AP Story: Penny-pinchers guide to Disney on a dime

[xmlguy]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30849713/

 

[preschoolmom]

Thanks! I liked it!

It was nice to read an article that emphasized staying off-site, and eating for a reasonable amount.

 

[xmlguy]

You're welcome!

I was shocked reading that it's "$31 a day to rent a double stroller."

I can get a clean, nice hotel room for less than that, with fridge and kitchen. Yikes! I can even eat well for a week on that, with home cooking.

How Disney can get away with charging "$43 a night" for a tent campsite, when I can get room for that, is beyond my comprehension. You are renting a pad of dirt for $43/night. I get a bed, private bath, running water, AC+heat, phone, electricity, internet, TV, carpet, floors, ceiling, walls, windows, fridge, kitchen, lights, fan, ice, and more. And I pay $13-$18+tax less a night. Must be that magic Disney dirt.

 

[preschoolmom]

How do you find such cheap hotel rooms?

 

[MKOATEYW]

by preschoolmom "How do you find such cheap hotel rooms?"

Check out Priceline during the off season you can often get a 2 star offsite for $35~40 per night.

 

[a1tinkfans]

But that is the difference, it is off site
and
2 stars........even Disney campground is Rated better than that....

so, NO FREE transport from airport
NO FREE DINE opportunity
NO Extra Magical Hours
NO Disney ambiance/Magic
NO free transport back to airport
No free Disney transport thru out all locations, boats, buses, monorails
then....your
PARKING fees
Gas costs
Transport and time back and forth from off site to parks

I think that as long as people KNOW what to expect, and realize that it is a VERY different experience staying onsite versus offsite, it is a way for some to get to Disney where they otherwise would not be able to afford it and that is good.

Options are always good, but the way they presented it......made it sound, just jump in your car and go eat outside???....thats getting to your car (atleast 15 minutes) then leaving the Disney grounds (another 10 minutes) then going to some place to eat (even 10-15 minutes away) then eating, okay lets say 30 minutes, then returning to a park, re-parking......My, that is a LOT of time and effort to grab a bite to eat, never mind dragging kids and gasoline.???.......The "cost" of that energy and time is HUGE! I don't want to be out of the park that long

I guess the point was that there is a way to cut costs, but it seems like way too much work to me I think if I was worrying about the $9 for ice cream I spent or proud that THAT was all I spent for a VACATION, ...I would not have gone because it means I could not afford the trip!

I am glad there are OPTIONS regarding prices at the resorts and hope people REALLY take the time to figure out their "big picture" because you CAN save ON SITE too, you just have to plan it more........
Have a wonderful trip everyone!!!

 

[VAN]

I always have to laugh about these articles written about doing Disney on a dime. It is obvious that these writers are ABSOLUTELY clueless!!!

 

[extremesoccermom]

For our family the time is also a BIG factor when choosing a hotel. We stayed offsite twice and we really didn't like it but my mom paid for a 2 bedroom suite so it was nice.
We don't cook on vacation so we are still going out to eat for most of our meals. The price of the rental car usually negates the "cheaper" offsite room.
We love being able to go back to the resort for a mid day swim or nap then staying out until 2 or 3 in the morning enjoying MK durning evening magical hours!
I have priced it out before and we still come back to onsite as the best deal for us. But we don't really do any of the other attactions in Orlando. When we did stay offsite we went to Universal and SeaWorld but they just weren't as enjoyable as Disney.
Besides with the deals at Disney right now I think they might be better.
Over spring break DD14 and I went to WDW using the buy 4 nights get 3 free + $200.00 GC. We already had AP from last Oct but we had to buy a one day ticket to get the package for $754.00 at POPCentury. We brought breakfast food and used the GC for the rest of our food. Our transportation was the same wether we stayed onsite or not because we drove this time. I still have our 2 one day tickets to use in the future.

 

[preschoolmom]

I always have to laugh about these articles written about doing Disney on a dime. It is obvious that these writers are ABSOLUTELY clueless!!!

How were the writers of this article clueless?

It sounds like the people got a two bedroom condo off-site, they made their meals (and carried sandwiches and snacks in a backpack), and did 5 park days.

What about that is clueless? Do you have to spend a fortune to have a good Disney trip, or can you enjoy the attractions even if you are sleeping 15 minutes away and eating whatever you would normally eat at home?

