Brand new to these forums.

[Badgun]

Hi,
This is my first post here as someone just pointed me to these forums. My wife and I are planning a trip to Disney World in August and are looking for some help in doing so. We got the dvd from Disney and have decided that we want to stay at the Animal Kindgdom resort. Problem is we have three kids and practically every resort we try tells us that they only accomodate 4 people.

Anyway, we are obviously looking to save as much money as possible while getting as much out of our trip as we can. Hopefully some of you Disney-savy people will give us some tips on how to do that. Anyone that can point me in the right direction for that info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[HappyLawyer]

Be careful, you will become addicted but you will find very valuable information here. Welcome,

 

[spiceycat]

what is the age of your children?

have you considered 2 rooms at one of the value resorts? Pop century is nice!

Fort Wilderness cabins sleep 6.

the DVC resort 1-bedroom say they sleep 4 - but CRO puts a family of 5 in them...

the 2-bedroom definitely. you can rent points from a DVC member and save you some money. that said a 2 rooms at a value will be cheaper.

the DVC resorts are BWV, BCV, VWL, SSR and OKW (my favorite)

 

[Badgun]

what is the age of your children?

have you considered 2 rooms at one of the value resorts? Pop century is nice!

Fort Wilderness cabins sleep 6.

the DVC resort 1-bedroom say they sleep 4 - but CRO puts a family of 5 in them...

the 2-bedroom definitely. you can rent points from a DVC member and save you some money. that said a 2 rooms at a value will be cheaper.

the DVC resorts are BWV, BCV, VWL, SSR and OKW (my favorite)

My kids are 15, 11, and 9. How much more expensive is two rooms? Would it not double the cost of my trip?

 

[spiceycat]

not if you were considering AKL

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortRates?id=PopCenturyResortRatesListingPage

pop century would be $99*1.115 * 2 = $220.77 (pop has less taxes than the all star)

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortRates?id=AnimalKingdomLodgeResortRatesListingPage

vs $285 standard value season at AKL * 1.115 = $317.77

so having 2 rooms at a value resort is cheaper than one room at AK - it is a deluxe resort.

OKW would be (using DVC member point rental) - $220 per night (sun -thurs) 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom $300 per night (sun-thurs) leaving friday.

VWL would be $300 for a 1-bedroom (sun-thurs) and $400 for the 2nd bedroom (using DVC member point rental) (sun-thurs) leaving Friday.

I mention VWL because it is alot like AKL.

 

[MissMichelle]

Hi,
This is my first post here as someone just pointed me to these forums. My wife and I are planning a trip to Disney World in August and are looking for some help in doing so. We got the dvd from Disney and have decided that we want to stay at the Animal Kindgdom resort. Problem is we have three kids and practically every resort we try tells us that they only accomodate 4 people.

Anyway, we are obviously looking to save as much money as possible while getting as much out of our trip as we can. Hopefully some of you Disney-savy people will give us some tips on how to do that. Anyone that can point me in the right direction for that info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Glad you *found* us You will love it here and I am sure you'll get some useful info to help you plan the perfect trip!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Welcome! You're going to love it here...

 

[Badgun]

not if you were considering AKL

vs $285 standard value season at AKL * 1.115 = $317.77

so having 2 rooms at a value resort is cheaper than one room at AK - it is a deluxe resort.

OKW would be (using DVC member point rental) - $220 per night (sun -thurs) 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom $300 per night (sun-thurs) leaving friday.

VWL would be $300 for a 1-bedroom (sun-thurs) and $400 for the 2nd bedroom (using DVC member point rental) (sun-thurs) leaving Friday.

I mention VWL because it is alot like AKL.

How do I get the best package for when I want to go? Is there any advantage for me to go through a local travel agent? Just from browsing these forums, I've seen people getting some insane deals but I don't know where they're getting them from. Coupon codes and such...I had no idea. Is there a primer somewhere that tells me how to go about getting the best deal?

Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

start with

www.mousesavers.com

then if you really want a travel agency - I would use the one here'
dreams unlimited. they can get you the best deal - if any deals are out there.
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/index.html

if you know you will return to WDW in less than a year you might consider a annual pass to get a good discount. but the annual pass is expensive itself. and WDW doesn't guaranteed that they will give it a good discount or even one at all...


right now disney only gives discount to Florida resident, AAA members and AP holders...

but that can change at any minute. DU use to have a guaranteed that they would get the best price for you. Don't know if this is changed or not?

for a value resort - Pop Century is the best deal.

for anything better - renting points for a DVC resort through a DVC member (this requires trust)....

at present there is not a DVC resort at AKL - but as I say there is one at WL - the same architect designed both - so they are similar.

 

[swtnikki]

Welcome to the DIS! I hope you enjoy this site.

 

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

Hello and welcome! I may get flamed for this (LOL) but don't be afraid to stay offsite to save money on a hotel! We're staying in a suite just minutes from Disney World for less than 100/night! Fridge, microwave, free breakfast every morning! Explore your options! :

 

[byoung]

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[laura001]

Hi there. We too are a family of five. We have stayed in the Fort Wilderness Cabins and loved it. This last time we stayed in Port Orleans Riverside and it was awesome. Our kids were 20, 17, and 13 at the time, they all took turns on the trundle bed, although my youngest is tiny and she really should have slept there the whole time. It worked out great, the rooms are great, super resort and the price....excellant!!! Enjoy and welcome!

 

[jamzots]

Have you considered the Poly? They have 2 queens and a daybed. I believe they do allow a family of 5. I don't know if AKL has this option or not though.

 

[Budahman]

Hello, Badgun...

Welcome!

The boards are second to none and im sure you will get some great usefull information from alot of people here. My tiny opinion on staying at Disney for the first time is to stay at a cheaper (value) resort and get yourself use to the WDW grounds and services alittle.
Not to mention that when you stay in the cheaper resorts, the more grand resorts will look better when you eventually stay there. If you stayfirst at a big and grand hotel, then go back to the values, you might be more likely to be dissapointed.
Hope that made sense.??

 

[Minniespal]

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