Cheap Disney: Does it exist?

[Ariel Mae]

My friends and I (all college students, aged 19 to 21) were wanting/hoping to take a trip to Disney, May/June 2009, but, as we are college students, we're rather broke. I was wondering if there was such a thing as a 'cheap DisneyWorld Vacation'. I don't expect to be able to, say, stay at Disney's Old Key West Resort, for example. We're figuring a hotel, in Orlando.

Your help would be much appreciated!!

 

[MOREMICKEYFORME]

You may want to jump over to the resorts board, then click on codes and rates. People are always posting deals such as discount codes and free dining deals. They can usually help you with specials run by Orbitz, Jet Blue, Travelocity etc.
It is possible to do Disney CHEAPER, but be realistic...
Just jump to the other board for more tips!!
Have fun planning.

 

[VAN]

Right now they have an offer ... buy 4 nights and get 3 free. If you going to focus on Disney, I would stay at one of the Values rather than off-site.

Check out waltdisneyworld.com and price out one of these packages. If you have your own transportation, you can always get supplies/food from a grocery store for your breakfast and snacks.

Anyway, this is a good package.

 

[acm563]

My friends and I (all college students, aged 19 to 21) were wanting/hoping to take a trip to Disney, May/June 2009, but, as we are college students, we're rather broke. I was wondering if there was such a thing as a 'cheap DisneyWorld Vacation'. I don't expect to be able to, say, stay at Disney's Old Key West Resort, for example. We're figuring a hotel, in Orlando.

Your help would be much appreciated!!

Unless you are planning on driving to WDW anyway I would definitly stay on site at one of the values and that way you dont have to worry about transportation (as in car rental/fuel, parking etc)
Another way to really cut costs is to bring your own breakfast and lunch foods... (pop tarts, cereal etc for BF, the microwaveable pastas you can just throw in micro at the resort dining area , your own soda, water etc. The tuna and cracker packets you can buy are also great for a quick lunch.Peanut Butter and Jelly if you like it, anything that doesnt need refrigerated and there are a lot of options out there) and then eat counter services for dinner which you can find for less than $10. )
Anytime anyone tells me how expensive it is to go to Disney I have to disagree, it is all in what your "tastes" can settle for. If you are the type that has to eat out for all 3 meals, or has to have a snack at every snack booth, or a 3 course meal for dinner, and a lot of souvenirs then yes, Disney can be expensive, but there are many ways to be frugal at Disney without giving up the magic

 

[kgle]

Unless you are planning on driving to WDW anyway I would definitly stay on site at one of the values and that way you dont have to worry about transportation (as in car rental/fuel, parking etc)
Another way to really cut costs is to bring your own breakfast and lunch foods... (pop tarts, cereal etc for BF, the microwaveable pastas you can just throw in micro at the resort dining area , your own soda, water etc. The tuna and cracker packets you can buy are also great for a quick lunch.Peanut Butter and Jelly if you like it, anything that doesnt need refrigerated and there are a lot of options out there) and then eat counter services for dinner which you can find for less than $10. )
Anytime anyone tells me how expensive it is to go to Disney I have to disagree, it is all in what your "tastes" can settle for. If you are the type that has to eat out for all 3 meals, or has to have a snack at every snack booth, or a 3 course meal for dinner, and a lot of souvenirs then yes, Disney can be expensive, but there are many ways to be frugal at Disney without giving up the magic

I completely agree. There are definitely ways to do it "cheap" and not come out broke. Doing the buy 4 get 3 deal could really work if you are able to spend that much time there. It could really work out in your favor if you divide the cost evenly.

 

[LoLaRae]

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I, as well, am a "budgeted" college student with a profound love for Disney. My Df and I went in September for $1400 with flights. We stayed at CBR, had free dining, and waited for Ding! fares through Southwest. In addition to that we brought enough spending money for tips and one small souvenir each, which totaled out to around $200. We could have done it for about $300 cheaper if we would have stayed at a value resort.

​

There are also some hotels around the area that you can get for around $50/night, but I find it so much easier (and fun) to stay on Disney grounds. Good Luck!

 

[Rora]

It's very do-able to do cheap Disney. Now you might not get to do every little thing you like but hey- gotta compromise somewhere!

I'm 22. I know what it's like to be a broke college kid. DFiance and I have done Disney various times for "cheap". Here are the best hints and tips I can give you:

1. Stay on Disney Property
--You can sometimes get a really good deal. You're going to want to stay at a Value resort to cut costs even more. Of course, room with other people and split the cost of the room. It's important you stay on property because you get free parking and free transportation-- plus, it's more Disney.

