Advice on booking a super cheap Disney trip?

[mrudman]

Here's the background story. Older dd will be a freshman in marching band this year, and every 4 years they go to Disney and perform in one of the MK parades. Younger dd will have this same chance in 4 years, when she is a Junior in HS. The catch is that younger dd really wants to go to Disney this year also (they go in March), and I would like to see older dd march in the parade as well. Unfortunately, my finances do not allow me to book a full vacation because I was just thrown into being a single mom as of last year. I probably need to keep it under $2000 for the entire thing for me to be able to afford this trip. I have to pay $850 for older dd (not part of the $2000), which includes everything for that 5 days. But for younger dd and I to go for the 5 days, I just don't see me being able to make it under the $2000 mark. Any hints on how I might be able to accomplish this? I would have to fly, because I live in Ohio and there's no way I'd drive that far by myself. The farthest I've ever driven on my own is 3 hours. I would definitely be open to staying offsite, but thinking I might be able to get a better deal at a value? Any help would be great, thanks!

 

[mom2my3kids]

staying offsite and buying tickets through undercover tourist..also where we spent the money was food, maybe bring a small cooler and put drinks and sandwiches and snacks..maybe buy each child a Disney gift card for extras also you can get the gift cards at sams club 142.77 for 150.00 worth...save your change everyday in a change jar, also maybe do a yard sale or sell extras on a online yard sale site for your community..If you can get any over time at work, I know I am a server so I always picked up extra shifts and put that money away..I hope you have a great time, you can do Disney on a budget you just have to watch your pennys..

 

[momto4obkids]

I think you can do it for 2000.00
I am planning a trip right now for my husband and I for 5 nights in December.
I buy discounted Target gift cards and use those to buy the Disney gift cards on their website. There is a huge thread about it here

http://disboards.com/threads/disney-gift-card-deals.2941964/page-214

But, generally I am getting the target gift cards for 10% off then when I buy the disney gift card on Targets site I get another 5% off with my target debit redcard. SO, this saves alot of money!

But even without that savings the full price cost of our trip is $2136.00 5 nights at POP, food, 2- 4 day base ticket, our flights and all the miscellaneous stuff like airport parking.

With the Target strategy it brings it under 2000.00

 

[Kristibo42]

Stay value. All Star or POP. POP is our fav. I would never stay off site. Once your there you can use any of the transportion. You can always go back the the resort for a afternoon swim or nap. My husband and I are going in September staying at POP with 4 day park hopper costing us less then $1200.

 

[Ennazus8810]

We are also in Ohio. I don't know your credit history or your thoughts on credit cards, but we are flying for free, well actually the $99.00 annual fee and $44.00 in airport fees, (family of 4) using the bonus sign up points on Chase's Southwest card. We got 50,000 points. Most flights are under 9,500 points. I know they fly out of Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Akron-Canton. Not sure where in Southern Ohio. That would make your trip definitely doable.

 

[laceyinwonderland]

Stay Value! Ive done offsite before, and after paying to rent a car and pay to park at the parks, it would eat any savings you would have made by staying offsite! Watch websites like Orbitz. When disney has % off of rooms, Orbitz will offer that, AS WELL AS their own promo code for 5, 10, 15% off. Then you can use websites like Ebates to get a few % of cash back! Single mom here too, so Im always looking for the cheapest way to get me and my girls to Disney. Ive booked Disney hotels through Orbitz 3 times now, with no hassles!!!

 

[Marionnette]

Here's the background story. Older dd will be a freshman in marching band this year, and every 4 years they go to Disney and perform in one of the MK parades. Younger dd will have this same chance in 4 years, when she is a Junior in HS. The catch is that younger dd really wants to go to Disney this year also (they go in March), and I would like to see older dd march in the parade as well. Unfortunately, my finances do not allow me to book a full vacation because I was just thrown into being a single mom as of last year. I probably need to keep it under $2000 for the entire thing for me to be able to afford this trip. I have to pay $850 for older dd (not part of the $2000), which includes everything for that 5 days. But for younger dd and I to go for the 5 days, I just don't see me being able to make it under the $2000 mark. Any hints on how I might be able to accomplish this? I would have to fly, because I live in Ohio and there's no way I'd drive that far by myself. The farthest I've ever driven on my own is 3 hours. I would definitely be open to staying offsite, but thinking I might be able to get a better deal at a value? Any help would be great, thanks!

