Full Show: Is a Trip to Disney Really Worth It? and Preparing for AI in the Workplace

A shocking amount of families go into debt to visit Disney. Is it worth it? Your kids may (or may not) remember the trip, but you’ll definitely remember the debt. Also, AI is all over the news right now. Anytime there’s a lot of buzz about a new technology, it creates frenzy and fear. Clark explains why we shouldn’t fear change and how we can embrace it to help our careers flourish.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the July 15, 2024, episode of The Clark Howard Show.

00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Is a Trip to Disney Really Worth It?
08:02 - Ask Clark - VRBO Scam
10:45 - Ask Clark - Travel Insurance Exclusions
13:34 - Ask Clark - Hotels Junk and Unfair Fees
16:43 - Preparing for AI in the Workplace
24:33 - Ask Clark - Identity Theft Monitoring Services
26:54 - Ask Clark - Credit Union Digital Banking Terms and Conditions
29:36 - Ask Clark - Dropping Comprehensive and Collision

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Our Promise to You:

[elitepctech]

Disney - Yet another reason why getting a vasectomy was my best decision ever.

[rivasoucie]

I am from Canada and I am raising my three little dual citizens in the US. I don’t understand the American Disney obsession. I’m not judgmental of it, I literally just don’t understand it. We take our kids to National Parks, museums and art galleries. And all the money that would go to Disney goes into their college fund. I hope they like that trade off one day!

[daveassanowicz]

You can stand in line for hours in the sun, heat, and humidity for free. No reason to go to Disney World

[retired]

When will ppl STOP with the Zelle crap???

[stevencole]

My daughter and her mom just went to bush gardens in Virginia and went on 3 rides and spent hours at the amusement park . I don't call that enjoyable .

I went with my son and grandkids camping in the mountains . We went hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing and made s'mores . No lines and technology . I don't think Disney could hold a candle to that .

[jbeav]

Buy Disney stock for your kids instead of going to the park.

[nixieandyakyak]

disney is not worth it these days, even with Florida resident discount.

[jimf]

I too am amazed why parents feel compelled to spend so much money with Disney. You can still be a great parent and not crush their childhood without going there. Disney isn't the only player out there. We live in the St Louis area. We drive right past the 6 Flags 30 minutes away and drive to Branson (4.5 hours) and visit Silver Dollar City. Cheaper and IMO, better. Wonderfully run family amusement park.

[wwz]

Not only is admission rate per day at Disney outrageous (and it is per person of course), they also charge for parking. Meanwhile, a family of five in one car can get an ANNUAL pass for the National Parks for $80, good for every park and other NP sites, and no charge for parking. Plus no problem bringing your own food and a cooler into a National Park, versus ridiculous food prices). Plus you are seeing real animals, real scenic beauty.

[romanhollow]

I think people always went into debt over their kids, when it comes to Disney and family travel. Nothing new.

[tomjohnson]

Daughter has zero memory of the trip then takes a 20 month old child. Makes sense to me.

[GunnyPhillips]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong because we just took a couple of trips for family visits to Michigan and Oklahoma. The prices were the highest I've seen to date and almost double what we've paid in previous years.

[g.t.richardson]

No not anymore
I’d rather go to the beach for two weeks
Less cost

[WilliamIsCool]

Disney is crazy expensive compared to Bush gardens or sea world or universal. I guess do the 3 or 4 day deal at Disney world. Maybe do a time share condo lecture in your home town first too. AAA or red card at Target offers Disney gift cards at 5% off. Can purchase tickets and other stuff with the gift card. Also. Swan, swan reserve and dolphin are not Disney hotels but are Marriott hotels. They also charge like $35 for every night for parking

[ThePantherproof]

We spend a lot of money on experiences. But that does not mean if we spend a lot, it's a better experience. I took mine to Disney many years ago.

[sarashann]

I remember camping with my family, not Disney. Marshmallow s'mores and fireflies!

[YIWOTY]

My parents took me to Walt Disney World in Florida when I was young, and years later, I took my children many times. After more than ten years without a trip, and now that my kids are adults, we've gone again several times in the last four years. We have a great time. HOWEVER, I do admit that getting the most out of a WDW trip requires a lot of knowledge and preparation and certainly isn't for everybody.

And the COST is eye-watering. If you're middle class or below, I don't advise going, which is obviously sad. But Disney is a business, and they haven't built any new parks in more than 25 years. Since they built their last new park in Orlando, Florida's population has grown 40%. The number of US households making $100, 000 a year has doubled. And the average household income in China (where a decent number of tourists come from) is up ten times!

Disney has raised prices, but could raise them by another 25% and the parks would still be full. Yes, crowds have been down this month, but it's nothing that a bit of careful promotion and discounting won't address. It's simple demographics - the parks are the same size, but this country is significantly larger than it was a generation ago, with more people traveling and more wealth. And many that aren't wealthy seem to have no fear of taking on debt.

So go buy Disney stock. Despite the hate from the far-right, they aren't going anywhere.

[marilynm]

Military and military retirees can buy discounted tickets for Disney. We've done this several times and have saved alot just on tickets. We stay off Disney property for cheaper prices. We take bottled water and snacks into park. It can be done cheaper. However, I like Dollywood and Hershey park better than Disney.

[donna-nh]

I was just at a Disney Resort over the 4th of July to watch my nieces in a dance competition. Just Wow how much $ these parents spent. What about the $ parents are spending on concerts I.e. Taylor Swift . My son is 26 and luckily not a Swiftie ( plus he’s married now so I wouldn’t be purchasing a ticket) people are spending hundreds if not thousands to go to a Taylor Swift concert. One of the biggest financial headaches for people is insurance. I can understand why you receive so many questions about it .

[joshuapowell]

Vhs tapes more greater on people's health and Disney plus making people more lazy now days Disney plus should go out of business for people's health now days