5 Adults Hotel + Tickets for under $2000 ??

[Dionnemay]

Hi All !


Ok, I’m a single mom and I’m trying to get 6 people to Disneyland for as far under 2000 as possible ( I say 5 in the title because my brother is buying his own ticket)

When my dad married my mom 38 years ago, she had never seen either Disney park. She was a single mother of 4 and he was a wealthy only child-playboy. But he loved my mom so much he married her and took on her 4 kids and loved us all like his own. He took her to DW for their honeymoon for 2 weeks- it was the first time she had ever been and she said all she could think about the whole time was how much we (her kids) would enjoy it. So Dad made it his mission to take us there.
His mom didn’t approve of the marriage and tired cutting him out but that wasn’t enough to make him leave my mom. He accepted the loss and worked his butt off doing whatever he needed to to provide a safe and happy home for all of us- plus the 3 new babies that came along later- 7 kids in all.
And he kept his promise to my mom to get us all to DW- even in times of struggle- he managed to take his whole family to DW and to Dl.

Well, they visited recently and he shocked me with the news that just 6 weeks earlier he had been diagnosed with cancer and given just a week to live. He’s a man of great faith- they both are- and shortly after, on a return trip to the Dr. the cancer had disappear  I was/am grateful and ecstatic to have more time with him now. But they live in Arizona and I live in Texas so I don’t see him much- maybe once a year and this cancer scare reminds me that I never know when he will be taken from us. While he was visiting he was reminiscing about Disneyland and mentioned that he “heard it was much bigger and different”.
It occurred to me that the last time he and mom had ever been was when I graduated High school (I’m 39 now).

I have been to DW 3 times since then with my kids and DL about 7 times so the “changes” weren’t “news” to me.

But my dad is the reason any of us have ever BEEN to Disney- and the reason MY children got to experience it… because the memories he gave to ME as a child, I wanted my children to have the same experience.

So I made a determination right then and there to get Dad back to Disney- maybe for the last time. Of course, I will take Mom too because those two are joined at the hip lol, and mom loves Disney as much as he does.

I’m also going to bring their grandkids (my kids) my son 15, and my daughter 18. And Since my brother (my sons favorite uncle) is on the way (He also lives in Arizona) I decided to bring him too as a companion for my son since Mom and Dad are older and might not be able to get on some of the rides-that way we can split up into pairs if we want.

Now, I don’t make a ton of $$. I have to really pinch and scrape to do this and I’d like to do the whole trip for under $2000—this includes spending $ for me and my son 

I’m planning to leave Texas on 30 Sept- Check into the hotel on 1 October- Do the Parks 2-3 October (maybe on the night of the 1rst as well- depends how much more a 3 day ticket is)—and check out on 4 October- return the car on Monday 6 October.

Here’s what I would be paying for:

The Rental Car---
I’d have to get a mini van or SUV . I’ve already checked out Priceline and it looks like a 7 passenger vehicle would run me around $400 at the lowest

The Hotel Room----
with 6 people, there’s no way we can all fit in one room. I’ve gotten a headache researching suites in Anaheim. The Portofino Inn has suites with bunks, a sleeper sofa, and a Queen bed. Has anyone heard of that place? Cons are it doesn’t have free parking, breakfast, and it charges a $12 fee every night.
If anyone can tell me what the total cost I’d be paying is, or recommended a cheaper place I’d appreciate it ( NOT the Stanford Inn & Suites!! I read a few reviews saying they have a Spider problem and I HATE spiders!! I’m a serious arachnophobe!) - this is the cheapest one with a decent review that I’ve found .

5 Adult 2 Day Park Hopper tickets (or 3?? Depending on price.) ---
I want park Hopper because we aren’t staying long and I want the freedom to get back and forth to catch events at both parks.

After all of that, I’ll still need $$ left over to pay for food and spending $$ for myself and my son. The rest of the adults, I have asked to cover themselves.

So, I know many of you are seasoned Disney Travelers…can any of you help me figure out how to do all this for under $2000 ?

Is it cheaper to book the hotel and tickets separately or to use the packages on Disneyland’s website?

Help would be appreciated 

 

[Saimaeve]

Are you wanting $2000 for just you and your son, or for everyone?

