Can Disney be done on a budget of......

[AngieInOH]

I've been figuring out the savings I would get with an AP. Can someone check my figures. Mousesavers says the breakeven point is usually 8 days but I'm getting a much different figure.

Annual Pass $421
7 day hopper $235
Difference $176 additional paid for AP

Rack Rate Mod $134
A/P Discount $ 90 (I have no idea what it would be for value season)
Difference $ 44/night

Savings for 4 nights $176 (break even?)
Savings for 5 nights $220
etc......

Something just doesn't seem right since I have my breakeven point at 4 nights but mousesavers says it would be around 8 days. Am I doing something wrong?

Also, mousesavers said you could wait to purchase the AP at the gate and still book your room with the AP discount. Anyone have any experience with this. I figure I could book at an AP rate and if a general code comes out that I don't need the AP I'll cancel the AP room and book a new room with the general code. Does this make sense? Can it be done?

Thanks for everyone's help. I know I sound like the typical newbie here!

Angie

 

[John Dobbertin]

You can find yourself going in circles re. WDW "discounts & deals." You are already on to the best ones. One suggestion: You have grandparents in the immediate area? They are driving you to your WDW hotel/resort. Have them take you very early, check-in & your room will most likely not be available so leave bags with bell-desk. Then go directly to a WDW Park. You should be in the Park early enough to "do" a full day. Do the same thing on your last day -- check out of your room & leave your bags with the bell desk. If grandparents are picking you up for the airport run, pick up your bags & head for the airport -- book as late a flight as you find convenient & you'll most likely gain at least a half-day in the Parks. So if you plan 7 days, you have almost two by staying only five nights. That helps the budget. Also look for deals on the Value hotels (Pop & All-Stars). We booked at Pop in November at $49 with an AP. Also remember to tack on 11% hotel tax to whatever room "deal" you find unless the "deal" states hotel tax included. Also with an AP you can pay $50 for a Disney Dining Experience card & in 7 days you will have a significant savings. These just became available this Jan to non-Florida residents IF you have an AP. You can also save big $$ if you: Eat "breakfast" in the room. Make lunch your main meal. Have a lighter snack later to tide you along. Take snacks to the Parks. Enjoy!

 

[crisi]

We haven't done Cirque or DQ with our children that young. Cirque is fantastic, but PERSONALLY, I think its wasted on young kids - and the chances of them needing a potty break are too high for the cost. Disney Quest doesn't have enough for kids that young to do to justify the cost, a lot of people have posted that their younger kids are very frustrated there by all the things they can't do.

 

[HappyLawyer]

option if stay off property, check out skyauction.com you can get a villa 2 bed room for 7 days for under 300.00
use ticketmania or anyother reputable agency for discount tickets, i use ticketmania, i suggest you ask on the boards to see who has used a good company, and go to time shares stuff if you want some offer cash, some offer tickets, make sure they do not pressure u into buying

 

[Jen D]

$3000 goes a long way if you plan, for a family of three. My first trip to Disney in Fall 2001, with my dh and dd, 4, was done for probably just under that, and I felt it was very luxurious, including the BWV and a night at the California Grill.

We did six nights, not seven. It's a little of a trade-off but it felt long enough (we flew in and arrived early the first day and took the last flight out our last night.)

Here is the breakdown as I remember it:

Resort: Sun-Sat, BWV studio preferred view, rented points- we got lucky and rented at $9 not $10. Can't remember the exact total but think it was about $730.

Park tickets: 6 Day PHPs. A little less than $800.

Airfare: about $430 for three tickets.

Towncar: About $100.

That leaves about $900. We charged almost everything to our room, including souviners (maybe $100), a night at at the childcare club ($40)
and meals. We didn't have sitdown every day but almost-- most expensive meals were California Grill (about $150) and lunch at the Brown Derby.

It was a good trip. We were careful with money and got a lot out of it. On our last trip, our Anniversary trip, we decided to treat ourselves by being not so careful with money and boy, once you let youself be careless, it gets out of control fast! And then when we had spent all we could spend, we got trapped by Hurricane Jeanne and had to dig in deep for two more nights at the Poly! Amazing trip, but I will being going back to good budgeting next time.

Sorry about the digression. Remembering how much we got out of our first trip made me nostalgic!

 

[marriedmarylander]

My Budget:
Air fare: $600 (keeping my fingers crossed I come along a good deal out of OH)
Resort: $100/day ($700) is it reasonable to assume I'll be able to get a code if I stay Value season Jan/Feb? If I can't get it below $100 we'll probably have to settle on the Value resort
Tickets: 7 day hopper for the three of us $668 (might not need that many days but it was only a few dollars more)
Eating: $100/day ($800) I think we can do it for less than that but I'm rounding UP! My DH does not like to be frugal when it comes to eating and drinking. The refill mug is a must!
Cirque du Soleil: $203 Is it worth it? Definately something that could be cut. Any suggestions?
Disney Quest: $71 Is it worth it?

