Numbers Update

I've been warming up more and more to the idea of a Walt Disney World-only trip in late-August/early-September, and making it a bit longer. The cost to add a few days to such a trip is relatively negligible:

Length-of-Stay Comparison - 2 adults, 2 children

• 3-night:$1,141
• 8-night: $1,668
• 10-night: $1,866

Prices include a room at Walt Disney World resort, tickets, and dining. A 10-night stay for 2 adults, by comparison, is $1,434. Keep in mind that these prices include dining (one quick-service and one table-service meal, plus one snack, per day).

Also, flight prices these days are actually not too bad. Flying out of Detroit may be preferable for many of us, given the cost savings. Current numbers are around $150 per person, round-trip, but who knows where the U.S. economy (or fuel prices) will go over the next few years.

Not including the cost of airfare or driving, here is a per-day, per-person cost comparison using a family of 4 as an example. Keep in mind that prices include dining.

• 3-night: $95
  
• 8-night: $52
  
• 10-night: $47
  

If we vacation in August of 2011, that gives us about 33 months between now and then. With these numbers, here are the minimum monthly savings required for the trip, covering the cost of the Walt Disney World portion (resort, tickets, dining) plus airfare. (Those who choose to drive will likely require less.)

• 2 adults: $53/month
• 2 adults, 2 children: $75/month

These numbers can change, of course, but they're my "best guess" based on current information. All of these prices are in U.S. dollars, so the state of the Canadian dollar will factor in as well. Also keep in mind that these prices don't include extra costs, like souvenirs.