How cheaply could my budget minded disfriends do this trip?

[torinsmom]

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.......

This was for dinner at offsite restaurants like Cicis, where it is $5 per person. That would be $75 plus drinks at $1.50 each. That is right at $100. There are also lots of places at Restaurant.com. There are always codes out there for 60-80% off their price. You can get a $25 gift certificate for $3 many times. Of course, there is fast food everywhere as well, and that could be a meal for under $100. Any of that is as good as Disney counter service food. I did mention brown bagging it for lunch at the parks.

Marsha

 

[bigdisneygroup]

Most of my guys have been fortunate enough to have been to Disney before. That being said, tho, I am thinking that I'm not sure if I want to be totally split up and at different parks all day. I guess maybe we could just set up a meeting time for dinner or even let them do their own thing on dinner a couple of the nights. I'm just very used to all being together at dinner time. Total chaos, but fun. Kate plus eight have nothing on us.
It's getting more confusing the more I think about it but I think that's all part of the fun. I'm enjoying constantly working on it and checking out all the sites that you all have posted for me.
Oh, and a couple of off site people will work with me on discounts if we do book the two weeks. Storytimeorlando rental will give us a 5% discount and I do really love their homes! Has anyone ever stayed with them?
I'm going to keep checking on the others tho to be sure to get the best bet.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

 

[theresar2004]

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!

I saw someone post about taking a day off or two..is that for consideration? I would think a day of rest every 5th day would be good. I live in Florida and cant imagine going to a park every day and I love the parks.

 

[Namsupak]

Make sure to sign up for newsletters like mousesavers. Often this can let you know of deals like special rates at the hotels that are in the Downtown Disney area. Sometimes these deals can be really great including things like free breakfast or discount. Personally I think staying onsite adds something special I can't really put a price. And of course as pervious posters have mentioned access to Extra Magic Hours. Sometimes it just isn't in the budget.

You could also look at DVC. This option is variable though because of the amount of people you have you would need more than a grand villa. Of course you can often fit more people into those if you really wanted to. And you would have a full kitchen. The problem is depending on the actual dates you may need a large number of points even at the old key west. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 points. Of course the good thing for you is if you need a huge number of points you can sometimes negotiate a good price. Anyhow just another thought.

You can always look at one of the online discount ticket brokers for good ticket deals too. As for park hopping I would suggest it, I know that for the budget it is added cost. But park hopping has been convenient for us numerous times especially when we went with a large number of family and plans changed on a whim. However if you make a good park plan and stick to it you won't necessarily need park hopping.

Someone before mentioned break days. I think for a longer trip this is a great idea an a good money saving tip. You can take relaxing days or here are some other ideas. For example when we go to Disney for christmas we set aside a day for traveling to different resorts just to look at the decorations. We like to stay at the boardwalk but even if we don't stay there we just like to walk around that area at night to see all the street shows. Downtown disney is also free and sometimes we just spend a whole day there shopping and walking around.

Correct me if I am wrong but if you can find four days to do other stuff. Then you will only need a 10 day MYW ticket because I think it is not 10 continuous days but 10 times you actually scanned to go into the parks on separate days. So essentially if you had something like a relaxation day in the middle of your stay you wouldn't be losing out. You could possibly do that service thing for an extra day. The cheapest price I found for the tickets would be: Adult $ 248.95 per day and Child $216.95 per day.

Logistically are you planning on 14 FULL days at disney. For example sometimes we arrive later in the evening and we don't even attempt to go to the parks so we factor that day out of our ticket purchase. And then when we leave most of the time we skip the parks that day too, so then we just go to downtown disney for food or last minute shopping. So we usually cut two days off the ticket purchase.

I read through the posts and I don't remember seeing this mentioned but what about your transportation down there? Flying? I see people discussing car rentals so I was just wondering.

Also on a side note have you thought of sending one of your kids to be a CM. Maybe then you can get a rockin deal. Just kidding.

Lastly I think you should also talk to a travel agent. There is no obligation to buy anything but if you are AAA members you can try your local office. Or use one of the sponsors here. Even though we are capable of planning our own trips and we are DVC members we still check with our travel agent as well to see if we can get a better deal paying cash for a vacation. It can't hurt and at the very least gives you a price point to compare against. Might make your case stronger to your DH showing him a high price and then the budget price you came up with.