GRAND TOTAL: $3042, that's not including the extra spending money. I'm going to do the Disney dollars with my son. Love that idea. Once the money's gone he's done spending. This is more for my DH than my son. DH just can't stop spending money on DS.

1) Try Southwest for airfare. You can also sign up for their email notifications. They sometime offer very special deals. I know recently out of Baltimore where we are it was $49 each way to Orlando. Maybe they will have a simiilar special for Ohio at some point. ALso you can sign up for their Rapid Rewards program and after saving up enough points you get free ticket.

2) You can actually call and ask for the AAA rate even if you aren't a member yet. Then depending on the savings, join AAA. We saved about $150, then joining AAA costs - only about $85 savings but still a savings.

3) Look for tickets on ticketmania.com and sign up for a mousesavers.com newsletter and get a link to even further discounted prices.

Also, have you considered not hopping? You could lower your cost there.

4) Food sounds about right...

5) I love Cirque shows. I haven't seen the one at WDW but have seen a few at Vegas and one of the traveling shows. They are amazing, but if you can't afford it this time, try to check them out in Vegas or when they visit your hometown.

6) Do you want to go to water parks as well? If so it's better to add the "plus" option to your ticket. If not, do you like video games? maybe this is a day when your DH and son go but you hang back and do some shopping?

 

[jenr812]

Also, mousesavers said you could wait to purchase the AP at the gate and still book your room with the AP discount. Anyone have any experience with this. I figure I could book at an AP rate and if a general code comes out that I don't need the AP I'll cancel the AP room and book a new room with the general code. Does this make sense? Can it be done?

Be careful, though - they only sell a certain # of discounted rooms for each night. So it is possible that you could be stuck if you cancel your AP room, try to get the general code room, only to find that there are no more available (your AP room would be in "limbo" for a while due to computer updates, etc). Then you'd really be stuck! I hope that made sense.

 

[John Dobbertin]

jenr812: Thought I had a handle on this sort of thing, but I am confused. If someone made an AP hotel ressie & had not yet purchased the AP (which can be done as I understand it), then books a WDW hotel some other way & never purchases the AP how could they be charged for the WDW AP ressie room? This is complex for sure!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Just wanted to say welcome! You will get all your questions answered here.

 

[cab0899]

Just going to say when we took our (then) 6 year old son to Disney Quest, he would not leave, he loved it so much. Stayed all day! If you're son is big into video games then probably will love DQ. Also classmate of my son's went later in the same school year, when I asked him what his favorite thing at WDW was, his answer was DQ. So two 6 year old boys would vote yes for DQ!!

 

[jenr812]

jenr812: Thought I had a handle on this sort of thing, but I am confused. If someone made an AP hotel ressie & had not yet purchased the AP (which can be done as I understand it), then books a WDW hotel some other way & never purchases the AP how could they be charged for the WDW AP ressie room? This is complex for sure!

I am sorry - I didn't mean to confuse you. I didn't mean that they would be CHARGED for the AP ressie. I meant that they may wind up paying RACK RATE if they were to cancel their AP ressie before trying to book the general code ressie. I should have clarified better. So the best thing to do is to wait til after making the general code ressie before cancelling the AP ressie, so that you are sure of a discounted rate, since there are only a set # of discounted rooms sold for a certain night. Hope that was clearer

 

[jenr812]

PS And you are correct - the AP doesn't have to be in possession when the ressie is made. BUT it does have to be in possession at check-in. HTH

 

[LisaRay]

I have a 5 year old boy and we just went in Nov. Here is my 2 cents on your plans.


I would book the package with the dining and hopper passes for the entire time you are there. Because.... this is your 1st trip you can then come and go as you please in and out of any of the 4 main parks. If you want to sleep late one day or have an early evening in on another you can do so. This gives you flexibility and some relaxing time too. Also with the prices of tickets now it is only a few dollars to have a pass for everyday.

I would not add the water parks in and if you do have a warmer day then just take an afternoon break at your hotel pool. You are already planning on $100 a day for food so i would do the dining. You will definatly get the $10.00 of food out of it for your son and he will like some of the character meals. And of course you and your DH will also eat well. This will also include snacks each day. This plan isn't a great deal for us as we have to pay the adult price for one of our kids who would not eat off an adult menu normally but if she fell under the kids age range for the dining plan i would love to try it. Plus if it is too cold to swim some nice sit down meals can give you an break from all that walking.

My kids loved Pop when we were there in Nov. but if you want a moderate that is fine too. Just make sure you are going in Value season as it will make the prices cheaper. You could always price both value and mod and see the difference in price to help you decide. Do remember that yes a mod is more relaxing but with your 1st visit you also won't be in your room alot. Also with the cooler temps you may not be at the pool alot. Another thing is you can get AAA discount on the package with dining. Not so sure about the other codes.

