Cheapest Disney Vacay Possible?

[MyKidsMom1820]

Can't wait to hear your verdict! Oh, do WBC for lodging.

For now the verdict is, I can book a room now, but know that I may have to cxl it if I can't get a good enough deal. I have a 15% off pin good til the end of the year.... ( i had no idea but thats what "Bond" told me....nice res cm guy..anyway) So I think I might call and book room only at this point....Value resort, of course! We stayed at all star movies last year, and my kids just loved the theming.

Talked to my husband about the yes program and our two oldest could do it, I was looking at a physics class?? I couldn't find dates yet, but I am planning on that...

So I am going to put this all together in the next few days and hope for the best!!!

also I need to decide on the week. We initially thought the end of august, but my husband said he liked the sound of october...the first 2 weeks of sept are out, since I have 2 kids starting school and I want them to get into their routine before leaving for a vacation....(one starting kindergarten, and one with aspergers....)

Thanks for all the help guys!! you're the best!!!

 

[nunzia]

for that reason we ARE NOT telling any family members about our possible trip... we will let them know when we get back, if we get to go! You see we recently finished paying off some debt, and while we are by no means loaded, we have significantly more money to spend on fun stuff than we used to. anyways, we have a brother in law that insists that we are lying that we don't have any cc debt. (yeah we still have the house but we are working on it! ) Anyways, we have learned that our family is not very supportive or happy for us that we are doing well.....

We briefly considered sesame place, but I read some bad reviews that it is over priced and underwhelming.

Hey..good going to you guys! and too bad your family can't be happy for you and supportive. I'm sure you can make it work out..lots of great ideas here. My one further idea is find wways to make a bit of extra cash between now and then for 1 splurge..just one, and it makes you feel first class all the way. We have found Character Breakfasts to be a trip highlight more than once..(PS..we have an Aspergers DGS..so interesting how he looks at things)

 

[kellydizfan]

Virginia will cost just as much and isn't as much fun. Busch Gardens is boring after about 2 days and the water park also same thing. It was expensive - food wise. Stay on site at Disney and get the counter service plan, have more fun and spend about the same or less. I wasn't impressed with Busch Gardens. Disney has ruined me for life I guess.

 

[Marionnette]

You can do it depending on what your must-dos are and what you're willing to give up. Have you thought about renting DVC points? AKV studios are some of the cheapest points, sleep 5, and would give you a kitchenette with a coffee maker, microwave, mini fridge. Free dining isn't free. At all. A one bedroom would give you a full kitchen with lots more options to save money on food. Check it out, you may be surprised. The time of the year will matter.


For media, you could sign up your oldest for a YES class and save a bundle on hoppers. You wouldn't need the two day base ticket but would have to bag *free* dining.

Okay, first and foremost, renting DVC points is not a cheap way to go. It is an inexpensive way to stay at a Disney deluxe resort but definitely not cheaper than finding a nice condo or resort with kitchenettes. Points currently rent for $11-$13 per point and a week in an AKV value studio at the cheapest time of the year costs 69 points. You will pay in the range of $759-$897 for a studio which is actually the same size as an AKV hotel room. A one-bedroom value would run 139 points at the cheapest time of the year ($1529 and up for that reservation!)

Secondly, there are 10 2-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas and 8 Dedicated Studios that make up the Value category. The Values only exist in Jambo House. IOW, not too many when you consider the total number of DVC rooms. Those value rooms go quickly. Unless you've been in contact with someone who owns at AKV and do it before the 11-month booking window opens for your trip, the chances are very slim that you will be able to rent a value studio at any time.

Finally, AKV studios sleep 4, not 5. There is a queen bed and a full size sleeper sofa. A Pack and Play is also included and children under the age of 3 are not included in the head count. But believe me, there is not a lot of room to move around when that sleeper sofa is open! You would be really cramped with the addition of the Pack and Play or a crib.

Don't get me wrong. Renting DVC points can make for a wonderful vacation. But I would not call it "cheap" and it really does not fit into the OP's budget.

 

[Belle0101]

Go during June, July, August, September or October and sign your 6 year old up for a Disney YES class. They are 3 hour behind the scenes classes and entitle your whole family to get discounted tickets. For 7 day base tickets, it would cost $728.32 compared to $1096.96 for the same tickets through Disney. There are a few threads about this on the budget board.

