Challenge: Can WDW vacation be done for under $2,000??

[suzy508]

I'm hoping the great and wonderful Dissers can help me with a challenge!! My DH just told me that we could go to WDW in April IF I can plan the trip for under $2000.

ACK--- Can this be done? I don't need to include airfare--that's covered. But what's my best plan of attack? Onsite, offsite? I just looked over car rentals for that week and it's expensive. So maybe staying onsite would be better?

Can anyone give me tips?? Thanks!!!
Susan

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We, my DH and I went last November for $1421. total.
This was 6 nights at Pop Century, non-hopper tickets, Free dining & airline fare! Without airline fare you could knock off about $500. so would be less than $1000.

This December for $2000. we, my DH & I, are staying 6 nights in POR for 6 nights, free Dining, non-hopper tickets & again that is with airfare.

No vehicle rental either time as with Magical express you don't need it.

Good luck - if it is just the two of you & don't need airfare you can do it!

 

[redrosesix]

I'm hoping the great and wonderful Dissers can help me with a challenge!! My DH just told me that we could go to WDW in April IF I can plan the trip for under $2000.

ACK--- Can this be done? I don't need to include airfare--that's covered. But what's my best plan of attack? Onsite, offsite? I just looked over car rentals for that week and it's expensive. So maybe staying onsite would be better?

Can anyone give me tips?? Thanks!!!
Susan

It's way too early to look at car rental prices for your trip -- the best prices are 4-6 weeks before.

Are you really set on April? Some of the current specials end in March. Otherwise, avoid the time around Easter (when is that in 2010 ) and look at the room rates on the calendar before you pick your dates.

I know nothing about US airline prices , and you didn't mention whether you would be flying (the transportation board will be very helpful if you are). You also didn't mention how many people will be going.

Yes, I think it can be done if you're careful.

 

[suzy508]

Sorry about the missing info! I got all excited when he told me Yes!
So we can only go for our Easter break. I'm a teacher, we have 2 kids that I don't like to take out of school. AND the kicker is that big buy 4, get 3 ends 3 days before we could go.
We are coming from NJ and have an airline voucher that has to be used before June 1.
We went to Disney Easter 2007 and I know how crowded it is.
Thanks again!

 

[happymommy]

Although I prefer onsite, I'd compare on vs. off for this trip.

Will all 4 of you share one hotel room? That gets hard, but many folks do it.

I actually would start looking at rental car prices, that way you can compare around. When you see something good, you can get it.

The tickets are a big chunk of the cost. We always do park hoppers, but that will add $200 to the trip for 4.

I think you can do it, but you need to really plan. Onsite, you don't need a car. Offsite, you can get a condo and cook a bit, but you need a car.

For a busy time, I'd really try onsite. Or really close like Downtown Disney. That is a great area.

Good luck!

 

[princessmom29]

I don't see why it cannot be done, especially if you are not flying. For me DH and DD satying Mod with the FD promotion we are paying $2007. I would think if you went value or offsite you could go well below that. Easter week is going to be tough b/c everthing is usually full price though. Are you SURE you cannot find a long weekend and pull the kids for a couple days?? I am a teacher and we are going over Thanksgiving b/c DD and I only miss 2 days of school for a week's vacation.

 

[DaisiLou]

We're leaving tomorrow.

We have one night as room only, then a 3n/3d package at POP, with free dining, and park hopper. No airfare. My total was right under $1400....I'm taking $600 with us, about $300 of that will go towards gas, the balance of which to spend on tips and souvies....

Yes, you can do it.

 

[RMulieri]

Sorry about the missing info! I got all excited when he told me Yes!
So we can only go for our Easter break. I'm a teacher, we have 2 kids that I don't like to take out of school. AND the kicker is that big buy 4, get 3 ends 3 days before we could go.
We are coming from NJ and have an airline voucher that has to be used before June 1.
We went to Disney Easter 2007 and I know how crowded it is.
Thanks again!

Easter week may be PEAK pricing though.So for 2 adults, 2 kids...it could be very very close.

 

[Nadjalu]

Have you went on the website and priced it out?

That is what I would do. But to answer your question, yes it can be done.
Back in March Dh and I went for the first time. Spent 5 days and 4 nights at POP, paid for DDP and had park hoppers for 5 days....total was $1500.
Airfare was not included.

We leave in 9 days and are staying 7 days/6 nights, got free DDP, park hoppers for 6 days and it came to less than $1200. (this is why we are going back!!).

It is possible, but with your time frame you may not be able to. Check it out though.

 

[palavra]

Definitely possible! The three of us are staying 7 nights at All Star Music during the week of Thanksgiving. I did get a PIN code for free DDP. The total for room, park tickets, and most meals was $1545.00. We will bring spending money, and probably will spend over $2000.00 in the end, but that is mostly discretionary money.

 

[dkbnyc]

We, my DH and I went last November for $1421. total.
This was 6 nights at Pop Century, non-hopper tickets, Free dining & airline fare! Without airline fare you could knock off about $500. so would be less than $1000.

This December for $2000. we, my DH & I, are staying 6 nights in POR for 6 nights, free Dining, non-hopper tickets & again that is with airfare.

