Why You Shouldn't Go Into Debt For Your Disney Vacation

I encourage anyone who wants to go on a Disney vacation to do it. As a matter of fact, this blog is chock full of ways to make it happen, for less. The one thing I don't encourage though, is going into debt to go on that trip. While there might be a rare exception, say, a terminal illness and it being the once in a lifetime trip with a family member, most people (thankfully) don't fit into that category. 

If you go into debt for your 2020 Disney trip, you could be paying for it still in 2022, there are some other things to think about too though. 


You won't enjoy yourself as much

How can you walk around enjoying yourself, when you are also wondering how you're going to pay for it all? The $8 soft pretzel your kids want, the $14 drink your spouse wants, heck, the $20 thing that's calling your name? When your mind is focused on how much something costs, and how long it's going to take to pay it off, you are robbing yourself of the joy of the experience, and the joy of watching others enjoy. 


You might not want to go back

I had a coworker who told me their one and only trip to Disney was 5 days. He said he told the kids get whatever you want, eat whatever you want. They did. Face painting, hair wrapping, drinks, cupcakes, good meals, and park hoppers. they lived it up those five days! They got back, and on his credit card was over $10,000. for 5 people. He said never again. That was ten years ago, imagine how much that is in today's money. And no, they have ever returned. "It's too expensive,"he said. "It took me three years to pay it off."


Cut your costs

While you might be a Disney Property of Bust sort of person, and only like to get the dining plan, what if you change your thinking just for one trip and try something new? An offsite hotel, or condo can often be half the cost of a Disney Resort, though you will have to provide your own park transportation. Bringing in meals and snacks is way cheaper, and not as much work as you'd think. Even choosing to eat out, at an off property place can save a bundle. Looking at the things you can cut, might just make your vacation a reality. 


Find a compromise

Maybe you've compromised. No dining plan this time, and only one meal out per day, but it's still not enough. How can you experience Disney, without tickets? There's a lot you can do, even without a park ticket. You can click here and see some of the ways to experience the magic without the cost. You can compromise, by perhaps just doing one or two park days, a resort pool day, and then a day or two of the free experiences. That's going to cut your budget, but not cut the fun. 


Find the money

Make it happen. Host the mother of garage sales, get a part time job, do a savings challenge, buy discounted gift cards and get free money.

You CAN make it happen, and without going into debt, and when you do, you're going to enjoy it ten times more. Trust me, I know this first hand. Mr. Disney is a teacher, in a rural town and I work part time, so stretching the budget and finding a way is what we do! You can do it too.

​See you there on Main Street!