I really need help!

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

Ok, so I usually try to solve any questions I have by searching the boards, and that usually works great for me, but I really need the help of some expert DISers, here. If this is in the wrong spot, by all means, move me. Were leaving on the 24th of Sept 8 days, 9 nights, 2 adults, 8 children, at Pop and our total, with the basic dining upgrade, in a standard room is $5084. Now as far as I know, and I've only booked with Disney directly, this is the best deal I could wrangle. IS THIS THE BEST DEAL I CAN GET? Some things have come up, and our budget will be tighter than hoped and Im open to all options to save money. I have considered taking off the hopper/WP, but cant take off the dining (I know, I know) I know people buy tickets seperately and such, and I was just wondering if that might make a difference? Thanks in advance, if I cant respond right away its because I had to go to the grocery store...apparently life goes on outside of Disney vacation planning?????

 

[GinnyEmma]

I don't know. What property? Or are you unwilling to look at a different room idea with the plan?

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

I don't know. What property? Or are you unwilling to look at a different room idea with the plan?

Oh jeez, that would have helped, huh? Were staying at Pop. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[RachaelA]

Wait so you have free quick service dining and upgraded to regular? If so, you can downgrade back to the free quick service. Or if you are paying for the regular dining plan you can downgrade to the quick service plan. That way on top of saving on the plan, you are also saving on tips.

Honestly buying tickets from Undercover Tourist (really the only non-Disney places you can legitimate tickets from) isn't going to save you that much per ticket.

I would definitely take off either the park hopper or the Water Park and More options. If you have off both, you can save a ton since you are buying so many tickets.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Ok, so is that three rooms that we have to work with or are two crib size?

 

[laurafergie]

With 10 people you need three rooms at the Pop. Have you priced out rooms at a Mod, like POR for just two rooms? (5 in each room)

With the move to a mod, your upgrade to the DDP is included and is not a separate charge, as you will arrive during the free dining promotion.

You can't keep your dining package and buy tickets separately. Free dining is a much better deal, than the small savings on the tickets.

Since you staying for 8 days, I would totally lose the hoppers. That's like $50 a person right there.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

Since there are 10 of ya, how many rooms will you have? How old are the children? Do you have anything you can sell on craigslist or in the newspaper? Can you cut your cable/cell phone/internet bill until after your trip?

The only other way to save money is to book a home off site and buy your tickets online and fix your meals at your rental home.

Good luck!

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

Wait so you have free quick service dining and upgraded to regular? If so, you can downgrade back to the free quick service. Or if you are paying for the regular dining plan you can downgrade to the quick service plan. That way on top of saving on the plan, you are also saving on tips.

I would definitely take off either the park hopper or the Water Park and More options. If you have off both, you can save a ton since you are buying so many tickets.

Yes, we have free QS and upgraded to regular. Were likely only doing 2 table service, and one is HDDR, so we would be paying well over $500 just for that meal alone OOP, so when I do the math, it actually saves money to just upgrade, KWIM? lol can you tell I've racked my brain for days now. I think I like the idea of taking the hopper off. It might take some time to re-arrange our schedule, but if it makes a big difference, its worth it! Thanks

Ok, so is that three rooms that we have to work with or are two crib size?

Yep, this is our last year of 2 rooms with a crib. Next year we'll have to do 3 rooms.

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

With 10 people you need three rooms at the Pop. Have you priced out rooms at a Mod, like POR for just two rooms? (5 in each room)

With the move to a mod, your upgrade to the DDP is included and is not a separate charge, as you will arrive during the free dining promotion.

You can't keep your dining package and buy tickets separately. Free dining is a much better deal, than the small savings on the tickets.

Since you staying for 8 days, I would totally lose the hoppers. That's like $50 a person right there.

2 of our kids are still under 2, so technically we still can fit into 2 rooms, but I definitely think Ill drop the hoppers. I tried to price a mod for the same time, but online reservations are showing me they are booked.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Have you priced the family suites at the Music Resorts? They sleep 6 have two bathrooms and kitchenett.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Bummer! . How much more was it at the mod? When you subtract the surcharge? My apologies if I missed it. Only have the telephone screen! The extra fees square feet would be nice.

Anyway, I'd drop the parkhoppers. With littles it is a pain. And a nice savings.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

I would drop the park hoppers for sure. That will save you allot there. Also, I would call Disney to see if they have any moderates available.