 

[5forDiz]

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.

OP I totally agree with what poster TH0726 quoted above said - -
you need to be onsite. Coordination will be impossible with a group this size. Onsite gives every person in your group so many more options - primary benefit being Disney transportation.....when little ones get tired out this affords older members to shuttle back to your onsite resort them with ease without the rest of the group having to leave park as well. Older family members can come and go to parks, Downtown Disney & other onsite resorts ( like Boardwalk ) as they wish. There are alot of naysayers regarding Disney buses but believe me they are very reliable and timely. By the time you arrange car rentals, pay parking fees, etc. or deal with offsite hotel shuttle bus you may as well put that money towards onsite accommodations. And the Extra Magic Hours for onsite guests give you 3 extra hours after the designated parks regular closing time - - well worth it.

jmho, 10 nights is probably more than enough time, and a 10 day ticket doesn't come out to much more than couple extra $'s per day than what 5 or 6 day ticket would cost as other posters here have pointed out to you. As TH0726 said leaving off waterpark option and park hopping option will be a good savings too. Just be sure if you don't have parking hopping option included that you are sure about which park you want to go to for each particular day - - if we don't take the park hopping option we always pick the park for the day based upon which park has the 3 Extra Magic Hours in the evening.

Check out renting DVC points; I don't rent mine but PM me if you have some DVC specific questions. From a quick look at DVC points charts it seems best option is at Animal Kingdom Villas at AK Lodge Resort : you can get a non-value category 2 br villa that sleeps 9 and a 1 br that sleeps 5 that would work well for your group (your youngest wouldn't count towards your max allowed room total) probably for around $500 per night total on a point rental. It would include Magical Express to/from Orlando airport if your family is flying, use of all Disney transportation onsite & free parking at theme parks if you rent car. Each villa would have full kitchen, 1 bedroom villa has 2 full bathrooms and 2 bedroom villa will have 3, each villa has washer/dryer, there is covered pavillion with barbeque grills and picnic tables, AKL/AKV have 2 great pools & interactive waterplay area that is a huge hit with both kids & adults and Community Hall where there is ongoing activities for kids (& sometimes adults can participate in some stuff too) throughout day & into evening....most are free of charge, but sometimes some activities may have a small fee.

Good luck on your planning.

 

[robinb]

Check out renting DVC points; I don't rent mine but PM me if you have some DVC questions. At AKV you can get a 2 br villa that sleeps 9 and a 1 br that sleeps 5 that would work well for your group probably for $500 per night on a point rental.

It would be way more than $500 per day. A standard view 2BR and 1BR for the first two weeks of August would take over 1,000 points. That's about 72 points per day and the *best* rental rate you can get is $10 per point, so that would be at least $720 per night.

 

[5forDiz]

It would be way more than $500 per day. A standard view 2BR and 1BR for the first two weeks of August would take over 1,000 points. That's about 72 points per day and the *best* rental rate you can get is $10 per point, so that would be at least $720 per night.

594 pt during Aug 16-31 1 br standard and 2 br standard; 1 week plus 3 extra week days. yeah I'm off a bit with approx $500 when using $10 per pt for 2 bedroom Fri and Sat night. but ya never know too; if the OP found a member looking to offload a big chunk of their points they'd maybe work with her too for a bit of a better rate. Weeks you use in your example tally 676 for ten days, jmho and maybe not their best option but something they may want to consider.

 

[robinb]

594 pt during Aug 16-31 1 br standard and 2 br standard; 1 week plus 3 extra week days. yeah I'm off a bit with approx $500 when using $10 per pt for 2 bedroom Fri and Sat night. but ya never know too; if the OP found a member looking to offload a big chunk of their points they'd maybe work with her too for a bit of a better rate. Weeks you use in your example tally 676 for ten days, jmho and maybe not their best option but something they may want to consider.

She can't go at the end of the month since her kids need to go back to school. That's why she can't take advantage of free dining. So, you need to price the more expensive Magic Season and not the Dream Season .

BTW, I'm a DVC owner too.

 

[5forDiz]

She can't go at the end of the month since her kids need to go back to school. That's why she can't take advantage of free dining. So, you need to price the more expensive Magic Season and not the Dream Season .

