that allows them to stay free. They say it's not a time share but it's a time share. We went to Disney with them and had a blast. They knew how to get on rides without spending a fortune or standing in line for hours. They planned every day to optimize our time. They knew every shortcut. They go 4-5 times a year. Their Christmas decorations are Disney , their dinner plates are Disney, his golf bag is Disney, their couch pillows are Disney. It's an experience.

Ummmm, no, just no! Disney plates? I mean I would go to Disney as an adult to check it out. I took my kids a couple times 30 plus years ago. I am told, lots of really nice restaurants and entertainment for adults and a resort like atmosphere. It reminds me of an all inclusive resort in Mexico, they OK but after a couple days, I was tired of it.

I would also own a Harley. I have owned sever motorcycles and loved to ride but I would not decorate my house with Harley stuff and like Huge Harley Mirrors and lamp shapes that say Harley. I know that guy too, both are weird.

 

[RotorHead]

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???

I’ll raise you one. We went last September. Surprised the kids (5 & 8) with it, used some military avenues and had the trip paid off before we returned. What ABSOLUTELY blew me away was 1) the number of people there sans kids 2) the number of people there with INFANTS. AS IN, STILL ON THE BOTTLE, CAN’T WALK. Why would you do that to yourself. You’re not there for them, you’re there for you!!

 

[Seinfeld]

Buy a tent and go camping

We actually started doing this 2-3 times/yr a few years back, and it’s funny because it all started as something that only I wanted to do since I basically missed out on the experience as a kid. However, I ended being really surprised at how much our whole family enjoyed it.

The added bonus is that we live in a part of Arkansas where there are genuinely like 15 state parks within 2-4 hrs

I agree that this is a great option

 

[Seinfeld]

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.

Man, I’m there. My wife and I didn’t grow up with money, but I feel like we’ve done well enough, and it’s not like we’re hurting. That said, what kind of world do we live in when I’m having to tell the family sorry, we really can’t do IHOP on Sunday morning because we don’t have $120 to spend on f’n pancakes and eggs. Travel and casual dining have gotten absolutely ludicrous

 

[Dawg Raid]

We actually started doing this 2-3 times/yr a few years back, and it’s funny because it all started as something that only I wanted to do since I basically missed out on the experience as a kid. However, I ended being really surprised at how much our whole family enjoyed it.

The added bonus is that we live in a part of Arkansas where there are genuinely like 15 state parks within 2-4 hrs

I agree that this is a great option

And if AC is needed get a pop up

 

[HailStout]

Disney is the best place in the world to take a disabled child. Hands down, no argument. We go at least once a year if not twice and will continue to go for as long as we are lucky enough to do so.

 

[Darryl Steight]

Disney is the best place in the world to take a disabled child. Hands down, no argument. We go at least once a year if not twice and will continue to go for as long as we are lucky enough to do so.

Now see THAT makes perfect sense. Glad y'all get to do that.

 

[o_Hot Rock]

As far as my traveling to and from these places? That is cheaper than ever for me. I had a Yamaha Roadstar that my wife and I would take trips all around the south. That bike got 60 mpg or so and I thought that was cheap. My EV gets the equivalent of 120 MPG to drive, you ICE burners are dumb. ****, I can drive across this whole country for $100.

Then Air BNB or VRBO etc... meet another Couple or two and share the house expenses. (Usually, our adult children and their kids).

We rented a house in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico for a wedding $5,000 for a week a few years back. Sounds high... 12 bedrooms, 5 levels, a bar level, a separate semi outdoor area for just massages at $20 ea, concierge that cost $50 a day that house owner paid. That guy could get you anything and I mean anything. House came with a French Chef who didn't speak English but the Concierge spoke 5 languages. He charged $7 a person per meal to cook and you bought the groceries and cook he could. Great meals! That concierge saved us $100's avoiding the mafia controlled Taxi's etc.

Split that with four or five families and you got a helluva vacation near great Scuba diving, X-Treme Park - zip line, jeeps in jungle, underground swimming in Cenote', Chichen Itza (Pyramids), beach and a guy that can get you whatever. Vegas ain't ****. Biggest expense was plane tickets.

 

[615dawg]

As far as my traveling to and from these places? That is cheaper than ever for me. I had a Yamaha Roadstar that my wife and I would take trips all around the south. That bike got 60 mpg or so and I thought that was cheap. My EV gets the equivalent of 120 MPG to drive, you ICE burners are dumb. ****, I can drive across this whole country for $100.

Then Air BNB or VRBO etc... meet another Couple or two and share the house expenses. (Usually, our adult children and their kids).

We rented a house in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico for a wedding $5,000 for a week a few years back. Sounds high... 12 bedrooms, 5 levels, a bar level, a separate semi outdoor area for just massages at $20 ea, concierge that cost $50 a day that house owner paid. That guy could get you anything and I mean anything. House came with a French Chef who didn't speak English but the Concierge spoke 5 languages. He charged $7 a person per meal to cook and you bought the groceries and cook he could. Great meals! That concierge saved us $100's avoiding the mafia controlled Taxi's etc.

Split that with four or five families and you got a helluva vacation near great Scuba diving, X-Treme Park - zip line, jeeps in jungle, underground swimming in Cenote', Chichen Itza (Pyramids), beach and a guy that can get you whatever. Vegas ain't ****. Biggest expense was plane tickets.

Mexico/Belize/Costa Rica/Panama are definitely the biggest bang for your buck.

 

[8dog]

Buy a tent and go camping

I’d rather move into Cinderella’s castle.

 

[johnson86-1]

You must not have had a daughter that was young when frozen came out…. I grew up in Tampa, so I went to Disney quite a bit growing up. So, I don’t have the burning desire to spend much time there anymore. Maybe once every 5 years to see the new rides (if there are any). But due to my daughters obsession with frozen (and that move about rapunzel), I made more trips that I cared to when she was younger.

