Can I do this trip on my budget?

[aka-mad4themouse]

Maybe I'm missing something, could you explain please? In the example you cited either way you'd get six days worth of meals (and you also run the small risk having to move rooms). One thing you could do instead is spread the meals out more over the day, perhaps making the counter service meal breakfast which I believe you can do. But you're right, it is a lot of food.

I'm guessing that Twende meant that you should make two consecutive reservations - 3 nights with the meal plan and 3 nights without. Doing it that way, you would have a total of 3 sitdown dinners, 3 counterservice meals and 3 snacks that can be used over a 4-day period (arrival day thru checkout from the first ressie). That would leave you with the last 3 days of your trip to "fend for yourself". But given that your last day is a traveling day, you might not be eating in Disney that day anyway.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

I'm guessing that Twende meant that you should make two consecutive reservations - 3 nights with the meal plan and 3 nights without. Doing it that way, you would have a total of 3 sitdown dinners, 3 counterservice meals and 3 snacks that can be used over a 4-day period (arrival day thru checkout from the first ressie). That would leave you with the last 3 days of your trip to "fend for yourself". But given that your last day is a traveling day, you might not be eating in Disney that day anyway.

How would the park tickets work with this idea? I was considering this but I thought I might run into problems with the park tickets. Also does anyone know if you could apply the meal plan if you buy your tickets at the SOG (military)? We already have ressies at FW.

Have a good day!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm guessing that Twende meant that you should make two consecutive reservations - 3 nights with the meal plan and 3 nights without. Doing it that way, you would have a total of 3 sitdown dinners, 3 counterservice meals and 3 snacks that can be used over a 4-day period (arrival day thru checkout from the first ressie). That would leave you with the last 3 days of your trip to "fend for yourself". But given that your last day is a traveling day, you might not be eating in Disney that day anyway.

Thanks for clearing that up, makes sense now.

How would the park tickets work with this idea? I was considering this but I thought I might run into problems with the park tickets.

I don't know about SOG but I think at most resorts it would require two separate check ins, new KTTW cards, etc...

 

[Carrie Ellis]

But don't you need to have reservations at a resort and tickets to be able to do the Dining Plan? So if you split your reservation, would you need two sets of MYW tickets? Or could you still buy the amount of days that you would need for the parks and have 2 reservations? I would like to do the meal plan but not for everyday we are there. We are staying at FW campground and we are having some "days off" at the fort! My sister is flying in to stay with us the second week so I will need to add another person to our campsite so 2 reservations would not be a bad idea.

I read tour guide Mike's description of the meal plan and understood so much more! but I am still confused on how to go about it.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We have been lucky a couple of times and received codes in the mail for resorts but last May when we went my mom called for reservations at POR without a code. Just by talking with the reservationist she ended up getting the room for $58 a night. It can be done without a code by just talking with the CM and asking if there are any special deals. Can't hurt to ask! Good luck!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

But don't you need to have reservations at a resort and tickets to be able to do the Dining Plan? So if you split your reservation, would you need two sets of MYW tickets? Or could you still buy the amount of days that you would need for the parks and have 2 reservations? I would like to do the meal plan but not for everyday we are there. We are staying at FW campground and we are having some "days off" at the fort! My sister is flying in to stay with us the second week so I will need to add another person to our campsite so 2 reservations would not be a bad idea.

I read tour guide Mike's description of the meal plan and understood so much more! but I am still confused on how to go about it.

Here's a possible way of doing it:

Let's say you want to go to WDW for 7days/6nights. You split your booking into 2 separate ressies. The first ressie would be a 3-night package that includes 6- or 7-day MYW passes. They can be hoppers or have pluses, it's up to you. This ressie would also include you MYW dining option. Your second ressie would be for 3 days of room-only. You wouldn't need passes because you still have days left from the ones purchased in your first ressie.