BTW, I'm a DVC owner too.

I got that and like I said dvc is probably not going to be their best option $-wise compared to others especially offsite ones but its an option nonetheless that they may or may not wish to give some thought to.

 

[bigdisneygroup]

"Also on a side note have you thought of sending one of your kids to be a CM. Maybe then you can get a rockin deal. Just kidding. "


I love that idea!!

I was thinking of going with a 10 day pass and then having four days of down time to spend at the house/pool/shopping/DTD, etc. They would be days that we could eat in all day as well and save some money, too. Part of me would really love to do the water parks, but it might be that we'll have to pass on them this trip and save the $$.

We will be driving down as well, so I won't be needing a rental car whether we stay on site or off.

I like the idea of renting DVC points, but it always thoroughly confuses me when I start trying to figure it out. It doesn't sound like our best option price wise, tho, unless someone is willing to rent them to me at a very very good price.

I'll have to give my TA a call here and see what she can come up with for me. As a PP said, maybe if she comes in good and high, my DH will think that my trip looks cheap.

We'd be driving from Central PA but we have six drivers at this point so I'm thinking we could probably pretty much drive straight thru? I wouldn't want the 17 yr olds driving I95 esp. around Washington, DC (no offense, Washington, we're just from a smaller venue ) but I know that there are areas that they and I would be ok with.

I'll get this figured out yet. Just hopefully before Christmas.

 

[runwad]

Big Disney Group I have a family of 5 and no way with a family of 15 would I stay onsite for 14 days. NOT ENOUGH ROOM. Get the house you'll be glad you did. You said you'll take 2 cars right? The older kids could still come and go and it's super easy driving around Disney. I think that would be your cheapest/sanest option.

 

[brymolmom]

I would rent a house offsite....You can find deals sometimes - I think my sis's family and ours got a 6 bedroom for about $1600 one year...might be able to work out a better deal on a 2 week stay as they don't have to pay for cleaning twice - so house rental in the $2800 - $3000 range I think you'd be able to find for 2 weeks.

Driving down is a bonus.

Buy 10 day passes (maybe include water parks & more too - that way you could hit parks and/or water parks for up to 20 days while there). Undercovertourist has a slight discount price - I'd get them that way.

I would TOTALLY go budget for food. Choose one or two character meals (if desired - the older kids might want to bail on that) and then SHARE c/s meals and bring sandwiches and drinks and snacks to the parks with you. Bring with you the phone number to a pizza place that is on your way home and call to order it on your way to the car. That takes care of dinner for way cheaper than any other way.

 

[robinb]

I'm still thinking that 2 two-bedroom timeshares/condos on SkyAuction would be the cheapest way to go .

 

[Belle5]

Big Disney Group I have a family of 5 and no way with a family of 15 would I stay onsite for 14 days. NOT ENOUGH ROOM. Get the house you'll be glad you did. You said you'll take 2 cars right? The older kids could still come and go and it's super easy driving around Disney. I think that would be your cheapest/sanest option.

Honestly, no offense meant at all here--just another point of view...we often go as a group of nine--my mom plus my six (three adult) children. We have absolutely no problem staying in value or if my mom goes along Alligator Bayou at POR. We have stayed mostly at moderates and even deluxe--but my big kids, DH and myself have no problem at all in a value. We are just happy to be there!!! I know if I am in a value I don't have to cook and that makes me happy. Want to spread out? Go to the food court! We just shower and sleep in the room. We do like the food courts and outdoor surrounding properties and enjoy exploring WDW as a whole. (We have been as a family 24 times) Our favorite times of hanging out and conversing as a family is at meal time. That can be at any quick service or waiting for our table service to come available--sitting on the couches or whatever joking around and catching up with each other. I wouldn't trade my older kids being able to come and go as they please for anything. I would stay in a value in a heart-beat for that reason alone over any off-site gorgeous condo (been there, done that). My kids would 100% agree. OP--I would shorten my stay if necessary to have the convenience of on-site. The quick service dining option would be such a wonderful option if you could swing it. There are so many special and unique quick service places you could go to for dinner each night to make it feel as if you are really dining out (WPC, etc.)

 

[bigdisneygroup]

I'm still thinking that 2 two-bedroom timeshares/condos on SkyAuction would be the cheapest way to go .