So, you COULD go during free dining, but you would need to pay for at least 2 day tickets. I would opt instead for room only code if you can get it. With that, you could probably do a value room for around $70/night, so $550 for the week. OR you could stay offsite in a 2 bedroom condo or a hotel suite for less and save money by cooking your own meals. Either way, I think you could do it for $2000 if you eat fairly frugally and don't spend a lot of souvenirs. Better yet, have the kids save their own money for souvenirs.

Sorry, I'm not following the bolded - Did you mean they would need to pay for 2 One-day tickets or Two-day tickets for each member of the family (excluding the one(s) under three years old)?

I think most of us on here need a Disney intervention from time to time. I'm not sure asking about this on a board filled with Disney addicts is going to help.

Yes, if you are not including transportation costs in that $2000, you can do a Disney vacation, although not likely for an entire week. Your 6 year old is old enough for the YES program, which would allow your entire family to buy discounted park tickets. 5 day base YES tickets for 4 would run you $620. 6 nights at a value resort, non-preferred in Aug. is around $610.

If you got free dining (if it is offered), you'd have to buy reg. park tickets and the PhotoPass CD. 4 day reg. price base tickets and 5 nights at a value with free dining would run about $1600 with the CD. You'd have to factor in other meals not included, although you can sometimes use some snack credits for breakfast the next morning (like danishes and muffins) if you plan properly.

Your best bet would be to get into the YES program and plan to stay off property, which you could do pretty cheaply even factoring in paying parking. Look on Sky Auction for cheap rentals and if you are military, or gov't. (federal, state or local) or municipal employee, there are super deals to be had during the off to slightly off-season through getravelop.com

-Astrid

Again sorry, I have another question - with FD are you required to buy media equal to the number of days you are staying. And, does FD require the purchase of a PhotoPass CD now?

When we last went, 5+ years ago, during FD we were only required to buy a single One-day ticket for person in the room. I had an AP so we just saved mine but later upgraded everyone elses. And, no PhotoPass CD.

I know a lot can change in a few years. When we last went FD still included appetizers, dessert and the tip for TS dining. Those were the good old days!!

We're going in October and I'll run the numbers and post them so OP can sort of compare where we're at v. their budget.

And ditto on selling stuff! We weren't using our Wii anymore so we sold the whole system (games, accessories, console) on Craiglist and got $325 for it. And on ebay we sold a broken Bose, listed for parts only, and it went for $80+. Those together just about paid for our Y.E.S. tickets.

 

[Marionnette]

Sorry, I'm not following the bolded - Did you mean they would need to pay for 2 One-day tickets or Two-day tickets for each member of the family (excluding the one(s) under three years old)?

Everyone on the reservation has to have the same tickets with the exception of the children under the age of 3.

Again sorry, I have another question - with FD are you required to buy media equal to the number of days you are staying. And, does FD require the purchase of a PhotoPass CD now?

When we last went, 5+ years ago, during FD we were only required to buy a single One-day ticket for person in the room. I had an AP so we just saved mine but later upgraded everyone elses. And, no PhotoPass CD.

I know a lot can change in a few years. When we last went FD still included appetizers, dessert and the tip for TS dining. Those were the good old days!!

We're going in October and I'll run the numbers and post them so OP can sort of compare where we're at v. their budget.

And ditto on selling stuff! We weren't using our Wii anymore so we sold the whole system (games, accessories, console) on Craiglist and got $325 for it. And on ebay we sold a broken Bose, listed for parts only, and it went for $80+. Those together just about paid for our Y.E.S. tickets.

Free dining is not the same as when you last went. The offer last fall required a minimum stay, 2-day base tickets and the purchase of a 20-page photopass book (not the CD). People staying at the values got free quick service dining. People staying at moderates and deluxes got the regular dining plan. The regular dining plan no longer covers tips at the table service restaurants and the appetizers have been eliminated.

 

[mousiemom]

we've done it everyway, we've been to disney for a week, only bought the base tickets we needed, stayed in a value resort, off season, and only ate out a couple of times, had sandwiches, etc. in the room, and it was the cheapest trip ever. honestly, i could only spend one day @ bushe gardens, disney has so much more! on one of our disney trips, we spent one day in bushe gardens, it was fun, but couldn't wait to get back to the disney parks. when we go on our yearly disney trip, (me, dh, and 11yr dd), we go when the free dining comes out, value resort, base tickets for around $1400.

