1st trip to disney. moneysaving tips? things to see?

[hawleyone]

Hi,

This is my first post here so sorry if its too long or in the wrong place. Anyways we are hoping to go to disneyworld next year when our son is 9. I am looking for tips on how to do this inexpensively and still see everything worth seeing down there. Also are there good reasonable hotels down there near disney such as in Kissimee or are you better off with a package plan that disney offers that includes dining. Thanks in advance for all of your help. I really appreciate it.

Kevin

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Disney is offering free dining packages through the rest of the year. It's an incredible savings.

 

[LPNmom]

I don't know how big your party is, but we like staying on site, the rates are really reasonable and the free dinning is soooooo nice!! I like any vacation were I don't have to cook for 11 nights. Money saving advice: for extra spending money, we make a piggy bank for our trips (Disney or just vacations around our home) each year. All loose change or cash goes into the jars, the week before our trip the whole family takes the piggy to the bank to get money counted. The kids love saving, and using the money when we get to our vacation for family activities, and ice cream!! This year I think we are going to go do the mini golf at WDW with some of the money! Have fun no matter what you do!!

 

[Mom2SamandJames]

If you can swing it, I would recommend staying at the park if at all possible. My DH and I have done it both ways, and our trip off Disney property was very frustrating. You lose a lot of precious touring time either on their shuttles which service lots of other hotels and have you feeling like a SARDINE or waiting in the car line at the Disney World parking lot.

As for money saving tips, try staying at the All Star resorts. They are good hotels with all the fringe benefits of staying at Disney World. You can save money by eating breakfast in your roon and taking snacks into the park with you. (It's allowed so you aren't breaking any rules.) Also my family sometimes books late breakfasts, eats snacks in the afternoon, and then eats an early supper. It works and you have only paid for two meals. Character meals are generally buffets which help you also because you can really fill up without a HUGE price, and your child gets to take pictures with characters without a mob around. I also shop at our local Disney store for little toys and trinkets that are on sale or clearance and leave them in our room on some days for the boys so that they are getting treats and not asking for every souvenier they see. It works great!

Good luck! I hope you get to experience the magic soon. Also check on the Disney World site often for special deals. We are going in September and getting a table service meal, a quick service meal, and a snack free every night of our trip. It's a great savings for us. We love the meal plan at Disney and for it to be free, is just AWESOME!

 

[LWatson]

Just keep an eye out for the Specials. The Value Resort tier is about the same price that you would be paying offsite, and you will be able to partake in the Disney Dining Plan. Plus they offer Free Dining sometimes. This year its running from Aug-mid Dec (of course w/ some Black out dates...and from Oct-Dec its only free quick service at the Values). We have the kids set aside piggy banks and put change/spare cash in them and save up for the Disney trips for their souvenirs. We still buy them some things, but like those little things you really dont want to spend money on yet they really want is what that money goes toward.

 

[lbarellano]

Hi
I was in your situation this year. My family of four (girls 17 and 12) went to Disney World in May. We are very very low budget. Some tips would be to place money into disney gift cards when you have spare money. I placed $25-$50 a month on these cards so when in the parks we had spending money for foods or gifts for the kids. Also we stood 9 nights in the Pop Century resort. The free bus service was great. They gave us free shampoo and soaps so that saved on money. Depending on when you go there is free dining (which will save my family $1600.00 in Sept of 2010.)The only thing I say you shouldn't miss would be the firework shows. They are amazing.
Have a magical trip

 

[Aliceacc]

HI Kevin, and welcome.

Well, for starters, let me share a great resource: www.mousesavers.com Take a look when you get a chance; its' all about saving money at Disney.

Are you AAA members? If so, you can save between 10 and 20% off the price of your resort.

Take a look at the calendar for next year; if you can possibly stay during Value Season you'll get the cheapest rates of the year-- then apply the AAA discount and you're on your way!

Disney frequently offers the Dining Plan for free in August. (This year's dates extend for 8/16- almost Christmas, although it originally ended on 10/3.) That's a HUGE savings!

Personally, I'm a huge fan of staying on site. Disney's Value prices are hard to beat (though not as cheap for my family of 5 as they would be for your family.) And you get several big perks including access to the dining plan, EMH (hours in the parks open only to Disney resort guests) and DME (the free shuttle to and from the airport.) Those perks are open to all Disney resort guests, regardless of the type of resort you choose.

That should most definitely get you started. Please come back with questions as they occur to you.

 

[cglaura]

You can save alot on meals by sharing some. For 3 people, it would be pretty easy to share 2 combo meals, they are huge! And, if still hungry you can always buy more, but they won't give you money back if you are too full to finish .

Also, you can get free ice water at most food service places...ask for a cup of ice water, not just a water, or you'll get the bottles at $2+ a pop.

Even if you don't split, just getting the water will save over $6+/meal, figure approximately $20 per day.

We also take our own water bottles and fill up at the fountains, then add the crystal light / kool aid / iced tea packets.

We often eat breakfast in our room, we bring granolar bars, pop tarts, etc.

Another vote for Values if you stay onsite. Don't forget to factor in that you probably won't need a car rental if you do stay onsite, so even if an offsite is less, it still maybe the same depending on a car deal.

Have fun planning!

 

[NJDevsfan]

A couple big savings that other Disers have helped me with -

1. Check airfare options thoroughly. Try to fly out the earliest and fly home on the latest flight - you can save two days in the park there.

2. If you stay on Disney property you don't need the rental car - the busses are fine (and an occasional taxi can be paid for out of your piggy bank).

3. The more days you buy on your park tickets, the more you save. If you don't like water parks, then opt out of that option and just use the pool at your resort.

4. Value and moderate resorts are usually $80 - $150 per night and if you go during free dining that price includes food and character interaction without waiting in lines!

5. Mail yourself a box with snacks and souveneirs. Buy a resort mug for refillable drinks!

6. Learn how to master the dining system.

7. Bring your own stroller if you have a little one.

Have fun!

 

[donaldsgirl]

Hi..we are very frugal when we go..I found ALOT of money saving tips in the book Disney on a Dime. Read it from cover to cover..TWICE. Dog ear the pages..it saved us a ton of money. I found it at Barnes and Noble..best money I have spent in a long time. If you are flying, check to see if Southwest airlines is in the airport you fly out of. They dont charge for baggage and they are generally the least expensive that I have found..Hotwire.com for rental cars although I found my rental car on Expedia this time. Came out to less than 13.00 a day. We also pack our lunches for the parks and have breakfast in our room. That saves a TON of money. We stop by wal-mart on our way in to the resort and we are good to go. There are a ton of things to do to lessen the amount of your trip. You just have to research it.