How cheaply could my budget minded disfriends do this trip?

[kawing123]

Fourteen days is a very long time to stay with all ages. The laundry alone if staying onsite could be expensive. Have you considered just staying for one week and not worrying about seeing everything. The free dining promotion in August is cheaper than the one offered in December and the value resorts in August 2010 are the ddp not qsdp. The December offer was qsdp. I would also break my reservations for dinners up so that accomodates everyone. Allow a few meals where everyone is present. Even ten days would amount to less of everything to consider. It is cheaper to usually book multiple rooms at a value rather than the suites the cabins at fort wilderness may be worth looking into as well.

 

[robinb]

The free dining promotion in August is cheaper than the one offered in December and the value resorts in August 2010 are the ddp not qsdp. The December offer was qsdp.

FWIW, free dining has not even been offered for August of 2010 yet. We have no idea if it even will be offered and we certainly don't know if they will go back to the DDP instead of the QSDP. I would assume that it will stay the QSDP instead of the DDP since they have already changed over to it in December.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

FWIW, free dining has not even been offered for August of 2010 yet. We have no idea if it even will be offered and we certainly don't know if they will go back to the DDP instead of the QSDP. I would assume that it will stay the QSDP instead of the DDP since they have already changed over to it in December.

True. There are no guarantees that Disney will offer free dining to the general public next summer. But they have offered bounce back free dining to guests who were staying in WDW resorts during this last free dining promotion. This is a good sign that they may offer it again next summer for comparable dates. Well, we can always hope, right?

And the bounce back offer included the DDP, not the QSDP, for value resorts.

However, this is a moot point for the OP since she cannot travel to WDW at that time.

 

[bigdisneygroup]

So, OP, how much is your budget? What were you thinking of spending?

Welllllllll, not over $11,000, that's for sure. But seriously, I was thinking if we could do it in the $7000 range, it would be a little easier for my DH to swallow. One thing that I've been doing that I forgot to mention is saving my cashback from discover to get restaurant giftcards for some evening meals and then thinking of doing crockpot meals (if we stay off site). This would really help with the food costs, I'm thinking. My main expense from the looks of it is still going to be tickets, so I'm starting to think even more seriously about asking the bigger ones to chip in some for them. One thing that I hadn't thought about was the fact we could use our grocery budget for two weeks down there as part of the trip budget!

 

[torinsmom]

Welllllllll, not over $11,000, that's for sure. But seriously, I was thinking if we could do it in the $7000 range, it would be a little easier for my DH to swallow. One thing that I've been doing that I forgot to mention is saving my cashback from discover to get restaurant giftcards for some evening meals and then thinking of doing crockpot meals (if we stay off site). This would really help with the food costs, I'm thinking. My main expense from the looks of it is still going to be tickets, so I'm starting to think even more seriously about asking the bigger ones to chip in some for them. One thing that I hadn't thought about was the fact we could use our grocery budget for two weeks down there as part of the trip budget!

Seriously, your six oldest would probably be fine with 1-2 days at Disney and then the rest at Universal. Actually, they would probably be happier that way. My DS15 and I skipped Disney for Universal last year and he didn't even want to leave to use our left over pluses for Disney Quest! Disney is fun, but for most teens, there are not enough thrill rides to make it worth the cost of the ticket, IMHO. MK has Space Mountain and Splash Mountain, Epcot has Test Track and Mission Space, DHS has RRC and TOT, and AK has Expedition Everest and Kalu River Rapids. Universal has parks full of thrill rides.

Marsha

 

[Belle5]

Seriously, your six oldest would probably be fine with 1-2 days at Disney and then the rest at Universal. Actually, they would probably be happier that way. My DS15 and I skipped Disney for Universal last year and he didn't even want to leave to use our left over pluses for Disney Quest! Disney is fun, but for most teens, there are not enough thrill rides to make it worth the cost of the ticket, IMHO. MK has Space Mountain and Splash Mountain, Epcot has Test Track and Mission Space, DHS has RRC and TOT, and AK has Expedition Everest and Kalu River Rapids. Universal has parks full of thrill rides.

Marsha

That would certainly not be the case with my older kids--especially if they had never been to WDW or at least not been in a long time. As far as ticket costs go--Disney hits you hard on costs the first three days--after that it is very, very inexpensive (ticket-wise) to stay up to ten days. They would be out just as much to buy two days at WDW and then tickets to Universal. Might as well just do the ten day tickets at DIsney. OP will have to decide if would be worth it to split up (I would hate that--1/2 of us at WDW and the other 1/2 at USF).

 

[robinb]

True. There are no guarantees that Disney will offer free dining to the general public next summer. But they have offered bounce back free dining to guests who were staying in WDW resorts during this last free dining promotion. This is a good sign that they may offer it again next summer for comparable dates. Well, we can always hope, right?