 

[MyKidsMom1820]

we've done it everyway, we've been to disney for a week, only bought the base tickets we needed, stayed in a value resort, off season, and only ate out a couple of times, had sandwiches, etc. in the room, and it was the cheapest trip ever. honestly, i could only spend one day @ bushe gardens, disney has so much more! on one of our disney trips, we spent one day in bushe gardens, it was fun, but couldn't wait to get back to the disney parks. when we go on our yearly disney trip, (me, dh, and 11yr dd), we go when the free dining comes out, value resort, base tickets for around $1400.

I agree all the way!! Busch Gardens just doesn't seem fun....In Michigan there is this place called Michigans Adventure, its fun...but not Disney Fun.

I think my hubby has a hard time treating himself... He is finally graduating college this summer (he started back in the winter of 07) and has been working fulltime while going to college at night part time and being a super awesome dad to three kids, one with special needs, anyways, we have worked so hard paying off cc's and paying cash for college, I would really just like to go and drop about $5000! but for his sake I am reigning myself in... I just want him to relax and enjoy himself, and not be so worried about the bottom line.

 

[torinsmom]

Sorry, I'm not following the bolded - Did you mean they would need to pay for 2 One-day tickets or Two-day tickets for each member of the family (excluding the one(s) under three years old)?

Two day tickets for each member of the family are required to get the free dining now. If you did FD AND the YES tickets, you wouldn't save any $ on tickets, but you could use the 2 day tickets for another trip.

 

[rookie78]

i def think you could do disney for 2000 without travel, if you stayed at value resort and got free dining. You can upgrade the free dining from qs to ddp for only ll per adult per day and I read they don't charge for the children to be upgraded. I am looking at staying in dec. @ Pop with 7 day PH with 2 adults and 2 children, hoping for free dining,it would be, $2050.00, if no free dining would be, 2850, then we always take another 1000 for gas and souvenirs. If you could do free dining rather than a room code, I think would be better.

 

[cyndik1111]

Two day tickets for each member of the family are required to get the free dining now. If you did FD AND the YES tickets, you wouldn't save any $ on tickets, but you could use the 2 day tickets for another trip.

Wait, I am totally confused about this dining plan.
Are you saying you could rent a disney resort room for 1 week, only get MYW tickets for 2 days, but have the dining plan free for all 6 days?

 

[Marionnette]

Wait, I am totally confused about this dining plan.
Are you saying you could rent a disney resort room for 1 week, only get MYW tickets for 2 days, but have the dining plan free for all 6 days?

Free dining worked this way last fall:

• You paid the rack rate (full price) for the room.
• You paid the gate price for your tickets. You had to purchase at least 2-day base tickets but could buy more days and add other entitlements if you wanted to. Everyone in the room had to have the same tickets.
• You also had to purchase a 20-page Photopass book at a cost of about $100.
• In return, you got the QSDP if you stayed in a Value resort or the DDP if you stayed in a Moderate level or higher.

Some people have gotten PIN codes and bounceback offers for this coming fall that are different that this. You never know what terms and conditions Disney will set or even if they will offer free dining at all.

 

[kvnchapman]

Let's try this again -

No intervention necessary!! 4 paying park-goers since the little dude(ette) is free. Can you manage in a 2BR/2BA room or do you need 3 BRs? Can you go when they offer YES programs/tickets? Are you ok with doing some easy meals in your room? 1 week in a 2BR WBC room is about $650/week. (4) 7 day YES tickets = $600-$880 total. 3 "special" (think character dining/sit down/whatever) meals = $300 max. Other food equals what you would have spent at home anyway. Snacks/treats in parks = $80. Free shuttle = $0. So...you are looking at $1755 before souvenirs, gas or photopass.

It can SO be done!
Have fun.
Can't wait to hear your verdict! Oh, do WBC for lodging.

 

[kvnchapman]

We have done December and November. In 2012, we are doing October. YES tickets are a HUGE moneysaver and staying in a suite with a kitchen is a big saver, as well. Did you look into Bonnet Creek? It's next to Caribbean Beach.

