Can we really go to Disney?!

[Mkaz]

Hey guys. This is my first post! I hope that I am posting in the right spot. This is a wonderful site! I have been lurking here for a couple of weeks. I decided it was time to consult the professionals with our situation. Okay so here is the situation... Hubby says to me a few weeks ago "Hey, let's surprise the kids and take them to Disney for CHRISTMAS!" I am loving the idea the second it comes out of his mouth. So our Disney quest begins. I started all of the research for air fare, hotel etc. etc. I signed up with quite a few airlines for fare alerts and I ordered the entertainment book. I also signed up for the mousesaver's newsletter. By this point I "THOUGHT" that I was doing well and that I was becoming such a pro! MY first thoughts were to make reservations for a hotel and airfare. The hotel reservation went rather smoothly. I got the entertainment rate at the Comfort Inn in LBV. The rate is $44.98 per nite Sunday, December 25th to Sunday January 1st. It seemed to fit what we are looking for in a hotel. Air fare was another story. The closest airport is an hour and a half from us, but they are the most expensive around so I kept searching. Then I came across disboards! OMG! I poured over the information on the boards. I suddenly realized that I forgot one major thing... A BUDGET! DH and I talked it over and decided that $3,000.00 would be about our limit. Can we really do this on this amount of money? We are a family of four Me, DH, DD 13, DS 5. We would love to be able to stay on site, but it doesn't seem possible with our budet. Any advice would be deeply appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[TnTWalter]

was $3000 but we are at $3177 TOTAL including 2 rooms, dining plan, airfare, tax, etc. Plus we're hoping to get some additional discount 11/3/05 [the new rumored discount release] so we can save even more. I did receive an AAA discount on the room and tickets. We're staying 6 days, 5 nights [1/2/06-1/7/06] with park hoppers and Magic Your Way Dining.

So if you only did 1 room at a value and used AAA for the discount you'd probably be right at your total! I think Dec26-Jan1 are more expensive than when I'm going, so maybe change your dates to the value season too. Maybe you could even do POR or CSR for your budget.

Good luck.

Here's the blurb about the discount...
POSSIBLE 2006 DISCOUNT*

Rumor has it that there will be a Magic Your Way Package discount for 1/1/06 - 3/8/06.

The booking dates will be 11/3/05 - 2/15/06.

Stay tuned to the DIS for updates regarding this offer.

 

[kellyg403]

and using the AAA discount. It doesn't hurt to call Disney about AAA room rate or call AAA for the package with dining. If you get the dining (about 35 a day for you, dh, dd and 11 for ds) they will be already included in your package so a lot of things will already be paid for when you get there. I was really surprised at what we got staying at CBR, 2 rooms with park hopper and dining for about 5400.00. About 2000.00 less than we thought. The time you are going is the holiday season so the rates are a little higher, but if you can change your dates to the week before it will be value season and cheaper. I think value ends on the 19th of Dec? But if you book your reservation starting in value season in goes through your whole reservation. I have been thinking lately about changing resorts and checking the WDW website and there were still rooms showing up for the dates of Dec 16-23. You will only need one room so I would imagine there might be something out there onsite that will get you close to your budget! I am sure there are some people here that can give you much better advice as this is my first trip too! Keep trying and have a great time!

Kelly

 

[disneyjunkie]

You may able to use this code since you're checking on the 25th.

http://www.mousesavers.com/littlebird.html

 

[Rella Bella]

AirTran has been having a sale... check thier website, we got RT tickets for less than $100.00 each.

 

[tmt martins]

You might want to change your dates so your not flying SUN's they are the most expensive .This could cut your AF in haft most of the time mon-thur. is the cheapest most of the time.

 

[dixipixi]

Yes. You can make the trip within $3,000.00. The first time DH and I took our kids we spent around $3,000.00 total (we have 3 kids...2 of whom were considered adults for everything at the time).

We stayed offsite. Our hotel offered free breakfast and we ate reasonable meals for dinner. We actually visited Universal, IOA, Sea World, Wet n Wild, and all 4 Disney parks.

We were able to stay 10 days and had a really good time. One thing, we did drive so we didn't have to pay for airfare.

Since then, we've managed to go back several times. We have been lucky enough to stay onsite, but I wouldn't hesitate to stay offsite again. I would definitely stay offsite before I blew my budget. You have to remember that if you stay onsite, everything is higher (food, snacks, sundries) so that adds to the total cost of the room IMO.

We also stayed at the very hotel you have chosen. It was nice. Clean and comfortable. Definitely not 5 star, but we didn't pay a 5 star price either. I would stay there again. One thing to consider...if you fly you'll still have to rent a car. I wouldn't recommend the shuttle service offered at that hotel. So, if you're only going to Disney...you could stay onsite at a value resort for probably about the same as the offsite room and rental car.