Now, the dining option is only good for days 1 thru 4 of your stay. You would have 3 snacks, 3 sitdown meals and 3 counterservice meals to eat in those four days, but you would have to use all you dining options up by midnight of that 4th day. On you final 3 days, you would have to pay for your meals out of your pocket. For most people, that last day is a traveling day anyway. So, chances are good that you would end up eating elsewhere.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Thanks mad4themouse! I understand now. It does make my brain hurt, though! ouch! I will have to really sit down and consider what we are doing. This plan might be worthwhile if you are planning a couple of character meals and others! We are planning 11 nights and it would be too much for 10 nights but may be the last 5 nights!

Thanks!

 

[MrsPete]

You can defintely do 5-days for under $2000 -- you just need to plan carefully and be prepared to stick to your budget.

Stay onsite in the All-Stars; yes, you can save a dollar by staying off-site, but you're losing value. By staying onsite you have "the magic" 24 hours a day, and you'll do much more; thus, a greater value. Wishing you could afford a suite? Bring along a small $20 tent, and your kids can have "their own room" within your room; kids don't care about hotel rooms. Onsite you can also use Disney's transportation, which is quick and easy -- and free. Read mousesavers.com for codes.

All-Stars are usually available in the $75 range, so let's assume 5 nights x 75 = 375. Given that you're visiting in early December, you may very well do better than this!

You're staying five nights, but you don't need five day tickets. You probably need 3-day passes; the difference in 3-day and 5-day passes is significant. The first day you will be traveling, and it's foolish to pay full-price for tickets while you're on the plane for most of the day. I'd count on using the first day to check into the hotel, swim, and enjoy a nice character dinner or go to Downtown Disney (free). In fact, you can do quite a few things at Disney for free. Ditto for the last day: there's no need to pay for an expensive ticket when you'll be spending most of your day packing and leaving. Instead, let the kids have one last swim at All-Stars, then go to a nice character breakfast before leaving. If I were you, I wouldn't pay for the plusses; kids as young as yours will enjoy the hotel pool just as much as they'd enjoy the water parks, and December weather can be iffy. I also wouldn't pay extra for the hoppers; Judging from their ages, your kids will probably enjoy Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom most.

3-day passes: 2 adults @ 181 each + 2 kids @ 144 = 325 for tickets (source: Ticketmania.com). You won't find significant discounts on tickets anywhere, and buying used ones from ebay is very dangerous; No choices -- you'll just have to pay these high prices for tickets.

So you have two huge expenses done: hotel and tickets, and you've only spent 700.

Food will be your next big expense: Bring snacks and breakfast for the hotel room -- that saves a ton right there. There's Deb's website where you can check out menus ahead of time; Can someone post the address? I forgot it. That'll allow you to choose your meals carefully. Consider having the kids share a kids' meal (with an extra drink) -- they're big enough, and you can always order more if you're still hungry. We usually spend about $100/day for our family, which is enough for one sit-down and one counter-service meal each day. That'd add $500, bringing your total up to 1200.

Souveniers -- just say no -- seriously. I do, and my kids don't even care; they understand that they get to travel much more than other kids, and they're fine with not taking home a tee-shirt or a stuffed animal from every place they visit. Or, if you're not as cheap as I am, then set a dollar figure and explain that's it. Many people with young children buy Disney-themed items ahead of time (at Walmart, etc.) and give them to the kids at WDW.

That leaves only airfare and other transportation. I rarely fly anywhere, so I'm not much help here, but I believe you should be able to fly the family for the remaining $800. If you're staying on-site, you'll be fine without a rental car -- plus you'll avoid the hassel of getting lost and finding parking spaces (don't underestimate how big Disney is). You will need to budget a few dollars for parking at your home airport and a shuttle service /taxi to get you from the airport to WDW. Still, that should easily fit into the $800 that's left for transportation.

 

[crazelion]

Here's my advice if on a budget:

Drive to Orlando would save trying to found discount airfare from the airlines and save from renting a car if stay offsite. You will need gas money and maybe a overnight hotel but that easy then waiting for discounts on airfare.

