Cheap Vacation

[slcollins619]

Hi there all! I am looking to take my kids to WDW for X-MAS. We really cant afford to book thru Disney at Holiday rates. We have to go this week because it is the only vacation that my husband gets and we cant afford for him to take off any other time. I need lots of budget ideas to cut the costs of this trip. Any and all advice would be extremely appreciated. The kids are really looking forward to going and it would break their hearts if we didnt get to go.

 

[threeboysmom]

Hi there! Check skyauction.com for a cheap condo rental for your week. I've never personally rented from them before, but I know other DIS'ers have with good success. I think you can get a full week at around $200 (2-bedroom).

Airfare will be very high due to the holidays. Not sure where you are coming from, but any chance you can drive??

You can get discounted tickets from ticketmania.com. I have ordered from them many times in the past and have never had a problem.

Check out mousesavers.com for more money-saving ideas and tips.

Have fun planning!! Hope you can go!!

 

[donnabres]

WDW vacations are never cheap. One thing you can do instead of staying in a hotel, you could check into renting a house or condo. For the same money you can have more than one bedroom, and bathroom. Therefore some privacy. Also will get a kitchen, not that I like to cook anytime, expecially during vacation, but breakfast is always an easy one, and you can all eat while the rest of you are getting ready.
Then in addition to saving $ on breakfast, you will also save time and enjoy your day in the parks more.
Have a great trip.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I don't have any big tips, but some little things you can do that will save you some money if you haven't thought of them already are:

Bring as much as you can with you, such as snacks, bottled water, glow sticks/necklaces, film/batteries, little souveniers from dollar tree, the disney store, etc so you aren't tempted to buy as much (more expensive there). That stuff can take up alot of room in your luggage, but since you'll be using alot of it while you're there you won't be lugging it back home with you.

Also, if you haven't already considered it, you may want to tell the kids that the trip is their Christmas presents and only get them a few things they need for the trip (disposable cameras, autograph books, fanny packs, etc) for gifts and use money you usually spend on Christmas to help pay for the trip. Also ask relatives to give kids Disney dollars instead of toys.

Start a change jar and pay for everything you can with bills, that little stuff adds up.

If you are a AAA member, military or government employee, or have an AP there are a few more discounts to be found sometimes on tickets and/or hotel rates. As someone else said, Skyauction has gotten some great reviews for their condos.

You could join a rewards site like mypoints and try to earn enough points for a gas or food gift certificate to use toward your trip. It's free to join and you get points for clicking links in their emails, shopping through their links, and other assorted offers. I usually end up with enough points for about 2 cards a year, but I don't sign up for the offers and I forget to shop through them half the time.