Planning trip in March

[aspramn]

Hi, I am new to this forum, but I am wondering if anyone knows of any discounts. I want to stay at animal kingdom. We are planning on being there march 24-28th. We want to go to the animal kingdom park and seaworld.

As of now booking online it looks like it'll cost 2000.00 just for the room, plus I am driving from minnesota, so add gas and extra hotel expenses to that.

Triing to find a way to cut down cost.. anyhelp/suggestions would be great.

 

[aspramn]

any suggestions for saving on food also would be great. This will be our first family trip in 12 years and we really need to get away befor the kids are teens..lol

 

[aspramn]

~~bump...

Really need input, would like to book vacation this week.

TY

 

[Jajone]

We're going in March as well, and so far no discounts avail for your time. You could try a AAA rate.

 

[aspramn]

Unfortunatly I cant find animal kingdom on AAA...I found it last week and now I cant...If u have a link would love it if u could pass it on...

TY

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

Do you really have your heart set on Sea World? A one day ticket there would cost more than adding days on to your Disney tickets, and there is The Living Seas pavilion at Epcot if you just want to see fish, manatees and dolphins....just a thought!

 

[aspramn]

My husband has never been to animal kingdom and my kids have never been to seaworld....

They are not interested in going to wdw... epcot may be an option, but my kids love the animals... I am more concerend about the hotel cost, than the tickets...

And with driving from Minnesota, gas,hotels to and from add an extra 2ooo.00 dollors to it...

Looking to save some money

 

[ashef]

The problem with asking us for options to help you save $ is that you appear to have already made firm decisions about where you want to stay, what you want to do and how you plan to get to Orlando.

For example, if you had not already decided that you want to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, we could make suggestions about pros and cons of less expensive WDW resorts. As for the Animal Kingdom Lodge, do you know that it is not actually inside the Animal Kingdom Park? It's about a mile from the Park, but does have some animals in the surrounding savannah.

And are you really going to drive from Minnesota to Orlando, stay on site at Disney World and only spend a day or two at one or two parks? That's pretty much heresy to all of us DisneyWorld nuts on this board. You're taking your pre-teens to Disney World but won't go to Magic Kingdom?? But financially it doesn't make much sense either. After two days, Disney World tickets get progressively cheaper the more days you buy. Thus, for one day, an adult ticket is about $75; for two days is $148; for three days is $216; for four days is $225; and five days is $228. Sea World tickets are $57.95 for one day if bought 7 days in advance, according to the website.

Also, have you checked for cheap flights? You are going to spend at least half of your vacation driving the 1600+ miles, which Yahoo maps says will take about 24 hours one way! And, as you say, with the price of gas and your having to stop at a motel(s) in both directions, all that driving is going to be expensive as well as exhausting and boring. I suggest you post a query on the Transportation Board (of Dis Forums) asking folks for info about cheap flights from Minnesota (or airports near you) to Orlando.

Since you already know more or less what it will cost to do the trip with your current plans, the only way you can save money is to change your plans. So why don't you start over and ask a more open ended question in a new thread, such as how you can do the trip on your budget, whatever it is? Include the size of your family and the ages of your children. I guarantee you'll get lots of great advice from very knowledgeable folks.

Allie

 

[G8r4evr]

The problem with asking us for options to help you save $ is that you appear to have already made firm decisions about where you want to stay, what you want to do and how you plan to get to Orlando.

For example, if you had not already decided that you want to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, we could make suggestions about pros and cons of less expensive WDW resorts. As for the Animal Kingdom Lodge, do you know that it is not actually inside the Animal Kingdom Park? It's about a mile from the Park, but does have some animals in the surrounding savannah.

