Cheap ticket question

[pugluver31902]

I'm not sure if this is in the right place...but I couldn't figure out where to ask this!

**Now that I have typed up my question, I figured I should add a disclaimer that there is some whining in the middle!"**

My family and I will be in Disney in August. I had written in another thread that we will not be buying tickets this time, mainly for two reasons. One being that it will be nice to have a more relaxed vacation and enjoy many of the free ameneties and tour some resorts. I got MANY helpful suggestions and fantastic idea's of things we can do. The second reason we will not be buying tickets is simply, that we cannot afford it. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not charging up a credit card and getting myself in debt to come here, I'm just trying to be very penny pinching these days. DD 1year old was diagnosed with a genetic disorder in December, and if you have never seen money fly before, come to my house. Its literally FLYING out the windows!

So..back to my point. I feel extremely blessed that we are able to go on a trip at all. I feel blessed beyond belief that DD is healthy enough to go on a trip. I know we will have a fantastic time just being at Disney. So why am I so sad when I think about not setting foot in even one park? I feel so selfish like I WANT IT ALL!! It may seem so silly, but I keep telling DH that when I see people heading out in the morning to the parks with thier cameras and water bottles Im going to be so sad. And again, I feel SOOOOO greedy, and ungreatful for what I have. Shame on me!

But... I'll still ask. Does anyone know the best place to buy discounted tickets? I know you can do time share presentations, but when I tried to look them up, they needed to run a credit check and things like that, and I don't want to get into that! I tried multiple times to do the Give a Day, get a day, but everything filled up so fast! Any tips for me?

 

[disneymomoffour]

I'm not sure if this is in the right place...but I couldn't figure out where to ask this!

**Now that I have typed up my question, I figured I should add a disclaimer that there is some whining in the middle!"**

My family and I will be in Disney in August. I had written in another thread that we will not be buying tickets this time, mainly for two reasons. One being that it will be nice to have a more relaxed vacation and enjoy many of the free ameneties and tour some resorts. I got MANY helpful suggestions and fantastic idea's of things we can do. The second reason we will not be buying tickets is simply, that we cannot afford it. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not charging up a credit card and getting myself in debt to come here, I'm just trying to be very penny pinching these days. DD 1year old was diagnosed with a genetic disorder in December, and if you have never seen money fly before, come to my house. Its literally FLYING out the windows!

So..back to my point. I feel extremely blessed that we are able to go on a trip at all. I feel blessed beyond belief that DD is healthy enough to go on a trip. I know we will have a fantastic time just being at Disney. So why am I so sad when I think about not setting foot in even one park? I feel so selfish like I WANT IT ALL!! It may seem so silly, but I keep telling DH that when I see people heading out in the morning to the parks with thier cameras and water bottles Im going to be so sad. And again, I feel SOOOOO greedy, and ungreatful for what I have. Shame on me!

But... I'll still ask. Does anyone know the best place to buy discounted tickets? I know you can do time share presentations, but when I tried to look them up, they needed to run a credit check and things like that, and I don't want to get into that! I tried multiple times to do the Give a Day, get a day, but everything filled up so fast! Any tips for me?

Check out the mousesavers.com website. (It lists any discounts available.) There is a way to get discounted tickets, though they won't be that much cheaper. Good luck!

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

Two free activity suggestions: If you have a rental car be sure to go over to the Disney Village Marketplace one evening just to wander around...we took a 2 year old granddaughter there a few years ago, and between the Lego displays, the Disney stores, and the outdoor entertainment, I think she thought she was in the Magic Kingdom. Also, the Boardwalk area is fun to stroll around and just enjoy lots of things to see, wonderful resorts to walk through and maybe just get an ice cream or something...

 

[su_A_ve]

"Disney village Marketplace" = "Downtown Disney" (did the name change?) And note, you do not need a rental car for this. Disney buses go to this location, and in fact, is a central hub for you to go to other resorts.

Also, a nice 'walk' is around Epoct lake. Just go to any of the Epoct resorts, go to the back, and you can walk around the lake.

Other than touring the different resorts, not much to do for 'free', other than the pool. Note that you can no longer go to other resort's pools.

That said, regarding 'cheap' tickets, the most you can get is maybe 5-10% off on day. All other promises of deep discount Disney tickets are time-shares and alike, or fake. Local AAA should have some as well.

Look at the Budget Board here... more appropriate...

 

[pugluver31902]

Thanks for your responses! I will look at the budget board. For some reason that board didn't catch my eye when I was looking.

 

[2ofUs]

Something else that can be pleasant is to utilize the WDW boat transportation. You can catch a boat from a couple of points behind Epcot (Boardwalk and Yact Club docks) which then stop at the Swan/Dolphin dock and head to Hollywood Studios dock - then back. Could be a nice loop around the lagoon area, especially if you sit outside in the back. You can also take your resort bus to HS but instead of going into the park, walk to the dock & catch the boat.

