5 Things to Skip at WDW

[Tardisblue]

Just came across this article on Yahoo:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-things-skip-disney-world-130600015.html

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

1. Skip the food. - I disagree with this. I love dining at Disney because almost every restaurant is an experience by itself.

2. Limit your Disney memorabilia. - Not a bad idea. I'm a big believer in having a set amount of money set aside for souvenirs and sticking to it... but I think that's just good advice for any trip.

3. Take disposable ponchos with you. - Obviously

4. Will you really use the park hopper option? - I usually do but agree that if you aren't sure, don't buy it until you need it.

5. Save yourself the $17 in Disney parking. - I hated the one time I stayed off property so this doesn't really apply to me.

 

[WillAustin]

Since the main point of the article was to save money, it makes sense. However, you are making some compromises to accomplish that. Some people might find them significant and not necessarily worth the compromise.

 

[AngiTN]

Guess those tips work for some but I really disagree with #1. Highly.
It's not even remotely close to cafeteria food quality. She's right about the price but nothing else.
Call me nuts but I actually find the prices on their memorabilia rather reasonable, all things considered.
Highly disagree about the $1 ponchos vs. the Disney ones. Wear both and you will too
The last one would never apply to me as I would never stay off site
I tend to agree about the PH option but we have AP now so it's a moot point

My advice would be to scrimp more at home and safe a bit more before your trip vs cutting some of the corners she suggests

 

[Tardisblue]

I once forgot a poncho and ended up buying a Helly Hansen "poncho" in Norway, so I completely disregarded both steps #2 and #3. However, I wear that thing nearly every time it rains and it keeps me dry. I consider it an investment and a good story.

I'm on the fence about the food. You clearly have to eat something and we usually take a backpack with water and snacks, but I like the experience of eating at some locations within the parks. No, it's not always the best - but it's usually filling and sometimes memorable.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

1. Skip the food -- to a degree I agree. I won't pay the pricier places other than Epcot World Showcase as to me I can get better food back home. For me at the park it's about the rides. Meals will likely be a counter service place with only a minimal break from the rides as I like to have part of the day for relaxing at the pool as well.

2. Disney memorabilia -- not a huge deal for me. I might buy a tshirt on a trip but other than that nothing but gifts for friend's kids around Christmas.

3. Disposable ponchos. I don't use them. If I go on a water ride I want to get wet.

4. Park hopper -- good suggestion. I got them anyways as there will be days I want to eat at Epcot (world showcase is the only place I will go out of my way to eat) and one day I may split two parks.

5. parking -- I stay with friends so I would rather pay the $17 to park than $100 and up per day for the hotel.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

from reading the article two other takeaways:

1. Here we go again with the Disney is for little kids only nonsense.

2. I don't think this person is that much of a Disney fan. Just from the tone of the article. Could be wrong but that was my impression.

 

[soniam]

We still have the Disney ponchos that we bought on our first family trip in 2012. We being them every Disney trip and use them on other trips too. When you have had to wear a poncho almost all day for more than a day, you really appreciate something sturdy and comfortable. Plus, the park ponchos can be crammed in a bag without shredding to ribbons. It was definitely money well spent.

 

[Marionnette]

*Yawn* Nothing new to see here. It's as if she posted the question on a Disney message board and then regurgitated the responses for her article.

I thought that it would be about 5 attractions or activities that you should skip.

 

[MillauFr]

I agree that the food is pretty lousy. Disney has been making improvements but more could be done.

 

[FTM22]

How to save money at Disney

1. Skip the parks - tickets cost money
2. Skip the food - food costs money
3. Skip the merchandise costs money
4. Skip the parking - parking costs money
5. Skip the lodging - lodging costs money

Net-net of article - STAY HOME!!!!

SERIOUSLY, it's a vacation and that's what I WANT to spend money on because it's FUN! I don't have to throw money away for no reason but I enjoy the money I spend at WDW more than I do other places. I get being on a budget but this article is too much to me. JMHO.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

How to save money at Disney

1. Skip the parks - tickets cost money
2. Skip the food - food costs money
3. Skip the merchandise costs money
4. Skip the parking - parking costs money
5. Skip the lodging - lodging costs money

Net-net of article - STAY HOME!!!!