I wouldn't let the cost of the vacation worry me too much. Just set your budget and plan to stay within it. We have had just as much fun on the $3,000.00 trip as we have on the more expensive ones!!!!

 

[staci]

Yep, totally possible. We just did a trip for 5 adults, and 1 23 month old for around $3000, including everyones airfare, two rooms for 5 nights, and park tickets for 6 days. It CAN be done

 

[TNKBELL]

You can do it!! I did for 17 days with 6 for less than $3000.00!! Just keep lurking, that's all I did, I learned so much from all the bright people on these boards!! Good Luck!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I applaud your efforts, and Disney for Christmas is a magical gift! Let me emphasize that! I think you'll be amazed at what Disney has to offer! The DISboards is, IMHO, a great place for WDW info!
Here are some of my thoughts: One thing you will want to mentally prepare for is the crowds. I've never been during Christmas week, but I understand the crowds are pretty heavy. I've seen them under other heavy times, and the crowds can get to the best of us at times. When you are walking through a really crowded area - hold hands. Have a plan for what to do if someone gets seperated, and update that plan as needed. Plan on using a stroller for the five year old. Even if he doesn't really use one any more in daily life, Disney is all day walking.
Try planning a few breaks into the mix, like lunch at the Poly or the Contemporary (on a MK day). It doesn't have to be an expensive lunch, just plan a little break from the noise into some of your days. (especially your MK days) The Polynesian is a nice quiet place to walk around, and it is only a short monorail ride from the MK. GF is also relaxing and has an inexpensive place to eat. From Epcot, you can take a break via the back exit in the WS, and head over to the Boardwalk area (pizza). Your family might be the type that enjoys non-stop marathon days, but most people enjoy their stays more when they have a little quiet time. Disney is amazing, but it can be sensory overload, especially for a first timer. It's sort of like visiting the cathedrals of Europe...after a while, all the Mary and baby Jesus paintings start to look alike. If you take your time, you'll appreciate the details more. If your kids (and adults)are well rested, they will enjoy themselves more. Do use FASTPASS, but also take the time to notice details in the walkways and gardens around WDW, rather than rushing to the next ride. I also wouldn't try to schedule your time too much. It will only lead to frustration. It is smart to have a general plan of the rides you most want to visit first, and think about show times when you get your park maps, so you know what direction you want to go, but don't try to predict every moment of the day.

Most important - allow yourself to be a kid again! Try to see the rides and characters through the eyes of a child. Do something silly, like eating ice cream for breakfast

Another thing to consider...and maybe you are too far into planning a Christmas trip...but one thing to consider, is that it might be cheaper to go in February if you are on a budget. Food prices won't change, and it sounds like you found an inexpensive hotel room, so I don't know how much you'll beat that price no matter when you go, but you could probably get a good airfare deal in early February, and you might even be able to stay on property for part of your trip. (If your kids get a February break during president's week and you're able to START your on-property stay by the 15th )
Last, have you considered how you will get from the airport to the hotel? If you are staying off-property, you'll probably want to rent a car. If you stay onsight - at least for this year, you wouldn't need a car, you could use Disney's ME service and use Disney transportation to get around while you are there, which would considerbly offset the room price. (But room discounts for that time are ending soon). You might also get a considerbably better room rate at WDW if your stay starts on the 19th of DEcember.

 

[hockey mom]

Driving will save a fair chunk.

What a great surprise for Christmas.

 

[TnTWalter]

Trish

 

[rayjess]

We stayed at the Comfort Inn at LWV 2 years ago. I got it for 29.00 at night and it is a nice place. Also, the kids ate free in their restaurant. That saved me some on the food.

 

[disney_me]

We are leaving for Disney Dec. 21 this year. We booked our airline tickets so that we are leaving on a weds. night. Last fight out of Philly, then returning on a Thursday. What a HUGH price change.

Your Budget has to be what your familycan afford. Do you plan on bring Christmas gifts for your kids? Christmas in Disney IS the Christmas gifts for my dd We talked with her before we planned this trip. She will have a few things to open up on Christams morning but not like if we were at home.

Good luck with your planing!!!

 

[dvcgirl]

Hi Mkaz,

Congrats on the decision to make the journey to Disney. I know that you didn't ask for advice regarding your dates, but if there is any way at all that you can avoid that week....do so. It is easily the busiest week of the year at WDW. The idea of a vacation at WDW over Christmas break sounds magical, but if you aren't *very* laid-back or a real veteran, well, many walk away disappointed. Best of luck in planning your trip.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Staying onsite is probably not an option on your budget if you want to go during Christmas. It's the most expensive time of the year and crowds are dense. There is no AAA discount and the current codes are only good for stays thru 12/25/05 and they require that travel be completed by 12/25/05.

