Advice for planning our trip this year?

[ilusionista]

Okay, so the economy in Argentina (where I come from) is kinda bad right now, but there's still a small chance we may travel to Disney for the third time if planned properly! Now, most of you know way more about what's best than me, so I need a bit of advice to make the best out of our money and make our dream come true once more!

The other times we didn't stay at Disney World Hotels, we chose Staybridge Suites, cause we could buy food at the supermarket and cook it and save money with that, also my parents didn't like the cheap Disney hotels much. But this time we're debating about staying at Disney to save on park tickets and stuff.

Questions I have:

1) Is it cheaper to stay at DW Hotels than outside the park? I mean overall, food, tickets, transport, etc. What's better?

2) My parents don't want to go to the parks everyday this time. They'd rather go do some recreation downtown or at other options DW Resorts offers them. Me and my siblings would like to go everyday though. Is it possible to stay at DW and tell them my parents want to pay for only some tickets and the rest of us pay for everyday? Or when you stay at DW, you all end up paying for all the days you stay?

3) Considering this last point, would it be better to stay outside the park and buy the tickets on our own?

4) Is it expensive to just eat DW food if we choose to stay at the parks?

5) If we want to go to both Universal Parks too, how much time should we stay?

6) Just in case anyone knows about Universal Studios, are the crowds in the old Harry Potter park still as high as before? Or is everyone going to the new expansion?

Our party consists of my parents, me age 20, my sister of 18 and my brother of 15.

Thank you!

 

[ilusionista]

anyone? at least one of the questions?

 

[wendy1974]

You don't need to buy any park tickets if you don't want to...even staying at a Disney Resort. They don't require you buy park tickets. You can also buy the amount of days you want and you don't have to use all of them. As far as food, it's going to be more expensive on property. There are links on the main page of The Dis to menus in the resorts and parks so you can get an idea of exact prices.

 

[Elmo888]

Here's a few things to go on...

1. Generally it is less expensive to stay off site, but you really have to crunch the numbers. If you can get a rental car for a low price and eat off site / in your hotel room and bring snacks to the park, you could save some money. It is a trade off, though. It is a different vacation than staying in a Disney resort.
2. If you don't pay for a package, you could get different tickets for your parents. If you have a room only reservation at a Disney resort, you could buy different tickets for your parents.
3. You can book room only at a Disney resort or off site and still buy tickets with different numbers of days. It doesn't make a difference.
4. Yes, DW dining is generally more expensive than off site. There are grocery delivery services that could save money on snacks and breakfast if you choose to not rent a car. And DW meals are usually large servings, so sharing meals might be an option.

I can't give suggestions for Universal...I haven't been!

Good luck!

 

[ilusionista]

Here's a few things to go on...

1. Generally it is less expensive to stay off site, but you really have to crunch the numbers. If you can get a rental car for a low price and eat off site / in your hotel room and bring snacks to the park, you could save some money. It is a trade off, though. It is a different vacation than staying in a Disney resort.
2. If you don't pay for a package, you could get different tickets for your parents. If you have a room only reservation at a Disney resort, you could buy different tickets for your parents.
3. You can book room only at a Disney resort or off site and still buy tickets with different numbers of days. It doesn't make a difference.
4. Yes, DW dining is generally more expensive than off site. There are grocery delivery services that could save money on snacks and breakfast if you choose to not rent a car. And DW meals are usually large servings, so sharing meals might be an option.

I can't give suggestions for Universal...I haven't been!

Good luck!

But I mean, if I stay on site, are the tickets cheaper than if I bought them off site on my own?

 

[Mikie]

1) generally it is cheaper to stay off site
2) if you stay on site, stay in the same room AND buy your tickets through disney, you all must buy the same type of ticket (number of days, hopper option or not) if you're in the same room and want to get around this, you can buy the least amount of days ahead of time for everyone and wait until you are there to upgrade only those people who want extra days
3) even if you stay on site, you can buy tickets through other sources, like Undercover tourist. . . I don't know if there are any different rules for tern atonal travelers
4) disney food is expensive compared to a comparable meal at home or in Orlando outside of the parks
5) I haven't been to Universal, but lots of folks seem to say one day per park is good there.

Buying your tickets through disney is not a discount compared to other places. In fact, some other otlets offer a slight discount better than disney directly. Generally, you won't find any huge discounts on tickets anywhere. Checking the "special offers" on Disney's site tells you any deals they may have during your travel dates - sometimes a discount off the room only, sometimes getting the dining plan for free with a full price hotel room + tickets, etc.

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[JadeQ]

Okay, so the economy in Argentina (where I come from) is kinda bad right now, but there's still a small chance we may travel to Disney for the third time if planned properly! Now, most of you know way more about what's best than me, so I need a bit of advice to make the best out of our money and make our dream come true once more!

The other times we didn't stay at Disney World Hotels, we chose Staybridge Suites, cause we could buy food at the supermarket and cook it and save money with that, also my parents didn't like the cheap Disney hotels much. But this time we're debating about staying at Disney to save on park tickets and stuff.

Questions I have:

1) Is it cheaper to stay at DW Hotels than outside the park? I mean overall, food, tickets, transport, etc. What's better?

2) My parents don't want to go to the parks everyday this time. They'd rather go do some recreation downtown or at other options DW Resorts offers them. Me and my siblings would like to go everyday though. Is it possible to stay at DW and tell them my parents want to pay for only some tickets and the rest of us pay for everyday? Or when you stay at DW, you all end up paying for all the days you stay?

3) Considering this last point, would it be better to stay outside the park and buy the tickets on our own?

4) Is it expensive to just eat DW food if we choose to stay at the parks?

5) If we want to go to both Universal Parks too, how much time should we stay?

6) Just in case anyone knows about Universal Studios, are the crowds in the old Harry Potter park still as high as before? Or is everyone going to the new expansion?

Our party consists of my parents, me age 20, my sister of 18 and my brother of 15.

Thank you!

3) Considering this last point, would it be better to stay outside the park and buy the tickets on our own?

If your parents will not go to park with you, staying onsite will give you autonomy to come & go using Disney transportation.
The tickets will cost you the same , Disney doesn,'t sell cheap tickets for onsite guests.

4) Is it expensive to just eat DW food if we choose to stay at the parks?

Food in the parks is always pricey, but you can check the menus before and find places that you'll have a decent meal for a good value . Try checking :
http://allears.net/dining/menu


5) If we want to go to both Universal Parks too, how much time should we stay?

We love USF & IoA parks and also Bush Gardens (great for people of your age who likes thrill rides ans coasters) and Sea World .

There is an "Orlando Flex Ticket Plus" wich gives you 14 days unlimited to these parks, check online.

But if you want only Universal Parks, you should buy park-to-park tickets to use the Hogwarts Express. And at least 3 day to enjoy all the attractions and shows, watch every detail of Harry Potter areas, and re-ride your favorite attractions.

6) Just in case anyone knows about Universal Studios, are the crowds in the old Harry Potter park still as high as before? Or is everyone going to the new expansion?

The crowds are spread but two attractions still have long waits : The Forbidden Journey & Escape from Gringots.

Hope this helps

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would post this on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board as well. Lots of offsite information there. Also try the Universal Parks board for the Universal information.

Happy planning!

 

[Luanne12]

I am going to Disney in Dec I am so excited I am also looking for ways to save some bucks any ideas. Thanks

 

[Angel Ariel]

But I mean, if I stay on site, are the tickets cheaper than if I bought them off site on my own?

There are not any ticket discounts for staying onsite that I am aware of