Affording WDW by using DVC, APs, codes?

[noopy]

I was reading the thread about how people afford their trips to WDW. I'm a single mother and my daughter and I live on my teacher's salary - no other income. It took a big chunk out of my savings for us to visit WDW for the first time last week. My father was a principal, so my brothers and I went on family camping trips only. I decided that I wanted my little one to have a magical experience at WDW while she's young (6 yrs) and while she still believes so much in Cinderella and all of the fairy tales. It was a dream come true! Truly magical! It helped us to find happiness we haven't felt since her Nana (my mom) passed away in November.

Now, I really, really want to take her back before she gets older. Watching the way she looked at all of the characters and believed in them, and the excitement in her eyes when we entered the MK meant the world to me. So...I'm very interested in finding ways to afford another trip.

How do the DVC and APs help? I don't know anything about them. Also, how do discount codes work, and how do I find out about them? Sorry to ask for so much info at once. I'd greatly appreciate any help or advice.
Thank you!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

With DVC you purchase a real estate interest - it's Disney's version of a timeshare. But members don't purchase weeks, they purchase points to be used during various times of the year.

Some members do rent out reservations using their points when they can't use their points for some reason or other. So non-DVC members can stay at DVC resorts for a lot less than rack rate. It becomes a transaction between you and the member, Disney isn't involved in any way. So there is a lot of trust involved.

You can find out about DVC by checking out the DVC Board or the Rent/Trade Board.

You can find out a lot about codes and other discounts by checking out Mary's website at mousesavers.com

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

An example of codes is right now there is an offer, code BBY I think, that has value resorts for $74. When you call you mention the code to get the rate. There are similar savings at mods and deluxe resorts. AKL is $139.

I saw this offer in Sunday's paper. Here on the board is another great place to read about new codes.

With an AP, or annual pass, you get discounts for rooms, too. They say the break even point is if you will be at WDW for 8 days in a 365 day period an AP is the best bet.

We are members of DVC and love it! Having a kitchen makes breakfast and snacks a way to save money.

I was a single mom for many years. At one point, my daughter was the only kid in her class who had not been to WDW. When she was 9, my mom gave us $1000 to go. It was so wonderful!

Have fun with your sweet daughter. They grow up so fast!

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by noopy
So...I'm very interested in finding ways to afford another trip.

The best place for the info on discounts is www.mousesavers.com . All the info is there and it's all in a very easy to understand format. Go check it out!

Also, the budget board here often has some good tips. good luck!

 

[dcfromva]

noopy,

AP's can help if you use them for 8-10days. A lot of folks buy an AP and go for a week long visit to WDW. Then almost a year later (50 weeks later), they go to WDW for another visit. They get two visits out of 1 pass.

AP codes (when available) are great for getting room discounts.

DVC is really for the long haul. DVC I contracts last until 2042 and DVC II last until 2054 (Think of it as a pre-paid vacation ).
DVC can provide a cost savings to you if you are comparing it against a moderate or deluxe. You would have to take a look at it and compare it against the time of the year that you normally go to see if it would work for you. Weekend points are more expensive, so if you see yourself going over a lot of long weekends, the numbers might not work out very favorable.
With you being a teacher, however, you might be forced to go mostly at times when the point costs are high and that may be another strike against DVC.


-DC :ears:

 

[Disney Debbie]

Mousesavers also has a worksheet format where you can figure out if an AP is worth your while even if you AREN't going to be there 8 days. i.e. If your savings on your room from having the AP is enough to make the AP worth buying. Subscribe to the newsletter there and you get access to some extra pricing discounts at ticketmania as well. Lately the Disney Visa card has had rates almost as good as the AP rates.

The codes are the only way we can afford to stay in a moderate - I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on a room otherwise!

The budget board has good ideas on how to save, ways to make some money, what to plan for.

I'm sorry about your mom - and so glad you had such a wonderful trip with your DD.

