Any suggestions for a couple of regulars?

[MattyAndKyle]

Hi All:

My partner and I are going to WDW for our annual trip from January the 1st to the 9th this year. This is usually a pretty extravagant trip for us (at least by our standards). However, we went from me making really decent money and my partner making good money in full time positions to me making no money and my partner only working 1/2 time when we moved to Ann Arbor for me to go to graduate school. In anticipation of this, we did buy an aftermarket DVC membership that gives us plenty of points for our trip every January. However, we are in need of some ideas. A lot of what we did in previous trips involved spending extra money (spa appointments, a day at Universal, Discovery Cove, Sea World, etc.). This time around we're on a student budget--a very different situation.

Since we've been to the park many times, we're looking for things to do that might be unique or different, but not necessarily some of the "behind the scenes" tours that cost a boatload of cash to do. We don't really drink alcohol, but that doesn't mean we don't enjoy adult environments (for example, Jellyrolls) where alcohol is served.

Any suggestions that you might have would be greatly appreciated! Again, we are looking for ways to take advantage of things that are in the park or on the WDW property that aren't extremely costly. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Matty and Kyle

 

[PrincessRora]

I'm a grad student as well, and my fiance and I went to Disney for a weekend this past Nov. We were on a really tight, budget, so we didn't do anything that costs a lot more money. We did do a $45 half hour carriage ride around the Fort Wilderness resort which was wonderful. They also do this at the Port Orleans. However, my favorite thing that we did was pull up to lounge chairs on the beach of the polynesian resort and watch wishes. They pipe in the music, but it's really quiet. You have an excellent view of the fireworks, and it's a much different feeling than watching it in the park surrounded by wall to wall people. Even on non-crowded days, with everyone in one place watching wishes, it can get a little cramped. There were other people around, but not quite as many. It didn't cost anything, and was just a nice thing to do. We took our resort bus to the MK, then hopped the monorail to the poly.

 

[LindaBabe]

I'm on a serious budget next trip - staying in a value studio at AKL. Decided the only sit down meals would be the ones with friends. I just bought a crock pot for $8. from Lowes, and the days I don't have adrs with others, I'll be crock potting dinner. Breakfast will obviously be in the room, and some lunches as well.

For part of my trip, my ap will be expired, and i'm not renewing. For those days, I'm doing off property stuff with low or no admission fees - Liu gardens, the art museum, Ikea (we don't have one), Bok tower, volunteering at Give Kids the World. I'll be touring the resorts, taking the free tours in WL and AKL, playing miniature golf, going to see shows like pianoman Bob at POR, riding the ferries, hiking in Ft Wilderness . . .

 

[JDUCKY]

Check out a movie on the beach at the Beach Club. I think they typically start around 8pm. Was a bit chilly/breezy the other night when my DD and I were there. Usually plenty of chairs left so pull up a couple and enjoy!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Check out a movie on the beach at the Beach Club. I think they typically start around 8pm. Was a bit chilly/breezy the other night when my DD and I were there. Usually plenty of chairs left so pull up a couple and enjoy!

I agree! I love the movies on the beach there.
Another fun thing to do is go to Beaches and Cream and order a Kitchen Sink Sundae (gotta have a bit of a sweet tooth for this one). DH and I have done this a couple times. It cost about $22, about the same as a CS meal for two. They blink the lights,make a big announcement and everyone applauds. So even if you can't finish it, where else can you have that much fun at mealtime for that little money for two?