Budget Blues :( Extra Day Free 4 Day Pass??

[McGreezy]

I'm positive I'm repeating a previously asked question, but undercover tourist has a 4 day ticket with 1 day free (5 days for the price of 4) option that is cheaper than direct from Disney. Do I not get that option if I book directly with Disney with a MYW package??? I just feel like I'm blowing my budget to smithereens now that I missed out on FD, and am toying with renting a friends Villa off property and buying tickets from UT. I really hope the RO discount is helpful so we don't have to do that

 

[msb578]

That's exclusive, and not available directly from Disney. The difference between a 4 day and 5 day ticket isn't a huge amount. But it's still a savings.

Without FD, I find booking room-only to be a great option. I don't like purchasing the DDP, but of course opinions vary on that!

Edit: with a room-only discount

 

[McGreezy]

That's exclusive, and not available directly from Disney. The difference between a 4 day and 5 day ticket isn't a huge amount. But it's still a savings.

Without FD, I find booking room-only to be a great option. I don't like purchasing the DDP, but of course opinions vary on that!

Edit: with a room-only discount

I'm hoping!! If I get shut out from that discount as well I'm going to be beside myself! It's our first ever trip as a family, but the savings of $800 by staying at this amazing Villa off property is a really big pull at this point. Not sure a RO discount would even come close, but here's hoping!!

 

[worm761]

I'm hoping!! If I get shut out from that discount as well I'm going to be beside myself! It's our first ever trip as a family, but the savings of $800 by staying at this amazing Villa off property is a really big pull at this point. Not sure a RO discount would even come close, but here's hoping!!

Is that a true savings of $800? Did you add in the cost of parking? Travel time? Gas? Do you then need to rent a car?

I am using the RO offer for this fall. They are calling it late summer but still. We are staying at Pop this time around. The 20% off at Pop is just about equal to the the cost of the QSDDP that would be free. I ran my numbers every way I could find and this is about the same. But we are a family of 3 going. 2 adults and 1 child so our costs may be different than yours.

 

[msb578]

Oh something else I forgot- I also like booking room-only through Orbitz if they have availability. You can get the room discount, and sometimes a promo code on top of it.

 

[hsmamato2]

Op I am not sure how you missed FD,since it is still available (somewhat) to try and find.... Do you mean limited availability? that may be so, but I would try to find onsite at a discount,that saves parking/car rental,etc fees. Just keep watching the threads here....and don't panic, even in you stay offsite FD isn't all that wonderful for every situation anyway.....We stayed with family at DVC for years,and every year I would feel like I was missing something big with all the 'sales'..... but in reality the total cost was a wash...pretty much even by the time we were done.... I personally like some of the Orbitz type deals that come along every so often on room to save....

 

[McGreezy]

Op I am not sure how you missed FD,since it is still available (somewhat) to try and find.... Do you mean limited availability? that may be so, but I would try to find onsite at a discount,that saves parking/car rental,etc fees. Just keep watching the threads here....and don't panic, even in you stay offsite FD isn't all that wonderful for every situation anyway.....We stayed with family at DVC for years,and every year I would feel like I was missing something big with all the 'sales'..... but in reality the total cost was a wash...pretty much even by the time we were done.... I personally like some of the Orbitz type deals that come along every so often on room to save....

We were already booked for the week of Oct 25-31 at POR. My TA has said she hasn't been able to find us anything that week and we don't want to change our week. This is our first trip so it's all very new to us, but I went looking on my own and couldn't find ANYTHING available for that week either. I'm hoping we get some sort of discout for our trip. This is getting much higher than I anticipated in the beginning. Much of it is my fault because I added a rental car (I know there is ME but this helps take some of the frustration out of the equation for us) and a couple little unplanned things. But we still have 5 months to save so I know it will be okay I guess I just didn't realize how limited the offer would be and (stupidly) was planning on getting it. Oh well!

 

[hsmamato2]

I get it..... it happens! keep reading these boards for ways to cut some costs...I would add to be 100% SURE that you have TA that is well versed in Disney... that can make a difference...also you can check your true numbers.... if you are staying onsite,and snag a R/O discount, you can scrap the cost of car rental easily- so factor that in with your cost analysis.... vs. staying offsite, renting a car,paying for parking(!) etc. either one can work,as others noted, but be aware of various costs involved.

 

[rebeccalizzie]

If you were going to rent a car anyway, then the per person savings from getting the UT tickets would more than pay for your $17 per day parking charge, and an $800 difference would probably pay for your dining.

We are getting an offsite town house after running the numbers every which way on free dining. We would come out close to even by getting two rooms at Pop with free dining, but two hotel rooms for 6 people rather than a 3 bedroom town house with our own pool...I'll skip the Disney bubble this once LOL

 

[McGreezy]

If you were going to rent a car anyway, then the per person savings from getting the UT tickets would more than pay for your $17 per day parking charge, and an $800 difference would probably pay for your dining.

We are getting an offsite town house after running the numbers every which way on free dining. We would come out close to even by getting two rooms at Pop with free dining, but two hotel rooms for 6 people rather than a 3 bedroom town house with our own pool...I'll skip the Disney bubble this once LOL

I'm back and forth on it. The Villa we can rent is AMAZING. But my daughter who is 8 has never been to Disney. We added two more days for her to experience all the parks, but is it worth that extra $800 we will spend to rent a tiny hotel room?? We are a paycheck to paycheck family and that $800 would be Christmas and then some for our two kids. IDK, I want to give her the "bubble" but not sure I can justify the extra cost

I literally have anxiety over this decision, lol.