And are you really going to drive from Minnesota to Orlando, stay on site at Disney World and only spend a day or two at one or two parks? That's pretty much heresy to all of us DisneyWorld nuts on this board. You're taking your pre-teens to Disney World but won't go to Magic Kingdom?? But financially doesn't make much sense either. After two days, Disney World tickets get progressively cheaper the more days you buy. Thus, for one day, an adult ticket is about $75; for two days is $148; for three days is $216; for four days is $225; and five days is $228. Sea World tickets are $57.95 for one day if bought 7 days in advance, according to the website.

Also, have you checked for cheap flights? You are going to spend at least half of your vacation driving the 1600+ miles, which Yahoo maps says will take about 24 hours one way! And, as you say, with the price of gas and your having to stop at a motel(s) in both directions, all that driving is going to be expensive as well as exhausting and boring. I suggest you post a query on the Transportation Board (of Dis Forums) asking folks for info about cheap flights from Minnesota (or airports near you) to Orlando.

Since you already know more or less what it will cost to do the trip with your current plans, the only way you can save money is to change your plans. So why don't you start over and ask a more open ended question in a new thread, such as how you can do the trip on your budget, whatever it is? Include the size of your family and the ages of your children. I guarantee you'll get lots of great advice from very knowledgeable folks.

Allie

Yeah, what ashef said

 

[Tinkerspell]

As for saving on food, if you still decide to drive instead of fly, pack down some breakfast foods with you like muffins, bagels and fruit. If you have a way to keep them cold, boil some eggs and use them for quick and easily stored protein to go with breakfast. We usually pick up pastries at least once from Patisserie Boulangerie in Epcot, but that's for a treat. (Schoolbread from Norway makes a mighty tasty breakfast too!)

As for other meals, we've found that we just don't need full meals for each person in the family. We'll order like 3 CS meals and split between the four of us in the family. (Translation, the kids pick their own because they won't share, hubby and I split the 3rd, he eats what the 10 year old leaves, which is a lot!)

Bring your own water bottles instead of buying them in the parks, refill at fountains as needed.

If you're not on the dining plan, you can save money at TS meals too by splitting or ordering an appetizer for meal, then sharing with whomever.

The one thing you're very unlikely to do at Disney is go hungry. Now packing on the pounds, that's another thing.

 

[aspramn]

Hi, thanks for replies.... I'm not set on animal kingdom...just would like to stay there. As far as flying, I don't fly...I would like to stay in a nice hotel.
we are traveling with a 9 & 12yr.old girls. They have no interest in going to wdw. I've showed them the tape etc....but they think it's for "babies" I disagree, but they are kids.

 

[suevee]

Be prepared that once they arrive they will change their tune! In fact I took a jaded 30 something tri-athelete dragging his heels all the way...Ba Humbug he said ....theme park fooey he said. ....give me the mountains and a bike he said ....there's no way I can spend five days in a theme park and enjoy it he said .....He is now eating his words with a little ketchup and mayo while planning his next trip.

 

[spiceycat]

we are traveling with a 9 & 12yr.old girls. They have no interest in going to wdw. I've showed them the tape etc....but they think it's for "babies" I disagree, but they are kids.

girls - boy that is a shocker - most girls love WDW. now teenage boys - different matter.

but girls generally love it.

would go with Pop century. It is not the AKL - but it is definitely cheaper.

if you insist on AKL - then you might consider AKV and go rent a reservation from a DVC member. If any are still available in March.

the time you are going is pretty bad too.

it is the later part of Easter week. one of the most expensive times at Disney.

can you go either earlier or later? After March 30 - so you would only be paying regular prices.

 

[mpmluvstigger]

Be prepared that once they arrive they will change their tune! In fact I took a jaded 30 something tri-athelete dragging his heels all the way...Ba Humbug he said ....theme park fooey he said. ....give me the mountains and a bike he said ....there's no way I can spend five days in a theme park and enjoy it he said .....He is now eating his words with a little ketchup and mayo while planning his next trip.