 

[DizMe]

You need 3 nights hotel x 2 rooms (or a suite), a rental van, 2-3 day tickets for 5 adults, and food and spending money for you and your son for under $2000? I'm sorry, I don't think it's likely you'll be able to do that. Cheapest tickets will run you at least $850 I'd guess, and you could *maybe* get a couple of rooms for $400 for 3 nights, and the van at $400 (I didn't check prices, just used your figure) would bring it up to $1650. I don't think that includes taxes on the hotel and van. You'd still have to pay for gas, food, and spending money. Maybe some budget-minded people will have suggestions for you, like staying a distance away from the resort and getting free meals included in the hotel price. I wish you luck but I think it's going to be tough to manage that task. I could be wrong, though! Budgeting is not my strong suit!

 

[Dionnemay]

Are you wanting $2000 for just you and your son, or for everyone?

For everyone

I gotta get the hotel room, 5 adult tickets and the rental car. Someone said it might be cheaper to take my own vehicle from TX to Arizona and rent the car in AZ when I pick up my parents/Brother?

 

[Renae De Liz]

Where are you picking up and dropping off the rental vehicle?

 

[Itinkso]

Check the Transportation Board in the WDW forum area as people post discount codes for Budget and other rental car companies.

Also, become a member to Alamo and National rental car websites as well as others and you'll receive discounts on rentals. In June, we rented a 7-person van for one week with Alamo out of Miami and it was only $200.

There are hotels on Harbor that have family suites. Camelot Inn has a two-room suite but there is only one bathroom.

 

[sheetz]

For hotel you should stay off site and see if you can find someplace with free breakfast and a microwave/refrigerator so you can eat meals in your room. Join Last Minute Travel Club if you aren't already a member. They usually have promo codes for a free one year membership. Try promo code TRAVELTRENDS.
https://www.lmtclub.com/secure/PageRegistration.aspx?afid=107#

For minivan rentals I've found that using Budget code X474200 is usually the cheapest. It's a Travelocity discount code and I've never had problems using it.

 

[Renae De Liz]

If you can swing a place like Embassy Suites South they will accommodate 6 adults, and will give everyone a great cooked to order breakfast each morning which will help cut costs. There is a parking fee ($12 a day) and a shuttle cost of $5 per person per day. But it's a gorgeous hotel and everyone would be in a big enough room with a place to sleep.

The price for your dates is $240 a night for 6 adults. So around $800 for the hotel (should be enough in there to include tax), $900 for (5) 2 day tickets, $100 for parking and shuttle (driving your own car, as they have shuttle service) would leave you with $200 spending money.

 

[julesann]

All helpful budget ideas: I would also try Getawaytoday travel. You can get really good hotel deals (including parking, sometimes breakfast and suites) from them including a night free with some hotels plus your tickets. You can see costs with or without tickets.

 

[nervous1sttimer]

If you can swing a place like Embassy Suites South they will accommodate 6 adults, and will give everyone a great cooked to order breakfast each morning which will help cut costs. There is a parking fee ($12 a day) and a shuttle cost of $5 per person per day. But it's a gorgeous hotel and everyone would be in a big enough room with a place to sleep.

The price for your dates is $240 a night for 6 adults. So around $800 for the hotel (shoudl be enough int here to include tax), $900 for (5) 2 day tickets, $100 for parking and shuttle (driving your own car, as they have shuttle service) would leave you with $200 spending money.

Not really spending money because they will need that money for food - unless they only plan to eat one meal a day at the hotel. If you only eat offsite, and get things you can share like pizza, you could probably swing it? The memories will need to be your souvenirs!

 

[Geemo]

For everyone

I gotta get the hotel room, 5 adult tickets and the rental car. Someone said it might be cheaper to take my own vehicle from TX to Arizona and rent the car in AZ when I pick up my parents/Brother?

Tickets alone for 5 is going to be a chunk of your budget.

2day NON-hopper for 5 = $890 ($178ea)
2day Hopper for 5 = $1085 ($217ea)
3day NON-hopper for 5 = $1130 ($226ea)
3day Hopper for 5 = $1325 ($265ea)

If you find a place to stay and the rate is good BOOK IT before the rate goes up. The closer to a stay the more rooms usually cost.

Your budget of $2000 is going to be a challenge to accomplish.

Good luck with your plans

Geemo

 

[Dionnemay]

Where are you picking up and dropping off the rental vehicle?

Well 'Im in El Paso, TX and my parents are in Scotsdale, AZ. I planned to pu/do here in El Paso because 1. I dont like taking my own vehicle on long trips- it adds wear, plus if it breaks down Im screwed 2. My Jeep wont fit all of us.

Someone said something about Costco having car rentals at huge discounts. Is that true? I didn't know Costco rented cars?

 

[Dionnemay]

Tickets alone for 5 is going to be a chunk of your budget.

