How do you definite "staycation"?

[disneysteve]

I got into a bit of a debate at another site. A Disney podcast I listen to has repeatedly used the term "staycation" to describe when one of the crew, who all live near Disney World, take a trip to Disney World including staying in a hotel there for at least one night.

I always thought the term "staycation" which was popularized during the recession referred to people who couldn't afford a vacation so they stayed at home but did vacation-type things during the day like taking day trips, going to museums and other attractions, dining out, etc. That way they got a vacation experience but without the hotel bill, travel costs, airfare, rental car, etc.

If we leave our house and stay at a hotel, I call that a vacation no matter how far we traveled to get there. Am I wrong?

[bjl584]

Staycation to me is staying at home. Or, at least sleeping in my own bed at the end of the day.

Maybe go on a few day trips to a park, a lake, an amusement park, out to dinner, or even do some work or projects around my house. But, always return home and sleep in my own bed at the end of the day.

[moneybags]

Definitely staying at home if I'm on a staycation!

[disneysteve]

Staycation to me is staying at home. Or, at least sleeping in my own bed at the end of the day.

Maybe go on a few day trips to a park, a lake, an amusement park, out to dinner, or even do some work or projects around my house. But, always return home and sleep in my own bed at the end of the day.

Exactly how I would define it. Others are saying that any trip that is local to you is a staycation. One person, a fellow NJ resident, said that if he doesn't leave the state, he calls it a staycation.

Personally, I think they are misusing the term. It doesn't really bother me but I could see it being somewhat offensive to those who take actual staycations because they can't afford an actual vacation. The example that prompted my post involved a stay at a luxury hotel where the rates start at $400/night. Now they may have gotten a FL resident discount or some other special deal but it certainly isn't the Motel 6. Spending a night or two at a high-end resort like that just doesn't fit my definition of staycation.

[MonkeyMama]

I just define "staycation" as staying close to home and not having any big (multi nights away) plans. That said, I've only really said that if we stayed with relatives or camped one night (if not sleeping at home).

In between is a "weekend away", and anything more than that I'd call a vacation.

Even if we paid $400 for a hotel one night (which we would never do), it's still a heck of a lot less expensive than a traditional vacation (airfare and several nights in a hotel). I personally think it's fair to call it a Staycation. It still seems to me that most of the travel costs are bypassed. That, and because little time is actually spent traveling?

[JustBill]

I got into a bit of a debate at another site. A Disney podcast I listen to has repeatedly used the term "staycation" to describe when one of the crew, who all live near Disney World, take a trip to Disney World including staying in a hotel there for at least one night.

I always thought the term "staycation" which was popularized during the recession referred to people who couldn't afford a vacation so they stayed at home but did vacation-type things during the day like taking day trips, going to museums and other attractions, dining out, etc. That way they got a vacation experience but without the hotel bill, travel costs, airfare, rental car, etc.

If we leave our house and stay at a hotel, I call that a vacation no matter how far we traveled to get there. Am I wrong?

I'm totally in agreement with your position. They are misusing the term, IMO.

[Wino]

Devil's advocate here: Staycation can be stretched to include seeing the local sights, regardless of where you stay. How many New Yorkers have never been to the Statue of Liberty? How many folks from San Antonio have never been to the Alamo? We've all heard folks say they haven't taken the time to see the local sights.

[WISEWOMAN]

Staycation is staying at home and doing as you please at your leisure. It can be sleeping in everyday until noon, waking early in the a.m. for long walks or breakfast with family/friend. It's whatever you want it to be. It's your time!

[kork13]

I got into a bit of a debate at another site. A Disney podcast I listen to has repeatedly used the term "staycation" to describe when one of the crew, who all live near Disney World, take a trip to Disney World including staying in a hotel there for at least one night.

I always thought the term "staycation" which was popularized during the recession referred to people who couldn't afford a vacation so they stayed at home but did vacation-type things during the day like taking day trips, going to museums and other attractions, dining out, etc. That way they got a vacation experience but without the hotel bill, travel costs, airfare, rental car, etc.

If we leave our house and stay at a hotel, I call that a vacation no matter how far we traveled to get there. Am I wrong?

This is an official Disney [presumably marketing] podcast? I think by attaching the label of "staycation" to a Disneyworld visit, Disney's marketers are hoping to attract some more budget-constrained, local families... along the idea that "staycations are affordable, so if I do a Disney staycation, we can afford the cost." Obviously that's very flawed rationale, but when has today's average American family been rational about their money?

Bottom line: I agree with you. Staycations are about staying home and enjoying what your local area has to offer. That might include a day at Disneyworld if you live in/around Orlando, but certainly not a hotel stay, much less staying at a resort.

[disneysteve]

Devil's advocate here: Staycation can be stretched to include seeing the local sights, regardless of where you stay.

I agree with the "local sights" part but not the "regardless of where you stay" part. The "stay" in staycation refers to the fact that you stay at home.

This is an official Disney [presumably marketing] podcast?

No. This is an independent podcast not affiliated with Disney.

[Reggie]

My daughter and I did a "staycation". I took off Friday and Monday, we put up a tent in the backyard and grilled marshmallows and made smores. We went to a water park. We went to a children's museum in town. We saved money on our staycation, which I thought was the whole point of a staycation. You cannot afford to travel anywhere, so you stay home and vacation instead.

[feh]

If we leave our house and stay at a hotel, I call that a vacation no matter how far we traveled to get there. Am I wrong?

I don't think there is a right/wrong in this case. When using a colloquialism, the meaning will change from person to person, from region to region.

That being said, I agree with your definition.

[ua_guy]

Agreed that it's usually a "stay at home" deal. We've had to make a differentiation in our household. "Staycation" does not mean work on/around the house all day and then go out to dinner. It means putting the tools aside, doing something completely new/different or experiencing our home and community in an exciting way.

[Wino]

I once purchased a fund-raising "weekend at a local hotel" for a "staycation." GF (hadn't met DW yet) got the full 4 star treatment, at a reduced cost. We stayed in a hotel, and it cost me less than $100 per night, and we had everything a great vacation entailed.

We didn't pay airfare. We didn't have the rental car. We didn't have to eat out every night. Was it as cheap as staying home? No. Was it cheaper than flying to a vacay spot and having a "real" vacation? By a long shot.

It depends on how you want to define it. Cheaper is still better than more expensive, and good hotels have amenities that you just don't get in your house. Masseurs/masseuses, aroma therapy, golf, tennis, tours, room service, club lounges, in-house restaurants... there are perks to staying at nice places, even if they're nearby. When you start asking, "Is this a staycation?" you're just discussing semantics, not economics.

[MonkeyMama]

I don't think there is a right/wrong in this case. When using a colloquialism, the meaning will change from person to person, from region to region.

I think that's the thing. My region uses the word pretty liberally.

Living 6 hours from Disney, and it generally being a "cheap" destination of choice for more frugal and lower income friends, I would not be surprised if it was just generally considered a "staycation" for anyone who lives within 2-3 hours of a Disney property. The hotel stay may be moot from a regional perspective, or they may just be used to calling it a staycation because of the proximity.