LOL!!! I am eating mine with mustard I did the same thing! My DH wanted so badly to take me for my first trip on our honeymoon and I was so disappointed until we got to WDW. I thought the whole way down there how much I just wanted to hang out at the beach for a week. Im so glad I went along with DH, now Im a disney addict!!! I just cant get enough

 

[MomofCKJ]

Your girls don't want to go? That is shocking to me! My girls are 10 and 8 and can't wait for our next trip (just 8 weeks from today!), they loved it! I can't imagine any kid (or person!) not loving it! Esp Magic Kingdom!

But I digress, the time you are looking at is one of the weeks straddling Easter and one of the most expensive and most crowded times to go. I don't think you will find any room discounts over that time. We were able to get a discount code (we are going March 10-16) but the window it was for ended March 15. Those weeks before and after Easter are top dollar.

Allyson

 

[ashef]

I hear you saying you "don't fly," but driving 24 hours EACH WAY over ten days to get to Orlando seems like torture to me. With only two drivers, I don't see how you can drive more than 10 hours a day, so I think it will take you 2 1/2 days each way -- which will end up eating up half your trip! You really should consider flying. Hobbitt Travel Agency in Minneapolis is knowledgeable about cheap airfares from there so check with them. Also, you can always drive a few hours to another airport if it means getting a very cheap flight, for instance, a DING flight from Southwest or an Allegiant Air flight. You can always post on the Dis Forums Transportation Board for suggestions for cheap flights to Orlando from your area, as well as for strategies for conquering fear of flying.

Ok, so let's reconsider hotels at WDW. All the hotels at WDW are good, plus WDW hotel guests are allowed in one park each day an hour earlier in the morning than the general public, and in another park after the park closest for the general public at night.

A standard hotel room with two double beds at a WDW Value resort on the dates you want to go will cost $129 per day. A standard room at a WDW Moderate resort with two double beds will cost $199 per day. The Moderate resorts are more landscaped, a bit more upscale and have nicer pools, including water slides, and the rooms have a small frig & a coffee pot. The values may now (as of the first of this year) have coffee pots but do not have refrigerators. All Value & Moderate resorts have good food courts. So those four days at a Value resort will cost $638 and at a Moderate resort will cost $896.

 

[G8r4evr]

If money is a factor, I would consider one of the mods. Nicer than the value, good amenities and much more reasonable than the deluxes. Just a thought =)

 

[suevee]

I didn't fly either until I realized that by flying I got 3 extra days at WDW and I was not to tired to start having fun right away. And I can rest on the plane during my return trip..... Each time I fly it gets easier. Of course I only do straight through flights so there is only one take off and one landing per trip to bare knuckle it through. Also these days, I would be more afraid of driving!!! More cars equal more accidents!!!

 

[aspramn]

Hi and thanks for all your comments. I found 2 condo's that are much cheaper and they had pretty good reviews, so I am going to call today to see availability.
They are:
Worldquest resort
bahama Bay resort & Spa

I talked to my girls lastnight and the younger one said she would go to WDW, I showed a video of it to them..lol Older one is undecided, but we'll see.

We are planning to get to florida either sun the 23rd or mon the 24th. Stay till friday then drive over to cocoa beach area, stay a few nights then head home.

My Husband and I have drivien to florida several times, so the driving isn't a big deal. I also have an entertainment book for Orlando to help save a little.

Thanks again

 

[littlestar]

Hi and thanks for all your comments. I found 2 condo's that are much cheaper and they had pretty good reviews, so I am going to call today to see availability.
They are:
Worldquest resort
bahama Bay resort & Spa

I talked to my girls lastnight and the younger one said she would go to WDW, I showed a video of it to them..lol Older one is undecided, but we'll see.

We are planning to get to florida either sun the 23rd or mon the 24th. Stay till friday then drive over to cocoa beach area, stay a few nights then head home.

My Husband and I have drivien to florida several times, so the driving isn't a big deal. I also have an entertainment book for Orlando to help save a little.

Thanks again

Have a fun trip. If you're doing Seaworld, don't forget about their new water park that is supposed to open in March - Aquatica (it looks fantastic).