 

[noopy]

Thanks to everyone! You're all so helpful! I looked at mousesavers.com and have requested a quote from the agency she highly recommends, Small World. Anyone ever used them before?
Well, it's a start! Hopefully, my DD and I will be back in the World for a 2nd visit this time next year!

 

[JudyS]

Just a note, the Swan and Dolphin offer a teacher's discount. They are still quite expensive hotels, but if you decide to stay on-site, they may be worth considering.

Are you willing to consider staying off-site, or no?

Don't forget to check DISboard's very own budget board for money saving ideas!

 

[auntpolly]

Remember that WDW does layaway! (They don't call it that - I do!)

I used to put the minimum down a year in advance and then add to it every month as I could. If you really get going and can over-pay, you'll have money to spend when you get there!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Most of us that travel to WDW often, book the room only and don't use TA we make our own PS ect. and save by doing small things like cereal & milk for breakfast in the room, bring our own snacks, sodas. But overall the discounted room codes save the most money.

My next trip the original room price was $283.21X6=$1699.26, after code $155.00X6=$930.00 savings of $769.26 that is at a deluxe...if I wanted to stay at a Value I could have gotten a room for apx $66.00 a night $66.00X6=$396.00 so the room saving are a big help.

We also have the passes for admission: You can also take advantage of the AP if you are able to schedule your trips so that you can use them twice in one use year...Your trip this year was the first of April if you could have schedule next years trip the week before you could actualy use the pass twice.

Reading the DIS you will learn many money saving tips.

 

[Blondiex46]

Originally posted by auntpolly
Remember that WDW does layaway! (They don't call it that - I do!)

I used to put the minimum down a year in advance and then add to it every month as I could. If you really get going and can over-pay, you'll have money to spend when you get there!

How do you do that???

 

[Geoff_M]

When you make a "room only" reservation, there's a 1 night deposit due up front and the balance is due at check-in. You can send payments on your own between your booking and arrival to accomplish this. Same for packages (except the full amount is due sooner... 45 days out?).

 

[noopy]

Auntpolly, how do you book a year in advance if the rates haven't been announced? I wanted to do this, but couldn't online. I kept getting the same response about the rates not being available yet. I would love to be able to make payments over a year's time (although I know the balance would have to be paid off before the trip).
Thanks!

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by Blondiex46
How do you do that???

I call and put it on my credit card -- but I'm sure they would take checks through the mail or debit cards. I call, give my reservation # and tell them that I want to put $100 or whatever more down on the reservation. I always pay it off before I get there and it <i>seems</i> more painless, anyway!

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by noopy
Auntpolly, how do you book a year in advance if the rates haven't been announced? I wanted to do this, but couldn't online. I kept getting the same response about the rates not being available yet. I would love to be able to make payments over a year's time (although I know the balance would have to be paid off before the trip).
Thanks!

I've always done it over the phone. There are toll free #s. Do you have them? I think they just make you put a night at the current rate down and I really don't know what I'm going to be paying until the rates come out.

Then starts the fun! (for me -- not for CRO!) I watch for codes and stuff like this and try to get the rate down.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

Our reasons for buying into the DVC were mainly because we have 4 young children. If we were to stay on property, we would need (at least) 2 regular hotel rooms. The Home Away From Home suites of the DVC have a laundry and kitchen and 2 bathrooms which will be a necessity in a few years with 3 girls! We had to budget about $11,000 for the initial investment and about $500 per year for maintenance fees. I'm not sure it's worth it for just 2 people unless you're definitely going to go every year. I would just keep putting a little money away each week until you can afford to go.

We keep a large jar with a picture of Mickey and Minnie in it in our kitchen for change and small bills. "Eyes on the prize, Honey!"

 

[Grumpy37]

APs are dangerous. We can't seem to stop going! Sure the parks are paid for, but then you keep going back and the resorts (even discounted), car rentals, and airfare really add up. Don't buy an AP pass without considering how tempting it is to keep going back.