2. Limit your Extras
--Yes, this means not buying the huge stuffed Mickey you just love. It's hard, I know. Limit your souvenier budget: typically mine is no more than $30 depending on how long I am going for.

3. Share your Food
--Bring bagels/cereal/pastries/whatever for breakfast. As far as lunch goes, try to purchase something larger than what you could normally eat and split the cost with someone. Avoid ordering soda/alcohol with your meals. You'll save lots!

Now, of course you're going to want to splurge a little.. limit yourself to one big thing. Is that all of you going to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table? Maybe a big night out at Jelly Rolls?

There are plenty of FREE things to do at Disney world. Check out this website for ideas: www.mousesavers.com
One of my favorite things to do at Disney is free: I love riding the monorail and resort hopping!

If you have anymore questions or want to know how I budget my Disney trips feel free to send me a private message!

 

[spiceycat]

you can do it - even staying at oKW - just rent points from a DVC member

are you driving to Orlando or flying?

if flying SW is definitely the way to go - unless jetblue

www.southwest.com
www.jetblue.com
http://www.airtran.com/Home.aspx

all have inexpensive flights.

now if you are driving - then you might even consider offsite.

depends upon how many friends and if every one can agree on which park to go every day.

if everyone can agree to go to the same park - then driving is not a big deal - if not.... somebody would end up just driving everyone else around...

so stay onsite if you can.

the play4 -3 free is on Disney website
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...ge&int_CMP=WDWHomeLeftPromoToQ2FY09ValueOffer

just remember to bring (if you drive) or ship (if you fly) food.

remember the extra charges on all adults over 2 in a room.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Don't forget if you drive or rent a car, parking at the resorts and parks will be free for a Disney resort guest - otherwise you'll need to consider the cost of parking at your hotel and at the parks.

I agree, it can be done, but best done staying on site at a value resort, using Magical Express (free airport transportation to and from your Disney resort), share meals whenever possible (my friend and I do it all the time at Disney, even when staying at a deluxe).

Off site hotels can end up costing far more than a Disney value resort and the shuttles are not usually good - and not always free.

Be sure to check www.mousesavers.com and sign up for her monthly newsletter and check the DIS Codes and Rates board often - as soon as code is released it will for sure be posted there!

It can be a lot of fun planning and finding ways to save and yet still stay on site.
Have fun!!

Don't forget that staying at a Disney resort means free and frequent transportation to and from the parks.

 

[Gisele]

All very good tips. I still would like to have a sugar daddy though! he he No, really.......... I wish they would list themselves in the yellow pages! ha ha, again, no really!

 

[nurse.darcy]

Staying at a value is great, but not always the best thing for 4 college age girls. Two sinks is a MUST. I suggest staying at a moderate during value season. Find a code or a sale like what is on now. At the moderate you will have a mini fridge, perfect for extra bottled water, milk, cheese, and other perishable snacks. When in the parks, buy the kids meal for counter service, or if preferred, the adult meal and ask for a cup of water. EVERYWHERE that they have beverage service you can get a free cup of ice water. At some locations the regular adult meal is huge so split it.

For instance:

Animal Kingdom Flame Tree BBQ serves a 1/2 smoked chicken with bbq beans and a corn muffin. A half chicken includes a drumstick, thigh, wing and breast. This meal is easily split with someone else as I have been with my female friends and we don't finish the 1/2 chicken. The total cost of meal is $9.49 plus tax. With a free cup of ice water and splitting the meal, your portion is 5 bucks and no tip required as its counter service. And the best thing? The free ice water is refillable. . .lol. At the same restaurant you can also get a kids meal of a drumstick, carrots, bottled water and a cookie. This is plenty for me. Its a bit over 5 bucks. There is also a kids hot dog meal if you dont want a drumstick.

There are many similar deals. In Japan at Epcot they have there Udon noodle bowls (shrimp or vegetable) $6.49 for veggie and $7.99 for Shrimp. Huge and VERY satisfying. They also have a teriyaki childrens meal that consists of teriyaki chicken, veggies and rice with a beverage for $3.99. Similar to a teriyaki chicken bowl. What a bargain.

 

[scotas]

I agree about the moderates, a little more room for everyone to spread out. I would actually suggest Coronado Springs since they are upgrading to Queen beds, so you have a little more room.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Also, Caribbean Beach Resort rooms are about the same size as AKL and WL at 340 sq ft, so a bit larger than other mods where the rooms are 315 sq ft.

Nevertheless, if budget is the main concern, as nice as a moderate would be space wise/sinks etc, a value may be the best cost wise - unless a great code is released!

Oh! As for sinks, CSR rooms have one sink, but good counter space, CBR rooms have double sinks and good counter space, but POR and FQ both have standing sinks with no counter space.