I would also say no to Cirque and Disney quest as you will have park passes for everyday so why spend more money on other entertainment. Just go back to one of the parks and see something you missed the 1st time around. You will never run out of things to see and do in the parks. The only thing extra that i might suggest is a pirates cruise for your son. I have been begging mine to go but without his sister who is too old for it now he just is to big of a baby!! It looks so cute for the little ones around that age. You can do a search for pirate cruise and see lots of info on it and I am not certain but it is around $30. Then you DH and you can have a little alone time ( 2 hours I believe) for a late breakfast or lunch depending on the time of the day it is.

Good luck planning!!

 

[MomofKatie]

I think a budget of $3000 with a family of three is absolutely do-able! We are also a family of three, and although we are driving and not flying, we will be going during Regular season (higher resort rates). Our budget is $2250.

6 nights at Pop Century- $665
7 day MYW tickets with hopper, 2 adult and 1 child- $675
Dining plan add-on- $480
Pirate Cruise for DD7- $30
Admission to TL (if weather is good)- $110
Gas- $150
Meals on road and groceries- $50
Souveniers- $50 (DD has her own spending$$$-Disney Dollars)
Misc. (extra tips, Mousekeeping, etc)- $25

TOTAL- $2230

You could save $$ by booking through AAA ( I think you save 20% off resort rates during Value Season). I'd skip Cirque and DQ- wait until DS is a bit older. The Dining plan is a great deal if you like to eat at Table Svc restaurants every day- REALLY good deal for character meals for DS!

Have a great time- you can keep within your budget, and have a wonderful vacation!

 

[AngieInOH]

I've decided the Cirque is out (that saves me $203). DQ, well I'm not sure. My DH really likes things like that. So I think I will leave it up to him. I know we can save a few dollars if I get the DQ tickets in advance but I think we will wait until get there to decide. Maybe there will be something at one of the parks that we would rather do. I do have a question, after you pay the admission to get in do you have to pay to play any of the games?

I think the meal plan sounds good, but I'm reluctant to purchase it since you have to buy it as a package deal, which would make it harder to cancel if something happens. Also, then you can't use any room codes that might come out. Can you go through AAA and be able to get the meal plan and use room codes? Can someone explain how the meal plan works for character meals?

A person could go mad trying to figure this all out!

Angie

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Yes- We used the AAA room rate, and the meal plan. You do have to book thru AAA though.

Also- With the meal plan, one dining choice is used for the character meals. They are a great deal IMO. They are often the most expensive meals. The character meals (at least all of the ones I know about) are either buffet, or family style at the table.


Hope that helps. Clear as mud HuH!!

 

[drakethib]

One tip that always seems to be a big moeny saver is to get some pop tarts, fruit, etc. and cut out lunch or breakfast one day a week.

Last time the DW and I went we saved about $300 bucks in one week.!!!!

And btw, I don't like to be frugal on meals either, we juts ate one BIG meal per day.

 

[John Dobbertin]

Smart play at WDW is to "do" lunch. Have breakfast in the room -- youngsters then get exactly what they want-- & it's a lot quicker than waiting in line somewhere at a snack-bar or the equivalent & spending a lot of $$$. Then really "do" lunch. Lunch is less expensive than dinners at all the WDW restaurants (not all WDW restaurants open a lunch -- but enough do). That saves more $$$. Then have a major "snack" somewhere about 5-or-so & you're ready for the evening. This plan has worked for us, our children & grandchildren.

 

[Kira G.]

A quickie point about DQ - if your husband and son want to do it, have them go in and then go shopping in DTD by yourself! My 10-year-old son thinks that DQ is heaven on earth - I thought it was horrible (I can't stand arcades either). Plus, it will save you $30!

I agree however that it might be a bit much for a 5 year old. My 6 year old girl enjoyed it (particularly the create zone), but my 4 year old was not happy there. Use your judgement, it depends a lot on the kid. And if Dad is into it, that will count for a lot!

Have fun!

 

[debbiedoo]

I have not read thr whole thread--but here is some ideas:

I would do pop century too the ASmovies for my budget. That would save extra$$. or

I would rent from a DVC member for a studio size room. Value season is a good deal. Here is the point charts: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/OKW04Points.shtml Most members rent for 10 dollars a point. A studio-last week in jan would be about 800 for the week or Feb 980 for the week. If you are interested have to post on the rent/trade board.

I would skip the Cirque show. DQ--i would look into that. On a bad weather day.

I have a family of three and we budget 100 dollars a day for food and we never max that amount. We usually do 1 main sit down around 3 0'clock. Not busy and it is lunch/dinner. We have breakfast at the resort. We buy cereal, bagels, yogurt, etc for our room. Also we buy our drinks--have found it to be cheaper than 3 mugs.

If you do go with the Ap, remember that discounts are not guaranteed. I have always found that they do offer the rate though. Have to jump on those!! Keep eyes out on the code threads!! The DDE is a great thing, with the Ap discount that is 50 dollars. To make it worth it you have to spend 250 dollars, not hard to do. If you plan on making 2 trips within the year, would definitely go with and the DDE card.

I have to go and check on my Ham!! Happy easter!!