SERIOUSLY, it's a vacation and that's what I WANT to spend money on because it's FUN! I don't have to throw money away for no reason but I enjoy the money I spend at WDW more than I do other places. I get being on a budget but this article is too much to me. JMHO.

This wins the forum thread of the day. I realize going in Disney is expensive. If I wanted to save money I would stay home and watch Gilligan's Island reruns.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We still have the Disney ponchos that we bought on our first family trip in 2012. We being them every Disney trip and use them on other trips too. When you have had to wear a poncho almost all day for more than a day, you really appreciate something sturdy and comfortable. Plus, the park ponchos can be crammed in a bag without shredding to ribbons. It was definitely money well spent.

I agree, the park ponchos are good.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The food is not that bad. Yes, it's overpriced but it's a theme park.

I do agree with her about packing a few snacks and buying a case of water somewhere. I'm not one to bring sandwiches into the park though, too lazy lol.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

The food is not that bad. Yes, it's overpriced but it's a theme park.

I do agree with her about packing a few snacks and buying a case of water somewhere. I'm not one to bring sandwiches into the park though, too lazy lol.

Agreed, I think those spending $99 each person is not going there to taste their french fries. As long as the food is decent I'm happy. I posted above only place I will go for the purpose of really enjoying a meal is in the World Showcase at Epcot. Everywhere else, I just like a quick rest break to eat and then move along.

 

[Tardisblue]

This wins the forum thread of the day. I realize going in Disney is expensive. If I wanted to save money I would stay home and watch Gilligan's Island reruns.

Where are you seeing Gilligan's Island reruns?!?! I could make a vacation out of these and the Three Stooges.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Where are you seeing Gilligan's Island reruns?!?! I could make a vacation out of these and the Three Stooges.

I have alot of movies and TV shows on DVD. Have all three seasons plus the first movie on DVD. I think they are on MeTv also.

 

[Figmentmommy]

We still have the Disney ponchos that we bought on our first family trip in 2012. We being them every Disney trip and use them on other trips too. When you have had to wear a poncho almost all day for more than a day, you really appreciate something sturdy and comfortable. Plus, the park ponchos can be crammed in a bag without shredding to ribbons. It was definitely money well spent.

Agreed! We bought our Disney ponchos in 2006 and are still using them! I even loaned them to my sister's family to use once over the years! Definitely worth the initial investment.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

1. Skip the food. - Aw, boo. Dining at Disney is fun! All part of the experience, plus I honestly don't like to leave Disney once I'm there. Ruins the magic.

2. Limit your Disney memorabilia. - Agree with this one, but I always like to buy at least a few things when I travel there. Something that will remind me of the memories I've made during my trip.

3. Take disposable ponchos with you. - Best advice ever. You can get them in wall mart for like a dollar.

4. Will you really use the park hopper option? - Not much of a park hopper. I like to designate a day to a particular park, and stay there from open to close (Except AK in the summer... my god. I'll die there in the heat!) Sometimes it's nice to randomly go to HS and catch Fantasmic or something. I'm an AP, though, so I can hop as I please. I wouldn't pay for the hopper unless I was absolutely sure that I was planning on hopping.

5. Save yourself the $17 in Disney parking. - I love staying onsite, so this never applies to me, plus I get free parking anyhow from my AP

 

[scrhsa]

1. skip the food--Disney has never been about the food for me. At the park the food is just fuel so I can keep going
2. limit Disney memorabilia-- ehh, I scrimp/work hard to get my spending money. If I think it's too much I wont buy it.
3. take disposable ponchos-- no way. Tried that. It tore up before I even put it on. I'll get one in the park next time if I need it.
4. will you really use park hopper-- YES! Most every time. Usually the only time I don't park hop is on a MK day. I would only not get a park hopper if I am have to do some extreme budget cutting.
5. saving on parking--moot point. Always stay on site and use the buses. I'm on vacation, let someone else do the driving