Also, take your resort bus to Epcot and catch the monorail to TTC. From there you can ride the monorail around the Resort loop - stops at MK, Poly, GF, Contemporary, and ending back at TTC.

Then take the WONDERFUL boat that goes from TTC to MK. Great view and a very pleasant ride. When you arrive, catch one of the boats that transport guests to/from FW, or the one that loops to Contep, WL, FW and back. Then the other that goes to GF & Poly.

Taking a nice stroll around the grounds at the resorts Poly is splended, especially on fireworks nights, but also very pleasant during the day.

FW is also a great place to just wander around. Arrive by boat and use the internal bus system or just walk in the woods. They also offer carriage rides in the evening and other events (check the schedule) such as outdoor movies, marshmellow roasts, etc.

Kids love the giant outdoor displays at the All-Star and POP resorts, too!

And while you are in DTD, try taking a boat over to OKW and Saratoga Springs resorts. Even if you don't get off, it is still a very pleasant ride, especially in the evenings. I believe you can catch one to Port Orleans Riverside/French Quarters too but I have not done that.

DH and I plan to do a bit of 'wandering' on our next trip as well. Though our first 3 days will be very rushed (doing a Premium pkg) we plan to relax for a couple of days afterward, only entering the parks for dinner or evening entertainment, if at all.

If you are driving, Celebration City has some pleasant walking areas and is also very interesting.

The biggest expense we generally incur for WDW trips is the cost of admission, unfortunately, and even for just 2 of us it is still more expensive than airfare (well, so far). I do feel your pain. What I try to do is start planning about a year out by either booking a package w/WDW or renting DVC points (much less expensive for us).

Once that portion is paid for (or at least budgeted to be paid before departure) I then buy park passes through a trusted broker for a bit of a discount (access through Mousesavers.com as mentioned above). Since this is always a credit card purchase (for security reasons) I make sure I have the funds to pay off the card when the bill comes as I don't accumulate interest - ever.

Next we find airfare - about 3 months out - and try to keep it under $600 total (usually around $500, but there are so many add-ons now...blah). Again, this allows me time to budget/pay off the credit card when the bill comes.

We generally rent a car (DH loves to drive at WDW) so I book early, then keep watching for discounts and adjust the ressie. This doesn't require payment until we turn in the car, so I budget to pay that upon return.

Finally, I make sure we have enough cash budgeted for tips, goodies, and all the meals we plan to enjoy. Since we have been many times now, we don't buy much in the way of souvenirs, but we do find nice postcards near the beginning of our trip and mail them using preprinted address labels I bring from home, including one to ourselves.

Sometimes we take pictures with characters the first day or two, then I print them using a small photo printer that will print postcards and my 'mini' laptop. This really personalizes the cards and we send them about 40 people - including our doctors, chiropractor, dentist, vet, optometrist, hair dresser, dog groomer, insurance reps, coworkers, my favorite consignment store, lots of family & friends - anyone who might find joy in getting a card from WDW.

I cannot tell you how much good will this has brought us through the years. When visiting some of these buisnesses, I see the postcards either framed on the wall, pinned to bulletin boards, or otherwise displayed and someone ALWAYS says "How was WDW?" or "When are you going back?"

Friends and family that we sometimes only see at weddings or funerals will call us when we get home to thank us for these cards - mostly because I have learned who their favorite character is and try to get a picture with them. I try to have a preprinted card that says "Hi Bonnie" (insert name of reciever) and ask that the character hold the card during the picture.

But I digress, sorry. There are so many ways to make a trip to WDW fun without returning home to huge credit card bills. Pre-plan and budget, both of which you are doing, are great beginnings. Adding in at least 1 character meal - there are MANY outside the parks, usually in resorts - can help children and adults feel the joy! Budget for that and plan a few FREE excursions and you might just find this will be one of your most memorable visits.

Oh, and as for the feelings of envy watching people with cameras and water bottles heading to parks in the morning - keep in mind that they will also be standing in long lines waiting for short rides in the summer heat and humidity that is HORRIBLE in Florida in August. I say PITY them since you will be riding in A/C buses & monorails with no particular schedule to keep; touring in A/C resorts and stores at a lesurely pace; riding in shaded boats with a cool water breeze; playing in your resort pool; making activity choices/changes based on the whims of your familyand their needs. But best of all you will not be suffering from aching feet at the end of the day!

 

[pugluver31902]

Oh.My.Gosh. That was a very long and DETAILED response. I loved it! Thank you for your thoughtful answers and your time. What fantastic idea's! I love you Diser's! You had some great tips and I really appreciate them