 

[Hook326]

Free dining worked this way last fall:

• You paid the rack rate (full price) for the room.
• You paid the gate price for your tickets. You had to purchase at least 2-day base tickets but could buy more days and add other entitlements if you wanted to. Everyone in the room had to have the same tickets.
  [*]You also had to purchase a 20-page Photopass book at a cost of about $100.
• In return, you got the QSDP if you stayed in a Value resort or the DDP if you stayed in a Moderate level or higher.

Some people have gotten PIN codes and bounceback offers for this coming fall that are different that this. You never know what terms and conditions Disney will set or even if they will offer free dining at all.

We went in November last year and all of this applied to us except we didn't have to buy a Photopass book. We booked with the general public FD offer. Maybe that was the September FD offer? Strange...

 

[MyKidsMom1820]

We have done December and November. In 2012, we are doing October. YES tickets are a HUGE moneysaver and staying in a suite with a kitchen is a big saver, as well. Did you look into Bonnet Creek? It's next to Caribbean Beach.

I did look into bonnet creek, and while the hotel looked great, and they are suites, I couldnt get the dates we are thinking and I couldn't find rates anything close to the rack rates of the value resorts.... am I doing something wrong? I always hear how great the rates are, but the only rates I saw available were over 200 a night... so way out of the park for us on this trip...

 

[Marionnette]

We went in November last year and all of this applied to us except we didn't have to buy a Photopass book. We booked with the general public FD offer. Maybe that was the September FD offer? Strange...

It was for vacations starting Aug. 28 – Sept. 24, 2011. It was the general public code as well as the Disney Visa code.

 

[minerva78]

I did look into bonnet creek, and while the hotel looked great, and they are suites, I couldnt get the dates we are thinking and I couldn't find rates anything close to the rack rates of the value resorts.... am I doing something wrong? I always hear how great the rates are, but the only rates I saw available were over 200 a night... so way out of the park for us on this trip...

The prices you are getting are probably from looking directly at their website. To find the good deals, you'll need to contact an agency that specifically deals with vacation rentals. A lot of people have had luck with Vacation Strategies, Vacation Upgrades, and VRBO. If you contact one of these companies for a quote, it's possible for an owner to quote you a price for at least half of what you see on Bonnet Creek website! I would definitely look into this as an option.

 

[mieuxmew]

Go to Ebay and search Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Lots of Wyndham timeshare owners rent weeks on ebay for WAY less than the rack rate. Some have dates listed far in advance. Most will post to ebay 2-3 months ahead. Wyndham owners get further discounts for booking reservations I believe less than 60 days out (cost less points). Can get a week in a 2 bedroom for $800 or maybe less. Resort is literally right behind Carribean Beach. Very nice property. Many pools. There is a pirate themed pool with a waterslide. There is a spray ground. Many activities for the kids - face painting, tye die t-shirts, make your own sundae, arts and crafts etc. One night they had a guy come from Gatorland and he introduced the kids to some special guests from Gatorland (all had more then 2 legs). There are other Bonnet Creek hotels. Be sure it is WYNDHAM Bonnet Creek.

We used to stay on Disney property but found a much better value staying off site in 2 bedroom/2 bathroom units. Having a kitchen and washer/dryer is so valuable when traveling with kids! We were rained out for 2 1/2 days one trip. The resort stepped up with extra activities indoors, like crafts, movies, games, etc. We had 3 TVs in our 2 bedroom unit, which helped a lot!

If you go to the Disboards under hotels in Orlando they often speak of Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Hope it helps!

 

[kvnchapman]

I did look into bonnet creek, and while the hotel looked great, and they are suites, I couldnt get the dates we are thinking and I couldn't find rates anything close to the rack rates of the value resorts.... am I doing something wrong? I always hear how great the rates are, but the only rates I saw available were over 200 a night... so way out of the park for us on this trip...

The other posters are right - don't use Wyndham's booking site!! Vacation Upgrades is great for deluxe units and Vacation Strategies is great for presidential suites. We have used both (11/2011 - 1 week in 2 BR dlx at $675 and 10/2012 - 1 week in 4BR pres at $1165). Other folks have sucess on EBay, Farrell, VRBO, etc. Just google those names. It's an amazing resort and super convenient.