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I don't really agree with these types of articles right now with the deals that WDW are running on their own. Yes, they're great ideas when the economy is booming and WDW over charges on everything and doesn't run deals.

But, we're going for 10 nights (at POP!), free dining plan (that's definitely enough food for us since we'll be there 10 nights and can use our credits as we please), and 7 day park hopper tickets for $1,500.00; when you add in parking, gas for your car (or, even renting a car if the off-sites do not provide a shuttel), and price of food (that you may have to take the time and effort to prepare in your suite off-site, that's not vacation to me because I have to do that at home)..it all seems to be about the same price to me.

Just my 2cents..

 

[CarolA]

But that is the difference, it is off site
and
2 stars........even Disney campground is Rated better than that....

so, NO FREE transport from airport
NO FREE DINE opportunity
NO Extra Magical Hours
NO Disney ambiance/Magic
NO free transport back to airport
No free Disney transport thru out all locations, boats, buses, monorails
then....your
PARKING fees
Gas costs
Transport and time back and forth from off site to parks

I think that as long as people KNOW what to expect, and realize that it is a VERY different experience staying onsite versus offsite, it is a way for some to get to Disney where they otherwise would not be able to afford it and that is good.

Options are always good, but the way they presented it......made it sound, just jump in your car and go eat outside???....thats getting to your car (atleast 15 minutes) then leaving the Disney grounds (another 10 minutes) then going to some place to eat (even 10-15 minutes away) then eating, okay lets say 30 minutes, then returning to a park, re-parking......My, that is a LOT of time and effort to grab a bite to eat, never mind dragging kids and gasoline.???.......The "cost" of that energy and time is HUGE! I don't want to be out of the park that long

I guess the point was that there is a way to cut costs, but it seems like way too much work to me I think if I was worrying about the $9 for ice cream I spent or proud that THAT was all I spent for a VACATION, ...I would not have gone because it means I could not afford the trip!

I am glad there are OPTIONS regarding prices at the resorts and hope people REALLY take the time to figure out their "big picture" because you CAN save ON SITE too, you just have to plan it more........
Have a wonderful trip everyone!!!

Disney's camp sites are rated higher then two stars? REALLY? Thier top tier hotels are ONLY 3 stars by several independent rating agencies!!!!! I somehow doubt the campgrounds are that highly rated LOL!

LOL!

.

So that "value" is a what? Probably a 2 star! (Expedia ranks it 2.5 stars)


So let's compare a Disney "Value" to your local Marriott Fairfield Inn at Lake Buena Vista (which Expedia also ranks 2.5 stars)

1. Interior Corridordors Disney - NO, Fairfield Yes
2. Fridge in room. Disney PAY, Fairfield FREE (And I think they have microwaves too)
3. Food Court. Both have. Fairfield has Pizza Hut
4. Free Breakfast. Well if pay rack rate and get "free" dining Disney will allow you to use one of your meals for breakfast. Fairfield - Always
5. Loyalty Progrm. Disney Fairfield. I just spent two nights FREE at a 4 star hotel in Paris on the Marriott program.
6. Check in. Checked into both. Fairfield lines were shorter
7. Airport transportation. Fairfield PAY. Disney Free
8. Transportation to parks. Both have Disney's is better
9. Room size. Didn't measure but my Fairfield room seemed bigger (and with interior corridors it was quiter!)
10. Theme Disney wins hands down.
11. Discount availablity. Fairfield lots of public discounts. Disney - hope they send you a pin
12. Internet Access Disney $10 per 24 hours. Fairfield FREE!
13. King beds. Fairfield FREE, Disney $10 a day!

Price for a random day in June Fairfield $79, All Star Movies $114 or $140 for a "preferred room" (No discounts on either one used)

Savings on room alone $245 for a 7 night stay. Parking cost at Disney $84. Net savings (not including cheaper meals off site) IF you were already renting a car $161. And if you compare the nicer hotels the differences and prices get more interesting. For the same random night Boardwalk Inn standard view was $380 rack with a "special" rate of $279. Buena Vista Palace had a special rate of $89, Marriott World Center had a special rate of $179 or $209 with "free" breakfast (at least they are honest about it "free" costs more LOL!) Embassy Suites with Free breakfast, suite and evening reception $119.