Well, frozen came out 12 years ago. I guess I was thinking none of their movies in the past 10 years have really been childhood defining like it was, although Moana isn't quite 10 years old. I'm probably not giving enough credit to how much staying power a lot of their movies have. I'm sure young girls still love frozen (probably helped by frozen II coming out). Toy Story movies and lion king are probably still staples. So that with the traditional micky, donald, pluto, goofy type stuff is probably still creating nostalgia that is a huge advantage to them.

I do think the Harry POtter franchise and its tie-in to Universal is a challenge unlike Disney has had. Mario land (or is it nintendo land?) is also going to maybe be a challenge to them that is stronger than they have had I think.

 

[Perd Hapley]

I went to Disney once with my wife pre-kid

Can’t believe you’d talk about your own offspring that way***

 

[Car Ramrod.sixpack]

Mexico/Belize/Costa Rica/Panama are definitely the biggest bang for your buck.

You are not kidding. People are amazed that the wife and I go to Belize every other year or I go down there just to fish. We stay at with a locally owned resort group and spend a few days on the mainland then a few on an island. We can spend a week down there at an all inclusive resort usually cheaper than we can here in the US after you figure in flights, rental car, lodging, meals, booze and activities. When we get down there the only extra cost is gratuities (I figure in $100 per day) and if I hire a fishing guide for a day or two. I can go down there and fly fish at a dedicated lodge for 5 days way cheaper than going to Montana or the Keys and have more fun chasing a grand slam.

Also traveling for work since covid, flights are up 50-100% and hotels are up about 50-75% and it keeps going up.

 

[johnson86-1]

...

We rented a house in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico for a wedding $5,000 for a week a few years back. Sounds high... 12 bedrooms, 5 levels, a bar level, a separate semi outdoor area for just massages at $20 ea, concierge that cost $50 a day that house owner paid. That guy could get you anything and I mean anything. House came with a French Chef who didn't speak English but the Concierge spoke 5 languages. He charged $7 a person per meal to cook and you bought the groceries and cook he could. Great meals! That concierge saved us $100's avoiding the mafia controlled Taxi's etc.

Split that with four or five families and you got a helluva vacation near great Scuba diving, X-Treme Park - zip line, jeeps in jungle, underground swimming in Cenote', Chichen Itza (Pyramids), beach and a guy that can get you whatever. Vegas ain't ****. Biggest expense was plane tickets.

No offense, but this sounds like the dumbest, most expensive vacation ever. Sure, it will be great for a few days, but I don't know how it works in your household, but as soon as my wife found out that "and I mean anything" equals cocaine and hookers, she's going to be pissy and file for a divorce that will be more expense and hassle than if we had just gone to disney. I mean, probably just barely more expense and hassle, but still more.

 

[John Deaux VII]

Mexico/Belize/Costa Rica/Panama are definitely the biggest bang for your buck.

Until you get in the middle of a Cartel crossfire, and then its just a .30 caliber bang....

 

[FormerBully]

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

Why do you think they are an axe murderer? They killed your other neighbor who was a Disney adult.

 

[FormerBully]

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

Does she wear the costumes in the bedroom?***

 

[FormerBully]

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.

But a woman by herself wearing those ears might be a crazy good time after the park closes.***

 

[FormerBully]

We have good friends that are Disney adults. They bought lifetime passes years ago plus they have some kind of membership to Disney that allows them to stay free. They say it's not a time share but it's a time share. We went to Disney with them and had a blast. They knew how to get on rides without spending a fortune or standing in line for hours. They planned every day to optimize our time. They knew every shortcut. They go 4-5 times a year. Their Christmas decorations are Disney , their dinner plates are Disney, his golf bag is Disney, their couch pillows are Disney. It's an experience.

This is just weird. If a guy showed up to the course with a Disney golf bag me and the other members would roast him so hard he might not come back or drink himself to death. I would bet he is not into it, and she wears the pants. I can hear the jokes now, "Does she use that bag to carry the toys she pegs you with?"

 

[dawgman42]

Does she wear the costumes in the bedroom?

But a woman by herself wearing those ears might be a crazy good time after the park closes.***

Only if they look like this

 

[John Deaux VII]

Only if they look like this

View attachment 812922

Goddammit those are amazing. We are going to Disney next May. My wife will get those as a stocking stuffer for Christmas....

 

[bsquared24]

My advice is to look internationally. Some friends of ours tried to talk us into going on a Disney cruise with them. Instead of a 6-7 day cruise we went to Spain for 11 days and spent 2k less in March. Last month was my wife's birthday and it was the same cost to fly the 2 of us to Aruba and stay for 4 nights as it would have been to stay at a nice place on 30A. Granted our hotel is not the Ritz in Aruba, but good enough for us. Generally save money on eating, drinking, entertainment internationally over US costs, if you find the right flights you can go to Madrid or Aruba for the same flight cost as going to Chicago, Boston, etc. as US flights have gone crazy too.

 

[Xenomorph]

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 don’t judge how anyone spends their vacation time and dollars. Beach, mountains, NYC or Noxapater… if it floats your boat then have at it!

Except for Disney Adults…. That’s weird as hell

 

[Xenomorph]

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???

My first exposure to it was around 15 years ago. The line to meet princesses was 100+ deep every time and it was nearly ALL adults. Like a crapload of 30-50 year olds spending their day to stand in an hour long line to talk to a person in a cartoon dress and heavy makeup.

I was so disgusted.. toward the end of the day I asked this rugmunch couple in front of us “I’m here with my 6 year old. What’s y’all’s excuse?” …wife was so mad I almost didn’t get any that night.