Values have one sink with some counter space.

 

[Tarabelle83]

Well, if you find an off-site hotel that has free parking and isn't too far away you won't be too bad off. I had looked into staying on-site but even the "values" aren't within my budget. So my fiance & I have gone that route & found a (hopefully!) nice little place on International Drive. I still don't understand the push to stay on-site. It has it's perks, sure, and if I could afford it, I'd do it but for those of us on an extremely tight budget it ain't happening (& believe me, I tried to make it work). I guess it depends on how fastidious you are when it comes to hotels. My typical vacation consists of a tent so average motels seem like resorts to me (seriously, I'm easily impressed).

And I like the suggestion of sharing CS meals. I've printed up the menus for all the CS restaurants (as listed on allears.net) so I can start budgeting. Amusement parks generally make me lose my appetite & my fiance doesn't eat much to start with so sharing won't be a problem. I'm also hoping I'll be allowed to bring in some Goldfishes or something to munch on while in line.

 

[twinklebug]

Takes time, planning and approval from multiple sources, but the cheapest way to do Disney since you're a college student...

Look into the CP... you get 6 mos of Disney, discounts and free entry. Many schools also allow the Disney CP as a work/study credit also.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Well, if you find an off-site hotel that has free parking and isn't too far away you won't be too bad off. I had looked into staying on-site but even the "values" aren't within my budget. So my fiance & I have gone that route & found a (hopefully!) nice little place on International Drive. I still don't understand the push to stay on-site. It has it's perks, sure, and if I could afford it, I'd do it but for those of us on an extremely tight budget it ain't happening (& believe me, I tried to make it work). I guess it depends on how fastidious you are when it comes to hotels. My typical vacation consists of a tent so average motels seem like resorts to me (seriously, I'm easily impressed).

And I like the suggestion of sharing CS meals. I've printed up the menus for all the CS restaurants (as listed on allears.net) so I can start budgeting. Amusement parks generally make me lose my appetite & my fiance doesn't eat much to start with so sharing won't be a problem. I'm also hoping I'll be allowed to bring in some Goldfishes or something to munch on while in line.

Okay, I can't believe you found an offsite that includes transportation (and I mean every 20 minutes) for less that $64 a night. During this time of year that is exactly what it costs. . .64 a night or less for a value.

 

[Mick West]

OK - here's the deal - my "cheapest" trip to Disney included staying in a value resort! Granted, it was a Disney Vacation Club resort - but it was staying at Boardwalk Villas - and it was great! I found the deal on E-Bay! Lots of folks that are DVC owners list "rentals" on there, and some are fairly cheap, considering the actual cost. A big expense is park passes. Some tips here: 1) Do one park a day passes - much cheaper than park hoppers! 2) You can usually find passes on E-Bay too 3) If you have any military connections passes can be bought on military bases at a cheaper rate. And the other big cost - food. Hey, you're in college and used to living on cold pizza, so what the heck!

 

[Ariel Mae]

We'd be driving, a 16 hour trip. Three of us (hopefully) will be able drive...we're going to have a make stop, halfway/Tallahassee (as my family and I usually do), because of that distance/time aspect.

I'm quite wondering what a Value Resort is. I'm used to staying at Old Key West.

We're also trying to find 'cheaper' tickets, of the Park Hopper Variety. We want to go for 5 days, at least, and have found tickets at 275$, but that's still a bit tiffy, to one of the friends.

And, as for food, we do know we'd have to share. We do that, as it is.

The only other expense is a friend's cigarette costs...but we're working on cutting him down on that, because that would grant him a lot of saved money.

As for being used to cold pizza...no. I may be in college, but I'm hardly a fan of fast food. I prefer my meals cooked, and at least twice a day, of the larger, fililng variety. I may share, but we share full foods.

 

[Ariel Mae]

Takes time, planning and approval from multiple sources, but the cheapest way to do Disney since you're a college student...

Look into the CP... you get 6 mos of Disney, discounts and free entry. Many schools also allow the Disney CP as a work/study credit also.

While it may be 'cheaper', it's hardly what I want to spend my life doing. I've heard nothing but negativity about the Disney CP program. Sure, they get in free, and get discounts, but, beyond that, the living quarters, and working times/schedules have nothing but a black cloud upon them, based upon what I've heard.

And it wouldn't count for squat at my school.

Work study?

Ha.

I don't think we have that.

 

[krolyat]

Also try VRBO (vacation rentals by owner) as a place to rent for the time that you are there. Often times you can find great discounts on renting a full house (+pool) for about the same as renting a hotel room. Since you will be driving down you will have to pay to park at the parks but if each of you rotate who pays it's not so bad.

www.vrbo.com