No vehicle rental either time as with Magical express you don't need it.

Good luck - if it is just the two of you & don't need airfare you can do it!

curious, our trip is also just under 2k, including airfare, but only 3 nights at POR. I guess tickets and airfare for our 5yo adds up to 3 less days at WDW

 

[zhazhazsu]

DH and I are staying at POR for 7 nights with 7 day Park Hoppers, and paying our of pocket for DDP.

With airfare we the total is 2200.00. I am sure if you stay at a value and don't do the meal plan you could easily do it for less.

 

[DVCGeek]

Certainly can be done since you already have airfare covered as long as you keep meals & souvenirs at reasonable levels!

I'd book a room-only on-property reservation NOW since that is a popular time of year (Pop Century maybe if you don't mind a Disney value resort; DW & I have stayed there before becoming DVC members and enjoyed it!) Then watch for discounts. Room-only reservations have very easy canelation policies so that way you are guaranteed something and can still make changes if/when a better deal comes us. Also check out http://www.mousesavers.com/ for information on deals. Good luck and have fun!

 

[duffy]

I signed up for the AMEX card from Starwood.com. When I got it and used it, I got 10,000 points. I put everything I can on my AMEX card, and I get a point for each dollar I spend. You can then use the points for hotel stays, and 2 hotels they have are the Dolphin and the Swan. You can get one night for 10,000 points. OR, if there is availability, you can book a night for $60/night, plus 4,000 points.

I booked 3 nights in Feb. 2008 at the Dolphin, and we had 5 nights at the Wilderness Lodge. So, for 3 nights, we stayed at a deluxe, 4-star hotel, for less than the price of a value hotel.

The "stay with points and cash" option is not always available, though. A few weeks ago, I went to the starwood website, and was just browsing through the hotels, to see what's available, and when. Lo and behold, the Swan had openings all through fall of 2010, so we're going in Nov. 2010, again, for $60 each night plus 4,000 points each night!

 

[suzy508]

Thanks for all the advice! We are still discussing our vacation.
Susan

 

[SCPP]

I signed up for the AMEX card from Starwood.com. When I got it and used it, I got 10,000 points. I put everything I can on my AMEX card, and I get a point for each dollar I spend. You can then use the points for hotel stays, and 2 hotels they have are the Dolphin and the Swan. You can get one night for 10,000 points. OR, if there is availability, you can book a night for $60/night, plus 4,000 points.

I booked 3 nights in Feb. 2008 at the Dolphin, and we had 5 nights at the Wilderness Lodge. So, for 3 nights, we stayed at a deluxe, 4-star hotel, for less than the price of a value hotel.

The "stay with points and cash" option is not always available, though. A few weeks ago, I went to the starwood website, and was just browsing through the hotels, to see what's available, and when. Lo and behold, the Swan had openings all through fall of 2010, so we're going in Nov. 2010, again, for $60 each night plus 4,000 points each night!

I just checked my *wood account balance and am currently sitting at 543,198 points.

I guess that comes to 54 nights at the Swan free if we so desired.....

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

To save money on "incidentals" you can start using a Disney Rewards card and you get 1% back on Disney Dollars. We charged our whole vacation on it - yay! Also, depending on your kids' ages, you can have them ask for Disney Dollars for Christmas or birthdays and then they will have their own spending money.
We are going before Christmas and staying at the All Star Music in a family suite. The advantage for us (besides the space) is the fridge and microwave. We are lucky enough to be getting the Free Dining but if we didn't we would be able to do a lot there at least for breakfasts and heating up other stuff. It is a bit more than a single room at a Value Resort - you need to figure in the food cost and maybe the space. We looked into off-site with a car - too expensive and a hassle with the rental. The other place to look is Downtown Disney something like Buena Vista Suites.
GOOD LUCK!
I think you can do it for under 2,000!

 

[duffy]

I just checked my *wood account balance and am currently sitting at 543,198 points.

I guess that comes to 54 nights at the Swan free if we so desired.....

For goodness sakes!! Start using those points!!

I love Starwood points. We're going to stay our first night at WDW (Friday, Nov. 27th!!) at the Dolphin, at a Baltimore hotel the day after Christmas, and will have a long weekend at the Swan next November, all on points.

 

[ramsfootball92]

I posted a similar reply earlier but believe it could be applicable here as well. Have you considered renting points from a DVC member? I did in April 2007 and 2008 (Spring Break) before taking the plunge ourselves. At the time I was a single mom with 3 kids and we opted for a studio room with that includes a kitchenette. Having a dorm size fridge and microwave offers great flexibility. I also opted for non-hopper passes without any other add ons. When renting points Sun-Thurs nights are cheaper. In 2008 we actually arrived on Easter and I believe that I paid $175 more for the room than in 2007 but each year my entire stay including gas (driving from KY, room, tickets for 4, food and extras was less than $2000). Good luck and I'm certain that it will all work out. Sending a little pixie dust your way!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Yup this can be done and I've done it. Stay off site. Pick a hotel with free breakfast/parking/internet.

Buy groceries and take sandwiches/snacks to the park. Your biggest expense will be the tickets.