When are they going in March 2016? Almost all of the month is either "peak" season (3/4-3/19/2016) or "Easter" season (3/20-4/2/2016). Room rates will be at their highest, ranging from $127/$162 (weekday/weekend) to $153/$186. That's before tax. Room discounts will be limited during Easter season (if offered at all). Peak season discounts won't be at their best and will also be somewhat limited. Four nights, rack rate at a Value Resort (std. location) the first week of March (just using those dates as an example) would run you just north of $600 with tax. It would be less if you are able to get a discount.

Airfare will also be pretty high during that period because it is a highly-traveled time period (spring break). Use a website like Kayak to price airfare now. It will give you a ballpark number to shoot for.

Tickets? Well, UT sells a 3-day base ticket for just under $300 per adult. Unfortunately, tickets with fewer days, and no add-ons like hopping, are not deeply discounted. And we can definitely expect another price increase next February, if not sooner. So, you're looking at ~$600 for tickets, at the minimum.

Food and souvenirs can be as cheap or as lavish as your budget permits.

My initial feeling was that $2K would be a little low for staying onsite but after looking at the numbers, I think that it would be possible to pull it off IF:

• You have the funds available to pull the trigger on airfare when the right price becomes available.
• You buy your park tickets before there's another price increase.
• You are able to snag a room discount.
• You are very frugal with your dining choices AND either limit souvenirs to just one small item, or nothing at all.

 

[Monykalyn]

Consider carpooling with another family/single parent who may be going to see their child March? Will save on airline tickets and gas- also if car is available opens up offsite venues (Split cost of a condo). But orbitz or cheap tickets can save you lots too. Example last year cheap tickets did a buy3 get 2 free on PH tickets- ?think it was $367- went through ebates and got ~$25 per ticket dad back at that time. Booked onsite room with orbitz code (again through ebates portal) 15% off + spring discount. Hopefully things will work out so you can see daughter march!

 

[mrudman]

Thanks everyone for all the help! I'm going to be doing some major researching in the next few days to see what kind of cost I can come up with. All your suggestions have really helped in pointing me in the right direction. I feel if I can somehow come up with decently priced airfare and a decent priced hotel, it might be doable. My daughter would be on her own to buy any souvenirs, so that wouldn't have to play into the budget much. And as far as food goes, neither of us are huge eaters.. could probably easily share meals as we go, and would probably just plan on mostly counter service to save costs. She knows this trip would be a much more laid-back type than we've taken in the past (we were there 2 years ago). Just wish the actual park tickets weren't so expensive.. I know that's gonna be a budget-killer with having to buy those. The trip is going to be March 17-21st, so unfortunately it's going to be a very high hotel rate time too. But anyway, I really do appreciate all the thoughts and maybe I can come up with some deals.

 

[cheerky]

Can you buy tickets through marching band? My dd competed dance at disney last May and I was able to purchase a three day hopper ticket as an event spectator for $220. I booked Mystic Dunes condo via bookit.com for 5 nts for $265. We flew non-stop from Raleigh on Delta booked via orbitz for $440 roundtrip for the both of us. I rented a car at MCO, booked on hotwire for $120. I could have got a lesser rate but I didn't jump on it in time.

 

[Bete]

You have time to get a sale for airfare. Watch it religiously. Also, I would tell your daughter that her birthday and Christmas gifts are the trip.

You have time yet to do a garage or yard sale to earn some income. Can your daughter babysit and earn some monies?