If do stay offsite be sure factor in pay to park which is 8.00 dollars a day.

Stay offsite save money. Yes it's nice stay onsite have the transportion to the parks. But on budget. Plus get you can hotel with breakfeast include in the price of the hotel. Yes it my be milk, ceral, and danishes but it's free. Check out the Orlando and attractions board. They can tell how to rent condo for 250.00 dollars a week in be a 2 bedroom suite.

You will only save a few dollars on tickets check out ticketmania.com for discounts. that hard how many days going to the parks. If was I would do 3 days park tickets and spend time at Orlando's small attractions to save money.

Eating offsite is cheap. I that's a fact. If drive they have thoussand buy one get one free coupons in booklets at offsite hotels and rest stops in Florida. That save alot money. Plus some coupons is kids eat free to.

Souveniers go offsite to get Souveniers because there is plenty of ships that sells T-shirts 3 for 5.00 dollars around Orlando so every can have there on t-shirt Souveniers. Sure it say WDW on them but it's a nice Souveniers. Taking pictures from your own camera for Souveniers to show that in the parks.

 

[castanhope]

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for all the suggestions and advice! MrsPete, that was excellent advice on only buying tickets to the parks for three days. I really didn't think about that, just assumed five days would equal five tickets, but if there is other stuff to do for the two half-days we are coming and going, that would save a TON of money. My husband liked the sound of that figure a lot better! What I was wondering though, when I purchase tickets, am I buying for a specific park, or just A park? I probably will not get the park hopper option since I can't see us moving that quickly as to want to visit more than one park per day with two little kids, but I'm wondering if I have to decide which ones I want to visit before I buy the tickets? What I'm thinking is on the first day doing Magic Kingdom because that is what the kids will love the most. Then probably Universal the second day because that is what my husband and I are dying to see. But then the third day I'm kind of undecided whether or not to try Animal Kingdom or just go back to Magic Kingdom again. I know the kids would like the Animal Kingdom but is it really that different from a zoo that it would be worth missing more time on the fun rides and stuff? I'm not really sure if one day at Magic Kingdom is going to satisfy them if you know what I mean? So I would like some opinions on that if anyone could. Thanks again for all this information, this board is great!

Christina

 

[Magic2000]

My DD & I are planning a trip in early June and I am hoping to keep it in the $1200 price range. First, we're driving, so that will save us money there. Its only about $100 to drive (round trip!). Southwest does fly out of New Orleans, and that's who we fly - they do have the best prices!!! Then we'll be staying at Pop Century! We've stayed here before and we love it! Breakfasts will probably be in the room - or maybe a fruit/muffin from the food court.

We're going to Universal/Islands of Adventure on one of our days there, but I have passes left from last summer (so it won't cost us anything this year!). I am trying to decide if we will do the Swimming With the Dolphins at Discovery Cove (which will make me go over the $1200 price).

My family does not consider Animal Kingdom to be a zoo at all. We love walking around looking at the animals, but also the shows and some of the rides are really nice! DD loves Festival of the Lion King, as well as Tarzan! Your children may also enjoy Epcot - my DD loves going to Epcot and visiting each country. She loves to make her mask - and stop at each country to decorate it! I love to try at least one meal at one of the countries - Canada is a favorite!!! Even my DD loved her dinner at Marakkesh in Morocco last Dec.

I'm still trying to crunch out my numbers, and of course, I am hoping for a code!!! But she and I are both having a lot of fun planning our trip!!!

Have a great time!!!!

 

[crazymomof4]

It always makes me cringe when people tell first timers that you can't really experience Disney if you don't stay onsite.

I'll second that! I know we are in the minority here.

We've stayed on site and off. There are positives and negatives about both. Without going into detail I've experienced things about staying on site that were a far cry from "magical". Each person/family has to find out what is the best for them!