Trying to find the cheapest way to go to Disney World

[Redbudlover]

I don't know why no one has mentioned using an AP to lower the room cost. Although I own DVC, I also go on a cash basis for one or two trips a year. I always wait for an AP rate because I can get 40% off the room rate. In my experience free dining is only a good deal if you have a bunch of teenagers who eat like crazy. For a young adult and her mother, free dining is not going to make up for paying rack rate. I was pricing rooms at BC before the AP rate came out in October and was going to have to pay about $1000 for two nites. With an AP it was about $650. If you use it for a value resort you could go for five nites for about $350.... AP is the cheapest way I have found other than going off site...

 

[fla4fun]

OP, there are a lot of ways to cut spending when planning a WDW vacation. You really have to sit down and calculate which option will save you the most. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples - include all the same items every time you compare prices.

For example, if you compare staying on site to off site, you will need to total up all the costs for accommodations, food, transportation (including parking at WDW if you stay off site), etc., each time. It may be that staying at a value with free dining is the cheaper option, or it may be staying off site (even if you have to pay parking each day) is the cheaper option.

What I usually do is decide how much I can afford for a trip. Let's just pick a figure out of the air and say your budget is $1500 for your trip. Once you have decided on that $1500 budget, as you start comparing options you can immediately discard any that are above your budget limit. Make sure that every last item on your list fits into that budget figure - including a little spending money. When trying to do any kind of vacation on a strict budget, I think it's very important to get the budget figure established first, and then be disciplined enough to stick with it, even if it means compromising on things like eating QS instead of TS, or staying off site vs. staying on site. I've done a lot of off site trips over the years when the budget just wouldn't quite stretch far enough to stay on site.

Otherwise, you've had some good information given to you. The biggest temptation, in my opinion, is overspending on souvenirs. Again, set a spending limit for souvenirs and stick with it. Some trips I've come back with nothing more than photos as souvenirs, if that's what the budget warranted - but having a little spending money for a t-shirt or something like that is nice too.

 

[RabFlmom]

There are lots of people who really can't afford a week staying in Disney but still consider their trip a Disney a great vacation even if they only spend 1 day at the MK. If all you can afford is 1 day then choose a park and go to that 1 park and have the best day and night you can with your mom. You don't have to do everything there is to do to have fun at Disney. Enjoy the time with your mom.

You can bid on rooms and get the Hilton etc for $35-$45 a night sometimes so try that.

Spend a 2nd day at Down Town Disney for the Disney atmosphere.

Then head to the beach, Still fun but costs nothing. Again bid for the room. My nephew and family of 5 usually gets the Hilton or Crown Plaza beachfront in Melbourne for less than $70 a night when they come in June. August they get it for under $120 a night so when you come down makes a difference

I would save the all inclusive 5-10 day Disney trip till after you graduate, can pay mostly in cash, and can bring her down without worrying about making it a cheap vacation. JMHO

 

[andyman8]

I'm curious where OP would depart from so I can finish my calculations.

 

[DisneyAllyC]

Forget it. I just wanted help. I didn't want this thread to be for arguments. I've had enough. If I could figure out how to lock this thread, I would.

 

[andyman8]

Forget it. I just wanted help. I didn't want this thread to be for arguments. I've had enough. If I could figure out how to lock this thread, I would.

I don't think there was much arguing.

You know that if you stay at a value, take Greyhound, and eat QS, you can stay for 5 nights/6 days for under $2,000. That's a decent deal! If it's still to much consider this.

Honestly, all we're trying to do is help.

 

[DisneyAllyC]

I don't think there was much arguing.

You know that if you stay at a value, take Greyhound, and eat QS, you can stay for 5 nights/6 days for under $2,000. That's a decent deal! If it's still to much consider this.

Honestly, all we're trying to do is help.

Well that's the best I've seen so far! Thank you!

 

[andyman8]

Well that's the best I've seen so far! Thank you!

Just keep this in mind:

[You're required to]Attend a courteous, fun, and informational 90-120 minute resort sales presentation and breakfast at a nearby Sales Center. Transportation to the presentation is not provided. Theme Park Tickets will be received after Resort Preview Tour. Tour time is determined and assigned by the Hosting Resort at the time of your confirmation, not by Vacation Paradise. No exceptions. If you do not meet one of these requirements below please call our Vacation Planning Center at (888) 586-9654 so that we can find a package that is perfect for you.

Also, I'd add to the package a bit. I'd either book another night at the hotel and another day. This would cost $129 bring your total to $428 for a 4 night/4 day vacation. Another option would be to add two nights and purchase two more tickets (giving you six days in the parks) which would be $528 bring the total to $827. I'd go with the first because you must attend the presentation before you get your tickets and your presentation can't be on arrival day/

 

[labattblue]

Maybe it is just me, but the OP did not ask if she should go to Disney, just the cheapest way to get there. If I had taken people's advice about the best time to do certain things, I would have never had my son, never bought a house and certainly never have gone to Disney. People have different feelings about debt. Mine is that if I'm paying my bills and not expecting anyone else to do so, it's noone's business but my own whether I have some debt or whether I should go to Disney. You never know if you or your family will be here in five years when the debt is paid down, you know? Just my opinion....

^^^ This.

 

[disneychic2]

OP, I think you've gotten a lot of great advice and I hope you can work it out. The vast majority of posters were helpful, so don't let a couple of negatives ruin it all. Let us know what you're able to work out.