You can cut back on day to day expenses by buying generic and staying away from brands. Turn back the thermostat a little and save some on utilities. Do the same with electricity. Go to lower wattage bulbs, for example. Try to be in same room together; so, you don't run electricity in multiple rooms.

Eat more cheaply and at home. Use rice and noodles and make a lot of casseroles to stretch the meat. Eat more pasta dishes.

Being frugal over the next half year could make the trip a dream come true.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

My DD's high school softball team goes to WDW every other year. The team raises money for two solid years to get the cost down for the girls. The coach doesn't want any team member not to go due to finances. Parents are also able to take advantage of the group rate for tickets, room and meal plan. Parents have to pay the full discounted rate though, no fundraising money goes towards parents' packages. DD's cost for 4 nights at All Star Sports (4 girls to a room), QS Dining Plan, 3 day park hoppers, 3 games plus practices at ESPN Wild World of Sports, plus the bus to WDW from Virginia and back was $295 total. My discounted price for the exact same thing (except I shared a room with only one other mom) was $950 total. Check with your DD's band director. You might be able to get in on the band's group rate for your package. It is worth asking!

ETA: DD's trip was during Easter Week, so peak pricing time. The group discount was nice.

 

[ah10is]

My 2 cents.....

1. Look at booking through Orbitz. There is always a 15% discount code that can be applied to the already discounted room rate Disney is offering. I booked Pop for $306 for 4 nights for Labor day weekend!

2. Look at getting into Perk TV and Swagbucks (whole threads on these on this board). You can earn Target gift cards and then turn those into Disney gift Cards that can help pay for food while at Disney. If you start now, and your trip isn't until March you can easily get several hundred dollars worth of gift cards! I earned enough to pay for most of my trip back in May! 8 nights, 7 days at AKL with Park hopper & water park ticket and all food!

3. Start looking at airfare now. Normally Tuesdays & Wednesdays are the cheaper days of the week to book. I'd book now if you can find a flight that is in your price range.

Hope that helps!

 

[pklein09]

Is is possible to go for one less day than the band trip? I'm sure seeing your daughter march down Main Street is the real draw. Could you find out what day that occurs and plan around it? Good luck! My older three kids have already done that trip, and I couldn't make any of them. I'm hoping I'll see the youngest one march...which will be in 4 years.

 

[scrapquitler]

Thanks everyone for all the help! I'm going to be doing some major researching in the next few days to see what kind of cost I can come up with. All your suggestions have really helped in pointing me in the right direction. I feel if I can somehow come up with decently priced airfare and a decent priced hotel, it might be doable. My daughter would be on her own to buy any souvenirs, so that wouldn't have to play into the budget much. And as far as food goes, neither of us are huge eaters.. could probably easily share meals as we go, and would probably just plan on mostly counter service to save costs. She knows this trip would be a much more laid-back type than we've taken in the past (we were there 2 years ago). Just wish the actual park tickets weren't so expensive.. I know that's gonna be a budget-killer with having to buy those. The trip is going to be March 17-21st, so unfortunately it's going to be a very high hotel rate time too. But anyway, I really do appreciate all the thoughts and maybe I can come up with some deals.

can your DD ask for $$ for the trip, or tickets for the trip for birthday/Christmas gifts between now and then? If she got $200 in gifts from relatives, that would help a bunch.

And remember, any days you aren't at home, you won't need to budget grocery money, so maybe you can shift some of your regular grocery budget toward the trip?

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

The airfare during the Peak season may be the deal breaker. Maybe check train and that could be a part of the vacation and using airfare back, or visa versa. Kids have a deep cut price on Amtrak and AAA discount is low, if this is an option. You can take a taxi or Uber to the hotel. If you can fly a smaller airport to Sanford the airfare will be much less, but still high during this time.
I've done it for $2000 for two of us, but stayed off site and got a rental for a great savings the week after kids went back to school.