Disney's theming and location are getting too costly IMHO!




Disney deals consist of "we marked our product WAY up over market value so we could give you a sale" If your local grocery did this you would SCREAM and threaten never to go back, but it's Disney where when it comes to resorts the rules are "expect less, pay more" (I don't blame them folks keep paying what Disney wants, but don't call folks who don't do it "clueless")

I have done both since I generally rent a car either way. Commute time from Lake Buena Vista to most parks is either less or the same as from a value.....However, in the past few years I can't justify Disney pricing. I travel a lot and Disney's hotel quality just doesn't measure up to thier pricing

 

[prncess674]

I can't justify Disney pricing. I travel a lot and Disney's hotel quality just doesn't measure up to thier pricing

I have pretty high hotel standards too, and find WDW hotels to be just OK by typical hotel standards. The "Deluxe" hotel category barely reaches my standards for the most basic Hilton or Sheraton. For the prices WDW is charging, they need to offer a whole lot more.

Considering the price difference I could extend my trip two or three days and still make up the difference of parking, car rental and the fact that I don't have EMH.

We love WDW hotels but when the difference between a Disney Deluxe and the Swan/Dolphin is almost $200 a night we will always choose the S/D. I am an SPG platinum and get access to the S/D club level I will choose the S/D everytime. Even if I had to pay for the S/D club level I still come out ahead.

 

[DVCBELLE]

Well - I think her article loses all credibility when she said that she used old tickets. To me that can be a mjor chunk of the trip and her fantastic money saving idea was to go on your birthday? That saves you $75 and ONLY if it is on the first day of your trip.

I hate these kind of articles b/c I don't think they really show people that to do Disney right and have the best experience and save money that you really need to do your research.

 

[xmlguy]

But that is the difference, it is off site
and
2 stars........even Disney campground is Rated better than that....

so, NO FREE transport from airport
NO FREE DINE opportunity
NO Extra Magical Hours
NO Disney ambiance/Magic
NO free transport back to airport
No free Disney transport thru out all locations, boats, buses, monorails
then....your
PARKING fees
Gas costs
Transport and time back and forth from off site to parks

I think that as long as people KNOW what to expect, and realize that it is a VERY different experience staying onsite versus offsite, it is a way for some to get to Disney where they otherwise would not be able to afford it and that is good.

Options are always good, but the way they presented it......made it sound, just jump in your car and go eat outside???....thats getting to your car (atleast 15 minutes) then leaving the Disney grounds (another 10 minutes) then going to some place to eat (even 10-15 minutes away) then eating, okay lets say 30 minutes, then returning to a park, re-parking......My, that is a LOT of time and effort to grab a bite to eat, never mind dragging kids and gasoline.???.......The "cost" of that energy and time is HUGE! I don't want to be out of the park that long

I guess the point was that there is a way to cut costs, but it seems like way too much work to me I think if I was worrying about the $9 for ice cream I spent or proud that THAT was all I spent for a VACATION, ...I would not have gone because it means I could not afford the trip!

I am glad there are OPTIONS regarding prices at the resorts and hope people REALLY take the time to figure out their "big picture" because you CAN save ON SITE too, you just have to plan it more........
Have a wonderful trip everyone!!!

Disney has NO FREE transport from airport. You pay through an overpriced daily room rate.

Disney has NO FREE DINE opportunity - You pay through an overpriced daily room rate for overpriced food with overpriced tips.

There are NO Extra Magical Hours - It's magical to avoid parks with Magical Hours. I have an annual pass where I make my own magical hours - and I get about 8 times more hours than an average family for less than what they pay.

I get all the Disney ambiance/Magic I want inside the parks. By the way, you may often find me sitting in the lobby of your hotel enjoying the Disney magic for free. In fact, I probably enjoy your hotels more than you do. I just don't need to pay your room rate to do it.

There is NO free transport back to airport. See above.
There is No free Disney transport thru out all locations, boats, buses, monorails.

You couldn't pay me enough to take the Disney CattleCoaches. I can ride the monorails and boats, and I do, without spending a dime on overpriced rooms.