 

[larryz]

Forget it. I just wanted help. I didn't want this thread to be for arguments. I've had enough. If I could figure out how to lock this thread, I would.

I think you're getting lots of good advice (help) on how to save money on a trip to WDW, from people who have likely used those same tips on their own trips.

Well, maybe not the rice cooker idea, but I'm still considering it for my next trip...

Others are giving you advice about your trip that you may not want, but you have to assume they're doing it based on their own life experiences, and thus far, it's been in a fairly benign manner.

As for getting the thread locked, you can PM Cyrano and ask him to do that for you, but he likely won't without some obvious violation of the posting rules...sometimes, a thread takes on a life of its own against the OP's wishes, and let's face it, there are others who may benefit from the advice in this thread.

 

[DisneyAllyC]

Just keep this in mind:


Also, I'd add to the package a bit. I'd either book another night at the hotel and another day. This would cost $129 bring your total to $428 for a 4 night/4 day vacation. Another option would be to add two nights and purchase two more tickets (giving you six days in the parks) which would be $528 bring the total to $827. I'd go with the first because you must attend the presentation before you get your tickets and your presentation can't be on arrival day/

Well of course there is a loophole. It did seem too good to be true. I'm sure we can figure it out.

 

[phillymummer]

Please tell us where you are traveling from. There are people on this board who *love* to plan and will figure in your transportation options if they know how far you have to travel.

Also, let us know if your travel time are flexible. That can make all the difference in expenses.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[andyman8]

Well of course there is a loophole. It did seem too good to be true. I'm sure we can figure it out.

It's actually not that bad. I think you get a free breakfast. They usually stat around 9am, so go to the two hour info session on the first day and spend the rest of the day at a park (I'd do Epcot if you choose to do AK on your departure day). I would highly recommend upgrading it to at least a 4 night/4 day package.

Also, where are you traveling from?

 

[DisneyAllyC]

I'm from New Jersey. We usually fly out of Philly. Driving is probably not going to happen. My main thing with that whole presentation thing is that transportation is not provided. Are there cabs at all around there?

 

[andyman8]

I'm from New Jersey. We usually fly out of Philly. Driving is probably not going to happen. My main thing with that whole presentation thing is that transportation is not provided. Are there cabs at all around there?

Oh, definitely take Greyhound. They even give students discounts. You and your mom can both go round trip for a total of $396 (and that includes tax). Take a taxi from Greyhound to your hotel and back and take a taxi to and from the presentation. Wait a second, let me price this out.

 

[DisneyAllyC]

Greyhound from New Jersey to Florida? Oye.

 

[andyman8]

Here's some more number crunching.

The standard package price is $299, which includes 3 nights at the Radison Celebration Hotel (not the nicest hotel but it'll do) and 2 3-Day Base Tickets.

I would recommend upgrading the tickets to 4-Day Base Tickets (that's the maximum upgrade) for $30 per ticket, so an additional $60. I'd strangle suggest adding an additional night for $69. This would bring your total to $428. For transportation, take Greyhound. They've got comfy seats, outlets for your electronics and free WiFi. You would leave Phily on 8/03 at 1:05pm and arrive in Orlando at 11:45am. Taxi fare would be $58 to Greyhound and $58 back. Add in $60 (both ways) for fare to/from showing and that's a total of $604. Throw in Greyhound bus for $396 and that's exactly $1,000. If you eat 3 QS meals a day averaging $10 per person (minus one on arrival day and dep. day), then you have an additional $200. Oh, and your returning GH bus would leave around 6:30pm and get you in around 4:30pm the next day.

Your total price would be $1,200.

 

[DisneyAllyC]

Here's some more number crunching.

The standard package price is $299, which includes 3 nights at the Radison Celebration Hotel (not the nicest hotel but it'll do) and 2 3-Day Base Tickets.

I would recommend upgrading the tickets to 4-Day Base Tickets (that's the maximum upgrade) for $30 per ticket, so an additional $60. I'd strangle suggest adding an additional night for $69. This would bring your total to $428. For transportation, take Greyhound. They've got comfy seats, outlets for your electronics and free WiFi. You would leave Phily on 8/03 at 1:05pm and arrive in Orlando at 11:45am. Taxi fare would be $58 to Greyhound and $58 back. Add in $60 (both ways) for fare to/from showing and that's a total of $604. Throw in Greyhound bus for $396 and that's exactly $1,000. If you eat 3 QS meals a day averaging $10 per person (minus one on arrival day and dep. day), then you have an additional $200. Oh, and your returning GH bus would leave around 6:30pm and get you in around 4:30pm the next day.

Your total price would be $1,200.

My brain hurts. I really would rather fly but we'll have to see. I don't know why they had to throw in the presentation thing.

 

[andyman8]

My brain hurts. I really would rather fly but we'll have to see. I don't know why they had to throw in the presentation thing.

Flying would actually be over $600, plus you'd still need the taxi. As stated, you can bring some food, sleep, and do "whatever" on the computer if you took Greyhound. You could even read a book!

I would not flip over the sales presentation. Usually, they're scheduled for around 9am, so go eat and pretend to listen (then say) no and by noon your at Disney World. We never get to the parks before noon and we're always fine. I'd do Epcot that day and immediately get your Soarin' FPs. Your final day (because you won't be there that night) could be at AK due to it not having any nighttime entertainment. Best of all, you have a year so you can save little by little. You'd just need to pay the $299 and the Greyhound now.