Budget Vacation?

[DisneyJules]

Hello! I need some info from you seasoned pros! My family and I are looking at heading down to Walt Disney World for Christmas for a couple weeks. I don't even know where to begin. We want to try and budget as much as possible. We're not looking into staying at a fancy hotel (it would be nice though It would be myself, my parents, my sister (we're both 19 and trying to save for school) and two much younger siblings going on vacation. Can you offer any advice?
Thanks!

 

[CEDmom]

I'm far from being a pro but I thought I'd give you some advise. I'm going to assume you'll be driving since airline tickets for 6 people would be really expensive. I would either look at renting a vacation home. You can check here and also on Mousesavers for recommendations and deals. The other option would be to look at the various suite hotels near Disney. Either would allow you to eat many meals "at home" and save a lot of $.

Disney is really beautiful at Christmas, I know you'll enjoy it.khuhhu

 

[DisneyJules]

Actually we were considering flying. Although, my sister and I would be paying our own flight fare. I believe there and back would cost about $836 CND. Unless we can find a seat sale and that is flying with Air Canada. When we went back in 96 with my mom, we ended up buying food for breakfast and lunch and still ate out occasionaly. You're right it does help an enormous amount! I had looked into a vacation home last year and it seemed to be a much better deal, maybe I didn't have my facts straight but it seemed considerably cheaper when vacationing with so many people. Do you know approx. how much we would be spending if we went with the vacation home for two weeks?
Thanks for your help!

 

[merryweather's twin]

I love vac homes but in Dec you will pay for pool heat! I would suggest www.skyauction.com for your hotel and get a 2-3 bedroom with a full kitchen for 7 nights for about $250. total. We stayed at Orange lakes and we loved it so much we are going back in 2 weeks! They were great becouse the parents have a king bed and a private room and a worl-pool tub and the kids have there own bath! The other room had 2 queens and there was a sectional pull out sofa!WE also loved the pools and the water slide.... The washer dryer in room was nice also (I have 4 kids also!) I hope this helps.....

 

[tink2dw]

bumping up for more ideas

 

[Local_Girl]

I second merryweather's twin's advice to consider Skyauction! We just won a bid for a week for about the same rate and we're going down to Orange Lake too! (Thank you for the great reviews, Merryweather's twin! Glad to hear your family enjoyed it!) We will be there from Dec. 14-27. At this point we only have the first week booked and because the second week is Christmas week, it may be really difficult to book the same deal. I've decided to book reservations at another inexpensive hotel for Christmas week and we can cancel if we get lucky and find a great deal on a condo.

Another thing you may want to consider is that the new Pop Century resort is opening up in mid-Dec., I believe. You'd need 2 rooms, but if you check in before value season ends (forgive me for not knowing the exact date, but it's the week before Christmas) you'll have a good rate that will carry through the entire holiday.

Whatever you decide, you'll want to move quickly--Christmas is a really busy time at WDW! Hope you have a magical trip!!

 

[DisneyJules]

Thank you so much! You're all so helpful and nice to boot!
I will definitely look into that site. The only problem will be convincing my dad, he's a little weary of the internet.
Actually we were considering going about a week before Christmas so that may just work.
Thanks again!

 

[sln88]

just another vote for skyauction to put your mind at ease. We used them last year(1 week for a 2 bedroom for $250), and I am also using them this year for the same. No problems, no timeshare presentations, no hidden fees. I was not lucky enough to get Orange lake, but we were at the parks so much that it did not matter. We ate breakfast before we left, packed snacks for during the day, and could have eaten dinner at the condo but usually got fast food.
Have fun!

 

[tink2dw]

How to get started Planning a WDW Vacation!!
Now you can start deciding what are the things that are "must do's" and "must
see's." and decide the length of your trip.

Then decide on the tickets you will need here.
http://www.mousesavers.com/tickets.html

To keep an EYE on All the discounts for on-site and off-site resorts check here often and sign up for the MouseSavers.com newsletter to get all the best news.
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html

For Air fares sign up at all the Airline Web sites that fly out of your airport that fly to Orlando or MCO in airline speak. Then Check Expedia,Travelocity for airline deals. Also check out the Transporation Board air,car deals.
http://www.disboards.com/

Start a WDW change jar to save for your trip.[there are many tips here on this
board!!]

Also you can decide where you will want to eat and start making plans to make your food budget and check the Priority Seatings Calculator to know when you can make PS's some are as far out as 730 Days.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining.htm

Also to help decide where to eat you can find menu's at Deb's wdw site,this works 2 ways to see where to eat what,and how much it costs, to finalize the food budget.
http://www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm

To keep all this info in one place,here is a computer Disney Vacation Planner. It will print each day on a seperate sheet. Also check the pull down menu's at the top for loads of info!!
http://www.intercot.com/planner/default.asp

Well,this should get you start on a thousand more Questions!! So,don't be shy! Ask away!! The kind members here will share what they know! So,check back often!!

tink2dw