I pay no PARKING fees, it is included in my annual pass.
I pay less in "Gas costs" for a month at WDW than a typical family pays for tip alone for one of their "free meals" at a TS location.
Having a car at WDW means FREEDOM. I can leave when I want, I never wait in a line, I never have to share my ride with strangers, I get my music, in my A/C, with people/family/friends I like. I usually am parked right up front of the park - because I mostly go on rides after rope drop, so I have a very short walk to the car. When I return in the evening there's plenty of parking up close. It has always been more convenient parking than using Disney transport, in the last 15 years I've been going there.


If we leave the park gate at the same time, I'm usually in my off-property room in 15 minutes or less, while you're still in line or in Disney Transport. I've stayed at many Disney properties in the past. I discovered that all the magic you talk about is an illusion. I get better rooms, food I like, more convenient transport (my own car), at a tiny fraction of the price that people usually pay for the "cheapest value WDW properties".

And I don't even need to use priceline to do it. I can book a room right now for $25/night with fridge and kitchen, for a week, in a clean, comfortable hotel.

You may be able to find on-site hotels that cost less than they normally do, but there are none that are comparable in price to what I easily find off-site.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I am cheap, but not that cheap. I will NEVER stay offsite, just too much trouble, and by the time you add in parking, I don't see the savings. The Value resorts are nicer than some 3-4 star hotels I have stayed in.

I go to WDW so I can eat the food and get away from the regular fast food joints. I crave WDW food between visits.

We buy AP's so we can get room savings and as many times as we go each year, it just makes sense and we are just an average family, we don't make alot of money, but we prefer to spend our money on Disney.

We are going in Sept with free dining for 3 nights for just over $600 and again with free dining in Dec during a portion of the peak holiday prices for 6 nights for less than $1000 and it is all well spent to me.

I would much rather have the memories of my Disney trips than any dust catcher that I could spend my money on. But it is all a matter of opinion.

Suzanne

 

[xmlguy]

How do you find such cheap hotel rooms?

I look hard. Seriously. I search harder for rooms than anybody I know. That's because it pays off for me to get the best room for the lowest prices, since when I go, I stay for longer than average families.

BiddingForTravel.com is one resource I use for PriceLine bidding. But it isn't the only resource I use. I don't always rely on PriceLine. I also book rooms directly, often at hotels that aren't listed on the popular websites - because these websites (Expedia,Travelocity,Orbitz) have listing/booking fees.

It actually isn't hard to find rooms for under $35/night near Disney. It's harder to find clean, safe, comfortable rooms for that price, since there are so many fleabag hotels in Kissimmee. It's hard to weed out the bad ones from the good ones. That's where experience helps, since it's difficult to judge from other peoples reviews. Lots of people are idiots, and they love to give bad reviews. It's a fine line between legitimate problems and unreasonable expectations. Not all complaints are equal.

 

[xmlguy]

I am cheap, but not that cheap. I will NEVER stay offsite, just too much trouble, and by the time you add in parking, I don't see the savings. The Value resorts are nicer than some 3-4 star hotels I have stayed in.

I go to WDW so I can eat the food and get away from the regular fast food joints. I crave WDW food between visits.

We buy AP's so we can get room savings and as many times as we go each year, it just makes sense and we are just an average family, we don't make alot of money, but we prefer to spend our money on Disney.

We are going in Sept with free dining for 3 nights for just over $600 and again with free dining in Dec during a portion of the peak holiday prices for 6 nights for less than $1000 and it is all well spent to me.

I would much rather have the memories of my Disney trips than any dust catcher that I could spend my money on. But it is all a matter of opinion.

Are you confused? APs include parking.

I stay in 1*'s that are nicer than 3.5*. Star ratings don't accurately reflect room quality - they represent hotel services offered - such as on-site restaurants and room service (regardless of the quality or value of those services). But I know a cheap motel with fancy facade when I see it - and it starts with POP or ALL.

 

[JuneChickie]

OP thanks for sharing the article , it has alot of great links for just looking around and finding other information that makes for great reading.

I know food cost more at disney and maybe some of the rooms are not all that great
in the values (I like them) but I just have to say this :

Everything is just BETTER at Disney,, the food tastes better ,, the rooms feel and look greater ,, the grounds (including the dirt/sand) are just beautiful . Even the sun just has a better look and feel in Disney. It may be all an
illusion , but wow what an illusion . !!! So, staying on property has its pluses.
Staying offsite is just ok, but it is a way to stay cheaper , theres just not the
round the clock disney feel. It is though a way to get to Disney and save
some money so you can at least come for that disney magic.

