i consider us pretty solidly middle class. Usually in a year we do a couple 7-8 day holidays and like a long weekend (4 days). So far (we went to Disney for the first time the December before last and we already have two trips in the bag and another planned for this November) they fit pretty well in as one of the week long holidays. We can't go all out. I feel like we're sort of midlevel vacationers, but I feel that way in New York or Paris. There's always going to be lavish stuff you can't afford, but we're sort of blessed that there's also a lot of scrimpy stuff we did when we were younger that we don't do any more.
Pew puts the middle class as 45k-140k (plus you have to make 150k for Pew to consider you high income). We're well within their range but do make more than 75k as a household. On the other hand we do not have children and would doubtless have very different lives (and disposable income) if we did. I often wonder how people with families manage it all...I think just the phrase "middle class" is probably too vague. That is because my definition of middle class is people whose family income is between 40K and 75K a year. Perhaps I am wrong, but I don't see someone making 75K being able to afford multiple long vacations plus a few short ones every year, but people's experiences are always different I suppose.
As for Disney, I think that someone making between 40K and 75K a year can still afford Disney - maybe not in the same way that a lot of people on these boards do Disney, but they could still go and have a great trip.
Pew puts the middle class as 45k-140k (plus you have to make 150k for Pew to consider you high income). We're well within their range but do make more than 75k as a household. On the other hand we do not have children and would doubtless have very different lives (and disposable income) if we did. I often wonder how people with families manage it all...
It’s so situational. $150k wouldn’t allow people anywhere near the life in San Fran it would in Nashville or certainly the life in rural communities.
Sanfran is the most extreme example in the country but your point is correct. Its definitely about where you live. A 20 minute move for is and we could buy a house for 500k that is 900k-1million in our current area(and no we dont have one that costs that much : ) ).
https://www.businessinsider.com/middle-class-income-us-city-san-francisco-2018-2
I think just the phrase "middle class" is probably too vague. That is because my definition of middle class is people whose family income is between 40K and 75K a year. Perhaps I am wrong, but I don't see someone making 75K being able to afford multiple long vacations plus a few short ones every year, but people's experiences are always different I suppose.
As for Disney, I think that someone making between 40K and 75K a year can still afford Disney - maybe not in the same way that a lot of people on these boards do Disney, but they could still go and have a great trip.
I'm not sure I understand your comments. It sounds like you're saying the experience has been dumbed-down to appeal to the masses, making it more middle-class pedestrian, not that I think colored linens are the exclusive domain of the elite...Absolutely...too much so IMHO. It's making the formerly unique WDW experience into a much more generic one. Every hotel has white linens and every restaurant serves chicken nuggets and the lines...
I'm not sure I understand your comments. It sounds like you're saying the experience has been dumbed-down to appeal to the masses, making it more middle-class pedestrian, not that I think colored linens are the exclusive domain of the elite...
I agree. It takes me about two years to save up, sometimes three. When other expenses take priority, we put off our trip. I would love to go every year or even more often, but we like to stay at deluxe resorts, so we go less often. But when we go, we make the most of it.I think people spend their money on what is important to them and I think just about anyone can go to Disney if they plan it. No, not everyone can afford to stay at the Grand Californian or the Polynesian for 10 days every year, but there are many other nice alternatives that can save people money. I think if you plan it, you can make it happen on some level.