Will the kids going have a discount for rooms you could use? Maybe a close parent will want to go half on the room with you? You can also take the ex back for higher support if he has had an increase in income or ask him to help with dd ticket.
Just thinking out loud for ideas.

My sister took her ex and he split the cost, but that was a unique dynamic with a profoundly disabled child.

 

[LovesTimone]

My DD was in Color Guard for 4 years, Senior year she was Captain for her team, I was team mom for 4 years. We travel and performed with the band. Normally there is some type of offer that goes with the invitation to perform. I would find out about being a chaperon... possibly sharing a room with another mom and DD. This would help with the cost of the room some savings. I know that one year the discount was for Allstars Music and DD and I shared with 2 other moms and DD's in a family suite which much more affordable, and gave more room.

Could you just go with older DD and share a room.. Just the 2 of you for some special time. Make sure younger DD knows that it will be just the 2 of you when its her turn to go. This will be a savings of air fare, park ticket, food and such.. Also maybe you could share a room with another mom and DD.

Also I would be letting Dad know what his part$$$ is for this trip. Child support is for daily living, not the extras so don't let him pull that on you. You could tell him what his half is for both girls going is to cost. Make sure to give him a break down of the cost. I did this with my DD's Dad and him seeing it in black and white helped.

Also what fundraiser are the band going to have to help with the cost of going? Spaghetti dinner was always our best fund raiser, with that we would sell whole, half and by the slice desserts. Color Guard would also have a silent auctions... Baskets which were always a good money maker.

 

[Marionnette]

Also I would be letting Dad know what his part$$$ is for this trip. Child support is for daily living, not the extras so don't let him pull that on you. You could tell him what his half is for both girls going is to cost. Make sure to give him a break down of the cost. I did this with my DD's Dad and him seeing it in black and white helped.

That's not the case in every state. Many states calculate extracurriculars and occasional spending (such as back to school costs and field trips) into the child support amount paid by the non-custodial parent. Going after the dad for more child support (as a PP suggested) or demanding that he pay up "his part$$$" could poison the well. I've seen it happen with my own brother, who has a contentious relationship with his ex. Prior to her taking him back to court for additional child support two years ago, he often gave money to her for the kids' additional expenses whenever she expressed a need. Once she pulled the "I'm taking you to court for more support", all of that stopped. He will still take his daughter shopping for clothing and school supplies throughout the year. And he even gave the child a Disney GC for spending money when her mother took her to Disney last month. But he won't give an extra dime directly to the ex anymore and he is nowhere near as generous with the kids as he once was, preferring to put money aside for the kids' college expenses instead.

OP, I know nothing about what brought you to single parent status. For all any of us know, you may be a widow and not an ex-wife. Just keep in mind that if you are in the latter situation, you will be fare much better to ask him for help with the costs for DD#1 (it's her school trip, after all) but do not demand help. And as far as the cost of your mini-vacation, that's a choice that you're making. He may offer to help with DD#2's expenses but he doesn't have to pay for it.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I think the idea of finding another mom to split the room with is a good one. Even better if there is another mom with a 12 year old daughter.

Also, if you are getting a tax refund, you could file your taxes in January, if you don't have plans for that money. I always had to pay when I was married, but after the divorce, I get a little back, which is nice.

The cheapest trip DD and I did was by staying off-site. We took advantage of one of the SkyAuction deals for a condo for a week for under $300. We rented a car to drive down (but we're closer than you are). When we arrived, I cooked two breakfast casseroles, and that was breakfast for the week. DD saved up allowances and birthday money for her spending money. We did counter service for lunch and dinner. It was really a great trip, even though it was a little more work for me.

 

[teller80]

I'm just chiming in to say IT'S WORTH IT! I was the one who did not want to spend the money to go see our first child march, but hubby really wanted us to go so we did. Boy was he right, it was absolutely wonderful watching her march down Main Street! Isn't the band doing fundraisers to offset the $850? Could you make and sell something (nut roll, pierogies) around the holidays? Could your two kids cut coupons, eat out less, babysit... something to help?