I love Florida

 

[buzz5985]

Disney's camp sites are rated higher then two stars? REALLY? Thier top tier hotels are ONLY 3 stars by several independent rating agencies!!!!! I somehow doubt the campgrounds are that highly rated LOL!

LOL!

.

So that "value" is a what? Probably a 2 star! (Expedia ranks it 2.5 stars)


So let's compare a Disney "Value" to your local Marriott Fairfield Inn at Lake Buena Vista (which Expedia also ranks 2.5 stars)

1. Interior Corridordors Disney - NO, Fairfield Yes
2. Fridge in room. Disney PAY, Fairfield FREE (And I think they have microwaves too)
3. Food Court. Both have. Fairfield has Pizza Hut
4. Free Breakfast. Well if pay rack rate and get "free" dining Disney will allow you to use one of your meals for breakfast. Fairfield - Always
5. Loyalty Progrm. Disney Fairfield. I just spent two nights FREE at a 4 star hotel in Paris on the Marriott program.
6. Check in. Checked into both. Fairfield lines were shorter
7. Airport transportation. Fairfield PAY. Disney Free
8. Transportation to parks. Both have Disney's is better
9. Room size. Didn't measure but my Fairfield room seemed bigger (and with interior corridors it was quiter!)
10. Theme Disney wins hands down.
11. Discount availablity. Fairfield lots of public discounts. Disney - hope they send you a pin
12. Internet Access Disney $10 per 24 hours. Fairfield FREE!
13. King beds. Fairfield FREE, Disney $10 a day!

Price for a random day in June Fairfield $79, All Star Movies $114 or $140 for a "preferred room" (No discounts on either one used)

Savings on room alone $245 for a 7 night stay. Parking cost at Disney $84. Net savings (not including cheaper meals off site) IF you were already renting a car $161. And if you compare the nicer hotels the differences and prices get more interesting. For the same random night Boardwalk Inn standard view was $380 rack with a "special" rate of $279. Buena Vista Palace had a special rate of $89, Marriott World Center had a special rate of $179 or $209 with "free" breakfast (at least they are honest about it "free" costs more LOL!) Embassy Suites with Free breakfast, suite and evening reception $119.

Disney's theming and location are getting too costly IMHO!




Disney deals consist of "we marked our product WAY up over market value so we could give you a sale" If your local grocery did this you would SCREAM and threaten never to go back, but it's Disney where when it comes to resorts the rules are "expect less, pay more" (I don't blame them folks keep paying what Disney wants, but don't call folks who don't do it "clueless")

I have done both since I generally rent a car either way. Commute time from Lake Buena Vista to most parks is either less or the same as from a value.....However, in the past few years I can't justify Disney pricing. I travel a lot and Disney's hotel quality just doesn't measure up to thier pricing

Sounds like you hate Disney?? Why do you bother to go??

Supply and demand. As long as the demand is high, prices will stay high. Off site - less demand lower prices.

 

[xmlguy]

Sounds like you hate Disney?? Why do you bother to go??

Supply and demand. As long as the demand is high, prices will stay high. Off site - less demand lower prices.

Many of us enjoy Disney parks and theming, without feeling in any way obligated to "enjoy" overpriced food and lodging. I find paying extra for things I don't want or need to be less enjoyable. I don't mind paying for things I want, if it represents a value. The average quality and value of counter service at WDW is pathetic.

Supply and demand - normal market forces - don't work the same under monopoly conditions. Disney uses monopoly power to maintain higher prices for lodging on its property that it otherwise would be able to charge. Fortunately, Disney couldn't buy up all of Orlando, which is good for those of us who can enjoy the parks without having to pay $200+ a day to rest our heads and find good food nearby.

I even go to some of the _best_ fine dining that Disney has to offer, with the savings. I usually go to Victoria and Alberts at least once per trip, as well as the California Grill, Le Cellier, Bistro/Les Chefs, etc.. Just not on a nightly basis. I wonder, do you? Or is your budget too strapped paying for your package with "free dining" to enjoy the truly superior restaurants?