Did you read last’s week Fund post? If you did, you probably saw a I had a wee bit of a typo.
Can you spot it?
2021 Family Trip
Goal: $8000
After Last Deposit: $62833.46
Total Deposit: $.66, from child stardom
Still Need: $6282.80
Under “After Last Deposit” I wrote $62833.46. That would be $62,833.46.
Many people read this and thought that was how much I had, which lead to a lot of daydreaming about what $62,000 could get you at Disney. And I love a good daydream as much as the next person, so I indulged a bit too. And by indulged I mean priced out a ton of crazily expensive vacations to see how much I could actually spend.
But before we get there, I just want to point out one teeny, tiny thing. The $62,833.46? That typo was not how much I HAD. But how much I NEEDED. The way I record my goals is that I state my overall goal ($8000) and what my new goal is that week based on what I’ve earned ($6283.46). Then I state how much I made ($.66) which subtracts from my new goal and results in next week’s new goal ($6282.80.) Everyone who does their funds on Couponing to Disney records it in the way that works best for them. This method is my preferred way because it puts the focus on what I’m working towards (each week) and not on what I’ve already done. Seeing my goals each week keeps me energized, giving me the added oomph to keep hustling, saving, and earning.
Okay, enough business. On to fantasy trips!
Do y’all remember the show Road Rules? It was like The Real World, but in a van and they would travel and do challenges and vote each other off. One of the seasons I remember the most was “semester at sea.” The cast members did the semester at sea program, visiting locations all over the world, doing challenges, and also going to college on the ship.
I don’t remember any of these people’s names or the relationships they formed, but they had one challenge I will never forget. They were in Vietnam and had to spend 12 million dong in one day. If they could do so, the show would match with a 12 million dong donation to an orphan center. The catch was, they couldn’t spend the money on “things”-objects they would keep, but experiences, meals, etc. Teen Me was boggled by this challenge. How would they spend so much money??? Spoiler alerts for a show 20 years old: they ate very elaborate expensive meals, hired a translator and guide, and got some very fancy spa treatments.
Adult me did the research and 12 million dong is roughly $600 US. So adult me is slightly less impressed, especially since adult me is like “I would have someone clean my house, do my laundry…” But when my typo hit the Internet, a new challenge was born: could I spend $62,000 on a Disney World Vacation?
In a word: YES.
I went with the highest cost estimate for each of these categories. Off season might have more economic options, but I’m going big or going home, baby!
So, in my elaborate fantasy, I’ve decided to go the two weeks of December/January that include Christmas and New Years, since that is peak season at Disney and very pricey.
Firstly, flights. There are 5 of us and we’re going first class, y’all! Also, we’re going to get a car to the airport, so we don’t have to drive. Car to and from the airport, at $150 an hour, including traffic, loading, unloading. Let’s say 4 hours total, but with two tips for the driver. = $700
Five first class tickets to Orlando at $1800 a pop = $9,000
Now we’re in Orlando, and we’re keeping it classy by taking our own private Minnie Van to the resort. It’s $150 each way, and we gotta add that tip both times. = $400
We’re staying at The Grand Floridian in a two bedroom villa, club level. One night at this high end this luxurious spot goes for $2800. We’re going for 14 nights. = $39, 200. ZOINKS. Might be easier to spend this $62,000 than I thought.
Time to get to the park! We did 10 Day Park Hopper Plus because we wanted to go wherever we want, whenever we want. Two adults at $819.57 and two children at $795.82. The Tea Cup is still free. = $3230.78.
We gotta eat! The Disney Dining Deluxe Plan will be $125 per night for each adult, and $50 per child. $3500 for the adults, $1400 for the kids, but with all those meals we’re going to be tipping quite a bit, so let’s add $600 for tips. =$5500.
I’m going to blow some dough on the Club Level Fast Pass experience, where I can spend $50 per person, per day and get three extra FastPasses. It’s the peak season after all, so the parks are busy. = $2800.
That leaves us with $2049.22 for souvenir money and other assorted costs. I always like to leave a little room in the budget for things that can come up on vacation.
And there you have it, friends. $62,000 in about 6 minutes. Now, back to life, back to reality.
2021 Family Trip
Goal: $8000
After Last Deposit: $6282.80
Total Deposit: $135
$100 PayPal Deposit from Swagbucks
$25 Target Giftcard from Swagbucks
$10 Amazon Giftcard from Pinecone Research
Still Need: $6147.80
I had a few studies I did for Swagbucks pay out this month, so I was able to do a big deposit from PayPal as well as grab a gift card for odds and ends, moving the money for those items into the Disney Fund.
The $62,000 dollar question: how much COULD you spend at Disney if money was no object?
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!