Why do poor people spend so much money going to Disney World?

The magic of Disney! Sweating your ass off in 90 degree weather and still gaining weight.

Disney World is expensive. But if you like going, there are ways to save. If you’ve never been—I think it’s silly to criticize it. Seriously. What would you know about it? I have a timeshare in Vegas through RCI. I pay a maintenance fee for it, never actually go—but use it as a conduit to get rooms at the premium on-grounds Disney World resorts for 1/3 the price. If you have a bad attitude towards a Disney World trip because it’s too expensive, you’re likely not doing a very good job of exploring options like the timeshare idea. I saw somebody here say the food is horrible. All I can say is that you’re not eating at the right places. I love going to Europe. I just got back from Iceland. Next up for us is Scotland. Can’t wait. I loved going to Ireland. I’ve loved going to other places, too... the Bahamas as well as Alaska. We want to go to Australia and Hawaii—then not sure where. But we’ll go back to Disney World somewhere in there. Why? We like the change of pace. One thing I’ll about Disney World is that you get treated right. You’re a VIP. I’ve never left there whining about having a bad experience that Disney didn’t fix immediately. My daughter’s rolling luggage was damaged by the handlers at the airport. When it arrived in our room, the plastic wheel was busted. I called the desk, they asked what the bag cost, then told me to come down and they gave me cash. It wasn’t even their fault. They just don’t want you leaving upset about anything they can fix. You don’t get that everywhere. Hardly. Why do we go to Disney? Time and again, we like to. Anyone really have a problem with that? Most of the negative Nellies here sound like they either never went or went and didn’t have a clue how to do it. And so instead of it being YOUR fault, you have to blame the place. Lol. It’s not for everyone. I agree. But what is? Disney isn’t cheap. But if you’re complaining about the cost—you probably don’t know what you’re doing. And if you can’t have fun there, that’s on you. If it’s not your cup of tea—nothing wrong with that. But don’t act like there’s something wrong with enjoying the heck out of a trip there, either.

Kiu wrote:

The magic of Disney! Sweating your ass off in 90 degree weather and still gaining weight.

March and November there isn’t hot. I’ve been there in August and it’s frequently brutal after 10am. We’ll get up early, go to a park that has Extra Magic hours (means they open early), use Fast Passes to get on every ride we want for a couple hours—then leave by 10-10:30am, go back to our resort for a swim, nap and lunch and go back out when it’s cooler at night. I can’t walk around any park there at peak heat times in August. So I don’t. I know many do. We see them just entering the parks at 10am right when they’re leaving. No thanks.

poor people be crazy wrote:

John Utah wrote:

It's easy to identify the selfish parents on this thread.

Only if you make some huge assumptions about what other people's kids enjoy.

Isn’t that how this thread started? People trying to determine what other people can enjoy?

poor people be crazy wrote:

John Utah wrote:

Selfish parents often rationalize in this way.

We usually let the kids pick where they want to vacation. When the 10-year-old picks, we usually end up camping somewhere. When the 12-year-old picks, we usually spend a week in a domestic or European city. Neither kid has ever even mentioned Disney in the conversation.

Because they know they’ll just get the hose again.

poor people be crazy wrote:

For the money my brother's family just spent on their Disney vacation, my wife and I could have spent a week in Europe or had a really extravagant NYC vacation. Yet they act like European vacations are pretentious while Disney is the every-man destination.

Visit Europe or CommonWealth Country , once the food service people find out you are American, you and wife will be eating spit and urine soaked food. Stay in Disney Land .

Primo Numero Uno wrote:

I've lived within 10 miles of Disneyland for the past 6 years and I avoid the place like the plaque. Hundreds of hours to wait in hours of lines, no thanks.

I do agree with the kids thing. For kids there is something about Disneyland and World that is special and I can understand taking kids during an off time of year. But with how much they charge people really do spend money they shouldn't there.

If you’re waiting on long lines at WDW, you’re not doing it right.

They've bought into the marketing. But I could see it being fun for a one time thing.

I wonder how much regular people spend going to sporting events. I've only gone to a handful of games for the big American sports. It kind of turns me off spending hundreds to see people who are probably meatheads and getting paid millions. That said, I'd like to see an MLS game and maybe some soccer matches in Europe sometime.

poor people be crazy wrote:

dont care for it wrote:

If you want your kids to set academic goals, stop by good universities while on vacation. It opens them up to the world of academics and future choices.

Funny that you mention this. I recently offered to take my brother's oldest kid with me on a trip to Ithaca/Cornell, and was accused of trying to be manipulative. Silly me, trying to plant controversial ideas like "go to school" in the kid's head. Two nights at the Statler apparently amount to propaganda in certain circles.

Should have expected this, I guess. I get the same response when I try to select Christmas/birthday gifts that are enriching.

You know, I’ve heard tale that giving a good gift could be tied to what the recipient actually likes, rather than what you think they should be grateful to get.

I wonder how many people who think that Disney is a “waste of money” smoke cigarettes or go out to a club or bar on Saturday nights or typically buy lunch during the work week or buy season tickets for a sports team.

I know someone who drops $15,000 on 2 season tix for the Yankees. I know people who drop $2,500 a year on lunches and $3,000-$5,000 a year on alcohol. I know a lot of people who spend $3,000 on cigarettes per year.

I get my Disney vacation money from not spending a dime on cigarettes. Or season tickets. Or liquor at a club/ bar. And I have a lot left over.

I say the saddest way to spend your money is to spend it on what someone else thinks you should instead of what brings you joy.

If China and/or Korea invaded the US at divisional-level strength or greater (corps/army levels) the US will be in a world of hurt, and I'm not sure if the Millennials will be prepared for a long war of attrition, ground combat and hit-and-run tactics, as well as years of guerrilla fighting. You brought up a good point.

Can the US win a ground war against an invading force if Millennials are soft?