I'll have to check into that, but how would that work? Would my oldest daughter be able to be the oldest at on of them? Maybe her and some of the other older girls and then DH and me and the younger set at another or do they have adjoining condos or something like that?

 

[runwad]

I'll have to check into that, but how would that work? Would my oldest daughter be able to be the oldest at on of them? Maybe her and some of the other older girls and then DH and me and the younger set at another or do they have adjoining condos or something like that?

Maybe?, I'm not sure on that but you could always list your dh in one and you in the other the just sleep whereever you want. They don't sit and watch who goes where, especially as big as your party would be.

 

[5forDiz]

I looked around a bit more beyond DVC for onsite options that are more attractive price-wise :

DoubleTree Guest Suites at Downtown Disney on Hotel Plaza Blvd. : $129 per night before taxes, sleeps 6 but they may allow you 7 with rollaway and might not count your baby toward occupancy total so you can ~possibly~ do 2 suites there. It's 2 room suite, with pullout sofa for 2, bedroom with 2 double beds that sleep 4, dining table with chairs, wetbar - fridge - micro area.
Also, if you book via their website (Hilton/Doubletree) there is an internet booking special of $75 food credit deducted from total bill for each suite for any dining you do at their onsite cafe (lunch or dinner dining, not usable for breakfast). It's not Disney owned so you won't be able to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours at the parks but it is walkable to Downtown Disney and to Crossroads Shopping Plaza where there's supermarket, Pizzeria Uno, Fudrucker's Burgers, Buffalo Wildwings, TGI Friday's among others.

Hotel Royal Plaza also near DT Dis on Hotel Plaza Blvd : sleeps 6 as well but area where sofa bed is located is not completely separate room; there's a half wall partition iirc. First 2 weeks of August there's a supersaver rate of $89 per night (before taxes) in Tower rooms and kids eat free although that probably applies just to kids under 13. 3 rooms could probably total under $350 per night with taxes, etc. If you take a look over on mousesavers dot com this is a hotel that they speak well of. It is a bit closer to DT Dis than DoubleTree Suites (DT Suites would be closer walk to Crossroads shopping). Again, like DT Suites it is not Disney owned so no Extra Magic Hours perk but it gives you the convenience of being onsite.

 

[torinsmom]

Hmmmm......might be worth it to book one room on site. Then you could park for free when you drove, and also have a base to take the little ones for a nap if needed, instead of driving back to your rental home. The max for a value room is 4 people, so only 4 could do the early mornings, but that might be most helpful for one parent and the youngest on your MK day anyway. The older kids could use the evening extra hours some nights, since the younger ones may be in bed earlier.

I still think the vacation home idea is best for your size family, especially given the varying ages. One with a pool and a game room would be perfect. Even with just DS and me, the tiny little hotel room and one bathroom(and one tv) starts to wear on us. We are not in there that much, but I can't imagine 4 people in one of those rooms!

Marsha

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Hmmmm......might be worth it to book one room on site. Then you could park for free when you drove, and also have a base to take the little ones for a nap if needed, instead of driving back to your rental home. The max for a value room is 4 people, so only 4 could do the early mornings, but that might be most helpful for one parent and the youngest on your MK day anyway. The older kids could use the evening extra hours some nights, since the younger ones may be in bed earlier.

I still think the vacation home idea is best for your size family, especially given the varying ages. One with a pool and a game room would be perfect. Even with just DS and me, the tiny little hotel room and one bathroom(and one tv) starts to wear on us. We are not in there that much, but I can't imagine 4 people in one of those rooms!

Marsha

Only registered guests can use EMH. You cannot pass off the room keys (which are the ID needed for EMH) to someone staying off-property so that they can use them. So your advice would not work. Although the idea of having a pied-a-terre on property for mid-day breaks is appealing.

 

[torinsmom]

Only registered guests can use EMH. You cannot pass off the room keys (which are the ID needed for EMH) to someone staying off-property so that they can use them. So your advice would not work. Although the idea of having a pied-a-terre on property for mid-day breaks is appealing.

So, they ask for an id WITH the room key? As long as only 4 of the family are using the room keys at once, I don't know why it would make a difference. If they get their tickets somewhere other than Disney, their tickets would not be tied to the room key.

Marsha