Best way to do this on a tight budget?!?

[BooandBellesMum]

Hi -

I'm trying to suprise my DS who'll be 7 in November and want to figure out the best way to do it on a tight budget!

We're heading to DLP next month but have always wanted to go back to WDW and take the kids, it's been nearly 15 years since DH or I have been!

So I'm wanting to plan a trip to WDW during DS's mid-winter break in February, now his best-friend and his family may be joining us, which will thrill the little ones to no end!

But, we're trying to do this for under $2000 per family including airfare from Seattle. Is this even doable? When would be the best time to look for packages?

If we can't find a good deal to WDW we'll end up doing to DL, but we would all prefer a trip to WDW!

TIA!

 

[mad4themouse]

Airfare is going to eat up a lot of that $2000 per family.

If your school's mid-winter break is during President's Weekend (Feb 13-16), the fares that I'm getting on Travelocity are in the range of $315 per person for Seattle to MCO. I'm not sure if that is representative of average fares for that route or not, but that would take up half of your budget right there. total=$945

Figure on another $28 per adult and $20 per child for roundtrip Mears transfers from the airport to your hotel. If the two families travel together, you can order a van from a towncar service for $95 rountrip.total=$76(Mears) or $48(1/2 the cost of towncar service)

As far as I know of, there are currently no resort discount codes out for February. Peak season begins on 2/12 and runs thru 4/17. Disney resorts will be at their higher rates then. Offsite hotels will also be raising their rates at that time. You don't say how long you would be staying, but 5 nights at just $30 per night will run you $150. And it will most likely run more.

Park passes for 2 adults and one child (under 10) could get pricey. Right now, 4-day Park Hoppers run about $204.48 per adult and $161.88 per child if you buy in advance from Disney. total=$570.84

subtotal=$1714

And you would still need to consider a food budget and souvenirs.

Bringing down that airfare will be the key to making this trip fit into your budget. If you can bring that down to a more reasonable cost, then I'd say that it is possible. Keep checking the fares and when you find a good one, book it. Good Luck!

 

[kilee]

I think $2000.00 w/ airfare is a little tight. If you really research you may get it done, if you are very disciplined in your budget. This could be tough especially if the other family isn't.

You will need to scout for really good airfare. This is really where you are getting killed. It can be done. Try looking at some of the airlines that don't go through Travelocity or Orbitz. I just booked 3 RT non-stop flights Buffalo-Orlando for $336.00 after tax. This was through Southwest. Also, be sure to use Mousesavers when looking for codes for rental cars.
Staying onsite looks like it will defintely not be an option. Not a problem though, my theory is that Disney off site is better than no Disney at all. You'll need a budget hotel. Consider going 2.5 star on priceline. Or be open to the idea of Quality Inn or the Super 8.

As for food. Try to do all breakfast's in your room. Muffins, juice, poptarts, ect. Try to dinner at night after the park (not always easy). Try to limit in park eating to counter service.

There are other things to remember parking, tipping, laundry (if needed). These things add up fast.

If you really put some effort into hunting for deals you may be able to get it done.

 

[Lewisc]

You might try renting a 2 or 3 bedroom condo. You can save some meal money on breakfast. Try hotelkingdoom

 

[HeatherC]

I would definitely go the villa route. I think Hotel Kingdom is probably your best bet. THey even have some timeshare ones that can get the rate down to like $30 a night for a 1500 square foot villa. If you don't want to do a tour I think you should be able to get one for around $90 a night. Plus...you will have a full kitchen so you can eat some meals in which will definitely cut the cost.

Also...check out RedWeek.com. People rent out their timeshare weeks for reasonable prices. Also TUg2.net (although I think their rates are a little higher.

Happy planning!!!
Heather C

 

[EthansMom]

Welcome BooandBellesMum,

Welcome! Like others, I'll agree that getting below $2000 will be quite a challenge.

I recommend that you subscribe to the mousesavers newsletter at www.mousesavers.com. Mary has some great information on savings and some special deals for subscribers to her newsletter.

Also, is there any way that you can get some frequent flier tickets? If not, I believe travelocity has a function that will email you when airline tickets get below your set price.

There are AAA discounts available at the Disney resorts. Also, register as a user at www.disneyworld.com and they may send you a special discount code -- these are sent out somewhat randomly.

If you stay off-site, you'll want a rental car. But if you could get a room on-site for a decent price and don't plan to go anywhere other than WDW, you wouldn't need a rental car.

There was a thread on this board not long ago entitled "What is your one week total" where a lot of people put down their entire budget. It might help you get a sense of what people are paying.

If you can't get the price down for February, maybe you could save a little longer and go in the fall or winter next year???

Best of Luck,

EthansMom

 

[karebear1]

We live in Portland and I was able to find airfare from Portland to Orlando for 248.00- taxes included. It took a while, so check all the time- put your name on a farewatcher on different airlines and they will send you emails when their fares go down. I believe I could've gotten a flight out of Seattle to Orlando for about 200.00- but chose to do Portland even though it was more because it will save us money in the long run- on parking and 2 hour driving time. If you have friends that are going with you- you could get a condo offsite and split the cost with your friends. A 3 bedroom would probably be more then enough. You could rent a van- split the cost and food can be split as well. Of course, this would mean you'd have to be able to get along REALLY WELL with these friends. Keep your eyes open for specials at AS's- they've had rates as low as $49.00/night ! Good luck!

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by BooandBellesMum
Hi -

I'm trying to suprise my DS who'll be 7 in November and want to figure out the best way to do it on a tight budget!

We're heading to DLP next month but have always wanted to go back to WDW and take the kids, it's been nearly 15 years since DH or I have been!

So I'm wanting to plan a trip to WDW during DS's mid-winter break in February, now his best-friend and his family may be joining us, which will thrill the little ones to no end!

But, we're trying to do this for under $2000 per family including airfare from Seattle. Is this even doable? When would be the best time to look for packages?

If we can't find a good deal to WDW we'll end up doing to DL, but we would all prefer a trip to WDW!

TIA!

sorry to be the party pooper but we have never spent more than that to go to WDW. so far this time we'll spend about $2,500 ( for 2, staying at a moderate on site). try Americawest.com for airfare. they had great prices a few weeks back and I think some extended through Feb.( of course not out of Cleveland but from your area I think so)

 

[Alice28]

I don't know if this will ever happen again, but we snagged airfare from Portland to Orlando for $82 each way...I bought these tickets in Sept. 2002 for departure in March of 2003. I couldn't BELIEVE our luck! So for four of us to travel across country is was around $750!! I was hoping for 99 each way---I have seen both Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines post $99 each way fares several times. I would just scour the internet every few days for these fares. Try and travel on odd days like Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday. We had a $10 off coupon for Tiffany Towncar and got round-trip airport transportation for $82 + tip. Definitely check out MouseSavers for room discounts and snag those $49 All Stars rates if they come up....save Disney Dollars between now and then to help set aside money for meals and souveniers. If you buy your tickets in advance at AAA or even the Disney Store you save a few bucks.

 

[Alice28]

I just looked at both Alaska Airlines website and Southwest Airlines website...Southwest isn't booking that far out yet, and their fares aren't looking that great right now (this can change at the drop of a hat though). Alaska however has a good deal if you act now- If you book by 9/17 and complete travel by 2/19, you can get tickets from Seattle to Orlando for $119 each way if you book online- it's $129 if you call. You may have to move your travel dates up a bit since travel has to be completed by 2/19, but this isn't a bad fare at all! Good luck!