And the bounce back offer included the DDP, not the QSDP, for value resorts.

However, this is a moot point for the OP since she cannot travel to WDW at that time.

I certainly have my fingers and toes crossed! We're planning on going to WDW in late August for my DD's birthday and she doesn't go back to school until after Labor Day. I have to check POR off my list .

I *think* the reason why they have given the full DDP on the bouceback is because they had the full DDP on their original reservation back in Aug/Sep. We'll see if the people who are offered bounceback in December are offered full DDP or QSDP in the Value resorts.

 

[robinb]

One thing that I hadn't thought about was the fact we could use our grocery budget for two weeks down there as part of the trip budget!

Glad I could help . I learned that trick from a TNKBELL who did TWO weeks in Orlando for her family of 7 for just $2600: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1466921.

She has another idea there that might work for you. She booked her offsite condos/timeshare units through SkyAuction. If you're really looking to do it really cheap you can get two 2BR suites through SkyAuction for a few hundred per week. Search for "skyauction" to learn more or start a new thread. Someone here or on the Orlando Board can help you .

 

[torinsmom]

That would certainly not be the case with my older kids--especially if they had never been to WDW or at least not been in a long time. As far as ticket costs go--Disney hits you hard on costs the first three days--after that it is very, very inexpensive (ticket-wise) to stay up to ten days. They would be out just as much to buy two days at WDW and then tickets to Universal. Might as well just do the ten day tickets at DIsney. OP will have to decide if would be worth it to split up (I would hate that--1/2 of us at WDW and the other 1/2 at USF).

With the ages of her kids, there will probably be many times they are split up, even at WDW. I can't see kids over 9 spending much time in Fantasyland, you know? Anyway, I was just speaking from experience. I figured I would be speaking blasphemy on this side of the boards to suggest Universal though.

And actually, they plan to have 1 day tickets through the Give a Day, Get a Day program, so they could buy a second 1 day ticket and have 2 days at Disney for $85 each. That would be $170 savings per ticket over a 10 day MYW ticket, $1000 savings when you multiply that times 6. Universal 7 day tickets are $100, so still a net savings of $400.

Just a suggestion. I don't think the OP said whether her kids had ever been to WDW. She would know best what her kids would like.

Marsha

 

[Belle5]

With the ages of her kids, there will probably be many times they are split up, even at WDW. I can't see kids over 9 spending much time in Fantasyland, you know? Anyway, I was just speaking from experience. I figured I would be speaking blasphemy on this side of the boards to suggest Universal though.

And actually, they plan to have 1 day tickets through the Give a Day, Get a Day program, so they could buy a second 1 day ticket and have 2 days at Disney for $85 each. That would be $170 savings per ticket over a 10 day MYW ticket, $1000 savings when you multiply that times 6. Universal 7 day tickets are $100, so still a net savings of $400.

Just a suggestion. I don't think the OP said whether her kids had ever been to WDW. She would know best what her kids would like.

Marsha

Yep...as I mentioned earlier in the thread my older kids always do their own thing which is why we like staying on-property.

 

[punkin]

Glad I could help . I learned that trick from a TNKBELL who did TWO weeks in Orlando for her family of 7 for just $2600: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1466921.

Yes, but few people can do a TNKBELL type trip and feel like they've "done" Disney.

 

[tlh0726]

With that many people the only way I would attempt the trip is if I could stay on site and free QSDP. (even if it meant shortening my trip to do so)

Staying on site allows the older ones the freedom to come and go. It also allows you to take the younger ones back to the room for a rest as needed. You also get to take advantage of EMH's

Having to worry about feeding that many people while at the parks and then to have to turn around and think about preparing dinner after being out in the heat all day, dealing with crowds, lines, meltdowns etc would not be my idea of fun. Packing snack or lunches would mean either leaving the park to return to the car (lost park time), using a locker ($$), or carrying it eek

As for tickets, I would get as many days as you are there. (we liked being able to go to a park everyday even if it was just for the fireworks) I would not get the park hopper or the water park option. (way to expensive for that many people) If the older ones wanted to pay for those options themselves then let them.

 

[robinb]

Yes, but few people can do a TNKBELL type trip and feel like they've "done" Disney.

Very true . I think on her last trip she did one day in the parks plus an additional night time party. I'll be doing 10 days in the park my next trip. Plus, I like to actually *eat* and not share a single rotisserie chicken with my family of 7 and have leftovers . I have never seen a family that ate so little, but of it works for them that's OK with me! Still, some of her ideas can be used in a trip where you have "done" Disney like re-allocating your weekly grocery budget to your vacation or staying at a timeshare via SkyAuction.

 

[sk!mom]

OP, Can you give us some idea of how much you would like to spend on this trip? An amount that seems staggering to those of us with small families would likely reasonable to you. I would imagine that your regular grocery budget would shock me.