 

[rebeccalizzie]

I'm taking my 8 year old too and this age is PERFECT for Disney (I took my grown daughter when she was 9 and it was our absolute best trip). She will have so much fun.

FWIW, I asked my son what he thought and took that into consideration. He heard that we'd have a play station and our own little pool and his eyes got big. He REALLY wants the townhouse now. Maybe talk to her and see what she thinks? Show her pics of both? I'm also different though in that we don't take the buses (last year when we stayed on property it was MUCH faster and simpler to just drive) and at that point I don't think the bubble is worth it to pay more for (what I see as) less. We're going to watch the MK fireworks from the Poly beach on one day, so he'll get to experience some of the resort stuff there.

Just keep telling yourself that no matter what, she gets to go to Disney!!! That is AWESOME and she'll be thrilled no matter what

 

[Monykalyn]

First - you are going to DISNEY! yay! 2nd-we have always stayed offsite-having room to spread out and own beds is priceless. the kids won't know to miss the "Disney" bubble. We are doing a split stay (on/offsite) this trip and I am stressing about 5 of us in one room for 6 days We are flying into Sanford so we will need rental car anyway.

And 6-9 is a great age for Disney!

Maybe Orbitz will have a code for that time frame that will stack with Disneys

 

[McGreezy]

I'm taking my 8 year old too and this age is PERFECT for Disney (I took my grown daughter when she was 9 and it was our absolute best trip). She will have so much fun.

FWIW, I asked my son what he thought and took that into consideration. He heard that we'd have a play station and our own little pool and his eyes got big. He REALLY wants the townhouse now. Maybe talk to her and see what she thinks? Show her pics of both? I'm also different though in that we don't take the buses (last year when we stayed on property it was MUCH faster and simpler to just drive) and at that point I don't think the bubble is worth it to pay more for (what I see as) less. We're going to watch the MK fireworks from the Poly beach on one day, so he'll get to experience some of the resort stuff there.

Just keep telling yourself that no matter what, she gets to go to Disney!!! That is AWESOME and she'll be thrilled no matter what

Thank you SO much for this. I actually just booked the Villa because of it. AND she knocked the price down from $695 for 6 nights to $500 just to be more awesome!!! That plus the food savings will be huge for us. We will just have to come back someday and stay a couple nights on property just to get the experience Essentailly this just saved us almost $1600. Christmas is BACK ON!! HAHA

 

[McGreezy]

First - you are going to DISNEY! yay! 2nd-we have always stayed offsite-having room to spread out and own beds is priceless. the kids won't know to miss the "Disney" bubble. We are doing a split stay (on/offsite) this trip and I am stressing about 5 of us in one room for 6 days We are flying into Sanford so we will need rental car anyway.

And 6-9 is a great age for Disney!

Maybe Orbitz will have a code for that time frame that will stack with Disneys

Thank you! I know I went at 6 and can BARELY remember it. But I'm 35 now, haha. She's going to have so much fun regardless. And what kid wouldn't want their own pool?!

 

[rebeccalizzie]

Yay! I'm so glad you feel settled. Once I decided we weren't going to do free dining and just kept the town house I felt SO relieved. It's what made me know for sure I made the right choice On to planning our days and FP+ reservations! ROFL

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

I was thinking (since your budget is a bit tight) you can bring snacks and even lunch items into the Parks as long as you don't bring alcohol or glass, of course. We've done that several times and it worked out great. The kids don't mind if they still get a Mickey bar or popcorn! . We are thinking of staying in a condo the next time we go. Trying to get ready one bathroom with teenage girls is no fun!! Have an awesome vacation!!!

 

[McGreezy]

Thanks ladies!! Yah, this place has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, grill, full kitchen, a heated private pool and jacuzzi, and we're getting it for $500 for 6 nights. Sorry, but that's amazing. SO excited. Now it's just about waiting for October!

 

[DisMommyTX]

Our family has stayed off property many times ( mostly for the space) and always loved it. The Windsor hills resort is our favorite for amenities, value and convenience. If budget is a major factor, staying offsite, tickets from UT, and cooking quick meals at 'home' can save a fortune while still having an amazing trip!

 

[Kathryn777]

We have stayed on site and off. My kids did SO much better offsite. It feels like there is no downtime for them (or you) when you stay onsite. Always have to be behaving, eating out etc. we stay close enough that it doesn't really feel like you leave the "bubble".

 

[StitchBuddy]

I'm back and forth on it. The Villa we can rent is AMAZING. But my daughter who is 8 has never been to Disney. We added two more days for her to experience all the parks, but is it worth that extra $800 we will spend to rent a tiny hotel room?? We are a paycheck to paycheck family and that $800 would be Christmas and then some for our two kids. IDK, I want to give her the "bubble" but not sure I can justify the extra cost

I literally have anxiety over this decision, lol.

Stay off-site if it is easier on your budget. If it is her first time she won't know the difference and you will enjoy it more if you aren't worrying about money.