 

[ccgirl]

Have you tried to rent points for DVC? That way you could do food delivery and eat some meals in the room? I *think* since 2 are under 2 that you may be able to get a 2BR but I'm not positive on that. Do you drive or are you flying? If you are already driving, I would probably rent a house and stay off site to save a boat load of money. Just pay for those 2 meals OOP and eat breakfast at your house, and bring in lunch. Else, that is probably the cheapest way to stay on site. You can drop the PH, as others have suggested, and the WP&More if you need to but it sounds like that is the only wiggle room if you want to stay on site. How old are your other children?

 

[cglaura]

Just in case you didn't know, you can add hopper option at any point in your trip, you don't have to decide now. However, it will cost the same whether the first day or the last.

I always leave it off, that way if it turns out we are fine without then I didn't waste the money.

 

[buzz2400]

I would drop the park hopper. Having that many kids it won't be that easy to park hop. We stopped getting it and didn't miss it. This past trip we had it because it was included in the annual passes and I believe you really do more walking when you park hop.

I would also try to downgrade to quick service. If you have table service you have to remember that you have to tip. You also have to plan ahead (if this is free dining time) and make reservations because things fill up.

 

[RachaelA]

Yes, we have free QS and upgraded to regular. Were likely only doing 2 table service, and one is HDDR, so we would be paying well over $500 just for that meal alone OOP, so when I do the math, it actually saves money to just upgrade, KWIM? lol can you tell I've racked my brain for days now. I think I like the idea of taking the hopper off. It might take some time to re-arrange our schedule, but if it makes a big difference, its worth it! Thanks

Yep, this is our last year of 2 rooms with a crib. Next year we'll have to do 3 rooms.

Well if you have the basic dining plan and you are there for 8 days/7 nights, you will have to do more than 2 TS. You will only be using 3 TS credits per person out of 8 so what are you planning on doing with the other 5? Plus you need to tip on all TS meals. Make sure you plan on all those tips (though I think its included at HDDR)! Tips for 10 will probably be a lot!

Have fun!

 

[labdogs42]

I'd definitely skip the water park add on and maybe downgrade to the Quick Service meal plan (although, that doesn't give you any food for the two little ones who could technically eat off your plate at TS buffetts). I'd probably also skip HDD and do two TS meals if you do the upgraded plan. It is almost never worth it to do a 2TS meal on the dining plan.

 

[HeatherC]

Are you flying or driving? Are you totally opposed to offsite?

Reason I am asking is that you can stay at Bonnet Creek in a two bedroom, have two full bathrooms, full kitchen, multiple tvs and pretty much still be on Disney property...but not technically and pay about $120 a night including all taxes.

You could then eat breakfast in your jammies, bring in some snacks or lunch and eat dinner back at the villa and save a lot of money. It is located right next door to the Caribbean Beach Resort.

This would also allow you to put the little ones to bed in one bedroom and hang out in the living room and dining area as well as another bedroom.

The resort is goregous with mutiple lazy rivers, pools, hot tubs, free mini golf, grills, etc..

Just another option if money is tight. I don5 think you would be disappointed in the resort. It really is the best deal around.

 

[HeatherC]

You could also price tickets separately through Undercover Tourist to compare savings.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Yes, we have free QS and upgraded to regular. Were likely only doing 2 table service, and one is HDDR, so we would be paying well over $500 just for that meal alone OOP, so when I do the math, it actually saves money to just upgrade, KWIM? lol can you tell I've racked my brain for days now. I think I like the idea of taking the hopper off. It might take some time to re-arrange our schedule, but if it makes a big difference, its worth it! Thanks

Yep, this is our last year of 2 rooms with a crib. Next year we'll have to do 3 rooms.

Well if you have the basic dining plan and you are there for 8 days/7 nights, you will have to do more than 2 TS. You will only be using 3 TS credits per person out of 8 so what are you planning on doing with the other 5? Plus you need to tip on all TS meals. Make sure you plan on all those tips (though I think its included at HDDR)! Tips for 10 will probably be a lot!

Have fun!

Or you can stick to QS for the rest of the week, having already gotten your $$ worth on the upgrade to the regular DDP by doing HDDR. If you are looking for a TS recommendation, dinner at Kona Cafe is one of our all-time favorites. The hopper option is about $50 per ticket, so it really adds up on 8 tickets. Have a great trip!!!!