To me the best option for your family is onsite with free dining.

 

[torinsmom]

Welllllllll, not over $11,000, that's for sure. But seriously, I was thinking if we could do it in the $7000 range, it would be a little easier for my DH to swallow. One thing that I've been doing that I forgot to mention is saving my cashback from discover to get restaurant giftcards for some evening meals and then thinking of doing crockpot meals (if we stay off site). This would really help with the food costs, I'm thinking. My main expense from the looks of it is still going to be tickets, so I'm starting to think even more seriously about asking the bigger ones to chip in some for them. One thing that I hadn't thought about was the fact we could use our grocery budget for two weeks down there as part of the trip budget!

Here is the budget as posted on the previous page.

Yep...as I mentioned earlier in the thread my older kids always do their own thing which is why we like staying on-property.

You can stay off site and split up at the parks. From my experience, waiting for the bus, and the ride back to the resort takes longer than driving anyway.

If the little ones need a break, one of the parents can take them and the others can stay at the parks. Then that parent can come back after resttime and they can return to their rental home together.

OP, one thing that might be nice to add to the older kids' tickets would be hopping. That was, if they get bored at one park, they can move to another and then meet back when its time to go "home".

ALso, as far as them contributing, maybe pay for their ticket, but have them pay for their own meals at the parks? Since you may likely be split up at some mealtimes, that could be helpful.

Marsha

 

[punkin]

Off site 7 BR pool home sleeps 16 on VRBO: $1699 + tax (http://www.vrbo.com/250716)
10 day MYW tickets from undercovertourist for 11 adults and 3 kids (2 yo is free): app. $3200 You can substitute one or 2 APs for the adults for free parking perks which would save you $140 per car for 10 days of parking. I would personally do only 6 days in the parks and the rest in the pool at the house. You will get tired as will your little ones, so you can save some money there.
Parking 10 days: $140 per car (you may need two cars)
Food: I agree w/ robinb. Just budget your regular food budget for the 2 weeks. By my calculations you could make it (including counter service lunches for everyone for 10 days) under $2500 (if you subtract your food budget from this, it will look much better). Also, if you are driving down, a lot of food can be brought from the home pantry minimizing immediate cash outlay.

That's a grand total of app. $7540 for all the essentials. This does not include any rental cars, transportation costs, souvies (if you like that sort of thing).

 

[torinsmom]

Off site 7 BR pool home sleeps 16 on VRBO: $1699 + tax (http://www.vrbo.com/250716)
10 day MYW tickets from undercovertourist for 11 adults and 3 kids (2 yo is free): app. $3200 You can substitute one or 2 APs for the adults for free parking perks which would save you $140 per car for 10 days of parking. I would personally do only 6 days in the parks and the rest in the pool at the house. You will get tired as will your little ones, so you can save some money there.
Parking 10 days: $140 per car (you may need two cars)
Food: I agree w/ robinb. Just budget your regular food budget for the 2 weeks. By my calculations you could make it (including counter service lunches for everyone for 10 days) under $2500 (if you subtract your food budget from this, it will look much better). Also, if you are driving down, a lot of food can be brought from the home pantry minimizing immediate cash outlay.

That's a grand total of app. $7540 for all the essentials. This does not include any rental cars, transportation costs, souvies (if you like that sort of thing).

They are staying two weeks, right? SO for that house, it would be $3400 instead of $1699.

Marsha

 

[punkin]

They are staying two weeks, right? SO for that house, it would be $3400 instead of $1699.

Marsha

You are completely right!

I wonder if you can haggle for a longer term rental? There may be a discount. Yeah, it's a tough one for under $7K. Let me research some more and see what I can find.

 

[hsmamato2]

For dinner, I would plan on going out to eat offsite. Leave the park around 5 and then come back after dinner for more fun. There are lots of inexpensive places around Orlando, like Cicis All you can eat pizza for $5/person. You may even be able to find some great coupons on Restaurant.com to get a really good deal. I would budget $100 night for a total of $1400 for dinners.

Marsha

even if you ordered everyone a cs kids meal for lunch,and for a lot of people,that's not enough food,that would be 100.00 for that,plus taxes,just for lunch! brownbag it.......

 

[hsmamato2]

I like Op's crockpot idea for 20 people.... staying offsite at a big house with fun stuff to do like pools,arcade games,etc. I'm sure in the evening,some of the older ones could drive to some fun places while the youngers go to bed..... and Universal tix start to add up too when you're doing both Universal and Disney!
It is cheaper to stick to one or the other per trip.....
Why not ask the older kids to save and pay for some lunches,etc,especially if they're not part of your planned meals together?
and one annual pass is a GREAT idea,to get the free parking!