DH & I stayed at the Comfort Inn LBV on our very first trip to WDW. That was back when there was only the MK and EPCOT and parts of the World Showcase were not complete at the time (that's how long ago it was). It's not too far from WDW and at the time they had a shuttle service. The rooms are a little on the small side but if you're in the parks all day, the room is only for sleeping any way. The pool was a decent size but with no theming or anything special to make you say "WOW!" It is definitely the no-frills type of accommodations that you expect from a Comfort Inn.

For your budget I have the following:

• 7 nights Comfort Inn @$44.98 + tax = $354.22
• 7-day MYW Base tickets from Ticketmania thru MouseSavers (3 adults, 1 child) = $731.00 It's interesting to note here that the 7-day MYW base ticket is only $1 more than a 5-day ticket and actually costs less than a 6-day MYW base ticket. Get the 7-day passes, even if you just go into the parks to look around on your first night, it's worth it.
• Food for 4 for 7 nights = $700. That's $100/day with a 5yo in the group, I thinks it's more than enough to get one good sitdown meal plus two quickie meals. Since the hotel offers a free continental breakfast, you might get away with less.
• Transportation to/from the airport: Mears Motor Coach offers transportation to all area hotels. It would cost your family about $100 RT. If you can find a rental car for the week for less, I would suggest doing that instead. It will provide you with more freedom to move about the WDW area than relying on the hotel shuttle and Mears will. Check MouseSavers - Rental Car Discounts for codes and coupons. Another option which will cost about the same would be to use a towncar service like Tiffany Towncar orFlorida Tours . Budget $125 for ground transportation.
• Airfare. This one is tricky. You live in PA and the closest airport is 1½ hours away. This leads me to believe that you're either in Central PA or in the northern region of either half. How far is it to PIT or PHL? It might be worth the drive just to get the better airfare. Right now, American is showing $194 pp RT out of PHL with 1 stop. That's probably the best that you will see for holiday travel. Total for the 4 of you with taxes and fees = $777.16. If PHL or PIT is absolutely out of the question, you may have to bite the bullet and pay the higher airfare from you regional airport. Budget $1200 for the 4 of you. This is relatively high but you're traveling at a peak time.

Those are the biggies when it comes to budgeting. The total comes to just over $3100 and doesn't include things like souvenirs, airport parking, housekeeping tips, film developing, pet sitter or any of the other little things that can affect your budget. Like others have suggested, travel at another time of year will be less expensive (cheaper rooms, lower airfare). Ticket costs, ground transportation and food will remain the same.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

If you live in PA, flying Southwest might be an option for you...from PIT it's $289 pp from BWI (Balt/Wash Int) I get as low as $318.00 on your exact dates . Okay, maybe not as good as that American flight deal, but non-stop. Or, $223 flying out on the 24th. Flying on the night of the 24th will save you $264 in airfare (on Southwest) and give you a full day in Orlando on the 25th. So the savings could easily make up the difference of paying for an extra hotel night plus any food (and there are plenty of cheap options in the Orlando area...one of the cheapest being the grocery store) I think whichever airline or airport you are looking at, you should consider playing with the dates a little like that to see if you can lower the airfare costs.
Personally, I prefer non-stop flights in the winter as you can't predict what the weather will be like.

 

[Mkaz]

Thank you guys so much for the input. I really appreciate it. You have certainly left me with a lot to think about. Air fare seems to be our biggest issue. We are in northeast PA closer to Scranton/Allentown. We could consider driving to Newark or NYC. Newark doesn't seem to be too bad, but NYC is quite a drive. We do have close friends on Long Island, but we really don't want to invade them on Christmas. It just doesn't seem right to us. You were right, the lowest quote that I got from Allegiant was $1,200.00. We definately need to do some thinking here. I have tossed the idea around that maybe we could change our dates, but we will have to see. Hubby is self employed so that is an option for us. If we can't change our dates, I think that we may just have to up the budget just a tad to work it all in. This is definately part of their Christmas presents so I may be able to switch things up a bit there. Thanks again for all of your help. Any other suggestions are always welcome.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

NYC tends to be an expensive place to fly from. If the difference in airfare is big enough, it might even pay to drive down the night before and stay somewhere cheap near the airport, just another strategy I've tried before.

 

[Diznenut]

Ok, here's what I found.

if you change your dates to the week before (Dec 18 - Dec 24) You can stay onsite in a Value resort.

7 day park hopper tickets

Dining package on MYW tickets

2125.37

Watching on a DING or similiar fare, you can probably get tickets for under 700 total for your family.

Thats under 3000 total and a fantastic vacation!!