2day NON-hopper for 5 = $890 ($178ea)
2day Hopper for 5 = $1085 ($217ea)
3day NON-hopper for 5 = $1130 ($226ea)
3day Hopper for 5 = $1325 ($265ea)

If you find a place to stay and the rate is good BOOK IT before the rate goes up. The closer to a stay the more rooms usually cost.

Your budget of $2000 is going to be a challenge to accomplish.

Good luck with your plans

Geemo

If I'm able to do it, it will be a miracle and Ill post one here for everyone to see lol!!


If I gotta go a little higher, then I can but I'll be tightening my belt in November.

 

[YukonMommy]

Check out the Anaheim Islander Inn and Suites for a room. WHen I looked at your dates you can get a family room (has 3 queen beds or one that has 4 queen beds) for under $200 a night.

We have stayed at this hotel (in the 4 queen bed room,,,,,which is basically 2 rooms and 1 bathroom to share)
Pros:
-clean rooms
-large rooms
-helpful owners and staff
-on the ART system, but about a 15 minute walk to DL
-microwave and small fridge
-free parking

Cons:
-no hot tub
-breakfast is apples, coffee, orange juice and donuts/muffins

This hotel is by no means fancy, but we have stayed here on all 3 of our trips and love it!

Have a Magical Time!

 

[Dionnemay]

Not really spending money because they will need that money for food - unless they only plan to eat one meal a day at the hotel. If you only eat offsite, and get things you can share like pizza, you could probably swing it? The memories will need to be your souvenirs!

Yes, definitely plan to do off-site eating!! My Dad is frugal anyway and wouldn't even think of dropping coin at one of DL's expensive restaurants! Probably the most they'll do is the little snack stands and my MOM LOVES those Dole whips and since its been 20+ years since she's been, I'm sure she'll have a few of those.

Me- well, as long as I get a Turkey Leg I'm cool, and my son always goes for churros and sodas. Even at DW with fat pockets, me and my kids only ate at actual sit down restaurants maybe 3 or 4 times- we usually are so busy on the rides that we just grab an ice cream or churro now and then...and a turkey leg lasts me all day

Thats why I want a Hotel room with a fridge of course so we can just stock up on food from a nearby supermarket.

Souvenirs- I never really get any- pictures and video I take are enough, and my son is older now so I'm not anticipating him asking for Jedi robes and stuff...

So I dont think I'll need much for food/souvenirs for me and my son. Maybe $150 or a couple hundred tops

 

[kaci]

The best I can find is 7 passenger minivan from Enterprise Airway El Paso (via Costco Travel) for $371.68 and 4 nights at Hotel Indigo in a family suite + 5 adult 2 day hoppers for $1524.10 (via lmtclub.com). Grand total $1895.78. Doesn't leave much for spending money or gas money.

Booking.com has some good rates, too.

 

[ddwlms]

You can stay at the Dessert Inn and Suites, parking, taxes, resort fees included for 3 nights for $587. They have ONE room left at this moment so you'd have to book immediately. (book to put a hold on it, and cancel ASAP if you decide not to use.)
The cons are, that is for a Parlor suite, the two young men will have to share a pull out couch. And one bathroom. However, it is RIGHT across the street, so no transportation costs into the park.

 

[Renae De Liz]

Well 'Im in El Paso, TX and my parents are in Scotsdale, AZ. I planned to pu/do here in El Paso because 1. I dont like taking my own vehicle on long trips- it adds wear, plus if it breaks down Im screwed 2. My Jeep wont fit all of us.

Someone said something about Costco having car rentals at huge discounts. Is that true? I didn't know Costco rented cars?

On Carrentals.com got a rate of $300 for a van, picking it up early on the 1st and dropping it off late on the 4th.

With the aforementioned hotel that costs $200 per night, and 2 day tickets for 5, that should leave you $100 for other things. Not much but something!

There's also motel 6 maingate, getting 2 rooms should be around $140 a night.

So:

$500 (hotel)
$300 (van)
$900 (tickets)
$200 (spending money)

 

[nikkislaght]

Check out wildatwork.com I have used them for the last 4 yrs and they offer some good discounts..
at the moment Disneyland 3-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket - ADULT (10 and up) $236.00
Disneyland 3-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket - CHILD (Ages 3 to 9) $226.00 , you will pay a 5% processing fee.
they also offer hotels, but have never booked through them.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Haven't read the whole thread yet....

Just wanted to add real quick...

REmember to add something like 17% tax to the hotel room total.